USA > Iowa > Clayton County > Portrait and biographical record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton counties, Iowa. Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 20
USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > Portrait and biographical record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton counties, Iowa. Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 20
USA > Iowa > Jones County > Portrait and biographical record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton counties, Iowa. Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 20
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In politics, Mr. Atherton is a stalwart Rėpubli- can, and takes a leading part in county and state politics. Socially, he is connected with various civic societies, being a member of Dubuque Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M .; Hyde Clark Post No. 78, G. A. R .; Apollo Lodge No. 41, K. P .; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; Ironwood Camp, M. W. A .; and Uniformed Rank of the Knights of
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Pythias. Both Mr. and Mrs. Atherton hold member- ship with the Congregational Church, and have a pleasant home located at No. 145 Clicstnut Strect. Mr. Atherton is a successful business man and in life's battle has come off victorions. As a citizen he manifests the same loyalty and fidelity to duty which characterized his career when on southern battlefields he followed the Old Flag that now floats triumphantly over an undivided nation.
AMES MULLIN. The career of this gentle- man has been marked by enterprise, indus- try and well directed efforts that have been rewarded by the accumulation of a consider- able amount of property and the machinery and stock necessary for the management of a first- class farm. Mr. Mulhn is one of those Irish-Amcr- ican citizens of whom we have reason to be proud on account of the example they present of indus- try, morality and good citizenship. He is at pres- ent living in Dubuque Township, Dubuque Coun- ty, and is the proprietor of over two hundred acres of land.
Mr. Mullin was born in County Derry, Ircland, in 1818, and is the son of Henry and Ann (Dia- mand) Mullin, farmers by occupation, who lived and died in the Emerald Isle. The parental fam- ily included five children, who, with hardly an ex- ception, were farmers. The grandfather of our subject, James Mullin, lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and twenty years.
The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm in Ireland, and a year after attain- ing his majority emigrated to the United States on the sailing-vessel "Fannie," which landed him several weeks later in Philadelphia. He remained there but a short time, however, and then came to Dubuque County, where he has made his home ever since and is well and favorably known. Mr. Mullin was recently attacked by a crazy man and re- ceived four bullets from his gun, none of which were of a very serious nature, however.
James Mullin and Miss Mary A. Kingsley were
united in marriage in 1876. The lady is a native of Plymouth, Mass., having been born February 28, 1855, to William and Bridget (Gilloon) Kings- ley. Her father is still living on the old home farm, but her mother died many years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Mullin were born nine children, bcaring the respective names of Henry, William, Cornelius, Martha, James, Grace, John, Katie and Frank. The parents are members in good stand- ing of the Catholic Church, in the progress of which they take a great interest. In political af- fairs Mr. Mullin is a straightforward Democrat, believing that the principles laid down in the plat- form of that party arc best adapted to the needs of the nation.
Mr. Mullin's estate comprises two hundred acres, embellished with all needfnl buildings and the machinery necessary for the successful prosecution of farm pursuits. He has been a hard worker, but is now practically retired from active duties and is enjoying his declining years amid the com- forts which he provided for in his earlier lifc.
ENRY J. JECKLIN, a young and pro- gressive farmer of Dubuque Township, Dubuque County, has risen to a position in agricultural affairs which many might envy. With his widowed mother, he makes a specialty of dairy farming, and in that industry is regarded as one of the most extensive and successful in the community.
Our subject was born in Switzerland, February 8, 1869, and is a son of John H. and Anna (Engel) Jecklin, both natives of Switzerland. The father came to the United States in 1868, and the follow- ing year was joined in this country by his wife and four children. After landing in New York City the family journeyed westward to this coun- ty and located in Dubuque Township, where the father was engaged at the trade of a carpenter. He was fairly well-to-do in this world's goods and left at his deceasc a comfortable estate. His death
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occurred in 1890, at Colfax Springs, at the age of fifty-six years.
The family continued to reside on the old farm until 1891, when our subject, having attained his nineteenth year, took charge of the farm, which he disposed of that year at a good price and pur- chased the place where they are at present resid- ing. The estate comprises two hundred valuable acres devoted to mixed farming, although he makes a specialty of dairying. He has on his place eighty-five milch cows, and with the assist- ance of his energetic mother has built up a fine business.
The parental family numbered five children, viz .: Henry J., of this sketch; Emily and Pauline (twins), John and Robert. Though not an active politician Mr. Jecklin votes the Democratic ticket and is a firm adherent of its principles. He is now nicely situated in life, is building up a good home and with his mother, brothers and sisters, has a host of warm personal friends in this eom- munity who are watching him with great interest and predict for him a still more successful future.
ETER DAWSON, a retired farmer who now makes his home in Dubuque, elaims New York as the state of his nativity. He was born in West Point in the year 1836, and is of Irish descent. His parents, Nicholas and Catherine (Quinn) Dawson, were both natives of . the Emerald Isle, and on crossing the Atlantic to America, took up their residence in New York, whence they emigrated to Dubuque at an early day in the history of this loeality.
Our subjeet was a child of only two summers at that time. He was reared to manhood under the parental roof and in the common schools acquired his education. To his father he gave the benefit of his serviees for some time, but at lengthi made a claim, entering the land from the Government, and began farming. His land was all wild and uncul- tivated, not a furrow having been turned or an
improvement made thereon, but with characteristic energy he began its development and in course of time the once barren tract was made to bloom and blossom as the rose. He successfully continued farming for many years, and became the owner of one of the fine country homes of this county, but in 1888 he decided to lay aside business eares and eame to Dubuque, where he has since made his home.
In 1856 Mr. Dawson was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Carroll, a native of Schuyl- kill County, Pa., and to them were born eight children, three sons and five daughters. The parents are both members of the Catholic Church. They occupy a pleasant home at No. 592 Cleveland Street, where they are surrounded by the comforts of life.
While living on the farm Mr. Dawson took quite an active interest in the work of public improve- ment and advancement in the community in which he lived, and did all in his power to aid in the pro- motion of educational interests. In polities he is a Democrat, and warmly advocates the principles of that party, but has never sought or desired public offiee, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interest, in which he has met with good suceess. He started out in life empty-handed but has steadily worked his way upward, and is now the possessor of a comfortable competence, so that he is enabled to lay aside busi- ness cares and enjoy the rest which he has so truly ' earned and richly deserves.
OHIN F. SLOAN. The farm occupied by this gentleman is the old family homestead, and is one of the most valuable tracts of land in Dubuque County, on account of the fertility of the soil, the careful tillage it receives, the system used in its cultivation, and the various other improvements that mark a first- class estate. The residence, although it has stood for more than thirty years, is still substan-
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tial, a model rural abode, which is kept in exeel- lent repair and furnished in a manner correspond- ing with the cultivated tastes of the family.
In Dubuque Township, where he now lives, the subject of this sketch was born on the 18th of De- eember, 1851, and is the son of James and Elsie (Woodson) Sloan. The Sloan family was num- bered among the earliest settlers of Illinois, with the early history of which its members were for years closely identified. Grandfather John Sloan was the first representative of the family in Illi- nois, having settled there during the territorial days. There he continued to reside until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, Jane, passed away near Dubuque, also at the age of seventy-two.
Upon coming to Dubuque County, James Sloan entered the land now oeenpied by our subjeet. Through the exercise of frugality and excellent judgment he gradually built up a finely improved farm and accumulated a fair share of this world's goods. Here, surrounded by the comforts which he had gained by unceasing toil, he spent his lat- ter days retired from the arduous labors of earlier years. Here, at the age of seventy-two years, he passed from earth. His widow still lives on the old homestead, making her home with her son, John F.
The first marriage of James Sloan united him with Miss Rhoda Gilbert, who bore him three children, and died on the home farm. His second marriage was to Elsie Woodson, a native of Mis- souri, and daughter of Cherie and Martha A. Woodson. Five children resulted from the second union, three of whom are living. The family res- idenee was for a number of years the primitive log cabin which is still standing, but as prosperity eame to the father and he became the possessor of sufficient means, he creeted in 1862 the house where our subjeet has since made his home.
To the political questions of the age Mr. Sloan has given due consideration and advocates the principles of the Republican party. As a citizen he is held in high esteem, as he is law-abiding, enter- prising and intelligent, and in the social eireles which he frequents he is deservedly popular. Ile has much of the spirit of progress and the unflag-
ging energy which are moving principles among the Americans of to-day, and his work as an agri- eulturist is being pushed forward systematically and suecessfully.
T HEODOR GOERDT, a well known eitizen and successful agriculturist of New Wine Township, is a German by birth and first saw the light of day October 15, 1824, in West- phalia, Germany. His father, John Henry Goerdt, was a farmer in the Old Country, living and dying in his native land. Our subjeet came to this country in 1850 and landed in New York, May 24 of the same year. He remained in that eity a short time and then came west to Wisconsin, where he spent a few months, but having a number of friends from the Fatherland in Dubuque County, Iowa, he decided to try his fortune in that state and came to New Wine Township. Here he found employ- ment on the farm of Mr. Steffen, and while there was married to Miss Barbara Hutater, September 15, 1850. She was of German aneestry but an American by birth, having been born in Dubuque County. Mr. and Mrs. Goerdt became the parents of thirteen children, five of whom are yet living. Theodore, the oldest, has a fine large farm of his own in this eounty, not far from his father's home. Anna is the wife of Frank Karn, a farmer living near Dyersville; Mary is the wife of August Demer, and makes her home on a farm near Worthington, this county; Kittie is single and remains at home; Joseph is the youngest and is at present looking after the home farm, taking the greater part of the management of the place on his own shoulders, while his father enjoys his well earned rest, after so many years of toil.
Soon after his marriage our subject purehased eighty aeres of land, which is a part of the farm he now oeeupies. He at onee set about making a home for himself and family, in which undertaking he has admirably succeeded. On his arrival in this country he had very little means, but by hard work, industry and economy he has accumulated a
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large fortune and has two hundred acres of land, all in one fine farm. His residenee is one of the best in the township, his barns and outbuildings are large and substantial; he has stock in abundance and all the latest and most approved farming im- plements. When he first came to this eounty he had to haul his grain to Dubuque with an ox team and sold his wheat for thirty-five cents per busliel.
Mr. Goerdt has filled many offiees of honor and trust, serving as School Director for several years, and he is at present a Trustee in the Catholic Church of which he is a worthy member. He also held the office of President of the Dyersville Creamery one year. Charles Goerdt, a brother of our subjeet, is living in Dyersville at the age of eighty years.
A. SMITH, editor and proprietor of the Dyersville Commercial, one of the leading weekly papers of the state, was born on the Rhine, about fifteen miles from the city of Bonn, Germany, the date of his birth being July 23, 1843. He has one brother, J. S. Smith, who is the present postmaster of Worthington, Iowa. Jacob Smith, the father of our subjeet, was a native of Germany and was quite an extensive merchant in his native land. He was the owner of a fine hard- ware store and also the proprietor of a large lock factory. In 1853 he emigrated to America and settled first in Illinois, where he remained eighteen years. Becoming dissatisfied with the Prairie State, in 1871 he moved with his family to Iowa and located on a farm in Delaware County, near Hop- kinton, where he remained until his death. He passed peacefully away January 14, 1892. His wife still survives him and makes her home with her son J. S. Smith, of Worthington, Iowa.
Our subjeet was nine years old when his parents came to the United States. He received his eduea- tion in the country schools of Illinois and later attended business college in Chicago, and after coming to Iowa he attended Lenox College at Hop- kinton. In 1872 he became a teacher in the public schools of Iowa; five years later he accepted a pos-
tion in the Dyersville sehools, and for eight years filled that position with honor and ability. Mr. Smith retired from the school room in 1885, when he became the proprietor of the paper he so ably conduets at the present time. He succeeded M. J. Farley now of Chicago. Since taking the editorial chair the paper has been an out-and-out Democratic publication, non-compromising in its poliey, with no excuse to make for the stand it has taken. People all know where to find the Commercial politieally, and that it is appreciated is attested by the fact that it has a larger eireulation than any other weekly paper in Dubuque County. Being con- nected with the American Press Association it is enabled to give all the news. The Commercial is a large eight column paper and has no "patent" in- side; it is all printed in Mr. Smith's complete steam printing office.
Our subjeet was united in marriage January 11, 1875, to Miss Mary M. Limback, a native of Lyons, Iowa, and daughter of C. Limbaek. This union has been blessed by the addition of five children, namely: Genevieve, Laurenee, Anna, Frank and Blanche. All of them can take a hand at setting type and do other work to push the Commercial to the front as a county newspaper. Mr. Smith and his estimable family are all members of the Catholie Church and he is a member of the St. Francis Life Insurance Company.
AMES WOODWARD is a capitalist of Du- buque and one of its most prominent citizens, widely known throughout the state. He was for many years one of the leading business men of the eity and yet owns extensive property interests here. A native of England, he was born in Westmore in 1827, and is a son of John and Ida (Taraday) Woodward, who were also natives of England. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that country and attended the public school until sixteen years of age, at whieli time he went to London and entered upon his business career as a salesman in the large house furnishing
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establishment of Lidde & Wikeman, in whose em- ploy he remained for four years, when he deter- mined to seek a home in the west. He was then a young man of twenty. Believing that better op- portunities were here afforded than in the older and more thiekly settled countries of Europe, he erossed the Atlantic and on the 31st of May, 1848, landed in New York City. He did not tarry long in the eastern metropolis but at onee made his way to Iowa, loeating in Dubuque, where he began mining. That oeeupation he followed for a year and then entered into partnership with Ins broth- ers, John and William Woodward, who under the firm name of Woodward Brothers embarked in general merchandising. That connection was eon- tinued until the spring of 1850, when they sold out and the brothers made an overland trip to California, but James Woodward remained in Du- buque to care for his mother. His next venture was in the manufacture of mattresses and bedding.
In 1856 Mr. Woodward formed. a partnership with Valentine Heraneourt and embarked in the furniture business. This connection continued for some time or until the death of his partner, when Mr. Woodward beeame sole proprietor. He after- ward sold out, however, and on account of failing health went to England in 1862. For two years he remained in his native land visiting the seenes and friends of his youth, and in 1864 returned to Dubuque, sinee which time he has devoted his en- tire attention to his extensive property interests, owning a large amount of real estate in this city and elsewhere.
In 1878 Mr. Woodward was united in marriage with Aliee E., daughter of Robert Waller, one of the pioneer settlers of Dubuque. He built the first lead furnace of Iowa and was actively interested in the growth and development of this city for some years, taking an active part in promoting all worthy enterprises. He too was a native of Eng- land, and on crossing the Atlantic took up his res- idenee in Missouri, whence he came to Dubuque County, where his death oeeurred in 1857.
In his political views Mr. Woodward is a Repub- liean, but he has never sought or desired politieal preferment. He has traveled extensively and lias many times crossed the ocean. In 1872 he again
went to England, where he remained two years; in 1875 he went abroad and spent one year; the year 1881 found him en route for the Old World, where he remamed two years, and in 1887 and 1891 he visited his native land. His success in business seems almost phenomenal, yet it is the re- sult of well directed efforts, careful attention, good management and judicious investment. Thus has he risen from an humble position to one of wealth and affluence and is now numbered among the capitalists of Dubuque. His home is a palatial residence situated in the midst of beautiful grounds and surroundings on Fremont street.
B ERNHARD CLAUS, JR., a prominent ag- rienlturist of Jefferson Township, Du- buque County, is the eldest son of Bern- hard and Catharine (Sleighter) Claus, and was born in Alsace, France, August 8, 1822. Coming to America, the family embarked on the sailing- vessel "Osborne," and after a voyage of twenty- eight days landed in New York City. A short time afterward they went to Buffalo and there un- suceessfully sought work for ten days, after which they proceeded to Columbus, Ohio. Near that city the father purchased eighty aeres of farming land, which he utilized in the usual way by raising cereals until he died.
Our subjeet now having arrived at an account- able age, and feeling able to "paddle his own eanoe" through the world, left for Dubuque, Iowa, where he secured a position as teamster. He was thus employed for three years, after which he went to the Chippewa River in Wisconsin as a surveyor in the employ of the Government. Three months later he returned to Dubuque, where he has since remained.
Mr. Claus invested all of his hard earned savings in a piece of Iowa's best farming land, on which he built one of those old-fashioned log cabins, then so common, but now seldom seen. His, however, still stands, and was at one time quite skillfully and artistically decorated with the horns and skins
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of thirteen deer which he had killed during the first year that he lived on his farm.
Mr. Claus was married to Effie Fisher April 2, 1850. There were four children by this marriage, as follows: Margaret, William, George and Will- heminia, the two daughters being deceased. The wife and mother died in 1855 and afterward Mr. Claus married Catherine Sliger. Seven children blessed their union, namely: Mary, Rosie, Cather- ine, Carline, Bernhard, Jr., Anna and Creasence. Our subject owns one hundred and forty-five acres of the best farming land in this section. He is very popular and highly esteemed by all wlio know him. He built the first Catholic Church in Jefferson Township and is noted for his liberality.
Politically Mr. Claus is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, and on that ticket was elected School Director, which position he has held for thirteen years. He also was Trustee for eight years. He is always to be found in the front rank of all enterprises tending to benefit the immediate community and the country at large. He is in- dustrious and energetic and always honorable in his dealings with his fellow-men. He is a self- made man, having carved out his own fortune and reached his present prosperity entirely through his own unaided efforts.
N ICHOLAS HANSEN, deceased, was born in Luxemburg, Germany, on the 24th of February, 1834, and spent the days of his boyhood in the Fatherland, where he acquired a good education. When a young man of nineteen lie determined to seek a home beyond the Atlantic, and bidding good-bye to the friends of his youth lie emigrated to the New World. He took up his residence in Dubuque, and in 1856 began clerk- ing. In that way he earned his livelihood until 1872, when he formed a partnership with Robert Linehan, under the firm name of Hansen & Line- han, wholesale dealers in groceries and steamboat
supplies. That connection was continued for many years and the business steadily increased, yielding to the members of the firm a good income. Thus operations were continued until the death of Mr. Hansen on the 15th of April, 1889, at the age of fifty-five years.
Mr. Hansen always took an active interest in public affairs and was a leading and valued citi- zen of the community, who gave his support to every worthy enterprise calculated to advance the general welfare. £ He possessed good business ability, and his thrift, perseverance and well di- rected efforts brought him success. In his political views he was a Democrat but never sought or de- sired public office.
On the 10th of December, 1861, Mr. Hansen was united in marriage with Miss Annie Welter, a native of Luxemburg, Germany, and a daughter of Julien Welter, who came to America and died in Dubuque in 1872. ' The mother was Elizabeth Koehl, in her maidenhood; she was also a native of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Hansen were born two children, a son and daughter : Katie and Peter, but both are now deceased.
On the 10th of April, 1894, Mrs. Hansen was again married, becoming the wife of Jacob Wild- hebar, who was born in Switzerland in 1839, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land. The year 1867 witnessed his arrival in the New World and saw him located in Du- buque, where he remained for a year and a-half. On the expiration of that period, he went to Cali- fornia in 1868, and, there worked at the carpen- ter's trade which he had learned in Switzerland. Two years were spent on the Pacific slope, after which he returned to Dubuque, where he was em- ployed in carpentering until 1875. In that year he went to the land of the Alps and spent ten months amid the scenes of his boyhood and youth. In 1878 he again visited Europe and his native land, remaining abroad at that time for three years. In 1881 he again came to Dubuque. In August, 1891, he again visited Switzerland and returned in May, 1892, where he has since been engaged in contracting and building.
In polities, Mr. Wildhebar is a Democrat, but lie takes no active part in political affairs. He and
JOHN R. GOLDTHORP.
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his wife reside at No. 1217 White Street, and are highly respected citizens of the community. He and his wife are both members of the Catholic Chureh.
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J OHN R. GOLDTHORP has good standing as a citizen and farmer, and is particularly well known in Dubuque County, where he has spent his entire life. He now occupies and cultivates the family homestead, inherited from his mother. By close application to farm work, persevering industry and good judgment in mak- ing investments, he lias increased the value of the estate and gathered about him the many comforts pertaining to modern civilization. The property is pleasantly situated in Dubuque Township and bears all the improvements of a model estate.
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