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 23
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 23
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 23
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" My acquaintance began when the stream of his fortunes, after passing through straightened banks, was beginning to widen into success, when the studies, labors, self-denial and activity of his early
professional life were just commencing to reach their reward in the promise of competence, posi- tion and future prosperity; when the robust body was in its ripest vigor and capable of enduring all . the strain which his energy and industry exacted of it; when the daughters were in their earliest childhood, the son yet unborn, the mother with the arduous and responsible duties of parentage exercising her care, her wisdom and her piety; when the commencement was being made of that family home which was thereafter to be the Mecca toward which hearts and hopes might fondly turn ; and when many, if not the most, of his near rela- tives were living. Since then, the changes which are incident to family life, and constitute its epochs, have occurred; the children are now wives and husband; the relatives have been called to the silent land; the home has been bereft, one by one, of its inmates; the years of in validism and sickness have come; the mother sits in the sorrow and grief of widowhood, and the husband has ceased from the activities of earth. Finding him one of the most influential of the laymen of the church over which I was called to preside, and his family among the controlling factors of its religious, intellectual, social and financial life, my acquaintance with him and them soon ripened into intimate contact and friendship. From that time until now we have ever been in mutual touch and correspondence with each other.
" The first impression which Judge Cooley made upon the minds of those who came into acquaint- ance with him was that of his uncommon mental vigor. He was thorough in whatever he undertook, and formed his opinions always upon reason and convictions. Up to the latest period he kept up with the activities, literary and otherwise, of the times. Ile was a critical observer of men, not at all credulous, shrewd and discriminating, not easily imposed upon, loving society, nothing of a recluse, his travels frequent and wide, embracing not only the various sections of this, but extend- ing to other countries as well. Ile was an enter- taining companion, agrecable in conversation, with broad views of men and things, able to con- vey his impressions accurately, and capable of maintaining his opinions by argument. His activ-
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ity, industry and ability made him successful in business. Whatever he touched throve. Any en- terprise in which he engaged quiekly felt his pres- ence. He abhorred idleness, loved work, exacted labor of all under his control, and soon put into the channels of prosperity whatever he associated himself with. In his profession as a lawyer, eases, pleas, arguments; in his financial operations, banks, quarries, mills, farms, stoeks; in his ehureh relations, finances, music, the societies of the con- gregation, all things were handled with masterly ability, and were carried to a successful issue under his skillful and energetie management.
" He was, I think, desirons of fame, eager for the good opinion of others, and in an entirely le- gitimate and proper way an aspirant for position. He filled, therefore, various public offiees, in every one of which he served with eredit to himself and usefulness to others.
" He received during the Civil War from Presi- dent Lincoln a commission as Judge in South Car- olina, with the partieular view to the settlement of claims to cotton, so important a factor at that time to the operations of the war, a position in which his legal requirements, his business talents, his shrewdness in deteeting fraud, his fertility of resouree in foiling the efforts of the designing and hypocritical, were all put into valuable exereise. He was at one time Secretary of the National Re- publiean Committee. Here his mastery of details, his habits of order, his systematie exactitude, his discernment of the currents of popular sentiment, soon converted what had been a sinecure into a center of intense zeal, earnestness and work, and contributed largely to the favorable result that followed. He was also appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs during the administration of Presi- dent Johnson, and in this office showed the same foresight, industry and eapacity of talent as in every other responsibility which he was asked to assume. He was also elected to the State Senate of Iowa, representing his district with such ability as to be thought worthy, in the minds of many, of political preferment still more exalted and re- sponsible.
" For many years of his later life he was Presi- dent of the First National Bank of Dubuque, and
was engaged in I know not how many enterprises, exposing himself, I thought, to the risk of over- exertion and to the detriment of his health, but finding that busy employment without which his mind and body could not be eontent.
" When his religious life began I am not aware. He was an influential office bearer in the church at my first acquaintance, and continued such throughout his days. The type of religious char- acter which he represented was that of active worker. Judge Cooley's inclination and efforts were always toward the practical side of things. And to the church of which he was a member he was ever and consistently loyal to the core, and imbued his children with the same spirit. In whatever could contribute to its growth or pro- mnote its interests, he took a leading part, and his impression upon the congregation of Main Street, Dubuque, has been deep and will be lasting. He was honored by it with high official position, fill- ing a place on most of the important committees, and being prominent always in the work of pulpit supply, the financial needs of the church, and in whatever eould help its intellectual and social influ- enee. He was elected a delegate to the General Conference at a critical juncture in the history of the church, took an active part in the settlement of some vexed questions, and was prominent in the choice of those elected to the Episcopacy. He was brought in contact with many of the most in- fluential lay and elerical members of the denomi- nation, and retained his fellowship and intercourse with them to the close of his life.
" In his temperament Judge Cooley was very sympathetic. His emotional nature was strong and easily aroused. He responded very quickly to whatever touched his feelings. Very often during the services of the Sabbath the tears would triekle down his eheeks, and he was a stimulating and attentive hearer. His liberality was large and generous whenever the eause seemed to him worthy, and while in business matters he was wary and eireumspect, in whatever touched his feelings he was kind, beneficent and open-handed. He was a hospitable host, a warm friend, retaining his friendships tenaciously. His purse was open to the call of charity, and many have been the boun-
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tiful acts that have brightened clouded pathways and comforted sorrowing hearts. For years he has supported a professorship in Cornell College, Iowa, and in all public and private schemes of lib- crality he has borne a conspicuous placc.
" His family life has been one of ideal tender- ness, truth and love. Between him and the part- ner of his joys and sorrows was an identity, a har- mony, a mutual trust, confidence and devotion that blended two hearts into one and gave to the common life the strength, the faith, the purity and the power of both. His home was indeed a sanc- tuary into which no breath of division, reserve or discord penctrated; a holy shrine, sacred and se- cluded, where the atmosphere was full of peace, of confidence, of tranquil bliss and of assured hopc. To his children he was the most devoted, self-sac- rifieing and tenderest of fathers. To cquip them for the work and warfare of life, to surround them with the most favorable conditions and circum- stances, to furnish them with the most complete education-traveling to Europe to sec if in for- eign lands were any opportunities beyond what could be enjoyed here-this was the labor of bis waking hours and the dream of his nights. No sacrifice was too great to make for their comfort and happiness, and in all their studies, recreations, plans for life, inclinations for work, he was their trusted counsellor, their ready sympathizer.
" The end has not been unexpected by those of us who have known him well; the only surprise is that of the strength of vitality, which so long re- sisted the inroads of disease. For years past it has been our apprehension that in some of his nu- merous and exhausting journeys, where body and mind were stretched to their utmost tension, the demise would happen in absence from home. Providence, which presides over our dying as well as our lives, has chosen more kindly. In the home of a loving daughter and son-in-law, with the ever-devoted wife by his side, in the presence of most of his children, with every comfort which wealth could sceure, affection suggest or skill de- visc, clasping the hands of all and whispering words of cheer while bidding tender farcwells, he lias crossed the bar, and there was no moaning of the tide as he passed. He was conscious of the in-
evitable and approaching end, and expressed his readiness to meet it. Acknowledging mistakes and errors, but confessing that in all he meant to do the right and be the best that appeared to his judgment, with trust in the unseen but ever pres- ent Christ, he has passed away from earth. To him, with his strong life, the act of dying must have brought more than usual of natural dread. But the radiance which in the last hours over- spread his countenance and lit with golden light the peaks as the sun went down behind the curtain of night, will be to the loved ones who saw it a blessed memory that shall take away from his de- parture all gloom and shadow and surround the chamber of deathı with a glory that none but Christ can give, and none can now take away."
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EORGE SCHMITT, a prosperous and ener- getic agriculturist of Dubuque County, is
the owner of two hundred and twenty- nine acres of land in Center Township. He was born in Alsacc, France, June 17, 1836, and was the son of John and Mary (Bon Lieu) Sehmitt, also natives of that country, where they received a good education. The father was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade, serving an apprenticeship of sev- eral years. After becoming a thoroughly competent workman he traveled in France, working at his trade for four or five years, when he was married and located in a village. He there was similarly employed until emigrating to the United States in the fall of 1846.
The parents of our subject owned a comfortable farm in their native land, where all of their chil- dren were born, namely: Mary A., the wife of David Haggard; George, of this sketeh; Joseph, residing in this township, and Magdalena, the wife of W. Lattner. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt landed on American shores after an ocean voyage of sixty- five days, and after a stay of two months in St.
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Louis made their way to Dubuque, this state. The father then purchased eighty acres of land in Center Township, for which he paid $1.20 per acre. This lie placed under good cultivation and made his home until called lience in 1862. He was a dc- vout member of the Catholic Church and aided very materially in the building of the first church in Dubuque. In politics hic was a strong Demo- crat and at all times and on all occasions performed every duty which he considered his obligation as an American citizen.
The original of this sketch was a lad of ten years when he accompamed his parents to the United States. With the exception of thirty-five days wlien he attended school in this country, his education was carried on in his native land in the French tongue. Ile soon, however, gained a good knowledge of the English language, which he speaks altogether now.
Mr. Schmitt remained at home until a year after attaining his majority, when he was married to Miss Harriet, daughter of George and Frances (Gahr) Bahl, and to them were born two sons: Ed- ward G., who makes his home in Dubuque, and Frank H., living in Fayette County, this state. Mrs. Harriett Schnitt departed this life April 4, 1872, and the lady whom our subject chose as his second wife was Miss Lucy, daughter of Andrew and Ursuly Joos. Their union resulted in the birth of nine children, namely: Otto, Mary, August, Bernard, Adolph, George, Lillie, Emma and an in- fant, Elvina.
After his first marriage Mr. Schmitt rented a twenty-acre farm on shares, the seed for planting and a yoke of oxen being furnished and he was to receive one-half of the crops. He continued thus until 1862, when he purchased eighty acres of un- improved land, which forms a part of his present beautiful estate in Center Township. He has been more than ordinarily successful in his ventures, and from time to time added to his tract until to- day he is the proud possessor of two hundred and twenty-nine broad and well cultivated acres.
In his religious faith, our subject follows in the footsteps of his honored father and is a member of the Catholic Church, while his good wife worships with the Presbyterians. He is an ardent admirer of
Democratic principles, and when only twenty-four years old was chosen Clerk of his township, which position he filled acceptably for eight years. He was also elected Township Assessor for seventeen years in succession, and in 1882 was called upon to rep- resent his county as Supervisor, being the incun- bent of the office for six years. IIe faithfully dis- charged every duty devolving upon him, and as a public-spirited and progressive citizen, manifests a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of his community.
M ATTHEW TSCHIRGI, who is now living a retired life in Dubuque, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly descrves, was born in Canton St. Gall, Switzer- land, in October, 1824. His parents, Matthew and Agahtha (Capirell) Tschirgi, were both natives of the same country, and there spent their entire lives.
In the public schools of Switzerland our subject was educated, and in his father's brewery learned the brewing business, becoming thoroughly famil- iar with it in all its departments. Having heard much of the advantages and privileges afforded young men in the New World, he determined to test the truth of these reports on attaining his ma- jority, and in 1845 crossed the ocean to New Or- leans. He then worked on a stcamer in order to pay his passage to St. Louis, where he worked in a brewery for two months. He then came up the Mississippi to Dubuque, and established the first brewery in the state of Iowa, conducting the same until 1886, when he laid aside business cares and retired to private life. He had a large trade, and although he began operations on a small scale, steadily increased his facilities to meet the grow- ing demand.
Mr. Tschirgi was married in Dubuque in 1848, Miss Catherine Zollicoffer becoming his wife. Hcr father, George Zollicoffer, became one of the pio- neer settlers of Dubuque, of 1834. In their family were nine children, seven of whom are yet living,
HON. JAMES McCANN.
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five sons and two daughters: Matthew, who is now President of the Dubuque Construction Com- pany; John, who is Superintendent of the Du- buque Milling Company; Katie, wife of Frank Jacger, a capitalist; Louisa, wife of Jacob Traut, a merchant of this city; and George, Arnold and Frank, who are all living in Wyoming. The mother of this family is a member of the Lutheran Church.
In connection with his other interests, Mr. Tsch- irgi has dealt to a considerable cxtent in real es- tate and erected a great many residences. In 1873 he crossed the water to Vienna, and attended the Brewers' Convention, being sent as a delegate by the United States Brewers' Association. He remained abroad for three months, during which time he visited his old home in Switzerland. He is now well advanced in years, but yet enjoys good health, being well preserved both mentally and physically. In politics he acts independently.
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H ON. JAMES McCANN, one of the best known citizens of Dubuque, represents his district in the State Legislature and takes a prominent part in public and political af- fairs, his name being inseparably connected with the history of this community. He was born in Ireland on the 27th of August, 1840, and is a son of Patrick McCann, who in 1845 came to America, landing at New York City, whence he made his way to Dubuque. His death occurred here in 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ellen Morgan, is still living in Dubuque, and is now (1894) sev- enty-five years of age.
Our subject was a child of only five summers when with his parents he crossed the ocean and be- came a resident of Dubuque, where the greater part of his life has since been passed. He was ed-
ucated in the common schools and at the age of fifteen years began working on his father's farm, where was employed until twenty years of age, but in 1860 he abandoned agricultural pursuits and made an overland trip to Colorado, in the hope of more rapidly acquiring wealth in that state. He there engaged in gold mining for five years, and for three years and a-half had charge of the Smith & Parmalee gold mine. In 1865 he returned to his old home and resumed, farming, which he successfully carried on until 1874. He then opened an agricultural implement store and was engaged in business along that line for seven years.
The official career of Mr. McCann began in 1881, when he was elected Sheriff of Dubuque County, and so ably did he discharge the duties of the of- fice that he was four times re-elected, serving in all for eight years. In 1889 he embarked in the real-estate business, which he conducted for two years. In 1891 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Dubuque County in the Twen- ty-fourth General Assembly of Iowa. Two years later he was re-elected, and is now serving as State Representative with credit to himself and sat- isfaction to his constituents. He received the caucus nomination of his party for the office of Speaker of the House, but the Republicans being in the majority he was defeated. He has taken quite a prominent part in politics, and is recognized as one of the leaders of the Democracy in Iowa, and is now Chairman of the Congressional Committee of the Third Congressional District. In the fall of 1892 he aided in the organization of the Excelsior Brass Works, and was made President and General Manager of the same, which position he held until July 10, 1893, when he sold his interest in the en- terprise.
On the 22d of February, 1865, occurred the marriage of Mr. McCann and Miss Catherine A. Dawson, of Dubuque, daughter of Nicholas Daw- son, who is numbered among the honored pioneers of this city in 1837. Mrs. McCann died April 22, 1893, leaving six children, three sons and three daughters, James A .; Lucy M., who is now engaged in teaching; Frank N., a contractor of Dubuque;
7
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Charles V., Ruth and Stella. Mr. McCann is a member of the Catholic Church, and with his family resides at No. 1573 Main Street.
M ELL H. CUSHING, proprietor of the North Star Livery Stable, and a dealer in undertaking goods of Dubuque, is a native of this eity, his birth having occurred on the 29th of May, 1860. His father, James Cushing, was a native of Massachusetts, and in an early day came to Dubuque, where he is now doing business as President of the Northwestern Vinegar Company. His wife bore the maiden name of Emma Masterman. The family was early founded in America, and the grandfather of our subjeet, Joshua Cushing, was a native of Massa- chusetts.
The gentleman whose name heads this record spent his boyhood days in his native city midst play and work, and acquired his education in the public schools. He began his business career in his father's employ in the vinegar works, and at the age of twenty-two became a partner in the en- terprise which was then carried on under the firm name of James Cushing & Son. The connection was continued for two years, after which our sub- ject withdrew and embarked in the dairy business on his own account, continuing the same for one year. In 1885 we find him in Lincoln, Neb., where he established vinegar works, conducting the same for two years, when, on account of ill health, he sold out and returned to Dubuque.
In November, 1886, Mr. Cushing was once more at home in his native city, and in December lie began business as proprietor of a livery stable, which he has profitably conducted up to the pres- ent time. His business has steadily increased, and he now keeps on hand seven head of good horses and a number of fine turnouts. As he always tries to please his customers, and is straightforward and honorable in all his dealings, he receives from the publie a liberal patronage which is well deserved. In 1893 he also opened an undertaking establish-
ment, which is well equipped with the best goods found in that line. He employs an expert under- taker and owns a fine hearse.
Mr. Cushing was married on the 8th of May, 1884, the lady of his choice being Miss Belle Now- lin, of Dubuque, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Merrill) Nowlin, one of the early settlers of this county. Three children grace their union, a son and two daughters, Mary E., Mell H. and Martha. The family has a pleasant home at No. 89 Seven- teenth Street.
Mr. Cushing exereises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, and in the spring of 1891 he was elected on an independent tieket as Alderman of the Third Ward, overcoming the usual Democratie majority of six hundred by a majority of three hundred and eighty-one. This faet certainly indicates his personal popularity and the confidenee and high regard reposed in him by his fellow-townsmen. Socially, he is connected with Julien Lodge No. 12, I. O. O. F., and with Apollo Lodge, K. P.
J OHN D. BUSHI, deceased, was for some years a well known resident of Dubuque. He was born in Baltimore, Md., on the 14th of Feb- ruary, 1802, and came from a noble and aris- toeratic family of Austria. His father, Henry G. Bush, was a native of Germany and at an early day came to America, locating in Baltimore. In that city the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood, there making his home until eighteen years of age when he went to Cincinnati and be- gan working in a tannery. He had acquired his education in a private school, where he studied both English and German. After his removal to Ohio he followed the tanner's trade for a time, but subsequently returned to Baltimore, where he opened a livery stable and conducted business along that line until 1833.
With the desire to try his fortune on the broad prairies beyond the Mississippi, Mr. Bush then emigrated westward and took up his residence in
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Dubuque, his home being in a log cabin, for the city was then a mere hamlet and gave little evi- dence of becoming one of the important eommer- cial centers of the west. Mr. Bush here established a tannery, which he carried on for a time and later embarked in the pork-paeking business, which he condueted for a number of years, building up a very extensive trade, which yielded to him an ex- cellent income and made him one of the substan- tial citizens of the community. In 1884, having aequired a handsome competency, he laid aside business cares and retired to private life.
In 1851 Mr. Bush married Miss Anna Mary Myers, a native of Chambersburg, Pa., and daugh- ter of Jolin Myers, who was born in Virginia. Iler mother, who bore the maiden name of Anna Trout, was also a native of the Keystone State and died in 1885 at the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Bush spent her childhood in Chambersburg and there acquired her education. She comes of a fam- ily of English origin which was founded in Vir- ginia in an early day. Her ancestors there secured a large traet of land and owned a number of slaves. Mr. Myers, father of Mrs. Bush, came with his family to the west in 1851 and took up his resi- denee in Dubuque but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, his death occurring in Oeto- ber of that year. To Mr. and Mrs. Bush were born nine children, three sons and six daughters: Vir- ginia E., now the wife of Howard Robinson, of Cleveland; William F., who is located in Califor- nia; Charles T., a photographer of Dubuque; Anna M., wife of John Utt, of Dyersville; John D., of Sheridan, Wyo .; Adelia, wife of Benjamin Blanch- ard, of Dubuque; Birdena E. and Susa Lueile, at home, and Carrie May, deceased.
Mr. Bush took an active part in public affairs, and the best interests of the community found in him a friend. He was ever ready to give his sup- port and aid to those enterprises calculated to prove of publie benefit and was long regarded as a valued eitizen of the community. In politics he was a staneh supporter of the Democratie party and its principles, and on that ticket was twiee elected Mayor of Dubuque and several times was a member of the City Couneil. He was a man of strong personality, firm in support of what he be-
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