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 24
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 24
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 24
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lieved to be right, and possessed many excelleneies of eharaeter, which gained for him the high regard of all with whom he was brought in eontaet. Dur- ing his business eareer, as his financial resources increased, he made judicious investments in real estate and became the possessor of considerable property. The last two years of his life were spent in looking after his landed interests. He was a self-made man, enterprising and industrious, and his well direeted efforts brought him prosperity. His death oeeurred August 3, 1886, at the age of eighty-four, and his loss was deeply mourned. His widow and her younger children now reside at No. 925 Julien Avenue. They are prominent people of the community and well deserve men- tion in the history of this eounty.
A DAM MINK has since April, 1890, been eonneeted with the business interests of Dubuque, and is now the senior member of the firm of Mink & Royce, wholesale dealers in wood and coal of Dubuque. A native of the Em- pire State, he was born in Oneida County, Janu- ary 4, 1835. His parents, F. Valentine and Mary A. (Yocum) Mink, were both natives of Germany, and in an early day crossed the Atlantic and took up their residenec in New York.
Under the parental roof Mr. Mink of this sketch was reared to manhood, and during his childhood became familiar with all the duties of agricultural life. He aided his father in the cultivation of the home farm until twenty-two years of age, when he left home and went to Pennsylvania. Taking up his residenee in Montgomery County, he there sought and seeured employment in a rolling mill, where he worked for three years. At the close of the war he removed to East Dubuque, Ill., where he made his home for a time and then went to Wiseonsin, settling in Grant County. He there resumed farming, and for a quarter of a century carried on agricultural pursuits. His land was always highly cultivated and well improved, and the neat appearance of his place indicated to the
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passerby the thrift and enterprise of the owner. While in Wisconsin he also spent ten years of the time in carrying on a store in Burton.
The year 1890 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Mink in Dubuque. In the month of April he took up his residence in this eity, and formed a partnership with Charles Leason in the line of general merchandising. At the same time they also began handling wood. Mr. Mink carried on the mereantile establishment for two years and then sold out, but his connection with the wood and coal business has been continuous, and from the beginning his trade has constantly increased. In 1893 he handled four thousand eords of wood. He has led a busy and useful life, but has yet found time to faithfully perform his duties of cit- izenship. He votes with the Democratie party.
The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Mink was in her maidenhood Catherine Miller. She is a na- tive of Germany and became the wife of our sub- ject in 1857. By their union have been born eight children, four sons and four daughters, but George F., the second in order of birth, is now de- ceased. The others are, William V., Elmer E., John Henry, Carrie, Minnie, Katie Amelia and Addie Belle. They reside at No. 938 West Third Street, where they have a pleasant and comforta- ble home.
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A LBERT GASSER is at the head of one of the leading industries of Dubuque, being engaged in the manufacture of paving and building brick. He is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to this community. He was born in that country in 1845, and is a son of Alois and Kate (Lindaur) Gasser, both of whom were natives of Germany, and there spent their entire lives.
In the days of his boyhood and youth the gen- tleman whose name heads this record attended the publie schools, thus acquiring a good praetieal education which fitted him for the duties of life. When a young man of twenty years he determined
to seek a home and fortune beyond the Atlan- tic, and in 1865 sailed for the United States. The vessel in which he took passage dropped anchor in the harbor of New York, and he at onee made his way westward to Chicago, in which city he remained for a year. On the expir- ation of that period he came to Dubuque. This was in 1867. Here he sought employment in the Rohmberg distillery, with which he was connected for a year and a-half, when he began working for the Illinois Central Railroad Company, being em- ployed in various positions with the road for three years. In 1871 he entered the employ of the Chieago, Dubuque & Minnesota, now the Milwau- kee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and his con- neetion with that road continued for a period of fourteen years. He was ever prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties, and hence his long retention in the company's service. Having in the meantime acquired some capital, he at length determined to engage in business for himself, and in 1884 embarked in the manufacture of briek, which enterprise he has successfully conducted up to the present time. He now manufactures both paving and building briek of a superior quality, and in consequence receives a liberal patronage. He now has a capacity of two millon brick per year, and employment is given to some twenty- five men. Mr. Gasser furnished the brick used in the construction of the Dubuque County Court House, the Norwegian Plow Works, the Bishop Kennedy Building and many other important business bloeks and fine residenees.
On the 17th of April, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gasser and Miss Lizzie Weineeke, a daughter of Courad Weinecke, one of the early settlers of this eity. They have a pleasant home near the corner of Grandview Avenue and Dodge Street, and their home has been blessed by the presence of four children, Alois, Mattie, Lulu and Jessie.
In his political views, Mr. Gasser is indepen- dent, supporting the candidates whom he thinks best qualified for office, regardless of party affilia- tions. In connection with his other interests, he aided in the organization of the Concentration Ore Company of Dubuque, and of the East Du-
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buque Smelting Company. He is also a stock- holder in the Dubuque Casket Company, also in the Turbine Wheel and Mill Supply Company. He takes an active interest in the work of public im- provement and development, and does all in his power toward forwarding the best interests of the community, and is recognized as one of the repre- sentative and valued citizens of Dubuque.
J OSEPH SCHEMMEL is another of the suc- cessful and highly esteemed business men of Dubuque County as well as one of its early settlers. A native of Prussia, our subject was born in Munster, Westphalia, December 8, 1826. He is the youngest in a family of six ehil- dren (of which five were boys) born to Theodore and Elizabeth (Frederick) Sehemmel. The father was a woolen manufacturer and for many years lad a contraet for manufacturing blankets for the Prussian Government. In the year 1833, the peo- ple in that part of the kingdom heard for the first time of the great advantages to be found in the New World, and in that year the father of our subjeet with his family set sail for America, being the first family to come to this country from that part of Prussia. After a voyage of more than six weeks, they landed in Baltimore, from which place they erossed the Allegheny Mountains by teanis to Pittsburgh, thenee came down the Ohio River to Wheeling and on to Cincinnati, Ohio, finally set- tling on a small farm in Mercer County. They there lived happily together until the mother passed away in 1838, the father following her a year later.
On the farm above mentioned, Joseph Sehemmel spent his early life in helping to clear the home farm, at the same time striving to obtain sueh edu- eation as was to be had in the primitive schools of the day. After the death of his parents he went to Hamilton, Ohio, where his brothers, Henry and Anthony, had established themselves in the woolen manufacturing business. Here he remained until 1846, and in April of that year came to Iowa, his brother Henry having preceded him a year, where
he had commenced building a woolen factory on the site of the present mill, now owned by Mr. Sehem- mel, not far from the town of New Vienna, this county. A partnership was formed under the name of Sehemmel Bros., Henry, Anthony, Chris- topher and Joseph constituting the firm. This company built and operated a mill for the manu- facture of woolen goods. In the year 1848 a sad accident occurred which resulted in the death of Christopher, and in April, 1855, the brother Henry died.
After various changes from time to time, our subjeet purchased the entire plant in 1868, sinee which time he has been the sole proprietor. In 1865, he in company with other parties bought the four mills at Dyersville of which he also became the sole proprietor in 1887. Since the year 1846, he has been located in New Wine Township, where he was for fifteen years Postmaster, the office being at his mill before the town, New Vienna, was started. He has been honored by his fellow-citizens with the gift of the office of Justice of the Peace and also that of Township Commissioner besides many other minor positions, the duties of which he eonscien- tiously and faithfully discharged to the satisfaction of all his constituents. In 1890 he was elected to a three years' term on the Board of County Super- visors. Mr. Sehemmel lias met with marked suc- eess in all his financial undertakings, and no man in Dubuque County is more highly estimated.
Miss Elizabeth Wente, a native of Oldenburg, Germany, was the chosen life companion of Mr. Schemmel, the marriage ceremony taking place Au- gust 17, 1852. This union has been productive of ten children, seven boys and three girls, a family of which they are justly proud and which is sketched as follows: Mary is the wife of Clemens Rahe, one of the wealthiest farmers in the locality of Dyers- ville, where they now make their home. Henry is an eminent stoekman at Granville, Iowa. William is engaged in the grain business at Dyersville; An- thony is a Catholic priest, educated by his father for the priesthood at St. Vincent's College of West- moreland, Pa., and also at St. Francis' of Milwaukee, Wis., and was ordained in July, 1889, after which lie was stationed at St. Mary's Church at Dubuque. He now has charge of the church at Bancroft, Iowa.
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Frank is a member of the firm of Schemmel Bros., stoek dealers of Granville, Iowa. Barnard mar- ried Miss Mary Ferreng, daughter of Peter Ferreng, of Dubuque, and is now operating a flour mill at Dyersville in connection with his brother Joseph. Clemenee and Annie, who are both unmarried, re- side with their brother, Father Anthony Sehemmel, of Bancroft. Joseph, as above stated, is in business with his brother at Dyersville. Clementina, the youngest, is a young lady living at home.
Commencing life for himself with no eapital but his own energies, working for $8 per month, he has a mark that might well be emulated by the ris- ing generation. Honest to a fault, upright in all his dealings, sueli a character the people of this county point to in the person of Joseph Schemmel. In politics he is a staneh Democrat.
VAN E. JONES is one of the leading eon- tractors and builders of Dubuque. He oc- cupies a prominent position in business eircles and is now President of the Dubuque Ore Concentration Company. A native of Wales, he was born on a farm in Glamorganshire on the 1st of February, 1842, and is the son of Evan Jones, who was born in South Wales. He was somewhat of a poet, as was the lady who became his wife, Miss Margaret Thomas. He was a proprietor of the Cardiff Mills and also a veterinary surgeon. His death oceurred in his native land.
Mr. Jones, whose name heads this record, spent the greater part of his boyhood days in Bristol and in London, England, and was educated in Eagle Academy of South Wales, where he attended sehool until thirteen years of age. At that time he started out in life for himself and has sinee been dependent upon his own resources, so that whatever success he lias achieved is due entirely to his own efforts. His life has been a busy and useful one and has been well spent. When a youth of fifteen he was apprentieed to learn the earpen- ter's trade and served for a term of seven years, during which time lie mastered the business in
every partieular, becoming an expert workman. He then started out to work his way through the world and was employed as a journeyman in vari- ous places, traveling through France, Germany, Holland and Belgium as well as England. The New World also attracted him and he determined to try his fortune beyond the Atlantic. In Sep- tember, 1865, he sailed for America and when an- ehor was dropped in the harbor of New York, he landed in that eity and soon sought and obtained a position in Brooklyn. His excellent workman- ship was soon recognized and he was made super- intendent in a large contraeting establishment, which position he filled for some time in a most acceptable manner: Later he went to Albany, N. Y., but remained there only four months, after which he removed to Ohio, and spent two years working at his trade in Youngstown. His next place of residence was in Allegheny City, Pa., where he eommeneed business for himself as a manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds, forming a partnership with Messrs. Buchanan, MeKinzie & Logan, under the firm name of the Davis Milling Company. This connection was eontinned for eighteen months, when the factory was destroyed by fire.
Mr. Jones next went to Springfield, Mass., where for one year he worked in a paper mill, and in 1869 came to Dubuque, where he worked at his trade for a number of years. For one year he was associated in business with J. J. Grigg, under the firm style of Grigg & Jones, but since that time has been alone and has condueted business contin- uously sinee as a eontraetor and earpenter. Ilis fine work may be seen on all sides and many of the best residenees and business blocks of this eity stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.
September 1, 1863, Mr. Jones wedded Miss Jane Tassell, a native of England and a daughter of James Tassell. To them have been born eleven ehildren, five sons and six daughters, who in or- der of birth are as follows: Gomer J., Kate, Mar- garet, C. John, Lizzie, Amy, Evan, Edward, Bar- bara, Maud and Harry, all living.
In connection with his business interests already mentioned, Mr. Jones is at the head of other enter- prises. He was one of the organizers of the Du-
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buque Ore Concentration Company, and is now serving as its President. He also aided in the or- ganization of the Dubuque Turbinc Wheel Com- pany, of which he is a stockholder, and is a stock- holder in the Dubuque Boot and Shoe Company and the Dubuque Wooden Ware Company. He carries forward to a successful completion what- ever hc undertakes, undeterred by the difficulties or obstacles which may arise, and therefore the en- terprises with which he is connected prove profit- able investments. His industry, perseverance and good management have brought him prosperity, and the handsome competence which he now pos- sesses is the just reward of his labors. He takes an active part in the work of public improvement and is numbercd among the leading citizens of the community. Politically lic is a Republican.
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D ORRANCE DIXON MYERS is a worthy representative of the business interests of Dubuque, occupying a prominent place in commercial circles. He is President of the Dubuque National Bank, and the senior member of the firm of Myers, Ticc & Co., wholesale dealers in cigars and tobacco at No. 322 Main Street. He was born on a farm within six miles of this city, November 3, 1841, and is a son of William and Susan L. (Shannon) Myers. His father was born August 22, 1807, in New Madrid, Mo., where the paternal grandfather of our subject had located in 1794, at which time the territory belonged to Spain and he purchased the land of a Spanish gentleman.
When William Myers was eighteen years of age he was employed by the American Fur Company, John J. Astor being the principal owner. He con- tinued his connection with it until 1833, with headquarters at Kansas City, Mo. In 1832 he mar- ried Susan L. Shannon, daughter of William Shan- non, a time honored citizen of Missouri. She was born at St. Genevieve, Mo. In 1833 Mr. Myers came with his wife to Dubuque County, and embarked in general merchandising on Main Street. In 1836 he purchased a farm to which he removed his family,
and in course of time transformed the wild land into rich and fertile fields, making the place one of the desirable farms of Dubuque County. There Mr. Myers spent his remaining days, his death occurring January 27, 1884. In early life he was a Whig and afterwards a Democrat. His wife, who was born October 12, 1812, died in Dubuque, Septem- ber 14, 1890.
D. D. Myers, whose name heads this record, was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier and with the family shared in the hardships and trials of pioncer life. He was also early inured to the arduous task of developing a new farm. His ed- ucation was commenced in the country schools, after which he went to Pennsylvania, and in 1856 attended school in Cresson Station. After his re- turn home lic worked on the farm for two years. In January, 1860, he came to Dubuque, and en- tered the Treasurer's office under William G. Stewart, in whose employ he remained until 1863. In that ycar he accepted a position in the master mechanic's office of the Dubuque & Sioux City Rail- road, where he was employed until March, 1867. In April following he embarked in business on his own account as a manufacturer of fine cut, chew - ing and smoking tobacco, as a member of the firm of Amrington, Myers & Co. That connection con- tinued until 1870, when the present firm of Myers, Tice & Co. was formed, as wholesale dealers in to- bacco. This is the leading firm of the kind in Du- buque and they do an extensive and constantly increasing business. They employ ten men upon the road to represent the house in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota, and from this section of the country they receive a liberal patronage, which is well deserved.
With many other business interests Mr. Myers has also been identified, and his connection there- with has aided materially in the growth and pros- perity of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Dubuque National Bank, served as director for some time and on the retirement of B. B. Rich- ards succeeded to the presideney, which position he now fills. He is also a stockholder and director of the Cascade Bank of Cascade, Iowa, a' director of the German State Bank of Dyersville, Iowa, of the State Bank of Onawa, Iowa, and a stockholder
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in the Sheldon Bank of Sheldon, Iowa. He was one of the promoters and directors of the High Wagon Bridge, spanning the Mississippi at Du- buque, which has proved of great success, and is of substantial benefit to the business interests of the city. For two years he served as President of the bridge company. He is also a director of the Dubuque Harness & Saddle, Company, of the Fire & Marine Insurance Company of Dubuque, and of the City Gas Company.
On the 17th of May, 1865, Mr. Myers married Miss Matilda Pratt, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of Rosamond Pratt, of Missouri. They now have cight children, four sons and four daughters. Their home is a commodious residence at No. 1513 Main Street. In his political views Mr. Myers is a Democrat and he takes an active in- terest in local, state and national politics. He is now serving as Chairman of the Democratic Cen- tral Committee. Through the legitimate channels of business he has achieved a success which has brought him a handsome competence. He is en- terprising and industrious, sagacious and far-sight- ed and these characteristics have been the leading factors in his success.
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R OBERT R. HAYES. This gentleman, for- merly one of the prominent farmers of Jones County, is now enjoying the com- forts of life in retirement from the hard labors by which he developed one of the finest farins for which this locality is noted. It comprises two hundred acres, located on sections 17 and 20, Wayne Township, and bears all the improvements which are usually found upon first-class estates.
Mr. Hayes was born in Allegany County, N. Y., April 4, 1829, and is the son of Richard Hayes, a native of Connecticut, being born in the town of Haddam, near Hartford. He was in early life a farmer, but afterward engaged in mercantile pur- suits, and for many years owned a good establislı-
ment in Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties, N. Y. He later removed with his family to Michigan, and died in Hillsdale in 1862. The lady to whom he was married was known in her maidenhood as Miss Harriet Bebee. She was also born in Con- necticut, and was the daughter of Mr. Bebee. Mrs. Hayes departed this life in Rushford, N. Y., after having become the mother of four children.
Our subject was the youngest member of the pa- rental family, only two of whom are now livmg, his brother being Lord W., and is at present resid- ing in Wellsville, N. Y. Robert R. passed his school days in Rushford, attending both the com- mon and select schools, and when only sixteen years of age began teaching. Mr. Hayes located in this county in the year 1863, and was immedi- ately engaged to teach school, following that oc- cupation with great success until 1880, when he abandoned it in order to engage in farm pursuits. While in his native state he served as County Su- perintendent of Schools for several terms, during which time he exerted a marked influence in ad- vancing the standard of scholarship.
Soon after coming to this county Mr. Hayes pur- chased a farm in Wayne Township, which he still owns. He also owns three other. good estates in different parts of the county, and is regarded as one of the largest land owners and most substan- tial citizens within its bounds. He is very genial and social in manners, which make him very pop- ular, and his generous and deep interest in all that concerns the public weal has done much to promote the prosperity of the community.
Robert R. Hayes was married January 14, 1851, to Miss Harriet, daughter of Luman and Sophro- na (Chapin) Annis. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children, only one of whom is deceased, namely, William A., who died June 18, 1892. The other members of the family are John R., a retired farmer; Ellen, the wife of Homer H. Meade, who resides in Woodbury County, this state; Mary A., who married Jolin C. McBride, a farmer of Wayne Township; and Hattie, now Mrs. Addi- son Potter, living in Los Angeles, Cal.
In his political relations Mr. Hayes is a stanchi Republican, and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. His fellow-citizens have recognized his
NICHOLAS BRAY, M. D.
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executive ability and placed him on the School Board, where he rendered valuable service for many terms. In September, 1893, our subjeet moved with his family into Anamosa, where they occupy a comfortable residenee and are numbered among its best eitizens. With his wife he is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been eonnceted for many years.
N ICHOLAS BRAY, M. D., oculist, aurist and physician of Dubuque, is one of the worthy citizens that the Buekeye State has furnished to Iowa. He was born in Bellefontaine, Logan County, on the 1st of September, 1854, and is a son of James and Mary (Laughlin) Bray, both of whom were natives of Ireland. In that coun- try they were reared and married, and when the father was twenty-seven years of age he emigrated with his wife to the New World. His business was that of a contractor and builder. He was a man of pronounced views, fearless in support of his opin- ions, and the eause which he championed always found in him an able advocate. He believed strongly in abolition, and in his political views was a stanch Demoerat. He eonstrueted the rail- road from Cleveland to Cineinnati (now known as the Big Four), and afterward engaged in farm- ing in Logan County, Ohio, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for some years. His last days, however, were passed in Washington, Iowa, where his death oceurred in 1884.
The Doctor spent a portion of his boyhood in Logan County, and there acquired a knowledge of farming and rail-splitting and other labors inci- dent to the life of an agrieulturist. The distriet sehools afforded him his early educational privi- leges. He was a studious lad and at the age of nine years he had finished Ray's Arithmetie, be- ing a splendid mathematician. When a youth of twelve suminers he accompanied his parents on their removal to Washington, Washington Coun- ty, Iowa, the family loeating on a farm, where he again attended the eommon schools until eighteen
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