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 25
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 25
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 25
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years of age. He then beeame a student in a select sehool in Washington, conducted by Professor Mc- Kee, a Presbyterian minister who is still living in that place, being now employed as one of the teachers in the Washington Academy. At the age of twenty he entered the new academy in Wash- ington, where he pursued a classical course of study for two years. He then went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he spent one year in the German College, obtaining a thorough knowledge of the German language. Returning to Washington Academy he was graduated with honor from that institution in the Class of '79, his standing in languages and mathematies being partieularly high.
Previous to this time Dr. Bray had engaged in teaching school for three winters in order to de- fray his expenses. After his graduation he ac- eepted a position as Prineipal of the publie schools in Fidelity, Jersey County, Ill., where he remained for two years. He then went to St. Louis, and beeame a student under Dr. Gregory, of that eity. In 1881 he began reading medicine with Dr. A. Bodkin, of Fidelity, Ill., and under his direetion made rapid progress in his studies. During that time he was nominated for the position of County Superintendent of Sehools of Jersey County, but was defeated by a very small majority. In 1882 he entered the medieal department of the Univer- sity of Iowa, from which institution he was grad- uated in 1885. He paid his tuition and all other expenses with money which he had previously earned and may therefore truly be called a self- educated man.
On the 10th of May, 1885, Dr. Bray opened an office in Dubuque over the Second National Bank, and embarked in general practice, whiel he con- ducted for seven years with marked sueeess. In 1891 and 1892 he took a special course of study in the Chicago Ophthalmic College, and in May, 1893, began practiee as an oeulist and aurist. He has rapidly gained a reputation for skill and ability along these special lines and is now enjoying a most exeellent business, which yields to him a good in- come. He is a member of the State Homeopathic Medical Society of Iowa, and of the American In- stitute of Homeopathy. Although he began read- ing as a student of the old school, he now an
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earnest exponent of homeopathy and is one of the able practitioners in that branch of the profes- sion in the Hawkeye State. He is now publishing a volume entitled the "Missing Link," a work on Materia Medica which will present a single remedy system and is entirely for use in the profession. It is a key to the entire system of homeopathy. In January, 1892, in Chicago he delivered a very able and interesting lecture on the "Differentia- tion of the Schools of Medicine."
In his political views Dr. Bray is a stalwart Democrat. He is a genial and affable gentleman and his pleasant manner and many excellent qual- ities have gained him the confidence and respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and in the community where he makes his home his friends are many.
R EV. WILLIAM OTIS RUSTON, D. D. The powerful influence for good which is ex- erted by the clergy has been supplemented by the untiring efforts of the honored pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Dubuque. Dr. Ruston was born in the city of New York on the 6th of December, 1852, and is a son of Rev. John Ruston, a native of England, who came to the United States in 1841. For forty years he was connected with the New York City Mission and was thus engaged at the time of his death in 1886.
The first marriage of Rev. John Ruston occurred in 1834 and united him with Miss Martha Ed- wards, who died shortly after their arrival in New York. In 1850 he married Miss Mary Otis Her- ring, a native of Massachusetts and of English de- scent, her ancestors having come to New England in an early day. There were born of the two mar- riages six children who reached mature years, and of that number four are yet living, William Otis being the youngest. . He was reared to manhood under the parental roof and acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of New York City and in the College of the City of New York, from which he graduated in 1872.
Having decided to enter the ministry, he became
a student in the Union Theological Seminary of New York City, graduating from that institution in the Class of '75. He was ordained October 5, 1875, and accepting his first charge, became pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Fairmount, N. J. Later he went to West Union, Iowa, and was pas- tor of the Bethel Presbyterian Church for nine years. On the 17th of February, 1886, lie came to Dubuque and has since had charge of the First Presbyterian Church of this city. The year of his arrival in this city the degree of Doctor of Divin- ity was conferred upon him.
On the 5th of October, 1876, Dr. Ruston was united in marriage with Miss Mary Wood Crater, daughter of David Crater, Esq., of Fairmount, N. J. Two children blessed the home, of whom the elder, Silas O., died in infancy; the younger, John A., is attending the high school of Dubuque. Dr. Ruston has served as a Director of Lenox College since 1886 and has been President of the Board for the last six years. Since 1882 he has been stated clerk of the Dubuque Presbytery. In the cause of education he takes a warm interest and does all in his power to advance its welfare. IIe is now Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the German Presbyterian Theological School of the Northwest in Dubuque, and a member of the Board of Directors of the McCormick Theological Seminary of Chicago, also a member of the Board of Aid for Colleges and Academies under the Gen- eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. He has taught many branches in the theological seminary and has several times been offered the presidency and professorships in different colleges, but has in- variably refused to accept the honor.
In behalf of any enterprise that he believes will prove of public benefit Dr. Ruston is an untiring worker. An able and fluent writer, he has con- tributed many articles to religious papers and pe- riodicals. Among liis published volumes are "A History of the Presbyterian Church of Fairmount" and "A History of the Presbytery of Dubuque." He is connected with a paper called "Our German Work," issued in the interest of the German Pres- byterian Theological Seminary. He has made a special study of the problem of the evangelization of the foreigner in our land, particularly those of
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German extraction, and in 1889, as chairman of a special committec, presented to the General Assem- bly an exhaustive report on the subject, which aroused great enthusiasm and has been widely commented on. As a speaker he is earnest, interest- ing and eloquent, and his labors have been very effective during his eight years' pastorate in Du- huque. By the people of his own church and of other denominations he is highly esteemed, and has made many warm friends in Dubuque.
H ENRY KORTENKAMP. Dubuque Coun- ty numbers among her honored citizens and industrious farmers many sons of Germany, and to them is due in no small degree the development of this region. For many years the subject of this sketch has been identified with the history and growth of New Wine Township. He was born July 11, 1839, in Munster, Westphalia, Germany, and was the son of Henry Kortenkamp, Sr., who lived and died in his native land. Our subject learned the trade of brickmaker in the Fa- therland, at which oeeupation he worked for some time. Like all young men of his country he was obliged to enter the German army and serve as a soldier; this he did for threc and a-half years, par- ticipating in the war between Prussia and Den- mark, and undergoing all the hardships and priva- tions of a soldier's life.
Mr. Kortenkamp emigrated to America in 1865, and in the same year settled in Dubuque County on the farm he now occupies. He was a man of limited means when he arrived in this country, but to-day he is one of the leading and wealthy farmers of the township. He owns a two hundred acre farm, well improved and all under a high state of cultivation.
April 17, 1866, our subject was married to Miss Josephine Seliermer, who was of German ancestry, but a native of South Carolina. The following chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kortenkamp, Dorothea, deceased; Anthony, Henry, Simon, Ger- trude, Anna, Josephinc, Joseph and August, de-
ceased. Our subject is a brother of the late Father Kortenkamp, one of the most able and popular Catholic priests of Iowa. Under his pastorate the large church of Dyersville was built, the finest Catholic Church in the state of Iowa. Father Kortenkamp was educated for the holy priest- hood in the Old Country, and came to the United States in 1859, and to Dubuque in the same year, and was ordained for the ministry in that city in 1861. He passed away September 14, 1889, soon after his church was completed. Our subject has been a Democrat all his life but never aspired to any political office, being content to remain quietly at home attending to his farm duties. He has been very successful in his agricultural pursuits and has accumulated a large share of this world's goods. In religion Mr. Kortenkamp is a Catholic, as are all of his family. He is well known and highly respected in the community in which he lives.
HRISTOPHER SCHROMEN is a wide- awake business man now owner of the Dubuque Show Case Works. He was born in the city which is still his home, August 10, 1869, and is a son of Nicholas Schromen, a native of Germany, who on leaving the Fatherland emi- grated to the New World and became one of the early settlers of this community. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Grossbush, also a native of Germany, who is now living in Dubuque at the age of sixty-five years.
No event of special importance occurred during the childhood of our subject, who spent his boy- hood days midst play and work and was reared to manhood under the parental roof. In the public schools he acquired his education and he is now a well informed man. He entered upon his present line of business in 1890, at which time he bought of the estate the business of John Hess for the manufacture of show cases. Mr. Schromen as- sumed full control of the business which he has conducted continuously since. He manufactures show cases of all kinds and descriptions, and has
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built up a large business, shipping quite exten- sively to the north and west and to all parts of the Hawkeye State. He is also engaged in silvering and re-silvering mirrors, and has furnished some of the finest mirrors in this city, including the one in the saloon owned by Arthur O'Malley, which is the finest in Dubuque. He also furnished another now used in the cigar store of Charles Donahue. He is prepared to do all kinds of work along that line and has already built up a good trade, which is steadily increasing. His factory is 40x80 feet and is two stories in height.
On the 21st of June, 1892, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sehromen and Miss Jane Con- nelly, a daughter of Owen Connelly of Dubuque. One child graees their union, a son, Leroy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schromen are members of the Cath- olie Church, and they have a pleasent home on Dodge Street. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. His entire life has been passed in Dubuque, and he is now recognized as one of the substantial and representative young business men of the city. All who know him es- teem him highly for his sterling worth and strict integrity, and he has a large cirele of friends and acquaintances in this community.
S AMUEL J. SOUTHWELL, a capitalist of Dubuque, and the owner of zine mines, is one of the worthy citizens that Ohio has furnished to this community. He was born in Cleveland, May 19, 1855, and is of English descent. His father, John Southwell, was a native of Eng- land, and crossing the Atlantic to the New World, settled in Cleveland at an early day. He was united in marriage with Martha Pepperday, also a native of England, and they both now reside in Dubuque. The father established the first cracker factory west of Chicago, was actively identified with the business interests of this city for many years, and became one of the valued citizens of
the community. The paternal grandfather of our subjeet was John Southwell, and the maternal grandfather, William Pepperday.
Mr. Southwell, whose name heads this record, when a youth of sixteen entered the employ of Giles Bros. & Co., to learn the jeweler's trade. Ile began the business on the 1st of May, 1871, and remained with them for eleven years. IIe had soon mastered the business in all its details and was a trustworthy and faithful employe. He had the entire respect and confidence of the firm and remained with them until he was enabled to em- bark in the business on hisown account. In 1882 he began the manufacture of jewelry and carried on business along that line until 1889 with good success. He then abandoned that enterprise and built the first electric street railway of Dubuque. He was instrumental in the organization of the company which constructed the road known as the Key City Electrie Street Railway, and of that company was elected Superintendent and Secre- tary. The road was completed in 1889, and was run under that management for a year when it was sold out.
Mr. Southwell's connection with the mining in- terests began in 1875, and since that time he has owned a greater or less amount of mining stock. For several years he was associated in the business with B. M. Harger. Later he entered into part- nership with Joseph Trueb, under the firm name of Trueb, Southwell & Co. The members of this firm are now largely interested in mining property and own some extensive and valuable mines, in- cluding the largest zinc mine in this district, which yields four hundred tons per month. This rich deposit brings to the owners a handsome return.
Mr. Southwell was married May 10, 1883, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma Sınith, of Du- buque, daughter of Joseph Smith, a pioneer settler of this locality and a veteran of both the Mexican and Civil Wars. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Southwell, a daughter and son, Mar- tha Albertha and Miner J. The family reside at No. 211 Alpine Street and are well known people in this community, who oceupy an enviable posi- tion in social cireles. Mr. Southwell belongs to several civic societies, holding membership with
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Metropolitan Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M .; Apollo Lodge No. 41, K. of P .; and Ironwood Camp No. 81, M. W. A., of which he is a charter member. Politically he is liberal in politics.
I GNATZ SUMMER, a prominent business man of Dyersville, Dubuque County, is the pro- prietor of a large carriage and plow manufac- tory; he also owns an extensive grocery store and is Alderman of this city. He was born in the Tyrol, Austria, December 10, 1845, and is the eiglith child in a family of fifteen, whose parents were Frank Joseph and Barbara (Peter) Summer. The former was a very prominent and wealthy citizen in his native land, being engaged in the mercantile busi- ness and being the owner of a hotel and large landed estates. Upon the latter were extensive hunting-grounds, where much of the proprietor's time was spent in hunting; he was accidentally killed at one of these times by the discharge of a gun.
* The subject of this sketch had the advantage of a good education. At the age of sixteen years he went to Switzerland to perfect himself in fine paint- ing. In that country he remained a greater part of the time until he came to America in 1867, The succeeding three years he spent in Dubuque, where he was employed as a painter; then com- ing to this place, he established himself in the painting and decorating business. Success was his from the time he landed in the United States and he has never regretted his eoming to this favored country, as he has been prosperous in his various undertakings. Some eighteen years ago lie estab- lished a carriage, wagon and plow factory, which he has since operated successfully, turning out a large number of vehieles in the course of the year and employing a large force of men. In 1889 he added the extensive store which he has since car- ried on.
In 1869 Mr. Summer married Miss Gertrude T. Kortenkamp, who died in 1884. Our subject was again married, Miss Elizabeth Holschier being the
lady of his choice. She is the daughter of the late Henry Holscher, who was one of the wealthiest men in the locality, and for many years a promi- nent merchant of this place. This union has been blessed with four children: Henry, aged seven years; Harry, four years; Ida, two years of age; and Kuretta, two weeks old.
Of our subject's brothers we find that one, George, is a large merchant and hotel keeper in his native land; Leonard is an extensive brewer at Fair Play, Colo .; Joseph is in the mining business at the same place; John has a large farm at Steam- boat Springs, some two hundred miles in the moun- tains west of Denver, Colo .; Louis is in the liquor business in Georgetown, Colo .; and Jacob is a painter at New Vienna, Iowa. They have all been very prosperous, and in 1892 Mr. Summer took a trip to Colorado to visit his brothers there, not having seen them since he left his native land, and it is needless to say they had a most happy re- union.
Aside from Mr. Summer's extensive business, he owns valuable property in various localities, in- cluding a large farm in this state and desirable real estate in Alexandria, S. Dak. No citizen of this place is held in higher esteem or is more deserving of the same. For fifteen years he has been a men- ber of the School Board and has been Alder- man, serving his friends and neighbors to the best of his ability.
F RIDOLIN HEER, the senior member of the firm of F. Heer & Son, architects and builders of Dubuque, claims Switzerland as the land of his birthi, and the date of that event was July 30, 1834. His father, Andrew Heer, was also a native of Switzerland. Our subject ac- quired his literary education in the public schools of that country, and studied architecture in the schools of Germany, spending three winters in Holzminden, where he learned all the principles of architecture and also became a practical builder. His father was a prominent contractor of Switzer-
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land, and served as Superintendent of Public Works from 1797 until 1854.
Mr. Heer of this sketch was therefore reared to the business which he has made his life work, and in his native land was engaged in the construction of various important buildings. At length he de- termined to seek a home beyond the Atlantic, and in 1865 crossed the briny deep to thic New World, landing at New York City, from whence he made his way to Belleville, Ill. For about a year he re- maincd in that place, and in 1866 went to Chicago, where he resided until the spring of 1868. He then came to Dubuque, where he has since made his home, his time being devoted to contracting and building. He has been the architect and builder of various important structures in this city, including the new Court House recently crected, St. Joseph's College and St. Francis' Con- vent. During the past fifteen years lic has erected one hundred and ten churches in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. His skill and ability have won him a wide reputation and secured for him a most extensive and lucrative patronage.
On the 26th of April, 1860, ere leaving the land of the Alps, Mr. Hcer was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Brcialer, also a native of Switzer- land. To them have been born the following children: Paulina, who is now a student in St. Francis' Convent; Fridolin, who studied arehitec- turc in Stutgardt, Germany, and is now engaged in business with his father as a member of the firm of F. Heer & Son, and Elsie, who completes the family. The parents are both members of the Cathi- olic Churchı.
Mr. Hcer also belongs to the Swiss American Club, of which he was one of the organizers, and in 1866 he aided in organizing the first Swiss Singers Society of Chicago. Hc has been a nicm- ber of the Dubuque Sharp Shooters from 1868 un- til the present time, and is serving on its finance committee. He takes an active part in the work of public improvement and development, and gives his aid to all enterprises calculated to benefit the community. The best interests always find in him a friend, and he may well be numbered among the valued citizens. His life has been a busy and use- ful one, and on all sides arc seen evidences of his
handiwork, including many of the notably fine buildings of the city, among which are the resi- dences of Mr. Stout and James Levi. He lias also built the greater number of the school houses in this section of the state, and has done an extensive business. His own home is a beautiful residence and there he spends his leisure hours, surrounded by the comforts and luxuries of life, which he has acquired through his own labors.
H ON. THOMAS S. WILSON, who died May 16, 1894, occupied a place at the Bar of Iowa among its most prominent and in- fluential members. He was for many years a resi- dent of Dubuque, and in his death one of her best citizens passed away. He was born in Steuben- ville, Ohio, October 13, 1813, and at the age of nineteen was graduated from Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in the Class of '32. After study- ing law for two years, he was admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio in the year 1834, and soon afterward began practice with General Stokely, of Steubenville. Only a lim- ited period was thus passcd, when, contrary to the advice and wishes of his friends, he determined to go west, having a brother, Capt. George Wilson, of the First United States Infantry, under com- mand of Col. Zachary Taylor at Prairie du Chien. Mr. Wilson removed there, but in October, 1836, came to Dubuque, and his connection with the Bar of this county continued from that time until his deatlı.
Before leaving Ohio, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Miss Anna Hoge, daughter of David Hoge, of Steubenville. He was again married in 1864 to Mary Stokely, and has had five children. In the spring after his arrival in Dubuque his offi- cial carecr began, for he was then elected Presi- dent of the Town Board of Trustees. Iowa was then a part of Wisconsin Territory, and containcd two countics, Dubuque and Des Moines. Hc brought to his law practice thoroughi preparation and a broad, classical, as well as a legal education.
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He practiced in Dubuque, Mineral Point, Lancas- ter and Prairie du Chien, until July 4, 1838, and was engaged in almost every suit up to that time. In June, 1838, he was sent as a delegate to Con- gress from the northern counties of Iowa, and at the same time was appointed by President Van Buren Judge of the Supreme Court of this state, an honor conferred unsolicited by him. He was re-appointed by Presidents Tyler and Polk, and continued Judge of the Supreme Court until the year after the admission of Iowa into the Union, in 1846. While on the Bench it was left to him to deeide whether slavery should or should not exist in the territory. The south was then in ascendeney in all of the departments of the Government. He held his eommission as Judge from the Govern- ment, but true to his principles, and undeterred by a thought of consequences, Judge Wilson gave his deeision that slavery was not allowed in the Hawk- eye State. This was years before the diseussion of the question in the Supreme Court of the United States.
When the first Legislature of Iowa met and went into joint ballot, Judge Wilson eame within one vote of being eleeted United States Senator. He presided over the first court ever held in Iowa Territory, it convening at Prairie la Porte, now Guttenburg, on the second Monday in November, 1838. He resigned his offiee as Supreme Judge in 1847, and practiced law in partnership with Platt Smith and his brother, Hon. D. S. Wilson. Dur- ing this time he was retained on the Dubuque Claim ease, in which the heirs of Julian Dubuque claimed all the land on which the city now stands, together with several miles above and below the city. Had the claimants succeeded in winning, the pioneers who had braved the hardships and dangers of frontier life would have been deprived of their homes or compelled to repurchase them. The case was lost by the elaimants and appealed to the Supreme Court at Washington. Judge Wilson and his partner, Mr. Smith, then went to the Capi- tol City, where ably and earnestly they plead the case of the settlers, and the decision was in their favor.
In April, 1852, Mr. Wilson was elected without opposition as Judge of the District Court, and was
continued in that office until January 1, 1863, serving over twenty years as Judge. He held the first eourt in Clayton, Delaware, Allamakee, Jones, Winneshiek, Black Hawk, Chickasaw, Bremer, Fay- ette and Clinton Counties, and it is stated on good authority that he never had ten eases reversed during all the time he was on the Bench. In 1866 and 1868 he was elected to the State Legislature, .and in the latter year was tendered by the Demo- eratic members the nomination of United States Senator, but declined. Hle evinced a depth of legal learning which was remarkable, and the clear, concise and earnest way in which he placed a ease before the jury won him sueeess. He was a man of and for the people, sympathetie, kindly disposed and charitable. He was ever a true friend and many a one has received aid from him for which he got nothing and expected nothing in return. His deeds of kindness were performed in a quiet and unpretentious manner, for he did not seek the praise of men, content to know that he was doing good to others. He took a prominent part in the history of Iowa and in the history of the legal profession, and his name deserves a place in the annals of his country.
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