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 26
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 26
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 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
ALVIN SCRIPTURE, JR., well known among the citizens of Dubuque County as an agriculturist of Dubuque Township, was born in Lewis County, N. Y., July 25, 1826, being a son of Calvin and Roxanna (Bailey) Scripture. The father, a native of New England, was born probably in Massachusetts. Thence in early manhood he removed to New York and fol- lowed the trade of a blacksmith, also labored in clearing land. When his son, our subject, was seven years old he left the Empire State and went to Canada, where in addition to agricultural pur- suits he engaged in the manufacture of potash.
After having spent eleven years in Canada, the senior Mr. Scripture came to Iowa, in August, 1845, and bought a "squatter's" elaim near the present site of our subject's residence. Herc he was occu-
248
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
pied as a tiller of the soil for about twenty years, after which, in 1866, he removed to Floyd County, Iowa, and purchased a small farm and city prop- crty in Marble Rock. In that place he lived prae- tieally retired from active business cares until sev- enty-eight years of age, when he passed from earth. His wife died at our subjeet's home, aged fifty-nine years.
There were ten children in the parental family, . of whom eight attained years of maturity and five are now living. Our subjeet, who is the only sur- viving son, was reared on a farm, remaining at home until his marriage, although he had worked for himself for some years prior to that event. Upon purchasing his present farm he gave his at- tention to elearing and placing the land under cultivation, and in conjunction with agricultural pursuits operated a threshing machine for more than twenty years. March 3, 1853, he married Miss Naney Strohl, a native of Sandusky, Ohio, and daughter of John and Catherine (Bieehler) Strohl. Her father, who was born in Pennsylva- nia, died in Dubuque County in 1865, aged sixty years. Iler mother, a native of Ohio, resides with Mrs. Seripture, aged eighty-eight years. Mrs. Scripture is one of eight children, of whom three are now living. She is of German descent, her grandparents having emigrated to this country from Germany. Her father was reared in Ohio and removed thenee in 1846 to Iowa, settling in Dubuque; after three years spent in the city he removed to the farm where his death occurred.
Previous to her marriage Mrs. Scripture taught school, meeting with success in that oceupation. She has had eight children, but death has removed from the household five of its loved members, who died at the respective ages of two years, ten and fifteen months, four and thirty years. Those who survive are Mary A., wife of George Morse and the mother of five children; Carrie L. and James L., who re- side with their parents. The children have been the recipients of excellent educations in the com- mon schools and colleges, and are refined and cul- tured.
During the existence of the Whig party Mr. Seripture adhered to its principles. His first Pres- idential ballot was cast for Zachary Taylor, and
during the campaign of 1856 he supported Gen- eral Fremont. His fellow-citizens appreciating his fitness for public office have called upon him to serve in numerous local offices, in which he has discharged his duties with efficiency. As Super- visor he was instrumental in advancing the inter- ests of his township and promoting its prosperity. For more than a half-century he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held official positions. He and his wife have both served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
DWARD C. HOLT, Postmaster at Ana- mosa, is greatly respected for those quali- ties of head and heart which have won for him the esteem and confidence of all with whom he associates. He is popular in his official capacity, and is discharging the duties of his posi- tion with characteristic fidelity and greatly to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Our subject was born in Ireland January 8, 1832, and when three years old emigrated to New Brunswick in company with his parents, who made their home in St. John's. There he attended school, and upon completing his education learned the trade of a stone and brick mason, together with plastering, under the instruction of Otis Small, of Bangor, Me.
Mareh 30, 1857, Mr. Holt crossed into the States, coming, May 30, to Anamosa, which at that time was a small town. He immediately found work at his trade and ere long began contraeting, build- ing stores, dwellings and churelies. He was thus employed until 1893, when, having accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods, he retired from active business, devoting his time to looking after his property in the city.
In the spring of 1894 Mr. Holt was appointed Postmaster of Anamosa, entering upon the duties of the office May 9, 1894. He is a stanch Demo- erat in polities, and has served as Chairman of the Central Committee. He has always been interested in educational affairs and for a period of twelve
+ 4%
WILLIAM P. LARGE.
251
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
years rendered efficient service on the School Board. Mr. Holt, with his family, occupies a beau- tiful residence in the city and numbers his friends among its best residen ts.
In 1861 Edward C. Holt and Miss Mary A. T. Sales were united in marriage. The lady was the daughter of Dr. Nathan G. Sales, who was a prom- inent physician and politician of this city and a most praiseworthy citizen. He held the office of Receiver of Moneys in the land office at Chariton, Iowa, from 1853 to 1856, under the administration of Franklin Pierce. He departed this life Decem- ber 24, 1892. Mrs. Holt departed this life June 19, 1885, leaving a family of six children, namely: Tirzah C., Josie A., Harry J., Eddie S., Clara L. and Nellie. Harry J. assists his father in the post- office. Mr. Holt built the brick opera house on the corner of Maine and Garnavillo Streets in 1867, and is still the owner of that property be- sides much other valuable real estate in the city.
WILLIAM P. LARGE. Prominent among the citizens of Dubuque whose influ- ence for good in the community will be felt far into the future, was William P. Large, deceased. For more than thirty-five years his en- terprise, his public spirit, his active interest and co-operation in all that tended to the improvement and development of the city made him a power in the social, economic, political and religious life of Dubuque. He was born in Lambertville, Hunter- don County, N. J., May 4, 1822, and was a son of Samuel and Sarah (Busenberry) Large. During his boyhood his parents removed to Morgan County, Ohio, where he remained until he was eighteen years of age. Thence he went to Zanes- ville and was there engaged in mercantile business until 1856.
.
In May of 1844 Mr. Large married Miss Rowena Guthrie, daughter of Erastus and Achsa (Palmer) Guthrie, of Morgan County, Ohio, and of this mar- riage five children survive: Walter, a lawyer in New York City; Mrs. Alfred Stebbins, of Berkeley, Cal .; Mrs. J. W. Hiltman, of Chicago; Mrs. Nora
Hussey and Miss Isabel G. Large, of Dubuque. The family residence is beautifully located on West Eleventh Street, commanding a fine view of the city and river.
In the spring of 1856 Mr. Large arrived in Du- buque and established the business that developed into W. P. Large & Co., wholesale dealers in boots and shoes, and is now known as the Large & Ains- den Co. His conservative methods and careful management carried him safely through the terrible financial panic of the following year, when all around him other firms were obliged to suspend business, and he gradually built up one of the larg- est and most successful boot and shoe houses in the state. In 1879 the firm of Large & Amsden was formed and this connection continued up to the time of the death of the senior partner.
Many other enterprises of a public and private nature occupied the time and attention of Mr. Large. The Dubuque Board of Trade, the Public Library and the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion always had his active support. He helped organize the Second National Bank, and was from the beginning Director and Vice-President of that institution. He held the same office in the Du- buque Cattle Company and in the Linwood Cem- etery Association. In the work of the latter he felt an especial interest, and it is largely due to his untiring zeal that Dubuque has so beautiful a "si- lent city." He projected and was President of the Eleventh Street Elevated Railroad and was one of the organizers and a member of the Executive Board of Finley Hospital. For twenty-five years he was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Second Presbyterian Church, resigning from that office only a year before his death. He took no active part in politics, but was an ardent Repub- lican and his party always had his stanch and loyal support.
During the summer of 1893 Mr. Large seemed not quite in his usual robust health, and in October went to Excelsior Springs, Mo., for rest and recup- eration. This end seemed attained and he was about to return home when he was taken suddenly ill November 19 and passed away two days later, November 21.
He was one of nature's noblemen, true in every
8
252
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
relation of life, upright and honorable in every busi- ness transaction, a kind neighbor, faithful friend and loving husband and father. When death called him hence many were the spontaneous tributes paid to his memory, and both the rich and the poor felt that they had lost a generous and helpful counselor. Speaking of him his pastor said: "For the life- time of a generation he was connected with the Board of Trustees, his natural force of character and his consecrated gifts having marked him out by common consent for all that time as their chair- man. All of the most active members of the church say that no one else could be so greatly missed. His was the first face I saw when I made my way for the first time to your church door. For his white hairs I always looked when I ascended the pulpit steps and held his presence in his appointed place as in some way a benediction."
J ACOB WEIDENBACHER is head of the ex- tensive importing and wholesale liquor house of J. Weidenbacher & Co. of Dyersville, and a member of the Board of Aldermen of that place. He was born in Baden, Germany, April 15, 1843, being the eldest of three sons born to August and Francisco (Heit) Weidenbacher. Peter is a contractor at Great Falls, Mont., and Herman is a resident of Dubuque. When the children were small death deprived them of their father, and the mother was left with limited means. Our subjeet, being the oldest of the family though only a lad of thirteen, was obliged to do something for the immediate support of the others, and his education, therefore, was limited.
Our subjeet obtained employment with the Gov- ernment of his native land to work on fortifiea- tions. This he followed until 1867, when he de- cided to try his fortune in America. In the fall of that year an uncle in the United States sent him money with which to pay his fare and he availed himself of the opportunity. On his arrival he worked for some time on the section of the Illinois Central Railroad at Dyersville, in this way earn-
ing money to pay back the sum advanced by his relative. After this he engaged as a elerk with the firm of Halscher Bros., with whom he remained for four years, after which he was for nine years Street Commissioner of Dyersville. In 1883, hav- ing saved some money, he engaged in the saloon business and was successful. In 1890 in company with the Esch brothers he established the large wholesale house of which he is the head. He has just completed two large brick store-rooms, two stories high, entirely devoted to the wholesale busi- ness, which is a large and growing one.
Mr. Weidenbacher is a member of the Board of Aldermen of this eity, as before stated, and is a general favorite in both business and politieal cir- eles. In 1868 he wedded Miss Elizabeth Hilket, who was also born in the Fatherland. They have had eight children, seven of whom are now living. Annie, the eldest, is the wife of Charles Shu- macher, Bertha, August, Elizabeth, Francisco, Mary and Andrew live at home, and Frank died when nine years of age. After coming to this country our subjeet sent for his widowed mother, who erossed the Atlantie and has since made her home with him. He was reared in the Catholie faith, to which he still adheres, and politically is a Demo- crat.
-
EORGE W. SONES. All loyal Americans know that the old soldiers who sacrifieed home comforts, endured hardships and braved dangers during the days of the Nation's peril are deserving of remembrance. The historian can- not detail the lives spent on the tented field, but he can mention the chief events by which the gallant soldier seeured victory, too often, alas, at the price of manly vigor and missing limbs. Were there no other reasons than his army life, we should be glad to present to our readers an outline of the history of Mr. Sones, a retired farmer residing in Ana- mosa.
A native of Pennsylvania, our subject was born in Lycoming County, February 23, 1830, and is
253
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
,
the son of Peter and Savilla (Low) Sones, also na- tives of the Keystone State. The father died when George W. was only three years of age, and when old enough George was bound out to learn the car- penter's trade. His mother was a second time mar- ried. When nine years old our subject went to live with Barnett Rynearson, where he remained until seventeen years of age and then commenced to learn the carpenter's trade.
After completing his apprenticeship as a carpen- ter, our subject traveled through his native state until attaining his twenty-third year, when he was married to Miss Margaret Lockard, also born near Hughsville, Lycoming County, Pa., and the daugh- ter of Alex and Elizabeth Lockard. Soon after establishing a home of his own Mr. Sones engaged at his trade a short time, and in May, 1855, came to this western state, locating in Jones County, where he purchased property and was employed in cultivating the soil and at his trade until the out- break of the late war.
In August, 1862, Mr. Sones enlisted in Company K, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, under Colonel Byam, of Mt. Vernon, and was assigned to the Thirteenth Army Corps, Army of the Tennessec. They were first sent to Vieksburg, where they participated in the siege and also joined Bank's expedition up the Red River. His corps was after- ward transferred to General Sheridan's command and participated in the battles of Winehester, Cedar Creek, and in the spring of 1864 fought the engagement at Fisher's Hill. December 5 of that year, our subject was honorably discharged on a surgeon's certificate and returned home, again en- gaging in agriculture. Not regaining his health, however, he went to Colorado, where he spent scv- eral years. In 1881 he came again to this county, making his home upon the old farm, where lie re- mained only a twelvemonth and then removed to the city, leaving the management of his estate to his enterprising sons.
To our subject and his wife have been born five children. Calvin O., M. D., is engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in Panora, this state; Mary is the wife of William F. White, and makes her home in Cedar Rapids; Allen O. is living on the old homestead; Cora died at the age of ten years
and four months; Sylvia is the wife of A. J. Bel- knap, of this city.
In his political relations, Mr. Sones is an ardent admirer of Republican principles and never fails to cast a vote in favor of that party's candidates. He is a member of Fred Steel Post No. 4, G. A. R., and with his good wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which the former has been connected since twenty years of age.
OHN W. WAITE, Treasurer of Jones County, is residing in Anamosa. He is a very pleas- ant gentleman, whom it is a pleasure to know, and who has many warm personal friends throughout the county. He is an active politician and takes a prominent part in all public affairs re- lating to the welfare of the community. He is a fine representative of the native-born citizens of this county and was born in Oxford Township, December 23, 1854.
Jolin and Emma (Shipman) Waite, the parents of our subject, were natives of England, and cmi- grated to the United States after their marriage, locating in Oxford Township, this county, where they engaged in farm pursuits. John Waite de- parted this life in 1879, in Wyoming, Iowa. He was the son of Robert Waite, also a native of Eng- land, and a man greatly respected in his commu- nity. The mother of our subject is still living, making her home with him in Anamosa.
John W. Waite of this sketch was the youngest and only survivor of the parental family, and like all farmer boys prosecuted his primary studies in the district school. He later formed a partnership with his father and opened up in business in Wy- oming, this state, handling a full and complete line of agricultural implements. They were very successful in this enterprise and continued together for a period of ten years under the firm name of Waite & Son. Mr. Waite was appointed Postmas- ter at Wyoming, Iowa, under Harrison's adminis- tration, serving acceptably for four years.
The subject of this sketch is very popular in his
254
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
community, and in the fall of 1893 was elected Treasurer of Jones County on the Republican ticket, assuming the duties of his office January 1 of the following year. He is a successful busi- ness man, a distinguished eitizen, a capable official and his life record is such as to commend him to the respect and esteem of the entire community.
John W. Waite and Miss Janette Inglis were united in marriage October 19, 1880. The lady is the daughter of Robert Inglis, a resident of Hale Township, this county, where he has a good prop- erty. To Mr. and Mrs. Waite there have been born a son and daughter, Robert W. and M. Hazel. Our subjeet is a member of Keystone Lodge No. 206, A. F. & A. M., also Wyoming Lodge No. 147, I. O. O. F., also the Encampment at that plaee. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias at Wyoming, in which order he is an active worker.
M M. HOFFMANN, undertaker and em- balmer of Dubuque, doing business at the corner of Fifteenth and Clay Street, was born in the city which is still his home, May 28, 1857. His father, Matthew Hoffmann, is a na- tive of Germany, and in early life crossed the At- lantie to the United States, and took up his res- idenee in Dubuque. He is a man of modest and retiring habits, yet his sterling worth and strict in- tegrity have won him high regard. He has now laid aside business eares and at his pleasant home in Dubuque is enjoying a rest which he well mer- its.
Mr. Hoffmann attended the publie schools, and when his literary education was completed he learned the trade of eabinet making, working with several different parties until he had thoroughly mastered the business and was enabled to begin work in his own interest. Forming a partnership with S. Korman in the undertaking business, he carried on operations along that line for five years; the style then used was Hoffmann & Korman. This partnership lasted for several years, they do- ing a large undertaking business, but at length
Mr. Hoffmann bought out the establishment, and now devotes his entire time to undertaking and embalming. He keeps a fine line of easkets and a good hearse, and all the other accessories that go to make up a first class establishment of this kind. He owns his own store building, a fine brick strnct- nre, and the room he occupies is 25x70 feet.
In 1880 Mr. Hoffmann was united in marriage with Miss Mary Voelker, daughter of Leopold Voelker, of Dubuque. Mr. Hoffman has a family of seven children. He and his wife are widely and favorably known in this community, and have many warm friends, who esteem them highly on ac- count of their many exeellencies of character. Mr. Hoffmann is a member of the Independent Or- der of Foresters and Ancient Order of United Workmen and other fraternities. For the past ten years he has served as Coroner of the county, and besides the business above mentioned he is con- nected with other substantial industries of Dubu- que, including the Dubuque Stamping and Enam- eling Works. He is President and was one of the organizers of the Dubuque Casket Company, is President of the Dubuque Embalming Company, and is President of the Iowa State Undertakers' Association, which met in Des Moines May 23, 1894. He has always lived in Dubuque, and those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his stanehest friends, a fact which indicates a well spent and honorable life. In polities he is a Democrat.
H ON. JAMES CUSHING is President of the North western Vinegar Works of Du- buque. It has been said that the study of biography yields to no subjeet in point of in- terest and profit and from the life record of Mr. Cushing we ean learn much that might be largely and profitably emulated. Mr. Cushing was born in West Scituate, Mass., August 4, 1830, and was a son of Joshua and Sallie (Hatch) Cushing. The father was a native of the Bay State, and was a ' speculator and general business man, For a time
255
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
he engaged in the boot and shoe trade in Illinois, and later invested his capital in interests in Cairo, Ill., where he died in 1872.
The gentleman whose name heads this reeord spent his boyhood days in La Salle and Putnam Counties, Ill., to which place his parents had re- moved in his early childhood. On leaving the common schools he entered the high school of Mt. Palatine, and when his education was completed lie entered on his business career as a dealer in iee. For some years he was engaged in shipping iee to different points and enjoyed a sueeessful trade along that line. In 1859 he came to Dubuque, where he engaged in handling iee and soon be- came the leading dealer. Subsequently in 1864 he took Louis Fiseher into partnership. This con- neetion has continued until the present time in the wholesale department. In 1861 Mr. Cushing engaged in the manufacture of vinegar on a small seale, making eider, wine and grain vinegar. He ereeted a good briek plant and as his business in- ereased he enlarged his facilities. The superior quality of vinegar which he turns out is attested by a liberal patronage, which demands an output of eighty barrels per day. The plant is supplied with all the latest improved machinery for the manufacture of vinegar and is run by steam power. Travelling salesmen are employed upon the road and sell to the trade in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, ยท Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas. In the factory about sixteen men are employed. Sometime sinee the building in which the business was located was destroyed by fire, but with characteristic energy, Mr. Cushing ereeted a more substantial structure and enlarged the eapaeity of his works. He incorporated the business under the name of James Cushing, Sons & Co. The officers of the Northwestern Vinegar Works are James Cushing, President; Joseph K. Kaufmann, Viee-President, and I. J. Cushing, See- retary and Treasurer.
Mr. Cushing has been twiee married. He first wedded Miss Emma Masterman, who died leaving two children, Melzar H., and Sarah, deceased. For his second wife, Mr. Cushing wedded Miss Mary A. Schermerhorn, by whom he has three ehildren, I. J., Charity E. and John G. In relig-
ious views he is a member of the Universalist Chureh.
In his political views, Mr. Cushing is a stalwart Republiean, and warmly advocates the party's principles, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure its suecess. In the years 1875 and 1876 lie served as Mayor of Dubuque and proved an efficient and capable offieer. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to Dubuque Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M .; he is also an Odd Fellow, hav- ing passed all the chairs. His sueeess in business is the result of earnest application and careful atten- tion to all details, and is the just reward of his labors.
CCLES W. GAWLEY, M. D. The ealling of a physician is not only one of the most arduous but one of the most responsible pursuits in which a man ean engage, and he who attains a high reputation in this ealling must ne- eessarily be endowed with physical endurance, keen intelligenee and excellent judgment. The subjeet of this sketch is one whose extensive prae- tice and high standing in the profession prove eonelusively his mental endowments. He was born in Ireland in 1850, and is descended from a long line of prominent physicians.
Our subjeet attended the sehools of his native plaee, which were noted for their high standard, until reaching his twenty-first year, when he deter- mined to seek his fortune in another country. He consequently emigrated to Canada and after spend- ing a few months there crossed into the States. It was his desire to fit himself for a professional eareer. Entering the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, he spent two years, after which he went to Detroit and became a student in the Detroit Medieal College, from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1875. Dr. Gawley then remained in the City of Straits engaged in prae- tiee for two years, and at the end of that time eame to Iowa, loeating at onee in Anamosa.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.