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 28
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 28
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 28
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Joseph Cook remained at home until he was twenty years of age, when he ventured out in the world for himself. He immediately went to the "land of gold" where he engaged in mining for that precious metal for four years. He was very successful in this undertaking and on his return to Dubuque County purchased the old homestead, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres which he has increased to one hundred and eighty acres of land. The property is under cultivation.
July 14, 1855, Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Miss Emma Stocks, who was born in England in 1832. She was the daughter of John and Sarah (Matthews) Stocks, both of whom were natives of England. There were four children born to them, namely : Frazier, Jolın, Ellen and Walter. He has given his children the best educational advantages possible, thus enabling them to fill any position in life with honor. He is an attendant at the Method- ist Episcopal Church and a member of the Repub- lícan party.
EORGE F. ATKINS is a wholesale and re- tail dealer in tobacco and smoking sup- plies in Dubuque, and is doing a good business, his trade covering a large radius in the northwest.
R OBERT KENNEDY, belongs to that no- ble army of self-made men who have fought the battles of life bravely. He is now not only well-to-do financially, but occupies an enviable position in the cstimation of all who have the honor of his acquaintance, and he is one of the most prominent and successful agricult- urists in Washington Township, Dubuque Coun- ty. Mr. Kennedy is a Pennsylvanian by birth, having first seen the light of day on the 8th of June, 1819, in the Keystone State. He is the son of George and Elizabethi (Farley) Kennedy, natives of Ireland. They came to the United States in an carly day and settled in Pennsyl- vania, where he worked as a laborer for some time; lie afterward became a tiller of the soil and continued in this delightful and health-giving em- ployment for the remainder of his days.
Our subject was compelled to carn his own liv- ing when quite young, not having a dollar in his pocket when he started out. He chose the occupa- tion of a farmer, and made that his life study. Naturally intelligent and observing, he was quick to see and act, always ready to adopt any and every method that would improve or in any way assist in the advancement of agriculture. The ed- ucational advantages of that day were very meager, schools were few and Robert had very little oppor- tunity of attending those that were in the vicin- ity, but still he was enabled to gain a fair knowl- edge of the English language, and by reading and study in after years be became a model self-made man.
At the age of twenty-six our subject became the husband of Miss Catherine Bachman. They were united in marriage in 1845, and to them were born ten children: Byrom, who is married and is the father of three children; Sarah, Emeline; Ame- lia, Mrs. Carnels Bradley, who is the mother of seven children; Alpheus, of Jackson County, who is the father of two sons; Harriet, who is married and living at Dunlap, Iowa; Mary and Robert, who are at home. They have all received a fair educa- tion, and are members of the United Presbyterian Church.
In 1855 Mr. Kennedy came with his family to Iowa and settled in Washington Township; here
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he purchased forty acres of unimproved land, which he immediately set about elearing and cul- tivating. With the assistance of his good wife, who was indeed a helpmate to him in his early struggles for prosperity, he has established a name and reputation that will live long after lie has passed to his final reward. To the original farm Mr. Kennedy has added from time to time, until now he is the owner of two hundred and thirty broad acres of land in one tract, besides two other farms, one containing two hundred and twenty acres, and the other one hundred and eighty-four aeres, and personal property equal in value to all the land. His land is all under a high state of eultivation, well stocked with fine horses, eattle and hogs. He has a niee residenee, large and commodious barns, and a complete assortment of all necessary farming implements.
Mr. Kennedy and his excellent wife are exem- plary members of the United Presbyterian Church, are active workers in the same, giving liberally to its support, and are always first to aid in all good work. Politically he is a solid Republiean, after having voted the Democratie tieket for over forty years. He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace in Buncombe for a number of years, serving the people honestly and well, gaining the respect of the community, and is numbered among the prominent and substantial eitizens of Dubuque County, Iowa.
H ON. MOSES M. HAM is the popular, effi- eient and well known Postmaster of Du- buque. He comes from the far-off state of Maine, his birth having occurred in York Coun- ty, of the Pine Tree State, March 23, 1833. His parents, Dr. L. J. and Mary Ayer Ham, were also natives of Maine. In that state the subject of this sketch spent his youth until fourteen years of age, when he removed with his parents to Erie Count- ty, N. Y., the family loeating near Buffalo. There he was reared to manhood and in the public
schools he aequired his early education, which was supplemented by study in Lima Seminary. He afterwards entered UnionCollege, Seheneetady, and on completing a thorough course of study in that institution was graduated therefrom in 1855.
Mr. Ham then left home, starting out in life for himself. He went to Michigan and for two years was Principal of the seliool in Jonesville, Hillsdale County. He then removed to Detroit, Mich., and became the editor of the Free Press, condueting the newspaper business for some years. In 1863 he removed to Iowa and entered upon a business eareer in Dubuque. For many years he was interested in the newspaper business in this city. He became connected with the Herald and after a time became its proprietor and editor-in- elief. He now publishes a daily and also a weekly edition and his papers have a large cireulation. This is the oldest paper in the state, having been published continually since it was established on the 11th of May, 1836. Through the columns of his paper he has done mueh for the upbuilding and advancement of this community and has ever been recognized as one of its valued and representative eitizens.
Mr. Ham was united in marriage with Miss Hellen M. Tucker and to them were born two children who are yet living, Clifford D., who is now en- gaged as manager of the Herald, and Hellen, at home. After the death of his wife, he married Miss Rebecea Wells, of one of the oldest and best known families in Dubuque.
Mr. Ham has taken a very prominent part in public and political affairs. In 1872 he was a del- egate at large to the Democratie National Con- vention at Baltimore. In 1877 he was elected as State Senator from Dubuque County on the Dem- ocratie tieket. While thus serving he was on im- portant committees and labored earnestly for the best interests of his constituents. In 1876 he was a delegate to the National Convention which convened in St. Louis and nominated Samnel J. Tilden for the presideney. In 1872 he was ap- pointed a member of the National Democratie Com- mittee for the state of Iowa, and thus served un- til 1888. In 1885 he was appointed by President Cleveland as Postmaster of Dubuque, which posi-
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tion he held for four years, and in 1893, wlien President Cleveland was again in the executive mansion, Mr. Ham was once more placed in charge of the Postoffice. To its management he gives his personal supervision, and his able administra- tion of affairs has won him the confidence and high commendation of all concerned. He is a true and faithful citizen, devoted to the best interests of the community in which he resides, and his name is inseparably connected with the history of Dubuque and the political history of the state.
P ETER FREYMANN is a leading merchant, hotel-keeper and a Director in the German State Bank of Dyersville. He is a native of Belgium, his birth having occurred January 20, 1841. He is the only son in a family of five chil- dren born to Nicholas and Morgunta (Henkels) Freymann. The father was a prominent farmer and dealer in live stock in his native land. Being possessed of an ample fortune, he gave his son the advantages of a good education, and in 1859 rc- moved with his family to America. He settled near Dubuque, Iowa, where he became an exten- sive farmer, engaging in agricultural pursuits un- til late in life, when he retired from business cares, making liis home in Dubuque, where his death oc- curred in 1887. His wife died several years be- fore, and two of our subject's sisters were also called to their final rest a number of years pre- vious. The other sisters are still living near Du- buque.
In 1872 the subject of this sketch engaged in the hotel business in Dubuque, continuing in that work for two years, after which he settled in this city. He engaged in the same line of occupation, that of keeping a hotel, but has also been occupied in other commercial lines as well, being one of the proprietors of a leading mercantile house. He was also one of the incorporators of the German State Bank, of which he has been one of the Directors from the first; for six years he was one of the Ald-
ermen of Dyersville, and he has also served his fel- low-citizens as one of the Trustees of the town. In his business methods, Mr. Freymann is a careful and conservative man, and by strict attention to his commercial interest at all times, he lias amassed a good sized fortune, and is one of the foremost citi- zens of this thriving western city.
Mr. Freymann was brought up in the faith of the Catholic Church, to which he has ever adhered. Politically he has been a life-long Democrat, and personally he is much liked by those who have the honor of his acquaintance. It was in the year 1868 that Miss Annie Henkles became the wife of our subject. She is a native of Luxemburg, Ger- many, but emigrated to this county with her par- ents when an infant of only a few months. Mr. and Mrs. Freymann have a family of seven chil- dren: Maggie; Hattie, wife of Conrad Melbert, of Dyersville; Peter, Jr., who is in his father's store, and who completed his education at the Dubuque Business College; Frank, John, Joseph and Louis, who are now being educated.
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OHN E. BILBROUGH. It is an important principle in human nature to admire the artistic and beautiful, not only as represent- ing scenery, but also personal friends. As an artist of high character, who has donc much to improve and raise the standard of art work in photography, we mention the name of Mr. Bil- brough, whose studio is situated on the southwest corner of Main and Eighth Streets, Dubuque.
A native of England, our subject was born in Derby, Derbyshire, February 18, 1840, being the son of William and Mary (Roland) Bilbrough. In the schools of Brentwood, in Essex, he gained a good education, and completed his studies in Leeds, Yorkshire. In his native land he learned the art of photography, but did not commence in business in England. In 1861 he emigrated to the United States, coming via the Dominion of Canada, and spending fifteen months in Toronto. He then crossed to Wisconsin, where he spent
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three years. Later he made a short sojourn in Chicago.
The year 1864 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Bil- brough in Dubuque, where he has since devoted his entire attention to his art. He occupies com- mnodious rooms, which he has fitted up into a first- class studio supplied with the latest appliances of photography. In point of years of active business, he is the oldest photographer in the eastern part of the state, and is both widely and favorably known. He has an extensive trade, and is prepared to turn out in fine shape everything from a minette to a life-size picture finished in pastel, erayon or water colors.
The marriage of Mr. Bilbrough occurred in 1874, and united him with Miss Julia A. Van Evra, an ' accomplished lady then living in Akron, Ohio. Socially our subjeet affiliates with the Mosaic Lodge No. 125, A. F. & 'A. M., Dubuque Chapter, R. A. M., and siloam Commandery No. 3, K. T. In religious belief he is a member of the Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belongs. They have a comfortable home on Broadway, to which are welcomed their hosts of warm personal friends.
R EV. GEORGE WILLIAM HEER, Rector of St. Xavier's Catholic Church at Dyers- ville, is a Prussian by birth, having been born in Boke, Westphalia, of that country, on the 25th of April, 1849. He is next to the youngest in a family of six children born to Lawrenee and Theresa Heer. In 1856 the family came to Amer- iea, locating at Ft. Madison, Iowa, where his par- ents lived until their death. Early in life George applied himself to obtaining an education in the parochial schools of Ft. Madison, and in the year 1864 we find him diligently pursuing his studies at the Catholic College in Quincy, Ill., where he remained for two years. At the end of this time he entered the St. Francis' Seminary at Milwaukee, Wis., where his education was completed, and March 16, 1872, he was ordained by Bishop Henni and was at once given a charge at St. Peter's
Church, Keokuk, Iowa. He remained there until January, 1874, when he was transferred to Riel- mond, Iowa, and in September, 1875, was again conveyed to Centralia, where he stayed until 1880. From the last-named place he was removed to Worthington, this state, thence to his permanent charge at Dyersville, in October, 1889, where he succeeded Father Anthony Kortenkamp.
The new Church St. Xavier, at the time Father Heer became its head, was just nearing completion. It is now said to be the largest and finest church in the state, having cost $100,000 and has a seat- ing capacity of fifteen hundred. That Father Heer was chosen for this responsible charge, speaks volumes for his ability and integrity. He is fluent in German, English and Latin, and is a most de- vout Catholic and able expounder of the faith. It is not strange that he wins the hearts of the people with whom he comes in contact, in and out of the church.
OHN NEWMAN, a member of the firm of J. Newman & Son, manufacturers of carriages, buggies and wagons of Dubuque, claims New
York as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Geneva, October 20, 1832. He comes of a family of English origin, and his father, John Newman, was a native of England. His inother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Miller, was a native of England.
Mr. Newman, of this sketeh, was reared in the state of his nativity, and acquired his education in its common sehools, after which he started out in life for himself. He had no capital save a pair of willing hands and a young man's bright hope of the future, so that whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own efforts. He be- gan learning the carriage making trade, to which he served a five years' apprenticeship, becoming in that time familiar with the business in all its details. In the spring of 1854, he left the cast and emigrated to Iowa, taking up his residence in Du- buque, where he began work as a carriage maker in the employ of A. A. Cooper, of this city. Subse-
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quently he worked for Thomas Connelly, and also Thomas Armstrong, but at length determined that his efforts should more directly benefit himself and in 1877 established a carriage manufactory on his own account. This he has been conducting con- tinuously since, and the enterprise has proved to him a profitable one. In 1890 he built his present fine factory, a structure 114x44 feet and four sto- ries in height, in which he manufactures earriages, buggies and wagons of a very superior quality. On aeeount of the exeellent workmanship which he turns out he receives a liberal patronage, his trade having steadily increased from the beginning. Employment is furnished to a number of men and the Newman faetory has become one of the leading industries of Dubuque.
In November, 1859, Mr. Newman was united in marriage with Miss Mary Quinn, a native of the Emerald Isle. She is a member of the Catholic Church, and is one of the highily esteemed ladies of this community. By the union of our subject and his wife there were born four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Charles, Fred- erick, Mary and Sadie. They reside at No. 16 Booth Street, where they have a pleasant home supplied with all the eomforts and many of the luxuries of life.
In his political views Mr. Newman is a Repub- lican. He always votes with that party and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never sought or desired public office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with signal sueeess. He may truly be called a self-made man, for he de- serves all the credit which that term implies.
J OSEPH J. GRIGG, a contractor and builder of Dubuque, is a native of England, and was born in the Parish of Duloe, Cornwall, Eng- land, on the 8th of February, 1839. His fa- ther, Robert Grigg, was also a native of that country and there spent his entire life, his death occurring at the ripe old age of seventy-seven years. By
occupation he was a farmer and followed that pur- suit as a means of support for himself and family. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Ann Nichols, was also born in Cornwall.
Under the parental roof Mr. Grigg of this sketch was reared to manhood, spending the days of his boyhood in the usual manner of farmer lads. The public sehools afforded him his educational privi- leges but his advantages in that direction were somewhat meagre as during the greater part of the time his labors were needed in the fields, where he began work as soon as old enough to follow the plow. At the age of fifteen he began serving an apprenticeship to the earpenter's trade, his term covering five and a-half years. On the expiration of that period he went to Plymouth, England, where he engaged in earpentering for two years, and then removed to London, where he spent six years as a carpenter, employed by various parties in that eity.
One of the most important events in the life of Mr. Grigg occurred in September, 1865, at which time he erossed the Atlantic to America. He has never had occasion to regret the step then taken for he has here met with sueeess, gaining both a comfortable competency and a pleasant home, to- gether with many friends and agreeable acquaint- anees. On coming to America he made his way at once to Dubuque, where he worked for two years in the employ of others; he then began eontraeting and building on his own account and has since carried on operations along that line. That his work has found favor with the publie is shown by the lib- eral patronage which he now receives. He has erected some of the most important structures in the eity, including the Klein & Walker Block, the Conehar residence, the Sehriber & Conehar Works, the Iowa Block, the Boston Dry Goods Bloek, the building owned by Dr. Peterson, and many other of the fine residences and buildings of Dubuque, together with the seminary at Epworth, Iowa.
Mr. Grigg has been connected witli other enter- prises, including the Dubuque Pressed Brick Com- pany, of which he was one of the organizers and is now a stockholder. He is one of the organizers and stockholders of the Key City Fire Insurance Company, and in politics he is a supporter of the
ROBERT BELL.
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Republican party, while socially he is a member of Harmony Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Iowa Legion of Honor. Both he and his wife hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Grigg was in her maidenhood Miss Charlotte Coker, a native of Plymouth, England. Their marriage was celebrated December 27, 1864, and has been blessed with six children, two sons and four daughters, namely: Charlotte, Joseph, Matilda M., William H. (deceased), MaudN. and Georgia. They reside at No.165 Bennett Street. Matilda M. married Byron Elliott August 1, 1894, and now resides at No. 60 Cleveland Avenue, Dubuque.
R OBERT BELL, a wealthy pioneer farmer of Dodge Township, Dubuque County, is residing in his beautiful country home, two miles north of Worthington. He is a native of England, having been born in Lineolnshire December 11, 1828. His mother died when he was a lad of ten years, and his father being in lim- ited circumstances he was permitted to attend school only a short time. When reaching his twelfth year he began to make his own way in the world by herding sheep, for which he received the munificent sum of a penny a day. Prior to this, however, he had met with an accident by the pre- mature discharge of a gun which caused him to lose the use of his right hand.
It was the desire of young Robert to emigrate to the New World, but it took him eight years to save a sum sufficient to pay his passage hither. Finally, however, by the strictest economy he ac- cumulated the needed amount and in 1848 came to America. He made his way directly to Iowa, and on arriving at Dyersville was met by Judge Dyer, who received him cordially, procured for him a place to board, and gave him employ- ment at once. Throughout life he remained a warm friend of Mr. Bell, who on his return from California purchased a tract of land from the Judge. In the fall of 1849 he went to Dubuque and until the fall of the following year found em-
ployment in an hotel. He then went down the river to New Orleans, and in the spring of 1851 was attacked with the California gold fever. With but fifty cents in his pocket he joined a company going overland and worked his way to the Golden State, arriving there after a dangerous journey of three months.
Mr. Bell at onee engaged in placer mining on the Feather River, meeting with fair success from the start. This was at a time when provisions were very high and fifty cents was the ruling price, no matter whether the article purchased was flour, bacon, sugar or salt. Strangely enough he fell in with an Irishman whose name was also Rob- crt Bell, and forming a partnership they purchased a elaim twenty miles from the Nelson camp, on which they erected a comfortable cabin. As win- ter was fast approaching they took some of the gold dust and went to the nearest supply camp in order to lay in a sufficient quantity of provisions, but before they could reach their cabin, and while yet in the mountains, they were overtaken by a furious snow storm and nearly lost their lives.
Mr. Bell was unlike many of the gold seekers of California who went there with the expectation of getting rich in a short time, and when their claim did not "pan out" as much as they expected, left it, although they were making good wages. It was not so with the man who had formerly worked for a penny a day, and as long as he averaged from $2 to $4 per day he was satisfied until he wa e he could do better elsewhere. He worke. ard during the winter months, often dig- ging through eight feet of snow, but notwith- standing these uncomfortable surroundings he made $300 that winter, which he concluded was much better than remaining in town, and spend- ing what he had previously made as many of the miners did.
In his quaint and humorous way Mr. Bell tells of the different schemes he devised in his mining enterprises to save labor and yet secure every grain of gold there was in the dirt. The manner in which he buried the gold dust so that it could not be found by robbers was entirely original with him; but to describe all liis ventures would require a volume in itself. Suffice it to say that
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during his stay in the gold field he saved $3,500, with whieh he started back east, via the Isthmus. Reaching New York in safety he immediately went to the United States Mint in Philadelphia, where he had $500 coined, and taking a certificate for the remainder, started for his native land, it being his desire to bring his father to America. On arrival in Scotland it gave hin great satisfae- tion to go to the man for whom he had worked for a penny a day and exhibit his certificates, showing that he had made a small fortune in the five years he had been absent.
Prior to returning to the United States Mr. Bell spent six months in England and there in 1856 married Miss Jane Mundy, a native of Bradford- shire. Later, accompanied by his wife, father and sister, he again crossed the Atlantic, making his way to Dubuque County, where he has sinee made his home and where he is said to have made a. large fortune. He has always been looked upon as a friend of the poor and needy, to whom he gives employment and more substantial aid when necessary. He recently sold a portion of liis large estate, but retains the most beautiful loca- tion, on which he has completed the finest resi- denee and aecompanying outbuildings in the township. His aged father, who is now past ninety years of age, has always lived with him and is in the enjoyment of good health.
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