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 29
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 29
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 29
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Mrs. Jane Bell departed this life February 18, 1882, leaving six children. The eldest son, George, is engaged in business at Storm Lake, this state; Thomas Robert is in the agricultural implement business at Farley; John Mundy is an agriculture- ist of Delaware County; William E. is also follow- ing farming pursuits; Edith is the wife of William Baker, an extensive farmer of Dodge Township; and Minnie makes her home with her brother in Storm Lake.
The present wife of Mr. Bell bore the maiden name of Jane Waite and was born in Jefferson County, N. Y. She is the daughter of E. G. Waite, a pioneer of Delaware County, this state, where he still makes his home, although he spends muell of his time with his daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have one child, Maggie, aged ten years. Our sub- ject is a Republican in politics, but is in no sense
of the term an office-seeker. In religious connec- tion lie holds membership in the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He is now spending the evening of his life in his pleasant home, blessed by the affec- tion of his family and surrounded by all the com- forts that money can buy.
HARLESI. STILLMAN, a well known eon- tractor and builder of Dubuque, who for the past three years has carried on busi- ness in his own interest in this place, is a native of the Buekeye State. He was born in Erie Coun- ty, Ohio, July 2, 1854, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of that locality, his fatlier, Albert Stillman, having there located at an early day. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Dyer, was a native of New York and a daughter of John Dyer, a lighthouse keeper on Marblehead peninsula for many years.
Charles I. Stillman is a self-made man who has made his own way in life since the early age of fourteen years, at which time he left home to earn a livelihood. He learned the earpenter's trade and after mastering the business worked as a journeyman for several years. In 1887 he eame to Dubuque, where he worked for others for four years, or until 1891. On the expiration of that period he embarked in business on his own ac- eount, and is now a well known contractor and builder of the city. He has ereeted some of the finest residences of Dubuque, including the homes of John S. Gauger, James Healey, Miss Julia Lentz, W. F. Johnson, Ross Brothers, George Fifer, Charles Van Horn, Del Wade, Frank Dugen, George Sherman, Jolin McCallum and Charles Young. Thus on all sides are seen evidences of his handiwork. He always faithfully performs his part of a contract and his fair and straight- forward dealing lias gained him the confidence and high regard of all and won him a liberal pat- ronage. He now employ twenty-three men in or- der to meet his eontraets.
On the 2d of July, 1884, Mr. Stillman was
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united in marriage with Miss Belle Strait, a native of New York, and a daughter of Col. George F. Strait, who was also born in the Empire State, but now resides in Dubuque. Mr. and Mrs. Stillman have one daughter, Gertrude. Their home is at No. 645 West Fifth Street, where they have a fine residence. In politics, Mr. Stillman is a Republican, and socially is a member of Stark Lodge No. 88, A. F. & A. M. He deserves great credit for his success in life, his earnest efforts, industry and close application to business being the factors which have brought him prosperity.
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RANK MESCHER. A visitor to the home of this gentleman on section 6, New Wine
Township, Dubuque County, will find many arrangements made for the proper management of the farm and for the comfort of the family. The property consists of eighty-five acres of fine land, the possession of which proves the energy and perseverance of Mr. Mescher, for he began for him- self without financial equipment. Chief among the buildings on the place is the neat family resi- dence. Substantial fences, good outbuildings and other improvements add to the value of the prop- erty.
Upon this farm, June 5, 1849, the subject of our sketch was born. His parents, Tobias and Marga- ret Mescher, both natives of Oldenburg, Germany, sought a home in America in 1845, and settled on the farm now owned by our subject. Six children completed the houschold, namely: Elizabeth, wife of H. S. Fangeman, who resides near New Vienna; Henry, who died a few years ago; Margaret, also deceased; Frank, of this sketch; Clements, now in Oregon, and Andrew, who lives in New Vienna. The parents are both deceased, the father dying in 1861 and the mother in 1867.
Upon the home farm the boyhood years of our subject uneventfully passed by. During the win- ter months he conned his lessons in the district
schools, and in the summer scasons worked on his father's estate. Establishing domestie ties, he was in 1868 united in marriage with Miss Engel Hell- man, who was born in Dubuque County. Her par- ents, Ilenry and Agnes Hellman, were born in Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States and settled in Dubuque County. They are now living near the mill in New Vienna. Their family numbered six children, Engel, Andrie, Mary, Henry, Annic and Lizzie, all residents of Dubuqne County.
The sterling qualities of Mr. Mescher have given him a high standing among the people of the town- ship, which has been his life-long home. His indus- try and well directed efforts have resulted in the accumulation of property. Financially prospered, he is enabled to surround his family with the com- forts and many of the luxuries of life. Our sub- ject and wife have nine children, viz .: Francis H., Andrew, Agatha, John, Henry, Mary, Toney, Anna, Edah, all at home. The political views of Mr. Mescher are in accordance with the platform of the Democratic party, but he is not partisan in his preferences, giving his influence to all measures having for their object the promotion of the wel- fare of the people. In his religious belief he be- longs to the Catholic Church at New Vienna, to the support of which he is a regular contributor.
HARLES STARR BARRE, the popular and efficient editor of the News-Letter of Dyers- ville, was born in what was then known as King's settlement, in Chenango County, N. Y., November 23, 1840. The family of which he is a worthy descendant was represented in America as early as 1736. Col. Isaac Barre, the great-grand- father of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, and died in London in 1802. Grand- father Barre served in the War of 1812.
Matthew C. Barre, father of our subject, was born in Barre, Mass., but removing in early life to New York, there engaged in farm pursuits until his death, at the age of eighty-two ycars. His wife,
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whose maiden name was Elizabetlı Briggs, was a native of the Empire State and a lady of culture. In early womanhood she taught in the public schools of New York, and was successful in that profession. She passed away at the age of seventy- nine, one year before her husband's deatlı.
Upon the home farm our subjeet was reared to manhood, attending the publie schools of the vi- cinity, and assisting his father in the various duties that fall to the farmer's lot. Later he entered the academy at Norwich, N. Y., where he completed lis sehooling. At the age of seventeen he entered the office of the Chenango Telegraph, where he served an apprenticeship of three years to the printer's trade. Soon after learning his trade he went south and settled in Raleigh, N. C., and was employed in that city when the fall of Ft. Sumter occurred. During the war he was conseripted into the Confederate army, but by an aet of tlie Con- federate Congress was exempted from military duty and made assistant in the office of Jolin Spellman, Publie Printer in the rebel serviee. This position he oceupied until a short time before the close of the war, when he was permitted to go north, just prior to the surrender of General Lee. He returned to his native town and resumed work in the office where he had learned the trade.
At the elose of the Rebellion, Mr. Barre was made Assistant Postmaster at Norwieh under Har- mon Bennett, and while filling that position he married Miss Augusta Hotelkiss, of Smithville, N. Y. After one year of wedded life, she died, and some time thereafter our subject eame west and located in Beloit, Wis. There he was em- ployed as foreman and loeal editor of the Beloit Journal, and also served as Deputy Postmaster un- der F. W. Oakley, of that plaee. After filling that position five years, he aeeepted a place with Booth, Hinman & Co., as Superintendent of their large paper house at Beloit. He remained in their office five years, and then eoming to Iowa, located at Earlville, Delaware County.
May 22, 1878, Mr. Barre married Miss Helen Richmond, and their union has been blessed by one child, a son, Arthur Sterling, now fifteen years of age. In 1881 our subjeet established the Earlville Graphic, the first issue of which appeared on the
19th of November. It was a flourishing weekly, and the editor gained the confidenee of the com- munity, but in an unlucky hour the fire fiend de- stroyed the entire place. He then came to Dyers- ville and founded the News-Letter, the first num- ber of which was issued November 19, 1887. The paper has steadily grown in favor, and is regarded as the most newsy and spicy weekly in this part of the state. December 15, 1892, Mr. Barre took possession of the fine new offiee he now occupies in the City Hall building. Politieally he is a Re- publican, but his paper devotes very little atten- tion to politieal faetions, its mission being to print the news and please all. Fraternally he is a Chap- ter Mason and a charter member of the Knights of Pythias, and stands high in the social eireles of Dyersville.
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A VERT J. SCHOONOVER, who is en- gaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing on section 11, Wayne Township, is one of the practical agrieulturists of Jones Coun- ty. He was born in Franklin County, Ind., on his father's farm, in an old log cabin, February 20, 1846. The family on the paternal side is of Duteli aneestry, they having been residents of Van Schoonhoven, and the spelling of the name was originally that of the distriet which was their home. Our subjeet's grandfather changed the name to the present style.
Thomas Schoonover, the father of our subject, was born in Broome County, N. Y., and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Jane Wiggins, was a native of Bath, N. Y. They were married in Bradford County, Pa., and by their union were born four children, three sons and one daughter. Mrs. Sehoonover was the daughter of Lawrenee Wiggins, of English descent, and her death oe- eurred August 12, 1894, when she had nearly reached the age of eighty-five years. The father was born in 1806, and died on the old homestead in Wayne Township, April 22, 1890. He re- moved to Jones County in 1855 from Indiana, and entered a tract of land on section 14, Wayne
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Township. The patents which he obtained from the Government arc now in the possession of his son, the property involved comprising one hundred and sixty acres, and he was actively engaged in its eultivation until shortly before his death.
The gentleman of whom this is a brief life liis- tory resided in the county of his birth until about nine years of age, at that time eoming to Iowa. He received a good common-school education, and supplemented the same by a course of study in the Iowa State University of Iowa City, where he was enrolled in the academie department for three years. Returning to the farm, he soon secured a certificate to teach, and for fifteen terms sueeess- fully condueted schools in Jones County, being considered an able edueator. Sinee that time lie has devoted his attention to farming, and has been very fortunate in the management of his affairs. He has also made a success of raising hogs, and keeps twenty-five eows, selling milk to the Dia- mond Creamery. ITis farm contains within its boundaries two hundred and eighty aeres, besides which he has a tract of forty aeres of timber land. Running water affords ample means for supplying the stock, and on the place are good improve- ments in the shape of barns and outbuildings. Mr. Schoonover has beeome the owner of the Leonard Hitcheock farm, and is rapidly becoming wealthy by means of his good business methods.
In October, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schoonover and Carrie, daughter of Charles R. Applegate. This worthy couple have beeome the parents of two daughters, Franees E. and Sadie C. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they are active work- ers and in which they are highly esteemed. The brothers and sisters of Mr. Schoonover are Law- rence, of Anamosa; George, of Monticello; Cath- arine E., who married W. R. Richison. They had one son, Thomas G. The parents are both de- ceased.
Fraternally Mr. Schoonover is identified with the Odd Fellows' society, being a member of Mon- ticello Lodge No. 117. He uses his right of fran- ehise in favor of the Republican party, and has served satisfaetorily in township offiees. For the past year he has been an efficient Justiee of the
Peace, and was formerly Township Clerk. A gen- tleman of the most thorough integrity and high sense of honor, he has long borne a reputation which might well be envied by any one.
D E WITT CLINTON STEWART, of Du- buque, who is efficiently serving as mem- ber of the Board of Supervisors, is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Montgom- ery County, that state, on the Ist of Mareli, 1851. His parents were Thomas C. and Mary A. (Single- ton) Stewart, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. Our subject is the eldest of the four children yet living, there being two sisters and a brother younger than himself. The father was a farmer by oceupation, but during the later years of his life did not follow that pursuit. In 1852 he came with his family to Dubuque, where he spent his remaining days, his death oe- eurring in 1885, at the age of sixty-seven years. His father was William Stewart, of Virginia, and the family was probably founded in America dur- ing early Colonial days.
Mr. Stewart, whose name heads this record, dur- ing his boyhood lived upon his father's farm and spent the days of his youth in the manner of ehil- dren similiarly situated. He began his education in the district sehools, and later attended the pub- lie seliools of this city. He early beeame familiar with farm work in all its departments and to his father he gave the benefit of his services until Mareli 4, 1873, when he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Spensley, daughter of John Spensley, of Dubuque.
After his marriage Mr. Stewart embarked in farm- ing for himself and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for some time, meeting with quite good sueeess in his undertakings. He thus earried on farming until the fall of 1891, when he left his old home and eame to Dubuque, where he has since lived. He now owns seventy-five acres of rich and arable land, pleasantly situated four miles from the heart of the city, and his farm yields to liim a good
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income. The home has been blessed by the pres- ence of three children, Mary E., Margaret E. and Alice E.
In his political views Mr. Stewart is a Democrat, and for five years served his township as Assessor, proving a capable and efficient officer. He was al- so Township Trustee for three years, and was Treas- urer of the School District for a period of eiglit years. In 1891 he was clected County Supervisor for a term of two years, and in 1893 was elected to the same position, which he is now filling in a creditable manner, discharging his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has gained him the respect of his political opponents. Mr. Stewart takes quite an active interest in civic societies and is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 2, I. O. O. F., of which he was Secretary for two years. Hc is also a member of the Modern Woodmen, belonging to Dubuque Camp No. 984, M. W. A. He is also con- nected with the Independent Order of Foresters. He takes a leading part in these various organiza- tions, and is widely known among his social associ- ates and business men as a man of sterling worth, true to duty and faithful in all relations.
H ENRY BOCKENSTEDT, the owner and occupant of a valuable farm lying in Du- buque and Delaware Counties, resides on section 7, New Wine Township, in the county first- named. For about half a century he has resided in this locality, and there are few agriculturists better known than he. His property is well im- proved with convenient farm buildings, the fences are neat and strong, and the machinery of the most approved manufacture. In fact, it would nced but a cursory glance to give rise to the belief that Mr. Bockenstedt thoroughly understands his vocation, and is endowed with good sense and ex- cellent judgment.
Steinburg, Germany, is our subject's native place, and January 30, 1833, the date of his birth. His parents, also natives of that placc, emigrated to America in 1846, and procceding direct to Iowa,
settled on a farm near New Vienna, Dubuque County. There were nine children in the family, six sons and three daughters, named as follows: Frank, Henry; Clements, who occupics a farm three miles northwest of our subject's estate; Ar- nold, Anton, Annic, Elizabeth; John, deceased, and Mrs. Josephine Kramer, who died at Dyersville in 1888. The surviving children all reside in this locality.
When the family camc to Dubuque County, our subject was a lad of thirteen ycars, and here his life lias since been spent. In May, 1859, he mar- ried Miss Mary Rohenkohl, the ceremony being performed by Father Ort. The young couple set- tled on a farm in Delaware County, one mile west of their present home, but after spending six years there they returned to the old Bockenstedt homc- stead, where they have lived for the past twenty- nine years. Mrs. Bockenstedt is a daughter of Jolın Frederick and Catherine Rohenkolıl, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1833, and spent twelve years in Ohio. Thence they came to Dubuque County, where they resided twenty-seven years. Later they removed to Kansas, and now reside in Texas. In 1891 they celebrated their golden wedding, upon which happy occasion they were the recipients of the congratulations of hosts of friends. They have had fourteen children, of whom Mary is the eldest; John is married and lives in Waterloo, Iowa; Frank and Barney makc their home in Dyersville; Henry lives in Kansas City; Josephine and Clara are married and live in Texas; Catherine, Elizabeth, Anna, Frances, Jolın, Frederick and Angeler are deceased.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bockenstedt have been born nine children, as follows: John, who married Mary Neuder and makes his home in Delaware County; Henry, who chose as his wife Miss Annie Farwell, and lives in Delaware County; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Cramer; Tony and Anna, both of whom died at the age of two years; Clement, Joseph, Catherine and Monica, who are with their parents. Mr. Bockenstedt owns two hundred and seventy acres of land, of which one hundred and sixty are situated just across the county line in Delaware County. His political convictions are strongly with the Democratic party, but while taking an
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active interest in public affairs he has never been an aspirant for political honors. He and his wife are members of Father Pape's Catholic Church in New Vienna, to which they have belonged for several years.
)ILLIAM B. ALLEN, a prosperous and extensive farmer of Jones County, is well known in the community in and about Monticello Township, where he is highly re- spected as an industrious and upright citizen. His good estate lies on section 11, and in addition to raising the various cereals he devotes a great deal of his time and attention to breeding fine grades of stock and to the dairy business.
Our subject is a native of England and was born in Hampshire, July 25, 1851. He is the son of William Bunce Allen, also a native of the British Isle, where he followed farming until coming to the United States. He was married to Miss Susan Knight, also a native of England, where the father died April 28, 1887.
William B. of this sketch was the second in or- der of birth of the parental family of five chil- dren, two sons and three daughters. Walter Allen, his eldest brother, is living in Wayne Town- ship, this county, where he is a prosperous agri- culturist. Our subject was given a fair education, and when ready to establish a home of his own was married to Miss Emily Allen, who although bearing the same name was not a relative. Mrs. Allen is the daughter of William and Ann (Clark) Allen, natives of England, who made the journey to the United States in 1871. They first located in the state of Kansas, but are now residing in Monticello, where they are living retired from work of any kind.
In December, 1873, Mr. Allen set sail from Liverpool, bound for the New World, and after landing in New York City made his way directly to this county, which was his destination. The wife's family remained here a short time when they removed to Osborn County, Kan., on which
trip they were accompanied by our subject and his wife. Young Allen purchased a quarter-section of land in that state, but the very first year liis en- tire crop was destroyed by the grasshoppers. This experience, although a very expensive one, was the means of his returning to this county, where he rented property for a time near Langworthy. His success from the start was assured and it was not long before Mr. Allen was enabled to pur- chase an eighty-acre tract in Scotch Township, which he improved. Later he sold this farm and became the proprietor of the Ryan estate, located near his other purchase, where he carried on gen- eral farming and dairying for several years.
In 1892 Mr. Ailen bought the property on which he is now residing, it being previously owned by Elias Smith. It comprises a quarter-section of choice land, embellished with a good residence and all the accompanying outbuildings. The place is especial- ly noted for the appearance of thrift, which shows that the owner is a careful manager and under- stands the best method of conducting his work.
To Mr. and Mrs. Allen there have been born one son and four daughters, namely: Editlı A., the wife of Frank Darrow, a farmer in this county; William J., May E., Grace E. and Mabel N. With the exception of the married daughter, they are all attending school near their home.
S ILAS SAMS, who has his family residence on section 21, Cass Township, has long been considered one of the progressive farmers of Jones County. He cultivates a valu- able farm, which has many improvements upon it and bears the marks of his attention and constant supervision. A native of the Buckeye State, he was born in Brown County July 25, 1826, and his early years were passed in that locality.
Edward Sams, the father of our subject, was also born in Ohio, where he resided until 1842. At that time he came to Iowa, believing that he could make a better livelihood in this state, and for two years his home was in Des Moines County.
1
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In 1844, after he had prospected in various parts of the state, he came to this county and entered land in Cass Township, and was the first white settler in the township. For a number of years thereafter he was an active worker in sustaining publie enterprises and improvements, and built the first log schoolhouse ereeted in the township. He was an adherent of the Democracy, and in re- ligious faith belonged to the Church of the United Brethren. After a life of usefulness and of doing good to his fellow-men, he died when in his sixty- third year, and his loss was deeply mourned by his friends and neighbors. His wife, who was a native of Ohio, was before her marriage Miss Cas- sander Edgington. She was a devoted wife and loving mother, and possessed those womanly qual- ities which endeared her to all who eame within the range of her influenee. She was called from the shores of time while a resident of Jones Coun- ty and when nearly eighty years of age. The pa- ternal grandfather of our subject, Jonas Sams, was a patriot and soldier in the War of the Revolution.
Until about sixteen years of age Silas Sams at- tended the distriet schools of Brown County, Ohio, and his educational advantages were limited to sueh instruetion as he there received. In 1842 he removed to this state with his parents, and lent his assistance to his father in managing the home- stead farm until he was twenty-five years old. At that time he started forth to make his own way in the world, and the energy and persever- anee with which he sought to make a livelihood and acquire a fortune have been rewarded in large measure. It is now many years since he became a general farmer and stoek-raiser, and he is at the present time the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of arable and valuable land. On his place he keeps a good grade of stoek, and every- thing pertaining to his farm is modern and well appointed.
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