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 30
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 30
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 30
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In 1854 Mr. Sams was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Faust, who was born and passed her girlhood in Pennsylvania until seven years of age. She is a daughter of Michael and Maria (Hippel) Faust, likewise natives of the Keystone State. To Mr. and Mrs. Sams were born two sons and a daughter, who are still living. Margaret is
the wife of Lorenzo Leek, a farmer of Wayne Township, Jones County; Charles is a resident of this county; and Ezra is occupied in carrying on the home farm in Cass Township.
The first white child born in Cass Township was Cassie, a sister of Silas Sams. She is now the wife of Darius Kelly, a prominent citizen of South Da- kota. In national affairs our subjeet is a pro- nounced Republiean, using his influence for the protection of American industries, and in loeal af- fairs he is independent, choosing to vote for the best man regardless of party lines.
R EV. F. X. FEUERSTEIN, the efficient pas- tor of St. Mary's Church at Caseade, is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. He was born February 22, 1850, and is a son of George and Josephine (Leaemmle) Feuerstein, also natives of Germany. They were the parents of two chil- dren, Antoine, who is in business in the Old Coun- try, and our subjeet. The father was a prominent business man of Wurtemberg.
Our subjeet received private instruction from his loeal priest and also lessons in a gymnasium at Ehlingen, where he studied for ten years. After passing a satisfactory examination there he en- tered the University of Tubingen, where he re- mained three years. He then went to Wuerzburg and studied medieine for a time, and finally en- tered the Theological Department of the Univer- sity of Freiburg. Father Feuerstein came to Amer- iea in 1875, settling in Dubuque, and afterward studied for two years in Montreal. He was or- dained at Dubuque in 1877 by Archbishop Hen- nessy, and was engaged in the college at that place as Professor of Philosophy and Languages for four years. He speaks seven different languages fluently.
After four years of uneeasing toil in the college, Father Feuerstein located in Caseade as pastor of St. Mary's Church. The congregation at this place was organized about forty years ago by the Rev. Mr. Baumgartner, now deceased. Our sub-
JAMES MCGRATH.
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ject was the first resident pastor, the church hav- ing until this time been supplied by Fathers John Baumann, George Hcer, John Pechong and Father Echert. When Father Feuerstein first took charge of the congregation it numbered only eighty- seven families, but has been steadily increased until at the present time it numbers one hundred and twenty-eight familics.
When our subject came to Cascade the Congre- gation worshipped in a plain little church built by Father Baumgartner. Father Feuerstein soon saw that with the increasing congregation this would never do, so he set about raising money to build a larger and more commodious building. The rc- sult of his endeavors is the fine structure now standing. It was completed in 1883, and has a seating capacity of five hundred and cighty. It has three fine altars and cost when completed $20,000. Hc also founded a smali school with only thirty-three pupils; now there are one hundred and sixty-two pupils in attendance, and the school employs four teachers from St. Francis' Convent. Rev. Mr. Feuerstein is at present having a fine brick schoolhouse crceted; it is 90x50} feet in di- mensions, and is two stories high; it will seat fonr hundred pupils, and will cost $13,000. The Eng- lish and German languages will be included in the course of study. Father Feuerstein is highly re- spected and is interested in the improvement of the village in which he lives and the advancement of education.
J AMES MCGRATH, Freight Agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Dubuque, is one of the oldest railroad em- ployes in years of continued service west of Chicago, and is one of the most trusted and efficient as well. With large corporations like railroad con- cerns, no leniency is exercised, and every duty must be promptly and faithfully performed. His fidelity to the trusts reposed in him has brought to Mr. McGrath long retention in the railway serv-
ice, and his record is one of which he may well be proud.
Although of Irish birth, our subject retains no recollection of the land of his birth, for he was only nine months old when brought to this conn- try by his parents, John and Ellen (O'Connell) McGrath. He was born in County Kilkenney, An- gust 16, 1835, and in 1836 the family came to America, settling at Tomkins Cove, on the Hudson River, in Rockland County, N. Y. There were fourteen children in the parental family, nine be- ing daughters and four sons, of whom our subject is the eldest born. Thomas, the second son, was drowned in the Hudson River, July 4, 1848. Dur- ing the cholera epidemic in 1854, a sister died, Au- gust 15, a brother August 16, and the mother Au- gust 18.
In Rockland County, N. Y., our subject passed the years of early boyhood, and in the common schools laid the foundation of his education. In 1852 he removed with his family to Chicago, and in the spring of the following year entered the employ of the Chicago & Illinois, now the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company. Securing a clerical position in the office of that road, he con- tinued in that capacity until 1864.
During that year Mr. McGrath went to Winona, Minn., and for a short time filled the position of Cashier of the Winona & St. Peter's Railroad. Somewhat later he went to Rochester, Minn., and was there employed as agent for four years. In 1870 he became the agent for the Milwaukee & St. Paul at Austin, Minn. On the 1st of March, 1882, he was transferred to Dubuque, being placed in charge of the Freight and Passenger Departments of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Two years were thus spent, since which time his work has been confined exclusively to the Freight Department. His railroad service covers a period of forty-one years, and reflects the highest credit upon his honesty and uprightness.
On the 14th of April, 1855, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. McGrath and Miss Ann A. Mathews, of Chicago, a sister of Thomas Mathews, a promi- nent real-estate dealer of that city. They have had ten children: Alice C., who was born April 28, 1856; Ellen, November 26, 1857; Ann, Decem-
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ber 16, 1859; Thomas, September 2, 1861; James Henry, November 28, 1863; John Joseph, Septem- ber 30, 1865; Mary, December 31, 1867; Alice, February 19, 1870; Ann, April 12, 1872; and Thomas P., March 14, 1874. Six of the family are deceased, viz .: Ann, who died August 2, 1860; Alice C., January 15, 1861; Thomas, June 26, 1864; James Henry, March 25, 1887; Alice, January 4, 1893, and Mary, August 19, 1894. The surviv- ing members of the household are Ellen, John J .; Ann, wife of P. Gandolfo; and Thomas P. The example of the father may well be followed by the children, and is worthy of emulation by all who wish to live straightforward and honorable lives. In religious belief Mr. McGrath and his family are connected with the Catholic Church. In matters pertaining to local advancement he takes a warm interest, and in politics advocates the Democratic principles.
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P ETER KIENE, SR., real-estate, insurance and loan agent of Dubuque, and President of the Dubuque Rubber and Belting Com- pany, is one of the substantial and leading busi- ness men of this city. He is a native of Switzer- land, his birth having occurred near the town of Chur, on the 15th of December, 1819. His par- ents were Paul and Doratha (Day) Kiene, also na- tives of Switzerland. The father was a locksmith and farmer by occupation. He died in his native land, and his wife also spent her last days in Switzerland.
Peter Kiene, Sr., was reared in Switzerland, and there received meagre educational privileges, for at an early age he had to begin to earn his own livelihood. On attaining his majority hc sailed for the United States with the hope of bettering his financial condition. On the 17th of February, 1840, he left home and traveled on foot five hun- dred miles to Le Havre de Gracc, France, and there took passage on a vessel which after a voyage of ninety days dropped anchor in the harbor of New Orleans. He stopped there only a few days, and then engaged as a deck hand on a Mississippi
River boat, which plied between New Orleans and St. Louis. Failing to get satisfactory employment, he went as a deck hand on a steamer to Dubuque, where he arrived August 15, 1840. Here for a short time he worked at any employment whereby he might carn an honest living, after which he engaged in lead mining and smelting, following that enterprise until 1845. He then opened a store in Galena, but in 1846 returned to Dubuque, and rented the old Farmers' Home, that stood on the site of the First National Bank. After keeping that hotel for four years, he sold out and built Harmony Hall, being its proprietor two years. In 1852 he embarked in the manufacture of brick, which he continued for five years. In 1857 he took the agency for several lines of occan steamers, and from that his attention was directed to the insurance business. Later he began deal- ing in real estate, and to that added a loan agency. His interests have now become quite extensive, and he is doing a flourishing business. By close attention to all details, earnest application and careful management this desirable result has been obtained.
As he has found opportunity, Mr. Kiene has also extended his interests. In 1888 he organized the Dubuque Belting and Rubber Company and was one of the organizers of the German State Bank and of the water works company, of which he is now President. He was one of the organizers of the German Benevolent Society, is a charter mem- ber of Schiller Lodge No. 11, I. O. O. F. (being the only charter member now living), and has served as one of its Trustees for the past twenty- one years. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democracy.
In 1846 Mr. Kiene was united in marriage with Miss Martha Ragtz, a native of Switzerland. She dicd in 1852, leaving four children, three sons and a daughter, namely: Peter, Richard, Bartholc- mew and Maggie. In 1854 Mr. Kiene was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Hucuki, of Dubuque. She is a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church. By their marriage were born three sons and two daughters: Henry, Paul, Emil, Dora and Arnold.
Mr. Kiene has three times visited Europe. He
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crossed the Atlantic in 1848, 1878 and 1892, visit- ing many places of interest in the Old World. He has also traveled considerably in this country, and the ineidents of his journeys which he relates make him an entertaining conversationalist. He is a genial, pleasant gentleman, a thoroughgoing business man, and one of the influential and lead- ing citizens of Dubuque. The enterprises with which he has been eonneeted have added materially to the prosperity of the eity, and in this way he has been prominently identified with its up- building.
S AMUEL H. ENSIGN. In all the broad expanse of the Hawkeye State there is no county which affords sustenance to a greater number of people than this, whose produe- tive soil, commercial facilities and advanced de- velopment make it pre-eminently the farmer's home. One of its most comfortable and attractive abodes is that of the subject of this notice, who oeeupies a good estate located on seetion 9, Taylor Township, Dubuque County.
Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Erie County, in December, 1835. He is the fourth ehild in order of birth of the family born to Frederiek G. and Hulda (Hodgkiss) Ensign, both of whom were natives of Litehfield County, Conn. After their marriage they removed to New York State, where they made their home for a time and then took up their abode in Penn- sylvania. Later they came west to the Prairie State, and after a residence of twenty years moved to Minnesota, living there for six years prior to coming to Iowa. They are bothi now de- eeased and are buried near the present home of our subjeet. The father was eighty-five when he departed this life, while his good wife, who survived lim many years, lived to be ninety-five years of age.
Samuel, of this sketch, had very little oppor- tunity for gaining an education, only attending school for a short time while his parents resided in Illinois. He remained at home working on the
farm until a year after attaining his majority, when he began the struggle of life on his own ae- eount, engaging in farm pursuits, whiel occupation he has followed through life. He is now the pos- sessor of one hundred and ninety aeres of nicely improved land, on which he has placed all the latest improvements and made of it one of the finest estates in the county.
On the 10th of July, 1861, Mr. Ensign was mar- ried to Miss Martha Hamblin, daughter of Asel and Rhoda (Andrews) Hamblin, natives of Con- nectieut. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four sons and two daughters. Frederick H., who resides near Farley, this state, married Gusta Davis; William H. is a minister of the Pres- byterian Church and is at present holding a charge at Jesup, this state; he married Miss Anna Greer. Samuel A., the third son, makes his home at Mar- eus, this state, and is married to Miss Mary John- son; Antonette is the wife of Arthur Mitchell, also of Jesup; Catherine Coles, who is single, and Charles Franklin are students at the Moody Institute, in Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Ensign are members in good stand- ing of the Presbyterian Church, with which all their sons and daughters are also connected. In polities our subject is a true-blue Republican, be- lieving that party to be in the right. In addition to raising the various grains Mr. Ensign makes a specialty of breeding a fine grade of hogs, whieh he ships. He exereises excellent judgment in his calling and has deservedly won the confidence and esteem of a large eirele of friends and well-wishers.
R EV. F. W. OBERBROEKLING. In re- viewing the career of Father Oberbroek- ling we find in him a remarkable and har- monious combination of all those qualities that go to make up a good pastor and priest. He has been a life-long student, a close observer, self-re- liant without being rash, honorable in his inter- course with all, and withal possessing a gentle, cheerful and dignified deportment, eminently cal-
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culated to inspire confidence among his parishion- crs and to command respect among his fellow-citi- zens.
For more than twenty years Father Oberbroek- ling has been in charge of the church and school of the Luxemburg parish, and his labors during that long period have been crowned with great success. His congregation numbers many families in the village and surrounding country, and the school is also well attended. Soon after coming to this place he commenced the erection of a new edifice and under his personal supervision a sub- stantial brick structure was built, the dedicatory services being held July 11, 1875.
A native of Prussia, the subject of this notice was born in Delbrook, Prussia, December 10, 1844. He is the son of John Henry and Anna Maria Oberbroekling, both of wliom were born in Del- brook, Prussia, in the year 1801. In the spring of 1856 they sailed for America, and having crossed the ocean spent a short time in the city of St. Louis, Mo., and from that place moved to New Vienna, Dubuque County, Iowa. Two of their sons, Jolın and J. H., remained in St. Louis a few months, then joined their parents here.
Purchasing two hundred acres of land near New Vienna, the father of our subject commenced its cultivation, and so successful was lie in his labors that he was afterward enabled to purchase an ad- joining tract of one hundred and sixty acres. He was bercaved by the death of his wife March 3, 1876. He continued to reside upon the old home- stead until his death, which occurred December 26, 1884. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom were sons, and named as follows: John Henry, a farmer residing on section 25, Lib- erty Township, Dubuque County; Joseph and Fer- dinand, who are agriculturists in New Winc Town- ship; George, Jodocus Henry, who has charge of the home farm in New Wine Township; John, now in Watsonville, Cal., who united with the St. Francis Order at Quincy, Ill., in 1863, and is still connected with that organization; Gerhard, now with the Union Trust Company Bank of Chicago; and Frederick W., of this sketch.
The last-named was a lad of twelve years when he accompanied the family to America. From boy-
lood it was his ambition to become a priest, and on the 22d of September, 1861, he began his studies in St. Francis Solanus College, at Quincy, Ill. After onc year in that institution he went to the St. Francis School in Milwaukee. In that city he was ordained to the priesthood December 20, 1871. His entire life has been devoted to his chosen profession, and he has met with more than ordinary success in increasing the membership and usefulness of the churches with which he has been associated. February 22, 1872, he located at Lux- emburg and took charge of the Holy Trinity Church. As above stated, he soon scoured the ercction of a new edifice, which was dedicated with appropriate services by Archbishop Hennessy, of Dubuque.
F ERDINAND OBERBROCKLING. Men are to be judged by achievement, and it is always safe to accept results as a proof of the possessions of the powers and capabilities which lead up to them. Of the successes in the agricultural world which have been earned by the exercise of sound judgment and indomitable en- ergy, there is no better example in this section of country than Ferdinand Oberbrockling, who is the possessor of a fine cstate in New Wine Town- ship, Dubuque County.
Our subject was born in Prussia, March 11, 1831, and remained in his native land until 1856, when he made the journey to America. The fol- lowing year we find him located in Dubuque County, and in 1864, after various removals, lic took up his abode on his present farm and is now one of the most prosperous farmers in the town- ship. His landed possessions aggregate over two hundred acres, and for many years past he has been prominently before the public as an advanced agriculturist and stock-raiser.
Mr. Oberbrockling was united in marriage in 1864 to Miss Mary Vonderharr, whosc father, Jolın Vonderharr, was one of the pioneers of New
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Wine Township, having located here as early as 1847. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born eight children, who bear the re- speetive names of John Henry, Mary, Elizabeth, William, Joseph, John, Sophia and Anna. They are all at home, and are being given the best ad- vantages for obtaining an education.
In polities Mr. Oberbrockling is a stalwart Dem- oerat and in all publie enterprises he takes an active part and is recognized by all as a first-class citizen. With his entire family he belongs to the Catholic Church. A fuller history of the family will be found in the sketch of our subject's brother, Father William Oberbrockling, on another page in this work.
F RANK FISHER, a substantial business man of Anamosa, is engaged in the manu- facture and sale of heavy and light har- ness, whips, blankets, etc. He was born on a farm in Reichenau, King's County, Bohemia, October 8, 1838, and is the son of Wencel and Catherine (Stepanek) Fisher. In the year 1855, his parents emigrated to the United States, via Quebee, whenee they came to Buffalo, N. Y. After a short stay in that eity they started for this state, but the mother dying at Maquoketa, Iowa, Mr. Fisher went to California in 1890, making his home in the Golden State until his deatlı, which occurred in 1893.
The original of this sketch was the eldest in his parents' family of eight children, of whom three now survive. He attended two or three terms of school after coming to America and learned his trade of harness-maker at Maquoketa, this state, with a Mr. James R. Barnes, with whom he re- mained for three years. After completing his apprenticeship, young Fisher traveled through the state working at his trade for several years, and in 1861 enlisted his serviees in the Union army, joining Company H, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, commanded by Colonel M. M. Crocker. His regi- ment was sent to join the Army of the Tennessee,
and among the battles in which our subject took part were Shiloh, Corinth, siege of Vicksburg and numerous skirmishes through Tennessee. He was rendered unfit for service and discharged on a sur- geon's certificate December 22, 1863.
Returning to Maquoketa when leaving the ser- vice our subjeet remained there until the spring of the following year, when he came to this eity and worked for Roswell Crane; after a short time, however, Mr. Fisher purchased the interest of Mr. Crane and formed a partnership with his unele, Joseplı Stepanek. In 1867 he engaged in business with H. C. Metealf, under the firm name of Fisher & Metcalf, and for eighteen months car- ried on a thriving trade. Sinee that time, how- ever, our subjeet has operated alone, and is now the proprietor of a fine establishment and has a good and profitable business. He is the proprietor of a seventy-acre farm in Fairview and Jackson Townships, which is under the management of his sons, and is being cultivated in an intelligent and profitable manner.
Frank Fisher and Miss Mary Wanieheck, of Ma- quoketa, were married in 1865, and to them have been granted eleven children: Louis J., Clarenee V., Flora, May, John, Franees K., Henry, George, M. Willie and Earl. Nellie, the second child, is deceased.
Our subject is aetive in all matters of import- anee in his community and for two terms served acceptably as a member of the City Council. Ile is independent in politics and socially is a work- ing member of Anamosa Lodge No. 40, I. O. O. F., with which he has been connected for thirty years and has passed all the chairs in the order. He belongs to Fred Steel Post No. 4, G. A. R., in which he has filled all the honorable positions.
A LFRED STARKS, resident manager of the Diamond Creamery, located at Montieello, is one of the most enterprising and pro- gressive business men in the city. The plant is a three-story structure, 52x110 feet in dimensions, with accompanying icehouse, storehouse, etc. The
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machinery comprises a forty-horse power engine, separators and all needful apparatus for making butter, and the company give employment to thirty men and run eight teams.
Mr. Starks was born in Franklin County, N. Y., May 26, 1843, and is the son of H. H. and Nancy (Cowles) Starks, both of whom were also born in the Empire State and are now residents of Mon- ticello. Alfred spent his boyhood and youth in his native state and Wisconsin and was only sev- enteen at the time of his parents' removal to Iowa.
In October, 1861, a few months after Ft. Sumter had been fired upon, our subject en-
listed in Company E, Twelfth Wisconsin Infantry, commanded by Col. George E. Bryant. His regi- ment was assigned to the Army of the Cumber- land, and being sent to the front young Starks participated in the siege of Vicksburg, Corinth and Kenesaw Mountain, besides numerous minor en- gagements. He remained with his regiment dur- ing the entire period of the war, and when pcacc was declared witnessed the Grand Review at Washington, whence lie was afterward ordered to Louisville, Ky., where he was discharged and was mustered out at Madison, Wis., in July, 1865.
Returning home at the close of the war, Mr. Starks remained only a short time when he came with the family to Monticello, where he was en- gaged in various lines of business until 1879, when he entered the employ of the Diamond Creamery Company. He became thoroughly ac- quainted with every department of work and in 1892 his industry was rewarded by being placed in the position of general manager of the concern. He is a shrewd business man, and not only looks after the interests of the company in this city, but has charge of other creameries belonging to the same company in different parts of Jones, Jackson and Delaware Counties. The Creamery Company ship car loads of butter each week to Boston, where is located their main office, from which city that article finds its way to all parts of the civil- izcd world. It is packed in tubs, after which it is placed in crates all ready for shipment. The creamery is one of the substantial and important industries of the county and the proprietors make their residence in the Hub City, leaving Mr. Starks
in full charge of the business, which he is so well competent to transact. The butter manufactured in Monticello is shipped to Africa, Australia, Rus- sia, China and to the Pacific Coast in our own country.
Alfred Starks was married in 1865 to Miss Martha J. Starks, of Monticello, and to them has been granted a family of three children, one son and two daughters. Our subject socially be- longs to Burns Lodge No. 176, F. & A. M., and also to John O. Duer Post No. 173, G. A. R. With his wife he is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has served in the ca- pacity of Trustee for the past three years. Mr. Starks is not an active participant in political affairs, preferring to give his attention to his per- sonal pursuits. He is greatly respected, as his merit deserves, by all who arc acquainted with his character and attainments and ranks among the well-to-do residents of the city.
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