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 31
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 31
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 31
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P HILIP PIER, wholesale and retail dealer in wood, coal and ice, is one of the repre- sentative and substantial business men of Dubuque, and in the history of the commercial interests of the city he well deserves mention. Hc was born in Germany in 1832, and is a son of Stephen Pier, who on leaving the Fatherland crossed the Atlantic and spent his last days in Illinois. His wife bore the maiden name of Eve Junger.
Mr. Pier of this sketch spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land, and the public schools afforded him his educational privi- leges. Hearing much of the opportunities and advantages afforded in the New World, he re- solved to seek a home beyond the water, and in 1854 carried out this resolution. He landed at New Orleans and went at once to Galena, Ill., where he remained for two years. It was in 1857 that he came to Dubuque, where he has since made his home. Until 1859 he was engaged in clerking in a grocery store, but at that time he
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began business on his own account on the steam- boat landing, earrying a stock of general steam- boat supplies, in which he dealt for ten years. In 1865 he became a wholesale dealer in wood, and the following year purchased the steamer "Charlie Rogers," which he ran for a year. He then became the owner of three wood boats and did a large wholesale business as a dealer in wood. In 1870 he added the eoal business in connection with wood, which he still continues. In 1877 he eommeneed dealing in iee, in connection with E. W. Linehan, under the firm name of Linehan & Pier, which connection was continued for three years, when Mr. Linehan withdrew and a partner- ship was formed with Fred Ackerman. Under the firm style of Pier & Ackerman business was continued until 1893, when Mr. Ackerman died. Since then Mr. Pier bought out the interest of Mr. Aekerman, and is now enjoying an extensive wholesale and retail trade in wood, eoal and iee. In connection with his other business interests, he is a stockholder in the Dubuque Concentrated Ore Company.
Mr. Pier takes quite an active and leading part in publie and political affairs, and is a staneh sup- porter of the men and measures of the Republican party. In 1874 he was elected on that tieket a member of the City Couneil to represent the See- ond Ward, and thus served for four years as an efficient and capable officer. In 1876 he was sent as a delegate to Des Moines to protest against the taking away of the city charter, and again in 1894. He was one of the organizers of the first Board of Trade, and has sinee been one of its ae- tive members, and is now serving his second term as a Director. In the work of publie improvement he has always borne his part, and his duties of citizenship are ever faithfully performed, no trust reposed in him being slighted. He takes quite an active interest in eivie societies, is a member of Julien Lodge No. 12, I. O. O. F., is one of its lead- ing workers and has four times been sent as its representative to the Grand Lodge. He holds membership with Iowa Lodge No. 11, A. O. U. W., which he has three times represented in the Grand Lodge, and also belongs to the Turners' Society
as an honorary member. He and his wife are both members of the Early Settlers' Society.
In 1856 Mr. Pier was united in marriage with Miss Martha Simmons, a native of Galena, Ill., and a daughter of John Simmons, one of the pio- neers of that place. Eleven children have been born of their union, six sons and five daughters: Emma, now the wife of Isaac Williams, of De- catur, Ill .; Philip, Tillie, John, Martha, Lizzie, Al- bert, Charlie; Florence, wife of Charles Way; Robert and Harvey, now a student at the college at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. The family reside at No. 82 Cleve- land Avenue, where they have a pleasant home and the household is noted for its hospitality.
ICKSON BEATTY. In the annals of Du- buque County the name of Beatty stands out in great prominence as belonging to a family whose members have been very closely identified with its highest interests since the very first days of its settlement. Our subject is an in- fluential pioneer and is President of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank in Caseade, besides having in his possession an estate comprising over seven hundred broad and well cultivated acres. With his family he oceupies a large frame residence, lo- eated one mile northwest of Cascade, which is one of the most imposing structures in the county and is furnished in a style indicating the refined taste and ample means of its inmates.
Our subjeet is a native of Ireland, having been born in County Tyrone, December 17, 1832. His father, James Beatty, was also born in the above county, where the family were prominent and substantial residents. The father was engaged in cultivating the soil of his native place and was numbered among the prosperous in his section. Deeiding to try his fortunes in the New World, he set sail in June, 1844, and after a voyage of eight weeks and three days, landed on American soil. His destination being this state, he eame hither immediately and entered three hundred and eighty aeres of land from the Govern-
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ment. He was among the first to locate here, and erecting a small frame house on his prop- erty lived in that with his family for many years, in the meantime applying himself industriously to the task of cultivating his land. Indians roamed at will about the country, but Mr. Beatty madc friends with them and thus avoided trouble. His death occurred very suddenly when seventy-one years of age, resulting from lung fever. He was a member of the Baptist Church and aided in the organization of the congregation in this township and contributed liberally of his means toward its support. In politics he was first a Whig and later & Republican.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Agnes Dixon. She too was born in the Emerald Isle, and by her union with James Beatty became the mother of six sons and three daughters, bear- ing the respective names of Margaret, Sarah A., Esther, James, Alexander, David, John, Benja- min and Dickson. Mrs. Beatty lived to be sixty- eight years old, and was a devoted member of the Baptist Church and active in all good works in her neighborhood. Her father was an Elder in that congregation and often was called upon to fill the pulpit.
The original of this sketch came to America with his parents when a lad of thirteen, in the meantime having attended school in Ireland. He remained under the parental roof until attaining his majority, and proved of great assistance to his father in clearing and placing under cultivation their new farm in Dubuque County. Young Beatty was very fond of hunting and when out shooting deer he has often counted as many as fourteen in one drove. He made friends with the Indians, who on various occasions invited him to partake of the venison which they had cooked.
Dickson Beatty began the struggle of his life on his own account when reaching his majority, and his father giving him a tract of forty acres, he erected a frame house thereon and the same year was married to Miss Ann J. Barton, who was born in Ireland and came to America with her parents when four years of age. To our subject and his wife has been born a family of cleven children, of whom nine are living. They are named respect-
ively, Henry, John, Maggie, James D., Lucilius S. (deceascd), Eliza A., Sarah, Mabel A., George W. and Fred C., and one died in infancy.
Mr. Beatty although beginning in life with but forty acres of land, is now the proud possessor of seven hundred acres, which he devotes to mixed farming. He makes a specialty, however, of stock- raising and dairying, having on his place one hun- dred and fifty head of cattle, besides a number of finc draft horses.
Our subject was interested in securing the lo- cation of the Cascade & Bellevue Railroad at this place and gave liberally of his means toward that enterprise. He is a man of great intelligence and force of character and has exerted a marked influ- ence in the civil and political life of the county. He was a Director in the Cascade Bank and Presi- dent of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank in this city. Mr. Beatty is one of the largest landholders in this section and attributes his success to hard work and economy. He has ever taken a deep in- terest in the welfare of his community and has bonne a prominent part in promoting its rise and progress.
Our subject and his family are members of the Baptist Church and are people of consistent Chris- tian character. In politics Mr. Beatty is a stanchi Republican and he has held the office of School Di- rector for a period of nine years and of President of the School Board six years. Our subject was one of the founders of the Cascade Co-operative Creamery and is now Director and President of the same.
F RANCIS JAEGER is one of the prominent business men of Dubuque, and is connected with many of the principal industries of the city. He is a member of the firm of Brady, Ellwanger & Co., also of the D. C. Glasser Tobacco Company. He possesses an enterprising and pro- gressive spirit, is wide awake and industrious; by careful attention to the details of his business and by well directed efforts he has acquired a com-
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THOMAS F. PHILLIPS.
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fortable competence and won a position among the leading citizens of the community.
Mr. Jaeger was born in Dubuque, July 18, 1842, but his parents, Adam and Catherine Jaeger, were both natives of Darmstadt, Germany. In that country they were married, and with their two children they crossed the Atlantic, becoming resi- dents of this city in 1840. For a number of years, Mr. Jaeger engaged in general merchandising and did a successful business. Bothi he and his wife spent their remaining days in this eity.
Our subject is the third in order of birth in the family of six children, two sons and four daugli- ters. He attended the public schools until seven- teen years of age and then entered his father's store, where he served as a salesman for several years. In this way he acquired a good knowledge of business methods. He embarked in the wholesale grocery business under the firm name of Brown & Jaeger. In a few years A. F. Jaeger bought out Mr. Brown's interest, the firm name being changed to F. Jaeger & Co., wholesale liquor dealers. Subsequently Brady and Ellwanger were taken in- to partnership and the firm became Brady, Ell- wanger & Co. On the 1st of March, 1890, he or- ganized the Dubuque Woodenware and Lumber Company, with a capital stock of $50,000, the offi- cers being Francis Jaeger, President; Adam True- gel, Vice-President; and Lonis II. Brede, Secretary and Treasurer. This has become one of the solid industries of Dubuque. Mr. Jaeger continued its President until March, 1894. At that time the capital stock was increased and new officers were elected, J. J. Dunn becoming President, while Louis Brede was made Secretary and Treasurer. The company is doing a large business and sells extensively throughout Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Arkansas. Mr. Jaeger aided in the organization, in 1891, of the Turbine Roller Mill Company, and has since been connected with it as a stockholder. He is a stockholder in the Iowa Trust and Savings Bank, and in the Key City Fire Insurance Company, of which he was one of the organizers.
In December, 1868, Mr. Jaeger was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Tschirgi, daughter of Matthew Tschirgi, an old and much respected
citizen of Dubuque. By their union were born seven children, six sons and a daughter, namely: Frank M .; Arnold G., who is clerking for the Glasser Tobacco Company; Millie, Louis, Rudolph, Fred and Oscar.
In his political views, Mr. Jaeger is a stanch Democrat. He resides at No. 37 Walnut Street, where he owns a commodious brick residence, built in modern style and richly furnished. It is situa- ted on a beautiful lawn and the grounds are dec- orated with fine trees and flowers. Mr. Jaeger has made the most of his opportunities through life and in business dealing has won success.
T HOMAS F. PHILLIPS, of Dubuque, is one of the worthy county officials now ably and acceptably filling the position of Sheriff. He is widely and favorably known in this community, and with pleasure we present this record of his life to our readers, knowing that it will be received with interest by many. He has the honor of being a native of the Hawkeye State, for he was born in Jackson County on the 4th of March, 1857.
The parents of our subject were James and Bridget (Hines) Phillips, natives of Ireland, both of whom emigrated in early life to America, cross- ing the ocean about 1844. The former spent two years in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and in 1846 came to Iowa, where he settled in Jackson County. His marriage occurred in St. Louis, Mo., in 1847. He came to Dubuque County in 1866, and settled in Prairie Creek Township. After Thomas F. became Sheriff he accompanied him to Dubuque. As a farmer he was prominent in his community, but for some time prior to his death, in September, 1891, he had lived in retirement from active busi- ness cares. His wife died in October, 1893.
The subject of this sketch is the fourth in order of birth in the family of six children. In the usual manner of farmer lads the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. As soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields, and
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was thus employed during the summer season, while in the winter months he attended the dis- trict schools of the neighborhood. Thus he ac- quired a good practical cducation, and in the Bay- less Commercial College of Dubuque he pursued a business course of study.
When that was completed Mr. Phillips returned to the farm, and for some time was engaged in agricultural pursuits and in trading in live stock, buying and selling logs and cattle. He met with good success in that line of business, and con- tinued to actively engage in the same until 1889, when he was nominated and elected, on the Demo- cratic ticket, Sheriff of Dubuque County for a term of two years. So ably did he discharge the duties of the office, that on the expiration of his first term he was re-elected, and in 1893 he was again chosen for a third term in that office. This is now his fifth ycar. He is brave and fearless in the dis- charge of his duties and his promptness and fidel- ity have led to his long retention in office and won him the high commendation of the press and public.
Mr. Phillips takes quite an active interest in political affairs, and does all in his power to pro- mote the growth and insure the success of his party. He owns a good farm and other property and is now comfortably situated in life, having through his own industry and good management become a well-to-do citizen. He is widely known in this community and has many warm friends, who csteem him highly for his sterling worth and strict integrity.
A LONZO HOSFORD. The history of Joncs County would be very incomplete without the history of this worthy pioneer and en- terprising farmer. His valuable farm, which is sit- uated on section 27, Monticello Township, is a val- uable piece of property and one of the best im- proved located in the county. The owner has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in this vi- cinity for over thirty years, and has long been rec-
ognized as one of the founders of the great pros- perity which has become so notable a feature of this beautiful farming region.
A native of the Buckeye State, the birth of Alonzo Hosford took place in the town of Johns- town, Trumbull County, November 11, 1846. His parents, Danicl S. and Paulina (Palmer) Hosford, were both natives of Canon Falls, Conn. The father, who died November 20, 1893, was born September 25, 1816, and was one of the wealthy pioneers of Jones County. He removed to this community in 1863, buying about one thousand acres of land, to the improvement of which he de- voted the remainder of his life. Hc was of Scotch- Irish extraction and a son of Solomon Hosford, a native of New England. The mother of our sub- ject is the daughter of Lemon Palmer, a native of Canon Falls, Conn. Slic was born in 1818 and is still living, making her home in Monticello.
In a family of eight children, our subject is the third in order of birth, and all but three of the family are still living, their names being as follows: Orlando F., Cecil W., Curtis D. and Florence F., now the wife of C. C. Curtis. One brother, Orvil, was a member of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry during the late war, and met his death while engaged in battle for the defense of his native land. Thic boyhood of Alonzo Hosford was passed on his fa- ther's farm in Trumbull County. His carly educa- tional privileges were such as the district schools of the neighborhood afforded, and for a short time lie attended a select school. Upon completing his studies he engaged in teaching school for a few terms, and in 1863 removed with his father's family to Jones County. He found ample opportunity to exercise his ability and practical knowledge of farming in the management of the large estate be- longing to the senior Mr. Hosford, and to him lent his assistance until his death. When the estate was divided our subject received as his share four hun- dred and eighteen acres of the homestead. This is situated within a half-mile of the thriving city of Monticello.
The land owned by Mr. Hosford is very arable and especially adapted to the raising of cattle and for dairy purposes. The owner always keeps his place well stocked with cattle and hogs, and cvery
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season raises and fattens large numbers of the lat- ter. From twenty-five to thirty cows are contin- ually kept, the milk being sold to an adjacent creamery. The farm is well equipped with sub- stantial barns and outbuildings in addition to a pleasant farm house, and everything is kept in a thrifty manner about the place. In 1885 the val- uable barn, 48x148 feet in dimensions, was burned, and in addition to the loss of the building some valuable animals and two hundred tons of hay were also destroyed. The present barn used by the owner is 48x150 feet in dimensions, and is one of the best in this region, affording ample room for the storage of hay and grain, besides giving shelter to a large number of cattle.
In 1876 Mr. Hosford was united in marriage with Olive C., daughter of Michael Hofacre. The parents of Mrs. Hosford were among the early set- tiers of Jones County, to which they came in 1853 from Ohio. To our worthy subject and his estim- able wife have been born three sons and two daugh- ters: Palmer A., Mand E., Orvil C., Stephen F. and Hazel P. In his political affiliations Mr. Hos- ford has been a stanch Republican since becoming a voter, and is a man of public spirit, who believes in the greatest good for the greatest number.
N W. HUTCHINS, who has done conspicu- ous publie service, and is influential in all things pertaining to the welfare of his community, is a man of wide experience and more than ordinary ability as an attorney, standing fore- most among the representatives of the Bar of Jones County. Among the attorneys of Wyoming there is probably no one more in toueli than is he with that wide-awake public spirit which is pro- moting the welfare of the city along the lines of general culture. He is endowed in intellect and gifted in mind, and having traveled extensively has gained broad information concerning the hab- its and customs of mankind.
The parents of our subjeet, Benjamin and Pa- tience ('Tanner) Hutchins, were born in New York,
where the latter remained until death. The father sometime afterward came west to Iowa and settled in Jackson County, where he continued to reside until his demise. N. W. was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., November 1, 1831, and spent the years of boyhood and youth in that state, where after having completed the studies of the common schools he was a student in an academy. Even in early boyhood he cherished a fondness for the technicalities of the law, and at the age of eighteen years, having determined to enter the profession, he entered the office of Moore, Brown & Beach, of Watertown, N. Y., under whose supervision he ex- plored the mysteries of Blackstone. In October of 1852, he was admitted to the Bar.
In addition to his desire to become an attorney, Mr. Hutchins had also cherished an ambition to travel and see the world. An opportunity came to him to gratify this wish, and he eagerly availed himself of it. Journeying across the continent he took passage on a ship bound for Australia and af- ter a tedious voyage reached his destination. There for eighteen years he made his home, meantime re- siding in Melbourne and Sydney, and also sojourn- ing for short periods in other cities. Meantime he engaged in mining, and met with the usual ups and downs of a miner's life, experiencing its re- verses and hardships as well as its exeitements and successes. It had never, however, been his inten- tion to establish his permanent home in Australia, and after a residence of eighteen years on that continent he returned to America, which he con- siders the best country in the world.
On returning to the United States in 1871, Mr. Ilutehins settled in Jackson County, Iowa, but soon afterward began the practice of law in La- Motte, Jackson County, where he continued a nun- ber of years. In 1875 he removed to Wyoming, Jones County, where he has since conducted a gen- eral practice in all the courts. While he has never been partisan in his opinions, he nevertheless champions the Democracy at all times and is firm in his allegiance to his party.
While a resident of Australia, Mr. Hutchins was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Smith, a na- tive of that country, and of English paren tage. They have had a family of thirteen children, of
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whom nine are living, all daughters, and named as follows: Esther Jane, Alice V., Lizzie Jane, Gert- rude, Laura, Emma, Mary, Pansy Anna and Grace.
D AVID M. FINLEY, M. D. Success in any profession can only be attained through industry and study, and the good physi- cian must necessarily be the hardest of workers and the best of students. Dubuque County is proud to number among her physicians the one with whose name we introduce this sketch. His career presents a remarkable example of what may be accomplished by assiduous application and un- remitting toil. With every onward move in the science to which he has devoted huis life he is familiar, and time has served to broaden his views and ideas. Dr. Finley is located at Cascade, where he has an extensive and paying practicc.
The subject of this sketch was born in Pike County, Mo., August 30, 1838, and is the son of S. W. Finley, a native of North Carolina, which was also the birthplace of his father, who bore the name of James Finley. The great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and the family is of Scotch-Irish extraction and is well known among the early settlers of North Carolina. Grandfather Finley was a tanner by trade, and on leaving his native state went overland to Missouri, settling in 1808 in Pike County. There he en- tered a tract of land from the Government, on which he erected a log cabin and began the ardu- ous work of redeeming the land from the wilder- ness. Indians were very numerous in the neigh- borhood, and neighbors were few and far between. For some time the settlers lived in forts in order to protect themselves against the depredations of the red men, who on one occasion drove the white settlers down to St. Charles, where they built a strong fort. Game was very plentiful, and the family never lacked for choice meats at all seasons. The father died there at the age of fifty-five years.
He was very prominent in local affairs, and at the time of his decease was Jndge of the Probate Court. He was a devoted member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and in politics was a Whig and a strong Abolitionist.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Ann Carroll. She. too was a native of North Caro- lina, and reared a family of six children, namely: Will, Mary, James, D. M., Jane and Ann. The wife and mother passed away when only thirty- three years of age, and the father was a second time married, becoming the parent of six children by that union. Mrs. Ann Finley was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church and a thor- ough Christian woman.
David M. Finley was the fourth in order of birth in the parental family, and was reared on his father's farm, and received his primary education in the district school, taught in the primitive log schoolhouse with its slab benches, puncheon floor, old-fashioned fireplace, etc. He remained at home until attaining his seventeenth year, when he be- gan clerking in a drug store in Louisiana, Mo., and at the same time attended school when the opportunity presented itself. This state of affairs continued for three years, when young Finley be- gan the study of medicine.
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