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 34
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 34
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 34
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The cause of education has always found in Mr. Dalby a generous friend and sympathizer, and Ire has often assisted in the building of schoolhouses as well as in their support. He was the founder and promoter of the large school building which was erected in Olin, and in company with David Carpenter and John Merritt, gave his personal at- tention to its construction. For about five years . it was operated as a private school, after which it was sold to the district and has since been used for a public school. A very active Republican, Mr. Dalby was for a period of two years Supervisor of Jones County, and by his fellow-citizens has been called upon to serve in local township offices quite frequently. In this capacity he has endeavorcd to promote the general good and has creditably fulfilled the duties devolving upon him. With his wife he holds membership with the Baptist Church of this place and is very liberal in sup- porting denominational and benevolent works.
In March, 1856, Mr. Dalby married Martha Klise, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, and by her marriage became the mother of the fol-
JACOB KERPER.
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lowing children: James; Ella, wife of F. Glick; Ida, Mrs. M. C. Gearhardt; John, a resident of eastern Kansas; Matilda, who resides in Humboldt County, this state, and is the wife of Fred South wick; Frank, of this county; Fred, who is engaged in merchan- dising in Olin; Erwin and Mervin, who are students, and Harlan, a schoolboy. The many friends of the Dalby family always receive a warm and hos- pitable welcome in their pleasant home and they have the respect and friendship of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
J ACOB KERPER, a leading and wealthy mer- chant of New Vienna, was born in the small village of Welsehbillig, near Treir, in the kingdom of Prussia, August 26, 1848. Since 1879 he has been Postmaster at New Vienna, and since 1875 has been School Treasurer. In the various enterprises and interests of this locality he has ever taken a prominent part, and was one of the incor- porators of the Dyersville German State Bank, of which he is Vice-President and Director. He is an example of the American self-made man, one who is upright and honest in all his dealings. By his sterling qualities he has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact, and his large fortune has been made by the exercise of his supe- rior commercial qualifieations, his transactions be- ing marked by the utmost sincerity and honesty of purpose. Such a man is a eredit to any country or locality, and it is with pleasure that we record his history.
Mr. Kerper is the second in the family of five sons, whose parents were John and Mary (Wertz) Kerper. Bernard is a leading farmer of Dubuque County; Mathias is at Granville, Iowa; Michael died in New Vienna in 1883, at the age of twenty- nine years, leaving a wife and one child; Antoine is in the mercantile business at Petersburg, Iowa. The father of these children was a farmer in his native land and in 1852 came to America, settling on a farm on the then almost wild prairie of this county. He became a leading farmer in the town-
ship of New Wine, and there both he and his worthy wife are still making their home.
Our subject grew to mature years much as did other boys on the western prairies, working on the farm and attending the district school. When he had attained his seventeenth year he entered Ep- worth College, where he continued his studies for two years, after which we find him for a like period a teacher in the public schools of the county. He again returned to school, completing his college education in 1868. In the fall of the following year he entered a general store at Farley, Dubuque County, as a clerk, remaining as such until 1872, when he came to New Vienna. In a like capacity he was employed in a store for two years, but as he was of ambitious mettle he would not long be con- tented with a subordinate position.
There are some men fitted to lead and guide others, and Mr. Kerper is one of this stamp. His integrity and ability were recognized by his em- ployer, and as the latter wished to retire from busi- ness, he sold the entire stock to young Kerper on time. The latter thus set about making for him- self a fortune. Being possessed with a strong deter- mination to succeed, it was not long until he had the entire debt paid, and since then has made rapid strides in the financial world. In 1880 he purchased the site of his present large establishment and erected the extensive building where he now does business. The store is, without a doubt, the best in the county outside of the city of Dubuque, and would do credit to even that metropolis.
In the year 1873 Miss Mary Ann Meyer became the wife of our subject. Mrs. Kerper is the daugh- ter of George Meyer, for many years a leading farmer and now living a retired life in this village. Six living children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kerper. George, the eldest, was born May 26, 1875, and was educated at Buffalo, N. Y., where he was graduated in June, 1892; he is now employed in his father's store. Mary Frances died July 1, 1876, when in infaney; Magdelina, born May 20, 1876, died September 2, 1878; Mathias, whose birth oc- curred March 8, 1880, died March 12, 1888; Ber- nard was born March 4, 1879; Annie Geneva, January 3, 1882; Agnes Lena, October 2, 1883; Nicholas Otto, December 16, 1884; Mathias Ed-
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mund, February 8, 1886; Osear Joseph, born in January, 1891, died the following February. In his political faith our subject is a Democrat. He is an exemplary member of the Catholic Church and is a member of the Catholic Mutual Protective Association. In the Fire & Marine Insurance Com- pany of Dubuque he is serving as Direetor.
F RANCIS M. HICKS. In the life of this re- tired farmer of Jones County there is much for the reader to admire and emulate, and it affords us pleasure to incorporate in this volume the main events of his useful and honorable ca- reer. He was very prosperous in his farming ven- tures and is now living in Montieello in the en- joyment of a hard-earned fortune.
Mr. Hicks is a native of New York, and was born in Rensselaer County, March 23, 1822. His father, George Ilicks, was also born in the same state and eounty as was our subject, where he ear- ried on farm pursuits in a profitable manner and was a prominent figure in all worthy movements. His wife prior to her marriage was Miss Laura Carpenter, a native of Massachusetts. Both pa- rents departed this life while residing in Wayne County, N. Y.
Franeis M., of this sketch, and a sister, Mrs. Hor- ton, of New York, are the only survivors of the parental family of seven sons and three daughters. His boyhood days were passed in attending school in Wayne County, to which place his father and mother removed when he was four years of age. He remained at home until attaining his sixteenth year, when he started out to make his own way in the world. Young Hieks lived in his native state until 1848, when we find him en route for this state. Ilis destination being Jones County, he located in Bowen's Prairie, in Monticello Town- ship, four miles northeast of the eity, where he purehased a quarter-seetion of land, and from that small start as a foundation he built the magnificent fortune with which lie was afterward blessed.
In 1882 Mr. Hicks removed with his family into
this city, where he devotes his time to looking af- ter his varied interests. His fine estate, comprising over five hundred broad aeres, is occupied by tenants. In 1847 our subject was married to Miss Frances A., daughter of Ebenezer and Abby H. Little, and to them has been granted a family of nine children, bearing the respective names of Frank T., Ophelia, Harry H., Ebenezer, Elmer, Grant S., M. D .; Ernest H., a lawyer; Laura A. and Arelie G. Harry is a farmer; Grant S., a practic- ing physician at Tacoma, Wash .; Ernest H., a prominent attorney in Montieello, and Archie is at home. The latter is a graduate of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor.
In polities Mr. Hicks is a firm believer in Re- publiean prieiples and has served on that tieket as Sheriff of Jones County. He is a stockholder and Director in the Montieello Bank and is a man whose advice and counsel are mueh sought by business men.
Our subjeet during the late war enlisted in 1864 in Company H, Thirty-first Iowa Infantry, Colonel Jenkins commanding. The regiment was on gar- rison and detached duty until the close of the war, when they were discharged and mustered out.
H ON. DALLAS D. RORICK, a leading at- torney-at-law, located in Oxford Junc- tion, Jones County, is widely known as one of the most prominent, able and influential eitizens of Iowa. A gentleman of superior social and business attainments, commanding the esteem and confidence of all who know him, he lias held various positions of trust and honor and been in- timately associated with national and local poli- tics.
Our subject was born in Franklin County, Ohio, June 18, 1846, and is the son of Cornelius H. Rorick, a native of New Jersey, whence he re- moved in an early day to the above eounty in Ohio. In the year 1858 the father of our subject came west and made a settlement in Jones County, where he was numbered among its most extensive and prosperous farmers. He was always ready to
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aid in the enterprises and improvements of his township and vicinity and did his duty as a true American citizen. A resident of the county for thirty years, he was an cye-witness of the growth and permanent advancement of all the prominent interests of the state. C. H. Rorick departed this life on his fine estate in February, 1888.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, who bore the name of G. H. Rorick, was of Scotch de- scent and was a native of New Jersey. The mother of Dallas D. was, prior to her marriage, Miss Julia F. Kimball, born in New Jersey and the daughter of Dr. David Kimball, of Scotch descent and a skilled physician of New Jersey.
C. H. Rorick was a Democrat in politics, and in addition to superintending the operations of his valuable farm, gave some attention to the prac- · tice of law. Our subject when a lad of seven years accompanied his parents on their removal to New Castle, Ind., where he acquired his primary education. In 1858, however, he came with the family to this county, soon after which he began reading law in the office of his honored father. In 1878 he passed the examination and was admitted to the Bar at Clinton, this state, by Judge W. I. Hayes, who is now Congressman from the Second District of Iowa.
Our subject began practicing his profession in the town of Wheatland, Clinton County, where he remained for four years. In the year 1881 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent his county in the State Legislature, where he rendered valuable service as a member of various important committees until 1882, when he resigned his posi- tion and removed to Miller, Hand County, S. Dak., where he conducted a large practice for twelve years.
In the summer of 1894 we find Mr. Rorick again located in this state, this time making his head- quarters at Oxford Junction, where lie enjoys the distinction of being a popular man with both the Republicans and the Democrats. Socially he is a Royal Archi Mason, belonging to Calantha Lodge No. 22, K. P., Lodge No. 1512, M. W. A. and Alpha Lodge No. 19, A. O. U. W., the three latter of South Dakota.
In February, 1865, the Hon, Dallas D, Rorick
and Miss Mattie J., daughter of Noah Hammond' an old settler of Delaware County, Ohio, later a resident of Jones County, Iowa, were united in marriage. To them has been born a daughter, Miss Anna J. Ever genial, courteous, affable, be- nevolent and sympathetic by nature, his ready wit and exceptional conversational powers render him a host whose cordiality and entertainment are never forgotten by the guests who enjoy his los- pitality. Upright and honorable in the daily transactions of life, our subject commands the es- tecm and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and his attractive home is the scene of many social gath- crings.
ILLIAM G. CONDIT is one of the sub- stantial and enterprising farmers of Cass Township, Jones County. His homestead comprises one hundred and sixty acres of arable and valuable land, which is all under cultivation and which is located on section 16. The owner is one of the early settlers of the county and for years has been identified with her develop- ment and prosperity.
The birth of our subject occurred March 22, 1831, in New Jersey, of which state his father, Alvin P., was a native. About 1832 he removed to Delaware County, Ohio, where he followed his trade as a tanner, and also operated a farm in the Buckeye State for about a quarter of a century. In 1856 he decided to try his fortunes further west, and after thoroughly considering the matter and prospeeting, made a permanent settlement in Cass Township, Jones County. By purchase he be- came the owner of fifteen hundred acres of land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted himself until his death, which occurred in the year 1883. He was greatly interested in pub- lic improvements and did everything in his power to promote the welfare and marvelous progress of this region. In his political belief he was a Whig prior to the formation of the Republican party, after which event he cast his ballot in favor of the latter organization and its candidates, He was a
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Deacon in the Congregational Church for many years. At the time of his death Mr. Condit was in his eighty-second year; his wife survived him only about two weeks, her death also taking place in her eighty-second year. Her maiden name was Maria Jacobus, and her birth occurred in Essex County, N. J., where she grew to womanhood.
William G. Condit, of this sketch, was second in a family of nine children. His early years were mainly passed in Ohio, near the village of Sunbury, where he received common-school advantages. He assisted his father in caring for the homestead until seventeen years of age, when he began learn- ing the blacksmith's trade. After working at that occupation for a period of three years, he secured employment as a machinist, and as such worked for the next fifteen years almost exclusively. . In 1858 he came to Iowa, and for the succeeding seven years was employed as a machinist by R. S. Gray, of Peoria, Ill.
It was in 1865 that Mr. Condit became the owner of his present farm, on which he at onee took up his abode, and for thirty years has given all of his energies to its development and care. There are good improvements upon the place, and everything is kept up in a neat and thrifty man- ner. The home residence, which is pleasant and commodious, is situated on seetion 16. On liis broad aeres the owner has yearly raised abundant harvests and he has also been very suecessful in raising, feeding and shipping live stock.
Two years after settling upon his farm, or in 1867, was celebrated the marriage of our subjeet and Miss Emma Crain, a resident of this county; of their union five children were born, three sons and two daughters. One of the daughters is deceased. The sons, William, Ernest D. and Orin, are enterprising young farmers of this vicinity, and Bessie, the only daughter, lives under the parental roof. The present wife of Mr. Condit, to whom he was married in February, 1892, was formerly Miss Addie Tarbox, and her girlhood was passed in Rockford, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Condit hold membership with the Congregational Church, and are considered by their many friends and neighbors to be most worthy people. In his poli- tical belief Mr. Condit is a stanch Republican, and
ever holds his own personal interests as secondary to the good of the general public. His career in life has been thoroughly honorable and upright, and his industrious methods have brought him a good income.
H ON. GEORGE W. LOVELL is a promi- nent banker and public-spirited citizen of Monticello and has been actively identi- fied with the leading industries of Jones County. On a number of occasions he lias served in an official capacity, discharging his duties to the en- tire satisfaction of all concerned. In 1871 he was elected Mayor of this place, and the following year was re-elected to serve in the same capacity. The same year he was called upon to fill a vacancy in the State Senate on account of the resignation of Judge MeKean. Mr. Lovell so well acquitted him- self that in the following year he was re-elected to serve for the full term of four years. A man of rare good judgment and executive ability, lie las had abundant opportunity both in his business and public life to manifest the same and thus has won an enviable reputation.
George W. Lovell was born in Windham County, Vt., December 9, 1818, and is the son of Willard Lovell, a native of the Green Mountain State. The ancestry can be traced for several generations and the family is known to be of English descent. Our subjeet's grandfather, Enos, and his great- grandfather, Michael Lovell, were natives of Massa- chusetts. The mother of G. W., Zervialı, daughter of Aaron and Rhoda (Rawson) Taft, was a native of Massachusetts and of Welsh deseent. Five sons and four daughters blessed the union of the par- ents of our subject, George W. being the eldest son.
The early education of our subjeet was obtained in the excellent schools of his native state, which he attended until reaching his seventeenth year. At that time the family moved to Kalamazoo, Mich., and engaged in farming for three years in that state. He had always made the best of his school advantages and continued his own educa-
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tion, becoming well versed in the common Eng- lish branches and natural science and devoting much attention to surveying, geometry and higher mathematics. In 1838, his father having dicd, George W. was left in charge of the home farm in Michigan, where the family had lived for about four years, and he continued to operate the home- stead until coming to the west. In 1844 he was elected Supervisor and held that office for five years; in 1852 he was elected to the House of Representatives, and in 1854 was returned to serve a second term.
During his service in that capacity, in 1854, the Hon. Mr. Lovell came to Iowa, taking up land in Jones County, a tract of one thousand acres, most of which is situated in Wayne Township. This land is particularly adapted for raising stock, and accordingly Mr. Lovell became interested in this branch of business to a great extent, and this is considered one of the finest stock farms in the state, as there is abundant pasturage and running water. At one time our subject was largely en- gaged in raising sheep and dealing in wool, hav- ing as high as two thousand head, and was con- sidered one of the principal wool growers of this locality.
While living on his farm Mr. Lovell was elected Supervisor of the township, and in 1870 became a resident of Monticello, soon after which he en- gaged in banking, being connected with a private bank. This institution was organized by L. M. Carpenter and George W. Lovell, and was one of the solid financial concerns of the locality. In 1874 this institution was closed, and Mr. Carpen- ter and Mr. Lovell bought the controlling interest in the First National Bank of Monticello; later this was changed to the State Bank of Monticello, Mr. Carpenter holding his connection with it until his death. Our subject helped to organize the Monticello State Bank, of which he is the largest stockholder and is identified with its interests. Mr. Lovell is the largest stockholder in the Straw- berry Point Bank and has been its President ever since its organization; he is a stockholder and Director in the State Bank of Waverly, and a stockholder in the National Bank of the Republic in Chicago, and half owner of the private bank of
G. W. & G. L. Lovell, at Monticello. In his busi- ness undertakings he has manifested great ability and has made a success of everything in which he has been actively interested. He still owns the fine homestead farm in Kalamazoo County, Mich., which comprises three hundred and fifty acres. Besides many local industries in which Mr. Lovell has been connected he is largely interested in the manufacture of paper in Michigan. A very active worker in the ranks of the Whig party, Hon. Mr. Lovell, when serving as a representative of the people, and at all times, has endeavored to forward the general good, and has warmly seconded all measures which in his conviction would lead to that result. At the formation of the Republican party he cast his lot with that party until 1880, since which time he has voted with the Democratic party. He is honorable and upright in all his dealings with his fellows, and has made a host of sincere friends wherever he has resided. In 1881 Mr. Lovell built the Lovell House in Monticello; it is a brick building 50x76, three stories, and an L 30x54 feet, two stories high, heated by steam and has all convenience of the water works. This building, furnished, cost $20,000, and is the finest hotel in the county.
1 OHN J. SMITH. This popular and well known resident of Worthington occupies the responsible position of Postmaster, and in discharging the dutics which fall upon him is giving entire satisfaction. He is an intelligent and valued citizen, takes an active interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of the communi- ty and well deserves representation in this volume.
Our subject was born on the bank's of the river Rhine in Germany, the date thereof being June 16, 1850. He is the son of Jacob Smith, a well-to-do merchant and lock manufacturer in his native land. The latter emigrated to America with his family in 1853, making his home in Illinois until 1861, when we find him located on a farm near Worthington, in Delaware County. There Jacob Smith resided en-
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gaged in the cultivation of the soil until his de- cease, which occurred in 1892. In both private and business life he was esteemed a man of honor and integrity and commanded the confidence of a host of friends.
The original of this sketch was given a good common-school education, and being the younger of two sons remained on the farm with his parents until the death of his father. His brother, Christ A. Smith, is the editor and proprietor of the Dyersville Commercial. John J. Smith since com- ing to Worthington has built up a fine trade and is well established in life. He has never married and his mother makes her home with himn.
Our subject still owns his fine estate in Delaware County, which is complete in all its appointments. The improvements placed on it are good, the fields well tilled and the whole forms one of the inost valued farms in the community. While re- siding in Delaware County Mr. Smith was ealled upon to fill many offices of trust, among them be- ing that of Trustee of North Fork Township. In January, 1894, he was appointed Postmaster of Worthington on the Democratic ticket. He is con- nected with the Catholic Church and his name is associated with every good work.
B ARNARD WENTE. One of the finest farms in New Wine Township, Dubuque County, is owned and occupied by our subject, who is a progressive farmer, adopting such methods and improvements in his work as would, if generally followed, make of this county the garden of the state. His estate comprises two hun- dred and sixty acres, and of his success lie may truly be proud, for it is evidence of an industrious and enterprising life, characterized by perseverance and good management.
Our subject is a native of Germany, having been born in Oldenburg, May 9, 1850. His father, William Wente, was a wagon maker in the Old Country, and when Barnard was a lad. of seven years came with his family to America, working at
his trade until purchasing the farm in this county which is now comprised in the landed possessions of our subject. There the father lived for twenty- eight years, departing this life in 1886, at the age of eiglity-four years. He came to this country poor in purse, but being a man of excellent judg- ment he made wise investments and gained a good competence thereby, leaving at his decease a large estate.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Elizabeth Sermer. She is also deceased, passing away November 21, 1890, when seventy-eight years of age. Our subject was given very limited opportunities for gaining an education and spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, assisting in the work thereon. On the estate of which he is the present owner, Barnard Wente erected a large brick residence; it is one of the finest structures in the county and is in a good state of preserva- tion.
The parental family included two sons and three daughters, namely: Clemens, now living in New Virginia; Josephinc, now the wife of Conrad Pape, one of the leading farmers of New Wine Town- ship, and a brother of the Rev. F. W. Pape, pastor of the New St. Boniface Catholic Church; Eliza- beth and Barnardina.
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