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 35
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 35
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 35
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Mr. Wente was married April 28, 1878, to Miss Gertrude Schneider, who was likewise born in Ger- many. To them has been granted a family of six children, Lizzie, Anna, Joseph, Francis, John and Willie. In his political preference our sub- ject is an ardent Democrat, and a member in good standing of the Catholic Church. Thus briefly we have endeavored to outline the life of one of Du- buque's most prominent and wealthy young farmers.
HARLES CHRISTMAN, of the firm of Christman & Healey, wholesale and retail dealers in hardware, is one of the repre- sentative business men of Dubuque, and is a wide- awake and progressive citizen. All who know him esteem him highly for his sterling worth, and it is
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therefore with pleasure that we present this record of his life to our readers.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Christman was born in Tomaqua, Schuylkill County, September 3, 1835, and is of French descent. His parents, Peter and Margaret (Dietz) Christman, were both natives of France, and on emigrating to America, took up their residence in the Keystone State. Subsequently they came to the west, settling in Dubuque, where the father died in 1861, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife long survived him and was called to her final rest in February, 1892, at the advanced age of ninety-onc years.
We now take up the personal history of Charles Christman, who, with his parents, came to Dubuque County when a child of two years, and was reared upon a farm until sixteen years of age. Not wish- ing to engage in agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life, he determined to take up some other work, and as a means of earning a living, began clerking in Dubuque in the large hardware house of J. P. Farley & Co., with whom he remained for many consecutive years a trusted and faithful employc. During that time he became familiar with the business in all its departments, so that when he opened a store of his own he had a prac- tical Knowledge of everything connected therc- with.
It was in 1860 that Mr. Christman formed a partnership with Mr. Waller and opened a hard- ware store under the firm name of Waller & Christ- man. Thus they did business until 1872, wlien Mr. Waller sold out to Jacob Christman, a brother of our subject, who continued his interest in the business for three years, the firm name being changed to J. & C. Christman. On the expiration of that period tlicy sold out to Healcy Brothers, but two years later, upon the death of E. T. Hcalcy, in 1882, Mr. Christman bought out the interest of the deceased partner, and the firm became Christ- inan & Hcaley. Business has been continucd un- der that style to the present time. They carry a large and complete stock of hardware and are now enjoying an extensive trade whichi yields to them a good income.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Christman is a Republican, but he lias had neither time nor inclina-
tion to seek public office. He is a member of Julien Lodge No. 12, I. O.O. F .; he is a thoroughgoing business man and an affable 'and genial gentleman, who has many warm friends throughout the com- munity. A high degree of success has crowned his business dealings, and his prosperity is certainly well merited.
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D WIGHT T. SMITH, a worthy representa- tive of the business interests of Dubuque, is the efficient and capable Manager of the Standard Oil Company for the northern part of the Northern Department of Iowa. He is likewise Vice-President of the M. M. Walker Company of Dubuque, wholesale fruit and commission mer- chants.
Mr. Smith claims Vermont as the state of his na- tivity, his birthi having occurred in Dummerston, in 1845. He is a son of Loyal and Mary ( Walker) Smith, both of whom were natives of New Eng- land, and came of families that were early founded in that locality. By their marriage were born five children, three sons and two daughters. D. T. Smith, who is the youngest, acquired his educa- tion in the public and select schools, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the Green Mountain State. He was a young man of nine- teen years when he sought a home in the west, hoping thereby to benefit his financial condition. He chose Dubuque as the scene of his future labors, and in order to provide for his wants, entered the .employ of M. M. Walker, a wholesale fruit and commission merchant. For a time he engaged in clerking, and then went upon the road as a salcs- man, in whichi capacity lic was employed until 1885, when he was admitted to partnership in the concern, and the firm style was changed to the M. M. Walker Company, under which name opera- tions have been carried on continuously since.
Formerly the oil business was conducted under the style of Consolidated Tank Line, of which Mr. Smithi was Manager about ten years. Of the M. M. Walker Company he was made Vice-President, while Mr. Walker became President. Hc now has
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charge of this department of the business for northern Iowa, and is represented on the road by six traveling salesmen. The oil houses are located on the back water of the Mississippi River, where are large tanks of every description, the plant be- ing cquipped for the storing and shipping of hun- dreds of barrels of oil.
In 1869 Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Emogene Boyce, a native of Vermont. They have a daughter and son, Georgia A. and Dwight E., who are still under the parental roof. Their home is pleasantly located at No. 151 Prairie Street, and in the community they have many friends, while in social circles they hold an enviable posi- tion.
Politically Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican, influential in his party in this city. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day. He gives his time and attention to his business interests, and in his undertakings he has met with good success, his career being a prosperous one. His success is not due to a fortunate combination of circumstances or to outside assistance, but is the reward of earnest application, persistent effort and well directed en- ergy.
R OBERT S. BARNHILL. After many years devoted to the tilling of the soil, in which 1
occupation he was more than ordinarily successful, Mr. Barnhill retired from active agri- cultural work, and removing with his family to Wyoming, Jones County, has since given his at- tention to a general oversight of his landed inter- ests and to the enjoyment of the comforts secured through former years of industry and toil. He is a man of ability and keen discrimination, careful in his decisions and reliable in his business trans- actions, and merits the large degree of success which has rewarded his efforts.
On the 17th of October, 1831, the subject of this sketch was born in Marion County, Ind. His father, Daniel, was a son of William Barnhill, and was born in Kentucky, from which state lie removed to Ohio, and later went to Indiana.
Finally he made permanent settlement in Joncs County, Iowa, with the growth and progress of which he was identified until his death, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Speer, was born in Ohio and died in Jones County, Iowa.
The first twenty years of the life of R. S. Barn- hill were spent in the Hoosier State. There hc was a student in the district schools and acquired the rudiments of his education, to which he after- ward added by practical contact with the world. There also he was trained in a thorough knowl- edge of agriculture in its varied departments, and arriving at man's estate he selected as lis vo- cation that to which he had been reared. Believ- ing that in the rapidly growing west he would find opportunities which in Indiana were denied the agriculturist, he came to Iowa in 1851, and settled in Clay Township, Jones County. Here he settled upon a tract of land, which he cleared, placed under a good state of cultivation and im- proved with substantial buildings. In 1887 hc retired from active farming work and removed to Wyoming, where he has since resided. Hc still owns one hundred and twenty acres of good land, all under cultivation and well improved.
The political opinions of Mr. Barnhill bring hiim into active sympathy and co-operation with the Republican party, and while he has never sought office, he nevertheless takes an active in- terest in everything pertaining to the public wel- fare, and is one of the public-spirited citizens of the county. On the 3d of January, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Nichols, a native of Ohio and daughter of William Nichols. Their union resulted in the birth of nine chil- dren, of whom seven are now living. The eldest, Curtis, is an agriculturist residing in Grundy County, Mo. Edna is the wife of J. W. Strayer, and lives in Castle Grove Township, Jones Coun- ty. Robert L., Samuel H. and Leota are with their father in the Wyoming home. Sadie is the wife of Thomas Beard, of Wyoming. Jolın A. is engaged as clerk in a drug store in this place.
The family was deeply bereaved, when, on the 25th of July, 1891, the wife and mother was taken from their midst. She liad ever been devoted to
JOSEPH BRUNSKILL.
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the welfare of her husband and children, and by her loving and careful ministrations and train- ing, her sons and daughters were fitted for honor- able positions in the business and social world. Mr. Barnhill is a member of the Christian Church, and is highly regarded by his fellow-eitizens. He served as a private in the late war, enlisting in 1864 in Company K, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infan- try, and served until the close of the war, receiv- ing an honorable discharge May 19, 1865.
J OSEPH BRUNSKILL, for many years a well known business man of Dubuque County, but now living retired at his home in Du- buque Township, is one of our English citizens whose ability and excellent judgment have pro- moted the prosperity of the country. In youth he was hampered by poverty, and when leaving home to seek his fortune he had but two sover- eigns. From that small beginning he has worked - his way upward with ability and energy, and has accumulated a sufficient amount of this world's goods to surround himself with every comfort in his deelining years.
The parents of our subject, John and Mary (Reynoldson ) Brunskill, spent their entire lives in .Yorkshire, England, where the former died at the age of fifty-two years, and the latter when eighty. By occupation he was a miner. Their family con- sisted of eight children, of whom the only sur- vivor is Joseph, a native of Yorkshire, born Au- gust 10, 1810. He was reared in the parental home and early in life became thoroughly familiar with mining. Marel 1, 1833, he married Elizabeth Woodward, who died in Dubuque Township on Thanksgiving Day of 1864. She was born in Oe- tober, 1813, and was fifty-one years old at the time of her death. Twelve children were born of this union, of whom the following survive: Will- iam, Mary A., Margaret, Joseph J., James W. and David. All married and reared children.
The second marriage of Joseph Brunskill oc- curred June 20, 1881, uniting him with Mrs. Ann
Dayken, a sister of his former wife and a widow of Joseph Dayken, who was born in England and died in Dubuque Township aged sixty-two. Mr. and Mrs. Dayken had thirteen children, of whom six are now living, viz .: Joseph, James, Lizzie, Henrietta and Henry (twins), and Alice. With the exception of Alice, who lives in Ohio, all are married and have families. Our subject has had twenty-four grandchildren and two great-grand- children.
Wishing to emigrate to America, our subjeet borrowed from his father-in-law a sufficient amount to pay his passage to this country. After a voy- age of six weeks in the "George Washington" he landed at New York and from there proceeded via canal and lake to Cleveland, Ohio, thenee to Akron, the same state. For three years he was employed in chopping wood and as a general la- borer, and by saving his earnings he was soon able to repay his father-in-law. On the 24th of June, 1836, he eame to Dubuque, and after mining for a time in the employ of others, took a partner and started out for himself. In 1845 he put up a sınelter and eondueted an extensive business until 1871, when he retired. Shortly afterward he re- turned to England to visit the seenes and associa- tions of his youth.
A man of quiet manners and simple courtesy, unostentatious and retiring, Mr. Brunskill is highly regarded by the people of Dubuque Township. He is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belongs. While he has never been active in party affairs, he nevertlie- less has always cast his ballot for the Republican party. During his long life he has been honorable and upright, never wronging a fellow-man, but exemplifying in his daily intereourse with others the principles of the Golden Rule.
A DAM KRAMER. A goodly number of the residents of Jones County have won a competence sufficient to allow them to retire from the aetive duties of life, surrounding themselves with the comforts suited to their declin-
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ing years and spend their last days unharassed by anxiety. Among this number is Adam Kramer, who is now occupying a pleasant home in Ana- mosa.
Our subject was born in Franklin County, Ohio, April 13, 1832, and is the son of Jacob Kramer, a native of Fairfield County, that state. He in turn was the son of George Kramer, whose birth oc- eurred in Germany, whence he came when a young man to America and participated in the Revolu- tionary War. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Elizabeth Barnhart, a native of Alleg- heny County, Pa., and the daughter of Henry Barnhart, also a native of the Fatherland.
Adam, of this sketeh, was the second in order of birth of the parental family, including five sons and three daughters, namely: Henry, Adam, Joseph, Solomon, Joshua, Louisa, Elizabeth and Mary. He was reared on his father's farm in Franklin County, Ohio, and like all the youths of that period carried on his studies in the distriet school. He remained under the parental roof un- til attaining his majority, and for the following eight years worked out on farms of other people. At the expiration of that time he learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed with fair success for a period of four years.
In 1864 Mr. Kramer decided to try his fortunes in the farther west, and coming to this state, lo- eated in Jackson Township, this county, where he became the proprietor of a quarter-section of farm- ing land. Ile was very successful in this venture and kept adding to his aereage until at one time he had a vast estate of three hundred and sixty acres, which formed one of the finest tracts in this portion of the state. He placed the entire amount under cultivation and stocked it with fine breeds of horses, Polled Angus cattle and Poland-China hogs.
Adam Kramer and Miss Catherine E. Mann were united in marriage April 18, 1861. The lady was born in Delaware County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Thomas Mann, formerly a resi- dent of that state. By her union with our sub- jeet there were born seven children, of whom we make the following mention: Frances F. married John T. Hamilton; Mina J. is clerking in a store
in Cedar Rapids; Florence E. is the wife of Ed- ward Beem, of Dan vers, Ill .; Norman F. is engaged in farming in this county; Cora I., Preston H. and Buell Vinton are at home.
In political belief our subject is a stanch Demo- erat, believing that party to be in the right. In March, 1894, he moved to Strawberry Hill, Ana- mosa, where he still resides. A peaceable, law- abiding citizen, just to his neighbors and of friendly spirit, Mr. Kramer is respected by those who know him and is pointed out as a fine example of the self-made man.
D E VOLSON WEAVER. The following is a brief sketch of the career of Mr. Weaver, whose present substantial position has been reached entirely through his own persever- ance, and whose life shows what can be aecom- plished by a person with courage and enlightened views. Formerly one of the substantial farmers of Fairview Township, he is now living retired in the city of Anamosa prepared to take life easy.
Our subjeet was born in Chenango County, N. Y., February 9, 1832, and is the son of Gen. L. Weaver, who was appointed general by De Witt Clinton, Governor of New York. The father was born in Connecticut, near Stonington, and was the son of Lodwick Weaver, also born in the Nutmeg State and of Scotch and English descent.
De Volson, of this sketch, was the youngest of the parental family, including three sons and five daughters, of whom only three survive. He re- mained in his native state until attaining · his twenty-third year, in the meantime attending first the common, and later the high school at Pitcher Springs. In the year 1855 he decided to try his fortunes in this state, and coming hither, lo- cated on a farm near Fairview, his purchase con- sisting of a quarter-section. He placed the entire amount under good tillage, and ten years later dis- posed of it at $25 per acre. He then bought a farm on which he made his home until removing into the city of Anamosa. It comprises a traet of thirty-eight acres in Fairview Township, which
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is under an admirable state of cultivation and classed among the best estates in Jones County.
The lady to whom our subject was married June 15, 1856, was Miss Nancy Smith, a native of Courtland County, N. Y., and the daughter of Cyrus and Catherine Smith. Their union has re- sulted in the birth of two sons and two daughters. Hattie became the wife of F. M. Wood, a farmer of this county; Francis, a graduate of the law de- partment of the Michigan University, is practicing his profession in Omaha, Neb .; Fred D. is the owner of a fruit farm near Cedar Rapids, and Minnie M. is the wife of W. L. Pope, a resident of the above city.
Mr. Weaver has always been very popular in his community, and in 1877 served as deputy under Sheriff A. J. Byerly. For four years he was Mayor of Strawberry Hill, and for a period of seven ycars was Secretary and Treasurer of Independent School Distriet. In politics Mr. Weaver is a stanch Democrat and takes an active interest in the success of liis party. With his wife he is a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church at Strawberry Hill. In 1884, during the Cleve- land campaign, he was Chairman of the Demo- eratic Central Committee of this eounty.
YMAN J. ADAIR, M. D. This honored member of the medical profession, whose office has been established in Anamosa for many ycars, is a native of New York and was born in Monroe County, November 28, 1840. When quite young he was taken to Summit County, Ohio, by his parents, Alfred and Martha (Chamberlain) Adair. Therc the father engaged in business for many years, but during later life engaged in farm- ing and became the owner of a farm in Summit County. The paternal grandfather of our subject bore the name of Andrew Adair and was of Scotch- Irish ancestry.
The subject of this sketch passed the years of youth in Summit County, and until reaching his
nineteenth year, attended the schools of the neigh- borhood. He then entered Hiram College, where he was a student at the outbreak of the late war. During the early months of the Rebellion, he offered his services and was mustered into Com- pany K, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, commanded by Col. Samuel Beatty. After his term of three months had expired, he again enlisted, this time as a mem- ber of Company H, One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Infantry, in which he served as Orderly Sergeant for eighteen months, and was often in command of his company. He participated in the battles of Nashville and Franklin, and experienced all the hardships of the Atlanta campaign. In twenty- four engagements he took part, somc of which were among the most important battles of the war. At Columbia, Tenn., he was slightly wounded in the face. With his company he witnessed the surren- der of General Johnston, and at the close of hos- tilities was mustered out June 28, 1865.
Returning to Summit County, Ohio, our subject taught school at Copley. In 1867, a favorable op- portunity being presented for the study of med- icine, he entered the office of Dr. Morse, with whom he remained for three years, and at the expiration of that time moved to Manchester, Iowa. A short time thereafter he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, from whieli he was graduated in 1868 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Immedi- atcly after receiving his diploma he returned to Manchester, where he continned in practice until 1870, the date of his advent into Anamosa. Not only is his professional reputation in this city one of the best, but by reason of the faithful discharge of his duties as a citizen he is looked upon with great respect by his professional associates and fel- low-citizens in general.
October 19, 1871, Dr. Adair married Miss Sarah J., daughter of Giles M. Porter. Mrs. Adair was born in Hartford, Conn., and is an estimable and cultured lady. The Doctor is physician at the An- amosa Penitentiary, which position he has held for seventeen years. He is local surgeon for the Chi- cago & Northwestern and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul -Railroads, and is identificd with the National Association of Railway Surgeons. So- cially he is connected with the Iowa State Medical
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Society and the American Medical Association. HIe belongs to Anamosa Lodge No. 56, F. & A. M., and is Past Commander of Fred Steele Post No. 4. G. A. R. Politically he is an uncompromising Re- publican, always taking great interest in political matters.
ODAH T. ALEXANDER, cditor and pro- prietor of the Jones County Times, is also the popular Postmaster of Monticello. He is a man of intelligence, push and enterprise, emi- nently fitted to the discharge of the duties ineum- bent upon his present position. The Times is one of the most sensible of the press productions of the state and its cireulation extends over a large territory.
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Our subject was born in Marshall, the county seat of Calhoun County, Mich., January 4, 1857, and is the son of Charles and Juliet (Paddock) Alexander, both of whom lived and died in the above statc. Lodah T. lived in his native state for the first fourteen years of his life, during which time he gained the greater part of his edu- eation. At that early age we find him located in Clinton, this state, where he was engaged in the office of the Clinton Age, owned by E. H. Thayer. There young Alexander learned the printing busi- ness in all its departments and remained for a period of nine years.
Soon after leaving the employ of Mr. Thayer our subjeet engaged in the publication of a paper called the Clinton Daily News, which he handled with fair sueeess until 1883. That year, selling his outfit, he came to Monticello and the same year established the Jones County Times, a six- column, eight-page paper, devoted to the interests of the Democratic party. Mr. Alexander is a gen- tleman of influence in his community and is a man of erudition and foree, eminently fitted to publish such a journal as the Times, a paper which has wielded much influenee in political, educational and moral matters. The editorial policy of the paper is ably managed, and the arti- cles handle intelligently topies of publie import,
and in its manner of keeping thoroughly abreast with the times, and as an advertising medium is appreciated and known throughout the county.
In 1887 Mr. Alexander was appointed Post- master of Monticello under President Cleveland and when the change of administration took place was removed for political reasons. In the spring of 1890 he was elected Mayor of the eity and during his incumbeney of the office acquitted him- self in a most worthy and creditable manner. Again in 1893, however, he was appointed Post- master, which position he is still filling.
Our subject was married in 1877 to Miss Emma McManus, of Caseade, this state, and the daughter of P. MeMan us.
ILLIAM B. BROCK, M. D., a success- ful and prosperous physician and sur- geon, has resided in Olin since 1887. He has an excellent and rapidly increasing prae- tiee in the neighborhood and is well known as an able, intelligent and energetic citizen, worthy of confidence and esteem.
Our subject was born in Clayton County, this state, near Guttenberg, August 27, 1861, and is the son of John Brock, a native of Terre Haute, Ind. The latter when coming west settled near Guttenberg, where he still resides at the age of sixty-seven years. He is recognized as one of the intelligent as well as successful citizens of Clayton County, and enjoys the confidence of the business community and commands the esteem of his neighbors. He married Miss Sarah Crawford, also a native of Terre Haute, Ind., and a most estima- ble lady, who has aided hin greatly in attaining his present standing in the community.
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