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 38
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 38
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 38
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After his return home Mr. Hosford was en- gaged in farming for eight years. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Miss Sidonia Waller, daughter of Richard Waller, of Dubuque. To them has been born a daughter, Ida F., who is now a student in Epworth Seminary. She was born while her parents were traveling in Europe. They also have two other children, Amanda L., at home, and Richard, who is now attending Oberlin Col- lege.
Mr. Hosford has been connected with various business interests in Dubuque. He was for ten years connected with the Rockdale Mills, of Rock- dale, Iowa; is President of the Excelsior Brass Works of Dubuque; is Secretary and Treasurer of the Dubuque Boot and Shoe Company, and is con- nected with F. B. Hoffman in the real-estate and insurance business. He also owns considerable real estate, handling both city and farm property, and is a representative of a number of the old and tried insurance companies. He is now doing a good business, and his industry, enterprisc and persever- ance have been important factors in his career, winning him a success which is well merited. He is highly cstecmed for his sterling worth and strict integrity, and has many warm friends and agrec- able acquaintances in this community. Hc has
long been a resident of Dubuque, and is recog- nized as a public-spirited and progressive citizen, who manifests an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community.
J OSEPH M. HOFACRE. The gentleman whose honored namc appears at the opening of this sketch is a representative of the men of energy, ability and enterprise, who have made Jones County so prominent in the state. His name is associated with the rise and progress of agriculture as one who has made a success of tilling the soil and of improving the stock of the county by careful breeding. Ile is engaged in mixed farming on section 9, Monticello Township, and has one of the best improved estates within its bounds.
Our subject was born in this county, June 16, 1855, and is the son of Michael and Rebecca J. (Clemmer) Hofacre. The father is a native of Ohio, and was born June 4, 1828, in Stark County. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Kendall) Hofacre. The great-grandfather of our subject, who bore the name of Michael Hofacre, was a na- tive of Switzerland, and upon coming to America made location in Maryland.
The father of our subject was the eldest of nine children born to his parents. Until 1853 he fol- lowed farm pursuits in Stark County, Ohio. After coming to Jones County he located on his present fine estate, which comprises three hundred and fifty-five choice acres of land in Monticello Town- ship. He has been successful in all his undertak- ings and is regarded as one of the substantial and wealthy agriculturists of Jones County, in the progress of which he has given very material aid. The parents of our subject were married in 1853. Mrs. Hofacre was born in Ireland, and is the daugh- ter of Jacob Clemmner, also a native of the Emerald Isle. Her parents reared a family of eleven chil- dren, of whom three sons and six daughters grew to mature years.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest of nine
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children. He was reared on his father's farm, and like his brothers and sisters, procured his primary education in the district school. Later he attended a select school in Monticello, and when twenty- one years of age left home and began the battle of life on his own account. At that time lic pur- chased the farm belonging to Maj. S. S. Farwell, including two hundred acres, which he devoted mainly to stock and dairying purposes. Soon afterward he became the proprietor of a tract of two hundred and ten acres on section 5, Monti- cello Township, the greater portion of which is used as pasture land for his extensive stock-rais- ing interests. On his farm on section 5, he has about three hundred head of sheep, besides num- bers of cattle and hogs, which he fattens for the castern markets.
In 1877 Joseph M. Hofacre married Miss Maggie S., daughter of James Reed, of Delaware County, this state. To them have been granted four sons and two daughters, namely: Pedro C., Faroe F., Bessie R., Mertie E., Joseph Jefferson and James M. Mr. Hofacre has served acceptably as School Director of his district for a period of twenty years. The local affairs of his community and all enterprises of benefit to that section arc sure of his deepest interest and unswerving devotion, and, although by no means a partisan, he is a stanchi supporter of the Democratic party. Socially he belongs to Burns Lodge No. 173, A. F. & A. M., and Monticello Chapter No. 42, R. A. M.
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N ICHOLAS REDMOND. The enterprising and energetice young agriculturist of Prai- rie Creek Township whose name heads this sketch is one of the most promising young men of Dubuque County. Mr. Redmond is of Irish descent, possessing the natural wit of the Irish and the true grit of the American, and is the son of Thomas Redmond, a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country in 1845. He crossed the Atlantic in a sailing-vessel belonging to Rich-
ard Deverex, and was seven weeks and five days on the water. They met with one very severc storm on the way which greatly impeded their progress, driving them back and causing a delay of three days. Hc sailed from Wrexford City and landed in Baltimore, Md., where he spent one week with some friends. He went from therc to Hagers- town, Md., where he found employment on a farm at $10 a month and board. He remained in that locality for two years, and from therc he went to Carroll County, Md., and for six years made his home among the people of that section. He worked on a farm for a time, but finally engaged in the rock quarry business. About this time the "western fever" was raging in that state, and Mr. Redmond, with a number of others afflicted with the disease, concluded that a change of climate was necessary to its cure, so he with his friends came to Iowa and settled in Jackson County. Being well pleased with the Buckeye State, he de- termined to make his home there. At first hc bought ten acres of brush land which he immedi- ately set about clearing. By that time he was so well pleased with the country that he bought one hundred and cighty acres more of timber land, a part of which he cultivated, leaving the remainder in pasture. In June, 1845, he became the husband of Miss Bridget Clearey, an orphan, her parents having died when she was quite young. Miles Red- mond, the grandfather of our subject, followed quarrying and boating for a living. He married Miss Mary Bulger in the Old Country and became the father of eight children.
Nicholas Redmond, our subject, was born in Garry Owen, Iowa, December 16, 1866. Hc received a common-school education, attending the public schools of his vicinity and assisting his father in the various duties that fall to the lot of a farmer. In this way he gained a practical knowledge of agriculture, of which he is making good use. In 1892 Mr. Redmond purchased the old homestead of one hundred and eighty acres from his father, and now, at the age of twenty-eight years, is tak- ing care of his parents and. managing the farm, having complete control of the business.
The farm is well improved and under a high statc of cultivation. It has a good residence, large and
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substantial barn and outbuildings, an orchard and plenty of small fruit. It has eighty-five acres of corn, oats and hay, and the remainder is in timber pasture. You will also find a complete assortment of the latest improved farming implements; the stock is of the best, consisting of fine horses, cattle and hogs. In politics our subject is for the party that is in favor of reform. He is a member of the Cath- olic Church, and an active worker in the same. An honest wide-awake citizen, he takes an interest in all public improvements of the township. He has the respect and esteem of the community and numbers his friends by the scorc.
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J AMES R. GUTHRIE, M. D., is one of the Pro- fessors in the State University of Iowa City, and also conduets a general practice in Du- buque. He stands high in the medical fra- ternity, occupying a most en viable position among his professional brethren, a place to which he has attained through skill and ability. He has the honor of being a native of the Hawkeye State, his birth having occurred in Delaware County on the 22d of July, 1858. He is the eldest in in a family of four children, whose parents were Peter and Jane A. Guthrie. The father is a native of the North of Ireland, but Scotch blood also flows in his veins. In early life he crossed the ocean to the New World and now resides in Hopkinton, Iowa.
In the usual manner of farmer lads the Doctor spent the days of his boyhood and youth. As soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields and soon became familiar with farm life in all its departments. He worked at home during the summer months and in the winter season attended the public school. Being an apt scholar he soon mastered the common branches, but not content with such facilities for an education he entered Lennox College in 1873, and on the completion of a five years' course of study was graduated in the Class of '78, with the degree
of B. S., and three years later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him. After graduating he en- gaged in teaching school, being employed in Scott County, Iowa, after which he took up the study of medicine with Professor E. F. Clapp, of Iowa City. When he had read medicine for a time under the direction of that gentleman, he entered the Medi- cal Department of the State University of Iowa, from which institution he was graduated in 1884.
Immediately after Dr. Guthrie came to Dubuque, where he opened an office and began general prac- tice. His ability receives recognition in his large practice, which from the beginning has steadily increased.
Dr. Guthrie was married on the 20th of April, 1893, to Miss Harriet B. Dowdell, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, danghter of Edward Dowdell of that place. In June, 1889, he was elected Professor of Physi- ology in the Medical Department of the State University, at Iowa City, which position he has sinee acceptably and creditably filled. In March, 1893, he was also elected and is now serving as Assistant Professor of Obstetrics. In June, 1892, he was appointed Assistant Surgcon of the First Regiment of Iowa National Guards, and is still holding that office. He has a wide acquaintance throughout the state, and is recognized as one of the leaders of the medical profession in Iowa.
1 OSEPH DUBRAKS, upholsterer, manufact- urer and dealer in furniture in Dubuque, claims Wisconsin as the state of his nativity. IIe was born in 1857, of the union of John and May Dubraks. In 1860, when he was a child of three summers, the family came to Iowa, locat- ing in Dubuque. Here the father spent his remain- ing days, his death occurring in 1889. IIe was of German descent. His wife passed away many years previous. In their family were five children, of whom Joseph is the youngest.
No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of our subject. He was
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educated in the public schools of Dubuque and en- tered upon his life work as an apprentice to a cab- inet maker in this city. When his term of service had expired he entered the employ of the Key City Furniture Company, with which he continued for a number of years, when his health failing him he was forced to leave the shop and engage in work that would take him into the open air. In consequence he spent the four succeeding years in work at the carpenter's trade, and on the expira- tion of that period, in 1887, he started in the furni- ture business on his own account and has since car- ried on operations along that line. His factory and warerooms, which were erccted in 1893, are 43x115 feet in dimensions, and the building is two stories in height, with a basement. In the factory employ- ment is furnished to ten men, and an excellent line of work is turned out. The trade extends over a radius of one hundred miles in each direc- tion from Dubuque, and from the beginning the business has steadily increased until it has become one of the leading industries of the city.
In the year 1882 Mr. Dubraks was united in mar- riage to Miss Henrietta Diesel, of Wisconsin. They are both widely and favorably known in this local- ity and have many warm friends. Mr. Dubraks is a wide-awake and enterprising business man who started in life empty-handed, but has steadily worked his way upward. Snccess was the goal for which he strove, and with this in view he pushed steadily forward. That he has prospered is due en- tirely to his own efforts and he well deserves to be called a self-made man.
ACOB D. SAUM is now living a retired life in Olin, Jones County, passing his time pleasantly in his substantial two-story frame residence, which is of modern architecture, and is supplied with every comfort. Mr. Saum was one of the very early settlers of this county, and soon after reaching his majority commenced farming and continued in that vocation during
his entire business career. He is still the owner of the old homestead on which he resided for so many years and as the result of his years of industrious toil and unceasing labors has a snug little fortune which will be sufficient for his needs during the remainder of his life.
Jacob Saum, the paternal grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, was of German ancestry and was born in Virginia, though he afterwards re- moved to Ohio to make his home. In that state his son, George, was born and was one of the early settlers and farmers of the Buckeye State. On arriving at maturity he married Susannah Stingley, likewise a native of Olio, and a daughter of Jacob Stingley. Of their union Jacob D. of this sketch was born near Williamsport, Warren County, Ind., November 23, 1835, and when he was five years old the family removed to Jones County. For thirty-three years the mother was a resident of this locality, at the expiration of which period she died, in 1873. The father has attained the age of eighty-one years and is residing in California.
The early education of Jacob D. Saum was lim- ited to the district schools, but not content with such advantages he has steadily kept up his pri- vate studies and reading, and by this means and experience in the world has become what he is to- day, a well informed man on general subjects. He early learned how to carry on a farm and from the time he was twenty-three years old has been in business for himself. As the years passed he in- vested his means in more land until he now finds himself the owner of three hundred and eighty- five acres in Rome Township, which is considered one of the most valuable places of that section.
In 1859 Mr. Saum married Anna, daughter of Samuel Flaugher, who was born in Maryland. Her father removed to Jones County in 1855 and was one of the worthy old settlers of this portion of the state. He died at Defiance, Shelby County, Iowa, in October, 1892. His wife, whose name be- fore her marriage was Elizabeth Werner, was born in Maryland and is eighty-one years old. Mr. and Mrs. Saum are the parents of four children, two of whom are living, namely: Elva C., wife of W. S. Weeks, and Mary, who became the wife of Frank Fisher. Katie, the youngest of the family,
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died in 1866, and Ira, the second of the family, was called to his final rest on November 10, 1893. He was reared in Iowa and was a very active and energetie business man. His sterling integrity and upright disposition were always manifested in every relation of life, and he commanded the ut- most respeet of all who knew him. He was fre- quently called upon to represent his fellow-citizens in positions of trust and responsibility, and dis- charged his duties in a manner that was above question. As a financier he possessed unusual ability, and being very kindly and charitable by nature often relieved suffering in a quiet and un- ostentatious manner, which endeared him to every one. He was married on March 18, 1886, to Miss Leah Brock, and to them was born one son. The community in which he dwelt felt that they had indeed lost a valuable eitizen and a true man when he was strieken by the hand of deathı, and his memory is dearly cherished.
In their religious views Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Saum are quite liberal and are not connected with any denomination. Politically our subjeet is a very stanel Republican, and is greatly interested in the success of the party to which he belongs.
DWIN SMEDLEY is the President of the Smedley Manufacturing Company, one of the leading enterprises of Dubuque. He was born in Manchester, England, November 22, 1840, and is a son of William and Mary (Lowe) Smedley, both of whom were also natives of Eng- land. Having emigrated to the United States, the father died in Michigan, in 1893, at the advanced age of eighty years, and the mother passed away in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1888, at the age of seventy-five.
Edwin Smedley was reared in his native land until thirteen years of age, and began his eduea- tion in its publie sehools. He then accompanied his parents when they came to the New World, and with the family took up his residence in Ohio.
At the age of sixteen he was apprentieed to the firm of Barrett & Chapman, of Wooster, Ohio, manufacturers of engines and heavy machinery, with whom he remained four years, during which time he mastered the business in all its details. Thus was formed his connection with the oeeupa- tion which has been his life work and has made him a substantial citizen.
About the time that his term of apprenticeship had expired, the war broke out, and Mr. Smedley, in 1861, responded to the country's call for troops, becoming a member of Company E, Fourth Ohio Infantry, under command of Col. Lorain Andrews. The regiment was assigned to the Army of West Virginia. Ere the three months' term had expired, it was found that the war would be no holiday affair, and a eall for three years' troops had been issued. So Mr. Smedley, faithful to the Union, re-enlisted in the same company and regiment. Later, however, he was transferred to Battery A, of the Fourth United States Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Cushing, the brother of Admiral Cushing. He participated in the battle of Fred- ericksburg, Chaneellorsville, the Wilderness, Get- tysburg, Malvern Hill, Romney and Winehester, and in December, 1864, was mustered out at Cold Harbor, Va.
Immediately after Mr. Smedley returned to his home in Wooster, Ohio, where he resumed work as a machinist. During his apprenticeship, he attended night sehool and took a complete course in book- keeping, mathematies and machine drawing. In 1874 he got out a patent for a locomotive bell ringer, which is now in use on all the leading rail- roads in America. He came to Dubuque in 1872, and soon afterwards accepted the position as master mechanie on what is now the River Divi- sion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road, holding the same until the organization of the National Iron and Brass Works, in 1882. In connection with Charles Meyer, he embarked in business under that name, and in that way opera- tions were carried on until 1890, when the name was changed to the Smedley Manufacturing Com- pany. They manufacture all kinds of hydraulic machinery and apparatus, including the Smedley stcam pumping machinery, the locomotive bell
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ringing devices, iron drill pressers, steam engines, boilers and other machinery. Mr. Smedley has taken out some eight or ten patents, including that of the Smedley steam pump and the pressure and vacuum pumps for laboratories. In 1892 he took ont a patent for United States and Canada on the Smedley vacuum pump, which he is now manufac- turing, and which is now being sold extensively throughout the country. The company is doing a very extensive business, extending throughout this land, its success being almost unparalleled in the history of practical mechanics.
At Wooster, Ohio, in 1865, Mr. Smedley married Miss Lydia Cobb, and three children were born of their union, of whom the only survivor is Lillian, wife of Frederick Libby, of Dubuque, conductor on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. The second marriage of Mr. Smedley occurred in 1888, and united him with Miss Catharine Quil- liam, by whom he has had two daughters, Marie and Marguerite.
In his political views Mr. Smedley is a Republi- can, and socially is connected with Dubuque Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M .; the Odd Fellows' Society and Hyde Park Post No. 78, G. A. R. His business career has been one of success, owing to earnest ap- plication, close attention to all the details of his business, and well directed efforts. In this way he has won a handsome competence which now num- bers him among the substantial citizens of the community.
F DWIN E. SNYDER is one of the promi- nent citizens of Olin and one of her enter- prising and publie spirited men. He is proprietor of the Bank of Olin, which is one of the solid commercial institutions of Jones County. In other local industries he has at varions times been interested and at the present owns an inter- est in the Olin Briek and Tile Factory in com- pany with the three other parties. He is also a
partner of Dr. F. W. Port, owning a half-interest in a drug store at Olin.
Mr. Snyder was born in Cascade, Dubuque County, Iowa, January 13, 1860, and is a son of Michael Snyder, a native of Germany, who was one of the early settlers of Dubuque County and ac- tively concerned in its development. He is now President of the Citizens' Bank of Grinnell, Iowa, and is a prominent business man of that enterpris- ing eity. For his wife he married Miss Mary Birk, who was born in Ohio, and to them were born four children. The boyhood days of our subject were passed in his native town, where he received a publie school education and graduated from the Grinnell High School in 1876. In order to be better equipped for a commercial career he took a course of training in the Davenport Busi- ness College and also learned telegraphy.
It was in 1877 that Mr. Snyder started out to to make his own livelihood, at which time he ae- cepted a position as telegraph operator at El- dora, in the employ of the Iowa Central Railroad. For the next few years he occupied a similar posi- tion as operator and agent at various points, and for five successive years had charge of the station at Montezuma. In 1884 he first became interested in the banking business as Assistant Cashier of the Citizens Bank of Grinnell, with which institution his father is now connected in the capacity of Pres- ident. During the year which followed his accept- ance of the post of Assistant Cashier he obtained a thorough knowledge of the banking business, as he is a very intelligent young man, possessed of an acute and accurate mind which readily masters and surmounts difficulties common to those embarking in this calling. In 1885 he established the Bank of Olin, of which he is the sole owner. His genial and affable manner and courteous treatment of his customers have made him warm friends in this community, and his reliable, upright and business- like characteristics have won for him the confi- denee of the public.
May 3, 1883, Mr. Snyder married Miss Wy- kel, who was born and grew to womanhood in Montezuma, Iowa. Her father, George C. Wykel, is a native of Ohio and a well known business man of Montezuma. To Mr. and Mrs. Snyder has been
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born a little son, Ralph Edwin. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this place, and with their means and influence sup- port the various departments of its work.
Mr. Snyder has been for some years quite inter- ested in civic socicties, is a member of the Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 200, A. F. & A. M., of Olin, is identified with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and with the Iowa Legion of Honor.
M AJOR V. J. WILLIAMS, wholesale dealer in agricultural implements, is a success- ful business man and substantial citizen, who well deserves representation in the history of Dubuque. Hc claims Ohio as the state of his na- tivity, for his birth occurred in Meigs County, on February 13, 1832. The Williams family is of Welsh origin and was founded in America in early Colonial days by ancestors who emigrated from Wales and located in New England. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Williams, was a native of Connecticut, and became one of the pioneer settlers of the Buckcye State. The father, B. S. Williams, was a native of Ohio, born in 1807. Ilis death occurred in February, 1892, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. When he had attained his majority he was joined in wod- lock with Miss Elizabeth Brown, a native of Athens, Ohio, and a daughter of William Brown, who was born in England, of Scotch parentage, and emi- grated to the Buckeye State during the days of its early history.
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