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 40
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 40
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 40
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It was in 1848 that our subject decided he could improve his fortunes by going further west, and he therefore came to the new state of Iowa to grow up with the country. Settling in Clayton County when but few improvements had been made within its limits, lie suceessfully carried on a farm until 1856, since which time he has been partially re- tired from active life, though he still oversces his farm which is yet in his possession.
In 1839 Mr. Partch married Miss Lucy Barnum, who was also born in Vermont and is a daughter of Russel E. Barnum, a prominent man in Ver- mont. His father, Ebenezer Barnum, did valiant service in the War of the Revolution. The wife of Russel E. Barnum was, in her girlhood, Rosanna Palmer, her birth occurring in Vermont and her death in Pennsylvania. When eight years old Mrs. Partch went with her parents to the Key- stone State, where she received her education. At a very early day in the history of this county her father removed with his family here and be- came one of the pioneers. Both Mr. and Mrs. Partch have been witnesses of the development and gradual prosperity which have come to this section as the result of the efforts of the carly set- tlers. The step-mother of Mrs. Partch, whose name before her marriage was Deborah Blakesley, was educated with a view to going to India as a mis- sionary, but finally became a missionary among the Indians. She was a talented woman and started the first Sunday-school in Clayton County. Mr. and Mrs. Partch have never had any children of their own, but their hospitable home has been open
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to many, as they have reared several children, giv- ing to them their kind and tender love and care. They are devoted members of the Universalist Church, and have the warm love and friendship of all who have had the pleasure of making their aequaintanee. Mr. Partch is known to be a man who is just and honorable in all his relations witlı his fellow-men, and the confidence and respeet of his townsmen are his in an eminent degree.
M RS. MARY E. LOWRY, one of the best known residents of Jones County, is the lady whose name opens this sketeh. She is the widow of Joseph Lowry, and makes her home at the present time in Olin. Our subjeet was born in Genesee County, N. Y., August 26, 1814, and is the daughter of Jeduthun Seeley, whose birth also occurred in the Empire State, whence he removed to Illinois in an early day in the history of that state, and departed this life in Whiteside County. He was married to Miss Sarah Gibbs, who was also born in New York. Mrs. Seeley survived her hus- band many years, dying after her removal to Olin.
The original of this sketch spent the early years of her life in her native state, and received her education in the schools near her home. She ae- companied her parents on their removal to Ill- inois in 1835, and three years later was married to Richard J. Cleveland, a native of Boston, Mass., and a graduate of Harvard University. Mr. Cleveland was the son of Richard J. Cleveland, Sr., a man of much learning, and his mother bore the maiden name of Dorcas Hiller. She was like- wise born in the Bay State and was finely edu- eated for that period.
Mr. Cleveland was prominent in the early settle- inent of Whiteside County, Ill .; he was very public- spirited and took great interest in school matters. He was a stanch supporter of the Republican party after its organization, and he was very popular as a man of wide reading and general research. He departed this life in Jones County, December 7,
1877, greatly mourned by many relatives and a host of warm friends. To Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland there were born four children, all deceased.
In 1878 our subject was married to the Rev. Joseph Lowry, a minister in the Presbyterian Church, and a native of Ireland. He was educated in the University of Dublin and the College at Belfast, and took an active interest in all the affairs of his native land. Mr. Lowry emigrated to the United States in 1854, and taking up his abode in Jones County, this state, in 1878, did mueh toward furthering religious work in this lo- eality. He organized the first Sunday-school in the county, and as a minister of the Gospel mani- fested a deep interest in the noble work in which he was engaged. He was a man of education and refinement, highly respected and esteemed, not only by his own congregation, but by all who knew him. He departed this life in January, 1891, and many were the expressions of condolence which Mrs. Lowry received. After the first shock she rallied and set an example of self-sacrifiee which we can only regard as heroie. She owns valuable property in Olin, and at present occupies a beautiful residenee in the place. She is a lady of great refinement and intelligence, and enjoys the friendship of the best people of the county.
ROF. WILSON S. LEWIS, A. M., has been Principal of Epworth Seminary, at Ep- worth, Dubuque County, since the fall of 1888, at which time he was appointed to fill the position. He is condueting the school with ability and with the evident knowledge of what an in- stitution of this character should be in a eommu- nity. The Epworth Seminary is the only one of the kind in the state and has made for itself an enviable reputation as an institution where the young may receive the best instruction in various classical, praetieal and seientifie departments.
Professor Lewis is a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., his birth having occurred in the year
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1857. He is next to the youngest in the family of nine children born to William H. and Hannah (Turner) Lewis, natives of Vermont and New York respectively. In the year 1880 Mr. Lewis came to the west, having previously received su- perior educational privileges at the St. Lawrence University. After eoming to Iowa he entered Cornell College, from which he was graduated in 1889. Three years before this he had studied for the ministry.
In 1881 Professor Lewis married Ida, daughter of the Rev. E. Briggs, a member of the Northern New York Conference. One child graeed this union, the mother dying within twenty months af- ter her marriage. Three years after the death of his first wife, our subjeet was again married, the lady of his choiee being Fanny, daughter of James McClurg, of Tama, Iowa. Three children have been born of their union.
During the past six years the attendance of stu- dents at Epworth Seminary has been more than doubled. Many valuable improvents have been made. Three new buildings have been added, the last of which is a commodious brick structure utilized for reeitation purposes. The institution exerts a wide influenee in eastern Iowa and its power is felt far beyond the borders of the state in which it is located.
J OHN STIMPSON is one of the practical and progressive young farmers of Jones County. He owns a fertile and well improved farm on section 5, Cass Township, on which is his pleasant residence. His birth oceurred in Hardin County, Ohio, in 1860, and he is the only son of Thomas and Eliza (Fletcher) Stimpson, who were both natives of England. The former came to Iowa about 1870, and for the past year has been a resident of Prairieburg, Linn County, Iowa. He
has reached the age of sixty years, and is still act- ive in the business world. His wife is also living and is in the enjoyment of good health.
During his boyhood years, our subjeet was a resident of the county in which his birth occurred, and there he received his elementary education. When ten years of age, he came with his parents to Iowa, and by actual and practical experience was made familiar with agricultural affairs. He re- mained at home, giving his assistanee to his father in the management of his farm, until after he had reached his majority. When in his twenty-fifth year, he embarked in business on his own aceount, and from that time up to the present has met with good suecess in his agricultural ventures. The farm which he owns and operates comprises two hundred acres of land, which is considered as good as any in the neighborhood. The owner is industrious and very active, and brings to bear upon his work good judgment and common sense. Though he does not hesitate to use old and established methods in farm work, he is, nevertheless, in accord with recent discoveries and improvements, and by means of agricultural journals keeps posted on modern systems, which he utilizes as far as prae- ticable.
In September, 1892, Mr. Stimpson chose for his companion and helpmate in the journey of life Miss Anna Speelt, whose birth oeeurred in Ger- many. Her father, John Speeht, is numbered among the worthy eitizens of this eounty, his home being in Castle Grove Township. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stimpson, and he is known as Thomas, Jr., having been named in honor of his paternal grandfather. On the pleas- ant farm residenee of our subject his uncle, Samuel Stimpson, also resides. This gentleman was born in Rutlandshire, England, October 29, 1821. On eoming to the United States, he was early attraeted to Jones County by the glowing narratives which eame to him, telling of the great fertility and fu- ture in store for this region. From his infaney he was identified with its development and has been a leading faetor in its prosperity. In 1847 he married Miss Sarah A. Barrett, and a year later the young couple landed in New York City, whence they proceeded to Hardin County, Ohio,
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but soon eame to Iowa. In his political faith John Stimpson is a Demoerat, and with his ballot sup- ports the principles and candidates set forth by his party.
OHN B. SCHMIDT is one of the sturdy Ger- man Americans who have been such important factors in the upbuilding and general pros- perity of Clayton County, and he has al- ways been found in the front ranks of all move- ments which have had for their object the growth and prosperity of this region. His home is now in Elkader, where he is one of the most influential eitizens. A native of Germany, his birth oeeurred in 1834, his father being Frederick Schmidt, who was also a native of the Fatherland. In 1847 he erossed the Atlantic to America, and the follow- ing year made a settlement in this eounty, where he became well known, and one of the sterling pioneers.
J. B. Schmidt was a lad of only thirteen years when he left the land of his birth and eame with his parents to the United States. He received a limited school education, and obtained practical knowledge of the best methods of carrying on a farm while living under the parental roof. He started out in life for himself when still quite young, condueting a farm on his own aeeount for some time. Having a desire to engage in eom- mercial pursuits, he in company with his brother, Wolfgang, ereeted a brewery in Elkader, and sue- ceeded in building up a large business. The firm was known as J. B. Schmidt & Bro., and their trade was continually inereasing, when in 1884 they were compelled to elose the business on ae- count of the legislation prohibiting the manufae- ture and sale of liquors in the state. The old and respected father of our subjeet, passed away on his farm in 1875, when nearly seventy-five years of age. Mr. Schmidt from time to time has invested his money in land, and now devotes his time to looking after his various property interests. He has served in the City Council, and has been prom-
inent in the promotion of good sehools and teaeh- ers, and in short in everything which relates to the good of the publie. In polities he is a stanch Demoerat, giving his support and infinenee to further the sueeess of that party.
In the year 1859 Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage in this eounty to Miss Carrie Hart- man, whose father was one of the early and hon- ored settlers of Clayton County. Mrs. Sehmidt passed her girlhood and grew to womanhood in this eounty, where she has passed her later years as well. To our subjeet and wife three sons and three daughters have been born, and the family circle is still unbroken by the hand of death. John, the eldest of the family, has a well equipped hardware store and a good trade in Elkader; Rob- ert is engaged in the milling business; Henry is attending school; Paulina beeame the wife of Her- man Koskoskie, a well-to-do farmer of Boardman Township; Minna is Mrs. William Kleinbell, her husband being a hardware merehant of this place; and Elizabeth completes the family.
OSEPH O. LAWRENCE is one of the most extensive sorghum growers in northern Iowa, owning one hundred and sixty-five acres devoted to the raising of sugar eane. He manufactures the noted Amber Syrup, which he sells to jobbers throughout the States, and the ma- chinery which he has adopted for this work is of the latest and most improved pattern, and his en- tire plant is being operated in a very profitable manner. It is located near Monticello, and gives employment to twenty men
Our subjeet was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, November 14, 1850, and is the son of Josepli C. and Hannah (Coggins) Lawrence. The father was a prominent farmer in the Buckeye State, and also carried on a good trade as general merehant. Ile made his advent into this state in 1855, loca- ting in Montieello, where he opened up a general store, and had the honor of being one of the first
HON. F. D. BAYLESS.
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merchants in the place. He is still living, making his home at the present time at Eugene City, Ore., where he removed in 1884.
Joseph O. was the fifth in order of birth of the parental family of nine children. As his parents lived in Monticello when he was old enough to at- tend school he carried on his studies in this city, and thus acquired a good knowledge of books. He was trained to farm pursuits, and early in life be- gan growing hops, to which he afterward added that of sugar cane, and has followed the latter in- dustry for the past twenty years. He manufac- tures a very fine quality of sorghum, and puts upon the market each year from twenty to thirty thousand gallons. Mr. Lawrenec gives his entire time and attention to this business, and is one of the largest growers and manufacturers of this com- modity in the state.
Joseph O. Lawrence and Miss Fannie, daughter of Henry Babbe, were nnited in marriage in 1878. To them has been born a family of four children, all daughters. In politics Mr. Lawrence is a stal- wart Democrat, and an inflexible adherent of the principles of that party. He is numbered among the most substantial and valued citizens of the community in which he makes his home, and has served efficiently as a member of the City Council for some time.
In additon to the enterprise already mentioned, our subject feeds cattle and hogs, keeping on his place about two hundred of the former. He has added a large silo and prepares the cane for stock after extracting the juice.
H ON. FRANK DAVIS BAYLESS. Among those who have been residents of Clayton County since the close of the Civil War, there is perhaps no one who has wielded a greater influence in its business and political affairs, or has achieved greater success in business pursuits, than has the subject of this sketch. He was born in Pendleton, Madison County, Ind., October 9, 1840, and with his widowed mother, a younger brother
and two younger sisters came to Iowa in 1853, settling near Postville. There he was a student in the common school, and commencing at the early age of fourteen years, he displayed his aptitude for business as a clerk in general stores in Postville and Monona.
In 1855 Mr. Bayless emigrated with the family to Dodge County, Minn., where he assisted in open- ing and operating a farm. In the fall of 1856 he returned to Indiana and for nearly two years de- voted his attention closely to study in the high school. In 1858 he again went to Minnesota, and his time until the breaking out of the war was oc- cupicd in farming, teaching school and studying medicine. Patriotic in spirit and in response to duty, he promptly cnlisted in 1861 in the Second Minnesota Infantry, and marched to Kentucky to assist in putting down rebellion and preserving the integrity of the Union. He served with credit in the Kentucky and Tennessee campaigns, but his health being impaired, he was honorably dis- charged and returned to Minnesota, where he was happily married in Febrnary, 1863, to Miss Har- rict Dresser.
His health being re-established, Mr. Bayless could not remain at home in peaceful pursuits while his comrades were braving the dangers of the battlefield, and the following winter he re-en- listed in the Third Minnesota Infantry. Until March, 1864, he was engaged in the recruiting service, and with over two hundred recruits, joined his regiment in Arkansas early in April of the same year. Soon afterward his knowledge of medicine and drugs caused his assignment to the medical department, where he served faithfully until the close of the war, receiving his final dis- charge September 21, 1865.
During the winter of 1865-66, Mr. Bayless was employed as clerk in a drug store at Manterville, Minn., and in May, 1866, removed with his family to Iowa, settling in Elkader, Clayton County, where he bought an established drug business, and where he has since made his home. With the necessary push and activity of a thorough busi- ness man, he soon enjoyed a large and lucrative business, and in time established branch stores at several points. A feature of these ventures is the
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fact that all his business partners were young men who had served a long apprenticeship in the home store, and we may add, that all have been faith- ful and successful, and are rated of high credit in the commercial reports.
Although he has sold some of his business prop- erty, Mr. Bayless continues the senior member of three drug firms, and is also the owner of bank stocks, business and residence buildings for rental in Elkader, and much property outside, and alto- gether is recognized as a thoroughly successful business man. While his prosperity is largely due to his own unaided exertions, yet he attributes much of his success to the advice and counsel of his loyal and good mother, who died at the old home in Minnesota in 1878. Four sons have been born of his marriage, of whom the two eldest are enterprising business men of Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa, and the two youngest are at the Elkader home.
In his youth an Abolitionist opposed to slavery, Mr. Bayless joined the Republican party upon its organization, and continued to support its can- didates and measures until 1872. He then allied himself with the Democratic party, in which he has since been a leader and a tireless worker. For twelve or more years he was Chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee, and was noted as a thorough organizer and successful leader. Being a business man, he refused for years to accept a nomination for a political office, but in 1883 he was prevailed upon to accept a nomina- tion for State Senator, and being elected and re- elected four years later, he held the position for a period of eight years.
In the Iowa Senate the record made by Mr. Bay- less was that of a statesman of more than ordinary ability. His career was characterized by such close attention to business that he soon gained a large influence, and during his incumbency he was the author and champion of, or assisted in passing, some of the most salutary laws on the Iowa stat- utes. He was a close attendant to committee work, and for several sessions (though a Demo- crat and his party in the minority ) his worth was recognized by his being made Chairman of im- portant committees. He was a member of the El-
kader School Board continuously from 1870 until 1894, a period of twenty-four years, during all of which time he was zealous in educational work and the improvement of our schools. As a mem- ber of the Town Council and of the Committee on Streets and Alleys, he has contributed to the per- manent improvementof Elkader. His culture and genial manners have won for him many friends among the people of the state of Iowa.
ENJAMIN N. ARQUITT, well known in Taylor Township, Dubuque County, is re- siding on section 6, and is operating what is known as the Farley Stone Quarry. He is pur- suing a successful career, and his good business ability and energy have brought about flattering results. A native of New York, our subject was born in Syracuse, June 6, 1848, and is the fifth in order of birth of the family born to Joseph and Mary (Dinney) Arquitt.
The father of our subject was born in Canada, and when thirty years of age crossed into the States and located in New York. Remaining there for some time, lie in 1858 came west to this state and took up his abode in Dubuque County. Be- ing a stone-cutter and mason by occupation, he soon found work at his trade and followed it until obliged to retire on account of old age. He died in 1889. His good wife still survives at the ven- erable age of four score years. She was born in Cornwall, N. Y., and there met and married Joseph Arquitt.
Benjamin, of this sketch, accompanied his par- ents to this state and was reared and educated in Dubuque. When old enough he learned the stone- cutter's trade from his father, which he has fol- lowed his entire life. He worked for other par- ties until 1870, when he engaged in business for himself, and at that time opened up the quarry which he is still operating, and which is known as the Farley Quarry. From it our subject has oh- tained the stone used in the construction of many of the leading buildings in this county. He is
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carrying on a large and constantly increasing bus- iness and gives employment to from twenty-five to thirty men.
Benjamin N. Arquitt and Miss Bridget Murphy were united in marriage in 1870. The lady was the daughter of Felix and Ann (Ryan) Murphy, natives of the Empire State. To Mr. and Mrs. Arquitt have been born six children, all of whom are living and named respectively, Clara, Agnes, Gertie, Charles, Noel and Winnie. Our subject and family are all members of the Roman Catholic Church. In social affairs Mr. Arquitt belongs to Albert Lodge No. 204, K. P., of Farley, and in politics he always votes for Democratic candidates.
J OSEPH O'NEILL, deceased, had one of the best appointed estates in Dubuque County, as well as one of the largest. He was closely iden- tified with the interests of the farming com- munity of Taylor Township, until his death re- moved a valued citizen and one who had done much to promote its upbuilding. He was the possessor of six hundred broad acres located on section 8, which formed one of the finest farms in this portion of the state.
The subject of this sketch was born in Nova Scotia in 1826. His father, who died when Joseph was quite young, was a wealthy wine merchant in Nova Scotia and sent our subject when a lad of six years to live with his grandparents in Ireland. He remained in that country until reaching his majority, when he returned to his native home, in Halifax, and after two years spent there came to the United States, where he was in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad. After a time he went to Pennsylvania, where he was engaged as a railroad contractor, and in 1858 bought lands in Dubuque County, this state. He continued railroading for seven years longer, however, when he abandoned that line of business with the inten- tion of spending the rest of his life on his farm. He was very ambitious to build up a fortune, and
with the assistance of his good wife succeeded in accumulating six hundred acres.
The lady to whom our subject was married in 1852 was Miss Eliza O'Rourke, daughter of Eu- gene and Elizabeth O'Rourke, natives of Ireland, where they lived and died. Mrs. O'Neill came to the United States when seventeen years of age, and here met and married our subject. Their union resulted in the birth of fifteen children, seven of whom are deceased. Those living are Mary E., wife of John Hinch, of this county; Martin, who also makes his home here, and who married Annie McCarty ; Daniel, Thomas, Edward, Michael, Margaret and Johanna. Our subject and his en- tire family were members of the Roman Catholic Church.
Although greatly interested in political affairs, our subject was never an aspirant for office, but never failed to vote for Democratic candidates. He was long known as an intelligent and promi- nent agriculturist and possessed good qualities as a man, and was loyal and true as a citizen. His death occurred in 1876.
S. DENNIS, the junior member of the firm of Watters & Dennis, claims Illi- nois as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Warren, Jo Daviess Coun- ty, on the 1st of January, 1862. His parents were W. V. and Julia (Case) Dennis, both of whom were natives of New York. The father came to the west in the 50s, locating in Illinois, where he engaged in the milling business for three years. He then came to Dubuque, where he carried on the same line of business until his death, which oc- curred in 1871, at the age of forty-two years. His wife still survives him and is now living in Du- buque, at the age of fifty-two.
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