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 41
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 41
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 41
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Mr. Dennis, of this sketch, was reared and edu- cated in the city which is now his home, his liter- ary education being acquired in the public schools, which he attended until seventeen years of age,
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when he became a student in the Bayless Business College, where he spent onc year. He then en- gaged in milling and to that work devoted his time and attention until 1882, when he formed a partnership with Thomas Watters in the wholesale flour and fecd business. This connection has since continucd, and the firm of Watters & Dennis is one of the best known in the city. Its members are both men of good business ability, wide awake and cn- terprising, and their well directed efforts have won them a high degree of success.
In October, 1886, Mr. Dennis was married to Miss Christina Bradley, a native of Dubuque, and a daughter of Christopher Bradley, who was born in England and in 1854 crossed the Atlantic, be- coming a resident of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis are the parents of two children, a son and daughter, Clifford and Marjoric. They reside at No. 235 West Fifth Street.
T' HOMAS WATTERS, a well known busi- ness man of Dubuque, and a member of the firm of Watters & Dennis, wholesale dealers in flour and feed, was born in this city on the 20th of October, 1842. His family located here in an early day and its representatives have long been prominently identificd with the growth and development of the community. His father, Thomas Watters, was a native of Yorkshire, Eng- land, and in 1836 emigrated to America, locating first in Medina County, Ohio, where he spent one year. He then resumed his westward journey and in 1837 became a resident of Dubuque, then a small town in the territory of Iowa. For some years he was engaged in farming and milling. He bought a small corn-cracker at Rockdale and thus began his career as a miller and also engaged in mining at Galena. But as the years passed he in- creased his business facilities and became one of the substantial citizens of the community. In public affairs he took quite a prominent part and was a progressive citizen. He married Ann Sun-
ter, a native of Yorkshire, England, who is now living at Center Grove, at the age of eighty- eight. Mr. Watters died at the age of sixty-two, since which time his widow has looked after the farm, comprising one hundred and twenty acres, and although now well advanced in years still manages her business interests.
Thomas Watters is the fourth in order of birth in the family of five children. He was rearcd under the parental roof and was carly inured to the arduous labors of the farm. When he entered upon his business carcer it was as a farmer and miller of Rockdalc. In 1878 he built a new mill at that place and conducted the same successfully until 1885, when he sold out and embarked in the wholesale flour and feed business. The firm now enjoys a large trade, making extensive shipments.
In 1870 Mr. Watters was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Case, daughter of Hiram Case, one of the early settlers of Dubuque. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in the autumn of 1888, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Our sub- ject and his wife have a pleasant home at the cor- ner of Fifth and Broad Streets, and are numbered among the highly respected people of this com- munity. In his political views Mr. Watters is a Republican and warmly advocates the principles of that party.
- ERRY O. BABCOCK occupies the impor- tant position of Sheriff of Jones County, to which office he was elected on the Re- publican ticket in the fall of 1875. Mr. Babcock is a native of New York, having been born in Chenango Connty, May 1, 1835. He is the son of Harry Babcock, also born in the Empire State, claiming Otsego County as his native placc. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jonathan Bab- cock by name, was born in one of the New Eng- land States, and served as a patriot in the War of the Revolution.
Mrs. Joanna (Hill) Babcock, the mother of our
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subject, was also born in Otsego County, N. Y., and was the daughter of William Hill, a carpenter by trade. Perry O., of this sketch, was the fourth in order of birth of the parental family of eight eliildren, including five sons and threc daughters, only three of whom are now living. Three sons served in the late war, two enlisting in a New York regiment, one of whom was killed in 1863.
The original of this sketch passed the first six- teen years of his life in his native county, being trained to farm pursuits, and attending the district school. Hc then apprenticed himself to learn the blacksmith's trade in Cortland County, and after mastering the business, in the fall of 1856, came to this state, residing for three years in Chickasaw County.
In 1859 Perry O. Babcock made his advent into Joncs County, where he carried on his trade for some five years. IIc then established himself in the livery business, being the proprietor of a first-class stable, and having a good trade until the fall of 1875. He was then elected Sheriff of the county, holding the office continuously for six years. At the expiration of that time he again opened up a livery stable, and while thus engaged was ap- pointed Postmaster of Monticello, during Arthur's administration.
Upon resigning his position as Postmaster, Mr. Babcock resumed blacksmithing, and was well known as an expert in that line throughout this section. Again, in 1893, however, he received the election as Sheriff on the Republican ticket, and is still the incumbent of the responsible position, ful- filling every detail in a most satisfactory and highly commendable manner.
July 11, 1859, our subject was married to Miss Lydia A. Farnum, of Chickasaw County, this state, and the daughter of Samuel A. Farnum. Mrs. Babcock was born in New York State, and by her union has become the mother of three chil- dren. Minnic, who married F. W. Buxton, is liv- ing in Wheatland, this state; Jennie A. is the wife of W. F. Rohin, and makes her home in Monticello, and Floy H. is at home with her parents. Mr. Bab- cock is a member of Monticello Lodge No. 173, F. & A. M., and belongs to the chapter in that placc, No. 42, R. A. M., also Trinity Commandery
No. 16, K. T. He has been the incumbent of the office of Town Collector, and furnished a bond for $60,000. Mr. Babcock is a shrewd official and is valucd in his community for his good citizen- slip and those traits of character that mark him as an upright man.
ACOB WILBUR DOXSEE, attorney-at-law, is also editor and proprictor of the Monticello Express, which is one of the leading papers of Jones County and exercises a marked in- fluence on the affairs of this section of the statc. Our subject was born in Summit County, Ohio, January 17, 1857, and is the eldest son of Alfred R. and Mary (Bennett) Doxsee, both of whom were also natives of the Buckeye State. The parents came to Iowa in October, 1863, locating at Bowen's Prairie, on a farm which the former operated for many years, although previous to settling here he had been a blacksmith. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Doxsee arc now living at Rolfe, this state.
Jacob W., of this sketch, was given the advan- tages for obtaining a fine education, attending Lenox College and the Iowa State Agricultural College, from which he was graduated with the Class of '77. Hc then read law in the office of M. W. Herrick, of Monticello, and was admitted to the Bar to practice two years later. IIc immcdi- ately formed a co-partnership with his former in- structor, and until 1888 they carried on business under the style of Herrick & Doxsec.
While engaged in his law practice with Mr. Herrick, our subject and M. W. Herrick published a work of which they were the authors, entitled "Probate Law and Practicc." It sold rapidly to members of the profession, and received special favor in the Law Department of the Iowa State University, where it is used as a reference book. The second edition was given the public in 1887 and was published by Callahan & Co., of Chicago, who were also the printers of the first work.
In December, 1883, the firm of Herrick & Doxscc purchased the plant of the Monticello Express,
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which paper was established in 1865. Their eon- nection existed until March, 1888, when our sub- ject bought his partner's interest in the paper and has sinee edited it alone. The Express is a sound family paper, well supplied with solid and useful information and keeps its readers well informed regarding current topies. Through his columns Mr. Doxsec supports the Republican party, and his readers know that whomsoever he supports or dis- approves, his course is actuated by conseientious motives and after careful consideration. The usual amount of praise and fault-finding have been measured out to him as an editor, but his eharaeter as a man of honor, integrity and publie spirit las never been questioned.
February 3, 1887, Mr. Doxsee was married to Miss Jessie, daughter of Dr. Charles and Eliza Faw- eett, of Salem, Ohio. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Charles A. and Mary E. Our subjeet has been President of the Monti- eello Eleetrie Company, which he assisted in organ- izing, and in many other enterprises has aided in the upbuilding of the city.
ONRAD PAPE, a prominent and influen- tial farmer of New Wine Township, Du- buque County, is the possessor of an estate comprising two hundred and forty aeres, and also owns a fine herd of Holstein eattle. He was born in Siddinghausen, Westphalia, Germany, January 13, 1838, being the eldest of four sons comprising the family of William Pape. His mother by a previous marriage had four children, one of whom, Rev. Aloisius Meis, became a prominent Catholic priest and died some years ago. Henry Pape, our subjeet's younger brother, is engaged in agrieult- ural pursuits in Nebraska; Herman, next in order of birth, is a well-to-do farmer in Carroll County, this state; Rev. Frederiek W., whose sketch ap- pears on another page, is rector of St. Bonifaee Catholic Church of New Vienna.
The father of our subject came to this country
with limited means, but being shrewd, far-seeing and honest, he prospered in whatever he under- took, and at his death was one of the wealthiest farmers of the county. His wife died in 1852 and he survived many years afterward, passing away in 1878. Conrad received a common-school edu- cation, but being a thoughtful reader, he has added to the fund of information gained in the distriet sehool and is now regarded as one of the best in- formed men in his locality. Like his honored fa- ther, he is a careful, competent business inan, and is looked upon as a leader in all movements in his community. For thirty years he was a member of the Board of Education, and lias filled most of the offiees within the gift of his fellow-townsmen.
The landed possessions of Mr. Pape are valua- ble. He is the owner of the old homestead, eom- prising two hundred and forty acres of well tilled land, upon which his father located in 1850. He is also the possessor of farming land in Boonc County, Neb., all under the best eultivation, and from its rental he receives a good income. In polities he is a staneh Democrat, always loyal to the interests of that party. As the reader will doubtless eonelude, having two brothers and a son who are priests, he is a Catholic in religious belief.
In 1863 Mr. Pape and Miss Josephine Wente were united in marriage. This lady is a daughter of the late William Wente, an old settler of New Wine Township, who located there in 1856 and became one its of wealthy agriculturists. His son, Barnard Wente, who now resides upon the old home farm, is regarded as one of the most enter- prising and intelligent farmers as well as one of the wealthy citizens of Dubuque County. Mr. and Mrs. Pape are the parents of ten children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Herman Schaffer, a farmer living in Nebraska; William, a Catholic priest; Louisa, who married Clements Schiwers, a farmer of New Wine Township; Mary, now Sister Hedwic, of St. Francis' Convent in Dubuque; Bar- nard, Conrad, Frank, Ludwig, Cecilia and Aloisius, all of whom are with their parents.
Rev. William A. Pape, the eldest son of our subject, was born October 17, 1865, at New Vienna, Iowa. When twenty-one years of age he entered
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the law office of Longueville & Lenalian, it being his intention to follow the legal profession, but the studies not being congenial, he abandoned the work and began to prepare himself for the priest- hood. In September, 1887, he entered the Sale- sianum near Milwaukee, Wis., and after studying for two years and six months in that institution, finished his course in St. Joseph's College. In 1891 he was sent to the Sulpician Seminary in Montreal, Canada, but on account of ill health was obliged to seek a milder climate, and completed his studies at St. Meinrad, Ind., March 25, 1894. Bishop Chatard ordained him to the priesthood at Indianapolis, and from there he went to New Vienna, where he served as assistant pastor. He is now located at Gilbertville, Blackhawk County, Iowa.
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ATRICK HAYES is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on his large and well equipped farm on section 7, Cass Township. Since 1856 he has been numbered among the agriculturists of Jones County, though for many years prior to that he was extensively engaged in railroad contracting in this state, as well as in other states in the west.
The birth of Patrick Hayes occurred in County Tipperary. Ireland, in 1845, his parents being Pat- rick and Johannah (Kain) Hayes, who were also natives of the Emerald Isle. The father died when his son and namesake was quite young, and in 1851 the mother eame with her family to America.
They arrived in New York City, where they lived for some years, and finally in 1855 came to Iowa, making a settlement in Linn County. In the schools of the neighborhood young Hayes received his education and engaged in farm work until twenty-four years of age. At that time he became an employe of the Chieago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad and took contracts for its con- struetion. He was also in the same business in Iowa and Nebraska for the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad. Later he received and executed con-
tracts for construction on the Midland Railroad, and in these enterprises met with a good degree of success. Prior to this he spent three years on the Pacific Coast. His natural tastes, however, were in the direction of agriculture, and in 1871 he returned to the business, embarking in farming on his own account in Cass Township, where he has successfully conducted a farm ever sinee. His place of one hundred and eighty acres is nearly all under cultivation, and abundant harvests are gathered therefrom each year. The owner raises a good grade of cattle and hogs and is practical and progressive in his methods and in the man- agement of his affairs.
In political matters Mr. Hayes is a Democrat and has always taken a leading part in publie im- provements and educational work. In religion he is a Catholic, and with his wife and family is a regular attendant at the services of his church. Among his friends and neighbors he is highly esteemed on account of his industrious life and habits.
In 1871 occurred the marriage of Mr. Hayes and Miss Naney Kairn, the daughter of Michael Kairn. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have had a family of four sons and three daughters, who in order of birth are as follows: Ellen, Susan, William, John, Frank, Cecelia and Leo. Their parents are giving them the ben- efit of a good education whereby to meet the duties and battles of life and are training them to become useful citizens.
ILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN is recog- nized as one of the leading members of the Jones County Bar. He resides in Wyoming. where he has engaged in the practice of law since 1870. As a Democrat he has taken an active part in public affairs and is one of the lead- ers of the party in this section of the state. Being a thinker and writer of more than ordinary force, he is successful not only as an attorney, but also as editor of the Wyoming Journal, which he has conducted sinee 1880.
Our subject was born in Binghamton, Broome
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County, N. Y., March 24, 1846, and is the descend- ant of English aneestry, but the family has long been resident of America. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Judge William Chamberlain, was a native of the Empire State and a life-long resident of Broome County. The parents of our subject, Park and Mary R. (White) Chamberlain, were born in New York, and removing west in 1864, settled in Wyoming, Iowa, where the father died in 1885 at the age of sixty-five years. The mother still resides in Chicago. She is a daughter of Isaac B. White, a lumberman by occupation and a resident of New York. The White family was represented among those who came to America in the historic "Mayflower," and the ancestors of her mother, Mary (Vail) White, also erossed the ocean in that ship. Great-grandfather Thomas White was one of the soldiers who endured the hardships and pri- vations accompanying the Revolutionary War, thus securing freedom from British oppression.
Prior to the age of sixteen years our subjeet lived in New York, and in the common schools and a seminary of that state, his literary education was gained. At the age of twenty-one years he began the study of law under the preceptorship of his uncle, Benjamin White, then a prominent attorney of Jones County, but now a resident of Texas. With him he continued his readings of Coke and Blackstone until 1870, when he was admitted to the Bar. Ile at once opened an office at Wyoming, where he has since condueted a general practice in all the courts. As a lawyer, he is diligent and careful in the preparation of cases, and skillful in their management. In addition to the practice of the law, lie also edits the Wyoming Journal, which he purchased in 1880 and of which he has since been the proprietor.
In 1875 Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Witter, a native of Ohio and an estimable lady, who is prominent in social eireles and active in the work of the Presbyterian Church. Their family consists of three sons, Park, now a student in the Iowa State University; William and Benjamin, who are conducting their studies in the schools of Wyoming. Socially Mr. Chamberlain is connected with the Keystone Lodge No. 206, F. & A. M., in which he takes an active part. He fa-
vors, both personally and through the medium of the press, all measures calculated to promote the progress of Wyoming and assist in the develop- ment of its resources.
HARLES M. BROWN. The fine farm that impresses the traveler so favorably on sec- tion 12, Monticello Township, this county, belongs to the gentleman whose name opens this sketch. He is engaged in general farming and keeps on his place a large number of thorough- bred hogs, besides a good grade of horses and eattle.
Mr. Brown was born in Hendricks County, Ind., September 26, 1854, and is the son of George W. . and Maria (Conroe) Brown, the former of whom was also born in the Hoosier State. The year fol- lowing our subject's birth he moved to this county with his family, loeating on an estate in Wayne Township, which he cultivated and lived upon un- til in 1875, when he returned to Indiana and re- mained there until 1889. He was in turn the son of Isaac Brown.
The mother of our subject was the daughter of A. Conroe, and by her union with Mr. Brown be- eame the mother of two children, of whom Charles M. was the first in order of birth. He was given as good an education as could be obtained in the distriet school, and although deprived of the eare of his mother when quite young, remained on the home farm until reaching his seventeenth year. His work, on leaving the parental roof, for some time was various.
When ready to establish a home of his own, our subject was married in 1878 to Miss Henrietta Stone, daughter of his former employer, and in 1880 he purchased the home farm of Curtis Stone, luis father-in-law. This he resided upon for a num- ber of years, then became the proprietor of the Alfred Miller estate. His present possessions ag- gregate three hundred and forty-five broad aeres of as fine land as can be found in Jones County. Although not neglecting the raising of grain, Mr.
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Edward Aquiltur
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Brown gives the greater part of his time and at- tention to brecding a fine grade of cattle and hogs, shipping about two car loads of the former to the city markets each year, besides those sold for brecd- ing purposes. By the close attention which he has given to his business, he has made a success of it and although beginning without means, is now one of the wealthy agriculturists of the county.
In his political connections our subject is a Re- publican and he is numbered among the influential members of that party in Monticello Township. His fellow-citizens have elected him to various po- sitions of trust and honor, and he has always served with credit to himself and satisfaction to all con- cerned.
The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown bear the respective names of Elsie M., Viola S., George C. and Charlie Burton. Mrs. Brown enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire neighborhood and is the possessor of many fine traits of char- acter.
DWARD AUGUSTUS GUILBERT, A. M., M. D., LL. D., is not only one of the most prominent physicians of Dubuque, but is also a leader in social circles, being especially influ- ential in the Masonic fraternity. He was born in Watertown, Jefferson County, N. Y., June 12, 1826. His paternal grandfather was mortally wounded at the battle of Waterloo. His father, Samuel H. Guilbert, was a native of Bath, England, and at the age of twelve years cmigrated to the New World, landing in Quebec, Canada, whence he afterwards removed to Watertown, N. Y. In 1836 he became a resident of the then small town of Chicago, and embarked in the clothing business on Lake Street. He married Cornelia M. Dewey, a native of New York, whose ancestors came from Holland to the United States in 1657.
The Doctor acquired his early education in the Empire State, and at the age of eleven years became a member of the junior class in the Black River Academy of Watertown, N. Y. After the removal of his parents to the west, he entered a public
school situated near the corner of State and Jack- son Streets, Chicago, where he pursucd his studies for a time. He was an apt scholar and made rapid progress in his studies. The close application to his work which was then made manifest has been one of his chief characteristics in life and has proved an important factor in his success. At the age of thirteen he began clerking in his father's store, where he was employed during the summer season, while in the winter months he pursued his studies in the public schools until seventeen years of age. At that time his connection with the medical pro- fession began.
In 1843 Dr. Guilbert began study under the di- rection of Dr. Daniel Brainard, who was the founder of Rush Medical College of Chicago. In that in- stitution he pursued a four years' course of study and was graduated therefrom on the 18th of Feb- ruary, 1847. In the same year he married Miss Kathleen Somers, a cultured and refined lady, who was a student in the famous academy conducted by Mrs. Emma Willard at Troy, N. Y. Nine children were born to them, of whom three are yet living, namely: Robert M. and Guy F., residents of Du- buque, and Lillian K., wife of E. B. Dakin, who is connected with the Nashville (Tenn.) Banner.
Dr. Guilbert began the practice of medicine in Little Fort, now Waukegan, Ill., where he remained for a few months, and then spent one year in Mil- waukee, Wis. In the fall of 1848 he went to Ot- tawa, Ill., where he practiced for two years, and in 1850 returned to Waukegan, where he spent one year in investigating homeopathy. Its good points appealed to him and he subsequently. joined that school of medicine. We next find him in Elgin, Ill., where he continued the prosecution of his chosen profession until August, 1856, when he camc to Dubuque and here he has since made his home. He has, however, often been called to different med- ical colleges to lecture on various subjects. For four years, beginning in 1856, he delivered lectures on obstetrics in the Western Homeopathic College in Cleveland, Ohio. He aided in the organization of the St. Louis Homeopathic College, with which he was connected for two years, and in 1855 and 1856 delivered a course of lectures at the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, previous to which time
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hc had dictated the charter for the founding of that college. He was one of the organizers of the Illinois Homeopathie Medical Society, and of the Hahnemann Medieal Society of Iowa. He has been a strong advocate of the homeopathic system and his voice and pen have done much to win for it a wide recognition. He stands foremost among the prominent members of the profession in this coun- try, a skilled and able practitioner, whose merit has won for him the highest praise. He is now a member of the Hahnemann Medieal Association of Iowa, whichi celebrated its twenty-fourth anniver- sary in May, 1894. He is also a member of the State Board of Health, being appointed in 1890 by Governor Boies.
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