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 44
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 44
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 44
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pursuing his professional duties in Grundy Cen- ter for about a year and a-half and for about eight months praetieing in Waukon, Allamakee County.
It was in April, 1892, that the Doctor came to Elkader, where he lias sinee conducted a large gen- eral practiee. IIc is a physician of the Homeo- pathic school, which he believes to be the best and most in accord with advanced knowledge. With the State Homeopathic Society he holds membership, as well as with the American Institute of home- opathy. He uses liis influenee and ballot in favor of the principles of the Republican party and is a true patriot and citizen, who holds it a high privi- lege to do everything in his power to further the well-being of the people of this fair land.
In December, 1872, Dr. Patterson was married to Miss Sara E., daughter of J. B. Shelhamer, who was one of the early settlers of Clayton County. Two daughters came to bless this union, Aliee, and Susie, who has passed from this life. The Doctor and his estimable wife are faithful members of and workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church and Sunday-school of this place, and their pleas- ant home is always liospitably open to welcome their many friends. Dr. Patterson well merits the high esteem in which he is held by the people of this section, for lie is a man of sterling worth, truth and justice, whose life is devoted to healing, up- lifting and blessing those with whom lie comes in eontact.
OSEPH LAMM is one of the enterprising eommereial men of Elkader, being interested in a number of local industries and business coneerns. He is proprietor of the Elkader Elevator, the Elkader Creamery, and also runs one of the large general merchandise stores. In his various ventures and undertakings he has shown sagaeity and foresight, his efforts having met with unusual financial suceess.
Mr. Lamm comes of sturdy German stock and was born in Erie County, N. Y., in 1849. His father, Arbagust Lamm, was born in Germany and came to this country and settled in Erie
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County, N. Y .; there he resided for a number of years, and then proceeded direet to Iowa, making a settlement in Clayton County, where in course of time his death occurred.
Joseph Lamm, of this sketeh, from his early years lived on his father's farm in Wagner Town- ship, and at the age of thirteen years became a resident of Elkader, attending the publie sehool of this place for three years. His opportunities for obtaining an education were not of the best, but he improved such as he had, and by further reading and study supplemented by his experience and observation in after years, le has beeomne the well informed and well read man that he now is. When eighteen years old he began to make his own way, starting in as a clerk with the firm of L. Reuther, of Elkader, with whom he remained for some time. In 1869 he aceepted a position as Deputy Postmaster of Elkader, where he remained for three and a-half years. He then returned to his former work as a clerk, later for five years serving as railway mail clerk.
In 1878 he embarked in business on his own ac- count in this city, engaging in general merehan- dising, and this business he has earried on with great suecess to the present tinie. The same year after starting as a merehant, he also aeeepted a place as station agent in Elkader, a position he held until the year 1892 uninterruptedly, at the same time supervising his other business. In 1892 Mr. Lamm built the Elkader Elevator, the business of which steadily inereased until it has beeome one of the features of the town. In January, 1894, he also made a venture in another direction, opening the creamery of this place which now does a large and inereasing trade. In these various undertakings Mr. Lamm has been very successful, as he brings to bear upon everything in which he is interested his shrewd and aeeurate judgment.
Mr. Lamm holds membership with Elkader Lodge No. 72, A. F. & A. M., and is also identified with Chapter No. 41, R. A. M. In polities he sides with the Republican party, with which he has been eon- nected for many years. In 1880 occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Lamm and Miss Ella S. Paeker, who passed her girlhood and received her education in Fayette County, Iowa. The pleasant and hospita-
ble home of Mr. and Mrs. Lamm is situated on High Street, where it is their pleasure to often en- tertain the many friends they have made in this community. Mr. Lamm occupies an en viable place in the regard and esteem of his fellow-townsmen, as he is upright and honorable in his business transactions, and those who have dealings with him feel that they can place the most implicit eon- fidence in his earrying out to the letter every eon- tract and agreement he has made.
H ON. JOHN S. STACY, ex-County Judge of Jones County and a prominent lawyer in Anamosa, is a man endowed with keen intelligence and excellent judgment. He has an ex- tensive practice and as a private citizen he is highly esteemed for his public spirit, personal example and interest in all that is beneficial to the mem- bers of the community and eounty at large.
Judge Stacy was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., May 13, 1833, and is the son of Pelatiah and Jerusha (Tanner) Stacy, the former of whom was born in Massachusetts in 1792, and departed this life in 1872. He was the son of Isaae Staey, a New Englander of Puritanie stoek. The grand- father later removed to Cooperstown, N. Y., about 1799, being one of the first to locate in the new country.
The father of our subject served as a patriot in the War of 1812. He was a man of great resolu- tion and foree of eliaraeter and by dint of energy and prudent management became the possessor of a comfortable fortune. His wife was of English and Irish extraction and was the daughter of Thomas Tanner. Pelatiah Staey fought as a soldier in the War of 1812, and in pay for his ser- viees was given a grant to a tract of land lying in Poweshiek County, Iowa.
The original of this sketch passed his boyhood and youth in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he worked on his father's farm and also attended the district school. When a lad of sixteen years
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he left home, and going to Potsdam entered the academy and after following the course of study in that institution for a time, became a student at Gouverneur Academy. He entered Union College and was graduated from that institution in 1857. Young Staey then taught school for a time in St. Lawrence and Orange Counties, N. Y., and in 1857 he concluded to take the advice of Horace Greeley given to young men, and eame west.
When leaving his native state our subject first made his home in Bureau County, Ill., where he taught sehool for one winter and for a short time clerked in a country store. In May of the follow- ing year, he came to Anamosa and in order to carry out his long cherished plan of following the profession of a lawyer, entered the office of Hon. Ezekiel Cutler, a prominent attorney of this city, and was admitted to the Bar in the fall of 1858. Mr. Staey was then taken into partnership with his former instructor, operating under the firm name of Cutler & Staey. This connection existed until 1862, and was dissolved when the senior partner went into the army. Our subject eon- tinued the business alone until 1868, when he formed a partnership with Milton Remley, under the title of Staey & Remley, and they continued to- gether for a period of four years. During that time Mr. Staey beeame interested in a bank in con- neetion with John D. Walworth, and for a decade was one of the largest stockholders in the institu- tion.
In 1870 our subject was chosen the attorney and one of the directors of the Iowa Midland Railroad, and took an active part in locating and eonstrueting the same. In the latter part of the above year he was made President of the Iowa & Minnesota Railroad Company, but they were never able to complete their road on account of the panic of 1873, when our subject lost heavily. During the years 1875-76 Mr. Stacy was in Califor- nia and upon returning to Anamosa resumed his law practice, to which he has given his undivided time and attention.
In politics our subjeet is a true blue Republican, on which ticket he was elected Judge of Jones County, this state, in 1861, for a term of two
years. In 1864 he was tendered the Senatorship but declined the honor. On one occasion he was a popular candidate for Judge of the Circuit Court, but was defeated by a very small majority. He was afterward nominated successively for the office of Senator for the Twenty-fourth Distriet of Iowa and for Judge of the District Court of the Eigh- teenth District of Iowa, but owing to the great disaffection in Republican ranks on aeeount of the temperanee question he was defeated, though in the first instance leading his party ticket.
In 1862 Judge Stacy was married to Miss Char- lotte A. Kellogg, a native of St. Albans, Vt. She is the daughter of Rev. Elias W. Kellogg, and by her union with our subjeet has beeome the mother of four children. Marian L. is the wife of Dr. W. B. Skinner, of this city; Edson E. is Seeretary of the Young Men's Christian Association for the state of Indiana, with headquarters at Indianapo- lis, Ind .; he is now in Europe attending a conven- tion of that body. Bertha S., the second daughter, is at the head of the art department of Simpson College at Indianola, this state; and William K. Kellogg is at home with his parents. Both Judge and Mrs. Staey are devoted members of the Con- gregational Church, with which they have been connected sinee 1858.
LLZY W. ADAMS, who is now occupying the position of County Auditor of Clay- ton County, has been in the service of the publie since a year after attaining his majority, his various important positions having been all held in Clayton County, of which he is a native.
Benjamin Adams, our subject's father, was born in West Virginia and came to this region at an early day, settling in Clayton County in 1850. Though now in his seventy-second year his home is still within its boundary, as he resides at Farm- ersburg. In former years he was very active in the early settlement and improvement of the county, and politically has always affiliated with
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LUTHER NICHOLS.
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the Democratic party. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy White, and she too was born in West Virginia.
The birth of E. W. Adams occurred in 1859 and he grew to manhood in this county, obtaining his education in the public schools of the same. Reared on a farm, he early learned the duties per- taining thereto and made such good use of his educational facilities that at the age of eighteen years he received a certificate and began his busi- ness career as a teacher, being successfully engaged in that occupation for four years.
When only twenty-two years old, Mr. Adams commenced his public service as Deputy Treasurer of Clayton County, serving under C. E. Floete for four years. Next he was made Deputy County Auditor under John Everall, serving as such for the six years succeeding. In the fall of 1889 he was elected County Auditor, for which position he was well qualified by his former service as deputy, and this post he is still filling to the entire satisfaction of his constituents and friends.
September 3, 1883, Mr. Adams was admitted to the Bar in Elkader, having previously studied and prepared himself for the profession of law but he never found an opportunity to engage in practice since that timc, as he has devoted his entire atten- tion to the duties of his county positions. He takes an active part in the local work of the Democratic party, to which he gives his earnest support. So- cially he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and was one of the charter mem- bers of Lodge No. 319, M. W. A.
On the 3d of December, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Adams and Miss Martha Gilbert, whose birth occurred in this county, where she grew to womanhood. Her father, J. L. Gilbert, was born in the Green Mountain State and was one of the early settlers and prominent residents of this county, within the boundaries of which he is still living at the good old age of seventy-five years. His wife, who was before her marriage Eliza Murdock, was born in Ohio and departed this life in July, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have be- come the parents of a bright little daughter, who is called Blanche. From his earliest years Mr. Adams has been a witness of the wonderful growth and
prosperity of Clayton County, in the development of which he has ever been interested and to the extent of his ability has lent it his assistance. In the service of the public he is trusted and true, believing that a "public office is a public trust."
UTHER NICHOLS. Prominent among the old settlers of Clayton County, who have contributed to its prosperity is the subject of this sketch. He is one of the ablest and most brainy farmers and stock-raisers, and has been a conspicuous figure in its civic life for many years. He is the proprietor of one of the largest and best equipped farms in Monona Township, lying on sections 20 and 29, and here he and his family have one of the best appointed and most attractive homes in this part of the state.
Mr. Nichols was born in Erie County, N. Y., April 1, 1827, and is the son of Clark Nichols, who was born in 1797 in Rhode Island. The lat- ter remained in his native state until a year prior to attaining his majority, when he accompanied his father's family on their removal to New York State. The grandfather of our subject, Reuben Nichols, was of Scotch descent and when a lad of fourteen years enlisted as a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, serving through the entire conflict. In 1817 he located in Erie County, N. Y., where he was engaged in farm pursuits and lived to be seventy-seven years of age.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Nancy Howell, and was born in Delaware Coun- ty, N. Y. She was of English descent, and passed her entire life in the Empire State, dying when in the seventy-eighth year of her age. She was mar- ried to Clark Nichols in Erie County, and located on a farm there, which they improved and made their home until their decease. The father was a Democrat in politics, and he held many local of- fices. In religious affairs the wife was a consist- ent member of the Baptist Church.
The parental family of our subject comprised
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ten children, all of whom, with the exception of two, grew to manhood and womanhood, and five are now living. Luthier, of this sketch, was tlie eldest of the family, and remained in his native county until twenty-one years of age, in the mean- time assisting his father in carrying on his farm and attending the district school, where he gained a fair education. The knowledge thus obtained was later supplemented by a course in the acad- cmy in his native county.
On attaining his majority our subject left home and went to Tennessee, where lie was engaged in teaching in private schools for seven years. In 1854, however, we find him located in Clayton County, this state, where he took up a claim of Government land. On this he erected a log cabin and kept "bach" until May 9, 1860, when he was married to Miss Eveline Woodmansee, who was born in Painesville, Ohio, September 28, 1835. Her father was Daniel M. Woodmansee, whose birth occurred in Rhode Island, September, 1800. He was a ship carpenter by trade, which he followed with good success during the early part of his life. He, in turn, was the son of Eleazer Woodmansee, likewise a native of tlc above state and of Frencli descent. The mother of Mrs. Nichols was, in her maidenhood, Dorothea Scott, and was born Jan- uary 3, 1809, in Oncida County, N. Y. Her par- ents reared a family of twelve children, of whom she was first in order of birth. She remained in the Empire State until reaching her ninth year, when she accompanied her father and mother on their removal to eastern Ohio in 1818, and to Iowa in 1864. Mrs. Nichols is the recipient of a fine education and tauglit school for twenty terms with good results.
Our subject and his wife made their home in the log house until their means would admit a more imposing structure being erected and have spent all of their married life on this estatc. It com- prises three hundred and sixty acres, all of which is under an excellent state of cultivation with the exception of forty acres, which is timbered land. Its present beautiful appearance and good value is a standing monument to the qualities which he has exhibited since boyhood.
To our subject and his good wife there have
been born four sons and threc daughters. Three of these children died in infancy. Elbert J. was born in this county March 14, 1862, and is a prom- inent farmer, living in Kossuth County, this state; Arthur H., born November 20, 1864, is a farmer in the above county; Alice M., born June 9, 1867, is the wife of C. O. Fuller, of Kossuth County, where they have a good farm, and C. Estella is at liome.
Mr. Nichols is a pronounced Republican in pol- ities and for two years held the office of County Commissioner. He was also President of the Clay- ton County Agricultural Society for the same lengtli of time and has held numerous minor posi- tions. He has always been interested in the cause of education, and his fellow-townsmen recognizing this fact placed him on the School Board and eachi term re-elected hin until he was the incumbent of the position for a quarter of a century. On his resignation his son, E. J., succeeded him, and thus the directorship of his district has been in the fam- ily for thirty-five years. Our subject, with a Mr. Scott and others, organized the school districts of the township and in many ways has advanced the cause of education in Clayton County.
HARLES RUEGNITZ is the popular and efficient Treasurer of Clayton County, his place of abode being in Elkader. A lead- ing Democrat, he was elected to lris very impor- tant position on the Democratic ticket in the fall of 1885, and has been four times re-elected, which fact plainly shows the confidence which is reposed in liim by the people.
Charles Ruegnitz, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in Germany, where he remained until the '60s, when he crossed the Atlantic and pro- ceeded to Iowa, becoming a settler in Clayton County. His wife, Mary (Meder) Ruegnitz, whose birth also occurred in the Fatherland, died in Clayton County, where the family had located in 1864.
The subject of this narrative, like his parents, was born in Germany, his nativity taking place in
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Mecklenburg in 1849. He received a good educa- tion in his mother tongue and was sixteen years of age when he set sail for the United States. On taking up his abode in Clayton County in 1864, he commenced work at the cooper's trade which he had learned in Germany. In 1870 he went to Omaha, where for a time he was in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad and worked on the Omaha bridge for one season. He then returned to Clayton County and took charge of a hoop factory in the town of Clayton, the proprietors of the concern which was known as the Northwestern Hoop Company having their headquarters in Chicago. In 1882 Mr. Ruegnitz embarked in the same line of business, becoming a manufacturer on his own account, and continued in that line at Clayton for thrce years, making a fair success of his enterprisc.
Interested in several civic socicties, Mr. Rucg- nitz is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America in the Mystic Camp, at Elkader; he be- longs to Clayton Lodge No. 143, A. O. U. W., of which he is also a charter member, and is identi- fied with the Turners' society. He has always been active in the ranks of the Democratic party and has justified the trust which has been reposcd in him in his capacity of County Treasurer, the duties of which he has filled to the satisfaction of all. In the fall of 1892 he was nominated for State Treasurer on the Democratic ticket but was defeated. These facts, however, show that he stands well in the estimation of his party, who have a number of times chosen him as their lead- er and he is probably one of the most popular men in Clayton County, where he numbers hosts of friends.
In 1872 the subject of this sketch married Miss Emma Venus, whose birth occurred in Clayton County, and she here received her education. Her father, Josephi Venus, one of the early settlers of Clayton County, was also one of the original founders of the German Colony at Communia, and was actively identified with public and school affairs. His death occurred when he had reached the ripe old age of cighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Ruegnitz's union has been blessed by the birth of three children, two sons and a daughter, who are
still living, their names being as follows: Frede- rick, Emma and Louis. The parents are faithful and consistent members of the Lutheran Church, in the teachings of which they have rcared their children; they have given them the benefits of a good general education, thus fitting them for the duties of life. A man of sterling worth and strict integrity, our subject merits the success he has attained in life, having carved his own way and acquired his prominence by these character- istics.
APT. AARON M. LOOMIS. One of the well known business establishments of Wy- oming is that owned and conducted by Captain Loomis, who having been proprictor of the store for about thirty years, enjoys an extended acquaintance throughout Jones County. He is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., and was born on the 30th of April, 1831. He is of patriotic lineage, his paternal grandfather, Aaron Loomis, having been a soldier in the War of 1812; he died at Sack- et's Harbor during servicc.
The parents of our subject, Milo and Lucy (Greenly) Loomis, were natives of the Empire State, and from there removed to Ohio, settling in Medina County in 1833. Twenty years later, in 1853, they died in that county, the mother's demise occurring three weeks after that of the father. She was a daughter of Timothy Greenly, who died in Jefferson County, N. Y., at the age of eighty-one. Of the place of his birth our subject retains no re- membrance, for lic was only two years old when the family removed westward to Ohio and made a settlement in Medina County. There he was the recipient of common school advantages, but carly in life he became self-supporting, and learning the trade of a shoemaker, was engaged in this work for a time.
Coming west in 1856 our subject settled in Wy- oming, Iowa, where he followed his trade until the
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opening of the Civil War. Soon after its outbreak, in 1862, hc enlisted as a member of Company K, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, his name appearing on the roll of the company August 13. With his regiment he participated in the battle of Ft. Gib- son, the siege and capture of Vicksburg and the engagements at Sabine Cross Roads, Winchester and Cedar Creek, also the Red River Expedition. In 1863, as a reward for signal bravery, he was com- missioned Captain of his company, in which capac- ity he served until the close of the war. In the summer of 1865 he was mustered out of service at Savannah, Ga.
The war ended, Captain Loomis returned to Wy- oming and embarked in the mercantile business, in which he has continued to the present time. As a business man he is sagacious, far-seeing and encr- getic, and such has been the reliability of his deal- ings with all that the utmost confidence is reposcd in him. He is also a stockholder in thic Potter Canning Factory Company, of Wyoming, and is actively interested in all public improvements. Socially he holds membership in Wyoming Lodge No. 147, I. O. O. F. An ardent Republican politi- cally, he has been elected upon his party ticket to a number of local offices, including that of member of the City Council, in which capacity he has ren- dered able service. He is interested in educational matters and lias served as a member of the School Board, and at this writing is Trustee of Lenox Col- lege, at Hopkinton, Iowa.
In 1852 Captain Loomis married Miss Jennie Briggs, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Isaiah Briggs, an old settler of the Buckeye State. Mrs. Loomis died in 1866, leaving a son and daughter: Finney B., now living in Ohio, and Jessie, wife of Dr. C. S. Shepherd, of Omaha. The present wife of the Captain, with whom he was united in 1868, was formerly Miss Alice Spitzer, and was born in Ohio. Two children bless this union, Mabel and Milo. They have also lost a son and daughter, Arthur and Flora. The family is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and Captain Loomis was for thirty-seven years Superintendent of the Sun- day-school, but resigned from the office in 1893. He is a man who numbers as his friends those with whom commercial or social relations have brought
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