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 45
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 45
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 45
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him into contact. His course in life has been such as to commend him to the regard of the people. By integrity, energy and perseverance he has gained a fair amount of this world's goods, and while pro- moting his personal prosperity he has also con- tributed to the progress, material and moral, of the city and county where for so many years he has made his homc.
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LENN G. WHITE, M. D., one of the lead- ing young physicians of Elkader, has suc- ceeded in building up a large and lucra- tive practice in this place though scarcely two years have passed since he first opened his office here. Hc is a well educated and intelligent young man, an caruest student who brings to bear upon his adopted profession a keen and practical mind, which has been trained in harmony with the best medical system of the age.
The birth of the Doctor occurred in Clayton County in 1866; his father, Thomas D. White, was a native of the Green Mountain State, his birth having occurred in Grand Isle. In the early part of the '50s he came to the west and settled in this county, becoming the owner of a good farm, to which he has given his care and attention for many years. His wife, formerly Celinda Clark, was born in South Hero, Vt., and by her marriage became the mother of eleven children. The White family are descendants of an Englishman who lo- cated in New England during the last century.
The boyhood days of our subject were passed under the parental roof on the old homestead, his time being divided between working withı his father on the home farm and in attending the district school. In order to supplement his pri- mary studies he entered Lenox College, in Dela- ware County, Iowa, when sixteen years of age, and after taking the prescribed course of four years was graduated therefrom in 1888. After- ward he taught school for one year, at the same time beginning his medical studies. For a period
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of two years he was next a student in the medical department of the Iowa University, after which he was enrolled at the Rush Medical College, in Chicago, there remaining for one year. In order to obtain praetieal and actual experience the Doc- tor praetieed for a time at the celebrated Bellevue Hospital and Medical College, at New York City, from which he was graduated March 28, 1892. Returning home, he soon afterward opened his offiee, and now numbers many of the best resi- dents and families of Elkader as his regular pa- tients. In order to keep thoroughly in touch with the best and most advanced thoughit of the day in the medical world, he belongs to the Clay- ton County Medieal Society.
Dr. White is genial and affable in manner, and numbers among his fellow-citizens many true and devoted friends. As a physician his standing among his professional brethren is high, and his suceess in the future seems assured, as he has al- ready achieved, an enviable degree of prosperity. Being mueh interested in fraternal societies, the Doctor belongs to Elkader Lodge No. 72, A. F. & A. M., and in regard to polities deposits his ballot and uses his influenee in support of the Demo- cratie party.
R ICHARD HUMPHRY, a retired farmer who is now making his home in the vil- lage of Monona, Clayton County, still owns a traet of twenty acres of land which is within the corporate limits of the place. For about thirty suecessive years he has made his home in this eounty with the exeeption of two years when he was in California. For a number of years he engaged in the eultivation of a fine farm of two hundred aeres in Giard Township, which he is still the possessor of, now renting the same. In various local township offiees he has acquitted himself to the satisfaction of all, and numbers a host of warm friends in this locality, which has been his home for so many years.
A native of the Emerald Isle, our subject was
born in County Limeriek, November 25, 1835, be- ing a son of Riehard and Mary (Coffee) Humphry, natives of Limerick and County Tipperary, re- spectively. The parents eame to America with their family in 1847, and the father died in Que- bee aged fifty-seven years. His wife, who sur- vived him for a number of years, departed this life in Monona when in her sixty-eighth year. By her marriage she became the mother of five sons and two daughters, of whom Riehard is the fourth in order of birth.
A lad of twelve years when he arrived in the United States, Riehard Humphry went to Wiscon- sin and then to Clayton County in 1852, after a sojourn of a year and a-half in Canada. Locating on an unimproved farm in Monona Township, he engaged in its eultivation for five years in com- pany with the other members of the family. Later they divided the farm and in 1859 our subject started for the Paeifie Slope, going across the plains with ox-teams by way of Salt Lake City. Arriving in Placerville, Cal., he there engaged in mining for three years, and in 1862 returned to this eounty by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York City. In 1866 Mr. Humphry once more returned to the Golden State, where he re- mained for two years and then embarked for home by the same route. It was then that he took up his farm of two hundred aeres in Giard Township and settled down to devote his active life to its eultivation and development. He made a good farm of the place, greatly increasing its value, and this old homestead he has never had the heart to part with, but now leases it to tenants. For a per- iod of two years he was engaged in the grain bus- iness, making shipments to Chicago, Milwaukee and other points.
In 1867 Mr. Humphry married Honora Looney, a native of Amboy, Ill., born July 3, 1851. Her father, John Looney, was a native of Ireland and one of the early settlers in the Prairie State. Mr. and Mrs. Humphry have two children, Marian, who was born in this eounty June 24, 1868, and Rieh- ard B., whose birth occurred Mareb 22, 1870. The daughter, who is a fine musieian, attended St. Mary's Institute of Prairie du Chien, Wis., for some time, there receiving a good education. The son
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is a graduate from the Law Department of Iowa State University and is a young man of promise. For four years Richard Humphry was a Township Trustce and has also served as School Director. He is one of the stockholders in the Clayton County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company. In his political convictions he is a Democrat and a worker in the cause.
F RANK GILBERT, Postmaster of Monona, is well known in this vicinity, and is greatly respected for those qualities of head and heart which have won him the esteem and eonfi- dence of all with whom he associates. He is pop- ular in his official capacity and is discharging the duties of his position with characteristic fidelity, and greatly to the satisfaction of all eoneerned. Mr. Gilbert besides oceupying his present respon- sible position, is a stock and grain merchant and is elassed among the substantial residents of tlie place.
The subject of this sketeli was born in Rock County, Wis., November 4, 1851, and is the son of Lovell R. Gilbert, a native of the Green Mountain State, whence he removed to Wiseonsin when a young man. At that time he made settlement in Rock County and engaged in farm pursuits until his advent into Clayton County, this state, in 1856. Here he resided until his decease, which sad event occurred at the age of sixty-one years. He was very prominent in local affairs, and for many years held the position of Supervisor of Giard and Read Townships, this eounty. At one time he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for Repre- sentative and was defeated by only a few votes.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Lydia Burt, a native of Vermont. She met and married L. R. Gilbert after removing to Wisconsin, and died when in the forty-fifth year of her age, leaving a family of six children, of whom Frank was the eldest but one. His father was three times married, and he was the offspring of the second
union. The latter was a lad of six years when the family came to Clayton County. He carried on his primary studies in the distriet school, after which he attended for a short time in Monona village.
Frank of this sketeh remained at home until at- taining his majority, when he began operating a farm on his own account, and at one time was the possessor of a good estate. He is now engaged in buying and shipping grain and stock to the market in Chicago, which business he finds to be very profitable. In 1893 Mr. Gilbert was appointed Postmaster at Monona, the duties of which office he is discharging in connection with his other business.
Our subject was married in 1875 to Miss Sarah Olmstead, a native of this county, having been born April 7, 1855. She is the daughter of the Hon. P. P. and Hannah Olmstead, whose sketch will be found in full on another page in this vol- 'ume. To Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert there have been born four children, three daughters and one son, - namely: Carrie, assistant to her father in the office, Parma, Lottie and Page, at home.
In his political relations, Mr. Gilbert is a be- liever in Democratic principles, which he supports with his voice and vote. Previous to filling his present office he was Town Clerk of Monona for a period of four years. He is a man of much en- ergy, tact and business capacity, and his fellow- townsmen have not failed to recognize his super- ior merits and qualification, and have thus called him to responsible offiees.
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I SAAC HAVENS, a retired farmer and capital- ist of Elkader, has made his fortune by the exereise of his qualities of industry and en- terprise, as when he came to Clayton County about half a century ago he was almost entirely without means. His various ventures have almost always met with suceess and he has shown himself to be a good financier and sagacious in his busi-
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ness judgments. In public improvement and other matters relating to the general good be has always been active and has used his influence in the progress and upbuilding of Elkader, where he inakes his home.
A native of the Empire State, Mr. Havens was born in Steuben County, July 16, 1816, and is a son of William and Hannah (Hale) Havens. The father, who was also a native of New York, died in that state. He was a son of one of the soldiers of the Revolution, and his family comprised twelve children, of whom our subject is the fourth in order of birth. The mother, whose birth oe- curred in New York State, also passed away there. The early years of Isaac Havens were passed in the state of his nativity and his education was obtained in the common sehools.
On reaching his eighteenth year our subject started out to make his own livelihood, and be- lieving that he could do this better in the west, he proceeded as far as Michigan, where he re- mained for one year. Coming further west, he arrived in Dubuque March 2, 1837, where he began mining operations, which he conducted for several years, meeting with fair success. During the years of 1841 and 1842 he ran the ferry across the Mississippi River at Dubuque. It was in 1846 that he landed in Clayton County, where he en- tered land and eommeneed devoting himself to agricultural pursuits, following the same for a number of years, his efforts being attended with success. After acquiring considerable property and an ample competenee to last him the remain- der of his days he retired from active business, making his home in Elkader, and occupying him- self in looking after his real-estate and other busi- ness interests. For two terms Mr. Havens was Ser- geant-at-Arms in the State Legislature, and in politics is independent, elloosing to reserve his judgment and give his influence to those whom he considers best qualified for positions regardless of party lines. When the First National Bank of this place was organized lie was one of the pro- moters, becoming a Direetor in the same, and he also occupies a like place in one other bank. His opin- ion and judgment are often consulted by those who know him; as he has made a success of his own
ventures in most instances, therefore his fel- low-townsmen rely on his judgment in financial matters. Ever interested in educational affairs, he has taken his part in the promotion of the best interests of the community in that direction and has upheld the good of the people.
In 1846 in this country, Mr. Havens married Miss Sarah Wagner, who was born and reared in Ohio. Her father, John Wagner, was one of the early settlers and agriculturists of this eounty and a man esteemed for his upright and worthy eareer. Mr. and Mrs. Havens became the parents of six children, but two daughters only still survive: Ella, wife of H. S. Merritt, of Elkader; and Jen- nie, wife of Thomas Williams, of MeGregor.
M ATHEW FITZPATRICK, a lawyer and leading eitizen of Elkader, makes a specialty of abstraet and real-estate busi- ness. It is now a dozen years sinee this gentle- man was admitted to the Bar, but up to this time he has not been an active practitioner, other pursuits having occupied his time and attention. He has suceeeded in building up a most enviable reputa- tion for ability in his profession and for probity and uprightness of character. In Clayton County he has acquired a large abstract and real-estate business, having the only complete set of abstract books within its limits.
A native of Ohio, the birth of our subjeet oe- eurred in the city of Cineinnati, May 11, 1853. He is of Irish deseent, his parents, Patrick and Cath- erine (Quinlan) Fitzpatrick, having been reared to maturity in that land. The father, who is now about seventy years of age, is a resident of Cox Creek Township, and is numbered among the founders of the prosperity of this county. In 1855 he became a farmer in Cox Creek Township, and was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits un- til well along in years, during which time he eulti- vated and improved a good farm, which he re-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
claimed from almost a wild state, and upon which he, with his wife, still resides.
When . only an infant Mr. Fitzpatrick was brought by his parents to this county and here he grew to manhood. Making the best of his educa- tional opportunities, which were those of the pub- lic schools, by private study and industry he constantly increased his knowledge, and was only a youth of seventeen when he passed the examina- tions and secured a certificate to teach. He at once embarked in that profession, and successfully taught school in this locality for a period of ten years. Being ambitious and desiring to rise, he was not content with this measure of prosperity, and found time during the intervals of his leisure to begin the study of law. Having followed a regular course of study for one ycar, he then en- tered the office of W. A. Preston, of this city, and was admitted to the Bar in 1883.
In the same year Mr. Fitzpatrick was appointed to the position of Deputy Treasurer of Clayton County, where he successfully performed the func- tions pertaining to that position, and so greatly to the satisfaction of his constituents that in the fall of 1884 he was elected County Recorder. On the expiration of his term he was re-elected and yet again, holding the place for three successive terms, or six years in all. In 1892 our subject began making a specialty of abstracting and the examin- ation of titles, which is a lucrative and growing business in Clayton County, and is succeeding be- yond his expectations.
In 1882 our subject was married to Miss Eliza- beth Connell, a native of Clayton County, within the limits of which she received her education and grew to womanhood. Her father, Patrick Connell, was one of the pioncers in the locality and took an active part in its development. A family of three daughters and two sons have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick, in order as follows: Mary, Mathew, Ellen, Edward and Caroline. They are attending the public schools, and it is their parents' intention to give them the best educa- tional advantages in their power. The family are regular attendants and zealous members of the Catholic Church of this place. In politics Mr. Fitzpatrick votes for the candidates set forth by
the Democratic party and is interested in its suc- cess. He is a man who numbers many friends in this city and county, both among the brethren of his profession and in the social and business circles of the community in which he makes his home.
OHN G. HAGENSICK, who so ably and cap- ably fills the position of Postmaster at Elka- der, has been a resident of Clayton County for about forty years, and almost his entire life lias been connected with the history of this lo- cality. The birth of our subject occurred in the Province of Bavaria, Germany, in 1848 and his boyhood up to the age of seven years was passed in his native land. At that time with his parents, J. M. and Margaret Hagensick, he bade adieu to the scenes of his youth and set sail for the United States.
Soon after the arrival of the parents in New York City, tlicy continued their westward journey, the father buying land and becoming a well-to-do farmer of Clayton County. His son, our subject, received good educational advantages, attending the common schools of tlic neighborhood, and be- gan to earn his own livelihood in the service of J. L. Hagensick, a merchant in the town of Reed, this county. For one year he remained in that position, at the end of which time he went to Gar- navillo, where he worked in the employ of Will- iam H. Thome.
The next venture of Mr. Hagensick was to go to Detroit, Mich., where he obtained employment in the sash and door factory and later in the same line of business engaged at Port Huron, Mich. Altogether he followed various occupations in that state during a period of twelve years, when he returned to this county, and at Garnavillo em- barked in business for himself as a cigar manu- facturer until May, 1881. He then came to this city, being engaged in the same business until October, 1893, when he was appointed by Presi-
P. P. OLMSTED.
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dent Cleveland to be Postmaster at this point, and as such he has served satisfactorily since.
While residing in Detroit, Mich., Mr. Hagensick was united in marriage in February, 1877, to Miss Charlotte Karp. The lady is a native of the Buck- eye Statc, and is a daughter of John Karp, for- merly a business man of Detroit. A son and daughter have come to bless the home of our sub- ject and wife, their names being respectively, Mar- tin G. and Lottie. The family has a pleasant and commodious home in Elkader and they move in the best social circles of the place, numbering many warm friends in the community where they live.
On political questions Mr. Hagensick is a loyal and devoted adherent to the Democratic party, with which he has been affiliated since attaining his majority. In the discharge of the duties per- taining to his position as Postmaster he is cour- teous and faithful, thereby making friends and de- serving the praise which is unstintedly bestowed upon him. Socially he is a member of Elkader Lodge No. 304, I. O. O. F., also a member of Lodge No. 110, A. O. U. W.
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H ON. PHINEAS P. OLMSTED is one of the prominent old settlers of Clayton County, his home having been for more than forty years at the place where he still re- sides. His valuable farın, which comprises three hundred and thirty-cight aeres, is situated on scc- tions 1, 2, 11 and 12 and has been brought under cultivation from an uncultivated state by the present owner.
A native of Franklin County, Vt., our subject was born near St. Albans and Burlington, March 27, 1819. The family is of English descent, and the great-grandfather of Phineas P., Daniel Olm- sted, was born in Connecticut, to which state his ancestors emigrated in 1640 from England. The next in the line of descent, Nathan, whosc birth
also occurred in the Nutmeg State, took part in the War for Independence, along with several of his brothers.
Timothy Olmsted, the father of our subject, was born in 1767 in Connecticut and grew to man- hood on the same farm which had been occupied for years by his forefathers. About 1800 he re- moved to Franklin County, Vt., where for the remainder of his life he engaged in cultivating a farm. In politics he was a Whig, and he was an Anti-Mason at the time of the killing of Morgan. Religiously he was connected with the Congrega- tional Church, and was a man of sterling upright- ness and integrity. His wife, Eunice, was born in New Hampshire in 1780 and was a daugh- ter of Phineas Page, who was born in Massachu- setts; he was of English origin, while his wife was of French descent. Mrs. Olmsted dicd in her eighty-sixth year. The father had been pre- viously married, by his first union having nine sons and two daughters who grew to maturity, and by his second having two sons, Phineas P. and David.
Until twenty years of age Phincas P. Olmsted continued to make his home with his parents, at- tending the common schools, and received practi- cal instruction on his father's farm in the duties pertaining to agriculture. Starting for the west he worked at different points in order to obtain money to continue his journey, and for a time was employed at Madison, Wis. From there he proceeded to Grant County, thence to Prairie du Chien, in which place he resided until April 1, 1840. Near Patch Grove, Wis., he taught school for three months, when he learned that the Government had commenced building Ft. Atkinson on the Turkey River, and in company with his brother he went there to look the country over. This brother and he soon selected a claim in what is now Monona Township, and the two were the first to settle with- in its limits. They built a cabin in July, 1840, and kept house in primitive fashion, often entertaining travelers, and also Indians. At that time there were about two hundred redmen in the township, who were known as the Whirling Thunder Band. At one time when the cabin was only partially con- structed, the brother of our subject was obliged to
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go on business to Wisconsin, and during his ab- sence about eight Indians came to beg for food; young Phincas gave them what he could, for his supplies were at a low ebb, but it was evident the redmen were not satisfied, as they kept look- ing around in all corners for more. Seeing a knife in the hand of a murderous looking brave concealed under his blanket, he knew at once that trouble was brewing; as he had no other weapon handy, he picked up an axe and spoke in a loud voice commanding the Indians to-begone. After looking at him for a moment rather to his surprise they departed, and this was the only time in his eight years' of experience with the Indians that he believed they mcant him personal harm.
In the spring of 1841 the brothers sold their claim and removed to the present site of Monona, where they each took up land. Phineas P. Olmsted built a log house, the first one in Monona, and in 1849 with a nephew started the first general store in the town. The same year a postoffice was es- tablishcd here, our subject becoming the first Post- master, being appointed under Taylor's adminis- tration. At the end of three years he resigned, locating on the place where he now resides and crected the frame house where he has resided ever since. At various times he has owned several farms and has given to his children about three hundred and thirty acres, still retaining a property of about the same area.
December 26, 1843, Mr. Olmsted married Han- nah Rowe, who was born near Albany, N. Y., and they have had six daughters and two sons to bless their union. Eunice is deceased, and the others in order of birth are as follows: Irving D .; Clara, the wife of Harvey S. Curtis; Hannah, deceased; Esther, wife of Melvin Davis; Parma, Mrs. Henry Wilson; Phineas P .; and Sarah, wife of Frank Gilbert.
Mr. Olmsted has served in various official capaci- ties. In 1841 he was first elected Justice of the Peace, serving as such for twelve years, and in 1842 he built the first frame house in Monona village, and in 1860 was made County Supervisor, holding that place for sixteen years. In 1865 he was elected on the Republican ticket as County Representa- tive in the Legislature and he has filled various minor positions. As an Odd Fellow he belongs
to Monona Lodge. He is very proud of the fact that he has twenty grandchildren and two great- grandchildren, and is a man whose chief joy in life has been in his domestic relations.
J. NEILL. Prominent among the settlers of Clayton County who have witnessed the wonderful development the country has made during the past decade or so, and who have by honest toil and perseverance suc- cceded in acquiring a competency and arc now enabled to enjoy their well earned rest, is the gentleman whose name heads this biographical notice.
Mr. Neill was born September 16, 1840. His father was Joseph Neill, a native of the Emerald Isle, who emigrated to America and settled in New York State for a time, then came to Clayton County, Iowa, settling in this township. Hc re- ceived some land from the Government and on it built a log cabin; he remained here, improving the land, until his demise, at the age of sixty-four. He was a stanch Democrat, and an carnest member of the Congregational Church, and was a well known personage in this country. The mother was also a native of Ireland. She died there when our subject was yet an infant. The following children were born to her: Mary J., William and John, who all attained maturity but are now de- ceased.
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