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 48
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 48
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 48
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In 1887 Dr. Port formed a partnership with E. E. Snyder and in 1892 they built tlicir present sub- stantial brick building as a result of the fire at that time, which is one of the finest business blocks in the county. In dimensions it is 38x70 feet, with a sixteen-foot ceiling, and is constructed of Anamosa stone and St. Louis pressed brick. In political matters he is a Republican, believing the princi- ples of that party to be best adapted to our coun- try's needs. However, his personal affairs demand his attention to the exclusion of public matters. Socially he is a member of Anamosa Lodge No. 46, F. & A. M.
The first marriage of Dr. Port occurred Novem- ber 4,, 1885, and united him with Miss Ellen C. Denison, of Anamosa, Iowa. After her death
he married Mrs. Alice Freeman, November 30, 1893. The present Mrs. Port was born in Jones County and is a daughter of Jasper Dalby. They occupy a beautiful residence in Olin, and are num- bered among the well-to-do citizens of the place. The Doctor is a genial, courteous gentleman, and deserves the success which has attended him as physician and business man.
R EV. JAMES W. BEATTY, a member of the liistoric Beatty family who located in Dubuque County as early as 1845, was for five years a minister of the Baptist Church. He is now, however, Cashier in the Farmers' and Mer- chants' Bank in Cascade, and is a man universally popular and one who has achieved success in life. He is a native of Jones County, having been born in Richland Township, February 5, 1850.
Our subject carried on his primary studies in a district schoolhouse built of logs, and bearing the most primitive furnishings, and when only nine years of age entered the Cascade Academy, where lie was a student for about seven years. He then added to the knowledge gained therein by a course at Lenox College at Hopkinton, this state, but was compelled to leave the institution before graduating on account of failing health.
After completing his education young Beatty be- gan teaching school, which occupation he followed with good success for the succeeding five years, teaching one term in Nodaway County, Mo., and the remainder of the time in Iowa. During that timc he was granted a license to preach, having been ordained a minister of the Baptist Church; he hield a charge until 1886 in Missouri, when he came to Cascade and until 1891 preached for the congregation here, when he resigned in order to engage in business.
J. W. Beatty and Miss Editli J. Raffety were united in marriage June 11, 1878. The lady is a native of Jones County. Mr. and Mrs. Beatty have an adopted daughter bearing the name of Mar- garet Viola. Our subject, in September, 1891, went
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to Grinnell, where he entered the Citizens' Bank as bookkeeper; after twelve months he came to Cascade and aided in the organization of the Far- mers' & Merchants' Bank, of which he was Cashier. It is a reliable institution with a capital of $27,000 and is doing a good and paying business.
Our subject was Assistant Postmaster in this place from 1876 to 1882, and for a period of four years was Postmaster in Cascade. With his good wife, he is an active worker in the Baptist Congre- gation, and in politics never fails to cast a vote for Republican candidates. For a period of four years Mr. Beatty served as Town Clerk. He is public spirited and supports all movements intended for the benefit of his community. He is well and fav- orably known and we are therefore pleased to pre- sent his sketch in this volunc.
DWARD FITZPATRICK, a railroad con- tractor residing at Farley, Dubuque County, was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, in the year 1841, and is the fifth in order of birth in a family of nine children, all of whom grew to ina- ture years. His parents, Edward and Clarissa ( All- thony) Fitzpatrick, were natives of Ireland and New York respectively. The former with a brother, John, came to America and located in New York State. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Nathan Anthony, was born in Vermont, and served gallantly in the War of 1812, while his father fought in the Revolutionary War. The An- thonys came from England to America in an early day, where they engaged as fishers and accumu- lated large fortunes.
Our subject came to Dubuque County in 1860, where he followed farming several years. At a later period lic followed school teaching for about ten years, having received a good education in Ohio and at the Epworth schools. He was grad- uated from the Dubuque Business College and taught one year in the commercial college at Free-
port, Ill. In the year 1871 an important event occurred in the life of Mr. Fitzpatrick when he was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Fitzgerald. Of the children born to them but one daughter yet survives, Emma M. In·1879 our subject en- gaged in contracting and building, which occu- pation he has since followed, having filled con- tracts on the Chicago & Northwestern Road, a distance of two hundred miles on the Wisconsin Central, the Milwaukec & St. Paul, and twenty miles on the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic in northern Michigan. He has also contracted for the Davenport, Iowa & Dakota and six miles on the Winona & Northwestern Road. Going south lic took a contract for laying fifty miles of the Savannah, Americus & Montgomery Railway in Georgia, forty miles on the Central of Georgia, and besides has done considerable work in Iowa and Nebraska, and on the Illinois Central in Iowa.
Politically, Mr. Fitzpatrick has been generally identified as a Democrat but cast liis vote for Lin- coln in 1864, and for Grant in 1868, since which time he has been an active Democrat. Being reared as a Catholic he has remained such through life. Our subject is a man of large round-about common sense and excellent business tact, wliose sterling qualities of head and heart command the respect of all with whom he has financial dealings and he has won many sincere friends during the years that he has made Taylor Township his home.
H ENRY MEYER, whose home is in Elka- der, is a well known and leading citizen, who at the present time occupies the po- sition of Cashier of the First National Bank. A native of the Empire State, he was born August 3, 1854, and passed his boyhood until his sixth year in New York City.
Herman Meyer, the father of the subject of this record, was born in Hanover, Germany, and in 1848 set sail for America. On his arrival he lo- cated in New York City, where he continued to
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REV. JOSEPH H. BRINKMANN.
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reside until death, June 27, 1885. Our subject's mother, who was before her marriage Elizabeth Schwartz, was, like her husband, born in Leeste, Hanover, September 27, 1832, and now resides with her son at Elkader.
Henry Meyer in 1860 went with his grand- mother to Germany, where he lived until fourteen years of age, in the meantime receiving a good education in the schools of the Fatherland. In 1868 he once more crossed the Atlantic and in New York City began his active business life as an errand boy for Fred A. Lane, with whom he was employed for about two years. In 1872 he became acquainted with Hon. E. H. Williams, who was at that time President of the Iowa Eastern Rail- road, and acting upon his suggestion Mr. Meyer came to Clayton County. He accepted a position in the engineer corps of the Iowa Eastern Railroad and finally became clerk for W. D. Crook.
In 1877, after five years of faithful service with the company, our subject was made Superintendent of the road between Beulah and Elkader, and as such acted for five years. July 18, 1883, he ac- cepted the position of Cashier of the First National Bank of Elkader, which position he has held for eleven years, discharging the dutics pertaining thereto with efficiency and promptness. The Pres- ident of this well known banking institution is ex-Gov. William Larabee, of Fayette County.
In January, 1889, Henry Meyer was made Sec- retary of the Clayton County Farmers' Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, organ- ized by E. Corlett, February 15, 1870, of which S. H. F. Schoulte is President and John II. Welch Vice-President. Mr. Meyer is connected with sev- eral secret societies of Elkader, being Worthy Master of Elkader Lodge No. 72, A. F. & A. M .; he is also a member of Harmony Chapter No. 44, R. A. M., and Honorious Commandery No. 8, K. T. In politics he votes in favor of Republican nom- inees, and is now for the second time Chairman of the Fourth Congressional District.
October 31, 1877, our subject married Miss Lucy S. Appleman, who passed her girlhood in Fayette County, Iowa, and there received her education. Her father, Gustavus Appleman, was born in the Nutmeg State and was one of the early settlers of
Fayette County. Mrs. Lucy Meyer was called from this life March 25, 1889, leaving one son and two daughters, Amie E., Frank A. and Lucy. Mr. Meyer married his present wife, formerly Miss Minerva Leach, April 19, 1892. John M. Lcach, the father of Mrs. Meyer, settled at an early day in this county, from where he enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteers, and was County Auditor for two terms. At the time of his death, September, 29, 1893, he was Postmaster at Elka- der. Our subject bears an enviable reputation for uprightness and sterling worth, and has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who hold him in favorable regard.
R EV. J. H. BRINKMANN is Pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, of Guttenberg, and is a faithful shepherd of his flock. A inan of superior intellectual attainments, he is de- voted to the interests of the church and has done a good work in this locality. A native of Ohio, he was born in Cincinnati October 20, 1859, being a son of Henry and Bernandina (Stonefield) Brinkmann. His father was a native of Baltimore, Md., and was called from this life in 1876; the mother, who is still living in Iowa, was born in Cincinnati.
Rev. J. H. Brinkmann passed his boyhood in the city of his birth, where he received a good educa- tion in the parochial schools. Later he entered St. Francis' College at Milwaukec, where he con- tinued his studies until twenty years of age. Af- terward he pursued a severe course of study and discipline at Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1883 went to Montreal, Canada, where he remained for some time.
It was in 1886 that Rev. J. H. Brinkmann was ordained at Dubuque, Iowa, and was immedi- ately appointed assistant to Father A. Korten- kamp, at Dyersville, Dubuque County, in the duties of which position he continued faithfully for three years. While there he was very instru- mental and active in the building of St. Frances'
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Church, which structure is one of the finest in the west, having been erected at a cost of $65,000. He had the superintendence of the entire con- struction, and it was due in no small measure to his ability and management that the work was so successfully accomplished.
The present pastorate of Father Brinkmann commenced in 1889 and since coming here he has built up the congregation to a commendable ex- tent. Under his supervision the fine brick paro- chial school building of this place was started and recently finished. A man of wide reading and general information, he is well qualified to exercise a large and growing influence over the congrega- tions which are placed in his charge, for he is de- voted to his work and is unsparing in his zeal.
HARLES F. W. SONNKALB. To the en- ergy and good judgment of the young farmers of Clayton County much credit is due for the prosperous appearance of the estates and the buildings thereon. While Mr. Sonnkalb is still a young man, he has already gained a posi- tion among the industrious agriculturists of Grand Meadow Township. His entire life has been spent in this locality and he was born on a farm near where he now resides, May 14, 1869. He is the owner of a valuable property consisting of two hundred and fifty acres, a portion of which has come to him by inheritance, and the remainder by purchase. A glance over the farm would convince the most careless observer that he makes of his vo-" cation both an art and a science, and it is equally evident that a lady of good judgment and refined tastes is in charge of the household affairs.
The father of our subject, Charles F. W. Sonn- kalb, Sr., was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1825, and there grew to manhood. Accumulating some money he emigrated to the United States in 1855, and settled upon a farm near the one now owned by our subject. He was an industrious, energetic man, and added to his possessions until he became
well-to-do. In 1892, while riding on a load of straw, he fell from the wagon, receiving injuries . from which he died a month later, aged sixty-seven years. His wife, Mrs. Loretta Purdy (Range) Tuttle, was born in Pennsylvania, and was of Dutch descent. Her first husband, John Tuttle, was killed in the army during the Civil War, leav- ing two children, George, a resident of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Dorcas M., deceased.
Our subject is his father's only son, but he has three sisters, the eldest of whom, Theresa, is married and lives near Cresco, Iowa; Milda married John Leui, Trustee of Grand Meadow Township; Bertha, the youngest of the family, is unmarried and lives on the farm with her mother. Shelaus, a brother of our subject's mother, served four years in the army during the Rebellion, and was wounded in the service; surviving the hardships of war he later fell a victim to consumption, contracted while in the army.
In the neighboring schools our subject received a liberal education. After his father's death he bought out all the heirs to the estate, excepting his mother's interest, which she still owns. In 1892 he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Leui, one of the wealthiest farmers of Grand Meadow Township, to which place he came from Switzerland. They are the parents of one child, Nellie Louisa, who was born in 1893. Mr. Sonnkalb gives his attention closely to agriculture, and is making a success of his chosen vocation. In political views he follows in his father's footsteps and advocates Republican principles. Socially he holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
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W ILLIAM H. BARTLETT. For twenty- five years or more this prosperous agri- culturist of Clayton County has owned and occupied a highly cultivated farm in Cass Township. Through his energetic determined ef- forts the property has been converted into one of the most valuable estates in the neighborhood.
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The buildings are neat and in a good state of re- pair, the fences strong and substantial, the garden well improved and the farm machinery of the most modern manufacture. All in all, it is a home of which one might well be proud.
The Bartlett family was one of the earliest to settle in New England, and but little definite in- formation can be obtained regarding the gene- alogy. Our subject's grandfather, Zadoek, and father, Loton, were both natives of New Hamp- shire, and the latter served as a soldier in the War of 1812. The family eame west in 1832, as far as Ohio, and settled in Lorain, near the site of the present city of Oberlin. There oeeurred the death of both the father and mother. The latter, whose maiden name was Catherine Childs, was first married to a Mr. Heminway.
Born in New Hampshire November 30, 1825, our subjeet was a lad of seven years when he ac- companied his parents to Ohio, and there he grew to a sturdy manhood, early gaining a thorough knowledge of farming, and in the short intervals between the gathering of the grain and the sow- ing of the next erop he attended the adjoining school. His knowledge, however, has been gained principally through observation and reading. In 1855 he eame to Iowa and settled on a tract of land in Cass Township, two and one-half mniles southwest of his present farm. There he continued to till the soil until about 1869, when he settled upon the farm he now oeeupies.
In 1847 occurred the first marriage of Mr. Bart- lett. He was then united with Miss Sarah Sturti- vant, who died February 25, 1870, after having become the mother of five children. Those now living are, Emery, a contraeting painter of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Elmer, a farmer living in Delaware County, Iowa; and Julia, wife of Charles Bemis, an insurance agent of Britt, Haneoek County, Iowa. On Christmas Day of 1871 Mr. Bartlett married Sarah F. Connor, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and a daughter of David Connor, who came to Delaware County, Iowa, in 1841, and there died in 1894, aged eighty-one years. Her mother still survives, and is now (1894) seventy-eight years old. She has one brother, James, who oeeu- pies the old homestead in Delaware County. Mr.
Bartlett also has one brother, Nelson, now a re- tired farmer living near Oberlin, Ohio. Two chil- dren have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett, Willie M., who was edueated at Upper Iowa University, at Fayette, Iowa; and Harriet, who is a student in the district schools.
No one in Cass Township takes a more active interest in the welfare of the community than does Mr. Bartlett. Since the organization of the Republican party he has been a staneh adherent of its measures and a friend of its principles. He has served his township as Trustee, and as Sehool Direetor has been instrumental in promot- ing the welfare of the distriet sehools. As a farmer, he is energetic, efficient and industrious, and his prosperity is well deserved.
W ILLIAM F. HUNTTING, deecased, was for thirty-five years one of the promi- nent business men of MeGregor, and during the last year of his life was a member of the incorporated firm of the Huntting Elevator Company of this place, being President, General Manager and owner of the majority of the stock. During this time he was interested in the grain trade, and the annual amount of business of late years covered many millions. The Huntting Com- pany were legitimate dealers and not speculators, and no firm ever had a higher standing in eom- mereial circles for integrity.
The subject of this sketch was born in South- ampton, L. I., May 7, 1828, and was nearly sixty- four years old at the time of his death, which oe- eurred April 28, 1892. He received an academie education in early life, and lived with his father on a farm until he was about sixteen years of age, when he entered the store and began a mereantile career; but a love of travel and adventure was in- herited in this youth, and for about three years he followed the sea, and later became one of the forty-niners during the gold exeitement in Cali- fornia. After a few years, growing tired of life on the Pacific Coast, he came to McGregor, and in
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1857 once more turned his attention to merchan- dising. Later he became a member of the firm of Bassett, Huntting & Co., which in time became so prosperous as to extend its operations through the whole northwest. They employed a large num- ber of men in different parts of this region, as well as at their elevator at Prairie du Chien and the home office. A few years ago Mr. Bassett withdrew, and later Mr. Raynolds, another mem- ber, sold out his interest. During the long years in which Mr. Huntting was thus prominent in ex- tensive business no whisper of wrong was ever heard against him or his co-partners. He was hon- orable and upright in his business methods, and death could have taken few inen from this section whose loss would have been more deeply and gen- erally mourned.
In 1856 Mr. Huntting married Miss Mary R. Smith, who died in 1872, leaving five ehildren, Annie F., Free H., Harry S., Charles E. and Mary R. In 1876 our subject married Mrs. Charlotte M. Cory, who had one daughter, Jessie, by her former marriage; she is now Mrs. W. S. Nott, of Minne- apolis. The three sons of his first marriage are all connected with the elevator business, and Annie is the wife of C. W. Cowles, of this city.
One of the predominating features in the ehar- acter of Mr. Huntting was his generosity; to give and to give liberally was with him almost a pas- sion, for liis object was to uplift and make others happier and better. In the work of the ehureh he was a pillar of strength, and he was a regular attendant of the Congregational Chnreh, whose Pastor, Rev. C. A. Marshall, preached the funeral sermon. The applause of the world was to Mr. Huntting an empty honor, not worthy to be sought for. Every enterprise looking toward the improvement of MeGregor in any way was heart- ily aided by his counsel as well as money. He was public spirited, generous and courteous in his treatment of all mankind. One of his prominent qualities was hiis keen sense of humor, for his con- versation abounded in flashes of wit and innate love of fun, and this is a great gift, for it helps to smooth the rugged pathway of life and is appre- ciated by all. Into every social circle he entered he brought sunshine and good cheer, and the ex-
tent of the good he has done will never be known, for he was one whose life was actuated by the sen- timent, "Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth."
H ENRY ECKART is one of the thrifty, German-American citizens of Clayton County who have been so active in its development from a wild prairie to its present pro- ductive and wealthy condition. He was actively engaged in business, carrying on a wagon and car- riage manufactory for many years, or until he re- tired in 1888, since which time his home has been made in the village of Guttenberg.
Henry Eckart was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1830, and there was reared to manhood. His edu- cation was obtained in the justly noted excellent schools of Prussia, and after completing his educa- tion, in aeeordanee with the laws of the Father- land he entered the German army, serving for three years as a member of the artillery corps. Before leaving his native land, he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a short time, and then determined to seek his fortunes in America, where he believed would be afforded wider opportunities for acquiring a livelihood. After many weeks on the ocean in the slow sailing- vessel of that period, he safely landed on Christ- mas Day, 1853. For six months after his arrival in New York City, our subject remained in the metropolis, working at various things, and thenee proceeded to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked at his trade for three years. It was in 1856 that he first found himself in Guttenberg, where he en- gaged in his voeation for a year, after which he started a blacksmith and wagon-making establish- ment of his own. Commencing business on a small scale, under his good management it steadily gained in volume, and in the course of a few years beeame one of the leading business concerns of the place. The uniformly good quality of work turned out, and the confident reliance in his ability
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and skill which his eustomers manifested, enabled him to become well off and to constantly enlarge his shop. For many years his vehieles were sold in all adjoining counties and other parts of Iowa, his sales even extending into Dakota and other states. Sinee he has been retired he has devoted his time to looking after his property interests, in which he has considerable money invested, mainly in town lots.
In 1857 Mr. Eekart married Miss Dora Beneke, who, like her husband, was born in Germany. Her parents, Christian and Dorothy (Bort) Beneke, were among the early settlers in Guttenberg, and were highly respected for their industrious and honorable lives. Mr. and Mrs. Eckart are the par- ents of four sons and three daughters, namely : Henry C., Pastor of the Catholic Church at Wesley, Iowa; Ida, who is at home; John, Cashier of a bank at Brush Creek, this state; Gussie, wife of Frank Walters; Herman J., who is a stenographer in the employ of the Milwaukee Rolling Mills; Clara residing with her parents, and Oscar, who is attend- ing sehool. Mr. Eekart is a member of the Catholie Church of Guttenberg. The children received good educations and enjoy the respect and good will of the people with whom their lot is east. Commeneing at the bottom round of the ladder, Mr. Eekart acquired his fortune unassisted and entirely through his own business-like qualities.
OHN LARSON, Postmaster of the village of St. Olaf, Clayton County, is mueli esteemed in this locality, and possesses the confidence of all with whom he associates. He is pop- ular in his official eapacity, and is discharging the duties of the position with characteristic fidelity and greatly to the satisfaction of all concerned. Mr. Larson is also part owner of a creamery near this place, which he rents, and his son Oliver man- ages the general store which he established in St. Olaf.
Like many of the best residents of this eounty, our subject was born in Norway, the date thereof
being April 7, 1841. He is the son of Peter and Bertha Larson, also natives of that country, where they were farmers by oceupation. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1849, and after landing in New York City, made their way di- rectly to Wisconsin, where they remained for a short time. In the spring of 1850 we learn that they came to this county, making settlement in Farmersburg Township, where Peter Larson en- tered a tract of wild land, consisting of a quarter- section, on which he ereeted a rude log cabin. In this eabin the family made their home for twelve months, when a more comfortable structure was built, in which the father passed away, aged fifty- nine years. The mother is still living, spending her time visiting her children.
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