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 54
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 54
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 54
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M AJOR JENKINS, a retired agriculturist and prominent citizen of Guttenberg, for about half a century has been identified with the history of Clayton County, and for nearly that length of time has been actively engaged in op- erating his farm in Garnavillo Township. Hc was one of the pioneers of this locality, to which he came during the '40s, and the history of the com- munity in which he has dwelt so long would surely be incomplete without the record of his life.
Major Jenkins comes of good New England stock and is of English descent on the paternal side. He was born in Windsor County, Vt., Jan-
uary 20, 1807, being a son of John and Deborahı (Philips) Jenkins. The father was born in Rhode Is- land and removed to Vermont, where he made his residence for many years, departing this life at the age of seventy-eight. His wife was a native of the Green Mountain State and there she passed her entire life.
Our subject passed his boyhood in his native state and there received a common school educa- tion. After the completion of his studies he learned the trade of a mason, becoming proficient in brick and stone work. In 1829 he came as far west as Michigan, stopping at Prairie Round, where he remained for a time and then went back to the old home. On the expiration of two years he went to Newtown, Ind., therc working at his trade for the four years following, after which he went to Galena, Ill., where he made his home for some four years, during which time he con- tinued his calling as a mason. About 1839 Mr. Jenkins came to this county and from this time forward devoted his life to carrying on his farm. He became a practical and thorough agri- culturist and his property soon bore evidence of his ability, for he made many improvements upon the place.
In 1831 Major Jenkins was married to Miss Emily Fletcher, of Chester, Vt., and her death occurred about seventeen years later. She left two children only one of whom is now living, namely, Chris- tiana, who lives at home. In 1850 occurred the marriage of Mr. Jenkins and Jemima Harper, who was born in the Prairie State and who for forty ycars has been her husband's loving and devoted helpmate and companion on life's journey. They became the parents of five children, who in order of birth are as follows: Alice, John, Frank, Horace and Marcia. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being active workers in the same, and the former has held a number of offices. Hc is a self-made man, having started out in life empty-handed and has made his way unassisted. At the age of seventeen he left Boston, sailing on the scas for about two ycars, and in that manner obtained the money with which to complete his education and make a start in life. Now that he has acquired a competence he can
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pass the remaining years of his life, feeling that he has been of service to his fellowmen, has made the best of his opportunities, has reared his children to lives of usefulness; and when his journey is com- pleted he will surely hear the "well done good and faithful servant" of his Master, whom he has so faithfully followed for so many years.
HARLES BUTTOLPH. The gentleman whose biographical sketch it is our pur- pose to give is a retired farmer living in Monticello. He was born in Rensselaer Coun- ty, N. Y., February 5, 1824, and is the son of Rev. Reuben Buttolph, who departed this life at the home of our subject in Jones County, September 5, 1879, at the age of eighty-three years.
The father of our subject was a native of St. Armand, Missisquoi County, Canada, and there his early life was spent in acquiring a good edu- cation. In 1817, at the age of twenty-two years, lie married Miss Betty Barnes, who was in her ninety-second year at the time of her decease, in 1887. The parental household included three sons and four daughters. One son resides in Ore- gon, and a son and daughter in the state of Waslı- ington. The father was a prominent member of the Methodist Church, with which he became con- nected when nineteen years old. On attaining his majority, he was ordained for the ministry, and from that time until the close of his life he was actively engaged in the good work of preach- ing the Gospel.
Rev. Reuben Buttolph participated in the War of 1812, being pressed into the British service. He was at that time a lad of seventeen years, and soon after becoming a soldier was taken prisoner by the American general, Clark, but was exchanged six months later. Although serving on the side of the British, his sympathies were strongly in favor of the Americans.
In the year 1854 the father of our subject emi- grated to Illinois, where he made his home for
three years and then removed to Jones County, this state, where his decease occurred. After com- ing hither he devoted his life to the ministry and wrote more or less for the press. He was the author of a work entitled the "Millenium," which had a large sale, and on his death it was found that he had many other articles ready for pub- lication. He was the recipient of a very liberal education for the time in which he lived, and al- though deprived of the advantages of a college course, by studying every spare moment he ac- quired a good understanding of almost every sub- ject. He possessed a cultured mind and a good memory, and few men of his day could quote more Scripture than Mr. Buttolph, who was also pleasing in his delivery and eloquent of speech.
In 1852 our subject came to Jones County, Iowa, and in 1858 he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land in Wayne Township. There he devoted his attention to general farm work, doing his best under the various adverse circumstances that environed him. In 1881 he retired from ac- tive business cares and moved to Monticello, where he has since lived in retirement.
APT. GEORGE WHITE, a successful gen- eral agriculturist of Elk Township, Clay- ton County, Iowa, was born in Charles County, Md., February 4, 1827, and is the son of Joseph and Julia M. (Green) White, also natives of Maryland. The father of our subject was born in Baltimore December 5, 1787, and departed this life December 5, 1842; his mother was born in Charles County in 1802, and survived her husband several years, passing away in 1874. Joseph White was a farmer for a number of years, but afterward engaged in the general mercantile business in Bal- timore. To this family were added nine children, the eldest of whom was George, our subject, after which came in order of their birth, Catherine, Julian, Simon, Jane, Joseph, Rachel, Peter and Beulah.
At the age of sixteen our subject learned the
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mill-wright business, which occupation he followed for a number of years. He acquired a liberal edu- cation in the public schools of his native place. October 24, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, First Missouri Infantry, in which he served until June 16, 1866, taking part in many a hard fought battle. In 1866 he was honorably discharged. For meri- torious services during the siege of Vicksburg he was promoted to the rank of Sccond Lieutenant, then First Lieutenant and later Captain. He was Captain in the Fifty-first Regiment, serving about five years. He was always found at his post of duty, and his country found in him an able defender. When the country no longer needed his services Captain White returned to Elkport, where he engaged in the sawmill business, fol- lowing that occupation for several years. He then bought eighty acres of land, which he culti- vated for some time. He sold that and bought the homestead on which he now lives. At first the farm consisted of only forty acres, but by hard work and industry he has been enabled to add to it, and at the present time he is the possessor of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres of well cultivated land. Ile still occupies the first log cabin that was built on the farm.
Our subject was united in marriage with Miss Frances Palmer, November 16, 1854. She was the daughter of J. G. and Sarah T. Palmer, natives of Virginia. Mrs. White was born March 6, 1831, and went to the land beyond, September 26, 1861, leaving a husband and three daughters, Alice, Fannie and Martha, to mourn her loss. Mr. White was married the second time to Miss Mary E. Rid- enour, October 17, 1867. She was born in Bedford County, Pa., August 10, 1840, and was one of cleven children; her parents were George and Mar- tha K. Ridenour, who were also natives of Penn- sylvania. By his second wife our subject became the father of six children, Samuel E., Nettie, Ida, Peter, Edith and Mark. He will give his children a liberal education. One son and daughter are already teachers in the public schools. He has held a num- ber of offices of trust, serving as Township Trustec for a number of years, and has held the office of Secretary of the School Board for ten years. His estimable family attend the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Our subject exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the Republican party, of which he is a warm advocate. He is a pleasant, intelli- gent man, always faithful to every trust, and whether in business, official or social life, he is ever honorable ard upright, worthy of the high esteem in which he is held.
EORGE S. C. SCOTT, a prominent mer- chant and dealer in queensware, crockery, etc., in McGregor, is a native of Arkansas, born at Arkansas Post, November 26, 1820; he was rearcd on the frontier and received his early education in the private schools of Polk County. His father, Hon. Andrew Scott, was Judge of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Arkansas (as it was long before the time that it was admitted to the sisterhood of states) and was the first Post- master in Polk County. He was a native of Vir- ginia and was one of the prominent pioneers of Arkansas Territory, to which he removed in 1819. He served in the Legislature of the same territory, was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and helped draw up the Constitution of the state. In politics he was a pronounced Whig and a man of strong personality. Though he had received only a limited education in his youth he was a great student and was largely sclf educated. He studied for the legal profession in the law office of his brother, Hon. John Scott, of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., and after completing his course of reading was admitted to the Bar in Missouri; he was soon after appointed to the Superior Bench of Arkansas Territory. For many years he held a leading place in state and judicial matters, being pronounced in his views and a man well fitted by nature and education to become a leader of mnen and molder of their opinions. He was called from this life in 1850. His devoted wife, Eliza (Jones) Scott, who had previously died, in March, 1835, in Arkansas, was a sister of the noted general, George W.
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Jones, of Dubuque, Iowa, and was a lady of many admirable qualities.
The childhood and youth of G. S. C. Scott were passed on his father's farm in Polk County, Ark., and he was only fifteen years of age when death deprived him of his fond mother. He received his education in the private schools of Polk Coun- ty and became thoroughly versed in agricultural affairs. Upon attaining his majority he went to Clarksville, Ark., and served as Deputy Clerk of Johnson County under A. M. Ward, who was at that time Clerk. After remaining in the position for a time he returned to farm duties, engaging in this occupation for three years.
For a short time in 1850 our subject clerked in a general merchandise store at Clarksville, and in the spring of the same year started for the Pacific Slope, going overland with ox-teams. Arriving in California after six months spent on the way, he procecded to devote himself to gold mining, at which he worked for two years with fair success. Then returning to Clarksville he resumed his former occupation of clerking, continuing at the same for a year and a-half.
In tlic fall of 1856 Mr. Scott came to McGregor, and in partnership with his brother, H. Clay, en- gaged in general merchandising under the name of Scott & Bro. After several years of successful business together, our subject bought out his brother's interest and continued the concern for several years. He then embarked in the wholesale crockery and glassware business in 1868, turning his attention more particularly to the wholesale trade until 1892. Since tlic latter date he has also engaged in retailing quite extensively and is suc- ceeding fairly in his business undertakings. While in the wholesale trade, he made sales in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, meeting with good suc- cess.
In February, 1844, occurred the marriage of Mr. Scott and Jennetta Moore, a native of Mont- gomery, Ala. Her father, William Moore, was born in the Old Dominion and became a prominent planter ncar Montgomery. Nine children, eight of whom are living, graced the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Scott: Martha, wife of John H. Andrick; William A., a resident of La Crosse, Wis .; Eugene
C., Jacob G., and Homer J., of McGregor; Hattic, deceased; Elizabeth, Mrs. E. N. Galland, of this city; Addie Josephinc, Mrs. E. L. Fisher, whose home is in Minneapolis; and Annic M., a book- keeper in her father's store.
One of the stanchest and most influential citizens of McGregor, Mr. Scott has always been esteemed and highly respected. Fraternally, he holds mnem- bership with Beezer Lodge No. 135, A. F. & A. M., of which he is one of the charter members. In poli- tics he is an active worker in the ranks of the Prohibition party. In manner he is pleasant and agreeable, making friends readily, and by his thor- oughly trustworthy and honorable qualitics rc- taining them.
LIAS HALL. Prominent among the farm- ers of Elk Township, Clayton County, Iowa, may be mentioned the name of Mr. Hall, a proficient and progressive agriculturist, and a man of excellent business ability. He has a wide circle of acquaintances and business associ- atcs, whose regard he has won by his genial cour- tesy, upright life and uniform reliability of his transactions. He engages in agricultural pursuits upon his pleasantly situated and highly cultivated farm, consisting of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land. As a farmer he is energetic, indus- trious and efficient and uscs good judgment in the cultivation of his land.
A native of New York, our subject was born in Warsaw, Wyoming County, July 18, 1820, and is the son of Samuel and Hannah (Baker) Hall. His grandparents, Able and Patience (Fargo) Baker, were natives of Connecticut. The father of our subjcet left his home when Elias was quite young, and he with his mother and only brother went to live with his grandparents, where they made their home until the death of her father and mother, which occurred in the same year, the former in June, 1833, and the latter January 4, 1833. After their death our subject took charge of the farm, lis
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mother and brother making their home with him. In 1845 Mr. Hall sold the old homestead and em- igrated to Wiseonsin, his mother and brother, Dyer, going to Onondaga County, N. Y., where they passed the remainder of their days.
Our subject was united in marriage February 28, 1842, with Miss Louise Andrews, who was born in Columbia County, N. Y., in 1822, and to this union were born three children, Alfred, Ernest and Louise. Mrs. Hall departed this life December 7, 1850, and March 29, 1853, Mr. Hall married Chiloa Andrews; she died April 4, 1855. Our sub- jeet next married Miss Roxana Thayer, February 18, 1857; she is the daughter of Elijah and Betsy (Merrill) Thayer. Mr. Hall and his present wife became the parents of four children, three living, Emma C., wife of William Miller, Nettie and Dyer. Harriet A. died November 7, 1865, aged about two years.
Elias Hall moved to Wisconsin in 1845 and purchased some land which he cultivated and im- proved. For six years he made his home in the Badger State and then rented his farm and went to New York. He spent two years tilling the soil in that state and then returned to Wiseonsin and took possession of his former home. Soon af- ter his return his wife died; he then sold his farm and emigrated to Iowa, settling on his present place in Elk Township. He purchased ninety aeres of wild land and set about elearing and im- proving the same. He eanie to Iowa traveling all the way from Wiseonsin, not far from Milwaukee, in a "prairie sehooner" having all his earthly possessions with him. The first thing he did upon liis arrival was to eut and haul logs with whieh to build a small eabin. Mr. Hall still has some of the logs which he has preserved as a memorial of his pioneer life.
Our subjeet with his family attends the Method- ist Church of Elkport, and gives liberally to the support of the same. Politically, he is a staneli Republiean and a local leader of the party. Mr. Hall takes an interest in all matters of publie im- portance and is esteemed as a substantial man of superior business ability and broad intelligenee. He was the first Township Assessor and held that office for eight years; he served as Road Super-
visor for six years, and also as County Supervisor for six years. He is President of the School Board, and is School Director and Sehool Treas- urer. He has given great satisfaction to the com- munity, where he has a host of old time friends and acquaintances.
R EV. THOMAS ROWE, Reetor of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Strawberry Point, was born at Castle Comer, County Kilkenny, Ireland, June 21, 1854, being the son of Nicholas Rowe, a wealthy farmer and stoekman. On the family estate, in the parish of Clough, are 'lo- cated the most extensive coal fields in all Ireland. There were eight sons in the family, all of whom had the advantages of a liberal edueation, and three are Catholic priests. Patrick, the eldest, is at Kimberly, South Africa, in the diamond fields. The second brother, Michael, a Catholic Curate, has charge of a Catholic Church near Kilkenny, Ire- land. William, also a priest, emigrated to Amer- ica about the year 1874, and is now eonneeted with St. James' parochial school in New York City. John is Justiee of the Peace in Clough, Queen's County, Ireland, and owns a large estate. Edward is living on the old homestead at Castle Comer, where the father died in 1874. James is exten- sively engaged in the commission business at Dub- lin. Richard is a commercial traveler in England. Julia lives on the old homestead with her mother and brother. Lizzie is married and resides in Ab- beyleix, Queen's County, Ireland.
In the parochial sehools of Castle Comer our subjeet gained the rudiments of his edueation. In 1865 he entered St. Keiran's College, of which the late Very Rev. Edward McDonald, D. D., was President. Ile and his brother Michael were ordained November 11, 1877, by Cardinal Moran, now Archbishop of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Our subjeet being ordained for the diocese of Dubuque, he at once eame to this coun- try, and was made Rector of St. Aidens Church,
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in West Dubuque, where he remained until 1883. His pastorate was an eminently successful onc, and by his efforts the large debt hanging over the church was paid off.
Coming to Strawberry Point in 1883, Father Rowe was made Rector of St. Mary's Church, which was established by Father John Hackett, of honored memory. Aside from this pastorate, lic has charge of the church at Cox Creek, in Clayton County, and that at Greeley, Delaware County. During the years of his pastorate at this place, his superior ability has resulted in great benefit to the church. The congregation has increased in num- bers, and the interest has steadily grown from the first. A genial and agrecable gentleman, he is popular, not only with his parishioners, but also with all the citizens of Strawberry Point and the surrounding country. He is indefatigable in his efforts to advance the cause of his church, and is a tireless laborer for its welfare. His religious duties require the closest attention on'his part, but lic nevertheless finds time to keep himself posted up- on current events pertaining to the local or national welfare, and is a law-abiding, patriotic citizen, cherishing an affection for, and allegiance to, the country of his adoption.
J OHN HAGENSICK. Few of the agricultur- ists of Clayton County are better known than the subject of this biographical sketch, who is a resident of Boardman Township and is there engaged in cultivating the soil and raising a good grade of stock. His finely improved farm contains three hundred and twenty acres, and is supplied with all the comforts that are to be found upon any first-class estate. In addition to this property he also owns a sixty-acre tract, so that his entire landed possessions aggregate three hun- dred and eighty acres.
A native of Germany, the subject of this notice was born on the 27th of April, 1839, being a son of Christopher and Eva (Beringer) Hagensick, both
of whoni were born in the same province of Ger- many as himself. The family cmigrated to the United States in 1851 and at once came to Clayton County, Iowa, where they for a time rented farm land. Later they took up land from the Govern- ment. They passed their remaining years on this place, where the father dicd at the age of eighty- four years, and the mother at the age of seventy. Their children numbered eight, of whom six arc living at the present time.
When the family came to America our subject was about twelve years old, and he grew to man- hood upon the home farm amid primeval surround- ings, for at that time very few improvements had been made in the now prosperous and well im- proved county. In 1862 he journeyed westward to Colorado and also visited other western states and territories, spending six or seven years in that portion of the country and being variously em- ployed in the meantime. Returning from the west he resumed farm work, at which he has since been engaged. Ilc was thirty-two years old when he chose a helpmate and companion, his union being with Miss Minnie Bedoe, whose parents, Frederick and Anna Bedoe, were among the early settlers of Clayton County. Mrs. Bedoe still lives here, but Mr. Bedoe died in Read Township about two years ago. There have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hagensick six daughters and four sons, all of whom are living with the exception of the eldest son, who died at the age of eighteen years.
Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Hagensick pur- chased from his father the old homestead, upon which he continued to engage in mixed farming until about 1884, when he disposed of the proper- ty and bought three hundred and twenty acres constituting his present estate. In his business en- terprises he is keen and sagacious, and in addition to other landed and moneyed interests is a stock- holder in a bank. He is well-to-do in this world's goods and the prosperity he has gained is richly deserved, for it has been acquired by his own in- defatigable exertions, seconded by the counsel and active co-operation of his estimable wife. He has never mingled actively in politics, but believes in the principles of the Democratic party, which lie uniformly supports. With his family he belongs
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to the Lutheran Church, the services of which he regularly attends, and the good works of which he aids by contributing of his means and time to their support.
N ATHAN SCOFIELD, a retired merchant of Strawberry Point, was born in Essex Coun- ty, N. Y., on Lake Champlain, November 6, 1827. The family has been represented in America for many generations. Our subjeet's great-grandfather, Ebenezer Scofield, was a native of Connecticut and had a family consisting of nine sons and four daughters. Among his sons was Amos, who participated in the War of 1812, and afterward settling in Saratoga County, N. Y., spent his remaining years there.
Our subjeet's father, Harvey Seofield, was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., March 16, 1802, and in early life followed the trade of a wagon-maker. Later, however, he was extensively engaged in the lumber business. In 1837 he removed to Catta- raugus County, N. Y., and thenee in 1865 came to Iowa, settling at Strawberry Point. Here he died in 1872 at the age of seventy years. His wife, who was also his second eousin, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Seofield; she passed from earth in January, 1888, aged eighty-one years.
In a family of three sons and five daughters, our subjeet was next to the oldest. At present three of the sisters and the brothers are living. The eldest, H. H., was appointed Postmaster at Strawberry Point under the administration of President Grant and held the office for sixteen consecutive years; he is still a resident of this place. George D. is a farmer and lives near Straw- berry Point. Laura Ann, now living in this vil- lage, is the widow of Dr. H. N. Sill, who died in 1892. Harriett is single and lives in this eity. Sarah E. is the wife of William Madison, a retired agriculturist whose home is in Edgewood, Iowa.
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