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 56
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 56
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 56
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The marriage of Mr. Taylor occurred in 1869 and united him with Mrs. Cora (Eaton ) Sherwood, a native of Vermont and a daughter of Amos Eaton. Two children bless the union, Jennie and Park. Their daughter is the wife of Lloyd Lathrop, and they, with their son Howard, reside on the home farm. Mrs. Taylor and her daughter are members of the Baptist Church, which the others of the family attend. They are highly re- garded throughout the county and have a large circle of acquaintances by whom they are held in the greatest esteem.
EORGE H. SCOFIELD. Probably in thic history of the representative business houses of Strawberry Point no better ex- ample can be found of the results of cnergy and well directed efforts than is strikingly illustrated by the firm of G. H. Scofield & Son. The propri- etor of this establishment is one of the most suc- cessful business men of Strawberry Point, and is the owner of the substantial two-story brick block in which are situated his store, a drug establish- ment and the Postoffice.
Chautauqua County, N. Y., is the birthplace of our subject, and November 2, 1841, his natal day. His father, W. W., was born in 1813 in Essex County, N. Y., and was the son of Azariah Scofield. a merchant of the Empire State. So far back as there is any record of the family, they have been engaged in the mercantile business. W. W. fol- lowed that occupation in De Wittville, N. Y., un- til 1859, when he came to Iowa. Three years la-
HENRY H. CLARK, M. D.
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ter he embarked in the mercantile business in Strawberry Point, and the succeeding years have been devoted mainly to that enterprise. For a time he operated as a druggist, but this he disposed of in 1893, since which time he has lived in retire- ment. At the age of eighty-onc lic is still living (1894), but has lost his hearing and is nearly blind as well.
The mother of our subject, known in maiden- hood as Maria Ingerson, was a native of tlie Em- pire State and an own cousin of her husband. She had two sons, George H. and N. W., and one daughter, Martha, who is unmarried and lives in Strawberry Point. N. W. enlisted as a private in Company B, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, and died in Missouri while in active service. Our sub- ject received a practical education in the schools of New York, and in his father's store was thor- oughly initiated in the mercantile business. He was eighteen when the family canie to Iowa and settled in Strawberry Point, where in 1862 lie en- tercd the mercantile business with his father. Sub- sequently he succeeded to the business, and from 1862 to the present time has conducted the lead- ing store in the place.
As a citizen, Mr. Scofield has maintained a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the people. The principles of the Democratic party have been upheld by him since he became a voter, and upon the party ticket he has been elected to many positions of honor and responsi- bility. For two terms he served as a member of the County Board of Supervisors, a portion of which time he was Chairman. He is the present Mayor of Strawberry Point, and since his election to this office has introduced a number of needed improvements. and reforms calculated to benefit the town. As a public official, he is painstaking, thorough and capable, displaying in all his decis- ions sound judgment and more than ordinary sa- gacity. IIc is the owner of valuable property in Strawberry Point, and also a farm in Clayton County. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
The cstimable wife of our subject bore thie maiden name of Susan Wing, and was born in Livingston, Mich., being the daughter of John L.
Wing, a shoemaker of that place. They have had nine children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are: Mary O., Harry W., Effie L., Georgia M., Guy F., Susan E., Bessie E. and William J. Harry W., who married Mattie Jakway, is the jun- ior member of the firm of G. H. Scofield & Son, and is a popular young business man; socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. Effie L. is the wife of F. J. Blake, an attorney of Ft. Dodge, Iowa. The fam- ily is one of prominence in social circles, and its members are welcomed guests in the best society of the county.
H ENRY H. CLARK, M. D., a well known and prominent physician of McGregor, has been local surgeon for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad for almost eighteen years. Though he conducts a large general prac- tice he is especially qualified in surgical cases, to which he is often called from distant points. He was one of the organizers of the State Board of Healthlı, having been appointed by the Governor. In this capacity he served for thirteen consecutive years and acted as President for one terin. Also on the State Board of Medical Examiners he served from the time of its organization until 1892, when his term expired.
The members of the Clark family liave been from early days prominent and influential citizens in Pennsylvania, where the first representatives settled on coming from Scotland. Our subject's paternal grandfather was James Clark, an attor- ney-at-law and a leading politician in the Key- stone State. His son, J. K., the father of our sub- ject, was born in Pennsylvania and followed the occupation of farming. In 1852 he went to Illi- nois, where lie mnade settlement, and continued his former vocation in Stephenson County. His wife, Helen (Wolf) Clark, was of German descent, being
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a daughter of John Wolf and a native of Susque- hanna County.
Dr. H. H. Clark was born in Centre County, Pa., October 12, 1843, and spent his boyhood up to the age of twelve years in that state. Coming west with his parents to Illinois he there continued his education in the publie schools, supplementing the same by a course of study at the Roek River Sem- inary in Mt. Morris. In the fall of 1866 he entered the Medical Department of the Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill., from which he was graduated in 1870, and spent some time acquiring a praetieal knowledge of his profession in Mercy Hospital, Chicago, in the capacity of House Sur- geon and House Physician.
It was in 1870 that the Doctor came to Mc- Gregor, where he opened an office and eondueted his large and paying practice. He has always eon- tinued his studies and has taken an active part in medical matters, being at the present time a mem- ber of the North Iowa Medical Society, the State Medical Society, and the American Health Associ- ation. In 1893 he was elected delegate to the In- ternational Medical Convention held in the City of Mexico in that year, and his long trip to that pieturesque and noted metropolis was a very pleas- ant and profitable one.
In the summer of 1862 Dr. Clark enlisted in Company G, Ninety-second Illinois Infantry, a part of the famous Wilder Brigade. He partiei- pated in fifty-two engagements, among which we mention the important battles of Atlanta, Chiek- amauga and Jonesboro, and he also served through Sherman's entire campaign. After three years of valiant and capable serviee in defense of the Stars and Stripes he was mustered out at Chapel Hill, N. C., and then returned to his medical studies, which had been thus interrupted. In politics he is a true-blue Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Beezer Lodge No. 135, A. F. & A. M., Clayton Chapter No. 27, and Honorius Commandery No. 8, K. P.
In the fall of 1871, Dr. Clark married Miss Ju- dith, daughter of Judge Downing Baugh. The latter was a native of Kentucky and settled in Iowa at an early day, locating at Mt. Ver- non. Later he came to McGregor and oceupied
an influential place in local affairs. He was prom- inent as a Mason and stood high in the legal pro- fession. Mrs. Clark's mother, who was a native of Ohio, was before her marriage Miss Sophronia Davis. A family comprising four daughters and two sons has blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Clark, and the family eirele is as yet unbroken. The two eldest daughters, Alice May and Florenee Lillian, are now students in Northwestern Univer- sity, at Evanston; Harry H .; Maude Geneva, a student in the high school; William Clarenee and Ethel Baugh complete the number.
R EV. LAWRENCE F. ROCHE, Pastor of St. Martin's Catholic Church of Cascade, was born in Ireland in 1850. He received his education in that country and was ordained by Arehbishop Patriek Tealey, of Cashel, Ireland. He eame to Ameriea in 1872 and settled in Dubuque. He was afterward given charge of St. Peter's Church at Temple Hill, Jones County, and in 1876 was transferred to St. Anthony's Church at Davenport, where he remained five years. Re- turning to Dubuque at the expiration of that time our subject took charge of the Cathedral in that eity and continued as its pastor until he eame to Caseade. This congregation was originally attend- ed by the Rev. Father Predine about fifty years ago. It was then a small mission and the pastor only visited them occasionally in order to attend to their spiritual wants. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Traey, who was stationed at Garry Owen.
The Cascade Mission was separated from Garry Owen and attached to Temple Hill, which was a flourishing Catholie settlement in an early day as it is at present. The Rev. Father MeGinnis, now deeeascd, was pastor of the church at that time. The building in which they met for worship was a small briek structure near where the present large ehureh now stands. Resident priests supplied the congregation for some time, among whom was the Rev. George A. Hamilton, who remained with them for six months; Rev. James Slatterly succeed-
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ed, and in 1860 the Rev. J. O'Connor took eharge, remaining for one year. He was followed by Rev. James Cunningham, whose death occurred two years later. Rev. Michael Lynch was then ealled and for eleven years he faithfully served the church. During his pastorate the present commodious build- ing was ereeted and also that of St. Martin's Con- vent and accompanying schools.
In 1876 Father Lyneh was sueceeded by the Rev. Jolin Hennessy, who administered the affairs of St. Martin's until 1880. Then Father James P. Barron occupied the pastorate until June of the following year, when our subjeet assumed eontrol. He has the spiritual welfare of one hundred and forty families to look after. Sinee eoming to Cas- cade he has made many valuable improvements in the church property, among which was the large church tower and the priest's residence, which was built at a eost of $5,000, and a sehool building at about $1,000. The ehureh proper is a solid stone structure, nieely furnished, and when completed cost $16,000. There is a fine sehiool for boys, the building oeeupying two lots on Keene Street. The girls' sehool is situated in the Convent of St. Mar- tin's and the total scholarship is one hundred and twenty. Six Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Vir- gin Mary are employed as teachers and instruct the pupils in all branches of education. Rev. Father Roche gives his entire attention to his church work and is highly respected in the community in which he lives.
T HOMAS R. ERCANBRACK. Anamosa has furnished many examples of the suecess attendant upon persistent industry, forti- fied by the intelligence that impels to the improve- ment of opportunities. Notable in its history is the fact that many of its professional men liave attained a leading position at the Bar of Jones and surrounding eounties and have become important faetors in the financial circles of the state. Among those who have contributed to the rapid advance- ment of the eity, and who are well known in the
legal profession, may be mentioned the name of Mr. Ereanbraek, who for many years has engaged in the praetiee of law at this place.
The birthplace of our subject is in Ephratah, Fulton County, N. Y., and August 19, 1832, the date of his advent into the world. His ancestors were members of the agricultural communities of Connectient and New York. His paternal fore- fathers inhabited the rieh valleys of the Mohawk in Montgomery County. The aneestors of his mother were early emigrants from Salisbury, Conn., to what subsequently became known as Salisbury, Herkimer County, N. Y. In 1845 the family re- moved from the last-named place to Byron, Ogle County, Ill. In youth our subject was the recipi- ent of excellent advantages, and was a student in Mt. Morris Seminary, at Mt. Morris, Ill., Beloit College, at Beloit, Wis., and the Wesleyan Univer- sity of Conneetieut, being graduated from the lat- ter institution in 1858.
After completing hisstudies, Mr. Ereanbraek was for ten years engaged as a teacher in the publie sehools, and also served one term as Superintend- ent of Seliools of MeHenry County, Ill., closing his eareer as an educator as Prineipal of the publie schools at Evanston, Ill. In 1867 he was gradi- ated from the Law Department of the Iowa State University, and on the first of the following year settled at Anamosa, at whiel plaee lie has been in continuous practice to the present time as a mem- ber of the firm of Remley & Ereanbraek. Thor- oughly grounded in legal techniealities, he is ad- mirably qualified both by natural gifts and by training for the successful management of intri- cate eases, and his success as an attorney is the well merited result of past labors.
In politics a Republican, Mr. Ercanbraek is less a politician than a liberal-spirited citizen, but nevertheless adheres loyally to the principles of his party. All moral reforms receive his warm sympathy and co-operation. In religious belief he is a member of the Methodist Chureli, and is in- terested in everything pertaining to the advance- ment of the cause. For many years he has been an active member of the Masonie fraternity in all its branelies. He has served as Grand Junior Warden in the Grand Lodge, Grand High Priest
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in the Grand Chapter, and is now Grand Gener- alissimo of the Grand Commandery, all of Iowa. He has also been Grand Patron of the order of the Eastern Star. These positions make him a mem- ber of four national Masonic bodies.
December 27, 1865, at Marengo, Ill., Mr. Ercan- braek was united in marriage with Miss Harriet A., daughter of David G. Boyce. For a score of years they have resided in the central part of the eity of Anamosa, in one of the most pleasant homes of the place. Their residence is surrounded by ample and well kept grounds, and their social relations are of the most delightful character. For many years Mrs. Ereanbrack has been an active worker in the State and National bodies of the Non-Partisan Woman's Christian Temperance Union. For five years she served as Grand Matron of the Eastern Star, and is one of the principal offiecrs of the na- tional body of that order.
ERCIVAL W. MCCLELLAND, who gave his serviees in the defense of our eountry during the War of the Rebellion, and who won honors and distinetion in the ranks, is now engaged in the merehant clothing business at Monona, Clayton County. He has conducted this line of business for several years suceessfully here, and in his store may be found a well selected assortment of gentlemen's furnishing goods and a full line of the latest ready made elothing. He is a publie spirited eitizen who in every way en- deavors to forward the best interests of the eom- munity in which he makes his home. The boys in blue have a cherished place in his heart, and he is a member of the Grand Army.
The birth of our subjeet occurred in Licking County, Ohio, October 14, 1846, and his father, Rev. E. J. MeClelland, was a native of Niagara County, N. Y. He was a faithful and devoted minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was called from his labors when still in the prime
of life and the height of his usefulness, at the age of forty-nine years. His father, who was also a minister, and operated a farm in New York, was born in that state, and the great-grandfather of our subjeet, who was an offieer in the British army, was a native of Scotland. He came to Ameriea during the French and Indian War, and in one engagement received several wounds, for which he afterwards was rewarded by a pension. Having become interested in the Indians, he later engaged in missionary work among them, and led a very busy and aetive life. The mother of Percival W., who is still living, though now in her seventieth year, was before her marriage Miss Miranda West- eott. She was born in Erie County, N. Y., and grew to womanhood in that eounty, where her ancestors, who were of English deseent, located at a very early day.
Our subject is the eldest in his parents' family, which comprised three children, and is the only one now living. His boyhood days were passed in the Buckeye State, where he received his first schooling. When a youth of twelve years he came to Iowa, and here was enrolled as a student in Iowa State University, from which, in due time, he graduated -with the degrees of Bachelor of Seience and Bachelor of Didacties. The date of this event was 1873, and soon after he commenced his career as a teacher. In 1874 he eame to Monona, where he served for two years as Prin- cipal of the sehool, and for another year oceupied a similar position in the Elkader sehools. After- ward, his reputation as an educator having gained the good will and confidence of the people, lie was elected by them to the position of Superin- tendent of the County Sehools, and as such he continued for four years and four months, to the full satisfaction of his friends and constituents.
About 1882 Mr. McClelland embarked in a new line of business, starting the first lumber yard in Monona. This he earried on successfully for the succeeding five years, when he sold out the busi- ness advantageously. He then purchased a farm adjoining the village where he still resides, and in 1891 purehased a stock of clothing and men's furnishing goods, opening a store in this place. He has sinee continued in this line and is meeting
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with good success, as his goods are known to be reliable and just what he represents them to be. His trade is drawn from the surrounding country as well as from the immediate village, and thoughi he has not been long engaged in this branch of trade, his customers are constantly increasing their patronage.
Mr. MeClelland was first married in 1881, to Miss Anna M. Winkley, who was born in New Hampshire, and who died, leaving a little daugh- ter, Anna E., who is living with her father. In 1884 our subjeet wedded Anna M. Fair, a native of Monona, Iowa, who departed this life six years later. Of their two children, Roy, the elder, died when eight years of age, and the younger, Jean, is with her father.
In his political relations our subjeet is a true Republiean, and is greatly interested in the party. He has served as Justice of the Peace and in minor offices. A member of Monona Post No. 495, G. A. R., he was Adjutant for two years. He en- listed in 1862 in the cavalry serviee as a private, and was promoted to be Second Sergeant of his company. He continued in active service until the elose of the war, taking part in many of the principal battles and engagements, among them, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, the siege of Atlanta and Wilson's great cavalry raid in 1865, terminating in the eapture of Jefferson Davis, and was given an honorable discharge at Nashville on the termination of hostilities.
M ARK W. LOVETT, a representative gen- eral agrieulturist, successful stoek-raiser and experienced nurseryman of Elk Township, Clayton County, Iowa, is a native of Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being June 25, 1817. He is the son of Joshua and Hepzibah (Paxon) Lovett, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania; the former was born in the year 1775, and departed this life in 1846; the latter was born in
1777, and followed her husband to the better land in 1865. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom are now living: Beulah, Ann, Mercy, Mary, Joseph, Owen, Mark W.(our subjeet),Stephen and Isaae.
Our subjeet emigrated to Warren County, Ohio, in 1835, where he remained thirteen ycars. Hoping to better his financial condition by going farther west he left there and came to Clayton County, Iowa, and settled in Elk Township, where he en- tered one-half section of land on which he now resides. He was a miller by trade in his early life, which occupation he followed for twenty-one years; sinee that time he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is noted far and wide as one of the greatest stock breeders of the county. He is also a very extensive nurseryman, and his word is taken as authority in everything pertaining to that line of industry. The old log cabin in which he spent so many happy years still stands in its old aeeus- tomed place on the farm. Mr. Lovett keeps and cherishes it as a landmark and as a reminder of his early pioneer life.
Mr. Lovett was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Appleton, of Greene County, Ohio. She was born in Bueks County, Pa., November 9, 1814, and was the daughter of Richard and Han- nalı (Moad) Appleton. The former was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New Jersey. Our subject and wife were the parents of six ehil- dren, four of whom are living: Mercy, Phœbe, Appleton, Mark W., Anna and Hannah. Our sub- jeet does not belong to any church but generally attends the Quaker meetings in his seetion. In his political belief he is a stanel Republican and takes an active interest in local and national issues, and is well versed in the vital interests and publie af- fairs of the day; he is widely known and fully com- mands the esteem of the entire community among whom his useful years are passed. It is to sueli citizens as he that Elk Township owes the promi- nent position it oecupies as one of the first town- ships in the county. Mr. Lovett is one of the wealthy land owners of Clayton County, being the possessor of eight hundred broad aeres, all under a high state of cultivation. He has a fine apple orchard, containing about two thousand trees, bc-
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sides all kinds of small fruit in abundance. Our subject has been elected to many offices of honor and trust and has served as School Treasurer for ten ycars. His course in life has been such as to win for him the warm friendship of his associates, and he justly merits the high regard in which he is lield.
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M ICHAEL NEYLAN. Not a little of the success and prosperity gained by Iowa is due to her citizens who are of Irish birth or descent, and who, combining the qualities of cheerful perseverance and industry characteristic of their race, with the pluck and determination possessed by Americans, have succeeded in advanc- ing their personal welfare and enhancing the ma- terial progress of the state. Of this class is Mr. Neylan, a resident farmer of Clayton County, and the owner and occupant of a well improved farm in Boardman Township.
In County Clare, Ireland, the subject of this sketch was born in 1820, being a member of the family of Francis and Jane (Cusick) Neylan, botlı of whom were born in the same county as our subject, and there remained until death. Michael grew to manhood amid the scenes of his native country, and while his educational advantages were very limited, he managed to acquire a valuable fund of information as a result of liabits of close observation formed in boyhood. About the time of the Mexican War he crossed the occan, secking a home in our country, and here he has since re- mained. His home has been in Iowa for forty years or more, but he has also traveled extensively and visited almost every part of the United States.
For a time after coming to Iowa, Mr. Neylan was employed on a railroad, and also followed other lines of work. Finally he settled down to the quiet life of a farmer, and to this occupation he has since devoted his entire attention. His first purchase consisted of forty acres in Highland Township, Clayton County, to the cultivation of
which he devoted himself assiduously. So suc- cessful was he in his enterprises that he was soon enabled to add forty acres to his landed posses- sions, and afterward twenty acres, and at the pres- ent time he is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres.
The lady to whosc counsel and active assistance Mr. Neylan owes not a little of his success bore the maiden name of Mary Glynn, and was born in County Clare, Ireland. Their union has resulted in the birth of four children, of whom thrce are now living, as follows: Ellen, who is married and has five children; Jolin, also married, and who is the father of seven children, and Jane, who resides with her parents. Mr. Neylan has always been very industrious and persevering, but in his un- dertakings lic was long beset by poverty, and in securing his land he had much to contend with. However, he had the pluck necessary to secure success, and by undaunted energy gradually worked his way upward to a position of promi- nence in his community. All that he is, and all that he has, may be attributed to his indefatigable exertions, and he is one of the type of men usually ~ termed self-made. He lias never taken an active part in political affairs, but favors the policy of the Democratic party, which he supports in national elections. In local matters, lie advocates men rather than party and gives his influenee to the can- didates whom he believes will best advance the interests of the township and county.
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