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 60
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 60
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 60
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Our subject and Miss Catherine Ruckdaeshiel were united in marriage January 12, 1866. She was born in Germany in 1847, and came with her parents to this country in 1854 and located in this county. They reside in Clayton Centre at the present time and are numbered among its best citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Seifert are the parents of eleven children: Ernst, deceased; Annie, the wife of R. Scaman, residing in Lincoln, Neb .; Louisa, Mrs. William Fuelling, of Farmersburg, this county; Mary, Amelia, Sophia, Fred, Otto, Laura, Katie and Ernst. The eight last named are living at home. The church of which our subject is pas- tor numbers about fifty members in good standing.
Politically Mr. Seifert is a Democrat but gives very little attention to politics, having his whole
soul in the church work. Rev. Mr. Seifert is a man of excellent judgment and sound, common sense. Among his fellow-citizens he is highly es- teemed as a man of noble principles, unflinching integrity and generosity of heart, and these qual- ities have won for him the confidence of the people with whom he associates. In addition to his pas- torate at Clayton Centre he also preaches at Farm- ersburg and Elkader. Since commencing preach- ing he has baptized one thousand nine hundred and eighty one children. He has also confirmed seven hundred and fifteen children. He has also married five hundred couples and has preached the funerals of five hundred and thirty people. He is a charter member of Bismarck Lodge No. 110, and is one of the United Workmen of Elkader.
HARLES WOODS has been identified with the history of Clayton County from an early period of its settlement. Coming here in 1852 he located in Sperry Township, and began the task of clearing and improving a farm. He had but little means, but he had health, strength, ambition to succeed, and the natural tal- ents to do so, together with an amiable, helpful wife, to assist him in the upbuilding of a home. Working diligently, he succeeded in placing his land under cultivation, and became the owner of a valuable farming property. There he resided until 1894, when, having erected an elegant and spacious residence in Volga, he came to this vil- lage, and herc hopes to spend his declining years in pleasant retirement from life's active cares.
Mr. Woods is of foreign birth and parentage. His father and mother, Robert and Alice (Lenton) Woods, resided in England throughout their entire lives, the former dying in Huntingdonshire at the age of ninety-three, and the latter when sixty years old. Charles was born in that shire on the 1st of February, 1830, and was one of eleven children, of whom the only survivor besides himself is a brother in Niagara County, N. Y. The early
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childhood years of our subject were passed upon the home farm in England, but at the age of ten years he removed with the family to town, where his father became proprietor of a tavern. He re- mained at home until eighteen years of age, when he eame to the United States alone. On the 1st of September, 1848, he took passage at London on a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of five and one- half weeks landed in New York. The voyage was a dangerous one, on account of ocean storms, and on reaching the harbor the passengers were not permitted to land for several days on account of the fact that there was considerable sickness on board ship.
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From New York City Mr. Woods proceeded di- rect to Niagara County, and was employed at Loekport for three and one-half years, after which he came to Iowa and settled in Clayton County. About thirty-seven years ago he was united in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of David and Ann (Bidwell) Thulbon. About one year prior to her marriage she accompanied her parents from Huntingdonshire, England, to the United States, and the family after spending one and one-half years in Loekport, N. Y., eame to Clayton County. In England Mr. Thulbon was employed as a brewer, and worked for one firm for twenty-one years, never losing a day from his work. He died when about fifty-five years of age. His widow after- ward married William Crain and is still living, now (1894) eighty-seven years old. Notwith- standing her advaneed age she is in fair health and retains her mental faculties unimpaired.
To Mr. and Mrs. Woods were born two sons, one of whom died at the age of twenty-four years. The only surviving child is Warner Thulbon, who assists his father in the management of his exten- sive landed interests. He is married and has one daughter. Our subjeet bought his first land, a tract of forty aeres, about two years after his mar- riage. Such was the success of his efforts that he was enabled to add to his property until his pos- sessions now aggregrate three hundred and forty- seven acres. He also owns considerable realty in stock and produce, and all his property is unen- cumbered.
In national issues Mr. Woods is a Republican,
but in loeal matters he votes for the best man rather than the party. While not at present iden- tified with any denomination, lie formerly be- longed to the Episcopal Church, in which faith he was reared. He usually attends thie services of the Methodist Church at Volga.
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EORGE HABERKORN. Prominent among the citizens of Dubuque County who have materially contributed to its prosperity and assisted in its agricultural development is the subject of this sketch. He is one of the successful farmers and stoek-raisers of Jefferson Township, and is the proprietor of a large and well equipped farm, being at the present time the owner of two hundred and forty acres. This valuable estate has been gained through industry, good management and perseveranee on the part of himself and wife.
Like many of the best residents of Iowa, our subject is a native of Germany. He was born in Babaron August 13, 1827, and is the son of Adam and Eve (Renbener) Haberkorn, who spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. He passed the years of boyhood and youth in the place of his birth, where he was the recipient of fair educa- tional advantages. When seventeen years of age he determined to try his fortune in the New World, of which he had often heard the most glowing aeeounts from those who had erossed the ocean. Leaving his native land on the sailing-vessel "Sehiller," he was landed in Baltimore a few weeks later. After one night in that eity le immediately proceeded westward and finally reached Dubuque County, where he secured employment as a farm laborer. For four years he was in the employ of a Mr. Steigers, after which he worked for Mr. Sherrill and later was with Mr. Leonard for three years.
While working for others Mr. Haberkorn was economieal, and saving his earnings, was enabled to enter a quarter-section from the Government.
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This tract he improved and to it he added as he was able until he increased its boundaries to two hundred and forty aeres. Ilere he has since made his home, engaged in general farm work. In all his labors he has had the efficient co-operation of his estimable wife, with whom he was united in marriage October 4, 1852. Mrs. Haberkorn bore the maiden name of Theresia Lang, and by her marriage has had ten children. namely: Mary, Adolph, Julia, Rose, George, Joseph, John, Aloys, Theresia and Frank. -
The first brewery in Jefferson Township was built and operated by Mr. Haberkorn. With that exception he has devoted his entire time to the management of his estate and is considered one of the most enterprising agriculturists of the locality. He looks with pride on the old log cabin that marked. his introduction into Iowa and dcelares he has been a Democrat and a Catholie ever sinec that time. Although often petitioned to accept public office he has steadily refused to do so, pre- ferring to concentrate his attention upon his per- sonal affairs.
M F. McNAMARA, Supervisor of Dubuque County, is one of those progressive, wide- awake farmers who find both pleasure and profit in cultivating the soil, and by means of dignity and ability tend to raise the standard of their chosen occupation. His possessions aggre- gate five hundred and forty acres on section 27, Table Mound Township, and they form one of the most valuable and highly cultivated tracts in the county.
Our subject was born in the city of Dubuque, August 17, 1840, and is the son of John McNa- mara, a native of Ireland, who came to America when a lad of seventeen years. The latter was born June 24, 1804, and prior to his emigration had received a fair education in the public schools near his home. In 1835 he located in Dubuque, where he worked in the lead mines by the day for
a time, after which he engaged in business for him- self for twelve years. At the end of that time John McNamara purchased four hundred aeres of land in Table Mound Township, which he placed under admirable tillage and resided upon until 1874, when, having accumulated a handsome fort- une, he retired and moved to the city of Dubuque. He was well and favorably known throughout the county, and departed this life April 6, 1880, greatly mourned by all who knew him. His brother, Mi- ehael McNamara, was a civil engineer and for a time was inspector of arms and ammunition in the army, and served under General Jackson for five years.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Bridget Gearon, of French descent. Her father served as a Colonel in the French army. Mrs. Mc- Namara was born in Ireland, and when fifteen years of age was orphaned and emigrated with friends to America. She made her home for a time in Troy, N. Y., after which she came to Du- buque, and in 1839 was married to John McNa- mara. She departed this life in 1861 at the age of fifty years.
The parental family of our subject comprised one daughter and three sons, of whom M. F. was the eldest. John, born in 1841, died at the age of twenty years; Catherine, born in 1843, became the wife of James Boland, of Dubuque, and James E. was born in July, 1845, and died May 21, 1891. M. F. received his primary education in the schools of Dubuque, and also attended in Table Mound Township. He afterward carried on his studies in Bully's College, in Dubuque, from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1873. The year prior to receiving his diploma, however, he opened a grain and commission business with M. Brown, and con- tinued to operate with him for four years. At that time our subject disposed of his interest in the business and moved to Parsons, Kan., where he engaged in the same business and at the same time owned a half-interest in a steam flouring mill in that city. He remained there until the spring of 1881, when he returned to Dubuque and located on the old homestead, having previously purchased the property from the rest of the heirs. He has since carried on the business of a general farmer,
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giving special attention to raising of fine grades of stoek, and has on his estate some of the finest and most valuable animals to be found in the county.
Mr. McNamara cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and continued to vote the straight Republican ticket until an effort was made to nominate Grant for the third term, since which time he has east his ballot for Democratic eandi- dates. He has been the recipient of various offices of trust within the power of his fellow-townsmen to bestow, and for three terms was Clerk of his township and is now serving his second term as County Supervisor.
October 6, 1876, our subject and Miss Bell Arm- strong were united in marriage. The lady was born in Nebraska City, Neb., in October, 1858. Her grandfather served as a patriot in the Revo- lutionary War, and made his home where is now the city of Cincinnati, before there was any indi- cation of its reaching its future greatness in num- bers. To Mr. and Mrs. McNamara there have been born three sons and five daughters, bearing the respective names of Estella K., born in 1878, who is attending school in Dubuque; John A., born in 1879; Jennie, in 1882; Lorena, in 1883; Lettitia B., in 1885; Willard F., in 1886; Leona, in 1888, and Michael F., in 1890. Mr. McNamara is a devout member of the Catholic Church, in the faith of which he is rearing his children.
EWIS J. C. ZIEGENFUS, of Anamosa, oc- cupies the responsible position of engineer for the Chieago & Northwestern Railroad Company, running between Anamosa and Clinton. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Dauphin County, in the village of Hummelstown, February 13, 1842. For several generations the family has been represented in the Keystone State, and in Northampton County, Grandfather George Zieg- enfus was born, of Dutch descent. The father of. our subject, who was born in Northampton Coun-
ty, followed the trade of a blacksmith in Penn- sylvania, whence in 1850 he removed to Iowa and located at Lisbon, Linn County, where he made his home until 1884. He moved to Anamosa in 1894, and shortly afterward his death oeeurred. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Wissor, was a descendant of French ancestors, and died more than thirty years ago.
The only survivor of the family is the subject of this sketch. He was a child of eight years when brought to Iowa by his parents, and his first sehool- ing was received in Lisbon, after which he attended Cornell College at Mt. Vernon for two years. At the outbreak of the Civil War he joined Company K, First Iowa Infantry, under Colonel Bates of Dubuque. He was one of the first to respond to the call for troops, his enlistment being in April, 1861. At the expiration of his term of three months he returned home, but afterward again cn- listed, this time as a member of Company F, Thir- teenth Iowa Infantry, commanded by Colonel Crocker. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and he participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, the siege of Vicks- burg and the Atlanta campaign. At Nashville, Tenn., he was honorably discharged in November, 1864.
Returning to Lisbon, Mr. Ziegenfus remained there but a short time, and then went to Clinton, this state, where he entered the employ of the Northwestern Road as fireman on an engine. He was promoted to the position of engineer in 1867, and in that eapaeity has been running between Clinton and this city sinee 1884. For the past twenty-six ycars he has occupied his present re- sponsible place, and is now one of the oldest en- gineers on the road. In the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers he is a prominent and influential worker, and was sent as delegate to the bi-ennial In- ternational Convention of Locomotive Engineers, which convened at St. Paul, Minn., in 1894. For the past fifteen years he has been a member of the General Committee of Adjustment of the Brother- hood of the Northwest System, and for one deeade was Chairman of the committee. He was one of the organizers of the Brotherhood on the North- western Road. When the convention was held in
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St. Paul he was elected Vice-President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers' Mutual Life and Accident Insurance Association, which is located at Cleveland, Ohio, and has a membership of thirty-five thousand and five hundred. This concern has paid over $2,000,000 in losses to its members, has gained their confidence through strict reliability of business transactions, and is in a very flourishing financial condition.
Socially, Mr. Ziegenfus is a member of Keystone Lodge No. 45, A. F. & A. M., Keystone Chapter, R. A. M., at Clinton, and Fred Steele Post, G. A. R., at Anamosa. June 27, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J., daughter of Jacob Arbuthnot, of Benton County, Iowa. Their union has resulted in the birth of three sons and four daughters, as follows: L. Albert, who resides in Clinton; Leone M., T. May, Rachel A., Paul H., David G. and Ruth.
ILLIAM MONLUX. The agricultural regions of America have given a foot- hold to many a poor young man who, by reason of his determination to succeed, his in- dustrious habits and quick appreciation of favor- able circumstances, has overtaken Dame Fortune. One of this class, residing in Wagner Township, is the gentleman above named, who is the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of valuable farming land upon which he is living practically retired from the arduous duties of life.
Our subject is a native of Ohio, having been born in Delaware, December 6, 1833. He is the son of Ezra and Susanna (Wagner) Monlux and the grandson of William and Margaret (Drum) Monlux, natives of Virginia, where also the father of our subject was born. The latter was an infant when the family removed to Ohio and there his parents died at an advanced age.
Ezra Monlux was rcared to mature years in the Buckeye Statc, where he was later married to Miss
Wagner. The couple in 1855 emigrated to Iowa, making the journey overland with teams, and first located in Wagner Township, where the father pur- chascd two hundred and forty acres of land and erected thereon, for the immediate accommodation of his family, a rude log cabin. This gave way two or three years later to a more commodious and substantial dwelling place, where the parents spent the remaining years of their lives. Ezra Monlux was very active in public affairs and was popular with all who knew him. For many years he was County Supervisor, and afterward Justice of the Peace, discharging the duties of each posi- tion in a most satisfactory manner. In politics he voted with the Democratic party until 1860, when he thought he had reason to change his views and ever after was a stanch Republican. He was a liberal supporter of all worthy causes and gave liberally of his mcans in behalf of churches and schools in his township.
The mother of our subject was a native of Penn- sylvania and was the daughter of John and Esther (Scheinior) Wagner, also born in the Keystone State. John Wagner came to Iowa as early as 1846, locating upon the section of land which was afterward named in his honor. He was a man of vast experience and held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens, who often consulted him upon affairs of importance, whether of a public or private nature. He lived to the remarkable age of ninety years and passed away while in the state of Ne- braska. His good wife preceded him to the better land, dying in Iowa when in her seventicth year.
The parental family of our subject included eight children, seven of whom are still living. William, together with several of his brothers, ren- dered valuable service to their country during the late war, serving in the ranks. On the maternal side of the house our subject is of German extrac- tion, while the Monluxes were of French descent.
The original of this sketch conducted his studies at home, never being given the opportunity to at- tend the schools of the neighborhood, and when old enough to do so aided his father in carrying on the home farm. He remained under the par- cntal roof until reaching his twenty-eighth year, when he was married to Miss Priscilla Forney, a
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native of Monroe, Wis., and the daughter of Joseph and Julia (Pierance) Forney, who were born in Kentucky. The father of Mrs. Monlux was a blacksmith by trade, and both of her parents died when she was only four years of age.
To Mr. and Mrs. Monlux there has been granted a family of seven children, all of whom are living with one exception, and bear the respective names of Carrie, Laura M., Mary E., Charles W., Delos D., William M. and Katie A. Soon after his marriage our subject purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, which forms a portion of his present valuable estate, and since that time has occupicd a leading place among the stock breeders of Iowa.
Our subject is a man of much decision of char- acter and intelligent and pronounced views on all subjects, particularly in the matter of politics, act- ing with the Republican party. He has filled nearly all the township offices and for a period of ten years was Justicc of the Peace. In August, 1862, Mr. Monlux enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, under Captain Boardman. Witlı his regiment he was sent to the front and partici- pated in many of the hard-fought battles of the 'war. May 22, 1863, he was severely wounded and later, at the battle of Vicksburg, was compelled to take a leave of absence and was confined for over seven months in the hospital. He was Color Bearer of his regiment and served faithfully and well until receiving his honorable discharge. His brothers John, George and Ezra also fought as soldiers dur- ing that period.
B. STEWART is now officiating as Chief Clerk of the United States Rail- way Mail Service at Dubuque. He is one of the systematic, efficient men in the serv- ice and has done much to perfect it in all depart- ments where his jurisdiction extends. As he has a wide acquaintance among the people of the city and county, we feel assured that the record of liis
life will prove of interest to many of our readers.
A native of the Keystone State, Mr. Stewart was born in Mercer County on the 29th of March, 1842, and is a son of John and Bathiah (Waddle) Stewart. The father followed the occupation of a farmer, and was also for a time proprietor of a hotel. In 1844 he left the cast and with his fam- ily moved to Washington, Iowa. From that place in 1849 he removed to Cedar Rapids, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1890 at the age of ninety years. His wife passed away in Cedar Rapids in November, 1891. They had a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters, but only four of the number are now living.
The youngest member of the family circle is the subject of this sketch. He was a child of two years when with his parents he came to the Hawk- eye State. The public schools afforded him but meager cducational privileges, and he entered upon his business career as clerk in a country store, be- ing thus employed for a number of years. He be- gan business as a grain dealer in Tama City, and there he continued for several years. In March, 1869, he entered the railway service, running on the road from Cedar Rapids to Vinton, Iowa. In this capacity he was employed for a term of seven years; at the expiration of the time lie came to Dubuque, having been transferred to the Illinois Central Railroad, running between Dubuque and Sioux City and three years later to the route between Dubuque and Chicago. In December, 1889, hc was made chief clerk, with headquarters in this city. He has about eighty men under his super- vision and in their management displays excel- lent ability. The acceptable manner in which he discharges his duties has won him high commen- dation and made him a trusted employe in the service.
In 1869 Mr. Stewart was united in marriage with Miss Ida Wheeler, daughter of C. A. Whceler, a resident of Mt. Vernon, Iowa. This estimable lady continued the devoted helpmate of her hus- band until her death, which occurred on the 26th of April, 1893. She left two children, namncly: Charles J., who is a bookkeeper in the Dubuque County Bank, and Clara Louise, a maiden of ten
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summers, who is now attending school. Mr. Stew- art is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, and is an honorable, upright gentleman, whose many excellencies of character have gained him high regard and led to his long retention in the mail service.
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J OHN HARTWICK. Prominent among the practical and progressive farmers and enter- prising citizens of Clayton County is the subject of this biography. His industry, per- severanee and energy are as well known as his name, and it is largely through their exercise that he has beeome the possessor of the finest residence in Giard Township. The house is 32x40 feet in dimensions, with an L 32x22 feet, and is not only commodious, but conveniently arranged as well. Born September 29, 1840, he is a native of Hesse- Cassel, Germany, where were also born his parents, Conrad and Elizabeth (Sehneider) Hartwiek.
The father of our subjeet, Conrad Hartwiek, was a farmer by occupation. In 1847 he emigrated to America and eame at onee to Iowa, where he set- tled in Giard Township, Clayton County. Here he purchased a partly improved farm on seetion 27, and to its cultivation and improvement he gave his attention until his death, which occurred July 27, 1890. His wife died in May, 1875. In relig- ious faith both were valued members of the Ger- man Methodist Church. When the family left Ger- many John was a child of six years, and after a journey of seven weeks on the ocean, he reached America. He was edueated in the public schools of Giard Township, and remained on a farm until attaining man's estate, when he took charge of the home place. At his father's death he received the entire estate of one thousand acres of well eulti- vated land, over six hundred aeres of which he now has under cultivation.
In 1865 Mr. Hartwick was united in marriage with Miss Christina B. Arnold, the daughter of Fred Arnold, one of the early settlers of Clayton
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