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 62
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 62
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 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
LE JOHNSON, who is well known and honored in this portion of the county, is distinguishicd as being one of the most en- terprising farmers and extensive landholders of Wagner Township. He is the owner and occu- pant of five hundred acres of land, and is classed among those who make of agriculture both an art and a science.
Our subject was born in Norway, January 8, 1838, and is the son of Ole and Lena (Benson) Johnson, also natives of the same country. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1849, embarking from Bremen, and were on the ocean four weeks and two days. On landing in Quebec, they at once made their way into the States, stop- ping first in the then hamlet of Chicago. From
522
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
that place they made their way to Rock County, Wis., where they remained for a year, after which they made their advent into this county. Here Ole Johnson, Sr., purchased forty acres of wild land, upon which he erected a log cabin 16x20 feet in dimensions, wherein the family made their home for about sixteen years. At the expiration of that time, the father sold this tract and moved to another farm, and the year following, 1861, built thereon a commodious and substantial residence. There the good wife and mother passed away when in the sixty-second year of her age. Ole Johnson, Sr., lived to be seventy-eight years old, when he was also called hence. He was very successful as an agrieulturist, and at his decease left an estate comprising two hundred and thirty acres which bore many valuable improvements, and was well stoeked with good grades of cattle and machinery.
Our subjeet was one in a family of six children, three sons and one daughter of whom are yet liv- ing. He was reared on the home farm, aiding his father very materially in accumulating his wealth, and in the meantime had acquired a good educa- tion in the schools of the district. When ready to establish a home of his own he was married, at the age of thirty-two years, to Miss Anna Wall, who was born in Wagner Township, this county, and was the daughter of Ole and Emma Wall. The latter were also natives of Norway, whence they emigrated to America in the year 1850, and lived in this state until their death when advaneed in years.
To our subjeet and his estimable wife have been born the following named children: Otto, Lena, Octavius, Henry, Emma, Johanna, Ruth, Beattie, Benjamin, Rudolph, Nettie and Ruth, deceased. Mr. Johnson remained upon the home farm for about twelve years after his marriage, and on the expiration of that time we find that he located on a tract of two hundred aeres, which is included in his present valuable estate of five hundred aeres. He is an ambitious, wide-awake man, whose capa- bilities, industry and methodical business habits have been the making of him and given him good financial standing in the community.
Our subject, together with his father, has voted with the Republican party since its organization.
He has ever manifested a deep interest in the wel- fare of his township, and has been called upon at various times to hold most of the offices of respon- sibility and trust. He is a true Christian gentle- man and a devoted member and regular attendant at the Lutheran Church.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were John and Mary Johnson, natives of Norway, in which country they passed their entire lives. They were farmers by occupation, as were also most of the ancestors of Mr. Johnson.
I AMES CARTER. Jones County contains many valuable farms and one of these, pleas- antly situated on section 16, Jackson Town- ship, is the home of Mr. Carter. The prop- erty consists of two hundred and forty acres which at the time of purchase by the present owner was wholly unimproved; through the exercise of in- dustry, perseverance and good management on his part, they have been placed under good eulti- vation and are now very productive. The build- ings are such as may be found upon every first- elass farm. They are substantial and conveniently arranged. The barn, one of the best in the neigh- borhood, is 130x40 feet in dimensions and has a capacity of two hundred tons of hay.
England is the birthplace of Mr. Carter and Gloneester his native shire. There he was born in 1832 to the union of Daniel and Mary Martha Car- ter, natives of England, who spent their entire lives in that land. The family not being well-to-do the educational advantages enjoyed by our subject were meager, his time being devoted principally to the maintenance of the family. As he grew to manhood and heard on every hand favorable re- ports of the opportunities offered by the United States to the energetie young men of other lands, he decided to seek his fortune here. Accordingly about 1854 he took passage for America, and land- ing in New York, proceeded directly west to Illi- nois, where he spent two years.
In 1857 Mr. Carter came to Iowa, at which time
523
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
he took the contract to build seven miles of Air- line Railroad in Joncs County. The venture, low- ever, like many other bubbles blown by over-con- fident speculators, proved a failure, and the road was never built. The next move made by Mr. Car- ter was the purchase of farming land in Jackson Township, and establishing his permanent home here, he lias since been engaged in general farming pursuits. He has given some attention to public affairs and takes an intelligent interest in com- mendable enterprises. His political faitli is that of the Democratic party. In educational matters he is also interested, realizing that the future of our country depends upon the intelligence and public spirit of those who are now students in the common schools. For several years he has been Director in the schools of this district.
The lady who since December 27, 1859, has been the efficient helpmate of Mr. Carter was formerly Miss Rhoda J. Benadom. She is the daughter of William and Mary A. (Ebright) Benadom, natives of Ohio, and early settlers of Jones County, Iowa. Two sons and five daughters have come to bless this household. They are: William, who lives near the city of Olin; Nathan E., who is with his parents; Mary, wife of C. E. Blaney; Ida, who inarricd Charles D. Stivers; Melissa, wife of Simeon Ballou; Barbara A., now Mrs. C. E. Gordon, and Rosa F., who is with her parents. The family is one of social prominence in the township and its members are respected wherever known.
H. F. SCHOULTE, a wealthy farmer and stock-raiser of Clayton County, Iowa, was born in Dubuque County, Iowa, December 5, 1841. His father was a native of Germany and served as a Guard in the Prussian army for two years. The father emigrated to this country in the year 1838 and settled in Dubuque, Iowa, work- ing therc as a day laborer until 1842, when he re- moved to Garnavillo Township, and engaged in the improvement of land until his demise. His
wife still survives and resides on the old homc- stead. There were cleven children born to this couple, nine of whom were boys, and two girls, four of the boys dying before they reached the age of maturity.
Our subject was tlic eldest child in the family. He was reared in Garnavillo Township and was educated in the district schools there, and then attended the college at Sinsinawa, Wis. In 1871 he came to Farmersburg Township and lived for a short time in a little frame house. He settled upon three hundred and fifteen acres of land and culti- vated the great majority of it, and since that time he has constantly been accumulating more, until at present he has over one thousand acres of broad and well cultivated fields. In the year 1874 he erected a fine, capacious granary, the dimen- sions of which are 24x34 feet, with a capacity of five thousand bushels, and it is at this writing filled to overflowing with a fine crop of winter wheat. His property was greatly improved by the erection of a beautiful eleven-room residence, which is equipped with all of the modern improve- ments. His orchard, which covers three acres, is not to be forgotten. One reason of his great suc- cess is that he individually superintends all of the work on his farm, although he employs four hired hands.
Our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary Kann, daughter of Henry Kann, who is a prominent citizen of Guttenberg. Mrs. Schoulte is a most estimable lady, and was born in Clayton County, Iowa. She is one of thirteen children, twelve of whom are still living, and eleven of whom are recorded in the Iowa Book of Records, which was exhibited in the Iowa State Building at the World's Fair. Those living are as follows: Henry, Katie, Philomena, William, May, Frank, Lucy, Oliver, Pelonia, Grace, Hilda and August C. Our subject and his worthy wife arc valued members of the Catholic Church, and have shown them- selves friends of educational advancement by giv- ing to their children every possible opportunity to improve themselves and thus prepare them to oc- cupy with honor any work, public or private, to which they may be called.
The people of Farmersburg Township have
524
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
shown their respeet and esteem for Mr. Schoulte by giving to him offices of publie trust, as School Director for two years, Secretary of the District, Commissioner of the Elkader Stone Bridge ( which was erected at the cost of $16,000), Road Super- visor, Assessor for four year's, Treasurer of the Clayton County Agriculture Society for three years and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He is one of the incorporators and also a member of the Old Settlers' Association of Clayton Coun- ty, and is the President of the Clayton County Fire and Lightning Mutual Insurance Company. His life has been worthily spent and his character is a noble one. The history of this community would be incomplete without his sketeh, and we gladly present this record of his life work to our readers.
L. ORRICK is Seeretary and Treasurer of the John Mehlhop. Son & Co., one of the leading business firms of Du- buque, owners of a large wholesale grocery house. Our subjeet is a native of Maryland, having been born in Blaine County, that state, on the 2d of July, 1844. He is the second in a family of six ehildren, whose parents were John and Lydia (Wells) Orrick. The father was a physician and there practiced his profession for many years.
Mr. Orrick of this sketch acquired his early edu- eation in the publie schools and later in private schools. Believing that the west furnished better opportunities for ambitious young men, he emi- grated to Wisconsin, locating at Stevens Point, where he was employed in a lumber yard and in a general store for some time. Later he took charge of John W. Robinson's lumber business at Conants, Wis., there remaining in charge for three years. He abandoned that position in order to enter his
country's service, for a spirit of patriotism burned within him and he donned the blue, joining Com- pany B, of the Forty-seventh Wisconsin Infantry, commanded by Colonel Lowell. With his regi- ment he was sent to the south, first to Nashville, Tenn., and afterwards to Alabama. He did gar- rison duty in different parts of the south until af- ter the close of the war, when, in 1865, he was honorably discharged.
Mr. Orriek then came to Dubuque and aeeepted a position as bookkeeper with Allen Young, a druggist, in whose employ he remained for two years. In February, 1869, he became a book- keeper for J. Mehlhop, a wholesale grocer, and was thus employed until 1874, when he was admitted to partnership in the business. The firm name was then changed to John Mehlhop, Son & Co. In July, 1890, a stock company was incorporated with John Mehlhop as President; H. H. Mehlhop, Viee-President; and William L. Orrick, Seeretary and Treasurer. This company is now doing a large and constantly inereasing business and is repre- sented on the road by a traveling salesman in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Wiseonsin. and Minnesota. This business was established in 1853 by Mr. Mehl- hop. They now occupy a large building, 43 x 113 feet, ten stories in height, and carry a large line of staple and fancy groceries, teas, coffees and sundries. During the long existenee of this busi- ness the firm has ever enjoyed a reputation for uniform reliability, promptness and aceuraey and honorable business conduet. In the house some eighteen experienced clerks are employed.
In October, 1877, Mr. Orrick was united in mar- riage with Miss Florenee Clark, daughter of Capt. W. L. Clark, of Buffalo, Scott County, Iowa. The lady had been previously married, and by her first husband had one son, William Wells. By the seeond union has been born a son, Harry R.
Mr. Orriek is deseended from honored ancestry. His grandfather, John Cornwall Orrick, was of Scotch deseent. His grandmother was a Mrs. Kirk, and her father was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. In his political views our subjeet is a Demoerat, and socially is connected with Metropolitan Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., also with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He
525
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
is a gentleman of superior attainments and close attention to business, and careful management has made him one of the leading merchants of his adopted city.
++
OHN DRISCOLL, an influential citizen, prosperous general agriculturist, successful stock-raiser and well known breeder of fine Hereford cattle has for over a quarter of a century been a continuous resident of his finely cultivated homestead, pleasantly located upon sec- tion 31, Prairie Creek Township, Dubuque Coun- ty, Iowa. Mr. Driscoll is a native of New York City, and was born in 1840. His father, Dennis Driscoll, was a farmer of County Cork, Ireland, and having wedded Miss Margaret Crowley, also a native of County Cork, emigrated with his wife to America soon after their marriage. Safely landing in New York City, Dennis Driscoll after a brief time spent in the metropolis of the Empire State went to New Orleans, where he worked for five years, occupied mostly in loading vessels. In 1846 he came with his family by the Mississippi River to Dubuque and located in Jackson Coun- ty, buying land at the Government price of $1.25 per acre. He was one of the earliest settlers of the county, and found a plentiful supply of wild game and venison for the use of the table. The humble log house completed, the family entered into the rude experiences of the dwellers on the frontiers of civilization.
Dennis Driscoll was an ambitious and energetic man and toiled unweariedly in the improvement of the four hundred acres which he had purchased. He broke the land with ox-teams, and was at times obliged to go with the same slow conveyance to far off Dubuque and Belleville for certain necessa- ries of daily use. The father of our subject has followed the pursuit of agriculture all his life, and is now living in Jackson County with a son. His remembrances of early days are entertaining and
find many a delighted listener. He was well ac- quainted with the leading chief of the Indians, who frequently made him social and friendly visits and who were for some time his nearest neighbors. A strong and unusually healthy man, vigorous in mind and body, he has never used medicine except when he had a severe attack of yellow fever. His wife, a most excellent woman, passed away in 1880. She was a devout member of the Catholic Church and became the mother of nine children, of whom six are yet living. Father Driscoll is now four-score years, and only when he and his wife were both stricken in New Orleans with the terrible scourge, yellow fever, has he ever been ill. Like his wife he is a Catholic and a inost excellent man, and has made his way in the world by his own self-reliant industry.
Our subject was the oldest of the brothers and sisters and has, since he came to Iowa with his par- ents at six years of age, been a constant resi- dent of the state. Walking three miles each way through the storms of winter he gained an educa- tion in the primitive schools of the neighborhood, and as soon as he was old enough assisted upon his father's farm. . Having attained to manhood he located in 1867 upon his present homestead of two hundred and forty acres, which with the exception of about twenty-five acres was all wild prairie land, but which in these past years Mr. Driscoll has cleared of underbrush and highly improved. Our subject was married in 1867 to Ellen DeLong, of County Cork, Ireland, and a daughter of Jere- miah and Ellen (Donovan) DeLong, both natives of the Emerald Isle. Emigrating to America in 1854, they made their home with their family in Iowa, where the mother dicd in 1885, the father surviving until 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Driscoll have been blessed by the birth of nine children: Den- nis S., Jeremiah M., William F., Catherine Joseph- ine, John P., Hannah T., Ella T., deceased, Daniel J. and Margaret. The surviving sons and daughi- ters trained up into habits of thrifty industry and well educated in the home schools, will in the coming years undoubtedly all occupy positions of usefulness and worthily conduct themselves in their career in life. Our subject and his estimable wife and family are in religious affiliation Catho-
22
526
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
lies and aid in the good works and enterprises of that denomination.
Mr. Driscoll has been prospered and aside from luis valuable homestead owns forty acres of exeel- ient land in Jones County, and also has sixty-four acres in Jackson County. He is at present largely interested in the dairy business and raises and has on hand some of the finest Hereford cattle in Iowa. He is also a breeder of Norman horses, has handled very fine animals, and stables a num- ber of thoroughbreds. Beginning without mueh capital, our subject has thus achieved most sub- stantial financial results. Politieally he is a sturdy Democrat and has held with efficient ability vari- ous offices of trust. Sinee 1888 he has been a School Director, earnestly aiding in the upward progress of educational advancement. In 1890 Mr. Driscoll was elected Trustee of Prairie Creek Township, and has for some time been Adminis- trator of Estates. An able and intelligent citizen, faithfully doing the official work entrusted to his care and in all matters upright and true, our sub- ject has won the esteem and high regard of the entire community of his township and Dubuque County.
-
S ILAS ROBBINS is a self-made man, one of the well-to-do farmers of Fairview Town- ship, Jones County. His substantial and pleasant residence is situated on section 31 and its doors are always hospitably opened for the enter- tainment of his many friends and neighbors. For nearly his entire life our subject has been a resi- dent of this county and with its development and history has been identified prominently.
A native of the Empire State, Mr. Robbins was born in Chenango County in 1845, and lived in that locality for the first four years of his child- hood. He is a son of George and Lucy A. (Brown) Robbins, who were both born in New York. The father removed to the west in 1850 and became one of the early settlers of Jones County, where he
passed his remaining days. He died while still in the prime of life, being only forty-two years of age August 19, 1865. Politically he was a Democrat and was always prominent in public af- fairs. His wife is still living, making her liome with our subjeet and has now attained the age of seventy-five years. The paternal grandfather of Silas Robbins, bore the Christian name of Will- iam and during his life time he was a respected eitizen of Chenango County, N. Y., where he set- tled in his early years.
Our subject received a common school education in this county and remained with his parents unl- til he was nineteen years old, at which time his father's death oeeurred. Since that time he has made his own livelihood and has principally fol- lowed farming. His place comprises one hundred and sixty aeres and many substantial improve- ments have been made upon the farm by the pres- ent owner. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising and has reached his present condition of prosperity by the exercise of his natural ehar- acteristics of industry and perseveranee in all un- dertakings. He was only ten years old when he began the difficult task of breaking prairie and by actual experience has become thoroughly familiar with every detail of farm work.
In the year 1868 Mr. Robbins was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary E. Dumont, who was born in Geneva, N. Y., and is a daughter of Waldron Dumont. Mrs. Robbins, who was a faithful help- mate and companion to her husband, departed this life, leaving a son and three daughters to mourn her loss. Cora, the eldest daughter, is the wife of C. E. Garretson, of this eounty; Cara A. is Mrs. G. A. Peet and her home is also in this eounty. George and Lulu, who live at home, complete this family.
Mrs. Lucy Robbins, the mother of our subject, was one of the pioneer women of this section, and experieneed the hardships and privations which so eomnionly fell to the lot of early settlers in an undeveloped region. She was the daugliter of Joseph B. Brown, a valiant soldier in the War of the Revolution. Her parents gave hier good edu- eational advantages in New York, her native state, and as good teachers were very scarce in the early
527
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
days of Jones County, she was persuaded to take charge of a school which she taught for several terms. Her narratives of early occurrences in this county are full of interest and are very entertain- ing. After a very active and useful life she is quietly passing her declining years comforted and cared for by her children and grandchildren.
In regard to politics our subject is a stalwart Democrat and is strongly in favor of the measures advocated by his party. He is considered by his friends and neighbors a very honorable and indus- trious man and bears a high reputation for verac- ity and faithfulness to his dutics.
EORGE G. PERRY, who is engaged in the retail grocery business in Dubuque, is a native of Boston, Mass., born November 1, 1853, and is a son of Gilbert and Caroline (Knapp) Perry, who were also natives of the Bay State. In 1856 the parents, accompanied by their family, emigrated westward, locating in Dubuque, where they are now living retired. Their family num- bered five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom our subject is the eldest. Hc was a child of only three summers when he was brought to the west. In the public schools of this city he ac- quired his literary education, and in Bayless Busi- ness College pursued a commercial course of study. He then entered upon his business career as a clerk, being employed from 1870 until 1873 by the firm of Cay & Winters. He also spent a short time in the employ of B. Glad. Having as the result of industry, economy and perseverance acquired some capital he embarked in business for himself in 1873. opening a grocery store in connection with M. M. Standislı, under the firm style of Standish & Perry. Operations were carried on under that name until 1883, when Mr. Standish withdrew, being succeeded by W. R. Perry, a younger brother of our subject, and the firm name was changed to George W. Perry & Bro. The store was for eleven
years at the corner of Sixth and Main Streets and is now centrally and pleasantly located at the cor- ner of Main and Eighth Strects. The store room is 20x113 feet in dimensions, and in connection with this there is a large ware room. The basement under both stores is used in the business and the firm lias a well established trade, which is con- stantly increasing. They make a specialty of teas and coffecs and carry a large and complete stock of staple and fancy groceries and fine Minnesota flour. The members of the firm are pleasant, gen- ial gentlemen, possessed of good business and ex- ecutive ability, and their prosperity is well de- served.
Mr. Perry, of this sketch, in connection with his other interests, is a Director in the Dubuque County Bank. In politics he is a stalwart Repub- lican who warmly advocates the principles of his party, and for seven years he has been Chairman of the Republican County Committee. Socially, he is connected with Apollo Lodge, K. P., and is a member of the Congregational Church. In busi- ness and social circles he is highly esteemed for his sterling worth and upright life, and it is with pleasure that we present this record to our readers, knowing that it will be received with interest by many.
R EV. ROBERT POWERS, a well known and public-spirited resident of Anamosa, is a man of education and refinement, highly respected and esteemed, not only by his own con- gregation, but by all who know him, and he has ever manifested a deep interest in the noble work in which he is engaged, that of pastor of St. Pat- rick's Catholic Church.
Our subject was born in Ireland and pursued his studies diligently in many of the famous institu- tions of that country. In 1877 he decided to come to America, and crossing the Atlantic, made his way to this western state, locating in Dubuque, where he attended St. Joseph's College and was
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.