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 63
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 63
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 63
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also a student in the Cathedral in that city. In 1884 he came to Anamosa, where he was placed in charge of the congregation of St. Patrick's Church. The many expensive improvements that have been made indicate a praiseworthy spirit among the people, and earnest and persistent effort on the part of the pastor. Father Powers is a be- liever in America and Americans, and advocates their attendance at the polls.
R EV. M. S. MURPHY is the popular and faithful pastor of the congregation of Emaeulate Conception of Castle Grove Township, Jones County. The fine farming re- gion which lies in this portion of the county is superior to any in this part of Iowa, and conse- quently the inhabitants thereof are prosperous and happy. In addition to this they are very indus- trious, persevering and frugal, and have such qual- ities of heart as have led them to give very active and earnest support to their pastor and his work.
The birth of Father Murphy oceurred in Charles- ville, Ireland, and he is the son of William and Maggie (Ryan) Murphy. The parents have never come to America but are still living in the Old Country. The boyhood of our subject was passed in his native place, where he received a good vil- lage sehool education. IIe was noted for his stu- dious habits from an early age, and made the very best of such advantages as he possessed. His parents noting thesc qualities determined that he should have a college education, and to that end bent every effort. The result was that the bright, intel- ligent boy was enrolled as a student in Colman's College, where after pursuing the required course of instruction he was graduated with honor in 1881. The following ycar he bade adieu to the friends of his childhood and set sail for Ameriea, landing in New York City. From there he proceeded to
Dubuque, Iowa, where he remained during the fall and was soon ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Hennessey, of that eity and diocese.
On commencing his ministry Father Murphy was first placed in charge of the congregation at Ne- vada, Story County, this state, after which he was sent to Colo to superintend the spiritual welfare of a floek in that vieinity. In 1886 he came to Castle Grove Township, where he was warmly re- ceived by his present congregation and with them has been enabled to do a good work. Under his jurisdietion the various departments of church ac- tivity in this region has been greatly increased and in 1890 a fine briek school house was ereeted for the benefit of the parishioners, who have ably sec- onded the efforts of the pastor in their behalf. He is a young man of unusual talent and promise, who, judging by what he has aeeomplished in the past, is bound to become a great power for good in the future.
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A LONZO H. HOUSE, a rising and enterpris- ing young business man of Dyersville, Dil- buque County, is a member of the business firm of Stuber & House, butchiers and. stoekmen. He is a native son of the county, having been born on a farm near this village, September 3, 1868. His parents, Joseph and Sophia House, were both natives of England, emigrating to this coun- try about 1860, and locating in this neighborhood. Our subject is the younger of two children, his sister Addie being the wife of F. J. Green, living near Dyersville.
Young House was educated in the common schools of Dyersville, and while still quite young took a great dislike to life on the farm. He there- fore beeamc a elerk in Dyersville and later learned the business he is now following. In 1887 he bought an interest in a good paying business. He later took in as a member of the firmn his present partner, and together they have succeeded in building up a large and paying trade. In addi-
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tion to doing a general meat market business they are engaged extensively in buying and shipping stock.
The subject of this sketch is a prominent mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias and is a strong Re- publican politically, as was his father before him. The latter is still living, though retired from the active cares and duties incident to the life of a farmer, and is making his home in Dyersville. Up to the present time our subject has led a life of single blessedness, but is very popular in social circles. He is justly considered to be one of the bright young commercial men of this community, one who is destined to make his mark in business circles.
A. MANHART. Among the large number of thorough and practical bus- iness men of which Dubuque boasts our subject is known as being one of the foremost and influential. He was born in Mosalem Town- ship, Dubuque County, March 14, 1861, and is a son of Joseph and Angeline ( Haberstacker) Man- hart. His father was a native of Switzerland, born May 12, 1820, and came to the United States in 1852. When he first arrived in this country lie landed in New York City but stayed there only a short time when he left for what was then "the west," St. Louis. Within a few miles of that city he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of choice improved land, which he worked for two years and then sold. He then removed to Du- buque and bought a home and engaged at his trade, that of a carpenter. This he continued for three years when he traded his home for one hun- dred and sixty acres of farm land, on which he has made his home ever since. He has meantime prospered and has increased the size of the farm to two hundred acres.
To him and his estimable wife were born six children, as follows: Gertrude, Joseph, our subject, Bertha, Angeline, and Lena deceased. He gave
his children the best education that he was able and always did right well that which he believed to be his duty. He is a Roman Catholic.
Our subject lived with his parents until 1878, when he started out to encounter the trials, hard- ships and joys of this world for himself. He en- gaged himself to a farmer and worked with him for eight months, when he left that position and went to work for another farmer, doing grubbing and carpentering, remaining in this position for five years, but finally left to go to Minnesota, where, as in his native state, he engaged in farm- ing and carpentering. He remained there for two years when he came back to Dubuque, Iowa; by close economy and good business methods he has saved enough money to make himself indepen- dent and to educate himself at the Bayless Busi- ness College. He bought a saloon, which he ran successfully, and later sold it at a large profit; he bought a grocery and hotel which he ran for eleven years, when he sold them, also at a large profit and erected the handsome Hotel Paris, of which he is one of the proprietors. He is also in the wholesale cigar and liquor business, and being a good business manager, honest and reliable, he conducts the business he is connected with so as to be of profit financially and also place him high in the esteem of all who know him.
W. A. Manhart was united in marriage with Miss Lena Noel, and they have been blessed with the birth of one child, a bright little girl, Maudie, who is four years old. He is a member of the Ro- man Catholic Church and is an independent voter, casting his ballot where he believes it will do the most good for the community.
RANCIS X. BULLINGER, a distinguished and wealthy citizen of Dyersville, was born in the province of Bavaria, Ger- many, December 3, 1833, and is one of a family of four children, two boys and two girls, born to Michacl and Lydia Bullinger. The father of this
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gentleman was a well-to-do farmer and possessed a goodly fortune, therefore his son, Francis, had all the advantages of a thoroughi and expedient education. Before he had reached his eighteenth year he had mastercd German, French and Latin, and had graduated from the gymnasium.
Soon after, or in 1852, our subject left his na- tive land and friends to scek a home in the New World, of which he had heard much, bringing with him his portion of the estate left by his father. Directly after landing in America Mr. Bullinger went to Milwaukee, where he at once entered upon a course of study at St. Francis College. At the expiration of a year's time, he accepted a position in the postoffice, but liaving prepared himself for the vocation of a teacher he soon entered upon his duties as such. For seven years he followed this profession very successfully in the schools of Wis- consin and Iowa. For a short period in the early '60s lie was engaged in the mercantile business at Dyersville, which place has since been his home. Our subject, by a judicious investment of his money in real estate, has accumulated a large amount of property and also owns one of the finest brick residences in the city. He has served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of Justice of the Peace and Notary Public for the past eight years, and was instrumental in organizing the St. Francis Mutual Aid Association in the village of Dyers- ville. Of this institution he was chosen the first President, filling this important office for five years.
Mr. Bullinger was reared in the Catholic Church and has always been a warm advocate of the prin- ciples of the Democratic party. In the year 1859, he married Miss Mary Borcthanretette, a native of Oldenburg, Germany, who, when a child, came to America with her parents. This worthy and amiable lady is the daughter of Frank Borcthan- retette, a prosperous farmer of New Wine Town- ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Bullinger have been born four children, two sons and two daughters. John is a harness-maker in Jump, Iowa, and Josepli is a music teacher in Dixon, Ill. Lydia is a popular teacher in the public schools, while Annie is now being educated. It is unnecessary to state that our sub- ject is a cultured gentleman, giving liis children
every opportunity to acquire a liberal education. For his sterling qualities he is a highly esteemcd and influential citizen of his town, and for many years has been identified with the school interests, serving on the Board of Directors for a long time. A man of brilliant parts and of schol- arly and unimpeachable record, our subject is the possessor of a mind unusually well disciplined, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has made the best of his opportunities.
M RS. ANNA (BRAKE) FRIEDEN. Thc lady whose honored name introduces this sketch is one of whom the biographer esteems it a privilege to write, and deserves more extended praise than the fceble pen of the writer can indite. She is one of the most wealthy resi- dents of Clayton County, owning at the present time over one thousand acres of valuable farming land, which is under the management of her intel- ligent and capable step-son.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Switzer- land, and was born across the water November 5, 1835. She is the daughter of Joshua and Cath- erine (Shirard) Brake, also natives of Switzerland, where they were well-to-do people. Mrs. Frieden was the youngest but one in her parents' family of eight children, her brothers and sisters bearing the respective names of Jacob, John Ulrich, Peter, Andrew, Samuel, Joshua and Katie. They were members of the Apostles' Church, and in his polit- ical relations Mr. Brake was a Democrat after com- ing to the United States.
Benedict Frieden, the deceased husband of our subject, was born in Switzerland June 6, 1827, and emigrated to the United States in 1848. He landed in New York City, where lic remained for a short timc, and then made his way to Monroe County, Ohio, where he followed farm pursuits for two years. At the expiration of that time Mr. Frieden came to Marion Township, Clayton County, pur-
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chasing within its bounds one hundred aeres of land, which he cultivated in such a profitable man- ner that he soon increased his acreage to nearly one thousand acres. He was a man of prominence in his neighborhood. After a useful life he died, lamented by his family and a host of warm friends, December 3, 1893, in the sixty-sixth year of his age.
Benediet Frieden was married in 1849 to Miss Annie Baumgardner, and by her became the father of the following named nine children: Fred, John, Samuel, Eliza, Mary Ann, Frank, Joseph, Benja- min and Annie. The wife and mother departed this life in 1870, and the lady to whom Mr. Frieden was married two years later bore the maiden name of Magdalene Garber. They were blessed by the birth of one daughter, born February 16, 1875, who bore the name of Salome. Mrs. Magda- lene Frieden died in 1886, and in 1891 Mr. Frieden married our subject. So universally esteemed is she, and so well known, that these few lines will find many interested readers.
DWARD BROWN, a prominent stock dealer of Bernard, an influential citizen and well known Trustec of Prairie Creek Township, Dubuque County, has from his earliest youth been intimately associated with the local growth and history of both Jackson and Dubuque Counties and is highly esteemed as an energetic, able and intelligent man, faithful in official duty and of sterling integrity of character.
Our subjeet is a native of New York City and was born April 10, 1850. His parents, John and Johanna (Harrington) Brown, were born in Coun- ty Kerry, Ireland, and are yet living, hale and. hearty. The father was bred a farmer in the Old Country and first emigrated to America in 1840. Returning to Ireland he made but a brief stay in the Emerald Isle and was soon again upon his way to the United States, where he found ready.em-
ployment with a railroad corporation at Norwich, Conn. After a number of years he came to the west and engaged in sub-contracting, and finally located in Butler Township, Jackson County, Iowa, where he bought a homestead and farmed for some length of time. Finally disposing of this property Father Brown purchased land in White Water, Dubuque County, but for the past six years has lived in Cascade, in the same county.
The venerable father and mother, now aged re- spectively seventy-eight and seventy-four years, came to America rich in youth, ambition and en- ergy but with very little capital to invest. To- day they own five hundred aeres of valuable land and in the evening of their lives enjoy a well earned competence. Both Mr. and Mrs. John Brown are devoted members of the Catholic Church and liberally assist in the extension of its good work. Of their family of nine children, four sons and four daughters yet survive. Our subject, Edward Brown, was reared upon his father's farm until he was ten years old, and went a long dis- tanee to the rude log schoolhouse where he received a primary education. He remained with his par- ents until twenty-seven years of age; he then began buying stock for William Ryan of Dubuque, and since 1880 has spent considerable of his time in traveling through the counties of Jackson and Dubuque, mainly engaged in the stock business for himself. For four years, from 1882, he entered in- to mercantile pursuits, handling dry goods and merchandise in Bernard, but although successful in this enterprise he preferred his former occupa- tion and returned to stoek-buying again, in which he has since profitably continued.
Mr. Brown was married June 21, 1885, to Miss Jane Seery, of Jones County, Iowa, and a daughter of John Seery, a prominent farmer of Jones Coun- ty. Our subject and his estimable wife have been blessed with the birth of one child, a son, Frank, a promising little lad. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are widely known and command the respeet and esteein of a large eirele of friends. Since arriv- ing at his majority our subject has been elosely identified with many of the leading enterprises of his part of the state, and established a creamery at Bernard. He has given intelligent and faithful
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service upon the grand jury and, in 1891 was elected Trustee of the township. Financially he has been prospered, and aside from other interests owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land upon section 28, Prairie Creek Township. Politi- cally Mr. Brown is an ardent Democrat and has ably represented his constituents at various county and state conventions. A man of independent thought and action, straightforward in business transactions and firm in his convictions of right, our subject has won the confidence and high re- gard of all who know him; he occupies a position of influence and is a most important factor in the upward growth of his home locality.
ICHARD BENNETT SR., proprietor of the Bennett House of Dubuque, is a well known citizen and has many warm friends in this community, so that we feel assured that the record of his life will prove of interest to our read- ers. He claims Ireland as his native land, his birth having occurred in that country March 1, 1828. His parents, Patrick and Mary (Gerty) Bennett, were also born on the Emerald Isle, and on leav- ing that country crossed the briny deep to the New World.
Mr. Bennett of this sketch spent his first eighteen years in Ireland, and then emigrated to America, landing in New York on the 1st of August, 1846. He did not tarry long, however, in that place, but made his way to Boston, where he remained for five years engaged in the butchering business in that city and in Brighton. With the hope of bet- tering his financial condition further west he re- moved to Indiana in 1851, and took up his resi- dence in New Albany, where he engaged in farm- ing. With the capital he had acquired he pur- chased one hundred acres of good farming land ad- joining the city limits of that placc and there de- voted his time and attention to agricultural pur- suits. He placed his land under a highi state of
cultivation and the well tilled fields were made to yield him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon them.
We next find Mr. Bennett in Springfield, Ky., where he embarked in the retail grocery trade, car- rying on business along that line until after the cholera epidemic, when he sought a home in the north. In Chicago he opened a grocery store and there did business for two years. On the expira- tion of this period he came to Dubuque and es- tablislicd himself in the hotel business. In 1881 he built the present Bennett House, a good hotel containing thirty-three rooms and supplied with all modern conveniences. It is well conducted and has found favor with the public.
In 1850 Mr. Bennett was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Delebar, a native of County Cork, Ireland. She died about 1865, leaving onc daugh- ter. In 1866 Mr. Bennett was again married, his second union being with Miss May O'Conner. They are now the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters. Mr. Bennett is an affable and genial gentleman, well suited to the business in which he is now engaged, and in his undertak- ings is meeting with success.
UIDO BECK, a member of the firm of Beck & Heer, architects and civil engineers of Dubuque, is a native of Germany, born on the 25th of January, 1853. His father, Severn Beck, was a professor in the schools of Hohenzol- lern, Germany, and was a very learned man, pos- sessed of high literary tastes, of broad, cultured mind and a strong personality. His death occurred in Germany in 1860, at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Caroline Koeberle. She long survived her husband and was called to the home beyond in 1886.
Mr. Beck, whose name heads this record, was reared in the Fatherland and acquired a good ed- ucation; he attended the technical high school of Stuttgart, from which institution lie was graduated
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at the age of twenty-five, having learned in that time the trade of stone cutting and architectural design, thoroughly mastering the business. In 1882 he determined to seek a home in America, and crossed the ocean to New York, from whence he made his way direct to Roek Island, Ill. There he spent the three succceding years of his life, during which time he draughted a map of the city, show- ing a plat of the eity sewer and water pipe system and gas mains. This map is to-day in use as au- thority and the plan and design of it have been copied by several other cities.
In 1885 Mr. Beck came to Dubuque and worked for one year with F. Heer, Sr., a prominent arehi- tect of this city. He then began business on his own account and was alone until 1887, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Heer, Jr. This con- nection has since continued and business is carried on under the firm name of Beck & Heer. They have drawn up designs for many of the fine busi- ness blocks and residences of the city, including the J. Eichorn Block and the A. T. Stanfenfeld residence.
In 1884 Mr. Beck led to the marriage altar Miss Augusta Nesensohn, but her death occurred the same year. On the 30th of May, 1893, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Rosa Martin, of Dubuque. They now have one child, a son, Severin. The parents are both mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Beck is a mem- ber of the Cathedral Choir. He possesses good bus- iness and executive ability, is sagacious and enter- prising, and his well directed efforts have brought him success, while his fair and honorable dealing has gained him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
J A. WALTERS, D. D. S., has a well appointed office in MeGregor, and has a good local pat- ronage. He is a member of the State Dental Association, and ranks high in his profcss- ion. A native of McGregor, Dr. Walters was born January 9, 1861. His paternal grandfather, George Walters, was born in Baden, Germany, and left his
native land, coming to America in the spring of 1847. On landing at his destination, New York City, he at once proceeded westward, arriving in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1849. In that city his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Barbain, also a native of Baden, departed this life in 1854.
Peter Walters, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of the Fatherland, his birth having occurred in Baden, July 13, 1833, and with his parents he crossed the briny deep when a youth of fifteen years, becoming a resident of San- dusky, Ohio, and later removing to Iowa. At the present time he is a furniture dealer in McGregor, having met with success in his business enterprises. He is the originator and instructor of the famous Walters family band, comprising Peter Walters, John A. Walters, the subject of this narrative, William Walters, who is a professional eornetist, now traveling in the band, which is with Cook & Whitby's Circus; Tillie and Matilda, who are cele- brated vocalists, and Hannah E. The Walters band has gained a wide and favorable reputation, and has played and traveled for a number of years on the excursion boats which ply the Missis- sippi River, and also in St. Louis, and all of the river towns between there and St. Paul, Minn. Our subject's mother, who was the second wife of Peter Walters, was formerly Mary Reiss, and she is still living.
The early years of our subject were passed in this the city of his birth, where he received a good public school education. In 1879, when only eigh- teen years of age, lie began the study of dentistry in the Iowa State University, where he spent three years, after which he graduated in the Class of '82, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. In 1881 he began his practice in this city, and has suc- cessfully conducted the same up to the present time. He is thoroughly versed in all kinds of dental work, making a specialty of crown and bridge work, and paying particular attention to the proper fitting and construction of sets of teeth. His pleasant office is well supplied with a large as- sortment of tools and instruments used in his prac- tice, and he has the latest improvements used by the profession.
In 1885 the Doctor married Miss Matilda Berg-
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man, of this city, and to them have been born one son and two daughters, Marguerette, Marie and Frederick. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias. Politically, he votes in favor of the Democratic party. Being very musically inclined, he has made a study of the art, and is now the leader of the band before mentioned.
ENRY G. McGAHAREN. Among the enterprising and active young business men of Elkader is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch and who now occupies the responsible position of Cashier in the Elkader State Bank. Ile is well educated and well informed on general topics, and having a mathematical turn of mind is just the man to fill the place which was unanimously tendered him by the Directors and officials of this institution. His trustworthy and honorable principles, in addition to his other qual- ifications, have won for him this place of honor and responsibility.
One of the native sons of Iowa, our subject was born in Fayette County in . 1864. He comes from a long lived family, his father, M. M., having lived to attain the age of ninety-one years, and his mother, who was in her girlhood Rosa Sheridan, is still living at the age of four-score years. M. M. McGaharen was a native of the Emerald Isle, and on coming to the United States settled in Iowa, being one of the pioneers of Fayette County, where lie followed agricultural pursuits with good suc- cess until well along in years, his death occurring in February, 1893. In politics he was a pro- nounced Democrat, and was always active and in- terested in all public improvement and in school affairs. His wife was likewise born in Ireland.
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