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 65
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 65
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 65
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In 1861 Mr. Kennedy came to Iowa, settling the same year in MeGregor, and at the expiration of about one year eommeneed elerking in a drug store, where he laid the foundation of his knowledge as a pharmacist. He became thoroughly conversant with the business during his elerkship of three years and this has been of great use to him in his later years. In the spring of 1864, on account of poor health, he went across the plains on horseback to Montana, traveling in that state and the other northwestern states, Utah, Idaho and Colorado. This trip proved of great benefit to him, and at the same time expanded and widened his knowl- edge of men and the beauties of nature.
On his return to this eity our subjeet entered in- to partnership with S. J. Case & Co., and together they continued in business for about one year, at the end of which time their connection was dis- solved by mutual agreement. For two years there- after, O. M. Buek was a partner of Mr. Kennedy, after which time he carried on his business alone until the spring of 1894. His trade is extensive and continually inereasing, and he keeps a full line of wholesale and retail drugs, stationery, books, wall paper, ete. The present partner of Mr. Ken- nedy is his son-in-law, and the name of the firm is now M. T. Kennedy & Co.
In 1864 Mr. Kennedy married Miss Louisa Bowen. She is a native of the Bay State, and is a daughter of Liberty Bowen. Two daughters were born to this couple, the elder of whom, Mabel E, is the
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wife of C. W. Bliss, an enterprising young business man of this place, and the partner of Mr. Kennedy; the other, Grace E., is a well educated young lady and lives with her parents.
In religious belief our subject and his wife are Methodists, holding membership with the Method- ist Episcopal Church of McGregor, in which they are active and efficient workers. Mr. Kennedy is a member of Beezer Lodge No. 137, A. F. & A. M., of Clayton Chapter No. 108, R. A. M., and Honor- ious Commandery No. 8, K. T. Prominent in the ranks of the Democratic party, he has often been solicited to serve in a public capacity but has al- ways declined, preferring to tend strictly to his business interests; nevertheless he has twice been prevailed upon to serve as Mayor of the city, in which capacity he acquitted himself most commend- ably.
OHN A. MCLAUGHLIN is one of the promi- nent and well-to-do farmers of Castle Grove Township, his postoffice being Monticello. His history has been during his entire life interwoven with that of Jones County, for here his birth occurred June 13, 1845, and, with the exception of a few terms when he was away at col- lege, he has rarely been outside the county limits. He comes from one of the worthy pioneer families who were the founders of the prosperity which has come in so great a measure to this region. His parents, James and Mary (Hill) Mclaughlin, were both natives of Ireland, who, when in childhood, came to the United States. Their marriage was solemnized in New York State, and in 1837 they came to Jones County, locating on a piece of land in Wayne Township, which is now the property of the Hon. George W. Lovell. At that early day there were few neighbors and no schools or other advantages.
The family later removed to Castle Grove Township, where the father entered a tract of land from the Government, and from time to time, as
his resources increased, extended the boundaries of his farm, until, at the time of his death, which occurred in 1873, he owned a valuable farm com- prising five hundred acres. The faithful wife and mother, who had truly been a helpmate in every sense of the word to her industrious husband, sur- vived him many years, passing from this life in 1892. By her marriage she became the mother of three sons and three daughters, namely, Anna, Elizabeth, Michael, James W., John A., and Mary J., who died at the age of seven years.
John A. Mclaughlin is the fourth in order of birth of the surviving children of his parents. He received a good district school education, and afterwards attended the Hopkinton (now Lenox) College, located at Hopkinton, Iowa. In 1863 he went to Wisconsin, where he passed six months in college work, and on leaving there prosecuted his studies for two terms in the excellent Notre Dame University of South Bend, Ind. Later he returned to Lenox College, being a student there for two terms more. Thus equipped for the prac- tical duties of life with a good foundation of gen- eral knowledge and information, the young man returned to the old homestead and began in earnest to make his own way. In his boyhood he had. been familiar from actual practice with general farın duties, and now began paying special atten- tion to stock raising and dairy farming. From forty to fifty cows were daily milked, the prod- uct being sold to neighboring creameries, and from this source a steady and reliable income was derived. The first purchase by our subject was one hundred and sixty acres of land in this town- ship. He has pushed his business enterprises suc- cessfully, and as his means accumulated invested in more land, and has continued in this policy until he now finds himself the fortunate possessor of eight hundred acres of valuable land, most of which is under high cultivation. The buildings on the farm are substantial and well kept. There are two large barns, a fine residence and attractive surroundings, and everything about the place gives evidence of the careful supervision of the owner.
In 1877 Mr. Mclaughlin married Miss Allie Downer, of Jones County, who was born and
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reared within its limits. Her father, the late Hor- ace Downer, was one of the early settlers and pio- neers of this locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Laughlin have been born six sons and a daughter, whose names are as follows: Frank J., William, John, Rollo, Clarence, Minnie and Eugene. In his political faith our subject is a thorough-going Re- publican, having given that party his support since he was first able to vote. He has never sought nor desired public officc.
S AMUEL BENNINGTON is a prominent cit- izen, leading agriculturist and stock raiser, of Sperry Township, Clayton County, Iowa; he is interested in the handling of blooded stock, and for many years has been intimately associated with the progressive interests of his locality. Mr. Bennington is an Englishman by birth, and was born in Huntingdonshire February 21, 1834, and is the son of William and Ann (Richens) Ben- nington. The father of our subject kept a public house or hotel in England, and died while Samuel was quite young. Our subject was reared and cd- ucated in England and cmigrated to the United States, sailing from London, and landing in Now York May 1, 1853. He went immediately to Lock- port, N. Y., where he remained for two years; from there he came to Clayton County, Iowa, traveling by rail to Galena, Ill., and by stage the rest of the way, and settled in Sperry Township on his present farm.
Our subjeet was married in England at the early age of nineteen to Miss Esther Bidwell, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Lizzie Bidwell, and was one of eight children. Mrs. Bennington departed this life April 7, 1881. Her mother is still living and is ninety-four years of age. Mr. Bennington sailed from London on Good Friday, but came very near losing his young wife. She with a cousin, who had also just been married, nearly missed the ship on which their husbands had preceded them to make the final arrangements for their voyage. They had to be conveyed to the vessel in a small
boat, and were able to join their husbands, and all parties were made happy. Our subject is one of nine children, six of whom are living, three girls and three boys, one brother and two sisters having died in their native land. Mr. and Mrs. Benning- ton arc the parents of five children, three boys and two girls. Charles, the eldest, is married, and still lives on the farm with his father. Esther Griffeth married and lives near Cedar Rapids; William Bidwell, single, is at home; Samuel, also single, is at home. All three of the boys and one sister, Annie Elizabeth, make their home with their father, helping hin manage his large and flourishing farm. Some time during the first year of Mr. Bennington's residence in Clayton County he bought forty acres of land, and soon after pur- chased eighty acres more, on which his fine resi- dence now stands. He has added little by little to his property, until he now owns over one thou- sand acres of the best land in the state of Iowa.
Mr. Bennington was very unfortunate in the beginning of his Iowa career. In the second year of his residence in Clayton County, on July 2, 1855, he lost his entire crop of wheat by a heavy hailstorm, which was one-half mile in width and several miles in length, extending as far down as Dubuque, destroying everything in its path. The next year there was no crop raised to speak of, as the most of his seed grain was destroyed by over- heating in his storehouse. In the '60s Mr. Ben- nington sold wheat for thirty-five cents a bushel in Volga City, but thinks he is just as well satis- fied with free trade as butchered tariff. Mr. Ben- nington's first house was built of "slabs," and he and his family lived in it happily for years, but as he became more prosperous he soon erected the fine and handsome residence he now occupies.
For fifteen ycars our subject has been exten- sively engaged in the raising of full-blooded stock, making a specialty of imported horses and cattle, although he has a large number of sheep and hogs. He is doing his utmost to raise the standard of stock in Iowa, and in order to accom- plish this he has paid enormous prices for bulls and stud horses. All the grain raised on his broad acres is used in feeding his stock, and he is gener- ally obliged to buy in order to fatten his animals.
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Mr. Bennington is the most extensive farmer and stock-raiser in this part of Iowa. He is highly es- teemed by his neighbors, and is well and favora- bly known throughout the United States, and his advice is frequently sought after regarding mat- ters both of farming and stock-raising. In poli- tics our subject is a Republican, but always votes for the best man regardless of party, and in his religious belief is a Methodist.
Mr. Bennington is one of the wealthiest land- owners of Iowa, and his prosperity is due to liis enterprise and good business ability, and is, there- fore, well deserved. He is, and has long been, ac- tively interested in the needed improvements and enterprises of his locality, and, as one of the most influential men in this part of the county, is worthy of the confidence and esteem rendered him by the entire community, among whom he has passed so many busy years.
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EPHANIAH KIDDER. Perhaps no resi- dent of Dubuque County has shown a greater degree of enterprise in the affairs of the world, than the subject of this sketch, who is now the proprietor of six hundred broad acres in Taylor Township. He makes his home at Ep- worth and the energy of his character is not mani- fested solely for his personal aggrandizement, but has been displayed in advancing education, and in promulgating the cause of Christianity.
Our subject was born in Pittston, Me., December 12, 1822, and is the youngest of the family of chil- dren born to Joseph and Elizabeth A. (Brown) Kidder. The father was a native of Massachusetts, but reared to man's estate in New Hampshire, and after removing to Maine, made his home in Pitts- ton for fifty-five years, dying when in his eighty- fifth year. By trade he was a carpenter. His good wife was a native of the Pine Tree State, and
died when our subject was only two years of age.
Zephaniah Kidder had very limited advantages for obtaining an education; he was not permitted to attend school during the regular hours, but bravely carried on his studies at night, and in this manner gained a fair business education. He re- mained with his father until attaining his major- ity, when he began the struggles of life on his own account. Being desirous of gaining further knowl- edge he again went to school, but his studies were cut short soon afterward by the burning of the building, at which time he was wounded in the left hand, and as a result of his injury, was laid up for four months. At the end of that time lie secured work, but was soon obliged to abandon it on account of being stricken with typhus fever, which disabled him for several months. After fully recovering from this illness he found employ- ment in a cotton factory in Waltham, Mass., and after a service of nine months was promoted to be overseer of his department, which position he held for three and one half years.
In the year 1849 Mr. Kidder followed the tide of emigration to California, and on arriving en- tered the mincs, where he worked until appointed Superintendent of a water company, and when leaving the state four years later, was receiving $8 per day for his services. In 1853 Mr. Kidder came to Iowa and made location on the farm which is still in his possession. It was not his idea to make a permanent home in this state when coming here, but so great was his success that he would have been very unwise had he not done so. His es- tate comprises six hundred valuable acres in Du- buque County, which by mnuch hard labor he has placed under excellent tillage, until it is now one of the finest farms in this section.
Mr. Kidder was married in 1859 to Miss Annie, daughter of James and Miranda (Kennard) John- son, natives of Baltimore, Md. Their union has resulted in the birth of seven children, two of whom are deceased. Those living are, the Rev. James J., who married Miss Lena Middleton and is living in Fairbanks, this state; Zephanialı, Jr., makes his home in Epworth, and married Miss Sa- die Fay; Lillie M., the next in order of birthi, is like her oldest brother, a graduate of Mt. Vernon Col-
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lege, and is the wife of Eugene H. Smithi; George O. is a student in the above institution, and Will- iam H. is carrying on his studies in a school at Cedar Falls, this state. The wife and mother de- parted this life in 1878, greatly beloved and mourned by all who had the pleasure of her ae- quaintance.
Religiously Mr. Kidder is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a Trustee. He is very liberal in contributing to its support, and recognized as among its most val- ued niembers. Socially, he belongs to Lodge No. 84, A. F. & A. M., and in politics is a straightfor- ward Republican with Prohibition tendencies.
M cB. McGONIGLE makes his liome in El- kader, and is prominent in the ranks of the Democratic party. By the votes of the people he was elected in 1890 to his present position of trust and honor as Deputy County Clerk of Clayton County. Ile numbers a host of warm personal friends, and by his energetic and business-like manner convinces all who have the ' pleasure of meeting him that he is amply qualified to discharge the duties pertaining to his post. A native of Clayton County, he was born in Monona, September 23, 1870, and though a young man, has already acquired a good reputation as a sagacious and far-sighted man of business and a financier.
The father of our subject, whose Christian name is Charles L., was born in the Keystone State, and in early manhood came to the west, becoming one of the pioneers and prominent in the growth of Clayton County. He is a staneh Democrat, an active worker in the ranks of the party, and at the present time is serving as a representative to the Legislature from this county. His wife, formerly Helen Barnes, was born in Indiana, being a daugh- ter of Isaac Barnes, a native of the Empire State, and one of the early settlers of Clayton County.
The boyhood of him whose name heads this rec-
ord was passed at his birthplace, where he received the advantages of the good public schools. He has always made tlie most of his opportunities in an educational way, and by his private reading has acquired a good fund of general information. His father, who has long been a public man, was ap- pointed to the position of Postmaster of Monona in 1884 by President Cleveland, and witlı him our subject commenced his business life, serving as Deputy Postmaster, a place he occupied for two years. In 1890 he was appointed Deputy County Clerk, to serve under M. P. Dunn, and has proved himself worthy of the honor and trust thus re- posed in him. It is needless to say that he, like his father, is an ardent Democrat, for he is widely known as one of the leading young men of the locality in the community where he resides. Be- ing genial and affable in manner, he numbers a large cirele of friends and acquaintances, and though still so young, his keen eye to business and energetie disposition commend him highly to the shrewd and enterprising citizens of Elkader and surrounding towns. His pleasant face and beaming smile are familiar to all who frequent the courthouse, and he is a universal favorite.
E. MAGUIRE, M. D., who now devotes his time and energies to the practice of medi- eine in Dubuque, is one of the younger mem- bers of the medical fraternity, but possesses skill and ambition, which will no doubt win him a place among the leading physicians of this local- ity. Ile was born in East Dubuque, Ill., on the 1st of June, 1870, and is a son of Thomas Maguire, a native of Ireland, who bade adieu to the Emerald Isle, and crossed the Atlantic to America. He took up his residence in East Dubuque in an early day, and is still engaged in merchandising in that place, one of its representative and well known citizens. The mother of the Doctor bore tlie maiden name of Ellen Grath. She is a native of Racine, Wis., and a daughter of Peter Grath, one
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of the honored pioneers of Jo Daviess County, Ill.
The Doctor spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native city, being reared in his par- ents' home, and completed his literary education by his graduation from the high school of Dubuque in 1886. Previous to this time he had taken a business course of study in the Bayless Commer- cial College of Dubuque, from which he was grad- uated in 1882. He was an apt scholar and his studious disposition and earnest application have made him a well informed man.
In 1890, Doctor Maguire, with the view of fit- ting himself for his life work, entered the Medical Department of Iowa State University of Iowa City, and was graduated from that institution in the spring of 1893. In the summer of the same year he opened an office in Dubuque, where he has since conducted a general practice in medicine and surgery. He is now doing a successful business, and has the regard of not only his patrons, but also the members of the profession. He has also spent some time in the Chicago Polyclinic School, and is a member of the Dubuque Medical Society. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party.
J OHN A. CRAWFORD, one of the honored old settlers of Jones County, was a promi- nent factor in the foundation of her present prosperity, and for years has been a resident on section 27, Cass Township. In addition to general farming he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, in which branch he has been very successful. He comes from a line of honest, industrious men and true patriots. His paternal grandfather, Alexander Crawford, left his native country, Scotland, and settled in America soon after the war of the Revolution, and his descend- ants in the United States have been noted for their honorable and distinguished careers.
Alexander Crawford, Jr., our subject's father,
was born in Virginia, and at a very early day set- tled in Mercer County, Pa. Subsequently he re- moved to Ohio, in 1806 went to Illinois, and afterward, still continuing westward, located in Jones County, Iowa. He was a successful farmer, and his death occurred on his homestead in Cass Township when he was seventy-five years of age. Prior to the war he was a very strong Abolition- ist, and after the formation of the Republican party became its stanch ally. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was always on the side of freedom and equal rights. His wife who was bc- fore her marriage Rachel Kidd, was of Scotch pa- ren tage and a native of Pennsylvania. Her death occurred in 1844 in Illinois.
J. A. Crawford was born in Mercer County, Pa., in 1825, and in that locality passed his boyhood. When ten years old he went with his parents to Ohio, where he became initiated in farming duties, and there received a common school education. On arriving at maturity he commenced to operate a farm on his own account in DeKalb County, Ill., and there remained until 1856. In the year last mentioned he came to this county and purchased a farm. His valuable place on section 27, Cass Township, is particularly adapted for general farm- ing and stock-raising purposes. At the present time two hundred head of cattle are being fed and cared for on his farm, and to this branch of farm work he gives his most interested attention. His pleasant and substantial two-story brick residence is nicely located in a convenient part of his farm, and the grounds and trees surrounding it make the place a very desirable one. Good stables, barns and other farm buildings are on the prop- erty, and everything is kept up in a ship-shape manner.
In 1849 Mr. Crawford was married to Miss Eunice, daughter of Benjamin Leonard, of Penn- sylvania, in which state the lady was born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have a family comprising three daughters and one son, namely: Emma, Jessie, Letta and John A. Jr. The parents gave their children good educational advantages and practical training, which have been of great value to them in their life battles, and have re- sulted in their becoming good and useful citizens
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of the communities in which they make their dwelling place.
Mr. Crawford is very liberal and advanced in his ideas, and is not bound by ties of party poli- tics, but prefers instead to use his own discretion and judgment, on all affairs relating to the welfare of his home and neighborhood, as well as national matters. He is well read and well informed, and keeps abreast of the times.
M RS. ABBIE BURGE, nee ANDREWS. Among the women of Dubuque County who deserve more than a passing notice at the hands of the biographer for their sterling worth and integrity in battling the trials of life since their loved companions have passed to the home beyond, and who have been successful, is the lady whose name heads this biographical notice, now residing in Concord Township, Dubuque County, Iowa. She was born in Hardin County, Ohio, in 1851, and is the widow of Clement H. Burge, who was born in the state of Ohio, May 2, 1842. His demise occurred at Cottage Hill, Iowa, and was caused by a wound received in the War of the Rebellion.
The late Clement Burge had been reared to prin- ciples of patriotism, and which the rebellion of the southern states began to assume formidable pro- portions, le promptly laid aside his farming im- plements to provide himself with the accouterments of war. He enlisted in Company F, Thirteenth Ohio Regiment. This regiment did gallant service during the war, as will be seen in the records of the Adjutant-General of Ohio. Mr. Burge re- mained with this company until he was wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro, and then, after three long years of courageous fighting, he was honor- ably discharged.
Mr. Burge was united in marriage in Hardin County, Ohio, with Miss Abbic Andrews, March 31, 1866. She is the daughter of Louis and Mary
(Couglin) Andrews. To Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were born nine children, as follows: Elizabeth, Pliœbe, Isaac, Samuel, Mary, Sarah, Lavinia, Abbie and Louis.
In 1871 our subject and her husband moved to Cottage Hill, Dubuque County, Iowa, where Mr. Burge purchased forty acres of wild and unculti- vated land, which by unceasing toil he increased to one hundred and five acres and which was at the time of his death well under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Burge were blessed with six children, as follows: Florence, James, Sophia, Martin, Ida and Hattic. The father was possessed of many gener- ous qualities, and was always ready and willing to encourage every worthy enterprise. His domestic life was one of happiness, and the hospitality of his little home amid the pines was well known. He was politically a Republican, and ably served for four years as School Director. Like his im- mediate progenitors, he was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
D AGOBERT A. GEHRIG, Cashier of thic German State Bank and Mayor of Dyers- ville, was born in Switzerland in 1852. When only three years of age he was brought to America by his parents, Andreas and Dora Geli- rig, who located at Dubuque, where our subject received a liberal education in the public schools. He partially supported himself by working after school hours for C. E. Kleis. At an early age, he laid the foundation of the splendid success of his after life, for he formed habits of industry and strict at- tention to business.
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