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 9
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 9
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 9
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Jolin Palmer, whose name heads this record, spent the first fourteen years of his life in Ken- tucky, and then accompanied his father to Galcna, Ill., with a keel boat loaded with provisions; this was in 1828. He died a few months thercafter. His educational privileges were meagre, for the schools of the community werc of an inferior quality. In 1832 he enlisted in the Black Hawk War and served through that struggle. At the age of nincteen he began working in the lead mines of Galena, and carried on business in that way for a number of years. In 1833 we find him in Dubuque, where he has since made his home, one of the oldest residents of the city. During all these years he has been interested in lead
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mining and now owns mueh valuable mining property. He also has a rich tract of land of one hundred and sixty aeres just outside the eity limits.
In 1836 Mr. Palmer was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Gwyther, who died in 1870, leaving four children, a son and three daughters, of whom two are yet living : Edward, now a civil engineer of South Dakota, and Mrs. Martha E. Graham, of Hardin County, Iowa. For his second wife Mr. Palmer chose Mrs. Mary D. Graffort, widow of John D. Graffort, whom she married in 1843, and who died in 1874. Mrs. Palmer was born in Greenville, Ill., in 1822, and is a daughter of H. T. Camp, a native of Georgia, who at an early day settled in Illinois and thenee came to Du- buque on the 10th of September, 1832. He was Captain of a company in the Black Hawk War, served for two. terms in the State Legislature during pioneer days. and was prominently identi- fied with the early history of this state. He was born February 27, 1799, and died March 4, 1837. He was one of the committee who selected the Jackson Park Cemetery of Dubuque. In politics he was a staneh Demoerat of the Jackson type, took an active part in political affairs and served as Sheriff of Bond County, Ill., for a number of years. He was always interested in the work of publie improvement and gave his support to all enterprises ealeulated to promote the general wel- fare. With the Methodist Church he held miem- berslip, and Mrs. Palmer heard the first sermon ever delivered in Dubuque. Her mother bore the maiden name of Sarah B. Kirkpatrick, and was of Scoteh deseent. She was born in Georgia, and died in May, 1865. Mr. Camp owned consider- able property in Dubuque and for a number of years was engaged in mining.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Palmer was cele- brated on the 17th of April, 1878. They reside at No. 240 Nevada Street, where they have a pleasant honic, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Palmer has always been temperate in his habits, fair and honorable in his dealings and straightforward and upright in all the relations of life. He has witnessed almost the entire growth and development of this eity
and has always borne his part in the work of ad- vaneement and upbuilding. He holds member- ship with the Old Settlers' Association. His well directed efforts in business and his enterprise and perseverance gained him the capital which now enables him to enjoy a well earned rest. In poli- ties lie was an old-line Whig, and a great admirer of Henry Clay, but is now a Republican.
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H ON. THOMAS HARDIE is one of Dubu- que's old settlers and prominent citizens, who, by his courteous and honorable man- ners, has merited the high esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He was born in Montreal, Canada, January 25, 1819. His father, Alex Hardie, was a native of Scotland, and located in Montreal, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1830. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriet Enfield, was born in Detford, England, and spent her last days in Canada.
Mr. Hardie was reared in Montreal until 1832, when he removed to Kingston, Canada, and in 1834 removed to Buffalo, N. Y. In the fall of 1839, he removed to St. Louis, Mo., and in the spring of 1840 he went to Springfield, Ill. In 1843 he returned to Montreal and remained until 1846, when he came to Dubuque and engaged in paint- ing until 1853, at which time lie was appointed draughitsman in the surveyor's general office in Dubuque under Warner Lewis. He was thus em- ployed for eight years.
The name of Mr. Hardie is inseparably connected with official life in this community. In 1849 he was a member of the Board of Alderman from the Fourth Ward. In 1854-55 he served as represen- tative to the Sixth General Assembly and in 1860 -61 to the Ninth General Assembly. In 1863 he was made Secretary of the School Board, and has since filled that office with credit to himself and usefulness to those concerned. He was a member of the Board of Regents of the Iowa State Univer-
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sity in 1877 and 1878, being appointed by Gov- enor Nebold to fill a vacancy. At this time there is only one teacher left of the corps of 1863.
In 1840 Mr. Hardie became a member of San- gamon Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., of Springfield, and was a member of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1843. He took a prominent part in organizing the lodges and eneampments, and during the three succeeding years in Canada, whither he had moved. When he left there he was serving as Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows of Canada. He was a charter member of Metropolitan Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., which was established in Du- buque October 23, 1854, and was its first Secretary. He was re-elected in 1863, and has sinee filled that office. Mr. Hardie cast his first Presidential vote in Springfield in 1840, supporting Martin Van Buren, and has sinee been a member of the Democratie party.
ON. FREDERICK M. KNOLL. In the anxious and laborious acquisition of an honorable competence and in the scem- ingly uneventful career of the business or profes- sional man there is little to attract the idle or thoughtless; but for a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble lessons in the life of a man who, with- out other means than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers adversity and achieves suceess. Such a man is the subject of this sketeh, one of the eminent statesmen that Dubuque Coun- ty has furnished to the state of Iowa.
The life record of one so prominent will possess unusual interest for our readers, and especially for the citizens of Peru Township, where Mr. Knoll has long made his home. He was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, March 8, 1833, and is a son of John M., and a grandson of Frederick and Flora Knoll. The grandfather ran away from home and came to America at the time of the Revolutionary War. On returning to France he
entered the service of his country as Captain in the artillery under Napoleon, and continued thus engaged until he died, at the age of about fifty- six, his death resulting from the effects of wounds received in service. His wife survived him many years, dying when seventy-six years old.
The father of our subject was First Lieutenant in the French army, serving in the Forestry De- partment. Early in the spring of 1848 he took passage at Havre, and after a voyage of a month landed in New York. With his wife and three children he remained in the Empire State engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1853. In the fall of that year he came via the lakes and river to Du- buque County and purchased a claim of about two hundred aeres of wild land. Here he remained until his death, at the age of seventy-six. He was an active man in politics and a good citizen.
When thirty-two years old Mr. Knoll married Miss Catherine Durenberger, a native of Alsace- Lorraine, who died in Buffalo, N. Y., at the age of forty-three. She had three children: Freder- iek M., of this sketch; Mrs. Apfel, living in Los Angeles; and Louis Knoll, of Howard County, Ark. The first-named was reared on a farm and attended the schools of France prior to the age of fourteen years, when his school days ended. His entire life has been spent upon a farm except five years, when he was employed in a general store in Buffalo, N. Y.
At the age of twenty-one our subject married Miss Catherine Deekert, a native of Alsace, France, who died in Dubuque County aged forty years. The six living children born of this union reside in Colorado, and all are married with the exeep- tion of the youngest. They are, Eugenia, Jo- sephine, Albert, Augusta, Minnie and Henry. Fred- erick and William are deceased. In 1874 Mr. Knoll married Miss Agnes Stader, a native of Baden, Germany, who died in Dubuque County at the age of thirty-four. Her three sons, Edward, Theodore and Oscar, remain with their father. In 1887 oceurred the marriage of Mr. Knoll to Miss Olga Henisch, who was born in Berlin, Ger- many.
Mr. Knoll east his first Presidential ballot for James Buchanan and has supported the Democratic
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principles ever since. For ten years he served as Supervisor, for sixteen years was Assessor, for thirty-three years filled the position of Justice of the Peace, and has been active in school work since 1857. In 1861 he was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature, and so efficient was his service in that capacity that two years later he was honored with election to the State Senatc. At the expiration of his first term he was chosen to serve for the ensuing four years in the same office. While there he served as a member of many important committees, and as Chairman of the Committees on Pardons and Peni- tentiaries. At the time of retiring from the Legis- lature he was the oldest member of either House. He was a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, and in faet served on several of the im- portant committees, In 1889 lie was again elected to thic House, and has served for fourteen years in the Legislature, his record being that of a fair, efficient and honorable official. He is Vice-Presi- dent of the organization known as the Pioneer Law Makers of Iowa, which was founded in 1886, and to which no one is eligible unless he served as a member of the Legislature twenty-five years ago.
With his wife, Mr. Knoll attends the Lutheran Church and is a liberal contributor to religious enterprises. While he owns two hundred acres of fine farming land, he has had little time to devote to its cultivation; however, he maintains a general oversight of the place. He has served as Admin- istrator of numcrous estates, and in other impor- tant positions his counsel is sought and deferred to. Ile has been a stockholder in two banks of Dubuque, and has other important interests in this county. His record in both branches of the Iowa Legislature is unexcelled for honor, spotless integrity and efficient service. He is a thought- ful reader and possesses a choice and well selected private library.
Not only in his own political party, but by those of opposite belief Mr. Knoll is honored as his merit deserves, and his career is well worthy the emulation of the young. In financial affairs he is prudent and cautious, thrifty but not miserly. One of the most prominent traits of his character
is industry. Combined with this are strong com- mon sense and that kind of moral courage which people call decision of character. These traits have raised liim to a position of influence and honor among his fellow-men.
F W. WIELAND, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, be- longs to a profession which exerts a power- ful influence in a community, and is recognized as one of the leading members of that profession. Ilis life has been well and worthily passed, and he is well worthy of representation in the history of his adopted county.
The Doctor was born in Switzerland, on the 10th of March, 1856, and is a son of Francis and Maria (Truog) Wieland, who were also natives of Swit- zerland. The father died in that country, but the mother is still living and now makes her home in Wisconsin. Dr. Wieland spent the first seven years of his life in the land of his birth, and then came with his mother to the New World. They landed at New York, and tlience came direct to Dubuque, where our subject entered the public schools. In 1866 he removed with his mother to Grant County, Wis., where he further pursued his studies. He also attended the public schools, and in order to carn a livelihood worked on a farm. Saving his earnings, lie determined to use his wages in acquiring a better education, for he had a thirst for knowledge which was yet unquenched. Accordingly, in 1878, he entered the University of Wisconsin, in Madison, where for three years lic pursued the scientific course of study. He was an apt scholar and there gained valuable information. On leaving the school room he embarked in teaeli- ing, which he successfully followed for three years.
On the expiration of that period Dr. Wieland took up the study of medicine. He had spent much of his vacations and other leisure hours in reading medicine and now began a systematic course of study in the office of Dr. W. L. Duffin,
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of Guttenberg, Iowa, under whose direction hc continued his reading until 1885. In that year he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, and after a three years' course was graduated in the Class of '88. During the following year he remained in the dispensary of that college, and in 1889 he went to Fremont, Waupaca County, Wis., where he opened an office and engaged in general prac- tice for one year.
The year 1891 witnessed the return of Dr. Wie- land to Dubuque, where he has since conducted a general practice with good success, and from the public has received a large and lucrative patron- age. The Doctor is a member of the Dubuque Medical Society, and at present holds the office of Vice-President. Ile is a member of the Iowa Public Health Association, of which he is the Sec- ond Vice-President, and in 1892 he was elected City Physician for one year, to which office he was re-elected in the spring of 1894. He votes with the Democratic party and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, both political and otherwise. He was appointed in February, 1894, a member of the Pension Board of this district. Socially, hc is connected with the Masonic fraternity. Both in professional and social circles he is widely and fa- vorably known, and in this community the Doctor has many warm friends.
Fo ZRA GREGORY, a retired farmer, who now makes his home in Dubuque, has through well directed efforts and good business abilty in former years acquired the com- petency which now enables him to live in a com- fortable and easy way without engaging in any labor. He was born in Vigo County, Ind., on the 23d of September, 1836, and is a son of C. R. Greg- ory, a native of New York, who became one of the early settlers of Vigo County. On leaving the Empire State, however, he removed to Ohio, and thence went to Indiana. His last days were spent in this city, where his death occurred in February,
1850. His wife borc the maiden name of Rachel Barnett and was a native of Kentucky. She too passed away in Dubuque, her death occurring in 1862.
It was during the boyhood of Ezra Gregory that he was brought by his family to the Hawkeye State. The parents located upon a farm in Du- buque County, and there his carly life was passed. He attended the public schools, but his privileges were somewhat limited owing to various circum- stances. The father died when Ezra was only twelve years of age, and as he was the oldest son in the family of four children much of the farm work devolved upon his young shoulders, but he faithfully performed the tasks which fell to him, true to every duty. In 1858 he began farming in his own interest and was successfully engaged in that business for four years, when, on the 23d of August, 1862, he abandoned the plow for the musket. Prompted by patriotic impulses he responded to the country's call for troops and joined the boys in blue of Company H, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, under command of Colonel Merrill, of Clayton County. The troops were sent to Missouri and there did service for six months, on the expira- tion of which period they participated in the siege of Vicksburg under General Grant. Mr. Greg- ory also took part in the battles of Hartville, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Span- ish Fort, Mobile and the siege and capture of Ft. Blakely. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his services he was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., on the 15th of July, 1865, and was soon afterwards discharged at Clinton, Iowa.
Mr. Gregory then returned to his home and again resumed farming, to which work he devoted his time and energies until 1890, when he retired. He is now engaged in no business, save that he superintends his property interests, for as the years have passed and his financial resources have been increased he has made judicious investments in real estate and is now the owner of considerable property.
In the autumn of 1858, Mr. Gregory was joined in wedlock with Miss Elizabeth J. Sloan, daughter of James and Rhoda (Gilbert) Sloan. In their
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family were the following children: William C., now of Dubuque; Carmine, Luella, Frank; Nellie, now deceased; James and Florence. The parents and their family reside at No. 220 Nevada Street. They are highly respected people, and their many exeelleneies of character and well spent lives have gained them a large cirele of friends. In his po- litieal views, Mr. Gregory is a pronounced Re- publican and takes an active interest in the growth and success of his party.
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ILLIAM WATSON, M. D., is a worthy representative of the medical profession in Dubuque, occupying a prominent position among those of the fraternity in this lo- cality. He was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 14th of May, 1826, and is a son of Joseph and Ann (Metealf) Watson. In 1827 the parents emi- grated with their family to the New World. The vessel in which they sailed dropped anchor in the harbor of New York, whenee they made their way to Middletown, Conn. In 1830 they removed to On- ondaga County, N. Y., where the Doctor was reared and educated, attending the common sehools. In 1844 he went to Ohio, and spent the succeeding winter in Huron County. In May of 1845, we find him in Milwaukee, Wis., but after a brief sojourn in that place he went to Beloit, Wis., on the Roek River, where he remained for seven years.
During that time Mr. Watson took up the study of medieine with Drs. A. and E. L. Clark, after which he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, and in the spring of 1852 began practice at Me- Gregor, Iowa, where he remained until the fall of 1853. During the succeeding winter he again at- tended lectures in Rush Medieal College, from which institution he was graduated in February, 1854. That year also witnessed his arrival in Du- buque, where he has now for forty years engaged in general practice as one of the skilled and suc- cessful physicians of this eity.
In October, 1861, Dr. Watson was appointed
Surgeon of the Eleventh Iowa Infantry, command- cd by Col. A. M. Hare, of Muscatine. He then went to the front, and with the regiment was attached to the Third Division of the Army of the Tenn- essee commanded by Gencral MeArthur. He saw service at Jefferson City, at Shiloh and at Corinth, and was then appointed Assistant Surgeon of the United States Volunteer Corps, being assigned to duty at Memphis, Tenn., where he remained busily employed throughout the Vicksburg campaign. In September, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of Surgeon and placed in charge of the Jackson Hos- pital, where he remained until February, 1864, when he was ordered to report for duty at Louis- ville, Ky., and was sent to Rock Island, Ill., as Sur- geon at the post at that plaee. On his arrival there he found fifteen hundred siek Confederate prisoners, and among them were four hundred and twenty eases of smallpox, but Dr. Watson was equal to the emergency and soon had affairs in a good eondi- tion. He remained in charge at that post until the close of the war, when, his services being no longer needed, he was mustered out, on the 24th of Oeto- ber, 1865, having served for four years and four days. Although he did not earry a musket his work was none the less arduous or important, and he well deserves mention among the brave boys in blue who defended their eonntry in her hour of peril.
Dr. Watson at once returned to his home and family in Dubuque. November 26, 1860, he had married Miss Lucy Giddings, of Portland, Me., who died March 13, 1862, leaving one son, Fred J., who is now a teacher in a high school of Chicago. The Doetor was again married September 14, 1868, his second union being with Miss Lucy C. Conkey, of Dubuque.
Immediately after his return from the war, Dr. Watson resumed practice in Dubuque. The fol- lowing winter he spent in Bellevue Hospital, of New York City, but since that time has devoted his energies to his profession in this place. He is well known and well established in business, hav- a large and luerative practice. He is a member of the State Medieal Society, which was organized in 1850, and served as its President in 1868, the first year in which it met in DesMoines. He has also
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been a member of the American Medical Associa- tion since 1857, and belongs to Lookout Post, G. A. R. He is a popular gentleman and a valued citizen, and in the community where he makes his home is held in high esteem by both young and old, rich and poor. In politics he is a stanch sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party.
OUIS WITTER is a leading business man of Dubuque. There are many firms en- gaged in contracting and building in this city and among them that of L. Witter & Sons takes front rank on aeeount of the exeellent work which it turns out. Mr. Witter is a man of ex- eellent business and executive ability and in his undertakings has met with success. The record of his life is as follows: He was born in Heidelberg, Germany, in the year 1837, and is a son of Ben- jamin and Elizabeth (Brown) Witter, both of whom were natives of Germany and there spent their en- tire lives. The father was a blacksmith by trade.
Mr. Witter whose name heads this record spent his boyhood days in the Fatherland and aequired such educational advantages as were afforded by the district schools, which he attended until fif- teen years of age. He then began learning the carpenter's trade, serving a three years' appren- ticeship, during which time he thoroughly mas- tered the business, becoming an efficient workman. He followed his chosen oceupation in Germany in 1868, and with the hope of bettering his financial condition he sailed for New York, and when he had landed on American soil started at onee for Dubuque.
Ere his emigration Mr. Witter was married. In 1866 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Louise Rowdebush, who died in 1868, leaving two chil- dren, a son and daughter, Louisa and Cornelius. On the 6th of May, 1869, Mr. Witter was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Groebe. To them have been born six children, three sons and three daughters, Louis, William,
Frank, Elizabeth, Annie and Clara. The parents are consistent and faithful members of St. John's Lutheran Church, and are highly respected citi- zens of the community. Their home is located on White Street.
When Mr. Witter eame to Dubuque, he worked at his trade in the employ of others for some time, being thus engaged until 1882, when he began business in his own interest. He is now a promi- nent contraetor and builder, and the liberal pat- ronage which he receives yields him a good in- come. Among the many fine buildings which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise are the home of Charles Hollnagle, the Herman busi- ness bloek and many others.
Cornelius Witter, who is the junior member of the firm, is a thoroughgoing young business man and an expert mechanie. He was born in Ger- many in 1868, and during his infaney was brought by his father to America. He acquired his edu- cation in the schools of Dubuque and then learned the earpenter's trade, becoming very proficient in that line. To the practical experience and tried judgment of his father he adds the enterprise and ambition of a young man, and the combination therefore makes an exeellent firm.
R EV. MARK COONEY is an able educator and the President of St. Joseph's Catholie College, of Dubuque. A native of the Emerald Isle, he was born in Longford, and in his native land began his education, there attending sehool until 1883. In that year he crossed the Atlantic to America, making the journey in Sep- tember, and landing in New York at the elose of the same month. He came at once to Iowa, taking up his residence in Dubuque, and for one year he served as pastor of the Catholic Church in Farley, Dubuque County.
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