USA > Iowa > Lee County > Story of Lee County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 7
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His grandson and namesake, who is now a well-known resident of Donnellson, was educated in the country schools and in a German school at Franklin, pursuing his studies to the age of sixteen years. He afterward worked upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-three and in 1890 removed to Donnellson, where he became connected with a flour mill, devoting his attention to that business until 1897. He then turned his attention to the real estate and insur- ance business and has secured a large clientage. He writes a con- siderable amount of insurance annually and at the same time he deals quite extensively in farm lands and in town property, having nego- tiated many important realty transfers during the seventeen years which he has devoted to this business. He is thoroughly conversant with property values and knows what is upon the market, so that he is able to make profitable sales and judicious investments for his patrons.
On the 21st of March, 1893, Mr. Haffner was united in mar- riage to Miss Molly Wagner, of Montrose, and they have two chil- dren, Leona and Alberta M., aged respectively twenty and eleven years, the younger being now in school. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Haffner belongs also to the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp. His political support is given to the democratic party, and he has been quite active in local politics, serv- ing for fourteen years as city assessor. He has also done important work for the county as secretary of the Fair Association, and he has been most active in planning for and conducting the fairs, which are a notable and attractive annual event of Donnellson. The stu- dent of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of
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Lee county without learning that the Haffner family has long been prominently and helpfully connected with the work of public progress. The efforts instituted by the grandfather were continued by the father and are now being carried on still farther by Chris Haffner, who is justly accounted one of the representative and enter- prising citizens of his community.
JOHN COSGROVE.
On the pages of memory the name of no man is written more indelibly than that of John Cosgrove, who was one of the well known and highly respected merchants and business men of Keokuk. Self- made in the truest and best sense of the term, he proved both the architect and builder of his own fortune. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, November 11, 1847, but in the succeeding spring was brought to America by his parents, who, crossing the country to the Mississippi valley, settled in St. Louis. Much of his boyhood, how- ever, was spent upon the old home farm in Hancock county, Illinois, and there he attended the district schools and worked in the fields through the summer months.
When sixteen years of age Mr. Cosgrove came to Keokuk and from that time until his demise was dependent entirely upon his own resources. He first secured employment in the hardware establish- ment of Weber & Company and by thorough and conscientious work he mastered the details of this business and gradually advanced step by step, increasing responsibilities being given over to him from time to time. For sixteen years he was traveling salesman with that house and in 1884 he became a partner and vice president. He re- mained in that connection until his demise. In his path there arose obstacles and difficulties at different times, but these were overcome by persistent effort. When one avenue of advancement seemed closed he sought out another path which would bring him to the desired goal. He felt that industry would win and upon that broad and safe foundation he builded his success, winning for himself in time a place among the representative and valued business men of his adopted city.
On the 10th of April, 1874, Mr. Cosgrove was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Gregg, a daughter of M. Gregg, who was a pioneer merchant of Keokuk. They had a family of seven children, namely : Cecelia, the wife of Louise Culkin, of Carthage, Illinois; John Cle-
JOHN COSGROVE
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ment; Elizabeth; Stella; Hugh Barnard; Henry Edward; and Harriet.
The religious faith of Mr. Cosgrove was that of the Catholic church and he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, join- ing De La Salle Council, No. 619, upon its organization. He also became a member of Keokuk Lodge, No. 106, B. P. O. E., and be- longed to the Travelers Protective Association. At one time he was president of the Keokuk branch and was local secretary and treas- urer of the latter organization. He likewise became a charter mem- ber of the Keokuk Club. He took a very active part in the work of the Catholic Knights of America and was state delegate to the na- tional convention held in Philadelphia. He was a member of the building committee of St. Francis Catholic church at Fourth and High streets and did all in his power to further the cause of the parish. In politics he was a democrat and at one time was a candi- date for alderman but met defeat in a ward strongly republican. His life might well serve as a source of inspiration and encourage- ment to others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do. He had no assistance at the outset of his career nof in later life, but gradually he worked his way upward and the qualities which he employed to bring about his advancement are such as may be cultivated by any. He was not content to remain, however, as others do in the position where fate had seemed to place them, and, stimulated by a commendable ambition, he advanced step by step until he had reached a commendable place among the more capable and prosperous business men of this city. He passed away September 28, 1912.
JOHN C. KOLLER.
John C. Koller is a well-known and highly respected farmer and stockman, residing on section 21, Denmark township, where he owns and cultivates two hundred and forty acres of land. He has greatly improved this property and in 1912 he erected his present residence, which is one of the fine country homes in Lee county. He makes stock raising a feature of his place and is regarded as one of the pro- gressive business men of the township. His birth occurred on the David Koller farm in Denmark township, February 5, 1875. Fur- ther mention of his father, David Koller, is made on another page of this volume.
Vol. II-5
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On the old homestead the son was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, dividing his time between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. After mas- tering the common branches of learning taught in the district schools he spent several terms as a student in the Denmark Academy. Al- though he remained at home through the period of his minority, he began working for others when sixteen years of age and was em- ployed as a farm hand in the neighborhood for six years. During that time he carefully saved his earnings, for he was ambitious to own a farm, and when he had acquired sufficient capital he made investment in property, becoming owner of one hundred and ten acres of his present place, which was then known as the Joy farm. He has been very successful and his prosperity is attributable entirely to his own industry and intelligently directed effort. As he has suc- ceeded he has extended the boundaries of his place until he now has two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land, the fields responding to the care and cultivation which he bestows upon them. He makes a specialty of handling full-blooded and high-grade stock. He has several full-blooded Polled Angus cattle and Poland China hogs and his stockraising is one of the profitable features of his busi- ness. He has erected commodious and substantial barns and sheds, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock. He uses the latest improved farm machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and has made abundant and comfortable provision for his family in the crection of his beautiful home, which is one of the fine farm prop- erties of Lee county.
In April, 1900, Mr. Koller was united in marriage to Miss Helena Christensen, a daughter of Jacob Christensen, of Denmark, who is a poultry fancier and raiser. He is a native of Denmark, and has resided in this county for thirty-five or forty years. Mrs. Koller was born at her present home, was reared in this county and attended the Denmark Academy. For several terms she successfully engaged in teaching. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children: Lillian, twelve years of age, who was graduated from the eighth grade in the Denmark schools in 1914; Esther, nine years of age ; Earl, who is in his second year; and Frank, in his first year.
Mr. Koller belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp of Den- mark, and since age has conferred upon him the right of franchise he has voted with the republican party, giving earnest support to its principles, yet never seeking office as a reward for party fealty. He is a trustee of the Denmark Academy board and also of the Con-
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gregational church of Denmark, in which he has membership. He has seen an active, useful and upright life, and the many sterling traits of character which he has displayed have been the leading features in winning him his success and in gaining for him the high regard of those with whom he has come in contact.
JOHN P. HORNISH.
John P. Hornish, who was a well-known lawyer of Keokuk, was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 18, 1823, his parents being Joseph B. and Hannah (Kuntz) Hornish. His more specific literary education was acquired in the Washington and Jefferson College, from which he was graduated. He then entered upon the study of law in Greensburg, with Joseph B. Kuntz, a distant relative, as his preceptor. After mastering many of the principles of jurisprudence he was admitted to the bar in 1849 and in 1850, in connection with his brother, Joseph, came to Keokuk. Here he entered upon the active practice of his profession, and he was also interested with his brother in real estate. As the years went on he became more and more closely connected with the substantial upbuilding of the city and was one of the original stockholders of the Water Power Company, associated in that enterprise with Judge Mason of Burlington. His plans were very carefully formulated and promptly executed and from the beginning he seemed to recog- nize the utmost possibility for accomplishment in any direction. His efforts were largely of a character that contributed to public progress and prosperity as well as to individual success, and his name is closely interwoven with the record of development here.
On May 3, 1855, Mr. Hornish was united in marriage to Miss Martha C. Plumer, a daughter of John C. and Maria (Elliott) Plumer, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hornish was a student in the Washington Seminary and there met the man to whom she gave her hand in marriage. The children of this union were as follows: John, who is now an attorney, practicing in Keo- kuk; Elliott, who is living in Henry county; Martha, at home; Wal- ter, deceased; George P., who is located in Missouri; Samuel, who died in infancy; and Phillip F., who is connected with railway inter- ests and lives in St. Louis.
Mr. Hornish was a democrat in his political views. He stood as a high type of American manhood and citizenship and in every
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relation of life sought the welfare and upbuilding of city, state and nation. He was elected prosecuting attorney and proved most capa- ble and faithful in that office. He saw the possibilities along all lines which have contributed to the welfare of Keokuk and was active in establishing libraries, in organizing churches and founding schools. He was likewise interested in Rand Park and, in a word, he did everything he could for the good of the community. In the later years of his life he was president of the board of supervisors of Lee county. Both he and his wife belonged to the Presbyterian church and in its teachings were found the motive springs of his conduct. His course was ever honorable and he was continually reaching out a helping hand to assist others to climb upward. He was a member of Phi Delta Gamma, a college fraternity, and he never ceased to feel a deep interest in the friends and associates of his college days. On the 18th of September, 1874, he passed away and in his demise the community lost a good citizen. The respect which was entertained for him throughout the community was the logical result of a well spent life and of honorable and effective activ- ity for the public good.
JOHN HENDERSON CRAIG.
John Henderson Craig, deceased, was regarded by many as one of the ablest legal practitioners in the state of Iowa, his record reflect- ing credit and honor upon a profession which is regarded as the con- servator of life and liberty and of the rights and privileges of the individual. A native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurred July 31, 1824, near Claysville, Washington county, his parents being Hugh and Hannah (Henderson) Craig. In his boyhood he attended the common schools and also studied under the tutelage of a pastor. When fifteen years of age he left home and after teaching for a year continued his education in the West Alexander Academy of West Alexander, Pennsylvania, where he remained for four years. He afterward taught during the school year of 1845-6 and then entered the junior class of what was Washington College, now Washington and Jefferson College, from which he was graduated in 1848. Among the students of Washington and Jefferson during the time that Mr. Craig was there were James G. Blaine, Henry A. Wise of Virginia and others who become national figures. Mr. Craig was known at
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college as "Honest John Craig" and paid the expenses of his course by tutoring in Latin and Greek.
His father was very anxious that the son should make the study and practice of the law his life work and in accordance with the parental wish John H. Craig in due time entered the law office of T. M. T. McKennen, ex-secretary of the interior and ex-member of congress. Soon after this, however, his health became impaired and he went to Natchez, Mississippi, for the purpose of teaching in a female seminary and incidentally benefiting his health through the change in climate. Owing to an epidemic of yellow fever, however, he left there in 1853 and returned home, his health being fully re- stored in the meantime. In the succeeding year he went to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he resumed the study of law, but soon after- ward his father died, and Mr. Craig returned home to settle up the estate. He next entered the law office of the Hon. William Mont- gomery, of Washington, Pennsylvania, congressman from that dis- trict. under whose direction he continued his studies for a year, and was admitted to the bar in 1856.
His mother died in November of that year and Mr. Craig then decided to go west. The following spring witnessed his arrival in Keokuk for the purpose of visiting friends and while here he was induced to form a law partnership with Judge R. P. Lowe, afterward governor of Iowa, and John Noble, who became a general in the Union army during the Civil war and was secretary of the interior under President Benjamin Harrison's administration. In the fall of 1857 this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Craig continuing in prac- tice, however, until 1888, when his health failed. During these years he was associated at different times in the practice of law with various attorneys, his last connection being that of senior partner in the firm of Craig, McCreary & Craig. For many years he continued in prac- tice in Keokuk and each year his reputation as one of the best and ablest representatives of the profession became more and more pro- nounced. He handled his cases with masterly skill and ability, read- ily recognizing the relation of cause and effect, and was seldom if ever at fault in the application of a legal principle. For thirty years he was attorney for the Iowa State Insurance Company and made a spe- cial study of insurance law. The only political offices he ever held were those of city attorney and county attorney, to which he was elected upon the democratic ticket. He concentrated his attention upon his profession, and his devotion to his clients' interests became proverbial, yet he never forgot that he owed a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. When he became a partner of Judge Lowe,
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that gentleman had just built the home now occupied by Mrs. Craig as it was later bought by Mr. Craig.
On the 24th of December, 1863, at Madison, Wisconsin, Mr. Craig was united in marriage to Miss Alice Read, a daughter of the Hon. Daniel Read, who was connected with the Indiana State University and later was president of the Wisconsin State University, while at the time of his death he occupied the presidency of the State University of Missouri and was instrumental in making that institu- tion a coeducational school. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Craig were born four children : Daniel Read, now living in Aurora, Illinois; Bertha Read, who is instructor in history in the Keokuk high school; Theo- dore Alexander, who is engaged in the practice of law in Keokuk; and Hugh Henderson, an attorney of Riverside, California, and a member of the firm of Collier & Craig, the senior partner being William Collier, who read law in the office of J. H. Craig and was later associated with him in the firm of Craig, Collier & Craig. Upon the dissolution of this firm Mr. Collier went west and remembering the brilliant attainments of his former preceptor and partner offered to take the son, Hugh H. Craig, into partnership. The latter accepted the offer, went west and Collier & Craig is now one of the leading law firms in California.
Mr. Craig provided his children with broad educational advan- tages and was always deeply interested in the cause of the schools, serving for about sixteen years as a member of the school board. He was also president of the old College of Physicians & Surgeons at Keo- kuk for a number of years. He held membership in the Westminster Presbyterian church, and his life was guided by the highest and most honorable principles. He never deviated from a course which he believed to be right between himself and his fellowmen and principle rather than policy always guided him in his conduct. He always used the talents with which nature endowed him and in the course of years won well merited prominence as a distinguished member of the Iowa bar.
J. DAVID HAMILTON.
J. David Hamilton is now living retired in Montrose. He is num- bered among the veterans of the Civil war and his military record is one of which he has every reason to be proud. A native son of Lee county, he was born on the old family homestead, five miles
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north of West Point, on the ist of June, 1840. The family removed to Montrose in 1850, returned to the farm in 1854 and again took up their abode in Montrose in 1859. The ancestry has long been repre- sented on the American continent. The great-grandfather was a sol- dier under General Washington in the Revolutionary war and the grandfather died in Canada, while serving as an American soldier in the War of 1812.
The father, George G. Hamilton, was born in Virginia and mar- ried Sallie Johnson. Removing westward, he settled in Lee county, Iowa, where he became the owner of four hundred and forty acres of rich farming land. Finally he disposed of his farm property and turned his attention to merchandising. At all times he was an active, prominent and influential citizen of this section of the state. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was chosen to represent his district in the Iowa general assembly. He died in 1897, at the age of eighty-six years, and in his death the county lost one of its valued citizens and pioneer settlers. His first wife, who died upon the old homestead farm in 1845, left two children: J. David; and Louisa, who became the wife of Isaac Stevens and died in this county in 1909. After losing his first wife George G. Ham- ilton wedded Susan Bronson and they became the parents of five children.
While living at Montrose through the period of his youth J. David Hamilton spent the greater part of his time upon the old homestead farm and attended school in Pleasant Ridge township and in Montrose, pursuing his education through the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to the work of the fields. He was not quite twenty-one years of age when in May, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, being enrolled in the following July as-a private of Company D, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under command of Captain Harper and Colonel Lauman. At the termination of his first period of enlistment of three years he veteran- ized at Pulaski, Tennessee. He was severely wounded in the battle of Lays Ferry, Georgia. When he first attempted to join the army he went to the camp at Burlington and there was refused on account of his small stature, but his persistency at length won out and he was accepted. He did not know a man in the company when he joined but was soon promoted to the rank of corporal and at Corinth, Mis- sissippi, was made first sergeant. At Rome, Georgia, promotion to the rank of first lieutenant came to him and at Savannah, Georgia, he was advanced to the rank of captain, although he had previously commanded his company for some time before.
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After his enlistment Mr. Hamilton went to Jefferson barracks, St. Louis, and later to Iron Mountain. The first engagement in which he participated was at Belmont, Missouri, on the 7th of November, 1861, on which occasion the Seventh Iowa was badly cut up, two hun- dred or more men being captured, wounded or killed. His next engagement was at Fort Donelson, where the Seventh Iowa was the second regiment to go over the works. They then proceeded to Shiloh. taking part in the battle there, and afterward participated in the Corinth campaign under Halleck and in the battle of Corinth. Mr. Hamilton was afterward engaged on guard duty until May, 1864. It was on the 15th of that month that he was wounded at Lays Ferry by a minie ball which struck him in the right leg. He was sent first to the field hospital, afterward to Chattanooga, later to Nash- ville and then on to St. Louis, where he spent some time in the bar- racks, and was then transferred to Keokuk. He recovered sufficiently to permit of his return to his regiment, which was then stationed at Rome, Georgia, being on the march to the sea. Later Captain Ham- ilton participated in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., and was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 12, 1865, having served for four years and one day from the time of his enroll- ment. He weighed but ninety pounds while in the service. He was a brave and valiant soldier, never faltering in the performance of any duty, and the record which he made as an officer was most com- mendable, for he encouraged the men under him and inspired them with much of his own zeal and bravery.
At the close of the war Mr. Hamilton returned home, where he spent sometime, and then went to Chicago, where he attended Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College. He next engaged in the real- estate business, in which he continued until the time of the great fire in that city in October, 1871, when he was burned out, losing every- thing. Just prior to the fire he had allowed his insurance in the Globe Insurance Company of London to lapse with the intention of taking out insurance in an American company. He continued his residence in Chicago from 1865 until 1909 and then returned to his native county, where he expects to spend the evenings of his days.
Mr. Hamilton was married, in Chicago, to Miss Nellie Johns and the only child of that marriage died at the age of three years. In 1886 Mr. Hamilton was again married, his second union being with Miss Janet Batty, then of Chicago but formerly of New York.
Mr. Hamilton is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his wife belongs to the Protestant Episcopal church. He has been a life- long republican, never faltering in his allegiance to the party which
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was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and which has always been the party of reform and progress. In matters of citizenship he has ever been as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag on the battlefields of the south.
A. P. MEYER.
A. P. Meyer, who since 1911 has filled the office of county auditor in Lee county, is a native son of Fort Madison, born on the 9th of January, 1880. His parents were Joseph J. and Alida (Stolwyk) Meyer. The father a native of Germany, was born January 6, 1845, and in the summer of 1846 was taken to Fort Madison, then a little town on the Mississippi, of but minor commercial and industrial im- portance. In this state he was united in marriage to Miss Stolwyk, who was born in Keokuk, Iowa, a daughter of Adrian Stolwyk, one of the pioneer residents of that city, where he located in the late '40S. Joseph J. Meyer is a harness maker by trade and has followed that pursuit throughout his entire life in order to provide for the support of himself and family.
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