The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 106

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical
Number of Pages: 964

USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 106

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NEIL McGOWAN, blacksmith, corner Delhi and Center streets, West Dubuque ; was born in Ireland, and emigrated to America in boyhood, and lived in New York twelve years ; he came to Dubuque in the fall of 1848, and began working at his trade; he has been engaged in blacksmithing and mining for thirty years. In 1838, he married Miss Margaret Flanagin, a native of Ireland ; they have three chil- dren-James, Ellen and Jeremiah. His eldest son was educated for the ministry, and is Rev. Father McGowan, Pastor of the church at Bankston, in this county.

REV. P. J. MCGRATH, President of St. Joseph's College, Fourteenth street, Dubuque ; is a native of Ireland, and was born in County Clare July 7, 1847 ; he came to America in November, 1868; he received his classical education at Mil- waukee Seminary and pursued his philosophic and theological studies at Cape Girardeau, Mo .; he came to Dubuque and was ordained by Bishop Hennessy, at the Cathedral, July 26, 1874, and since then has been connected with the St. Joseph's College, serv- ing as Vice President until July, 1877, when he was appointed President of the college, and since then has occupied that position.

JAMES M. MCKENZIE, wagon-maker and blacksmith, 879 Clay street, Dubuque ; is a native of Canada, and was born in 1846; he grew up and learned his trade there; he came to Iowa in 1867 and located at Dubuque; in 1874, he engaged in business for himself; he has carried it on since then. In September, 1868, he mar- ried Miss Rosa Ortschied, from Cassville, Wis .; they have three children-Edward, Alexander and' Annette.

FRANCIS MCLAUGHLIN, Auditor of Dubuque County ; is a native of Ireland, and was born in 1836; his parents came to America in 1848; they lived in Pittsburgh, Penn., two years, and came to Dubuque Co. in the spring of 1850; he grew up and lived on a farm for fifteen years; he was engaged in the grain business for ten years ; he was elected Auditor of Dubuque County in 1873 and was re-elected in 1875 and again in 1877; he has also held town and school offices. In 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen McDaniels, in this county ; they have four children- Edward, Peter, Francis and Johanna.

JOHN MACDONALD, manager of the house of H. C. Tillinghast & Co., dealers in hides, tallow, wool and furs, No. 280 Main street and 281 Iowa street, Dubuque ; is a native of Scotland ; he came to the United States in 1865; learned the tanning business in Pennsylvania ; came West to Iowa in 1870, and since then has been connected with the house of H. C. Tillinghast & Co., of Chicago, and since 1875, when the branch house was established here, Mr. Macdonald has had the management of the business. It is the only exclusive house of the kind in Dubuque, and they have a very large trade, their shipments in 1879 amounting to over 2,500,000 pounds. Mr. Macdonald, was united in marriage to Miss Eliza G. Powell, from Galena, Ill .; they have one daughter-Evelyn C.

MACKENZIE & HARPER, photograph artists, No. 751 Main street, Dubuque. A. H. Mackenzie is a native of the city of New York; he came to Dubuque in 1875 and established their present business; in 1878, D. W. Harper, who grew up to manhood in this city, became associated with him, and since then the firm of Mac- kenzie & Harper have built up a good business, making good pictures at the most reasonable prices.

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J. MACLAY, senior member of the firm of J. Maclay & Co., wholesale dealers- in hardware and house-furnishing goods, 768 Main street; is a native of New York City, and was born in 1826; when 7 years of age, he came to Galena with his father in 1833; in August, 1845, he came to Dubuque, and, after learning the business in 1853, he engaged in business for himself on the same lot that the firm now occupies ; the firm was Maclay & Green until 1858, when Mr. Green retired, and Mr. Maclay continued the business until 1875, when the firm became J. Maclay & Co .; with one exception, it is the oldest hardware and house-furnishing goods house in the city, and they are doing a large trade; the sales the present year will amount to $150,000. Mr. Maclay has been actively identified with the interest and growth of the city, and has aided in building railroads, street cars, churches, schools, library and other associations; he has held the office of City Alderman ; has served as President of the Bible Society, and President of the St. Andrew's Society. and Vice President of the Board of Trade. He is an active and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and has served as one of the Ruling Elders for a great many years. In 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Alexander, a native of Scotland ; she grew up to womanhood in this coun- try ; they have seven children, four daughters and three sons.

JOHN N. MANNING, Superintendent of the Dubuque Steam Heating Company; is a native of Illinois, and was born in the city of Chicago Sept. 5, 1844; he grew up to manhood and received his education there ; he served an apprenticeship and. learned his present business there ; he held the position of Superintendent of the steam- heating department of the Crane Brothers Manufacturing Company for five years, and had charge of the outside construction ; he has had a large practical experience in heat- ing buildings by steam ; he came to Dubuque in August, 1879, and since then assumed the duties of his present responsible position. Mr. Manning was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Carrico, from Springfield, Ill., in 1861 ; they have three children-George G., Maud, Guy.

WILLIAM MARSHALL, proprictor of the Eagle Steam Boiler Works, Washington street, between Ninth and Tenth streets, Dubuque .; is a native of England, and was born in the city of London June 24, 1831; he grew up to manhood here, and served an apprenticeship in the boiler works; he came to America in 1854, and came to Chicago in July, 1855, and began work for C. Reisig & Co., boiler-makers ; in 1856, he came to Dubuque and engaged in business for one year, then returned to Chicago ; in January, 1861, he came to Dubuque and located permanently, and engaged in his- present business ; he had a partner until 1865, and since then he has carried on the business alone. In 1852, he was married to Miss Sarah Adams, a native of London ; they have nine children, five sons and four daughters.

J. M. MARSH (deceased) ; was a native of Seneca Co., N. Y .; he grew up to manhood, and came West and engaged in surveying ; he surveyed a large part of the States of Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa; he came to Iowa and settled in Dubuque in 1840 ; he was U. S. Deputy Surveyor ; he ran the State line between Iowa and Minne- sota, under the authority of the Government; he possessed rare ability as a mathema- tician, and was usually employed in the more intricate and responsible branches of the service. In 1845, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet L. Langworthy, a sister of the Langworthy brothers ; she died in 1854, leaving one son-Frank M., now living in Sioux City, and is Civil Engineer and Roadmaster on the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad. In January, 1856, Mr. Marsh was united in marriage to Ann J. Ste- vens, from Seneca Co., N. Y. Mr. Marsh died Jan. 16, 1858, leaving one son-James E., in the employ of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad. Mr. Marsh was a man of strict integrity, of great energy, and was actively identified with the interests of Dubuque; he built the large, attractive home occupied by Mrs. Marsh, in 1856; at that time, it was the most elegant house in Dubuque.

GEORGE MARTIN, engaged in teaming and transferring freight; resi- dence, 68 Burch street ; was born in County Down, Ireland ; he grew up to manhood. there and came to the United States in November, 1853, and came to Iowa and settled in Dubuque in December, 1853; he bought a horse and dray, and began delivering.

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goods ; the next summer, he bought a team and since then has continued in his present business ; he brought the load of freight after the railroad reached Dunleith ; he has been engaged in the business longer than any person in the city ; when he came to Dubuque, he only had $20, and his success is owing to his own efforts. In 1844, he married Miss Mary Ann Murdock, a native of County Down, Ireland ; they have had ten children, seven of whom are living-Hugh, James, William, Moses, George F., Annie and Mary.

HUGH MARTIN, of the firm of Martin & Strane, dealers in coal and wood, corner Third and Iowa streets, Dubuque ; is a native of Ireland, and was born Aug. 15, 1844 ; he came to the United States in 1855, and came to Dubuque the same year ; after reaching manhood, he engaged in the wood and coal business, and has carried it on for the past thirteen years, and has built up a good trade. Mr. Martin has been twice married ; his first wife was Miss Rachel Strane, from Pittsburgh, Penn .; she died in 1876, leaving one daughter-Laura. His present wife was Miss Emily Laud, a native of Dubuque Co .; they have two daughters-Lulu B. and an infant not named.

CHRISTOPHER MASON, dealer in stoves and tinware, 251 Main street ; is a native of Norfolk, Va., and was born Sept. 19, 1812; he grew up to man- hood in that State, and learned his trade in Norfolk ; after reaching manhood, he went to St. Louis and remained several years; then came to Iowa and located at. Dubuque, arriving here Nov. 15, 1842; the ground was covered with snow, and continued cov- ered until the following May. Mr. Mason brought his tools with him and engaged in business, and has carried on the business since then, except a short interruption ; there is not a merchant doing business here now that was here when he came, thirty-seven- years ago, and he has carried on the business longer than any merchant in Dubuque. In September, 1840, he married Miss Susan P. Smith, from Missouri ; they have three- children-Christophene, Edward, Louise; Edward is engaged in business with his father ; they have lost five children-Christopher, Charlie, Fannie, Emma and Lillie.

F. I. MASSEY, contractor for the Holly System Steam Supply office, corner Main and First streets, Dubuque ; is a native of Lockport, N. Y., and was born May 31, 1842 ; he grew up to manhood and received his education there. Upon the break- ing-out of the rebellion, he enlisted in Co. B, 105th N. Y. V. I .; he served in the Army of the Potomac, and was wounded in the battle of Gettysburg; in November, 1863, he was transferred to the regular service with rank of First Lieutenant, was on detached duty and served in the War Department until 1868, when he resigned his position and came to Iowa, locating in Dubuque. He held the position of Auditor of the C., D. & M. Railroad until 1876 ; he built the Steam Motor Railroad on the Bluff,. and also had charge of building the works of the Steam Supply Company, having a large stock interest in both; in January, 1880, he resigned the management of the Dubuque Steam Supply Company, and since then has been engaged in contracting for the Holly system of steam heating. Mr. Massey was united in marriage Oct. 3, 1866, to Miss Aleen M. Langworthy, daughter of the late James Langworthy, one of the earliest and most honored settlers of Dubuque.

HERMAN MAUER, President of the Key City Furniture Company, Elm street, from Eleventh to Twelfth street, Dubuque; is a native of Germany, and was born in Hanover July 24, 1834; he came to the United States in 1851; lived in Chi- cago two years, and came to lowa and settled in Dubuque and worked at cabinet-making ; then was engaged in building for fifteen years ; upon the recent organization of the Key City Furniture Company, he was chosen President of that corporation. In 1860, he married Miss A. Kruse, a native of Prussia, Germany; they have nine children- Emma, Augusta, Rosa, Herman, Lulu, Henry, Willie, Waldy and Lilly. Mr. Mauer belongs to the I. O. O. F. and to the Encampment and to the German Benevolent. Society.

H. H. MEAD, dealer in groceries and provisions, 522 Julien avenue, Dubuque ; is a native of Delaware Co., Ohio, and was born in 1839 ; he came West to Dubuque in 1856 ; during the war he enlisted in Co. L, 1st I. V. C., and was in many fights and skirmishes ; he was in the service three years ; since the war, he has been engaged in

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business here. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. He married Miss Virginia Mace Sept. 12, 1864 ; they have three children-Walter C., Hilan H. and Leroy R.

GEORGE MEHL, retired, Seventh and White streets, Dubuque; was born at Alsace, France, Jan. 17, 1819 ; he emigrated to America in 1832, and came to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where he lived nineteen years, and came to Dubuque June 13, 1851, and engaged in the furniture business with Mr. Herancourt for three years ; then engaged in the grocery business on the corner of Seventh and White streets; he erected the building in 1856. He belongs to Schiller Lodge, I. O. O. F. In 1842, Mr. Mehl married Miss Elizabeth Herancourt, a native of Bavaria ; they have two children- Elizabeth, now Mrs. Charles P. Belz, and Charles, engaged in business with Mr. Belz ; Charles was in the army ; he enlisted in Co. G, 16th I. V. I., under Capt. Ruehl ; he was in twenty battles and engagements-Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, siege of Vicksburg, Atlanta and with Sherman to the sea.

N. MELMER, proprietor of billiard parlor, No. 530 Main street, Dubuque ; is a native of Germany, and was born in Luxemburg Dec. 16, 1856; he came to America in 1872, and came the same year to Dubuque; he went away in 1875, and returned in 1878 and engaged in his present business.

F. M. MENGIS, wholesale and retail dealer in millinery goods of all kinds and fancy dress costumes, No. 738 Main street; is a native of Switzerland, and was born March 7 1837 ; he came to the United States in 1852; he learned the drug trade and was engaged in the drug business in Indiana. While living there, in 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Weber, a native of the city of Luzerne, Swit- zerland ; her parents came to Dubuque in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Mengis came to Dubuque in 1865, and soon after engaged in the millinery business, and since then have successfully carried on the business, and have built up a large and leading trade in this city ; when they came here, Mr. Mengis says, they had only one child, a canary bird and 35 cents ; through their own efforts they have the largest business in their line in the city, and carry a stock of $25,000 ; they have five children-Paula, Irma, Herbert, Walter and Lessing.

NICOLAS METTEL, owner of the Tivoli Flower Garden, West Eagle Point avenue ; was born in Rhine Prussia, Germany, Feb. 27, 1828 ; he came to the United States in 1854, and came to Dubuque in 1856, and has lived here twenty-four years ; he has had a large experience in gardening and cultivating flowers ; engaged in business for himself three years ago ; he has the finest roses in the city, and is building up a nice trade. He married Mary Greiner, a native of Germany, in 1854; she died in 1856. He married Margaret Greiner, a native of Germany, in 1856; they have four children-John, Mary, Susie and Josephine ; have lost three children.

JOHN D. METZ, blank-book manufacturer, book-binder and printer, corner Fifth and Main streets, Dubuque ; was born in Holland March 5, 1822; he grew up to manhood and learned his trade there; he emigrated to America in 1846 ; he lived in Rochester, N. Y., and worked at his trade there, and afterward engaged in business for himself; in 1860, he came to Galena and was there two years; then came to Dubuque; he established his business here and has continued in the business since then ; has built up a good trade and employs seven men ; the character of work turned out by Mr. Metz bears testimony to his experience and superior ability in his business ; in 1875, he received the only premium for blank books awarded by the American Insti- tute of New York, and he also received the grand medal of honor and diploma of highest merit awarded by the Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia, 1876. In 1858, Mr. Metz married Miss Maria Faas, a native of Holland; they have six children.

WILLIAM MEUSER, of the firm of William Meuser & Co., brewers and maltsters, Couler avenue, Dubuque; is a native of Nassau, Germany, and was born Aug. 22, 1834; lie emigrated to America in 1856; he came West to Wisconsin. When the war broke out, he enlisted in the 2d Wis. V. I., Co. I, and was in the first battle of Bull Run, Gettysburg, and in all the battles of the Wilderness and many others ; he was wounded at Gainesville; in the battle of Gettysburg, of 550 men of his regiment who were in that engagement, only forty answered roll-call the following morning; he

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was in the service over three years. After the war, he engaged in brewing business at Mineral Point, Wis .; he came to Dubuque in 1875 and engaged in his present business and is building up a large trade. In 1864, he married Miss Margaret Eulberg, a native of Nassau, Germany; they have four children-Joseph, Margaret, Lizzie and Willie.

HENRY MEYER, dealer in groceries and provisions, choice teas and crock- ery, 241 Main street, Dubuque; is a native of Hanover, Germany, and was born April 17, 1820 ; he emigrated to. America in 1848; he came to Iowa and located at Dubuque in April, 1852; engaged in tobacco and cigar business for two years, and then engaged in the grocery trade and has carried on the business since then, a period of over twenty-five years, a longer time than any retail grocer in the city. In 1852, he married Miss Charlotte Quade ; she is a native of Hanover, Germany.

JOHN P. MEYERS, stonecutter and contractor, corner Seventh and Jackson streets, Dubuque; was born in Rhine Province, Prussia, in 1834; he grew up and learned his trade there ; emigrated to America in 1853, and came to Dubuque in May, 1857, and began working at his trade, and since then has continued in the business and is one of the oldest stonecutters in Dubuque. In 1857, married Margaret Mares, from Prussia ; they have had three children ; none of them are living.

PETER MIHM, stonemason ; residence 500 West Eagle Point avenue ; was born in Bavaria, Germany, Aug. 16, 1827 ; he grew up and learned his trade there; came to this country in August, 1852; lived in Pennsylvania and came to Iowa and settled in Dubuque in 1855, and began working at his trade ; he has worked at his trade here twenty-five years and is one of the oldest stonemasons in Dubuque. In 1853, he married Mary B. Albenger, a native of Germany ; they have had ten children, eight of them are now living-Annie M., Katie M., John J., Peter E., Amelia, Frank, Bertha and Lizzie. They have lived on this place twenty-five years. Mr. Mihm belongs to the Pius Society.

C. M. MILLS, attorney at law and Justice of the Peace, corner Sixth and Main streets, Dubuque; is a native of Washington Co., Penn., and was born Oct. 20, 1847 ; his parents came to Dubuque in 1855, when he was only 8 years of age ; his father, Wm. Mills, was one of the leading attorneys of this section of the State for many years ; he died May 18, 1879. C. M. grew up to manhood and received his education in this State; studied law with Mills & Graham, and was admitted to the bar in 1869, and engaged in the practice of law. He holds the office of Justice of the Peace-was appointed in 1876, elected in 1877, and re-elected in 1879. In November, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Lee, a native of New York.

GEORGE MINGES, M. D., physician aud surgeon, 989 Clay street, Dubuque; is a native of Dubuque Co., and was born in the city of Dubuque July 8, 1855 ; he grew up and attended school here and graduated from the high school; he went to Europe and completed his education there, mostly in Vienna ; he studied med- icine and graduated at the Buffalo Hospital College ; he completed his medical educa- tion in Europe ; after completing his studies, he engaged in the practice of his pro- fession in this city in September, 1879; he is a member of the Dubuque Medical Society. His father, Dr. Minges, a physician and surgeon, was a native of Bavaria, and was born on the Rhine in 1825; he received his literary and medical education there, taking his diploma in Wurzburg, Bavaria; he came to Dubuque in 1854, and engaged in the practice of medicine. He married Miss Laura Hillgaertner, a native of Bavaria. Dr. Minges continued in the practice of medicine until his death, which occurred in March, 1870 ; he left two sons and three daughters; Mrs. Minges is still living in this city.

C. W. MITCHELL, Vice President of the Norwegian Plow Company, Dubuque; is a native of Racine Co., Wis., and was born Dec. 2, 1842; he grew up and received his education in Green Co., that State; after reaching manhood, he engaged in the mercantile business ; il 1874, he associated with H. H. Sater, and engaged in manufacturing the " Norwegian Plow," at Brodhead, Wis .; they continued until 1879, when the Norwegian Plow Company was organized and the business

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removed to Dubuque, where they have erected large works and engaged in manufact- uring on an extensive scale, Mr. Mitchell being elected Vice President of the Company. Mr. Mitchell, while living in Wisconsin, served on the County Board of Supervisors and held town and school offices. In 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jelliff, a native of Newark, N. J .; they have two children-Ora and Eddie.

MAJ. RICHARD MOBLEY, Main street ; * is a native of Wellsburg, Brooke Co., West Va., and was born Aug. 29, 1800; when 18 years of age, he went to Shelbyville, Ky., and, in 1819, came to Illinois and settled in Jonesboro; in 1821, he went to Vandalia, then the new seat of government, and the first session of the Legis- lature was held there in that winter; in July, 1823, he went to Springfield, and, a land office being opened there, he cried the first sale of public lands there ; in the winter of 1826-27, he represented Sangamon Co. in the State Legislature ; when Tazewell Co. was firstorganized, he was Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Recorder and Judge of Probate and Postmaster ; in the spring of 1844, he came to Iowa and located in Dubuque ; he engaged in banking, and continued until the panic of 1857 ; in 1849, he was appointed Receiver of Public Lands, by President Taylor ; in 1861, he went to Washington and was appointed by President Lincoln Chief Clerk of Public Lands, and held that position until November, 1866, when he was appointed Pension Agent, and held that office two years ; was again appointed Chief Clerk in the Land Department by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and remained in that position until June 1, 1878, when he resigned the office and returned to Dubuque to reside with his only daughter, Mrs. Littleton. In 1824, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha C. Stephenson, a native of Kentucky ; she died July 3, 1873; there are three children living. Maj. Mobley had five sons in the Union army during the war ; he was a per- sonal friend of President Lincoln, and enjoyed his confidence in a high degree, and has letters now in his possession written him by Mr. Lincoln after he was elected President. There are very few men who have been more prominently identified with the affairs where he has resided for the past fifty years than Maj. Mobley, and now, nearly 80 years of age, he looks twenty years younger, and is still an active Christian gentleman.

JAMES F. MONTAGUE, proprietor of the Key City Sign Works, and dealer in ornamental glass, No. 38 Eighth strect, Dubuque; is a native of Massachu- setts, and was born in the city of Boston Feb. 22, 1853; he came to Dubuque in 1870 and learned his trade here; he established his present business in 1878, and is building up a large trade ; he makes a specialty of painting fine carriages and deals in ornamen- tal glass of all kinds.

M. H. MOORE, President of the Dubuque Lumber Co., Dubuque ; is a native of the town of Dummerston, Windham Co., Vt .; he grew up and attended school there ; after taking a preparatory course, he entered Williams College and graduated in the class of 1854; after graduating, he came West to Iowa and located at Waterloo in 1856, and engaged in lumbering and banking; in 1865, he came to Dubuque, and, in 1866, organized the Dubuque Lumber Co., and was chosen Vice President, and since then has been actively identified with the management of the company, which is the largest, in the manufacture of lumber in Dubuque; it has suffered largely from fires three different times since its organization, involving a loss of from $40,000 to $80,000 each time; but, by the energetic management was immediately rebuilt, with all the latest improvements, and is now one of most complete mills on the river. In October, 1856, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Matilda P. Wheeler, a cousin of Vice President Wheeler; she died Aug. 10, 1871, leaving four children. In May, 1876, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Ella H. Ratcliff, a native of Wheeling, Va .; they have one son. Mr. Moore is a native of the same town of President Hayes, and was intimately acquainted with the family.

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The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 106

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Number of Pages: 964

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical
Number of Pages: 964