The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 111

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 111

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BERNHARD SCHULTE, of the firm of Schulte & Wagner, stonecut- ters and contractors, White street, corner Tenth, Dubuque; was born in Westphalia, Germany, Oct. 29, 1831 ; he grew up and learned his trade there; he came to the United States in 1854, and, in December of the same year, came to Dubuque and began working at his trade; in 1857, he began contracting; in 1867, Mr. Wagner went in partnership with him, and since then they have successfully carried on the business and have the largest trade here. Mr. Schulte belongs to the German Benevo- lent Society. He married Miss Annie Becker, a native of Westphalia, Prussia, Jan. 19, 1854; they have five children-John, Katie, Gerhard, Mary and Valentinc.

HENRY SCHUELER, dealer in groceries and provisions, corner Delhi and Center streets, West Dubuque; is a native of Germany, and was born in Hesse- Darmstadt Nov. 2, 1830 ; he came to the United States in 1848, and came to Dubuque in 1849; he entered a printing office and learned the printing business, and afterward published the lowa Banner for two years ; in December, 1859, he engaged in his pres- ent business, and has carried on mercantile business in his present location since 1861 ; there are few merchants who have been engaged in business here longer than he has. In 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Duffit, daughter of Francis Duffit ; they have had six children, four of whom survive-Sophia, May, Florence and Estella.

JOHN SCHULER, dealer in groceries, dry goods and notions, No. 1772 White street, Dubuque; was born in Luxemburg, Germany, April 3, 1825 ; he emi- grated to the United States and came to Dubuque in May, 1855; he worked at the carpenter's trade for eighteen years, and since then has been engaged in his present business; when he came to this country he only had $30; he owns his store and other city property. He married Miss Elizabeth Haertert, a native of Germany, Feb. 2, 1854; they have seven children-Catharine, Anna, Peter, Maddie, John, Lucy and Nicholas.

JACOB SCHWIND, of the firm of Tschirgi & Schwind, brewers, Dubuque; born in Baden, Germany, Feb. 18, 1827; he grew up to manhood there, and emi- grated to America in 1848; he went to Wisconsin, and lived in Milwaukee and Osh- kosh, and came to Dubuque in August, 1853; the following year, he went in partnership with Mr. Tschirgi, and they engaged in the brewing business, building a

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brewery where they are now located; it was then covered with hazel brush, and away out of town ; they have continued in the business over twenty-six years, and have one of the largest and best breweries in the State, and do a large business. In 1852, he married Miss Mary Deitz, a native of Bavaria, Germany ; they have nine children -- Emma, Mary, Josephine, Minnie, Annie, Louise, John, Bennie and Clara.

J. P. SCOTT, lumberman ; residence, 1212 Locust street, Dubuque ; is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y .; he came to Iowa and located in Dubuque in August, 1854, and engaged in the mercantile business ; he continued in the mercantile business for thirteen years ; then engaged in the lumber business, and in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds ; he carries on the business in Wood Co., Wis .; he has lived in Dubuque over twenty-five years. He married Miss Alice De Wolf, of Cleveland, Ohio ; she is a native of New York ; they have four children, one son and three daughters.

JOHN G. SCOTT, steamboat inspector ; residence, 78 Center place, Dubuque; is a native of Washington Co., Penn., and was born Sept. 14, 1830; he grew up to manhood, and came West in 1856, and went on the river as engineer for the Minnesota Packet Company ; he remained with this company seven years ; during the war, he entered the naval service, and served as chief engineer of the Mis- sissippi squadron, until the close of the war, in 1865, when he again went on the river; he held the position of chief engineer of the "Diamond Jo" nine years, from 1869 to 1878; in July, 1878, he was appointed steamboat inspector, and since then has occu- pied that position ; this inspection district embraces more territory than any other district in the United States. In December, 1857, Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Anna Delaney, from Pittsburgh ; they have three children-Frank, Stella and Kittie.

IGNATZ SEEGER, retired, No. 1185 White street, Dubuque ; was born in Switzerland Feb. 14, 1807 ; he grew up to manhood in Austria, and emigrated to America in December, 1849, and came to Iowa and located in Dubuque in May, 1851 ; the following year, he engaged in the brewing business ; in 1853, his brewery burned down; he rebuilt it; when completed, the arches were not strong enough, and the building came down; after two years, he rebuilt it, and carried on the business success- fully until 1868. In 1849, he married N. Kaufmann, a native of Germany; she died in 1862, leaving two children-Louis and Josephine. In 1863, he married Gertrude Bowmann, from Baden, Germany ; they have two sons-John and Frank. Mr. Seeger had very little when he began, and owes his success to his own efforts. He belongs to the Pius Society.

C. H. SEYMOUR, D. D., Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, Dubuque; is a native of Watertown, Conn., and was born May 15, 1831 ; he grew up and attended school there; entered Trinity College and graduated from that institution; he was con- nected with the Hampden Rectory School in Connecticut four years, and was at the head of the Punchard Free School, at Andover, Mass., two years ; he was ordained by Bishop Eastburn, of Massachusetts, and for ten years was Rector of Trinity Church, at Haverhill, Mass .; remained there until 1868, when he came West to Dubuque, and since then has been Rector. In 1853, Dr. Seymour was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Burnham, from Hartford, Conn .; they have one daughter, ncw Mrs. F. Daniels, of this city.

E. G. SHACKFORD, fuel agent for the Iowa Division of the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad, Dubuque ; is a native of Stafford Co., N. H .; in 1840, he removed to Massachusetts and remained there until he came West to Iowa and located in Dubuque, Oct. 4, 1862 ; during the same month, he entered the employ of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, and remained with that road until 1867, when it was leased by the Illi- nois Central Railroad, and since then he has been connected with this division of the railroad, and is one of the oldest officials of the company here. In July, 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Abbie V. Crocket, a native of New Hampshire ; they have two daughters-Nettie M. (now Mrs. Pollard), of Waterloo, and Emma J., at home.

JOHN J. SHERIDAN, dealer in groceries and provisions, and agent for the National Steamship Line, No. 5 Main street Dubuque ; is a native of Dubuque Co., and was born in the city of Dubuque, Dec. 26, 1856 ; his parents were early settlers ;

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he grew up to manhood in this city, and engaged in his present business Aug. 1, 1879, and is building up a good trade.

GEN. JOHN G. SHIELDS, the son of James and Eleanor Goldsbury Shields, was born May 22, 1811, in Grayson Co., Ky. His father was one of the earliest settlers of Kentucky, a companion of Daniel Boone's, and a participant in many of the fierce struggles between the whites and Indians which characterized the early history of the " dark and bloody ground." He took part as a member of the famous "Kentucky Battalion " in the campaign which preceded and culminated in the disastrous defeat of St. Clair by the Indians under Brant Nov. 4, 1791, wherein 890 men were killed and wounded out of a force under St. Clair of less than 1,400 men ; and, of 84 young Kentuckians under Maj. Gray, James Shields was one of six who escaped the terrible slaughter of that day. In 1817, when the subject of this sketch was but six years of age, his father removed with his family, slaves and household effects to the then Territory of Missouri, and settled upon a large farm near Bowling Green, Pike Co.

The " Fever River Lead Mines," since 1823, had begun to attract attention, and especially from the residents of Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky. In the fall of 1828, when but 17 years of age, young Shields, with a companion, set out for the new El Dorado, and spent the winter of 1828-29 at Galena, returning in the spring to his father's farm. The spirit of adventure and enterprise was now kindled in his breast, and the quiet life on a Missouri farm had no longer any charms for him. At this time, the stock and farm products of the region where he lived, found a market on the Lower Mississippi at New Orleans, and the chief mode of transportation was by the " Broad Horn," floating upon the current of the great river. It was the custom of those days for the larger farmers once in each year to build and load a flat-boat with the accumu- lated stock and produce of the year, and float it to New Orleans to market. One of the nearest neighbors was the Emerson family, the head of which, Edward D. Emer- son, had removed from the Shenandoah Valley, Va., in 1818, the year after the removal of the Shields from Kentucky. In 1830, upon one of these boating expedi- tions to the " lower country," with two boats lashed together, loaded with the products of the Shields and Emerson farms, young Shields in charge of one and John H. Emer- son in charge of the other, commenced the partnership of " Emerson & Shields," after- ward so long and well known in the Dubuque lead region. The crews consisted of the young captains in charge and a black man each from their fathers' farms. The journey was a long, tedious and dangerous one-dangerous not only on account of the " sawyers" upon which the boats might be wrecked, but also from the organized bands of river pirates and robbers infesting the lower river from " Natchez under the hill " to the Balize. These trips down and back, occupying some months, were the events of the next succeeding four years, and laid the foundation, and their success gave the earnest, of the future successful trader and merchant. In 1836, Mr. Shields estab- lished his business in Dubuque, and, for more than twenty years, the firm of Emerson & Shields was one of the best known, not only in the lead district, but throughout Northern Iowa and the lumber regions of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The firm was engaged in a general mercantile business, dealing in lumber and pork packing. Gen. Shields and Hon. Jesse P. Farley were the pioneers in steamboating so far as Dubuque was concerned, and, in 1852, when the old " Galena Packet Co." was discriminating against Dubuque and in favor of her more powerful rival, Galena, they purchased and placed in the St. Louis and St. Paul trade the well-known steamers, the Lamartine and Excelsior.

Gen. Shields held many positions of honor and trust, and few men were more highly esteemed by, or enjoyed a more extensive. acquaintance with, the leading men of the State. He was appointed by the Governor of Iowa the senior Major General of the militia of the State, and as such organized the State troops to resist the last Indian raid made in Iowa-the Spirit Lake massacre in 1853. He served four years in the State Senate when the Dubuque District comprised the thirteen northeastern coun- ties of the State, or what now nearly constitutes two Congressional districts. The

James Hill

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Senate at this time contained such men as James M. Love, James W. Grimes, Wm. G. Stewart and Shepard Leffler, whose intimate friend he was, and with whom he ranked as a legislator. In 1855, he was almost unanimously elected Mayor of Dubuque, and, after serving one term with marked ability, declined a re-election. He also served sev- eral terms as Alderman, and was a leader in all public and business enterprises calcu- lated to advance the prosperity of his city.

Gen. Shields married Elizabeth Emerson, a native of Virginia, the sister of his partner, John H. Emerson, to whom there were born five children-Mrs. Thomas F. Gilliam, Mrs. James N. Hill and James H. Shields, now living in Dubuque, Mrs. James V. Rogers, living near Palmyra, Mo., and Charles F., deceased.

In every relation of life, whether public or private, Gen. Shields merited and won the respect and confidence of all who knew him. As a merchant and man of business affairs generally, he was energetic, honest, sound in judgment, and, consequently, suc- cessful ; and in his public life he was sincere, independent, honorable and broad in his views of measures and men. His demeanor, though reserved and dignified, was tem- pered by a sincerity and cordiality which gave a charm to his society. By his family and immediate personal friends he was loved, appreciated and esteemed, and his memory will ever be cherished by them as the best of fathers and the truest of friends. He died June 25, 1856, at the early age of 45 years, at St. Anthony's Falls, Minn., whither he had gone to restore his shattered health.

J. H. SHIELDS, attorney at law, corner Main and Seventh streets, Dubuque; is a son of Gen. John G. and Elizabeth Emerson Shields, and was born in Frankfort, Pike Co., Mo., May 8, 1842; he came to Dubuque in infancy, his parents being early settlers here; he grew up and attended school here, and prepared for col- lege ; he attended Alfred University at Allegany, N. Y., where he spent two years of his collegiate course, then entered Union College as a junior and graduated in 1862 ; after graduating, he studied law with Gen. Henderson, of Missouri, and was admitted to the bar in 1863; he engaged in the practice of law, and, during the same year, he was elected City Attorney and held that office for two years; in 1867, he associated with Judge Barker, one of the leading attorneys in this section of the State ; there they continued together until the latter was elected Judge, and went upon the bench; in 1871, he became associated in practice with Judge Pollock, and this partnership con- tinued eight years. Mr. Shields is a close student, and has taken a leading position in the profession ; he is attorney for the Dubuque Harbor Company, and has been a Director in the company since 1863; at the recent election for city officers, he was elected to the office of City Attorney by both parties without opposition; in 1876, he was earnestly solicited to accept the nomination for Congress, but declined, preferring to devote his whole time to the interests of his profession. Mr. Shields was united in marriage, June 3, 1874, to Miss Mary Tomlin, a native of Galena and daughter of Allan Tomlin, Esq., who came to Galena in 1827, and is one of the oldest settlers of that place now living ; Mrs. Shields died Nov. 8, 1879, leaving one daughter-Eleanor.

W. J. SHOUP, Principal of the Fourth Ward School, Dubuque ; is a native of Armstrong Co., Penn., and was born in 1846; he grew up to manhood in Illinois and received his education in that State, and graduated at Knox College, Galesburg, in 1873 ; after graduating, he came to Dubuque, and, since then, has been connected with the public schools of this city. During the war, he enlisted and served in Co. H, 48th I. V. I. Mr. Shoup is editor of the Iowa Normal Monthly, the official school organ of the State; he was chosen and served as President of the State Teachers' Association.

ALEXANDER SIMPLOT, engraver and designer, Julien House Build- ing, Dubuque; is a native of the city of Dubuque, and was born Jan. 5, 1837, in a log cabin on Main street, between Fifth and Sixth streets; his parents, Henry and Susan Simplot, were among the earliest settlers of Dubuque Co .; his father was engaged in general mercantile business; he was one of the first Board of Aldermen elected in Dubuque, and represented the First Ward; he was one of the wealthiest men in Dubuque at the time of his death, which occurred in 1847 ; his wife died in 1876.

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Alexander grew up and attended school here, and afterward attended Rock River Sem- inary, and was a student there with the late John A. Rawlins and Gov. Cullom, of Illinois ; he entered Union College and graduated in the class of 1858 ; during the war, he was special artist for Harper's Weekly, and was with Gen. Fremont, Commodore Foote, and with Gen. Grant. Mr. Simplot has had a large experience as an artist in sketching and engraving, and has an extended reputation ; he works by the new photo- engraving process, and with excellent success, and has all he can do with his other business. In 1866, Mr. Simplot was united in marriage to Miss Virginia Knapp, of this city ; they have five children-Ella N., Mamie, Frank A., Harry A., Leroy ; they have lost one daughter-Ada M.

CHARLES SIMPLOT, engaged in mining ; Sec. 22; P. O. Dubuque; is a native of Dubuque Co., and was born in the city of Dubuque April 24, 1840 ; he grew up and attended school here; after reaching manhood, he was engaged in the grain business, and is now engaged in mining. During the war, he enlisted in the 46th I. V. I., and was Commissary Sergeant and Acting Quartermaster. In April, 1867, Mr. Simplot was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Bonson, a native of this county and daughter of Richard Bonson, one of the oldest and most honored settlers of Dubuque Co .; Mr. and Mrs. Simplot have three children-Susan H., Henry F. and Jane B.

JOHN SIMPLOT, capitalist, 504 Julian avenue, Dubuque ; is a native of Besancon, France, and was born July 7, 1808 ; he came to America in 1820 ; he grew up to manhood in Oneida and Oswego Cos., N. Y., and came West to Iowa and landed in Dubuque June 1, 1835 ; he engaged in the grocery trade ; Mr. Simplot is one of the early settlers ; in the early days of Dubuque, when every one engaged in mining, it is something unusual to say that he was never persuaded to enter it; he was- engaged in the iron and heavy hardware business for some years, and carried on an extensive trade. In 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Moffet, of Dubuque; they have four children, three daughters and one son-Mary A., Fannie, Ida and Henry J.

J. E. SIMPSON, Collector of Internal Revenue ; is a native of the State of New York, and was born in the city of New York Aug. 10, 1833 ; he grew up to inanhood in that State; he came West to Iowa in 1855, and located in Winnesliiek Co., at Decorah ; he engaged in teaching, and was elected Superintendent of Schools, and was very active in advancing the early educational interests of that county ; he was also elected County Surveyor. Upon the breaking-out of the rebellion, he enlisted, in 1861, in the 12th I. V. I., Co. G ; he was Orderly Sergeant, and was afterward pro- moted and commissioned Second Lieutenant ; after serving one year, he was obliged, on account of ill health, to resign his commission ; he returned to Decorah, and, the fol- lowing year, entered the Provost Marshal's office and served as Deputy until 1865 ; then he entered the Internal Revenue Service, and was Supervising Agent in charge of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Dakota, Colorado, Montana and New Mexico ; he served in this position over ten years; in 1868, a law was passed by Congress, limiting the num- ber of revenue agents or supervising officers in the United States to twenty-five, and Mr. Simpson was among those retained in the service; after ten years' service in seven States and Territories, he was promoted and received the appointment of Collector of the district, taking charge of the office April 18, 1878 ; there are few officials in this department of the Government service who have the experience of Mr. Simpson. On the 7th day of July, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Rankin, a native of the city of Chicago ; she was the second daughter of the late Wm. Rankin, of Frankville, Allamakee Co., Iowa ; Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have two children, one son and one daughter-Charles T. and May W.

JOHN SIMPSON, retired, Sipmson's Hill, Dubuque ; is a native of York- shire, England ; born Dec. 13, 1811 ; he grew up to manhood there and came to this- country in 1838 ; he came to Dubuque and arrived here July 4 of the same year ; he engaged in mining ; he has continued mining ever since he came, a period of forty-one years, in the vicinity of Dubuque-a greater length of time than any miner now living

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here; he has been engaged in mining fifty-nine years, altogether ; when Mr. Simpson came to Dubuque, he only had two sovereigns; his success in life is owing to his indus- try and good management ; he laid out Simpson's Addition, where he now lives ; it is called Simpson's Hill. In December, 1835, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Lobley, a native of Yorkshire, England ; they have six children-Nathan, Margaret R., John R., George M., Mary A., James T .; all are married except James, who is now in Cornell College ; he is reading medicine; Nathan enlisted and served in the 21st I. V. I. during the war, and was slightly wounded ; John R. served in the marine artillery dur- ing the war, and was also wounded. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson are members of the M. E. Church.

EDWIN SMEDLEY, master mechanic of the Chicago, Clinton, Dubuque & Minnesota Railroad ; is a native of England, and was born in the city of Manchester Nov. 22, 1840 ; he came to the United States in 1853, and served an apprenticeship of four years in Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, as mechanical engineer. Upon the breaking- out of the rebellion, he enlisted April 15, 1861, in Co. E, 4th Ohio V. I, and served three months; then re-enlisted for three years in the same regiment ; after serving nineteen months, he was transferred to Battery A, of the 4th U. S. Artillery ; he was in the battles of Rich Mountain, Malvern Hill, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness campaign, and others ; he served over three years, and returned to Ohio; in 1865, he came to Illinois, and in January, 1873, he came to Dubuque, and became general foreman of the railroad shops; in 1875, he was appointed to his present position of master mechanic; his profession is mechanical engineer and draughtsman. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and the Order of I. O. O. F. Mr. Smedley was uuited in marriage to Miss Lydia Cobb, a native of Pennsylvania, April 3, 1865 ; they have had three children, only one of whom survives, a daughter-Lillian.

DWIGHT T. SMITH, of the firm of M. M. Walker & Co., commission merchants and dealers in oil, foreign and domestic fruits, and grain, Nos. 242 to 248 Main street ; is a native of Windham Co., Vt., and was born Feb. 14, 1845 ; he came West to Dubuque in 1865 ; in 1871, he entered the large commission house of M. M. Walker, and remained there until September, 1879, when he became a member of the firm. He holds the position of Major of the 1st Cavalry I. N. G. Mr. Smith was united in marriage, April 8, 1868, to Miss E. M. Boyce, a native of Washington Co., Vt .; she is a lady well known in literary circles-a contributor to several papers ; writes under the nom de plume of " Maud Meredith ; " she is now in New York, hav- ing been solicited to take charge of the literary department of several papers. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one daughter-Georgie G., and have lost one son, Dwight E. -

G. B. SMITH, foreman car-shops Illinois Central Railroad, Dubuque; is a native of Bridgeport, Conn., and was born April 11, 1814; he grew up to manhood and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner ; in 1854, he came West to Chicago, and became connected with the Illinois Central Railroad ; in the spring of 1855, he came to Dunleith, and since then has lived there; he built the first house erected on the bluff there. He entered the employ of the old Housatonic Railroad in 1839; and has been connected with the Illinois Central Railroad twenty-five years. He has held school offices, and served as Alderman and Justice of the Peace. In 1855, he married Miss Sallie Sherman, from Newtown, Conn .; they have four children-Abbie J., Julius M., Mary F. and Ada L.

JOHN M. SMITH, painter, No. 153 Seventh street, Dubuque ; is a native of Westmoreland, England, and was born in 1834; his parents came to America when he was very young, and he grew up in Ohio; he came to Iowa in 1855, and settled in Dubuque; he learned his trade here, and since then he has been connected with the business ; he is one of the oldest painters in Dubuque. In August, 1858, he married Miss Christina Curtis, a native of Cornwall, England; they have five sons and four daughters.

WILLIAM SPENSLEY, engaged in mining, residence West Dubuque ; is a native of Dubuque County, and was born Feb. 14, 1842 ; his parents were early

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settlers here ; he grew up to manhood here, and engaged in mining ; he began working in the mines when only 8 years of age ; he has carried on the business successfully, and is taking out a large quantity of ore. In 1873, he married Miss Sarah Beatty, of Dubuque; they have three children-Charles, William, and an infant son not named.

DR. JOSEPH SPRAGUE (deceased), was a native of the State of Rhode Island, and was born in Providence May 22, 1807; during his boyhood, his parents came West to Ohio; after reaching manhood, he began his professional studies in the medical department of Bishop Chase College at Worthington, Ohio, and gradu- ated at Western Reserve College at Cleveland ; he associated with Dr. Asa Horr, now of this city, and engaged in the practice of medicine at Baltimore, Ohio; he afterward practiced medicine at West Union, Adams Co., Ohio, for four years ; in 1847, he came West to Iowa, and located in Dubuque, and again formed a copartnership with Dr. Horr ; they continued together several years; Dr. Sprague went back to Ohio and remained three years, and again returned to Dubuque. On the 18th of November, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Burton, a native of the State of Dela- ware; she came to Dubuque in 1853. Dr. Sprague was subsequently associated in practice with the late Dr. Finley ; Dr. Sprague continued the practice of his profession until failing health compelled him to abandon it; his death occurred Nov. 20, 1878 ; Mrs. Sprague still resides in this city.

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The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 111

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

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