The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 118

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 118

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CALVIN O. FREEMAN, farmer, Sec. 31; P. O. Cascade ; son of Jedu- than Freeman and Lucy W. Roberts, was born in Broadalbin, Montgomery Co., N. Y., Aug. 5, 1803. His grandfather was a Captain in the Revolutionary war, and was also a surveyor and a pioneer in Monroe Co., N. Y., and acquired his land, in payment for surveying, from the Holland Purchase Co., under a- charter from King George III ; the old Captain, with his five sons, one of whom was father of C. O., went as emigrants into that then unexplored region, and suffered all the privations and hardships known to pioneer life ; all those five sons settled near their father in Monroe Co .; Mr. Freeman's father subsequently removed to Buffalo, and afterward settled in Ohio. At 17, young Calvin was apprenticed to the trade of gunsmith, and then he went to general black- smithing, which he has followed more less for twenty-five years. He was married in Ohio March 26, 1826, to Miss Hannah D. Jenne, daughter of David Jenne, of Fair- haven, Mass .; they have had ten children, six of whom are living-Silas E., Edwin A., George W., died in 1873 ; Calvin R., died in 1872 ; Lemuel P., Hannah M., Angenette L., Salina A., the other two died in infancy. He, with a family of seven children, came to Whitewater Township in 1844, and bought 200 acres, which his sons carried on, while he worked at general blacksmithing till 1854, since which time he has confined his attention to the farm; his wife died in February, 1870. The Cascade Railroad Depot is near his farm. In politics, he desires to be recorded as a national man ; he is quite firm in his views of party principles, and in his opinions of men and things gen- erally, and is not averse to controversy. He is not a church member, but is a believer in the fundamental truth of Christianity.

JACOB GOSDEN, farmer and veterinary surgeon, Sec. 7; P. O. Cascade ; born near London, England, June 22, 1817 ; came to America and settled in Dubuque Co., Iowa, in May, 1852 ; his farm consists of 220 acres in Secs. 7, 8 and 18, White- water Township, and Secs. 12 and 13, Cascade Township; his farming business includes the raising of stock of all kinds, and he has an unequaled reputation as a vet- erinary surgeon ; his practice in this profession extends twenty, thirty, and even forty miles from his home; the fine horses on his farm testify to his love of this noble ' animal, of whose disposition and ailments he has such accurate knowledge. Mr. G. is a member of the Episcopal Church ; in politics, his leading principle is to vote for the best men for official positions. He was married, in 1852, to Miss Ann Rice, a native of England ; they have five children-Rosa, Henry, Fannie, May and Emily.

DEACON JAMES S. HAMILTON, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Cascade; his parents were Patrick Hamilton and Elizabeth Smith ; he was born Oct. 7, 1805, in Allegheny, Huntingdon Co., Penn. ; he stayed at home until 24 years of age, himself and brothers carrying on the farm after the death of his father, which occurred when he was but 16 years old. He was married in his native town, Oct. 8, 1829, to Miss Mary Walker; they have had nine children, six of whom still live-Sarah E., Jane E. (now dead), William G. (now dead), Mary C., Martha A., Frances E., Abby A., Ida M. and Charles W. (now dead) ; five children are married, and all but Mary C. live in Iowa; Abby A. is yet at home. In the spring after his marriage, he commenced farm- ing in his native county, which he continued for ten years, and then farmed for five years in Bedford Co., Penn. ; in the spring of 1845, came West with his family, and stopped that season twelve miles west of Dubuque; during May and June of tliat year, they lived in a covered sheep-pen, having neither door nor window, and one

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daughter was born therc; when it rained, the little ones were sheltered under an umbrella, the clapboard roof affording poor protection ; they lived mainly on potatoes and johnny-cake; the nearest grist-mill was at Canton, eighteen miles distant, and the ncarest physician was at Dubuque. In the fall of 1845, he settled in Whitewater Township upon the farm which he now owns; his first house here was a log cabin 12x12, with a sod roof, and had only a small four-light window ; he now has a comfor- table house, a large barn and 200 acres of land all in good condition. He was a liberal contributor to the new railroad enterprise. In early life, he was a Congregationalist, but now he and his wife are acceptable members of the Methodist Church ; he is not a member of any secret organization ; politically, he is a reliable Republican. He is benevolent and public spirited, and lives peaceably with all mankind. On the 8th of October. 1879, occurred the golden wedding of this venerable couple ; fully fifty of their pioneer friends gathered at the homestead with children and grandchildren on that memorable occasion ; the many presents were of both intrinsic and associated value. The infirmities of age are seen upon the Deacon, but he and his energetic wife are enjoying the rewards of industry and pure living, namely, many friends, a fair competency and clear consciences.

OWEN SWEENEY, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Cascade; born in Ireland in 1815; emigrated to America in 1840; stopped two years in Maryland ; removed to Dubuque Co., Iowa, in 1842; being one of the pioneers of his locality, he has done much work in its improvements, and by industry and economy has acquired possession of a handsome landed property ; has 320 acres in Sections 9, 10 and 11. Religion, Roman Catholic; politics, Democratic. He was married, June 4, 1858, to Catharine Lawler, also a native of Ireland ; they have nine children living-Maria C., Margaret, Bridget, Peter, Sarah, Thomas, Julia, Owen and Dennis; three have died-Margaret, Thomas, and one who died in infancy.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

DANIEL CORT, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. O. Zwingle ; was born in Westmore- land Co., Penn., Nov. 1, 1813 ; went to Monongahela in 1835, and remained four years ; engaged in the mercantile business in Adamsburg, in 1839; came to Iowa May 16, 1846. Was married, May 28, 1835, to Sarah Bughman; the children of this union are Elizabeth J., Emiline, Albert M., Sarah A. and Mary M .; children all married ; Elizabeth, to Rev. F. C. Bauman ; Emiline, to William C. Simpson; Albert M., to Catharine M. Foster; Sarah A., to Abram Irwin, and Mary M. to John Bauman ; Mr. C. has been Justice, Trustee, Director, and a member of the Board of Supervisors for seven years ; his services as a committee to settle with the County Treasurer, saved the county at one time about $3,000; was elected to Legislature in 1856, and again in 1864; while Mr. C. was a member, a great railroad swindle was attempted; the pro- gramme was to grant a very large amount of land to four railroad companies, and exempt certain property of the company from taxation; Mr. C. put the " proviso " upon the bill which defeated its evil purpose, and saved the State millions of dollars. Mr. C. is a Democrat, and belongs to the Reformed Church.

MARTIN DENLINGER, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Zwingle; was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., in 1827; came to Dubuque Co., Iowa, in 1854. Was married, March 5, 1848, to Elizabeth Wortz; his children are John B., Main, David C. and the twins, Anna Maria and Jane Elizabeth, Isaac L., Mary D., Samuel L., Albert, Aden H. and Sarah M .; Mr. D. owns 240 acres of land in Dubuque Co. Is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the Reformed Church.

NICHOLAS LEFFERT, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. O. Zwingle ; was born in Prussia, and emigrated with his parents to Pennsylvania when about 3 years of age; lived there about thirteen years ; came to Iowa April 18, 1848. Was married, Jan. 20, 1876, to Sarah Kemerer ; has two children-Minerva M., was born Nov. 16, 1877, and

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Daniel W., born Dec. 6, 1878. Has been Trustee, Road Supervisor and School Direc- tor ; Mr. L. owns 215 acres of land. Is a Democrat, and belongs to the Reformed Church.

JAMES SIMPSON, deceased ; father of Albert R. Simpson, Sec. 34 ; P. O. Zwingle; was born in the county of Antrim, Ireland, May 1, 1876 ; came to Philadel- phia about 1819 ; moved to Westmoreland Co., Penn., in 1837; came to Iowa in 1854. Was married, May 18, 1826, to Ann Bowles ; had ten children-James W., born Feb. 26, 1827 ; Washington, May 23, 1829; Samuel, July 16, 1831 ; William C., Sept. 24, 1833 ; Hiram, April 14, 1836; Amanda, Sept. 14, 1838; Mary A., Dec. 4, 1841 ; Harriet, April 22, 1843; Martha, March 2, 1846, and Albert R., April 10, 1848 ; Mr. S. died Nov. 7, 1857; Albert R. was married Nov. 22, 1876, to Agnes Campbell ; owns 120 acres of land. Is a Republican, and belongs to the United Presbyterian Church.

PRAIRIE CREEK TOWNSHIP.

OLIVER BUSSARD, miller and farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Washington Mills; was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., May 6, 1830; came to Iowa in 1850. Was married, in September, 1856, to Sarah Saner; has seven children-George F., John, William, Michael, Samuel, Emma A. and Martha C. Washington Mils, built by Bussard & Kifer in 1858, has two run of stone, and contains all modern improve- ments, with a capacity of 200 bushels per day. Mr. Bussard owns 200 acres of land in Dubuque Co., and is senior partner of the firm of Bussard & Kyne, owners of Washing- ton Mills. Mr. Bussard is Independent in politics, and belongs to the Reformed Church. JOHN KYNE, son of Michael Kyne, deceased, is a merchant, dealing in gen- eral merchandise at Washington Mills ; his post-office address is Washington Mills.

MICHAEL KYNE, deceased; was born in Howard Co., Md., in 1815; moved to Dubuque in 1854, where he became the owner of a bookstore, which he soon sold and engaged in mining ; was engaged in mining about five years ; held the office of Superintendent of Poor Relief about two years ; moved to Prairie Creek Township in April, 1865. Was married, about 1843, to Bridget Flaherty ; had eight children- Matthias, James, John, George, William, Thomas, Julia A. and Mary E. James Kyne, son of Michael Kyne, is the junior partner of the firm of Bussard & Kyne, owners of Washington Mills. Was married to Bridget Potts, and is miller of the Washington Mills; 148 acres belong to the mill company, in Sec. 36. Mr. Kyne is Independent in politics, and is a member of the Catholic Church ; his post-office address is Washington Mills.

MICHAEL MALONEY, deceased ; was born in the county of Cork, Ire- land, in 1803; he came to America in 1826. Was married, in 1828, to Joanna Mur- phy ; had five children-John, Richard, Margaret, Lawrence and Mary; deceased lived in Syracuse, N. Y., from 1826 to 1839. Was a Democrat, and belonged to the Catho- lic Church. John M. Maloney, son of Michael Maloney, was born Oct. 3, 1829; has filled the offices of Trustee and School Director ; is owner of the old homestead of 240 acres in Sec. 26. In politics is a Greenbacker, and is a member of the Catholic Church; his post-office address is Melleray.

TABLE MOUND TOWNSHIP.

C. BRADLEY, farmer, Section 35; P. O. Rockdale; born in England Dec. 5, 1821 : emigrated to America, and settled in Dubuque Co., Iowa, in June, 1843; is one of the most successful farmers in his locality; and by intelligent management and persevering industry has acquired quite extensive landed possessions ; his farm com- prises 630 acres in Secs. 26, 27, 34 and 35, Table Mound Township and in Washington Township. His politics are Republican. He was married, Jan. 7, 1851, to Miss Ann

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W. Sheldon, who, at the age of 6, came to America from England with her parents- Samuel and Sarah Sheldon; her mother is yet living; her father died in July, 1879; Mr. and Mrs. Bradley have six children living-Cornelius, William, Sarah, Elizabeth, Christopher and Christiana ; three deceased-Mary A., Dorothy and James.

JOHN BROWN, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Center Grove; born in Pennsylva- nia in 1834; in 1840, removed with his parents to Dubuque Co .; his father, William, died in 1868 ; his mother, Mary, lives with her son, the subject of the sketch; for the last twelve years, he has been farming; before that, was employed in the business of smelting, near Dubuque; has a farm of 100 acres in Secs. 5 and 7. Religion, Metho- dist. Politics, Republican. He was married in 1855, to Miss Louis Shwagler, who came here when 4 or 5 years old with her parents, John Shwagler and wife; six chil- dren living-John W., Henry W., Allen, Edgar, Frank and Annie; three children have died-Emily, Annie J., and one who died in infancy.

JAMES W. BRUNSKILL, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Dubuque; is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Brunskill, who came to this locality at an early date in the settle- ment of the county ; he was born in Dubuque Co. May 31, 1849 ; with the exception of five years employed in smelting at Centre Grove, he has been engaged in the busi- ness of farming, stock-raising and stock-dealing ; his farm comprises about 198 acres in Secs. 4 and 9. Politics, Republican. On his 22d birthday, May 31, 1871, he was married to Miss Maria Frost, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Frost, who became resi- dents of Dubuque Co. in 1844; four children-Nettie E., Lula R., Wilbert W. and Edwin J.

JOSEPH J. BRUNSKILL, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Dubuque; born in Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 11, 1846; when quite young, his parents removed to Dubuque Co., where he has made his almost constant residence; his farm comprises 200 acres. Politics, Republican. He was married in June, 1870, to Miss Alice Winders, of Dubuque Co .; they have three children-Joseph Elmer, David E. and Mary A. E.

REV. L. H. BURNS, Pastor St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Key West, residence at St. Bernard's Mound ; P. O. Key West ; born in Ireland in 1847 ; came to America at the age of 12, and, after a brief stay in New York, went to Philadelphia ; remained there four years, and attended the parochial school at St. Augustine, and was then taught by the Brothers of the Holy Cross. He then went to Villanova College, ten miles from Philadelphia, to commence his classical studies ; in 1871, was sent to St. Charles College, Ellicott City, Md. (The college located on the former property of " Charles Carroll, of Carrollton.") After two years there, was sent to St. Bonaventure College and Seminary, Allegany, N. Y., where he remained six years, and then applied to Bishop Hennessy for adoption. The Bishop's consent being given, he was ordained for the diocese of Dubuque June 24, 1879, and, called to his field of labor about the 1st of August. After some transient work at St. Joseph's College, Holy Cross, etc., was appointed Pastor of St. Joseph's, Key West, Sept. 16, 1879. The great improve- ment of the church under his charge tells clearly of the earnest, faithful, and effective work he is doing for his people. The church building is renovated and re-arranged ; and further improvements are planned for early completion. The church ceremonies are thoroughly performed, and the numbers of the attending congregation fully doubled since his coming. The collections for charitable purposes have increased in much larger ratio, and the warmest affection exists among his people for the worthy Pastor, through whose labors such a desirable state of affairs has been brought about. .

F. CHOLVIN. farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Key West; born in France in 1814 ; came to Dubuque Co. in 1838; there was not a house in Dubuque at the time of his coming, though some rude dwellings were erected there very shortly afterward. After two months in Dubuque, he went to Galena, where he lived three years, and then, for the next eight years, transferred his residence to Potosi, Wis. He then went to Mif- flin, ten miles west of Mineral Point, where he remained fourteen years ; he was then three years in Dubuque, and from 1861 to 1867 in Wisconsin, and finally returning to Dubuque in 1867, has been a resident of this county ever since. The greater portion of his wealth was accumulated in the business of smelting, in which he was engaged

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until about six years ago, when he retired to his pleasant farm, near Key West. Mr. C. is one of the financially solid men of the county, and his extensive possessions are entirely the result of his native force, energy and shrewdness. His home farm com- prises 250 acres, and he has, beside this, some 2,000 acres of land in Wisconsin, etc. He was married, in 1847, to Miss Martha Wilson, a most genial and estimable lady who came to Dubuque Co., from Ohio, in 1834; they have five children-Samuel, Alfred, John, Josephine, now Mrs. Bowen; Mary, now Mrs. Richie ; both of the lat- ter are now living in Denver, Colo.

P. CHRISTMAN, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Key West ; born in France in 1822; came to America in 1832; stopped about a year in New Jersey, and then, for nearly five years in Pennsylvania, finally removing to Dubuque Co., Iowa, in 1837 ; in his earlier years, he was engaged in various business enterprises, manufacturing. mer- chandising, mining, etc .; of late years, his attention has been given chiefly to farming; his farm embraces 280 acres, it is well improved, and his residence shows construction with a view to comfort, durability, taste and convenience. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. While Mr. Christman is quite an old settler here, his wife, formerly Miss Christiana Weigel, was in the country at a still earlier date than he. Her family came into the county in 1833, when she was quite young. It is probable that they were the first who, as a family, came into Dubuque, and, being rather a numerous family, they were prominently associated with the early settlement of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Christman have seven children living-John J., Frederic U., Ida May, Peter A., Charles D. F., William P. and Emma S. ; four deceased-Samuel, Mary, Augustus and Fannie.

JOHN CLARKSON, farmer, Scc. 6; P. O. Dubuque ; born in England in 1815 ; emigrated to America, and located in Dubuque Co. in 1850; was employed in teaming in Dubuque until 1865, since which time he has been engaged in farming ; has 160 acres of land in Secs. 6 and 7 ; is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was married, in 1853, to Minerva Ducitt, a worthy lady of Dubuque Co .; the son, James, is their only child.

REV. FATHER A. HATTENBERGER, Pastor of St. Joseph's Convent, Sec. 33; P. O. Dubuque ; born in Alsace, France, in 1823; educated in the Seminary at Strasbourg, France ; came to America in 1847 ; in 1849, was ordained in Chicago for the diocese of Dubuque; his first work was the pastorate of Fort Des Moines Valley, with residence at Ottumwa ; then, for twelve years, in connection with the above work, he had charge of the church at Fort Madison, and, after that, at West Point, in Lee Co .; from there, in 1870, he came to his present pastoral work in con- nection with St. Joseph's Convent, the Mother House of the Sisters of Charity, as its spiritual director and the priest and guide of the church for the surrounding neigh- borhood. Father H. is universally beloved by his people for his urbanity of manner, devotion to his work and affection for his church.

JAMES A. LANGTON, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Key West; born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, in 1822; his father died not many years after, and his mother and family, in company with James Fanning, an old and well-known settler of Dubuque Co., now deceased, removed to this county in June, 1833. There was at that time no settlement farther out than Rockdale. Until 1861, Mr. L. was a resident of Dubuque, removing to his present farm of 160 acres in Table Mound in that year; in 1849, he went to California, returning in 1851. Is a member of the Catholic Church and of the Democratic party ; was City Collector and Treasurer of Dubuque, member of the Legis- lature, besides holding township offices, etc. He was married in 1855 to Miss Marga- retta Murphy, a worthy lady of Pittsburgh, Penn .; they have seven children living- Florence D., James A., Mary M., Grattan, Sidney F., George and Thomas ; two. deceased-James R. and Annie M.

F. J. LAUDE, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Rockdale; born in France Jan. 2, 1823; came to America in 1834; settled in Oswego Co., N. Y., and remained there twelve years, removing to Dubuque Co., Iowa, in June, 1846; has a nicely located farm of 530 acres, with commodious and substantial barns, etc., and a residence, in the.

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construction of which thorough good taste, convenience and comfort have all been con- sulted. Mr. Laude has held school offices continuously since 1848. He is an active member of the Presbyterian Church ; politics, Republican ; consulting the best interests of his township and county by voting for the best men irrespective of party lines. He was married, Nov. 26, 1842, to Miss Louise LeClere, who, at the age of 6, came with her parents from France to Oswego Co., N. Y .; nine children living-Elise C. (now Mrs. Blank), James F., Rosine . S. (now Mrs. Tisserand ), Susanne J., Emelie C. (now Mrs. Martin), Eugene P., Henry W., Louise and Ida May ; four children deceased- Louise (Mrs. Houser), Alexander and two who died in infancy.

WALTER MANSON, deceased; the subject of this sketch, an old and "well-known citizen of Rockdale, was born in Scotland in 1808; about the year 1830, he emigrated to Canada, and shortly after to Vermont, whence after a year or two he removed to Ohio ; after three or four years' residence there, he came to Dubuque Co., Iowa, and was thenceforward closely identified with its best interests ; for about a ycar, he was engaged in mining enterprises; then in partnership with James Pratt and Thomas Watters, Sr., he bought the Rockdale Mills; he was connected with the man- agement of the mills until 1868, when he sold his interest in the business ; making some investments in real estate in Dubuque, he erected several business houses in the vicinity of the Julien House, and, retiring from active business, devoted his attention to managing and supervising his property in the city and elsewhere ; he died on the 28th of March, 1879, and was buried in the cemetery at Rockdale; having long been con- nected as an earnest, active and continuous worker in all the educational, church and benevolent enterprises of his community, Walter Manson will ever be remembered there as a true philanthropist, and his loss universally regretted. Mr. M. was first married, May 27, 1836, to Mrs. Jane Alderson, of Ohio; she died Jan. 31, 1861 ; his second wife, who survives him, was Miss Elizabeth Nicholson, who, in 1851, at the age of 12, came to America with her father, Thomas Nicholson, from her native place in England ; she was married to Mr. Manson, on the 13th day of August, 1861 ; her son and daugh- ter, John W. and Nettie, are now students in the excellent schools of Dubuque.

J. R. MILLER, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Dubuque ; born in Switzerland Jan. 10, 1842 ; his parents emigrated to America in 1851, stopping in Mineral Point, Wis., for about a year, they then removed to Dubuque County in 1853; his father, John Miller, died in 1857; his mother, Anna Miller, resides with her son, J. R. In the civil war, Mr. M. was a member of Co. A, 46th I. V. I., and did effective work during his term of service ; his brother, Jolin W., was killed in the charge on Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, and had been previously wounded in the battle of Hartsville, Mo. Mr. Miller has been engaged in both the enterprises of mining and farming; has a farm of 187 acres in Sections 3, 4 and 8 ; is a member of the Republican party. He was married, in 1866, to Miss Frances Ruth Lockey ; they have six children-Eleanora, William Henry, Annie Catharine, George Franklin, Maude Lily and John Rudolph.

MICHAEL NUGENT, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Ballyclough ; born in Ireland, 1829 ; came to New York in 1845; after nine years' residence there, removed to Dubuque County in 1854 ; has a farm of 240 acres in Sections 16 and 17. Is a member of the Catholic Church, and is identified with the Democratic party ; has held township offices. He was married in 1859, to Miss Mary A. Duggan, daughter of Daniel and Hannah Duggan, who came to Dubuque County in 1834, and have been constantly connected with the early settlement and progress of affairs in the county ; five children living-John, Katie, Daniel, Delia and Ella; two children-George and Annie-have died.

JOHN O'REGAN, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Ballyclough ; born in Dubuque County May 9, 1841 ; his father, John O'Regan, Sr., now living in Dubuque, was one of the earliest settlers here, building what was possibly the first dwelling-house erected in the county. The subject of this sketch has been all of his life a resident of Dubuque County, except about five years absent in Kentucky, attending school, etc .; he has a fine farm of 320 acres located in Sections 9, 15 and 16; religion, Roman Catholic ; politics, Democratic. He was married in 1875, to Miss Margaret Conners ; they have three children-Daniel, Mary Ellen and Rachel.

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The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 118

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

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