Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1, Part 46

Author: Patrick B. Wolfe
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 829

USA > Iowa > Clinton County > Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1 > Part 46

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In 1909 the old plant was remodeled, and new machinery installed and the whole factory increased in capacity. Now the factory has only up-to-date machinery, all of which is run by motor power.

Fred B. Hemingway was born in New Haven, Connecticut, March 29, 1853, son of Willet and Lydia (Bradley) Hemingway. His parents were natives of Connecticut, and his father was there engaged in the oyster business, and spent his whole life in Connecticut. He was a man who gave all his at- tention to his business and his family. Fred is one of a family of five sons and one daughter, all living.

In January, 1880, he came to Clinton, Iowa, and entered into the canning factory already described. His business career is included in the history of the Hemingway Furniture Company, with whose success he has been very prominently concerned. His good management has been very productive of good to this company. In politics he is a progressive Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Hemingway was married on September 18, 1879, to Mary Chase, a native of Brooklyn, New York. To their union eight children have been born, of whom those living are Ruby C., Lydia B., Mamie C., Theodora and Wini- fred. Those deceased were infants.

Mr. Hemingway is a man well known and of considerable prominence in the city. As well as being a good business man of remarkable executive ability, he is a man who possesses those qualities which win many friends for him.

REV. D. RIORDAN.

Among those men of sterling attributes of character who have impressed their personality upon the community of their residence and, in fact, upon all whom they have had occasion to meet during the course of a busy and praiseworthy career is the Rev. D. Riordan, the well known and able pastor of St. Philips and St. James church at Grand Mound, Orange township. Clinton county. He has borne his full share in the upbuilding and development of this community, having, during the twenty years of his residence here, ex- erted a strong influence for good in the entire vicinity, being a man of un- questioned honor and desirous at all times to see the advancement of his con- gregation and all others along moral, educational and material lines. Yet, while conscious of the good he has done and of the large success he has achieved, he is unassuming, even meek and reserved, never seeking publicity or

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the admiring plaudits of men, merely striving to know and do his full duty to himself, his neighbor and his God, following humbly in the footsteps of the lowly Nazarene.

D. Riordan was born on March 10, 1862, in county Limerick, Ireland, and is the son of James and Debora (Cook) Riordan. The father also was born in the county mentioned above. He was a hard working, honest man of whom no harm could be said. The direct ancestry of this family is trace- able back to the early Christian era.

The Rev. Mr. Riordan grew to maturity in his native county and was educated at St. Patrick's Academy at Thurles, Ireland, under Archbishop Croak, and was there ordained on June 29, 1888. He came to America in 1888 and took up his work in the state of Iowa, remaining there six months. In Jan- uary, 1890, he came to Ida Grove, Clinton county, Iowa, and became pastor of the church at Center Grove. He did a good work there during the follow- ing two years, and in 1892 he came to Grand Mound and has since been pastor of the church here, as mentioned above. He has not only greatly strengthened the congregation, but has erected practically all the buildings. which are sub- stantial, attractive and convenient, models for the use intended and fitting monuments to his energy, business ability and courage. His sister Margrett accompanied him to America and has since remained with him.

WILLIAM HOLMES.

One of the leading business men of the past generation in Lyons, Clinton county. and one of the representative citizens of this locality was the late Wil- liam Holmes, a man in whom the utmost confidence was reposed by all who knew him, for his everyday life was that of a high-minded. honorable gentle- man whom to know was to respect and admire. He was long before the public in offices of trust and honor. whose duties were most honorably and capably fulfilled.

Mr. Holmes was born at Ruddington, near Nottingham, England. Janu- ary 26. 1834. the son of John and Elizabeth (Ireland) Holmes. and the sixth child of a family of eight children. He was three years of age when his father died, and was fifteen years of age when his mother bound him out to Wells & Bell, large drapers. or dry goods merchants of Nottingham. She paid the firm sixty pounds sterling for teaching her son the business, whose apprenticeship continued for six years, during which time he became thorough-

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THE NEW FORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

AND . IVA". AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L

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ly grounded in the line which he had selected for his life work. Deciding that America held opportunities for the young man of capacity and thrift, he joined a younger brother here in 1859. He settled in Clinton county, Iowa, making his home in Deep Creek township, where he engaged in farming until the breaking out of the Civil war. Desiring to prove his loyalty to his adopted country, on August 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, being elected sergeant on the organization of the com- pany. According to his comrades he made a very gallant soldier. He was wounded in the battle of Walnut Hills, during the siege of Vicksburg, a ball shattering his left forearm, May 21, 1863. He was honorably discharged on account of disability December 10, 1863. On January 13, 1864, he accepted the position as bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Lyons, Iowa, and during the rest of his life was prominent in financial and business circles of the county. On January 12, 1869; he was elected a director of the First National Bank of Lyons, a position he continued to hold until January, 1909, when he declined re-election. On May 1, 1871, he was elected cashier of the First National Bank of Lyons, a position he held continuously for thirty years except for a few months in 1882 while absent in England.

In January, 1891, Mr. Holmes assisted in the organization of the Lyons Savings Bank, of that city, and was a member of the board of directors from its organization until his retirement, in January, 1909. In January, 1901, he was elected vice-president of the First National Bank of Lyons and the Lyons Savings Bank, positions he worthily held for six years, or until Janu- ary, 1907.

As a financier Mr. Holmes had few equals and no peers, being a man of keen discernment, conservative and cautious, at all times honest and straight- forward in his dealings with his fellow men. Far-seeing, he was able to forecast with remarkable accuracy the outcome of a present transaction. With duties that would crush the average man, he had his business so systematized that he experienced little or no difficulty in the management of his extensive affairs.

Mr. Holmes was one of the incorporators of the Trinity County Lumber Company, at Groveton, Texas, and he was a director as well as secretary and treasurer of the same for years. The company was organized on May 1. 1882. Mr. Holmes was director from December 6, 1883, to July 25, 1903: secretary from December 6, 1883, to November 4, 1904; treasurer from March 10, 1891, to July 24, 1903. He was one of the incorporators and a director of the Iowa Packing Company during the time the plant was operated at Sabula, Iowa. Whatever he turned his attention to prospered, for he was by nature an organizer and promoter.

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Mr. Holmes served as treasurer of the independent school district of Lyons City for over thirty-eight years, retiring from that position July I, 1908, and for a time he served as treasurer of Lyons City. On May 24, 1894, he assisted in organizing and was one of the incorporators and a director from its organization until January 27, 1908, of the Oakland Cemetery Association.

Mr. Holmes was married on August 18, 1868, to Annie A. Scott, a niece and ward of the late Benjamin Lake. A woman of excellent taste, culture and refinement, she always enjoyed the esteem of a wide circle of friends. To this union six children were born, named as follows: Arthur Lake, of Lyons, Iowa; William Percy, of Chicago; John Wilford, who was drowned July 3, 1884; Earle Ireland and Alfred Stearns, of San Francisco, California; and Gladys Elizabeth, now the wife of Horace A. Fay, of Lyons, Iowa.

Mr. Holmes was a man of such understood probity and judgment that men and women named him as executor and guardian and never did he fail to justify the trust thus reposed in him. A better citizen and official the city of Lyons never had, and few men have done as much for the general good of the city.

Mr. Holmes traveled extensively and went abroad for his health in 1874. 1882, 1894 and 1896. The death of this citizen, kind neighbor and admired friend occurred at his beautiful home in Lyons on April 6, 1910. The mem- ory of this worthy gentleman is revered by a host of friends and acquaint- ances among whom he labored. having spent his energies through a long life of strenuous endeavor to make the most of his opportunities as well as to assist as best he could his neighbors to improve their condition.

J. W. REIHMAN.

Too much cannot be said of the value of savings bank institutions. They serve a double purpose, first, in aiding those who receive money in small amounts to save and accumulate it; second, in collecting these small amounts into sums large enough to be used in modern commercial operations. Thus they render a service to the community at large as well as to the individual depositor. For these reasons their establishment and operation is one of the most useful and practical of business enterprises. Mr. Reihman is largely concerned in the operation of the Peoples' Savings Bank of Grand Mound, and is greatly responsible for its efficiency.

J. W. Reihman was born in Germany, November 15, 1865, son of Will-

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iam and Carolina (Ahler) Reihman, natives of Germany who came to Iowa county, Iowa, in 1870. William Reihman was a contractor and builder, and died at Amana in 1873, where his wife died in 1898. They were the parents of five sons and five daughters, nine of whom are living. They were mem- bers of the Amana Society.

J. W. Reihman grew up at Amana, attended the common schools there and Marengo high school. After graduation from high school he began active life as a teacher, then clerked in stores for a while, and later was a clerk in the bank at Preston, Iowa. In January, 1901, he became the cashier of the Peoples' Savings Bank of Grand Mound, and has since held that position. He is one of the principal stockholders in the bank, and is secretary of Group Eight of the Iowa Bankers' Association. He is also president of the Grand Mound Gas Company. In politics he is a Republican, but, though active, has never been an aspirant to office. He is a Mason, member of the consistory at Clinton, Iowa, and a member of Grand Mound Lodge No. 448 of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has been secretary since its organ- ization. He is a member of the Christian church.

Mr. Reihman was married in 1889 to Hattie Whitson, of Jackson county, Iowa, who has borne to him four children, Lenora, Earl, Elsie and Lester.

Mr. Reihman is thoroughly conversant with the savings bank business, and is a careful, conservative business man who has the confidence of the peo- ple. He is interested much in the development of the community, and aids all efforts in such directions by all means in his power.

WILLIAM LEE.

We have now to record the life of one who has by his own efforts made himself a representative business man of the county and has had the schooling of a long and varied experience, by which he has himself benefited and has been able to benefit others. To such men, who have ever labored for the com- munity as well as for themselves, the county owes its development.

William Lee was born in Clinton county, Iowa, April 23, 1857, a son of Edward R. and Mary Jane (Hatfield) Lee, his father a native of Ridgetown, Canada, his mother of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Edward R. Lee came to Davenport, Iowa, in 1832. He was a son of Edward and Fannie Lee, both natives of Ireland who emigrated to Canada and from there came to Daven- port, Iowa, in 1832 and bought a large tract of land in Scott county, at a

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place named Port Pleasant, and then returned to Canada, where they died. Edward came to De Witt in 1856 and erected the building where the First National Bank is now located. He opened a drug store with a Mr. Hooging, continued the business for some time, then went to southern Kansas and en- gaged in the stock business until his death. His wife died in December, 1909. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters, of whom two sons and all the daughters are still living. In politics Edward Lee was a Democrat, but was never an aspirant to office. He was an Episcopalian and his wife a Congregationalist. She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Hatfield, who were early settlers of Clinton county, and were among the founders of the Congregationalist church there. Thomas was a prominent farmer and in politics a Republican. Edward Lee was one of the pioneer Masons of the county, and was one of the members of De Witt Lodge No. 34. William Lee's maternal grandparents both died in Clinton county. .

William Lee grew up in De Witt and attended the public schools there. In 1869 he went with his parents to Kansas, but in 1875 returned to De Witt and attended the high school there. After graduation he engaged in business as a member of the firm of Drew & Lee, and continued in this partnership for several years. Then for twenty-seven years he was a commercial traveler out of Boston, Massachusetts and New York City. He was one of the organ- izers of the Farmers and Citizens Bank, and of the Welton Savings Bank, and is vice-president of the First National Bank of De Witt, and one of the organizers of the Crystal Lake Company, of which he is now secretary and treasurer. He also has extensive land holdings. He is a Democrat, and an active worker, but one to whom political preferment never appealed.

Mr. Lee was married in November, 1885, to Addie Merrell, born in De Witt, daughter of Nathaniel A. and Mary Merrell. Nathaniel Merrell was among the early attorneys of De Witt and was a captain in the Civil war and a member of the Legislature and active in Democratic politics. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of De Witt, and was very influential in the county. Of his children but two, Emma F. Merrell and Mrs. Lee, are living. He and his wife are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are the parents of one daughter, Emma Merrell Lee.

Mr. Lee has been concerned in many business enterprises, all of which have prospered. He is a man of rare business sagacity and executive skill. Nor is he lacking in the qualities of sociability and those traits of character which win friends for a man. He had a good example set him in the per- son of his ancestors, and has ably followed it.

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FRED G. HANSEN.

Though yet a young man, Fred G. Hansen, the present able and popular deputy clerk of the district court at Clinton, Iowa, has won a high standing among the progressive and public spirited men of this locality. He belongs to that class of individuals who win in life's battles by sheer force of person- ality and determination, and in whatever he has undertaken he has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor.

Mr. Hansen was born May 7, 1883, in Lyons, Iowa, and he is the son of Godber and Wiebke (Tolck) Hansen. His father was born on September 20, 1844, in Germany, where he grew to maturity and was educated and from which country he came to America in 1866 and settled in Lyons, Iowa. He worked at the carpenter's trade for a number of years, assisting in build- ing many of the early houses of this community. Then he entered the grocery business, handling also boots and shoes, and continued successfully as a merchant until 1892, building up a large and growing trade as a result of his excellent management and honorable treatment of his fellow men when he sold out and launched in the implement business. Later he abandoned the field as a merchant and has since been engaged as sidewalk, sewer, road and general contractor and is one of the best known men in this line of endeavor in the county.

Politically, Mr. Hansen is a Democrat, and he served for a period of six years as county supervisor in a very able manner. He was a member of the city council for a number of years here. In religious matters he is a Lutheran.

Godber Hansen married Wiebke Tolck on May 11, 1869. She was born in Germany and came to America when young and was living in Clin- ton, Iowa. at the time of her marriage. This union has resulted in the birth of twelve children, seven of whom are living, namely: John C .; Minnie S .; Clara is the wife of Frank Matzen; Amanda is the wife of W. L. Hagen; Alfred W .: Fred G., of this review ; and Alma F. They are all residents of Clinton.

Fred G. Hansen received a good education in the public schools of his home city, and was graduated in 1901. He soon afterwards accepted a posi- tion with the Iowa Telephone Company, with which he remained until 1904, in which year he was appointed deputy clerk of the district court, which posi- tion he has filled to the present time with a fidelity that is very creditable to himself and which has resulted in entire satisfaction to all concerned. He is prominent in Masonic circles, having attained the thirty-second degree. In religious matters he is a Lutheran.

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Mr. Hansen was married on April 27, 1905, to Nina M. Barker, of Clinton, who was born August 29, 1883. She, too, received a good common school education and she has borne her husband one child, George Barker. Personally, Mr. Hansen is a very pleasant gentleman and, judging from his past record, the future awaits him with larger success.

AYLETT L. PASCAL.

In the present review we consider several members of a most excellent family of Clinton county, whose members have ever proved themselves citi- zens of the highest stamp and mold. Originally of France, that nation whose people are characterized by an intelligence quicker than that of most national- ities, by great versatility and adaptability to all situations, and by strong and earnest devotion to any cause which enlists their sympathies, the Pascal fam- ily has built up and kept up a reputation fully consistent with the worth of their ancestry, and have merited every whit of this reputation by their services to their community and by their ability and character.

George Worms Pascal was born May 14, 1828, at Longeville, St. Avold, in Lorraine, France, and came with his parents to Canal Dover, Ohio. in 1841. In 1846 and '47 he learned to make and paint chairs in Zanesville, Ohio, and was a student of Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, from 1848 to 1850. He was married on March 11, 1851, to Talitha Cuni Cot- ton, who was born February 13, 1829, at Austintown, Trimble county, Ohio. In 1852 he came to De Witt, Clinton county, Iowa, and entered land, making his home in De Witt and teaching school. He was a good surveyor and did much surveying in the county. Later he established a home on eighty acres of land one and one-half miles north of De Witt. In 1859 and '60 he was a student of astronomy and higher mathematics in the University of Michigan and in Detroit Observatory under James Watson, director. In March, 1861, he was admitted to the bar as an attorney-at-law by Judge John F. Dillon, but did not practice. He enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, but was never mustered in. In earlier times he was a Free-Soil Demo- crat, but later joined the Republican party. He was an extensive land owner, and at one time had one thousand acres of land besides considerable property in De Witt. In every way he was one of the most prominent and most re- spected residents of the township. To him and his wife were born five children. He died October 29, 1895; his wife is still living, aged eighty-two years.

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Aylett L. Pascal was born in Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa, October 25, 1854, son of George Worms Pascal. He received his education in Iowa State University, entering the scientific department, but during his course changing to law, and graduating from that department, June 20, 1878. He then took up practice in De Witt, in December of the same year, and is now the third oldest practitioner in the county. Since beginning practice, except for ten years spent in Clinton from 1891 to 1900, he has been a resident of De Witt.

Mr. Pascal was married August 21, 1878, to Sarah C. Percell, of Iowa City, Iowa. Two children, Aylett L., Jr., and Percival P., have been born to their union. Aylett L., Jr., was graduated from the law department of Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, June 14, 1906, and Percival P. from the same university, in June, 1907.

Aylett L. Pascal, Sr., is a Mason of the chapter and consistory degree, and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. He is an Odd Fellow. In politics he is a Republican.

Aylett L. Pascal and his sons now practice law under the name of Pascal, Pascal & Pascal, and keep offices open in De Witt and Clinton. The firm is well known in the county as composed of able practitioners, and has a large, lucrative and increasing practice. The elder Mr. Pascal has won quite a reputation for his skill and ability in the handling of litigation.

ALBERT J. MEYER.

Among the young men of Clinton county who have won conspicuous places in the affairs of the community through persistent efforts along legiti- mate lines is Albert J. Meyer. He is a sociable gentleman and is held in the highest regard by all who know him. He comes of an excellent family whose good name he has ever endeavored to keep untarnished.

Mr. Meyer was born in Burlington, Iowa, October 3, 1875, and he is the son of Samuel and Mary Meyer, both natives of Switzerland, from which country they came to America about 1870, having married after reaching here. They reared a family of nine children, several others having been born to them. Seven of this number are still living. Samuel Meyer was a carpenter and contractor. He located first in Burlington, Iowa, after coming to the United States, and there followed his trade until his death, in January, 1909, the death of his wife having occurred in 1902. The elder Meyer was

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in no sense a public man, but led a quiet home life and paid strict attention to his individual affairs.

Albert J. Meyer received a good education in the public schools and he was apprenticed to the machinist's trade. At the age of nineteen years he went to the East and there learned the art of tool making, at which he became very proficient, and while in Cleveland, Ohio, he had charge of a department in the American Ball Bearing Company.

In 1900 Mr. Meyer came to Clinton, Iowa, where he took a position as foreman of the tool-making department of the United States Steel Lock Com- pany, in which capacity he continued with his usual success for about a year and then was made assistant superintendent, and in 1904, having been very faithful in the discharge of his duties, he was promoted to superintendent, and two years later, 1906, he was made secretary and manager of this company, a position which he still holds with credit to himself and to the entire satis- faction of all concerned. He has rare innate ability along the line of his chosen life work and he keeps well advised on all advancements in the mechan- ical and scientific world.

Politically, Mr. Meyer is independent, preferring to cast his ballot for the men best suited for the office sought, rather than for the party. He belongs to Lyons Lodge No. 61, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a Mason, having received as far as the thirtieth degree in the consistory of the Scottish rite.

Mr. Meyer was married on June 1, 1898, to Louisa Gahlm, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and this union has resulted in the birth of four children, Alfred, Eleanor, Walter and Esther.

Personally, Mr. Meyer is a good mixer, popular with all classes of citi- zens and he knows well how to win and retain the friendship and good will of his associates in the factory, being kind, considerate, but firm and straight- forward in all his relations with his fellow men.

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Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1, Part 46

Author: Patrick B. Wolfe Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 829

Author: Patrick B. Wolfe
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 829