Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1, Part 52

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 52

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Mr. Tritschler, like many of the sterling citizens of Clinton, hails from the old Keystone state, having been born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1864. He is the son of Henry and Louisa (Herzog) Tritschler, an excellent and

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LOUIS P. TRITSCHLER

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highly respected family of that place, the father being a successful business man and influential in all walks of life. The son, Louis P., remained in the town of his birth until he was eleven years of age, coming to Lyons, Iowa, in 1875 to make his home with an uncle, Philip Tritschler. Early in life he be- came familiar with the brewery business, his uncle having been engaged in the same, and by hard work and fidelity to duty he mastered the details of this line of endeavor, rising step by step to the various positions in the firm until he became president of the company, succeeding his uncle, and the large suc- cess later enjoyed by the company was due in no small degree to his judicious management and wise foresight and his desire and tact in pleasing the myriad patrons and friends of the concern.

Mr. Tritschler is at this writing the able and popular president of the Clinton Brewing Company, and director of the City National Bank, and he is interested in various manufacturing concerns, in all of which his influence has ever been to augment their prestige. By his indomitable industry and excellent management he has made the Clinton. Brewery one of the largest, best and most popular in the state. The plant is modern throughout and well equipped, and only the most expert employes are to be found within its walls, all modern methods being used and a splendid system inaugurated, and the products of the plant are rapidly invading new territory and find a very ready market.

Mr. Tritschler in his fraternal relations is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

In 1889 began Mr. Tritschler's mutually happy and harmonious domestic life, when he espoused Emma Tiesse, who has proved to be a most efficient helpmeet, and who, like her husband, enjoys the friendship of a very wide acquaintance. She is the daughter of John Tiesse, a native of Germany. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Julia and Anita.

EDWARD HART, JR.

No family has been more prominently identified with the interests of Liberty township than the one whose history is recounted in this sketch. Of active and enterprising Irish stock, they have been among the most successful farmers and business men of their community, have taken a large part in all its progress and have been in all respects citizens whom their community could not afford to lose and to whom it owes very much.

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Edward Hart, Sr., was born in Canada on October 1, 1846, the son of Peter and Mary (Dougherty ) Hart, natives of Ireland, who came to Canada in 1841, and removed to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1855. They settled on a farm of eighty acres in Liberty township, and lived on it for ten years, then moved to De Witt, where Mrs. Hart died in 1868, while Mr. Hart died in Crawford county, Iowa, in 1889. They were the parents of nine children, of whom two sons and two daughters are living. Strongly attached to the Catholic church, and a member of the Democratic party, Peter Hart was much respected as an honest, upright man and substantial citizen.

Edward Hart, Sr., grew up on the farm and attended the common schools of Clinton county. Since boyhood he has followed farming and stock raising, in which he has been successful and has accumulated five hundred and forty acres of land. In politics he is a Democrat, was active in local politics, held the office of assessor, clerk and tax collector in his township, and was elected to the Legislature from Clinton county, representing it in the twenty-first. twenty-second and twenty-third General Assemblies and rendering to the people efficient service in this capacity.

In March, 1869, Edward Hart was married to Mary Ann Cavey. a na- tive of Ohio, the daughter of Mathias and Margaret Cavey, mentioned in this work. As a result of this marriage, eleven children were born: Margaret, who married George W. Mowry; Edward, Jr .; Mary, the wife of W. F. Mc- Garry ; Peter C., a merchant of Nichols, Iowa; M. B., partner with Edward in the mercantile business at Toronto, Iowa; T. J., a farmer of Flandreau, South Dakota: John P., a farmer of Liberty township. Clinton county: Ann. at home; W. A., a farmer of Liberty township; Reuben C. and Stephen A., at home.

Edward Hart, Sr., is an affable and accommodating man and has many friends. In physique he is tall and strong, of athletic proportions, and his sons have inherited from him their powerful bodies.

Edward Hart, Jr., was born in Liberty township, Clinton county. on May 17, 1871, and attended the township public schools and Duncan's Business College at Davenport, from which he graduated in 1891. In 1891 his father bought a general store at Toronto, Iowa, and put his son Edward in charge. Two years later the subject and George W. Mowry, his brother-in-law, bought the business and conducted it under the name of Hart & Mowry until 1907. when Matthew B. Hart, a brother, bought out the interest of Mr. Mowry, and the firm has since been Hart Brothers. They carry on the only general store in Toronto, keeping a well stocked line, and doing a large and increasing busi- ness, on up-to-date principles.

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On November 26, 1901, Edward Hart, Jr., was married to Mary Jose- phine Scanlon, of St. Louis, Missouri. She has borne to him the following children; Edward, Merwin Vincent and Merritta. Mr. and Mrs. Hart are members of the Catholic church, as is the entire Hart family. Mr. Hart is a Democrat, another family characteristic, and has served as township clerk and for the past eight years as school director. He is also clerk of the town of Toronto.

It is rare that one meets with a family of men and women who evidence more of worth and ability than the sons and daughters of Edward Hart, Sr., and not the least of his achievements is the rearing of this family and their upbringing to usefulness.

JACOB GREEN.

Some of the wealthiest men of today who have their homes in Clinton county, Iowa, came here in very moderate circumstances as far as this world's goods are concerned, and those who came earliest were generally the poorest. By their skill in their special callings and by their frugality and industry they not only aided to build up the county, but succeeded in making for themselves competences that enabled them before many years had passed to live in ease, with little or no further care or labor. Of these fortunate, enterprising and highly honored men, Jacob Green, of Olive township, is one.

Like many of the thriftiest citizens of Clinton county, Mr. Green comes to us from the great German empire, where his birth occurred May 7, 1850. He is the son of Bernard and Susan (Schmitz) Green, both born in Ger- many, where they were reared, educated and married. From that country they came to America in 1854 and located in Chicago, Illinois, where they remained one year, then moved to Moline Bluff. Illinois, and in 1865 moved to Clinton county, Iowa, and located where their son, Jacob, now lives. Mr. Green started in life here with forty acres of land, but being a hard worker and a good managet, he added to his holdings until he had at his death one of the best farms in his locality, consisting of three hundred and forty acres. He was called from his earthly labors in June, 1895, his widow surviving him until in February, 1901. He was an influential and highly esteemed man in his neighborhood and had many friends. Politically, he was a Demo- crat, and he and his family were Catholics and very ready supporters of the mother church.

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Jacob Green, of this review, was four years of age when he accom- panied his parents to the United States, and he remained with them during their residence in Chicago and Moline Bluffs and after they came to Clinton county, Iowa, having resided ever since on the farm which his father set- tled. He was educated in the public schools of Illinois and he has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and, being an excellent manager, always exercising soundness of judgment and wise discrimination and keen fore- sight, he has accumulated as valuable property as the county can boast, being at present the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of land, including one hundred and eighty acres of the old homestead. He has kept his place well improved and has tilled the soil in a very careful and up-to-date manner until it has retained its original fertility, his being now one of the model farms of the township. He has all the modern machinery used in pro- gressive agriculture. large, substantial outbuildings and a beautiful and com- modious home in the midst of well-kept and attractive surroundings. He carries on general farming and reaps abundant harvests from year to year as a result of his judicious management. No small part of his annual in- come is derived from raising and selling live stock, of which he has proven himself to be an excellent judge. He feeds extensively for the market, and owing to the superior quality of his stock he has no trouble in disposing of all that he desires to sell at any time.

Mr. Green has always taken an abiding interest in local affairs and has always stood ready to do his part in furthering any interest looking to the general good of his locality. In politics he is a Republican, but he has never aspired for political offices. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and liberal supporters of the same.

Mr. Green was married on February 14, 1876, to Lina Wendel, who was born of an excellent Germany family. her birth having occurred in the fatherland on April 19, 1850. She is the daughter of Henry Wendel, whose sketch appears in full in another part of this history. Mrs. Green received a good common school education and she came to America when young. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Green, named as follows: Susan : the second child died in infancy, Henry. Fred, Minnie, Edward, William, Albert.

Mr. Green is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has ac- complished, for he was a poor boy and while a resident of Illinois peddled matches in an effort to earn an honest penny. when he was not working at the chores on the farm, up to the time he was six years of age. He says that selling matches was his first lesson in business, and he had but little

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schooling, though he has been an extensive reader and is well informed and acquainted with the world's best literature. Today he is one of the well- to-do men of Clinton county, and is deservedly popular and well liked.

YENGLE A. PORTH.

In taking up this review of the life of Yengle A. Porth, one of the com- fortably established agriculturists of Olive township, Clinton county, at- tention is called to one who has, by his life of consistent endeavor, won for himself a good property and the respect of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Porth has foreign blood in his veins, but he is an American by right of birth, having been born in Clinton county, Iowa, on April 22, 1872. He is the son of Carl Porth, who is mentioned at proper length in another part of this volume, the father being a native of Germany and the mother, Theresa, of Pennsylvania.

The subject was reared on a farm and began working on the same when quite a child and he has made farming his life work. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his native community and the parochial schools in Davenport, receiving a very good education along general lines. He began farming for himself after finishing his education and he is now the owner of a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has placed under an excellent state of improvement and on which he carries on general farm- ing and stock raising. He has a very comfortable home and good outbuild- ings and everything about his place shows good management.

Politically, Mr. Porth is a Democrat, but he is not especially active in political affairs, though he has very ably served as school director.

On February 15; 1900, Mr. Porth was married to Helen Ehlers, a na- tive of Davenport, Iowa, where she was reared until four years old, and was educated in Grand Mound. She is the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Kroeger) Ehlers, both natives of Germany, who came to America in 1872 and located in Chicago, and in 1875 they came west to Davenport, where they lived six years, then moved to Grand Mound, Clinton county, and here the father's death occurred on January 30, 1910; Mrs. Ehlers is still living in Grand Mound. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are living. Mr. Ehlers was a carpenter by trade and a very skilled work- man. In politics he was a Democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Porth three chil- dren have been born, Alice May, Willie and Walter.

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GEORGE B. PHELPS.

No institutions have done or can do more for the uplift and develop- ment of mankind in general than free public libraries. Their influence is scarcely second to that of the public schools themselves, and in the realm of higher education they do perhaps more good than the higher institutions of learning, because within reach of all. Surely Andrew Carnegie was in- spired when he decided to devote his millions to the founding of libraries. Many of Clinton's citizens have been interested in library work, but in re- cent years none more so than Mr. Phelps, who was long in direct educa- tional work, and whose well directed efforts have gone far toward the making of the Clinton public library what it is, one of the very best to be found in the country in a city of its size.

George B. Phelps was born March 12, 1861, in Bloomfield township, Clinton county, Iowa, the son of Benjamin and Ellen (Berry) Phelps. Ben- jamin Phelps was a native of New York, of the old Phelps stock, and came to Clinton county in 1856, taking up an improved farm in Bloomfield town- ship, where he spent his active life in farming and teaching, and now lives retired in Maquoketa. Ellen Berry was born near Bantry Bay, county Cork, Ireland, and came to America with her people in 1833, to St. Lawrence coun- ty, New York, where she married Mr. Phelps. To this marriage were born three sons, John H., the grain and stock buyer, of Lost Nation, this county ; George B .; and Samuel, a farmer.

George B. Phelps spent his boyhood on the farm, received his early education in the country schools, at fifteen entered the State Normal at Cedar Falls, graduated there in 1878, was principal of the Delmar public schools for two years, and for the next four years was principal of schools at Camanche and Wheatland. While teaching at Wheatland he was nom- inated for county superintendent of schools by the Democrats in 1884, was elected. and removed to Clinton, entering upon this responsible office at the age of twenty-four. He was twice re-elected, and remained in office, giving general satisfaction, until 1890. In January, 1890, he set up a law office, and filled the position of city attorney from March, 1890, to March, 1894. . Since that time he has devoted the most of his time to his large and in- creasing law practice, having been very successful in his profession. He has taken a prominent part in the activities of the Democratic party in the county. At present he is president of the Clinton school board. Mr. Phelps takes great interest in the affairs of the public library, was appointed a member of the first board of trustees of the Free Public Library of Clinton, in May,

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1902, was elected secretary of the board, and has ever since filled that office. In this capacity he has had much responsibility in the management of the library, which he has well borne, to the advantage of the public. Mr. Phelps is a member of De Molay Consistory of Scottish Rite Masons. In religion, he, his wife and family are Presbyterians.

George B. Phelps was married in December, 1887, to Nellie Dixon, of Clinton, who had been for some years a teacher in the public schools. Her parents, Charles and Naomi (Rogers) Dixon, came to this city in 1855, and died here. Mr. Dixon was a foreman for C. Lamb & Sons. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps are the parents of five children: Nellie, the wife of Doctor White, of Clinton; Ruth, Esther, Alice and John, at home.

Mr. Phelps' ability and worth as a lawyer and a broadminded and pub- lic spirited citizen are too well known to the people of Clinton to need words of encomium.

ADOLPH WENDEL.

When our first national census was taken two-thirds of our people were farmers, or lived in rural and village communities; now only about one-third of the people live in such locations. The farmer must produce food for the whole population, and this changing proportion of food con- sumers to food producers goes to explain present economic conditions and the high price of food very largely. Under present methods one farmer can produce food sufficient to support enough more people than formerly to equalize conditions, but the proportion of farmers to the entire popula- tion is still steadily growing smaller, and this means that the power is com- ing into the farmers' hands, and that they each year find the population more dependent on them.

Adolph Wendel was born in Germany. May 27, 1854, the son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Shelper) Wendel, both natives of Germany, who came to America in the fall of 1854, locating in Rock Island county, Illinois. They remained there until 1865, and then came to Olive township, this county. first locating on a farm of sixty acres, to which additions were made until it consisted of two hundred acres. Henry Wendel was a Democrat and he and his wife were Lutherans. They were the parents of seven children who are now living and five who are deceased. He died in December, 1888.

Adolph Wendel spent his early life like most farm boys, and attended the public and parochial schools. Early he began to farm and continued

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until 1907, when he moved to Calamus, and has since lived in retirement from active life. At one time he owned seven hundred acres of land, the result of his labor and good management, and still retains three hundred and sixty acres, having given his children a large portion of his land. He was the organizer of the Farmers' Savings Bank, and has been its vice-president. He and his family are Lutherans in religion. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been mayor of Calamus two years and township trustee for four years, filling both offices very acceptably.

Mr. Wendel was married on January 1, 1879, to Rachel Kuebler, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, February 25, 1846, and came to Iowa in 1852. She is the daughter of Leonard and Agnes Kuebler, natives of Germany, who came single to Ohio and there married and then came to Clinton county. To the union of Mr. Wendel and Miss Kuebler have been born two daughters, Minnie and Maud. Minnie married Emil Timm, of Clinton county, and is the mother of one child, Maud. Maud married Carl S. Morgan, of Olive township, a farmer, and is the mother of three children, Dwight, Essie and Nellie Italia.

Mr. Wendel was very successful as a farmer and is prominent in the township and county. His life has been such that he may look back over it and say well done, for he has himself prospered and has helped others.

HARRISON ULYSSES CROCKETT.

Among the business men of Clinton the one whose name heads this re- view takes high rank for acumen and enterprise. He has truly built up his present prosperity himself, starting with almost nothing, and without outside aid or influence. And while making a financial success he has not failed to develop the qualities which make friends, with which he had naturally a large endowment.

Harrison Ulysses Crockett was born March 19, 1865, on the island of North Haven, Penobscot bay. Maine. the son of Samuel Y. and Almira (Lead- better) Crockett.

Samuel Y. Crockett was born on Vinol Haven island, in Penobscot bay, one of twelve children, born to - and Lucy (Young) Crockett, also natives of Vinol Haven. Both the Young and Crockett families were early settlers of this region and were of Scotch-Irish descent. Grandfather Crock- ett was a farmer and fisherman, was a Republican in politics and a member

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HARRISON U. CROCKETT

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR. LENOX, AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L

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of the Baptist church. For many years he was justice of the peace and was known as Squire Crockett. Samuel Y. Crockett was also a farmer and fisher- man, the natives of the island combining cod, mackerel and shore fishing and farming. For many years he was a deacon in the Baptist church, for four- teen years a selectman.

Samuel Y. Crockett was married to Almira Leadbetter, daughter of Lewis Leadbetter, one of fourteen children. Lewis Leadbetter was select- man for a long period, and served in the Maine Legislature when James G. Blaine was speaker. The Leadbetter family were also Republicans and Bap- tists. Mrs. Crockett is still living on the old homestead in North Haven. She bore to her husband the following children : Margaret married Daniel Cooper, deceased, a grocer, and now lives in Boston with her son, Doctor Cooper; Mary married Matthew Leadbetter, a farmer of North Haven; Lewis, a farmer and fisherman,of North Haven; Cora married John Bever- edge, a farmer of North Haven; Americus, who was killed by an elevator in Chicago in March, 1907; Lincoln, who died in infancy; Eugene, a farmer of North Haven; Harrison U .; Hanson T., a business man and postmaster at North Haven, formerly a member of the Maine Legislature; Samuel T., a fisherman of North Haven; John, living on the old homestead, at present head selectman of his town; Elsie married John Clancy, an insurance man of Rock- land, Maine.

Harrison U. Crockett attended the schools of North Haven, and gradu- ated from the Commercial College of Rockland, Maine, in 1883. Between the ages of eighteen and twenty he engaged as a fisherman, being the captain of the schooner "Roger Williams." He then took the state board examination and received pilot's license from Cape Hatteras to Eastport, Maine, being the youngest man who ever passed that examination. For two years he was first officer on the steamer "Novelty," with Capt. H. B. Joyce. In March, 1888, Mr. Crockett came to Chicago, and went into the hide, tallow, wool and fur business. He was engaged in this business as a traveling man and also in Clinton until 1897. In May of that year he was seized with the gold fever and went to Dawson. Alaska, where he worked the "18 Below Bonanza" claim for four years. On his way he walked seven hundred miles over the ice from Skaguay to Dawson, leaving Skaguay on January 18th, and reaching Dawson March 17th, returning to Clinton in July. 1902, with a vast amount of valuable experience. Mr. Crockett then re-established himself in his old business, locating at No. 613 First street, and has built up a prosperous business. He had but forty dollars when he left Maine, now he owns one of the large estab- lishments of its kind in eastern Iowa.

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In politics Mr. Crockett is a progressive Republican. He was honored by the citizens of Clinton in being elected mayor on March 28, 1906, and re- elected on March 28. 1908, serving satisfactorily both terms. He is a mem- ber of the Scottish and York rites of Masonry, of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Woodmen.

Harrison U. Crockett was married on February 26, 1890, to Georgia Garritt, the daughter of C. F. and Mamie (Moins) Garritt, of Wellington, Ontario. Georgia Garritt was born at Belleville, Canada. Her father is now a general merchant at Wellington.

Mr. Crockett is a large man physically, of imposing and handsome appear- ance, genial and fond of a joke. His good qualities have made many friends for him, and he lives very pleasantly at No. 609 Fifth avenue. The city can well be proud of men of his character. who possess so keen business ability and so much of public spirit.

LESTER F. NEWBERN, M. D.

As a rule success in any field of endeavor is won after long and per- sistent effort and for one to make special headway in a calling as exacting as the medical profession while yet a young man, proves that he is the possessor of rare innate attributes and energy. But this is what Dr. Lester F. Newbern seems to have done. What he has accomplished in life proves the force of his character and illustrates his steadfastness of purpose. He is popular as a general physician in the central and western portions of Clinton county and his field of operations is being rapidly extended.

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Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1, Part 52

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