| Allamakee County, Iowa | |
Dudley W. Adams, horticulturist, was born in Winchendon, Mass., November 30, 1831. His father was a lumberman and lost his life from an accident in the woods when the son was but four years old. His mother gave him a careful home training and an ordinary district schooling, with the addition of an academic course before maturity, which he assisted to secure by intervals of teaching. With the attainment of his majority came the development of a malady all too common in that region, and a severe cough admonished him to leave his native state and the dangers of its climate. Accordingly, one day in September, 1853, he might have been seen (had there been any in the country as witnesses) "hoofing it" from the port of Lansing eighteen miles to the capitol of Allamakee County in company with L. T. Woodcock. Reaching the upland near Adams' present residence, the pilgrims ran across Scott Shattuck and Tom Minard cutting a road through the hazel-brush, and upon inquiring the way to Waukon they were directed to cast their eyes to the westward where two log huts were in sight and informed that these constituted the object of their pilgrimage. One of these huts was the pioneer residence of Geo. Shattuck, and the other the "seat of justice" of Allamakee County. As might have been expected of young men in their circumstances they were somewhat taken aback, and doubtless showed it; but going bravely to work they at once began preparations for the erection of a frame store and dwelling, which is now the National House on Main street. The lumber was all oak and was hauled from Smith's mill on Yellow River, where it was sawed out by Austin Smith. A stock of goods was opened in this building the same fall. The first sale of merchandise in Waukon, was by Mr. Adams, a pair of boots to Ezra Reed, Jr., from the stock while it lay in Scott Shattuck's new frame hotel (now George Mauch's residence) awaiting the completion of the store. He also took out the first letter from the first mail received at Waukon, it being one he himself had written while east after the goods, addressed to his partner, Mr. Woodcock. Meanwhile Mr. Adams had taken up 200 acres of government land, of which he still owns 120, forty acres of which are now occupied with orchards in bearing. From 1853 the growth of the community was rapid, and Mr. Adams found many ways in which to occupy his time to advantage, and proved himself a most valuable acquisition to the pioneer settlement. His services as surveyor were sought far and wide, and two years later he was made assessor, continuing to serve as such by successive re-elections for about ten years. In 1854 he was also chosen as President of the County Agricultural Society, organized in 1853, and nearly all the time from that day to this has been connected with the society in one capacity or another. In the fall of 1854 also, in company with Ed. Whitney, he began the erection of the firs and only steam saw mill here, which was completed the following spring and continued in successful operation for many years. It was burned down in '56 or '57, after which he disposed of his interest therein, although the mill was re-built. In 1856 Mr. Adams entered upon the work of horticulture, in which he always found great pleasure, and in after years the "Iron Clad Nursery" of Waukon became famous for its success where others failed. There were ten or fifteen other nurseries started in Allamakee County at about this time, not one of which proved profitable, and all were abandoned amid the almost universal opinion that fruit could not be grown in northern Iowa. During the 20 years he continued in this business, however, Mr. Adams established the fact beyond a doubt that it can be very successful, with judicious selection and proper management, and points with just pride to his achievements in this direction under the adverse circumstances of climate and public opinion. For instance, in 1871, at an exhibition of the State Horticultural Society (of which, by the way, he was for five years the Secretary), he took the sweepstake prize, with one hundred varieties, for the best and largest display of apples. Again, at the State Fair in 1879, he took the sweepstakes with 172 varieties of apples. About 1858, Mr. Adams was chosen chairman of the County Board of Equalization. Again, in '65 or '56, he accepted an appointment to a place on the Board of County Supervisors, to fill a vacancy, not without reluctance, however, as at that time there was the thankless task to undertake of building up the county finances, which were in a very bad way, county warrants at that time selling at only 45 per cent. The board was evenly divided politically, and to complicate matters and add to the responsibility of the situation it was also divided equally on the then strongly local feeling between Lansing and Waukon on the county seat question. Upon the expiration of his short term Mr. Adams was elected to represent his township again, was chosen Chairman of the Board; and on his re-election as a member, two years later, was again selected as chairman, without a dissenting vote. It is but justice to add that during these times he represented the interests of his constituents in local matters most successfully; and it was not long ere careful management and economy restored the full credit of the county, which has ever since been maintained. In 1869 the first brick block in Waukon was erected, Mr. Adams being a part owner in this, as in the first frame store in the village. Together with his neighbors, in 1869, Mr. Adams effected the organization of Waukon Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, the third in the State. He discharged the duties of Master, Overseer, Lecturer, and Secretary of this grange, at various times, and upon the perfection of a State organization in 1872, he was elected Master of that for a term of two years, in the middle of which he was made Master of the National Grange, whereupon he tendered his resignation to the State Grange, then comprising over one thousand members representing eight hundred subordinate granges which he had organized, a fact which serves to illustrate the energy and zeal of the man who was called upon to preside over the national body. At that time there were but about 1,200 subordinate granges in the United States, but at the expiration of his term of three years there were nearly 23,000 granges spread over nearly all the States and Territories. His industry and tact are still further exemplified in his persistent advocacy of the establishment of rail communication with the outside world for Waukon, by the Paint Creek route; his active participation in the organization of the company; and, upon his election as its president in 1875, his energetic propulsion of the work to a successful realization of the hopes of the community during the twenty years preceding. Of late years Mr. Adams has passed his winters in a home he has established in sunny Florida, where he made his first purchase of land in 1875. In Jan., 1876, he re-engaged in his favorite occupation of horticulture in his winter home by setting out a small grove of orange trees. Now he is the fortunate possessor of about a thousand acres in that state, of which 37 acres are in orange grove. Mr. Adams was married Jan. 31, 1856, to Miss Hannah Huestis, who has been an able co-laborer in his horticultural avocations, and an associate in his honors, having occupied the position of Ceres in the National and State Granges, as well as various offices in the gift of her home subordinate grange. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 R. J. Alexander was born in Linn Co., Iowa in 1852. Subsequently the family removed to Cedar Co. He was educated at Cornell College, and in 1876 commenced mercantile life as clerk, and continued as such until 1879, when he formed the partnership with Mr. Armstrong. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 Charles Amann, proprietor Germania House, was born in Germany in 1849, and came to America in 1872, and settled in Troy, N. Y. ln 1875 he came to Lansing and engaged in brewing until 1882, when he engaged in his present business. He married Carrie Christ, also a native of Germany; they have three children, Ernest, Eugene und Lena. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 Andrew E. Ammundson, P. O. Elon; farmer, sec. 4; son of Erick and Cornelia Ammundson; born in 1847 in Norway. His parents emigrated to the U. S. in 1851, locating in Rock Co., Wis. In the fall of 1853 they came to this county, locating in Center tp., where they still reside. Mr. A. was married to Miss Agnes Shaugor in 1873. She was born in Lafayette county, Wis.; they have two children, Gundy Maud and Anna A. Mr. A. has served his tp. as secretary of school board, sub-director, etc. He is a member of the Lutheran church. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 P. J. Amquest (deceased) was a native of Stockholm, Sweden, who emigrated to the U. S. in 1856, and settled in Makee tp., Allamakee Co., where he worked at the tailor's trade up to the time of his death, which took place in December, 1863. He left a wife and four children. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 N. J. Amquest, son of P. J. and Cecelia Amquest, was born in 1859, received a good common school education, and in 1878 commenced mercantile life as clerk for C. D. Buman, whom he served until Dec., 1881, subsequently clerked for L. Clark. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 Andrew Anderson, P. O. Elon; farmer, sec. 33; son of Andrew and Christine Anderson; born in 1824 in Sweden, emigrated to the U. S. in 1853, locating in Rock Island Co., Ills., till the fall of 1854, when he came to Allamakee County, Iowa, locating on the farm he still owns, now containing 176 acres, well improved and worth $4,000. He married Miss Sophia Palmgren in 1859, she was also a native of Sweden. They have four children, John A., Peter A., Mary S. and Samuel C. He is a member of the Baptist Church. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 A. T. Anderson, P. O. Dalby; farmer, sec. 2; son of Thomas and Ambjor Anderson, was born in this Co. in 1851, was reared on his father's farm with the exception of the time he attended school and was engaged in teaching. He was some three years in attendance at the Lutheran College, Decorah. He married Miss Oline Smeby in June 1877. She was also born in this Co. They have two children, Olaf and Theodore. Mr. A. owns a farm of 158 ˝ acres, valued at $35 per acre. He is the present tp. clerk, which office he has filled seven years, and is a member of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 Ole G. Anderson, P. O. Elon; farmer, sec. 29, brother of Andrew Anderson, born in Sweden, July 12,1832. His mother died when he was but a boy, and in 1854 himself and father came to America and located in this township, where his father died in 1872. During the late rebellion he enlisted in Co. B, 27th Iowa Inf. in March, 1864, the company being immediately taken to the front, where they participated in the battle of Nashville, Tenn., and Fort Blakely, Ala., they being about the closing up of the war. In the fall of 1865 he was transferred to the 12th Infantry, Co. B, and discharged in January, 1866, at Davenport. He married Miss Betsy Eastman, August 10, 1867; they have but one son, David, having lost six children, five of whom died in the spring of 1882, from diptheria. August I., Clara E., Amy E., Effie G., Bertie M., Huldah having died previously. Mr. A. owns a farm of 182 acres, worth $25 per acre. He is a member of the Baptist Church. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 Thomas Anderson, P. O. Dalby; farmer, sec. 12; owns 440 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre. He was born Dec. 15, 1820, in Norway. In early life he learned the tailor's trade, at which he worked mostly till he came to the U. S., which was in the spring of 1846, locating in Rock Co., Wis., where he was married in May, 1850, to Miss Emily Christianson, and the same year came to Allamakee Co., Ia., locating on a part of his present farm, he being one of the earliest settlers of the tp. His children are Andrew T., Knudt, Lena and Mary. He has lost three, Christian, Betsey and Sarah. Mr. A. has served as trustee of his township several terms, and is a member of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 Charles Arklay, P. O. Waukon; farmer, sec. 34; owns 120 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. He was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1815; learned the carpenter and joiner's trade in early life, which business he followed for many years. He was married to Miss Emily Murray in 1841, and in 1851 they emigrated to the U. S., stopping in New York City till 1859, when he came to this county and purchased the farm upon which he still resides. His children are William, Emily and Margaret. Mr. A. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 Armstrong & Alexander - these two young and energetic business men established their business, which is known as the Chicago Clothing House, in 1879, and now carry a stock of $8,000 to $10,000. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 Levi Armstrong was born in Kentucky, January, 1810. In 1864 the family removed to Linn Co., Iowa, where the subject of this sketch received a good education at Cornell College. He commenced mercantile life by clerking, which he followed until March, 1879, when he engaged in his present business. He was married in April, 1875, to Anna McLaury, and now has two children, Nettie and Edwin. History of Winneshiek & Allamakee Counties, Iowa, 1882 Samuel H. Bauman A recent educator has said that the true business college aims to fit men to live, and to make a living, too. It not only inculcates truth, honest dealing, industry, enterprise, thrift, temperance the foundation of correct living—but also gives an occupation in which these virtues may be practically applied." This statement appearing as the foreword in the catalog issued by the proprietors of the Great Falls Commercial College, of whom Samuel H. Bauman, the special subject of this brief personal review, is one, shows that this educational institution was established for a wise and useful purpose, and its large number of ex-students now numbered among the most successful young business men and women of the state, and its present body of wide-awake students, prove that its founding was not in vain. Samuel H. Bauman was born in Lansing, Iowa, January 18, 1864, and grew to manhood on the parental farm. His father, the late Samuel A. Bauman, was born and bred in Switzerland. Inheriting the industry and thrift of his ancestors, he was anxious to begin life for himself under the best possible conditions, and as a youth bade good-bye to home and friends, and crossed the broad Atlantic in search of fame and fortune. He located in Iowa in pioneer days, and subsequently, having accumulated some money as a farm laborer, bought a tract of land in Lansing, Allamakee county, and on the homestead which he improved carried on general farming until his death in 1908. at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. His wife was born in New York state, and is still living on the home farm, in Lansing. The third child in a family of nine children, Samuel H. Bauman was educated in the Lansing schools, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1881. Scholarly in his tastes and ambitions, he was allowed to continue his studies, and attended first the Buffalo Business College in Buffalo, New York, and the Davenport Business College, in Davenport, Iowa. Being graduated from the latter institution, Mr. Bauman, in 1885, accepted a position as instructor in the Helena Business College, at Helena, Montana, where he taught for eight years. Coming to Great Falls, Montana, in 1894, Mr. Bauman, in partnership with Mr. Robert Deardorf, established the Great Falls Commercial College, which under their wise management has grown and flourished, being now the leading institution of the kind in northern Montana, if not in the entire state. This college aims to give to young men and young women a practical training in business affairs, the business course embracing bookkeeping, rapid calculations, banking, correspondence, business arithmetic, commercial law. spelling, and business writing. The shorthand com e includes shorthand, touch typewriting, manifolding, loiter copying, business writing, correspondence and spelling. The English course, with which it is necessary all should have a familiar acquaintance, comprises a course in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, arithmetic, history, geography, and letter writing. A rapid, legible and easy style of penmanship is taught with each course, and daily drills are given in spelling and the study of words, the ability to spell and use words correctly being of vital importance in every walk of life. To accommodate pupils who work during the daytime, a night school is in session three evenings each week for seven months, beginning in October, individual instruction in chosen studies being given to each student. The school has been successful from the start, at the present time, in 1912. one hundred pupils being enrolled. Politically Mr. Bauman is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Great Falls. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bauman married, at Helena, Montana, in April, 1893, Elizabeth Steinberner, who was born in Ohio. She passed to the higher life in April, 1900, in early womanhood, leaving no children. [History of Montana, Volume 3, 1913, submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer] L. Coppersmith Not only as one of the foremost merchants of Dorchester, and as such prominent in the business circles of the city, but as a veteran of the Civil war is L. Coppersmith entitled to special mention in a history of Allamakee county. He was born in New Jersey in 1843, a son of Louis and Mary Coppersmith, both natives of Germany. The mother died in 1846, during the childhood of her son. As a young man the father had come to the United States, locating first in New York, but later removing to New Jersey. In the latter state he followed the trade of wagon making until the latter '60s, when he made his way across the country to Iowa and took up a farm near Melbourne. That farm remained his home until his death in 1886, and in its operation he was very successful, accumulating through his well directed efforts valuable property holdings. In his family were four children, but only two, the subject of this review, and his sister, Carrie, survive. The latter is the widow of Oscar Evans, of Rochester, Minnesota. The period of his boyhood and youth were spent by L. Coppersmith in the state of his nativity, and in the schools of New Jersey he acquired his education. He entered the business world at the early age of sixteen years, when he became a clerk in a store, being thus employed for about four years. In the meantime, however, his patriotic spirit had been aroused by the attempt of the south, to overthrow the Union, and in 1863, a youth of twenty years, he enlisted in Battery H, Second Illinois Artillery, and thus served throughout the remainder of the war. At the close of hostilities he was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois, and returned home with a most creditable military record. He again took up clerking, in which occupation he was engaged until the early '80s, when in partnership with a brother he opened a store at Dover, Minnesota, being desirous of entering business on his own account. Four years later, however, he sold his interest to his brother and came to Dorchester, Iowa, here entering into a partnership with T. C. Smith for the purpose of conducting a general mercantile store. This relationship continued until 1908, when his partner died, since which time Mr. Coppersmith has owned and operated the store alone. This was the pioneer store of the town, having been established in 1854, and at that time operated by G. W. Hayes. It is now a well equipped emporium, handling a modern and select line of goods, and in its operation Mr. Coppersmith, who is a man of progressive tendencies, is meeting with well merited success, for he has sought in every way to meet the desires and wishes of his customers, recognizing the truth of the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. As Mr. Coppersmith has prospered in his enterprise he has become the owner of valuable land, holding title to his business property as well as his home, and also a tract of land in Union City township. In 1868 Mr. Coppersmith was united in marriage to Miss C. E. Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania and in childhood was adopted by T. E. Smith, with whom she made her home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Coppersmith have become the parents of eight children, of whom five survive, namely: George, who was born in 1870 and is a merchant of Des Moines, Iowa; Nora, who was born in 1877 and is the wife of Dr. M. B. Yeoman, of Lansing, Iowa; Leroy B., born in. 1880 and still at home; Pearl, born in 1884, who married Christian Plambeck, of Dorchester; and Catherine, born in 1891, the wife of John Whitlinger, who is engaged in the bakery business at Santa Barbara, California. In religious belief Mrs. Coppersmith is a Salvationist, while in fraternal relations Mr. Coppersmith belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has filled a number of chairs up to the third degree. In politics he usually supports the democratic ticket, but is independent in his views and reserves the right to vote for any man or measure, regardless of party ties, if his judgment so sanctions. He has served as county supervisor of Allamakee county for two terms and is an efficient and capable public servant. He is eminently public-spirited in his citizenship, warmly advocating all those movements which have for their object the permanent upbuilding of the community, and is as faithful to the interests of his country in times of peace as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields. [Past and Present of Allamakee County, Iowa, 1913] | ||
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