Biographies, beginning with A, History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882 Transcribed by Sally Scarff and Marlene Chaney for the USGenWeb Archives. Submitted August 2000 by Roxanne Barth , IAGenWeb Allamakee County Coordinator. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** History of Clayton County Iowa 1882 Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1882 Reprinted by: Monona Historical Society, Monona, Iowa Reproduction by: Unigraphics, Inc., 1401 North Fares Ave, Evansville, Indiana 47711, 1975 A Clayton Twp. -- M. H. Adams, agent for "Diamond Joe" Reynolds, buying grain and produce, has been engaged in this business about four years, and has an extensive trade, paying the highest prices for his goods. He is also notary public, having been appointed to that position some eighteen months ago. He was born in the State of Wisconsin on Oct. 19, 1848, and came with his parents to Clayton County in 1856, settling in Strawberry Pont. Four years later they removed to Clayton City, where M. H. was educated, and has resided since. He was united in marriage with Abigail Gregory on June 4, 1871. She was born in Fayette County, Ia., Feb. 1, 1855. Four children have blessed this union-- Rose, born July 28, 1872; May, July 24, 1875; Ralph, May 12, 1878 and Libby, Sept. 3, 1881. In January, 1865, Mr. Adams enlisted in the Third Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry, and served until July, 1865, when he was mustered out. In his religious views he is a Methodist, and in politics a strong supporter of the Rupublican party. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1880, and still retains the postion, and is an able and efficient officer. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 715 Read Twp. -- Nicholas Adams, one of the representative citizens of Read Township, was a son of Samuel and Susannah (Shobert) Adams, natives of Pennsylvania, and both now deceased, the former dying on April 22, 1866, in Clayton County, where they settled in 1855, the latter in her native State. The subject of this memoir was married in 1856 to Polly Howard, whose parents, Jacob and Rowana Howard, nee Ross, were natives of New York, and settled in Clayton County in 1832, being among the very earliest settlers. Jacob Howard died here in 1864, and his wife followed him in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been blessed with seven children, of whom Orsimus, born Sept 1, 1857; James, Dec. 24, 1866; Mima, April 30, 1869; Orrin C., Oct. 21, 1871; Clara, Jan. 26, 1874; Charles Henry, May 21, 1876; Myrtle, April 19, 1879, are living. The deceased are John, born March 16, 1859, died Jan. 11, 1861, and Julia. Mr. Adams enlisted in the 1862 in the First Iowa Cavalry, Comapny B, and served his full term, and veteraned at Little Rock, Ar. He participated in many of the battles fought under Generals Stute, Carr, Davidson, Scholfield and Custer (who was killed by the Indians in the Black Hills). Mr. Adams escapted without a wound, and was discharged at Davenport, Ia. Mrs. Adams is one of the earliest settlers of the county, there being only eight white persons here when she came with her father, and on the site of the present flourishing city of Elkader there stood but one small log hut, that of Elisha Boardman. Clayton County was at that time a vast, unexplored region, inhabited by the red men, and the only sounds that disturbed Nature's solitude were the cry of the coyote and howling of wolves. To point to-day to the finely cultivated farms and comfortable homes, to listen to the hum of machinery, and note everywhere the signs of busy, active life, needs no further evidence of the work performed by these hardy pioneers. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1073-1074 Cox Creek Twp. -- A. B. Albrecht, merchant, Osborne, was born in Clayton County, Iowa, May, 1 1862. He was reared on a farm, and received a common-school education. Prior to engaging in the mercantile business, he followed the butcher's trade three years. His sister, Miss Maria Albrecht, is in partnership with him. She was born Sept. 14, 1857, in Manitowoc County, Wis., and came to Clayton County in the spring of 1879. She opened a millinery store in Volga City in 1881, which she disposed of the same year, and removed to Osborne, when the present partnership with her brother was formed. They kept a full and complete line of general merchandise, and have a steadily increasing trade. Thier parents are Ferdinand and Caroline Albrecht, nee Meder. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 736-737 Cox Creek Twp. -- Ferdinand Albrecht, proprietor of the hotel at Mederville, was born in Prussia, June 6, 1823. He followed a sea-faring life for many years, being captain of a ship on the Baltic sea. In 1856, he emigrated to the United States and went to Wisconsin, where he entered land and resided three years, then disposed of his farm and removed to Clayton County. He returned to Wisconsin three years later, and purchased a farm, with which he was very successful, and lived on seventeen years. In 1879 he settled in Clayton County, where he has remained since. In 1856, he was married to Caroline, daughter of Louis and Frederica (Sourbier) Meder. She was born in Mecklenburg Schwerin, Germany, on Nov. 28, 1829. Their union has been blessed with four children-Maria, Henry, Alfred and Albert. Mr. Albrecht is one of the representative and influential citizens of Clayton County, and is neurtal in his political views. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 736 Marion Twp. -- C. S. Anderson was born in Clayton County, Iowa, on Aug. 29, 1859. His parents, Berga and Anna (Betsa) Anderson, were natives of Sweden, the former born in 1819, and the latter in 1825. They came to America in 1847, landed in New York, where they remained a short time then came to Clayton County. They settled in Marion Township, where they own a finely cultivated farm of 165 acres on section 36. They have five children living - Christina, born in 1851, married John Erickson, and resides in Highland Township; a son born in February, 1857; C. S. Born Aug. 29, 1859; Mary M., in 1862, is the wife of E. Holstineson, and lives in Marion Township; and Caroline, born July 1, 1865. Mr. Berga Anderson is a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics is a Republican. C. S. Anderson is one of Clayton County,s representative farmers and enterprising men. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 929 Grand Meadow Twp. -- Erek Anderson was born in Norway, Oct.15, 1828. He was married there to Margaret Johnson, who was born in 1838. They came to America in 1861, and located immediately on section 6, Marion Township. Since his residence in this county Mr. Anderson has engaged extensively in buying and selling land. He now owns 254 acres of as fertile land as there is in the great grain- producing State of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have had four children, viz.: John Andrew, born June 18, 1864; Emil, March 8, 1866, Nels, Nov. 26, 1868; and Martin, Oct. 9, 1870. The subject of this memoir is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and in politics is a Republican. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 826 Marion Twp. -- Jens Anderson one of the pioneers of Marion Township, was born in Norway in June, 1817. He came to America in 1849, and settled at once in Clayton County on section 17, Marion Township. He was united in marriage with Ingeber Branson, who was born in Norway, March 29, 1835. Their union has been blessed with five children, viz.: Bertha, born June 27, 1867; Anton, Nov. 9, 1868; Gina, Dec. 22, 1871; Gilbert, May 14, 1874; and Julius, born Nov. 7, 1875, he died June 17, 1876. In religious sentiment Mr. Anderson is a Lutheran. He is a Republican and a strong supporter of that party. He has done much for the improvement of Clayton County, and is one of her representative men. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 928 Marion Twp. -- Lars Anderson is a native of Norway, born Oct. 8, 1843. He emigrated to the United States in 1869, and came at once to Marion Township, Clayton County, where he has been engaged in farming since. He owns a finely cultivated farm of 84 acres, and is classed with the substantial farmers of the county. He was married to Toren Gunmanson in 1869. She is a Norwegian, born in 1848. The fruit of this union is five children - Anton, Gustav, Gusthelena, Marie and Eddie. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 928-929 Wagner Twp. -- Thomas Anderson was born in Norway, Sept. 21, 1850. In 1854 his parents emigrated to the United States, settling first in Rock Prairie, Wis. The following spring they removed to Clayton County, and purchased eighty acres on section 30, Wagner Township. Our subject was educated in the district schools, and worked on his father's farm until he was nineteen years old, when he bought the farm from his father, which had been increased to 200 acres. He was married Feb. 8, 1874, to Liza Johnson, born in Clayton County. They have three children - Andrew, Ingre and Maria. Mr. Anderson's farm is one of the best in the township, is well improved, and contains good buildings. Both are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican. P.O., St. Olaf. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, Wagner Township, p. 1132-1133 Jefferson Twp. -- John Andregg resides on section 32, Jefferson Township, on a finely cultivated farm of 210 acres. He was born in Switzerland in 1823, and came to the United States when twenty-two years of age, locating in Cincinnati, O., where he resided many years. In 1853 he removed to Guttenberg, Ia., remained there two years, then settled on his present farm, which he purchased of John B. Sargent. His wife, formerly Magdaline Meyer, was born in Switzerland. Eight children have blessed their union, five sons and three daughters. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 863 Elk Twp. -- William H. Appleton was born in the State of Pennsylvania, July 22, 1839, and came to Clayton County in April, 1857. He was educated in the Colesburg High School, Delaware County, and on Aug. 1, 1862, enlisted in Company B. Twenty-first Iowa Infantry Volunteers. He participated in the battles of Springfield, Mo, Champion Hill, Black River, Miss.; was present during the siege and the surrender of Vicksburg, the battle of Jackson, Miss., the siege of Blakely and Spanish Forks. He was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., in July, 1865, and finally discharged at Clinton, Ia. He spent the summer of 1866, at Sioux City, Ia., and in the fall of that year returned to Clayton County, and taught school during the winter. He was married on June 9, 1867, to Phoebe Lovett, who was born in Ohio, May 30, 1848. Of five children born to this union, three are living--Lena May, born April 13, 1871; William W., July 17, 1874, and Olive, Oct. 27, 1876. Mr. Appleton has served the people as School Director, Township Assessor and Clerk. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics affiliates with the Republican party. He resides on a farm of 240 acres, on section 15, Elk Township, which he has under a fine state of cultivation, and he is classed with the prominent farmers and stock-dealers of Clayton County. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p.758 Mendon Twp. -- Thomas Arnold, one of the enterprising business men of McGregor, was born in the town of Coventry, Kent County, R.I., in the year 1815. When seventeen years of age he was apprenticed to a manufacturer of cotton machinery and remained, serving four years, to the age of twenty-one, passing through each and every department in the building of cotton machinery. The panic of 1837 proved fatal to manufacturing business. He then engaged as clerk in a mercantile house, and after a year's service was received as partner, the firm name then being Wm. C. Ames & Co. In 1840 he severed connection with the firm and entered the services of a machine manufacturing company in Providence, taking charge of their business, working fifty or sixty men. He remained in this position till and up to the time of the so-called "Dorr War," and espousing the cause of the Dorr party he was discharged. He then engaged in mercantile business in the city of Providence, R. I., for a few years. Mr. Arnold next originated a company and engaged in manufacture of steam and gas fittings and for the construction of steam and gas piping for heating and lighting buildings. The firm name was, and is to this day, "The Providence Steam and Gas Pipe Co," being the first industry of the kind in the city. Sellling out to his partners in 1853 he crossed the plains to Oregon, remaining there a couple of years, traveling extensively through the Western Territories. Mr. Arnold, in 1843, settled down in McGregor, Ia., being engaged in several branches of industries, and for many years a dry good merchant. He married Miss Ann Thurber, of Providence, R. I., in 1841. By this union there are two children--Dexter T., who died in McGregor shortly after coming to the State, and Abbie. Mr. Arnold has held a number of offices of trust in the gift of the people; in politics originally a Whig, then Republican, but now votes for the best man. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p.964-965 Elk Twp. -- R. G. Ash , one of the prominent citizens of Elk Township, was born in the State of New York, Jan. 16, 1824. He came West in 1844, locating in Illinois, where he resided until 1849, when he removed to Delaware County, Ia. Ten years later he went to Nemaha County, Kan., where he engaged in farming one year, then returned to Delaware County. He removed to Clayton County in 1877, where he has resided since. He purchased a farm on section 28 and 29, Elk Township, of ninety-six acres, which he now has under excellent cultivation, and thoroughly stocked. He was married in 1847, to Mary A. Bell, who was born in Ohio in 1826. Their union has been blessed with seven children--G. W., born in 1848; John E., in 1850; Francis M., in 1853; I G. in 1856; Rose Alice, in 1858, Emily I., in 1860; Clarence A. in 1863, and Charles A., in 1866. In politics Mr. Ash is a Republican. He was appointed Postmaster at Wood Centre, in 1880, a position he still retains. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 759 Mendon Twp. -- W. C. Austin, proprietor of the Excelsior livery feed and sales stables, McGregor, was born in Waterbury, Washington County, Vt., Nov. 21, 1836. His parents were David and Permelia (Wright) Austin, natives of the Green Mountain State and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had a family of nine children. W. C., the subject of this sketch, was the youngest. He worked at farming and attended school winters until twenty-one, when he came to Mower County, Minn., entered a claim and remained there and in Iowa one year. He then worked at various occcupations in Mitchell and Howard Counties two years, then went to Calmar, Winneshiek County, Iowa, and was engaged in the livery and hotel business eighteen months, thence to McGregor, Ia., and worked in a hotel here two years, then established his present draying, business, and in 1872 opened the Excelsior livery stable, which he has run since. He has the largest and most complete livery stable in Clayton County. Mr. Austin married Cynthia Wilcox, Jan. 3, 1864. She was born in Ohio. They had one son, Adelbert L., born Oct. 29, 1864, and died in August, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Austin adopted Jennie Austin in January, 1880. Mr. Austin is a Mason and member of Bezer Lodge, No. 135; Chapter, No. 27, and Commandery, No. 8. In politics he is a Republican, and has ever been a supporter of that party. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 965 Jefferson Twp. - Frederick Aulwas was born in Germany, in 1813, and emigrated to the United States in 1838. He obtained employment at railroading in Louisiana until the following spring when he went to Cincinnati, O., and resided there until March, 1845. He then came to Guttenberg, being one of the earliest settlers of this town. He located in the township of Jefferson, and in January, 1879, removed into the village. His wife, formerly Charlotte Seawing, was born in Germany, To them have been born six children-Charlotte, born in 1840; Louisa, in 1842; Henry, in 1847; John, in 1850; Louis, in 1853, and George in 1855. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 864 Cass Twp. -- A. E. Axtell was born Sept. 29, 1821, in Berkshire County, Mass. His parents, Daniel and Jane Axtell, moved to Lorain County, O., when he was a small boy, and he was there reared and educated. In 1863 he came to Clayton County, and purchased a farm of 160 acres in Cass township, which hs still owns and resides upon. It is under excellent improvement, and is one of the finest farms is this section. He was married in Mackinac, Mich., on June 5, 1846, to Olive Dulmadge, a native of Ohio. Of four children born of this union, three are living--Maria I., Iona R. and Elbridge K. Mrs. Olive Axtell died Apr. 8, 1858, in Lorain County, O. and Dec. 14, 1858, Mr. Axtell married Martha A. Bartlett. This union has been blessed with six children, five living-- Elson E., Herman A., Arthur A., Hary J., Edna and Mamie. In politics Mr. Axtell is a Democrat. He has held the position of Treasurer of Clayton County Insurance Company for the past seven years. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 689-90 Millville Twp. -- Leonard Ayers was born in Owego, Tioga County, N.Y., May 15, 1831, and remained there until 1847, when he came to Delaware County, Ia., and in 1852 went to California, where he remained three years, then returned to Delaware County. He was married there on July 19, 1855, to Martha Frances Young, and the following month removed to Clayton County. Five children were born unto them, viz.: Lyman W., born May 29, 1856, died Jan. 11, 1868; John T., born Jan. 14, 1858; James M., Aug. 21, 1859, died Nov. 20, 1870; Ella Viola, born Jan. 24, 1861, and William Lincoln, Dec. 27, 1863. Mrs. Martha F. Ayers died Aug. 13, 1868, and on July 21, 1870, Mr. Ayers married Mary Rutherford, native of Cottage Hill, Ia., born July 4, 1850. They have four children--Laura F., born Apr. 22, 1871; Della M., Sept. 19, 1873; Leonard Leroy, Sept. 3, 1876, and Flora G., May 26, 1878. Mr. Ayers owns a finely cultivated farm of 134 acres, on section 17, and is one of the representative farmers of Clayton County. Politically he favors the Republican party. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1010