Biographies, beginning with J, 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 J Marion Twp. -- David Jacobia is a native of Columbia County, N.Y., born Dec. 1, 1835. In 1855 he came west, drawn thither by the current then prevailing, and settled in Clayton County, on this present farm. It is situated on section 2, Marion Township, and consists of 235 acres of fine land in a good state of cultivation. He is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising, principally the latter. His marriage occurred in 1862, in Clayton County, to Lovina Baker, who was born in Michigan, Jan. 1, 1838. They have four children - Carrie B., born Apr. 10, 1863; Myra E., June 4, 1870; Homer D., Mch. 18, 1873, and Edda Ray, October 30, 1874. Mr. Jacobia's niece, Emma A. Banks, born in Clayton County, Apr. 6, 1867, has always resided with them. He votes the Republican ticket. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 932 Mendon Twp. -- E. W. H. Jacobs, architect, McGregor, was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., Aug. 21, 1829, a son of Alexander and Dorcas (Vandevander) Jacobs, his father of English and Scotch descent and a native of Pennsylvania, his mother of German descent. They were married in Pennsylvania in 1816, and were the parents of eleven children--seven sons and four daughters. Mr. Jacobs was by occupation a carpenter and joiner in early life, but subsequently followed farming. In politics he was an old-line Whig, and was active in his party's interest. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs died in Pennsylvania. The subject of this memoir was reared on a farm, and received a common-school education. When sixteen years of age he learned the trade of a carpenter, and at nineteen years commenced reading medicine with Dr. Rodrigue, of Blair Co., Pa. Leaving this, he prosecuted his trade and studied architecture, which business he has followed since. In November, 1850, he left Pennsylvania and went to Muscatine, Ia., where he was employed by the Government at Fort Dodge for a short time, when the Government failed to vote an appropriation and the work was discontinued. He returned to Muscatine, remained a short time, and having friends in Clayton he came here, and being well pleased with the country he has remained here since. He spent one year in Garnavillo, then went to Clayton, where he purchased property and built a residence. In 1853 he married Emeline Cook. In 1862 removed to McGregor, where he has resided since. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs are the parents of six children--Stella May, wife of F. M. Hazlett, editor of the New Hampdon Tribune; Blanche, wife of Robert Quigley, attorney at law, of McGregor; Adeline, a teacher in Lansing High School; Edward H., printer; Frank B., dry-goods clerk, and Evlyn. Mr. Jacobs in politics is a Republican, and has held several local offices of trust. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 988-989 Jefferson Twp. -- G. H. Jacobs, attorney and notary public, Guttenberg, was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, in 1838. He came to this country, and to Clayton County, with his father's family, in 184. His father settled in Volga Township, where he died in 1870. Mr. Jacobs is a lawyer by profession; he was Justice of the Peace for many years, being first elected when but twenty-one years of age. He has been notary public for fifteen years. His wife is also a native of Germany. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 869 Millville Twp. -- Charles James, a native of Staffordshire, England, was born April 5, 1827, and emigrated to America in 1831, landing at New York, where he remained two years, then removed to Ohio. That State was his home for eighteen years, and he then went to Chicago, and thence to Dubuque, Ia., where he resided until 1861, when he came to Clayton County; and has resided here since. He settled on section 23, Millville Township, where he owns a finely cultivated farm of eighty acres. In connection with farming he also carries on the marble business. He was married June 9, 1862, to Mrs. Amelia Kolker, who was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 4, 1834, and had three children by a former marriage. Mr. and Mrs. James have four children--Benjamin W., born June 20, 1863; Ada, Nov. 30, 1864; Hannah M., June 10, 1866, and William, Sept. 23, 1872. Mr. James is a member of the United Brethern church, and in politics is a Republican. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1016 Monona Township -- S. H. James is a native of Grafton County, N. H., born Oct. 1, 1820, and was a son of Joseph and Ann (Calfe) James. In 1850 he invented a shingle and clapboard machine which was used extensively throughout the East, which business he followed for five years. In 1842 he married Eliza J. Dow, who was born in 1825. The fruit of this marriage is four children, three living – Susan A., wife of A. V. DePugh; Alfred W., who died April 9, 1879; George H., and Abbie, wife of Douglass McBride. In 1844 he left his home in New Hampshire and emigrated to Marquette County, Wis., where he remained six years. Thence to Allamakee County, Ia. In 1861 he came to Clayton County, where he has resided since. He has 200 acres of land, 160 under cultivation, and valued at $40 per acre. In politics he is a Jacksonian Democrat, and while in Wisconsin was elected as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1045. Cass Twp. -- Solomon Jay was born in the state of Vermont on Dec. 21, 1815, and was a son of Comfort and Martha Joy, nee Rodway likewise natives of the Green Mountain State, where they died. He received a liberal education in Vermont, and in 1845, came West, locating in Illinois, where he followed farming nine years, then settled in Cass Township, Clayton County, on a farm of 175 acres. He also owns 400 acres in Fayette County, of finely cultivated land. He has made farming a financial success, and has retired from active life, and is enjoying the fruits of his toil. He was married in 1841 to Lucy, daugher of Gileo and Loraine Newcomb, nee Nelson, natives of Vermont. One child blessed this union--Henry, born Sept. 20, 1842; he enlisted in 1862 in the Union army, and died soon after. Mrs. Lucy Joy died in 1843, and in 1844 Mr. Joy again married, Mary, daughter of Moses and Sarah (Dake) Nelson, natives of Vermont. To them have been born eight children, of whom Fannie, born Feb. 23, 1845, married D. C. Goodrich, of Nebraska; Lucy C. born Sept. 27, 1847, is the wife of Frank Emerson; Lewis N. born Dec. 6, 1850, and Mary, born Feb. 5, 1859, are living. Mary is blind, but is a college graduate. The deceased are: Nelson P. born April 2, 1853; Martha C. Oct. 30, 1855; Elmer E., June 16, 1861, and Orrin L., May 16, 1872. Mr. Joy has been Township Assessor, Trustee, and was elected Justice of the Peace, but declined to serve. He affiliates with the Republican party, and in religious sentiment is a Free-Will Baptist. His wife is a member of the Methodist church. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 698 Millville Twp. -- E. C. Jefferis was born in the State of Pennsylvania, Sept. 24, 1826, and came to Clayton County in 1848. He helped to build a saw and grist mill in Mallory Township, having to hew out timber to construct his work bench. The mill was completed in 1849, and during this time he did not see a woman's face. He returned to his native State in 1851, and was there married on June 5, of that year, to Rebecca Woodman, who was born in the Keystone State, Aug. 19, 1826. He came at once to Clayton County with his bride and settled on the Little Turkey River, Sept. 12, and lived in the first log cabin that was raised in the county without whisky. He built a saw-mill on section 31, Millville Township, which he ran until July, 1852, when he built his present flour-mill on section 30. There were over 100 men present at the raising, and no whisky, and they had it up by five o'clock in the evening. The mill is 36 x 46 feet, three stories in height, and contains all the latest improved machinery for manufacturing first-class flour. Mr. Jefferis also owns 1,200 acres of fine land, and is known as one of Clayton County's most prominent and substantial citizens. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1016 Sperry Twp. -- Benjamin Jellings is a native of England, born in 1831, and emigrated to America in 1848. He worked at the machinist's trade in Lockport, N.Y., seven years, and in 1855 came to Clayton County, and settled on a farm in Sperry Township, and has been engaged in that occupation most of the time since. He was married to Elizabeth Lowe in August, 1857. She was born in Carroll County, Ohio, in 1836. They have had six children - John Joseph, born Nov. 8, 1859; George G., Sept. 13, 1864; Emma B., Dec. 30, 1866, David B., Nov. 20, 1868; Clara S., Dec. 31, 1874, and Willie, Nov. 1, 1881. Mr. Jellings is a Republican in his political views. He owns a fine farm of 261 acres, and is one of the representative farmers of Clayton County. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, Sperry Township, p. 1098 Clayton Twp. -- John A. Jenkins, one of the pioneer children of Clayton County, was born in Garnavillo Township, May 7, 1851. His father, Major Jenkins, was a native of the Green Mountain State, born in 1807, and in 1837 emigrated to Indiana where he remained four years, then went to Michigan. Two years later he removed to Galena, Ill., and in 1847 settled in Clayton County. He pre-empted land near Garnavillo, and made for himself a home in the State of his adoption. He participated in the Black Hawk war, and at the breaking out of the Rebellion, although too old to serve, he did much for the cause of the Union at home, and his stirring patriotic eloquence was a terror to rebel sympathizers. The subject of this memoir was married to Eliza McLaughlin in May, 1872. She was born in Montrose Ia., March 19, 1853. Their union has been blessed with five children--Major, born Oct. 11, 1873; May, Jan. 20, 1874; William H., May 17, 1877, and Nellie and Stella (twins), born July 30, 1879. Stella died August 30, of that year. In politics he is a Republican. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 723 Sperry Twp. -- Joseph M. Jennings is a native of Warren County, Ill., born Nov. 11, 1843. In 1847 he came to Iowa, locating in Iowa City, where he remained several years, then removed to Delaware County. He now resides in Sperry Township this county, where he owns eighty acres of valuable land. He enlisted in Company A, Thirty-eighth Iowa Infantry. During his service he spent one year in Texas, and participated in many battles, among them that of Vicksburg. He serve three years and returned home in 1865. On March 25, 1866, he was married to Ellen Crane, who was born in Winnebago County, Ill., Sept. 18, 1843. They have had five children - Joseph Henry, born Dec. 29, 1866; James S., Dec. 31, 1868; Walter E., Feb. 18, 1871; Samuel O., Oct. 12, 1873, and Hester Ellen, born Aug. 14, 1880. Mr. Jennings has ever been active in Sabbath-school work, having been Superintendent of the Deep Creek Sunday-school over six years. He is a licensed minister in the United Brethren church, and has been preaching for the past two years. He is an ernest worker in the temperance cause, as well as all others which tend to promote the moral welfare and happines of his fellow beings. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, Sperry Township, p. 1098 Mendon Twp. -- Lawrence Jennings, farmer, section 9, Mendon Township, township 95, range 3, was born in Welland, Canada West, Feb. 14, 1843; his parents were Mathias M. and Mary (Dill) Jennings; they were natives of Canada; he was a cooper in early life, and in after years a physician. She and husband had a family of four children--three girls, and Lawrence, the subject of this sketch. He attended school at Canada West until ten years of age, when he came with his parents to Jackson, Ia., and in 1855 to Clayton County, and settled on a farm on the same section and township he now lives. Mr. Jennings married Miss Saphrona C. Dickens, Oct. 14, 1868. She was born in Clayton County, and is a daughter of Edward G. Dickens and Ann D. (Van Sickle) Dickens. They are among the first settlers in Clayton County. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings reside on their farm of 113 acres, forty of which is under cultivation and well stocked. He raises grain and stock for the market. He has held various local offices of trust in his township, and is one of the early settlers and enterprising representative men of Clayton County, having been identified with the county since 1855. In politics he is rather independent, and inclined to vote for the best man. He is of English and German descent. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 989- 990 Volga Twp. -- J. E. Jerome, son of James and Eliza (Enslow) Jerome, was born in Clayton County, Ia., Dec. 19, 1855. His father was a merchant and the Postmaster in the town of Clayton for many years; he died in 1867. After his death, Mrs. Jerome conducted the store a few years, then disposed of her stock and moved to Grant County, Wis. The subject of this record received a common- school education, and having a natural talent for printing he learned it thoroughly, and after clerking a short time for his uncle, S. J. Soyster, he was employed in the Register office at Elkader. He was married in March, 1878, to Ollie, daughter of John and Mary Garber. They have two children--Edith May and Lucy Mildred. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Jerome went to Kane County, Ill., where he engaged as clerk in a drug store, remaining one year, then, at the solicitation of Mr. Garber, he returned to East Elkport, and has been in the employ of J. Garber & Son since. In 1881 he established a newspaper called the Tattler, which is issued monthly. He also owns a Peerless job printing press, and does all kinds of printing. He is a charter member of A. O. U. W. lodge, Elkport. History of Clayton County Iowa 1882, p. 1122 Cass Twp. -- John Jessen, general merchant, Strawberry Point, was born in Schleswig-Holstien, Germany, May 7, 1835. His parents, John Sr. and Anna Jessen, were likewise natives of Germany. He learned the boot and shoe maker's trade in Schleswig, and on May 12, 1857, embarked for America. He landed at new York, thence to Chicago, Ill., and from there to Valparaiso, Ind., where he engaged in the boot and shoe trade until 1864, when he settled in Strawberry Point. He built a store in 1870, and embarked in the general merchandising business, which he followed until 1876, then brought a farm in Delaware County, which he cultivated three years, then returned to Strawberry Point, prior to embarking in his present business; he engaged in the mercantile business in Brush Creek, Fayette County, Volga City, and Farrowsville, Delaware County. He was married in Valparaiso, Ind., on Oct. 15, 1860, to Agnes Marquardt. To them have been born seven children, five living--Emma, William, Frederick, Agnes and Jessie. In politics Mr. Jessen is a Republican. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 697-698 Wagner Twp. -- Finger Johnson was born in Norway in December, 1828. He attended school in Norway. His father was a farmer, and he assisted on the farm until twenty-two, when he worked by the day. In the summer of 1850 he emigrated to the United States, settling first in Wisconsin. He lived there nearly a year, and then removed to Clayton County. In 1852 he purchased forty acres of land on section 19, and built a cabin. In this he lived until 1867, when he built the commodious house in which he now lives. His landed possessions now comprise 360 acres in Wagner Township and 140 acres in Marion Township. He conducts the entire tract himself, has considerable stock, and his land is well improved. He was married in 1853 to Ingre Oleson, a native of Norway. They have had eight children - Eliza (now Mrs. Thos. Anderson), John, Clara (now Mrs. Hanson), Emma, Nellie and Maria. Henry and Nellie died when children. Both are member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He is a Republican. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, Wagner Township, p. 1135-36 Mallory Twp. -- Harrison Jones, farmer, P.O. Colesburg, son of James and Ann (Keep) Jones, natives of Virginia, who settled in Pennsylvania many years ago, and died in Alleghany County. Harrison was born May 2, 1813, and was educated in that State. He came to Iowa May 4, 1857, and bought his present farm of 120 acres on Section 29, which is one of the finest locations in the township. On March 18, 1845, he married Mary Oldham, who was born in Bedford County, Penn., Jan. 14, 1813. By this union there are six chrildren living--John, Thomas, James, Simon, Ely and Abram. They are all married and live near their father. Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Ellen and William are dead. Mr. Jones has held all of the township offices, and is now Justice of the Peace, having served in that capacity ten years. That he has been a efficient officer it is only necessary to say that the citizens will not let him retire. He votes the Democratic ticket. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 921 Lodomillo Twp. -- William L. Jones, son of Loda and Sarah Jones, nee Reynolds, natives of Ohio, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, April 15, 1838. His father died when he was nine years old, and in 1855 he came with his mother to Clayton County, and settled in Reed Township. He was married to Sarah Golder, on March 29, 1860. She is a native of England, and was a daughter of William and Sarah (Sarver) Golder. Of six children born of this union five are living-- Loda R., Elander, William E., E.Jerome and Benjamin. Mr. Jones followed farming in Reed Township until 1870, when he bought his farm of twenty acres on section 14, Lodomillo Township, where he resides. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Third Iowa Infantry, and served one year, being discharged on account of disability, from injuries received and exposure. He is one of the practical farmers in Clayton County, and bound the first bundle of wheat bound on a McCormick Harvester in the county or State. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 893-894 Jefferson Twp. -- August Jungk, brewer, Guttenberg, has had much experience in the manufacture of beer. His brewery is built of stone, and contains all the necessary machinery and improvements for making the best beer. He was born in Germany, in 1835, and came to the United States in 1858. He lived in Dubuque for a time, and then went to St. Paul, Minn. He came to Guttenberg in October, 1875. His wife came to his country from Germany in 1854. They have four children—William, Charles, Annie and Henry. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 869