BIOGRAPHIES: The 1976 "History of Clinton County Iowa" This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Annette Lucas ClintonRoots@aol.com October 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Clinton County, Iowa Please visit the Clinton County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/clinton/ ________________________________________________________ Here are, briefly, some of the biographies that are in the The 1976 "History of Clinton County Iowa" by the Clinton County Historical Society. There is not an actual 'bio' section, they are mixed in with the stories and articles throughout the book. There's lots more, but here are the "bare essentials" on some from the 'Almanac' section (pgs. 324-557). IF YOU WOULD LIKE A PRINTED COPY FOR YOUR RESEARCH: Please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Clinton County Historical Society Dept IAGW PO Box 2435 Clinton IA 52732-2435.   Enclose at least .25 per page for the cost of copying. A small donation is appreciated but not required. ADLER, Frank Spencer Bartlett "Felix", (p. 348) b 17 Jun 1895 in Clinton, son of Joseph and Nettie Adler, md 06 Mar 1948 to Amelia Irwin; died in New York City 01 Feb 1960; buried at Springdale Cemetery, Clinton. Felix was a clown with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. ARNOLD, Gladys Naomi, (p. 358) born 03 Aug 1896 at Verdon, NE; dau of Vincent and Dora Kinney Arnold; taught American lit at Clinton High from 1923-60; poet. BAKER, Nathaniel Bradley, (p. 512) born in Henniker, NH 29 Sep 1818, son of Abel and Nancy Bradley Baker; md Lucy C. Tenbroeck in May 1843; died 12 Sep 1876 in Des Moines. Governor of NH until he moved to Clinton in 1856, in 1859 he represented Clinton County in the Iowa House. BANKS, Charles Eugene,  (p. 356) born in Clinton County 03 Apr 1852; son of Seth Lee and Sarah M. Hubbell Banks; md Carrie Wyatt Lounsberry 03 Apr 1892; died 29 Apr 1932. Wrote books of poetry, novels, biographies and plays. BECK, Joan Wagner, (p. 359) born 05 Sep 1923 in Clinton; dau of Roscoe Charles and Mildred Noel Wagner; md Ernest William Beck 09 Sep 1945; children Christopher and Melinda. Writer. BELLES, Marjorie Jane, (p. 344) b 16 Jun 1921 in Clinton to Albert and Gertrude Meinert. She wrote the Clinton High Alma Mater. BENSON, Charles Emile, (p. 492) born in Clinton 09 Sep 1881, son of Peter Emil and Anna Peterson Benson; md Luella Linder 10 Oct 1906; son Frederic Rupert; died 23 Mar 1963. Teacher, superintendent and professor of educational psychology. BENTLEY, Madison, (p. 532) born 18 Jun 1870 in Clinton, son of Charles Eugene and Persis Orilla Freeman Bentley; died 29 May 1955. Associated with Cornell University, WWI captain and psychologist. BERRIEN, Frank Dunn, (p. 515) born 17 Aug 1877 at Galesburg, IL, son of Leonard Budd and Harriet May Smith Berrien, md Mary Elizabeth Whittelsey 09 Nov 1907, died 31 Jan 1951. This Clinton High School graduated had a military career that spanned the Spanish-American War to WWII. BESS, Demaree Caughey, (p. 357) reporter and writer: born at Kansas City, MO 28 Jul 1893; son of Elmer Allen Bess, D. D., and Emma Caughey Bess; md Dorothy Gould 21 Jan 1927; died 02 Jun 1962. BLOOM, John Vincent, (p. 368) born 27 Mar 1906 in DeWitt; son of John Vincent and Carrie Bloom; md Isabel Scherer in 1938. Artist. It also says "Bloom's wife Isabel does garden sculpture." Is this The Isabel Bloom? BLUMENTHAL, Walter Hart, (p. 357) born 1883 in Clinton where his father was part owner of Blumenthal & Selig, a "One-Price Clothing and Gentlemen's Furnishings Store". He specialized in Literary oddities and published numerous essays. BOWERS, Henry Francis, (p. 423) born 12 Aug 1837 in MD; son of Augustus and Emeline Lewis Bowers (Bauer); md Emma V. Crawford in 1870; she died in 1878; children Clyde C., Homer H., and Emma V. (Mrs. D. Jones); md 2nd Eliza Wilson; died 09 Nov 1911. Held various county offices, was a lawyer, founded the APA "a blot on Clinton's past", and had a lifelong interest in geology. BOWERSOX, Frederic C., (p. 493) born 30 Sep 1889 in Shueyville, IA, son of Jacob S. and Jane E. Hutson Bowersox; md Margaret Hartness 15 Jun 1918; son David and daughters Barbara B. Frohardt and Marjory B. Barry; died 31 May 1970 in Grinnell. Superintendent of schools and teacher. BURNHAM, Frederick Russell, (p. 511) born in MN 11 May 1861; died 01 Sep 1947 in CA. Clinton High School graduate, gold miner, hunter, explorer and Boer War Scout. Seems to have done everything from being a cowboy to discovering the ruins of an ancient civilization. CHILDS, Marquis William, (p. 352), Pulitzer Prize winner, b 17 Mar 1903 in Clinton to William Henry and Lillian Malissa Marquis; md 1st Lue Prentiss; children Henry Prentiss and Malissa Marquis; md 2nd Jane Neylan McBaine. He wrote an autobiographic novel in 1944 called The Cabin. CLAUSSEN, George, (p. 499) born in Clinton 06 Aug 1882, son of John and Wiebke Banderob Claussen; md Luella Fahr 1920; judge, Iowa Supreme Court; died 18 Dec 1948 in Clinton. COLLIS, Oliver Dallyn, (p. 524) born 16 Apr 1877 in Canada, son of George and Thurza Dallyn Collis, md Carolyn Malcolm Cook in 1898, no children, died 05 Dec 1962. Reared Edwin S. Beal as a son; organizer of Collis Co., Collis Products Co., and Bald Mountain Mining Co. CONE, Martin, (p. 443) born 14 Dec 1882 in Clinton, son of Michael Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Kelleher Cone; ordained priest of the Roman Catholic Church 1912; died 19 Nov 1963, buried Calvary Cem., Davenport. Active in Catholic educational institutions in Davenport. CONNOR, William Durward, (p. 513) born near Beloit, WI 22 Feb 1874, son of Edward D. and Adeline Powers Connor, md Elsa Van Vleet 06 Nov 1907; died 16 Jun 1960. Superintendent of West Point. COTTON, Aylett Rains, (p. 501) born 29 Nov 1826 in OH, son of John and Lucy Parker Cotton; died 30 Oct 1912 in CA. US Congressman 1871-75. CURTIS, George Martin, (p. 501) born 01 Apr 1844 in NY, son of John S. and Elizabeth Carpenter Curtis; md Ettie Lewis 04 Sep 1872; sons George L. and Eugene J; died 09 Feb 1921 in Clinton. US Congressman 1895-99. DANA, Eugene, (p. 368) born 27 Jun 1912 in Marengo, IL; son of Frank W. and Nellie Dana; unmarried. Teacher and artist. DROUET, Robert, (p. 335) (probably a stage name) actor-playwright, born 1870 in Clinton; md Mildred Loring, dau of M. A. Loring, Oct 1897; died 17 Aug 1914. DULANY, George William, Jr., (p. 452) born 11 Jul 1877 in Fort Scott, KS, son of George W. and Fannie Williams Dulany; md three times, died at age 82. "Possibly no other man in Clinton's history was involved in more community civic, business, and humanitarian activities..." His sense of humor led him to found the Society for Prevention of Calling Sleeping Car Porters "George".   FAIRCHILD, David Sturges, (p. 458) born 16 Sep 1847 in VT, son of Eli and Grace Sturges Fairchild, md Wilhelmina Tattersall 01 May 1870; died 22 Mar 1930 in Clinton. Surgeon. The entire Sept 1928 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association was dedicated to him. FAIRCHILD, David Sturges, Jr., (p. 458) born 23 Mar 1871 in MN, son of Dr. David S. and Wilhelmina Tattersall Fairchild; md Ella Brown 18 Nov 1907; died 1940, buried in Clinton. Surgeon. FEGAN, Joseph Dever, (p. 510) born 26 Jul 1831 in PA, md Anne(e) Margaret Potts 26 Aug 1851; children Charles Paden, Bessie F. Wilkins, and Maggie F. Weston; died in Clinton 02 Sep 1913. Distinguished military service and gave Calamus it's name. FENLON, Roberta, (p. 459) born 13 Jun 1911 in Clinton, dau of Dr. Robert L. and Florence Prime Fenlon. In 1970, she became the highest ranking woman in organized medicine -- president-elect of the California Medical Association. FOSTER, Judith Ellen Hornton, (p. 449) born 03 Nov 1840 in MA; dau of Jotham and Judith Delano Horton; admitted to the Iowa bar 1872; md Addison Avery 14 Mar 1860; founded the Woman's National Republican Association; died 11 Aug 1910 and is buried in Washington, D. C. Lived in Clinton from 1869-1886. First woman to practice law in Iowa, she was also a politician. GALLAGHER, Harold John, (p. 503) born in Clinton 29 Dec 1894, son of James A. and Ella Walsh Gallagher; md Alicia Schnoebelen 26 Sep 1917. Lawyer. GAULT, A. J., (p. 359) was a pioneer settler of Clinton County who was well known locally as the editor of the Clinton County Advocate and the Wheatland Spectator. He was also a poet and his poem/song "Twenty Years Ago" was one of Abraham Lincoln's favorites. His son, A. W. Gault, was also a notable Clinton Co. editor. GILSON, Roy Rolfe, (p. 355) born in Clinton, 12 Aug 1875; son of Frank Rindge and Marian Roff Gilson; md Mary Walker McGrath 30 Jan 1902; children Edward McGrath, Dorothy Jean, and Robert. Died 02 Aug 1933. He was a journalist, poet and in 1914 was ordained an Episcopal priest. GORDON, Darline Kathryn, (p. 453) born in Clinton 19 Jun 1911, dau of Amos Walton and Kathryne Cosgrove Gordon, died 1975. Active in civic and charitable projects, was the first woman member of the Clinton City Council, 1964-71. GRUNDTVIG, Frederik Lange, (p. 440) born ca 1854 in Denmark; son of Bishop N. F. S. and Fru Ane Marie Elisa Toft Grundtvig; md Birgitta Christian Nilsson in Sweden; dau Marie; ordained Lutheran minister 1883; died ca 1903. Pastor of the Danish Lutheran congregation at Clinton. HAYES, Walter Ingalls, (p. 501) born 09 Dec 1841 in Marshall, MI, son of Dr. Andrew L. and Clarissa Selden Hart Hayes; md Frances L. Coan 28 Jun 1865; died 14 Mar 1901, buried in Clinton. US Congressman 1887-95.  HEBARD, Grace Raymond, (p. 358) born 02 Jul 1861 in Clinton; dau of the Rev. George Diah Alonzo and Margaret E. Dominick Marven Hebard; unmarried; died 11 Oct. 1936. Writer. HENDRIX, Clyde Henry, (p. 525) born 14 Mar 1903 in IL, son of James H. and Grace Lucan Hendrix; md Gladys L. Pedersen; died 17 Sep 1965. Pillsbury Co. executive; was the only Clintonian ever to win the Silver Antelope Award of Boy Scouts of America. HOMRIGHAUSEN, Elmer George, (p. 444) born 11 Apr 1900 in Wheatland, son of Henry George and Sophia Julia Mordhorst Homrighausen; md Ruth Willa Strasburger 23 Sep 1923. Noted author, lecturer and translator of the works of Karl Barth. HORSFALL, Robert Bruce, (p. 365) born 21 Oct 1868 in Clinton; son of John Tomlin and Anne Battersby Horsfall; md Carra Elisabeth Hunting 27 May 1906; son Robert Bruce; died 24 Mar 1948. Artist and writer. HOWSON, Elmer Thomas,  (p. 355) born 23 May 1884 to Thomas and Cora Wessels Howson. He was a railroad engineer-turned-editor and edited several railroad publications. He died 01 Sep 1944. His home and office had been in Chicago. JACOBSEN, Bernhard Martin, (p. 500) born in Germany 26 Mar 1862, son of Boh and Magdelena Jacobsen; md Lena Trager 28 may 1885; children William, Alma J. Callender, Alvina, Marvin and Berniece J. Soenksen; died 30 Jun 1936. US Congressman 1931-36. JACOBSEN, William Sebastian, (p. 500) born 15 Jan 1887 in Clinton, son of Bernhard Martin and Lena Trager Jacobsen; md Mae Madsen in 1915; died 10 Apr 1955. US Congressman 1937-43. KEEFE, William J., (p. 499) born in Clinton 17 Nov 1873, son of Thomas R. and Mary Myles Keefe; md Anna Belle Carroll in 1912; died 14 Sep 1955 in NY City. Judge, US Customs Court. KEIGHWIN, Albert Edwin, (p. 444) born 21 Jul 1869 at Clinton, son of Rev. Albert N. and Amanda L. Bullock Keighwin; md Elizabeth Woodruff Gray 18 Apr 1911; died 25 Apr 1937. Served churches in NJ and NY; wrote several books. KELLY, Paul R., (p. 524) born in Clinton 01 May 1911, son of Harold A. and Eleanor Huston Kelly; md Marione Schneider. Electrolux executive. KOERNER, William Henry David, (p. 363) (anglicized spelling) born 19 Nov 1878 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany; son of Wilhelm Heinrich Dethlef and Margaret Anna Williams Koerner; md Lillian M. Lusk 24 Jun 1903; children William and Ruth Ann; died 11 Aug 1938 at Interlaken NJ. Artist-illustrator.  LEFFINGWELL, William Edward, (p. 502) born in CT 09 Oct 1822, md Celinda Walrod, died 13 Aug 1884 in Lyons. Judge and legislator. LEONARD, Cynthia Howland Van Name, (p. 448) born 28 Feb 1828 in NY; md Charles E. Leonard in 1852, had several children, one of whom was 'Lillian Russell'; died 1908 in NJ. Her husband founded the Clinton Herald. She was active on many fronts, including women's suffrage. LYNN, Max H., (p. 406) born 17 Mar 1904 in Donnellson, IA; son of Edward C. and Mabel Harlan Lynn; md Mirian Brownell in 1929; sons John Brownell and Harlan Curtis. Came to Clinton in 1944 and was a coach at the High School. LYON, Louise Koonce, (p. 453) born 25 Jul 1915 in Webster City, IA, dau of Emery and Leonora Koonce, md Dr. Max Lyon in 1939. Active in many church, school and civic organizations. OLIN, Arvin Solomon, (p. 492) born in Low Moor 19 Oct 1855, son of Nelson and Harriet Holly Olin, md Martha Davis 06 Sep 1882, died 26 Mar 1935. Teacher. MADSEN, Sern, (p. 529) born 30 Dec 1885 in Stilson, IA, son of Hans Peter and Elsa Maria Bramsen Madsen; md 03 Jun 1915 to Verna G. Mc Cone at Clinton; died 23 Oct 1943 in Rockford, IL; buried Rose Hill Cemetery, Camanche. Superintendent of plants and plant equipment at Curtis Co. Several stories about him were in The Curtis Circle, a company magazine. MAGNUSSEN, Ann K., (p. 459) born 24 Feb 1899 in Clinton, dau of Christian and Laura Ingwersen Magnussen; died 04 Jul 1975 in TX, buried at Oakland Cemetery in Clinton. The American Red Cross gives an annual award in honor of her for outstanding community nursing. MAHIN, Frank Webster, (p. 503) born in Muscatine 06 Nov 1851, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Hare Mahin; md Abbie A. Cadle 29 May 1879; children Anna M. Tweedie and Frank Cadle; died 06 May 1936. Lawyer, editor of the Clinton Herald and writer. McMANUS, Margaret Ann, (p. 532) born 06 Aug 1912 in DeWitt, dau of Edward James and Hazel May Butterfield McManus; entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Cedar Rapids in 1932. She was an acclaimed scientist. MERRELL, Nathaniel A., (p. 502) born 1829 in NY, son of Seth and Mabel Sanford Merrell, md Mrs. Mary A. Momam Merrell (widow of his brother) 17 Jul 1855; died 1896, buried at Elmwood Cemetery. Senator. MULLETT, Mamie (Mary) B., (p. 354) nationally known author, b in Vevay, IN to Dr. Eugene R. and Valeria Harding Mullett. Died 22 Nov 1932, buried at Springdale Cemetery. PATRICK, Mary Mills, (p. 494) born 10 Mar 1850 in NH, dau of John and Harriet White Patrick; unmarried; died 25 Feb 1940. Missionary and president of Istanbul Woman's College.   PAULSEN, Monrad Gotke, (p. 494) born in Clinton 01 Jun 1918, son of William H. and Esther Gotke Paulsen; md Elsa Proehl 1955. Professor of law. PETERSEN, Ida Eldora Hayes, (p. 367) born 13 Apr 1875 near Calamus, dau of Jonathan and Margaret Johnson Hayes; md Cornelius N. Petersen 07 Apr 1892; ten children; died 1964. Artist. PLOEN, Kenneth Allen, (p. 407) born 1935 in Lost Nation; son of Albert P. and Juanita Mielk Ploen. On the Clinton High football team, went on to play for the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers and is in their Hall of Fame. PROEHL, Otto Ludwig, (p. 443) born 12 Apr 1887 in Castleton, IL, son of Rev. Carl and Engel Schwartz Proehl; md Caroline Reinhard 1914; children Carl, Paul, Elsa and Louise; she died 10 Jul 1954; md 2nd Myrtle Okerlund 1955; he died 24 Apr 1965. Pastor, president of Wartburg College and counselor. RICKOFF, Ruby Bell, (p. 351) born 11 Jan 1899 at Clinton, dau of Arthur and Birdie Rickoff; died 23 May 1912 at Kankakee, Ill. buried at Springdale Cem., Clinton. Ruby was a famous midget with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Mazeppa Carnival. ROOT, John Cullen, (p. 423) born 03 Dec 1844 in MA, son of Aurelius Clark and Eliza Abbott Root; md Louise M. Inslee 21 Sep 1868; sons Harry J. and Alanson Inslee; died 24 Dec 1913, buried in Omaha, NE. Held several political offices, including Mayor. RUSSELL, Lillian, (p. 337) (stage name of Helen Louise Leonard); actress; born 04 Dec. 1860 (?) in Clinton; dau of Charles E. and Cynthia Howelland Van Name Leonard; md (1) Harry Braham, 1879, in New York, (2) Edward Solomon, 1885, in Hoboken, N. J., (3) John Haley Augustin Chatterton, 1894, in Hoboken and (4) Alexander P. Moore, 1812, in Pittsburgh. She died 06 Jun 1822 and is buried in the Moore family plot at Allegheny Cem., Pittsburgh. She had a dau by 3rd husband: Lillian, Jr., born May 10, 1884 in London. SABIN, Elbridge Hosmer, (p. 355) b 10 Jan 1865 at Middletownpoint, Matawan, NJ., son of Henry and Esther F. Hotchkiss Sabin; brother of Edwin Legrand Sabin; unmarried; died 30 Jan 1934 at Sawtelle, CA. SABIN, Henry, (p. 493) born 23 Oct 1829 at Pomfret, CT, son of Noah and Betsey Cleveland Sabin; md Esther Frances Hotchkiss 1858; sons Elbridge Hosmer and Edwin Legrand; two dau died in childhood; died 22 Mar 1918. Teacher, author and superintendent.  SHAFF, Roger J., (p. 502) born 19 Nov 1910 in Camanche Twp., son of John Ostrander and Gladys Melick Shaff; md Marian Thede in 1939. Senator. SHAMBAUGH, Benjamin Franklin, (p. 357) born 29 Jan 1871 in Elvira; son of John and Eva Ann Ressler Shambaugh; md Bertha M. Horack 11 Aug 1897; died 07 Apr 1940. Head of Dept of Political Science at Univ. of IA. Wrote several histories, including some of the Iowa Series. SLATER, Frederick Wayman "Duke", (p. 407) born in Normal, IL 19 Dec 1898, son of Rev. George W. and Letha Jones Slater; md Etta Searcy in 1926. Football player, lawyer and Illinois Circuit Court Judge. STITCH, John M., (p. 362) artist and teacher; born 13 Jun 1842 in Bavaria; son of John D. and Johannah Stitch; md Frankie Tyrrell in Elyria, OH 1872; came to Clinton June 1875; son J. Franz born 05 Apr 1876; died 1913. TALLMAN, Essie Marie Miller, (p. 366) born 14 Jun 1877 in Camanche, dau of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Miller; md Robert C. Tallman; sons Clare L. and Paul; died 1953. Artist. TONEY, Charles W., (p. 453) born 23 Aug 1913 in WI, son of Wilbert and Stella Garrett Toney, md Ann Palmer. This Clinton High graduate was active in Civil Rights and published Sepia Record, the forerunner of Ebony.  VOLCKMANN, Col. Russell W., (p. 514) born in Clinton in 1911, parents Mr. and Mrs. W. J. C. Volckmann. This WWII veteran was listed as missing in action and a story in the Clinton Herald 04 Dec 1945, tells of his coming home and his distinguished service in the military. WALLBERG, Emil Andrew, (p. 524) born in Sweden 27 Jan 1868, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Wallberg, died 30 Mar 1929 and is buried at Springdale Cemetery. He was an industrial engineer and designer. WETHINGTON, Wilma Russell, (p. 367) born 15 Apr 1918 in Clinton, dau of Marion L. and Margaret Russell, artist. WINGETT, Dewitt H. (Dan), (p. 354), editor for the Clinton Age before founding the Merry War. Born 22 Feb 1850 in Union Co., OH to David P. and Elizabeth Alexander Wingett; md Angeline Emily Deeds 01 Nov 1869; she died 04 Jul 1888; children Angeline Elizabeth W. Thompson and Louise Cody W. McBride; md 2nd Myrtle Lawrence 22 Aug 1895. He died 05 Feb 1933 and is buried at Springdale Cemetery. WORK, Ludwig P., (p. 341) b 20 Feb 1902 in Clinton, son of Jurgen and Emily Henning Work; md Ida Mohr Feb 1941 in Clinton; died 27 Apr 1976 in Chicago; buried at Clinton Memorial Park Cemetery (which was founded by his brother Ernest). YOUNG, Karl, (p. 492) born 02 Nov 1879 in Clinton, son of George Billings and Frances Eliza Hinman Young, md Frances Campbell Berkeley 10 Aug 1911; sons George Berkeley and Karl; died 17 Nov 1943. Teacher.