Dubuque County >> 1894 Index
Jones County
Clayton County

Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties
Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894.

B

Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Becky Teubner.

VICTOR BALLUFF, a veteran of the late war and a leading farmer of Cass Town­ship, was born in Wurtetnberg, Germany, September 11,1842. His father, F. Conrad Balluff, was a mechanic by trade, and in 1848 emigrated to America, settling in Erie County, N. Y., where he bought a small tract of land. In 1856 he re­moved west to Iowa and located upon the farm now owned by our subject. Here his death occur­red at the advanced age of ninety-two years in December, 1893. His wife died in New York State in 1853. There were nine children in the parental family, all of whom attained years of maturity, and four are now living. Margaret is the wife of John Putz, a farmer and cooper of Elkport, Clayton County. John P., who died in Clayton County in February, 1881, was a soldier in the Union army, being a member of Company II, Sixteenth Iowa Infantry. He participated in a number of the lead­ing engagements of the Rebellion and accompanied Sherman on the march to the sea. At Iuka he was taken prisoner and for fifty-nine days was confined in Andersonville. At the expiration of four years service in the army he was honorably dis­charged. Theresa, who died in 1879, was the wife of W. Hammer, a farmer of Delaware County. Hannah died unmarried in 1886. Timothy passed away in 1868. Josephine married Sebastian Putz and lives in Warren County, Iowa. Joseph passed from earth in 1890. Mary Amelia, the wife of Jacob Miller, lives near York in Delaware County. When the family emigrated to the United States our subject was a child of six years. The eight succeeding years were passed in New York, and thence he came to Iowa in 1856. In the schools of Strawberry Point he was for some time a student, and by his fellow-students was given the nick­name of "Professor" on account of the fact that one day when his teacher was giving instruction in German he reached a point beyond which he could not go, and young Balluff made the necessary explanation for the teacher and other pupils. In his studies he was keen and quick, and the informa­tion gained in the common schools has been sup­plemented by self-culture and close observation.

When the war broke out, Mr. Balluff was culti­vating the home farm. With the enthusiasm of youth he was desirous of enlisting at once in his country's service, but his father forbade him. How­ever, in 1864 his name was enrolled as a member of Company H, Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, and in that regiment he served until the close of the war. He accompanied General Sherman on the march to the sea and participated in the Grand Review at Washington. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa. In August, 1866, Mr. Balluff married Miss Mary Mullen, a native of Hancock County, Ill,, and they have ten daughters and one son, Alma, formerly a school teacher, is now the wife of Fred Everet, a farmer of Delaware County. Amelia married M. J. Everet, also a farmer in Delaware County. Francis was educated in the Business Department of Upper Iowa University, and now aids his father in the management of the farm. Josephine is a teacher in the public schools. Ger­trude, Nettie, Jane, Estella, Eva, Georgia and Susan are with their parents.

After tilling the soil in Clayton and Fayette Counties, Mr. Balluff in the year 1882 bought the old homestead, and here he has since resided. As an agriculturist he is energetic and efficient, and his place bears evidence of the thrift, of the pro­prietor. The farm buildings are commodious and substantial, well adapted to their varied uses. He has given his entire attention to his farm, never aspiring to public office. However, he is a stanch Democrat and always supports the enterprises and measures of his party. Socially he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic.

GEORGE BARTON

It is the glory of our of country that industrious and capable men should so abound, not only among the statesmen and distinguished officials, but also among those in the ordinary walks of life. They furnish proofs, if proof be needed, of the ability of the American citizen to take advantage of every op­portunity whereby his own interests may be en­hanced, as well as the prosperity of his fellow-men. By inheritance and self-culture, Justice Barton is the possessor of the noble character and energetic disposition that almost invariably bring one ma­terial success.

Referring to the history of the Barton family, we find that Thomas and Grace (Allen) Barton, the parents of our subject, were natives of Derby­shire, England, where the father followed the dual occupation of farmer and merchant. In 1852 he came alone to the United States, and later, returning to England, brought his family to America, in 1858. Proceeding westward to Dubuque, Iowa, he remained a resident of this city, passing his later years in retirement from active business, until his death, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife died in this city when about seventy-nine years old. There were eight children in the family, of whom George and two sisters are the only survivors. He was born in Derbyshire, England, May 4, 1827, and in boyhood attended school whenever oppor­tunity was offered. However, his education has been gained chiefly through self-culture and thoughtful reading, by which means he has be­come a well informed man. His wife, whom he married in June, 1848, was born in Derbyshire and bore the maiden name of Frances E. Webster. Her parents, John and Ann Webster, were also born in that shire and engaged in farming pur­suits until their death.

At the time of his marriage, Mr. Barton was proprietor of a dry-goods store, and for a number of years engaged in merchandising. In 1862, four years after his father had brought the other mem­bers of the family to this country, he followed them hither, with his wife and three children tak­ing passage on the "City of Baltimore." They landed in New York, and from there journeyed westward to Dubuque, Iowa. Soon after coming here, they bought the eighty acres of land com­prising the present homestead.

The union of Judge and Mrs. Barton has re­sulted in the birth of five children, of whom the three eldest were born in Derbyshire, England, and the two youngest in Dubuque County. They are as follows: John T., who manages the home farm; Grace E., who is married and has two chil­dren; Frances E., who died at the age of twenty-three years; Stephen J., who is married and has one child; and Harry B., who resides with his par­ents. In local politics the Judge has been promi­nent, and while he usually affiliates with the Dem­ocratic party, he reserves the right to vote for the best man in local affairs, irrespective of political ties. The title by which he is familiarly known was gained through his many years' service as Jus­tice of the Peace, of which office he is the present incumbent. He has filled other local offices with honor and credit to himself. In religious connec­tions, he and his family are members of the Meth­odist Episcopal Church.

DICKSON BEATTY

In the annals of Dubuque County the name of Beatty stands out in great prominence as belonging to a family whose members have been very closely identified with its highest interests since the very first days of its settlement. Our subject is an influential pioneer and is President of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank in Cascade, besides having in his possession an estate comprising over seven hundred broad and well cultivated acres. With his family he occupies a large frame residence, located one mile northwest of Cascade, which is one of the most imposing structures in the county and is furnished in a style indicating the refined taste and ample means of its inmates.

Our subject is a native of Ireland, having been born in County Tyrone, December 17, 1832. His father, James Beatty, was also born in the above county, where the family were prominent and substantial residents. The father was engaged in cultivating the soil of his native place and was numbered among the prosperous in his section. Deciding to try his fortunes in the New World, he set sail in June, 1844, and after a voyage of eight weeks and three days, landed on American soil. His destination being this state, he came hither immediately and entered three hundred and eighty acres of land from the Government. He was among the first to locate here, and erecting a small frame house on his property lived in that with his family for many years, in the meantime applying himself industriously to the task of cultivating his land. Indians roamed at will about the country, but Mr. Beatty made friends with them and thus avoided trouble. His death occurred very suddenly when seventy-one years of age, resulting from lung fever. He was a member of the Baptist Church and aided in the organization of the congregation in this township and contributed liberally of his means toward its support. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Agnes Dixon, She too was born in the Emerald Isle, and by her union with James Beatty became the mother of six sons and three daughters, bearing the respective names of Margaret, Sarah A,, Esther, James, Alexander, David, John, Benjamin and Dickson. Mrs. Beatty lived to be sixty-eight years old, and was a devoted member of the Baptist Church and active in all good works in her neighborhood. Her father was an Elder in that congregation and often was called upon to fill the pulpit.

The original of this sketch came to America with his parents when a lad of thirteen, in the meantime having attended school in Ireland. He remained under the parental roof until attaining his majority, and proved of great assistance to his father in clearing and placing under cultivation their new farm in Dubuque County. Young Beatty was very fond of hunting and when out shooting deer he has often counted as many as fourteen in one drove. He made friends with the Indians, who on various occasions invited him to partake of the venison which they had cooked. Dickson Beatty began the struggle of his life on his own account when reaching his majority, and his father giving him a tract of forty acres, he erected a frame house thereon and the same year was married to Miss Ann J. Barton, who was born in Ireland and came to America with her parents when four years of age. To our subject and his wife has been born a family of eleven children, of whom nine are living. They are named respectively, Henry, John, Maggie, James D., Lucilius S. (deceased), Eliza A., Sarah, Mabel A., George W. and Fred C., and one died in infancy. Mr. Beatty although beginning in life with but forty acres of land, is now the proud possessor of seven hundred acres, which he devotes to mixed farming. He makes a specialty, however, of stock raising and dairying, having on his place one hundred and fifty head of cattle, besides a number of fine draft horses.

Our subject was interested in securing the location of the Cascade & Bellevue Railroad at this place and gave liberally of his means toward that enterprise. He is a man of great intelligence am force of character and has exerted a marked influence in the civil and political life of the county. He was a Director in the Cascade Bank and President of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank in this city. Mr. Beatty is one of the largest landholders in this section and attributes his success to hard work and economy. He has ever taken a deep interest in the welfare of his community and has borne a prominent part in promoting its rise and progress.

Our subject and his family are members of the Baptist Church and are people of consistent Christian character. In politics Mr. Beatty is a stanch Republican and he has held the office of School Director for a period of nine years and of President of the School Board six years. Our subject was one of the founders of the Cascade Co-operative Creamery and is now Director and President of the same.

JOHN S. BELKNAP occupies no unimportant place among the business men of Anamosa, where he is engaged in the manufacture of carriages and wagons and is one of the oldest in that trade in the city. He is the owner of valuable property in Anamosa, besides farming lands in Butler County, this state.

Mr. Belknap was born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 4, 1828, and is the son of Thomas E. and Edith (Stoneman) Belknap, the former of whom was born in Vermont. Thomas Belknap was a tanner by trade, which he followed during his early life, but after moving to Harrison County, Ohio, where he was one of the pioneer settlers, he took up farm pursuits, which he followed during the remainder of his life. He served as a soldier in the late war, belonging to what is known as the Graybeard Regiment.

John S. Belknap was educated in the common schools of his native state, and assisted his father in the tannery until reaching his sixteenth year. He was then apprenticed to learn the harness-maker's trade, which he followed for three years and in 1850, when coming to this state, he located in Anamosa and began the manufacture of wagons and carriages. He first formed a partnership with B. Huggins, operating under the title of Huggins & Belknap, but a number of years later our subject sold out his interest to J. E. Griffith and retired from active business, devoting his time to looking after his varied interests.

In February, 1894, Mr. Belknap bought out Mr. Griffith, and taking two of his nephews as partners, John A. and Thomas M. Belknap, again established in business and is now in the enjoyment of a good trade in the manufacture of carriages, wagons and harness. In 1854 our subject was married to Miss Olive E. Gates, who was born in New York and is the daughter of J. B. Gates. Mr. Belknap is an important member of the local government and for some time was Town Trustee. He owns a good farm in Butler County, Iowa, and two business houses in this city which he rents. He is a member of Anamosa Lodge No. 40 I. O. O. F. With his wife he is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he takes an active part. A peaceable and law-abiding citizen, a kind neighbor and a good business man, Mr. Belknap receives his due measure of respect from those about him.

RICHARD BENNETT SR., proprietor of the Bennett House of Dubuque, is a well known citizen and has many warm friends in this community, so that we feel assured that the record of his life will prove of interest to our read­ers. He claims Ireland as his native land, his birth having occurred in that country March 1, 1828. His parents, Patrick and Mary (Gerty) Bennett, were also born on the Emerald Isle, and on leav­ing that country crossed the briny deep to the New World.

Mr. Bennett of this sketch spent his first eighteen years in Ireland, and then emigrated to America, landing in New York on the 1st of August, 1846. He did not tarry long, however, in that place, but made his way to Boston, where he remained for five years engaged in the butchering business in that city and in Brighton. With the hope of bet­tering his financial condition further west he re­moved to Indiana in 1851, and took up his resi­dence in New Albany, where he engaged in farm­ing. With the capital he had acquired he pur­chased one hundred acres of good farming land ad­joining the city limits of that place and there devoted his time and attention to agricultural pur­suits. He placed his land under a high state of cultivation and the well tilled fields were made to yield him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon them,

We next find Mr. Bennett in Springfield, Ky., where he embarked in the retail grocery trade, carrying on business along that line until after the cholera epidemic, when he sought a home in the north. In Chicago he opened a grocery store and there did business for two years. On the expira­tion of this period he came to Dubuque and es­tablished himself in the hotel business. In 1881 he built the present Bennett House, a good hotel containing thirty-three rooms and supplied with all modern conveniences. It is well conducted and has found favor with the public.

In 1850 Mr. Bennett was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Delebar, a native of County Cork, Ireland. She died about 1865, leaving one daugh­ter. In 1866 Mr. Bennett was again married, his second union being with Miss May O'Conner. They are now the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters. Mr. Bennett is an affable and genial gentleman, well suited to the business in which he is now engaged, and in his undertak­ings is meeting with success.

HENRY BOCKENSTEDT, the owner and occupant of a valuable farm lying in Dubuque and Delaware Counties, resides on section 7, New Wine Township, in the county first named. For about half a century he has resided in this locality, and there are few agriculturists better known than he. His property is well improved with convenient farm buildings, the fences are neat and strong, and the machinery of the most approved manufacture. In fact, it would need but a cursory glance to give rise to the belief that Mr. Bockenstedt thoroughly understands his vocation, and is endowed with good sense and excellent judgment.

Steinburg, Germany, is our subject's native place, and January 30, 1833, the date of his birth. His parents, also natives of that place, emigrated to America in 1846, and proceeding direct to Iowa, settled on a farm near New Vienna, Dubuque County. There were nine children in the family, six sons and three daughters, named as follows: Frank, Henry; Clements, who occupies a farm three miles northwest of our subject's estate; Arnold, Anton, Annie, Elizabeth; John, deceased, and Mrs. Josephine Kramer, who died at Dyersville in 1888. The surviving children all reside in this locality,

When the family came to Dubuque County, our subject was a lad of thirteen years, and here his life has since been spent. In May, 1859, he married Miss Mary Rohenkohl, the ceremony being performed by Father Ort, The young couple settled on a farm in Delaware County, one mile west of their present home, but after spending six years there they returned to the old Bockenstedt homestead, where they have lived for the past twenty-nine years, Mrs. Bockenstedt is a daughter of John Frederick and Catherine Rohenkohl, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1833, and spent twelve years in Ohio. Thence they came to Dubuque County, where they resided twenty-seven years. Later they removed to Kansas, and now reside in Texas. In 1891 they celebrated their golden wedding, upon which happy occasion they were the recipients of the congratulations of hosts of friends. They have had fourteen children, of whom Mary is the eldest; John is married and lives in Waterloo, Iowa; Frank and Barney make their home in Dyersville; Henry lives in Kansas City; Josephine and Clara are married and live in Texas; Catherine, Elizabeth, Anna, Frances, John, Frederick and Angeler are deceased.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bockenstedt have been born nine children, as follows: John, who married Mary Neuder and makes his home in Delaware County; Henry, who chose as his wife Miss Annie Farwell, and lives in Delaware County; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Cramer; Tony and Anna, both of whom died at the age of two years; Clement, Joseph, Catherine and Monica, who are with their parents. Mr. Bockenstedt owns two hundred and seventy acres of land, of which one hundred and sixty are situated just across the county line in Delaware County. His political convictions are strongly with the Democratic party, but while taking an active interest in public affairs he has never been in aspirant for political honors. He and his wife are members of Father Pape's Catholic Church in New Vienna, to which they have belonged for several years.

JOHN BOMACKE, a prosperous general agriculturist and horticulturist of Jefferson Township, Dubuque County, Iowa, was born in Hanover, Germany, December 4, 1830. He is the son of Jacob Bomacke, who was a tailor for the French army during the Revolutionary War of 1816. Our subject emigrated to the United States in the year 1845, and landed at Baltimore, Md., a stranger in a strange land. He remained but a short time in that city when he mustered up sufficient courage to venture out in the then wild west; he left on a canal boat headed for St. Louis, deciding to make the better or worse of his venture. St. Louis proving no more satisfactory than Baltimore, he left for Dubuque, Iowa, but remained here only a short time when he went on to Jefferson Township, in the same county, there hiring out to a brother-in-law and receiving a very small compensation for his services.

It was about this time that the California gold fever was the predominating topic of the day, and by carefully saving his hard earned wages, our subject was enabled to venture with many others into the " Land of Gold." April 4, 1849, he commenced his search for that precious metal, remaining at this occupation until 1852, when he gave up mining and visited New York City, stopping there but six days; then returning to Dubuque he there bought four hundred and eighty acres of land. This he improved, but as there was more land than he could conveniently handle, he disposed of all except the one hundred and sixty-three acres on which he now resides.

The marriage of Mr. Bomacke was celebrated May 12,1853, when he took Miss Josephine Wook for his companion for life. She is the daughter of one of the oldest settlers in this county. Our subject and his wife have had the following children: John, Martha, Mary, Anna, Sarah, Charles H., Max M., Edward, Clara, Frank and Louis A.

Our subject was Trustee of Jefferson Township for ten years, Supervisor for one year and School Director for one year. He is an ardent member of the Catholic Church and is noted for his generosity, as he has donated quite liberally toward the erection of several churches. In his political belief, he is a Democrat in National issues, but is independent in local politics. He has been an incumbent of one or more township offices for over ten years. In business and public work earnest, upright, faithful and energetic, our subject has not only won financial success and gained a competence, but has secured the universal esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.

EDWARD BROWN, a prominent stock dealer of Bernard, an influential citizen and well known Trustee of Prairie Creek Township, Dubuque County, has from his earliest youth been intimately associated with the local growth and history of both Jackson and Dubuque Counties and is highly esteemed as an energetic, able and intelligent man, faithful in official duty and of sterling integrity of character.

Our subject is a native of New York City and was born April 10, 1850. His parents, John and Johanna (Harrington) Brown, were born in County Kerry, Ireland, and are yet living, hale and hearty. The father was bred a farmer in the Old Country and first emigrated to America in 1840. Returning to Ireland he made but a brief stay in the Emerald Isle and was soon again upon his way to the United States, where he found ready employment with a railroad corporation at Norwich, Conn. After a number of years he came to the west and engaged in sub-contracting, and finally located in Butler Township, Jackson County, Iowa, where he bought a homestead and farmed for some length of time. Finally disposing of this property Father Brown purchased land in White Water, Dubuque County, but for the past six years has lived in Cascade, in the same county.

The venerable father and mother, now aged respectively seventy-eight and seventy-four years, came to America rich in youth, ambition and energy but with very little capital to invest. Today they own five hundred acres of valuable land and in the evening of their lives enjoy a well earned competence. Both Mr. and Mrs. John Brown are devoted members of the Catholic Church and liberally assist in the extension of its good work. Of their family of nine children, four sons and four daughters yet survive. Our subject, Edward Brown, was reared upon his father's farm until he was ten years old, and went a long distance to the rude log schoolhouse where he received a primary education. He remained with his parents until twenty-seven years of age; he then began buying stock for William Ryan of Dubuque, and since 1880 has spent considerable of his time in traveling through the counties of Jackson and Dubuque, mainly engaged in the stock business for himself. For four years, from 1882, he entered into mercantile pursuits, handling dry goods and merchandise in Bernard, but although successful in this enterprise he preferred his former occupation and returned to stock-buying again, in which he has since profitably continued.

Mr. Brown was married June 21, 1885, to Miss Jane Seery, of Jones County, Iowa, and a daughter of John Seery, a prominent farmer of Jones County. Our subject and his estimable wife have been blessed with the birth of one child, a son, Frank, a promising little lad. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are widely known and command the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends. Since arriving at his majority our subject has been closely identified with many of the leading enterprises of his part of the state, and established a creamery at Bernard. He has given intelligent and faithful service upon the grand jury and, in 1891 was elected Trustee of the township. Financially he has been prospered, and aside from other interests owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land upon section 28, Prairie Creek Township. Politically Mr. Brown is an ardent Democrat and has ably represented his constituents at various county and state conventions. A man of independent thought and action, straightforward in business transactions and firm in his convictions of right, our subject has won the confidence and high regard of all who know him; he occupies a position of influence and is a most important factor in the upward growth of his home locality.

FRANCIS X. BULLINGER, a distinguished and wealthy citizen of Dyersville, was born in the province of Bavaria, Germany, December 8, 1833, and is one of a family of four children, two boys and two girls, born to Michael and Lydia Bullinger. The father of this gentleman was a well-to-do farmer and possessed a goodly fortune, therefore his son, Francis, had all the advantages of a thorough and expedient education. Before he had reached his eighteenth year he had mastered German, French and Latin, and had graduated from the gymnasium.

Soon after, or in 1852, our subject left his native land and friends to seek a home in the New World, of which he had heard much, bringing with him his portion of the estate left by his father. Directly after landing in America Mr. Bullinger went to Milwaukee, where he at once entered upon a course of study at St. Francis College. At the expiration of a year's time, he accepted a position in the postoffice, but having prepared himself for the vocation of a teacher he soon entered upon his duties as such. For seven years he followed this profession very successfully in the schools of Wisconsin and Iowa. For a short period in the early '60s he was engaged in the mercantile business at Dyersville, which place has since been his home. Our subject, by a judicious investment of his money in real estate, has accumulated a large amount of property and also owns one of the finest brick residences in the city. He has served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of Justice of the Peace and Notary Public for the past eight years, and was instrumental in organizing the St. Francis Mutual Aid Association in the village of Dyersville. Of this institution he was chosen the first President, filling, this important office for five years.

Mr. Bullinger was reared in the Catholic Church and has always been a warm advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. In the year 1859, he married Miss Mary Borcthanretette, a native of Oldenburg, Germany, who, when a child, came to America with her parents. This worthy and amiable lady is the daughter of Frank Borcthanretette, a prosperous farmer of New Wine Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Bullinger have been born four children, two sons and two daughters. John is a harness-maker in Jump, Iowa, and Joseph is a music teacher in Dixon, Ill. Lydia is a popular teacher in the public schools, while Annie is now being educated. It is unnecessary to state that our subject is a cultured gentleman, giving his children every opportunity to acquire a liberal education. For his sterling qualities he is a highly esteemed and influential citizen of his town, and for many years has been identified with the school interests serving on the Board of Directors for a long time. A man of brilliant parts and of scholarly and unimpeachable record, our subject is the possessor of a mind unusually well disciplined, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has made the best of his opportunities.

EDWARD BUTLER, an efficient and successful agriculturist of Dubuque County, is as fine a representative of that class of Irishmen who have become thoroughly Americanized and are in full sympathy with the institutions of this country as can be found in eastern Iowa. He is the owner of a valuable farm in Dubuque Township, but having retired from active labor, his sons now have charge of the home place and superintend its cultivation. Without means when he began his life work, his present property has been gained through persevering and well directed efforts.

The parents of our subject, James and Bridget (Gleeson) Butler, were natives of County Kilkenny, Ireland, where the mother died. In 1850 the father came to America and died at Shullsburg, Wis., aged sixty-three years. Edward, who is the only survivor of five children, was born in County Kilkenny in 1826, and in childhood had very few advantages, his time being devoted to agricultural pursuits. Arriving at man's estate, he resolved to seek a home across the ocean, and accordingly sailed from Liverpool in 1847, arriving in New Orleans after a voyage of nine weeks. From that city he took a river steamer up the Mississippi as far as St. Louis, where he stopped for three weeks.

From St. Louis Mr, Butler proceeded to Dubuque, and in this county he hired out in the harvest field by the day and month. It was about that time that the country was thrown into the greatest excitement by the discovery of gold in California, and thousands were seeking the El Dorado of the New World. He was one of the number who in 1851 went overland to the Pacific coast. The trip consumed several months, and was one long to be remembered for its hardships and suffering, After having spent eighteen months in California, Mr. Butler returned via the Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans to Dubuque.

Shortly after his return from the west our subject bought an eighty-acre tract in Center Township, Dubuque County, which he sold one year later. He then rented a farm near his present home, and still later bought the valuable property on which he now lives. As before stated, he has practically retired from farm work and his land is tilled by his energetic and industrious sons. He is independent in politics, inasmuch as he always votes for the man whom he deems best qualified to represent the people.

Previous to going to California Mr. Butler was united in marriage, July 2, 1850, with Miss Elizabeth Fisher, a native of Dubuque County and daughter of John and Susan Fisher. There have been born unto them ten children, of whom seven are living, as follows: Edward, Jr., William, Mary, Henry, George, Dennis and Aggie. George and Mary are married, and the former has three children, and the latter eight.