Dubuque County >> 1894 Index
Jones County
Clayton County

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

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Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Becky Teubner.

A. J. DALBY

For just forty years this worthy old settler of Jones County has been identified with its growth and suc­cess. After his long and useful career of active labor, he is enjoying the fruits of his toil and is living retired from care at his pleasant residence in Olin, Jones County . He is still the owner of the farm which he formerly cultivated, and posses­ ses an ample competence for the provision of the necessities and many of the luxuries of life.

The father of our subject was Elijah Dalby, who was born and reared in Virginia and who was a son of Joel Dalby, a native of Scotland . Remov ing to America , for many years he resided in the Old Dominion, but afterward settled in Ohio and died in the city of Xenia . About 1858 Elijah Dalby went to Ohio and became one of the pio­ neers of Athens County . His wife, whose girl­ hood name was Prosena Thompson, was also born in Virginia , coming from one of the old and re­spected families of that state. Her father, John Thompson, was born in England and as a soldier participated in the Dunbar War, which occurred prior to the Revolution.

September 8, 1829 , A. J. Dalby was born in Athens County , Ohio , and his boyhood days were passed in the Buckeye State , where he received a common-school education. In 1854 he came to the west and at first made a settlement in Hale Township , of this county, where for a number of years he met with prosperity in the cultivation and management of his farm. As the years passed his possessions were gradually increased and his means wisely invested. At the present time he owns a fine farm of four hundred acres; it is nearly all under cultivation and there are many improve­ments upon it.

The cause of education has always found in Mr. Dalby a generous friend and sympathizer, and he has often assisted in the building of school houses as well as in their support. He was the founder and promoter of the large school building which was erected in Olin, and in company with David Carpenter and John Merritt, gave his personal at­tention to its construction. For about five years it was operated as a private school, after which it was sold to the district and has since been used for a public school. A very active Republican, Mr. Dalby was for a period of two years Supervisor of Jones County, and by his fellow-citizens has been called upon to serve in local township offices quite frequently. In this capacity he has endeavored to promote the general good and has creditably fulfilled the duties devolving upon him. With his wife he holds membership with the Baptist Church of this place and is very liberal in sup­porting denominational and benevolent works.

In March, 1856, Mr. Dalby married Martha Klise, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, and by her marriage became the mother of the fol lowing children: James; Ella, wife of F. Glick; Ida, Mrs. M. C. Gearhardt; John, a resident of eastern Kansas; Matilda, who resides in Humboldt County, this state, and is the wife of Fred Southwick; Frank, of this county; Fred, who is engaged in merchan­ dising in Olin; Erwin and Mervin, who are students, and Harlan, a schoolboy. The many friends of the Dalby family always receive a warm and hos­pitable welcome in their pleasant home and they have the respect and friendship of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.

MINOR DAVIS is a retired farmer who is still living on his old homestead, which is located on section 8, Wayne Township , Jones County . He was one of the early settlers and has long been an esteemed resident of this community, to which he came in 1858. He is a self-made man, having become well-to-do through his own industrious and persevering efforts. On his arrival in Wayne Township he purchased one hundred and sixty acres. He lived in a slab shanty and began his business career in a truly primitive fashion, the usual hardships and privations of life in a new country falling largely to his lot,

A native of Connecticut , Minor Davis was born on a farm in Fairfield County , on February 3,1822 . His father, Daniel Davis, was born on a farm in the same county and was of Welsh descent, though his father, who bore the Christian name of Steven, was, like him, a native of the Nutmeg State . The wife of Daniel Davis bore the maiden name of Pamela Hodge and she also was born in Fairfield County . By her marriage with Daniel Davis she became the mother of four children, of whom our subject is the only son, and the others are in order of birth as follows: Anna, Julia and Flora.

The first years of Minor Davis passed uneventfully in his native county, his time being divided between assisting his father in his farm work and in attending the district schools. So well did he improve his educational facilities that while still quite young he secured a certificate and taught school for four terms before leaving the east. On arriving at a suitable age he married Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Stephen and Thalia (Leech) Osburn. Soon after this event the young couple settled upon a farm in New Fairfield Township , where Mr. Davis conducted a farm until 1858. In that year he came to the west, and as before mentioned, purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Wayne Township , where he has since made his home. He has succeeded admirably in carrying out his plans and enterprises and is one of the substantial farmers of the county. Much of his time has been devoted to raising hogs and cattle.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of three sons, the eldest of whom, Stephen D., died at the age of fourteen years. Charles H., the second son, is now a resident of Epworth, and Marshall T. is assisting to carry on the old homestead belonging to his father. The latter in his political faith is a Republican and in 1860 was elected to the position of Justice of the Peace, which he held continuously for fourteen years. He has been quite active in local politics, being much interested in the triumph of his party and its principles. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are very active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which the former has lent his support and influence for over forty years. During this time he has held various offices in the congregation, having been Class-leader for thirty-five years. In his personal life Mr. Davis has ever been most exemplary, honorable and upright in his dealings with his neighbors. For his many worthy qualities he has won the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact, and the history of the worthy pioneers and sturdy settlers of this region would be incomplete without his life's history.

JUDGE CHARLES ADDISON DEAN, one of the old and respected early settlers of Monona, is proprietor of the Pioneer Drug Store. He was born in the little town of Champion , Jefferson County , N. Y., July 6, 1821 . His paternal grandfather, in company with his brother, came from England and both participated in the War of the Revolution, the latter being on the English side, and our subject's grandfather espousing the cause of the Colonists. He located in Massachusetts , where he continued to make his home until summoned by death. Samuel Dean, the Judge's father, was born in the Bay State , where he grew to manhood and soon afterward removed to Jefferson County , N. Y., where he was married to Effie Croul. She was born in Holland and with her parents settled in Amsterdam , N. Y., when she was a child. Her mother lived to be ninety-nine years and eleven months old, and she also attained a good old age. In 1827 Samuel Dean removed to Fulton , Oswego County , N. Y., where he engaged in business until his death. He was the father of seven children, one of whom died in infancy, the others growing to manhood and womanhood.

Judge Dean, who is the second in his father's family, was brought up in Jefferson County until his seventh year, when he removed to Oswego County and there received a common school education, subsequently attending the Mexico Academy of that county. When twenty-one years of age he made a trip to Montreal and Quebec , being in the latter city at the time of the great fire, which consumed over forty acres of buildings and created wide-spread suffering. Returning to Whitehall Mr. Dean engaged in business as a mechanic for two years, when on account of his father's health he returned to the homestead, which he took charge of and carried on successfully for about six years.

In the year 1854 as a young man he came west to grow up with the country and lived in Dubuque for some time. The following spring he came to Monona, which has since been his place of residence. As a member of the firm of Dean, Wells & Co., he engaged in the general merchandising business for a number of years, and in 1861 was appointed Postmaster of the place by President Lincoln. This position he held continuously until President Cleveland was elected. In 1867 he was elected Probate Judge of the county and served for about two years. He has long been known to be an uncompromising Republican, and when serving in an official capacity has manifested much ability and fidelity to his charge.

In June, 1851, Judge Dean married Lucretia N. French, who was born in 1830, in Fulton , Oswego County , N. Y., being of Scotch descent. They have one daughter, Annie, who is the wife of Frank D. Hinkley, of Milwaukee , City Grain Inspector. They have five children: Lucretia F., Anna D., Marie G., Cora C. and Ahira R. Judge Dean is one of the oldest business men of Monona, having operated his drug store for many years and having previously been engaged in general merchandising. He has ever been courteous to his customers, and by his upright and honorable business methods has won their respect and friendship, Our subject is well known in Masonic circles, being a member of Clayton Lodge No. 70, A. F. & A. M., of Clayton Chapter No. 26, R. A. M., and of Honorious Commandery No. 8, K. T., and in former years was also connected with other civic societies.

JOHN DOUGHERTY is one of the natives of Ireland who have been prominent in the development and success of Linn County , where he has resided from its early days. He owns a good homestead situated on section 7, Buffalo Township , and to the improvement of this property he has devoted the past quarter of a century.

The birth of our subject occurred in the northern part of the Emerald Isle in 1836. He is a son of Michael and Anna Dougherty, who like him were natives of Ireland , where they passed their entire lives. The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed near the place of his birth and he received such school advantages as the neighborhood afforded until he was fifteen years of age. He was a great reader and an ambitious young man and early made up his mind that he would try his fortunes in America . Accordingly in 1851, when in- his sixteenth year, he took passage on a sailing-vessel bound for New York City . On reaching his destination he proceeded to Cambria County , Pa. , and secured employment for a time near Johnstown . As he was possessed of industrious and persevering qualities, and was ready to work at whatever came to hand by which he could make an honest dollar, he managed to lay aside regularly a small sum, and five years after landing in the United States a stranger without any means, he came to Iowa and secured a contract on railway construction work. In that line of business he acted as a foreman for some years and made a good success of his undertakings. During this time his home was mainly in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , but he kept his eyes and ears open to opportunities, and becoming confident that Jones County was an ideal location for enterprising farmers, he came here in 1867 and became the owner of a small tract of land. To this as the years have passed he has continually added adjoining land until his farm now numbers two hundred and eighty acres. This property, which is very fertile, is finely adapted for the raising of certain crops and brings in the owner a steady income, amply sufficient for the needs of his family; he is also enabled to lay aside a certain sum for his declining years. The property is well improved with good barns and a substantial residence and the owner takes great pride in keeping everything about the place in good order.

July 3, 1861 , Mr. Dougherty was married in Cascade, Iowa , to Miss Mary Hayes, who was born in Ireland . The worthy couple have had born to them nine children, four sons and five daughters, who in the order of their birth are as follows: Maggie, John, Annie, Mary, Barney, Sadie, Tressa, Grace and James.

Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty were reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, to which they still adhere and are regular attendants of the congregation of Buffalo . Politically our subject is a Democrat and takes great interest in all matters relating to the affairs of his party, He lives in Linn County but owns land in Jones County , where he carries on business.

JOHN DRISCOLL, an influential citizen, prosperous general agriculturist, successful stock-raiser and well known breeder of line Hereford cattle has for over a quarter of a century been a continuous resident of his finely cultivated homestead, pleasantly located upon section 31, Prairie Creek Township, Dubuque County, Iowa. Mr. Driscoll is a native of New York City , and was born in 1840. His father, Dennis Driscoll, was a farmer of County Cork , Ireland , and having wedded Miss Margaret Crowley, also a native of County Cork , emigrated with his wife to America soon after their marriage. Safely landing in New York City , Dennis Driscoll after a brief time spent in the metropolis of the Empire State went to New Orleans , where he worked for five years, occupied mostly in loading vessels. In 1846 he came with his family by the Mississippi River to Dubuque and located in Jackson County , buying land at the Government price of $1.25 per acre. He was one of the earliest settlers of the county, and found a plentiful supply of wild game and venison for the use of the table. The humble log house completed, the family entered into the rude experiences of the dwellers on the frontiers of civilization.

Dennis Driscoll was an ambitious and energetic man and toiled unweariedly in the improvement of the four hundred acres which he had purchased. He broke the land with ox-teams, and was at times obliged to go with the same slow conveyance to far off Dubuque and Belleville for certain necessaries of daily use. The father of our subject has followed the pursuit of agriculture all his life, and is now living in Jackson County with a son. His remembrances of early days are entertaining and find many a delighted listener. He was well acquainted with the leading chief of the Indians, who frequently made him social and friendly visits and who were for some time his nearest neighbors. A strong and unusually healthy man, vigorous in mind and body, he has never used medicine except when he had a severe attack of yellow fever. His wife, a most excellent woman, passed away in 1880. She was a devout member of the Catholic Church and became the mother of nine children, of whom six are yet living. Father Driscoll is now four-score years, and only when he and his wife were both stricken in New Orleans with the terrible scourge, yellow fever, has he ever been ill. Like his wife he is a Catholic and a most excellent man, and has made his way in the world by his own self-reliant industry.

Our subject was the eldest of the brothers and sisters and has, since he came to Iowa with his parents at six years of age, been a constant resident of the state. Walking three miles each way through the storms of winter he gained an education in the primitive schools of the neighborhood, and as soon as he was old enough assisted upon his father's farm. Having attained to manhood he located in 1867 upon his present homestead of two hundred and forty acres, which with the exception of about twenty-five acres was all wild prairie land, but which in these past years Mr. Driscoll has cleared of underbrush and highly improved. Our subject was married in 1867 to Ellen DeLong, of County Cork , Ireland , and a daughter of Jeremiah and Ellen (Donovan) DeLong, both natives of the Emerald Isle. Emigrating to America in 1854, they made their home with their family in Iowa , where the mother died in 1885, the father surviving until 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Driscoll have been blessed by the birth of nine children: Dennis S., Jeremiah M., William F., Catherine Josephine, John P., Hannah T., Ella T., deceased, Daniel J. and Margaret. The surviving sons and daughters trained up into habits of thrifty industry and well educated in the home schools, will in the coming years undoubtedly all occupy positions of usefulness and worthily conduct themselves in their career in life. Our subject and his estimable wife and family are in religious affiliation Catholics and aid in the good works and enterprises of that denomination.

Mr. Driscoll has been prospered and aside from his valuable homestead owns forty acres of excellent land in Jones County , and also has sixty-four acres in Jackson County . He is at present largely interested in the dairy business and raises and has on hand some of the finest Hereford cattle in Iowa . He is also a breeder of Norman horses, has handled very fine animals, and stables a number of thoroughbreds. Beginning without much capital, our subject has thus achieved most substantial financial results. Politically he is a sturdy Democrat and has held with efficient ability various offices of trust. Since 1888 he has been a School Director, earnestly aiding in the upward progress of educational advancement. In 1890 Mr. Driscoll was elected Trustee of Prairie Creek Township, and has for some time been Administrator of Estates. An able and intelligent citizen, faithfully doing the official work entrusted to his care and in all matters upright and true, our subject has won the esteem and high regard of the entire community of his township and Dubuque County .