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.

ANDREW RAHE is a well known and wealthy farmer, living in New Wine Township , Dubuque County , adjoining the village of New Vienna . Our subject was born at Munster , Westphalia , in the United Kingdom of Prussia, in May, 1824. His parents both died when he was but a child, hence but little can be learned of them. He was taken by relatives to bring up and passed his boyhood on the farm, receiving only a limited education. When he attained his majority, in 1845, he set sail for the New World, and on landing in the United States first located at Hamilton, Ohio, where he remained until 1847, in the spring of which year he came to Iowa, and for a time worked on the mill then being built by Schimmel Bros., near the present site of New Vienna.

In August, 1848, Mr. Rahe was united in wedlock with Mrs. Catherine Weekman, a widow, who was born in Oldenburg, Germany, and came to America with her parents when a child. In 1843, with her husband, she made the journey from Ohio to Iowa , making the trip by ox team. Mrs. Rahe has one daughter by her first marriage, Mary, now the wife of Clarence Buchenstete, a wealthy farmer in Delaware County , of this state. Directly after his marriage Mr. Rahe located on the farm where he has ever since resided. Coming to this county as he did, without means, he early set about making for himself a competency, and now aside from the large farm on which he makes his home he owns several farms in Dubuque and Delaware Counties , being one of the wealthiest residents of this vicinity.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rahe have been born the following children: Clement, who wedded Mary, daughter of Joseph Schimmel, and is engaged in farming near Dyersville; Henry, whose wife died, leaving four children, and who now resides with his father on the farm; Frank, a farmer of Delaware County, who wedded Miss Mary Wesell; and Annie, the wife of Theodore Brockmann, a well known agriculturist of Delaware County. Our subject was brought up in the Catholic faith, to which he still belongs. He uses his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party, and both as a business man and for his own well known qualities of true worth is held in the highest respect by one and all.

REV. LAWRENCE F. ROCHE, Pastor of St. Martin's Catholic Church of Cascade, was born in Ireland in 1850. He received his education in that country and was ordained by Archbishop Patrick Tealey, of Cashel , Ireland . He came to America in 1872 and settled in Dubuque . He was afterward given charge of St. Peter's Church at Temple Hill, Jones County , and in 1876 was transferred to St. Anthony's Church at Davenport , where he remained five years. Returning to Dubuque at the expiration of that time our subject took charge of the Cathedral in that city and continued as its pastor until he came to Cascade. This congregation was originally attended by the Rev. Father Predine about fifty years ago. It was then a small mission and the pastor only visited them occasionally in order to attend to their spiritual wants. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Tracy, who was stationed at Garry Owen. The Cascade Mission was separated from Garry Owen and attached to Temple Hill, which was a flourishing Catholic settlement in an early day as it is at present. The Rev. Father McGinnis, now deceased, was pastor of the church at that time. The building in which they met for worship was a small brick structure near where the present large church now stands. Resident priests supplied the congregation for some time, among whom was the Rev. George A. Hamilton, who remained with them for six months; Rev. James Slatterly succeeded, and in 1860 the Rev. J. O'Connor took charge, remaining for one year. He was followed by Rev. James Cunningham, whose death occurred two years later. Rev. Michael Lynch was then called and for eleven years he faithfully served the church. During his pastorate the present commodious building was erected and also that of St. Martin 's Convent and accompanying schools.

In 1876 Father Lynch was succeeded by the Rev, John Hennessy, who administered the affairs of St. Martin 's until 1880. Then Father James P. Barren occupied the pastorate until June of the following year, when our subject assumed control. He has the spiritual welfare of one hundred and forty families to look after. Since coming to Cascade he has made many valuable improvements in the church property, among which was the large church tower and the priest's residence, which was built at a cost of $5,000, and a school building at about $1,000. The church proper is a solid stone structure, nicely furnished, and when completed cost $16,000. There is a fine school for boys, the building occupying two lots on Keene Street . The girls' school is situated in the Convent of St. Martin's and the total scholarship is one hundred and twenty. Six Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary are employed as teachers and instruct the pupils in all branches of education. Rev. Father Roche gives his entire attention to his church work and is highly respected in the community in which he lives.

HON. JAMES ROWAN, a capitalist of Dubuque , who in business circles has long occupied a leading position, was born on the Emerald Isle in 1835, and claims Dublin as his native city. He began his education in that country. When a youth of ten years he sailed for America , landed in New York City and thence went to Paterson, N. J., where he learned the trade of gardening. He there worked at $2 per month for a time. He received instructions in the classics from a Presbyterian minister, Rev, Mr. Honbloer, thus adding greatly to his education. For some time he was employed by Rosswell Colt, then the owner of the waters of the Passaic River . In 1846 he enlisted with the Columbia , N. Y. Volunteers for service in California , under Colonel Stevenson. He was engaged in duty throughout the Mexican War, and was then honorably discharged. During his service gold was discovered in California and he engaged in gold mining on the American River , being thus employed until 1849, when he returned to New York City . He then sailed for Dublin to visit his parents and the friends of his youth. After his return to the United States , Mr. Rowan came to Dubuque and has been prominently connected with its business and leading enterprises. He purchased land in Dubuque County and began improving the same, devoting his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, but owing to wet seasons this venture did not prove profitable and he left the farm and returned to the city. Here he engaged in the grain business, shipping to the eastern markets and to St. Louis , Mo. In 1852 he embarked in merchandising in partnership with Christian Healey, a connection which was continued for two years. He then began dealing in real estate, handling both city and farm property. In 1856 he became interested in lead mining and struck a rich lead mine from which he gained a handsome yield. This he continued to operate until 1860. The following year he again embarked in the grain business, in which he continued until the close of the war, but he lost quite heavily on account of there not being sufficient shelter for his grain along the route. When the war ended he began dealing and speculating in real estate, which has been his chief occupation up to the present time. He is also interested in other industries in Dubuque . He has met with reverses, yet with renewed resolution and determination he has started anew, and as the result of his practical business methods, his enterprise and perseverance, he has become one of the substantial citizens of the community, Mr. Rowan was married in 1852 to Miss Christina Healey, a native of Ireland , who during her early girlhood was brought to America . They have four children, three daughters and a son, the latter, Joseph Rowan, being a prominent dry-goods merchant of Dubuque . The family are all members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

In his political views Mr. Rowan is a Democrat. In the fall of 1887 he was elected to the Legislature as Representative from this district and served on several important committees. He takes an active part in political affairs and does all in his power to insure the success of his party.

REV. THOMAS ROWE, Rector of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Strawberry Point, was born at Castle Comer, County Kilkenny , Ireland , June 21, 1854 , being the son of Nicholas Rowe, a wealthy farmer and stockman. On the family estate, in the parish of Clough, are located the most extensive coal fields in all Ireland . There were eight sons in the family, all of whom had the advantages of a liberal education, and three are Catholic priests. Patrick, the eldest, is at Kimberly , South Africa , in the diamond fields. The second brother, Michael, a Catholic Curate, has charge of a Catholic Church near Kilkenny , Ireland . William, also a priest, emigrated to America about the year 1874, and is now connected with St. James' parochial school in New York City . John is Justice of the Peace in Clough, Queen's County , Ireland , and owns a large estate. Edward is living on the old homestead at Castle Comer, where the father died in 1874. James is extensively engaged in the commission business at Dublin . Richard is a commercial traveler in England . Julia lives on the old homestead with her mother and brother. Lizzie is married and resides in Abbeyleix, Queen's County , Ireland .

In the parochial schools of Castle Comer our subject gained the rudiments of his education. In 1865 he entered St. Keiran's College, of which the late Very Rev. Edward McDonald, D. D. , was President. He and his brother Michael were ordained November 11, 1877 , by Cardinal Moran, now Archbishop of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Our subject being ordained for the diocese of Dubuque , he at once came to this country, and was made Rector of St. Aidens Church, in West Dubuque , where he remained until 1883. His pastorate was an eminently successful one, and by his efforts the large debt hanging over the church was paid off.

Coming to Strawberry Point in 1883, Father Rowe was made Rector of St. Mary's Church, which was established by Father John Hackett, of honored memory. Aside from this pastorate, he has charge of the church at Cox Creek, in Clayton County , and that at Greeley , Delaware County. During the years of his pastorate at this place, his superior ability has resulted in great benefit to the church. The congregation has increased in numbers, and the interest has steadily grown from the first. A genial and agreeable gentleman, he is popular, not only with his parishioners, but also with all the citizens of Strawberry Point and the surrounding country. He is indefatigable in his efforts to advance the cause of his church, and is a tireless laborer for its welfare. His religious duties require the closest attention on his part, but he nevertheless finds time to keep himself posted upon current events pertaining to the local or national welfare, and is a law-abiding, patriotic citizen, cherishing an affection for, and allegiance to, the country of his adoption.

REV. ROGER RYAN, pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Dubuque, is a native of the Emerald Isle. He was born in that country, in County Limerick , on the 6th of April, 1843 , and his education was acquired in Ireland . There he remained until twenty-three years of age, when, in 1866, he crossed the Atlantic to America . Here he entered Cape Girardeau College of Missouri, in which institution he spent three years, pursuing a thorough and systematic course of study, which well fitted him for his chosen life work.

On the expiration of that period, Rev. Ryan went to Milwaukee , Wis. , where he again spent some time taking a course of study in St. Francis Theological Seminary. He was ordained a priest at Milwaukee the 13th of March, 1869 , by Archbishop Henni. The year 1869 witnessed his arrival in Dubuque , whither he came to become assistant at the cathedral. Later, in October, 1869, he was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, one of the largest and most wealthy churches in the city, the congregation numbering over two hundred and fifty families. There is a good house of worship, together with a nice parsonage, built in a modern style of architecture and tastefully and comfortably furnished. It is situated in the midst of beautiful grounds adorned with all kinds of flowers and with roses from almost every clime. Rev. Ryan is a faithful worker in the interest of his church, untiring in his efforts to promote and upbuild it, and has the confidence and esteem of all his parishioners.