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.

AVERT J. SCHOONOVER, who is engaged in general farming and stock-rais­ing on section 11, Wayne Township , is one of the practical agriculturists of Jones Coun­ty . He was born in Franklin County, Ind., on his father's farm, in an old log cabin, February 20, 1846 . 'The family on the paternal side is of Dutch ancestry, they having been residents of Van Schoonhoven, and the spelling of the name was originally that of the district which was their home. Our subject's grandfather changed the name to the present style.

Thomas Schoonover, the father of our subject, was born in Broome County , N. Y. and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Jane Wiggins, was a native of Bath , N. Y. They were married in Bradford County , Pa. , and by their union were born four children, three sons and one daughter. Mrs. Schoonover was the daughter of Lawrence Wiggins of English descent, and her death oc­curred August 12, 1894 , when she had nearly reached the age of eighty-five years. The father was born in 1806, and died on the old homestead in Wayne Township , April 22, 1890 .  He removed to Jones County in 1855 from Indiana and entered a tract of land on section 14, Wayne Township . The patents which he obtained from the Government are now in the possession of his son, the property involved comprising one hundred and sixty acres, and he was actively engaged in its cultivation until shortly before his death.

The gentleman of whom this is a brief life history resided in the county of his birth until about nine years of age, at that time corning to Iowa . He received a good common-school education, and supplemented the same by a course of study in the Iowa State University of Iowa City, where he was enrolled in the academic department for three years. Returning to the farm, he soon secured a certificate to teach, and for fifteen terms successfully conducted schools in Jones County , being considered an able educator. Since that time he has devoted his attention to farming, and has been very fortunate in the management of his affairs. He has also made a success of raising hogs, and keeps twenty-five cows, selling milk to the Diamond Creamery. His farm contains within its boundaries two hundred and eighty acres, besides which he has a tract of forty acres of timber land. Running water affords ample means for supplying the stock, and on the place are good improvements in the shape of barns and outbuildings. Mr. Schoonover has become the owner of the Leonard Hitchcock farm, and is rapidly becoming wealthy by means of his good business methods.

In October, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schoonover and Carrie, daughter of Charles R. Applegate. This worthy couple have become the parents of two daughters, Frances E. and Sadie C. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they are active work­ers and in which they are highly esteemed. The brothers and sisters of Mr. Schoonover are Law­rence, of Anamosa; George, of Monticello ; Catharine E., who married W. R. Richison. They had one son, Thomas G.  The parents are both deceased,

Fraternally Mr. Schoonover is identified with the Odd Fellows' society, being a member of Monticello Lodge No. 117. He uses his right of franchise in favor of the Republican party, and has served satisfactorily in township offices. For the past year he has been an efficient Justice of the Peace, and was formerly Township Clerk. A gentleman of the most thorough integrity and high sense of honor, he has long borne a reputation which might well be envied by any one.

CHRISTOPHER SCHROMEN is a wide-awake business man now owner of the Dubuque Show Case Works. He was born in the city which is still his home, August 10, 1869 , and is a son of Nicholas Schromen, a native of Germany , who on leaving the Fatherland emigrated to the New World and became one of the early settlers of this community. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Grossbush, also a native of Germany , who is now living in Dubuque at the age of sixty-five years.

No event of special importance occurred during the childhood of our subject, who spent his boyhood days midst play and work and was reared to manhood under the parental roof. In the public schools he acquired his education and he is now a well informed man. He entered upon his present line of business in 1890, at which time he bought of the estate the business of John Hess for the manufacture of show cases. Mr. Schromen assumed full control of the business which he has conducted continuously since. He manufactures show cases of all kinds and descriptions, and has built up a large business, shipping quite extensively to the north and west and to all parts of the Hawkeye State . He is also engaged in silvering and re-silvering mirrors, and has furnished some of the finest mirror in this city, including the one in the saloon owned by Arthur O'Malley, which is the finest in Dubuque . He also furnished another now used in the cigar store of Charles Donahue. He is prepared to do all kinds of work along that line and has already built up a good trade, which is steadily increasing. His factory is 40 x 80 feet and is two stories in height.

On the 21st of June, 1892 , was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schromen and Miss Jane Connelly, a daughter of Owen Connelly of Dubuque . One child graces their union, a son, Leroy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schromen are members of the Catholic Church, and they have a pleasent home on Dodge Street . He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. His entire life has been passed in Dubuque , and he is now recognized as one of the substantial and representative young business men of the city. all who know him esteem him highly for his sterling worth and strict integrity, and he has a large circle of friends and acquaintances in this community.

GEORGE H. SCOFIELD

Probably in the history of the representative business houses of Strawberry Point no better example can be found of the results of energy and well directed efforts than is strikingly illustrated by the firm of G. H. Scofield & Son. The proprietor of this establishment is one of the most successful business men of Strawberry Point, and is the owner of the substantial two-story brick block in which are situated his store, a drug establishment and the Postoffice.

Chautauqua County , N. Y., is the birthplace of our subject, and November 2, 1841 , his natal day, His father, W. W., was born in 1818 in Essex County , N. Y., and was the son of Azariah Scofield, a merchant of the Empire State . So far back as there is any record of the family, they have been engaged in the mercantile business. W. W. followed that occupation in De Wittville, N. Y., until 1859, when he came to Iowa . Three years later he embarked in the mercantile business in Strawberry Point, and the succeeding years have been devoted mainly to that enterprise. For a time he operated as a druggist, but this he disposed of in 1893, since which time he has lived in retirement. At the age of eighty-one he is still living (1894), but has lost his hearing and is nearly blind as well.

The mother of our subject, known in maidenhood as Maria Ingerson, was a native of the Empire State and an own cousin of her husband. She had two sons, George H. and N. W., and one daughter, Martha, who is unmarried and lives in Strawberry Point. N. W. enlisted as a private in Company B, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, and died in Missouri while in active service. Our subject received a practical education in the schools of New York , and in his father's store was thoroughly initiated in the mercantile business. He was eighteen when the family came to Iowa and settled in Strawberry Point, where in 1862 he entered the mercantile business with his father. Subsequently he succeeded to the business, and from 1862 to the present time has conducted the leading store in the place.

As a citizen, Mr. Scofield has maintained a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the people. The principles of the Democratic party have been upheld by him since he became a voter, and upon the party ticket he has been elected to many positions of honor and responsibility. For two terms he served as a member of the County Board of Supervisors, a portion of which time he was Chairman. He is the present Mayor of Strawberry Point, and since his election to this office has introduced a number of needed improvements and reforms calculated to benefit the town. As a public official, he is painstaking, thorough and capable, displaying in all his decisions sound judgment and more than ordinary sagacity. He is the owner of valuable property in Strawberry Point, and also a farm in Clayton County . Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

The estimable wife of our subject bore the maiden name of Susan Wing, and was born in Livingston , Mich. , being the daughter of John L. Wing, a shoemaker of that place. They have had nine children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are: Mary O., Harry W., Effie L., Georgia M., Guy F., Susan E., Bessie K. and William J. Harry W., who married Mattie Jakway, is the junior member of the firm of G. H. Scofield & Son, and is a popular young business man; socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. Effie L. is the wife of P. J. Blake, an attorney of Ft. Dodge , Iowa . The family is one of prominence in social circles, and its members are welcomed guests in the best society of the county.

NATHAN SCOFIELD, a retired merchant of Strawberry Point, was born in Essex County , N. Y., on Lake Champlain , November 6, 1827 . The family has been represented in America for many generations. Our subject's great-grandfather, Ebenezer Scofield, was a native of Connecticut and had a family consisting of nine sons and four daughters. Among his sons was Amos, who participated in the War of 1812, and afterward settling in Saratoga County, N. Y., spent his remaining years there.

Our subject's father, Harvey Scofield, was born in Saratoga County , N. Y., March 16, 1802 , and in early life followed the trade of a wagon-maker. Later, however, he was extensively engaged in the lumber business. In 1837 he removed to Cattaraugus County , N. Y., and thence in 1865 came to Iowa , settling at Strawberry Point, Here he died in 1872 at the age of seventy years. His wife, who was also his second cousin, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Scofield; she passed from earth in January, 1888, aged eighty-one years.

In a family of three sons and five daughters, our subject was next to the oldest. At present three of the sisters and the brothers are living. The eldest, H. H., was appointed Postmaster at Strawberry Point under the administration of President Grant and held the office for sixteen consecutive years; he is still a resident of this place. George D. is a farmer and lives near Strawberry Point. Laura Ann, now living in this village, is the widow of Dr. H. N. Sill, who died in 1892. Harriett is single and lives in this city. Sarah E. is the wife of William Madison, a retired agriculturist whose home is in Edgewood , Iowa . Receiving a fair education in the district schools, our subject early became self-supporting, and learning the trade of a carpenter he followed that occupation for about twenty years. In 1852 he removed from New York to Michigan , where he sojourned two years. From there he went to Rockford , Ill. , and thence in 1855 came to Strawberry Point , Iowa . Until 1873 he followed his trade, but during that year opened a general store, and for the fourteen ensuing years he was one of the most successful and prosperous merchants of the place. Misfortune, however, came to him. On the night of November 8, 1887 , his store was burned to the ground with all its contents, entailing a heavy loss. Since that time Mr. Scofield has not been actively engaged in business, but leads a quiet and retired life.

In 1858 Mr. Scofield married Miss Harriett, daughter of Lorin Noble. Her father was born in New York State in 1802, and there engaged in the lumber business. In 1854 he came to Iowa and settled upon a farm in Delaware County . He attained an advanced age, dying in April, 1893. His wife, whose maiden name was Fannie Boardman, was born in Onondaga County , N. Y., and was a well educated lady. She taught the first school in the village of Napoli , Cattaraugus County , N. Y. In November, 1887, she passed from earth aged eighty years. Her family consisted of four sons and three daughters. Harrison, who followed the dual occupation of farmer and merchant, died in Edgewood , Iowa , in March, 1893. Timothy is a retired agriculturist. Dwight, who during the late war enlisted as a soldier in the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, died in hospital during his service. Emily married Martin Richard, a retired farmer of Brush Creek , Iowa . Horace is engaged in the stock business in Montana . Susan, now living in Edgewood , is the widow of Milo Russell.

Mr. and Mrs. Scofield were the parents of three children. The eldest, Orissa, died of diphtheria in 1864 at the age of three years. Neola, who was born in September, 1865, was united in marriage in April, 1888, with George Steinhilber, and they have one child, Ethel. The only son, Fred W., was born April 20, 1868 , and received an excellent education, graduating from Upper Iowa University at Fayette. For some time he was employed as a bookkeeper, but on the 1st of November, 1889 , went to North Dakota and was appointed Deputy Auditor of Ransom County . This position he was filling at the time he was taken fatally ill, August 31, 1893 , he passed away. He was young, and had a bright future before him. His death was mourned by a host of friends and was a crushing blow to his devoted parents, whose pride he was. His musical ability was of a superior order, and at the time of his demise he was a member of the First North Dakota Regiment Band. Politically a Republican, Mr. Scofield has been chosen to fill many offices of honor and trust. For six years he has been Justice of the Peace, in which capacity, as in his other public offices, he has rendered excellent service. In 1855 he was made a Mason, and three years afterward became one of the charter members of the Strawberry Point Lodge, of the original members of which he is the only survivor. For seven years he was Master of the lodge. He is a Royal Arch Mason and is prominent in the fraternity. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he has filled all the chairs, and has served several terms in many of the offices. He is a man who numbers as his friends all with whom social or business relations have brought him into contact. The principles of honor arid uprightness, which have ever guided him in his dealings with his fellow-men, have won for him the confidence of the people of the town and county.

CHARLES F. SMYTH, a prominent business man and enterprising citizen of Bernard, is at present extensively engaged in buying and selling grain, and is also the proprietor of a hardware and farming implement store, which he conducts with success and profit. He is of Irish descent, and is the son of John and Margaret (Henry) Smyth. The father was born in County Down , Ireland , in 1819. When thirteen years of age he came to this country with his parents and settled in Bangor , Me. A few years later he embarked in the mercantile business in that city, carrying a line of general merchandise, dry goods, boots, shoes, groceries, etc. He followed this occupation for ten years, and at the expiration of that time sold out and came to Iowa , settling in Prairie Creek Township , Dubuque County . Here he bought one hundred and forty acres of wild, uncultivated land, and immediately set about clearing and improving it. He built a good house and barn, which he furnished comfortably, and within two years he had a nice little home to which he brought his bride in 1844. He married Miss Margaret Henry, a native of Dubuque County , and to them were born thirteen children, nine of whom are living: Henry, John, Anna, George, Charles, Katie, Celia, Frank and Albert. They all received a good common-school education, and Katie is a graduate of Lyons College . She has been a teacher in the public schools of Iowa for six years, giving good satisfaction, and is an excellent instructor.

John F. Smyth was a hard working man, industrious and saving. Having been taught in his youth the necessity of taking care of the pennies, he lived a frugal but comfortable life, and at the time of his death he had accumulated a large share of this world's goods and left his family well provided for. He passed peacefully away November 24, 1886 , leaving a large circle of sincere friends a loving companion and several children to mourn his loss. His good wife still survives him, and is living on the old homestead.

Our subject was born May 8, 1859, in this township; he spent his boyhood days in the old home on the farm, attending the public school, helping in seed-time and harvest, and enjoying the free and happy life of a farmer until in the fall of 1890, when he went into business for himself at Bernard. Being a man of good business ability, genial and social, he has made many warm friends and built up a trade of which any one might well be proud. He also owns one hundred acres of land in Prairie Creek Township , well improved and all in grass. Mr. Smyth is erecting at the present time a large new building, which he will use for hardware and light machinery.

September 7,1891 , Mr. Smyth was united in marriage with Miss Sabina, daughter of Michael Cox a retired farmer of Dubuque County . She was born January 15, 1873 . Mr. and Mrs. Smyth are the parents of two interesting children, Mary, born August 20, 1892 , and Geneva , born February 21, 1894 . Our subject is a Democrat in his political views, taking an active part in all the councils of that party. He, with his excellent wife, is a member of the Catholic Church, and occupies a high position in the social circle. Mr. Smyth has been a member of the School Board, and has occupied that position for four years.

DANIEL STALLARD, who is a veteran of the late war, with an honorable record for bravery and devotion to the cause of his country, won in some of the hardest fought battles of the Rebellion, is a very successful business man of Dyersville, and was born in Geneva , Switzerland , August 5, 1840 . There is something of a romance connected with the early life of our subject, his real name being Pasture, but his father dying when he was a mere lad, his mother married a man who bore the name of George Stallard, and he assumed that name. Some time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stallard went to England to live, leaving our subject with an aunt who afterward came to America , when he was eight years of age. She settled in Brooklyn , where the mother of our subject had located some time previous. Later he went to Oneida County , New York , but being compelled to fight his own way through life he soon turned his face toward the setting sun, and settled at Elgin , Ill. , where he worked at the harness trade. In the year 1856 he removed to Dyersville, where he continued at this occupation till the breaking out of the late Civil War.

On the 21st day of August, 1862, Daniel Stallard was enrolled in Company E, of the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, as a private and was mustered in at Dubuque . Soon after the regiment was sent south to Benton Barracks at St. Louis , thence to Rollo, the same state, and from there to Houston , Tex. , where they spent the winter. The following spring they started for Springfield , Mo. , to reinforce the troops at that place and on the way participated in the battle of Woods Forks, where they fought the rebel forces under Marmaduke and Price. This brave command of nine hundred men held their lines against the enemy of more than five thousand, after which they made a forced march to Lebanon and then a distance of sixty miles to Houston , Mo. , taking them thirty hours. It is said on good authority that during this march our subject absolutely went to sleep as he continued to march. Soon afterward they started for the Ozark Mountains , under Brigadier-General Davidson of the Second Brigade, Second Division. We will not attempt to follow him through all his hardships, but next find him at Vicksburg . Later, at Fort Gibson, he was struck by a piece of shell in the right arm, while supporting a battery, but after having his wound dressed, he again took his place in the ranks, participating in the battles of Champion Hills, Baker's Creek, Black River Bridge and the Siege of Vicksburg. Our subject was on the Red River expedition and while on picket duty at St. Charles was taken sick and sent to the hospital at that place. Soon afterward he was granted a furlough home and was discharged on account of disability, June 16, 1865 , at Mound City ,

On his return home Mr. Stallard engaged in the harness business on his own account, in which pursuit he has successfully continued ever since. Two years later he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Pimm, who was of English extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Stallard adopted a son, who died when eight years of age. Our subject's aged mother is now a member of his household. He has been a lifelong Republican in politics and is a prominent and leading Grand Army man. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity, having been Senior Warden of the latter lodge. He and his wife are active members of the Episcopal Church at Dyersville.

ALFRED STARKS submitted by Sandy

ALFRED STARKS, resident manager of the Diamond Creamery, located at Monticello, is one of the most enterprising and progressive business men in the city. The plant is a three-story structure, 52X110 feet in dimensions, with accompanying icehouse, store house, etc. The machinery comprises a forty-horse power engine, seperators and all needful apparatus for making butter, and the company give employment to thirty men and run eight teams.

Mr. STARKS was born in Franklin County, NY May 26, 1843, and is the son of H. H. and Nancy (COWLES) STARKS, both of whom were also born in the Empire State and are now residents of Monticello. Alfred spent his boyhood and youth in his native state and Wisconsin and was only seventeen at the time of his parents' removal to Iowa.

In October, 1861, a few months after Ft. Sumter had been fired upon, our subject enlisted in Company E, Twelfth Wisconsin Infantry, commanded by Col. George E. BRYANT. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and being sent to the front young STARKS participated in the siege of Vicksburg, Cornith and Kenesaw Mountain, besides numerous minor engagements. He remained with his regiment during the entire period of the war, and when peace was declared witnessed the Grand Review at Washington, whence he was afterward ordered to Louisville, Ky., where he was discharged and was mustered out at Madison, Wis., in July, 1865.

Returning home at the close of the war, Mr. STARKS remained only a short time when he came with the family to Monticello, where he was engaged in various lines of business until 1879, when he entered the employ of the Diamond Creamery Company. He became thoroughly acquainted with every department of work and in 1892 his industry was reworded by being placed in the position of general manager of the concern. He is a shrewd business man, and not only looks after the interests of the company in this city, but has charge of other creameries belonging to the same company in different parts of Jones, Jackson and Delaware Counties. The Creamery Company ship car loads of butter each week to Boston, where is located their main office, from which city that article finds its way to all parts of the civilized world. It is packed in tubs, after which it is placed in crates all ready for shipment. the creamery is one of the substantial and important industries of the county and the proprietors make their residence in the Hub City, leaving Mr. STARKS in full charge of the business, which he is so well competent to transact. The butter manufactured in Monticello is shipped to Africa, Australia, Russia, China and to the Pacific Coast in our own country.

Alfred STARKS was married in 1865 to Miss Martha J. STARKS of Monticello, and to them has been granted a family of three children, one son and two daughters. Our subject socially belongs to Burns Lodge N. 179, F. & A. M., and also to John O. Duer Post No. 173, G. A. R. With his wife he is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has served in the capacity of Trustee for the past three years. Mr. STARKS is not an active participant in political affairs, preferring to give his attention to his personal pursuits. He is greatly respected, as his merit deserves, by all who are acquainted with his character and attainments and ranks among the well-to-do residents of the city.

DE WITT CLINTON STEWART, of Du­buque, who is efficiently serving as mem­ber of the Board of Supervisors, is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Montgom­ery County, that state, on the 1st of March, 1851, His parents were Thomas C. and Mary A. (Single­ton) Stewart, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky, Our subject is the eldest of the four children yet living, there being two sisters and a brother younger than himself. The father was a farmer by occupation, but during the later years of his life did not follow that pursuit. In 1852 he came with his family to Dubuque , where he spent his remaining days, his death oc­curring in 1885, at the age of sixty-seven years. His father was William Stewart, of Virginia , and the family was probably founded in America dur­ing early Colonial days.

Mr. Stewart, whose name heads this record, dur­ing his boyhood lived upon his father's farm and spent the days of his youth in the manner of chil­dren similiarly situated. He began his education in the district schools, and later attended the pub­lic schools of this city. He early became familiar with farm work in all its departments and to his father he gave the benefit of his services until March 4, 1873 , when he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Spensley, daughter of John Spensley, of Dubuque .

After his marriage Mr. Stewart embarked in farm­ing for himself and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for some time, meeting with quite good success in his undertakings. He thus carried on farming until the fall of 1891, when he left his old home and came to Dubuque , where he has since lived. He now owns seventy-five acres of rich and arable laud, pleasantly situated four miles from the heart of the city, and his farm yields to him a good income. The home has been blessed by the pres­ence of three children, Mary E., Margaret E. and Alice E.

In his political views Mr. Stewart is a Democrat, and for five years served his township as Assessor, proving a capable and efficient officer. He was al­so Township Trustee for three years, and was Treas­urer of the School District for a period of eight years. In 1891 he was elected County Supervisor for a term of two years, and in 1893 was elected to the same position, which he is now filling in a creditable manner, discharging his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has gained him the respect of his political opponents. Mr. Stewart takes quite an active interest in civic societies and is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 2, I. O. O. F., of .which he was Secretary for two years. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen, belonging to Dubuque Camp No. 984, M. W. A. He is also con­nected with the Independent Order of Foresters. He takes a leading part in these various organiza­tions, and is widely known among his social associ­ates and business men as a man of sterling worth, true to duty and faithful in all relations.

OREN STUART, M. D.

The subject of this personal history is a resident within the borders of Dubuque County and a respected citizen of Concord Township . He was the son of Moses and Mary A. (Glew) Stuart. Moses Stuart, father of our subject, was born in Bangor , Me. , November 11, 1811 . He was a very prominent man in this county, and was the President of the School Board for a long period of years. A zealous member of the Congregational Church and a stanch Republican, he was always ready to help in any enterprise pertaining to the promotion of the public welfare. He gave his children the very best education to be had in the county. He came to Dubuque County , Iowa , from Maine in 1837, and remained there for a few years, then removed to Elkader, working there at his trade as a carpenter and millwright for three years. He next was Postmaster at Millville , Iowa , for four years, then removed to California and remained there for two years. Returning to Concord Township , he settled on his old homestead of two hundred and forty acres, which he had increased to three hundred at the time of his demise, September 19,1878 . The mother was born at Phillipsburg , Pa. , January 2, 1821 , and died November 8, 1885 . There were eleven children born to this couple, as follows: Adline, Elvira; Oliver W., deceased; Oren, Ellen, Sumner, Moses, Mary A., Ansel, Alvin and Olive, deceased. March 20, 1873 , our subject was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Schoonover, a most estimable lady, who was born at Findlay , Ohio , October 28, 1848 . She was one of ten children. This union was blessed with five children, as follows: Nellie, Olive, Ray, Elta and Edna.

Dr. Stuart remained at home with his parents until he arrived at the age of twenty-one years, when, thinking that he was strong enough to "paddle his own canoe," he commenced his battle with the world. He first taught school for five and a-half months; then he educated himself for a physician, and he is a most reliable one, having attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk , Iowa , and also graduated at the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis , Mo. He has a very successful practice and is the possessor of one hundred and sixty acres of the best farming land in the county. Taken together, Mr. Stuart's endowments are such as fit him to occupy a high place in the regard of the people. Not only is he one of the most prominent business men in the township, but he has good and sufficient reasons to look back over the annals of his ancestry with a degree of pride unknown to many.

Dr. Stuart is a Republican in politics, and has good, practical ideas relative to public affairs. As an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church he is an earnest and active worker. Possessing a strong ambition and a high standard of professional excellency, with the aid and sympathy of a noble and womanly life companion, he is well fitted to attain a front rank in his chosen profession and secure in due time the permanent rewards of a successful and honorable career.

JAMES SWEENY

Many pleasant homes may be seen throughout Dubuque County and some are of more than ordinary beauty, either in architectural design or surroundings. Among those in Dubuque Township that are commodious and set in the midst of broad fields is the farm owned and occupied by Mr. Sweeney, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres. The tract is well located and bears the improvements usually made by a man who desires to keep up with the times and surround himself with the conveniences of modern rural life. Honest and persistent effort on his part has been crowned by success, and to-day he ranks among the prosperous citizens of the township, The parents of our subject, Miles and Mary (Flynn) Sweeney, lived and died in Ireland, where the fa|rher was superintendent of a landlord's estate during the greater part of his life. They were honest and industrious people, and reared a family of twelve children. James was born in County Mayo , July 20,1820 , and spent the years of youth and early manhood in the land of his birth, having no educational advantages. In 1849 he crossed the ocean and after a voyage of five weeks between Liverpool and New York landed in the latter city. From there he went to Geneva , N. Y., where for five years he was employed by the month. In September, 1856, Mr. Sweeney married Miss Margaret Kevins, who was born near her husband's native home. They have been the parents of twelve children, of whom ten are living, as follows: Mary, Miles, Anna, Sarah, William, James, Robert, Charles, Lizzie and Lucy. After his marriage Mr. Sweeney settled in the vicinity of his present home. In 1859 he began to operate a rented farm, upon which he engaged in tilling the soil for ten years. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres comprising his present homestead. At the time of purchase this was almost wholly unimproved, and its present neat appearance is due to the energy of the owner, who has erected all the buildings, planted the trees and transformed the property into one of the most attractive homes of the county.

The principles of the Democratic party receive the hearty and loyal support of Mr. Sweeney, who, however, has been too much engrossed in his personal affairs to take an active part in public matters. As a citizen he has been active in every way and has given liberally to churches and schools, especially to the Catholic Church, of which he is a member. He had no one to help him start in life, but was obliged to make his way in the world as best he could. That he has succeeded in his worthy enterprises is shown by a glance at his fine estate.