Lee County >> 1887 Index

Portrait and Biographical Album of Lee County, Iowa
Chicago:  Chapman Brothers, 1887

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Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Linda Brandt.

PETER KELLEY, a prosperous and enterprising farmer of Cedar Township, is pleasantly located on section 35.  He is a gentleman who has risen by his own exertions to his present position.  He began life a poor boy at the foot of the ladder, but possessed a rich fund of determination and perseverance, and progressed slowly but surely, and is now in the enjoyment of a large share of the good things of this life.

Mr. Kelley comes from good old Irish ancestry, and possesses in a marked degree the generous and warm-hearted disposition of the Celtic race.  He was born in County Louth, Ireland, in July, 1824, and is the son of Bernard and Mary (Kennon) Kelley, who spent their entire lives in their native Ireland, and are both now deceased.  Bernard Kelley was a farmer by occupation, and the record of the parental household is as follows:  Two brothers, Bernard and Patrick, came to America, enlisted as soldiers, and yielded up their lives in the service of the Union.  Bernard was killed at Murfreesboro, on the first day of the memorable battle at that place.  Patrick was in the South during the war, and it is supposed that he was killed in the army.  A sister, Ann, came to America and settled in Edina, Knox Co., Mo., as the wife of Peter Connell.

The subject of our sketch grew to manhood in his native country, and lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years old.  On the 1st of January, 1850, he set sail from Liverpool for the United States, and after a long and tedious voyage, landed in New Orleans upon the 9th of the following March.  From the Crescent City he proceeded to Ohio, having friends in Xenia, Greene County.  At the end of his journey he found himself possessed of a half-crown, or sixty-two and one-half cents.  His friends, however, secured employment for him, and his first work in America was as a repair hand on a section of the Cincinnati & Columbus Railroad.  He was thus engaged for nearly three years.  He had saved his earnings in the meantime, and had sent money to the old country so that his two brothers and sisters could come over to America.  In 1858 he resolved to seek his fortunes in the country beyond the Mississippi.  He accordingly started westward, and coming into the Hawkeye State, engaged as a farm laborer in Lee County.  He worked in this capacity for the following nine years, and then found himself possessed of sufficient means to purchase forty acres of land, which now constitutes a part of his present homestead.  His first purchase was neither fenced nor supplied with any building, and one of his first duties was the erection of a small house, into which he moved his family, and then commenced the improvement and cultivation of his land.  He prospered in his labors, and added to his first purchase as time progressed.  He is now the possessor of 185 acres, finely cultivated, and has a good set of frame buildings.

Mr. Kelley was married in 1858, to Miss Margaret Devine, a native of County Kerry, Ireland.  Their union has been blest by the birth of seven children, of whom the record is as follows:  Bernard is a student in Hahuemann Medical College of Chicago; Mary is a teacher in the public schools; John is clerking for a general merchant at Pilot Grove, this county; Maggie, the wife of Henry Meierotto, lives at Pilot Grove; James, Sarah E. and Willie are at home.

The parents of Mrs. K. were natives of County Kerry, Ireland, and her mother came to America in 1871 or 1872, locating at Burlington.  The father died in Ireland.  Mrs. K. is the seventh daughter of a family of seven children, all girls.  Mr. Kelley is a self-made and self-educated man, and an extensive reader.  He keeps himself well posted on current events, and as a conversationalist is very interesting

WILLIAM LARRABEE, the present able Governor of Iowa, and the twelfth gentleman selected by the people as the Chief Magistrate of the great Commonwealth, is a native of Connecticut. His ancestors were among the French Huguenots who came to America early in the seventeenth century and located in Connecticut. At that time they bore the name of d'Larrabee. Adam Larrabee, the father of William, was born March 14, 1787, and was one of the early graduates of the West Point Military Academy. He served his country during the War of 1812, with distinction, holding the position of Second Lieutenant, to which he was commissioned March 1, 1811. He was promoted to the Captaincy of his company Feb. 1, 1814, and on the 30 th of the following March, at the battle of Lacole Mills, during Gen. Wilkinson's campaign on the Saint Lawrence River, he was severely wounded in the lung. He eventually recovered from the injury and was united in marriage to Hannah G. Lester. This much esteemed lady was born June 3, 1798, and died on the 15 th of March, 1837. Capt. Larrabee lived to an advanced age, dying in 1869, at the age of eighty-two years.

As above mentioned, William, our subject, was born in Connecticut, the town of Ledyard being the place of his birth and Jan. 20, 1832, the date. He was the seventh child in a family of nine children, and passed the early years of his life upon a rugged New England farm, enjoying very meager educational advantages. He attended, during the winter seasons, the neighboring district schools until he reached the age of nineteen years, when during the following two winters, he filled the position of schoolmaster. He was ambitious to do something in life for himself that would bring fortune and distinction, but in making his plans for the future he was embarrassed by a misfortune which befell him when fourteen years of age. In being trained to the use of firearms under his father's direction, an accidental discharge resulted in the loss of the sight in the right eye. This consequently unfitted him for many employments usually sought by ambitious young men. The family lived near the seashore, only two miles away, and in that neighborhood it was the custom for at least one son in each family to go upon the sea as a sailor. The two eldest brothers of our subject had chosen this occupation while the third remained in charge of the home farm. William was thus left free to chose for himself and, like many of the youths of that day, he wisely turned his face Westward. The year 1853 found him on this journey toward the setting sun, stopping only when he came to the broad and fertile prairies of the new State of Iowa. He first joined his elder sister, Mrs. E. H. Williams, who was at that time living at Garnavillo, Clayton County. It was this circumstance which led the young boy from Connecticut to select his future home in the northeastern portion of Iowa. He resumed his occupation as a pedagogue, teaching, however, but one winter, which was passed at Hardin. The following three years he was employed in the capacity of foreman on the Grand Meadow farm of his brother-in-law, Judge Willisms.

In 1857 he bought a one-third interest in the Clermont Mills, and located at Clermont, Fayette County. He soon was able to buy the other two-thirds, and within a year found himself sole owner. He operated this mill until 1874 when he sold to S. M. Leach. On the breaking out of the war he offered to enlist, but was rejected on account of the loss of his right eye. Being informed he might possibly be admitted as a commissioned officer, he raised a company and received a commission as First Lieutenant, but was again rejected for the same disability.

After selling the mill Mr. Larrabee devoted himself to farming, and started a private bank at Clermont. He also, experimentally, started a large nursery, but this resulted only in confirming the belief that Northern Iowa has too rigorous a climate for fruit-raising.

Mr. Larrabee did not begin his political career until 1867. He was reared as a Whig and became a Republican on the organization of that party. While interested in politics he generally refused local offices, serving only as Treasurer of the School Board prior to 1867. In the autumn of that year, on the Republican ticket, he was elected to represent his county in the State Senate. To this high position he was re-elected from time to time, so that he served as Senator continuously for eighteen years before being promoted to the highest office in the State. He was so popular at home that he was generally re-nominated by acclamation, and for some years the Democrats did not even make nominations. During the whole eighteen years Senator Larrabee was a member of the principal committee, that on Ways and Means, of which he was generally Chairman, and was also a member of other committees. In the pursuit of the duties thus devolving upon him, he was indefatigable. It is said that he never missed a committee meeting. Not alone in this, but in private and public business of all kinds, his uniform habit is that of close application to work. Many of the important measures passed by the Legislature owe their existence or present form to him.

He was a candidate for the gubernatorial nomination in 1881, but entered the contest too late, as Gov. Sherman's following had been successfully organized. In 1885 it was generally conceded before the meeting of the convention that he would be nominated, which he was, and his election followed as a matter of course. He was inaugurated Jan. 14, 1886, and so far has made an excellent Governor. His position in regard to the liquor question, that on which political fortunes are made and lost in Iowa, is that the majority should rule. He was personally in favor of high license, but having been elected Governor, and sworn to up-hold the Constitution and execute the laws, he proposes to do so.

A Senator who sat beside him in the Senate declares him to be “a man of the broadest comprehension and information, an extraordinarily clear reasoner, fair and conscientious in his conclusions, and of Spartan firmness in his matured judgment,” and says that “he brings the practical facts and philosophy of human nature, the science and history of law, to aid in his decisions, and adheres with the earnestness of Jefferson and Sumner to the fundamental principles of the people's rights.”

Gov. Larrabee was married Sept. 12, 1861, at Clermont, to Anna M. Appelman, daughter of Capt. G. A. Appelman. Gov. Larrabee has seven children -- Charles, Augusta, Julia, Anna, William, Frederic and Helen.

JUDGE J. M. LOVE, Judge of the United States Southern District Court, of Iowa, who first took up his residence at Keokuk in 1850, and who has constantly been identified with the best interests, not only of his county, but of the entire State since that time, is well and prominently known everywhere within its boundary. Judge Love was born in Virginia, March 4, 1819. His parents were John S. and Mary (Vermillion) Love, also natives of Virginia; the father was a mail contractor, and continued to reside in his native State until his death.

The subject of this notice remained at home and attended school until eighteen years of age. When thirteen years old he moved with his mother and the other children to Ohio, and in that State, after leaving school, he engaged in civil engineering. He followed that business about four years, and then going to Zanesville, Ohio, entered the law office of Judge Richard Stillwell, and under his instruction continued his studies until he graduated, in 1840. The young lawyer then went to Coshocton County, Ohio, and there hung out his shingle and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he continued with ordinary success until 1846. During that year he raised a company for the Mexican War. The company joined the 3d Ohio Regiment, under Col. Samuel R. Curtis, and our subject was elected Captain of the company and served in that capacity for two years. Returning from the field of conflict he, in 1848, again resumed the practice of his profession in Ohio, and there continued a resident until 1850.

During the year last named our subject, hoping to find broader fields for the display of his legal ability, and with an eye to financial success, left Ohio and came to seek a home west of the mighty Father of Waters. Arriving in this State he settled in Keokuk and immediately began the practice of law. He had constantly, ever since he was admitted to the bar, in 1840, been a hard student, and the consequence was that after he settled at Keokuk he soon became one of the leading members of the Lee County bar. In 1853 he was selected to the State Senate, and two years later, in 1855, was appointed Judge of the United States Court for the District of Iowa. Continuing in that position until the division in 1883, he then became Judge for the Southern District, comprising Council Bluffs and Des Moines.

Judge Love was married, in 1846, to Miss Mary Thomasson, and by this union had four children – William, George, Mary and Henry. Mrs. Love departed this life in 1861, and the Judge was a second time married, Miss Mary Millburn being the other contracting party. Of this latter union there have also been born four children – Milburn, Elizabeth, Sidney and James.

Politically Judge Love is a Democrat, but polities never interfere with him in the faithful discharge of his duties as a conscientious, straightforward and honorable gentleman, and one well versed in jurisprudence. It is said of Judge Love that when he gives a decision upon a question in controversy it is hardly necessary for the one against whom the decision may be given to ever take an appeal, for he is one of the most careful, as well as learned Judges in the State. This is not simply the assertion of a biographical writer, but can be substantiated by any who choose to examine the record of Judge Love’s decisions since he has held the position of which he is now the incumbent.

MRS. ELIZA EWING MALCOLM, a highly esteemed resident of Ft. Madison, is well known in this vicinity as a lady of rare musical talent, and somewhat of an artist, combined with literary tastes and kindly Christian character.  She is descended on both sides of her house from famous and talented families, and is own cousin to Hon. James G. Blaine, the late Republican candidate for the Presidency of the United States.

 Mrs. Malcolm was born Feb. 3, 1833, and came to Iowa with her parents when seven years of age.  She received her primary education in the public schools, and afterward attended Washington Seminary.  At the age of nineteen years she commenced teaching in Ft. Madison, and was thus occupied until 1856, in which year she was united in marriage with Mr. Frank Malcolm, a native of Rush County, Ind., but of Virginia parentage.  He was for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits and departed this life Jan. 18, 1884.  With his wife he was connected with the Presbyterian Church, and was a gentleman highly respected in the community, both on account of his straight-forward business methods and his high personal character.

Mrs. Malcolm of our sketch is a native of Little Washington, Washington Co., Pa., and the daughter of Capt. William and Jane (Blaine) Sample (see sketch of William Sample elsewhere in this book).  She has inherited the talents of her ancestors to a large degree, is finely educated, an extensive reader, and possesses the command of language and the use of the pen to an extraordinary degree.  For many years she has been one of the brightest lights in the social circles of this city, and is the favorite of both young and old among the people who have known her so long and so well.  She occupies a prominent position as a literary genius of the West, and her written thoughts have been perused by hundreds of readers with both profit and delight.

Mrs. Malcolm occupies a pleasant homestead in Ft. Madison, and is the center of a circle of the most cultured people in this vicinity.

JOHN A. McCORMICK, of Ft. Madison, is Station Agent of the Ft. M. & N. R.R., and is filling this responsible position in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. He is a man of good business qualifications, and is highly respected in this locality. He is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born Oct. 20, 1839, and is the son of John A. and Ann E. (Fadley) McCormick, natives of Virginia. He was but three months old when they emigrated to Iowa. After a residence of ten years at Muscatine the father was attacked with the California fever, and after due preparation, started across the plains for the “land of promise.” The transportation was made with ox-teams, and after a long and tedious journey he arrived at his destination, and entering the mines, was very successful in his operations. He returned to Muscatine, Iowa, in 1852, and engaged in mercantile pursuits, meeting with success, remaining there until his decease, which occurred in 1863, while at St. Louis on business. His wife is still living, and resides with our subject. The parental family consisted of nine children, of whom John A. was the second and only survivor.

Mr. McCormick was reared and educated in Muscatine, and at a suitable age began his business career. During the progress of the war he enlisted in the 35 th Iowa Infantry, becoming a member of Company E, and served as a soldier until the close of the war. He was at the siege and capture of Vicksburg, in the two battles at Jackson, Miss.; at Hatchie River, and participated in the various other engagements and skirmishes of his regiment. In the spring of 1864 he was detailed to recruit in Iowa, being absent from the scenes of conflict four or five weeks. He received an honorable discharge with his regiment in August, 1865.

After his return from the army Mr. McCormick settled in Muscatine and engaged as a clerk in the office of the lumber yards, where he was employed for six months. He then went to Chicago, and was employed in the commission business, dealing in country produce, and remained there for nine months. He then returned West to Burlington, Iowa, and became shipping clerk at that point for the C. B. & Q. R. R. Co., which position he occupied for four years, and finally abandoned it to take his present position, which he has held since that time, with the exception of eighteen months, during which he was in the employ of the Morrison Bros. Manufacturing Company.

John A. McCormick and Miss Fannie E. Sparks were united in marriage in September, 1862. Mrs. McC. is a native of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and was born in September, 1838. She is the daughter of Greene and Susan (Hunt) Sparks, natives of the same State. She was reared in her native town, and received a fair education at the common schools, remaining with her parents until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there has been born one child, a son—Sullivan. Mrs. McC. Is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. They occupy a pleasant home and enjoy the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances.

DAVID T. McCULLOCH, a resident of Harrison Township, who owns and occupies a fine homestead on section 24, is a native of South Carolina, and was born in 1806. His parents were Robert and Sarah (Thompson) McCulloch, natives of the same State as their son. Robert McCulloch was born in 1770, reared in his native State, and learned the trade of a black-smith, which he followed principally during the remainder of his life. He emigrated from his native State in 1836, and located in Lee County, where he died in April 1854. Mrs. Sarah McCulloch was born in 1768, and departed this life in September, 1852. She had become the mother of five children, and with her husband, the father of our subject, was a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The record of their children is as follows: John, the eldest son, married Miss Jones; David T., of our sketch, is a bachelor; William married Miss Johnson; E. S. married Miss Minerva Paisley; Mary became Mrs. McGuire. Of this family only two are now living—William, who resides in Oregon, and David T.

Mr. McCulloch of our sketch is one of the pioneers of Iowa, having crossed the Mississippi with his parents in 1836, when he was thirty years old. His father, after removing from South Carolina, located for a time in Tennessee, thence after a time went to Illinois, where he remained for eight years. In the meantime David T. and his brother Exum and their father were engaged as soldiers in the Blackhawk War for a period of three months, during which time, among other engagements and skirmishes, they participated in the battle of Bad Axe, Wis. They remained in Illinois until 1836, thence removed to Lee County, Iowa.

After coming into the young Territory David McCulloch made a claim in Harrison Township on section 24, the land not yet having come into the market. Finally, when the land office was opened, he purchased 160 acres. The present homestead consists of 136 acres, which is improved and under a good state of cultivation. Mr. McCulloch has been a good citizen and a friend of morality and religion. He received his early education in the common schools, and made the most of his opportunities. He has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for forty years, and during that long period has made many valuable contributions to the support of the church of his choice. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, and uniformly casts his vote in support of the principles of that party.

CHRISTIAN MERTENS, a successful farmer, stock-trader and shipper of Marion Township, is pleasantly located on section 19, and constitutes one of the important factors of the agricultural and industrial community. Mr. Mertens is a native of Germany, and was born on the 12th of February, 1830. His father, Peter Mertens, was a practical miller, and in early life was married to Miss Anna M. Colman. In 1846 they emigrated to America, embarking on the sailing-vessel “Sharon,” bound for New Orleans. The voyage occupied seven weeks, and from the Crescent City they proceeded to St. Louis, Mo., and after a short stay there located on a farm near Manchester, which they occupied five years and where the father died. In the fall of 1851 the mother, with her little family, removed to Lee County, Iowa, locating in Marion Township.

Our subject, after the death of his father, assumed the responsibility of caring for the family until he reached his majority. He then purchased a farm of 120 acres in Marion Township, where the family settled, and he began his career as a general farmer and raiser of hogs and cattle for the market. In this latter department he was especially successful, this, indeed, constituting the foundations of his present possessions. He enlarged his capacities as time passed on, and in addition to raising stock began to buy and ship to the Chicago market. In 1864 he purchased the present homestead on section 19. This includes 280 acres of choice land in a fine state of cultivation, upon which is a substantial farm residence, a good barn, and all other out-buildings required by a first-class agriculturist.

Mr. Mertens was married, in 1853, to Miss Christina Schlangen, of this county, and they have became the parents of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, all living. Mr. M. and his family are worthy members of the Catholic Church of St. Paul, of which he is one of the most liberal supporters. He is a man of note in his community and is held in high regard for his persevering industry, which has accomplished such great things for him, and his honest and straightforward methods of doing business. A view of the fine farm residence of Mr. Mertens will be found on another page.

CAPT. WILLLIAM S. MOORE, residing at Keokuk, is one of the old steamboat Captains who plied the Mississippi, Ohio and Illinois Rivers for many years, and who probably has a larger circle of friends and acquaintances than any other citizen of Keokuk. Capt. Morre was born in the city of New York, Nov. 28, 1815. In 1816 his parents removed to St. Louis, Mo., where the Captain passed his boyhood days. His parents. were Rufus and Clarissa (Stone) Moore, and the father died on his way from New York to St. Louis. After his death the mother and son continued on their journey to St. Louis, and made that their home for about five years. They then crossed the river into the State of Illinois and lived there for five years. Their next removal was to Cincinnati, Ohio. The Captain recollects that, though a lad of only ten years, while living in Cincinnati Gen. LaFayette visited that city, and he had the pleasure of looking upon his pleasant and manly French countenance.

From Cincinnati the mother and son removed to Pittsburgh, and when our subject was but twelve years old he was orphaned by the death of his beloved mother. He went to Gallipolis, where he hired to learn the tinner's trade with one Hiram Fisher. Having served an apprenticeship of five years, and thoroughly mastered his trade, he started out as a “jour,” and we next take note of him at Springfield, Ill. There he worked at his trade for a time, when he procured a berth on a steamboat. While a resident of the State he claims to have run the first locomotive that was ever bought into it, running from Springfield to Meredosia. From Springfield our subject again returned to St. Louis, Mo., and embarked in the tin and stove business, and was thus occupied at that place until he was burned out in 1848, involving a loss of about $8,000.

After his reverses our subject engaged in steam-boating on the Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri Rivers, and continued to follow this vocation for about five years. Abandoning the river, he, in 1855, at first did business for Briggs, Beach & Co., dealers in tin and stoves in Keokuk. He worked for them awhile, and then bought out a remnant of a stock of goods and engaged in business for himself. He began manufacturing on a small scale, working at the bench himself, and as his business increased he enlarged his stock. He manufactured all kinds of tinware and copper work, shipping his goods throughout Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and several other States. Mr. Moore is an every-day man, and the secret of his success in business is that he oversees it in person. He is active and hearty and there is plenty of energy and fire in him yet.

In 1837 our subject was married to Miss Elizabeth Johnston, of Springfield, Ill. She was born in Ohio, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of four children, three sons and one daughter—Edward D., Dallas G., Livingston and Flora E.; the latter is the wife of F. W. Kingman, book-keeper and treasurer of the Iowa Iron Works at Dubuque. Mr. Moore helped to establish the fifth lodge of I.O.O.F., instituted in the State of Illinois; this was in 1840. Politically he is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren.

EDWARD MUMM, Deputy recorder of Lee County, is one of its most efficient officers, and makes his present home in Keokuk. He was born in Holland on the 17th of March, 1826, and received a fair education in the common schools of his native country. After he had attained his majority he set out for the United States, accompanied by his wife, mother and two sisters. He had been married a short time before leaving Holland, and after reaching the shores of the New World proceeded directly westward with his family, and came to Keokuk on the 1st of November, 1849. His wife died the following year, leaving one child – Mary.

After coming to Keokuk Mr. Mumm engaged as book-keeper for the firm of Deming & Walcot, with whom he remained two years. He then engaged in the same capacity with James E. Burke, and while in the employ of the latter was appointed Deputy Clerk of the District Court of Lee County, which position he occupied for a period of eight years. At the same time he also served as Deputy Clerk of the United States District Court. After being relieved from the duties of these positions and becoming well posted in local matters he engaged in the practice of law, which profession he followed for the ensuing five years. In 1868 he accepted the position as book-keeper in the Keokuk Savings’ Bank, which he held for five years. He was appointed Deputy Auditor of Lee County, remaining in this position four years, at the expiration of which time he was appointed to his present office, assuming its duties on the 1st of July, 1883. In 1870 he was appointed Commissioner of Emigration for the State of Iowa, under Gov. Merrill. He served four years as a member of the City Council of Keokuk, and has in all respects been one of the most worthy and valued citizens of his community. His industry and energy have been proverbial, and he has taken pride in keeping himself well informed as regards all matters of public interest and legal questions.

Mr. Mumm was married to his present wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Zwart, of Keokuk, in 1851. Mrs. M. is a native of the same country as her husband, and they have become the parents of five children – Edward J., Augustine, Cecelia, Francis and Bernard. All the members of the family belong to St. Francis de Sales Church, of Keokuk.