The Writings of
Josiah Conzett
Josiah Conzett wrote two manuscripts in the early 1900's. Each is a unique view of the world of 150 years ago. The first piece, entitled My Civil War, Before, During and After contains a foreword done by Donna Conzett Dumbell, Josiah's loving great grand-daughter. This manuscript is best described as Josiah's autobiography, but it is much more than that. It outlines the earliest histories of the Conzetts in America. It also gives hints as to the very origins of Conzetts in the world.
My Civil War
Before, During and After
Foreword
These memoirs of my paternal great-grandfather, Josiah Conzett, are for me a remarkable record in that they provide a contrast between two crises of identities --- one of a divided nation, and the other of an obscure store clerk.
Woven into the fabric of these pages, and more movingly, into those that have been mysteriously abstracted, is the understated love story of two young immigrants whose courtship was enacted against the backdrop of the American Civil War.
The eyewitness account of that war, which is the major part of the book, shows its every aspect --- the comradeship, the humor, the obscenity and the brutality.
Throughout this record one feels that Joe was destined for greater things if only he had had the education, which he himself shunned and the opportunities, which ever eluded him. But although he lacked material success, one is left with the impression of a God-fearing man of indomitable spirit whose type was the very backbone of the great emergent nation of the nineteenth century.
In writing the foreword to these memoirs I have had the easy task. We are all indebted to my sister-in-law, Edith Dayton Conzett who took on the enormous labor of deciphering the faded and spidery script of the original diary and typing it out complete with the misspellings which are such an integral part of the book. I know that both of us have found it a fascinating and rewarding project. Further thanks is given to Allan E. Sigman, President of the Union-Hoermann Press who once again has made possible the publication of a family document.
To Great-grandfather Joe I say, Rest in Peace . . . and Thank you.
Donna Conzett Dumbell
29th March, 1973
Go To My Civil War Index Of Publications
The title of Josiah's second book aptly describes its content: a walking tour of 1850's Dubuque, block by block, house by house, as seen through the eyes of a true pioneer. I have included the foreword of Dr. Donald Conzett as well.
Recollections of People
and Events
of Dubuque, Iowa 1846 - 1890
Foreword
This book was written by my paternal grandfather sometime around 1905 following his retirement. His education was minimal --- probably less than that of today's high school graduate. He began work early in a menial capacity in the dry goods business, interrupted by his enlistment at the outbreak of the Civil War. Apparently he had a good service record, functioning as quartermaster of E Company, 5th Iowa Cavalry. At the end of the war, in 1865, he had earned a commission as 2nd Lt., but being required to go to Washington, D. C. to accept this rank, he felt the expense would be too great and therefore accepted a discharge. Later he regretted this action for it would have given a much greater pension allowance.
The original book is written in a beautiful legible script and the German influence of his early education is manifest in the capitalization of nouns. This has been maintained in this publication as well as the frequent errors in spelling and punctuation.
Joe was never a great success in business. His highest position in Dubuque was that of ribbon and lace clerk in the old Levi Department Store on the southeast corner of 7th and Main Streets. He moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in the 1890's to become Manager of the linen department of Field Schlick and Company, a position he held until retirement.
In the preparation of this book, I am indebted to Dr. Clifford Fox, now deceased; the late President of Findley College, Findley, Ohio but formerly Professor of History at the University of Dubuque. Dr. Fox used the original copy as source material for his doctorate thesis. To this end he deciphered and typed the manuscript, a painstaking task. Further thanks is given to my friend, Allan E. Sigman, President of the Union - Hoermann Press, who has made the publication possible.
Donald C. Conzett, M.D.
20 October 1971
Go To Recollections Index of Publications
If you have
any questions or comments, please e-mail me at
larry@conzett.org. Thank you.