RECOLLECTIONS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS
OF DUBUQUE IOWA
1846-1890
By Josiah Conzett
1841-1910
Part 4
off this Lived the Newberry Family, the Oldest Daughter off whom Married Judge Austin Adams, My School Teacher in the Early Fifties. the Rothwell Family also Lived
260
in this House later on after the War, in One of these in The Late Sixties Dr R L Hill first Opened his Office. on the Cor of 8th St was the Home of the Markle Family - the were in Some way Related to the McArthurs. the had 3 Children Charlie the Son, and Two Daughters. the Oldest Married John Farly, (Son of J P F) The intire Block Oposite was also all Frame Buildings up to the Sixties. The Cor 9th St was at one time the Home Of the late Judge Pollock, and the Cor 8th was the Home of Widow Lorimier After her Move from bet 10th & 11th St. The Facade Building was Built by A Syndicate about same Time as Custom House in the Sixties. The Block Oposite Betwen 7th & 8th St. was all Frame up to Cor 7th in one of these (182) Frame Buildings there Lived up to 1860, Ex Gov Hempstead, the Second Govenor of Iowa. His Wife was One of the Meenest & Miserliest Woman That Dubuque ever Knew. When we Lived on Main St in 1847/48 - Mother Had to go out Washing to Support the Family, Father being away. She Washed once A Week for Mrs H. and she treated Mother in A Shamefully Cruell Way. the had 3 Children. ***Jim***[handwritten] the Oldest was Quite a Sculpturer. He went South and Joined the Rebel Army. That was the last seen of him in Dubuque. Eugene Lived in Dubuque up to the late Seventies. he started a Small Notion Store in the St Cloud Block and Married his Only Helper Miss Dutley, Daughter of Valentine Dutley - A Baker on Clay St. his Buisness was Not a Success so they left the City. the Daughter Lavina was not A Beauty - nor was She Noted for her Morality - she Married some Fellow and als left the City soon after the War. the Old Folk
261
lived And Died and are Burried in Linwood - in One of these Houses also Lived Robert (Bob) Waples - Brother of Peter. he Was one of the Early Pioneers - A fine Portly and Jolly Fellow he Reminds one, off Mark Twains Col Seller and his saying, there are Millions in it. in the Boon days off 1855, he Bought up all the Land And House he could - Payed but very little Cash down, as had But little Money, so when the Crash off 1857 came, he lost all he Had Bought and it Busted himm for good. Brother Dave Worked For his Wife - as A Baby Nurse and Dish Washer whe was 8 or 9 Years Old. On the Cor of 7th was The Old Methodist Church One of the first Churches in Town and the first of that Denomination. In the Basement of wich Old (Red Head) Man Rice taught School - the Boys of that day will allwas remember him - for He had A Temper to match his Red Head. 8th St between Locust and Bluff on the West side had only one or two Buildings. On the South Side near the Alley Joe Rhomberg Built A Board Shanty - here he first started in the Saloon Buisness in 1856/57 He started in with Selling 2 Glasses of Beer & One Cigar for Five Cents. His was soon the most Popular Saloon in Town. The Block Oposite Had but 2 Buildings up to 1850, the 2 double Brick on and near the Cor of 8th St. On Cor 7th was A Livery Stable one time befor he was Sherriff, of Jerry Cummings on 7th St bettween Locust & Bluff there Were 3 double Brick Houses. in One Lived Wm Vandever our Congress Man and Maj Genl in the Civil War - in one of the other Rev Peter Fleurey the first Pastor of the German Presbeterian Church, the Friend of our Family and who gave us our first Nights & few
262
days Shelter on our Arival in Dubuque in 1846, and here his Wife died in 1851 or 52. (183) in the Other House Lived Mr Corckery and Old Irish Politician He Moved to California in the midle Fifties - Jacob Christman Built his Home on the Corner some time early in the Sixties - same Street South Side had in 1850 but one Building on it and that On the Cor of the Alley, A Private Boarding House - Kept by Mr L A Thomas and his Wife - during the War Mrs Thomas was A Zellous Member of the Christian Commission and Army Nurse - she it was That found my Friend Matt Ploeckli in the Hospital at Memphis and Attend him until he died - after the War they became very distitute And had to ask for Aid from Friends - they deserved better Treatment From the Goverment. The intire Block between 6th & 7th St was from Earliest times The Washington Park, but until after the Civil War it was Kept in such poor Condition that it was not much better than A Cow Pasture. during the Lincoln Douglas Campaign in 1860 Senator Douglas (the Little Giant) mad a Speack here - they said he was then in A half intoxicated Condition - and here in 1865 (Sept) the Hero off the Civil War was Recieved by A tremendeous Crowd - he mad only a Very short Speach. My Sweeheart Nellie being over on A Visit I took her down to see and Hear him. On the Oposite Block there was Only one Building, the Large Stone Curch of the Campelites. in the Basement A Mr Henry (Brother of Mrs Shomo) taugh School. I Attended this for One term about 1852/53. On the Cor of 6th St in the Sixties there was A Livery Stable up to 1877. it was then Kept Mr Wm De Lorimior. Oposite Block between 5th & 6th in the Cor or
263
near it was the Double Brick House, Home of James R Goodrich, Methodist Preacher and Retired Dry Goods Merchant, Noted for his Closeness in Money matters &c and his long Prayers. His Son Frank died on the Battlefield of Shilo April 16/62, he Was Adjutant off the 16th. his Father refused to bring his Corps Home on Account Off the Cost this made him very Unpopular. His Daughtor Fanny was Married to A Mr Cherry in in the Fall off 1855. I was the Usher - they Went South and were there during the War and lost evrything He died and she Came Home in destitute Circumstances - and he Although in good Circumstances refused to take her in or Aid her She then Rented A Room and took in Sewing, but she went Back South 5 or 6 Months after. that is the Kind of A Man he was. The Next Building A Large double Brick - with Wide high Porch was Built by Peter Waples in the Early Fifties and her He died and here My Boss E. L. Barny Married his (Waples-s) Niece in 1856. The Next Building up to Cor 4th was the Julian Theatre The first off its Kind, Built in 1851 or 52, it was A great Pride to Dubuque And here we first saw Forres, Matilda Herron, Kate & Sue ***Demins?***[handwritten] and most off the Famous Actors and Stars off that day and Time. (184) The Herald Building Cor 8th Oposite Block was Erected in the Late Sixties by its Propriators Ham and Carver. below that Were one or two Small Houses. on the Cor of 5th was the Largest Three Story Frame Hotel of A Mr Miller up to 1855 to 57, it was A Very popular House for Transient Patronage. the intire St (5th) was Given up for the Fire Engine Co. and for Market, and Small Booths Off all Kinds lined both Sides of the Street.
264
On the Block Oposite Betwn 4th & 5th I can Remember but 3 Buildings - On the Cor 5th there Lived Widow Gonder and her two Daughters. it was A good two Story Brick House - the Oldest Daughter Married Mr Merrideth now Father in Law to J F Stampfer, the Youngest Grew up into an Old Maid. the Next House was also of Brick Here Lived A Mr Brinsmaid, his Wife a very Jellous Woman One Night as he Slept Committed an Unmentionable Crime on him. it is stated (or was) to be A fact - they left Town Son After. there was I think but one other House in the Block A Frame. on 4th St between Locust and Bluff, Lived Mr Thedinga in A Frame Cottage. his History is given on Main St Page. On the Oposite side there were up to 1856 - 3 or 4 Nice 2 Story Frame House, the Livery Stable on the Cor was Built by the Lagans in the late Fifties or early Sixties. The Cor Oposite Between 3rd & 4th was the Property off L D Randall - here He Built his Fine Mansion in the late Fifties and here He And his Wife Lived and Died - Now the Rest of the St to the End off Dublin now South Locust was all Built up, but in One & Two Story Frame Buildings and below 1st St mostly Hovels and Shanties here Lived the Irish Population and for Years Decent People hardly dared go down that St. from 1st St for 3 or 4 Blocks down the place was all Doggeries & Low Class Boarding Houses - Our Second Home in the Town was in A 2 Story Frame on the 2nd Floor A Negro Family lived on the 1st Floor. We lived there only 3 or 4 Months it was to Tough for us - us Boys hardly dared to go out on the Street in the Ravine the Road to Rockdale was about as bad - it was fairly well
265
Built but same Class of People. Mr Kempf Built a Brewery under The Bluff in the Early Fifties. the St from 3 down to 1st was more Respectable mostly Private Homes, here & there A Saloon or Boarding House on 2nd St to Locust there were A few Residences & Small Buisness Houses. This is the Story of Locust as I saw it and still Remember it from 1846/48. to 1865 - whatever Improvements have been made or whatever Things Good or Bad have happend Since those days, the Generation from 1865 To 1890 Know or Remember, and Will have to Transmit to the Future Generations (185) I now take up Bluff St from 16th to 1st St or rather to & below the Gass House, adopting the same Method as on Locust St. Block for Block From West to Oposite Block East. - There were No Buildings On it down to 15th St. There (on 15th under the Bluff Chs Hargis A Steam Boat Pilot of the early days Built his 2 Story Brick Home in the Fifties. he died some time in the Sixties. on the Cor off 14th Mr Blossom had his Home and Orchard up to The late Sixties. On the Oposite Side of the Street there were then As now (1890) no Buildings down to about Midde of the Block Between 10th & 11th St. On the Bluff head of 15 & 16th St. there Was in 1850 but One Building, A fine Brick House on the Summit, the Home of A Pioneer Family by Name of Yates - All Old Settlers, will remember thier Son Bob, A genial Fine Young Man but quite Lame. On Side off the Bluff Faceing 14th St. Rufus Rittenhouse Built his fine Home in the Late Fifties, A Castle like Building, Called For Rittinhouse Mr Gillium (Black Hawk) Bought this for A Home in the Sixties and Lived there up to his Death. On 14th St there
266
were Quite a few Buildings in the Early days. The Weigel Home a Double Brick - was there, also the Russell House and the Little Frame Cottage off Widow Johnson and her two Daughters Then there were A few Frame Houses above them (South Side) Oposite Side above Bluff St there were only 2 or 3 Houses - the St Joseph College being Built some time in the Sixties. The House Cor 14th for Years the McCollough Home, was Built in the late Fifties. the fine double Brick with the Wide high Poarch was Built by M D Bissell Wholesale Grocer in the late Fifties or they Early Sixties for his Home. the next 2 Story Stone House was built about same time by A Mr Richards. the double Brick below and The large Frame next were early date Buildings especialy the Brick House. below that were a few Small Frame Buildings. On the Corner below was the 2 Story Brick Home of the Family Off Mr Aderson A Surveyor of the early Dubuque days This in later Yeas has been the Home of Mr the Coffe & Spice Merchant. The Cor below was in very early days the Home of the late Geo W Burden The Street now Arlington St was up to 1860 not Open only about up to the McDanial Home, and his was then the only Building any where near - he was An early Pioneer, his Wife was A Large Noisey Woman - Eccentric in Talk and Manners. There were 6 Children - Richard, Leo, Euphrates Mile & Frank And A Daughter, the Wife of T J Levan the Apple Merchant - I Knew The whole Family - not one of the Boys were any good. the other Buildings on (186) The Block were nearly all Frame up to Cor 10th. here there was A one Story Brick Risidence, back of this the Bluff up to the Top was all barren full of Trees
267
Brush and Stones, from what is now Terrace Park ave down to Bluff St and from Arlington to 11th St. here us Kids spent our Afternoons - Vacation Time, it was then A Secluded Spot and we could play allsorsts of Prancks and Not be molested. On the Block below West side from 11th to 10th there Were but one or two Small Buildings up to 1860, and so it was On the East Side - but here they were in a little better Style - Between 8th 9th it was about the same - There was A One Story Brick - in after Years the Home of Mr Tice of Meyers Tice & Co. next To it was the then Fine Colonial front Brick House and Home of Peter A Lorimior, An Old Frenchman and A very Early Pioneer Reputed quite Wealthy. he it was that Built the Lorimer House in the Mid Fifties at this time Considerd the Finest Building And best Hotel in the State and the Pride of Dubuque for Years. From 8th St up the Street was (and is) Known as Julian Ave. from the Lorimer Hous up to the Cor St on North Side were a few Frame Buildings only. in the first One Lived the Healy Family On the 2nd Floor. Mrs H had just been Divorced from her Husband They were just Moved in from A Farm and were very Poor. her Brother Fred Weigel was thier Main support. here the Oldest Daughter Mary Ann died off Consumption I got George his First Situation in the Seed Store off Doolittle & Chamberlin in the Summer of 1856. Oposite the Diamond House under the Bluff Mr A Painter Built A Home - a fine Brick House- on The back of this, perched on the Side Hill were A Rickity Frame Buildings, in One of these Lived Widow Finnigan she was a Good Sewer. I had her make my Clothes up after Tailor Gehring
268
Had cut them. (this was from 1866 to 1870) now farther up the Avenue (North Side) there were A few Scatterd Buildings up to the Emmerson Fine Home and Grounds, Mr E" was Related to the Shields Family and the Senior of the Firm of Emmerson & Shields Cor 4th & Main St They were quite Wealthy - the had 2 Boys, neither of them any good, the Oldest one Van - was A Drunck and soon got rid of his Portion. The rest of the Land up to the Cor of Alta Vista St was the Estate of Genl Or Senetor Jones, on the Cor he Built his fine Home - the rest was all in Fruit Trees and Mellons and this was A favorite Spot for us Boys. the Senator was A Settler of the Territorial and Indian days. he was from the South, had some Education and so was looked up to by the Rough Minors & Element of those days. he was A fine looking Man, full of Flattery (187) ***Bumcom be***[handwritten] and Stories, so when the State was Admitted in 1846, he was Elected its first Senator. this would never have happend in later Years. Under Buchannas Administration he was Minister to - Bogota. while There he stood and Wittnisstned the Burning of Bibles in the Public Square by Monks and Priests without protest. for this & his Letters to Jeff Davis ands his Treasnable Talk, he was Recalled And for A Short time Imprisond in Fort Laffeyette by Presidt Lincoln. his Three Sons were very litte account. George the Youngst Joined the Rebel Army and was Captured at Ft Henry Tenn. in 1862. Chas was A sort of A Lawyer and the last of his Years he was very Simple Minded. Bill was A Born Loafer and Lived and died as such. Of the two Daughters, One Married A Chicago Doctor, the other one Married Mr Duess
269
of Pickenbrock & Duess Whole Sale Boot and Shoe Dealers. the Old Man Lived To be over Ninty Years Old, Outliving all but one Daughter. On the other side off Alta Vista St. Capt Marsh, Steam Boat Captian Built a fine Home in the late Fifties. he died shortly after. his Widow Outlived him many Years. on the Other or Oposite side off the Ave was The Wellk now Diamond House Built in the early Fifties - back off that Was An Old double Brick & One or two Frame Houses. on the Street Up the Hill where now the Street Car Runs was A double Brick and A Frame House or two and back off them on the Bluff were 2 or 3 Houses That is about all there was on this Hill and the Bluff embracing what is now West 5th to West 3rd and the now Faishonable or Aristoratic St Where near point of the Bluff and head of 4th St Elevator J K Graves - Sol Turck & other High toned People Built thier fine Homes in the Sixties and Seventies. up to 1858 all this was so to say an Uninhabbited Wildernes. The Langworthy Brothers Built fine Houses back on and near Alta Vista St in the late Fifties, and near them A Old Timer and fine Man - Mr Mairn, A Hyde & Leather dealer Also had his Home. his Son Married Sam Uptons Daughter. Now to go back to the Ave. above the Diamond House for 2 or 3 Block there were only 3 or 4 Frame Buildings Above them was the Fine Home of Mr Simplot an Uncle off Alex and Chas - *** ***[unreadable] was A frame wich was the the Grocerie Store off an Old German Bachlor - A Mr Weiss, and on Cor of Alta Vista St was the Frame House of Mr Martin a Neibhor Of ours while living on Main St. back of this for 1 or 1 1/2 Miles up to the Village of West Dubuque up to 1856 there were
270
no Houses - West Dubuque was A Mining Village of Grogeries Cheap Boarding Houses and A few small Stores. it was then like Dublin A Tough place & Shuned by Strangers (188) I must go back down Julian Ave to the Street below the Emmerson Home. there Lived David Decker A Boot and Shoe dealer He was Elected Sherriff in the Mid Fifties, but doubting His Ability to properly fill it he resigned the Office in a few Months, and on this Bluff at the Summit H S Hethrinngton Built A fine Home in the late Fifties. here he Lived up to the late Sixties when he removed to his New Home on Ellis St. - - Now we come to the Bluff St again, East Side Between 8th & 9th St. Here up to 1860 were only 2 or 3 Small frame Buildings, on The side Oposite between 7th & 8th were a few Inferior frame Buildings in one of these Lived the Younger branch of the Christman Family and the Mother, they were Charles - Gus Kate Sarah and one Younger up to 1860, On the Corner oposite but Facing 8th St was A 3 Story Brick from 1856 to 1859 The first Floor was then the U S Post Ofice. the upper Floors Wes used for A Theatre, the Peoples, it was very handsomly Fitted up and soon surpassed the Julian Theatre. One Night in the Winter of 1857 after A heavy Snow fall, the back Walls were Pressed out by the Wieght off Snow on the Roof, And fell on the little Frame Cottage back of it, it was then the Home off an Old Retired Sea Captain and his Wife, it crushed The Building like an Egg Shell and Killed the Old Couple - Thier Grave may be seen to this day in Linwood. the Post Office Then Moved to the S W Cor 8th & Main where it remaind until it removal to 9th & Locust
271
St. On the Corner Jacob Christman Built his Home in the Mid Sixties, on Block Opost between 6th & 7 Were one or two Brick and Frame House, below that at head of 6th Sitting way back in the Yard was A two Story Brick the Home of Mr Robbins the Jeweller. the Block oposite was the Washington Square. on Cor 5th (West) was the early & fine Home Off J P Farly for many Years, the Block oposite was all barren The Street below this up to the Cathedral was all Built up but No prominient People lived there. the West Side was mostly 2 Story Brick the East Side nearly all Cheap Frame Houses, but on the Corner of 3rd East John the Grafford in 1855 Built his Fine 5 Story Brick Hotel - it never was much of A Success and was let out for other Purposes in A few Years. below to 1st St were all Frame Shacks The present Cathedrall was begun in the late Fifties by Bishop Smyth and Completed as it now stands by Bishop ***Hem?***[em ? Handwritten] The first Bishop of Dubuque And the State was Bishop Loras, in my day, a little Old dried up Frenchman who is now referd to as the Saintly Bishop, he was a pleasent (189) And allways Smiling Old Man. I often saw him on the Street. the Only Buildings worthy off Note below that to the Ravine or Street Leading up the Hill wer the Public School andd Gass House. the School Was Built in 1855 with the Four others all about Alike by Rague The Achitact, the Gass House in the later Fifties with J K Graves President and Jerry Howard Suprintendent off the Co. the rest Off the Street and up along the Ravine was all Small Frame And Logg Shacks with A tough Set of Irish People - Saloons and Small Stores, it was unsafe for Strangers even in
272
daylight - this Was from 1846 to 1860. - On Wests Hill - so Named after Mr West who had A sort off a Grocerie Store S W. Cor 4th and Main St (Mr Thedingas former Shoe Store) his two Sons Orville & Orlando - Were Steam Boat Pilots and Tough Wild Boys. the were Ringleads off The then Rowdy Gang and Town Terrors when Off duty or Work. This Hill or Bluff was the place where A Barbacue & Pinic Celebration was held on the 18th off July 1855, in Honor off the Opening Off the Dubuque & Sioux City R. R. now the I C R R. it was a great Event and nearly all the Town was there. of cource, I was there to! Senator Stephen A Douglas (the little Giant) made the principal Speach - he was nearly Drunk - he loved Liquor. - this about ends The tale of the Town as I Knew it, Saw it, and Still Remember it from 1846 to 1890. I have Skipped several Localities in the regular Order - so Will now take them up. What in now West Eagle Point Ave from Conler Ave up, was then Known as Langworthy Hollow. it was Sparley Settled - and nearly all were Market Huckter Gardners. in the Early Sixties Mr Cushing Built & Operated A Vinegar Factory in these parts, above that an Old Irishman by Name Off Welsh had A Small Farm here - he wanted to be A Politician, and in the Sixties he actualy was Elected as A Justice of the Peace. his 2 Boys were the worst in the City - So bad that the Rowdy Gang would not Recognize them. Jim was A Plaster when he Worked, wich was Seldom, and A drunckard and died as such. Con was all that Was bad, Loafer Bully and Jail Bird, above that was all a bare Wilderness - the Pest House was then located up here
273
at the foot of the Ravine Leading up the Bluff where the Water Reservoi now is. this was allways up to 1857 A rich Mining district and A Bonanza for us Boys to pick Over the dirt thrown away by the Miners. We often made 75› to #100oo pr day. From one off these Deep & Rich Mines flows the Clear Spring Water that was the Cities Supply up to 1870. this Mine was Booth & Carters & made them Wealthy, but Farther up this way the Lead Vein gave out, and it was left A Wilderness (190) The Bluff at the Head of Main St was up to 1858/59 all barren and All Trees and Brush - A Favorite Haunt for us Boys and A good Pic Nic Ground. about the first Building was the Dr Porter House He was A Dentist but off rather bad repute in later Years. his House was at the Top off the Ravine, and right back off the Blake House. The House at nearly the point off the Bluff head off Main Street was Built for his Home by Col West in the Midle Sixties it has Been for Years the Residence of John V Rider. the only other Building even up to 1858, was the Frame Building fronting on Conler Ave and the 18th St Engine House, it was Built in the Summer of 1858 by One off my Employers, E L Barney - it has Since, for Years been the Home of Geo Rath Sr. all the other Buildings on this Bluff or Bluffs out to West Dubuque Have been Built since 1860 - what is now North Main St was Only a rough Hill Side not even A pathway. after the Street was Opened, Mr Blossom Built his fine Home on the East Side off it. he Sold it in A few Years to Mart Van Vorhees A I C R R Conducter. he lived there for A few Years - Ellis and Almond St up to 1860 were not Know as such and no Houses
274
Were on them, our Home 70 Ellis St was the first that in July 1857. There were no Rail Roads nearer then Galena Ill up to 1854. That Summer the I C R R reached Dunleith in the Mid Sixties Large Ferry Boats built for the Special purpos off brinng intire Frains over the River were in operation for a few Years, when in the Summer off 1867 the I C R R Rail Road Bridge was Built. The R R. Clinton Chicago and Dubuque (now the C N & St P) Reached Dubuque in the late Sixties, but this was its Terminal for A Year of two then it reach St Paul. Joe Rhomberg was its First Vice President, and to him and his Fore sight Dubuque is Indepted for the Large Ellegant Shop Buildings - Round House it Has there, the other Bridges Spanning the River and the other Rail Ways And Buildings Public and Private now so Many & so fine, all over the City, I need not enumerate, as the have all been Built in the present Generation and so will be rememberd by them. my Object in these Reminences has been to show what Dubuque was in its Pioneer days From 1846 to 1860 - as in the late Comming Home Celebration in June ***1853***[5 handwritten] - The Oldest Pioneers seem to have intruly forgotten most off the Old Settlers - & the Tragic & Interesting Events and Notable Buildings off Those Wild Hustling and Now interesting Times and Days - Related in These pages. Mistakes & Errors off Dates & People have no doubt been made Here & there, but as it has been 10 Years & over, I hope they will be Overlooked (199) At the time we Arived in Dubuque - March 17th 1846, it was A rough Frontier Village off about 3500 Inhabitants. it had Been Icorparated for A few Years, had A Mayor and A
275
Board Off Aldermen, 2 Justices of the Peace, and One Town Marshall I was most all Built up off Frame and Log Buildings with A few Blocks off 2 Story Brick Store Buildings and these were All below 5th on Main St. with here and there A Brick Risidence - as Ed Langworthy, Cor 14th & White, L Langworthy Cor 12th & Iowa, Jude T S Wilson, 16th & White. The Blake House On Mineral St. the Old Court House and The Brick House on 7th & White and the One A little below the Jefferson House - and Exepting the last 3 the others were then in the Suburbs and nearly out of the Town Limit. The Sorunding Bluff were then Hony combed with Minneral Holes and about half the Town was engaged in Mining for Lead - the Country all over from Catfish Creek to Perue Bottom was Rich with Mineral and up to 1850 was the Chief attraction and Source of Weath and the Hope off the Poor Man that draw him these Mining Claims. it was so in my Fathers Case, but he never took to it. us Boys in the Summer off 1846, did all the Mining off the Family by Picking over the Dirt dumped out off the Mines. There were Then Lots off Indians in the Vicinity, and it was no unusual Sight to see them and thier Squaws on Main St. and thier Boys Shooting at Pennies with thier Bows and arrows. These were also The great Steam Boat days - Seldom was any out of Sight on the River And great was the Rivalry betwn them, especialy as to wich should Be the first to Arive in the Spring, for the first Arival had Free Dockage All Summer, and when her Whistle was heard, The whole Population Men Woman & Children rushed down to the Landing - The Boats were all Large Ellegant Side Wheelers. I dont remember A
276
Seeing a Single Stern Wheel Boat, and as for the Pilots of them days - Well They were the whole thing, when they Swaggerd up Town Hats on Side and Nose in the Air - why is was A distinction to be Noticed by them - and to Be Cussed by them was a never to be forgotten Honor. the outranked the Capt Ashore and A float. They were Paid #200oo to #250oo pr Month & often #300oo Oh these were great days - and those of that time yet Living will never Forget them, The Steam Boat Racing The Horse Races at Peru Bottom The Circuses - Plunkets Theatre and Sally St Clair, Julian Theatre And Kate & Sue Dennin, The 2 Hand Fire Machines & thier Rivalry & Thier 2 Captains,Jerry Howard & Henry Schunk and last but not least Our Jolly Little Town Marshall Joe Swab, all gone yet not forgotten (200) Peru Bottoms 5 Miles North off the Court House was at First intended for the Site of Dubuque but as the Land Laid very lowe and was Subject to an Overflow evry Spring and Fall it was Abandoned, but for some Years up to 1855 it was A favorite place for Horse Races, and the McKnight Springs A great Pic Nic Resort. Thompson Mill On the Makoquota was the City Limit from 1855 on -
Some off The Noted Men off Early Pioneer Day were. Viz -
Genl or Senator Geo W Jones Lucius, Solon and Edward Langworthy -- Miners Richard Bonson " T S Wilson Teritorial Judge and Lawyer
277
D S Wilson Lawyer and State Senator H A Wiltse Lawyer & Judge W H Sandbore Real Estate and Speculater Stephen Hempstead- Lawyer and 2nd Govenor of the State Caleb Booth Miller and one of the early Mayor -. Mr Burt Lawyer and Mayor in the late Fifties J D Jennings Real Estate and Speculator Mr McDaniel Brick Layer and Stone Mason Warner Lewis County & City Recorder John King Printer off the firs Paper in Iowa, the Visitor J B Dorr Editor Proprito of Express and Herald up to 1861 Then Col 8th Iowa Cav. Died in 1864 Andrew Keesecker One of Iowa-s first & Oldest Printers F V Goodrich Merchant J R Goodrich " J P Farly Merchant Steam Boat Owner & Manufacturer Mr Simplot Minor, Father off Alex--Chas and Henry C C Childs Printor D A Mahony Propriate off Exp & Herald after 1861 & Copphead during The War Timothy Mason Doctor and Druggist Mr Thedinga Merchant and Banker
278
Mr Gilliam (Called Black Hawk) Father of Oscar Lon & Mrs ***Payace(?)***[handwritten] Mr Shields Merchant, Brother off Genl, & Father of (Bud) the Lawyer Mr Emmerson Merchant Partnor off Mr Shields. (191) Rev J W Conkey - Brother off Mrs Dr Watson Dr Lewis, Father off Theodore and John P Lewis. Platt Smith Lawyer and ***Landed***[handwritten] Propriator Dr Asa Horr Leonard Horr Brother of the Doctor and Father of Major Horr Dr Koepfli - Father off Doc Koepfli the Grocer Rufus Rittenhouse, Brick layer and Contractor Mr ***Canon(?)***[non (?) handwritten] and his Sons - William, Charles and Henry - Grocers Mr Thaubald Soap Manufacturer, he Built the Factory in Dubin Now Owned by Mr Beach. he died off Cholera in 1853 -
De Grisselles Wine Merchant and Importer John Birkle - Boarding House and Saloon Cor 4th & Clay - North W Mr Luck - Saloon Keeper Father of Geo and Doctor John Mr Krickbrum - Wealthy German Mr Mangold " " Speculater Jacob Mitchel, Shoe Dealer on Main St Mr Shine, Builder off the Shine Block Main & 4th South East Cor
279
Pat Norton Drayman - Father of John Ed and Sarah***[hdwrtn] Judge Dyer , Builder and Owner off Home off Sisters St Joseph Cor 13th & Main Mr Zublin So East Cor 11th & Main - Father of Ralph. Dr Gillespi the Druggist Mr Mack the Gun Smith, Builder off Rowe Brick Bldg Cor 13th & Iowa to Alley Capt Marsh, Steam Boat Capt up to 1860. Shomo the Black Smith
These are about all the Prominent Men that came to Dubuque Befor 1850 - quite a number off them Settled there even earlier than 1840. but the Majority arived from 1840 to 1849 - There are More that arived from 1850 to 1860 - to many to enumerate - such as, J K Graves - Wm B Allison, Wm Bradley, John and H B Glove, Mr Palmer Mr Winnall - Mr Bergh, Dr Staples, Robinson the late Shoe Man E H Eigh the Banker, The ***Wundlich***[undlich handwritten] Brothers, W J Knight The Ellwanger, John Melhop Sr. B B Richards, his Father in Law, Mr Whittaker Mr Ryan the Pork Packer, F W H Sheffield J P Scott, G B ***Greavenor***[reavenor handwritten] Mr Harger, W C Chamberlin, Mr Wemot & his Partner Mr Howard and Still A larger Number off lesser Lights, Attracked by the Boon of 1853 to 1858, (192) Major M Mobley - Banker Father off Ed and Four other bad Boys John D Bush, Pork Packer - Miller and Land Owner - Fred Weigel - Partner in Buisness off John D Bush Peter Waples Builder and Proprietor off Julian House up to 1856
280
Robert Waples Merchant and Speculater H. Hewitt, Land Lord of City Hotel up to 1856. Bishop Loras, 1st Bishop of Iowa, Builder off 1st Cathedral Rev John Holbrook, Minister 1st Congregal Cuch up to 1856 Rev Peter Fleury, Organizer off 1st German Presbeterian Church Wm Vandever, Lawyer Congressman & Maj Genl in Civil War Peter Laine Sr. Laborer, then Real Estate Agt. F E Bissell Lawyer and Atty Genl of the State up to 1860 - Peter Lorimier,Builder and Owner off Lorimier House Mr Finnemore, Pollitician, Govt Official, Brother in Law to J T Hancock Jessey Harrison Landlord of the American House Josh Ogelsby, Bricklayer, his Wife was Sister off Poet T Buchanan Reed - P H Moreheiser City Marshall from 1856 to 1861 - the Chieff or Police ***[heiser handwritten] Old Squire Gilliam (Father of Black Hawk G) at Nashville Tenn under Rosencrantz Jacob Christman, Partner of J P Farly in Hard Ware Buisness Dick Cox Land Owner and Capitalist Tom Levins Successfull as a Miner M D Bissell Whole Sale Grocer L D Randall Merchant, Leather and Harness Store Timothy Faming Owner of the Horse Ferry Boat, Ocean Wave - Mr Guerin Old retired French Soldier of Napolian Wars Joe Swabb our First City Marshall about 5 foot High John Bell - Miner and Dry Goods Merchant
281
John V Rider, Farmer Boy - Clerk for J P Farly - Dept Sherriff Partner of John Bell Dry Goods - Capitalits, &c Mr Blake (Mineral St) Miner and Land Owner Mathis Ham -(Eagle Point) Farmer & Brick Manufacturer. Richard Plum, first Land Lord of Tremont House Mr Kaltenbach, Watch Maker and Jeweler A Heeb - One of the Towns firs Beer Brewers M. Tsehirge also One of the Towns firs Beer Brewers ***[Tsehirge handwritten]*** Albert Mathews Plasterer and Contracter Ben M Samuels Lawyer Cadidate for Govenor Democrat 1858 Geo Connell, Carpenter Father in Law off P W Crawford P W Crawford, Lawyer, Soldier, and Legislator Geo L Nightingale, Lawyer and Mayor of City in the Fifties. ***(195)***[inserted left margin of page] The Prominent Lawyers off that early day were few, I can only recall The following Ben M Samuels, Great Crimnal Lawyer Mr Burt Jude F E Bissell - Attorny Genl for the State in the late Fifties O P Shiras Partnorer up t Mr Bissills Death A J Vanderzee " " " " " Judge T S Wilson. S P Adams MS Provost Marshall during Civil War Platt Smith
282
The Mayors off from 1846 to 1860, I can now only Recall Caleb Booth Geo L Nightingale Judge Burt
The Rowdy Ellement, the Leaders or Ringleaders were Tom and Jim McNear Tad Mason (or Lyon real Name)] Chas Cleveland Bill and Jack Davis Pete Lorimor - Orlando and Orville West and Doc Koepfle Press Watterman - Geo and Charley Farley Bill John Ed and Bud Mobley - there were a Host off other But they Could not get inside the Ring, to thier great Sorrow - These are the Boys that Kept the Town Hot up to 1855 And made our little Marshall Joe Swab go in hiding - When the got on A Rampage. after 1855 Phill Morehiser was Our Marshall. he was A large Powerfull Man and did not Fear them. he very soon showed them that thir Jigg was up. the Feared him, the worst left Town and the others wer Cowed down
(196) The Steam Boats Captains that were Popular with us Boys were Capt Mr Harris - He lived in Galena Ill " Lawton " " " Plattville Wis " Tom Levins (one Summer only) " " " Dubuque - " Marsh " " " "
283
The Steam Boat Pilots off Dubuque were W H Morse Chas Cleveland Chas Hargus Orlando West Orville.
These Boys in the great flourishing Steam Boat Days up to 1865, Earned Big Wages #200oo to #300oo pr Month, and when the Boats laid up for the Winter, they wer The Lords & Princes off the Town -***Nabobs***[handwritten] sure, no use for any Small Fry to attempt any Familliarity, they would be witherd with A glance - and they made the Money fly and Kept the Old Town Hot all Winter, it was Seldom any one off them Could Show Five Dollars when Winter ended, Oh they were Gay Boys - in them days There many Rowes and Drunken Pitched Battles, and the Little Logg Jail was full about evry Night, but I Cant recall a single Serious Rowe - beyond A Black Eye or A Bloody Nose, and exepting The Gillick Murder off 1857, there was no other up to the Summer off 1860. This is a remarkably good Record when it is Considerd that the Town was (as they say) Wide Open - all Day and All Night, with Sunday the biggest day off all Wiskey and Beer was plenty and Cheap - and any Man Woman Or Child that had the Price could get all they wanted any time. Gambling and Assignation House plied thier Trad with Open doors and none to say them Nay, such was Dubuque As I Can Remember it from 1846 to 1855, befor that in earlier Times it was no doubt Worse still, but I speak off only what I Know.
If you have
any questions or comments, please e-mail me at
larry@conzett.org. Thank you.