M'STEEN

Biographical History and Portrait Gallery of Scott County...1895; American Biographical Publishing Co.

John McSteen

     Mr. M'Steen is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was born  July 18, 1840, being the third child in the family of Patrick McSteen and Bridget (McDermott) McSteen. His parents came to this country from Ireland in their youth, and were married on this side of the water. His father was a brass moulder and gas fitter by trade, and in this business was very successful. His mother died when he was very young, and he was taken into the family of her brother, with whom he resided and by whom he was educated.
     His youth was spent in obtaining his schooling at the Christian Brothers' School and at a select school taught by John Cavanaugh, both being located in Pittsburgh. Here he remained until he was about seventeen years of age, at which time he learned the trade of stove moulding, with the firm of Graff & Co and continued at this work until he was twenty-one years of age. It was about this time that his uncle and his aunt with their family concluded to move to the West. It was their idea that in this section of the world would be found greater opportunities for the accumulation of money than could be found elsewhere. Mr. McDermott desired to leave his trade and take up the occupation of farming, and for that reason when the party came to the vicinity of Davenport they located, not in the city, but in the country - in Winfield township- where Mr. McDermott purchased a farm.
     Mr. McSteen remained with his uncle, engaging in agricultural pursuits and giving up his trade also. They had reached Davenport some time during the spring of 1859, and Mr. McSteen remained with his uncle for about sixteen years, or until some time in 1876.
     He accumulated enough during his career as a farmer to purchase an acre of ground, and built for himself a cozy home thereon. Later, as time dealt kindly with him, he got together funds to purchase a threshing machine, and during four or five seasons-some time in the 70s-he conducted a very prosperous business throughout the County. His machine was entirely destroyed by fire during the beginning of one season, and Mr. McSteen found himself face to face with a state of affairs which was calculated to discourage and dishearten the strongest of men. He owed several hundred dollars, which had been borrowed on the outfit, and although he was not compelled to do so, owing to the nature of his contract, he gave up his home in the country in the settlement of his debt. Friends and relatives had endorsed his notes, and, had he been so disposed, he could have allowed them to pay the sums necessary to square his accounts, but he chose the more honorable course, and as a result moved into the city of Davenport, where he had just enough money to pay one month's rent-leaving but fifty cents in his pocket.
     He had absolutely no opportunities for making money. He cast about for some time in the effort to find the means to make a living, and finally got work over at Rock Island Arsenal as a teamster, which occupation he followed for a couple of years with reasonable good success.
     This employment enabled him to purchase a lot and build himself a home in the City of Davenport, and in partnership with Joseph Nole he engaged in the implement business, having borrowed six hundred dollars. Misfortune again overtook him. This time, however, not in the same manner as before, although he lost everything. He had given promissory notes for the money he had borrowed, and as a result, when the failure of the firm took place, the little property which he had accumulated was seized, and he was left again without a home. This was early 1879.
     He was a candidate during that spring for the city clerkship, and good fortune overtook him when he was elected to the office by a large majority. It was, perhaps, true that his business failure had something to do with his success at the election. However, it would appear that he must undoubtedly have been very successful in the office, for he was ten times reelected, and his friends insisted upon him running the eleventh time, when he was defeated, but not in fair competition. It happened that after that he had refused to allow his name his friends came to him and urged that he allow himself to be placed in nomination. This he absolutely refused to do at first, but finally consented to run independently, there having been previously chosen a representative from his party ranks. He consented to run for one election, only upon condition that the Republicans would not place a candidate in nomination. This the Republicans had promised, but they failed to fulfill their promise, and as a result there were three candidates in the field, the Republican winning.
     Inside a week after the contest was decided Mr. McSteen went into the life, fire and accident insurance business, representing the following companies: American of Newark, New Jersey; Union of Philadelphia; Security of Davenport; Grand Rapids of Michigan; United States Mutual Accident Company; Firemen's of Newark, New Jersey; Eagle Fire of New York; State of Des Moines; Capital of Des Moines, and Manhattan Life Insurance Company. He has been very diligent in this and his success has been very good.
     Mr. McSteen's political aspirations were not confined entirely to his ten years' service in the city clerk's office. While he was a resident of Winfield Township he was justice of the peace for four years and secretary of the school for six years, also township clerk for seven or eight years.
     Some time in 1890 he purchased a cigar store and has conducted a successful business in that line in connection with his insurance. He has his insurance office in his cigar and tobacco establishment, but regards the cigar business as of small importance compared with his insurance business.
     Mr. McSteen is one of the substantial citizens of Scott County. He is possessed of an indomitable will and great energy, coupled with which he has ability and good business judgment. His career has been an interesting one in many respects, and owing to the misfortunes which have befallen him great credit is due him for what he has accomplished. He not only has sustained severe financial losses, but in 1861 met with the loss of his leg as the result of a threshing machine accident. A strange thing about this accident was the fact that Mr. McSteen had arranged all his affairs to enlist in an Iowa regiment for service in the War of the Rebellion. He was to have enlisted on the evening of the accident, and, in fact, had started for the place of enlistment, when he was called by some neighbors to assist in the work which later resulted in the loss of his limb and necessarily in the giving up of his military career.
     Through adversity and trial Mr. McSteen has toiled onward, steadily and resolutely, until he has been successful to a degree of which he has a right to feel proud.
     He was married, October 21, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Loyd, a native of New York City. The children of this union are: Charles F., residing in Phillipsburgh, Kansas, who is an engineer; Edward, who died at the age of one year; John P., residing in Horton, Kansas, and also an engineer; J.E., connected with the train dispatcher's office on the Rock island Railroad; Thomas P., residing in Davenport, a timekeeper at the Eagle Manufacturing Company's works, and Florence and Gertrude, residing at home.

     Charles D. Martin is a native of Davenport, having been born, October 26, 1848, the son of Luke and Mary (Dyer) Martin, both natives of Ireland. Mr. Martin's father was a farmer, and came to Davenport in 1846, where he resided until his death in 1848. Mrs. Martin's death occurred in 1862. In the family there were but two children, James, residing now in the West, and Charles D., who is prominently identified with the business interests of the city in which he has spent his entire life.
     The latter was educated in part in the public schools, and in part at Father Pelamorgues' school, an institution which flourished in Davenport for a number of years. Mr. Martin has been his own guide and counselor since he was thirteen years of age, and since that time has depended entirely upon his own resources for his advancement in the world. The first employment he had after leaving school was at farm work, for which he received eight dollars a month. Then he learned the harness maker's trade, in which he continued for about four years. Some time in 1868 he have up his trade to accept employment on one of the river packets, with which he was connected for a couple of years.
     In 1870 he joined a party of Davenporters, who immigrated to the Greeley Colony, in Colorado. A spirit of adventure and a desire to accumulate money prompted Mr. Martin to undertake this trip. Greeley at that time was an insignificant hamlet, there being few people there, and the chances for making money did not seem at all promising. The outlook not being favorable, Mr. Martin remained there only about six months, returning to Davenport to take a position in the retail grocery establishment of P.F. Kelly. In this he remained for a couple of years, when he engaged in the grocery business on his own account in partnership with Daniel Leonard, under the firm name of Martin & Leonard. Mr. Leonard retired from the business at the end of a year and Mr. Martin continued the establishment in his own name for six years. In 1879 he formed a partnership with J.F. Kelly in the wholesale liquor business under the firm name of Kelly & Martin. He had disposed of his grocery establishment in which he had been quite successful, and in the new venture with Mr. Kelly was more than ordinarily prosperous. Their business continued until prohibition was inaugurated in this State. The latter had the effect of bringing about a dissolution of the partnership and Mr. Martin went into the wholesale fruit business, in partnership with O.C. Woods and George W. Noth, under the firm name of Martin, Woods & Comapny. This establishment is still doing business in Davenport, having since been incorporated. It is now known as the Martin-Woods Company.
     In 1891 Mr .Martin was appointed County recorder to fill the unexpired term of Recorder Susenmiel. This position Mr. Martin held for six months, and in 1892 he organized the Davenport Bag and Paper Company in connection with George Noth and Gus Eckhardt. Of this company Mr. Martin is still the president.
     On the first of January, 1892, Mr. Martin formed a partnership in the real estate business with George A. Koester, in which business he is engaged at the present time, giving the greater part of his attention to the transactions of this firm.
     He has had a busy life for a young man, and the fact that he has succeeded in different kinds of business evidences his resourcefulness, sagacity and executive ability. He has to-day interests in a number of enterprises in the city, and has stock in concerns which are not mentioned above. He is a very energetic man, but has a great aversion to office work-in fact, this is one of his peculiarities, if it may be termed such-and for that reason he has never been able to content himself with a life of confinement. In his present active connection with the firm of Koester & Martin he does the greater part of what is commonly termed "outside work" in connection with the real estate transactions, and is better suited, perhaps, to this kind of work than to any other. He likes to come into contact with other men, enjoys the making of new acquaintances, and is full of enthusiasm concerning the prospects for Davenport's future greatness. He gives strangers a splendid impression of the city and its resources, and is an active promoter of its material growth and prosperity.
     He has always taken a lively interest in the city's welfare, and has found time to serve the city in the capacity of alderman from the Fifth Ward for six years. He was for five years chairman of the finance committee and in this position many important matters came under his supervision. His record as an alderman is that of a man faithful and diligent in the performance of his obligations to his constituents.
     Mr. Martin was married February 19, 1878, to Miss Johanna Grace, daughter of Edward Grace of this city. To this union have been born seven children: Mary Elizabeth, William Henry, Grace Alice, Raymond Luke, Charles D., Florence Gertrude and Charles Edward, the last of whom died in infancy. Mr. Martin has a handsome home located at the northwest corner of Eighth and Farnam streets.

McHUGH

The History of Linn County, Iowa...Chicago: Western Hist. Co., 1878

    McHugh, John, farmer, S. 25; P.O. Lisbon; born in Ireland in 1826; came to this country in 1846 and to this county in 1855; owns 140 acres of land. He married Mrs. A. Kilkenny in 1855; she was born in Ireland; they have 3 children-Margaret, Mary A., Kate.

ELLISON

The History of Linn County, Iowa...Chicago: Western Hist. Co., 1878

Ellison, Samuel, farmer & stock raiser, Sec. 26; P.O. Mt. Vernon; born Ireland 1820; came to this county in 1840; owns 685 acres of land. He married Mary Scott in 1848; she was born in Indiana; has 5 children-William. G., James P., Ruth A., Mary M., and Margaret A., lost one.

CANNEY

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Union Counties...Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1887.

     Thomas Canney, one of the prominent and prosperous agriculturists of Ringgold County, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 33, Grant Township, is a native of Ireland, born November 16, 1826, a son of Michael and Mary Canney, who were natives of the same country. Thomas Canney was reared a farmer in Ireland till eighteen years of age, when he decided to try his fortunes in America. Accordingly, in April, 1844, he sailed from Liverpool, England, and landed at New York City, the 1st of May. He first went to Pennsylvania, where he worked on a farm for one summer, and in the following fall went to Ohio, remaining in that State one year. He then spent fiver years in the State of Illinois, and in 1853 came to Ringgold County, when he located on the farm where he has since made his home. He has on his land a fine orchard filled with many varieties of fruit trees, a well-cultivated farm and good farm buildings. Mr. Canney was married April 1, 1860, to Mary Cabert. They have had five children-Rose, Tansie, Daniel, Thomas and William. Rose and Thomas are deceased. In politics Mr. Canney casts his suffrage with the Democratic party. Mr. Canney has met with excellent success in his agricultural pursuits, and by his persevering energy and good business management has accumulated a large property, amounting to 750 acres, all of which he has gained by fair and honorable dealings, and what is of greater value, he has won the respect and confidence of all who know him.

BAILEY

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Union Counties...Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1887.

     Samuel Bailey, M.D., located in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, in March, 1879, and has built up a good practice, having gained the confidence and esteem of his patrons and brethren in the profession. He is a native of Rock Island County, Illinois, born September 1, 1851, a son of James and Anna (Blakely) Bailey, natives of Ireland, who came to America in their youth, and were married in Rock Island. His father died when he was an infant three months old, and he was reared by his widowed mother, and was given the benefit of a good education. He began the study of medicine with Dr. J.H. Seyler, of Preemption, Mercer County, Illinois, and subsequently entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, from which he graduated in February, 1879, and immediately after his graduation located in Mt. Ayr, where, for seven years, he has been identified with all that pertains to the social and material development of the place. In 1882 he was elected coroner of Ringgold County, and has held the office since by re-election. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, lodge and chapter, and also of the lodge and encampment of the Odd Fellow order. He is a member of the Epsicopal church, being confirmed by Bishop Lee, in 1866.

ELLIS

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Union Counties...Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1887.

     Francis Ellis, proprietor of the Ellis House and liver stable in Mt Ayr, is a native of Virginia, born  March 31, 1832, a son of Francis Ellis. His parents were natives of Ireland, immigrating to America about 1825, when they located in Virginia, where the father followed mercantile pursuits. When our subject was two years old his parents removed from Norfolk, Virginia, to Coshocton County, Ohio, where the father followed farming till his death. The mother also died in that county, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom four are yet living. Francis Ellis, the subject of this sketch, passed his youth in Coshocton County, receiving his education in the district schools. At the age of nineteen years he went to Davis County, Iowa, with a 160 acre land warrant his oldest brother gave his life for in the city of Mexico. In 1854 he was married to Miss Sussanah W. Yoast, a native of Ohio, but at the time of her marriage living in Davis County, Iowa, with her father and mother, and teaching district school. They have two children-Truman C and Mary Oliver, wife of W. A Reger, Turman B graduated from the Medical College at Iowa City, and is now a practicing physician at Bethany, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have lost three children by death. After his marriage Mr. Ellis settled on a farm in Davis County, where he followed farming until 1859, when he engaged in the hotel business, and also bought a steam saw-mill, which he operated a year. In 1860 he went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, where he engaged in mining, but did not meet with much success. He returned to Davis County,and from there went to Wayne County, Iowa, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1865, when he came with his family to Mr. Ayr, and gain engaged in the hotel business, keeping the Mt Ayr House, commencing on but $400 capital and from this small beginning he built up a large business, and after running the hotel for nine years he retired with $28,000. He then purchased 1,010 acres of land, and engaged in general farming and stock-raising, but instead of making money in this enterprise he lost, owing to the prices of stock going down as well as all farm products. He soon abandoned farming and returned to Mt Ayr, purchasing the present hotel, which is the leading house in the city. It contains forty-five rooms, which are all well-furnished and fitted up for the comfort of all his patrons, all the accommodations being first-class, and in connection with his hotel he runs a livery well supplied with good horses and vehicles of different kinds, and is well prepared to accommodate the traveling public, and by his genial and accommodating manners he has made a success of his hotel, and gained the respect of all who know him.

McQUILLEN

The History of Jones County, Iowa; .Chicago: Western Hist. Co., 1879

     John, Richard and Thomas H. McQuillen, farmers, Sec. 23; P.O. Cascade; sons of John McQuillen, who was born in Ireland and came to the United States in 1830; lived in Albany N.Y., till he came to Jones Co. in the spring of 1846; he settled where his sons now live; he died in the fall of the year he came to the county. Besides the three brothers mentioned above, is George, who resides in Washington Township; another, Bernard, died in 1865; the homestead, now owned by John, Richard and Thomas, contains 500 acres, 300 of which is improved; they are engaged principally in stock-raising. Thomas, born in 1846, is the only one of the brothers born in Jones Co.; he has held several township offices; has been Township Clerk and Collector for four years; was a Justice of the Peace from 1871 to 1875; he was one of the first Directors of the Cascade, Bellevue & Western Railroad. The brothers are Democrats in politics. Their mother, Margarette McQuillen, lives with them. They are Catholics in religion.

KELEHER

History of Clayton County, Iowa. Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co.: 1882.

Thomas Keleher was born in Ireland, Dec. 23, 1833. He immigrated to America in June, 1848, and landed in New York, where he resided ten years, and in 1855 came to Clayton County, Ia., and purchased 160 acres of Government land on section 34, Boardman Township, where he now resides. He has added to his original purchase until it has increased to 240 acres of fine land and well improved. Mr. Keleher has been twice married, first in April, 1861, to Mary Dirine, who died in 1879, leaving six children viz.: William, born in 1861; Jeremiah, in 1863; James T., in 1865; Anna, in 1867; Francis Joseph, in 1869; and Edward, in 1871. His second marriage occurred in 1870, to Anna Maria Roach, who was born in Massachusetts in 1852. Mr. Keleher has held the offices of road supervisor and school director for several years, has also served as treasurer of the School Board. He is a member of the Catholic church. In politics he is independent, and is one of the old settlers and representative men of the county.

SULLIVAN

The History of Jones County, Iowa; .Chicago: Western Hist. Co., 1879

     John D. Sullivan, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Cascade, Dubuque County; son of John and Margaret Sullivan; was born on the farm he now owns October 29, 1840; his father was a native of Ireland and was born in 1807; he came to this country in 1835, and entered the farm where his son now resides. His mother was born in Virginia in 1810; she was married in Illinois in 1827 to David Lindsay; had three children by this marriage, none of whom are living; she became a widow, and on Jan. 1, 1840, she married Mr. Sullivan; she has four children by her second marriage- John D., William T. (lives in Daviess Co., Mo., and is editor of a paper called the Northern Missourian), Robert F. (resides in Franklin Co., Iowa), Dennis (lives in Richland Township, Jones Co., Iowa). John D. was married to Helen M. Simmons, who was born in Canada; she died July 13, 1877. Mr. Sullivan has five children- Adda, William H., Emma J., John F and Charles M. Mr. Sullivan was for about one year a member of Co. C., 2nd I.V.I.; entered the army in 1864. His brother William T., enlisted in Co. K, 17th I.V.I. in 1861; served till the close of the war.

     S. B. Beatty, ranking with the substantial citizens and prominent and progressive business men of Cedar Rapids, is numbered among Iowa's native sons and in his life displays the enterprising spirit characteristic of the middle west. His birth occurred in Cascade, Dubuque county, Iowa, April 13, 1854. His father, David Beatty, was a native of Ireland and in the year 1838 crossed the Atlantic to Philadelphia in company with his parents, James and Nancy (Dixon) Beatty. He was but a boy when his parents settled in Philadelphia, where he resided until 1846, when he became one of the first settlers of Cascade. His early life was devoted to farming and he was thus closely associated with the agricultural development of the community. As the years wore on he became a very active and influential citizen and was one of the promoters and builders of the narrow gauge railroad from Cascade to Bellevue. He continued to make his home at Cascade until his death, which occurred in 1907, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane McCartney, was a native of Tyrone, Ireland.
     S. B. Beatty pursued his education in the public schools of his native town and in Cascade Academy and through the periods of vacation assisted in the work of the home farm. After putting aside his text-books he gave his further attention to general agricultural pursuits until twenty-two years of age, when, believing that he would find commercial interests more congenial and profitable, he began merchandising in Cascade, opening a furniture and undertaking establishment. There he conducted a successful business until 1898, when he removed to Cedar Rapids, and opened an undertaking business at his present location. He is also interested in milling and mining in Montana and his carefully formed and well executed plans are bringing to him substantial and well merited success.
     In 1881 Mr. Beatty was married to Miss Carrie L. Kelly, a daughter of Samuel R. and Mary M. (Macdonald) Kelly and a native of Brooklyn, New York, and they have become parents of three sons and a daughter: Donald R., married Florence Wittie and was secretary of the Kilbourn Milling & Cereal Company, of Kilbourn, Wisconsin. He was killed accidentally February 5, 1910. Robert J., is engaged in the undertaking business in South Dakota. Clarence is a graduate of the Cedar Rapids high school. Zelda is at home.
     Mr. Beatty and his family attend the Baptist church, in which he holds membership. He belongs to Lodge No. 643, I. O. O. F.; Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 25, B. P. O. E.; the American Order of United Workmen; and the Fraternal Aid. In politics he is a republican but at local elections votes independent of party ties, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified for office. In all matters of citizenship he takes a progressive stand, advocating reform and advancement, and his cooperation has constituted an effective element along the line of general improvement. He is respected and trusted as a business man and in social relations wins that warm friendship which is only given in recognition of genuine personal worth.

     William Fogarty owns and operates a finely improved farm of one hundred acres in Buffalo township, Linn county. He is a native son of the state, born in Dubuque county, in 1858, his parents being Daniel and Mary (Cleary) Fogarty, both natives of Ireland. They came to America at a very early day and spent five years in New York state, whence they removed to Dubuque county, Iowa, where the father spent several years in railroading. He then rented a farm in Buffalo township, Linn county, operating the same for three years, and at the end of that time he was enabled to purchase forty acres in that township. This proved but the beginning of his success, however, for as he prospered he kept adding to his original holdings from time to time until at his death his possessions aggregated five hundred and sixty acres of land, which he divided among his children, each of his sons receiving one hundred acres, while the remainder was given to his other children. He was twice married, William, the subject of this review, having been born of his first marriage. His mother died in 1865, and in 1868 the father was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Ellen O'Neal, who was born in Ireland, and by whom he had three children, Maggie, Daniel and John. The father died November 14, 1908.
     William Fogarty acquired his education in the common schools and was early trained in the work of the fields, assisting his father during the periods of vacation. Putting aside his text-books, he gave his entire time to the cultivation of the farm, remaining under the parental roof until he was thirty years of age. He was then given by his father the one hundred acres of land on which he now makes his home, this being located in Buffalo township. He has made many modern improvements on the place, which include a good country residence, a substantial barn and out-buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and everything about the place is neat and attractive in appearance, indicating the progressive methods of the owner.
     On the 6th of June, 1899, occurred the marriage of Mr. Fogarty and Miss Bridget Fay, a daughter of Edward and Margaret (Mulconery) Fay, who were natives of Ireland. In early life they emigrated to America, first locating in Chicago, but after ten years spent in the western metropolis, they made their way to Jones county, Iowa. There the father purchased one hundred acres of land, operating the same until the mother's death in February, 1898, after which he lived retired in Anamosa until he passed away on the 6th of August, 1909. Their family numbered six children.
     Politically Mr. Fogarty is a democrat and at present is serving as township trustee. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. He shows good judgment in the conduct of his business affairs and in his work is meeting success.