Tussing, Con

TUSSING, DORST, PAYNE, BARLOW, PIERSON, HARWOOD, RIES, GALBRAITH, HEATH, FREEMAN, BEVIER, HANEY

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Date: 4/15/2003 at 21:52:07

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

CON TUSSING.

One of the most enterprising and progressive business men of Clinton is this well-known liveryman, Con Tussing. He was born in Reed’s Hollow, New York, on the 4th of April, 1852, and is a son of Mathias and Susan (Dorst) Tussing, both of whom were natives of Germany, and were about eighteen years of age when they came to the United States. They were married in New York, where they made their home for some years, the father being engaged in shoemaking. He removed to Princeton, Iowa, during the childhood of our subject, and subsequently lived for a time in Cordova, where he at first followed his trade, and later engaged in farming. The mother of our subject, who was born April 17, 1852, died in Cordova, October 8, 1862, was buried in the Cordova cemetery, and the family subsequently removed to a farm in Rock Island county, Illinois. The father next made his home in Mila, Iowa, where he was first engaged in the boot and shoe business, and later conducted a restaurant. He built the first house in Milo, and continued to reside there until called to his final rest, March 29, 1901, at the age of eighty years, his remains being interred on the 31st of March in Milo cemetery. In politics he was an ardent Democrat and was an active party worker. Being a well-educated man and very influential, he had a wide circle of friends, and was called upon to fill a number of local offices. Religiously he was a member of the Presbyterian, and took an active part in church work. On coming to the new world he was unable to speak the English language, but he steadily overcame all obstacles and met with success.

Con Tussing is the third in order of birth in a family of eight children, the others being as follows: Katie is now the widow of James Payne, of Hampton, Illinois, and she resides in Clinton, Iowa; Emma is the wife of George Payne, who lives near Geneseo, Illinois. Henry is a resident of Clinton, Iowa; Caroline is the wife of Sylvester Barlow, of the same place; Mary, who died July 12, 1901, was the wife of Albert Pierson, of Clinton, and her remains were interred in Springdale cemetery, July 14; Josie is the wife of William Harwood, of Chicago; and William is a resident of St. Paul. For his second wife the father of these children married Anna Ries, by whom he had two daughters: Anna, who makes her home with our subject, and is engaged in teaching in the Iowa schools; and Eva, who lives with her mother in Milo, Iowa. The father gave his children the best advantages that money could procure.

The subject of this sketch was principally educated in the country schools of Rock Island county, Illinois. On leaving home, at the age of twenty-one, he worked as a farm hand for two years, and then engaged in farming for himself until twenty-five years of age. In 1876 he came to Clinton, Iowa, and embarked in the trucking and transfer business, owning several teams. He also supplied wood to the citizens of Clinton, and met with good success in business. On the 25th of December, 1884, he entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad as fireman, and was on the road for eight years. Meeting with an accident, September 15, 1892, he was compelled to retire from the road. At the same time Thomas Howes, son of Philip Howes, and two others, were killed. August 27, 1892, Mr. Tussing had opened a livery stable in Clinton, but was unable to attend to business for about two years. He purchased a lot while railroading and erected a barn, where he conducted business on a small scale, but as the volume of his trade increased he has enlarged his facilities and now has a well equipped barn, keeping sixteen horses for livery purposes. He also has a good boarding trade and receives the patronage of the best people of the city. In the spring of 1901, April 8, he enlarged his building to twice its original size, and has added a blacksmith shop for the convenience of his customers. His barn is now fifty by one hundred and forty feet in dimensions and two stories in height, and is in a very desirable location, being situated at 135-137 Fourth avenue, between First and Second streets.

Mr. Tussing was married in Clinton, October 10, 1878, to Miss Ada I. Della Galbraith, who was born in this county, July 26, 1859, and is a daughter of Josiah and Mary Ann Galbraith, both old settlers of Clinton county. Her father was a very well-to-do farmer and owned land in various parts of Iowa, and also west of the Missouri river, besides considerable real estate in the city of Clinton. He died March 28, 1895, at the age of eighty-four years, three months and two days. His wife still survives him and is now over eighty years of age. She was a good helpmate to her husband in helping in everything. She makes her home in Clinton, where she has four daughters living, namely: Carrie A., wife of Amos Heath; Mary Alice, wife of Charles Freeman; Sarah Emma, wife of Frank Bevier; and Ada I Della, wife of our subject. Her sons are: Charles, a resident of Denison, Iowa; Robinson, of Schuyler, Nebraska; and Henry, of Clinton, Iowa. One daughter, Lizzie, married William Haney, of Stanhope, Hamilton county, Iowa, and is now deceased. The children all had good educational privileges, attending the public schools of Clinton county and colleges at various places.

Mr. Tussing began his business career without capital, and by straightforward, honorable dealing has secured the public confidence, and likewise the public patronage, and his life illustrates what can be accomplished through industry, perseverance, good management and a determination to succeed. He formerly owned considerable real estate. He purchased a lot on Fourth avenue and erected an elegant residence facing the park, with all modern conveniences, at a cost of about five thousand dollars. This beautiful home is presided over by Mrs. Tussing, who is a lady of culture and refinement, and prominent in society. She has not only been a good wife, but throughout their entire married life she has been a true helpmate to her husband, doing all in her power to advance their business interests. In politics Mr. Tussing affiliates with the Republican party, but has never cared for official honors. He gives to the support of churches, and is also a liberal contributor to all philanthropic work of the city.