Quackenbush, John E.
QUACKENBUSH, SHAW, BOAK, HALL
Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/19/2009 at 18:09:19
History of Hamilton County Iowa, 1912 Vol.II, p. 50
JOHN E. QUACKENBUSH
John E. Quackenbush, who is well and prominently known as a contractor and engineer of Webster City, has devoted practically his entire life to the profession of civil and mechanical engineering. His birth occurred in Schuylerville, Saratoga County, New York, on the 16th of December, 1850, his parents being James C. and Mary J. (Shaw) Quackenbush. The father, a farmer by occupation, removed with his family to Butler County, Iowa, in 1856, and in 1870 came to Hamilton county, here spending the remainder of his life. The mother of our subject also died in this county, passing away at the age of seventy-four years.
John E. Quackenbush obtained his education in the schools of Butler and Hamilton counties and when still but a boy began assisting his father in the work of the home farm. He also commenced the study of engineering in the field and when a youth of sixteen entered the service of the firm of Ainsworth, Bradley & Brown, the chief engineers for the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, now part of the Illinois Central Railroad. In 1866-67 he was a member of the surveying crew which ran the survey through Hamilton County in the interests of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, which was built in 1869. Mr. Ouackenbush has always been actively at work and practically his entire life has been devoted to civil and mechanical engineering. He has been engaged principally in the building of bridges, and his services have been in demand not only throughout Hamilton County and the state of Iowa but also in Nebraska, North and South Dakota and Minnesota. In addition to the construction of highway and railroad bridges he has also erected many structures throughout the same territory. He served as county surveyor and engineer of Hamilton County for about six years and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a prominent and able representative of his profession. He is a director of the Webster City Savings Bank and likewise owns considerable farm land.
On the 14th of June, 1879, Mr. Quackenbush was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Boak, her parents being Wesley and Samantha Boak of Hamilton County, Iowa, formerly of Tennessee. Wesley Boak passed away in 1900 but his widow still resides in Webster City. Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Lorene Madeline, who is the wife of Dr. F. F. Hall and resides in Webster City. Mr. and Mrs. Quackenbush live in a beautiful home at No. 1600 Willson avenue.
The former is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M.; Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M.; Triune Commandery, No. 41, K. T.; and Sharon Chapter, No. 148, O. E. S. High and manly principles have characterized his entire life, winning for him a creditable position in the regard of his fellowmen. Without special advantages at the outset of his career, he has gained an enviable position in his chosen field of endeavor and is, moreover, recognized as a valued resident of Webster City.
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