Quackenbush, John Embry (1850-1932)

QUACKENBUSH, BOAK, HALL, COULSON, SELBY, LONG

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 2/10/2017 at 10:38:54

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, Friday, December 9, 1932

John E. Quackenbush, 82, Dies at Home in This City

WIDELY KNOWN RESIDENT OF CITY IS DEAD

John E. Quackenbush Dies Following Stroke of Paralysis

FUNERAL ON SUNDAY

Had Been Widely Prominent in Community for Many Years

John E. Quackenbush, 82, prominently known as a contractor and civil and building engineer of Webster City for many years, died at his home, 1600 Willson avenue, last evening shortly before midnight. He had been seriously ill following a second stroke of paralysis three weeks ago. The first stroke occurred about a year ago and since that time he had never been well.

Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, at his home, the Rev. H.M. Burns, pastor of the Methodist church, of which he was a member, in charge. Burial will be made in Graceland cemetery. Foster's in charge. The family has requested that no flowers be sent.

Mr. Quackenbush is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Forest F. Hall, of this city; two grandchildren, Miss Mary Hall, who attends college at Grinnell, and John Hall, of this city, and one sister, Mrs. Minnie Coulson, of Des Moines. There are also a nephew, Rodney Q. Selby, of Des Moines and two nieces, Eleanor Selby and Mrs. Lura Long, both of Des Moines, and other nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Quackenbush died June 29, 1929 and a little granddaughter, Helen Hall, died several years ago.

Mr. Quackenbush had devoted practically his entire life to the profession of civil and mechanical engineering. He was born in Schuylerville, Saratoga county, N.Y., Dec. 16, 1850, his parents being James C. and Mary J. Quackenbush. He had an uncle, John Quackenbush, who was childless and for whom he was named, making him the sixth John from John Quackenboss [not sure if this is a typo or the name got changed over the years but this is how it was typed in the newspaper], one of the original settlers of New Amsterdam.

The father, a farmer by occupation, immigrated 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 died in this county at the age of 74 years.

John Embry 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 16 years entered the service of the firm of Ainsworth, Bradley and Brown, Mr. Bradley being his uncle. This firm were the chief engineers for the Dubuque & Sioux City railroad, now part of the Illinois Central.

In 1866-67 he was a member of the surveying crew which ran the survey through Hamilton county in the interests of the railroad which was built in 1869. Mr. Quackenbush had in his possession the surveying instruments which were used in the surveying of the railroad in this part of the country.

He had 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. He had seen the progress of bridge construction from the old fashioned wooden structures, to the steel bridge and later the concrete bridge. In addition to the construction of highway and railroad bridges he had also erected many structures throughout the same territory. He served as county surveyor and engineer of Hamilton county for about six years and long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a prominent and able representative of his profession.

June 14, 1879 Mr. Quackenbush was married to Miss Sarah A. Boak. Her parents were Wesley and Samantha Boak, also pioneer residents of this county, coming here from Tennessee.

Mr. Quackenbush was one of Webster City's most widely known early residents. Due to his health he had not been active for some years, but his earlier activities here and elsewhere brought him into contact with many people and he had a wide reputation in his profession. He was a tireless worker and very exact and accurate in his work as an engineer. These traits gave him work over a large territory and for many years he was the outstanding civil and mechanical engineer in this part of Iowa.

Mr. Quackenbush was also very active in community affairs. He was always decided in his views and known and recognized by all as a man of the highest principles and the best of motives. His opinions were sought by many and his stand on local issues always carried unusual weight. He had been very active in his profession and in local activities all his life up to the past few years. He was, in fact, a man whom the community always looked up to and whose personality was indelibly stamped upon most public activities here until his health failed.

He had been rather closely confined to his home for the past several years.