County Supervisors

REILING, DUNNE, HOLROYD

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 1/17/2008 at 14:31:05

Jackson Sentinel
January 11, 1872

OUR SUPERVISORS, -- For the first time in the history of Jackson county we have a Board of Supervisors composed exclusively of Democrats. Another year may make a change in this respect, but for the year which has just opened whatever of good may result to the county from the legislation of the present Board our radical friends can claim no credit for; and if for evil, they can have no share in the responsibility. The task before this Board is no light one, as we believe they fully realize. If they succeed in once more bringing the credit of our county up to par they will certainly entitle themselves to the thanks of every man in the county irrespective of party. That much they have started out to do, and we have no doubt but that they will succeed.

Arnold Reiling, Chairman of the Board, was born in the year 1823, in Hannover, Germany, and is now in the 18th year of his age, and the prime of life. When but fourteen years of age he emigrated to the United States, and in 1838, while Iowa was yet a territory, and Jackson county a portion of Dubuque, he came to this State, locating on a farm in Tete des Morts township. There he resided, steadily pursuing the vocation of a farmer, and gradually acquiring wealth, until 1859, when he removed to Bellevue and engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he was very successful, acquiring a handsome competency. Mr. Reiling was the first member of the Board of Supervisors from Tete des Morts township, and is now serving his second year under the law which reduced the number to three. He has always been noted for his sturdy integrity, and earnest attention to the interests of his constituents.

Hon. James Dunne, the newly elected Member of the Board, was born January 24th, 1823, in Clonmore, Kings county, Ireland, and is now 48 years of age. In 1843, when but twenty years of age, he was smitten with the fever that has carried off so many of his countrymen – to the United States – and emigrated to this country in the same year. For the ten years following his arrival in the land of his adoption, he carried on a trade between New Orleans and one of the Mexican ports, on his own hook, and acquired a little property. In 1854 he removed to Iowa, and purchased a farm in Otter Creek township, this county, where he still resides. Since then Mr. Dunne has occupied a prominent place in the history of the county, filling many positions of honor and trust. An ardent friend of Democratic principles, he has always been closely identified with that party, in prosperity and adversity. Under the old system, when each township was entitled to one member of the Board, he represented his township almost without intermission, until his election as a member of the Thirteenth General Assembly, which latter position he filled with honor to himself and the satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Dunne is a man possessing great force of character, and the most determined energy, making his influence felt on everything he comes in contact with. Like all men of that stamp he has many enemies, and probably no other man in the county could have overthrown the combinations made to defeat his election last fall.

John Holroyd, who drew the three year term in the allotment, was born September 8th, 1891, in West Riding, Yorkshire, England, and has therefore arrived at the allotted three score and ten. Notwithstanding his advanced age. Mr. Holroyd is still possessed of a great deal of bodily vigor, and his mind is still clear and sound. When twenty-seven years of age he first conceived the idea of emigranting to the United States, and after making up his mind, it took the accumulated savings of fourteen years more of toll to pay the passage money of himself and family. The steady perseverance exhibited in this fact, has always been one of his marked characteristics. In 1816 he came to the United States, and located on the same farm in Fairfield township that he now resides upon. For thirty years he has lived there, passing through all the hardships and vicissitudes of early pioneer life, and witnessing the growth of our State from a frontier settlement to the proud position she now occupies. He has served his township a number of years in the Board, and never has a suspicion of dishonesty attached to his name. A man of strong convictions, he is not easily turned aside from what he conceives to be his duty, and this has sometimes caused him unmerited censure; but we believe that if there is one sincerely conscientious and honest man in the county, it is John Holroyd.

Since the above was in type we learn that Mr. Holroyd has tendered his resignation to take effect at the next meeting of the Board. The appointment of his successor will devolve upon the Co. Auditor and Clerk of Courts, both of whom are republicans. We believe, however, that they will appoint a Democrat, and would earnestly recommend that D. T. Farr, of Maquoketa township, be the man. If our citizens, irrespective of party, will use their influence in that direction, Mr. Farr can be appointed.