Unless otherwise noted, these biographies were taken from A History of Clay County, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889.
Contributions are welcome. If you have any biographies of your Clay county ancestors that you would like to contribute, whether from other sources or written by yourself, please contact me at: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator
C - D
Cardell, Henry
Castle, Horatio Nelson
Chamberlain, Harry
Christensen, Godfrey C.
Christensen, Ole
Clark, G. N.
Collins, Wm. J.
Cooley, Clark
Cotterell, George D.
Crane, T. M.
Day, Wm. L.
Dickinson, Mrs. D. N.
Dickson, James P.
Dolvin, John
Dubois, Peter
Dye, A. M.
Clay county biographies: A-B, E-F-G,
H-I, J-K-L, M-N,
O-P, Q-R, S-T-U-V,
W-X-Y-Z.
Return to Index.
Traveling salesman, was born in Cornwall county, England, July 31st, 1858, and lived in that country until 1881, when he came to the United States. While a resident of his native country he attended the Tregoney college for a number of years and received not only the advantages of college training but a business education. For a number of years previous to this coming to America, he engaged in breeding and raising fine horses, cattle and sheep, in which he was very successful. After landing on American soil he at once came to this county, where for several years he engaged in farming, having purchased 160 acres, it being the s.e. ¼ of section 12, Spencer township.
Upon purchasing this land he built a neat and comfortable house, a large barn and a number of out houses, expending in all something over $2500 in their construction. He has sixty-five acres of it under the plow, the remainder being used for pasture and meadow land. He subsequently purchased the two story building next door to Leach & Morrison, and in June, 1886, opened a book stationery and confectionery store, which he conducted until September, 1889, when he disposed of it and his stock to Haywood Bros., and retired from Spencer business circles. He was one of the founders and one-third owner of the Rink for several years, has been connected with a large number of other Spencer enterprises and was an active citizen and a promoter of many commendable enterprises. In addition to his farm he owns a neat cottage on East-Third street, which is surrounded by an acre of land. It is located in a most pleasant and desirable portion of the city. He was married in 1886 to Miss Jessie Rice. Recently Mr. Cardell accepted a position with a large wholesale establishment as traveling salesman and removed to Little Rock, Arkansas. The object of his removal was to avoid the cold winter of the North and to be nearer to the territory over which he is to travel.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 144.
Castle, Horatio Nelson, proprietor of the Spencer House, was born in Canada and came to Spencer when in its infancy. For several years he engaged in the grocery business, but finally closed out and went to St. Paul where he remained for quite awhile. A short time ago he leased the hotel which he now conducts. He was married in 1872 to Miss Tatro.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 144.
**CC Note: See cemetery information for Horatio Castle and Electa L. Tatro on the Clay County cemetery page, Riverside cemetery.
Chamberlain, Harry, attorney at law, was born in Glover, Vt., July 5, 1849, where he remained until 1855, when, with his parents, he moved to Winnebago county, Illinois. He resided in that state until 1871, when he moved to Clay county. His education was obtained in the Rockford schools of Illinois. He taught several terms of school in that state, also in Clay county. In 1876 he was elected Clerk of the Courts, was re-elected in 1878 and again in 1880 and 1884. The last two terms without opposition. He was a candidate in 1886 but was defeated by only 38 votes. In 1885 he was admitted to practice law and upon his retirement from the Clerk's office he formed a partnership with E. C. Hughes but withdrew from active practice in 1888 owing to failing health. He has held the office of School Director and is at present a member of the City council. He was married in 1877 to Miss Mary E. Ellis. They have three children: Alonzo W., Mertie M. and Ernest C.
Christensen, Godfrey, dealer in tobaccos, fruits and confectionery, was born in Denmark, June 26th, 1862, and came to this country when nineteen years of age, and located in Spencer. He worked on the farm and railroad until 1886, when he commenced his present business. He was married in 1887 to Miss Louisa A. Johnson. They have one child, Elroy.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 144.
Christensen, Ole, farmer, Spencer. Was born in Denmark on the 14th day of May 1856. He lived in that country until 1881, when, realizing that he could better himself in this land-where every man is a nobleman-he set out for this country. He landed at New York in June 1881, and, hearing of the fertile fields of Iowa, he came to Clay county and purchased the west one-half of the southwest quarter section 4, Spencer township, all of which is under excellent state of cultivation. His buildings etc., are very good. He was married in 1884 to Nettie Larson. They have two children: Louie and Nellie.
Farmer, P. O. Spencer
Came to Clay in the earlier times and took up a homestead which he has improved and added to until he has an almost excellent farm and is the owner of some valuable stock. He has been remarkably successful in all his enterprises and is one of the leading men and farmers of his section.
Collins, Wm. J., railroad contractor, since his boyhood days he has spent considerable time in traveling through the West and portions of Canada. He spent several years in the latter place and after returning from there went to Sioux City, where he remained some time and was for a time on the police force of that city. He is the owner of several business houses in Clear Lake, also a number of lots. Last fall he left for New Mexico with a railroading outfit and will devote his time and energies to railroad work. He is an enterprising and active young man and thoroughly understands the business in which he is now engaged.
farmer, P. O. Spencer, was born in Buchanan Co., Iowa, went to Nebraska then came to Clay.
Cotterell, Geo. D., a member of the firm of Cotterell & Wilcox, was born at Black River Falls, Wis., in December 1856, when at the age of six he went with his parents to Prairie du Chien. After obtaining an education he entered a drug store of that place and clerked for sixteen consecutive years. In 1885 he went to Mitchell, Dakota, where for three years he was in the livery business. In 1889, in company with Mr. Wilcox he came to Spencer and purchased a drug store. Mr. Cotterell, by his long experience and studious habits, thoroughly understands the drug trade in all its ramifications. He is a careful and competent pharmacist. He was married in 1878 to Miss Anna Harrington. They have three children, Bessie E. Carrie and the baby.
Crane, T. M. insurance agent, was born in Addison county, Vermont, September 10th, 1850, where he lived for twenty years on a farm. For ten years he was engaged in traveling for a nursery and agent for books. In 1881 he came to Spencer. For three winters he taught school, and then went into the fire insurance business, in which he was engaged until last October. Since then he has been the representative of the New York Life Insurance Company, one of the oldest and most substantial insurance companies in existence. Mr. Crane understands his business, and is an A+ plus insurance man.
Day, Wm. L. of the firm Jesmer & Day, general merchants, was born in Hastings, Minnesota, May 8th, 1862, and has a somewhat varied experience, having traveled extensively. His father died when he was but 12 years of age, and with his mother he moved to Marysville, Kansas, where he lived about six months, and from there he went to Milwaukee and remained there a year. From this city he returned to Kansas and settled at Belleville, when, after staying a year, he went to Minneapolis, after making that city his home for the next two years, he went to Princeton, Illinois, and was a citizen of that place for the next five years. Being so favorably impressed with Minneapolis, he set out for that city, where after arriving he entered a boot and shoe store as a clerk and stayed for nearly a year, when the roving desire again seized him, and the next place he called his abode was Faribault, Minn. Here he remained for three months, laboring in the smeltering works. From Faribault he left for Chicago and clerked in a boot and shoe store for eighteen months. Then he came to Iowa and located at Independence. At this place he formed a partnership with Mr. Jesmer and conducted a news stand. On July 4th, 1884, he arrived at Everly and in company with his present partner opened a general store, and in addition to selling goods, conducted a lumber and coal yard for Frank Weller on commission, as well as having charge of a large farm known as the Teabout ranch. When he first came to Everly, the prospect was anything but flattering and the outlook was overshadowed by many a threatening cloud, but he saw through the overhanging a silvery lining and with a heart beating with hope and a will capable of surmounting many obstacles, he set to work with a determination to win. In his vocabulary there was no such word as "fail." He toiled early and late, and as the days passed away, the sunlight of success gradually grew brighter and brighter, until it at last broke forth and the dark and gloomy clouds were dispelled. Mr. Day is a young merchant of rare mercantile ability and his success has been attained by diligence in business and the fervency of the interest he has manifested in his avocation. He has seen Everly when it existed only in name, and has seen and materially aided in making it what it is to-day. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1885 and served in that capacity for three years, discharging the duties of that office in a most creditable and satisfactory manner.
Dickinson, Mrs. D. N., county recorder, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1847, and remained in that state until 1863, when, in company with her husband, she moved to La Salle county, Ill., where she lived some time. From Illinois, they went to Michigan and then back to Illinois and from Illinois to Des Moines, Ia. In 1875 they came to Clay county. In 1877 her husband committed suicide and Mrs. Dickinson was left with little resources and the care and support of five children. This was a sad blow and it required more than ordinary courage to face the future. But, nothing daunted, she heroically set to work to maintain herself and children and to keep them an unbroken family. That she so successfully succeeded is marvelous. She toiled early and late with a fixed determination and to-day has the proud consciousness that she has nobly succeeded. In 1881, she obtained clerkship in the County Recorder's office which she has held until the fall of 1886, when she was elected to that responsible position of trust. In 1888 she was re-elected and is the present incumbent. She has five living children, Sarah, who is now Mrs. Hassinger, William, Mary, who is the wife of William Brisbin, Walter and Emma.
Dickson, James P., farmer, was born in Allegheny county, Penn., April 17th, 1861. Came to Scott county, this state, in 1881, where he lived until 1888, when he went to Dickinson county, where he remained six months and them came to Clay and leased the farm on which he is living. He is an excellent farmer and the owner of 50 head of well bred cattle. During the present year he cultivated seventy acres in a good and farm-like manner. He was married in 1882, to Miss Mary A. Stewart. They have three children, Leon, Harry and Rollie.
Dolvin, John, County Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Dolvin was born in Carroll county, Ohio, January 31, 1830, where he lived, worked on a farm and attended school for twenty-one years. When arriving at his majority he went to Tuscarora county and taught school for six years. In 1859 he moved to Sangamon county, where he made his home until 1881. He taught school in Illinois for twenty-two years. On coming to Spencer, for a time he engaged in the land and loan business, but subsequently gave his attention to farming. In 1887 he was elected Superintendent of the county schools, and has made a faithful and efficient officer. He is the present incumbent. Mr. Dolvin was unfortunate in losing an arm many years ago, but not-withstanding this physical misfortune and its great inconvenience, he has been able to accomplish more than many men of equal capability. He is possessed of great energy, well informed upon all the current events of the times, a splendid instructor and possessed of excellent executive ability. He is the owner of 300 acres of farm land, 175 acres of it being under cultivation. Its location and quality is destined to make it very valuable. Mr. Dolvin has been married twice; in 1883 to Miss Emma A. Hobkirk, who died about one year after their marriage. In 1888 he was united in marriage to Miss Clara B. Claypool, of Cantrall, Illinois.
Farmer, born in New York in 1849 and came to Clay county way back in 1864 and has since been a resident. PO Spencer.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 162.
CC Note: Gravestone photo of Peter Dubois available.
Dye, A. M. was born in Herkimer county, New York, March 17, 1840, where he spent his boyhood days, and engaged in business for a number of years. In 1877 he went to Spring Green, Wis., where he lived until 1889, when he came to Spencer and opened a jewelry store. Mr. Dye has been engaged in the jewelry trade for twenty-eight consecutive years, and is therefore no novice, but has thoroughly mastered the trade in all its details and intricacies. He is a splendid workman, a thorough judge of all kinds of jewelry and silverware, and those who deal with him can be assured of straight and honorable dealing. He carries a well assorted stock of every kind of jewelry and silverware. He is an upright man in every particular. His place of business is on Main street. He was married in 1865 to Miss Ettie Ellsworth. They have one child, Leon, who lives in Wisconsin.
