John N. Spoden

As printed in 1911

John N. Spoden, residing on a farm of 124 acres in Section 9, Liberty Township, Dubuque County, is a native of the township in which he now resides, born May 21, 1860, and a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Spoden. The father was born in Germany and for a time served in the Prussian army. In 1848 he embarked for America in a sailing vessel and after a tedious and dangerous voyage of ninety-six days finally landed at New York City. He came West to Chicago by canal boat and the Great Lakes and from there went to Kenosha. He then worked as a farm hand for a time, learning the language and customs of the American people, and for a year was employed as boat hand on Lake Michigan. Succeeding this he entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and participated in the building of that road from Chicago to FreepOrt, then came to Dubuque and for a year worked on a flat boat operated by Peter Kiene. After this he located at Luxemburg, then scarcely more than a few log houses, where he secured forty acres of land from the Government. Returning to Illinois, he worked a short time for a farmer, who later gave him a team of oxen to break up his land in Liberty Township. About this time Mr. Spoden returned to his native country for a year's visit, but then returned to Dubuque County and resided on his land until he had a clear title to same. This he improved, tilling the soil and building suitable houses, and in 1868 he disposed of it and bought the present farm in possession of the family. He erected a fine residence, barn and various outhouses thereon, and with the improvements since added by his sons the property is recognized as one of the best farms in the community. On November 11, 1896, he passed away, aged seventy-four years, and was buried at Luxemburg. His widow is yet living, aged seventy-nine years, and resides on the old homestead. To Mr. and Mrs. Spoden were born four sons — John R., John P. and Michael, twins, and Peter. John N. Spoden, the immediate subject of this sketch, attended the public schools until his fourteenth year, and for ten years thereafter assisted his father in the work of the home farm. He served an apprenticeship to the carpenter trade, which he followed until 1896, and then entered the hardwood saw-mill business, which carried him into various parts of the State and which line of business he has successfully followed ever since. Associated with him is his brother, Peter Spoden, and for the last nine years they have owned and operated the Spoden Brothers' Mill. John R. Spoden is a Democrat in politics, a Catholic in religion and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters.

As printed in History of Dubuque County, Iowa; being a general survey of Dubuque County history, including a history of the city of Dubuque and special account of districts throughout the county, from the earliest (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.