USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 14
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Mr. Snyder votes with the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Mechanics Aid Society and to the Muscatine fire department and is interested in all that pertains to the wel- fare and progress of the city. Any movement tending to benefit Muscatine can count upon his hearty cooperation and aid. He is a man of strong force of char- acter, determined purpose and sound judgment and through all the long years of his residence in Muscatine he has maintained a reputation for honesty in business affairs that is above question.
ELMER E. DAVIDSON.
Elmer E. Davidson, a highly respected citizen of Muscatine, who has gained his present position through his energy and good judgment, was born in this city, June II, 1861. He is a son of William L. and Mary (Dunn) Davidson, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Pennsylvania. The father was a carpenter and came to Muscatine in 1838, being one of the pioneers in this part of the state. Here he followed his trade and engaged in contract- ing. At the time of the Civil war he was in the employ of the United States government, building gunboats at St. Louis. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years, his wife passing away at the age of eighty-seven. They were both consistent church members and highly respected in the community where they made their home. The maternal grandfather of our subject was James Dunn, a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a wagon- maker by trade and came to Muscatine about 1840 and operated a wagon shop at the forks of the road, about two and one-half miles west of the town. In
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those early days many emigrants were passing westward and he found steady employment in repairing their wagons. He came of a long-lived family and died at the age of ninety-seven years, his wife being called away after she had reached the age of ninety years. They were the parents of the following chil- dren that grew to maturity, Margaret, Mary, Jolin, Kimmel, Samuel and Joseph. There were six children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Davidson: Sarah, now the wife of O. K. Greeley, of Billings, Montana ; Zachary T., of Acton, Cali- fornia; Thomas, of Muscatine; James, deceased; Elmer E., our subject; and Ida, the wife of Samuel Borger, of Muscatine.
Elmer E. Davidson was reared in Muscatine and vicinity and educated in the public schools. After laying his books aside he began work in a sawmill and later carried on gardening on Muscatine island and was identified with the railroad business. He then manufactured cans for several years for a canning factory at Muscatine and for five years was associated with a Mr. St. John in a grocery store. Since 1896 he has ben identified with the book and stationery business and maintains a news stand. He is also a stockholder in the Muscatine State Bank.
On the 24th of November, 1885, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pilgrim, a daughter of George and Lizzie Pilgrim, both natives of Germany. She was born at Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and came to America with her father in 1871, the mother having previously died in the old country. Mr. Pilgrim is now living in Muscatine. There were three children in his family, Reinhard, Elizabeth and Henry. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davidson two children have been born, Fred E. and Gertrude.
Mrs. Davidson holds membership in the German Lutheran church and is one of the active workers of that organization. Since arriving at manhood Mr. Davidson has been a supporter of the men and principles of the republican party and for six years he filled the office of city treasurer of Muscatine, dis- charging his duties with a fidelity that met the hearty approval of the tax-payers. He has been a resident of Muscatine for nearly fifty years and has witnessed most of its substantial growth. Here he has a large acquaintance and a host of friends whose regard he has gained by the influence of an upright life and the application of those principles of kindness and good fellowship in everyday affairs that never fail to receive merited recognition.
FRED BEACH.
Proof of the productiveness of Muscatine as a place of residence and of the opportunities which it affords its citizens is found in the fact that many of the city's native sons still retain their residence here and are now numbered among the successful business men. This class includes Fred Beach, secretary and treasurer of the Mira Hershey Lumber Company. He was born in Muscatine, August 2, 1868, a son of Benjamin and Mary Josephine (Meason) Beach, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.
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Mr. Beach was reared in this city and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. He acted as clerk in the postoffice while his father was postmaster and afterward entered the employ of the Hershey Lumber Com- pany, with which he has been connected for twenty-two years. No higher testi- monial of faithful service and capability could be given than the fact that he has been so long connected with this company, and his developing powers are evidenced in the promotions that have come to him from time to time. The old company operated a sawmill here but that business was discontinued in 1902 and a new company was organized, called the Mira Hershey Lumber Company, of which Mr. Beach is the secretary and treasurer and one of the stockholders. His long connection with the business, giving him a thorough knowledge of every department, enables him to capably direct the interests of the corporation at the present time.
In a pleasant home at No. 800 West Third street Mr. Beach resides with his family. He was married on the IIth of October, 1893, to Miss Emma Rankin. a daughter of Burris B. Rankin. They now have two children, Glyde Marie and George Burton. Mrs. Beach was born in Lake township, Muscatine county, and her parents were natives of Ohio but became early settlers of this locality, where the father took up the occupation of farming. Both he and his wife passed away in this county. They had a family of seven children: William, Job, Eliz- abeth, Mary, Cidney, Edna and Emma.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Beach hold membership in the Presbyterian church and are loyal to its teachings, active in its work and generous in its support. His political indorsement is given to the republican party but he has never sought nor desired political office. He served for two terms as a member of the school board and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion. In fact his influence is always on the side of progress, whether along material, intellectual, social, political or moral lines. His cooperation can be counted upon to further the public good and wherever he is known he is spoken of in terms of high regard and honor because of his fidelity to manly principles as well as his activity in business, that has been crowned by successful accom- plishment.
FREDERICK HENRY LITTLE, M. D.
Dr. Frederick Henry Little is well known as a representative of the medical profession in eastern Iowa and also is an active promoter of various business enterprises which have proved of substantial worth in the upbuilding and promi- nence of the city of Muscatine. His well equipped office in the German-Ameri- can Bank building indicates his understanding and utilization of the most mod- ern methods of medical and surgical practice.
He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred near the city of Muscatine, December 3, 1855. He is a representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of this part of the state. His paternal grand- father, Gabriel Little, was a native of New York and of Scotch-Irish descent.
I. II. LITTLE
المز
ASTOR LENOX ALL TILEE . OU VOAT A.S.
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He was reared to the occupation of farming and made it his life work. He chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Eunice Arnot, and in the year 1851 they removed westward to Muscatine county, where they became widely and favorably known in pioneer days, while the period of later develop- ment brought them many friends. Mr. Little reached the venerable age of eighty-three years, while his wife died at the age of sixty-nine years. Their only daughter, Margaret, became the wife of George Wiley.
Their son, J. G. H. Little, who was born in Middletown, Orange county, New Jersey, accompanied his parents to Iowa in 1851, was reared upon the old home- stead farm and after arriving at years of maturity was married to Miss Anna R. Ziegler, a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, who when a little maiden of six summers was brought to this state in the year 1840. Her parents were John and Sarah (Reid) Ziegler. The former, a native of Pennsylvania and of Ger- man descent, became a farmer, merchant and manufacturer, and in the year 1840 he came westward from Pittsburg with a stock of goods and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Muscatine, opening a store at what is now No. 120 West Second street. This was one of the first mercantile enterprises of the town, and he carried on business there for a number of years, having a general line of goods. His life's labors were ended in death when he was eighty years of age, and his wife passed away at the age of fifty-seven years. Their family included George, John, Anna, Mary, Bell and Stella Ziegler. The mother, Mrs. Sarah (Reid) Ziegler, was a daughter of Lieutenant Samuel Reid, who served with the Eleventh, Third and First Pennsylvania Regiments of the Continental line in defense of American liberty at the time of the Revolutionary war.
Following the marriage of J. G. H. Little and Anna R. Ziegler, they took up their abode upon a farm three miles north of Muscatine, where they lived until 1876, and then established their home in the county seat. The father carried on general agricultural pursuits during the greater part of his life, but later became identified with the Iowa Mortgage Company and afterward with the Prairie Cattle Company of Tascosa, Texas. His next business connection was with the Bakersfield Land Company of Bakersfield, California. Both he and his wife were members of the Episcopal church and died in that faith, the former pass- ing away in Muscatine in 1893 at the age of fifty-seven years, and the latter in 1900 when sixty-six years of age.
Dr. Little, their only child, was reared in Muscatine and at the usual age became a pupil in the public schools, in which he passed through consecutive grades as the years advanced. His consideration of the field of business and its many avenues of activity led him to the determination of making the practice of medicine his life work. He began studying along that line in March, 1876, and was graduated from the college of medicine of the University of Iowa on the 5th of March, 1879. He has since practiced in Muscatine, and his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics has won him the high and unqualified regard of the members of the medical fraternity. He belongs to the Muscatine County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, and also to the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. Aside from the private practice of his profession, he has done considerable public work, being the first member of the board of health
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of Muscatine in 1880. He was also surgeon general of Iowa for four years on the staff of Governor Boies, and was surgeon of the Second Regiment Iowa Na- tional Guard from 1888 until 1890. He has likewise been a member of the staff of the Hershey Hospital and president of the board of pension examiners. Aside from his more strictly professional interests, Dr. Little is well known in business circles, his energy and keen discerninent proving potent factors in the successful management of important financial and commercial interests. He is a director of the German-American Savings Bank, the Roach-Musser Sash & Door Company, a director and treasurer of the German-American Timber Company, a director of the American Security Company of Davenport, and a director of the Puritan Ice Company. His ability enables him to find ready solution for intricate business problems and where a man of less resolute spirit would become discouraged by events which seem to promise little, he coordinates forces so that substantial results are achieved.
On the 5th of April, 1906, Dr. Little was married to Miss Amelia Timm, a daughter of Frederick and Caroline (Stegmann) Timm. A social nature makes Dr. Little appreciative of pleasant companionship and the relations of friend- ship. He belongs to Iowa Lodge No. 2. A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter No. 4. R. A. M .; Webb Council; De Molay Commandery No. I, K. T .; Zare- phath Consistory, A. & A. S. R .; and Kaaba Temple, N. M. S. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party, and while he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, he has always been willing to do his full share in promoting the welfare and progress of the city. He has served as a member of the school board for three years, and his efforts have been an element in the material, intellectual and social development of Muscatine.
CHESTER WEED.
Among the leaders in the early days in Muscatine was Chester Weed, a man whose name will ever be gratefully remembered as one of Muscatine's most public-spirited and enterprising citizens. He spent more than thirty-three years of his life in this city and bore a most important part in its development. He was born at Canton, Connecticut, March 16, 1819, and was a son of Dr. Ben- jamin Weed. He received a good education and as his father wished him to follow the profession of medicine, he devoted one year to the study of materia medica, physiology and anatomy, but his tastes inclined to commercial life, so he gave up medicine. His early capacity for business affairs attracted the at- tention of Samuel Collins, proprietor of a large cutlery factory at Collinsville, Connecticut, and Mr. Weed was employed by him as bookkeeper, being soon advanced to the positions of treasurer, paymaster and general manager. How- ever, he was attracted to the west and came to Muscatine, then Bloomington, in 1841. He was preceded to this city by his father, who came in 1839 in com- pany with a son James. and a daughter Elizabeth A., who later married Joseph Bridgman of this city. Dr. Benjamin Weed practiced medicine here until his
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death. James Weed engaged in the practice of dentistry until 1842, when he purchased the farm later known as the Dr. James Weed farm on the graded road and engaged in raising nursery stock and fruit trees, calling the place the Iowa Pomological and Horticultural Gardens. He also devoted some attention to dairying and was the inventor of a number of appliances which he patented. He was one of the leading advocates of the Muscatine & Linn County Graded Road Company, organized early in the '50s, and he gave to the city in 1899 a tract of land now known as Weed Park.
Chester Weed, coming to Muscatine at twenty-two years of age, brought with him a camera obscura and secured that year probably the first daguerreo- types taken in the west, having learned the art in Boston. He opened a gallery here and in Iowa City, but soon afterward sold his outfit and became clerk in the store of Joseph Bennett. In the fall of 1843 he associated with his brother- in-law, Joseph Bridgman, in the general mercantile business under the title of Bridgman & Weed, so continuing until 1851, when the title was changed to C. Weed, Mr. Bridgman having temporarily gone on the river as clerk of the steamer Golden Era, but he soon rejoined the firm, which was reorganized as C. Weed & Company. In 1859 Charles E. Kent became a member, the style of the firm being Weed, Bridgman & Kent. After Mr. Kent's retirement it was changed to Weed & Bridgman, succeded by Bridgman & Son in 1877.
During the '40s Mr. Weed bought a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, known as the Warfield place and now as the Park place, and raised well bred horses. He also represented the Aetna, Phoenix and other insurance com- panies and became one of the most active and popular business men of Musca- tine, being interested in many enterprises. He was president of the Muscatine branch of the State Bank of Iowa when it was first organized in 1858, con- tinuing in that capacity until 1860. He also acted as cashier of the bank for several months after the retirement of J. W. Dutton and was a director during the bank's existence, furnishing funds for its relief when it was threatened with financial embarrassment. This bank was reorganized December 30, 1864, as the Muscatine National Bank and Mr. Weed was elected vice president. He was president of the Muscatine Gas Light & Coke Company on its organization February 19, 1857, and in 1856 began in the pork-packing business in company with others. He was also at one time owner of the Commercial hotel and ac- quired a half interest in the Muscatine Mills, formerly Bennett's Mills. He pos- sessed remarkable foresight and judgment in business affairs and became one of the wealthiest business men in the city. In the midst of his usefulness he passed away December 7, 1874, and the universal expression of sorrow through- out the entire city gave evidence of the profound respect in which he was held. Few men have been so largely identified with the progress of Muscatine as Chester Weed. In addition to being an extensive property holder, he was active in many public enterprises and contributed freely of his means and his talents in forwarding the general welfare. He possessed large capacity, rare judgment and keen perception, and his unquestioned sincerity gave him an influence which is seldom accorded a private citizen.
On the 31st day of July, 1873, Mr. Weed was united in marriage at Musca- tine to Miss Cora Chaplin, a daughter of Charles W. and Helen Marr (Sher-
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man) Chaplin, the former of whom was born in New York state, July 18, 1815, and the latter, July 21, 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Weed became the parents of one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Weed was born at Quincy, Illinois, July 31, 1844, and about a year later was brought to this city by her parents, having spent the remainder of her life here. She died in August, 1910.
CHARLES MARK BUTLER.
Charles Mark Butler is successfully engaged in the real-estate, loan and col- lection business at Muscatine, having offices at No. 209 Iowa avenue, and also acts as a notary public. His birth occurred in Johnson county, Missouri, on the 14th of November, 1872, his parents being William H. and Sarah M. (McPherson) Butler, who were natives of Illinois and Kentucky respectively. Mark McPherson, the great-grandfather of our subject in the maternal line, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was promoted to the rank of captain for bravery. William H. Butler, the paternal grandfather, was a wagon- maker by trade and became an early settler of Vermilion county, Illinois. He made his home in Catlin, Illinois, and there both he and his wife passed away. They had two children who reached mature years, William H. and Josephine. Mark McPherson, the maternal grandfather of Charles M. Butler, was a native of Kentucky and a gentleman of Scotch-Irish descent. In early manhood he engaged in the practice of law in the Blue Grass state but later removed to Henry county, Missouri, where he followed that profession and also served as justice of the peace for many years. He lived to a ripe old age, passing away in 1906. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Betty Henley, was called to her final rest in 1872. The names of their children were as follows: Joseph, Mary, Sarah M., Agnes, John, Fanny, Emma and Watson.
William H. Butler, the father of the gentleman whose name introduces this review, was reared in Vermilion county, Illinois, and at the time of the Civil war enlisted in Company I, Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving with that command for more than three years. He was ever a brave and loyal soldier and was discharged on account of wounds received at the battles of Pea Ridge and Cross Hollows. When hostilities had ceased he settled on a farm near Windsor, Missouri, and was actively identified with agricultural pur- suits for a number of years. He passed away near Kincaid, Kansas, in 1879, at the comparatively early age of thirty-nine years. Three of his six children are yet living, namely : John H., of Kansas City, Missouri; Charles M., of this review ; and Agnes M., the wife of J. M. Anderson, of Kansas City.
Charles Mark Butler acquired a common-school education in his youthful years, which were spent in Missouri and Kansas. After putting aside his text- hooks he worked at the barber's trade and subsequently became connected with the jewelry business. He made his home in Kansas City, Missuri, for a num- ber of years and during the greater part of the time was successfully engaged in the real-estate and insurance business. The year 1907 witnessed his arrival
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in Muscatine, Iowa, and here he has since followed the real-estate and insurance business with gratifying results, having a large clientage.
On the 8th of July, 1894, Mr. Butler was united in marriage to Miss Georgie Hensick, a daughter of William Hensick, of Marshall, Saline county, Missouri. They have one child, Nannie Marguerite, whose natal day was July 9, 1895. In politics Mr. Butler is a stanch democrat, supporting the men and measures of that party by his ballot. His enterprise and laudable ambition have carried him into business relations and at all times the course that he has pursued has commended him to the good will and confidence of those who know him.
CHARLES WEED BRIDGMAN.
The Bridgman family of which Charles W. Bridgman of Muscatine is a worthy member dates back in this country to James Bridgman, who came to America about 1640 from Winchester, County Hants, England, and settled in Northampton, Massachusetts. Joseph Bridgman, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Massachusetts and a well known lawyer, serving for many years in the legislature of his state. His wife before her marriage was Ruth Hawkes. They both died in Massachusetts and were buried in Belcher- town cemetery. Their children were Frederick, Elizabeth, Arthur, Sarah, Joseph, Frank and Clarissa. The maternal grandfather was Benjamin Weed, a native of Connecticut, who became a physician of well established reputation. He was born January 25, 1789, and died March 5, 1846. He married Ann Seymour, who was born May 24, 1792, and departed this life April 23, 1827. She was a direct descendant of the famous Jane Seymour, wife of Henry VIII of Eng- land. There were six children in the family of Dr. and Mrs. Weed: James, Edward, Eliza, Chester, Eliza Ann and Seymour.
Charles W. Bridgman was born in Muscatine, Iowa, February 25, 1848. He is a son of Joseph and Eliza A. (Weed) Bridgman, the former of whom was a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Connecticut. The father was born October 30, 1813, and reared on a Massachusetts farm. Later he went to Boston, and in 1836 he came to Iowa and settled at Muscatine. After this he spent a, short time at Burlington, Iowa, but returned to Muscatine in 1844 and was identified with general merchandising-dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes -and later insurance and real estate until his death, which occurred February 21, 1900, when he was in his eighty-seventh year. At the time of the Civil war he served as captain of the Home Guards in Muscatine and he lived to be the oldest Odd Fellow in the state of Iowa. While he was not an aspirant for public office, he served most acceptably as a member of the city council and had many friends among all classes of citizens. The mother of our subject was born December 7, 1820, and was called to her reward March 19, 1892. She was married in a log cabin, June 4, 1840, in Bloomington, now Muscatine, and may truly be classed among the worthy pioneers of the early days of Iowa.
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Charles W. Bridgman was educated in the public and high schools of Musca- tine and after laying aside his books began his business career as a clerk in his father's store. He engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile for some time but for thirty years or more has been prominently connected with the real- estate and insurance business under the firm name of J. Bridgman & Son. Be- ing a man of good judgment, he has attained a marked degree of success, and the firm is one of the leading concerns of its kind in Muscatine. He is the owner of considerable valuable city property. He has lived in Muscatine for sixty- two years and it is doubtful whether any man in the city is better acquainted with real-estate values and possibilities than he.
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