USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 17
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On the 28th day of November, 1867, Mr. Carl was united in marriage to Miss Lydia E. Long, a daughter of Edmond and Maria (Lease) Long and a native of Washington county, Iowa. Her parents were natives of Virginia and early set- tlers of Washington county. There were nine children in their family, Nimrod L., John, Lydia, Henry, William, Thomas, Mary, Julia and Emma. Five chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Carl: Edith Evelyn, now the widow of John B. Rider and the mother of three children, Helen, William Leon and Fern; Huldah M., living in Freeport, Illinois, who married George E. Tubbs and is the mother of three children, Harold, Blanche and Dorothea; Clara Alice, of Chicago, who is the wife of Darius H. Webb and the mother of four children, Carl, Frances, Luella and Elnora; Ida M., the wife of Oscar L. Stutsman, now living in Cali- fornia ; and Durward L., who married Lillian Fuller and is proprietor of a bakery at his father's old stand.
Squire Carl and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and liberal contributors toward its support. Politically he is identified with the repub- lican party and fraternally with Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M. He and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. He is also connected with Shelby Nor- man Post, No. 231, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was a charter
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member and is past commander. Coming to the west in his young manhood, he allied himself with its interests and demonstrated his patriotism by service in sup- port of his country when the life of the republic was threatened. Always gov- erned by principles of honor and fidelity to right, he years ago became recognized as one of the substantial and reliable citizens of Muscatine, and no man in the city is more highly honored than the gentleman whose record is here presented.
MICHAEL E. WILLHITE.
Michael E. Willhite, for the past three years assistant chief of police of Mus- catine, has made a practical demonstration of the old saying "where there is a will there is a way," as he has reached his present responsible position through difficulties that would have defeated an individual of less resolute will. At nine years of age he began making his own way, thus early developing self-reliance, which has been a leading characteristic of his life.
He was born in Mercer county, Illinois, January 29, 1858, and is a son of John H. and Sarah J. (Paugh) Willhite, the former of whom was a native of In- diana and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father was for a number of years a river man on the Ohio river. Later he became a resident of Mercer county, Illinois, where he acquired an eighty acre farm. After some years he sold his place and removed to Rock Island but subsequently returned to Indiana, where he died about 1870 at the age of seventy-three or seventy-four years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was a sturdy, reliable man of the pioneer type. His wife survived him and departed this life in Muscatine at the age of fifty-six years. She was an Episcopalian. The maternal grandfather was Michael Paugh, a native of Pennsylvania. He married Sarah Paugh and they became pioneers of Mercer county, Illinois, dying there when well advanced in life. There were four chil- dren in their family, Sarah, Mary, William and Ann, the youngest of whom mar- ried Richard Farwell. Four children also brightened the home of John H. and Sarah J. Willhite: Elizabeth, who married Charles Bryant and is now deceased ; Michael E., our subject; Sarah, the wife of Edward Berricks, of Omaha, Ne- braska; and President H., of South Muscatine, Iowa.
Michael E. Willhite was reared under the parental roof until he was nine years of age and then, on account of the poverty of the family, he began to carve out his own career, working at such jobs as he could find until he was fourteen years of age, when, conditions having improved, he returned home and moved with his parents to Muscatine. He had limited opportunity for securing an edu- cation in the district schools but he has always been a close observer and has largely made up for this deficiency. He began in Muscatine by carrying water at the Musser sawmill and cleaning up the mill, thus making himself generally use- ful, and as time passed he was promoted and became a sawyer, continuing in that capacity for eleven years with the Hershey Lumber Company and nine years with the South Muscatine Lumber Company. At the end of this time he went to Winona, Minnesota, but in the fall of the same year returned to Muscatine and worked at carpentering. Later he became a member of the police force and per-
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formed his duties so acceptably that since 1907 he has served as assistant chief in the department. He lives at No. 1102 Baker avenue, where he owns a com- fortable residence.
In 1888 Mr. Willhite was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe A. Wright, a daughter of Reynolds and Ruhamy (Brials) Wright, and four children have been born to them, Ethel, Sylvia, Irvin and Vera, the eldest, Ethel, being called away at the age of two years. Mr. Willhite is a valued member of the Improved Order of Red Men and also of the Modern Brotherhood of America. Politically he is in sympathy with the democratic party but is not an eager partisan, as he is a man who concentrates his attention on his daily duties and has little time for side issues. He is recognized as a conscientious and wide-awake official, whose aim it is to advance to the extent of his ability the best interests of the city.
J. THEODORE KUECHMANN.
J. Theodore Kuechmann, proprietor of a thoroughly equipped store at No. 314 East Second street and one of the valued citizens of Muscatine, was born in this city, April 4, 1863. He is a son of John and Margaret (Krehe) Kuechmann, the former of whom was born in Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, and the latter in Ba- varia. The father was reared and educated in his native land and at twenty-one years of age, being a young man of good habits, ambition and energy, he came to America and lived for several years in New York city. Believing that more fa- vorable conditions existed in the west, he located at Bloomington, now Muscatine, Iowa, in 1843. Here he began as a teamster but later engaged in the flour and feed business and became the owner of a farm in Muscatine county, inside the city limits, where he lived from 1866. He departed this life in 1893 at the age of about seventy-seven years, having gained a reputation as one of the straight- forward and energetic business men of his adopted city. His beloved wife sur- vived him seventeen years and was called away in 1910, at the advanced age of about eighty years. They attended the German Congregational church and were the parents of three children: J. Theodore; John H., deceased; and Sophie, the wife of Charles Starker, of Portland, Oregon. The father was twice married and had several children by his first wife, only one of whom is now living-Mary Magdalena, the wife of Jacob Kautz. George Krehe, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Germany and emigrated to America, continuing here until his death, which occured in Iowa. In his family were the following children : John, Theodore, Anna Margaret, Marie, Christina, Barbara, Louise and Sophie.
The subject of this review was reared in Muscatine and educated in the public and high schools, graduating from the latter in 1882. He was a conscientious stu- dent and applied himself to his books with a diligence that promised well as to his future career. After leaving school he became a clerk in a drug store and later went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he spent two years in one of the drug estab- lishments of that city. Returning to Muscatine in February, 1887, he entered the drug store of an uncle, John Theodore Krehe, and in 1899, having acquired suffi-
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cient capital, he purchased the store of which he has since been at the head. By careful attention to his business and a thorough knowledge of the wants of his customers, he has built up a large patronage, and his store is one of the popular concerns of the kind in the city where purchasers may be sure of receiving what they call for and that it will be the best of the kind that can be obtained in the market.
On the 14th of September, 1892, Mr. Kuechmann was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle May, a native of Greenbrier county, West Virginia. Five children have blessed the union, Lawrence T., James Harold, Albert Leland, John Theo- dore and Werner Wallace. Politically Mr. Kuechmann is in sympathy with the republican party, but he has never sought political honors, as his attention has been devoted to his business affairs. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church and liberal contributors not only to the church but to all worthy causes. He is an intelligent man of fine social qualities and has many friends and well wishers in Muscatine.
VALENTINE F. NICHOLSON.
Valentine F. Nicholson, who has reached the venerable age of ninety years, has been successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and is the owner of one hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable land in Fulton township. His birth occurred in Washington county, Indiana, on the 10th of January, 1821, his parents being Thomas and Margaret (Dow) Nicholson, who were born, reared and married in Virginia. The father was born on the 10th of January, 1789, while the mother's birth occurred in May, 1785. Thomas Nicholson was a slaveholder in the Old Dominion but re- leased them after locating in Kentucky. From that state he removed to Indiana, where his remaining days were spent, his demise occurring in 1848. His wife was called to her final rest in August, 1844.
Valentine F. Nicholson remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own, settling on a farm in Fulton township, Muscatine county, Iowa, where he has resided continuously since. By his first purchase of land he came into possession of a tract of eighty acres, which he improved and eventually transformed into a pro- ductive farm. He also entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres but later sold that property. As his financial resources increased he extended the boun- daries of his place by additional purchase until it now embraces one hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable land on section 36, Fulton township, thirty-five acres thereof being in timber. His labors as an agriculturist have been attended with a gratifying measure of success and he has long been numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
On the 24th of March, 1844, Mr. Nicholson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Shroyer, by whom he had three children, as follows: one who died in infancy ; Thomas B., who died while serving as a soldier in the Civil war; and John T., who is a resident of Douglas, Arizona. The wife and mother
THENIA PUBLIC LIE 1
ASTOR. L.
V. F. NICHOLSON
MRS. V. F. NICHOLSON
441
ASTOR, LEVOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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passed away on the 28th of July, 1852, and about two years later Mr. Nicholson wedded Mrs. Rinerson, the widow of Isaac R. Rinerson. She bore the maiden name of Mary A. Daniels and was a native of Kentucky, while her parents were born in North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson have eleven children : Lusetta, Marian J., Charles W., Martha E., Mary E., William S., Alvin W., Isaac Lin- coln, Nora, Anise, and one who died in infancy.
Politically Mr. Nicholson is an advocate and supporter of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He has held the office of school trustee for many years and in fact has filled all of the positions in connection with the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. The period of his residence in Muscatine county covers two-thirds of a century and he is well and favorably known within its borders. He has passed the ninetieth milestone on life's journey and receives the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times up- right and honorable.
JOHN J. HAVERCAMP.
John J. Havercamp, recognized as one of the leading druggists of Muscatine, was born in this city, September 5, 1863. He is a son of Martin and Bernardina Havercamp, both of whom were born in Hanover, Germany, although the mother's ancestors lived in Holland. Martin Havercamp came to America when a young man, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he entered the employ of Tweed & Andrews, wholesale grocers. He removed to Muscatine, Iowa, in 1856, and here he engaged in the retail grocery business from the early '6os until 1878, when he passed away at the age of fifty-eight years. Mrs. Havercamp is still living. George B. Havercamp, the paternal grandfather, was a trader in Germany. He came to this country with his wife two years after their son Martin arrived, liv- ing for a time in Cincinnati. He removed to Muscatine about 1856 and continued here during the remainder of his life. Grandfather Stocker, on the maternal side, was a quarry owner of Hanover. Seven children were born to Martin and Bernardina Havercamp: Martin; Josephine, the wife of August A. Balluff, of Davenport ; Harry; Bernardina ; John J., George B .; and Joseph W.
John J. Havercamp was educated in the public and parochial schools of Mus- catine and also attended Snavely's College. In 1879 he began his business career as a clerk in the drug store of Dr. I. L. Graham. Here he gained a practical ex- perience in the details of business, showing an ability that gave large promise for his future. In 1889 he established a drug store of his own, which he has since conducted. Energetic and wide-awake, he keeps fully abreast of the times, and his store is one of the most attractive of the kind that is to be seen anywhere. By his well directed efforts he has largely contributed to the business prosperity of the city and also to his individual success.
In 1902 Mr. Havercamp was united in marriage to Miss Bennie B. Sterling, a daughter of John and Harriet Sterling. Mrs. Havercamp is a native of Louisa Vol. II-9
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county, Iowa. Her father lived in Muscatine for several years, the mother hav- ing died before he came here. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Havercamp: Julian E .; Gladys Adella, who died in infancy ; and Paul J.
Mr. Havercamp is identified with the democratic party and is a stanch up- holder of its principles. As a public-spirited citizen he is ever ready to assist in forwarding the permanent interests of his native city. He has attained his pres- ent success by patient application and close attention to the wants of his cus- tomers and has gained a high reputation for his conscientious discharge of every duty as it has arisen in the course of an active and useful career.
JOHN W. ALBERS.
John W. Albers, now living retired at Muscatine in a beautiful residence at 713 Iowa avenue, was born in Prussia, Germany, March 22, 1834. He is a son of Lucas George and Maria (Menke) Albers, also natives of Germany. There were eleven children in their family, five of whom grew to maturity: Elizabeth, George, Henry, John W. and August. The father was a cabinet-maker and lived to be eighty-five years old, departing this life in 1863. The mother lived to the age of eighty-one years and died in Muscatine in 1876. They were honest and hard working and brought up their children to habits of industry and frugality, which are of such importance in the attainment of any worthy ambition in life, and it is to the lessons he learned from his honored parents that the success of our subject has been largely due.
John W. Albers was educated in the public schools of his native land and at sixteen years of age left home to seek his fortune in America. He early learned the wood-worker's trade and became an expert in fine and intricate work. He made his home in St. Louis from 1850 to 1854. then coming to Muscatine, Iowa, where he was connected with the Musser Lumber Company and later with the Stein Lumber Company. Being attracted to agricultural pursuits, he purchased a farm in Keokuk county, Iowa, to which he removed in 1877. Here he lived for twenty-nine years and became one of the prosperous farmers of the county. Having acquired a competence, he returned to Muscatine in 1906 and has since made this city his home.
On the 8th of March, 1859, Mr. Albers was united in marriage to Miss Han- nah Dietz, who was born in Ripley county, Indiana, July 6, 1837, and is a daugh- ter of John C. and Hannah ( Millery) Dietz. The parents were both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to Muscatine in 1839, removing to Shelby county, Missouri, in 1843. The father was called away in 1866, at the age of seventy-five years, his wife surviving him twelve years and departing this life at seventy-three years of age. Mr. Dietz served in the German army for seven years. He was a son of John C. Dietz, a wagon-maker, who had three sons, all of whom were wagon-makers. Mr. and Mrs. Dietz were the parents of thirteen children, five of whom are now living: John ; Hannah, now Mrs. Albers; Eliza- beth, the wife of Alexander Lieber; Joseph; and Benjamin. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Albers has been brightened by the arrival of five children : William C ..
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who married Minnie Setwell and is the father of two children, William A. and Milo; Elizabeth, who died at the age of eight months; Anna, now a practicing physician in Chicago; Henry, who married Marie M. Favereau and is the father of four children, William H., Louisa Hannah, Jeannette and Robert ; and Fred, who married Anna Osterman and is the father of five children, Iven, Edward, Caroline, Leon and Mabel.
Mr. and Mrs. Albers are valued members of St. Mathias Catholic church. Politically Mr. Albers is in sympathy with the democratic party. He is a stanch friend of education and has served as school director and township trustee. Com- ing to America as a poor boy, he bravely set to work and overcame every diffi- culty, gaining a position of financial independence which would have been prac- tically impossible of attainment under conditions in his native land. He has been fearless, self-reliant and competent in everything he has undertaken and with such a combination failure is impossible. He is a patriotic citizen of his adopted country and has trained his children in the same principles that have brought him success. He and his wife have many friends, who are attracted by their many ex- cellent qualities.
JOHN NICOLA.
John Nicola, a retired farmer of Muscatine county, who has now passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score and ten years and is enjoying a well earned rest, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1840. At six years of age he was left an orphan and two years later he became a member of the family of Samuel Nichols, of Pike township, Muscatine county, Iowa. He received his education in the district schools and continued upon the farm of Mr. Nichols until September, 1862, when he responded to the call of President Lincoln and enlisted in Company B, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served with his regiment until the close of the war, being present at all the principal battles in which it participated, except the battle of Selma, at which time he was con- fined in a hospital. He received his honorable discharge in May, 1865.
Returning to Muscatine county, Mr. Nicola resumed his former activities as a farmer boy, being still connected with the family under whose sheltering pro- tection he had formerly lived. After his marriage he moved upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 2, Pike township, which he had acquired through his own exertions, and for twenty-two years remained upon that place, becoming one of the most prosperous farmers in the region. On account of educating his children, he then removed to Mount Pleasant, lowa, for two years and then took up his residence in the village of Nichols, where he has since lived. By diligence and good management he has acquired two hundred and sixty acres in Muscatine county, which he has brought to a high state of culti- vation and which yield generous returns for the time and labor expended. In addition to his farming interests, he is connected with a number of business con- cerns. He was one of the organizers of the Nichols Savings Bank, of which he has since served as vice president. He is also president of the Nichols Hall
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Association and the Nichols Telephone Company, and in all his business career has exhibited a sound judgment that reflects upon him the highest credit.
In 1869 Mr. Nicola was united in marriage to Miss Isabel Nichols, a native of Des Moines county, Iowa, and a daughter of Reuben Nichols. Her parents were both born in Ohio and came to Iowa early in the '40s, settling in Des Moines county, where the mother passed away. The father died in Muscatine county. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Nichols only one is living, Elizabeth, the widow of A. J. Brockman, of Pike township, Muscatine county. Four children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nicola: Ruby, who pursued a course of six months in a preparatory school of teaching under Professor Lev- rich of Muscatine, and is now the wife of W. L. Black of this county ; Jeannette, the first child born in the village of Nichols, who attended college two years, taking a course in music at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and is now the wife of Dr. E. B. Fulliam of Muscatine; Margaret, now at home, who also attended college two years and was graduated in music under Professor Rommell at Mount Pleas- ant ; and George, who has pursued a business college course and is now living at home. Mr. Nicola was called upon to mourn the death of his beloved wife, who was summoned from earthly scenes May 30, 1906. She was a woman of many excellent traits of character and was highly esteemed by all who knew her.
Mr. Nicola is a man of wide experience and, having very early been thrown into contact with the world, even as a boy he learned the great lesson of self- reliance, thus gaining a power which was of incalculable benefit to him through- out his active career. Through a worthy ambition he attained a success that awaits those who are willing to labor patiently and perform each duty as it arises day by day. He is today one of the most respected citizens of the com- munity where for many years he has made his home.
GAD JAMES.
Gad James, who is now living retired in a beautiful home at West Liberty, won a handsome competence through liis carefully directed labors as an agri- culturist. His birth occurred in Wales on the 24th of June, 1833, his parents being William and Elizabeth ( Phillips) James. The mother passed away in Wales, and in 1852 the father crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his home with his children until the time of his death, which occurred in Macon, Missouri, in 1876. Our subject was one of six children, the others being as follows : Stephen, William and David, all of whom are deceased; Mary, who is deceased, as is also her husband, William Roberts of Columbus Junction ; and John, who has not been heard from since he joined the Mormons in Wales.
Gad James, who was a youth of nineteen when he came to the new world with his father in 1852, spent a part of his first year in America near Utica, New York. The year 1853 witnessed his arrival in West Liberty, Iowa, where he was employed as a laborer for a time. In 1854 he worked for Thomas Scott as a farm hand, and the following year operated a rented farm of one hundred and sixty acres in association with his brother Stephen, the property occupying
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a part of the present site of West Liberty. In 1856 he began breaking prairie with six yoke of oxen, being thus busily engaged for about three years. On the expiration of that period he traded his cattle for a quarter section of land nine miles southwest of West Liberty and began the further development and im- provement of that property. The venture proved disastrous, however, for the chinch bugs destroyed his wheat three seasons in succession. In 1864 he drove across the country with a mule team to Montana and there worked in the mines for two years. At the end of that time he returned to Iowa and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres about six miles southwest of West Liberty, devoting his attention to its operation for forty-four years or until the time of his retirement. Since putting aside the active work of the fields, he has resided with his family at West Liberty, there owning a commodious and attractive home.
In November, 1866, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Kile, who was the only child of her parents, Jerry and Mary (Brownell) Kile. Fol- lowing the death of his first wife, Jerry Kile wedded Elizabeth Lee, by whom he had nine children, namely: Madison, who is deceased; Mary, the wife of J. Miesky; George; Sarah, the wife of Adolph Kiser, of Minnesota; Lydia, who has passed away; Leota, the wife of Charles Burkhart of West Liberty; Caro- line, who is the wife of Henry Rang and resides in Iowa; Lewis; and Elmer, who died in infancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. James were born ten children, as follows : George Elmer; William Curtis; May Frances, the wife of Vincent Birkett, of West Liberty; Edwin; Bertha Elizabeth, who gave her hand in marriage to Ben- jamin Bigsby, of Cedar county ; Jess K .; Clayton S .; Leota Harriet, at home ; Harry Phillip, who is deceased; and Warren Ward.
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