USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 2
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Dr. I. L. Graham, although a successful physician, was more closely identi- fied with business interests. He was chosen a director of the Merchants Ex- change National Bank, now the First National Bank, when it was organized in 1865, also a director of the Muscatine Savings Bank, now the First Trust & Savings Bank, when it was organized in 1880, and held those positions during his lifetime. He served in public office with faithfulness and ability as a member of the city council in 1872 and 1873, on the school board from 1875 to 1877, and on the board of supervisors from 1876 to 1878, being made chairman of the board in the latter year. He had a decided literary bent and during his early residence here delivered lectures before the Washington Lyceum, Oak Grove Lyceum and Literary Institute. When the Scientific Club was organized he joined that society, later known as the Muscatine Academy of Science, and pre- pared a number of manuscripts on various subjects. He was for many years a member of the First Congregational church, also of the Masonic order, and the Old Settlers Society. Active and energetic, he was unassuming, kind- hearted, and of a social disposition, contributing his share toward charitable projects and such public enterprises as he thought were for the best interests of the city. He was considered a man of unusually clear and sound judgment, and upon business and public affairs his advice was valued by his associates.
HERMAN HUCHENDORF.
Muscatine possesses advantages as a city of homes that are recognized by many who have here established their permanent residence. Among this num- ber is Herman Huchendorf, living retired at No. 917 Oak street. By years of industry he acquired a competence and is now enjoying at leisure the fruit of his labors. He is a native of Kolmar, Prussia, born July 20, 1849, and is a son of Jacob and Anna (Pietz) Huchendorf, both of whom were born in Germany. The
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
father was a stone-mason and contractor, and was a man of high standing in the community. He departed this life in 1887 at the age of sixty-nine years. The mother died in 1874, aged fifty-four years. Three children constituted their family: Herman; Augusta, the wife of Fritz Kruger, of Rattay, Germany ; and Otilge, the wife of William Rosenau, of Cristenchen, Germany.
The subject of this review grew up under the kindly protection of a happy home and was educated in his native land. At fourteen years of age he began learning the miller's trade and in 1867, like thousands of young men in Germany who seek their fortune in other climes, he came to America, stopping at Wanatah, Indiana. Conditions not being entirely satisfactory there, he decided to travel further west, locating at Pine Mills, Muscatine county, Iowa, where he purchased the Pine Creek Mill, and for twenty-five years engaged in custom milling, gaining a wide reputation on account of the excellence of the work that he turned out. In 1893 he took up his residence in Muscatine but after a stort stay went to Durant and built a mill which he conducted for ten years. In 1904 he sold out and es- tablished his permanent residence in Muscatine.
On the 9th of February, 1872, Mr. Huchendorf was united in marriage to Miss Mary Funk, who was born at Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa, June 27, 1852. She is a daughter of Daniel and Barbara (Blessing) Funk, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. They were early settlers of Cedar county but removed to Sweetland township, Muscatine county, in 1859. Here the father died in 1887, the mother being called away fourteen years later, at the age of sixty-nine years. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Huchendorf was Abraham Funk. Her mater- nal grandfather died in Lisbon, Iowa. His wife was Elizabeth Blessing.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Huchendorf ten children have been born: Anna, now deceased, who married William Carter and was the mother of six children, Leon- ard, Floyd, Harold, Lavada, Hartzel and May; Mary, who married Henry Her- lin, of Sweetland township, and is the mother of five children, Gail, Addie, John, Harry and Albert; Clinton, of Durant, Iowa, who married Rose Bierkamp and is the father of one child, Inez; Edith, now living at Durant, who married Rudolph Meyer and is the mother of one son, Ralph; Grace, also of Durant, who married Fred Denkmann and is the mother of two children, Richard and Mildred; Wil- mette, who died at the age of nineteen years; Olive, at home ; Clyde, of Greeley, Colorado; Herman, aged sixteen, also at home; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Huchendorf is prominently identified with the Masonic order, holding membership in Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4. R. A. M .; Webb Council. No. 18, R. & S. M .; De Molay Commandery, No. I, K. T .; Zarephath Consistory No. 4; and Kaaba Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He and his wife also hold membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. Politically Mr. Huchendorf is now allied with the republican party, although for a number of years he was a stanch advocate of democracy. He has never sought public office but served with great acceptance as township clerk in Montpelier township for seven years and also for several years as postmaster. He and his wife have reared a large family and by precept and example inculcated in their children those prin- ciples of diligence and perseverance that are so necessary in the accomplishment of any worthy object. Mr. Huchendorf started out in life for himself when eigh-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
teen years of age among strangers with nothing to depend upon but liis powerful constitution and an ambition that has never been dampened by obstacles. He forged his way to success and today is honored by a host of friends who recognize his manly qualities. His career is a splendid illustration of the possibilities of every young man who possesses the courage and the will to climb the ladder of attainment.
FRANK W. KASPER.
Frank W. Kasper, who for about four years has filled the position of night watchman of the water-works, was born in Austria, August 5, 1838. The first sixteen years of his life were spent in his native land in the home of his parents, Winsel and Anna (Schneider) Kasper. The mother died two years after her son Frank came to the new world. The father was a millwright of Austria and on selling out there went to Crimea, Russia, where he also followed milling. Later, however, he returned to his native country, where he died at the age of eighty- three years. In their family were four children, three sons and a daughter, two of whom came to the new world, Prokop Kasper, the brother of our subject, having crossed the Atlantic about five years ago, his home being now in North Dakota.
Frank W. Kasper was a lad of fourteen years when he came alone to the United States, making his way to Iowa City, Iowa. He worked in a boarding house at that place until April, 1855. At that time Iowa City was the state cap- ital. He received only his board in compensation for his services and the follow- ing year he left Iowa City for Muscatine, where he has since made his home with the exception of a period of four years spent in the army. He had a hard time to secure a position here as he had no guardian in this country. After two months spent at any labor that he could secure he began learning the trade of a machinist, but at the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting on the 24th of April, 1861, as a member of Company C, Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, joining the command at Davenport in response to Presi- dent Lincoln's first call. He served for three years until July, 1864, and then re- turned to Muscatine, where he resumed work at his trade, but on the 11th of October, 1864, he again enlisted in the same company and regiment and continued at the front until the war was ended and victory crowned the Union. He partici- pated in Sherman's march to the sea and also took part in the grand review, where the Union troops marched through the streets of Washington amid cheer- ing thousands-the most celebrated military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere. At his last enlistment he went to the front as a substitute, receiv- ing one thousand dollars for his services. At Davenport, he was honorably dis- charged on the 12th of July, 1865. During the term of his first enlistment he was wounded in the left shoulder of Fort Donelson on the 16th of February, 1862, and on the 4th of October of the same year, he was wounded in the left leg by a minie ball at Corinth, Mississippi. Now because of old age he is granted a pen- sion of fifteen dollars per month.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Mr. Kasper followed his trade in Muscatine in the employ of the Hershey Lumber Company for twenty-one years and also worked at the United States arsenal at Rock Island for three years. His wife died seven years ago and Mr. Kasper then gave up his position at Rock Island and returned to Muscatine, where the family had remained all the time. He is now night watchman at the water- works, having filled the position for three and a half years. Since 1866 he has resided at his present home at No. 511 East Third street, having erected a brick house which he now occupies.
Mr. Kasper was married in Galena, Illinois, in October, 1866, to Miss Sophia Reinhart, who was born in Illinois in 1842 and died in Muscatine, October II, 1903. They became the parents of eight children: Anna, the wife of Michael Hess, of Davenport; Lizzie, the wife of George Meyer, of the same city ; Frank, of Muscatine; Minnie, the wife of Charles Harper, of Bayfield, Iowa ; Joseph, at home ; Catharine, the wife of Ben Shull, of Davenport; Mary and Nettie, both at home.
Mr. Kasper is a member of the Mechanics Aid Society and also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Grand Army of the Republic. He was likewise a member of the Hershey volunteer fire department for twenty-two years. In politics he is independent and his religious faith is that which has its seat at the vatican, for he belongs to St. Mary's Catholic church and is also a mem- ber of St. Joseph's Society. He is well known in Muscatine, where he has long made his home. Whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is attributable to his own efforts, for when he first came to Iowa, landing at Iowa City, he had but one dollar and sixty-five cents. He has ever been an honorable and upright man, and his well spent life has commanded for him the confidence and high regard of all who know him.
JUDGE DOUGLAS V. JACKSON.
With a mind preeminently of judicial cast, capable of an impartial view of both sides of a question and of arriving at a just conclusion, Judge Douglas V. Jackson has made an enviable record as the presiding officer of the district court and is leaving a most creditable impress upon the judicial history of the state. He makes his home in Muscatine, his native city, his birth having here occurred No- vember 17, 1859.
His parents were Peter and Christiana (Sinclair) Jackson. The father, a na- tive of Scotland, was born April 30, 1816, and spent his youthful days in the town of Keith. Attracted by the favorable reports which he had heard concerning America, he crossed the Atlantic in 1837 when twenty-one years of age and spent the summer in New York. He then made his way to Muscatine in 1838, finding here a small village upon the western frontier. He purchased a lot and made arrangements to establish a permanent home in this city, which he did in March, 1839. He was first connected with the business interests of Muscatine as a clerk in the store of Adam Ogilvie in the winter of 1840-41. His business ability was recognized by his employer, who admitted him to a partnership and in addi-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
tion to conducting a general mercantile enterprise they also engaged in the com- mission and forwarding business, being agent for one of the packet companies and likewise made pork packing a branch of their undertaking, packing the first pork in this section of the state. In 1845 Mr. Ogilvie retired, Mr. Jackson con- tinuing the business alone until the spring of 1856, when he disposed of his mer- cantile interests, confining his attention to the other lines. His ambition and energy, however, sought scope in other fields and in the spring of 1865 he joined with several prominent business men of Muscatine in organizing the Merchants Exchange Bank, which in the following November was reorganized under the na- tional banking system as the First National Bank, of which Mr. Jackson became the first president. Later he retired from that position but continued as cashier for fourteen years, or until January, 1879, when he ceased to be an active factor in the management of the bank although retaining his stock. The last ten years of his life were spent in retirement from all lines of business but he never ceased to feel a deep interest in the welfare and progress of his community and to the extent of his power cooperated in movements for the general good. At one time he was secretary of the Old Settlers Association and was very prominent among the early residents of this part of the state. In 1857, in Canada, he married Miss Christiana Sinclair and unto them were born four children : Douglas V .; Charles P., of Muscatine; Anna Mabel, the deceased wife of H. M. Patton, formerly of Muscatine but now of Des Moines ; and one who died in infancy. He also had a son, George B. Jackson, born of a former marriage. The death of Peter Jackson occurred in 1901 when he was eighty-five years of age, and he is still survived by his wife, who has reached the age of seventy-seven years. Both were devoted members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Jackson is a daughter of Archibald Sin- clair, a native of Scotland, who on emigrating to Canada had established his home near Toronto.
Judge Jackson was reared in Muscatine and his present home stands in the same block in which he was born. He is indebted to the public-school system for the early educational privileges which he enjoyed and then, entering the North- western University at Evanston, Illinois, completed the course with the class of 1879. In preparation for his profession he entered the law department of the Iowa State University and was graduated in 1881. Admitted to the bar in the same year, he has practiced continuously in Muscatine and was a member of the firm of Titus & Jackson from 1886 until his election as judge of the district court in 1902. He has since sat upon the bench and has recently been reelected. He has much natural ability but is withal a hard student and in private practice was never contented until he had mastered every detail of his cases. He was never sur- prised at some unexpected discovery by an opposing lawyer, for in his mind he weighed every point and fortified himself as well for defense as for attack. His record as a judge is in harmony with his record as a man and a lawyer, distin- guished by unswerving fidelity to duty and a masterful grasp of every problem presented for solution. While in active practice and on the bench he has won well earned fame and distinction.
On the 14th of September, 1885. Judge Jackson was married to Miss Alberta Jarvis, a native of Florence, Alabama, and a daughter of Charles A. and Miranda (Woodin) Jarvis. Their children are Robert Sinclair and Louis Douglas, at
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
home; and Margaret, who died in infancy. The elder son is now pursuing his education in the State University at Iowa City, while the younger son is a high- school student.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the Judge is serving as a trustee and in the various departments of church work they take an active and helpful interest. He also belongs to Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; to Washington chapter, No. 4. R. A. M .; to Webb Council, R. & S. M .; and to the Knights of Pythias lodge. His political indorsement has always been given to the repubilcan party and in 1895 he was elected states at- torney but at the close of his term declined renomination. There is an interesting military chapter in his life record, in that he was colonel of the Fiftieth Iowa Volunteers at the time of the Spanish-American war, and he has been connected with the Iowa National Guard for many years, winning his way gradually from the ranks to the colonelcy. His business interests aside from his profession are represented in the vice presidency of the First National Bank. He is apprecia- tive of the social amenities of life, enjoys outdoor sports and recreation and is president of the Geneva Country Golf Club. He is recognized as a man of well balanced character and abilities, and his talents have gained him preeminence in his chosen profession, while his strongly marked personal characteristics have won for him the warm friendship and kindly regard of those with whom he has been associated.
JACOB LORENZ.
Jacob Lorenz, now living in Muscatine, was for many years identified with building operations. He has, however, passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey and in later years has enjoyed a well earned and well merited rest. He was born April 9, 1827, in Alsace, one of the provinces that has been con- tested territory between Germany and France for many centuries. It was a part of the French territory at the time of his birth, so that Mr. Lorenz is rather more of a Frenchman than a German. His parents were Michael and Catharine (Bas- tian) Lorenz, who spent their entire lives in their native country upon a farm. In their family were eight children, of whom Jacob was the third in order of birth and the only one who came to the United States.
In early life Jacob Lorenz learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for three years in Paris before coming to America, and was recognized as an expert in his chosen field of labor. In the year 1854 he started for America as a passenger on a sailing vessel bound for New Orleans. From that point he proceeded northward to Louisville, Kentucky, after a voyage of thirty- three days spent upon the water. This was considered a rather quick trip for the weather was good and there was nothing to retard their progress.
After about a year spent in Louisville Mr. Lorenz came to Muscatine in 1855 and has since made his home here, covering much more than a half century. He came alone to this country and has since been dependent upon his own efforts. In fact, he is a self-made man for at the age of fourteen years he left school and
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
began work at the carpenter's trade, which he followed continuously until 1880. He has aided in the erection of many buildings both in the city and surrounding country. He was regarded as a very good workman and therefore had no trouble commanding excellent wages, being preferred to many American workmen al- though his unfamiliarity with the language bothered him to a large extent in the early days of his residence here. Since 1880 he has given his time and atten- tion to his vineyard and the manufacture of wine, owning fourteen acres of land at No. 950 Roscoe avenue, which is largely planted to grapes. The past few years, however, he has had to leave the work of this place largely to others, being unable to do anything. He has resided at his present home since 1869 and the place is regarded as one of the old landmarks of the city, where Mr. Lorenz is well known as a venerable and honored citizen.
Mr. L'orenz was married in Muscatine in 1856 to Miss Christiana Krehe, who was born in Bavaria, June 26, 1836, and was brought to the United States by her father, who was a widower at that time. They located in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1849, and three years later the family removed to Iowa. Her parents were George and Sabina (Daut) Krehe, and the father, who was a physician and for many years followed his profession, died in Jefferson county, Iowa. He had seven children, all of whom came to the new world with him. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lorenz have been born eight children : Emil, at home; Carl, who died at the age of forty years; Louise, who died at the age of thirty-five years; Anna, who passed away at the age of sixteen ; Rosalia, the wife of John Wendinger, of Mus- catine ; Emma, the wife of George Overhouse, of Muscatine; Minnie, the wife of Jacob Toussaint, of South Bend, Indiana; and Bertha, the wife of M. Whit- more, of Muscatine.
During a residence of fifty-five years in this city Jacob Lorenz has witnessed much of its growth and development. He has become widely known and while he has not sought to figure prominently in public affairs, his well spent life, honorable activities and devotion to duty have gained him the high regard and affection of Muscatine's residents.
HON. JEROME DE WITT CARSKADDAN.
In early youth making choice of a profession in which advancement must depend entirely upon individual merit and ability, Hon. Jerome De Witt Cars- kaddan gradually worked his way upward until long since he gained a place among the foremost lawyers of eastern Iowa-a position which he has ever maintained, for in his professional career he has been a constant and thorough student of the fundamental principles of the science of the law. Into other fields of labor he has also directed his energies and successful accomplishment has resulted because of his close application, his executive force and initiative spirit.
The family name indicates the Scotch ancestry of the Carskaddans. The line is traced back direct to Robert Carskaddan who was born in Scotland. and on coming to the new world settled first at Nova Scotia. Subsequently he re-
Jarek -Oarekalan
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
oved to Rhode Island and afterward became a resident of New York. In the Revolutionary war among the patriot forces there was a Robert Carskad- dan and his three sons, William, Robert, Jr., and Thomas, who enlisted from Ulster county, New York. The paternal grandfather of Jerome D. Carskaddan was Robert Carskaddan, who was born near Newburgh, New York, and in early life engaged in the manufacture of spinning wheels, while later he turned his attention to farming. He married Cornelia Ziele, who was of Holland Dutch descent, and a daughter of John Ziele, who was a captain in the second regiment of the Ulster county militia and also a soldier in the French and Indian war. He was captured by Indians and taken to Canada, but escaped and made his way home. His daughter, Cornelia, became the wife of Robert Carskaddan, and both died at an advanced age, the grandfather of our subject passing away when eighty-seven years of age, while his wife died in her eighty-fifth year. Their family numbered nine children; John, Elizabeth, Catherine, Ziele, Thomas, Harvey, Harriet, Diana and David. The last named died in childhood.
Of this family Harvey Carskaddan was born in New York and there learned the tanner and currier's trade, after which he conducted a tannery near Dur- hamville, New York. Later, however, he turned his attention to merchandising and the transportation business on the lakes. He removed to Black Rock, Erie county, New York, and thence went to Buffalo. During the last twenty-five or thirty years of his life, however, he was engaged in farming in Madison county, New York, near the old home of his father. He wedded Susan Bar- ker, likewise a native of the Empire state. Her father, however, was a native of Connecticut and of English stock and was a farmer by occupation. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Carskaddan were members of the Universalist church, his death occurring in 1880, when he was eighty years of age, and his wife, sur- viving him for two years, also passed away at the age of eighty. They were the parents of four children : Jerome D .; Clarence, who is now practicing law in Oneida, New York; Myron, who died at the age of twenty-two years; and Ada, who died at the age of fourteen years.
The birth of Jerome De Witt Carskaddan occurred near Seneca Falls, in Seneca county, New York, November 6, 1829. His parents appreciated the value of education and he gladly availed himself of the opportunities that were afforded him of supplementing his early intellectual training by study in Hamil- ton College, of Clinton, New York, from which he was graduated in 1851. He was a classmate there and close friend of the late Charles Dudley Warner. De- termining upon a professional career and choosing the practice of law as his life work, he began reading in the office and under the direction of Sloan & Shoecraft, of Oneida, New York, remaining in their office until admitted to the bar at a general term of the supreme court of New York held early in 1853. He at once sought the opportunities of the growing middle west and coming to Iowa. established his home and opened an office in Muscatine. Taking up his bode here, he determined to drop the use of his middle name and has since een known as Jerome Carskaddan. For fifty-seven years he has been an active factor in the life of the city, leaving the impress of his individuality upon its legal interests, its financial and other activities. In January. 1854, he joined T. M. Williams, a son of the Hon. Joseph Williams, in purchasing the Demo- Vol. II-2
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