USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 28
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After being honorably discharged and mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Richards returned to Muscatine county and for twenty years devoted his attention to his trade, then entering the butcher business in which he has since continued. By diligence and economy he acquired two hundred and eleven acres of land, of which one hundred and twenty were in Muscatine county and ninety-one in Cedar county. This property he has disposed of but he now owns a comfortable residence and several city lots in West Liberty.
In 1867 Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bowlsby, a native of Ohio and a daughter of J. G. and Lydia A. Bowlsby, the former of whom was born in New Jersey and the latter at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Bowlsby came to Muscatine county in 1839 and for a short time drove a stage coach. Then returning to the east, he brought his family to Muscatine county, where he established a permanent home. Ile and his wife are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Richards seven children have been born : Gustie, deceased; H. M., now a farmer of Muscatine county ; Emma E., who grad- uated from the West Liberty high school and is now a teacher at Minneapolis, Minnesota; Lily, the wife of S. G. McFadden, of West Liberty; A. L., now identified with a meat market at West Liberty; Lewis, deceased; and Edith, a graduate of the high school and now living at home.
Mr. Richards gives his earnest support to the republican party and has served with general acceptance as road superintendent, school director and in other minor township offices. He is a valued member of Post No. 245, G. A. R., of West Liberty, and his wife holds membership in the Presbyterian church. He is a man of agreeable and friendly address and that he has good business ability has been well demonstrated. He has never allowed his energies to be-
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come completely absorbed in the pursuit of money so as to dry up the fountains of human sympathy. As a patriotic citizen, a kind neighbor and a considerate and loving husband and father, he has accomplished a worthy object in life and is to be congratulated on the honorable record he has made.
ALBERT WHITACRE.
A successful man has been defined as one who has the good sense to learn even from his own instruction. The man who is not willing to learn or easily becomes discouraged is seldom found among the leaders of any community. It requires courage, zeal, good judgment and perseverance to win a permanent place in the estimation of a community, and Albert Whitacre certainly possesses all of these requisites. He was born in Warren county, Ohio, March 15, 1853, and is a son of Aquilla and Ann (Cook) Whitacre, the former a native of Vir- ginia and the latter of Ohio. The father lived on the same farm in Ohio for sixty years. In 1852 he paid a visit to Johnson county, Iowa, where he entered about four thousand acres and built five or six small houses, which he rented. He returned to Ohio but in 1865 came with his family and located permanently in this state, buying another farm, upon which he lived until his death. His wife was called away a few years after his death. There were five children in the family : Ruth Anna, deceased; Sarah, now the wife of Ross Leach, of West Branch; Albert, of this review; Maurice, of West Liberty; and Amos C., also of West Liberty.
Albert Whitacre came with his parents to Iowa when twelve years old and after arriving at the age of nineteen years began operating a farm given him by his father. In 1895 he removed to West Liberty and purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres adjoining the city, which he has since very highly improved, and to which he has added forty acres, so that at the present time he is the owner of five hundred and eighty-five acres of valuable land, of which four hun- dred acres lie in Johnson county, Iowa. He is up-to-date in everything he un- dertakes and has built a modern barn and silo, which is provided with a con- crete floor, electric lights and the most modern improvements, making it one of the most complete plants of the kind in the entire county. He takes great pride in everything his hands find to do, and, as he is well informed as to the very latest scientific developments along lines in which he is interested. he is regarded as an authority upon many matters pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. He has for a number of years been a member of the board of directors of the People's State Bank of West Liberty.
On the 21st of October, 1875. Mr. Whitacre was united in marriage to Miss Harriet L. Nichols, born in Muscatine county in 1857, a daughter of Phineas and Martha (Gibson) Nichols, both of whom are deceased. Six children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Whitacre: Lewis A., born September 24, 1879, who is now assisting his father in cultivating the homestead; Herbert P., who was born September 8, 1884, and died September 26, 1887; Edna A., a
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graduate of the State University, who was born October 25, 1886, and is now the wife of Dr. J. E. Kimble, of West Liberty; Wilma L., who was born April 8, 1889, and is a student of the State University; Harold C., who was born April 30, 1891, and died May 16, 1901 ; and Martha A., who was born May 14, 1894, and is now a student of the West Liberty high school.
Mr. Whitacre since arriving at manhood has given his support to the repub- lican party. Fraternally, he is identified with the lodge of Knights of Pythias at West Liberty, and his wife is a member of the Pythian Sisters and also of the Presbyterian church, being a prominent factor in works of charity and mercy. As indicated by this review, Mr. Whitacre is a man of sterling virtues, highly honored by his friends and acquaintances, and respected as a progressive and useful citizen, who has assisted very materially in the development of the permanent interests of Muscatine county.
WILSON C. KIMBERLEY.
In this land of opportunity the younger men often come forward and, having possessed advantages of education and training not available to a former gen- eration, have in many instances forged their way to the front. They represent the modern American spirit of enterprise and energy and it is doubtful whether a more creditable illustration of the possibilities for young men could be pre- sented than is shown in the career of Wilson C. Kimberley, of West Liberty.
Born in Cedar county, Iowa, December 24, 1886, he is the son of Amos Kim- berley, who was for many years one of the best known men in eastern Iowa. The father was born at Austintown, Ohio, December 21, 1837, a son of Samuel and Mary Minerva (Latimer) Kimberley. Samuel Kimberley was a wealthy mine owner, operating in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and also in the Black Hills and in Mexico. There were three sons in his family, namely : Amos E., German and Peter. The last named also became extensively engaged in mining, his estate at the time of his death, in 1905, being valued at ten million dollars.
In 1861 Amos E. Kimberley came to Iowa and settled in Iowa township, Cedar county. He was remarkably successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, and his farm embraced more than one thousand acres, being one of the most valu- able landed estates in the county. About twelve years before his death he was visited by financial reverses, but he was not a man to be overcome by misfor- tune, and he began at once to accumulate another fortune. He spent his de- clining years at West Liberty, passing away April 21, 1910. He was twice mar- ried, his first wife being Rachel Flick, and there were five children by that union, one of whom died in infancy. The others were: Charles W., of Los Angeles ; Nellie Sankey, of Kittanning, Pennsylvania; Viola D. Latimer of San Fran- cisco; and Samuel O., of Washington, D. C. After the death of his first wife Mr. Kimberley was married in 1877 to Miss Mary Wilson, who was born in Ireland in 1849 and came with her parents to this country at seven years of age. By the second marriage seven children were born, three of whom passed away ere their father's death, the others being: David Wilson of Iowa township, who
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was born August 6, 1878; Amos E., of Cedar county, born May 25, 1881 ; Wil- son C., the subject of this review; and Mary Marie, who was born October 15, 1889, and is now living at home.
Wilson C. Kimberley received his preliminary education in the public schools and later attended school at Springdale. When not occupied with his text-books he assisted upon the home farm, becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country boy. He continued at home until nineteen years of age, when he took charge of a farm which his father gave him, and being a young man of unusual industry and resourcefulness, he has been highly successful as an agriculturist and stock-raiser, applying up-to-date methods and thus obtain- ing the best results at the least expenditure of time and energy. He has also built a substantial brick garage in West Liberty, forty-two by sixty-four feet in size, from which he derives a liberal income on the investment.
On the 4th of January, 1911, Mr. Kimberley was united in marriage to Miss Blanch L. Aker, a daugliter of A. B. and Louisa ( Miller) Aker, who are resi- dents of this county. Her father was born in Nova Scotia, but the birth of her mother occurred in Cedar county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Kimberley now live with his mother.
Politically, Mr. Kimberley gives his support to the republican party, and fraternally he is connected with the various Masonic bodies, and in 1910 was the youngest member of the Shrine in the state of Iowa. Although he is practically only at the beginning of his business life, he has attained recognition as one of the substantial and progressive men of his section. Having inherited his father's excellent business ability, his friends prophesy for him a highly successful and useful career.
REV. BERNARD JOSEPH FITZSIMONS.
Although comparatively a recent arrival at Nichols, Rev. Bernard Joseph Fitzsimons, pastor of the Catholic church, has gained an enduring place in the esteem of his parishioners and is justly honored by the entire community. He was born in County Cavan, Ireland, December 24, 1870, a son of Bernard and Christina (O'Farrelly) Fitzsimons. The father was a farmer and business man and gave his son the advantages of education in the national schools at Mullagh, County Cavan. Having decided to consecrate his life to the work of the church, the subject of this review entered a seminary in his native county and there pur- sued a study of the classics. After graduating from that institution he became a student at All-Hallows, a theological college in Dublin, in 1888, and after pur- suing various branches was ordained to the priesthood of the Catholic church June 24, 1893.
In 1903 Father Fitzsimons came to America and after arriving at Davenport, Iowa, was appointed by Bishop Cosgrove as assistant to the Rev. Father Nugent, of the Visitation church at Des Moines. After occupying this position for a little less than a year, in the course of which he showed himself eminently adapted for mission work, he was placed in charge as chaplain at Mercy Hospital, hav-
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ing also under his charge the academy conducted by the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His next appointment was as pastor of the Catholic church at Centerville and missions of the vicinity, then going to Bayard, Iowa, and from that place April 28, 1904, to his present charge at Nichols. The various societies of the church over which he officiates are in good standing and his influence is felt as a powerful force in the moral development of the community.
Father Fitzsimons by his genial address and unselfish labors in behalf of others has greatly endeared himself to many people in Iowa to whom he has indeed been a wise friend and counselor. He possesses many of the best char- acteristics of the historic race from which he sprung and is qualified in a re- markable degree for the great work in which he is engaged, bringing to the attention of his fellowmen their duties in this life and their responsibilities for the life to come. Highly educated and possessing unusual ability for his chosen calling, Father Fitzsimons is now fairly started upon a long and useful career.
NICHOLAS SPILGER.
Many sons of Illinois have been attracted to Iowa and in Muscatine county have established homes under conditions so favorable as scarcely to be equalled elsewhere in the Union. Among the number may be named Nicholas Spilger, who owns a valuable farm in Goshen township. He was born at Rock Island, Illinois, January 13, 1851, and is a son of George and Catharine (Vetter) Spil- ger, both of whom were natives of Germany. The parents came to America about 1850, spending about a year in Chicago, at the end of which time they located upon eighty acres of government land in Rock Island county, Illinois. There they lived until their deaths, which occurred in the month of September, 1854, passing away within two days of each other. There were three children in the family: Peter, who died in infancy; Nicholas, our subject; and Margaret, now the wife of August Fuhr of Rock Island county.
Nicholas Spilger received his education in the common schools and when old enough began working as a farm hand. At twenty-six years of age, having ac- quired sufficient capital, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Mercer county, Illinois, which he cultivated for three years and then sold. He next acquired eighty acres which lies about one and a quarter miles north of the farm where he now lives and there he spent sixteen years, in the course of which he gained a great deal of valuable experience in agriculture and stock- raising and decided to make his permanent home in that region. Accordingly he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Goshen township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and provided with all conveniences for up-to-date operations. In addition to general farming he has been very suc- cessful in the raising and marketing of cattle, hogs and horses.
On the 10th day of February, 1881, Mr. Spilger was united in marriage to Miss Mary Weiss, a daughter of George and Elizabeth ( Fuhr) Weiss, who were the parents of twelve children : Mary ; Catherine, the wife of George Stemm, of Johnson county, Iowa ; Margaret, who makes her home with our subject ; Philip,
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4
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NICHOLAS SPILGER
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of Muscatine county; Louisa, John, Clara and Emma, at home; Christian, of Muscatine county ; Valentine, who died in infancy; Lydia, at home; and Bar- bara, the wife of Charles M. Timm, of Muscatine county. Two children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Spilger : Albert J., who was killed by lightning on the home place July 27, 1898; and Philip G., who now assists in the management of the farm. The wife and mother died in 1884 at the early age of twenty-nine years.
Mr. Spilger has experienced both the joys and sorrows of life, the untimely death of his son being one of the severest blows he has ever known. He is a consistent member of the Lutheran church and in the hour of his bereavement was sustained by a faith in a Divine Providence which does all things well. In his political belief he adheres to the republican party. Beginning more than thirty years ago, he labored diligently until he acquired a competence and he is today one of the prosperous men of the county, his good fortune being due to his own untiring industry and indomitable will. His wife was to him indeed a helpmate and his home is one of the attractive gathering places of the town- ship.
E. E. EICHELBERGER.
Among the prosperous farmers of Muscatine county is E. E. Eichelberger, who owns five hundred and thirty-three acres of land, which he acquired through the application of principles that lead to success in all legitimate industries. Born on the place where he now lives, March 14, 1866, he early became thoroughly acquainted with the details of farm work and management, and few men in Muscatine county have displayed better judgment in handling a business which calls for an alert mind and ability to direct others so as to produce the best results.
Mr. Eichelberger is a son of Levi and Mary ( Ebersole) Eichelberger, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. The father came to Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1844, but after several years returned to Pennsylvania. However, he was again attracted west and early in the '50s he entered land in Muscatine county and became one of its energetic farmers. He was called away July 10, 1906, his beloved wife having been summoned from earthly scenes August 24. 1895. They were laid to rest in Letts cemetery. There were twelve children in their family, ten of whom are now living: Galena, who became the wife of Isaiah Idle and departed this life November 4, 1897; Clay, now living at Boul- der, Colorado; Henrietta, the wife of L. M. Cecil, of Muscatine county ; Scott, deceased; Frank, of South Dakota; Priscilla, the wife of W. F. Hoffmeyer of Sioux City, Iowa; Irene, now Mrs. William Lake, of Lake township, Muscatine county ; Winfield, of South Dakota; Alvira, the wife of J. C. Watts, of Mus- catine county ; Myra A., now Mrs. Chester Folmer, of Colorado; E. E., our subject ; and Lillie, the wife of H. B. Hoffmeyer, of Muscatine county.
The subject of this review was reared upon the home farm and received his education in the district schools. He continued with his parents until he reached
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manhood and then began farming upon his own account by renting land. By good management he was able about 1897 to purchase the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, Seventy-six township. Later he acquired one hundred and thirty-three acres on section 30, Lake township, and two hun- dred and forty acres on sections 32 and 33, the same township, all of which he has improved and brought to a high degree of cultivation. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, but makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock of all kinds and, as he understands the markets and the grades of stock most in demand, he generally receives the best prices that are offered.
On the 27th of October, 1886, Mr. Eichelberger was united in marriage to Miss Elva V. Longstreth, a native of Muscatine county and a daughter of Oliver and Nancy (Deweis) Longstreth, both of whom are now deceased. They were the parents of nine children. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Eichel- berger, Frank E., Oliver Earl and Elva G., all of whom are at home. The mother of these children died October 6, 1894, and was buried in Letts cemetery. She was a woman of many excellent qualities and won the friendship and respect of all with whom she came in contact. On December 1, 1897, Mr. Eichelberger was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Ida Kate Walts, who was born in Muscatine county, and is a daughter of John G. and Louisa A. Walts, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. By his second marriage Mr. Eichelberger has two sons: Milton E., born May 21, 1899; and Levi Walts, December 9, 1904.
Mr. Eichelberger is a man of unusual determination and energy and one who generally carries to completion anything he undertakes. He is now in the midst of a useful career, which promises even larger results in the future than in the past. He is a supporter of the democratic party and, although he has never sought political office, he has served with credit as trustee of the township for two terms and also as member of the school board. Mrs. Eichelberger is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has been a constant sup- port to her husband in all undertakings, having for their aim the permanent wel- fare of those with whom they are associated.
B. F. HERR.
The old soldiers of Muscatine county are honored not only for the part they bravely performed in upholding the stars and stripes, but also for their work in the development of this region. Not a few of the most prominent men now living in the county have worn the blue, among them being B. F. Herr, of Wap- sinonoc township, who has reached the age of seventy-two years and has been actively identified with the agricultural interests ever since lie was old enough to hold the handles of a plow. He was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, July 3, 1839, a son of Christian and Susanna (Stiver) Herr, both of whom were na- tives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Ohio in 1820 and the father built a log cabin on a timber farm, where he made his home for thirty-seven years. His wife died in 1853 and he subsequently came to Muscatine county, where he
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passed away in 1890 at the age of eighty-four years. There were six children in their family, four of whom are now living.
B. F. Herr received his early education in the district schools and when not busy with his books assisted his father in clearing the farm and cultivating the fields. At the age of seventeen he started out to make his way in the world on his own account, and in 1857 arrived at Muscatine, Iowa, his first employment being in breaking the prairie with six yoke of oxen. In 1861 he responded to the call of President Lincoln and enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Iowa In- fantry, in which he faithfully served for three years. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded in the side and also in the right ankle, but was not permanently disabled, as he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Corinth, and in the advance under General Sherman to Atlanta, being present at a number of the most important battles and engagements of the war. After the close of the Rebellion he received his honorable discharge in Alabama. He returned to Iowa and has been almost continuously engaged in farming in Muscatine county, spending three years, however, from 1874 to 1877, on a farm which he pur- chased in Johnson county. After disposing of that place he bought land on sec- tion 18, Wapsinonoc township, upon which he made his home for seven years, when he sold out and purchased the farm which is now the home place. It is located on section 21, Wapsinonoc township, and consists of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has improved and provided with a neat residence and other buildings, all of which are kept in excellent repair. He makes a specialty of raising stock for the market.
On the 16th of September. 1866, Mr. Herr was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Wilson, a daughter of David Wilson, a record of whom is found else- where in this work. Four children have blessed this union, namely : Fannie B., now the wife of Ed Wells of Johnson county; George W .; Bertha E., at home; and Carrie M., the wife of Ed James of Johnson county.
George W. Herr, the only son of our subject, was born March 12, 1870. He received the advantages of a good common-school education and continued upon the home farm, of which he now has charge. He was married February 20, 1895, to Miss Hattie M. Verry, who was born in Muscatine county, August 26, 1872, a daughter of William and Jane (Watkins) Verry, both of whom are now deceased. Two children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Herr, Verna L., born March 8, 1896, and Clifford E., who was born January 27, 1898. The be- loved wife and mother was called away December 15, 1898, and her remains were interred in the West Liberty cemetery. George W. Herr gives his sup- port to the republican party and has served to the general satisfaction of the people as assessor of his township and also as member of the school board. He is recognized as one of the energetic and successful farmers of his section.
B. F. Herr, although now at an age when many men seek to lay aside the cares of business, still takes an active interest in affairs. He has always borne an excellent reputation for honesty and fidelity to every trust and has the sat- isfaction of knowing that through his labors he and his family are amply pro- vided for so far as finances are concerned. Ever since he arrived at voting age he has been a pronounced supporter of the republican party. He is a stanch
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friend of education and served for nineteen years as member of the school board, also filling other public offices whose responsibilities he discharged with the same faithfulness that he has ever displayed in the administration of his own affairs. He and his family are valued members of the Methodist church.
S. H. SMITH, JR.
S. H. Smith, Jr., a well known citizen of Muscatine county, who for four- teen years past has resided at Nichols, is a native of Halifax, Vermont, born November 16, 1841. He is a son of Dr. S. H. and Emeline S. (Putnam) Smith, both born in Windham county, Vermont, the mother being a descendant of General Israel Putnam. They were married in 1840 and five years later re- moved to Steuben county, New York, where they continued until 1870, when they came to Muscatine county, Iowa, locating permanently at Nichols in 1871. The father built the second house in the town and was proprietor of a drug store, of which his son later took charge. The father devoted his attention to the practice of medicine from 1845 until 1902, when he retired. He departed this life January 27, 1908, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, and the mother was called away in 1903. The household circle included five children : S. H., our subject ; Henry P., who enlisted in the Civil war and died in 1862 at Harpers Ferry while in the Union service; Charles F., who engaged in the lumber business and was killed by an explosion of dynamite in 1889 at Foun- tain, Colorado; Florence A., who became the wife of S. E. Walcott and is now deceased ; and Emma, who died at Nichols, Iowa, in 1906.
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