USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 33
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On the Ist of March, 1905, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Nettie May Ripley, a native of Missouri and a daughter of G. L. and Hattie ( Metcalf) Ripley, the former a native of Muscatine county and the latter of Ohio. Her parents removed to South Dakota in 1908 and are now residing in that state. There were six children in their family, five of whom are now living. Three children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. James: Harriet B., who
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was born September 21, 1906; Eveline B., born February 7, 1908; and Ruby J., born August 29, 1910.
Mr. James is not identified with any religious denomination, but his wife is a consistent member of the Christian church. He is a stanch supporter of the candidates and principles of the republican party. He has not taken any promi- nent part in political affairs as his interests center in his home, his family and the duties which arise from day to day in connection with the business to which he has devoted his life. He has many friends in Muscatine county who have been attracted by his manly attributes of sincerity and fidelity in the discharge of every responsibility.
PETER BYRNE.
Peter Byrne, who represents the third generation of his family in America and is a well known farmer of Seventy-six township, was born in Muscatine county, August 21, 1881. He is the son of Thomas and Catherine (Grant) Byrne, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Iowa. His grandfather, John Byrne, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1847. He made the voyage in a sailing vessel, which required six weeks for the trip, in the course of which his wife and daughter died, the former being buried in the ocean and the latter at New Orleans after the vessel arrived in port. It was a severe blow to Mr. Byrne, but he bravely continued his jour- ney and after arriving in Muscatine county located on section 15, Seventy-six township, where he continued until his death. His body was interred in St. Malachy's cemetery and was among the first deposited there.
Thomas Byrne, the father of our subject, came to this country with his parents and assisted in establishing the home in Muscatine county. He was a man of great energy and perseverance and became a highly successful farmer. Politically he was in sympathy with the democratic party, and although he was not an office seeker, preferring to devote his life to private affairs, he served acceptably as assessor of his township for seven years and also held other town- ship offices. His wife is still living at the old home. There were eight children in the family : John, a farmer of Seventy-six township; Frances, at home; Peter, our subject; William, an electrical engineer, and Lawrence, both at home; Stephen and Paul, deceased; and Felicitas, at home.
Peter Byrne was educated in the district schools and under his father be- came thoroughly acquainted with the details of agriculture and stock-raising. He assisted in the work of the home farm until he was twenty-four years of age but since that time he has carried on farming on his own account. He pros- pered in his work and is now operating two hundred and forty acres of land, which he cultivates with a diligence that produces large harvests, yielding hand- some returns for labor and time expended.
In January, 1908, Mr. Byrne was united in marriage to Miss Laura Nau of Bloomington township, who has proved to him a true and loving companion. Although a young man, Mr. Byrne has been highly successful in his business
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operations and has shown a sagacity and clear judgment that point to larger possibilities in years to come. He is the possessor of fine social qualities and has made many warm personal friends in the course of the last eight years, dur- ing which he has been very active. He holds membership in the Knights of Columbus, and politically is identified with the democratic party. For four years he served with credit as clerk of Seventy-six township and today is re- garded as one of the substantial and progressive citizens of Muscatine county.
JOHN BYRNE.
John Byrne, a well known farmer of Seventy-six township, who passed away May 2, 1901, was recognized as one of the energetic and progressive men of his township. He was a good farmer, a patriotic and intelligent citizen, and as the head of a large and promising family, set an example of industry and perseverance well worthy of emulation. He was born in Ireland, May 11, 1835, and was a son of John and Margaret Byrne, both of whom were natives of the Emerald isle. The family started for America in 1847 and the mother and daughter both died during the voyage, the former being buried at sea and the latter in New Orleans. The father was a man of stout heart and noble char- acter and notwithstanding his great loss he did not yield to discouragement. He came on to Muscatine, Iowa, with the remainder of his family, arriving in October, 1847, and at once located upon land in Seventy-six township, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was the father of twelve children, only one of whom, a daughter, is now living. She makes her home in St. Louis, Missouri.
John Bryne was twelve years of age when he came to this country. He grew up upon the home farm and was educated in the district school, con- tinuing at home until he was forty-three years of age, when he was married and moved to a farm in Seventy-six township, where he applied himself with great diligence and became the owner of a well improved place. He was sixty- six years of age at the time of his death and the general expression of regret which greeted the announcement of his demise attested the respect in which he was held by all who knew him. His remains were interred in Arden cemetery.
In 1878 Mr. Byrne was united in marriage to Miss Anna Byrne, who though of the same name was not a relative. She was born in Ireland, November 27, 1855, and is a daughter of Hugh and Bridget Byrne. Her father died in Ireland, December 9, 1899, and her mother is still living there at the venerable age of eighty-four years. There were eight children in their family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Byrne ten children were born: Joseph E., of Chicago; John H., of Nebraska; Margaret M., now Mrs. Michael Healy, of Seventy-six township; Bridget A., the wife of R. W. Dean, of Deer Lodge, Montana; Marie J., at home; Thomas A., of Montana; Anna E., the wife of L. A. Summers, of Arden, Iowa; one who died in infancy; Julia T., at home; and Clement A., also deceased.
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Mr. Byrne was a supporter of the democratic party and was a member of the Catholic church, to which Mrs. Byrne and her children also belong. Mrs. Byrne disposed of the farm and is now the owner of a hotel in Arden. She was a true helpmate to her husband and to her children she has been a loving mother who has ever been willing to make any sacrifice to advance their interests or happiness. She has many friends in Muscatine county whom she has at- tracted by her worthy qualities of mind and heart.
COPELAND RABE.
At the age of eighteen years Copeland Rabe came to Muscatine county. That was in 1855-fifty-six years ago-when the ox team and prairie schooner were daily in evidence and when the hand reaper was in use in the fields and the hand loom for weaving cloth in the homes. Time has wrought vast changes and today he sees the locomotive, telephone and the automobile, while the en- tire system of farming has been revolutionized. Mr. Rabe has reason only for congratulation when he reviews the past for he years ago became one of the prosperous farmers of the county and today is living in comfort and ease.
He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1837, a son of William and Drusilla (Copeland) Rabe, both natives of the Keystone state. The parents died in Jefferson county, Ohio, leaving three children: Copeland, of this review ; T. F., now of Ohio; and W. W., of Bloomfield, Ohio.
Copeland Rabe received his early education in the district schools of his native county and continued at home until 1855. Feeling like many young men of that period that the great west offered more favorable inducements than could be expected in the older states of the Union, he bade farewell to his rela- tives and friends and at the age of eighteen years started westward, coming as far as Muscatine county, Iowa, where he readily secured work as a farm hand. In 1858 the gold excitement, which began in Colorado, swept over the country and thousands of men started for the Rocky mountains in eager pur- suit of wealth. Among this number was Copeland Rabe. He drove an ox team from Omaha to the Pike's Peak region, but after prospecting for a few months in the sands of the streams and along the foot hills of the mountains he became convinced that his destiny lay in other pursuits rather than in mining. Accordingly he returned to Muscatine county and after renting land for a few years purchased eighty acres in Wapsinonoc township, which he cultivated to such good advantage that later he became the owner of a fine place of one hundred and sixty acres-one of the most productive farms in the township. In 1904 he removed to West Liberty, where he lived for four years, but has since resided in Pike township.
In 1861 Mr. Rabe was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Ann Fletcher who was born in Muscatine county in 1844, a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Pickering) Fletcher, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Eight children were born to them, namely: W. F., of Marshall county, Kansas ; Samuel and John, deceased; E. S., of Louisa county, Iowa; Jesse, now of Colorado; Alpha, who
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now has charge of the home farm; Zelpha, the wife of Charles Monroe of Wapsinonoc township; and Lela, now Mrs. Chester Grigg, of Pike township.
Mr. Rabe gives his support to the republican party and although he has never sought public honors he served with great acceptance for nine years as school director. He is a consistent member of the Methodist church and his wife was reared in the Quaker faith. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rabe has ever been a welcome haven for friends, and one of the leading objects of their lives has been to contribute to the happiness of their associates and acquaintances.
EVERT F. RICHMAN.
Evert F. Richman, a member of the Muscatine bar, making his home upon a farm in Bloomington township, was born in the city of Muscatine, September 25, 1845. His parents were J. Scott and Calista Ann ( Hannaman) Richman, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. The former was a son of Evert Richman, who at the time of his death was making his home in Ohio. He was a Methodist preacher and also served as a judge of the court. He died in middle life, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Scott, lived to be about seventy-six years of age. They had a large family, including Asbury, John Wes- ley, Hettie A., J. Scott, Abraham, DeWitt C. and William S. The maternal grandfather of Evert F. Richman was Robert L. Hannaman, a native of Ohio, who made the practice of law his life work. Removing to Illinois, he settled at Knoxville and there made his home to an advanced age. In early manhood he married Hannah Plummer and their children were: John Wesley, Calista Ann, Emma E., Ella F., William and George L.
J. Scott Richman, father of Evert F. Richman, was also a member of the bar. He came to Muscatine in 1839 when Iowa was still under territorial rule, and continued in the active practice of his profession throughout the greater part of his life, being the oldest member of the Muscatine bar in years of con- tinuous connection with the work of the courts. He died in May, 1908, at the very venerable age of eighty-eight years, having long survived his wife, who passed away when about sixty years of age. She was a member of the Metho- dist church, and although not identified with any church, the moral forces in the life of Mr. Richman were such as made him most honored and esteemed by all who knew him. For a number of years he served as judge of the district court, succeeding Judge Dillon, and his decisions, strictly fair and impartial, adorn the judicial records of the state.
Evert F. Richman was one of two sons who lived to years of maturity, but his brother, Clayton S., is now deceased. Spending his youthful days in Musca- tine, Evert F. Richman attended the public schools of this city and afterward became a student in Lombard University at Galesburg, Illinois. He enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming adjutant of the Forty-fourth Iowa Infantry,, and did active duty at the front. Following the war he married and then opened an office in Muscatine for the practice of law; in the same year he was admitted to the bar. He has since remained in this city with the exception of a period of
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twelve years, and is one of the best known and most able representatives of the legal profession in his native county. Earnest effort, close application and in- tuitive wisdom are strong points in his success. He seems to lose sight of no fact that will bear upon his case and yet never for a moment fails to give due relative prominence to the main point upon which the decision of every case finally turns. His deductions are thoroughly logical and his arguments con- vincing, and while his devotion to his client's interests is proverbial, he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.
On the 26th of September, 1865, Mr. Richman was married to Miss Ida L. Hoppin, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (McConnell) Hoppin. They have become parents of a daughter and son : Calla, the wife of Clayburn B. Yandell of Seattle, Washington, by whom she has three children: Louise, Patricia and Hayes; and Charles J., who married Janet Dallas and is an accountant. The family is well known in Muscatine and throughout the county, where the name of Richman has been a familiar and honored one for more than seventy years.
THOMAS HAWKER.
The owner of a highly improved farm of two hundred and forty acres in Muscatine county, Thomas Hawker may truly be designated as one of its pros- perous citizens. He is a native of Warwickshire, England, born June 18, 1832, a son of John and Sarah (Thompson) Hawker, both of whom spent their entire lives in England. There were six children in their family, all of whom are now deceased except our subject.
Thomas Hawker was educated in the schools of his native land and continued there until thirty-seven years of age. However, he was not satisfied with Eng- land, the conditions being such that a laboring man can acquire a competence only by extraordinary exertions. He came to the conclusion from what he had read and heard that the land across the ocean presented opportunities that could scarcely be hoped for in any thickly settled community. Accordingly, he decided to seek his fortune in America, and going aboard an ocean vessel he landed un- der the sheltering influence of the republic on December 12, 1869. He spent the first two years of his residence in this country in Beardstown, Illinois, and in 1871 came to Nichols, Muscatine county; Iowa, and for eight years was identi- fied with the railroad business. By diligence and economy he accumulated suffi- cient capital to engage in farming upon his own account and he purchased eighty acres of land in Goshen township, which he proceeded to improve and cultivate. As his resources steadily increased, he was enabled to buy more land, and ac- quired in all two hundred and forty acres. His farm is one of the pleasing fea- tures of the landscape, being kept in almost perfect order, and it annually yields golden harvests which are exceeded in quantity and value by those of no other farm of equal area in the county.
In 1870 Mr. Hawker was united in marriage in Illinois to Miss Eliza Even- den, who was born in Kent, England, July 6, 1835, a daughter of John and Ann (Higgins) Evenden. Her parents came to America in 1881, both being past
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seventy-one years of age, the father departing this life at the age of eighty and the mother when ninety-five years of age. Three children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hawker: Horace H., who is married and is now a land- owner of Muscatine county; E. J., of Wapsinonoc township; and Arthur H., who is also married and lives in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Hawker have four grandchildren to whom they are greatly attached.
Mr. Hawker has for forty years been a resident of Muscatine county and has lived to witness great improvement not only in the farms but in the towns and cities, the entire appearance of this part of the state having undergone a marked change since he landed in this section. Politically he votes independent of party ties, preferring to support the men and measures that he believes best calculated to advance the general welfare. He has served most acceptably as a member of the school board and also as road supervisor. Fraternally he is identified with Lodge No. 95, A. F. & A. M., of West Liberty. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church and in its various activities they are greatly interested, being also prominent members of the community with which they have been closely connected during many of the best years of their lives.
ALBERT J. NASH.
Albert J. Nash, of Nichols, who has acquired an enviable reputation in connection with the poultry and produce business, was born in Pike town- ship, this county, August 22, 1883, a son of John D. and Ida O. (Brockway) Nash. He received his early education in the district schools and later attended high school, thus laying the foundation in a good mental training for a suc- cessful business career. On the home farm he was instructed by his father in the various details of agriculture and stock-raising, showing an aptitude even as a boy that gave bright promise as to his future, should he desire to con- tinue along those lines. He remained under the parental roof until arriving at twenty-three years of age and then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Pike township, which he cultivated with good results for two years. He then became identified with the poultry and produce business, which he conducted on his own account for two years, gaining a well established reputa- tion among his patrons for his straightforward method of dealing and the satis- factory manner in which he filled orders. He is now in charge of the branch house of the Muscatine Produce & Ice Company, at Nichols. Since assuming the position he has given a new impetus to the business and it is yielding very gratifying returns.
On the 6th of June, 1906, Mr. Nash was united in marriage to Miss Bertha E. Shew, who was born in Pike township, September 30, 1885, a daughter of Isaac and Minerva E. (Carl) Shew. The family settled upon a farm in that township but after the death of the father moved to Nichols. Subse- quently Mrs. Shew was married to William E. Donham, a well known con- tractor and builder of this county, who is also engaged in farming. Mrs. Nash is a lady of fine intellectual attainments. She was graduated in her girlhood Vol. II-17
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from the Nichols high school and for four terms prior to her marriage engaged with marked success in teaching. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nash: Le Ila Berenice, who was born September 20, 1907; and Beulah Minerva, whose birth occurred September 22, 1909.
Mr. Nash has from the beginning of his career been industrious and progres- sive, and he has attained a goodly measure of success. He is known to be honorable in all his dealings and also as a man whose word may be implicitly relied upon. That he deserves the success he has gained is the unanimous verdict of his friends. He and his wife are valued members of the Methodist church, and politically he gives his support to the republican party. Fraternally he is connected with Lodge No. 4195, M. W. A., of Nichols.
EDWARD ROCK.
By industry and thrift Edward Rock gained a fair start in life through his own exertions, and later purchased land in Muscatine county, which he has developed into a valuable farm. He ranks today as one of the substantial citizens of the county. Born in Wapsinonoc township, February 15, 1846, he is a son of Solomon and Mary (Frank) Rock, both natives of Ohio. They came to Muscatine county in 1845, when Iowa was a territory, and Mr. Rock purchased a tract of land on which he built a cabin where the family took up their home. The parents both died in Muscatine county. They had two children: Felix, now of West Liberty, and the subject of this review.
Having lost his father when two years of age, Edward Rock was taken into the home of his grandfather and continued there until reaching maturity. He spent his boyhood and youth assisting in farm work and attending school as opportunity permitted. Beginning farming on his own account upon rented land, he applied himself industriously, and after eight or nine years purchased the place where he now lives, on section 25, Wapsinonoc township. This farm he has developed until it is one of the most beautiful places in the neighborhood, supplied with all modern conveniences. He cultivates grains and also raises stock for the market, and as he is thorough in what he undertakes, has met with a gratifying measure of success.
On the 28th of July, 1873. Mr. Rock was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Holmes, who was born in Muscatine county in 1851, a daughter of W. G., and Hannah ( Pickering) Holmes. Her father was a native of Vermont and her mother of Virginia. They lived in Ohio for some time, but subsequently took up their residence in Muscatine county, Iowa, where they continued until their death. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rock, two of whom are deceased. The others are: Lola M., now the wife of John Benedict, of Mus- catine county ; Charles S., also of Muscatine county ; Zella, wife of Ed Lewis, of this county; George, of Portland, Oregon; Myrtle, the wife of Benjamin Green of Davenport, Iowa; and Ethel, Lucy, John C. and Blanch, at home.
Mr. Rock is not identified with any religious denomination, but his wife is a consistent member of the Methodist church. Politically, he affiliates with the
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democratic party, but does not give much attention to politics, as farming is more to his taste. A true friend of education, he served most acceptably as member of the school board for three years. He started in life empty-handed, but had a brave heart and a strong arm supported by a noble purpose. He persevered and won the battle, being now comparatively independent and as- sured of a competence for himself and wife for the remainder of their lives.
WILLIAM SHEFFIELD NORTON, M. D.
Dr. William Sheffield Norton has been a resident of Muscatine since 1893, and was known in mercantile circles until 1900, when he entered upon the prac- tice of medicine and surgery, to which he has since devoted his time and ener- gies. A native of Ohio, he was born in Napoleon, Henry county, on the 8th of July, 1867.
The Norton family was an old one of that state, which was the birthplace of his grandfather, Washington Norton, who died when a comparatively young man. He had married Caroline Harper, who survived him to the age of sev- enty-five years, and they were the parents of four sons and one daughter: Jona- than Dorr, Elijah H., John A., Caroline T. and David Z. The eldest, Jonathan Dorr Norton, was born in the Buckeye state and when a young man was em- ployed in railroad offices in Cleveland, in which manner he made his start in life, laying there the foundation for his later success in business. He afterward engaged in banking at Napoleon, Ohio, and in the year 1887 removed westward to Topeka, Kansas, where he still makes his home. He was for a number of years engaged in coal mining and in dealing in different kinds of fuel. He is now serving as sheriff of Shawnee county, Kansas, and while living in Ohio filled the office of state senator for one term. He has ever been a man of con- siderable influence, his sterling qualities well fitting him for a position of leader- ship. While in Ohio he married Ada Sheffield, a native of that state, as were her parents, William and Hulda (Harrington) Sheffield. The father was an attorney and banker and the mother engaged in the practice of medicine. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield died at Napoleon, Ohio, and both were nearing the Psalm- ist's allotted span of three-score years and ten. Their only child was Ada, who became the wife of Jonathan D. Norton, and they are now residing in Topeka, where they have made many friends. They hold membership with the Sweden- borgian church. Their family numbered five sons and a daughter, namely : Will- iam S., of this review ; Mary, the wife of Dr. H. S. Judd, of Tacoma, Washing- ton ; John H., who died at the age of thirty; David Z., a resident of Topeka, Kansas ; Jonathan D., Jr., who makes his home in Kansas City, Missouri; and Ralph H., of Topeka.
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