USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 35
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Dr. Beveridge belongs to Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M., and has also taken the degrees of the Royal Arch chapter. In strictly professional lines he is connected with the Muscatine County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medi- cal Society and the National Medical Association. He spent the summer of 1894 at Vienna, Austria, in research and post-graduate work, and is now presi- dent of the board of trustees of the Benjamin Hershey Memorial Hospital. His political allegiance is unfalteringly given to the republican party and he is never
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remiss in the duties of citizenship, yet has never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. He and his wife are members of the First Baptist church of Muscatine and reside at No. 1505 Mulberry avenue in a pleasant home, which is noted for its warm-hearted and genuine hospitality.
JOHN M. KEMBLE.
Jolın M. Kemble is actively connected with the profession which has impor- tant bearing upon the stable prosperity of any community. He has given proof of his ability as both attorney and counsel which attest his thorough knowledge of the law and his ability to correctly apply its principles.
He was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, April 11, 1856, and is one of eight children whose parents were Amos and Margaret Jane (Appel) Kemble. The father was a farmer in young manhood and took up the study of medicine, expecting to make its practice his life work but failing health compelled him to abandon that plan. In 1850 he arrived in Iowa, reaching Keokuk on the Ist day of April, and he made his way from that place to a point about twenty miles east of Des Moines in Jasper county, where he took up his abode. There he fol- lowed farming until 1854, when he removed to Oskaloosa, residing there until 1880. While there he turned his attention to the business of canning fruit and vegetables, the undertaking claiming his attention for seven years. In 1880 he removed to Muscatine, where he built two factories. He is now engaged in the cement contracting business at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He and his wife were both born on the 15th of September, 1827, and on the 12th of March, 1910, they celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Both have led earnest Christian lives as faithful members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Kemble has also been prominent in the public affairs of the community, acting as the first deputy sheriff and later as sheriff of Mahaska county, Iowa.
In their family were eight children, as follows: Emma G., the widow of F. M. Hadley of Muscatine; Nora, the wife of John R. Terry of Muscatine; Hiram K., also of Muscatine; John M., of this review; Ida Jane, the wife of W. F. Hinsley of Lexington, Missouri; William E., of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Jose- phine, residing in Lexington, Missouri; and Charles W., engaged in the real- estate, loan and insurance business in Muscatine.
The ancestral history of Mr. Kemble may be traced to Peter Kemble, who came from England about 1728 and settled at Dividing Creek, New Jersey. He was a member of the governor's council from 1740 until 1774. One of his descendants was John Kemble, the grandfather of John M. Kemble, who was born in Ohio in 1803 and lived in Columbiana county, that state, where he fol- lowed the occupation of farming. He married Elizabeth Frost and both died in the Buckeye state, the former when about seventy-two years of age, while his wife survived him for eight or ten years. Their family numbered nine chil- dren : Amos, Milton, Hiram, Elizabeth, Ira, Samuel, Joseph, Martha and Kay. The maternal grandfather was John Appel, who engaged in the teaming busi- ness, hauling supplies over the Alleghany mountains from Harrisburg to Pitts-
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burg until killed in an accident while on one of the trips. His widow long sur- vived him.
John M. Kemble was reared in his native city and was a pupil in the public schools until he completed the high-school course by graduation with the class of 1875. Because of impaired health he at once ceased from all study for a time and joined his father in the canning business, which he aided in carrying on from 1875 until 1882. In 1881 he took up the study of law and diligently applied himself to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence, was admitted to the bar in January, 1882, and located for practice in Wilton, Iowa. In March of the following year he came to Muscatine, where he has since practiced his profession. Earnest effort, close application and the exercise of his native tal- ents have won him prestige as a lawyer. An excellent presence, an earnest man- ner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles makes him an effective and successful counselor.
On the 20th of June, 1889, Mr. Kemble was married to Miss Sarah Eva Waggoner, a daughter of John and Hetty (Coe) Waggoner, who were early settlers of this state but were natives of Ohio. Mrs. Kemble was born in Os- kaloosa. Her mother died when Mrs. Kemble was but seven years of age, pass- ing away in 1865, and her father passed away in August, 1910. David V., a brother of Mrs. Kemble, lives in Oskaloosa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kemble six children have been born: Ralph, who died in infancy; Hetty Margaret; Harold John; Mildred; Charles Amos ; and William Clifford, who died in October, 1909.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active and helpful part in its work, Mr. Kemble now serving as secretary of the official board. He has been quite active in politics as a stanch supporter of the republican party, and was the republican candidate for representative in the Iowa legislature in the fall of 1910. He has served as chairman of the county central committee, has been a member of the congressional committee and for nine years-from 1889 until 1898, served on the state central committee. He was internal revenue collector for the fourth district of Iowa from February, 1898, to August, 1902. He has been a man of influence in the party, his opin- ions carrying weight in its councils while his efforts have been elements in its success. He and his family now live at No. 1155 Lucas street, in a residence which was erected by Governor Lowe, and they are prominent in social circles of the community.
W. P. HITCHCOCK.
W. P. Hitchcock, of Lake township, who is now cultivating the farm upon which his father located more than fifty years ago, was born on this place, Feb- ruary 21, 1859. He is a son of J. C. and Phoebe Cassandra (Chapman) Hitch- cock, the former a native of Kent, Ohio, and the latter of Cass county, this state. The father came to Muscatine county in 1847 and the mother in 1856. During the gold excitement J. C. Hitchcock went to California but soon came to the con- clusion that mining was not according to his taste and he returned to Muscatine
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county, where later he took up land under a Mexican land warrant. He was mar- ried in 1858 and continued upon his farm until his death, which occurred Feb- ruary 15, 1904. He was an industrious and energetic man and at the time of his demise was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land. Mrs. Hitchcock died January 5, 1911. In their family were nine children : W. P., our subject ; Nancy B., the wife of W. W. West, of Alabama; Cornelia L., Now Mrs. John Hoopes of Lake township; Josiah, who was born June 30, 1863, and departed this life November 25, 1865; Alice May, who was born May 15, 1868, and died September 16, 1870; Johanna B., the wife of John T. Dirstine, of the state of Washington ; George F., who was born June 16, 1873, and died June 7, 1874; Cora P., who was born May 15, 1875, and died May 4, 1891 ; and Frances H., a graduate of Valparaiso University, and also of the Chicago Training School for Home and Foreign Missions, who went to China as a missionary in 1905 and continued there for five years, and is now the wife of Raymond C. Ricker, of New Jersey.
The subject of this review received his preliminary education in the common schools and attended business college in Davenport for some time, but being a man of close observation, he has learned a great deal in the course of his business career which is not taught in books. With the exception of three years which he spent upon another farm in Muscatine county, he has devoted his attention to the home place, where he has engaged in general farming, making a specialty of raising and breeding Poland China hogs, in which he has been highly successful, having delivered from his farm some of the finest specimens of this breed that have been produced in Muscatine county. He also feeds and raises stock for the market and is generally able to command good prices for what he has for sale. He gives his allegiance to the democratic party, accepting its principles as those best adapted to advance the permanent welfare of the country. He has been hon- ored by election to various offices and is now serving as township trustee and clerk and also as justice of the peace, filling these positions with an ability that meets the hearty acceptance of voters regardless of party affiliation. No man in the locality stands higher in the estimation of those who know him than the gentle- man whose record is herewith presented.
WILLIS HAROLD CROZER.
Willis Harold Crozer engaged in business as a member of the firmi of Watson & Crozer, contractors for plumbing, heating, gas-fitting and sewer-work and gas and mill supplies, is a native of Downey, Iowa, born September 21, 1879. His parents were Willis and Dora (Cornwall) Crozer, natives of Ohio and Iowa re- spectively. His grandfather, James Crozer, was born in the Buckeye state and devoted his early life to farming, but, following his removal to Iowa, became one of the first settlers of Downey and there turned his attention to merchandising. He made the journey westward by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers before the era of railroad travel and landed at Muscatine, living in the country for a short time. He then removed to Downey, where he opened a store, which he con-
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ducted successfully for many years, being numbered among the leading and pro- gressive nierchants of the town. At length when success had come to him in liberal measure he put aside business cares and lived retired until 1893, when his death occurred at the age of seventy years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Johannah Whitesell, is still living at Downey at the advanced age of eighty- five years. They were the parents of six children : Charles, Emma, Willis, Kate, Frank and Joseph.
The maternal grandfather of Willis Harold Crozer was Armenas B. Corn- wall, who on removing from New York settled first in Ohio and afterward came to Iowa, spending much of his life on a farm near Downey. At length he too retired from active business and took up his abode in Downey, where he died when about eighty years of age. He married Margaret Loy, who is still living in Downey at the age of eighty-five. They had a large family, their children being Mary, George, Helen, Dora, Alice, John, Elizabeth, Jessie, and two who died in early childhood.
Willis Crozer, the father of Willis Harold Crozer, was brought to Iowa in his youthful days and was reared in Downey, where he acquired a common- school education and then took up the study of telegraphy. He followed that occupation during much of his life, and as station agent and operator remained at Downey for a number of years. He was also a member of the firm of Crozer Brothers, general merchants of Downey, and subsequently was in partnership with Frank Gregg in the manufacture of cheese for a short time, but not liking that business he returned to telegraphy. He was connected with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company for over twenty years previous to en- gaging in the manufacture of cheese. About 1895 he went to West Liberty, Iowa, where he was manager of the postal telegraph service, and at the same time he conducted a confectionery and ice cream parlor. He came to Muscatine as the first manager of the postal telegraph service at this point in the fall of 1895 but died here two months later at the age of forty-three years. His first wife, the mother of Willis Harold Crozer, died in 1880. Both were consistent members of the Baptist church. For his second wife the father chose Mary Schenck, of Muscatine county, and unto them two children were born: Robert F. and Kathleen. The mother of these children still survives. There were also two children of the first marriage: Alice, the wife of H. F. Kelch, of Lake View, Iowa, and Willis H. While living at Downey the father served as justice of the peace for seven years and proved a most capable official, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. In politics he was an earnest republican, unfalter- ing in his allegiance to the party and its principles. In all matters of citizenship he was progressive and his aid and cooperation could be counted upon to further any movement for the public good.
Willis Harold Crozer was reared in Downey to the age of fourteen years and there attended the public schools. He then put aside his text-books and worked at various odd jobs, but later resumed his studies and was graduated from the Iowa City Academy in 1899 and from the Cedar Rapids Business College in 1901. Thus he was well qualified by educational training for the practical and responsible duties of life. He came to Muscatine in November, 1902, and en1- tered the employ of the Roach & Musser Sash & Door Company, with which he
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continued until December, 1909, when he joined William J. Watson in a partner- ship under the firm style of Watson & Crozer. They have since taken contracts for plumbing, heating, gas-fitting and sewer-work and gas and mill supplies, with their place of business at No. 226 Iowa avenue. They are accorded an extensive patronage and their business is steadily growing along substantial lines.
Mr. Crozer holds membership in the Baptist church and also belongs to Lib- erty Lodge, No. 190, I. O. O. F., and to the Royal Arcanum. His political in- dorsement has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day he does not seek nor wish for office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs, which are capably conducted and in which he is making steady progress, winning for himself a creditable position in the business circles of his adopted city.
JACOB DRUMM.
Jacob Drumm, who has always lived within the borders of Muscatine county, has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and is now the owner of a well improved farm of eighty acres in Fulton township, where he resides. His birth occurred on the 27th of De- cember, 1870, his parents being Theobald and Ernestine (Micho) Drumm, both of whom were natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States about 1865, coming direct to Muscatine county, Iowa, where the father worked at the blacksmith's trade prior to his marriage. Following that important event in his life he began farming in Montpelier township, this county, being success- fully engaged in general agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest in 1897. His demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had won many friends during the long period of his residence here. His remains were interred in the Parr cemetery of Fulton township. His widow, who still survives, now makes her home with her son Jacob. She is a devoted and con- sistent member of the Lutheran church. Her children were six in number, as follows: Henry, who was born in 1867 and who lives with his brother Jacob; Rosa, the wife of William Oeter, of Muscatine, Iowa; Jacob, of this review ; Lena, who gave her hand in marriage to Albert Ager and resides in Sibley, Iowa ; Minnie, twin sister of Lena, who also makes her home with our subject; and Vena, who passed away at the age of three years.
Jacob Drumm, who was twenty-seven years of age when his father passed away, at that time took charge of the old homestead farm, operating the same until 1909. In that year he purchased a tract of eighty acres in Fulton township, in the cultivation and improvement of which he has since been busily engaged, now owning one of the good farming properties of the community. He is also the owner of an additional forty acres in Fulton township, which he farms, and is also the owner of one hundred and ninety-eight acres in Louisa county, Iowa. He is alert, energetic and enterprising, keeps in touch with modern methods of agriculture and is meeting with well deserved success in his undertakings.
مححميد
MR. AND MRS. THEOBALD DRUMM
1 NEW LOPK C LIBRARY
A.I . - AIX ANC TLUN MOUNT . S.
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Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Drumm has sup- ported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in its principles. He served in the capacity of road supervisor for four years and was a member of the school board for seven years, ever discharging his official duties in a most prompt and capable manner. He belongs to Pleasant Prairie Grange of Fulton township and is also a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, his word is considered as good as his bond, and he has the entire confidence and respect of those with whoni he comes in contact either in business or social affairs.
WILLIAM J. WATSON.
William J. Watson is the senior partner of the firm of Watson & Crozer, contractors for plumbing, hot water and steam heating at No. 226 Iowa avenue in Muscatine. He is yet a young man but has become well established in busi- ness and his patronage is constantly increasing. He was born in Logan county, Ohio, March 21, 1878, and is a son of John C. and Amanda (Elder) Watson, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Their family numbers two children, the sister of our subject being Mrs. Ella Freeland, the wife of Edward Freeland, of Marion, Kansas. The family is an old one in Ohio. The great-grandfather, William Watson, Sr., was a native of County Cork, Ireland, and on coming to America in 1813 settled on Cherokee creek, in Logan county, Ohio, where he died in old age. His son built a house on that place, a part of which is still standing. The grandfather, William Watson, Jr., was born in that state and devoted his life to farming. He wedded Mary Crawford and both lived to old age, the grandmother dying in 1908 at the remarkable age of ninety-two years. They had six children, Caroline, John C., Rebecca, Park, Georgia and Mary, who passed away in young womanhood. The maternal grandfather, Dr. Abra- ham Elder, was also a native of Ohio and was a son of Robert Elder, who made his home in the vicinity of Huntsville, becoming one of the venerable residents there. His son, Dr. Elder, for many years practiced his profession in Huntsville, where he died at an advanced age. He wedded Mary Wallace, a daughter of Rev. James Wallace, one of the pioneer preachers of the United Presbyterian church in that district. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Elder there were born five children, as follows; Wallace, Carrie, Amanda, Vada and Orrie.
John C. Watson, the father of Mr. Watson of this review, was reared as a farmer boy in Logan county, Ohio, and in 1886 removed to Newton, Kansas, where he remained for four years. He then turned his attention to bridge con- tracting and removed to Marion, Kansas, where he still makes his home, al- though he is now living retired. His first wife died in 1878 and later he wedded Caroline Weiser, by whom he had four children, Charles, Mary, Carrie and Orley, all residents of Marion, Kansas, with the exception of Orley, who makes his home in Cherryville, Kansas.
William J. Watson was a lad of nine years when his parents removed from Ohio to Kansas, and in the city of Marion his boyhood and youth were passed. Vol. II-18
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There he attended the public schools and during vacation periods worked with his father. After his education was completed he began learning the plumber's trade, which he has since followed, and his success is undoubtedly due in large measure to the fact that he has always continued in the line in which he embarked as a young tradesman, his constantly broadening experience making him more capable and otherwise securing him a growing patronage. He came to Muscatine in 1903 and worked as a journeyman here until 1907, when he embarked in business on his own account. In December, 1909, he was joined by W. H. Crozer in a partner- ship under the firm name of Watson & Crozer, and they now have one of the leading plumbing establishments of this city and are enjoying a gratifying trade.
Fraternally Mr. Watson is well known, belonging to Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; to the Elks lodge, in which he served as exalted ruler in 1907-08; and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He likewise holds membership with the Bachelor Club and gives his political support to the democratic party. He is one of the popular young men of the city, widely and favorably known in social as well as business circles. He is making his impress felt in the industrial life of the community and is steadily progressing toward the goal of prosperity.
WILLIAM S. HILL.
William S. Hill, Muscatine's mayor and an official whose first interest is the welfare and progress of his city, was here born on the 9th of October, 1853. The family name has long been an honored one in this part of Iowa. Compara- tively little is known concerning the ancestral history of the family, for the pa- ternal grandfather, who was born in Rhode Island, died when a young man. Unto him and his wife, Mrs. Hannah Hill, there were born several children, in- cluding Samuel B., Sylvester G. and Sarah, the wife of Henry O'Connor.
General Sylvester G. Hill was born at North Kingston, Rhode Island, June 10, 1820, and the public schools of his native city afforded him his educational privileges. He made his preliminary step in business circles by learning the cabinet maker's trade and during his early manhood went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he embarked in the furniture business. While there he was united in marriage on the 15th of October, 1843, to Miss Martha J. Dyer, a native of Maine and a daughter of David Dyer, who was born in the Pine Tree state and was of English descent. In early life her father followed the sea. He came to Muscatine about 1854, accompanied by his wife, who died soon afterward. His death occurred after the Civil war, when he was eighty-four years of age. In later life he followed gardening.
Mrs. Martha J. Hill, born in Maine, accompanied her parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, in her childhood days and there was married. In that city the parents of our subject began their domestic life, remaining residents of Cincinnati until 1849, when the gold discoveries of California attracted his attention and he sold his store, going to the Pacific coast with those who sought fortunes in the mines. In 1850 he returned, however, and the following year came with his family to Muscatine, where he engaged in the lumber business in connection withi S. G.
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Stein. To his mercantile interests he devoted his time and attention until 1862, when he put aside business cares and personal considerations in order to aid the country, then engaged in Civil war. He raised a company for active duty at the front and on the 10th of August was commissioned colonel of the Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry. With his regiment he entered at once into active service. His eldest son, Edwin, had previously enlisted on the 23d of July, 1861, and became a member of Company A, Seventh Iowa Infantry. He was captured at the battle of Belmont, Georgia, and was afterward exchanged and served until the close of hostilities. Fred, the second son, enlisted October 30, 1863, as a private of Company D, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, was detailed to serve on his father's staff and was killed by being shot through the forehead by a minie ball on the 18th of May, 1864. while in the discharge of his duty at the battle of Bayou Glaize or Yellow Bayou. He was a bright, scholarly boy, seventeen years of age, of rare promise, and was highly esteemed by his comrades and friends because of his manly and noble qualities. At the time of his death he had just delivered an order given by his father and was on his return to his post when he encountered a squad of about twenty men of the Fifty-eighth Illinois, who had become separated from their regiment. He told them to follow him and just as they started he was struck by the fatal bullet and fell from his horse dead. The riderless horse dashed by where his father stood and Colonel Hill, turning to look for his son, was at that moment wounded by a gunshot in the foot. He was disabled but a short time, however, and after resuming his command was made brigadier-general of the United States Infantry and assigned to the com- mand of the Third Brigade, First Division, Army of the Tennessee, under Gen- eral George H. Thomas. General Hill lost his life while commanding his brigade when charging a fort at the battle of Nashville on the 15th of December, 1864. His brigade made the charge successfully and captured the fort, but their gallant leader fell, shot through the head by a minie ball while bravely leading his men to victory. Thus died one of the noblest of the heroic defenders of the Union in that fearful struggle. General Hill left a wife and nine children to mourn his loss. He was a man of superior mental attainments, possessed rare traits of character and strong individuality. He became a republican upon the organiza- tion of the party and was ever most loyal in support of his honest convictions, whether in private life or upon the battlefields of the south. In closing a brief sketch of his life at the funeral the Rev. A. B. Robbins said: "He was strong in his patriotism, ever a lover of liberty, without which love there can be no gen- uine patriotism. He was always an abolitionist-not a young convert from the necessity of the case in order to save the Union, but from his innate sense of justice and love of freedom. Attached to the institutions of his country, he wished to see them descend to his children with no vile excrescence thereon. A patriot, giving as a reason for going out in defense of his country that which others, many of them, would consider a reason for staying at home, namely : that he, with such a family, had more at stake in securing free institutions for the future. A patriot, bearing without a murmur the fall of one noble son by his side and the long and much-more-to-be-dreaded imprisonment service of his eldest son in behalf of his country. The spontaneous expression of respect and interest on the part of this whole community, the warm and hearty attach-
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