USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 39
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THOMAS MAXWELL.
Among the pioneer settlers of Iowa, now deceased, must be mentioned Thomas Maxwell, who for many years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Muscatine county. Although more than a decade has elapsed since his demise he is well remembered by those who reside in Orono township, where he made his home for many years and was held in high regard. He was born in Indiana in the month of January, 1832, a son of Elijah and Margaret Maxwell, also natives of Indiana, who came west and settled in Iowa long before the advent of the railroad. Unto them were born five children all of whom, with the exception of one daughter residing in Illinois, have now passed away.
The boyhood and youth of Thomas Maxwell did not differ particularly from that of other boys reared in the country at that period. He attended the district school during its brief sessions, assisted his father in the work of the farm and enjoyed such diversions as were available. He remained a member of his father's household until he had passed his eighteenth birthday, when he engaged in farm- ing for himself for a time and then started a sawmill at what is now Columbus Junction. After operating the mill for several years he withdrew from that occu- pation to once more become a farmer, with which vocation he continued to be identified during the remainder of his life. He was successful in his pursuits and
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had acquired suffcient property to retire and live in comfort on the fruits of his early toil five years prior to his death.
Mr. Maxwell was twice married. Unto him and his first wife three children were born, who were as follows: Margaret J., the wife of John Swigle, living in Kansas; Absalom, also a resident of Kansas; and John, who died at the age of eighteen years. On the 15th of October, 1868, Mr. Maxwell was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Boggs, a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Bonett ) Boggs. Mr. Boggs was a native of Virginia but his wife was born in the Buckeye state, where they were married but very soon thereafter they migrated to Iowa and settled on a farm in Muscatine county, where they continued to reside during the remainder of their lives. The father died at the venerable age of seventy-eight years but the mother survived for seven years after his demise, passing away shortly after the seventieth anniversary of her birth. They were the parents of the following children: John, who lives in Muscatine county ; Mrs. Maxwell, the widow of our subject; Sarah, residing in Nebraska; Clara, of this county ; and one who died in infancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell were born the following children : Thomas, born on the 3d of July, 1870, who received a high-school education and is now a resident of this county ; Robert, whose birth occurred on the 15th of October, 1875, now living in Louisa county ; William, who was born on the 15th of September, 1878, now living on the old homestead; and Cora, born on the 15th of October, 1880, the wife of James Helverson, of this county. The family always attended the Reformed church, in which they hold membership.
Mr. Maxwell was an ardent supporter of the democratic party. He was a public-spirited man and took an active interest in all municipal political issues, serving as trustee in his township for fifteen years, the term of his office clearly demonstrating his satisfactory discharge of its responsibilities. He also served as a school director for many years. He was a man who always gave his support to every measure the passing of which would benefit the community or improve local conditions, and this in itself is sufficient to have impressed his personality on his district too strongly to have it readily erased. He passed away at his home in Conesville on the 11th of February, 1903, at the age of seventy-one years. Mrs. Maxwell still survives at the age of sixty-six and continues to reside at the homestead.
JAY IRA NICHOLS.
The owner of a valuable farm of three hundred acres of good land in Musca- tine county, the Hon. Jay I. Nichols has attained success financially. He has also been honored by his fellow citizens with important public offices, which he has filled with the highest credit. He ranks today as one of the leading men of the county and is recognized throughout the state as a man of marked ability who has assisted in no small degree in advancing the permanent interests of Iowa.
A native of Muscatine county he was born May 13, 1855, and is a son of Ira and Elizabeth (Luse) Nichols, the former a native of New York state and the
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latter of Morrow county, Ohio. The parents were married in Ohio and came west in 1853, settling on a farm in Muscatine county. The father was very suc- cessful in business affairs and acquired about fourteen hundred acres of good land, being the owner at the time of his death, in 1888, of four hundred acres. The wife and mother passed away in February, 1910. Unto them seven children were born, namely: C. M., of West Liberty ; I. A., a banker, also of West Lib- erty ; Jay Ira, the subject of this review and one of twins, the other dying in in- fancy ; Viola, deceased; Pliny Clay, who gave up his life for the cause of the Union in the Civil war ; and John Bunker, also deceased.
Jay I. Nichols was educated in the conimon schools and also attended the high school. Starting in life on his own account at twenty-one years of age, he settled upon the place where he now lives and has made it one of the most productive farms in Wapsinonoc township. He has applied up-to-date methods and made use of the latest machinery, devoting himself not only to agriculture but also to stock-raising with most gratifying results. He is now retired from active labor, having rented his farm to others. He has taken a deep interest in all subjects per- taining to agriculture and has served as president of the Iowa Condensed Milk Company, the Union District Agricultural Society, and for five years was a mem- ber of the Muscatine county board of supervisors and was instrumental in in- stituting a number of improvements which have been of practical value to the county. Politically a republican, he has wielded a strong influence in the councils of the party and served as representative of the forty-second district in the twenty-ninth, thirtieth and thirty-first general assemblies and also as state senator for a term of four years, from 1906 to 1910. In all his duties, both public and private, he has displayed a judgment and discrimination that have reflected credit upon himself and those with whom he has been associated.
On the 23d of November, 1876, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Birkett, who was born in Muscatine county, November 24, 1856, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Lucy (Hargreaves) Birkett. Her father was born in Eng- land and her mother in New Jersey. They were married in the east and early in the '50s came to Muscatine county, where Mr. Birkett gained a high standing as a farmer. His wife passed away in 1859 and Mr. Birkett was married two years later to Susannah Hargreaves, a sister of his first wife. Mrs. Susannah Birkett died in 1896 but he is still living at the age of eighty-one years in West Liberty. By his first union two chidlren were born: Lucy M., now Mrs. Jay I. Nichols ; and Charles, deceased. By his second union Mr. Birkett became the father of the following children: Lilla, now the wife of Ed. Fitzgerald, of West Liberty ; Edith, the wife of Charles Mosher, of West Liberty ; Bertha, the wife of Walter Mosher, also of West Liberty; Leslie, who died in infancy ; Vincent, now living on the old homestead; Lindley, also on the old homestead; and Frederick, of Kansas City.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols has been brightened by the birth of four children : Fay, born September 14, 1877, who married Miss Lena Schilling, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and has one child, Howard; Ethel G., who was born March 17, 1880, and is now the wife of William Anderson, living near West Liberty ; Wilma B., who was born May 17, 1887, and will graduate in June, 1911, from the State University at Iowa City; and Wayne, who was born June 28,
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1896, and is now a student in the junior class of the high school at West Lib- erty. Fay Nichols graduated from the civil engineering department of the Iowa State College at Ames and served for two years in the Philippine islands as a civil engineer for the United States government. On his return he came around the world and now makes his home in Pittsburg. Ethel G. (Nichols) Anderson is a graduate of thee State University at Iowa City, and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society and also of the Phi Delta sorority. She has a first grade certificate and has taught school for ten years, during five of which she was engaged as a teacher in the high school at Washington, Iowa. Mrs. Nichols was educated in the common schools and also attended an academy at Iowa City for nine months.
Mr. Nichols and his family are active members of the Methodist Protestant church, and are prominently identified with the social life of the community. He early learned that conscientious application is at the foundation of success and he applied himself with such diligence that he readily attained a competence. By his public spirit, his genial manner and cordial disposition he made many friends and years ago he attained recognition as one of the leading citizens of Muscatine county. Few men have been more closely identified with the de- velopment and prosperity of this part of the state. In all his intercourse with his fellowmen, Mr. Nichols has so demeaned himself as to gain their highest esteem and confidence.
A. THOMAS NELSON.
A. Thomas Nelson, who has been engaged in the hardware business for fif- teen years past, is a native of Cedar county, Iowa, and was born on a farm two miles north of Durant, November 1, 1867. The father, Thomas Boyd Nelson, was of Scotch and English descent and was born in Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania. He died at Durant, January 3, 1910. The progenitors of the family upon both paternal and maternal sides were in America before the Revolutionary war. Our subject's Grandfather Nelson assisted the patriots in the great struggle for freedom. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Eleanor J. Brown, was born at Bethel, New York, and is now living at Durant, Iowa. She is of Irish and Holland-Dutch lineage and represents the third generation of the family in America.
A. Thomas Nelson is one of a family of six boys and one girl, and his early opportunities for education were limited, as his assistance was necessary in providing support for the younger members of the household. His tastes pointed to mechanical engineering, but he worked on the home farm until seventeen years of age and then entered the postoffice at Durant, where he continued for three years. He then learned the tinner's trade under H. J. Brauch, of Durant, and in the spring of 1890 came to Wilton Junction, where he worked at his trade under K. Blanchard. In 1894 he began traveling for the Gilt Edge Fur- nace Foundry, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, representing this firm in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. Later he determined to
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enter business for himself, and on March 18, 1895, purchased the hardware store of Clarence Walker at Wilton Junction. He has since continued in this busi- ness, to which he added a line of furniture, and is now at the head of one of the well established and prosperous concerns of the county. He is the owner of the store building formerly belonging to Scott & Johnson, and also of a com- fortable residence in Wilton Junction.
On the 12th of June, 1898, Mr. Nelson was married by Rev. Mr. Barnett at Wilton Junction, to Miss Lena Rose Brauch, and to them three children have been born: Bernice, now eleven years of age; Thomas Perry, eight years; and Jennie Eleanor, four years of age.
Mr. Nelson has from the time of reaching manhood given his support to the republican party and now classes himself among the "progressives." He has served two terms in the city council and for twenty years has been an active member of the Wilton volunteer fire department, having filled the office of chief of the department during ten years of that period. He served one year as sec- retary of the Commercial Club and was a charter member and organizer of the Iowa Hardware Dealers Association. Since his boyhood he has been a Sun- day school worker, formerly in the Episcopal church, but of late years in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a close observer and student and has thus made up for deficiencies of early school training. He is a constant reader and follows closely the tend of events in the world but is especially interested in the progress of education and civilization. He is also a student of human nature and a strong believer in telepathy, having observed its operations many times. He represents the wide-awake, energetic constructive spirit of the twentieth cen- tury and as a growing force in the community commands the respect of all who know him.
R. H. GEERTZ.
Among the sons of worthy parentage in Muscatine county may be named R. H. Geertz, who owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sec- tion 22, Lake township, and by a life of self-respect and industry he has gained the esteem of many friends and acquaintances. He was born on the farm where he now lives, April 15, 1876, and is a son of Adolph and Sophia ( Altekruse) Geertz, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Baltimore, Maryland. The father came to America in 1851, locating for a time at Davenport, Iowa. He next took up his residence in Muscatine, where for several years he was a saw filer at the Hershey mills. Being industrious and economical in his habits, he saved money and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Lake township, becoming one of the successful farmers of this region. Here he lived until he was called from earthly scenes December 3, 1905, his wife departing this life July'20, 1897. Unto them five children were born: John B., now of Aberdeen, South Dakota; Mary E., the wife of William Martz, of Lake town- ship; Anna H., the wife of William Bietz, also of Lake township; R. H., our subject ; and one who died in infancy.
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R. H. Geertz received his education in the district schools and was thor- oughly instructed in the various operations of the farm under his father. After reaching years of maturity he rented the homestead for some years and later purchased the same which he has cultivated with gratifying success. In con- nection with general agriculture he is interested in livestock, and his labors in both lines have been abundantly blessed, so that today he enjoys a high degree of prosperity.
On November 24, 1897, Mr. Geertz was united in marriage to Miss Ada Foster, who was born in Lake township and is a daughter of William and Mary (Chown) Foster, both of whom are also natives of Muscatine county. Mr. and Mrs. Foster reared a family of six children and are now living retired. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Geertz one child, Helen M., was born October 9, 1902.
Mr. Geertz and his wife are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church and by their many kindly acts have demonstrated the effect of the teach- ings of the Master, to whom they yield a willing obedience. Mr. Geertz gives his allegiance to the republican party, believing that in so doing he 'is best ad- vancing the interests of the state and nation. He has never sought public office, but has served most creditably as supervisor of the township, devoting to his public duties the same energy and interest that he displays in his private affairs, and it is hardly necessary to add that he stands high in the estimation of his fellowmen.
JOHN T. NEFF.
John T. Neff, who owns and operates a well improved farm of two hun- dred and eighty acres on section 34, Pike township, was born in Wisconsin, August 14, 1869, his parents being Frank and Josephine (Faynt) Neff, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania respectively. When a mere boy the father ac- companied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home being established in Wisconsin, where the paternal grandparents of our subject passed away. The parents of John T. Neff came to Iowa in 1873 and have re- sided in Muscatine county continuously since, now living on a farm of seventy- three acres near Conesville. They are well known and highly esteemed through- out the community as people of genuine personal worth. Unto them were born eleven children, namely : Mary, Josephine, John T., Catherine, Frank B., Rosa, Clara, Tillie, Willie, Annie and Mina. The two last named are deceased.
John T. Neff remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, when he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating rented land for a short time. Subsequently he spent about two years on the Pacific coast and on returning to this county again became identified with agricultural pursuits as a renter. Previous to his marriage he purchased a place of his own, coming into possession of a tract of sixty-three acres which he later sold. He has operated his present farm of two hundred and eighty acres for a period of sixteen years or until the death of his wife, which occurred on the 25th of March, 1910. At that time his holdings embraced two hundred and eighty acres of rich
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
and arable land on section 34, Pike township. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and annually gatliers rich crops which find a ready sale on the market.
On the 9th of January, 1894, Mr. Neff was united in marriage to Miss Manza Lord, a native of Muscatine county and a daughter of Richard and Jane (Smally) Lord, who were natives of Connecticut and Ohio respectively. They were married in this county and here spent the remainder of their lives, Mr. Lord being engaged in general farming. He was called to his final rest in 1885, when seventy-eight years of age, while his wife passed away when their daugh- ter Manza was still but a child. Their children were nine in number, as fol- lows: Andrew, who is deceased; Kate; Byron, who has also passed away ; Emma; Mrs. Neff; Richard; Herman and Edmund, both of whom are deceased ; and one who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Neff has always been a republican, interested in the success and growth of the party but without desire for office. He is a de- voted and consistent member of the Reform church at Conesville, to which his wife also belonged. He is well known among his fellow citizens and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him longest is an in- dication that his salient characteristics are such as inspire and hold regard, esteem and good will.
A. L. DICE.
The gratifying success that has attended the efforts of A. L. Dice to estab- lish himself in the business world is good evidence of his ability in a business which constantly calls for decision and clear judgment. He is today at the head of one of the leading firms of West Liberty and increasing patronage speaks in no uncertain terms as to the future. Born near Coggon, Linn county, Iowa, November 25, 1872, he is the son of Ira J. and Margaret (Smith) Dice. The mother is a native of New Castle, Pennsylvania, and is now living in West Liberty. The father, who was born near Cleveland, Ohio, became a farmer and, seeking more favorable opportunities than were presented in the older states, came to Iowa and took up his residence in Linn county, subsequently removing to Cedar county. In 1900 he located at West Liberty, where he continued until his death, which occurred in 1904. He was for over fifty years a resident of Iowa and was known as a good farmer, a kind neighbor and a man of many estimable qualities. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Dice, namely : Jennie, now the wife of A. E. Ross of Rupert, Idaho; Lilly, the wife of C. E. Smith of Euphrates, Washington; Lucy, at home; A. L., of this review ; Clinton, who is now living in Cedar county ; Clifford, of Portland, Ore- gon ; Winnie, now Mrs. M. J. Bridger of Mediapolis, Iowa; Edwin, who died in 1910; and Harland, of Muscatine, Iowa. The father of these children was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being Julia McWilliams. One child, Harry, was born of that union and he is now living at Center Junction, Iowa.
Vol. II-20
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
A. L. Dice was educated in the district schools of Linn county and continued with his parents until twenty-one years of age, after which he operated a farm for three years on his own account, and then was connected for five years with the Manchester Lumber Company, of Riverside, Washington county, Iowa. In March, 1900, he became associated in business with his father and after the death of the latter the mother assumed the father's interest, the firm being known as A. L. Dice & Company, dealers in lumber, coal, cement, lime and building material of all kinds. The firm manufactures concrete building blocks, for which there is a constantly increasing demand, and also enjoys a goodly share of patronage from contractors and private individuals extending for many miles around West Liberty. Mr. Dice is the owner, moreover, of the comfortable home in which he lives.
In 1901 he was united in marriage at Tipton, Iowa, to Miss Myrtle E. Dun- can, and they have two children: Margaret, seven years of age; and Dorothy, aged five. Politically Mr. Dice is identified with the republican party and may always be found in its ranks, assisting to the extent of his ability in forwarding its interests. For four years past he has served most acceptably as a member of the board of aldermen of West Liberty. Socially he is affiliated with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, and he heartily accepts the principles of brotherhood upon which those orders are founded. He and his wife are valued members of the Methodist church, and to those who know them, it is not neces- sary to add that theirs is a faith that endures to the end.
J. F. COFFIN.
One of the well known residents of Conesville is J. F. Coffin, who for eleven years now has been engaged in the mercantile business here. He is a native of the Hawkeye state, having been born in Louisa county on the 13th of July, 1872, a son of J. P. and Flora M. (Hines) Coffin. The parents were both born in the Empire state, but came west in 1865 and located on a farm in Louisa county, Iowa, where they continued to live until the father passed away in 1890, and since that time Mrs. Coffin has resided with her children. She is now sixty-one years of age. Mr. Coffin was a good manager and capable business man and at the time of his death had acquired two hundred acres of finely improved land. They were the parents of the following children: Lena, the widow of A. C. Bebb of Kansas City; Minnie, who married James Smith and is residing on the old homestead in Louisa county; Cora, the widow of Warren Keyes, of Des Moines, Iowa; J. F., our subject ; and Pearl, who died when very young.
J. F. Coffin remained a member of his father's household until the latter's death, after which he lived with his sister until he was twenty-three years of age. His education was acquired in the common schools of Louisa county and later he began clerking in a mercantile house, gaining as much and varied in- formation as he could along general merchandise lines in order that he might be able to embark in business for himself later on. This he did in 1900 in Cones- ville, Iowa, being one of the two merchants in the village, and his carefully
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selected goods, courteous treatment of customers and fair dealing is bringing him a constantly growing trade.
On the 28th of February, 1900, Mr. Coffin established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Nettie D. McKee, of Muscatine county, who was born on the 2d of November, 1872, in Louisa county, Iowa. Her parents, Leander and Deborah (Hall) McKee, were natives of Ohio and Michigan, respectively. They came west in 1852 and settled on a farm in Louisa county and continued to live there until Mr. McKee retired from farming in 1879 and engaged in handling grain and live stock for about twenty-five years and then withdrew entirely from business and two years later, on the 17th of January, 1909, he passed away. Mrs. McKee is still living at the age of sixty-seven and makes her home with her children. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters: Eva B., who died in infancy; Flora B., the wife of G. W. Tipton of Conesville, Iowa; Mattie N., the widow of J. E. Jean of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Mrs. Nettie D. Coffin; John W., of Snyder, Oklahoma; William S., of Musca- tine, Iowa; L. R., who is a graduate of the Iowa State Teachers College of Cedar Falls and lives in Conesville; and Byron L., of Muscatine.
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