USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 4
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On the 26th of May, 1850, was celebrated the marriage of Abraham Smalley and Miss Sicha W. Nichols, who was born December 29, 1820, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Dawson) Nichols. There were three children of that marriage: David, Imogene and George W. After traveling life's journey hap- pily together for ten years, Mr. and Mrs. Smalley were separated in the death of the wife, who passed away April 27, 1860, at the age of thirty-nine years, three months and twenty-seven days. The elder son died on the 2d of May, 1866, at the age of fourteen years, nine months and eleven days, and the daugh- ter's death occurred May 7, 1873, when she had reached the age of twenty years, one month and fifteen days. The younger son, George W., grew to manhood and was married May 6, 1885, to Mary B. Lewis, by whom he had five children, namely : Rhoda S., Walter L., Allan G., Ralph M. and Abraham. George W. died on the 8th of October, 1910, at the age of fifty-three years.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
For his second wife, Mr. Smalley chose Miss Eliza E. Mathis, whom he wedded on the 6th of June, 1861. She was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, July 27, 1826, and came to Iowa in 1858 with her parents, Micajah and Ann (Gamage) Mathis. The children of this marriage are: Esther M., the wife of Joseph W. Eells, a well known lawyer of Muscatine; and Harry E., of Vicksburg, Mississippi, who was married September 19, 1894, to Edna McElravy, of West Liberty, Iowa, to whom a son was born, William Abraham. For his second wife, Harry Smalley wedded Ella Hawkins, of Jackson, Mississippi, on the 21st of April, 1901, and they have two children, Riva and Esther. The death of Mrs. Eliza E. Smalley occurred June 26, 1901, when she was in her seventy-fifth year. Mr. Smalley survived for only a few months and passed away March 13, 1902, in his eighty-seventh year. The father of Mrs. Smalley was a son of Daniel and Phoebe Mathis and in early manhood wedded Ann Gamage. Both lived to a ripe old age, and they reared a family of four daugh- ters and a son : Phoebe, Harriet C., Anna Maria, Eliza E. and Theophilus S.
For a number of years prior to his death Mr. Smalley was regarded as one of the revered patriarchs of the community. He was one of the first settlers here and not only did he make for himself a prominent position in business cir- cles, but was also a man of considerable influence in connection with the public life of the community. He held the office of clerk of the board of county com- missioners when Iowa was a territory, and for three years served on the school board. His early political allegiance was given to the democratic party and when the republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery into the north he joined its ranks and continued one of its earnest advocates until his demise. His particular method of selling real estate was to dispose of it on terms so easy that poor people could secure homes without feeling the burden of indebtedness. This plan led to the building of hundreds of homes in South Muscatine and Musserville. This was but one instance of the broad humani- tarian spirit which ever characterized him and made him one of the most highly respected business men of the city. He was always willing to extend a helping hand to those who needed assistance and his kindly spirit was again and again manifest in many tangible ways. For a long period he occupied a central place on the stage of action in Muscatine county and no history of this part of the state would be complete without extended mention of one who was so widely known and honored.
HENRY SCHWALM.
Henry Schwalm, who departed this life in Muscatine, in December 23, 1900, will be remembered as one of the representative citizens of Teutonic ancestry who selected Iowa as their home and in this state accomplished a work that could have been performed only under extreme difficulties in the old world. He was born at Guttenburg, Germany, October 16, 1831. Upon reaching manhood he determined to seek liis fortune elsewhere and in 1851 came to America, locating for a time at Cincinnati. In 1855 he was attracted to Muscatine and opened a
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
blacksmith shop in this city, continuing until 1877, when he turned his attention to agriculture and engaged in farming in Bloomington township, Muscatine county, for twenty years. His original farm consisted of sixty acres but he was indus- trious and fortunate in everything he undertook and the money he made he in- vested in land, ultimately becoming the owner of three hundred acres, which he brought to a high degree of cultivation. He took up his residence in Musca- tine in 1897 and here continued until his death.
In 1853, at Cincinnati, Mr. Schwalm was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Eppinger, who was born at Wittenberg, Germany, December 15, 1823, and died in Muscatine county in 1880. There were four children by that union : Will- iam, Lena, John and Henry. In 1880 Mr. Schwalm was again married, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Catherine (Switzer) Dilchert, who was born in Reichenbach, Germany, and came to the United States in 1868, locating in Muscatine, where in 1870 she was married to Henry Dilchert, who was also a native of Reichen- bach, Germany. Of this marriage four children were born : George, Fred, Henry, and one who died in infancy. Four children also came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Schwalm; Ella, Minnie, Anna and Wesley.
Mr. Schwalm was a supporter of the candidates and principles of the repub- lican party but did not devote much attention to politics, as his interest was taken up principally with his family and his business affairs. He was reared in the faith of the Evangelical church but after coming to Muscatine became identified with the Congregational denomination. As a citizen he held a prominent posi- tion in the community and for years he was recognized as one of the most suc- cessful agriculturists and stock-raisers. Mrs. Schwalm is a lady of excellent qualities and has many friends in Muscatine. She is the owner of the farm where her husband lived for many years but makes her home in the beautiful family residence at No. IIII Mulberry avenue, Muscatine.
JOHN C. WILSON.
John C. Wilson, a successful shoe merchant of Muscatine, his store being at No 127 East Second street, has been engaged in the sale of shoes here for the past thirty-seven years. His birth occurred in Verner's Bridge, County Armagh, Ireland, on the 15th of May, 1854, his parents being John and Marie (Courtney ) Wilson, who were likewise natives of the Emerald isle and were of English and Scotch descent respectively. William Wilson, the paternal grandfather, was born in England and was a butcher by trade. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 'Ann Long, was of Scotch lineage. They died in Ireland and were buried at New Mills, County Tyrone, William Wilson being seventy-four years old at the time of his death, while his wife attained the age of seventy-one Their children were eleven in number, as follows : William, Edward, Christopher, John, James, Jane, Ann, Margaret, Marie, Eliza and one who died in infancy. Christopher Courtney, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Scotland and in early life accompanied his parents on their removal to Ireland, being reared to manhood in County Armagh. He followed farming and stock-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
raising throughout his active business career and passed away in County Armagh at the venerable age of ninety-one years. Unto him and his wife were born five children, namely : Sarah, Margaret, Robert, Marie and Thomas.
John Wilson, the father of John C. Wilson, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1874 and made his way direct to Louisa county, Iowa, settling on a farm which he had purchased prior to his arrival in this state. He was successfully engaged in business as a farmer and stock-raiser during his active life and at one time owned five farms in Louisa county, which went to his chil- dren. From 1891 until their death the parents made their home with John C. in Muscatine. The father passed away October 7, 1908, and was buried at Letts, Iowa, on the ninety-fourth anniversary of his birth October 9. While still a resident of Ireland, in his younger days, he belonged to the militia known as the Yeomen or Home Guards. The demise of his wife occurred in 1901, when she was seventy-seven years of age. They were originally Episcopalians in religious faith but after coming to the United States joined the Methodist church, there being no church of the Episcopal denomination in their home locality. They reared a family of four children, as follows : Robert, who resides near Letts, Iowa; William, living in Letts, Iowa; John C., of this review; and Lizzie, the wife of John C. Neil, of Lyndon, Kansas.
John C. Wilson was reared on the home farm in County Armagh, Ireland, and obtained his education in the schools of that place. When fifteen years of age he began clerking in a general store at Tullyrone, being thus employed for three years and ten months. In 1873, when a young man of nineteen years, he set sail for the United States and on the 19th of August arrived in Muscatine, Iowa. He at once began clerking in the same building where he now con- ducts business on his own account, selling shoes for W. H. Stewart. On the Ist of June, 1895, he formed a partnership with T. W. Cherry and the two gentle- men purchased the interests of T. S. Stewart. This relation was maintained with mutual pleasure and profit until April, 1901, when Mr. Cherry retired, since which time Mr. Wilson has been the sole proprietor of the establishment. With the exception of two years spent upon the road, he has sold shoes in Muscatine for a period of thirty-seven years. His record in this connection is a most creditable one, for he has worked his way steadily upward from a humble clerk- ship to a position among the prosperous and enterprising merchants of the city. He is likewise identified with other business enterprises of Muscatine and is widely recognized as a substantial and representative citizen.
On the 28th of June, 1881, in New York city, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Cherry, a native of Tullyrone, Ireland, and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Marie (Hall) Cherry. Her paternal grandparents, Robert and Ann (Rowe) Cherry, lived to attain a ripe old age. Thomas Cherry, the father of Mrs. Wilson, was a linen manufacturer of County Armagh and there acted as guardian of the poor for more than a quarter of a century. He shipped linen to America during the period of the Civil war and passed away at Warren Point, Ireland, when about eighty-six years of age. His wife, who sur- vived him, was called to her final rest in 1904 at the age of seventy-seven years. Unto them were born eleven children, as follows: Mary, Ann Jane, Lizzie, Louisa, Adelaide, Thomas W., Moses, Caroline, Robert, Edith and one who died
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of four children: Marie, who wedded Lee L. Richards, by whom she had a son, Robert W .; Thomas W., who married Miss Genevieve Ellis and clerks for his father ; Anna L., who gave her hand in marriage to Lee Richards Ashcraft; and Robert C., who is attend- ing school. The wife and mother died in 1903, when forty-cight years of age, passing away in the faith of the Episcopal church.
Politically Mr. Wilson is a stanch republican, while religious faith he is an Episcopalian. He belongs to the Knights of Pythia, the Fraternal Bankers Re- serve, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern Brotherhood of America. His residence is at No. 124 West Third street and he is well and favorably known throughout the community. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to up- lift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the utmost commendation.
THOMAS DAVIDSON.
Thomas Davidson has for the past twenty years been successfully engaged in business at Muscatine as a dealer in confectionery, ice cream, fruits and tobacco. His place of business is at No. 321 Mulberry avenue, while his residence is at No. 909 East Sixth street. The city of Muscatine has been his home since the date of his birth, which was December 25, 1852. His parents, William and Mary (Dunn) Davidson, were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. Thomas Davidson, the paternal grandfather, passed away in Ohio when well advanced in years. He was the father of quite a number of children. James Dunn, the ma- ternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania and a wagon maker by trade. Among his children were the following: John, Kimmel, Samuel, Joseph, Margaret and Mary.
William Davidson, the father of Thomas Davidson, was a carpenter by trade. About 1836 he took up his abode in Muscatine, lowa, and here worked at his trade during the remainder of his active business career. He lived to attain the venerable age of ninety-two years, passing away in the faith of the Methodist church. His wife, who survived him for four years, was about cighty-four when called to her final rest. She was a Baptist in early womanhood but later joined the Presbyterian church. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, five sons and three daughters. Six of the children grew to maturity, as follows : Zachary T., who is a resident of Acton, California; Sarah, who is the widow of Osmer Greeley and resides in Billings, Montana ; Thomas, of this review ; James, who is deceased; Ellsworth E., living in Muscatine; and Ida, the wife of Samuel Borger.
Thomas Davidson was reared in the city of his nativity and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. After putting aside his text- books he went to work on a farm and later sold sewing machines for some years, while subsequently he was employed by the United States Express Company for eight years. For the past twenty years he has been engaged in business as a dealer
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
in confectionery and ice cream and has enjoyed a gratifying and well merited patronage.
On the 21st of June, 1896, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage to Mrs. Grace McManus, the widow of John McManus and a daughter of John J. and Susan (Wolfe) Kauffman, who were natives of Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- vania. Mrs. Davidson was born in Keithsburg, Illinois. Her paternal grand- father, Tobias Kauffman, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. He was more than eighty-six years of age when called to his final rest, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Johns, was forty-seven years old when she passed away. They were the parents of eleven children, three of whom are yet living, namely: Tobias, John J. and Abra- ham. Jacob Wolfe, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Davidson, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and followed carpentering throughout his active business career. He lived to attain the age of seventy-four years, while his wife, who was Miss Mary Edwards prior to her marriage, was eighty-two years old at the time of her demise. Unto them were born four daughters, one of whom yet survives-Mrs. Adeline Logan, of Keithsburg, Illinois. Unto John J. and Susan (Wolfe) Kauffman were born seven children, namely: Emma, the wife of William Wing; Edwin, Milton, William, Grace, the wife of our subject ; Claude, and Mabel. By her first husband Mrs. Davidson had a daughter, Mabel, who gave her hand in marriage to J. N. Vedder, resides in Lagrange, Indiana, and is now the mother of one son, Chester Wayne Vedder.
Mr. Davidson gives his political allegiance to the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. Having spent his entire life in this county, he is widely and favorably known here and has gained the warm esteem and regard of all with whom he has come in contact by reason of his upright and honorable career.
W. J. VANNATTA.
W. J. Vannatta, prominent among the enterprising citizens of Muscatine, is a native of this city and one of its large property owners. Very early in life he started out to win his fortune and although he has experienced many vicissitudes he never lost faith in ultimate victory. His ambition has been realized and today he enjoys a prosperity which is the result of undaunted perseverance and well di- rected industry.
He was born in Muscatine, May 16, 1855, and is the son of Calvin John and Margaret (Bennett) Vannatta. The father, a native of Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, was of an adventurous disposition and ran away from home to take part in the war of 1812, serving as drummer boy. He was a natural frontiersman and became familiar with Indian life, learned their language, and early in the '30S, when he arrived in the region where Muscatine is now located, he became an in- terpreter for the Indians. When his companions were ready to depart they be- came very angry because he refused to go. Here he continued during the remainder of his life. He and Earl Thornton were appointed commissioners of
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Muscatine county and all abstracts of land passed through their hands. He owned at one time a farm in Fruitland township where the German school now stands and for twenty-five years was a leader in the community. He departed this life January 17, 1857, at the age of sixty-three years. The mother of our subject was born in County Down, Ireland, and the parents were married in 1849. There were two children in the family, Nannie, who died at six years of age; and W. J., our subject. Calvin J. Vannatta was twice married, but there were no children . by the first union.
W. J. Vannatta attended the Muscatine schools, although his education was quite limited as he began work at eight years of age in the John G. Stein hotel, known as the Pennsylvania House. As he grew up he secured employment as op- portunity presented and at one time was connected with the Commercial Hotel in this city, which he now owns. He engaged as drayman and for seven years was identified with the old Cedar County saloon. Later he went to Horton, Kansas, where he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business for two years and from that point was attracted to Guthrie, Oklahoma, which was his place of residence for another period of two years. He then returned to Horton and subsequently to Muscatine, where for many years he has been prominently engaged in the manu- facture of monuments, building up one of the largest enterprises of the kind in this part of the state. He has considerable real estate besides the Commercial Hotel. He was one of the original stockholders of the German-American Bank and has shown a capacity as a man of business that places him among the leaders in the city of Muscatine.
On October 2, 1879, Mr. Vannatta was united in marriage to Miss Etta Crane, who is a native of this city. They have one son, William D., who was born Sep- tember 16, 1880, and has been associated with his father in the monument busi- ness. At the present time he is day clerk in the Commercial Hotel.
Mr. Vannatta upholds the principles of the democratic party but has never been an office seeker, although he served for two years to the general satisfaction of the citizens as chief of police of Muscatine. He holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Muscatine; the Bankers Reserve, of Cedar Rap- ids, Iowa; and the Woodmen of America. He was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mrs. Vannatta is a faithful and consistent member of the United Brethren church, and she and her husband enjoy the esteem of many friends who have been attracted to them by their sterling worth and many excellencies of character.
HARRY F. BARNARD.
Among the active business men of Muscatine who have gained success through their native powers of energy and perseverance may be named Harry F. Barnard, at the head of one of the finest jewelry establishments to be found in the west. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, November 7, 1863, and is a son of Clark and Adelia A. (Leach) Barnard, the former of whom was a native of New Hamp- shire and the latter of New York. The father was educated in the public schools
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
of his native state and continued at home until about sixteen years of age, when he came west and located near Franklin Grove, Lee county, Illinois, where he en- gaged in farming. In 1872 he came to Muscatine, Iowa, as a saw filer for the Chambers Brothers Lumber Company. He departed this life in 1900 at the age of sixty-six years. Our subject's grandfather Barnard was also a native of New Hampshire ; was of English descent ; and engaged in farming as a life occupation. The maternal grandfather, Hiram Leach, was a native of New York and also a farmer. The maiden name of his wife was Maria Farnum. Her husband having been called away, Mrs. Leach settled in Lee county, Illinois, but later removed to Red Oak, Iowa, where she died at the age of seventy-seven years. She was the mother of eleven children. Unto Clark and Adelia A. Barnard two children were born: Harry F., our subject ; and Eugene G., of Muscatine, Iowa.
Harry F. Barnard came to Muscatine with his parents at nine years of age and was educated in the public and high schools of this city, showing an interest in his studies which gave bright promise for his future career. After laying his books aside he learned the jeweler's trade and in 1889, being then twenty-six years of age, he began in the jewelry business under his own name and has con- tinued with a high degree of success. He has one of the most complete and at- tractive jewelry stores in the state and has gained an enviable reputation for hon- est dealing, being today one of the most estimable citizens of Muscatine.
On the 19th of August, 1888, Mr. Barnard was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Faulkner, a daughter of Walter and Dorothy ( Plessis) Faulkner, the former born in Virginia and the latter in France. They were early settlers of Muscatine and are still living here. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard are earnest members of the First Methodist Episcopal church and active workers in its behalf. Mr. Barnard is a stanch supporter of the republican party but has never sought politi- cal honors, as he has preferred to devote his attention to his business. He has for twenty-one years been closely identified with the mercantile interests of Mus- catine and has been one of the potent factors in advancing the permanent welfare of the city, always lending his assistance to any worthy undertaking. He is pub- lic-spirited, patriotic and capable and has fairly won the high place he holds in the estimation of the best people of the city and county.
JOSHUA H. CANON.
For almost a half century Joshua H. Canon was a resident of Muscatine and throughout that period was closely associated with the business activity and development of the city. His worth both as a business man and citizen made him highly esteemed, and his memory is yet cherished by many who knew him.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Canon was born June 15, 1832, and his parents, Samuel R. and Rachel Canon, were also natives of the Buckeye state. The father was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit in Ohio until he re- moved westward to Missouri, becoming one of the early settlers of Holt county, where he died October 12, 1863, when well advanced in years. His wife passed away January 23, 1868. They were the parents of six children, namely : Joshua II., William, Elizabeth Ann, Thomas, John and Mary.
If Canon Canon
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Joshua H. Canon was a resident of Ohio until about sixteen years of age, when he went to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and lived with his uncle Joshua. There he learned the drug business, and when he had become familiar with the trade removed to Philadelphia, where he resided until he came to Muscatine in 1856. Here he established a drug store, which he conducted with success for many years, having a well appointed establishment, which was liberally patron- ized because of the excellent line of goods which he carried and his straight- forward honorable business methods. In 1902 he removed to Tacoma, Wash- ington, where he lived for five years, after which he returned to Muscatine and here his remaining days were passed.
On the 7th of April, 1858, Mr. Canon was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Smalley, a daughter of Andrew and Rhoda (Shepherd) Smalley, who came to Muscatine in 1839 when the city was but a small trading post on the western frontier and was called Bloomington. Mrs. Canon was born in Carthage, Ohio, and was only two years old when her parents came to Muscatine, arriving in 1839. Here she has since lived, with the exception of five years spent in Ta- coma and also the period when she was absent at school. By her marriage she became the mother of twin sons, Samuel and Andrew, but both died in infancy ; and a daughter Nellie, who is now the wife of William E. Bliven, one of the most prominent and prosperous business men of Muscatine, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. In April, 1873, Mr. and Mrs. Canon adopted a baby girl, Anna Bertha, who is now Mrs. C. E. Hodgson of Rock Island, Illinois.
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