USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 41
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SAMUEL H. WISE.
Few men of Muscatine county saw more of the vicissitudes of life in their earlier years than Samuel H. Wise, of Wilton Junction. As a gold hunter and later as a soldier in the trying times of the Civil war, he passed through experi- ences that he can never forget and that had an important effect in molding his character. He is a native of Iowa, having been born in Cedar county, October 24, 1842. His parents were Henry and Sophia (Kester) Wise, both of whom were natives of Union county, Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Ohio in 1829 and came to Cedar county, this state, in 1839. Mr. Wise built a log cabin on a farm which he selected as his home and subsequently erected the first flouring mill that was built in Cedar county, hauling the lumber from Muscatine with two yoke of oxen. This mill he operated until his death, which occurred in 1856. The mother died in 1881. There were thirteen children in the family, seven of whom are now living.
Samuel H. Wise received his early education in the district schools, and as he grew up assisted in the work of the home and at the mill. At the age of seven- teen, having heard many stories of sudden wealth acquired in the mines of Col- orado, he yielded to the excitement that then prevailed in many regions of the west and crossed the plains to the Rocky mountains, where he spent a year and a half prospecting and digging for the yellow metal. However, he came to the conclusion that it was not his destiny to become wealthy as a miner, and he re- turned to Cedar county, Iowa, where in the summer of 1862 he enlisted in Com- pany G, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, to serve for three years in the cause of the Union. The regiment participated in many hard fought battles and also in the celebrated siege of Vicksburg. Mr. Wise received his honorable discharge June 30, 1865, without having been wounded or injured in any way during the entire period of his service.
After spending a year upon the home farm, he took up photography and was engaged in that business at West Liberty, Iowa. for one year. He then removed to Wilton Junction, where he has ever since continued in the same line, being now the oldest business man in the town. By close application he has built up a large patronage and enjoys a handsome competence, so that if he desires to do so he
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may spend the remainder of his life in well earned rest. He also conducts a well equipped jewelry store in connection with his photograph gallery.
On the 30th of November, 1866, Mr. Wise was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Healy, who was born in Muscatine county in 1845, a daughter of Abiel and Mary (Adams) Healy, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. They came to Muscatine county in 1836 and continued here during the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Wise is a member of a family of ten children, five of whom are now living. She was one of the popular school teachers of this region in her young womanhood. To Mr. and Mrs. Wise five children have been born: Mary S., the wife of Dr. George E. Zinn, of Homing, Oklahoma; Edwin A., of Chicago; George C., professor of languages in Salt Lake City, Utah ; Ida E., wife of Rev. P. M. Conant, of Marion county, Iowa, and Samuel A., a jeweler of Mitchell, South Dakota.
Mr. Wise cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln as president of the United States and has never seen any reason for changing his political allegiance, being a stanch supporter of the principles of the republican party. Fraternally he is identified with Lodge No. 167, A. F. & A. M., and the Grand Army Post No. 250, of Wilton Junction, and has filled all the chairs in the first named organiza- tion. He has lead an active and useful life and has little cause for regret when he looks back over his career. His prosperity is the result of his own labors, and he receives the respect due those who have faithfully attempted to perform their duty.
CHARLES H. MILLER.
Although Charles H. Miller has been identified with the business interests of Moscow for but a few years, he is well known in Muscatine county, where for a number of years he followed agricultural pursuits. He is now engaged in selling cream separators and gas engines and also ship's cream. Mr. Miller is a native of Moscow township, born December 8, 1864, and is a son of Fred- erick J. and Martha Elizabeth (Foehauer) Miller. The family came originally from Germany, where both the father and grandfather were born. The latter, Frederick Miller, Sr., emigrated to the United States with his family in 1844, in which year he located in Moscow township, this county, so that the family is an old and prominent one in this section of Iowa. He followed farming through- out the years of his residence in Muscatine. county and passed away here in 1865. He was a democrat in his political views and affiliations and was num- bered among the progressive and successful farmers of the community. His son, Frederick J. Miller, who became the father of our subject, was born in the fatherland in 1834 and was therefore but ten years old when brought to the new world. He was reared to general agricultural pursuits and made farni- ing his life work. After reaching man's estate he was married and started out to make his own way in the world. His first marriage was with Miss Martha Elizabeth Foehauer, who was likewise born in Germany. She became the mother of seven children, but three of the number have departed this life, while four
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still survive. Regina is the wife of J. C. Kemper, residing near Fairport, Iowa. Frederick E., the next in order of birth, was born January 17, 1862, and was educated in the common schools. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-nine years of age, after which he began farming on his own account and now owns a tract of two hundred and three acres in Muscatine county. He has made good improvements on the place and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was married in 1891 to Miss Ida May Funk, of Sweet- land township, and they have had five children: Joy May, Roy Frederick, Ina Ellen, Frederick Charles and Fern Anna, but the last named is deceased. In his political views Frederick Miller is a democrat and both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a steward. Charles H. Miller, whose name introduces this record, is the next of the family. Anna, the youngest, is the wife of C. Desmond, a resident of Davenport, Iowa. The father was married a second time, this union being with Anna Schumberg, and unto them were born six children: Emma, the wife of Adam Otto, of Daven- port; Edward E., a resident of Moscow township; Bertha, the wife of Otto Kruger of Muscatine ; Lillie, Edna and Cora, all at home. The father was called to his final rest on the 22d of May, 1901, and thus the county lost one of its old and honored citizens, whose labors had been a factor in the early develop- ment and improvement of this section of the state.
Charles H. Miller was a little lad of nine years at the time of his mother's death, after which he remained with his father on the home farm. He pursued his education in the common schools and continued to work with his father until he had attained the age of twenty-seven. At that period in his life he began business on his own account, choosing as his occupation the work to which he has been reared. For fourteen years he was engaged in farming in Mos- cow township, and although he met with substantial success, he eventually de- cided to abandon agriculture, and accordingly took up his abode in the village of Moscow, where he has made his home for six years. He is now engaged in selling cream separators and gas engines and also ships cream to the city mar- kets, the various branches of his business bringing him a gratifying annual in- come. He also owns a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located on sections 16 and 17, Moscow township, and from this he derives a good rental. He occupies a nice home in the village, which he owns, and on his property he has erected a good and substantial barn.
In 1890 occurred the marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Agnes Elizabeth Marticke, who was born in Moscow township, a daughter of Edward and Minnie (Schultz) Marticke. The father was born in Germany, whence he emigrated to the United States in the early '40s.
Politically Mr. Miller is in sympathy with the democratic party, in his public life evincing fidelity to its principles, and he does all within his power to ad- vance the best interests of his constituents. He served on the township board for six years; is also a member of the school board, and is now township clerk. He is a devout Methodist, and since 1896 has served as a steward in the church, while for ten years he was a trustee and is now secretary of the board of trus- tees. He is also active in the work of the Sunday school, having for the past nine years filled the office of superintendent, while at various times prior to that
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he has filled the same office. His wife is likewise active in the various depart- ments of church and Sunday school work and for the past twelve years has served as secretary of the school and she is also filling the same office in the Ladies' Aid Society. Mr. Miller is a prominent Mason, holding membership with Wilton Lodge No. 167, in which he has served through part of the chairs. Realizing the fact that zeal and energy constitute the basis of success, he has pursued his work diligently, and this combined with honorable business methods has gained him a place among the highly respected and substantial citizens of Muscatine county.
WILLIAM MYERS.
Among the citizens of Muscatine county who in the hour of danger nobly as- sisted in the preservation of the Union may be named William Myers, now living retired at Wilton Junction. He is a native of Clay county, Indiana, and was born April 7, 1834, a son of Michael and Mollie (Dutton) Myers. The parents emi- grated from Virginia to Indiana and entered land there, settling on a timber farm. In the midst of the forest Mr. Myers built a log cabin, which he covered with a clapboard roof and provided with a puncheon floor and home-made furniture according to the early style of the pioneers. Later, having prospered as a farmer, he built a more pretentious residence, in which a family of nine children were reared, five of whom are now living.
William Myers grew up on the old homestead and attended the district school, assisting his father on the farm until twenty-three years of age. On leav- ing Indiana, he removed to Rock Island county, Illinois, where he enlisted in Company A, Sixtieth Illinois Infantry, and was soon sent with his regiment to the front, participating in many important battles of the Army of the West. He marched under General Sherman to the sea and returned northward to Wash- ington, D. C., being present at the grand review in June, 1865. Having received his honorable discharge at Louisville, Kentucky, he came to Cedar county, Iowa, where he engaged in general farming and became one of the prosperous citi- zens of the community. Since 1886 he has lived retired at Wilton Junction.
In 1858, in Muscatine county, Iowa, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Wilhelm, a native of Dayton, Ohio, and a daughter of Sam- uel and Elizabeth (Krise) Wilhelm. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Ohio. Some time after their marriage they removed to Vigo county, Indiana, and in 1856 took up their residence in Muscatine county, Iowa, where the mother departed this life January 14, 1890. The father was called away on November 9, 1894. There were eleven children in their family, two of whom are now living. Five children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Myers: George W., who was born August 3, 1859, and died in 1883; Francis M., now of Muscatine, Iowa; Elizabeth A., the wife of Frank Leinkuhler, of Moscow, Iowa; U. S. L. Grant, now a practicing physician of Muscatine; and Lee, who was born in 1872 and died in July, 1887. Mr. Myers and his wife have been separated from two of their children under circumstances unusually distressing, both of the sons
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meeting their death by drowning. Bravely have they faced the vicissitudes of life, sustained by a faith in an all wise ruler whose providence is synonymous with justice and love.
Mr. Myers is affiliated with the republican party and served as school direc- tor and road supervisor. He is a valued member of Post No. 250, G. A. R., and Mrs. Myers is affiliated with the Ladies Relief Corps of the same post. They have many warm personal friends in Wilton township.
JOHN G. KAMMERER.
John G. Kammerer, filling the position of city attorney, is numbered among Iowa's native sons, his birth haivng occurred at Port Louisa, Louisa county, on the 2d of October, 1871. He comes of a family of German origin. His paternal grandfather, John Kammerer, spent his entire life in Baden-Baden, Germany, where he passed away at the age of seventy-two years. He was quite well-to-do, owning several small tracts of land. Unto him and his wife were born the fol- lowing children : John, Jacob, George, Catherine, Mary and Louis.
The eldest of this family, John Kammerer, was born in Baden-Baden, Ger- many, on the 19th of January, 1831, and remained in that country until eighteen years of age, during which period he acquired a common-school education and fol- lowed teaming there but the tales which he heard concerning the business oppor- tunities of the new world aroused his ambition and with a desire to benefit by the conditions here to be found he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. For two years he lived in the state of New York and then came to the middle west, following boating on the Mississippi river. He also conducted a store in Port Louisa before the days of railroads and engaged in buying grain there, his trade covering territory many miles in extent. He shipped his grain by boat to St. Louis and for a long period was closely, actively and prominently associated with the commercial and trade interests of Louisa county but has now put aside busi- ness cares and is there living retired. After coming to the new world he wedded Miss Caroline Charles, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Michael and Christina Charles. Her father was a native of Germany and on coming to the new world settled in the Keystone state. He died at the very advanced age of eighty-five years, while his wife reached the age of seventy-three years. They had a large family, including Caroline, Mary, Kate, Ann, Ida, Maggie and Joseph. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Kammerer there were born six children, five sons and a daughter : John G., of this review; Mollie D., the wife of Frank Beik; Harry J. ; Albert L .; Charles Joseph ; and Aut. All reside in Louisa county with the exception of John G. of this review. The mother passed away in September. 1886, at the age of thirty-six years. She was reared in the faith of the Catholic church, while John Kammerer was reared in the Lutheran church. He has held various township offices and is numbered among the valued and representative citizens of Louisa county, where he has made his home from pioneer days down to the present time.
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John G. Kammerer, whose name introduces this record, was reared in Louisa county upon his father's farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. The country schools afforded him his early educational privileges and he afterward had the benefit of instruction in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. He then engaged in teach- ing for three years and the summer seasons were devoted to farm work but think- ing to find a professional career more congenial, he became a student in the law department of the Iowa University at Iowa City, on the Ist of January, 1899. He was graduated on the 8th of June, 1900, and at the same time was admitted to the bar. For a brief period he lived in Davenport and then removed to Musca- tine, where for the past decade he has practiced his profession. He has been ac- corded a good clientage and on the 17th of June, 1910, was elected city attorney, which office he is now capably filling, faithfully defending the interests of the city as counselor and advocate. He has ever recognized the fact that unabating industry is as essential to success at the bar as in the trades or in commercial life. He has therefore applied himself with unfaltering energy to his work, has care- fully prepared his cases and is gaining a well merited success.
On the 20th of May, 1902, Mr. Kammerer was married to Miss Ida M. Ray- mond, a native of Valparaiso, and a daughter of Louis and Artemus Raymond, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Kankakee county, Illinois. They are now residents of Valparaiso, Indiana, where they reared their family of seven children, of whom six are yet living, namely : Nelda, Ida M., Rudolph, Laura, Mabel and Leona.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kammerer has been blessed with four children, Raymond J., Melvin A., De Vere H. and Leona. The parents are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Kammerer gives his political allegiance to the repub- lican party. Theirs is a hospitable home and its good cheer is greatly enjoyed by the many friends whom they have won during the period of their residence in Muscatine.
DARIUS ALBERT COLE.
Darins Albert Cole is a well known farmer of Sweetland township, where he has spent his entire life, his birth there occurring January 11, 1863. He comes of an old New York family, being the grandson of Albert Cole, who was born in Green River, Columbia county, in 1793, and came to Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1855, locating on a farm in Sweetland township now owned by his son, Na- thaniel Boardman Cole, the father of our subject. In early manhood Albert Cole was married to Sarah Demmick and to them were born ten children but only two are now living, Henry Hopkins Cole and Nathaniel Boardman Cole.
The latter was also born in Green River, Columbia county, New York, on the 3d of December, 1830, but spent ten years of his life just across the state line, in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He then returned to New York, making his home in Fishhouse for fourteen years. For two years he was in the employ of the Hudson River Railroad and later was connected with the Schenectady &
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D. A. COLE AND FAMILY
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEYOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Saratoga Railway, but in 1855, being attracted to the west, he came to Mus- catine county, Iowa, and located on section 36, Sweetland township, where he has since made his home. He is today the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and eighty acres and is regarded as one of the prosperous and highly esteemed citizens of the community. He married Hannah Mary Henneker, who was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, in 1840, and when six years of age came to this county in company with her parents, J. B. and Jane (Longstreth) Henneker. Her father was a native of England. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel B. Cole were born three children: Sarah, who is now the wife of J. Van Franker; Darius Albert, of this review; and Charlotte A.
Darius A. Cole was educated in the district schools and early decided to de- vote his life to farming. On reaching manhood he took charge of his father's farm, which he has ever since cultivated and has also purchased eighty acres of land which he holds in his own name. He has made no specialty but engages in general farming. His career has been successful, as he uses good judgment in all his operations, and he is now in charge of one of the most desirable farms in Sweetland township.
In 1893 Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Nugent, a daughter of James and Eliza Nugent. Three children were born of this union, of whom G. Richard is the only one living, the first child having died in infancy and the second at nine years of age.
A man of enterprise, perseverence and discrimination Mr. Cole is a worthy descendant of honored ancestry. Politically he is identified with the republican party and is prominent in its councils in Muscatine county. He has held a num- ber of township offices but is not an aspirant for recognition in politics, desiring rather to devote his energies to his business affairs. He and the entire family are earnest members of the Presbyterian church.
WILLIAM NACHBAUR.
Born of German parentage, William Nachbaur of Goshen township, has shown by his life work the admirable characteristics which lead almost invariably to pros- perity. His eyes first opened to the light of day at Atalissa, Iowa, October 18, 1864, his parents being Louis and Amelia (Wolguenot) Nachbaur, who came to America in the early '50s and lived at Davenport, Iowa, for eight years, after which they removed to Atalissa, Muscatine county. The father was a stone-mason by trade, a man of sturdy independence and good character. He departed this life March 16, 1893, the mother being called away March 20, 1909. Of the seven sons making up their family two are now living beside our subject-Joe F., of Joliet, Illinois ; and Frank, of Chicago.
William Nachbaur was reared in the town of Atalissa, where he attended school and attained the rudiments of an education which he has since greatly broadened by reading and observation. From his boyhood he evinced a capacity for agricultural pursuits and after arriving at manhood he rented the family homestead of his wife's father, consisting of one hundred acres, of which he has Vol. II-21
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ever since been in charge. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and as he understands his work thoroughly and delivers the stock in good condi- tion each year to the market, he has been very successful financially.
On the 14th of April, 1883, Mr. Nachbaur was united in marriage to Miss Madie Overman, who was born in Goshen township, May 4, 1864, a daughter of Cyrus and Elizabeth (Barklow) Overman, both natives of Ohio. Her father came to Muscatine county in 1845 and for some time was in charge of a ferry crossing the Cedar river. He later devoted his entire attention to farming and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres but is living retired in Muscatine, having reached the advanced age of seventy-eight years. There were six children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Overman, three of whom are living : Madie, now Mrs. Nachbaur; Harriet, the wife of George Moore, of West Lib- erty, Iowa ; and Clara, now Mrs. B. F. Beveridge, of Muscatine.
From a modest beginning Mr. Nachbaur has acquired a competence and he is today regarded as one of the reliable men of his township. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America camp of Atalissa and is an earnest supporter of its principles. Mrs. Nachbaur is a member of the Christian church but her husband has from his earliest recollection been identified with the Catholic church and by his upright character has attracted many friends in the community where he has spent his entire life.
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FRANK LEIMKUEHLER.
Among the respected citizens of Muscatine county born in Germany who came to America in quest of a fortune and here found what they sought is Frank Leimkuehler. He was born in Dissen, Province of Hanover, Germany, January 7, 1857, and comes of good Teutonic ancestry, being a son of Frederick and Wil- helmina (Hinkhouse) Leimkuehler, both natives of Germany. The house of his grandfather Hinkhouse, erected in 1560, is still standing on the old homestead. The parents of our subject lived and died in their native land. By their union six children were born, two of whom are deceased.
Frank Leimkuehler received his education in the schools of Germany and continued amidst familiar scenes until twenty-four years of age, when he sought in America to solve the problems that face every young man entering upon the responsibilities of a business career. He bravely bade his friends farewell and on April 15, 1881, landed in New York, coming direct to Wilton Junction, Iowa, where he spent two months with an uncle and then clerked in the store of W. Johnson, for six weeks. Relinquishing his position, he then came to Moscow, Muscatine county, and clerked in the store of C. A. Zeisig until September I, 1882, when he bought out the business, moving into a new store building erected by himself, December 1, 1885. Here he has continued ever since, carrying a gen- eral line of merchandise, and as he is well acquainted with the wants of the people and uses good taste and discrimination in buying, he has met with marked suc- cess, his establishment being one of the most prosperous of the kind in his part of the county. He is also the owner of a handsome residence, which he erected in
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1888, where his family are supplied with all of the conveniences and many of the luxuries of life.
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