USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 45
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Educated in the district schools of Cedar county. Ellis D. Smith remained at the parental home until he arrived at the age of twenty-four years, assisting his father and becoming thoroughly acquainted with all the work pertaining to
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agriculture and stock-raising. He began on his own account upon a farm four miles north of West Liberty and continued there for twenty-seven years, de- voting his attention on quite an extensive scale to stock-feeding. Nine years ago he sold his place and moved to West Liberty, where he has since resided. He is the owner of eight hundred acres of land in Canada, at one time being in possession of six sections in that country. He also owns a handsome residence and a feed store in West Liberty.
In 1876 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Emmeline Fenstemaker and to them two children were born : Maude L., a graduate of the State Univer- sity at Iowa City, and now engaged in teaching school; and Harold J., who mar- ried Miss Hazel Henderson and is engaged in the automobile business at West Liberty.
Mr. Smith from the time of reaching manhood has given his support to the republican party and sincerely believes that its principles are better adapted than those of any other party to advance the true interests of the state and nation. He is an earnest friend of education and while living on his farm served as secretary, treasurer and president of the school board at various times. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Masonic lodge at West Liberty and in religious belief he and his wife give their adherence to the Unitarian church. Of him it may truly be said that he has achieved success through honorable means, never seeking to advance his personal interests to the injury of others. He has been intimately connected with the development of Muscatine county and many with whom he has come in contact will always have reason to remember him with gratitude.
L. C. HEALY.
A native of Moscow township, L. C. Healy has spent his entire life amidst scenes familiar to his childhood and is now one of the successful farmers of the township. His eyes first opened to the light of day on a farm, August 7, 1860, his parents being Chester and Elizabeth (Conant) Healy, both natives of Massa- chusetts. The father came to Muscatine county, Iowa, in the early '40s with his parents and here the grandfather entered land, his home being a log cabin which was covered, according to pioneer style, with a clapboard roof and pro- vided with a puncheon floor. In this humble dwelling the family set up house- keeping and it was several years before a more commodious home was provided. The original buildings, erected by hands that years ago ceased from earthly labors, are still standing. Mr. and Mrs. Chester Healy have passed to their reward, the mother departing in 1866. There were five children in their family. namely : Albert F., deceased; L. C .; Abbie C., deceased; Jennie E., who now makes her home with the subject of this sketch ; and George A., of Cedar county, Iowa.
L. C. Healy grew up under the strengthening influences of a home in the country where he found employment when not at school in attending to chores about the house and assisting his father upon the farm. After reaching ma-
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turity he rented land on his own account for three years and then for ten years cultivated part of the old homestead, which came into his possession after the death of his parents. Having converted his property into money, he purchased one hundred and twenty-four acres in Moscow township where he now lives, and to which he has since added sixteen acres. Being a man of persistent in- dustry, he has attained marked success in his calling. He makes a specialty of feeding hogs, of which he delivers a goodly portion to the market every year. In the locality where he lives he has been a witness of the marvelous changes by which the wilderness has been transformed into beautiful farms, the region once the abode of wild animals and roaming Indians now being dotted with thriving villages. He has the satisfaction of knowing that he has contributed his share in producing the present happy condition.
Upon becoming a voting citizen Mr. Healy identified himself with the re- publican party and he has never seen a reason for changing his political affilia- tion. He has not been an aspirant for public office, preferring to devote his attention to his farming interests. A representative citizen, energetic, capable and reliable and at the same time public-spirited, Mr. Healy is a worthy mem- ber of a pioneer family, who crossed the Mississippi river and assisted in laying the foundation of one of the most flourishing commonwealths of the Union.
WILLIAM BEITZ.
William Beitz, who is the owner of a well improved farm in Lake township, started out in life with a laudable ambition and by many years of application his hopes have been realized. He was born in Muscatine county, December 9, 1860, and is a son of Charles and Hannah Beitz, both of whom were born in Ger- many. The parents came to America in 1835 and located in Muscatine county, Iowa, where the mother departed this life in 1869 and the father in 1901. Of their union seven children were born, three of whom are now living: William, our subject ; Mary, the wife of Charles Wagner of Carroll county, Iowa; and Anna, now Mrs. Henry Wagner, of Carroll county.
William Beitz was reared upon the home farm and educated in the district schools. Even as a boy he was ambitious of advancement and on arriving at the age of nineteen years he began renting a farm in Carroll county, Iowa, which belonged to his father. After three years he returned to Muscatine and entered the employ of the Hershey Lumber Company. The occupation not being entirely to his taste, he chopped wood one winter and then worked on a farm for two years, later spending one year in a dairy and one year in the employ of Fred Woods. At the age of twenty-nine he married, and for one year was identified with Hershey's sawmill, after which he became connected with the Musser Lumber Company, continuing with that organization for seventeen years, in the course of which he practiced economy and accumulated capital so that he was able to purchase eighty acres of land. After cultivating his farm for three years, he disposed of it and bought the place where he now lives, com-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
prising one hundred and twenty acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and which yields a handsome income.
On April 3, 1889, Mr. Beitz was united in marriage to Miss Anna Geertz, who was born in Muscatine county, August 18, 1868, and is a daughter of Adolph and Sophia Geertz, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Beitz : Emma, Mabel and Elmer, all of whom are at home.
Politically Mr. Beitz is identified with the republican party. He has never sought public office as his attention has been mainly taken up with his farm and his family. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Work- men at Muscatine and is also a member of the Mechanics Lodge, having many friends in these organizations and in the county of his birth. He is known as an industrious and thoroughly reliable man, whose word is as good as his bond and whose assistance may always be depended upon in forwarding any worthy undertaking.
GEORGE WEISS.
The difficulties to be overcome by foreign born citizens in America are little understood by persons born and reared under the stars and stripes. Tens of thousands of young men have come to America from Germany and other Euro- pean countries having no knowledge of the English language or the customs of the people. They find themselves among strangers and very often their re- sources are exhausted by the expenses of the trip and they are thrown upon their indomitable qualities of grit and perseverance to win a daily subsistence. That they survive the ordeal is astonishing, but much more astonishing is the remark- able success many of them attain in the face of the greatest obstacles.
George Weiss, a well known and highly respected farmer of Muscatine county, who died July 8, 1910, was one of the sturdy characters who permitted himself to be daunted by no difficulty. He apparently could have won his for- tune anywhere. Born in Germany, October 20, 1827, he was the son of Phillip and Barbara ( Muendle) Weiss. The parents were also natives of Germany and came to America in 1848. The father died in St. Louis shortly after arriving in this country. Other members of the family moved to Rock Island county, Illinois, and located upon a farm. The mother passed away in 1858. Eight children constituted their family, namely : Michael, George, Barbara, John, Mar- garet, Christian, Gottlieb and Catherine.
George Weiss was educated in his native land and at twenty years of age came to America, but after spending one year in this country he returned to the fatherland and brought his parents to the United States. At the age of twenty- six years, having married, he began farming on his own account near Edgington. Illinois, where he continued successfully until 1876, when he sold his farm and removed to section 22, Goshen township, Muscatine county, Iowa, resuming the pursuits of agriculture and stock-raising with such good results that he acquired four hundred acres of land, which he greatly improved, making his place one of the most valuable in the township.
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On the 25th of April, 1854, Mr. Weiss was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Fuhr, who was born at Buffalo, New York, and to them were born : Mary, who became the wife of N. Spilger, of Muscatine county, and died in 1884 at the age of twenty-nine years; Catherine, the wife of George Stemm, of Lone Tree, Iowa; Margaret, of Muscatine county; Phillip, a farmer of Muscatine county ; Louisa; John, who assists in operating the home farm; Clara; Emma ; Christian, who is married and lives near Muscatine; Valentine, who died in infancy ; Lydia ; and Barbara, now the wife of Carl Timm of Muscatine county. John, Louisa, Clara, Emma and Lydia are living at home.
The head of a large and intelligent family, Mr. Weiss set a worthy example of industry and integrity and gained recognition as one of the most valued members of the community. In politics he supported men rather than parties, preferring to vote independently. He was brave and resolute, and as a citizen ever attempted to perform his entire duty. Mrs. Weiss still continues at the old homestead and is greatly loved by her children and respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. In religious belief she adheres to the German Lutheran church, of which her husband was also a member.
W. L. SIMPSON.
Lake township can claim many progressive citizens and in the list should be named W. L. Simpson, who makes a specialty of stock-raising and has gained a fine reputation in that line. He is a native of the township where he now lives and was born October 23, 1861, a son of W. H. and Helen C. (Whetmore) Simpson. The parents were both born in Connecticut and came to Muscatine about 1855, where they lived for one year, then locating on a farm in Lake township, and here they have ever since made their home. Throughout life the father has been a man of energy and ability and secured a commendable degree of success as a farmer. Four children were in his family : Adella, now the wife of P. W. Miller, of Ringgold county, Iowa; Sarah, the wife of J. J. Bisher, of Union county, this state; W. L., our subject; and Lottie, now Mrs. David Leg- ler, of Muscatine.
W. L. Simpson was educated in the district schools and reared on the home farm, where he assisted his father, showing an aptitude for farming that gave bright promise for his future. After reaching manhood he desired to see more of the world and accordingly went to Kansas, where he remained for three years. Returning to Muscatine county, he rented a farm on his own account until 1906 and then purchased eighty acres on section 21, Lake township, which he has ever since been improving and which gives evidence of becoming one of the valuable landed properties of the township. In addition to cultivating cereals, he raises live stock and is shipping regularly each season to the market.
On October 4, 1888, Mr. Simpson was united in marriage to Miss Cora L. Kerr, who was born in Muscatine county, August 28, 1867, and is a daughter of Jesse W. and Lydia A. (McGrew) Kerr, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Muscatine county, Iowa. Mr. Kerr died December 22,
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1907, and Mrs. Kerr is now living in this county. Mrs. Simpson received a good common-school education and at the time of her marriage was engaged in dressmaking. She has one sister, Maud S., who is the wife of John Gertenbach, of Muscatine county. Five children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson : Uta Fay, at home; Royle W .; Helen Ann; Jesse W., who was born December 31, 1896, and departed this life November 11, 1898; and Leslie Kerr.
Mr. Simpson has been for thirty years closely identified with farming in- terests, to which he has devoted his best energies. He is independent and pro- gressive and the respect in which he is held by his neighbors and friends is proof of his sterling qualities. Politically he is allied with the republican party, be- lieving that by so doing he can best assist in advancing the cause of good gov- ernment in the county, state and nation. He is a stanch believer in the authority of the Bible and is a valued member of the United Brethren church, to which he is a liberal contributor.
JESSE VANHORN.
The owner of a valuable farm and one of the highly respected citizens of Goshen township, Jesse Vanhorn has no cause to regret that he cast his lot in Muscatine county. He is a native of Louisa county, Iowa, born February 10, 1853, and is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Bender) Vanhorn, the father having been born in Ohio and the mother in Pennsylvania. They were married in the Buckeye state and in 1846 came to Louisa county, Iowa, where the father en- tered government land, becoming one of the well known farmers of the county. He was an industrious and enterprising man of good business ability and at one time was the owner of four hundred and eighty acres. He passed away in 1886, having been a resident of Iowa for forty years. The mother remained upon the home place for several years and then lived with her children, continuing with them until 1901, when she was called to her reward. There were twelve chil- dren in the family, of whom five are deceased: John B., Sidney A., George, Sarah and Priscilla. Those living are: James, of Texas; Susan Jane, wife of H. King, of Parsons, Kansas; Louisa, wife of Newell Paulin, also of Parsons, Kansas; William, of Morehead, Iowa; T. J., of Parsons, Kansas; Jesse, the subject of this review; and Mary, now Mrs. Joseph Lumbeck, of Parsons, Kansas.
Jesse Vanhorn was educated in the district schools and assisted his father until twenty-one years of age, when he rented the homestead upon which he continued for twenty-five years. In 1899 he moved to a farm in Goshen town- ship, which he purchased in 1904, and he is now the owner of one hundred and forty acres of land, all of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He has also made many improvements in buildings, fences, drainage, etc., and has one of the most desirable places of the size in the township. He is an admirer of fine horses and will have no other kind on his farm. As an agricul- turist and stock-raiser he has justly attained a high standing and financially has met with gratifying success in his business.
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On the 7th of October, 1880, Mr. Vanhorn was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia V. Smith, who was born upon the same farm on which she now lives, December 27, 1860. She is a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Drake) Smith, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York state. Mr. Smith came to Iowa in 1852 and after spending one year in Cedar county purchased a farm in Muscatine county, which he cultivated until his death, which occurred in 1889, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife died in 1902, at the age of sev- enty-three years. Their remains lie side by side in Overman cemetery, Goshen township. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born six children, namely : Luna, now the wife of George Coverston, of California; Lovisa, now Mrs. J. E. Parker, of Moscow, Iowa; Mary E., wife of John Walters, of Tipton, Iowa; L. B., of Nichols, Iowa; Eugenia V., now Mrs. Vanhorn; and Henry C., of Fallon, Nevada.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Vanhorn has been brightened by the arrival of seven children: Pearl E., born in 1881, who was a student of the high school and is now the wife of Erle Turkle of Atalissa; Wilma G., who was born in 1883, and died in 1884; John B., who was born in 1886, and is now at Atalissa ; Carl, born in 1888, who received a high school education and is now living at home; Jessie L., who was born in 1890, and is now the wife of Don Hargraves of Muscatine county ; Ernest Ray and Erma Mae, twins, born 1894, still at home.
Mr. Vanhorn's family are members of the Christian church and stanch be- lievers in the inspiration of Holy Writ. Politically he gives his support to the democratic party, and that he possesses the confidence of the people of the town- ship is indicated by the fact that he has served for six years as a member of the school board. He is connected with the lodge of Modern Brotherhood of America at Atalissa and is an earnest admirer of the beautiful teachings of that order. Industrious, energetic and progressive, he years ago won an enviable place in the estimation of the community and is regarded as one of its most valued members. He owes his success to a worthy ambition and a stability of character, two of the most desirable attributes that any man can possess.
ADDISON JAMES WOOD.
Addison James Wood, who owns a well improved farm in Sweetland town- ship and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Muscatine county, was born in the township where he now lives, February 21. 1855. He comes of Vir- ginia ancestry, his father, Charles P. Wood, having been born in Loudoun county, Virginia, November 29, 1822. The mother was Sarah H. Carr, who was born August 5, 1826, in Jefferson county, Ohio, a daughter of James and Mary Carr. His paternal grandfather, Jesse Wood, spent the most of his life in Virginia. He married Martha Devine, by whom he had four children, namely : Charles P., the father of our subject ; Samuel B. ; William ; and Mary. After the death of Jesse Wood, his widow married James Blackwood, and to them were also born four children: James, George, Rebecca and Sarah.
THEN' PUD
1
AST ... TIME :
A. J. WOOD AND FAMILY
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES P. WOOD
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTCE LENOX AND T_DER FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
At five years of age Charles P. Wood was taken to Ohio by his mother and continued there for seven years, after which he made his home with an uncle in Michigan. After his marriage at twenty-four years of age he engaged in farming and in 1853 came overland by wagon from Lenawee county, Michigan, to Iowa and for two years lived upon a rented farm in Sweetland township, Muscatine county. He was an industrious man and acquired sufficient capital with which to purchase one hundred acres of land on section 7 of the same township, where he lived until his death, which occurred on the 14th of April, 1904. The mother of our subject passed away February 28, 1875. The father was a resident of Muscatine county for more than fifty years and performed his full share toward the betterment of his adopted county and state. He was an earnest supporter of the republican party and held a number of township offices, being trustee and for many years a member of the school board. He was prosper- ous in his business affairs and highly respected by all who knew him. There were seven children in his family: Martha and Mary, who died in infancy; Ad- dison James, our subject; William Griffith, who married Susan Deitrick and be- came the father of three children, Charles Levi, Agnes and Herbert; Walter H., deceased; Jesse C., a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and Ida S., who married Allison Phelps, of Knoxville, Iowa, and is the mother of four children, Bernice, Harry, Claude and Mark.
The subject of this review attended the district school and later carried his studies further in the Muscatine high school and at Penn college. After leav- ing college he rented a farm in Sweetland township, continuing upon that place for five years. At the age of twenty-six, in 1881, he was united in marriage to Mary C. Hoopes, a daughter of Lindley and Mary (Addleman) Hoopes and granddaughter of John and Hannah (Jones) Hoopes. Lindley Hoopes, the father, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1815. He came to Muscatine county in 1854 and for several years followed the carpenter's trade in Muscatine. Subsequently he moved to a farm of one hundred and thirty acres which he purchased in Lake township, Muscatine county, and here the wife of our subject grew to womanhood.
Mr. Wood has been farming on his own account for many years and by the application of sound judgment has practically acquired financial independence, being one of the most prosperous farmers of his township. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wood: Lillian Gertrude, who was born January 8, 1883, and died in infancy; Ralph Waldo, who was born September 17, 1886, and died from fever in 1890; and Lloyd Alden, who was born May 24, 1891, and departed this life at the age of eighteen years, six months and twenty-eight days, Decem- ber 22, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Wood have borne up bravely under the heavy afflictions caused by the loss of their children. They mourn, however, not as those who have no hope, being sustained by a trust in a Divine Providence that directs all things aright. Mr. Wood is steward and trustee of the Methodist church at Sweet- land Centre and one of its prominent supporters. He has served most accept- ably as school director and held the office of secretary of school board for twenty-five years. In 1901 he was elected treasurer of the Farmers Mutual As- Vol. II-23
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sessment Fire & Lightning Insurance Association of Muscatine county and still retains the office. He is known as a man who aims to perform his duty conscien- tiously to those with whom he is associated and to the entire community. Frater- nally he is identified with Muscatine Camp, No. 106, M. W. A.
HERMAN J. HENDRIKS.
The owner of four hundred and sixty acres of good Muscatine county land, Herman J. Hendriks may congratulate himself on having as a young man chosen farming as his vocation. He has shown an energy and judgment that are highly creditable, and various responsible offices to which he has been elected by his friends and neighbors indicate that he is greatly respected by those who best know him. He comes of Holland stock on both branches of the paternal tree, and was born in St. Louis, Missouri, March 1, 1850, son of Jacob and Anna M. (Shoemaker) Hendriks, both natives of Holland. The father came to America at the age of twenty-six years, and the mother with her parents, being married to Mr. Hendriks in St. Louis, where he lived for six years, work- ing in a lumberyard. In 1852 he removed to Muscatine and worked in a lumber- yard in the summer and in the packing house in the winter until 1869, when he began farming on rented land in Bloomington township. As he was an indus- trious man of good habits he accumulated sufficient capital to purchase one hundred and twenty acres in the same township, which he cultivated for ten years. In 1879 he removed to Muscatine and lived retired until his death, which occurred December 27, 1889. The beloved wife and mother passed away in 1887, and both she and her husband were interred in Greenwood cemetery. There were eight children in their family, of whom four are now living, namely : Herman J., the subject of this review; Jennie, wife of L. A. Eysink, of Pella, Iowa; William, who now lives on the family homestead; and Mary the wife of Henry Eysink, of Enid, Oklahoma.
At the age of two years Herman J. Hendriks came to Muscatine with his parents, and in the public schools of the city received his preliminary education. At twenty-nine years of age he located on the farm in Bloomington township, operating rented land on his own account. He applied himself vigorously to. his work and after eight years of continuous application he had acquired suffi- cient money to purchase one hundred and forty acres in Goshen township. He increased the size of his farm as the years passed and now owns four hundred and sixty acres, of which four hundred acres are under a high state of cultiva- tion. He also owns six hundred and forty acres in Nebraska. He carries on general farming and spares no pains to secure the best results in his work. Thor- ough in everything he undertakes, he has made his farm one of the model places of the township.
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