USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 47
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Harry M. Bernick supplemented his early education by a course of study in Brown's Business College at Davenport, of which institution he is a graduate. On attaining his majority he began the operation of the old homestead farm and has since had charge of the property, carrying on his agricultural interests in most capable manner. He has already attained a creditable measure of success for one of his years and deserves recognition among the energetic and representative citi- zens of his community.
On the 18th of August. 1908. Mr. Bernick was united in marriage to Miss Elnora Friedrich, a native of Scott county, Iowa, and a daughter of Henry and Emma (Schlapkahl) Friedrich, who were likewise born in that county. Mrs. Bernick is the only living member of a family of four children, the others hav- ing been named Delora, Adelia and Carl. Henry Friedrich passed away in 1901 and five years later his widow married Fred Tagge, a native of Scott county, Iowa, who was a widower with four children : Leonard, Harry, Wilma and Fred. Mr. and Mrs. Tagge now make their home at Hartley, O'Brien county, Iowa. Unto our subject and his wife has been born one child, Violet Elsie, whose birth occurred on the 9th of December, 1909. Mr. Bernick is a republican in politics but does not seek office as a reward for his party fealty. He and his wife are well and favorably known throughout the community as young people of upright, honorable lives.
DANIEL O'BRIEN.
Daniel O'Brien, now living retired on his farm in Muscatine county, was born in Ireland, March 12, 1832. He is of sturdy Irish ancestry and is a son of Michael and Anna (Maher) O'Brien. The parents came to America in 1847, the trip being made in a sailing vessel which required eight weeks for the voyage. After living for three years in St. Louis they settled on a farm in Muscatine county, where the father devoted his attention to agriculture until his death, which occurred in 1861. The mother passed away a year later. Seven children comprised the family, namely : Dennis, now a farmer on Muscatine island; Patrick, deceased; John M., a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Daniel, our subject; Michael, now living in California; James, deceased; and Catherine, who died at the age of twenty-two years.
Daniel O'Brien was reared on his father's farm, where he continued until twenty-two years of age, assisting according to the extent of his ability in the sup- port of the family. However, in 1854. having heard many stories concerning valuable gold mines on the Pacific coast, he decided to seek the yellow metal, going to New York, sailed for the isthmus of Panama, which he crossed, and then proceeded by water to San Francisco. He spent three years as a miner and prospector and then returned home by the same route which he had taken to the west. Although his dreams were not fully realized, he was not entirely disap- pointed and lie gained a great deal of experience that proved to be of practical value in after life. He returned home in 1857 and a year later purchased land in Muscatine county, being now the owner of two hundred acres, which he has in-
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proved by erecting buildings, planting trees, etc., so that he now has one of the desirable properties of the county. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock.
In 1867 Mr. O'Brien was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Byrne, who was born in Ireland and is a daughter of John and Margaret (O'Toole) Byrne, both of whom are deceased. Eight children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien : Mary A., now the wife of J. P. Hickey, of Seventy-six township; Michael, deceased; Margaret, of Denver, Colorado; John and Catharine, at home ; one who died in infancy ; Dennis, also at home; and Daniel, in Colorado.
Mr. O'Brien was deprived of his beloved wife by the hand of death in 1888 and, although the unwelcome visitor has more than once stopped in his household, the death of his wife was the severest affliction he has ever known. He has now arrived at the age of seventy-eight years and has yielded the cares of his farm to younger hands, resting after many years of earnest and well directed labor. Politically he is identified with the democratic party. He has never sought office but has served as member of the school board. In religious belief he gives his assent to the Catholic church-the church of his fathers-in whose folds the chil- dren of the family also find a friendly shelter.
CHARLES STALEY.
Men of fidelity to principle who by the use of natural talents make a credit- able record in the business or industrial world are worthy of the sincere respect of their associates. Their life from day to day is a constant incentive to others and it would be impossible to estimate the good they do by the simple force of example. Charles Staley, a prominent citizen of Goshen township, whose name introduces this sketch, should be classed with those here indicated. Born in Pennsylvania, May 28, 1862, he is the son of Jacob and Catherine E. (Keeler) Staley, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state and were born in Columbia county. They were married in their native county and the father en- gaged in farming in Pennsylvania until 1870, when he came to Iowa. In 1872 he removed to a farm in Illinois, which he cultivated until his retirement from active labor in 1896. He spent the later years of his life at Joy, Illinois, being called away December 7, 1904. The mother departed two years later, on July 3, 1906. Mr. Staley was quite successful as a farmer, becoming the owner of a well improved place of one hundred and ninety acres in Mercer county, Illi- nois. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company D, Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Five Forks, the ball lodging in his hip and remaining there throughout his life. There were seven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Staley, namely : Rosa Jane, now Mrs. Curtis Small, of Joy, Illinois; Charles, the subject of this review; Sherman and Harvey, both of whom died in Mercer county, Illinois; Julia Ann, also de- ceased; William, who was born in Muscatine county and is now living at Ata- lissa; and Roy, who was born in Mercer county, Illinois, and is now living in Oklahoma.
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Charles Staley came west with his parents at eight years of age and attended the district schools, where he obtained the rudiments of an education, which has been of constant practical use to him in his business career. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age and then began farming upon his own account by renting land. At the end of four years he purchased in 1893 one hundred and twenty acres of land in Goshen township, and as time passed hie added more land to his original holding until at the present time he is the owner of a beautiful farm of three hundred and eighty-six acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation except that portion which he reserves for pasturage. He handles stock on a large scale and as he is a good judge of animals, espe- cially those of standard grades, he generally receives a satisfactory price for what he has to sell. No more prosperous farmer is to be found in the township than Mr. Staley.
On the 16th of December, 1886, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Beggs, who was born in Wisconsin, March 30, 1865, a daughter of Hugh and Matilda (Frankenfield) Beggs, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were married in Wisconsin and lived in Illinois until 1892, when they came to Muscatine county and settled on a farm in Goshen township. Mr. Beggs is now the owner of a valuable place comprising eighty acres. There were four children in his family: Sarah, now Mrs. Charles Staley ; Etta, who be- came the wife of William Minteer and is now deceased; Mary, now Mrs. Ben- jamin Meeks, living on the old homestead; and Emma, the wife of Granville Flater, of Atalissa. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stalcy : Archie H., born August 13, 1888, who received a common-school education and is now living with his parents; Louis F., who was born September 28, 1889; Floyd E., born March 31, 1895; Theresa C., born November 9, 1900, and Leota M., born April 5, 1910, all of whom are living at home.
Mr. Staley has not given much time to politics and the allurements of office have never had for him any special attraction. He and his family, however, are interested in religious affairs and are active members of the Methodist church. By a life of practical industry he has won a good name which is more to be preferred than riches and at the same time has demonstrated that high char- acter and success in business may go hand in hand.
JOHN NEILSEN.
John Neilsen, an enterprising and representative agriculturist of Fulton town- ship, was born in Germany on the 17th of March, 1854, his parents being John C. and Annie (Struve) Neilsen, who were likewise natives of that country. The father passed away in Germany, while the mother's demise occurred here on the 18th of June, 1906, she having emigrated to the United States subsequent to her husband's death. They were the parents of seven children, namely : Jacob, Claus, John, Katrina, Annie, Mary and Carsten.
John Neilsen spent the first nineteen years of his life in his native country and then crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Since coming to Muscatine county
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he has devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land in Fulton township. Here he has labored industriously and energetically, planting his crops in the early springtime, continuing their cultivation through the summer and gathering his harvests in the autumn.
On the 28th of February, 1887, Mr. Neilsen was united in marriage to Miss Wiebke Ahrenstorff, whose birth occurred in Germany on the 17th of May, 1864, her parents being Christopher and Annie Ahrenstorff, likewise natives of the fatherland. They emigrated to America in 1886 and spent the remainder of their lives on a farm in Iowa, the death of Mr. Ahrenstorff occurring in 1898. Their children were seven in number, as follows: Mrs. Neilson, Annie, Frederick, Henry, John, Katherine and Wilhelmina. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children : John C., whose natal day was January 28, 1888; Annie, whose birth occurred May 15, 1890; and Minna, who was born in 1896.
In politics Mr. Neilsen is a democrat and for five years he has held the posi- tion of road supervisor, proving a most capable and trustworthy public official. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to establish his home on this side the Atlantic, for in the wise utilization of the opportunities here afforded he has won a place among the substantial and esteemed citizens of his community.
J. E. PARKER.
An attractive residence in Moscow and six valuable lots are the visible evi- dence of a life of industry, perseverance and thrift on the part of J. E. Parker. He was born in Pennsylvania on the 10th of July, 1852, a son of Emerel and Mary (Parker) Parker, who were also natives of the Keystone state, where the latter passed away in 1853. After the death of his first wife Emerel Parker went to Indiana, where, in 1864, he was again married and continued to make his home. By his first union there were born eight children, as follows: Ruth E., deceased ; C. R., of Pennsylvania ; Mary, also deceased; Ellis and Martha, both residing in the Keystone state; Richard, who has also passed away; Emma, the wife of James McDonald, of Muscatine county ; and J. E., of this review.
The last named, but six months old at the time of his mother's death, was taken to the home of an uncle, Lot Parker, by whom he was reared until he attained his majority. He attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. His practical training was obtained in the fields during the periods of vacation, and amid the busy activities of rural life he learned many lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance. He became thor- oughly familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and the comprehensive experience which he acquired under the direction of his uncle stood him in good stead when, upon attaining man's estate, he started out independently in life, wisely choosing as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. His financial condition at that time not permitting of the purchase of a farm of his own, he operated a farm in the capacity of renter for about six years-years characterized by unfaltering industry, earnest toil and
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the utmost economy. His efforts, however, were not unavailing, for at the ex- piration of that period he became the owner of eighty acres of good farm land in Moscow township, upon which he made his home for four years. Renting his property, he removed to Moscow, where he has since made his home. Here he purchased the lots on which he has since built his present residence.
In 1873 Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Lovisa Smith, who was born in Muscatine county December 20, 1855. She is a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Drake) Smith, natives of Ohio and New York, respectively, who came to Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1852. Here her father entered land in Goshen township which remained the home of the family for several years. The Smith family consisted of six children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born three children, namely: Luna V., the wife of Charles Fryberger, of Moscow township; Effa L., who married Charles S. Haines, of Cedar county, Iowa; and Benjamin L., a student at the university at Ames, Iowa.
A stanch advocate of the principles of the republican party, Mr. Parker is deeply interested in all matters relating to the public welfare. He has been called to public office, having served his township as assessor for six years, which position he is still filling. He is a well known and prominent figure in fraternal circles of the community, holding membership in blue lodge No. 167, A. F. & A. M., at Wilton Junction, Iowa, in which he has filled nearly all of the chairs. He also belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America, and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star No. 365, while his son, Benjamin Parker, is a third degree Mason. The family is well known in Moscow, occu- pying a prominent place in the society of the town, and their home is the center of a circle of warm friends. Perseverance, diligence and integrity have consti- tuted the guide posts in the life of J. E. Parker, bringing him to the honorable position which he now occupies in the opinion of his fellow townsmen, and he is now numbered as one of Moscow's representative and valued citizens.
HON. B. H. BLACK.
Hon. B. H. Black, representative in the general assembly of Iowa from Mus- catine county, is a native of this county, born in Pike township, July 23, 1874. He is a son of Robert and Malissa (Johns) Black, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He received his early education in the common schools, later becoming a student in the West Liberty high school and the Nichols high school, graduating from the latter. He also had the advantages of a course in a business college at Iowa City, applying himself to his studies in such a way as to indicate an earnest ambition to excel in anything he undertook. He con- tinued with his parents until twenty-two years of age, and then, having mar- ried, he began farming on his own account on a part of his father's estate in Pike township. He early became acquainted with all phases of farming and stock-raising and although he is still a young man he has gained an established reputation as one of the highly energetic and successful farmers of the county.
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Mr. Black has taken an active part in politics and in November, 1910, was elected on the democratic ticket to the state legislature for a period of two years, which began in January, 1911. Having passed his entire life in this state he is in- timately acquainted with its resources and possibilities and also with the needs of the people, and it is confidently expected that as a public official he will acquit himself with high honor.
On the 16th of December, 1896, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Welch, who was born in Muscatine in April, 1875, a daughter of Mich- ael and May (Joyce) Welch. Her father is a native of Ireland and her mother of Muscatine. Mr. Welch is a tailor by trade but is now living retired. There were four children in his family, namely : Mary E., now Mrs. Black; John, who died at the age of six years; Frank M., who is connected with the Chicago American; and Clement J., a graduate of the Iowa State University, who has been admitted to practice as a lawyer but is now general manager of the Bell Telephone Com- pany at Sioux City, Iowa. Mrs. Black is a lady of unusual intellectual accom- plishments and is a graduate of the Sisters school of Muscatine and also of the business college of the same city. She is a member of the Catholic church, and fraternally, Mr. Black is connected with the blue lodge of the Masonic order, at Nichols, the chapter at West Liberty, the commandery at Muscatine, and the shrine of Davenport. He is also connected with the Order of the Eastern Star and the Elks. Mr. Black has an attractive personality that inspires confidence and respect and his friends are numbered by the legion in Muscatine county. Gentlemanly in address, frank and persuasive in manner, and governed by unsel- fish and generous motives, he is to be congratulated on the position he has at- tained, as it is the reward of genuine personal merit.
JOHN CHRISTOPHER KEMPER.
Muscatine county can claim many well-to-do farmers who by industry and thrift have won a competence and also gained an honorable place in the estima- tion of their fellowmen. Of this number is John Christopher Kemper, the owner of one of the valuable farms of Sweetland township, which he acquired through his energy and perseverance. He is a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, born December 14, 1858, his parents being Henry and Charlotte (Weinberg) Kemper. The father, who was born in Lupedmond, Germany, November 23, 1822, came to the United States at the age of twenty-six years, in 1848, and spent some time at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed his trade as a stone-mason. In 1855, he removed to Muscatine, Iowa, where he lived for a year, and then purchased twenty acres of land in Muscatine county, upon which he took up his home and which became the foundation of a farm of four hundred acres, acquired by him through wisely directed industry. He was a man of strict integrity and met with deserved success in his adopted country. Politically he upheld the republican party. He was a member of the Grange and also of the Methodist church, serv- ing as steward and trustee of the latter. He recognized the importance of edu- cation and was for a number of years a member of the school board of his
HENRY KEMPER
MRS. HENRY KEMPER
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
district. He also served as roadmaster and in many ways advanced the best interests of the region with which he had cast his lot.
John C. Kemper was the eldest of a family of seven, five of whom are now living. He received a good education in the district schools, and under his father gained a thorough knowledge of agriculture and stock-raising. He remained on the parental homestead for some years after reaching maturity, but in 1879 purchased eighty acres of land on section 24, Sweetland township, and began farming on his own account. He is now the owner of a beautiful farm, upon which he built a comfortable residence in 1901, and made many other improve- ments. He has devoted his best energies to its cultivation, as is indicated by the abundant crops and the well fed animals which he raises and ships to market every year.
On the 16th of October, 1879, Mr. Kemper was united in marriage to Miss Regina Miller, a daughter of Frederick and Martha Miller, and by this union eleven children have been born: Annie, who married Adolph Ludke, and is the mother of two children; John F., at home; Edith, who is now Mrs. John Balser, and is the mother of one child; Esther, who married Ed Pautel, and is the mother of two children; Elmer; Arthur; Lydia; Frederick; Freda; Cora; and William.
As the head of a large family Mr. Kemper has not had much time to devote to politics, but he gives his allegiance to the republican party, and, being an ardent friend of education, has filled the office of treasurer of the school board for twenty-nine years past, previously having served as school director. He is a firm believer in the Bible and a valued member of the German Methodist Episcopal church, to which he is a liberal contributor. Straightforward, honest and sincere, he has many warm friends, who recognize in him those qualities that contribute most toward forming a manly character.
JOHN PETER MAROLF.
Among the worthy citizens of Swiss descent in Muscatine county may be named John Peter Marolf, a real-estate man and property owner of Wilton June- tion. He has been identified with Muscatine county almost ever since his birth and his high character has won the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come into contact. His eyes first opened to the light of day on his father's farm near Wilton Junction, May 12, 1857, his parents being Peter and Anna (Nobs) Marolf, who were born at Walperswyle, Canton Berne, Switzerland, the former in 1815 and the latter in 1814. They were married in their native land and came to America in 1848 stopping for a time at Burlington, Iowa, and subse- quently locating on a farm in Muscatine county, which became the homestead of the family. The subject of this review is the youngest of six children, five daugh- ters and one son, the two eldest daughters having been born in Switzerland. The father departed this life in 1881, the mother being called away nine years later at the age of seventy-six years. On the paternal side according to records upon old tombstones near the French boundary of Switzerland the family descends from
Vol. II-24
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the Von Marrows. The sirname of the great-grandmother was Andreas and of the grandmother was Schürer.
John P. Marolf received his early education in the German Lutheran paro- chial schools and remembers that in his boyhood the main supply point of this re- gion was at Muscatine, then Bloomington, which was reached by wagon. He as- sisted in clearing away timber on Sugar Creek and after laying his books aside took the place of a hired hand on the home farm. Upon the death of his father he purchased the homestead, which he sold to its present owner, Frank Beard, in 1893. In February, 1894, he removed to Lockwood, Missouri, where he began farming, but returned to Wilton Junction in August of the same year on account of the death of his wife. After engaging in various business ventures he ac- cepted a clerkship in a store at Wilton in 1897, which position he held for twelve years. Since 1909 he has engaged in his own name in the real-estate business. He is a fine salesman and, having a thorough knowledge of values, has attained a goodly measure of success in his chosen line.
In 1882, at Wilton Junction, Mr. Marolf was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Hammerich, a native of Grammdorf, Germany. She came to Wilton Junc- tion in 1878 and died while the family were at Lockwood, Missouri, in 1894. Five children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Marolf ; Louis C., Carolina C., Albert E., Walter J. and Will F., all of whom are unmarried.
Mr. Marolf votes independently and has never taken any active interest in poli- tics, nor is he connected with any fraternal or social organizations. He holds mem- bership, however, in Zion Lutheran church at Wilton Junction, having been con- firmed in that denomination at the age of fourteen years. Owing to the simple life in which he was reared, his tastes have never led him into extravagances of any kind. He is a lover of music and has played in several Wilton bands. His realty interests are tangible proof of his thrift and good judgment, and as a pa- triotic and public-spirited citizen he is always a willing assistant in any cause that seeks to promote the general welfare.
JAMES O'TOOLE.
James O'Toole, who occupies the family homestead in Seventy-six township, and is one of the highly respected farmers of the region, was born in this county, May 14, 1859. He is a son of William and Winifred (Byrne) O'Toole, both natives of County Wicklow, Ireland. The father came to the United States in 1842 and after working in different parts of the east returned to the Emerald isle in 1850, where he was married, and the year following started again for America with his wife in a sailing vessel which required four weeks for the voy- age. He settled upon government land in Seventy-six and Cedar townships, Mus- catine county, Iowa, and was one of the successful farmers of the county, retiring from active labor in 1868, after which he lived with his son James until his death in 1898. Mrs. O'Toole departed this life in 1877. The family circle comprised four children : Patrick, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Mary and Sarah, both deceased ; and James, our subject.
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