USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 5
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Both Mr. and Mrs. Canon were members of the Congregational church, and their upright honorable lives won for them the esteem and high regard of all who knew them. Mr. Canon was at one time a member of the state militia, while his younger brother William was a soldier of the Civil war and belonged to the Missouri scouts. His interest in the welfare of his fellowmen was deep and sincere, and at all times he was a cooperant factor in the measures and move- ments which he deemed of value in promoting the progress and prosperity of the country. He died February 25, 1906, and his death was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends.
CHARLES F. CADLE.
Charles F. Cadle, a soldier of the Civil war and for many years actively iden- tified with the business affairs of Muscatine, was born in the city where he now lives February 1, 1846. He is a son of Cornelius and Abigail Howe (Larrabee) Cadle. The father was a native of New York city and the mother of Framing- ham, Massachusetts. He was a merchant and conducted a business in partner- ship with his father in New York, coming west to Muscatine in 1843. He built the first steam sawmill on the Mississippi river above St. Louis, at Muscatine, and engaged in the lumber business for about twenty-seven years. He held various town offices and was on the board of supervisors and also at one time deputy county treasurer, departing this life March 11, 1886, at the age of seventy- Vol. II-3
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
seven years. Cornelius Cadle, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Gloucestershire, England, as was also his wife, Hannah Kidson. The maternal grandfather was William Larrabee, a native of Malden, Massachusetts. He married Sally Fisk and there were six children in their family : William F., Edward W., Charles M., Abigail Howe, George and John. There were four children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Cadle: Cornelius, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Edward F., of Stockton, California; William L., of Chicago; and Charles F., our subject. The beloved wife and mother having been called away in 1847, Mr. Cadle was again married, his second wife being Ruth Lamphry, a native of Boston, who came west as a missionary, her death occurring on the 12th of April, 1885. By his second marriage Mr. Cadle had two children: Henry, of Bethany, Missouri; and Abbie A., the wife of Frank W. Mahin, United States consul at Amsterdam, Holland.
Charles F. Cadle was reared in Muscatine and educated in the public schools. He began his business career as a clerk in a book store, but in 1863, at the age of seventeen years, feeling that his country needed his services, he enlisted in Company A, Second Iowa Cavalry, and served most creditably until the end of the war. He participated in the battles of Colliersville, Tupelo, Oxford, Missis- sippi, Nashville and many other important engagements of the 'Army of the West. After receiving his honorable discharge, he laid aside the accouterments of war and began working in a lumberyard at Muscatine for his father. Later he spent two or three years in the south and engaged in the lumber business at Victor, Iowa, for thirteen years. Returning to Muscatine in 1885, he entered the ice and pork-packing business, but a few years later withdrew from the latter and has since been actively connected with the ice business, also be- coming a dealer in coal. Being a man of good ability, he has attracted a patron- age which yields liberal returns upon his investments.
On the 31st of May, 1876, Mr. Cadle was united in marriage to Mrs. H. M. Clapp, the widow of W. B. Clapp and a daughter of Nathan Fitch and Juliette (Smith) Swan. Mrs. Cadle was born at Lockport, New York, July 31, 1846. Her father was a native of Saratoga county, New York, and her mother of Farmington, Ontario county, New York. The family came west to Milwaukee in 1847 and removed to Muscatine in 1851, where Mr. Swan engaged as a con- tractor and house builder. He passed away in 1875, at the age of sixty-seven years. Mrs. Swan survived her husband thirty years, dying at the age of eighty- three, in 1905. She was a member of the Congregational church, while he gave his adherence to the Methodist church. Adam Swan, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Cadle, was a native of Stonington, Connecticut, and a son of Joshua and Martha (Dennison) Swan, the latter being a daughter of Amos and Martha (Gallup) Dennison. Adam Swan married Mercy Fitch, of Norwalk, Con- necticut, and they were the parents of ten children, three of whom-Maria, Henry and Nathan-married and reared families. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Cadle was Noah Aldrich Smith, a native of Rhode Island, and his wife was Cynthia (Buck) Smith, a native of Massachusetts. They were the parents of one child. Juliette. Mr. and Mrs. Cadle have one son, Cornelius, now en- gaged in the jewelry business in Muscatine.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Mr. Cadle is a member of Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4. R. A. M .; and De Molay Commandery, No. I, K. T. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias; Shelby Norma Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and is now president of the Iowa Society Sons of the American Revolution. Politically he is in sympathy with the republican party. As a busi- ness man he has attained a high standing through the exercise of energy, per- severance and sound judgment-a combination that seldom fails to accomplish substantial results.
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JOSEPH B. VAN ATTA.
Joseph B. Van Atta is now occupying his town residence at No. 113 West Fourth street, Muscatine, but is also the owner of a fine farm in Muscatine county, on which he made his home for fifty years, it being the place where he was born. He is actively identified with business interests and is known as one of the substantial and progressive citizens of the county. He was born in Seventy+ six township, Muscatine county, May 23, 1853, and is a son of James and Katie Anne ( Brobeck) Van Atta. The father was born in Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, in November, 1811, and came to Iowa in 1846 with his wife and three children in a wagon drawn by an ox team, locating first in Bloomington township but the next year moved to Seventy-six township. Politically he was in sympathy with the republican party, and religiously he was identified with the Presbyterian church. He departed this life in 1886 and was buried in High Prairie Chapel cemetery. Seventy-six township. The grandfather on the paternal side was of German parentage and the grandmother was a native of Ireland. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania and was married in that state. She was called away in 1892. Of her ten children eight grew to maturity: Philip, of Vandalia, Missouri; Mary, the wife of William Dorr, of Nortonville, Kansas ; John, deceased; William, of Enid, Oklahoma ; James, of Collinsville, Oklahoma ; Josephine, who became the wife of John Holston, now foreman in the railroad shops at Madison, South Dakota; Joseph B., our subject; and Annie, the wife of William Smalley, of Muscatine.
Joseph B. Van Atta received his preliminary education in the district schools of Seventy-six township, later attending the high school at Muscatine, but he did not graduate. He grew up upon the home farm and after the death of his parents continued there and became a leading live-stock man, feeding and ship- ping as many as two hundred and fifty car loads of stock per year. He removed to Muscatine August 3, 1903, and for four years engaged in the insurance busi- ness. For some months past he has been connected with the American Tele- phone & Telegraph Company as right-of-way man. He is the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Muscatine county and also of two residences in this city, in one of which he lives.
In 1875 Mr. Van Atta was united in marriage to Miss Mollie O'Brien, and five children have blessed the union: Fanny, the wife of George Eitman, who is engaged in the grocery business at Muscatine; Fred, a resident of Muscatine :
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Mabyl, the wife of E. I. Leiber, manager of the Woolworth store at Muscatine; Maude, the wife of Lauren Henderson, a druggist, of Muscatine; and Desmond, now connected with the Woolworth store at Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he is learning to be a manager. Mabyl was the youngest teacher in Muscatine county up to the time when she received her certificate and began teaching at the age of sixteen years.
Mr. Van Atta is in sympathy with the principles of the republican party and although he has not been an office seeker, he served for one term as assessor of his township. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church and he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Bankers Reserve, all of Muscatine. He is remarkably well posted concerning the resources of Muscatine county and few men in the county are better prepared to discuss its possibilities. His memory carries him back to the days before the Civil war when pioneer conditions prevailed and many of the conveniences and comforts of the present time were unknown. These conditions he has seen gradually pass away before the advance of new ideas. He applied himself diligently and by wise foresight and good management attained the position of comparative independence which he occupies today.
WILLIAM H. HUGHES.
William H. Hughes has been a resident of Muscatine for forty-seven years and is well known in business circles of the city although he is now living retired. He also proved a capable official in public office for several years and in fact in every relation of life has commanded the good will and confidence of his fel- lowmen. He was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, September 9, 1848, and is the elder of two sons in a family which numbered four children but the two daughters died in infancy.
The parents were Thomas R. and Sarah E. (Lowry) Hughes, the former a native of the city of Galway, Ireland, and the latter of Louisville, Kentucky. Thomas R. Hughes was a son of Reuben Hughes, a native of Wales, who on establishing his home in Galway, engaged in the manufacture of paper, conduct- ing one of the important productive industries of that city, in which he made his home until he was called to his final rest at an advanced age. Unto him and his wife were born nineteen children, including Thomas R. Hughes, who was reared in his native city but completed his education in Trinity College, of Dublin, Ire- land, with a view of entering professional circles. However, he began traveling for his father as representative of the paper manufacturing house in England and Scotland. He afterward became connected with another manufacturing concern and was thus in business in the old world until he determined to try his fortune in America. Crossing the Atlantic, he settled in St. Louis, where he resided for several years, his time and energies being there devoted to general merchandis- ing. In the meantime he had wedded Sarah E. Lowry, a daughter of David Lowry, who was a native of Ohio. Archibald Lowry, the great-grandfather of
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
William H. Hughes, was at one time the owner of the principal part of the resi- dence portion of Springfield, Ohio. He was a son of David Lowry, Sr., who came from Edinburg, Scotland, in 1763, and settled in Pennsylvania, becoming the founder of the family in the new world. His grandson, David Lowry, Jr., was the owner of an interest in some steamboats that plied between Cincinnati and New Orleans. He was also connected with other business enterprises and was meeting with prosperity when he fell a victim to cholera, passing away in Cin- cinnati in 1832, when a young man. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine M. O'Rourke, reached the age of sixty-five years. Their family num- bered three children, who grew to adult age: Sarah E., who became Mrs. Hughes ; William E .; and Samuel H. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hughes lived in St. Louis for several years and in 1856 removed to Iowa, set- tling in Sweetland township, Muscatine county, where Mr. Hughes passed away in 1860, at the age of forty-five years. His widow still survives him, never marry- ing again. She lives with her son William and they have resided in Muscatine since 1863. She is now eighty-six years of age, having been born on the 5th of February, 1825.
In taking up the personal history of William H. Hughes we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Muscatine and this part of the state. His early education was acquired in St. Louis and following the removal of the family to lowa he continued his studies in the schools of Muscatine and afterward in the college of Christian Brothers in St. Louis. Subsequently he became bookkeeper for his uncle, William Hughes, in Evansville, Indiana, occupying that position for three years but about 1869 re- turned to Muscatine, where he secured a situation in a general dry-goods store. Subsequently he joined an engineering corps that was engaged in surveying a road in Illinois. Afterward he spent a short time in the Silverman & Cook Bank in Muscatine. Then again he engaged in the dry-goods business and for several terms was clerk of the courts, he being elected first in 1886, and occupying that position until the 5th of January, 1895, when, after a service of four terms, he retired.
Mr. Hughes and his mother occupy a pleasant home at No. 715 West Third street, where they have resided continuously since taking up their abode in this city. His political allegiance has long been given to the democratic party and he is unfaltering in his support of its principles.
ROBERT LEE.
Robert Lee, now living partly retired in an elegant home in Muscatine, is a native of Ireland but was brought to Muscatine county by his parents in his infancy. He was born in County Tyrone, April 5, 1847, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Beatty) Lee. The father, who was also a native of County Tyrone, came to the United States in 1847 in an old sailing vessel which reached the port of New Orleans after a voyage of sixteen weeks. In the course of the voy- age the old records of the family were water-soaked and the names written in
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
the family Bible were made almost illegible. Coming up the Mississippi river the travelers located in Seventy-six township, Muscatine county, Iowa, the father entering school land, upon which he built a log house and began to make a home in the wilderness. He was called away about nine years later and his re- mains were interred in a small country cemetery in that township. Later the body was removed to Greenwood cemetery, Muscatine, where it now reposes. In Ireland he was a farmer and a horseman, buying horses and putting them in good condition to be sold. In politics he was a whig. The grandparents on the paternal side were born and reared in Ireland, but the earlier generation of the family in the same line came from Scotland. The mother of our subject was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and was there married. She departed this life in Muscatine county in 1877. There were six children in the family, four of whom grew to maturity: Jane, now deceased; Isaac, of Muscatine; Margie, also deceased ; and Robert, our subject.
Reared upon the home farm Robert Lee received his early education in a small building which his father was instrumental in erecting, to be used as a Catholic church, but as educational facilities were few in early days this structure was rented for school purposes. He subsequently came to Muscatine and finished his education in Brown's select school, the head of which is now an attorney of Muscatine. The family continued together until after the death of the elder sister and the marriage of the younger. Robert and his brother conducted the farm together for eighteen or twenty years, becoming large live-stock buyers, and at the present time they are the owners of nearly two thousand acres of land in Seventy-six and Cedar townships, although not as closely identified with business interests as in earlier years. Since January, 1908, Mr. Lee has lived in Muscatine and is gradually retiring from active work, having by industry and good management attained a competence.
On April 1, 1885, Mr. Lee was united in marriage in Jones county, Iowa, to Miss Agnes Beatty. She is a daughter of Alexander and Mary (South) Beatty, the former of whom was born in Ireland and emigrated to this coun- try, locating in Jones county, where he continued until his death in 1902. He was quite successful as a farmer. Mrs. Beatty was a native of Jones county and was called from earthly scenes in 1894. She is buried in a cemetery at Cascade, Iowa. Mrs. Lee was educated in the public schools and also became a student in the high school at Cascade but did not complete the course. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lee were born three children: Mary Leola, now at home, is a graduate of the high school of Muscatine and also pursued a course in music at Monmouth College. Ira H., who married Florence Zigler, resides on the home farm and is engaged in farming and stock-raising in partnership with his father. Robert E. is attending the high school of Muscatine, being still at home with his parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Lee are members of the Presbyterian church, though on his farm is a United Brethren church, of which he has been a supporter for many years. Politically he is in sympathy with the republican party. A prominent Mason, he holds membership in Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washing- ton Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; Webb Council, No. 18, R. & S. M .; and De Molay Commandery, No. I, K. T., all of Muscatine ; and Kaaba Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Davenport. He and his wife and daughter are all members of the
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Eastern Star and he is connected with the Commercial Club of Muscatine. He is possessed of many fine social characteristics but his friends are not all con- fined to fraternal organizations as they are to be found throughout Muscatine county or wherever he is known as he is a generous, upright and honorable man, who easily wins the confidence of those with whom he is brought in contact.
JACOB P. LEYSEN.
Jacob P. Leysen, a well known shoe dealer of Muscatine, has built up an ex- tensive and profitable trade during the eighteen years of his connection with the business. His establishment is located at No. 113 East Second street. His birth occurred in Muscatine, Iowa, on the 17th of March, 1859. his parents being Peter and Elizabeth (Kaefering) Leysen, who were natives of Luxemburg and Kiel, Germany, respectively. Jacob Leysen, the paternal grandfather, was born in Ger- many and crossed the Atlantic to the United States about 1855. He settled in Muscatine, Iowa, and here spent the remainder of his life, passing away at a ripe old age. Unto him and his wife were born the following children: Peter; Charles ; Mary; Lena, the wife of Joseph Rank; Helen, the wife of George Arnold; and Magdalena, who gave her hand in marriage to John Knopp. The maternal grandfather of our subject, who was a farmer by occupation, passed away in Germany.
Peter Leysen, the father of Jacob P. Leysen, emigrated to the United States about 1855 and located on what is now Park Place in Muscatine. He followed dairy farming as a means of livelihood and passed away in this county when sixty-eight years of age. Both he and his wife, who died at the age of sixty-four, were devoted and faithful communicants of the Catholic church. During the period of hostilities between the north and the south Peter Leysen defended the interests of the Union as sergeant of Company D, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war. He par- ticipated in a number of important engagements and was severely wounded in the hip and thigh in the battle of Chicot Lake, Arkansas, on the 7th of June, 1864. At the time of his discharge, on the 13th of July, 1865, he was a member of Com- pany A, Fifteenth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps. After returning from the war he resumed the pursuits of civil life, being numbered among the substantial agriculturists and respected citizens here until called to his final rest. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, six sons and two daughters, namely: Jacob P., of this review ; Anton, who is deceased ; John ; Charles ; Joseph ; Mary; Julia, the wife of C. T. Edwards; and Peter, who died in infancy.
Jacob P. Leysen was reared in Muscatine and acquired his education in the parochial schools. After completing his studies he accepted a position in the book and stationery store of Schmidt Brothers, in whose employ he remained for eight years. On the expiration of that period, in 1884, he embarked in business on his own account, conducting a book and stationery concern in association with F. A. Neidig, under the firm style of Neidig & Leysen, for about nine years. On the Ist of October, 1893, he withdrew from the firm and became identified with mer-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
cantile interests as a dealer in shoes, being proprietor of the Leysen shoe store for the past eighteen years. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man of known reliability and has met with well deserved success in his undertakings.
On the 4th of May, 1887, Mr. Leysen was united in marriage to Miss Jennie A. Cassiday, a native of Iowa City, Iowa, and a daughter of William P. and Jane E. (Morris) Cassiday. They are the parents of three children: Ralph, city editor of the Muscatine Journal; Albert, a clerk in his father's store; and Gene- vieve, a student at St. Mathias Academy.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Leysen has supported the men and measures of the democracy. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and both he and his wife are valued members of St. Mathias Catholic church. They reside at the corner of Sixth and Iowa avenue, where Mr. Leysen erected a modern and attractive home. They are well known throughout the community and justly merit the high regard and esteem which are uniformly accorded them.
NICHOLAS BARRY, JR.
Nicholas Barry, Jr., prominently identified with industrial interests in Mus- catine as the president of the Barry Manufacturing Company, is at the head of an extensive plant at Nos. 901 to 905 East Fourth street. He is widely recog- nized as one of the wealthy and influential residents of the city and makes his home at No. 802 Mulberry avenue.
His birth occurred in Cleveland, Ohio, on the 22d of February, 1856, his parents being Nicholas and Alice (Potts) Barry, both of whom are natives of County Wexford, Ireland. The paternal grandfather, who was likewise born in County Wexford, Ireland, there passed away at an advanced age. His wife died in Cleveland, Ohio. Their children were as follows: Thomas, who was a resident of Cleveland ; John Patrick, who made his home in Liverpool; Nicho- las, the father of our subject; and Mary, who died in Alpena, Michigan. The last named was the wife of James McMillin. William Potts, the maternal grand- father of Mr. Barry of this review, was also a native of Ireland and was a farmer and horseman during his active business career. He emigrated to the United States, but subsequently returned to the Emerald isle, and there spent his remaining days. His wife was a Miss Radford, who likewise passed away in Ireland. They reared a large family of children, including Mary, Catharine, Margaret, Ellen, Judith and Alice.
Nicholas Barry, Sr., the father of our subject, was reared in Ireland and when a young man crossed the Atlantic to Canada. After a short time spent in that country he crossed the border into the United States, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where he conducted a clothing business for some years. In 1856 he went to Chi- cago, Illinois, and later in the same year he removed to Rock Island, where he acted as superintendent of the gas-works. The year 1868 witnessed his arrival in Musca- tine and this city has remained his place of residence continuously since. He served as superintendent of the gas-works here for eleven years, on the expiration of which period he opened a plumbing, heating and gas-fitting establishment, con-
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BARRY 5
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
ducting business in association with his sons Patrick and Nicholas under the firm style of N. Barry & Sons. In 1889 the Barry Manufacturing Company was organ- ized with the following officers; Nicholas Bary, Sr., president ; Patrick Barry, secretary ; and Nicholas Barry, Jr., manager. They manufactured lead pipe and lead specialties. Nicholas Barry, Sr., retired in 1894 but is still a stockholder in the concern. He and his wife reside at No. 1305 Mulberry avenue and are faith- ful communicants of the Roman Catholic church. The period of their residence in Muscatine covers more than four decades and they are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community. Unto them were born eight children, four sons and four daughters, as follows: Patrick J., of Muscatine; Mary, who is the widow of Philip Fahey and likewise makes her home in this city; James, living in Chicago; Nicholas, of this review; Catharine, the wife of John Hadden, of Chi- cago; Alice, the wife of Frank Anson, of Muscatine; Thomas, of Muscatine ; and a daughter who died in early life.
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