USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 51
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Andrew Healey received his education in the district schools and grew to manhood on the home farm, evincing a decided taste for agricultural pursuits, which gave abundant promise for his future. At eighteen years of age he went to Texas, where he remained for three years. However, he was attracted to his native county and at twenty-one years of age began farming on his own account in Moscow township, three years later removing to Seventy-six township, where he now lives. He has developed his farm from its wild state, has erected a commodious dwelling, barns and numerous outbuildings and made the place one of the most valuable properties of its size in the township. He added to the acreage from time to time as his resources permitted and is now the owner of five hundred and thirty acres on section 10, Seventy-six township, four resi-
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dences and a blacksmith shop at Ivan. He is now feeding one hundred and forty-four head of cattle, two or three hundred hogs and has two or three hun- dred head of one-year-old steers which he will later feed for the market. He keeps a pure blooded Belgian horse and makes a specialty of fine cattle, being one of the most successful men in this line in the township.
In 1876 Mr. Healey was united in marriage to Miss Mary White, who was born in Muscatine, and ten children have blessed their union : Michael and John, both farmers of Seventy-six township; Anna and Kate, twins, the former being the wife of Edward Connell, of Wilton township, and the latter living at home; Clara, now Mrs. John Shumacher, of Des Moines, Iowa; Andrew, Jr., at home; Edward, who is a clerk in the employ of the Great Western Railroad, at Des Moines ; Elizabeth, of Muscatine; and Mark and Marie, at home.
Mr. Healey is allied with the democratic party, and although he has not been a seeker for office has served with general acceptance as trustee of his township for three terms and also for several terms as a member of the school board. He is connected with the Catholic church and is also actively identified with the Corn Belt and Beef Productive Association of America. As a citizen he is patriotic and progressive and can always be depended upon to lend his support for the advancement of any movement that will forward the interests of the community.
THOMAS CASHMAN.
Among the sons of worthy Irish parentage living in Muscatine county is Thomas Cashman, who is the owner of a highly improved farm on sections 19 and 20, Seventy-six township, which he transformed from wild land to one of the most attractive places in the township. He was born in the same township, December 17, 1849, and is a son of Bartholomew and Mary ( Forrest) Cashman. The father, who was a native of County Cork, Ireland, came to America, land- ing at St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada, in 1820, and after living there for several years removed to Pennsylvania and later to Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky, finally locating on section 16, Seventy-six township, Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1847. This region was then mostly in its primitive state and much of the land still belonged to the government. He built a little log cabin with puncheon floor and clapboard roof, in which he began his career as a Muscatine county farmer. He was a man of great industry and perseverance and pros- pered to such an extent that in three years he built a comfortable residence, which is still standing and is owned by the subject of this review. Here the father lived until he passed away in 1895. Politically he was in sympathy with the democratic party. He was a faithful member of the Catholic church and assisted in organizing the first church of that denomination in Seventy-six township in 1856, donating an acre of ground for its location. His wife was born in County Cork, Ireland, but they were married in the United States in 1830. There were nine children in the family : Margaret and James, deceased; Elizabeth, the widow of John Shanahan, of Parnell, Iowa; William and Ellen, deceased; Henry, of Custer county, Nebraska ; Johanna and Mary, deceased; and Thomas, our subject.
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Educated in the country schools, Thomas Cashman was reared upon the home farm and continued with his parents until after reaching manhood. De- siring to become acquainted with the great world of which he had little concep- tion, he went to the gold mines of California, where he remained for five years, gaining a great deal of experience amid strange scenes and in contact with strange men which it is impossible to acquire under ordinary circumstances. Having married when he was thirty years of age, he located on his present farm which was then wild land and upon which he has made all of the improvements. erecting a comfortable residence, commodious barns, outhouses and fences, con- structing ditches and bringing the place, which now comprises two hundred and eighty acres, to a high state of cultivation. He is one of the most extensive feeders of cattle and hogs in Seventy-six township.
In 1880 Mr. Cashman was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. McCall and seven children were born to them: William B., now on the home farm assisting his father ; James, a railroad man of Memphis, Tennessee; Nellie and Edwin, at home ; Mary, a student in the school of The Immaculate Conception at Daven- port, Iowa ; Philip, who is also attending school ; and Harry, at home.
Mr. Cashman has seen a great deal of the vicissitudes of life, especially in the mining camps of the west, and in the course of his business career has as- sisted in many ways in advancing the interests of those with whom he has been associated. Always actuated by worthy aims, he has attained a high place in the regard of the people of Seventy-six township and today no man is more sin- cerely esteemed. Politically he is independent, voting for the men he regards as best qualified for the office regardless of party affiliation. Religiously he gives his adherence to the Catholic church-the church of his parents.
PETER GREENWALD.
Peter Greenwald, a resident of Wilton township, now seventy-four years of age, has spent fifty-four years of his life in the United States and here attained a prosperity which is the direct result of his well applied efforts. Born in Ger- many, October 30, 1836, he is a son of Christopher and Margaret ( Beeck) Green- wald. The parents were both natives of Germany and lived and died in the fatherland.
The subject of this review was educated in the public schools of Germany and after reaching twenty years of age, being moved by a laudable desire to see the world and also to advance his own personal interests, he came to America and made his home for twenty-eight years in Scott county, Iowa. He began by, working as a farm hand for twelve and a half dollars a month and after con- tinuing in this capacity for five years he rented land for twenty years. Having acquired sufficient capital, he purchased eighty acres in Wilton township, Mus- catine county, which he proceeded diligently to improve, and as time passed he bought more land until he became the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, which is located on section 23. Wilton township. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs, which he delivers each year to the market.
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He is recognized as a thorough farmer and good judge of stock and a competent manager, showing in his affairs an ability which reflects upon him the highest credit.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Greenwald was drafted for military service but, having recently arrived in this country, he did not believe it to be his duty to enter the armny. Therefore, he hired a substitute, whom he was obliged to pay nine hundred dollars. He borrowed the money at ten per cent interest and, although it required some years to pay the debt, he resolutely persevered and succeeded in discharging it to the last dollar.
In 1864 Mr. Greenwald was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Hanson, who was born in Germany and came to America alone when a young woman. She was a daughter of Detlef and Gertrude (Serck) Hanson. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Greenwald, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Christ, now deceased; Minnie, who married Christ Neumeyer, of Ne- braska; Dora, the wife of William Neumeyer, also of Nebraska; Anna, who married J. Fink, of Nebraska; Bernard and Frank, also of Nebraska; Amanda, the wife of George Hesler, of Nebraska; Emma, now Mrs. Frank Reed, of St. Louis, Missouri; and Daniel, in charge of the home farm. The beloved wife and mother died in 1886, and was laid to rest in Durant cemetery.
Mr. Greenwald is essentially a self-made man. He showed his spirit of in- dependence early in his career by leaving home and friends in order to better his condition. He was obliged to borrow money to meet the necessary expenses of the journey but this he promptly repaid and he has been able to rear a large family and to assist each of his children in making a fair start in life. Politically he is in sympathy with the republican party. He served two terms as supervisor and for ten years as member of the school board, showing a fidelity to his duties which greatly pleased those who were most interested. As a business man he has been energetic and wide-awake and now in the evening of his life enjoys the fruits of many years of earnest labor.
ANDREW FOLEY.
Among the citizens of Muscatine county who have passed away leaving many friends, to whom they were united by ties that could be severed only by death, may be named Andrew Foley. For many years he was closely identified with the farming interests of the county and became known as one of the leaders in a community made up of intelligent and progressive men and women, who here established their homes and devoted their best energies to the upbuilding of society. Mr. Foley belonged distinctly to the class that add to the wealth and standing of the locality where they live-a man of broad sympathies and sound judgment, who made friends wherever he was known and who always evinced the liveliest interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of those with whom he was associated.
He was born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1830, and in 1848 emigrated to the United States, stopping at Boston, where for a number of years he worked
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at his trade as a currier. On account of failing health it became necessary for him to seek other employment and accordingly, in 1865, he came west, locating in Seventy-six township, Muscatine county, Iowa, upon land now occupied by his family. From the beginning he was quite successful in farming and he be- came the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land and gained a reputation as one of the substantial and progressive men of the township.
In 1865 Mr. Foley was united in marriage, at Boston, to Miss Mary A. Sweeney, a native of Boston and a daughter of Miles and Anna ( Muldoon) Sweeney, both of whom were born in Ireland. Seven children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Foley : Margaret, Moses, Mary, John, Anna, Matthew and Agnes, all of whom are now at home except Moses, who is living in Colo- rado.
Mr. Foley died on the 8th of April, 1889, and the universal expression of regret throughout the region following the announcement of his death gave evi- dence of the profound respect in which he was held. Mrs. Foley and the chil- dren remained upon the farm and have since conducted the same along the lines so clearly marked out by Mr. Foley. The members of the family are all con- nected with the Catholic church, of which the father was also a member. Mrs. Foley has been a wise and loving mother and has many friends in Muscatine county, where she has made her home for forty-five years.
JOHN H. JAKEMAN.
John H. Jakeman, a well known and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Fulton township, still lives on the place where his birth occurred, his natal day being January 13, 1866. His parents, Frank and Margaret (Barth) Jakeman, both of whom were natives of Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1850. The father worked as a farm hand by the month for several years and was then married, after which he purchased land of his own, being successfully engaged in its cultivation until the time of his retirement in 1890. The last seventeen years of his life were spent in well earned ease at Blue Grass, Iowa, where his demise occurred on the 8th of March, 1907, when he had attained the age of seventy-four years. At that time he owned three hun- dred and ninety acres of well improved and valuable land in Fulton township and in his passing the community felt that it had lost one of its most substantial and esteemed citizens. His widow, who still survives him, has reached the age of seventy-six years.
They were the parents of eleven children as follows: Carrie, the wife of James Dougherty, of Chicago; Chrissie, who gave her hand in marriage to John Hough and resides near Denver, Colorado; Andrew, living in Muscatine county, Iowa; Fred, who is deceased; John H., of this review; Minnie M., who lives on the old homestead farm; Agnes, the wife of Dr. Vandervier, of Blue Grass, Iowa; Frank, who makes his home in Dallas county, Iowa; Elizabeth, who died in infancy ; Ella, who passed away when nine years old; and Harry, who died at the age of five years.
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When John H. Jakeman had attained his majority he started out as an agri- culturist on his own account, wisely choosing as a life work the occupation to which he had been reared. Renting the old homestead place, he has since been busily engaged in its operation and in connection with the tilling of the soil also feeds and raises stock. He now owns an eighth interest in his father's estate of three hundred and ninety acres, which is still undivided. He has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement through the utilization of modern and progressive methods of agriculture and has gained a gratifying measure of success in his farming operations.
In politics Mr. Jakeman is a republican but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Blue Grass, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. In the community where his entire life has been spent he enjoys the regard and esteem of a host of friends.
GEORGE DITTMER.
George Dittmer, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Fulton township, has won excellent results in his undertakings as an agricul- turist. It was on that place that his birth occurred on the 4th of August, 1873, his parents being Marx and Elizabeth (Feurbach) Dittmer, both of whom were natives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the new world at an early day, the father locating in Scott county, Iowa, and the mother in Pennsylvania. At the end of a year, however, the latter also removed to Scott county, where she gave her hand in marriage to Marx Dittmer. The young couple purchased and located on a farm of eighty acres in that county, Mr. Dittmer devoting his attention to its operation for several years. After disposing of the property he bought one hundred and seventy-five acres of land in Muscatine county and was busily engaged in its cultivation until he put aside the active work of the fields in 1900. At that time he owned about twelve hundred acres of valuable land. For the past eleven years he has lived in honorable retirement at Walcott, Scott county, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease. His wife was called to her final rest on the 25th of April, 1908. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Lena, the wife of August Wills, of O'Brien county, Iowa; Henry, who is married and lives in Scott county; Elizabeth, the wife of William Ihms, of Muscatine county; John, who is married and like- wise makes his home in this county; Emma, the wife of Paul Harder, of Nebraska; George, of this review; Ferdinand, who is married and lives in this county ; Delia, the wife of J. H. Broders, of Muscatine county ; Agnes, who is the wife of Paul C. Riessen and lives in O'Brien county, Iowa; Leonardl. who is still at home; and Tillie, who died in infancy.
George Dittmer remained under the parental roof until twenty-seven years of age, when he began farming on his own account, cultivating rented land for a period of eight years. At the end of that time, having accumulated the neces- sary capital by dint of untiring industry and economy, he purchased a farm of
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one hundred and seventy acres in Fulton township, to the further cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his energies. The property is highly improved in every particular and returns to him a gratifying annual income.
On the 20th of June, 1900, Mr. Dittmer was united in marriage to Miss Emma Frick, a native of Scott county, Iowa, and a daughter of John and Lena (Speth) Frick, both of whom were born in Germany. They were married in Scott county on the 3Ist of January, 1860, and lived on a rented farm in that county for several years. They next purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, Mr. Frick devoting his attention to its cultivation until the time of his retirement in 1898, when he took up his abode in Walcott. At the time of his demise, which occurred on the 13th of December, 1905, he owned two hundred acres of rich and productive land. His widow yet makes her home in Walcott. Mr. and Mrs. Dittmer have three children, namely: Edwin George, who was born on the 6th of October, 1901; Herbert Marx, whose natal day was September 9, 1904; and Lawrence Irwin, whose birth occurred on the 7th of June, 1910.
In politics Mr. Dittmer is a stanch democrat but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. The cause of education has ever found in him a stanch champion, however, and for several years he has acted as a member of the school board. He has remained in Muscatine county form his birth to the present time and the circle of his friends and acquaintances is a wide one.
JAMES A. CHAMBERS.
James A. Chambers, who devotes his time and energies to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising, is the owner of a tract of two hundred and thirty- two acres of rich and arable land in Pike township. His birth occurred in Jefferson county, Indiana, in 1855, his parents being George and Mary (Pagett) Chambers operated a farm near Muscatine belonging to Samuel Senate and a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Their marriage was celebrated in Jefferson county, Indiana, where they continued to reside until 1873, which year witnessed their arrival in Iowa. During the first year of his residence in this state George Chambers operated a farm near Muscatine belonging to Samuel Senate and later cultivated other land as a renter for a number of years. When his capital was sufficient to enable him to buy a farm of his own he purchased a tract of land and successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits until the time of his retirement. His remaining days were spent in well earned ease in the home of his son James, where his demise occurred in 1892. His wife, who survived him for ten years, passed away in 1902. They were the parents of six chil- dren, namely : Ellen, Harmon, Rachel, Nancy M. and Commodore, all of whom are deceased; and James A., of this review.
The last named started out as an agriculturist on his own account when twenty-one years of age, wisely choosing the occupation to which he has been reared. He was busily engaged in the cultivation of rented land for a number of years, thus gradually accumulating the capital which in 1892 enabled him to invest in a farm of his own. In that year he came into possession of a tract
MR. AND MRS. JAMES A. CHAMBERS
Al
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of two hundred and thirty-two acres in Pike township, the further cultivation and improvement of which has claimed his attention continuously since. In connection with the tilling of the soil he has made a specialty of handling stock and both branches of his business have proven profitable.
On the 30th of September, 1891, Mr. Chambers was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth N. Nolta, a native of Indiana and a daughter of H. H. and Maria (Pagett) Nolta. Mrs. Chambers was one of a family of twelve children, ten of whom are still living. She passed away December 12, 1902, and lies buried in Nichols cemetery. Unto our subject and his wife were born two children: May, whose birth occurred in 1892 and who died in infancy; and Harmon H., who was born June 15, 1894.
Mr. Chambers is a democrat in politics but does not seek office as a reward for his party fealty. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, being a member of Camp No. 4195 at Nichols, and is also identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 664 at Nichols. He is also connected with the Rebekahs at Nichols. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife was also a member. Mr. Chambers is widely and favorably known throughout the community, enjoying an enviable reputation as a substantial agriculturist and respected citizen.
WILLIAM DUGE.
William Duge, one of the worthy native sons of Muscatine county and a representative agriculturist of Fulton township, was born on the farm which he now owns and operates, his natal day being August 30, 1872. His parents, Louis and Dora (Hintze) Duge, both of whom were natives of Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in early life. Their marriage was celebrated in Scott county, Iowa, where the father purchased a tract of land and began farming. In 1870 he disposed of his property in that county and bought and located on a farm in Muscatine county, being successfully identified with agricultural pursuits here until March, 1900, when he retired and removed to Stockton. At the time of his demise, which occurred on the 30th of May, 1908, he was in possession of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. His remains were interred in Durant cemetery by the side of his wife, who had passed away December 10, 1906. Their lives were at all times upright and honorable and they well merited the regard and esteem which was uniformly accorded them.
William Duge was twenty-seven years of age when his father retired and left the home farm under his supervision. He has operated the place to the present time and has brought it under a high state of cultivation and improvement. The property is located near Stockton, in Fulton township, and the well tilled fields readily respond to the care and labor which is bestowed upon them. Mr. Duge owns eighty-five acres of rich and arable land and has long been numbered among the substantial and enterprising agriculturists of the community.
Vol. II-26
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On the 30th of January, 1900, Mr. Duge was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. Soehren, whose birth occurred in Cedar county on the 28th of March, 1876, her parents being Christ and Dora (Krebs) Soehren, natives of Germany. The father came to America when thirteen years of age, while the mother was twenty years old at the time of her emigration to the new world. They were married in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 10th of June, 1871, and spent the first two years of their married life in Scott county. They then went to Cedar county, where Christ Soehren purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, devoting his attention to its operation until the time of his demise, which occurred on the 18th of May, 1901. His widow has since resided on the old homestead place with one of her sons. They were the parents of five children, namely : John, who lives on the old homestead; Mrs. Duge; Minnie C., the wife of Peter Glaser, of Luverne, Minnesota; Christian, who is married and re- sides near the old home farm; and Margaret, who makes her home with her mother and brother John. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Duge were born three children, as follows: Leroy, whose birth occurred on the 24th of February, 1901, and who died on the 26th of November of the same year; William C., whose natal day was June 25, 1902; and Verna D., who was born August 17, 1908.
In politics Mr. Duge is a democrat and his fellow townsmen have called him to positions of public trust and responsibility. He has capably served as township clerk for four years and has been a member of the school board for a period of eight years. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Brother- hood of America, belonging to Lodge No. 40 at Stockton, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. His lifelong residence in this county has made him widely known, while his sterling traits of character have gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
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