USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 56
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
William Huttig received a good education in the public schools of his native land and, having early shown a talent for music, was instructed in that art under the distinguished Professors Winkler and Held. At nineteen years of age he decided to seek his fortune in a foreign land and came to America, settling in Muscatine, Iowa, as a music teacher. At the outbreak of the Civil war he or- ganized a band, of which he was the leader, which became connected with the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. However, the services of the leader and the band were both dispensed with before the regiment left Camp Strong by an order from the war department discharging all regimental bands. Mr. Huttig re- turned to Muscatine and in 1862 entered the grocery business, in which he con- tinued for several years, starting in the lumber business in 1868 with his brother Frederick. They continued together until about 1900, when Frederick withdrew from the firm.
In 1870 Mr. Huttig began the manufacture of sash and doors under the firm name of Huttig Brothers & Falter. After about six years Mr. Falter with- drew and went to St. Louis, the title of the firm becoming Huttig Brothers Manufacturing Company. In 1881 the company erected a large plant in this city and the firm was incorporated as The Huttig Manufacturing Company. Two years later the Western Sash & Door Company of Kansas City was in- corporated and in 1885 the Huttig brothers established the Huttig Sash & Door Company of St. Louis. The company in Muscatine employs about three hun- dred persons and also maintains a large factory at Billings, Montana, being rec- ognized as one of the leading concerns of the kind in the west. However, Mr. Huttig has not confined his entire attention to the manufacturing field. In 1888 the Muscatine Real Estate Company, embracing a number of local capitalists, was organized and he was made its president. He became the same year presi- dent of the Ashton Flour & Feed Company and also filled the office of president of the Board of Trade of Muscatine. In December, 1887, he was associated with his brother Frederick and other liberal republicans and democrats in or- ganizing the Muscatine News Company, of which he was made president. He was elected a member of the board of directors at the time of the organization of the Muscatine Bridge Company, which was founded for the purpose of build- ing a high bridge over the Mississippi river at Muscatine, and on April 9, 1889, at the second annual meeting of the board, he was elected to the presidency of that company. He was also an incorporator of the Muscatine Oat Meal Com- pany and became its vice president, holding the same office in the Terra Cotta Lumber Company and being prominent in the organization of the Muscatine Street Car Company and a number of other local enterprises. Few men in this part of the state have been more active in business life and few have been more successful in forwarding the enterprises with which they were connected.
On the 9th of August, 1860, Mr. Huttig was married to Miss Catharine Becker, a daughter of Michael and Salome (Bauer) Becker. Mrs. Huttig was born in Marietta, Ohio, August 6, 1839, while her parents were natives of Bavaria, Germany. They became acquainted in the fatherland but were mar- ried at Marietta, Ohio. Mr. Becker settled for a time near Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, but came to Muscatine in 1850 and here followed the baker's trade. He died at the age of seventy-eight years, in 1889, his wife being called away in
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
1902, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. They were both members of the Evangelical church. Eight children constituted their family: Catharine. August, Henry, Theodore, Albert, Henrietta, Elizabeth and William. To Mr. and Mrs. Huttig three children have been born. Anna is the wife of Conrad Heney and they live at Newark, New Jersey. Nellie married Albert McDermid and is now deceased. She was the mother of one son, Harold. Harry married Kathryn Musser. He is a partner in his father's business, being treasurer and manager of the company, and is identified with a number of important enter- prises in Muscatine and elsewhere.
Mr. Huttig holds membership in Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M., and also in the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are connected with the German Evangelical church and contrib- ute liberally toward its support. Mr. Huttig has noted the disadvantages under which a young man labors who starts in his business career without adequate school training and has become a stanch friend of education, serving for about ten years as member of the Muscatine school board. Politically he is an adher- ent of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to the best interests of the country. He is a liberal contributor to all worthy causes, recognizing the obligation of large employers to assist in the advance- ment of the general good. For many years connected with important business interests, he takes a broad view of all subjects and his opinions have largely influenced others with whom he has associated. An honor to the city of his adoption, Mr. Huttig has performed a great work in building up its industries and it is doubtful whether any other man the city has known has ever con- tributed more toward its permanent prosperity than the gentleman whose name introduces this review.
JAMES H. VAN CAMP.
James H. Van Camp was born on the farm where he now resides, on sec- tion 4, Sweetland township, June 20, 1860. The father, Kiple Van Camp, was a native of Huntington county, New Jersey, born September 15, 1822. He lost his parents in his infancy and was reared in the family of David Armstrong, of New Jersey. At twenty-seven years of age, in December, 1849, he was mar- ried to Miss Anna Maria Little, and May 16, 1850, they came to Muscatine, Iowa, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 4, Sweetland township, where Mr. Van Camp lived for fifty-three years, passing away No- vember 23, 1903. He built the family residence out of rough lumber made from trees which grew on the homestead and, being an industrious man, he succeeded as a farmer and acquired three hundred and twenty acres in one of the best farming districts of the state. He was public-spirited and enterprising and held a number of township offices. For many years he was an active member of the Methodist church, serving as steward and trustee and also as chairman of the board. Politically he was in thorough accord with the republican party.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
James H. Van Camp was sixth in order of birth in a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living. He received his preliminary education in the district school and later was a student for one year at Wilton Academy. After completing his school training he returned to the home farm and is now the owner of one hundred and seventy-six acres, everything about the place giving evidence of progressiveness and enterprise which are marked characteristics of Mr. Van Camp. His success has been due to indefatigable industry and rightly directed methods. Each year increases his financial resources owing to the abundant crops which he raises.
On May 16, 1886, Mr. Van Camp was united in marriage to Miss Edith L. Mesick, a daughter of Jacob S. and Phoebe (Dorman) Mesick. Her father is still living and is a farmer of South Dakota, Mrs. Van Camp being the third child in a family of four children. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Camp have been born five children, three of whom are now living: Alfred Earl. Harry Laverne and Jacob Drew. Grace and Walter died in infancy.
Mr. Van Camp is a supporter of the republican party and his voice is often heard in the councils of its leaders in Muscatine county. For fourteen years past he has served as a member of the county committee. He filled the office of township assessor for six years and for many years was president of the school board, being secretary of that body at the present time. He is connected with the Sweetland Methodist Episcopal church, and is a member of the board of trustees and treasurer. He has for twenty-seven years past been identified with the Masonic fraternity, at present being a member of Lodge No. 2 of Mus- catine. He is also a member of Camp No. 106, M. W. A., and for three years past has filled the office of master of Sweetland Grange. He is a man of broad outlook and one who has assisted very materially in advancing the interests of the township where he has spent his entire life. He is recognized as a man of strict integrity who never allows selfish considerations to color his opinions or to induce him to waver in his allegiance to any cause he has espoused. He is de- voted to his family and his friends and stands very high in the regard of all who know him.
FREDERICK RINNERT.
Frederick Rinnert, whose well cultivated farm is located in Montpelier town- ship, Muscatine county, is of good German ancestry and in his life has shown many of the worthy traits of the Teutonic race. He was born in the township where he now lives, December 15, 1854, being a son of Peter and Catherine Rinnert, both of whom were natives of Bavaria, Germany. The parents were married in the fatherland and came to America in 1852. Peter Rinnert, was not provided very abundantly with this world's goods at that time but he was an ambitious and industrious man of excellent character and in Muscatine county, Iowa, he found a field that it seemed to him would yield richly if well culti- vated. Accordingly, after working for wages for one year and accummulating sufficient money, he purchased twenty acres of wild land, which he proceeded to clear and which became the nucleus of a farm of five hundred and twenty acres
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
acquired by his good management. At the time of his death, which occurred November 24, 1903, at Davenport, Iowa, to which place he had retired from active labor, he was the owner of three hundred and forty-five acres, having sold a part of the original farm. For many years he operated a threshing ma- chine and was very popular among his neighbors on account of his ability and genial nature. He was a public-spirited man and a warm friend of education, serving most acceptably as member of the school board. Politically he gave his adherence to the democratic party and in religious belief was a Catholic. There were six children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Rinnert, five of whom are now living.
Frederick Rinnert received his early education in the district schools of Montpelier township, later attending the public schools of Davenport. He as- sisted upon the home farm until twenty-five years of age and then purchased eighty-five acres of land in Montpelier township, where he established his home. Like his father, he is the possessor of good business sagacity and is now the owner of three hundred and ten acres, which comprises one of the desirable farms in the township. He has erected a handsome and commodious two story residence, a large barn, ample outhouses and he has also made many other improvements, greatly adding to the value of the property. For thirty-nine years he has been engaged each season in threshing grain for farmers of the lo- cality and is one of the active and prominent men in this line in Muscatine coun- ty. As a general farmer he has gained high standing and each year adds hand- somely to his financial resources.
In 1886 Mr. Rinnert was united in marriage to Miss Cersentia Stecher, a daughter of Frank Stecher. Four children have blessed this union, Josephine, Frederick, Teglah and Bonnie. Mr. Rinnert politically is not identified with any of the organizations but votes independently, preferring to cast his ballot for the man rather than the party. He is a stanch friend of education and has served upon the school board for twenty-one years and as member of the board of town- ship trustees for two years. In religious belief he adheres to the Catholic church, whose teachings he accepts as those enunciated in holy writ. He is rec- ognized is a man of unusual energy, who would have made a success of any business that might have attracted his attention. He had the necessary charac- teristics of patience, perseverence, grit and sound judgment and is today one of the leaders in the community, never failing to command the esteem of all who come into contact with him.
HARRY W. HUTTIG.
Among the active business men of Muscatine who are now occupying im- portant positions and giving employment to a large number of persons, thus assisting very materially in advancing the interests of the city, is Harry W. Huttig, treasurer and manager of the Huttig Manufacturing Company. He was born of German-American parentage, his father being William Huttig, a native of Germany, and his mother Catharine Becker, a native of Ohio. The
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
father was reared in Jena, Germany, and, having carly shown a decided talent for music, became a music teacher. He was an ambitious young man and, de- siring more favorable opportunities, emigrated to America at nineteen years of age locating at Muscatine, lowa, where he has ever since lived. He taught music for several years but was attracted to mercantile business and started a grocery store. Later he went into the lumber business and in 1871 established in a small way a sash, door and blind factory, which under his good management has grown from year to year until it now gives employment to about four hun- dred persons, operating under the title of the Huttig Manufacturing Com- pany, with the following officers : William Huttig, president; J. R. Swearingen, vice president ; L. L. Richards, secretary ; and Harry W. Huttig, treasurer and general manager. For ten or twelve years past Mr. Huttig has not participated actively in the business of which he was the founder. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank and has always taken great interest in public enter- prises, being one of the most respected citizens of Muscatinc. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted with his band of musicians and served for three months. He and his wife are members of the Protestant Evangelical church. The grand- father of our subject on the paternal side was a farmer in Germany. After his death his widow came to America, dying here at the age of eighty-eight years. Of their children the following are living : Carl, Fred, William and Mul- vina. To William and Catharine Huttig three children were born: Harry W., our subject ; Anna, the wife of Conrad Haney, of Orange, New Jersey; and Nellie, who became the wife of D. S. McDermid and is now deceased.
Harry W. Huttig was reared in Muscatine and educated in the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1885. Having determined to adopt a business career, he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he took a course of instruc- tion at Eastman's Business College, one of the leading institutions of the kind in the country. Returning home, he started as bookkeeper in his father's fac- tory and in 1888 was made manager, becoming also treasurer some years later. The company is one of the most substantial concerns of the kind in the west and distributes its products to all the principal centers in the United States. Mr. Huttig is president of the Pioneer Pearl Button Company and is also interested in a number of business enterprises of Muscatine and the west, having shown an ability that places him among the leaders in commercial affairs of the Missis- sippi valley.
On the 6th of October, 1891, Mr. Huttig was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn Musser, a daughter of Richard and Sarah (Berger) Musser and a native of Muscatine. Her parents were born in Pennsylvania and became early settlers in this city. The father was a member of the Musser Lumber Company and died here in 1896. The mother passed away in 1902. Of their children five are now living; Susan, Kathryn, Grace, Gertrude and William and also an adopted daughter, Linda. Mrs. Huttig holds membership in the Epis- copal church in which she is an active worker.
Mr. Huttig affiliates with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and politically is in sympathy with the republican party. He was elected alderman of the second ward at the age of twenty years and later was nominated for mayor of Muscatine, but the honors and emoluments of public office had no at-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
traction for him and he declined the honor. He is essentially a man of business, having good judgment and a mental capacity which readily grasps large opera- tions and reduces them to a system by which they can be managed along mod- ern lines. It is men of this character who control the important business en- terprises of a country and are largely responsible for the general prosperity that prevails:
CHESTER LILLIBRIDGE.
Few men during recent years have accomplished more for the upbuilding of Muscatine than Chester Lillibridge, now serving as superintendent, treasurer and financial secretary of the Muscatine Bridge Company and also identified with a number of enterprises directly connected with the interests of the city. In the discharge of his various responsibilities he has shown a judgment and fidelity which have reflected upon himself and his associates the highest credit and contributed in a large degree to the success of undertakings of great im- portance.
He was born in Bloomington township, Muscatine county, October 7, 1844, and is a son of Amos and Amanda M. (Beardsley) Lillibridge. The father was born in Rhode Island and came to Muscatine in 1839, preempting government land in Bloomington township about six miles east of the present site of Mus- catine. Later he moved to within four miles of Muscatine and there continued until his death, which occurred in November, 1854. He was buried in Brown cemetery and was known as one of the leading men in the township, serving on the board of supervisors for two terms. Politically he was an old line whig. The mother of our subject was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and was married in Muscatine county. She survived her husband thirty years, being called away in May, 1884. There were six children in the family : George, deceased; Caro- line, the wife of Henry Kneese of Muscatine; Chester, our subject ; Emma, also of Muscatine; Georgia, deceased; and Clara, a resident of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia.
Chester Lillibridge was educated in the public schools of Muscatine. The administrators of his father's estate having dissipated the property, the children were left largely to depend upon themselves. Accordingly our subject began as a clerk in a grocery store at sixteen years of age. In three months, however, he had shown a capacity which pleased the members of the firm, and he was taken into partnership and continued in that line of business for twenty-nine years. Perceiving the importance of bridging over the Mississippi river at Muscatine. he became one of the projectors of the enterprise and sold eighty per cent of the stock necessary for its construction. In 1890 he became a director of the Muscatine Bridge Company and collected the money by means of which the work was completed. He is now serving as treasurer, financial secretary and superintendent of the company and the project which he assisted in bringing to a successful conclusion has proved one of the most important auxiliaries that has been known in the building up of Muscatine and the adjacent country_
CHESTER LILLABRIDGE
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
He also obtained a charter for a toll road in 1893, which was built and proved a perfect success. After a failure had been made of the undertaking, he in 1907 took up the project of building a levee on the east side of the Mississippi river and sold the bonds for its construction. He is one of the commissioners and secretary of this company. He is a director of the Hershey State Bank and is the owner of nine hundred acres of land in Rock Island county, Illinois, which he is putting into fine shape for special ag icultural farming. He is also the owner of a store building and a commodious residence in Muscatine and some time ago liad charge of the erection of two bridges across Cedar river.
On October 16, 1872, Mr. Lillibridge was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Jackson, and four children have brightened their home: Cora, the wife of Ed T. Lillie, of Muscatine; Ralph J., with H. W. Huttig, of Muscatine; Bert, also of Muscatine; and Edwin, a resident of Cloquet, Minnesota.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Lillibridge offered himself for service, but was refused as lie was but sixteen years of age. However, the state was less rigid in its requirements, and he was accepted as orderly in the state militia under General Edward Hatch. Politically he is identified with the republican party and a stanchi adherent of its principles. He has served as a member of the school board of Muscatine and at that time had charge of seven buildings in the course of construction. He is connected with the Congregational church and the Commercial Club, but his various business interests have required his principal attention. Although he has accomplished a great deal for Muscatine and the region adjacent, he sees much work yet to be done. It is to men like the subject of this review, endowed with clear vision and sound judgment, that the future must look for the discharge of these responsibilities.
THOMAS BROWN.
While Thomas Brown had passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's jour- ney at the time of his death, February 9, 1911, he was still engaged in the prac- tice of law. His mental powers seemed undiminished and keen discernment enabled him to analyze a law case with the readiness and ability which he dis- played in earlier years. He also conducted a real-estate and loan office, and his example of active usefulness in the evening of life is one which might well be followed by many another man.
He was born in Knox county, Ohio, December 3, 1835, his parents being Garretson and Ann (Holland) Brown, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Virginia. The father made farming his life work, following that pursuit first in his native state, afterward in Ohio, and subsequently in Iowa, whither he came about 1871. He lived in Muscatine for one year and then located in Keokuk county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until the weight of years forced him to put aside active duties. He died when more than eighty years of age, having for a few years survived his wife. Both were con- sistent members of the Methodist church, and their many good qualities of heart and mind gained for them the warm regard of all who knew them. Their fam-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
ily numbered seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom three are now living : Reason, a farmer of Keokuk county, Iowa; Cassius M., an attorney of Sigourney, Iowa; and Elizabeth, the widow of John Trotter and also a resi- dent of Sigourney.
Thomas Brown was reared in the county of his nativity upon his father's farm, early becoming familiar with the work of plowing, planting and har- vesting. He attended the district schools and afterward entered Millner Hall, a private school. Subsequently he continued his studies in Kenyon College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1861. In August of the same year he removed westward to Muscatine and secured a position as teacher in a private academy. To this work he devoted his time and energies until 1865 and then returned to his native state, becoming principal of the preparatory de- partment of Kenyon College. After a year, however, he returned to Musca- tine and taught in the academy of this city until 1872, when he went to Daven- port and taught in Griswold College. There he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1875. He returned to Muscatine for practice, and in connection with the duties of his profession he engaged in the conduct of a real-estate, loan and insurance business. He was a very active man and one whose labors were a force in the business enterprise and progress of the city.
On the 20th of August, 1862, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Mary J. Reed, a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio. They became parents of two daughters: Ida May, the wife of E. W. Smith; and Clara A., the wife of S. M. Hughes, the cashier of the First National Bank of Muscatine, of whom mention is made else- where in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were members of the Episcopal church, to which their daughters also belong. His political support was given to the republican party, and for six years he served as a member of the school board. The cause of education ever found in him a warm and helpful friend, and in fact he stood as the champion of all the measures and movements which he deemed essential to the general good. His successful work as an educator brought him wide renown, for his ability placed him prominently in the ranks of Iowa's teachers. His entire life, characterized by his loyalty to his honest convictions, whether in professional service, in society, religion or in citizenship, gained for him the warm regard of all with whom he was brought in contact.
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