USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 57
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WILLIAM LEWIS THOMPSON.
The records of the lives of our forefathers are of interest to the citizens of modern times, not alone for their historical value but also for the inspiration and example they afford. Yet we need not look to the past for althoughi hun- dreds may differ the essential conditions of human life are ever the same and a man can learn from the success of those around him if he will heed the best lessons contained in their history. The life record of William Lewis Thompson indicates that carefully formulated plans, close application and unfaltering pur- pose were the elements which he utilized in the attainment of success in business, and, moreover, the integrity of his methods commended him to the confidence
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and good-will of all. He figured for many years as a leading hardware mer- chant of Muscatine and while prominent in business he was also popular in so- cial circles.
He was born in Atalissa, Muscatine county, March 4, 1862, a son of Robert T. and Emily A. (Lewis) Thompson, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The family comes of Scotch ancestry although several generations have been repre- sented in the new world. His grandfather, Robert Thompson, was born in Pennsylvania and became one of the early settlers of Ohio, where he conducted a hotel or tavern. He married Barbara Ebbert, who died when a comparatively young woman. He continued his residence in Ohio, near Bridgeport, until within a few years of his death, which occurred at the home of one of his daughters in Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1875, when he was seventy-six years of age. He had the following children : Theron, William, Robert, John, Selina and Catharine. The maternal grandfather of William L. Thompson was Ira Lewis, who was born in Ohio and became a tanner and farmer. He married Sarah Wilson and they lived for many years in Harrison county, Ohio, where his death occurred when he was a comparatively young man. His wife survived him for many years and married Morgan Lewis, a brother of her first husband. There was only one child of the first marriage, Emily A., the wife of Robert T. Thompson. By the second marriage there were two children : Catharine, the widow of Hugh K. Mitchell, a resident of Muscatine; and John W., who died at the age of twenty-one years.
Robert T. Thompson, the father of William Lewis Thompson, was a mer- chant's clerk at Wheeling, West Virginia, until 1858, when he removed westward to Iowa and engaged in the grain business in Atalissa. He later served as deputy county treasurer and afterward was elected and served for two terms as county treasurer. He also served as deputy postmaster under Colonel Beach and next aided in organizing the Muscatine Savings Bank, of which he became the first cashier, filling that position until failing health compelled him to retire. In 1875 he organized the firm of R. T. Thompson & Son for the conduct of a hardware business and was senior partner until 1887, when he withdrew and the firm be- came Thompson Brothers. The death of Robert T. Thompson occurred Feb- ruary 1, 1890, when he was sixty years of age. His wife survived him until 1904 and passed away at the age of seventy years. She was a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist church. Mr. Thompson belonged to both the Mason and Odd Fellows lodges and his political support was given to the republican party. His family numbered eight children of whom Theron, Barbara, Ella and Robert L. still survive, while three of the number died in infancy or early childhood.
William Lewis Thompson, the other member of the family, was reared in Muscatine from early childhood and attended the public schools of this city. When his education was completed he joined his father in the hardware business as did his brother Theron. They were well trained in every department of the business and when the father died they succeeded him, conducting the store un- der the style of Thompson Brothers. They remained the sole proprietors until the death of W. L. Thompson, conducting a well stocked store on West Second street at the corner of Chestnut. This has been the location of the Thompson hardware business for many years and the name under which the store has been
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conducted has ever stood as a synonym for activity and integrity in business transactions.
On the 22d of October, 1890, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Harriet Stockdale, a daughter of John and Maria (Curran) Stockdale. Mrs. Thompson was born in Muscatine but her father was a native of England and her mother of Ireland. They were both quite young when they were brought to America and were still in their minority when they came to Muscatine, where they were married. Mention of the Stockdale and Curran families is made on another page of this volume under the caption of William Stockdale.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thompson was born a daughter, Mary Gladys. They spent about twelve years in Las Vegas, New Mexico, for the benefit of Mr. Thompson's health, and he there engaged in the hardware business but also re- tained his interest in the store in Muscatine, His death occurred in Las Vegas, January 21, 1906, when he had reached the age of forty-three years and ten months, and his remains were brought back to Muscatine for interment in Green- wood cemetery. In politics he was a republican. He was widely recognized as a prominent and popular man and good citizen. He was devoted to the welfare of his family, was faithful in friendship and strictly honorable in every relation in life, so that the news of his death brought a sense of personal bereavement to many who knew him. His wife and daughter still reside at No. 312 West Fourth street.
JOHN OLIVER HOLTZ.
It was fifty-three years ago when John O. Holtz, the subject of this review, first caught a glimpse of Muscatine county, where he has spent nearly his entire life. He was brought by his parents to Iowa in his infancy and grew up in this county, gaining a practical experience which has enabled him to become one of the successful farmers of the county. He is a native of Erie county, New York, born June 2, 1855. His father, John Holtz, was born in Mecklenburg, Ger- many, November 5, 1827, and came to America in 1849 with his father and mother, two brothers and three sisters. After spending several years in New York he was attracted westward and in 1857 arrived in Muscatine county, en- tering the employ of S. G. Stein. After a short time he went to work for John Moss and at the end of a year purchased forty acres of land of Mr. Moss, upon which he lived about seven years. He then acquired eighty acres one mile west of his original purchase and made his home upon that place until his death, which occurred April 3, 1900, being at that time the owner of two hundred and forty- three acres which he had accumulated by industry and economy. He stood very high in the estimation of his neighbors and friends and for a number of years filled the office of township trustee and also served as a member of the school board. In 1853, in New York, he was married to Mary Peterson and they be- came the parents of seven children, all of whom are now living: John Oliver, our subject ; Henry A., who is married and has three children ; F. G., who is also married and has three children; Lizzie R., who married August Pantel and is
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the mother of six children ; Mary, who is the wife of W. A. Weirhauser, of Flat- iron Point, lowa, and has five children; C. F., who is married and has two children; and Emma, who is the wife of Franz Pantel and has two children.
John O. Holtz received his early education in the district schools of Sweet- land township. He continued at home until he was twenty-two years of age, when he began farming on his own account by renting one hundred and twenty acres of land. He later farmed eighty acres more and in 1881, having prospered in his work, he purchased eighty acres in Sweetland township, upon which he took up his residence. He is recognized as one of the energetic and progressive farmers of his locality and is secretary of the Mount Prominent Grove Tele- phone Company and also serves upon the executive board of the Farmers Mut- ual Insurance Company.
On December 27, 1882, Mr. Holtz was united in marriage to Miss Carrie May Gipple, a daughter of George and Mary Gipple, both of her parents being natives of Pennsylvania and now living at Letts, Iowa. Her father was born May 4, 1827, and her mother October 6, 1826. Mr. Gipple and his wife were among the early settlers of eastern Iowa. One son, John William, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Holtz. He is now living at home.
For a number of years Mr. Holtz has filled the office of school treasurer. He also served seven years as township clerk and two years as township as- sessor. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a stanch supporter, being steward and treasurer at the present time. As one of the prominent men of Sweetland township. Mr. Holtz has assisted materially in forwarding the best interests of his part of the county and is always willing to lend a hand in advancing any worthy movements that have for their object the promotion of friendship and good-will among men.
JOHN A. WILL.
John A. Will, residing at 109 West Fifth street in Muscatine, is prominently connected with agricultural and stock-raising interests in this section of the state. Pennsylvania numbers him among her native sons, his birth having oc- curred in Cumberland county, November 17, 1836. His father, Joseph Will, was also born in the Keystone state and was a farmer by occupation. He mar- ried Miss Weiser, a native of Switzerland, and they established their home in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where were born unto them five children, two sons and three daughters, namely: Henry; Mary, who became the wife of Nelson Poole; Catharine, who married a Mr. Hoover; Elizabeth, the wife of Isaac Weaver; and John A., of this review. All are now deceased with the exception of the last named, who was but three months old when his mother died, in February, 1837. His parents were of the Lutheran faith. The father died in Richland county, Ohio, in 1841, and John A. Will was thus left an orphan when less than five years of age. He was reared by a good Lutheran family by the name of Sheeley, who lived in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, until he had passed the age of seven years, when they removed to Iowa, bring-
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ing Mr. Will with them. Mr. Sheeley purchased a farm of eighty acres in Lake township and there the foster parents of our subject passed away when well advanced in life.
John A. Will was reared in their home as a farm boy and attended the dis- trict schools. He started out independently to earn his living when sixteen or seventeen years of age by cutting cord wood at seventy-five cents per cord, yet made his home with the Sheeley family until he attained his majority. For a time he worked at odd jobs, accepting any employment that would yield him an honest living. Afterward he purchased two yoke of oxen and engaged in breaking prairie for several years prior to turning his attention to farming on his own account. His first purchase of land in 1867 made him the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Lake township, upon which a cabin had been built and an orchard set out. He erected a good frame dwelling there, improved the place and later extended its boundaries by the additional purchase of a tract of two hundred and forty acres. Upon that farm he resided until 1882, when he purchased the old Lucas place of two hundred and forty acres, occupying it until 1904, when he removed to Muscatine. He still owns that farm and sev- eral other properties, his landed possessions aggregating about seven hundred acres, from which he derives a splendid annual income. In addition to the cul- tivation of cereals best adapted to soil and climate while upon the farm, he en- gaged in breeding thoroughbred Hereford cattle for fourteen years and was remarkably successful both in that work and in the cultivation of the fields.
On the 13th of March, 1862, Mr. Will was married to Miss Mary Ann Mc- Coy, a daughter of Daniel and Elsina McCoy, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of New York, while their daughter, Mary A., was born on Long Island, July 4, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Will were the parents of nine children. Chester, living on the old home farm, married Adella Barnard and has three children : Glenn, Helen and Herschel. Frances, the second of the family, is at home. Charles, a farmer and stockman, living in Muscatine, married Amanda Fletcher and has two children, Harold and Ralph. Edward, who follows farm- ing and dairying in Bloomington township, married Adella Barger and has two daughters, Margaret and Blanche. Joseph, who follows farming in Blooming- ton township, wedded Grace Ayers and they have four children : Allen, Gayle, Esther and John. Elsie lives at home. John Webb, who is engaged in the butchering business in Muscatine, married Phoebe Barnard, who died, leaving two children, Earle and Mildred. Bert, who is in partnership with his brother John, married Carrie Smalley and they have one child, Sadie Bernice. One of the children of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Will died in infancy. The mother passed away March 14, 1910, at the age of seventy years and eight months. She was reared in the Episcopal faith but at her death was a member of the Methodist church.
Mr. Will was reared a Lutheran but also became a member of the Methodist church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as supervisor, school director and township trustee but has never been a politician in the commonly accepted sense of the term, preferring to devote his time and energies to business affairs which, guided by his sound judgment, have
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brought to him a substantial return, making him one of the prosperous citizens of the county. He is now practically living retired although he has valuable farming interests to which he gives his personal supervision. He has ever been reliable as well as progressive in business affairs and his name is an honored one among business men throughout the county.
JOHN F. LUTJE.
One of the well known farmers of Muscatine county now living retired in Stockton is John F. Lutje, who was born in Germany on the 15th of May, 1854, being a son of Hans and Anna Lutje, also natives of Germany. The parents came to the United States in 1873 and first settled in Scott county, Iowa, but later came to Stockton, Muscatine county, where they lived for several years. They then removed to Nebraska, and while on a visit back to his son the father died in 1883. They were the parents of thirteen children, three of whom sur- vive, as follows: Eggert F., a resident of Kansas; Lena, the wife of Hans Weis of Nebraska; and John F. For her second husband the mother married John Gable, of Nebraska, and they lived on a farm in that state until 1907, at which time Mr. Gable passed away and the widow made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Weis, until her death December 7, 1910.
John F. Lutje remained a member of his father's household in the father- land until he was seventeen years of age, at which time he decided that the United States offered more and better inducements to energetic and ambitious young men than his native land and in 1871-two years before his parents emi- grated-he sailed for America. When he reached New York he resolutely started westward feeling assured that to people of limited means it afforded greater opportunities. He located in Scott county, Iowa, and for six years he worked as a farm hand by the month. Always thrifty, he carefully laid aside a portion of his wages each month and in 1877 he became an independent farmer. After renting land for three years he had by means of close application, good management and industry accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to realize his ambition-a farm of his own. He bought an eighty acre tract, which he cultivated for twenty-five years, and at the end of that period he was able to retire, which fact is a tribute to his capable and well directed effort.
Mr. Lutje has been twice married, his first wife to whom he was united on the 24th of October, 1876, was Miss Mary Evers, a native of Germany, who came to America with her mother and here the mother passed away while on a visit to one of her children. The father died in Germany at the venerable age of eighty-three years. Mrs. Lutje passed away on the 27th of November, 1905, and was laid to rest in Durant cemetery, Muscatine county, Iowa. The following year Mr. Lutje married his present wife, who was Miss Amalie Blunk, a native of Scott county, Iowa, who was born on the 2d of December, 1887, a daughter of Christ and Recker Blunk, both natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Blunk came to the United States at an early date and settled on a farm in Scott county and lived on same until 1908, when they removed to Texas, where they
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continue to live, the father at the age of fifty years and the mother at fifty-one years of age. They are the parents of the following children : Minnie, the wife of Charley Wolfe, of Muscatine county, Iowa; Amelia, also a resident of Mus- catine county ; Lena, who married William Geese, of this county; William, of Stockton, Iowa; Mrs. Lutje; August and Emil, also residents of Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lutje have been born two children : John F., born on the 14th of January, 1907; and Harvey William, born on the 31st of October, 1909.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Lutje are members of the German Lutheran church. Ever since granted the full rights of citizenship by naturalization Mr. Lutje has cast his ballot for the candidates of the republican party and his party fealty has been rewarded by his constituency having made him treasurer of the school board for four years, while he is at present serving his third term as road super- visor in Cleona township, Scott county. He has met with more than an average degree of success since he came to America, being the owner of a nice residence in Stockton and one hundred and sixty acres of land in South Dakota. He has a competence which is sufficient to provide his family with all of the necessities and some of the luxuries of life.
JESSE CHARLES WOOD.
A highly respected citizen of Muscatine county, Jesse C. Wood is, as a breeder of pure blooded hogs, assisting very materially in adding to the wealth of the country. He is also contributing to the permanent growth of the farming interests. Born in Sweetland township, September 7, 1863, he is a son of Charles P. and Sarah H. (Carr) Wood, a record of whom is given in the sketch of Addison James Wood elsewhere in this work. There were seven children in the family, the subject of this review being the sixth in order of birth. The others were: Martha and Mary, both of whom died in infancy; Addison James, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; William Griffith, who married Susan Deitrick and is the father of three children: Charles Levy, Agnes and Herbert; Walter H., deceased; and Ida S., who married Albert Phelps, of Knox- ville, Iowa, and is the mother of four children: Bernice, Harry, Claude and Mark.
Jesse C. Wood received his education in the district schools and was reared upon his father's farm, assisting in its work and showing great interest, espe- cially in the farm animals. At eighteen years of age he went to Keith county, Nebraska, where he remained for several years, engaging in mercantile business. Yielding to a desire to travel further, he became a resident of Oklahoma and was in that territory in 1892 at the time when the lands were thrown open and thousands of eager home-seekers made a dash for desirable locations. He owned at one time fifty lots in Oklahoma. He next journeyed to the Pacific coast, where he remained for several years, engaging in various enterprises. In 1898 he returned to Muscatine county and purchased sixty acres of land on section 7, Sweetland township, which he thoroughly cultivated, meeting with the reward of perseverance and well applied industry. He is a large stock-raiser and makes
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MIR. AND MRS. J. C. WOOD
YOUL.C LIBRARY
AUTOR, LENOX AND TULLA FOUNDATIONS.
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a specialty of breeding Duroc Jersey hogs. He has produced some of the finest specimens of this breed that have ever been sent out of Muscatine county, ani- mals from his farm having carried off many prizes at the agricultural fairs of Iowa.
On the 21st of August, 1907, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Florence Cooling, a daughter of Frederick and Emma (James) Cooling, the former of whom was born in New York state and the latter in Illinois. Her parents were married in Illinois and later removed to Wilton Junction, Iowa, where the mother is still living, but the father passed away on the 2d of August, 1900. Mrs. Wood is the third in order of birth in a family of seven children, the others being: Nettie, the wife of C. M. Higley of Cawker City, Kansas ; Anna, deceased; Richard C .; Albert C .; Louis F .; and Eugenia, the wife of Rev. W. O. Harless, of Indianola, Iowa.
Although Mr. Worth gives little attention to politics, his time being mainly devoted to his private affairs, he has served in public office and is now clerk of his township. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Modern Brotherhood of America. In his work as a stock-breeder he has won a reputation that extends far beyond the boundaries of Musca- tine county and he is regarded as one of the most progressive citizens of his locality.
R. FRANK BENHAM.
It requires a man of courage, strength of character and good judgment to fill the office of sheriff in such a way as to meet the approval of the tax-payers of a county. The subject of this review is now sheriff of Muscatine county, Iowa, and has so conducted the office as to merit the commendation of all law- abiding citizens, also promoting a wholesome regard for law throughout the county.
He was born at Versailles, Ripley county, Indiana, March 13, 1864, and is a son of Milford and Ann (Smith) Benham, both of whom were born in In- diana. The father was a native of Ripley county and for years was editor of the Versailles Republican. On the evening of April 14, 1865, he and his family landed from a Mississippi river steamboat at Muscatine, where he still resides. He engaged as buyer and shipper of grain and hay for a number of years and for the past twenty years has been identified with the agricultural implement business. He has taken great interest in educational affairs and served with credit as president of the school board of Muscatine. Although he never urged his claims for public office, he was elected to the city council as alderman of the third ward for several terms, being known as one of the most valued members of that body. The mother of our subject was called from earthly scenes in March, 1905, at the age of sixty-six years. James Benham, the paternal grand- father, was a native of Tennessee and was of English descent. He engaged in farming and emigrated to Indiana, being one of the sturdy pioneers of that state. There were ten children in his family: Milford, Jacob L., James, Harri- Vol. II-29
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son, Andrew, William, deceased, Lina, Zora, Susan and Ellen, deceased. The maternal grandfather was John Wesley Smith, who was a native of New York but removed to Indiana, becoming county treasurer of Ripley county. His wife, who was Mary Kennedy before her marriage, lived to the age of seventy-nine years but her husband died in middle life. Three children blessed their union : Robert K., a soldier of the Civil war, who was killed at the battle of Perry- ville, Kentucky; Carl W., a prominent physician of Muscatine; and Ann, who became Mrs. Benham. To Milford and Ann Benham four children were born: R. Frank, our subject ; J. Mell, of Muscatine; Bert C., also of Muscatine; and Ettie, the wife of C. S. Guthrie, of Muscatine.
R. Frank Benham was brought to Muscatine by his parents at the age of one year, one month and one day and has since made his home in this city. He was educated in the public schools and after laying his books aside assisted his father in the implement business until 1895, when the latter temporarily retired. Our subject then became associated with Fred Giessler in the same line, con- tinuing with marked success until 1907, when he gave up mercantile pursuits, having been elected sheriff of Muscatine county. This position he has filled to the general satisfaction of voters of the county irrespective of their party affilia- tion, being also a prime favorite with the judges of the court on account of the fidelity with which he performs his duties.
On the 9th of May, 1894, Mr. Benham was united in marriage to Mrs. Minnie Lee, the widow of Melvin Lee. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Rosenbach, both of whom were born in Germany. Her father came to Iowa about 1855 and settled at Buffalo, where he still resides at the age of eighty-five years. His wife died after having passed her seventieth year. There were eight children in their family: Julius; August; Gustave; Louis; Minnie, now Mrs. Benham; Louisa, the wife of Henry Herman; Mrs. Edward Swan ; and Alvina, now Mrs. P. M. Johnson, of Sioux City, Iowa. Mrs. Benham was the mother of two children by her former marriage: Fred Lee, who married Ethel Girard; and Edna, now the wife of Henry Lashanzkey.
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