USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 59
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PAUL STEINMETZ.
Not a few of the leading business men of Muscatine were born in the state of Iowa and many of them are natives of this city and have here passed their entire lives. Among the number may be named Paul Steinmetz, whose eyes first opened to the light of day August 19, 1866. He is a son of Conrad and Catharine (Hahn) Steinmetz, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was a cabinet-maker in the old country. He came to America after ar- riving at manhood and located in Muscatine, Iowa, where he followed his trade and worked for the Stein Furniture Company, being connected with that com- pany for about fifty years. He departed this life August 2, 1896, at the age of seventy-six years, having been born February 6, 1820. His wife still sur- vives and is a member of the German Methodist church, as was her husband. They were the parents of six children: Anna, who married Adam Beck and is now deceased; Louise, of Muscatine; John H., deceased; Paul, our subject ; Arthur, of Muscatine; and Katie, who died when she was about four years old.
Paul Steinmetz was educated in the public schools of this city and after lay- ing his books aside he was employed for a short time by the Stein Furniture Company. He next engaged as clerk for four years in Jackson's U. S. Clothing Store and then served in a similar capacity in the clothing store of S. & L. Cohn. Having acquired a good knowledge of mercantile operations, he became associated with P. F. Anson in the establishment of a business which was in- corporated as the Anson Clothing Company, of which Mr. Anson is now presi-
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dent and Mr. Steinmetz secretary and treasurer. This firm is one of the enter- prising and progressive concerns of the city and has acquired a wide reputation on account of the ability of its management and the excellence of the goods which it offers for sale.
On the 13th of November, 1890, Mr. Steinmetz was united in marriage to Miss Clara S. Zeidler, a daughter of William and Christina Zeidler, and two children have been born to them: Elmer P. and Esther C.
Politically Mr. Steinmetz affiliates with the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to the prosperity of the state and nation. Fra- ternally he is a valued member of Wyoming Lodge, No. 76, K. P. He and his wife hold membership in the German Methodist Episcopal church and they are liberal supporters of that organization. The life of Mr. Steinmetz has been such as to attract the esteem of those with whom he has come in contact. Thoroughly reliable and trustworthy in business, he has attained deserved success and is known in Muscatine as one of its most estimable citizens.
P. FRANK ANSON.
P. Frank Anson, president of the Anson Clothing Company of Muscatine, was born in this city, September 11, 1856. He is a son of Michael and Alice (Murphy) Anson, both of whom were born in County Tipperary, Ireland. The father was a painter by trade and, like thousands of his countrymen, sought to improve his financial condition by emigration to America. He arrived in St. Louis in 1847 and one year later came to Muscatine, Iowa. where he located per- manently. He became a contractor in his line, being very successful in his business and a remarkably fine workman. He departed this life in 1893, his wife surviving until September 15, 1908, when she passed away at the age of seventy-five years. They were both members of the Roman Catholic church and were married in the little church at the rear of Graham's drug store in 1852. Mr. Anson was an ardent democrat and greatly loved his home and his family. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Richard Anson, was born and reared in the city of Cashel, Ireland. The maiden name of his wife was Margaret Fahey. The maternal grandfather was Philip Murphy, a farmer, who married Johanna Ryan. He died at sea while coming to this country. His wife con- tinued her journey and settled in Muscatine about 1850, where she died at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom grew to maturity ; Michael, Alice, Philip, Patrick, John, Lawrence, Ellen and Mary. To Michael and Alice Anson nine children were born, seven of whom are now living: P. Frank, our subject; Mary, of Muscatine; Elizabeth, the wife of J. J. McNulty, of Muscatine; Joseph, of Kansas City, Missouri; Alice, of Muscatine; Mark M., also of Muscatine; and Margaret, the wife of William Stapleton, of Muscatine.
P. Frank Anson was reared under the favoring influences of a happy home and educated in the public and parochial schools of Muscatine. He began his business career at the painter's trade under his father, which he continued for
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five years. His first experience in the mercantile line was as clerk in the cloth- ing store of Bach & Friedman, being identified with this firm from 1878 to 1882. He next entered the employ of the S. & L. Cohn Clothing Company, and in 1896 in partnership with Paul Steinmetz, he incorporated the Anson Clothing Company, beginning in a small way in the room now occupied by F. W. Swan. By good management the business grew rapidly and in 1899 the company re- moved to its present commodious quarters, consisting of a double store and basement, where one of the largest and best selected stocks of clothing is dis- played that may be seen in the state of lowa.
On the 14th of November, 1888, Mr. Anson was united in marriage to Miss Alice E. Barry, a daughter of Nicholas and Alice ( Potts) Barry, a record of whom is presented elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Anson was born in Rock Is- land and came with her parents to Muscatine in her childhood. She belongs to one of the prominent families of the city. Three children came to brighten the home, two of whom are living: J. Barry and Raphael.
Mr. and Mrs. Anson are members of St. Mathias Catholic church and con- tribute liberally toward its support. Mr. Anson holds membership in the Knights of Columbus, the Commercial Club, the Geneva County Golf Club and the Mus- catine Launch Club. Politically he is a stanch adherent of the democratic party. He was a charter member of the Excelsior Hose Company and for thirty years consecutively served as treasurer of that organization. On the thirtieth anni- versary of the company, in February, 1907, he was presented a gold headed cane by his associates in recognition of his unselfish labors in behalf of the company. He is a valued factor in the private social life of the city and has many friends whom he has attracted by his kindly disposition and genial man- ners. Hence he is honored today not only in business circles but by the best citizens generally irrespective of religious or political affiliation.
DANIEL SAUER.
It is astonishing to witness the success of young men who have emigrated to America without capital and from a position of comparative obscurity have worked their way upward to a position of prominence. The readiness with which they adapt themselves to circumstances and take advantage of opportuni- ties offered brings to them success and wins them a place among the leading men of the community in which they reside. To this class belongs Daniel Sauer, who is today one of the most prominent agriculturists of Muscatine county, he and his sons now operating about one thousand acres of land in this section of Iowa.
Mr. Sauer is a native of Germany, born in Hesse-Darmstadt, February 15, 1840. His parents, Jacob and Barbara (Piffer) Sauer, spent their entire lives in the fatherland, and there reared a family of eight children, several of whom emigrated to the new world but only three of the number are now living. The family record is as follows: Christiana, who became the wife of William Sauer, a cousin, but both are now deceased, their deaths occurring in Scott county,
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Iowa; William, who died of cholera in his native country when thirty-six years of age; Catharine, who became the wife of Henry Link but is now deceased; Daniel, of this review; Elizabeth, who wedded John Link; Barbara, the widow of Jolin Bosson and now a resident of Davenport, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Jacob Picht, of Seattle, Washington; and Lisset, who died in youth.
Daniel Sauer, the fourth in order of birth in his father's family, was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farm lad. He served six years in the regular army in Germany and was honorably discharged in April, 1866, but soon thereafter the war of 1866 broke out and he also enlisted for service, serving until 1867. In the latter year in company with his brother-in-law, William Sauer, who was also his cousin, and his four sisters, he set sail for America. They went direct to Buf- falo, Scott county, Iowa, and there our subject began work at farm labor, being employed by the month for one year. He then operated land on share for one year and for four years cultivated rented land. In 1875 he took up his abode in Muscatine county and with the capital he had saved in the years he had been located in Scott county, he purchased fifty acres of land which constitutes a portion of his present farm. He later invested in forty-five acres more and still later purchased another tract of eighty acres, so that his possessions now embrace one hundred and seventy-five acres, located on section 14, Sweetland township. He has made many improvements on the place, devoting his land to general farming and to the raising of cattle and hogs. He and his sons are now carrying on farming and stock-raising on an extensive scale, although Mr. Sauer merely gives supervision to the work, the sons and their assistants doing the actual labor. The sons now own four hundred and sixty-five acres of land and they also operate a tract of four hundred acres which they rent, so that the Sauer family is numbered among the most prominent in agricultural circles in this section of Iowa. In addition to raising various grains, they raise stock on quite an extensive scale, having at the present time three hundred head of hogs and two hundred and fifty head of cattle in their pastures, while in the work of the farm they use thirty head of work horses.
It was on the 3d of November, 1870, that the marriage of Mr. Sauer and Miss Minnie Soehren was celebrated in Buffalo, Scott county. She was born in Germany, March 1, 1850, and was but four years of age at the time of the emigration of her parents, Henry and Margaret (Braun) Soehren, to the United States. They were natives of Holstein and both passed away in Buffalo, this state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sauer have been born the following children: Anna Elizabeth, the wife of Martin Goddard, who resides on a farm two and a half miles north of Muscatine; William Henry, at home; Bertha May, who died when but eight months old; John, who died when a year old; Minnie Christine, the wife of Max Kretschmer of Sweetland township; George Louis; Edward D .; Frank O., and Albert Carl, who are at home and who are associated with their father in business; and Mabel Margaret and Myrtle Grace, twins, both at home.
Mr. Sauer is a stanch republican in his political views and affiliations. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church but is now identified with the Methodist denomination. Though born across the water he is thoroughly in-
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terested in America and her institutions, enjoying to the full extent the free- dom and opportunity for advancement which this country affords. He has every reason to be proud of what he has accomplished in the new world, for he started out in a strange land in the humble capacity of a farm hand and today he stands prominently among the leading agriculturists of Muscatine county.
SAMUEL M. HUGHES.
Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Muscatine who occupies a more enviable position in financial circles than Samuel M. Hughes, whose suc- cess has been achieved by an honorable, straightforward business policy. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, July 31, 1851, his parents being Thomas R. and Sarah E. (Lowry) Hughes, natives of Dublin, Ireland, and Louisville, Ken- tucky, respectively. The father of Mrs. Hughes was a native of Ohio and was engaged in steamboating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, running from Cin- cinnati to New Orleans, but was stricken with cholera soon after launching a new boat to make her first trip. He passed away when a comparatively young man. Unto him and his wife were born three children: Sarah E., William E. and Samuel H. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Lowry married again, becoming the wife of Dr. Samuel Merry, who was a practicing physician of St. Louis and was also receiver in the public land office there in an early day.
Thomas R. Hughes, the father of Samuel M. Hughes, of this review, spent the period of his minority on the Emerald isle but when a young man crossed the Atlantic to the new world and established his home in St. Louis, where he met and married Miss Sarah E. Lowry. They began their domestic life in that city, where they remained until 1858, when they came to Muscatine county, Mr. Hughes establishing and successfully conducting a general store at Fair- port for two or three years. He died in 1860, when about forty-six years of age, and is still survived by his widow, who is now in her eighty-sixth year. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church and Mrs. Hughes is also a believer in that religion which has its seat in the vatican at Rome. They were the parents of four children, of whom two are now living, William H. and Samuel M.
The latter spent the first seven years of his life in St. Louis and then accom- panied his parents to Muscatine county, while in 1862 he became a resident of the city of Muscatine, where he has since made his home. He pursued his edu- cation in the Greenwood Academy and in the College of the Christian Brothers at St. Louis, attending the latter institution from 1864 until 1866. He then matriculated in the State University at Iowa City, Iowa, and was graduated from the academic and law departments with the class of 1874. The same year he was admitted to the bar and for about nine years engaged in the practice of law. He was then appointed clerk of the district court, which position he filled from January, 1883, until May, 1884, when he resigned to become cashier of the Mus- catine Savings Bank. Ten years later or in 1894 he was chosen cashier of the
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First National Bank and has since contributed in large measure to the success and growth of this institution.
On the 25th of October, 1888, Mr. Hughes was married to Miss Clara A. Brown, a native of this city and a daughter of Thomas and Mary J. Brown, who were natives of Ohio. They came to Muscatine about 1862 and still reside here. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes occupy an attractive home at No. 806 West Third street, which he built in 1888. It has been blessed with the presence of four children : Edward T., Robert W., Louis S. and Florence M. Mrs. Hughes is a member of the Episcopal church and takes deep interest in its work and is well known also in the social circles of the city.
In politics Mr. Hughes is independent, preferring to cast his ballot for men and measures rather than for party. He has lived continuously in this county for fifty-two years and there is no resident of Muscatine more loyal to its interests or more devoted to its welfare. His business record is one which any man might be proud to possess. Starting at the bottom round of the ladder, he has advanced steadily step by step until he is now occupying a position of prominence and trust. Through his entire business career he has been looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, never making an engagement that he has not filled nor incurring obligations that he has not met. He stands today an example of what determination and force, combined with the highest degree of business integrity, can accomplish for a man of natural ability and strength of character.
WILLIAM GEORGE GRIFFITH.
William G. Griffith, for fifteen years past in business at Wilton Junction, was born at Muscatine, Iowa, September 11, 1864. His father, Peter Francis Griffith, who was a native of England, came to the United States about 1848 and stayed for a time in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lost a brother from cholera when that dread disease visited this country many years ago. Traveling westward, Mr. Griffith made his home in St. Louis for a time and then came to Burlington, Iowa, locating in Muscatine about 1860. In 1879 he began in the sash and paint business with Moses Couch. Later he engaged in business in Kansas City but returned to Muscatine and made a trip to England before his death, which occurred in Muscatine about 1894. The mother of our subject was born presumably in Pennsylvania. She was married at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was called away some years before the death of her husband. Six members of the family are now living: Mary, the wife of George Hawley, of Muscatine; Harry, also of Muscatine; Etta; Bertha; William George, our subject; and Richard, of Cincinnati.
William G. Griffith was educated in the public schools of Muscatine and spent some time with his father in Kansas City. In 1883 he took up his resi- dence in Cincinnati, where he remained for one year. The next thirteen years he spent principally in traveling and during that time became thoroughly ac- quainted with the business of undertaking and embalming. In 1894 he returned
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to Muscatine and spent one year in the restaurant business with Frank Jones, then locating permanently at Wilton Junction, where he is identified with the furniture, hardware, undertaking and embalming business under the firm name of Whitmer & Griffith. The firm owns the building which it occupies and by close attention to the wants of the community and keeping thoroughly informed as to the latest and best goods offered in the lines it carries, has built up a lucra- tive patronage, the establishment being known as the largest of its kind in that part of the county, Mr. Griffith is the owner of a fine home in the town and his wife holds the title to valuable real estate in the township.
In 1893 Mr. Griffith was happily united in marriage to Miss Ollie Maud Johnston, a native of Cedar county, Iowa. They have one child, Harry John- ston, now sixteen years of age, who is attending high school, being in his sopho- more year.
Politically Mr. Griffith is connected with the republican party and has served with general acceptance in the town council. Fraternally he holds membership in Wilton Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He has served as president of the Wil- ton Fair Association and at the present time is interested financially in the Slick Telephone Company. Mr. Griffith believes in enjoying life as he goes along and one of his diversions is to ride through the country behind the beautiful trotting horse of which he is the owner. This horse is recognized as one of the handsomest in the locality and is an intelligent animal of which any man might justly be proud.
WILLIAM E. LOEB.
William E. Loeb, mayor of Nichols, Muscatine county, and one of its ener- getic and prosperous business men, was born in Bloomington township, this county, July 16, 1873. He is a son of William and Elizabeth A. (Bauer) Loeb, both of whom were natives of Germany, the father being born in Baden. The mother came to America about 1867 and the father two years later. They were married in Muscatine county, July 18, 1872, and lived upon a farm in the county for sixteen years, renting the land. The family then removed to Muscatine. where Mr. Loeb became connected with a lumber yard. He departed this life September 20, 1901. He was an industrious man of worthy ambitions, being a consistent member of the German Evangelical church. The mother of our sub- ject wlio has arrived at the age of sixty years, is making her home with him. There were seven children in the family: William E .; Herman, who was born August 6, 1875, and is now deceased; John, who was born in 1877 and is also deceased ; Anna, the wife of Albert Burnet, a farmer, who lives near West Lib- erty, Iowa; Martha, now Mrs. Andrew Diercks of Muscatine; Mary, who died in infancy ; and Lena, of Muscatine.
William E. Loeb received his early education in the district schools and re- mained at home, assisting in the support of the family until he was twenty-one years of age. He then began working in a harness shop and after two years' experience in that line engaged in other occupations, resolving in the meantime
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to prosecute his education further. Accordingly he became a student in the German College at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1902. After leaving college, Mr. Loeb entered the ministry and engaged in preaching until 1903. Being attracted to business pursuits, he began in 1904 to buy grain at Nichols for W. C. Adelman, and in 1906 engaged in the same business for the Jackson Grain Company, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was also placed in charge of a lumber yard for W. C. Adelman and still continues in that position. In addition to the business above named, he engages in farming upon a moderate scale. The estimation in which he is held by the people of Nichols is indicated by the fact that since 1910 he has acted as mayor of the town, filling the position in such a way as to meet the general approval of the citizens.
Mr. Loeb is a member of the Methodist church, as is also his mother. Fra- ternally he is identified with Stainless Lodge, No. 445, A. F. & A. M., and Lodge No. 4195, M. W. A. of Nichols. He is a man of varied talents, having excel- lent ability both as a public speaker and in business affairs. His success has been due not only to native ability but to a good education and a reputation for integrity, the latter of which is more to be prized than a great fortune acquired by doubtful means. Mr. Loeb is now in the midst of a career that promises to increase in usefulness and honor as the years pass and, being actuated by high principles, his life cannot fail to be of marked benefit to the community.
MARTIN F. EATON.
Martin F. Eaton, whose services as a painter and decorator are in great de- mand, has made his home in Muscatine and vicinity for a period of forty-eight years and enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance here. His place of busi- ness is at No. 114 Chestnut street. His birth occurred in Fulton township, Mus- catine county, Iowa, on the 27th of March, 1862, his parents being James A. and Mary E. (Davis) Eaton, both of whom are natives of Indiana. The father followed farming in early manhood and took up his abode among the early settlers of this county, purchasing and locating upon a tract of eighty acres in Fulton township, where all except one of his children were born and reared. Being elected sheriff, he served in that capacity for two terms and then became the proprietor of a knitting factory on Second street. Subsequently he pur- chased an interest in the ferry boat and ran it successfully for many years or until the new high bridge was built. He then went to Keokuk and began the operation of a farm near that city but later disposed of the property and bought a farm on the island at Muscatine, where he owned one hundred and thirty-four acres of land. In the summer of 1910 he sold the place and has since lived in honorable retirement. He is widely recognized as a prominent and respected citizen of the community and for four or five years served as city marshal. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Baptist church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives.
They are the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, as follows : Demetrus T., of Muscatine; Calvin, who is a resident of Wichita, Kan- Vol. II-30
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sas; Aren Tesa, the wife of Art S. Lawrence, of Muscatine; Martin F., of this review; Laura, who is the wife of C. B. Bird and resides in Wausau, Wiscon- sin; Rita, who gave her hand in marriage to Carl Tyrrell and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota; and Myrtle, the wife of Charles Bruin, of Kansas City, Missouri.
Martin F. Eaton was reared in the city of Muscatine and vicinity and at- tended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. He was a lad of nine when the family home was established in Muscatine and when about six- teen years of age began clerking in the furniture and undertaking establishment of Charles McCampbell, in whose employ he remained for three years. Subse- quently he spent six years as a printer in the offices of the Muscatine Tribune and Journal and later was with the Ottumwa Democrat for three years. On the expiration of that period he embarked in business as a painter and decorator and his labors in this connection are bringing him a gratifying financial return. He does both house and sign painting and employs a number of able workmen.
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