USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 61
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STEPHEN P. SAWYER.
Among the elder business men of Muscatine who are honored by the com- munity for what they have accomplished may be named Stephen P. Sawyer, now retired. He was born in West Amesbury, Massachusetts, January 13, 1832, and is a son of Stephen and Sallie B. (MeQuesten) Sawyer. The father was a native of Massachusetts and the mother of New Hampshire. Stephen Sawyer, Sr., was a farmer and lived near West Amesbury but died at Concord, New Hampshire. His wife departed this life in 1858. They were the parents of four children : Luther D .; Mary E., who married Horatio Laws; Samuel F .; and Stephen P. The maternal grandfather was David McQuesten, who was born September 27, 1758, and was called away July 29, 1828. He married Mar- garet Fisher, of Londonderry, New Hampshire, who was born in 1760 and 'de- parted this life in 1833. Eight children were in their family : William, Samuel, Sallie B., David, Margaret N., Eliza, Calvin and Mary P. Margaret N. Mc- Questen was never married. She lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years and four months and died in the room where she was born.
The McQuesten family in this country dates back to William MeQuesten, the immigrant ancestor, who came to America about 1735 and settled at Litch- field, New Hampshire. The ancestry originated in Argyllshire, Scotland, and removed to Coleraine in the north of Ireland near the close of the sixteenth century. Deacon Samuel MeQuesten, one of the noted American members of the family, was a son of David and Margaret (Fisher) McQuesten and was born in Litchfield, New Hampshire, in 1789. He removed with his parents in 1795 to Bedford, now Manchester, where members of the family have ever since resided. The house in which the family lived until the autumn of 1895 was one of the historic buildings of the state and was erected in 1760, before the Revolutionary war. Deacon McQuesten was an uncle of William Wirt Mc- Questen, a cousin of our subject and a partner with him in the hardware busi- ness in Muscatine for a number of years.
Stephen P. Sawyer made his home in Massachusetts and New Hampshire until 1849 and was educated in the public schools of those states. At the age of seventeen he went to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where he continued for twen- ty-three years engaging in the manufacture of agricultural implements. He came to Muscatine, Iowa, in 1871, and has ever since resided in this city with the exception of two years, which he spent in California. Here he was for eighteen
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years junior member of the firm of McQuesten & Sawyer, the partners retiring in 1894 in the interests of their sons, who then took charge. The business which they developed grew to large proportions and the name of McQuesten & Sawyer became familiar over a wide region in the valley of the Mississippi.
On the 21st of June, 1853, Mr. Sawyer was united in marriage to Miss Frances P. Gillitt, a daughter of David Paul and Lucinda (Hall) Gillitt. She was a native of Newport, New Hampshire, born September 1, 1832. She was called from earthly scenes March 18, 1897, after a long life of usefulness and unselfishness. Seven children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Saw- yer : Ida M., who married Colonel Fred Welker of Muscatine; Frank P., who married Joanna Wells and has three children, Henry P., Aura M. and Maude W .; Aura A., at home ; Clara S., who married Dr. S. G. Stein, of Muscatine, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Samuel F., who married Nellie Stephens, at Springfield, Missouri, and died April 13, 1901, after some years devoted to the hardware business in Muscatine; Jennie H., who married Lyle C. Day, October 18, 1905, and is the mother of one child, Donald Sawyer; and Armina Rosaline, who died at three years of age, December 19, 1861.
Mr. Sawyer holds membership in the Presbyterian church, as did also his wife. Politically he is in sympathy with the republican party. He is known as a good business man and a patriotic citizen, who has always assisted to the ex- tent of his ability in advancing the public interests. Through years of earnest endeavor he won success and easily ranks as one of the substantial men of Mus- catine, belonging to that class which leaves a permanent impress for all that is most desirable in American life.
EDWARD JOHN ZEIDLER.
Edward John Zeidler, a well known representative of commercial interests in Muscatine, is proprietor of the leading dry-goods establishments of the city, wherein is displayed a large line of everything to be found in a well equipped store of this character. Progressive methods characterize him in all that he undertakes and he has ever regarded obstacles and difficulties in his path rather as an impetus for renewed effort. Laudable ambition, too, has prompted him to put forth unfaltering energy and he is today numbered among those who are contributing to the commercial stability of the city as well as to individual suc- cess.
He was born in Muscatine, March 19, 1864, a son of William and Christina (Zoble) Zeidler, both of whom are natives of Luebeck, Prussia. The former was a son of Gottlob Zeidler, who came to America in 1853 with his family and settled in Muscatine about 1855. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, following that pursuit in his native land, but took up carpentering after coming to the new world. Both he and his wife died in Burlington, Iowa, at an advanced age, after living for a number of years in that city, the death of Mr. Zeidler occurring when he had reached the age of eighty-two years, and Mrs. Zeidler at the age of sixty-nine. They had four children, William, Henrietta, Hannah and Edward.
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The maternal grandparents were also natives of Germany and the grandfather there engaged in business as a cattle-dealer. Both he and his wife died in Ger- many, he being eighty-two years of age and his wife seventy-six. They had twelve children, including: Carl, Henry, Julia, August, William, Louise, Chris- tina, Hannah, Julia and Hannah, deceased.
William Zeidler learned and followed cabinet-making when in Germany but as a young man came to the new world, for favorable reports had reached him concerning its excellent business opportunities and other advantages. He settled first in New Orleans in 1853 and about 1855 came to Iowa, taking up his abode in Muscatine, where he has since engaged in carpentering and building, being closely identified with building operations in this city for more than a half cen- tury. He and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist church. Their family numbered four sons and four daughters, namely : Henry W., Charles A .; Edward J .; Clara S., the wife of Paul Steinmetz; Hannah ; Arthur B .; and two who died in early childhood.
Edward J. Zeidler has always been a resident of Muscatine so that his life history is well known to many of his fellow townsmen. In his boyhood he at- tended the public schools and after completing his education began clerking. He also worked in a sawmill during the vacation periods and early learned to cor- rectly value industry and energy. In 1890 he formed a partnership with J. L. McColm and E. Reinemund, under the name of the McColm Dry Goods Com- pany, the partnership being maintained until Mr. Reinemund sold his interest in 1896. Business was successfully conducted under the same name for about twelve years, or until 1908, when Mr. Zeidler sold his interest to Mr. McColm and for a year rested from further labor. He then purchased the store of Tobin & Malone in the spring of 1909 and now has a well equipped dry-goods estab- lishment, his stock occupying two floors, while employment is furnished to a number of salespeople. His business methods never seek nor require disguise. He is straightforward and honorable in all that he does and his success is the logical result of close application and ability.
On the 9th of December, 1897. Mr. Zeidler was married to Miss Emma Mark, a daughter of Barthol and Elizabeth Mark. Mrs. Zeidler was born in Muscatine, where her parents located at an early day on coming to this country from Hessen- Kassel, Germany. The father died here in 1868 and the mother passed away in 1903 at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. They had several children. including Frederick J., John, Frank, Emma and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Zeidler have become the parents of one son and one daughter, Mark Allison and Eleanor Alice, but the former died at the age of six years.
The parents are devoted members of the Methodist church and Mr. Zeidler is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership with Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; De Molay Commandery, No. I. K. T .; Webb Council, No. 18, R. & S. M .; Zarephath Consistory, No. 4, S. P. R. S .; and Kaaba Temple, N. M. S. He is also a member of Wyoming Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and his political faith is indicated by the support which he gives to the men and measures of the republican party. He has never sought to figure in any political connection, yet in matters of citizenship is always progressive, lending his aid and influence to
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every movement which he deems of value. He is a representative of our best type of American manhood and chivalry. By diligence and determination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstacles which ever bar the path to success and has reached the goal of prosperity, while his genuine worth, broad mind and public spirit have made him the director of public thought and action.
AUGUST PAUL.
August Paul is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to Muscatine county, who during the years of his residence here has invested in farm land from time to time until his possessions now embrace six hundred acres in this county, and he also owns a half section of land in South Dakota. He is a native of Saxony, Germany, his natal day being December 23, 1853. His father, August L. Paul, was born July 27, 1817. In early life he learned the shoemaker's and carpenter's trades, working for seven years with one master at the former trade. He started for America on the 11th of October, 1854, with his daughter Caroline, she being at that time 10 years of age, and the rest of his family set sail for the United States about the Ist of May, 1856, taking ship at Bremen, and after eight weeks spent on the water landing in Muscatine on the 5th of July of that year. The father was married in his native land, Janu- ary 17, 1841, to Miss Christina Elizabeth Wagner, who was born in 1814. Their union was blessed with four children: Caroline, who became the wife of Chris- tian Blockert, and died in April, 1895; Augusta, the widow of Fred W. Schiele, of Cedar county, Iowa; August, of this review; and one who died in infancy. Both the parents are now deceased, the mother passing away in January, 1892, when seventy-eight years of age, while the father, surviving for several years, departed this life on the 23d of April, 1903, when he had reached the extreme old age of eighty-six years.
August Paul, whose name introduces this review, was not yet three years of age when he was brought by his mother to the new world, and with the exception of one winter spent in Buffalo, this state, he has resided in Muscatine county continuously since. He was reared to the work of the home farm, remaining with his parents until his marriage, during which time he gave his father the benefit of his services. Following that important event in his life he continued with his father in Montpelier township for two years and subsequently spent eight years in Fulton township. It was about that time that the death of his mother occurred, and Mr. Paul then returned to the home farm to care for his father. He lias, however, lived on his present farm since March, 1898, having here one hundred acres of well improved land, located on section 36, Sweetland township, while on section 35 of the same township he owns two hundred acres. The old home place comprises three hundred acres, on sections 4 and 5, Montpelier township, so that his possessions in Muscatine county embrace six hundred acres and in addition he owns three hundred and twenty acres in Brown county. South Dakota. One of his sons operates the latter tract, while another son manages the old Paul homestead. Mr. Paul has followed farming through-
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out his entire life, and that his labors have brought him substantial results is evidenced in the extensive landholdings which he now has.
On the 16th of March, 1882, Mr. Paul was married to Miss Louisa Drumm, who was born in Illinois on the 7th of June, 1858. Her parents, Adam and Eliz- abeth (Brown) Drumm, were both natives of Germany, the former born in Byrne and the latter in Hesse, but they were married in this country. For many years they lived in Montpelier township and there the father passed away. The mother still survives at the age of seventy-four years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Paul has been blessed with twelve children: Fred, who died at the age of twelve years; Clara, who died when six years old; Henry, who operates his father's farm in Montpelier township; Lizzie, the wife of George Grimm, their home being on her father's farm in Sweetland township; Edward, who operates his father's land in South Dakota; and Elmer, Carrie, Iva, Anna, Adam, Minnie and Merril, all of whom are under the parental roof.
Mr. Paul is a republican in his political belief although at local elections he casts an independent ballot. Aside from filling minor offices on the school board, he has never aspired to public positions. He has ever led a busy, active and useful life and at the same time commands the respect and high regard of all with whom he comes in contact, for his life has ever conformed to the highest principles of manhood.
JOHN SYWASSINK.
That the life history of John Sywassink is a record of success is due to the persistent effort and intelligently directed industry which he has displayed through the many years of his connection with agricultural interests of Musca- tine county. Although reared a city boy, he nevertheless sought his fortune amid the scenes and environment of farm life and has never regretted his choice of agriculture as a lifework, for the prosperity which has attended his efforts has been most gratifying and substantial. His entire life has been spent within the borders of Muscatine county, his birth having occurred in the city of Mus- catine on the 18th of November, 1860.
His parents, John W. and Jennie Gertrude (Warrenhuise) Sywassink, were natives of Holland, where the former was born on the 5th of November, 1829. and the latter on the 22d of October, that year. There they were reared and in early life sailed for the new world on the same ship, which left Holland on the 5th of September, 1854, and arrived in the United States on the IIth of November, whereupon they made their way direct to Muscatine, Iowa. They had been acquainted in their native country and a year after their arrival here were united in marriage, the ceremony being celebrated on the 16th of November, 1855. They continued to make their home in this city until 1880, and for twenty- seven years Mr. Sywassink was employed as a laborer by the Musser Lumber Company. At the expiration of that period he removed to a farm about five miles west of Muscatine and there was engaged in agricultural pursuits for ten years, after which he retired from active life. He and his wife were both devoted
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and faithful Christians, having joined the German Presbyterian church in 1857. They remained members of that denomination until 1890, when it was reorgan- ized and became the Dutch Reformed church, at which time they became iden- tified with the new organization and continued to hold membership therein. They traveled life's journey happily together for many years, living to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary, and were only separated by the death of the wife on the 23d of October, 1908. Mr. Sywassink survives and makes his home in Moscow. Their family consisted of six children, as follows: Jennie, the . deceased wife of John Van Gent; John, of this review; Garret William, a resi- dent of Muscatine; Henry, also of this city; George, who passed away in 1902; and Benjamin, of Moscow township.
Spending the period of his boyhood and youth in his native city, John Sywassink enjoyed good educational privileges as a pupil in the grammar schools, which he attended until graduated therefrom in due course of time. He was still but a lad when he accepted his first position as water carrier in Musser Lumber Company's yards and for four years was employed in that capacity, receiving at first for his labors twenty-five cents per day, then fifty cents and later sev- enty-five cents. He was employed by that company as a general laborer for about eight years and then became identified with the Young America Flour Mills, with which he remained as deliverer for five years. Up to this time he had been imbued with a spirit of ambition and determination, for throughout the inter- vening years he had been actuated by a desire that some day his efforts should more directly benefit himself. He therefore practiced strict economy and at length was able to invest in real estate in Muscatine. Upon severing his connec- tion with the flour mills he purchased his present farm, trading his town prop- erty in as partial payment. This farm, located on section 19, Sweetland town- ship, has remained his home for the past twenty-two years and is one of the val- uable properties of the township. It consists of one hundred and eighty acres, all under a high state of cultivation, and as he has prospered in his undertakings he has been able to add to his holdings, being now the owner of another tract of one hundred acres on section 24, this township, which is now being operated by his son-in-law. Energy, industry and perseverence have ever been salient charac- teristics in his career and have been supplemented by a capacity for hard work and wise management which has insured a most gratifying degree of success in his agricultural enterprise.
It was on the 27th of December, 1883, that Mr. Sywassink was united in marriage to Miss Louise Charlotte Kemper, who was born in Montpelier town- ship, Muscatine county, on the 23d of November. 1859. She is a daughter of Henry and Charlotte (Weinberg) Kemper, who are now deceased and are men- tioned elsewhere in this volume in the sketch of their son, John Kemper. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sywassink have been born seven children, as follows: Lottie, the wife of William Testrake, who is operating his father-in-law's farm in Mont- pelier township; Gertrude, John, Henry, Charles, Louise and Nettie, all at home.
In politics Mr. Sywassink keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and gives stalwart support to the republican party. He has ever cham- pioned the cause of education, having for thirteen years served as school officer of district No. 4. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at
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Sweetland, of which he is a trustee, and does all in his power to extend its in- fluence throughout the community. Indeed all matters pertaining to the mate- rial, political, intellectual and moral welfare of the county are of deep interest to him and solicit his earnest effort in their behalf. Possessed of those qualities which ever inspire respect and confidence in one's fellowmen, the life record of John Sywassink is in contradistinction to the old adage that "A prophet is never without honor save in his own country," for in Muscatine county, within whose boundaries his entire life has been spent, he has won for himself a circle of warm friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
J. W. WEAVER.
In a beautiful home at Wilton Junction lives J. W. Weaver, retired, having accumulated a competence for himself and family. He was born in Leiters- burg, Maryland, January 11, 1841, a son of James and Anna (Swisher) Weaver, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father moved to Maryland from Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1832. Nine years later he camne west to Ogle county, Illinois, and in 1865 came to Iowa, where he bought land. He then returned to Illinois for his family, and there died. Before coming west lie was engaged in business as a druggist and was also in the hotel business. He was of German lineage, his father having been born in Germany. The parents of our subject were married in the Keystone state. The mother died in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1859. There were nine children in the family, four of whom grew to maturity : Christian R., deceased; J. W., our subject ; Charles A., also deceased; and Lydia A., the wife of George Kaiser of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The father of these children was twice married, his second wife being a Mrs. Sandford, whose maiden name was Osterhaut. There were no children by this marriage.
J. W. Weaver received his education in the district schools and continued at home until 1865, when he moved with the family to Iowa. After arriving at this state he worked for two years at the carpenter's trade and then farmed on rented property until 1872, when he began purchasing land in Cedar county for himself. As time advanced hie prospered until now he is the owner of one hundred and seventy acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has lived in Wilton Junction since 1906, when he acquired one of the finest resi- dences in the town.
In 1867 Mr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Keiser and eight children were born to them : Carrie A., now the wife of Robert Wilkerson, a contractor and builder of Wilton Junction ; Margaret A., on the home farm; Charles Franklin, also on the home farm; Alice M., deceased; Etta S., the wife of William Leach, a farmer of Cedar county; Minnie E., deceased; Emory A., a farmer of Cedar county ; and Myrtle V., now teaching school in Cedar county. The mother of these children having been called away, Mr. Weaver was married in July, 1905, to Mrs. Susan Kite, of Cedar county, her maiden name being Susan Keiser. She was born in Page county, Virginia, a daughter of Reuben
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MR. AND MRS. J. W. WEAVER
THE N. W YO PUBLIC L'O.
ACTOR, LENTY ILDE
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
and Margaret Keiser. Her father came to Cedar county in 1849 and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1871. Mrs. Weaver was married in 1861 to Oliver Kite, a farmer, who was born in Page county, Virginia. There were six children in their family: Isabel Margaret, now the wife of George Mosier, of Spokane, Washington; Mary Frances, the wife of Frank T. Smith, who lives near Sioux City, Iowa; William Harvey, deceased; Anna E., now Mrs. Samuel Smith, of O'Brien county, Iowa; Amanda Melissa, the wife of Curtis Shiry, of O'Brien county ; and John F., of Sioux City, Iowa.
Politically Mr. Weaver is independent. He has not been a seeker for public office, but he held all the offices in his township except those of clerk and justice of the peace. He has since his youth been a close observer and has traveled ex- tensively in the United States, visiting all the principal points between New York and San Francisco. He is a man of broad views, not only in politics, but also in religion. While a believer in Christianity, he is an advocate of unity in work for all churches, the Golden Rule being his standard of conduct and life.
HENRY UMLANDT.
Henry Umlandt, president and general manager of the Automatic Button Com- pany of Muscatine, Iowa, comes of good German ancestry. He was born in the province of Hanover, in the village of Hamelwordenermoor, Germany, February 4, 1869, and is a son of Matthias and Anna (Oest) Umlandt. The father has al- ways been a laboring man and, desiring to secure better advantages for his child- ren than he himself had enjoyed, he came to America in 1882 and located at Mus- catine, where he has since resided. The mother departed this life in 1901, at the age of fifty-three years. Our subject's grandfather, Henry Umlandt, was a farmer of Germany and lived to be seventy years of age. He reared a large family including Matthias, Jacob, Mary, Catharine and Margaretta. The ma- ternal grandfather, Henry Oest, was also a farmer. There were two children in his family, Anna and Peter, and he and his wife died in middle life. Eleven children were born to Matthias and Anna Umlandt, nine of whom grew to ma- turity : Henry, our subject ; Claus, deceased ; Peter, of Muscatine; John, a farmer of Muscatine county ; William, also of Muscatine; Minnie, the wife of Herman Dietrich, of Muscatine; Mary, now Mrs. Henry Martin, of Muscatine; Eliza- beth, the wife of Clarence Beitel, of Grace Hill, Washington county, Iowa; and Anna, the wife of James Boston, of Muscatine.
The subject of this review arrived in America at thirteen years of age and grew to manhood in Muscatine. He received a common-school education in Ger- many and had the advantage of two months in the public schools of Muscatine. His services were necessary in the support of a large family and he soon laid his books aside and began working for wages in the sawmills of the Hershey and the Musser Lumber Companies. Several years later he became driver of a gro- cery delivery wagon and later of a beer wagon. He tended bar for four years and for six years ran a retail liquor establishment. In the meantime, however, he had entered the button business and in 1899 became associated with John Weber Vol. II-31
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