USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 62
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in the organization of the Automatic Pearl Works. In the early part of 1903, the business having greatly prospered, the firm was incorporated as the Automatic Button Company. Mr. Weber retired from the firm and the company now has the following officers: Henry Umlandt, president and general manager; Peter Um- landt, vice president; William Umlandt, treasurer; and H. H. Fack, secretary. The company originally manufactured one hundred gross of buttons per day, but it now has a capacity of seven thousand gross per day and employs about five hundred persons. The products of its plants are sold in all parts of the world and its name is known in every civilized country. Mr. Umlandt is prominently connected with a number of mercantile organizations. He was one of the original promoters of the Muscatine Building & Loan Association and is treas- urer of the Fairview Land & Improvement Company, the Muscatine Motor Com- pany and of the National Association of Pearl Button Manufacturers. He is president of the Muscatine Produce & Pure Ice Company and in his affairs has shown a clear judgment which places him among the leading business men of the state.
On the 30th of January, 1895, Mr. Umlandt was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Franz, a daughter of William and Wilhelmina Franz, who had five children, Charles, Ernestina, Emma, Elizabeth and Matilda. Three children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Umlandt, Harold William Franz, Carl Henry and Arthur Matthias. Mrs. Umlandt having passed away March 10, 1900, our subject was again married, June 14, 1904, the lady of his choice being Miss Lillian Hagermeister, a daughter of Carl and Lena (Hegeman) Hager- meister. Her father is now living but her mother departed this life in the spring of 1905. They were the parents of four children, Dora, Lillian, Carl and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Umlandt is a public-spirited man and an earnest advocate of public im- provements. He is recognized as a citizen who is always willing to perform his part in advancing the welfare of the community. Politically he is in sym- pathy with the democratic party, although he has strong independent proclivities, which he generally exercises at times of election. He is a stanch advocate of the public-school system and is now serving most acceptably as member of the school board of Muscatine. A man of liberal spirit, he is a generous contributor toward all worthy objects, and his influence may be depended upon in the ad- vancement of every laudable cause.
PROFESSOR RUTHVEN WILSON LEVERICH.
Professor Ruthven W. Leverich, who has devoted his life to educational work and is now conducting a normal and training school in Muscatine where young men and young women are fitted for teaching, was born in Muscatine county about two miles west of Wilton, on the old Muscatine and Tipton road. May 1, 1838. His birthplace was a log cabin in which his parents, Ira and Jane (Morgan) Leverich, had settled during the pioneer epoch in the history of this locality. His paternal grandfather, James Leverich, was a native of New
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York, where he followed the occupation of farming and reared a large family. The maternal grandfather, John Morgan, was a native of Virginia. He, too, followed the occupation of farming and with his family removed from Virginia to Ohio and in an early day they became residents of Iowa, where the remainder of their lives were passed.
Ira Leverich was born in the Empire state, where his youthful days were spent upon a farm, and the occupation to which he was reared he made his life work. On leaving New York he removed to Ohio, afterward becoming a resi- dent of Indiana and in 1836 arrived in Iowa. At that time the city of Musca- tine, which was then called Bloomington, contained only a few log cabins and gave every evidence of being a frontier settlement. He secured a claim in Mos- cow township, upon which he resided for two years, and then removed to Linn county, where he aided in laying out the town of Marion-the county seat. After a short time, however, he sold his interest there and went to Cedar county, where he secured a claim and conducted a farm until 1855. In that year he located in Wilton Junction, where the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad was being built and made his home there until 1867, when he went to Missouri. He died in Oxford in 1892 when in his eighty-sixth year. His wife, who was born in Virginia, passed away in 1885 at the age of seventy-three years. Both were Methodists of the old school, strict in their religious observances, and at all times their lives were most upright and honorable. The father was a soldier of the Black Hawk war. Their family numbered nine children, seven sons and two daughters : Morgan, deceased; Ruthven W .; Marion, living in St. Louis; Perry, who has passed away; Angeline, the wife of B. Reed, of Elko, South Carolina ; Charles, whose home is in Montana; Bruce, deceased; Marilda, the wife of John Sutherland, of Missouri; and William.
Professor Leverich was reared in Muscatine county, where he has made his home throughout his entire life. He began his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses such as were common in primitive days. On each side of the room a log had been removed and little panes of window glass were strung along to fill up the hole and furnish light. Later, however, the school system was more carefully organized, directors were elected and a brick schoolhouse was built. After he had mastered the curriculum of the district school he entered Cornell College and has greatly supplemented his knowledge by broad reading, study, experience and observation. From early manhood he has been connected with the profession of teaching. In the 'zos he became a teacher in the Wilton schools and without his knowledge or solicitation was nominated for the post of county superintendent of schools, his ability causing him to be named for the office. At the ensuing election he was strongly supported by popular suffrage and re- election continued him in office for ten years. His experience during that period served to bring to him a knowledge of the deficiencies and the needs of school teachers and on his retirement from office he opened his present normal and training school to fit young men and women for teaching. He has conducted this institution since 1885 and has made it a valuable adjunct to the educational facilities of this part of the state. He keeps in constant touch with the progress that is being made along educational lines and his initiative spirit has brought
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forth various advanced and progressive ideas, the practical worth of which has stood the test of time.
On the 20th of December, 1859, Professor Leverich was married to Miss Olive Garlock, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Garlock. Of the five chil- dren born of this marriage only two are living: Maude, the wife of W. L. Mull, a wholesale grocer of Muscatine; and Mabel, who is the wife of F. D. Throop, publisher of the Muscatine Journal, and the mother of two children : Marjorie and Mary Katherine. Mrs. Leverich was born in New York, of which state her parents were also natives. Removing westward, they became pioneer residents of Muscatine county.
In his political views Professor Leverich is a republican and, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, is able to support his position by intelligent argument. His work in the educational field has been of distinct value to the county. He has many friends in this part of the state and is al- ways seen in those social circles where the intelligent men of the community are to be found in the discussion of questions of vital importance.
WILLIAM FOSTER BISHOP.
Prominent among the citizens of Muscatine is William Foster Bishop, presi- dent of the Hawkeye Pearl Button Company and one of the native sons of this city, who by the exercise of industry and natural ability has gained an enviable standing in the business world. He was born September 12, 1865, and is a son of Jacob A. and Rebecca Bishop, both of whom were natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father was reared at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and came to Mus- catine at an early day, where he engaged in the grocery business. He departed this life in 1905, at the age of more than four score years, and the mother died in 1879. Both were members of the Congregational church. There were five children in their family, three sons and two daughters: John, deceased; Minnie, who became the wife of Mann Hershey and is now deceased; Nellie A., now Mrs. L. C. Crossman, of Los Angeles, California; Edward, also of Los Angeles ; and William F., our subject.
After receiving his preliminary education in the common schools William F. Bishop entered the high school of Muscatine, from which he was graduated in 1884, at the age of nineteen years. Having decided upon a business career, he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, and became a student at the Eastman Business College, graduating from that celebrated institution in 1885. Return- ing to Muscatine, he entered the wholesale commission house of Hoopes & Son as bookkeeper and later was connected for three or four years with the office of S. & L. Cohn. He then entered into partnership with John S. Sterneman and P. J. Mackey in the wholesale clothing business. Finally in 1900 he associated with C. C. Hagerman in the manufacture of pearl button blanks and the busi- ness has ever since been conducted under the firm name of Bishop & Hager- man. In 1903 this firm, in connection with F. C. Vetter, organized the Hawkeye Pearl Button Company, which was incorporated and has become one of the
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most important concerns of the kind in the country. It maintains a factory at Muscatine and branch factories at Keokuk and Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Canton, Missouri, employing seven or eight hundred persons. The company maintains a branch office in New York city and also carries a large stock of goods in St. Louis, selling to all parts of the United States. Mr. Bishop is also identified with other business enterprises and is a director of the First National Bank of Muscatine.
In 1890, at Muscatine, Mr. Bishop was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Carskaddan, a daughter of Judge Jerome and Marilla (Brown) Carskaddan, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. One child, Jerome, has blessed the union.
Mr. Bishop is a prominent member of the Masonic order, being a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason and belonging to Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; De Molay Commandery, No. I, K. T .; and Zarephath Consistory. Politically he is in sympathy with the re- publican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to the advance- ment of the welfare of the country. He takes a great interest in motor boating and is a member of the Muscatine Launch Club and also of the Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association, serving at present as commodore of the latter organization, which has about three thousand members and is one of the most important associations of the kind in the country. Beginning twenty-five years ago in a subordinate position, Mr. Bishop has steadily advanced and today is a prominent factor in the manufacturing business of the west. This he has ac- complished by close application and sound judgment. He is a man of clear perception and unusual enterprise, and his opinions are always given careful con- sideration by those with whom he is associated, as they are founded on ex- perience and observation. He is a type of the men who control the large in- dustries and are today coming forward not only as the employers of the country but as the peacemakers of the world.
L. N. AYERS.
L. N. Ayers, now living at case in a beautiful home at Wilton Junction, Iowa, has been a resident of the state since his boyhood and for more than forty years past has been actively identified with its progress. He was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1845, his parents being David and Mary (Walters) Ayers. The father was a native of New York state and came to Iowa in 1854. Here he followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1901. The mother was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, and was mar- ried in her native county. She is now living in Cedar county at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. David Ayers two died in infancy. The others were: Sheldon, John and Cobangh, all now deceased; L. N., our subject; Elizabeth, the widow of Jonathan Ford, of Cedar county, Iowa; Amanda, the wife of O. V. Kennison, of Nebraska; H. B., of
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Wilton Junction, Iowa; Peter, of Cedar county; and Etta, the wife of William McCroskey, also of Cedar county.
L. N. Ayers came to Cedar county, Iowa, with his parents at the age of nine years. He received his early education in the common schools and con- tinued upon the home farm until twenty-three years of age. Subsequently he began farming for himself in Cedar county and remained upon the same farm for thirty-three years, in the course of which time he became the owner of five hundred acres upon which he made many improvements. He also owns forty- seven acres which has become quite valuable as it is adjacent to a growing town. During the last five years of his active participation in farming he devoted a great deal of attention to the raising of Hereford cattle and gained an enviable reputation in that line. In the course of many years lie acquired an established reputation as one of the progressive and prosperous citizens of Cedar county and since 1899 he has made his home at Wilton Junction.
In 1868 Mr. Ayers was married to Miss Kate Fulton, of Ohio, and by this union six children were born: Harry F., now managing one of his father's farms in Cedar county ; Frank, Charles and Clarence, deceased; Vera, the wife of Dr. H. H. Johnson, of Wilton Junction; and Fay, at home. The mother of these children passed away July 4, 1907, and on March 24, 1910, Mr. Ayers was united in marriage at Wilton Junction to Miss Ella Detchon, who was born near Wingate, Montgomery county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Heman and Amanda Elizabeth (Agnew) Detchon. Her father was a native of Pennsyl- vania but was reared in Ohio and from there went to Indiana, later taking up his residence in Cedar county, Iowa. He died in Indiana in 1901. In his early life he engaged in the grocery business but later prospered as a farmer. Mrs. Ayers' grandfather Detchon came to this country with his parents from Eng- land in his boyhood. Her mother was born in Parke county, Indiana, and came to Cedar county in 1841. She was married February 22, 1860, to Heman Detchon and departed this life in April, 1873. Three children blessed their union : Preda, the wife of Warner Throckmorton, who lives near Lafayette, In- diana; Ella, now Mrs. Ayers, mentioned; and H. S., a practicing physician of Victor, Iowa. Mr. Detchon was married a second time and there were three children by this union : Lydia, Max and Otto.
Mrs. Ayers came to Wilton Junction in 1876 and made her home with her grandfather. Two years later she took up her residence with her uncle in whose home she remained until her marriage. She received a good education and after arriving at womanhood taught in the rural schools for three years and for seventeen years was identified with the schools of Wilton Junction, being known as one of its most efficient and popular teachers. At twelve years of age she joined the Presbyterian church and has ever since been an active worker in the church and Sunday school.
Mr. Ayers gives his allegiance to the republican party and has filled a num- ber of public offices of trust and responsibility. He has served as school director and trustee, as councilman for three years and for four years as mayor of Wilton Junction. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having passed through all of the chairs of the local lodge, and is identified with the Presby- terian church. He has not only been highly successful in his business affairs
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but has made a host of friends in Muscatine and Cedar counties. He came to this region at a time previous to the Civil war, when settlers were obliged to haul their produce by wagon to Davenport and purchased all of their provisions at that point. His memory carries him back to the log hut which his father built in the wilderness and later to the time when his father brought lumber from Davenport for a more pretentious home. He remembers seeing many In- dians wandering along Sugar creek and also has a clear recollection of the first house built in Wilton Junction. When he first came to this region it was the custom to plow corn with slow-going oxen. The first cultivator used in those days was of primitive pattern and it was necessary to make three furrows for every row of corn. In no department of labor has the introduction of improved machinery been of greater benefit than in that pertaining to the farm.
THOMAS FRANCIS BARRY.
The manufacturing interests of Muscatine are well represented by Thomas Francis Barry, treasurer of the Barry Manufacturing Company and for forty- three years past a resident of this city. He was born in Rock Island, Illinois, October 7, 1862, and is a son of Nicholas and Alice (Potts) Barry, both of whom were born in County Wexford, Ireland. The father learned the tailor's trade in his native country and came to America in 1847, spending nine years in Cleveland, at the end of which time he removed to Rock Island, where he engaged in the gas business. He came to Muscatine in 1867 and in 1876 entered the plumbing, gas and steam fitting business, associating with three of his sons. In 1889 they began handling plumbers' supplies and in the meantime had also become identified with the manufacture of pearl button machinery. The firm employs from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five persons in this line and sells its products in all parts of the United States. The father retired from active business a few years ago and is living with his wife in Muscatine in the enjoyment of the results of many years of well directed labor. Seven children came to bless their home: Patrick; Mary, the widow of Philip Fahey; James, a resident of Chicago; Catherine, the wife of John Hadden, also of Chicago; Nicholas, Jr .; Alice, the wife of Frank Anson, of Muscatine; and Thomas Francis.
The subject of this review was five years old when he came with his parents to Muscatine. He was educated in the parochial schools and after laying his books aside learned the plumber's trade, which he followed for a number of years, associating with his father and two brothers, Patrick and Nicholas, in handling plumbers' supplies, in 1876. He has also been closely identified with them for the last twenty-one years in the manufacture of button machinery and has assisted very materially in building up the business to its present handsome proportions.
In 1885 Mr. Barry was united in marriage to Miss Mary Curran Stockdale, a native of Muscatine and a daughter of John and Maria Curran Stockdale. The father was born in England and the mother in County Mayo, Ireland. They
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were early settlers in Muscatine, Mr. Stockdale departing this life at the age of seventy-one years, in 1899. His wife was called away at the age of seventy years, in 1910. There were four children in their family: Mary, now Mrs. Barry; Hattie, the widow of W. L. Thompson, of Muscatine; Ann, the wife of Edwin Forrester, of Seattle, Washington; and James T., of Schenectady, New York. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Barry: Albert S., Helen P., Mary Frances and James John.
The members of the family are all identified with the Catholic church and Mr. Barry holds membership in the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is in- dependent, belonging to that class of men who vote for candidates whom they consider best qualified for office regardless of party affiliation. Mr. Barry is a man of sterling character, attentive to his duties and always willing to assist in any measure that aims to enhance the attractiveness of the city.
DANIEL GRIMM.
Prominent among the farmers of Montpelier township is the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this review. For nearly fifty years a resident of the county, he has shown an enterprise and clear judgment in his business affairs which early gave promise that he would be unusually successful in his career. This promise has been amply fulfilled and today Mr. Grimm is one of the prosperous farmers of the county and is recognized as a man whose influence is always for the best interests of those with whom he is associated and also for the welfare of the district in which he lives.
He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, August 28, 1851, a son of Daniel Grimm, a native of Prussia, Germany, who emigrated to America in 1847 and for fifteen years made his home in Ohio. He then came to Montpelier township, Muscatine county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and forty acres of land in section 6, upon which he established his home. After the encroachiment of years had deprived him of the ability for active pursuits, he retired to Mont- pelier, where he departed this life in 1896. Industrious and economical, he set a good example for his neighbors and children and was one of the substantial men of the region. Politically he was in sympathy with the democratic party and in religious belief he was a German Lutheran. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Philippina Rausch, was also a native of Germany. Of the eight children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Grimm six are now living, two of whom make their home in Muscatine county.
Daniel Grimm grew up under the friendly shelter of a peaceful home and was taught as a boy by his father that all useful work is honorable. He received his education in the public schools of Ohio and coming to Muscatine county with his parents, assisted in the work of the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when he began working for himself. Commencing at the bottom of the ladder financially, he carefully saved his money and at the age of twenty-five years purchased one hundred acres of land in Montpelier township, which he still owns. To this he has added from time to time until the farm now
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comprises four hundred and forty acres, which he cultivates with good judgment, also devoting a great deal of time to stock-raising. That he is successful in all departments of farming is evident to those who have reason to visit his well arranged place, which is thoroughly provided with modern buildings and ma- chinery, and the owner may well be proud of the result of his many years of labor.
In 1875 Mr. Grimm was united in marriage to Miss Philippina Metz, a daughter of Michael and Henrietta (Gettert) Metz. By this union ten children have been born, nine of whom are now living, namely: Bena, who married George Brei and has five children; George, a resident of Swectland township; Daniel, Jr., who married Katheryn Saltan; and Jake, Clara, Emma, Mildred, Andrew and Louie, all of whom are at home.
Successful in his business, happy in his family relations, and broad-minded and progressive in the discharge of his duties to the community, Mr. Grimm may truly be regarded as a useful factor in the upbuilding of the county and state. He is a man of genial social qualities and is a valued member of Lodge No. 190, M. B. A. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has served as township trustee and in other offices of public responsibility, always display- ing a fairness which met the hearty indorsement of the people of his township. He and his wife have many friends in the community and are affiliated with the German Lutheran church, to whose teachings they give unquestioned acceptance.
JACOB J. LEGLER.
Jacob J. Legler, a well known farmer and stockman who for a number of years past has lived in Muscatine, was born in this county, on a farm three miles from the city, November 1, 1856. He is a son of David and Susanna (Shind- ler) Legler. The father was a native of Switzerland and came to the United States in 1850. He located in the west and for ten years was captain of a raft- boat, running logs down the river from Stillwater. About 1860 he began farm- ing in Lake township, Muscatine county, devoting his attention principally to stock-feeding. In politics he was a republican and in religious faith was identi- fied with the Congregational church. Hc departed this life July 5, 1864, and his remains were buried in High Prairie cemetery. The mother of our subject was also born in Switzerland. She was married in Muscatine county and is now living at Pipestone, Minnesota. There were five children in the family : Jacob J., our subject ; David, of Muscatine; Erhardt ; J. P., deceased ; and Kate, now Mrs. Morris Evans, of Pipestone, Minnesota.
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