USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 63
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Jacob J. Legler was educated in the common schools of Lake township and at the Letts high school. After laying his books aside he devoted his attention to the home farm and at twenty-five years of age began stock-raising in Lake township. In 1881 he removed to Seventy-six township and continued stock- raising, also feeding stock for market quite extensively. He has lived in Mus- catine since 1897 but continues to actively engage in the stock business. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of well improved land in Seventy-six town-
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ship, one hundred and sixty acres in Sweetland and Bloomington townships and eighty acres in Canada. He is also identified with other interests and is a mem- ber of the board of directors of the Muscatine State Bank.
On the 5th of October, 1881, Mr. Legler was united in marriage to Miss Ida L. Geiger, a native of Muscatine county. One child, Gertrude, has been born to them. She is now the wife of Thomas H. Bramen, of Muscatine.
Mr. Legler is a stanch supporter of the republican party and, although he lias not aspired to public office, he has held several township offices, discharging the duties with the same interest that he bestows upon his private affairs. He is connected with the Masonic order and holds membership in the blue lodge, chapter and commandery at Muscatine and Kaaba Temple of Davenport, Iowa. He is also affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Brotherhood of America, all of Muscatine. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and are liberal contributors toward its support. Mr. Legler has been unusually successful in his business and in the course of many years' association with others has made many friends. He is the fortunate possessor of quick apprehension and clear discernment and, being a man of liberal public spirit, he is always ready to assist in forwarding any movement that aims to promote the public good.
JAMES AND ISABEL TOUGH.
One of the best improved farms in Fulton township is the old Tough home- stead, which for more than fifty years was the home of the family. The first to reside there were James and Isabel (McConach) Tough, both natives of Scotland. The father was born in June, 1823, and the mother on the 12th of August, 1827. In 1854 they emigrated to the United States and located in Ohio but after one year's residence in that state decided to come farther west and removed to Muscatine county, Iowa. Here they settled upon a farm which they rented, continuing to cultivate leased land for ten years, but at the expiration of that period they had by means of thrift, careful management and much self- denial accumulated sufficient capital to enable them to buy eighty acres of land in Fulton township. They were both industrious and persevering and were able to add to their original purchase from time to time until at their deaths they had accumulated four hundred acres of valuable farm land.
They were the parents of eleven children, who are as follows: Margaret, who was born in Scotland on the 21st of January, 1848, is living with her brothers John and Charles. James, born on the 12th of December, 1854, is living in Jasper county, Iowa. John, born on the 10th of March, 1860, and Charles, born on the 21st of June, 1866, are now residents of Muscatine. David, born on the 31st of May, 1871, resides in Earlham, Iowa. Sarah I., born on the 4th of May, 1872, is the wife of Abraham Eis, of Muscatine county. George died at the age of seven years. William died in infancy. Edwin and Irwin, twins, are both deceased. Samuel also died in infancy. The children all received common-school educations.
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The family always attended the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the parents were life-long members. The father passed away in 1886 and the mother two years later, both being laid to rest in Blue Grass cemetery, Scott county, Iowa. Mr. Tough always voted the republican ticket but was never an office seeker. He and his wife were held in high esteem in the community where they lived for so many years.
The two sons, John and Charles Tough, remained at home with their parents and after the death of the mother they bought the interests of the other heirs and together with their sister Margaret continued to reside on the old home- stead until the ist of March, 1911, when they removed to Muscatine. They now rent the farm, which is located on sections 20 and 21, Fulton township, and contains four hundred acres of most fertile and valuable land. In addi- tion to their agricultural pursuits the brothers made a specialty of raising stock of all kinds, in which they have met with success.
Ever since they attained their majority they have been identified with the republican party, and although they do not take an active interest in politics, not aspiring to public office, at the same time they are at the polls on election day to fulfill their responsibility as citizens by casting their votes for the candi- dates of their party. They are highly regarded in the community where they have spent their entire lives.
ADAM WIGIM.
Adam Wigim, who lives in a handsome residence at 403 West Second street, Muscatine, is one of the prosperous stockmen of Muscatine county. He has resided in this city since 1906 but has not relinquished his farm interests, being yet in active business and one of the prominent stock-feeders of eastern Iowa.
He was born in Seventy-six township October 10, 1852, and is a son of Samuel and Martha (Deatty) Wigim, both natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. The mother came to the United States with her parents in 1843 on a sailing vessel which required nine weeks to cross the ocean. They landed at Philadel- phia and traveled on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Muscatine county, settling in Seventy-six township. This was in pioneer days and they were among the sturdy settlers who assisted in conquering the wilderness. The father of our subject came to this country in 1850 through the port of New Orleans, his parents also locating in Seventy-six township, where he made his home for many years and became a prominent stockman. He moved to Muscatine in 1893. There were five children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wigim : Adam, our subject ; Samuel, of Johnson county, Iowa; Robert, also of Johnson county ; Mary A., now the wife of Henry Nyenhius, of Muscatine; and Jane, the wife of Daniel Cable, of Muscatine. The mother of these children passed away in 1874 and is buried at Muscatine. Mr. Wigim was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Maggie Trueman, and two children were born to this union : Hugh, of Muscatine; and Trueman, of Greeley, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Wigim are now living in this city.
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The subject of this review was educated in the district schools and in a select school at Muscatine. He was reared upon the home farm and early be- came familiar with agricultural and stock-raising operations, so that when he began life upon his own account he was well prepared for the responsibility. His principal interests for many years have been the feeding of live stock and he is one of the largest feeders in Seventy-six township, also owning six hun- dred and eighty acres of land, which is provided with every facility for its cul- tivation and also for the raising and care of live stock. Four years ago Mr. Wigim took up his residence in Muscatine, where he and his family enjoy ad- vantages of society and relaxation not found in the country.
In 1893 Mr. Wigim was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Trueman and two children have come to brighten their home: Robert B., in the second year of the high school; and Gertrude L., a student in the first year of the high school.
Politically Mr. Wigim is an adherent of the democratic party, believing that its principles are most conducive to the permanency of the republic. He has never sought public office but served with great acceptance as trustee and clerk of Seventy-six township and is now treasurer of the school board, with which he has been connected for sixteen years, being also a member of the board of trustees of Muscatine township. He and his estimable wife are valued members of the First Presbyterian church, of which they are liberal supporters. Mr. Wigim has all his life been identified with the agricultural and stock-raising in- terests and applied himself with such diligence that he has carried forward to success whatever he has undertaken. He is a man of clear judgment and an abundance of energy. He commands the respect of all who know him, rep- resenting as he does the great industry upon which the prosperity of the state and nation is based.
ZELAH W. HUTCHINSON.
Among the citizens of Muscatine well known in other parts of the state of Iowa on account of helpfulness to others is Zelah W. Hutchinson, treasurer of the Muscatine Lumber & Box Company. He was born in Iowa City, February 6, 1846, and is a son of Robert and Julia M. (Whetstone) Hutchinson, the former of whom was born in New Hampshire and the latter in Ohio. The father was in early manhood a carpenter and stone-mason. He located in Iowa City in 1839 and remained there until his death. In 1849 he was attracted by the gold excitement and made a trip overland to California, returning in 1852. In his later years he did carpenter work and operated a stone quarry. He was a man of high standing and was greatly respected by those with whom he was associated. For many years, while the State Blind Asylum was located at Iowa City, he acted as treasurer of that institution. He departed this life at the age of seventy-two years, in 1886. His wife passed away in 1899, at the age of seventy-five years. There were twelve children in their family, ten of whom grew to maturity: Julia E., the wife of P. M. Musser, of Muscatine; Zelah W.,
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our subject ; Laura C., who married J. S. Clark and is now deceased ; Charles J., living near Fresno, California; Frank P., of Iowa City; Sophy, the wife of John L. Teeters, of Lincoln, Nebraska ; Hannah J., now Mrs. George M. Titus, of Muscatine; Carrie W., the wife of L. C. Clapp, of Wichita, Kansas; Sarah D., of Iowa City; and Ada, also of Iowa City.
Solomon Hutchinson, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of New Hampshire and lived at Milford and Nashua. He was of English descent and participated in the war of 1812. His wife was Miss Catherine Flynn in her maidenhood, and they were the parents of six children: George, Henry, Jacob, Harriet, Robert and Kate. The maternal grandfather was Zelah Whetstone, a farmer who lived for some years about fifteen miles from Cincin- nati, Ohio, where he died in middle life. He married a Miss Voorhis and they were the parents of three children: Hannah, Julia M. and Jacob.
The subject of this review was reared in Iowa City and received his pre- liminary education in the public schools, later attending the high school and the State University of Iowa. In 1863 he made a trip overland to Denver, Colorado, with an ox team but after a few months in the mountains returned home, having determined to devote himself to civil engineering. In 1865 he was a member of the party that ran a line for the first railroad track that was laid at Omaha and for four years was connected with the engineering department of the Union Pacific Railway, his last work being at a point two miles from where the golden spike was driven. He first came to Muscatine in 1875 but was subsequently called elsewhere, returning in 1880, since which time he has made this city his home and during the entire period of thirty years has been connected with the Musser Lumber Company as secretary and sales manager. He is also treasurer of the Muscatine Lumber & Box Company and in his business affairs has shown a capacity that has not only brought ample returns to himself but has met the warm approval of those with whom he has been associated.
On the 13th of June, 1872, Mr. Hutchinson was united in marriage to Miss Clara Hogin, a daughter of John C. and Christiann ( Richards) Hogin. Mrs. Hutchinson was born in Danville, Indiana, while her father is a native of In- diana and her mother of Ohio. The family located at Sigourney, Iowa, where the father died at sixty-three years of age. The mother passed away in 1904, at the age of seventy-five years. There were seven children in their family : Clara, Susan, James, Josephine, Russell, Ella and Lilly. James L. Hogin, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hutchinson, was a native of Delaware. He re- ยท moved to Danville, Indiana, where he engaged in the merchandise business, later continuing in the same line at Sigourney, Iowa. He departed this life at the age of seventy-five years. Eleven children grew to maturity in his family : John C., Catherine, Caroline, Elvira, James L., Mary Ann, Cornelia E., George B., Juliet W., William F., Benjamin R. To Mr. and Mrs. Hutchin- son four children have been born: Zel H., a lumber and box manufacturer of Cloquet, Minnesota, who married Miss Sarah Shaw and is the father of one son, Willis; Harry H., who married Margaret Guthrie and is a lumberman of St. Joseph, Missouri; Ida, who has been a teacher and is living at home; and Julia E., who married Ralph L. Harding, a civil engineer on railroad work at Tanauan, Philippine Islands.
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Mr. Hutchinson is identified with the republican party and, although not a seeker for official honors, he has served for ten years past with great acceptance as member of the city school board. He and his wife are actively connected with the Baptist church, in which he serves as deacon. His interest outside of his business and his home is in religious work. He has been president of the Iowa Baptist state convention for the past two years and has been superinten- dent of the Sunday school of his church for sixteen years. In his various duties he has shown excellent judgment and is justly honored for his unselfish services in behalf of his fellowmen.
BURTON L. METCALF.
Among the successful farmers of Muscatine county should be named Bur- ton L. Metcalf, also a stock-buyer and an industrious, energetic citizen, who has attained a high place in the regard of the community. He was born in San- dusky, Ohio, November 25, 1868, a son of Reuben and Melissa (Laughlin) Metcalf, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in Pennsyl- vania. They were married in Ohio and made their home for a time in Iowa, later returning to the Buckeye state. In 1870 they came a second time to Iowa and settled near Nichols in Muscatine county. In 1878 the father bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Pike township and here he continued until his death, which occurred in July, 1878. The mother is still living and makes her home in South Dakota. There were the following children in their family : Evelyn, who died in infancy; Harvey L., of Muscatine county ; Hattie, now the wife of G. L. Rupley, of Stamford, South Dakota, and the mother of five chil- dren : Nettie, Bertha, Clayton, Reuben and Harvey; James, who was born June 17, 1858, and died August 28, 1879; Burton L., our subject ; and Nettie, the wife of Elmer Hankins, of South Dakota, and the mother of two children, Blanche and Arthur.
Burton L. Metcalf was brought to Muscatine county by his parents in his infancy and was reared under the paternal roof, pursuing his studies in the dis- trict school. He began his business career at fifteen years of age as a farm hand, working by the month for seven years. He was then identified with a meat market for a short time and for one year was clerk in a grocery store. Having married, he farmed for eight years and for an equal length of time con- ducted a meat market and also bought and shipped live stock, while for two years he was in charge of a hotel at Nichols. He is now engaged as a buyer and shipper of live stock and also a farmer upon quite an extensive scale, as he owns two places, one of them highly improved and the other in good condi- tion. For seven years past he and his family have occupied a commodious resi- dence at Nichols. He is recognized as one of the rising men of the county-a man of unusual enterprise and business ability who seldom engages in any- thing which he does not carry through to success.
On the 6th of April, 1893, Mr. Metcalf was united in marriage to Miss Ina Hankins, of Orono township, Muscatine county, who was born April 6, 1869,
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and is a daughter of Timothy and Elizabeth (Lee) Hankins, both natives of Ohio. The parents came to lowa and after living for a time in Louisa county located in Muscatine county, where Mr. Hankins purchased a farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres. Here he continued to reside until his death, which oc- curred October 9, 1897. His wife died in August, 1900, and was laid to rest beside her husband in Brockway cemetery. Ten children constituted their family : Nancy, deceased; John, a resident of Muscatine county ; Frances, the widow of Henry Brown, of Muscatine county; George, deceased; Susie, the wife of Harry Morris, of Davenport, Iowa; Cornelia, also deceased; Oda, the wife of Walter Morris, of Davenport; Ina, now Mrs. Metcalf; William, of Muscatine county ; and Emma, now the wife of Bert Park, of Davenport. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf two children have been born: Clarence R., born May 13, 1895, now attending high school; and Alberta F., born March II, 1899.
Mr. Metcalf has had a wide experience as a business man and has good dis- crimination, natural and acquired by much experience, which assist him greatly in the determination of values in his business. Governed by a highi sense of honor, he has an established reputation for unswerving reliability and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of the county. Politically he is identified with the democratic party and has served as mayor of Nichols for two years, as town- ship trustee for four years and as justice of the peace also for a period of four years. At the present time he is a member of the city council. Fraternally he is connected with Stainless Lodge, No. 445, A. F. & A. M .; the Odd Fellows lodge, and the Modern Woodmen of America, all of Nichols, and he is heartily in sympathy with the principles of those organizations. He and his wife are members of Nichols Lodge, No. 1271, Royal Neighbors, and are also connected with the Christian church, being active workers not only in upbuilding the moral interests of the community but also in movements that promote its material welfare.
HERMANN D. JARR.
Among the worthy sons of Germany who have established homes in Mus- catine county Hermann D. Jarr occupies an honorable place. Starting with nothing but a sound constitution and indomitable courage, he overcame number- less obstacles and today is surrounded by conveniences and comforts which all should aim to possess but many never attain. He has a home, a highly produc- tive farm and scores of friends. All of these he has gained as the result of years of self-denial and well applied labor. He was born in Germany, Novem- ber 18, 1855, a son of Christ and Fredericka (Raehr) Jarr, both natives of Holstein, Germany. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom are now living.
Hermann D. Jarr was educated in his native country and continued there for several years after reaching manhood. In 1882 he came to America and for twelve years worked upon a farm in Cedar county, Iowa. By diligence and economy he acquired sufficient capital to purchase eighty acres of land in Wil-
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ton township, Muscatine county, nearly all the improvements upon which he has made with his own hands. The residence, barn and outbuildings are thoroughly adapted for their purpose and everything about the place shows careful atten- tion and practical knowledge on the part of the owner. Mr. Jarr makes a spe- cialty of raising and feeding hogs and has met with gratifying success along these lines. He was reared in the Lutheran church but is not an active member of any religious denomination, feeling friendly toward them all. Politically he lends his support to the democratic party. As a citizen of Muscatine county he has assisted to the extent of his ability in advancing its interests and may be depended upon to give his support to every measure that will promote the public good.
GEORGE UMSCHEID.
George Umscheid, one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists of Pike township, is the owner of a neat and attractive farm of one hundred and twenty acres. His birth occurred in Muscatine county on the 4th of December, 1865, liis parents being Louis and Katherine (Knopp) Umscheid, both of whom were natives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the new world in the '40s and some time in the early '50s located in this county, the father here working at the mason's trade for ten years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Illinois and there followed general agricultural pursuits for six- teen years. He then returned to Muscatine county, Iowa, purchased a farm and continued its operation until he retired in 1892, owning at that time a valuable tract of land of two hundred and sixty-six acres. His demise occurred in Mus- catine on the 10th of September, 1894, and thus the community lost one of its substantial and esteemed citizens. His wife was called to her final rest on the 18th of February, 1903. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Leo, who is a resident of Oregon; Margaret, who died when three years of age; Katie, the wife of Thomas Fowler, of Illinois; George, of this review ; John, living at Spirit Lake, Iowa; Margaret, who is the wife of Paul Noll and makes her home in Brooklyn, New York; Leonard, who is a resident of Mus- catine, Iowa; and Mary, the wife of John Foley, of Nichols, Iowa.
George Umscheid obtained his education in the common schools and was twenty-two years of age when he left the parental roof and started out upon an independent carcer, going to Colorado, where he worked as a farm hand and at the same time took up a claim. At the end of three years he returned to Muscatine county and here began the cultivation of rented land, being thus busily engaged until 1907. In that year he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Pike township and has since brought the property under a high state of cultivation and improvement. The farm presents a well kept appear- ance and everything about the place is indicative of the careful supervision of the owner, whose methods are at once practical and progressive. His industry has ever been one of his salient characteristics and has been the measure of his success.
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On the 5th of October, 1892, Mr. Umscheid was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Rausch, who was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, on the 3d of March, 1871, her parents being Adam and Elizabeth (Becht) Rausch, natives of Germany. They established their home in Illinois at an early day and there continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives, the father owning and operating a quarter section of land. Adam Rausch, who died in 1871, was survived by his wife until September 30, 1908, when she, too, passed away. Unto them were born four children, namely: William, who is a resident of Viola, Illinois; Amelia, who was the wife of James McDonald and passed away on the 27th of September, 1900; George, living in Illinois City, Illinois; and Mrs. Umscheid. The last named is the mother of three children: Ernest M., who was born on the 19th of June, 1893; Louis A., whose natal day was Sep- tember 30, 1894; and Margaret, whose birth occurred on the 17th of May, 1896. All three are high school students.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Umscheid has sup- ported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in its principles. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Nichols, Iowa, while in religious faith he is a Catholic. Mr. and Mrs. Umscheid are people of the highest respectability, whose good qualities of heart and mind have won for them the confidence and friendly regard of all who know them.
CHARLES HENRY YOUNG.
Charles Henry Young, city engineer of Muscatine, being left an orphan at ten years of age, earned the money to pay his way at college and has at- tained high standing in a profession that calls for the best abilities of a thor- oughly trained mind. He was born in Muscatine, August 6, 1880, and is a son of Henry and Emma (Spaethe) Young, the former of whom was born in Al- sace-Lorraine, Germany, and the latter in Muscatine. The father came to America with his parents when seven years of age, the trip requiring seven weeks in a sailing vessel. The family settled in Muscatine, where the son learned the barber's trade, which he followed until his death in 1890 at the age of forty-one years. His faithful wife died eight months later, at the age of thirty-seven years. Nicholas Young. the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a merchant of Muscatine and was called away at seventy-four years of age. He married Sophia Burr, by whom he had two children: Henry; and Sophia, who became the wife of Nicholas Freyermuth. The maternal grandfather was Frederic Spaethe, a highly educated man, a bookkeeper and a very early settler of Muscatine. There were six children in his family: John, Emma, Charles, Louise, Ida and Benjamin. To Henry and Emma Young three children were born : Charles Henry ; Lulu, the wife of W. W. Papes, of Muscatine; and Nora, who died at the age of twenty-three years.
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