USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 64
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Charles Henry Young, having been deprived of parental care by the death of his father and mother, went to live with his aunt, Mrs. W. F. Kuebler, and his uncle, C. H. Spaethe. At the age of eleven years he went to Quincy, Illinois, Vol. 11-32
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where he lived with his aunt, Mrs. W. F. Bader, continuing in her household for six years. He attended the public schools of Quincy, where he gained a thirst for education, which he has never been able entirely to quench. At the age of seventeen he returned to Muscatine and entered the employ of the Van Nostrand Saddlery Company, learning the trade of harnessmaking and saddlery. He was with the firm for five years and became assistant foreman. Going into the country, he farmed for one year and then became a student of the Iowa State College, remaining at that institution for a year and a half. In the fall of 1905, in order to secure funds for further educational work, he became con- nected with the engineering department of the Northwestern Railroad Company in Wisconsin and in June, 1906, went to Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the Union Pacific Railway, where he continued for three months. Returning to the col- lege, he spent one year more in the engineering department and then entered the employ of the Fort Dodge & Southern Railroad Company as bridge in- spector, later being connected with the Marsh Bridge Company of Des Moines, Iowa, as their representative at Peoria, Illinois. He next took up his residence at Boulder, Colorado, the location of the Colorado State University, where he was identified with various engineering, municipal, mining and irrigation en- terprises for a year and a half, at the end of which time he entered the Univer- sity of Colorado but after one term was obliged to withdraw on account of typhoid fever. He returned to Muscatine in December, 1909, and opened an office in the Hershey building as civil engineer and surveyor, soon acquiring an enviable reputation in his chosen calling. On March 17, 1910, he was appointed by the city council as city engineer and was elected by popular vote March 6, 1911, for a term of two years, so that he is now most creditably filling that posi- tion.
Mr. Young holds membership in and is a trustee of the Baptist church and is identified with the Commercial Club and the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. Politically he is an independent republican, as he prefers to vote for the man rather than the party. Although he began as a boy under many disadvantages, he has steadily forged ahead and today is recognized in Muscatine as one of its substantial and trust- worthy citizens, who has the unqualified respect of all with whom he has as- sociated.
WILLIAM STOCKDALE.
William Stockdale was the founder of the family in America which has its representatives in Muscatine county, the number including Mrs. Thomas Fran- cis Barry. He was a native of Hornsea, Yorkshire, England, and was post carrier from Hull to Atwick. He had three wagons and handled produce and other merchandise. About 1830 he came to America and settled at Rotterdam (now Constantia), New York, but was not permitted to enjoy his new home long, his death there occurring when he was but forty-six years of age. He
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had a brother who was keeper of the lighthouse at Flamborough Head, York- shire.
William Stockdale was united in marriage to Mary Cook, who was born at Long Riston, Yorkshire, England, in 1793, and died in Cicero, New York, in 1846, having for a number of years survived her husband. She married again, her second husband being a Mr. Cook. She had two brothers, Hartley and Fred, who settled near Lansing, Michigan. The children of William and Mary (Cook) Stockdale were: James, born in 1813; Caroline, in 1817; Tamer, in 1819; Ann; Amelia; William; Robert; and John, born in 1828.
The last-named, John Stockdale, came to Muscatine about 1857 or 1858 and for more than four decades remained a valued and representative resident of this city, his death here occurring about 1899. He wedded Maria Curran, a daughter of James Curran, and a granddaughter of Thomas and Honor (O'Conor) Curran. James Curran was born in 1804, his birthplace being probably County Mayo, Ireland. He had two brothers, James, older, and Edward, younger than himself. While in Ireland he was steward of the estate of a man named Burke at Longhboy, near Ballyhaunis, Connaught, County Mayo, Ireland. When Mr. Burke lost the estate James Curran left it and began farming for himself on land that had been given him by Mr. Burke and which was near or at Tulra- han, living in a stone house at the crossroads. He came to America in 1845, going first to Buffalo, New York, thence to Chillicothe, Ohio, and in 1855 or 1856 he arrived in Muscatine. He met his death by drowning while crossing the bridge at night at Fredonia, Iowa. He had wedded Mary Quinn, who was probably born near Clare or Tuam in County Mayo, Ireland. She was a daugh- ter of Patrick and Mary (Holyon) Quinn and had two brothers, Luke and Timothy, and a sister, Honor Quinn. The children of James and Mary (Quinn) Curran were : Thomas, born in 1835; Ann, in 1838; Maria, in 1840; James; and John.
Of these Maria became the wife of John Stockdale and their children were : Mary, who was born in 1862 and in 1885 became the wife of Thomas Barry, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; James, who was born in 1863 and was married in 1906 to Ann P. Robinson; Harriett, born in 1866, who became the wife of William L. Thompson in 1890 and has a daughter, Mary Gladys, born in 1897; Ann, born in 1871, who was married in 1893 to Louis W. Cham- bers, who died in 1906, and in 1908 was married to Edwin W. Forester. They have one son, Robert, born in 1909. The names of Stockdale and Curran are both synonymous with progressiveness and activity in business, and reliability and public spirit in citizenship.
James Stockdale, another representative of this family, was born in Musca- tine on the 19th of November, 1863, and received his early education in St. Mathias school. In 1877 he entered the Muscatine high school and was grad- uated from that institution in 1880. The following five years were devoted to railroad engineering and surveying in Iowa, Wyoming and California, and from 1886 to 1892, inclusive, he taught school in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, California. He was also principal of the Salinas high school one year, in 1887, and principal of the Monterey schools from 1888 to 1892, during the same period being also a member of the county board of education. From 1893 until 1898
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he was connected with the General Electric Company at San Francisco, and from there was transferred to the general offices of the same company at Schenec- tady, New York, where he is now employed in the power and mining depart- ment. In 1906 he married Miss Anne Poultney Robinson, of Baltimore, Mary- land.
PHILIP J. MURPHY.
Philip J. Murphy, who was identified for many years with railroad con- struction and is now living retired in Muscatine in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, December 11, 1841, a son of John N. and Catherine (Keough) Murphy, both of whom were natives of the Emerald isle, where they were married. The father came to America in a sailing vessel which required six weeks for the voyage, arriving at New Or- leans on Christmas morning of the year 1849. From this port he came up the Mississippi river to St. Louis and later to Muscatine, where he landed May 2, 1850. He continued at this place until 1856 or 1857, when he went to Iowa City, where he spent two years, returning at the end of that time to Muscatine, and here he passed away January 31, 1880. He was buried in St. Mary's ceme- tery. In the old country he was a farmer, but after coming to America worked as a stone-mason. The mother of our subject departed this life at Muscatine, January II, 1880. There were seven children in the family: James, who died at the age of thirteen years; Philip J., our subject; Walter, who also departed this life at the age of thirteen; Mary, deceased; Bridget ; Margaret, deceased; and Johanna, now living at No. 101 lowa avenue, Muscatine.
Philip J. Murphy attended school under G. B. Denison, but the most im- portant part of his education he considers was acquired during the Civil war under Captain W. F. Doron. On August 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Thirty-fifth lowa Volunteer Infantry, for a period of three years in behalf of the Union and he served three years to a day, being honorably discharged as corporal of his company August 15, 1865. He participated in many of the lead- ing battles and campaigns of the Army of the West, among which were the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou, Louisiana, Old River Lake, Tennessee, Tupelo, Missis- sippi, Nashville, Tennessee, and in innumerable minor engagements, always performing his duty in such a way as to meet the hearty approval of the officers of his company.
In 1867 Mr. Murphy entered the service of the Union Pacific Railway and in 1869 purchased eight teams in Muscatine and began railway construction work between Burlington and Fort Madison. He next went to Red Oak, Iowa, where he continued about eight months, and then to Carthage, Illinois, for the summer of 1870. Ilis next operations in railway construction were carried on be- tween Quincy, Illinois, and Hannibal, Missouri. He spent one season at Edina, Missouri, being connected with the Missouri Pacific Railway, and from there went to St. Joseph, Missouri, on construction work for the Chicago, Burlington &
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Quincy road. He spent one season at Winthrop, Missouri, returning to Musca- tine in 1872. The year following he went to Wisconsin, where he met with financial disaster and, returning to Muscatine, engaged in the street sprinkler business. However, in 1882 he again entered railroad construction work near Fargo, North Dakota, on the Northern Pacific road which was then being built by J. J. Hill, and with which he continued for two years, at the conclusion of which period he spent one year near Hazelton, Iowa. He was next identified with the construction of the Rock Island lines in Kansas as far south as the South Canadian river. His next contract was with the Pittsburg, Akron & Western Railroad near Akron, Ohio, for the season of 1890. In the spring of 1891 he spent four months grading for the Rock Island Railroad near Doss, Texas, and later operated near Harrington, Kansas; Harvard, Iowa; Mercer, Missouri; and Centerville, Iowa, during successive seasons. Mr. Murphy has since lived retired and is the owner of sixteen houses in Muscatine.
On January 28, 1868, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Kelly, who is a native of Ireland and a lady of many excellent traits of mind and heart. He and his wife are both consistent members of St. Mathias Cath- olic church. Politically Mr. Murphy is independent and socially he holds mem- bership in the Knights of Columbus and the Grand Army Post at Muscatine. He has seen a great deal of life in his contact with the world, from the time of the Civil war and also during the period of railway construction which was in progress on a great scale in various parts of the country for nearly forty years. He has been active, energetic, efficient and ever faithful in the discharge of his obligations, being always true to a sense of honor which has been one of his prominent characteristics. As a citizen he has nobly performed his duty and he is greatly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
HARRY L. ROMIG.
A direct descendant on the paternal side of Mayflower ancestry, Harry L. Romig, who lives in Wilton township, Muscatine county, Iowa, has in his life exemplified many of the virtues possessed by his ancestors. He is a native of this county, born February 18, 1869, being the son of Aaron and Mary (Wil- kinson) Romig. The father was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in New York state. The grandfather and great-grandfather of our subject served in the Revolutionary war, and the American progenitors of the family arrived on this shore in the Mayflower. After their marriage in New York state Mr. and Mrs. Romig came west, arriving at Muscatine, Iowa, in 1854. The father en- gaged for four years in the boot and shoe business, and then sold out and worked at the carpenter's trade for five years. In 1863 he purchased a farm in Sweetland township, which he cultivated until 1869, when he disposed of it and located permanently on one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Wilton township. He was an industrious and enterprising man and became quite suc- cessful as a farmer and stock-raiser. He died in 1885. and his widow is now living on the home place and has reached the venerable age of eighty-two years.
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There were seven children in the family, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are : Orrange, now of Fall River, Kansas; Darwin, of Muscatine, Iowa; Edith, now Mrs. John Taylor of Muscatine county; Charles; Harry L., our subject ; and Grace, the wife of G. O. Day, a farmer of Sweetland township.
Harry L. Romig was reared under the favoring conditions of a happy home and was reared upon his father's farm, attending the district schools and as- sisting in farm work on Saturday and during vacations. After laying aside his books he became identified with the active management of the homestead on which he has ever since lived, with the exception of eight months when he was engaged with a brother in the hardware business. He makes his home with his mother and carries on general farming, also for fifteen years past specializing as a breeder of Poland China hogs, in which he has built up a very lucrative business. Stock from his farm are called for from many directions and are sold throughout the state. He is recognized as a man of fine business ability and a successful farmer. Socially he is identified with the Grange and politically gives his support to the republican party.
CHARLES C. HAGERMANN.
Among the younger business men of Muscatine may be named Charles C. Hagermann, who has attained an enviable reputation by his energy and ability as a manufacturer. He is a native of Muscatine, born January 17, 1876, and is a son of Henry and Rosina Hagermann, both of whom were born in Germany. The father was a broom manufacturer and, seeking to improve his circum- stances, came to America, first settling at Baltimore, but later came to Musca- tine, where he is still living. After engaging for some years in the manufacture of brooms in this city he turned his attention to the manufacture of brick, at- taining a good deal of success in that line. He and his wife are members of the German Methodist church. The grandfather of our subject on the paternal side was Henry Hagermann, also an early settler of Muscatine and a broom- maker by trade. He was killed by a railway train in 1888. His large family included William, Henry, Carl, Sophia, Lena and Louisa. There were nine children in the household in which our subject was reared: Henry, deceased ; Otto, of Muscatine; Louis, of Memphis, Tennessee ; William, deceased; Charles C., our subject ; Edward, of Muscatine; Nellie, the wife of Andrew Schultz, of Muscatine; Lena, now Mrs. Harry Cooper, of Muscatine; and Anna, at home.
Charles C. Hagermann was reared in Muscatine and educated in the public and high schools of this city. As he grew up he was taught to work and as- sisted in a brickyard part of the day and on Saturdays while attending school. Later he learned the button-making trade and was a button cutter for several years, finally establishing a button blank factory in connection with W. F. Bishop, the firm becoming Bishop & Hagermann. After their business had be- come well established they admitted F. C. Vetter as a partner in a new organ- ization, entitled the Hawkeye Pearl Button Company, of which Mr. Hagermann is secretary and treasurer. By good management they have built up a large
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business and now have branch factories in a number of cities of the United States, giving employment to about eight hundred persons. Mr. Hagermann is also vice president and secretary of the Bishop & Hagermann Company, Inc., which is also engaged in the button business.
In 1901 Mr. Hagermann was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Bertha Hartwig, who was born in Germany and is a daughter of August Hartwig. Three children have blessed this union : Irene Pearl, who died in infancy ; Verna May; and Ralph Charles.
Mr. and Mrs. Hagermann are members of the German Evangelical church. Mr. Hagermann takes a great deal of interest in municipal affairs, serving at present as chief of the fire department, which position he has filled mnost credit- ably for the past three years. He was assistant chief for four years and in the discharge of his duties as a public officer he exhibits the same interest and ability that he has displayed in his private affairs. Mr. Hagermann began at the bottom of the ladder in his business and by diligence, patience and good judgment he has won a position among his associates which usually requires many years to attain. His record is a remarkable example of the power of per- severance when it is wisely directed.
The Muscatine fire department consists of four volunteer hose companies, two hook and ladder companies and three independent hose companies, the officers being: Charles C. Hagermann, chief; Otto Elfers, first assistant; and Frank Curry, second assistant. The department has about five hundred mem- bers and the volunteer companies are as follows: Champion Hose Company No. I, at No. 308 Sycamore street, Bert Chaudion, foreman ; Rescue Hose Com- pany, No. 2, No. 421-23 Mulberry avenue, Cleo Pitchforth, foreman; Excel- sior Hose Company, No. 3, No. 404 West Third street, Jake Heusner, foreman ; Relief Hose Company, No. 4, corner Bismark and Bleeker streets, Rudolph Elfers, foreman ; Champion Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, No. 308 Syca- more street, Will Tiecke, foreman; and Hershey Hook and Ladder Company, No. 2, No. 1027 Hershey avenue, Albert Latham, foreman. The independent companies are as follows: Roach & Musser Company, No. 208 Hanover street, Ed Nolte, foreman; Huttig Hose Company, No. 209 Oak street, Milo Ritten- house, foreman; and Kaiser Hose Company, No. 101 Stewart road, Henry Umlandt, foreman.
GEORGE R. LEFFINGWELL.
Few men in the west have seen more of human nature as witnessed in the mountains and mining camps than George R. Leffingwell, of Muscatine, who is now living retired at his pleasant home at 311 East Sixth street, where in com- pany with his estimable wife he enjoys the comforts and luxuries of life after many years of activity. He was born in Sag Harbor, New York, November 7, 1837, and is a son of William and Frances Ross (Lee) Leffingwell, both of whom were born in Connecticut. The father became a shipbuilder in the city of New York and there accumulated considerable property. However, in 1839 he yielded
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to a desire to participate in the development of the great west and came to Bloomington, now Muscatine, Iowa, settling at Hudson in Wapsinonoc town- ship, Muscatine county, where he purchased a farm. Six years later he located in Muscatine and filled the office of county treasurer, later becoming mayor of the city. He died here in 1876 at the age of seventy-six years, having become recognized as one of the leading men of the county. His wife departed this life in 1885 at the age of eighty-four years. Both were members of the Epis- copal church. There were six children in their family, three sons and three daughters, all of whom are deceased except the youngest, who is the subject of this review, the other members of the family being: William Edward; Ellen B., who married Dr. Henry Murray; Elizabeth, who was three times married, her husbands being successively James Palmer, W. F. Davis and William E. Gould; Mary, who became the wife of James Foushee; and Andrew Jackson, who was judge of the district court at Muscatine at the time of his death.
George R. Leffingwell was two years old when he arrived in Muscatine with his parents. He grew up under the influence of a good home and about the time he was ready to begin his business career became attracted by the stories of great wealth in the gold mines of Colorado and started overland with a party from Muscatine county bound for Pikes Peak. When within about two hun- dred miles of Denver the gold hunters lost one of their number, Henry Mull, and this had quite a depressing effect so that when they met great throngs of men returning from the mines in a much worse condition financially than when they entered the mountains the little party unanimously decided to do likewise and turned their faces eastward, feeling that their destiny could more easily be worked out in some other business than mining. In 1860 Mr. Leffingwell gath- ered courage and made a second trip to the mountains, being the only one of the original party that did so. After reaching the mines he found that they possessed a great fascination for him and altogether he spent twenty-two years in various mining camps, in the course of which time he made three trips to Alaska when mining was in its infancy in that region. He was in the Black Hills when news came of the death of his father and he immediately returned home, remaining with his mother until she was called away. Here he acted as shipping clerk and also in other capacities in wholesale grocery establishments and was for five years connected with J. M. Gobble. Previous to retiring from active life he served as deputy United States marshal and in all of his duties displayed a judgment and energy which met the hearty approval of all.
On the 21st of December, 1882, Mr. Leffingwell was united in marriage to Miss Anna Mary Eversmeyer, a daughter of Bernard H. and Magdalena (Kuechmann ) Eversmeyer, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Leffingwell was born and reared in Muscatine and was educated in the public and high schools, later graduating from Snavely's Business College. After leaving this institution she kept books for the Muscatine Manufacturing Com- pany for several years and also in her father's office, with which she was con- nected at the time of her marriage. Being a woman of unusual intellectual activity, she took up a few years ago the study of physchology and suggestive therapeutics and graduated in osteopathy from the S. S. Still College of Des Moines, Iowa, in 1905. Upon receiving her diploma she began practice in Mus-
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catine, where she has attracted a large patronage and is recognized as one of the most competent practitioners of the osteopathic school in this part of the state. She was reared in the German Methodist church but is not identified with any religious denomination.
Mr. Leffingwell is prominently connected with the Masonic order, belonging to Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; and Webb Council, No. 18, R. & S. M. He and his wife hold membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. Politically he is in sympathy with the candi- dates and principles of the democratic party. His wife has proven to him a most worthy helpmeet and they have a host of friends and acquaintances in Muscatine, who have been attracted by their genial qualities.
RUDOLPH J. ALTEKRUSE.
Rudolph J. Altekruse, a leading farmer of Lake and Seventy-six townships, who is now residing in a comfortable home at 214 West Seventh street, Musca- tine, was born in this county, June 1, 1840. He is a son of Rudolph and Sophia (Vordermark) Altekruse, both of whom were natives of Germany. They were married in their native land and immediately afterward started for America, making the voyage in a sailing vessel which was twelve weeks on the ocean, having encountered a very severe storm. They landed in Baltimore, remaining there for four years. They arrived in Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1840, and located in Seventy-six township, upon land which is now owned by the subject of this review. The father was a good farmer and followed that occupation until 1890, when he passed away. His faithful companion departed this life the same year. They were eight children in the family, four of whom grew to maturity, but only two are now living, our subject and his brother, H. H. Altekruse.
Rudolph J. Altekruse was educated in the public schools and was reared on the home farm, where under his father he became thoroughly familiar with the various details of agriculture and stock-raising. For nearly fifty years he con- tinned upon the farm where he was born and became known as one of the suc- cessful men in the community. He removed to Muscatine in 1907 but still owns his farm of four hundred and twenty-seven acres, which is one of the finest properties in the county. He also owns the residence in which he lives in Muscatine.
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