USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 66
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IRVIN S. PEPPER.
While the growth and development of Iowa in the last half century has been most marvelous viewed from any standpoint, there is no one class of her citizens of which she has greater reason for just pride than her judges and attorneys. In Irvin S. Pepper are found united many of the rare quali- ties which go to make up a successful lawyer and jurist. He possesses, per- haps, few of those brilliant, dazzling, meteoric qualities which have some- times flashed along the legal horizon, riveting the gaze and blinding the vision for the moment, then disappearing, leaving little or no trace behind, but rather has those solid and more substantial qualities which shine with a constant luster, shedding light in the dark places with steadiness and continuity. He has in an eminent degree the rare ability of saying in a convincing way the right thing at the right time, and his mind is analytical, logical and inductive. Vol. II-33
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He has recently completed two terms' service as county attorney and retired from the office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good-will of all concerned.
Mr. Pepper is a native of Davis county, Iowa, born June 10, 1876. His parents, John and Mary (Prettyman) Pepper, were natives of Ohio and Illi- nois respectively. The father was a son of John Pepper, who was born in Ohio but was of German descent. He followed the occupation of farming and in 1851 removed to Appanoose county, Iowa, where he died when more than eighty years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Pepper, Sr., there were born eleven children, including Henry, George, Walter, Martha, Margaret, Mary, Ann and John. The maternal grandfather of Irvin S. Pepper was Lewis Prettyman, who was a native of Delaware and of Scotch and English lineage. He, too, followed the occupation of farming as a life work and at the time of the second war with England enlisted for active duty as a soldier. He married a Miss Mason, who afterward removed westward with his fam- ily to Tazewell county, Illinois, settling near Pekin, where he died when nearly ninety years of age. Unto him and his wife were born five children, including Mary E. Prettyman, who gave her hand in marriage to John Pepper, Jr. The father was a farmer throughout his entire life. The year 1851 witnessed his arrival in Iowa, at which time he settled in Appanoose county. For a long period he continued to engage in the tilling of the soil but is now located at Ottumwa, where he has lived retired for the past ten years. His wife, who is now deceased, was a member of the Methodist church and he attends its ser- vices. In their family were nine children: Myra, the wife of Frank Weller, of Mitchell, South Dakota; Ben S., of Ottumwa, Iowa; Hattie, wife of Frank Minthorn, of Woodville, Oregon; Alice, the widow of M. M. Harbaugh, of Kansas City, Missouri; Edward L., of Milton, Kansas; Nell P., the widow of Mauritz Liden, of Goldfield, Iowa; Dr. John L., also of Goldfield; Bertha E., who wedded O. W. Pratt, of Kansas City, Missouri; and Irvin S., of this review.
The last named was reared upon a farm in his native county and at the usual age began his education as a pupil in the country schools. Subsequently he attended the Southern Iowa Normal College at Bloomfield, from which he was graduated in 1897. He then taught school for five years in Muscatine county and subsequently went to Washington, D. C., as private secretary to Judge Wade, with whom he was thus associated for two years. While in the national capital he studied law in the George Washington University and was graduated with the class of 1905, being president of his class during his senior year. The same year he was admitted to practice in the courts of Iowa and has since followed his profession in Muscatine. He at first became a partner in the firm of Carskadden, Burk & Pepper, an association which was main- tained until the death of Mr. Burk, since which time the partnership has been continued under the firm style of Carskadden & Pepper. In 1906 Mr. Pepper was elected to the office of county attorney and in the fall of 1908 was re- elected for a two years' term. In June, 1910, he received the nomination of the democratic party for congress in the second congressional district and was elected by a large majority over his opponent, Charles Grilk, of Davenport,
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and is now in attendance upon his duties at the national capital. He is re- garded as one of the leaders of his party in this locality, his opinions carrying weight in its councils. Fraternally he is connected with Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; and De Molay Com- mandery, No. I, K. T. He likewise belongs to Eagle Lodge, No. 10, A. O. U. W., and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A social, genial nature wins him many friends but he never allows outside interests to inter- fere with the duties of his profession. His practice is now extensive and of an important character and with thorough grasp of the law and ability to accurately apply its principles, he has become an effective advocate and safe counselor.
WILHELM GROSSKLAUS.
Wilhelm Grossklaus has been for twenty-eight years a resident of Musca- tine and for twenty years one of its active business men. Through perseverance and wisely applied industry he has won an enviable position among his fellow- men, as is indicated by his appointment a year ago by the city council as mayor of the city. He is a native of Brandenburg, Germany, his birth having occurred October 2, 1860, and is a son of Wilhelm and Wilhelmina (Schultz) Grossklaus, also natives of Germany. The father, who was a contractor, died in his native land in 1881, at the age of fifty-three years. The mother departed this life in 1891 at the age of sixty-two years. They were both members of the Lutheran church, the head of the family being a man of influence in the community and one who took a great interest in education, serving in various school offices. The grandparents of our subject on the paternal side reared a family of six children, Wilhelm, Carl, Fred, August, Wilhelmina and Minnie, while the child- ren of the maternal grandparents were Fred, August, Wilhelm and Wilhelmina. Unto Wilhelm and Wilhelmina Grossklaus, the parents of our subject, seven children were born, five of whom are now living: Paul, of Muscatine; Fred, of Berlin, Germany; Helen, now Mrs. Adolph Schultz, of Templin, Germany; Frederica, the wife of Adolph Lipke, of Darrgesdorf, Germany; and Wilhelm.
Wilhelm Grossklaus, Jr., was reared under the parental roof and received a good common-school education in his native city. In 1882, being then twenty- two years of age and ambitious to advance in life, he came to Muscatine, where he worked at brick-laying and attended school in the evening in order to learn the English language. In 1890 he began doing contract work and has ever since engaged as a mason contractor. He has built some of the largest and finest structures in the city, among which may be named the high school build- ing, the public library and the Young Men's Christian Association building, and has also erected many handsome private residences, gaining a reputation as one of the responsible contractors in this part of the state. He is the owner of a farm of four hundred and forty acres in Rock Island county, Illinois, and of two hundred and twenty acres in Lyman county, South Dakota, and recently sold a farm of two hundred and ten acres in Muscatine county. He owns the
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handsome home in which he lives, at No. 1115 Iowa avenue, and other city property, and is president of the Model Button Factory, which gives employ- ment to more than fifty persons.
On the 26th of November, 1883, at Muscatine. Mr. Grossklaus was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Blazing, a daughter of August Blazing. Mrs. Grossklaus was born in Germany and came to America with her mother and two brothers, John and Wilhelm, after the death of her father. The other mem- bers of the family were Frank, August and Wilhelmina. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Grossklaus six children have been born: Frank, who is a brick-layer and lives in Muscatine ; Ima, who died at the age of ten months; Helen, now the wife of George Ebling, of Moline, Illinois; and Elsie, Wilhelm and Mildred, who are at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Grossklaus are firm believers in the authority of the Bible and are valued members of the Lutheran church, contributing liberally toward the support of that organization. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a supporter of the democratic party and for one year served as alderman of the second ward, making a highly creditable record. In 1909 he was appointed by the city council as mayor of the city for a period of one year. He has always made it a principle of his life to do well whatever he undertakes. Consequently he became a first class workman at the very beginning of his business career and his success as a contractor has been due in a large measure to his thorough knowledge of all the details of con- struction. As a citizen he is progressive and public-spirited and believes in applying the same ideas in public affairs that accomplish success in business. He is a lover of his family and his home and is never happier than when he is at his own fireside or entertaining friends at his hospitable board. Begin- ning as a poor boy, he has won his way to the front and earned a position as one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Muscatine.
BERT C. BENHAM.
Bert C. Benham, assistant cashier of the First Trust & Savings Bank, of Muscatine, Iowa, was born in this city, December 5, 1871, and has always made his home here except several years in early life, when the family re- sided in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the son of Milford and Ann (Smith) Benham, who were residents of Versailles, the county seat of Ripley county, Indiana.
Milford Benham was born near Versailles, November 5, 1835, and for years was the proprietor and editor of the Versailles Despatch, a newspaper of that city. Later he became the proprietor of a drug store at the same place. He removed to Muscatine, April 15, 1865, and has made this city his home. For several years he engaged in farming in Wilton township, in ad- dition to conducting his agricultural implement business in this city. He always was interested in public affairs and served for years on the city council as well as a member of and the president of the city board of education. His wife was
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also born at Versailles, Indiana, March 3, 1838, and there made her home till failing health required a change of climate when the family removed to their new home in Iowa. She was a woman of many excellent qualities, devoted to her home and family, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She departed this life March 5, 1904, aged sixty-six years and two days.
James Benham, the paternal grandfather, was of a Virginia family, born February 26, 1810, and always resided on his home farm at Benham, Indiana. He was married to Miss Mary Elless, who was born February 19, 1816, and they spent their entire lifetime at the old family home. Mrs. Benham was one of the oldest settlers of that county, having gone with her parents from Kentucky on horseback, and in the fall of the year having been driven back to Kentucky by an Indian raid in the central part of the state. She returned to Indiana in the spring of 1819 and lived on the same farm till her death July 2, 1909. They had thirteen children of whom Milford was the oldest.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was John Wesley Smith a na- tive of Dutchess county, New York, born on the Hudson, October 1, 1806. He was from an old New York family who settled at Versailles and took lots at the original platting of that county seat, and there lived until his early death November 17, 1853. He was proprietor of a drug and general store there during his entire lifetime. He was married to Mary McCleary Kennedy, who was born in Girard county, Tennessee, March 7, 1810, and whose father re- moved to Indiana when the tide of immigration set in to the north. She was the daughter of Robert Kennedy, whose father and family were driven from Ireland after one of the late uprisings against the English rule. She died at Muscatine, Iowa, November 20, 1889. The following children of her fam- ily grew to maturity: Captain Robert Kennedy Smith, of the Twenty-Second Indiana Infantry, who was killed leading his company in the battle of Perry- ville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862; Ann Smith, deceased, who was the mother of the subject of this sketch; and Dr. Cal W. Smith, a physician now resid- ing in Muscatine.
To Milford and Ann Benham six children were born, of whom Louis and William died in early life. Four are now living, namely: R. F., of whom men- tion is made elsewhere in this volume; J. M. Benham, of Muscatine; Bert C .; and Ettie M., now Mrs. C. S. Guthrie.
Bert C. Benham was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the high school, June 7, 1889. He began his business career by as- sisting his father in the implement business until appointed deputy in the county auditor's office, where he served five years or until elected auditor by the board of supervisors in June, 1894. That fall he became a candidate for state auditor on the democratic ticket but failed of election as the entire ticket was defeated at the polls. He was elected city clerk March 16, 1896, and re- elected and served seven terms in that position, resigning in the fall of 1902 to accept a position with the old Cook, Musser & Company bank. In June, 1904, he was appointed teller of the Muscatine Savings Bank and is now acting as assistant cashier of the First Trust & Savings Bank of this city.
On October 3, 1894, Mr. Benham was united in marriage to Miss Emma R. Rickard, a teacher in the city schools. She was born in Muscatine, March
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6, 1872, and was graduated from the Muscatine high school in 1890, the year following her husband and with whom she was a lifelong schoolmate. She is a daughter of W. H. H. and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Rickard. Three children were born to them: Owen F., now of Oakland, California; Charles F., of Den- ver ; and Emma R. To Mr. and Mrs. Benham one child was born, Ann Eliza- beth Benham, on February 10, 1907, now in the fifth year of her age.
Mr. Benham is a member of Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Wash- ington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; and of Webb Council, No. 18, R. & S. M. He and his wife are members of the Eastern Star and also of the Trinity Episcopal church of Muscatine, of which latter Mr. Benham is a member of the vestry. He has spent practically his entire life in this city and has shown an aptitude for accounting, which he has chosen as a life work and in which he has been successful.
THOMAS J. MANNING.
Thomas J. Manning, who is the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, Cedar township, owes his success to his own good manage- ment and the active cooperation of his estimable wife who has for thirty years been to him a constant inspiration. Born in Indiana, April 24, 1847, he is a son of Daniel and Hannah Ann (Jones) Manning. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Delaware. They were married in Indiana, where they resided for some years, but in 1855 resumed their journey westward and took up their residence on rented land in Muscatine county, Iowa. Here the mother died in 1864 and Mr. Manning subsequently went to Linn county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm, there departing this life in 1892. There were six children in the family, four of whom are now living.
Thomas J. Manning came to Muscatine county with his parents at eight years of age and received his education in the district schools of this county. When eighteen years of age he began to provide for himself by working by the month, continuing in that way for nine years, when he rented a farm which he cultivated with a goodly measure of success for fifteen years. In 1889 he pur- chased the farm in Cedar township upon which he now lives. In addition to cultivating cereals he raises cattle and hogs and by well applied labor and ex- cellent management he has made all branches of his business yield substantial profits and has gained a deserved reputation as a successful farmer.
In 1876 Mr. Manning was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Jones, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, in June, 1856. She is a daughter of A. J. and Mary A. (Crute) Jones, both natives of Ohio, who came to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1865 and became identified with its farming interests. There her father died in 1891 and the mother in September, 1872. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Manning, both of whom died in infancy.
. Mr. Manning since arriving at the estate of manhood has given his allegiance to the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to the prosperity of the country. He has for a number of years been connected with
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the Odd Fellows whose teachings have found in him a worthy disciple. He and his wife are both earnest members of the United Brethren church and active workers in its behalf. Mr. Manning is greatly interested in the religious train- ing of the young and is now superintendent of the Sunday school. He and his wife may always be depended upon to perform their part in forwarding any cause that is essential to the permanent welfare of the community.
WILLIAM S. HUNTER.
The beneficial results of well applied industry are strikingly illustrated in the career of William S. Hunter, a prosperous citizen of Cedar township, Musca- tine county, who is the owner of a fine farm of three hundred acres which he acquired through the application of an innate ability that never yielded to dis- couragement. A man of wide outlook and humane principles, he has contributed greatly to the comfort and happiness of those with whom he has associated and ranks today as one of the most influential members of the community. He was born at West Liberty, Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1861, and is a son of James and Eleanor Hunter, the former of Scotch and the latter of English descent. John Gordon Lane, his grandfather on the maternal side, was one of the early pioneers of Iowa. He settled on a farm a mile south of West Liberty and became one of the prominent men in that locality. The father of our subject was a carpenter by trade. There were six children in his family, the subject of this review being next to the youngest in order of birth.
The father of these children having been called away in 1865 when the son, William S. Hunter, was a child of four years, the latter became an inmate of the home of Aristarchus Cone, an old friend of the family, who lived on a farm in Cedar township, on which he settled in August, 1837. He was a stock and grain farmer and a man of many excellent qualities. Educated in the public schools, our subject early evinced a studious disposition and gave evidence of literary tastes that indicated a professional career as his natural vocation. Books and papers were much more attractive to him than manual labor. However, on account of lung trouble, he was obliged to give up his studies and upon the ad- vice of a physician devoted his attention to outdoor work, finally deciding to make farming his life pursuit. This he has done with marked success and he is now the owner of a beautiful place which he has brought to a high degree of cultivation, having devoted a great deal of time and attention to its improve- ment. He has no specialty but engages in general farming.
On the 9th of October, 1882, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage in Musca- tine county to Miss Jessie A. Shellabarger, a daughter of J. M. Shellabarger. She traces her ancestry back as far as 1306 A. D. and it is believed that Mount Shallenberg, Switzerland, owes its name to this family. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter: Zula Ruth, now Mrs. T. S. Hol- yoke, of Grinnell, Iowa; Aristarchus C., now assisting his father upon the home farm, who attended the district school, then went to Grinnell College for two years and afterward took a course in the animal husbandry department of the
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State Agricultural College at Ames; and Mary E. and Milton A., both of whom are attending school in Grinnell.
Mr. Hunter is strictly independent in his political views, working for meas- ures and voting for men rather than party. He has never sought official pre- ferment, but he has held the office of school director, filling the position in such a way as to meet the hearty approval of the people of the district. While favoring the Congregational church, he realizes that all churches are working for the accomplishment of the same purpose and therefore he worships with all Evangelical denominations. He is a stanch advocate of good roads, im- proved surroundings, better schools, Chautauqua associations and the main- tenance of the church, being also one of the promoters of the first mutual tele- phone line in his neighborhood. He has not used tobacco or liquor since arriv- ing at manhood and has appropriated the approximate cost of the same in the purchase of books and papers, now receiving at his home an average of ten papers and magazines regularly. He has a large and well assorted library which contains the best class of literature. One of his diversions is the collec- tion of old relics and souvenirs. He now has a powder horn which was carried through the Revolutionary war, a pair of French duelling pistols, a dagger, an old fashioned spinning wheel, a flax wheel, a long, heavy hair trigger rifle such as was carried by the early frontiersman, a collection of canes, a foot warmer used by women when stoves were not allowed in the churches, and many other curiosities. Mr. Hunter is of pronounced social characteristics and is never happier than when in the midst of his family or dispensing generous hospitality to friends. A progressive and public-spirited citizen, he assists in all worthy movements which have for their purpose the promotion of the permanent in- terests of the neighborhood.
O. E. TOWNSLEY.
The owner of a well improved farm in Cedar township which he acquired through years of industry, O. E. Townsley has attained a recognized position as one of the substantial and respected citizens of Muscatine county. He is a native of Cedar township, this county, born March 18, 1860, and is a son of Cyrus and Elizabeth (Stevenson) Townsley. The father was born in Ohio and the mother in Kentucky. They came to Muscatine county after their marriage in 1849 and set up housekeeping in a log cabin with a stick chimney, puncheon floor and greased paper for windows, living in this style for several years until they were able to move into a more pretentious residence. Cyrus Townsley prospered as a farmer and became the head of a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living. He departed this life August II, 1905, his beloved companion having been called away June 30, 1896.
O. E. Townsley was educated in the district school and assisted upon the home farm until he was twenty-two years of age when he was married and began farming upon his own account by renting land. After one year upon rented property he purchased fifty acres on section 23, Cedar township, where
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he now lives, and, applying himself diligently, acquired more land until today he is the owner of two hundred and forty-five acres in one body. He raises grains extensively but makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, being one of the most successful stock-raisers in his part of the county. He has made many improvements on his farm in buildings, fences and drainage and has used a judgment which has produced excellent returns. By good manage- ment he has overcome many difficulties that might have discouraged a less resolute man but he steadily persevered and is now assured of a handsome competence for the remainder of his life.
On the 8th of March, 1882, Mr. Townsley was united in marriage to Miss Ava McMichael, who was born September 1, 1864, a daughter of Joseph and Anna E. (Snyder) McMichael. The father was born in Ireland and the mother in Ohio, the former coming to this country at seventeen years of age. Both are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Townsley seven children were born : Clyde E., a resident of Cedar township; Guy O., of Clinton, Iowa ; Roy, who died at the age of thirteen years; Rayzell, deceased; Maxey and Edna, at home; and Anna Margaret, deceased.
Mr. Townsley gives his support to the republican party and although he has never sought public office, he has been called to positions of responsibility by his neighbors and is now filling the office of township trustee. He has also served with general acceptance as a member of the school board. He and his estimable wife are affiliated with the United Brethren church and for a num- ber of years he has been identified with the Fraternal Aid Society. He has steadily progressed from the beginning of his active career not only as a land- owner but as a man of influence in the county. He has many friends who are attracted by his genial qualities and his interest in the welfare of others.
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