USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 67
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NELS CHRISTOFFERSON.
Nels Christofferson, the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and sixty acres on section 13, Pike township, has won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests. His birth occurred in Denmark on the 6th of April, 1871, his parents being Hans and Johannah (Christianson) Christ- offerson, who spent their entire lives in that country. They reared a family of six children.
Nels Christofferson spent the first twenty years of his life in his native coun- try, obtaining his education in the common schools. In 1891 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up his abode in Scott county, Iowa, there remaining for a short time. He then came to Muscatine county and here worked as a farm hand for a brief period, after which he removed to Illinois, where he was likewise employed on a farm. After returning to this county he devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land until 1909, when he purchased his present farm of two hundred and sixty acres on section 13, Pike township. The property is well improved in every particular and the fields yield rich crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
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On the 23d of November, 1898, Mr. Christofferson was united in marriage to Miss Murney McHenry, who was born in Illinois on the 3d of February, 1882, her parents being Jesse and Ellen (Duncan) McHenry, natives of Virginia and Illinois respectively. They were married in Illinois and the year 1899 wit- nessed their arrival in Iowa. They took up their abode in Muscatine county and have lived here continuously to the present time. Their children were five in number, as follows: Zoa, the wife of James Walters, of Muscatine county ; Pearl, who is the wife of Arthur Whaley and resides in South Dakota; Mrs. Christofferson ; Nora E., the wife of Arthur Cochran, of Muscatine county ; and one who died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Christofferson eight children have been born. namely : Marie J., who was born on the 23d of June, 1899; Ernest, whose birth occurred January 21, 1901, and who passed away November 20, 1910; Della Blanche, whose natal day was May 19, 1902; Hazel M., who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 5th of May, 1904; Christian, who was born February 14, 1906; Jessie Ellen, born October 26. 1907; Leroy, whose birth occurred February 25, 1909; and Martin L., whose natal day was February 26, 1910.
Politically Mr. Christofferson is an advocate of the republican party, believ- ing that its principles are most conducive to good government. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Nichols, while his re- ligious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. Coming to the new world in early manhood, he has since worked his way steadily upward to a position among the representative and respected residents of his community.
MILBURN Z. POOLE.
Although two decades have passed since Milburn Z. Poole was called to his final rest, he is still remembered as one of the respected citizens and substan- tial agriculturists of Pike township, where he followed farming for many years. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 29th of April, 1833, his parents being Micajah and Rebecca (Ralson) Poole, who came to Iowa in 1836, first taking up their abode in Lee county. The father, who was successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, passed away in 1873. His wife was called to her final rest in 1885. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, five of whom are yet living, as follows: William, who is a resident of Muscatine county ; Joseph and Benton, living in Lee county ; McDonald, who makes his home in the state of Washington; and Adeline, the wife of Thomas Walker, of Grant county, Oklahoma.
Milburn Z. Poole, who was but three years of age when brought to Iowa by his parents, remained at home until a youth of seventeen, when he started out in life for himself. In 1851 he crossed the plains to California, remain- ing in that state for ten years or until 1861, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of the One Hundredth California Volunteer Cav- alry. Later he was attached to Company A, Second Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry, with which command he remained until the close of hostilities, serving
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in the capacity of wagonmaster. After being honorably discharged he re- turned to Muscatine county and became identified with general agricultural pursuits. Subsequently he purchased the farm which remained his place of abode until the time of his demise and which is now in possession of his widow His undertakings as an agriculturist were attended with a gratifying measure of success and when he passed away in February, 1891, the community mourned the loss of one of its most substantial and estcemed citizens.
On the 16th of January, 1868, Mr. Poole was united in marriage to Miss Julia E. Stafford, a native of Logan county, Ohio, and a daughter of William R. and Hester (Owen) Stafford, who were born in Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. They came to Iowa in 1854, settling on a farm in Muscatine county which the father operated for a few years. He then took up his abode at West Liberty, where he worked at the cobbler's trade for thirty-five years. The remainder of his life was spent in honorable retirement and it was in 1903 that he was called to his final rest. His mortal remains were interred in Oak Ridge cemetery by the side of his wife, who had passed away in 1898. Their children were six in number, namely: Martha M., the wife of Elias Adams, of Pike township; Charles C., who is a resident of Tennessee; Frank, liv- ing in El Paso, Texas; Albert, of Hollywood, California; Mary J., the wife of Enoch O. Lundy, of Rock Island, Illinois; and Mrs. Poole.
The last named also became the mother of six children, the record of whom is as follows. Adeline, who taught school for several terms prior to her marriage, is now the wife of William Moylan, of Muscatine, Iowa. Al- bert who is married to Maggie Dugan and is also a resident of Muscatine. Mattie is the wife of Charles Conklin and makes her home at West Liberty, Iowa. William M., who operates the old homestead farm, wedded Miss Elsie Shafer, a native of Pike township and a daughter of William and Sarah (Creps) Shafer. They had two children: Charles, who was born on the 25th of May, 1902; and Hazel, who died at the age of five years. Fred Poole still makes his home with his widowed mother. Edna gave her hand in mar- riage to Berl Heath and lives on a farm in this county. The family belong to the Christian church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. Mrs. Poole enjoys an extensive acquaintance throughout the community in which she resides and is highly esteemed as a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind.
ULISSIS GRANT HOLLENBECK.
Ulissis Grant Hollenbeck is numbered among the men of enterprise and business ability who have won for Muscatine county the reputation of being one of the best agricultural sections of this great state. He lives in Pike town- ship, where general farming and stock-raising and feeding claim his atten- tion and his energies. His place is a well improved property of three hun- dred and thirty-two acres and it is the visible evidence of liis life of well di- rected industry and thrift.
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His birth occurred in Linn county, Iowa, February 26, 1865, his parents being Jeremiah and Mary T. (French) Hollenbeck, both of whom were na- tives of New York, in which state their marriage was celebrated. They came to Iowa in 1864 and first took up their abode on a farm in Linn county, where they remained for two years. On the expiration of that period they estab- lished their home in Pike township, Muscatine county, and subsequently came in possession of one hundred and twenty acres of land, in the cultivation of which Mr. Hollenbeck was actively and successfully engaged until called to his final rest in 1884. The mother was married a second time and now lives on a portion of our subject's farm. She has attained the age of seventy years. By her first marriage she was the mother of three children, as follows: Ida May, the wife of John Ziegler, of Johnson county, Iowa; Ulissis G., of this re- view; and Walter, a widower residing at Nichols, Iowa.
Ulissis G. Hollenbeck remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. Hay- ing chosen the pursuit of agriculture as a life work, he began farming on a tract of forty acres of land which he owned in Pike township and which has remained in his possession to the present time. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his holdings by purchase until his farm now embraces three hundred and thirty-two acres of valuable land. In connec- tion with the tilling of the soil he has also devoted considerable attention to the raising and feeding of high grade stock, this branch of his business adding materially to his income. His farm is a well developed property, the fields yielding golden harvests as a tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon them.
On the 31st of January, 1889, Mr. Hollenbeck was united in marriage to Miss Katie Smith, who was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 3d of September, 1867, her parents being George and Elizabeth (Attic) Smith, na- tives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in early life. first settling in Illinois, where they resided until 1865, when they came to Iowa, locating on a farm in this county. Mr. Smith gave his attention to its operation until 1906, when he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to Nichols, where he has since lived in honorable retirement. He has now attained the ripe old age of seventy-five years. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, namely: Adam, who resides on a farm in Pike township, this county; Mrs. Hollenbeck; George, who makes his home on a farm in Johnson county; Anna E., the deceased wife of Walter Hollenbeck, of Pike township, Muscatine county; Sarah M., who is the wife of Phillip Lentz, of Johnson county, Iowa; Ella Barbara, who gave her hand in mar- riage to Peter Lentz, of Johnson county; John M., who is married and lives on a farm in Johnson county; William, who died when eighteen months old; Nicholas G. and Louis J., who make their home on a farm in Muscatine county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck have been born six children, as fol- lows: Rose May, whose birth occurred February 26, 1890, and who died Au- gust 6, 1891 ; Lilly Ann, who was born August 27, 1891; George, who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 4th of October, 1893; Nellie M.,
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whose natal day was January 10, 1896; Arthur U., who was born February 26, 1898; and Albert, born March 31, 1905.
Mr. Hollenbeck is a democrat in politics but has no desire for the honors and emoluments of office. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Wood- men of America, belonging to lodge No. 4195 at Nichols, while religiously he and his family are connected with the Christian church. Almost his entire life has been passed in this county and he is well known here as an active and industrious citizen, who utilizes his opportunities to the best advantage and who is not afraid of that close application and indefatigable industry which constitute the basis of all honorable success.
G. C. LINDEE.
G. C. Lindee, a successful agriculturist and prominent citizen of Pike town- ship, is the owner of a good farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres which yields him a gratifying annual income. His birth occurred in Germany in Octo- ber, 1847, his parents being John and Amelia (Knaack) Lindee, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father was a bricklayer by trade and followed that occupation throughout his active business career.
G. C. Lindee spent the first twenty-four years of his life in the land of his nativity and then crossed the Atlantic to the United States, reaching Chicago at the time of the memorable fire of 1871. A few days later he made his way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and there worked by the day for a short time. Sub- sequently he went to Racine, Wisconsin, where he was employed in the machine shops for two years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Henry county, Iowa. He there worked as a farm hand for a short time and then came to Muscatine county, being here employed in a similar capacity for a few years. Afterward he clerked in a store for a period of thirteen years and then again turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, cultivating rented land for a few years. At the end of that time he purchased the farm in Pike township which has remained his place of abode continuously since and which embraces two hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land. He has made many sub- stantial improvements thereon and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. Sus- cess has crowned his labors and he has long been numbered among the sub- stantial and representative citizens of his community.
Mr. Lindee has been married twice. On the 27th of September, 1883, he wedded Miss Louise Hacke, a native of Cook county, Illinois. Her parents, both of whom were born in Germany, lived in Cook county, Illinois, for some time following their emigration to America but later came to Iowa and here con- tinued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Louise Lindee, who was the eldest of a family of five children, became the mother of four children, as follows: Frederick, who died in infancy ; Carl, who is a resident of Indiana ; Albert L., who was born on the 18th of February, 1887, graduated from the Nichols high school and is now employed as a railway mail clerk by
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the Rock Island Railroad Company ; and Mabel, who passed away when but nine months old. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in November, 1895, and her mortal remains were interred in the Nichols cemetery. Two years later Mr. Lindee married Miss Etta M. Quinby, who was born in Indiana on the 4th of March, 1854, her parents being James and Susanna (Gibble) Quinby, na- tives of Pennsylvania. Following their marriage they took up their abode in Ohio, while later they removed to Indiana and still later to Floyd county, Iowa, remaining in the last named place for eight years. On the expiration of that period they came to Muscatine county and lived on a farm here during the remainder of their lives. James Quinby, who passed away when his daughter Etta was still but a child, was buried in the Black Hawk cemetery. His wife died in October, 1892, and was laid to rest in the Conesville cemetery. They were the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are yet living.
In politics Mr. Lindee is a democrat and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust. He has served as president of the Nichols school board and also acted as mayor of the village of Nichols for one term. At the present time and for the past six years he has ably served as a trustee of Pike township. He and his family be- long to the Protestant church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. His son Albert is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belong- ing to the lodge at Nichols. Mr. Lindee has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America, for in this country he has found the oppor- tunities which he sought and through their utilization has worked his way up- ward, his life indicating what may be accomplished by determination and well directed energy. During the long period of his residence in Muscatine county he has gained many friends, having won the warm regard of all with whom he has been associated.
F. D. LOWRY.
The operation of about five hundred acres of land, a portion of which belongs to his sister, Mrs. May Richardson, of Davenport, fully occupies the time and attention of F. D. Lowry, whose unfaltering labor has made this place one of the valuable properties of Montpelier township. One of Iowa's native sons, he was born in Muscatine on the 7th of January, 1868, and within the borders of Muscatine county has spent his entire life. His father, William Eaker Lowry, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, May 5, 1827, was there educated and continued to make that city his home until his removal to Muscatine in early life. He re- mained in this city until 1849, in which year he joined a party bound for Cali- fornia. With a train of six mules they crossed the plains, and Mr. Lowry re- mained on the Western coast for about seven years, after which he returned to Muscatine. His remaining years were devoted to farming. He was a veteran of the Civil war, going loyally to the support of his country in her hour of need, and for three years served as a member of the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He passed away September 13, 1906, at a ripe old age. His wife,
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who in her maidenhood was Virginia Waggoner, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 31, 1837, and in early childhood came with her parents to Scott county, Iowa. She still survives her husband and now makes her home in Davenport. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children, as follows: Sarah, the wife of L. Davenport, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Catherine, who passed away in young womanhood; May, the wife of S. P. Richardson, of Davenport; F. D., of this review; C. D., who is also deceased; W. D., who is married and resides in Miles City; Joseph, who died at the age of three and a half years; and Sam- uel, whose death occurred in infancy.
Soon after his birth F. D. Lowry was taken by his parents to Muscatine Island and there the family resided for five or six years, after which they took up their abode on the farm which is still the home of the son. He received his education in the country schools and in the periods of vacation assisted in the cultivation of the farm, receiving thorough training in the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. He continued to assist in the work of the home farm and remained with his father until the latter's death, since which time he has con- tinued to reside on the farm, and in connection with the operation of his own property he manages the adjoining farm belonging to his sister, Mrs. Richard- son, which consists of two hundred and fifty-eight acres. He engages in general farming and stock-raising. His own property, consists of two hundred and thirty-five acres, originally a part of his father's estate. The farm is a beautiful place, situated upon an elevation which commands a fine view of the great Mississippi river and the surrounding country. It is located one mile west of Montpelier, four and a half miles east of Fairport and seven miles southwest of Blue Grass, bringing the conveniences and activities of city life within easy reach.
In the year 1892 Mr. Lowry was united in marriage to Sarah Eis, who was born in Montpelier township on the 22d of November, 1873, and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Goettge) Eis, both of whom were natives of Germany. They were married, however, in Ohio and spent their last days in Iowa, passing away in Muscatine county. The father had engaged in agricultural pursuits until his retirement from business. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lowry has been blessed by three daughters, Helen, Ruth and Lila. Mr. Lowry gives his sup- port to the democratic party but in politics he takes simply a citizen's interest, the honors and emoluments of office having no attraction for him.
THOMAS T. TOWNSLEY.
Thomas T. Townsley, a prominent farmer of Muscatine county, who for some years past has served most acceptably as justice of the peace in Cedar town- ship, was born at Greene county, Ohio, May 17, 1848, a son of Cyrus and Eliza- beth (Stevenson) Townsley. He received his preliminary education in the public schools, later attending the high school and after coming west graduating from a veterinary college at Omaha, Nebraska. He remained in the Buckeye state until twenty-three years of age and then began trading and handling stock.
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operating in Nebraska and Kansas principally but also at times in Colorado, Texas and other states. He continued in this business for twenty years, during which time he gained a wide acquaintance among stockmen and built up an enviable reputation in his special line.
After his marriage Mr. Townsley spent sixteen years in Rock Island county, Illinois, where he cultivated a farm of two hundred and eighty acres and also raised live stock, which he delivered regularly to the market. Having rented part of his farm, he devoted the remainder of it to stock purposes and in 1906 purchased the farm in Cedar township, this county, upon which he now lives, it being the old homestead of the family. It is one of the best improved places in the locality and is provided with all modern conveniences for up-to-date opera- tions. The success of Mr. Townsley has been largely due to his skillful handling and feeding of cattle and hogs.
On the 12th of September, 1883, Mr. Townsley was united in marriage to Miss Celestia E. Woodward, a daughter of C. R. and Amanda E. (Glancey) Woodward. Her father is a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Indiana. They are now living in Mercer county, Illinois. There were three children in their family : John G .; Mary S., now the wife of R. G. Hines, of Mercer county, Illinois; and Celestia E. Three children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Townsley : Elizabeth E., born June 22, 1894; Cyrus R., April 10, 1897; and Helen Agnes, July 5, 1899.
Since arriving at voting age Mr. Townsley has given his allegiance to the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to the pros- perity and permanency of the republic. He and his family are consistent mem- bers of the Presbyterian church and give it their hearty support. A man of large and varied experience, Mr. Townsley is somewhat cosmopolitan and is broader in his views than one less versed in human nature. He has attained success through diligence and perseverance, and his record should be an en- couragement to all who are striving to accomplish worthy objects.
FREDERICK H. GREEN.
No unusual or exciting experiences have constituted chapters in the life record of Frederick H. Green, but fidelity to duty, a progressive spirit and business ac- tivity have made him one of the valued residents of Muscatine, where he is now successfully engaged in the conduct of a drug store. The family of which he is a representative traces its ancestry back in this country to Ezekiel Green, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, who in 1781 journeyed from Little Compton, Connecti- cut, by team to Rutland, Vermont. It was there that Joseph Green, the grand- father of our subject, was born and reared and in the course of years became a leading merchant of that place and a man of considerable local influence, although he died when but twenty-four years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden nanie of Marcia Reed, afterward came to the west and died in Muscatine in 1859.
Their son, Joseph A. Green, was born in Rutland on the 24th of February, 1814, and died in Muscatine on the 10th of November, 1876. He was described
4
JOSEPH A. GREEN
THE NEW YU. " PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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in his boyhood as a tall, slender youth, courageous and full of fun. He was seven- teen years of age when in the spring of 1831 he left his native city and started with a drove of cattle for Detroit, Michigan. The journey successfully accom- plished, he returned to the Green Mountain state and afterward engaged in clerk- ing in a general store in Castleton. But he had felt the fascination of the west and afterward made his way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he found employ- ment in the general store of a Mr. Bowman, whose first wife was Eliza Reed, an aunt of Joseph A. Green. Following hier death Mr. Bowman wedded her sister Emily, who passed away a few years later, and Mr. Bowman did not long survive her. On Icaving Milwaukee. Joseph A. Green made his way to St. Louis, where he found employment in a shoe store, and in 1844 he came to Muscatine, Iowa, with the business interests of which city he was long identified. He formed a partnership with a Mr. Enders for the conduct of a clothing store in a building on the present site of the McQueston & Sawyer hardware store. When Mr. Enders withdrew from the business George C. Stone became a partner of Mr. Green under the firm name of Green & Stone, dealers in general merchandise. They removed from their original location across the street into a room later oc- cupied by Adam Hild as a grocery store. Success attended the venture and about 1845 they enlarged the scope of their business by engaging in pork packing in the Isett warehouse opposite the oatmeal mill on Front street. These interests, how- ever, did not seem to constitute sufficient scope for their activities and ambitions and in 1850 they established a bank in a room later occupied by the New Process Laundry. In 1857 they erected and occupied a building which afterward became the property of J. H. Canon and about 1859 they erected a brick pork-packing house in South Muscatine and also laid out the village of Greentown, Green street being named in honor of the senior member of the firm. In the fall of 1861 the bank suspended. On the 15th of May of that year Mr. Green was elected state senator over A. M. Hare, to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of A. O. Pat- terson, who left the state. He served during the special session of that summer when measures were taken to put Iowa on a war footing. His wife was a native of Buckfield, Maine. She bore the maiden name of Cyrena Bisbee and was a granddaughter of John Bisbee, a soldier of the Revolutionary war and a daughter of Martin and Lucy (Cushman) Bisbee. Her father was a merchant and pioneer of the state of Maine, and both lie and his wife died there when well advanced in years, having had seven or eiglit children, including Cyrena, who became the wife of Joseph A. Green. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Green were born the following children : Helen M., living in Muscatine; Willard Reed, a resident of New York city; George Alexander, of Metcalf, Arizona; Henry Lee, whose home is in Quincy, Illinois ; Elizabeth, the wife of Irving B. Richman, of Muscatine; and Fred- erick H.
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