USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 68
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The last named still occupies the old home in Muscatine in which he was born September 1, 1861. At the usual age he was sent to the public schools and gradual advancement through the successive grades brought him to the high school, while later he completed a course in Bryant & Stratton Commercial College in Chicago. Desiring to engage in the drug business as a life work, he spent two years as a student in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and took one year in law in the Vol. II-34
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Columbia College Law School in New York City. His attention throughout his active connection with business affairs has been given to the conduct of a drug store in Muscatine and his ability as a pharmacist well qualifies him for the com- pounding and sale of medicines and drugs. He has an attractive and well ap- pointed store and a liberal patronage is accorded him.
CHESTER C. ADAMS.
Chester C. Adams. the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Pike township, has resided in Muscatine county from his birth to the present time and is widely recognized as a representative citizen and substantial agriculturist of the community. He was born in Pike township on the 18th of August. 1858, his parents being Elias and Jane (Reamer) Adams, who were natives of Ohio and Iowa respectively. They were married in this county and began their domestic life on a farm in Pike township, the father being actively engaged in its operation until called to his final rest on the 6th of August, 1899. His death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had won an extensive circle of friends during the long period of his residence here. Our subject lost his mother when but a child, and shortly afterward Elias Adams wedded Miss Martha M. Hughes, whose birth occurred in the east. Chester C. Adams was one of a family of five children, the others being as follows : Mary Etta, the wife of Louis Mills, of South Dakota; Arthur, who is de- ceased; Harriet J., the deceased wife of Jesse Burner, of South Dakota; and Louisa, the deceased wife of Robert Shannon, of Nichols, Iowa.
Chester C. Adams attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm. After starting out as an agriculturist on his own account he was engaged in the cultivation of rented land for eight years, on the expiration of which period he purchased one hundred and ten acres of his present farm in Pike township. By dint of un- tiring industry and good management he accumulated capital sufficient to enable him to extend the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, nearly all of which is under a high state of cultivation. The property is lacking in none of the im- provements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century and the well tilled fields annually yield bounteous harvests.
On the 4th of April, 1882, Mr. Adams was joined in wedlock to Miss Mar- garet Mckibben, whose birth occurred in Indiana on the 29th of June, 1862, her parents being J. T. and Jane (Clark) Mckibben, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. They were married in Ohio and came to Iowa in 1867, settling on a farm in Louisa county. Mr. Mckibben worked as a grade con- tractor for five or six years and then turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, cultivating rented land for three years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Pike township, Muscatine county, in the operation of which he was busily engaged until his death, which
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occurred on the 16th of December, 1898, when he had attained the age of seventy-two years. His wife passed away October 17, 1889, at the age of sixty- seven years. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Clark, who lives with our subject in Pike township; George, who died when thirty years of age; Rachel, the wife of George Hallock, of Nichols, Iowa; William, who died in infancy; Flora, the deceased wife of Arthur Sexton, of Iowa City; Mrs. Adams; and Susan, who passed away when two years of age. Mrs. Adams taught school for some time prior to her marriage, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that she had acquired. Her two daughters are also qualified to follow that profession. They are as follows: Pearl E., who was born on the 13th of November, 1885; and Hazel V., whose natal day was Oc- tober 26, 1892.
In politics Mr. Adams is a republican, loyally supporting the men and meas- ures of that party. He has held the office of road supervisor and also served as a member of the school board for ten years, discharging his duties in these connections in a most able manner. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Brotherhood of America, while his religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife and children also be- long. Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, his word is considered as good as his bond, and he has the entire confidence and respect of those with whom he comes in contact either in business or social affairs.
PATRICK O'TOOLE.
Patrick O'Toole is a native of Seventy-six township, where he now lives, born on a farm October 10, 1852. He has led an extremely active and useful life, in the course of which he has by many kind acts gained the sincere regard of those with whom he is associated. He has suffered reverses but after each reverse he has faced the world with new energy, winning a place of influence in the community.
He is a son of William and Winifred (Byrne) O'Toole, both natives of County Wicklow, Ireland. Coming to the United States in 1842, the father worked in various eastern states until 1850, when he returned to Ireland and in the following spring was married, starting with his bride for Muscatine county, Iowa, soon after that happy event. They crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, which required four weeks for the voyage, his first trip over the ocean having been made in seven weeks. He preempted government land on the line between Seventy-six and Cedar townships in this county and there he lived until 1868, when he took up his residence with his son James, with whom he con- tinued for thirty years. He was called from earthly scenes in 1898, his beloved wife having preceded him by twenty-one years. There were four children in the family : Patrick, our subject; Mary and Sarah, both deceased; and James, now living on the old home place.
Patrick O'Toole received his education in the district schools and on the home farm became thoroughly acquainted with all departments of work per-
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taining to agriculture and stock-raising. At twenty-eight years of age he began farming on his own account on the home place and in 1884 located where he now lives in Seventy-six township. His home has been twice destroyed by fire but he is not a man to yield to obstacles and he now owns four hundred and eighty acres in Seventy-six township and ten acres of valuable timber land in Cedar township, being recognized as one of the most progressive and competent farmers in this part of the county.
In 1880 Mr. O'Toole was united in marriage to Miss Mary Griffin. Three children were born to this union : William J. and J. T., both at home ; and James, deceased. Mrs. O'Toole having been called from earthly scenes in 1886, our subject was again married in 1888, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Fanning, of Cedar township. Eight children have been born to them, six of whom are living : J. P., Mary B., Margaret W., Sarah Catherine and Agatha E. and Lawrence, twins, all of whom are at home. As the head of a large and promising family Mr. O'Toole has set a worthy example, instilling those lessons of prudence and thoughtfulness so necessary in the attainment of any worthy object. He is affiliated with the Roman Catholic church but lends his assistance to the local churches irrespective of their creed. Politically he is in sympathy with the democratic party and no man gives a more sincere support to its prin- ciples. He has served for three years as trustee of the township but has never sought public office, as his principal energies are devoted to his farm and his family.
JACOB E. VAN CAMP.
Jacob E. Van Camp was one of Muscatine's popular and well known citizens who has recently removed to Punta Gorda. De Soto county, Florida. During his residence in Muscatine he was a traveling salesman and insurance solicitor and while business claimed much of his attention, he yet found time for social enjoyment and for the performance of his duties of citizenship. Thus his is a well rounded character and his good qualities commend him to the confidence and high regard of all.
His parents came to Muscatine county at an early day and he was born on the old home farm in Sweetland township, April 11, 1867. His parents were Kiple and Ann Maria (Little) Van Camp, the former a native of Warren county, New Jersey, and the latter of Sussex county, that state. The Van Camps are of Holland Dutch descent. The grandfather, Isaac Van Camp, died before the birth of his son Kiple and the grandmother passed away when Kiple was but eleven years of age. He was the youngest of their family of four sons and a daughter, the others being James V., William, Nelson and Emeline. The maternal grandfather of Jacob E. Van Camp was Benjamin Little, who was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, and after arriving at adult age married Katherine Vass, who was born in Warren county, New Jersey. He went to the lake country in New York state and was never heard of again. ITis widow after- ward came to Iowa with the Van Camp family in 1850 and died in Sweetland
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township a few days before reaching the age of eighty years. Ann Maria Little was their only child.
Kiple Van Camp, left an orphan at the age of eleven years, spent his youth in his native county and throughout his life followed the occupation of farming. In the spring of 1850 he came to Iowa and the unsettled condition of the coun- try is indicated by the fact that he was able to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in Sweetland township, Muscatine county, for two dollars and sixty cents per acre. This same property is today worth a hundred and fifty dollars per acre. He improved the place, converting it into a nice farm, and all of his children were born and reared thereon. Prospering in his undertaking, he became the owner of several farms but disposed of all of them but the old home place, on which he spent his last years. He was born September 15, 1823, and died on the 23d of November, 1903, his death resulting from pneumonia. His widow, who still .survives him, was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, January 17, 1828, and is therefore eighty-three years of age. She was a resident of Warren county, New Jersey, between the ages of seven and twenty years and has been a resident of Muscatine county for more than sixty years, having arrived here on the 16th of May, 1850. She holds membership in the Methi- odist Episcopal church, to which Kiple Van Camp also belonged. They were the parents of ten children: Andrew N., of Highmore, South Dakota; Abram E., of Highmore; William O., of Villisca, Iowa; Mary E., the wife of Isaac Longstreth, of Sweetland, Iowa; James H., operating the old homestead in Sweetland township; George W., of Greenfield, Iowa, now representing Adair county in the state legislature; Jacob E., of Muscatine; Frank K., of Denver, Colorado; and two who died in infancy.
Jacob E. Van Camp was reared upon his father's farm in Sweetland town- ship, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the district schools and also the normal school conducted by Professor Leverich. He continued to assist his father in the cul- tivation of the home farm until he attained his majority and then rented some of his father's land, which he cultivated until 1894, when he removed to Bates county, Missouri, investing in a sixty-acre farm near Butler. A year later he sold that property and went to Crawford county, Missouri, where he purchased eighty acres of land. After disposing of that tract he turned his attention to the hotel business at St. James, Missouri, where he suffered heavy losses through fire on the 6th of January, 1897. A month later he returned to Iowa, where he made his home until his removal to Florida. During the past twelve years lie has been largely upon the road as a commercial traveler and was for a time a representative of the German American Insurance Company of Burlington. For the four years he made his home in Muscatine and was widely known and popular here.
On the 2d of January, 1890, Mr. Van Camp was married to Miss Minnie V. Norcross, who was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, a daughter of Jacob and Emeline (Taylor) Norcross. Her father was born in Warren county and her mother in Connecticut. They came to Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1881 and purchased a farm in Sweetland township, where Mr. Norcross died on the 11th of August, 1910, at the age of seventy-nine years. Her mother is still living at
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the old home. They were the parents of two children : Charles J. and Minnie V. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Van Camp, Anna B. and Roy K. The latter has attended high school, and the former is a graduate of the Muscatine high school and also pursued a teacher's course in the State Nor- mal School and engaged in teaching.
Mrs. Van Camp belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Van Camp holds membership with Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M. His political indorsement is given to the democratic party but he does not seek nor desire office preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. A social nature has made him widely known in the districts to which his business has taken him and he possesses qualities which business men appreciate and com- mend.
H. C. HENDRIX.
Among the alert and energetic citizens of Muscatine county may be named H. C. Hendrix, who owns one of the valuable farms of Cedar township. He was born in Seventy-six township, this county, June 7, 1866, and is a son of William and Charlotte (Willits) Hendrix, the father being a native of Indiana and the mother of Illinois. They were married in Henry county, Iowa, and immediately thereafter took up their residence in Seventy-six township, Musca- tine county, where Mr. Hendrix has acquired a well improved farm of three hundred acres, he and his wife now enjoying the fruits of many years of earnest labor. There were ten children in their family, namely: H. C., our subject ; N. T., who was graduated from the Iowa State University and is now a pros- perous druggist of Columbus Junction, Iowa; L. B., of Louisa county, Iowa ; Estella, now Mrs. Edgar Robertson, of St. Francis, Kansas; Walter, a graduate of the engineering department of the Iowa State University and now pursuing his profession at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Edwin, of Marshalltown, Iowa; L. D., of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; Novella, who died at the age of two years; Wil- mot, at home; and Ledru, now attending the State University.
H. C. Hendrix received his early education in the district schools and grew up under the friendly shelter of the parental roof, continuing at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He began upon his own account by working out by the month and after an experience of six years in this line rented land for five years, then purchasing a farm in Louisa county, which he successfully cul- tivated for a period of five years. Selling his farm, he bought the place he now owns in Cedar township, Muscatine county, which he has developed until it is one of the most highly improved farms in the neighborhood. He gives his un- divided attention to his business and, as he is thoroughly informed as to im- proved methods and uses up-to-date machinery and appliances, he meets with marked success. He is a good judge of live stock and keeps no inferior grades. As the result of years of close application he is in well-to-do circumstances and ranks as one of the influential farmers and stock-raisers of the county.
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On the 25th of February, 1891, Mr. Hendrix was united in marriage to Miss Nevada Syphrit, of Louisa county, Iowa, a daughter of Joseph and Harriett (McNatton) Syphrit. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio. They were married in Louisa county, Iowa, where the father en- gaged in farming and also for twenty-five years in teaching school. The mother departed this life in March, 1894. Mr. Syphrit still makes his home upon the farm with which he has been identified since his early manhood. There were eight children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Syphrit, six of whom are now living: Joseph R., of Wapello, Iowa, who is a graduate of the Eastern Iowa Normal School and taught school for fifteen years; Emma, the wife of George Varner, of Wapello; Nevada, now Mrs. Hendrix; William O. and Mary E., twins, the latter of whom is the wife of Joseph Scull, of Wapello; and Mar- cellus, of Letts, Iowa. Henry, one of the promising boys of the family, died at eighteen years of age.
Mr. Hendrix has since arriving at voting age been identified with the re- publican party and has served as township trustee and for four years as mem- ber of the school board. He has worked his way to success by careful attention to his calling and by a sound judgment which is necessary in any well conducted business. At the age of forty-five years he is in possession of a beautiful farm, which he has acquired through his own exertions, and is assured of a com- petence for life. He and his estimable wife are identified with the Methodist church and may always be depended upon to assist in relieving the wants or in lightening the burdens of those less fortunate than themselves.
HENRY VERINK.
Henry Verink, of Cedar township, is a native of Holland, but has been a resident of the United States for forty-five years and has attained a prosperity that indicates practical judgment and wisely directed industry. He was born December 5, 1863, and is a son of H. J. and Jane (Teherik) Verink. The fam- ily came to America in 1865 and located in Muscatine county, Iowa, taking up their residence five years later on a farm on section 14, Cedar township. The father was a very industrious man and became one of the substantial farmers of the community. He departed this life February 15, 1893, at the age of about seventy-nine years, having been born September 12, 1814. The mother was born July 14, 1830, and was called away April 5, 1892, at the age of nearly sixty-two years. There were two children in the family besides our subject, the second dying in infancy and the third, Minnie, now being the wife of W. I. Idle, of Cedar township.
Henry Verink possessed limited educational opportunities, as he was obliged to assist his father upon the home farm even when quite young. However, he gained a very thorough knowledge of agriculture and stock-raising and at twenty years of age began renting land on his own account, managing so successfully that after six years he was able to purchase eighty acres of good land in Cedar township. He has since acquired additional land until at the present time he
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ownis a fine farm of two hundred and ninety-seven acres and is recognized as one of the successful and substantial citizens of the township. His good fortune is due to persistence and a thorough knowledge of his work. Besides his farm property, he owns a house and blacksmith shop in Cranston and also three empty lots.
Although mixing little in political affairs, he keeps well informed as to the general trend of events and gives his support to the democratic party. He has held the office of township trustee and has also served as road supervisor of his township. He has always been loyal to the interests of the community where he lives and by his integrity of character and public spirit has made many friends. He is in possession of an abundance of this world's goods,-more than enough to supply him with comfort and luxuries during the remainder of his life-all of which he has gained through honorable methods and by his own exertions. He has used economy, industry and perseverance-a trinity that seldom fails abundantly to reward its possessor, yielding to him not only hand- some financial returns but a goodly measure of contentment, even more to be desired than riches.
L. R. McKEE.
L. R. McKee, who has for several years been identified with educational matters in Muscatine county, was born in Conesville on the 16th of April, 1886, a son of Leander and Deborah (Hall) McKee. The father, who was a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, was of German, Irish and Scotch descent, but the mother, who was born in Genesee county, Michigan, was of Irish extraction. They were married in Louisa county, Iowa, and immediately thereafter located on a farm which they continued to cultivate for seventeen years. At the end of that period they removed to Conesville, where Mr. McKee had taken the management of the elevator and also engaged in the shipping of stock. He was engaged in this for thirty years and then retired, continuing to make his home in Conesville, however, where he was living at the time of his death on the 17th of January, 1909, at the age of sixty-nine years. Mrs. McKee, who still sur- vives and has now passed the sixty-sixth milestone in life's journey, continues to reside in the old homestead. Unto them were born the following children : Flora Belle, the wife of G. W. Tipton, of Conesville; Martha, the widow of J. E. Jean, living in Cedar Falls; Nettie D., the wife of J. F. Coffin, also of Conesville; John W .. of Snyder, Oklahoma, who is married and has one son, Robert L., aged nine years; W. S., clerk of the district court, at Muscatine, who is also married and has one son, Tracy J .. four years of age; L. R., our sub- ject ; Byron L., a bookkeeper in Muscatine, also married; and Eva Bell, who died in infancy.
L. R. McKee remained at home and attended the common schools until he had reached the age of thirteen years, when he was sent to the high school at Muscatine and two years later entered the University at Iowa City, where he remained for six years. After leaving the University he spent ten months in
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the south and then returned to Conesville and began teaching in the rural schools in Louisa county. He took a three months' course in the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls after he had taught for two years and then accepted the principalship of the Conesville schools, which position he retained for three years. He received the nomination of the republican party for county superin- tendent at the last election but was defeated by a very small majority.
On the 29th of December, 1909, Mr. McKee was united in marriage to Miss Geneve E. Miller, who was born in Oregon on the Ist of September, 1888, and is a daughter of L. D. and Corena (Latta) Miller. Her parents, who are na- tives of the Hawkeye state, were married in Burlington, Iowa, and after their marriage they located on a farm in this state, which they operated for a time and then migrated to Oregon. They spent fifteen years in the latter state and then returned to Iowa in 1896 and are now living on a farm in Johnson county. They are the parents of the following children: Geneve E., the wife of L. R. McKee; Nellie, Tracy, Ruth and Stanford, the four latter are living at home. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. McKee, Harry G., whose birth oc- curred on the 13th of November, 1910.
The parents are identified with the Reformed church of Conesville, and Mr. McKee is a member of the Royal Arcanum of Muscatine and also of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, which he joined while attending the State Univer- sity. He always gives his political support to the candidates of the republican party, as he considers that its policy is best adapted for the protection of home interests and industries. He is well regarded in the town where he is residing and where the greater part of his life has been spent, and he and Mrs. McKee have many friends and are popular in the social circles of Conesville.
ALFRED H. KLEPPER.
One of the useful and energetic citizens of Muscatine county is Alfred H. Klepper, who comes of rugged Teutonic ancestry and has been for many years a prosperous farmer of Sweetland township. He was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1849, his parents being Christian and Annie (Kutz) Klepper. The father was also a native of the Keystone state, having been born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1811. The paternal grandfather, Christian Klepper, was a native of Germany, born November 12, 1784, and died in his early manhood on the 9th day of February, 1813. The father of our subject came to Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1857 and subsequently purchased two hundred acres of land on section 17, Sweetland township. Here he lived for more than forty years, assisting materially in the development of this region and serving as a member of the school board and as pathmaster. He was called from earthly scenes January 1, 1900. He was an active worker in the ranks of the republican party and a valued member of the Methodist church. Mrs. Klepper, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, was a woman of the pioneer type and possessed many noble traits of character which greatly endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. She departed this life
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