USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 71
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fifteen years of active labor the father retired but still continued to live upon the homestead, where he departed this life November 25, 1882. The mother passed away October 5, 1893. Mr. Snyder was very successful as a farmer and acquired five hundred and sixty acres of land, four hundred and eighty acres of which he divided among his children, giving each of them a fair start in life. Eighty acres of his land he disposed of by sale. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob J. Snyder, two of whom are now living, namely : Samuel B., our subject; and Joseph M., of Panora, Guthrie county, Iowa. Those deceased are: Caroline, William, Mary, John, Abraham, George and Anna.
Samuel B. Snyder was reared upon the home farm and remained with his parents until he was eighteen years of age, when he responded to the call of President Lincoln on the 12th of August, 1862, and enlisted in Company F, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He went with his regiment to the front and participated in many important battles and movements of the war. He was present at the battles of Raymond, Jackson and Black River, Mississippi, and took part in the siege of Vicksburg and the Red River expedition, later being with his regiment in the battles of Tupelo and Nashville, the latter being one of the important engagements of the war. He performed his duties faithfully to the end and was honorably discharged from service June 13, 1865. After a short visit to Muscatine county he spent one year in Ohio and then returned to this county, where he took charge of a part of his father's farm, of which he later became the owner. In 1885 he disposed of this property and purchased land in Cedar township, being now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres, which he has improved and converted into one of the most valuable landed pos- sessions of its size in the county. Being a man of energy and good judgment, he early attained a position as one of the leaders in the community and although he is now living retired his advice is frequently sought by many friends and acquaintances.
On the 25th of December, 1867, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Sarah B. Jones, of Ohio, a daughter of Henry and Theresa (Wagner) Jones. The parents were married in Ohio and spent their lives in the Buckeye state. Their family included eight children : Edith, now living in California; Laura, also of California ; Clara and Charlotte, both of Ohio; Walter, of Muscatine county ; Elizabeth, who died at twelve years of age; John W., who died in the Klondike, April 5, 1905; and Sarah B. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Snyder was brightened by the birth of three children. Bertha E., born December 11, 1868, was cdu- cated in the common schools and is the wife of J. F. Hankins, of Cedar town- ship. Jacob H. was born January 13, 1874, and now lives at Muscatine, Iowa.
Leo E. Snyder, the youngest of the family, was born in Muscatine county, June 17, 1882. He remained at home until nineteen years of age and then worked for the farmers of the neighborhood for one year. Upon arriving at manhood he began farming on the homestead, where he has since remained, being now in charge of one hundred acres which he has cultivated thoroughly, gaining highly satisfactory results. On October 28, 1902, he was united in mar- riage to Miss S. Ellen Coder, who was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, a daugh- ter of John and Eliza (Fry) Coder. Her father is a native of Ohio and her
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mother of Pennsylvania. They were married in Muscatine county and are now living retired. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coder six children were born, namely: Bru- netta, Roa, Chester, William, Lillie and S. Ellen. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leo E. Snyder: Hazel Marie, born March 28, 1905; Harold J., December 27, 1908; and Ethiel Brunette born March 22, 1911. The mother of these children, who was a graduate of the high school of Letts, and taught school for three years previous to her marriage, died April 11, 1911. She was a con- sistent member of the Christian church, to which her husband also belongs and both were active workers in behalf of the church and of the community in which they lived.
The beloved wife of Samuel B. Snyder was summoned from earthly scenes May 24, 1904. The loss of his companion was the greatest affliction Mr. Sny- der has ever known but he is a sincere believer in the Christian religion and has been sustained by the promises of divine writ. He is a faithful member of the Christian church and has for many years served as deacon and trustee, at the present time being superintendent of the Sunday school in Cedar township. Politically he gives his adherence to the republican party and served for six years as constable, also filling the offices of township trustee and member of the school board. He affiliates with the Grand Army of the Republic and no man is more highly respected in Muscatine county than the subject of this review.
CHESTER M. ESTLE.
At an age when most men are just fairly starting in their business career Chester M. Estle has become well established and is recognized as one of the successful farmers of Muscatine county. He has been closely connected with lagricultural interests since his earliest recollection, and, having natural talent for those lines, he experienced little difficulty in arriving at the responsible position he now occupies. He was born in Louisa county, Iowa, July 24, 1880, and is a son of Jacob and Rebecca ( Miller) Estle, both natives of Cedar town- ship, Muscatine county. The parents were married in Muscatine in 1877 and the mother passed away about ten years later. There were three children in the family : Thomas L .; Daisy, who died at the age of seven years; and Ches- ter M., our subject. The father was married a second time, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Lewin, of Iowa. By this union three children were born : Hazel S., William H. and Jacob F., all of whom are living in Iowa. Mr. Estle has devoted his attention with marked success to farming and is now liv- ing on his place of one hundred and forty-four acres in Louisa county. He also owns forty acres of good land in Johnson county, Iowa.
Chester M. Estle was reared under the protection of the parental roof and continued with his father until twenty-five years of age. Even as a boy he evinced unusual interest in everything pertaining to agriculture and stock-rais- ing, and as he grew up he gave evidence of practical ability that has yielded most gratifying returns. After his marriage he began farming on his own ac- count and is now the owner of a beautiful place of three hundred and thirty-
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five acres in Cedar township, and also of two hundred and twenty-five acres in Johnson and Louisa counties. He is recognized as a man of excellent judgment -one possessing the qualities that are most essential in the accomplishment of success in any laudable undertaking.
On the 21st of March, 1906, Mr. Estle was united in marriage to Miss Mayme E. Bell, who was born in Johnson county, Iowa, April 19, 1885, daugh- ter of John and Susan (Kane) Bell. Her parents are both natives of Ireland and came to America in 1876. They were married in Massachusetts and re- moved to Iowa in 1880, settling on a farm in Johnson county. Mr. Bell is now the owner of five hundred acres of well improved land and is one of the sub- stantial and progressive men of his county. There were eleven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bell, two of whom, Stuart and William, died in infancy, and John A. died at the age of seventeen years. Other members of the family were : James H., Mayme E., now the wife of our subject, Susan J., Charles S., William, Annie R., Margaret and John. One child, Mabel, born October 6, 1907, has come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Estle.
Mr. Estle gives his adherence to the republican party and although he has not sought public office, he served as township clerk for two years. His esti- mable wife is a valued member of the Reformed church. Mr. Estle has many friends and never fails to command the esteem and regard of all who come in contact with him.
WILLIAM MAXWELL.
By his thrift and industry William Maxwell has provided for himself and family and now owns a farm of two hundred and five acres in Orono town- ship, which he has developed into one of the valuable places of this section of the state. Born in Muscatine county, March 28, 1873, he is a son of T. J. and Mary (Boggs) Maxwell, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Educated in the district schools, William Maxwell remained at home until twenty-five years of age, devoting his attention after laying his books aside to agriculture and stock-raising. He began farming on his own account on eighty acres in Orono township, which is a portion of the land that he now owns. It is all finely improved except forty acres which are in timber. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and spares no pains in his work, thus pro- ducing the best results possible. He is regarded by his neighbors as a thorough farmer and a survey of his place corroborates this estimate, everything about it being in splendid order.
On the 23d of December, 1896, Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Snyder, who was born in Muscatine county, April 13, 1878, a daughter of John and Rosanna (Chapman) Snyder, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Ohio. Mr. Snyder became a farmer of Muscatine county, Iowa. He was, however, a carpenter by trade and devoted the main years of his life to that occupation. He passed away in February, 1907, but Mrs. Snyder is still living and makes her home at Conesville. There were the
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following children in their family: Philander and Simeon, both deceased; Belle, the wife of Alfred Ferry, of Howard, Kansas; Emma, now Mrs. Daniel Mc- Cleary, of Rock Island, Illinois; Josie, the wife of John Bowlby, of Daven- port, Iowa; Minnie, the wife of Thomas Maxwell, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; John, deceased; Mary, the wife of Robert Maxwell, whose sketch is presented on another page of this work; Allie, now Mrs. Ches- ter Cecil, of Hedrick, Iowa; and Jennie, now Mrs. William Maxwell. Three children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell: Hazel A., who was born May 6, 1897; Willie H., born September 8, 1900; and Russell, born June 3, 1903.
Mr. Maxwell possesses many of the sterling traits that assist so materially in building up a reputable character, and as he is a man of observation and clear judgment, he has made steady progress from the very beginning of his business career. He is clearly one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of Muscatine county-a man whose life has reflected credit not only upon himself and family but upon the community of which he is an honored member. He and his family are identified with the Reformed church. Politically he supports the democratic party and for two years past has served as township trustee and member of the school board. Fraternally he affiliates with Lodge No. 8342, M. W. A., of Conesville.
J. ROY WILHELME.
After years of persistent labor J. Roy Wilhelme, now of Muscatine county, gained a fair start as a farmer and at the present time is the owner of a beau- tiful place of two hundred acres which he acquired through his own exertions. No clearer example of the result of good judgment and wisely applied industry is to be found anywhere than that presented in his life. He was born in Iowa, December 31, 1865, and is a son of Nicholas and Louisa (Huffmeister) Wil- helme, both of whom were born in Germany. The parents came to America in their childhood and after their marriage, which took place in Muscatine county, they became identified with farming interests. The father departed this life in Montpelier township but the mother is now living in Muscatine, having attained the age of sixty-seven years. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living, namely: J. Roy, our subject; Katie E., born March 26, 1868; Frank A., January 4, 1870; Henry W., January 16, 1873; Mil- lie M., February 10, 1876; Louisa A., September 25, 1881 ; and Myrtle B., Feb- ruary 13, 1884. Of the two members of the home circle now deceased Clara was born February 27, 1872, and George W., November 18, 1878.
The subject of this review remained at the parental home until he reached the age of eighteen years, in the meantime having acquired a fair education in the district school and having also obtained a practical knowledge of agricul- tural pursuits, which has been of very great benefit to him in the years that have passed. He began life for himself as a farm hand and after an experience of seven years along that line he rented land for five years, cultivating it so as-
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siduously that he was enabled to purchase a part of the place which he now owns. In 1907 he removed to Muscatine, where he lived for two years, but then returned to the farm, upon which he has made many improvements, sup- plying it with all necessary accessories, and as a result of his care and labor he gathers each year abundant harvests. He owes a large part of his success to the skilful handling and feeding of stock.
On the 2d of March, 1891, Mr. Wilhelme was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. McMichael, who was born in Muscatine county in 1866 and is a daughter of Joseph and Ann Eliza (Snyder) McMichael. The father was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and the mother in the region of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. McMichael came to America in 1850 and was married in Iowa, engaging for many years actively as a farmer in Muscatine county. He died in May, 1907. Mrs. McMichael remained upon the homestead for two years and then removed to Muscatine, where she died in 1909, at the age of sixty-seven years. There were five children in their family, namely: Catherine R., born July 7, 1861 ; Ava E., September 1, 1864; Martha A .; Caroline E., born September 13, 1868; and Erma A., who was born October 23, 1877, and passed away three years later. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelme two children have been born: Ora M., born November 17, 1897; and Lela V., September 21, 1901.
Mr. Wilhelme has devoted his attention mainly to his business and has mixed little in political affairs, but he gives his support to the republican party, whose principles he accepts as best adapted to advance the permanent interests of the state and nation. He keeps well informed as to general events and is known as one of the intelligent thinking men of the county. He and his family are mem- bers in good standing of the United Brethren church.
J. F. HANKINS.
The record of J. F. Hankins, who is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Muscatine county, presents a remarkable instance of successful perseverance in the face of the gravest obstacles. It is proof that "where there is a will there is a way," as all difficulties disappear before a courage that yields not to them. Mr. Hankins was born in Wyandot county, Ohio, on the 19th of November, 1867, and is a son of Thomas and Elmina (Haner) Hankins, the former of whom was born in Maryland and the latter in New York state. They were married in Ohio and there continued during the remainder of their lives, the mother passing away January 28, 1875, and the father June 22 of the same year. There were six children in their family, four of whom are now living, namely: G. W., a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Louis, of Texas; William, of Ohio; and J. F. Amelia died at thirteen and Mary at three years of age.
At the tender age of seven years the subject of this review was deprived by death of his parents and was given into the care of a heartless guardian, who instead of acting as his protector sent him from place to place to work for his board and clothing. This he was obliged to do until he was sixteen years of age,
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when he began to work for wages by the month. Even as a boy he showed un- usual ambition and energy and at eighteen years of age he began renting land on his own account. He carefully saved his earnings and three years later pur- chased eighty acres in Cedar township, later acquiring ninety acres more and developing his farm until it has become one of the valuable properties in that part of the county. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and is able to deliver his cattle and hogs in fine condition at the market. The neat and attractive appearance of his place indicates that he gives to it careful attention and the revenue which he derives from his labor is year by year steadily increasing.
On the 6th of March, 1889, Mr Hankins was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Snyder, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah B. (Jones) Snyder, of Musca- tine county, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hankins, all of whom are at home; Fannie B., born January 19, 1890, who is a graduate of the normal school of Muscatine and has been successfully engaged in teaching for four years; Letha C., who was born December 8, 1892, and was educated in the common schools; and Gertrude A., born November 5, 1898.
Mr. Hankins enjoys the happiness experienced only by those who have won prosperity through their own exertions. His success should encourage others who are obliged to depend upon their own resources. Energetic, self-reliant and at all times governed by a sound judgment, he steadily forged his way to the position which he now holds as one of the substantial citizens of the county.
GEORGE H. WARD.
George H. Ward, who was well known in Cedar and Muscatine counties as a patriotic and progressive citizen, was summoned from earthly scenes August 1, 1905, and the entire community mourned his death. He was during the last fifteen years of his life a resident of West Liberty and attracted many friends by his gentlemanly and genial manner.
A native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, he was born February 28, 1838, a son of Captain William and Mary (McCoy) Ward, who were also born in Penn- sylvania. He was a member of a family of seven children and was given good advantages of education, so that upon reaching manhood he was well pre- pared to enter the battle of life. At nineteen years of age he was married and became identified with his father in the real-estate business, continuing in that line at Pittsburg until 1880, when he removed to Cedar county, Iowa. After spending ten years in Cedar county, in the meantime purchasing a farm of eighty acres, he built a handsome residence at West Liberty and there established his home, living there during the remainder of his life. His remains were in- terred in Allegheny cemetery at Pittsburg. He was a man of unusual intelli- gence, good powers of observation and discrimination and unexceptionable character, easily occupying a prominent position wherever he was known.
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In 1857 Mr. Ward was united in marriage to Miss Loretta Lamborn, who was born at Pittsburg, February 28, 1840, a daughter of George J. and Jane (Jordan) Lamborn, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Ward was one of a family of five children, four of whom are now living. She still makes her home at West Liberty but spends the winters in Florida on account of the advantages of climate. She is a member of the Methodist church, as was her husband, and has been a liberal contributor in behalf of religion and philan- thropy. She was instrumental in the erection of an addition to the church at West Liberty, which cost seventeen thousand dollars and presented the church with a pipe organ which cost two thousand dollars. She also bore the expense of the erection of a tabernacle at Khandwa, India, and has assisted in number- less ways in forwarding the dissemination of the Christian religion. She is the owner of a store building and two fine residences in West Liberty and half a million dollars worth of property in Pittsburg. On account of her generous spirit and her many estimable qualities she has a host of friends in Muscatine and adjoining counties.
FRANKLIN G. HESTON.
The owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 10, Goshen township, Franklin G. Heston may be regarded as having made a success of his business. Especially is this true in view fo the fact that he is the architect of his own fortune, having had nothing to depend upon at the start except a laudable ambition and a good strong constitution.
Born in Mason county, Illinois, May 6, 1857, he is the son of Mahlon and Elizabeth (Gordon) Heston. The parents were both born in Pennsylvania and were married in that state, coming west previous to the '50s, Mr. Heston being convinced that the Mississippi valley presented a more favorable outlook for a farmer than could be found anywhere in the east. He rented land in Mason county for twenty years and then purchased eighty acres, on which he lived until his death, which occurred July 15, 1901. The mother made her home with her children until she passed away October 2, 1904. There were fourteen children in their family, five of whom are now living, namely: Sarah E., the widow of H. C. Beckwith, who lived at Kilbourne, Illinois; Franklin G., the subject of this review ; Anna, the wife of C. E. Hopping, of Beaver City, Nebraska ; Lura, now Mrs. Charles Freas, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and H. B., of Adel, Iowa.
Franklin G. Heston acquired his early education in the district schools and as he grew up was well trained by his father in the various details of agricul- ture and stock-raising. He continued on the home farm until twenty-four years of age, when he began farming upon his own account, renting land for ten years. Being a man of industrious and thrifty habits and also being ambitious to become a landowner, he purchased a portion of the farm where he now lives and has since increased the area until his place includes one hundred and twenty acres and is one of the desirable farms of the township. It is doubtful whether
MR. AND MRS. F. G. HESTON
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENJX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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any other farm of its size in this section is in better condition for cultivation or provided with more modern facilities.
On the 22d of February, 1883, Mr. Heston was united in marriage to Miss Ella A. Jackson, who was born in Muscatine county, October 2, 1859, a daugh- ter of Elias and Annis (Dickinson) Jackson. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Vermont. They were married in Muscatine county and Mr. Jackson began farming on South Prairie, but after a few years removed to the state of Connecticut. However, five years' experience in the east convinced him that Iowa presented more favorable inducements and he again established his home in this state, where he remained until his death in 1879. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson seven children were born, namely: Daniel, of Kilbourne, Illinois; Frank, of West Liberty; Ella, now Mrs. Frank G. Heston ; George, of Sylvia, Illinois; and Hattie, Cora and Leona, all of whom are deceased. After the death of her husband the mother of these children was married to Jonathan Pringey, a native of Pennsylvania, and one child was born of this union, Clar- issa, now the wife of George Skinner, of Canada. The mother passed away in December, 1899, but Mr. Pringey is still living and makes his home at West Liberty, having arrived at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Two children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Heston, namely : Delmer K., born March 25, 1886, who received a common-school education and is now married and lives at Atalissa ; and Dessie P., born November 26, 1888, who was educated in the com- mon schools and is living at home.
By an upright and industrious life Mr. Heston has set a worthy example and has gained the confidence of his neighbors and all who know him. From the start he has been actuated by sound judgment and today he is in possession of a competence. Mrs. Heston is a member of the Christian church and firm believer in the authority of the Bible. Socially Mr. Heston is identified with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America at Atalissa and politically gives his support to the republican party.
JOHN W. BLACK.
Among the successful farmers of Orono township is John W. Black, who has prospered in his chosen calling and by industry and sound judgment merits the gratification he now derives from the possession of a handsome competence. He was born in Boone county, Kentucky, twenty miles from Cincinnati, Ohio, January 31, 1847, the son of Benjamin and Frances (Moore) Black, the for- mer of whom was born in Boone county, Kentucky, March 9, 1812. He was united in marriage with Frances Moore, October 23, 1834. She was born in Spottsylvania county, Virginia, September 8, 1808. This union was blessed with eleven children, six daughters and five sons. One son, Benjamin Franklin, and four little daughters died in infancy. The remaining children are the sub- ject of this sketch, John W. Black, and his two brothers, Robert Connely Black, of Nichols, Iowa, and Arthur Lee Connely Black, of Newton, Alabama. The former was born April 20, 1841, the latter December 4, 1848. James M. Black Vol. II-36
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