USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 73
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I. A. NICHOLS.
The financial interests of West Liberty are ably represented by I. A. Nichols, president of the Iowa State Bank and Trust Company, who is recognized as one of the trustworthy and substantial citizens of the county. He is a native of Morrow county, Ohio, born July 10, 1853, a son of Ira and Elizabeth (Luse) Nichols. The father, who was born in New York state, February 13, 1820, engaged as railroad contractor in Ohio and in 1853 came to Muscatine county, Iowa, locating on South Prairie, where he became identified with the agricul-
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tural interests. In 1878 he removed to West Liberty and ten years later he passed away. He was a man of good business judgment and as a farmer ranked with the best in the community. Politically he gave his support to the republican party and at the time of the Civil war was a strong supporter of President Lincoln and the course which he pursued in putting down the rebel- lion. He served on the board of supervisors for a number of years, being a member of that board at the time of his death. Socially he was connected with the various Masonic bodies, including the lodge, chapter, council and com- mandery, and he was also a valued member of the Methodist church. He was the pioneer of the family to settle west of the Mississippi river and was fol- lowed by seven of his brothers. The great-great-grandfather on the paternal side, Samuel Nichols, came to America from England in 1728 and lived for some time in northern New York, afterward locating in Vermont. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Stephens, was a native of Scotland. Sev- eral of their sons took part in the Revolutionary war, fighting in behalf of the colonists. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania and married Mr. Nichols in Ohio. She departed this life in 1910 and her remains were in- terred in Oakridge cemetery. There were six children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Nichols: Pliny Clay, who enlisted in Company D, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, and died while at the front at Vicksburg, August 10, 1863; Charles M., now engaged in the dry-goods business in West Liberty; John D., who died at the age of two years; I. A., the subject of this review; J. I., a farmer living in Wapsinonoc township, this county; and Viola, who also died at two years of age.
I. A. Nichols received his education in the common and high schools of West Liberty and, having decided upon a business career, conducted a dry- goods store in West Liberty in 1873, continuing in this line of trade until 1889, when he entered the hardware business, with which he was identified for two or three years. In February, 1897, he organized the Iowa State Bank and Trust Company at West Liberty, of which he served as cashier for nine years, since which time he has filled the office of president. The bank from the very beginning has been unusually successful and has earned a surplus equal to its capital stock. Its success has been in a large measure due to the energy and ability of Mr. Nichols. In addition to being a stockholder of the bank he is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Wapsinonoc township.
In 1875 Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Laura Vincent, a resi- dent of Illinois, who was born in the state of Vermont. Two children have blessed this union : Edna, who died at the age of five years; and Mildred, now the wife of A. W. Hogue, of Seattle, Washington. Ever since arriving at ma- turity Mr. Nichols has given his adherence to the republican party, believing that its principles are best adapted to promote the interests of the nation. He is a stanch friend of education, having observed its benefits in many ways during the course of a long business experience, and for sixteen years he served as mem- ber of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the lodge and chapter of the Masonic order at West Liberty. He and his wife are earnest members
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of the Presbyterian church and are leaders in a community with which he has been intimately identified for thirty-eight years. He is known as a man of unusual intelligence, energy and forethought and has the confidence and esteem not only of business men and investors but of all with whom he has come into contact.
JOHN P. TEETER.
Among the highly improved farms of Cedar township, Muscatine county, is that which pays tribute to the excellent management of Jolin P. Teeter. It comprises two hundred and seventy-six acres and is supplied with all modern conveniences so that it is today one of the model establishments of the kind in the county. Mr. Teeter was born in Keokuk, Iowa, June 26, 1867, a son of Paris and Elizabeth (McManus) Teeter. The mother was a native of Ken- tucky and the father of Indiana. They were married in Iowa and Mr. Teeter began as a farmer in Mahaska county, Iowa, where he continued for five years. He then removed to Keokuk county and, having lost his wife in 1872, was married to Lucy Harding Brook, of Keokuk county. Of the first union seven children were born, six of whom are now living: Lavisa, the wife of James Bell, who resides near Des Moines, Iowa; Nancy, now Mrs. George Bell, of Burr Oak, Kansas; Martha, the wife of Charles Wade, who lives near Spirit Lake, Iowa; Catherine, the wife of Frank McIntosh, of Cherry, North Dakota; William, of Chillicothe, Missouri; John P., our subject ; and Lucinda, the wife of Chockley Bates, of What Cheer, Iowa. Three children were born of the second marriage of Mr. Teeter. He departed this life in 1902.
John P. Teeter remained with his parents until he was ten years of age and for the next six years made his home with his eldest sister. At sixteen years of age he began to provide for himself by working out by the month and at the age of twenty-one, having married, he purchased a small farm which he cul- tivated until his wife's death, in 1888. The next five years he spent in the Rocky mountains. Returning to Iowa in 1894, he worked in the coal mines and having again married, located upon a farm of two hundred and seventy-six acres in Cedar township, the heritage of his wife. Under his management this place has become one of the highly improved possessions of the county.
Mr. Teeter married Addie Colbert, a native of Louisa county, Iowa, and a daughter of Luther and Phoebe (Kaiser) Colbert, the former of whom was a native of Ohio and the latter of Muscatine county, Iowa. There were five chil- dren in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Colbert, three of whom are now living: Henry, of Johnson county, Iowa; Addie, now Mrs. Teeter; and Jacob, who lives upon the old homestead. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Teeter two children have been born: Marvin Luther, born August 30, 1900; and Naomi Lorene, whose birth occurred May 22, 1908.
Mr. Teeter is a stanch adherent of the republican party, believing that its principles are best adapted to promote the prosperity of the country. He has never sought public office, as his time and energy are mainly devoted to his
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family and the duties of the farm. He and his wife are members of the Dunk- ard church and earnest workers in its behalf. By the faithful and conscientious discharge of his duties Mr. Teeter has gained a standing in the community as one of its highly respected and trustworthy citizens.
JOHN D. NASH.
John D. Nash will be remembered by his friends in Muscatine county as one of its substantial citizens, whose life was largely controlled by a desire to advance the comfort and happiness of others. He was actively connected with farming interests for nearly twenty-five years and in the midst of his useful- ness was called away June 18, 1898, having then reached the age of forty-four years. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, April 7, 1854, a son of Isaac S. and Elizabeth (O'Neal) Nash. The father was a native of Vermont and the mother of Ohio. They came to Iowa in 1856 and Mr. Nash engaged actively in farming until his retirement at West Chester, Washington county. He de- parted this life July 3, 1901, his wife dying seven years later. They were the parents of five children, namely : Vincent B., now deceased; John D., our sub- ject; one who died in infancy; Laura A., the wife of Anson Brinton, of Brighton, Washington county, Iowa; and Isaac N., of Florida.
John D. Nash was brought to Iowa by his parents in his infancy. He grew to manhood in this state and was educated in the public schools, continuing at home until he was twenty-three years of age. After teaching school for one year he began farming and subsequently purchased one hundred and twenty acres, upon which he established his home, and when his resources permitted bought sixty acres of timber land. He was industrious and enterprising, ap- plying himself with an intelligence and zeal that enabled him to accomplish successfully whatever he undertook. He made a close study of his work and conducted his affairs on practical principles, acquiring a competence and build- ing up an enviable reputation as a first-class farmer. After his death his widow continued to live upon the farm for ten years. She then purchased a com- modious residence in Nichols, where she has since made her home.
The marriage of Mr. Nash was celebrated August 5, 1877, the lady of his choice being Miss Ida O. Brockway, a native of Muscatine county and a daugh- ter of Albert J. and Mary (Nichols) Brockway. The father came from Penn- sylvania to Muscatine county and began farmning here in 1844. He was highly successful, becoming the owner of six hundred acres of well improved land. He was married December 7, 1856, to Miss Mary E. Nichols, by whom he had two children, Myrten W. and Ida O., now Mrs. Nash. His first wife died March 19, 1861, and on the 4th of June, 1863, he married Elizabeth Nichols. Of the children born of this union, four are now living: Allie M., the wife of Marion Parmelee, of Montana; Alice G., the wife of Charles McCormick, of Columbus Junction, Iowa; Marcus L., now living on the old homestead; and Laura B., who married Glenn Eberly, of Letts, Iowa.
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Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nash, nine of whom are now living: Laura I., a fine scholar, who taught school for eight years and is the possessor of unusual musical talent; Leroy M., who received a high-school edu- cation and is now living on the old homestead; Albert J., of Nichols, also educated in the high school; Frederick A., who is pursuing a course in den- tistry at the State University; Edgar Newton, a graduate of the high school, now at home; Mary A., also at home and a graduate of the high school; and John V., Reuben Nichols and Ila Olive, all attending the high school.
Mr. Nash was a stanch friend of education, as is Mrs. Nash, the truth of the statement being proven by the excellent advantages given their children, who have shown unusual capacity in their studies. The family is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church and works actively in its behalf. Mr. Nash was a valued member of the Masonic lodge and camp of Modern Wood- men of America at Nichols and the Odd Fellows lodge at West Liberty, Iowa. He had many friends in those organizations and also throughout the region where he lived and labored until the last summons came. Mrs. Nash is a lady of many estimable qualities and presides over a home that is a center of hos- pitality and good-will.
WILLIAM C. RICHARDS.
William C. Richards, deceased, was for many years an honored and re- spected citizen of Muscatine, where during the last fifteen years of his life he lived retired. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Saxony, Germany, on the 30th of October, 1840, and in that coun- try his father spent his entire life, conducting a cabinet shop. He was a little lad of nine years when he came to the United States in company with his uncle, Charles Richards. Making their way direct to Muscatine, Iowa, he continued a resident of this city up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 16th of February, 191I.
Mr. Richards began his education in the schools of his native land and after coming to this country attended school in Muscatine for many years. At an early age he entered the employ of Benjamin Hershey and was connected with the Hershey Lumber Company until that concern closed out its business fifteen years ago, after which he lived retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil in well earned ease.
During the dark days of the Civil war Mr. Richards manifested his loyalty to his adopted country by enlisting as a private October 14, 1861, and he re- mained in the service during the entire period of hostilities between the north and the south, taking part in many hotly contested engagements. He was hon- orably discharged December 31, 1863, but reenlisted and during his service was under the command of both Generals Grant and Sherman. He was with the latter commander on his famous march to the sea, being on the march for one year and three months and taking part in all of the engagements along the route. The wound he received at Shilohi probably hastened his death. In a
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
scattering fire he was either struck in the head by a bullet or part of a shell, the scar of which he carried with him through life. At the time the military sur- geons wished to remove him to a hospital for an operation but he desired to continue in the service and eluded the vigilance of the attendants and, pushing his way to the front, resumed his position on the firing line and continued throughout the war without ever being compelled to undergo treatment. He had barely attained his majority at that time.
In early manhood Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Mary Becke, a native of Muscatine and a daughter of Theodore Becke, who was likewise born in Germany and became an early settler of Muscatine. He was a mason by trade, working at that occupation throughout his active business career. He passed away in this city at the age of seventy-eight years, while his wife, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Becke, was seventy-five years old when called to her final rest. They had the following children: Caroline, Theresa, Mary, Elizabeth, Kate, John, Clara and Theodore. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Richards, two sons and four daughters, namely: Minnie, now the wife of W. H. McBride, of Muscatine; Adel, the wife of Dr. R. S. McNutt, also of Muscatine; Nellie, who married Sherwood Kerr and both are now de- ceased; Mrs. Ida Dolsen, of Davenport; and Lee L. and Clarence R., both of Muscatine.
In religious faith Mr. Richards was a Lutheran, while his widow is a com- municant of the Catholic church. He was well known and highly esteemed in Muscatine, enjoying the warm regard and friendship of all with whom he came in contact. At one time he took quite an active and prominent part in public affairs, representing the second ward in the city council for eight consecutive years. He was a prominent member of the Grand Army post of Muscatine and also belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
C. D. GIBSON.
The old soldiers of Muscatine county many years ago won recognition from every lover of the republic as worthy of the profoundest gratitude, and to this class belongs C. D. Gibson, whose name stands at the head of this sketch. Born in Knox county, Ohio, September 24, 1840, he is the son of Joseph M. and Pamelia (Wright) Gibson. The father was a native of New Market, Mary- land, and the mother of Winchester, Virginia. They were married in the Buck- eye state and came west to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1853. In 1861 they removed to a farm in Muscatine county, which Mr. Gibson cultivated for fourteen years, retiring to West Liberty in 1875. The parents were both called to their re- ward in 1890. They were reared in the faith of the Society of Friends and by their kindly lives exerted a beneficial influence wherever they were known. There were nine children in the family, five of whom are now living, namely : Mrs. Rachel W. Nichols, of West Liberty, lowa; C. D., the subject of this
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
review; Mrs. Nettie Mosher, of West Liberty; Mrs. Lou R. Nichols, also of West Liberty; and Mrs. Allie Hogland, of Halton, Kansas.
C. D. Gibson began his education in the district schools of his native state and after coming to Iowa with his parents was a student in the schools of Cedar county. He continued upon the home farm until after arriving at the age of twenty years and then in response to the call for soldiers to defend the Union, he enlisted in Company C, First Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for three months, reenlisting in Company E, Eighteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, June II, 1862, and continuing until his discharge in August, 1865. He was wounded in a rear guard attack at Moscow, Arkansas, the bullet striking his arm and severing an artery. One of his comrades reached his side and stopped the flow of blood just in time to save his life. He was taken to the hospital at Camden, Arkansas, and, having been left behind when General Steele retreated after General Banks' defeat on Red river, he was made a prisoner and for thirteen months was detained at Camden, Shrevesport, and Tyler, Texas, car- rying an open wound during the entire time. He and other prisoners escaped from the stockade at Tyler and with two companions he traveled by night and until the middle of the next afternoon when they lay down to sleep in a pine forest. About sundown they were awakened by the ominous baying of blood- hounds and were recaptured and taken to the home of a ranchman in the neighborhood, where they were kept all night and then again placed in the stockade at Fort Tyler. The colonel of the Confederates wrote an order and placed it in the hands of two mounted guards, who conducted the prisoners to the office of the provost marshal in the city of Tyler. After looking over the order the provost marshal remarked: "I will put them where the dogs won't catch them again." The whole party was conducted to the city prison and put into a cell, sixteen by sixteen feet in size, with twenty-six others, making twenty-nine persons in this little room. In the center of the cell was an iron cage seven or eight feet square on the top of which was a space through which' a man could crawl between the cage and ceiling. This was the only spot where it was possible to lie down and the prisoners drew lots as to who should sleep on top of the cage. It was the fortune of Private Gibson twice in the course of nine days and nights to have the opportunity to recuperate on the cage. The iron bolts protruded through the top to the great inconvenience of the unfor- tunate prisoners. This cage is now to be seen at the poor farm in Smith county, Texas, and Mr. Gibson contemplates a visit to the town principally in order to ascertain how far the iron bolts actually projected, as it was weeks after leaving the cell before he recovered from the dents made in his body by the iron bolts. While in this prison the welcome news came of the surrender of General Lee and soon afterward the doors were thrown open and the prisoners went forth free.
After returning from the war Mr. Gibson engaged in farming in Musca- tine county until 1875, when on account of his wounded arm he retired from agriculture and moved to West Liberty, where he followed various pursuits, in- cluding the grocery business and the feed business, being for nine years past a shipper of hay and straw. He has used good judgment in commercial affairs and owns a handsome residence and three other buildings in West Liberty.
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In 1865 Mr. Gibson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Means, who has been to him a faithful companion and adviser. Politically he votes as he fought and fraternally he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. He received a rude introduction to the realities of life during the Civil war, from the effects of which he has never entirely recovered, but he has always retained a genial and companionable disposition and in the face of difficulties arising from ill health has overcome obstacles that would long ago have de- feated a less resolute spirit. He was a true soldier and he has been a useful citizen, performing his duties to the best of his ability and being ever ready to extend a helping hand to a fellowman. He plainly deserves an honorable place among the substantial citizens of Muscatine county.
JAMES C. BLACK.
Among the substantial farmers of Muscatine county should be named James C. Black, who has passed his entire life in the county and from his earliest recol- lection has been identified with the interests of this section. Born in Goshen township, May 11, 1855, he is a son of Arthur and Adaline (Anderson) Black, the former of whom was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and the latter in Virginia. They were married in this state and soon afterward settled on a farm in Goshen township, upon which they continued during the remainder of their lives. The father died March 22, 1891, at the age of eighty-four years, while his wife passed away January 24, 1893. He was a thoroughly competent farmer and acquired three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he cultivated to excellent advantage. Four children were born to him and his wife, namely: Marcellus, who died at the age of nine years; James C., the subject of this re- view; George W., of Muscatine county; and Margaret J., now the wife of L. R. Moore, who is living retired at Muscatine.
James C. Black acquired his education in the district schools and was reared amidst environment which may be truly regarded as the most favorable that could be desired for an aspiring young man. He remained with his parents until their deaths and then took charge of a part of the homestead, which he cultivated for thirteen years, when he came into possession of one-half of the place. He remained upon his farm until 1907 and then purchased a handsome residence in West Liberty, where he is now living in the enjoyment of a well earned and honorable retirement. By good management in the beginning of his business career and also by making a wise use of opportunities, he, years ago, became recognized as one of the substantial men of the county, and by his hon- orable business career he has set an example that is well worthy of imitation by young men who desire to gain the respect of those with whom they are asso- ciated.
On January 31, 1894, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Isabel Moore, born in Jefferson county, Ohio, November 22, 1863, a daughter of Alexander and Roseanna (Calhoun) Moore, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone state and subsequently
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lived a short time in Ohio, then coming to Cedar county, Iowa, and later to Mus- catine county. After a short experience in the mercantile business, Mr. Moore removed to a farm in Goshen township, which he rented for eight years. By his industry and perseverance he acquired the capital necessary to purchase eighty acres, which he cultivated until his retirement and removal to Atalissa in 1888. He died in 1895, his wife having been called away eight years previously, in 1887. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore seven children were born, namely: Mary Alice, now of West Liberty ; Amanda and Ellen, twins, the former now the wife of William Bilby of Oklahoma, and the latter now Mrs. James Henderson of Wayne county, Iowa; Lydia Ann, the wife of Charles C. Croxen of Atalissa ; Isabel, now Mrs. James C. Black; Adaline, who died at the age of twenty-four years; and George A., of West Liberty. One child, Arthur A., has come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Black. He was born November 30, 1895, and is now a student in the West Liberty high school.
Politically Mr. Black is identified with the democratic party and fraternally he is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of West Liberty. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church. He has been successful from the beginning of his business career, not having been obliged to pass through the fluctuations of fortune that fall to the lot of the majority of men. He possesses sound judgment, a genial disposition, and many other qualities that attract friends and is greatly esteemed by young and old in a section where his life has been as an open book for over half a century.
ALEX MCCULLOUGH.
Alex Mccullough, one of the well known and successful agriculturists of Orono township, Muscatine county, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on the 12th of March, 1859, a son of John and Elizabeth (Gordon) Mccullough. The parents were married in Ohio, of which state the mother was a native, but the father was born in Pennsylvania, and they continued to make their home in the Buckeye state for some years, but in 1866 they came to Iowa and located on a farın in Orono township, Muscatine county, where they continued to live during the remainder of their days. They were hard-working, thrifty people and at the time of the father's death had acquired a farm of one hundred and forty-two acres of finely improved and valuable land. They were the parents of nine children, who are as follows: William, who is a farmer residing in Louisa county, Iowa; George, also a farmer in Louisa county; David, living on a farm in the same county; John, who was born in 1850 and died in 1902; Margaret, the wife of C. F. Quimby, of Muscatine county; James, who was born in 1854 and died on the 11th of September, 1892, leaving a wife and one daughter, living in Johnson county, Iowa; Albert, residing in Columbus Junc- tion, Louisa county ; Alex; and Samuel E., living near Columbus City. The father passed away on the 9th of February, 1887, and the mother on the 18th of September. 1898.
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