USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 74
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Vol. II-37
732
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Alex Mccullough was educated in the district schools of Muscatine county and at the usual age the work of the schoolroom gave way to that of the fields and he began assisting his father in the management of the farm. He remained at home until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he began farming for himself. The first four years he rented land but at the end of that period he had accumulated the necessary capital to enable him to buy land, and he pur- chased a portion of the farm where he now lives, which is upon the old town site of Fort Allen. Close application, diligence and careful supervision of de- tails has resulted in Mr. Mccullough's adding to his original tract so that he now owns one hundred and seventy acres of finely improved land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. The buildings and fences are in good repair, he keeps a good grade of stock, all of which is well housed, and his well tilled fields are given the careful supervision which results in large and profitable harvests.
On the 27th of January, 1886, Mr. Mccullough was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Bliven, who was born in Louisa county, Iowa, in 1868, a daugh- ter of Hiram and Anna (Gay) Bliven. The birth of the father occurred in New York state, February 24, 1835, but when only four years old accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. A year later he was deprived of his father by death and his mother subsequently married the late William Todd. On coming to this state the Bliven family located at what is known as the forks of the river, being among the first settlers of that locality. That region was then covered with dense forests and the Indians were far more numerous than the white inhabitants. For many years Mr. Bliven conducted a ferry near Columbus Junction but later engaged in farming until his health failed. For the last fifty years of his life he was a great sufferer but death released him from his pain April 11, 1909, and he passed to the great beyond where he had long wished to go. At the time of his death he was over seventy-four years of age and had survived his wife for thirty years and four months. Mrs. Mc- Cullough was a child of only eleven years when her mother passed away De- cember 12, 1879. Though she was early deprived of a mother's love and care she has become a true type of noble womanhood. She is one of a family of seven children, the others being: Lucinda, the wife of Frank Pierce, of Co- lumbus Junction, Iowa ; Elnathan, also a resident of Columbus Junction ; Hattie I., who married W. B. Gelatt, of Mason, Tennessee; John, living in Fredonia, Iowa; Belle, who died in 1903, in Columbus Junction; and Sarah, who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. McCullough have become the parents of three children : Forest Glenn, whose sketch is given below; Lura E., who was born on the Ist of Au- gust, 1888, and was married January 27, 1909, to R. E. Tipton, of Conesville, Iowa; and Floyd F., who was born on the 31st of October, 1890, and has re- ceived a high-school education and lives at home.
The family hold membership in Grace Reformed church of Conesville and are active workers in the same, Mr. Mccullough being supervising elder. His fraternal relations are confined to membership in the Columbus Junction lodge, I. O. O. F. Ever since he acquired the full rights of citizenship on attaining his majority, Mr. Mccullough has been identified with the republican party.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
He takes an active interest in all local political issues and has served in various township offices, being trustee for eight years. He has been assessor for two years and at the last election was given the same office for another term. He and his family are highly esteemed in Orono township and Conesville, where they are well known.
FOREST GLENN MCCULLOUGH.
The present postmaster of Conesville, Iowa, Forest Glenn Mccullough, was born in Louisa county, Iowa, on the 14th day of November, 1886, and is a son of Alex and Anna E. (Bliven) Mccullough. He acquired his education in the common schools of Muscatine county, remaining a member of his father's household until he was nineteen years of age, when he began teaching school, continuing in this profession for three years. In September, 1908, he received the appointment of postmaster at Conesville and has been serving in that office ever since. He has the distinction of having been one of the youngest ap- pointees ever occupying such a position.
On the Ist of July, 1908, Mr. Mccullough was united in marriage to Miss Ella Louise Wilson, also a native of the Hawkeye state, having been born in Louisa county on the 18th of November, 1885, a daughter of Robert and Clara (Henderson) Wilson. Her mother is also a native of Louisa county but her father was born in Ireland, and they were married in Muscatine county but immediately after that event they located on a farm in Louisa county, where they are now living. They have one of the valuable farms in the county; it contains three hundred and sixty acres of finely improved and well cultivated land. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson: Vina H., a teacher living at home; Mrs. McCullough, who also taught school two years prior to her marriage; Mabel, the wife of Andrew Schultz, of Malcolm, Iowa, and also a teacher for two years; J. H., a farmer in Louisa county; Hazel, W. Earl, Russell and Wilma L., the last four all at home.
Mr. and Mrs. McCullough are members of the Reformed church and he is superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a strong supporter of the policies of the republican party and is considered to be one of the promising young men of his community.
GEORGE W. HANKINS.
Beginning his battle with the world at the age of seventeen, George W. Hankins has won the favors of fortune and is today the owner of a valuable farm in Muscatine county, also enjoying the friendship and confidence of all who know him. The fortune he has attained is the result of his own unflagging industry and perseverance. He was born in Wyandot county, Ohio, February 24, 1858, and is a son of Thomas and Almina (Hayner) Hankins, both natives of Ohio. The father was identified with farming interests all his life and died
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
in 1875 at the age of forty-one years. The mother died six months previously at the age of thirty-nine years. There were eight children in their family, four of whom are now living, namely : George W., our subject; Louis M., of Hills- boro, Texas; William E., of Forest, Ohio; and John F., of Cedar township, Muscatine county.
George W. Hankins by the death of his parents was thrown upon his own resources just as he was emerging from boyhood. He had received the ad- vantages of good home training and of the district schools and he bravely took up the great battle which lay before him. Desiring to try his fortune in a new country, he came west and began working by the month in Muscatine county, Iowa. He persistently applied himself to his task and gradually acquired a foothold so that at twenty years of age he married and rented land, upon which he farmed for twenty years. Having accumulated sufficient capital, he pur- chased eighty acres, which he cultivated for three years and then sold, after which he operated rented land for several years. In the meantime he cast about for a favorable investment and accordingly purchased one hundred and fifty- six acres in Louisa county, Iowa, which he owned for five years. Believing that Muscatine county offered superior advantages, he returned and bought one hundred and twenty acres in Cedar township, which he has developed into one of the most desirable places of its size in that part of the county. He engages in both agriculture and stock-raising and each year adds to his financial re- sources so that he is today one of the substantial men of the county.
On the 22d of September, 1878, Mr. Hankins was united in marriage to Miss Cordelia Brown, who was born in Cedar township, November 3, 1860. She is a daughter of Hugh P. and Nancy (Lee) Brown, the former of whom was born in Indiana and the latter in Ohio. They were married in Muscatine and Mr. Brown engaged in farming in Muscatine county until the death of his wife, which occurred April 3, 1900. Since that time he and one of his sons have been connected with the lumber business at Letts, Iowa. In his family are four children, namely: Laura, now the wife of W. M. Griffin, of Letts; Eleanora, now Mrs. T. E. Norris, of Nichols; Cordelia, the wife of our sub- ject ; and Guy N., of Letts. Mrs. Hankins' great-grandparents were of Irish descent, though one was a native of South Carolina and the other of Virginia. Both were reared, however, in the former state, where their marriage was celebrated and from there the family removed to Indiana. The great-grand- father, who was born in 1780, bore the name of Thomas Brown, while the grandfather of Mrs. Hankins was Mathew Brown, and her father was Hugh Brown previously mentioned. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hankins: Charles T., born April 8, 1881, was for two terms a student at the Leverich Normal School, being now a resident of Muscatine; Roe P., at home, was born August 29, 1884, and received a college education; and Harry F., born April 1, 1889, Eddie Glen, August 14, 1897, and Clell Raymond, October 4, 1902, are all at home. In his wife Mr. Hankins has found a loving com- panion, who has been to him a tireless assistant and a safe adviser and to her children a mother who has hesitated at no sacrifice provided it added to their comfort or happiness.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Politically Mr. Hankins adheres to the democratic party and has been entrusted with several public positions of honor and responsibility. For seven years he filled the office of township trustee and for four years has served as assessor of Cedar township, being also a member of the school board, a posi- tion he has filled for ten years past. Fraternally he is connected with Letts Lodge, No. 671, I. O. O. F., and Camp No. 4783, M. W. A., both of Letts. Thirty-five years ago Mr. Hankins began his life west of the Mississippi river and in this region he has continued, believing that the inducements here offered to ambitious young men are surpassed nowhere else in the world. He has seen no reason to regret casting his lot in Iowa, as here he has found home, friends and prosperity.
CHARLES W. GIPPLE.
Charles W. Gipple, the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Cedar township, Muscatine county, was born in Louisa county, Iowa, August 4, 1856, a son of George W., and Mary (Brooks) Gipple. His parents, who are both natives of Pennsylvania, were married in the Keystone state and five years later came to Louisa county, where for many years Mr. Gipple was actively identified with farming interests. In 1886 he removed to Letts, Iowa, where he and his estimable wife make their home. There were ten children in their family, eight of whom are now living, namely: Emma, wife of Mark Sharp, of Fall City, Nebraska; Anna, now Mrs. L. Hudler, of Sansarc, South Dakota; Syntha, the wife of Albert Dollahide of Audubon, Iowa; Charles W., our subject; Edward, of Louisa county, Iowa; Harvey, of Benton county, Arkansas; Carrie, now Mrs. John Holts of Sweetland Center, Muscatine county ; and Lincoln, now in the drug business at Letts, Iowa.
Charles W. Gipple was reared upon the home farm and possessed the ad- vantages of the district school, thus laying the foundation of an education which he has developed sedulously by reading and observation. At twenty-three years of age he was married and began business on his own account in charge of a livery barn, which he conducted for one year. Being attracted to agricultural pursuits, he disposed of his business and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Audubon county, Iowa, which he cultivated successfully for nine years, greatly improving it, so that he sold it at a good price, and he then invested in an at- tractive place in Muscatine county, upon which he established his home. His farm is under an excellent state of cultivation, excepting a small tract which is reserved for timber. In his work he has shown good judgment and is recog- nized as one of the representative farmers of this region. He now occupies a comfortable residence supplied with modern conveniences, the farm also being provided with the best machinery to be found in the market, so that he is now prepared to carry on his work upon strictly up-to-date lines.
On the 10th of December, 1879, Mr. Gipple was united in marriage to Miss Effie Jones, who was born in Ohio, March 16, 1859, daughter of Jackson and Mary (Crute) Jones. Her parents were both natives of Ohio and were mar-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
ried in that state, coming to Iowa in 1861. Mr. Jones devoted his attention to farming until his death, which occurred November 30, 1890. His wife de- parted this life September 9, 1872, and both were buried in the Cedar Bethel cemetery in Louisa county. There were three children in their family, namely : Saralı A., who died at the age of forty-three years; Caroline, the wife of Thomas Maning, of Cedar township; and Effie.
Two children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gipple : Harry E., who was born July 17, 1880, and is now married and living upon a farm in Louisa county ; and Marcellus A., born February 23, 1891. He is a promising young man and has received a good mental training, having had the advantage of a high school education.
By his industry and natural ability Mr. Gipple has gained a comfortable competence. He is a patriotic citizen, a good friend of education, a thorough business man, and as head of a family sets an example well worthy of imita- tion. Socially, he is identified with Lodge 249 of the Fraternal Aid Associa- tion of Letts and is an active worker in that beneficent organization. Musca- tine county has no better citizen than Charles W. Gipple.
FREDERICK HUTTIG.
A splendid figure on the stage of action, many business activities were quick- ened by the touch of Frederick Huttig. He became the strong center of the community in which he moved and his business record at all times balanced up with principles of truth and honor. To have instituted and controlled mammoth business interests in the attainment of notable success entitles one to more than passing notice, but the life work of Frederick Huttig contains many valuable lessons which may be profitably considered and pondered. His record was never that of a self-centered life. While he attempted many important things he accomplished what he attempted, his success never representing another's loss but was the result of effort intelligently applied. While his name is in- separably interwoven with the history of Muscatine, his labors extended into many other fields, becoming an important feature in business activity in a number of the more prominent cities of the Mississippi valley as president of the Huttig Manufacturing Company.
His birth occurred near Jena, the old capital of the duchy of Saxe-Weimar, Germany, on the 10th of June, 1832. He was christened Charles Frederick Huttig but after coming to America dropped the first name. The family num- bered four sons, his elder brothers being Carl and Chris, and his younger brother, William Huttig. The father, Frederick Huttig, was born in Germany in 1790 and was a youthful soldier of the war of 1806, prior to the campaign of Napoleon in Russia and the burning of Moscow. His wife bore the maiden name of Dorothea Sieberg.
Jena at the time of the birth of Frederick Huttig of this review was a city of about fifteen thousand population and in its schools he was educated and not only mastered the elementary branches but also obtained instruction along
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
mechanical and industrial lines. He thought to devote his life to architecture, yet he did not follow the profession long after leaving school. The opportuni- ties which he heard were to be enjoyed in America led liim to leave the father- land in March, 1853, as a passenger on the sailing vessel Anadalia, with New Orleans as liis destination. He was then a young man of twenty-one years. The voyage was at length completed and from the Crescent City he made his way northward to Muscatine, Iowa, being influenced in his choice of a destina- tion by the fact that he had friends living in this city. He often recalled with interest the contrast between his first voyage across the Atlantic, covering ninety days, and one which he made in later years in six days. For a brief period he was employed at the mason's trade in Muscatine. During the greater part of his residence here, however, he was in business on his own account. He and liis brother formed a partnership that continued for a half century under the firm style of the Huttig Brothers. They opened a grocery store op- posite the Weed & Bridgman block, where they remained for some time, and in 1868 they turned their attention to the lumber business, in which field they long operated with splendid success. After two years they established a sash, door and blind manufactory and their activities in that direction were so suc- cessful and their business grew so rapidly that they became known in that con- nection throughout the entire country. In 1881 they erected a mammoth fac- tory and plant in Muscatine and the business was incorporated with Frederick Huttig as president; William Huttig as manager and treasurer; E. Lumpe as vice president; and Harry Huttig as secretary. In 1883 they incorporated the Western Saslı & Door Company of Kansas City, Missouri, with William Huttig as president. This was but an initial step in the constant broadening out of their enterprise. In 1885 the Huttig Brothers established the Huttig Sash & Door Company of St. Louis, and Charles H. Huttig, who had been admitted to the company, was chosen to manage its operations. In time they extended their field to include Wichita, Kansas, and St. Joseph, Missouri, and their ramifying interests reached out to all parts of the country.
Aside from their operations in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, the Huttig brothers, Frederick and William, in December, 1887, joined with other liberal republicans and democrats of Muscatine in organizing the Musca- tine News Company, the purpose of which was to publish a daily and weekly newspaper for distribution in the city and county of Muscatine and for the dissemination and support of liberal political ideas. Frederick Huttig was a stanch believer in the principles of democracy yet he placed the public good before all partisanship and did not believe in making politics a feature of local elections where no issue was involved. He therefore joined in the movement to organize the News Tribune and his business energy, enterprise and resource- fulness contributed to the success of the paper in its earlier years. In 1888 the brothers organized the Muscatine Real Estate Company and in this undertak- ing were joined by a number of local capitalists. They were also the organiz- ers of the Ashton Flour & Feed Company in the same year. Everything which they undertook seemed to prosper, owing to the keen business discernment of the two brothers. Frederick Huttig was also connected with a number of other important enterprises and his life was an extremely busy and useful one. He
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
became a potent factor in many movements for the welfare of the city and was recognized as a power and strength in the commercial and industrial life of Muscatine.
It was here in 1856 that Frederick Huttig was married to Miss Sophia Snell, whose death occurred in 1889. Mr. Huttig was again married in 1894, at which time Mrs. Hannah Tappe became his wife. He had five children by his first marriage, namely : William Huttig, who is now the president of the Western Sash & Door Company, of Kansas City, Missouri; Charles H., who is president of the Third National Bank of St. Louis; Lena, the deceased wife of Henry Gremmel, of Kansas City; Katherine, the wife of Robert Beyers, of the Huttig Sash & Door Company of St. Louis; and Frederick, vice president of the Western Sash & Door Company of Kansas City.
Mr. Huttig was prominent in Masonry, attaining the Master Mason degree on the 26th of April, 1879, in Iowa City. He died at his home in Kansas City, Missouri, on the evening of May 11, 1906, a few days before his seventy-fourth birthday, and his remains were brought back to Muscatine for interment in Greenwood cemetery, where the burial occurred on the 13th of May, the serv- ices being conducted in the German Evangelical church. He had but recently returned from a winter's sojourn in Los Angeles, California, and on the 2d of May was stricken with paralysis, his death occurring nine days later. The news of his death carried with it a sense of personal loss to his many friends, his associates and his old employes in Muscatine. He was not only a man of unbounded enterprise but also of unimpeachable integrity and he achieved re- markable results. His life record proves what can be accomplished when de- termination, perseverance and talent are arrayed against drawbacks, poverty and trials. The result is almost certain, for the former are invincible and know no defeat. Starting out in life without any vaulting ambition to accomplish something especially great or famous, Mr. Huttig followed the lead of his op- portunities, doing his best to do anything that came to hand and seizing legiti- mate advantages as they arose. He never hesitated to take a forward step when the way was open. Fortunate in possessing ability and character that inspired confidence in others, the simple weight of his character and ability car- ried him into important relations with large interests, while the course that he followed made his name synonymous with commercial integrity as well as success.
JOHN VANATTA.
Of sturdy pioneer parentage John Vanatta, who is the owner of a valuable farm in Wapsinonoc township, inherited characteristics that have assisted him very materially in his business career. He was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, January 8, 1854, son of Thomas and Sarah A. (Robbins) Vanatta. The father was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1826. In 1830 he removed with his parents to Keithsburg, Illinois, and six years later the family took up their residence in Illinois City, continuing there for several
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
years. This was in the pioneer days of Illinois when Indians and wild animals roamed at large over the prairies, and Mr. Vanatta in reminiscent mood often told of those times and also when as a boy he was held on the knee of the old chief Black Hawk. On March 31, 1853, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Robbins, of Illinois City, who was born twenty-two miles from Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, February 14, 1832. He died February 5, 1910, at the home of his daughter in Rock Island. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Eliza Felix, of Aledo, Illinois, and by eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was a man of many noble characteristics who assisted to the extent of his ability in promoting the comfort and happiness of those with whom he associated. In 1860 he united with the Methodist church at Illinois City and continued a con- sistent member of that denomination during the remainder of his life. There were six children in his family: John, the subject of this review; Mrs. J. F. Gaunt, of Koshkonong, Missouri; Perry, deceased; George, of Texico, New Mexico; Mrs. Icy Bradford, of Rock Island; and Bert, of Reynolds, Illinois.
John Vanatta received the advantages of a common-school education and continued at home until twenty-two years of age, when he rented the old homestead in Rock Island county, Illinois, conducting it very successfully for thirteen years. In the spring of 1889, having decided to cast his lot with the state of Iowa, he purchased land on sections 6 and 7, Wapsinonoc township, Muscatine county, upon which he took up his residence. He is now the owner of two hundred and sixty-two acres which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He has made a specialty of raising and feeding hogs and cattle with such excellent results that he is now well-to-do and can spend the re- mainder of his life, if he so desires, free from the turmoil and cares of busi- ness. He has financial interests other than those pertaining to his farm and is a director of the Citizens Savings Bank of West Liberty.
On the 2d of March, 1876, Mr. Vanatta was united in marriage to Miss Anna S. Fisher, who was born at Illinois City, April 8, 1855, a daughter of James H., and Salome (Hoffman) Fisher. The mother was a native of Al- sace, born in the town of Westhofen, county of DuBas, Rhine, France, De- cember 26, 1828, and came to America with her parents when about eight years of age. The family stopped for a time in Ohio but in 1846 removed to Iowa City. On the 26th of November, 1850, Miss Hoffman was married to Mr. Fisher, who was born in Hanover, York county, Pennsylvania, in 1826. They lived for a short time at Illinois City, Illinois, but in 1855 took up their residence in Solon, Iowa. Mr. Fisher died in 1871 and his wife June 28, 1907. There were ten children in their family.
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