USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 75
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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Vanatta has been blessed by the birth of five children, namely: George H., born February 20, 1878, who is married and lives in Marion, Linn county, Iowa; Leo E., who was born August 31, 1884 and died September 8, 1884; Clarence F., who was born March 14, 1887, and is now a student in college at Iowa City; Edith M., who was born April 8, 1890, and died three days following; and Lela Pearl, who was born June 17, 1894, and is now a student in the West Liberty high school. Mrs. Vanatta is a woman of fine intellectual attainments, having received a college education and taught school very successfully for several years previous to her marriage.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Politically Mr. Vanatta is identified with the republican party. He has never aspired to public office but served for several years as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at West Liberty. He and his estimable wife are now living retired, making their home upon their farmn and also spending their winters in Califor- nia in the enjoyment of the fruits of well applied labor. Mr. and Mrs. Vanatta are members of and active workers in the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee. On account of their unselfish character they are truly honored by all who know them.
AUSTIN NELSON.
Among the highly estimated citizens of Orono township Austin Nelson de- serves mention in a work of permanent interest relating to Muscatine county and its people. He was born in this county, June 22, 1868, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Adams) Nelson, the father having been born in Coshocton county, Ohio, and the mother in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. They were married in the east in 1845 and nine years later came to Iowa, settling upon a farm in Mus- catine county. Mrs. Nelson departed this life April II, 1887, and in 1890 Mr. Nelson removed to Columbus Junction, where he remained for a short time, then taking up his residence in Muscatine. He died in 1900. There were six children in their family, two of whom died in infancy, the others being : Florence, now deceased; Dora, the widow of H. V. McKee, of Denver, Colorado; Eva, now the wife of Charles Mickey, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Austin, the subject of this review.
Austin Nelson was educated in the public schools of Muscatine county, and as he grew to manhood became well acquainted with all the details of farm work. He remained at home assisting his father until eighteen years of age and then began farming on his own account, renting land for several years. He also worked by the month, and, having acquired sufficient capital, he bought land in Orono township, which he proceeded diligently to develop. He now owns a beautiful farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 20 and 21. He car- ries on general farming and spares no pains to secure the best result from his labor. He is very thorough in what he undertakes and has brought his farm to a high state of cultivation, having now one of the model places of the township.
On the 17th of February, 1903, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Mrs. Nancy Heath, who was born in Orono township, September 27, 1872, a daughter of William and Dicy (Idle) Harper, both of whom were born in Champaign county, Ohio. They were married in their native state and later removed to In- diana, subsequently settling on a farm in Muscatine county. The father retired in 1889 and passed away June 7, 1904. The mother was called from earthly scenes March 1, 1905. Their remains were interred in Conesville cemetery. Mr. Harper was very successful as a farmer and became the owner of three hundred and ten acres of land in this county. Five children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harper, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Mil-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
dred, now the wife of Albert McCollough, of Columbus Junction; Julia, the wife of Fred Thomas, of Howard, Kansas; and Nancy, now Mrs. Austin Nel- son, who has been twice married, her first husband being Heath, of Indiana. Their wedding was celebrated June 26, 1890, and they became the parents of four children: Ida May, born March 9, 1892, who is now the wife of Vernie Forbes of Louisa county, Iowa ; Sylvia D., born September 28, 1893, now living at Howard, Kansas; Nettie E., born July 14, 1896, living at home ; and William H., born September 28, 1898, also living at home. One child, Harold, has come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, his natal day being January 12, 1904.
Mr. Nelson is a man of good business judgment and possesses in an unusual degree the respect and confidence of his neighbors and friends which he has richly deserved by his industrious and useful life. Religiously, he is identified with the Reformed church, and politically, he gives his support to the demo- cratic party and has served most acceptably as constable for four years. Fra- ternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 4382, Modern Woodmen of America of Conesville.
I. D. HADLEY.
I. D. Hadley, who is in charge of the home farm in Cedar township, which has been in possession of the family for three generations, is a native of Madi- son county, Iowa, and was born June 11, 1874. He is a son of William and Amelia (Dewitt) Hadley, the former of whom was born at New Orleans and the latter at Covington, Kentucky. They came to Iowa with their respective parents who settled in Muscatine county. After his marriage William Hadley began farming on a place which had been entered from the government by the grandparents of our subject and after remaining there ten years he rented a farm and removed to Madison county, Iowa, where he died July 11, 1874. The mother of our subject returned to Muscatine county and made her home with her parents until their deaths, in 1888, when she purchased the interest of the other heirs and now owns two hundred acres in Muscatine and Louisa counties. She is now sixty-four years of age and has lived in Muscatine since 1900. There were four children in the family, our subject being the youngest. The other members were: Charlotte, who died at the age of thirty-five years; and Frances C. and Edward E., both living with their mother.
I. D. Hadley grew up under the loving care of his mother, the father hav- ing died when the subject of this review was in his infancy. He received his education in the district schools and by reading and observation has greatly ex- tended his knowledge and is today one of the well informed and progressive men of the community. He early showed marked ability in farming and after his marriage, at twenty-seven years of age, took charge of the old homestead where he has since continued. In addition to raising cereals he is an extensive feeder of cattle and hogs and is one of the large shippers of the township. As he gives thoughtful attention to his work and the farm is amply supplied with
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every needed facility he may truly be said to be at the head of one of the model establishments of the kind in the county.
On the 27th of December, 1900, Mr. Hadley was united in marriage to Miss Vesta Brown, who was born in Cedar township, December 21, 1877, and is a daughter of T. M. and Sophia (Ferry) Brown, the former of whom was born in Indiana and the latter in New York state. They were married at Co- lumbus Junction, Iowa, and subsequently Mr. Brown had charge of a ferry across the Cedar river. In 1861 he became a soldier for the Union in the Civil war and served faithfully for three years as orderly sergeant of his company. After leaving the army he returned to Muscatine county and engaged in farm- ing until 1905, since which time he has lived retired at Letts. He has now reached the age of seventy-eight years, while his beloved wife is seventy-four years of age. Nine children were born to them, namely : Edwin B., of Groton, South Dakota; Henry B., deceased at the age of five years; Cora E., who died at the age of one year; Horace F., of Durham, Missouri; Myra, who died in 1890; Julia E., now the wife of Cella W. Blake; Hugh T., of Doby, Oklahoma ; Vesta, now Mrs. Brown; and Lucius A., of Letts. Mathew Brown, the grand- father of Mrs. Hadley, was a native of Indiana and on coming here surveyed the county for the first time. He then returned to Indiana and brought his fam- ily to Muscatine county, where he built one of the old fashioned homes. He lost his life indirectly by fighting prairie fires. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hadley : Edward B., born May 1, 1902; and James Ward, born May 13, 1906.
Mr. Hadley devotes his attention closely to his business affairs and has not given much time to politics. He is in sympathy with the democratic party but is liberal in his views and in voting is not confined entirely to party lines. Ac- tive, independent and efficient, he fairly represents the progressive citizenship into whose hands the reins of state and nation are passing. Mr. Hadley has many friends who prophesy for him a highly successful and honorable future.
DAVID B. NAFTZGER.
Having acquired a competence through his own efforts in legitimate indus- try, David B. Naftzger has been living retired at ease in West Liberty for the past eleven years. He comes of German and Swiss parentage, and in his career of persistent and wisely directed application, displayed many of the admirable characteristics of his ancestors. Born in Wayne county, Ohio, January 3, 1844, he is the son of Peter and Catherine (Shrock) Naftzger, the father being a na- tive of Prussia and the mother of Switzerland. Peter Naftzger came to the United States at the age of nineteen years, making the trip in a sailing vessel, which required six weeks to cross the ocean. After spending some time in Ohio, he removed in 1868 to Albany, Whiteside county, Illinois, where he con- tinued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1882. He was by trade a wagonmaker, but after becoming well established in this country was attracted to a religious life and served most acceptably as a minister of the United
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Brethren church. His wife passed away in 1905. There were nine children in the family, three of whom are now living: David B., the subject of this re- view; Noah, of Whiteside county, Illinois; and L. S., of Wichita, Kansas.
David B. Naftzger was educated in the public schools of Ohio and con- tinued under the parental roof until twenty-seven years of age. He removed with the family to Illinois, where he engaged for four years in farming on his own account. In 1875 he located in Wapsinonoc township, Muscatine county, where he continued until 1900, when he removed to West Liberty. As a farmer and stock-feeder, he attained a gratifying measure of success, having always been industrious and exercising good judgment in the course of his work. He owns the comfortable residence in which he lives.
In 1871 Mr. Naftzger was united in marriage to Miss Anna Myers, a daugh- ter of John and Katharine (Hoover) Myers. The father was born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and removed to Ohio in 1838, where he was married three years later. He was a school teacher in early manhood and in later years devoted his attention to politics, occupying several different county offices and being one of the leaders in the councils of the republican party. He was a faithful member of the United Brethern church and a singer of marked ability. Of three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers, the eldest, J. W., died in the army; Leo, the youngest, is also deceased; and Anna, now Mrs. Naftz- ger, is the only one living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Naftzger six children have been born, three of whom are living, namely: Catherine, the wife of B. D. Clark, a Christian minister of Houston, Texas, and the mother of four children, Sidney, Lois, Lynn and Miles; Mildred, at home; and Jesse B., now a practicing physician of Hot Springs, South Dakota. He graduated from the West Liberty high school and the Iowa State Medical College and took a post-graduate course at Vienna, Austria, being now highly successful as an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist. He is married and has two children : Jack and Robinelle.
Mr. Naftzger gives his support to the republican party, and in religious be- lief he and his wife are adherents of the Christian church. In the course of a long and active career he has been diligent and conscientious in the discharge of his obligations, and he, therefore, is greatly respected by all with whom he has come in contact.
ARTHUR J. OLIVER, M. D.
Dr. Arthur J. Oliver, whose time and talents are devoted to the practice of medicine and surgery in Muscatine, has always been a resident of the middle west and seems to possess the spirit of energy and enterprise which has been the dominent factor in the upbuilding and progress of this section of the country. His birth occurred in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 18, 1870, his parents being James and Emily (Scott) Oliver.
The family is of Irish lineage. The paternal grandfather, Stephen Oliver, was a native of County Cork, Ireland, but when fifteen years of age he left
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
that country to become a resident of America, settling first in New York city, while later he removed to Batavia, New York, and subsequently became a resi- dent of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he followed blacksmithing and wagon making. He was thus closely connected with the industrial activity of the place to the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-one years of age. He married a Miss Kendall and they had four children: William, Mary, Louisa and James K. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Oliver was Horace Scott, a native of New York, who devoted his attention in early life to merchandising but subsequently took up the occupation of farming. In 1871 he established his home in Palo Alto county, Iowa, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits and also engaged in preaching as a minister of the Christian church. His noble, upright life had marked influence in the community in which he lived, and when he passed away, at the age of sixty-nine years, his death was the occasion of deep regret to many who knew him. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Moore and they had a large family, namely: Emily E., Jeanette, Ida, Horace, Walter, Benjamin and Matilda.
James K. Oliver, the father of Dr. Oliver, was born in the Empire state and in early manhood followed the profession of school teaching. Following his removal to Iowa he turned his attention to the lumber business in Dubuque but later became identified with agricultural pursuits, settling on a farm in Clay county, Iowa. His remaining days were devoted to the tilling of the soil. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business and personal con- siderations to aid in the defense of the Union, enlisting in Company K, Twenty- seventh Wisconsin Infantry, of which he was made first sergeant. He continued with that command through the four years of strife and made a most creditable military record, participating in many hotly contested engagements and taking his place on the picket line when occasion demanded or marching with the troops as they made their way after the retreating enemy. He married Emily Scott, a native of Ohio, and they became the parents of three children: Arthur J .; Edna M., who is living in Ruthven, Iowa; and Lola M., also a resident of Ruthven. The death of the father occurred in 1908, when he was sixty-eight years of age, and the mother passed away in 1898 at the age of fifty years. She was a consistent member of the Christian church, and both were held in high esteem by a large circle of friends.
Dr. Oliver was reared upon the home farm in Clay county, early becoming familiar with the tasks of plowing, planting and harvesting. In his early youth he attended the district schools but, ambitious to enjoy broader educational opportunities, afterward entered Drake University and thus in a comprehensive literary education laid the foundation upon which to build the superstructure of his professional knowledge. In preparation for the practice of medicine he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1896. He then opened an office in Muscatine, where he has since practiced and the growth of his patronage indicates the recognition of his ability on the part of the public. He belongs to the Muscatine County Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and enjoys the respect of his fellow practicioners because of his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
On the 21st of February, 1898, Dr. Oliver married Miss Nellie Fitzgerald, a native of Muscatine, where her parents, James and Nanno (Kennefick) Fitz- gerald, settled at an early day. They were natives of Ireland. Dr. and Mrs. Oliver have one child, Nanno R., who is with her parents in the family residence at No. 316 Walnut street, which property is owned by Dr. Oliver.
Mrs. Oliver is a member of the Catholic church. The Doctor belongs to Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Improved Order of Red Men. His political support is given to the republican party, and in all matters relative to the general welfare he is deeply interested. He is respected by the community at large and honored by his professional associates.
THOMAS FRENZEL.
From a rude log cabin to a handsome and commodious residence, supplied with modern conveniences is a long step, yet it has been made by Thomas Frenzel, a well known citizen of Muscatine county, whose home is in Moscow township. He is a native of Germany, born February 4, 1845, and is a son of John E. and Elizabeth ( Breslin) Frenzel, also natives of the fatherland. John E. Frenzel became convinced that America offered opportunities not to be found in the older settled countries of Europe and accordingly, in 1847, he came with his family to America and selected Muscatine county, Iowa, as the location where he would attempt to work out his destiny. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, on which there was a log cabin, and there the family resided for nine years, the father then erecting a brick house, which still stands on the farm. He departed this life in 1878, the mother passing away in 1894, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. There were eight chil- dren in the family, six sons and two daughters, seven of whom are now living.
Thomas Frenzel was reared on the home farm, where he early gained a practical knowledge which he was able to put to good use later on his own ac-
count. He had no opportunity for acquiring an education in the common schools but through his own efforts, assisted by well disposed people with whom he came in contact, he learned to read and write the English and German lan- guages. After reaching manhood he rented a farm for six years and in 1879 purchased ninety-six and one-half acres, which he improved by the erection of a residence and other buildings, later acquiring one hundred and sixty acres in another part of the township, so that at the present time he is the owner of two hundred and fifty-six and one-half acres of good land in Muscatine county. There is a brick house standing on the farm which he first purchased that was erected in 1847 and is still in a good state of preservation. Mr. Frenzel has devoted himself to general farming and has attained the prosperity which in- dicates thrift and good judgment.
In 1873 Mr. Frenzel was united in marriage to Miss Martha Hucke, who was born in Germany, September 15, 1853, a daughter of Conrad and Kathrine (Glover) Hucke. She came to Muscatine county with her parents when she
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
was three years of age, the father renting land for ten years and then becoming the owner of a farm in Moscow township. He accumulated a good property. He died in 1878 and his wife survived him until January, 1889. Four of their nine children are now living. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Frenzel has been blessed by the birth of three children: Laura Kathrine, now the wife of Louis Schmidt, of Muscatine county ; Martha M. L., at home; and Henry, who was born January 19, 1874, and died in September of the same year.
It would be difficult to find a more striking example of the beneficial effects of industry than that presented in the career of Mr. Frenzel. Starting out entirely on his own resources, not even having the advantages of a common- school education, he years ago attained a competence and each returning season adds to his prosperity. He is justly regarded as one of the substantial men of Moscow township. He has been greatly assisted by his wife, who is a woman of sound judgment and as head of the household has ably supplemented the labors of her husband. They are both members of the German Lutheran church and are favorably known, their sterling worth being recognized through- out the community.
MORITZ BERNICK.
Moritz Bernick, a prosperous and representative farmer and stock-raiser of Fulton township, is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land in this county. His birth occurred in Germany on the 26th of July, 1848, his parents being Moritz and Elizabeth (Reckler) Bernick, who were likewise natives of that country. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1856. first settling in Davenport, Iowa, where they remained for a year. On the expira- tion of that period Mr. Bernick rented a farm in Scott county, operating the same until 1866, when he came to Muscatine county, here purchasing one hun- dred and sixty acres of land. The further cultivation and improvement of that property claimed his attention throughout the remainder of his active business career and in connection with the tilling of the soil he made a specialty of feeding and raising stock, meeting with success in both branches of his business. His demise occurred on the 27th of April, 1895, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1897. Four of their children are still living, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Schiele; Moritz, of this review ; Frederick ; and Adolph.
Moritz Bernick remained under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. At that time he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, operating one of his father's farms until the latter's death, when he came into possession of the property. Since that time he has added to his holdings by purchase until he now owns four hundred and forty acres of well improved land in Muscatine county, all of which is under a high state of cultivation except a forty-acre timber tract. He likewise owns four hundred and forty acres of land. all improved, in Audrain county, Missouri. In addition to the production of cereals he is also engaged in the raising and feeding of stock, both branches of his business proving a grati- fying source of remuneration to him.
MR. AND MRS. MORITZ BERNICK
-SARY
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
In October, 1874, Mr. Bernick was united in marriage to Miss Annie Beh, who was born in Buffalo, Iowa, in 1857, her parents being Frank and Caroline (Heckle) Beh, natives of Germany. They emigrated to America in 1852, first settling in Detroit, Michigan, where they remained but a short time. Subse- quently they took up their abode in Buffalo, Iowa, where Mr. Beh carried on general agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest in 1898. His wife passed away in 1904. They reared a family of eight children, as follows : Henry, Annic, Joseph, Katie, Frank, Charles T., Mary and Benjamin.
Mr. and Mrs. Bernick have six children, namely : Moritz H., of Davenport, lowa, who was born December 6, 1875, and who attended the Ames Agricultural College for two years; Hulda, whose birth occurred in 1877 and who likewise attended college for two years; Frank, whose natal day was March 5, 1879, completed a course of study in the business college at Muscatine and now resides on one of his father's farms in this county ; Katherine, who was born March I, 1884, attended college at Davenport and is now the wife of Edward Lindle of Muscatine county ; Elizabeth, whose birth occurred January 5, 1889, and who attended normal school for two years; and Joseph, who was born January 5, 1891, and who pursued his studies in the college at Davenport for two years.
In politics Mr. Bernick is a republican and for ten years he ably served his fellow townsmen as county supervisor. He also held the position of school treasurer for two years and at all times proved a most efficient and trustworthy public official. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Brotherhood of America, belonging to Lodge No. 118 at Pleasant Prairie, Iowa. His wife and children are Catholics in religious faith. He has remained a resident of this part of the state from early boyhood and is a man whose upright and honorable life has won him the warm regard and esteem of liis associates.
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