USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 78
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Politically Mr. Lewis is a stanch advocate of the democratic party. He takes great interest in religious affairs and for many years has been a member of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian church, being also a liberal con- tributor to the support of that denomination. His business integrity has never been called into question and as a citizen, no man in Muscatine county ranks higher than Isaac W. Lewis.
FREDERICK H. SCHMITT.
Frederick H. Schmitt is one of the substantial and trustworthy citizens of Nichols, Muscatine county. He is engaged in the agricultural implement and blacksmith business, to which he is devoting his energies with very satisfactory results. He is a native of Nichols, born in 1875, and is a son of Adam and Mar- garet (Hartman) Schmitt. The father was born in Germany and the mother in Illinois, the former coming to America in his boyhood. He arrived at his ma- turity in Illinois and was there married and engaged in farming for several years. Coming to Iowa, he purchased eighty acres of land in Pike township, Muscatine county, which he subsequently sold, removing to Nichols, where he purchased property and engaged in farming in that locality. In his later years he lived re- tired at Nichols. The mother of our subject departed this life April 7, 1906. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt, of whom Louise, Peter, Peter (II) and a child unnamed died in infancy. The other members of the household were: Henry, who was born May 27, 1871, and died April 5, 1874; Frederick H., our subject; William R., who was born March 15, 1878, and is now in business with his brother Frederick H .; Margaret, who was born May 23, 1881, and is the wife of Bert Fry, of Louisa county, Iowa ; and Louis M., who was born May 17. 1884, and is living at Nichols.
Frederick H. Schmitt received his education in the public schools and continued at home until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he was married and began working out on a farm. Being attracted to mercantile life, he accepted a position
Vol. II-39
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as clerk in a store, remaining in this connection for fifteen years, and then becom- ing identified with the agricultural implement business and blacksmithing as a member of the firm of Kern & Schmitt. After six months he and his brother purchased Mr. Kern's interest and have since conducted the business under the title of Schmitt Brothers. By good management the patronage has steadily grown until the business yields a substantial income, the concern being one of the most reliable of the kind in that part of the county.
On the 19th of June, 1901, Mr. Schmitt was united in mariage to Miss Anna L. Walker, a native of Illinois. The father was born in Switzerland and the mother in America. They settled in Muscatine county and here Mr. Walker was identified with farming interests until his death. The mother is still living on the old homestead. There were seven children in their family, four of whom are now living: William J., of Coeso, Iowa; Albert J., of Mus- catine county ; Anna L., now Mrs. Schmitt; and Emma, at home. Four chil- dren have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt: Margaret E., born April 28, 1902; Herbert L., June 13, 1904; Beatrice E., April 14, 1906; and Robert W., November 20, 1908.
Mrs. Schmitt received a good education and taught school for several years previous to her marriage. She is a woman of many excellent qualities and has proved to her husband a true companion and loving helpmate. Mr. Schmitt and his family affiliate with the Christian church and are active workers in be- half not only of the church but of all worthy objects. Politically he is in sym- pathy with the democratic party and that he holds the confidence of his friends and neighbors is attested by the fact of his having served as alderman, assessor and also for five years as member of the school board. Fraternally he is con- nected with Stainless Lodge, No. 445, A. F. & A. M., and Liberty Chapter, R. A. M., both of Nichols, being now treasurer of the former organization. He is secretary of Lodge No. 664, I. O. O. F., of Nichols, and in the discharge of his various duties has displayed a fidelity which meets the unanimous approval of his brethren.
WILLIAM LE ROY ROACH.
Among the successful manufacturers of Muscatine who have won an hon- orable position on account of the success of enterprises to which they have de- voted their best energies is William Le Roy Roach, president and general man- ager of the Roach & Musser Sash & Door Company. He was born in Musca- tine, October 10, 1862, and is a son of William Martin and Sarah Mary (David- son) Roach, the former of whom was born in Canada and the latter in Ohio. The father was by trade a tanner and currier. He came to Muscatine in 1862 and engaged in the boot and shoe and wholesale leather business with Andrew Davidson, his father-in-law. Later he became connected with the liide and fur business and so continued until his death, which occurred in 1898 when he was seventy-seven years of age. His wife still survives him at the age of sev- enty-five years. She is a member of the Methodist church, as was her hus-
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band. Mr. Roach was an industrious man of high character and worthily per- formed his part in forwarding the best interests of the community and in add- ing to the comfort and happiness of those with whom he was associated. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a Canadian of Irish descent. His wife was of French parentage. The maternal grandfather was Andrew Davidson, who was twice married, his first wife, the grandmother of our subject, being Elizabeth Meek. To William Martin and Sarah Mary Roach seven childen were born: Elizabeth D., the widow of Henry Schafnit, of Muscatine; William Le Roy, our subject ; Lillian M., of Muscatine; Ada, now Mrs. Robert Emmett King, of Kansas City, Missouri ; Ellen V., the wife of A. L. Porter, of Spokane, Washington; Grace E .; and one who died in infancy.
William L. Roach received his education in the public and high schools of this city, making himself useful by such jobs as he could find on Saturdays and vacations. He thus acquired habits of industry which have been of inestimable value to him through life. At eighteen years of age he began his business career as bookkeeper and clerk in Davidson & Roach's boot and shoe store, continuing for two and one-half years. He then became bookkeeper for M. S. Richey and continued with him for two years, until June, 1881, when he went to What Cheer, Keokuk county, Iowa, as bookkeeper and clerk for the Musca- tine Coal Company. In January, 1883, he accepted a position with the Huttig Sash & Door Company at Kansas City and two years later established the Roach & Wilker Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of sash, doors and mill work in the same city, soon afterward becoming active in the Western Sash & Door Company. Shortly after going to Kansas City he became inter- ested in the Huttig Sash & Door Company of St. Louis and was made its vice president. However, in June, 1888, he disposed of his interest in the Western Sash & Door Company and the Huttig Sash & Door Company and organized the Roach & Riner Manufacturing Company of Kansas City. In June, 1889, he came to Muscatine and organized the Muscatine Sash & Door Company, of which he has ever since continued the head. He has also retained his connec- tion with the business in Kansas City and ships finished products from both plants to the principal cities in the United States. The volume of business now controlled by the establishments over which he presides is about sixteen times what it was originally, the plants giving employment to about five hundred and fifty persons. In the management of these large enterprises Mr. Roach has shown a judgment that places him among the leading manufacturers of the west. He has built up a large and lucrative business by strictly honorable methods and is in competition with many of the keenest manufacturers of the country. As a large employer, he has been eminently successful, reflecting credit upon his native city and reaping the rewards which are the result of wisely applied energy. In addition to the enterprises named above Mr. Roach is interested in various other manufacturing concerns and also has made large investments in timber lands.
On the 21st of February, 1887, Mr. Roach was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. McCarthy, of Kansas City, a daughter of Michael Mccarthy. Four children have blessed this union, John William, James, Edward Andrew and Robert Leonard, but James died at the age of seven months.
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Mr. Roach is a self-made man. At an early age he started out in life on his own account and carved his own way to fortune. His first earnings of six hundred dollars he gave to his father. He then started again to accumulate until he had one thousand dollars, with which he purchased stock in the Huttig Sash & Door Company-his first business venture. During his career he has met with no serious reverses but by his clear foresight and unusual business ability he came to the front and gained recognition, which he has held for years, as one of the leaders in a field that has attracted many of the brightest minds of the country.
THOMAS BIRKETT.
In noting the men of prominence in Muscatine county who were instrumental in bringing it to its present position, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch could not properly be omitted. At the age of eighty-two years he is living retired, having turned over the responsibilities of business to younger shoulders and he now enjoys the repose to which he is entitled by many years of unremitting effort, in the course of which he attained a standing as one of the leading citizens of the county. He is a native of England, born May 15, 1829, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Sailor) Birkett, who passed their entire lives in the country of their birth. There were eight children in their family, the subject of this review being the only one now living.
Thomas Birkett remained under the parental roof until sixteen years of age and then began his battle with the world by clerking in a dry-goods store. At twenty-one years of age he decided to try his fortune across the ocean and in 1850 he landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he obtained a position as clerk in a store, which he held for one year. In 1852, being attracted by the possibilities of the gold fields, he started for the Pacific coast, going by way of the isthmus of Panama, and after arriving in California spent three years pros- pecting and mining, his efforts meeting with varying results. Returning to the east, he was married and after visiting England with his bride again crossed the ocean. Having decided to devote his attention to farming, he came to Muscatine county and purchased a farm four miles south of West Liberty. Here he erected a small farm house and prairie stables, the latter of which he covered with grass. He set to work diligently to cultivate the soil and he did so to such good advantage that he became the owner of eight hundred acres of productive land, all of which he has sold except eighty acres. He was identified with other interests besides those of agriculture and for a number of years served as president of the Peoples State Bank of West Liberty but retired from this position in 1906. He has made his home in West Liberty since 1895 and, being a man of good judgment and accommodating disposition, his advice is much sought by younger persons who are desirous of being guided aright in important affairs in which they are embarking.
In 1855 Mr. Birkett was united in marriage in Newark, New Jersey, to Miss Lucy Hargraves, a daughter of John and Maria Hargraves. By this union two
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children were born: Lucy, now Mrs. J. I. Nichols, whose husband is a farmer of Muscatine county; and Charles E., deceased. Mrs. Birkett having passed away March 29, 1859, Mr. Birkett was married in 1861 to Miss Susanna Har- graves, also of New Jersey, and they have become the parents of seven chil- dren, namely: Lilla B., now the wife of Ed. Fitzgerald, of West Liberty ; Edith M., the wife of Charles Mosher, also of West Liberty; Bertha I., now the wife of Walter G. Mosher, of West Liberty; Leslie R., deceased ; Vincent H., who is living on the old homestead; Lindley L., a farmer of Muscatine county ; and Fred P., of Kansas. The mother of these children departed this life March 4, 1896.
Mr. Birkett for several years past has spent his winters in California, re- turning each spring to familiar scenes in Muscatine county. He is a member of the Methodist church and politically is identified with the republican party, serving on the board of supervisors for ten years and also for many years as treasurer and director of the school board. He has never sought public office, preferring the quiet, unassuming responsibilities of private citizenship. Each day he has endeavored to perform his duty and at all times he has stood ready to assist by word or otherwise those less fortunate than himself. In the evening of his life he is accorded the honor due to one who has been actuated by princi- ples of fidelity and integrity.
GEORGE REEDER.
George Reeder, auditor and treasurer of the Muscatine North & South Rail- way Company, who makes his home in Muscatine, comes of a distinguished family and is related to many men and women whose names occupy an honored place in the history of America. He was born in Muscatine, April 20, 1862, and is a son of Dr. George and Almira Louise (Olds) Reeder, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. The father was a graduate of William and Mary College, Virginia, and also of the medical department of the Univer- sity of Maryland. He was one of the pioneers of Muscatine, arriving here in 1839. He engaged in the practice of his profession with unusual success, becoming known as one of the leading physicians in Muscatine county. Though a southerner by birth he held the integrity of the Union paramount to all other considerations. Accordingly, although not in good health, he accepted an appoint- ment as surgeon of the Second Cavalry of lowa, entering the service in October, 1861. He accompanied his regiment to the field, but the hardships of campaign- ing proved too severe for his strength and he was compelled to resign on the 2d of June, 1862. He reached home almost exhausted and departed this life on the 20th of June, ten days after his return. He died at forty-two years of age, his birth having occurred August 3, 1820. He was regarded by those who knew him best as one of nature's noblemen. He was a fine scholar and as a physician had few equals in this part of the state. As to character, no man stood higher. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reeder: Nellie O., who became the wife of George B. Glessner, of Springfield, Ohio, and is now
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deceased; Esther, who married Dr. F. H. Little, of Muscatine, and is also deceased; William H., who became an admiral of the United States navy and was retired with the rank of rear admiral, June 30, 1907; and George, our subject. The mother was married again, her second husband being F. L. Dayton. Of this union one son, John H., was born. He is now a member of the United States navy and ranks as lieutenant commander. The mother was called away in August, 1901, at the age of sixty-nine years. She was a member of the Episcopal church as was also Dr. Reeder.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was Dr. Benjamin S. Olds. He was a native of Bennington, Vermont, and migrated to Ohio, where he was married in 1830 to Theresa Herron. They lived at South Bloomfield and Circle- ville, Ohio, for nine years and came to Muscatine in 1839. He died in California at an advanced age and his wife passed away in Muscatine, March 1, 1894. They were the parents of three children: Almira Louise, Benjamin S., and one who died in infancy. He was a member of a remarkable family of twelve brothers who were reared at Bennington and who settled in various parts of the west. Dr. Edson B. Olds located in Ohio and became famous as a congress- man from that state. Chauncey Olds was elected lieutenant governor ; Chester Olds became a prominent merchant; Gamalial Olds was a well known pioneer of Muscatine county ; and William R. Olds was also a prominent resident of this county.
The subject of this review was reared in Muscatine under the favoring influences of a happy home and educated in the public schools. He began his business career in the office of the Rock Island Railway Company as accountant. In 1899 he entered the employ of the Muscatine North & South Railway Com- pany and one year later was made auditor and treasurer of the company, which offices he still holds.
On the 29th of December, 1886, Mr. Reeder was united in marriage to Miss Laura M. Phillips, a daughter of John J. and Mary E. (Murlin) Phillips. Mrs. Reeder was born in Mendon, Mercer county, Ohio, December 3, 1865. Her father was a native of Glamorganshire, South Wales, and the mother of Men- don, Ohio. Mr. Phillips was a soldier of the Civil war, serving as sergeant in Company D, Seventy-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continuing in the army for four years. He lived in Muscatine for a number of years and also in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he practiced law and served as mayor of the city. He was a man of marked ability and many noble characteristics. He passed away in March, 1895, at Ashland, Kentucky, at the age of fifty-three years, and was buried at Mendon, Ohio. His wife died at Columbus, Ohio, August 29, 1908, at the age of sixty-three years. There were seven children in their family, Laura, John D., Josephine, Mahala, Cora, Harriet and Esther. John Phillips, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Reeder, was a native of Wales. He came to America when he was about twelve years of age and after reaching manhood married Margaret Davis. The maternal grandfather was Daniel Murlin, who was a native of New York state and a pioneer of Mercer county, Ohio. He was twice married and the father of ten children, one of his wives being Laura Davis.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Reeder, Mary Louise, Fred- erick and George. The parents are both members of the Episcopal church and
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active assistants in all undertakings of the community aiming to promote the public welfare. Mr. Reeder gives his allegiance to the republican party but has never sought political office, as he is essentially a business man and in the field of finance has abundant opportunity for the exercise of his abilities. He pos- sesses the esteem and good-will of all with whom he comes in contact.
ADELBERT HICKMAN McCLUN.
The history of West Liberty with the name of A. H. McClun omitted would be very similar to the play of Hamlet with Hamlet eliminated. For forty-two years he has been one of its most forceful citizens. No other man has given more of his time and talent toward the upbuilding of every material interest of town and community than this modest, unassuming man.
Adelbert Hickman McClun was born at New Baltimore, Ohio, May 26, 1847, the third son and youngest child of Isaac Perkins and Hannah (Hick- man) McClun. The former was born December 13, 1810, and the latter Novem- ber 6, 1808, both being natives of Columbiana county, Ohio. The father was a teacher in early manhood, later becoming a merchant. He moved to New Baltimore, Ohio, in 1834 and to Marlboro in the same state in 1860. He was a man of high standing in the community, serving for nine years as justice of the peace and for the same length of time as postmaster at New Baltimore, holding the office of township treasurer at the time of his death, which took place November 25, 1874. The beloved wife and mother was called away Novem- ber 4, 1872. Five children composed the family: William W., who was associated with the subject of this sketch until 1899, passing away September 15, 1909; Joseph, who died in infancy; Rachel, who died at Marlboro, Ohio, in 1875; Lydia H., who resides in West Liberty, and Adelbert H.
A complete genealogical record has been compiled, covering a period of more than two hundred years. Thomas McClun, the founder of the family, was born in County Down, Ireland, about 1690. His wife was a native of the same county. They were members of the Society of Friends and emigrated to America in 1729, first settling in Pennsylvania and later in Loudoun county, Virginia, and the grandfather of the subject of this sketch emigrated from that section, to Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1804, being one of the pioneer settlers. It was in the same year that the ancestors upon the mother's side, the Hickmans and Mercers, also emigrated from Chester county, Pennsylvania, to this same locality.
Adelbert H. McClun received a common-school education in Ohio. In 1869, at the age of twenty-two, desiring to establish a business and home of his own, he made a prospecting tour of the west in quest of a location, in the course of which he called upon his friend, J. W. Gaskill, then in the clothing business in West Liberty, Iowa. Mr. Gaskill pointed out the natural advantages of the little town and its splendid citizenship. All this so impressed Mr. McClun that he formed a partnership with his friend, under the firm name of Gaskill, McClun & Company. The building occupied by the firm then stood on the lot where the Peoples State Bank building now stands. It will be something of a
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coincidence if the fates decree that Mr. McClun shall eventually end his long and honorable business career on the spot where it began.
On September 12, 1872, Mr. McClun was united in marriage to Miss Ella Meyers, a schoolmate in the Buckeye state, whom he had known from child- hood. Comrades in youth, they remain comrades still, though the irrepressible hand of time has silvered the heads of both. Mrs. McClun was born December 17, 1849, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Aaron and Mary Meyers, both of whom are now deceased. One son came to bless their union, Edward Adelbert, born January 24, 1875, now in the employ of a mercantile house in Chicago.
In 1875 Mr. Gaskill's interest in the clothing business was purchased by the late W. W. McClun, elder brother of the subject of this sketch, the firm name changing to McClun Brothers, and so remaining for the next twenty-four years, when in 1899 the business was disposed of by mutual consent. For twenty- seven years Mr. McClun was connected with the clothing business in one loca- tion, at the northwest corner of Third and Calhoun streets. At the time of the dissolution of the partnership he was the oldest business man in West Liberty, in point of continuous service. In those thirty years he gave to his business the closest application, rarely taking a day off. By reason of his brother's ill health and other interests, he was the active partner in charge, per- sonally looking after the buying and a large part of the selling, the bookkeeping and all the details of an extensive and prosperous business.
While deeply engrossed in his private affairs, he gave to the community invaluable service in minor but none the less important places, invariably con- scripted into the public service by those who appreciated his worth. An ardent supporter of the cause of education, he was a member of the school board for several years. He has been identified with the Commercial Club since its incep- tion and for two years was its chairman. From 1891 to 1893 he was a member of the city council, being elevated to the office of mayor in 1894, again in 1895 and again in 1897. The following year he went back to the council, concluding his service three years later. During his first term on the council he urged the lighting of the streets and offered the resolution which ultimately provided the first street lighting system of gasoline street lamps for the town. During his last term as mayor the splendid water-works and lighting system, owned and operated by the municipality, were constructed, of which he had almost entire supervision, being chairman of the building committee. Largely through his personal efforts, West Liberty was among the first of the small towns of the state to adopt the electric lighting system. With but meager knowledge of the power and possibilities of the electric current, his enthusiasm increased with research until he became almost an expert. When the Carnegie Free Public Library was broached, Mr. McClun immediately became an enthusiast. He was made chairman of the building committee, and, to properly prepare for the duties of his position, visited many libraries throughout the state. The splendid structure at the corner of Fourth and Spencer is an enduring monument to his fidelity in everything of a public character.
He had much to do with the improvement of Oakridge cemetery and the adoption of the lawn plan. Largely through his efforts a reservation was made
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