USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 8
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
MR AN! MAS W O.FR. ICHMAN
X
x
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RESIDENCE OF W. O. FRITCHMAN
THE NEXT IK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TIDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
hundred and seventy-five acres in Bloomington township, three and a half miles north of Muscatine, which property remained in the possession of the family for forty years. Ile passed away on the 27th of January, 1907, having survived his wife for about three years, her demise occurring on the 8th of February, 1904. Their family consisted of six children, as follows: Nancy L., the wife of Lindley Hale of West Liberty, Iowa; Amanda, who wedded Homer Catell and resides near Des Moines; Catherine, who passed away at the age of twenty-four years ; W. O., of this review ; John, of California ; and one who died in infancy.
W. O. Fritchman spent the first nine years of his life in the place of his nativity, after which he came with his parents to Muscatine, and his education, which had been begun in Rock Island county, Illinois, was completed in the schools of Muscatine county, Iowa. Amid the busy activities of farm life, too, he learned practical lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perse- verance, and he soon mastered the fundamental principles of agriculture so that, after laying aside his text-books he was able to give valuable assistance to his father in the work of the fields. Upon attaining his majority he continued to follow the occupation to which he had been reared, although in later years he had devoted the greater part of his time and attention to his stock-raising in- terests. He purchased from his father the farm of one hundred and seventy- five acres in Bloomington township which remained in his father's and his possession for forty years. This continued to be his home until 1908, when he sold it and purchased his present place of thirty acres adjoining the corporation limits of Muscatine on the north. It ,is located at the end of Mulberry avenue and is known as Oak Lawn Stock Farm, devoted entirely to the raising of sheep and chickens. He makes a specialty of light Brama chickens which have been bred exclusively for thirty years from the best strains, and the specimens found upon his place are noted for their unusual size and excellent quality. He is also an importer and breeder of registered Shropshire sheep of the most fash- ionable strains, and the high degree of merit of his stock is indicated by the fact that he has bred and produced the champion rams at a large number of the state fairs throughout the country. The prominence which he has gained in the stock circles all over this country and Canada has made him an authority upon subjects pertaining to his specialties and the excellence of his products make the name of the Oak Lawn Stock Farm well known and popular through- out the entire country.
It was on the 6th of January, 1882, that Mr. Fritchman laid the foundation for a happy home life by his marriage to Miss L. Maggie Adams, who was born in Muscatine on the 12th of February, 1857. Her parents, A. F. and Margaret Adams, came to Muscatine county from Ohio in 1855 and here spent their re- maining days. Her father was a member of the well known firm of Adams & Wiles, manufacturers of plows and wagons at Muscatine. He died March 11, 1888, and his wife passed away in December, 1889, both being buried at Musca- tine. In their family were five children: Samuel, now deceased; William D. and Elizabeth L., both residents of Muscatine; Alfred B., of Washington, Iowa ; and L. Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Fritchman traveled life's journey happily together for almost a quarter of a century and then were separated by the death of the wife, who passed away on the 4th of June, 1906.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Interested as all American citizens should be in the political situation of the country, Mr. Fritchman has thoroughly informed himself concerning the ques- tions and issues of the day and gives stalwart support to the republican party. His political service, however, is that of a private citizen, for he has never sought nor desired to figure in public office, his personal affairs demanding his entire time and attention. He nevertheless has the welfare of his community at heart and does all in his power to further its growth and development. He is rightly numbered among those who have been prominent in the development of stock interests in Muscatine county, for his efforts have been potent elements in rais- ing the standard of stock in this state, particularly along the line of his specialties.
FRANK J. EPPEL.
Frank J. Eppel, senior member of the Eppel-Schlosser Company, plumbing and heating, and a well known citizen of Muscatine, was born in Iowa City, Iowa, October 4, 1862. He is a son of Adam and Catharine (Haas) Eppel, the former of whom was born in German and the latter in Iowa. The father received a fine education in his native land and taught school as a young man but was attracted to America and settled in Iowa City, where he engaged in the grocery business for some years. Later he became a bookkeeper and expert accountant. He died from the effects of pneumonia in 1883 at the age of forty-seven years. Mrs. Eppel is still living and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Slavata, of Iowa City. She is a member of the Catholic church as was also her husband. Valen- tine Eppel, the paternal grandfather, lived and died in Germany. There were four sons in his family, Adam, John, Max and Ludwig. The maternal grandfather was Francis N. Haas, who married Margaret Stapp, and they became pioneers of Iowa City, where they died about twenty-five years ago. They were the parents of four children : Catharine ; Helen, the wife of Joseph Cerny; Adelia ; and John A. Unto Adam and Catharine Eppel six children were born: Frank J., our subject ; Clara, the wife of Charles Slavata, of Iowa City; Adelia, the wife of John Chopek, also of Iowa City; John A., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa ; Louis, of Iowa City ; and Helen, now Mrs. Simon Graf, of Iowa City.
Frank J. Eppel was reared in his native town and educated in the public schools. He was early taught the necessity and value of labor and began his busi- ness career in a soda water factory, continuing there for fifteen years. Finally, desiring to see something of the world, he went to Denver, Colorado, and spent one year. In 1890 he came to Muscatine and became identified with the Barry Manufacturing Company, in whose employ he continued for twelve and one-half years, when the company sold out to the Corry & Wernentine Company, and he remained with the new owners until November, 1907, when he became connected with the plumbing and heating business. He is associated with L. P. Schlosser under the firm name of the Eppel-Schlosser Company, and the business has been conducted with an ability and progressiveness that ever produce satisfactory re- sults, the firm being recognized as one of the most substantial and reliable of its kind in the city.
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On the 7th of May, 1890, Mr. Eppel was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ribak, a daughter of Frank J. and Mary Ribak, both of whom were born in Bohemia. They were early settlers of Richmond, Iowa, where Mrs. Eppel was born. The father and mother are both deceased, the former having been called away at the age of eighty-seven years, in 1909. Four children constituted their family, namely: Frank J., John F., Philomina and Mary A. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Eppel: Vincent, Max, Helen, Mary and Edna. The sec- ond son, Max, died when about one year old.
Mr. and Mrs. Eppel are valued members of St. Mathias Catholic church and assist to the extent of their ability in forwarding the best interests of that church. Mr. Eppel is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and assists in advancing the interest of its candidates. That his services have been recognized is shown by the fact that he served for five years as alderman for the third ward. In the course of his official career he was able to promote many measures which have been of practical advantage to the city. He is endowed with genial qualities of a high order and has made many friends in Muscatine. As a business man he is energetic, competent and trustworthy and has won the respect of the best citizens of his home city.
FREDERICK WILLIAM EVERSMEYER.
Of the native sons of Muscatine Frederick William Eversmeyer, senior mem- ber of the law firm of F. W. & Louise Eversmeyer, is widely and favorably know. In addition to practicing as an attorney he is prominently identified with the real-estate, loan and insurance interests. Energetic and reliable in everything he undertakes, he has made steady progress as a lawyer and business man.
He was born in Muscatine, October 10, 1871, and is a son of Bernhard Hein- rich and Magdalena (Kuechmann) Eversmeyer, the former of whom was born in Prussia and the latter in Hessen-Kassel, Germany. They came to America in the same ship in 1850 by way of New Orleans and on their way up the Mississippi river their vessel was frozen in a few miles below St. Louis. Mr. Eversmeyer attended school in St. Louis in the winter in order to learn the English language and arrived in Muscatine in 1853, his future wife having preceded him to this city by two years. They were married in 1853 and Mr. Eversmeyer began busi- ness here in the employ of the B. Hershey Lumber Company. He later engaged in teaming and contracting and was street commissioner in 1872 and 1874. In the latter year he established a real-estate, loan and insurance business on Iowa avenue, which prospered well under his management and in which he continued until his death, May 8, 1891, when he was about sixty-seven years of age. His wife was called away August 15, 1908, at the age of seventy-four years. They were members of the German Methodist church, of which he was a stanch sup- porter, serving as one of the elders and as local preacher for about twelve years. Before coming to this country he served in the war of 1848 in Germany. After
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
his arrival he was for a number of years a republican but later in life he changed his political views and became a strong advocate of the principles of the demo- cratic party.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a farmer in Germany and was the head of a large family, his children being Frederick, Marie Sophia, Johann Christoph, Bernard Heinrich, Hermann Heinrich, Carl August and Carl Heinrich. The maternal grandfather was Werner Kuechmann, a native of Hessen-Kassel, Germany. He died of lung fever when about thirty years of age. His wife was Anna Marie Siebert, who came to America with her only child, Magdalena, and departed this life in Muscatine at the age of seventy-six years. To the union of Bernhard and Magdalena Evers- meyer nine children were born : one who died in infancy; Anna Marie, the wife of George R. Leffingwell; Katharine Louise, John Henry, Christian Heinrich, Martha Magdalena, deceased at two years of age; Carl August, who died at the age of about two years; Frederick William, our subject ; and Benjamin Ernst.
Frederick W. Eversmeyer received his early education in the public schools and in the Muscatine Business College. Later he became a student in the law department of the State University of Iowa, graduating in 1896, with the de- gree of LL. B. He was admitted to the bar the same year and began practicing in Muscatinc. In 1898 Katharine Louise Eversmeyer, a sister of our subject, graduated from the law department of the State University of Iowa and began practice in partnership with her brother John, they having also purchased their father's business. They continued together until May 1, 1910, when she with- drew from the firm and became associated with her brother Frederick W. under the title of F. W. & Louise Eversmeyer. Mr. Eversmeyer has been highly successful at the bar and among his clients are a number of the best business firms of Muscatine. He is a safe adviser and as a lawyer he has shown a capacity that gives large promise for the future. He is also actively identified with the real-estate, loan and insurance business and is vice president of the Batterson stores and director of the German-American Savings Bank. In addi- tion to these interests he is connected with the Capital & Merchants & Bankers Insurance Company of Des Moines.
On the 28th of June, 1910, Mr. Eversmeyer was united in marriage to Miss Harriet B. Kemptner, a daughter of Edward G. and Eliza G. (Lewis) Kemptner, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Kemptner were early settlers of Muscatine, the mother having ar- rived here in 1851, and they are still living in this city. Mr. Kemptner was a soldier in the Civil war, serving in the First Iowa Volunteers and later in the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers. There were seven children in their family: Samuel, Catharine Christina, Ewing Lewis, Isabelle, Mary Anna, Jennie and Harriet B. Samuel and Jennie died in early childhood. The maternal grand- father of Mrs. Eversmeyer was Samuel G. Lewis, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to lowa in 1851 and died in Muscatine as he landed here. His wife was Mary (Fischer), Lewis, and they were the parents of five children : John M., Ewing B., Ruth, Eliza G. and William.
Mr. Eversmeyer is not identified with any religious denomination, although his wife holds membership in the United Brethren church. He affiliates with
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
the republican party and served as justice of the peace from 1901 to 1906 in- clusive, discharging his duties in such a way as to receive the approval of per- sons of all political parties. Fraternally he is connected with lowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; and Webb Council, No. 18, R. & S. M. He is also connected with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and Muscatine Lodge, No. 304, B. P. O. E. He is at the present time president of the Huttig hose company. He has been identified with the busi- ness life of Muscatine since February, 1890, when he entered his father's office as clerk, and professionally has been active in Muscatine since 1896. He is a man of varied abilities and, being the possessor or an abundance of energy and grit, is pushing rapidly to the front. His acquaintance is constantly extending and it is greatly to his credit that his best friends are those who have known him ever since his boyhood.
HON. GEORGE MARION TITUS.
Hon. George Marion Titus is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative citizens of Iowa, for he belongs to that class of men whose enterprising spirit is used not alone for their own benefit. He also advances the general good and promotes public prosperity by his ably managed individual in- terests. While his real life work has been that of the practice of law, he has also successfully conducted a real-estate, loan and insurance business and has been the promoter of many organized projects which have a direct bearing upon the upbuilding and substantial growth of the city and state. A native of New York, Mr. Titus was born in Cayuga county, May 19, 1856, and is of English lineage. His paternal grandfather, Garrett Titus, was also a native of the Empire state and devoted his life to the occupation of farming. He married Eliza Green and died in Cayuga county, New York, near Cato, when fifty- seven years of age. His widow afterward came to the west in 1871 and spent her last days in Muscatine county. Her death occurred in 1873 when she had reached the advanced age of eighty-one years. She was his second wife and Allen G. Titus, the father of George M. Titus, was the only child of that union. Garrett Titus had been previously married and had four children: Charles, Elliott, Wicks and Ann.
Allen G. Titus was born in Cayuga county, New York, was reared to farm life and, on reaching manhood, determined to continue in the same line of busi- ness. For a considerable period he was identified with agricultural interests in the Empire state and while there residing was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Rhoades, who was also born in Cayuga county and was of English descent. Her parents were James and Martha Rhoades, who were likewise born in New York and spent their last days in Weedsport, that state, passing away at the ages of eighty-nine and seventy-seven years respectively. They had a large family, including: Leonard, Minerva, Rachel, Ann, Mary J., Almon, Jabez, George, Julia and Emily Rhoades. Of these Jabez and George were soldiers of the Civil war.
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Following their marriage Allen G. and Mary J. (Rhoades) Titus took up their abode in their native county and were identified with its farming interests until 1866 when they removed to Shiawassee county, Michigan, and in 1871 removed to Iowa and settled first near Durant in Cedar county. Later they established their home in Sweetland township, Muscatine county, and after- ward lived a year in Bloomington. In March, 1909, they removed to Grant, Michigan, where they are now living, Mr. Titus having reached the age of eighty-five years, while his wife is eighty-one years of age. Both are members of the Baptist church. Their family numbered four sons and a daughter : Ray- mond J., also a resident of Grant, Michigan ; Wicks R., a resident of California ; Julia E., deceased; George M., and Charles A., who has passed away.
George M. Titus lived in Cayuga county, New York, to the age of eleven years and in 1866 went with his parents to Shiawassee county, Michigan, where he entered the high school of Corunna. He also attended the Wilton Collegiate Institute. In the meantime he began teaching school at the age of fifteen years, following that profession for seven terms in Michigan. In 1876 he entered upon the study of law in Wilton and further continued his preparation for the bar in Muscatine as a law student in the office of Allen Broomhall until his admission to the bar in 1880. He then began practice in Mr. Broomhall's office in this city. Advancement at the bar is proverbially slow, yet no long and dreary novitiate awaited Mr. Titus. Steadily he worked his way upward, his ability gaining him recognition in a liberal clientage. In December, 1882, Judge De Witt C. Richman resigned his position on the bench of the district court and they formed a partnership under the style of Richman & Titus, a connection that was maintained until February, 1886, when their business relations were discontinued. Mr. Titus was then joined by Judge D. V. Jackson in forming the firm of Titus & Jackson and they were thus associated until Mr. Jackson was elected district judge. Mr. Titus has since engaged in practice alone, but has associated with him his son, George Raymond, and Jacob P. Schomberg, in the real-estate, loan and insurance business. His ability as an attorney and counselor places him in the front rank of the legal profession in Muscatine county. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients, and assiduous and un- relaxing attention to all the details of his cases have brought him a large busi- ness and made him very successful in its conduct. His arguments have elicited warm commendation not only from his associates at the bar but also from the bench. His briefs always show wide research, careful thought and the best and strongest reasons which can be urged for his contention, presented in cogent and logical form and illustrated by a style unusually lucid and clear. Aside from the practice of law he is known in business circles as a director of the Muscatine State Bank, one of the strongest financial institutions of the middle west.
In other connections Mr. Titus has also been closely associated with public interests. In politics he is a republican, recognized as one of the leaders of his party in this district. He was elected state senator and served during the twenty- seventh and twenty-eighth general assemblies, during which period he became widely known as the author of a resolution that was styled the "Titus Amend-
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ment"-an amendment to the state constitution, the purpose of which was to change the elections from annual to biennial. The measure passed the two general assemblies and was supported by a majority of thirty thousand, but was passed upon adversely by the supreme court owing to the reason that it had not been properly enrolled in the house journal. It was afterward again passed by the twenty-ninth and thirtieth general assemblies and again by vote of the people received a majority of twenty-three thousand and became one of the state laws. Mr. Titus was also selected by the State Library Association to present the library commission bill which was passed by the twenty-eighth general as- sembly. The influence of this will be felt by generations to come and Iowa now is said to stand at the head of the list in the number of its libraries through- out the state. Mr. Titus was likewise instrumental in securing the passage of a measure prohibiting the manufacture of buttons and tubs in the state peni- tentiaries. He took a deep interest in legislation in the interests of labor and is recognized as a stalwart friend and champion by the labor element throughout the state. By reason of his record in the state senate Mr. Titus was urged by many influential men to become a candidate for governor of the state of Iowa, and the Council Bluffs Nonpareil published an article, together with his picture strongly urging him to become a candidate for that office, and a number of other influential papers of the state published similar articles.
Mr. Titus' efforts have been equally effective and valuable in his support of measures and projects for the welfare and upbuilding of this city. The de- velopment of Muscatine has always been a matter dear to his heart and his public and private acts have constituted an element in the city's growth and progress. He organized the Muscatine North & South Railroad and the Musca- tine Bridge Company and was the first to suggest the Kansas City Cut-off of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, extending the line of that road from Ottumwa to Davenport. As this work was prosecuted the first station west of Washington was named in his honor. He was one of the three original promoters of the project to transform the horse car system of Muscatine to an electric system and in many other ways he has contributed to the upbuilding of the city through the promotion of her public enterprises.
On the Ist of June, 1881, Mr. Titus was married to Miss Ella Broomhall, a daughter of Allen Broomhall, and they had three children: Harriet E., George Raymond, who is in business with his father; and Gertrude E., who is attending Oberlin College. The mother, who died May 5, 1907, at the age of forty-eight years, was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and was highly esteemed by all who knew lier. On the 10th of October, 1909, Mr. Titus married Miss Hannah Jefferson Hutchinson. Both Mr. and Mrs. Titus are devoted members of the Presbyterian church in which he has served as an elder for thirty years, while to the support of the church he is a liberal contributor. He has attained high rank in Masonry, belonging to Iowa Lodge, No. 2, 'A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. 'A'. M .; Muscatine Council, R. & S. M .; DeMolay Commandery, No. I, K. T .; Zarephath Consistory, S. P. R. S .; Kaaba Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with Eagle Lodge. No. IO, A. O. U. W. He is serving as a member of the board of trustees of the P. M. Musser Public Library. The concensus of opinion on the part of his
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fellowmen establishes his position in the public regard. Throughout Muscatine and lowa he is spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. His life has been varied in its activity, honorable in its purpose, far-reaching and beneficial in its efforts and has thus become an integral part of the history of the city and has left its impress upon the annals of the state.
JUDGE WILLIAM F. BRANNAN.
Among the lawyers whose names are inseparably connected with the history of Iowa none will be remembered with a more profound respect than Judge Will- iam F. Brannan, deceased. Coming to Muscatine in the pioneer days, he soon gained a prominent place in the estimation of the people and for fifty years was active in the promotion of every worthy cause. As a lawyer he ranked with the brightest Iowa has ever known and as an impartial judge upon the bench he had few peers, his legal learning and broad comprehension of principles of law, com- bined with clear discernment and sound common sense, making him an ideal jurist.
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