USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 9
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The record of his life covers almost eighty-six years. He was born in Wash- ington, D. C., September 24, 1824, and was a son of John and Mary (McLeod) Brannan, natives of Ireland, who came to this country early in the nineteenth century and located at Washington city. He received his preliminary education at McLeod's Academy and his first employment was as messenger in the pension department of the government, with which his father was connected. At six- teen years of age he entered the Globe printing office as an apprentice, continuing his studies in the academy. In 1843 he secured a position as teacher at Hagers- town, Maryland, and later was employed as private tutor in prominent families of Hagerstown. While thus engaged he began the study of law, having deter- mined to devote his life to a professional career. In 1846, at the age of twenty- two years, he was admitted to the bar but, having acquired an interest in the Hagerstown Mail, he served as its editor for some time, finally selling out and soon afterward being appointed auditor of the court of chancery. It was while serving in that position that he began the practice of a profession in which he was destined to become distinguished. However, on account of failing health a change of climate became desirable and he decided to cast his fortune with the west, coming to Muscatine, Iowa, in May, 1855, where he opened a law office, and before the close of twelve months was recognized as one of the brightest attorneys in this region of the country.
His first public preferment came to him in 1856, when he was nominated by the democratic party as a member of the convention to revise the constitution of the state. The republican majority in the county at that time was two hundred, but he succeeded in reducing this majority to ten. In 1858 he was elected the first county superintendent of the schools of Muscatine county and organized the school system of this county. At the close of his term his law practice had grown to such an extent that it was necessary for him to decline reelection. He was also appointed trustee of the University of Iowa and inaugurated the movement for
WILLIAM F. BRANNAN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
coeducation, which became successful four years after his retirement. In 1869 and also in 1884 he was a candidate for the supreme bench on the democratic ticket and while he was defeated he came nearer being elected than any other democratic candidate for that office in the history of the state up to that time. In the early days he was quite prominent in the councils of his party and was a delegate to the democratic national convention that nominated Horatio Seymour for president in 1868 and also to the national convention at Chicago in 1884 which nominated Grover Cleveland for the first time. In recognition of his high stand- ing he was named as one of the vice presidents of the latter convention. In the early '70s he permitted his name to be used as a candidate for congress and was defeated only by a narrow margin. It was two years later, in 1872, that his name became identified with the district bench. J. Scott Richman having resigned from the bench, the lawyers of the district met at Davenport and unanimously recom- mended the appointment of Judge Brannan to fill the vacancy. Although he was a democrat, he was appointed to this position within less than a week by Governor Carpenter, a republican, and at the time of the election was elected to serve out the term though the district was heavily republican. He was chosen for a full term in 1874, his name appearing on the tickets of both parties, as he refused to run as a partisan candidate. The custom he then inaugurated has prevailed ever since that time and judicial elections in the seventh judicial district have been taken out of the realms of politics.
A year after his reelection Judge Brannan resigned from the bench to resume the practice of law under the firm name of Brannan & Jayne, the junior member being Henry Jayne, who studied law in Judge Brannan's office and had been ad- mitted to partnership with him in the latter part of the '6os. William Hoffman was taken into the firm, the title becoming Brannan, Jayne & Hoffman. This firm gained prominence and had charge of a great deal of important litigation in state and federal courts. Judge Brannan was not permitted by his friends to re- main in private practice, as he was again elected to the district bench in 1886 and continued in that position without interruption for sixteen years, retiring in 1902, at the close of his term, after announcing that he would not again be a candidate. He was succeeded by Judge D. V. Jackson, of Muscatine. At a meeting of the bar association of the seventh district held at Davenport, in June, 1902, the con- vention unanimously adopted resolutions thanking Judge Brannan for his services and commending him in very high terms. These resolutions were as follows and indicate the esteem in which he was held by his brethren at the bar :
"Whereas, Hon. William F. Brannan has devoted the best energies of his life to the fulfillment of the duties of district judge and has at all times been con- scientious, painstaking, honest and fearless in the cause of justice and has always been broadminded, liberal and impartial; and,
"Whereas, after many years of toil and labor he has now voluntarily asked to be relieved from further judicial service; be it
"Resolved by the district bar association in convention assembled that we do now most sincerely tender him a vote of thanks for his past services; that we acknowledge and record our love and esteem for him as a citizen, lawyer and jurist ; that we now renew our expression of unlimited confidence in his ability. integrity and honesty."
Vol. 11-5
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Judge Brannan was one of the most widely known district judges in the state and, being possessed of an extraordinary amount of public spirit, he was well fitted to be one of the builders of the foundation upon which the commonwealth stands. He was the possessor of a remarkable memory and could remember not only the issue of the case but its title and ofttimes the very page upon which the opinion could be found. His opinions were favorably commented upon by the supreme court many times and were models of completeness and comprehensive- ness. In his judgments lie was rarely reversed and at one time in a Jasper county case the supreme court used Judge Brannan's opinion as its own, stating that it was clear and comprehensive and could not be improved upon. For these and other reasons he gained a prestige which few district judges have ever enjoyed. Early in his career he became interested in newspaper work and in after life often found time to apply himself in that direction. For years his office was adjacent to the old Muscatine News and during that time he did much of the editorial writ- ing for that paper. He also contributed a series of articles to a Chicago paper on "Life in Washington in President Jackson's Time" and was the author of many other newspaper articles and sketches.
After his retirement from the bench Judge Brannan lived a quiet life in his adopted city, still, however, keeping up his reading and taking a deep interest in public affairs. For some months previous to his decease his health declined and he passed from earthly scenes February 12, 1910. Although of studious habits, he possessed fine social characteristics and no man more deeply enjoyed the com- panionship of family or friends. He was of a kindly, sympathetic nature, a lover of his home and his native country, and a citizen whom it was a delight to know and to honor. His memory will long be revered not only by a large circle of friends in Muscatine county but by many in other parts of the state and country who knew him.
Judge Brannan was married in Muscatine in 1879 to Mary Helen McColm, who is now living at the family home in Muscatine. Two children blessed this union : Will F. Brannan, Jr., of New York city ; and Thomas H. Brannan, a rec- ord of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He also left two stepchildren : J. Lee Ewing, now of Mangum, Oklahoma; and Mrs. Lura E. Tilton, of Bakers- field, California ; and a daughter by a previous marriage, Mrs. Hector Geiger, of New York city.
MARK QUINN.
The business interests of Muscatine are growing in importance and attract men of ability and progressiveness who here find a lucrative field for the exer- cise of their talents. Of this number is Mark Quinn, dealer in men's furnishing goods. He was born in Galena, Illinois, January 26, 1859, a son of Michael and Bridget (Malloy) Quinn, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father came to America in young manhood and began his active career as clerk in the dry-goods store of A. T. Stewart, of New York city. In 1865 he located in Muscatine, Iowa, and was here engaged in the dry-goods business for many years
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with S. A. Folk. He removed to Bay City, Michigan, where he entered the boot and shoe business and where he is now living retired at the age of ninety years. The beloved wife and mother was called from earthly scenes at the age of seventy- eight years, in 1905. She was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church as is also the father. Grandfather Quinn, who was a linen manufacturer of Ire- land, emigrated to America and lived retired with his sons near Darlington, Wis- consin. He was the father of eight children, Michael, Patrick, Richard, James, Morgan, Timothy, William and Mrs. Stewart, of Wyota, Wisconsin. The mater- nal grandfather, John Malloy, was a landowner of Ireland. There were three children in his family: Bridget; John, deceased ; and Mrs. Burke, of Brooklyn, New York. The home of Michael and Bridget Quinn was brightened by the ar- rival of four sons and four daughters, five of whom are now living: Maggie, the widow of A. A. Van Winkle; Josie, the wife of Henry Crotty, of Bay City, Mich- igan ; Mark, our subject; Morgan B., of Denver, Colorado; and Delia.
Mark Quinn grew up in Muscatine and was educated in the public and paro- chial schools. He began his active career at eighteen years of age as a clerk in the store of J. H. C. Petersen, of Davenport, Iowa, and continued with Mr. Petersen for thirteen years. In 1887 he returned to Muscatine and became identified with the dry-goods store of Ben Lilly, continuing for thirteen or fourteen years in that position. He then went on the road and sold goods for L. Mane & Company, of New York city, but after five years' experience as a traveling man decided to settle down on his own account and accordingly he opened up a men's furnishing goods establishment, of which he is now the head. It is one of the most attractive stores of the kind in Muscatine and, being excellently managed, yields liberal returns upon the investment.
On the 15th day of February, 1882, Mr. Quinn was happily united in marriage to Miss Ida L. Nierel, a daughter of Isadore and Matilda (Engelman) Nierel, who were early settlers in Muscatine. Her father was born May 10, 1827, in Posen, Prussia, originally a part of Poland, and during his youth came to this country, settling in Allentown, Pennsylvania. On the 22d of February, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Engelman, who was born in Allentown, in 1837, a daughter of Daniel and Louise Marx (Dannert) Engelman. Her mother was a native of Reading, Pennsylvania. Mr. Engelman was a miller by trade but was also engaged in the queensware business in Allentown. It was in 1857 that Mr. Nierel came to lowa and settled in Muscatine, where he engaged in the jewelry business on West Second street. He had the distinction of being the old- est jeweler in Iowa, being engaged in business for over fifty years in Muscatine. He departed this life when he was nearly eighty years old, his wife having been called away previously. Three of their children are now living: Ida L., now Mrs. Quinn ; Norbert ; and B. J. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Quinn three children have been born: Ruby W., now a correspondent in Chicago; Eva May, who died in 1900 at the age of fifteen years; and Newton N., an engraver and jeweler.
Mr. Quinn is a member of the Knights of Columbus and also of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and the Mystic Workers of the World. He and his wife hold membership in St. Mathias' Catholic church. Politically he affiliates with the republican party and is a stanch supporter of its principles. Mr. and
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Mrs. Quinn occupy a well appointed home at No. 1513 Mulberry avenue, which is the center of hospitality where their friends may always be assured of a cordial greeting. Surrounded by evidences of comfort and ease, they are enjoying the re- sults of wisely directed effort and at the same time assisting to the extent of their ability in promoting the happiness of others.
J. HERMAN MUNDT.
J. Herman Mundt is a native of Germany and has passed twenty-five years in Muscatine, gaining a reputation as one of its thoroughly competent and reliable citizens. He is a man of good discrimination and sound judgment, also possess- ing executive ability which is so necessary in the successful conduct of business affairs, and is now conducting a prosperous carriage and wagon manufactory.
He was born November 7, 1862, and is a son of Hans and Catharine (Klindt) Mundt, both of whom were born in Germany. The father came to America in 1866 and settled at Davenport, where he is still living. He began as a laborer and later operated a brickyard for eighteen years, finally becoming a successful farmer. In the old country he served in the regular army and the training which he then received proved of great benefit to him after he took up his abode among strangers. He has now reached the age of seventy-seven years and is retired. His wife was called away March 14, 1879, at the age of forty-six years. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Germany and was accidently killed by being struck by a wagon tongue. Ten children were born to Hans and Catharine Mundt : Henry, of Davenport; Bertha, the widow of Frank Bradow, of Davenport; Catharine, who was the wife of John W. Buck of Davenport and is now deceased; J. Herman, our subject; William, now living near Hartley, Iowa; Minnie, who died at the age of three years; Emil, living near Everett, Iowa; Minnie (II), who died at the age of nineteen years; Albert, who died at twenty-seven years of age; and Rudolph, of Tama.
J. Herman Mundt was not quite four years old when he came with his parents to America. He was educated in the public schools of Davenport and began his business career by working in a brickyard. 'At nineteen years of age he began learning the carriage blacksmithing trade, with which he has ever since been iden- tified. He came to Muscatine in 1885 and entered the employ of J. P. Ament, with whom he continued for a number of years. In 1894 he associated with David Vanatta in the carriage and implement business, which grew rapidly under their management. He acquired the interest of his partner in 1899 and discon- tinued the implement department, devoting his attention to the manufacture of carriages. In 1906 he removed to his present location at 414 East Third street and has since concentrated his energies with highly gratifying results to both carriage and wagon manufacturing, the establishment now being one of the most prosperous of its kind in eastern Iowa.
On the 24th of October, 1888, Mr. Mundt was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta B. Tuerk, of Muscatine, a daughter of John and Margaret Tuerk. The father was a native of Prussia and the mother of Bavaria, Germany. They were
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early settlers of this city and were the parents of five children: George; Minnie ; Henrietta ; John, deceased; and Fred. Mr. and Mrs. Mundt have two children, Irma and Mildred, the former of whom is a graduate of the Muscatine high school and also of the Brown business College, in which she is now an assistant teacher.
Mrs. Mundt is a member of the Lutheran church and a stanch believer in the authority and inspiration of the Bible. Mr. Mundt politically is an adherent of the democratic party. From his youth upward he has been a worker, and the success he has attained is attributable to his own efforts. By concentration of his energies he early developed a strength of will which is so important in the battle with the world and which when wisely directed leads to the attainment of every laudable ambition.
FITCH WILLIAM SWAN.
The business interests of Muscatine find a worthy representative in Fitch William Swan, proprietor of an attractive jewelry establishment. He has based his business principles upon the rules which govern strict industry and unswerving integrity and in the legitimate lines of trade, by reason of an enterprising spirit and progressive method, has gradually advanced toward the goal of success. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 8, 1850, and is one of the six children of Nathan F. and Juliet F. (Smith) Swan, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. It was there that the paternal grandparents, Mott and Cynthia Swan, were also born and reared. Nathan F. Swan was a carpenter by trade and in the year 1851 came to Muscatine, where he later took up contract- ing and was thus closely identified with the building operations of the city for many years. He aided in erecting many of the leading buildings here and was especially proficient as a stair builder. He died in 1875 at the age of sixty-five years, while his wife passed away in 1905, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church, while she was a member of the Congregational church. Five of their children reached years of maturity : Harriet, the wife of Charles Cadle, of Muscatine; Fitch William, of this review; Minnie, who died at the age of seventeen years; Lizzie, who died when a young lady of twenty-two years; and Fred, who died at the age of eighteen.
Fitch W. Swan was brought to Muscatine during his infancy and attended the public schools here. Entering business life, he was employed as a clerk in a dry-goods store for a short period and then began learning the jeweler's and watchmaker's trade, with which line he has since been connected. He has car- ried on business on his own account since 1876 and is now proprietor of one of the well appointed establishments of the city. He carries a large and well selected line of jewelry of both foreign and domestic manufacture and the hon- orable and straightforward business methods which he employs have advanced him far on the high road to success. Indeed he is numbered among the men of affluence in Muscatine and his life record may well serve to encourage and in- spire others.
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On the 22d of September, 1881, Mr. Swan was married to Miss Mollie Howe, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of George Howe. Her death occurred November 19, 1902, and on the 29th of May, 1907, Mr. Swan was married to Miss Elsie Corey, a native of this county. Mr. Swan belongs to Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; and Wyoming Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. His wife is a devoted member of the Baptist church as was also his first wife, who started the pipe organ fund for the church, which has been made a memorial organ by the gift of her husband.
In his political views Mr. Swan has always been a stalwart republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests, which have constantly grown in volume and importance and have made him one of the leading merchants of the city.
THOMAS RODNEY FITZGERALD.
Thomas Rodney Fitzgerald, for thirty-seven years a representative of the bar in Muscatine, and also engaged in the real-estate and loan business, has won for himself a creditable position as an enterprising man and valued citizen. His office is located in the Jackson building while his home is at the corner of Fifth street and Iowa avenue. Michigan numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in St. Joseph on the 5th of March, 1843. He is a descendant of one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, his grandfather, Pan- deen Fitzgerald, having fought for American liberty following the proclamation of independence in 1776. He devoted his life in days of peace to school teach- ing and lived for many years to enjoy the fruits of liberty, his home being in New York. In his family were three sons and a daughter: John, Aaron, Thomas and Emma.
Of these Thomas Fitzgerald, a native of the Empire state, became a soldier of the war of 1812 and was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane. He had previously lived with his parents in Herkimer county, New York, and after the second war with England the family removed westward to Indiana, settling at Booneville. There Thomas Fitzgerald became a justice of the peace, was also admitted to the bar and for a short time engaged in the practice of law. He was afterward commissioned to erect the first lighthouse at St. Joseph, Michigan, and made his home there for a number of years, taking a prominent part in the public life of the community. He was called to various positions of honor and trust, being chosen to represent his district in the state legislature, acting also as bank commissioner and clerk of the county and county probate judge. When General Lewis Cass resigned from the United States senate to accept the nomi- nation for the presidency, Thomas Fitzgerald was appointed as his successor in the senate but with marked magnanimity resigned when General Cass was de- feated for the presidency and the latter was then reappointed to the position of senator. Mr. Fitzgerald was the owner of the first bank in St. Joseph and his business as well as his political activity placed him in a position of promi-
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nence and honor. Following his return from Washington, D. C., he removed to Niles, Michigan, where he died in 1855. In early manhood he had wedded Polly Baldwin, also a native of New York. Her parents were farming people of the Empire state, whence they removed westward to Illinois, settling near Peoria, where both her father and mother died when well advanced in years. They had a large family including Alexander, Polly, Eliza and others. Of these Polly became the wife of Thomas Fitzgerald and her death occurred while her hus- band was United States senator in Washington. Her religious faith was that of the Methodist church. Their family numbered five children, Harrison, Jerome B., William L., Maria L., and Thomas Rodney, but only the last named is now living. After losing his first wife the father married a Mrs. Lacy and they had a son who died when eighteen years of age.
Thomas R. Fitzgerald pursued his education in the schools of Niles to the age of ten years, when he went to New York city and was there a pupil in the public schools. Later he attended a private school in Connecticut and at Wood- bridge, New Jersey, and was likewise a student in the Notre Dame University, of Indiana. The first dollar he ever earned was secured by acting as a messenger boy, carrying orders for a jewelry firm of New York city. Before he was of age he went to Missouri where he secured a clerkship and later went on an ex- pedition to the Indian trading posts. Eventually he located in St. Louis, where he engaged in the drug business, being located there during the latter part of the Civil war. In the winter of 1862 he arrived in Muscatine but in the spring of 1863 returned to St. Louis. In 1868, however, he was married in Musca- tine and afterward returned to Michigan, spending one year in Benton Harbor and a short period in Niles. He next took up his abode in Clinton, Iowa, and on the Ist of April, 1871, removed to Muscatine. Studying law, he was admitted to the bar here in 1873 and has since continued in practice in this city, at the same time conducting a real-estate, loan and insurance business. He has been accorded a good clientage and his devotion to the interests entrusted to him is proverbial.
It was on the 20th of May, 1868, that Mr. Fitzgerald was married to Miss Sarah Esther Hanna, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Conner) Hanna, who were natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively, and be- came early residents of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald have two daugh- ters and a son: Belle; Hiram, a civil engineer who is married and lives at Purcell, Oklahoma; and Fanny, who is the wife of B. M. Cobb, of Muscatine, and has one son, Rodney Fitzgerald Cobb.
Mr. Fitzgerald is a valued and exemplary member of Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; and De Molay Com- mandery, No. I, K. T. He served as master of the blue lodge for four years, was recorder of the commandery for eleven years and eminent commander for one term. His election to office indicates his high standing among his brethren of the fraternity. The cause of education has always found in him a stalwart champion and for one term he served on the Muscatine school board. In politics he has ever been a stalwart democrat and upon the party ticket was elected alderman in 1875 for a two years' term. At its close he was chosen mayor of the city, in which connection he gave a public-spirited and businesslike adminis-
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