USA > Iowa > Washington County > History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 51
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In 1868 Mr. Johnson married Miss Eliza J. McKinnie, a resident of Washington county and a daughter of Walter McKinnie, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1815. Her mother was a native of Kentucky, born in Cynthiana, in 1821. It was on the 12th of
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April. IS45. that Mr. McKinnie became a resident of Washington county. Iowa, and being a farmer by occupation. he entered land in Brighton town- ship and engaged in its cultivation and improvement until his death, which occurred in May. 1809. His wife survived him for two years and passed away in July. 1001. He took quite a prominent part in public affairs and served as supervisor for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two chil- dren: Walter, at home: and Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of Walter Mickey. of Torrington. Wyoming.
In his political views Mr. Johnson has ever been a democrat, giving the party stalwart support because of a firm belief in the party principles. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability and worth. called him to the office of sheriff, in which he capably served for four years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. interested in its work and at all times manifests a spirit of progressive citizenship which leads to cooperation in affairs of general progress and value.
REUBEN RICKEY.
Almos: a century and a half ago George Washington said that "Farming is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man." It is to this work that Reuben Rickey gives his time and attention. for he is the owner of a farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres in Lime Creek town- ship. He has long made a specialty of raising and feeding stock and al- though he is now in his seventy-eighth year he still gives active supervision to his business affairs. His life record began in Pickaway county. Ohio. De- cember 2S. 1831. his parents being John and Ruth ( Dick) Rickey. The father was born in West Virginia, while the mother's birth occurred in Pickaway county, Ohio. They lived in the latter state for a number of years after their marriage and on coming to Iowa in 1848 took up their abode in this county, where they resided until called to their final rest. The father, however, was not long permitted to enjoy his new home. for his death occurred in October. 18:0. the mother surviving him until September. 1854. In their family were seven children but five of the number are now deceased. Those still living are Reuben and Mary, the latter the wife of Henry Nichols, of Battle Creek. Michigan.
Reuben Rickey was sixteen years of age at the time of the removal of the family from Ohio to Iowa. He had pursued his education in the com- mon schools and after coming to this state he materially assisted his father in the development and improvement of the home farm. He continued on the old home place up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in 1854. Miss Lucy Ayers becoming his wife. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland. in I831. and was a daughter of John and Rachael / Dunick) Avers, who were also natives of Baltimore. The year IS51 witnessed their arrival in this county, where they remained until called to their final rest. Their family numbered seven children.
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Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rickey began their domestic life in this county and he has since been identified with its farming interests. He now owns one hundred and thirty-seven acres of land on section 33, Lime Creek township, and the place is lacking in none of the equipments and accessories of a model farm. For a long period he also engaged in raising and feeding stock and found that branch of his business very remunerative. He is now, however, living practically retired, renting his land that he might spend the evening of his days in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rickey has been blessed with seven children : Victoria, now the wife of William Haller, residing in Oklahoma ; Jennie L .. the wife of Henry Schultz of this county ; Rachel Irena, the wife of Isaiah Oldfield, of this county; Allie, the wife of Samuel Oldfield, of the same county ; Viola, the wife of Alva Knox; Benjamin F., who is married and lives in Washington county ; and Laura A., deceased.
The family is widely and favorably known in this part of the state, the members of the household occupying an enviable position in the social circles in which they move. Mr. Rickey has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party and has filled all of the township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity, his course reflecting credit upon himself and his constituents. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his life he exemplifies the beneficient spirit of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness.
WILLIAM J. KUENEMAN.
William J. Kueneman, the editor and sole proprietor of The Leader, was born in Riverside, Washington county, Iowa, on the 2d of February, 1875, his parents being Joseph S. and Mary E. (Doll) Kueneman. The father's birth occurred in Alsace, Germany, in 1847, while the mother was born in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1849. Their marriage was celebrated in Johnson county. The father, who was a blacksmith by trade, passed away in Wyoming and subsequent to his demise Mrs. Kueneman conducted a milli- nery establishment at Riverside, Iowa, until the time of her death in 1896. She had become the mother of seven children, as follows: Odelia E., who is deceased ; Nicholas E., a resident of St. Louis, Missouri ; Isabel M., who makes her home in Chicago, Illinois ; William J., of this review ; Stanislaus, who has passed away ; Hubert M., who served as a member of Company L, Fiftieth Iowa Infantry, in the Spanish-American war and died while in Jacksonville ; and Della, the wife of Michael Beatty, of St. Louis, Missouri.
In pursuit of an education William J. Kueneman attended the district schools and left the parental roof at the age of fifteen years in order to learn the printer's trade. He worked for four years in Riverside and subsequently was employed as a printer by the Republican at Iowa City, continuing in that position for eight years. On the expiration of that period he returned to
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Riverside and purchased a half interest in The Leader, while in the fall of the same year he bought out his partner and has since remained as the sole proprietor and editor of the journal. The paper has a large subscription list, as well as excellent advertising patronage, and is devoted to the dissemi- nation of local and general news.
In February, 1896, Mr. Kueneman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Brum, whose birth occurred in Iowa City in 1874. The parents. Jacob and Anna Brum, who reared a family of three children, still reside in Iowa City. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kueneman have also been born three children, namely: Dorothy M., whose natal day was September 17, 1897; Helbertina J., who was born May 10, 1899; and William N., who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 2d of December, 1901.
Mr. Kueneman is an unfaltering advocate of republican principles and an active worker in the local ranks of the party, now serving as vice chairman of the county central committee in Iowa township. Fraternally he is identi- fied with Victor Lodge, No. 516, A. F. & A. M .. at Riverside, the chapter at Washington and the Modern Woodmen of America at Riverside. His wife is a communicant of the Catholic church at Riverside and both are held in high regard by all who know them.
ISAAC PULVER.
The agricultural interests of Washington county find in Isaac Pulver a worthy representative. He was born in Dutch Creek township, this county, on the 21st of June, 1871, and is a son of William M. and Jane (Alex- ander) Pulver. The parents were natives of the state of Ohio and the father, a carpenter by trade, came to Iowa when a young man, settling in Dub- lin, Dutch Creek township, two or three years subsequent to the arrival of the Alexander family. Here he wooed and won Miss Jane Alexander, and after their marriage they resided in Dublin until 1865, where Mr. Pulver followed his trade. In 1865, however, they removed to a farm two and a half miles northwest of the town and here they made their home for thirty-five years, when, in 1900, they made their way to Keota, Iowa, and have resided in that place continuously to the present time, Mr. Pulver there engaging in the carpenter's trade. The parents are faithful members of the United Presby- terian church, while Mr. Pulver gives his political allegiance to the republi- can party.
Reared under the parental roof, Isaac Pulver attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education, and the vacation periods were devoted to the work of the home farm. He remained at home until twenty- four years of age, assisting in the operation of the home place and thus gain- ing the practical experience which enabled him to start out in business on his own account when, in 1895, he associated himself with his brother Samuel in agricultural pursuits. They first rented the Duncan Stewart farm of two hundred and forty acres, which they operated together for three years,
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when Samuel Pulver purchased a farm of his own and Isaac Pulver con- tinued alone for one year. The following year he farmed the Ezra Pool place and then rented the John Wright farm in Dutch Creek township, where he continued to reside for nine years. In the spring of 1909, desiring to have property of his own, he purchased the old Taylor farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he has continued to make his home to the present time. He is up-to-date in his methods and the entire place is surrounded by an atmosphere of progress and prosperity.
Mr. Pulver has been twice married. In 1896 he was wedded to Miss Bessie Lemley, who passed away in 1904. One child was born of this union, Vada Vaun. After the death of his first wife Mr. Pulver was again married in 1906, Miss Jennie Vincent becoming his wife. She is a daughter of G. G. Vincent of Seventy-Six township, and by her marriage became the mother of one child, Marie Cherry. Mr. and Mrs. Pulver are consistent members of the United Presbyterian church of Keota, and they are popular among a wide circle of friends. Mr. Pulver is a republican in politics, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he pre- fers to concentrate his energies entirely upon his private business interests, which, capably managed, are proving a source of gratifying annual revenue to him.
DANIEL W. MAUNHARDT.
Since inventive genius gave to the world the telephone there is perhaps no hamlet in all America and scarcely in all of the civilized world that does not have its telephone system. Its worth has been inestimable and as man- ager of the Washington Telephone Company, Daniel W. Maunhardt is known to the business circles of the city in which he makes his home. He employs a spirit of undaunted enterprise and progressiveness in promoting the interests of the company and in giving to the public a satisfactory service.
A native of Jefferson county, Iowa, he was born April 5, 1872, a son of Zachariah and Augusta (Gast) Maunhardt, both of whom were natives of Germany, the father having been born in Saxony, while the mother was born in Bremen. Zachariah Maunhardt was the son of John Maunhardt, who came to America about 1846 and settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Pleased with the new world and the business opportunities here offered he sent for his family a few months later and subsequently removed to Burlington, Iowa. His last days, however, were passed in Jefferson county, Iowa, where he died when more than seventy years of age. He had served as a captain in the Napoleonic wars and during his residence in the new world was a loyal advocate of American interests. His wife died at the age of forty-five years. Their children were: Zachariah, Daniel, Anna and Rosa.
The maternal grandfather of Daniel W. Maunhardt was Frederick Gast, who came to America about 1848 and settled in New York. He was a millwright and a fine workman. Thinking to have better business oppor-
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tunities in the middle west he came to Iowa about 1855, locating in Louisa county, where he passed away at an advanced age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amelia Stokes, also lived to a ripe old age. Their children were: Augusta, Herman and Henrietta, the first named becoming the wife of Zachariah Maunhardt.
In his youthful days the father of our subject learned the mason's trade, depending upon it for a source of livelihood and becoming a thorough work- man in that line. In 1848 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling first in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and about 1857 he removed westward to Burlington, Iowa. Later he lived in various places in this state, spending some time in Trenton but eventually, in 1870, took up his abode in Jefferson county, where he resided until 1890. He then removed to Muscatine, Iowa, where his death occurred August 13, 1905, when he was sixty-one years of age. His wife passed away September 2, 1900, on the fifty-seventh anni- versary of her birth, her death resulting from an operation. Both were earnest Christian people, holding membership in the Lutheran church, and Mr. Maunhardt was active and influential in community affairs, while his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to public office. In the family of this worthy couple were five sons and five daughters, of whom six are now living: Margaret, the wife of David D. Frye, of Muscatine, Iowa ; Daniel W .; Etta, the wife of Samuel Loveless, of Muscatine ; Herman, of the same place ; Ida, the wife of William Hosier, a resident of Chicago ; and Fred, of Muscatine.
Daniel W. Maunhardt spent much of his youth in Jefferson county upon the home farm, his time during that period being divided between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the labors of the fields. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his ma- jority, when he started out in life on his own account. Going to Muscatine, he there studied steam engineering and later electrical engineering, which he has continued to follow until the present time. He spent one year at Wapello, Iowa, where he rebuilt an electric light plant, which he then sold. In October, 1901, he came to Washington and entered the service of the Washington Illuminating Company, with which he was connected until the Ist of March, 1907, when he became superintendent for the Washington Telephone Company and on the Ist of April, 1908, was made manager of the company, in which he is a stockholder. In 1907-8 he rebuilt the entire telephone system, his training in engineering well qualifying him for this work.
On the 24th of November. 1904, Mr. Maunhardt was married to Miss Theressa M. Kurtz, a daughter of John Kurtz, who was a native of Germany. The birth of Mrs. Maunhardt occurred in Jefferson county, Iowa, and by her marriage she has become the mother of two sons: Paul John and Charles Daniel. The parents hold membership in the Catholic church and Mr. Maunhardt belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. He has never
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sought or desired office, however, giving undivided attention to his business affairs which, capably conducted, are proving highly satisfactory to the pub- lic in the nature of the service rendered and to the company in the substan- tial results which are achieved.
DAVID JAMES PATTERSON.
No state is richer in its agricultural resources than Iowa and with the development of farming interests in Washington county David James Pat- terson has been closely associated. At the present time he is living retired but still owns the old home property and also has landed interests elsewhere in Iowa, Colorado and Canada. He was born in Lawrence county, Penn- sylvania, July 14, 1855. The Pattersons came of Scotch ancestry although the family was established in America at an early date. The grandfather, William Patterson, was a native of Pennsylvania and owned that section of the present city of Pittsburg formerly known as Grant's Hill. He made farming his life work and both he and his wife, Mrs. Sarah Patterson, lived to an old age. In his family were the following children: John, David, William, James, Margaret and Susan.
The maternal grandfather of David James Patterson was James Hutchi- son, a native of Ohio, who also carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. He married Miss Susan Watt and they lived to advanced years. Their family numbered ten children, Samuel, John W., James R., Elizabeth G., William, Jane, Susan, Joseph and twins, who died in infancy.
The parents of David J. Patterson were the Rev. James Patterson, D. D., and Jane ( Hutchison) Patterson, the former born at Grant's Hill, now Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, and the latter in Bellaire, Belmont county, Ohio. The father was reared on a farm and gave his early life to agricultural pursuits, but when twenty-one years of age was licensed to preach in the old Associate Presbyterian church and later in the United Presbyterian church. He first engaged in the work of the ministry in the southern states for two or three years and then located in Scroggsfield, Carroll county, Ohio, where he was pastor of that congregation for nineteen years. He was chosen the first presi- dent of Westminster College in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and re- mained at the head of that institution for fourteen years. On his removal westward to Washington, Iowa, in 1868, he organized a United Presby- terian congregation at Living Lake, Jackson township, and was pastor there until he died September 23, 1872, at the age of sixty years. His wife, long surviving him, passed away at Colorado Springs, Colorado, June 25, 1898, at the age of eighty-five years. She shared with him in his good work and their influence and labors were potent elements in promoting the cause of Christianity and in advancing the intellectual as well as the moral progress of the communities with which they were connected. In the family of the Rev. James and Mrs. Patterson were seven children, David James being the only son. The six daughters are: Victorine, living in Washington ; Hen-
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rietta, the widow of John Neel and a resident of Mansfield, Ohio; Susan, the widow of Rev. Samuel Taggart, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; Eliza, the widow of J. E. Lowrey, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Martha, the wife of R. J. Fleming, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Jeannette, the deceased wife of J. P. Stevenson.
David James Patterson was the sixth in order of birth in this family. He lived in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, until twelve years of age and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, where he resided for a short time. The year 1868 witnessed his arrival in Washington county, Iowa, and he has since made his home within its borders. His carly educa- tion was acquired in the public schools of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and after coming to this county he continued his studies in a district school in Jackson township and later in the Washington Academy. He was a youth of about seventeen years at the time of his father's death. He con- tinued to live with his mother until after he had attained his majority and operated the home farm. When he had saved sufficient capital from his earnings he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home place and continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits there until February, 1896, when he removed to the city of Washington and has since lived retired. He still owns the old home place, however, having there a tract of eighty acres of rich and productive land which returns to him a substantial annual income. It is well improved and constitutes one of the fine farms in the locality. As he prospered in his undertaking Mr. Patterson added to his possessions from time to time until his landed interests now comprise prop- erties in Iowa, Colorado and Canada. His and his wife's, she having re- ceived considerable land from her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Martin, possessions today aggregate eleven hundred acres and in addition they own a fine home in the city of Washington.
On the 26th of March. 1896, Mr. Patterson married Miss Dora Martin, a native of Washington, Iowa, and a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Black) Martin, who were natives of Ohio, the father coming to Washing- ton in 1853 and the mother in 1855. Mr. Martin taught school for a few terms in this state and then turned his attention to the real-estate business here. He later removed to Jackson township, where he engaged in the nursery business for ten years and then raised fine stock. He had formerly been engaged in the dry-goods business in Ohio. On account of ill health he removed to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where his death occurred in the spring of 1892, when he was sixty-eight years of age. His wife passed away in Washington in 1900 when only sixty-seven years of age. They were devoted members of the United Presbyterian church and enjoyed the confidence and good will of all who knew them. Their family numbered seven children, four of whom reached years of maturity, the oldest dying unnamed. The others were: John and Jonathan, twins ; Frank L. ; Lenora ; Dora : John H., who married Miss Cora Wright of Washington, Iowa, and died August 23. 1897. All are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Patterson. In tracing back the ancestry it is found that she is of Irish lineage in the paternal line, her grandfather, John Martin, having been a
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native of the Emerald isle. On coming to the United States he settled in Guernsey county, Ohio, where he followed farming. His life history covered about eighty-four years but his wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane McCartney, passed away when only forty-five years of age. Their family numbered eleven children: Henry; Robert; Mrs. Nancy Dawson ; James ; Jane ; Margaret, the wife of Samuel Mehaffey ; John ; William; Martha, the wife of R. C. Parr ; and two who died in infancy. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Patterson was Jonathan Black, a native of Pennsylvania. The Blacks were of Scotch-Irish descent, having come to this country in 1765. Jonathan Black followed merchandising in early life and subsequently gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits. Many years ago he removed westward to Monmouth, Illinois, and subsequently became an early settler in Washington, Iowa. There his last days were spent in honorable retire- ment, his death occurring in 1880, when he was nearly eighty-seven years of age. He had served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was always loyal and progressive in his citizenship. He married his cousin, Abigail Black, and they were the parents of twelve children: Dr. George Black; Mary Jane, who married Robert Gerlaw; Jonathan ; Margaret, the mother of Mrs. Patterson; Sarah, the wife of Stephen Reasoner ; William ; and six who died before reaching mature years.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson has been blessed with two sons: David M. and Robert J. The parents are members of the Second United Presbyterian church and their many substantial qualities have won for them the warm friendship and kindly regard of those with whom they have been brought in contact. In his political views Mr. Patterson is a republican and has served for four years as a member of the city council, exercising his official prerogative in support of many measures of public good. But whether in office or out of it he is always interested in the welfare and progress of his community and active in his support of the material, intellectual and moral development.
THE TRACY FAMILY.
Basil Tracy was born in Ohio, August 20, 1832, and came to Iowa with his parents about 1840. They settled in Brighton, and when grown he went into general merchandise, and has been in it ever since. On December 4. 1856, he married Martha Ann Fleak, daughter of Major L. B. Fleak. They have had seven children and five are living. Albert R. is the oldest, forty- nine years of age, and owns a dry-goods store in Red Oak, Iowa, and is interested in a gas company and farm lands. Henry Fleak is forty-seven years of age and is in business in Brighton. Bertram Clay is thirty-nine years old, associated with his father in Brighton. Mattie Ethel is thirty years of age, the wife of Harry Ditmars, and lives in Olympia, Washington.
Frank Basil was born in Brighton, October 18, 1866; went to school at the Brighton high school, Washington Academy and the State University of
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