USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 25
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As a preacher Dean Schulte ranks among the leading pul- piteers of his church. His sermons are practical expositions of the Christian faith, given with the charm of the orator and the zeal of an evangelist. He is foremost among his brethren as an exponent of the doctrines of Catholicism. Following the purposes formed when a mere youth, he has given his life in devotion and self-sacrifice to the cause of religion and hu- manity. At fifty-three he is in the prime of life, vigorous, alert, able, active. Surely he is to be congratulated upon the victories he has achieved and the friendships he has won. The affections of a devoted people are the visible evidence of his character.
FREDERICK THEOBALD
Frederick Theobald was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, June 11, 1838. He was the eighth child in a family of nine of William and Jane (Yager) Theobald, natives of Ger- many, who came to America in 1833, locating first at New York and thence removing to Philadelphia, where the family resided eleven years. From Philadelphia they removed to Wyoming, Luzerne county, and afterwards to Wilkesbarre in the same county. Mr. Theobald was a shoemaker by trade and established a profitable business as a dealer in boots and shoes. He removed with his family to Iowa City in 1855, where he continued in the shoe manufacturing business to 1862. Wil- liam Theobald was born in Germany May 25, 1802, and died at Iowa City July 16, 1882. His wife was born in Germany in 1798 and died at Iowa City in April, 1883. The children of this excellent couple, in the order of birth, are: William, died in infancy in Germany; William II, born in Germany in 1827, died in Johnson county, Iowa, October 21, 1875; Mary, born in Germany in 1832; Bernhard and Fiesler, both deceased; Philip, born in the United States in 1834; Jane, widow of Angust Schmidt, residing with Frederick ; our subject; John
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L., Sr., printer, resides in Iowa City (see sketch in another part of volume).
Frederick Theobald first engaged in the retail shoe business in Iowa City in 1862. He continued therein for forty years, retiring from business life in 1902. He has taken a prominent part in the affairs of Iowa City. He was mayor of Iowa City in 1877, and served as alderman from the third ward for twelve years, being first elected in 1874. He is a democrat in politics, and was member of the central committee and also served as chairman. Fraternally he is associated with Kos- kinsco lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., of Iowa City, having passed
RESIDENCE OF FREDERICK THEOBALD
through all the chairs, and in 1874 represented the lodge in the Grand Lodge at Des Moines.
The long business career of Mr. Theobald is emphasized by the fact that not a single man now in business in Iowa City was here when he came. His father's old home was on North Dodge street, above the church. The beginning of this place of business was in a small frame building, 30 feet deep, until 1866, when a brick replaced the frame, he having remodeled the front. In 1892 the business demanded more room, and he made the building 60 feet deep, again remodeling and putting in a metallic front. In 1911 he again remodeled the block with an addition of 20 feet more, an entire new front, with plate
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glass windows. The Theobald block now is strictly modern with an up-to-date shoe store.
Mr. Theobald is a member of the Old Settlers Association of Johnson county. He is a man well and favorably known throughout Johnson and Iowa counties, a man of retentive memory, and has lived to see Iowa City develop and has helped materially in its building. His home is on Church street.
THOMAS EDGAR MURPHY
The name of Murphy is derived from Flaithbheartach O'Murchadha, chief of Cinel, Boghaine, who was slain A. D. 1030, and comes down in its various forms as Murchadha, O'Murchadha, O'Murphy, Murphy. Patrick Murphy, the father of Thomas Edgar Murphy, was a native of County Kil- kenny, Ireland, who emphasized his Celtic origin by being born on St. Patrick's Day, 1819. But, while proud of his na- tive land and the ancient history of his family, Patrick Mur- phy longed for the atmosphere of political and industrial freedom, and came to America when a young man a little past his majority, and cast his lot for a time in the state of Pennsyl- vania. There, in 1846, in Monroe county, he married Anna Eilenberger, born in that county May 1, 1831 - a daughter of one of the prominent German families of Penn's common- wealth. Her father, Jacob Eilenberger, and his wife, Anna Brown, were the parents of a large family, of which Mrs. Pat- rick Murphy is the sole survivor. The Eilenbergers were farmers, and Jacob and his wife lived and died in Monroe county, Pennsylvania. Patrick Murphy, after his marriage to Anna Eilenberger, resided for a short time in Pennsylvania, and then removed with his wife to New Jersey, where he worked as a miner for a brief period; thence he went to War- ren county, Illinois, where he pursued his chosen calling of farming. In 1857 he settled at North Liberty, Iowa, buying an improved farm, with a double log cabin. The following year he built a substantial home. In early life Mrs. Murphy was a Presbyterian, but she was converted to the Catholic faith at Monmouth, Illinois. Mr. Murphy was one of the charter members of St. Patrick's church, of Iowa City. Thir- teen children, two of whom died in infancy, were born to
У. Е. Онирву
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glass windows. The Theobald block now is strictly modern with an up-to-date shoe store.
Mr. Theobald is a member of the Old Settlers Association of Johnson county. He is a man well and favorably known throughout Johnson and Iowa counties, a man of retentive memory, and has lived to see Iowa City develop and has helped materially in its building. His home is on Church street.
THOMAS EDGAR MURPHY
The name of Murphy is derived from Flaithbheartach O'Murchadha, chief of Cinel, Boghaine, who was slain A. D. 1030, and comes down in its various forms as Murchadha, O'Murchadha, O'Murphy, Murphy. Patrick Murphy, the father of Thomas Edgar Murphy, was a native of County Kil- kenny, Ireland, who emphasized his Celtic origin by being born on St. Patrick's Day, 1819. But, while proud of his na- tive land and the ancient history of his family, Patrick Mur- phy longed for the atmosphere of political and industrial freedom, and came to America when a young man a little past his majority, and cast his lot for a time in the state of Pennsyl- vania. There, in 1846, in Monroe county, he married Anna Eilenberger, born in that county May 1, 1831 - a daughter of one of the prominent German families of Penn's common- wealth. Her father, Jacob Eilenberger, and his wife, Anna Brown, were the parents of a large family, of which Mrs. Pat- rick Murphy is the sole survivor. The Eilenbergers were farmers, and Jacob and his wife lived and died in Monroe county, Pennsylvania. Patrick Murphy, after his marriage to Anna Eilenberger, resided for a short time in Pennsylvania, and then removed with his wife to New Jersey, where he worked as a miner for a brief period; thence he went to War- ren county, Illinois, where he pursued his chosen calling of farming. In 1857 he settled at North Liberty, Iowa, buying an improved farm, with a double log cabin. The following year he built a substantial home. In early life Mrs. Murphy was a Presbyterian, but she was converted to the Catholic faith at Monmouth, Illinois. Mr. Murphy was one of the charter members of St. Patrick's church, of Iowa City. Thir- teen children, two of whom died in infancy, were born to
3. E. Quephy
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Patrick Murphy and Anna Eilenberger, namely: Marietta, wife of James White, residing on the old Phil Clark farm in Newport township; Anna, wife of Mat J. Rhea, Iowa City; William F., attorney, member of law firm of Murphy & Bailey, Iowa City; Charles A., married to Emma Bishop, residing at Iowa City; our subject, Thomas Edgar, of Iowa City; James. a prominent physician of Iowa City, who died March 12, 1922; Catherine, deceased, wife of James Denneny ; Miss Nell, liv- ing at home: Elizabeth, deceased, wife of John Nolan, of Sioux City ; Maurice, wife of D. F. Fitzpatrick, health officer
......
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS E. MURPHY
of Iowa City; and Miss Bertilla Murphy, residing at home. The venerable father passed away December 18, 1887, but the mother survives, and has been permitted to look into the faces of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She reached her eighty-first year in 1912.
Thomas Edgar Murphy was born on the farm at North Liberty, Iowa, May 25, 1860. One of the picturesque homes of Penn township has since been erected on that pioneer loca- tion. By lineal descent an Irish-German, and by birth an American, a mixture of national characteristics which, under the genial conditions of freedom and opportunity in the great
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west, make for citizenship of the first order, Thomas Edgar is a direct descendant of the original Murphy family through his father, Patrick Murphy and Anna ( Eilenberger) Murphy, as above stated. On the death of his father, December, 1887, having always lived on the old home, he succeeded his father, continuing the farm until 1907. The ill health of his wife caused him to quit farming and move to Iowa City, but he still retains his residence on the old homestead where he first saw the light of day fifty-two years ago.
While farming he served as township clerk of Penn town- ship, and was also justice of the peace for several years. He was director and vice president of the North Liberty Savings bank, of North Liberty, Iowa. In connection with his land interests in Penn township he owns a fine farm of 162 acres in Scott township, in all over 600 acres in Johnson county. He has also been engaged in the real estate and insurance busi- ness a number of years with offices at 1291% East College street, Iowa City.
He was married on the old farm at North Liberty, April 12, 1899, to Miss Josephine Zeithamel, daughter of Joseph and Mary Zeithamel. The former died in September, 1887; the latter still survives.
Two bright children have blessed this union, Helen Murphy, born February 16, 1900, and James Emmet, horn March 9, 1902. We are sorry to record that Mrs. Murphy has been an invalid for a number of years. The children attend the Pa- rochial school of St. Patrick's parish, Iowa City. The family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church.
He is now serving his second term as county chairman of the Johnson county democratic central committee; was candi- date for nomination under the primary law for sheriff of Johnson county and was defeated by the narrow margin of twenty-four votes, his own township giving him every vote but one, and Madison and adjoining townships every vote ex- cept two. He was chairman of the democratic central com- mittee during the Parker-Roosevelt campaign, and this was the only county in Iowa that gave Parker a majority; also it was the only campaign in which every candidate on the local democratic ticket was elected. He has been a delegate of his party to state and congressional conventions, and has served
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efficiently. He has never been a voluntary candidate for any office. His strength and ability have been manifest in the management of campaigns. He has taken an active interest in North Liberty.
Dr. James Murphy, who died March 12, 1902, at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, was a brother of our subject, and a man of prominence in the medical profession. Born on the old homestead near North Liberty August 5, 1863, he was educated in the Johnson county public schools. On reaching manhood, he entered the State University of Iowa and graduated from the Medical Department in the class of 1888. Through the in- fluence of his friend, Dr. W. F. Peck, he was appointed physi- cian and surgeon for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- road in Kansas and Colorado, where the road was under con- struction. Five hundred men were under his oversight, and he continued in charge of that large force until his return to Iowa City. His death was widely deplored. Hundreds of men, women and children felt a personal loss in his passing, and every city newspaper paid a glowing tribute to his ability and manhood. A devont Catholic, he died in the faith of his father, his funeral being held from St. Patrick's church, March 14, 1902.
LOVELL SWISHER
Some one has said that the best history of any country is a history of the lives of its people. It would be impossible to write a true history of Johnson county and pass over the names of persons who were important factors in the home- spun drama and have been identified with the growth and de- velopment of the county. Of that courageous company known as early settlers in Johnson county, many forms stand out in clearly defined outline, compelling the present generation to recognize their lives and characters, and through the passing years there filters to ns something of their steadfastness which enabled them to conquer the wilderness and convert its re- sources to the betterment of mankind.
The subject of this sketch is a native of .Johnson county, born October 14, 1843, and a son of pioneer parents. The name of his father, Benjamin Swisher, after whom the town of
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Swisher is named, will always be associated with the earlier history of the county, for he was of that type of men who, amid wild surroundings, helped to pave the way for a greater civilization.
Benjamin Swisher was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, April 2, 1817, son of John and Catherine Swisher. When but four years old his father died, and three years later his mother passed away. He was then seven years old, and for the next fourteen years lived with his uncle. In 1840 he came to Iowa and for about one year remained in Van Buren county, and in March, 1841, he came to Johnson county. Dur- ing the first two years of his residence in the county he lived on what was known as the Iowa bottoms in what is now Mon-
RESIDENCE OF LOVELL SWISHER
roe township. He then bought out one who abont one year previous had taken up a claim and built a house and black- smith shop, but becoming sick and discouraged, was very glad to exchange it for a team of horses and what belongings he could load on his wagon. This was prior to any government survey and all claims were made in a general way and after- wards made to conform with boundary lines and section cor- ners. It was not until a survey had been made that the lands were placed on the market, and Mr. Swisher had to wait until that time before securing full title from the government for the land he occupied.
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There was an unwritten law among the carlier settlers which was ofttimes more forcible than that of the courts. An experience which Mr. Swisher had soon after acquiring his claim demonstrated that fact. It seems that some person, a newcomer, had taken some advantage of the law and by an underhanded way had attempted to deprive Mr. Swisher of a portion of his claim and had the papers recorded in advance. The news of the transaction soon spread around the little neighborhood and in a short time the settlers had assembled and informed Mr. Swisher that if he said the word they would see that the land should not be occupied by the newcomer. Mr. Swisher said that he did not want to cause any trouble, but that he thought he was entitled to at least 15 acres adjoining and which he had partly improved. It was only a few days later that Mr. Swisher was presented with a deed for the 15 acres.
As time went by Mr. Swisher gradually added adjoining lands to the original tract until he possessed 437 acres situ- ated on section seven in Jefferson township.
Mr. Swisher was married May 16, 1841, to Mrs. Elizabeth Whitmore, formerly from Newport, Rhode Island. This was the first wedding in Jefferson township, Johnson county. To them were born eight children: Lovell A., Abe E., John P .. Benjamin F., Catherine Ballard, Stephen A., and two de- ceased.
Lovell Swisher, Sr., grew to manhood on the home farm, remaining there until 1868 when he engaged in civil engineer- ing and for about one year was employed by the government on surveys in the Lake Superior region. He was also employed on government surveys for a ship canal between Chicago and Rock Island, and on the Mississippi river. His last position was for the government improvements in the building of the canal around the rapids at Keokuk, Iowa, on the Mississippi river, where he met with an accident. He was compelled to abandon the work and then returned to the old homestead. In 1873 he was elected treasurer of Johnson county and on January 1, 1874, he commenced his first term of office. He was reelected, and upon the termination of his second term he be- came associated with the Clark & Coldren bank, afterwards changed to Iowa City State bank. In 1884 he was selected as
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
cashier of the First National bank, which position he held until December 1, 1911. At present he is a money loaner, sec- ond floor First National Bank building.
Mr. Swisher was married August 31, 1870, to Elizabeth Leonard, daughter of C. P. and Diana (Davis) Leonard, natives of Tennessee. C. P. Leonard and Diana (Davis) Leonard came to Johnson county, Iowa, settling in Monroe township, where he followed farming. He now lives in Cali- fornia ; his wife is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Swisher are the parents of the following chil- dren : Abraham W .; Arthur R., who resides in Iowa City and was assistant in the First National bank, assists in looking after his father's personal affairs: Leonard A., Methodist minister at West Union, Iowa ; Benjamin F., attorney at law, located at Waterloo, Iowa; Mabel A., living at home; Lovell Swisher, Jr.
The old Swisher homestead still remains in possession of the family, Lovell Swisher, Sr., being trustee for the estate.
Mr. and Mrs. Swisher are members of the M. E. church. For many years Mr. Swisher affiliated with the democratic party, but now votes independently. He was treasurer of the State University of Iowa from 1890 to 1911.
SAMUEL KIRKWOOD STEVENSON
The archives of biography are brilliantly illuminated here and there by recitals of the activities of that large company of the world's workers catalogued under the caption, "To the manor born." There is beyond question a distinct emphasis bearing upon these persons who, spite of the "prophet-not- without-honor" handicap, have risen to distinguished success in "their own country and their own house." This statement takes on peculiar force in connection with the name and record of Samuel Kirkwood Stevenson, native son of Johnson county, Iowa, pupil of its district school, student in Iowa City Acad- emy, alumnus of State University of Iowa and graduate of its Law Department, a chosen orator of its commencement, a winner of competitive debates with rival universities, educa- tional organizer, ex-superintendent of city and county schools, editor, lawyer, and man of affairs. Readers of this brief
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sketch of the life of Mr. Stevenson will be impelled to declare that the handicap of local familiarity has not been apparent in his winning race for success.
Mr. Stevenson was fortunate in that mysterious divine lottery, parentage, being endowed with a heritage of virility from both mother and father - the former dying at the ad- vanced age of eighty-four and the latter on December 12, 1911, at the age of ninety. John A. Stevenson and Henrietta Grif- fith were the parents of eight children, of whom Samuel Kirk- wood is the youngest. JJohn A. Stevenson, father of S. K., settled in Scott township, Johnson county. Iowa, in 1856.
RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL KIRKWOOD STEVENSON
where he pursued the occupation of farming. Samuel K. was born and raised on this farm and secured his primary educa- tion in the district school of his home township. The elder Stevenson was essentially a farmer and devoted to home and family, but his interest in public matters led him to accept the position of member of the county board of supervisors on two different occasions - first when the board was composed of one representative from each township and lastly when the number of members was limited to five.
The date of Samuel Kirkwood Stevenson's birth was March 1. 1867, and twenty-two years later he graduated with honor from the Iowa City Academy. June 15, 1893, he graduated
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from the collegiate department of the Iowa State University and was given the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. On the third of the same month he was appointed a first lieutenant of the Iowa State National Battalion. During his graduation vear he was elected a ruling elder of the First Presbyterian church of Iowa City, and has been actively identified with the work of this church ever since, serving meanwhile as its Sun- day school superintendent and extending his influence to county Sunday school affairs as secretary of the Johnson County Sunday School Union. To further emphasize the year 1893 as an epochal twelvemonth in his career, Mr. Stevenson was interrupted in his studies in the Law Department of the Iowa State University by election in November to the office of superintendent of schools of Johnson county on the republican ticket by the handsome majority of 725 in a strongly demo- cratic county. He was reelected to this office in 1895, being the only member of his political party honored by the electo- rate that year.
His interjection into the educational field (while an unwel- come interruption of his congenial legal studies) seems to have opened a period of unusual usefulness to Mr. Stevenson and gave opportunity for the exercise of exceptional talents as a school-man. His genius for organization was manifested im- mediately, and with vigor. Educational meetings were held under his direction in every township of the county, a move- ment which quickened the interest of both patrons and teach- ers. The formation of the Johnson County Teachers' Asso- ciation followed as a logical sequence. This organization now holds four meetings yearly and is recognized as one of the live public school factors of the state. Mr. Stevenson also pro- moted the organization of the Johnson County School Officials' Association, the usefulness of which has been signally demon- strated. One of the first of its kind in the state, its timeliness and utility have been proven by its large membership and activity. A marked feature of Superintendent Stevenson's administration was the introduction of the school library movement in Johnson county. During the last two years of his term ninety-five school libraries were established. The value of these as aids to both teachers and pupils is unques- tioned. Seeking always for the highest efficiency, Mr. Steven-
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son raised the standard of qualification for teachers so that the grading of Johnson county school instructors now stands second to none in Iowa. Coincident with his general work, he was editor of the Johnson County Teacher, a monthly paper published in the interest of education. In the spring of 1897 Mr. Stevenson organized the Johnson County School of Methods, which was largely attended by the progressive teach- ers of eastern Iowa because of the high quality of instruction given. At the initial meeting resolutions were unanimously passed by the teachers and others expressing their commenda- tion and appreciation of Superintendent Stevenson for making possible for them this most excellent institute of methods.
During the last four months of his final term as county superintendent, from August to November, 1897, Mr. Steven- son did dual work as superintendent of schools of Iowa City, having been elected to the latter office April 28 of that year. This latter office he held continuously for nine years, his ad- ministration being characterized by the well-known originality and vigor peculiar to his work as a schoolmaster. It is not too much to say that under Mr. Stevenson's master hand the pub- lic schools of Iowa City have been put into the very first ranks of the American school system.
In the year 1898 Mr. Stevenson acknowledged the force of the scriptural wisdom that "it is not good for man to be alone," 'and invited Miss Marcia .J. Jacobs to become his life's companion. The consummation of this happy arrangement was effected August 2, and the simplest commentary on their union is to say that Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson have enjoyed thirteen years of comradeship in the sacred ministry of matri- mony, unmarred and unalloyed.
Upon the termination of his long administration as super- intendent of Iowa City schools, Mr. Stevenson was free to carry out his fondly-cherished ambition to enter upon the practice of law. Having already completed a large part of the legal curriculum of the S. U. I., it was easy for him to finish the required course, and on June 7, 1907, he was graduated from the Law Department of the State University with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Believing in striking while the iron is hot, Mr. Stevenson lost no time in candidating for ad- mission to the bar, and five days after his graduation (June
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