USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 38
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500
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
FREDERICK ZIMMERMAN
Among the self-made successful men of Johnson county Fred Zimmerman deserves prominent mention. He is a na- tive of the county, born in Newport township, March 13, 1856, son of Christian and Kate (Boler) Zimmerman, the former of whom was born in Germany in 1815, and died in Johnson coun- ty in 1897. The mother, who was born in 1823, died in 1908. The father began life as a farm hand, but by perseverance and energy won success, and at the time of his demise owned 100 acres of land in Newport township, his residence being in Graham township. He and his wife had four children : Fred- erick, whose name stands at the head of this sketch; Christ,
RESIDENCE OF FREDERICK ZIMMERMAN
died at Boise City, Idaho; John, lives in Butler county, Iowa ; and Sam, lives in Boise City, where Christ is buried. The parents were respected for their industry and integrity and had a good standing in their community.
At the time of leaving his father's home, when he had reached his majority, Frederick Zimmerman had a cash capital of but eight dollars, and subsequent events have proven that he had enough pluck and ambition to bring him to a position of independence and success in life. He had but meager edu- cational advantages and learned much in the hard school of experience. He began life working as a farm hand, which he continued eight years, receiving sixteen dollars a month for
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the first year. He then purchased a threshing machine, which he operated for several years, and later purchased land on which to begin farming for himself. His first eighty acres was comparatively wild land, having been recently broken to the plow. His first plowing was done about half a mile east of his present home, where he bought land at $31.50 per acre, but which is now worth $175 per acre. Later he purchased the eighty acres where his home stands. He purchased an- other 160 acres at $56 per acre, and in the spring of 1911 bought eighty acres of improved land for $150 per aere. He owns a total of 400 acres of choice land on Sections 11 and 14, Graham township, and in 1906 erected a cozy farm residence. He built two substantial barns, one 56x54, with capacity for 120 tons of hay, and the other, 36x30 feet, for horses and cat- tle. He has 75 fine Hereford cattle and 160 hogs. In 1911 he had a crop of corn averaging 50 bushels to the acre on 75 acres, and on fifty acres of hay averaged a ton and a half to the acre. He has ninety acres of pasture land and meadow. On twenty acres he raised three bushels of timothy seed to the acre, the market price of which was $5 per bushel.
Mr. Zimmerman is deserving of great credit for the success he has won and is highly regarded in many circles. In po- litical views he is independent of party lines, voting for men and measures regardless of party, and believes this is the attitude of the true patriot. He served a short time as school director but has never cared for public office, being too busy with his work and plans. He is a member of Camp No. 5059, M. W. A., of Oasis.
In 1898 Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage with Miss Mary Wyjek, daughter of Frank Wyjek, a blacksmith of New- port township. Mrs. Zimmerman helped her husband very materially in reaching his present success and often worked in the fields with him. She is industrious and thrifty, and is a good wife and mother. She has borne seven children : Mabel, Clarence, Annie, Lauretta, Marie, John, and Luella, the last- named a sweet baby, who was born in 1911. Mrs. Zimmerman was born of German parents, and was reared and educated in Newport township, being well and favorably known in the neighborhood. Her parents came to Iowa in 1876.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
MATTHEW RUSSELL COCHRAN (Deceased)
According to family tradition, James Cochran, the earliest known ancestor of the family herein described, was a tailor by trade, born in Kilbarton, Scotland, and who lived to be a centenarian. His son James, of the second generation, fol- lowed the trade of weaver, was born in Kilbarton, and reached the age of ninety-eight years. General James Cochran, of the third generation, was born in the same place, became a mann- facturer, removed to Ireland in 1788, and died in Dublin, at the age of about sixty years, being the father of three sons and four daughters. General James Cochran (2), son of the last- named, was the American progenitor of the family. He and Matthew Cochran returned to Scotland, the former home of the family, and came thence to America, some time later.
Matthew Russell Cochran, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was a native of Glasgow, in "Bonnie Scotland," born March 6, 1828. He died in Johnson county, Iowa, March 22, 1896. He was a son of Matthew and Margaret (Russell) Cochran. The father was born September 23, 1793, and died in Johnson county in 1866. He was a Presbyterian in reli- gions faith all his life. The mother, who was born in Scotland in 1798, and died in Johnson county in 1864, was a Congrega- tionalist. These pioneers of Johnson county had made the voyage from the old world to the new in a sailing vessel, land- ing in New York when their son Matthew was a babe about six months old. They were parents of seven sons and two daughters, all of whom are now deceased. They arrived in what is now Johnson county in 1843 and settled in Graham township. They made this interesting trip by canal and down the Ohio river, then up the Mississippi, finding the conditions in the new home to be the same as so ably described in the his- torical part of this work.
Matthew Cochran was some fifteen years of age when his parents located on the unsettled prairie. He did not then re- main with them, but returned to St. Louis and worked with his brother-in-law, remaining until 1855, when he returned to make his permanent home in Johnson county. During this time he had made many trips back and forth to look after his land in- terests. He finally took up as a homestead the place now ocon-
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pied by his widow, Mrs. Adeline Cochran. He erected a one story and a half log house, which was finished by his brother- in-law, D. M. Dixon, now of West Branch, and in that primitive home he and his bride, whose maiden name was Adeline Douglass, lived for a number of years, all their children being born there with the exception of Raymond and Grace. He had six or eight yoke of oxen and in partnership with his next younger brother, William, broke prairie for himself and many of his neighbors. They carried on their farming operations in partnership until 1876.
Matthew Cochran kept adding to his holdings from time to time as he was able, and improved the place in every possible
RESIDENCE OF MRS. ADELINE COCHRAN
way, becoming one of the able and enterprising farmers of the county. He died on this place in 1896, in the second house which was erected there, being then the owner of four hun- dred acres of excellent farm land. His widow has 200 acres of land under cultivation and some eighty acres of timber land on Rapid creek. This is one of the oldest farms in the county and the homestead has never been transferred since it came from the government.
Mrs. Cochran was a teacher in the days when she was ex- pected to make quill pens for her pupils. She taught the Fair- view school, occupying a building erected in a very early day, 14 by 22 feet, with seven foot posts, which stood just west of L. Douglass's farm in Section 26, Graham township. This
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
was a frame building and Sunday school services were also held therein, under the auspices of the Methodist and later the Fairview Presbyterian church. Church services were also held there at irregular intervals, from May, 1855, during the ensuing two or three years. The location was selected by James Douglass, Sr., and there the people of the neighborhood gathered to listen to the preaching of Rev. F. A. Shearer and Rev. Conklin, a synodical missionary. While Miss Douglass was a teacher in this school she met Mr. Cochran and they were married at her father's honse in Scott township, by Rev. F. A. Shearer, of Iowa City, January 22, 1857, after which they lived together nearly forty years. They were both char- ter members of Fairview church, Mrs. Cochran being one of the four charter members who now survive. Mr. Cochran was a man of superior intelligence, who took a keen interest in everything pertaining to the general welfare and prosperity, and was an active factor in promoting the best interests of his community. He kept well informed on current events and issues and had well defined opinions on subjects of public interest. Hle proposed that the township be named after An- drew Graham, and this suggestion met the approval of his neighbors and fellow-citizens, with the result that it was adopt- ed. He was a farmer in primitive times and then often swung a cradle and used a single shovel plow. He also carried on agricultural operations in times when he was able to enjoy the advantages of modern machinery, and availed himself of them, for he was always the friend of progress. He left a record of a well-spent life and had the keen satisfaction of knowing that he had provided well for his family.
Eleven children were born to Mr. Cochran and his wife: The eldest died in infancy; Mary is the wife of Brewster W. Gardner, of Graham township; James A., of Cedar county, married Essie Spining; Miss Lura is housekeeper for the brother George L .; Agnes E. is the wife of Sydney Cozine; Charles D. lives near Wellman ; George carries on the Lennox farm; Grace lives with her brother George L .: Raymond, the youngest, who is left with his mother and sister. The one brother and two sisters who live together near Elmira have a pleasant home. George L. Cochran has had this place since 1901.
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Mrs. Matthew Russell Cochran is the only survivor of pio- neer days in her immediate neighborhood and is a person of interest to all her neighbors. She has a host of friends and is held in great esteem for her fine qualities of mind and heart. Her children look upon her with love and reverence and appre- ciate her care and solicitude for their well-being. She remem- bers that when the family used to start for church they loaded firewood into the back part of the vehicle for heating the build- ing. The sills for this church building were taken from the Matthew Cochran timber, Matthew and his brother William hauling the same May 23, 1855. Mr. Cochran and his wife gave the land for the site of the station at Elmira, comprising the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 22, Town 80, Range 5, and this gift was made conditional, with the proviso that if the requirements or conditions were not com- plied with the land should revert back to their heirs. The building which was then erected was removed to the present, site o;' the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, April 6, 1870. The deed making the gift of land was dated December 10, 1870, signed by Matthew and Adaline Cochran, before William Haddock, Notary Public, and witnessed by E. R. Morse and W. H. O'Hare. Mr. Cochran broke the land with oxen and made the harness from hickory bark. Mr. Cochran made the trip up the Iowa river from St. Louis by boat, the only one that was ever made.
DAVID ALFRED GOULD
The Goulds were among the earlier settlers of Johnson county, Iowa, and had previously been pioneer settlers in central Illinois. They are one of the oldest families in the country, three brothers of that name having settled in Massa- chusetts in the middle of the seventeenth century. The latter were Thomas, John, and Nathan, and the branch of the family here described are descended from Nathan. The descent comes through Thomas, Nathan, Nathan (3), Samuel, Christo- pher Moses, Moses Nathan (4), Samuel, and John, to John Gould, great-grandfather of David Alfred Gould, subject of this sketch.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
Henry S. Gould, grandfather of David A. Gould, and son of John Gould, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1810, and died in Johnson county, Iowa, December, 1872. He was tenth of the eleven children born to his parents, and this generation comprises professional men and also those who fol- lowed various other avocations, several of them and their de- scendants becoming mechanics and moving farther west to Ohio, Indiana, etc. Henry Scoville Gould learned the trade of stone cutter in Pennsylvania and worked for a time on the locks of the canal at Johnstown. His mother's maiden name was Betsy Scoville, a native of New York state.
When in his twenty-eighth year Henry Scoville Gould settled in what later became Morgan county, Illinois, and there en- gaged in farming, but his health was so poor there that he decided to move farther west, where he hoped to escape the
RESIDENCE OF DAVID A. GOULD
fever and ague so prevalent in that climate, and five years after reaching Illinois came on with a team and wagon to Johnson county, this being in 1843. He entered land on Sec- tion 32, Madison township. In the fall of the year he erected a house of round logs, with a stick and clay chimney, and then returned to Illinois for his family. In 1835, in Pennsylvania, he had married Jemima Simons, who was a native of New York, born September 28, 1814, and died December 11, 1871. She was a daughter of Isaac Simons, of Clarencetown, Erie county, New York. They had two children, William and David, born in Pennsylvania, and two others, Henry and James, born in Illinois. Prior to the birth of James the father had gone to Iowa, to stake out his claim, and upon returning with his family located permanently in the new home. Some
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time later he erected a story and a half house, where the follow- ing children were born to him and his wife: John; Henry; Harriet, now the widow of William Black; Elizabeth ; James; Martha Ellen, lives near Iowa City; Eva, wife of Michael To- bin, of Colfax; Nathan, of Madison township. Three of these children, William, Henry, and James, served in the Union army in the Civil War. Henry S. Gould joined the Methodist church when he was twenty-one years old and both he and his good wife remained faithful to its teachings all their lives, carrying the practical deeds of their faith into their everyday lives, and becoming highly esteemed by all for their piety and uprightness. He was an exhorter for several years, served as a teacher and officer in the Sunday school, and gave his sup- port to every good work. He became the owner of about 600 acres of choice farm land, which he improved and cultivated. Hle split rails for fencing and broke the land with ox teams. In early days he and his wife used dipped or moulded candles, and the first lamp they had was a receptacle in which they used lard and a wick. The men dressed in home made jeans and the women wore linsey woolsey dresses, all woven in the homes. Their nearest market for some time was Bloomington, which later became known as Muscatine, and the only money used in trade was gold, most of the trading being carried on through an exchange of commodities. This pioneer family took a prominent place in the affairs and social events of the com- munity and Mr. Gould was a member of the first board of trustees of the township and also served some years as super- visor on the county board. In early days the prices for farm products were very low, and Mr. Gould hauled dressed hogs to Iowa City and then sold them for less than two dollars per hundred weight.
David Gould was the eldest child of Henry S. Gould and was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1836, and died on the old home farm in Johnson county, February 11, 1902. The other children in the family were: William, born in Pennsyl- vania, March 9, 1839, died October 16, 1898, being a veteran of the Civil War, where he served in Company G, Sixth Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry; Henry Harrison, born in Illinois, April 22, 1841, died in the army, January 12, 1862; James, born in Illi- nois, October 11, 1843, formerly lived in Johnson county, but
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
is now a resident of Calhoun county, Iowa; John, born JJune 17, 1847, died May 11, 1907 ; Harriet was born October 30, 1848, in Iowa ; Amanda Elizabeth was born September 10, 1850, and died October 11, 1852; Martha Ellen, born July 4, 1852; Eva, born September 25, 1854, wife of Michael Tobin, of Colfax; Nathan C., born November 6, 1857, is given further mention in a succeeding paragraph.
William Black and Harriet Gould were married in 1870 and settled in West Lucas township, where the latter still resides. Mr. Black was born in Auburn, New York, and died in 1881. His widow resides on the farm of 300 acres, which she manages with the assistance of her son-in-law and nephew, Charles, son of John Gould. She and her husband had the following chil- dren : Eva E., living at home; Nellie II., wife of Walter Mc- Ginnis, has two children, John and Grace; Katie G., lives at home; Hattie May married Emery Gould, of Colorado, and they have two children, Alice and Margaret.
Nathan Gould, son of John Gould and brother of David Gould, started in life on his own account at the age of nine- teen years, having received a common school education in the local schools. He spent two years with his brother John, then rented the James Gould farm, and later bought out his brother William, who had a farm just east of the place now occupied by his nephew, Thomas Gould. He spent eleven years on that farm, which contained one hundred and twenty acres of land, when he lost it. He then rented the farm of ten acres where he now lives, and which is part of the farm of his brother John. He is an intelligent and enterprising citizen, and has always taken great interest in the progress and well-being of the com- munity. He has for many years kept a diary which gives the names of all the preachers who have officiated in Greencastle Methodist church, and which gives in detail events of the big snow and floods of the year 1881. He has witnessed some very interesting times in Johnson county, which he has seen develop from a thinly settled region to its present prosperity and pros- pects. He is well liked by his neighbors and acquaintances and has a great fondness for the place that has always been his home, and where so many of his relatives have been active in affairs for more than half a century.
David Gould was married in 1859 to Anna Ewing, a native
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BIOGRAPHICAL
of Pennsylvania, who died January 15, 1882, at the age of fifty-three years, and both she and Mr. Gould are buried in Greencastle cemetery. She was one of the early educators of Johnson county, and for many years taught what was known as Swan Lake school, which was held in a log building. Chil- dren were born to this couple as follows: Thomas Henry, James Bailey, David Alfred, and Amy Elizabeth, all living on the home farm except David A.
David Alfred Gould was born on the Gould homestead in Johnson county in 1868, being youngest of four living children of David and Ann (Ewing) Gould. He has made his own way in life since sixteen years of age, and for several years worked at farming by the month, after which he rented land and op- erated it for himself. In 1909 he purchased his present farm of seventy-one acres, of Robert Myers, paying over one hun- dred dollars per acre for this valuable place. This was former- ly part of the Christian Grabeen estate and afterwards the property of Mr. Myers. The land has been brought to a high state of cultivation and Mr. Gould would not accept a price of $150 per acre for it.
The house is situated on a pleasant knoll, from which one can gain a view of the surrounding farms for miles in every direction, giving a pleasant sight in the summer of green fields or golden grain. Mr. Gould has worked at various other ocen- pations, but returned to farming, as he enjoys the freedom and open air, which he considers make a healthful condition. IIe married Miss Emma Parisek, daughter of John and Katie Parisek, and they have three children : Charles is nine years old; Harry. the second son ; Gladys is a year and a half old.
Mr. Gould's farm was improved at the time he purchased it, but he has continued to add to its appearance and value as seemed desirable. He has added some fencing and has kept the building's in good repair. It is a well stocked farm and he has modern machinery for carrying on his work. He stands well in the community and is popular with all.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
JOHN D. MUSSER
John D. Musser, Sr., at the time of his death, July 24, 1900, was a well known merchant of River Junction, Iowa. His son, John D., our subject, succeeded his father and is at present en- gaged in the mercantile business at River Junction. Formerly the senior Musser was a farmer, and the farm which he occu- pied in Fremont township, and which he cultivated until 1875, is still known as the Musser homestead. John D. Musser, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Elizabeth Rayner, mother of our subject, was a native of England. The latter survived her husband nearly nine years, dying January 18, 1909. The elder Musser came to Johnson county with his par- ents when a child, and from that time his entire life has been lived in this county. Six children were born to John D. and Elizabeth Musser: Frank, living on the old homestead (see personal sketch) ; Sarah G., now Mrs. J. D. Decker, living in Pleasant Valley township; Jane E., now Mrs. M. S. Maxim; Mary R., now Mrs. H. W. Hilton, living in South Dakota ; Jos- eph R .. married and farming in Fremont township (see per- sonal sketch) ; our subject.
John D. Musser, Jr., was born in Fremont township in No- vember, 1874. His first business was farming, an occupation which he followed until 1900, when he succeeded his father in the mercantile business at River Junction. He owns a beauti- ful farm in Pleasant Valley township, and is interested in farming as well as in other lines of business.
Mr. Musser was married in 1897 to Miss Mary J. Fountain, a native of Johnson county, whose parents were pioneers of the county. Six children have blessed their union: Harry, Josephine, Gladys (died at age of four years), Fay, Willis, and Neoma. Our subject is a democrat politically. His church affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal.
FRANK MUSSER, brother of our subject, was born in Fre- mont township in January, 1865. He began farming for him- self when twenty-two years of age, and has continued in the same businesss to this day. About nineteen years ago he bonght his first farm in Pleasant Valley township. Two years ago he bought his father's old homestead, where he is now liv. ing. In June, 1892, he was married to Miss Velta May Wim-
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BIOGRAPHICAL
man, a native of Iowa, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wim- man. The couple have three children : Fred, John, and Emma, all living at home. Mrs. Musser is dead. Mr. Musser is a democrat and is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOSEPH R. MUSSER
Joseph R. Musser belongs to a well-known family of John- son county and is one of its native sons. He was born in Fre- mont township, February 20, 1873, son of John D. and Eliza- beth (Rayner) Musser, natives of England. There were six children in the family, those besides Joseph R. being: JJohn D., a sketch of whom appears in this work ; Frank, also given a sketch herein ; Sarah G., now Mrs. John Decker, of Long Beach,
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH R. MUSSER
California ; Jane E., now Mrs. M. S. Maxim, resides in Em- metsburg, Iowa; Mary R., now Mrs. Henry Hilton, of Yale. South Dakota. 4
In youth Joseph R. Musser spent his time as other farmers' sons of the region, helping with the work on his father's farm and attending the local schools. He has always had a taste for farming and began this line of work on his own account at the time he reached his majority. He has since con- tinned this occupation with the exception of a time spent in mercantile business, in company with his brother John D.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
They engaged in business, in River Junction, Iowa, soon after their father's death, in 1900. Joseph R. Musser now lives on a farm in Fremont township and has been very successful in his work. He is an industrious and useful citizen, much inter- ested in the affairs of the community and giving his influence for the best interests of all. He is independent in local poli- tics but in national affairs votes the democratic ticket.
On January 16, 1907, Mr. Musser was united in marriage with Frances Aubrecht, a native of Iowa, and one child has blessed their union, a daughter, whom they have named Mil- dred May. Mrs. Musser is a daughter of James and Katherine Aubrecht.
ANTHONY GALLAUGHER
Though now residing upon and cultivating the farm in John- son county which he purchased in 1894, Anthony Gallangher has had wide experience as an engineer and machinist, both in his native state, at Davenport, and in the metropolis of the west, Chicago. His first introduction to manufacturing came as a result of his acquaintance with E. F. Rate, on whose farm in Johnson county he had been engaged as a laborer. When Mr. Rate left the farm and took up the manufacture of gloves at Davenport, Mr. Gallangher went with him as his mechanical engineer. When Mr. Rate left Davenport, our subject engaged with Hall & Ross, glove manufacturers, of Chicago, in the same capacity, and continued with that firm for twenty years. In the spring of 1902 he returned to Iowa and settled upon the farm, where he now resides.
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