Wenger Bros., general merchants. The most enterprising firm of young men in the village of Wayland are the brothers, Joseph and Christian C. Wenger, both born in Washington County, Iowa, and are the two eldest sons of Christian and Elizabeth (Goldsmith) Wenger. Christian was born in Switzerland and is a son of Christian and Mary (Roth) Wenger, who emigrated from Germany to Hamburg, Canada, and thence to Washington County, Iowa, making the journey with a team passing through Chicago when that now great city was a village but a trifle larger than Wayland. Settling in 1832, in Marion Township, Washington Co., Iowa, the grandsire of our subject purchased a claim, upon which stood a small cabin and later entered the lands. This family were among the first settlers in that county, and both lived and died upon the farm which they had put in fine cultivation. His wife reached sixty, and Christian Wenger, Sr., the ripe age of eighty-three years. All their children but the three eldest were born in Canada, and came with them to Iowa, and perhaps no better family has ever settled in her boundary. We are pleased to make separate mention of each: John married Mary Ernst; Christian, father of our subject, wedded Elizabeth Goldsmith; Nicholas died unmarried; Joseph married Elizabeth Roth; Benjamin became the husband of Lena Gengerich; Annie married Christian Eicher; Mary wedded Joseph Rich; Lena wedded Christian Ernst, a brother of John's wife; Katie became the wife of John Miller, of Davis County; and Barbara became the wife of Christian Schlatter, the proprietor of the Wayland sawmills. Under the name of Christian Wenger the further history of the family is given. His five eldest children were born in Washington County and are: Joseph, Christian, Samuel, Jacob and Lizzie, the latter the wife of Jacob Kabel. On the farm in Henry County, John, Daniel, Henry, Ella and Levi, were born. Samuel was educated at Howe's Academy, and has taught in the public schools of this county. The two eldest sons were educated in the schools of the township, but are brilliant business men, and their retail trade is successfully managed.

     In 1881 Christian C. left the farm and in 1882, in company with Benjamin Gardiner, engaged in the mercantile trade. Their new store building was erected in 1883, but prior to its completion Joseph purchased the interest of Mr. Gardiner, and the firm was changed to Wenger Bros. The firm carry a full line of general merchandise and the largest stock in the northern part of the county, their stock invoicing over $6,000. Everything is of the best, and selling goods at the lowest living profit has given these young men a trade of over $10,000 per annum, and located as they are in the midst of an excellent agricultural region, their trade is constantly increasing. They are an honor to their parents, their village and their country, and to men of such business enterprise the growth and prosperity of Henry County is due.

     The wedding of Joseph, the elder member of this firm, was a brilliant affair, and was celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 27, 1887, the bride being Miss Katie, the handsome daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Henss, the veteran wagon-maker, and one of the wealthy men of Wayland. The young couple took a pleasant bridal tour, and are now cosily settled in Wayland, the birthplace of the bride, who has one of the best of husbands and a man in whom the public repose confidence.

     Christian C., the younger member of the firm, but the original partner of Mr. Gardiner, is also happily married, having, on Dec. 8, 1887, been united to Miss Ella, daughter of Isaac and Keziah Allen, of Wayland, of which place she is a native. She was educated in the schools of the village, and has always been regarded as one of the brightest and best of its daughters, as her husband is known as one of its most honorable and enterprising merchants.

     Christian Wenger, a farmer residing on section 10, Jefferson Township, was born in Switzerland in 1833, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Roth) Wenger. In 1852 he became a citizen of Washington County, Iowa, his father at that time being a man of limited means, who had worked hard in Canada to make a home. He reared a large family, and his descendants are worthy and most highly respected.

     Christian Wenger was married in this county to Elizabeth Goldsmith, in 1850, and at that time he had only money enough to buy what was needed to furnish his home, and pay the wedding expenses. His first farming was done in Washington County on rented land, and the next year he purchased 100 acres, going in debt for the whole amount, $1,600. Eight years he remained on that tract, paid for it and saved $1,000 more, with which he bought the eighty acres on which he now resides. From 1858 he has accumulated, by the hardest labor, 605 acres in this county, and the same farm in Washington County, upon which his first start in life was made. Mr. Wenger knows what hard times are, having sold wheat for forty cents, taking one-half in trade, hogs for $2, and corn by the thousands of bushels, at fifteen cents per bushel. His lands were bought at from $20 to $40 per acre, and the farms averaged $33 per acre. He began to raise stock soon after he commenced farming, but the first two years he had not enough to sell to pay the interest on his debts. Now all this is changed; on one of the best farms in the township he has erected fine buildings, and his farm almost resembles a village in itself from the number of barns and out-buildings, and the brick mansion was erected in 1875. Mr. Wenger is a large breeder of horses, and now owns thirty head. His stallions are all imported and are four in number, three of them prize winners. They are valued at $6,000. Prefer, a four-year-old gray, took at the exposition in France, when one year old, the gold medal, which Mr. Wenger has in his possession. Duke, a Clyde stallion, likewise took the medal in Canada, from which place Mr. Wenger brought him. In fact, he is owner of more fine stallions than any farmer in Henry County.

     Mr. Wenger is the largest land-owner, and the heaviest taxpayer in Jefferson Township, which is saying much for a man who came a few years ago from Switzerland without a dollar, and his sons are rapidly developing into the best of business men. A new daughter was recently welcomed into the family, Katie Henss, who wedded Joseph, the eldest son, mention of whom is elsewhere made.

     To complete the history of the family, we add the sketch of Joseph Goldsmith, the father of Mrs. Wenger. Rev. Joseph Goldsmith was one of the first ministers of the Mennonite faith in Iowa, and was the second in Lee, and the first in this county to organize a church. The Trenton Church is made mention of in the sketch of the Rev. Sebastian Gerig, and no man was more widely known in this part of the State, during his lifetime, than

     Rev. Goldsmith. For more than a half century he was an active and faithful member in the cause of religion, much of which time was spent as an itinerant minister. In Canada West he began preaching, having united with the church in Lancaster County, Pa. Both himself and his wife were born in Germany, were married in Lancaster County, Pa., and were the parents of twelve children, of whom one is now deceased. Elizabeth Miller became the wife of Joseph Goldsmith in 1823, and for fifty-three years she was to him a loving and devoted wife. The death of Rev. Joseph Goldsmith occurred in April, 1876; his widow, yet surviving, is now in her eighty-first year. The family first left Pennsylvania and located in Canada; from thence they removed to Butler County, Ohio. From that county and State they came to Iowa, making first a home in Lee County, settling there in the spring of 1837. The last residence of the family was in Trenton Township. The Rev. Goldsmith made a fine farm in Lee County, placing every stick upon it, and erected fine buildings.

     As the children grew to maturity, they aided largely in the work. The farm in Trenton Township was partly improved, and the removal made in the spring of 1845. Their children were named: John, now husband of Barbara Slonecher; Catherine, who wedded Joseph Oxlenger, of Butler County, Ohio, is the only child deceased; Lydia yet unmarried, resides with her widowed mother at Wayland; Benjamin married Martha Houder, and resides in Trenton; Joseph married Magdalene Kinsinger, and resides in Butler County; Elizabeth is the wife of Christian Wenger, Sr.; Christian is married, and resides in Butler County, Ohio; Peter married Eva Summers, and resides near Cheyenne, Wyo.; Jacob married Lena Schonta, and resides in Wayne Township, Henry County; Nancy married Michael Roth, a resident of Jefferson Township; Magdalene is the wife of Rev. Sebastian Gerig, whose history appears elsewhere in this work; Fannie is the wife of Rev. Joseph Gengerich, of Johnson County, Iowa.

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, p. 605)(DB)

     S. L. WHITE is a merchant, and is also Postmaster of Swedesburg, and is now one of the oldest business men in the northern part of Henry County, being a resident since 1846. His parents, Thomas H. and Elizabeth (Kibler) White, were among the early and well­ known residents of the new State, but the death of Thomas White occurred ten years after locating in the county. His wife reached the ripe age of seventy-two, and died in 1875. They were former residents of Berkeley County, Va., where our subject was born. He was ten years of age when his parents removed to this county. Here Mr. White has grown from boyhood to manhood, and here he was married, and in this county his children were born. He has seen the entire county transformed from its virgin state to one of cultivation and wealth, villages and cities have been created, and the log cabins of early days have been replaced by modern residences.

     His brothers and sisters were: George H., now deceased, who wedded Maria Tedrow; Mary E. became the wife of Emanuel Ernst; Deborah wedded J. W. Bird; the next was our subject; Sarah, who died unmarried; Thomas W. married Rebecca Tedrow; and Jacob L., who became the husband of Phemia Perkins. Thomas W. was a member of Company B, 25th Iowa Volunteers, and served throughout the war.

     Our subject was educated at the Iowa Wesleyan University, and his attention was given to the profession of teaching for many years, his first term being at the Union School, in Wayne Township, in 1857. For sixteen consecutive winters he taught school in this county, and among his scholars who have become noted we mention: Wesley James, now a student in the State University, J. E. Connor, son of the County Recorder, and quite a well-known teacher; and many of the resident farmers, who have grown to manhood in this county, were members of his school. During the time Mr. White was engaged in teaching, he was married to Miss Drusilla Havens, who was a pupil in his school in this township. The marriage was celebrated March 6, 1861, at the home of her father, Thomas Havens, of this township. Her mother died in New Jersey, and was the mother of George, Drusilla; Mary A., deceased; Martin, deceased; and Alexander. The mother, Phoebe (Case) Havens, was a native of New Jersey, of English origin. After her death Mr. Havens wedded Mrs. Cordelia (Scoville) Jameson, near Columbus, Ohio, where the Havens family at that time resided. In 1853 they removed to this county, and until 1866 they resided here. Mr. Havens died in Crawford County, Kan., in 1876, and his widow now resides in this county. One child was the result of the second marriage, Carlton, unmarried, and residing with his mother.

     S. L. White, our subject, taught school in the win­ter, and farmed in summer until 1866, when he removed to Sedalia, Mo., and for six months was as­sociated in business with the Hon. Samuel L. Steele, now a member of the Iowa General Assembly for Henry County. The same year he returned to Wayne Township, and improved a tract of land owned by him, and there made his home until 1875, when Swedesburg was surveyed. He came to the new town, rented the store built by a company known as the Prairie Hall Association, and for nine years did business in the hall. In 1884 he erected his present store building, and his residence was completed in 1882. From 1875 to this date, Mr. White has done an extensive business, and from a trade in 1875 of $13,000, the business has increased to over $20,000 in 1887. Mr. White handles hardware in connection with his general stock of merchandise, and a fair invoice will rate it above $8,000.

     In September, 1876, Mr. White assumed the office of Postmaster at Swedesburg, to which he was appointed in August of that year. He has served in that capacity for eleven years, and is the present incumbent. Five children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. White, but two only are now living—Edmund E. and Thomas L. Those deceased are Mary. Anna and Elizabeth, all nearly grown when summoned from earth. The loss brought great grief, not only to the parents, but to a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

     As a business man, Mr. White is a fine representative of Henry County’s sons, and his eldest son is chief clerk in the store and office. His education was received at the noted academy founded by Prof. Howe, and in business he will receive a practical education in the trade at Swedesburg. We welcome our subject and family to a place among those of the pioneers who remain, and are among the reliable business men of the county. 

 (Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 325-326) (JC)

     FREDERICK L. WIEGAND, merchant, was born in Saxe-Meinigen, Germany, in 1837, and is the son of Andrus and Margaret (Chocher) Wiegand, both of whom were natives of Germany. By trade Andrus Wiegand was a cabi­net-maker, and carried on business in Badleveinstein, a noted watering place, where he lived and died. They had only two sons, Charles F. and our subject. When ten years of age Frederick left his native land, his mother having married after the death of her first husband, Matthias Glotzbach, who preceded the family to America, settling in Philadelphia, where his wife with her two sons landed in 1846. At the age of eleven years Frederick went to work for a cotton manufacturer of that city, and at twelve was apprenticed to a shoe­maker for five years, but his mother took him away when she, with her husband, left Philadelphia the next year. In 1850 they started for Iowa but stopped to visit relatives in Indiana, afterward resuming their journey via the Ohio River, but when Louisville, Ky., was reached, the mother was taken violently ill, and after stopping in that city for some time, they returned to Madison, Ind. Later the illness of Mrs. Glotzbach grew more serious, and she was taken back to Louisville, and died in the hospital in that city in 1850. Charles remained in Philadelphia, being bound to a barber, and after serving out his apprenticeship, in 1853 went to California, and for several years had a shop on board a vessel plying between San Francisco and Panama. In 1858 he quit that business, having saved con­siderable money, and started east to look for his brother, knowing of his mother’s death. After advertising largely in the papers without learning of the whereabouts of Frederick, he returned to Europe, thinking perhaps the orphan lad had gone back to his fatherland. Getting no tidings of him, however, he returned to America and located in Portland, Ore., married Rosina Wilhelm, and con­ducted a large business. His death occurred twelve years later, and his widow and five children yet reside in that city.

     After the death of his mother our subject was set adrift by his step-father who refused to have any further care for him, and a young lad but fourteen years of age he started out alone in the world to seek his fortune, and for twenty-two years he neither saw nor heard of any of his relatives. He found employment first on a steamer running on the Ohio. He found it hard to get a place, everyone thinking that a lad of his years had run away from home, but by chance a gentleman having charge of a steamer kindly kept him over night, gave him his breakfast and ten cents in money, the first cash that he ever had of his own, and he found a situation the next day as cabin boy on an Ohio steamer. He only staid a short time with this man, as he was a drinking and blasphemous fellow, hut he found employment in the same capacity on another boat running between Cincinnati and St. Louis, and in the former city met a boy who was an old acquaintance. Wishing to see the South they engaged on a boat bound for New Orleans, and while in that city the trunk containing the clothes of our subject was stolen, and he was left penniless. They tried for some time to obtain passage North, but had no money and could not obtain work. Finally they became stowaways on the steamer “United States,” and for their provisions depended on the scraps left by the deck hands. Before the boys had journeyed three days the clerk spied them, and Frederick made a plain statement of the facts and was told by the clerk to remain, at least until the Captain found them out, who it seems learned the same day that they were aboard. He put them off in Mississippi, where they remained until the next steamer came along. They were given shelter and something to eat by the negroes, and then boarded a boat with the consent of the Captain and were taken to Louisville. The cold weather was at hand and their clothes were getting thin. They walked to Madison, Ind., begging food en route. The other boy, John Yeager, had relatives living at Indianapolis, but at North Madison they became separated, but Frederick being determined to find his companion, started on foot and reached Indianapolis after all kinds of adventures, where he discovered his boy friend who had found his relatives, but there was no place for Frederick. A few days later he obtained employment with Mr. Shirner, a farmer four miles east of the city, only getting the place by persistent begging, as they feared he was a runaway. They kindly eared for him during the winter, giving him clothes, and during the next summer he engaged with a son, William Shirner, until the following spring. He remained in that vicinity seven years working on farms. His education was very limited, less than six months including all his schooling in America. His wages were carefully saved, but at $5 and $10 per month his bank ac­count was not very large when he left for Kansas in the spring of 1857, where he preempted a quarter section of land near Ossawatomie. His home was made with a Quaker, Richard Mendenhall, where old John Brown made his headquarters, and Frederick was personally acquainted with that noted man. Mr. Wiegand improved his land and for eighteen years remained a farmer. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, later enlisted in Company D, 15th Kansas Cavalry, serving during the remainder of the war in the western army. At West Point, Mo., he was wounded and yet carries the ball which, however, causes him little inconvenience. After the war he returned to his farm, and in 1867 was married to Miss Sarah J., daughter of Eli and Martha (Hunnicut) White. Miss White came into the neighborhood to teach school, and the acquaintance was then formed which resulted in marriage. In 1874 Mr. Wiegand sold his Kansas farm and removed to Mokena, Will Co., Ill., where for some time he operated a fruit farm and was subsequently elected Justice of the Peace, serving two years. The residence in Mokena lasted nine years, and in July, 1883, he disposed of the Illinois property and started to Oregon, hut stopping in Salem to visit relatives of Mrs. Wiegand, and a business investment offering at Hillsboro, he purchased the store and goods of William Mickelwaite, and has conducted the business to this date, having a large stock of general merchandise and a fine trade. He was appointed Justice of the Peace after coming to the village, but at present attends solely to his mercantile business, being aided by his wife and their only son, Charles F., born in Kansas in 1868.

     Mr. Wiegand is a successful business man and has accumulated a fine property, educated himself in language and business methods, and intends having his son graduate in a commercial college. Mr. Wiegand is a member of John L. Jordan Post 246, G. A. R., and is at present Post Quartermaster. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Wiegand is a member of the Society of Friends. 

 (Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 331-332) (JC)

     CHARLES G. WILLITS, one of the prominent citizens of Henry County, Iowa, residing on section 34, Marion Township, was born Jan. 12, 1821, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Gossage) Willits, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Maryland. Samuel Willits was mar­ried three times. His first wife was Miss Mary Harrison, by whom he had one daughter, Sarah A., now living in Montgomery County, Iowa, at the advanced age of seventy years. Flis second wife was Elizabeth Gossage, by whom he had seven children, four sons and three daughters: Charles G.; Jesse married Mary Ann Shields, resides in Mercer County, Ill.; George died in 1851, in New Boston, Ill.; Tabitha, deceased wife of Samuel Sheriff, who is a resident of Geneseo, Ill.; Elizabeth J. died at the age of twelve; Mary R. died in infancy; Job died in Chicago in April, 1887, where his wife and children yet live. Mrs. Willits departed this life in March, 1831, in Fairfield County, Ohio. She was a devoted Christian. Mr. Willits was again married, in 1836, to Miss Nancy Hall, a native of Virginia. In the fall of 1837 they removed to Mercer County, Ill., settling upon a farm, where the children grew to manhood and woman­hood. Mr. Willits’ third wife died in August, 1874.

     Our subject was united in marriage, in Mercer County, Ill., with Miss Rachel Thornton, a native of Pennsylvania, a daughter of Eli Thornton. Mr. and Mrs. Willits were the parents of four children, who were born in Mercer County, Ill.: Charlotte, wife of William Hendricks, a farmer in Muscatine County, Iowa; Sarah married John Litzenburg, a farmer of Hamilton County, Neb.; Alice, the wife of Orville Campbell, a farmer in Wano, Kan.; Thornton married Miss Mary Carrons, the only daughter of Robert Carrons, a large land­owner in Henry County, residing in Center Township. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Willits emigrated to Henry County, Iowa, where he bought 320 acres of land partially improved on sections 35, 34, 26 and 27. In this county three other children were born to them: Samuel died at the age of sixteen; Ledru married Miss Nancy Lee, a native of Iowa; Novello is the widow of Leander Shields. The mother departed this life in March, 1862; she was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, and a noble wife and mother, and was buried in the Ebenezer Cemetery.

     Mr. Willits, in 1863, married Miss Ellen Cozier, a daughter of John and Hannah (Carter) Cozier, both of whom were natives of Clarke County, Ohio; the former born Dec. 21, 1810, died June 7, 1863, and the latter born Oct. 9, 1811, died May 25, 1857. They were the parents of thirteen children—Benjamin, Ellen, Sophronia, Minerva, Sarah A., Hugh, Henry, Lisset, Martha Jane, Mary Frances, John C., William H. and Harriet V. Of these four are dead—Sarah A., Minerva, William H. and Henry. Mrs. Willits was born in Clarke County, Ohio, and attended school in her native State, completing her education in Springfield, Ohio. She is a fine scholar, taking an active interest in all educational work, and had seven sisters who were teachers, and a brother who had charge of the schools of Mt. Pleasant for thirteen years. To Mr. and Mrs. Willits have been born two children:  John C., now in Boston, Mass., finishing his educa­tion for the ministry: Wilmot Charles is attending school in Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Willits has taken great pride in educating his children, and all are well qualified to hold any position they are called upon to fill. Teaching was always Mrs. Willits’ favorite occupation, and she spared no pains to prepare herself for her work, and withheld no energy that was necessary to success. Mr. and Mrs. Willits have truly a model family, none of them having used tobacco and liquor in any way. Mr. Willits is one of the pioneer settlers of Henry County, and is entirely a self-made man. Without a cent in his pocket he began life working by the month, saving his earnings, and in this way got a start. He bought eight acres of land which he improved, afterward buying a farm of eighty acres, adding to this until he had at one time a fine farm of 400 acres, but has sold and given to his son Thornton until he now has 287 acres. He sold his farm of 400 acres in Mercer County, Ill., and came to Henry County, purchasing the land as above stated, and all this he has made by his own industry and economy. An honorable, upright man, always ready to advance any public enterprise, he has the respect of the whole community. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Willits is a zealous Republican, and is always working for the advancement of his party.

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp. 342-343)(PW)

     JOHN WILSON, one of the pioneer settlers of Henry County, was born in Clay County, Ky., July 10, 1809. He was reared in Clay County, receiving his education in a log school-house. He was married in that State to Miss Mary Thomas, and in 1835 they left Kentucky on horseback, bringing with them their three children and all the worldly goods they possessed. They first stopped for a short time on Brush Creek, and shortly after they purchased a claim on section 20, Center Township.  Mr. Wilson building a log cabin where they lived for four years.  At the end of this time a fire destroyed their cabin, which was their all. This was supposed to be the work of an incendiary, the fire probably being kindled by a man who wanted the claim. Before leaving Kentucky this same misfortune happened to them, and now for the second time a fire destroyed their home, but a kind neighbor, Mrs. Maulding, gave them shelter until Mr. Wilson could provide another home for his family. A rude log cabin was constructed and into this they moved before the floor was laid. They had no bedstead, but putting up poles on which they placed some straw, with a free conscience they slept better than many a millionaire in his luxuriant home. Mr. Wilson was taken sick about this time, and without money the future indeed looked dark, but Mr. Rea gave him $75, which was truly a godsend to him, and in this way he was enabled to keep the wolf from the door. At this time a little child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, and their noble friend, Mrs. Willeford, took the mother and her baby to her own home, caring for them for seven weeks until they could care for themselves. As the darkest hour is just before the dawn, so in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, the clouds now began to vanish and prosperity to smile upon them; Mr. Wilson worked hard and soon accumulated a competency.

     Nine children came to bless their union, seven of whom yet live: David, of Grundy Center, Iowa; Alford, of Page County, Iowa, enlisted in the 25th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving as Second Lieutenant of the company; Sarah, wife of William Melton, and first white child born in this county, residing on the old homestead; Philip is a lumber dealer of Ft. Collins, Col.; Jemima J., wife of Peter Perine, both deceased; Jonathan and Elisha, twins; the former now residing in Mt. Pleasant, enlisted in the 25th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and the latter resides in Baxter, Jasper Co., Iowa. Rachel, wife of George Cooper, of Osborne County, Kan.; John, of Greene County, Iowa; Mary, wife of Gabriel Burton, of Henry County, Iowa.

     In polities, Mr. Wilson was a Democrat. He and his wife were earnest Christian people, and were highly respected in the community where they resided. Always honest and upright, Mr. Wilsons’ word was as good as his bond. The mother departed this life Oct. 16, 1873, being sixty-two years of age. She preceded her husband to the home of the redeemed thirteen years, he dying on the 26th of January, 1887, at the age of seventy-six. 

 (Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 326-327) (JC)

     This enterprising and well-known business man of Mt. Pleasant was born in LaSalle County, Ill., Sept. 25, 1848. His parents are John and Margaret (Coughlagn) Winters. His father, who deserves more than a passing mention in this work, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1819, and received his education in his native country. When seventeen years of age, in the company with his parents, he sought a home in the New World. Soon after landing in America he went to Syracuse, N. Y., where he learned the trade of a stone-cutter, in which he gained a thorough knowledge which in after years he put to such good use, and which proved the foundation of his large fortune. Leaving Syracuse he went to Toronto, Canada, where he was employed on the Queen's College, then building. From Toronto he went to Rice Lake, where he worked on the canal locks, which were then in the course of construction. He was married in Lockport, N. Y., and in 1844 removed to LaSalle County, Ill, where he remained until 1856, in the meantime working on the stone works and in the construction of the Michigan Canal. When the building for the Iowa Hospital for the Insane was in the course of erection in Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., Iowa, he removed there in the hope of securing employment, in which he succeeded. Here the thorough knowledge of his trade, and his excellent judgment of the different varieties of stone, stood him in good stead. He saw that a beautiful and durable quality of stone was obtained near by, and exercising good judgment in the selection bought a tract of land, on which he opened up the now widely-known Winters' Stone Quarries, an enterprise which has been of great benefit to Mt. Pleasant, and which has made a goodly sum for its proprietor. He has taken large contracts for work on the Burlington & Missouri and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Roads, and has carried as many as 400 men on his pay-rolls at one time, distributing much money in this region. Mr. Winters lives in a beautiful home, adjoining Mt. Pleasant, on a farm of 600 acres, which he has stocked with some of the finest blooded horses and Durham cattle in the State, in the raising of which he has been very successful, bringing to that business the same sagacity and good judgement which have been among his distinguishing characteristics. He has raised and owned some of the finest and fastest horses in the State, among them the renowned Stonewall Jackson, which with other fine stock was burned to death by a fire which consumed his barn in 1879. Mr. Winters' landed possessions in Henry County comprise about 1,700 acres, most of which is under cultivation.

     The history of the life of John Winters is full of encouragement to young men just starting. He began life without any capital other than willing hands, a clear head, and integrity of purpose. Applying himself with fidelity to what he had to do, he worked diligently and honestly, and has from this capital only made himself one of the wealthiest men in this section of the State. The pursuit of wealth has not hardened his heart, or narrowed his nature, which is too often the case. His charities are numerous and liberal, and a deserving applicant is never turned away empty handed. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he stands high. In politics, he is an uncompromising Jeffersonian Democrat, and is thoroughly posted in National, State and county matters. He and his wife were the parents of four children, of whom two sons, John C. and Michael F. are now living.

     John C. Winters, whose name heads this biographical sketch, was quite young when his parents settled in Mt. Pleasant. He received a good education at Howe's Academy in that city, and since arriving at manhood has assisted his father in his business. For years he has been manager of the quarries at Mt. Pleasant, with large numbers of men under his charge, and attending to all the details of the large business. He was married in September 1869, to Miss Mary Ellen O'Hare, who was born in St. Louis in 1846, and is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (McKenna) O'Hare. Their union has been blessed with ten children, eight of whom are now living: Laura M. and Mary S., twins; Samuel L., John, Grace C., Francis C., Michael H. and Gertrude; two died in infancy.

     Like his father, Mr. Winters is a staunch Democrat, and though he has never sought office has been honored by his fellow-citizens with positions of trust and responsibility. He is a friend of liberal education, and has been President of the School Board. He was also a Director in the Agricultural Society, and now is the Secretary of the Democratic County Central Committee. Inheriting the sterling qualities of his honest father, as a straightforward, honorable and enterprising business man, no man stands higher in Henry County. He lives in a beautiful home near his father, adjoining the city of Mt. Pleasant, and under his hospitable roof from time to time are gathered many of his friends. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, p. 633)(PW)

     W. H. WISE, of the firm of W. H. Wise & Co., hardware dealers, of Winfield, Iowa, established a hardware store in 1887. It is one of the neatest stores in that part of the county. They carry a full and complete line of shelf hardware, and the business cannot help but be a success when conducted by the genial proprietors, W. H. and C. I. Wise. In connection with hardware they also carry a full line of machinery, including thrash­ers manufactured by the Springfield Engine and Thrashing Company, of Springfield, Ohio, and also D. M. Osborne & Co.’s harvesters and mowers, both of which are leading machines. They also carry first-class buggies, received from Washington, Iowa. The members of the firm are both young men, and by their fair dealing have gained a liberal share of patronage.

     W. H. Wise was born in Greene County, Pa., April 13, 1856. He is a son of Morgan Wise, now a resident of this county. While yet an infant, his parents removed to La Salle, Ill., where Mr. Wise grew to manhood. He was educated in the common schools of Illinois, and also attended school in Winfield, to which place they removed in 1872, and subsequently he took a partial course at the University of Mt. Pleasant, in the fall of 1874.  In 1879 Mr. Wise began business for himself; he purchased an interest in the grocery and restaurant business, and the firm was known as Glass & Wise. The following spring the business was sold out and he began work in a clothing store. In the spring of 1885 he purchased a half interest in the store and the firm name was again Glass & Wise. in the fall of 1886 he sold his interest to Mr. Glass, and engaged in the hardware and implement business, as before stated, in 1878 W. H. Wise led to the marriage altar Ellie L. Farr, daughter of Herman H. and Almira Farr. Mrs. Wise is a native of Vermont. One child was born of this union, Lorena Myrtle. Mr. Wise is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 340-341) (JC)

     MAX E. WITTE, M.D., First Assistant Physician at the Iowa State Hospital for the Insane at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, was born in Berlin, Prussia, on the 31st of January, 1859. His parents were G.W. and W. (Rakow) Witte. Our subject came to America with them in the autumn of 1864. The family located in Jackson County, Iowa. Max E. received his literary education at Galena, Ill., and then took a three-years course at the State University of Iowa, graduating from the medical department in the class of 1881. He read medicine with Prof. W.D. Middleton, M.D., and began the practice of his profession at Davenport, Iowa. He was appointed to his present responsible position, and entered upon his duties as First Assistant Physician at the Iowa State Hospital in November, 1881. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and Republican in politics. Dr. Witte has proved an able assistant to Dr. Gilman, being well skilled in his profession, and earnest and conscientious in the discharge of the responsible duties of his office.

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, p. 329)(PW)

Jacob Wright

     He is a farmer of Henry County and resides in Section 22 Tippecanoe Two. he was born 12 Oct 1835 in Parke County, Indiana, the son of Thomas and Susan Wright, natives of Tennessee. They came to Henry County in 1836 to Tippecanoe Twp. He received his education in the District Schools. In 1864 he went with Cal Moore to Missouri, serving as home guards. They remained there about a month and then returned home. He soon enlisted in Co. M, 4th Iowa Cavalry, and was in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battles at Jackson, MS, Tupelo, and Meridien, MS, and Guntown where his horse was shot out from under him. He was next in Ripley and on Wilson's raid. He was taken prisoner while on picket duty at Helena, AR in the fall of 1862.

      After the war he returned home and engaged in farming.  He married on 6 Dec 1866 to Miss Frances C. Gainson, who was born in New York City, and is the daughter of E. P. and Frances C. (Devoo) Gainson of Mt. Pleasant. They had 10 children: Hilliagh Webber who married Lucius Handle, and resided Burlington; Lulu, George W.; Anna M.; Ephraim Remington; Thomas R.;Homer; Nina; Nettie D.; and Laura Belle. Jacob is a member of the G.A.R., and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican, and owns a finely cultivated farm of 80 acres.

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, p. 423)(PW)