Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 528

JAMES M. FISHER, one of the leading stock-dealers of Muscatine County, residing in West Liberty, is numbered among the settlers of 1856. He was born in Bradford Co., Pa., March 7, 1832, and is a son of Frederick and Dolly ( Cole ) Fisher, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Pennsylvania. They are the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom are living with the exception of John M., who was accidently killed in 1841 ; Laura, widow of Abram Mace, resides near the old home in Bradford County, Pa.; Helen L., widow of William Lyon, is also a resident of that county ; Avaline, widow of Merritt Knapp, makes her home near Scranton, Pa.; George W., engaged in blacksmithing, is living in Bradford County ; James M., is next in order of birth ; Isabel is the wife of Hiram Adams, of Tioga County, Pa.; Frederick W., who is living on the old homestead ; Charles O., a lumber merchant of Wayne Neb. The father of these children died on the old homestead in Pennsylvania when sixty-one years of age.He was a prominent and influential man in that community, held various official positions, and for many years was Brigade Inspector of the State Militia. The death of Mrs. Fisher occurred at trhe age of sixty-four years.

Our subject received his education in the common schools of his native county, and in his early life began farming, being obliged to assist in the cultivation of the home farm. Remaining under the parental roof until the age of eighteen, he then began working by the month, and continued with his employer one year, after which he made a trip in 1851 through Illinois, stopping for about a year in Elgin, after which he went to Lockport, N. Y., and later returned to Pennsylvania. In 1856 he again came to the West, locating in Muscatine County, Iowa, where he rented a farm of 160 acres for ten years, and in 1866 purchased eighty acres of land in Wapsinonoc Township. Seven years were passed upon that farm, when, in 1873, he sold out and bought 240 acres on sections 28 and 30 of Goshen Township, which were but partly improved. From this land he developed a fine farm, making many improvements, and putting the whole under a high state of cultivation. He has given much attention to the breeding of high standard-bred horses, being one of the largest stock-dealers in the county, having shipped annually from forty to fifty carloads of hogs and cattle. In 1868 he bought " Black Dan," a fine Bashaw, and has been the owner of many other celebrated animals, among which was "Spybuck," that carried off three premiums at the stock show at Chicago, and also received the first premium as a single-buggy horse in 1888, under the name of " Spy." Mr. Fisher continued to reside upon the farm until 1882, when he removed to the city of West Liberty, since which time he has given his attention exclusively to the breeding of Hambletonian stock, and upon the farm will be found thirty-five head of fine bred horses.

In 1854 Mr. Fisher was united in marriage with Miss Matilda N. Moore, who was born in Alleghany County, N. Y., and is a daughter of James C. and Anna ( Smith ) Moore, who are natives of Bradford County, Pa., and now reside in New York. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher eight children have been born : Laura, wife of Felix Rock, a farmer of Wapsinonoc Township ; Fred L., who resides upon a farm, giving his attention to its cultivation in the summer, while the winter months he spent in teaching school ; John M., a graduate of the Columbus Junction schools of the class of ' 82, is engaged in farming and teaching in Wright County, Iowa ; Stella, who is a member of the Christian Church, and formerly engaged in teaching, is the wife of T. E. Haurigan, Principal of the schools of Crawfordsville, Iowa ; Willie, who died when a babe ; Harriet is the first assistant teacher in the High School of West Liberty ; Gertrude is a student and yet resides with her parents ; Louisa, who is still under the parental roof.

Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have given their children all good educational advantages, such as will fit them for any position which they will be called upon to fill, and have reared a family of intelligent and honorable sons and daughters, of whom they may justly feel proud. Socially, our subject is a member of the A.F.&.A.M., and in political sentiments is a Jackson Democrat. Beginning life with only a young man's bright hope of the future and a strong determination to succeed, his success is due entirely to his own efforts. His industry and perseverance, combined with good business ability, have gained for him a comfortable competence, and he is now one of the well-to-do citizens of Muscatine County. Mrs. Fisher has been truly a helpmate to him, and is one of Muscatine County's estimable women. She is a member of the Christian Church, and is beloved by all for her many excellencies of character.


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