Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 485
WILLIAM B. FRYBERGER, is the earliest settler now living, in Moscow Township, and few have longer been residents of the county. He was born in the town of Goshen, Clermont Co., Ohio, July 1, 1807, and is a son of Peter Fryberger, who was a native of Germany and came to this country with his parents in early life. locating in Pennsylvania, where several years were passed. He then went to Clermont County, Ohio, where he was united in marriage with Martha Brand, and five children were born unto them, three daughters and two sons : Elizabeth, who married Mr. Storer, and after his death wedded John Galancy, is now deceased ; Mrs. Mary Fisher died in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Mrs. Rebecca Heaton died in Muscatine many years ago ; Moses died in Ohio ; and William B., of this sketch, completes the family.

In the spring of 1839 a party, consisting of Peter Fryberger, his son William B., and Absalom Fisher, his son-in-law, left Ohio and made a trip to Iowa to view the country, in order to select a location. They visited various parts of the State, but being better pleased with Muscatine County than any other community, Mr. Fryberger entered and purchased land to the amount of 1,200 acres. The same season the party returned to Ohio. Of the land then secured, the father gave to each of his sons a quarter-section of land, and to his sons-in-law, Absalom Fisher and Silas Heaton, he gave the same amount. A few months later, in the fall of 1839, our subject once more came to this county, bringing with him his family, consisting of wife and four children, and located on the quarter section, which has been his home continuously since, a period of fifty years. The following spring his father came to Muscatine County, settling on land just west of the farm of our subject, but made his home with William. He was then about seventy years of age. He did not engage in the active duties of farm life, but spent his time in the lighter labors, and many days passed in hunting. He was very fond of that sport, and as game of all kinds was very abundant, had ample opportunity to gratify his taste in that direction. He later went to Muscatine, where he engaged in the grocery business, making his home with his granddaughter, Janetta, with whom he lived until his death. He formed an extensive acquaintance throughout the county, and was honored and respected by all who knew him.

While a resident in Ohio, Mr. Fryberger, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Janettaa Eveland, a native of the Buckeye State, and to them were born the following children : Martha Ann, who married Harvy Boggs, and died a number of years ago ; Mary, who wedded John Maylone, and died June,7, 1863 ; Janetta became the wife of John Moore, and after his death wedded William Edwards, who died four years later, when she became the wife of Thomas Webb ; Wilson, the youngest child, is living at Moscow.

Mr. Fryberger is numbered among the honored pioneers of Muscatine County. He has endured trials and hardships incident to pioneer life such as the youths of the present generation would never dream of, but has been permitted to see the country, which was then wild and uncultivated, transformed into one of the richest sections of the State, while the county is in the foremost rank with those of this great commonwealth. Twice during the earlier days of his settlement, Mr. Fryberger was forced to drive to Maquoketa, a distance of sixty miles, to mill, in order that they might have flour for bread. While crossing Wapsipinicon Creek, he, at one time, got into quicksand, and had great difficulty in extricating himself. The mosquitos, too, were very bad, causing him great annoyance, and preventing him from obtaining any sleep. At length, reaching the mill, his grain was ground and he started on his homeward journey, but when night came no house was near, and he was forced to camp out. The night was made more hideous by the howling of wolves, but he finally reached home in safety. This is but one of the many numerous difficulties which go to make up pioneer life, but as time passed, settlements became more numerous, and railroads were built in the county, bringing with them every luxury known to the civilized world. Mr. Fryberger has always been a man of temperate habits. In his early days whisky was thought to be indispensible at the time of harvest. When about five years old, he was one day sent to the field with a bottle of whisky, and filled with a curiosity to know what the men drank, he pulled out the cork and swallowed some of the liquor. Even on his way back it had begun to take effect, for, on meeting a neighbor, he thought the man was drunk, and by the time he reached home he was totally under its influence. Sleeping off the effects he resolved to be temperate, and to this resolution he has since adhered. When past his fortieth year he quit the use of tobacco in every form. His father was a supporter of the Democratic party, and his sons have all followed his example. Mr. Fryberger is universally known throughout the county, and receives the highest respect of all. A portrait of this honored pioneer in given on another page.

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