Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 172
JOHN MACKEMER, one of the earliest settlers of Muscatine County, residing at Fairport, was born in Lewisburg, Union Co., Pa., Aug. 24, 1834, and is a son of John and Mary ( Lewis ) Mackemer, who were married in Lewisburg, Pa., Aug. 3, 1814. In the spring of 1840 Mr. Mackemer emigrated with his family to Muscatine County, but remained only until the following October, when he removed to Carthage, Hancock Co., Ill. Prior to coming West he had purchased land warrants and located 360 acres of land, forty of which he broke, building a house thereon. While living in Hancock County the Morman trouble occurred, and our subject saw Joseph Smith shot, and his father and others were summoned by the Coroner to try the case. His father also shaved Smith and assisted in laying him out. On account of this trouble Mr. Mackemer was obliged to leave with his family, and in April, 1846, removed to Fairport, Iowa, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1853. In politics he was an ardent supporter of the Democratic principles as advocated by Andrew Jackson, and was a man of strict integrity. As a citizen, he was true and loyal; as a neighbor, friendly and accomodating; as a husband and father, kind and affectionate; as a Christian, devoted and faithful, Mrs. Mackemer departed this life in 1836. She was a sincere Christian lady, and a member of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Mackemer had eight children who lived to maturity: Elias, born May 20, 1815, came to Muscatine County in January, 1839, but is now a resident of Leavenworth, Kan.; Israel, Born Aug. 7, 1818, died in Northumberland County, Pa., at the age of fifty-nine years; Julia A., wedded Dr. Benjamin F. Covill, one of the pioneers of this county, who died in California, and she died in January, 1861; Matilda,born Sept.5, 1825, married Joe Burdick, and both are now dead; Mary, born Oct. 21, 1827, wedded Thomas J. Wood, who died in 1859, and she is now a resident of St. Louis; Elizabeth, born Nov.7, 1831, married A.S.Sweet, and died in 1849.

Our subject came with his parents to this county in 1840, when six years of age, but a few months later the family moved to Carthage, Ill., returning to Fairport in 1846. In 1855 he embarked in the mercantile business with John Sparks, under the firm name of Sparks & Co., which partnership continued for three years, but dissolved in 1858. Mr. Mackemer entering into business with Mr. Hughes, with whom he continued for eighteen months. He next formed a partnership with William E. Lawry, and together they conducted the business for two years, since which time Mr. Mackemer has been alone. From the time the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad was built to Fairport he has been engaged by that company in buying ties and wood. He is an energetic business man, upright and honest in all his dealings, and deserves a liberal share of the public patronage.

On the 1st of December, 1857, Mr. Mackemer was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Russell, who was born in Washington County, Ind., June 21, 1837. In his political sentiments Mr. Mackemer is a stanch supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party, and is well informed on all affairs of county and State.

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