Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 293

JOHN LaTOURRETTE, a settler of 1847, and one of the leading farmers of Muscatine County, residing on section 23, Lake Township, was born on the 16th of February, 1819, near Germantown, Montgomery Co., Ohio, and is a son of John and Sarah LaTourrette. The father was of French descent, and a direct descendant of one of that name who was driven from home on account of religious belief. The mother was a native on New Jersey.

Our subject remained in the Buckeye State until he was ten years of age, at which time he removed with the family to Indiana in the fall of 1829. On their journey they passed through Indianapolis, which was then but a very small village, and at length reached Fountain County, where they took up their abode. In that county the father followed his trade of weaving, making all kinds of woolen goods and table linen, and for the jeans woven he received $1.25 per yard, the same class of goods that now sells at forty cents. Corn at that time brought only twenty-five cents per bushel, and all other farm products were in proportion. John LaTourrette, Sr., was one of the leading men of that early day. He organized the first school of the township in which he lived, in 1831, and there died about 1851, and was buried on the old home farm. Plain and outspoken, yet possessing great kindness of heart, he won many friends, and his death proved a sad loss to the community. His wife survived him about ten years, dying in 1861. They were the parents of fourteen children, twelve of whom reached maturity and eleven are yet living.

Our subject was the second in order of birth in that family. At the age of twenty-one he began working for his father during the winter season for fifty cents per day, and during the summer months would plant, care for and harvest a crop for one-third. He later began clearing the heavy timber from the farm, thinking perhaps his father would pay him twenty-five cents per cord, but after cutting four cords and asking his father for his pay he was told that he could get only the same price that he got before, fifty cents a day. When the land was cleared, the father erected a fine brick dwelling upon the plot, wher Schuyler LaTourrette yet resides.

Mr LaTourrette was united in marriage with Eliza Bogart, the wedding being celebrated on the 9th of June, 1840. The lady was born in Pennsylvania, though reared in Ohio, and was a daughter of William Bogart. To them was born one child, Wilbert, born in Fountain County, Ind., May 25, 1841, and who became the husband of Miss Mary Fortune, a native of New York, their union being blessed with three children: John D., Arthur J. and Willett J.

On leaving his home Mr. LaTourrette first located near LaFayette, Ind., where he engaged in weaving, which trade he had learned of his father. He followed that for about four years, and then in 1847 he decided to go farther West. He had visited Muscatine County in 1840, and being pleased with the county and its prospects, chose it as his future home. Making the trip across the country, he reached Muscatine in the month of October, and there purchased a cross-cut saw, two iron wedges,and an ax, and then went to what was called Congress land, and began cutting timber for building wagons, but sold it for cordwood. During the following winter he purchased 120 acres of farming land on section 25, Lake Township, moving with his family into the little log cabin which had previously been erected there. At this time the country was in a wild and unsettled state. All kinds of wild game were plentiful, and the deer would often come into the door yard. He immediately began clearing and improving the wild land, until he now has one of the finest farms in Lake Township, owning in connection with his sons 440 acres of land. The primitive cabin has long since given way to a fine two-story brick residence, the bricks of which it was built having been made by Mr. LaTourrette. His success in life has all been due to his own efforts. Beginning life in very limited circumatances he has worked his way up to a position of wealth and influence. During the forty years of his residence in Muscatine County, his upright course of life and fair dealing have won him the confidence and respect of all, and gained for him many warm friends.

Politically, Mr. LaTourrette is a Republican. In 1840 he cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison. During that campaign, which is said to have been our most exciting in all our history, he drove fifty miles to attend one of the largest rallies that it has ever been his pleasure to witness. It was held at the mouth of the Tippecanoe River on the old battle-field which was made famous by the treaty made by its hero and the Indian Chief Tecumseh. He cast his vote that year in Covington, Ind., and cast his vote in Lake Township in 1888 for Gen. Benjamin Harrison, the illustrious grandson of the Tippecanoe hero. As a citizen none rank higher than Mr. LaTourrette. His word is as valued as his bond, and he is alike respected by young and old, rich and poor.


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