Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 398
R. A. McINTIRE, came to Wilton in 1856, when the town was in its infancy, and for over thirty-two years has been identified with its growth and progress. He is a native of the Keystone State, born in Crawford County, Feb. 24, 1820, and was there reared to manhood, continuing a resident of that community until thirty-six years of age. His parents, James D. and Nancy ( Adams ) McIntire, reared a family of ten children, seven of whom are living, our subject being the eldest of that number. The father died in Pennsylvania at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, and the mother departed this life in 1861.

When a young man our subject served an apprenticeship to the trade of a carpenter and builder, an occupation which he followed until his removal to Iowa. Early in 1856, he emigrated to this State,with the intention of locating at Des Moines, which at that time promised to become the capital, though the Legislature still convened at Iowa City. Wilton also was growing very rapidly, and gave promise, especially in view of its railroad facilities, of becoming a place of some importance. Other influences combined with these induced Mr. McIntire to change the decision of becoming a resident of Des Moines and locate in Wilton. He purchased a number of town lots, the following year erected a home for his family, and also built what was afterward known as McIntire House. In 1857, he was elected Justice of the Peace, a position which he held for four years, and also served as Mayor of the town for three years. In 1860, he was appointed Postmaster, being the second to hold that position in Wilton, and continued to discharge the duties of the office, notwithstanding the change to a Republican administration, until 1863, when he resigned and engaged in the hotel business. It is, perhaps, in the capacity of landlord of McIntire House that he is the most widely known. He conducted this hotel for the long period of twenty-five years, during which time he formed an extensive acquaintance with the traveling public. Being the chief hotel of the place, his house was largely patronized, and for a long time he did an extensive and profitable business. In the spring of 1888 he sold his hotel property and retired to private life, yet still resides in Wilton.

While in Pennsylvania our subject was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Josephine F. Cooper, a daughter of James and Amanda ( Cochran ) Cooper, who came to Muscatine County in 1853. Her father died in 1876, but her mother is still living. Five children have been born of the union of our subject and his estimable wife : Charles C., the eldest, in connection with his youngest brother, W. B., is engaged in the dry-goods business in Rock Island; the second son, James Edward, is a prominent attorney of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Hattie B. is the wife of H. L. Edgerton, of Chicago ; William B., above mentioned, is the next in age, and the youngest is Mollie, who is still at home.

Fully realizing the advantages of education Mr. McIntire gave all his children ample opportunities for instruction, which were appreciated and improved, all being excellent scholars, and with the exception of Mollie are settled in life. The sons are successful in the several vocations and are worthy and useful members of society. In their religious connection Mr. and Mrs. McIntire are members of the Presbyterian Church, while politically he is a Democrat. Forward in what ever tends to promote the moral, mental and religious growth of the community, he is one of the representative men of his town and county, and is held in the higest esteem by all.

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