Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 390
HON. HENRY MOLIS, Sr., the pioneer gunsmith of Muscatine, Iowa, and for many years a prominent business man of the city, is a native of Germany, born in Hesse-Cassel, on the 15th of October, 1816. He was educated in his native country, and served a regular apprenticeship to the gunsmith's trade. In early manhood, desiring to cast his lot in the New World, he emigrated to America and took up his residence in Columbus, Ohio, where he wroked at his trade until 1841, when he came to Muscatine and opened a shop in this city, being the first one here to carry on that line of business. In 1843 returning to Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Molis was united inmarriage with Miss Anna Bahr, who was also a native of Germany. Returning at once to Muscatine with his young wife, he made this city his home for the remainder of his life. Eight children were born of this union, all of whom are living with the exception of one : Henry ; Julius, who died at the age of thirty-three years ; August ; Louisa ; William P.; Charles ; Edward ; and Annie, all reside at Muscatine. William is the present engineer and Superintendent of the Muscatine Water Works.

About 1852 Mr. Molis formed a partnership with Mr. Bernhard Beil, who came to Muscatine in 1845. That connection continued without interruption until the death of Mr. Molis, which occurred in March, 1884, since which time Mr. Beil has continued the business in connection with Mr. Henry Molis, Jr. Their establishment is not only the oldest in Muscatine, but one of the very oldest and best known in its line in the State.

Mr. Molis was democrat in political sentiment. He was prominently identified with the public interests of the city and county, and served in various official positions. He held the office of Treasurer of Muscatine County in 1878, was Alderman in 1861-63, 1866 and 1870, and City Treasurer in 1877. He also served as a member of the School Board for some years, and was Mayor of Muscatine in 1875. He was an honored member of the I.O.O.F. from the earliest establishment of the order in Iowa, and as a citizen was distinguished for his uprightness of character and devotion to duty both public and private.

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