Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 439

SAMUEL WILDASIN, deceased, was one of the early and prominent citizens of Wilton Township, Muscatine County. He was born in York County, Pa., Jan, 1, 1815, and was of German descent, his grandfather having emigrated from Germany to this country prior to the Revolutionary War, when only eight years of age. The first place of settlement of the Wildasin family was in York County, Pa., which has been the home of the succeeding generations. George Wildasin, the father of our subject, lived and died in that county. He was the father of seven children who reached maturity, of which number three daughters and two sons are yet living: Jacob M. and John M. are still residents of York County; Mary, widow of Henry S. Giesler, and Catherine, reside in Wilton, while Harriet, wife of Henry Horn, is living in Poweshiek County, Iowa.

Our subject was reared to farm life, but at the age of eighteen learned the trade of a distiller, which he followed for a number of years, yet agriculture was the business to which his life was principally devoted. He was united in marriage with Catherine Menchey, a native of Carroll County, Md., born in 1814, and accompanied by his brother Jacob, came to Iowa in 1848 to view the country and choose a location. He, however, made none at that time, and returned home the same season, but his brother remained in Iowa until 1850, when he went overland to California, where he spent five years, at the end of which time he returned to his native State. In 1850 Samuel once more made the journey to the West, this time accompanied by his family, and came directly to Muscatine, then known as Bloomington. Six miles west of the city he settled on a farm where he remained one year, and then removed to Moscow Township, where the succeeding year was spent. His next place of residence was in Wilton Township, where he had previously entered land on sections 7 and 12, a tract comprising 360 acres, which he cultivated and transformed into a fine farm. In 1857, when gold was discovered at Pike's Peak, he was possessed of a desire to make a trip to the gold fields, and formed one of a party for that purpose, but on reaching Fort Laramie, and hearing unfavorable reports of the Peak, he resolved to return. Before leaving home he had rented his farm and removed his family to Wilton, where he continued to reside until 1859, when he again angaged in cultivation of his land until 1880, when he retired from the active duties of life, and with his wife removed to Wilton, leaving his sons to manage the farm.

In April,1884, Mr Wildasin attended, as a delegate, the Synod of his church at Baltimore, Md., and from there went to York County, Pa., where he and his wife visited friends, but while there he died very suddenly, his death occurring May 19, 1884, being caused by heart disease. He was one of the successful men of Muscatine County. Coming to Iowa in limited circumstances, by industry and good management, in connection with a natural increase in the value of land, he became one of the well-to-do citizens. He always did his share toward making improvements now found in the township, and was a most worthy citizen, one highly esteemed by all. Politically he was a Jackson Democrat, while religiously, he and his wife, together with their family, were members of the Reformed Church. He took a deep interest in forwarding and aiding in its cause, and was one of its most liberal supporters. At his death he left five children, three sons and two daughters: George, the eldest; Louisa, wife of Samuel Creitz, of Powesheik County; Amelia, John and Henry. The mother of this family is still living, and resides at Wilton. George and Henry own and occupy the homestead farm, each being the possessor of 200 acres of fine land.

Henry Wildasin was born in Wilton Township, Oct. 20, 1855, and reared to manhood in the home where he resides. His primary education was received at the common schools, and supplemented by a course at the Normal School at Wilton. He married Miss Susan Stover, a daughter of Christian Stover of York County, Pa., in which county Mrs. Wildasin was born April 20, 1854. Her father died in York County, Nov. 7, 1887, and her mother still lives on the old homestead. Two children have been born of the union of this worthy couple : Ida Belle and Hattie Amelia. Mr. Wildasin is one of the representative men of Wilton Township, and is numbered among its enterprising and progressive citizens. He is Vice President of the Union Bank at Wilton, and is prominent in the promotions of enterprises for the best interests of the community.

George Wildasin was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 8, 1842, and came with his parents to Muscatine County when only eight years of age. He was a soldier of the War of the Rebellion, having enlisted Sept.15, 1862, in the 35th Regiment of Iowa Volunteers, with which he served until after the siege of Vicksburg under Gen. Grant, when he was placed on detached duty, acting as regimental teamster until July, 1863, when he was taken sick while on a foraging espedition. After being confined to the hospital for two weeks he secretly returned to the regiment, but being taken worse, was forced to return to the hospital, where he remained for another fortnight. He was then employed in driving an ambulance until October 5, when he was detailed a brigade mail carrier, continuing to serve in that capacity until May, 1864, when he reutrned to the regiment and took part in all the battles of the Red River expedition, following the fortunes of the 35th Iowa Infantry, the greater part of the remaining term of service, though he suffered from the effects of a sunstroke received toward the close of the war, while marching on Tupelo, Miss., yet took part in that battle. On the return of the regiment to Memphis, Dr. Cobb refused to allow him to accompany the regiment farther, yet he took part in the battle of Nashville, which resulted in the destruction of Hood's army, and continued with the command in the capacity of teamster until the close of the war.

On the 20th of February, 1868, George Wildasin led to the marriage altar Miss Lucy E. Stover, a daughter of Christian Stover, and to them have been born four children: Emma S., William S., Samuel S. and Frank S. He is a member of Henry Silbert Post, G. A. R., AT Wilton.


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