For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 434
FRED B. MAPES....Fred B. Mapes, a prominent agriculturist of Muscatine county, is the owner of five hundred acres of valuable land in Pike township and in connection with his farming and stock-raising interests deals in furs on an extensive scale. His birth occurred in Michigan on the 1st of August, 1859, his parents being Hiram and Lucy ( Scott ) Mapes, who were natives of New york and Canada respectively. Their marriage took place near Montreal, Canada. The father, who was a carpenter and contractor by trade, followed that occupation until his enlistment for service in the Civil war. After his return from the army he settled in West Liberty, Iowa, here working at his trade until the time of his retirement about 1896. He then went to Florida but at the end of two years returned to this state, spending the remainder of his life in Nichols. When he passed away on the 26th of December, 1901, the community mourned the loss of one of its most respected and substantial citizens. His widow, who has attained the age of seventy-seven years, still makes her home in Nichols, where she has a host of warm friends. Their children were seven in number, as follows : Albert J.; Fred B., of this review ; Jay M.; Nettie M., the wife of Frank Hummell ; Louis M., who now resides in Florida ; and Charles and Katie, who are deceased.Fred B. Mapes remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. He was busily engaged in the cultivation of rented land for ten years and on the expiration of that period came into possession of a farm of his own, purchasing a tract of ninety acres. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he made additional purchases from time to time until his holdings now embrace five hundred acres thereof being under a high state of cultivation. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he makes a specialty of handling stock, which branch of his business adds materially to his income. He likewise deals in furs on an extensive scale, handling about fifty thousand dollars' worth of furs annually. Being a man of good business ability and sound judgment, he has met with success in all of his undertakings and well deserves recognition among the representative and prosperous citizens of his community.
On the 15th of December, 1878, Mr. Maoes was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Morris, who was born in Ireland on the 1st of January, 1856, and when a child was brought to America by her parents James and Alice ( Shields ) Morris, natives of the Emerald Isle. After crossing the Atlantic they resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for two years, at the end of which time they came to Muscatine, Iowa, Mr. Morris here working by the day for a period of two years. He then turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, cultivating rented land for ten years, on the expiration of which period he purchased a tract of ninety acres in Pike township. To the further cultivation and improvement of that farm he devoted his time and energies until called to his final rest on the 29th of August, 1877. Unto him and his wife, who passed away in 1862, were born five children, namely : Mrs. Mapes ; Ella F., the wife of John Collopy, of Omaha, Nebraska ; Alice M., who is the wife of A. Jacobberger and likewise resides in Omaha, Nebraska ; Dennis, who died when forty-five years of age ; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Mapes are the parents of eight children, as follows : Alice, who is deceased ; Lucy E., twin sister of Alice, who is the wife of John Kershner, of Portland, Oregon ; Nellie F., who taught school for six years before becoming the wife of John Nugent, of Nichols, Iowa ; Joseph D. and Fred M., still under the parental roof, both of whom qualified to follow the teacher's profession ; Arthur S. and William F., also at home, who have a common school education ; and Mary A., who is attending school. The mother of these children is a high school graduate and taught school for ten years prior to her marriage.
Mr. Mapes is a democrat in politics and has ably served in the capacity of township trustee for six years. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Nichols, Iowa, and also of the Modern Brotherhood of America. Mrs. Mapes is a faithful communicant of the Catholic church, to which their children also belong. Wherever known he is highly esteemed and both he and his wife have an extensive circle of friends in Muscatine county.
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