For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 289
JOSEPH MEISKY....Pennsylvania has contributed many promising sons and daughters to Iowa, who have assisted nobly in developing the resources of their adopted state, thus enhancing its prosperity. Among the number is Jospeh Meisky, who comes of worthy parentage, and for forty-three years has made his home in Muscatine county. Born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1851, he is the son of George and Christianna ( Schmaling ) Meisky, also natives of the Keystone state. The parents were married in Pennsylvania, October 21, 1849, and came to Iowa in 1868, the father cultivating a rented farm in Wilton township, Muscatine county, until his retirement in 1900. He then made his home with his youngest daughter until his death, which occurred in 1905. The mother departed this life in 1901. Their remains were enterred in Nichols cemetery. Both were stanch believers in the Bible as the revealed word and were earnest members of the Dunkards church. There were eleven children in their family, of whom seven are still living, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. The others are: George, of White Owl, North Dakota; Jacob, a farmer of Johnson county, Iowa; Elizabeth, the wife of Eriah Carl, a farmer of Nebraska; Katie, who married Madison Kile and after his death became the wife of Charlie Frank, a blacksmith of Johnson county, Iowa; Andrew, now in charge of his sister's farm in Johnson county, Iowa; Louisa, the widow of Samuel Lawrence, now living in Johnson county, Iowa; Emma, who was born July 22, 1850, and died in 1908, at the age of fifty-seven years; Henry, who died October 12, 1863; John, who was born November 9, 1856, and died November 19, 1860; and Anna, who was born March 13, 1867, and died April 23, 1868.Joseph Meisky came to Iowa with his parents at sixteen years of age and received his education in the public schools, continuing at home and assisting on the farm until reaching manhood. He then began farming on his own account and by conscientious application and good management has attained a competence, his labors yielding a very desirable income. Thoroughly honest in all his dealings, he has always enjoyed the confidence and respect of all who knew him. For a number of years he has been living at Nichols, where he owns a comfortable residence.
On the 3d of October, 1875, Mr. Meisky was united in mariage to Mary C. Kile, who was born in Muscatine county, December 4, 1858, and is the daughter of Jerry and Elizabeth ( Lee ) Kile. Her father was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and her mother in Ohio. They were married in Indiana and a few years later came to Iowa, making their home for four years on a farm in Muscatine county. Subsequently the family removed upon a place in Pike township, which had been purchased by Mr. Kile and there continued for many years until it was finally disposed of. The father then rented land until his death, which occurred in 1888. Mrs. Kile was called from earthly scenes October 3, 1899, and was buried beside her husband in Nichols cemetery. There were nine children in their family, the eldest dying in infancy; Madison, who died in 1889, at the age of about thirty years; Mary C., now Mrs. Meisky; George, of Muscatine county, Iowa; Sadie, the wife of Adolf Kiser, of Minnesota; Lydia, who died in 1890, at the age of twenty-three years; Linnie, now Mrs. Charles Birkart, of West Liberty, Iowa; Callie, the wife of Henry Range, of Milford, Iowa; and Louis, of Nichols, Iowa.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Meisky: Hattie L., who was born August 4, 1876, and died June 16, 1897; Oliver C., who was born April 8, 1878, and is now living near Nichols; and Louis J., who was born May 12, 1880, and is now the owner of a fine home in Nichols.
Politically Mr. Meisky is a supporter of the republican party. In public affairs he is progressive and assists in the advancement of those movements that seem best adapted to promote the general welfare. He has served to the satisfaction of all concerned as a member of the school board for two years and also as road supervisor for one year. He and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist church, and those who know them best are unanimously of the opinion that they worthily discharge their duties as intelligent and conscientious members of society.
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