For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 34
HENRY SCHWALM. Henry Schwalm, who departed this life in Muscatine, in December 23, 1900, will be remembered as one of the representative citizens of Teutonic ancestry who selected Iowa as their home and in this state accomplished a work that could have been performed only under extreme difficulties in the old world. He was born in Guttenberg Germany, October 16, 1831. Upon reaching manhood he determined to seek his fortune elsewhere and in 1851 came to America, locating for a time at Cinncinnati. In 1855 he was attracted to Muscatine and opened a blacksmith shop in this city, continuing until 1877, when he turned his attention to agriculture and engaged in farming in Bloomington township, Muscatine county, for twenty years. His original farm consisted of sixty acres but he was industrious and fortunate in everything he undertook and the money he made he invested in land, ultimately becoming the owner of three hundred acres, which he brought to a high degree of cultivation. He took up his residence in Muscatine in 1897 and here continued until his death.In 1853, at Cinncinnati, Mr Schwalm was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Eppinger, who was born at Wittenberg, Germany, December 15, 1823, and died in Muscatine county in 1880. There were four children by that union: William, Lena, John and Henry. In 1880Mr. Schwalm was again married, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Catherine ( Switzer ) Dilchert, who was born in Reichenbach, Germany, and came to the United States in 1868, locating in Muscatine, where in 1870 she was married to Henry Dilchert, who was also a native of Reighenbach, Germany. Of this marriage four children were born: George, Fred, Henry, and one who died in infancy. Four children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Schwalm.
Mr Schwalm was a supporter of the candidates and principles of the republican party but did not devote much attention to politics, as his interest was taken up principally with his family and his business affairs. He was reared in the faith of the Evangelical church but after coming to Muscatine became identified with the Congregational denomination. As a citizen he held a prominent position in the community and for years he was recognized as one of the most successful agriculturists and stock-raisers. Mrs. Schwalm is a lady of excellent qualities and has many friends in Muscatine. She is the owner of the farm where her husband lived for many years but makes her home in the beautiful family residence at No. 1111 Mulberry avenue, Muscatine.
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