For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 494
PHILLIP WEISS....Of good Teutonic ancestry, and therefore of plucky stock, Phillip Weiss of Goshen township has demonstrated his business ability and personal worth, and no man in this section is more sincerely respected. He is a native of Rock Island county, born April 22, 1861, and is a son of George and Elizabeth ( Fuhr ) Weiss, the father having been born in Germany and the mother in America. The parents were married in Illinois, and George engaged in farming in that state until 1876, when he removed to Muscatine county, Iowa. and purcjased a farm in Goshen township, cultivating the same until his death, which occurred in 1910. He became the owner of four hundred acres of well improved land and was a patriotic citizen who assisted to the extent of his ability in advancing the best interests of his township. The mother still lives upon the old homestead. There were twelve children in the family, one of whom died in infancy. The others are : Catherine, who is the wife of George Stemm and is living near Lone Tree, Iowa ; Lydia, at home ; Barbara, now Mrs. Carl Timm, of Muscatine county ; Phillip, the subject of this review ; Louisa, John, Clara and Emma, all of whom are living at home ; and Christian, of Muscatine county.Phillip Weiss was educated in the public schools of Illinois, and at fifteen years of age came with his parents to Muscatine county, Iowa, where as he grew up he was thoroughly instructed by his father in the various details of agriculture and stock-raising. At twenty-four years of age he married and began farming on his own account, purchasing eighty acres in Johnson county, Iowa, which he cultivated industriously for nine years, having greatly improved his place so that he was able to sell it for a good price. He then purchased a farm of two hundred acres, to which he has since added forty acres in Goshen township, upon which he has made many improvements, bringing it up to a strictly modern standard. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Wapsinonoc township, and a farm of equal area in Buchanan county, Iowa, and is developing these properties so that they are becoming more valuable every year. He has been very successful in raising and feeding hogs and cattle, understanding the business thoroughly and also being well versed in everything pertaining to market and farm managing.
On the 19th of February, 1885, Mr. Weiss was united in marriage to Miss Rosina F. Kaufmann, who was born in Muscatine county, January 3, 1861, a daughter of Andrew and Rosina ( Ruchti ) Kaufmann. The mother was born in Switzerland and the father in Prussia. Coming to Muscatine county they were married here and Mr. Kaufmann engaged in farming in this county until 1866, when he removed to Cedar county. The mother passed away August 29, 1887, and the father eleven years later, on November 24, 1898. Their remains are interred in Duffe cemetery in Muscatine county. There were the following children in the family, namely : Rosina D., now Mrs. Weiss ; Jane, wife of Matthew Klein, of Muscatine county ; John, now living at Hazelton, Buchanan county ; Wilhelmina, the wife of J. W. Lenker, of Cedar county ; and Sarah, wife of T. B. Furst, living in Muscatine county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Weiss has been brightened by the arrival of eight children : Lydia D., who was born February 25, 1886 ; Andrew C., born January 27, 1888 ; Mary E., February 15, 1892 ; George W., October 20, 1893 ; Albert J., November 29, 1894 ; Walter F., December 7, 1896 ; Leonard P., September 16, 1899 ; and Lena R., June 6, 1901. All are living at home. They have all received liberal advantages of education, being able to read, write and speak both the English and German languages.
Mr. and Mrs. Weiss have been remarkably successful as home makers and no happier family is to be found in Iowa than that which gathers around the Weiss fireside. Independent in politics, Mr. Weiss has never sought public office, preferring to devote his energies to private affairs. He is, however, a sincere friend of education and has served most creditably as member of the school board for a number of years. He and his family are identified with the Lutheran church and are active in all good works of the neighborhood, thus promoting their own welfare and that of others.
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