For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 707
J. ROY WILHELME....After years of persistent labor J. Roy Wilhelme, now of Muscatine county, gained a fair start as a farmer and at the present time is the owner or a beautiful place of two hundred acres which he acquired through his own exertions. No clearer example of the result of good judgment and wisely applied industry is to be found anywhere than that presented in his life. He was born in Iowa, December 31, 1865, and is a son of Nicholas and Louisa ( Huffmeister ) Wilhelme, both of whom were born in Germany. The parents came to America in their childhood and after their marriage, which took place in Muscatine county, they became identified with farming interests. The father departed this life in Montpelier township but the mother is now living in Muscatine, having attained the age of sixty-seven years. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living, namely : J. Roy, our subject ; Katie E., born March 26, 1868 ; Frank A., January 4, 1870 ; Henry W., January 16, 1873 ; Millie M., February 10, 1876 ; Louisa A., September 25, 1881 ; and Myrtle B., February 13, 1884. Of the two members of the home circle now deceased Clara was born February 27, 1872, and George W., November 18, 1878.The subject of this review remained at the parental home until he reached the age of eighteen years, in the meantime having acquired a fair education in the district school and having also obtained a practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits, which has been of very great benefit to him in the years that have passed. He began life for himself as a farm hand and after an experience of seven years, cultivating it so assiduously that he was enabled to purchase a part of the place which he now owns. In 1907 he removed to Muscatine, where he lived for two years, but then returned to the farm, upon which he has made many improvements, supplying it with all necessary accessories, and as a result of his care and labor he gathers each year abundant harvests. He owes a part of his success to the skillful handling and feeding of stock.
On the 2d of March, 1891, Mr. Wilhelme was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. McMichael, who was born in Muscatine county in 1866 and is a daughter of Joseph and Ann Eliza ( Snyder ) McMichael. The father was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and the mother in the region of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. McMichael came to America in 1850 and was married in Iowa, engaging for many years actively as a farmer in Muscatine county. He died in May, 1907. Mrs. McMichael remained upon the homestead for two years and then removed to Muscatine, whre she died in 1909, at the age of sixty-seven years. There were five children in their family, namely : Catherine R., born July 7, 1861 ; Ava E., September 1,1864 ; Martha A.; Caroline E., born September 13, 1868 ; and Erma A., who was born October 23, 1877, and passed away three years later. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelme two children have been born : Ora M., born November 17, 1897 ; and Lela V., September 21, 1901.
Mr. Wilhelme has devoted his attention mainly to his business and has mixed little in political affairs, but gives his support to the republican party, whose principles he accepts as best adapted to advance the permanent interests of the state and nation. He keeps well informed as to general events and is known as one of the intelligent thinking men of the county. He and his family are members in good standing of the United Brethren church.
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