For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 409
SAMUEL H. WISE. Few men of Muscatine county saw more of the vicissitudes of life in their earlier years than Samuel H. Wise, of Wilton Junction. As a gold hunter and later as a soldier in the trying times of the Civil war, he passed through experiences that he can never forget and that had an important effect in molding his character. He is a native of Iowa, having been born in Cedar county, October 24, 1842. His parents were Henry and Sophia (Kester) Wise, both of whom were natives of Union county, Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Ohio in 1829 and came to Cedar county, this state, in 1839. Mr. Wise built a log cabin on a farm which he selected as his home and subsequently erected the first flouring mill that was built in Cedar county, hauling the lumber from Muscatine with two yoke of oxen. This mill he operated until his death, which occurred in 1856. The mother died in 1881. There were thirteen children in the family, seven of whom are now living.Samuel H. Wise received his early education in the district schools, and as he grew up assisted in the work of the home and at the mill. At the age of seventeen, having heard many stories of sudden wealth acquired in the mines of Colorado, he yielded to the excitement that then prevailed in many regions of the west and crossed the plains to the Rocky mountains, where he spent a year and a half prospecting and digging for the yellow metal. However, he came to the conclusion that it was not his destiny to become wealthy as a miner, and he returned to Cedar county, Iowa, where in the summer of 1862 he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, to serve for three years in the cause of the Union. The regiment participated in many hard fought battles and also in the celebrated siege of Vicksburg. Mr. Wise received his honorable discharge June 30, 1865, without having been wounded or injured in any way during the entire period of his service.
After spending a year upon the home farm, he took up photography and was engaged in that business at West Liberty, Iowa for one year. He then removed to Wilton Junction, where he has ever since continued in the same line, being now the oldest business man in the town. By close application he has built up a large patronage and enjoys a handsome competence, so that if he desires to do so he may spend the remainder of his life in well earned rest. He also conducts a well equipped jewelry store in connection with his photograph gallery.
On the 30th of November, 1866, Mr. Wise was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Healy, who was born in Muscatine county in 1845, a daughter of Abiel and Mary (Adams) Healy, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. They came to Muscatine county in 1836 and continued here during the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Wise is a member of a family of ten children, five of whom are now living. She was one of the popular school teachers of this region in her young womanhood. To Mr. and Mrs. Wise five children have been born: Mary S., the wife of Dr. George E. Zinn, of Homing, Oklahoma; Edwin A., of Chicago; George C., professor of languages in Salt Lake City, Utah; Ida E., wife of Rev. P. M. Conant, of Marion county, Iowa, and Samuel A., jeweler of Mitchell, South Dakota.
Mr. Wise cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln as president of the United States and has never seen any reason for changing his political allegiance, being a stanch supporter of the principles of the republican party. Fraternally he is identified with Lodge No. 167, A. F. & A. M., and the Grand Army Post No. 250, of Wilton Junction, and has filled all the chairs in the first named organization. He has lead an active and useful life and has little cause for regret when he looks back over his career. His prosperity is the result of his own labors, and he receives the respect due those who have faithfully attempted to perform their duty.
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