| Muscatine County, Iowa | |
Muscatine Journal & News-Tribune
Centennial Edition
31 May 1940
Section 5 - Page 19-20, Submitted by Charlene Nichols Hixon, May 29, 2012 Page 19
These Men Came to Bloomington In Early Days Photo of William Parvin - Cumberland county, New Jersey, was the birthplace of William Parvin on Sept. 17, 1797. He came here in 1839, living until Dec. 13, 1882. His wife was Hannah Westcott, born in New Jersey in 1797, their marriage taking place in 1819.
Photo of Benjamin Neidig - Benjamin Neidig, whose name is linked in history as an early business figure in the community’s history, was born in Daulphin county, Penn., Feb. 22, 1803, arriving in this part of Iowa in 1849. His first wife was the former Catherine Snavely. Death occurred on March 1, 1869.
* * * * * * * Advertisement
The Laurel Building
Muscatine’s Finest in Structure and Service
Photo of building
BUILDING DIRECTORY McColm & Company Second and Third Floors Beveridge, Dr. T. F. – Physician and Surgeon 608 Bihlmeier, F. L. – Lawyer 401 Bomke, Dr. M. P. – Dentist 611 Donohue, Dr. L. J. – Dentist 504 Drake, Frank – Lawyer 407-8 Emerson, Dr. E. L. – Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat 508-9 Englund, Dr. F. W. – Dentist 608 Goad, Dr. Robley R. – Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat 404 Goss, Dr. E. E. – Dentist 409-10 Howe, Dr. g. R. – Dentist 505-6 Howe, Dr. L. C. – Physician, X-Ray Diagnosis 608 J. C. Penney Co. Basement and First Floor Fischer Shoe Store Annex Jackson, R. S. – Lawyer 501 Jessup, Dr. P. M. – Physician and Surgeon 402-3 Johnson, Dr. H. G. – Dentist 502 Laurel Building Offices 405-6 Laurel Beauty Shop 503 Lange, Dr. H. F. – Dentist 505-6 Lease, Dr. W. G. – Dentist 510 Legal Abstract Co. 407-8 McColm Co. Office – Department Store Second Floor Miller, Dr. T. M. – Physician and Surgeon 410-11 Muhs, Dr. E. O. – Physician and Surgeon 601 Phillips, Dr. C. P. – Physician and Surgeon 602 Roach Investment Co. – Insurance, Annuities 504 Westrate, Matthew – Lawyer 614 The Laurel Building – is Muscatine’s most beautiful structure. Imposing in architecture and conveniently located in the very heart of Muscatine’s business district, the Laurel Building has been a prominent landmark in the city since 1917. Its charming office suites, most of them commanding a magnificent view of the dreamy Mississippi, house some of Muscatine’s most prominent business and professional firms.
A Fitting Home ForSuccessful Concerns and Professional Men
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On the Social Record
Journal Items Reveal Typical Activities of Weeks in the 1885 Era
(From the Muscatine Journal of April 11, 1885.)The most marked movement of society this week has been towards Chicago to hear the music of Patti, Nevada and other nightingales and to behold the great spectacular exhibitions of the opera festival. Muscatine has a larger representation at the festival than any Iowa city south of Dubuque, which speaks well enough for the musical taste on the Great Bend.
The great Easter ball of the Turn Society has been the most important social demonstration of the week. For centuries running back to the worship of Ostra, the lads and lassies of Rhineland have celebrated the dawn of Spring in an uninterrupted suite of festivities, and no matter where you find their children, the sweet sounds of the horn and viol, and the beating feet of merry dancers will be heard on this anniversary. The old anniversary does not lose any of its beauty and gladness to these sons and daughters of Ostra because of springtime now holding within its breast the glorifying memories of the Resurrection. The Eichoff’s full orchestra played, and the occasion was one of the most brilliant of these annual assembles.
* * * Progressive euchre begins to feel the effect of late hours, and we have to notice that the circles which kept up to the regulation hour of adjournment (1 a.m.) last week are “slowing up” since Easter. But there are a number of brilliant parties to mention.
* * * On Monday evening Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Day entertained a company of half-dozen tables, at the Avenue residence. Mr. Day is one of the premium players of the city. The refreshments were elegant but the party like a behemoth stamping over flowery meads, could scarcely suffer even so refreshing a service to hinder the progress of the game, which continued to the usual hour.
* * * Mr. Ed. Stocker on the same evening entertained a pleasant euchre party at the hospitable Sycamore home.
* * * On Tuesday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown broke the repose of Eighth street by invitations to a charming reunion of players in that suburb, and the entertainment will be remembered as one of the pleasantest and most enthusiastic of the season.
* * * Wednesday evening there was a huddling of a gay company under the fur robes and a drive to the up-river residence of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Warfield, where the excitement over the bell and joker burned all the brighter and warmer for the somewhat chill ride of two and one-half miles, though the pleasure of the evening received no small enhancement from the gracious attentions of the hostess. This party made the innovation of changing partners at every table and awarding the prize to the winner of the most games, ...
(Continued on Page 20)
Page 20... which honor fell to H. J. Fitzgerald.
* * * Thursday evening Miss Annie Block entertained a delightful party of our young society.
* * * On the same evening a surprise party of gentlemen descended upon Mr. S. Cohn’s residence and caned him to their heart’s content, as already noticed in these columns.
* * * Last evening Mrs. John Mahin gave a reception to her Sunday school class and their friends.
The evening was also celebrated at Armory hall by a brilliant party of ladies and gentlemen in the last social hop of Co. C.
There are several parties on the tapis for this evening.
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(From the Muscatine Journal of April 4, 1885.) The week, with the Catholic and Episcopal churches engaged in the solemn services of the Tenebrac, will not be expected to record the social excitements of its predecessor, though it is expected that all members of the above churches will observe the whole of Lent with a due regard to its sacred offices.
Outside of these churches, however, society moves on, even in Passion Week, in its usual gay currents, and the character of the receptions to record have partaken of little of the gloom and sadness of the holy anniversaries.
* * * The week opened Monday evening with a large and brilliant progressive euchre party at Mrs. Fitch Swan’s.
* * * The same evening Mr. Ed Magoon entertained his young lady and gentleman friends at a similar party at the Avenue mansion.
* * * The appearance of Miss Charlotte Thompson at the opera house this evening drew largely upon our society circles.
The Argus Chautauqua circle had its regular meeting on this evening at Miss Heinley’s on Fifth street and discussed Luther and the Reformation.
* * * Invitations were sent out for a large party on Tuesday evening but were recalled on account of the demise of a near friend of the family.
Wednesday evening Mrs. Wm. L. Mull entertained an enjoyable euchre party at the residence on Fifth street.
* * * Mr. Drew Musser signaled his university vacation by giving a party at the Front street mansion in honor of visiting college mates.
D. Powell Johnson continued the compliment to these University friends by a party on Thursday evening.
Last evening, Mrs. Lou Cohn invited her friends to a grand euchre party at the Hotel Webster which is universally pronounced the plus bell soiree of the season, in the number of its attendance and the elegance of its refreshments.
* * * A reception was also given at Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Musser’s in compliment to parties visiting from Chicago and Pennsylvania.
* * * This evening Supt. Emerson has invited the Chautauquans to visit the high school and will entertain them with experiments in the laboratory.
The pleasures of Easter Week cast their bright rays in advance, and the air is already filled with preparatory notes of the great Easter ball of the Turners for Monday evening, and we shall also be pardoned for mentioning the Easter dinner of the ladies of Trinity Guild, appointed for Wednesday at Union hall. The private parties arranged for the week cannot properly e anticipated, but it is safe to say that their number will do honor to Easter.
* * * * * * * Zeigler and Brandt Names Figured In Early History Here Photo of William Zeigler - The career of William Zeigler, who took a leading part in the founding and incorporating of the Royal Baking Powder company, is one of the most interesting of any of the life histories of early settlers of Muscatine.
He was born in Shelby county, Missouri, Sept. 1, 1843 and arrived in Muscatine in 1848. In 1861 he started out for himself, and secured employment peddling apples out of a basket. He continued this work until the fall of 1861, when he began learning the drug business with J. H. Canon, remaining with him until the fall of 1863.
Young Zeigler then went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and entered the commercial college at that place, from which he afterward was graduated. He determined to go to New York, and after paying his tuition at college and his railroad fare he had but 50 cents remaining. Stopping at a hotel he there spent the night, and the following morning started out to find employment. After several disappointments he finally found work in which his fidelity brought him promotion.
He at length began the manufacture of baking powder, commencing in a small way in a basement in New York City, making and putting up his powder in packages at night, and peddling it from house to house the next day. He continued in this way until he was able to buy a horse and rig. From this small beginning the business grew to large proportions and in 1873 he was one of the founders of the Royal Baking Powder company. In 1889 his income was estimated at $100,000 annually. In addition to the manufacture of baking powder and cream of tartar, he was also interested in real estate in Brooklyn. He married Mrs. E. M. Gamble in New York on Aug. 22, 1886. His death occurred May 23, 1905.
Mr. Zeigler’s stepfather and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Brandt, were highly respected citizens of Sweetland township. Mr. Brandt was born in Hamburg, Germany, Feb. 23, 1821. After following the cabinet-maker’s trade for several years he emigrated to America in 1847.
After wandering over the country for about a year, he at last decided to make his permanent home in Muscatine county, and in 1848 he began business as a cabinet-maker in this city, continuing in this line for about six years. Selling out at the end of this time, he moved to a farm in Sweetland township. He became very successful as a farmer and stock raiser. His death occurred Aug. 8, 1906.
Mr. Brandt married William Zeigler’s mother, Mrs. Ernestina Zeigler, in Muscatine on Dec. 2, 1848. Mrs. Zeigler was born in Tioga county, Pa., Jan. 18, 1821. When six years of age she removed with her parents to Economy, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, remaining there ten years, when the family went to Phillipsburg, in the same county. She resided there for six years, and was then married to Francis Zeigler on Feb. 23, 1840. Her death occurred March 21, 1913. Photo of Conrad Brandt and Mrs. Conrad Brant.
* * * * * * * “M. S. Lee, of Fairport, started for Stillwater with a barge containing 30,000 gallons of stonewear.” All of it was made in Fairport which gave that town the nick name of “Jugtown.” – April 17, 1883.
* * * * * * * The state is receiving more immigrants this year than for several past. It is estimated we are receiving over a thousand new inhabitants in this way daily. The ferry boat crossed 23 immigrant teams today. – April 4, 1878.
* * * * * * * “The Musserville church has made ample provision for the comfort of teams of those attending from a distance, by completing a wagon shed 280 feet long and covering it with good shingles.” – Muscatine Journal, April 3, 1885.
* * * * * * * “Here is encouragement for us dizzy blondes; nine out of ten convicts in the state penitentiary have black hair.” – Muscatine Journal, April 24, 1880.
* * * * * * * A clash between the “Mad Creek Rattlers” and police on Second street, resulted in the arrest of three “Rattlers” who were jailed. – April 29, 1883.
* * * * * * * Members of companies A, H, and I, of the eleventh Iowa Infantry sent home to their families their two months pay amounting to $3,400. Chester Weed and James Jackson wee the distributing agents. On July 18, $1,400 from the 13-dollar a month members of the Second Iowa Cavalry was sent home to their families. – June 5, 1862.
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