Pike Township Family Stories
THE FOLEYS
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages298-299
By Linda Daly WieskampCroquet anyone? That was a favorite call around the house of John Foley and Agnes O’Brien Foley of Nichols. Memories linger in the minds of Nichols residents and the family of these two special people and times. Their croquet court was known for miles around, and they even had visitors come from out of state to play. John was also noted for his skill at trap shooting.
John Foley was owner and operator of the Nichols elevator. When not working, he and Agnes loved to travel and had many mementoes from their adventures. They had no children, so their inheritance went to other family members and friends. The house was willed to St. Mary’s Catholic church of Nichols and is now the Rectory.
Marguerite Wieskamp, a current resident [1984] of Nichols, was John’s niece. Her father, Lawrence Foley, was John’s brother. Their parents, Dennis Foley and Mary Wickham Foley came from Wexford, Ireland, to live in Pike township about 1869. Dennis was born 18 December 1832, died September 1905; Mary was born 14 August 1836, died 6 January 1919. Dennis and Mary also had two daughters, Mary Foley and Bridget Foley, called Bridie Foley.
Lawrence Foley was born 13 June 1870 and died in April 1935. He married Susan Jeanette Mapel, the daughter of William Mapel and Martha Mapel, who was born 30 October 1877, died 19 October 1930.
William Mapel was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, 11 November 1834, but had moved to Iowa by 1861, for it was in Davenport, Iowa, that he married Martha Jenkins on 24 December 1861. Martha was born 11 September 1844, died 24 July 1924.
Eight months later, after his marriage, he enlisted at Clinton, Iowa, in the Regiment of Iowa Volunteers as a wagoner to serve three years in the Civil War. While serving at Vicksburg, Mississippi in July 1863, he suffered from heat stroke. He had been clearing a battle field after a victory. He was treated in the field hospital. Then on 15 September 1863 at Camp Carrolltown, he was injured when the wheels of a wagon pulled by a runaway team passed over his hip and the small of his back. He was treated first at the field hospital and then transferred to a convalescent hospital in New Orleans. He was off duty eight months with a diagnosis of lumbago. He returned to active duty and was honorably discharged in July 1865. He and Martha then moved to Weeping Water, Nebraska, where they raised twelve children.
Because of his war injury, William applied for a disability pension from the government. His first application was dated 1878; his first payment was received in 1907. It was for $15 a month. He died in 1908. Martha then moved to Nichols to live with her daughter, Susan, and her family. She applied for William’s pension, and received it, with an increase to $30 a month, until her death.
Lawrence Foley and Susan Mapel Foley had two children, Lawrence Foley, Jr. and Marguerite Foley. Lawrence Foley, Jr., was born 19 March 1913. He served in the Navy after he finished Nichols High school. He married and raised two boys, Gary Foley and Wayne Foley. He is now [1984] a widower and lives in Tacoma, Washington.
Margerite Foley was born 20 June 1914. She married Raymond Wieskamp in Nichols 18 February 1935. He was born 29 August 1907. They have raised six children: Naomi Wieskamp, Gene Wieskamp, Ronald Wieskamp, Roger Wieskamp, Dennis Wieskamp and Jerry Wieskamp.
Naomi Wieskamp lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Gene Wieskamp is now living in Alexandria, Virginia.
Ronald Wieskamp married Ann State from Muscatine, and they have two children: Scott Wieskamp and Kevin Wieskamp. The family lives and farms in Nichols.
Roger Wieskamp was married to Linda Daly in Nichols. Their children are Alan Wieskamp and Carol Wieskamp. They live in Iowa City.
Dennis Wieskamp lives in Wixon, Michigan.
Jerry Wieskamp married Rita Gavin from Harpers Ferry, Iowa, and they now live in Cincinnati, Ohio.
All five of the Wieskamp brothers served in the United States Navy.
Return to Family Stories Index Return to Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb, Index Page
Page created December 20, 2010 by Lynn McCleary