MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 275
submitted by Shirley Plumb, Aug. 31, 2007

DEATH OF A PIONEER

Last Sunday, about five o’clock in the afternoon, occurred the death of one of the earliest settlers in this locality. While walking out in the barn yard of his farm, PETER HEATH suddenly fell forward and breathed his last. His death is attributed to heart disease. Mr. Heath came to this county about the year 1837, and took employment with Sam Nichols, who compensated his services with boots and shoes. With a big box of this footwear and other supplies he went to Old Liberty and opened the first store in Wapsinonoc township. He was one of the earliest postmasters of the place and served for a number of years. When he was not conducting his general store in town he lived on his farm north of Atalissa. When he disposed of this place he invested the proceeds in another in Lincoln township, Johnson county, near the Muscatine county line, where he recently made his residence. In 1885 he gave up the pursuits of agriculture to conduct a grocery at West Liberty, but after being in the business but two years he again returned to the country. Through unflagging industry and attention to business at the store and a quarter of a century on the farm he accumulated considerable means, his possessions including some valuable dwellings and business buildings at West Liberty and several fine farms. He enjoyed a wide acquaintanceship and was universally esteemed for his honest and manly qualities. Mr. Heath was a life-long democrat and at the time of his death was 70 years of age.

A large family survive to mourn his taking off. The funeral obsequies are to be held at 11 a.m. to-day at the Methodist church and the remains will be deposited in South Prairie cemetery.

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