MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 484 & 484-a
submitted by Ronna Thuman, December 12, 2007

A PIONEER PASSES
The Death of Abraham Smalley in His 87th Year.

SUCCESSFUL REAL ESTATE DEALER

Came to Muscatine in the Spring of 1838—Laid Out South Muscatine, Musserville and a Second Addition—Pioneer Sash and Door Manufacturer—A Long, Useful and Honorable Life Closed.

Passing of a Pioneer.

Abraham Smalley, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Muscatine, who has done much toward building up and improving the city, departed this life yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock at his home on West Second street. Mr. Smalley has been in declining health ever since the death of his loved spouse, who passed away last June. His fatal illness, however, is of a month’s duration and so rapidly did he fail on Wednesday evening that the physician and watchers at his bedside realized that his course was run and that the sands of life would be gone ere another day passed.

Mr. Smalley was a well-known capitalist and real estate dealer. He was born at Boundbrook, Somerset county, New Jersey, on October 24th, 1815, and consequently was in the 87th year of his age. In 1816, when yet an infant, he removed with his parents to a farm near Cincinnati, O., where he lived until his fourteenth year, when his parents moved to Carthage, Hamilton county, O., where they engaged in keeping a hotel and post-office, the duties of postmaster being performed by Abraham, and later he managed a general store for his father. In 1838 he emigrated to the Territory of Iowa and purchased a claim for his father’s family in Bloomington township, Muscatine county. In April of the next year the family landed at Bloomington, now Muscatine. His father’s health failed and he went to his final rest, the care of the family devolving upon Abraham. In 1843 he engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills and plows and afterward put up a windmill at Third and Cherry streets, where he manufactured sash, doors and blinds. He also manufactured cultivators, turning out over 500 machines annually. These where hauled into the country and sold from wagons, as were the fanning mills. Until 1855 Mr. Smalley continued in that line of business, when he sold out and began dealing in real estate.

The following year, with Green & Stone and Jacob Butler, he laid out South Muscatine and subsequently laid out Musserville, together with a second addition to South Muscatine. He held the office of clerk of the Board of County Commissioners when Iowa was a territory, and served three years on the School Board.

On the 26th of May, 1850, Mr. Smalley was united in marriage with Miss Sicha W. Nichols. Three children were born unto them—David, Imogene and George W. After ten happy years of married life the death of the mother occurred in her 40th year. David died at the age of 14 years and Imogene at 20 years. Mr. Smalley was again married June 6th, 1861, becoming the husband of Miss Eliza E. Mathis. Two children were born of the second union: Esther May, now the wife of Joseph W. Eells, and….

*** article continues on page 484-a *** …. Harry E., of Vicksburg, Miss.

As a real estate dealer Mr. Smalley was highly successful. His peculiar plan of selling real estate on terms so easy that any poor man with reasonable industry and frugality could secure a home and not feel the burden, led to the building of hundreds of houses in South Muscatine and Musserville, and while the owners secured their property Mr. Smalley also profited by the investment.

In early life Mr. Smalley was a democrat, but in 1860 he was a supporter of Abraham Lincoln and since had affiliated with the party which first elected the emancipator president. In religious sentiment he was ever liberal, believing more in an honest, upright life than in strict adherence to any creed or dogma.

The funeral is appointed to take place Saturday afternoon at three o’clock from the residence.

*** another article page 484-b ***

A Pioneer Passing Away.

After a lingering illness Abraham Smalley died Thursday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock, at his home on West Second street. Deceased was one of Muscatine’s oldest and most highly respectful citizens. He was born in Boundbrook, Somerset county, New Jersey, October 24th, 1815, and had attained the age of 87 years. In 1837 he came to Muscatine (then Bloomington) and for many years conducted a manufacturing establishment, and later devoted his attention to real estate. On the 26th of May, 1850, Mr. Smalley was united in marriage with Miss Sicha W. Nichols. Three children were born unto them—David, Imogene and George W. After ten happy years of marriage life the death of the mother occurred in her 40th year. David died at the age of 14 years and Imogene at 20 years. Mr. Smalley was again married June 6th, 1861, becoming the husband of Miss Eliza E. Mathis. Two children were born of the second union: Esther May, now the wife of Joseph W. Eells, and Harry E., of Vicksburg, Miss. Funeral services will take place this afternoon at 3 o’clock from the residence.

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