The Will Families of Muscatine County, Iowa

NICHOLAS WILL, deceased, is numbered JJ among the pioneers of Muscatine County, XL of which he became a resident in 1840. He is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born June 9, 1799, and was reared to the occupation of farming in his native land. He married Anna Margaret Neibert, and, in 1839, with his family he sailed from the port of Bremen, reaching New York after a voyage of thirty-six days. He was also accompanied by four brothers, John the first, John the second, Wolfgon, and Henry, all of whom were accompanied by their families with the exception of John the second, who was never married. The company made its way to Chicago by the slow method of travel which existed in those days, going up the Hudson to Albany, thence by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and on by way of the Great Lakes to Chicago. No place of settlement had yet been decided upon, and Christmas Day of 1839 found the company in St. Louis, Mo. The Father of Waters was then bound in the icy chains of winter, and at St. Louis the travelers remained until the following spring, when they continued their journey to Muscatine County*; where, with the exception of John the second, they all made settlements. Later the two Johns and Wolfgon went to Missouri, where the death of the elder brothers occurred, but the younger one became a resident of Oregon, where he since died. Henry resided in Moscow Township until he, too, departed this life.

On their journey to America, Nicholas Will and his wife were accompanied by their six children, four sons and two daughters, of which five are now living: Katherine, wife of Fred Kaufman, of Moscow Township; George, who is also living in Moscow Township; Christian, a resident of Green County Iowa; Catherine, who wedded Godfred Aumiller, of Muscatine; and John G., whose home is in Moscow Township. Three daughters were born to the parents in Muscatine County: Barbara, who afterward became Mrs. Shafnit; Mrs. Margaret Ber man and Mrs. Elizabeth Kurdtz, but all are now deceased.

In connection with his eldest brother, John, Mr. Will purchased a half section of land on section 22, Moscow Township, where he took up his residence and at once entered upon the improvement of his place, transforming the wild land into one of the most highly cultivated regions in the county, there making his home until his death, which occurred Dec. 7, 1858. In the month of November, 1846, his first wife died and he was again married, become ing the husband of Mrs. Catherine Hoffman, who died in the fall of 1868. He was one of the well-known pioneers of the county and was numbered among its successful citizens. Possessing but little of this world’s goods on arriving in America he yet prospered, his success being due to his industry and perseverance. In his political sentiments he was a ’ f Democrat, and, religiously, was a member of the

Lutheran Church. He has a daughter and two sons, George and John G., who are yet residing in Moscow Township.

John G. Will is now the owner of the homestead, upon which he has resided for a period of nearly fifty years. He was born in Germany, Feb. 2, 1838, and while yet an infant came with his parents to this country. He was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Shafnit, who was born Dec. 31, 1841, and is a daughter of Jacob Shafnit, a sketch of whom ap years elsewhere in this work. Their union has been blessed with no children, but they have an adopted son, Harry. Mr. Will is numbered among the successful farmers of Muscatine County, and is one of its largest land-owners, having added to the old homestead until his farm now comprises 800 acres.

In 1 888 he was elected Trustee of Moscow Township, which position he assumed Jan. 1, 1889.

George Will, the second son of Nicholas Will, was born in Germany March 18, 1830, and when about nine years of age sailed with his father’s family from the port of Bremen in the sailing-vessel “Emma,” and landed at New York after a voyage of thirty-six days. Many are the trials and hard ships of pioneer life, which he shared in common with the family during the early days of their set cement in this county, and his hand has done much toward aiding in the labor of transformation and progress, by which the broad, yet-uncultivated prairies were developed into beautiful farms and homes. On the 29th of November, 1856, he wed ded Miss Margaret Curdtz, a daughter of Godfrey and Helena Curdtz, both of whom died in Germany — their native land. She was one of a family of six children who grew to men and women hood, and in 1854, when but fourteen years of age, came with her brother John to America. Three years subsequent to that time another brother and sister came, Thomas and Elizabeth, who were twins. The former married Elizabeth Will, and died leaving three children; the latter is the wife of Conrad Aekamower, a resident of Muscatine.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Will seven children have been born, five sons and two daughters. Christian N., George W., John H., and Frank W. are yet living. On the 6th day of May, 1857, the parents settled on their present farm, which was then ' ' almost in its primitive condition. But few improvements had been made; but as time passed the work of cultivation was steadily carried forward and the farm transformed into one of the finest tracts of land in the township. The home-farm contains 160 acres, but his landed possessions amount to about 796 acres, all in Moscow Township except eighty-seven acres. Mr. Will and his wife are numbered among the intelligent and esteemed citizens of Muscatine County. They have a beautiful home, which with its surroundings indicate refinement and industry, and their children have received splendid advantages and bid fair to become useful men and worthy citizens. Mr. Will is a supporter of the Democratic party, but has never been regarded as a politician, nor an officeseeker, though he has held various public offices in his township, discharging his duties faithfully. Mr. and Mrs. Will are members of the Lutheran Church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE W. WILL.

Living in Moscow township, Muscatine county, where his father located in the pioneer days, George W. Will enjoys many advantages of which the old settlers little dreamed. He owns a beautiful farm, supplied with modern facilities and within easy access of the nearest railroad stations, which are reached over good roads, thus leaving little to be desired as to market facilities. As he engaged in both agriculture and stock-raising, he is in a position of independence greatly longed for by those who regard farming as the ideal life of man.

He was born on the farm where he now lives July 15, 1862, a son of George and Anna Margaret (Kurtz) Will. The father was a native of Germany and came to the United States with his parents in 1836, the family locating in Muscatine county, Iowa. Here he found work in various lines, principally in operating a horse power threshing machine, his duties requiring him to continue with the machine during the entire winter. The old chafY piles was then in use, the chaff and wheat being thrown inside of a rail pen and the wheat separated later with a farming mill. When the family settled in this county there were no gristmills near and the corn for family use was ground in the coffee mill. By diligence and economy Mr. Will became very successful as a farmer and was recognized as one of the prosperous men of Wilton township. He gave his support to the democratic party and for a number of years served as trustee of the township. In religious views he adhered to the Lutheran church, to which he was a liberal contributor. He was one of the men who established the church of that denomination at Moscow, Iowa. He lived to an advanced age, departing this life in 1897. The mother of our subject was also a native of Germany, coming to the United States with her brother after she grew up. She was married to Mr. Will in Muscatine county and now makes her home with her son George W.. at the age of seventy-nine years. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Will two are now living: George W., and John H., a farmer who resides near Nichols Station, Iowa. The two eldest died in infancy and the third at the age of nine months. Christ N. and Frank W. passed away after arriving at maturity. Vol. n— 11

George W. Will was reared upon the home farm and under his father became thoroughly acquainted with the duties pertaining to the vocation to which he has devoted his life. After the death of his father he became manager of the farm and during the fourteen years that have elapsed has made many improvements. He is now the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land in Moscow township, which he cultivates along well approved lines, and he also handles graded stock quite extensively.

In 1889 Mr. Will was united in marriage, in Bloomington township, Muscatine county, to Miss Kate L. Schmidt, who was born in Chicago, May 8, 1870, and was an infant at the time of the great fire, the parents and child narrowly escaping with their lives by fleeing from their home. One child, who died at the age of two years, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Will.

Politically a democrat, Mr. Will gives his stanch support to the party and served for five years with general acceptance as trustee of his township. He and his family are earnest members of the Lutheran church and willing workers in every cause that seeks to promote the permanent welfare of those with whom they are associated. He is a man of laudable ambition and enterprise, as is to be noted in the neat and prosperous appearance of his farm and the commodious home provided with all desirable comforts and elegancies of life. Kindly in disposition and hospitable to a degree unknown in crowded communities, he has a host of friends and well-wishes in a county where he has been known from his boyhood.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN A. WILL.

John A. Will, residing at 109 West Fifth street in Muscatine, is prominently connected with agricultural and stock-raising interests in this section of the state. Pennsylvania numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Cumberland county, November 17, 1836. His father, Joseph Will, was also born in the Keystone state and was a farmer by occupation. He married Miss Weiser, a native of Switzerland, and they established their home in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where were born unto them five children, two sons and three daughters, namely: Henry; Mary, who became the wife of Nelson Poole; Catharine, who married a Mr. Hoover; Elizabeth, the wife of Isaac Weaver; and John A., of this review. All are now deceased with the exception of the last named, who was but three months old when his mother died, in Febniary, 1837. His parents were of the Lutheran faith. The father died in Richland county, Ohio, in 1841, and John A. Will was thus left an orphan when less than five years of age. He was reared by a good Lutheran family by the name of Sheeley, who lived in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, until he had passed the age of seven years, when they removed to Iowa, bringing Mr. Will with them. Mr. Sheeley purchased a farm of eighty acres in Lake township and there the foster parents of our subject passed away when well advanced in life.

John A. Will was reared in their home as a farm boy and attended the district schools. He started out independently to earn his living when si.teen or seventeen years of age by cutting cord wood at seventy-five cents per cord, yet made his home with the Sheeley family until he attained his majority. For a time he worked at odd jobs, accepting any employment that would yield him an honest living. Afterward he purchased two yoke of oxen and engaged in breaking prairie for several years prior to turning his attention to farming on his own account. His first purchase of land in 1867 made him the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Lake township, upon which a cabin had been built and an orchard set out. He erected a good frame dwelling there, improved the place and later extended its boundaries by the additional purchase of a tract of two hundred and forty acres. Upon that farm he resided until 1882, when he purchased the old Lucas place of two hundred and forty acres, occupying it until 1904, when he removed to Muscatine. He still owns that farm and several other properties, his landed possessions aggregating about seven hundred acres, from which he derives a splendid annual income. In addition to the cultivation of cereals best adapted to soil and climate while upon the farm, he engaged in breeding thoroughbred Hereford cattle for fourteen years and was remarkably successful both in that work and in the cultivation of the fields.

On the 13th of March, 1862, Mr. Will was married to Miss Mary Ann Mc- Coy, a daughter of Daniel and Elsina McCoy, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of New York, while their daughter. Alary A., was born on Long Island, July 4. 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Will were the parents of nine children. Chester, living on the old home farm, married Adella Barnard and has three children: Glenn, Helen and Herschel. Frances, the second of the family, is at home. Charles, a farmer and stockman, living in Muscatine, married Amanda Fletcher and has two children, Harold and Ralph. Edward, who follows farming and dairying in Bloomington township, married Adella Barger and has two daughters, Margaret and Blanche. Joseph, who follows farming in Bloomington township, wedded Grace Ayers and they have four children: Allen, Gayle, Esther and John. Elsie lives at home. John Webb, who is engaged in the butchering business in Muscatine, married Phoebe Barnard, who died, leaving two children, Earle and Mildred. Bert, who is in partnership with his brother John, married Carrie Smalley and they have one child, Sadie Bernice. One of the children of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Will died in infancy. The mother passed away March 14, 1910, at the age of seventy years and eight months. She was reared in the Episcopal faith but at her death was a member of the Methodist church.

Mr. Will was reared a Lutheran but also became a member of the Methodist church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as supervisor, school director and township trustee but has never been a politician in the commonly accepted sense of the term, ])referring to devote his time and energies to business affairs which, guided by his sound judgment, have brought to him a substantial return, making him one of the prosperous citizens of the county. He is now practically living retired although he has valuable farming interests to which he gives his personal supervision. He has ever been reliable as well as progressive in business affairs and his name is an honored one among business men throughout the county.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.