The Telephone and Its Pioneers
The Annals of Iowa · 1962
DEATH OF A PIONEER.-Col.John Vanater, the founder of tliis city and its oldest inhabitant, died at his residence last night, aged about 68 j'ears.He came to this place in 1835, when the only mark of civilization on the spot was a small Indian trading house kept by an agent of Gol.Davenport of Rock Island.He bought Gol.Davenport's "claim," and the following yeailaid off a town whch he called Bloomington.He labored under some disadvantage in bringing the place into importance from the rivalry of Geneva, a town laid off at a point three miles above this city, under the auspices of Dr. Reynolds, who exerted considerable influence from being a member of the Territorial Legislatiare.But the superior loeation of Bloomington finally gave it precedence over its rival.The site of Geneva is now marked by only a few dilapidated houses, while Bloomington (now Muscatine) is a city of 10,000 inhabitants.