George Willis
George Willis, carrying on general farming and stock-raising
upon one hundred and seventy-three acres of land lying partly in
Franklin and partly in Jefferson township, was born in
Lincolnshire, England, June 9, 1849. He is a son of George and
Mary (Copeman) Willis, also natives of that part of England, the
father born in 1824. He gave his attention to agricultural
pursuits during all of his active life, dying in Lincolnshire in
1868. His widow afterward married again and came to America,
locating in Colorado, in which state she made her home until her
death, as the age of sixty-six.
George Willis was reared in his native community and acquired his
education in its public schools. He afterward served an
apprenticeship as a locomotive and stationary engineer and at the
age of eighteen began working at this occupation, following it
successfully until he came to America. He crossed the Atlantic in
1875 and pushed his way westward to Colorado, locating twenty
miles north of Denver, where he became connected with the Union
Pacific Railroad as locomotive engineer on the run between Denver
and Boulder. Here he remarried for seven years, after which he
turned his attention to farming in Colorado, buying a tract of
land in that state, and upon it he resided until 1898, when he
sold and came to Iowa, buying his present farm. He owns and
operates one hundred and seventy-three acres of land, eighty of
which lie in Franklin township and ninety-three in Jefferson, and
the property is in an excellent state of cultivation, reflecting
everywhere his careful supervision and practical methods. Aside
from general farming Mr. Willis is also extensively interested in
stock-raising and he is very attentive to his interest along this
line which under his able management has proven profitable and
important.
On the 5th of June, 1873, Mr. Willis was united in marriage to
Miss Elizabeth Bowmen, who was born in Durham, England, June 16,
1855, a daughter of John and Margaret Bowmen, natives of that
section. The father followed the carpenter’s trade for many
years, making his home always in England, where he and his wife
both passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Willis are the parents of five
children: Abraham, who married Miss Minnie Dorsey and who is
engaged in farming near his father’s farm; Mary Anna, the
wife of Richard Whalye, who is a butcher in Waterloo; Elizabeth,
the wife of Edward Ewing, who is operating a farm near the old
homestead; Anna, who married William Ewing, of Jefferson
township; and George, who resides at home.
Mr. Willis is a member of the United Brethren church and gives
his political allegiance to the republican party. He is one of
the successful men of Franklin township and his prominence and
prosperity are the more creditable to him since they have been
attained through his energy, courage and perseverance. In all of
his dealings he has been thoroughly reliable and in matters of
citizenship helpful and progressive, giving his aid and influence
to many measures for the public good.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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