IAGenWeb Project - Allamakee co.

William Sadler

 

The death of William Sadler in 1891 deprived agricultural interest of Allamakee county, and indeed of the state of Iowa, of a most progressive and worthy representative, for he settled on his farm in Union City township in pioneer times and for thirty-six years continued to carry forward the work of improvement, making substantial and tangible contributions to the general expansion and progress of this section of the state.

Mr. Sadler was born in Cambridgeshire, England, on the 27th of May, 1827, and in his native country acquired his education, there remaining until he was twenty-four years of age. In 1851 he crossed the Atlantic to America, settling first in Indiana, where he remained for four years, removing at the end of that time to Iowa. He settled in Allamakee county in 1855 and purchased land in Union City township, a property upon which he continued to reside until his death. Throughout the years he steadily carried forward the work of cultivation, facing at first the obstacles and difficulties incident to pioneer existence with confidence and courage and gradually developing a fine farm, well improved and highly productive, and worthy of comparison with the best in this state or else where. From time to time he added to his holdings and at the time of his death was the owner of three fine farms in this township, whereon in addition to cultivating the fields he engaged extensively in stock-raising, feeding and fattening cattle as well as sheep and hogs. He became known as one of the section’s most representative, progressive and substantial agriculturists, leading in all projects or measures for the general advancement and lending the weight of his influence to movements of reform and progress, and thus it was that at his death in 1891, Allamakee county lost not only a practical and successful farmer but also a public-spirited and loyal citizen.

Mr. Sadler married, in 1855, in Indiana, Miss Mary Bulman, also a native of Cambridgeshire, England, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Bulman. The father died in England and afterward in 1874 the mother came to America, settling in Union City township, where her death occurred in 1885 when she was eighty-one years of age. In this family were twelve children, four of whom survive: Thomas, of Waukon; Mary, the widow of the subject of this review; George, of Allamakee county; and Ann, the widow of James Goose, of England. Mr. And Mrs. Sadler became the parents of seven children: Eliza, who died when she was twenty-one years of age; Joseph G., who is farming part of the old homestead; Mary E., the wife of William Beadmore, of Union City township; William M., who also lives upon the homestead; John B., who passed away when he was thirty-one years of age; J. Edward, who cultivates a portion of his father’s farm; and Ada J., the wife of John Martin, who is engaged in farming near the Sadler homestead.

J. Edward Sadler is today considered one of the most progressive and deservedly successful farmers in this part of Allamakee county and in the cultivation of his portion of the homestead is ably carrying forward the work which his father began in pioneer times. He now owns more than five hundred acres of fine land in Union City township which he has improved and developed along directed and persistent labor. He married in 1895 Miss Rose Wilde and to their union were born five children: Clyde E., who was born in 1898 and who is a graduate of the public schools;  Myrtle F., who was born in 1900 and who is attending school; Alton B., who died in infancy; Helga M., born in 1905; and Arthur William, born in 1911. Mr. And Mrs. Sadler have also reared an orphan, Elmer W. Bailey, now twenty-three years of age and a resident of Elgin, Iowa.

William Sadler was always a stanch adherent of the republican party and as a progressive and public-spirited citizen supported loyally all movements for the promotion of general progress, advancement and reform. His name stood for reliability in business, fidelity in citizenship and honor and loyalty in all relations of life and his memory will long be cherished by those who knew his genuine personal worth and were fortunate enough to have come within the close circle of his friendship.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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