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
Return to 1913 biographies index