IAGenWeb Project

Audubon County
IAGenWeb

Home

1915 Bios Index

HORACE WERT DUVALL.

Well-defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will certainly result in success. In following the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts, there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such an accomplishment possible and thus grants an incentive and inspiration. At the same time, there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made Horace W. Duvall one of the prominent and successful farmers of Melville township, Audubon county, Iowa, have also brought to him the esteem of his fellow, citizens. His career has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods.

Horace W. Duvall was born on June 22, 1857, in Washington county, Iowa. He is the son of Jefferson and Mary (Brown) Duvall, both natives of Ohio. They were married in that state and came to Washington county, Iowa, driving overland in 1849. Jefferson Duvall was a farmer during his life in Washington county, Iowa, and there died. Jefferson and Mary Duvall had ten children, William, Reeves, Horace W., A. I., Frank, Ella and Emma, twins ; Kate, James, who died in infancy, and Edward.

Horace W. & Eliza Duvall, Audubon County, Iowa

Click on photo to enlarge

Horace W. Duvall was educated in the common schools of Washington county, Iowa. After having completed his education, he took up farming in Washington county and remained there one year when he moved to Calhoun county, where he lived for one year. He moved to Audubon county in 1880, locating in Greeley township. Subsequently, he moved to Cameron township and then to Melville township, where he now lives. Mr. Duvall owns five hundred and eighty acres of land in Melville township and is engaged in extensive general farming. He is one of the best known men in Melville township and has been one of its most successful farmers. He is acquainted with all of the modern aspects of farming and follows only the most progressive methods.

Horace W. Duvall was married on February 5, 1878, to Eliza Waddell, the daughter of William and Louise (DeLong) Waddell. Her parents came from Ohio to Washington county, Iowa, and lived there all of their lives.

To Mr. and Mrs. Horace W. Duvall, seven children have been born, Carrie, Ralph, Frank, Ray, Charles, Mary and Lester. All are now living except Carrie. Ralph married Blanche Farnham and has one child, Edna Fay; Frank married Bertha Griffin and has one child, Harlan Sheldon; Ray married Bessie Olson and has one child, Dwight Leverne; Charles married Elsie Blunt and has one child, Ethel Irene.

Mr. Duvall is an ardent Republican. He has served as trustee of Melville township, also as school director and road supervisor. He has discharged the duties of all of these offices in a creditable manner and has won for himself the commendation and praise of the people of this township. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Duvall and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.



Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 640-641.