L. A. BRITTAN

BRITTAN

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/21/2020 at 16:55:30

L. A. BRITTAN was born near Dodgeville, Wisconsin, April 19, 1851, the son of Francis Brittan, deceased, a prominent early settler of Adams county, Iowa. The latter was born in London, England, son of John Brittan, a merchant of that city. He was reared, received a college education and obtained a business experience in London, and was married to Louisa Gates, also a native of England. He came on a sail vessel to New York, and on the voyage encountered numerous storms, both crew and passengers suffering much from hunger before they reached port. For years Francis Brittan was employed as follows: at first obtained a situation in New York; with a stock of fine laces and notions as samples, he became the first commercial traveler in the United States; was engaged in business at Syracuse, New York; conducted a business in La Layette, Indiana, and during the panic of 1835 failed; went to Dodge county, Wisconsin, bought 640 acres of land and engaged in agricultural pursuits, and later in a mercantile business at Dodgeville. It was while he was a resident of the latter place that the subject of our sketch was born. From Dodgeville, in 1857, the Brittan family moved to Burlington, Kansas, when there were only four houses in the town, and the father became one of the first business men of that place. They subsequently moved to Liberty, Missouri, where he engaged in the dry-goods business, and still later located in Missouri City. During the war he left that State and took up his abode in Galesburg, Illinois, where he turned his attention to the hardware business. Disposing of his interests there, he moved to Warren county, Illinois, bought a farm and built a grist mill; thence to Monmouth, same State, where he did a grocery business; and thence to Mount Pleasant, Iowa. His next and last move was to Adams county. Here he bought 615 acres of land, made his home and developed a fine farm. His wife died at Riverton, Fremont county, Iowa, in 1871, aged sixty- five years. Francis Brittan died at Arlington Springs, near Topeka, Kansas, at the age of eighty-five. He was there on a visit to his daughter, and with a party of friends and relatives was out in a boat. The boat upset and a nephew and niece and another young lady were drowned. The shock and exposure brought on a nervous prostration from which the old gentleman never recovered. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and was in politics a Republican. He and his wife were the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are now living, viz.: Arthur Brittan, of Beloit, Wisconsin, a commercial traveler; Frank, a resident of California; Hatty McClure, also of California; Edward, a commercial traveler; Clara, wife of James Beard, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Clifford, of Custer county, Nebraska; L. A., the subject of this sketch; and Laura Dix, of Colony township, Adams county, Iowa.

L. A. Brittan grew to manhood in the different places where his father lived, assisted him in his various enterprises, and received his education in the public schools. February 27, 1874, in Douglas township, this county, he was united in marriage with Miss Ollie Moore, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Moore, prominent mention of whom will be found on another page of this work. Nine children have been born to them, as follows: Nell E., Annis L., Clara Augusta, Ollie Rosa (who died at the age of seven years), Ed. F., Arthur, Carrie M., Luther Alfred and Paul H.

The Brittan farm is located on section 3, and is one of the best in Douglas township. It is well fenced, has a good two-story house, substantial barn and other improvements. Coal is found here in abundance, 50,000 bushels being taken from the place annually.

Mr. and Mrs. Brittan are members of the Baptist Church, and are distinguished for their genial hospitality to all. Mr. Brittan is a Republican.