William J. Lancelot

LANCELOT, TRUCOTT, REES, THOMAS, CROW

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 4/22/2009 at 14:34:34

WILLIAM J. LANCELOT, of the firm of Lancelot & Bees, merchants, Gray, Iowa, is a native of England, born in the county of Cornwall, December 4, 1849. He is the second of a family of six children of William H. and Isabelle H. (Trucott) Lancelot, who still reside in the old country, well preserved in mind and body. The father was for many years a sea captain on the waters of the Atlantic. He is now employed in the government service at Falmouth, England. William J. was educated in his native country in a select school. At the early age of eighteen years the borders of his native country had grown too narrow for his youthful and sanguine spirits, so he emigrated to America, landing in the city of New York. Thence he continued his journey to Clayton County, Iowa, and there engaged in farming. Before leaving England he had served an apprenticeship as a butcher, and followed the business in America. In 1876 Mr. Lancelot removed to Cameron Center, Audubon County, and engaged in farming until 1885, when he moved to Ross, Iowa, and there associated himself in the grocery business with Frank Gleason, of Audubon. He afterward sold out at Ross and purchased a stock of goods of W. P. Johnson & Company, of Gray, taking F. P. Rees into partnership. The firm of Lancelot & Rees was established in 1887, and by strict attention to business and fair dealing they have won a large share of patronage. Mr. Lancelot was instrumental in establishing the post office at Thompson, a place well known by all the old settlers, which was discontinued when the town of Audubon was started. While in Ross he succeeded L. D. Thomas as postmaster, and held the office until his removal to Gray. April 10, 1889, Mr. Lancelot received his appointment as postmaster of Gray, under President Harrison. Mr. Lancelot is correspondent for the Daily Register, Des Moines, and also for the county papers. He has held several of the township offices, acquitting himself with great credit. He takes an active interest in the welfare of the Republican party, acting as a delegate to State, congressional and judicial conventions. Mr. Lancelot was united in marriage in 1873 to Miss Phoebe A. Crow, of Fayette County, Iowa, a daughter of Milton Crow, Esq. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lancelot William H., Isabelle B., K. Grant, Milton J. and Grace. Mrs. Lancelot is a native of the State of Indiana. She was a successful instructor, having taught sixteen terms in Clayton, Fayette and Audubon counties. Her primary education was received in the district school of Fayette County. Later she entered the Upper Iowa University in Fayette County, and had almost completed the course at the time of her marriage. Mr. Lancelot is a member of Utopia Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O. F.; the Iowa Legion of Honor; the K. of P., No. 166, at Manning, Iowa, and of Hiawatha Lodge, No. 16, I. O. R. M., at Gray. Mr. Lancelot commenced the struggle for life single handed and without capital, and by energy and close application to business he has secured an ample competence.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO
pages 819-820