Baskins, William

KERR, DUDGEON, WILLIAMS, ROSE, MOORE, CLARK, SCOTT, COATES, WAGNER

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/16/2009 at 14:07:48

The real builders and promoters of Bremer county have largely been the men who came into this region when it was an unimproved tract and utilized its natural resources, transforming the wild prairie into rich and productive fields, the products of which constitute the chief source of the county's prosperity. William Baskins, following a long and useful career as an agriculturist, who is now residing retired in Waverly, is one of those who have contributed in substantial measure to the county's development and advancement, for in pioneer times he opened up and developed a new farm which, prior to his arrival, was wild land. Mr. Baskins has been a resident of Bremer county since 1850 and therefore has witnessed practically its entire growth and development, for few settlements had been made within its borders at the time of his arrival and all the evidences of frontier life were to be seen. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, December 26, 1926, and is a son of Abner and Mary (Kerr) Baskins, the former born in Greene county and the latter in Washington county, Pennsylvania. The father went to Ohio when that state was still a wilderness and cleared one hundred and thirty-five acres of land, upon which he resided until 1852, when he came overland to Bremer county, Iowa, taking up government land in Jefferson township. He there engaged in general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1864. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away in 1889. To their union were born eleven children, five of whom are still living: William, of this review; Abner; Rachel, a resident of northern Minnesota and the widow of Farn Dudgeon; Basheba, the wife of Ezra Williams, living retired in Waverly; and Hannah, the wife of Edward Rose, of Spencer, Clay county, Iowa.

William Baskins was reared at home and remained with his parents until he came to Bremer county in 1850, crossing the river at the point where the bridge on Bremer avenue is now located. He found this still a frontier district and most of the land was in possession of the government.

All around him stretched unbroken prairie and forest land in which deer, turkey and small game were abundant and where even buffalo could be shot by the experienced hunter. Throughout the territory extending from the present site of the town of Waverly to the present site of Shellrock not a building stood to break the force of the wind and this section was inhabited mostly by Indians, who were at times friendly and at time hostile. Mr. Baskins journeyed on horseback to what was then called Tibbitts settlement, five miles east of what is now Waverly and took up his residence with Mr. Trumbo. He helped to carry up the corner logs for a house, then being erected by Aaron Moore, the first settler in Butler county. He made his home with the Trumbo family for about two years and a half, working in Cedar Falls and in other localities wherever he could find employment. Eventually he purchased two hundred and forty acres of government land, eighty acres of which was covered with a dense growth of timber, and turned his attention to general farming, his markets being at Dubuque or at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Throughout the years which followed, Mr. Baskins steadily carried forward the work of improving and developing his farm, fencing his fields and erecting substantial barns and outbuildings. He made it a valuable and productive property and one which reflected in every way the intelligent care and labor he bestowed upon it. At length his unremitting diligence brought him the success that enabled him to put aside further business cares and in 1901 he left the farm and removed to Waverly and purchased a home, which is comfortable, well furnished and most hospitable.

Mr. Baskins has been twice married. In December, 1855, he wedded Miss Mary Clark, a native of Ohio. To this union were born two children: Francis, who resides in Watonga, Oklahoma, where he is engaged in farming; and Sherman, a resident of Waverly. On the 31st of August, 1865, Mr. Baskins was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary E. (Scott) Coates, the widow of Thomas Coates, a native of Indiana, who passed away in that state five years after his marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Coates had two children: Silas, who resides in Waverly; and William H., of Los Angeles, California. Mrs. Baskins was born in Indiana and remembers that state as a wilderness. She came with her people to Iowa in 1862 and lived for two years in Bremer county, after which she returned to Indiana, where her mother passed away. The father lived to the advanced age of ninety. Mr. and Mrs. Baskins have become the parents of three children: John K., who is employed in Codington & Laird's implement store in Waverly; Margaret, the wife of William Wagner of Freeport, Illinois; and Charles, a resident of Waverly.

Since 1850 Mr. Baskins has been connected with the local lodge of the independent Order of Odd Fellows and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has served in various positions of public trust and responsibility, including those of constable, school director and township trustee, the latter an office which he held for eighteen years. At all times he has been interested in the welfare of the county and has given active cooperation to many movements for the public good, while his efforts in behalf of general improvements have been effective and far reaching. Living in Bremer county for sixty-three years, he is one of the best known citizens of this locality, being widely recognized as a man of tried integrity and worth, of business enterprise and unfaltering diligence. Now that he has reached the age of eighty-seven, he is enjoying a well earned rest, the fruit of his former years of labor. His fellow townsmen honor and respect him and wherever he is known he has an extensive circle of friends.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914