HUNTINGTON, William W. A.

HUNTINGTON, MOTT, ARNOLD, SCOTT, HULITT, BRIGGS

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/18/2003 at 22:57:13

Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

WILLIAM W. A. HUNTINGTON.

William W. A. Huntington, who is serving for the third tern as postmaster of Calamus, was born in Dutchess county, New York, on the 4th of May, 1837, his parents being on a visit in that county at the time of his birth. The resided un Sunderland, Franklin county, Massachusetts, whence they removed to Hartford, Connecticut, when our subject was a lad of six summers. In the fall of 1849, they went with their family to Rochster, New York, and William Huntington was employed as assistant clerk in Arnold’s paten sash lock manufactory. In 1854 he came with his parents to Iowa, the family locating in Olive township, Clinton county, where the father, Dr, Alonzo B. Huntginton, engaged in the practice of medicine as a representative of the homeopathic school. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia A. Mott. Both spent their last days in Calamus and were buried in the cemetery here.

Accompanying the family to the west, William W. A. Huntington engaged in farming in Olive township until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and I 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry, with which he served throughout the remainder of the war, receiving an honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio, July 3, 1865. At the time he was on detached service as a druggist in the prison hospital at Camp Chase. He was with Generals Sherman and Grant during both sieges of Vicksburg, took part in the battles of Arkansas Post and Black River, and at the latter place suffered a severe attack of fever. While in the hospital he was ordered on garrison duty away from the regiment and sent to Washington, D. C. He was on the picket line there when General Early made his raid on the capital.

After his discharge Mr. Huntington returned to Calamus, and as his health would not permit of his following farming he turned his attention to commercial pursuits. He has engaged in the insurance business and has devoted considerable time and attention to the discharge of official duties. His war comrades have elected him major of the Eastern Iowa Veterans’ Association and commander of the Clinton County Veterans’ Association. He is also a member of the M. B. Howard Post, G. A. R., of DeWitt, Iowa, and belongs to the Iowa Workmen’s Association.

Mr. Huntington has been twice married. He first wedded Maggie Roth, and for his second wife chose Mrs. Sardina M. Arnold, who was a daughter of William Scott. The children of the first marriage were Alvin A. and Addie. The former, a farmer of Calamus, married Emma Hulitt, and has three children, Dollie May, Lou and Nellie. Addie is the widow of E. C. Briggs, who was a farmer of Calamus, and they had five children,--Austin P., Elmer C., Marion, Ella and Lucy, all born in Olive township. Ella May, the other child of the family, died in Calamus, at the age of thirteen years. Mr. Huntington has been a resident of Clinton county for almost a half century, has witnessed many changes and noted the progress and development as years have passed. He has every been a true and loyal citizen, devoted to the welfare of the community, and his fidelity to duty in public office is above question. Mr. Huntington was first appointed postmaster under President Harrison, filling a full term. He was appointed by President McKinley during his first term, and is holding over for the second term, and has made an efficient and accommodating public official. Mr. Huntington is also proprietor of a nice general store, known as the Fair, having been engaged in mercantile business for about fifteen years. He built his place of business and two places of residence, occupying an entire block.