Buell, William E.

BUELL, PEARCE, STRONG, BOYD, EATON, GASTON, HOBIN, TRIPP

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 4/15/2003 at 18:50:49

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

WILLIAM E. BUELL.

Prominent among the business men of Lyons is William E. Buell, a real-estate and insurance agent. To an extent seldom realized by those who do not give earnest thought to the subject does the prosperity, progress and improvement of a community depend upon the real-estate agent. He is indeed an active factor in bringing about the substantial development of the city or community with which he is identified. In this way William E. Buell has done much for Lyons, and his worth is widely acknowledged, while his honorable business methods have gained for him the unqualified confidence and regard of those with whom he has been associated.

Lyons is his native city, his birth having occurred here on the 25th of January, 1858, his parents being Elijah and Mary Louise (Pearce) Buell. His paternal grandparents were Jeptha and Rachel (Strong) Buell. The former was born in France and accompanied the Marquise de LaFayette to America when the liberty-loving Frenchman brought his troops to the new world and aided in the development of American independence. Jeptha Buell also joined the American army and remained in the service throughout the entire period of the war of the Revolution. He did not return to his native land, but took up his abode in the republic which he had aided in establishing.

Elijah Buell, father of our subject (a steel engraving of whom accompanies this sketch), was born in Utica, New York, April 1, 1801, and in 1811 accompanied his parents on their removal to a farm near Sackett’s Harbor, New York. While living there he witnessed the battle which occurred in that locality, one of the most important engagements of the war of 1812. In the year 1813 the great-grandfather died and in 1815 his widow, with her eight children, removed to the site of the present city of Cleveland, Ohio. Elijah Buell completed his education in Cleveland, and after putting aside the usual text-books he took up the study of navigation, preparing for the life of a sailor upon the lakes. He won distinction in this connection as a pilot and a sailing-master, having few equals and no superiors. For ten years he followed the lakes, but abandoned that pursuit in 1823, and for twelve years thereafter devoted his energies to steamboating on the lower Mississippi river. He became well known in navigation circles in that section of the country. He possessed marked ability and keen discernment, and during his long service no serious disaster ever occurred to a vessel of which he was acting as master or pilot. While sailing on the Mississippi, he made St. Louis his home. In the year 1835, however, leaving his family in that city, he emigrated to the present site of Lyons, Iowa, where he developed a farm, erecting a small log cabin on the banks of the river at what is now Pearl and Front streets. In the fall of the same year, 1835, he returned to St. Louis for his family and additional supplies, and upon their return they established a home amid the wild scenes of the frontier. Soon thereafter George W. Harland took up his abode in the vicinity and they joined forces in order to interest others and to induce them to settle in this portion of the state. During the succeeding three years Mr. Buell improved his preemptive claim, and in 1840, when the first land sale was held at Dubuque, he entered six hundred acres. With characteristic energy he continued its cultivation, devoting his attention largely to the raising of wheat. The only market at that time was St. Louis, but in 1842 and 1843 he hauled his wheat to Chicago, where it could be sold for forty-eight cents per bushel. In the early days Indians were frequent visitors at the pioneer cabin, but caused them no trouble, and deer and wolves were frequently seen. The point at which Mr. Buell settled became the principal crossing point of the Mississippi river. The emigrants and gold seekers who traveled westward in 1849 and 1850 making a good market at that time for the supplies raised in this district. With others, Mr. Buell early aided in establishing a school for the children of the neighborhood and assisted in laying out Lyons and did much for the upbuilding of the city, having built the first public hall, which still stands on Pearl street, then meant to be the main business street of the town; also the first sawmill and flourmill, a large stone structure still standing and now occupied by the Ingwersen & Borbeck Lumber Company. He was the first actual settler of Clinton county, Iowa, owned many fine farms in the country, and the old homestead is now occupied by his widow, Mary Louise (Pearce) Buell.

In his political views he was a stanch Democrat, but never aspired to public office. Industry and energy were a potent element in bringing to him the success which ultimately crowned his efforts.

Elijah Buell was united in marriage to Caroline Boyd, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1839. They had three children: Jeptha, who died in infancy, and Robert and Strong. Robert being the first white child born in Clinton county, who have also passed away. For his second wife Mr. Buell chose Mary Louise Pearce, a daughter of Jonathan L. Pearce, who was born in Washington county, Rhode Island, and who, with her parents, came to Iowa in 1838, locating on the present site of Clinton. He was among the earliest settlers of the county. His first home was a log cabin sixteen by sixteen feet, and the family numbered ten. Their beds were bunks built one over the other and in true pioneer style the family met the hardships and difficulties and experienced the pleasures of pioneer life.

Elijah Buell died March 4, 1889. His wife is still living. This worthy couple were the parents of the following children: Mary E., now the wife of W. D. Eaton, of Lyons. Caroline B., wife of Captain A. D. Gaston, of Washington, D. C., Lucy A., who died in infancy, George P., Eliza T., the wife of C. A. Hobin, Elijah, who died in childhood, Langworth J., who is residing on a farm west of Lyons, and William E.

William E. Buell was reared and educated in Lyons. He also pursued his studies in the State Agricultural College at Ames, and in the Davenport Business College, in which he was graduated with the class of 1877. He afterward began farming, and to-day he owns a valuable tract of land of one hundred and sixty-seven acres in Spring Valley township, where he has made many improvements. Throughout the period, however, he has resided in Lyons, and in 1889 he began dealing in real estate, handling extensive property interests in western Iowa. He laid out the Buell park addition to Lyons, comprising ten acres, which he divided into streets and blocks. He has improved much of the property, and has sold considerable at a good profit. As the years have passed he has mad judicious investments in real estate and has realized therefrom a very gratifying income. He established the Clinton District Agricultural Fair Grounds, comprising thirty-five acres, and is one of the directors of the fair association. The fair grounds are located on a part of the old Buell homestead, and has one of the best half-mile tracks and is the most pleasantly located fair grounds in the state. In 1891 he built the block at the corner of Main and Sixty streets, and in 1893 he erected the three store buildings adjoining, known as the Buell block. This structure is modern throughout, supplied with conveniences and is divided into stores and offices with a large open court on the second floor. He aided in organizing the Citizens’ National Bank of Lyons, Iowa. He also aided in forming, and is secretary of, the Oakland Cemetery Association. He also assisted in promoting the interests leading to the erection of the Lyons and Fulton High Bridge. He has ever been active in politics and has served the city as alderman from the ward in which he lives. He also took great interest in the volunteer fire department, being a veteran member. In 1893 he, with the assistance of others, organized the Citizens’ Building Association, of which he is secretary, now the only building association in the county in active operation. It will be seen that his business interests are varied and of an important character, and demand splendid executive ability to carry them through.

Mr. Buel was united in marriage to Miss Georgiana, daughter of B. C. Tripp, of Lyons, and their union has been blessed with three children: William Elijah; Dorothy and Helen.

Mr. Buell is a prominent Mason and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is popular in fraternal circles, but his time and energies are mostly given to his business affairs. He forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution. He has won an enviable reputation and wherever he is known he commands the respect, confidence and good will of those with whom he is associated.