Artis, George W.

ARTIS, HEDDING, ORDWAY, LINEWEAVER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/15/2003 at 08:53:22

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

GEORGE W. ARTIS

Among the prosperous and substantial farmers of Orange township is the subject of this review, who owns and operates a valuable farm of one hundred and thirty acres, adjoining the corporate limits of Grand Mound. He was born on the 16th of August, 1855, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, of which county his parents, Lewis and Mary A. (Hedding) Artis, both grandfathers, Mr. Artis and Samuel Hedding, being early settlers of that locality. The father was a farmer and mechanic, his trade being that of blacksmithing. He was born in 1826, and continued to make his home in the county of his nativity until 1836, and then came to Clinton county, Iowa, locating in DeWitt, where he worked at his trade for a time. Subsequently he rented a farm in Orange township for a year, and then purchased a farm of forty acres. Later he sold that place and bought a fairly well improved farm of eighty acres in Orange township, to the further development and cultivation of which he devoted his energies for some years, but spent his last days in retirement from active labor in the village of Grand Mound, where he died in April, 1888. His wife is still living, at the age of seventy years, and makes her home in DeWitt.

George W. Artis was not quite a year old when brought by his parents to this county, and he was reared and educated in Orange township, remaining with his father until reaching man’s estate, when he rented land and commenced farming on his own account. He was married in Orange township, February 5, 1877, to Miss Rosella B. Ordway, a native of this county, and a daughter of Walter Ordway, who came here from New Jersey, and was one of the pioneer farmers and stock raisers of Orange township. By this union were born three children, who are still living, namely: Maud, now the wife of Henry Lineweaver, of South English, Keokuk county, Iowa; Hubert and Bonnybel. They also lost a son, Harry Melvin, who died in early childhood.

After his marriage Mr. Artis continued to operate rented land for one year, and then purchased sixty acres in Orange township, which he owned for five years. On selling that place he bought a farm of two hundred acres, southwest of Grand Mound, which he greatly improved, and in connection with farming he also engaged in stock raising there for five years. About 1887 he rented the farm and removed to Grand Mound, where he engaged in the butcher business one year, and the creamery business for about the same length of time. In 1891 he bought the farm where he now resides, consisting of one hundred and thirty acres, and built thereon a neat brick residence, barn and other outbuildings. He also set out fruit and forest trees, and has made many other substantial and valuable improvements, which add to its beauty. Although he began life for himself in limited circumstances, he has by his own enterprise and good management succeeded in acquiring a handsome competence, and is now the owner of two fine farms in Orange township.

Politically Mr. Artis is a stanch Republican, and is an advocate of expansion. He cast his first presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876. He has always taken an active interest in educational affairs, and has efficiently served as a member of the school board and also as a member of the village board. He is an official member and steward of the Methodist Episcopal church of Grand Mound, and his wife is also an active church worker and a member of the Epworth League. They are people of the highest respectability, and their circle of friends seems only limited by their circle of acquaintances.