LOVELL, Willard G.

LOVELL, MERRICK, RAUNDS, FOX, HENDERSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/25/2014 at 07:23:54

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 402-03. Chicago. 1915.

Willard G. Lovell

Willard G. Lovell, a successful farmer of New Buda township, was born near Burlington on the 19th of July, 1873, of the marriage of Alfred and Sarah Ann (Merrick) Lovell. The father was born near Raunds, Northamptonshire, England, October 29, 1844, his parents being Ekin and Elizabeth (Raunds) Lovell. Alfred Lovell was brought to the United States in his childhood and received his education in the common schools of Des Moines county, Iowa. Upon reaching mature years he determined to devote his life to farming and has met with gratifying success in that occupation, owning one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land on section 9, New Buda township, Decatur county. He is a republican in politics and about 1884 became justice of the peace, in which office he served for two years. His religious faith is that of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in which he has been a deacon for about sixteen years. He was married on the 21st of April, 1870, in Des Moines county, Iowa, to Miss Almina Merrick, a daughter of Hiram and Ann Merrick. She passed away on the 29th of October, 1871, and on the 5th of May, 1872, he was united in marriage to her sister, Sarah Ann. To the second union five children have been born, namely: Willard G.; Emma Elva; Ida Belle, deceased; Laura Ellen; and Lula Ann. Alfred Lovell retired from active life in 1905 and with his wife and daughters is now living in Lamoni.

The son, Willard G. Lovell, attended the district schools and after completing his education remained upon the home farm with his parents, assisting his father with the work of the homestead until the latter retired. Our subject then assumed charge of the operation of the farm, which he rents from his father. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and his labors are effective, yielding him a comfortable annual income.

In 1905 occurred the marriage of Mr. Lovell and Miss Mary Ann Henderson, a daughter of William and Julia (Fox) Henderson, natives respectively of Scotland and of Pennsylvania. Her parents located upon a farm in Jefferson county, Iowa, near Batavia, and there the father is still living. The mother, however, died in 1894. To Mr. and Mrs. Lovell have been born three children: Martha, whose natal day was the 22d of August, 1906; Georgia, born July 23, 1912; and Retha, born December 1, 1914.

Mr. Lovell supports the candidates and platform of the democratic party at the polls. He and his wife are both members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Lamoni and take a helpful interest in its work. Mr. Lovell has demonstrated his ability as an agriculturist and his sterling worth of character has gained him the confidence and esteem of all who have been brought in contact with him.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014