GRENAWALT, William Arthur

GRENAWALT, ROBINSON, TRAXLER, SMITH, MULL

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/28/2014 at 07:01:44

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. 292-93. Chicago. 1915.

WILLIAM ARTHUR GRENAWALT

William Arthur Grenawalt owns and conducts an excellent and well patronized clothing and men's furnishings store at Lamoni and is recognized as a representative business man. He also has other financial interests, but devotes the greater part of his time to his store. His birth occurred in Harrison county, March 30, 1873, and he is a son of John L. and Fannie (Robinson) Grenawalt. The father was a very successful agriculturist and, although he began his career without capital, he became in time the owner of two sections of land. He passed away in 1892 at the comparatively early age of forty-two years. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. His wife, who was a member of the Latter Day Saints church, died in 1904 when more than 50 years old. To them were born eight children, namely: Mrs. Nellie Traxler, of Lamoni; William Arthur; G. R., of Lamoni; J. R., who is in business with our subject; Charles, who died in infancy; J. L., who is farming in Faye! tte township, this county; Mrs. Nina M. Smith, of Independence, Missouri; and Ora A., who is employed in his brother's store.

William Arthur was reared upon the home farm and after beginning his independent career engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account for two years, but in 1893 removed to Lamoni, where he has since resided. He at once established a clothing and men's furnishings store and so prospered that in 1895 he was enabled to erect the building on Main street in which his store is still located. He employs two assistants and his business has shown a steady growth, which indicates that his goods are of high quality, his prices reasonable and his dealings honorable. He also owns over five hundred acres of land in Harrison county, Missouri, part of which he operates as a stock farm and part of which he rents. He is likewise interested financially in the local telephone company.

Mr. Grenawalt married Miss Sarah E. Mull, who was born and reared in Harrison county, Missouri, and is the daughter of the late Wiley Mull. However, both her father and mother died when she was by a child and she grew to womanhood in the home of an uncle. Mr. and Mrs. Grenawalt have had two children: W. Donald, who died in infancy; and Ruth L., who is a home.

Mr. Grenawalt is a republican and for ten years was a member of the city council. He is still serving on the school board, having been reelected in 1914. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his wife is affiliated with the Rebekahs. Both hold membership in the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. His energy and good management have resulted in the up-building of a business which returns to him a good profit annually and which is also a factor in the commercial expansion of Lamoni.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014