MACHLAN, William Allen

MACHLAN, MANN, THOMPSON, BRITT, MOORE, PACE, JENNINGS, CLAY, CRONIN, SMITH, ARNOLD

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/10/2014 at 18:51:47

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. 281-83. Chicago. 1915.

WILLIAM ALLEN MACHLAN

Two hundred acres of excellent land on section 18, Franklin township, pays tribute to its owner, William A. Machlan, and the excellent condition in which everything about the place is kept is testimony to his energy and good management. He was born in Rush county, Indiana, June 30, 1854, a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Mann) Machlan, both of whom were of Scotch descent. The paternal great-grandfather emigrated to America from Scotland. George W. Machlan became a resident of Decatur county in the early days when much of the land was still in the possession of the government and entered his homestead. He followed general agricultural pursuits and also gave considerable attention to stock-raising and, moreover, worked at the carpenter's trade to some extent. He passed away in Linn, Iowa, in 1912, when eighty years of age. His wife died in December, 1906, when seventy-two years of age. They were the parents of five children, namely: William A.; Homer, a resident of Des Moines; Newton, who is living in Milo; Mrs. Edna Thompson, of Leon; and Mrs. Bertha Britt, of Davis City.

William A. Machlan received the advantages of a good common-school education and during his boyhood and youth also assisted in the work of the farm. Upon reaching mature years he decided to devote his life to agricultural pursuits and has never had occasion to regret his choice of an occupation. He owns two hundred acres of excellent land in Franklin township, upon which he has resided for the past thirty-five years. All of the buildings upon the place are well adapted to their purposes and are in good condition and the fertility of the soil has been carefully conserved. He is successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising. The financial independence which he has gained is especially creditable as he began his career without capital or the aid of influential friends. He taught school for a time to provide himself with the capital necessary in securing a start as a farmer and the first land which he purchased was an eighty acre tract. From time to time as his resources increased he bought additional land and is now one of the substantial residents of his township.

On the 7th of September, 1879, Mr. Machlan married Miss Ella Moore, of Decatur county, a daughter of John and Eliza (Pace) Moore. Her father, who was a farmer and blacksmith by occupation, died many years ago but her mother survived for forty years. They were the parents of eight daughters and three sons. To Mr. and Mrs. Machlan have been born ten children: Perry Lester, who was born August 19, 1880, and who is a government inspector in the Philippine Islands; Grace, born October 27, 1881, who is the wife of S. C. Jennings, a farmer of this county, by whom she has three sons; Laura, who was born March 6, 1883, and who married William Clay, a planter residing in Texas; George W., born September 22, 1884, who is a farmer and resides in Nebraska; Ora, born March 8, 1887, who married Frank Cronin, of this county, by whom she has four children; Amy, born March 27, 1889, who married Clarence Smith, of North Platte, Nebraska, by whom she has three children; Ethel, who was born May 8, 1891, and who married Gale Arnold, a farmer of Lucas county, Iowa; Howard, born December 12, 1893, who is now aiding in the work of the home farm; William R., born April 26, 1897, also assisting with the farm work; and Pauline, born April 29, 1902. Five of the children have taught in the local schools and previous to lier marriage Mrs. Machlan followed the profession of teaching.

The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and not only contribute to its support but also take an active part in its work. Mr. Machlan is a republican but has never desired to hold office although he has always taken a keen interest in public affairs. During the thirty-five years that he has lived upon his present farm he has won the complete confidence and sincere respect of the residents of his township and indeed is well known and highly esteemed throughout the county.

NOTE: William Allen Machlan died on September 10, 1915. Ella F. (Moore) Machlan was born in 1857, and died in 1940. They were interred at Van Wert Cemetery, Van Wert IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014