Slauter, Dennis W.

SLAUTER, MUSGROVE, SCHAFFNER, CORNELL, WYKOFF, NEELY

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/8/2019 at 17:52:20

BIOGRAPHY ~ DENNIS ROSE SLAUTER
Burrell Township, Decatur County, Iowa

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Prof. J.M. Howell & Heman C. Smith, Supervising Editors
Illustrated Volume I, P. 122. S.J. Clarke Pub. Chicago. 1915

Dennis R. Slauter, whose residence in Decatur county covers six decades, has been actively and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and now owns three hundred and fifty-four acres of valuable land in Burrell township making his home on section 36. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 6th of June, 1841, his parents being William and Eleanor (Musgrove) Slauter, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father removed to Indiana in a very early day and followed farming in that state until 1855, when he drove across the country to Decatur county, Iowa, here entering and improving a tract of land. The operation of that property claimed his attention until the time of his demise, which occurred in 1862. His wife, who survived him for about a third of a century, was called to her final rest in 1895.

Dennis R. Slauter was reared and educated in his native state and in Decatur county, being a youth of fourteen when the family home was established here. He remained with his parents until he had attained his majority and then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating rented land for ten years. On the expiration of that period he bought a tract of twenty-one acres in Burrell township and as time passed and his financial resources increased, owing to his well directed industry and capable management, he augmented his holdings by additional purchase until they now embrace three hundred and fifty-four acres of rich and productive land. He now resides on a tract of seventy acres on section 36 and leases the remainder of his property, owning two excellent farms which are splendidly improved in every particular. He has always bee practical and progressive and the prosperity which has crowned his efforts is well merited.

Mr. Slauter has been married twice. In February, 1866, he wedded Miss Martha Schaffner, a daughter of Mathias and Harriet Schaffner, who were natives of Ohio and pioneer settlers of Decatur county, Iowa, coming here in 1855. In this county the father carried on farming throughout the remainder of his life. To Mr. And Mrs. Slauter were born thirteen children, namely: John, deceased; Dora; Larkin; Mary; Clara; Frank; Ida; Edward; Fred; Lloyd; Samuel; Gertrude, who has passed away and Birdie, also deceased. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in November, 1898, and on the 3d of September, 1903, Mr. Slauter was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Amanda J. (Cornell) Wykoff, the widow of Frank Wykoff and daughter of William and Mary (Neely) Cornell, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana respectively. Mr. Cornell, an agriculturist by occupation, was successfully engaged in farming in the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania throughout practically his entire business career. His demise occurred in 1879, while his wife passed away in 1910. To Dennis R. and Amanda J. Slauter have been born three children, Forrest, Evangeline and Violet, who are attending school at Davis City. By her former marriage Mrs. Slauter had five children, as follows: Madge; Fred; Don; Bertie, who died in infancy; and Laurence, who passed away October 14, 1910, when seven years of age.

In his political views Mr. Slauter is a democrat, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party at the polls. He has now passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life’s journey and enjoys the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.

Submission by Earle Koeble, Saturday, May 12, 2001