William W. Willey 1830-1904

WILLEY, WILEY, GEDDES, ORRIS, HENRICKSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/21/2012 at 17:44:07

Was An Iowa Pioneer
Death at His Home in Columbus Junction of William W. Willey
The Columbus Junction Safeguard has the following in regard to the late William W. Willey, father of I.G., Harlan and Charles Willey, of this city, who returned last week from attendance at his funeral.

Last Saturday morning at his late home of Cherry avenue occurred the death of William W. Willey, one of our oldest and best known citizens. Death came after an illness of several weeks, although much of the time he was able to be about the house. William W. Willey, the eldest son of George Willey and Wife, was born April 13, 1830, in Morgan county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and learned the miller’s trade. He afterwards worked for several years at the carpenter’s trade.

August 3, 1854, Miss Eliza J. Geddes became his wife, and in 1856 they left their native state and came to Iowa, settling in Washington county, where they lived for three years when they removed to Union township, Louisa county, settling on the farm now owned by his son, O.S. This was their home until 1896 when they gave up farm life and came to Columbus Junction, where they have since lived.

Mr. Willey was the father of thirteen children, nine of whom are still living, and all but one, John, of Omaha, were present during the last days of their father’s illness. They are Mms. Nellie Orris of Earlham, Nannie Henrickson, of Cotter, I.G., Charles and Harlan of Estherville, Frank of Chariton, Walter of Mankato, Minn., and O.S. of Union township. These, with the wife and mother, are left to cherish the memory of a kind husband and father. Mr. Willey was a faithful member of the M.E. church and an earnest Sabbath school worker. He was a republican in politics. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, June 15, 1904)