Estle, William

ESTLE, STRONG, MCMASTERS, SWAN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/12/2009 at 14:05:16

William Estle

The following is a brief sketch of the career of Mr. Estle, who is a resident of Fairview Township, Jasper County. His present substantial position has been reached entirely through his own perseverance, and his life shows what can be accomplished by a person with courage and enlightened views. Not withstanding the many discouragements, he pushed ahead, and the result proves the wisdom of his course.

The father of our subject, William Estle, was a native of Pennsylvania, and when twenty-three years of age was married to Barbara, a daughter of Jacob and Susan Strong. By this union he became the father of four children, namely: Jacob, George, Zare and Eliza. The mother died when forty years old. William Estle was a second time married, taking as his wife Martha McMasters. To this union eight children came: Thomas, John, William (our subject), Enoch, Samuel, Elizabeth, Ann and Harriett. Mrs. Estle belonged to the Baptist Church, and when sixty-five years of age was called from this life. The husband and father followed some years later, when seventy years old. He was a Whig politically. The grandfather of our subject, Jacob Estle, was also born in the Keystone State and was of German descent. He followed the occupation of a farmer and died in his seventieth year.

William Estle of whom we write is a native of Greene County, PA., and he was born December 25, 1816. When but a lad of fourteen he went to Ohio on horseback, and crossed the Allegheny Mountains more than twenty times with cattle and hogs. He never had the opportunity of attending school, but learned to read and write, however, and has always kept himself well posted on the current topics of the day. Purchasing eighty acres of land in Monroe County, Ohio, he resided thereon but a short time when he sold out and followed teaming, hauling tobacco to the Ohio River. At about this period in his life William was married to Catharine Swan, a daughter of John and Allie Swan, of Virginia. Twelve children came to bless their home, one of whom died in childhood. The living are: Sarah, Landora, Jane, Caroline, William, John, Brooks, Jessie, Elizabeth, Sarah Jane and Melinda. Mrs. Estle is now seventy-two years old, and, well and active, is a valued member of the Metl1odist Episcopal Church.

It was in 1856 that Mr. Estle came to this county and township and bought one hundred acres of wild land, on which he yet makes his home. From time to time he added to his estate until he became the owner of seven hundred acres, he estimating his wealth to be over $40,000. At present he retains but two hundred and sixty-seven acres of the original farm, which by industry and care has been made a valuable piece of property. Earlier in his life blacksmithing was his trade, and being a good-hearted man, he went security for others, losing thousands of dollars thereby. He has also lost in more ways than this, as in January 1893, his house and barn, which were valued at $6,000, were burned. He is now resting from the labors of life and is enjoying the ease and comfort of a pleasant home. He has served his township in the office of School Director for several years. Politically the Republican Party always has his stanch support. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 609.