Williamson, Warren A.

WILLIAMSON, DUNN, FARROW, WATSON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 10/24/2009 at 11:00:20

Williamson, Warren A.

The gentleman whose life history is here taken under consideration is one of the strong, sturdy characters who has contributed largely to the material welfare of the community where he lives, being a business man of more than ordinary sagacity and foresight, and as a citizen, public-spirited and progressive in all that the term implies, being ranked as one of the leaders in financial circles of Jasper County and one of the most representative citizens of Reasnor, and yet a plain, unassuming, straightforward gentleman whom to know is to admire and respect. But when we consider the excellent quality of his Buckeye blood, drawn from sterling pioneer ancestry, it is not surprising that he has developed into a man that does things.

Warren A. Williamson, cashier of the bank at Reasnor, was born in Thornburg, Iowa, February 6, 1878, and he is the son of Isaac F. and Mary A. (Dunn) Williamson, both natives of Ohio. When a young man the father left his home in the Buckeye State and went to Illinois, where he remained about two years, working as a farm hand. He then came to Keokuk County, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land and began farming, developing a good farm there in due course of time, still owning and residing on that place, where he has become very comfortably established and is one of the influential men of his community, being active in public life, and he has held many of the township offices and served as a member of the school board. He is connected with the Thornburg Savings Bank, having been its former vice-president, and he is a man of considerable means, which he has made singly and unaided. While he has never sought county or state offices, he has long taken an abiding interest in political affairs. His wife, who has been a faithful helpmeet in all that the term implies, is still living.

Their family consisted of three sons: William D., born April 30, 1876, died in March 1896; Clyde C., born May 29, 1882, resides in Sigourney, Iowa, being assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Sigourney; Warren A., of this review, was next in order of birth.

After obtaining a good education, Warren A. Williamson began life for himself, in 1899, by entering the State Savings Bank of Monroe, Iowa, as assistant cashier. Six months later his employer sold out his interests there and organized the Reasnor Savings Bank, at Reasnor, Jasper County, which for five years thereafter was run as a private bank, after which it was made a state bank. Mr. Williamson has been connected with this bank since its organization, having entered it at the age of twenty-two years, and much of its popularity and prestige is due to his ability and his uniform courtesy to its patrons. He has served as cashier since becoming connected with it, and in a manner that has met with the hearty approval of all concerned.

Mr. Williamson was united in the marriage vow with Miss Gertrude M. Watson, daughter of J. R. and Margaret (Farrow) Watson, both natives of Iowa and both still living. Mrs. Williamson is the only child of her parents and she was born December 6, 1882, at Thornburg, Keokuk County, and has received a good education. This union has been graced by the birth of three children, one of whom, Paul E., born January 4, 1899, died October 4th following; Keith R., born October 14, 1900, is in school, as is also Dale R., who was born April 20, 1903.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Williamson are members of the Methodist Church at Reasnor, he being one of the stewards and she a member of the Ladies Aid Society. They are active in church affairs. Mr. Williamson, in his fraternal relations, belongs to Monumental Lodge No. 311, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Galesburg, of which he is also treasurer. He is treasurer of the Reasnor school district. In politics he is a faithful supporter of the Republican Party. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1291.