WADSWORTH, JOSEPH W.
WADSWORTH, WHITLEY, MEREDITH, WATKINS, DAVENPORT, BUSHNELL, MCINTYRE
Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/9/2003 at 21:11:13
Biography reproduced from page 401 of the History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa published in 1884:
Joseph W. Wadsworth, teller of the Kossuth County Bank, was born in Kenosha Co., Wis., Nov. 13, 1853. His parents, John and Rebecca (Whitley) Wadsworth, were natives of England, and emigrated to the United States, in 1847. Mr. Wadsworth was reared and educated in Kenosha county. In 1870 he attended Spencer’s Commercial College, at Milwaukee, graduating with honors. In May, 1873, he was appointed teller of the Kossuth County Bank, which position he still holds. In October, 1875, Mr. Wadswroth was married to Emeline A. Watkins, a daughter of John Watkins, of Mower Co., Minn. Two children have blessed this union—Alice R. and Harvey J. Mr. Wadsworth is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge Chapter and Commandery.
--------------------------------Biography reproduced from page 92 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed published in 1913:
J. W. Wadsworth, assistant cashier of the Kossuth County State Bank, was born in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, November 13, 1853, his parents being John and Rebecca (Whitley) Wadsworth, both of whom were natives of England, having come to the United States in 1847. They were the parents of three children: J. W. and T. H., both of Algona; and Mary Alice, who is the wife of Charles E. Meredith, a retired agriculturist of Union Grove, Wisconsin.
J. W. Wadsworth was reared and educated in Kenosha county. After completing his public-school education he entered Spencer’s Commercial College at Milwaukee, graduating from that institution with honorable mention. When he was but twenty years of age he started upon his independent career, and in May, 1873, was appointed teller of the Kossuth County Bank, having since been promoted to the position of assistant cashier. Because of his long connection with this banking concern he is recognized as being responsible in a large degree for its remarkable growth and expansion. His marked personality and executive ability have been factors in the success of the institution, and his intimate knowledge of banking methods has helped to place the bank upon its present firm basis.
Mr. Wadsworth has been twice married. In October, 1875, he was wedded to Miss Emeline A. Watkins, a daughter of John Watkins, of Mower county, Minnesota. Two children were born to this union: Alice R., who is the wife of S. E. Davenport of Greeley, Colorado; and Harvey J., who is residing in Genoa, Colorado, having been advised five years ago to remove there on account of ill health. Mrs. Wadsworth died in January, 1902, and 1906 Mr. Wadsworth was married to Mrs. Bushnell, the widow of N. A. Bushnell and a daughter of James and Janet McIntyre, who came to Kossuth county in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth are now residing in the home where the latter spent her girlhood days. Her only sister, who was the first wife of N. A. Bushnell, died in early life, leaving four young children. Our subject’s wife then married Mr. Bushnell and was rearing the children of her sister when her first husband’s death occurred. Subsequently she married Mr. Wadsworth, and they are now educating the children. The four children are as follows: Janet A., who is a stenographer in Spokane; Lucina, employed in the same capacity in Spokane; James A., who is a student in Ames College, Ames, Iowa; and Margaret E., who is attending the State Normal School at Cedar Falls.
Mr. Wadsworth had always been active in promoting the civic welfare of Algona. At present he is serving his third term as mayor and is taking special interest in perfecting the electric light and water systems of the city, hoping they may be made second to none in the state. For eight years he was a member of the state board of agriculture, having been in former years extensively interested in agricultural development, owning at various times large tracts of land. For several years in connection with his son they operated a farm of four hundred and sixty acres in Kossuth county and at the present time his holdings include eighty acres in Kossuth county, Iowa, and a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Minnesota. Fraternally, Mr. Wadsworth is a Mason, holding membership in the blue lodge, chapter and commandery.
Kossuth Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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