STOUTENBURG, WILLIAM A.

STOUTENBURG, SHEPHERD, LANGWORTHY

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/20/2003 at 17:50:11

Biography reproduced from page 332 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

One of the substantial citizens of Kossuth county, Iowa, who has done constructive work along lines of progress in agricultural methods, is William A. Stoutenburg, who has been a resident of Iowa since 1899 and has given most of his time and attention to the cultivation and improvement of two hundred and forty acres of productive land. He is also interested in breeding and raising high-grade Aberdeen Angus cattle and has made this an important branch of his work. He is a native of New York, having been born in Pittsford, September 10, 1867. His father, Oscar Stoutenburg, was born in Fairport, New York, and was reared and educated in that state. He married Miss Mary Shepherd, also a native of the Empire state, and with his bride removed to Illinois, where he settled in Bureau county on a farm near Princeton. He was successful and prosperous as an agriculturist in that section for thirty-three years. In 1899 he came to Iowa, bought land in Kossuth county, Burt township, and was engaged in the cultivation and improvement of the soil for some years. He later purchased residence property in the town of Burt and lived retired until his death in February, 1910. His wife survives him and makes her home in Burt.

William A. Stoutenburg was reared upon his father’s farm in Bureau county and attended the public schools of Princeton, Illinois. He became acquainted in his childhood with efficient methods of soil cultivation and the various details of agriculture. He assisted his father in the work of the farm and remained at home until his marriage in 1893. He came to Iowa in 1899, at the time his father removed to this state, and settled with his wife upon his father’s land in Kossuth county. He was active in its development and improvement for some years prior to his father’s death and is now owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land. He has thoroughly tiled his property, has divided it into fields by fences and has made extensive improvements. He now has one of the most valuable property in Burt township and is well known as an expert breeder and dealer in Aberdeen Angus cattle. He has a herd of twenty-five head of thoroughbred and graded stock and is doing an extensive dairy business. He carries on his agriculture and stock-raising along principles of scientific farming and has won success by reason of his unflagging industry, intelligence and experience. He is interested in some of the most important business enterprises in Burt and is stockholder in the creamery company of that city. He also holds stock in the Farmers Elevator of Burt and is one of the directors of that concern.

In 1893 Mr. Stoutenburg was united in marriage to Miss Angie Langworthy, the marriage taking place in Washington, Iowa. Mrs. Stoutenburg’s father was Stephen Langworthy, who makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Stoutenburg. The wife of our subject was reared and educated in her native state and fitted herself for teaching, which occupation she followed in Bureau county until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Stoutenburg have two children, Mary I. and Lillian E.

Politically Mr. Stoutenburg is a republican on national issues but keeps his judgment free of party lines in local affairs, supporting the best men regardless of party. He was elected town trustee and served for two terms in that capacity. He is interested in the municipal welfare of his city and in the advancement of his section and is now serving for the second time as member of the township board. He is interested in education and is secretary of Burt township independent school. He is also secretary of the local board and has been a delegate to the county convention. He affiliates with the Presbyterian church and to this faith his wife also gives her allegiance.

Mr. Stoutenburg is one of the active and progressive farmers and stock-raisers in Kossuth county. The enterprises with which he is connected are along the lines of his farm activities and are natural outgrowths of them. His name is prominent in any movement looking toward further improvement and development and his life has been one of the great individual forces in the progress and growth of Kossuth county.