DEWEL, WILLIAM CORNELIUS

DEWEL, PATTON

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 5/10/2004 at 13:58:23

Biography reproduced from page 733 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

William Cornelius Dewel, connected with journalistic interests of Algona as a member of the firm of Dewel & Clark, publishers of the Kossuth County Advance, was born in Louisville, St. Lawrence county, New York, September 2, 1875. He is a son of Ira G. and Jennie M. Dewel, who were reared in St. Lawrence county and came to Iowa in 1881. Mr. Dewel, Sr., followed the contracting and building business until 1887 and was after ward a lumberman and finally a banker. Upon first coming to this state he settled in Goldfield, where he remained until 1895, after which he removed to Maxwell, Iowa, and thence to Des Moines and Bondurant. He moved to Algona in the fall of 1909 and since that time has lived retired in this city.

William C. Dewel acquired his early education in the public schools of Goldfield, graduating from the high school in 1892. He received his degree of Ph.B. from the State University in 1896 and was graduated in law from Drake University in the following year. He began his business career as assistant cashier of the Security State Bank of Maxwell, a position which he retained from May, 1907, to June, 1908, after which he practiced law in Goldfield and became connected with journalistic interests as publisher of the Chronicle. He moved to Burt, in Kossuth county, on December 31, 1899, and there continued his identification with both of his formers lines of activity, practicing law and establishing the Monitor. In November, 1902, he was elected clerk of the district court of Kossuth county, assuming office on January 1 of the following year. He was twice reelected, retiring January 1, 1909. In the meantime he had transferred his residence to Algona, where he had purchased on November 1, 1908, the Algona Advance, from B. F. Reed. In the following year he sold a half interest in the paper to Frank Clark and the partnership then formed under the name of Dewel & Clark still continues, the name of the paper having been changed on January 1, 1909, to the Kossuth County Advance. This has become an excellent and up-to-date journal and its circulation and advertising patronage have both greatly increased under able management and progressive business methods. He now gives all of his time to journalistic work, being prevented from practicing law on account of the fact that he has become partially deaf and cannot hear the court proceedings.

On February 14, 1899, at Luverne, Iowa, Mr. Dewel was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Patton, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Patton, pioneer residents of Luverne, where they still make their home. Mr. and Mrs. Dewel have four children, ranging in age from four to twelve years. They are Duane, Burl, Gordon and Donald.

Mr. Dewel gives his allegiance to the republican party and in 1908 held membership in the Iowa Uniform Blank Commission. Since 1889 he has been incapacitated for military service on account of the loss of his left arm. He is always active and interested in matters of citizenship. He was one of the organizers of the Halcyon Club and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Yeomen and the Knights of Pythias.