Noll, William

NOLL, HAUSMAN, MORSE

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/25/2006 at 10:59:30

NOLL, WILLIAM

William Noll, one of the principal business men of George, Lyon county, and much interested in the successful operations of the local telephone company and the development of two large tracts of farm land, was born in Germany in 1863, where he received his education. When he had attained his majority he sought a better field for his energies and ambitions than his native land presented, and came to the United States. Here he worked as a farm laborer for a year, and then was variously employed for some three years more, after which he returned on a visit to his native land, to see his people and freshen his memories of the scenes of his youth. Coming back to Iowa he worked for a year on a farm in Osceola county, and in 1887, came to George, then hardly arrived at the dignity of a siding. He was one of the first to come, and his entrance was made on the construction train, as the passenger was not then running. He was the first to start the selling of agricultural machinery here, and in the spring of 1888 bought a building for that business, which he carried on under the firm name of William Noll & Company. For five seasons this enterprise was very successfully conducted, and was then disposed of, and Mr. Noll bought a half interest in a hardware store from the firm being Langon & Noll. Soon after he bought out his partner, and carried the business under his own name until 1899, when it passed into the hands of J.R. Beeman.

The first thing Mr. Noll did after getting out of business was to take his family and go to the old world on an extended trip. They went by way of Portland and St. Johns, landed in Ireland, and visited all the leading cities of the English empire, crossed the sea to Holland and visited once more the land of his youth. They attended the Passion play at Oberamargau, and returned by the St. Lawrence river route, traveled over Canada, and came home by the great lakes. It was a great trip and an education almost in itself.

Mr. Noll has purchased a half section of land near George, and a farm near Flandreau, South Dakota, of about the same size. In 1901 he bought the telephone franchise of the local company, and has installed a very complete system, to which many patrons have been won. Its value has more than doubled. He also owns the telephone exchange at Little Rock.

Mr. Noll was married in 1890 to Miss Anna, daughter of Daniel Hausman, who is still living in Germany. She became the mother of two children, and passed away in the spring of 1901. Her child, Carrie, is still living. In November, 1902, Mr. Noll was married a second time, Mrs. Elizabeth Morse becoming his wife and the head of his home. Mr. Noll is a Catholic, belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and votes the Democratic ticket. He has been a candidate on that ticket for the office of county auditor, but as this county is large Republican he lost the election. Various local positions have been very creditably filled by him, such as trustee and clerk of the town, and county supervisor, filling each office two terms. He was school treasurer, and for nine years has been a member of the city council.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson