William W. Gentry

ACHESON, ATCHISON, GENTRY, FARRIS, MCDONALD, PALMER, STICKLER, WRIGHT

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/15/2004 at 09:33:40

William W. Gentry, a retired farmer living in Winterset, was born in Putnam. county, Indiana, July 30, 1841, a son of William and Sarah (Wright) Gentry, both of whom were born in 1815, the former in Kentucky and the latter in Virginia. Their marriage was celebrated in Indiana and they were residents of that state when it was still largely timbered and when there were few evidences of white settlement. Mr. Gentry cleared his land and built a log house, which served as the family residence. He farmed there until 1841, when he removed with his family to Worth county, Missouri, which was also a frontier district, and he remained there until 1847, in which year he and his family came to Madison county, Iowa. They made the trip with wagons and ox teams and upon arriving here they found but very few settlers and again it was necessary to break land, erect a log house and endure the privations that of necessity fall to the lot of the pioneer. There were deer, wolves and turkeys and even a few elk and smaller game of all kinds in the county at that time and Indians were numerous but always friendly. Provisions were hauled by ox teams from St. Joseph, Missouri, and most of those comforts and luxuries which we today consider indispensable were unknown at that time. Nevertheless the lives of the early settlers had many pleasant features and, most important of all, there was the consciousness of performing a work that would not only benefit themselves but also those who came after them. Mr. Gentry displayed noteworthy public spirit and enthusiastically cooperated in the measures undertaken to advance the welfare of his community, assisting among other things in building bridges and log schoolhouses. The early settlers were compelled to do those things that the people of this day have done for them and became remarkably self-reliant and independent. Mr. Gentry made shoes for his family, which numbered eleven children, while his wife carded, spun and wove wool besides making the clothes for the family. Matches were scarce and they often had to carry fire from a neighbor's or else start one by striking flint in gunpowder and tow, a flax preparation. The homestead was in Union township and was purchased from the government at a dollar and a quarter per acre. At the time of his death in 1861, at the age of forty-six years, Mr. Gentry had two hundred and forty acres of land near Winterset and was known as a successful agriculturist. In addition to general farming he raised a good grade of English, or as they are now called, shorthorn cattle. He was one of the leaders in political affairs, helped to organize the county, was one of the first county supervisors, was deputy sheriff and served in all of the township offices. He was also one of the first three directors of the independent school district of Winterset. His ballot was consistently cast in support of the candidates and measures of the democratic party. His religious allegiance was given the Hardshell Baptist church and he reared his family in that faith. His wife, who was also a Baptist, died in Heppner, Oregon, June 16, 1898, at the age of eighty-three years.

William W. Gentry first attended school in a double log house, which was also used as the courthouse in Winterset, and later was a student in the district schools of Union township. The benches of those early schools were but rough slabs hewn out of logs and the other furnishings were correspondingly primitive. He was the fifth child in order of birth in his father's family and at the time that he reached manhood was the only son living upon the homestead. He therefore remained with his mother, assisting in the work of the farm until a couple of years after his marriage. He then rented a farm and as his financial circumstances permitted purchased land until at the time of his retirement from active life in 1913 he owned three hundred acres. He was not only energetic but also efficient, planning his work to the best advantage, and his labors were rewarded by good crops annually. He also devoted a great deal of attention to stockraising, specializing in shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.

On June 23, 1864, Mr. Gentry married Miss Elinor J. Atchison, a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, born May 5, 1844, and a daughter of John and Jane (McDonald) Atchison. The father was born in Chenango county, Pennsylvania, November n, 1811, and passed away in April, 1887, while the birth of the mother occurred in Ohio June 19, 1817, and she passed away in May, 1877. Mr. Atchison was a shoemaker and about 1860 removed from Ohio to Winterset, Iowa, where he continued to follow his trade. His son Martin was a soldier in the Civil war and was taken prisoner at Vicksburg and was never heard from thereafter. A number of years before his death Mr. Atchison removed to a farm belonging to our subject and followed agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church and active in its work. Mr. and Mrs. Gentry are the parents of ten children: Margaret, the wife of H. E. Farris, a farmer of southwestern Missouri; John, who is now farming in Union township and who was formerly county superintendent of schools; Byron, who is married and is farming in South township; Sarah, who died when seventeen years of age; Belle, the wife of Dana M. Palmer, a veterinary surgeon of Ottawa, Illinois; William Francis, who is married and is engaged in farming in Lincoln township; Alexander, who died at nine years of age; Sylvia E., at home; Minnie M., the wife of A. P. Stickler, a farmer of Union township, by whom she has two children; and Mac, who is married and works in a garage at Winterset.

Mr. Gentry is a democrat and has held various township offices, discharging his duties to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is always willing to do anything in his power to promote the development of his locality and believes thoroughly in Madison county and the excellence of the opportunities here offered to a man of energy and ability. Practically his entire life has been spent in this county, where he accompanied his parents when but six years of age, and for almost seven decades he has been a witness of the wonderful changes that have taken place here and derives much satisfaction from the thought that he has done his share in bringing about the present prosperity of the county.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”
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Transcriber's note: The name "Atchison" referred to herein should be spelled "Acheson".