Willard Fenimore

COMP, FENIMORE, MOORE, NOBLE, OGBURN

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/13/2005 at 20:14:03

Willard Fenimore, who is recognized as one of the most progressive farmers and stockmen of Jackson township, was born in Scott township, this county, on the 12th of August, 1867, a son of William and Martha (Ogburn) Fenimore. The father, who was born in Madison county, Indiana, on the nth of January, 1834, continued to reside there until 1854, when he came overland to Madison county, Iowa, and became identified with the agricultural interests of Scott township, where he owned seven hundred and fifteen acres of land. He fed stock extensively and was very successful, his labors yielding him a good income. When he came to this county he found much land that was not under cultivation and many evidences that a few years before the region had been an unbroken prairie. He was quite active in civic affairs, although without political aspiration. Removing to Peru in 1870, he became president of the Bank of Peru and also engaged in general merchandising. In 1908 he removed to Roswell, New Mexico, where he dealt extensively in land, but in 1910 he took up his residence in Diamond, Missouri, and in November, 1914, removed to Carthage, that state, where he is now living retired. He is a member of the Christian church and politically supports the prohibition party. He has been married three times. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Martha Ogburn, was born in Indiana in 1837 and passed away in 1875. She was the mother of ten children, of whom Willard is the seventh in order of birth.

Willard Fenimore attended the district schools of Scott township, this county, and also did his part of the work of the farm, thus becoming familiar with agricultural methods. When twenty-one years of age he purchased land in Scott township and was engaged in farming and stock-raising there until 1903, when he removed to Jackson township, where he is now living, his farm comprising one hundred and fifty-five acres of land. He specializes in the buying, selling, feeding and shipping of cattle and, as he is an excellent judge of stock and understands the proper proportioning of rations, his cattle are in good condition when sold and bring a high price upon the market. He also raises some grain and in all of his work manifests a commendable spirit of progress.

In 1888 Mr. Fenimore married Miss Iva A. Moore, who was born in Parke county, Indiana, a daughter of James F. and Martha (Noble) Moore, the former of whom was born in North Carolina in 1827 and the latter in Kentucky in 1831. The father became a resident of Indiana in 1849 and was one of the early settlers of his locality. He began farming in Putnam county and for a number of years followed that occupation there. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in an Indiana regiment of infantry and proved a brave soldier. Following the close of the war he removed to Missouri and in 1873 settled in Walnut township, this county. Two years later, however, he removed to Mahaska county, Iowa, where he resided until 1883, when he returned to Madison county, but he passed away at New Sharon in 1908. He at first gave his allegiance to the greenback party but later became a republican, and while living at Old Peru he was quite active in the work of the United Presbyterian church. His widow is still living and resides in Mahaska county. They were the parents of eight children, Mrs. Fenimore being the fifth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Fenimore have three children: Mabel, the wife of Frank W. Comp, a farmer of Jackson township; Irma, the wife of George Finney, a farmer and school teacher of Jackson township; and Virgil, who was born in October, 1895, and is at home assisting his father.

Mr. Fenimore supports the democratic party at the polls but has no political aspirations. He is an influential member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gives not only of his money but of his time to the furthering of its aims. No movement for the good of the community appeals to him in vain and he is one of those citizens whose lives count in the advancement of public interests as well as in the attainment of individual success.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.