William Bird Landis (1949)

CROFT, JAMES, LANDIS, RUTH, SEE

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 2/23/2007 at 11:22:46

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, June 1, 1949

WILLIAM LANDIS DIED SATURDAY

Death Comes to Veteran Orchard Operator and Farmer

William B. Landis, member of a pioneer Scott township family, died last Saturday, May 28, in Des Moines. He was 80 years of age and had been making his home recently with his daughter, Mrs. George Croft of Des Moines.

Mr. Landis was born in Scott township Nov. 28, 1869, the oldest son of Isaac and Mary Ann Landis. He lived continuously in that community until he retired from active farming four years ago.

He was married Jan. 27, 1889, to Anna N. James. In 1919 they purchased the old Hiatt farm north of Peru which contained the orchard which was the site of the original Delicious apple tree. He cared for that tree for many years.

Mr. Landis engaged in orcharding and cultivating small fruits extensively, in addition to regular farming. He also served as a livestock buyer in the Peru neighborhood for a number of years.

Mr. Landis' wife died in 1944. A few months later, he left the farm and went to Des Moines to make his home with Mrs. Croft.

He is survived by four children, Herbert Landis of Des Moines, Frank J. Landis of Van Meter, Mrs. June Croft of Des Moines, and Mrs. Pansie Ruth of Winterset. He also leaves two brothers, Tom and Joseph Landis of Des Moines; a sister, Mrs. Homer See of Peru; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
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The Des Moines Tribune
Des Moines, Iowa
Saturday, May 28, 1949
Page 3, Column 1

Landis Rites At Winterset

Services for William B. Landis, 80, who died Saturday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George A. Croft, of 1015 Creston st., will be at 2 p. m. Tuesday at the Richards funeral home in Winterset.

Burial will be in the Peru cemetery.

Mr. Landis, a retired farmer and orchardist, was born in Madison county. He lived there until four years ago, then moved to Des Moines.

It was on his Madison county farm that the tree often publicized as the “original Delicious apple tree” grew.

Besides Mrs. Croft, survivors include another daughter, Mrs. W. H. Ruth, of Winterset; two sons, H. H. Landis, of Des Moines, and Frank L. Landis, of Van Meter.

Also two brothers, T. C. and Joe Landis, both of Des Moines, and a sister, Mrs. Homer See, of Peru.

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