Linfor, William H.

LINFOR

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 9/6/2008 at 12:22:26

William H. Linfor

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.144, Layton Twp.)
William H. Linfor, insurance agent, Walnut, born in England April 25, 1841, son of William and Diana (Eseby) Linfor; he, a retired farmer, born in England August 25, 1801, emigrated to Ottawa, Ill., in 1849, bought a tract of 360 acres of land, lived upon it until 1880; was one of the first settlers of the southeast part of La Salle County, Ill., and, during the first five years, he labored under great disadvantages, being twenty-five miles from market; she, born in England on June 22, 1805, died March, 1880. They had four childre, viz., John, William H., Sarah and Robert. Subject received a common school education in his native village until he was fourteen years old, afterward attending high school in Ottawa, Ill., until he was sixteen years old; commenced life farming on the homestead and married in Illinois, February 22, 1865, Sarah J. Naugle, born in Cayuga County, N. Y., March 30, 1841, daughter of Garnet and Mary Jane Naugle. Mr Linfor is the father of seven children, viz., Cora, William, Robert, Charles, Claud, Frederick and Clara. Subject is a member of the Episcopal Church, a Democrat, an Odd Fellow, a member of the A. O. U. W., and moved to Wheeler's Grove, this county, in 1869, purchased 180 acres of land, continued farming it until 1874, when he sold out, moved to Walnut and engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In 1875, he was elected Supervisor of this county, and was the first Mayor of Walnut, holding that office for three consecutive terms. Subject's wife died at Walnut January 11, 1875; in September, 1877, he married Ladema A. Taylor, daughter of William and Betsy Taylor, of Tama County, Iowa.