STILWELL, W.E.

STILWELL, POWERS

Posted By: Doretta Pimlott Cowman (email)
Date: 4/17/2013 at 08:34:14

The 1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

Sugar Creek Township

Page 694

STILWELL, W.E. -- Section 12, township 78, range 16 west. One of the most enterprising and energetic young farmers in this county is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Wayne county, in the State of Indiana, on the 3rd day of May, 1841, where he remained with his parents until the year 1857. In the latter year his parents removed to this county and township, where he has lived and had his home ever since, except two years, when he was absent seeking his fortune in the mines of Montana, leaving home in 1864 and returning in 1866, being satisfied that gold was as easily obtained from the soil of Iowa as Montana. He is the owner of one of the finest stock farms which it has been the privilege of the writer to notice in many years, consisting of two hundred and eighty-five acres of fine land, the greater portion of which is fine agricultural land, with a splendid body of timber on the northeast and along the east side, furnishing fine timber for use on the farm for fences and building material, etc. He has more fencing with rails on his farm than any man in the county, has a splendid new barn 83x50 feet, with a basement the entire length and 20 feet in width. Has a good residence 16x26 feet, 14 foot posts, with an L kitchen. On the northeast corner of Mr. Stilwell's farm is located a fine country church, belonging to the Christian denomination, and a country cemetery. His farm is one of the most pleasantly located of any in the township, on the Searsboro and Montezuma road, with Buck Creek passing through the east side of his farm. The farm is in a good state of cultivation. He has an orchard of about eight hundred trees, about three hundred in bearing, and has an abundance of all kinds of small fruit. His farm is well stocked, consisting of horses, cattle and hogs. He has on hand at this time seven head of horses, about eighteen head of fine cattle and one hundred and eighty head of hogs. He has held numerous township offices and has been retained for four years as secretary of the district township of Sugar Creek. Was married in the year 1867, to Miss Mary Powers, by whom he has four children: John A., James R., Jacob E. and Addie M. Another, Alice Bell, departed this life at the age of one year and three months.