Who Is Oldest Settler?

PROSSER, HAYS, PEARCE, BEELER, MCNABB

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 6/1/2014 at 16:05:29

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
1929

WHO IS OLDEST SETTLER?

Perhaps the oldest settler in this vicinity now living in Grinnell is William Prosser. He is the son of D.D. Prosser, one of the first settlers in this locality. He was born at Lynnville in 1850 and a year later his father purchased the farm in the north part of Washington township which corners on the southwest part of the G & M Junction and during practically all the time since, he has been a resident of Washington township or of Grinnell city. He says that he had very little schooling but attended school at one time at Westfield taught by Mary Hays. He is quite familiar with all of the early events in this part of the county. His father came here in 1848 with P.S. Pearce and soon went to Lynnville, but came back in 1852. His father D.D. Prosser was one of the first trustees elected May 3, 1852. The other trustees elected at that time were Geo. Beeler and Wm. McNabb.