Carroll County IAGenWeb

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY IOWA

A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement

VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1912

Transcribed by Sharon Elijah November 1, 2020

William H. Light, an enterprising and successful business man of Carroll, is a member of the dry-goods firm of Light Brothers. His birth occurred in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of December, 1874, his parents being William B. and Sarah (Strohm) Light, who were likewise natives of that county. His parental grandfather, Joseph Light, was also born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and followed farming as a life work. Both he and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Bomberger, lived to attain a ripe old age. Unto to them were born four daughters and eight sons, the latter being as follows: Seth, Jefferson, Joseph, Henry, William, Uriah, Jeremiah and Levi. John W. Strohm, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Canada. In connection with his duties as an agriculturist he also followed the profession of school teaching. He passed away in Pennsylvania at the age of seventy-two years, while the demise of his wife occurred in Eden township, Carroll county, Iowa, she being also seventy-two years old when called to her final rest. In maidenhood she was Miss Mary Kleinfelter. She was the mother of four children who grew to maturity, namely: J. A., of Carroll, Iowa; Jacob, who is a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. Rebecca Mark; and Mrs. Sarah Light.

William B. Light, the father of William H. Light, followed farming in early manhood and later became a lumber dealer, conducting a planing mill in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. On the 7th of January, 1888, he arrived in Carroll county, Iowa, and for a few years was engaged in farming in Eden township. Subsequently he removed to Guthrie county, where he followed general agricultural pursuits for seven years. On the expiration of that period he put aside active business cares and took up his abode in Carroll. Going east on a visit, he died in that part of the country on the 13th of March, 1900, when more than sixty-eight years of age. His widow, who still survives him, now makes her home with our subject. Both were consistent and devoted members of the United Brethren church. Unto them were born two sons: William H., of this review; and Joseph S., whose natal day was June 21, 1877.

William H. Light, who was a youth of thirteen when he came to Carroll county with his parents, spent the next four years on his father’s farm in Eden township. Since 1892 he has been continuously identified with mercantile pursuits. He spent eleven years in the employ of Cyrus Mark and in 1903 embarked in business on his own account, opening a dry-goods establishment on the 14th of March of that year. Seven months later he admitted his brother, Joseph S., to a partnership and the firm has since been known as Light brothers. They have built up an extensive business and employ a large force of clerks in its conduct. In their store is displayed a large line of everything to be found in a well equipped dry-goods establishment and their reasonable prices insure quick sales. Mr. Light is straightforward and honorable in all that he does and his success is the logical result of close application and ability.

On the 24th of April, 1907, Mr. Light was united in marriage to Miss Eva Mallison, who was born in Early, Sac county, Iowa, her parents being DeMarion and Nancy (Duffy) Mallison, natives of Michigan. The father died in 1900 when sixty-four years of age. Mrs. Mallison, however, still survives and makes her home in Carroll. She was the mother of five children, namely: William, Carrie, Julia, Rose and Eva. Mr. and Mrs. Light have a daughter, Geraldine.

Mr. Light gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Well known throughout this part of the county, he has many friends who esteem him for his genuine personal worth.

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