Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 585
WATSON C. ATWELL

Watson C. ATWELL, a farmer residing in Little Sioux Township, and one of those who found their way to Harrison County in 1877, was born in Grafton County, N.H., in 1842. He is a son of Horace and Alice (LUND) ATWELL, both of whom are deceased, and who were natives of New Hampshire. His grand-father was James and his grand-mother Sarah (LAWRENCE) ATWELL, while on the mother's side the grand-parents were Stephen and Rachel SHED.

In our subject's father's family there were five children, our subject being the third: David, now living in New Hampshire; Hannah (deceased); W. C., our subject; Maria M., now Mrs. FOSTER, of New Hampshire, and Eldora, deceased.

Our subject spent his early life in the old Granite State, and there obtained his education at the common schools. He began tilling the soil for himself in New Hampshire, in 1865, and continued it until he came to Harrison County, in 1877, when he located on section 23, of Little Sioux Township. In 1882 he removed to his present place, which consists of seven hundred acres, three hundred of which are under cultivation. Our subject has a beautiful farm and everything shows him to be a man of thrift and order, and no one appreciates the fertile soil of Harrison County more than a man who was reared among the rock-billed hills of old New Hampshire.

Mr. ATWELL was married in 1873 to Nellie L. WILMOT, the daughter of Ira and Eliza E. (ROBERTS) WILMOT, both of whom are still living in New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. ATWELL are the parents of one child, Valedo C., born March 13, 1874.

Mr. ATWELL is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, believing as he does, that this party gives to the American people the best form of self-government.

When Mr. ATWELL came to Harrison County he purchased ten acres of land and by the dint of his own industry, has accumulated his large farm. His first ten-acre lot was the only land enclosed by a fence between the River Sioux and the Monona County line. From a herd of eight cattle our subject has increased until now has two hundred and twenty-five head, also three hundred hogs and sixteen head of horses, all showing what a man can do in the Hawkeye State, through a series of years.

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