Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 616
WATSON C. ATWELL

One of the most substantial and progressive farmers of Little Sioux township, Harrison county, Iowa, is Watson C. ATWELL, who has been a resident of this county since 1877. He started in with a small tract of ten acres in Little Sioux township and now owns more than five hundred acres, which is sufficient evidence that he has prospered in his chosen vocation. He has now retired from active farm life and rents most of his land to responsible tenants.

Watson C. ATWELL was born November 19, 1842, in Grafton county New Hampshire, a son of Horace and Alice (LUND) ATWELL. His parents were natives of New Hampshire, of English descent. His father was a son of James ATWELL, a soldier in the War of 1812.

Watson C. ATWELL was one of five children born to his parents and lived at home until he was married. He received a good education in his New Hampshire home and worked on his father's farm during his boyhood days. In 1877, four years after his marriage, he came to Harrison county, and bought ten acres of land just north of River Sioux, and in this neighborhood he has since been living. He now has five hundred acres, although he has owned much more than this at various times in the past. The farm is well improved and he has always been one of the first farmers of his neighborhood to use the latest improved machinery on his farm. He believes in progressive methods of agriculture and this accounts in no small part for the success which has attended his career.

Mr. ATWELL was married May 20, 1873, to Nellie L. WILMOT, who was born in Orange county, Vermont, October 12, 1850. Her home was on the Connecticut river, just across the line from New Hampshire.

Mr. and Mrs. ATWELL are the parents of one son, Valedo C., who was born March 13, 1874. He married Allie E. WILSON, a daughter of Calvin and Alice (LE GROW) WILSON. Valedo ATWELL lives in Fall River county, South Dakota, near Hot Springs. He has one son, Jesse F., who was born April 5, 1896. Jesse is now living with his grandparents, after having been graduated from the high school at Little Sioux.

Mr. ATWELL is a Republican and has been a prominent factor in local politics in his party for many years. He has served as trustee of Little Sioux township for several years and has given eminent satisfaction in the administration of the duties connected with this office. Mr. ATWELL is one of the older farmers of the township, and by a clean and wholesome life has endeared himself to a large circle of friends throughout this section of the county.

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