Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 589
WILLIAM S. WESTCOTT

One of the finest farm homes in Harrison County, Iowa, is that of William S. WESTCOTT, located near the thriving city of Woodbine. Mr. WESTCOTT's farm, which is situated in Boyer township, contains two hundred and thirty-three acres and in every particular is a thoroughly modern and up-to-date establishment. Mr. WESTCOTT has more than a local reputation as a breeder of registered double-standard Polled Herefords and has on an average of about thirty-five head in his herd. He also feeds cattle for the market and a goodly number of hogs. He has met with more than ordinary success in handling live stock and is well posted along that line. He also is a breeder of Belgian horses and has given considerable time and study to the raising of colts of this strain. He is succeeding well in this department of his work and from his stables have come many handsome young animals. Mr. WESTCOTT also devotes a portion of his time and acreage to general farming and the raising of such grains as are best adapted to the soil and climate of this section.

William S. WESTCOTT is a native of England, born in Devonshire on February 17, 1870, a son of Thomas and Sarah (Shorland) WESTCOTT, and was the third child of the family. The others were Thomas, Emeline, Henry and George. The parents were both natives of England, and on their native isle passed their entire lives, both being now deceased. The father was a farmer all of his life and in this way the immediate subject of this sketch got his first insight into the secrets of successful husbandry. Subject received his elementary education in schools near his home, later going to Exeter, where he entered the training college and technical school of that famous institution of learning. He remained in Exeter after discontinuing his studies and was apprenticed for five years to the hardware business. He served four years of this term and by that time being heartily dissatisfied with that line, was permitted by his employers to leave before the close of his apprenticeship, when he immediately started for America. He came directly to this state and settled at Silver City in Mills county. He there secured work on the farm of George T. Rew, where he remained for three years, and for the five years following he rented farm land in that county. In 1898 he came to this county and at first purchased a farm containing eighty acres, which he later disposed of and bought the farm where he has since made his home. Since coming to that home, he has remodeled the residence, making it thoroughly modern in every respect, with its own water and heating plants and he also operates a small electric plant which furnishes current for lighting and many other domestic uses, the washing, ironing, churning, and some other labors being materially lightened in this manner. In addition to the fine residence, the barns and other outbuildings are of the very best and especially designed to meet the owner's particular requirements. There are also several silos and all other modern conveniences for the proper handling of live stock.

Mr. WESTCOTT was married on October 19, 1898, to Miss Serena Elizabeth Tucker, daughter of George and Serena (Miller) Tucker. Mr. Tucker was a farmer all his life and a native of England, while his wife was a member of one of the early families of this section, coming originally from Indiana. Their home for many years was in Mills county, where both died.

To William S. and Serena E. (Tucker) WESTCOTT were born five children, two of whom, Florence Emeline and Emily Louise, are deceased. The three sons survive: George William, Frederick Paul and Henry Herbert. Mr. WESTCOTT holds his religious membership in the Methodise Episcopal church, serving the local congregation as steward, giving the best of his ability and generously of his means to further the great cause. He is a Republican, although not taking a particularly active interest in political affairs.

Mr. WESTCOTT might well serve as an example of what any earnest young man may accomplish is he will bring the best of his brain and brawn to his enterprise. Personally, he is a man of clean character who has ever exerted a healthful influence in the community, giving his support to every movement which promises to advance the welfare of the community in any way. He has always led a quiet, well regulated and honest life, which has gained for him the respect of a host of admiring friends, by whom he is regarded as one of the leading citizens of this county.

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