LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

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WILLIAM WALL

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, submitted June 13, 2017

        William Wall was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1831, and came to America as a stowaway on a boat when very young. He was the fifth of a family of eight. His parents were Gable and Ann Wall, natives of Somersetshire, England. The father came to America once to visit his brother, but did not locate here permanently.

        William received his education in the district schools in England. Wishing to make America his home, he set sail for Liverpool in 1851. After a voyage if 38 days, he reached the harbor of New York, Going directly to Ohio, he engaged in teaming for two years. In 1853, he came to Louisa county, and began working by the month. In 1856, in Louisa county, Iowa, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Lawrence, who was born in Pike county, Ohio, a daughter of John Lawrence, a prominent farmer of that state.

        The young couple began their domestic life on a farm which they rented for two years, then moved to their farm on section 3, Oakland township.

        In 1963, he enlisted at Oakland in Company A-2nd Iowa Cavalry, and was mustered into service at Davenport. He participated in the battle of Nashville, and Guntown and several skirmishes, and was mustered out at Davenport, after which he returned home.

        During his entire service, he was always on duty, having never been sick a single day. After his return, he again took up farming.

        To this worthy couple five children were born: William, Isaac, Albert, George and Andrew.

        After a short illness, Mrs. Wall passed away in 1873, at the age of 35 years.

        In 1874, Mr. Wall was again married, to Elizabeth Hill. She was a native of Indiana, the daughter of Daniel and Mary Hill. By this second union two children were born: Maud and Ella.

        By this time Mr. Wall owned 227 acres of fine land in a high state of cultivation. Many improvements were made and his possessions were all gained by his own honest industry, enterprise and economy.

        He took great interest in every enterprise which had as its object the public good, and was numbered among Louisa county's best citizens.

        His son William, the oldest of the five children born to William and Eliza (Lawrence) wall, was one of Fredonia's citizens. He was united in marriage to Josephine Warnstaff, October9, 1881. they spent their entire life in and around Nichols, Lonetree, Letts, and came to Fredonia January1, 1923, and made their home where Mr. and Mrs. john Wall now live.

        To Mr. and Mrs. Wall , eight children were born: Nellie, who died in 1883, at the age of eight months; Fannie, who became the wife of Frank Jarrard, and have nice farm home north of Columbus Junction. Jay Wall was united in marriage to Bessie Forbs, who passed away in July, 1945. Frank Wall was united in marriage to Lula Holland, who passed away in 1950. Frank is associated with his brother, John, in the trucking business, and makes his home with his nephews, Harley and Harlan. Charley Wall was united in marriage to Ora...

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... Fa y Carpenter, and their home is in Columbus Junction. He is also in the trucking business. Hazel became the wife of Frank Dwinell, and their home is in Columbus Junction. John Wall was united in marriage to Elsie Obrian, of Muscatine, Iowa, who passed away August 11, 1951.

        John was again untied in marriage to Celda Mickey. They continue to make their home in Fredonia, in the home where his father lived so many years ago, and what will be remembered by many as the Schannon home.

        Mattie Wall became the wife of Mark Diller.

        Mr. Wall passed away June 12, 1931. Eight years later, Mrs. Wall passed away July 20, 1939. They were excellent neighbors and held in high esteem by all who knew them.

        Mark and Mattie Diller were very much a part of Fredonia life, for most of their married life. They lived near Letts for a short period and returned to Fredonia. All of their nine children were born in Fredonia, with the exception of Fern, who was born near Letts. Mr. and Mrs. Diller have the distinction of having two sets of twins, an honor very few can boast. Their children are: Kenneth, Zelma, Harley and Harlan, twins, Fern, Evelyn, Robert and Roberta, twins and Albert.

        Mr. Diller was a quiet, gentle, hard working man, putting in long hours to make a good living for his nice family. But the grim reaper demanded its toll and Mr. Diller passed away July 23, 1927, leaving Mrs. Diller to face the future with the care of this large family. But no early pioneer shouldered their load with more grace and courage, then she did. But more grief was to follow, when her oldest son, Kenneth, was suddenly taken ill. And she laid him to rest on his 21st birthday, October 5, 1931. With the help of the older children, she took up her duties for the family and did a marvelous job of rearing this nice family. The older boys hauled freight from the depot to the Cooperative store, and did what ever work come their way. They always had a nice garden and canned lots of vegetable and fruit. Mrs. Diller was an immaculate housekeeper. In speaking of her, the neighbors would say, “ I don't know how she does it, but her floors are always clean enough to eat off of.” It has been my good fortune to live next door neighbors to her for several years, and no one could ask for a better neighbor. She had three sons and two sons-in-law in service during World War II. Harley enlisted on April 29,1942. Robert and Albert went into the navy on September 18, 1942. Orvil Conklin left in April, 1943, and Lloyd Moran left in November, 1943. They were all in the navy except Harley who was in the infantry. Harley suffered many hardships and ill health while in the service which left him in poor health for the rest of his life. The other boys all saw the rugged side of war, but came home in better health.

        After the children were all grown and had homes of their own, except Harley and Harlan, who never married, Mrs. Diller continued to live in the home she and Mark had bought in 1924. Then a few years ago, her health began to fail, and after several operations, she gave up house work and has been making her home with her children. After years of hard work and illness, she keeps a cheerful attitude and always a pleasant word to everyone.

        Who can say our pioneer spirit does not live on.

        Her oldest daughter,Zelma, was united in marriage to Vernon Humleby, and resides in Muscatine, Iowa. Fern became the wife of Howard Van Auken and have a family of six nice children. Their home is in Columbus Junction. Evelyn became the wife of Lloyd Moran, and have built a lovey home here in Fredonia. Two children grace this union; Sandra, who is a student in Columbus Junction high school and Ronnie, who will be in high school the next term

        Robert Diller was united in marriage to Maxine Bliven, daughter of Roy and Celia Bliven, and have remodeled the home known by many as the Billie Button place. They have a lovely home and are fine young people. Roberta became the wife of Orvil Conklin, and have two lovely children, and make their home north of Columbus Junction. Albert Diller was untied in marriage to Francine Arthue, and make their home in Columbus Junction, where Mrs. Mattie Diller is at present. Harley and Harlan continue to reside in the home place. Mrs. Diller...

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... has 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.