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         WILLIAM WALL, a farmer of Louisa County, Iowa, residing on section 3, Oakland Township, was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1831, and was the fifth in a family of eight children, the parents being Gable and Ann Wall, also natives of Somersetshire. The father was a farmer by occupation. He once came to America on a visit to his brother, but never located permanently, and is not known whether he or his wife are yet living, though one son and two daughters of the family yet reside in their native land. Our subject received his education in the district schools of England. Wishing to make America his future home he set sail from Liverpool in 1851, embarking on a sailing-vessel, and after a pleasant voyage of thirty-eight days reached the harbor of New York. Going directly to Ohio he there engaged in teaming for two years, after which, in 1853, he came to Louisa County, and began working by the month. In 1863 he responded to the country’s call for troops, enlisting at Oakland in Company A, 2d Iowa Cavalry, and was mustered into service at Davenport. He participated in the battles of Nashville and Guntown, and also in several skirmishes. He was honorably discharged at Selma, Ala., in 1865, mustered out at Davenport, after which he returned to his home. During his entire service he was always on duty, having never been sick a single day.

In 1858 Mr. Wall made his first purchase of land, consisting of eighty acres, and after his return from the war again engaged in farming. In 1856, in Louisa County, Iowa, he was united in marriage with Eliza Lawrence, who was born in Pike County, Ohio, and is a daughter of John Lawrence, a prominent farmer of that State. His death occurred several years ago. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm which they rented for two years, and then removed to the farm on section 3, Oakland Township. Five children were born of their union: William, who is married, and resides in this county; Isaac, Albert, George and Andrew. After a short illness the death of Mrs. Wall occurred in 1873, at the age of thirty-five years. In 1874 Mr. Wall was again married, Elizabeth Hill becoming his wife. This lady is a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Daniel and Mary Hill, who were also natives of that State, but came to Iowa during the early days of its history. They located in Oakland Township, Louisa County, where Mr. Hill engaged in farming for some time. He then removed to Kansas, where he still resides. His wife died several years ago. By the second union of Mr. Wall two children have been born—Maud and Ella.

The occupation of our subject is general farming, and he now owns 227 acres of fine, arable land, under a high state of cultivation. Many splendid improve- . . .

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. . . ments have been made, and his possessions have all been gained by his own honest industry, enterprise and economy. He takes great interest in every enterprise which has for its object the public good, and is numbered among Louisa County’s best citizens. He is well informed on all the leading issues of the day, and in political sentiments is a Democrat.