WILLIAM E. SCHWEITZER.

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         During the entire period of his business career William E. Schweitzer has been identified with the mercantile circles of Grand View. His birth occurred in the village where he is now residing on the 26th of August, 1871, his parents being J. H. and Mary (Phifer) Schweitzer, who are old residents of this county.

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         Having spent a large portion of his boyhood and youth on a farm, when he attained his majority and was ready to start out for himself William E. Schweitzer decided to adopt that vocation for which he felt he was at that period best adapted, so for five years thereafter he engaged in agricultural pursuits. At the expiration of that period he withdrew from farming and going to Grand View engaged in the general merchandise business. The following year his father joined him and they continued together for five years, at the end of which time their store was destroyed by fire. The father then retired but the son continued in business and in 1906 three of his brothers went into partnership with him. They then decided to extend their activities, so established a store at Oakville, and have ever since been conducting this in addition to their Grand View store. Their stock consists of a full line of general merchandise, in connection with which they operate a meat market in both places. They have met with success in their undertaking and now own fourteen acres of land adjoining the town site of Oakville, besides which each has a fine residence.

         On the 19th of May, 1909, occurred the marriage of Mr. Schweitzer and Miss Edna Williams, who was born in Muscatine, Iowa, on the 15th of December, 1875. Mrs. Schweitzer is a daughter of J. J. and Nancy (Webster) Williams, the mother a native of Ohio. Mr. Williams was for many years engaged in the monument business in Muscatine but withdrew from this and removed to a farm where he continues to reside. In connection with the tilling of his fields he is breeding and raising thoroughbred cattle and hogs, and he is also quite an extensive feeder. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of four children, as follows: Walter W., who is a missionary in China; Edna, now Mrs. Schweitzer; one who died in infancy; and H. R., who is a resident of Grand View township where he is engaged in farming. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Schweitzer has been born one son, Paul William, whose birth occurred on the 29th of June, 1910.

         Both Mr. and Mrs. Schweitzer attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he is a republican. Although he has never been an office seeker Mr. Schweitzer always fulfills his duty as he sees it in civic matters and has served on the town council. Enterprising and industrious, as well as trustworthy and reliable, Mr. Schweitzer and his brothers have built up a nice business and are rated among the prosperous citizens of the township.