H. N. P. SMALL.

Pg 407

         A prosperous farmer of Letts is H. N. P. Small, who for more than half a century has been identified with the agricultural development of Louisa county. His birth occurred in the state of Maine on the 28th of August, 1836, his parents being James G. and Harriet (Mitchell) Small, also natives of that state. The early years of their domestic life were spent in Maine, where Mr. Small, who was a carpenter, followed his trade and also engaged in contracting. In 1848 they removed to Chicago, Illinois, remaining there for seven years. At the expiration of that period they came to Iowa, settling on a farm a mile west of Letts in Louisa county. The father continued to cultivate that until his death, at which time he owned one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land. The mother passed away in 1863. Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Small in the following order: Martha, who died in infancy; John H., a resident of Chicago, Illinois, who is now deceased; H. N. P., our subject; James L., who is living in Stanford, California; and Isaac L., who was killed in the siege of Vicksburg, during the Civil war. About one year after the death of his wife James G. Small was married to Miss Lepha Clark of Ottumwa, who died four years later. When two years had elapsed he was united to Mrs. Cook, a widow living in Moline, Illinois, who survived him fifteen years, her demise occurring in 1909. He was seventy-eight years of age when he died on the 12th of December, 1885.

Pg 408

         The education of H. N. P. Small was obtained in the public schools of his native state and in Chicago, Illinois. For three years after the family settled in Iowa he remained at home assisting in the cultivation of the homestead. He subsequently rented land of his father for several years, following which he purchased eighty acres. After improving and cultivating this he disposed of it and bought his present homestead near Letts. He has added to his holdings here at different times until he now owns two hundred and forty acres of finely improved and highly cultivated land, all of which is being tilled with the exception of a small tract which is still in timber. In addition to his homestead Mr. Small owns a fine residence in Letts and three vacant and six improved lots, while he has two hundred and eighty acres of farm land in Texas and eight acres within the city limits of Herford, Texas and a quarter section in Minnesota. His possessions have all been accumulated through his own unaided efforts.

         On the 13th of June, 1860, Mr. Small was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Williams, who was born in the state of New York on the 11th of June, 1845. She is the only daughter and youngest child born to Jeremiah W. and Elizabeth (Bosweth) Williams, both natives of Connecticut, in which state they were reared and married. In 1840 they removed to the Empire state and there Mr. Williams passed away in 1848. The mother later removed to Illinois with her children and after residing there for a short time they came to Louisa county. Here she married David Letts, who only lived a few years thereafter. Mrs. Letts survived until 1873, her demise occurring on the 9th of January. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born six children, the five sons being as follows: Daniel E., who died when he was seventy-six years of age; Ira, who passed away when fifty-six; Edward R., who was seventy-one when he died; and Edward and Edwin, twins, born in 1837, the former of whom passed away in 1902 and the latter in 1907.

         To Mr. and Mrs. Small were born six children, four of whom survive, in order of birth as follows: Harriet M., who was born on the 22d of July, 1865, married F. H. McDaniels, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and they have one child, Matie. Gertrude L., whose birth occurred on the 17th of February, 1867, married Dr. A. J. Weaver, of Muscatine, and they have one daughter, Ida A. James Grant, who was born on the 14th of December, 1868, is engaged in farming one mile west of Letts. He married Nannie Idle of Letts and they have four children: Arthur H., Mollie, Alice and Horatio N. P. Mary, who is the youngest child, was born on the 1st of February, 1873. She married A. W. Morgan, of Muscatine. Those deceased—the two eldest—are as follows: Martha E., the wife of George Wagner, of Grand View township, who was born on the 15th of September, 1861, and died on the 29th of March, 1896; and Henry L. L., who was born on the 29th of March, 1863, and died on the 16th of July, 1864.

         Fraternally Mr. Small is affiliated with the Masonic order, his local identification being with Letts Lodge, No. 245, A.F. & A.M., and both he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church. He has always exercised . . .

Pg 409

. . . his right of suffrage in support of the candidates of the republican party and has filled all of the township offices. He has been one of the successful agriculturists of Louisa county but, despite the time required to look after his extensive personal interests, always found it possible to assist in the administration of township affairs, thus meeting to the best of his ability his responsibilities as a citizen. He assisted in the erection of the first building in Letts.