For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 716
NORRELL T. HAFNER....Beginning at twelve years of age, Norrell T. Hafner, now a well known farmer of Muscatine county, has won a responsible place for himself and is recognized as a man of unusual energy and enterprise. He is a native of Orono township, this county, born March 2, 1861, and is a son of John and Sarah P. ( Ferry ) Hafner. The father was a native of Germany and the mother of Burlington, Iowa . They were married in Muscatine and began their wedded life upon a farm in this county acquired by Mr. Hafner, who later developed it until it became a highly improved place of one hundred and sixty acres. The father passed away in 1895 but the mother is still living on the old homestead. The family included twelve children, of whom ten are now living, namely : Charlie, Frank, Rudolph, Oscar, Ernest, Clarence, Effie, Orena, Edith, and Norrell T.After spending the first twelve years of his life under the parental roof, receiving such education as the district schools afforded, the subject of this review began working by the month for his uncle, thus continuing for twelve years. Having married at the age of twenty-four, he began farming on his own account by renting land and after eight years of systematic labor he purchased eighty acres of timber land, which was the nucleus of his present farm on one hundred and ten acres. The eighty acres was covered with timber but it has been entirely cleared off and has made one of the most valuable tracts in the region for agricultural purposes. Mr. Hafner cultivates the cereals and also raises a high grade of stock, from which he received a handsome revenue. He gives to his business intelligent and thoughtful attention that produces gratifying results, as are to be witnessed in the ample barns, sleek animals and the well filled cribs.
On January 1, 1884, Mr. Hafner was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Ellen Bedwell, of Louisa county, Iowa, a daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Storms ) Bedwell. The parents were both natives of Indiana and came to Louisa county many years ago, where Mr. Bedwell was closely identified with the farming interests, until his death, Which occurred in 1870. His wife departed this life in 1899. Eleven chldren were born to them, of whom two died in infancy and George and Mary passed away later in life. Those still living are Daniel J., Chester, Elizabeth, Henry J, Amanda Ellen, Margaret and Rosa. The following children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hafner : Hubert C., born August 31, 1884, now living on a farm in Orono township ; Lester H., born October 29, 1886, living in Cedar township ; Gertrude B., November 27, 1888, at home ; Mary P., July 25, 1890, also at home ; Hazel B., born October 31, 1892, a graduate of Leverich Normal School of Muscatine and now teaching school ; Guy B., born January 15, 1895 ; Elve M., February 4, 1896 ; Vesta A.,February 16, 1898 ; Laura A., who was born October 27, 1901, and died September 26, 1902 ; and Opal P., born February 1, 1904. The family also comprised one pair of twins, deceased, and one child who died in infancy.
Politically Mr. Hafner gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He has never devoted much time to politics but has served to the general satisfaction of the community as township trustee. Fraternally he is a valued member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Letts. His life has been an extremely busy one. He has used his brains as well as his hands and his prosperity is due to well directed effort along lines strictly legitimate. By intelligent industry he converted the wild, rough land into productive fields, and the good fortune he enjoys has been rightly won and is thoroughly merited.
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