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History of Story County, Iowa Vol 2 by William O. Payne, 1911

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is in charge of the old Kitchel homestead in Jasper county; Edward, a farmer of Collins township; Catherine, the wife of Andrew Stevens, also of Collins township ; and Warren A., who recently purchased his father's farm but is still living in Collins.

Politically Mr. Kitchel has been identified with the republican party ever since he cast his first ballot and he has great faith in its ability to direct the destinies of the republic. He is an earnest friend of education and served for several years as a member of the school board, being instrumental in the erection of several schoolhouses in Jasper county. Socially he is connected with the E. H. Keys Post, G. A. R., of Mingo, Iowa, and is well known in many parts of the state on account of his ability as a public speaker, being often called upon to address meetings of the old soldiers and of the pioneers. He is a stanch member of the Christian church, to which he gives a willing service, and it is doubtful whether any other citizen of Story county stands higher in the estimation of friends and acquaintances than does Prince Albert Kitchel.


WILLIAM C. HARRIS.

Honored and respected by all, the passing of William C. Harris caused the deepest regret not only in Nevada, where he had spent several years in retirement, but throughout Story county, where for a quarter of a century he had made his home. In his lifetime the people of his state rejoiced in his advancement and in the honors to which he attained and since his death have cherished his memory. He was born in Exeter, England, November 2, 1830, a son of John and Mary Harris, who spent their entire lives in England, where the father conducted a restaurant for many years.

William C. Harris, one of a family of five children, ran away from home at the age of sixteen years and went to sea, prompted by the spirit of adventure which leads so many boys to break away from the narrow confines of community life that they may know something of the world and seek the broader opportunities to be found elsewhere. A short experience on the sea satisfied him that he preferred another life. For six years he was a member of the English army and served in South Africa against the Boers and throughout the Crimean war, participating in the celebrated charge of the light brigade at Balaklava, a charge which Tennyson immortalized in his famous poem. With one exception, Mr. Harris was the last survivor of that charge. Soon after the Crimean war he came to the United States and with a team he traveled over much of this country. In early manhood he seemed of a restless, roving disposition and enjoyed seeing the different parts of the country and the experiences which came to him as he thus rode abroad. Finally, however, he determined to

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