JOHN H. WILLING

JOHN H. WILLING

Among those who have been active factors in the upbuilding and substantial development of Northwood was John H. Willing, who for many years was closely associated with the operation of a mill, continuing active in that field of labor until a few months prior to his demise, which occurred February 14, 1895. In his passing the community lost a citizen of value, for his aid and influence were given on the side of progress and improvement and his efforts were a substantial element in the growth of Worth county. Born in Devonshire, England, on the 3d of January, 1844, he was a son of Richard and Jane {Kingston) Willing. The mother died during the infancy of their son John, and the father afterward married again. He had followed the milling business in England and a short time subsequent to his second marriage he emigrated with his wife to Canada, where he again operated a mill.

John H. Willing spent his boyhood in the land of his nativity, pursued his education in its public schools and learned the miller's trade under the direction of his grandfather . He crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1865, taking up his abode in Rochester, New York, where he secured employment in a gristmill, known as the Washington Mill. He afterward became a resident of Buffalo, New York, where he resided for two years, and then established his home in Joliet, Illinois. After engaging in the mill business in that city for some time he left Joliet and established a new gristmill in Minneapolis, but in 1870 came to Iowa, locating in St. Ansgar, Mitchell county, where he operated a mill until September 23, 1875. At that date he became a resident of Northwood and bought out the mill of Lemuel Dwelle. This he remodeled and improved and in the spring of 1878 he erected a new mill of three stories and basement, continuing in business with growing success until August 19, 1894, when he sold out to Knute Cleophas because of ill health. His remaining days were spent in retirement and on the 14th of February, 1895, he was called to his final rest. In the meantime as he had prospered in his undertakings he had invested in land, purchasing from Mr. Cedar three hundred and sixty acres north of Northwood. This farm he owned and cultivated to the time of his demise, and thus contributed to the agricultural development of the community.

On the 30th of May, 1872, in Mitchell, Mr. Willing was united in marriage to Miss Amelia C. Kuhl, a daughter of Frederick and Maria Kuhl. The parents and daughter were natives of Berlin, Germany, and became residents of Columbus county, Wisconsin, in 1854. There the mother passed away and in 1869 the father removed with his family to St. Ansgar, Iowa, where his death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Willing became the parents of four children, of whom one died in babyhood and Charles F. at the age of four years. The others are: Amie J., at home; and Mrs. Pearl S. Thomson, of Northwood.

In his political opinions Mr. Willing maintained an independent course and exercised his right of franchise in support of men and measures rather than party. He was a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, in which he held membership from 1876, and his Christian faith was manifest in his membership in the Baptist church. There was nothing spectacular in his life record, but it is the history of a man who was ever faithful to duty, who fully met his obligations and responsibilities in private life, in business affairs and in citizenship. He possessed many sterling traits of character and the kindly regard which was ever shown him was most genuine, being the expression of warm friendship, entertained for him by those with whom he was associated.

 

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; PAGES 444-447

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, November 21, 2006