WILLIAM NORTHUP.
Among the worthy citizens of Audubon, whose residence in this county has contributed in no small degree to the prestige of the vicinity, is William Northup, ex-sheriff and well-known live-stock dealer, familiarly known as "Dick" Northup. While laboring for his individual advancement, Mr. Northup has at the same time contributed liberally of his time, energy and ability to worthy public movements, and has been honored by the people of Audubon county with election to one of the most important offices in the gift of the people of this county. Aside from his political service, Mr. Northup has been successful in a business way, and is known as one of the substantial citizens of Audubon county. He is enterprising, progressive and broad-minded, possessed of pleasing and agreeable manners, and is, from many standpoints, a man who must be pointed out as one of the leading citizens of this section of the state.
William Northup was born on August 18, 1859, in Iowa county, Iowa, the son of Nathan and Harriet Northup, who are referred to elsewhere in this volume. When eight years old, William Northup moved with the family to Nebraska, where he lived for eight years. The family then returned to Iowa county, where they lived until 1880, in which year they came to Audubon county, and here William Northup began life for himself. He assisted his father on the farm, breaking the raw prairie land, and also worked for the neighbors during the first season after coming to this county, and in 1881 rented land in Leroy township, after which he returned to Iowa county, where he worked in a brick plant for one year, but after his marriage, in the fall of 1882, came back to Audubon county and rented a farm for three years. At the end of that time he purchased eighty acres of improved land in Cameron township, upon which he lived for two years, at the end of which time he sold the farm and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Douglas township, on which he lived for thirteen years. In 1901 Mr. Northup sold this latter farm and purchased two hundred and forty acres in Cameron township, where he lived for two years, or until his election as sheriff in 1903. He took his office in 1904 and served two terms and an extra year, making in all five years. Since his retirement from office in 1909 he has been engaged in the grain and live-stock business and has been very successful.
On July 15, 1882, William Northup was married to Myra Smith, of Johnson county, Iowa, who was born on October 14, 1861, the daughter of Edwin and Sabina (Bird) Smith, natives of Indiana and of England, respectively. To this union three children have been born, namely: Herbert, who married Florence Buckner and is a farmer in Cameron township; Harold, a farmer of Cameron township, who married Kathleen Dimmick, and Ruth, who is at home. To Herbert and Florence (Buckner) Northup three children have been born, Winifred, Frank and Richard.
William Northup is a Democrat and has been one of the leaders of his party in Audubon county for many years. Besides his service of five years as sheriff, he has served as trustee of Douglas township and on the city council of Audubon. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in the affairs of both of which orders he takes a warm interest. There are few, if any, men in the county who enjoy a wider personal popularity than former Sheriff Northup, who is held in the highest regard by his many friends.
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Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 365-367.
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