Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 692
WILLIAM PETT

William PETT, a farmer living on section 11 of LaGrange Township, came to Harrison County in May, 1867, and moved into a small house which stood upon his present farm. He followed the brick masons' trade, and lived on this place for two years, and then bought forty acres of land where he now lives, still continuing to live in the shanty he had provided until he could build, which was three years later, when he built a frame house 1x18 feet, one story and half high, with a kitchen 9x14 feet, and in 1885, made an addition fourteen feet square. About 1881 he build a frame barn 23x26 feet, and has added to his farm until it now contains one hundred and twenty acres. Our subject was born in Warwickshire, England, October 15, 1820, and remained at home with his parents until he was eighteen years of age, and then commenced to learn the mason's trade. His father died, and from the time he was fourteen to eighteen years of age he had to work out, and only received about $25.00 per year; but after learning his trade he got better wages. In the autumn of 1866, he bid farewell to England, and the scenes of his childhood, and sailed for America, coming direct to St. Louis, where he worked at his trade until 1867, and then came to Harrison County.

He was united in marriage in England, August, 1846 to Miss Hannah BENNETT, and they are the parents of ten children, Jane, Emma, Anna, Walter, Ellen, Moses, and Eliza (twins, Robert, William, Florence, Emma, and Jane.

Mrs. Hannah (BENNETT) PETT was born in England, February 22, 1822, and she remained with her parents until the date of her marriage. His father was a gardener by trade, and followed that for a livelihood until his death, which occurred in 1834. His mother, Hannah (GASKINS) PETT, was born in England, and remained there until her death, in 1881.

William PETT and wife were the parents of five children, our subject being the oldest. They were members of the Protestant church.

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