William H. Walling, one of the pioneers of Mitchell county, came here with his father's family in 1855 and bought land on section 16, Lincoln township. He has good improvement, the finest artificial grove in the county, and a very pleasant home. He was born in Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., July 30, 1836, his parents being Israel Walling, born in Washington Co., N. Y., at one time colonel of State militia, and Mary (Warren) Walling, a native of Dutchess Co., N. Y. When he was six years old his father settled in Lake Co., Ill., and died there three years later.

  William enlisted Aug. 20, 1862, in company K, 27th Iowa volunteers, went to Fort Snelling, Minn., where his regiment guarded the Sioux prisoners, then made a trip to the Chippewa reservation, afterwards went south and took part in the battles of Little Rock, Fort De Hussey, Alexandria, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Moon Lake, Tupelo and Old Town Creek. During the Tupelo raid he was prostrated by sunstroke and was sent to the hospital, where he lay sick ten months. He was then discharged and removed home because of disability, May 15, 1865. He has never fully recovered his health.

  Dec. 12, 1859, he married Nancy Nevill, a native of Edgar Co., Ill., and daughter of James and Mary (Hartman) Nevill, natives of Ohio, early settlers of Edgar Co., Ill., who located in Mitchell county in 1856. Her father, James Nevill, in 1862, enlisted as drummer in the 27th Iowa, being then sixty year of age. After serving six month he was discharged on account of physical disability. He returned home and soon after died.

  William Walling has been prominent in town affair, and was a member of the first board of trustees in his township. He has three children – Gertrude A., William N. and Cora B.

 

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1883, page 349.

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Transcribed by Gordon Felland - October 2005