W. W. PITKIN has met with marked success as a farmer and stockman and now owns and operated four hundred and twenty acres of land in Fayette township, Decatur county, and in Ringgold county. He has resided in this [Decatur] county since the spring of 1902, coming here from Estherville, Emmet county. His birth occurred in Fayette county in 1856 and he is a son of W. N. and Mary (TRUSSELL) PITKIN, who removed from Ohio to Indiana, whence about 1850 they emigrated to Fayette county, this state [Iowa], as the father had visited Iowa in the later '40s and had been much pleased with the opportunities offered agriculturists here. When our subject was about seven years of age removal was made to Jasper county, where the family remained for two years, after which they went to Linnn county, Iowa, where both parents were living at the time of their deaths. The father passed away when eighty-five years old but the mother was only sixty-three years of age when she died. He was a republican in his political belief and she was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, having been baptized therein in Linn county of the later '80s. To their union were born six children, of whom one daughter has passed away. The others besides our subject are: Grant, living in Anamosa, Iowa; James, who is farming near Viola, this state; Mrs. Laura HESS, a widow, who is living at Armstrong, Emmet county; and Mrs. Louisa GARRETSON, of Hartley, South Dakota.

W. W. PITKIN has spent his entire life in this state and is indebted to the public-school system for his education. Although he had practically no capital when he began his independent business career he possessed the qualities of energy and sound judgment and these have enabled him to win financial independence. He now owns four hundred and twenty acres of fine land situated on sections 7 and 18, Fayette township, Decatur county, and in Ringgold county and he derives a good annual income from his activity as a farmer and stock-raiser.

On the 18th of December, 1879, Mr. PITKIN was married to Miss Sadie CREAR, who was born in Ohio and removed to Linn county in childhood. She and Mr. PITKIN were schoolmates and during the many years that they have known each other and have worked together their mutual affection and respect have grown steadily. To them have been born five children: Pearl, the wife of J. F. JONES, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in the volume; Jessie, who married A. J. BANTA, of Houston, Texas; Lauren H., who is assisting his father with the farm work; Arthur F., at home; and Cleora, who graduated from the local high school with the class of 1915.

Mr. PITKIN was for many years a republican but now votes the democratic ticket. He and his family belong to the local society of the Church of Latter Day Saints and take an active part in the work of that organization. He is respected for his ability and integrity and there are many who hold him in warm personal regard.

NOTE: Arthur F. PITKIN was born in 1894, and died in 1952 with interment at Elk Chapel Cemetery, north of Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
HOWELL, J. M. & CONOMAN, Heman. History of Decatur County, Iowa, and Its People Vol. II. Pp. 276-77. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Chicago. 1915.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009