IAGenWeb Project - Clayton co.

Benjamin S. Witter

Benjamin S. Witter is another of the native- sons of the Hawkeye State who is contributing materially to the advancement of the agricultural interests of Clayton county, where his well improved farm of one hundred and nine acres is eligibly situated in Giard township, with mail service on one of the rural delivery routes emanating from McGregor. He is a progressive farmer and substantial citizen of the county and properly finds representation in this history.

Mr. Witter was born in Dubuque county, this state, on the 27th of August, 1861, and is a son of Simon and Annie (Myer) Witter, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in the State of Pennsylvania. Simon Witter was reared and educated in his native land, where also he learned the trade of blacksmith. As a young man he emigrated to America and became one of the pioneer settlers of Dubuque county, Iowa, where he engaged in the work of his trade and where he finally turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in connection with which he achieved independence and substantial prosperity. He is now one of the venerable pioneer citizens of that county; is a staunch Republican in his political adherency and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also his devoted wife, whose death occurred a few years ago. Of their children the subject of this review is the eldest; Louis and Carrie died young; and Peter and Henry are still residents of Dubuque county.

Benjamin S. Witter is indebted to the public schools of his native county for his early educational training, and there, after leaving the home place, he was employed for seven years as a farm hand. In the meanwhile he carefully conserved his earnings and about the year 1890 he came to Clayton county and purchased a farm in Mendon township. There he continued his activities as an industrious and successful agriculturist and stock grower until 1911, when he sold the property and purchased his present excellent farm, in Giard township, where he has not failed to uphold his reputation as a vigorous and resourceful exponent ot the basic industries of agriculture and stock growing, through the medium of which he achieved substantial and worthy success. Though not imbued with any ambition for public office he is loyal to all civic duties and responsibilities and is unwavering in his support of the cause of the Republican party. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Giard.

October 27th, 1889, recorded the marriage of Mr. Witter to Miss Annie Ollett, who likewise is a native of Iowa and who is a daughter of Herman and Annie (Thomas) Ollett, her parents having come from Germany to the United States when young folk and having first resided at Colesburg, Delaware county, after establishing their home in Iowa. From that county they came to Clayton county, where Mr. Ollett became a prosperous farmer and where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives.

To Mr. and Mrs. Witter five children have been born, four of whom remain members of the home circle, as follows: Lucile, Amanda, Deborah and Herman. Emma died in early childhood.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa; From The Earliest Historical Times Down to the Present; by Realto E. Price, Vol. II; pg. 450-451

-OCR scanned by S. Ferrall

 

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