Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 751
WILLIAM W. RESER

William W. RESER is a representative farmer and stock breeder of St. Johns township, Harrison county, Iowa, and is known as one of the alert, progressive and successful farmers of this favored section of the Hawkeye state. In his labors he has not permitted himself to follow in a rut in a blind, apathetic way but has studied and experimented, and has thus obtained the maximum returns from his efforts. Mr. RESER has also conducted himself at all times so as to command the confidence and regard of the people of his community. He is a man of honorable business methods and advocates whatever tends to promote the public welfare in any way. Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon Mr. RESER's interest in the modern phases of farming. He has become a leader in St. Johns township largely through his adoption of these modern methods and he has done what all farmers are not able to do he has proved that farming is a great and complex science which must be understood if the vocation is to be made successful.

William W. RESER was born September 21, 1869, in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, the son of William W., Sr., and Emily (WAGNER) RESER, both natives of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and was one of eight children, he being the eldest. The other children in order of their births were as follows: H. C., Nettie, Eunice, George, Joseph, Emma and Grace. George is deceased. The father and mother of these children are still living in Paxton, Ford county, Illinois.

William W. RESER, Jr., was educated in the common schools of McLean county, Illinois. He worked by the month for a few years prior to his marriage and after his marriage, took up farming for himself. He was married December 28, 1897, to Carrie BAKER, the daughter of Luman E. and Margaret M. (PRICE) BAKER, the former a native of New York state, having been born in Greene county, and the latter a native of McLean county, Illinois. Luman E. BAKER came to McLean county at the age of twenty-one and there he was married and remained all of his life. He died some time ago, but his widow is still living in Bloomington, Illinois. They had five children, of whom Mr. RESER's wife was the eldest. The other children were Burl P., Lou, Walter and Henry. Walter is deceased.

William W. RESER, Jr., came to Harrison county in 1910 and here purchased two hundred acres of land in St. Johns township. At the time this land was purchased it was low and rather swampy, but Mr. RESER was able to see its possibilities. The land today is among the most desirable tracts in Iowa, having been improved by an extensive system of drainage installed by Mr. RESER. The house on the farm has been modernized throughout with the installation of a furnace and running water. Mr. RESER has built one of the largest cattle and hay sheds in Harrison county. It is fifty-eight by sixty-two feet in dimensions and its foundation is of concrete. Mr. RESER was one of the first men to see the possibilities of alfalfa and now has sixty acres of his farm devoted to the production of this nutritive and fast-growing crop which he uses as forage for his live stock. He feeds it to cattle, horses, hogs and chickens, and by raising enormous quantities of this product has been able to solve the problem of forage.

William W. RESER, Jr., is an active member of the farmers' club of St. Johns township and Harrison county. He has made a specialty of Percheron horses and not only raises a high grade of horses but likewise a high grade of both cattle and hogs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife are active members of the Christian church and Mr. RESER is a Republican. In local politics, however, he has not been so closely attached to the Republican party; on the contrary, having been more or less independent as a voter. Endowed with a genial and wholesome temperament, he is a welcome addition to any social gathering. He is admired and respected by the people of St. Johns township.

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