The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
WILLIAM PAUL.
Very often it is greatly to the advantage of the farmer's boy that, in- stead of rushing off to some town to become a poor grocery clerk or employe of a dirty machine shop, he remains in the country where he was brought up and where he knows what is necessary to make an honest living. He knows when and how to seed and harvest his crops, and knows what is neces- sary to insure success in the rearing and sale of live stock. If he leaves for the town he must learn another business and enter into competition with men i who have grown up to the business which he must acquire. He is thus, as a rule, at a great disadvantage. This is said for the benefit of boys who have a start in farm business, who, in nine cases out of ten, had better remain right where they are if they want insured to them a happy, healthy, respect- able old age. One of the progressive farmers of Hickory Grove township, Jasper county, who was contented to remain in his native community and devote himself to the line of endeavor with which he was most familiar is William Paul, and one would judge from his excellent farm and pleasant home that he has been wise in following this course.
Mr. Paul was born in Scott county, Iowa, June 19, 1868, and he is the son of Andrew and Jennie (Spence) Paul, both natives of county Antrim, Ireland, where they grew up, were educated and married and there began life
on a farm. Belie^•ing■ that greater opportunities existed in the republic across the "big sea water" to the west, they emigrated to our shores in the spring of 1865 and located in Scott county, where the elder Paul worked seven years as a section hand on the Rock Island railroad. He saved his money and was thereby enabled to get a start. In 1873 he came to Hickory Grove township, Jasper county, and bought eighty acres. He set to work with a will, managed well and closely devoted himself to his farm, and as he prospered he added to his original holdings until he owned five hundred and sixty acres of valuable and desirable land which he placed under high grade improvements and a high state of cultivation, carrying on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale and laid by a competency, becoming one of the influential and substantial men of his township. When he first came to the farm there was only a rude shack on it, in fact, all the improve- ments were poor, but in due course of time he erected substantial and con- venient buildings and added such other improvements as his needs required. Had he not been cut down in the prime of life he would no doubt have become one of the wealthy men of the county. He died March 22, 1887, at the age of forty-eight years. He and his family belonged to the Presbyterian church.
William Paul, of this review, was the fifth child in a family of seven children, the others being, James S., Mrs. Matilda McCosh, E. A., Mrs. Margaret Madill, Andrew L. and Joseph. The last named is living with his mother on the home place.
William Paul attended the public schools in Hickory Grove township, this county, where he grew up on the home farm which he was compelled to work the major part of his time when he became of proper age, consequently his schooling was not extensive. However, he later became well informed by general reading and actual contact with the world. As a boy he spent most of his time herding cattle on the open prairie near his home, which necessitated his being out in all kinds of weather. At that time not a fence could be seen from his home, except that around the house; and there were no regularly laid out roads ; they wound around the hills and along the ^'alleys. There was considerable wild game here in those days.
After his marriage the subject moved into a house across the road and a little farther west, and he is successfully managing the home place for his mother, who is now advanced in years. Politically, he is a Democrat and has served his township as trustee for two terms in a most acceptable manner. He handles a high grade of Percheron horses, which find a ready market. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
On December i6, 1892, Mr. Paul was united in marriage with Dora Green, who was born in Hickory Grove township, this county, the daughter of WilHam A. and Emily Catherine (Taylor) Green, who were early settlers of Jasper county, the father having come here with Joseph Green, grand- father of Mrs. Paul, in 1867, and purchased section 11 of Hickory Grove township and there they settled and became well fixed and were highly re- spected.
The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul : ]Mabel E., Edith Emily, Joseph William, Margaret Lucile. Lewis Wilbur and Andrew.
Source: Past and Present of Jasper County, Iowa, vol 2. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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