F. W. Whitney

As printed in 1901

F. W. WHITNEY.

FcAV if any of the residents of the state of Iowa can trace their ancestry back to as remote a date as can the subject of this sketch.

Eustis De Whitney, of Flemish de.-cent. was the founder of the present family of Whitney. Thomas Whitney, having taken up his residence in England, was the first to omit the prefix "De" from the name. His son. Johji. burn in London in the year 1592. was the first of the family to take up his above in the wilds of America. Having reached its shores in the year 1635. he settled near Watcrtown. Xew York, with his wife. Eleanore, and their five children.

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Isaac Whitney, father of Mr. Whitney, was a well-known farmer in Wisconsin, where lie died in 1850. He was born in Delaware county, New York, where upon reaching manhood he took up a tract of land, barren and wild, and cleared and successfully cultivated it for seven years. In the year 1818 he married Laura Montague, also a native of New* York. The family of Montague dates back to the sixteenth century, when in the year 1645 Richard, the founder of the family, settled in Hadley, Massachusetts.

Our subject's mother was born April 24. 1826, being the daughter of Enos and Rebecca (Hawley) Marsh, her father being the son of the Revolutionary hero above mentioned. Enos Marsh, Jr.. as he was known, was possessed of a very fine education and taught school for many years. He ]passed away at Granby, Oswego county. New York, in May, 1831. just as he was preparing himself to enter the ranks of the Baptist ministry. Mrs. Marsh was a resident of Port Huron. Michigan, at the time of her death. August 4. 1853. To the marriage of William M. and Augusta H. Whitney were born four children, only two of whom are now living: Harriet L. is the wife of Wilford 11. De Berard and resides in Fairfax, Iowa; and the subject of this sketch.

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At the age of seventeen years Mr. Whitney joined the Congregational church, since which time he has been a member of the highest standing. He is also a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor and modern Brotherhood of America.

A stanch Republican in politics, our subject held the office of township clerk for three years, and was also township trustee for the same length of time. However, although Mr. Whitney is a firm supporter of the Republican party in national affairs, in township and county elections his vote is always cast for the man whom he seems best fitted to fill the office.

As printed in Biographical records of Linn County, Iowa .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.