William B. Miller

As printed in 1914

WILLIAM B. MILLER.

William B. Miller is a native son of the county and has gained and held the respect of those who have come in contact with him. He is now manager of a hardware and implement store in Winthrop for the W. D. Hoyt Company, which concern also owns stores in Manchester, Earlville and Robinson. He was born in Quasqueton, Liberty township, on the 12th of March, 1862, a son of William and Lavonia (Fleming) Miller. The former was born in Prussia, January 11, 1829, and removed to Canada with his parents when but a child of two years. He was married on the 2d of November, 1856, in this county, where he had settled in 1855. He was a blacksmith by trade and followed that occupation until late in life, when he became a partner of his son William

B. in the conduct of a hardware business. This association was formed in October, 1890, and was continued until the death of the father on the 3d of August, 1898. In 1862 he enlisted in the First Iowa Cavalry and served throughout the Civil war until its close, being honorably discharged in 1865. His wife was born in New York state, November 27, 1836, and died November 8, 1887. She arrived in this county in 1853. They had three children, namely: Delia, now the wife of William Baitey, who lives in Sebastopol. California; William B., of this review; and Minnie, the wife of C. W. Bucher. of Winthrop.

William B. Miller received his education in the district schools and in the schools of Quasqueton. After reaching manhood he farmer for tavo years and subsequently, in connection with his father, bought the hardware stock of William Wynette, of AVintbrop, on the ist of October, 1890. After the death of his father he continued alone in business until 1912, or for twenty-two years. During that time he became thoroughly familiar with the various makes of hardware and implements and acquired the ability to judge accurately the value and lasting qualities of any article in those lines. He also came to understand the problems of the buyer and salesman and was recognized as one of the most able men in the hardware trade in this county. In 1912 he sold his store and accepted the position of manager for the AVinthrop branch store of the W. D. Hoy.t Company, Avhich is one of the largest concerns in the county, incorporated under the state laws of Iowa. Their name is a synonym for integrity, initiative and high quality of goods. The fact that Mr. Miller is their representative in Winthrop is added proof of his capability and enterprise.

Mr. Miller married Miss Lizzie A. Griswold, who was born on the loth of December, 1863, and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. To their union have been born three children: Glen H.. born 1890, is a graduate of Cornell College at Blount Vernon. Iowa, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1913; Donna, born 1894, is a graduate of the Winthrop high school and is bookkeeper in the store of Mhich Mr. Miller is manager; and Alarjorie, born 1900, is attending school.

Mr. Miller is a republican and since attaining his majority has taken an active part in politics. Fraternally he is a member of the Ma.sonic order, of the Eastern Star and of the Woodmen. His wife is likewise a member of the Eastern Star and the Congregational church. Mr. Aliller owns his comfortable home in Winthrop and is one of the substantial citizens of the town.

AValter George Stevenson, ca.hier of the First National Bank at Independence, was born in Muscatine, Iowa, April 4, 1860. His father, George D. Stevenson, was born in the state of New York in 1796 and removed from the Empire state to Pennsylvania, becoming one of the pioneers in the section in which he settled. lie aided in clearing a tract of land and engaged in farming, carrying on agricultui'al i)pursuits there until his removal to Iowa in the '50s, at which time he took up his above in Muscatine, where he engaged in farming, owning a large tract of land near that city. He carefully cultivated and tilled the fields and while so engaged made his residence in Muscatine. About 1864, however, he removed to Independence, where he engaged in the furniture business in partnership with William Sampson. This relation was continued for several years, at the end of which time Mr. Stevenson retired from the business. In the meantime he had aided largely in promoting various improvements in Independence and his worth as a man and citizen was widely acknowledged. He owned a number of residence properties which he rented to others and which he left for the support of his family. He was also actively interested in the sash and door factory at one time and was widely recognized as a man of determined purpose who in his business career crooked no obstacles that could be overcome by persistent and honorable effort.

]Mr. Stevenson never aspired to public office, but his patriotic spirit was manifest in his service in the War of 1812, in which he carried an old flintlock pistol and also a sword which are now in possession of his son, Walter G., and are most high.y prized. George D. Stevenson was married twice and by his first union had a large family. After losing his first wife he married again, his second union being with Sarah A. Carpenter, who was born in England in 1841. They had four children, of whom Walter G. is the eldest. The father died in August, 1870, and the mother passed away on the 24th of lay, 1875. He was a most earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, served on its board of trustees and did everything in his power to promote the church work.

Walter G. Stevenson, spending his youthful days in his parents' home, acquired his education in the public schools until graduated from the high school with the class of 1878. He afterward entered the Upper Iowa University and was graduated with the class of 1883. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed at Fairbank and later in the high school of Independence, devoting about five years to the work of the schoolroom. In the meantime he had served as deputy county clerk and it was subsequent to that period that he became a teacher in the high school at Independence. He was afterward teller in the Commercial State Bank, to which position he was called in 1892, serving in that capacity for about ten years. He next entered the First National Bank as assistant cashier in January, 1902, and thus served until about 1911, when he was elected to his present position — that of cashier. He is a popular official, prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties, courteous in his treatment of the bank 's patrons and at all times carefully safeguarding the interests of the stockholders. He is likewise a stockholder in the Iowa State Bank at Hazleton and in the State Savings Bank at Quasqueton, but he devotes the major part of his attention to his duties as cashier of the First National Bank.

]Mr. Stevenson is well known in the Knights of Pythias lodge, in which he is serving as master of the exchequer. His religious faith is evidenced in his active and helpful membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a republican with independent tendencies. He served as deputy county clerk for eighteen months under 0. M. Gillett and W. E. Bain but otherwise has not sought nor desired office. He is pleasantly situated in his home life. He was married December 20, 1894, to Miss Mattie E. Miller, a native of this county and a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Miller. Theirs is a hospitable home whose good cheer is greatly enjoyed by their many friends, and both Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are widely and favorably known in Independence and throughout Buchanan county.

As printed in History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.