In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1911) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Biographical records of Linn County, Iowa .. (1901), History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911)
WILLIS G. HASKELL.
Willis G. Haskell is a leading representative of the business interests of Cedar Rapids, being proprietor of the largest coal and wood yard at that place. Of excellent business ability and broad resources, he has attained a prominent place among the substantial citizens of the community, and is a recognized leader in public affairs. He has won success by his well-directed, energetic efforts, and the prosperity that has come tohim is certainly well deserved.
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Rockford, Illini)is. ami there married Eliza Holmes. It was about 1850 when he located in Bradford, Iowa, before the railroad was built through that place, and he became one-of its pioneer merchants, being successfully engaged in business at that place until after the Civil war broke out. He was in the Union service for al.iout three years as a member of the Fourth Iowa Caxalry, and on his return home resumed mercantile pursuits. Selling his property in Bradford he later removed to Grand Junction, Coloradn, Axdiere he tlie. but there his widow still resides.
During his boyhood Willis G. Haskell pursued his studies in the schools of Charles City, Cedar Falls and Independence, Iowa, and when his education was completed learned telegraphy Avith the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & northern, remaining in their employ for o\ev twenty years, first as agent git Ainton, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and later as traveling freight agent with headquarters at Cedar Rapids. In 1893 he resigned his position and embarked in the coal and wood business as a jobber and wholesale dealer. So successful was he in this that he later added to it the retail business. He now occupies a quarter of a block at No. 401 Second avenue, and also has large yards at the corner of Eleventh avenue and Fourth streets. He does the largest jobbing and retail business in his line in this section of the state, and furnishes employment to about fifteen men, while he gives his entire attention to the enter])rise.
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For some years he has been an active supporter of the Republican party, and a recognized leader in its ranks. In 1896 he was first elected alderman of the fifth ward, which is the best section of the city, and so acceptably did he fill the office that he has been twice re-elected and is now serving his third term. During this time most of the city paving has been done and e.extensive improvements made. Mr. Haskell is now serving as chairman of the committee on parks, and is also a member of the judiciary, light and water committees. He has creditably and honorably performed his duties in the council, and has also capable served as a member of the board of health for the city. He has been connected with the Republican executive committee. Socially he is a prominent Mason, belonging to Vinton Lodge, F. & A.:\r.; Winton Chapter, R. A. M.; Apollo Commandery, K. T., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa: and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Cedar Rapids. He is past eminent commander of Cypress Commandery, o£ Vinton. He is also a member of the Benevlent Protective Order of Elks, No. 251, and the Knights of Pythias, both of Cedar Rapids, and is prominent in social, pohtical and business circles.
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.
WILLIS G. HASKELL
"While Willis G. Haskell has been a resident of Cedar Rapids for but a comparatively brief period, few men in the same length of time have done equally effective service for the material upbuilding and substantial progress of the city. Identified with many corporate interests, the promoter of many business affairs which are of inestimable value in the growth and upbuilding of Cedar Rapids, he is now devoting a portion of his time to public service as the postmaster of the city, to which position he was appointed in July. 1909. Reared in the dynamic atmosphere of the west, where men recognize the possibilities and put forth every effort to achieve desired results, he stands today as a typical representative of the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the potent factor in the rapid development of this section of the country.
Mr. Haskell was born in Bradford, Iowa; on the 5th of June, 1857. His father, Edwin A. Haskell, was of English descent and removed from his old home in Massachusetts to Iowa in pioneer times. He followed merchandising in Bradford and at Cedar Palls as proprietor of a general store, the only interruption to his active business career coming through his service in the Civil war, when he was an officer of an Iowa regiment. He married Eliza Holmes, who was born in England, and both are now deceased.
Willis G. Haskell pursued his education in the public schools at Cedar Falls and at Independence, Iowa, and when seventeen years of age started out in life on his own account as a telegraph operator with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. He remained with that, road for twenty years, during which time he was promoted through intermediate positions until he became traveling freight and passenger agent. At length he resigned, thinking to make more rapid progress if he should engage in business on his own account. Accordingly, in 1893, he came to Cedar Rapids and here established a wholesale and retail coal business, in which lie has since been engaged, securing an extensive patronage in this line. The business has been incorporated under the name of the W. G. Haskell Company, of which he is president, but this by no means measures the scope of his activities. He extended his efforts to many lines, which have felt the stimulus of his energy and have profited by his sound judgment and business sagacity. He is a director in the Merchants National Bank, is vice president of the Cedar Rapids Canning Company, president of the C. J. Johnston Gas Appliance Company, a director in the Allison Hotel Company and has extensive realtyinterests in Cedar Rapids, having made judicious investment in property here. He derives from his holdings a substantial income and his various business interests are recognized as among the profitable concerns of the city, contributing not only to the success of the stockholders but also constituting factors in the general prosperity.
The fact that Mr. Haskell is the incumbent in the position of postmaster is indicative of his allegiance to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. lie was called to his present office in July. 1910, and to the administration of his affairs is bringing the same principles and system that have ever characterized the conduct of his business interests. His fellow townsmen knew something of his ability and fidelity in office, for he had previously served for six years, from 1896 until 1902. as a member of the city council. He is now custodian of the postoffice and courthouse and is a member of the river front commission. For some years he has been chairman of the park commission and has been identified with various projects for the upbuilding and benefit of the city. He is also a member of the republican state central committee from the fifth district and is recognized as one of the leaders in republican ranks hi Iowa.
Mr. Haskell was married in 1SS1 to Miss May E. "Williams, a. daughter of the late "W. F. Williams, a banker of Yinton. Iowa. They have become the parents of four children: Maud, now the wife of John Newman, of Cedar Rapids; Guy F.. the vice president and secretary of the W. G. Haskell Company; Francis, who is now attending the National Park Seminary of Maryland; and Willis G., in school in this city. The family residence is at No. 172G D avenue and its hospitality is one of its attractive features.
Mr. Haskell is very fond of traveling and has visited Cuba as well as every state in the Union. For over twenty-six years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity and is past eminent commander of Cypress Commandery, K. T.; has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Iowa Consistory, No. 2, and is a past potentate of El Kahir Temple of the Mystic. Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. In manner he is genial and unostentatious, and the attainment of success has never affected his treatment of the less fortunate friends of his earlier years. Active in politics and prominent in fraternal circles, his ambition, however, seems to be in the line of business, and he regards his other interests as side issues with which, however, no life can be well rounded, no character well balanced. Yet they have never drawn his attention from the. chief aim in his life and he has found that success is ambition's answer.
As printed in History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1901. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.