WAGONER, William D.

WAGONER, JENKINS, WALTS, WAGNER, WETTSTEIN

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 5/14/2005 at 21:30:09

William D. Wagoner, a leading citizen and prominent business man of La Porte City, Iowa, is proprietor of a large mercantile house, vice-president of the First National Bank, president of the Public Utility Company, and one of the directors of the Central Iowa Telephone Company, which operates at Iowa Falls, Hampton, and Eagle Grove. He was born June 17, 1846, in Jefferson County, New York, and is a son of the late Jacob and Anna Margaret (Jenkins) Waggoner.

The Wagoner family is of German extraction, and through the life-time of Jacob Wagoner, the name was spelled "Waggoner." The earliest record at hand tells of one George Waggoner, a prosperous farmer on the Upper Rhine, near Weelbach, Baden, Germany, who was the father of John Englehardt Waggoner, who was born in 1732. On account of religious and military persectuion, the latter left his fatherland, in young manhood, and came to America, founding the family near Canajoharie, Montgomery County, New York, where he entered land and followed the trade of blacksmith. He was succeeded by his son, Jacob, the grandfather of William D., who was born in Herkimer County, New York, and followed an agricultural life there, dying at the age of 75 years. He took part in the War of 1812.

Jacob Waggoner(2), father of William D., was born in Herkimer County, New York, in 1819, and died in Jefferson County, New York, August 15, 1888. Prior to coming to Iowa, he was engaged in farming, but embarked here in the mercantile business, in connection with money loaning, and continued for about 15 years. His life, like the careers of the majority of prosperous men, was successsful on account of ability and industry. Although he was not an active politician, he always took an intelligent citizen's interest in public matters, voting with the old Whig party in early days, and later supporting the principles of the Republican party.

In 1847 Jacob Waggoner married Mrs. Anna Margaret Jenkins, widow of Daniel Walts, who was a native of Herkimer County, New York. She died in 1888, in Jefferson County, aged 79 years. By a former marriage Mr. Waggoner had two daughters; two sons were born to his second union, Viz; Charles, who is retired farmer at Evan Mills, Jefferson County, New York; and Wiliam D.

William D. Wagoner was reared in Jefferson County, New York, and remained on the home farm until he was 26 years of age. He came in the fall of 1873 to La Porte City, Iowa, accompanied by his wife and one child. After clerking for his father for three years, he embarked for himelf in the mercantile business, which he still conducts. His large store at La Porte City is a distributing center for dry goods, cloaks, carpets and shoes. An enterprising and progresive man, he is connected with many other prospering business concerns. From its organization, he has been vice-president of the First National Bank; he was one of the promoters of the electric light and water company, started eight years ago, and now known as the Public Utility company, of which he is president; he is also, as mentioned above, a director in a leading telephone company of this State.

On June 8, 1868, Mr. Wagoner married Mary C. Wagner, probably a distant relative, who was born in Herkimer County, New York, March 1, 1851, and they have one daughter, Lena Maude, who is wife of F.E. Wettstein, of Cleveland, Ohio.
Politically, Mr. Wagoner is a Republican, and has been a member of the City Council. He has been a trustee of the Presbyterian Church, and is one of its most liberal supporters. Fraternally, he is a Master Mason, affliating with Trowel Lodge, No. 216, A.F. & A.M.

History of Black Hawk County and It's People
1915