Buena Vista County, IA
IAGenWeb Project

C. W. Petlon, who owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres, situated on section 7, Elk township, is numbered among Buena Vista county's pioneer settlers and substantial citizens.  He was born in Syracuse, New York, June 2, 1846, a son of Jacob Petlon, who was born in Germany but was reared in the Empire state.  He was there married to Miss Catherine Myers, of German parentage.  The father was a harnessmaker [sic], following his trade in New York but in 1855 he removed to Delaware county, Iowa, and purchased land, thereafter following farming throughout his active business career.  He died about 1885 and his wife still survives at the advanced age of eighty-seven years and is still hale and hearty.

C. W. Petlon of this review was a little lad of nine years at the time the family removed to Iowa.  He was reared and educated in Delaware county and remained under the parental roof until he attained mature years, during which time he assisted his father in developing and cultivating the farm.  When a young man of twenty-three years he came to Buena Vista county and homesteaded eighty acres of land, which he broke and developed into a fine farm.  He later purchased more land and now owns two hundred acres all in one body and located on section 7, Elk township.  He has made all of the improvements which are here seen, including a good country residence, barns and outbuildings.  He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising and in 1898 extended the scope of his activities by erecting a store building in which he opened up a general stock of merchandise.  He has built up a good patronage, for his enterprise has proved a convenient factor to the neighboring farmers.

Mr. Petlon was married in Delaware county on Christmas day of 1876, to Miss Lovina Hayden, who was born in Pennsylvania but was reared in this state.  She engaged in teaching prior to her marriage.  The union of Mr. and .Mrs. Petlon has been blessed with two sons and two daughters:  J. V., a young man at home; Jessie E., who is engaged in teaching; Loma E.; and Royal V., who completes the family.

Mr. Petlon gives his political support to the democratic party and while keeping well informed on the current news of the day he has never sought to figure in public life.  He is well known as a pioneer of the county and as a most industrious and useful man, whose probity is an unquestioned element in his career.  His energy is often at the service of his community and he has the love and respect of all among whom he lives.