Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

Although William Gutel has resided in Buena Vista county only since 1895, no native born son is more loyal to its best interests or takes a more active and helpful part in promoting measures that have proven of direct benefit to its citizens.  Mr. Gutel was born in Livingston county, Illinois, March 25, 1865, a son of Theodule and Catherine E. (Fevre) Gutel, both of whom were born in France.  The father emigrated from his native land to the new world when a young man and first located in Ottawa. Illinois, and was there married.  He later took up his abode in Livingston county, that state, and engaged in farming and there reared his family.  He still survives and yet makes his home in Livingston comity.

William Gutel was educated in the common schools of his native county and was reared to farm life, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm until the time of his marriage, which occurred February 22, 1893, when he led to the marriage altar Miss Margaret Laase, who was likewise a native of Livingston county.  Following their marriage the young couple located on a farm, which Mr. Gutel operated for two years, or until 1895, when he came to Buena Vista county and invested in his present farm of two hundred acres, situated on section 17, Washington township, convenient to the city of Storm Lake.  This farm was fairly well improved when it came into his possession but he has since added many other improvements.  He has laid twenty-five thousand tile, thus affording excellent drainage to the land, which has thereby been made very productive, and he has also erected some buildings on the place.  He saw, too, where the entire land in Washington township could be made much more productive if properly drained and he was instrumental in having a big ditch dug to furnish an outlet for the water which lay in the low land and in this manner the various farms of this section have been made more valuable.  Mr. Gutel is engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of high grade Aberdeen Angus cattle.  His labors are ever of a practical nature and have resulted in bringing him a gratifying success.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gutel has been blessed with eight children, of whom three died in infancy.  Those living are William, Harry, Roy, Ernest and Clara.  Mr. Gutel formerly supported the republican platform but now votes independently.  He served as road supervisor for three years, while for six or seven years he has been a school director.  He has also been township clerk and has served as a delegate to county conventions and as a member of the petit jury.  He and his wife attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church.  He joined the Masonic order at Dwight, Illinois, some years ago and has transferred his membership to the lodge of Masons at Storm Lake.  When he foresees the need of improvement or reform in any line in his community he is not slow to advocate the question and through his push and progress many public measures have been carried forward to completion and the public at large has benefited thereby.  He is, however, genial and affable, every ready to receive suggestions from others, according to all the rights and privileges that he exerts and he is well liked by all with whom business or social relations bring him into contact.