BIOGRAPHY: William Elbert Whisler, Fremont County, Iowa Copyright c) May 2001 by Terry Girardot. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material,must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legalrepresentative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ********************************************************************* William Elbert Whisler History of Page County, 1909 W. E. Whisler No matter in how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge as to the causation of success, it will ever be found that advancement in business depends primarily upon close application, ready adaptability and a willingness to work and work hard. Possessing these requisites Mr. Whisler is making rapid progress in conducting a plumbing and heating business in Shenandoah and his popularity as a business man and citizen constitutes his record one of interest to his fellow townsmen. His birth occurred in Farragut, Fremont County, Iowa on the 2nd of October, 1876, his parents being John and Marie (Gunther) Whisler. The father was a native of Indiana, while the mother was probably born in Appanoose County, Iowa. Both the Whisler and Gunther families were among the pioneer residents of Appanoose County and it was in this state that the parents of our subject were married. They located on a farm which Mr. Whisler rented and in 1875 he started with his family on a trip to Nebraska making the journey by wagon. En route he passed through southwestern Iowa and soon he returned to this portion of the state, settling near Farragut, Fremont County, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. With characteristic energy he began to till the soil and develop the crops and as the years passed he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchases until he now owns five hundred and sixty acres of valuable land unsurpassed in its richness and fertility by any tract in this part of the state. In addition to his agricultural interests he is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Farragut and is one of the most influential men of that section. He came to the west without funds and through his capably directed labors has been very successful. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has given loyal support to the Republican Party, for he is a firm believer in its principles, yet has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church and are people of the highest respectability, honored by all who know him. W. E. Whisler was reared at home and the common schools afforded him his early educational opportunities, while later he had the advantage of instruction at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. In early manhood he was married, wedding Miss Gertrude Morgan, of Hamburg, Iowa, on the 22nd of June, 1898. They established their home upon a farm near Riverton, and for ten years thereafter Mr. Whisler continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits but in 1908 came to Shenandoah to ally his interests with the commercial activities of the city. Here he purchased the plumbing business of O. H. Frink and is now enjoying an extensive patronage in the conduct of a plumbing and heating business. His personal popularity has been one factor in his success, while the thoroughness of his work and his reliability in financial matters are also strong elements in his prosperity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Whisler are members of the Christian Church and are greatly esteemed in the community in which they reside. His membership relation also extends to Shenandoah Lodge, No. 1122, B.P.O.E. and to Page Camp, No. 1049, M.W.A. He and his wife own and occupy a modern residence at No. 700 Seventh Avenue, it being one of the attractive and hospitable homes of the city.