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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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William Dwigans.

William Dwigans is the owner of three hundred and ninety acres of valuable land on sections 18 and 19, Grove township, and devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising with excellent success.  His birth occurred in Benton county, Iowa, on the 19th of January, 1862, his parents being James and Sarah (Root) Dwigans, both of whom were natives of Ohio.  In 1851 they came to Iowa, locating first on a farm in Benton county and subsequently removing to Cedar county, where they remained for two years.  On the expiration of that period they came to Adair county, settling in Grove township, where James Dwigans passed away in 1898 and where his widow is still living.  They became the parents of twelve children, ten of whom yet survive.

William Dwigans attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age.  He then herded cattle for one season and afterward cultivated a rented farm for one year, at the end of which time he purchased a tract of land.  Subsequently he bought the place upon which he now resides, his present holdings embracing three hundred and ninety acres of rich and productive land on sections 18 and 19, Grove township.  He has brought the farm to a high state of cultivation and improvement and in connection with the production of cereals makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, both branches of his business proving very remunerative.

Mr. Dwigans has been married twice.  In 1885 he wedded Miss Hattie Knouf, a native of Benton county, Iowa, and a daughter of R. E. and Sarah (Riley) Knouf, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania.  They came to Iowa in an early day and in this state spent the remainder of their lives.  To William and Hattie Dwigans were born seven children, as follows:  Bessie, who is the wife of Clarence E. Hulbert;  Winfield;  Edna, who gave her hand in marriage to Roy Woodson;  Hazel, the wife of F. E. Messenger;  Bernice, who is the wife of George Porter;  Rex, at home;  and Nami, the wife of E. L. Richards.  The mother of these children died in 1899 and was laid to rest in the Greenfield cemetery.  For his second wife Mr. Dwigans chose Mrs. Frances (Holmes) Cunningham, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Clark and Elizabeth (Dwigans) Holmes, who were also born in the Buckeye state.  In an early day they removed to Missouri, where they continued to reside until their demise.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Dwigans has supported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in its principles.  He has served as school director and also in the capacity of road supervisor, ever discharging his official duties in a prompt and capable manner.  His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.  Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, his word is considered as good as his bond, and he has the entire confidence and respect of those with whom he comes in contact either in business or social affairs.

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