The Oskaloosa herald., 1916-02-10
SEVENTY. FIVE YEARS
And Ready For Anything But Job
on the School Board.

Squire ]. w. Laffollette, Uncle
Billy was seventy-five years of age
Friday, February 4, and he enjoved q
program of events during the day
that was not wholly OF his own max
ing. He was on duty at the office
Ievery moment of the day but now and
then some of his friends or numbers
of the old boys would drop in 10 pay
their compliments and respects ana
this added to the size of the celebra
ton. Uncle Billy" is about the
year old bird in Oskaloosa and his
looks belle his age.
The Laffollettes comes Of Revolu'
tionary and fighting stock. The fam
lily originally were Virginians and Jes.
Sc Laffffollette, father of our j. w.
was the first to leave the old colony,
going to the west and settling as a
pioneer in Kentucky and here, in Har.
din county, February 4, 1841, William
first saw light of day
NJ. P. Crowder, father of Doctor w.
L. Crowder, now of Oskaloosa and a
relative Of the elder Laffollette was
one of the first Corners to Mahaska
county and established himself when
Iowa was admitted to statehood. He
went back to Kentucky on visit
along in the winter of 1S47 and am
ong the old home folks he painted a
glowing description OF the new coun-
try. Among others impressed by the
tale of the possibilities of Mahaska
county was Jesse Laffollette, but he
was not pursuaded to leap in the dark.
He first made trip to the new state
in 1S4S. He found that Mr.. Crowier
had not told half the tale. Straightway
and forthwith he returned to Kentucky
disposed of all his holdings, sold his
property and with family and bag
gage. the following year 1849, who
William was only 8 years old, landed
in Oskaloosa The first residence was
on a farm on Middle Creek, northeast
of Oskaloosa and later Jesse acquired
what is now known as the old Atwood
farm.
Mr.. Laffollette has clear and WV
id recollection of the appearance of
both town and country when they set.
tied here His early life was spent on
the farm which he left to enlist for
service in the civil war serving with
the Thirty-third Iowa. Following the
close of the engagement William re-
turned to Oskaloosa and entered upon
stage driver between Oskaloosa and
Knoxville and later served officially
active life. His first official work was
as a constable for old Squire Lough-
ridge. He was elected to the city coun-
Gil for ten separate and distinct terms
In Innt ~ nj
one years almost continuously. He
was government gauger during the
days of the old Hoover distillery. has
been oil inspector and has served the
public faithfully ami we'll in other ca
pacities in addition to an active bust
ness career in merchandising. Mr..
LaffOllette was one of the best groC-
ers the town has ever had and aside
from being in the business for him
self has worked for the best and the
oldest retailers the town mas known,
from the time Of Rinker's, Mattison
Bros, and down to the w. A. SeeV-
ars time. He was elected Justice OF
Peace for Oskaloosa in the fall of 1914
and is making a competent and able
public official
Uncle Billy, Friday, accepted all the
attentions of the day with becoming
grace until a special deDutation Of
citizens approached his throne, petit
toned him to b. can lidate for the
School Board at the coming election
in March but here he drew the line.
No, boys, not for Willie. | am willing
10 endure almost anything for the
good of my people, but this last is
too much"