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Lucius Darwin Willett

Birth	:	28 May 1845 Bakersfield, Franklin County, Vermont, USA
Death	:	9 Jan 1930 Woodbine, Harrison County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Woodbine Cemetery, Woodbine, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.7466316, -95.7143936
Description	:	CIVIL WAR VETERAN -------- "Lucius Darwin Willett joined the army the last of the Civil War and was discharged. When out of the army he started west, worked for Studebaker Wagon Co. in South Bend, IN, then went to Illinois and worked for an elevator company till the elevator burned down. From there to Beloit, WI, where he bought a three year old colt, broke it to a sulky and with a bull pup for company drove to Magnolia, Iowa, where he worked in a store for a time. "One day a school Director asked him... Read More	CIVIL WAR VETERAN -------- "Lucius Darwin Willett joined the army the last of the Civil War and was discharged. When out of the army he started west, worked for Studebaker Wagon Co. in South Bend, IN, then went to Illinois and worked for an elevator company till the elevator burned down. From there to Beloit, WI, where he bought a three year old colt, broke it to a sulky and with a bull pup for company drove to Magnolia, Iowa, where he worked in a store for a time. "One day a school Director asked him to teach his school. He said I've only had an academy education. I can't teach. Director said, I don't want you to teach, I want you to clean up a bunch of boys that have run every teacher I (hired?) out. Well, he said I'll go out and try it. The first day the ring leaders were good. The largest boy sat on a front seat and the next day he turned around and began talking and laughing with his pal behind him. When told to turn around he just laughed. Almost before he knew it, he was on the floor taking the worst licking he ever had. "From then on there was no more trouble. Years afterward the boy used to meet Mr. Willett in Woodbine and have a good laugh with him. Teaching school was not all he was doing. On March 14, 1871 he was united in marriage to Frances E. Hillis in Magnolia." SOURCE: Unidentified, handwritten sketch, courtesy of Natalie Stanko. "WILLETT - Lucius D. WILLETT came to Harrison County in September, 1868, and settled on Allen Creek, in Magnolia Township, where he bought a piece of wild land, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. He improved and lived upon this until the spring of 1877, when he sold and went to Nebraska, remained a short time, but sold, and came back to Harrison County, and bought the place on which he now lives, on section 33, of Boyer Township. "Mr. WILLETT hails from the old Green Mountain State, and was born in Franklin County, Vt, May 28, 1845, when seventeen years of age, went to Malone, N.Y., where he remained a year, and then enlisted in Company A, Third Vermont Infantry. This was under the last call of President Lincoln for troops to subdue the Rebellion. He served six months and was discharged at Burlington, Vt., after which he soon drifted West. "He married to Miss Frances HILLIS in Magnolia, March 15, 1871, and by this union six children were born - Abbie L., Sarah S., Harry C., Pansy M., Frederick E. and Samuel N. "Mrs. WILLETT was born in Jones County, Iowa, January 6, 1846, and when but a small child accompanied her parents to Harrison County, where she has lived ever since, with the exception of the time she was attend the college at Grinnell, of which school she is a graduate. Both Mr . and Mrs. WILLETT are members of the Presbyterian Church. SOURCE: "HARRISON COUNTY IOWA, ONLINE BIOGRAPHY INDEXES; sketched biographies from three Harrison County histories 1891, 1915, Grove 1851-1861; this sketch probably from one of the first two. "Last rites for L.D. Willett held Saturday.... Lucius D. Willett, who departed from this life January 9, 1930, was born May 28, 1845, in Bakersfield, Vermont. Here he grew into manhood . On the fifth day of April, 1865, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, in Company "A", 3rd Vermon t Infantry, and was discharged July 11, 1865, at Hull Hill, Virginia. "In 1868, Mr. Willett came west, making an overland trip from Beloit, Wis., to Magnolia. There, on March 14, 1871, he was united in marriage to Frances E. Hillis, who survives him. To the union six children were born, of whom Abbie L. and Samuel N. passed away prior to their father's death, and Mrs. Sadie Sternberg, Mrs. Pansy Torrey, Harry C. Willett and Dr. F. W . Willett, together with seven grandchildren, Arthur W. Sternberg, Theodore Willett Torrey, Samuel N. Willett, jr., Frances L. Willett, Joe S. Willett, Mary Natalie Willett, and Dwight E . Willett, survive. "Mr. Willett was a farmer by occupation. He enjoyed people, living and was full of fun, but along with this went an earnest Christian life. Before leaving Vermont he had joined the Congregational church and upon coming to Woodbine became a charter member of the First Presbyterian Church of this place in which membership he continued until his death. He was a man of consistent life. He never held a grudge, which trait, he thought ill became a Christian whom Christ had forgiven everything, and Christ's commission to His church, he read in this way , "Go ye Lucius Willett into all the world and preach the gospel unto every creature," and since he could not go in person, he went by proxy. "Mr. Willett was no respecter of persons, and for years he found great enjoyment in an opportunity for service near his own home, when on each Sunday afternoon, he carried his bible and hymn book to the county poor farm and held a service for the inmates there...." OBITUARY: 'The Woodbine Twiner', January 16, 1930.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Lucius Darwin Willett's memorial?
Lucius Darwin Willett's memorial is located at: Woodbine Cemetery, Woodbine, Harrison County, USA.
When did Lucius Darwin Willett death?
Lucius Darwin Willett death on 9 Jan 1930 in Woodbine, Harrison County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Lucius Darwin Willett's memorial?
Latitude: 41.7466316
Longitude: -95.7143936

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Frances Emma Hillis Willett

(1846 - 1941)

Siblings

Children

Abbie Louise Willett Snook

(1872 - 1900)

Sarah Shattuck “Sadie” Willett Sternberg

(1874 - 1953)

Harry Cortez Willett

(1877 - 1971)

Samuel Nathaniel “Nat” Willett

(1885 - 1919)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Woodbine Cemetery
Woodbine, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7466316, -95.7143936

2. Biglers Grove Cemetery
Woodbine, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7327995, -95.7786026

3. Benjamin Purcell Cemetery
Allen, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7694328, -95.7794523

4. Mefferd Cemetery
Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7132200, -95.6576200

5. Cowan-Pardee Cemetery
Woodbine, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6976500, -95.6765000

6. Greenwood Cemetery
Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6729660, -95.7257690

7. Silver Hill Cemetery
Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6897011, -95.7919006

8. Jesse Purcell Cemetery
Woodbine, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7431000, -95.8232000

9. Logan Cemetery
Logan, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6487579, -95.7843170

10. Ellison Cemetery
Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6561012, -95.6260986

11. Hawkins Cemetery
Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6458800, -95.6355000

12. Bethel Cemetery
Logan, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6239014, -95.6999969

13. Henderson Cemetery
Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6257000, -95.6794000

14. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Dunlap, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8446999, -95.5939026

15. Valley View Cemetery
Crawford County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8647003, -95.6252975

16. Magnolia Cemetery
Magnolia, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6903000, -95.8799973

17. Saint Bridgets Cemetery
Magnolia, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6915660, -95.8812480

18. Manteno Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8343964, -95.5367355

19. Doyle Cemetery
Earling, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8051000, -95.5087000

20. Harris Grove Cemetery
Beebeetown, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5782928, -95.7262192

21. Washington Township Cemetery
Panama, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7305984, -95.4867020

22. Saint Mary's Cemetery
Portsmouth, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6519012, -95.5233002

23. Calhoun Cemetery
Calhoun, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6391983, -95.8938980

24. Saint Marys Cemetery
Panama, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7332993, -95.4811020