William Hanlen
Among the well known and public-spirited pioneers of Williams must be mentioned William Hanlen, who was one of the incorporators of the town as well as a member of its first council, and has for thirty-three years been actively identified, with local business interests. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, on December 2, 1846, and is the eldest son and second child born to Samuel and Anna (Shields) Hanlen. The father was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and died in Tama County, Iowa, but the mother was a native of Richland County, Ohio, and passed away in Kansas in 1909, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. In the early youth of our subject the father came to Iowa and purchased an improved farm of eighty acres in Linn Grove township, Cedar County. He had unlimited confidence in the agricultural possibilities of the state and subsequently extended his holdings until he held title to five hundred acres of land, having the largest land interests of almost any one in that section of the state. There were nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanlen, those beside our subject being as follows: Elizabeth, the deceased wife of O. M. Haney, John, who is a resident of Texas; James, of South Dakota; Robert, of Oregon: Ella, who married H. Eldredge, of Kansas; Christopher, deceased; Albert, who is living in Newton, Kansas; and Frank, who is a resident of Astoria, Oregon. All but the two eldest, who are natives of Richland County, Ohio, were born in Cedar County, Iowa. The boyhood and youth of William Hanlen were passed on the old homestead in Cedar County, his education being obtained in the district schools of Linn Grove township. In 1879, he came to Hamilton county and established a general mercantile store at Williams, which he conducted with increasing success until 1895. In the latter year he disposed of his store and engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, with which he is still identified. On the 27th of January, 1877, Mr. Hanlen was married to Miss Eva Curyea, who was born in Henry County, Illinois, June 12, 1859, and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Irwin) Curyea. The parents, who were natives of Virginia, came to Henry County during the pioneer days. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Curyea numbered eight, those besides the wife of our subject being: Margaret, Bell, John, Thomas, Nettie, Louis and Addie, all of whom are living with the exception of Nettie, who died in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Hanlen are the parents of the following children: Mabel, who was born June 4, 1878, the wife of T. D. Rutledge, of Blairsburg, Iowa; Clea, a resident of San Francisco, California, whose birth occurred in December, 1880; Addie, who was born February 2, 1882, a resident of Williams; Maude, who was born November 27, 1884, the wife of F. A. Gillette, of Des Moines, Iowa; Bessie, who was born January 4, 1886; Frank, whose natal day was September 8, 1890; Earl born May 27, 1894; Clella, born September 30, 1896; and Janice, born October 31, 1899. All are residing in Williams, where they were born with the exception of the eldest daughter, whose birth occurred in Tama County. Mr. Hanlen owns his residence, which is one of the social centers of the town, its hospitality being extended to a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. Hanlen gives his political support to the republican party and during the period of his residence in Williams has served as a member of the council and also as justice of the peace, having discharged his duties in both connections in a highly creditable manner.
From History of Hamilton County Iowa, Vol.II, p.28