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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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William Henry Tannatt.

William Henry Tannatt, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 7, Prussia township, is widely known as a breeder of thoroughbred Poland China hogs and fine horses.  He was born in Madison county, New York, November 16, 1855, and is a son of John and Amanda (Hamblin) Tannatt.  The father was born in Wales and there learned the shoemaker's trade.  After emigrating to the United States he enlisted in the Union army and died while in the service.  He was married in New York to Miss Hamblin, who was a native of that state, born of Yankee stock.  When our subject was eleven years old she removed to Illinois, where she later married David Jones and where her demise occurred.

In 1881 William Henry Tannatt removed to Adair county, Iowa, and located in Prussia township.  After renting land for four years he accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to purchase an eighty acre tract, the nucleus of his present home farm.  He has since added to his holdings and now owns two hundred and forty acres of excellent land.  He also rents other land which he operates.  About thirty years ago he began to breed full-blooded Poland China hogs and high grade horses and sells both for market and for breeding purposes, and now owns Thumper Chief, No. 10364 (25711), a fine Shire horse imported from England;  Robert, No. 69711, a Percheron;  and King, a mammoth jack.

On the 20th of December, 1883, Mr. Tannatt was united in marriage to Miss Ella Benn, who was born in Will county, Illinois, July 22, 1863, a daughter of John and Mary (Hall) Benn, both natives of Yorkshire, England, where their marriage occurred.  In the late '40s they emigrated to America and located in Oswego, Illinois, but a year later they removed to Will county, that state, where the father purchased land, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time and energy.  Both he and his wife passed away on that place.  To Mr. and Mrs. Tannatt have been born six children:  Eugene, whose birth occurred on the 6th of October, 1885, and who is now stationary engineer at the creamery in Greenfield;  Clara, born March 24, 1887, who is a graduate of the Fontanelle high school and is teaching in Prussia township;  Everett, born October 22, 1888, who helps his father with the work of the farm;  Ray, born August 12, 1890, who is also assisting his father;  Blanche, born August 18, 1893, at home;  and Eva, who was born June 26, 1897, and will graduate from the Fontanelle high school with the class of 1916.

Mr. Tannatt is a republican in his political belief, and has served as school director.  He supports the Methodist Episcopal church and cooperates with various movements seeking the welfare of his community.  He has gained a gratifying measure of success in farming and stock-raising and is recognized as one of the enterprising and progressive residents of his township.

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