TEACHER WITH AN EYE FOR THE LAND

An early settler to Mower County, William T. Mandeville was known as a man of quality

By Jaimie Timm, mower CounTy HisToriCal soCieTy • all pHoTos CourTesy of THe mower CounTy HisToriCal soCieTy William T. Mandeville as a young man.

William T. Mandeville was an early settler in Mower County.

He arrived in March 1856, with Alfred Richardson, Hugh Mills and Pliny Conkey. All four men came from Iowa with 40 covered wagons and claimed land in what would later become Windom Township.

A teacher by trade, William returned to West Union, Iowa, that year to teach the winter term and returned to his claim, for good, in 1857. Mandeville’s claim was located in the southeast quarter of Section 30.

He continued to improve his land and was very keen to stay upto-date on the current agricultural trends.

William’s obituary stated, “He was a close reader of the agricultural trend of the age and was especially well posted on all pertaining to this subject. He always had a fine garden and found intense pleasure in growing things. Always a great reader he kept posted on all general topics of the age and while never an active politician, was well informed on all matters relating to the

nation, state, and city…” As a well read and educated man, William also continued his teaching career in Austin and taught the first term of school in February 1866, in Austin’s first real school building. William married Clarissa Davidson (the wife of J. L. Davidson, another early Mower County settler) in 1858 and they had two daughters. Unfortunately, all three women died and William married again in 1863. This time, he took J. L. Davidson’s daughter, Mary Adella, as his wife and they had five children — Phoebe, William, Harry, Clara, and Eunice. Sometime in the 1860s, perhaps after his second marriage, William moved to Austin and bought the livery and stable business started in William’s wife, Mary. Mrs. Mandeville joined the Ladies’ Floral Club in 1875. 1864 by A. B. Davidson and William Brown. He also built a brick house on First Street Southeast. William passed away in 1916, “only those closely associated with him recognized his true worth. He loved his home and his family.”

Above, The Mandeville family home on First Street Southeast, then called Chatham Street.

Left, A photograph of W. T. Mandeville published in the Mower County Transcript on April 16, 1902.

Right, An advertisement in the Mower County Register in May 1868 announcing Mr. Mandeville’s purchase of the livery business.

Michelle Nelson is the owner of The Pet Authority. 8 must-have products for success with a new puppy

Finding the perfect products for your new puppy can be so much fun, but it can also be very confusing. there are literally thousands of items to choose from, and the average pet owner quickly becomes overwhelmed by all the options. and that is exactly why you shop at your locally owned, independent pet stores like store like the Pet authority, and they will guide you through the sea of products to start your new puppy off on the right paw. 1. Collar and leash: a must-have when you pick up your new puppy. start with an adjustable collar as your pup will grow quickly and the collar will continuously need to be sized up. the collar should be snug, allowing only two fingers to fit between the collar and the pup’s neck. a good quality leash with sturdy hardware is all you need. Please avoid retractable leashes until your pup learns to walk without pulling on a regular 6-foot leash. 2. Crate: i highly recommend crate training, even if you don’t plan on crating your dog long-term. this will make traveling, boarding and vet visits easier, and sometimes they just need some alone time. your pup only needs enough room to turn around and lay down. 3. Water and food bowls: stainless, ceramic or glass are my choice. Plastic bowls leach toxic chemicals back into your pet’s food and water over time — not the ideal choice for the health of your new pup. 4. Grooming products: Purchasing the appropriate grooming tools is very important, especially if you have a long-haired, doublecoated or any type of a doodle. begin the daily routine of brushing and regular bathing (only use a dog-formulated shampoo) with your pup from day one. it is much easier to start when they are small instead of fight them when they are full grown and a matted mess. if you have a dog that will need to be groomed by a professional, make sure you schedule your pup’s first appointment before they are 4 months old. 5. toys: start with a variety of toys and swap them out each day to prevent boredom. rope toys to tug, stuffed animals, toys that squeak, balls to retrieve, treat-dispensing toys are all must-haves for your new pup. make sure you have toys they play with by themselves and also interactive toys so you can play together. 6. Chews: i have never met a puppy that doesn’t love to chew; therefore, selecting safe, easy-to-digest chews is essential. Please avoid any rawhide and hard bones with your new pup. my favorite puppy chew is a lamb ear — super soft, long-lasting and easy on their tummies. Oh, and dogs love them. don’t forget to throw in a bully stick, cow ears or beef cheek roll as they grow. 7. treats: my dog’s ears perk up every time he hears the “t” word. treats are a must-have to reward your pup during the training process. my favorite are freeze-dried treats. soft, small treats that are gentle on their tummy with only one to three ingredients. Cooked chicken is great also. 8. high quality puppy food: i saved the most important item for last. your pets food is the foundation for good health. talk to your favorite pet store and let them show you what your best options are. and no matter what you do for food, add fresh veggies and fruits, along with raw or cooked meat, for the best natural sources of essential amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and the protein your pup needs.