William Nation, son of Joel and Mary Ann (Britton) Nation, was born 25 Aug. 1844 in Linn Co., Iowa. On Christmas day 1867 at Toddville, Linn Co., Iowa he was married to Henrietta Newman, who died in 1874. On 16 Oct. 1875 he married Sarah Bowers, daughter of John Henry Bowers and Susan (Cline) Bowers, Sarah was born 4 Feb. 1854 and died 8 Nov., 1906. William married Eva Parsons 29 Feb. 1912, who died 20 June 1918. William later married Louisa J. William died 8 April 1923 in Waterloo, Iowa and was buried with his wife Sarah in Buckingham Cemetery, Tama Co., Iowa. William had the following children:
William Franklin Nation, Sr. led rather a colorful life. When he filed for a pension in 1919 to the Dept. of Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic for service in the Civil War he was rejected on ground of desertion. William nation enlisted first from Henderson, Ill., was a Pvt. F 102 Illinois Infantry. He enlisted August 13, 1862, mustered in Sept. 2, 1862 and deserted Oct. 27, 1862.
He enlisted as William Franklin in Co. G. 9 Iowa Cavalry on Aug. 21, 1863, mustered in Aug. 21, 1863 and deserted July 17, 1863 (discrepancy here). Tried again to register as William Nolan but was rejected by mustering Officer Jan. 31, 1863.
The Pension file shows his residence as 1524 W. 4th St., Waterloo, Iowa. He had lived in Tama Co. for 45 years as a farmer - about 11 yrs. ago (statement of 18 Mar. 1918), came to Waterloo, Iowa and retired. He continues:
"In the summer of 1850 I lived with my uncle George Gritton in Hendersonville, Ill. In the Summer- of 186- on a farm with a man named Isaac Reed, farm hand. My father was Joel Nation, my mother Sarah A. Gritton, had one sister, Elizabeth Nation, who married Barney Riley, one full brother and three half brothers, Robert, Jefferson and Andrew Skinner."
He states that he married Henrietta Newman 25 Dec. 1857 near Marion, Iowa by Rev. Waters. That she died 10-27, 1874 age 27 and is buried in the Dunkard Cemetery, Monroe Twp., Linn Co., Iowa. He married Sarah Bowers 16 Oct. 1875 in Linn Co., Iowa. William and Sarah are buried in Buckingham Cemetery, Perry Twp. , Tama Co., Iowa.
W. F. Nation's obituary was printed in the Traer Star Clipper in 1923 as follows:
Former Geneseo Resident Succumbs at Home in Waterloo After Long Illness
Iowa Inhabited by Fifty Indians to Every White Settler in His Boyhood
W. F. Nation, of Waterloo, formerly a resident of Geneseo township, died at his home in Waterloo Sunday evening of general disability after an illness of more than a year. He had been confined to the bed three months. The funeral was held at the Methodist church in Traer Wednesday afternoon. Burial was in Buckingham cemetery beside his wife.
Mr. Nation was born on a farm in Center Point township, Linn county, August 25, 1844. His birth occurred on the deadline between the white and the red man, and in his early childhood he saw fifty Indians to one white settler. his opportunities for an education were only such as could be secured in the little old school house with its hewed log benches. the first year that he worked he received 100 bushels of corn for his service. 'The following year he was employed at $8 per month. Following the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in September, 1862, when a youth of eighteen as a member of Co. F, 102d Illinois Volunteer infantry, with which he served for nine months. He was taken prisoner at Bowling Green, Kentucky, but was paroled at the end of three days by Captain George H. Ward, who said he would rather fight than feed the Union men. In the fall of 1862 he came to Waterloo and enlisted in Co. G, Iowa cavalry, serving for two years. Mr. Nation enlisted at that time under the name of William Franklin for, on account of his parole, he could not enlist under his own name.
On Christmas day, 1867, at Toddville, Linn county, Iowa, Mr. Nation was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Newman. She died in 1874, and in 1875 he was married the second time to Sarah A. Bowers, of Cedar Rapids. Following her death he wedded Eva Parsons. He leaves one half brother, Andrew J. Steinner, of Pullman, Washington. There were eleven children: Ora, Cedar Rapids; Ernie, Oma, Walter, Geneseo; Will, Traer; J.L., LaPorte City; Mamie Henning, of Minneapolis; Sadie Bowers, LaPorte City; Pearl Friess, Arlington, S.D.; Millie B. Nation died at the age of four, and Olive McBride twelve years ago.
Mr. Nation united with the Geneseo church in 1903 during the pastorate of Rev. Chaffee. He was a man of good standing in the community. Many old neighbors were present at the funeral, which was in charge of Rev. Grant, of Geneseo church. Members of the American Legion served as pallbearers.