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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 554-555]

    ANDREW J. WHISMAN was born in Monroe County, Indiana, September 28,
    1838, and is a son of DAVID and CATHERINE (BROWN) WHISMAN, being one
    of a family of nineteen children.  When he was sixteen years of age
    his parents removed to Illinois, and lived for a number of years in
    McLean and Livingston counties.  In 1867 Mr. WHISMAN came to Cherokee
    County, and entered as a homestead 160 acres of land in Willow Town-
    ship, which he has brought to an advanced state of cultivation.  He
    has added to this first purchase until he now owns over 300 acres of
    excellent farming land.  When Mr. WHISMAN first came to the county
    the land was wild and uncultivated, and there were but three or four
    settlers in the vicinity of the flourishing village of Washta.  The
    cultivated valley of the Little Sioux is described by him as a
    wilderness of grass, offering but small attractions as an abiding
    place.  Sioux City, the metropolis of Northwestern Iowa, had at that
    time not a single railroad, and gave little promise of the prosperity
    which has since attended her.  Mr. WHISMAN met all the hardships and
    privations of pioneer life with courage, and his efforts have been
    amply rewarded.  After breaking out his farm he proceeded to erect
    buildings necessary to the comfort of the family and the care and
    protection of live-stock.  In 1881 he embarked in the mercantile
    business as a partner in the firm of EARL EDMUNDS & Co., dealers in
    general merchandise.  In 1887, when the Cherokee & Dakota branch of
    the Illinois Central Railroad was built, and the town of Washta was
    started, this store was moved nearer to the railroad.  The firm is
    now A. J. WHISMAN, and is is well and favorably known in the business
    circles of Cherokee and Ida counties.  Mr. WHISMAN carries a heavy
    stock of general merchandise, and buys all kinds of country produce.
    To him belongs the honor of naming the town of Washta.  At one time
    an old Indian came to his house, and seeing his gun, took it down
    and examined it carefully, and handed it back with the exclamation,
    "Washta!" meaning in the Sioux language "good."  When a postoffice
    was established at this point, and Mr. WHISMAN was made postmaster,
    he was asked to suggest a name for the place, and he could think of
    no better adjective to describe the beautiful valley in which he lives
    than the word "good," or in the Indian tongue, "Washta."  And so the
    postoffice was named.  Mr. WHISMAN'S enthusiasm on the subject of
    Cherokee County is expressed in these words: "During my residence here
    I have never known a failure of crops in this neighborhood," which is
    indeed a remarkable statement when we consider that he has lived in
    the county for twenty-one years, and that other parts of the State
    have suffered severely from drought, grasshoppers or extreme wet.
    He was married to Miss DELINDA EMELINE PRINDLE, and they are the
    parents of three children: MARY CATHERINE, wife of EARL EDMUNDS;
    HANNAH ELIZABETH, wife of FRANK MATOON; and MILES D., who is in
    business with his father, and whose history is given below.  Mr.
    and Mrs. WHISMAN are worthy and consistent members of the Congre-
    gational Church.  Mr. WHISMAN has held many local offices since
    coming to the county, and has acquitted himself with honor and
    credit.  He has been postmaster of Washta for sixteen years.
    Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.

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