Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/10078 Surname: Derosear, Bristow, Arnold ------------------------- William Derosear, also known as Baptiste, an early settler of Lee County and a veteran of three wars, is now pursuing the peaceful occupation of a farmer on section 29 in Cedar Township. He was born three miles from Lexington, Ky., August 12, 1815, and is the son of Peter Derosear (Derosier), a native of Canada, as was also the grandfather, Joseph Derosear (Derosier), and of French ancestry. The father of our subject came to the States when a young man, and engaged extensively in the buying and selling of horses in Kentucky. These he purchased in Canada and shipped to the states, meeting with sucess in his transactions. He was married in Kentucky, and his wife, the mother of our subject, died soon afterward. He then returned to his native Canada and settled in the parish of Lenora, District of Montreal, where he died. The subject of our sketch was but three years old when he was deprived of the affectionate care of his mother. He went to Canada with his father, remaining there until he was seventeen, when he started out to battle for himself, and going toward the southwest crossed the Mississippi into St. Louis. He was without means, and availed himself of the first opportunity that afforded to obtain a livelihood; a hunting expedition was being formed, and he became one of a party of eighty men to go up the Missouri River. While encamped on a branch of the "Big Muddy" they were attacked by Indians, and thirty-three of their number killed; the remainder were pursued for some distance, barely escaping with their lives. They at once returned to St. Louis and applied to the Government for troops with which to pursue their vengeful foe. A company was formed, and our subject returned with them to the scene of the massacre, where they engaged with their enemies and drove them across the river, after which they evinced no disposition to return. The wild live of the West was especially suited to the disposition of our young adventurer, and he subsequently crossed the Rocky Mountains and in 1836 visited California. He only spent a few weeks there, however, and returning eastward became idenified with the Exploring expedition of Gen. Fremont through the Golden State, in which he was engaged nine months, and in that time traveled over the greater portions of California. He left the command of Fremont at Mexico Ridge and returned to St. Louis. During these wanderings, Mr. Derosear had traversed the soil of every Territory in the United States, and penetrated into many places where the foot of the white man had never before been placed. He had many hairbreadth escapes from death by Indians and wild animals, and these experiences served to develope in him his natural qualities of courage and endurance. After his return to St. Louis he, in company with others, purchased flat boats, and by means of this tranportation became extensively engaged in bringing wood into the city from twelve miles above. The spirit of adventure, however, was not easily quelled, and in 1846, during the progress of the Mexican War, he enlisted as a soldier, in which he served seven months. Being satisfied with this experience, he obtained his discharge, and going to New Orleans engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi. He was thus occupied for three years following, and then began to feel that he would be glad to establish himself in a permanent home. He accordingly came up the river into Iowa, and purchasing a tract of wild land in Lee County, settled upon it and remained until the breaking out of the late Civil War. He then enlisted as a soldier of the Union in Co. C 37th Iowa Vol. Inf., with which he served in the Department of the Southwest, doing garrison and picket duty, and continued with the army until the close of the war. He then returned to his farm, and has engaged in the peaceful occupation of agriculture, in which he will probably be content to remain until his earthly labors are ended. Mr. Derosear was married in 1845, to Sarah Ann Bristow, an English lady, by whom he has become the father of fifteen children, thirteen of whom are living: Sarah, William, Jane and David, twins, John, Mary E., Alice, Issac, Clara, James, Zephyr, Charlotte and Albert B.C.; those deceased are Isabel and Mary Jane. Mrs. Derosear was born in London, April 8, 1828, the daughter of James and Jane (Arnold) Bristow, and was but an infant when her father died; her mother, afterward Mrs. William Bateman, came to America in about 1845. They crossed the Mississippi, came into Lee County, and settled in Cedar Township, where her mother and step-father remained until the close of their lives. 1887 Portrait and Biographical Album of Lee County