Francis Guittar, a retired merchant of Council Bluffs, is the oldest settler of Pottawattamie County, if not the oldest in Western Iowa. He came her in 1825, as an agent for the American Fur Company, when not quite sixteen years of age. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, September 25, 1809, the son of Vansaw and Mary (Arpah) Guittar, who were both born in St. Louis, Missouri. The father was a son of Paul Guittar, a native of Canada, but of French parentage.

At the age of fifteen years our subject entered the employ of the American Fur Company, and remained in their employ as agent until 1850, when he engaged in that business for himself.

He also had a general store in Council Bluffs, on the corner of Broadway and Main Streets. It was a log house built by the Mormans, for which Mr. Guittar gave $250, and afterward sold the same to Judge James, of Council Bluffs, and M. Tootle, of St. Joseph and others, and in 1878 retired from business.

His experience has been more than that of many men, and could furnish material for an interesting book. In company with the Pawnee Indians, he fought the Sioux, although he was friendly with the latter, and at one time was shot in battle.

Mr. Guittar has four children living. He is a Democrat politically, and is one of the old landmarks of this county whom every one is glad to meet.