USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 75
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WELCH, D. T .- Of the firm of Welch & McMillan, dealers in dry goods, clothing, notions, etc. Is one of Marion county's leading, as well as most successful merchants, and was born in Savannah, Ohio, on the
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
twenty-second of June, 1843, and when three years of age accompanied his parents to Oskaloosa, Mahaska county, where he lived until 1853. He re- ceived his education in the common schools and at Mt. Pleasant, Iow He was raised with a mercantile experience. He enlisted during the late war in the Thirty-third Iowa infantry, and served three years and participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. He engaged in his present business in 1872, with M. Y. Kinne, under the firm name of Kinne & Welch. This relation continued for seven months, when Mr. John A. Welch purchased Mr. Kinne's interest, and the business was conducted under the firm name of Welch & Welch. Owing to impaired health Mr. J. A. Welch was obliged to retire, and Mr. McMillan became a partner. Under the present name of Welch & McMillan, they have taken a front rank among the business men of Marion county, and have secured a large trade, and enjoy an enviable reputation. He was married in June, 1867, to Mis Maria McMillan, a resident of Marion county, but born in Lafayette, Indi- ana. They have one son, Archie.
WELCH, JOHN A .- Dealer in dry-goods and clothing. One of the pioneers of this county, was born in Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, on the 24th day of November, 1834, and lived in this and De Witt counties until 1843, and then removed with his parents to Jefferson county, Iowa, and in 1844 came to this county. He was raised a farmer until 1854, and then went to California and spent three years in the mines. He returned to Iowa, and divided his time between attending school, teaching and working on a farm. He enlisted in the army during the late war, and after serv- ing nine months was discharged on account of disability. After return- ing to his home he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in 1863 com- menced his mercantile experience. He has held the .office of coroner, and served part of one term as sheriff. But few men have a better record. He started in life comparatively without means, and his career has been both honorable and successful, and he has always enjoyed the confidence of the community in which he resides. He was married in 1861 to Miss Mary E. Haines, a native of Gloucester county New Jersey. They have four children: Edgar V., Galen H., Otto R., Mary W. Lost . three in in- fancy.
WELCH, J. L .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 23, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Paris, Illinois, on the third day of December, 1830. His parents were John R. and Matilda Welch. John R. Welch was engaged in the black- smithing business at that place. He removed with his family when J. L. was quite young to De Witt county, where they resided until he attained the age of 14 years. In 1843, the family came to Iowa, locating in . Jefferson county. In the spring of 1844, removed to Marion county, locating in Knoxville township. On the third of October, 1856, he was married to Miss Annis McMillen, a native of Ohio, a lady of refined tastes and domestic habits, the daughter of Solomon and Mary Ann McMillen. By this union they had six children, five of whom are living. I. Irene, LeRoy S., Milton R., Mattie, Alvin V .; one deceased. Mr. Welch's educational advantages were very limited, and he secured his education by improving the leisure hours, and an indomitable will. His present farm of 220 acres he has oc. cupied since 1861. He makes a specialty of the stock trade, and has herds that will compare favorably with any in the township. His home is pleas- antly situated, and indicates comfort and prosperity. October 1st, 1861, he enlisted in company G, Fifteenth Iowa infantry, participating in many of
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the notable events of the war-Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh and Siege of Cor- inth. At the time of his enlistment he was appointed hospital steward, which duties he discharged until December, 1863, when he received the ap- pointment of second lieutenant of the Forty-seventh U. S. colored regiment. Was on the Red River expedition, when he received a slight wound in one of the skirmishes, Yazoo City, and eight at Fort Blakely. He was honorably dis- charged in 1866. It was at the log house of John R. Welch, in the sum- mer of 1844, that the first church services were held in Knoxville township. With the exception of his term in the service and eighteen months he spent in California (going there in 1854), he has been a resident of Marion county since 1844. Thus we have traced the ups and downs of one Marion coun- ty's pioneers, but pioneers do not always sojourn in the country that they open up to the world. Such is the case with Mr. Welch. He contemplates leaving Marion. While the county suffers the loss of one of its respected and solid citizens, some other country and county will gain thereby. His mother, Mrs. Martha Welch, died at Butler, Missouri, November 23, 1880.
WELCH, NIMROD-Farmer, Sec. 15, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1814. His parents were James and Margaret Welch. He was there educated and raised to manhood. In early life he adopted the profession of farming, which he has followed all his life. In 1840 he married Miss Elizabeth Moore, of Pennsylvania. By this union they have had eight children, Margaret, Mary A., Watson H., Robert Moore, E. E., David O., Wm. A., Sarah Jane (deceased). Mrs. Welch died in 1862. In 1849 he came to Iowa, locating in Mahaska. In 1853 he came to Marion county. His farm of 130 acres is well located. He is a man who has been closely identified with the general improvements of the county, and. is numbered among its respected citizens.
WELCH, W. H .- Son of Nimrod Welch. Born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, May twenty-fourth, 1847. He came to Iowa with his parents in 1849; to Marion county in 1855.
WETHERELL, A. D .-- Physician and surgeon, and one of the best medical practitioners in Marion county. Was born in Burlington, Ver- mont, on the 21st day of July, 1818, and continued to reside in his native State until 1833, when his parents removed to Licking county, Ohio, set- tling on a farm. Here the subject of our sketch was principally raised; he received his education in the common schools and supplemented by a few terms in the preparatory department of Granville College, now Dennison University, and aiding his father, more or less, each year in his farm duties. After attaining his majority he engaged in teaching, and having made choice of medicine as a profession his leisure hours were devoted to read- ing, and after a thorough preparation with Dr. W. W. Bancroft as preceptor, he attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and grad- nated in 1844, and after practicing nearly thirteen years in Licking county. in October, 1856, settled in Knoxville, where he continues to practice with marked success. In his medical relations he has built up his reputation by skill and energy. He has been twice married; first, to Miss Harriet Avery, of Ohio, in October, 1843. She died on the 31st of December, 1860, leav- ing four children: Marion (deceased), Maria (now Mrs. Cathcart), Lizzie (now Mrs. Mieslang), and Frank. His second marriage occurred November, 1861, to Miss Mary Walters, of Knoxville.
WEYERS, WM .- Undertaker. Was born in Prussia, March 27, 1815, and was raised in his native country. He emigrated to the United States
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until 1864, when he went overland to California, locating at San Bernardino, where he is at present a resident.
RUCKMAN. S. M .- Coal-dealer and farmer, Sec. 20, P. O. Knoxville Was born in Pike county, Ohio, October 10, 1849. His father, David, was a school-teacher in that State. The family, including S. M., emigrated to Iowa in 1851, and in 1852 came to Marion county, where the subject of this sketch was raised and educated. His boyhood days were spent in tilling the soil. His estate, of forty acres, abonnds with a quality of coal that will compare favorably with any in the county. The vein average four feet. For several years he has made coal-mining his specialty, and his increased trade, during the winter season, requires his entire attention. He married, April 29, 1875, Miss A. Curtiss, of Marion county. They have two children: Edmond Erwin and Dorus Emery.
RUFFNER, J. B .- Proprietor of the Amos House. Is a native of Kentucky, and was born October 26, 1831. In 1835 he was taken to Indi- ana, where he was raised a farmer. He came to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Indiana township, Marion county, and engaged in farming, which he continned for several years, with a good degree of success. He also had : mercantile experience in Attica of four years, and for a number of yen was engaged in the stock trade. In 1875 he moved to Knoxville, and sold goods until April 1, 1880, and then engaged in his present business, which his attention to the comfort of his guests, as well as his social and obliging nature, has enabled him to conduct so successfully, and he is enti- tled to the esteem in which he is held by the traveling public. He has been twice married; first, to Mrs. Sarah C. Kendrick, April 22, 1860. She was born February 14, 1838, and died in December, 1878. His second marriage occurred in 1880, to Mrs. Emma Sharp, a native of Indiana. He has three children by his first marriage: Cameron, Thomas and Ella; lost two. Mrs. R. has one daughter, Maud, by a former inarriage.
AVAGE, W. B .- Of the firm of Bittenbender & Savage, machinists.
S Is the son of W. G. Savage, and was born in Massachusetts, March 3. 1855, and when nine years of age came with his parents to this county. His father was a practical machinist, and the son may be said to have been raised to the business, and is a master of all its details. He was married in 1879, to Miss Elmira Berkey, a native of Iowa. They have one daughter, Minnie.
SCHLOTTERBECK, JOHN-Farmer, Sec. 11, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1805. When but a small boy his father moved to Ross county, Ohio. At the age of twelve years, John, in company with his parents, emigrated to Crawford county, Indi- ana, where he remained till 1843, when he moved to Iowa, stopping for a short time in Jefferson county, but finally located in Wapello county. where he lived till 1849, when he came to Marion county. In 1851 he moved on to the farm he now occupies. He was married, March 27, 1826. to Nancy Wyman, born in Washington county, Kentucky. They have six children: George, John, Catharine, Mary, Sarah and Jacob.
SCHLOTTERBECK, MICHAEL-Farmer, P. O. Knoxville, was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1818. When five years of age he moved with his pa- rents to Harrison county, Indiana, where he lived until fourteen years of age, and thence to Crawford county, in the same State, and remained there until 28 years of age, and then moved to Iowa, locating in Wapello county. In 1852 he came to Marion county. Mr. Schlotterbeck's early life was
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spent principally upon the farm. By pursuing a straightforward, upright and honest course, he has gained a good reputation, and has secured for himself and family a comfortable home. He was married in 1842 to Miss Joanna Toller, born in Crawford county, Indiana, in the year 1826. They have four children: Elizabeth, Lucy, John and Willie.
SCHLIDT, HENRY-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 5, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Hessel Cassel, Germany, November 15, 1801. His parents were Henry and Ann Elizabeth. He was raised to manhood and educated in his native county. His early life was that of a farmer boy. In 1832 he came to America, and for a time followed farining in Maryland, after which he removed to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he pursued agriculture for a number of years. He next removed to Allen county, where he resided un- til 1866. In that year the State of Iowa attracted the attention of Mr. Schlidt, and he emigrated to Marion county, locating where he now resides. He married, the spring of 1839, Mrs. Hannah Dursh, a native of Washing- tou county, Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of William and Sarah Jones. By the union they have two daughters: Ann Isabelle and Sarah Amanda. They are ladies of refined tastes and excellent managers of household affairs. Ann Isabelle is the wife of Andrew Huffman. Mr. Schlidt is the architect of his own fortune, as he came to America in very moderate circumstances, and has by untiring industry and his own efforts secured a fine farm and a pleasant home.
SCHMIDT, CHARLES-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 25, P. O. Iola. Was born in France, May 26, 1810. Emigrated to the United States when at the age of twenty years, and located in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he remained till 1837, when he moved to Richland county, Ohio. He remained in Ohio for twenty years, and then emigrated with his parents to Iowa and located in Marion county. His death occurred October 5, 1880. Mr. Schmidt was apprenticed to a wagon-maker at the age of fourteen to learn the trade, with whom he remained three years. He devoted the principal part of his time to the prosecution of his trade till 1857, when he engaged in agricultural pursnits. Assiduously pursuing his occupation he acquired considerable wealth. Was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church; one of its staunch supporters. Mr. Schmidt was married June 13, 1837, to Mary M. Clouse, who was also a native of France; born Jan- uary 27, 1821. He left a family of six children: George, Sarah, Charles P., Lonisa, Mary and Henrietta.
SCOLES, H. J .- Physician and surgeon. One of the oldest med. ical practitioners of Marion county was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 11th day of July, 1825. His early life was that of a farmer boy, and followed this occupation until 1850, when he removed to Keokuk, Iowa. His mind, previous to this time, was made up to devote himself to the practice of medicine, and he commenced reading with Drs. McGugen and Hughes as preceptors, and after the most thorough preparation he attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, and was graduated in 1853. In 1856 he came to this county and pursued his chosen calling. During the war he enlisted in the Fourth Iowa infantry, and was appointed assistant surgeon. After he was mustered out of the United States service he returned to his home and resumed his practice. He was married on the 31st day of March, 1852, to Miss Mary E. Mckenzie, & native of Knox county, Ohio. They have a family of three children: Charles E., Harry B., Susanna M. One son, Frank, died July 21, 1862.
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
the stock business. He commenced his banking experience in the office of his father performing the duty of cashier and book-keeper. He wu one of the organizer of the First National Bank of Pella, but disposed of his interest and assisted in organizing the Marion County National Bank. Hehas been its cashier from the first, and it is largely owing to his financial ability and integrity of character as well as large business capacity, that the institution has secured that reputation for security and safety which it richly merits. Mr. Wright was married in 1865, to Miss Artie Marsh, s native of Washington county, Indiana. Their family consists of four chil- dren: Carrie B., Lee, William M. and Mand.
WRIGHT, W. E .- Among the physicians of Marion county deserv- ing of mention is the subject of this sketch. Was born in Fayette county, Indiana, on the eighteenth day of July, 1840, and was raised in this and Franklin counties until 1856 when he removed to Iowa and settled in this county. Until he attained to manhood, his time was chiefly spent in acquiring an education and teaching until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in company B, Third Iowa infantry and was in the ser- vice three years. He was wounded by guerrillas on his way to Vicksburg. and was sent to the hospital at Keokuk and while here he made choice of medicine as a profession, and commenced study under the auspices of the College faculty. After a through preparation he attended lectures and was graduated from the College of Physician and Surgeons in 1867, and at once entered on the active practice of his profession and in which he has been satisfactorily successful. He married Miss M. A. Woodruff, in 1868. She was born in Ohio. They have five children: Willie B., Jessie M., Edmund F., Katie and an infant.
WRIGHT, P. F .- Dairyman. Is one of Marion county's old and highly esteemed citizens. He was born in Sussex county, Delaware, on the third day of March, 1814, and lived there until 1838. He learned the plastering trade in his youth and has followed it the greater portion of his life. In 1838 he removed to Indiana where he remained until 1856 when he came to this county and followed his chosen occupation and has been closely iden- fied with the growth and material prosperity of the county. In 1874 he re- tired from the plastering trade, and has since devoted his time to the dairy business, and in this line has an enviable reputation. He married Miss Deborah Conwell, in 1840; she was born in Delaware. They have a family of six children living: W. E. (a practicing physician), David C., Elias, Maggie, Katie, Frank and Lafayette. Lost Samuel and Edmond. Three sons, Wm. E., Samuel and Edmond served in the army, and Samuel died from disease contraced in the service of his country.
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OUNG, W. B .- Physician and druggist. One of Marion county's early, as well as most reliable citizens, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, on the 12th day of November, 1812, and when young accom- panied his parents to Ohio, and resided at Zanesville and McConnellsville, that State, until after attaining his majority. He was raised on a farm and divided his time between farming and teaching, until making choice of medicine as a profession. After thorough preparation he commenced the practice and continued it for thirteen years, in Wayne and Ashland coun- ties, Ohio, with satisfactory results. In 1852 he emigrated to Iowa and set- tled in this county, and continued in his chosen avocation. Having gone the security of a friend, in order to save as much as possible he was obliged to take a stock of goods and devote his attention to the disposition of them.
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In 1861 he was elected county judge, and served four years. After the ex- piration of his judicial term, in order to educate his children, he removed to Birmingham, Van Buren county, and remained there three years, and then returned to Knoxville, which has since been his home, and where he has conducted a drug trade. He married Miss Rachael C. McCallister, in 1840. She was born in Pennsylvania. They have four children: Anna, Mattie, James B. and Ohio Pierce.
YOUNG, J. G .- Dealer in drugs, paints, oils and druggists' sundries. Was born in Morgan county, Ohio, on the 29th day of October, 1820, and was raised in this and Ashtabula counties. His early life was that of a farmer. He continued to reside in his native State until 1852, when he came to Iowa and settled in Marion county. The first seven years he en- gaged in farming and then commenced his mercantile experience and he is a good illustration of what economy and perseverance can accomplish when combined with honor and integrity. He is a true man and a reputable merchant. He was married in 1844 to Miss Hannah Biddinger, a native of Ohio.
YOUNG, E. D .- Undertaker. Was born in Butler county, Ohio, De- cember 14, 1815, and when an infant was taken by his parents to Franklin county, Indiana. He learned the trade of cabinet-maker in his youth, and has followed it the greater portion of the time since. He emigrated to Iowa and settled in Burlington in 1841, and soon after removed to Mt. Pleasant, in Henry county, and voted at the first State election in 1846. After seven years' residence at this place he returned to Indiana, and settled in Indianapolis, and after living there four years, once more retraced his steps to Iowa, and settled in Keokuk, September 1, 1852, and in 1854 came to this county and settled in Knoxville, where he has since lived and con- ducted his business. For the last twelve years he has devoted his time chiefly to the undertaking business, and no man in Knoxville has a better reputation for all those qualities that go to make up a true man. He has been twice married; first, to Miss Rebecca J. York, January 26, 1836. She was born in Indiana, and died in Mt. Pleasant, in October, 1846. leaving three children: Elizabeth J. (now Mrs. L. M. Brady), Mary J. (now Mrs. J. Terry) and James W. His second marriage occurred in March, 1847, to Miss Lydia Snow. By this union they have three children: Alvin S. (of California), Ephraim B. (a practicing physician of Red Oak) and Her- cules C.
Z IN, CHARLES Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 26, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Jackson (now Vinton) county, Ohio, February 13, 1833. His father, Samuel Zin, was an agriculturist in that State. The subject of this sketch was there raised to manhood, educated, and resided until 1858, when he came to lowa, locating in Appanoose county, where he resided un- til 1864, then came to Marion county. In 1859 he married Miss Elizabeth Long, a native of Ohio, and by this union they have six children: George, Laura, Calvin L., Harvey A., Ira P., and Mary. Mr. Zin's homestead con- sists of 160 acres; has also 20 acres of timber. His orchard of 140 apple trees is in a thrifty condition. Mr. Zin makes a specialty of stock-raising.
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
CHAPTER IL
LAKE PRAIRIE.
Organization-The Holland Colony-First Settlers-The City of Pella-Town of Amsterdam -Town of Leersdam-Biographical.
LAKE PRAIRIE township consists of township 77, range 18, and all of town ships 75 and 76 north of the Des Moines River. Its area is about equal to two congressional townships or seventy-two square miles, which in sora amounts to 46,080.
Skunk River flows through the northeast corner of the township, and in the southwest part is a small lake from which the township takes its name When the county was first organized in 1845, what is now known & Lake Prairie township was constituted an election precinct and called Inka In the following January the north half was detached and called Jefferice township and the place of voting was designated at the house of Richard Everwine, and the south half was constituted. a civil township, known = Lake Prairie township with the place of holding elections at the house of Wilson Stanley. This was the beginning of Lake Prairie township.
During the winter of 1847-8 there was a special act of the Legich ture consolidating Lake Prairie and Jefferson townships under the name of Lake Prairie.
The first township election was held in April, 1846, and there were twenty- two votes cast; the names of these voters will afford very authentic evidence of who were the first and early settlers. The names are as follows:
W. H. Buffington, A. C. Buffington, James M. Deweese, G. W. Harris, S. W. Buffington, James Q. Buffington, James O. Raynor, James L. War- ren, Andrew J. Brown, Samuel Peter, Jacob C. Brown, Walker Finley, O. Mathews, O. Mathews, Jr., Simpson B. Mathews, George E. Jewett, G. S. Hendrix, Green T. Clark, John Hamilton, Robert Hamilton, Wm. McDermit, Asa Koons.
During the summer of 1846 the voting population of the township was further increased by the coming of the following named persons: George Gillaspy, Samuel Gillaspy, Levi Bambridge, I. C. Curtis, Wilson Stanley, J. B. Power, S. P. Parsons, Wm. Welch.
THE HOLLAND COLONY.
The beginning of the Holland Settlement, which has grown till it has occupied nearly the whole of the township, dates from 1847. In that year there was a decided increase in the population of Lake Prairie by the advent of the first adventurers of the now noted Holland Colony. We made brief notice of this in the beginning of the history, and it being one of the most notable events in the annals of the county, we will now, from facts gleaned from its founders, give it more in detail:
Readers of foreign history are familiar with the trouble and enmity that existed in Holland half a century ago, caused by sectarianism. Its origin is traced to the fact that a number of the prominent clergy and laymen of the National Reform Church becoming dissatisfied with its overbearing doctrines, withdrew and formed themselves into an independent organiza- tion. Prominent among those that were in favor of religious freedom
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ras the Rev. Henry P. Scholte. A brief sketch of this gentleman will not e out of place. He was born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1805. In early fe he learned the carpenter trade and devoted considerable of his time to rawing. When 17 years of age he was deprived of his father, which event alled his attention to the subject of religion, and the result of his consider- tions was that he commenced a preparatory course, and in 1821, entered he seminary at Amsterdam. In 1824, after passing through the literary xamination of the University of Leyden, he began the study of theology in hat institution. During a revival in Holland in 1826, after giving the natter of religion mature deliberation, he came to the conclusion that ectarianism and church organization were of a secondary importance. In 1830 a rebellion broke out in Belgium, which Mr. S. took an active part in suppressing. In 1832 he passed the theological examination at the University of Leyden and was licensed to preach. After being examined by the Synod of Holland, he commenced his duties as a minister of the Gospel in the National Reform Church in the beginning of 1833, where he officiated until the division in 1835.
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