James Newell

NEWELL, WILSON, COTER, DARLING, SLTAKES, HOWARD, LEE, WEBSTER

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 2/25/2005 at 17:06:37

James Newell, the first settler of Washington Township, came to Black Hawk County in 1845, and located the land which is now the home of his heirs. He was accompanied by his brother Thomas and brother-in-law Harris Wilson. After locating his land they returned to Muscatine, Iowa, but the following spring he came again to Black Hawk County, and built a house of hewed logs, and began improving his land, and at his death, May 30, 1875, owned 572 acres, 314 acres being in the homestead. Mr. Newell was born in Jeromeville, Ohio, August 11, 1809. He married Elizabeth Coter, who at her death left five children--Thomas, Harrison, George, Jackson and James. He afterward married Mrs. Maryette (Darling) Slakes, widow of Isaac Slakes, who died in 1847, leaving four children. In November, 1847, he married his third wife, who survives him. Her maiden name was Nancy A. Howard, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Lee) Howard. Their family consisted of seven children, of whom five are living--William, Daniel, Millie(wife of Fred Webster), Douglas and Joshua, all residents of Black Hawk County. Harriet and Maria are deceased. Mr. Newell died May 30, 1875, and thus passed from earth Washington Townshiip's first settler. He had done much to advance the material interests of the township, and lived to see it change from a wild prairie to a fine farming center, and a settlement of intelligent, thrifty citizens.

Source: History of Black Hawk County
p. 289