Sewell, R.H.

MULLENS, CUNNINGHAM, WATT, HOEL, MARKING

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/7/2010 at 09:54:16

R.H. Sewell, a prominent and successful citizen of Waverly, has served as vice president of the First National Bank since 1905 and acted as the chief executive officer of the institution for five years previous to that time. Before taking up his abode at Waverly, in 1900, he was actively identified with farming and livestock interests, buying stock in association with his father for about thirty-five years. His birth occurred in Jackson township, Bremer county, on the 14th of July, 1853, his parents being Allen and Lydia (Mullens) Sewell, the former born in Ohio on the 9th of May, 1831, and the latter in Indiana in October, 1833. Allen Sewell, who devoted his attention to farming and stock dealing throughout his active business career, came direct to Bremer county, Iowa, in 1852. Six years later he removed to Kansas but at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war returned to this county and here spent the remainder of his life, passing away in October, 1911. The period of his residence in Bremer county covered more than a half century and he was widely recognized as one of its successful farmers and stockmen. He held various local offices, including that of township assessor. In the early days he also followed the profession of teaching, acting as an instructor for several terms. His widow survives and makes her home in Waverly.

R.H. Sewell, the only child of his parents, attended school in Jackson towsnhip and at Waverly and for a time pursued his studies in Cornell College. When eighteen years of age he began buying stock in association with his father, continuing this business for about thirty-five years with excellent success. He also devoted considerable attention to farming, becoming a landowner when twenty-three years of age and superintending the operation of his father's property as well as his own. In 1900 he came to Waverly and erected his present residence - one of the most commodious and attractive in the city. The same year he became president of the First National Bank here and held the position for five years. He has served to the present time in an official capacity and his labors have been an effective element in the continued growth and success of the bank.

On the 3d of April, 1879, Mr. Sewell was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Cunningham, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, and a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Watt) Cunningham, both of whom were born in Ohio. The father, an agriculturist by occupations, brought his family to Iowa in 1856, locating in Jackson township, Bremer county, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1895. The demise of the mother occurred in 1901. Their children were as follows: Martha, deceased, who gave her hand in marriage to William Hoel, aslo deceased; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles Marking, a retired farmer residing at Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Mrs. Angeline Sewell, who, like her husband, acquired her education in this county. Our subject and his wife have one child, Lydia Rae, at home.

Mr. Sewell gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge at Waverly. He is recognized as a leader in business circles of Waverly and he well merits the success which has come to him, for it has been gained through business methods which neither seek or require disguise. A native son of Bremer county, he is widely known within its borders and the substantial qualities which he has displayed in all the relations of life have gained him a high place in the regard and good-will of his fellow townsmen.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914