O. S. Newcomb

NEWCOMB, CARTER, ROBINSON, CARTER, KENYON

Posted By: Diane Wilson (email)
Date: 7/29/2002 at 21:03:18

O. S. Newcomb went into business at an early day and opened a stock of goods on the east side of the river, in the building where Mr. Town afterward resided. He is one of the firm of Newcomb & Carter, and truly one of the pioneer merchants of Shell Rock. He was born in the town of Middlefield, Geauga county, Ohio, May 20, 1830, and is a son of Orrin and Parmelia (Robinson) Newcomb, who are both natives of the State of Connecticut.
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Mr. Newcomb’s youth and the first few years of his manhood were passed in the vicinity of his birthplace. In 1855 he came to Iowa and settled in Shell Rock. Soon after his arrival he opened a store here, and has since been in trade at this point.
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In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry, and served until honorably discharged at Davenport, at the close of the rebellion. He was captured at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, during the battle there, and was carried a prisoner by the enemy to Camp Ford, Texas. Here he remained in prison for thirteen months and eighteen days, and his food consisted of corn meal and poor beef, without salt, and no cooking utensils save a small kettle for fifty men. As soon as peace was declared Mr. Newcomb returned to his home and business in Shell Rock, and since then has given his undivided attention to his chosen branch of trade. While in prison he became a convert to religion, and has since been a member of the Disciple Church.
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He was married in 1855 to Miss Huldah C. Carter, a native of Parkman, Geauga county, Ohio. They have been blessed with five children, of whom Frederick O., Minnie C. and Mabel Estella are now living. Frederick O. is financial manager of the Iowa City “Republican,” and a graduate of the State University. Minnie C. is now the wife of Thomas S. Kenyon, of Grundy Center.
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Source: History of Butler and Bremer Counties, Iowa
Union Publishing Co., Springfield, IL, 1883
Page 708