MELTER, Daniel - 1914

MELTER, DEEM, SPINHARNY, DENTZ

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/8/2009 at 16:22:05

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

DANIEL MELTER.

For thirtyfive years Daniel Melter was closely identified with agricultural interests of Cherokee county as a progressive and successful farmer and during that time he managed his interests so carefully and capably that he is now able to spend the evening of his life in rest and retirement. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 16, 1843, and is a son of Michael and Eva C. (Deem) Melter, natives of Baden, Germany. The father came to America in 1835 and located in Ohio, abandoning the trade of a cabinet-maker, which he had learned in the fatherland, in favor of farming. He remained in Ohio until 1852 and then moved to Wisconsin, buying eighty acres of land which he improved and operated until 1873. In that year he moved to Cherokee county and made his home with his son until his death, which occurred February 26, 1895. He had survived his wife since September 21, 1870.

Daniel Melter was reared in Wisconsin and for about a month and a half in every year attended school in a log schoolhouse. He remained on the farm with his father until 1865 and then enlisted in Company D, Fortyfifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil war. After his discharge he returned home and rented his fathers farm for three years, after which he moved to Iowa and located in Blackhawk county. In the spring of 1870 he moved to Cherokee county and bought a farm in what is now Rock township, bending his energies to the work of its improvement and cultivation. Under his able management the farm became in the course of years a valuable and productive property and he himself became ranked among the progressive and able agriculturists of this vicinity. In 1901 he rented his property to his son and moved into Marcus, where he has since lived a retired life. He is vice president of the First National Bank of Marcus and was for twelve years secretary and manager of the Western Cherokee Mutual Fire and Lighting Insurance Company. He is still connected with the insurance business, handling a profitable agency in Marcus.

On the 3 ist of December, 1868, Mr. Melter was united in marriage to Miss Mary Spinharny, a daughter of Blasius and Bertha (Dentz) Spinharny, the former a native of France and the latter of Germany. The father came to America at an early date and located at Steubenville, Ohio, where he worked for some time for Edwin M. Stanton, afterward Lincolns secretary of war. He served two years in the Mexican war and afterward returned to Ohio, whence he moved to Wisconsin, buying a farm in Washington county. He afterward engaged in various occupations, following farming and mercantile pursuits and also serving as sheriff. In 1869 he moved to Cherokee county and bought a half section of land in Rock township. This he improved and from time to time added to until he had over five hundred acres at the time of his death. He passed away December 7, 1903, having survived his wife since March 16th of that year. Mr. and Mrs. Melter became the parents of seven children: Frederick W., who was born June 18, 1870; Annie C., who died November 4, 1872, at the age of seven days; Rosie I., born August 13, 1874; Edwin E., whose birth occurred March 13, 1877; Annie B., born October 19, 1879; Maggie L., born November 6, 1881; and Stephen B., born January 2, 1886.

Mr. Melter belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of Custer Post, No. 25, of Cherokee, Iowa. He is a republican in his political beliefs. He has always been recognized as a publicspirited and progressive citizen and his loyalty has been proven by practical and able work in public office. He served on the board of supervisors and was mayor of the city for one term. He was the first township clerk of Rock township, the first secretary of the school board and also served as assessor. He is at present a member of the Marcus city council and his political influence is given to the promotion of public advancement and progress. He is one of Cherokee countys most enterprising and representative citizens, a man who has done much for the community along lines of political, social and business development.