Shappell, Newton Chester 'Chet' 1851-1931

CHAPPELL, SMITH, GOLDSMITH, KEENE, DESSELL, OMMERMAN, FRANKS

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 9/15/2015 at 18:27:33

Newton Chester Shappell died at his home in Graham, December 23, 1931, at the age of 80 years, three months and 26 days, from the infirmities of age. Up until five months ago Mr. Shappell enjoyed good health for a man of his age, but during these five months he failed steadily.

Deceased was born near Lancaster, Wis., Aug 27, 1851, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Shappell. His mother died in his infancy and he was reared by a half sister. He lived in Grant county, Wisconsin, till 1878, when he came to Iowa, which since had been his home most of the time.

April 20, 1884, he was married to Hannah Frances Goldsmith, who survives him. He was the father of eleven children, one of whom died in infancy.

The ten living children are: Will of Bloomington, Wis.; Mrs. Mabel Keene of Santa Rosa, Calif.; Mrs. Hazel Dessell and Mrs. Inez Ommerman of Norfolk, Nebr.; Charles and Paul of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Mrs. Margaret Franks, Dewey, John and Louise of Graham, Iowa. All except Will and Mrs. Keene were present at the funeral which was held from the late home, December 26th, with the Rev. Mr. Nothdurft conducting the services. Interment was made in Oakhill cemetery near Colesburg.

When Mr. Shappell came to Iowa in 1873 he worked for Thomas Graham at Millville. Later he hired to George Graham to work in a sawmill and moved into a log house near the mill. After he quit working in the saw mill he became mail carrier from Millville to Graham. From 1892 to 1899 he carried the mail most of the time and much of the time he carried it on foot. After a time the route was extended to Turkey River and he moved to that place in 1898.

Many times he had to walk the ridge roads and go more miles, as the river would be too deep to ford and there were no bridges. When the mail was extra heavy or a batch of miss-sent mail was loaded on him he felt like dumping the whole sack into the water. Through slush and mud he had some thrilling experiences to relate. When he was late he was reported and docked on his wages, he used to tell, and in 1899 he resigned to move to Cassville, Wis., for a short stay, only to return again to Graham, where he and his wife lived in their little log cabin.

In the fall of 1929 they thought [illegible words] give up housekeeping and make their home with some of their children, who were able and more than willing to share their homes with them, but they soon became homesick and returned to their home, where he passed away.

~Clayton County Register, Thursday morning, December 31, 1931

Note: his first wife was Anna Smith who died in childbirth in 1883.