Aydelott, Ballinger 1815-1905

AYDELOTT, RUSSELL, MARSHALL, PARAMORE, CHEW

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/7/2004 at 17:23:56

Ballinger Aydelotte, one of the first settlers of Newton and one of the oldest pioneers in the county died yesterday ____, the 20th of August at nine o’clock, at his late residence on the corner of Farmer and McDonald Streets. Mr. Aydelott has been failing gradually for several years and about three weeks ago he contracted a severe cold, which his weakened system was unable to throw off.

When he came to Jasper County it was a territory and there were only three or four settlers in the county. He helped to build the first cabin in Newton and has seen the development of one lonesome cabin to a thriving little city of 4500 inhabitants.

Mr. Aydelott was a man of remarkable vitality and energy. A man who did things and who not only had the respect of all with whom he came in contact but also inspired a more tender feeling that that of respect. Advancing in years did not make him crabbed or cross. If anything he was more genial, more kind, more considerate, until during the later years he was affectionately called Uncle “Bal” Aydelott by those who had known him long.

He was one of the commissioners who located the county seat of Jasper County at Newton and has been a factor in the growth and development of Newton and Jasper County both.

He was an observing man and had a remarkable memory, which have added a particular fascination to his stories of early life in Jasper. His mind had been clear right up to the day of his death. Two weeks ago he wrote a letter to his grandson in South Dakota. His daughter, Mrs. S. R. Russell, who has been here for several days in speaking of it stated that one would not believe it was written by a man over ninety years old.

Mr. Aydelott was the father of ten children, four of whom survive, W. S., who lives in Lebanon, Kans., and whose wife is very ill preventing his presence here at this time. J. P. lives in Greenville, Wash., and is unable to be here on account of the illness of a daughter. Mrs. S. R. Russell who lives in South Dakota but who has been at her father’s side for a week or ten days, and Mae who has always lived at home.

The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 at the Congregational Church, of which he was a member. Rev. R. F. Lavender will officiate. The service will be in charge of the I. O. O. F. of which Mr. Aydelott was a member. He was one of the first if not the first man initiated into the order in the Newton Lodge.

Mr. Aydelott was born Feb. 22, 1815, in Guilford, North Carolina, near the battle ground of Guilford Court House, the battle having been partly fought on his grandfather’s farm, March 15, 1780. When he was 15 years of age his parents removed to Indiana and settled in Richmond. In 1836 he went to Koscinsko County. This was a new county at that time just settling up. It was at this place, Warsaw, Ind., that he cast his first vote for president, voting for Gen. Wm. H. Harrison in 1836. The election being held in one of the cabins Mr. Aydelott helped build.

He was first married March 30, 1838, to Anna Marshall and the young couple soon located in Prebble County, Ohio, where he resided until coming to Iowa.

On concluding to go west, he went to Cincinnati, and took a boat from there to Keokuk, and from there to Jasper County, traveling the most of the way on foot. When he landed in Jasper County he had 25 cents in money, and at Oskaloosa, soon after, paid this amount for a letter from Ohio.

His first wife died in Ohio. He was again united in marriage to Anne Paramore, who came to Jasper County with him, and located on a farm on section 8, in what is now Buena Vista Township, on which they resided about ten years.

In 1848, in company with Samuel McDaniel, he started a nursery, which they successfully operated together for several years, selling their stock in Marshall and Jasper Counties. In the fall of 1854 he removed to Newton, intending to open a nursery here, but having the misfortune to lose his wife, his plans were changed, and he returned to Ohio with his two children, Jesse P. and Winfield S., intending to make that his home. But after traveling about for two years, he returned to Jasper County, and was in no wise inclined to make the Buckeye State his permanent home. The next three years he remained with his brother, Joseph Aydelott, assisting him to open up a new farm. In 1859 he married Mrs. Jane Chew, the marriage ceremony taking place in Ohio. In 1861 he started a butcher shop in Newton, which he closed out the following year, and in August 1862, enlisted in Company D., 40th Iowa Infantry, and served until November 1863. He participated in the Battle of Vicksburg, where he was injured in the back in assisting to mount a cannon, and from this injury he never recovered. In 1864 he again opened a butcher shop in Newton and managed the same until 1876. From that date until 1882 he was steward of the poor farm. He then removed to his farm in Palo Alto Township, where he resided until 1890, when he removed to Newton, where he and his youngest daughter, Mae, have since resided. ~ The Newton Daily News, Monday, August 21, 1905, Page 1, Column 1
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In the passing of Ballinger Aydelott Newton loses a man who may appropriately be called the “Father of all” so far as the city is concerned. From the time of and including the building of the first cabin here, until he retired from active life he was identified with the welfare of Newton. He was undoubtedly known by more people in the county than any other man, particularly among the older ones. This fact was very apparent for the Congregational Church where the funeral was held was full and there were more people past middle life there than on will ordinarily see in an assemblage in Newton.

There must have been in his nature a great many of the qualities, which help to make friends. When the writer first came here, four years ago, he used to see Mr. Aydelott often and one thing particularly noticeable was the genial, pleasant nature of the man and the thought was that there must have been lots of sunshine in his makeup. Such people are among God’s noblemen.

During the hour of Mr. Aydelott’s funeral the banks, courthouse and the majority of business houses were closed. The services were in charge of the Odd Fellows. The G. A. R. were present in a body. Rev. R. F. Lavender read the scripture and gave a short address. The prayer was made by Rev. S. J. Geddes. The music was by Miss Lettie Early, who sang, “Jesus, Savior Pilot Me” and Mrs. Amanda Fiske Harrah, who sang, “Crossing the Bar.” While the audience was leaving the church Mrs. Fiske at the organ played, “Lead Kindly Light,” “Some Sweet Day” and “Home, Sweet Home.”

The Odd Fellows used the memorial service at the church and concluded the service at the cemetery.

There were a great many flowers and floral designs. The Odd Fellows preceded by the Knights Templar Band and followed by the G. A. R., escorted the funeral party from the house to the church and after the service to the cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, Tuesday, August 22, 1905, Page 1, Column 6