John H. LaPella

EYERLY, DEVAULT, LAPELLA, MCQUE, ROSEMAN, THUMA

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/8/2004 at 21:54:17

John H. La Pella is a retired agriculturist living in Earlham, where he has made his home since 1898, while the period of his residence in this county covers almost a half century. His birth occurred in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 16th of November, 1844, his parents being Nicholas and Margaret (McQue) La Pella, the former a native of France and the latter of Pennsylvania. In 1853 Nicholas La Pella removed with his family to Jasper county, Iowa, where he entered and improved a tract of land which he cultivated for a number of years. His last years were spent in honorable retirement at Monroe, where his demise occurred on the1i7th of October, 1865. His wife had been called to her final rest in August, 1855.

John H. La Pella, who was a lad of nine years when he came to this state with his parents, acquired his education in Jasper county and lived with his sister after his mother's death. In 1862 he went to the front in defense of the Union, having enlisted as a member of Company E, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served for three years. During that period he was held a prisoner for eight months and also participated in a number of important engagements, making a creditable record as a most loyal and faithful soldier and never faltering in the performance of any task assigned to him. He was honorably discharged on the 2d of August, 1865, at Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation, and then returned to Jasper county, Iowa, where he attended school for a short time. In February, 1866, he came to Madison county and for one year worked as a farm hand, while subsequently he cultivated rented land until 1870. In that year he purchased eighty acres of land in Douglas township, improved the property and continued active in its operation for about twenty-seven years. On the expiration of that period, having accumulated a comfortable competence through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests, he purchased an attractive residence in Earlham, where he has lived retired for the past seventeen years in the enjoyment of well earned ease.

On the 24th of April, 1867, Mr. La Pella was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Eyerly, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Thuma) Eyerly, who were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. In 1845 they took up their abode in Washington county, Iowa, where the father was engaged in carpentering and also followed farming for a number of years. In 1865 he came to Madison county, purchasing a farm in Crawford township which he operated for several years and then sold. His last days were spent on his son's farm near Newton, Iowa, his demise occurring in 1870. His wife, surviving him for almost three decades, passed away in May, 1899. To Mr. and Mrs. La Pella have been born four children, as follows: Lauretta H., who is the wife of Elmer Roseman and resides in California; Elbertis E., who is an agriculturist residing in Texas; Elma M., who died on the 26th of January, 1897; and Mary M., who gave her hand in marriage to Clarence De Vault, a farmer of this county.

At the polls Mr. La Pella supports the measures and candidates of the prohibition party, believing that the liquor traffic is one of the worst evils with which this country has to contend. He has served as trustee of Madison township and also as school director, making a commendable record in both connections. He is also a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist church, exemplifying its teachings in his daily life. His career has been active, useful and upright and his many excellent qualities of mind and character have gained him a wide circle of friends.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”