Porter Rollstin

HEIZER, HOLMES, LITTON, MARTIN, ROLLSTIN, SHIELDS, WOODWARD

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/13/2004 at 00:17:51

Porter Rollstin was for many years actively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits but at the time of his death was living retired in Winterset. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 22d of March, 1831, and was reared upon a farm in that county. Much time in his early years was given to the acquirement of a public-school education but he also received practical training in farm work, and when twenty-one years of age started out as a farmer for himself. For two years he resided in Winona, Minnesota; then was at home for a year; and in 1857 removed to Madison county, Iowa. Here he found work as a carpenter and also farmed. Carefully saving his money, he was at length enabled to buy land in Scott township, purchasing forty acres at a time until he had one hundred and twenty acres. He devoted the remainder of his active life to the operation of his farm and his labor and careful planning resulted in the production of excellent crops, the sale of which brought a good income. He also raised high grade stock and found that phase of his activity likewise profitable. In 1898 he removed to Winterset, living retired during the remainder of his life.

On the 1st of July, 1858, Mr. Rollstin was united in marriage with Miss Nancy J. Shields, a native of Marion county, Indiana, born September 16, 1843. Her parents, Robert and Elizabeth (Heizer) Shields, were born respectively in Pennsylvania and Indiana. In 1855 the family journeyed overland to Iowa, their household goods being transported in wagons drawn by horses. They established their home in Union township, Madison county, where the father bought two hundred and twenty acres of land, partly improved. Subsequently he sold out and removed to Washington county, Kansas, where both he and his wife passed their remaining days. He died at the age of seventy-three and she passed away when sixty-five years old. Mrs. Rollstin was about eleven years old when she accompanied her parents to this county and has since resided here. She became the mother of ten children, four of whom died in infancy, the others being: Capitola, the widow of J. N. Holmes, of Winterset; Sherman, who is operating a cement plant in Longmont, Colorado; Ella, the wife of U. S. Woodward, a farmer of this county; Belle, who gave her hand in marriage to F. G. Martin, who is following agricultural pursuits here; Junetta, who married F. G. Martin and passed away at the age of twenty-six years; and Myrtle, who became the wife of H. C. Litton and passed away when thirty-two years of age.

Mr. Rollstin was an adherent of the republican party and took that interest in public affairs which is incumbent upon a good citizen. He was a member of the Baptist church, to which his wife also belongs. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until June, 1865, being often under fire and proving at all times a brave and loyal soldier. He was with the Eastern Army and accompanied Sherman on his memorable march to the sea. Mr. Rollstin's life was characterized by that energy and aggressiveness which we think of as typically American and his labors brought him a competence. He died on the 20th of December, 1913. His widow owns a good home and is in comfortable financial circumstances. She is still hale and hearty and quite active and is honored as one who has performed well her share in the work of the world and has used her influence for right and justice.

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