William Clark Newlon

GREEN, NEWLON, PHILBRICK, SHAMBAUGH, WILKINSON

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/10/2005 at 19:12:55

W. C. Newlon, who was for a number of years a real-estate dealer in Winterset, was born in Ohio, in 1837, a son of Nathan and Eliza (Winder) Newlon, both natives of the Keystone state. The father, who was by trade a carpenter, settled in Louisa county on his removal to Iowa, but in 1854 came to Madison county and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government.
He was a leading member of the United Presbyterian church and his daily life testified to the sincerity of his faith. When he passed away in Union township his demise was regretted by many who held him in warm regard.

W. C. Newlon was the third child in a family of seven and was reared under the parental roof, attending the district schools in the acquirement of an education. On the 21st of May, 1861, he answered Lincoln's call for troops and enlisted in Company G, Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, being one of the first men to join that company. He was soon promoted to the rank of first sergeant and proved a gallant soldier. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and at the battle of Hatchie received a serious wound that necessitated the amputation of his leg. On the 6th of April, 1863, he was honorably discharged and returned home, and from that year until 1865 he was deputy provost marshal. He then became a real-estate dealer in Winterset. He owned some excellent farming land but never gave much attention to agriculture, being more interested in his real-estate business. He was an excellent judge of realty, especially farm properties, and transacted a large volume of business annually.

In 1881 he was elected county clerk, and for four years performed the duties of that office in a manner satisfactory to his constituents and creditable to himself. His demise, which occurred in 1892, deprived the city of one of its successful business men and there were many who realized that they had lost a true friend.

In 1863 Mr. Newlon married Miss Lydia A. Philbrick, a daughter of Dr. David H. and Drusilla (Knight) Philbrick, natives, respectively, of Vermont and Kentucky. Dr. Philbrick attended school in the Green Mountain state, but in his young manhood emigrated to the west, settling in Illinois. He was married in that state and there practiced the medical profession, for which he had made thorough preparation. In 1853 he removed to Winterset and became the owner of the first drug store in the city, having turned his attention to that business when the condition of his health prohibited his further practice. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian church.

Mr. and Mrs. Newlon became the parents of nine children. Charles C., who was born in 1864, is now engaged in the hardware and implement business at Heyburn, Idaho. He is married and has two children, Fitzroy and Margaret. Frank D., born in 1865, is engaged in the grocery business at Melcher, Iowa. He is married and has two sons, Robert and dark. Edgar A., born in 1867, is now cashier of the Great Falls (Mont.) National Bank. Milo C., who is in the monument and fancy tile business at Bakersfield, California, is married and has a son, John E. Carrie gave her hand in marriage to W. E. Shambaugh, of Lee township. George G. is now in the insurance business in Missoula, Montana. Lida R. is the wife of Philip Wilkinson, county attorney of Madison county, who is residing in Winterset. Will C. is now a resident of Leadville, Colorado. Mary, the youngest of the family, is the wife of C. R. Green, county auditor, and they have a son, Willard.

Mr. Newlon was a republican and was quite active in working for the success of his party. He was connected with the Baptist church and gave liberally to the erection of the new house of worship. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, and in all relations of life measured up to as high standards as he did when in his young manhood he joined the ranks of the "boys in blue."

Taken from the book, "The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915," by Herman Mueller.