Reuben Allen Wetrich

COLBY, GABRILL, WETRICH, WILSON

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/11/2005 at 19:59:34

“History of Madison County Iowa and Its People”
Herman A. Mueller, Supervising Editor
Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915

R. A. Wetrich, who is farming on sections 10 and 15, Penn township, is a native of that township, born on the 30th of April, 1885, of the marriage of William and Anna (Gabrill) Wetrich, natives, respectively, of Holmes county, Ohio, and Muscatine, Iowa. The father removed to Johnson county, Iowa, in an early day with his parents and there grew7 to manhood. After reaching maturity he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits on his own account, and after some time went to Polk county, where he remained but a year, his next removal being to Madison county. He arrived here in 1883 and rented land for two years, but in 1885 purchased sixty acres on section 10 Penn township, which he began improving and later he invested in land on section 15, becoming at length the owner of two hundred and forty acres, which he operated until his death, which occurred in 1903. His widow took up her residence in Dexter in 1905 and is still living there. There were six children in their family, as follows: Dora, R. A., Pearl J., Carrie, Bernie R., and Daisy.

R. A. Wetrich acquired his early education in Penn township, and upon finishing the common-school course entered Earlham Academy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1907. He then went to South Dakota, where he worked for about six months, after which he removed to Dexter, Iowa, and entered the employ of the State Bank of Dexter. At the end of a year, however, he decided that he preferred farming to banking and removed to the home place in Penn township, which he has operated for the last four years. He has proved very successful as an agriculturist and his capital is increasing steadily.

On the 24th of February, 1910, Mr. Wetrich married Miss Mamie A. Colby, who is a stepdaughter of Peter Cook and whose mother was in her maidenhood Miss Maria Wilson. W. W. Wilson, a brother of the last named, was the first white child born in Penn township. Mr. Cook is a farmer of Dallas county, this state, where he grew to manhood and where he has since followed agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Wetrich have two children: Wayne W., four years old; and Gale A., one year of age.

Mr. Wetrich is a Republican and is serving his fifth year as township clerk, his continuance in the office being the best proof of his competence. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, to the support of which he contributes. He is public spirited to a marked degree and this trait, with his many other admirable characteristics, has won him the warm friendship of those who know him most intimately.

Madison Biographies maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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