Felton, Elmer H.

FELTON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/23/2021 at 10:35:11

Source: History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard Schultz and Don L. Berry, The Record and Tribune Co., Indianola, Iowa, 1953, p.299

ELMER HAROLD FELTON
Elmer Harold Felton, known to Warren County as Harold, was born in New Virginia Nov. 11, 1890, and died of a heart attack in Des Moines Dec. 7, 1946. He was the son of Z. T. and Sara Felton and the grandson of John Felton, one of the pioneers of Virginia township. Educated in New Virginia grade and high school. Began early helping his father in grain, feed and coal business in New Virginia. After leaving high school he joined full time in the conduct of the business.
He married Velda Frederick March 24, 1913. Mrs. Felton was born in New Virginia Sept. 27, 1893, the daughter of L. E. and Alphretta (Hudson) Frederick. The following children were born: Glendal, June 24, 1915; Jack, Jan. 26, 1919; Max (deceased), June 11, 1920; Helen (Hildenbiddle), Sept. 7, 1922; Gordon, Nov. 20, 1924.
Along with the grain and feed business Mr. Felton established a general store in New Virginia in which he was highly successful until he moved to Indianola in 1932, where he purchased the site of an elevator that had burned, built a new structure and established E. H. Felton & Co., which developed a grain business and a wide trade, both wholesale and retail, in the manufacture and sale of stock foods under the trade name of "Blue Belt Feeds." The elevator burned May 10, 1946, but a new and better one was in operation the following Sept. 27.
Mr. Felton was chairman of the Warren County Republican Central committee 1920-30. In the latter year he was elected state committeeman from the fifth congressional district. In 1931 Gov. Turner appointed him to the state board of control of state penal and mental institutions, on which he served eight years, being reappointed in 1937 by Gov. Kraschel. Elected representative from Warren County in the lower house of the Iowa general assembly in 1940-1946, the only representative elected four times by Warren County to this date. Speaker of the house in the session of 1945.
Death came to him in the Hotel Fort Des Moines while he was there to attend a preliminary caucus of legislators. More concerning Mr. Felton's political career will be found in Chapter V in the history of Virginia township, under the heading, "Two Gentlemen from New Virginia," starting on page 98.
He was a member of the Methodist Church, trustee of Simpson college, director of the Peoples Trust and Savings bank, member of the Indianola Rotary club, and the Des Moines club in Des Moines. Fraternally Mr. Felton was a 32nd degree Mason and member of ZaGa-Zig Shrine in Des Moines.