Felton, Zachariah T.

FELTON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 00:07:33

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.905

ZACHARIAH TAYLOR FELTON
Zachariah Taylor Felton, one of the leading citizens of New Virginia, was born on the 7th of November 1848, in Taylor County, West Virginia, but was only six years of age when brought to Iowa by his parents, John and Margaret Felton, who located in Warren County in 1854. In the east the father engaged in railroad contracting and assisted in building several miles of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Being much opposed to slavery he left West Virginia on account of that institution and after coming to Iowa he often assisted the colored people passing through the county by the famous underground rail­road on their way to Canada, where they would be free. Both he and his wife were among the pioneer Methodists of this locality and the first sermon preached in the town of New Virginia was at their house by Rev. Jesse Sherwood, a traveling minister. Mr. Felton aided in locating that town and in organizing Virginia Township. He was a public spirited, progressive man and ever bore his share in the work of development and upbuilding.
Z. T. Felton attended school in New Virginia but the excellent public school system now in vogue had not yet been put in operation and his educa­tional advantages were therefore rather limited, though he made the most of his opportunities until his eyesight becoming affected he was obliged to put aside his books. Since 1854 he has been a resident of New Virginia with the exception of a few years spent in Kansas. For about twenty years he was in the mail service but is now engaged in the feed, coal and grain business, enjoying a good trade.
On the 29th of December 1881, at Osceola, Iowa, Mr. Felton married Mrs. Sarah A. McManus, and unto them were born three sons, namely: John Franklin, Azel Austin and Elmer Harold. Azel A. was married on the 6th of October, 1901, to Miss Mary Wharff. Since attaining his majority Mr. Felton has always affiliated with the Republican Party and has ever taken deep interest in politics as every true American citizen should do.