GUTHRIE, Newton (1822-1900)

GUTHRIE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 8/17/2017 at 20:22:16

Newton Guthrie
(March 16, 1822 - April 17, 1900

Indianola Herald, Indianola, Iowa, Thurs., Apr 26, 1900, p.7
Newton Guthrie
Born in Montgomery, now Pulaski County, Va., March 16, 1822, and died at Hartford, Warren County, Ia., April 17, 1900, aged 78 years, 1 month and 1 day. The immediate ancestors of the subject of this sketch were Irish upon the paternal side, and German upon the maternal. They resided in that part of Virginia lying between the Alleghany and Blue Ridge Mountains and southwest of the Natural Bridge. They were slave owners as were all the planters at that time and place. In the discussions and agitation of the question of human slavery, they became convinced that the traffic was wrong, and decided to emigrate to one of the free states, and Indiana then one of the western states attracted their attention; and to this state they moved in 1835 with their family, the eldest of whom, Newton, was 13 years old. The laws of Virginia at that time were such that owners could not free their slaves, and the Guthries gave their Negros the choice of emigrating with them to Indiana and receive their freedom there or to select their masters and remain in Virginia. On account of family relations they preferred the latter course, and were disposed of in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. The family settled at Muncie, Delaware county, Ind., then a struggling village on White River, but now one of the great manufacturing centers in the very heart of the famous gas belt. Here the parents continued to reside until their death not many years later. Newton Guthrie arriving at manhood’s estate entered the profession of teaching, but the pioneers’ growing accounts of the wonderful country lying beyond the Mississippi reaching his ears, he concluded to visit this new section of the country with a view to making it his future home. The character of the early settlers, the beauty and fertility of the country, the opportunity to secure a home with little expense, the grand possibilities of the country in future years, all more than met his expectations, and he decided at once to cast his lot in the famous Three Rivers country. This was in 1847, 53 years ago, and since then he has continuously resided in Richland Township where he first settled. During the first few years of his residence here he made several trips to Indiana, and each time he made the long journey of over 500 miles on horseback. In these trips, he had to follow trails, swim rivers, and endure the perils and hardships incident to frontier life. Soon after his first arrival here he engaged in teaching, and was one of the very first teachers of the county. About the year 1848 he taught the Somerset school in a small log house on what is now the Welch farm. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Miss Fanny Tusitt of Muncie, Ind., and they immediately settled down on the farm he had entered four years before, and where they continued to live until her death forty years later. To them were born nine children, of whom but three are now living, Edward R. of Indianola, Elmer E. of Norwalk, and Mrs. Josie Slack of Hartford. During the active years of Mr. Guthrie’s life, he took great interest and actively participated in the social, political and commercial movements along progressive lines in the development of his township, county, and state. He filled at various times all the township offices, and for several years was a member of the county board of supervisors. He represented Warren County in the House in the Ninth General Assembly. Politically he was a lifelong, Republican, and was a prominent figure in nearly every Republican county convention until a few years ago. He was a ready speaker, and was thoroughly versed in the history and principles of the party he espoused. He was scholarly, an ardent student, a keen observer, and was endowed with a wonderful memory. Probably no other pioneer has treasured in his memory so many of the interesting incidents of the early history of this county. Much of this early history of Richland township together with character sketches of many of her leading men have never been published. A record of many of these early events and incidents had been made and preserved by his oldest son with a view to future publication, and would be a valuable contribution to the early history of this county. A lingering illness clouded the last years of his life, but the passing over was peaceful and easy. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Craig at the Presbyterian Church, and the remains laid away in the home cemetery at Hartford. A half brother, J. H. Wysor, of Muncie, Ind., and two sisters, Mrs. Rufina Ribble of Indianola, and Mrs. Pelitha Points of Havensville, Kansas, survive him.