Pg 565

         ROBERT DELZELL, one of the pioneers of Louisa County, was born in Pennsylvania in 1800. When he was a mere child the death of his mother occurred, and he was placed in a family of strangers. At the age of ten years he went to Licking County, Ohio, and there grew to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools. Mr. Delzell has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary Huffman, and their union was blessed by six children, who lived to be adults: Harvey, whose sketch appears in this work; William, who is engaged in farming; James; Emeline, widow of William Jamison; Martha, wife of William T. Nichols, who is now deceased; Mary J. wedded T. P. Wright, and all are now residents of this county. The death of Mrs. Delzell occurred in May, 1840, and the following autumn he was united in marriage with Miss Mary T. Patterson, who was born Feb. 17, 1815, and is a daughter of William and Margaret (Fulton) Patterson, Mrs. Patterson being a distant relative of Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat. Mr. Patterson was a solider of the War of 1812. In 1815 he went to New Athens, Harrison Co., Ohio, where he built the second house in the city. He was a blacksmith by trade, and also opened the first blacksmith-shop and started the first business in that place. Some time later he moved upon a farm, and followed the occupation of farming for many years.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Delzell: Samuel P., who was a soldier in the late Rebellion, enlisting in Company G, 16th Iowa Infantry, took sick soon after being mustered in, and died at Crane Creek, Mo., Nov. 9, 1862, he there finding his last resting-place; John H. died in May, 1876; Robert S. is one of the well-to-do farmers of the county; and Sarah M. is the wife of J. F. Holiday, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. In 1858 Robert Delzell emigrated to Louisa County, Iowa, settling in Morning Sun Township. On their arrival the family remained at the house of John Hamilton until they could find a house into which to move. At last Mr. Delzell secured a log cabin 14x14 feet, in which the family spent the ensuing winter. The cabin was in a very dilapidated condition, and Mrs. Delzell remarked that it was not necessary to go to the door when anyone was passing, as they could be seen through the cracks where the chinking had fallen out. The land had been partially improved, which Mr. Delzell later purchased, having 1,000 bushels of corn upon it, but the house into which they moved in the spring of 1849 was scarcely better than the old cabin in which the winter had been passed. To increase their perplexities Mr. Delzell met with a serious ac- . . .

Pg 566

. . . cident, breaking one of his legs, but while laid up he was not idle, spending his time in making shingles for the house which he intended to build. There was no sawmill in the vicinity, and he was obliged to cut and haul his logs a long distance to be made into lumber. The house was commenced that summer, but it was a long time before they were able to finish it. Like most of the pioneers money was scarce with them, and they had to work their way.

Politically, Mr. Delzell was what was known as an old Jackson Democrat. He was a conscientious, earnest Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and served as Steward for many years. A man of strict integrity and uncompromising Christian principles, he did much toward molding the good society of the community in which he lived, and his conduct deservedly won for him a large place in the esteem and affections of all who knew him. As a citizen, he was true and loyal; as a neighbor, friendly and accommodating; as a husband and father, kind and affectionate; as a Christian, devoted and faithful. Mr. Delzell is dead, but he has left behind him a character which is eminently worthy of emulation.