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N. M. LETTS, a prominent and representative citizen of Louisa County, residing on section 20, Grand View Township, was born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1818, and is the eldest in a family of four children born to David and Elizabeth (Lair) Letts, the father a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Virginia. They were early settlers in Licking County, Ohio, where the father engaged in farming. In 1830 he emigrated to Illinois, settling in what was then called Tazewell County, but is now known as LaSalle County. He purchased land of the Government and was one who assisted in organizing LaSalle County. During the Black Hawk War he lived in the fort called Ft. Wilburn. Later in life he engaged in the mercantile business at Ottawa, Ill., but came to Iowa in 1855, settling in Grand View Township, where his death occurred the following year. The mother departed this life at Dayton, LaSalle Co., Ill., in 1835.
Our subject was reared to farm life and received his education in the district schools of LaSalle County. At the age of sixteen he entered his father’s store at Ottawa, Ill, as a salesman. He was married in LaSalle County, in 1838, to Elizabeth Grove, a native of Licking County, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Barbara (Linnbarger) Grove, who were natives of Virginia. Her father died in Ohio, and her mother in LaSalle County, Ill.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Letts: Rowena, wife of E. F. Brockway, of Washington County, Iowa; and David, who married, and also resided in Washington County until his death, which occurred in 1885, leaving a wife and six children. In 1851 the death of Mrs. Letts, who was a most estimable lady, occurred in LaSalle County, at the age of thirty-two years. Mr. Letts was again married in that county, in 1852 to Jane Holderman, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Abram and Lotta (Kneel) Holderman, who were also born in Ohio. They settled in LaSalle County, Ill, in its pioneer days, probably about the year 1830 or 1831, and there their death occurred a number of years ago.
Our subject remained a resident of LaSalle County, Ill., until 1854, when he emigrated to Iowa, settling in Grand View Township, where he has since continuously resided. He purchased 400 acres of partly improved land and immediately began its cultivation, also building a very fine farm residence. As time has passed he has added more land, until he has a large farm, 500 acres of which are under a fine state of cultivation, the remainder being used for pasturage, and all being fenced. Mr. Letts is engaged in buying and feeding stock, having fed during the past years from 200 to 300 in the winter, and pastured from 500 to 600 in the summer. He also raises a fine grade of farm horses, and everything about his lands denotes thrift and industry. Mr. Letts is not very active in politics, but casts his vote with the Republican party.
The second wife of Mr. Letts died in 1863. Their union was graced by five children, four sons and one daughter: Willis H. is married, and resides . . .
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. . . in Grand View; James H. is also married, and resides in Concord Township; Hilton M. is married, and resides in Columbus City Township; Emma S. is the wife of J. W. Waters, of San Antonio, Tex.; and Noah R., who is also married, makes his home with our subject, in Grand View Township.
In November, 1864, in Louisa County, Mr. Letts was again united in marriage, Mrs. A. P. Sawyer, a native of New York, becoming his wife. She is a daughter of John and Hannah (Spicer) Powers, who were born in Connecticut and emigrated to New York at an early day, settling in Genesee County, where the father died in the year 1842, and the mother in 1858. The father’s occupation was farming. Mrs. Letts is a member of the Baptist Church, of San Antonio, Tex. Since 1880 Mr. Letts and his wife go to the south in October and spend the winter in San Antonio, Tex., returning home in May. Their pleasant home is situated about three and one-half miles from Letts, a thriving village which was named in honor of our subject, who is one of the active business men of Louisa County, and who, as a citizen, is greatly respected.
The portrait of Mr. Letts will be found upon an accompanying page.
