ROBERT F. NEWELL.

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         Robert F. Newell, who passed away in Louisa county on the 14th of May, 1898, was long and successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits here, owning four hundred acres of valuable land at the time of his demise. His birth occurred in Wayne county, Ohio, on the 20th of February, 1818, his parents being Thomas and Harriet D. (Flaherty) Newell, who were born, reared and married in the Buckeye state. The father there followed farming until 1839, when he came west to Louisa county, Iowa, here entering and improving a tract of land and making his home in a log cabin for a number of years. He was called to his final rest when seventy-six years of age, while his wife passed away when fifty-seven years old. Unto them were born six children, four sons and two daughters, as follows: James, who died in Iowa at the age of seventy years; Mary, who passed away in this county and who was the wife of William Paulins; Samuel, whose demise occurred in Black Hawk county, Iowa; Margaret, who died in Louisa county and who was the wife of Alexander Finley; Thomas, who passed away in Iowa; and Robert F., of this review.

         On the 31st of December, 1843, on the banks of the Des Moines river, at Eddyville, Iowa, Mr. Newell was united in marriage to Miss Christina Newell, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth (McNay) Newell. They were born in Kentucky and celebrated their marriage in Ohio on the 9th of September, 1809, having gone to the Buckeye state in 1808. They came to this county in 1839 and settled in Concord township, Mr. Newell devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits until he passed away in 1858. His wife was called to her final rest in 1868. Unto them were born ten children, namely: Malinda, now deceased, who gave her hand in marriage to Walter Clement; Jane, also deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Ginn; Robert, who has passed away; Mrs. Newell; Lucinda, deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Fuston; James, who has also been called to the home beyond; Mary, who gave her hand in marriage to Levi Hayes and who has likewise passed away; John, who is deceased; Amanda, who is the widow of Jacob Kiser and resides in Ohio; and Hugh, who makes his home in Logan county, Ohio. Unto Robert F. and Christina Newell were born nine children, as follows: Elizabeth, who is the widow of Dr. Henry Cushman and resides in Tacoma, Washington; Thomas, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Caroline, the wife of Louis A. Riley, of Wapello; Hugh, who died in infancy; Mary, the wife of E. S. Curtis, of Concord township, this county; John and William, both . . .

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. . . of whom are residents of Scotts Bluff county, Nebraska; Robert M., living at Fredonia, Iowa; and Harriet, who is the wife of B. F. Sidman, of Norton, Kansas.

         Following his marriage Robert F. Newell devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm for eleven years, on the expiration of which period he purchased a homestead in Concord township, this county. The further cultivation and improvement of that property claimed his time and energies throughout the remainder of his life, his demise occurring on the 14th of May, 1898. He prospered in his undertakings and accumulated four hundred acres of valuable land, becoming widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative agriculturists of the community. His widow, who has attained the age of ninety-three years, resides at Fredonia, Iowa, with her son, Robert M. Newell. Our subject gave his political allegiance to the democracy and held various township positions, ever discharging his official duties in a most prompt and capable manner. Fraternally he was identified with the Masons, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Universalist church. His memory is yet cherished by those who knew him and most of all by her with whom he traveled life’s journey so happily for many years.