Samuel A. Newell

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Though not a native of Iowa, the above named has been a resident for over fifty years, and so long has be been identified with the affairs of Monroe county that he may justly be classed with the earliest pioneers. Originally from the north of Ireland, his ancestry settled in old Virginia many generations ago, and his paternal grandfather, Samuel Newell, was a man of note during the latter half of the eighteenth century. He enlisted for the Revolutionary war, fought gallantly in many engagements, and at the battle of King’s Mountain received a British bullet in his body which he carried until his dying day.

Samuel married a Miss Montgomery, and among their children was a son named William. The latter married Paulina, daughter of David and Elizabeth Fain, Tennesseeans by birth, who removed first to Kentucky and then to Indiana, where the former ended his days. William and Paulina (Fain) Newell came to Iowa in 1851 and settled in Monroe county, where the former died shortly after his arrival, in the fiftieth year of his age, his wife long surviving him and dying when seventy-six years old. Of their eleven children six are living in different sections of the country, and all of them have families of their own.

Samuel A. Newell, who is included in the last mentioned list, was born January 25, 1838, during the residence of his parents in Owen county, Indiana. He was therefore about thirteen years old when they came west, and grew to manhood on the farm settled by his father in Monroe county. After his father’s death he became the head of the household and occupied the position of a parent towards his younger brothers and sisters. He took charge of the farm and managed it until 1870, and during the subsequent twelve years was engaged in merchandising at Melrose, Monroe county. After retiring from his mercantile venture in 1882, he embarked in the live stock business, and since then has been a general dealer in this industry.

In May, 1860, Mr. Newell was united in marriage with Malinda J., daughter of David and Rebecca (Nail) Lukenbill, who came to Iowa in 1852. The father died in Eddyville in January, 1853, a few weeks after his arrival, but his wife lived to be sixty years old before passing away at the home of her daughter. She had nine children, and of these three are now living, including Mrs. Newell, with whom she lived and was tenderly cared for during her declining years. Mr. and Mrs. Newell have an only daughter, named Ida, who married David A. Criswell, a train dispatcher, and has three children, on boy and two girls.

The Newell’s have a creditable record for patriotism, gained at different periods of the country’s history. Besides the grandfather, of Revolutionary fame, one of his uncles participated in the Black Hawk war, and Mr. Newell himself was one of “the brave boys in blue” who fought for the Union. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Company C., Eighteenth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Van Benthusen, and served loyally with his command for about one year. Mr. Newell stated his political career by voting for Abraham Lincoln when he was making his race for the presidency, and has ever since favored Republican principles, though he is very independent in his voting and “carries his sovereignty under his hat.” He was an Odd Fellow until his lodge surrendered its charter. He may be described as a strictly self-made man, as what he has done has been accomplished without the assistance of wealthy or influential friends, and by his individual efforts he has obtained a creditable standing in the social and business world.