Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 425

HENRY B. MELICK, a retired farmer and prominent citizen of Muscatine County, Iowa, now residing in the village of Atalissa, was born in Columbia County, Pa., Sept. 20, 1827, and is a son of John and Martha ( Crevling ) Melink. They were the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom reached maturity : Justus A., the eldest, who died in 1884, leaving a wife and three children, who now reside in Harrisburg, Pa., was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many years was Chaplain of the State Senate of Pennsylvania ; Harriet is the wife of James Sanky, a resident of Harrisburg, Pa.; Henry B., is the third in order of birth ; Louisa died at the age of twenty years ; Nelson, who served in the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry for two and a half years, after which he was taken sick and received his discharge, wedded a Miss Campbell, who is now deceased, and is engaged in lumbering in Hine's Run, Pa.; Martha J., wife of Dr. Crebs, an eminent physician of Pennsylvania, died in 1875 ; and Emma, wife of John Rank, resides in Scranton. Pa.

John Melick, the father of this family, engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his life, and was a prominent citizen of the State of Pennsylvania. He and his wife were both devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, took an active interest in the work of that denomination, and were earnest Christian people. In 1852 the mother was called to her long rest, preceding her husband many years, his death occurring in 1870.

The education of our subject was received in the common schools of his native county, where he was reared to manhood upon his father's farm. On attaining his majority he started out in life for himself as a tanner, which trade he learned in a short time, after which he purchased the business from his employer, and continued in that line for about four years. At the age of twenty-three he left the parental roof, and after selling out his tannery purchased a hotel in Cambria, Luzerne Co, of which he remained proprietor for three years, being reasonably successful in that venture. Later he purchased the old homestead in Columbia County, consisting of eighty acres, and continued its cultivation until 1868, when he sold the farm, receiving $10,000 in cash. Desiring to make his home in the West, he started on his journey to seek a location, and after traveling through fourteen different States of the Union chose Muscatine County as his future home. Purchasing 140 acres of land on sections 13 and 14, Goshen Township, he returned to his old home and, accompanied by his family, came again to Muscatine County, where he settled permanently.

On the 16th day of October, 1851, Mr. Melick and Miss Martha A.Wert were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. The lady was born in Columbia County, Pa., Oct. 2, 1831, and is a daughter of George and Margaret ( Melick ) Wert, the father a native of New Jersey, and the mother of Pennsylvania. Both parents died in Orangeville, that State. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Melick five children have been born : Clara V., born July 7,1852, died on the 11th of September following ; Millard F., born Nov. 5, 1853, wedded Miss Nina Barkalow, and resides in Goshen Township ; John Warren, born Sept. 5, 1855, is the husband of Miss Mary Croxen, a native of Muscatine County, and is engaged in farming in Cedar County, Iowa ; Justus A., born Sept. 5, 1857, wedded Miss Eva Kline, of Wisconsin, and now has charge of his father's farm in Goshen Township ; Tantie B., born July 15, 1864, is the youngest of the family.

Since coming to Iowa Mr. Melick has developed one of the finest farms in Muscatine County, transforming the wild prairie into highly cultivated land. His farm was always stocked with a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs, and everything about the place denotes the thrift and enterprise of the owner. He made his home upon the farm until 1885, when, erecting a cottage in the village of Atalissa, he removed to that town, where he has since lived a retired life. He has been honored by his fellow-citizens with various local offices of trust, and in his political sentiments is a republican. Mrs. Melick and part of the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while John W. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Melick receives the highest respect of all who know him, and is numbered among Muscatine County's best citizens.


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