M.F. Dewell, who resides on a farm of 185 acres near Cushing, in section 18, of Battle
Creek Township, Ida County, Iowa, is one of the prominent and well-to-do men of the
township and has been identified with the agricultural interests here since 1881.
Mr. Dewell is a native of the Hoosier State. He was born in Kosciusko County, December
20,1853, son of Nathaniel and Winnie Ann (McHome) Dewell. His father was a native of Ohio,
and a son of Solomon Dewell, who was born in Pennsylvania, a descendant of Holland
ancestors that had long been residents of Pennsylvania, while his mother was a daughter of
John McHome, who was born of Scotch ancestry, in New York. He was the third born in
their family of five sons and one daughter. They came to Iowa in 1855 and located in Cedar
County, being among the early settlers of that place. The father improved a farm near
Clarnece, spent his whole life engaged in agricultural pursuits, and died at the age of
sixty years. Politically, he was at first a Whig and afterward a Republican. The
mother of our subject died at the age of thirty-two years.
When M.F. Dewell settled on his present farm in 1881 it was all wild land. Now he has one
of the best farms in the western part of Ida County. His modern two-story residence, with
its rock foundation, bay windows and verandas, is beautifully situated and surrounded with
a lawn, dotted over with shade and ornamental trees. From his home a magnificent view of
the surrounding country is obtained. He has a grove and orchard of four acres. His
barn is 36x46 feet, 20 foot posts and stone basement. These improvements, together with
well-cultivated fields, broad pastures and good fences, all indicate thrift and
prosperity.
Mr. Dewell was married at the age of twenty-one to Miss Anna Van Buskirk, a native of
Maryland, and a daughter of Samuel and Lavina Van Buskirk. When she was twelve years old
the family moved to Illinois, and four years later to Jones County, Iowa, where her
parents now reside. She had one brother, John, who served through the late war in a
Pennsylvania regiment and was wounded. He is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dewell have
four children; Enoch I., Sylvester M., Victor G. and Elsie L.
Mr. Dewell affiliates with the Republican party, and is a member of the I.O.O.F., at
Cushing. He is a man in the prime of life, frank and genial, popular with all who know
him, and is regarded as one of the most substantial men of this vicinity.
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