Horace V. Dwelle
Horace V. Dwelle The name of Horace V. Dwelle is closely associated with the history of Worth county in its educational progress, in its material development and in its political connections. At all points in his career he has been actuated by high and honorable purpose, and the nobility of his life has awakened the confidence, goodwill and high respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact. He has passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred on Christmas day of 1832, in Washington county, New York, his parents being Alphonso and Mary Elizabeth (Tefft) Dwelle, who were farmers of Washington county, New York, where they spent their entire lives, having long since passed away.
Horace V. Dwelle was reared upon the old home farm in his native county and when not busy with the work of the fields, spent his time as a pupil in the public schools. He remained in the Empire state until he was in his twenty-fourth year, when he resolved to try his fortune in the west, and in 1856 made his way to Illinois. For two years he had engaged in teaching school in Lockport, Illinois, after which he removed to Hardin, Iowa, where he again devoted two years to the cause of education, proving a successful teacher in the schools of that locality. In 1860 he removed to Northwood and a little later became county clerk at Bristol, which at that time was the county seat of Worth county. He occupied the position for two years, after which he held the office of county treasurer for several terms. Later he was made county surveyor, in which capacity he served acceptably for a number of years. During that time he conducted farming operations, bought-and sold land, and conducted a general real estate business. Since 1863 he has made his home at Northwood, which has been since that date the county seat of Worth county.
In 1864 Mr. Dwelle was united in marriage to Miss Helen Elizabeth Hinman, at that time a teacher in the public school at Bristol. Mrs. Dwelle was born at Holland, Vermont, March 10, 1842. Her ancestors were pioneer New England settlers and Revolutionary characters. Her grandfather, Timothy Hinman, served throughout the entire Revolutionary war. Her father was the first white boy born in Orleans county, Vermont. In 1861 she came to Bristol, Worth county, Iowa, where her family had preceded her the year before. From the date of her marriage to her death, which occurred March 6, 1918, she resided continuously at Northwood. Five children were born into this family. Two daughters, Carrie Elizabeth and Mary Helen, died in infancy. Three sons, Horton Alphonso, Elmer Hinman and Charles Horace, still reside at Northwood.
In politics Mr. Dwelle has been a consistent republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He attained his majority just at the time of the organization of the republican party. He has filled the offices of county treasurer, county clerk and county surveyor, but has never been a politician in the usually accepted sense of the term. He was a charter member of Northern Light Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and was its first junior warden. He and his wife were charter members of the First Baptist church of Northwood, and Mr. Dwelle has been church clerk ever since its organization in 1877. Mrs. Dwelle was a charter member of the first chapter of the Eastern Star organized in Northwood and was at the time of her death a member of Daniel Boone Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Boone, Iowa.
The Dwelle family from pioneer times has figured prominently as factors in bringing about the present-day progress and development of this part of the state. The work which was done by the father in the pioneer period has been carried on by his sons, and the student of history can not carry his investigations far without learning that the Dwelle family has played an important part in the history of Worth county.
SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 92 & 97
Transcribed by Gordon Felland, January 5, 2006