In 1861 he was elected county judge, and served four years. After the expiration of his judicial term, in order to educate his children, he removed to Birmingham, Van Buren county, and remained there three years, and then returned to Knoxville, which has since been his home, and where he has conducted a drug trade. He married Miss Rachael C. McCallister, in 1840. She was born in Pennsylvania. They have four children: Anna, Mattie, James B. and Ohio Pierce.

YOUNG, J. G.-Dealer in drugs, paints, oils and druggists' sundries. Was born in Morgan county, Ohio, on the 29th day of October, 1820, and was raised in this and Ashtabula counties. His early life was that of a farmer. He continued to reside in his native State until 1852, when he came to Iowa and settled in Marion county. The first seven years he engaged in farming and then commenced his mercantile experience and he is a good illustration of what economy and perseverance can accomplish when combined with honor and integrity. He is a true man and a reputable merchant. He was married in 1844 to Miss Hannah Biddinger, a native of Ohio.

YOUNG, E. D.-Undertaker. Was born in Butler county, Ohio, December 14, 1815, and when an infant was taken by his parents to Franklin county, Indiana. He learned the trade of cabinet-maker in his youth, and has followed it the greater portion of the time since. He emigrated to Iowa and settled in Burlington in 1841, and soon after removed to Mt. Pleasant, in Henry county, and voted at the first State election in 1846. After seven years' residence at this place he returned to Indiana, and settled in Indianapolis, and after living there four years, once more retraced his steps to Iowa, and settled in Keokuk, September 1, 1852, and in 1854 came to this county and settled in Knoxville, where he has since lived and conducted his business. For the last twelve years he has devoted his time chiefly to the undertaking business, and no man in Knoxville has a better reputation for all those qualities that go to make up a true man. He has been twice married; first, to Miss Rebecca J. York, January 26, 1836. She was born in Indiana, and died in Mt. Pleasant, in October, 1846. leaving three children: Elizabeth J. (now Mrs. L. M. Brady), Mary J. (now Mrs. J. Terry) and James W. His second marriage occurred in March, 1847, to Miss Lydia Snow. By this union they have three children: Alvin S. (of California), Ephraim B. (a practicing physician of Red Oak) and Hercules C.

IN, CHARLES-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 26, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Jackson (now Vinton) county, Ohio, February 13, 1833. His father, Samuel Zin, was an agriculturist in that State. The subject of this sketch was there raised to manhood, educated, and resided until 1858, when he came to lowa, locating in Appanoose county, where he resided until 1864, then came to Marion county. In 1859 he married Miss Elizabeth Long, a native of Ohio, and by this union they have six children: George, Laura, Calvin L., Harvey A., Ira P., and Mary. Mr. Zin's homestead consists of 160 acres; has also 20 acres of timber. His orchard of 140 apple trees is in a thrifty condition. Mr. Zin makes a specialty of stock-raising.

CHAPTER II.

LAKE PRAIRIE.

Organization-The Holland Colony-First Settlers-The City of Pella-Town of Amsterdam -Town of Leersdam-Biographical.

LAKE PRAIRIE township consists of township 77, range 18, and all of townships 75 and 76 north of the Des Moines River. Its area is about equal to two congressional townships or seventy-two square miles, which in acres amounts to 46,080.

Skunk River flows through the northeast corner of the township, and in the southwest part is a small lake from which the township takes its name. When the county was first organized in 1845, what is now known as Lake Prairie township was constituted an election precinct and called Lake. In the following January the north half was detached and called Jefferson township and the place of voting was designated at the house of Richard Everwine, and the south half was constituted a civil township, known as Lake Prairie township with the place of holding elections at the house of Wilson Stanley. This was the beginning of Lake Prairie township.

During the winter of 1847-8 there was a special act of the Legisla ture consolidating Lake Prairie and Jefferson townships under the name of Lake Prairie.

The first township election was held in April, 1846, and there were twentytwo votes cast; the names of these voters will afford very authentic evidence of who were the first and early settlers. The names are as follows:

W. H. Buffington, A. C. Buffington, James M. Deweese, G. W. Harsin, S. W. Buffington, James Q. Buffington, James O. Raynor, James L. Warren, Andrew J. Brown, Samuel Peter, Jacob C. Brown, Walker Finley, O. Mathews, O. Mathews, Jr., Simpson B. Mathews, George E. Jewett, G. S. Hendrix, Green T. Clark, John Hamilton, Robert Hamilton, Wm. McDermit, Asa Koons.

During the summer of 1846 the voting population of the township was further increased by the coming of the following named persons: George Gillaspy, Samuel Gillaspy, Levi Bambridge, I. C. Curtis, Wilson Stanley, J. B. Power, S. P. Parsons, Wm. Welch.

THE HOLLAND COLONY.

The beginning of the Holland Settlement, which has grown till it has occupied nearly the whole of the township, dates from 1847. In that year there was a decided increase in the population of Lake Prairie by the advent of the first adventurers of the now noted Holland Colony. We made brief notice of this in the beginning of the history, and it being one of the most notable events in the annals of the county, we will now, from facts gleaned from its founders, give it more in detail:

Readers of foreign history are familiar with the trouble and enmity that existed in Holland half a century ago, caused by sectarianism. Its origin is traced to the fact that a number of the prominent clergy and laymen of the National Reform Church becoming dissatisfied with its overbearing doctrines, withdrew and formed themselves into an independent organization. Prominent among those that were in favor of religious freedom

was the Rev. Henry P. Scholte. A brief sketch of this gentleman will not be out of place. He was born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1805. In early life he learned the carpenter trade and devoted considerable of his time to drawing. When 17 years of age he was deprived of his father, which event called his attention to the subject of religion, and the result of his considerations was that he commenced a preparatory course, and in 1821, entered the seminary at Amsterdam. In 1824, after passing through the literary examination of the University of Leyden, he began the study of theology in that institution. During a revival in Holland in 1826, after giving the matter of religion mature deliberation, he came to the conclusion that sectarianism and church organization were of a secondary importance. In 1830 a rebellion broke out in Belgium, which Mr. S. took an active part in suppressing. In 1832 he passed the theological examination at the University of Leyden and was licensed to preach. After being examined by the Synod of Holland, he commenced his duties as a minister of the Gospel in the National Reform Church in the beginning of 1833, where he officiated until the division in 1835.

The small body of seceders were not permitted to dwell in harmony, but passed through a series of trials that were fraught with persecutions aud imprisonments, instigated by the Synod of Holland. The legality of these acts, for want of a better excuse, was based upon an iron-clad law of Napoleon, which stipulated that not more than twenty persons should assemble in one body for divine worship.

These persecutions instead of having a disastrous effect upon the followers of the new faith, increased its adherents; consequently the govern- ment became discouraged and the persecutions ceased entirely soon after the accession of William II. to the throne.

The social condition and pecuniary circumstances of the middle and poorer classes of the country came under the observation of Mr. Scholfe during his labors as a minister. He perceived how difficult it was for the poor to eke out sustenance, and for them to attain a social status was an

utter impossibility.

After considering the matter of their relief he concluded that, owing to the crowded condition of the Netherlands, that his efforts to aid them, For to contrive any means to better their condition in their native country would be futile, and that emigration to some other country where they would have a broader scope for their labors, was the only alternative to bring about the desired end. With this project in view, in connection with another minister of ability, they began a series of investigations in regard to the laws, religion and general advantages of different countries. They corresponded with the Minister of Colonies and endeavored to secure free 2 passage to the island of Java and a permit to make a free settlement there. To this the government objected and they turned their attention in another direction. America was the next country under consideration. After making inquiries in regard to the climate, laws, etc., of different parts, Texas was first thought of, but owing to the climate was abandoned. Missouri was next under consideration, but the existence of slavery forbade its choice. Finally Iowa, which was then in its infancy as a State, was chosen to be the land of their future abode.

The next step to be taken was to create an interest among a sufficient number to form a self-sustaining colony. In July, 1846, the first meeting for the purpose was held at Leersdam, and in December of the same year

the second meeting was held at Utrecht, at which an organization was ef fected, Henry P. Scholte being elected president, A. J. Betten vice-president and Isaac Overkamp secretary. A committee consisting of G. Overkamp, G. F. Le Cocq, John Rietveld and A. Wigny were appointed, whose duty it was to receive members on certain conditions, and arrange for means of transportation. It was required that the members of the or ganization should be industrious and moral. It was not essential that they should be adherents to a religious faith, but no atheists or infidels were al mitted, and Roman Catholics were entirely excluded. Another measure was that each member of sufficient means should take charge of one or more persons or families who desired to go, but were too poor to defray the expense.

In the spring of 1847 the association numbered 1,300 souls, and between 700 and 800 were prepared to make their departure. Four vessels were chartered, three of which sailed from Rotterdam and one from Amsterdam. the early part of April. The fleet arrived in Baltimore the early part of June, where they were joined by Mr. Scholte, who had preceded them by steamer. Nine deaths and three births occurred during the voyage.

They were conveyed to Pittsburgh by canal and railway, thence to St. Louis by steamboat, arriving in July. Mr. E. F. Grafe, a German, and for sometime a resident of that city, was aware of their coming and proved to be a beneficial friend to them during their sojourn at that point. It was necessary for them to recuperate and make arrangements for the journey to their final settlement, consequently they constructed a temporary shelter outside the city limits. It was also essential at this time to know the local ity in the Hawkeye State where they were to take up their permanent abode, and Henry P. Scholte, Isaac Overkamp, John Rietveld and others for this purpose departed for Iowa as the avant-couriers or prospectors. Rev. M. J. Post, who for a number of years was a minister of the gospel, and mail-carrier in the frontier for a number of years, came in contact with them at Fairfield. Mr. Post recommended the belt of country lying between the Des Moines and Skunk rivers in Marion county as a suitable locality to establish a colony, and with the committee went over the ground. The location and surroundings were agreeable to their views and Mr. Scholte, as financial manager and agent for the colony, purchased the claims of settlers within a radius of two townships, which was designed for the use of the colony, together with live stock and agricultural implements.

They returned to St. Louis and mechanics were immediately sent forward to construct temporary shelter for the emigrants on their arrival. which was soon. Sheds were erected in different parts of where the city of Pella now stands, some families moved into the cabins recently occupied by those whose claims had been purchased, while others built sod houses on the prairie and improvised a roof of grass which was in abundance on the edge of the sloughs. Thus we find the founders of the now flourishing settlement making their debut in Marion county. That they made their now happy and comfortable home out of the raw material is unmistakable, and the prosperity that has attended the colony to the present time is not only familiar to the residents of Marion county, but throughout the entire northwest. Though chiefly instrumental in developing the resources of the township and building up a city which is a credit to themselves and an honor to the State, they were not properly the first settlers. Prior to their coming many of the best claims were taken; the Hollanders generally

bought out the owners of these claims and the first owners took up the line of march for regions further west.

FIRST SETTLERS.

The veritable first settlers of Lake Prairie township were Virginians by the name of Nossaman and Hamilton. They came during the year 1843, John B. Hamilton having the honor of building the first house in the township.

The development of the material resources of Lake Prairie township, and the increase in population have been so rapid as to be almost without a parallel in the country.

Notwithstanding the fact that the people who have made that country what it is did not arrive till 1848-9, and when arriving found nothing but the bare soil, they had so far improved and populated the township by the year 1855, as to make the following showing:

In 1870 the value of property in the township had so increased as to be as follows:

Lands and town lots
Personal property

...

$593,250
274,285

The population in 1875 was 5,209, and the entire valuation of all the property in the township, personal and real estate, is now $1,461,693.

While this progress has been largely due to the fertility of the soil and early railroad communication, it cannot be denied that it is chiefly due to the industry and fecundity of the race of people who inhabit it.

John B. Hamilton, one of the first settlers of this township, was the first school fund commissioner. From some of his records still in existence, we find that in 1851 he subdivided Lake Prairie township into school districts, of which there were six in number, making one for every twelve miles of territory. At present there is a school district constituted out of ever four square miles of territory, and all the districts are well supplied with schoolhouses. Last year, outside the city of Pella, there was raised by special taxation, for school purposes, the sum of $2,000 and for the improvement of the roads the sum of $2,519. The present township officers are:

Justices-H. Neyenesch, H. M. McCully, N. de Reuss.
Constables-Fred Synhorst, A. de Reuss, Jr.

Trustees Wm. Hagens, M. Sells, Ldt. v. d. Linden.
Clerk-F. W. Brinkhoff.

Assessor-L. Beintema.

THE CITY OF PELLA.

The city of Pella was originally laid out under the direction of Henry Peter Scholte, and named thus from a Hebrew word, which signifies a city of refuge.