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Souvenir
History of Pella, Iowa [1847-1922] W Born in Pella, January 11, 1857, where he received his education and started to work for his father in the lumber business in the spring of 1871. After the retirement of his father he carried on the same business, later taking his son, G. H. Waechter, into the firm and has continued up to the present time. While Mr. Waechter has been eminently successful as a business man, he has found time to devote his ability in public affairs. He served on the school board for four terms and two years on the City Council, being elected in 1909 as Councilman from the First Ward, and reelected in 1911. It was during this time that the Municipal Water and Light plants were installed, the Sewer system established, and the preliminary steps taken for the paving of the streets. Mr. Waechter’s judgment and business experience were invaluable to the city in carrying out these important improvements. He has been a member of the First Reformed Church for many years and since 1887 has served that congregation as Deacon. F. W. Waechter was born in Germany, August 27, 1821. He emigrated to America in 1847, via New Orleans, and came to St. Louis. Here he worked at the Cabinet trade until 1852, when he removed to Pella. While living in St. Louis he was married to Miss Christiana Berghoever, of that city. The wedding occurring in July of the year 1850. In Pella he engaged in the making of furniture for a few years, but was so unfortunate as to lose building and entire stock by fire. He later owned and operated a saw mill for several years, and for six years was engaged with E. F. Grafe in running the Washington Flour Mill. In 1871 he engaged in the lumber business in which he continued until he retired on account of old age. The same business is still carried on by his son, A. Waechter, and his grandson, G. H. Waechter, under the firm name of Waechter Lumber Co. F. W. Waechter died November 22, 1880. Mr. Van Stigt in his valuable history of Pella pays an especially high tribute to the character and worth to this community of Dr. James L. Warren, who settled in Mahaska county, six miles northeast of Pella, in 1843. As a physician he enjoyed a large practice among our early settlers, and he is still often mentioned by the few pioneers who remain with us, for his great zeal in religious work, and for the example he set in every line of endeavor that made for the best interests of the community. Dr. Warren was one of the first ministers of the M. E. Church to preach in Mahaska and Marion counties, and organized the first class west of Libertyville. He was licensed as a local preacher in 1828, ordained deacon in Oskaloosa in 1852, and was ordained an elder by Bishop Ames in 1863. He practiced medicine from 1831 up to a short time before his death. Robert B. Warren was born in Tennessee in the year 1829. He came to Iowa with his father’s family in 1841, settling first in Lee county. He moved to Mahaska county in 1843. He and his father, Dr. J. L. Warren, built what was known as the Warren mill, six miles northeast of Pella on the Skunk river, in 1846. This mill was burned down in 1850 and was rebuilt. In about 1882 this mill was again burned down, but was never rebuilt. He lived on his farm surrounding the mill until 1891, when he removed with his family to Des Moines, Iowa, where he resided until the time of his death in 1906. While living in Mahaska county he was elected to the State Legislature in 1881, and served in the Nineteenth General Assembly. He was a member of the Pioneer Law Makers’ Association at the time of his death. Born in South Holland September 13, 1828. He learned the bakery business with his father and worked with him in the shop until they emigrated to America in 1847. Upon arriving in this country the family located on a farm where he helped his father and in spare moments acquired the English language which he mastered quite successfully. When twenty-eight years of age he settled on a farm just west of Pella which he occupied until the time of his death which occurred February 9, 1880, aged eighty-two years. At the time of his death he owned four hundred acres of land as a legacy to this family consisting of his wife, two sons, Henry and Peter, of Sully, Iowa, and Misses Daisy and Sarah who still remain in this city. Born in the City of Gorengem, South Holland, where he lived and received his education. He came to Pella with his parents in 1847, and settled with them on a farm. Mr. Welle will be best remembered by the older residents as the agent for the United Express Company, and a partner in the livery business, conducted for many years under the firm name of Wheeler & Welle. This firm deserves great credit for being the pioneers in improving the breed of draft horses in this part of Iowa, they being the first to ship in pedigreed Norman horses for breeding. Mr. Welle was a man of genial disposition, who counted his friends by the score. He was a public spirited citizen, always ready to encourage any movement that was for the improvement of the community. His death occurred September 1, 1902. The youngest son of the Welle family, came to Pella with his parents in 1847, and settled on the farm. He was born in Gorengem, South Holland. After his marriage he lived for many years on the farm, about three miles west of Pella, now owned by Walter Nollen. Here he was known as one of our most progressive and successful farmers and stock raisers. A number of years ago he moved to Jasper county, where he bought a large farm and became one of the noted farmers and stock raisers of that county. Later he retired from active life and moved to Newton, where he and his wife still reside. Was one of the first men to drive a stage coach from Des Moines to Keokuk. He finally located in Pella and engaged in the livery business with David Welle, who looked after the express business of the firm. The firm of Wheeler & Welle remained in business for many years and the old barns that were once occupied by their business still remain on Franklin street. Mr. Welle died and the business of the express company was taken over by his son, Peter, who later passed away. After Mr. Wheeler’s death, January 17, 1899, his sons, Ellsworth and Edward, took over his business and conducted it for several years afterward. Edward G. lives in Sibley, Iowa; Bert lives in Los Angeles, California; the other three sons, Ellsworth, Henry and Lonnie, have gone to their reward. In K. Van Stigt’s history of Pella, Mr. Wigny is mentioned as one of the leaders of the colonization movement. He was a member of the Executive Committee chosen by the colonists in Holland when the movement was yet in its formative stage. He was one of the two men who had charge of affairs on the ship, the Nagasaki. Mr. Wigny was a man of earnest religious convictions, a faithful member of the Reformed Church, and during the years of his residence in Pella he had the respect and confidence of the entire community. He was called to his reward the 22nd day of December, 1869. As has already appeared in this history, Mr. Wolters had the distinction of being the first merchant of Pella. Wolters & Smeenk had a small stock of merchandise in a log house that stood where the beautiful Van Zee home is located, just west of town on the Brand farm. Later they moved to the G. Thomassen corner, one block west of the Square, on Washington street. Here they conducted one of the leading stores for several years. We have been unable to secure any definite data as to Mr. Wolter’s later activities. Born in the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands, in 1825.
A young man of twenty years of age he emigrated to America in 1847 and
located in Pella. He came to this country with J. Kegel, who acted as
his guardian on the trip, which was made on the ship Maasstrom. Having
received a good education in Holland, he was well fitted for the life
he selected. Upon his arrival here he engaged in the carpenter business
and conducted a saw mill until 1872 when he engaged in the lumber business
as agent for F. F. Baldwin, which position he filled until 1875 when
he engaged in the retail business which was known as Waechter &
Wormhoudt, and as long as this firm continued they enjoyed the unlimited
confidence of the public. He died on February 9th, 1907, at the ripe
age of 81 years. For a number of years he was a member of the Board
of Education in the early days of the public schools and served as a
member of the First Reformed Church Consistory until the time of his
death. His children are H. D., of Chicago, Ill.; Mrs. Effie Kuyper,
of Chicago, Ill.; John, of Ottumwa, Iowa; Isaac, of Eddyville; Edward,
of Kahoka, Mo., and Dominicus, of Newton, Iowa.
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