PEDELTY, Joseph

PEDELTY, ALDERSON, BRYSON, BEATTY, BOLES, KELSEY

Posted By: Jennifer Gunderson (email)
Date: 3/14/2021 at 17:06:50

For many years actively and prosperously identified with the agricultural interests of Cerro Gordo county, Joseph Pedelty found both profit and pleasure as a general farmer, and having acquired a competency he is now enjoying a well earned leisure at his home in Mason City, living retired from active pursuits. He was born, July 9, 1846, at New Diggings, Wisconsin, a son of Peter and Mary (Alderson) Pedelty and brother of John Pedelty, in whose sketch, which may be found on another page of this volume, further parental and ancestral history is given.

Brought up on the home farm and educated in the rural schools of Wisconsin, Joseph Pedelty remained with his parents until March 17, 1869, when he came to Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, it being his first trip away from his hometown. Buying one hundred and sixty acres of land that was in its primeval wildness in section thirty-six Lincoln township, he began the arduous task of reclaiming a farm. Fortune smiling on his efforts, Mr. Pedelty met with unbounded success, not only improving a substantial homestead, but becoming owner of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land in Lincoln township, and a large tract of valuable land in the north. Giving up farming on March 1, 1896, Mr. Pedelty has since resided in Mason City, where he is highly respected for his integrity and sterling worth. He is a decided Republican in politics, and for fourteen consecutive years served as township treasurer.

Mr. Pedelty has been twice married. He married first, in 1869, Mattie Bryson, who was born, March 21, 1844, in Ireland, a daughter of James and Ann (Beatty) Bryson. Coming with his family to this country in 1854, Mr. Bryson located in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where he was engaged in tilling the soil for about ten years. Moving then to Kansas, both he and his wife spent their remaining years in that state. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom one son, David Bryson, of Mason City, is the sole survivor. Mrs. Mattie (Bryson) Pedelty died March 17, 1905, leaving three children, namely: G. L., of Mason City; Anna M., wife of Francis Fessenden, of Lime Creek township; and J. M., of Mason City. Mr. Pedelty married for his second wife, October 9, 1906, Mrs. Lucy (Boles) Kelsey, who was born, July 2, 1862, in Benton county, Iowa. By her marriage with her first husband, Albert W. Kelsey, Mrs. Pedelty has three children, namely: Frank V., of Douglas, Wyoming; Bert E., of Fairfield, Iowa; and Wilbur S., of Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Pedelty are held in high esteem throughout the community, and are valued members of the Congregational church.

Source: WHEELER, J. H. History of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. Vol. II. Lewis Publ. Co. Chicago. 1910. Transcribed by Jennifer Gunderson (Mar 2021)