CHARLES M. FELT, GRISWOLD.
In 1869 Charles M. and Seth H. Felt, father and son, came from Illinois, the former buying 800 acres of railroad land and the latter 160 acres in the township. Seth returned to Knox county for a couple of years, but permanently settled in Lincoln in 1871, adding to his real estate until he owned three or four hundred acres of finely improved property. He erected a nice residence in 1875, engaged extensively in stock raising and served acceptably in several township offices. Both father and son were substantial and respected citizens.
From "Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 161.
Mayor Felt is especially prominent in connection with the early settlement of Lincoln township. He is a native of Warren county, Ill., born September 14, 1846, the son of Charles M. and Brittania (Hecol) Felt. The father, who was a native of Maine, moved to Quincy, Ill., in the year 1821, being then but a boy. In the Illinois town he was reared to manhood, and when of age bought land in Warren county. From wild land he brought the farm into a profitable state of cultivation, and the first log house occupied by himself and his young wife afterward gave place, with an increasing familyand improved circumstances, to a comfortable and commodious residence. After living there for twenty years the family removed to Knox county, Ill., where both parents died. Of their six sons and six daughters, all but one are living.
The father was active in politics, being originally a Whig and later a Republican and an Abolitionist. Both he and his wife were members of the Universalist Church, and carried with them the general affection and esteem of those who came within the range of their good influences. The grandfather, Peter Felt, was a native of Maine and a farmer, moved to Illinois with his family (including the father of our submect) in 1821, and died at Quincy. The genealogy of the Felts has been traced as far back as 1630, and the family has everywhere upheld a reputation for reliability and honorable dealings.
Charles M. Felt was reared to manhood in Warren and Knox counties, Ill., assisting on the home farm until 1870, when he was twenty-four years of age. Deciding upon the greater opportunities, coupled with the greater difficulties of the farther West, he drove by team from Knox county, Ill., to Lincoln township, where he settled upon 160 acres of virgin land. This tract he developed into a finished homestead, embracing the primary requisites of fertile land, scientifically cultivated, a good residence, and modern out-buildings for the proper carrying on of the farm. Here he resided until 1901, disposing of the property in that year and buying his present farm in Pleasant township, which is worked by one of his sons.
Mr. Felt has served Lincoln township in nearly all of the offices at its disposal, hispolitics being an unvarying Republicanism. In the spring of 1906, having been a resident of Griswold for five years, he was elected to the mayoralty of the stirring little city of the township, in which he holds important property interests.
In 1870 Charles M. Felt was joined in wedlock with Julia Humerick, daughter of John W. Humerick, who settled in the southwestern part of Franklin township in 1858 and in February, 1883, died suddenly on the fine homestead which his labors and good judgement had mainly created. Boy twins were born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Felt -- Roland A. and Royston B. The stons are both married. The former is a physician at Perry, Okla., where in October, 1902, he married Florence Bullen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Bullen. Royston B. Felt is superintending the farm in Pleasant township. He married Jennie Robison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Robison, of Lincoln township, in June, 1900.
From "Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 332-333.
