Pioneers of Marion County by Wm. Wm. M. Donnel, 1872

Yoest Spalti

Yoest Spalti - well remembered by old settlers as "Dutch Joe" - was a native of Switzerland from which country he, with two brothers, Henry and Joachim, came to Iowa in '45, and settled temporarily four miles west of Ottumwa, in August. Here they remained till spring, and wintered in a shelter of their own construction, partly dug in the earth, and, for want of means, or opportunity to earn it, subsisted upon a very limited variety and amount of fare. They were frequently asked to work, but not being able to reply in a language comprehensive to any American, except nix verstay, they were not employed for some time, when they were luckily accosted by a German, and got work.

Yoest came up in the spring of '46 and settled at what was known as Lynn Grove, where his brother Henry now lives. Here he lived a bachelor till he started to California in the spring of '50 and died on the way. Some mystery connected with his death seemed to indicate that he was foully dealt with.

Henry and Joachim followed him to this township some years later, and are now among the most wealthy men in the county.