JAMES B. SEXTON

Was born in Virginia, August 3, 1838. When a boy he moved with his parents to
Leesburg, Ohio, where he was raised until young manhood; he came to Iowa in the
early 50's and when the North called for men in the Civil War, he enlisted in
Co. I, 6th Iowa Volunteers, from Burlington, Iowa, and served twenty-two months,
when he was discharged on account of his health. In 1865 he came to Pella and
became a member of the Burlington Manufacturing Company and acted as traveling
salesman for the Company. While with this concern he invented a cultivator which
met with ready sales. In 1876 the Pella Manufacturing Co. was organized and he
became a member, traveling for this firm for a number of years. It was while he
was connected with this Company that he perfected the Sexton Wagon Brake, one of
the best brakes ever manufactured and is still being used on wagons. After the
disposal of this plant in later years, Mr. Sexton accepted a position as
traveling salesman for the Kelly, Moss & Co., wholesalers of heavy hardware, and
held that position for twenty-six years. At one time he was alderman of the
First Ward in this city for several years and was considered a progressive
citizen. He died April 2, 1912. Three sons survive him, Walter, of this city;
James O., dentist, of Washington, Iowa, and Elisha. of California. Four preceded
him to the Great Beyond: Charley, in 1907; F. M., in 1908; Mrs. Alice M. Hunt
and Mrs. Mamie J. Baker, in 1909.

JAMES B. SEXTON

G. H. OVERKAMP

Was born in De Hague, Holland, February 15, 1808, and was taken from there by
his parents to Leerdam when two years of age. There he received his education
and later learned the painter's trade and at the age of twenty-one he opened a
shop and worked at his trade until 1847, when he came to Pella with the first
Holland colony. He was the first Hollander to erect a house in Pella, where for
some time the first religious services were held. In 1850 his second son, Isaac,
started a furniture factory, continuing that business until 1857, when he died.
Mr. Overkamp, in company with G. H. Wormhoudt, was his successor, and they
conducted the business until 1880, when Mr. Overkamp retired. He married Miss
Aafje Kruyt on the 2d day of January, 1830. She was born on the 6th day of
September, 1804, in Holland. By this union there were five daughters: Aafje
(Mrs. G. H. Dingeman), Hendrina (Mrs. Henry Hospers), Aartje (formerly Mrs. H.
Wormhoudt), Antje (Mrs. H. Wormhoudt), and Marie (Mrs. J. Vos). Of these all
have died except Mrs. H. Wormhoudt.

G. H. OVERKAMP