Samuel B. Welterlen is engaged in dairying and stock raising on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 2, Delaware township, he is a native son of Delaware county, his birth having occurred on the 25th day of February, 1864. His father, John Welterlen, was a native of Germany but came to America when a young man and located in Delaware county, Iowa, where he engaged in blacksmithing on his own account for some years. Through this medium he acquired the capital that enabled him to purchase land and he then engaged in farming, following that pursuit until his death, which occurred July 27, 1910. He married Miss Mary Kaltenbach, who was born in Ohio, and who still survives her husband and resides in Manchester. This union was blessed with five children but only three of the number are now living, the brothers of our subject being J. J. and H. W., both residents of Manchester, Iowa, where the latter is engaged in carpentry.
       Samuel B. Welterlen was reared in the parental home and was educated in the common schools of Delaware county. He remained with his father until he had reached the age of twenty five years, and at that time began farming on his own account by renting land of his father, which he cultivated for two years. He eventually inherited the old homestead farm of one hundred and sixty acres and this has been the scene of his activities to the present time. He makes a specialty of dairying and raising hogs, and his labors are bringing him a well merited reward.
        Mr. Welterlen established a home of his own by his marriage, on the 21st of November, 1888, to Miss Grace N. Fishel, who was born October 5, 1866, arid is a daughter of Robert and Anna (Cole) Fishel, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Delaware county, Iowa. Both are still living and are now residing in Manchester. Mr. and Mrs. Welterlen had a family of four children but Edna, who was born September 18, 1889, is deceased. Those living are: Clara P., born November 15, 1892; Mary Ann, who was born October 27, 1895, and is now attending college in Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Eva May, whose birth occurred August 14, 1905.
         Mr. Welterlen gives his political support to the democratic party, while his fraternal relations connect him with Lodge No. 418, I. O. O. F., at Greeley, Iowa, in which he has filled all of the chairs. He is also a member of the Encampment No. 418 at the same place and has taken the Grand Lodge degrees, and belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Presbyterian church. He has never aspired to public office although he has served as supervisor and as school director. He is well known throughout the county in which he has always made his home, and both he and his wife enjoy the high regard of all with whom they are brought in contact.