Fred L. Wellman, is one of the worthy pioneers of Clayton County, in the development and progress of which he has taken an active part for a period extending over thirty-five years. He has held many local positions of trust and honor during this time and is a worker in the ranks of the Republican Party. He is a liberal and public spirited man, who has furthered local industries and enterprises and is one of the prominent men of Monona. He is now engaged in the coal and wood and flour and food business, and is the owner of considerable property in the village and vicinity.

The subject of this sketch was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., January 5, 1840, being a son of Alvah Wellman, likewise a native of the Empire State and whose ancestors it is supposed were of English descent and early residents of the New England states. His father, who bore the Christian name of Samuel, it is believed was a native of Vermont, and in his later years he removed to New York, where his death occurred. Our subject’s father was a cabinet maker, furniture dealer and undertaker, which calling he followed after his location in Catttaraugus County, where he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred when about seventy years of age. His wife, Abigail (Sherman) Wellman, was also born and passed her entire life in New York State, of which her father, Theodore Sherman, was a native.

Fred L., of this sketch, is the eldest in a family of three sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. He grew to manhood in his native place, attending the common schools and the academy, thus obtaining an excellent education, as he made the best of his opportunities.

When nineteen years of age Mr. Wellman left the parental roof and came to Iowa, arriving in Monona April 7, 1859. Up to this time, he had for several years, during intervals of his school life where he worked at the trade with his father, and after his arrival in this place he hired out to neighboring farmers by the month for some time. He thus obtained a practical knowledge of agriculture, and as the pursuit of farming was congenial to him he decided to become a farmer on his own account. Accordingly, after his marriage he located on a place in Monona Township, devoting himself to its cultivation and improvement exclusively for many years. His home is still on his farm, which is not far distant from the village.

July 3, 1863, Mr. Wellman married Alice Reding, who was born in Indiana and with her parents came to this locality when only two years of age. After a happy married life of eleven years the devoted wife and mother was called to her final rest; her death occurred November 3, 1874. The only son, Lewis, is at home with his father and is a young man of good education and ability.

Our subject has built up a good reputation as an honorable and enterprising businessman, and his patronage is constantly increasing. He has invested the proceeds of his business ventures with good judgment and has realized there from a godly sum. He owns the Opera Block in Sonoma and many other residences and buildings in the place.

In the disposal of his means he is generous and lends a helping hand to worthy enterprises, churches and benevolences. He is one of the Directors in the Monona State Bank and is interested in other local industries. A strong Republican, he served as Postmaster for four years with credit to himself and was Township Trustee for twenty years. He is a member of the Republican County Board, always attends the State Conventions and is a vigorous worker in the ranks of his party. Socially he belongs to Monona Lodge No. 156, I. O. O. F., and to the Ancient Order of United Workers.

~source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg 451-452
~transcribed by Suzanne Terrell