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Many of these American pioneers were men of sterling worth and character, who were of great help to the Hollanders after their arrival in 1847. Many of them remained in Pella and vicinity and were prominently identified with the growth and development of the community. The nature and limited scope of this publication makes it impossible to give these sturdy men the space and recognition to which their ability and usefulness entitle them, but we hope that this will be remedied in part by the personal biographies found in succeeding chapters.
In August, 1843, four families named Buffington settled three miles north of Pella, forming what was soon after styled "The Buffington Settlement." The names of those who headed these families were William, James, Samuel and Abram.
The Methodists and Baptists were the first religious denominations that organized societies in Lake Prairie township. The first Methodist class was formed at John B. Hamilton's, and the first Baptist church was organized at Aaron Foulk's by Rev. Moses J. Post, and the place of holding services was at Nossaman's school house. four miles south of Pella. The first to receive the ordinance of baptism, by immersion, in this township, and in the county, were Sarah Nossaman and Emily Baker, administered by the Rev. M. J. Post. The first Baptist minister licensed to preach the gospel in this township and also in the county was Rev. I. C. Curtis.
The first apple orchards were planted in Lake Prairie township by Green T. Clark and John B. Hamilton, in the spring of 1847. The trees, about fifty in all, were brought from Illinois.
The following is a complete list of the American pioneers who were here when the Hollanders came, and the majority of whom settled in Lake Prairie and adjoining townships in 1843-44. A number of these sold their land to the Hollanders in 1847 and moved to other parts of the country, and some remained here to become leading factors in the growth and development of Pella and vicinity. Taken from K. Van Stigt's history of Pella:
Awtry, Giles Brown, Jacob C. Buffington, James A. Buffington, S. W. Buffington, W. H. Buffington, A. C. Bambridge, Levi Brown, Andrew J. Barker, Francis A. Binckly Clark, Green T. Curtiss, Israel C. Crum, Isaac Coakley Durham, David T. Deweese, James M. Donnell, Jonathan Donnell, Alexander B. Earl, Daniel Finley, Walker Gillaspy, George Gillaspy, Samuel Hall, Claiborn Hamilton, John B. Hamilton, Robert Howard, Charles Harsin, G. W. Hiskey, Daniel Harp, Charles Iler Karr, Andrew Karr, George Kinney, David Koons, Asa Karr, William Lanhead, Allen Launsbury Matthews, O. Matthews, O. Jr. Matthews, Simpson B.