Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 4.djvu/543

 affairs on a higher plane. Mrs. Welch was an ardent advocate of equal suffrage and was one of the officers of the State Association. After the death of President Welch she removed to California. LUMAN H. WELLER was born at Bridgewater, Connecticut, August 24, 1833. He received a liberal education at academies and the State Normal School. In 1859 he removed to Iowa, locating on a farm in Chickasaw County. He read law after his day's work in the field until 1868 when he was admitted to the bar. In 1867 he was an independent candidate for a seat in the Legislature but was not successful. He was an independent candidate for State Senator at the elections of 1869 and 1877 but was not elected. In 1878 he was a candidate for Congress but was defeated. In 1883 he was nominated for Congress by the National party, made a vigorous campaign and was elected. Mr. Weller served through the Forty-eighth Congress. He became a prominent member of the Populist party and refused to affiliate with the Democrats. D. FRANKLIN WELLS was born in Oneida County, New York, June 22, 1830. His early education was acquired in the common schools and later he graduated from the State Normal School at Albany. In 1853 he came to Muscatine, Iowa, where he was chosen principal of one of the city schools. In 1856 he was placed in charge of the Normal Department of the State University, serving in that capacity for ten years. In 1867 he was appointed by the Governor, Superintendent of Public Instruction to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Oran Faville, and at the following general election was chosen for a full term. He died in November, 1868, in the thirty-ninth year of his age. Henry Sabin pronounced Professor Wells the recognized leader of the educational forces of the State at the period when he was thus actively engaged in the work, and adds that he literally gave his life to the cause. CLARK R. WEVER was born at Hornsfield, New York, September 16, 1835, where he grew to manhood. Soon after he became of age he made an extensive journey through Texas and Mexico. In 1858 he came to Iowa, locating at Burlington. When the Civil War began he assisted in raising Company D, Seventeenth Iowa Volunteers and was commissioned captain. He made an excellent officer, serving in several general engagements with marked ability. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in October, 1862, and upon the resignation of Hillis in 1863 became colonel of the regiment. He commanded it in the Chattanooga campaign and was with Sherman's march and battles through the Gulf States. He was in command of a brigade at Resaca when General Hood's army approached and demanded the surrender of the post. With greatly inferior numbers Wever determined to hold it at all hazards. In reply to Hood's demand, Wever responded: “In my opinion I can hold this post; if you want it,