He was a Civil War veteran. Served in Co. B, a private in 32nd infantry. He was presumed dead and left on the battlefield, later led to safety, but his nose was annihilatred.
"When Melville Needham was going to school in Pennsylvania, he had no shoes and wore gunny sacks on his feet. The new settlers had no way or means of obtaining leather.
In 1880, Melville Needham was the manager of 3 hotels. One in New Hartford, one in Hampton, IA, and a third in Dumont, IA.
Approximately 2 years later, Melville and Helen left the hotel business because the work was too strenuous for Helen. He was later appointed Justice of the Peace in Bristow, Iowa.
Sometime later they returned to Dumont where they bought a butcher shop. The farmers brought the butchered animals to his shop where he would cut the meat. Being of the generous nature that he was, Melville allowed credit to his many friends who took advantage of his good nature so he had to discontinue this business.
Melville owned a farm near Dumont at $5.00 per acre, and with another man they bought the first thrashing machine in the county. In order to do this, Melville mortgaged his farm. The fellow collected all the bills and Melville lost his farm. Besides, Helen said she was not going to be a farmer's wife. They only had the farm about 1 year.
From Iowa, they moved to Huron, South Dakota where Melville worked in the yards of the Chicago and North Western Railroad. He was later retired because of age and died in their home at 456 Lawn Ridge Ave. in Huron, SD. Helen lived the remainder of her life with her daughter, Ivia at 518 Simmons Ave. in Huron, SD.
MELVILLE SILAS NEEDHAM
Born May 1, 1846
Born in the town of Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vermont.
He came to DeKalb, Ill in 1850. From DeKalb he moved to Butler Co., Iowa in 1856 in which place he resided until 1908, when he moved to Huron, South Dakota at which place he died Dec. 21, 1923, age 79 years. He was married to Helen F. Overturf Dec 17, 1875. To this union was born 3 children, Mrs. Ivia Bandy of Huron, SD, Louie D. who died at age of 5 1/2 years, Mrs. F. L. Miller of Dumont, Iowa. He also adopted Susie M. now residing at Huron, SD - daughter of Mrs. Lillian Hayes. There are 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.His parents were among the first settlers of Butler Co., IA. The first election held in Pittsford Township was in the first log house built in the Township, which was built by his father who lived in a hay house while the log house was being built.
He was connected with the I.O.O.F. lodge for the past 45 years and was a Charter Member of Dumont Lodge #52. He served as Constable for 17 years and Justice for 4 years in Pittsford Township.
Mr. Needham died December 21, 1923, at his home in Huron, South Dakota after a brief illness of pneumonia, terminating in apoplexy. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in the Methodist Church, Rev. Metcalf preaching the funeral sermon. The services were in charge of the Odd Fellows. Burial was made on Oak Hill cemetery.
Daughter of Samuel Overturf and Olivia L. Woodworth.
Daughter of Johnson Lawyer and Mary Ann Cartwright.