Adam Peter Noel, the son of Joseph Noel, was born June 10, 1800 in
Westmoreland County,Pennsylvania. He married Susannah Lindsay
on May 18, 1834. In 1835 he moved with his wife, her family and his
brothers, Joseph, John, and Peter to Stephenson, Illinois (now Rock
Island, Illinois). He helped to build Fort Armstrong. Later that year
he moved across the river to Davenport, Iowa. He was a farmer and
a prosperous business-man in Davenport. He had four children,
Margaret, John, Joseph, and Sarah.
Adam Noel's obituary (Davenport Democrat, I believe) " Death of
Old Settler Another Scott county old settler has gone the way of all
the earth. Adam Noel, died yesterday afternoon at 6 1/2 o'clock, at
his residence on Locust street, aged 72 years. Was born June 10th
1800, in Westmoreland county, Pa., removed to what was then styled
the new purchase in the year 1835, locating in Dubuque county,
Wisconsin territory, now Scott county Iowa. He built his cabin in
what is sometimes and better known among old settlers as Mitchell's
Grove, a few hundred feet north of "Mercy Hospital", in the course
of a year or so he entered 160 acres at $1.25 per acre, running from
the present Brady street to Gaines street, and from Locust street
north, on a portion of which ground is the present Scott County Fair
Grounds. He laid out two additions to the city, the first on the west
side of Brady street, the second on the east side and along Harrison
street. The family consists of the aged widow and four grown up
children, viz. Two sons, John T. Noel and Joseph A. Noel, and two
daughters, one of whom is the wife of Gallus Woeber, of our city,
the other the wife of Charles R. Holmes, a resident of St. Louis.
Adam Noel was a mechanic, being a carpenter and also a chair-maker,
having established quite a large furniture manufactory in
Pennsylvania, which he sold when struck with the "Western Fever".
His first business was working as a carpenter at old Fort Armstrong,
on Rock Island, and although he ranked among the farmers of our
county, never farmed until here. he lived and died in full faith with the
Roman Catholic Church, being a member of Ste. Marguerite's church,
from which his funeral takes place to-morrow. He was all his life a firm,
reliable member of the Democratic party. The "Old Settlers" will take
charge of the funeral service, and will meet in a body at the residence
of the family, corner of Harrison and Locust streets, at 8 1/2 o'clock,
promptly.
" Now to Harvey Noel's notes, most of which can be substantiated with
local Davenport records. City directories over the years listed Adam
Noel as farmer, owner of wagon works, and later wagon and carriage
manufacturing firm (A. Noel Buggies and Wagons). Also had a sawmill
at the foot of Harrison street. Adam and brothers, John and Peter,
rafted lumber from Wisconsin down to the mill, to be used for houses
built in Noel addition and wagons. John Noel, Adam's brother, was
listed in the early directories as a carpenter and stone mason, as was
brother Peter. John eventually, and according to half-cousins in
Latrobe, PA, went on to Montrose, Mo. where he owned a pig farm.
A family anecdote to pass on to you- Harvey says "An anecdote that I
expect best describes the conditions out on the frontier at that time was
passed down as Noel lore as told by Great Grandmother Susan
(Adam' wife) when she stayed at the farm of son J.T. Noel during the
summer months when she was up from St. Louis or later when she
returned to Davenport. She related that she saw a band of Indians
approaching the house and followed instructions by ringing the large
cast iron bell as a call for help. Remember this was 1836 or '37.
Then she hung the baby in its basket from the ceiling of the vegetable
storage under the floor, and threw a rug down to cover the trap door
and placed the table and chairs on it. Praying the baby would sleep
through the ordeal. She watched from the window for help or the return
of her husband. She waited, waited, waited. No one. Then in the distance,
riding his white horse, appeared their good friend Antone LeClare.
He spoke 5 languages and many Indian dialects and had been an
interpreter for the army and government when the land was bought from
the Indians in '27. In fact, he was half-Indian and when the treaty was
signed by the Chief, Antone LeClare received 600 acres where the east
side of Davenport, Iowa now stands- 1200 acres where Moline, Illinois is
and 1200 acres at LeClare, Iowa. Antone was a pious man, good friend
and in later years was the witness for that baby, Jane, at her wedding to
Gallus Woeber." .