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Mr. Van Stigt in his valuable history of Pella pays an especially high tribute to the character and worth to this community of Dr. James L. Warren, who settled in Mahaska county, six miles northeast of Pella, in 1843. As a physician he enjoyed a large practice among our early settlers, and he is still often mentioned by the few pioneers who remain with us, for his great zeal in religious work, and for the example he set in every line of endeavor that made for the best interests of the community. Dr. Warren was one of the first ministers of the M. E. Church to preach in Mahaska and Marion counties, and organized the first class west of Libertyville. He was licensed as a local preacher in 1828, ordained deacon in Oskaloosa in 1852, and was ordained an elder by Bishop Ames in 1863. He practiced medicine from 1831 up to a short time before his death.
Another pioneer who filled a leading and important place in the life and development of this community was the Hon. Green T. Clark. He was one of those already mentioned as having settled a few miles southeast of town, in 1843. He was a man of great energy, ability and foresight, and was called upon to fill many important positions. He was the first county assessor, before Iowa had been admitted as a state. He was a justice of the peace and a member of the county board of supervisors for a number of years and was four times elected as member, for Marion county, of the Iowa legislature. One son and one daughter are still residents of Pella today. He became one of the most successful farmers and largest stock raisers in this part of Iowa, and owner of many acres of valuable land.
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Old J. H. H. Van Spanckeren Building, East Franklin Street.