Posted on: VanBuren Co. Ia Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/VanBuren/11383 Surname: Sewell ------------------------- The information I have on my great grandfather E. M. Sewell came from William G. Cutlers History of the State of Kansas. The only thing that it is says in regard to Van Buren County is that He was born in Butler County Ohio, May 10, 1832 and his parents moved to Tazewell County IL in 1835 where he lived until 1838 when he went to Van Buren County, Iowa. He was raised on a farm. Married in 1856 to Miss Margaret Baker, a native of Iowa. They have three children, Clyde B., Robert E. (my grandfather born in Council Grove, KS) and James G. this information is in a biographical sketch about Simcock and Sewell who were dealers in a general line of groceries, queensware, etc. The Sewell in this article is my great grandfather E. M. I am unable to find any mention of E. M. (Ely) in the Iowa records I have researched. I agree there are some similarities with your family but am not sure if there is a connection as I can find no mention of Ely anywhere. Thank you for responding and if you find there is a connection somehow, please let me know. I do know that he went to KS in 1846 where he embarked in the Indian Trade until 1854.