Melendy, Peter, 1823-1901

Peter Melendy was a prominent citizen of Cedar Falls, Iowa and very active in public life. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to Iowa in the early 1850s. He became successful in agricultural ventures during the late 1850s and early 1860s and was elected as a director of the Iowa State Agricultural Society in 1859. He played a key role in establishing and developing the Iowa Agricultural College (which later became Iowa State University). Politically, he was active in the Republican Party, serving as a delegate to the National Conventions in 1864 and 1868. Melendy was instrumental in establishing the Iowa Soldiers' Orphans Home in Cedar Falls in 1869. In 1876, when the Home was no longer needed, Melendy participated in the successful effort to convert the building to use as the Iowa State Normal School (now the University of Northern Iowa). From 1879 to 1886, Melendy worked as quartermaster in the Department of War. Melendy served as mayor of Cedar Falls from 1895 to 1901, during which time the city acquired free postal delivery, a trolley line and a new city hall.

From the description of Peter Melendy speeches, 1893-1894. (State Historical Society of Iowa, Library). WorldCat record id: 586171797