USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 17
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Harold. looking after the duties of the office. The father is now a stockholder in the Coffee & Irwin Implement Company and a member of its board of directors and is also a stockholder in the Orient Savings Bank.
In 1899 Mr. Neville was united in marriage to Miss Sadie C. Havens. of Union township. and a daughter of Alexander Havens, a prominent farmer of that town- ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Neville have been born two sons and one daughter: Lloyd Harold. Estella Marie and Russell Leroy. The daughter is now pursuing a course in the college at Grinnell, Iowa.
The parents are members of the Christian church and are loyal to its teachings, their lives being guided accordingly. They are interested in the work of the church and contribute generously to its support. Mr. Neville is a self-made man and deserves much eredit for what he has accomplished. He started out empty-handed but he early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins and industry became the beacon light of his life. He is notably energetic, prompt and reliable and has a genius for devising the right thing at the right time. joined to everyday common sense.
ELMER J. OSHEL.
Elmer J. Oshel, who has devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career, is now the owner of five hundred aeres of valuable land in Richland township. His birth occurred in Union county, Iowa, on the 26th of September, 1865, his parents being John W. and Mary V. (Beam) Oshel, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of West Virginia. In the year 1854 they took up their abode on a farm in Union county, Iowa, where Mrs. Oshel passed away in 1879. The death of John W. Oshel occurred in Union county in January. 1912. They became the parents eleven children, nine of whom survive.
Elmer J. Oshel attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and when fifteen years of age began providing for his own support by working as a farm hand by the month. being thus employed for seven years. Subsequently he cultivated rented land in Taylor county, Iowa, for four years and on the expiration of that period purchased the farm in Richland township, Adair county, which he is now operating. The place comprises five hundred aeres on sections 23, 22 and 26 and he has greatly improved the property by the erection of handsome buildings. Mr. Oshel cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also makes a specialty of raising and feeding stoek, both branches of his business bringing to him a gratifying annual income. He is also a factor in the financial eireles of his community as vice president of the Nevinville Savings Bank.
In 1886 Mr. Oshel was united in marriage to Miss Emma Reed, a native of Union county, Iowa, and a daughter of J. H. and Demaris G. (Bliss) Reed. To our subject and his wife have been born ten children, as follows: M. Hallie, who gave her hand in marriage to C. B. Williams, of this county; Edith P., the wife of M. L. McCracken; Belva E .. who is a graduate of the Orient high school and also pursued a college course and who is now engaged in teaching school ; Clara D., who is also a graduate of the Orient high school and follows the profession of teaching;
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Floyd E .; Anna G .; Bernice L .; Ralph R., who died at the age of ten years; Helen M .; and Doris Irene.
Mr. Oshel gives his political allegiance to the republican party, has ably served as trustee for nineteen years and has also held the office of school treasurer. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge at Orient and also to the Eastern Star. He is likewise a member of the local organiza- tion of the Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Oshel has won a gratifying degree of material success and a high place in the respect and esteem of all who know him, and he deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, for all that he today possesses has been acquired through his own careful management and well directed labors.
EUGENE TINSMAN, M. D.
Dr. Eugene Tinsman, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Orient, is actuated in all of his practice by a conscientious desire to make his efforts of greatest worth to his patients and to this end he is constantly studying and reading in order to promote his efficiency and advance his skill. He was born in Clark county, Missouri, on the 29th of December, 1874, and is a son of Dr. Abraham S. and Amanda (Roseberry) Tinsman, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. During their childhood days they accompanied their parents from the Keystone state to the state of Missouri and in Clark county they were reared and educated. After reaching adult age they were married there and they continued to reside in Clark county until they were called from this life. The father became a practicing physi- cian and followed his profession in that county for more than a half century, being widely known in that connection. He was a graduate of the Iowa Medical College at Keokuk of the class of 1857 and his efficiency, his broad knowledge, his ready sympathy and his kindliness made him the loved family physician in many a house- hold.
At the usual age Dr. Eugene Tinsman entered the public schools of his native county and mastered the branches of learning therein taught, thus laying a good foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning at a later date. Whether environment, natural predilection or inherited tendency had most to do with shaping his career, it is impossible to determine but in 1894 he began read- ing medicine under the direction of his father and in 1896 he entered the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, which he attended for two years, his studies being then interrupted by ill health. He was not able to resume his course until the year 1901-2, when he returned, remaining as a student there for two years, or until he was graduated with the class of 1903. In June following his graduation he chose Orient as a favorable location and in the intervening twelve years he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice. The number of his patients indicates how successful he is in his life work and his professional brethren recognize his ability. He is ever careful in the diagnosis of his cases and seldom if ever is at fault in foretelling the outcome of disease. Aside from his professional interests he is vice president of the Orient Savings Bank.
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Dr. Tinsman was married in 1907. the lady of his choiee being Miss Clara M. Johnson, the wedding ceremony being performed on the 12th of June. Her father, R. L. Johnson, is a retired farmer residing in Orient. Mrs. Tinsman is a graduate of Drake University and after her gradnation was appointed state trainer of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. She is a member of the Congregational church. Dr. Tinsman belongs to Cypress Lodge, No. 539, A. F. & A. M., and adheres closely to the teachings of the craft, having ample opportunity in his prae- tiee to exemplify its purposes as founded upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind. Along strietly professional lines he is connected with the Adair County Medical Society, which honored him with its presidency in 1911. 1912 and 1913; the Southwestern Iowa Medieal Society; the Iowa State Medical Society; and the American Medical Association. He is one of the foremost citizens of Orient, both professionally and otherwise and wherever known he is held in high esteem.
HON. PIERRE MCDERMID. M. D.
Hon. Pierre MeDermit, M. D., of Fontanelle, is a member of the present state legislature of Iowa and has gained high standing in his profession, being recognized as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Adair county. His birth occurred in Fontanelle, Iowa, on the 4th of December, 1876, a son of Dr. Peter MeDermid, who was born in Ontario, Canada, where he was reared and educated. He received liberal educational opportunities, completing a classical course in the University of Toronto, following which he began the study of medicine. graduating with the class of 1866 from the medical department of that university. Following his graduation he went to Edinburgh, Scotland, where he became a student in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated. He then came to the United States and decided to locate at Omaha but prior to beginning his practice there he determined to revisit his old home in Canada and on his journey he got off of the train at each stop and when he did so at Casey he met old Dr. Warren, who told him that Fontanelle was an excellent location for a physician and surgeon. Dr. McDermid was a man of quick decision and at once made up his mind to begin his practice here. He took his baggage from the train and discontinued his journey to Canada, making his way directly to Fontanelle, where he opened an office. He arrived in this city in 1869 and for three decades, or until his death, which occurred in 1899, he followed his profession here, gaining a wide reputation throughout the surrounding country. An able practitioner and a skilled surgeon, he built up a large and lucrative practice. He was a member of the twenty-third general assembly, and in community affairs took a deep and helpful interest. He married Miss Anna Hetherington, a native of Pennsylvania, her birth having occurred in Pottsville, September 27. 1855. She became the wife of Dr. McDermid, November 5, 1874, and passed away July 31, 1910. At the time of her demise it was written of her:
"In the death of Mrs. McDermid the community loses one who has been a dis- tingnished and worthy character in every avenue of human endeavor from her childhood to maturity and her departure is mourned with sineere and universal sorrow. In her younger years she was the animation of every social occasion, her
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASY8H, LENOX TIL DEN FOUNDATIONS
PMCDermich
DR. PIERRE MCDERMID
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power of initiative and enthusiasm permeating all gatherings. Her versatile talents in music and literature were always in demand and, coupled with her talent for diplo- macy, made her a valuable quantity in every phase of social life. In the church and Sunday school entertainments, in school exhibitions, on patriotie occasions, she was always interested and active with her large talents and willingness. In the later years she has left this to others and devoted herself to study and research of the problems which impress themselves upon mature years. She investigated various beliefs studiously and intelligently and in them all found something good, something to broaden her views. Her ultimate belief was in a supreme power who rules by goodness and love and she was sustained and inspired to good deeds by an abiding faith. The greatest charm of her character was in her spirit of all comprehending sympathy and the charity that thinks no evil. When trouble or affliction came to the homes of those about her, there she entered with a helping hand and a sorrowing heart to share, if might be, the burden. She lightened many sorrows. In her views of others she was generous and charitable, preferring to have faith and confidence in her neighbors and friends which only overt acts could dislodge. The people of Fontanelle and those who have gone out and away from it, will cherish the memory of Annie Hetherington McDermid and by that mem- ory be inspired to the deeds of broader charity, courtesy and neighborly kindness. Her radiant smile that endured to the evening of the last day, her genial hand- clasp, her sympathy in sorrow, her generosity to the needy or delinquent, her versatile talents that graced so many occasions, were characteristics that made the community in which she lived better and will radiate as the sunbeams when the day is done."
Another wrote: "She spent the better part of her life in search of the true nature of conditions surrounding life, and when she was convinced of a truth she held fast to it and discarded the dross. She recognized that 'love' was the greatest force for good in the world and she carried it with her through life and dispensed it under all conditions where it was the most needed. No matter where she went she carried a smile and helped to bear the burdens of those most heavily laden with cares and misfortunes. She was a noble example of advanced womanhood and the death of such a one is a great loss, not only to the community where she lived and administered, but to the whole world."
Hon. Pierre McDermid was reared at home and received his general education in the Fontanelle public and high schools and at Simpson Academy of Indianola, Iowa. In the fall of 1894, when about eighteen years of age, he began prepara- tion for the study of medicine, entering the medical department of Drake University at Des Moines, where he remained for a year. In 1895 he matriculated in Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1898. He then served a year's interneship in St. Joseph's Hospital at Chicago, where he was associated with the famous Dr. Nicholas Senn, under whom he received much valuable training. At the end of the year he returned to Fontanelle and in the spring his father's death occurred. In 1900 Dr. MeDermid took a year's work in Edinburgh and London, thus further inereasing his professional knowledge and his efficiency. He succeeded to his father's practice and has built up an enviable reputation as a physician and surgeon. He has a large and representative patronage and his opinion is listened to with respect by his colleagues. He also owns three excellent farms, upon which he raises stoek, feeding many head annually. Vol. II- 9
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Dr. McDermid is a consistent demoerat and has taken an active part in political affairs. In the election of November, 1914, he was chosen to represent his district in the thirty-sixth general assembly, and his course as a member of that body has proven that the confidence which his fellow citizens repose in him is not misplaced. Fraternally he belongs to Fontanelle Lodge, No. 138, A. F. & A. M .; St. John's Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M .; Bethany Commandery, No. 29, K. T., of Creston; Des Moines Consistory, No. 3. A. & A. S. R .; Za-Ga-Zig Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Des Moines; Des Moines Lodge, No. 98. B. P. O. E .; and to the Knights of Pythias at Des Moines. Along strictly professional lines he belongs to the Adair County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medieal Society and the American Medical Association and derives much benefit from the discussion of professional problems with other progressive physicians and surgeons. He is a man of much mental vigor and of great energy and has accomplished a great deal not, only in his pro- fession but also in the field of public affairs.
HERMANN TIEDEMANN.
Hermann Tiedemann, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits with excellent results, is the owner of a well improved farm comprising one hundred and twenty acres on section 2, Jackson township. He was born in Germany on the 11th of July, 1878, and was reared by a grandmother to the age of ten years. At this period of his boyhood he was adopted by his uncle, Michael Tiedemann, who had emigrated to the United States some years previously and had taken up his abode among the pioneer settlers of Adair county, Iowa. Here our subjeet joined him on the farm which is now in his possession, finding a good home and loving foster parents under whose wise direction and kind care he grew into worthy manhood. Subsequently, however, the uncle returned to Germany, passing away in the coun- try of his birth. In 1903 Hermann Tiedemann purchased the home farm of one hundred twenty aeres from his unele and has since successfully operated the place, the well cultivated fields being given the careful supervision which results in abun- dant and profitable harvests.
In December, 1901. Mr. Tiedemann was united in marriage to Miss Frieda Buck- holtz, a daughter of Fred Buckholtz, of Washington township. To them have been born three children, namely: Fritz. Helen and Gertrude. Mr. Tiedemann gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is widely recognized as a substantial agriculturist and esteemed citizen of the county in which he has now resided for more than a quarter of a century.
W. L. JEFFRYES.
W. L. Jeffryes, a representative citizen and progressive agriculturist of Adair county, is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sec- tion 32, Lee township, and in its operation is meeting with well merited success. His birth occurred in Jackson township, this county, on the 12th of December, 1876,
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his parents being Frederick and Ellen (Cooper) Jeffryes, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of R. E. Jeffryes, brother of our subject.
In the acquirement of an education W. L. Jeffryes attended the district schools and when a young man of twenty-three years he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating rented land for about ten years. In the spring of 1908, having accumulated sufficient capital by dint of untiring industry and careful expen- diture, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 32, Lee town- ship, and the operation of that place has claimed his time and energies continuously since. The well tilled fields annually yield bounteous harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them and he is widely recognized as one of the enterprising and successful farmers of his native county.
In politics Mr. Jeffryes is a stanch republican and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he is identified with the Wood- men of the World. He has always resided in this county and that his life has ever been upright and honorable is indicated in the fact that the associates of his boy- hood are numbered among his stanchest friends.
JAMES W. McCOY.
James W. McCoy owns and operates one of the well improved farms of Grove township, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 21. His birth occurred in Knox county, Illinois, on the 16th of January, 1867, his parents being James M. and Margaret (Wise) McCoy, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated in the Buckeye state, to which James M. McCoy had removed with his parents when but four years of age. In 1851 the par- ents of our subject took up their abode in Knox county, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits. Both passed away in April, 1895, dying within about two weeks of each other.
James W. McCoy was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of an education attended the district schools and also pursued a commercial course in the Western Business College at Galesburg. For seven or eight years following the completion of his studies he was employed as a clerk in grocery stores at Abingdon and Galesburg and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, cultivating rented land in Knox county, Illinois, for about five years. In the spring of 1902 he came to Adair county, Iowa, and here cultivated rented land for about eight years or until 1910, when he purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Lincoln township. In the spring of 1914 he disposed of the property and purchased his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 21. Grove township. He is a hard-working man, as is substantially evidenced by the general appearance of his place, and highly merits the success which has come to him.
In 1893 Mr. McCoy was united in marriage to Miss Emma Sipe, of Abingdon, Illinois, by whom he has four children, namely: Percy, Lewis, Helen and Wayne. all still at home. He has always given his political allegiance to the democracy
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and served for nine years as a member of the school board in Lincoln township. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, holding membership in the lodge at Abingdon, Illinois, while in religious faith both he and his wife are Congregationalists. He is an enterprising and industrious citizen, a man of serupulous integrity in all matters of business and interested in the general welfare and advancement of the community.
ELI A. GIBSON.
Eli A. Gibson, one of the progressive and enterprising young agriculturists of Union township, owns and operates a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres on seetion 27. His birth oeeurred in Mercer county, Illinois, on the 22d of November, 1876, his parents being Noah W. and Atlanta ( Ripley) Gibson, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Dr. I. J. Gibson, a brother of our subject.
Eli A. Gibson attended the district schools of his native county until twelve years of age, when his parents established their home in Adair county, Iowa, and here he continued his studies. After attaining his majority he worked for his brother, E. C. Gibson, of Union township, for five years and subsequently spent two years in the employ of A. S. Lynn. In 1905 he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, renting one hundred and twenty aeres of land on seetion 27. Union township, which he purchased at the end of two years and has cultivated continuously and successfully sinee. His soil is fertile and productive and he gathers rich harvests every year as the reward for the intelligent care and labor which he bestows upon his place.
On the 20th of December, 1906. Mr. Gibson was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Courter, a daughter of Jacob and Harriett (Lynn) Courter and a sister of Jesse R. Courter, a sueeessful agriculturist of Union township whose sketch appears on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson are devoted members of the Christian church, the teachings of which they exemplify in their daily lives. Politically Mr. Gibson is a staneh republiean and is at present serving as assessor of Union township. In every relation he has been found true and loyal to the trust reposed in him and his life has been in conformity with a high standard of conduct.
WILLIS PLYMESSER.
Willis Plymesser has been actively and successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits in Adair county for almost three decades and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land on seetion 9, Grove township. His birth occurred in Johnson county, Iowa, on the 16th of April, 1858, his parents being Samuel and Abigail (Weltner) Plymesser, who were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania. In 1814 they came west to Iowa, locating in Iowa City, where the father worked as a millwright and carpenter. In later years. how- ever, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and followed farming in John-
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son county until the fall of 1886, when he came to Adair county, spending the remainder of his life in honorable retirement at Greenfield. Both he and his wife passed away in the year 1895 and their demise was the occasion of decp and widespread regret.
Willis Plymesser acquired his education in the district schools and on attaining his majority started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating rented land in Johnson county for three years. On the expiration of that period he bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres and operated the same for a few years but disposed of the property in the winter of 1886 and came to Adair county, pur- chasing one hundred and sixty acres of his present home farm in Grove township. He has since extended the boundaries of the place by additional purchase and now owns a half section of valuable land which he is cultivating with excellent results. He is a very practical man, as is evidenced by his progressive and systematic meth- ods, everything about his farm manifesting the exercise of competent supervision and capable management in the direction of its operation.
In 1879 Mr. Plymesser was united in marriage to Miss Almira Potter, of Johnson county, by whom he had nine children, eight of whom still survive, as follows: Samuel, who follows farming in Lee township; Estella, who is the wife of E. P. Bowen, of Grove township; Nora, who gave her hand in marriage to Monte Estes, of Guthrie county ; Glen. an agriculturist of Grove township; Ira E., Wilfred E. and Willis, Jr., all at home; and Catherine, who is the wife of H. L. Klein, of Menlo, Iowa.
In the exercise of his right of franchise Mr. Plymesser supports the republican party and he has done able service as a member of the board of township trustees and also on the school board for several years. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Greenfield Lodge, No. 475, and he is also a member of the American Protective Association and a stockholder in the Adair County Fair Association. His wife is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Plymesser is one of the sterling and substantial citizens of Adair county and he seeks his success in a field of labor with the details of which he has been familiar since his boyhood and which has repaid his practical methods and his well directed industry by constantly growing prosperity.
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