USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1911, Volume II > Part 20
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At the age of six years Fredrick Rahmiller crossed the ocean with his par- ents to the new world and has ever since been a resident of the United States. Vol. II-11
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He received his early education in the public schools and, being a man of close observation, he has through experience gained many lessons which are not taught in the books. Ever since his boyhood he has devoted his attention to farming. He continued upon the home place, purchasing additional land as opportunity presented, and is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres, located on sec- tions 7 and 12 of Columbus City township. As he is thoroughly acquainted with his vocation in all its details he has met with a goodly measure of success and ranks among the progressive citizens of the county.
In 1850 Mr. Rahmiller was married to Miss Louisa Arning, and to this union seven children were born, namely : Henry, who is now living in Louisa county ; Fredrick C., who makes his home in Buchanan county, Jowa ; William, of Bard, lowa: Herman, of Louisa county : Rose, who is the wife of John Adamson, of Bard: Louisa, who married Lewis Cutcomp, of Louisa county ; and Mary, who is deceased. The mother of these children died in 1885 and in 1890 Mr. Rah- miller was married to Mrs. Harriet (Hall) Bond, the widow of John Bond. By her previous marriage she was the mother of four children, all of whom are deceased. She is a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Hall, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Hall came with his family to Louisa county, lowa, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives.
In politics Mr. Rahmiller is a supporter of the republican party and, while he has never aspired to political honors, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his farm, he has very acceptably filled the office of road supervisor. He and his wife are respectively members of the United Brethren and Christian churches and in their comfortable home, which is supplied with all the desirable con- veniences, they enjoy the results of many years of wisely applied labor. The record of Mr. Rahmiller is that of an honorable and progressive citizen and he thoroughly merits the respect in which he is held by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
JAMES A. DUNCAN.
A highly successful and well known stockman of Louisa county is James A. Duncan, who was born in Seaton, Illinois, on the 20th of November, 1879. Ilis parents, A. L. and Lucinda C. (Gilmore ) Duncan, were natives of Pennsyl- vania and Ohio respectively. The father is a prominent stockman of western Illinois, making a specialty of the breeding and raising of Percheron horses and Hereford cattle, and is president of the Illinois Cattle Feeders Association. He was also one of the organizers of the Oakville State Savings Bank but has since transferred his stock to his son. James A. In his family were six sons and one daughter : Leemoine (i., a resident of Seaton, Illinois; Mary A., who married William Keating, of Seaton; Fred T., who is residing in Gainesville, Texas ; James A., our subject : John K., of Dallas, Texas; and Frank L. and Harland H., also residents of Seaton, The father and his sons, Leemoine and Frank,
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are the proprietors of the only lumberyard and elevator in Seaton, which is con- ducted under the name of A. 1 .. Duncan & Sons.
After the completion of his education, which was acquired in the public schools of Seaton. James A. Duncan became associated with his father in busi- ness affairs. In 1895 he came to Oakville to take care of the grain and lumber business which his father had purchased of Elrick & Thompson and of which he had the management until 1905. After he had been conducting the business two years, or until 1897, his brother John K. became identified with him and for eight years they continued to have charge of their father's interests here. At the expiration of that period they disposed of their lumberyard and James .1. Duncan purchased his brother's interest in the grain business, which he con- tinued to operate until January, 1907, when he sold out and went to Texas. where he remained until 1908. Returning to Oakville he was elected manager of the Farmers Grain Company, which was being organized, and was retained in that capacity until October, 1900, at which time he withdrew in order to de- vote his entire time to the administration of his private affairs. Some time pre- viously, in 1908, Mr. Duncan had purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 2, Iluron township, Des Moines county, and section 35. Elliott township. Louisi county. On the ist of March, 1910, he took up his residence on his farm and is now devoting his undivided attention to the breeding and rais- ing of stock. He makes a specialty of Poland China hogs, owning registered thoroughbreds, and he is also an extensive stock-feeder. In addition to his stock- raising Mr. Duncan is engaged in general farming and is meeting with most gratifying success in both of his ventures. His farm is highly improved, care- fully cultivated and well stocked with a high grade of horses, cattle and hogs. In the fall of 1000 he and his brother-in-law, William Keating, bought five hundred acres of land of Isaac Wagler, but in February, 1911, they sold this to T. G. Jamison and took two hundred and forty acres of his farm. Mr. Duncan now owns four hundred and forty acres in Louisa county. He is not only a director of the Farmers Grain Company but is also a director of the Oakville State Savings Bank.
On the 20th of November, 1899, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Dun- can and Miss Maude Waterhouse, a daughter of Moses T. and Alice M. ( Bell ) Waterhouse, who were the parents of eleven children: William T .; James O .: John M. : Daisy B., the wife of G. W. Campbell, of Oakville ; Maude, now Mrs. Duncan ; Jacob; Ralph Roy: Nellie M., the wife of G. H. Williams ; Violet E., who married Oscar Swanson ; Raymond P. ; and Elva M., who is at home. All reside in Oakville. To Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have been born five children but the youngest died in infancy. Those living are Myrtle M., Della F., Arthur L. and James 11.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Duncan hold membership in the Presbyterian church. and he is also affiliated with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Rebekah lodge, of which his wife is also a member. His political views coincide with those of the repub- lican party but his time and attention have always been too much absorbed by
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his business for him to participate in public affairs. Being placed in a respon- sible position in his early youth Mr. Duncan, although still young, has had the business experience of men several years his senior, and as a result he has de- veloped the decision, judgment and sagacity absolutely essential in the conduct of big undertakings in any vocation.
EDWIN REYMER JAMISON.
Towa derives her wealth largely from her agricultural interests. The great broad prairies of the state offer excellent opportunities to the farmer and stock- raiser. The soil requires none of that previous laborious preparation necessary in a district of native forest growth, but responds readily to the care and labor which is bestowed upon it as the furrows are turned and the fields are cul- tivated. To this work of tilling the soil Edwin Reymer Jamison gives his time and energies but does not confine his attention entirely to one line, for he is also well known as a raiser and shipper of good stock.
One of Louisa county's native sons, he was born on the 26th of June, 1860, his parents being Mathew and Martha ( Reymer ) Jamison, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. They came to Louisa county, lowa, in 1840, and here the father passed away at the age of seventy-two years, while the mother's death occurred when she had reached the age of seventy-one years. In their family were eight children, namely : Minnie, deceased; Edwin Reymer, of this review : Melvin and Victoria, who have both passed away : Gertrude, of Louisa county : Myrtle. a teacher at Newport, Louisa county : William B .. also residing in this county ; and Frank, deceased.
Reared a farm lad. Edwin R. Jamison spent the period of his boyhood and youth amid the busy activities of rural life, and early acquired habits of in- dustry, perseverance and thrift. He remained at home, assisting his father in the work of the fields, until 1886, when he embarked independently in business. removing to a farm of three hundred and twenty aeres which he rented for four years. He then spent a similar period on a farm of two hundred acres which he also cultivated as a renter, after which he purchased his present place, con- sisting of one hundred and fifteen acres on sections 16 and 9. Wapello township. and he is also the owner of forty acres of good timber land about one mile south, located on section 21. His home place is a well cultivated tract, in the midst of which stand an attractive dwelling and substantial barns and outbuild- ings, while in the conduct of his enterprise he utilizes all of the modern and up- to-date equipment for facilitating farm labor. He is well known in this locality as a raiser of a good grade of stock, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle, and also ships a large number of hogs annually. Prosperity has attended his ef- forts as the years have gone by for he is progressive in the conduct of his in- terests, pursues the most practical and approved methods and possesses sound judgment and keen discrimination.
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Mr. Jamison was married, on the 9th of September, 1888, to Miss Belle Vandevort, a daughter of Francis Asbury and Sarah ( Lindsey) Vandevort. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war and her mother was a daughter of Dr. J. Lindsey, of Grand View. She was the eldest in a family of five children, the others being : Lottie, deceased ; Emma, a teacher of Wapello ; Harry, residing at Keithsburg, Illinois; and Arthur, of Wapello. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Jamison has been blessed with nine children, as follows: Guy C., Hal R., Orin L., Esther, Bernice, Emma, Donald E., Dorothy and Helen, all of whom are at home.
The religious belief of Mr. Jamison is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, the teachings of which form the guiding rules of his life. Interested as all American citizens should be in the political situation of the country, he has thoroughly informed himself concerning the questions and issues of the day and gives stalwart support to the democratic party. Aside from the position of school director, in which office he has served for a number of years, he has never sought nor held public office although he has ever de- sired the success of his party and has been loyal and public-spirited in his citizenship. He is widely known in Wapello township where his business en- terprise and industry have placed him among the most substantial and repre- sentative agriculturists, while his high personal worth has commended him to the respect, confidence and good-will of all with whom he has come in contact.
GEORGE W. GLENN.
Although he has been a resident of Lonisa county comparatively a short time George W. Glenn has become well established as a farmer and enjoys the prosperity which results from wisely directed efforts. He is a native of England, and was born in Lincolnshire August 17, 1867, a son of George and Mary (Thurlby ) Glenn. The father decided to seek his fortune in this country and came to America in 1867, leaving his family in his native land until he could be assured of at least a moderate degree of prosperity under the new conditions. His hopes were realized and he sent for his wife and two children in 1869. He located at Minier, Tazewell county, Illinois, where he worked by the month for three years, and then removed to Stanford, McLean county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1808. He then removed with his wife to Bloomington, Illinois, and they are now living in that city, having reached an advanced age. In their family were eight children: Rosie, the widow of William E. Rogers, of Champaign, Illinois; George W., of Wapello, Iowa ; Thomas H., of McLean county, Illinois; Lizzie, the wife of Thomas F. Kauffman, also of McLean county: Annie, now Mrs. S. A. Meyers, of Buchanan county, Iowa ; Emma, who became the wife of John Kauffman. of Rolfe, Iowa; Minnie, the wife of M. C. Boyce, of Bloomington, Illinois ; and Lilly, now Mrs. W. H. Noggle, also of Rolfe.
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.George W. Glenn, our subject, arrived in America with his mother in his infancy and his earliest recollections are of this country. He possessed good advantages of education in the common schools and remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age. In 1889 he began farming on his own account in McLean county, Illinois, where he cultivated ninety-six acres for two years. He then worked at the carpenter's trade for a year, at the end of which time he rented one hundred and sixty acres which he operated for a similar period. He then rented another tract of one hundred and sixty acres for one year and subsequently removed to Champaign county, Illinois, and for four years cultivated a farm of one hundred and seventy-three acres. Return- ing to the home place, he there spent three years, but was once more at- tracted to the carpenter's trade, which he followed to good advantage at Bloom- ington. In 1909 he bought eighty-five acres in Louisa county where he estab- lished his homestead. Ile has greatly improved his place, making it highly at- tractive, and as he is an industrious man and a good farmer his efforts are re- warded by abundant annual harvests
On the. 16th of March, 1803, Mr. Glenn was married to Miss Matilda E. Meyers, a daughter of Simon and Julia ( Coleman ) Meyers. Mr. and Mrs. Meyers were the parents of ten children, the eklest of whom died in infancy, the others being: Fred, deceased; Mary, the wife of John Smith, of Savannah. Andrew county, Missouri; Theodore, also a resident of Savannah; Julia, the wife of Gus Il. Tugle, of South Dakota; Samuel A., of Hazleton, Iowa; Ed- ward, deceased: Matilda E., now Mrs. George W. Glenn; Albert, of Stanford, Illinois ; and Edith, who became the wife of Edward Miller, also of Stan- ford, and who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn are the parents of two children: Bessie, who was born January 2, 1804: and Lilly, born September 9. 1896, and who died October 8, 1897.
. Mr. Glenn affiliates with the democratic party, but has never sought office. preferring to devote his attention to his farm and his family. He is a member of Lodge No. 677. I. O. O. F., of Stanford, Illinois, and in religious faith ad- heres to the Presbyterian church. He is an active and energetic man, straight- forward in all his dealings and generous in support of all worthy objects. In Louisa county he has found a location that has proved highly satisfactory, and Mr. and Mrs. Glenn have made a host of friends here who prophesy and wish for them many years of increasing prosperity.
SYLVANUS DUNHAM.
Sylvanus Dunham, now deceased, who for fifty-five years was a resident of Louisa county, being one of its honored pioneers, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, August 29, 1822. He was a son of Nathaniel and Mary (Williams) Dunham, who were both natives of New York state. Death having claimed his father, he started with his widowed mother in 1836 for the far west, arriving
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in Louisa county, Jowa, in 1837, at a time when much land in this part of the state was still owned by the government and unoccupied. In 1839 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Columbus City township and in 1845 acquired two hundred acres in Wapello township, upon which he took up his residence. He moved into a handsome brick house on section 24, Wapello township, in . 1857, and there continued during the remainder of his life. lle was a stock- raiser and shipper and also engaged very successfully in farming, his labors being abundantly rewarded.
On the 26th of April. 1865, Mr. Dunham was married to Miss Martha Jami- son, a daughter of William D. and Isabella ( Seeds) Jamison. She was one of a family of three children, the others being: Susan, who is the wife of S. A. Thompson, of Morning Sun ; and Ira, who is now deceased. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunham: Ira Edwin, who is now living in Missouri ; William Wright, who resides at Fredonia, Kansas; Harry Ansel, who is living at home : Mary Maud, deceased ; Bertha Blanche, also deceased; Sidney Sylva- nus, of Monte Vista, Colorado; Nellie Ursula, the wife of F. G. Colburn, of Oskaloosa, lowa; Elmer Roy, of Louisa county ; and Fred Earl, at home.
Mr. Dunham died September 6, 1892, at the age of seventy years, and the general expression of regret at the announcement of his demise gave indications of the deep respect in which he was held by the community. In politics he was a supporter of the republican party and religiously adhered to the Christian church. He was also a valued member of the Masonic order. He was unusually industrious and persevering in his undertakings and gained for himself highly ereditable standing as a reliable and progressive citizen.
On March 24, 1910, Mrs. Dunham, who is a lady of unusually bright mind and the possessor of many attractive personal qualities, was married to William L. Brown, a record of whom follows.
WILLIAM L. BROWN.
William L. Brown was born in Clark county, Indiana, September 30, 1840, and is a son of Ziba and Jane B. (Coffey) Brown, natives of Ohio and Penn- sylvania respectively, both of whom are now deceased. During the dark days of the Civil war the father enlisted in 1863 as a private in the Fifth Iowa Cav- alry. He had previously served as a member of the state senate, being elected to that position in 1861, and when Adjutant General Bacon found that he was serving as a private he at once appointed him chaplain of the regiment. In his family were thirteen children. George B., now a resident of Arkansas, served two years in the Civil war, being a member of Company B. Sixth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, and was wounded on the first day of the battle of Shiloh. Will- iam L., of this review, is the next in order of birth. John L. and Leonidas are both deceased. Adolphus Z., of Fredonia, Kansas, also served two years dur- ing the Civil war, being a member of the First lowa Cavalry, and was wounded
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in battle. America 1). is the wife of Caleb Robert Hank, of Thermopolis, Wy- oming. FFloretta and Isadore P. are both deceased. Cassius M. is a resident of Santa Barbara, California. Lucinda is living in Ogden, Utah. John F. is de- ceased. Oren Dick was killed by a tree falling upon him. Cemilia Jane is the wife of B. M. Short, of Fredonia, Kansas.
Mr Brown was engaged in farming in Clarke county, lowa, at the outbreak of the Civil war and in response to the call of President Lincoln for soldiers to upholl the flag he enlisted in 1861 in Company B, Sixth Iowa Volunteers, par- ticipating in many prominent battles and movements of the war. He was taken prisoner at Corinth, Mississippi, after the battle of Shiloh and was confined for four months in the stockade at Jackson, Mississippi. After being exchanged he returned to his regiment and was wounded, his injuries necessitating his dis- charge after a service of two years and three months.
Mr. Brown returned to Clarke county and engaged in farming until 1865. when he moved to Missouri. In 1870 he went to the northwest and engaged extensively in the cattle business in the state of Washington, becoming the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land. In 1903 he disposed of that prop- erty and spent the next seven years in Kansas, at the end of which time he came to Louisa county and was married March 24, 1910, to Mrs. Dunham. He and his stepsons are now in charge of the old family homestead of four hundred acres, which they are cultivating to excellent advantage. Mr. Brown has been three times married. His first wife was Miss Bernice Young and they were married in 1873. On June 10, 1887, he was married to Mrs. Myra Cullen, who died in 1903.
Politically Mr. Brown has ever since he attained his majority indorsed the principles and candidates of the republican party. He served as postmaster in the state of Washington for seventeen years and also as notary public and jus- tice of the peace, discharging his duties with the same zeal and earnestness that he applies to his own business affairs. A veteran of the Civil war, he holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and has many stanch friends among his old comrades. He has experienced many fluctuations in life and has had his share of joys and sorrows but, as was exemplified earlier in his life when the country was in danger, he has always attempted to perform his duty even in the face of the gravest obstacles. An intelligent, patriotic and public- spirited man, he commands the respect of a wide circle of acquaintances, who admire him for his sterling qualities.
JACOB BEIK.
Jacob Beik, who spent the larger part of his life in this, and was one of the prosperous farmers of Port Louisa township, was born in Germany, in May. 1832. He was a son of Frederick and Sarah ( Schneider) Beik, both of whom were natives of Baden, Germany. The family emigrated to 'America in 1845
MR. AND MRS. JACOB BEIK
POWER UP
ASTER LENOX 4 .. D TILDEN FOUNDA ION8 B
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and after spending a year near Buffalo, New York, located in Louisa county, Iowa, where the father purchased one hundred and eighty-two acres of land, He was a man of good judgment and great industry and applied himself with such diligence that he acquired six hundred and thirty acres of land. 1le died August 23, 1884, his wife having been called away about two years previously, on December 13, 1882. There were the following children in their family, of whom three sons died within fifteen months: Frederick, who was born in Ger- many and died in California ; Jacob, of this review; Sarah, the widow of a Mr. Benz, of Muscatine, Iowa ; Louis, George and Katherine, all deceased.
Jacob Beik came to America with his parents at the age of thirteen and a year later arrived in Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his life. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of Germany and Iowa. continuing with his parents until twenty-seven years of age. He then began farming on his own account and acquired three hundred and twenty acres in Port Louisa township. He devoted his attention especially to stock-feeding and, being a good judge of stock and also understanding thoroughly how to prepare the same for the market so as to receive the highest prices, he was very successful in his business.
On June 18, 1863, Mr. Beik was married to Miss Emma H. Jackson, and to this union six children were born, four of whom survive, namely: Charles, of Port Louisa township; Mollie, the widow of John Hardman, also of Port Louisa township; Frank L .; and John J. The mother of these children died Novem- ber 12, 1875, and Mr. Beik was married, August 23, 1877, to Miss Alverda A. Handley, who was born at New Boston, Illinois, March 30, and is a daughter of Eli and Katherine ( Denison ) Handley, both natives of Indiana. Her parents were married in Mercer county, Illinois, and were among the early settlers of lowa. Her father was a cabinet-maker and followed his trade until his death. which occurred about 1896. Her mother died in 1857. They were the parents of two children : Alverda A. ; and Elizabeth R., the wife of George Weiderecht. of Louisa county. Six children were born to Jacob and Alverda Beik: Emma G., who became the wife of Louis E. Downer, of Muscatine county. Iowa ; Katie B., who married H. Schweitzer, Jr., of Grandview; Arthur K., superintendent of the Aurelia ( Iowa ) high school; Grace E., who is the wife of G. W. Weber, of Columbus Junction, superintendent of the high school ; Harold J., a graduate of the Wapello high school, who is still at home; and Paul D., who is also at home and is now attending the high school.
Mr. Beik died on the 18th of May, 1908, leaving many friends as well as his immediate family to mourn his death. Ile was a sincere believer in the Bible and a consistent member of the Church of God, with which his widow and children are connected. From his boyhood he was unusually active and indus- trious and he became a self-reliant man, who possessed the ability that would have won success in any honorable calling. He was a lover of his home and many acts of kindness endeared him to those with whom he was associated. As the father of a large family he set an example of patience and perseverance in well doing which his children found eminently worthy of imitation, and thus
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nobly he performed his part in life's mission. Mrs. Alverda A. Beik is still living and resides upon the home farm, where she is surrounded by her children and possesses all of the comforts and conveniences that may be desired.
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