G. E. SLOCUM

SLOCUM, ACKLEY, WILLIAMS, ODEM

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 5/16/2004 at 20:10:45

"G. E. Slocum has conducted a general mercantile establishment at Bridgewater since August, 1908, and is accounted one of the town’s leading and wide-awake business men. His birth occurred in Kewanee, Henry county, Illinois, on the 18th of January, 1867, his parents being George P. and Adaline (Ackley) Slocum, who were natives of New York and Connecticut respectively. Their marriage was celebrated in Princeton, Illinois, to which state the motehr had removed with her parents as a girl and where the father had taken up his abode in young manhood. George P. Slocum served during the period of the Civil war as a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that command for a little more than three years. After being honorably discharged he returned to Kewanee and was there variously engaged until 1871, when he came to Adair county, Iowa, purchasing a farm in Washington township which he operated successfully until the spring of 1903. He then took up his abode in Bridgewater and there spent his remaining days in honorable retirement, passing away on the 4th of April, 1909. The period of his residence in Adair county covered nearly four decades and in his passing the community mourned the loss of one of its substantial agriculturists and esteemed citizens. His widow survives, residing in the Bridgewater home.

G. E. Slocum was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his early education, obtained in the district schools, by attending the Adair County Normal School. He continued at home after attaining his majority and assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, their interests being common. On the 22d of February, 1894, he wedded Miss Maud M. Williams, of New York, and following his marriage located on an eighty-acre farm adjoining the home place, which he had previously purchased. This he operated and after his father’s removal to Bridgewater he also rented and cultivated the home farm of two hundred and forty acres, subsequently purchasing the property. In 1906 he took up his abode in Bridgewater and during the following three years conducted a drayage business, while in August, 1908, he established the mercantile enterprise which he has carried on successfully to the present time. He has built up an extensive and well merited patronage and is classed among the foremost and prosperous merchants of the community.

To Mr. and Mrs. Slocum have been born four children, three of whom survive, as follows: Olive M., who is the wife of Albert Odem, of Bridgewater, Iowa; Ilah M., who is engaged in teaching school; and Gladys, at home. Mr. Slocum gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has held local office for a number of years past. At present he is serving on the board of township trustees and also as a member of the town council. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Bridgewater Lodge, No. 271. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Baptist church. Mr. Slocum has lived in Adair county since the age of four years and is widely and favorably known within its borders, the circle of his friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances."

Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.