Elijah C. Deadman (1842-1927)

DEADMAN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/16/2023 at 14:29:09

Elijah C. Deadman
(April 8, 1842 - November 10, 1927)

Elijah C. Deadman, one of Calhoun Township's most thrifty and enterprising farmers, residing on section 21, within two miles of Lake City, was born on the 8th of April, 1842, on a farm in Shelby County, Kentucky, which was also the birth place of his father, Elijah Deadman. His paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of Elijah, was born, reared and married in North Carolina, and at an early day removed to Shelby County, Kentucky, where in the midst of the wilderness he cleared and improved a farm, making his home there throughout the remainder of his life. On the death of the grandfather the father of our subject succeeded to the old homestead in Kentucky, and made his home there throughout the remainder of his life, his time and attention being devoted to agricultural pursuits. He died about 1851 at a comparatively early age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Gaily and who was also a native of Shelby County, Kentucky, still survives him, and resides with a daughter near Shelbyville. On the old home farm in the Blue Grass state, Elijah C. Deadman of this review was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day, and remained with his mother until he attained his majority. He then engaged in farming on his own account in his native county for a few years. Going to Illinois in 1868, he settled in Moultrie County, where he rented a farm and engaged in its operation for a few years. In the meantime Mr. Deadman was married, March 4, 1869. to Miss Alice E. O'Neal, a native of Champaign County, Illinois, where her father, James O'Neal, settled at an early day in the development of that state. By this union were born six children, namely: Bertie K., who is now the widow of Mr. Pfiester and resides with her father; Frank E., who is married and engaged in the practice of medicine in Chicago; Orvil P., who assists his father in carrying on the home farm; J. Homer and Roy E., both teachers of Calhoun County; and Laura Elgie, a student in the Lake City schools. After his marriage Mr. Deadman continued to make his home in Moultrie County, Illinois, until 1877, when he removed to Champaign County, that state and purchased a farm near Mahomet, to the further improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies until coming to Calhoun County, Iowa, in the fall of 1892. He then bought the farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 21, Calhoun Township, where he now makes his home, and took up his residence thereon in the spring of 1893. It is one of the most valuable and well improved places in that part of the county. Mr. Deadman commenced life for himself without means, but being industrious, energetic and progressive he has steadily overcome all the difficulties in the path to success, and is today one of the most substantial and prosperous agriculturists of his community, as well as one of its most highly respected and honored citizens. Politically he is a Jeffersonian Democrat, having always affiliated with that party since casting his first presidential vote for General George B. McClelan in 1864, but he has never taken any active part in politics aside from voting. He has now been a resident of this county for nine years, and in that time has made many warm friends who have for him the highest regard. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.531]