Oatman, Asa G.

OATMAN, GARDNER, ADAMS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/31/2003 at 01:39:25

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

ASA G. OATMAN

One of the leading and representative citizens of DeWitt is Asa G. Oatman, who dates his residence in the county from the1st of February, 1861. A native of Rutland, county, Vermont, he was born in the shadows of the Green mountains, April 23, 1829, and is descended from a good old family of Holland origin, which was early established in New England. His father, Ira Oatman, was also a native of Vermont, and a son of Eli Oatman. On reaching manhood the former married Miss Lovisa Gardner, who was born in the same state, and a daughter of Asa Gardner, who also claimed Vermont as his native state, and was a lad of twelve years when the battle of Bennington was fought. During early life Ira Oatman followed the harness makers’ trade. For a short time he made his home in Buffalo, New York, but after the death of his wife, which occurred in that city in 1838, he returned to the Green Mountain state with his three children, who were reared by their grandparents [sic]. Later he went to Michigan, and located on a farm near Pontiac, where he continued to make his home throughout his life, dying there about 1857. During his residence in Michigan he married again.

Asa G. Oatman, of this sketch, passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native county, and as his school privileges were limited in early life, his education has being [sic] mainly acquired by reading and observation since reaching mature years. In 1853 he made an overland trip to California, crossing the Mississippi river at Camanche, Iowa, and passing through Clinton county. He arrived on the Pacific coast in September, and remained there about six years, a portion of the time being spent in the mines in search of the yellow metal, with varied success. When he went west he was in very poor health, but the trip and the climate of California proved very beneficial and he returned home in perfect health. The return trip was made by steamer, via the Isthmus of Panama, to New York.

Soon after his arrival home, in 1859, Mr. Oatman was united in marriage with Miss Ellen S. Adams, also a native of Rutland county, Vermont, and a daughter of Daniel Adams, whose birthplace was likewise in that state. In 1861 they came to Iowa, reaching Clinton on the 1st of February, during one of the worst snow storms that winter. During the first year spent here, Mr. Oatman operated a rented farm, and then bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie land, where the town of Malone now stands. This he immediately commenced to fence, break and improve, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits there for some years. About 1876 he sold that place and removed to DeWitt and bought a farm near town, which he operated for five years. He then bought a half interest in a lumber business, with R.H. Campbell, and was engaged in that trade for a few years. When he disposed of that business, he purchased an interest in the original Farmers’ Store, and was successfully engaged in general merchandising for some ten or twelve years. He carried a large and well selected stock and built up an extensive trade, which he continued to enjoy until he sold out in 1895. He had previously purchased a farm of four hundred and forty acres in Scott county, about seven miles from DeWitt, upon which he has made many useful and valuable improvements. There are two sets of buildings upon the place, now occupied by two tenants.

Mr. Oatman was one of the agitators and organizers of the DeWitt Electric Light Company, and became one of its original stockholders and directors. The plant was built in 1895, and our subject was elected president of the company, which position he still fills. He built a good modern residence in DeWitt, and has since made it his home. On coming to this state he was without capital, but being a man of industrious habits, energetic and enterprising, he steadily prospered in business affairs, and is today quite well-to-do. His one of the most public-spirited citizens of the town, and is always ready and willing to give his support to any enterprise calculated to advance the interests of the community. Politically he has always been identified with the Republican party since its organization, voting for John C. Fremont in 1856, and has always taken a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, though he has never cared for political honors. In manner he is pleasant and cordial, which, combined with his sterling worth, makes him one of the most popular citizens of DeWitt.