Badham, Walter G.

BADHAM

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 6/27/2019 at 18:18:16

WALTER G. BADHAM
History of Decatur County, Iowa and Its People
Prof. J.M. Howell and Heman C. Smith. S.J. Clarke Publ. Co. Chicago. 1915

Walter G. Badham, of Lamoni, Decatur county, is engaged in the real-estate, bond and insurance business, maintaining his office in the Farmers State Bank building, and is extensively interested in stock-raising in connection with his brother. A native of Henderson, Iowa, he was born on the 4th of August, 1892, of the marriage of A. and Melvina J. (Peck) Badham. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Badham, emigrated from England to the United States and made his way to Mills county, Iowa, where he became a pioneer settler. He was very successful as a farmer and was prominent in his community. During the Mexican war he served in the United States army and proved a valiant soldier. His son, A. Badham, was born in Mills county, Iowa, and spent his entire life upon the homestead, where he passed away in the fall of 1909, at the age of fifty-six years. His widow, who is now fifty-nine years old, is a resident with her son in Lamoni. Her parents, who were ardent members of the colony of Latter Day Saints at Nauvoo, accompanied their coreligionists on their removal to Utah and there her father passed away. In 1868 her mother returned to Iowa and later affiliated with the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. Mrs. Badham was about twelve years of age when she removed from Utah to Mills county, Iowa, in 1868, and she resided at Glenwood until her marriage. Our subject has four sisters who have passed away and two sisters and a brother living, namely: M.V. who is engaged in stock-raising in Fayette township in partnership with our subject; Mrs. Joseph Roberts, of Lamoni; and Mrs. H. S. Gamet, of Woodbine, Iowa.

Walter G. Badham was reared in Mills county, Iowa, but in 1908, when sixteen years of age, entered Graceland College at Lamoni, Decatur county, having previously graduated fro high school in Mills county. After completing his education he turned his attention to the real-estate, bond and insurance business, in which he has been engaged for the last three years. He deals chiefly in local real estate and general insurance, and as he keeps well informed as to the property on the market and represents insurance companies of high standing, he is doing a good business. He is engaged in the stock business in connection with his brother, M. V. Badham, and they ship many cattle annually.

On the 1st of June, 1913, Mr. Badham married Miss Lois Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of Heman C. and Vida Smith, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. To Mr. And Mrs. Badham was born a son, Robert George, who birth occurred on the 20th of March, 1914. The demise of the wife and mother occurred on the 27th of March, 1914, and her passing was sincerely regretted by all who knew her.

Mr. Badham is a republican and is stalwart in his defense of the principles of that party. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Lamoni and his religious faith is that of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, of which his wife was also a member. Mr. Badham is one of the youngest business men of Lamoni and is held in high esteem by those who are brought into contact with him by business dealings or social relations.

NOTE: Walter died in 1937 and was interred at Farm Creek Cemetery, Henderson, Mills Co., Iowa.

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