John Palmer 1814-1899

PALMER, GWYTHER, GRAFFORT, GRAHAM

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 3/26/2017 at 20:26:54

JOHN PALMER, retired; is a native of Christian Co., Ky. and was born Aug. 3, 1813; he lived there until 15 years of age, except one year spent in Morgan Co., Ill.; in May 1828, he came to Galena with his father, who died in the fall of the same year; John returned to Morgan Co. and attended school and left there to come to Galena to take part in the Black Hawk war. After the war closed, he with others were back and forth from Dubuque to Galena, until the Government allowed then to come, in June 1833, then he came and settled here permanently. He engaged in mining for some years; he entered land from the Government at the land sales, and made a farm which he still owns, adjoining the city corporation; he has also been connected more or less with mining interests. He has held town and school offices; he served officially on the School Board in the Sixth School District for over thirty years.

In 1837, Mr. Palmer married Mary Gwyther, an English lady; she died in 1871, leaving four children, two of whom are still living- Edward D. lives at Yankton, and is in the employ of the Government; Elizabeth, (now Mrs. Graham), living in Hardin Co., Margaret J. and Mary A. are not living.

In 1878, Mr. Palmer married Mrs. Mary Graffort, a native of Illinois. Mr. Palmer's son Edward was in the army, and held the Commission of Lieutenant in Co. C, 21st. I.V.I., and participated in several battles.

"The History of Dubuque County" http://members.tripod.com/~Doreen_3/DBBIOAB.htm