George Edleman, b. 14 Mar 1834

KELTNER, DUNKLE, COFFMAN, BIXLER, JONAS, WEED, DUNHAM, COOK, JONES, MEANS, ROBINSON, HAYES

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 3/8/2004 at 12:58:59

Among the substantial men of Fairfield Township the subject of this notice occupies no secondary position. He is finely located on section 24, where he has 308 acres of improved farming land, with a good set of frame buildings, a full supply of agricultural implements, a choice assortment of livestock, and all the other appliances of the well-regulated country estate. He came to this county in the spring of 1855, when there were but a few houses between his present location and the embryo town of Maquoketa. For twenty-one years after becoming a resident here, he followed his trade of a blacksmith, then entered the army, and after the war was ended turned his attention to agriculture, which he has since followed with marked success.

A native of Berks County, Pa., our subject was born March 14, 1834, and is the son of Samuel Edleman, also a native of that county, and born Aug. 15, 1803. The latter is still living in the place of his birth, and has now arrived at the advanced age of eighty-five years. He was a woolen manufacturer during the years of his active life, and also conducted a farm. He is long since retired from labor, but retains his mental faculties, and is still a bright and intelligent old man who can tell many an interesting tale of his varied experiences during the transition of this great country from its infancy to its present remarkable development.

Mrs. Catherine Edleman, the mother of our subject, was likewise a native of Berks County, Pa., and departed this life while comparatively a young woman, May 27, 1846. The parental household included four children, namely: James, George, our subject, Daniel and Catherine. The eldest son married Miss Eva Keltner, and is an extensive farmer of Clinton County, this State, being the owner of 800 acres of improved land which is largely devoted to the raising of grain and stock. He is the father of thirteen children, namely: Allen, Thomas, Daniel, James, Edwin, George, William, Samuel, Milton, Hattie, Katie, Emma and Norah. Daniel married Miss Mary Dunkle of Berks County, Pa., and resides there on a farm; they have three children - George, Katie and Sarah. Catherine became the wife of Charles Coffman, of Berks County, Pa., and they live on a farm in Grundy County, this State, Mr. Coffman being engaged in stock-raising and general agriculture.

The subject of this notice after coming to this county was married, Jan. 27, 1861, to Miss Mary Ann Bixler, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in Fairfield Township. Mrs. Edleman is the daughter of Jefferson and Mary Catherine (Jonas) Bixler. They were both natives of Lancaster, Ohio, and on both sides the house the parents were old pioneers of Ohio. When Mr. Bixler and family came to this county, his wife's father, then an old man, Samuel Jonas, accompanied them, and died some years afterward. After the death of the mother of Mrs. Edleman her father married Sarah Weed, and she died in August, 1888. Mrs. Edleman was born Sept. 12, 1842, in Van Buren Township, Jackson County. Her parents removed from Lancaster County, Ohio, to Van Buren Township, this county, March 27, 1840. The mother, Mary Catherine (Jonas) Bixler departed this life April 23, 1869. Her father was married three times, and is still living, being seventy-two years old, and making his home in Preston. Mr. and Mrs. Edleman are the parents of seven children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Mary, became the wife of Booth Dunham, and lives in Mitchell, Dak.; Mr. Dunham is a farmer and school teacher, and they have two children - Leola and George. The other children are Charles, Franklin, James, Katie (who died aged three and one-half years, Dec. 22, 1879, and is buried in the Preston cemetery); Emma and William are at home with their parents. Mr. Edleman is giving his children the benefit of a good education.

Mrs. Edleman has one brother and four sisters; her half-sister, Pauline, was married to C. W. Cook of Clinton County, Iowa. She was born in Lancaster, Hocking Co., Ohio, March 4, 1837. She had five children, four sons and one daugher - Andrew, Tillie (deceased), George, David, and Amos. She came with the family to this county in 1840, and died at her home in Vernon Prairie, Clinton Co., Iowa, April 10, 1886. Isaac married Miss Mary Jones, whose parents came from England, and they are now living on a farm in Crawford County; they have seven children: Lucinda became the wife of Thomas Means of Union County, this State, and they have three boys - George, Solomon and Albert. Eliza married Amasa Robinson of this county; they live in Todd County, Minn., and have five children. Orpha married Julius Hayes who is now deceased, and she lives at Wall Lake, Sac County; she has five children - William, Alma, Judson, Rose, and Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Edleman are both of German descent.

Mr. Edleman learned the blacksmith trade in his native State which he followed in connection with farming after coming to Iowa. He had his first purchase of land - fifty-six acres, in 1861, and the year following, the Civil War being in progress, considered it his duty to lay aside his personal interests and assist in the preservation of the Union. He accordingly enlisted in Company K, 26th Iowa Infantry, and participated in many of the important battles which followed, viz.: Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, and went with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea. He was never reported as on the sick list during the whole time of his service, and received his honorable discharge, June 6, 1865. Upon returning home he resumed his farming operations and blacksmithing, and by a course of industry and economy accumulated a competence for his declining years. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Congregational Church, and politically, Mr. Edleman votes independently, aiming to support the man whom he considers best qualified for office. He has held some of the township offices, but has no ambition for honors of this kind. Socially, he belongs to the G.A.R. Post at Miles, also the Lodge of the United Workmen, No. 46 at Preston.

When Mr. Edleman came to this county the railroad had only been built to Rock Island. He was entirely without money, and borrowing $5 came on to Maquoketa. Although acquiring only a common-school education, he is possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, and has no difficulty whatever in transacting the ordinary business connected with his farm property. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, his favorites being registered Hereford cattle. This industry is the source of a handsome income.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)