JAMES M SKINNER, b 20 Jan 1847

SKINNER, BEER, WIVINIS, WATSON, SCHEIB, GRAHAM, KEISER, SHIELDS

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 12/25/2004 at 20:58:11

James M. Skinner, a son of one of the earliest pioneers of this county, was born in Monmouth Township, Jan. 20, 1847, and remains a resident of his native place, occupying a good farm on section 21. He is numbered among the most reliable and substantial citizens of this part of the county, in which he has practically grown up, and with whose interests he has been identified from boyhood.

Joseph Skinner, the father of our subject, was a native of Virginia, but left the Old Dominion when a boy with his parents - they removing to Indiana, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Joseph later sojourned for a time in Illinois, and from there emigrated to Iowa during the early settlement of this county. He was then unmarried, and secured a tract of land in Monmouth Township, where he began the establishment of a homestead. In due time he took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Jane Beer, daughter of Joshua Beer, who was one of the earliest pioneers of this region, and after whom Beer Creek was named. He settled near this stream, and opened up a farm.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Skinner settled on their new farm, and upon a portion of which the village of Baldwin has since grown up. Mr. Skinner effected very good improvements, but prior to the building of the railroad, sold out and purchased 100 acres on section 21, where he made his home the remainder of his life. The mother is still living. Of her children the following grew to mature years; the eldest, a daughter, Julia, now Mrs. Wivinis, is a resident of Colorado; James M., our subject, was the second born; Margaret, Mrs. Watson, resides in Nebraska; Lucy is the wife of Charles Scheib, and lives in Colorado; John is also in that State; Leon makes his home in Kansas; Lucina is living in Colorado; and Loretta, Mrs. Graham, is a resident of Atlanta, Cass County, this State.

The father of our subject, politically, was a stanch Republican, and quite prominent in his community, holding the various local offices. He was a believer in the Christian religion, and at the time of his death, was a member of the German Baptist Church. He was widely and favorably known throughout this county, although he seldom left home except to attend to his necessary business.

The subject of this biography spent his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, becoming familiar with farm pusuits, and acquiring his education in the common schools. In 1864, during the progress of the Civil War, he enlisted as a Union soldier in the 44th Iowa Infantry, for 100 days, and proceeding with his regiment, was stationed most of the time in and around La Grange, Tenn. After serving nearly five months, he was mustered out, and received his honorable discharge. Then returning home, he remained with his parents and occupied himself in farming pursuits.

The next interest event in the life of our subject, was his marriage, which occurred in December, 1869, the bride being Miss Mary, daughter of William and Nancy (Shields) Keiser. Mrs. Skinner was born in Cedar County, this State, in 1844, and resided there with her parents until her marriage. Our subject and his bride took up their residence in the village of Baldwin, where Mr. Skinner embarked in the livery business, and in connection with this, also followed agricultural pursuits until about 1872. His wife having a farm in Cedar County, they then removed to it and lived there about two years. It was then sold, and Mr. Skinner purchased 160 acres of land in Monmouth Township, from which he constructed his present homestead. In due time he also purchased the farm of his father, so that he has altogether 260 acres of land which is largely devoted to stock-raising.

Mr. and Mrs. Skinner became the parents of six children, two of whom are deceased. The survivors are: Hattie D., Jessie A., James W., and Thurman M. Mr. Skinner, politically, uniformly votes the Republican ticket, and is the present Assessor of Monmouth Township, serving his second term. He has also served two terms as Township Clerk. He is an intelligent, well-informed man, and numbered among the most useful members of his community.

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