Palmer, A. B.

PALMER, BENNETT, BEATTY

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/13/2009 at 17:45:50

A. B. Palmer

Among the professional men of Newton is the popular and efficient dentist whose name introduces this sketch. Doctor Palmer was born on a farm in Jones County, Iowa, January 9, 1865, the son of Stephen A. and Angeline (Bennett) Palmer. The former was a native of the Empire State, having been born in Genesee County, and his father, whose name was also Stephen, was a native of Canada. Coming to the United States at an early period in history, he located in New York, where he married Miss Allen, a relative of that grand patriot of Revolutionary fame, Ethan Allen. Grandfather Palmer took part in the War of 1812.

The mother of our subject, Angeline Bennett, was born in Ohio. She had two brothers, Eber and Elan. The former lost his life while fighting for his country, and the latter followed the occupation of farming. She also had a sister, who was the wife of Dr. Stephen Collins, a surgeon in the War of the Rebellion, who was taken prisoner and confined in Andersonville and Libby Prisons, enduring the privations incident to prison life. He never recovered from the effects of the hardships and suffering, and soon after being released he forfeited his life, like many other brave soldiers, for the love of the Union.

The father and mother of our subject were educated at Oberlin, Ohio, and before receiving their diplomas they had decided to share each other's lot. After having been united in marriage, they came directly to Iowa, where the subject of, this sketch first saw the light. The early part of his life was spent under the parental roof. He received his education at Monticello and at tile age of sixteen he entered the Iowa College, which he attended at intervals for three years, at the same time devoting a portion of his time to teaching. He studied dentistry at the Iowa State University, and afterward took a course at the Post-Graduate College of Chicago. In 1887 he opened an office at Newton and began his successful career as a dentist. Subsequently be went to Chicago, and completing his studies, was graduated in 1891.

Realizing that it was not best for man to live alone, Doctor Palmer found a helpmate in the person of Miss Minnie A. Beatty, a daughter of Hon. J. Beatty, of Newton. They are the parents of one child, Margaret Esther. Doctor Palmer is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In religious connections he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 560.