Hummel, James M.

HUMMEL, MURPHY, BULK, MCCLINTICK, NEWELL, BOWER, BAKER, LIVINGSTON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/31/2009 at 11:16:18

Hummel, James M.

Among the representative farmers of Mound Prairie Township, Jasper County, is James M. Hummel, who is the owner of a valuable landed estate, where he is carrying on the various departments of his enterprise with that discretion and energy which are sure to find their natural sequence in definite success. To such men as Mr. Hummel we turn with particular satisfaction as offering in their life histories justification for works of this character owing to the life of industry, honesty and public spirit, and the effort he has made to uphold the honored name of one of the old and best known families of the locality of which this history treats.

Mr. Hummel was born at Monroe, Fairview Township, this County, on February 14, 1856, and he is the son of Louis and Lucinda (Murphy) Hummel the father born in Wittenburg, Germany, in 1833, and the mother was a native of Tennessee. The father grew up in the fatherland, immigrating to America when seventeen years of age and located in Ohio and there worked at the blacksmith's trade which he had learned in his native land. He came to Monroe, Jasper County, Iowa, in 1852 among the early pioneers, and, being a man of excellent judgment and foresight, had faith in the future possibilities here, so decided to cast his lot in this region, which was then a wild, wide-sweeping prairie. He began working for a Mr. Kipps and there he met his future wife, she being in the employ of Mr. Kipps also, he as a blacksmith and she as a house girl. They were finally married and began housekeeping in Monroe, where Mr. Hummel worked at his trade. After the Civil War he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Fairview Township, for which he paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and here he began farming and stock raising, at which he became most successful, and he also speculated a great deal in farms, and at some time or other owned about half the land in Fairview Township. He was one of the leading agriculturists in this locality, and at the time of his death in 1896 he owned about one thousand acres of valuable and well-improved land, fine for general use. In 1890 he moved to Monroe and retired from active life and there he lived until his death. For years he had been known as one of the leading cattle feeders in this part of the County and no small part of his income was gained in this manner. He was a man of high moral attributes and a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was highly honored by all who knew him.

His family consisted of six sons and three daughters, namely: John W., James M., Henry R., George F., Hugh Montgomery, Mrs. Carrie Arline Bulk, Charles, Mrs. Nancy McClintick, Mrs. Fannie Birchnell.

James M. Hummel, of this review, attended school in his home district, though his educational advantages were limited. He began working in the fields when eleven years of age, and when he reached his majority he started in life for himself and rented land for some time in order to get a start. Saving his earnings, he subsequently bought eighty acres in Mound Prairie Township, later buying another eighty, then one hundred and sixty acres, then another eighty, making an aggregate of four hundred acres of valuable land. His efforts were attended by a large measure of success and he became one of the leading agriculturists of his Township. He erected the substantial and convenient buildings, which are still to be seen here, all in good condition. He always kept his land well improved and under a fine state of cultivation. He has long been an extensive cattle feeder, also a feeder of Poland China and Chester White hogs. His efforts along this line as well as general farming have been attended by a large degree of success.

Politically, Mr. Hummel is a Democrat and in fraternal matters a member of the Knights of Pythias.

On March 20, 1880, Mr. Hummel was united in marriage with Eliza A. Newell, who was born in Wapello County, Iowa, the daughter of William Newell, who settled in Jasper County in an early day and here became well established and highly respected.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hummel, namely: Mrs. Carrie Bower, of Denver. Colorado; Mrs. Zola Baker and Mrs. Zetta Livingston, twins; Virgil is at home. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 841.