WALMER, Daniel - 1890 Bio (1838-1918)

WALMER, SHOUE, DUNCAN, LATHERS, WHITSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/3/2007 at 10:41:27

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 508-509

Daniel WALMER, one of the most substantial farmers of Jefferson County, as well as one of its earliest settlers and a resident of Fairfield Township, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 13, 1838, and is one of a family of thirteen children. With his parents, Jacob and Sarah (SHOUE) WALMER, he came to Jefferson County in 1849, while an infant, and was brought up on a farm and educated in the district schools of the neighborhood. On the 5th of May, 1861, almost immediately after the breaking out of the late war, Mr. WALMER, prompted by patriotic impulses, enlisted as a member of Company E., Second Iowa Infantry, and served three years. He was captured at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and was kept a prisoner, mainly at Cahaba, Ala., for three months until paroled and exchanged, about the holidays. He participated in the capture of Ft. Donelson, where the Second Iowa Regiment won praise for its gallant conduct and where it sustained a heavy loss in killed and wounded. He also took part in the hard-fought battles of Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and several minor engagements, and was mustered out of the service at the expiration of three years in Tennessee, in June, 1864, and returned to his home in Jefferson County, Iowa.

On the 13th of November of the same year, Mr. WALMER was united in marriage, in Jefferson County, to Miss Mary E. DUNCAN, daughter of Preston and Margaret DUNCAN. The lady is a native of Indiana, and by her marriage two children have been born, a son and daughter -- Ida is now the wife of Samuel LATHERS, who is engaged in farming in Black Hawk Township, Jefferson County, and William, who died at the age of nine months. The death of the mother occurred on the 13th of October, 1868, and on the 13th of March, 1870, Mr. WALMER was again married. His present wife, whose maiden name was Susanna WHITSON, is a daughter of Samuel and Caroline WHITSON, and her birth occurred in Liberty Township, Jefferson County, on the 15th of March, 1851. Her parents were among the early settlers of this county, dating their residence from 1842, and she was born, reared and married in the same house. Four children, two sons and two daughters, have been born of the second marriage and are as follows; Cora Alice, who was born April 6, 1871; Jacob Hamilton, born December 15, 1872; Sarah C., born February 6, 1875, and Charles Nelson, born October 8, 1879. The birth of all occurred in Fairfield Township, Jefferson County, where the parents have resided since their marriage.

Since 1871, Mr. WALMER had occupied the old homestead farm of the family, which is situated south of the city on section 12, Fairfield Township, and which comprises one hundred and eighty acres of highly cultivated land, on which are found large and tasty farm buildings, together with many other excellent improvements. His post-office is Fairfield and his home is conveniently situated about three miles from the city. Mr. WALMER is a Republican in politics and belongs to George Strong Post, No, 19, G. A. R. By industry and judicious management, combined with the able assistance of his estimable wife, he has prospered in the affairs of life and is now classed among the well-to-do farmers of his adopted county. His course in life has been marked by strict integrity and fair treatment of all with whom he has had business relations, and has won for him the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mrs. WALMER is a member of the Lutheran Church.

[Transcriber's note: The G.A.R. is the Grand Army of the Republic, the fore-runner of the American Legion.]

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.