LEHMAN, A. J.

LEHMAN, WISE, YOUNG, OWEN, THOMAS, JOHNSON, STONE

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 1/20/2004 at 08:40:12

Biography reproduced from page 284 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

A. J. Lehman, who is now living retired in Sexton, was for many years actively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Plum Creek township, where he still owns a well improved and highly cultivated farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He is a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, his birth occurring on the 4th of January, 1843, and is the older of the two sons born to Adam and Rachel (Wise) Lehman, who passed their entire lives in Pennsylvania. A. J. Lehman is now the only surviving member of his family, his brother Samuel, who was born on the 1st of January, 1845, having passed away November 16, 1911.

The boyhood and youth of A. J. Lehman were passed very similarly to those of other lads who were reared in the country at that time. He was educated in the district schools and while mastering the common branches assisted his father with the work of the farm. After laying aside his text books he gave his undivided attention to the work of the fields and care of the stock, remaining at home until he had attained his majority. In 1864 he left the parental roof and began his independent career as an agriculturist, first in his native county. Two years later he removed to Washington county, Maryland, where he followed the same vocation for a time, going from there to Carroll county, Illinois. He resided in the latter place for nine years, and at the expiration of that time he came to Kossuth county, Iowa. When he first came here, Mr. Lehman rented a farm which he cultivated for six years, but at the end of that period his circumstances were such that he was able to purchase a place and invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Plum Creek township. Being diligent and thrifty, he energetically applied himself to the further improvement and cultivation of this farm until he developed it into one of the valuable properties of the community. He gave his personal supervision to every detail connected with the operation of his farm, doing the greater part of the work himself, and as a result his homestead always suggested the careful and systematic management that invariably accompanies prosperity. His fields annually yielded abundant harvests that amply rewarded him for his hard labor and he also received lucrative returns from his stock-raising. In addition to his fine farm and residence in town, Mr. Lehman has acquired a comfortable competence which together with the income from his property provides him and his wife with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, enabling them to spend their later years in well earned ease and comfort.

On the 9th of January, 1866, Mr. Lehman was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Ann Young, also a native of Perry county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Joseph and Esther Emeline (Owen) Young. Her father was a well known agriculturist of that county. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Young numbered five children, Mrs. Lehman being the eldest. In order of birth the others are as follows: Levi, who was killed in one of the last battles of the Rebellion; John Henry, who passed away in Perry county on the 15th of November, 1910; Enos Franklin, who is living in Trenton, Nebraska; and Fanny A., who is also a resident of Nebraska. Mrs. Lehman can relate many interesting reminiscences of the Civil war, having seen both Lee’s army and the Union soldiers as they marched by her father’s farm to and from the battle of Gettysburg. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lehman, two sons and two daughters. William F., who was born on the 16th of June, 1867, married Lettie Thomas, and they are the parents of four sons; Franklin Thomas, Elliott, Lester and John. John D., born on October 9, 1870, married Miss Jessie Johnson, and they have two daughters: Margaret M. and Muriel May. Ella May, born on the 25th of February, 1872, died on March 25, 1898. Emma E., whose birth occurred on the 15th of October, 1874, is the wife of John Stone, and they have 3 children: Ray, Margaret Isabel and Albert.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Lehman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he is a democrat. He has always led an unobtrusive life and has never participated in public affairs, but he is a man with high standards of citizenship, and his influence has always been exerted to promote those movements that would tend to advance the welfare of the community.