Andrew Macumber

CALLISON, DEARDORF, GREER, HARTSOOK, KENNEDY, MACUMBER, MCKIBBAN

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/3/2004 at 11:34:10

Andrew Macumber, who is practically living retired upon his land, is the owner of fourteen hundred acres and for many years was a farmer and stock-raiser on a large scale. He was born in Gallia County, Ohio, December 5, 1841, and is a son of John A. and Emily (Huntley) Macumber, also natives of that county, the former born on the 11th of October, 1820, and the latter on the 22nd of February, 1820. The paternal grandparents were Alexander and Esther Macumber, natives of Dartmouth township, Bristol County, Massachusetts, born respectively on the 13th of February, 1788, and the 2nd of November, 1786. Mrs. Emily Macumber passed away in Ohio on the 8th of October, 1846 and Mr. Macumber was subsequently married to Miss Sarah Hartsook, who was born in Gallia County, Ohio, August 2, 1827, and died in Madison County, Iowa, May 2, 1888. Mr. Macumber had removed to this county with his family in November, 1853. He entered government land in Lincoln township and devoted the remainder of his life to the development of his farm, passing away here on the 23rd of January, 1907. He was the father of twelve children, four by his first wife and eight by his second marriage, namely: Andrew, of this review; Henry, who died in Lincoln township; Alexander, a resident of Walnut township; Lindsey A., who resides in Webster township; William, who died in childhood; George and John, twins, both residing in Nebraska; Edgar is living in Oklahoma; James, who died in childhood; Peter, deceased; E. E., a resident of California; and Esther Ann, the wife of W. W. Greer, of Lincoln township.

Andrew Macumber was a lad of eleven years when brought to this county by his parents and as pioneer conditions prevailed here at that time his educational opportunities were limited. On the 24th of October, 1861, when not quite twenty years of age, he enlisted in Company I, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out with his command at Atlanta, Georgia, on the 10th of August, 1865. He participated in many battles and his record was that of a brave and loyal soldier. Upon his return home he with his brother, Henry, purchased two hundred acres of land, which was later divided between them. As his resources increased he bought more land, believing it to be the safest investment, and is now the owner of fourteen hundred acres all in one body in Lincoln township. There are four sets of buildings upon the place and everything is kept in excellent repair. For forty years he fed from a carload of two hundred head of cattle per year and his profits from stock-raising were gratifying. He also did general farming and found that occupation also remunerative. He is now practically retired and has rented his land to his sons.

Mr. Macumber was married in this county to Miss Elizabeth McKibban, who was born on the 21st of August, 1844, in Clinton County, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Ratcliff) McKibban, both natives of Clinton County, Ohio, whence they removed to Knox County, Illinois, in 1854 and to Iowa in 1864, settling in Lincoln township, Madison County. Both have passed to their reward. To Mr. and Mrs. Macumber have been born four children. W. E., operating a part of his father's land, married Ella Reynolds and has two children, Mildred and Winifred. Mary E., twin to W. E., is the wife of E. V. Callison, a farmer of Lincoln township, by whom she has three children, Albert, Lloyd and Wilbur. Elwood, who is also on his father's farm, married Verna Deardorf and they have five children, Robert, Roland, Morris, Francis and Marian. Ora, on the home farm, married Ella Kennedy and they have three children, Iris, Ruth and Avery.

Mr. Macumber is a progressive republican and is willing to make any sacrifice of time and energy to promote the interests of that party. He had held a number of township offices and in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him has proved capable and conscientious. He is a member of the Pitzer Post, G. A. R., and his wife is a member of the Christian Union Church, in the work of which she has been quite active. Mr. Macumber has been one of the leaders in agricultural development in his county and his years of strenuous activity entitle him to a period of rest and leisure.

Taken from the book, "History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915."