Thomas Hamlin Travis

BEYER, BURD, FORESMAN, FOSTER, HANN, ROLLSTIN, SAWHILL, SCHOENENBERGER, TRAVIS

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/6/2004 at 13:52:50

One hundred and eighty-seven acres of well improved land in Scott township is the property of Thomas Hamlin Travis and its excellent condition is proof of his energy and progressive spirit. He was born in Walnut township, this county, on the 2nd of February, 1859, of the marriage of M. B. and Lovina (Beyer) Travis. The father was born in Pennsylvania on the 1st of November, 1816 and the mother's birth occurred in that state on the 3d of July, 1827. Their marriage was celebrated on the 20th of January, 1847, and in 1855 they removed to Madison county, Iowa. They went by water to Keokuk and drove from there to Winterset in a buggy. Their household goods were brought to this county from Keokuk by team. After living in Winterset for a year they settled on a farm in Walnut township, which comprised eighty acres. The first buildings were merely a log shanty and a log stable but in later years more commodious structures were erected, The father also added eighty acres to his holdings and found that the cultivation of his quarter section demanded his whole time and undivided attention. He passed away on the 1st of April, 1879, and after his death his widow lived with their son Thomas H. in Peru for two years. At the end of that time she purchased property in that village and resided there until her death, which occurred on the 22d of June, 1903. Mr. Travis was a republican and at one time was assessor of his township. Both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and took a helpful interest in its work.

They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Sylvester, who was born in Pennsylvania on the 3ist of October, 1847, and resides on a farm in Walnut township; Leander Lynch, who was born in the Keystone state on the 14th of December, 1848, and died on the 18th of May, 1852; Mary E., born July 7, 1851, the widow of James Foresman and a resident of Winterset; William M., of Winterset, born in Pennsylvania on the 28th of December, 1852; John Beyer a native of the Keystone state, born May 5, 1854, who is now a farmer of Walnut township; Lovina Caroline, who was born May 31, 1856, in this county, and is now the wife of John Schoenenberger, of Walnut township; Thomas Hamlin; Samuel Clarke, who was born May 16, 1860, and is residing in Dodge City, Kansas; and Eva May, born October 11 1864, who married Albert F. Foster, of Great Bend, Barton county, Kansas.

Thomas Hamlin Travis was reared upon the home farm and as his strength increased aided more and more in the work of the homestead, thus familiarizing himself with practical methods of agriculture. When twenty-one years of age he began work by the month for others, but after one season rented land which he operated. In 1888 he homesteaded in Rawlins county, Kansas, and resided there for eight years, after which he returned to Madison county and farmed for one year. He then engaged in the butchering business in Peru, but at the end of three years sold out and purchased forty acres of land in Scott township. A year later he bought a meat market and conducted it for eighteen months. On the expiration of that period he traded his land for another farm and in 1913 bought the Andrew Rollstin farm on sections 21 and 22, Scott township, which comprises one hundred and eighty-seven acres of land. He has since operated that farm and raises the crops best suited to soil and climate his labors yielding him a good return annually. He also raises some high grade stock and is prospering in both lines of his activity.

Mr. Travis was married in this county to Miss Eliza Alice Burd, who was born here of the marriage of Anderson and Elizabeth Ann (Rhodes) Burd, early settlers of Madison county, now residing in Rawlins county, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Travis have been born seven children: Delwin E. married Miss May Hann, who passed away leaving a son, Harold E., and he was again married March 3, 1915, Miss Nellie Rollstin becoming his wife. Ethel May is the wife of William Sawhill, of Ohio township. Lena M. died when seven years of age. Wayne died in childhood. Elwood, Warren and Donald are all at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Travis and their eldest son are members of the Methodist church and the last named is now serving as township assessor. Our subject is a stalwart democrat and never falters in his allegiance to his party. He has taken considerable interest in the records of the family and at the time of the division of his parents estate he purchased the family Bible for ten dollars, and the dates given in this sketch are taken therefrom. All those who know him have implicit confidence in his integrity and ability, and he is justly ranked among the progressive and successful farmers of his township.

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