Plumer, Henry F. (1827-1918)

PLUMER

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 9/8/2008 at 16:16:14

Henry F. Plumer
Sep 5, 1827 - Dec 31, 1918

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.147, Lewis Twp.)
H. F. Plumer, P. O. Council Bluffs, born in Hanover, Germany, in 1829, son of J. H. and Mary Plumer; both born in Hanover, Germany; he, a farmer, born in 1793, is still living; she, born in 1798, died in her sixty-first year; they had six children. Subject received his education principally in the old country; began life as a farmer and married in California, Moniteau Co., Mo., August 20, 1849, Miss S. Kinny, born in Ohio October 12, 1835, daughter of J. H. and Mary Kinny, both born in Hanover, Germany, and both dead. Mr. and Mrs. Plumer have thirteen children, viz.: Mary, John, William, Emeline, Josephine, Ferdinand, Edward, Corniel, Oscar, Augusta, Tomie, Laura and Henry. Subject is a member of the Lutheran Church, a Democrat, filled the offices of School Director, Road Supervisor; was first Director of Subdistrict No. 7, at that time belonged to Kane Township; came to this county in spring of 1851; built the mill in Council Bluffs, known as the "Crystal Mills," in the spring of 1870; has a large stock farm in Woodbury County, thist State; also owns some 800 acres of a stock farm in this county; is one of the most prominent farmers in this section; when he came to this county there wee no Gentiles living in the county; there was no settlement of any kind, except the Mormons, when he located in this township, in what is called the Plumer settlement; the only stores that amounted to anything were two small buildings on or near where the Ogden House now stands; came to America in 1840; lived about ten years in Moniteau County, Mo., when he moved here and has resided ever since; is one of the most enterprising farmers in the county, and has erected on his farm a fine barn 60 x 30 feet; he sold, in the spring of 1882, ninety head of fine fat steers, which he had fed on his own farm, the average weight being 1,600 pounds. [Note: The Ogden Hotel stood on the southeast corner of Broadway and Park Avenue in Council Bluffs]

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.654)
HENRY F. PLUMER, a farmer of Lewis Township, is a native of Hanover, Germany, born October 8, 1828, the son of John H. and Mary PLUMER. The parents came to America in the year 1830, locating in what was then Cole County, now Moniteau County, Missouri, and then removed to Mills County, Iowa, where their death occurred; the mother’s in December 1862 and the father’s in April 1885. The war record of Mr. Plumer’s father is something to be remembered by his children, as six years was spent in the English army. He was in the famous battle of Waterloo, and served in the French Revolution under the Duke of Wellington. They had a family of six children, viz.: Caroline, deceased; Sophia, wife of Wm. SAAR of Mills County, Iowa; Henry F., the subject of this sketch; Frederick, residing in Kansas; William, residing in Pottawattamie County; and Christopher, residing in Mills County, Iowa.
Henry F. PLUMER, our subject, was reared to farm life and received his limited education in the schools of Germany and this country, but by close application, he has secured a practical education. When he was twelve years of age, he came to America with his parents and since that time he has made his home in Missouri and Iowa. When he was about twenty-one years of age, he commenced to work for himself.
Mr. PLUMER was married August 20, 1849, to Miss Sophia KINNING, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, October 12, 1835, the daughter of John H. and Mary (MEYER) KIDDING, natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to America in 1829. The mother died in Missouri about the year 1843. They had three children: Henry, who died in the army at Jefferson Barracks, after having served two years; Sophia, and Augusta.
After their marriage, Mr. And Mrs. PLUMER located in Missouri for two years, after which they came to Iowa, locating in Pottawattamie County. They made a purchase of a claim from a man named HUSTON for $250, who had made fine improvements, and as soon as the land came into market, he purchased it from the Government. Mr. PLUMER made a pre-emption of 160 acres on section 25, Lewis Township, where he erected a small log house, 18 X 20 feet, in which he made his home for some time. In 1861 he erected a frame residence 18 X 38 feet, and in 1880 built an addition. He has a pleasant home surrounded with shade and ornamental trees, and everything bespeaks thrift, energy and prosperity. He has added to his first purchase until he now owns 1,200 acres of as good land as lies in Pottawattamie County, Lewis Township and Keg Creek, and he also has 840 acres in Woodbury County, Bremner Township, and 1,280 acres in Ellis County, Kansas. He has always devoted himself to farming and stock-raising, buying, shipping, etc., in which he deals quite extensively. In 1870 he erected the Crystal Mills of Council Bluffs, which he disposed of to Thomas EVANS. Mr. PLUMER is a good example of what a man can accomplish who starts with nothing but pluck and energy, as he started with comparatively nothing, but by good management amassed a handsome competency. He has been a public benefactor in various ways to the community at large. They are worthy members of the Evangelical Church, and donated the land to the society upon which to build the church, and also assisted largely in its construction. Politically Mr. PLUMER is a Democrat and is a strong advocate of law and order, and strives to promote the best interests of the community in general. Mr. And Mrs. PLUMER have twelve children living, namely: Mary J., wife of Fred SPETMAN of Omaha, Nebraska; John, residing at Council Bluffs; William, of Woodbury County, Iowa; Emeline, wife of Fred LUDICK of Woodbury County; Josephine at home; Ferdinand, of Woodbury County; Edward at home; Cornelius; Oscar; Augusta, deceased; Thomas, at home; Laura, Henry, and an infant daughter, deceased. Mr. PLUMER has given quite generously to his children as they grew to manhood and womanhood, helping them to make a start for themselves in life.
[Note - contrary to the birth date in this biography, Henry F. Plumer's gravestone gives the birth date of Sep 5, 1827, burial in St. Pauls Evangelical Country Church Cemetery, Dumfries, Iowa]