Leonard Orlando IMUS

IMUS, DOLBIER, DAKE, SMITH, CAVIN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/9/2009 at 09:44:47

from Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa

Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago, 1887, p. 236

LEONARD O. IMUS

Leonard O[rlando] IMUS, an early settler and enterprising farmer of Liberty Township, Ringgold County, was born in [Ingham County] the State of Michigan, October 3, 1849, the sixth in a family of thirteen children of Horatio M. and Mary (DOLBIER) IMUS, who were both born in New York State. The parents settled with their family in Stark County, Illinois, and in 1854, started for Ringgold County, Iowa, and while on their way the father was drowned in Marion County. The mother is still living at the advanced age of seventy-two years, making her home in Mount Ayr. Our subject was a boy of six years when he was brought to this county, and here he was reared and educatedin the district schools, finishing he educationin the Mount Ayr school. He prepared himself for a teacher, but changed his mind and engaged in farming, and raising cattle and hogs. He formed a partnership with C. W. DAKE, then treasurer of Ringgold County, and together they spent $1,000 on thorough-bred short-horn cattle. They continued the business together for four years when the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. IMUS settled on the farm. he was soon after married [April 3, 1871, Mount Ayr, IA] to Miss Jennie SMITH, of Mount Ayr, a daughter of John and Caroline SMITH, her father dying when she was a child of eight years. Her mother still lives at the advanced age of eighty years. To Mr. and Mrs. IMUS have been born four children - Elsie, Day, Agnes and a son, Smith, who died in infancy. After his marriage, Mr. IMUS settled on his present farm, which contains eighty acres of land, mostly meadow and pasture land. He also has eighty acres in another section of the same township. He is still dealing in blooded stock, and has at present on his farm, a fine herd of thirty head. Mr. IMUS has held the office of justice of the peace for three tearms, and has served as secretary of the School Board for eleven years. In politics he is a Republican, casting his first vote for President GRANT. Both Mr. and Mrs. IMUS are members of the Methodist Epiicopal church. He has acted as superintendent of the Sunday school for one year.

NOTE: Leonard and Jennie had three more children after the above biographical sketch was written. According to cemetery transciptions, Leonard was born in 1847 instead of 1849 as stated in his biographical sketch. Leonard Orland IMUS died January 27, 1934. Sarah Jane "Jennie" (SMITH) IMUS was born March 3, 1848, Tipton, Tipton County, Indiana, and died April 27, 1935. Leonard and Jennie were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Leonard's father Horatio M. IMUS was born in 1812, and died June 19, 1854. His mother Mary (DOLBIER) IMUS CAVIN was born in Vermont in 1814, and died January 10, 1887 with interment in Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa. After Hortaio's death, Mary married William CAVIN, Sr.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 236, 1887

WPA Grave Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009