Gamon, William G.

GAMON, MAY, PUTNAM, EDMONSON

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 3/30/2021 at 14:21:40

William G. Gamon, who is located on section 2, Marion Township, was born in the city of London, England, in 1839, and is the son of Evan and Mary Ann (May) Gamon, the former a native of Wales, and the latter of London. When He was an infant, his mother died, and he was sent to his grandmother in Wales, where he was reared to the occupation of a miner. Believing the New World to be a better place for acquiring more than a mere living, Mr. Gamon sailed from Liverpool to New York in 1866, in a German vessel, and was eighteen days on the ocean, during which time a severe storm arose which blew them eighty miles out of their course. On landing in New York, he at once proceeded to Henry County, Iowa, where he remained one year, engaged in farming, and then settled on section 2, Marion Township where he bought 80 acres of partially improved land. To his original purchase he has since added forty acres, all of which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. His house and barn were erected at a cost of $ 2, 000. In addition to general farming he is engaged somewhat extensively in stock-raising.

In the fall of 1867, Mr. Gamon was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Putnam, a daughter of Jacob G. and Ellen (Edmonson) Putnam. By this union there were seven children: Mary A. died in infancy; Sarah, William R., Winnie Ellen, Elizabeth, Hannah Belle and Eva May. In politics, Mr. Gamon is a Democrat, and has served as Township Trustee; he was once elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, but refused to qualify. His father died in England about 1864. As may be inferred from what has already been said, Mr. Gamon commenced life in humble circumstances, and received but a very limited education in the common schools of Wales; but he was bred to habits of industry, and given to understand that success only follows upon industry. By hard work and such economy as was necessary, he has acquired a fine property, and has surrounded himself with many of the conveniences and comforts of life.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of William G. Gamon, pages 238-239.