JAMES MILTON FISHER

James Milton Fisher, successfully engaged in the pursuits of farming and stock-raising, is the owner of a well improved and productive tract of land comprising one hundred and eighty-five acres in Springfield township. His birth occurred in Carroll county, Maryland, on the 19th of February, 1848, his parents being Joseph F. and Catherine (Sneath) Fisher, both of whom were natives of Adams county, Pennsylvania. The father was born in the year 1817, while the mother’s natal day was January 18, 1818. Their marriage was celebrated in Adams county of the Keystone state. In 1857 Joseph F. Fisher brought his family to Cedar county, Iowa, and here devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land for about ten years. On the expiration of that period he purchased and located upon a tract of eighty acres, continuing to reside thereon until called to his final rest on the 19th of April, 1884. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devoted considerable attention to stock-raising, which branch of his business added materially to his income. His wife passed away in this county on the 3d of January, 1903.

Their children were thirteen in number, eight of whom are yet living, as follows: Joseph H., whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; W. F., who is a resident of Kansas; George, living in Oregon; James M., of this review; Ellen, the wife of Henry Billmyer, of Kansas; Sarah, who gave her hand in marriage to Jeremiah Fleagle and likewise resides in the Sunflower state; Abbie, the wife of Charles Peters, of Cedar county; and John, who lives in Kansas. The deceased members of the family are as follows: Two who passed away in Pennsylvania while still in infancy, and David D., Mary and Daniel, who died in Iowa.

James Milton Fisher began his education in the schools of his native county but at the end of one term’s study came to Iowa with his parents, being at that time nine years of age. He completed his education in Cedar county and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. On starting out as an agriculturist on his own account he bought eighty acres of land in Springfield township and subsequently extended the boundaries of his farm by an additional purchase of one hundred and five acres. His property therefore embraces one hundred and eighty-five acres of rich and arable land and in its cultivation he is meeting with excellent results. The improvements on the place include a fine modern residence, a good barn and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, for in connection with the cultivation of cereals Mr. Fisher also raises stock to some extent. Industrious, energetic and enterprising, his labors have been crowned with success and he is widely recognized as a substantial and esteemed citizen of the community.

On the 4th of March, 1884, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Annie Haggerty, a daughter of Robert L. and Martha Jane (Wareham) Haggerty, who were natives of Pennsylvania and came to this country with their respective parents in the early ‘60s. Robert L. Haggerty is a retired resident of Tipton but his wife passed away in this county in 1886. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were born five children, four of whom still survive, as follows: Homer, whose natal day was January 31, 1889; Forrest, whose birth occurred March 31, 1894; Esther, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 9th of June, 1900; and James, who was born May 11, 1906. Harry R., the eldest, was born on the 10th of June, 1887, and died on the 29th of December of the same year.

Mr. Fisher exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is an active worker in its local ranks. He was a delegate to the last republican primaries and has ably served his fellow townsmen in the capacity of road supervisor, while at the present time he holds the office of school director. He is an exemplary member of the United Brethren church and takes a deep and helpful interest in its work, having at one time acted as superintendent of the Sunday School. Throughout the long period of his residence in this county he has ever enjoyed in the fullest degree the respect and confidence of his fellowmen and his worth as a man and citizen is uniformly acknowledged.