JAMES GORMAN

James Gorman is one of the successful agriculturists of Gower township, being proprietor of the Park Stock Farm on section 9. A native of Iowa, he was born on the 8th of October, 1864, in Johnson county, about one mile from the Cedar county line, but when five years of age removed to Pottawattamie county, this state, in company with his parents, Michael and Ellen (Colbert) Gorman, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father, who in September, 1910, was eighty-two years of age, was born in County Waterford and was sixteen years old when he came to the United States with his widowed mother, who brought with her to this country five sons and one daughter. Landing in New York city, they proceeded up the Hudson river to Albany and spent five years in the Empire state. At the end of that time they removed to Illinois and from there Mr. Gorman came to Iowa about sixty years ago. He was married in Iowa City in June, 1858, to Miss Ellen Colbert, whose birth occurred in County Cork, Ireland. She came to the new world during childhood with her parents. During his early years Mr. Gorman followed farming and met with excellent success but has now laid aside all labor and he and his wife make their home with our subject in Gower township. They have six children, namely: Edward, a resident of Pottawattamie county; Dennis, of Nebraska; Ellen, the wife of Thomas Kelley of Wisconsin; James of this review; Margaret, the wife of Fide Flouchinger of Pottawattamie county; and Maurice of Kansas.

James Gorman was practically reared and educated in Pottawattamie county, where he continued to make his home until fifteen years ago, when he came to Cedar county and purchased his present farm, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres in one body on section 9, Gower township. Most of the improvements found thereon have been made by him, including the erection of two sets of good farm buildings and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place plainly indicates his progressive spirit and that he thoroughly understands the occupation which he has made his life work. In connection with general farming he gives special attention to the raising of Duroc Jersey hogs and shorthorn cattle. He is one of the representative citizens of the community and has been remarkably successful in his life work.

On the 12th of October, 1896, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gorman to Miss Elizabeth Yedlik, who was born in Colfax county, Nebraska, April 2, 1875, a daughter of Antone and Rose Yedlik, who were born, reared and married in Polzen, Bohemia, and continued to reside there until after the birth of two of their sons. They then emigrated to America and settled in Cedar county, Iowa, where the father followed farming until called to his final rest, March 23, 1906, at the age of seventy years. He had survived his wife about four years, her death occurring September 20, 1902, when she was seventy-four years of age. Both died in Cedar county. Their children were: John, who died here in1909; Albert, a resident of California; Mrs. Josephine Crofter, a resident of Solon, Johnson county, Iowa; and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Gorman. The family of our subject and wife consists of five children, all born in Cedar county, namely: Rozella, Elsie May, James Michael, Leo Francis and Margaret. During their residence in this county they have made a host of warm friends and wherever known are held in the highest esteem.