EDIE S. TEMPLETON

Edie S. Templeton, who was called to his final rest on the 16th of October, 1907, when seventy-six years of age, was for many years an active factor in the agricultural and industrial circles of Cedar county, successfully carrying on farming and carpentering. At the time of his demise, however, he was living retired in Bennett. His birth occurred in Blair county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of November, 1831, his parents being James and Elizabeth (Russell) Templeton, who were likewise natives of that county. The father was successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits there until the time of his death. In 1853 his widow came west in company with her son and two daughters, locating in Inland township, Cedar county, Iowa.

Edie S. Templeton attended the district schools of his native county in the acquirement of an education and also assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. He likewise learned the carpenter’s trade in early life, working at that occupation in Blair county until he came to this county. Here he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government and the cultivation and improvement of that property claimed his attention until the time of his retirement in 1890, when his son David took charge of the farm.

In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also worked at carpentering to some extent. The first schoolhouse in district No. 2, Inland township, was erected by him. During the last seventeen years of his life he lived retired in Bennett save for one term’s service as postmaster of the town. A man of excellent business ability and unfaltering integrity, he won a well merited measure of success in his undertakings and was long numbered among the prosperous and esteemed citizens of his community.

In 1851, at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, Mr. Templeton was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hamer, her parents being Samuel and Maria (Itinger) Hamer, the former a wagon-maker of Alexandria, Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Templeton were born three sons and one daughter, as follows: Mrs. Clara M. Cryder, a widow residing in Bennett; Samuel E., who is at home with his mother; J. C., living in Cedar Rapids; and David E., who makes his home in Colorado.

Mr. Templeton gave his political allegiance to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him. The cause of education, however, found in him a stanch champion and he did valuable service in its behalf as a school director. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian. The period of his residence in Cedar county covered more than a half century and he is well entitled to a place amoung its substantial and representative citizens.