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Hiram R. Palmer

Hiram R. Palmer, dealer in dry-goods, groceries, provisions, etc., in Hawkeye, has the honor of being a native born Iowan. His birth occurred in Oxford, Jones County, November 14, 1858, and he is one of eight children whose parents are William W. and Susan A. (Carnicle) Palmer. The father was born in Morgan County, Ohio, November 28, 1819, and there married in 1848, his wife having been born in the same place September 12, 1829. Their children are Martha E., who was born December 31, 1850, and became the wife of B. P. Riley, of San Jose, Cal.; Oscar J., who was born October 8, 1852, wedded Mate Palen, and is now residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he is engaged in mechanical pursuits; Amanda J. who died in infancy; Jasper J., a farmer, who was born July 11, 1855, and married Emma Coonfare; Priscilla J., born January 18, 1861, is the wife William J. Bigger, of San Jose, Cal., where Jasper also resides; Levi L., born February 1, 1864, married Ida Perry of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and is living in San Jose; Sarah B. died in infancy; and Jacob E., who is employed as clerk in his brother's store in Hawkeye, was born December 23, 1868.

The subject of this sketch lived at home with his parents in Jones, Clinton and Jackson Counties until 1875, in which year he located in Strawberry Point, Iowa, where he was engaged in the creamery business with the Kingsley brothers. On severing that connection he spent two and a half years in Brush Creek, Iowa, where he was employed as a salesman in a general merchandise establishment. On the 19th of September, 1880, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Isa Chesley of Volga City, Iowa, a daughter of Norman and Luch A. (Phillips) Chesley. Her father was born in Canada in 1827, was a practicing attorney and enlisted in the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, his death occurring during his service, on the 21st of April, 1865. Mrs. Chesley was born in Pennsylvania, March 26, 1840, and their marriage was celebrated April 19, 1860, at Monona, Clayton County, Iowa. After the death of her first husband she became the wife of Francis F. Goodwin of Volga City, Iowa. By the first marriage were born three daughters, - Mrs. Palmer; Ella B. and Eva B., twins, who were born in Volga City, Iowa, March 8, 1864. Both engaged in teaching until Ella B. was married October 30, 1887. Her sister Eva still continues in her chosen profession and for the past eight years has taught almost continuously, the last three or four years being employed in Volga City. Ella B. is the wife of Dr. J. W. McGregor of Hawkeye, Iowa. He was formerly from Hamilton, Canada, graduated in medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, embarked in practice at Brush Creek, Iowa, and at length located in Hawkeye, where he now resides. The children of Mrs. Chesley's second marriage are Grace G. Goodwin, who was born September 11, 1867, and in May, 1887, became the wife of James Doty of Highland, Clayton County, Iowa, by whom she has one child, a daughter, Frances; Rhoda A., born September 25, 1869, is employed as a clerk in Mr. Palmer's store; Ernest R., born in November, 1872, resides with his parents in Volga City; Hattie L., was born May 14, 1874; and Louie E. Was born February 2, 1882.

Mrs. Palmer was born in Monona, Clayton County, Iowa, January 7, 1862, and during her early womanhood followed the teacher's profession for some time. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children - Chesley R., born at Strawberry Point, Iowa, August 21, 1881; and Mildred B., born January 26, 1885, at Brush Creek. They are both living and bring joy and gladness to the hearts of their fond and loving parents.

On coming to Hawkeye, Mr. Palmer, with a limited capital, purchased a small stock of general merchandise and embarked in business for himself. By close application, economy, honesty and industry he soon won for himself an enviable reputation and a liberal patronage was given him. He now owns his own store building, together with a large stock of goods and has won the esteem of his patrons and neighbors and the unbounded confidence of his creditors. In 1889, he sold merchandise to the value of $25,136 and also carried on an extensive business in butter and eggs, his shipments of those commodities amounting to over $7,000, besides the sales for home consumption. Mr. Palmer was a charter member of Relief Lodge, No. 138, I. O. O. F., of which he is Past Grand, and also belongs to Hawkeye Lodge, No. 127, Iowa Legion of Honor, being an honored member of both organizations. Mrs. Palmer is an active and enthusiastic worker in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the Woman's Relief Corps. They have a pleasant home in Hawkeye and hold a high position in the social world.