| A. W. Carmichael, who is a representative of the farming interests
of English River township and one of the old residents of this
locality, was born within the borders of the township December 10,
1857. His father, Emsley Carmichael, was a native of Ohio and when
about thirty-five years of age sought a home beyond the Mississippi,
taking up his abode near White Pigeon in English River township upon a
farm of one hundred and twenty acres, all of which was raw land when
it came into his possession. He at once began the task of making it
fertile and productive and his efforts resulted in quickly working a
transformation. It became one of the fine farm of the locality and
continued to be his home until his death. Mr. Carmichael was married
in Washington county, Iowa, to Avarilla Moore, a native of Ohio, who
removed to Washington county during her early girlhood, remaining
there with her parents until her marriage. They became the parents of
seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom our subject is
the fourth child and third son. The record of the family is as
follows: Martha, a widow residing at White Pigeon, Iowa; Francis M.;
Sarah, deceased; A. W., of this review; Rebecca A., deceased; one who
died in infancy; and Perry. The father followed the occupation of
farming until his death, which occurred in 1864, on the old homestead
near White Pigeon, when he was about sixty years of age. He always
voted with the Democracy and was unswerving in his advocacy of the
party. He held membership in the Christian church near White Pigeon.
A. W. Carmichael early became familiar with farm work upon the old
homestead, assisting in the labors of field and meadow during the
months of summer, while in the winter season he attended the public
schools. After attaining his majority he was married to Myra Morgan,
on the 5th of May, 1878, and her father, Thomas Morgan, was one of
the early settlers of Keokuk county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael
were born four children, but they lost one in infancy. There are
three daughters living: Iva Maude, Nellie A., and Verna, all at home.
The second daughter, Nellie A., was graduated with high honors in the
Sigourney high school at the age of eighteen years.
Mr. Carmichael spent the first year after his marriage upon a farm
in Adams township and then purchased ninety acres of land in English
River township. Later he was given forty acres more in the same
township and he has since purchased fifty acres, so that he now has a
valuable farm of about two hundred acres, all under a high state of
cultivation. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge at South English, being
a third degree Mason, and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent
spirit of his craft. In politics he has always been a Republican and
keeps well informed on the issues and questions of the day, but has
never sought or desired public office for himself. He is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church of Webster and his life is in harmony
with his professions.
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Keokuk County, Iowa