Pg 354
R. H. EDMONDSON, a representative farmer of Louisa County, Iowa, residing on section 35, Concord Township, where he was one of the early settlers, was born in East Tennessee, Oct. 8, 1830. His parents, David and Nancy (Scott) Edmondson, were natives of Virginia, and emigrated to Tennessee at an early day. They reared a family of five children, of whom our subject was the third, and in 1836 went to Indiana, where the father entered and improved a claim, selling it on his removal to Louisa County, Iowa. Purchasing land in Concord Township, he improved and cultivated an excellent farm, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1862, at the age of sixty-two years. His excellent wife survived him, dying in 1866, at the age of seventy-two years.
When only six years of age our subject removed with his parents to Indiana, where he was reared to farm life, and received such education as the district schools of those early days afforded. Coming West in 1855, he settled in Concord Township, where the following year he wedded Miss Catherine Jane Reeder, who was a native of Louisa County, born March 22, 1839, and a daughter of Micajah and Nancy (Stirling) Reeder, the former born in Ohio, the latter in Indiana. They were among the pioneer settlers of this county of 1837, taking up their residence in Grand View Township, where the father purchased land of the Government. This he improved, engaging in the occupation of farming for several years. In 1835, while residing in Indiana, Mr. Reeder entered the ministry, and had charge over a circuit for two years. On leaving that State he joined the Iowa Conference, in 1843, traveling two years on the Crawfordsville Circuit, one year on the Fairfield, one on the Yellow Springs, of Des Moines County, another on the Jackson County Circuit, and also served for many years as local minister in Louisa County. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Pastorate, and is still living, making his home with our subject. He has been thrice married, one wife dying in Indiana and two in this county. The mother of Mrs. Edmondson died in 1852. During the years 1852 and 1853 Mr. Reeder served as a member of the State Legislature, and is one of the honored pioneers of the county.
Since his marriage Mr. Edmondson has resided upon the farm which still continues to be his home. His first purchase in this county consisted of sixty acres of partly improved land, but he has added to it from time to time, his farm now comprising 307 acres, finely cultivated and highly improved. It is well stocked with a good grade of both horses and cattle, the former being of the Norman and Clyde breeds, the latter Durham. The farm is pleasantly situated about four miles from Columbus Junction, and everything about the place denotes the thrift and enterprise of the owner. In his political views Mr. Edmondson is a Democrat, while socially, he is a member of Triangular Lodge No. 245, at Letts. He has held various offices of trust, and is at present Township Trustee. Mrs. Edmondson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Fredonia, and among the highly respected citizens of the county is ranked this worthy couple.
Pg 355
Mr. and Mrs. Edmondson are the parents of nine children, five now living: William L. is married, and resides in Decatur County, Iowa; Nancy Jane, now Mrs. McDaniel, is living in Concord Township, Louisa County; Micajah R. is married, and lives near the old homestead; George W. is married; Emma May, now Mrs. Carey, resides at home; Artemicis died in 1861, aged one month; David died in 1863, when one year old; Mary died in 1867, at the age of one month; Robbie died in 1879, when four years of age. Below we mention more fully those who are married: Micajah Reeder was united in marriage in 1885 with Ida McCleary, a daughter of George and Nancy (Simpkins) McCleary, who are now residing in Kansas, and two children have been born to them; Emma May became the wife of Thomas Carey, son of Aden Carey, in 1888; William L., in 1881, was united in marriage with Eliza Crow, who was born in Louisa County, and is a daughter of Henry and Jane (Gibeny) Crow, who were natives of Ohio, and early settlers of Iowa. The father is now deceased, but the mother is living. By this union two children have been born. Nancy became the wife of Corydon McDaniel, son of C. McDaniel, in 1880, and one child graces their union; George W. married Lydia Stephens, who was born in Louisa County, and is the daughter of David and Ruth (McChesney) Stephens. Among the reprehensive citizens whose portraits appear in this volume, we are pleased to present that of Mr. Edmondson.
Pg 352 |
