M. R. EDMONDSON.

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         Enterprise, industry, thrift and economy are the characteristic elements in the life of M. R. Edmondson, who is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of Concord township, where he owns four hundred and twenty-seven acres of land on section 28. His birth occurred in that township on the 5th of June, 1865, his parents being R. H. and Jane (Reeder) Edmondson, the former a native of Blount county, Tennessee, and the latter of Louisa county, Iowa. Their marriage was celebrated in this county. The father was born in East Tennessee, October 8, 1830, and was a son of David and Nancy (Scott) Edmondson, who were natives of Virginia and emigrated to Tennessee at an early period in the development of that state. They reared a family of five children, of whom R. H. Edmondson was the third in the order of birth. In 1836 the family went to Indiana, where David Edmondson entered and improved a claim, which he sold on his removal to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1855. There his death occurred in 1862, while his wife passed away in 1866. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to England, for David Edmondson was a son of David and Jennette (Wilson) Edmondson, both natives of England. The maternal grandfather of M. R. Edmondson was Micajah Reeder, who organized the first Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges in Louisa county.

         R. H. Edmondson, who followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, at one time owned two hundred and ninety-five acres of rich and productive land. Since 1904, however, he has lived retired, making his home with his children. His wife was called to her final rest on the 8th of August, 1897. Unto them were born nine children, five of whom yet survive, namely: W. L., who is a resident of Decatur county, Iowa; Nancy, the wife of C. McDaniel; and M. R., G. W. and Emma, the wife of T. J. Carey, all living in Louisa county.

         When a young man of twenty M. R. Edmondson started out as an agriculturist on his own account and for several years devoted his attention to the ope- . . .

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. . . ration of a tract of land which he rented from his father. Subsequently he purchased a farm of eighty acres which has since remained in his possession and in the further cultivation and improvement of which he has been busily engaged to the present time. As his financial resources increased he augmented his holdings by additional purchase until they now embrace four hundred and twenty-seven acres of valuable land, nearly all of which is under a high state of cultivation. In connection with the tilling of the soil he has devoted considerable attention to stock and both branches of his business have proven profitable.

         On the 22d of March, 1884, in Linn county, Kansas, Mr. Edmondson was united in marriage to Miss Ida McCleary, who was born in Louisa county, Iowa, on the 19th of January, 1862, her parents being George W. and Nancy (Simpkins) McCleary, likewise natives of this county. The father was a son of Abraham and Sarah (Trimbul) McCleary, both natives of Ohio, in which state they were reared and married. They afterward made their way down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi to Port Louisa in 1836. Abraham McCleary had previously visited the county in 1835 and was so well pleased with the district that he returned the following year. He then located in Grand View township, upon a farm which remained the home of himself and wife until they were called to their final rest. Their family numbered six children, of whom only two survive—George McCleary and Mrs. H. B. Chamberlain, of Grand View, Iowa. The McClearys were Scotch Irish and emigrated to America at an early day. George W. McCleary followed farming here until 1883, when he removed with his family to Linn county, Kansas, there residing until 1890. For the past twenty-one years he and his wife have made their home in the Peoria Indian Reservation of Indian Territory. Unto them were born thirteen children, as follows: Mrs. Edmondson; S. J., who is a resident of Columbus Junction, Iowa; Mrs. Helen Classin, living in Linn county, Kansas; Mrs. Victoria Carpenter, who also makes her home in Linn county, Kansas; John, of Kansas City; Mrs. Bertha Martin, residing at Miami, Oklahoma; Mrs. Annie Holtz, of Lynch, Oklahoma; Mrs. Lulu Davis, who lives in New Mexico; Jeff D., who makes his home at Miami, Oklahoma; Mrs. Pearl Skye, of Peoria, Oklahoma; Grover, at home; and George and Ruth, both of whom died in infancy. Our subject and his wife have five children. Elmore, the eldest, who was born December 14, 1885, was graduated from the high school at Columbus Junction and also spent one year as a student in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa. He engaged in teaching for one year in Louisa county, Iowa, and subsequently was graduated from the law department of the state university, being now a practicing attorney of Brighton, Iowa. Maud, who birth occurred September 2, 1887, attended the high school of Columbus Junction and also received a musical education, acting for a time as organist in the Methodist Episcopal church at Fredonia, Iowa. She is now the wife of Alva Shaw, of Concord township. George, born September 24, 1890, William, born April 11, 1893, and Harold, born April 25, 1896, are at home. All of the children have enjoyed the advantages of a high school education, as did their mother, who also attended the Eastern . . .

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. . . Iowa Normal School at Columbus Junction and taught school for two years in Iowa and one year in Kansas.

         Mr. Edmondson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as township trustee for three terms. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Subordinate Lodge No. 365 at Columbus Junction and Columbus Encampment No. 112, in both of which he has filled all of the chairs. He is also a member of Silver Leaf Lodge of the Rebekahs at Columbus Junction, as is his wife. For two years he served as district deputy grand master and for a similar period represented Louisa county in the state organization. He likewise belongs to Washington Lodge, No. 101, A.O.U.W., at Columbus Junction. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife belongs. Mr. Edmondson is a man of strong character and sterling worth and well merits the high regard in which he is held throughout the county where his entire life has been spent.