EDWIN REYMER JAMISON.

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         Iowa derives her wealth largely from her agricultural interests. The great broad prairies of the state offer excellent opportunities to the farmer and stock-raiser. The soil requires none of that previous laborious preparation necessary in a district of native forest growth, but responds readily to the care and labor which is bestowed upon it as the furrows are turned and the fields are cultivated. To this work of tilling the soil Edwin Reymer Jamison gives his time and energies but does not confine his attention entirely to one line, for he is also well known as a raiser and shipper of good stock.

         One of Louisa county’s native sons, he was born on the 26th of June, 1860, his parents being Mathew and Martha (Reymer) Jamison, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. They came to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1840, and here the father passed away at the age of seventy-two years, while the mother’s death occurred when she had reached the age of seventy-one years. In their family were eight children, namely: Minnie, deceased; Edwin Reymer, of this review; Melvin and Victoria, who have both passed away; Gertrude , of Louisa county; Myrtle, a teacher at Newport, Louisa county; William B., also residing in this county; and Frank, deceased.

         Reared a farm lad, Edwin R. Jamison spent the period of his boyhood and youth amid the busy activities of rural life, and early acquired habits of industry, perseverance and thrift. He remained at home, assisting his father in the work of the fields, until 1886, when he embarked independently in business, removing to a farm of three hundred and twenty acres which he rented for four years. He then spent a similar period on a farm of two hundred acres which he also cultivated as a renter, after which he purchased his present place, consisting of one hundred and fifteen acres on section 16 and 9, Wapello township, and he is also the owner of forty acres of good timber land about one mile south, located on section 21. His home place is a well cultivated tract, in the midst of which stand an attractive dwelling and substantial barns and outbuildings, while in the conduct of his enterprise he utilizes all of the modern and up-to-date equipment for facilitating farm labor. He is well known in this locality as a raiser of a good grade of stock, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle, and also ships a large number of hogs annually. Prosperity has attended his efforts as the years have gone by for he is progressive in the conduct of his interests, pursues the most practical and approved methods and possesses sound judgment and keen discrimination.

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         Mr. Jamison was married, on the 9th of September, 1888, to Miss Belle Vandevort, a daughter of Francis Asbury and Sarah (Lindsey) Vandevort. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war and her mother was a daughter of Dr. J. Lindsey, of Grand View. She was the eldest in a family of five children, the others being: Lottie, deceased; Emma, a teacher of Wapello; Harry, residing at Keithsburg, Illinois; and Arthur, of Wapello. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Jamison has been blessed with nine children, as follows: Guy C., Hal R., Orin L., Esther, Bernice, Emma, Donald E., Dorothy and Helen, all of whom are at home.

         The religious belief of Mr. Jamison is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, the teachings of which form the guiding rules of his life. Interested as all American citizens should be in the political situation of the country, he has thoroughly informed himself concerning the questions and issues of the day and gives stalwart support to the democratic party. Aside from the position of school director, in which office he has served for a number of years, he has never sought nor held public office although he has ever desired the success of his party and has been loyal and public-spirited in his citizenship. He is widely known in Wapello township where his business enterprise and industry have placed him among the most substantial and representative agriculturists, while his high personal worth has commended him to the respect, confidence and good-will of all with whom he has come in contact.