Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 232
ADAM DRUMM, a representative farmer of Montpelier Township, residing on section 2, was born in Germany, in 1833, and is a son of Peter and Mary E. Drumm. When twenty years of age he left the parental roof, bidding good-by to friends and native land, in company with his brother Theobold crossed the broad Atlantic to America. Landing in New york he went to Ohio, where he worked at anything which he could find to do, receiving only fifty cents per day for the first year. He then went to Rock Island, Ill., where he boarded a steamer for Fairport, Iowa, but before reaching his destination the vessel struck a rock and was disabled. Mr. Drumm then had to walk the distance to Fairport, whence he proceeded to the farm of Jacob Eis, where he remained for about two weeks. He was then employed as a farm hand by Vincent Chambers, a well-known pioneer of Muscatine County, with whom he worked for about three years. At the expiration of that time he rented a farm in Montpelier Township, and shortly afterward purchased his present farm, comprising 120 acres, for which he paid $1,550, then considered a high price for real estate. No improvements had been made upon the land, unless we accept a little log shanty that had been built, but he immediately began its cultivation, and soon had one of the best farms in the township. But a short time had passed when he purchased another farm of 220 acres in Wilton Township, at a cost of $10,500, which is now being cultivated by his two sons, Henry and Fritz. He has added to his original purchase, his land now aggregating 500 acres, situated in one of the richest farming districts of Iowa. The little cabin has long since been replaced by a more commodious residence, the barns and out-buildings are models of convenience, and everything about the place denotes the thrift and enterprise of the owner.

In 1860 Mr Drumm was united in marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth Dipple, widow of Adam Dipple, and a daughter of Conrad Brown, who was a native of Germany. She was one of a family of four children; Martin, her eldest brother, died in Germany; Dora is now the wife of Mr. Morter, a resident of Buffalo Township, Scott County; August, her youngest brother. came to America in 1855, settling in Illinois, where he engaged in chopping wood for a year, as he could secure no other employment. He then came to Muscatine County, Iowa, purchasing a farm in Montpelier Township, where he still resides.

By her first union Mrs. Drumm was the mother of two children: Conrad, who was born in Germany; and Frederick, who was born in Illinois, in 1856. Nine children grace her second union: Louisa, who was born in 1860; Henry, in 1861; Jacob, in 1864; Adam, in 1866; August, in 1868; Minnie, in 1871; Peter, in 1873; Mary, in 1876; and Sarah, in 1879.

Mr. Drumm is one of the self-made men of Muscatine County, for by his own efforts of industry, perserverance and economy he has gained a comfortable competence, such as will enable him in his declining years to lay aside the cares and labors of this life, and pass his last days in peace and in the enjoyment of his little fortune. His honorable upright course of life since coming to Muscatine County has won him many friends, and he has been honored by his fellow-citizens with several positions of trust. He served as Road Supervisor for twenty years, was School Trustee for three years, and is at present Treasurer of the School Board. The cause of education finds in him a ready supporter, and to all his children he has given good education advantages, such as will fit them for the practical duties of this life. He was formerly a Republican, but now supports the Democratic party, though in local affairs he supports the best man regardless of the party. Mr. and Mrs. Drumm are members of the Lutheran Church.

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