ARMIL, JESSE L.
Jesse L. Armil, a retired farmer making his home in Davenport, while not a native of this state, came here in early childhood before the land in this locality had been touched by the plow or harrow. Surrounded by the primitive conditions of pioneer life, he witnessed the great and beneficial change which the unremitting toil of man gradually brought about.
Mr. Armil was born on the 6th of May, 1833, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was only four years of age when brought to Iowa by his parents, John and Susan (Septer) Armil, reaching Scott county on the 19th of April, 1837. The family settled in the vicinity of what is now Davenport and there the father engaged in agricultural pursuits with good success, so that he was able to invest heavily in the rich farm land of this locality. His wife died in 1855, but he survived until 1887.
Jesse L. Armil received his education in the Catholic schools of this county and during his boyhood assisted his father in the work of the home farm. Later he engaged in dairying on a farm adjoining that of his father. He retired in 1905, removing to No. 628 West Locust street, which is a part of the farm entered by his father.
On the 19th of January, 1857, Mr. Armil was united in marriage to Miss Joanna Barrett, a daughter of John and Eliza Barrett, and to them have been born three children. Frances is now the widow of C. F. Sivertsen, a son of Christian Sivertsen. He was a millwright by trade and was twenty-two years of age when he came to Scott county, making his home here until his death, which occurred on the 16th of December, 1906. Robert married Miss Anna Mundt and to them have been born seven children: Bessie, Ed, Earl, Ruth, Paul, Robert and Marie. He belongs to both the Elks and the Masonic fraternitiesand is now engaged in the dairy business, having succeeded his father, who for twenty-four years devoted considerable attention to that industry. Warner married Miss Frances McGee, by whom he had two children, Jesse and Frances. After her death he married Miss Cora Smiley. He, too, is a mason and also belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Armil still owns a good farm of seventy acres, now within the city limits of Davenport. He is an honored member of the Pioneers Society of Scott county and is held in high regard by all who know him. He has always been interested in public affairs and has done his part toward the development of the city.
This bio was extracted from the History of Davenport and Scott County, Vol. I and II, by Harry E. Downer, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. It was transcribed by Elaine Rathmann.