DAVID A. McMAINS
David
A. McMains, a well known and representative citizen of Union
township, Lucas county, enjoys a reputation as one of the most
successful salesmen of southern Iowa in connection with the
auctioneering business and owns a valuable farm of six hundred
and twenty acres in addition to his home at Derby. His birth occurred
in Union township, this county, on the 20th of
October, 1857, his parents being James and Catharine (Sears)
McMains. The
father was born in Kentucky on the 11th of April,
1820, while the mother’s birth occurred in Indiana on the 5th
of August, 1824. In
1856 they took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of
Lucas county, Iowa, and here the mother passed away in
February, 1884, while the demise of James McMains occurred at
Indianola, Iowa, on the 1st of June, 1901. They had two
children, namely: Mrs.
Melissa Westfall, who was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, on
the 22d of August, 1850, and resides in Indianola; and David
A., of this review.
The
latter grew to manhood in this county, obtaining his early
education in the common schools and later pursuing a course of
study in a select school at Chariton. He subsequently
spent three and a half years in study at Valparaiso, Indiana,
then returned to Iowa and followed the profession of teaching
for some time. Later
he completed the business course at Valparaiso. He then turned his
attention to general agricultural pursuits and in connection
with the work of the fields embarked in business as an
auctioneer, being now known as one of the most successful
salesmen of southern Iowa.
His territory is very extensive at the present time,
covering all of Lucas, Wayne, Clarke and Decatur counties. He disposes of all
classes of material but makes a specialty of stock sales. His undertakings as
an agriculturist have also been attended with excellent
results, and he is now the owner of a farm of six hundred and
twenty acres of rich and productive land in Union township,
which is well improved in every particular and annually yields
bounteous harvests. He
also owns an attractive and well appointed home in Derby and
is well entitled to representation among the prosperous and
leading citizens of his community.
On
the 15th of May, 1884, Mr. McMains was united in
marriage to Miss Lydia Oehlman, who was born in Union
township, this county, on the 19th of June, 1858,
and has always resided here.
After completing her studies in the common schools she
entered the select school at Garden Grove. Her parents were
Charles and Dora (Tennis) Oehlman, both of whom were natives
of Hanover, Germany, the former born on the 13th of
February, 1822, and the latter on the 22d of December, 1822. Charles Oehlman
emigrated to the United States in 1847 and located first near
Quincy, Illinois, where he was married. In 1858 he and his
wife took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Lucas
county, Iowa. His
demise occurred in Union township on the 15th of
March, 1891, while his wife passed away in that township on
the 25th of October, 1908. The latter had been
twice married and by her first husband had one son, Henry
Burgdorf, a native of Germany, who now makes his home in
Oklahoma. Unto
Charles and Dora (Tennis) Oehlman were born the following
children: Mrs.
Louisa Dickinson, who was born in Illinois and now resides in
Seattle, Washington; Charles, born September 18, 1854, who
resides on the old home farm in Union township; Mrs. Emma
West, living at Conway, Iowa; Mrs. Lydia McMains; Mrs. Frances
Morey, who is a resident of Gordon, Nebraska; Mrs. Margaret
Penick, of Derby, Iowa; and Mrs. Doris Hewitt, living in
Gordon, Nebraska. All
of the above children were reared in Lucas county. Mr. and Mrs.
McMains have one daughter, Irma Zoe, who was born on the 30th
of September, 1891, and acquired her early education in the
common schools. She
subsequently attended Simpson College at Indianola for a year
and then entered the Northwestern University at Evanston,
Illinois, from which she will graduate in June, 1915.
Mr. McMains gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Derby. Fraternally he is identified with the following organization: Chariton Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M., of Chariton, Iowa; Derby Camp, M. W. A., of Derby; and Royal Neighbors of America, No. 1154, of Derby. Of the last named his wife is also a member. Both are fond of literature and theirs is one of the finest collections of books to be found in the community. Mr. and Mrs. McMains are representatives of two of the honored pioneer families of Lucas county and enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders.