CHARLES H. OEHLMAN

Charles H. Oehlman is one of the extensive landowners and prosperous farmers of Union township, his holdings comprising four hundred and forty acres of valuable and productive land. He is a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families in this part of Iowa and has himself been a resident of the county since 1858. His birth occurred in Quincy, Adams county, Illinois, on the 18^th of September, 1854, his parents being Charles and Dora (Tennis) Oehlman, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany, the former born on the 13^th of February, 1822, and the latter on the 22^nd of December in the same year. The father emigrated to America in 1847 and located first near Quincy, Illinois, where he married. In 1858 he and his wife came overland to Lucas county, Iowa, where in Union township he had in 1854 entered land, securing the patent from President Pierce. This has remained the family homestead since that time and is now in possession of the subject of this review. The father, Charles Oehlman, died in Union township on the 15^th of March, 1891, and his wife survived him until the 25^th of October, 1908 The latter had been twice married and by her first husband had one son, Henry Burgdorf, a native of Germany, who 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, of this review; Mrs. Emma West, of 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.

Charles H. Oehlman was only four years of age when he came with his parents to Lucas county, and he has since been a resident of this part of Iowa. He was reared upon his father’s farm and acquired his education in the district school, dividing his time between his studies and work in the operation of the homestead. This property eventually came into his possession and is now his home, its four hundred and forty acres comprising one of the most valuable and productive farms in this county. It is provided with two good sets of improvements and Mr. Oehlman, being a practical and progressive farmer has installed labor-saving machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. Everything about the place is in excellent condition and the farm annually yields abundant harvests.

On the 12^th of September, 1897, Mr. Oehlman was united in marriage to Miss Cora Herring, who was born in Warren county, Iowa, January 13, 1867, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Malcolm) Herring, the former a native of Beaver county Pennsylvania, born June 20, 1837, and the latter of Lee county, Iowa, born November 22, 1843. The Malcolm family settled in Lee county in the same year that Iowa became a state—1846—and were numbered among the earliest settlers there. Robert Herring moved to Warren county with his father’s family in 1854 and from there he enlisted in the Union army for service in the Civil war. He joined Company H, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Regiment, and was at the front three years, being mustered out March 13, 1866. With a creditable military record he returned to Warren county and remained there until March, 1867, when he moved to Lucas county, where his death occurred October 18, 1900. His wife passed away in Union township, October 10, 1911. In their family were seven children: Mrs. Oehlman, wife of the subject of this review; Clarence, born July 8, 1869, who resides at Greybull, Wyoming; Mrs. Anna Ekleberry, who was born October 10, 1872, and who resides at Hardin, Montana; William H., who was born May 24, 1876, and who makes his home in Warren township; Mrs. E. M. Parkin, whose birth occurred April 14, 1880, and who resides in Union township; Mrs. Frances Holteen, who was born May 17, 1884, and who makes her home in Hardin, Montana; and Roy, who was born August 2, 1887, and who died October 24, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Oehlman became the parents of two children: Louise, who was born September 13, 1898, and who is attending high school at Derby; and Charles Herman, who was born May 29, 1900, and who died November 18, 1902. These children were both born on the old Oehlman homestead in Union township.

Mr. Oehlman gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is active in public affairs, taking an intelligent interest in the advancement and development of the locality where he has so long made his home. He was for twenty years road supervisor and for five years township trustee and discharged the duties of these positions with ability and energy. Since November 10, 1875, he has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he is well known in the affairs of the local branch of the organization. His wife is a member of the Rebekah lodge at Derby and is at present acting as district deputy. Both are representatives of old and well known families of Lucas county and have an extensive acquaintance within its borders.

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