ALBERT CLAY PFRIMMER
A
two hundred and ten acre farm in Otter Creek township, Lucas
county, highly improved and well under cultivation, represents
the life’s labor of Albert Clay Pfrimmer, who was born in
Harrison county, Indiana, on July 21, 1860, and as a boy of
nine years came with his parents to Otter Creek township,
where ever since becoming old enough he has followed
agricultural pursuits. He
is a son of George Pfrimmer, a native of France, in which
country he was born on February 19, 1825, and who now makes
his home in Otter Creek township with Mrs. T. D. Ashby, an
older sister of our subject.
The father has passed his eighty-eighth birthday and
still enjoys remarkably good health for one of his age. The mother, Mrs.
Lydia Ann Pfrimmer, was born in Indiana in 1826 and died in
Otter Creek township on June 14, 1900, at the age of about
seventy-four years. In
their family were five children: Charles W., born in 1846, who resides in
Mena, Arkansas; Samuel, deceased; Francis M., born in 1850 and
a resident of Stratton, Nebraska, where he served for a number
of years as postmaster; Lel L., who is now Mrs. Thompson D.
Ashby; and Albert Clay, of this review.
Albert
Clay Pfrimmer attended school in Indiana and Otter Creek
township, having removed with his parents to this locality
when nine years of age.
When old enough he began to assist his father in the
work of the home farm and early gained valuable knowledge
along agricultural lines, having followed that occupation ever
since. He now
owns two hundred and ten acres of well improved land in Otter
Creek township, with two sets of improvements. His buildings are
substantial and modernly equipped and, while he largely
engaged in mixed farming, he gives considerable attention to
his live stock interests.
His residence is comfortable and conveniently appointed
and there the family often entertain their many friends.
On January 28, 1886, Mr. Pfrimmer married Miss Martha Ellen Lipe, a native of Otter Creek township, where she was born on July 7, 1866. There she attended the common schools, supplementing her fundamental education with a one-year course at Simpson College of Indianola. Well equipped for the profession, she then taught school in Lucas county for two years. She is a daughter of John and Mahala (Davidson) Lipe, the father a native of Randolph county, North Carolina, where he was born on January 9, 1829, and the mother of Indiana. When but three years old the father was brought to the latter state and subsequently came to Iowa, where he passed his life in agricultural labors, his death occurring in Otter Creek township on April 29, 1910. The mother also died in that township, preceding her husband in death by nearly four decades, her demise occurring in December, 1871. Both came to Lucas county in 1861 and therefore witnessed much of the transformation that took place as pioneer conditions gave way to the onward march of civilization. The father had a creditable military record, having enlisted at Clinton, Iowa, on the Union side, and having rendered valuable service during the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. John Lipe became the parents of five children: William, born April 3, 1862, deceased; Phoebe Ann, born August 2, 1863, also deceased; Mrs. Albert Clay Pfrimmer; John Wesley, a well known farmer of Otter Creek township, of whom more extended mention is made in another part of this work; and Mrs. Sarah Frances Eaton, born in December, 1870, who also resides in Otter Creek township. After the death of his first wife the father married again and of his second union the following children were born: Mrs. Addie Harvey, of Otter Creek township; Mrs. Alvie Lovina Baker, also of that township; and Winfred LeRoy and Wilfred, twins, both deceased. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Pfrimmer was one of Sumter’s band and members of the family in the maternal line rendered valuable service during the Revolution.
Mr.
and Mrs. Pfrimmer became the parents of thirteen children, all
of whom were born in Otter Creek township and all of whom are
living. The
elder of them went from the public schools into teaching. The children are: Mrs. Ada Ellen
Patterson, born October 17, 1887, who now resides in Omaha,
Nebraska, and who is the mother of one child, Mary Ellen, born
May 16, 1908; Vashti, born January 8, 1889, who attends the
Iowa State Teachers’ College at Cedar Falls; Samuel McRae, who
was born July 13, 1890, and resides with his parents but is at
present teaching school in Warren township, this county; Anna
Blonde, born December 16, 1891, attending the University of
Nebraska at Lincoln; Lydia Mabel, whose natal day was May 29,
1893, and who attends the Iowa State Teachers’ College at
Cedar Falls; John Lipe, born December 23, 1894, who assists
his father with the work on the farm and at the same time
attends school; George Albert, born July 10, 1896, who also
helps in the minor duties around the home place; Anglo Saxon,
born March 20, 1898; Mary Alberta, born November 28, 1899, who
is attending high school at Chariton, Iowa; Martha Helen, born
March 29, 1901; Emily Ruth, born on Christmas day of 1902;
Charlotte May, born March 19, 1905; and Wilbur Francis, born
September 25, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Pfrimmer are devoted members of the Methodist church of Otter Creek township, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested. In his political views he is a republican and, although he has never cared for public position, keeps well informed upon all matters of public importance and fulfills his duties as a citizen painstakingly, as he recognizes his obligations as readily as he enjoys his privileges. He has been a factor in promoting agricultural development in Lucas county and is ever ready to give his support to worthy public enterprises. A forceful element in his community, he enjoys the high esteem and good-will of all who know him, for he has given evidence of characteristics which stamp him as a valuable citizen and a reliable, progressive member of society.