History of Tama County, Iowa - 1883 - F

Tama County >> 1883 Index

History of Tama County, Iowa
Springfield, Ill., Union Publishing Company, 1883.

F


Unless otherwise noted, bios were submitted by Dick Barton.

JOHN FLEMING

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John Fleming, one of the early land owners of Tama county, was born June 29, 1800. He was joined in wedlock, April 26, 1826, with Miss Mary Wills. Eight children were born to them, seven sons and one daughter. The youngest son died in infancy; the daughter is married and lives in Kansas; three of the sons are residents of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and three of Tama county, Iowa. Mr. Fleming made his first visit to Tama county, in May of 1854, at which time he bought land in township 86, range 14. He continued to reside in Pennsylvania until 1861, though from the time of the first visit here until his settlement in this State, he made Tama county a yearly visit. In 1861, his son James accompanied him west, and together they completed the erection of a house on his land, on section 23, in the neighborhood of what is called Five Mile Grove. The same summer, the subject of our sketch with two others, organized the first Sabbath school in this vicinity, of which he was superintendent until the time of his death, May 25, 1868. His remains were carried back to Pennsylvania by his son, and interred in Kishacoquillas cemetery, in Mifflin county. His son, John W., is a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade. He was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1837. His early life was spent on a farm, but when fifteen years of age his knee was accidently injured to such an extent that he was unfitted, for the time, for farm work, and therefore, about a year later, was apprenticed to an uncle who was a carpenter and cabinet maker, to learn that trade. He worked with him a few months and then went to Ohio, when he followed his trade four years. From that State, re removed to Philadelphia, where he received lessons in wood carving, drafting and finishing for some time, and then proceeded to Wooster, Ohio, where he continued his lessons. Later, returned to his native county, where he started in business for himself, as cabinet maker and builder of fine carriages. While pursuing that occupation his health became precarious and his physician advised a change; therefore, he sold his property and business in that county, and in 1866 came to Iowa, settling in Grant township on land belonging to his father. He was one of the commissioners appointed to organize the town, and the first two years after said organization was County Supervisor from there. In 1876, he came to Buckingham township, purchasing a farm on section 26, and three years later erected the house in which he now lives, doing the work himself and also manufacturing the furniture in it. In 1882, he built his barn. His marriage with Miss Jane E. Fleming occurred in 1866. They have been blessed with six children: William R., Mary J., Annie W., Joseph M., Mabel and John L.

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John Fleming organized the first Sabbath school in Grant township, in 1863, at the school house on section 25. This was called the Jasper Sabbath school.

John Fleming was born June 29, 1800, and was married to Miss Mary Wills, April 26, 1826. They had eight children, one daughter and seven sons, the youngest of whom died in infancy. Mr. Fleming came to Iowa in 1854, to look after land, and every year until 1861, made a summer trip to Tama county. In 1861, his son, James C., came with him, and together they completed their house on section 23, Buckingham West, Tama county. About 1863, Mr. Fleming organized the Jasper Sabbath School, as stated above, it being the first organized in Buckingham West, as that region was then called. Mr. Fleming was Superintendent of the school until his death, which occurred May 25, 1868. J. C. Fleming was then in the county for the purpose of building on his farm, but was delayed i his improvements by the death of his beloved father. The remains were placed in a metalic coffin, shipped to Pennsylvania, and buried in the Kishacoquillas Cemetery, in Mifflin county. His son, John w. and wife, came to Tama county, in March, 1866, and located in Buckingham West, on section 23. In 1869, James C. Fleming came to Grant township, Tama county, to improve his farm on section 24. He erected a house and returned to Pennsylvania. James C. was married in Pennsylvania, on the 23d of December, 1869, to Miss Tillie R. Wilson, of Mifflin county, of that State, and in March, 1870, permanently located in Grant township, Tama county, Iowa, on section 24.

WM. F. FLEMING is one of the leading farmers of Grant township, owning a farm of 800 acres of well improved land, with comfortable buildings for his stock. He has two hundred head of cattle and is also largely engaged in raising hogs. He resides on section 24, where he settled in June, 1871. Mr. Fleming is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1838. While young he worked out on neighboring farms until he had accumulated a few dollars, with which he purchased cattle and sheep, and sold them to buyers and butchers in the vicinity, thus making some money. On the outbreak of the Rebellion he contracted to buy stock for the Government and made considerable money. He was married in December, 1870, to Rebecca Williams, a native of Pennsylvania, and the June following came to Tama county, where he has since resided. His wife died December 5, 1876, aged thirty-two years, eight months and two days, leaving four children: John, Mary E., Sarah J., and Rebecca W. December 26, 1878, he married Miss Matilda Yeigh, a native of Pennsylvania, born November 14, 1844. Mr. Fleming received a common school education, and is a supporter of the Democratic party.