The Beardmore Family of Allamakee County, Iowa

William r,eardmore, who for the past forty-seven years has owned and operated a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20. Union City township, is known as one of the most progressive and substantial agriculturists of this part of Allamakee county, his labors through the years having been valuable as factors in the general development and advancement of the state. He was born in England in 1849 "d is a son of William and Sarah Beardmore, also natives of that country. The parents came to America with their family in 1853 and settled first at Wheeling, West Virginia, where for a time the father worked as a former in a rolling mill. In 1865 they came to Iowa and William Beardmore, Sr., purchased a farm in Union City township, operating this property and also conducting a profitable blacksmith's shop until his retirement in 1903. Afterward he lived in Lansing for a short time and then moved to New Albin where he now resides, having reached the advanced age of ninety-one years. His wife passed away in 1896 at the age of seventy-three. To their union were born ten children: William, of this review; Alfred, of Union City township; Agnes, the deceased wife of John J. Gilchrist, who has also passed away; Lynn, who resides in Union City township; twins, who died in infancy; John, a butcher in Charles City, Iowa: Laura, the deceased wife of Joseph Sadler of Union City township; Ambrose, who has passed away; and James Harvey, of Union City township.

William Beardmore was brought to America by his parents in 1853 and accompanied them in 1865 to Iowa where he has since remained a prosperous and highly esteemed resident. In 1866 he purchased land of his own in Union City township, buying one hundred and sixty acres, thirteen miles up the river from New Albin, and upon this property he has since remained, having developed it during the forty-seven years into one of the finest and most productive farms in this part of the state. One hundred and sixty acres are under high cultivation, abundant harvests annually regarding Mr. Beardmore's careful supervision and practical methods. In addition to tilling his fields, he is also extensively interested in stock-raising, 'breeding and fattening cattle and hogs and raising horses.

Mr. Beardmore has been twice married. In 1876 he wedded Miss Eliza A. Sadler, who was born in Allamakee county and who passed away in 1879, leaving one son, William Edward, a stone mason in Union City township. In 1883 Mr. Beardmore married Miss Mary Elizabeth Sadler, a sister of his first wife, both being daughters of William and Mary Sadler of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Beardmore have ten children: Harold E., who is connected with the First National Bank of Butte, Montana; Eben A. and Arthur A., who live at home; M. Hazel, engaged in teaching; and Stanley C, Charles G., Floyd A., Leonard J., Joseph J. and Frances D., all of whom live at home.

Mr. Beardmore gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is stanch in his support of its principles and policies although he never seeks public office. He is, however, now filling the office of justice of the peace and is proving conscientious, able and efficient in the discharge of his duties. He is numbered among the early settlers in thys part of Iowa and has witnessed the greater part of its expansion and development, assisting in it in a substantial and important way through the work along lines of agricultural progress which he has accomplished during the forty-seven years of his active identification with farming interests.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

No farmer in Allamakee county has attained greater or more deserved success in agricultural pursuits than has Alfred Beardmore, who since he became connected with this line of work in 1882 has gradually increased his holdings until he owns today three fine farms, all reflecting in their neat and attractive appearance his careful supervision and practical methods. He was born in Birmingham, England, in June, 1853, and is a son of William and Sarah Beardmore, also natives of England. They came with their family to America in that year and settled in Wheeling, West Virginia, where the father worked as a former in a rolling mill until 1865, when they moved to Iowa, purchasing land in Union City township, Allamakee county. In conjunction with his farming operations William Beardmore conducted a blacksmith shop for many years, dividing his time between its conduct and the development of his land until his retirement in 1903. He moved to Lansing in that year but later took up his residence in New Albin, where he now resides, having reached the age of ninety-one. He has survived his wife since 1896, her death having occurred when she was seventy-three years of age. To their union were born ten children: William, Jr.; Alfred, of this review; Agnes, deceased, who married John J. Gilchrist, who has also passed away; Lynn, of Union City township; twins who died in infancy; John, a butcher in Charles City, Iowa; Laura, the deceased wife of Joseph Sadler, of Lnion City township; Ambrose, deceased; and James Harvey, of Union City township.

Alfred Beardmore was not yet one year old when his parents came to America and he accompanied them in their various removals, acquiring his education principally in the district schools of Union City township. From his early childhood he aided in the operation of his father's farm and when he began his independent career naturally turned his attention to the occupation in which he had been reared. In 1882, when he was twenty-eight years of age, he rented land, but after four years purchased two hundred and twenty acres, a property which he still owns, although he has added to it extensively from time to time, having today three well improved and highly cultivated farms. One lies in Union City township, another, comprising one hundred and fifty-seven acres, is in Lansing township and the third, an excellent property of eighty-four acres, lies on the line between Lansing and Union City townships. All of his business interests are carefully and capable conducted, his holdings bringing him a gratifying annual income and his industry and enterprise placing him in the front ranks of progressive and successful agriculturists.

In 1882.Alfred Beardmore was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jane Bulnian. a native of Union City township and a daughter of Thomas and Phoebe Buiman, who were born in England. The parents came to America in the latter '40s and settled first in New Orleans, Louisiana, whence they went to Evansville, Indiana. There the father worked at his trade as a plasterer and stone mason but in the later '50s bought land in Union City township, Allamakee county, where he operated a farm until his retirement in 1888, having at that time accumulated extensive landed holdings. His wife passed away on the 18th of May, 1892. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom eight are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Beardmore became the parents of five children: Arthur, who died in infancy; Thomas A., who was born in 1884 and who is now a lawyer in Charles City, Iowa; Daisy E., who acquired her education in Waukon and who taught for six terms in the public schools; John H., who spent two years in the public schools of Iowa City and who also attended business college at Waukon; and Earl P., who attended the Omaha public schools. The family are devout members of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Beardmore gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is actively interested in the growth and development of the community where he has so long resided, although this interest never takes the form of office seeking. He is a man whose genuine personal worth and sterling integrity have won him the confidence and respect of his fellowmen and whose industry and ability have not only contributed to his own success but have also enabled him to do much to advance the agricultural development of the community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES H. BEARDMORE.

James H. Beardmore, who has for seventeen years been prominently connected with farming interests of Allamakee county and who is today considered one of the most able and progressive agriculturists of Union City township, is a native of this section of Iowa, born in i86g. His parents. William and Sarah Beardmore. were natives of England and were married in that country, where their three eldest children were born. They came to America in 1853 and after about ten years spent in the eastern states came to Iowa, settling in Union City township in 1865. Here the father operated a ferry boat across the Upper Iowa river and at the same time conducted a blacksmith shop, dividing his attention between the two occupations until he turned his attention to farming, at which time he abandoned the operation of the ferry but continued to manage his blacksmith and horseshoeing establishment. He made additional purchases of land from time to time, finally accumulating two hundred and sixty acres, which he developed and improved along modern and practical lines until his retirement in 1897. In that year he laid aside the cares of active business life and moved to Xew Albin, where he now resides. His wife passed away in April, 1896. They became the parents of ten children; twins, who died in infancy; and three. Ambrose. Agnes and Laura, who have also passed away. The others are: William,.-Mfred and Lynn T., of Union City township; John, who is a butcher in Charles City, Iowa; and James H., of this review.

After acquiring a good education in the public schools of Union City township James H. Beardmore turned his attention to farming and in 1896 bought the family homestead of two hundred and twenty acres, upon which he has since resided, giving most of his time to its improvement and development. The farm is situated ten miles and a half above New Albin and Mr. Beardmore has one hundred and forty acres under high cultivation. Upon it he has made substantial improvements, erecting the necessary buildings and installing the needed equipment, and his farm is today one of the finest in this section of Allamakee county, reflecting in its neat and attractive appearance the careful supervision and practical methods of its owner, who is a progressive and able agriculturist.

In addition to general farming he is also a stock buyer and seller on an extensive scale and is connected as a director with the Farmers Store of New Albin.

Mr. Beardmore is affiliated with the republican party but. although he served for twelve years as a member of the school board, doing able and conscientious work, he never seeks public office. In the community where he was born and where his entire life has been spent he is well and favorably known and his industry and enterprise have not only enabled him to attain prosperity InU have won him a high place in the respect and esteem of his neighbors.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.