Two Palmer households came to Washington County by the same road, from Washington County, Pennsylvania, by way of Carroll County, Ohio, but the books never say how they were related, so they are kept apart here. Samuel Robert Palmer, born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1811, was a wagonmaker who brought his wife Margaret (Munce) and their son David James to a farm near Washington in 1856. David enlisted in Company C, 8th Iowa Infantry, in 1861, was badly wounded at Shiloh, raised a company for the 25th Iowa, and ended the war as lieutenant colonel; he later served as county auditor, state senator and, from 1898, state railroad commissioner. Thompson and Eliza Palmer, Irish immigrants of 1832, were Free-soilers in Ohio, and their son Samuel K. Palmer served in the same company of the 8th Iowa, was taken prisoner at Shiloh, and came home a first lieutenant to farm north of Washington. Every fact below is cited to a public-domain Washington County history.
Earliest in the record
Samuel R. Palmerborn 1811Most recent in our records
David J. Palmerborn 1839Each number matches a section below. Tap a name to jump to that person.
Irish immigrants to Washington County, Pennsylvania
Wagonmaker and farmer; ruling elder
SAMUEL R. PALMER, deceased, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1811. "When a young man he emigrated to America and located in Washington County, Pa. where he became acquainted with and married Miss Margaret Munce, a native of Washington County, Pa., born in 1812. In early life our subject learned the trade of a wagon-maker, which he followed for some years. In 1842, the family emigrated to Carroll County, Ohio, where Mr. Palmer followed the occupation of farming until his removal to Washington County, Iowa, in 1856. On coming to Washington County he resumed farming, locating near the city of Washington.
In politics, in early life, Mr. Palmer was what was known as a Free-boiler, and on the organization of the Republican party he became identified with it, and advocated its principles until his death. Few men were better posted than Samuel R. Palmer. He was a great reader, and very positive in his convictions. When once his mind was made up it was difficult to change him. While very positive in his own convictions, he was yet very considerate of the rights of others. Religiously, he was identified with the United Presbyterian Church, and for many years was a Ruling Elder in the Second United Presbyterian Church of Washington, Iowa. In the support of the Gospel, he was always ready to contribute of his means, and according to his ability, probably did as much as any member of the body with which he was connected. Mrs. Palmer is also a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and like her husband, has ever taken great interest in the success of the cause. Mr. Palmer died at his home near Washington in September, 1885. Mrs. Palmer is still living in Washington.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Lieutenant colonel, 25th Iowa Infantry; county auditor, state senator and railroad commissioner
DAVID J. PALMER, one of the enterprising farmers and business men of Washington County, resides on his farm upon section 9, Washington Township. He is the son of Samuel R. and Margaret Palmer, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. He was born in Washington County, Pa., Nov. 15, 1839, and was but three years of age when his parents emigrated to Ohio, and seventeen years when they came to Iowa. He was educated in the common schools of Ohio, supplemented by a partial course at Washington College, Washington.
On the call of President Lincoln for 300,000 men, shortly after the commencement of the war for the Union, Mr. Palmer enlisted as a private in Co. C, 8th Iowa Vol. Inf., but was appointed Corporal in the company. The regiment rendezvoused at Canlp McClellau, Davenport, from which place it was sent to Benton Barracks, near St. Louis, in
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Our subject was subsequently discharged, and as soon as his wound had healed sufficiently for him to get around, he recruited a company which became Co. A, 25th Iowa Vol. Inf., and in wliicli he was elected Captain. The regiment was attached to Steele's Division soon after its organization, and at Chickasaw Bayou fought its first battle, Dec. 29, 1862. At Arkansas Post,.Ian. 11, 1863, it had its second engagement, suffering severely, Capt. Palmer being among the wounded, and 7,000 prisoners being captured. After the battle of Arkansas Post, the regiment ma.de several minor expeditions and was then sent to Young's Point, in the rear of Vicksburg. In the siege and capture of Vicksburg the 25th Regiment held a very prominent ])Osition, being on the right of Grant's army. After the fall of Vicksburg it joined the march to Jackson, and took part in the second battle of that name, which resulted in the defeat of the rebel Johnson. The regiment then returned to Big Black River, where it was stationed until September following, when it moved with Sherman's army to Memphis, and was attached to the ist Division, 15th Army Corps, the only division which encountered the enemy on the way.
In June, 1 863, Capt. Palmer was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and from that time on until the close of the war, he was generally in command of the regiment. The 25th Iowa Regiment had a grand record, and saw very much active service.
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Religiously, Col. Palmer is a United Presbyterian, having membership with the Second United Presbyterian Church of Washington. His wife is also a member of that body. Wiiile not a resident of the city of Washington, no man living within its boundaries takes more interest in its welfare or will do more to.advance its interests. In almost every public enterprise, he contributes liberally of his means. Col. Palmer, in his intercourse with his fellowmen, is pleasant and agreeable at all times. He is a good conversationalist, and is enterUiining at all times. The home farm consists of 28(1 acres of land adjoining the city of Washing- I ton, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.
A fine view of the residence of Col. Palmer will be found elsewhere in this volume, to which the attention of the reader is invited.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Irish immigrants of 1832; Free-soilers
First lieutenant, 8th Iowa Infantry; farmer north of Washington
SAMUEL K. PALMER is a farmer I ( '"" stock-raiser, residing on section 8, Li Washington Townshii). He is a native of Washington County, Pa., born on the 23d day of December, 1834, and is a son of Thompson and Eliza (Moore) Palmer. His parents were natives of Ireland, who emigrated to this country' in 1H32, and located in Washington County', Pa., from where they' subsequently' removed to Carroll County, Ohio. They were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom lived to be adults, and four of whom are now living: JIary resides in Washington; David resides in Washington County, Pa.; B. J. is
:i fiii-niei in this eonnty, and Samuel li., tiR'Suliject of this slietfh.
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Lieut. Palmer, the subject of this sketch, was reared upon a farm and educated in the common schools of Carroll County, Ohio, where the family emigrated at an early day. In ISoU, he came to Washington County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming, remaining until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted as a private in Co. C, 8th Iowa Wul. Inf., and was mustered into the service with his regiment at Camp McClellan, Davenport, Iowa, in September, 1861. A few days after being mustered into service the regiment was ordered to Benton Barracks, Mo., from which place it was sent in the raid after Price, and then, in March, 1862, to Pittsburg Landing. In the engagement that followed, known as the battle of Shiloh, at that point, called the " Hornet's Nest," with man\' Others, he was taken [prisoner. He was first taken to Memphis, and there remained ten days, and was then sent to Mobile. Ala., where he likewise remained ten days. Soon after this he was sent to Montgomery, Ala., where he remained one night. Macon, (ia., was the next point to which he was sent, and where he remained until the regiment was paroled. Returning north, he was sent to Nashville, Tenn., ami subsequently to St. Louis, where they remained until their exchange. Leave of absence being gran teil to him. he went home, remained a time, and rejoined his command at St. Louis. He was present at the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and at both battles of.jackson. The regiment then returned to Vicksburg. where it remained until fall, and then joined.Sherman and became [lart of the 1.5th Army Corps. The regiment soon afterward veteranized and received furloughs, the greater number returning to their homes.
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On receiving his discharge Mr. Palmer returned home, and in 1866 was united in marriage with Miss M. A. Stewart, a daughter of.lohn and Matilda (McCullongh) Stewart, who were early settlers of this county. She was born in 1843. By this union there are two children — Harry K. and Mont. Floyd. In [politics, Lieut. Palmer is a Republican. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, of which body his wife is also a member. Mr. Palmer is now living one and one-half miles north of W.washington, on a farm of eighty acres, all of which is under cultivation.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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