Charles Fleming

As printed in 1906

CHARLES FLEMING

Charles Fleming, a representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Mahaska county now living on section lo, Richland township, where he carries on general agricultural pursuits, was born in West Virginia, January i8, 1842. He was ten years of age \\hen the parents came to Iowa. His father, Robert L. Fleming, is now deceased, but for many years was closely associated with agricultural interests in this part of the state. The family came here in pioneer times when Charles was only about ten years of age. His childhood and youth were passed under the parental roof, and he worked ujxin the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-six years, his education having been acquired in the common schools.

On the 6th of October, 1867, Charles Fleming was married to Miss Emily Samantha Spain, who was born in Union county, Ohio, March 28, 185 1. Mention is made of her parents in connection with the sketch of T. J. Timbrel on another page of this work, Mrs. Timbrel being a sister of Mrs. Fleming. From his father Mr. Fleming received forty acres of land, a part of which he purchased in 1853. The forty acres was all wild, not a fence having been built nor an improvement made upon the property. He erected a good frame residence, also built barns and fences and has since made his home upon the farm, which under his careful direction has been transformed into a rich and productive property. He bought forty acres adjoining the original purchase on the west and still later thought sixty acres, all of which is im- ])moved with good buildings lying north of the second forty acres. Mr. Fleming has met the usual experiences of pioneer settlers. There has been much arduous labor in connection with the development of his land, but his work has triumphed over the pioneer conditions and he has made a good home and farm from the wild prairie. He now owns one hundred and forty acres of good land which is clear of all indebtedness. His memory goes back to the early days when in his father's home grease lamps were used and afterward candles. They cooked over an open fireplace and the women of the household in those times spun their yarn and wove their own cloth. On one occasion when they first came to Iowa they were stopping at the home of an early settler named Petty. The supply of flour gave out and they thought none was to be had. Mr. Fleming rode all day in search of flour or meal, and returned with a peck of sour corn meal, from which they made bread, eating it with a relish because of their hunger. Long since, however, the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life have given way before an advancing civilization and the prosperity- which has been won by Mr. Fleming and other settlers.

Unto our subject and his wife have been born two children: Dosha Drusilla and Almarillis. Dosha was married to Benjamin Warbleton, August 31, 1894, and to them have been born two children: Icy, who died in infancy: and Lelia. The younger daughter, Almarillis, was a teacher in the public schools for several years, but at the present time is at home.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in Past and present of Mahaska County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.