James J. Tramel

As printed in 1912

JAMES J. TRAMEL.

This biographical memoir has to do with a character of unusual force and eminence, for James J. Tramel, whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits us all, was for a long lapse of years one of the prominent citizens of Jasper county, having come to this section in pioneer times, and he assisted in every way possible in bringing about the transformation of the county from the wild condition found by the first settlers to its latter day progress and improvement. While he carried on a special line of business in such a manner as to gain a comfortable competence for himself, he also belonged to that class of representative citizens who promote the public welfare while advancing individual success. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is today honored by all who knew him and is enshrined in the hearts of his many friends.

Mr. Tramel was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, November 28, 1842. He is the son of W. A. B. and Cynthia (Alexander) Tramel, the father born in February, 1802, in North Carolina, and the mother born in Indiana in 1804.

The family first moved to Clinton, Georgia, thence to near Richmond, Indiana, and from there to Kosciusko county, that state, and from the latter place to Clear Creek township, Jasper county, Iowa, and here the parents of the subject spent the rest of their lives, the death of the father occurring in April, 1897, and that of the mother on March 3, 1878. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Eliza Ann Jeffries died in Jasper county in 1903; Mrs. Nancy Campbell, born in Indiana, on September 17, 1830, died in Independence township, this county, on March 25, 1886; Mrs. Martha Price is living in Ira; Alexander is living in Clear Creek township; Joseph M. died in East Portland, Oregon, in 1906; Mrs. Caroline Weston, born in October, 1840, lives in Ira; James J., of this sketch, is the youngest.

James J. Tramel was ten years of age when he came with his parents to Jasper county and settled in Clear Creek township, and here he grew to manhood and attended the public schools. He took up farming for a livelihood early in life and up to 1903 was one of the township's leading agriculturists, owning in Clear Creek township a well improved and fertile farm of one hundred and ninety acres. In 1903, having accumulated a competency, he and his wife retired from the active duties of life and moved to Ira, where they purchased a commodious and cozy home, and here Mr. Tramel resided quietly, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of endeavor, until summoned to close his earthly career on Januarv 7, 19 12, after a successful, useful and honorable career, being one of the sterling pioneers of the community, the family having been among the first settlers here, their arrival having been on October 10, 1852.

Mr. Tramel was married on May 21, 1868, to Hannah Crawford, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, August 30, 1849. When young in years (She came to Poweshiek township, Jasper county, Iowa, with her parents. Ijames B. and Eliza Ann (Walters) Crawford, the latter a native of Ohio. They established a good home in Jasper county and spent the rest of their [lives here, the father dying in 1891 and the mother at the age of seventy-two [years. They were the parents of the following children: Hannah, wife of [Mr. Tramel, of this sketch; Jane, deceased; Henry, who hves in Lake City, Iowa; Mary lives in Audubon county, Iowa; Nellie lives at Ira, this county; john H. lives in Ira.

To Mr. and Mrs. Tramel were born one son, Frank W., whose birth occurred on January 27. 1871, and is now residing in Clear Creek township.

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

As printed in Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.