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 1869. 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 helaid aside the cares of active business life
and moved to New 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, Alfred 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 inn 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 favorabley known and his
industry and enterprise have not only enabled him to attain
prosperity but have won him a high place in the respect and
esteem of his neighbors.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall
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