Person Page 965

James came to Jones County, Iowa with his parents in 1845. He was only 1 year old. He was a Civil War soldier, Company E. 31st Iowa Infantry 14 August 1862 and discharged at Louisville, Kentucky 27 June 1865. His unit entered federal service at Davenport 13 Oct 1862: went to Helena, Ark. and fought at Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi. Ark. Post and the Campaign for Vicksburg. James was engaged in the attack on Jackson, Mississippi and battles for Chattanooga, Tenn. and Ringgold, Ga., was in the campaign for Atlanta and the march through Ga. into the Carolinas.

After the war he attended school at Mt. Vernon, Iowa and taught school for three years. In the spring of 1868, he went to Denver, Colorado and taught school near there for a time then traveled among the mines in the mountains; returning in the fall of that same year.

In 1874, Mr. TALLMAN came to Greene County, Iowa and acquired 240 acres of good land and engaged in farming and stock raising. Soon after he purchased his land in 1875, the rail road purchased a right of way through his farm (the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific). Having the vision that his farm was a potential town site, James had a plot surveyed by N. Stetson, County Surveyor and called it the town of Paton. Then formed a committee of town fathers of which he was one. Then proceeded to sell off the lots. After the original lots were sold James surveyed the first addition and then the second addition. Most of the lots were sold off by 1883. One street is named in his honor and he gave a parcel to the town for a park, which is named after him. He served two years as town trustee. From the middle 1880's until he moved, James and Landora farmed a small parcel of 110 acres and had a prosperous farm unit.

After the lots were sold or at least most of them were sold, they removed to Harlan, Shelby County, Iowa, in October 1891, he purchased lots 10,11 and 12 in Block 56 of Long Addition, in the city of Harlan. These lots are on the north west corner of 4th street and Baldwin Street and the other is on the north west corner of 5th street and Willow street in the City of Harlan Iowa.

When James and Landora brought their family north they all came together even though the two older children were marriageable age. Wilbur was married in May and Gertrude in September of 1893. The home they lived in was on 5th street and is still standing (1988) The house is two story and records indicate that it has been remodeled. The 1900 Census of Harlan recorded the TALLMAN family living at 402 Baldwin which is the address of the house. On the 23 Day of November 1898 James and Landora purchased a parcel, #12, block #78 of the Long tract. On 10 August 1901 James sold the house on 402 Baldwin and they moved to 502 Willow the new lot after the house was built. In January 1903 James passed the ownership to Landora his wife and he died in 1905. Landora lived at 502 Willow until 1908 when she married Thomas A. Long 14 October 1908.

Both James H. TALLMAN and Landora Jane RICHTSTINE are buried at the Harlan City Cemetery Section 1 Plot 139 Space 5 and 6. (Thomas N. FRANKLIN having previously purchased the plot when his wife Gertrude P. TALLMAN died March 1895.) Thomas N. FRANKLIN is also buried there.

Coverage of this family is in the book Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa by E. B. Stillman, S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1907.

Past and Present of Green Co. (1907) by Stillman:

Nathaniel Commadore Tallman is engaged in general farming in Paton township, where he owned and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was a native of Jones County, Iowa, born January 22, 1846, and is the second child of John and Lucinda (Low) Tallman, natives of Ohio and Maryland respectively. Soon after their marriage they removed from Ohio to Iowa, becoming residents of Jones County in 1845. Buying a tract of land, the father carried on general agricultural pursuits and numbered among the successful farmers of that county up to the time of his death. He was quite prominent in local political circles and was retained in the office of county supervisor for nine year, also filling various township position, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and was a stalwart advocate of republican principles. At all time he was worthy of the trust and confidence which were uniformly given him by he fellow townsmen, and thus his death, which occurred July 30, 1893, when he was seventy-one years of age, was deeply deplored by many friends. Of his family of ten children. As a boy Nathaniel worked upon the home farm, and in the public schools became familiar with the common English branches of learning. He remained a resident of Jones county until 1871, when at the age of twenty-five years he came to Greene county with his brother, Reuben S. Tallman, and purchased his present farm and one hundred and sixty acres in Paton township. It was then a tract of raw prairie, covered with the native grasses through the summer months and with a sheet of glistening snow in the winter season. He and his brother were of Paton township, all around them being wild and undeveloped. They aided in extending the frontier and in reclaiming this region for the purposes of civilization, and as the years have passed they have met with a goodly measure of success. Nathaniel Commadore Tallman was married in Boone County in 1875 to Miss Annie Pettit, who died twelve years later, in May, 1887. For his second wife he chose Ida May Hamilton, a native of Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tallman have been born six children. The family home was a comfortable residence, stood in the midst of a well improved farm. There were good outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, while the latest improved machinery facilitates the work of the fields.

Past and Present of Green Co. (1907) by Stillman, page 565:

He studied at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. In 1871, he went with his brother, N.C. Tallman to Paton Twp., Greene Co. He raised hogs and cattle in conjunction with wheat, corn and other cereals on his splendidly improved farm comprising 320 acres, Section 16. A Republican, he attended the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1885, he married Miss Sarah Ellen Willett. They had nine children. It is interesting to note here that Susie Violet Tallman, 4th child of Reuben S. and Sarah Tallman, married a man named Harry Edward Terrell. He compiled the manuscript "Supplement to Elmer Tallman's 'Descendants of Peter Tallman' by Harry Terrell" We can be safe in assuming that the author (Elmer T.), was Elmer Willett Tallman, son of Reuben S. Tallman! Reuben S. Tallman spent the days of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm in Jones county and is largely indebted to the public school system of that locality for the educational privileges he enjoyed. However, he spent one year as a student in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, but had to abandon his college course on account of illness. In 1871, in company with his brother, Nathanial Tallman, he came to Greene county and here he purchased on hundred and sixty acres of school land. He and his brother were the first settlers of Paton township and built the first residence within it borders. Mr. Tallman of this review is therefore with his brother the oldest settlers of the township.

"Past and Present of Greene County" by Stillman, page 657:

The name of Tallman is closely associated with agricultural interests in Paton township, where three brothers are operating fine farms. The one upon which Winfield H. Tallman re sides comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich land in a district famous for it agricultural possibilities and the fine appearance of the place today is due to his unfaltering perseverance and energy. He came to Greene county from Jones County, Iowa, where his birth occurred on the 28th of August, 1852. His father, John Tallman, was a native of Ohio and in that state was married to Miss Lucinda Low, whose birth occurred near Baltimore, Maryland. They remained residents of the Buckeye state for only a brief period after their marriage, when they removed to Iowa, settling in Jones county in 1845. There Mr. Tallman purchased land and carried on farming, being numbered among the successful agriculturists of that community up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 30th of July, 1893, when he was seventy-two years of age. His widow survived for many years and live there until her death. Mr Tallman was quite prominent in local political circles and was honored with various offices, filling all of the township positions and also serving as a member of the county board of supervisors for nine years. No trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree and his record as a business man and office holder was extremely commendable. His life, too, in all of its relations was in harmony with his professions as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party. Unto him and his wife were born ten children Winfield H. Tallman, having spent his boyhood days in the county of his nativity in the acquirement of a good common school education and in assisting in the work of the home farm, Mr. Tallman made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage on the 2d of November, 1873, to Miss Edith J. Ganser, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Rhoads) Ganser, who removed from the Buckeye state to Jones county, Iowa, about 1860 and there resided until called to their final rest. In the Ganser family were nine children. In the Tallman family were six children. Mr. Tallman came to Greene county in 1877 and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Paton Township, where he resided. His elder brothers, Reuben and Nathaniel C. Tallman, were first settlers of the township. There were no improvements upon his land, and he says that its chief crop at the time was mosquitoes and bullfrogs, some very large specimens being produced of each variety. However, the spirit of energy which has always characterized Winfield was soon manifest in his farm labor, with the result that he now has a splendidly improved property. His residence is one of the fine homes of his part of the county and there are also large and substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. In fact, none of the equipments of a model farm are lacking and the place gives every evidence of the care and supervision of the owner, who is practical in his methods, systematic in his work and successful in accomplishing what he undertakes. In addition to his home property, he owns twelve hundred and eighty acres of land in Wells county, North Dakota. Winfield gives his political allegiance to the republican party and served as township trustee. In matters of citizenship he is progressive, desirous of advancing the welfare of the community, and while promoting individual interest, he has also found time and opportunity to co-operate in those plans and measures which are instituted for the public good.

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

WILBUR ELLSWORTH TALLMAN [Parents] [scrapbook] was born on 20 Apr 1863 in MORLEY, JONES CO, IA. He died 2 on 3 Oct 1948 in MORLEY, JONES CO, IA. He was buried 3 in GREEN CENTER CEMETERY, MORLEY, JONES CO, IA. He married 4 MARY DELILAH MERRITT on 20 Apr 1886. WILBUR was employed 5 as FARMER in JONES CO, IA.

SOURCE: From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 564.

W. E. Tallman Born April 20, 1863

One of the native farmers of Rome township, who has advanced steadily with the progress of the times, is W. E. Tallman. He was born April 20, 1863, and is the son of John and Lucinda (Low) Tallman, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Maryland. In 1845, shortly after their marriage the parents came to Iowa, locating in Rome township, Jones county, where they had entered government land. It was in the early days of the state's existence and the majority of houses were rudely built of logs. Mr. Tallman's differed but slightly from the other cabins about him, save that he with great labor put a roof of clapboards above the logs and the flooring was of boards. After the addition of a door, only too uncommon, the building that was to shelter his family from the inclemency of the weather, was complete, and it remained their home for ten or twelve years. When, on the 30th of July, 1893, the father was called away, these old conditions were but memories, of which he told and retold as if they were fairy tales to the grandchildren who gathered about him. His widow died September 6, 1909, in her eighty-eighth year. To John Tallman and wife were born ten children: James H., deceased; Nathaniel C., of Greene county, Iowa; Reuben S., also of Greene county, Iowa; Elizabeth, who makes her home in Chicago, Illinois; Winfield H., also of Greene county, Iowa; Mary J., deceased; Rose A., the wife of Arthur G. Neff, of Mount Vernon, Iowa; Samantha E., the wife of Peter Kane, of Vinton, Iowa; Angeline, who married R. T. Boots, of Rome township; and W. E. the subject of this sketch. W. E. Tallman had all the advantages of education that those who followed the pioneers were able to enjoy. He attended the district schools and Cornell College, at Mount Vernon, in which he completed his formal training for life. Until he became of age he remained at home, assisting in the work of the farm, but with the advent of manhood he started out to make his own way in the world. For two years he worked as a renter and then bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 7, Rome township, which is his home today. With the lapse of years he has been able to add forty acres to this farm and to buy other land which has brought his holdings to three hundred and ninety-five acres, all situated in Jones county. In addition to his agricultural pursuits Mr. Tallman has engaged in the stock business, breeding and raising black polled cattle. He has been successful in his operations and has won the confidence of the people in whose midst he lives.

Mr. Tallman was married April 20, 1886, to Miss Delilah Merritt, who was born in Rome township in 1863 and is a daughter of John and Caroline (Dunlap) Merritt. The former was born in New York state, February 23, 1806, while the latter was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1827. In 1836 John Merritt came to Iowa and entered land in Jones county. The next year, after he had satisfied himself as to the advisability of moving to this new country, he sent for his family to join him. Here the parents made their home until their deaths, which occurred, in the case of the father, December 1, 1886, and the mother February 16, 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Merritt were born seven children, six of whom are still living. Of Mr. and Mrs. Tallman's union there have been eight children: W. E., Jr., Laura J., Marion, Lucinda F., Odessa C., Mary Bell, John and Lily J. W. E., Jr., is a farmer of Rome township, but the other children are all at home.

Mr. Tallman is a republican in his political beliefs and has filled the offices of trustee and assessor at the behest of the voters of his township. His success has given the people confidence in his ability, and they have found they made no mistake in bestowing upon him those marks of their esteem.

The Greater Tallman Family Newsletter, Winter Issue No. 12, 1987, page 4:

Wilber the youngest son of John Tallman Jr. remained on his father's farm at Morley, Jones County, Iowa for 78 years. His descendants still reside in the area. From his home two miles northeast of Morley which he built when he retired from farming, he can look out over a countryside which which has spent most of his life. Just a few rods down the road west of Tallman's place is the farm on which he was born. He began his farming activities by assisting his father on the home farm until his marriage to Lila Merritt in Anamosa in 1886. After the marriage,the couple moved to another portion of his father's farm. His farm specialized in raising Angus cattle. It was in handling cattle that Tallman received a badly dislocated knee cap when he was about 35 years old. It is now after all these years that it has become a major problem. An interesting anecdote and mystery has come to light concerning the Tallman Farm, Jones County, Iowa, owned by John's son, Wilbur, in 1907 at the time of this story. The John Tallman family were descendants of Benjamin born 1684 son of Peter Tallman of Rode Island. Cousin Robert S. Tallman of Ortonville, MI writes that his family is descended from James (b. 1689), brother of Benjamin born 1684; sons of Peter Tallman of Rhode Island, and his 2nd wife, Joan Briggs. Family activity in his grandfather's day centered around Springfield, MA. Robert's father at age 13, ran away from home in 1907, working on railroad baggage cars all the way from Mass. to the Iowa farm of "Ellsworth Tallman", as he was known. Robert has a photo of the farm crew lined up in front of an Avery Steam Tractor and Thresher rig including his father, taken 1907 on "Uncle Ellsworth Tallman's" farm. Robert also has an article from "Engineers and Engines" magazine by Harleen Tallman, great granddaughter of Ellsworth Tallman, showing the same Avery farm equipment, and so, made contact with her. The mystery remains: How did Robert's father of Springfield Ma. at age 13 in 1907, know about the Jones Co., Iowa farm of Ellsworth Tallman? Robert has not found any connections between the two families, except the one way back in Rhode Island, ie the two brothers, Benjamin born 1684 and James born 1689, sons of Peter Tallman.

COUNTY FARM NEWS - THE ANAMOSA JOURNAL, June 12, 1941:

"W. E. Tallman spends 78 years in same locality - Retires after farming near Morley 50 years" From his home two miles northeast of Morley which he built when he retired from farming about five years ago, W. E. Tallman can look out over a countryside which has been his locale for 78 years. Just a few rods down the road west of Tallman's place is the farm on which he was born April 20, 1863 - a portion of which he farmed himself for 50 years. A son of John and Lucinda Tallman, he began his farming activities by assisting his father on the home farm until his marriage to Lila Merritt in Anamosa in 1886. After the marriage, the couple moved to another portion of his father's farm, built a new home and lived together there until Mrs. Tallman's death in 1924. After her death, Mr. Tallman kept up the family home with the help of his daughter, until five years ago. On the 120 acre tract Tallman specialized in raising Angus cattle. It was in handling cattle that Tallman received an injury he was about 35 years old, an injury which, though it bothered him only slightly for a number of years, is now responsible for a badly dislocated knee. However, except for the difficulty of getting around with his bad knee, he's healthy as they come, Mr. Tallman says. This year he is keeping three stands of bees in timber across the road. The 78 year-old farmer had just hived a swarm before The Journal Reporter arrived and a bump on his cheek attested that fact that one honeybee was a bit rebellious. The honey, however, is worth the stings he gets, Tallman declares. Last year, from only one hive, he got 140 pounds of comb honey - most of which was bought by neighbors. He and his daughter, Lily Tallman, who makes her home with him, do all the work in connection with the bee-keeping. When he isn't caring for his bees, Mr. Tallman spends much of his time reading the newspapers in an attempt to keep up with national affairs. He admits, like so many others these days, that recent events have left him "all at sea", and that the future "looks pretty dark". "I can't agree, however" he says, "with the theory that's being advanced now that the extreme terms of the last World War Treaty are partly responsible for the present situation. I don't think they were extreme enough," he declares emphatically. With eight children, 14 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren all located within a radius of a few miles, Tallman does not find his days lonely. When he celebrated his 78 birthday on April 20, every one of his children and their families called on him during the day.. Tallman's oldest son, Ellsworth, Lives in Morley and operates a sawmill just across the road from his father's place. A daughter, Mrs. Avert Cook and her family live just 80 rods south, and the farm land of his son, John, who lives a mile north, adjoins Tallman's land. Another son, Marion Tallman is employed by the county and lives in Anamosa; two daughters, Mrs. Otis Siver and Mrs. Uriah Pieper are neighbors on Lisbon road southwest of Morley. Miss Mary Tallman makes her home in Anamosa and Miss Lily Tallman lives with her father. Mr. Tallman attributes his long life "mostly to luck" and feels that it's good fortune, too which surrounds him with his children and grandchildren as neighbors. Note: This article was sent by Florence Pieper Duncan (Mrs. Ivan Duncan) of Olin, Iowa who says "Grandpa was a very big man. He played the mouth organ, Jews harp and violin."