Moses Ayers Bollman
For more than half a century Moses Ayers Bollman was a
resident of Winneshiek county and during the greater part of that
period was identified with the farming interests. Although he
never sought to figure prominently in public life, he proved his
loyalty to his country in the time of her greatest need in the
dark days of the Civil war and he was classed with those citizens
whose sterling worth, earnest purpose and fidelity to the duties
which come day by day make them valued residents of the
community. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, January 16,
1837, and was a son of William and Elizabeth (Hardin) Bollman,
the former a native of the same section. The father, who was a
farmer by occupation, came to Iowa about the year 1853 and
located just northwest of Postville, where he purchased land upon
which he continued to reside until his death in 1873. His wife
survived him several years, dying in 1870.
Moses Ayers Bollman was one of a family of nine children. He grew
up on his father’s farm, acquiring his knowledge of the best
agricultural methods by practical experience, and at the usual
age entered the district schools of Post township where he gained
an excellent education. He began his independent career at the
age of sixteen when he began working as a farm hand, continuing
thus until 1861, when, his patriotic spirit, being aroused, he
volunteered for service in the Union army, joining Company K,
First Regular Iowa Cavalry. He saw a great deal of active
service, remaining at the front until after the close of
hostilities when he was mustered out with honorable discharge,
returning to Iowa with a creditable military record. He bought
land six miles northwest of Postville in Winneshiek county,
whereon he continued to reside until his death, his practical
methods, his energy and close application bringing him as the
years passed a gratifying measure of success, and his high
integrity and honor and his sterling personal worth winning for
him the respect, confidence and esteem of all with whom he came
in contact.
Mr. Bollman was twice married. He first wedded Miss Nancy Harris,
a sister of William Harris, of whom further mention is made
elsewhere in this work. Mr. Bollman’s first wife passed away
in 1871, leaving three children Rena Belle, the wife of Amos
McMartin, a farmer in Ellendale, North Dakota, Willard Ellery,
engaged in farming in Bruce, South Dakota; and Maggie Ellen, who
married Edward Green, a farmer residing seven miles northwest of
Postville.
On the 24th of March 1874, Mr. Bollman was again married, his
second wife being Miss Carrie Brown, who was born in Laporte,
Indiana, July 3, 1852. She is a daughter of Luther and Mary
(Walrath) Brown, both natives of that section, the father born
November 1, 1823, and the mother, October 11, 1830. They came to
Iowa in 1854 and in that year located on a farm five miles
northwest of Postville, whereon they continued to reside until
January 5, 1862, when the father died. Mrs. Brown and her
children moved into Castalia, where she passed away, October 11,
1865. Their daughter, Mrs. Bollman, is one of a family of
four children. She grew up on her father’s farm near
Postville and attended what was then known as the old red school
house, located one mile from her father’s home. This school,
now called the Oak Ridge school, is attended by her own children.
By this second marriage Mr. Bollman had eight children: Fenton,
who is engaged in farming near Caldwell, Idaho; Parker, a farmer
residing at Basin, Wyoming; Stella, the wife of Hayes Hougland, a
farmer and rancher near Republic, Washington; Talcott, who makes
his home with his mother; Farrell, a farmer near Cottonwood,
South Dakota; Vera, the wife of B. Post, a farmer in the vicinity
of Caldwell, Idaho; Vives, a photographer residing in Postville;
and Oberton, who is studying butter making at the State ...
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The farm and came to Postville where she purchased a comfortable
and attractive residence in which she expects to spend the
remainder of her life. She is a devout member of the Methodist
Episcopal church and is affiliated with the Ladies Aid Society,
in which she has accomplished much useful and beneficial work.
Mr. Bollman gave his political allegiance to the republican party
and was never neglectful of the duties of citizenship,
cooperating readily and willingly in all movements and projects
for the general welfare. For a number of years he served on the
school board and was for some time road supervisor, discharging
his public duties in a capable, far-sighted and conscientious
way. He was a member of the United Brethren church and his life
was ever upright and honorable, commanding the confidence and
good-will of all who knew him. He lived to witness a remarkable
change in Allamakee and Winneshiek counties during the long
period of his residence in this part of Iowa and throughout the
entire period his influence was always on the side of progress,
truth, justice and right.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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