George H. Deemer
George H. Deemer is a man who owes his present success
entirely to his own ability, industry and energy, for he began
active life at a very early age and with very few advantages has
steadily worked his way upward until he is today one of the
substantial and prosperous farmers of Allamakee county. He was
born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1866, and is a son
of Michael and Elizabeth (Campbell) Deemer, both natives of that
locality, the former born in 1832 and the latter March 3, 1833.
In his early life the father was a blacksmith. He came to Iowa in
the fall of 1866, locating in Jefferson township, one mile and a
half northeast of Rossville, but soon after his arrival he
disappeared and the fact that he was never heard of led to the
opinion that he had been murdered or had met with an accident the
details of which will never be known. The mother and her family
moved to Nebraska, but in 1872 returned to Allamakee county,
where she has since resided, now making her home with the subject
of this review.
George H. Deemer is the youngest of a family of four children. He
acquired his education in district school in the vicinities of
Rossville, Watson and Sixteen, but when he was ten or twelve
years of age he began earning his own livelihood, securing a
position as a cattle herder for a neighboring farmer. Later he
worked as a farm hand and continued thus until his marriage,
after which he moved to Nebraska, where he spent four years.
Returning to Iowa, he made his home upon his mother’s farm
until 1907, when he bought the property upon which he now
resides. He owns eighty acres of valuable land, practically all
under cultivation, and he engages in general farming and
stock-raising, success steadily attending his well directed
efforts.
Mr. Deemer was united in marriage to Miss Ula Biggs, who was born
in Linton township in March, 1873, a daughter of David and
Elizabeth (Fitch) Biggs, natives of Ohio. The parents came to
Allamakee county in the early ‘50s and located on the farm
in Linton township whereon they resided for many years
thereafter. They have now retired and make their home in
Rossville. Mr. and Mrs. Deemer became the parents of two
children, one of whom died in infancy. The other is Harold
Hampton, who was born August 11, 1912. Mr. Deemer is a member of
the Modern Woodmen of America of Rossville and he gives his
political allegiance to the republican party, serving at the
present time as secretary of the board. He is a stockholder in
the Monona Creamery Company, his ability being widely recognized
and respected in business circles. Since beginning his active
career at a very early age he has steadily worked his way upward,
using every opportunity that has come to him and brooking no
obstacles which could be overcome by a persistent and earnest
worker. He is today one of the substantial and progressive
farmers of Allamakee county and holds the respect and esteem of
his neighbors and friends.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index