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JONATHAN L. URMY is one of the largest land owners of Monroe township, and he has been distinctively the architect of his own fortunes. He today ranks among the leading farmers of Benton county, and his creditable life work has won him the respect and commendation of all who are familiar with his history. He started out in life without capital save his willing hands and perseverance, and he now owns a splendid farm of two hundred and forty acres in Monroe township, another farm of one hundred and forty-six acres in section 22 of the same township, one hundred and sixty acres in section 24 and eighty acres in Cedar township, the result of patient effort, unflagging industry and self reliance.
He was born in Washington county, Indiana, November 8, 1839, a son of Jacob and Mary (Phillips) Urmy, who moved to Jackson county, Indiana, during the infancy of their son Jonathan, and spent several years there. Driving overland to Linn county, Iowa, they spent the winter of 1851-2 in that county, and in the following spring located in Monroe township, Benton county, at the present home of their son in section 14. Five of their children accompanied them to their new home here, the remaining four joining them later, and the grandmother also accompanied them on the journey and she lived to almost the age of ninety-nine years. The father continued as a Benton county farmer until his death in 1862, when sixty-four years of age. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian church. One of their sons, Willis, is now living at Dysart, a retired farmer, and another son, John, is living in Missouri. The remaining members of this once large family are deceased.
Jonathan L. Urmy has spent the greater part of his life in Benton county, although as a young man he traveled considerably. His school privileges in his early life were extremely limited, but in spite of this he has become a well educated and well informed man. He married many years ago Miss Harriet Turner, born in Kane county, Illinois, in 1839, a daughter of C. S. and Matilda Turner, who came to Benton county during the early womanhood of their daughter Harriet. They farmed near Mount Auburn for a time, and later moved from there to Algona, Iowa, where both died years ago. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Urmy: Charles, who owns a farm in Missouri but resides in Vinton; Arthur, a land owner and farmer in Monroe township; Nettie Schlarbaum, who lives near Mount Auburn; Belle, Aggie and Harvey, all at home; and four who died in infancy. The family are members of the Christian church. Mr. Urmy is allied with the Democracy in politics, and he has served for years as a justice of the peace.
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