LYMAN, George E. (1910)

LYMAN, EARL, KINTER, HELLER, FELTHOUS, HARRIS, BRUCE, WHITESELL, KETTELL, GOHEEN, HUNT, ROGERS

Posted By: Jennifer Gunderson (email)
Date: 3/14/2021 at 17:19:08

It would be difficult to find in the length and breadth of the land a man who possesses a greater number of interesting pioneer experiences or who is more truly an American in every sense of the word, than George E. Lyman. After a varied and successful life as an agriculturist he is now retired and enjoying the fruits of his previous industry. Mr. Lyman was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1828, his parents being Samuel and Eunice (Earl) Lyman. The former was born in the Blue Mountains in Vermont January 26, 1796, and died in Braintrim, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in 1867. The mother was also an easterner by birth, and died in Washington township, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1861, at the age of sixty-three. The father answered to the triple calling of farmer, shoemaker and Methodist preacher, pursuing his several activities in Susquehanna and Wyoming counties. The Lymans adhered to the pioneer custom of large families and were the parents of twelve children, of whom but three are now living; the subject of this biography; the Rev. Gideon C. Lyman of Scranton, Pennsylvania; and Joseph, residing at Binghampton, New York.

George E. Lyman attended the common schools of Pennsylvania and afterward was enrolled for a while at a select school. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage in 1850. During the first year of his married life Mr. Lyman taught school in Braintrim, Pennsylvania, and the following year moved to a farm in Wyoming county which he had purchased. The house was a log one, located in the woods. Mr. Lyman cleared and improved the place and lived upon it about four years, when he sold it and came to Dixon, Illinois, the year being 1855. The trip was made by the way of what is now known as Rochelle, and from that place they drove to Dixon. They bought an improved a farm in its vicinity and remained upon it for about a year. But while at Dixon Mr. Lyman entered six hundred and eighty acres in Geneseo township, Cerro Gordo county, which was secured for the most part with government land warrant. After entering the land Mr. and Mrs. Lyman sold their farm at Dixon and returned to Pennsylvania where he followed blacksmithing about three years and then took charge of the farm of Mrs. Lyman's mother, Mrs. Kintner, near Dixon, Illinois, Mr. Kintner having died in 1856. Two years later they returned to Dixon and remained for a year upon the farm which they had previously owned.

In 1860 the Lymans took up their residence upon their new claim. In February Mr. Lyman drove through from Dixon to Geneseo township with a load of household goods. There were as yet no buildings there, but about one a mile away a neighbor had built a log house and he lived there until joined by his wife in April. Both of them continued to live with the neighbor until October, when a frame house of their own, sixteen by twenty-four, had been completed, and they moved in. Conditions were primitive and the country roundabout very sparsely settled. There were only two houses between their farm and Mason City, eighteen miles away, and in 1860 but five families resided in the township.

Grain had to be taken to Cedar Falls, Iowa, about fifty miles away, and it took a number of days to make the trip. Religious meetings were held first in Mr. Lyman's home and later in the school house, and the settlers came from miles about to attend. The land was of course all unbroken prairie and Mr. Lyman began at once to break the sod. The first year he raised corn, wheat, oats and potatoes on the land which he had himself broken. There were a great many wolves, and much game, such as deer, wild geese and ducks in large quantities. The latter destroyed the corn, which was a serious calamity.

The rebellion broke out and in 1863 Mr. Lyman enlisted in Company L, of the Fourth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. After being for some time in camp in Davenport his company joined the regiment and engaged in barrack building. He saw considerable active service and remained until the mustering out of the troops at the close of the war. During his military service Mrs. Lyman remained upon the farm with her five children. After the return of peace Mr. Lyman went back to work upon the farm, which he reduced in size by the sale of two hundred and fifty acres. He enlarged the house and built good barns. In 1896 they decided to give up the management of the farm and accordingly removed to Rockwell. In 1902 their present beautiful residence was erected and within its walls they have ever since made their home.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman took place October 6, 1850, the wife's maiden name being Sarah E. Kintner. She was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1834, her parents being William and Susan (Heller) Kintner, also natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone state and came to Dixon, Illinois, in 1850, the father's death occurring six years later.

The mother continued to live in the vicinity of Dixon until her death, March 28, 1899, she having attained to the great age of ninety-three years and six months. She was the mother of thirteen children, of whom six are now living. She was a remarkable woman and her mind was clear and active to the time of her death. Mrs. Lyman, her daughter, shared in her capability, spinning the linen for her own tablecloths and towels and weaving her own carpets. Seven children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman. Those still living are: Lucretia Ann, wife of George Felthous, of Rockwell; Mary Elmira, wife of C. W. Harris, of Rockwell; William Eddie, also of that town; and Lena L., wife of William B. Bruce, of Rockwell. Myron W., died at the age of four years; Eunice, at the age of six weeks; and Elma Leona, at the age of thirty-five years.

Mr. Lyman was originally a Whig and became a Republican upon the organization of that party, and has ever since voted that ticket. He has served as justice of the peace and township clerk and in numerous school offices while upon the farm in Geneseo township. He and his wife have been faithful members of the Methodist church since before their marriage, and enjoy the esteem of all those who know them.

The families living in Geneseo township at the time of their coming were the Hunts, the Rogers, the Whitesells, the Kettells and the Goheens. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage on October 6, 1910.

Source: WHEELER, J. H. History of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. Vol. II. Lewis Publ. Co. Chicago. 1910. Transcribed by Jennifer Gunderson (Mar 2021)