R. W. PITMAN

PITMAN, WARREN, COOLEY, SKINNER, BOX, CRUICKSHANK, HUNTER, TAYLOR, GREELEY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/21/2020 at 09:55:44

R. W. PITMAN, the fifth child and fourth son of Lewis Pitman, and the first child of Amelia L. Warren, his third wife, was born in Laurel County, Ky., April 27, 1827, and is consequently forty-six years of age. Lewis Pitman, his father, is a native of Kentucky, and migrated to Iowa at a very early day. His mother was a native of Tennessee. She was a descendant of Gen. Warren, the revolutionary hero, who was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. General Warren’s ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Plymouth Colony, who came from England in the memorable Mayflower. In 1834, Mr. Pitman’s father left his native State, and with his family moved to Illinois. They first located in Edgar County, where they stayed one winter. They then came to this State and located in West Point Township, where Mr. Pitman now resides. When they came the country was very wild. Keokuk was a boat-landing. They had one neighbor who lived about one mile from them. Their other neighbors, Mr. Skinner. John Box, Alex Cruickshank and Mr. Hunter, were six miles away. Their sugar, coffee, meat, etc., they obtained from the garrison at Fort Des Moines, now Montrose; their nearest flour mill was at Augusta, on Skunk River. Immediately on their arrival in the county they claimed three hundred and sixty acres of land; they cleared a few acres, built a log cabin, 14 x16 feet, with a sod chimney and only one room, planted some corn and sowed some turnips, from the latter of which they got an excellent crop, which they exchanged with the soldiers for pork, beans, etc. Thus was the subject of our sketch initiated into the trials of pioneer life in the “wild West;” also into life in general, for it must be remembered that he was only a youth. His education was obtained principally at home, under the instruction of his parents. Free schools were not known and it was quite a while before a subscription school could be started. As was then, and is now customary, he attended school only during the winter months. This short time in school was improved, however, and now he ranks, officially and financially, among the first business men of Lee County. In 1849, Mr. Pitman was married to Belinda C. Cooley. One child was born, which died in infancy. Mrs. Pitman died eleven months after their marriage. She was a devoted worker in the Methodist church, and her premature death cast a gloom over the community in which she lived. In 1851, he was married to Amanda Cooley, a sister of his first wife. By this union they have been blessed with a family of eight children, one of whom died when he was ten years of age; three sons and four daughters are living with their parents. Although not a member of the church, yet Mr. Pitman does a fair portion in the great cause of Christianity, having helped to build as many as seven churches. Mrs. Pitman is a member of the M. E. church. Among the workers in the political arena. None are more prominent than Mr. Pitman. His first vote was poled for Zachary Taylor, the Whig candidate. He continued a member if the Whig party as long as it existed, when he joined the Republican party. He was a prominent worker in the first Republican convention in the county, held in 1856. In this convention he was nominated for the Legislature. During the war, Mr. Pitman showed himself to be among the warmest friends and supporters of the Union in the Northwest. He served one term as Provost Marshal in the first district. Although he is proud to have it said that he was a delegate to the first Republican convention held in the county, yet he is prouder still of the fact that there was not a more zealous worker in the Liberal movement of 1872. He was a delegate to the Liberal convention at Davenport and also to Cincinnati, but did not attend either because of ill health. True to his first impulse, which he always takes as his guide, and which would have elected Horace Greeley with an overwhelming majority had the election been held before fraud and bribery inaugurated their fatal results, and true to the principles of reformation adopted by the Liberal party, he is bitter opponent to the fraud, bribery and high-handed corruption that has ruled for the last few years with such mighty power. He still believes that the great movement of 1872 will be successful in the next presidential election, just as the Republican party, accomplished its first victory, four year after its organization. Mr. Pitman is a strong party man, just so long as the party recognizes in its platform certain progressive principles; when these are thrown aside, better had it been if the party had gone with them. As an evidence of the trust imposed in him by his people, it may here be in taste to mention a fact; as Township Treasurer he has never been required to give bonds but once, at his first election, although he has held the office for a great many years. “Alas! for the rarity - of such mortals!” As a worker in the common free school cause, he is devoted to his and his people’s best interest. He considers that work paramount with all others. He was among the few who helped to build the first school house in their district. Being a pioneer, he takes a warm interest in the “Old Settlers Organization.” He had the honor of acting two years as Secretary, and now considers it among his greatest enjoyments to attend their meetings, talk over old times, and recall the trials and experiences of the past forty years. Financially, Mr. P. has given us an illustration of what perseverance and energy can accomplish. Until he was thirty-four years old, the support of his parents, younger brothers and sisters devolved upon him. At that age he built his present residence, and began work on a farm of his own. This farm is a part of the old homestead, deeded to his father by the United States Government. He now lives in an excellent financial condition; he has a good house and surroundings, a view of which may be seen on another page of this work.

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer