Buena Vista County, IA
IAGenWeb Project

Lewis Putnam, who is engaged in farming and dairying on a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres, situated in Coon township, was born in Boone county, Iowa, December 24, 1867, and is a descendant of Israel Putnam, a well known general of the American Revolution.  The father, Benjamin Putnam, was born in New York and there engaged in fanning until about the close of the Civil war, when he came to Iowa and made a permanent location in Boone county.  He first purchased a farm of eighty acres and as time passed and his financial resources permitted he added to his original holdings until at one time he was the owner of three hundred and sixty acres.  His wife bore the maiden name of Samantha Purinton.  She was born in Vermont and by her marriage became the mother of twelve children and reared nine of them, the brothers and sisters of our subject being:  Milton, who is a merchant in Woodward, Iowa; Ernest, who follows Farming; Mary, the wife of Samuel Harker; Ulysses, a merchant of Perry, Iowa; Rena, the wife of Philip .Miller; Carrie, the wife of Newton Bouten; Cora, the wife of Claud Kugler; and Frank, who carries on farming in Boone county.  The mother is still living but the father was called to his final rest in 1901.  He was a republican in his political views and affiliations, and in religions faith was a Methodist.  Mrs. Putnam also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Lewis Putnam acquired his education in the district schools of Boone county, completing his education at the age of twenty-one years.  During this time he had been trained to the duties of the home farm and after attaining his majority he worked for his father for one year.  He then started out upon his own account by operating rented land in Boone county for one year.  On the expiration of that period, feeling justified in investing in land of his own, he came to Buena Vista county and purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Coon township, and this has been his home to the present time.  He has improved the place with good buildings, has set out a good orchard and much small fruit and the place is well supplied with water.  In addition to general agricultural pursuits, Mr. Putnam also raises stock, making a specialty of registered Durham cattle.  He is a man of good business ability and keen foresight and his labors are being attended with a gratifying measure of prosperity.

Mr. Putnam chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Martha Pray, who was born in Marion county, Iowa, and by her marriage she has became the mother of six children:  Earl, Demia, Cora, Myrtle, Orville and Florence, all still under the parental roof.

Mr. Putnam gives stanch support to the republican party.  He belongs to that class of representative young men who rapidly discern opportunities of improvement and who are rapidly forging to the front.  Brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by honorable and determined effort, he is working his way upward and is already favorably known in business circles because of his capability and laudable ambition.