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James Deam, engaged in general farming and stock-raising, is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Dayton, Clarke county, May 22, 1846. His parents were Frederick and Barbara Deam, who came to Iowa about 1853, settling in Burlington township. A year later they removed to a farm south of the city, and afterward again took up their abode north of the city, where the father lived until his death, which occurred in 1868, when he was seventy-two years of age. His wife died on the same farm in 1872, at the age of seventy-three years.
They were the parents of fourteen children: Henry, a resident of Springfield, Ohio; Eliza, the wife of Robert Steinrod, is living in Bramar, Mo.; Margaret, died in Missouri; Edward and William, twins, the former living in Burlington township, and the latter in Sioux City, Iowa; Harmon, died in Buffalo, N.Y.; Barbara, the wife of Frank Moyer, a resident of Green Ridge, Mo.; Mrs. Betsey Elizabeth Fortune, living in Bramar, Mo.; Frederick, unmarried; Adam went to Houston, Texas, in early life and has not been heard from since; Amelia, the wife of John Myers, who lives in Burlington township; James, of this review; and two that died in infancy.
James Deam was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, being only seven years of age when brought by his parents to Des Moines county. Here he has since made his home, and when a young lad worked in his father's fields, while lessons of industry and integrity were strongly impressed upon his mind. He acquired his education in the district schools; and when he started out in life on his own account, he concluded to follow the pursuit which had hitherto claimed his attention.
In 1898 he purchased his present farm of two hundred and twenty acres, buying the place from Phillip Cox. It is located in Section 2, Yellow Springs township, and is a valuable property. Up to this time Mr. Deam had rented land, and since his purchase his undivided attention has been given to the cultivation and improvement of this property, and to the raising of stock. He now raises or feeds about eighty head of cattle each year, nineteen head of horses and colts, and about one hundred and forty head of hogs, this branch of his business bringing him a gratifying income.
On Dec. 27, 1877, Mr. Deam was united in marriage to Miss Ann Jane Hunter, a daughter of William and Ann Jane (McCormick) Hunter. Mrs. Deam was born in Burlington township, Des Moines county, and by her marriage has become the mother of nine children: Maude, the wife of George McKim, a resident farmer of Yellow Springs township; Frank, William, Frederick, Elgy, Bert, Pearl, and Clarence, all at home; and Martha, who died at the age of three years. The wife and mother died Feb. 28, 1898, at the age of forty years, and her death was deeply deplored by many friends as well as her immediate family.
Mr. Deam votes with the Democratic party. He has served as district supervisor and school treasurer, having occupied the latter position for several years. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and is interested in all that pertains to welfare and improvement along material, social, intellectual, and moral lines.
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