Alfred Beardmore
No farmer in Allamakee county has attained greater or more
deserved success in agricultural pursuits than has Alfred
Beardmore, who since he became connected with this line of work
in 1882 has gradually increased his holdings until he owns today
three fine farms, all reflectng in their neat and attractive
appearance his careful supervision and practical methods. He was
born in Birmingham, England, in June, 1853, and is a son of
William and Sarah Beardmore, also natives of England. They came
with their family to America in that year and settled in
Wheeling, West Virginia, where the father worked as a forger in a
rolling mill until 1865 when they moved to Iowa, purchasing land
in Union Ciity township, Allamakee county. In conjunction with
his farming operations William Beardmore conducted a blacksmith
shop for many years, dividing his time between its conduct and
the development of his land until his retirement in 1903. He
moved to Lansing in that year but later took up his residence in
New Albin, where he now resides, having reached the age of
ninety-one. He has survived his wife since 1896, her death having
occurred when she was severnty-three years of age. To their union
were born ten children: William Jr.; Alfred, of this review;
Agnes, deceased, who married John J. Gilchrist, who has also
passed away; Lynn, of Union City township; twins who died in
infancy; John, a butcher in Charles City, Iowa; Laura, the
deceased wife of Joseph Sadler, of Union City township; Ambrose
deceased; and James Harvey, of Union City township.
Alfred Beadmore was not yet one year old when his parents came to
America and he accompanied them in their various removals,
acquiring his education principally in the district schools of
Union City township. From his early childhood he aided in the
operation of his father’s farm and when he began his
independent career naturally turned his attention to the
occupation in which he had been reared. In 1882, when he was
twenty-eight years of age, he rented land, but after four years
purchased two hundred and twenty acres, a property which he still
owns, although he has added to it extensively from time to time,
having today three well improved and highly cultivated farms. One
lies in Union City township, another, comprising one hundred and
fifty-seven acres, is in Lansing township and the third, an
excellent property of eight-four acres, lies on the line between
Lansing and Union City townships. All of his business interests
are carefully and capably conducted, his holdings bringing him a
gratifying annual income and his industry and enterprise placing
him in the front rank of progressive and successful
agriculturists.
In 1882 Alfred Beadmore was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jane
Bulman, a native of Union City township and a daughter of Thomas
and Phoebe Bulman, who were born in England. The parents came to
America in the latter ‘40s and settled first in new Orleans,
Louisiana, whence they went to Evansville, Indiana. There the
father worked at his trade as a plasterer and stone mason but in
the later ‘50s bought land in Union City township, Allamakee
county, where he operated a farm until his retirement in 1888,
having at that time accumulated extensive landed holdings. His
wife passed away on the 18th of May, 1892. They were the parents
of twelve children, of whom eight are still living. Mr. And Mrs.
Beardmore became the parents of five children: Arthur, who died
in infancy; Thomas A., who was born in 1884 and who is now a
lawyer in Charles City, Iowa; Daisy E., who acquired her
education in Waukon and who taught for six terms in the public
schools; John H., who spent two years in the public schools of
Iowa City and who also attended business college at Waukon; and
Earl F., who attended the Omaha public schools. The family are
devout members of the Prebyterian church.
Mr. Beardmore gives his political allegiance to the republican
party and is actively interested in the growth and development of
the community where he has so long resided, although this
interest never takes the form of office seeking. He is a man
whose genuine personal worth and sterling integrity have won him
the confidence and respect of his fellowmen and whose industry
and ability have not only contributed to his own success but have
also enabled him to do much to advance the agricultural
development of the community.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index