~Page 624~

Francis M. Cammack

Francis M. Cammack, Mayor of Oelwein and a resident of the town since 1875, was born in Green County, Wis., March 20, 1844, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Bennett) Cammack. His father was born in Mercer County, now West Virginia, October 30, 1810, and was a son of James Cammack, whose father, also named James, was a native of Scotland and the founder of the family in America, whither he emigrated during early Colonial days. The name was McCammack but the grandfather of our subject dropped the Mc., and it has since been spelled in the manner used by the present generation. The mother of Francis was born in Pike County, Ohio, November 12, 1818, was a daughter of Caleb Bennett, and her death occurred in Oelwein, May 12, 1888, her husband having departed this life on the 26th of March of the same year. They were the parents of nine children: Susan, the eldest, died at the age of twenty-four years; Samuel, Rachel, Francis M., Mary C., William, Martha J., Lillie I. and Rosa are all living and all married, with the exception of Martha. The family removed to Green County, Wis., about 1842, and to Woodland, Sauk County, Wis., when our subject was a lad of twelve years.

Francis M. Cammack spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farmer lads, assisting in the cultivation of his father's land and attending the district schools of the neighborhood. In August, 1864, he enlisted in the late war as a member of Company B, Forty-second Wisconsin Infantry and served until the cessation of hostilities, being mustered out July 30, 1865. He was married in Sauk County, Wis., in the town of Fairfield, October 30, 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss Addie A. Hildreth, who was born in New York, and is a daughter of Jonathan Hildreth. Three sons were born of their union, but Frank A., the second, is the only one now living; Milton, the eldest, died at the age of ten years; and Adelbert at the age of four months. The death of the mother occurred in Jefferson Township, this county, on the 12th of April, 1875.

Mr. Cammack had come with his family to Iowa in November, 1868, locating near Brush Creek, Fayette County. The succeeding fall he removed to Clermont, and in 1872 to a farm near Fayette. In the fall of 1875 he came to Oelwein, where he has since resided. He was again married in Woodland, Sauk County, Wis., July 11, 1878, to Miss Nancy J. Davis, daughter of Simon Davis. Mrs. Cammack was born in Howard County, Ind., her father was a native of North Carolina and her mother was born in Pennsylvania. One child graces this second marriage, a son, Fred Ross, born in Oelwein, July 23d, 1886.

Mr. Cammack is now doing a flourishing business as a contractor on public works. In political sentiment he is a supporter of the Democratic principles and has served as constable and Justice of the Peace. In March, 1890, he was elected Mayor of Oelwein, which position he now holds and is proving a capable official. He is a member of Oelwein Lodge, No. 294, I. O. O. F.; also of Palm Camp, No. 194, M. W. A., and of Griffith Post, No. 134, G. A. R.