In September, 1898, Geo. W. Schee gave a reception and party to the old men of Primghar and as part of the entertainment had the picture (above) taken on the lawn just east of his office. The photographer was E.H. McElhose of Primghar.

GEORGE W. DOYLE was an old settler who owned 160 acres, section 12, Highland township, and had farmed it for many years, also serving as justice of the peace. In 1887 he moved to Primghar and was engaged in the agricultural implement business with his son, Will Doyle, He served on the first town council in Primghar, 1888 to 1891. He was the father of John Doyle.

CHARLES A. BEERS settled in section 2, Baker township in 1873 and came to Primghar to live with his daughter, Bessie Beers, who was county recorder. He was also the father of Mrs. J.E. Gere, Fred Beers and James Beers, all of whom have been residents of Primghar.

JOHN CAIN, father of Albert and John Kane, came to the county in 1871, settling in Center township. Mrs. C.H. Murray, his daughter, lived on the Hinz eighty north of the poor farm. John Cain lived in Primghar with his son, Albert Kane.

WILLIAM KING became a farmer on his own land, section 8, Highland township, in 1877. Living in Primghar are his children, J.A. King, Mrs. Ed Sanford, Mrs. F.L. Herrick, Steward King. Mrs. G.N. Close of Sheldon is another daughter.

DEWITT C. CHAPMAN served in the Civil war and was an early day settler in section 32, Center township. He sold and planted the grove of trees on the poor farm under contract with the county. His son, Geo. Chapman, resides in Primghar.

GEORGE WILKINSON was the father of Mrs. J.L.E. Peck.

IRA FOX was related to Mrs. Geo White and Mrs. T.T. McMann, who lived in Primghar in the eighties. He came to Primghar in 1888.

LEWIS CLARK was the father of Mrs. L.L. Rerick and Mrs. W.J. Stewart.

GEO. H. COOK, a soldier in the Civil war, came to Primghar in 1887 where his son operated a restaurant and hotel on the south side of the square.

SOLOMON E. CARMICHAEL, a soldier of the Civil war, was born in 1826, died in 1898 shortly after this picture was taken. He settled in Grant township in 1878, removing to Primghar about 1890. His son, J.A. Carmichael, operated a harness shop here.

DR. ELIAS T. HOLT, a soldier of the Civil war, had lived many years at Webster City and practiced dentistry. He came to Primghar in May, 1890, and married Mary L. Maguire, Dec, 20, 1890. They had two children, Vera and William L. The latter is a successful practicing attorney at Lincoln, Neb.

JABEZ GRAY was the father of Richard H. Gray, employed in the First National Bank in 1890.

CAPT. R.C. TIFFT, who had served as sailor and officer of sea-going vessels for many years, came to the county with his brothers and farmed 80 acres on section 4, two miles west of Primghar. In 1888 he was employed as janitor at the court house and held the position for many years. He lived in his home north of the Hub hotel property. Dr. Wm. Anderson now lives in the house. He was the first janitor of the Congregational church.

H.E. REEVES, father of Mrs. Geo. R. Slocum and J.L. Reeves, came to Primghar in 1887. His son operated a store on the south side of the square and H.E. Reeves built many of the buildings here in 1887 to 1890. He built his home, now occupied by Chas. Hinz.

HORATIO STANLEY was an old settler and farmer on section 4, Highland township, 4 miles east of Primghar.

WILLIAM WILSON was the father of Lew and Jim Wilson. He was grandfather of Mrs. Luceta Brown.

L.C. McCLARY formerly owned and lived on the Bennett farm a mile north of Primghar; was father of Mrs. W.W. Artherholt, now of Red Oak, Julia McClary, engaged in African missionary work, and Orville McClary, deceased.

EDWARD N. WOOD was the father of Samuel C.Wood, residing in south east Primghar.

JAMES RALSTON, a retired farmer, came from Baker township.

From O'Brien County Bell March 30, 1938

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O'Brien County Iowa Genealogy - The IAGenWeb Project