History
of Tama County, Iowa
by Samuel D. Chapman. [Toledo:] Toledo Times Office, 1879.
T
C. D. Terry & Co., Lumber Merchants
In almost every department of trade and manufacture, Tama City offers inducements to home patrons and those outside her borders, and the lumber business forms no exception to this rule. The above named gentlemen established themselves in the lumber business in this city in 1869, having been principally managed by C. D. Terry, and B. F. Hill. About two years ago they became sole proprietors. Ever since its establishment it has been a popular yard, and possessed advantages that all could not compete with. They are wholesale and retail dealers in lumber of all kinds. They also handle coal, mixed paints, mouldings etc. They pay strict attention to their business interests. The yard is located on State Street , where they always can be found ready for business.
Benjaman Thompson, M. D.
One of the most successful and leading physicians and surgeons in central Iowa , is Benjaman Thompson of Tama City . He graduated at the Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the year 1870 and shortly afterwards came to Tama City where he has since resided, and has successfully built up a large and extensive practice. Mr. Thompson is a man of sterling worth and takes an active part in the up-building of the town and community in which he lives. He is a man of ability and has a thorough knowledge of medicine and surgery. His pleasant ways and manners and sympathetic speech gains the respect of his patients. His office is in R. M. Coffin's drug store.
W. H. H. Tiffany
First having received a scientific and literary education studied law with Judge Tiffany, and F. C. Beeman, of the city of Adrian , Michigan , and at the Ann Arbor University likewise. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of New York held at Syracuse, to practice as an attorney at law and solicitor in chancery in all the Courts of that State, and, he is also, admitted to practice in all the Courts of Ohio and Iowa. He has been practicing in said Courts for the last twenty-four years and has always sustained a fine reputation as a gentleman of good character, sound legal ability and strict integrity. He came to Tama City in the year of 1870, and is one of the most reliable and successful lawyers in Tama County . He has been Mayor and City Attorney of Tama City, and we insert the following sentiment as expressed in the Martindale United States Law Directory. “We take pleasure in recommending W. H. H. Tiffany, as a gentleman of sound legal ability, assiduous, reliable and of strict integrity, fine reputation, and good character and competent to attend to any business intrusted to his care. He refers to G. E. Maxwell, Cashier of the Bank of Tama; C. J. Stevens, Clerk of the Court; G. H. Warren, Cashier of the First National Bank of Tama City, Iowa .”
Abram Tompkins
The subject of this sketch is a native of New York , having been born in that State September 23 rd , 1811 . His parents K. and Catherine (Brown) Tompkins were also of the same State, and in very limited circumstances, so poor, in fact, that their son was only permitted to attend the common subscription schools, from the time he was five years of age until he was old enough to do for himself.
The father of Abram Tompkins was a God fearing man, and an earnest christian, one who endeavored to bring up his children in the “fear and admonition of the Lord,” and when his son was yet an infant he carried him in his arms to the Sabbath School . Here and at the family alter, was sown the “good seed of the word” which in after years bore fruit, and we trust will continue to bear by the hundred fold.
After living at home until he was twelve years of age Abram decided on leaving home to seek his own fortune. He did not leave the vicinity of his old home immediately, however, but hired to the neighboring farmers, earning enough to supply his wants and save a little for a rainy day.
In 1831 he left the State of New York and went to Michigan where he enlisted in the Black Hawk war as a private and after receiving his discharge returned and was united in marriage November 20 th , 1833, to Miss Mary A. Eatin, by whom he had ten children: G. W., born in 1835 and died in St. Louis in 1862; C. M., now living in Kansas, born January 14 th 1838; B. T., now living in Iowa County, this State, was born January 2 nd 1840; Catherine J., born January 22 nd , 1842; S. M., born March 16 th , 1844; A. E., born June 30 th , 1846; M. T., born October 18 th , 1848; Z. A. E., born December 19 th , 1850; Sumner, born March 26 th , 1855; Z. E., born July 12 th , 1857.
Shortly after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins wisely came to the conclusion that the advantages enjoyed in that State was not such as they desired and therefore determined to seek a home and fortune in a better country where the advantages would be greater. They came to this County in the year 1853, when all was a blank wilderness and have lived to see it “blossom as a rose.”
Abram Tompkins is a large man of splendid appearance, pleasant and agreeable in his intercourse with friends and neighbors. In the family circle, he is kind to his children, strict in discipline and teaches each member to know that his yea means yea, and his nay means nay, from which can be no appeal. In business with the world his word can always be relied upon, his promises always being held sacred, and invariably carried out to the letter. He is a good friend and neighbor, living at peace with all men and a hard working farmer.
In 1859 Mr. Tompkins received the nomination for Representative in the Iowa Legislature and was triumphant. In this capacity he served his constituents in a faithful manner, attending closely to the business for which he was elected and afterwards retired from office bearing the laurels that none but the faithful can bear. Taking all in all Mr. Tompkins is a man possessing such qualifications as to place him high in the niches of the history of Tama County .
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