HENRY F. PLUMER, a farmer of Lewis Township, is a native of Hanover, Germany, born October 8, 1828, the son of John H. and Mary Plumer. The parents came to America in the year 1830, locating in what was then Cole County, now Moniteau County, Missouri, and then removed to Mills County, Iowa, where their death occurred - the mother's in December 1862 and the father's in April 1885. The war record of Mr. Plumer's father is something to be remembered by his children as six years was spent in the English army. He was in the famous battle of Waterloo and served in the French revolution under the Duke of Wellington. They had a family of six children, viz.: Caroline, deceased; Sophia, wife of Wm. Saar of Mills County, Iowa; Henry F., the subject of this sketch; Frederick residing in Kansas; William residing in Pottawattamie County, and Christopher residing in Mills County, Iowa.

Henry F. Plumer, our subject, was reared to farm life, and received his limited education in the schools of Germany and this country, but by close application he has secured a practical education. When he was twelve years of age he came to America with his parents, and since that time he has made his home in Missouri and Iowa. When he was about twenty-one years of age he commended to work for himself.

Mr. Plumer was married August 20, 1849, to Miss Sophia Kinning, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, October 12, 1835, the daughter of John H. and Mary (Meyer) Kinning, native of Hanover, Germany, who came to America in 1829. The mother died in Missouri about the year 1843. They had three children: Henry, who died in the army at Jefferson Barracks after having served two years; Sophia and Augusta.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Plumer located in Missouri for two years after which they came to Iowa locating in Pottawattamie County. They made a purchase of a claim from a man named Huston for $250 who had made fine improvements and as soon as the land came into market he purchased it from the Government.

Mr. Plumer made a pre-emption of 160 acres on Section 25, Lewis Township, where he erected a small log house, 18 x 20 feet, in which he made his home for some time. In 1861 he erected a frame residence, 18 x 38, and in 1880 built an addition. He has a pleasant home surrounded with shade and ornamental trees, and everything bespeaks thrift, energy and prosperity. He has added to his first purchase until he now owns 1,200 acres of as good land as lies in Pottawattamie County, Lewis Township and Keg Creek, and he also has 840 acres in Woodbury County, Bremner Township, and 1,280 acres in Ellis County, Kansas.

He has always devoted himself to farming and stock raising, buying, shipping, etc., in which he deals quite extensively. In 1870 he erected the Crystal Mills of Council Bluffs, which he disposed of to Thomas Evans. Mr. Plumer is a good example of what a man can accomplish who starts with nothing but pluck and energy, as he started with comparatively nothing, but by good management amassed a handsome competency. He has been a public benefactor in various ways to the community at large. They are worthy members of the Evangelical Church and donated the land to the society upon which to build the church, and also assisted largely in its construction. Politically Mr. Plumer is a Democrat and is a strong advocate of law and order, and strives to promote the best interests of the community in general.

Mr. and Mrs. Plumer have twelve children living, namely: Mary J., wife of fred Spetman of Omaha, Nebraska; John residing in Council Bluffs; William of Woodbury County, Iowa; Emeline wife of Fred Ludick of Woodbury County; Josephine at home; Ferdinand of Woodbury County; Edward at home; Cornellius; Oscar; Augusta, deceased; Thomas at home; Laura, Henry and an infant daughter deceased. Mr. Plume has given quite generously to his children as they grew to manhood and womanhood, helping them to make a start for themselves in life.