William E. DeGarmo

REV. WILLIAM E. DEGARMO, residing on section 19, Marion Township, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Washington County, Feb. 27, 1818, and is a son of William and Mary (McDonald) DeGarmo, the former a native of New Jersey, and the later of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Paul DeGarmo, was a native of Long Island, N. Y.

The early life of our subject was spent in his native State, assisting in the farm work when old enough, and attending the common schools when the opportunity was afforded him. When fourteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Virginia, the family locating on a farm near Wheeling, now in West Virginia, Here he remained until 1846, engaged in farming with his father the greater part of the time. After his removal to Virginia, he had the privilege of attending school but four months. This, with what little he was taught in the schools of his native State, completed his education so far as obtained by study in school. But he was not one to contented with such a limited education, and by much reading and study in after years, has become a well-informed man.

On leaving his father's house, Mr. DeGarmo went to Clinton County, Ohio, where he remained eight years, engaged in teaching much of time, a profession in which he had some experience before leaving Virginia. While here he was licensed to preach the Gospel, and was ordained a Deacon in the Methodist Protestant Church in the district of Ohio. In 1854 he came to Iowa, locating in Keokuk County. In the fall of 1855 he united with the Iowa Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, and traveled the circuit in Davis County for one year. During the succeeding year he taught school in Davis County, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Susan Heidlebaugh, a native of Lancaster County, Ohio, the ceremony being performed April 30, 1857. Mrs. DeGarmo came to Iowa in 1851 with her parents, who located in Davis County. Five children have been born unto them: one, Ray P., dying in infancy; four are yet living: Sarah Bell married John Booten, and lives in Jackson Township, Henry County; Allie May married George W. Zellar, and is living in Jasper County, Iowa; Ed married Miss Beatrice Daniels, and lives in Trenton Township on the old homestead; Della lives at home with her parents.

In the fall of 1857 Mr. DeGarmo took his young wife to Mt. Pleasant, where they resided one year, he being engaged in preaching. They then moved to Trenton Township, Henry County, and in the neighborhood where they first settled, known as the Richwood neighborhood, have since continued to reside, and during all this time Mr. DeGarmo has been engaged principally in teaching, and preaching the Gospel as he finds opportunity. In 1859 he was ordained an Elder in the Methodist Protestant Church. For twenty years he has been engaged a part of his time in burning lime. Three times has he been elected Justice of the Peace, but qualified but once.

Mr. DeGarmo is essentially a self-educated and self-made man. As a husband and father he is kind and affectionate; as a minister of the Gospel he endeavors faithfully to serve his Master; as a citizen he is esteemed by all.

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, p. 621)