My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in History of Lee County, Iowa published by Western Historical Company in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

SALMON, ANNIE M., MRS., retired; was born in Saxony, City of Dresden, Oct. 5, 1828; the daughter of Benedict Salmon, dealer in boots and shoes, and, when 8 ½ years of age, with her parents, emigrated to this country; they came to St. Louis, where her father engaged in the grocery and provision business until 1845, then retired, and acted as collector for his church. May 5, 1846, she married Adolphus Salmon, who was born of wealthy Hebrew parentage, in Hamburg, Germany, in 1802; was highly educated in the language and music, but owing to commercial reverses, came to this country with three of his brothers, landing at New Orleans in 1828; there he taught music, and was leader of the orchestra in a theatre of that city; he continued there winters, passing the summer seasons North, for seven years; in 1837, he came to West Point, where he established himself in the grocery business, and afterward added drugs. In 1840, he married Miss Mary Acorn, daughter of pioneers of Lee Co.; she was born in Germany, in 1824, and died in 1845, leaving one child — Rosa, born March 23, 1842, now the wife of Dr. Molitor, a physician of Somonauk. In the fall of 1845, while on business in St. Louis, he became acquainted with the subject of this sketch; May 5, 1846, they were married, and the 13th of the same month they came to West Point. In 1847, he erected a flouring-mill at West Point, considered at that time the best mill in the State; in 1850, he was elected to the State Legislature; Mr. Hempstead was Governor at the time; also served as Mayor of West Point, and held the post office from 1846 to 1850; Feb. 9, 1864, after a long and painful illness, he died, leaving a family of six children; the eldest, Theresa J., was born June 3, 1847, now the wife of Melvin Smith, a physician of Coneville, Iowa; married Nov. 14, 1867; Gustavus A., born Dec. 11, 1848, a resident of Columbus Junction, dealer in drugs and medicines; Edward J., born March 18, 1852, a resident of Troy Mills, Linn Co., Iowa, a dealer in drugs — also practicing law; was admitted to the bar in 1877; Albert A., born Feb. 3, 1854, a resident of Colorado; Theodore M., born Dec. 2, 1857, a resident of Muscatine, Iowa, teacher of music, and an excellent pianist; Adolphus H., born June 8, 1860, who remains at home at present, engaged in teaching. Mrs. Salmon connected herself with the German Lutheran Church, in St. Louis, at the age of 13; and with the Presbyterian Church at this place, at the age of 31; Mr. Salmon was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was made President and Trustee of the Building Committee during the erection of their fine church, erected 1862. Soon after their marriage, the parents of Mrs. S. came to live with them, and remained until her mother died, in 1857; her father, Oct. 2, 1862.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 668 biographies included in The History of Lee County, Iowa published in 1879.  For the complete description, click here: Lee County, Iowa History and Genealogy

View additional Lee County, Iowa family biographies: Lee County, Iowa Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.