Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-01-22
AN AGED PIONEER
DR.. j. j. Selman Celebrates Eighty
Fifth Birthday Anniversary.
WAS In TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE
Served as Member of First constitu.
tional Convention and Later Repre-.
scented Appanoose-Davis District in
State Senate.

Bloomfield, Jan. 21.-(Courier Spec
lal Service)-Dr. John j. Selman of
this place celebrated his eighty-fifth
birthday anniversary Saturday. DR..
Selman was prominent figure in the
pioneer history of Iowa, having been
member of the territorial legislature,
member of the first constitutional
convention, and twice member of
the state senate from Appanoose and
Davis counties district. He served as
president of the senate during the Sec
ond session and is the sole survivor
ofithe rugged and forceful body of men
who composed, the first state senate
of Iowa. He voted for g. w. Jones and
A. G. Dodge for United States senators
and was intimately associated with
those noted men in many ways. He
was also a warm personal friend of
George q. Wright and many other dis
tinguished citizens of Iowa.
Early Pioneer.
DR.. Selman came to Iowa in 1871,
settling first in Van Buren, county, in
1874. and has devoted his time almost
continuously to practicing medicine, be-
ing the oldest resident physician of
for time, the only physician in the
county. He possesses an excellent
memory, and talks very entertaingly
OF the early days in Iowa, and of the
hardships and privations of the pio-
neers. The information at his COM
mand concerning the early history of
Iowa and of Davis county in particular,
would easily fill volume, and render
ed valuable aid few years ago
in the compilation of a history of this
county.
Other Bloomfield News.
Hattie and Mabel Corrick entertain
ed a number of friends Monday eve
ming from to o'clock at the home of
their parents, Mr.and Mrs. George Cor
rick, it being Miss Hattie's ninth
birthday anniversary. The time was
spent in playing crokonole, charades,
and other games. Refreshments were
also served. Miss Hattie was the re-
ciplent of many beautiful presents.
The little folks had very enjoyable
time. Those present We're: Emma and
Irene Mills, Ruth Collins, Zola Mcclure
Asenath Ebberts, Addie and Alene
Hardy, Helen Owsley, Nina Murphy,
Nora Wray, Marguerite Duckworth,
Stella Walker, Merriam Young, Hazel
Walton, Alta Rominger, Pearl Smith,
Hazel Wishard, Louise Pirtle, Mayme
Hancock, Fred Watts.
Fred Childers returned home Sun
day night after about years absence
in the Philippines islands, in the SER
vice of the government He was dis
charged from the army on account of
ailments due to climatic conditions
which rendered him practically unfit
for the service. He was stationed at
Dacupan, about 127 miles north of
Manila.
Citizens of this city will be glad to
learn that Ben Garwood is recovering
from the illness which has been
threatening his life for several weeks.
VIM. r. Proctor OF Ashgrove was a
bushes caller in Bloomfield Monday.
County Surveyor Thomas Dufield
transacted business here Monday
2. |. Kinsinger from near Bunch,
was attending to business affairs here
Monday.
g. G. Duke of Drakesville, late can
didate for county auditor, was bust
ness caller in Bloomfield Tuesday.
w. 7. Morrow from near Savannah
was business caller here Tuesday.
Mark Box of Fox River township,
was transacting business at the county
treasurer's Office Tuesday.
James Stookesberry and wife from
near Stiles, transacted business here
Tuesday.
W. G. Roland of Soap Creek town
ship, was a business caller at the coun-
ty treasurer's Office Tuesday
H. L. French from near Stiles, was
here Tuesday on business.
Mrs. f. M. Bond Of West Grove,