History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/David J. Palmer

DAVID J. PALMER, soldier and legislator, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1839, coming with his parents to Iowa in 1856 and locating in Washington County. Mr. Palmer completed his education at the United Presbyterian College of Washington, Iowa, and engaged in teaching in the public schools. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Eighth Iowa Volunteers and during his service was three times severely wounded. After being discharged for disability, Mr. Palmer again entered the service ad captain of Company A, Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry, and in 1863 was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, assault and siege of Vicksburg, Jackson and Canton, was in the campaign from Memphis to Chattanooga and Sherman's march to the sea, the capture of Savannah and the campaign through the Carolinas. Colonel Palmer has been an active Republican and was one of the presidential electors in 1884. In 1891 he was elected to the State Senate from the district composed of Henry and Washington counties, in the Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth General Assemblies. In 1898 he was elected Railroad Commissioner and at the close of his first term was reëlected.