Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Roland, Erastus T. 1844 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 14, 2013, 7:02 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

ERASTUS T. ROLAND.

Erastus T. Roland, filling the position of postmaster at Eldon, was born in
Bartholomew county, Indiana, January 18, 1844, a son of George H. and Jeanette
Y. (Glenn) Roland, who were natives of the Shenandoah valley of Virginia. There
they were reared and married and on leaving the south emigrated to Indiana. In
1850 they came to Iowa, settling in Davis county, but about 1860 removed to
Missouri, where the death of the father occurred. He had made merchandising and
farming his life work. He possessed a turn for speculation and in nearly all of
his ventures met with success. He served as a colonel in the state militia of
Indiana and was a candidate for captain in the state militia of Missouri in
opposition to Colonel D. Moore. His political support was given to the whig
party in early life and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the
republican party. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal
church. His death occurred about 1870, after which his widow went to Louisville,
Kentucky, where her last days were spent. They were the parents of seven
children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being: P. H., who has now
passed away; Mattie M., the widow of Frank M. James, of Louisville, Kentucky;
Melville, deceased; Erastus T.; and O. G., who is living in Missouri.

Erastus T. Roland was a little lad of but six years when brought to Iowa, and
ten years later he went with his parents to Missouri, where he remained for
three years. He then returned to this state, settling at Bloomfield, where he
completed a high school education. He then acquainted himself with the drug
business in the employ of J. B. and S. H. Glenn at Eddyville, and while there
residing he was married, on the 17th of January, 1867, to MelvinI A. Mummert,
who was born in Wapello county, February 7, 1847, a daughter of William and
Rachel (Cox) Mummert, who were pioneer settlers of Iowa, coming to this state
from Nauvoo, Illinois, about 1837. The father was a tailor by trade and both he
and his wife died in Wapello county.

Following his marriage Mr. Roland removed to Missouri, settling in Clark county,
where he remained for two years, clerking for his father in a drug store. In
1871 he came to Eldon, where he has since resided, and on the 4th of August, of
that year, he was appointed postmaster, in which position he has served
continuously since, save for the periods of President Cleveland's
administrations, so that his incumbency in the office covers more than a third
of a century. His present term will expire on the 20th of April, 1915. There is
no one who questions the fact of his efficiency and faithfulness in the
position. This is evident in his long retention in the office. He was also
secretary of the first school board of the city of Eldon, at which time there
was but one teacher. Today fourteen teachers are employed to instruct the youths
of the town. He has likewise been mayor of the city for several years and has
given a most business-like, public-spirited and progressive administration. He
has ever been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of
franchise and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He was
notary public for more than a quarter of a century and in every public office he
has been most loyal to the duties devolving upon him. Fraternally he is
connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He needs no special encomium. His worth is
well known and he has a most wide and favorable acquaintance in Eldon and other
parts of the county. For forty-three years he has made his home in the town
where he yet resides and it is safe to say that almost every one who knows him
is glad to call him friend.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914



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