GEORGE BUMGARDNER, retired merchant of Osceola, is a native
of Harrison County, West Virginia, born near Clarksburg, March 28, 1836. His
parents, John and Susie (Woods) Bumgardner, were also natives of Virginia,
remaining in that State till their death. They were the parents of six sons and
three daughters, of whom our subject was the sixth child. He passed his youth
in his native State, receiving his education in private schools. At the breaking out of the war of the
Rebellion he enlisted in Company B, Third Virginia Cavalry, and participated with
his regiment in the battles of McDowell, Virginia, Cross Keys, Slaughter
Mountains, second battle of Bull Run, and other engagements and skirmishes. He
subsequently joined the Sixth Cavalry, and after the close of the war his
regiment was sent across the plains to fight the Indians, Mr. Bumgardner
remaining in the service till mustered out with his regiment in March, 1866. Mr. Bumgardner was captured by the rebels
November 28, 1864, and held prisoner about three months, when he was exchanged,
and rejoined his regiment at Harper’s Ferry. After serving about two years as
Quartermaster of his regiment, he was discharged, and returned to his home in
West Virginia. In the following spring,
1867, he came to Clarke County, Iowa, and in 1869 he was united in marriage to
Mrs. Barstow, a daughter of David Norton, who came to Clarke County, Iowa, from
Ohio in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Bumgardner have two children living – John
D. and Georgie. Mrs. Bumgardner had two children by her former marriage. In 1870 Mr. Bumgardner engaged in the general
mercantile business, which he carried on for three years, when he sold out to
William Christy. He then engaged in the publication of the Iowa Baptist, being
associated with Elder A. Robins. His connection with the paper was severed when
it was removed to Des Moines, the name of the paper being then changed to the
Baptist Deacon. Mr. Bumgardner has since been engaged in dealing in stock and
real estate, in which he is meeting with fair success. He has a fine residence in Osceola, which was
built by William Kennedy of the First National Bank. His residence is well
furnished, and he and his family are surrounded with all the necessary comforts
of life. Mr. Bumgardner is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the
lodge and chapter. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
SOURCE: Biographical
and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago,
Illinois, 1886 p. 408
