John Elmer Attwood Sr. was born the son of Elmer Attwood and Mary Elizabeth Whittam in England. They are buried in this cemetery. John Elmer Attwood was married to Harriet Augusta Buckingham on April 8, 1861. She died on June 13, 1874 and is buried in this cemetery. They were parents of five children: George Elmer Attwood buried this cemetery; Maria Jane Attwood married Howard Jacob Smith and is buried in this cemetery; Mary Ann Attwood married Harley Pugh and is buried this cemetery; John Edward Attwood and is buried in this cemetery; Charles Henry Attwood buried this cemetery. After Harriet died, John was married to Jane Fitts on October 22, 1876. She is buried in this cemetery. They had no children.

*Through a long and busy career as a farmer and blacksmith John E. Attwood steadily prospered, and now in his decling years is able to lay aside all business cares and enjoy the comfortable comptence which he has secured. He has a pleasant home in Spring Grove township, near the village of Troy Mills, where he is surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Attwood was born October 20, 1820, in England, of which country his parents, Elmer and Mary (Whittam) Attwood, were also natives. In 1844 the family crosed the ocean and took up their residence in New York state. (more under Elmer Attwood). John Elmer Attwood came to this new world with his parents, and in 1857 accompanied them on their second removal to this county. Locating in Spring Grove township he erected one of the first blacksmith shops in this section of the county and successfully carried on the same for a quarter of a century. He was a thorough and skilled workman and few could excel him. His first purchase of land consisted of a wild tract of forty acres, to which he added as his financial resources permitted until he now owns three hundred and sixty acres of very productive and well improved land, which was put under cultivation by his own hard labor. In 1878 he started the first creamery in his locality, but after conducting it for one year he sold out. For the past twelve years he has practically lived retired from active labor, and is enjoyin well earned rest. In politics Mr. Attwood is independent, preferring not to be bound by party ties, but voting for the men best qualified for office. He has served his fellow citizens as road supervisor and school director in a most capable mannor, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs. In his social relations he is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Walker, and the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Rebekah branch of that order at Troy Mills. He and his wife also belong to the Old Settlers Society of Iowa and are people of the highest respectability. In business afairs Mr. Atwood has always been straightforward and reliable, and is justly deserving the prosperity that has come to him as it is due entirely to his own well-directed and energetic efforts.

The History of Troy Mills - 150 Years 1853 - 2003:

The first creamery was built by John Elmer Atwood, in 1850, on the northwest side of the river and was used for about 5 years. It was also used to store ice.

In 1856, John Elmer Atwood, was the only person to receive a lot south of the river near the corner going west towards Walker. He and his wife, Harriet built a home just a little to the north. Elmer and their son, John ran this shop for many years. On the north side of the river, there were other blacksmith shops, which were run by various men, Harley Risdon, Earl Risdon, Oliver M Risdon, Willard Joseph Buckinghman, Jacob Eastman, Albert Henry Dudley, Hugh Champlin, Howard John Smith, Charles LeRoy Bragaw, Ernest Ezra Nietert and Albert Ludwig Fuessley also repaired cars on main street. It burned down in 1921.