1880 Census, Osceola Village, Polk Co., Nebraska: Robert A Palmer is living with his grandmother Elcena McJimsey and Elcena”s daughter Sarah (age 30).

NOTE: It would appear that when his mother, Mary Jane McJimsey Palmer died at about the time of Robert’s birth, his father was unable to care for the baby, and Robert was raised by his widowed maternal grandmother? I’ve seen that in other families, since it would be almost impossible for a working farmer to raise an infant by himself.

1895 Iowa Census: Robert A Palmer is in Long Creek, Decatur, IA.

1900 census, Long Creek, Decatur Co., Iowa: R.A. Palmer is age 39, his wife S.C. Palmer is age 29. At home are F.L. (age 8), Clare S (7), and Carel Verne (1).

1910 census, Long Creek, Decatur Co., Iowa: Robert A Palmer is age 49, with wife Sarah C age 38. At home are Clair S (17), Flossie L (18), and Carrel V (11)

1915 Iowa Census: (Used this one only to check that Sarah was still alive in 1915.)

1920 census, Long Creek, Decatur Co., IA: Lives next door to his son. At home are Robert A (60) and wife Mary E (29). One son, Claud W (6).

(MEMO: Believe first wife Sarah died in 1918, and Claud Wilbur was born in about 1914, so the Claud (or Wilbur) in each census would be Sarah’s son.)

1925 Iowa census, Long Creek, Decatur Co, Iowa: R A Palmer is age 65. He completed 6th grade, his wife completed 5th grade. He lists his mother as Mary Mcjimsey and his father as Minas Palmer. His wife is Ellen Palmer, who identifies her parents as Luke Collins and Clara Hall. He is living next door to son Vern Palmer. (NOTE: This census makes it clear that R.A.’s second wife Ellen is the sister of Vern’s wife Sarah Olive.)

1930 census, Long Creek, Decatur, IA: Living next door to son Vern. Robert A is age 69. Second wife Mary is 39, was first married at 29. At home are Wilbur (16), Waneta (4 yrs, 2 mo), and Vandeon (1 yr, 11 mo).