Darby Twp. -
RICHARD IAMS, SR., farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 3, 1823; he is a son of Eli and Phebe (Heckathorne) Iams, the former a native of Maryland, of English descent, and the latter a native of Dayton, where our subject had the advantages of the graded schools.  He began life by engaging in the grain business, and then spent five years in the grocery business.  He was also engaged as a railroad man, and later, as a contractor, taking land for pay.  In this way, he obtained sixty-four acres at Plain City, in 1854, and, in 1855, began working it.  He now has 200 acres.  He was married, Dec. 3, 1848, to Phebe Jane Thompson, a native of Montgomery County, a daughter of Isaac Thompson, and a namesake of Mr. Iams' mother.  They have five children, viz., Alfred, Richard, Charles, Alva and Howard.  Mr. Iams is a Republican.  His sons are all farmers.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 972