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1893 Biographies
Letters M to Z


CHARLES MANLEY, a substantial and progressive young farmer of Clinton township, Sac county, Iowa, resides on a farm of 200 acres near Early, He dates his birth in Jones county. Iowa, February 28, 1856. Both his father and grandfather, William Manley, junior ami senior, were horn in Pennsylvania, descendants of a Quaker family, who were early residents of that State. His mother, nee Anna King, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, daughter of James King, a native of Pennsylvania. Charles Manley is one of a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters. Their mother died in Jones county, Iowa, in 1881, and the father is still a resident of that place, being now about sixty-five years of age. He is a blacksmith by trade, but since 1865 has been engaged in farming. Politically, he is a Republican; religiously, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee.

The subject of our sketch was reared on his father's farm in Jones county and was educated in the district schools of that place. In 1877 he went to Story county, Iowa, and settled near Ames, where he remained four years, and from there, in 1881, came to his present location. Here he at first purchased eighty acres of wild land, to which he devoted his time and attention in improving it, and to which he has since added other land, being now the owner of 200 acres, all under a good state of
cultivation. He has a comfortable cottage home, 18 x 26 feet, a story and a half; barn, 48 x 56 feet; good fences and a three-acre grove of catalpas and maples. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

When he was twenty years old Mr. Manley was married at Anamosa, Iowa, to Susie Miller, a native of Linn county, Iowa, and a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Graul) Miller. She was, however, reared in Jones county. Her mother died in that county, in 1876, and her father still resides there. Mr. and Mrs. Manley have two children: Edna L., born November 29, 1880; and Earl G., born March 17, 1886.

Mr. Manley affiliates with the Republican party. He has served the public as Justice of the Peace two years and has also been a member of the School Board. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Chuch, of which he is a Trustee and Classleader. Mrs. Manley is a teacher in the Sabbath-school.


JOSEPH MATTES.—The hardware firm of Joseph Mattes, of Odebolt, Iowa, was established in 1879, and now is one of the leading houses of its kind in Odebolt. Mr. Mattes was born in Clinton county, Iowa, October, 1855, son of R. and Mary Mattes, nativee of Germany, who emigrated to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1854. and still make that county their borne. Our subject was educated in the common public schools, and at the age of sixteen began to learn the tinners' trade, which be followed for eight years. At this time he took a trip through western Iowa and Nebraska in order to find a suitable location, but finally decided upon his native State and settled in Odebolt, Iowa, where he has since been engaged in business.

Upon arrival in this city be established his present business in the same location he now occupies, in a small, one-story frame building. This store was the tirst one erected in the village and its dimensions were 22 x 60. In this room Mr. Mattes operated his business until 1891, when he erected his present commodious brick building, two-story, with basement. 50 x 100 feet. All its appointments are modern and altogether it is one of the best store buildings in the city. Mr. Mattes carries a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves and tinware, threshing machines, clover hullers and corn shellers. In stoves he handles the Acorn cookstoves and ranges, Stewart hard-coal stoves and Round Oak heaters. He makes a specialty of fine hardware, a full line of cutlery and edge tools. He carries a stock of S10,000; is the oldest hardware dealer in Odebolt and one of the tirst merchants. He is the only dealer in his line who has been in the business between Carroll and Sioux City since 1879.

Mr. Mattes is one of the most active business men in the city. Ever since his arrival in Odebolt he has taken an active interest in everything tending to the good of the city. He is a stockholder in the Fair Association and also in the water-works. He affiliates politically with the Republican party and by this party he was elected Treasurer of the School Board and has held the office for a number of years. He has alsosBerved as Township Trustee for the past eleven years. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is connected with Wheeler Lodge, No. 398; also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Syracuse Lodge, No. 2(10, and A. O. U. W. Lodge, No. 217. Mr. Mattes has been connected with the Fire Department since its organization in 1880, and is one of the original officeholders.

Mr. Mattes was married in Clinton, Iowa, in 1879, to Miss Kate Shelley, a native of Ohio, and four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mattes, namely: Gracie, Howard, Hattie and George.

Mr. Mattes is a
self-made man, having started in life with little or nothing and risen to bis present position by his own, unaided efforts. He is now one of the solid men of Odebolt, financially, while socially, he is extremely popular. Mr. Mattes has been one of the prime movers in pushing the little city onward, and to him is due much of the present prosperity of Odebolt. He is a man of broad and comprehensive views and one not likely to be influenced by anything save his sense of right and justice.



BENJAMIN MAULE.—No one of the residents of Cedar township, Sac county, Iowa, is better known than the subject of the present notice. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1842, and was a son of Thomas, who was a son of Benjamin Maule, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His ancestors were Germans. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Priscilla Welsh, and they became the parents of six children, five sons and one daughter, and one of the former, Thomas, was a member of the Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and was killed at Milliken's Bend, in 1862, at the age of twenty-two years. The other children were: our subject, John, Willliam, Isaac and Priscilla. The family moved from Pennsylvania to Richmond, Indiana, in 1850, and settled on a farm near to the town of Richmond, where the mother died at the age of sixty years, and the father when eighty-four. By trade the latter was a farmer and
tanner. In politics he had been a Whig, but at the formation of the Republican party he heartily joined that.

Our subject was reared on a farm and was educated in the common schools. He entered the army during the late war, becoming a member of the Fifty-seventh Ohio Infantry Volunteer for three months' service, and was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry by Stonewall Jackson's command, and was paroled. He then returned to Delaware county, Ohio, and in 1863 he joined the Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry Volunteer in Company I, and was at the battle of Dalton, Georgia, and went all through the Atlanta campaign, and fought against Hood at Franklin, under General Thomas. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and returned to Wayne county, where he lived until 1882, when he came to Sac county, Iowa, where he now owns eighty acres and has a good farm. His residence is a neat frame one, with dimensions of 16 x 20 feet, one and one-half story, built in southern style. He has a fine grove with plenty of orchard and small fruits, stable, yards, feed lots, pasture and plow lands, all in good shape.

Our subject is located just four miles from Sac City, in a fine neigborhood. He was married December 31, 1867, in Wayne county, Indiana, to Miss Virginia Stydham, who was reared and educated in Wayne county, a daughter of Edward Stydham and Mary Jane (Graham) Stydham, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. They have had the following children: Sarah Ann, the wife of T. M. Strain, of Calhoun county, Thomas E., George G., Eva May and Forest Glen. One died, named Bertha, at the age of seventeen months, who was the youngest child.

Politically, our subject is a Republican, and he ie a member of the G. A. R., Post William T. Sherman, No. 284, of Sac City; both he and wife are devoted members of the Restitution Church, or the Church of God, good and pious people. The whole family are highly esteemed, and Mr. Maule is one of the best citizens of the county.



JOSEPH McCLINTOCK, a farmer of Coon Valley township, Sac county, was born in Pittsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1825, a son of Andrew McClintock, who was born on the same farm as his son. His father, Joseph McClintock, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and lived to the advanced age of 103 years. The mother of our subject, nee Jane Eckles, was also born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Andrew Eckles, a native of New England. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew McClintock were the parents of seven children, viz.: Mary, James Harvey, Joseph, Ann J., Rebeckey, Margaret and Catherine. The mother died in Iowa, aged sixty-five years, and the father died in Butler county, this State, at the age of seventy years. He was a farmer by occupation, a Democrat in his political views, and religiously, a member of the Methodist Church.

Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in his native State. At the age of twenty-five years he came West to Iowa, locating near Cascade, Dubuque county, where he bought and improved a farm. In 1867 he engaged in the same occupation three and a half miles northwest of Storm Lake, in Buena Vista county, but seven years afterward sold that place and bought eighty acres of land in Coon Valley township, Sac county. Mr. McClintock's farm is now under a fine state of cultivation, with a good, two-story residence, 16 x 24 feet,  and an L, 14 x 26 feet.

He was married September 17, 1851, to Miss Mary Mann, a native of Broome county, New York, and a daughter of .lames and Ann (Ackley) Mann, the former a native of Scotland, and the latter of Long Island, New York. The parents reared a family of eight children, three sons and five daughters. One son, Theodore, a resident of this township, took an active part in the late war. The mother died at the age of forty- two years, and the father aged seventy-six years. He was a farmer by occupation, and a Republican in his political views. Mr. and Mrs. McClintock bave had nine children: John, Augustin, Jane Ann, Joseph, Theodora, Sarah, Mary, Frank and .lames Harvey.

Our subject takes an
active interest in politics, his first presidential vote having been cast for James K. Polk. He has witnessed a great change in the county, and is interested in everything for its good. Mrs. McClintock is a member of the Methodist Church.



JOHN MILLER, a prominent resident of Jackson township, Sac county, Iowa, is the subject of the present sketch. He came here in 1862, and resides in section 36, Jackson township, Sac county, Iowa. He  was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 30, 1822, a son of Noah Miller, who was born in the same county, and he was a son of Philip Miller, who was a Revolutionary soldier. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Isabella Shepler, who was born in Ohio, near Chillicothe, but later the family removed to LaPorte county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of sixteen children, seven sons and nine daughters.

Our subject was two years old when the family moved to Muskingum county, Ohio, near Zanesville, and some ten or twelve years later the family removed to LaPorte, Indiana, in 1835, and were early settlers of the county. Here John grew up on a farm, and received his education, which was limited, in the common schools of the county.

In 1859 our subject was married to Miss Emeline Haynes, who was bom and reared in Ohio, but her death occurred in ___. In 1862 he came to Sac City, and for two and one-half years he was in the employ of Judge Criss, of Sac City. Here he was married a second time, March 26, 1867, to Mrs. Isabella (Hitchcock) Corry. She was born in Richland county, Vernon township, Ohio, and was one of the first settler- in Sac county, Iowa. Her father, Isaac Hitchcock, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and he was one of the first settlers of Richland county. Ohio. The mother was Mary (Haverfield) Ilitchcock, born in Harrison county, Ohio. Both parents died in Ohio, the father in Hardin county, and the mother in Richland county.

Mrs. Miller was first married at the age of eighteen to Francis McGuire Corry, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1818. He and wife came west to Sac county, September 4, 1854, in company with Messrs. Austin, McAffee, Metcalf and Lagourgue. Mr. Coory settled on section 36, township 22, range 36, where he lived until his death, October 21, 1865, leaving a widow and the following-named children: Isaac, William, Deca, Hugh, Harvey, George, Joseph, John, Francis and Tiberghien.

Mr. Miller and
wife are comfortably located on a good, little farm, making a specialty of fowls and poultry, in which business they are successful. Our subject is a Republican, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; has been a Class-leader and Steward, having been a member of the church for thirty-nine rears. Mrs. Miller has entertained every presiding elder that ever came to Sac City, and feels that she is entitled to the regard of the community as an old settler, as she attended the first birth that took place in Sac county, that of Horace Lagourgue, December 22, 1855. No people in the county are more highly esteemed than Mr. and Mrs. Miller, and they deserve all the respect of the  ommunity for their many fine qualities.




R. M. PAINE, a contractor and builder of Lake View, Sac county, Iowa, was born in Houston county, Minnesota, in 1859, a son of James M. and Ruth E.(Shumway) Paine, natives of Rhode Island. The parents were married in their native State, but in an early day removed to Houston county, Minnesota, where the father followed farming. In 1865 he located in Grundy county, Iowa, next in Nobles county, Minnesota, where he still resides. The mother died in Houston county, that State, in 1863.

R. M., the third in a family of thirteen children, removed with his parents to Grundy county, Iowa, in 1865, and in 1877 came to Tama county. In 1880 he purchased 160 acres of raw land in Wall Lake township, Sac county, paying $7.15 per acre. He has since improved this place, erected a one a halfstory residence, 16 x 24 feet, and remained there one year. In 1882 he began learning the carpenters' trade in Lake View, since which time has followed contracting and building in this city and Sac county. In addition to this, Mr. Paine was engaged in teaching in Wall Lake township in 1884, and in 1890 he purchased an improved place in Lake View. He takes an active interest in politics, voting with the Republican party, and in 1891 was elected Mayor of Lake View, served as Town Assessor, as a member of the Town Council, and has been Township Clerk for the past five years.

Mr. Paine was married in Sac City, Iowa, in December, 1888, to Miss Sofie Hougaard, a native of Denmark, and a daughter of Nis Hansen and Anne Sofie (Nelson) Hougaard, natives also of that country. The mother died there in 1890, and the father still resides in Denmark, near the German line.Their son, Nis, came to Sac county, Iowa, in 1881, and now resides in Clinton township. Our subject and wife have two children: Amy Ruth and Catherine Sofie. Mr. Paine is one of the oldest living settlers in Lake View, and has witnessed almost the complete development of Sac county. He holds the office of Church Clerk in the Congregational Church, of which denomination his wife is also a member.



JOSEPH PARKINSON, one of the well known citizens of Sac county, and the first to locate on the southeast shore of Wall Lake, was born in Lancastershire, England, in August, 1836, a son of Lawrence and Fanny (Wallworth) Parkinson, natives also [of] England. The mother died when our subject was quite young, and in 1849 the father came to Manayunk, Pennsylvania, where he followed the trade of weaver. His death occurred in Philadelphia, that State, in 1878. He was a member oT the Episcopal Church of Philadelphia when he died, in 1878, and was seventy eight years old.

Joseph Parkinson, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in his native country. In 1851 he came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he worked in a woolen factory, also in the manufacture of gingham and chock goods. In 1802 he volunteered under Captain James Kirkman, and was mustered into the fifty-second Pennsylvania Regiment at Harrisburg, at the time of the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862. In the spring of 1863 he went to Racine county, Wisconsin; thence to Walworth county; in 1866 settled five miles east of Bloomington, Grant county; and next spring, with a company of fourteen persons, came with teams to Sac county, Iowa. They located in Viola township, when all was new and wild, and Mr. Parkinson has frequently gone to Carroll with flax in those early days, often having to unload six times on account of bad roads, sloughs, etc. He first lived in a slab house and in the fall built a log cabin, 16 x 20 feet, but he now owns a good one and a half story residence, 10 x 24 feet, a harn, 40 x 40 feet, and a granary, 24 x 32 feet, 182 acres of fine farming land, with a beautiful grove and orchard.

Mr. Parkinson was married at Chester, Pennsylvania, in duly, 1862, to Sarah Dover, a native of England, and a daughter of Thomas and Mary Dover. To that union was born seven children: John, horn May 7, 1863, in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, lives in Wall Lake township; Mary Jane, born in Wisconsin, lives in Viola township; Harriet, born in Iowa, lives in Bnena Vista county; Priscilla and Emma, deceased; Willia H. and Frank.

The wife and mother died in 1885, and in 1889 our subject married Eliza Bertch, a native of Springfield, Ohio, and a daughter of Henry and Agatha (Troutman) Bertch, both of whom died in that State. Mrs. Parkinson was reared and educated in Ohio. Our subject and wife have had two children: Florence A. and Fred, deceased at the age of five months, in 1892.

Mr. Parkinson is identified with the Republican party, and was a member of the School Board, of which he was president at one time. Religiously, he is a member of the Episcopal Church of England. He is one of the early pioneers of Viola township, and is one of the honored and respected citizens of Sac county, Iowa.



WALTER PARKINSON, a farmer of Wall Lake township, Sac county, was born in Lancashire, England, April 29, 1846, a son of Christopher and Sarah (Seddon) Parkinson, also natives of that place. The mother died in Edenfield, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1861, leaving four children: Walter, our subject; Lizzie Haggerty, of Philadelphia; and Hannah and Priscilla, deceased. The father now resides in the above mentioned city. He is a weaver by occupation, a Republican in his political views, and is a member of the church.

Walter Parkinson, the subject of this sketch, moved with his parents to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of eight years, where he received his education in the public schools, and learned the trade of ship-carpenter in Chester, and he followed that calling there. In 1868 he came with his father to Sac county, Iowa, locating on his present farm in Wall Lake township, but in 1873 returned to Chester, Pennsylvania, and engaged at his trade in the employ of John Roach, the well-known Government contractor. He worked on the prominent ships, City of Pekin and City of Tokio. Mr. Parkinson returned to Sac county, Iowa, in 1882, where he now owns seventy-six acres of well improved land, a good one and a half story house, 16 x 24 feet, located on the eastern side of Wall Lake. His barn 28 x 32 feet, has a rock foundation. In addition to his other interests, he is also engaged in dairy farming, milking twenty cows. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party, and is a mernber of the School Hoard.

In 1870 Mr. Parkinson was united in marriage with Mary Jane Fletcher, a daughter of Richard and Sarah (Brown) Fletcher, the former born near London, and the latter at Birmingham, England. The father died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1891, and the mother afterward removed to Lake View, Sac county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson have had eleven children, viz.: Lizzie, wife of W. Fleming, of Wall Lake township; Gertrude, Sadie, Hazel; George, who was drowned in Wall Lake, at the age of eight years; Walter, Elmer, Lilly, Emma, Chester A., and Clarence are also deceased. Mr. Parkinson is one of the pioneer and leading citizens of Wall Lake township, and has always identified himself with every movement for the good of the county, and is one of the honored and respected men in his locality.



GUY G. PERROTT, a successful farmer of section 26, Eden township. Sac county, was born in Somersetshire, England, June 30, 1854, a son of Cornelius and Phoebe (Baker) Perrott, natives also of England. The mother died in October, 1891, and the father is now a well-known and popular citizen of Schaller, Iowa. They were the parents of six children, five now living, namely: Belle, Guy G., Ella, Lillian and Alice.

Guy G. Perrott, the subject of this sketch, was but a lad when the family came to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he was reared to farm life, and learned the trade of a brick mason and stone and marble cutter. He worked at the same for some years, during which time he assisted in building the State capitol at Des Moines, Iowa, in 1873. In 1880 Mr. Perrott came to Sac county, where he now owns 200 acres of fine land, and on which is a good one and a half story dwelling, 16 x 21 Eeet, with an L, 14 x 16 feet. He also has a beautiful grove, an orchard of small fruits, and everything to be found on a well-regulated place. In addition to his farming, he is also engaged in the raising of stock.

Our subject was married March 7, 1878, in Dyersville, Dubuque county, Iowa, to Jennie Council, who was born, reared and educated in that county. She is a daughter of John and Matilda (Mogg) Council, natives of Somersetshire, England. The mother died in 1892, and the father still resides in Dubuque county, Iowa. They were the parents of seven children, five now living, viz.: John, James, Charles, Jennie and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Perrott have fonr daughters: Nettie Florence, Jennie Lillian, Jessie May and Edith Alice. Politically, Mr. Perrott takes an active part in the Republican party, and was a candidate for County Recorder in 1892. Socially, he affiliates with F. & A. M. of Early, St. Elmo Lodge, No. 642, and religiously, both he and his wife are active members in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Early.



MICAJAH PEYTON, a farmer of Wall Lake township, Sac county, was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, January 23, 1839, a son of Lorenzo D. Peyton, a native of Clarke county, that State. The latter's father, Micajah Peyton, was of German descent. Lorenzo D. Peyton married Sarah Hart, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Absalom and Charlotte Hart. To this union was born ten children, viz.: Mary, Absolom, Micajah, Christiana, Eliza, John,William, Charles and Daniel. The parents now reside in Troy Mills, Linn county, Iowa, the father aged eighty-one years, and the mother about seventy-seven years. The former is a farmer by occupation, was formerly a Whig and now a Republican, and both are members of the Christian Church.

Micajah Peyton, our subject, was reared in Indiana until 1849, and in that year the family moved to Fayette county, Iowa, in the fall of the same year to Cedar county, near Lisbon, the following year to near Tipton, and next to Linn county, he being then fourteen years of age. In 1861 he enlisted in the late war, in the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, Company H, served three years and was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh. After being confined at Mobile, Catawba and Macon, he was paroled, returned to St. Louis, and joined the regiment at Benton Barracks. Mr. Peyton again went to the front in Missouri, next to Weldon Railroad, Mississippi, on the Red River campaign, under A. J. Smith, to Memphis, Tennessee, Tupelo, Mississippi, returned to Missouri on the Price raid, and was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in November, 1864. He then resided in Buchanan county, Iowa, until 1876, when he purchased 320 acres of wild land in Wall Lake township, Sac county. He afterward sold eighty acres of this place to his son-in-law, now owning 240 acres under a fine state of cultivation, with a one and a half story residence, 16 x 24 feet, an L, 12 x 14 feet, and an addition, 8 x 14 feet. About seven acres of this land is devoted to a grove and orchard.

In Buchanan county, Iowa, at the age of nineteen years, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Zerelda Hohnan, a native of Lawrence county, Indiana, But came to this State when a child. She is the daughter of Nathan and Martha (Owens) Hohnan, residents of Buchanan county, Iowa. The parents Had three sons in the late war: Newton, Stephen (wounded), and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Peyton had eleven children, namely: Matilda, wife of V. T. Long, of this township; Henry; Martha, wife of Fremont Roark, also of this township; Sarah, Charles Allen, Fred W., William Randolph, Lewis,and three deceased when young. In his political views Mr. PeYton votes with the Republican party, and has served as Township Trustee, and as a member of the School Board four years. Socially, he ie a member of William T. Sherman Tost, No. 284, of Sac City and religiously, is a Deacon in the Christian Church, of which his wife is also a member. Mr. Peyton is one of the prominent men of Wall Lake township, and takes an active interest in everything for the good of his county.



Robert Quail
Click image to enlarge

RlOBERT QUAIL.—Among the oldest and best known of the early settlers of Sac county, Iowa, is the subject of this sketch, who now resides on section 12, in Jackson township. In June, 1856, he settled here, where he has since remained and become one of the most esteemed of this sectionof the county. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1823, and descended from a veteran of the war of 1812, who was named John Quail and born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1784; and his father, Robert Quail, had been born in county Down, Ireland. The knownancestry of the family can be traced as far back as the ancestors who lived on the Isle of Man. The first family settlement in Pennsylvania
was made in Erie county. The name pf the mother of our subject was Susan (Baker) Quail, and she was born in Essex county, New Jersey, of very respectable Holland ancestry.

In 1835 John and Susan Quail moved to Holmes comity, Ohio, late in the year, probably in December. By occupation Mr. Quail was a school teacher, and his death occurred in Porter county, Indiana. They had a family of four sons and one daughter. One son, Samuel, was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in the Second Missouri Cavalry.

Our subject was reared on a farm and received his book education in the common schools, but his practical education was by no means neglected, as he became the master of two trades, those of stonemason and gunsmith, both of them excellent ones in their way. He lived in Holmes county, Ohio, until 1852, when he worked about at his two trades until 1856, when he decided to remove to the Western lands and there secure for himself a home. Consequently he removed to Benton county, Iowa, thence to Sac county, the same State, and settled on section 31, in Douglas township, where he took up a farm of 436 acres. He was one of the first settlers in the northern part of Sac county, and at that time deer and elk were plentiful, as the most of the country was wholly unsettled. He had a severe experience that winter, as it is yet known in the annals as the most severe in the State since its settlement. The cold was so great and the snow so deep that it became necessary to relieve the wants of the settlers, who were generally so illy provided to endure such intense weather, and our subject was one of those appointed to belong to a commission to visit O'Brien, Cherokee and Clay counties. The brave, kind-hearted men started with hand-sleds in the depth of winter, in a deep snow, with provisions for twodays, and it took six days to make the trip, on account of a snowstorm. They lost one of their party, William Davis, by freezing, but rescued Martha Black and brought her back on the sled. William Davis lived in Jackson township and was buried in Cherokee. That was a desperate time for many,and through O'Brien and Cherokee counties many of the people were kept alive by partaking of soup made from elk skins, coon grease and the buds of trees.

This was not the only dangerous time throngb which our subject was called to pass, as he was a soldier in the Indian expedition in 1857, and was in pursuit of the Indians and lost the trail fifteen miles from Spirit Lake, just three days before the massacre. He joined a company of men who started with hand-sleds to protect the pioneers in Buena Vista county. They camped in the snow in the dead of winter, but had no fight with the Indians, and succeeded in doing much good to the scattered population of Buena Vista county. He became well acquainted with the northern part of the State, as during the war he served four months as a scout and did valuable service.

In 1882 our subject purchased his present home of Washington Allen, an early settler who now lives in St. Charles, Louisiana. This fine place contains 122 acres, and is located one mile from the town. He calls it Deer Park, and it is a beautiful home. He has a good frame with a fine lawn containingshade and ornamental trees, and connected with it is a good orchard and an abundance of small fruits. All of his barns and sheds are in good condition, and it makes a pleasant home. The park contains a herd of nice deer. The old orchard had eight acres in trees and the new one 609 new trees. The residence of Mr. Quail is a pleasant one. the dimensions of which are 16 x 24, two stories, and an L of one story, 16 x 24, giving a frontageof eighty-one feet, along which there is a veranda. The dimensions of the barn are 32 x 32 feet. This is a beautiful rural heme and upon it reigns peace and plenty.

Mr. Quail takes interest in thoroughbred Jersey cattle, and his cow, Moxie, No. 9,711, is one of the best bred animals in western Iowa. In politics our subject is a Democrat, was County Surveyor for one term and Justice of the Peace for twelve years, both of which positions he held with credit to himself and with honor to his constituents. He is now seventy years of age, well preserved and fine appearing. He is a man of great intelligence, frank and cordial in his manners and honorable in his dealings, thus making himself esteemed by all with whom he comes into contact.

Our subject was married September 12, 1852, in Holmes county, Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Tepley, a native of Knox county, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Scritchfield) Tepley, both natives of Pennsylvania. One little son came into the home, but is now deceased, and Mrs. Quail died August 26, 1889.



C. F. RICHARDSON, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Boyer Valley township, section 19, is one of the well-known citizens who settled here in 1876, having purchased his land in 1875. He was born in Ogle county, Illinois, near Oregon, February 9, 1847, the 6on of William and Eliza M. (Stewart) Richardson, natives of county Tyrone, Ireland, where they were reared and educated. They were married in Ireland and emigrated in an early day to the United States, settling in Ogle county, Illinois. At that time Chicago was only a small village. Mr. Richardson settled on Government land, which he opened up and improved, pursuing his calling of farming until 1881; he then retired from farm duties and is now a resident of the city of Rockford. His wife died at the age of fifty-four in Ogle county, Illinois. In religion the father was a Methodist; in politics in early days a Republican, hut later a Prohibitionist. He and his wife reared a family of six children, of whom our subject was the second child.

The latter was reared on a farm and educated
in the common schools of his native county. Mr. Richardson has always engaged in farming, buying a farm of eighty acres in Boyer Valley township, in 1875, and commenced breaking twenty-five acres of it that year, and the following year settled upon it. He now owns 160 acres of land in a high state of cultivation. His pleasant residence is 26 x 30 feet, with 18-foot posts, with an L, 12 x 16, and a two-story vestibule, built in modern style of architecture, while his barn is 32 x 32, with 14-foot posts. A nice orchard and grove are to be found on the place. On this fine farm Mr. Richardson is engaged in general farming and stock-feeding.

Our subject was married in August, 1875, in Ogle county, Illinois, to Miss Inez I. Stevens, who was born, reared and educated in Illinois, attending Dixon Seminary. She was a daughter of Park Stevens, a native of Bennington, Vermont. The mother of Mrs. Richardson, Mary Tweed, was a native ofWorcester, Massachusetts. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stevens came to Ogle county, Illinois, about 1840, and were among the early pioneers of the county, which was then new and wild. The father died in Ogle county at the age of sixty-four, and the mother at forty-five. He had been twicemarried, by his first marriage having six children and by his second marriage seven children, Mrs. Richardson being one of the second family. During life he followed farming and voted the Republican
ticket.

To our subject and his wife two
  sons have been born: Guy, in his thirteenth year; and Fred, in his eleventh. Mr. Richardson takes an active interest in politics and supports the platform of the Republican party. He is one of the Township Trustees, and served as Assessor of his township for five years. He has been a member of the School Board and served as President for several years. The Methodist Episcopal Church is the one which he and his wife and family attend. Mr. Richardson is a man in the prime of life, frank and cordial in his manners and has always been identified with the best interests of the township and county. When the census was taken in 1885, our subject was the enumerator of the township. He is one of the directors of the Sac Mutual Insurance Company. In every position our subject has been called upon to fill he has shown himself to be a man of strict integrity and fully deserving of all honors bestowed upon him by his fellow-citizens.



ANDREW RUSSELL, a prominent farmer of Boyer Valley township, near the post office of Early, one of the well-known citizens, who settled in this township in 1873, was born in Park county, Indiana, near Rockville, April 6, 1835, a son of Ben and Sarah (Johnson) Russell. The father was born in Kentucky, the mother in Ohio. In 1849, when our subject was fourteen years of age, the family removed to Clinton county, Iowa, locating near Lyons, where the father died in 1871. As an occupation he had always followed farming, had taken an active interest in political affairs, always voting with the Republican party, was a good citizen and a consistent member of the Christian Church. The mother is now living in Clinton county at the advanced age of eighty-two years. She has been the mother of four sons and four daughters. One son, Monroe, became a soldier during the war, in the Second losva Infantry, lives in Jackson county, where be was one of the early settlers.

On April 23, 1854, our subject started West, overland, journeying to Oregon and California, and from that date to 1859 engaged in prospecting, mining and freighting with pack mules. He returned via the Isthmus and Mississippi river to Iowa, located in Clinton county and engaged in farming until 1873. At the latter date he came to Sac county, settling in Boyer Valley township, where he opened up and improved his present farm. The residence is a good frame structure, one and one-half stories high, 14 x 22 feet, with an L of the same height, also 14 x 22 feet, and is surrounded by a fine grove and orchard, of three acres. The barn is a convenient building, 32 x 50 feet, well constructed and substantial.

At the age of twenty-five, in Clinton county, Iowa, he was married to Easter Case, a native of Clay county, Indiana, daughter of Obediah and Susanna (Royality) Case. The father was born in Tennessee and the mother in Kentucky. They had moved to Clinton county in 1846, where both died. Two oftheir sons took part in the late war: Zeniah served in the Twenty-sixth Iowa, and died during service, while Isaiah also died in the army. Our subject and wife have had twelve children, namely: Luella, wife of Henry Ward, resides at Slaughter, Washington; Orion and wife reside in Washington; andAlbert also resides in the same State; Eudora is the wife of Oren Prentice, and resides in Washington, she having been a teacher in Sac county before her marriage; Elmondah is the wife of George Smith, of Washington; Walter is at home; Edith is the wife of George Roe, of this township; Alvin, Ethel, Dayton, Carm and Effie are at home.

Our
subject takes an active interest in politics and always votes the Republican ticket. He has been identified with most of the improvements that have been carried on since his settlement here, and has been a member of the School Board for some years. Mrs. Russell was reared in the Baptist faith, in which church she is a valued member.



FOSTER RUTLEDGE, a farmer of Delaware township, Sac county, was born in Wilmot township, Waterloo, sixty miles east of London, Canada, December 14. 1835, a son of Thomas and Elebeth (Foster) Rutledge, the former a native of Rochester, New York, born February 1, 1810, and the latter of Wicklow, Ireland. The father was of Scotch-Irish descent. Our subject's grandfather, Robert Rutledge, the father of Thomas, was born April 27, 1782, in county Cavan, Ireland; Mary Lurvev. his wife, was born April 14, 1783, in New York. They were united in marriage in 1808 in New York, moved to Canada in 1819, from there to Oregon, Illinois, in 1840, and died during the years 1862 and 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge located near Oregon, Ogle county, Illinois, where the former died at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in his political views, and religiously, a member of the Methodist Church. The mother of our subject died in 1875. They were the parents of fourteen children, whose names are as follows: Mary, born July, 183_; Robert, September 4, 1834; Foster, December 14, 1835; Fannie, February 4, 1837; John, August 16, 1838; William, March 26,1840; Margret, December 16, 1841; Catherine, March 13, 1843; Charlotte, February 26, 1845; Thomas, October 18, 1846; Elizabeth, May 10, 1848; Hester, July 1, 1851; Emily, September 2, 1852; Edward, March 26, 1855. Twelve of these grew to years of maturity. One son, John, was a soldier in the late war, in the Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

Foster Rutledge was reared to farm life, but at an early age he learned the carpenters' trade, which he followed for several years in Illinois. In 1859 he engaged in the manufacture of wagons at Calamus, Clinton county, Iowa, in 1875 began farming in Washington township, Carroll county, and in 1883 purchased his present farm in Sac county, then wild land. Mr. Rutledge now owns 200 acres of well-improved land, has a good dwelling, 16 x 24 feet, with an L, 26 x 30 feet, and is surrounded by a beautiful lawn, containing pine trees, shrubs and flowers. His grove of six acres is covered with box-elder, maple, elm, walnut, catalpa, and cottonwood trees. The barn, 42 x 52 feet, has a rock stable, and the farm contains all other necessary improvements.

November 4, 1858, at Oregon, Illinois, Mr. Rutledge was united in marriage with Caroline Hart, who was born, reared and educated in Ogle county, Illinois, a daughter of Andrew and Martha (Hayes) Hart, the former a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and the latter of South Carolina. The parents were married in Kentucky, and in 1832 removed to Ogle county, Illinois, where they were among the first settlers. They reared a family of four children: John, Peter, Caroline and Charlotte. The father died at the age of eighty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge have nine children, namely: Walter A., married, and has three children: Foster, Carrie and Charles W.; Foster II., married, and has one daughter, Hazel G.; Thomas Scott, at home; A. D. K., wife of Frank Slater, of Vermillion, South Dakota, and they have three children: Charles V., Carrie V. and Frankie; Wayne W., Robert T., C. Berry, Ernest E. and Edward B. Mr. Rutledge is identified with the Republican party, has held the office of Assessor two years, and has served as President of the School Board. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. G. T., of Delaware Centre. He is well informed on general topics, is in favor of education, and is a popular and progressive citizen.



J. W. SARGENT, proprietor of the pioneer mercantile store of Schaller, Iowa, was born in Felicity, Clermont county, Ohio, June 24, 1851, a son of William R. Sargent, a native of the same place. The latter's father was one of the first settlers of that county, and was a member of an old English family. The mother of our subject, nee Mary Wells, was also born in Clermont county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Sargent were the parents of seven children, and one son, E. M., was a soldier in the civil war in the Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he now resides at Grundy Centre, Iowa.

J. W. Sargent, the subject of this sketch, received a good education in Clermont county, Ohio. At the age of fifteen years he entered a general store in his native town, and six years later, in company with his brothers, E. M. and W. C, he engaged in business for himself. Three years afterward the brothers came to Grundy Centre, Iowa, where they were engaged in trade for five years. In 1881 our subject sold his interest to his brothers, and the following year came to Schaller, Sac county, entering the firm of J. L. Watson & Co. In September, 1886, he purchased his partner's interest, sincewhich time he has successfully carried on the business alone. Mr. Sargent's first business house (the first building in Schaller) was a frame building, 16 x 21 feet, but as the town increased in size he was obliged to enter a larger store, which was 25 x 60 feet. This, also, not proving large enough, in 1891 he moved into the Schaller Bank Block, where he has the finest storerooms in the city, 25 x 82 feet, with an L, 25 x 25 feet. He carries a complete stock of dry goods, carpets, boots, shoes, etc.

Mr. Sargent was married in Sac City, Iowa, January 2, 1884, to Mrs. Bettie E. Aldrich, nee Brown, and to this union has been born two children: W. Royce and Gladys E. Mr. Sargent has a beautiful home in the finest residence part of the town, is one of the best business men of Schaller, and one of its most popular and prominent citizens.

Socially, he is a member of the A. O. U. W., and religiously, his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.



HON. PHILLIP SCHALLER, one of the earliest settlers of Iowa, who, both as private citizen and public man, has done much to advance the welfare of his community and State, was born in Woerth, Alsace, January 6, 1838. His early education was received in the common schools of his native country. At the age of sixteen years he came to America, locating first in the Eastern States. In 1854 he removed to Iowa, and enlisted, August 8, 1862, in Company E, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, which served in the Army of the West. Mr. Schaller was in the service until July 1, 1865, and participated in all of the engagements of his regiment: Pleasant Hill, Cane River, Old Oaks, Nashville, Tupelo, Old Town Creek, Red River campaign, and manyothers, about twenty in all.

At the close of the war he relocated in Clayton county, Iowa, and engaged in the wagon business. He continued successfully in that occupation until 1871, and then settled in Eden township, Sac county, on a farm, which he commenced to improve. Shortly afterward he became an agent for the Iowa Land Company, which position he still retains. His tact and natural ability have rendered him successful in this undertaking, and he has probahly made more real-estate transfers than any other man in the State. He is a director of the First Natioual Bank of Sac City, Iowa, and president and originator of the Lake View State Bank. The village of Schaller, Sac county, was named in honor of him by the railroad company, for whom he has done such efficient service.

Mr. Schaller was married in October, 1865, to Miss Emeline L. Knight, an intelligent lady of Clayton county, Iowa. They have two children: Louisa S., now Mrs. E. P. Hartman, of Cowrie, Iowa; and Eugene E., married to F. S. Needham, of Lake View, Iowa.

Politically, Mr. Schaller is a staunch Republican, by which party he was elected for five years a member of the Board of County Supervisors and for eight years County Treasurer of Sac county, and a member of the Twenty-first General Assembly, where he did efficient service, advocating many reforms and materially advancing the interests of his community and the State. Among other things, he was an important figure in having a railroad constructed through Sac City, Sac county, to Kingsley in Plymouth county, which has been of inestimable benefit to the people of that locality. Nor have his efforts in their behalf been unappreciated by those most nearly concerned; on the contrary, Mr. Schaller is the recipient of the very highest esteem of his community and of the State. He has always taken an active interest in the promotion of educational interests in giving freely of both his time and money.

Socially, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Occidental Lodge, No. 178; Darius  Chapter, No. 58; Rose Croix Commandery No. 38; and Eastern Star. No. 18; all of Sac City, [owa; also belongs to the DeMolai Consistory, No. 1, at Lyons, Iowa; and is a charter member of Des Moinea Consistory, Des Moines, Iowa, and has held the office of Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. He is also a member of the G. A. R. General William T. Sherman Post, No. 284, and has been Commander for three years of the Northwestern Veteran Association during their reunions at Sac City, Correctionville and Storm Lake, Iowa.

As husband and father, as private citizen and in public office, his actions have ever been characterized by the most delicate honor, the highest integrity and most pleasing affability; not only winning the respect of his fellow-men by his more rugged qualities, but also gaining their hearts by his more gentle attributes.



WILLIAM SCOTT, a retired tanner of Sac county, Iowa, is the subject of this sketch. He is now living at the town of Early, having come here in 1872, locating on the Hammond homestead in Douglas township, in the Southwest quarter of section 30. This land had ten acres broken, but the house was a dug-out. Our subject broke the ground mi the place in summer, wintering in Delaware county. At the time of settlement there were not more than six families here, and game was yet abundant over the county, and for many years muskrat skins brought more money into the county than wheat did.

Our subject came to this country from his native England, where he was born, in Cumberland, February 17, 1822, a son of William and Esther (Scott) Scott, both parents having been born in that country, there engaged in farming and died, the father in his sixty-tirst year, and the mother survived until she had reached the age; of ninety. They had two children—our subject and his brother Samuel, who resides in Australia. Our subject was reared in his native land, educated in the district schools of England and was early taught the principles of agriculture.

Mr. Scott married in England, in 1844, Miss Jane Warwick, a native of Cumberland and a daughter of Thomas and .lane (Rebanks) Warwick, an old English family. They reared thirteen children and died many years ago in England. In 1852 our subject came to Delaware county, Iowa, and engagedas a farm laborer for a Mr. French, and then improved a large farm for a Mr. Sawyer. In September, 1862, he enlisted in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry and served in Company I for a period of fourteen months in Dakota in the Indian warfare. He was discharged in May, 1863, and returned to Delaware county, Iowa, and in 1870 came to the homestead in Sac county. Finally, in 1875, he brought his family here and settled on a farm of 160 acres, which he improved and put under cultivation, adding to it until at one time he owned as much as 240 acres. The home residence is a very comfortable one and one-half story structure, 18 x 24, with an L, and the outbuildings are excellent, the stable being 16 x 24, the granary 12 x 24. with cribs, feed sheds and all the appurtenances of a first-class farm. He also has a butternut grove, an orchard of ten acres, and all his land is well fenced. While in active life he fully engaged in farming and stock-raising. He recalls his early experiences in farming and marketing, and tells of the times when he hauled 3,000 bushels of corn to Storm Lake, selling ear corn for 12-1/2 to 13-1/2 cents, and shelled corn for 15 cents. When he raised hogs he preferred the Poland-China breed, at one time doing a large business in raising them.

Our subject has taken an active interest in politics, affiliating with the Democratic party. He has served as Justice of the Peace for many years and as Assessor of the township for six years. He aided in the organization of Delaware township and voted on the naming of the township when that matter came up for consideration.

He lost his excellent
wife, March 15, 1891, in Early, at the age of seventy-one. To their union had been born three children: John, who died at the age of two and one-half years in England; Thomas married Mary Welsche, a native of Delaware county, Iowa, and resides in this town, having one child, William W.; and the only daughter, Grace Ellis, died in Delaware county at the age of nineteen years.

Our subject married a second time, in Chicago, November 2, 1891, Caroline de Rudio, a native of Italy. She came to this country in 1880 to visit her brother, Captain Charles de Rudio. After spending two years with him she went to Chicago and spent ten years as teacher of modern languages—three years in the School of Lyric and Dramatic Art, afterward in a young ladies seminary on Prairie avenue, and gave private instructionsto many of the prominent ladies of that city. She also taught in the Sisters of St. Clara's Academy, at Sinsinawa Mound, East Dubuque, Iowa, and one year in the Simal Normal School in Dubuque county, Iowa. Her brother, Charles, was a captain in Company H, Seventh United States Cavalry, and wasan officer under General Custer at the time of the massacre, he and his sergeant being the only commissioned officers saved. He came to this country with recommendations, having been educated at Milan, Italy, and was appointed Lieutenant and served through the war, and at its close General Grant gave him employment in the War Department and commissioned him Lieutenant in the Seventh United States Army Corps, and he is now a captain stationed at Fort Sill in Indian Territory. He married Miss Eliza Booth, of England, December 9, 1855, and they have a family of four children, three daughters and one son, their names being: Hercules, who resides in California; Rama, the wife of Howard Scott, of New Orleans; Italia,the wife of Lieutenant Samuel Adair, of the Fifth United States Cavalry of Fort Reno, and America, single.

Mrs. Scott was born in Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, a daughter of Isabelle (de Domini) de Rudio, natives of Italy and members of a prominent, historical and patrician Italian family. Our subject was one of the early pioneers of Delaware township, and at that time Storm Lake was the nearestmarket. During his residence in the State Mr. Scott has seen almost the entire development of Iowa. In 1856 he took a trip to Nebraska, by way of Sioux City, and found all of the land wild and new.



CLARK X. SEARLE, a farmer of Delaware township, Sac county, was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, October 5, 1854, a son of James Searle, who was born at Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1802, while his parents were en route from Vermont to Fairfield county, Ohio. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject, nee Elizabeth Clark, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, where her father was one of the first settlers. She married James Searle September 28, 1853. Mr. Searle moved from Ohio to Rock Island county, Illinois, in 1840, where he died in 1876. He was a farmer and carpenter by occupation; politically, a Whig, and later a Republican; and was a Class-leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother died in 1880. They were the parents of five children: C. N., Wellington (dead), Mary, Clara and Sherman. The father was three times married, and one of his sons, E. J., was an associate judge of the supreme court in Arkansas. Four sons, E. J., Elmer, James and Alva P., were soldiers in the late war. Elmira and Pauline were daughters by the first marriage; Melcina was the only child by the second.

C. N. Searle, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Rock Island county, Illinois, also attending the Illinois Industrial University at Urbana, that State. Since completing his education he has been a successful teacher in both Illinois and Sac county, Iowa. In December, 1882, he located on 160 acres of wild land in this county, which he has since improved, and his dwelling, 20 x 20 feet, is beautifully located. Mr. Searle is engaged in general farming and dairying.

August 29, 1882, he was married to Miss Emma J. Crompton, born December 5, 1858, formerly a successful and popular teacher, and a daughter of F. E. and Percie (Moody) Crompton, the former a native of Manchester and the latter of Lincolnshire, England. They were the parents of ten children, viz.: Emma J., George W., John H., Frank E., Grace G., Ellen M., Maud, Maggie, Edna B. and Lillie. Three of the daughters are residents of Sac county: Mrs. Searle; Mrs. Ed Price, of Sac City; and Maud, a successful teacher of Delaware township. Mr. and Mrs. Searle have four children: Jessie E., MaryA., Clark W. and Laverne C. The eldest child, Bessie, died at the age of eighteen months. Politically, our suhject is a leader in the Republican party, has served seven years as Justice of the Peace, and is now Township Clerk and secretary and manager of the Delaware Center Creamery Company.Socially, he is a member of the I. O. G. T., No. 608, of Delaware Centre.



A. P. SEARLS, of Eureka township, Sac county, Iowa, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 12, 1841, a son of James and Elizabeth (Quinn) Searls, the former a native of Fairfield county, and the latter of Wheeling, West Virginia. The father was a son of John Searls, a native of Vermont. The mother of our subject, a successful teacher before marriage, was a danghter of John Quinn, a native of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Searls removed to Rock Island county, Illinois, in a very early day, where the former died at the age of seventy-five years, and the latter aged fifty years. The father was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in his political views, and religiously, he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

A. P. Searls, the subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a good education in Mt. Morris Seminary, at Easton, Illinois. After completing his education he was engaged in teaching for a number of years. At the breaking out of the civil war, he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, Company F, Governor-General Farnsworth's regiment, and served three years and two months. He was struck by a spent ball at Gettysburg,in which battle his regiment took an active part, but lost heavily. After his discharge Mr. Searls returned to Illinois, and for the following five years was engaged as foreman of a wholesale house in Chicago. In 1875 he came to Eureka township, Sac county, Iowa, where he was among the pioneer settlers, and has ever since made his home in this county.

Our subject was married at the age of twenty-four years to Miss Jennette H. Skinner, who was educated at Evanston, Illinois, and was a successful and popular teacher before marriage. She is a daughter of A. G. and Eliza (Huff) Skinner. The parents removed to Chicago, Illinois, in 1836. Themother died in 1891, and the father is now at Schaller, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Searls have two children: A. C. and Mattie E. The latter is now attending Highland Park College, of Des Moines, Iowa. In his political views Mr Searls is a Republican, and has held the office of Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic order, Acme Lodge, No. 457; a charter member of the G. A. R., William D. Price Post, No. 392, of Schaller; and a Master Workman in the A. O. U. W. Mrs. Searls  is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.



TALMON SELLEY, a successful farmer of Sac county, was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1840, a son of William Selley, a native of England. Talmon was a lad of ten years when he removed to Kane county, Illinois, later located in Amboy, Lee county, that State, and was there reared to farm life. May 24, 1861, ho enlisted in the Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and served three years and eight months. His regiment was at Rolla, Missouri, and in the engagements against Generals Price and Marmaduke in the Southwest and in the vicinity of the Ozark mountains. He participated in the battles of Helena, Vickbhurg, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Jackson and Black River Bridge. After the close of the struggle Mr. Selley returned to Putnam county, Illinois, but in 1881 purchased his present farm of 120 acres in Delaware township, Sac county, Iowa. His place is now under a fine state of cultivation, has a good, modern dwelling, 14 x 24 feet, with an L, 14 x 22 feet, and a beautiful grove and orchard.

In February, 1868, in Putnam county, Illinois, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Hamm, a native of Columbia county, New York, and a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Coons) Hamm, natives also of that county. The father died in 1890, aged seventy-three years, and the mother is still living at the age of seventy-five years. They were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters.

Mr.
and Mrs. Selley have no children of their own, but have raised one boy, Albert Allen, and are now caring for Willie Brown. Politically, Mr. Selley affiliates with the Republican party; and socially, is a member of the G. A. R., McDowell Post, of Early. Mrs. Selley is a member of the Methodist Church and was Superintendent of the Sunday-school.



GEORGE H. SHADLE, a resident of section 9, Cedar township, is one of the prominent men who came here in the spring of 1881. He was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1849, and was a son of George Shadle, a native of Pennsylvania, who had descended from an old family of the State, who had come from German ancestors. The mother of our subject was named Susan Hileman, a native of Pennsylvania, a daughter of George Hileman, of the same place.

Our subject was a lad of eight years when the family removed to Clinton county, Iowa, and settled near Comanche. Later the parents moved to Boone county, in 1868, and now live in Beaver township, the father aged sixty-seven and the mother sixty-eight years. By occupation the father is a farmer, in politics a Republican and a consistent member of the United Brethren Church. Twelve children were born to the parents of our subject,four of these being sons, and one of the latter, John, was a member of the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, in Company C, and he was taken prisoner and died.

Our subject was reared in Clinton county, Iowa, on a farm and attended the common schools. In 1881 he came to this section and took up a farm of 200 acres of wild land. He now has it in good shape, with a large grove and fine orchard, hence enjoys the comforts of farm life to the highest degree.His house is a nice frame residence of one story and a half, 14 x 26, and with an L of one story, 14 x 18. This is all tastefully furnished, and his farm shows comfort and thrift in every direction. He has all the stabling and shed room to be found upon all well-conducted farms, and believes in makinghis cattle comfortable, and succeeds.

Our subject was married at the age of nineteen in the county of Clinton, Iowa, to Miss Elizabeth Cole, a woman of the greatest good sense and wise management. She was born in Indiana, a daughter of Madison Cole, a native of Indiana, and Jane (Swing) Cole, a native of Indiana. She was six years of age when her friends came to Clinton county, Iowa, where she was educated. Her parents are yet spared to her, living in Douglas township.

Six children have been born to our subject
and wife, as follows: Hattie, the wife of Charles Larrimer, of Sac City, the mother of three children; Cora, wife of Leonard Patra, of La Porte county, Indiana, and she has one daughter; Bertha Viola, at home; William M., also at home; as also are Susan Ellen and Harry E. One little son, Clarence, died at the age of five weeks.

Our subject is a People's party man, believing thai the principles of that organization are the best for the country. He is known in all his neighborhood as a man of the strictest integrity, and has many friends. The family is highly regarded by all who know them.



W. W. SHAW, a prominent and successful farmer of Eden township, Sac county, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on Pike Run, near the old home of James G. Blaine, January 20, 1835, a son of William Shaw, a native of that county. The latter's father, David Shaw, was a prominent Quaker, and settled in Pennsylvania, on the Schuylkill river, in 1715. The Shaws were a prominent family, and took an aetive part in politics and religion. They were statesmen and soldiers, and fought many hard battles for their native country (Wales) during the sixteenth century. The motherof our subject, formerly Sarah Nixon, was also born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George Nixon, a native of that county, and a member of a prominent and well-known family of that part of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were the parents of six children, viz.: W. W., Hannah, Rachel, George, Robert and Margaret. The father was a Whig in his political views, in which he was an active worker, not for office, but for the good of the party. Henry Clay was his bosom friend. His death occurred in 1851, and the mother died in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of seventy-three years.

W. W. Shaw, the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life, and was early taught honesty, industry and perseverance, a good foundation for future success in life. When nine years of age he moved with his parents to Boone county, Kentucky, settling near the famous Big Bone or Salt Springs, which were discovered and named by Daniel Boone, and he received his education principally in that county. December 9, 1855, he arrived in Delaware county, Iowa, purchased and improved a farm, and was identified with the history of that county until coming to Sac county, in 1877. After locating in this county Mr. Shaw purchased eighty acres of partly improved land of Walter Watt, to which he has since added until he now owns 180 acres, all now under a fine state of cultivation. He has a good dwelling, 16 x 24 feet, one and a half stories high, with an L, 16 x 20 feet; a beautifullawn, containing pine trees, shrubs and flowers, a grove of five acres, and an orchard of one acre of small fruits. His house is erected in Southern style, and situated forty rods from the road. His farm is well watered by a large spring, and his pasture of sixty acres rivals the old blue-grass region of Kentucky. Mr. Shaw was the first to introduce and make a success of growing blue-grass in Sac county. In addition to his farm property, he also owns a house and lot in Early, on Maple street. Mr. Shaw has made stockraising a success. He keeps about seventy-five head of steers on his farm; turns off a car or two of fat cattle for the Chicago market annually. He is also noted for his fine horses.

November 28, 1857, in Delaware county, Iowa, our subject was married to Nancy Jane Beckett, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Tennrl) Beckett, who were horn, reared, educated and married in Kentucky. Mrs. Shaw received her education in Dubuque, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have four children, namely: Florence, wife of John Richardson who resides near Le Mars, Plymouth county, Iowa; Perditta, now Mrs. W. F. Flanagan of Delaware township, Sac county; Eva, wife of L. E. Rouffcorn, of this county; and W. D., who resides on the old homestead. Politically, our subject affiliates with the Democratic party, has served as Trustee of his township for years, and has been an active and zealous worker for the party. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Boyer Lodge, No. 475, located at Early, Iowa, and was made a Mason at Earlville, this State, in 1873. He is a man of intelligence, well informed on general topics, hospitable and cordial to all, and is numbered, socially, politically, and financially, among the first in Sac county.



JAMES SHELMERDINE, a farmer of Boyer Valley township, one of its oldest settlers, having come to the State in 1856, was born in England, July 13, 1821, a son of William and Isabel (Brunton) Slielmerdine, natives of England, who passed their whole lives in that country. They reared a family of ten children, four of whom are yet living, Robert and William, both in England; James and Charlotte in this country.

Our
subject was reared and educated in his native land and there learned the trade of dyer, working at cotton dyeing for many years, but in 1855 came to America, landing in New York city. Soon after he obtained employment in the print works in New Jersey, where he remained one year and then removed to Mount Vernon, Iowa, where he remained until 1856; then came with Mr. Rob Browning to Sac county, locating near Sac City. He was one of the first settlers of Sac county. Sac City had one house, that of Judge Christ, and there was one log house being built. Our subject there engaged as mail carrier from Ida Grove to Sac City, and while performing his official duty he met a Mr. Treadway, who was a recruiting officer. After conversing with him our subject decided to enlist as he was aman of strong abolition principles, consequently he offered his services to theEighteenth Iowa Infantry, but as their quota was full he enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry and served two years and eleven months and eleven days. He participated in the battle of Vicksbnrg and was at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Kenesaw Mountain, at which place he was wounded in the right shoulder and confined for some time in the hospital. Later he rejoined his regiment at Atlanta, went thence to Jonesboro,through the Carolinas on to Richmond, finally taking part in the grand review at Washington. With the exception of his one wound he remained in good health and was always ready for service. He was honorably discharged at Clinton, Iowa.

Our subject then returned to Sac county, Iowa, and in 1869, settled upon his present farm, consisting of 120 acres of land in a good state of cultivation, which is located three miles from the town of Early. On this farm he has erected several fine barns, one 28 x 30 feet, and the other 16 x 30, with all necessary accompanying sheds and stables, adjoining which is a tine grove and orchard.

The marriage of our subject occurred August, 1866, with Miss Nancy Maulsby, who was born in Miami county, Indiana, daughter of David and Isabella (Carr) Maulsby. The father was of Welsh and Irish descent, but the mother was a native of Indiana. In 1856 they removed to Greene county, Iowa, before there were any settlements there; and in 1863, to Dallas county, Iowa, The father died in Greene county, at about the age of sixty. He had been a farmer by occupation; a Republican in politics and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Two of his sons had been soldiers in the late war, John entered an Indiana regiment and died in Libby prison, Levi entered the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, went through the war safely and resides near Glidden in Carroll county.

Our subject and wife have had six
children, four of whom are living, namely: David Simpson; Isabel, wife of Vernon Herigon of Kansas, has one child named Elvie; Mary Elizabeth and Nancy at home, while Arthur and James are deceased. In politics our subject is a Republican. Socially he isconnected with William T. Sherman Post, No. 284, Sac City, and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Early. He is a good citizen and among the most prominent men of Boyer Valley township.



CHARLES L. SHERWOOD, deceased, was one of the early settlers of Sac county, Iowa, coming to this county in the spring of 1873, bringing his family inthe fall of the same year. He located in Clinton township, where be purchased a tract of 100 acres of wild land. on section 22. He improved this farm, planting groves and orchards and erecting buildings, and made this place his home until 1879. At this time he left the farm and came into Wall Lake, where he engaged in the real estate business, and was made its first Postmaster. He followed the real-estate business, representing the Iowa Land Company, until his death, which occurred in 1888, when he bad reached the age of seventy-one years and ten months. He had served the people of Wall Lake as Postmaster for three years.

He was a native of Delaware county, Ohio,
where he was reared, and where he married Miss Elina Backoven, a native of New York, who died in 1889, at the age of seventy-two years. In his early life he was an active politician in the Republican party. Mrs. Sherwood was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She became the mother of six children, as follows: Anna L., wife of Benjamin Ward, of Wall Lake; Octavia E., widow of Horace ). Simpson, of Wall Lake; George C.; Ledoytt P., a resident of Wall Lake; Mary J., wife of John Parkinson, of Wall Lake township; and Elias A., a residentof Wall Lake.

George C. Sherwood was born in Delaware county, Ohio, October 22, 1847, and came with the family to Clinton county, Iowa, when but eight years of age, and in 1873 accompanied his father to this county. He followed farming with his father for two years after coming here, until his marriage,January 10, 1881. At that time he was engaged in farming for himself on a tract of raw prairie land consisting of 120 acres on sections 22 and 27 in Clinton township. This land he improved and here made his home until 1890, when he removed to Wall Lake, and in the spring of 1892, engaged in the livery business. Our subject carries a full stock of livery equipments. While upon the farm he engaged in general farming, and assisted in improving 400 acres in Sac county, and has been one of the active and representative citizens of this county. In bis politics he has always been a staunch Republican.

He was married in Tama county, Iowa,
January 10, 1881, to Miss Anna R. Buihner, a native of Illinois, daughter of John and Ursula Buihner, and four children have been added to the household of Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood, these are: Elma, Ray, Maggie and Clair. The Sherwood family stands amongthe most highly respected and highly esteemed in the county.



JOHN SIMPSON, a farmer and stockraiser of section 24, Boyer Valley township, Sac county, Iowa, is one of the pioneer representative citizens who settled in the township in 1872, and is also an ex-soldier of the late war. He was born April 12, 1843, in New York, a son of William and Margaret (Lupton) Simpson, natives of Lincolnshire, England. The mother died near Sabnla, Jackson county, Iowa, but the father is living at Savanna, Illinois, in his eighty-third year. He had three sons in the service during the late war. Robert, who served in the Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry, was wounded at Iuka and now lives at Savanna, Illinois; William served in an Illinois regiment and now resides in Jackson county, Iowa. Our subject enlisted in July, 1862, in Company A, Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry, when the call was made for 300,000 more men. He served two years and eleven months. Was first under fire at Haines' Bluff, which was followed by the battles of Arkansas Post, Jackson and Brandon, Mississippi; siege of Yicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, Marietta, Atlanta and Joneeborough, Georgia, took part in the memorable march to the sea; was in the campaign through the Carolinas; at Columbus and Jonesborongh, and participated in the grand review at Washington, where he was honorablydischarged in 1865. He then came to Clinton, Iowa, where he received his pay, after which he went for a short time to Charlotte, Clinton county, but later removed to Jackson county.

At the last-named place he continued but one year, when be returned to Clinton county, where he remained until 1872, when he made his final removal to Sac county, Iowa,, locating in Boyer Valley township. Here he engaged in farming on eighty acres in section 29, and later bought forty acres on section 23. In 1887 he bought an improved farm of 160 acres. The residence of Mr. Simpson bears a close resemblance to other comfortable homes, being a one and a half story structure, 14 x 20, and an L, 14 x 16. Upon the place he has a number of stables, sheds, feed-lots and all the necessary buildings usually found in a well-ordered farm. Here he engages in general farming and stock-raising.

He was married at the age of twenty-four years in Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa, to Miss Ruth Shull, a native of Vigo county, Indiana. She was seven years of age when the family removed to Clinton county, Iowa, and is a daughter of Hiram and Rebecca (Porter) Shull, natives of Vigo county, in a locality near Terre Haute. They removed to Clinton county at an early date, settling on Government land. The mother died at the age of fifty-five, but the father lives in Nebraska, aged seventy years. They reared a family of seven children, one son, Lewis, entering the Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry during the late war. To our subject and wife ten children have been born, as follows: Arthur Wilburt; Thomas D.; Clara E., wife of Warren Burns, of this county; William O.; Lura R. and Lewis J., twins; Bertha Agnes; Eva E.; Robert E.; and Leonard H., who died at the age of four months. Our subject takes an active interest in politics, votes with the Republican party and has served in several capacities in the township. Socially he is a member of McDowell Post, of Early. He is one of the men who have given Sac county its substantial position in the State.



HON. A. B. SMITH, one of the most prominent men of Sac county, Iowa, has been a resident of Clinton township, this county, since 1878. We make the following record of his life and ancestry, and it is with pleasure that we present it on the pages of this volume:

Hon. A. B. Smith was born in Morgan county, Ohio, June 27, 1841, the third in a family of six children. His father, William Smith, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, son of John Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, and a descendant of German ancestry. The mother of our subject, who died when he was eight years old, was before her marriage Miss Sarah Beale. She was born in Ohio, daughter of Asa Beale, her mother's maiden name having been Clacy. Mr. Smith's father is now a resident of Clinton county, Iowa. He is by occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican, and in religion a Methodist.

A. B. Smith was reared in Morgan county, Ohio, and was educated in the common schools of his native place. When the civil war came on, he enlisted his services, becoming a member of Company C, Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was on active duty two years and ten months. He participated in the battles of Stone River and Missionary Ridge. At the latter place he was wounded with a minie ball over the left eye, was confined in hospital thirty days, and at the end of that time received a furlough and returned home. Later he entered the Convalescent camp at Chattanooga, joined his regiment in Tennessee, and took part in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain, Rocky Face, New Hope, Resaca, Jonesboro, Chattanooga, Franklin and Nashville. He was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, July 10, 1865.

After the war Mr. Smith came to Iowa, and in 1868 located near DeWitt, where he lived until 1878. At that time he came to Sac county, and settled in Clinton township, buying 320 acres of land, which he has improved, and on which he has since lived. He has one of the finest farms in Sac county. In 1886 he built a commodious two-story residence, with bay window and modern conveniences. He has a fine grove and orchard of four acres, his barn and other farm buildings are all first-class, and the general appearance of the farm indicates thrift and prosperity. This place is utilized chiefly as astock-farm.

Mr. Smith was married January 4, 1866, to Miss Nancy E. Mummey, who  was born in Morgan county, Ohio, daughter of Joshua and Catharine (Hammon) Muminey, natives of Maryland. Joshua Mummey was a soldier of the war of 1812, and served in Captain Elston's Company in the Army of the Manmee under General Wm. H. Harrison, grandfather of President Harrison. Mrs. Smith is one of nine children, four sons and five daughters. One of her brothers, Benjamin, served in the late war as a member of the Eleventh Iowa Infantry. He now resides at Odebolt, Iowa. Her father died in Morgan county, Ohio, in 1853, and her mother now resides with her, aged ninety-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children, namely: Charles, who ia married and has one child, Annie M.; Mary, wife of Rev. Sydney Chandler, a Methodist minister, of Epworth, Dubnque county, Iowa, is now attending college in that city; and Harlan A., attending college at Epworth.

.Mr. Smith's political affiliations are with the Republican party. In the fall of 1889 he was elected to the State Legislature, and served as a member of the same with credit and honor, both to himself and to his constituents. He is a charter member of Colonel Goodrich Post, No. 117, G. A. R., and his wife is a member of the Women's Relief Corps. Both are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee and Steward, and they have the esteem and respect of all who know them.



D. E. SPAFFORD, a farmer of Sac township, Sac county, Iowa, was born in Addison county, Vermont, November 20, 1837, a son of Daniel S. Spafford,who was born near Vergennes, Vermont. His father, David Spafford, was a native of New England, and a member of an old and prominent family. Our subject's mother was Mary H. Austin, also a native of Vermont, and a daughter of Thaddeus Austin. Daniel S. Spafford enlisted in 1861 for the late war in the Fifty-third Illinois Infantry, Company F, but was discharged on account of disability in 1862. Ee died at the age of sixty years, leaving a widow and ten children. His wife died in Lee county, Illinois, in March, 1892, aged eighty-four years. Three of the sons took part in the late war: Joseph B.,a member of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, Company G, served four years, and his death occurred in Lee county, Illinois, in July, 1892; andThaddeus, a member of the Seventy-fifth Illinois Infantry, Company E, was captured at Chickamauga and died in Libby Prison at the age of twenty years.

D. E. Spafford was but a babe when he moved with his family to Orange county, Vermont, where he was reared to farm life, and at the age of seventeen years went to Lee county, Illinois. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, Seventy-fifth Illinois Infantry, and took part in the battles of Nolansville, Stone River, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Ohickamanga, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp-ground, Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. He was honorably discharged at Chicago in 1865, returned to Lee county, and in 1868 came to Sac county, Iowa. Mr. Spafford immediately purchased 120 acres of wild land, and now owns 377 acres, all well improved. He has a two-story dwelling, 26 x 32 feet, with an addition, 16 x 24 feet, a grove and orchard of three acres, good barns, windmill, etc.

In September, 1862, at Lee Centre, Illinois, he was united in marriage to Sarah J. Eastwood, who was born, reared and educated in Lee county, a daughter of Martin and Mary (Fisher) Eastwood, natives of Cattaraugus, New York. The parents came to Illinois in 1834, where the father afterwarddied. The mother is now sixty-eight years of age. They reared a family of eight children, and two of the sons took part in the civil war: Wallace, a member of the Seventy-fifth Illinois Infantry, resides in Guthrie county. Iowa; and George, in the Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, lives in Sherman, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Spafford have four children: Daniel E., married, and resides in Coon valley, Iowa; Mabel T., who bas been a successful teacher for a number of years; Gertrude E., formerly a teacher; both now attending the Capital City Commercial College at Des Mnines, Iowa; and Mary I. Mr.Spafford affiliates with the Republican party, has served as Township Clerk, Assessor, and at the present time is a member of the Board of Trustees, and is a successful and popular man.



W. H. STENHOUSE, one of the well-known and prominent citizens of Sac county, was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, September 3, 1849, a son of Samuel Stenhouse, a native of Scotland. The father was twenty years of age when he came to the United States, later located in Racine county, Wisconsin, and was there married to the mother of our subject. She afterward died, leaving two children, W. H. and Harriett. The father still resides in Racine county, aged seventy-one years, He is a farmer by occupation, and a Republican in his political views.

W. H. Stenhouse, the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life in his native county. In L876 he located on wild land in Sac county, Iowa, and is now oneof its prominent and well-to-do farmers, owning 240 acres of good land. His residence, 14 x 18 feet, is well located, and has a grove of eight acres, an orchard of one acre, and all other necessary farm improvements.

Mr. Stenhouse was married in the spring of 1877, in Racine county, Wisconsin, to Emiline Dobson, a daughter of Richard and Jane (Cockroft) Dobson, natives of England. Our subject and wife have two children: Bert A. and Roy F. Politically, Mr. Stenhouse is identified with the Republican party, andreligiously, his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bethel. Mr. Stenhouse has the respect and confidence of all who know him, and is one of the substantial business men of Delaware township.



GEORGE 8TEPHAN, a successful farmer of Sac county, was born in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1860, a son of Fred and Catherine Stephan. George was a lad of six or seven years when the family moved to Lee county, Illinois, where he was reared to farm life, and educated in the district schools. In 1882 he came to Sac county, Iowa, and the following year settled on his present farm of 180 acres. His land is under a fine state of cultivation, has a goodframe residence, 24 x 44 feet, and is engaged in general farming and stock raising. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party, anil socially, is a member of the K. of P., No. 165, of Early.

Mr. Stephan was married October 6, 1883, to Christine Keinhart, who was born, reared and educated in Lee county, Illinois, a daughter of Henry Reinhart, a native of Germany. He came to Illinois when eight years of age, was in Chicago when that city was but a small village, and was married in that State to Martha Hotzle, a native of Germany. She also came to America when a child. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Reinhart located on a  farm near Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, and the former has frequently hauled grain from that place to Chicago, a distance of eighty-five miles. In 1877 they settled on the Boyer river, Clinton township, Sac county, Iowa, where Mr. Reinhart purchased and operated the Boyer Valley Flouring Mills. He also dealt largely in land, having cleared several farms, and at one time owned 3,000 acres of land in Sac county. He still owns 1,360 acres of well-improved land, owning all of section 16, in Clinton township, one-half of section 9, in the same township, and other farms in the county. In 1889 he moved to Sioux City, where he engaged in business. Mr. Reinhart also invested in property there, and still owns the Reinhart Hotel Block. He and his wife have had seven children: Catherine, Christine, Elizabeth, John, Anna, Charles and Oscar. Mr. and Mrs. Stephan have five children: HenryAbner, Oscar George, Viola Mary, Ansel John and Harrold Frederick. Mr. Stephan is one of the prominent and progressive young business men of Boyer township.



BENJAMIN STEVENS, a prosperous farmer residing on 120 acres of land in section 32, Coon Valley township, Sac county, Iowa, has been identified with the interests of this place since 1882, coming here from Tama county, Iowa. Of his life and ancestry we present the following brief record:

J. H. Stevens, his father, was born in Milesburg, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1803, and died in November, 1892. He led an exemplary life; was by occupation a farmer; in politics, first a Democrat and afterward a Republican. The mother of Benjamin Stevens was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania. They had children as follows: Mary, Reddick, Leonard, Benjamin, John, Sarah, Sewall, Pollock and Daniel. All are living except two.

Benjamin Stevens was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1839, and was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In February, 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Iowa Infantry, and at once went to the front, participating in some of the most important engagements in Tennessee and Alabama, and serving until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee.

Returning to Scott county, Iowa, after the war, he remained two years, then went to Tama county, and from there, in 1882, came to Sac county and bought his present farm. This property he has improved with good fences and buildings. His house is 16 x 22 feet, a story and a half; barn 32 x 24 feet; granary, 20 x 24 feet; and another building, 24 x 4S feet, with rock basement.

Mr. Stevens was married to Miss Rosana Gray. Their only child, Ellen Gyles, is now a resident of Oregon. His second marriage was to Margaret Darrah, a native of Pennsylvania. They have four children: Thomas, Nellie, Gracie and Earl.

Politically, Mr. Stevens is a Republican. He is a member of William T. Sherman Post, G. A. R., at Sac City.



C. W. SUTTON, a prominent and influential citizen of Odebolt, Iowa, is a member of the firm, C. W. Sutton & Son, hardware merchants. This businesswas established in the city, June, 1873. in a small store in the same location, occupied by the firm ever since. When thev began business the stock was very small, but now they carry a very large assortment of goods in their line, consisting of hardware, stoves, tinware, pumps, oils, a full line of farming implements, cooper and Old's wagons; wagons from D. M. Seeler of Moline, Moline Buggy Company Works, and the Hadock Buggy Works of Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1892 the firm erected a fine two-story implement building, 100 x 26, which is one of the finest in the county. Under this is abasement. This building was built for buggies, implements, hardware and cutlery, and a room in the rear accommodates the tin shop. Another room, 26 x 70 feet, contains the paints, oils, pumps, etc. The stock is valued from $12,000 to §15,000.

C. W. Sutton, the senior member of this firm, was born in Wayne county, New York, July 17, 1835, son of Charles C. H. and Rosella (Bishop) Sutton, natives of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, respectively, although of English extraction. Our subject was reared in his native State, and educated atthe high school of his native place. At the age of twenty he came West to Iowa, locating in James county, where he engaged in farming for several years, when in 1875 he engaged in the hardware business, which he pursued until coming to Odebolt in 1879, where he established the above mentioned firm. Mr. Sutton is practically a self-made man, and has accumulated his present wealth by his own persistent effort.

Mr. Sutton was married, in 1858, to Miss Fannie Hause, who died in 1868 after bearing her husband four children, namely: George, member of the firm of Sutton & Son; Rosella, wife of Allen Duke of James county, Iowa; Florence, wife of West McDaniel, of .lames county, Iowa; and Edith, wife of W. S. Faiker, of Iowa, is a graduate of Barton Conservatory of Music. Mr. Sutton was married in Odebolt, in 1882, February, to Lucinda Taylor, and four children have been born of this union, namely: Lula, Nora, Charles, and Alice.

Politically, Mr. Sutton is a Republican, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years. Has also held the position of Mayor of the city of Odebolt, and at the present time is a memberof the School Board. Socially, Mr. Sutton is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being connected with Wheeler Lodge, No. 398. He is one of the most active members, as well as Trustee of the Methodist Church, and is highly esteemed in that body.



SAM TAYLOR, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, of Cedar township, Sac county, Iowa, is one of the representative citizens who settled in the township in 1872. He was born in La Porte county, Indiana, March 27, 1836, and was the son of William Taylor, a native of Harper's Ferry, Virginia, who was a son of Samuel Taylor. The family was of English ancestry.

The mother of our subject was born in Ohio. Her name was Mary Cannon, a daughter of Joseph Cannon. In 1833 the parents of our subject removed to La Porte county, Indiana, and there William Taylor engaged in general merchandising. He also engaged for some time in pork-packing, removing to South Bend, and still later to Warren county, Iowa, and located among the early settlers at Indianola. He died in Indiana, and he was buried at South Bend. The mother of our subject died in La Porte county. They had reared a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters. One son, John, was a member of the State Militia during the late war.

In politics William Taylor was a Democrat. For many years he was prominently identified with the Methodist Church, being Class-leader and local preacher. Socially, he was a member of the Masonic order, and also of I. O. O. F. His death occurred at the age of sixty-seven, and his wife passed away at the age of forty-two.

Our subject was reared and educated in La Porte county, Indiana, and assisted in his father's store, accompanying the family in 1869 to Warren county, Iowa, and in 1872 removed to Sac county. Here he located in Cedar township, which at that time was all new and wild land. Here he bought eighty acres, and has put it in a fine state of cultivation. The residence is a good frame building of one and one-half stories, 16 x 24 feet, and this is surrounded by a fine grove and orchard. One acre is devoted to small fruit. He here passes a useful and industrious life, engaged in farming and stock-raising, being successful in both industries.

The marriage of our subject took place August 6, 1856, in La Porte county, Indiana, to Miss Jane H. Herrold, a lady of great intelligence, who was born in Athens county, Ohio, near Selina, and a daughter of David Herrold, a native of Indiana county, Pennsylvania, who was a son of Joseph Herrold, also a native of the same county, whose ancestors had come from Germany. The mother of Mrs. Taylor was named Mary Dorr, a cousin of Governor Dorr, of Rhode Island, noted for Dorr's rebellion. Mrs. Taylor was reared and educated in La Porte county, Indiana. Her mother died there in 1871 at theage of fifty-three; the father is still living, at the age of seventy-eight. He has been a farmer and trader by occupation. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for William H. Harrison and his last one for Benjamin H. Harrison. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Church, and always took great interest in church work. He and wife have reared a family of eleven children, and all of them are yet living. One son, David, was in the late war, serving in the Ninth Indiana Infantry.

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have seven living children, as follows: Kate, the wife of Dr. Mansfield, of Salt Lake city, the owner of the Copeland Institute; David, in the railroad employ at Lake City, Iowa; Flora, wife of E. B. Atkins, of Sac City; George, at home; John, in Grant City; Frank, the manager of the Copeland Institute at Denver; and Mark, who is in the Copeland Institute drug store at Denver. Three children were lost in infancy: Mary, at the age of eight mouths; Willie, when six weeks old; and the twin of John.

Our subject is a Republican in politics, and cast his first vote for Lincoln. He has served in the office of Township Trustee, has been a member of the School Board, and in both positions discharged his duties to the satisfaction of all. Socially, he is a member of I. O. O. F., and in every way he is one ofthe representative men of the township.



TRUMAN TOWLE,a farmer of Sac county, Iowa, was born in Addison county, Vermont, August4, 1826, a son of Samuel P. Towle, a native of New Hampshire. The latter's father, Caleb Towle, was a member of an old New England family. The mother of our subject, formerly Lucinda Washburn, was born in Windsor county, Vermont, and her death occurred at the age of eighty-seven years. The father died at the age of eighty-four years, having been a farmer by occupation. He voted with the Republican party. and was a member of the Universalist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Towle werethe parent- of seven children, five sons and two daughters. Two sons took part in the civil war: William Wallace, a member of a Vermont regiment; and Walter R.,in a California regiment.

Truman Towle was reared to the vocation of a farmer, but in early life was engaged in teaching school for several years, and served as Assessor and Superintendent of Common Schools. He remained in the East until 1864, in that year removed to Boone county, Iowa, and two years later took a homestead of 160 acres in Delaware township, Sac county. Mr. Towle now owns 240 acres of rich and well improved land, has one of the finestgroves in the township, and a beautiful orchard of two acres.

He was married in Goshen, Vermont, December 5, 1850, to Emily H. Blood, who was born, reared and educated in that State, a daughter of Charles and Fanny (Jeperson) Blood, natives of Massachusetts. Mrs. Towle died duly 16, 1890, and September 21, 1892, our subject married Mrs. Agnes W. Randall, a daughter of Samuel and Lucinda Winch of New York State. Politically. Mr. Towle affiliates with the Republican party, has served as Township Trustee for twelve years, as Justice of the Peace, and a member of the School Board. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. G. T., of Delaware Centre.



A. TRINKLE, a retired farmer of Lake View, was born in Crawford county, Indiana, on the Ohio river, April 14, 1824, a son of Adam Trinkle, a native ofGermany. The father was four years of age when he came to the United States, settling in Virginia, where he grew to years of maturity. He was there married to Miss Hannah Rutherford, a native of Ireland. After residing for a time in Virginia, they went to Crawford county, Indiana, where they were among the early pioneers, and thence to Clay county, Illinois. The father died there at the age of fifty-two years, and the mother aged fifty-three years. They reared a family of ten children, three sons and seven daughters.

A. Trinkle, our subject, spent the first few years of his life in Crawford county, Indiana, was afterward engaged in farming in Illinois, returned to his native place, in 1866, went to Beardstown, Illinois, thence to Jackson township, Crawford county, Iowa, and next to Milford township, same county. That township then contained only seven voters, and there was not a single house between that place and Deloit. Mr. Trinkle erected the tirst log cabin where James Maynard now resides, improved his land, and now owns 440 acres under a fine state of cultivation. He also fed the first cattle and sheep in this locality, shipped the first carload of cattle from Vail and Westside, and is now feeding 100 head in Jackson township, Crawford county. Mr. Trinkle moved to Lake View in 1892, purchasing five and three-fourth acres of land, where he has erected a fine residence. During the civil war he was one of its best soldiers, participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri, was assigned to the invalid corps and stationed at Alton, Illinois.

In Clay county, Illinois, at the age of twenty-five years, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Riley, a native of Wayne county, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Mary Jane Riley. To this union have been born four children, only one of whom is still living: Elizabeth, wife of James Maynard, of Jackson township. They lost two daughters and one son, Margaret Jane, dedeased at the age of seventeen years; Sarah, at the age of six years; and Stephen, at the age of one month. Mr. Trinkle takes an active interest in politics, and has served with credit as County Surveyor. He is one ot the early pioneers, and one of the prominent men of Lake View.



C. L. WADE, who resides near Wall Lake, in Clinton township, Sac county, Iowa, is one of the representative men of this vicinity. He settled on his present farm in 1884.

Mr. Wade was born in Lucas county, Iowa, in November, 1860. His father, G. H. Wade, a native of New Jersey, is a son of U. S. Wade, also a native of that State, and is now a resident of Clinton county, Iowa. His mother, nee Sabra C. Clark, was born in Delaware county, Ohio. She is a daughter ofBarnabas Clark and a niece of Alvin Clark, the telescope-maker. They trace their ancestry back to the Pilgrims who came to this country in the Mayflower. The subject of this sketch and his sister, Eleanor, wife of Thomas B. Leinbaugh, of Elwood, Clinton county, Iowa, are the only living members of his father's family. His father, G. H. Wade, is a carpenter and a farmer, and in politics is a Republican.

At the age of four years C. L. Wade moved with his parents to Clinton county, where he was reared. In March, 1884, he went to Madison, Nebraska, and took claim to a tract of land. In October, of that same year, however, he came back to Iowa, and since then has been identified with the interests of Clinton township, Sac county. Settling on his present farm, he at once began its improvement. Now he has a comfortable home, a story and a half, 14 x 22 feet, with an L,12 x 18 feet, and has a nice young grove and orchard.

He was married December 26, 1883, in Clinton county, Iowa, to Ada F. Eckman, a lady of much intelligence and refinement, who received her birth and education in Clinton county. Her father, Levi A. Eckman, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, son of William Eckman, and her mother, neeMinerva A. Twiss, was born in New York and reared in Ohio. Her father died in his sixty-eighth year. He was a miller by trade, and was an early settler of Clinton county, Iowa; politically, a Republican. Her mother is now a resident of Madison county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Wade have two children:Harry L. born September 15, 1884, in Madison county, Nebraska; and Alta L. born September 9, 1891, in Sac County, Iowa.

Mr. Wade affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as a member of the School Board and is at present serving as Township Clerk, having been twice elected to this office, in 1890 and 1892. He and his  wife are members of the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, and are also active Sabbath-school workers. Indeed, Mr. Wade takes an interest in everything tending to improve the community in which he lives.



JONAS WALROD, one of the well-known citizens of Viola township, Sac county, Iowa, who located here in 1877, lives on a farm of 100 acres in section 4. He is a man who stands high in the estimation of the people of his vicinity, and in sketching the lives of the representative men of the county, we make the following record of him:

Jonas Walrod was born in Troy, New York, June 16, 1826, son of Peter A. Walrod and Hannah [Harper) Walrod, who were of German descent. He was reared on a farm and remained at home until he was twenty-two, receiving the advantages of a common-school education. At twenty-two he cameWest as far as Sycamore, De Kalb county, Illinois, where he remained until he came to his present location. Here he settled on wild land, which he has since developed into a first-class farm. His residence, a story and a half cottage, is nicely situated two miles and a half from Lake View, on the south shore of Wall Lake. He has three barns, the dimensions of which are as follow: first, 32 x 62 feet;  second, 30 x 50 feet; and the third, 16 x 24feet. He makes a specialty of Shropshire and Merino sheep. Ten acres of his land are devoted to grove and orchard.

Mr. Walrod was married November 7, 1847, in Wyoming county, New York, to Miss Eliza Eaton, who is a daughter of A. and Lydia (Campbell) Eaton. Her father died in Wyoming county, New York, at the age of forty-four years, and her mother in Floyd county, Iowa, aged sixty-five. The latter was of Scotch descent. They had two sons, Joseph R. and Harrison, who were in the Union army. Mr. and Mrs. Walrod have seven children, viz.: Ellen, wife of Richard Trainer, of Lake View; Elsie, wife of Adam Teeple; George, a veterinary surgeon, Lake View; Frank, a carpenter, Wall Lake; Harrison, a carpenter, Lake View; and Willard and Fred, at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Walrod are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his political views he is a Republican.



DR. WILLIAM WARREN, an early pioneer of Boyer Valley township, dates his settlement in the township in July, 1870. He was born at Rutland county, Vermont, December 29, }817, a son of Seth Warren, a native of Vermont, a second cousin of General Warren, killed at Bunker Hill. The family is an old one, and is prominently identified with the early history of the country. They figured in the historical tea party during the colonial days. The mother of our subject was Jerusha Churchill, born in Vermont, daughter of Seth Churchill, a native of Vermont, a soldier in the war of 1812. She died in Niagara county, New York, in her 101st year. The Churchills are also old New England people, dating back to colonial times. Our subject was thirteen years old when the family moved to Genesee county, New York, remained two years, and then removed to Orleans county, New York, after which the parents went to Niagara county, New York, where the father died in his eighty-fifth year. He was a farmer, and also operated sawmills. In politics he was a Jackson Democrat, later
becoming a Whig.

In 1857 our subject removed to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained some three or four years, then went to Dodge county, Wisconsin, locating at Portland, then a flourishing hamlet. In 1870 Mr. Warren transferred his interests to Sac county, Iowa, locating in Boyer Valley township. Everything was wild when Mr. Warren came to the county, but he has improved his property, and now has a nice one and one-half story house, 16 x 20 feet, with an L of the same height, 14 x 16 feet, which takes the place of the little house, 14 x 20, in which the family first resided, and which is now used as a kitchen. His large orchard of nine or ten acres, has all kinds of fruits, while the grove on the property offers grateful shade in summer, and protection in the winter. The large barn has the following dimensions, 50 x 60 feet, while a second one is 20 x 24 feet. He also has all the necessary sheds, feed-lots and outbuildings for the conducting of a large farming business. The farm contains 320 acres of land, in a high state of cultivation.

Our subject commenced the study of medicine at the age of twenty-one in Niagara county, New York, at Somereet, reading and studying under Dr. Pratt, a well-known, leading and prominent physician of that place. Our subject practiced his profession for years in that place, also in Portland,Wisconsin, being one of the pioneer physicians of the locality. The life of a physician in those early days was not an easy one by any means, as their territory extended over a large space of country, and many were the long rides he had to take, oftentimes being called to Storm Lake, Ida Grove, and other points.

Mr. Warren was married at the age of twenty-one, in Niagara county, New York, to Melinda Jackson, who bore him six children, three of whom are living, namely: C. S., was a soldier in the late war, in the Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry; Mrs. Nancy Tracy, and Andrew. Mrs. Warren died May 26, 1855, in Orleans county, New York. He was again married in Dane county, Wisconsin, to Miss Sarah Hazen, July 20, 1862. She was born in Bennington county, Vermont, but at the age of five was taken to Ohio, where she remained two years, when the family removed to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, subsequently settling in Dane county, Wisconsin, and moved to Sac county, Iowa, in 1872. The father, Josiah Hazeu, was a native of Massachusetts,and a soldier in the Eleventh Wisconsin. The mother, Philura Canedy, was born in Vermont, and died at the age of seventy-four; her husband died four years previous to her death, at the age of seventy-nine. They had one son, Joseph Hazen, who was in a Minnesota regiment, and who died of small-pox. Mr. and Mrs. Warren had eight children: Mrs. Minnie Gibbins; Lillie; Minor; Laura, now Mrs. Townsend of this county; Eldora and Mark, at school; and two who have died.

Our subject takes an
active interest in politics, having been successively a Whig, Republican and independent. He was elected County Coroner, butresigned his position. Since that time he has been a member of the School Board. He is a man who has always been identified on the side of justice, and is willing and ready to render hearty assistance to whatever promises to elevate society and benefit the township and county.



C. C. WATSON.—The Wall Lake Postoffice, of Iowa, was established in 1877, of which the first postmaster was C. L. Sherwood, who was succeeded by H. B. Allen, in 1880, who held the office until 1885, when it was taken charge of by R. L. Pattison, who held it until 1889, when C. C. Watson, our subject, the present Postmaster was appointed. This is a money-order office and has been so since 1880. Our subject has been a resident of Sac county for the past eighteen years, locating here in 1874. He is a native of DeKalb county, Illinois, where he was born, July 1, 1855. He was the son of John A., and Clara M. (Woodard) Watson, both of whom were natives of Vermont, both deceased; the mother dying in Illinois and the father living until 1890, when he died in Wall Lake, Iowa. He was a farmer by occupation and had located a prairie farm in section 1, Viola township, which he improved from a raw tract of land. He was a quiet unassuming man, a member of the Baptist Church. The originators of the family were Scotch-Irish, with an intermingling of German blood, and this made Mr. Watson a sturdy and enterprising pioneer. His land, which he improved in Sac county, consisted of 480 acres. He reared a family of five children, as follows: Ann M., deceased; Charles E., deceased; Mary, wife of G. H. Graves, resides in Lake View, Sac county; Henry, resident of Mapleton, Iowa, and Carl C., who is the subject of this sketch.

The latter was reared on his father's farm in Illinois, educated in the public schools, and in 1878 began to do business for himself. He engaged in farming upon a tract of 160 acres, given him by his father, and continued at that place until 1882, when he located in Wall Lake, in the hardware business. This he continued until 1891, when he sold out and has devoted himself to the duties of the Postoffice. Mr. Watson is one of the activeRepublicans of Sac county, and has served as Mayor of Wall Lake for two terms and has also been President of the School Board. He is a member of A. F. & A. M., Lake Lodge, No. 390, Darius Chapter, Sac city, and is also a K. of P., Chevalier Lodge, No. 360, in which he has held all the chairs.

He was married March 5, 1877, to Miss Ella J. Palmer, a daughter of L. M. and Jane (Scott) Palmer. Mrs. Watson was born in Upper Canada and was the last, but one, in a family of twelve children. Her mother is still living at Vail, Iowa, but her father is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have threechildren, namely: Blanche, Joyce and Carl C., Jr. Mr. Watson has been one of the active business men of Wall Lake and has here erected a good residence, also a brick building, 25 x 50 feet, for business purposes.



JOSHUA WELTZHEIMEE is one of the representative farmers of Delaware township, Sac county, Iowa, and has been a resident here since 1885. He was born in Fairfield eounty, Ohio, May 15, 1833, and was a son of Daniel and Margaret Weltzheimer, the former a native of Shepherdstown,Pennsylvania, and the latter of Fairfield county, Ohio, where her death occurred some years ago, and the father died in 1870, in his seventy-eighth year. He was a farmer and reared four sons and two daughters. Three of the sons were in the late war. George was a member of the Forty-third Ohio Infantry, and was in North Carolina during service and was killed; Samuel was in the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry, serving three yearsin Company G.

Our subject was reared to farm life and educated in the common schools, but in August, 1862, when the call was made for 300,000 more men for the Union army, he was one of the number whose names were enrolled August 6, 1862. He enlisted in Company G, One hundred and Seventh Regiment,Illinois Volunteer Infantry, going to Camp Butler, where he drilled and September 4, 1862, was mustered in the United States service and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged June 12, 1865. He participated in the battles of Knoxville, and was on duty in Kentucky, guarding bridges, and also in Tennessee and Georgia. A mule fell upon him, disabling him for active service and he was discharged in June, 1865, returning to DeWitt county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming, remaining until 1885, when he went to Delaware township, Sac county, Iowa.Here he bought land of M. L. Lewis, who sold him eighty acres, partly improved. Mr. Weltzheimer has added to it until he now owns 120 acres and has it under a high state of improvement.

The residence of our subject is one of those pleasant Iowa farm houses, so well known to the late traveler through the best parts of the State. It is one and one-half story, 16 x 24 feet, with an L, 12 x 14 feet, nicely located, surrounded by a magnificent grove of three acres, and also a good orchard with an abundance of small fruit. Our subject has not neglected other parts of his surroundings, his fine barn, erected in 1890, being a substantial structure, 34 x 36 feet, on a rock foundation. Upon this fine farm our subject is prospering in farming and stock-raising.

Our subject was married January 21, 1885, in DeWitt county, Illinois, to Miss Anna Danison, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, but was reared and educated in Illinois. She was a daughter of Artist and Sarah Danison, the father being a native of Mary land. The mother died when Mrs. Weltzheimer was a child and the father in DeWitt county, Illinois, in 1879, leaving five sons and five daughters. One son, Michael, was a captain in the Forty-first Illinois Infantry.

Our subject takes much interest in politics. voting with the Republican party. He is one of the most prominent and esteemed of the citizens of Delaware township.



W. H. WILLIAMS, M. D.—The first settler of Grant City, Sac county, Iowa, was Joseph Williams, and he erected the first house there in September,1856. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 26, 1817, and was a son of Nathan Williams. He spent his hoyhood days on a farm, and learned the trade of carpenter, at which he was engaged for several years. His education was limited, but he was a man who sought after knowledge, and he took up the business of surveying, at which he became an expert.

In the State of Michigan he met Miss Martha Ingraham, and to her he was married November 1, 1843, and they made their home in Van Buren county, Michigan, until coming to Sac county, Iowa, in 1856. While in Michigan he was engaged in the mercantile business, and after coming to Sac county, he engaged in farming, combined with surveying. He started the first store in Grant City, and also erected the first sawmill at that point. He was one of the most active men of the county in building up the same, in favoring the erection of schoolhouses, bridges, etc.

The faithful wife of Mr. Williams was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, January 26, 1824, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Day) Ingraham, natives of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been the parents of twelve children, six of whom are deceased. The names of this family are as follows: Richard M., a resident of Nebraska; Elizabeth, deceased; Wintield S., a resident of Calhoun county, Iowa; Erances A., the wife of J. Webb, of Wall Lake; William H., a physician of Wall Lake; Joseph M., a merchant in Wall Lake; and Clara May, the wife of O. H. Menold, of Wall Lake. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Methodist Church, and she and her husband are well advanced in years, but bear the crown of age well, and are in the enjoyment of health. In 1880, they removed to Nebraska, where they spent one year, and then returned to Iowa, and in 1886 they located at Wall Lake. Iowa. The family is one of the representative families of the neighborhood.

Dr. W. H. Williams, the son of the worthy people whom it was a pleasure to mention as above, was one of the first children born in Sac county, Iowa, August 9, 1861. He was comfortably reared and attended school, also assisted his father in the store, early displaying a taste for medical studies. At the age of fourteen years he began the study of the healing art, and when he had reached the age of twenty years he became a student in theCollege of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1881-'82. He returned to Grant City for a short time, and then located at Lake View, where he was engaged in practice some four years. At this time he took a course at Rush Medical College, Chicago, graduating in the class of 1885-'86, and thenhe located at Wall Lake, December 1, 1886, where he accepted a position as Surgeon for the Northwestern Railroad.

Dr. Williams gives especial attention to the diseases of women, to nose, throat and ear troubles, and is now one of the leading physicians and surgeons of the county. He makes surgery a special line. The Doctor is a staunch Republic.au, a member of A. F. & A. M., Lake Lodge, No. 390, Darius Chapter, Rose Croix Commandery, No. 38, and also of I. O. O. F. and K. of P. He is also a member of the Iowa Medical Society; Central Iowa Medioal Association; American Medical Association; also the  American Railroad Surgeons' Association, and the American Health Association.



J. B. WILLIAMSON.—Prominent among the men who have been instrumental in the upbuilding of Sac county is J. P. Williamson, who located in the county in 1882, coming from Marshall county, Illinois. He was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, in 1844, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Burton) Williamson, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1852 they came to lllinos, settling in Putnam county, and later in La Salle county, where the father died in 1878, the mother having died in Putnam county in 1854. By occupation the father was a farmer.

Our subject was reared in Putnam and La Salle counties, Illinois, and educated in the schools of the latter county. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the service of his country, at Magnolia, in company A, First Illinois Cavalry, for three years. After nine months of service he was discharged on account of sickness at Rolla, Missouri. He again enlisted in February, 1864, in Company H, One hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, joining the regiment at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was first under Fire at Buzzard's
Roost, then at Resaca and later at Kenesaw Mountain and Jonesville. He then participated in the battle at Peach Orchard, Atlanta, and went on the famous march to the sea, and through the Carolinas, participating in the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina. They then marched to Richmond, from there to Washington, and participated in the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia. Mr. Williamson was transferred some time prior to this to the Thirty-fourth Veteran Infantry, and his regiment was stationed at Louisville, Kentucky, for some six weeks before they were discharged, July, 1865, at that city.

At the close of the war he returned home and resumed farming. Two years later, in 1867, he went to Marshall county, Illinois, settling near Wenona, where he followed farming until removing to Sac county. On his arrival to this county, in 1882, he engaged in farming and stock-raising, which he continued till September, 1892, when, in partnership with J. W. Fleming, he bought the coal and live-stock business of J. W. Dixon, of Auburn, Iowa. When he settled in Sac county he selected Cedar township as his place of location, purchasing a partly- improved farm of 320 acres, all of which was broken and on which was a frame residence, one and one-half stories in height, with dimensions of 16 x 22 feet, and an L, 12 x 16 feet, one story in height. This he repaired and built a good barn, 50 x 52 feet. Three acres of the farm are devoted to a good grove and orchard, while all of the land is under fence. He has disposed of this property and purchased other land in Calhoun county.

Mr. Williamson was married in La Salle county, Illinois, in 1867, to Miss Rachel M. Packingham, a native of La Salle county, Illinois, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Packingham, natives of Pennsylvania. They were pioneers of La Salle county, Illinois, where the father died. The mother still resides there. She and her husband pursued an agricultural life. One of their sons, Allen, served in an Illinois regiment and now resides in Marshall county, Illinois. Mrs. Williamson died in 1879, in Marshall county, Illinois, after bearing her husband the following children: Frank; Libbie, a successful teacher of Sac county; Benjamin; Hattie, also a successful teacher of Sue county; and James. Hattio and Libbie are now teaching in thecounty. Our subject was married a second time in La Salle county, Illinois, in 1881, to Miss Nellie G. Cunningham, a native of Oxford, Butler county, Ohio, daughter of .lames and Zenobia (Hinckley) Cunningham, natives of Ohio, who early emigrated to La Salle county, settling near La Salle. The father was a fanner. His death occurred in 1889, the mother having died in Ohio. To his second marriage two children have been added, namely: Zerelda and Lotis.

Socially, Mr.
Williamson is connected with the William T. Sherman Post, No. 284. He takes some interest in politics, voting with the Republicanparty. During his residence in Cedar township he served as Trustee and Secretary of the School Board. Since his coming to the State, the country in this portion of Iowa has improved 25 per cent, and many of the improvements Mr. Williamson has been instrumental in effecting. Although not at present a resident of Cedar township, he takes an interest in her welfare, as well as in that of his new home, Auburn.



HIRAM A.WILSON, an extensive farmer and stock-raiser of Sac county, Iowa, post office Early, is a native of Pennsylvania. His parents were Alexander and Abigail (Bishop) Wilson, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively.

Mr. Wilson, whose name heads this sketch, received a limited education in the schools of his vicinity, and was reared to farming, which he has followed ever since. He gradually emigrated from the East, until 1871, he reached his present location, on what was then an unbroken prairie, but which has since become one of earth's fairest garden spots. He is now the possessor of about three-quarters of a section of the choicest land in Sac county.

Mr. Wilson has been twice married. First, in 1857, to Miss Mary Wood, of Wisconsin, who died in 1867. In 1869 he married Miss Sarah Hay, daughter of Horace Hay, of Walworth county, Wisconsin. There are three children by his first marriage: Jay, now in Nebraska; James, also in that State; andGeorge, residing in Early.

Politically, Mr. Wilson adheres to the Republican party. He is a public-spirited and highly respected citizen; is widely known throughout Sac county, where he has lived since May, 1871. He lived in Cook township before its organization, and has held the  office of Treasurer ever since, has also beenJustice of the Peace and Assessor, and is now Road Supervisor and Trustee. All of these positions have been filled with credit to himself and to the benefit of the township and county.



J. H. WODELL.—The settlement of Sac county, Iowa, was accomplished by enterprising men from other sections, who saw the advantages of this section, and could foresee what development would do where Nature had so well prepared the way. Among those who decided to make this theirhome was J. H. Wodell, who came here in 1869, and located in Sac City, where he remained some eighteen years, entering the butchering business and finding it very profitable.

Mr. Wodell bought 280 acres of wild land situated on the Cedar river in what is now known as Cedar township, then Jackson precinct. This place was improved gradually, and now there is a fine grove and orchard of five acres, the natural grove consisting of forty-five acres, and some three or four more acres have been planted. In 1888 our subject located on his farm and engaged in farming. This is a favored spot, being well watered by Cedar river and by springs, thus making it a fine stock farm.

Our subject located in McHenry county, Illinois, in 1844, coming from New York. Our subject was born in Herkimer county, New
. York, May 18, 1827, and was a sou of George and Maria (Cornwell) Wodell, the father a native of Rhode Island, and the mother of New York. The father engaged in farming in Herkimer county; later removed to Cattaraugus county, and in 1844 moved to McHenry county, Illinois, and took up Government land which he improved, being one of the early pioneers of McHenry county, Illinois, and always made this county his home during the remainder of his life, his death taking place in 1867. The mother died in 1865, in McHenry county.

Our subject had one brother, Clarence L., who served in an Illinois regiment about one year during the late war. Our subject was reared in New York, and was educated in the district schools of Cattaraugus county, and in the spring of 1844, when he was seventeen years of age, he left his native State, and by water and on foot he came to McHenry county, Illinois, and engaged in farm labor, located land, upon which the family settled, paying$1.25 per acre. Here he owned 320 acres, but after improving it he sold. From 1860 to 1866 he engaged in the packing business in Chicago during the winters, and the commission business during the summers, and had a seat in the Chamber of Commerce in
that city.
.
In June, 1851, our subject married Miss Etheta M. Tryon, a native of Onoudaga county, New York, daughter of Lemuel and Matilda (Sutherland) Tryon, the father a native of Massachusetts, and the mother of Connecticut. Grandfather Reuben Sutherland was a pioneer of Onondaga county, settling there in the wilderness. One of his sons served in the war of 1812. Grandfather William Tryon was a captain in the Revolutionary war, and later settled in Onondaga county, and there the father of our subject was reared and married. He was a blacksmith by trade, and in 1844 came to McHenry county, Illinois, settling upon a farm, where he died about 1847, the mother surviving until 1887, dying at Sac City, where she resided with our subject. They had one son, Jerome, who enlisted in 1862 in an Iowa regiment in Buchanan county, and took part in twenty-eight engagements in the Western army, going in as Drum Major, but becoming a private in the ranks, serving his country faithfully. He now resides in Genesee county, New York.

Our subject has taken a prominent part in the county affairs, and assisted in the organization of the township. He is a Republican, and has served the county as Supervisor for two terms, and while in office the township was organized. He took an active part in the obtaining of good roads and safe and necessary bridges, being a member of that committee. He has watched with pleasure the growth of the county, and delights in its improvement.Socially, lie is a member of the Accidental Lodge, No. 278, of Sac City. Our subject was made a Mason at Richmond, McHenry
county, Illinois.

Mr. and Mrs. Wodell have one daughter living, Savilla, wife of J. C. Criss, of Sac City, where he has been engaged in the mercantile business for years. Four children of our subject and wife have been removed by death, as follows: Georgiana, who died at the age of twenty years, and the wife of George A. Smith, of Sac county. Both of these had been teachers in the county. The others died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Wodell are among the pioneers of the county, and have seen at least ninety percent of the development, including the railroad through Carroll county. He takes an active interest in all that promises good to the county.



M. E. WRIGHT, one of the prominent and successful citizens of Sac county, was born in Franklin county, New York, October 30, 1845, a son of DanielWright, a native of the same county. The latter's father, Samuel Wright, was born in Ireland. The mother of our subject, nee Cassandra Hogan, was a native of Grand Isle county, Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Wright were the parents of five children, three sonsand two daughters. The father was a farmerby occupation, a Republican in his political views, and the family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both parents died in New York.

M. E., the subject of this sketch, was educated in the Lawrenceville Academy, in St. Lawrence county, New York. He began eaching in the winter of 1865-'66,at Holmeshill in St. Lawrence county, New York, in the fall of 1866 removed to Clayton county, Iowa, where he taught a four months' term,when he returned to his home in Franklin county, New York, in March, 1867, and rented a farm for that year. In 1868 removed to Madison county, this State, and in 1876 purchased his present farm in Eden township, Sac county. He was one of the first to buy land in this township, and his farm of 240 acres is now well improved, with a one and a half story residence, 16 x 24 feet, and an L, 14 x 20 feet, and 12 x 28 feet along the side of L, a beautiful grove, an orchard of eight acres, two barns, one 32 x 46 feet, and the other, 24 x 96 feet, a windmill, stock scales, etc. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Wright is also engaged in stock-raising, keeping Polled-Angus cattle and Hamiltonian horses.

June 6, 1867, at Potsdam, St. Lawrence county. New York, our subject married Mrs. L. E. Moore, a native of Sutton, Canada, and a teacher before marriage. Her parents, John C. and Ruth Morgan, now reside at Arvilla, North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Wright were the parents of six children, three now living: Albertus D., Ernest B. and Ervin E.; Oscar D. died at the age of eight months; Albion D., at nineteen months; and Winnie E., born January 17, 1873, died May 24, 1891. She was a young lady of much promise, and was loved by all who knew her. Mr. Wright suffered a great loss in the death of his wife, November 15, 1892. She was a worthy wife and helpmate of her husband, an affectionate mother, and a kind neighbor. She was amember of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Politically, our subject affiliates with the Republican party, has served as Township Trustee six years, as Township Assessor, as Secretary of the School Board, and in the fall of 1892 was elected county Supervisor. He is a man of intelligence, well posted on general topics, and is one of the popular and representative citizens of Sac county.



THEODORE YAUGER, a farmer of Sac county, Iowa, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 29, 1848, a son of John and Eliza (Abrahams)Yauger, natives also of Pennsylvania. The father died in his native county, and the mother now resides at Grand Ridge, La Salle county, Illinois.

Theodore Yauger, our subject, was reared on a farm in his native county. In 1869 he located near Ottawa, La Salle county, Illinois, later at Grand Ridge, that county; spent the year of 1882 in Buena Vista county, Iowa, and then came to Eden township, Sac county. His fine farm of eighty acres is well located near a school, and his dwelling is 16 x 24 feet, with an L, 12 x 12 feet. Mr. Yauger has all the necessary improvements on his place and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Politically, be is a zealous worker in the Republican party, has served as a member of the School Board four years, and also as Township Trustee. Socially, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 1449 of Storm Lake.

Mr. Yauger was married January 25, 1872, by Rev. Levi Springer, to Miss Catherine Ann Crawford, a native of Ireland, and a daughter of Robert and Eliza Crawford, natives also of that country. Our subject suffered a great loss in the death of his wife, July 12, 1874, at the age of twenty-six years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Chnrchj and at her death left two daughter: Clara Amelia and Catherine A. The latter is a successful teacher in this county.

Mr. Yauger is a man in the prime of life, and is one of the representative and honorable business men of Sac county.


Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida and Sac Counties, Iowa.

Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1893

Transcribed by Lynn Diemer-Mathews. Uploaded February 2022.

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