CLARK R. IBBOTSON is a representative of a pioneer family of Iowa. His paternal grandfather, George Ibbotson, was born in England and became a resident of Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1838. The work of development and improvement had scarcely been begun in this state, which was still under the territorial rule of Wisconsin. He wisely made extensive and judicious investments in real estate, becoming the owner of over one thousand acres of land, some of which he entered from the government. His labors were devoted to the cultivation and improvement of his property and he continued his residence in Des Moines county up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1894, when he had reached the advanced age of ninety-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Riggs, and was a native of Kentucky, survived him until 1904, and died in Oklahoma at the age of eighty-six years. He was classed with the early development, planting the seeds of progress that have borne rich fruit at a later date.

George Ibbotson, father of Clark R. Ibbotson, was born upon the old farm homestead in Des Moines county and there resided until 1880, when he removed to Louisa county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, developing a farm that continued to be his home until his life's labors were ended in death. He married Miss Mary O. Tucker, also a native of Des Moines county, and a daughter of John and Eleanor Tucker. Mr. Ibbotson departed this life November 15, 1890, after which his widow continued to reside upon the old homestead in Louisa county until 1903, when she sold the property and removed to Bates county, Missouri, where she is now living with her second husband, William Reece, and two of her daughters by her first marriage reside with her.

Clark R. Ibbotson was born in Des Moines county November 18, 1877, began his education in the district schools there, afterward attended the high school at Columbus City, Iowa, and pursued a commercial course in Elliott's Business College in Burlington. He was thus well equipped by thorough intellectual training for the duties and responsibilities of business life and he obtained practical knowledge of farm work through the assistance which he rendered his father during the period of his boyhood and youth. He remained upon the home farm until twenty-two years of age and then began farming on his own account, purchasing seventy-seven acres of land situated a half mile north and a mile east of Wayne, Iowa. A year later, however, he sold that property and bought eighty acres on section 36, Scott township, and forty acres on section 1, Canaan township. Removing to this place he has since carried on general farming and he also raises stock, having now about eleven head of horses, thirteen head of shorthorn cattle and about one hundred head of Poland China hogs. His farm is well improved, indicating in its neat and thrifty appearance the careful supervision of the owner.

On the 25^th of December, 1900, Mr. Ibbotson was united in marriage to Miss Kate B. Werner, who was born in Henry county, Iowa, a daughter of Fred and Martha (Brombaugh) Werner, the former born in Odessa, Russia, and the latter near Knoxville, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Ibbotson have two children: Ruby, born November 8, 1901, and Glenn, on the 1^st of September, 1903. Fraternally Mr. Ibbotson is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and politically with the Republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as his attention has been given in undivided manner to his business interests, which, being carefully conducted, have advanced him far on the highway of success.

(Biographical Review of Henry County, Iowa. Chicago: Hobart Publishing Co.,1906, pp 586-587) (PE)

GEORGE W. ILES

GEORGE W. ILES, who carries on general farming on section 3, Baltimore township, where he also raises peaches, apples and cherries, having a good orchard, was born in Bennington township, Licking county, Ohio, in 1846, and is a son of Adam Iles, who was likewise a native of the Buckeye state. The mother died in 1851 and the father in 1856, so that George W. Iles was left an orphan when a little lad of ten years. He resided with his sister, Mrs. William Hatch, for over nine years, and to some extent attended the common schools, but his educational privileges were rather meager. He has, however, added largely to his knowledge through reading, observation and experience in later years. In early manhood he worked at farm labor by the day or month, being thus employed up to the time of his marriage, which occurred on the 28^th of November, 1879, the lady of his choice being Miss Selena Hall, who was born in Jennings county, Indiana, a daughter of Edward and Julia (Underwood) Hall, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana.

Following his marriage Mr. Iles removed to Stockton, Kansas, and secured a farm in Rollins county, where they remained for three months. At the end of that time, however, they returned to Henry county, and in the following autumn Mr. Isle [sic] purchased forty acres of land on section 3, Baltimore township. With the exception of a few acres the farm was unimproved, but he at once began its cultivation and soon turned the furrows in the fields, planted the seed and in course of time reaped good harvests. He built a house containing three rooms.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Iles have been born three children: Emma, who was born August 25, 1880, and is the wife of Edward Cantwell, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Sarah, who was born September 15, 1882, and is the wife of Frank Norman, of Aurora, Illinois; and John, born September 16, 1884, who married Hattie Cooper, who was born in Baltimore. Mr. Iles is a member of the Christian church. In his political views he is democrat and has served as school director.

JOSEPH T. INGRIM

The character of a community is always judged by its representative citizens and to this class in Salem Joseph T. Ingrim belongs. In business life he has an excellent reputation for activity, enterprise and reliability and in other relations has commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow men. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, February 3, 1845, a son of Robert and Hannah (Parkins) Ingrim. The father was a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and in that state learned and followed the blacksmith's trade. He afterward resided for some years in Ohio, and in 1853 came to Iowa, spending the winter in Henry county, and in the spring of 1854 settled in Polk county, where he entered a tract of government land east of Des Moines and was engaged in farming there up to the time of his death. He also had a blacksmith shop and did work along that line upon his home place. He was a Douglas democrat, but neither held nor desired office.

He passed away February 10, 1862, respected by all who knew him and is still survived by his wife, who, at the age of eighty-nine years, is now living with her daughter in Danville, Iowa. She was left a widow with six young children, the youngest being about three years of age, and very little of this world's goods. By means of hard work and very careful management she kept her family together and gave them all fair education, and has always been highly esteemed by all who knew her. She has lost her eyesight but is enjoying comparatively good health. She was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends but in later years both Mr. and Mrs. Ingrim became members of the Methodist church.

In their family were eight children: Joseph T., of this review; Sarah, who died in infancy; Louisa, who died when twenty-two years of age; Robert, who is living in northwest Missouri; Stephen, who resides in North Dakota; Harriet, the wife of R. M. Swan, of Danville, Iowa; Martha, who became the wife of Caldwell McDonald, and after his death married Charles Gillard and resides at East Troy, Wisconsin; and David C., who resides in Denver, Colorado.

Joseph T. Ingrim was educated in the common schools principally in Polk county, and was a youth of only sixteen years, when, in 1861, responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in an independent company of the Second Iowa Battery, with which he served for four years. He was with Sherman's army at Vicksburg, participating in the battle of Corinth, also the engagements at Iuka, Nashville and Spanish Fort, and was honorably discharged at Davenport in 1865, being at that time not yet twenty-one years of age. Although he was so young he was a brave and loyal soldier, never faltering in his allegiance to the old flag and the cause it represented and no greater valor was displayed upon the field of battle by any veteran of twice his years.

He spent a few months in school in Henry county following the close of the war and afterward learned the carpenter's trade in Salem, which he followed until 1899. He had erected many buildings in Iowa by contract and was closely identified with building operations in his home neighborhood. In 1899 he engaged in the lumber business and receives a liberal patronage from Salem and the surrounding country. He has a well equipped lumber yard and his trade is now extensive and profitable. That he has prospered in his undertakings is indicated by his property holdings, which include a handsome residence on Main street, also the property in which the Belle Telephone Company is located and his lumber yard.

On the 11^th of August, 1868, Mr. Ingrim was married to Miss Leannah Hobson, who was born in Salem, July 4, 1849, and is a daughter of Peter and Rachel J. (Gibson) Hobson. Her mother was born in Ohio and her father was a native of North Carolina. They came to Iowa about 1838, settling in Salem, when it was a very small village. He became an early merchant of the town, being associated with his father and brother in the conduct of mercantile interests but later he turned his attention to farming. His business activity and energy along other lines contributed in substantial measure to the growth and progress of that community. He served as school director and gave his political allegiance to the Republican party, while in the Society of Friends, in which he long held membership he acted as an elder. Mrs. Hobson was a noble Christian woman and an elder in her church. Mr. Hobson died July 2, 1901, while his wife passed away March 30, 1890. They were worthy people, displaying many excellent traits of character that gained for them the esteem and good will of all with whom they were associated.

In their family were ten children. Sarah Ann became the wife of Samuel Comer and after her death he married her sister, Louisa Maria Hobson, and now resides in Elk City, Kansas. Mary Jane is the deceased wife of S. C. Jones, who now resides in Palisade, Nebraska. Maria is now Mrs. Comer. Elizabeth became the wife of Henry J. Lamb and both are deceased. Leanna is the wife of Joseph T. Ingrim. Tamar D. is the wife of Harvey D. Slack, publisher of a newspaper at Belle Plaine, Iowa. Emma is the wife of Jesse Slack, of Spirit Lake, Iowa. Lincoln J. was killed by a haypress accident, leaving a wife, who bore the maiden name of Ida Logan, and who has since married Peter Hines, and resides at Cedar Falls, Iowa. Belle is the wife of Samuel Logan, of Madison county, Iowa, and one son died when four years of age. After losing his first wife Mr. Hobson was married to Miss Martha Myers of Indiana.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ingrim was blessed with five children: Jennie, born in West Grove, Davis county, Iowa, in 1870, is now a teacher in the public schools of Wyoming, where she has preempted land. Emma, born in Davis county in 1872, married Charles E. McClaren, of Mount Pleasant and died December 25, 1897. Hannah Belle, known as Dolly, was born in 1875 and died at the age of nineteen years. Rachel, born in 1880, is a milliner. Arthur J., born July 22, 1882, is now station agent and operator for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Salem, Iowa. He married Grace Cramer and has one child, Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Ingrim are also rearing a little girl, Mildred Foreman, who has been with them since six months old and who has now reached the age of twelve years. She has not been regularly adopted according to the forms of law but is reared as one of their own children.

They have given to their children excellent educational privileges, all having been students in Whittier College in Salem. Their daughters were all very successful school teachers, but Roe prefers the millinery business. She has also served the past two years as the worthy matron of the order of the Eastern Star, in the chapter of her home. Mrs. Ingrim was a charter member of the Woman's Relief Corps and its president for several terms, also a member of the Eastern Star.

In his political views Mr. Ingrim is a stalwart republican and about eighteen or twenty years ago served for one term as mayor of Salem. He was also justice of the peace for a number of years and is now again mayor. He was likewise assessor for eight or ten years but retired, not caring for the office longer. He served for twenty years as a member of the school board and for a number of years was its president. His co-operation can always be counted upon to further progressive public measures and his labors in behalf of public measures in Salem have been far-reaching and beneficial. Mr. and Mrs. Ingrim are devoted members of the Methodist church in which he is a trustee and steward. He is also an Odd Fellow, having passed all of the chairs in Salem Lodge, No. 48, and belongs to Salem Lodge, No. 17, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

His life has ever been honorable, his actions manly and sincere and he enjoys the confidence and trust of his fellow men in an unusual degree. Having made a most creditable military record when but a boy, he then entered the business life with no capital but with strong purpose and determination and steadily he has worked his way upward until he has attained success, finding that prosperity is the reward of laudable ambition guided by sound judgment and that an honorable name may be won simultaneously.

(Biographical Review of Henry County, Iowa. Chicago: Hobart Publishing Co.,1906, pp 341-344) (PE)

ISAIAH T. IRWIN

ISAIAH T. IRWIN, a veteran of the Civil war and a representative farmer of Scott township, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 28^th of August, 1844, representing one of the old families of that part of the state. His father, George Irwin, was also born in Belmont county, as was his wife, who bore the maiden of Elizabeth Campbell. She belonged to one of the prominent representative families of that part of the state, the Campbells being represented in the United States senate and in congress. The paternal grandfather, John Campbell, was one of the pioneer residents of Ohio, taking an active part in shaping the policy of the commonwealth and represented Ohio in the United States senate.

George Irwin was a carpenter by trade, who also owned and operated a saw mill in Ohio, being connected with industrial pursuits in Belmont county until his removal to Iowa, in 1851. He took up his abode in Lee county, where he engaged in carpentering for six years and on the expiration of that period he removed to Mount Pleasant, where he was identified with building operations until 1867. In that year he retired from active connection with his trade and bought a farm of eighty acres in Scott township, on which he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death in 1883. His wife also remained upon the old homestead until her demise in 1885. In their family were eight children, four sons and four daughters.

Isaiah T. Irwin, the sixth in order of birth, was a student in the public schools of Lee and Henry counties and remained upon the home farm with his parents up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated on the 6^th of August, 1875, Miss Jane Reed becoming his wife. She was born in Clark county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Elijah and Mary (Bennett) Reed, who came to Iowa in 1849. A year later they returned to Ohio, but after three years once again come to this state, so that Mrs. Irwin was reared here, acquiring her preliminary education in the district schools of Henry county, while later she attended Howe's Academy, in Mount Pleasant. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin has been blessed with nine children: Lulu, a resident of Nebraska; Glenn, also of Nebraska; Clara and Nellie, who are teaching school; Myrtle, Gladys, Harry, Gilbert and George, all of whom are at home.

Following his marriage Mr. Irwin purchased forty acres of land in Scott township, whereon he lived for six years. He then went to Nebraska, where he engaged in farming for five years and upon his return to Iowa he sold his first place and bought eighty acres on section 28. Here he has built a house of seven rooms and also a barn for the shelter of hay and stock, forty by fifty feet. He has replaced the hedge fences by wire fencing and has added many modern equipments, so that he now has a splendidly improved property from which he annually harvests good crops. He also raises and feeds cattle and has about thirty-five head of Poland China hogs. He also has four horses used in working the farm.

Mr. Irwin has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits save for the period spent in the Civil war. In March, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, but was rejected on account of his youth, being the but seventeen years of age. He afterward went to Missouri, however, and succeeded in joining Company D, Second Missouri Cavalry, which was assigned to service in the western division and with which he continued until March, 1865. He proved a valuable and loyal soldier, never faltering in the performance of any duty, and in March, 1865, was mustered out at St. Louis, after which he returned to Mount Pleasant and soon resumed his farming operations. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the Republican party. His labors have been guided by practical judgment and supplemented by keen business discernment and as the years have gone by he has won a fair measure of prosperity.

(Biographical Review of Henry County, Iowa. Chicago: Hobart Publishing Co.,1906, pp 277-279) (PE)