~ John Haft ~

Among the natives of Germany who, emigrating to the United States, have established permanent homes in this country, may be mentioned the name of John Haft, a prosperous resident of Jasper County. The farm he has occupied since 1879 is one of the most valuable in Palo Alto Township, and comprises one hundred and thirty-five acres, located on section 2. Upon the land there have been placed all the improvements characteristic of a model farm, and the soil is under excellent cultivation as a result of proper fertilization and systematic rotation of crops.

In Prussia, Germany, the subject of this sketch was born on the 3rd of September 1845, being a son of John and Dorothea Haft, both of whom were natives of Germany. Early in life he was orphaned by his father's death, he being only seven years of age when that sad bereavement occurred. From boyhood years he has been familiar with agriculture, and is therefore thoroughly informed upon every phase of farm life. In his native land he received a fair German education, and since immigrating to the United States he has gained a good knowledge of the English language, and speaks it fluently.

In 1867, Mr. Haft, accompanied by his mother and brother-in-law, immigrated to America, taking passage at Hamburg on a steamer, and landing in New York City after an uneventful ocean voyage of about fourteen days. After arriving in the harbor of New York he went at once to Henry County, Ill., where he rented a farm and commenced to till the soil. He was also employed for several years in working by the month on the farms of that neighborhood. In August 1872, while residing in Henry County, the mother died.

From Henry County, Mr. Haft removed to Iowa in 1872, and for seven years resided in Poweshiek County, where he was engaged in farming. In 1879 he came to Jasper County, and located upon the farm in Palo Alto Township where he has since made his home. The one hundred and thirty-five acres he owns bear the best of improvements and are under good cultivation. This fine property Mr. Haft has gained by his personal efforts, seconded by the assistance of his wife, whom he married February 22, 1878. She bore the maiden name of Ricka Kubbernus, and was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, December 19, 1855. At the age of fifteen years she accompanied her parents, Christian and Dorothea Kubbernus, from the old home in Germany to the United States, taking passage on a steamer at Hamburg, and reaching the harbor at New York after an uneventful voyage of about fifteen days. For a time the family resided in Saginaw, Mich., from which city, in 1872, they came to Jasper County, Iowa, settling in Elk Creek Township. Soon afterward they removed to Palo Alto Township, where Mr. and Mrs. Kubbernus still reside, be at the age of seventy- three years, and she at seventy-five. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Haft has resulted in the birth of five children: Mary, Annie, Lena, Emma and Edward.

Few residents of Palo Alto Township are more widely known, and none are more highly esteemed, than Mr. and Mrs. Haft. They are especially prominent in the Lutheran Church, of which they are consistent and active members. Mr. Haft, while not a zealous partisan, is nevertheless a stanch adherent of the principles for which the Democratic Party stands, and always sustains his belief by his influence and ballot. As a farmer he has achieved material success and gained the high regard of the community. Page 316.

~ Aaron Hammer ~

Aaron Hammer, a successful and influential farmer of Newton Township, Jasper County, was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., June 2, 1831, and was the seventh son in a family of eleven children. They were named: Mahlon, Seth, Henry, Jesse, Ira, Elisha, Aaron, Isaac, Susannah, Polly A. and Lydia. The Hammer family is of German extraction, and was first represented in this country early in the eighteenth century, when one of that name settled in Bucks County, Pa. Further reference to the genealogy of this family will be found in the sketch of Dr. M. R. Hammer, which appears else where in this volume.

In 1847 the family came to Iowa by team from Tennessee, and settled in Kellogg Township, Jasper County, at what has since been known as Hammer's Grove. Of the eleven children, only two now survive: Aaron, of this sketch; and Elisha, a civil engineer, who during the Civil War served as Captain of Company G, Seventh Iowa Cavalry. The father of these children died soon after coming to Iowa, and the mother passed away in 1853. The early life of Aaron Hammer was spent on the home farm, and his educational advantages were limited. About 1856 he embarked in the mercantile business in Newton, and at the same time had a Government contract for carrying the mail, which he held for seven years. In 1860 he was chosen Deputy Recorder of Jasper County, and officiated in that capacity for one term.

April 18,1860, Mr. Hammer was united in marriage with Miss Margaret E. Guthrie, who was born in Ohio, and died in December 1877. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom survive. Frank E., who married Lizzie Cooper, is a farmer residing near Kellogg, Iowa; Ida May, who married T. D. Eaton, lives with our subject on the home farm; William A., who married Emma Lillian Snyder, is in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, with headquarters at Des Moines; Isaac A., Clarence E. and Arthur P. reside with their father, and the last named is now being educated in the schools of Newton, where he is preparing for college.

Upon the farm, which he purchased in 1850, Mr. Hammer has resided since 1861, when he left the Recorder's office. He has held various local offices, such as Assessor and School Director, and is a strong Republican. The Hammer family for generations has been identified with the Quaker Church in which our subject's father was a preacher, establishing, in 1847, the first church of that faith in Jasper County, and his first services being held in his house. In the family are found many prominent Quaker preachers. Our subject, on account of marrying out of the church, was obliged to give up the faith of his forefathers. Socially, he has been a Mason for nearly forty years and belongs to the chapter. He is numbered among the worthy farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Jasper County, and possesses the confidence and high regard of a host of warm personal friends. Page 412.

~ Marion R. Hammer, M. D. ~

Marion R. Hammer, M. D., of Newton. The genealogy of the Hammer family, traced to the original emigrant in the United States, is as follows: In the early part of the eighteenth century, the progenitor of the family in America, who was a German by birth, immigrated to Bucks County, Pa. His son, Abraham, was born in that county in 1731, and in 1760 moved to North Carolina, where his children, four sons and three daughters, were born. The second of his sons, Isaac, was born in North Carolina, in 1764, and migrated to Tennessee, where were born by his first wife, Jesse, Elisha, Aaron and Jonathan; by his second wife, Lydia, Henry, Charity, Rachel, John, Nathan and Laban; by his third wife, Hannah, William, Joanna, Delila and Isaac A. Afterward he removed to Indiana and settled in Huntsville, where he died.

Elisha, second son of Isaac, was born in North Carolina, May 1, 1789, and died in Iowa, May 21, 1847. His children, eleven in number, were all born in Jefferson County, Tenn., and were Mahlon, Seth, Henry, Jesse, Ira, Aaron, Elisha, Isaac, Susannah, Polly A. and Lydia. Jesse, the fourth son of Elisha, was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., October 4, 1820, and died at Richland, Iowa, September 2, 1873. He was four times married, and was the father of six daughters and eight sons. The two eldest, Aaron T. and John H., were by his first wife, and were born in Jefferson County, Tenn.; the other children were all born in Jasper County, Iowa. Those by his second wife were Elizabeth L., Marion R. (subject of this sketch), Samuel L., Jasper F., Martha J. and Mary E.; by his third wife were Alta E. and Etta N.; and by his fourth wife, James C., Frank V. and Jesse M.

The Hammers, back to the first representative of the family in this country, have been identified with the Quaker faith, although the later generations have drifted away from that church. In 1846 the father of our subject came to Jasper County and settled in Kellogg Township, where Marion R. was born January 26, 1853. At the age of eighteen years, he entered Hazel Dell Academy, at Newton, where he studied for ten terms. He then entered a Quaker school at Lynnville, and there spent two terms, during the former of which he was one of the assistant teachers in the institution. During the winter of 1873-74 he taught school at the Hammer Grove schoolhouse, in Kellogg Township, and in the following winter taught in the public schools of Rock Creek Township. In the winter of 1875-76, while teaching in Buena Vista Township, he also studied medicine, and in March 1876, he commenced the practice of that profession at Adamsville, Iowa.

The marriage of Doctor Hammer occurred October 22, 1876, and united him with Mary E. Dooley, of Adamsville, a native of that place. Soon after his marriage he entered the medical department of the Iowa State University, but did not graduate. In 1878 he went to Reasoner, Iowa, where he conducted an extensive practice until the spring of 1880. In the fall of that year he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of St. Joseph, Mo., but soon afterward there was a revolution in the college and he, with about fifty other students, left and entered the Northwestern College of that place. From that institution he was graduated February 17, 1881.

Returning to Jasper County, the Doctor commenced the practice of his profession at Newton, where he now resides. For two years he served as Health Officer of Newton, and was a member of the Jasper County Medical Society from 1879 until 1884. He filled the Chair of Physiology in Kings Medical College, of Des Moines, from 1885 until 1889, resigning on the 6th of March of that year. He is the founder of the Hammer Genealogical Society, and was its first President and is now serving in that capacity. Socially he has been identified with the Knights of Pythias and the United Workmen, and is a demitted member of the Masonic fraternity. He has engaged in practice in various places in Jasper County, and came to Newton the last time in September 1892. In January 1893, he was appointed Physician to the Jasper County Jail. He has been prominent in the Order of Knights of Labor and was its Master Workman for one term, but declining a reelection, his wife was chosen in his place. They are the parents of two sons: Marion R., Jr., who was born in Jasper County, Iowa, August 27, 1878, and Jesse Marion, who was born in Plymouth County, Iowa, October 18, 1884. Page 283.

~ Richard A. Hanke ~

Richard A. Hanke, senior member of the hardware firm of Hanke & Scharf, of Newton, was born in Freeport, IL, January 8, 1867, and is the son of Frederick and Matilda (Schaffer) Hanke. His father was born in Schieder, Lippe-Detmold, Germany, in 1823, and came to America at the age of twenty years, settling in Freeport, IL, where he followed his trade of a stone mason, continuing to make his home there until his death in 1886. For many years he was engaged in the hardware business, and was a prosperous businessman, keen in discrimination and quick in decision.

Our subject's mother was born in Hoexter, Prussia, in 1835, and accompanied her parents to America; she died in Freeport in 1884. R. A. is the next to the youngest in a family of eight children, having four brothers and three sisters. Of the family we note the following: Edward died in Freeport at the age of twenty-six years; August is foreman of the Henny Buggy Company, of Freeport; Fred and Charles are engaged in the dry-goods business in Aurora, NE; Emmalina married August Wendt, and after her death Mr. Wendt married another sister, Matilda; they reside in Newton, where he is a prominent and successful merchant; the youngest, sister, Mary, is unmarried and makes her home in Newton.

The subject of this sketch was educated in Freeport, graduating from the high school of that place at the age of fifteen. Soon afterward he entered the store of his brother-in-law, August Wendt, where he occupied a position as salesman for seven years. In 1889 he formed the partnership in the firm of which he is the head. From the commencement of his career he has worked his way unaided, and is now a successful businessman, and one of the most prominent hardware merchants of the place. Possessing great force of character, shrewd business qualifications and indomitable will, he will undoubtedly win a foremost rank among the businessmen of central Iowa.

In 1889 Mr. Hanke was united in marriage with Miss Kate Scharf, the sister of his partner. They have one child, Leland R., who is now (1893) three years of age. Socially Mr. Hanke is a member of the Knights of Pythias and was formerly identified with the Woodmen of America, in which he was Banker for three terms. He is now a member of the Woodmen of the World. In his religious belief he is identified with the Lutheran Church in which faith he was reared. In politics, as were his father and all his brothers, he is an enthusiastic champion of the Republican party, and was a member of the Congressional Convention that nominated J. F. Lacy as Congressman from this district. He was honored at the last city election by being elected to the office of Alderman to represent the Third Ward. p. 244.

~ George W. Harlan ~

Few citizens of Jasper County have been more prominently before the public or have had their histories interwoven more inseparably with the history of this part of Iowa than has Mr. Harlan. The plain record of the principal events of his life speaks, in language more eloquent than words, of his ability, energy and good judgment. Such a life needs no embellishment at the hands of the biographer, for his own good deeds arc the best monuments to his worth and nobility of character.

Now residing upon a farm on section 14, Palo Alto Township, the subject of this sketch was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., January 12, 1837. He is the son William C. and Anna (Riggs) Harlan, natives of Pennsylvania. Until nineteen years of age, he resided in the Keystone State, where he received a practical education in the grammar and high schools of Pottsville. Subsequently he engaged in teaching school for two terms in Jasper County, Iowa. He came to this state in June 1856, and for about one year resided in Muscatine County, whence, in the spring of 1857, he came to Jasper County. In 1866 he settled upon the farm where he now resides. His first purchase consisted of about sixty acres of unimproved land. This he improved, and by subsequent purchase added to the original tract, until at the present time he is the owner of two hundred and fifteen acres. On the 11th of August, 1861, Mr. Harlan was united in marriage with Miss Mary Keller, a native of Luzerne County, Pa., and a daughter of Conrad and Mary (Landmesser) Keller, who were born in Germany and emigrated to the United States prior to their marriage. At the age of fifteen years, in company with her parents, Mrs. Harlan came to Jasper County, Iowa, and settled in Palo Alto Township, where her father died on the 20th of September 1890, and her mother on December 14, 1874. Mrs. Harlan has two sisters and one brother, viz.: Louisa, who is the wife of N. Landmesser, a resident of Elk Creek Township, Jasper County; Charles F., who lives in Palo Alto Township; and Henrietta, who married John Barnes and lives in Kansas.

Mr. and Mrs. Harlan are the parents of seven children, viz.: Mifflin, Charles F.; Hattie G., who is a successful teacher in the public schools; Harry C.; Louise, who also engages in the profession of a teacher; Nellie and James C. Mrs. Harlan and her two daughters are members of tile United Presbyterian Church, and the other members of the family arc attendants at the services of that denomination. In his political connections, Mr. Harlan is a Republican, firm in his advocacy of the principles of that party. For several terms he officiated as Clerk and Assessor of Palo Alto Township, and for four years he served as Clerk of Jasper County. In his social connections he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Masonic fraternity at Newton.

During the long period of Mr. Harlan's residence in Jasper County, he has accumulated an abundance of this world's goods, and has also the satisfaction of knowing that he has performed no unimportant part in the growth and development j of Palo Alto Township. He is of a benevolent, generous and kindly disposition, and those who seek his aid or counsel are given sound advice and substantial assistance. He is a leading and influential citizen of this part of the county, and well merits the esteem in which he is held. Page 360.

~ Reverend Charles C. Harrah ~

Rev. Charles Clark Harrah, pastor of the Congregational Church at Newton, was born in Hopedale, Harrison County, Ohio, January 6, 1841. All of his paternal and maternal ancestors came from the North of Ireland. His great-great-grandfather Harrah was the only one of that family who immigrated to this country, and he and his wife made their home in Lancaster County, in eastern Pennsylvania. They were the parents of two sons, William and Charles. William had only one son; and some of his descendants are now living in Philadelphia and in the vicinity of that city. Charles, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, married Margaret Gilchrist, and they had several children. He was thirty-three years old when the War of the Revolution commenced, and as a partial compensation for his services in that struggle he received a land warrant.

With this land warrant and a certificate of loyalty to the United States Government (which is still in the possession of the family in Pennsylvania), Charles Harrah moved west, and entered a tract of land in Westmoreland County, about nineteen miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Clearing and improving the farm, he there made his home from the time of his arrival, in 1784, until his death, which occurred November 25, 1808, at the age of sixty-six years. His wife survived him for nine years, and died at the age of seventy-five years, November 8, 1818. Their hardships as pioneer settlers none can now imagine. At one time when both were working in the field, a military officer rode up and called Mr. Harrah to immediate duty in defense against the Indians. He was gone for six weeks, and during the entire time his family heard not a word from him. In times of peril, the family took refuge in a fort near by.

Charles Harrah and his good wife were zealous Presbyterians, and as soon as they had a sufficient number of neighbors they joined themselves together with them in the organization of the Round Hill Presbyterian Church. This is still a prosperous church, and is situated three miles from Elizabeth, in Allegheny County. In the graveyard of this church Charles and his wife were buried. Their children, Caroline, Nancy, William, Margaret, Polly, James, Alexander, Samuel and Jane, married, lived and died in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and Kentucky.

James Harrah, the twin brother of Alexander, and the grandfather of our subject, married Margaret McNeil. Guided by a friendly Indian, they selected their farm home, in 1803, in the woods of Jefferson County, Ohio, three miles from what is now Hopedale, and seventy-five miles from their Pennsylvania home. Their nearest neighbor was one mile away. The first Sabbath they spent in Ohio, two other men. Rev. John Rea and Daniel Welch, and their families, met with them for worship under the shade of a beech tree, near by which was a spring. At once they resolved to form the Beech Spring Church, which in after years became one of the strongest Presbyterian Churches in Ohio. For forty-two years Mr. Kea continued to be the pastor of the church, and James G. Harrah was an Elder.

The children who comprised the family of James and Margaret Harrah were Charles, William, James, Alexander, John, Adam, Sarah and Ann. All of them married and settled in Ohio. In after years, William, Alexander and Ann moved to Iowa. The good wife and faithful mother, Margaret Harrah died at the home she had helped to make December 7, 1834, in her fifty-ninth year; James G. Harrah passed away December 2, 1871, in the ninety-third year of his life. He had married a second time, the union being childless; the second wife died several years prior to his demise. He was a man of great physical power and strength of purpose. At the log-rollings and raisings no one could lift so much as he. In height be was six feet and two inches, and be carried himself erect even in his extreme old age.

William Neill Harrah, the father of our subject, was born October 26, 1809. His education was begun with the thought of preparing himself for the ministry, but his preference for a trade was soon made manifest, and so he learned that of a tanner with William Delaney. The tan yard was located on the farm of Philip Delaney, which afterward became the village of Hopedale and the seat of the first normal school established in Ohio. William lived with the family of Philip Delaney, and there became engaged to Deborah Delaney, whom he married November 25, 1830. She was born October 24, 1810, and died at Newton, Iowa, November 19, 1893, in her eighty-fourth year.

Our subject's grandfather, Philip Delaney, was born in the house of Gen. George Washington, in Virginia, in 1767. His father, John Delaney, was born in Ireland, and after coming to America he worked on President Washington's farm until he was killed while breaking a colt for General Washington's use. There bad long been in the employ of the Washington family an Irish girl, to whom John was married, and they became the parents of two children, John and Philip. The latter was a child of three years when his father was killed. As soon as he was old enough, be was bound out to a blacksmith, with the agreement that when be was twenty-one years of age he was to receive a new suit of clothes, a paired shoes, and a horse and a saddle. The conditions were fulfilled, and Philip left the shop of his hard master the day he was twenty-one, and started for Fayette County, Pa., where he opened a blacksmith shop of his town. On the way there horse was killed while in a stable over night, and he was compelled to finish his journey on foot.

While in Pennsylvania, Philip Delaney became acquainted with and married Elizabeth Betts, a young widow, whose maiden name was Clark and who was born in Elizabethtown, NJ, January 6, 1770. Philip was prospered in his business, and in 1803 they determined to move into Ohio, enter a section of land, and to open a blacksmith shop there. The same year (1803) that James G. Harrah settled on his farm in Jefferson County, Philip Delaney settled on his farm in Harrison County, three miles away. The journey to look for the new home was made by him on foot. When he swam the Ohio River with his clothes tied on his head, a friendly Indian observed him and greeted him as he reached the Ohio shore. They went together and selected the farm.

As a worker in iron, Philip Delaney could make anything that the country required. At the close of each day he turned over his earnings to his faithful wife, who was a Christian woman of beautiful spirit and of excellent business talent. He never allowed the first of January to pass without paying all his debts and settling all accounts. He was fond of the athletic amusements of the times, and never found his match as boxer and wrestler. He was of stout build and about five feet and ten inches in height. He died at Hopedale in 1852, in his eighty-sixth year. His noble wife died in 1849, in her seventy-ninth year.

All the grandparents of our subject, and others of the kindred, are buried at Beech Spring, Harrison County, Ohio, and a few rods from the beech tree and spring where, in 1803, James G. Harrah united with others in forming the Presbyterian Church.

On the birthday of Grandmother Delaney, the subject of this sketch was born in the home of these grandparents, in Hopedale. It was at her request that her family name (Clark) was made a part of his name. Philip's mother came to Ohio, and lived with them until her death. His brother John, who never married, was killed in war with Indians near Sandusky, Ohio. He had participated in four engagements without receiving on injury, but was killed in the fifth battle. The children of Philip and Elizabeth Delaney, John, William, Samuel, Elizabeth, Catharine, Mary and Deborah, settled about the old homestead and in different parts of Ohio.

The children of William Neill and Deborah (Delaney) Harrah are as follows: William Delaney, who for many years was engaged in. the insurance business, and is now a resident of Detroit, Michigan; Charles Clark subject of this sketch; Albert L., who was a farmer and grower of fine flock near Newton; Adam Myers, an attorney in Newton; George B., who has made his occupation that of farming and dealing in horses; Mary C., the wife of W.H. Parkin, of Galva, IL; Sarah, who married L. E. Hall of Newton; Lucian, who died in his thirty-fourth year, at Helena, Mont.; and James, John, Caroline and Margaret, who died in Ohio while yet children.

In order to give their family a better opportunity in the world, William N. and Deborah Harrah moved from Ohio to Iowa in 1853. They located on a farm near Davenport. There the surroundings were not satisfactory, and in 1855 they sold the farm and moved to Jasper County. After some time they located permanently on a farm six miles north of Newton, where Albert now resides. Here, a few years earlier had been located Wittemberg College by a colony of Free Presbyterians. The purpose was to have it after the plan of Oberlin (Ohio) College. Rev. Thomas Merrill, a man of talent and zeal in all good things, was pastor of the church and was at the head of the movement to establish the school in this new country. All of them had come there on the unoccupied prairie and entered their land from the Government. At this date (December, 1893), William N. Harrah is in his eighty-fifth year, and lives in Newton, which has been the post office address of his family since April 1885.

At the time of the removal to Iowa, Charles Clark Harrah was a robust boy of thirteen. The family was large, money was scarce, and it was with great difficulty at times that the wants of all could be provided for. His life was not different from that of any other poor boy who knows nothing but work and care every day. He had no time for play, and was so quiet and reserved in disposition that he talked but little to anyone. He saw but little of brightness or cheer in life, and cared little for it. The other children were younger, and to Charles and Albert especially came the duty to plow up the prairie, make rails and posts, build fences, and to do the other necessary work in order to form a home. William, who was older had married, and lived in Davenport.

The father's health was not always good, and sometimes the mother was sick, but all worked together and for each other, and, while poor, they were by no means unhappy.

There was no intimation in those earlier years that Charles sometime would become a minister of the Gospel. He was so extremely timid that he shrank from any kind of publicity. He was more than seventeen years of age before be attempted to read or recite anything in school, and his maneuvering to get out of such exercises was wholly on account of his timidity. When finally he was able to conquer this, it was done because be saw the opportunity thereby to help others. His first special bent of talent was in the line of mechanics. After his father gave up other lines of business in Ohio be follower carpentering and house building. This seemed to be the natural occupation of both father and son; and if the father had kept on at that business, it is probable that Charles would have become a house-builder. He had advanced far enough so that with his own hands he bad built several small houses.

The awakening of the intellectual life of our subject was occasioned by a long and dreadful experience of religious doubt. At first there were only times when he was involved in skepticism; at other times he prayed and read the Scriptures religiously. Through it all, the poverty of the family was so great that be failed to get out among others so au to get needed help. A kind neighbor, A. Failor, encouraged him to take books from his library, and in time a literary society was formed in the community, and a small library was collected that became of great service. A deeply felt need at that time was a copy of the New Testament that could be carried in the pocket, to read at the odd moments that a watchful and anxious mind could find in the daily farm work.

Early in the year a mink trap was set, and day after day prayer was made that a mink might be caught, in order to get a New Testament by the sale of its skins; but no mink came and after weeks of waiting the trap was abandoned. When the springtime came, one day when Charles was hauling a load of rails from the timber, the dog, which was walking along in the road in front of the oxen, suddenly jumped off to one side into the prairie grass and caught something. It proved to be the long-desired mink and with its skin the Testament was bought; which is now preserved among the relics of the past, but which for many years was a pocket companion.

Poverty pressed so hard that it seemed impossible to get books and clothing so as to be able to attend the common school. There was no railroad nearer than sixty miles, and there was almost no market for the produce of the farm. Many a load of wheat Charles hauled these sixty miles and sold for twenty-five or fifty cents a bushel. He would take along feed enough for himself and team, and sleep in the wagon at night. The memory of some of these experiences is not pleasant, when the thunder and the lightning and the storms of the new prairie country made the nights dreadful. Many of the sloughs were not bridged and such inconveniences of pioneer life went along with its other hardships.

As it became more and more evident that Charles must have some schooling, the struggle became intense to do the work required of him for the success of the farm (and it was a matter of conscience never to slight anything), and keep up with his class, he attended school regularly, while he went only three months in a year. From the time he was seventeen until be was twenty-two years of age; he cannot remember that he spent at any one time five minutes in idleness. Whenever he was not asleep he was at work; be always had a book or paper with him for use at any moment of opportunity, and entirely abstained from attendance at social meetings and places of amusement. His parents never set him to any task, or put any burden upon him, but the determination to do all needed work and to help provide for the family, and at the same time to advance in knowledge required every minute and the utmost possible exertion.

One of the trying times in the struggle (and it maybe gives as an illustration of many others) was in his nineteenth year. After working diligently through the summer on the farm, and at the same time using every minute he could for study in order to take a place with the class that he had been with in former years, it seemed that he could not get the necessary clothing and books to go to school. The school had already commenced. Wheat was in the bin to sell, but there was no market for it. He took a load of it, prayed for the Lord to open somebody's heart to help him, and started for Newton. At a drug store books were kept and a small stock of boots. He must have both, but the proprietor would not take more wheat than would buy one or the other of them. After several failures he succeeded in finding a place where be could get the boots. He then returned to the drug store to get the books. However, the proprietor would not let Charles have the books, and scolded him severely for trading for the boots elsewhere, saying that be always required money for books. Timid as the lad was, he could not utter a word in reply, but only burst out in agonizing words of despair, "Oh, please, sir, I have done the best I could. He dared not leave the store, for the books could not be had elsewhere. For a long time be stood in silence, gazing at the coveted books on the shelves. At last the merchant roughly commanded him to bring in the wheat, take the books, and go home. When he was out of the town and found himself alone on the prairie, he got out of the wagon, and kneeling on the ground thanked God for the books, and cried with joy from the thought that his anxiety was ended, and now be could have another three months in school. When, in after years he had given a lecture to a congregation of strangers far from his early home, the man who had scolded him came pressing through the crowd to take the speaker's hand. No excuse would avail; he must go home with him and stay all night. Before a word was said about the time when the poor country boy was almost killed by the scolding.

By the ordering of Providence, the time came when the prairie land where the boy with his new boots and books prayed and cried had to be made into a farm. Now there are a hundred beautiful evergreens there, and it is known as Evergreen Hill Farm, and Charles planted the trees and is the owner of the land.

At twenty-one years of age our subject was sufficiently advanced in his studies to enable him to secure a certificate to teach a district school. Never was there a mortal happier over an earthly success. Now he would have money, and could prosecute his studies. Twenty dollars a month and board himself was the wages he received; but never did money go so far and do so much to help a young man as that money did. He was no longer a religious doubter, but a disciple of Jesus, determined to fit himself for the Gospel ministry. It would require ten years more of struggle in order to get the education he desired; but it must be done, and it was done.

For generations the Harrah family had been Presbyterians. Under the preaching of Alexander Campbell, our subject's father and mother became his followers about the time of their marriage in Ohio. By listening from his earliest childhood to the talk of debaters about the disputed matters in religion, he grew up with the thought that between the teaching of Campbell was those of the Presbyterians there was something so great that one took pleasure in hating the other. As he came to know about other sects, they impressed him in the same way. It was a boy's way of looking at things, but he finally settled down into the conviction that if Jesus made such a religion, it could not be the true, and that the great God had a better religion for the world than Christianity. For two years his purpose was fixed like steel, that fe must, for himself and for the world, find out that better religion. During that time he was never in any kind of religious meeting, but every available minute was devote to reading and thinking. He read thousands of pages of theological works and books treating of the history and philosophy of religion. He read the Old Testament trough twice, and during the period of inquiry read the New Testament through seven times. He came to see clearly, a few months after he was twenty years old, that be had misunderstood Christianity and that things which he supposed grew out of it were utterly foreign to its spirit of life. He came to see that it can no more be expressed in anybody's creed than life can be; and that while opinions about religion are everybody's right, it is the religion of life in the spirit that everybody needs.

With his determination fully made, our subject went to the first meeting that he bad attended for over two years, and, when the opportunity was given, he expressed his firm intention to live a Christian life. It seemed to him that be ought to make the confession in baptism, and as he had no thought of connecting himself with any particular church, but rather with the church universal, he did not know where to find one to baptize him. Rev. Thomas Merrill, the pastor in the community, came to understand his difficulty, and he assured him of a welcome to work as he pleased and as long as he wished in the Free Presbyterian Church, and shortly after that he was baptized, and united with that church. He did not then know of the Congregational Church as a union church; and when that became known to him, he saw at once that he was a Congregationalist. Rev. George Poage, lived at Wittemberg, and both he and Mr. Merrill thought well of the Congregational Church. As the people came to understand the matter, by an almost unanimous vote the Free Presbyterian Church at Wittemberg became Congregational.

The great Civil War was now in progress, and the dearest friend our subject had, James Vanatta, enlisted in the army. Charles also volunteered to go, but from that day troubles gathered about him. His mother would not consent to the step, and begged him to continue his preparation for the ministry. The kind commander, Captain Garrett, came to understand the situation, and sent the youthful volunteer word to wait for a time.

His spirit was broken, and he had not the courage to continue his work. Then a new consecration was made, and he began to hold meetings in the neighboring schoolhouses. There were frequent conversations, and more than a hundred before he was he was licensed to preach by an Association.

At that time the Jasper County Bible Society wished him to visit the families of the county in the interest of that work. He found in that county eighteen hundred families, and finished the work in November 1864. He spent a school year in Griswold College, at Davenport, and at other times continued his studies privately in the school at Wittemberg. After he began Christian work, he found a sympathetic friend and a zealous Helper in the daughter of the pastor, and at twenty-five years of age he married Miss Sarah E. Merrill. Soon afterward they went to Iowa College, where they continued to study, without the interruption of any vacation, for year and a half.

From Grinnell Rev. Mr. Harrah went to Des Moines County, where he did six weeks' work for the Bible Society. He and his wife then went to New York City, the one to enter Union Theological Seminary and the other to attend the New York Medical College for Women. At the close of two years' study there, Mrs. Harrah was graduated; but consumption had been doing its fatal work, and she returned to Iowa to live only a few weeks. She was a woman of remarkable talents, with unselfish Christian purposes in living. Her body lies in the graveyard of the old home church at Wittemberg.

After the death of his wife, Mr. Harrah preached for three months in Monroe, Jasper County, Iowa, thirteen miles from Newton. He then started to return to New York, but on reaching Chicago was persuaded to take his last year in theological study there, and in April 1874, he was graduated from the Chicago Theological Seminary. He decided to return to Monroe, Iowa, and continue work there. He also preached at Prairie City, Mound Prairie and Otley. August 3, 1870, he was ordained by a Council, at Monroe. In November 1870, he returned to New York, and married Miss Sarah A. Ferguson, a classmate and intimate friend of his former wife. She was born in New Hampshire and belongs to an old New England family of Scotch origin. She was a member of Henry Ward Beecher's church, but on account of his absence from the city they were married by Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, of whose church Mrs. Harrah's brother is Elder. For seventy days after their return to Iowa; they were so busy at meetings that they did not spend one evening in their own rooms.

In the spring of 1871 an urgent call came to go to Missouri. Mr. Harrah felt that as he was not permitted to take part in the War for the Union, he possibly had some other kind of work to do in that part of the country, where the Union Army had done such patriotic service. He decided to go to Brookfield, MO, and in April 1871, the removal was made. Within three months after he began to preach there the church became self-supporting, and the growth was steady and continuous during his pastorate of five years. When be resigned, the church offered him a long vacation by a unanimous vote, and requested him to withdraw his resignation; but be wanted to return to Iowa, and Mrs. Harrah's health seemed to require that he should do so.

In February 1876, they moved back to Monroe. After a year they built their first house, in. order to make a home for themselves. The agreement with the church permitted Mr. Harrah to do much work on his farm, fourteen miles away, which was a great benefit to his health. The changes in the community, by removals, prepared the way for the consideration of calls that came from other churches. The Church at Galva, IL, sent a unanimous call. This was repeated a second time, but was refused both times. Alter several weeks it was again repeated, and this time it was decided to accept, although it was with greatest sorrow that he concluded to leave the good people of Monroe.

December 1, 1878, Mr. Harrah preached his first sermon in Galva, and he continued to be pastor of that church until April 1889. The prosperity of the church was continuous during this time, and the vote was unanimous asking him to remain when he made known his purpose to go. While in Galva he wrote three tracts which have had a large circulation, viz.: "Jesus, the Emancipator of Women," "Children" in the church," and "Blood will Tell." He also suggested to The Advance, of Chicago, the publishing of weekly prayer meeting topics and prepared list of topics and wrote the weekly notes on them for first year. He then did the same work for The Union Signal, also of Chicago.

After the long service in Galva, Mr. Harrah hoped to return to Iowa and rest for a short time, but a call came from Peoria, and be was so strongly urged to go there and start a new church in a needy part of the city, that he concluded to accept. In April in 1889, he moved to Peoria, and in June the Plymouth Church, with ninety-six members, was organized. The membership continued, and early in 1890 a branch work, known as Pilgrim Church, was started, and a suitable meetinghouse was erected. Mr. Harrah was worn with overwork, and an attack of pneumonia left him in such a weakened condition that he decided to return to his farm in Iowa and rest for a time. The people were very unwilling to have him go away, but August 11, 1890, they again left a most affectionate and faithful people and removed to Evergreen Hill Farm, at Newton.

Meantime ill health had compelled the pastor to leave Newton. The church was very weak and discouraged. Mr. Harrah was assured that if he would accept the pastorate no more work would be required of him than he would be able to do, and that many who were neglecting church attendance in the community would be in his congregation. The situation of affairs determined him again to try. The life in the country and the mile of travel back and forth to the church proved a great benefit. Instead of giving out, his health improved. The congregation increased and the church was strengthened by additions to its membership. It was thought impossible to build a new church, but a test subscription was circulated. In one week it amounted to $10,000; and in two weeks it was over $12,000, and a committee was appointed to build. The result is a beautiful church edifice. The church has continued to be strengthened by additions to its congregation membership. Wherever they have lived during the twenty-three years that they have served together, Mr. and Mrs. Harrah have had good people to work with. No manner of church quarrel or division of any kind has ever arisen to hinder the progress of good work. From the time he was ordained to the ministry Mr. Harrah has never ceased to be a pastor. In order to accomplish more for the church he has now moved into Newton.

At his last birthday, January 6, 1898, Mr. Harrah was fifty-two years old. His physical strength and endurance he owes largely to his lifelong temperance in eating and drinking. He has never used any kind of alcoholic liquor or tobacco, and not since he was seventeen years of age has he used tea or coffee. He and his wife are the parents of one child, William Ferguson Harrah, now twenty-two years old. He expects to follow a business life, and from the time of his early boyhood has been settled in his mind to give his influence and efforts along with those of his parents, in order to advance in the world the great objects of the Christian religion.

Mr. Harrah has written much in the preparation of sermons, but in the pulpit his method is largely extemporaneous. These three rules have guided his pulpit work from the beginning of his ministry: 1. To preach the Gospel, and not religious philosophy or things about the Gospel; 2. Never to go into the pulpit without having made the best preparation that the time and circumstances allow; 3. Never to preach without aiming at definite impression that he would be satisfied with in case the sermon proved to be his last one. The manner and spirit of his preaching are indicated by the rule, which he always keeps in mind,

"As a dying man to dying men,
So preach I as if I ne'er should preach again." p. 151

~ Harter, Frank ~

This young gentleman is a member of one of the oldest and most respected families in the vicinity of Colfax, Jasper County. His father, John Harter, and his mother, Sarah (Gearhart) Harter, were natives of Iowa. The father was a merchant by trade, and in this pursuit was very successful. In 1873 he started for the far southern state of Texas, and there made his home in Henrietta until his death, I which occurred in 1884. His widow still makes her home there.

Our subject is one of a family of five children born to his worthy parents, all of whom are living, viz.: Julia, who is the wife of Andrew McMurtryand lives in Clay County, Tex.; Nellie, Frank, Willie and Nettie. The last named make their home with their mother in Texas.

Frank Harter, of whom we write this brief history, was born in Colfax on the 24th of August 1871, and obtained a good education in the city schools. He has been a great traveler, and has visited many of the states of the Union, as yet having no great responsibility to keep him from seeking pleasure at all times. He is the possessor of a fine ranch in Texas near the city of Henrietta, where he makes his home. Page 269.

~ Thomas Healy ~

Thomas Healy, one of the representative farmers of Palo Alto Township, residing on section 18, is a son of Erin, for he was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, December 15, 1849. His parents, Patrick and Winnefred (Hanley) Healy, were also natives of the Emerald Isle. In that country, our subject received a common school education. At the age of sixteen, he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America. The family bade adieu to their old home in 1866, and crossed the broad Atlantic upon an ocean steamer, which sailed from Queenstown, Ireland, and after a voyage of fourteen days dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. The family came at once to Iowa, and finally settled permanently in Jasper County. Here the father spent his remaining days, his death occurring on the 14th of March 1892. The following children yet survive: Johanna, wife of Patrick Stanton, a resident of Keokuk County, Iowa; Thomas, whose name heads this record; and John, who is living in Sherman Township, Jasper County.

Thomas Healy completed his school life by one term's attendance after his arrival in this country. He has always kept well informed on general topics of the day and is recognized as one of the intelligent and respected citizens of the community. His earlier years were spent mostly in railroading and in coal mining, and it was not until 1889 that he gave his entire attention to farm work, which he has since successfully followed.

On the 11th of October 1874, our subject wedded Mary O'Leary, who was born in Iowa City, Iowa, September 6, 1856, and is a daughter of Cornelius and Margaret (Walsh) O'Leary. Her parents were natives of Ireland. When their daughter was a little maiden of eight years they came to Jasper County, and her girlhood days were principally spent in Newton, where her mother yet resides. Her father is now deceased, having been called to the home beyond on the 24th of March 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. Healy have been born three children, a daughter and two sons: Catherine, Patrick and John, who are still under the parental roof. The parents hold membership in the Roman Catholic Church, and our subject is a supporter of the principles of the Republican Party. He is a self-made man in the truest and best sense of the word, and from a humble position has worked his way upward to one of affluence. He started out in life for himself empty-handed, but is now the owner of a fine farm comprising four hundred acres of rich and productive land, which is now highly cultivated and improved with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm. One glance at this well kept place indicates to the passer-by the thrift and enterprise and the careful supervision of the owner, who well deserves to be classed among the substantial and leading agriculturists of the county. Page 337.

~ George W. Hickman ~

George W. Hickman remained in the county of his nativity until a youth of fifteen years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, the family locating in. Henry County. The journey was made by team and wagon, and they there continued to reside until 1853, when the family came to Jasper County and settled on the farm, which is now the home of our subject. At that time Sherman Township was a part of Newton Township. The parents died in this locality.

Our subject acquired the greater part of his education in the schools of Iowa; and in his early youth he attended the subscription schools of Indiana, He had not the advantages of a higher education, but he has been a great reader through life, and his studies in private have made him a well-informed man. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Tamer C. Moffitt, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Stephen and Mary Moffitt. Their union was celebrated September 17, 1857, and has been blessed with six children, four of whom are living, viz.: Harlan H.; Ionia, wife of William Deutsch; Josephine and Stephen C.

Mr. Hickman has followed farming throughout his entire life, and is now owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, while the place is highly improved with good buildings and all modern accessories and conveniences, It is neat and thrifty in appearance, and indicates the enterprise and public spirit of the owner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hickman are members of the Presbyterian Church, Their home is the abode of hospitality, and in social circles they hold an enviable position, their friends throughout the community being many. In his political views Mr. Hickman is a Republican, and has served as Trustee of Sherman Township for several terms. He has ever borne his share of the up building and development of the county, and is ever found in the front rank of those enterprises calculated to promote the general welfare. His many excellencies of character have won him high regard, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of his life. Page 426.

~ Thomas D. Hipsley ~

Fairview Township, Jasper County, is the home of many intelligent, industrious and prosperous farmers, who from a small beginning have won a competence, securing a considerable amount of land and surrounding themselves with all the comforts and conveniences which heart can wish. Among this number may be mentioned Thomas D. Hipsley.

The gentleman above named was born in Fayette County, Pa., January 18, 1826, and is a son of Jonathan and Nancy A. (Davis) Hipsley, both natives of Maryland. Grandfather Hipsley was a native of Ireland, and Grandfather Davis was born in Scotland. The subject's father was a farmer in the Keystone State, and to him and his wife was born a family 9f seven children, namely: Betsey, Polly, Robert, Joshua, Caleb, Sarah A. and Thomas D. Mrs. Hipsley was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died highly respected by all who knew her. In 1840 the father of our subject settled on a farm in Knox County, Ohio, which was new country and necessitated hard work. He obtained but a limited education, but was a great reader and thereby kept himself well posted on the topics of the day. He was religiously a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically was a Democrat.

Our subject made his home with his parents until reaching his thirty-third year, when he was married to Mariah Jenkins, a daughter of Aleaser and Nellie (Welsh) Jenkins, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish descent. Of this marriage, I four children were born: John 0., deceased; Clement L., who is married and resides on a farm; Iva A., who is also deceased, and David E., living at home with his parents. These children all received good educational advantages. The mother of this family is a native of Knox County, Ohio, and was there reared and educated.

The home estate of our subject consists of one hundred and seventy-nine acres of valuable and well-improved land. His first property comprised fifty acres in Knox County, Ohio, on which he lived until 1869, when be sold it and came to Iowa, and not until a year later did he purchase his present home, which then included but a few acres. He has worked very hard and has added to his original acreage as opportunity afforded, until now he is the happy possessor of the above named estate. He has made for himself and family such a pleasant home that he can now rest from his hard manual labors and enjoy with ease the many comforts which surround him. In his political views he is a strong Democrat. Page 594.

~ Jacob Hixon ~

Jacob Hixon was formerly a representative citizen of Buena Vista Township and a pioneer settler of Jasper County. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, May 24, 1815, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Slagle) Hixson, who were natives of West Virginia. He attended the early subscription schools of his native state, and though his privileges in that direction were limited, be became a well-informed man. Upon his father's farm in the Buckeye State he remained until thirty years of age, and then went to West Virginia.

Mr. Hixson was married in that state on the 17th of June 1847, to Miss Margaret Harper, who was born in West Virginia November 9, 1820, and is a daughter of Adam and Margaret (Wamsley) Harper, who were born in the same state as was their daughter. She grew to womanhood in Randolph County and attended the old-time subscription schools of that day, which were held in log houses with greased paper windows, puncheon floor and huge fireplace. Mr. and Mrs. Hixson became the parents of seven children, who are yet living, as follows: John W., Virginia, Adam H., George W., Jacob, Laura A. and Grant W.

In 1852 Mr. Hixson left West Virginia with his family and sought a home in Jasper County, Iowa. Two families made the journey together with two wagons and seven horses. They left their old home the last of October, and after a journey of six weeks reached Monmouth, IL. The weather had then become so cold that they spent the winter in Monmouth. The grandfather, John Hixson, with his family, who had accompanied our subject, left for the Hawkeye State in March, and in April Jacob Hixson reached Jasper County. He immediately made a settlement upon the farm where his widow now lives, in Buena Vista Township. John Hixson and his family also settled in the same township, and here he died in October 1854.

Our subject entered land from the Government and also purchased additional land. His first home was a log cabin, and in 1855 he began building his present residence, to which be removed the following year. Much of the lumber used in its construction was sawed by band, and the laths and shingles were also made in the same way. Mr. Hixson was familiar with frontier life in this locality and was a prominent and influential citizen.

In politics he was a Democrat, and was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. In his death, October 11, 1885, the county lost one of her representative and well known pioneers, his family a loving husband and father, and his church a faithful member. His word was as good as his bond, and he was widely known for his strict integrity in all business affairs. Ho was a hard working and industrious man, and left to his family a fine farm, which yields to them a good income. Mrs. Hixson is still living on the old homestead and is one of the pioneer women of the county. She is beloved by all who know her,

~ John Wesley Honnold ~

This worthy and respected citizen of the village of Monroe, Iowa, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, April 3, 1826. His father, Jacob Wesley Honnold, was a native of the Keystone State, born in 1803, and his grandfather, John Wesley Honnold, was a native of Germany, and an exile from that country. The latter settled in Pennsylvania, but removed from there at an early day and settled in Ohio. He was a man of fair education, and a farmer by occupation, becoming fairly well off in that pursuit. His death occurred in Ohio. He had three sons besides the father of our subject. Thomas C. came to Iowa at all early date, and was the second man to settle between Pella and Monroe, where he died. Samuel died in Ohio when a young man, and John P. came to Iowa in 1862 or 1863, and settled near Monroe, where he passed the remainder of his days. The Honnolds were Methodists, and all were devoted to the cause of Christianity. There were many noted preachers in this family, and long did they labor in that holy calling.

The father of our subject devoted much of his life to Christian work, and his home in Ohio was in the headquarters for all the Methodists for miles around. He gave liberally of his means to further the cause of Christianity, and his memory is revered and honored. In 1856 he came to Iowa, bringing with him a few thousand dollars. He first settled in Marion County, one mile west of Otley, then called Newark, where for many years he was Postmaster. He was the principal organizer of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Summit, and when the church was finally removed to Otley, it was done under his direction. He lived a most exemplary life, and died in Marion County, on the place where he had settled when first coming to the state.

The mother of our subject, formerly Elizabeth Ward, was born in Chester County, Pa., in 1803, and her father, Philip Ward, who was a shoemaker and saddler by trade, was also a native of that state. Mr. Ward was a pioneer of Ohio, and came west with his family in a two-wheeled cart. He was soldier in the War of 1812. He had several sons. Jacob is now living at Farmington, this state; John, who engaged in merchandising at an early day, became wealthy at this and in the real-estate and railroad stock business, and now resides in Sterling, Ill.; Thomas settled in Warren County, Iowa, at an early day, but subsequently went to Kansas, where he died; Mercer was a wagon-maker by trade, and died in Kansas; Aschael went to Warren County, Iowa, and was twice Treasurer of the county; he is now living in Nebraska, where he has been Postmaster for twenty years. He has also been Justice of the Peace and Assessor. During the Civil War he held the commission or Lieutenant. The mother of our subject was noted as a singer, and for many long years her voice was heard in the church choir. She survived her husband about sixteen years, dying at the age of eighty-nine years. The last few years of her life she was blind.

John Wesley Honnold was next to the eldest in a family or eight children, four sons and four daughters. Ruth died at nineteen years of age Margaret Ann married William Hursey, and resides at Hedrick, in Keokuk County, Iowa; she is wealthy. Lucinda married J. Blair, and resides in Ohio, where they became wealthy in the stock business. Newton Clark enlisted in the Third Iowa Cavalry, Company K, as Orderly Sergeant, and was promoted to Second, then to First Lieutenant, and finally to Captain, serving four years; he is now living in Monroe. William S. early in life engaged in the newspaper business, and for many years was employed on the Chicago Tribune, and was in that city when the war broke out. He enlisted in an Ohio regiment, serving in the Quartermaster's department. After the war he came to Iowa, and for some time edited a paper at Pella. Later he engaged in farming, and still later embarked in the hardware business in Monroe, where, he was at the time of his death. Eliza Jane married J. W. Fisher, who is in the hardware business in Monroe. Zachary Taylor was graduated from the Pella school and from the law department of the State University. He was admitted to the Bar and practiced in Monroe for a short time. After he abandoned the profession, he taught school, and later was Superintendent of Schools in Marion County. Subsequently he engaged in the hardware business in Monroe, where he resides at the present time.

The original of this notice was reared on a farm in Ohio, received but a limited education, and when twenty-one years of age married Miss Dorotha Burrows, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Richard Burrows, one of the pioneers of the state. After marriage, Mr. Honnold farmed in the summer and taught school in the winter for several years, and then in 1850 traded his farm for a stock of goods at Gilmore, Ohio. From there he went to Newtown, that state, and in 1851 was burned out, losing all he owned. Then, with his father-in-law he went to Indiana, and with the latter's assistance bought one hundred and twenty acres of land. As it was in the wilderness, he again had to resort to teaching school to support his family.

He became quite a factor in local politics, and was known as a Douglas Democrat. Offices were tendered him, and in fact he was the leader in politics in his community. His was the first war speech made in his county, and it was widely published in the papers of the state. From that time on he was in disfavor with the people in his locality, who were but little better than those who took up arms against the Government.

Among the better class of citizens he was called "The King among Devils," and when the war broke out he entered the army as Lieutenant, serving in many of the leading battles of the war. In 1863 he retired and came to Iowa, settling in Marion County, where he taught school for a time. Later he farmed for several years in the summer, and taught during the winter seasons. In the winter of 1886 he removed to Monroe, and for five years was in the mercantile business. Since that time he has led a quiet and retired life. In August 1880, his wife died, leaving five sons and five daughters, all yet living. Nancy is the wife of George Parry, a farmer of this county; Richard Wesley is a railroad man in Arizona; George W. is a ranchman in Wyoming; Mary Jane married D.T. Welty, Judge of the Fourth Judicial District of Nebraska; John Milton is a railroad man in Wyoming; Amanda Jane married Wallace Fisher, a merchant in Monroe; Clara Bell, Mrs. Manlove, resides in Nebraska; William is a merchant in Cambridge, Neb.; Lizzie is single and at home; she was a teacher for many years; and James Sherman is a railroad man at Cambridge, Neb. In September 1882, Mr. Honnold married Miss Lucinda Mercer, his present wife. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since the age of sixteen years, and has since been a worker in the same. He is a prominent Grand Army man, has been Commander of his post. He has served as Mayor of the city, and is known as "Squire" Honnold, having served many years as Justice of the Peace. Page 404.

~ Joseph Bond Hough ~

Joseph Bond Hough, a grain merchant of Newton, was born in Loudoun County, VA, February 25, 1823. The family of which, he is an honored representative. He was prominent in the history of the Old Dominion during the early days of its settlement. They were of Saxon origin, and the forefathers came to this country with William Penn, settling in the Keystone State. The great-grandfather of our subject, John Hough, married a Miss Hite, whose ancestors came from Germany. Both families were prominent in the Quaker Church.

About 1742 John Hough went to Virginia, where William Hough, our subject's grandfather, was born. He was a roan of more than ordinary ability and education, and followed the occupation of a civil engineer, becoming the owner of large tracts of land. At the time of his demise, he and the Hite family had many land warrants in Virginia, but it is thought that after his death no great amount was realized on this property. Amasa Hough, the father of J. B., was born in 1790 on the farm where his father had first opened his eyes to the light, it being the place where John Hough made settlement in 1742. Amasa was the youngest of eleven children, and upon attaining man's estate he became a prominent and successful merchant. After the death of his father, the old homestead fell to him, and returning to that place he continued to make his home there until his death, which occurred in 1865.

Our subject's mother was Ann Elizabeth Bond, who's mother was a daughter of Thomas Moore, and her father was Joseph Bond, who was of Welsh descent. William and Thomas Moore came from Ireland to America and settled in Virginia during the Colonial days, Mrs. Hough being a descendant of Thomas. His brother, William, was lost sight of, and nothing is known of his life career. Which of these brothers was the elder is a question that has puzzled the minds of the descendants of Thomas for generations, for a large fortune was left in Waterford, Ireland, to the elder of these brothers, but with all their research they have not been able to learn which was the elder. Therefore a great fortune is awaiting proof that in all probability will never be furnished. They were Quakers, and settled in Bucks County, PA, where their names appear on the minutes of the Friends Church. The mother of Ann Elizabeth (Bond) Hough, bore the family name of Moore and was a descendant of Irish ancestors, who upon emigrating to America settled in Loudoun County, VA, and located and named the village of Waterford, in honor of the town by that name in their native country. Her birth occurred about 1801. She lived and died upon the old homestead, where her husband also passed away some years prior to her demise.

Both the Bond and Moore families were prominent in the early history and settlement of Virginia. Living in a slave state in the days when it was honorable to own slaves, none of the forefathers of our subject ever owned one; in fact, they were greatly opposed to human slavery. One member of the Hough family came into possession of some slaves by marriage, but at once freed them. Our subject was the eldest in a family of eight children, all of whom attained to mature years. William resides in Maryland; Deborah went to Nebraska and was killed by falling from a buggy; Eleanor Hite is living in Maryland; Edgar was killed by falling from a tree in Loudoun County, VA; Amasa; Elizabeth, deceased, and Warwick, complete the family circle.

During the Civil War, Amasa Hough, Jr., discovered the rebels in the vicinity of his home in Virginia, and dreading discovery, which would be equivalent to death, he hid in the woods for three days, without food. Finally he made his way across the river on a rail to the Maryland side and sped away to Washington, where he quietly presented himself to President Lincoln and made known to him the state of affairs. This was a daring deed, and was greatly appreciated by the President, who would have rewarded him had he lived. Five of the family are now living: Joseph B. of this sketch; Eleanor; William; Warwick, who lives in Montgomery County, MD and Amasa, whose home is in the same neighborhood.

At Alexandria, Va., our subject received an excellent education, having for schoolmates such men as ex-President Harrison, the late Justice Lamar and Kirby Smith, and others who have gained national fame. At the age of eighteen he commenced to teach school, and for fourteen years was Principal of a select school in the state of his birth, where he ranked high as an educator. In the fall of 1854 he came to Iowa and settled in Jasper County, where he taught school for a short time. Later, for a year he was engaged as a civil engineer, and then served as Deputy County Clerk. In 1856 he was elected, on the Republican ticket. Clerk of Jasper County, a position that he held for six years. From May of 1868 to the close of the war, he was in the employ of the Government in the Provost Marshal's office at Iowa City and other places.

Retiring from politics in 1866, Mr. Hough embarked in the lumber and grain business in Newton, in which he engaged until 1883. Then abandoned the former interests, and since that time has been in the grain and coal business. In 1846 he married Miss Elizabeth Hough, a cousin, who died in June 1892, after forty-six years of married life and at the age of seventy years. They had seven children, one of whom died in infancy. Josephine married Aaron Steever and died in Dakota; Evelyn was educated at Iowa College, and married Joseph Sims, the son of a Congregational minister in Nevada, CA; Eleanor Virginia was educated at Iowa College and is prominent as linguist; she resides with her father; Emerson, a graduate of the Iowa State University, is manager of the Chicago office of the newspaper known as the Forest and Stream; Edgar, a graduate of the Newton High School and of the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, is now a practicing physician at Vilisca, IA; Norman finished his education in the Newton High School, and now connected with the Northern Pacific Railroad, has his office in Minneapolis, MN.

From the organization of the Republican Party to the present time Mr. Hough has been an adherent of its principles and a champion of its candidates. His life has been an exemplary one, his habits temperate and his dispositions generous and kind. Since 1859 he has been identified with the Congregational Church, and has served as Deacon during most of the time since that date. p. 218.