~ Painter, William ~Photo

William Painter, one of Lynnville's most enterprising and progressive merchants, has been engaged in the drug trade in Lynnville since January 1900. Mr. Painter was born in Madison County, Iowa, May 18, 1856; received a common school education in that County, afterward attending Ackworth Seminary, and Rush Medical College, of Chicago, graduating in February 1881. The next two years he practiced medicine at Hubbard, Iowa, and from 1883 to 1898 at East Peru Madison County. June 19, 1880, he was united in marriage to Mary A. Deardorff, born near Montezuma, Iowa, November 5, 1855. They are the parents of two children: Jesse Carl and Clair. Mr. Painter may well be termed a self-made man, every dollar he possesses having been acquired by his own efforts. He is a shrewd business man, carries one of the largest stocks in Lynnville, and the year 1901, erected a house that would do honor to many a larger town, and a double brick store building, two stories and basement, 50x70 feet. Page 20

~ Parmenter, Edward L. ~Photo

Edward L. Parmenter, a farmer, and at present the township assessor, resides on Section 5, Hickory Grove Township. He is the son of Lorenzo and Kezia (Robbins) Parmenter, natives of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, respectively. He is the second child of a family of four children, and was born in Illinois December 24, 1846, and became a resident of Jasper County in the spring of 1868. He purchased his present farm of 195 acres of his father's estate. Anna Louisa Kell was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Schooley) Kell, and became the wife of our subject February 11, 1869. Her parents were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Parmenter are the parents of seven children: Anna M., Geo. E., Cora J., deceased, Charles K., Harry O., Laura and Lee, twins. Mr. Parmenter has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his township and county, and has held various township offices. He was assessor for ten years, at different periods, and is now the present incumbent. Politically, he supports the principles of the Republican Party. Socially, the family are members of the United Brethren Church. Page 32

~ Parmley, Braxton D. ~Photo

Braxton D. Parmley, a successful agriculturalist residing on Section 27, Rock Creek Township, was born in Kentucky April 2, 1840, and became a resident of Jasper County in the fall of 1869. His parents were James and Charlottey (Baker) Parmley, natives of Kentucky. There were twelve children in his father's family, our subject being the second born. He started in life with moderate means and rented land in Kentucky for about three years. His first purchase of land in Jasper County was a 40-acre tract. He rented other land, however, for about four years, and has added to his landed interests until now he owns 280 acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. Mary Ann Conley was the daughter of John and Linda (Willhite) Conley, and became the wife of our subject in September 1864. Twelve children have been born to them: Eliza, Elizabeth, Arthur, Samuel, deceased, Olin, Mallie, Luther, Dilley, deceased, Linda, Charley, Lucy, and Jennie. Mrs. Parmley passed from the scenes of this earth September 5, 1898. Mr. Parmley takes an active interest in the different enterprises of the county, and supports the principles of the Democratic Party. Page 31

~ Parsons, George W. ~Photo

George W. Parsons, one of Newton's leading businessmen, has been a resident of Jasper County since 1853, and is the descendant of a wealthy Virginia family. His grandfather, James Parsons, spent his life in Virginia, where he was an extensive slave owner, and a man of wealth. George W. Parsons is the son of George and Susanna (Harper) Parsons and was born in Virginia February 12, 1849. His father was also a native of Virginia, and received a limited school education, and early in life learned the blacksmith and wagon maker's trade, and was considered a fine mechanic. The Parsons are of Irish descent. The mother of our subject was also a native of the Old Dominion State, and is a direct descendant of the original settlers at Harper's Ferry, and was of German descent. When the Parsons family located in Jasper County, they became residents of what is now Malaka Township. Hess D. Parsons, brother of our subject, now resides on the old homestead. Here our subject grew to manhood, receiving his education in the district schools. He commenced working with threshing machinery when but fifteen years of age, and has worked with the different methods of threshing grain from the time it was tramped out by horses on the barn floor, all through the different periods of improvements in threshing machinery, including the cylinder used alone, or chaff piler, the small shaker running behind the cylinder, the separator run by horse power, and on up to the steam threshing outfit of today with automatic wind stacker, and the Hawkeye Self Feeder, of which Mr. Parsons is the inventor. Having been engaged in the threshing business for more than thirty-five years in the different states, including Iowa, Oregon, California, the Dakotas, and several other states, he saw the increasing demand for an up-to-date self-feeder. At the suggestion of a friend, who offered to pay the expenses of patenting a machine for this purpose for a half interest in the same, he applied for his first patent in 1891, and after working together for about one year, they, with other citizens of Newton, organized the Parsons Band Cutter & Self Feeder Co., Mr. Parsons being elected superintendent of construction. He served in this capacity until October 1897, when he resigned his position, but was a stockholder, however, until the early part of 1898, when he sold his interest to the above company, after which he secured a foundry and machine shop and commenced perfecting some new patents, the outcome of which was the Hawkeye Feeder, now manufactured by Parsons, Rich & Co. In its line it has proven itself in every way a success, and is stimulating a growing demand. The factory is now turning them out in large quantities. Mr. Parsons is truly a great inventor, and has every reason to be satisfied with his career in this line. His first idea of a self-feeder was while he was yet on the farm. In 1873 he left home and went to California and spent about three years in the west. After his return to Jasper County, he remained about one year on the farm, and in March 1877, was united in marriage to Emma J. Failor, who bore him three daughters: Mary Gertrude, born January 12, 1878, is now a bookkeeper at the feeder works; Alice S., born September 21, 1879, attends to the household duties, and Estella E., born March 6, 1881, now Mrs. Charles A. Kendal, of Chicago. Mrs. Parsons passed from the scenes of this earth in March 1884. Page 43

~ Parsons, Hess D. ~Photo

Hess D. Parsons, proprietor of the Malaka Stock Farm, was born in Randolph County, West Virginia, April 17, 1843, and came with his parents to Jasper County in 1854, and located on the farm now owned by our subject, his father entering it from the government. His grandfather, George Parsons, spent his life in West Virginia, and was an extensive slave owner and a man of wealth. George Parsons, father of our subject, was born on the old plantation in West Virginia, and grew to manhood in his native state, receiving a liberal school education. He learned the blacksmith and wagon maker's trade, and manufactured the wagon in which the family came to Iowa. He was a man of sound judgment and practical views, and gave liberally to all public enterprises. His death occurred here in 1856, in his 54th year. Hess D. Parsons, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage February 16, 1869, to Mary Wydell. She was born in Pennsylvania, February 3, 1845. They are the parents of two children: Lulu May, now Mrs. C. H. Jasper, of Newton, and Peryl Marie, at home. Both his children have received liberal school and musical educations. Like his father, our subject has always taken an active interest in all public enterprises, and in 1883 started in the creamery business, and has manufactured as high as 5,000 pounds of butter per day; was awarded several medals at the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago on his creamery products. In addition to his dairy interests, Mr. Parsons engages in stock raising, and has a herd of Short Horn cattle, many of which are of the purest blood. Page 32

~ Paulson, Paul P. ~

Paul P. Paulson, residing on Section 30, Rock Creek Township, was born in Schlesvig, Germany, March 15, 1849, where he grew to manhood. In 1875 he came to America and located in Jasper County. September 1, 1880, he married Annie Thygerson, of Kellogg. Nine children have been born to them, one deceased: Christenie, Lena, Nellie, Laura, Minnie, one deceased, Katie and Fred. Page 16

~ Pease, Hugh A. ~

Hugh A. Pease, of the firm of H. A. & J. M. Pease, breeders of Short Horn cattle and Poland China hogs, was born in Richland County, Ohio, January 12, 1842, and came to Jasper County with his parents in 1856. August 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, 40th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three years, participating in all the battles, skirmishes and marches of his regiment, which included the siege of Vicksburg and battle of Saline River Bottom, and was under General Steele a portion of the time. Was mustered out at Davenport, Ia. in 1865, and returned to Jasper County. February 27, 1866, he was united in marriage to Sarah E. Myers. She was born in Hancock County, Ohio, June 6, 1846. Five children have been born to them: Frank G., George H., John M., Maud M., and Nellie. John M. is associated with his father in the stock business on the old homestead. He was born in Jasper County October 18, 1876. "The Bonny View Farm," operated by our subjects, is well known. Hugh A. Pease started in life at the bottom or the ladder, but by careful management and indomitable energy he has climbed well to the top and is considered one of the substantial farmers in the community in which he has lived and taken an active part for so many years. Page 11

~ Penquite, William ~Photo

William Penquite, a successful agriculturalist, residing on Section 4, Poweshiek Township, was born in Jasper County August 2, 1869. His father, Joseph J. Penquite, came to the County in 1868, and died February 7, 1899. His mother is still living. William received his education in the district schools of Jasper County, and has been quite successful in all his business ventures. Page 23

~ Phelan, Daniel ~

Daniel Phelan, a farmer, residing on Section 19, Poweshiek Township, was born in Ireland September 12, 1840. July 27, 1866, he came to the United States and located in Poweshiek Township, Jasper County. His cash capital amounted at that time to about $10.00. Coming here with limited means, but with a determination to succeed, young Phelan started out in earnest to make a home and a fortune for himself, and how well he has succeeded may be guessed when we say that he now owns about 1,000 acres of land in Polk and Jasper Counties, all of which is well improved. July 7, 1875, he was united in marriage to Catharine Phelan. She was a native of Ireland, born in April 1842. His brother, Charles Phelan, including his wife and five children, were killed in the cyclone that passed over this section May 24, 1896. Four of the children escaped without injury, and are now living with our subject, the two younger ones, Katie and William, having been adopted by him. Page 15

~ Phillips, Frank M. ~Photo

Frank M. Phillips, manufacturer of brick and tile in Kellogg, was born in Knox County, Ohio, July 30, 1874, and became a resident of Jasper County in Feb. 1881. He is the son of Deroy E. and Julia (Beard) Phillips, natives of Ohio and Illinois respectively. His father is deceased, and his mother is now a resident of Kellogg. Carrie Ervin was born in Jasper County, Dec. 10, 1874, and became the wife of our subject March 24, 1897. They are the parents of two children, Annie, Marie and Ruth. Mr. Phillips takes an active interest in the development of his town and township, and has held numerous township offices. He received a liberal business education both in the district schools, the high school of Kellogg, and the Newton Normal College, at which he graduated. After his graduation he taught several terms of school, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for about two years, after which he engaged in his present business. His wife is also an old school teacher, and a well-educated lady. She followed school teaching for about seven years. Socially he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. Page 40

~ Pickens, T. A. ~

T. A. Pickens, now a resident of Section 30, Kellogg Township, was born in Ireland May 14, 1859; came to America in 1868 with his parents, James and Eliza (Gordon) Pickens, and located in Scott County, Iowa. His father had at that time about $2,000.00. He engaged in farming in Scott County on rented land, where they remained until 1877, and came to Jasper County, arriving here in February. The first land purchase was in Mariposa Township, which was a tract of 160 acres. His father passed from the scenes of this earth February 20, 1899, in the village of Kellogg, his wife surviving him, and now resides in Newton. Our subject was the third child of a family of six children. He became the owner of his first farm in 1889. When he started for himself, he had about $200.00 in money, and the next five years was the struggle of his life. January 31, 1884, Hannah Copley became his wife. She was a native of Scott County, Iowa. They are the parents of five children, all of whom are at home. Page 8

~ Pierce, George P. ~Photo

George P. Pierce was born in Rock County, Wisconsin, March 11, 1845, and became a resident of Sherman Township, Jasper County, in 1865. He located upon his present farm in 1870. His parents were Alfred and Julia (Kelsey) Pierce, natives of New York. Our subject was married April 12, 1866, to Elizabeth Harter. Her father, William Harter, was an early settler in Jasper County. Our subject and wife are the parents of the following children: Amanda Ellen, Charley Wilbur, Bessie Bell, and Andrey Maude; Frank Alfred, deceased; Nora Edith, deceased, and Cliff, deceased. Politically, our subject supports the principles of the Republican Party. The family are members of the Christian Church. Page 12

~ Poortinga, S. E. ~Photo

S. E. Poortinga, an industrious farmer of Elk Creek Township, dates his settlement in Jasper County from March 1890. He was born in Holland March 9, 1854. His parents were Eba and Boene (Wieringa) Poortinga. May 10, 1878, Mr. Poortinga was united in marriage to Grietge Fokema. They are the parents of four children: Maggie, Garret, Reinder, and Eba, all at home. Page 27

~ Porter, Andrew J. ~Photo

Andrew J. Porter, grain dealer in Fairmount, became a resident of Jasper County in the summer of 1858, and is therefore classed among the pioneers. He is the son of John and Sarah (Michael) Porter, natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. They were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, our subject being the eighth child, and was born July 17, 1840. He received his education in the district schools of Indiana and Iowa. The greater part of his life has been spent upon the farm. He started with limited means and has been more than ordinarily successful in his business venture. His first piece of real estate was purchased in 1865, consisting of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. He has bought and sold several farms, and now owns one hundred and sixty acres in Fair View Township, and eight acres adjoining the town of Fairmount, on which he has erected comfortable buildings. In July 1862, he enlisted at Des Moines in Company G, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and received his discharge at Mound City, Illinois, in May 1865. He supports the principals of the Democratic Party and is a member of the Baptist Church. Page 39

~ Porter, Isaac ~Photo

Isaac Porter, residing on Section 18, Des Moines Township, is a pioneer of Jasper County, a brief sketch of whom very appropriately appears in this work, He was born in Decatur County, Indiana, August 21, 1826, and became a resident of Jasper County in the fall of 1853. He is one of those shrewd, careful and energetic agriculturalists who has devoted his whole life to his chosen occupation. He is efficient in every branch of farming, and has made his chosen calling a science. Through the proper rotation of crops and fertilization of the soil, he has been enabled to get the very best results from every acre he has planted, and is therefore considered on of the most substantial farmers in the county. His beautiful farm residence graces Section 18, Des Moines Township. John Porter, father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania. He married Sarah Michael, who was a native of Virginia. In their childhood they each became residents of Indiana. There were twelve children in their family, the subject of this sketch being the third child. David Porter, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Scotland. He came to America when a young man, and became a resident of New York City. He afterward went to Virginia, and served in the Revolutionary War for seven years, and was at the battles of Bunker Hill and Brandywine. Isaac Porter of whom we write, grew to manhood in the Hoosier State, and received a practical business education. He was a schoolteacher in that state for three and one-half years, and followed school teaching for eighteen months in Jasper County. When he arrived here in 1853, he only remained a short time, and returned to Indiana. He made several trips from the Hoosier to the Hawkeye State during the next two years, and became a permanent resident of Jasper County in 1854. He has experienced all the hardships of a pioneer, starting in life without means. He worked out by the month as a farm hand, ten stipends per month his pay. He has bought and sold several tracts of land, purchasing 190 acres of his present farm in February 1854. He has since, added, until he now owns 535 acres in a body in Des Moines Township, which he has brought to the highest possible state of cultivation. He also owns 160 acres in Rooks County, Kansas, this being one of the banner counties in the state for wheat growing. Mr. Porter was married in April 1859, to Mary Hayes, a native of Indiana. She was the daughter of William and Anna Hayes, pioneers in Jasper county, settling here in 1846. He was a successful agriculturalist, and became an extensive landowner, and before his death gave each of his children a good farm. Mr. and Mrs. Porter are the parents of four children, three of whom are living: Anna, Mrs. John Strain; Sarah, Mrs. Ferdinand Rosenow, and Nancy, Mrs. Charles Van Dyke. Mr. Porter has always taken a deep interest in the affairs of his township and county, has been a life-long Democrat, and has filled several township and county offices with credit to himself. He was two years a member of the county board, township trustee six years, secretary of the school board for four years, and school director for fourteen years. Page 35

~ Poulson, G. L. ~Photo

G. L. Poulson, farmer and stockbreeder, residing on Section 35, Poweshiek Township, was born in Jasper County February 28, 1864. His parents, J. C. and Mahala Poulson, were pioneers of Jasper County, coming here in 1851. Mrs. Poulson departed this life April 5, 1886. Mr. Poulson, surviving her, still resides on the original homestead, a devoted member of the M. E. Church. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1820. Removed to Wapello County in 1849, and to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1851. Our subject was united in marriage to Rachael A. Thompson February 11, 1891. She was born April 15, 1868. They have one adopted child, Harold. Besides doing general farming, Mr. Poulson turns his attention quite extensively to the breeding of Aberdeen Angus cattle, and terms his farm "The Sugar Creek Stock Farm." Page 19

~ Preston, Rev. Edwin T. ~Photo and Photo of Residence

Rev. Edwin T. Preston was born at Lynchburg, Virginia, March 14, 1813, and with his parents removed to Ohio in 1825, There he received his education, and for a time followed teaching, and in 1842 was admitted to the bar at Canton. Mr. Preston was very active in the abolition movement, using every effort to free the slaves. Many a one has he helped away on the underground railway. In 1855 he was ordained to the ministry and moved to Iowa the same year, He was elected surveyor of Jasper County, which position he filled for many terms, and his painstaking work in establishing lines and laying out towns is well remembered by large numbers of citizens. May 30, 1844, he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Chambers. She was the first child born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the date being June 15, 1825. Her father owned the land on which the lower city was built. Their family of eight sons and daughters were educated in the State University of Iowa, and other colleges, and are filling useful positions in life. May 30, 1894, this venerable couple celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. Preston has ever been a champion of honest government and pure living. He was a charter member of the Union League of America. He has by word and deed wielded a strong influence in the cause of right. In the old home at Oakwoods, these worthy old people are spending the closing years of a useful life. Of Mr. Preston's ancestors it should be stated that William and Jane Preston came from Yorkshire, England, and located in Pennsylvania in 1718. Their son, John Preston, was born in 1750, and married Rebecca Vickers. In their family was Peter Preston, born in 1786, married Abi Hole. Their son, Edwin T., was born in 1813, married Mary J. Chambers, and had a family of eight children, Junius W. being the fourth child. Page 28

~ Preston, Junius W. ~Photo

Junius W. Preston is now a farmer and stock dealer residing on Section 2, Sherman Township, and was born in Jasper County. He received his education in the district schools of his native county, Iowa City Academy, and the State University. He took a special scientific course, and has made the natural sciences a specialty, and owns a fine natural history collection. He owns 360 acres of Jasper County soil, besides lands in South Dakota. Page 28