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         JAMES Q. BEATTY, a prominent and progressive farmer residing on Muscatine Island, on section 9, Port Louisa Township, was born in Ireland in 1849, and is a son of Elisha and Eliza Jane (Rosborough) Beatty. He came to this county in infancy with his parents, who settled in Muscatine, but in 1852 the mother died, and after her death James went to live with an aunt in Burlington. He made that his home until about six years of age, when he returned to his father, and was reared upon a farm in Louisa County. He received a liberal education, attending the district schools during his earlier years, and then spent five years at the academy at Grand View. Completing his education, he engaged in farming during the summer time, but in the winters taught school very successfully in Louisa County for several years.

On the 20th of December, 1883, Mr. Beatty was united in marriage with Alice B. Walton, who was born in Muscatine, and is a daughter of Josiah P. and Elizabeth (Barros) Walton, her father being a native of New Hampshire, and her mother of New York. He was an architect and builder, and also engaged in moving houses. Her parents both came to Muscatine County single, her mother there being employed as a school teacher. They became acquainted, after which she returned to New York, where they were married, and afterward returned to Muscatine County, in 1857, where they yet reside. Mr. Walton is President of the Old Settlers’ Association, having held that position for many years; has been President of the Academy of Science, and has always taken an active interest in educational affairs. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to DeMolay Commandery, at Muscatine, being Generalissimo.

Mrs. Beatty, wife of our subject, received her education at Muscatine, being graduated from the High School in the class of ’75, in which she delivered the valedictory address. After her graduation she engaged in teaching for about eight years in the vicinity of Muscatine, and also in the primary and intermediate grades of the city schools. During vacations she attended the Iowa State Agricultural College, situated at Ames, for the purpose of pursuing a course in natural history or entomology, making that her special study during several years’ attendance at that institution. In company with two sisters she has obtained one of the finest collections in the State. For some time she was the entomological editor of the Gazette, and has attended horticultural societies at different times, in which she has received prizes for essays.

The home of our subject is situated about nine miles from Muscatine and four miles from Fruitland, and is a fine farm, comprising 200 acres of arable land, in a good state of cultivation. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which is situated on the island, and are earnest workers in its behalf, Mr. Beatty having been Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. In his political sentiments he is a Republican, and at one . . .

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. . . time he was a stockholder in the Pioneer Oil Company, at Pueblo, Col., at which place he spent six months. We are pleased to record this sketch of one of Louisa County’s prominent citizens and his estimable wife, who are held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.