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         R. B. CONNOR, who is residing on section 9, Port Louisa Township, was born in Orange County, N. Y., in 1834, and was the elder of two children who were born to Hezekiah and Rhoda (Bull) Connor, both of whom were also natives of the Empire State. The mother died in 1836, but the father is still living in New York. Our subject was reared to farm life, received his education in the district schools of his native State, and in 1855 emigrated to Louisa County, Iowa, settling on Muscatine Island in Port Louisa Township. During the following winter he was employed as teacher of one of the schools, and subsequently taught successfully for several winters in the county. He spent two years in Kansas, 1856 and 1857, being there during the Jim Lane trouble, but returned to Iowa during the winter months. In Muscatine County, Iowa, in 1861, he was united in marriage with Martha Corbin, who was born in Pennsylvania, of which State her parents, Levi and Margaret (Campbell) Corbin, were also natives. They came to Iowa in 1851, settling in Muscatine County, where the mother died some years ago. The father is still living, and resides in the village of Grand View.

After their marriage the young couple began their domestic life upon the farm which continues to be their home to the present day. There seven children have been born to them; Jennie, now Mrs. Spring, resides in Muscatine County; Henry became the husband of Millie Storms, and is living on Muscatine Island; Charley married Clara E. Michael, and also resides on the island; Mary is the wife of Charles Hardman, whose home is in Muscatine county; Olivia and John are residing with their father, and Maggie is now dead. In the month of September, 1872, after a short illness, the death of the mother occurred, since which time the daughters have kept house for their father. Mr. Connor since his arrival in this county has witnessed many changes. When he first came all kinds of game, such as deer, turkeys and ducks, abounded, the country was a wild prairie or unbroken timber, while the island was a sea of grass. He has watched and aided in the development, and his own farm on the island is one of the best in the section. It consists of forty acres, and contains the latest improvements. The first Presidential vote of Mr. Connor was cast in 1856 for John C. Fremont, and ever since that time he has supported the Republican party.