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         JOHN D. GUINN, a retired farmer, residing at Columbus Junction, was born in Washington County, in Eastern Tennessee, March 18, 1824, and is a son of Thomas and Jennie (Duncan) Guinn. His father was born in Virginia, of Scotch-Irish descent, though reared in Tennessee, of which State his mother was a native, though she, too, was of Scotch-Irish origin. John received his education in the common schools, and was reared to farm life. On the 1st of April, 1847, in his native county, his union with Eliza Duncan was celebrated. She is a native of Washington County, born June 9, 1823, and is a daughter of James and Sarah (Hunt) Duncan. Of their union . . .

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. . . eight children have been born, five sons and three daughters, and six are now living: Sarah Jane, who was the wife of James W. Brooks, died Aug. 16, 1887, leaving two children, namely: Mollie, wife of H. Carter, of Avoca, Neb., and Hattie, who lives in Appanoose County, Iowa. Robert E. became the husband of Alice Surbaugh, and lives in Wayne County, Iowa; Thomas J. wedded Emma McDaniels, and is also residing in Wayne County, Iowa; Mary A. is the wife of W. M. Gibbs, of Hebron, Ind.; J. Carter is single, and lives in Woodbury County, Iowa; Rachel T. died at the age of two years and nine months; Joseph D. and John M., both unmarried, live with their brother Carter in Mobile, Woodbury Co., Iowa.

Mr. Guinn is one of the early settlers of Louisa County, having settled in Columbus City Township, near Columbus City, in October, 1851. After a year’s residence there he removed to a farm five miles north, now in Union Township, and engaged in the cultivation of his land for thirteen years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Oregon Township, Washington County, where he engaged in farming until March 1, 1887, and then returned to Columbus Junction, where he had previously resided for a year. He still owns his improved farm in Washington County of 240 acres, and while living there he served as President of the School Board in Oregon Township for several terms. Politically, Mr. Guinn is an old-line Democrat, and socially, is a Free Mason. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church, and rank high in the social world.