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         HENRY P. MAY, an early settler and leading farmer of Columbus City Township, residing on section 25, is a son of Stephen and Malinda (Harper) May. In 1832 he emigrated to Clark County, Ill., with his parents, where he resided for ten years, and then came to Louisa County, in 1842. He was reared on his father’s farm in Columbus City Township, received his education in the common schools, and was married in Louisa County, on the 13th of December, 1855, becoming the husband of Miss Lydia Jeffries, daughter of Mifflin Jeffries. Mrs. May is a native of Fayette County, Pa., and eight children were born of their union, five sons and three daughters: Nealy, the eldest, died Oct. 27, 1873; Hermie married Miss Clara Platter, and lives in Columbus City Township; Eva is the wife of W. L. Ayres, of Columbus Junction; Clara wedded Charles Whitney, of Co- . . .

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. . . lumbus City; Florence is at home; Ernest died Aug. 27, 1887, John and Lester are yet at home with their parents.

Mr. May has a well-improved farm of eighty acres adjoining Columbus City, five acres of which are planted in nursery stock, including large and small fruit, shade and ornamental trees. He has carried on the nursery business at this place for the past thirty years, under the name of the Columbus Nursery of Columbus City, H. P. May, proprietor. Mr. May has made his home at his present place of residence since 1866. He is independent in politics, and devotes his undivided attention to farming and horticulture.