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         E. MICHAEL, a prominent farmer of Louisa County, residing on section 6, Port Louisa Township, was born in Dauphin County, Pa., in 1839. To his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Straw) Michael, natives of Pennsylvania, were born ten children, of whom our subject was the seventh in order of birth. Jacob Michael followed the occupation of weaving in his native State, and there remained until his death, which occurred in 1875. His excellent wife survived him for about nine years. The boyhood days of our subject were spent upon his father’s farm and in attendance at the district schools of Pennsylvania. In 1859 he went to Indiana, settling in Steuben County, and there remained until 1862, when he went to Coldwater, and . . .

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. . . enlisted in December, 1862, for three years’ service, becoming a member of Company I, 9th Michigan Cavalry. He was there mustered into service, after which he marched to the front and participated in the siege of Knoxville, Tenn., the Morgan raid, the battles of Chattanooga and Atlanta, the siege of Savannah, and was with Sherman on the famous march to the sea. He was also engaged in the Carolina campaign, being discharged at Raleigh, Aug. 25, 1865.

After receiving his discharge Mr. Michael returned to Jackson, Mich., where he was engaged at working on a farm in Branch County. In 1866 he removed to Louisa County, Iowa, where he again worked on a farm for about eighteen months. In 1868 his marriage was celebrated in Louisa County, Miss Anna Schneider becoming his wife. She is a native of Iowa, and a daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Zimmerman) Schneider, the father a native of Germany, and the mother of Pennsylvania. They came to Louisa County in 1837, being among the earliest settlers of Grand View Township. Mrs. Schneider died some years ago, and Mr. Schneider now resides in Grand View Township on the old homestead.

After his marriage Mr. Michael settled upon a farm near Letts, which he had purchased a short time previously. After making that his home for seven years he sold it, and became the owner of 348 acres on section 6, Port Louisa Township, which were partially improved. He immediately began the improvement of the land, which is now finely cultivated, and upon which a good barn and three farm residences have been erected. The farm is stocked with a high grade of Durham and Polled-Angus cattle, and also the favorably known Norman and Clyde horses. Everything about the place denotes his thrift and industry, showing him to be a first-class farmer. In his political views Mr. Michael is a Republican, and though not an office-seeker has been elected to the position of Road Supervisor. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R., Doddredge Post, at Grand View, Iowa, and both he and his wife belong to the Evangelical Church. Services are conducted at their home every two weeks, and Sunday-school every Sunday. Mr. Michael takes an active part in all church work, assists in supporting both the German and Evangelical Churches, serves as Steward, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school for five years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Michael there have been born seven children, five of whom are living: Clara, now Mrs. Connor, resides in Port Louisa Township; Minnie, Lilly, Lydia and Zola are all attending school. Those deceased are Jacob, the second child, who died in September, 1879, at the age of eight years, four months and nine days; and Pearl, the youngest, who died in January, 1886, aged four years and fifteen days. Mr. Michael and his family are pleasantly situated about seven miles from Wapello and thirteen miles from Muscatine.