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         HENRY STAHLEY, a farmer residing on section 9, Grand View Township, was born in York County, Pa., Oct. 3, 1821, and is the seventh in a family of nine children born to Peter and Catherine (Dome) Stahley, who were also born in Pennsylvania. The father was a blacksmith by trade, but also engaged in farming, and spent his last days on earth with a brother of our subject, who lives in Illinois. His wife was called to her final rest while yet residing in her native State.

Henry was reared upon a farm, and in the district schools of Pennsylvania he received a limited education, being only permitted to attend school during the winter months, and then going only alternate weeks, his brother attending the other week. He was married in his native State in 1846, his wife being Miss Eliza Heindel, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Jacob and Julia Ann (Hengst) Heindel. Her father was a farmer of Pennsylvania, and his death occurred in that State many years ago. His wife survived him until 1887, having reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years at the time of her death.

After their marriage the young couple remained in Pennsylvania until 1854, when Mr. Stahley sold his farm and came West, settling in the then new State of Iowa. During the autumn of that year he purchased 100 acres of land, forty of which were under fence, and moved in to the small cabin which had previously been built. Many improvements have been made since those pioneer days, and other lands have been added to the original purchase until now the farm comprises 220 acres, and is one of the best in Grand View Township. The stock found thereon is all of the best grades, Mr. Stahley making a specialty of raising Short-horn cattle. Politically, he is a supporter of the Republican party, and has been School Director for a number of years. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church at Grand View, in which he has held the offices of Trustee, Class-Leader and exhorter.

The union of this worthy couple has been blessed with nine children, and with the exception of two all are living: Frederick, who is married and resides in Forreston, Ogle Co., Ill., is engaged in the lumber business; Franklin is married, and living in Wichita County, Kan., where he is engaged in farming; George is also married, and a resident farmer of Wichita County, Kan.; Abraham, who is married, makes his home in the same county of Kansas; Mary Beckie is also living in Wichita County; Julia Ann, now Mrs. Crist, makes her home in Benton County, Iowa; Emma, now Mrs. Smith, . . .

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. . . resides in Denton County, Tex.; Peter and Phreme both died in infancy.

Our subject’s farm is pleasantly situated about midway between Letts and Grand View, and from that home for thirty-four years he has watched the growth and development of the county, and has aided every enterprise which seemed to him for the good of the community. Both as a citizen and a pioneer he is highly esteemed and universally respected.