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         JOHN STERRETT, an extensive stock-raiser residing on section 30, Morning Sun Township, and one of the early settlers, was born in Preble county, Ohio, Aug. 16, 1835, and is a son of James and Isabel (Crawford) Sterrett. . . .

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. . . In 1837 the family removed to Clinton County, Ind., where the father purchased a tract of heavy timber land, in the midst of which he built a home and developed a farm. There John grew to manhood, receiving his education in the pioneer schoolhouse, which was built of logs, and contained a puncheon floor and seats made of slabs. Over the teacher’s desk hung the birch rod, a terror to evil-doers. As soon as he had attained sufficient age to be of service on the farm he remained at home during the summer, and aided his father in the arduous duties of clearing the land. In the fall of 1853 he came with his parents to Louisa County, Iowa, where he has since made his home.

Four years later Mr. Sterrett was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Brown, a daughter of Hamilton Brown, Sr., whose sketch will be found in this volume. To them have been born two children, sons: Charles E., who married Lutie Jones Richland, is now a train dispatcher of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at Eldon; William R., who became the husband of Madge Bates, is Ticket Agent on the Iowa Central Railroad, at Morning Sun. In his political views Mr. Sterrett is very liberal, casting his vote for the man whom he deems most worthy for the office. His stock farm is adjoining Morning Sun, and consists of eighty acres. He is one of the best judges of horses in the State, and makes a specialty of matching teams for the market.