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         DAVID STORMONT, Mayor of Morning Sun, Iowa, and one of its progressive citizens, was born in Washington County, Pa., Dec. 1, 1835, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Galbraith) Stormont, who were born in Ireland, but of Scotch descent. In their younger years the parents emigrated to America, and were married in Washington County, Pa., where the death of the father occurred in 1836, and shortly . . .

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. . . afterward Mrs. Stormont removed with her family to Guernsey County, Ohio. Our subject received his education in the common schools. Full of vitality and energy, he early began working for himself, and when fourteen years of age could handle a cradle and do a man’s work. In 1853 he went to Muskingum County, Ohio, where for two years he was employed as a salesman, and in the fall of 1856 came to Morning Sun, Iowa, where he embarked in mercantile business as a member of the firm of Jamison & Stormont, which connection was continued until 1858. During that autumn Mr. Stormont went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and there he was employed as a clerk in a store until the following spring, when he engaged in the mercantile business for himself. In 1861, after the President’s call for troops, Mr. Stormont assisted in recruiting men for the 5th Kentucky Regiment, with the expectation of receiving a commission, but it being consolidated with the 23d Kentucky, he failed to secure an appointment. He then had a commission to recruit men as wagoners, which he did, and was appointed wagonmaster, after which he was sent with his men to Louisville, Ky., where they engaged in training mules for the use of the Government. After the fall of Ft. Donelson he was sent to Nashville, Tenn., under Gen. Wood, as Superintendent of Trains, and was taken sick at Iuka, from which place he was ordered home.

Returning to Ohio in the spring of 1864, Mr. Stormont then went to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he remained one year, and in 1866 came to Louisa County, where he engaged in farming for three years, and in 1869 was employed by Mr. Schnider, of Mt. Pleasant, in the poultry business, and soon afterward became a partner. In 1886 he established his present business in Morning Sun, dealing in poultry, eggs and flour, and by close attention to the wants of his customers and fair dealing, has secured a liberal share of the patronage. He has worked up quite a trade in flour, and now does a large wholesale business in that line.

In May, 1859, in Logan County, Ohio, Mr. Stormont and Miss Martha Bailess, daughter of Stephen Bailess, were united in marriage. To them have been born twelve children, eleven of whom are yet living—William S., Martha E., Nellie E. E., Lillie A. W., John O. B., Catherine S., Jennie, Lucy W., Alice, Jane Mc and Charles A. McS. For years Mr. Stormont was a Covenanter, but now belongs to the United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Stormont’s parents were members of the Associate Reform Church, under whose faith she was reared, but she is now a member of the Reform Presbyterian Church. He is a wide-awake business man, possessing that energy which insures success in any undertaking. In 1885 he was elected Mayor of Morning Sun, and proves an efficient and competent officer.