GEORGE ISAAC CHURCH.

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         One of the best known residents of Columbus Junction is George Isaac Church, who has made his home here continuously for the past thirty-eight years. During all of this time he has conducted a barber shop and now has four chairs in his shop and given employment to two assistants. He was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, February 10, 1850, a son of Isaac and Sophia (Bennett) Church, the former of whom was a native of Scotland. The father died in 1852, when the subject of this review was an infant of two years. Mrs. Church was again married, her second husband being John C. Briggs. By this marriage she became the mother of five children: Henry; John; Della; Mary; and Fred. In 1869 Mr. Briggs came with his family to Louisa county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred acres of land which became the family homestead. He died about four years ago, but Mrs. Briggs is still living on the home farm with three of her children—Henry, Della and Fred.

         George Isaac Church remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age and then worked as a farm hand for two years. At the expiration of the time named he removed to Columbus Junction and opened a barber shop. . . .

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. . . By close attention to business, he has gained a competency and for many years he has attracted the largest patronage in his line in the city.

         On the 13th of December, 1871, Mr. Church was married to Miss Maggie Stone, a daughter of Elder George Stone, an elder in the Church of God. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Church, namely: William; Verdie; George; Anna; Robert; Charlie; Jessie; Noah; Mollie; Harry; Joseph; Rema; and Louis.

         In politics Mr. Church gives his support to the democratic party. He has served as a member of the city council and also as a member of the school board, discharging his duties with the same fidelity that he gives to his own business. Fraternally he is a valued member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in religious belief he affiliates with the Church of God. As is indicated by the public offices he has held and his standing in the community he is a man of determination and energy and is one of the useful and honorable citizens of Columbus Junction.