ROBERT C. MARSHALL.

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         Robert C. Marshall, who leads a busy and useful life as a farmer and stock-raiser, is the owner of a well improved tract of land of three hundred and forty acres on sections 8 and 9, Marshall township. His birth occurred in Louisa county, Iowa, on the 25th of January, 1861, his parents being Clinton and Catherine (Willis) Marshall, who were natives of West Virginia and Ohio respectively. Clinton Marshall came to this county with his parents in 1842, and it was in honor of his father, Joshua A. Marshall, that the township of Marshall was named. The latter entered a tract of land comprising one hundred and sixty acres and erected a log cabin, residing thereon until 1856, when he built a two-story brick residence, thirty-eight by forty-two feet, burning the necessary brick on his farm. As he prospered in his undertakings he augmented his holdings by additional purchase until at the time of his death he owned more than five hundred acres of rich and productive land. When he passed away in 1883 the community mourned the loss of one of its most respected and substantial early settlers. Clinton Marshall, the father of our subject, was reared on the home farm and remained under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age, . . .

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. . . when he was married. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government and so successful was he in his farming operations that he was owning five hundred and forty acres at the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1901. He built the house which is now the home of his son Robert C. In politics he was a democrat but he never cared for official honors. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. His wife survived him only a short time, passing away January 19, 1902, and was laid to rest by his side in the family graveyard on the home farm. Unto them were born ten children, all of whom are yet living.

         Robert C. Marshall acquired a common-school education and was reared to manhood under the parental roof. When twenty-one years of age he took charge of the old homestead farm, operating the same as a renter until 1904. In that year he purchased the property, comprising three hundred and forty acres on section 8 and 9, Marshall township, and has since devoted his time and energies to its further cultivation and improvement. The fields respond readily to the care and labor bestowed upon them and he annually gathers good crops. He also raises and feeds stock and his annual sales add materially to his income.

         Mr. Marshall is a bachelor and two of his sisters make their home with him. His political allegiance is given to the democracy but he has never sought office as a reward for his party fealty. His life has been such as to merit the respect of his fellowmen and by his honesty, uprightness and industry he has contributed much toward the upbuilding of the county in which he has resided from his birth to the present time.