MERRITT, RUFUS L.

       Among the progressive and prominent farmers of Mills county, Iowa, is Rufus L. Merritt, the subject of this biographical sketch. He was born in North Carolina, February 15, 1835, and was a son of Benjamin Franklin and Edna (Combs) Merritt, both natives of North Carolina. The Merritt family is a long lived race, the paternal grandfather attaining a great age. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and held the rank of captain in the war of 1812. In 1842 the family removed to Kentucky, where they remained until 1849, when the surviving members came to Lyons township, Mills county, Iowa, where the father died at the age of forty nine. The venerated and beloved mother is still living at the advanced age of ninety four. She is the most honored member of her son's family and although somewhat of a cripple from an accident which occurred sixteen years ago, she enjoys a quiet life, in her favored corner, surrounded with all the care and comfort that loving hands can bestow. It will be a sad day when she is missed from the rocking chair where she has passed so many years, and the old Bible will be treasured because she has read its pages so long. Mrs. Merritt was the fourth in order of birth, in a family of eight children, and is now the only living member. Her father died when she was but six years old, and when she came to Mills county in 1849, in company with her husband, there was not a single house on the whole Missouri bottom. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Merritt have all passed away with the exception of our subject.

      Rufus L. Merritt was married June 15, 1854, to Miss Nancy Grizzle, a daughter of William and Rachel (Berger) Grizzle, natives of Tennessee, and they have had four children; Edna B, now Mrs. Sheldon Hubbard, of Sarpy county, Nebraska; Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Snuffin, of Glenwood, Iowa; John L. and George A., residents of Lyons township.

      Mr. Merritt is a large land owner, his farm of two hundred and forty acres being well situated and very productive. He has introduced many progressive methods of farming which have displayed his good judgement and have served to make his land still more valuable. Personally he is popular in his community and possesses the esteem of all with whom business or social life throws him into contact.

MICKELWAIT, WILBUR W.

      Fortunate is the man who has back of him, an ancestry honorable and distinguished; and of the families from which he is descended. Mr. Mickelwait has every reason to be proud, for among them are numbered men who have become prominent in the early annals of the county. They have acted an important part in the events which have framed our colonial history and have been honored pioneers, carrying into the newly settled regions the works and customs of civilization. His ancestors were distinguished early settlers of Virginia, Kentucky and of Ohio and at a later date members of the family have been prominent in molding the destiny of the great commonwealth in which our subject now resides. Not only has he seen southwestern Iowa grow from a wild country with only a few white inhabitants to a rich agricultural country, containing thousands of good homes and scores of growing towns, inhabited by an industrious, prosperous, enlightened and progressive people, but also he has participated in and assisted the heavy and wearisome work of development which was necessary to produce a change so complete as to be popularly referred to as magical.

      Among the native sons of Mills county is numbered Wilbur W. Mickelwait, who was born on the old family homestead where he yet resides. It is a magnificent estate of six hundred and forty acres and is situated two miles west from Hillsdale. It is a monument to the enterprising and progressive spirit of the pioneers who became possessors of the land at an early day and transformed it into a valuable estate. There the subject of this review first opened his eyes to the light of day August 16, 1864. His father, Hon. James Mickelwait, was a native of England, born in York, and when only four or five years of age was brought to the United States. He was a son of Willoughby and Susannah (Woods) Mickelwait, both of whom were natives of England, whence they came with their family to the new world. In 1851 he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Mills county, Iowa, and secured his present family homestead, which was then a tract of wild land, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. As the years passed he wrought great transformation in the appearance of his land, for under the processes of cultivation the wild prairie was changed into blossoming fields, giving promise of abundant harvests. All modern accessories and improvements were added to the farm, which is now one of the best in the entire state.

     Mr. Mickelwait was a man of marked individuality and strong character and was recognized as a leader of public thought and movement. He was known as one of the distinguished residents of southwestern Iowa, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, had at different periods called him to fill minor local offices of  trust. Higher honors, however, awaited him and in 1874 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, becoming a member of the fifteenth general assembly of Iowa. He was a man of sound judgment whose opinions were relied upon in all matters of public importance, and his loyalty and fidelity to the best interests of his county, state and nation was ever above question. He died February 9, 1892.

James Mickelwait was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Bayles, a representative of an eminent Ohio family whose ancestors are famous for the prominent part they took in reclaiming the wilderness of Kentucky and the western reserve of Ohio for the purpose of civilization. Her father was Joseph Bayles, a native of Virginia who when about ten or twelve years of age become a resident of Ohio, living among its early settlers engaged in the work of carrying civilization into the wild districts of the then far west. He remained in the Buckeye state until 1845, when he removed to Iowa, where his last days were passed. He died at an advanced age, his birth having taken place in 1760. His wife, who bore the name of Anne Arrow Smith, was born in Maryland, in 1766, and died in Lee county, Iowa. She, too, represented a family distinguished in colonial history. The maternal great-grandmother of our subject was Miss Kenton, a sister of the famous General Simon Kenton, who was born in Virginia in 1755, and his name figures conspicuously in the annals of Kentucky as an associate of Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark in the Indian wars which occurred in that state and gave to that portion of the country the name of the "dark and bloody ground" Simon Kenton also took an active part in conquering the wilderness, making it habitable for the white race and was a loyal soldier in the war of 1812. The histories of Ohio have much to say concerning General Kenton's capture by the Indians, his daring exploit in escaping by running the gauntlet and of his numerous other deeds of bravery. He had the faculty of making friends with the Indians and on one occasion defended them against an attack of the white people of Urbana, Ohio, in which town he was then living. By his foresight in this matter he saved the white settlers from massacre by the red men, for the revengeful spirit of the Indians would have led to a massacre in the natural course of events if the white men had been allowed to carry out their designs against the red race. General Kenton died in 1836, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. some of the oldest residents of Urabana still remember him as one of the bravest soldiers of the times. The Kentons lived in Kentucky throughout the stirring scenes connected with the establishment of the first settlements of the white race there, and emigrated from Kentucky to Ohio in the year 1801. In this state they encountered similar experiences, and the work which they did in carrying civilization forward into the wilds of the west cannot be estimted, but humanity certainly owes them a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid.

     The Bayles family was also prominent as pioneer settlers. David Bayles, the maternal great-grandfather of our subject, was born in England and died in Ohio, in 1836, at the age of seventy-five years. His people settled originally in Virginia. William Bayles, a cousin of Mrs. Mickelwait, was killed at the battle of Buena Vista in the Mexican war. Two of her brother were soldiers in the Civil war, loyally defending their country at the time when the Union was threatened by the rebellion of the south. One of these is Mason Bayles, now a resident of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and the other is Jesse W. Bayles, who makes his home in California. Mrs. Mickelwait is still living at the old homestead in Mills county, at the age of seventy-three years, and is a very interesting woman, conversing entertainingly upon many events connected with pioneer life in the states where she has resided. She had three children: Wilbur W., of this review; Mrs. Lizzie M. Coates, of Mills county and James M., living in El Paso, Texas.

     Mr. Mickelwait, whose name introduces this record, has spent his entire life on the old family homestead and early became familiar with the labors of the farm in its various departments. He is practical and progressive in his farming methods and is a wide-awake, enterprising business man, conducting one of the largest and finest farms in the entire state. every thing about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, bearing testimony of his careful supervision. The fields are highly cultivated and he makes a specialty of the raising of highbred cattle and hogs. He is also extensively engaged in dairying and in both branches of his business is meeting with success, owning to his well directed efforts, sound business judgment and honorable dealing. At Omaha at the Trans-Mississippi Exposition in 1898, he received a diploma and bronze medal for scoring over ninety-five points in butter-making. He is also the vice president of the State Bank at Tabor, Iowa, and a director in the State Bank at Macedonia.

     The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Mickelwait and presides with graceful hospitality over their pleasant home, was in her maidenhood Miss May Pitzer. She was born in Nebraska in 1867. They have four children: Nellie B., Mabel C., Claude B. and Edna. The parents hold membership in the Hillsdale Methodist church, contributing liberally to its support, and take an active part in its work. Mr. Mickelwait is a Prohibitionist in politics and is now serving as a school director, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. His cooperation is heartily given to every movement calculated to prove a benefit along material, social, intellectual and moral lines, and he is justly numbered among the most valued and respected citizens of the community.

MILLER, G. B.

      Among the native sons of Mills county, Iowa, is numbered G. B. Miller, who was born about seven miles south of his present home in Center township. He is now thirty-five years of age and throughout this period has been identified with the interests of his native locality. His father, Isaac Miller, was born in Tennessee. He had atwo brothers who were killed in battle in the Civil war. He belonged to a family of eleven children, namely: Alfred, Pleasant, Gavin, Jacob, Rufus, Frederick, John, Lucy, Elizabeth, Rachel and Cynthia. reared to the occupation of a farmer, Isaac Miller has followed agricultural pursuits as a life work and in that line of endeavor has met with gratifying success. He came to Mills county, Iowa from Tennessee about 1852 and has since made his home in this locality, being now a resident of Fremont, Nebraska, and having attained the ripe old age of seventy-five years. He married Miss Martha McPherron, a native of Tennessee, in which state their wedding was celebrated. they made the journey to Iowa with a team of oxen, traveling across the country in true pioneer style, for that was before the era of railroad building in this section of the state. The father entered a tract of land in Mills county and with characteristic energy began the cultivation of the fields, planting crops which in the course of time brought to him good harvests. The mother of our subject is now deceased.

G. B. Miller pursued his education in the common schools and was thus fitted for practical and responsible duties of life. He early became familiar with the work of the home farm and his training in that direction well qualified him to carry on business on his own account. He today owns one hundred and sixty acres of the rich and productive land in Center township, where he carries on general farming. His place is improved with all the modern accessories and conveniences and he has one of the most beautiful and imposing homes in the county, being equaled by but few city residences. He has telephone connection with the outside world and has numerous other modern conveniences which make it an ideal abode.

     The lady who presides over this pleasant home was, in her maidenhood, Miss Eva Mickelwait, a representative of one of the prominent and honored families of this county. In 1889 she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Miller and their marriage has been blessed with two sons, Dale and Kyle. In his social relations Mr. Miller is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias, belonging to the local lodges of these orders in Glenwood. Nothing has swerved him from his allegiance to the Republican party and he does all in his power to promote its upbuilding and success. He has held the office of township trustee in Center township. He is a wide-awake and progressive young man, broad-minded, courteous and genial in disposition, and with a large circle of friends he is very popular.

MILLER, JOSEPH M.

      The specific history of the west was made by the pioneers; it was emblazoned on the forest trees by the strength of sturdy arms and gleaming ax, and written on the surface of the earth by the track of the primitive plow. These were strong men and true that came to found the empire of the west - these hardy settlers who, building their rude domiciles, grappled with the giants of the forest or the tough sod of the prairie and from the primitive wilds evolved the fertile and productive fields which have these many years been furrowed by the plowshare. The red man in his motley garb stalked through the dim woody avenues or the almost invisible ravines of the prairie, and the wild beasts disputed his dominion. The trackless prairie was made to yield its tribute under the effective endeavors of the pioneer, and slowly but surely were laid the steadfast foundations upon which has been built the magnificent superstructure of an opulent and enlightened commonwealth. To establish a home amid such surroundings and to cope with the many privations and hardships which were the inevitable concomitants, demanded an invincible courage and fortitude, strong hearts and willing hands. All these were characteristics of the pioneers, whose names and deeds should be held in perpetual reverence by those who enjoy the fruits of their toil.

      Among the honored pioneers of Mills county is Joseph M. Miller. He was born in Buchanan county, Missouri, in 1840, upon a farm and is a son of Jesse Miller, whose birth occurred in Knox county, Tennessee. Having arrived at years of maturity, the latter married Miss Martha Layman, whose people were Virginians and were farmers by occupation. the marriage occurred in Indiana, and from that state the parents of our subject emigrated in a covered wagon, drawn by a team of oxen, to Illinois, whence they later made their way to Missouri and afterward to Mills county, Iowa, taking up their abode in Center township, where they arrived in 1853. At that time the country was wild and sparsely settled. There were no railroads and the public highways were in poor condition. The people lived in typical frontier style until the country became more thickly settled and the comforts of civilization were added. They purchased claims, as the land was not then opened to entry. With primitive implements they developed their farms and thus laid broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of the county. These worthy pioneers are certainly deserving of great credit, and to them the present generation owes a debt of gratitude. On the wild western frontier the Millers lived, the father devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits throughout a long period. He died in Glenwood, Iowa, in 1895, respected by all who knew him. The children of the family were: Mrs. Nancy Hummell, who died in Mills county, in 1858; George W., also deceased; Mrs. Rachel Clark, who is living in Woodbine, Iowa; Jesse N., who is married and resides at Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Joseph M.

       Mr. Miller, whose name introduces this record, spent the first thirteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and then accompanied his parents to Iowa. He attended school for several terms in this county, although educational privileges were rather meager, school being conducted on the subscription plan. However, he was an eager and earnest student and with limited facilities managed to acquire a good education, which has been supplemented by reading, study and investigation in later years.

      When the trouble over the slavery question involved the country in Civil war, enrollments were made at the school-house in Silver Creek township, Mills county, and Joseph M. Miller placed his name among those who offered their services to their government, enlisting on the 13th of August, 1862, as a member of Company B, which soon became a part of the Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry. The company was commanded by Captain M. L. Andrews, and the regiment by Colonel Thomas A. Benton, a son of the famous Missouri statesman. They rendezvoused at Council Bluffs and proceeded thence to St. Joseph, Missouri, in December, 1862. On leaving that point they made their way to St. Louis, and after a few days went to Columbus, Kentucky and later on an expedition up the White river. At Duvall's Bluff Mr. Miller participated in the first skirmish of any importance, the Union troops capturing that place. the first pitched battle in which he took part was at Helena, Arkansas, in July, 1863, and he also participated in the Yazoo Pass expedition, which was an effort to invade Vicksburg from that side. He aided in the battle and capture of Little Rock, suffering all the hardships incident to that affair. He was with his regiment on what is known as the Camden expedition which also was fraught with much danger and hardship. When returning to Little Rock the troops were attacked by rebels at Saline river and over one hundred and fifty of the Twenty-ninth Iowa were killed and wounded. Mr. Miller was at the capture of Mobile, from which place the Union forces went across the gulf to the mouth of the Rio Grande and thence to Brownsville, where they remained until the latter part of July, 1865. At New Orleans they were discharged and at Davenport, Iowa, were mustered out, for the labors of the gallant soldiers of the north had resulted in preserving the Union in its integrity.

     Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Harriet E. Graves, a native of Tennessee and a representative of an old Virginia family. Her paternal grandfather served in the war of 1812, and her maternal grandfather was one of the Revolutionary heroes, and was rescued by his wife from the hands of the British soldiers by whom he had been taken prisoner. She walked for sixty miles with this object in view, her way leading through the country infested by the Tories and British soldiers, and the journey being thus fraught with great danger; but her desire to rescue her husband led her to forget her own peril, and with marked bravery she accomplished the task. William W. Graves, the father of Mrs. Miller, was born in 1818 and made farming his life work. His wife bore the maiden name of Mahala P. Graves, but was not a relative. Five children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller, but three of the number are now deceased, namely: Joseph L., William H. and Charles H. The surviving children are: Miraetta W., and Ada P., who are still with their parents. The mother and daughters are members of the Methodist church at Hillsdale and are people of sterling worth, occupying an enviable position in social circles in their community.

     In his political views Mr. Miller is an earnest Republican, having supported the party since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability and worth, have called him to public office and for seven years he has been the assessor of Center township. For fifteen years he has been school director and secretary of the board, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend, doing all in his power to promote the efficiency of the school. Throughout his entire business career he has carried on farming, and is now the owner of a fine country home, surrounded with beautiful evergreen and other ornamental trees, flowers and shrubs. It is an ideal place, in which comfort and hospitality reigns. He carries on general farming, and his well-directed labors and thorough understanding of farming methods have made him one of the prosperous citizens of the community.

MOGRIDGE, M. D.

      An example of a self-made American citizen and an exemplification of the progress that an ambitious foreigner can make in this country of unbounded opportunities, is shown in the case of Dr. George Mogridge, of Glenwood, Iowa, one of the leading English-American residents of Iowa. His success is due to his own energy and the high ideal which his lofty and laudable ambition places before him. Success in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and preserving effort, characteristics that Dr. Mogridge possesses in an eminent degree.

      He was born in Salford, England, June 3, 1856. The Mogridge family is of French origin. The ancestors were Huguenots who were ejected from France or were forced to leave there on account of religious persecutions. They settled in London and engaged in the early silk-weaving industries in that city. John Mogridge, the grandfather of our subject, was born in London, and married a Miss Blackmore, whose parents were allied with the Society of Friends. She also was a native of London, and both she and her husband died in the world's metropolis. He was a silk-weaver by trade, following his vocation throughout life. Their son, Edwin Mogridge, was born in London, England, in 1824, and by occupation was a furrier in his early years, and later a dry-salter. 

He spent his entire life in his native land, his death occurring in Manchester in 1876. He married Hannah Chapman, a daughter of George Chapman, who served for forty years in the British army, in the Second Dragoon Guards, and during this long period of service he saw active service in many parts of the British dominion. He was a member of the York Lodge, A.F. & A.M., the most ancient Masonic lodge in the world. He died in Manchester, England and his wife's death occurred in Norwich. Their Yorkshire ancestry can be traced back through many generations. Their daughter Hannah was married to Edwin Mogridge, in 1853, in the historic church of St. Nicholas, Cole Abbey, in London. She was born in Norwich, England, her death occurring when she was sixty-three years of age.

      Dr. George Mogridge was their only child. That he was surrounded by tender care in his youth is indicated by the manner in which he cherishes the memory of his parents. He obtained his early education in the common schools of Manchester, and when fourteen years of age his father died and it then became necessary that he should provide for his own support. Accordingly he entered the service of a law firm. During the earlier years that he was in their employ he supplemented his education by attending evening classes at the Mechanics' Institute and other evening schools in Manchester.

     At the age of twenty-four, in 1880, he came to the United States, believing that he might have better opportunities in the new world. He made his way direct to Cass county, Iowa, where he worked by the day or month, principally following agricultural pursuits, yet scorning no employment that would yield him an honorable living. He desired, however, to make the practice of medicine his life work, and ultimately, as the result of his industry and economy, he was enabled to matriculate in the Omaha Medical College, in which institution he was graduated with the class of 1894. Prior to that time he had become connected with the State Institution for Feeble Minded Children. His first employment there was in having charge of a class of children. His observation and experience there fitted him somewhat for the profession which he wished to follow as a life work, and as soon as he found opportunity he took up his studies in the Omaha Medical College, where he remained until his graduation in 1894. After receiving his diploma he was made chief assistant to Dr. Powell, who stands at the head of the institution and has since filled that important position in a most capable and worthy manner. His knowledge of medicine is comprehensive and accurate and he displays marked ability in applying its principles to the needs of those who are under his care. He has that broad humanitarian spirit without which the physician can never be successful. He is most patient and painstaking in his care of the unfortunate ones who come under his care and supervision, and his work has been attended with most excellent results.

      On the 7th of May, 1895. Mr. Mogridge was united in marriage to Miss Lillian E. Robinson, who was born in Livingston county, New York, a daughter of Martin V. and Almira Robinson, natives of New York state. He died in Dixon, Illinois, in 1894; his wife had previously died in Warsaw, New York.

      In his political affiliations Dr. Mogridge has been a Republican since coming to the United States, his first vote having been cast for Benjamin Harrison. He is a member of various societies, including the Masonic and Knights, of Pythias fraternities. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, and in the line of his profession is connected with the Medical Society of Southwestern Iowa, the Missouri Valley Medical Society, the Society of Medical Officers of Institutions for Feeble Minded Persons, and also a member of the National Conference of Charities and Corrections and of the Iowa State Conference of Charities and Corrections. He is likewise a lecturer on mental diseases of children in the Omaha Medical College.

     He and his wife hold membership in the Episcopal church, take an active part in its work and cooperate heartily with all lines of church activity. He is serving both as warden and lay reader in the church. The Doctor's record is one worthy of the highest commendation. Less than ten years ago he worked upon a farm in Mills county, today he is the second officer in one of the leading eleemosynary institutions of the state, and as he is a representative of a profession where advancement depends upon individual merit, it is evident that he possesses superior ability and that he is devoting himself entirely to his chosen calling. It is perfectly characteristic of the man that his religious life is simply sincere and yet undemonstrative, but the depth of his convictions shows itself in his daily walk. With the passing years his circle of friends is constantly growing, and is limited only by the circle of his acquaintances. As a citizen he is most loyal and patriotic, a thorough American, although an adopted son, upholding with ardor the principles and institutions of republican government. His fellow townsmen respect him for his genuine worth and admire him for what he has accomplished and throughout the community he is spoken of in terms of the highest commendation.

MORGAN, WILLIAM H.

      On the roster of the county officials of Mills county appears the name of William H. Morgan, who is filling the office of sheriff and is proving most competent and faithful in the discharge of his duty. Such an officer is a safeguard to the law abiding citizens and is an object of terror to those not amenable to the rules which govern the conduct of man in his relations with his fellow man.

     Mr. Morgan is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Johnson county, near Iowa City, on the 1st of July 1868, his parents being James and Jane Morgan. The father was born in Pennsylvania and came to this state in 1846. Subsequently he removed to Oxford, Nebraska, where he died at the age of sixty-four years. He was a physician and became the owner of considerable land, also had other investments and business interests. His wife died in Emerson, when the subject of this review was five years of age, and he and his brother lived with an aunt until he was about sixteen years of age. His educational privileges were those afforded by the schools of Emerson, Mills county, but in the broader school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons which have made him well qualified for the duties of citizenship and for the responsibilities of business life.

      At the age of seventeen Mr. Morgan started on an extensive tour of the west and was for some time in the mines on the Pacific coast. He was also employed on a farm in California. Later he returned to Glenwood and secured a position as a farm hand with General Stone. While thus employed he assisted in planting the greater part of the large orchard on that celebrated farm and continued his service there until 1896. In that year he was made deputy sheriff under Hon. W. L. Tubbs, and served in that capacity until elected sheriff of the county in 1899. He has always been a Republican since casting his first presidential vote for General Harrison, and it was on that ticket that he was chosen to the office. He has ever taken a deep interest in the political issues of the day and in the success of his party, doing all in his power to promote its growth and secure the adoption of its principles. He has long been recognized as an active leader in local politics.

      On the 25th of June, 1889, Mr. Morgan was united in marriage to Miss Maude L. White, a daughter of Hon. R. C. White, the present postmaster of Glenwood. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan now have one son, Guy, who was born March 4, 1890, on the General Stone farm where our subject was working. Mr. Morgan is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and is also a member of the State and International Associations of Sheriffs. In the discharge of his duties he is entirely fearless and shows neither partiality nor favor. His reliability and promptness have won him the high commendation of the better class of citizens of Mills county and he is justly numbered among her representative citizens.

MUFFLEY, DANIEL C.

    Daniel C. Muffley, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Mills county, was born on the 3d of February, 1850, in Dekalb county, Missouri, his parents being George Muffley, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and Mary Ann (nee Laymon), who was a native of Kentucky. The family is of German lineage and is noted for longevity. The maternal grandmother died at the age of one hundred and six years in Buchanan county, Missouri. Mrs. Laymon, the maternal grandmother, and Mrs. Muffley, the paternal grandmother, both died on the same day. George Muffley, the father of our subject, removed from Buchanan county, Missouri, in 1849, and the following year took up his abode in Daviess county. He was a cooper and wagon-maker by trade, following those pursuits throughout the greater part of his life. He died in March, 1855, at the age of forty years, and his wife passed away in Mills county, in 1873, at the age of fifty years having made her home with her son Daniel, after her husband's death. They were the parents of seven children, of whom our subject is the fourth in order of birth. His brother, Joseph Madison Muffley, was a soldier in the Civil war, was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, was taken prisoner and died four days after his capture.

      Mr. Muffley, whose name forms the caption of this article, started out in life for himself at an early age and has since been dependent upon his own resources for a living. He came to Mills county in the fall of 1868 and for about four years was a resident of Center township. He then went to the Pacific coast, resided for about four years in Oregon and then again became a resident of Center township in 1879. On the 14th of March of the following year he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Wright, a daughter of Alexander Wright, a native of Ohio. Five children have been born unto them: George D., Joseph E., Effie May, John and Frank.

      In 1880 Mr. Muffley removed to Johnson county, Nebraska, but the same year returned to Center township, and on the 11th of March, 1882, became a resident of Rawles township. After two years he removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa. Three years subsequently and for the fourth time he returned to Center township, where he continued to reside for fourteen years, when he (there is a mixup in lines here cm.)....Platteville township, where he has resided since the 1st of March 1900. He owns two hundred and eighteen acres of land and is extensively engaged in buying and selling stock, and is cultivating his fields, both branches of his business proving to him a profitable source of income. He is a most energetic farmer, diligence and enterprise being numbered among his most marked characteristics. He votes with the Republican party but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs.

MUNSINGER, ALBERT J.

     Albert J. Munsinger is numbered among the native sons of Mills county, his birth having occurred near the city of Tabor, Iowa, on the 4th of May, 1861. His parents, Joseph and Martha (Stany) Munsinger, were both natives of Ohio, but in the year 1852 they emigrated westward, taking up their abode in Tabor, where they have since resided. Under the parental roof their son Albert J. spent the days of his childhood, and the common schools of Tabor, afforded him his early educational privileges. He was graduated in the high school at the age of eighteen years and then entered the scientific course in Tabor College, where he was graduated in the class of 1885. After leaving that institution he engaged in teaching for two years, being employed in that way at Strahan and on the Missouri bottoms. He now devotes his energies to agricultural pursuits, having followed farming since 1887, and since September, 1900, has been in the clothing and furnishing goods business in Tabor.

     On the 24th of March, 1897, Mr. Munsinger was united in marriage to Miss Cora Shell, and they now have three children, Blake and the twins, Clyde and Hazel. They hold membership in the Congregational church, and in his political views Mr. Munsinger is a Republican. He takes an active interest in the work of the county and has been honored with offices, holding every township position except that of trustee. He was assessor for four years, was justice of the peace for four years and was township clerk for two years, and in these offices discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity that won him the commendation of all concerned.

MUNSINGER, CHARLES

     We are now permitted to touch briefly upon the life history of one who has retained a personal association with the affairs of the state of Iowa for a number of years, whose connection therewith covers much of the period of development and progress of Mills county. His life has been one of interest and earnest endeavor and due success has not been denied him. He has reached the venerable age of eighty years but time rests lightly upon him, and though eight decades have passed since first his eyes opened to the light of day, he is still hale and hearty, a type of the active old age, which like fruit, grows better as time passes.

    Mr. Munsinger is a native of Muhlbach, Germany, born December 17, 1820, his parents being Chris and Eve (Kirk) Munsinger. The father was a wealthy farmer and came to America in 1824, locating first in New York, whence he removed to Lorain county, Ohio. There he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, but was deceived in the property, as he found in the following spring that the land was entirely covered with water and was worthless for farming purposes. He had made a small payment on the place, but concluded to abandon it. His next venture in the purchase of a farm was also rather unfortunate, as he found soon after the contract had been made that there was a mortgage of five hundred dollars against the place. He then went to work in a ship-yard and made enough money to clear off the indebtedness, after which he sold the property and bought a farm in the southern part of Lorain county. Some time later he made a trip to Germany for the purpose of looking after a dowry interest in the estate. Returning to America, the family accompanied him on his removal to Mills county, Iowa. Here the parents spent their remaining days, the father dying at the age of sixty-two years, the mother in April, 1878, when eighty-nine years of age.

     On coming to Iowa with the family, Charles Munsinger took up his abode upon the farm which he has since occupied. He was married on the 23d of October, 1819, to Miss Electa Northrop, a daughter of John Wesley and Almira (Knight) Northrop, natives of New York. Throughout the period of his active business career Mr. Munsinger has been continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits and his life has been one of industry and usefulness. He started out for himself with a very limited capital, but has prospered in his undertakings, his unflagging perseverance and energy enabling him to continually add to his capital. He has met with two very serious accidents on the farm which have disabled him to a considerable extent, but at the age of eighty years he is still active and aside from his farming operations he represents five different insurance companies, among which are the North British, the Continental and the Hartford. His life shows forth the power of industry in gaining success, and his example should serve as a source of encouragement to others. Since becoming an American citizen he has always voted the Republican ticket, supporting each presidential nominee of the party. He is a member of the Congregational church, and Christian principles have permeated his life, making his career an honorable one which has gained for him the unqualified regard of his fellow men.