a journal which is exclusively devoted to the interests of his patrons. Mr. Cramer is a progressive young man, and under his efficient management the News has come to be regarded as one of the representative country journals, although it has only been established a short time. He has ever been an earnest advocate of all public enterprises calculated to benefit the county, and through the columns of his journal has wielded no slight influence in directing the steps to be taken for any worthy movement, Mr. Cramer was married to Miss Blanche Stier, a native of Iowa, born on the 15th of January, 1871, and who was educated in the Female Seminary at Ottumwa, Iowa. acTo this marriage has been born one child—Harry Bending, who is now two years of age. Mr. Cramer has always affiliated with the Republican party, and cast his first presidential vote for James G. Blaine. He has ever taken an active part in the body politics of his township, county and national ticket. He and wife have not fully decided to make this their future home, as Mr. Cramer has been tendered most excellent positions on standard railway systems as dispatcher, with such a flattering salary, that in all probability he will accept. He is yet a young man in years, and his prospects for the future seem unusually bright.
S. W. Dakins (deceased). Nature seems to have intended Mr. Dakins for a long and more than ordinarily useful life, but while just in his prime his career was closed forever. He was born in the province of Canada in 1840, and after receiving his education and rearing, and remaining there until 1870, he came to the conclusion that the West offered an excellent field for a man of enterprise and energy, and his first settlement was made in Story County, Iowa. He purchased a one-half section of laud just north of Zearing, and being a man of great energy and much ability he was not long in securing a comfortable home in his new location, and in time proved the wisdom of his views regarding the promises to settlers in the West, for he increased his original purchase of land to 440 acres, and had it improved by fine buildings of all kinds, and a good bearing orchard. His extensive acquaintance and long connection with the affairs of this vicinity rendered him well and popularly known, and although he devoted the greater part of his life to tilling the soil, and only received a common-school education, he was known to be a man of intelligence, sound views, and thoroughly reliable in every respect. He was married in Illinois, in 1870, to Miss Kate Cahill, also a native of Canada, but she was called from the scene of her earthly labors in 1881. Two years later his marriage with Miss Clara E. Gressley took place, she being a daughter of Charles and Sophia (Corfman) Gressley, who were early emigrants to Colo, the mother being ,still a resident of that place. ' Mrs. Dakins was brought to Story County, Iowa, when she was about five years of age, and here she grew to maturity and was married. On August 9, 1889, she was called upon to mourn the death of her estimable husband, who had always been a wise, kind and indulgent husband and father. Mrs. Dakins is a lady in every sense of the term, and one whose refined presence and noble qualities of mind and heart have endeared her to a large circle of friends. She now continues to reside on the magnificent farm left her by her husband, together with her two children: Manley E. and Howard. Mr. Dakins was one of ten children born to Elisha and Sarah (Bilker) Dakins, the former being born in the State of New York in 1813, and in after years followed the occupation of tilling the soil. When a young man he moved to Canada, , and was there married and reared his family. Hon. John Lockwood Dana is a man who