sylvania, in 1804 and 1811, and died in Nevada, Iowa, in 1860, and September, 1887, respectively. Sam S. Statler acquired a good practical education in the common schools of his native State, and later learned the tanner's trade, at which he worked for some time. He reached Nevada, Iowa, on the 10th of September, 1855, and in 1857 was chosen deputy treasurer and recorder of the county, a position he held until 1860, after which he was elected treasurer and recorder for one term. During his residence in this place he has been employed as clerk and book-keeper, but since 1884 he has devoted his attention to the sale of groceries, and so popular with the public has his place of business become, that his time is fully employed in supplying its demands. His marriage occurred in 1860, to Miss Margaret Stephens, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has the following named children: Edgar, Carrie, Maggie and Ferdinand. He has always supported the Democrat party by his vote, and since the 27th of February, 1858, has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, and April 25, 1887, became a member of the 3 X 3 Chapter at Nevada. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F., in which order he has attained to the Encampment.
William H. Stevens, farmer and stock-raiser, lives in Grant Township, near Ames, Iowa. The agricultural and stock-raising interests of Story County are ably represented by the subject of this sketch, a man whose life has been passed in the calling which now receives his attention. He was originally born in the Southern Peninsula of Michigan, near the city of Ann Arbor, on the 8th of March, 1839, and was the eldest of four children: Hattie, Laura, and James. The parents were natives of the Empire State, and both are now living. The father was an agriculturist by occupation, but he was also a first-class mechanic. The parents reside near Ann Arbor, Mich. The paternal grandfather, who died at the advanced age of one hundred years, was also a fine mechanic, and assisted in the building of the first steamboat that ever floated on Hudson River. William H. Stevens' first educational training was received in the old subscription schools in Michigan, and he also attended the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, for about three years. After this he taught in the public schools for four years and then engaged in merchandising at Parma, Jackson County, Mich., in 1860, continuing in that, and was also in the furniture factory, until 1866. From there he went to Petrolia, Canada, engaged in the oil business, and this continued until 1870, when he emigrated to Story County, Iowa. Here he has since remained, and has made many improvements on his fine farm of 280 acres. He has it partially tilled, has good substantial buildings, and has one of the finest building sites in the township. He was unfortunate in his early marital relations and lost his first two wives by death. His third marriage was to Miss Sarah A. Sutton, in March, 1878, and four children have been born to him: Emma (resides in Kansas, and is married to L. C. Wood-word, a farmer), Frank, Sidney and Katie. Mr. Stevens is a stanch Republican in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for the honored and lamented Abraham Lincoln. He has held many positions of trust in the county, and was recently the census enumerator in his precinct. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1867 (Ames Lodge No. 249), and he and wife assist in all religious enterprises. They have resided for twenty years in Story County, and here expect to pass the remainder of their days. Mr. Stevens has seen six generations of his family.
Hon. J. L. Stevens, judge of the Eleventh Judicial District, Ames, Iowa. Judge Stevens