ments. He has greatly improved the place in the short time he has been on it, has a good story-and-a-half residence, a large new barn just completed, one of the best, in fact, in the county, and also has good sheds, out-buildings, etc. The farm is all fenced and cross-fenced, a portion of it is tilled, and it is one of the best in the township. He devotes some attention to cattle and the dairy business, and is wide awake and enterprising. He is a Republican in politics, and held several local offices in Illinois. lie and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Torry is class-leader and one of the trustees of the same. He served three years as superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and is a man universally respected., He has mostly educated himself by individual effort since coming to the States. To his marriage were born four children: Hattie (a young lady), Thomas A., Roy Irving and Ethel May.
John Twedt, a prominent farmer and stockman of Story County, was born near the city of Bergen, Norway, March 10, 1844, and is a son of John J. Twedt and Carrie Helvig Twedt, both natives of Norway. They emigrated to America in 1866, locating in Story County, Iowa, where they still reside. The subject of this sketch passed his youth in the land of his forefathers, receiving an excellent education in the Norwegian language, and coming to Uncle Sam's broad domain with his father. After settling in America he continued his education, and thus possesses a very superior amount of knowledge. He married in Story County on December 17, 1869, the fair maiden of his choice being Miss Anna Erickson, a native of Norway, and sister of Mike Erickson, whose history appears in this book. Soon after marriage Mr, Twedt devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, buying his present valuable farm in October, 1874, and, adding to the original purchase from time to time, now owns a vast amount of property. He is a member of the Republican party, and has held several public offices. His 'family consists of eight children, viz.: Joseph, Jacob, Ellen, Carrie, Hannah, Lizzie, Albert and Clara. The family belong to the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Twedt is an industrious and enterprising citizen, an ornament to the neighborhood in which he resides.
George A. Underwood, attorney, Ames, Iowa. What is usually termed genius has little to do with the success of men in general. Keen perception, sound judgment, tact and a determined will, supported by persevering and continuous effort, are essential elements to success in any calling, and their possession is sure to accomplish the aims hoped for in the days of one's youth. The jurisprudence of a commonwealth is the most necessary factor toward its growth and permanence, for without a thorough knowledge and administration of the law, no form of popular government could long exist. George A. Underwood, by virtue of his ability as a jurist and his victories at the bar, is eminently worthy of a place in this record of successful men, and the history of his life is an important and honorable part of that of his State and country. He was born in Kane County, Ill., on March 25, 1852, and is a son of Almon and Lucetta (Smith) Underwood. The former was born in Massachusetts, March 2, 1821, and died at Kaneville, in 1889, and the latter was born in Pennsylvania, March 4, 1829, and died at Kaneville, Ill., April 3, 1872. The paternal grandfather, Walter Underwood, was born in Massachusetts, and died in New York, at about fifty years of age. The Underwood family came from England to the United States at an early day, and settled in Massachusetts. By occupation the father was a farmer. George A. Underwood, the eldest of