county office, but the very efficient manner in which he has discharged his duties has fully testified to the wisdom of the people's choice. The confidence which they have in him is intelligently placed, for they have known him from boyhood, and have had every opportunity to judge of his character and qualifications, and, to his credit be it said, that all speak warmly in his praise. He was married on the 13th of September, 1877, his wife being Miss Rose E. Beatty, her birth having occurred in Kosciusko County, Ind., November 5, 1860, and to their union two bright little boys have been born: Claud K. (born October 31, 1878), and Walter R. (born October 2, 1880). Mr. Wood is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Herald Lodge No. 455, of Maxwell, the I. O. O. F. of that place, and he also belongs to Sampson Lodge No. 77, K. of P. His parents, William K. and Malinda (Cory) Wood, were born in the "Buckeye State" in 1822 and 1830, respectively, but the latter was called from the scene of her earthly labors at the untimely age of thirty-two years, her demise occurring in Story County, Iowa, whither they had moved about 1854, being among the first settlers of this region. They were the parents of two children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the elder. His record as a private citizen, as well as a public man, is untarnished, and in all the affairs of life he has borne himself in an upright and straightforward manner, and is recognized today as a man of true worth.
Solomon Young is a pioneer farmer of this county, but since disposing of his farm in 1889, he has devoted his attention to the breeding Of fine stock. He was born in Somerset County, Penn., March 4, 1827, and is a son of David and Mary (Ash) Young, who were also born there, the former in 1793, and the latter in 1798, their deaths occurring in 1877 and 1843, respectively. Solomon Young is the fourth of their six children, three of whom are living at the present time, and in his boyhood days learned the details of farm work under the direction of his father. His knowledge of books was acquired in the old time subscription schools, and after lie had reached years of discretion he began tilling the soil on his own responsibility, and carried on the same in Pennsylvania, for three years, or until 1855, at which time he came to Story County, Iowa, and settled on a farm in what is now known as Milford Township, which he named. He entered his land on the 14th of April, 1855, and, on this farm he continued to make his home until 1884, when he gave up the active duties of life and removed to Nevada, selling his old. homestead in 1889. Having been long a resident of this county, and an honorable and upright man in every business transaction, he is well known throughout this region, and is highly , esteemed and respected. He has always supported the men and measures of the Democratic party, and has been trustee and also justice of the peace of Milford Township. He belongs to Lodge No. 99, of the A. F. & A. M., , of Nevada. Miss Louisa Boucher; who was born in Somerset County, Penn., November 7, 1831, became his wife on the 5th of February, 1852, and by her he has become the father of the following children: Almira M., Hiram B., George K., Ida A., Charles E., William M., and Marion B.
Theodore Elihu Alderman, the pioneer merchant of Story County, has had mention in various chapters in this history. In the early days his prominence in business, also as the county school-fund commissioner, and as the leading citizen. of the county seat, gave him great influence. This, by strict integrity in his dealings with all sorts of people, he has fully maintained and still enjoys. In the summer of 1853 he started out, from the village of