he is a charter member, and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and while he is not a politician in the usually accepted sense of the term, he has yet been honored with public office and has proven himself capable in the discharge of his duties. In 1899 he was elected state senator from the district comprised of Boone and Story counties and served until 1904. In 1908 he was reelected, so that he is the present incumbent in the office. He gives careful consideration to each question which comes up for settlement and his spirit of opposition to any measure is the expression of his honest conviction and of a conscientious effort to do that which is best for the community. Progress and patriotism might well be termed the keynote to his character, for those qualities have characterized him in every relation of life. His enterprising spirit is manifest as well in his official service as in the conduct of his private business interests, and sound judgment and keen discrimination have ever been elements in the continuous advancement which has brought him to his present enviable position.
CHARLES A. WENTWORTH.
While practically living retired, Charles A. Wentworth was for many years identified with general agricultural pursuits and is still the owner of a good farm property west of Ames, although he now makes his home in the city. He was born in Monson, Piscataquis county, Maine, on the 24th of February, 1845, and spent the greater part of his youth there. His parents were Oliver and Janette (Thomas) Wentworth, who always remained residents of the Pine Tree state and were farming people. Their son Charles was the second in a family of nine children, eight of whom are now living and all were together in the summer of 1910 on the old home place in Maine. A daughter of the family died in infancy.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Charles A. Wentworth in his boyhood and youth. The public schools afforded him his education and he worked in the fields for his father and also to some extent for neighboring farmers until seventeen years of age, when, aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, he enlisted for active duty with the northern army. He was discharged August 1, 1865, after eighteen months' service with Company M of the First Maine Cavalry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and was on duty in the vicinity of Petersburg most of the time. He took part in the engagements at Green Station, Cathaly Run, the Bellfield raid and was on the skirmish line most of the time. When the war was over and victory crowned the Union arms, he returned home and continued a resident of Maine throughout the ensuing year. He then went to Pennsylvania, where he spent a year and then again returned home, remaining for a few months.