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the trade. He worked at this business one year and then resumed farming. He was married November 15, 1864, to Miss Chloe Woodin, a native of Connecticut. They have four children living: Kent, James, Mary Myrtle and Major Ransom. Mr. Kinner came to Tama county from Carroll county, Illinois, in 1867, and settled on section 36, in Oneida township, where he now lives. He is engaged quite extensively in stock raising. He has taken quite an interest in public affairs, has been elected to various offices of trust in the township, and is at present a member of the board of Trustees.

JOHN A., eldest son of William and Mary (Pottman) KINNER, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 17th of November, 1826. He attended school in his boyhood and assisted his father on the farm. At seventeen years of age he engaged to learn the carpenter’s trade, serving as an apprentice for three years, then worked for another three years as a journeyman, after which he engaged in business as carpenter and builder in York State until 1849. At this time he came West to Wisconsin and worked at his trade in Rock county until 1864, when he moved to Illinois, locating in Carroll county, where he remained for three years and in 1867 came to Iowa. He came at once to Tama county and purchased land on section 26 of Oneida township, where he now lives. Mr Kinner was married in 1849, to Miss Lucy A. Clarke, of Allegany county, New York. They have been blessed with seven children, four of whom are now living: Emory E., Emily E., George C. and Samuel M.

WILLIAM R. WILLIAMSON became a resident of Oneida township is 1867. He is a native of Ireland, born in the county of Derry, September 8, 1838. When fourteen years of age he started out for himself, came to America, landing at New York, and went at once to Cincinnati, where he was employed in Shreeve and Steele’s iron works. After working here eighteen months, he went to Will county, Illinois, where he was engaged at farming until 1867, then came to Tama county, and purchased land on section 35, of Oneida township. He at once began making improvements; built a frame house and set out forest and fruit trees. He has now a large variety of plum, apple and cherry trees, and also many different kinds of berries. In 1883 he erected a frame house 18 x 27 feet with twenty feet posts and an addition 15 x 20 feet. Mr. Williamson was married December 9, 1858, to Miss Margaret Williamson, a native of the county of Antrim, Ireland. They have two children --- Lillie Belle and Maggie May.

MATHIAS MATTHIESEN settled where he now lives on section 10, Oneida township, in 1872, but first became a resident of the township in 1870. Mr. Matthiesen was born in Schleswig, Germany, August 25, 1826. He was united in marriage to Miss Magdelena Peterson, and in 1860, emigrated to the United States. Mr. Matthiesen first located in Scott county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming until 1870, when he came to Tama county. He has resided in this county ever since, with the exception of one year spent in Benton county. Mr. and Mrs. Matthiesen have been blessed with eight children - Catherine, born April 6, 1850; Claus, born June 4, 1852; Hans, born July 23, 1853; Christ, September 1, 1859; John, December 17, 1861; Mary, June 1, 1864; Theodore, March 5, 1865; and Fred, born March 20, 1869. In politics, Mr. Matthiesen is a Democrat; in faith, a Lutheran. He now owns a fine of 360 acres.

FRANK MEGGERS came to Tama county in 1873, first locating in Clark township; but since 1877, has been a resident of section 6, Oneida township. Mr. Meggers was born in Germany, September 12, 1846, his parents being Frank H. and Mary Meggers. Mr. Meggers remained in his native land until June, 1870, when he came to the United States. For the next three years he lived in Michigan, then went to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, and there resided until coming to Iowa in 1873. October 1, 1873, Mr. Meggers was married to Miss Paulina Holst, a native of Germany. They have four children --- Mary, born September 17, 1874; Alvina, born February 15, 1876; Frank, born January 17, 1878; and William, born January 11, 1881. In politics, Mr. Meggers is a Republican, and has held the offices of Township Trustee and Clerk. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

H. C. BURRIS located in Oneida township in 1882, and purchased 160 acres of land on section14. Mr. Burris is a son of William and Ann (Busland) Burris, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Ohio. He was born in Bureau county, Illinois, May 7, 1855. the family came to Iowa and located in Benton county in 1871, and there lived until 1882, when the parents went to Nebraska, and H. C. came to Tama county.

There were eight children in the family - Sarah R., now Mrs. Charles Jackson, of Howard county, Nebraska; Christa A., now wife of Solomon Thompson; W. E., H. C., J. E., Jennie L., now Mrs. J. C. Bergen, and Charles A. In 1875, Mr. Burris was married to Miss Maggie J. Byam, daughter of W. A. and Annie (Leveland) Byam. They have one daughter - Lulu Blanche. Mr. Burris is now engaged in farming and improving his land, and has one of the finest farms in the township.

HISTORICAL ITEMS

The first marriage in this township was H. Hull to Miss E. J. Kerns, in 1857, J. C. Vermilya, County Judge, performed the ceremony.

The first schoolhouse in this township was built in 1859, and was located on the northeast quarter of section 36. Ruth LeRue was the first teacher. This school building is now attached to a dwelling house and is used as a kitchen. There are at present ten school districts in the township with a schoolhouse in each.

Old settlers of the township tell of a strange animal that was seen in an early day. It was called the white lion. Some who saw it say it had the build of a lion, had a mane and a bushy tail, and that it was as large as the largest dog. Its tracks were seen in places by a few persons, who said they were as large as those of a horse, and the marks showed toes like a dog’s. Another strange feature was that the animal was pure white. A man once met it in the road and was forced to go around, as it showed fight. At one time, when Mr. Fowler, an early settler, was away from home, the beast came near the house. Mr. Fowler took an ax and was

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