Star – Clipper Supplement
Traer, Iowa, February 11, 1887
History of North Tama
By Daniel Connell

Chapter XVII
Prominent Citizens

The north part of Tama county has from the first been noted for the intelligence and moral worth of its inhabitants, and her citizens have frequently been selected for important offices. In 1854 John Connell was elected to the General Assembly of Iowa for the district composed of Jasper, Poweshiek, Benton and Tama counties; Major Lieutenant Colonel; then colonel of 28th regiment, Iowa volunteers; assessor; then collector of internal revenue Fourth district of Iowa. Leander Clark was county judge; for four years a member of the General assembly; major and lieutenant colonel in the 24th regiment, Iowa volunteers; and Indian agent. William B. King, of Spring Creek, was State Senator four years. Joseph Dysart was for six years Senator and for two years Lieutenant Governor, and for fourteen years past a member of the board of supervisors. James Wilson was six years a member of the General Assembly, during two years of which he was speaker. He was six years a member of Congress. Mr. Wilson was also a member of the board of railroad commissioners. Gamaliel Jaqua was twice elected a member of the legislature, and for ten years was a member of the board of supervisors, giving the settlement eight terms out of the sixteen terms of the legislature since the advent of Mr. Connell into the fifth, beside ten years representation in the Senate, with two years additional as presiding officer. This is a record of which to be proud. We give a more extended history of these gentlemen.