(1) Describing the official character of the person administering the oath.
(2) Name of Guardian. (3) Names of Wards. (4) Here state the cause of death.
(5) Here insert “has abandoned the care of” or “is an unsuitable person, by reason of immoral conduct, to have charge of said child or children,” followed by a specific statement of the facts in the case.

State of Iowa – Tama County – S. S.
I David D. Appelgate Clerk of the District Court in and for the County and State above named do hereby certify that J. G. Strong, Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who has thereunto signed his name was at the time of so doing a Notary Public in and for the county and state above named duly commissioned and sworn that all his official acts as such are entitled to full forth and credit and that his signature thereto is genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 28th day of September A. D. 1868. Signed: David D. Appelgate, Clerk

Adjutant General’s Office, Washington, D. C., June 9, 1868

Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 157,953, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this office.

It appears from the Rolls on file in this Office, that Stephen A. Stiles was enrolled on the 15 day of Aug, 1862, at Millersburg, Ia in Co. I, 28 Regiment of Iowa Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war, and mustered into service as a Private from the 15 day of Aug 1862, at Iowa, in Co. I, 28 Regiment of Iowa Volunteers, to serve 3 years or during the war. On the Muster out Roll of Co I of that Regiment, for the months of dated July 31 1865, he is reported “Mustered out with his co. at that date with remark Wounded in battle of Cedar Creek Va, Oct 19, 1864” No evidence of death on file in this office.

I am, Sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Sam Breck, Assistant Adjutant General.

Note: Transcriber is not sure of the Assistant Adjutant General’s name.

Department of Interior, Pension Office, June 6, 1868

Sir:
You are respectfully requested to furnish official evidence of the enrollment, muster, service, duty and cause of death of Stephen A. Stiles, who was a Private in Co. I 28 Regiment of Iowa Vols., reported died July 23, 1865, at home.

If the above name is not found on the Rolls of said Company, will you so state, and report as to enrollment, etc., in the case of any man bearing a similar name whom you have good reason for believing to be the soldier inquired for. When the Rolls show him to have been a Prisoner of War, let that fact be reported.

Please attach this Circular to your report, and return the same to this Office. No. 157,953. Respectfully yours, [signed] Joseph H. Barnett, Commissioner. The Adjutant General, U S. A., Washington, D. C.

(Circular Letter No. 14)

Department of the Interior, Pension Office. Washington, D. C., Feby 22, 1870
C. P. N. Barker – Attn
Toledo – Tama Co - Iowa

Sir:
The Claim, No. 157,953, for Pension of Ann Durgan – Guardian of Minor Children of Stephen A. Stiles on file in this Office, is awaiting answer to Cir 9 which was sent to you, at Toledo – Iowa, on the 14 day of Oct, 1868 and no answer has been received.

Please inform this office of the cause of delay, and furnish Post Office address of the Claimant.

Return this Circular. Respectfully, etc., H. Van Aernam, Commissioner.

I would say in relation to this claim, that the evidence required in Circular No. 9 cannot be furnished by me. The physician who treated Stiles—Dr. Corns – whose affidavit I have forwarded – cannot say anything about the case only during the time he treated in which was very shortly before he died.

I would further respectfully submit to the Hon. Com of Pensions that I was 1st Lieut. of the Company & Regt of which said Stiles belonged and I could not make oath that said Stiles had any disease at the date of his discharge although he might have been ailing. I cannot get further medical testimony, than I have already furnished.
Very Respectfully C. P. N. Barker

STATE OF IOWA,
Tama County,

To all to whom these Presents shall come: Whereas, Minerva A. Stiles Infant heir at law of Stephen A. Stiles of Tama County, deceased, are entitled to a certain estate in said County; and whereas, Ann Durgan appeared at February term of the County Court of said County, A. D. 1868, and applied for LETTERS OF GUARDIANSHIP of the person and estate of said minor, the said Ann Durgan has entered into bonds for the faithful performance of her duty; and has taken the oath prescribed by law.

NOW THEREFORE, KNOW YE, and all whom it may concern, that the said Ann Durgan is hereby appointed Guardian of the person and estate of Minerva A. Stiles minor as aforesaid, with full power to demand, sue for, and take possession of all money and estate belonging to her said ward, and in general, to do all other acts which appertain to her in her said capacity, and as the law shall charge her.

Given under my hand and seal of the County Court aforesaid, this 11th day of February A. D. 1868. [Signed} Thomas S. Firel, County Judge.

State of Iowa, Tama County, SS:
I, Thomas S. Firel Judge of the County Court of said County, do hereby certify the above to be a true copy of the original Letters of Guardianship as the same now appear of record in my office.

Witness my hand and the seal of said Court, hereto affixed, at Toledo this 1 st day of October A. D. 1868. [signed] Thomas S. Firel, County Judge.

DECLARATION OF MINOR CHILDREN FOR PENSION.
STATE OF Iowa
County of Tama

On this 11th day of February A. D. 168, personally appeared before me, the Clerk of the District Court, Ann Durgan, a resident of Richland in the County of Tama and State of Iowa aged _____ years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on oath, make the following declaration as guardian of the minor child of Stephen A. Stiles deceased, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, approved July 14th, 1862, granting pensions to minor children under sixteen years of age, of deceased officers and soldiers; that she is the guardian of Minerva M. Stiles whose father was a private in company I commanded by Captain Joseph G. Strong in the 28 Regiment of Iowa Volunteers, in the war of 1861, and that the said Stephen A. Stiles died at Tama Co. Iowa on the 23 day of July in the year 1865. That the mother of the child aforesaid (again married, being now the wife of Wm. Dugan) on the 8th day of July in the year 1866, and that the date of the birth of her said ward is as follows: Minerva M. Stiles born Feb 25, 1856.

She further declares that the parents of her said ward were married at Oxford Co Maine on the 4th day of August in the year 1850 by one Solomon Heald a Justice of the Peace.

And she hereby constitutes and appoints T. A. Graham Toledo Iowa Attorney to prosecute this claim and procure a certificate. Her[?} Post Office Address is Helena Tama Co Iowa. [signed] Ann Durgan, Guardian.

Also, personally appeared Orin McKeen and Noyes McKeen residents of Richland in the County of Tama, State of Iowa, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn according to law, say that they were present and saw Ann Durgan Guardian sign her name to the foregoing declaration and Power of Attorney, and they further swear that they know the said Ann Durgan to be the legally appointed Guardian of the Minor Child of Stephen A. Stiles late a private in Company I in the 28 Regiment of Iowa Volunteers in the War for the Suppression of the Rebellion of the Seceded States. They further swear that they knew the said soldier, and that he enlisted, and died or was killed, as stated in said declaration, and that Minerva M. Stiles the above named Minor Child is his lawful heir. That their knowledge of the identity of the soldier as the father of the said Minor Child is derived from personal acquaintance of fifteen years.

They further testify that they have no interest, directly or indirectly, in this claim for Pension. [signed] Orin McKeen, Noyes McKeen

Sworn to, subscribed and acknowledged before me, this 11 day of February A. D. 1868 and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. [signed] David D. Appelgate, Clerk

State of Iowa
Tama County S.S.

On this 23d day of September A. D. 1868, before me a notary Public in and for said county and state personally came Matilda Morison of Richland Iowa and Orin McKeen of Richland Iowa both of whom I certify to be credible witnesses, who after being duly sworn according to law depose and say that they were present and saw the marriage solemnized between Stephen A. Stiles late a private Co “I” 28 Regt Iowa Vols and Ann Durgan guardian of a minor child of said Stephen at Stoneham, Oxford County and State of Maine on the 4th day of August A. D. 1850 – by one Solomon Heald a Justice of the Peace. [signed] Matilda Morison, Orin McKeen

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23d day of September A. D. 1868. [ signed] J. G. Strong, Notary Public, Tama Co. Iowa

State of Iowa
Tama County S. S.

I David D. Appelgate Clerk of the district Court in and for the county and state above named do hereby certify that J. G. Strong Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who has thereunto signed his name was at the time of so doing a Notary Public in and for the County and State above named duly commissioned and sworn that al his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit and that his signature thereto is genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 28th day of September A. D. 1868. [signed] David D Appelgate, Clerk

State of Iowa
Tama County S.S.

On this 23d day of September A. D. 1868 personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for said County and State Matilda Morrison of Richland Iowa and Eveline McKeen of Richland Iowa who after being duly sworn according to law depose and say that Minerva M. Stiles – minor child of Stephen A. Stiles decd late private Co. “I” 28 Regt Iowa Vols was born on the 25th day of February A. D. 1856 and that they were present at the birth of said Minerva M. Stiles, on said date.

They further swear that Ann Durgan mother of said minor child & guardian of the same was married to William Durgan on the 7th day of July A. D. 1866 by one Newton Hiatt Justice of the Peace at Richland Iowa. [signed] Matilda Morrison, Eveline McKeen

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23d day of September A. D. 1868 and I certify the above are credible witnesses. [signed] J. G. Strong Notary Public Tama Co. Iowa

State of Iowa
Tama County S.S

I David D. Appelgate Clerk of the district Court in and for the county and state above named do hereby certify that J. G. Strong Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who has thereunto signed his name was at the time of so doing a Notary Public in and for the County and State above named duly commissioned and sworn that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit and that his signature thereto is genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 28th day of September A. D. 1868. [signed] David D Appelgate, Clerk

State of Iowa
Tama County S.S.

On this 11th day of February 1868 before me a County Judge in and for said County personally appeared Orin McKeen and Norris McKeen residents of Tama County Iowa who after being duly sworn according law declares upon oath that at Stoneham Oxford County Maine on August 4th 1850 that they were present at the marriage of Stephen A. Stiles & Ann McKean & know they were joined in the bonds of Matrimony by one Solomon Heald a Justice of Peace & that I have no interest in this claim for Pension or in its prosecution. [signed] Orin McKeen, Noyes McKeen.

Subscribed and sworn to before me & in my presence by said Orin & Norris McKean [sic] on the day and year first above written & I certify that I have no interest in this claim nor in its prosecution. [signed] Thomas S. Firee Co. Judge Tama Co

State of Iowa
Tama County S.S.

On this 1st day of October A. D. 1868 before me a Notary Public in and for said County and State above named personally appeared Dr. Wm Ceorns [sic] to me known who after being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he was the physician who attended Stephen A. Stiles (late a priv. Co. “I” 28 th Regt Iowa Vols) in his last illness and that the immediate and sole cause of the death of said Stephen A. Stiles was disease contracted whilst in the military service of the United States and in the line of duty – namely- cerebro spinal meningitis. [signed] William Corns, M D

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 1st day of October A. D. 1868. F. J. M. Wonser Notary Public

State of Iowa
Tama County S.S

I David D. Appelgate Clerk of the district Court in and for the county and state above named do hereby certify that F. M. Wonser Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who has thereunto signed his name was at the time of so doing a Notary Public in and for the County and State above named duly commissioned and sworn that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit and that his signature thereto is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 2nd day of October A. D. 1868. [signed] David D Appelgate, Clerk