J. S. PRESSNALL
J. S. Pressnall filled the office of sheriff for three successive terms, having been elected, first, in 1873. Was re-elected in 1875 and 1877. James S. Pressnall, real estate dealer, doing business in Cass and surrounding counties, came to this county in 1869, settled in Atlantic and opened a harness shop. He continued in that trade about one year, when he was appointed deputy sheriff, held that position two years, was then elected sheriff, and remained in office six years, since which time he has engaged in his present business, excepting in 1883, when he was appointed sheriff to fill vacancy. He is a native of Hamilton county, Indiana, born May 15, 1839. His parents were natives of North Carolina, of English and French extraction and are both deceased. The family removed in 1864, to Marshall county, settling on a farm. James S. enlisted in 1862, July 7th, in company F, 63d Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to rank of first lieutenant. He participated in eighteen battles and had the good fortune to escape without a wound. He was married March 4, 1867, to Melissa J. Scott, a native of Indiana. They have four children--Eudora, wife of M. Salisbury, of Atlantic; Mary A., James F. and John H. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W.
Contributed by Lisa Varnes-Rex from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 368.
