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Emerson truly says, that "biography is the only true history," and in this connection we present a sketch of a few of the representative citizens of the township who settled a little later than those already named, but who deserve attention:

George Lewis, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, on the 15th of February, 1820, his parents being Levi and Sophia (Banker) Lewis. In 1844 he removed to Lee county, Illinois, and there remained about eighteen months, when he moved to Bureau county, where he lived until June, 1865. He then came to Cass county, and settled on the farm he had previously purchased on section 1, Atlantic township. He was married on the 14th of October, 1847, to Margaret Lemrick, who died on the 14th of August, 1850, leaving one child, who died a few days later. He was again married in September 1853, to Esther Oliverson. She died in 1856, her death caused by the explosion of a lamp. The have two children---Sophia, born in 1854, and Levi, was born in July, 1856, died in September 1856. Mr. Lewis was united in marriage again to Ann J. Maine, who died a number of years later, leaving nine children---John R., born in August, 1858; Jewett H., born in 1860; Charlotte, born January 9, 1862; Millitta P., born in 1864; Mary S., born October 2, 1865; Joseph P., born in 1867; Luta S., born in 1869; Ellen S., born in 1871, and David L., born in 1873. Mr. Lewis was married to his present wife on the 23d of February, 1882. Her maiden name was Jennie Bauer, a native of England.

William Duncan was born in Lower Canada, fifty miles southeast of Montreal, August 27, 1824. His parents, William and Margaret (Smith) Duncan, were natives of Scotland. The subject of this sketch removed to Windsor county, Vermont, when nineteen years old. He obtained his education in the schools of Canada and Vermont. He learned the carpenter's trade in Vermont and spent the year 1847 in Boston, Massachusetts, working at his trade. He then returned to Vermont, where he continued the same business until September, 1848. In that year he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, which contained, at that time, only one frame building. He lived in Des Moines six years, working at his trade. He then moved to a farm twelve miles east of that city, on which he resided until August, 1862, when he enlisted in company D, of the Second Iowa Cavalry commanded by Colonel Hatch. He served three years and three months. He was in the battles of Farmington and Corinth. His regiment formed part of the Seventeenth Corps of the Army of the Tennessee. He participated in all the skirmishes and cavalry fights of that corps, in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, etc. He was honorably discharged at Davenport and returned to Polk county where he lived until March 8, 1868, at which time he moved to his present location on section 3, Atlantic township. He was married in Windsor county, Vermont, to Abigail Williams, a daughter of Henry and Abigail (Cram) Williams. The have seven children---Mary, Luella, John, Emma, Ada, Jennie, and Maggie. Mr. Duncan's farm contains one hundred and six acres, all under cultivation, with a good bearing orchard. He built his present house in 1882. It is in the form of an octagon, two stories in height, with an octagonal dome rising from the center of the roof having a window on each side, affording magnificent views of the surrounding country. He values his house at something like three thousand dollars. He has the most complete system of water works in Cass county, everything operating automatically, and an abundance of water for every purpose. He keeps the Chester White hogs and graded Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Duncan is a Republican in politics.

Sylvanus Brott, son of Charles and Matilda (Brown) Brott, was born February 16, 1840. In 1845 he went to McHenry county, Illinois, where he was reared and received his education. He came to Cass county in 1867, locating then upon section 14, Atlantic township. Mr. Brott was married in McHenry county, Illinois, in 1866, to Adeline Sands, a native of West Virginia. They have one child---Howard, born in 1874. Mr, Brott's farm contains one hundred and ten acres of good land, the greater portion of which, is well improved. It was formerly all timber land. He is engaged in raising stock, paying particular attention to Poland China hogs. He keeps a dairy of eight cows. In politics he is a Republican. He enlisted in September, 1861, in company H, of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, under the command of Colonel Farnsworth. This was a some what independent regiment, and is well known in history. They served a considerable time, in Sumner's corps and took part in all the battles of McClellan's army up to the time of the second battle of Bull Run. He was in the seven day's fight before Richmond and the battle of Malvern Hill, where he was wounded. He was honorably discharged in February, 1863. He re-enlisted in February, 1865, in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, Company E, under Colonel Harper. He was mustered out of the service, November 20, 1865, at Selma, Alabama.

Wilson Prall came to Cass county in November, 1857, and settled in Franklin township. He was born in Ohio, on the 20th of April, 1839, and is the son of Gabriel and Mary (Heaton) Prall. When abot five years of age his parents removed to Indiana, where Wilson remained until eighteen years of age, when he came to Cass county, and worked for different parties for some time, when he settled on section 28, Franklin township, where he remained about eight years, when he came to his present location on section 26, Atlantic township. He has four hundred and eighty-five acres of improved land, all being under cultivation, and is now raising a fine stock of Durham and Short-horn cattle. He has received several prizes for his fine horses, and raises a number of Poland China hogs. Mr. Prall was married in Cass county, in August, 1859, to Mary Judd, a daughter of William Judd, and an early settler of Cass county. They have seven children living---George B., Thomas W., Henry T., Mary E., John B., Etta V., and Martha V. Frederick and an infant died a number of years ago. Mr. Prall and family are members of the Christian church.

Transcribed by Deb Lightcap-Wagner, April, 2014 from: "History of Cass County, 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", published in 1884, Springfield, Ill: Continental Historical Co., pp. 842-844.