George Abernathy Family -- Top Row, standing L-R: Eva Turner Carder, Grace Turner Burgus, Maggie Abernathy, Luther Abernathy, Viola Abernathy Messenger, Sarah Abernathy Turner; Will Abernathy, John Messnger, Thomas Turner. 2nd row — Mabel Carder Phillips, David Carder (on his lap), Blanche Carder Jeter, Emma Abernathy Stewart, son Albert (on lap), George & Elizabeth Abernathy, John Abernathy, 3rd row -- Gladys Carder
Riggs, Grace Steward Kuntz, Beulah Steward Bunten, Lillie Klein, Ralph Abernathy, Addle Abernathy. Front row --- Alva Abernathy, John Messenger Jr., Mae Messenger, Stanley Klein, Herman Klein, Chas. Abernathy and Maude

GEORGE ABERNATHY, was born in Ohio, in I821 a grandson of John Abernathy who served in the Revolutionary War. The grandfather settled with his family in Ross County, Ohio, in 1808, when the main inhabitants were Indians and wild animals. A few of the members of his family were captured by the Indians who covered them with splinters which were set on fire, leaving scars on their person. George Abernathy was reared among the Indians, his home being a rude tog cabin. He was married 1844 is Sarah Evans and to this union two children born. His first wife died in 1849 and he married again to Elizabeth Griggs. To this union were born the following children:
Sarah E. (Turner), William, George, Charles, Henry, Andrew, Emma, Maggie, Viola and Luther. George returned co Iowa in the fall of 1863, and in 1865 settled in Madison township, where he remained until 1883 then moved to Murray. As a young man the farm implements he used were a plow with a wooden mold board. After coming to Iowa he used a one horse plow and two horse corn planter and check rower, a two horse sulky cultivator and
combined reaper and mower and a self rake. (Picture above left)

DR. PHHIEAS TURNER, came to Troy township in 1868 and taught school in connection with attending to his medical practice and then moved to the farm. Dr. Turner was married in 1841 to Ann Maria Fleming. Five children were born to this union -- Nrs. Mary J. Carnes, Mrs. Minnie A. Cone, Obed, Fannie and Otis.

PETER RINNER, farmer and stock raiser was born in Germany, near the river Rhine, in 1831. He came to America in 1836 with his family and settled in Ohio, where his father died nine weeks after his arrival. Upon his death Peter was reared by David Stiffler and was brought up to agricultural pursuits. He entered the United States Army during the Mexican War in his sixteenth year, under Scott, and was wounded at Cherebusco, Mexico. He participated with his regiment in a number of engagements as well as the taking of Mexico. He re-entered the service in 1840 and spent two and one half years in teaching recruits. He then entered the cavalry of the Second United States dragoons In 1855, remaining

until Feb. 1864 when he was discharged as Second Lieutenant. During the Civil war he participated in the battles of First Bull Run, alter which battle he carried the first white flag to the rebel army, Williamsport, battle of the Wilderness, the seven days fight on the penninsula, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and numerous others. Before the war of the rebellion he was engaged in fighting with the Indians in Utah and while there part of the time his company had but two ounces of flour for each man for their daily allowance, and for a while they lived on nettles cooked as greens. He served his country as a soldier for fifteen years. Mr. Rinner came to Clarke County in 1871, where he followed farming and stock raising as a vocation. He was married to Diantha Gray, To this union were born six children — Franklin, Margaret, George and Katherine.

GEORGE BANKER, came to Iowa in the spring of 1855 and located on a farm in Troy township. He married Cynthia Mitchell in 1851. To this union were born nine children, Jacob, Harriet, Robert, Hiram, Amanda and Riley.

JOHN M. CARDER, a farmer and stock raiser was reared to manhood on a farm in Indiana. He received an education as was common to farmer boys of that day, in the rude log cabin school houses with their split log seats, greased paper windows, and large fireplaces. He was married to Hester Everett in 1852. They reared two children — Luncinda Knott and Flora Darnell. Mr. Carder came to Iowa in the fall of 1854.