AUSTRIN, JOHN F., section 35, P. O., Red Oak; was born in Sweden, June 6, 1835, and in 1854 emigrated to this country, locating in Illinois, and remained there until 1871, farming the greater part of the time; then from there to Montgomery County, Iowa. He was married to Miss Christin C. Peterson, August 11, 1860, who was born in Sweden, December 29, 1836. They are the parents of nine children, six still living: Alma J., John A., Ida C., Anna W., Clara and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Austrin are both members of the Swedish Lutheran church. He has 160 acres of land, well improved; also 23 acres in Page county. He has a thrifty young orchard of 150 trees. Farming and stock raising has been his principal business since 1871. Has been assessor two years; served two years as justice of the peace in Rock Island County, Illinois.

ASHBY, GEORGE T., farmer, section 16, P. O., Red Oak; was born in Carroll County, Illinois, November 5, 1840, and grew to manhood there. In 1859, went to California, remaining there three years, then returned to Carroll County, Illinois, living there until 1869, and from there moved to Montgomery County, Iowa. Was married April 19, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth A. Baker. They are the parents of five children: Thos. E., Lewis D. Effie L., Robert J., Minnie M. Mr. and Mrs. Ashby are both members of the M. E. church, Red Oak circuit. Mr. Ashby was elected to the legislature of Iowa in 1877, and served his term with credit to himself and his constituents. He owns 160 acres of land; good orchard of 200 trees of different kinds of fruits, all bearing. His father, David Ashby, was born in 1810, in Canada, near Montreal. His mother, Mrs. Barbara Marsh, was born in England, in 1810, and is living with a daughter, Mrs. DeKay. Mr. Ashby enlisted in the army in 1863, but was rejected by the examining surgeon, as not being an able-bodied man by reason of disease contracted in California.

BURRIS, ARTHUR M., farmer, section 29, P. O. Coburg; was born in Henry County, Indiana, March 30, 1843, and there grew to manhood. Moved to Montgomery County, Iowa, in the fall of 1870. Bought his land of the railroad company, and by his industry made himself a good home. Was married August 31, 1865, to S. E. Addison, of Henry County, Indiana; she was born October 20, 1847. They have four children living: M. E., Nora A., Mattie A., Charlie O.; two children dead: Willie J. and V. A. Mr. and Mrs. Burris are both members of the M. E. church. Mr. Burris' father, Jacob Burris, was born, February 1, 1801, in North Carolina; came to Ohio when a boy; then moved to Henry County, Indiana in 1824, and died there in 1879, at the age of seventy-eight years. His mother was born May 4, 1804. Mr. Burris enlisted in the army, May 16, 1864, and discharged the following October; was on guard duty at Mumfordsville, Kentucky, guarding the bridge during most of the time he was in the service. He owns 125 acres of land, all in cultivation; also has a fine grove of young timber and an orchard of 60 bearing trees.

BURR, JOSEPH A., farmer, P. O. Coburg; owns 172 1/2 acres of land, 110 acres in cultivation. Was born in Fairfield County, Connecticut, April 25, 1823. When eight years of age he moved to Chautauqua County, New York, in 1831, in company with his parents and there grew to manhood. Then in 1845, he came with his parents to Miami County, Indiana, and there preempted land. He came out to Iowa, first in 1858, to look out a home, went back to Indiana, sold his farm there, and then moved to Montgomery County, Iowa in 1860, with his family, and bought the Burchard farm. At that time settlers were few in Grant township. Mr. Burr was married in February, 1849, to W. C. L. Gilmore, of Liberty Mills, Wabash County, Indiana. They have five children living: Augustus C., Anna L., Alwyn E., Albert L., and Ernest L. Those dead are Adelbert G., Edwin G., and Edmund L. Mr. Burr's father, Moses Burr, was born in 1798 in Pennsylvania.

COZAD, WILLIAM, farmer, section 8, P. O. Red Oak; owns 160 acres of land. Mr. Cozad was born August 11, 1843, in Vinton County, Ohio. When about twelve years of age he moved with his uncle Robert Davis, to Montgomery County, Iowa, his parents both being dead. Here he grew to manhood. In July 1861, he enlisted in Company K., Fourth regiment Iowa infantry, and served four years. This regiment participated in thirty-eight battles among which were Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 6, 7, and 8, 1862; Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi, December 27, 28, and 29, 1862; Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863; Jackson, Mississippi, May 14, 1863; siege of Vicksburg, ending July 4, 1863; siege of Jackson, July 10th to 17th, 1863; Lookout Mountain, November 24, 1863; Mission Ridge, Ringold, Georgia; Dallas, Georgia; Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain; Atlanta; Ezra Chapel; Jonesborough; Lovejoy Station; and through with Sherman on his March to the Sea. Mr. Cozad was with his company in every battle they were in except one, and was never wounded. After the close of the war he returned to his home and has been engaged in farming ever since. He owns a very fine farm four miles south of Red Oak, in a high state of cultivation, and has by the help of his estimable wife made for himself a comfortable home. He was married November 26, 1865, to Mary E. Hewitt, of Montgomery County. They have four children living: Charles W., Joseph W., Olive L., and Minnie A. One dead.

DAVIS, ROBERT, farmer, section 19, P. O. Coburg; has 390 acres of land -- 300 in a high state of cultivation, ninety acres of timber, and an orchard of about 120 trees, bearing an average of twenty bushels to the tree. His orchard was planted in 1857. Mr. Davis was born in Jackson County, Ohio, January 25, 1808, and is now a hale and hearty old man. He lived in Jackson County, Ohio, until 1856, when he moved to Montgomery County, Iowa, and settled in Grant township, on section 19, where he still lives. Was married in 1834 to Miss Catharine Anthony, of Jackson County, Ohio. Was married by Jacob Westfall. He had eleven children, all dead but one, R. J. H. Davis. Mr. Davis also lost his first and second wives, and is now living with the third. He was an active man during the rebellion, though not in the army. He was the first Methodist in Grant township and a leader in helping his neighbors when in trouble. His only living son was born in 1850. Mr. Davis was a second lieutenant in the military service in 1836, and a recruiting officer in the Mexican war and also in the elate war. Mr. Davis' first wife's father married Mr. Davis's mother, which, by marriage, would make Mr. Davis' wife his step-sister, but no blood relation, Mr. Davis being married years before.

ERICKSON, JOHN A., section 14, P. O. Red Oak; he was born in Sweden, April 8, 1839, emigrating to this country, arriving July 3, 1859, and came to Burlington, Iowa, July 14, 1859, and remained there until January 1860.. He then moved to Henderson County, Illinois, and in 1861 enlisted in company E, Tenth Illinois volunteer infantry, was discharged by reason of chronic diarrhea, at Bird's Point, and in January, 1864, again enlisted in company F, Sixteenth infantry and served with them until the close of the war in 1865, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea and enjoyed the best of health.

ELWOOD, PHOEBE, section 5, P. O. Red Oak; owns 246 acres of land, about 130 acres in cultivation and the remainder in timber land, a fine young orchard of 100 trees all bearing. Mrs. Elwood was born in North Carolina, in 1820, when about two years old moved with her parents to Highland County, Ohio, and lived there until 1865, when she moved to Montgomery County, and settled on section 5, Grant township; her husband (Hiram Elwood) was born in Highland County, Ohio, July 27, 1820, and there grew to manhood; was married in 1844 to Phoebe Horton, of the same county. They have five children living: Alwilde, Jacob Eyer, James A., Emma T., Wm E., and one dead. James A. Elwood was born in Highland County, Ohio, in 1854 and came to Montgomery County with his parents. Was married February 19, 1880, to Mary E. Williams, of Green County, Wisconsin. James A., lives on the old farm with his mother. Jacob Horton (Mrs. Elwood's father) was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, in 1780 and died at the age of 86 years.

EWING, SAMUEL, grain buyer at Coburg, P. O. Red Oak; was born in Perry County, Indiana, in 1831, November 17, there grew to manhood and at the age of twenty years moved to Henderson County, Illinois, his parents following the year after, in 1853. Mr. Ewing came through Montgomery County in 1854; was married to Miss E. A. Short, of Henderson County, Illinois; have one child living, E. A., and one dead. Mr. Ewing enlisted in the service of his county in August, 1862, in the Eighty-fourth Illinois infantry volunteers, in company K, Capt. John B. McGaw, commanding. Served about three years, was mustered out June 7, 1865; was engaged in the following battles: Perryville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Tunnel Hill, Rockyface Gap, Resacca, Dallas, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain and through with Sherman to Atlanta and by reason of sickness was unable to go on to the sea. After being mustered out of the army he returned to Henderson County, Illinois, living there until April, 1867, when he moved to Montgomery County, lived on a farm for eight years; served as township clerk five years, as soon as he was eligible was appointed trustee, was afterward elected county commissioner, served about four and one-half years; at this time he was living in West township. When Mr. Ewing first came through this county there were no settlers except on the streams, no county seat, and no county organization. Mr. Ewing is doing a heavy grain business in Coburg; from November 1, 1879, to November 1, 1880, he shipped 295 car loads of grain, and from November, 1880, to January 1, 1881, about thirty cars, and has now in cribs about one hundred thousand bushels of grain. Mr. Ewing, wife and daughter are all members of the Protestant Methodist church.

HALL, EDGAR, farmer, section 4, P. O. Red Oak; born in Harrison County, Virginia, December 8, 1831. His parents moved to Henry County, Indiana, when he was about nine years of age. He was brought up on a farm and remained at home until he was twenty-one years old; then followed lumbering until 1859. In the fall of 1859, he came to Red Oak, bought a farm of one hundred acres, built a house the next spring and moved into it, and is living there at this time. Mr. Hall contemplates breeding fine blooded stock in the near future. He had many hardships and inconveniences of early life in Montgomery County to relate, among which was an almost entire absence of roads, trading points and supplies. About the only convenience was the Silkett (now Manker's) mill, north of Red Oak. There was a time in Mr. Hall's history in this county when there could not be a dollar's worth of goods bought in the county. He at one time hauled a load of wheat to Sidney and could get only thirty-five cents cash per bushel, and was induced to trade the load at an advance of five cents per bushel, for a bill of goods, he paying a difference of $20 cash. He very naturally was dissatisfied with the country, but could not sell nor get away, and now is glad of it. He let a golden opportunity of making a fortune pass, but he has a good farm and is content. He is a member of Red Oak lodge of the order of Odd Fellows. Was married to Miss A. Burris, a native of Indiana, in 1858. This wife died in the spring of 1876, and by that union he has four children living, one son and three daughters: Warren, Jennie, Emma, and Laura. He was married to Mrs. Mattie Lane, a native of Ohio, December 18, 1877. Mrs. Hall is a member of the Christian church, and has one daughter by her former husband, Jennie, now the wife of J. W. Parmeter.

HAWKINS, SWAN, farmer, section 13, P. O. Stanton; was born in Sweden, October 8, 1839; emigrated to America in 1868, coming to Moline, Illinois; stayed there for one year, then to Keithsburg, Illinois, there worked on railroad, and from there came to Stanton, Montgomery County, Iowa, where he bought the farm he now lives upon, consisting of eighty acres of good land, well improved. Mr. Hawkins worked on the railroad for eighteen months after coming to Montgomery County to get money to improve his farm with. He returned to Illinois and was married July 10, 1877, to Miss Anna S. Gabrielson, who was born January 10, 1851. He then returned to his home in Iowa, and has since followed farming and carpentering. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Stanton, Iowa. They are the parents of one child, deceased; died May 28, 1879. Mr. Hawkins was among the early settlers of this township. Mr. Sandles, a Swede, was the first settler in the township. Mr. Hawkins works at the carpenter trade during the winter and attends to his farm during the summer.

JOHNSON, AUGUST, farmer and stock raiser, section 23, P. O. Red Oak; Mr. Johnson was born in Sweden, March 26, 1846; emigrated to New York in 1866, and stayed there two years, serving as coachman. In 1868 came to Moline, Illinois, and from there to Henry County, Illinois, and in 1871, came to Montgomery County, Iowa. He was married March 17, 1870, to Miss Carrie Olson, who was born in Sweden; married in Genesco, Henry County, Illinois. They are both member of the Lutheran church. He has eighty acres of good land, well improved; good comfortable buildings, and fine young orchard.

JOHNSON, KLAES, lives on section 25, P. O. Red Oak; born in Sweden, January 8, 1844, and in 1866 came to New Windsor, Mercer County, Illinois, living there three years, returned to Sweden, then in three months returned to Illinois. In 1871 moved to Page County, Iowa, and in 1880 came to Montgomery County. Mr. J. was educated in the common schools of Sweden. He was married April 8, 1876, to Miss Ida J. Newman. They are the parents of two children: Carl A., aged nineteen months, Alma A., aged four years April 22. Mr. Johnson has eighty acres of land in cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

KRETCHMER, E., FARMER, P. O. Coburg; was born on the Atlantic Ocean, March 21, 1844. Was educated in Germany. Came to Iowa September, 1857, and settled in Des Moines County, clerking in a store until the beginning of the war, when he enlisted in the First Iowa infantry, company D, for three months, enlisted April 21, 1861; then in September, 1861, enlisted in the Eleventh Illinois cavalry, company H; served two years and was discharged by reason of disease contracted while a prisoner of war in the prisons of Jackson, Mississippi, and Vicksburg; was in prison about four months. Mr. Kretchmer took part in all of the following named important battles: Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862, Corinth, Mississippi, October 4, 1862, Iuka, Farmington, and Hatchee River, September 25, 1862. In August, 1867, he moved to Montgomery County. Mr. Kretchmer has the use and control of 1,030 acres of land, and in his own right 378 acres of good land in a good state of cultivation, and has one of the finest orchards in the county, 900 bearing trees. He is a member of the State Horticultural Society, and has been a director of that society for three terms. Mr. K. was educated in a military school of Prussia, and is now captain of a company at Coburg, called the Iowa Mounted Guards, fully equipped with needle guns and sabers, and all well uniformed at company's own expense. He was also the first postmaster at Coburg, holding that office about eight years. Mr. Kretchmer is also an extensive bee raiser, his favorite variety being the "Italian;" he has been a breeder of this variety longer than any man in the state of Iowa. He is the inventor of three different kinds of bee-hives; "The Champion," "New System" and "Standard," all patented, and he has given them to the public without royalty. He is the author of numerous works on bee-keeping; such as "Winke fur Bienen Zuchter," "Intimations to Bee-keepers," "Bee-keepers Guide-book," and the "American Bee-keeper's Guide," a complete manual and reference book on all subjects connected with bee culture, giving plain directions for the management of bees in every month in the year. Mr. Kretchmer was married in September, 1864, to Iowa Clark. Has six children by the first wife, three dead: Elizabeth E., Justus C., Charles W., Iowa M., Bernard E., Raymond. Those dead are: Olga S., George A., Flora B. Was married the second time to Carrie Smith, December 17, 1879, in Montgomery County. Has one child by this marriage: Valencia L. Mr. Kretchmer is also a breeder of fine stock, both cattle and hogs. Was secretary of the first agricultural society ever held in Montgomery County. Is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Red Oak, and an officer of Grand Encampment at Des Moines.

LULL, ALBERT M., dealer in hardware, cutlery, drugs and medicines, P. O. Coburg; he is also postmaster; has been in business here since 1878; was born in Hillsdale County, Michigan, November 19, 1840; moved to Montgomery County in May 1871, and engaged in farming until 1878. Enlisted in company A, Forty-sixth Illinois infantry; was at the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. Here he received a wound, by reason of which he was discharged in the following October, having served one year, one month, and eleven days. He is a member of the Masonic lodge No. 423, of Carroll County, Illinois. Was married in September, 1861, to Mary E. Hollingsworth, of Carroll County, Illinois; have no children of their own; have one child by adoption, Mary M. Lull.

MATTSON, CHARLEY, farmer, section 13, P. O. Stanton; born in Sweden, January 1, 1821. Emigrated to this country in 1869, coming to Moline, Illinois. Remained there three months, then went to Keithsburg, Illinois, and then to Montgomery County, Iowa, April 24, 1870. Was married November 27, 1851, to Miss Christine Hawkinson. They are the parents of nine children, four living: Anna, born January 17, 1853, Ida, born February 8, 1858; Andrew, born January 15, 1863; Ellen, born January 23, 1865. Mr. Mattson has eighty acres of land, well improved. He was educated in the common schools of Sweden. He and his wife are both members of the Lutheran church.

MCALISTER, ISAAC, P. O. Red Oak; born in Pickaway County, Ohio, December 20, 1823. Then moved with his parents to Monroe County, Ohio, when he was about nine years old, and remained there until 1871, then moved to Morgain County, Illinois, and remained there two years, then to Montgomery County, Iowa, in 1873, and to his present home of eighty acres of land, which he has partially improved. At the time he bought it such land improved was worth $20 per acre. Has always followed farming. He was married to Miss Sophia Jackson, October 10, 1847. She was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 4, 1828. She moved with her parents to Union County, then to Pickaway County, and there at the age of nineteen she married Mr. McAlister. They have had eight children: William O., Owen T., Mary A., Florence E., Charles W., Edward E., John A., Dora B. Mr. McAlister is a member of the Masonic fraternity; is a member of the Christian church at Red Oak.

MAINQUIST, G. ALFRED, section 35, P. O. Red Oak; born in Smaland, Sweden, and emigrated to America in 1868. Came to Knox County, Illinois, living there three years, then to Montgomery County, Iowa. He was married to Miss Augusta Carlson, in Grant township, March 7, 1877. Miss Carlson was a native of Sweden, born February 14, 1858, and was educated in the schools of that country. They have had two children: Henry and Ellen. Mr. Mainquist is the owner of 410 acres of land, all in cultivation, and follows farming and stock-raising most successfully. He has carried through this winter over one hundred head of cattle.

MELLOTT, JACOB, farmer, section 7, P. O. Red Oak; was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1818, and here grew to manhood, and at the age of twenty-six years moved to Randolph County, Indiana, remaining there but five months; thence to Clark County, Ohio, in 1844; engaged in farming, clearing the timber from the land, then returned to Randolph County, Indiana, and was married in the fall of 1846, and returned to Ohio. Returned to Indiana again in 1849, and there remained until 1865, then moved to Fountain County, Indiana. In 1866 he moved to Warren County, Indiana, and in 1872 moved to Red Oak, Iowa. Was married in 1846 to Barbara Atkinson, of Randolph County, Indiana. They have six children living: Sarah J., Mary E., George W., Ida A., James E. and William; eight are dead. Mr. Mellott and wife belong to the Methodist church at Red Oak. They have been connected with that church since 1876. Sarah J. is married to Joseph McConnell, of Red Oak. Mary E. is married to Frank Alden, living near Red Oak. Mr. Mellott's father (John Mellott) was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1784, and his family consists of eight boys and six girls. Jacob Mellott cast his first vote for Harrison for President in 1840.

NORD, JOHN M., section 36, P. O. Red Oak; was born in Smaland, Sweden, July 26, 1841, and in 1851 emigrated to Henry County, Illinois. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in the army. Was in the battles of Atlanta, Savannah, Columbia, Benton Ridge, North Carolina, and many other smaller battles and skirmishes with General Sherman. Was in company D., Fifty-seventh Illinois infantry volunteers. He was married to Miss Anna Vanlow, March 11, 1867. They have six children, three living: Emma G., eight years old; John A., three years; Bertha H., one year. Mr. Nord is the owner of 320 acres of land, all in cultivation. Was educated in the common schools of Illinois. Mr. Nord has good stock on his farm, is feeding about a hundred hogs and also has about twenty-five head of cattle. Mr. Nord has made all that he possesses, by his perseverance and industry. His father (seventy-two years old) lives at Cambridge, Henry County, Illinois.

OSSIAN, G. A., section 24, P. O. Stanton; he was born in Sweden, October 6, 1843. He emigrated in 1867. Was married May 23, 1867, to Miss Caroline M. Lantry. They have had seven children, six living: Emma M., born March 17, 1868; Albert, born April 2, 1870; Oscar, died at the age of eight years; Clara, born March 4, 1874; Johanna, born May 4, 1876; John Samuel, born June 6, 1878; Esther Otelia, October 13, 1880. Mr. Ossian has 160 acres of land where he lives, and forty acres in Scott township. They are both members of the Swedish Lutheran church. When he emigrated to this country he stopped in Henry County, Illinois, from 1867 to 1870, when he came to this county. He served as trustee of the church for three years and will have been deacon nine years when he has completed his present term. He is an active man both in church and in the Sunday school.

OSSIAN, MRS. ANNA L., section 24, P. O. Stanton; she was born in Sweden, December 5, 1818; was married in April in 1840, and emigrated with her husband, Mr. Andrew Ossian, to this country in May, 1869, landing in Henry County, Illinois; April 2, 1870, came to Montgomery County, Iowa. Mr. Ossian died October 7, 1875, leaving Mrs. Ossian with seven children still living. John A., born August 25, 1841; Gustaf, October 6, 1843; Carl Fredrick, May 28, 1847; Jonas L., October 2, 1849; Swan L., July 19, 1852; Clara Albertina, December 1, 1854; Emma S., July 5, 1860. Mrs. Ossian owns eighty acres of land in a high state of cultivation. She is a consistent member of the Lutheran church and has been for many years; she is now sixty-two years old and enjoys perfect health; five of her children are married; she has twenty-one grandchildren. Her children all live in Montgomery County except one, who lives in Henry County, Illinois. They have lost three crops by hail and grasshoppers. Mr. Ossian served in the army in Sweden sixteen years. He always followed farming except while he was in the army. He died a consistent member of the Lutheran church.

OSSIAN, A. J., section 24, P. O. Stanton; was born in Sweden, August 25, 1840, emigrated in 1865 to Henry County, Illinois; was married in Sweden to Matilda Anderson, in March, 1865. They have had nine children, six still living: Louisa M., age sixteen; Emma C., eleven; Galhard E., six; Anotelia, four; Lida M., three; Esther J., one. Mr. Ossian was educated in the common schools of Sweden, and has always followed farming. He now owns 320 acres of land in good cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Ossian are both members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Ossian only had ten dollars when he landed in New York, and had no friends to assist him; he now has his farm of 320 acres all in cultivation and well stocked with horses, cattle, hogs and sheep.

PATTERSON, GEORGE H., section 27, P. O., Red Oak; was born September 9, 1834, in Duchess County, New York. In 1847 moved with his parents to Lagrange County, Indiana, and lived there until 1856, and then moved to Ft. Dodge, Webster County, Iowa. Here he worked at the carpenter's trade, on the first school building ever erected in Fort Dodge. In January, 1857, he went to Indiana, an din the April following left for Anoka County, Minnesota; remained there until 1858, then returned to Indiana, and remained there until 1859. September 5, 1859, was married to Miss Louisa J. Crawford, who was born in Madison County, Indiana, April 2, 1839; she moved with her parents to Indiana, in the spring of 1845; then to Cass County, Michigan. In 1870 Mr. Patterson moved to Grant township, Montgomery County, Iowa. They have had tow children: Frank L., born July 24, 1860; died, May 16, 1868; Ada A., born March 4, 1862. Mr. Patterson has followed farming and stock raising. He has 90 acres of land, well improved, and has one and one-half acres planted with the choicest of fruits; about 120 apple trees, beginning to bear. Mr. P. has his farm well stocked with horses, cattle, hogs, etc., etc. Mr. P devotes much of his time to the cultivation of fine horses. Mr. Patterson's colts have taken first premium at the different county fairs in this section, where they have been exhibited.

PETERSON, P. J., section 25, P. O., Red Oak; was born in Sweden, October 3, 1836. Married Miss Matilda C. Carson. They are the parents of nine children, six living: Hilda C., Emily, Amelia, Oscar, Louisa, Otelia. They emigrated to Henry County, Illinois, in 1868, and from there to Grant township, Montgomery County, Iowa, in 1876, where he now owns 40 acres of good land.

RING, ANDREW, farmer, section 12, P. O. Stanton; was born in Sweden, July 20, 1850. Emigrated to Andover, Henry County, Illinois, in 1869, and lived there 4 years; in 1873 came to Montgomery County, Ia., and located on section 12, where he has 80 acres of land in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Ring was married November 19, 1875, to Miss Helena S. Erickson, who was born in Sweden, June 1, 1856, and married to Mr. Ring, in Stanton. They are the parents of two children: Wilhelmina Otelia, born November 19, 1876; Luther Edwin, born January 31, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Ring are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. R. is road supervisor of Grant township, district 9. Mr. Ring's parents are both living, his father being sixty-five and his mother seventy years old. They were born in Sweden.

RING, LEWIS J., section 12, P. O. Stanton; was born in Sweden, February 3, 1848. Emigrated with his youngest brother, in April 1868; came to Altoona, Illinois; then to Woodhull. Worked on the farm by the month for different parties, and attended district school in the winter; in 1869 went into Knox County, and in the fall of 1870 came to Montgomery County and bought 80 acres of land, where he now resides, and then returned to Woodhull and remained there until the spring of 1872; then returned to Iowa and farmed until 1878, when he was married to Miss Amanda C. Johnson, June 28, 1878; she was born November 2, 1860, in Sweden and educated there. They have one child, Alma Amelia, born April 6, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Ring are both members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Ring's parents are both living; his father was born in 1816; his mother in 1811.

SANDILL, A. G., section 13, P. O., Red Oak; was born in Sweden and emigrated in 1869. Came to Neponset, Illinois; remained there only three months, and then came to Montgomery County, Iowa, and located on his present farm of 240 acres. He was married in Sweden, April 1, 1851, to Miss Charlotte Swanson. They have had eight children, seven living: Josie, age 29; Alex, 26; Richard, 21; Augusta, 18; Mary, 16; Alfred 13; Sarah, and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Sandill are members of the Lutheran church.

SWANSON, C. R., section 23, P. O. Red Oak. Was born in Sweden June 5, 1851; emigrated in 1868 to Moline, Illinois; worked on a railroad for a time; then went to Keithsburg, Illinois; then to Beardstown, Illinois, three months; then Mercer County, Illinois, two months; then Adams County, Iowa; then to Kansas City two months; from there to Holt County, Missouri, and finally in 1872, locating in Montgomery County, Iowa, on his present farm of eighty acres of good and improved land. His father lives in Sweden and is about seventy years old. Mr. Swanson is a member of the Lutheran church.

MOUNT, ROBERT T., section 4, P. O. Red Oak. He was born in Halton County, Canada, April 3, 1848, and at the age of seven years came to Clinton County, Iowa, and from the re to Montgomery County December 2, 1872, and located on his present farm. Ida S. Mounty was born in Franklin County, Indiana, September 16, 1852. Mr. Mount was married to Ida S. Shank December 11, 1873. They have one child, Cora Bell.

STEVENS, ERIAL, farmer, section 16, P. O. Red Oak. He has a farm of 240 acres of land, all improved, an orchard of 125 trees, all bearing. Mr. Stevens was born in Niagara County, New York, March 1, 1842. When about thirteen years of age left New York and began life on his own responsibility, stopping in Knox County, Ohio, remaining there about thirteen years; then in 1868, came to Montgomery County, Iowa, locating in Red Oak, and worked at the carpenter trade for about three years. In 1871 bought his present farm, and since that time has followed farming and stock raising with the best of results. Butter making has been carried on most successfully by him. Mr. Stevens married in 1866, in Delaware County, Ohio, to Miss Rose Hawkins, of Knox County, Ohio. They have four children living: Eva L., Willie D., Independence, Harry E. and one dead, Ida E. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are both members of the Christian church at Red Oak. Mr. Stevens enlisted July 21, 1861, in company C, Thirty-second Ohio infantry volunteers; served all through the war; was mustered out of service July 21, 1865, having served four years; was not wounded but hit several times with spent balls. His regiment was in forty-seven battles, and Mr. Stevens was with his regiment in all of them. Among them might be named some of the more important battles and marches, Cross Keys in the Shenandoah Valley, Vicksburg, with Grant all through his battles, and with Sherman on his march to the Sea, Atlanta, Georgia, 21st and 22d of July, 1864. Was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry in 1862, and was exchanged in January, 1863; after that time was in the western army. Was at the battle of Lookout Mountain; there had his gun shot out of his hand, the barrel bursting and killing a comrade. Mr. Stevens' history and his experiences as a soldier in the defense of his country merit more space than can here be given to it.

SHANK, WILLIAM, farmer, P. O., Red Oak; section 8, Mr. Shank was born in Franklin County, Indiana, on Whitewater river, March 0, 1828; grew to manhood there and began the study of medicine when about sixteen years of age, and for a time practiced medicine there; but not liking the calling, turned his attention to teaching, and continued in that business for twenty-four years and three months, averaging six months in the year during all that time, making a total of one hundred and forty-seven months actual teaching, and all this was done in one house in the same district, with the exception of nine months which he taught in other districts, where the schools had become unmanageable, an dMr. Shank was employed to bring order out of chaos. Mr. Shank was married in Franklin County, Indiana, to Sarinda Withers, April 6, 1851. Mr. Shank was not regularly enlisted in the army but was in the quartermaster's department about three months. They are the parents of seven children living: Ida G., John K., Helen E., Harry W., Minnie M., Indiana, Carrie E., and four dead: Henry W., Catherine I., Eva A. and Flora Bell. His father, Thomas Shank, was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 1793; died September 17, 1867, at the age of seventy-four years and one month. Thomas Shank's family consisted of ten children: by his first wife, John L., Mary, Susannah, William, Rachel, Francis M., George W. C., Emily A., Sarah J., Charlotte H., and by the second wife, Anna and Henry.

SPEARS, SAMUEL, farmer, P. O. Red Oak; section 9; is the possessor of one hundred and sixty acres of land in a high state of cultivation, with a young orchard of eighty trees. Was born in Henderson County, Illinois, August 22, 1851, and grew to manhood in that county. He moved to Montgomery County in March, 1880. Was married, November, 1877, to Harriet F. Baird of Henderson County, Illinois. She was born August, 1854, in Perry County, Ohio. They have one child, Clara J. He and his wife are both members of the U. P. Church of Red Oak. Mr. Spears is of Scotch descent; his grandfather came from Scotland and settled near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. Spears' father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1811, and died at the age of sixty-two years. Mr. Spears is a breeder and raiser of fine horses; has some fine brood mares of the French and Clydesdale stock. He also has one fine mare noted for her speed, and a colt that won the ribbons at the colt show of the county. He also makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs. Mr. Spears keeps no stock except the very best, and he stands to-day one of the best stock raisers in Montgomery County. His farm is located 2 1/2 miles south of Red Oak.

WILLIAMS, JAMES W., P. O. Red Oak; born in St. Louis, Mo., April 4th, 1831; removed from Saint Louis in 1844 with his parents to Wisconsin; from Wisconsin he moved to Clinton County, Iowa, in 1851, and in 1871 came to Montgomery County, engaged in farming, and in October in 1880, took charge of the poor farm, and will continue until 1882. The county bought the farm in 1876. Mr. Williams was married in 1857 to Mary J. Dickey; she was born in 1832. They have seven children, all living: Robert L., Harry B., Katie, William, Lyda A., Maud E., and Eddie. Mr. Williams is a member of the order of Odd Fellows of Red Oak; enlisted in the army in 1862, served three years, was Forage Master; was mustered out June, 1865.

WEIDMAN, THOMAS, lives on section 20, P. O. Red Oak; owns 500 acres of land, all fenced and utilized for farming purposes; was born in Warren County, New York, August 30th, 1838, and came to Iowa from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania in fall of 1856, and took the first homestead ever taken in Montgomery County. Was married July 4th, 1861, to Betsy Chenoweth, of Montgomery County. They have nine living children and one dead: Eva P., Alice Y., Gertrude, Richard, Eddie, Frank, Clark, Joseph and Philip H., one dead, Leah. Mr. Weidman first located in Fremont County, but being unfortunate there, came to Montgomery County and took a homestead, planting his orchard the first year; he has dealt largely in fruit trees all through this section of country. Mr. and Mrs. Weidman are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. W. is also a member of the order of Odd Fellows of Red Oak, also a radical republican in politics.

WICKERSHAM, CALEB E., farmer, P. O. Coburg; was born in Henry County, Indiana, August 27, 1834, and lived there until about twenty-six years of age; moved to Clarke County, Iowa, in 1860, living there until the spring of 1877, when he moved to Montgomery County, Iowa. Mr. Wickersham's father was a North Carolinian; was born January 8, 1804, and died July 26, 1878, at the age of seventy-four years, five months and twenty-eight days. Mr. Wickersham was married September 5, 1858, to Miss E. B. Stanley, of Henry County, Indiana. They have six children living: Edgar E., Orin F., Leborn S., Horace M., Mary A. and Louisa. One dead: Loudora A. Mr. Wickersham and family are members of the Friends or Quaker Church. Edgar E. has attended the Penn College, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and has made a good record; his grades are - deportment, one hundred, and his average in all other branches being over ninety-three per cent. Mr. Wickersham and his son Edgar E., are engaged in butchering, at Coburg, Iowa, and are doing a thriving business.

WOOD, T. J., farmer, section 7, P. O. Red Oak; was born in Edmonson County, Kentucky, April 9, 1848; there grew to manhood, and at the age of twenty-eight moved to Montgomery County, Iowa, in the spring of 1876. Has followed farming all his life. He enlisted in the army in 1863, in company H, Seventeenth Kentucky mounted infantry; served but a short time, as he was not an able-bodied man. Mr. Wood was married in Edmonson County, Kentucky, in 1868, to Mary E. Raymer, of that county. They have six children living: Philip H., Willis M., Viola, Siotha, James A., Mary H., and one dead. Mr. Wood's father (Harvey Wood) was born in Jackson County, Tennessee, in the year 1818; there were ten in the family: T. J., C. M., Elizabeth, R. B., Emily, Jane, S. C., C. A., and two dead: John W. and Mary A.

WHITE, SHEM, lives on section 27, P. O. Red Oak. Mr. White is a native of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, and was born May 20, 1821. Made a trip west in 1849, with the intention of going to California, stopping at St. Louis and there engaged in wood boating, then in the fall returned home and followed lumbering on the Susquehanna river. June 13, 1850, he was married to Miss Parcilla White, of Perry County, Pennsylvania. She was born November 8, 1829. They are the parents of five children: Henry E., born August 8, 1851, died May 5, 1856, Mary E., born October 13, 1853, James C., born March 6, 1857, died September 16, 1865, William N., born November 28, 1859, Lewis W., born February 12, 1863. Mr. White enlisted in company F, Two Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, August 26, 1864, and served until June 26, 1865. Was mustered out at Richmond, and arrived at home July 2, 1865. The Two Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania was the first one into Richmond and claims honors accordingly. After returning from the army Mr. White lived in Indiana County for three years. Mrs. White died August 6, 1865, and on the 14th of July, 1866, he was married again to Miss Elizabeth Arthur. By this union they have had two children; Arthur T., born October 27, 1867, Jennie V., born June 11, 1870. Mr. White moved from Indiana County in April, 1869, stopping for one year in Page County, then moved onto his present farm in Grant township. The country at that time was but thinly settled, and land only worth four to six dollars per acre. Mr. White's means were limited when he came; he is now the owner of three hundred acres of land with no encumbrances. He has an orchard of about one hundred trees, all bearing. Mr. White has been a very successful farmer and stock-raiser. He is president of the school board of Laurel Hill district, is a member of the M. E. church, and also of the I. O. O. F.; has been a member of the church for twenty-six years. Mr. White's father was a lieutenant in the war of 1812, and his grandfather a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

WESSMAN, NELS P., P. O. Red Oak; lives on section 27; born in Sweden, and in the spring of 1876 came to Montgomery county, Iowa, worked by the month for about four years, then bought a farm of eighty acres with little or no improvements, paid $19 per acre, then worked by the month another year. He was educated in Sweden in the common schools of that country; he is still a single man. He is a member of the Lutheran Swedish church.

WIELAND, DANIEL, P. O. Red Oak; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, June 20th, 1829, and emigrated October 28th, 1854, and on the 18th of December landed at Philadelphia. There were about three hundred emigrants on the boat, and had a very rough voyage, but no serious results or accidents; remained in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, nine days, then went to Chester County, Pennsylvania, and stayed three years, worked in iron mills two years and farmed one year; then went to Columbian County, Ohio, remained there nine years, farming there all the time, then came to Montgomery County, Iowa; was among the first settlers of Red Oak township, lived there six years, then moved to Grant township, where he now lives. Mr. Wieland was married to Miss Christine Koop, in Germany, who was born September 24, 1833. They have eight children, six of whom are still living. Mrs. Wieland died May 17, 1873; she was a member of the Presbyterian church. Of the children, Jacob F., was born January 22, 1854, died aged ten months; Frederick was born March 12, 1855; Louisa C., September 1, 1856; Mary E., January 4, 1858; Theresa, October 31, 1859; Sarah A., January 24, 1862; Christine, August 25, 1863, she died November 22, 1863; John David, born February 4, 1867. Mr. Wieland was married the second time to Mrs. Margaret M. Dent, October 6, 1874. Mrs. Dent has one son eighteen years old, John M., born in West Virginia. Mr. W. has had his share of misfortunes like all the rest ; neither the G. Hopper nor the hail storm suffered him to go unmolested; he lost one crop by hail and two by grasshoppers; he now has 160 acres of good land in a high state of cultivation.