ditional purchases until he became the owner of a beautiful farm of two hundred acres, which he improved and cultivated with highly gratifying results. In October, 1898, he removed to Collins, where he has since resided. For the past sixteen years he has been engaged in the banking business and has gained an acknowledged standing in financial circles on account of the ability he has displayed in this line.
On the 1st day of January, 1866, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Ann Elizabeth Angelo, a daughter of. Samuel W. and Rhoda (Burwell) Angelo, a record of whom appears in the sketch of J. B. Angelo, which is presented elsewhere in this work. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson: Walter H., and Rhoda E., the wife of Edward Jones of Collins. Mr. Thompson belongs to the liberal branch of the democratic party and reserves the right to vote for a candidate irrespective of political lines. He served for a number of years as member of the school board. He is identified with Fervent Lodge, No. 513, A. F. & A. M., and also with the Odd Fellows. He and his wife are stanch members of the Christian church, of which he is trustee and elder.
The career of Mr. Thompson is a striking example of the effect of well directed energy and persistent purpose and should be an inspiration to any young man who is obliged to face the world and has nothing to depend upon but his own strong constitution and an unalterable determination to win. The silent influence of a noble life no mortal can tell and it is with unfeigned pleasure that the sketch of one of Story county's most honored citizens is herewith presented.
BERT B. WELTY.
Bert B. Welty, for twelve years past in the active practice of law in Nevada and also prominent as a business man, was born at Oregon, Ogle, county, Illinois, May 31, 1871. He comes of Teutonic ancestry and is a. son of Christian C. and Susan (Poffenberger) Welty, both of whom were natives of Washington county, Maryland. The father was a farmer, and at the time of the Civil war, on account of his sympathy with the Union cause and also because of depredations by soldiers of both armies, who took his live stock, he lost the accumulations of years. In 1870 he removed to Ogle county, Illinois, living there until 1881, when he took up his residence in State Center, Marshall county, Iowa. In 1882, however, he located at Johnson's Grove in Richland township, Story county, Iowa, where he was actively engaged in farming until 1899, when he retired to Colo, Iowa, continuing there until 1907, when he passed away at the age of eighty years. He was a man of rugged physique and many sterling qualities that greatly endeared him to those with whom he was associated.