At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Dunahoo began farming on his own account on land which he rented, but at the end of two years by unremitting toil, tireless energy and thrift he was able to buy twenty-four acres of the present home farm and thus become a landowner. He kept adding to his holdings from time to time until he had acquired two hundred and twenty-five acres of Story county's most valuable land. Mr. Dunahoo did not remove to this place until 1868 but since that time he has lived here continuously.
In 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Webb. Her parents were Virginians by birth but came to Iowa from Indiana, settling first in Polk county, where they lived for two years, and then locating in Story county. Two children were born of this marriage : Elmer Clayton, who is a farmer of Indian Creek township, and Major R., who is also a farmer and lives on the old Dunahoo homestead, which he now owns. The family circle was broken when Mrs. Dunahoo passed away in 1901.
They always attend the Methodist church, of which the parents were members and of which Mr. Dunahoo is still a communicant. Although he has never taken a particularly active part in politics, never aspiring to public office or political honors of any kind, he is at the polls at every election and casts his vote for the republican candidates. The name of Dunahoo has always been highly respected in Story county, each representative of that family being well worthy of the esteem of his fellow citizens, which has always been freely accorded.
JOSEPH H. TWEDT.
One of the successful agriculturists in Howard township, Story county, is Joseph H. Twedt, who was born in the locality where he now resides. He is a son of Hans J. and Julia (Asland) Twedt, both natives of Nor way, who emigrated to the United States in 1855 and coming directly to Iowa located in Story county, where they remained the rest of their lives. The father, who possessed all the unwearied perseverance and tireless energy which characterizes the Norse races, by his close application and careful expenditures accumulated considerable property before his demise at an advanced age. Unto him and his wife were born twelve children, eight of whom survive and are as follows: Abel H., Joseph H., Samuel H., Andrew H., Henry, Jane, Hattie and Julia.
The early years of Joseph H. Twedt were as unvaried in their routine of school, work and play as are those of the majority of young people who are reared in the more sparsely settled districts. At the usual age he laid aside his school books to assume the heavier responsibilities of life, choosing for his life work farming, the vocation for which he had been trained from childhood and felt he was best adapted. He remained at