Jacob Bahlman, of the firm of Bahlman and Bauer, general merchants, is a native of Holstein, Germany, and was born on the 10th day of April, 1849, his father being Henry Bahlman, a mechanic. Jacob's uncle, George Young, was located in this country, and in 1867 returned to Germany and induced Jacob to come to America with him. He remained with his uncle for three years, then coming to Summerset township, where he bought forty acres of land of John Shreeves, to which he added eighty acres, which he afterward sold. At one time he was the possessor of four hundred acres, and now owns half a section, located on sections 28 and 34, which is all in a good state of cultivation. He moved into Fontanelle in 1880, having previously erected his mill, his intention being to run the mill, which he did for two years. He then returned to his native country on a visit and remained six months. April 25, 1880, he in connection with J. H. Bauer, puchased the stock of goods of George Rogers. He was married January 1, 1874, to Miss M. A., a step-daughter of John Bohling. They have four children--George H., John J., Bertha C. and Emma. The marriage ceremony was performed by N. S. Taylor. Mr. Bahlman is a successful financier, and has succeeded admirably. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M.

John H. Bauer, the other member of the firm of Bahlman & Bauer, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, and was born in 1824. In his native country he was engaged in the swine business. He emigrated to the United States in 1848, settling in Joliet, Illinois, where he worked on a farm till 1850, then going to Bureau county, in the same state, where he bought a farm, which he afterwards sold, and bought one in Lee county containing three hundred and sixty acres. He sold that also, and then came to Adair county, Summerset township, and bought six hundred and forty acres of land on sections 6 and 7. He afterwards sold forty acres of this land, and bought eighty acres on section 1, in Jackson township. His land is all fenced and has good buildings and a small orchard. One hundred and fifty acres of his land is timber, his house being located on the south side of the same, on section 7. His sons run the farm, stock raising being the principal feature. Mr. Bauer was married in Bureau county, Illinois, on the 19th day of March, 1854, to Miss Margaret Buttner, who has since died, leaving three children, who still live at the old homestead. Their names are--Theodore, Mary and Henry. he was married to Katie C. Fleishman, a native of Germany, but who came to America in 1876, the Rev. Shirer officiating. Mr. Bauer is the owner of the building used as a furniture store.

Gorton N. Bennett came to Adair county August 17, 1855, and was employed until 1857 by J.C. Gibbs as a farm hand, at which time he was united in marriage to Hulda Lee, the first school-teacher of the town of Fontanelle. She was a native of New York, born in 1837, and a daughter of William D. Lee, originally from Connecticut. In 1855 she removed to Madison county, Iowa. She died March 14, 1869, and was buried at Maxburg, Madison county. They had four children, all of whom are living--James G., at Maxburg, Madison county; William L., in Valley county, Nebraska; Walter, in Fontanelle; Alice P., in Maxburg, Madison county. He was married the second time June 13, 1869, to Lovey J. Wright, a native of Indiana. Her people were from North Carolina,and early settlers of Madison county, Iowa. Three children were the result of this union--Sylvester, George and Martha J. Mr. Bennett was born August 9, 1832, at Norway, Herkimer county, New York, and was the son of Josiah and Mercy (Poleman) Bennett. His father was a native of Vermont and his mother a native of Herkimer county, New York. She lived at one time on the ground where the battle of Birmington was fought. His wife's parents were natives of Connecticut and emigrated to Adair county, Iowa, in March, 1865, and purchased land near Fontanelle. They died in the town of Adair and were both buried in the cemetery near that place. Mr. Bennett worked in a cotton factory from the time he was nine years of age until he was thirteen. After he was married he rented land a few years and being successful in his business transactions now owns considerable land, besides two residences in the town of Fontanelle.

Sylvester Bennett, a prominent citizen of Fontanelle, was born in Jefferson county, New York, on the 17th of December, 1838. He came to Fontanelle when he was about twenty-one years of age, and farmed until 1860, when he moved to Madison county. After an absence of four years he returned to Adair county and first lived on a farm, but afterward ran a stage from Stuart via Greenfield to Fontanelle for four years. He then established his present business of which he has made so great a success. He was married in November, 1858, to Miss Diadama Lee, a daughter of William Lee, of Madison county. They have four children--Eliza, wife of D. A. Shannon; Arthur W., Dida and Effie J. Mr. Bennett is one of Fontanelle's most prominent men, and has greatly helped to make the little city what it is.

F. A. Blystone is a native of the Keystone state, having been born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1834. He is the son of Isaac Blystone, a native of the same county, a decendent of Hollander ancestors. His father was a minister as well as a farmer, and in his later years, was engaged in the foundry, hardware and real estate business. The old gentleman is still living on College hill, Meadville, Pennsylvania, having acquired considerable wealth, and being eighty-four years of age, retired from the active pursuits of life. Mr. Blystone's mother was born in 1796 and died in 1854. The subject of this sketch, F. A. Blystone, spent his early life under the parental roof-tree in the place of his nativity, and availed himself of the unexceptional educational facilities of that place. By his own exertions he studied the profession of law in the office of Judge Derrickson, and was admitted to the bar in Crawford county in 1867. Later in the same year he emigrated to Madison county, Iowa, and locating in Winterset, went to work at the tinner's bench, a trade he had learned in younger days in his father's establishment. After three years of this life, he was sent to Sioux City to settle up some matters for a Chicago house, which he managed quite shrewdly and successfully. He returned to Winterset and purchased the stock of the firm he had been working for, and removed it to Fontanelle. This was in 1871, and by close application to business and a ready tact in that line, he has, with the assistance of his good wife, who was his only asssistance in the store, accumulated a valuable property. He was united in marriage, on the 14th of December, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Hershelman, also a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Blystone is the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Hershelman, the former of whom is living in his native state, the latter dying in 1880, Mr. Blystone has been a very successful man in all his undertakings and has traveled through various parts of the country, and being imbued with a keen observation and preception of character, has learned to know men well. He was the first mayor of the incorporated town of Fontanelle; he and his estimable lady have the respect of all.

James Franklin Cooper, a native of New York, came to Summerset and located on section 27, in March, 1879. He is a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor, and an officer of that society. He has held the offices of school director, road supervisor and assessor. Mr. Cooper was born in Saratoga county, New York, December 6, 1845, and was the son of Robert and Amelia (Aldrich) Cooper. He learned the trade of carpentering and joining, which he has followed more or less ever since. In 1867 he removed to Chautauqua county, New York, where he worked at his trade and taught school in the winter. From here he went to Savannah, Missouri, where he was married January 17, 1871, to Mary A. Hardin, who died September 7, 1872, in Savannah. In the fall of 1875 he came to Greenfield, where he worked at his trade,and while a resident of this place was married the second time, at Redfield, Dallas county, March 5, 1876, to Kate Mitchell, daughter of Rev. Matthew and Sarah (Dyson) Mitchell. They have three children--Pearl A., Robert M. and Charles F. In the winter of 1877 they removed to a farm in Orient township, where they lived until they came to this township.

George A. Davis, a native of Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, was born on the 15th of December, 1832, and is the son of James Davis, a native of Ohio, and Eliza Davis, nee Sponsler. Both his parents died when the subject of our sketch was quite young. His early life was spent with relatives, until he had attained the age of fifteen, when he learned the trade of a tailor. This business he followed until August 9, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, 124th Illinois infantry regiment, and served three years in active service, in the lurid front of battle. His regiment was in the division of General John A. Logan, in the 17th army corps, commanded by General McPherson, and was engaged in the conflicts at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson and Champion Hills. In the latter battle Mr. Davis was taken prisoner, but was paroled and sent to St. Louis. An exchange soon taking place, he returned to his regiment, and took part in the Meriden campaign, under W. T. Sherman, in 1864. From there they moved to Spanish Fort, and thence to Mongomery, where they did provost duty. He was mustered out at Camp Douglas, Chicago, August 16, 1865. He then moved to Henry county Illinois, and engaged in clerking in Kewaunee until 1870, when he removed to Adair county. He was married May 1, 1862, to Miss Edna T. Slocum, a daughter of Lewis Slocum, now of Fontanelle, by whom he has had two children--George E., born in Illinois in 1863, and died in infancy, and Addie S., living at home. Mr. Davis has held various positions of trust and honor in the county, and is numbered among the most prominent men.

William E. Duncan is a native of Greene county, Ohio, born on the 12th of August, 1844. His father, Thomas D. Duncan, was of Scottish birth, and was a contractor by profession. When William was about ten years of age his mother died, and he was left with three brothers depending upon him for support. He enlisted in 1861, but returned home, having served about three months, and re-enlisted in company C, 99th Ohio infantry. He was in the engagements at Stone River, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and was at Nashville when Hood's army was destroyed. He was discharged at Wilmington, South Carolina, having been color-bearer since the battle of Stone River. He was made second sergeant, and was struck by a ball in the hip, and would have been killed but for his blanket, which was rolled up, protecting his body. After the war he moved to Ohio, on a farm, and there remained until 1869, when he removed to Illinois and farmed for two years. He then sold out and traveled through Illinois, Kansas and Nebraska. In 1878 he came to Iowa and settled in Fontanelle, where he clerked for some time in the Pacific House. He then commenced farming, and some time after established his present business. Mr. Duncan was married in August, 1879, to Miss Mary A. Jones, a native of Iowa. They have two children--Minnie E. and Ellen. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R.

John Erbes settled on section 2, Summerset township, March 10, 1875, where he owns two hundred and forty-five acres of land, all under cultivation, and is engaged in farming and general stock-raising, his cattle being of the short-horn grade. Mr. Erbes was born October 13, 1839, in Hess, Germany, and is a son of Henry and Charlotte Erbes. He imigrated with his parents to America, and settled in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1845, to Amelia Politsch, daughter of Henry and Caharinge Politsch. They have nine children--George, Caroline, Mena, John, Amelia, Andrew, Lizzie, Louis and Katie.

R. E. Ewing located in Adair county in the fall of 1855. Since which time he has been identified with the interests of the county, and has resided most of the time at Fontanelle, where at present he is one of the owners of the Farmers' bank,and is also engaged in the mercantile business. Was born in the state of Ohio in 1838, served three years in the war of the rebellion, in Comapny I, 4th Iowa cavalry, is a member of the Masonic order and Knights Templars.

R. H. Fox, of the firm of Bailey & Fox, is a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and was born April 8, 1853, being the son of John Fox, a native of Pennsylvania, and whose ancestors were of German extraction. When R. H. was quite young his parents went to Hannibal, Missouri, and from there to Keokuk, Iowa, where he was reared and educated. From Keokuk he removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he engaged in the grain and potato business for two or three years, buying and shipping. He was also engineer at the Deaf and Dumb institute for five years. His father is living at present in Council Bluffs. In October, 1879 R. H. came direct to Fontanelle, Adair county, and engaged in the real estate business with J. T. Bailey. He is also a notary public.

William D. Frost, a native of Knox county, Ohio, was born October 16, 1848, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Frost. He emigrated with his parents to Jasper county, Iowa, in April 1871, his parents coming to Adair county in June of the same year, but he remained until September, 1872, where he farmed and taught school in the winter, after which he came to Adair county, and settled in Lincoln township. He was married April 7, 1878, in Penn township, Guthrie county, to Anna M. Jones, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Tansy) Jones. They have three children--Mary E., Arabel and Cora D. In the spring of 1880 he came to his present location on section 34 [Summerset township], where he has two hundred and ten acres of land. He taught school eight winters after coming to this county. He is road supervisor at present. His parents still reside in Lincoln township.

Ernest Funke, son of Ernest and Louisa (Beivers) Funke, was born April 8, 1847, in northern Germany. He emigrated to New York City, in 1864, and in 1868, removed to Bureau county, Illinois, where he was married, October 12, 1871, to Katie Erbes, daughter of Daniel and Kundeunde (Kauer) Erbes. They had seven children--Benjamin, Henry, Edmund, Mary, Lizzie, Philip and Frank. He came to his present location, on section 2, Summerset township, in 1871, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, his stock being of the Durham and Poland-China grades. He has four hundred and ten acres of land, most of which is under cultivation and is well improved. There is also a nice grove which he has raised for the seed.

Thomas C. Heacock was born October 1, 1844, in Mahoning county, Ohio, and was the son of Edwin and Hannah (Barber) Heacock. He was married in that county December 14, 1869, to Rachel Mather, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Barber) Mather. They have four children--Alverda J., Leona R., Oscar E., Rachel L. He came to Summerset township, March 21, 1882, and a year later settled on his present location in section 35. He is a member of the Friends' church and Mile Branen, No. 933, Grange, of Columbiana county, Ohio. He pays considerable attention to stock-raising, having at the head of a herd of shorthorns a thoroughbred animal--Knight of Rose, 2d, No. 39,552. He also owns an imported Norman horse, Paul, No. 1,252, American stud book, and a Clydesdale--Eagerness, imported, 2,755, No. 1,800, American stud book, and registered in sixth volume of Scottish Clydesdale stud book, and also in American Clydesdale stud book, second volume, No. 1,800. These cost Mr. Heacock some $5,000, which he has owned about six months. He has just started a cattle ranch, in connection with a cousin, in Chase county, Kansas, of about three hundred head, and contemplates putting about that number more on the ranch soon. The hogs raised by him are of the Poland-China grade. He has one hundred acres of pasture in section 35.

Robert N. Jones, a native of Mason county, Kentucky, and the son of Jesse and Rachel (Wood) Jones, was born May 6, 1826. He removed with his parents to Putnam county, Indiana, in 1833, and in 1844 went to Menard county, Illinois. While there he enlisted at the first call of the Mexican war, and served one year, being honorably discharged May 6, 1847, at New Orleans. After his discharge he returned to Menard county, Illinois, where he was married November 28, 1849, to Mary A. Barry, daughter of James and Jane O. (Rutledge) Berry. She died April 13, 1875, leaving six children--Rachael J., James B., Mayo F., Harvey N., John B., Samuel A. He removed to Neosho county, Kansas, in 1869, and in 1874 came to Madison county, Iowa, where he was married September 12, 1875, to Sarah C. Robinson, daughter of James and Hannah (Robinson) Robinson. He came to his present location April 14, 1876, settling on section 10. He owns eighty acres of land, all of which is under cultivation, well improved, and under fence. There are two acres of timber.

F. W. Kaemmerer was born in Saxony, on the 4th day of February, 1854, and is the son of Frederick C. Kaemmerer. He received a good education, and in 1871 he came to America, and worked for several years on a farm in Illinois. He was in Texas a short time, and while there was clerking in a store and farming, and while in Mendota, Illinois, he clerked in a store. In the spring of 1880 he came to Fontanelle, and was employed by Rogers in his general store, and in 18?? he went into partnership with G. P. Miller, and is still in that establishment. He was married in December, 1880, to Miss Mary Bohling, a native of Mendota, Illinois. They have been blessed with two children--Otto C., and Emil S. Mr. Kaemmerer is a member of the Lutheran church.

Lucien M. Kilburn is a native of Boscawen, New Hampshire, and was born January 20, 1842. He is the son of Eliphalet and Mehitabel F. (Foster) Kilburn. His father died at Webster, September 8, 1863. In the spring of 1867 he went with his mother to Massuchusetts, and in the fall of 1868 came to Fontanelle, Iowa. During the year of 1869 he came to his present location on section 21, in this township. He was married in Richland township, October 19, 1870, to Lizzie H. Peet, daughter of Rev. Josiah W. and Louisa (Rich) Peet. Three children have been born to them--Charles W., George G., and Mary L. He is a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor, and has been president of Rustic lodge of Fontanelle of this order. He enlisted as corporal in Company E, 16th New Hampshire volunteers, under Captain J. P. Sanborn, October 10, 1862, for nine months' service, at Concord, New Hampshire. He was in Banks' Teche campaign and took part in Butte-a-la-rose engagement and the siege of Port Hudson, remaining after the expiration of this term of service till after its capture. He was discharged August 20, 1863, and afterward taught school in New Hampshire, being superintendent of schools at Webster, in that state. He also taught a couple of terms at Fontanelle, after coming to Iowa, since which time he has followed farming and stock-raising, keeping a good grade of stock. He is also engaged quite extensively in rearing Italian bees.

Frederick Kreis was born April 20, 1850, in Duke of Hesse, Germany, and was the son of George and Minnie (Musenheimer) Kreis. He emigrated to Neponset, Bureau county, Illinois, in March, 1868. He was a resident of Bureau, Henry, La Salle and Lee counties, Illinois, until 1874, when he settled near Fontanelle, this county, and in 1876 located on section ten, this township [Summerset]. He married at Neponset, Illinois, April 11, 1874, to Augusta Miller, daughter of John and Fredericka (Sternberg) Miller. They have two children: Mary and Herman. He is a member of the Fontanelle German Lutheran church and leader of the band at that place, having organized the same. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land all under cultivation.

George B. Miller, of the firm of Miller & Kaemmerer, general merchants, is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and was born May 9, 1851. His father was a carpenter and farmer in Allen county, Indiana. to which place he had moved when George was quite young, and cleared up a small farm up to 1860, when he moved his family to Pike's Peak, remaining only a short time, when they returned to Adair county on account of sickness, and farmed for some five years, when Mr. Miller, Sr., bought a small place in Fontanelle, and worked at his trade. George B. was educated, and learned the mason's trade in Fontanelle, which trade he followed until he commenced clerking for Marquart & Taylor. In 1879 he began clerking for George Rogers, which occupation he followed up to the time of his buying the interest of Mr. Marquart. He was married on the 2d of April, 1881, to Miss Ida J. Shaw, a native of Wisconsin, and the daughter of George D. Shaw. They have two children--Roscoe, born December 27, 1882, and an infant, born March 12, 1884. Mr. Miller is one of the most enterprising citizens of Fontanelle, and in politics is a democrat.

William Morley, hardware and agricultural implement merchant, was born in Michigan, September 9th, 1849, being the son of Thomas Morley, of New York, who is of English descent, and Celia Glover, a native of Virginia, who is also of English descent. When twenty-four years of age he came to Fontanelle, Adair county, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Prussia township, where he lived until 1880, when he sold it and moved into Fontanelle, and engaged in present business. He had learned the engineer trade and worked in a machine shop in Buchanan, Michigan, which makes the handling of machinery a very satisfactory business, as he is able to do any repairing himself. He owns some village property and a warehouse on the north side of the square, but he does business in the building known as the Pacific House block. He was married on the 14th day of October, 1874, in Michigan, to Miss Sarah Emmons, of Michigan, a daughter of John Emmons, of Michigan. Four children have blessed their union--Willie, Grace, and Harry and Mabel (twins). Mr. Morley was educated at South Bend, Indiana, where he took the business course. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M.

Albert E. Renner was born September 18, 1853, in Tazewell county, Illinois, and was the son of David and Christiana (Miller) Renner. His parents both died in Tazewell county, Illinois, leaving him an orphan at the age of five years. After their death he went to live with his cousin, Simon Renner, in Carroll county, and was married there February 17, 1878, to Caroline V. Clay, daughter of William and Eliza (Fickas) Clay. They have one child--Ray N. A. He came to Thompson township, Guthrie county, March 16, 1880, and in the spring of 1881 settled on section 22, Summerset township, where he owns seventy-one acres of land, most of which is under cultivation, and pays particular attention to the breeding of hogs. He spent seven months at the Lanark, Illinois, high school in 1875, having previously received a common-school education.

David A. Renner, a native of Tazewell county, Illinois, was born February 28, 1850, and was a son of David and Christiana (Miller) Renner. After the death of his parents he lived with his cousin, John Renner, in Carroll county, Illinois, remaining with him until he was twenty years of age, when he returned to Tazewell county. He remained here about eight years, when he again took up his residence in Carroll county, after which he came to this township [Summersett] in the spring of 1883, where he is engaged at farming with his brother.

Matthew T. Sexsmith was born in Delaware county, New York, March 14, 1842, being the son of Matthew and Jeannette (Kinmouth) Sexsmith. He was married there on the 15th day of April, 1874, to Miss Lizzie Donnelly, a daughter of Thomas and Catharine (Moore) Donnelly. They have three children--Thadeus, Gertrude and an infant. In the fall of 1866, Mr. Sexsmith came to Greenfield, and bought the farm on which he now resides, in the spring of 1867, and in the fall of 1868 built his present comfortable house. From 1863 to 1866 he was a member of Company I, New York State militia. He held the office of justice of the peace in Greenfield for two years. At present he is engaged in stock-raising and farming, and owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, one hundred acres of which are under cultivation, and sixty acres in timber. When Mr. Sexsmith first went to Greenfield there were not to exceed seven families living there. At present he holds the honorable position of school director.

John S. Sherdyman, the pioneer implement man of Fontanelle, commenced business here in 1879. He is situated at the southwest corner of the public square where he has a nice office and convenient warehouse and handles all kinds of farming implements, binders, reapers, mowers, barb wire, pumps, coal, et. This gentleman is a native of Watertown, New York. His father, John P. Sherdyman, was a native of Germany, and practiced law there. His mother was Anna E. (Long) Sherdyman, also of German parentage. John's father died when he was quite young and with his mother he removed to Pennsylvania, Mercer coutny, where she died and where he was educated. In the year 1864 John removed to the city of New York, and subsequently to Florida, from which latter place he removed to Fontenelle in 1875. He commenced the insurance business at first and then engaged in handling coal, afterwards clerking for Mr. Davis in his store with whom he staid about one year, after which he commenced the business he is now engaged in, and to show the prosperity of Mr. Sherdyman, we have but to say his sales for the year 1884 have been $30,000. Taking into consideration the opposition in business, this is entirely satisfactory evidence of his success. August 14, 1877, is the date of his marriage, his wife being Miss Lydia L. Robinson, a daughter of Joseph Robinson, and native of Jefferson county, Wisconsin. They have a family of three children--John E., Eva F., and Rena B. Mr. Sherdyman has been justice of the peace in Fontanelle, having been elected in the fall of 1882, and mayor of the city in 1883; is a member of the I.O.O.F. and Iowa legion of honor. In politics he favors the democratic ideas and works for the success of his party.

Almeron L. Stewart came to Adair county and settled upon secion 25 [Summerset township] in May, 1875, where he owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, all under cultivation and fence. He is township trustee at present,and has held the offices of school director and road supervisor. Mr. Stewart was born in Chautaqua county, New York, and was the son of Robert and Minerva (Bemis) Stewart, who also reside in this township at present. He removed to Oil Creek, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1866, soon after his marriage,and remained there until the fall of 1868, when he came to Kane county, Illinois, and from there to his present location in the spring of 1875. He was married at Cary, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1866, to Charlotte E. Hubbard, daughter of Jonas L., and Elmira E. (Brown) Hubbard. They have one child as the result of this union--Freddie C.

Marvin R. Stewart, son of Robert and Minerva (Bemis) Stewart, was born in Chautauqua county, New York, July 4, 1849. In March, 1866, he removed with his parents to Kane county, Illinois, and in 1875 came to Summerset ownship, settling on section 12. He returned to Illinois where he was married January 1, 1878, to Lucretia Edgerton, daughter of Gilford and Elizabeth (Clegett) Edgerton, of Newark, Kendall county, Illinois, and immediately returned to his farm on section 12, this township. He owns forty acres on section 12 and one hundred and twenty on section 25, all under cultivation and fence. He has seeded most of his land to grass with an idea of engaging quite extensively in stock raising. During his residence in Kane county, Illinois, he taught a number of terms of school. At present he is road supervisor.

Robert Stewart was born in Cayuga county, New York, March 30, 1805, and was the son of David and Ephemia (Whitman) Stewart. He was married January 3, 1830, in the same county, to Minerva Bemis, daughter of Stephen and Clarissa (Huntley) Bemis. Have seven children--James, Calista, David, Emily, Almeron, William, and Marvin R. Emigrated to Kane county, Illinois, in 1866, coming to his present location on section 12 [Summerset township] in June, 1875, where he owns eighty acres of land.

Charles Stuhlmiller is a native of Baden, Germany, and was born on the 14th day of January, 1844, being the son of M. and Christena Stuhlmiller. In 1874 he emigrated to the United States and bought a piece of land near Casey, Iowa, but worked at his trade, have learned the same in Germany. He started to learn his trade when but fourteen years of age, and traveled through Germany until he was compentent to do any kind of woek in the harness line. He worked with Jacob Blatner for a short time, and then commenced the business in Fontanelle on his own account, on a small scale, but now owns a good shop. He was married May 9, 1880, to Miss Effie Welsher, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of Henry Welsher, a farmer in Prussia township. They have two children--Lenora and Ida. Mr. S. owns some real estate in Fontanelle. He received his education in Germany. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

James Sullivan was born February 10, 1862, in Washington township, Adair county, and was the son of Titus and Christina (Lents) Sullivan. He came with his parents to this township [Sullivan] when but two years of age. At present he owns one hundred and twenty acres of land in Washingtown township, sixty of which is under cultivation.

Titus Sullivan came to Adair county, Iowa, and settled in Washington township on section 16, March 1, 1855. He was a native of Monroe county, Indiana, and was born September 19, 1829. He was married in that county November 3, 1851, to Christina Lents, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Kindreck) Lents. They have five children--John, William, James, Zella and Charley. They removed to Clark county , Iowa, in the winter of 1854, and from there to Washington township, this county. Mr. Sullivan died Septemer 29, 1872. He was in the Mexican war.

Samuel C. Vance, a native of Darke county, Ohio, was born December 25, 1825, and was the son of William and Rebecca (Mills) Vance. In 1835 his father having died, he went with his mother to Adams county, Indiana, and when about twenty years of age attended Wabash college, at Crawfordsville, Indiana. In the spring of 1845 he moved to Fayette county, Ohio, where he engaged in the stock business. Here he remained until August 25, 1855, when he was married to Mary A. Myers, daughter of Isaac B. and Elizabeth V. (Vance) Myers. Mrs. Myers was in Greenfield, being an old resident there. They have three children--Kate L., Ralph C. and Thad M. They came to Winterset about the 1st of October, 1853, and in the spring of 1856 removed to Lewis, Cass county, where they engaged in farming. In the spring of 1869 Mr. Vance went to Pike's Peak, and returned the fall of the same year. He returned to Pike's peak in the spring of 1860, where he remained until the winter of 1861, engaged in mining, when he came back to Greenfield, where his wife and family had remained with her parents during his absence. He resided in Greenfield about twenty years, and about two years on his farm just east of Greenfield, coming to his present location on section 20, Summerset township, in the spring of 1884. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Greenfield. He was a school director of Greenfield for fourteen years, and also a member of the state board of education, under the old law of 1862, and holding the office two years. He has always taken an active interest in promoting the educational interests of this county. He was a member of the board of supervisors of the county from 1861 to 1869, and has been secretary or treasurer of the county agricultural society for the past twenty years,and is secretary at present. He owns two hundred acres of land under cultivation.

Daniel W. Veirs, son of Brice W. and Hannah (Patterson) Veirs, was born July 15, 1817, in Harrison county, Ohio. When twenty years of age he went to Highland county, Ohio, where he was married December 10, 1840, to Sarah D. Stevenson, daughter of John and Nancy (Odle) Stevenson. They have eight children--John B., James P., Helen N., Kate, William N., Robert L., Edwin D., Eva M. He came to Washington, Iowa, in May, 1855, after which he removed to Fontanelle in 1868. March 13, 1883, he came to section 30, this township [Summerset]. He learned the tailoring business at Cadiz, Ohio, in 1834, at which he worked about thirty-five years. At present he is engaged at farming and stock-raising, and is improving on his cattle to Durham. Although he gives his attention to cattle principally, he raises considerable hogs and other stock. He has one hundred and sixty acres of land, ten of which is in pasture, and all but about twenty acres is finely improved and under cultivation.