Edward R. Aiken, M. D.

Dr. Edward R. Aiken, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Perry, is a native son of New England, his birth having occurred in Townsend, Vermont, July 5, 1845. His grandfather was Peter Aiken, a major of the Revolutionary war, and his ancestors came from Londonderry, Ireland, to the new world in 1722. His parents were Henry L. and Elizabeth (Robins) Aiken, both natives of Vermont, born in 1801 and in 1809 respectively. The father was a graduate of the Middlebury College of Vermont and was a prominent, able and distinguished citizen of his locality, who for eight years represented his district in the state legislature and left the impress of his individuality for good upon the laws that were enacted during that period. Hen. Henry L. Aiken departed this life in 1875, in which year his wife also passed away. They were the parents of two sons and a daughter: Edward R.; Henry, who is living in Carroll, Iowa;and Ellen, who became the wife of Rev. James Smith and died in California in 1897.

Dr. Aiken entered school at the usual age and passed through successive grades until he was graduated from the Proudfoot high school at Saratoga Springs, New York, when eighteen years of age. Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he began studying under the direction of Dr. L. E. Whiting of Saratoga Springs and eventually matriculated in the Albany Medical School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1868. Thinking to find a more favorable opening in the middle west, he came to Dallas county, Iowa, in the fall of 1869 and located for practice at Minburn, where he remained for about nine years. He then removed to Perry, where he has since remained, covering a period of almost thirty years. He was local surgeon for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company for about ten years and at the present writing is local surgeon for the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad. He has also been for the past decade a member of the United States pension examining board and he belongs to the Dallas and Guthrie Counties Medical Society. In his profession he is deeply interested, having long been a thorough and discriminating student of the science of medicine, and he has carried his investigations far and wide into the realms of research along those lines. That he has attained proficiency and skill and that he has the confidence of the general public is indicated by the large patronage which is accorded him and which has made him one of the successful members of the medical fraternity of Dallas county.

On the 5th of January, 1875, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Aiken and Miss Emma Moore, who was born in Canada and is a daughter of Gardner F. and Christina (Wood) Moore, the former now deceased, while the latter is a resident of Canada. Her father was in the marble business as a manufacturer of monuments and tombstones for many years. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and his life was in consistent harmony with his profession. His family numbered seven children but only three survive: James, who is living in Canada; Mrs. Aiken; and Sarah, the wife of G. B. Poll, living in California.

Dr. and Mrs. Aiken have two sons and a daughter. The eldest, Dr. Henry L. Aiken, is a graduate of the Kansas City Dental College of the class of 1905 and is now engaged in the practice of dentistry at Spencer, Nebraska. Dr. Edward M. Aiken, who completed a course in dentistry by graduation from Drake University in the class of 1904, is now at Plainview, Nebraska. Helen is the wife of Harry J. Reynolds, a resident of Gano, North Dakota.

Dr. Edward R. Aiken of this review is well known in Masonic circles, being affiliated with Otley lodge, No. 299, A. F. & A. M., Palmyra chapter, No. 86, R. A. M.; and Girard commandery, No. 56, K. T. He gives an unfaltering political support to the republican party but has never sought the honors nor emoluments of public office, preferring to give undivided attention to his professional duties, which he discharges with a sense of conscientious obligation and with a thorough understanding of the responsibility that devolves upon him.

I. N. Aldrich

A valuable property of six hundred acres is in possession of I. N. Aldrich. It is located on sections 24 and 25, Walnut township, and is a well improved place, having all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. In its conduct Mr. Aldrich displays excellent business ability and he derives his income not only from the large crops which he annually produces but also from his stock-raising interests. Forty-four years have come and gone since he arrived in this county, being at that time a young man of about twenty years. He was born in Medina county, Ohio, November 6, 1844. His father, C. M. Aldrich, was born in Oswego county, New York, in 1808 and was there reared. Following his removal to Ohio he married Betsy Gilchrist, who was born in Ireland but was reared in Ohio. Mr. Aldrich followed farming in the Buckeye state and there opened up a farm. In fact he cleared and made several good farms and reared his family there. He still lives in Ohio at the remarkable old age of ninety-nine years and is yet a hale and hearty man. His wife passed away some years ago.

I. N. Aldrich is one of a family of seven sons and two daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity. The Rev. W. B. Aldrich was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and located in Kalamazoo, where his death occurred. The eldest brother, J. C. Aldrich, is living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Charles W. is in Spencer, Ohio. W. J. is a. resident of Berea, Ohio, Jennie is the wife of Hon. A. J. Howie, a prominent man of Berea, Ohio. T. C., of New York, is connected with the New York Life Insurance Company. I. N. is the next younger. Mrs. Sarah Brown died in 1904, leaving a family. Dr. S. W. Aldrich, the youngest, is in Des Moines.

I. N. Aldrich spent the first nineteen years of his life on the old home farm in Ohio and the work of the fields became familiar to him, so that he was well qualified to engage in farming on his own account at a later date. He attended the common schools and also enjoyed better educational privileges. Coming west when a young man, he worked by the month as a farm hand for five years, during which time he saved the money with which he purchased eighty acres of land in Dallas township. He bought a tract of that size near his present place of residence and gave his time and energies to its cultivation and improvement. He fenced the fields, broke the sod and transformed the place into a good farm but later he sold that and bought eighty acres where he now resides. He also added to his property from time to time and the success which has attended him in his business career is indicated by the fact that he now owns six hundred acres, all in one body. He has a large and commodious residence and two good barns. He also has a new house and everything about his place is indicative of the care and labor which he bestows upon his land. He annually harvests good crops and raises and feeds both hogs and cattle, fattening from three to eight carloads of cattle and hogs annually.

Mr. Aldrich was married in Adel, on the 30th of May, 1867, to Miss Lucy Ellis, the wedding ceremony being performed by Judge Perkins. She was born in Illinois but was reared in Dallas county and by this marriage there were eight children: Charles, who is married and owns and operates a farm in Walnut township; Delbert, who is married and follows farming in Buena Vista, Iowa; P. R., who is engaged in the lumber business in Wisconsin; S. W., who is married and lives on the home farm; T. C., who is married and is with his father; G. N., at home; Warren B., a student at Marathon, Iowa; and Bessie, the wife of Harry Paul, of Grant township.

Politically Mr. Aldrich is a republican but without aspiration for office. He has served as township trustee and township treasurer and has been a delegate to the conventions of his party. His wife is a member of the Christian church. Forty-four years have passed since Mr. Aldrich came to this county, so that his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. The conditions of the county at the time of his arrival were those usually seen upon the frontier. It is true some settlements had been made but much of the land was wild and uncultivated and the work of improvement lay largely in the future. Strong purpose, a willingness to work and a realization of what might be accomplished in utilizing the prairies enabled the pioneers to put forth strenuous effort and the result is seen today in the splendidly developed farms which annually bring forth rich crops. Mr. Aldrich has done his full share in the work of agricultural development and throughout the years has borne an unassailable reputation as a progressive and enterprising citizen.

Nathaniel Allard is the proprietor of the Walnut Grove Stock Farm, which embraces four hundred acres of well improved land situated near Perry, in Lincoln township, and dates his residence in this county from the year 1871. Mr. Allard was born in Morgan county, Ohio, July 29, 1845, a son of Daniel and Susanna (Swope) Allard, both of whom were likewise natives of the Buckeye state. From Ohio Mr. Allard removed to Henry county, Illinois, where he opened up and developed a farm and reared his family. He lost his first wife, after which he was married a second time and then removed to Jackson county, Kansas, where his death occurred.  

Nathaniel Allard was reared mostly in Henry county, Illinois, and there acquired his education. He assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and thus gained practical knowledge of the best methods of carrying on a work of this character so that he was well fitted for carrying on business on his own account when he later entered upon an independent venture. In 1862 Mr. Allard enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry: Going south with his regiment, the first battle in which he participated was at Port Gibson. He took part in the battle of Vicksburg and later in the siege of Mobile, Black River, Champion Hills and many others of lesser importance. He served until the final close of hostilities and was mustered out of service at Camp Butler, Illinois, in August, 1865.

Returning from the war Mr. Allard located once more in Henry county, where he worked on a farm by the month. He later removed westward to Iowa and eventually, by purchase, came into possession of a tract of land in Lincoin township. He improved and cultivated that tract for a few years and upon disposing of it bought the farm where he now makes his home, this being situated on sections 12 and 13 of the same township. He has built a good residence, substantial barns and other outbuildings, has added to his original holdings as his financial resources have increased and now has a valuable property of four hundred acres, located in Lincoln township and known as the Walnut Grove Stock Farm. Mr. Allard keeps everything about his place in an excellent state of repair and had added to it a good orchard and many shade and ornamental trees, so that the place presents a neat and attractive appearance. He is quite extensively engaged in raising and feeding stock for the city markets, shipping from two to three carloads each of cattle and hogs annually.  

Mr. Allard has been three times married. He was first married in Henry county, Illinois, to Miss Mary Wilhelm, whose death occurred in Dallas county, January 17, 1872, soon after her removal to this county. His second union was with Emily E. Wilhelm, a sister of his first wife, their marriage being celebrated in Dallas county. She was born in Pennsylvania and by her marriage became the mother of two children. Her death occurred here February 12, 1878, and Mr. Allard was married a third time--to Lucy H. Isenbort, who was born in Ogle county, Illinois, a daughter of Abraham Isenbort, who was born in the Keystone state and became one of the early settlers of this state, spending his last years in Perry, where his death occurred. The children of the second marriage are: Elmina, the wife of L. U. Newport, a farmer of Guthrie county, and their family consists of four children; and William, who resides in Otero county, New Mexico, where he owns land. The children born of the last marriage are: M. D., R. V. and Nina.  

Mr. Allard gives his political support to the republican party and cast his first presidential ballot for General Grant, and has supported each candidate of the party since then. For three or four years he served as assessor, while for a long period he has acted as township trustee. He has been a delegate to numerous county conventions. He and his wife are identified with the Fairview Christian church and he holds membership with Redfield post, G. A. R., at Perry. Mr. and Mrs. Allard attended the Grand Army encampment at San Francisco in 1903 and spent some time on the Pacific coast, visiting the principal cities. They have also traveled through Oklahoma and western states and have made two trips to Pennsylvania, visiting a number of eastern cities. No man of Dallas county more fully enjoys the trust and confidence of the people and his example should serve as a source of inspiration to others who start out in life in like circumstances, for from a humble beginning he has worked his way upward through diligence and perseverance until he is now numbered among the substantial residents of this section of the state and all that he today possesses has been won through the most honorable methods.

A. M. Allen, for forty-one years a resident of Polk county, and for four years of Dallas county, is living on sections 12 and 13, Walnut township. He is an active, energetic and practical farmer and stock-raiser, who owns and controls two hundred and forty acres of land. He was brought to Iowa in 1867, when a little lad of less than ten years, his birth having occurred in Green county, Wisconsin, November 7, 1849. His father, Levi C. Allen, was born in Canada, and the grandfather was a native of New York. The latter served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was wounded in the leg in an engagement. Levi C. Allen was reared in Cattaraugus county, New York, and was married there to Miss Mary Eliza Colby. They became early settlers of Wisconsin, Mr. Allen entering land from the government in Green county, and he developed there an excellent farm, which he continued to cultivate until his death, about 1855. His wife and three children afterwards removed to Iowa, settling in Walnut township, Polk county, in 1861. There she secured land, had the farm tilled and upon that place reared her children, doing a mother's full part towards her little ones. She died in Polk county in February, 1895, and was buried at Waukee.

A. M. Allen, the only surviving member of the family, was reared in Polk county and is largely a self-educated as well as self-made man, for he had little opportunity to attend school in youth and acquired the greater part of his knowledge through reading, observation and experience since attaining man's estate. He was married in Polk county on the 8th of January, 1874, to Miss Emma Hunt, who was born in Peoria county, Illinois, and is a daughter of J. W. and Eliza Hunt. The family removed to Iowa and Mrs. Allen was largely reared in Polk county.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Allen located on a farm. He improved two hundred and forty acres in Webster township, Polk county, where he carried on farming for nearly twenty-nine years. He had previously purchased the place where he now resides, on sections 12 and 13, Walnut township, Dallas county, and in 1904 he took up his abode here. He built the house and barn and has developed a neat and attractive farm. He rents his old place, from which he derives a good income, and his time and energies are devoted to tilling the soil and raising stock in Dallas county. He feeds and fattens about five carloads of cattle and three carloads of hogs annually and is very practical in his business methods, reaching results which are most satisfactory. He was formerly president of the Farmers Saving Bank at Grimes and is regarded as an enterprising business man, who does everything in his power to win that ultimate success which is the merited reward of earnest and persistent labor. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Allen have been born four children: Lee, who is married and resides on a farm in Grant township; Alta, the wife of H. C. Thompson, of Webster township, Polk county, by whom she has one child, Allen Thompson; and George and Frank, at home.

In politics Mr. Allen has been a lifelong republican. His father was an old line whig and abolitionist. A. M. Allen has ever been in hearty sympathy with the principles of the republican party and while living in Polk county he served as township trustee for sixteen years. He is also a believer in good schools and in the employment of competent teachers and did effective work in that direction as a member of the school board. He has likewise been a delegate to county conventions and is recognized as a leading republican of his district. He belongs to the Odd Fellows societyat Grimes, in which he has passed all of the chairs and is a past grand. He has also been representative to the Grand lodge and his wife is connected with the Order of the Rebekahs, in which she has also filled all of the offices. Both Mr. and Mrs. Allen are true to the teachings of the fraternity, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and a spirit of brotherly love. They have resided for many years in this part of the state and the circle of their friends is extensive.

J. H. Anders

Almost thirty years have come and gone since J. H. Anders arrived in Dallas county and for a considerable period he followed farming in Sugar Grove township, where he still owns two hundred and forty acres of land in the old home place.  He also has a tract of two acres in Minburn, where he makes his home and is one of the respected, worthy and venerable citizens of the village, now in his eightieth year.  He was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 8th of December, 1827, and was a son of George Anders, a native of Virginia, in which state he was reared and married.  Subsequently he removed to Ohio, where he cleared and cultivated a tract of land, opening up a new farm.  The family shared in the experiences and. hardships of pioneer life but in due time these gave way before the comforts of an advancing civilization.  

J. H. Anders was reared in Highland county upon a farm, which owed is improvement and development in no small degree to his labors.  His educational privileges were extremely limited but in the school of experience he learned many valuable lessons. He remained with his father until the mother's death and in the year 1850 came to Iowa, traveling over the central part of the state.  He saw Des Moines when it was but a small village and looked upon great tracts of land which were yet but the open prairie with no evidences of improvement or of occupancy.  Mr. Anders drove a team across the country from Ohio, for the railroads east of the Mississippi were few in number.  He made this trip in order to drive the team for a neighbor who was leaving Highland county, Ohio, for the west.  In the fall of that year Mr. Anders returned to the Buckeye state and remained there for several years.  

It was on the 12th of September, 1857, in Highland county, Ohio, that the marriage of J. H. Anders and Almira C. Perry was celebrated.  She was born in Greenfield, Ohio, and after their marriage the young couple settled upon a farm in Fayette county, which Mr. Anders owned and which he made his home for several years.  In 1878 he removed to Dallas county, Iowa.  After trading his original place for land in 1877 he became owner of two hundred and forty acres. He then bought two acres in Minburn village on which he built a house and barn and has resided in this place since that time. Throughout the years he has been farming and further improving his property, and in connection with the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also engaged in raising stock.   He helped to improve and make the county what it is today and his own farm bears many evidences of his careful management, progressive spirit and skill in farm labor.  He has set out fruit and shade trees where he now resides and has a good home here.  

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anders have been born five children, four of whom are still living, namely: H. F., who is married and resides in Iowa Falls, where he conducts general business interests and is also county surveyor; Iva V., the wife of Joseph La Valley, of Oklahoma; Fred, who is at home; and Myrtie E., who is engaged in teaching school. She has followed that profession for thirteen years and is now a teacher in the high school at Adel.  Mary Ellen died in 1863, at the age of nine months.  

Politically Mr. Anders is independent, voting for men rather than party and never seeking office for himself. His life has been a busy, useful and active one and at all times has been characterized by a spirit of advancement and progress which has made him a valued citizen. He is now one of the venerable residents of Minburn though in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. He still gives general supervision to his farm although he leaves the active work of the fields to others.

John Anderson, who is now living retired in Perry, was at one time a leading landowner of Dallas county. His birth occurred in county Longford, Ireland, in 1830, his parents being James and Mary (Merto) Anderson, who were also natives of the same county in which they spent their entire lives. The son John was reared and educated on the Emerald isle.  He was an only child and he remained in Ireland until 1855, when he came to America.  He had heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities and business advantages of the new world and in hope of bettering his financial condition thereby he emigrated to the United States,  landing at Philadelphia, where he spent one year.  He then returned to the old country, again making the voyage on a sailing vessel, and spent the succeeding year in Ireland.  In 1858 he once more embarked on a voyage to this country and at length landed at New York city, after a voyage of six or seven weeks.  He spent altogether about nineteen weeks on the water. After his second arrival in the new world he did not tarry in the east but came at once to the middle west, spending a few days in Chicago, after which he made his way to Rock Island, Illinois. He then crossed the Mississippi river into Iowa and took up his abode in Scott county where he worked as a farm hand.  He saved his money until he had enough to buy a team and then went to work with his team in Clinton county, Iowa, for the Midland Railroad Company. That was at the time of the "wild cat currency" and he was paid forty dollars in this kind of money, which practically had no value.  He then returned to Clinton county where he was married, having just purchased forty acres of land for which he paid ten dollars per acre.  The timber had been cut away but the stumps remained and it was an arduous task to clear and develop the farm.  He built a house, twelve by sixteen feet, and began clearing the land.  Later he bought forty acres of the same kind of land, which he also improved, and when he sold that property he bought one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land upon which he lived until 1874.  He then sold this land and came to Dallas county in 1875. Here he purchased two hundred and eighty acres and at different times he bought tracts of eighty, one hundred and twenty and one hundred and sixty acres respectively.  Again he added to this property, as opportunity offered, until his land aggregated seven hundred and seventy acres.  His generous spirit prompted his division of this land, however, and he has given to his children six hundred and forty acres. The remainder he sold, and in March, 1893, he retired to private life since which time he has been living in Perry.  

On the 25th of November, 1858, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Catherine McCallister, who was born in the city of Montreal, Canada, February 25, 1828, her parents being Bernhard and Margaret (McCallahan) McCallister, both of whom were natives of county Antrim, Ireland, in which country they were married. They had a family of seven daughters and four sons, of whom five are now living:  Catherine, Ann, Patrick, Bernhard and Elizabeth. Mr. McCallister crossed the Atlantic from Ireland on a sailing vessel and then went to Montreal. At an early date he came to Clinton, Iowa, and spent his life as a railroad man.  He was a member of the Roman Catholic church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born four children:  Mary, Margaret, John and Bernhard F.  

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Anderson was drafted for service in 1864 but paid a substitute eight hundred and twenty-five dollars to go to the front in his place.  He is a member of the Roman Catholic church and in that faith has reared his children.  He has been a devoted husband and father and has given to his children large tracts of land, thus enabling them to make a good start in life. In politics he is a Jackson democrat.  Mr. Anderson has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for he has found the opportunities which he sought. He has improved the advantages afforded him and as the years have gone by he has gradually worked his way upward until he has become one of the most prosperous farmers of this section of the state.  Today he is living in well earned ease, enjoying the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

George W. Armfield, who is engaged in the agricultural implement, grain and coal business in Redfield, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, January 26, 1856, a son of John H. and Mahala (Britton) Armfield. The father was born in Wayne county, Indiana, on September 22, 1835, and his early environments were similar to those of other boys of that period and locality. The largely undeveloped condition of the country necessitated much labor on the farm and gave opportunity for only a little schooling in the primitive educational institutions which existed at that time. At an early age Mr. Armfield was apprenticed to learn the trade of a carriage and wagon-maker, which pursuit he followed during his active life. On April 15, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Mahala Britton, and in June of the following year came west to Dallas county, Iowa, remaining here up to the time of his death, which occurred in the town of Redfield, April 3, 1906. Mr. Armfield was accompanied on his removal to this county by his wife's father, George W. Britton, together with his family, and on their arrival they located one mile east of what is now Redfield (then called Irishtown or McKays Postoffice). Both families spent the fall and winter in a log cabin which had been built by a former settler, and the following spring John H. Armfield moved into town, bought a log cabin, built a shop and began work at his trade. At the outbreak of the Civil war he volunteered for service but was unable to pass the rigid medical examination because of an accident he had sustained in early life, and therefore returned home. He was determined, however, to be of some use in his country's hour of danger and recruited a company of home guards, which he drilled and commanded in scouting expeditions in his home locality during the period of hostilities. He was a republican in politics and served his community efficiently and honorably in various official positions in his town and township. His life record forms an integral chapter in the history of the early development and growth of Redfield. For many years he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was one of the originators and leading spirits in the organization of the Dallas-Guthrie Old Settlers Association, which has held annual reunions here for more than ten years past. It was given to him to witness the wonderful development which has transformed this region from a frontier wilderness into a district inhabited by a happy and prosperous people, surrounded by all the conveniences and comforts of our modern civilization. So closely had he been identified with the labor necessary to bring about this transformation that, to use his own words, he had grown to love the village even as a father loves his child. In his death the community lost a worthy, beloved and respected citizen, one in whom it had long recognized a stanch champion of its interests. Mrs. Armfield still survives her husband and resides in Redfield on the same lot on which stood the log cabin in which they took up their abode in 1857, on their removal into the town. To Mr. and Mrs. Armfield were born five children, four of whom survive: William O., who resides in Dexter, Iowa; Charles N., living in Guthrie Center, Iowa; Nellie,the widow of Frank Finnicum, of Redfield; and George W., the subject of this review.

George W. Armfield was only six months old when his parents removed to Dallas county and here acquired his education in the primitive schools of that period. He learned the wagonmaker's trade under the direction of his father and for about ten years worked for him at this occupation. In 1881 Mr. Armfield embarked in the agricultural implement, grain and coal business, and has carried on this enterprise for the past twenty-six years with constantly growing success. In addition to this he owns a farm in Union township, two miles east of Redfield, stocked with from one hundred to one hundred and fifty head of cattle and from one hundred to one hundred and fifty head of hogs, and because of his excellent management this has also become a profitable enterprise to him. He is likewise a stockholder in the State Bank of Redfield, and from the foregoing it will be seen that he is a versatile business man, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

On the 20th of December, 1882, George W. Armfield was united in marriage to Miss Alice Bailey, a daughter of David Bailey, who came to Dallas county in 1852 from Indiana. In 1849 he had made the overland journey to California and on his way through Iowa was so enchanted with the country that on his return from the gold fields he emigrated to this state. Mr. and Mrs. Armfield are the parents of two children: Leah, a teacher of music, who is at home; and Roy, who is employed in his father's store.

Mr. Armfield gives his political support to the republican party and has served as town clerk and as a member of the town council, being also for twelve or fourteen years a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with Wiscotta lodge, No. 158, A. F. & A. M., of Redfield. He is recognized throughout the community as a representative and enterprising business man and as a citizen who is always ready to aid in any measure or movement that will promote the prosperity and aid the material development and upbuilding of his adopted county. He has gained his present position of prosperity by methods which neither seek nor require disguise, and over the record of his business and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

Leo Arthaud

Leo Arthaud is one of the most prominent and enterprising farmers of Lincoln township. He owns a very fine far of one hundred and twenty acres, situated on section 5, and here he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in raising stock, making a specialty of pure blooded Poland China hogs. He was born in Ontario, Canada, September 8, 1845, a son of Emile Arthaud, who was born in France and came as a young man to America, settling in Ontario, Canada, where he was married to Miss Susanna Ebersoll, who was likewise a native of France. The father came to the state of Iowa in 1857 and in Washington county engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life.

Leo Arthaud was reared to the occupation of farming and has always followed this pursuit. He also taught school for two years in Muscatine county, Iowa. When starting out in life on his own account he purchased forty acres of his present farm. This was in a wild state but he soon transformed it into a cultivable tract and built a small house. Later he added a forty-acre tract and still later forty acres more, so that his place now embraces one hundred and twenty acres. All this has been placed under a high state of cultivation and the fields have been made productive by the laying of eighteen thousand tile. As time has passed he has made various improvements in the way of substantial buildings and everything is kept in a good state of repair, so that he is numbered among the leading and enterprising citizens of this section of the county.

Mr. Arthaud was married in Muscatine county, December 25, 1870, to Miss Diantha Moffett, and their marriage has been blessed with six children: Professor John E. Emile, who is principal of schools at Perth, North Dakota, is married and has two children: Lillian S., who was well educated and was engaged in teaching for six years, later studied medicine and practiced in a hospital in Des Moines, her death there occurring in 1902, when she was twenty-four years of age. Frank died at the age of eleven years. James died when seven years old. Jessie is a student in Panora College. Marie is also a student at Panora College.

Politically Mr. Arthaud has been a life-long republican and cast his first presidential ballot in 1868 for General U. S. Grant. He served as road supervisor for sixteen consecutive years and filled the office altogether for twenty years, giving entire satisfaction to the public. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Prairie Center and for thirty-two years he has acted as steward of the church. He has also served on the school board for many years. He has resided in Dallas county for more than thirty-five years and is therefore numbered among its worthy pioneers. In spite of the obstacles which have overtaken his career he has worked his way upward from a humble beginning and now stands as one of the substantial citizens of this section of the state.

Jabez Ashmore

Jabez Ashmore, conducting an extensive and profitable plumbing and heating business at Perry, belongs to that class of men who, recognizing the fact that success is the reward of persistent, earnest labor, are putting forth strenuous effort to achieve prosperity. Such men constitute the real element in a city's upbuilding and progress. Mr. Ashmore is a native of Trenton, New Jersey, born June 11, 1863, and was one of the nine children of John M. and Mary (Kersey) Ashmore. The father's birth occurred in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1841 and he still lives in that city. The mother, however, born in Delaware, died in 1898, at the age of fifty-four years. Seven of their children still survive: Jabez, Samuel, Anna J., Raymond, John, Clarence and William A. The father worked in the car shops at Trenton for some time and was on the police force there for a number of years. He also worked for a rubber company in that city and has led a life of continuous business activity. In politics he has always been a stanch republican since the organization of the party. For his second wife he married Maria Mather.

Jabez Ashmore spent the first seventeen years of his life in the public schools and then started out in the business world, securing employment in a wire factory. He served a four years' apprenticeship at a later date in learning the plumber's trade and was afterward with F. S. Katzenbach & Company for one year in learning the plumbing and steamfitting trade. This made five years spent in qualifying himself for business life. He afterward worked for two years with other firms and at the age of twenty-five went into business on his own account. In 1891 he arrived in Perry and from October of that year until 1898 was in the employ of Thomas J. Gilbert. In the spring of 1899 he began business on his own account and has since installed the plumbing in many fine homes of Perry, including the residences of Josiah Petty, W. W. Cardell, D. J. Pattee, H. J. Holmes and W. M. Woodworth. He has put in the heating plants and the plumbing in the homes of W. F. Graham and L. F. Johnson and in the east ward schoolhouse, and has done similar work in the homes of A. Longshore and H. C. Hitchcock in Des Moines. He installed a pneumatic water system in the bank building at Rippey, Iowa, and a plumbing and heating plant in the Kester residence at Coon Rapids, Iowa;. He also superintended the installation of the plumbing in the home of Dr. Jewell of Coon Rapids, put in a hot water plant in the home of C. H. Kern at Perry and has done other work which shows how well he is regarded in his line of business in this part of the state. He is indeed an expert and well merits the liberal patronage which is accorded him. Mr. Ashmore's place of business is now located in the basement of the Brown Block in Perry.

Mr. Ashmore is a member of Otley lodge, No. 299, A. F. & A. M., in which he has served as junior warden. He is also a member of the Eastern Star chapter, of which he is now worthy patron. He has been a member of the Shakespearean club and he belongs to the Unity church, in the work of which he is deeply and actively interested. He has long been an earnest student of the Bible, has been superintendent of the Sunday-school and in other ways has contributed to the growth and upbuilding of the church. His political allegiance is given to the democracy but he has neither time nor inclination for public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with splendid success, being now a leading representative of the commercial and industrial life of Perry.