Guthrie County >> 1884 Index

History of Guthrie and Adair Counties, Iowa
Springfield, Ill: Continental Hist. Co., 1884.

Orange Township
Transcribed by Bobbi Pohl

William Bower

In the month of September, 1857, William Bower came to Orange township and made a settlement. William Bower was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1834, being the son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Williamson) Bower. He was married there in May, 1839, to Miss Annie Jagger, daughter of John Jagger. His wife has since died. In August, 1849, they emigrated to the United States, locating in Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1857, where he was engaged in a cottonmill. In September, 1857, he came to this county, locating in Orange township, where he still resides. He now resides with his sons Jerry and Allen. Jerry was born May 28, 1858, in Orange township, and was married September 23, 1883, to Miss Fannie E. Whitefield, a daughter of Frederick and Mary Ann Whitefield. He is the owner of one hundred and two acres of cultivated land on section 12. Allen Bower was born March 15, 1861, in Highland township. He is a single man and owns one hundred and two acres of land on section 12, which is mostly cultivated.

Albert Brutsche

In October, 1856, Albert Brutsche came to Orange township, where he now resides. Albert Brutsche, son of Andrew and Catherine (Kramer) Brutsche, was born in Baden, Germany, May 18, 1832. He moved to Switzerland in the spring of 1844, where he attended school. He returned to Baden in the fall of 1850, where he remained over two years. He came to New York in August, 1853, after a voyage of fifty-two days. He went to Pittsburgh and remained there over two years, following carpenter work in the summer and working in a plaining-mill and bucket factory in the winter. He came to Carroll county, Iowa, in 1856, even before the county was organized. He sawed the first log and ground the first grist in the county. He came to Guthrie county in October, 1856, where he married Miss Elmira Titus, daughter of Z. B. and Mary Ann (Foster) Titus. Mrs. Brutsche was born in Orleans county, New York, August 10, 1838. In 1839 she went with her parents to Morgan county, Illinois, where they remained until 1855, when they came to Guthrie county, Iowa, where she was married. They have had nine children--Henry Andrew, born June 7, 1857, died July 15, 1858; George, born February 17, 1860, married January 31, 1884, to Miss Nellie Reeves; Hiram C., born May 10, 1862; Otto, born August 15, 1878; Louis E., born January 12, 1878; Leo, born December 21, 1874. Mr. Brutsche owns one thousand six hundred acres of good land, and raises a large number of cattle. He has held different township offices, and has always taken a prominent part in the township affairs. He is one of the early settlers of the township.

Allen Cretsinger, a prominent resident of Orange township, is the son of John and Mary (Boone) Cretsinger. He was born March 4, 1849, in Licking county, Ohio, and went with his parents September, 1859, to Carroll county, Illinois, remaining some seven years. In April, 1866, they removed to Guthrie county, Iowa, where Allen was married February 11, 1884, to Miss Addie Garnes. Mrs. Cretsinger was born near Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to Guthrie county in 1880. Mr. Cretsinger owns two hundred and eighty acres of land, principally under cultivation, and his residence is on section 5.

John Cretsinger, one of the prominent agriculturists of Orange township, is a native of Virginia, having been born in Hardy county, on the 10th of June, 1818. He emigrated to Licking county, Ohio, in October, 1837, where he was engaged in tilling the soil until September, 1859, when he removed to Carroll county, Illinois, and settled near Mount Carroll. On the 28th of March, 1866, he left the latter place, and turning his face westward, entered Guthrie county, locating upon the farm he is now a resident of, on section 20, on the 15th of April of the same year. On the 2d of April, 1843, while a resident of Licking county, Ohio, he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary Boone. This estimable lady, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Ash) Boone, was born February 26, 1826, in Pennsylvania, but whose parents had moved to Ohio in 1828. They have been blessed with fourteen children--David, the eldest, married Miss Susan Ribble, March 2, 1880; Margaret, espoused Cyrus B. True, December 3, 1865, and at present resides in Nebraska; Emily, who took a partner for life in the person of Crockett Ribble, February 22, 1869, and lives in Carroll county; Louisa, married to James Gilly, February 18, 1866; Lucinda, married Fremont Basom, February 15, 1872; Ella M., united to Mason Johnson, November 16, 1882; Mina, who married Albert Johnson, December 25, 1878; Allen, united in matrimony with Miss Addie Garnes, February 10, 1884; William, married to Miss Mary E. Russell, September 21, 1881; Samuel, Henry, Hattie, Caroline and Annie. Mr. Cretsinger owns some three hundred acres of land mostly under cultivation and it is one of the finest farms in the township. Mrs. Cretsinger comes from an ilustrious family, her father, Peter Boone, having been a favorite officer on the staff of the great Napoleon, the first emperor of the French. He took a prominent part in the march to Moscow and the fearful retreat from that capital amid the snows and rigors of a Russian winter, when men laid down and died by thousands. Chef. Boone, was with the beloved emperor some ten years, and although the American was a noted swordsman, he on the fall of Napoleon, returned to this country, suffering shipwreck on the way, and locating in Carroll county, Illinois, where he died in February, 1866, and was buried in the cemetery at Mount Carroll.

Samuel Herron, son of Samuel and Mary (Traigue) Herron, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in April, 1833. He moved with his parents to Guernsey county, Ohio, in April, 1834. His father was a shoemaker by trade, but afterward became a farmer. He again moved with his parents to Noble county, Ohio, in 1839, where he was married in 1856, to Miss Sarah A. Blazer, daughter of Philip and Margaret (Cranston) Blazer. Mrs. Herron was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, and moved with her parents to Noble county in 1841, where she was married. They have seven children--Thomas L., married to Catoria E. Heiter; Maggie, married to John Mingus; Philip V., John W., Clara I., Hattie J. and David M. They moved to Guthrie county, Iowa, in 1866, locating in Seeley township, and remained there until 1868, when they came to Baker township, and in 1875 removed to their present location in section 26, Orange township. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land, nearly all under cultivation, in section 26.

William P. Hopson, another settler of the spring of 1856, came from Illinois, and located, on his arrival, on section 17, in this township [Orange]. He was married on the 5th of December, 1847, in Hancock county, Illinois, to Miss Lydia A. Hopson, previous to his coming to this state. This lady, one of the old settlers, also, was born near Danville, New York, December 1, 1825; but while but a child her parents removed to Girard county, Pennsylvania, where she resided until 1835, when the family emigrated to Hancock county, Illinois. Here she was married, as above stated, to W. P. Hopson, who was a son of Thomas and Sohpronia (Pierce) Hopson, and was born in Ohio. William was at the time of his marriage, a plasterer, and on the first of June, 1856, on his arrival in Orange township, he took up the same trade and followed it for some time. He also did some farming and general farming, and was for many years quite prominently identified with the interests of the township. Mr. Hopson left this world of troubles, journeying to "that land from whose bourne no traveler ever returns," on the 12th of February, 1872; but his widow still is a resident of the old homestead. He left eight children to mourn his loss, viz.--Phoebe, Emma, Fannie, Hattie, Laura, William N., John, and Elam, the four first of whom are married.

Roscoe N. Johnson was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1859. He is the son of William E. and Elizabeth (Maurer) Johnson, and moved with his parents to Carroll county, Illinois, December 16, 1864. he left home November 10, 1882, coming to Orange township, Guthrie county. He has taught school for five years, and now occupies himself with teaching and farming. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 35, and twenty in section 24, mostly all of which is under cultivation. His mother, Elizabeth Johnson, is the possessor of hundred and sixty acres in section 26.

Mrs. Emily Knappenberger, daughter of Henry and Nancy (Burns) Myers, was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania April 7, 1838. She was married in Clarion county, February 14, 1856, to Josiah Knappenberger, son of Daniel and Lydia (Berlin) Knappenberger. Mr. and Mrs. Knappenberger came to Guthrie county in March, 1867, locating in what was then known as Cass township, now Victory township. They remained there three years, when they moved to their present location in section 7 [Orange township]. He followed general farming up to the time of his death, July 26, 1871. Mr. Knappenberger held the office of director two terms, and was school treasurer at the time of his death. They have had six children--James B., married November, 1880, to Miss Mary Cox, now resides in Wheaton, Illinois; Marilda, married, March 15, 1881, to Rev. T. H. Allen, now resides in Marion, Iowa; Clara; Josiah M., born August 7, 1864, died January 20, 1882; Minnie E. and Westley. Mrs. Knappenberger owns one hundred and eighty-seven acres of good land in section 7, Orange township.

William Krouse, son of Frederick and Charlotte (Dorset) Krouse, was born in the northern part of Germany, May 20, 1837. He came to this country in 1866, settling in Green county, Wisconsin, and remaining there until 1872, when he came to Carroll county, Iowa. He came to Guthrie counety in the fall of 1879, settling on section 3, Orange township, where he now resides. He was married May 7, 1876, to Miss Amanda Puntenney, daughter of P. T. and Naomi (Ribble) Puntenney. They have one child--Ella. Mr. Krouse owns one hundred and twenty acres of land in section 3. Mrs. Krouse died June 2, 1881, of consumption.

George Mingus settled upon the same section [section 20, Orange township] in the fall of 1854, buying out the claim of Joseph Tuttle. He was a native of Cherokee county, North Carolina. He was a very active, energetic man, who followed the varied businesses of farmer, carpenter, millwright and bridge builder. He died at his home in this township on the 12th of January, 1859, he having hurt himself a short time previously, lifting heavy timbers while building a bridge over the middle Coon in Caroll county.

John H. Mingus

Among the most prominent citizens of Orange township may be classed John H. Mingus. He is the son of Lawson A. and Sarah (Buce) Mingus, and is a native of Franklin, North Carolina. He was born on the 31st of March, 1848. In 1851 his parents removed with the little John to Southern Illinois. Here they remained but about a year, when they removed again to Wapello county, Iowa. In 1856 they came still farther west, and settled in Orange township, Guthrie county, where John grew to manhood. On the 4th of September, 1878, he took unto himself a wife, in the person of Miss Maggie C. Herron, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Blazer) Herron. The fruit of the marriage has been two children--William A. and Clarence E. Mrs. Mingus was born August 27, 1860, in Guernsey county, Ohio, and came to Guthrie county with her parents in February, 1867. Mr. Mingus owns eighty acres of land on section 22, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has been largely interested in the educational interests of the township and has served four times as secretary of the school board. He has also served as township clerk, and has taught some twenty times in the various district schools.

John I. Minnich, son of William and Catherine (Shelter) Minnich, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, July 9, 1846. He moved with his parents to Orange township, December, 1857, settling on section 17 where he was reared to manhood. Mr. Minnisch started to Nevada, May 6, 1867, with just seventy-five dollars in his pocket. The Union Pacific railroad was then built only to what was known as the North Platte. When he arrived there he could only get to his distination by stage, and the cost was too great for his pocket, so he hired out to a train which was loading with government supplies for Fort Phil Kearney and arrived at that point July 25, 1867. He then hired out to a contractor, for the government, cutting wood and digging coal. While working there they were attacked by the Indians, on the seond day of August. The camp consisted of some forty men, citizens and soldiers, while the Indians numbered two thousand. Fighting continued all day, the whites retreating to the mountains, whee they entrenched themselves and succeeded in keeping the Indians at bay for some five hours, when the Indians left the party to gain their main force, which was fighting at another point, when Mr. Minnich and his party succeeded in reaching the Fort. Six whites and twenty-seven Indians were killed in the fight. He remained there all that winter, having several fights with the Indians. In July, 1868, he left Fort Kearney for Fort Steele, on the Union Pacific railroad, with a train which had been abandoned. They loaded the train there for Echo Canyon, Utah, and Salt Lake City, where he arrived September 1. He then formed a party of five men and started for White Pine, Nevada, reaching that place in October, 1868, when the silver fever was at its height. He worked there at several occupations until February, 1869, when he went to Austin, Nevada. He came back in June, 1869, to White Pine, where he remained one year. He then moved to Eureka, Nevada, in 1870, where he stayed two years, following mining. He came home, arriving here October 13, 1872. He was married February 28, 1877, to Miss Minerva J. Cretsinger, daughter of Jacob and Delilah (Harris) Cretsinger. They have two children--George L., and Pearl. He owns forty acres of land in section 16. Pays particular attention to the raising of cattle and hogs.

Lawson Mingus was a native of Cherokee county, North Carolina. He made his claim, in this township [Orange], where he arrived in May, 1856, settling on section 21. Here he resided until 1870, when he removed to Highland township, where he at present resides.

George T. Parker, a native of Clinton county, Iowa, was born on the 25th of April, 1847. He is the son of G. W. and Hannah (Heller) Parker. In August, 1865, he accompanied his parents in their removal to Scott county, where he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary L. Wilson, a daughter of David and Margaret Wilson, upon the 4th of July, 1867. Three children have blessed this union--Cora and Elbert living and an infant, deceased. In November, 1876, George F. came to Guthrie county, settling at first in Highland township, where he lived until March, 1879, when he removed to his present location on section 12 [Orange township]. He owns a well-tilled farm of about eighty acres on sections 12 and 13, to which he devotes his time and raises most excellent crops. His wife, Mary L. Parker, died January, 1882, and he was again married on December 7, 1882, to Miss Josie A. McClaran, and they have one child--Daisy.

Wilson H. Pingrey, one of Orange township's most enterprising men, was born August 28, 1855, in Muscatine county, Iowa. When a young man he came to his present location on section 32, where he follows general farming. April 24, 1879, he was married to Miss Lucretia Wineland, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Haines) Wineland. Mrs. Pingrey was born in Pottowattamie county, Iowa, in April, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Pingrey have three children--Grace Ollie, Jessie and Mary. Mr. Pingrey is the son of Jacob H. and Mary (Parker) Pingrey. Jacob H. Pingrey is one of the old settlers of Iowa, coming here in the '40's, and now carries on the hardware business in Wilton, Muscatine county, Iowa. He is the possessor of three thousand two hundred acres of land in this county, most of which is under cultivation. His son, Wilson Pingrey, the subject of this sketch, owns nine hundred acres of excellent land in Orange and Union townships. He has two good houses on section 4, in Union township, and one on section 27 in Orange township. His specialty is the raising of horses and cattle.

John Prettyman, the son of Richard and Julia A. (Hupp) Prettyman, was born June 6, 1848, in Noble county, Ohio. He came with his parents, in December, 1853, to Clinton county, Iowa, where his father engaged in farming. In the spring of 1866 he moved to Carroll county, in this state, and from there came to Orange township [Guthrie county], in May, 1873, settling on section 8. He was married December 23, 1878, to Miss Emma A. Coryell, daughter of Peter D. and Sara J. (Coriell) Coryell. Mrs. Prettyman was born October 22, 1857, in Muscatine county, Iowa, and with her parents came to Carroll county in May, 1869, where she was married. They have two children--Author D. and Charles Q. Mr. Prettyman owns eighty acres on section 9, which is under cultivation. He deals in cattle and is a general farmer. During 1883 he was school director. In 1874 he spent some time in San Franciso, California, and Coos Bay, Oregon, returning to Iowa in the fall of '74. In 1879 he visited Colorado.

Jacob Shane, one of the pioneers of the county, came to Orange township in 1864, he having been a resident of the county, however, since December 1854. He is still one of the most prominent residents of this section. Jacob Shane, son of James and Rachel (Clearwater) Shane, was born December 6, 1838, in Vermillion county, Indiana. He moved with his grandfather and mother to Guthrie county, Iowa, in December, 1854, arriving first in Highland township. Here he was for ten years, engaged in trapping and buying furs of the Indians. He commenced farming on section 21, his present location, in 1864. Mr. Shane was married to Miss Marintha A. Mingus, on the 29th day of May, 1859. She was the daughter of Lawson A. and Sarah (Buce) Mingus. Mrs. Shane was born in Cherokee county, North Carolina, March 1, 1852. She moved with her parents to Wapello county, Iowa, in the fall of 1852, and remained there until 1856, when they came to Guthrie county. They have had ten children--James, born in Highland township, September 22, 1860; died October 24, 1863; John W., George S., born January 15, 1866, died October 24, 1866, Rosa J., William H., Minnie A., Charles F., Francis E., Fannie E. and J. Artemas. Mr. Shane owns five hundred and forty acres of good land, mostly under cultivation. He owns three hundred and eighty acres in section 21, where he resides, eighty acres in section 20 and eighty acres in section 15. He pays particular attention to the raising of cattle, horses and hogs. He is also a capitalist, loaning maoney to his more necessitous neighbors. He is one of the first settlers in Guthrie county.

Charles Smith came from Ohio, and in the spring of 1856 arrived in Orange township and made a settlement on section 26. Here he lived until April, 1875, when, while serving on the grand jury at Guthrie Center, he took cold and brought on an attack of lung fever, from which he died, at the advanced age of seventy years. He has a son living in Highland township, in this county.

Samuel A. Smith, son of Aaron S. and Sarah A. (Jones) Smith, resides on section 26 [Orange township]. He was born in Monroe county, Ohio, March 30, 1841. He moved with his parents to Washington county, Ohio, in 1845, and remaining there until 1855, they went to Morgan county, Ohio, where his father followed the trade of a stonemason. In the fall of 1858 they moved to Athens county, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Parkins, daughter of Jacob and Minerva (Walters) Parkins. Mrs. Smith was born in Athens county, Ohio, March 7, 1844. They have seven children living--Erastus, Celista R., William F., Minerva M., Aaron S., Maria G. and Samuel J. Lineas A., the oldest, was born June 14, 1863; died April 28, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Linn county, Iowa, April 1, 1864, he followed carpentering until some time in the fall of 1864, when they went to Tama county, Iowa, and remained there until August, 1882, when they moved to their present location on section 26. He owns 160 acres mostly under cultivation. He is postmaster of the "Erastus" post-office and is president of the school board. He was enrolled in the Ohio state militia in the fall of 1862, under Colonel Putnam. He followed Morgan for about eight days in July, 1863, when he was making a raid through Indiana and Ohio. In the spring of 1864 he resigned, and came to the West.

T. J. Smith, in the spring of 1856, made a claim on section 25 [Orange township], where he is still living, an excellent representative of the hardy pioneer who peopled these western wilds. T. J. Smith resides in section 26. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 19, 1841. In the spring of 1847 he removed with his parents, Charles and Mary A., to Clark county, Ohio, where they remained until 1855, when they removed to Jefferson county, Iowa. In 1856 they came to Guthrie county, settling on section 35, Orange township. He was married June 4, 1859, to Miss Sarah A. Hopson, daughter of William P. and Phoebe (Boyle) Hopson. Mrs. Smith was born August 27, 1842, in Hancock county, Illinois. In 1856 she removed to Guthrie county, Iowa. They have nine children--Mary E., married July 4, 1876, to William McCann; Thomas F., married October 9, 1882, to Alice Thompson; William, Jennetta, Minnie B., Charles V., Fannie A. and James W. Mr. Smith owns forty acres of good land in section 16, all under cultivation. He was township clerk from 1878 to 1882, and at the present is a township trustee. Mr. Smith was another of the brave patriots who, in the time of the country's peril, shouldered his musket and marched to the front. He enlisted, on the 13th of August, 1862, in Company I, 29th Iowa infantry, and served three years, participating in six general engagements and several skirmishes. He was mustered out on the 10th of July, 1865.

Jonathan Stevens, son of James and Jane (Morris) Stevens, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, September 6, 1824. He was married in Guernsey county, May 14, 1846, to Miss Blanche Ward, daughter of James and Ruth (Killerease) Ward. They came to this county April 4, 1857, settling at Morrisburg, Jackson township, where he remained five years. He removed to Center township, near Guthrie Center, where he engaged in farming for eight years. He came to Orange township in April, 1870, and remained some fourteen years, when he moved to Coon Rapids December, 1883. He received the contract to carry the mail for Guthrie Center to Coon Rapids. He owns eighty acres of land in the north half of the southeast quarter of section 18 [Orange township]. They have four children living--Ruth, married June 15, 1874, to William Schnepp; Mary J., married December 25, 1876, to Elbert Sutton; James A., married Annie Tripp June 19, 1881; George W., married Ida May Erty June 24, 1883. He was a member of the board of supervisors three years, from January, 1880; has also held office of justice of the peace and other township offices.

William P. Taylor, son of David and Eliza (Hopson) Taylor, was born in Hancock county, Illinois. He enlisted in the reglar army, June 10, 1867, and was assigned to company C, 23d United States infantry. He located at Camp Smith, Oregon, under Captain Walker. Jeff. D. Davis was colonel of this regiment. William served three years in the army, and in 1870 was discharged. He then came to Orange township, and followed farming. He was married, May 26, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Thompson, daughter of Nathan and Mary (Pierce) Thompson. Mrs. Taylor was born in Meigs county, Ohio, March 9, 1859. She removed with her parents to Orange township, June 10, 1867, where she was married. They have three children--Florinda, Mary A. and Charles R. Mr. Taylor owns forty acres of good land, all under cultivation, in section 9.

John H. Teter, son of Samuel and Mary Anne (Kuntz) Teter, resides on section 21 [Orange township]. He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, February 8, 1827. In 1846 he came to Lee county, Iowa, and staying mostly in the neighborhood of Keokuk, In the fall of 1846 he returned to Morgan county, Ohio, and remained there during the winter. In September, 1847, he went to Marietta, Ohio, where he remained five years. During this time he was engaged in farming and stone-cutting. In 1852 he went to Pickaway county, Ohio, remaining there until 1855, when he came to Guthrie Center, when the town had just been laid out, but no one was as yet living there. He followed carpentering here for awhile, helping to build a house for William Tracy, which was the first dwelling built in the neighborhood. This was of logs, and stood near the site of the present town. Charles Huxley built the first log house on what is the town plat of Guthrie Center, Mr. Teter helping in its construction. The fourth house built in the Center was erected by Mr. Teter for himself. He remained in the Center until March, 1858, when he removed to his present location on section 21. He was married September 10, 1848, in Meigs county, Ohio, to Miss Keziah Mount, daughter of Edmund and Eliza (Nolan) Mount. Mrs. Teter was born in Monroe county, Ohio, February 14, 1832, and moved to Meigs county September, 1847. They have raised two children--Curtis Morgan, who married Hattie Hopson March 29, 1883; Josephine Rose, seven years old, who is an adopted child. Mr. Teter owns two hundred and sixty acres of good land, all under cultivation, except twenty acres of timber land. He pays particular attention to the raising of horses. He has been school director, road master, trustee and supervisor at different times between the years 1859 and 1882.

Z. B. Titus located upon section 2, in Orange township, in April, 1856, where he at present resides. Z. B. Titus, son of Samuel and Susanna (Barrett) Titus, was born in Jefferson township, New York, October 28, 1814. In 1820 he went with his parents to Harpersfield, New York, and remaining there five years, they went to Davenport, New York. In 1832 he, by himself, went to Orleans county, same state. He was engaged there in farming until 1833, when he removed to Illinois, where he remained but a short time. He returned to Orleans and was married to Miss Mary Anne Foster, daughter of James and Polly (Hicks) Foster. In 1840 they left Orleans county and went to Illinois, and remaining there until 1855, came to Guthrie county, Iowa, locating on section 2. They have seven children--Elmira, married Albert Brutsche; James, married Paulina Smith; Cassandra, married Frank Endicott; Samuel Z., married Ella Howell; Nancy J., married Abram George; Francis, married Lydia Howell, and Ellis, married Nellie Bryan. Mr. Titus has held the positions of trustee and director. He was one of the first settlers in the county.

Thomas Webber, son of the late Thomas S. and Elizabeth (Bryant) Webber, was born in Freborough, Somersetshire, England, on the 14th day of January, 1820. At the age of twenty-four years he joined the Bible Christians, and remained a member some years. He was united in matrimony to Miss Jane Bowering, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Williams) Bowering, on March 27, 1856. In the year 1875 Mr. Webber determining with his wife and children to emigrate to America, did so on the 14th day of June, in that year, bringing their four children--Henry, the oldest, born February 15, 1857; William, born on the 14th of April, 1858; Walter, born on the 17th day of April, 1860, and died on the 15th day of October, 1863; Elizabeth Mary (Lilie), born on the 26th of January, 1861. After a voyage of two weeks, disembarking in New Jersey, he made his way to Clay county, Minnesota, where he remained four years, when he left, with the intention of removing to Missouri. Their progress was slow, on account of the stock they had with them, which consisted of sixty head of cattle, nine horses, and one sheep. Winter was fast approaching, and at this time being in the state of Iowa, Mr. Webber felt led to remain; he sought a home and found one. He located on section 11 and 12 in Orange township. Mr. Webber owns two hundred and forty acres of good, fertile land, mostly under cultivation, which is very productive and well stocked. This gentleman being of great enterprise and business ability, with his sons, Henry and William, worked the farm for several years. Thus time sped on, with prosperity and happiness at home. William, their second son, while in his American home, joined the Free Methodist church, proving himself a worthy and loving member of the community. In this cause he worked for some time, showing his faithfulness and sincerity to his God. He labored among his fellows with untiring zeal, requesting them to flee from the wrath to come, at the same time pointing them to the lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world, and by this means bringing upon himself the esteem and admiration of all who knew him. He at last fell sick, the inflammation it came as a deadly weapon, and he remained ten days suffering the most intense pain, but not one moment forgetting on whom his hope was placed. He nobly outheld the ivitations of the gospel to the last, when he triumphantly fell asleep in Jesus on March 5, 1881, age twenty-two years, ten months, and twenty days, time proving that God takes those He loves the best. He left a mourning church and family, but rejoicing in the expectation of meeting again, in the glorious resurection, their beloved boy. Henry, the oldest and only surviving son, is still at home with his parents. He was united in marriage to Miss Nora Ella Bower on the 18th of November, 1883. Mr. Webber has now two adopted children--Fannie Whitefield, whom they brought from London, and George Alfred Jarvis. Mr. Webber has proved Himself a most excellent and worth citizen.

Alonzo N. Wilson, son of Samuel and Emily A. (Huyck) Wilson, resides on section 6 [Orange township]. He was born September 4, 1847, in Will county, Illinois. He moved with his parents to Guthrie county in October, 1854, settling in what is known as Wilson's Grove. He was married February 14, 1883, to Miss Lucy J. Taylor, daughter of Samuel and Hestor (Coppoe) Taylor. They have one child--Willda Y. Mr. Wilson owns three hundred and sixty acres of cultivated land, forty acres of which are timber, in section 5. Pays particular aattention to raising of stock. He is the son of one of the first settlers of this county.

Samuel Wilson and his family came to Guthrie county in October, 1854, and located on section 6, in Orange township, at a place now known as Wilson's Grove, where a son now resides. Mr. Wilson the elder, is now living at Coon Rapids, in Carroll county.

Joel B. Younker, commonly known by the name of "Squire<" located on section 17 [Orange township] in the spring of 1856. He was a native of Ohio, but came here from Hancock county, Illinois, where he had been engaged in farming. Althought he remained here but about two or three years, he was quite prominent in those early days, having been elected the first treasurer of the school district.