History of Guthrie and Adair Counties, Iowa - 1884 - Representatives

Guthrie County >> 1884 Index

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

Guthrie County Representatives
Transcribed by Bobbi Pohl


 

D. L. Chantry is a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, having been born there March 16, 1836. His father was born in England, his mother in Chester county, Pennsylvania. His grandparents were followers of William Penn, and settled with him at the time of his settlement at that place. He lived on a farm in the eastern part of that county until coming to Guthrie county, in 1855, settling in Thompson township, where he took up forty acres of land, and afterward bought 500 acres. He lived there from 1855 to 1875, with the exception of the summer of 1864, when he enlisted in Company C, 46th Iowa infantry. In 1875, D. L. bought the mill property of John Pearson, and moved to Penn township, where he owns 172 acres of land. He was married on the 29th of January, 1865, to Miss Margaret Pearson, a daughter of John Pearson. They have ten children.

James Cline was elected to the shrievalty in August 1855, and served two years. He was the son of Levi and Elizabeth Cline, and was born in Montogomery county, Indiana, on the 27th of October, 1824, and was raised on a farm. His parents removed to Carroll county, in the same state, in the fall of 1846, and he went with them, but, on arriving in that place, he enlisted in the 1st Indiana regiment, in the company commanded by Captain Robert Milroy, and was made sergeant. He served throughout the campaign in Mexico under General Zachary Taylor. After his return he was married, in Carroll county, Indiana, to Miss Susan Lenon. This was in the fall of 1847. The result of this union was eleven children, whose names were as follows: John, Samuel, Robert, Matthew, Mary, James, Charles, Elizabeth, Margaret, Uestina, and Emma. In 1854, Mr. Cline had the misfortune to lose a greater part of his right hand by the premature discharge of a common, in celebrating our nation's birthday.

In October of the same year he emigrated to Iowa, and settled in the eastern part of Guthrie county on a farm. In 1857, he embarked in the mercantile business in Panora, in company with his brother John, and brother-in-law, A. Shooks, under the firm name of Shooks, Cline & Company, but in a short time the two brothers bought out Mr. Shooks. This firm dealt in general merchandise and fine stock, and in 1863 built the Panora woolen mill. In 1865, James Cline was seized with a desire for change, and sold out all his interest in this county and removed to Oregon, where he remained some eight years, but finding that he had left a better country than the one he had gone to, he returned to Iowa, and settled in Keokuk on a farm; but in the spring of 1884 he sold out there and purchased a large tract of land in Cass county, where he at present resides.

Hon. Samuel R. Curtis was born in New York state while his parents were on their way west. He, however, claims to be a native of Licking county, Ohio, the place of his parents' settlement. The date of his birth was February 3, 1807. He was educated at the common schools and at West Point, from the latter of which he graduated in 1831. In 1832 he commenced the study of law in Ohio, which profession he practiced until the breaking out of the Mexican war, at which time he held the position of adjutant general of Ohio. Resigning this, he became the colonel of the 3d Ohio regiment, and saw considerable service under Gereral Taylor, in the land of chaparal and "Greasers." Shortly after the close of that war he came to Iowa, locating at Keokuk.

In 1856 was elected member of congress from the first district, and re-elected as above mentioned. At the beginning of the war of the Rebellion, he raised the second regiment of Iowa infantry, and entered the service as its colonel. Abilities such as his soon raised him to the ranks of brigadier and major general. For his gallant conduct and skillful generalship at the battle of Pea Ridge, he won immortal renown as one of the noted leaders of the Union army in the troubled times of 1861-65.

Henry K. Dewey

Among the prominent men of this county who by sheer force of character have gained step by step, the place they now hold, may be memtioned the subject of this sketch. He was born in Windsor county, Vermont, January 18, 1846. He was there reared and received his education from the schools of Royalton and the business college of Bryant & Stratton, of Hartford, Connecticut. In 1862 he held a situation as clerk in a drug store in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, where he remained two years. In the fall of 1865 he emigrated to Stark county, Illinois, where he resided until February, 1866. He spent the following two years in the northwest, in Montana and Idaho territories. In the fall of 1868 he returned again to Illinois, and after a short residence there returned to his native county, there remaining till the spring of 1870, when he came to Guthrie county, where he was engaged in farming. In 1873 he was elected auditor, and served the county in that capacity for three terms, making one of the most faithful officers the county has ever had. In 1879 he became a member of the banking firm of Rogers & Dewey, and is the cashier of the same. He was married December 17, 1874, to Miss R. Ellen Patterson, a daughter of R. J. Patterson, an old settler of this county. They have two children living and one dead--Nellie L. (deceased), Annie W. and Jessie L. Mr. D. is a member of Grange Lodge, No. 123, A. F. & A. M., of Guthrie Center.

John W. Foster, one of Guthrie county's prominent young men, now serving his third term as its auditor, was born within her boarders February 26, 1857, and is the youngest son of James W. and Louisa Foster, who are well known as early settlers. John was reared on his father's farm, and attended the schools of his neighborhood until 1876. He then entered the agricultural school of Ames, Iowa, of which he was a student until 1879. So popular was he with the people, who knew his sterling worth, that while yet at college, and before he had attained his majority, his name was brought before the people by his neighbors, and that fall he was nominated and elected auditor of the county, and filled that official position with so much satisfaction that he has twice since been re-elected to the same. He is largely engaged in farming, and is also identified prominently with the blooded cattle interests of the county. He was united in marriage with Miss Riva Johnson, a daughter of W. L. Johnson, of this county, April 25, 1882. They have one child--Carl S. Mr. Foster is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Guthrie Center.

Thomas J. Foster, deputy auditor, the subject of this sketch, is the son of James W. Foster, who was an old settler of this county, and a man who probably did more toward futhering the interests of this county in an early day, than any of its settlers. His sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Thomas was born in Madison county, Ind., August 6, 1852. When three years of age he was brought by the family to this county, where he was reared on his father's farm, in section 13, Cass township, and there received his education. In 1873 he engaged in farming on his old home place, for himself, there remaining till 1876. He then became interested in the insurance business, and for some five years traveled in the interests of the same through Southern Iowa, and during a part of this time was engaged in the livery business at Stuart, Iowa, where he for two years made his headquarters. In June, 1880, he accepted the position of deputy auditor, which he now so ably fills. He was married February 2, 1882, to Miss Emma sloan, a native of Iowa. They have one child--Gene E. Mr. F. is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Francis C. Galbreath, the present sheriff of Guthrie county, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 4, 1823. His father, Thomas, was a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and was reared in South Carolina, coming from there to Ohio at a very early day. He married the mother of the subject of this sketch, Miss Ann Bailey, who was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania. They reared four children, of whom Francis is the eldest. He was then reared on a farm and followed that occupation in his native county until 1859, when he came West, locating in Cedar county, Iowa, where he resided two years; he then resided for short periods in the states of Virginia, Iowa and Illinois. In 1866 he returned to his native county where he spent four years. In April, 1871, he came to this county, locating on a farm on the edge of Menlo. He gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, until elected sheriff in 1883. He was married May 12, 1846, to Miss Elaeusa Votaw, an Ohioan by birth. They had one chld--Walter C. Mrs. Galbreath's death occurred November 1, 1851. He was married again in February, 1855, to Rebecca H. Bousall, who died July 11, 1860. He was married to his present wife, Deborah Griffith, December 27, 1865, by whom he has two children--Cornelia and William F.

Tulius C. Hayden, the present recorder of Guthrie county, was born in Union county, Indiana, January 13, 1852. He is the fourth child of Hosea and Lydia (McComas) Hayden, who were also natives of Union county. Tullius was reared on a farm in his native county, and received his education from the schools it afforded. In 1872 he came to Panora, where he was engaged in clerical work. In October, 1873, he acted in capacity of deputy county clerk, under C. W. Hill, which position he held until May, 1874. He then held the position of traveling salesman with the firm of Pentecost & Hayden, of Panora, for some time. In 1875 he again acted in the capacity of deputy clerk and was also deputy sheriff during the same period. In 1876 he accepted a situation as clerk with I. P. Wetmore, who was then doing a banking and real estate business. He remained with this firm until January, 1880, when he became county auditor's assistant, holding the same till January, 1881, when he entered upon the duties of his present office, to which he was elected in the fall of 1880. He was married December 19, 1875, to Miss Margaret T. Townsend, a native of Illinois. They have two children--Blanch E. and T. E.

William Holsman was appointed sheriff June 16, 1858. This gentleman was a native of Union county, Pennsylvania, where he was born March 1, 1814. When he was but about two years of age his parents removed to Perry county, in that state, where he grew to manhood. He learned the trade of shoemaker before attaining his majority, with his father, and was engaged in that business until 1834. In 1840, he removed to Guernsey county, Ohio, where he remained until 1856, when he came to Guthrie county, locating on section 4, of Union township. A man closely identified with the educational interests of the county, he has held numerous office in the school boards and is the present postmaster at Guthrie Center. On the expiration of this term of Mr. Hosman's office in 1858, he was re-elected and served two years longer.

B. F. Hook was the next incumbent of the double office [treasurer and recorder], having been elected to the same in 1858, to fill the vacancy or unexpired term, and was re-elected in 1859, serving three years. Mr. Hook was a native of Ohio, but came to Guthrie county from Indiana. He had hard luck in the latter state, and hitching up his one old horse in a home-made harness made of hickory withes, he drove to this section. Here he entered land and raised a crop of corn, and as there was a great influx of emigrants at the time, and but little crop was raised, he disposed of his surplus at from two to four dollars per bushel. He was, in after times, one of the solid men of the county, honest and upright, and respected by all. He was wont to keep his money in certain colored stocking legs, but was generous, loaning to his more necessitous neighbors in time of need. In 1863 he removed to Mount Pleasant that his children might have superior advantages of education, where he died in 1863. He had a wife and three sons whose names were--Bernard M., George D, and Robert; and one daughter whose name was Olinda A. His wife and daughter removed after his death to Colorado, where the widow died. Bernard M., his son, died while in the army, he being a member of Company I, 29th Iowa infantry. George D. was a minister, and the other son was in the mining business in Colorado.

Frank M. Hopkins, the present clerk of the court, is a son of Dr. John Y. Hopkins, who for many years was one of the prominent men of this county, and a leading light in his profession, who came from Ohio to Iowa in 1853, and to this county in 1869, and whose death occurred in county in July, 1877. The mother of our subject, Mary A. (Needham) Hopkins, came also from Ohio. Frank was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, March 8, 1854, and there resided until the family came to this county in 1869. In the fall of 1872 he entered the Iowa state university, of which he was a student three years. He then engaged in farming in this county, which occupation he continued until January, 1881, when he took charge of this present office, having been elected clerk of the courts in the fall of 1880. How well he served the people in his official capacity may be inferred from the fact of his nomination and election to his second term. He was married September 27, 1882, to Miss Lucy M. Hosman, a daughter of William Hosman of this county. Mr. H. is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Aaron Hougham was the third to occupy this most responsible position [county judge], which was de facto, the government, being duly elected in 1857, and remained at the head of affairs until 1859. He was born in Ohio in 1801, but removed to Indiana with his parents, in an early day, when he was but a small boy. He lived, at home, in Henry and Park counties, Indiana, receiving his education in the common schools of that state, until the spring of 1851, when he came to Guthrie county, locating in Jackson township. He was married to Miss Mary Parkhurst, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had eleven children. Mr. Hougham was the pioneer justice of the peace in Jackson township, and also the first county-school fund commissioner. He died in October, 1867, in this county, honored by all.

William W. Hyzer, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Dutchess county, New York, and was born September 3, 1836. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Velie) Hyzer, were natives also of that state. In 1841 the family removed to Cayuga county, New York, where William was reared to manhood and educated. In 1859 he located in Washenaw county, Michigan, where he resided nine months. He than returned to his native state, and after remaining there six months, returned to Michigan, until October, 1861, where he enlisted in the 3rd light artillery, which was afterward Company C, 1st Michigan light artillery. He served till the close of the war, and from a private arose, until, when mustered out June, 1865, he held the commission of captain of the battery. He returned to New York after his discharge, and resided in that state until the fall of 1866; he then came to Scott county, Iowa, where he remained until the spring of 1867; he then resided in Geneseo, Illinois, after which time he located in Erie, Illinois, where he bought grain for two years. In 1871 he came to Menlo, Iowa, and after one year's residence there he moved to Atlantic, Iowa, and in 1873, to Casey, Iowa, where he was in the drug business until elected sheriff of Guthrie county, in 1879. He served two terms in that position, and in February, 1882, the present firm of Hyzer & Phillips was formed. He was married January 1, 1879, to Miss Almeta Cook, a native of Iowa. They have two children--Mable E. and Ida B. Mr. Hyzer is a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter, A. F. and A. M., and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Encampment Degree, and he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workingmen.

Michael Leinart

The first to act in this capacity [Treasurer and Recorder] was Thomas M. Boyles, who was eleced in August, 1851, but served only a few months, resigning, and Michael Leinart was appointed in his stead, March 29, 1852. Mr. Leinart was born near Hanover, York county, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1817. He lived for a number of years in Westminister, Maryland, but moved from thence to Franklin county, Indiana, in the year 1839, where he was married to Miss Nancy Beck on the 13th of September, 1840. From Indiana he removed to Guthrie county in the fall of 1850, having stopped for a short time on his way in Wapello county, this state. He largely assisted in the locating and laying out of the town of Panora. At the first election in Cass township he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, but failed to qualify. He was then elected assessor. He took a prominent part in the educational interests of this his adopted home, and to him is due, in a great measure, the excellent quality of the early schools of Guthrie county. He died of heart disease, at the residence of his son-in-law, S. A. Young, on the 19th of October, 1879.   

John D. Lenon, the leader of the democratic party of this county, and one of the most popular men, irrespective of politics, in Guthrie county, was born in Carroll county, Iowa, January 18, 1834. His father, James R., was a native of Ohio, and sprang from an old family of that state. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth (Duncan) Lenon, was born in South Carolina. John was the eldest of a family of five children, and was reared in his native county and there educated. When nineteen years of age, he engaged at the carpenter's trade, which he followed there until 1861. He then came to Panora, and, with his brother, engaged in the drug business, which they ran until 1865. In 1863 he, with others, operated the woolen mills, with which he remained identified through most of its history, and now runs the same as a flouring mill. In 1865 he became a member of the firm of Cline & Lenon, in the dry-goods business, in which he remained until 1868. In 1872 he, with J. W. Gustine, engaged in the drug trade, they doing business one year. In 1866 he was elected treasurer of Panora independent school district, which office he held for sixteen years. In 1881 he was elected county tresureer, and served one term. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was master for seven years in succession, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was united in marriage, September 13, 1855, to Miss M. M. Long, a native of Indiana. They have eight children--James B. D., Viola L., Anna Luella, William H., Warren E., Florence Letitia, John Franklin, Allie Mabel.

Benjamin Levan was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1835. He was there reared and educated. In 1856 the family came to Guthrie county, where his parents Benjamin and Lucy (Hess) Levan, were identified as early settlers. Benjamin, Jr., was engaged in school teaching, and followed that profession together with farming for many years. In 1872 he was elected county recorder, serving one term. He engaged in the manufacture of bricks in 1856, making the first brick ever manufactured near Guthrie Center, and still continues in the same business. He was married in 1862 to Miss Cleopatra D. Huxley, a member of the family of old settlers of that name. They have eight children--Ulysses G., Marcellus B., Sylvester J., Freddie, Artie E., Annie, Elsie and Eddie A. Of whom Sylvester J., Artie E., Freddie and Annie are dead.

Hon. James A. Lyons, the member of the present house of representatives from Guthrie county, and one of the famous fifty-two who so nobly held their ground on the prohibitory bill, is a native of Morgan county, Ohio, and was born April 12, 1838. His parents, John and Amanda (Fouts) Lyons, were natives, he of Pennsylvania, and she of Ohio. In 1855 the family emigrated to Allamakee county, Iowa, where James was engaged in farming until 1856. He then went to Leavenworth, Kansas, and was engaged as a government freighter on the plains from that city to New Mexico--two trips. He then returned to Iowa and from there he went to the lumber regions of Wisconsin, here resideing until the war broke out, in April, 1861. In June of that year he returned to McGregor, Iowa, and enlisted in Company K, 1st Iowa cavalry. During a fight with Quantrell's Guerrillas at Montevallo, Missouri, April 14, 1862, he was wounded in the arm and shoulder, and after spending one month in the hospital at Osceola, Missouri, returned home and was soon afterward discharged. he enlisted again in August, 1862, and in October, 1862, he was commissioned by Governor Kirkwood as second lieutenant of company A, 27th Iowa regiment, and served with that company until compelled to resign on account of his old wounds. In 1864 he located in Independence, Iowa, where he was in the photograph business one year. He then removed to La Harp, Illinois, where he was a merchant until 1868. In that year he came to Guthrie county and engaged in farming. In 1870 he engaged in the dry goods business. He was united in marriage, August 17, 1862, to Miss Ellen A. Taylor, a native of Ohio. They have four children--Harry H., Frank A., Jessie L., and HIbbard F. Mr. Lyons was mayor of Guthrie Center in 1882, and was elected a member of the general assembly in 1883. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of Masonry and a a member of the V. A. S. and G. A. R. He and his good wife are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons were so unfortunate as to lose their fourth child, Hibbard, on the 8th of August, 1884, by death.

George J. Maris is a native of Morgan county, Ohio, and was born January 17, 1841. His parents, Owen and Rachel (Jenkins) Maris, were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Ohio at an early day. George resided in his native county until seventeen years of age, when he emigrated to Iowa, settling in Keokuk county, where he remained three years. He then returned to Ohio, there remaining until 1862. He then, accompanied by his parents, returned to Iowa, locating in Cedar county, where he resided until 1872. In that year he settled in Guthrie county, on section 17, of what is now Seely township, where he followed farming until 1878, when he returned to Cedar county, there engaging in the dairy business. In 1881 he returned again, satisfied to live in Guthrie county. In 1876 he was elected to represent this county in the Legislature, and served with honor. In 1883, the people of the county honored him again, this time by giving him the office of treasurer, wich office he now holds. He was united in marriage June 2, 1865, with Miss Mary E. Smith, a native of New York state. They have six children--Emmor B., Eva P., Lillie C., Emlie R., Walter S. and Florence L. Mr. Maris is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workingmen, and a member of the M. E. church.

Nathan Maynard was the next to occupy this dual office [treasurer and recorder], being elected in 1852, and served two years. He resigned his position near the end of his term, but on solicitation remained at his post until the qualification of his successor. He came to Gurthrie in 1850, with the Messingers, from Delaware county, Indiana, and settled on section 14, Cass township, on what was later known as the James W. Foster homestead. He was a justice of the peace in his township in 1852. He is usually spoken of as a drinking man, although not very socially inclined. He had a wife and eight children, whose names were as follows--Jane, Mary, Hannah, Charlotte, Frank, John, James and Thomas. In 1856, he removed to Sioux City, but came back in 1858, and remained until 1863, when he removed to Oregon with the Messingers where he died.

Michael Messinger

The first sheriff of Guthrie county was Michael Messinger, who was elected in August, 1851, and served two years. Mr. Messinger was from Indiana, and among the early settlers of the year 1850. He settled here on section 13, in Cass township. He had a wife and four sons and two daughters. The boys' names were--James, Michael, George, and Solomon; the girls', Mary Jane, and Elizabeth. In the spring of 1863, Mr. Messinger left Guthrie county, removing to Oregon, settling in Yam Hill county, in that state, where he was living at the last accounts. He was quite exclusive in his way, having little to do with his neighbors, and was of an unthrifty character, and a bad financial.

Samuel D. Nichols, one of the most prominent figures in the history of the county, is a native of Middlesex county, New York, having first seen the light on the 8th day of February, 1835. He was the son of Samuel V. Nichols, a native of Virginia, and Katurah, nee Decker, a native of New York city, and a lineal descendant of the Holland Dutch stock, and whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Manhattan. When Samuel D. was about four years and a half old, the family removed to New York, where he was reared and educated until he had attained the age of fourteen, when they removed to Hancock county, Ohio. Here he taught the district schools before he had numbered his seventeenth year, and on attaining that age he entered upon the study of law, in the office of J. M. Coffinberry. A close application to his study for two years now ensued, and then S. D. made a trip to South Carolina, in which state he taught school for almost six months. He then journeyed to Loudown county, Virginia, where he remained about eighteen months, still engaged in teaching the young idea how to shoot. In 1857 he came West, and located at Panora, and being admitted to the bar, commenced the practice of law, opening an office for that purpose. Having given some attention to the study of surveying he combined that business with his law practice in 1861, when, in company with Houston and Hoxsie, he started the Guthrie County Ledger, in Panora, acting as editor-in-chief. But these were too thrilling times for a man of his temperament to sit supinely by when the tocsin of war sounding and the country was in danger, so on the 26th of May, 1861, he enlisted in a company raised in the county of Guthrie and which was afterward known as Company C, 4th Iowa volunteer infantry regiment.

On the organization of the company he was elected to the position of first lieutenant. By gallant conduct in the field and close attention to duty, and an inherent bravery, he rose to the command of the regiment, and although made colonel, was mustered out of the service as lieutenent -colonel, his commission for this higher office not having arrived. A fuller history of his military career is interwoven with the annuals of his famous regiment, in the war chapter in this volume. On his return to the more peaceful scenes of life he took up the practice of his profession. He was appointed district attorney of this judicial district, which then comprised some ten counties. In 1865 he was elected to the same office, filling it satisfactorily for some three years, when he resigned and resumed his private practice. In the meantime, in 1864, Mr. Nichols had purchased a half interest in the mill at Panora, with J. H. Hanyon, his father-in-law, which in 1878 he became sole owner of, and of which he is the present proprietor. In 1875 he was elected by the suffrages of his fellow-citizens to the exalted position of state senator, and four years later re-elected to the same, holding it for eight years, ending January 1, 1884. He was united in marriage on the 2d of May, 1859, to Miss Esther A. Hanyon, a native of New York, and four children have blessed their union--Cora B., Frank H., Clarence F. and Henry M. The colonel, as he is familiarly called, is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows' order, and of the Grand Army of the Republic, the post of which order in Panora he was the first post-commander.

E. L. Prior

In 1878 E. L. Prior was elected recorder, and served one term of two years. He was a native of Ohio, born August 24, 1829, and is the son of Gurden and Hannah (Bates) Prior. He came to this county in 1855, after making a stay of two years in Jackson county, this state, and located in Bear Grove township, where he now resides. He was married in 1856, to Miss Sarah Latta, and five children have blessed their union, whose names are, respectively--Effie, Eugene, Willard J., Dana A. and Tennyson.

F. H. Revelle was elected to fill the vacancy [treasurer and recorder]. Mr. Revelle was born in Cohoes, Albany county, New York, in the year 1839, and was the son of Francis H. and Mary (McDonald) Revelle. He came to Guthrie county in 1853, and located at Panora, and while there was elected to this office. He was by occupation a stonecutter, but was engaged in his native place for some time previous to his coming here, in the furniture business. In the summer of 1854 he removed to the township of Valley, and died on the 4th of June, 1855, while holding the office of treasurer.

James H. Rogers, the subject of this sketch is well and favorably known in official and banking circles, and stands at the head of the trusted and true men of this county. He was born in Essex county, New York, February 22, 1844, and is the son of Lorenzo N. Rogers, who was also a native of New York. Sarah D. (Newton) Rogers, the mother of our subject, was born in Vermont. In 1851 the family removed to St Lawrence county, New York, where James was reared on a farm, and receied his education from the schools of that county, and there followed the profession of school teaching in winter and farming in the summer, until 1868, when he studied law with William Wallace, of Potsdam, New York, and in June, 1870, he emigrated to this county, and for two terms taught school in the T. P. Reed district, Victory township, which was followed by a like service in Dodge township, for one term. In October, 1872, he was appointed duputy auditor, in which capacity he served one year. He then entered the employ of I. P. Wetmore, then a banker of Panora, and in the store of Lyons & Prior, until elected recorder in the fall of 1874, to which office he was re-elected in 1876. In April, 1879, he engaged in the banking and real estate business with his present partner, H. K. Dewey. Mr. R. was united in marriage January 10, 1875, to Miss L. C. Taylor, a native of Illinois. They have three children--Edith, W. Edward, twins; and Irene T.

Thomas Seely was born in Wayne county, New York, October 1, 1822. His parents emigrated West and settled in Oakland county, Michigan, when he was about eight years of age. His mother, whose maiden name was Susan Clinin, died in 1846. His father, Samuel Seely, died in 1855. Both died in the state of Michigan. Thomas Seely received a good education in the schools and academies of the county in which he resided. Reaching a proper age he taught school for a short time and then went into the Grand river country, where for some time, with his brother John Seely, he was engaged in the lumber business. In the fall of 1849 he went to Washington city, having an appointment under the government. He remained there until the following spring. Afterward went to the Lake Superior country as an agent for a mining company. He remained there until he came to Guthrie county, locating in Bear Grove township in the spring of 1853. He was married January 8, 1857, in Guthrie Center by Rev. J. W. Anderson, to Miss May, daughter of Isaac and Rachel Parrish; eight children have been born to them, three of whom are dead--Curtis P. and Roy died in infancy; Clarence died November 15, 1880, aged 21 years; five are still living, namely Horace, Etta, Kate, Margueretta and Ray. In 1861, he entered the army in the service of his country. He organized Company C, 4th Iowa infantry, and served in its command until he was compelled by ill health, in the winter of 1862, to resign and return home. In 1854, he served as surveyor of Guthrie county, and 1855 was appointed by the county judge to fill a vacancy in the office of county treasurer. In the fall of 1856, he was elected by the district formed of the counties of Guthrie, Dallas and Polk, to the constitutional convention, and served in that body in forming the present constiution of the state. In 1858, he, with J. N. Griffith and Hon. John A. Kasson, were appointed a committee to investigate the state funds. In 1860, he was appointed to select the swamp lands and locate the swamp-land scrip belonging to Guthrie county. In 1864, he was appointed register of the United States land office, and resigned the position in the fall of 1867. He was a delegate to the republican national convention, and assisted in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln. He was elected in the fall of 1878 to represent Guthrie county in the lower house of the general assembly, and served with honor during the session. Mr. Seely was one of the original proprietors of the town of Guthrie Center, and has always been diligent in promoting its interests. He settled in 1859 upon the east half of section 8, in Valley township, improved the property into a fine farm home, residing upon it until 1881, when he sold it to William Willson and then built himself his present pleasant home in Guthrie Center, which his many friends hope he may happily enjoy through many years of honored age.

Thomas Turner

In October, 1869, Thomas Turner was elected sheriff and served two years. Thomas Turner, an old settler of Panora, and one of the most popular citizens of Guthrie county, was born in England, August 29, 1831. When eleven years of age he ran away from home and shipped with some sailors on a sailing vessel for America. While on ship-board met and formed the acquaintance of Thomas Huxley, who prevailed on him to stay in this country, and he came with him to Des Moines, Iowa. Here he worked on a farm until 1852. He then ran a peddling wagon, selling merchandise through Iowa for one year. In 1853 he, with Mr. Hurst as a partner, started a general store in Panora, being the first store in that city. In 1854 he sold his interest in the store, and locating a farm on section 6, Jackson township, followed agricultural pursuits until 1861. He then enlisted in Company C, 4th Iowa infantry, and served until taken prisoner at the battle of Claysville, Alabama, March 4, 1864. He was confined during his imprisonment at different times in Andersonville, Florence, North Carolina and at Charleston. He was liberated in December, 1864. But was so broken in health from gangrene, contracted in prison, that he was compelled to remain in the hopital at Annapolis, Maryland, for two months. In February, 1865, he returned to Panora, and in 1871 was elected sheriff of Guthrie county, and served one term with honor, making one of the best officers this county has ever had. He has held the office of constable of Cass township for some nineteen years. In 1880 he established his present business, and is also engaged in farming. He was married February 19, 1853, to Miss Mary E. Mitchell, a native of Indiana, they have one child--Mrs. Mary L. Botts. Mr. Turner is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the G. A. R. and a member of the Christian church.