History of Hardin County, Iowa 1883 - Alden Township

Hardin County >> 1883 Index

History of Hardin County, Iowa
Springfield, Ill: Union Publishing Company, 1883.

Alden Township

Henry Alden, the founder of the village of Alden, and from whom the village derives its name, was born at Ashfield, Mass., in 1801. While there he was engaged in farming, and in 1841 he came West to DuPage county, Ill., remaining a short time, and then returned to Massachusetts. In 1854 he returned to Naperville, Ill., and in June, 1864, he, in company with Sumner Kemp, came to Iowa and located at Alden. He entered the land where Alden now stands, and began the erection of a mill and laid out the town. From the time of his arrival he entered into the building up of his town with great zeal, and spared neither time or money to make it all his fancy pictured. He did all in his power to induce a settlement of the place. He was a very public-spirited citizen, and gave a great deal of the money he accumulated, that others might be benefited thereby. His favorite quotation was, "An honest man is the noblest work of God," and his great aim in life was to prove himself one of the noblest. He departed this life in September, 1877. He was married to Miss Anna Richmond, a native of Ashfield, Massachusetts. She bore him seven children, four of whom are now living: Philena, now the wife of Frank Mason, of Alden; Sophia, now the wife of Martin Pritchard, the present Mayor of Alden; Eliza, wife of Wm. H. Connell, of Delaware county; Henry, now living at Alden. His wife died in February, 1877.

Henry Alden was born in Ashfield, Mass., in the year 1831, and was reared on a farm.  In May, 1870, he came West and located at the village of Alden, and built a brick block on Main street.  In 1873 he opened a meat market here, and has since been engaged in this business, with the exception of two years.  He was married June 4, 1856, to Miss Maria Leonard, who is also a native of Ashfield.  They have four children living -- Ella M., William H., Charles A. and George R.

Thomas M. Bailey came here from Indiana in the fall of 1852, and located on the northwest quarter of section 12, on land now owned by Mr. Holts, where he remained until 1865, when he removed to Guthrie county, and subsequently to Missouri, where he now resides.

John Barrett, a son of Levi and Lydia (Page) Barrett, was born in Windom county, Vermont, February 4, 1828. In 1832 his parents moved to New York State, where he was engaged in farming until 1854, when he came to Hardin county and located on section 16, buying a farm of 160 acres, but did not make any improvements for some time. Mr. Barrett has been one of the township trustees for the past six years. He was married in 1861 to Mary A. Livengood, who came with her parents to this county in 1853. Four children were born to them - Harriet E., Francis E., Thomas E. and Arthur E. His wife died in 1872. He was married to Martha A. Holden, a native of Missouri, in 1873. Two children have blessed this union - Clarence Levi and Homer George.

M. F. Bigelow, a son of Foster and Mary (Bordworth) Bigelow, was born at Conway, Mass., May 17, 1845.  In 1856 his parents moved to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where he remained until 25 years of age, when he came to Alden, remaining until 1873, when he moved to Eldora.  After spending about one year at Eldora, he returned to Alden and opened a livery.  Mr. Bigelow is the present City Marshal.  He was married in 1869 to Miss Eveline Burnham, who was born in Illinois, but was reared in St. Lawrence county, New York.

T. J. Birdsall, who is one of the proprietors of the bank of Alden, was born in Waupaca county, Wisconsin, October 5, 1851, and is the son of Benjamin and Ann (Lee) Birdsall.  Here, in his native county he received a good education at the public school.  In 1871 his parents moved to Alden, and in October of 1872, he entered the law office of C. M. Nagle, of Alden, and remained until the following year when he entered into partnership with his father and Mr. Nagle, in the banking business.  He was married April 28, 1874, to Miss Julia L. Nagle, who is a native of Clayton county, Iowa.  Two children have been born to them -- John M. and May L.

The Bank of Alden was established in June, 1873, by Nagle, Birdsall & Co.  In the spring of 1875, Benjamin Birdsall & Son became proprietors.  T. J. Birdsall is the active man of the firm.

Asher Boldenn came here from Indiana during the fall of 1852, and located on section 20, township 89, range 21, where he died, in October, 1857, of lung fever.  His body was interred on the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 12.

On the 1st day of July, 1856, Charles Philo and Hannah E., daughter of Asher Bolden, were united in marriage by Esquire Lott Clover, at the residence of the bride's parents.  This was the first marriage ceremony ever performed in Alden township.  Mr. and Mrs. Philo are now living near Wadena, Minnesota.

B. F. Bruce, is a son of Rufus and Mary (Harvey) Bruce, and was born at Wolcott, LaMoille county, Vermont, December 19, 1837. His father was born in Chester, Windsor county, Vermont, January 6, 1804. His mother was born at Ackworth, New Hampshire, July 26, 1798. His father died in the month of June, 1874, and his mother in October, 1878. In 1869, Mr. Bruce came to Alden, and in May, ov that year, bought his present farm of 160 acres, on setion 8. He has held the office of School Treasurer. On the 2d of April, 1859, he was married to Miss Sarah M. Lovejoy, who was born at Sharon, Vermont, August 12th, 1838, and is a daughter of Nehemiah and Pametia (ball) Lovejoy. Three children have been born to them: Abbie, born March 12, 1860, (now wife of E. J. Ricks, of Waterloo), Emma, born October 4, 1869, and Nellie, born September 20, 1876.

Loren Burnham, a son of Appolis and Irene (Taylor) Burnham, was born in Montague, Franklin county, Mass., June 26, 1830. He received a limited education at the district school, attending only during the winter months, after reaching the age of ten years. In 1851, he went to Connecticut, where he worked in a foundry at New Hartford, and afterwards at Plainsview. In May, 1857, he came to Hardin county and located at Alden, on section 25. In 1863, he bought a claim of Mr. Treat, and the next year settled on this place, and now owns 210 acres. He has engaged in farming most of the time since coming to Hardin county. Mr. Burnham has held the offices of President, Secretary and Director of schools at different periods, and is now present school Treasurer. In 1875, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Loveland, who is a native of Connecticut; eight children have been born to them, six of whom are now living--Ernst C., Albert M., Eugene L., Dwight E., Lucia A., and Maurice M.

J. R. Bushman, son of David and Eva (Spangler) Bushman, was born near Rochester, N. Y., October 6, 1832. In 1844 his parents moved to Carroll county, Ill., and here his father died in 1880. He remained here until fht efall of 1865, when he moved to Clay township, Hardin county, and remained eight years, engaged in farming. Upon leaving this township, he settled in Alden on section 35, and now owns 200 acres of land. Mr. Bushman has held the office of school director. He married, in 1858, Miss Eunice Baker, a native of York State. Six children have blessed this marriage--Abram Fred, Lydia Arrilla, Theresa, Elliott, John and Carrie.

Alden Catlin, one of the early settlers of this part of the county, was born in Franklin county, Massachusetts, July 14, 1832, and is a son of Timothy and Electa (Alden) Catlin, who are also natives of that State. Early in life he learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed while in Massachusetts; and upon his arrival in Alden, in 1856, he helped to build the first house erected here. In 1870 he moved to his farm, on section 13, bought soon after coming to the county; and since his removal there, he has improved his place, until now he is the owner of a fine farm. Mr. Catlin has never taken a very active part in the country’s politices. He, at one time, held the office of Township Trustee. In 1855 he was married to Miss Mary Jane Hodge, who is a native of New York. Two children have blessed this union--Ella and Alice.

Thomas Clayton, a son of John and Ann (Cronshaw)Clayton, was born in England, July 27, 1823. In 1851 he came to America and located in Oneida county, New York, where he worked in a foundry until 1867, at which time he came West, and settled at Alden, on section 16, where he bought a farm of 123 acres, and now owns over 400 acres of land. He was married to Miss Mary Fielding, a native of Balckburn, Lancashire, England, in 1847. Six children have been born to them--Alice Ann (now the wife of Charles Anderson, of Iowa Falls), Agnes, George, Joseph, Thomas F. and Mary.

O. S. Cleveland, a son of Lester and Diana (Meacham) Cleveland, was born at Holland, Orleans county, Vt., December 31, 1853, where he received a good education, graduating at the State Normal School at Johnson, Vt., June 22, 1875, under Wm. D. Crippen, Principal; Edward Conant, State Superintendent, and M. H. Buckham, Normal School Examiner. In 1876 he came west to Dison, Ill., where he was engaged in teaching until March, 1879, when he came to Alden and located on his farm in section 6, which he had bought in 1877. He was married June 13, 1878, to Miss Eva Rogers, daughter of Jesse and Lucy B. (Gardner) Rogers, of Alden. Their children are Myron J. and Jesse Lester.

John Combellick, a son of Jon and Grace (Sincock) Combellick, was born in Engalnd in 1824. He came to America in 1841, and settled in JoDaviess county, Ill., where he followed lead-mining and smelting lead ore for two years. In 1851 he went to Colorado, and for three years was engaged in mining and merchandizing. His mother still resides in JoDaviess county, his father having died there in 1874. In 1875 the subject of this sketch came to Alden and located on section 35, where he now owns a farm of 480 acres. He was married in 1847 to Caroline Bawden, and has seven children living, by her. She died in 1869, and in 1871 he was married to Mary Ann Vincent, and the result of this marriage is two living children.

G. Coy was born in Nottinghamsire, England, in 1820. He came to America in 1839, landing in New York, and soon after was engaged in shoemaking with a brother, in Oswego county, New York, for two years. He remained in the Eastern States until 1852, when he came West to Du Page county, Illinois, and was there engaged in farming, and afterward to Kane county, and in the spring of 1867, to Alden, and located on section 7, where he now resides. He was married in 1852, at Chicago, Ill., to Margaret Dewyer. She died in 1857. He was married in 1859 to Margaret Berry. Five children have been boen to them, viz.: Elizabeth, Anna, Ellen, John and William.

John Crawford

The first settlement in the township was made by Dr. John Crawford, who came here in 1851, and located on section 1, township 89, range 22, where he remained for some time, and subsequently moved to Nebraska, where he now resides.

Charlotte, daughter of Dr. John Crawford, was born in the winter of 1852-3, and was the first child born in the township. She is still living.

E. W. Crockett, who is a son of James and Mary Ann (Walford) Crockett, was born in Worcester, England, January 20, 1831. He came to America with his father in 1841, and located in Iowa county, Wisconsin. In 1852 he went to California, overland, where he remained three years, and then returned to this part of the country, and settled in Galena, Illinois, where he engaged in contracting. In 1869 he located at Alden, and followed farming until 1876. Mr. Crockett has held the office of Justic of the Peace six years, and is present trustee, and one of the village council. He was married in 1851 to Miss Catharine Eplett, who is a native of England. Five children have been born to them: Edwin J., Emma J., Anna, John C., and Frank Walford.

A. A. Davis is the son of M. J. and Matilda (Wells) Davis, and was born in Ionia county, Michigan, March 17, 1846. In 1857 his parents moved to Alden, where he received a good education at the public schools. Hist first engagement in business was at Dows, in the lumber trade, and was also in partnership with John Hoskin, at Alden, in mercantile trade. At present heoccupies a position in the latter’s store. In 1872 he was married to Miss Florence Pritchard, daughter of Henry and Samantha Pritchard. They have one daughter living--Minniefred.

M. J. Davis, who is now commonly known as ��Squire� Davis, is the pioneer hotel man of Alden.  He was born in North Chilli, Monroe county, New York, January 12, 1822, and is a son of Joseph and Roxania (Porter) Davis.  In 1826 his parents moved to Oakland county, Mich., where he lived until 1843; and while here he received a good common school education.  In 1843 he moved to Ionia county, Mich., where he lived until 1857, when he came to Alden and immediately bought the American House, which is now used for the postoffice.  This house he ran one year, and then rented the old Spencer House, and ran it three years.  Afterwards he built his present hotel � the Central House.  Mr. Davis was elected the first Mayor of the village of Alden, and in 1860 was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he has held most of the time since.  He was County Supervisor four years, being elected first to fill a vacancy for one year, and then elected for three years.  In politics, he is a Republican.  Mr. Davis was married in Oakland county, Mich., to Miss Matilda Wells, who is a native of Michigan.  They have been blessed with five children � Adeline, now the wife of J. G. Whitney; Adelberta A., now in business at Aldne; Elinor, now the wife of John Hoskin; Emma, now the wife of A. M. Merrill; Hattie E., wife of J. L. Savage.

The Central House [hotel] was built in 1869, by M. J. Davis.  It has accommodations for thirty guests.  Mr. Davis still owns and occupies the house, which has a good run of patronage.

Franklin Draper (deceased) was born in Herkimer county, New York, November 12, 1822. While in New York he followed the trade of masonry, which he learned when a young man. On December 24, 1846, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Catharine E. Weber, who is a native of the same county, and who was born in 1830. In 1853 they came west, spending one year at Janesville, Wis., and one at Batavia, Ill. In May of 1855, they came to Iowa Falls, and the following year ceased their wanderings by settling in Alden. In 1857 the family moved to their farm on section 14, where Mr. Draper died September 11, 1880. Their children are George Franklin, Mary C., who is now the wife of Charles Robbins; James W., Charles, who was married to Miss Effie Kline, January 11, 1880; William A., who is a twin brother to Charles; Lillian, Isabella and Frederick Owen.

Cornelius P. Farrell

[NOTE: Two separate spellings of last name recorded in following Bio.]

Cornelius P. Farrell, a native of Ireland, was born in county of Tipperary, December 13, 1835, and is a son of Cornelius and Margaret (Powers) Farrell. In 1855 he came to America, and remaining but a short time in New York State, moved west to seek his fortune. He first settled in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming two years. From here he moved to Coffin’s Grove, Delaware county, Iowa, where he spent two years, and then spent three years at Masonville, same county. Mr. Farrel afterwards engaged in railroading at different points, until 1869, when he located on his present farm, on section 30, and by perseverance and industry, has made for himself a nice home. He was married in New York, June, 1856, to Miss Margaret McGuire, a native of Leitram, ireland, and who was born on the 19th day of October, 1837. They have been blessed with nine children, eight of whom are now living--Ellen, born in Lafayette county, Wis., March 21, 1857; Cornelius Mitchell, born October 12, 1853; and died in 1865; John, born in Coffins Grove, Iowa, January 17, 1862; James, born in Masonville, Iowa, October 31, 1863; Thomas, born in New Hartford, Iowa, October 29, 1865; Michael, born in Caseyville, Iowa, January 2, 1867; Margaret, born in Alden, Iowa, May 22, 1869; Cornelius, born in Alden, Iowa, April 15, 1872; Kate, born in Alden, Iowa, September 4, 1874.

J. T. Fiddler, who is owner of the Alden restaurant, was born in Richmond county, Ohio, January 2, 1851.  He is the son of Henry and Francis (George) Fiddler.  In October, 1853, they came to Muscatine county, Iowa, where they remained until March, 1854, when they settled in Hardin township, where they still reside.  In 1872 J. T. went to Eldora, and began clerking in a furniture store, where he remained two years, and then engaged in the sewing-machine trade, which business he followed until 1871, when he opened his restaurant at Alden, in which business he still continues.  For the past four years he has been Constable of this township, and has made a very efficient officer.  In 1876 he was married to Miss Laura D. Strong.  Two children have been born to them, both of whom have passed away.

J. M. Fisher was born in York county, Penn., February 11, 1832, where he remained until twenty-six years of age, receiving a good common school education.  In 1858 he came west to Princeton, Ill., where he was engaged as lumber salesman for six years; thence to Independence, Iowa, where he entered to employ of the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad, now the Illinois Central; and on September 1, 1869, he took charge of their office at Alden, where he has since resided.  He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Miller) Fisher.  He was married in 1863 to Lydia Smellbecker.  They have one son -- Abraham Lincoln, now telegraph operator at Alden.

J. B. Fitch is a son of Prosper and Maria (Vaughn) Fitch, and was born in Otsego county, N. Y., February 16, 1827, where he received a good common school education, and remained until 1852.  He then moved to Oswego county, N.Y., where he was engaged in farming ten years; then spent two years in barrelmaking at Syracuse, N. Y.; then six years in Lewis county, N. Y., engaged in the manufacture of lumber and barrels.  He then came to Alden, and settled on section 32 and bought 160 acres of land, on which he made a few improvements; this he disposed of the following year.  He afterward moved to Buckeye township, and was there engaged in farming two years, and in 1879 h engaged in the agricultural implement trade at Alden.  While in Buckeye township he held the offices of Town Clerk and Secretary of the School Board.  He was married May 8, 1851, to Martha Shepherd.  She bore him two sons -- John and Lewis -- and died in 1857.  He was married to Sylvia J. Groat, January 27, 1859.  Four children have been born to them -- Ray, Edmund, Harry and Kate. 

W. H. Foote, a son of Jonathan and Eleanor (Simpson)Foote, was born in Dryden, Tompkins county. N. Y., January 10, 1824, where he remained until 1834, when he removed with friends to Preble county, Ohio, and afterward to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. In 1845 he came west to Madison, Wisconsin, where he established an express line, known as Foot’s Express, between Madison and Milwaukee, which he ran for ten years.

In 1855 Mr. Foote came to Hardin county, and April 1, of that year, located on section 16 of Alden township, where he has since resided. He was married in 1847 to Miss Emily A. Rouse, daughter of Gilbert Rouse, of Williamsville, N. Y. They have one daughter living -- Emma M., now the wife of J. D. McKay, of Iowa Falls.

A. R. Furry, one of the leading business men of Alden, was born in Marshall county, Ind., in 1848.  He came to Hardin county with his parents in 1855.  He received a good common school education, with an attendance of five years at the Iowa College, at Grinnell.  He then clerked for J. Q. Patterson, at Eldora, during 1872-3.  He was then with, his father at Alden until he engaged in business for himself in 1880.  He was married in 1877 to Miss Ida, daughter of August and Frederica Grapp, of Milwaukee, Wis.  They have two children -- Harlie E. and Cora May.

Joseph Furry is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in that State in 1814. His parents removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio when Joseph was quite young, and from thence to Rush county, Indiana, in 1822. In this county he grew to manhood, receiving a limited common school education, and doing his share of work upon the farm of his parents. In 1836, he married Rosanna Logan, in Rush county. Five children were born unto them - three living: Mar R., now Mrs. J. Q. Patterson, of Eldora; A. R., in-business in Alden; Arvilla, now Mrs. Augustus Patterson, residing in Missouri. After his marriage, Mr. Furry removed with his family to Marshall county, in the same State, where they resided for some years. Mrs. Furry died in 1848. In 1850 Mr. Furry married Sarah R. Stancliff, of Elkhart county, Indiana, a native of New York, born in 1822, and who came to that county in 1836. They have had four children, three of whom are yet living--Charlie L., Frank E.., Mark J. In 1854, the family moved to Iowa, arriving at Eldora the 12th day of January. As there was no place to stop in Eldora, they were compelled to go to Isaac Lesh’s, in Clay township, where they spent a few days, then to Steamboat Rock; Mr. Furry in the meantime erecting a two story frame building in Eldora, the first story designed as a store-room, and the upper for a dwelling. Into this they moved in the spring, Mr. Furry opening a stock of general merchandise in the room designed for that purpose. In 1862, this building was burned, and another at once erected, Mr. Furry continuing in the business until 1864, when he sold out and removed to Alden, where he purchased a farm. For the first year after his arrival in Alden, he continued the mercantile business. Subsequently he engaged in the grain and stock business in connection with farming, in which he continued two years. He then disposed of his interest in that business, and embarked in the mercantile trade, establishing the business now conducted by his son, A. R. Furry. While still retaining his residence in Alden, he has for the past two years been engaged in stock mining in Colorado.

M. A. Grout

One of the first harnessmakers was J. A. Button, who opened a shop in the fall of 1866, in a building now owned by Charles Hunt.  His brother, J. C. Button, was admitted as a partner in the summer of 1869.  In 1873 they sold out to Hiram Button, who in turn disposed of the shop to M. A. Grout, in October, 1875.  Mr. Grout still continues the business.

M. A. Grout is a son of D. B. and Harriet (Frisbie) Grout, and was born in Ontario county, N. Y., in 1838, where he remained until 1845, then removed to Macomb county, Mich., where he learned the trade of harnessmaking, and remained until 1868.  He then came to Wright county, Iowa, and turned his attention to farming, and in 1875 he embarked in the harness trade at Alden.  He was married in August, 1863, to Miss L. Aldrich.  She was born in Macomb county, Mich.

George Harris, who is a native of England, was born in Devonshire in 1852, and is the son of Isaac and Elizabeth Harris, who are also natives of Engalnd. In 1870 he came to America and settled first at Mendota, Ill., where he engaged in farming. In March, 1881, he came to Alden and located on section 31, where he still resides. He was married to Miss Mary Toben, a native of Illinois, in 1876. The fruit of this union is two children -- Jennie and Maud.

F. C. Hill, a son of Lemon and Jeanette (Cook) Hill, was born in Erie county New York, May 28, 1832. Here he remained until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Sheboygan, Wis., and the following five years was connected with stage lines between that city and Fon du Lac, Wis., after which he was engaged in railroading for 17 years. He began this business by "breaking," and was promoted from one position to another until he became conductor; first on the Canada & Northwestern Railroad, in Wisconsin, and for nine years of the time with the Illinois Central in Iowa. In 1868 he pruchased a farm of 80 acres on Section 21, Alden, and on which he settled in 1879. In January, 1866, he Was married to Miss Margaret Edwards, who is a native of Wisconsin. Three children have been born to them--Arthur G., William Lemon and Lelah Belle.

J. L. Hitt came here from Indiana in the spring of 1853, and located on section 18, township 89, range 21, on land now owned by Joseph Furry, where he remained until 1866, when he removed to Nebraska, where he now resides.

John Hoskin is one of the leading merchants of Alden. He is a son of Stephen and Jane (Chesterfield) Hoskin, of Iowa county, Wis., and was born in that county October 20, 1848. In 1850 his mother died, and his father followed her four years later. In 1854 he went to live at Platteville, Wis., with an uncle, and received a good education at the public schools of that city. In September of 1863 he enlisted in Comapny E, 11th Wisconsin Infantry, and served until honorably discharged at Madison, Wis., at the close of the war, in 1865. He then engaged in farming in Grant coutny, Wis., until 1870, when he moved to Palo Alto county, Iowa, where he spent four years on a farm, after which he spent three years in Wright county, and then one and a half years as proprietor of the "Central" house at Alden. He then returned to Palo Alto county, and remained one year; and in April, 1880, he returned to Alden, and has since been engaged in trade. He was married in 1875, to Miss Elinor M. Davis, who is a daughter of M. J. Davis and wife, of Alden.

C. P. Johnson, a son of Ezekiel and Mary (Mathus) Johnson, was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, August 29, 1836. His parents moved to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1837, where they settled on a farm; and here his father died in September, 1874. His mother is still living on the old place. Mr. Johnson remained in Wayne county until 1861, when he came to Hardin county, and located just north of Iowa Falls. In 1865, he removed to his present location, and now owns 244 acres of land. He was married in 1845 to Miss Margaret E. Catey, caughter of John and Sarah (Harris) Catey. She bore him three children--George, Albert and Stewart--and died in April, 1874. Mr. Johnson was again married to Miss Mercy J. Merrill, a native of Cataraugus county, New York, November 1874, and the result of this union is two children--Minerva and Freddie E.

The grandfather of Mr. Johnson’s first wife came to America from Germany, and upon his arrival in this country could not speak English enought to make known his own name, but was able to make people understand that his father’s name was Henry, and his mother’s Catey, so he received the name of Henry Catey.

Pleasant Jones came here from the southern part of the county in the fall of 1852, and located on section 12, on land now owned by U. D. Palmer, where he remained until 1865, when he removed to Guthrie county.

Sumner Kemp is a son of Lawrence and Mary (Steward) Kemp, and was born in Shelbourne, Franklin county, Mass., February 6, 1833. He was reared on a farm, and received a good common school education at the district schools of that day. In June, 1854, he came west, meeting Henry Alden at Naperville, Illinois, where they bought an ox team and wagon and started westward, crossing the Mississippi river at Dubuque, and coming thence west to the Cedar river, which they struck at Jonesville, their intention being to locate a mill site. After wandering about for some time, they finally found Thomas Bailey, and others, on a hunting expedition up the Iowa river; from them they learned of a location on the Iowa; descending that stream, they came to the present location of the village of Alden, and pitched their tents. Soon after Mr. Kemp started for Fort Des Moines to enter land for himself and Mr. Alden, which he did. He, in company with Ira Plummer, made the entire journey on foot, wading swamps and rivers, which at that season of the year were overflowing. The trip lasted seven days. While there he entered 80 acres for himself and 120 for Alden. They soon after began to build a mill, but he soon after sold his interest to Alden, and, in 1856, began to improve his farm, and succeeded in planting eighteen acres to sod corn the first year. During this summer he had built his house. December 25, 1856, he was married, in Henry county, Iowa, to Miss Hannah E. Button, daughter of Albert and Mary (Collins) Button. Mr. Kemp has held the office of township trustee several times.

He enlisted in September, 1861, in Company A, Twelfth Iowa Infantry, under Captain S. R. Edgington. During the battle of Shiloh he was Orderly for General Tuttle. His own regiment being taken prisoners at that battle, he was put on detached service, and afterward served as clerk in the Provost Marshal’s office at Cairo, Illinois, and afterward at Vicksburg. He was on the expedition up the Red river, with General Banks.

Five children have been born to them. Four are now living: Eva, now the wife of Charles Rummel, living at Ellsworth; Cora, now the wife of Frank Joslin, of Alden; Mary and Charles Sumner.

Sumner Kemp came here from Massachusetts, in company with Henry Alden. They arrived here in 1854. Mr. Kemp soon after took up a claim on section 13, township 89, range 22, where he still resides. Mr. Alden located on section 18, township 89, range 21, where he died in 1877.

John Laird, who is a son of Hugh and Nancy (Vroman) Laird, was born in Grant county, Wis., July 11, 1850. He was reared on a farm, and received a good common school education. While in Wisconsin Mr. Laird followed farming, with the exception of three years spent in Georgetown, Wis., w3here he engaged in the butcher’s business. In 1878 he came to Alden and located on section 21, where he now owns a farm of 240 acres. He was married in 1871 to Matilda Watson, who is also a native of Grant county, Wis. Five children have blessed this marriage -- Nellie, Whitfield, Johnnie, Hugh and Clarence Watson.

A. Lemoine was born in Medina county, Ohio, December 9, 1829, and is a son of Noah E. and Hannah (Shaw) Lemoine. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of New York. In 1839 his parents moved to Summit county, Ohio, and here his father died February 22, 1846. In October of this year he came west to Manetowoc county, Wis., where he remained until 1853, engaged in farming. From this place he moved to Columbia county, Wis., and remained until 1865, when he came to Hardin county and located in Jackson township. In 1872 he came to Alden, and now owns a fine farm of 125 acres. In 1852 he was married in Manetowoc county to Miss Cordelia Wheeler, a native of Canada, who bore him three children--Luella, now wife of Leroy Babcock, of Jackson township; Alida, wife of J. K. Devendorff, of Eldora; and Frank.

Frank Lenhart, who is a druggist of Alden, was born in Clayton county, Iowa, August 10, 1857, and is the son of John and Mary (Rickard) Lenhart.  He remained in his native county until 15 years of age, when he moved to Alden and began printing.  This vocation he followed until February, 1880, when he opened his drug store.

Wilson R. Mason, a native of Ohio, was born in Belmont county, July 11, 1840, and is the son of David and Susannah (Bevan) Mason.  In 1843 his parents came west to Tazewell -- now Logan -- county, Ill., and afterwards moved to Bureau county, Ill.  Here he remained until sixteen years of age.  In 1856 they came to Hardin county and settled near Point Pleasant, where his father died in February, 1871.  In 1867 he located on section 36, Alden, where he now owns a farm of 70 acres.   Mr. Mason has held the office of school director.  In September, 1865, he was married to Sarah Morriell, who bore him two children -- Joshua Thoburn and Sylvia Ann -- who died in the spring of 1870.  July 11, 1870, he was married to Hannah Masters, who has borne him one child -- Mary Ellen.

S. M. Massey is the son of Baker and Polly (Stowell Massey, and was born in the year 1831 in the State of New York. His educational advantages were the common district school. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, at which time he came west to Beloit, Wis., where he worked at the tinner’s trade two years. From Beloit he went to Jefferson, Wis., where he engaged in the same business until the breaking out of the war in 1861. At the President’s call for troops, he gave up his business and joined the ranks, enlisting in Company B, First Wisconsin Cavalry, and served until honorably discharged at Cape Girardeau, Mo., January 6, 1863, on account of disability. After this discharge he remained in the quartermaster’s department in that town one year. In September of 1866, he located at Alden and engaged in the hardware business, and has since been a resident of this place. Mr. Massey is a Master Mason in good standing. He was married in 1851 to Miss Marietta Hunter, who was also born in New York State. Four children have been born to them, of whom Lou is the only one living.

D. McPherson is the son of James and Christina (Gordon) McPherson, and was born in Genesee county, New York, in June, 1834. He was reared on a farm, and received a good common school education. In 1867 he came to Alden, and located on section 6, where he now owns a farm of 180 acres. He was married in 1863 to Miss Emily Olive Crocker, a daughter of James and Phoebe (Chamberlain) Crocker, of Le Roy, Genesee county, N. Y. Their children are: Ida, Ruth, William, Grace, Gordon and Marion.

A. M. Merrill was born in Cataraugus county, New York, June 15, 1854. In 1869, his parents came to Alden, where his father (David Merrill) bought a farm and died here, in 1874. He has been engaged in farming here, with the exception of 15 months running the "Central House." He was married in 1875 to Miss Emma Davis, daughter of "Esquire" Davis, of Alden.

George Miller, son of Peter D. and Mary (Root) Miller, was born in Albany county, New York, January 15, 1854. In 1868 his parnets moved to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where they lived one year, and then moved to Hardin county, and settled in Alden on section 34. Here his father died, in March 1882. He was married December 24, 1877, to Miss Emma Barnes, who was born in Tama county, Iowa. Two children have been born to them: Grace and James.

Wm. Myers was born in Virginia, October 15, 1816. His early life was spent in Indiana, where he was married to Julia A. Deere, December 9, 1841. She was born at Anderson, Ky., August 22, 1826. In 1853 they came west, driving through to Alden with ox teams, taking them six weeks to make the trip. Here they settled on section 1, where Mrs. Myers died April 3, 1863. Mr. Myers is the oldest living settler in the township. Their children are: Jennie, now the wife of J. M. White, of Furness county, Neb.; Julia A., wife of W. A. Caraway, of Ellis township; Flora and Charles.

Mary Ann, daughter of William and Julia Myers, died July 28, 1853. Her body lies buried in the Alden cemetery. This was the first death in the township.

William Myers also came from Indiana, arriving here in the spring of 1853, and locating on section 1, township 89, range 22, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1863. His body was interred in the old cemetery. His widow, Mrs. Julia A. Myers, is the oldest living settler in the township.

Hiram D. Palmer, son of Alexander and Olive (Plumb) Palmer, was born in Warren county, N. Y., August 27, 1831, where he remained until 1850, following the occupation of boating and rafting. In 1850 he went to Wastenaw county, Mich., and was engaged in farming in that and Ingham counties until 1865, when he came to Alden and located on section 12, where he now owns a fine farm of 140 acres. In the fall of 1875 he went to Prince Edwards county, Va., and remained three years, and still owns a plantation of 252 acres. He was married in Veray, Mich., in 1857, to Hannah Elizabeth Hill, daughter of Bazaleel Hill, of Ohio. He was killed near Mr. Palmer’s farm by a team running away, upon his return from Sunday-school. They have six children--Emma, wife of Richard Kremelmyer; Irene, Clara, Lucile, Eunice and Ernst Orson.

Richard Palmer, son of William and Elizabeth (Fieldesend) Palmer, was born in England, September 27, 1829. He came to America in 1859, and first located at Fairplay, Grant county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming one year. Thence he removed to Lafayette county, and remained eight years. In 1870 he came to Alden, and settled on section 34, where he now owns a farm of 160 acres. Mr. Palmer has held the office of School Director, and is at present Township Trustee. He was married in 1857 to Miss Mary Naylor, who was also born in England. Seven children have been born to them: Ellen, George William, Margaret Ann, Elizabeth Alice, James Albert, Charles Henry and Susan.

A. Parmalee, a son of David W. and Cynthia (Crampton) Parmelee, was born in Genesee county, New York, August 24, 1828. He was raised on a farm, receiving a very limited education. During the spring of 1867 he came to Alden and bought a farm, to which he moved his family during the fall of that year. He has held the office of President of the Schoo Board of this township. He was married April 9, 1849, to Miss Eunice A. Parmelee, daughter of Phineas and Mary (Ward) Parmelee. Their children are: Howard, Julia, now wife of Dr. Bracket, of Goldfield, Iowa; David W., Ward P., Mary, Ruth, and Effie.

Philemon Plummer came from Indiana in the spring of 1853, and located on section 13, township 89, range 22, on land now owned by L. H. Utley, where he lived until 1857, when he moved to Guthrie county. From Guthrie county he moved to Missouri at a subsequent date, and from thence to Oregon, where he now resides.

C. D. Pritchard is a son of Philo A. and Eliza J. (Woodward) Pritchard, and was born at Lockport, N. Y., August 9, 1830. In 1836, his parents moved to Washtenaw county, Michigan; here he received an academic education, attending the "Union" school at Ypsilanti, and afterward began the study of law. In the spring of 1857, he came to Alden, and during the fall became the proprietor of the "Alden House," which he ran one year. He then moved to Hancock county, where he was admitted to the Bar, in 1858, and afterward practiced his profession and teaching. In 1860 he was elected Clerk of the Courts of that county, which office he filled for two years; elected in 1863, and was a member of the State Legislature of 1864; was soon after appointed Department Clerk in the Interior Department at Washington, D. C., but finding a clerkship not suited to his taste, and that the chances of promotion were few, he soon after resigned, and returned to Hancock county and began the practice of his chosen profession. In 1869, he was employed to thoroughly examine and correct the books of Wright county, which he did in a very satisfactory manner. In 1871, he entered into partnership with Shi brother Martin, at Alden. In politics, he is a Republican, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for a number of years. He was married in the fall of 1857 to Miss Anastatia Morton, daughter of J. G. and Almira (Gorton) Morton, of Ypsilanti, Mich. They have been blessed with three children--Alda M., Ida M., and Anastatia.

Martin Pritchard was born at Batavia, New York, October 20, 1835, and soon after his birth his parents moved to Michigan. His early education was limited to the district schools of that day; but always having a taste for books, he applied himself to study during his leisure moments, and in this way gained a solid education. He learned the trade of blacksmithing under his father, and upon his arrival in Alden, in the year 1856, opened the first blacksmith shop in the place. He afterward spent one year in Colorado, and upon his return resumed his trade, which he followed until 1870, when he embarked in mercantile trade, and remained in this business until 1881. He was the first Township Clerk, and taught the first school in the township, and has held the office of Mayor for three years. Mr. Pritchard was also Supervisor under the old Supervisor system, nearly tow terms, and was Postmaster of Alden from 1870 to 1881. He also was the first Vice-President of the Old Settlers’ Society. In 1859 he was married to Sophia M., daughter of Henry and Hannah (Richmond) Alden. They have one child living: Gertrude M., wife of J. W. Blakeslee, of Webster City.

The first school was taught by Martin Pritchard, during the winter of 1856-7, in a building erected for the purpose, and now owned by Mrs. Neill, on section 18, township 89, range 21. This was the beginning of the educational work in the township, which has now been well developed. There are now eleven good and substantial school buildings, nine of which are of frame and two of brick, the latter being in District No. 4. There are now 400 children of school age in the township, having during the year 1880-81 an enrollment of 375 and an average attendance of 194. The school property is valued at $10,000.

A. W. Richardson, a son of Samuel and Julia (Derby) Richardson, was born in Stafford, Orange county, Bt., March 29, 1845. In 1857 he moved with his parents to Windsor county, Bt., where he engaged in farming and shoe-making until 23 years of age. In 1868 he came West to Black Hawk county, Iowa, where he remained three years, and then returned to his native State, where he engaged in chair manufacturing for four years. At the expiration of this time he came to Alden, and located on section 7, where he has since resided. In 1866 he was married to Miss Rosette Rex, a daughter of Marshall and Adeline (Ball) Rex, of Windsor county, Bt. Three children have been born to them -- Fred., Mabel and Estella.

Jesse Rogers, one of Alden’s most esteemed citizens, and one of the pioneers, was born in Broome county, New York, March 10, 1809. He is a son of Nathaniel and Lucy (Fuller) Rogers. His early life was spend on a farm. His educational advantages were the district schools those days, but he made the best use of his time, and soon arose to the position of teacher. In 1831 he made a profession of religion, and his name was enrolled as one of the members of the Congregational church of Triangle, New York. Mr. Rogers has never regretted this important event in his life, and whenever his lot has been cast he has always been in the foremost ranks, fighting for the right. In 1840 he went to Marathon, Courtland county, New York, and was engaged in the produce trade, between there and New York City, until 1856, when he came West and located on a farm near the village of Alden, on which he lived until 1870. It was mainly through his efforts that the Congregational church was organized at this place, and it is largely owing to his untiring zeal that it is now in its flourishing condition.

He was married in 1829 to Miss Hannah Saxton, a native of Long Island. Nine children were born to them, five of whom are now living: Fanny E., now the wife of L. H. Uttley, of Alden; Fidelia, wife of J. Allen Spencer; Helen M., wife of Peter Taylor; DeWitt C., a resident of New York City; Rorillus Rollin, a graduate of Oberlin, and now principal of the Jamestown Academy, Jamestown, N. Y. His wife died in July, 1852. He was married in 1853 to Mrs. Lucy B. Todd, widow of John Todd, of Lisle, N. Y. Three daughters were born to them. Alice E., who died at 14 years of age; Eva, wife of O. S. Cleveland, of Alden; Jennie J., wife of Marion George, of Williams. His second wife died in October, 1865. He was married in 1866 to Mrs. C. M. Smith, of Homer, New York, his present wife.

At the organization of the Hardin County Agricultural Society he was made Vice-President, which office he held one year, he then was President two years. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and has always been an ardent worker in the temperance cause.

Mr. Rogers is a many who is very highly respected and beloved by all who know him.

Charles Roller was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in the year 1849.  He came to America during the year 1867, and settled in Philadelphia, Pa.  While in his native country he learned the trade of blacksmithing, and worked at it for eleven years in Philadephia.  In the year 1878 he came to Alden and entered the employ of L. Rummel.  In April, 1882, he opened a shop for himself.  Mr. Roller was married in 1869 to Miss C. B. Riehm.  They have been blessed with three children -- Lizzie, Willie and Frankie.

L. Rummel

The first wagon maker was L. Rummel, who opened a small frame building, in September, 1865.  This building was 24x24.  An addition was built by Mr. Rummel, 20x30, in 1866.  The entire building was burned January 30, 1869.  He then erected a stone building, 30x50, three stories in height, with a frame addition, 35x50, together with a store room, 22x70, two stories in height, the second being used as a paint shop.  He now employs about a dozen men in the various departments of his business, and has a trade of $12.000 annually.

L. Rummel was born in Prussia, in 1840.  In 1855 he accompanied his parents to America, locating south of Milwaukee, Wis.  He soon afterwards commenced to learn the trade of wagon maker, at Richfield Station, Wis., and subsequently carried on that trade for himself near Fond du Lac, where he remained until 1865, when he came to Alden and opened the first slop in the place.  Mr. Rummel has held the office of School Director, and is at present a member of the town council.  He is recognized as an honorable citizen and an enterprising business man.  He was married in 1863 to Augusta Schultz.  They have six living children -- Albert, Lewis, Louisa, Uto, Carl and Clementia.

J. C. Sperry is a son of Lewis and Maria (Hotchkiss) Sperry, and was born in Woodbridge, New Haven county, Connecticut, May 20, 1834. In 1840 his parents moved to Litchfield county; here he received a good common school education. In 1855, in company with his brother S. H., Joshua Smith and Joseph Loveland, he came to Davenport, Iowa, and thence on foot to Fort Dodge, where he remained until December of that year; then, in company with S. H., J. Allen Spencer and Mr. Chaffee, he came to Alden. In 1856 he worked at the carpenter’s trade. In 1857 he returned to Connecticut, and in 1860 he went to Colorado, where he was engaged in mining five years. In 1865 he returned to Alden, and the next year went to Denver, driving a team through from Omaha, Nebraska, and returned the same year.

Mr. Sperry has held the office of town clerk, and is at present a member of the village council. He was married in 1867 to Miss Mattie Lovejoy, a native of Vermont. Their children are Willis W. and Berton L.

George Stringer, a son of Mark and Deborah (Wilson) Stringer, was born at Elgin, Ill., September 19, 1848. He was reared on a farm, and received a good education at the Elgin Academy, of Elgin, Ill. In March, 1878, he located on section 5, Alden township, where he now owns a fine farm of 400 acres, with 200 acres under improvements. He is school director of district No. 8. He was married November 25, 1872, to Miss Kitty Peaslee, a native of Elgin, Ill. Their children are Frank and George.

Taylor Brothers were the first to engage in the lumber trade in Alden. They commenced the business here in 1856, and for twenty-five years were in partnership in the same line. On the 15 th day of August, 1882, the firm was dissolved, Edward becoming sole proprietor.

Peter Taylor and his brother E. Taylor came to Alden in October, 1856, and put up a steam saw-mill, at which mill they manufactured most all the lumber used in town and surrounding country for a dozen years following. They only sawed a few logs in the fall of 1856, when the hardest winter on record put a stop to that kind of business until May, 1857, and, before the snow had left the valley, building in town commenced at a lively rate. Taylor & Bro. put up the first store in town, in which C. Schoenhals put in the first stock of general merchandise. In 1858 Mr. James Potter, City Engineer of Dubuque, who had an original interest with McClure & Co. in the saw-mill, became a partner of Taylor & Bro., and they ran the saw-mill together until 1870, when James Potter removed to Fort Scott, Kan. In 1859 Taylors & Co. built a bridge across the river at Alden, which stood for about ten years. Peter Taylor accepted an appointment as Assistant Engineer in the U. S. Navy in 1863, and resigned his appointment in September, 1865, returning to Alden, where he married Helen M. Rogers in 1868, and built a house the year following, near the depot, where they have lived ever since. They have two daughters and a son to divert their attention.

Taylor & Bro. dealt in pine lumber, and hauled the same from Ackley and Iowa Falls for two years before the railroad reached Alden. They built the brick school house in Alden, and put up a grain warehouse in 1869, and an elevator in 1875, which burnt down in 1876, with 13,000 bushels of grain, and was rebuilt the same year by them. E. Taylor was married in 1865 to Louisa Schultz. He bought the brick house built in 1857 by John Peabody, where he has resided ever since. He has two children, a son and a daughter. In 1881, after 25 years of partnership, the separated their business, E. Taylor continuing in the lumber and Peter Taylor in the grain trade.

George Todd, son of Charles and Maria (Williams) Todd, was born in Courtland county, New York, January 5, 1836. He was reared on a farm, and since reaching his majority has followed the occupation of farming. In 1868 he came to Alden, and located on section 23, where he bought 40 acres. In 1876 he sold this place to Orson Bennett, and bought his present farm of 80 acres, on section 22. Mr. Todd has held the office of Constable. He was married to Miss Harriet Tirreli in 1858, she being of his native county. Five children have been born to them--G. K., Ella A., Lena B., Ernst, and Grace.

John Tomlinson, son of William and Elizabeth (Sheppard) Tomlinson, was born in Manchester, England, March 31, 1835. In 1841, his father came to America and located at New Diggins, Lafayette county, Wis. In 1844, he, in company with his mother, joined the father at that place. In 1850, his father became proprietor of the "White Bear" hotel at galena, and during the cholera scourge of 1850, he died. A brother and sister also died of this dreadful disease at the same time. The family immediately returned to New Diggins, and depended upon the exertions of young John, then a lad of 15, for support. Until 1862, he was engaged in mining, but at this time started in the mercantile trade at Fair Play, Wis., and afterwards at Georgetown, Wis.

In May 1869, he located in Alden, on section 32, and now owns a fine farm of 265 acres, with all modern improvements, and with everything arranged to his taste, he will undoubtedly pass the remainder of his days in peace and quietude. He early acquired a toaste for the study of ornithology, and has devoted a good deal of time to this charming science. As a taxidermist, he has acquired considerable reputation, and takes a great deal of pleasure in entertaining his numerous visitors, by showing them his large collections--the result of many hours of labor. He has held the office of Assessor for the past eight years. Mr. Tomlinson was married, November 19, 1857, to Miss Leah Armstrong, a native of Cumberland, Eng. Seven children have been born to them--Mary Eliza, William Armstrong, Elizabeth, John Ellsworth, Frank Walter, Arthur Lincoln and Robert Austin.

Mr. Tomlinson is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in good standing and was one of the first officers of the Alden Lodge.

Robert M. Treat was born in New Haven county, Conn., January 13, 1838. He is a son of Charles and Henrietta (Mallory) Treat, both natives of that county. He remained in that county until February, 1857, when he came to Alden, and in 1858 bought a farm on section 11, on which he settled in 1869. In 1863 he enlisted in Company F, 2d Iowa Infantry, and was honorably discharged at Selma, Ala., at the close of the war in 1865, and returned to Alden, where he has since resided. He was married in 1860 to Miss Susan Pritchard, a native of Pittsfield, Mich. Five children have blessed this union -- Elmer E., Marion H., Robert S., Frederick W. and Philip.

Milton Utley, who is one of Alden's leading business men, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., December 17, 1838, and is a son of Isaac and Electa (Cogswell) Utley.  In 1839 his parents moved to Courtland county, N. Y., where he remained until 18 years of age, receiving a good common school education.  In 1856 he came West to Bureau county, Ill., and engaged in farming, which occupation he followed until he came to Alden, in 1868.  Soon after coming here he embarked in the drug trade, in which business he remained until September, 1878, when he opened his present hardware store.  He was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Thompson, in 1860, who bore him one son, Addison E., and who died in 1864.  He was married again in 1873 to Deborah J. Blakeslee.  The fruit of this marriage was two daughters -- Minnie and Nellie May.

A. C. Whitney, who is a furniture dealer of Alden, was born in Franklin county, Vt., August 11, 1833.  He received a common school education, and at the age of 16 began learning the carpenter's trade.  In 1852 he moved to Lyons, Wayne county, N. Y., where he worked at his trade.  At the expiration of two years he was called home by the death of his mother, and remained there until 1854, when he turned his steps westward, and in January, 1858, located in Alden.  He immediately began working at his trade, which he followed until he opened a furniture store, in company with O. Willis, in 1868, and has since continued in this business.  Mr. Whitney has held the office of Township Clerk, and is the present village Treasurer.  He was married December 31, 1858, to Mary Todd, who was born in Courtland county, N. Y.  They have nine children -- Ida M., Edith, Lewis, Leona, Minnie, Andrew, Charles, Mabel and Effie.

J. G. Whitney, is a son of Solomon and Bersheba (Clow) Whitney, and was born in Franklin county, Vermont, March 4, 1836, remaining there until 19 years of age. In June, 1857, he arrive at Alden, and for one and one-half years, worked at the carpenter’s trade. In the spring of 1860, he crossed the plains to Colorado, but returned in 1861, and afterward made several trips to the mining regions; and in 1866, located on the northeast quarter of section 14, where he still resides. Mr. W. has held the office of trustee three terms. He was married in 1866, to Miss Adeline Davis, daughter of "Squire" Davis, of Alden. Their children are Millie, Montie, Maynard, Mirtie, Martin, Maurice and Irving.

William A. Wilkinson, son of Herod D. and Elizabeth (Robertson) Wilkinson, was born in Lincoln county, Missouri, April 8, 1842(3). In 1850 his parents moved to Grant county, Wis., his father settling on a farm in Hazel Green, and dying there in 1855. In 1860 William went to California, where he remained five years, and then returned to his home. In 1872 he came to Alden, and settled on section 33, and now owns a fine farm of 185 acres. In 1868 he was married to Elizabeth A. Tomlinson, a native of Lafayette county, Wisc. Three children have been born to them -- Olive Maude, John William and Eugene Walter.

H. T. Williams is a son of Tyler and Lavina (Francis) Williams, and was born in Foxboro, Mass., Mary 17, 1831.  In 1838 his parents moved to Portage county, Ohio, where he remained until 1852.  He then moved to Chicago, Ill., where he worked at millwrighting two and a half years; thence to Lockport, Ill., remaining until 1870, when he came to Eagle City, Hardin county, where he was engaged in milling four years; afterwards for the next four years he was engaged in working in the Eldora mill, and, in 1878, rented the Alden lower mill and ran it one year, and afterwards was at Hardin City, Parkersburg and Iowa Falls until December 6, 1881, when he returned to Alden, and has since been running the lower mill.  He as married December 25, 1870 to Miss Melinda Smith, a daughter of James Smith of Hardin township.  Five children are the result of this union -- James Tyler, Arabella, Oscar Orlando, Francis Henry and Cora B.

Albert Wood is a son G. C. and Electa (Woodworth) Wood, and was born in Iowa county, Wis., in 1853, remaining until 1865, when the family moved to Hardin county, and settled in Alden township. Here his father died in 1872, and his mother in 1874. He has held the office of road supervisor two years, school director three years, and is present secretary of the township district schools. He was married in January, 1881, to Miss Flora Brown, a native of Iowa county, Wis. They have one child.

Duane Young

The banking house of Duane Young, was opened in June, 1874, and continued by Mr. Young for four years, or until June, 1878.

Duane Young, who is one of Alden's pioneers, was born in Johnston county, New York, February 18, 1832, and is the son of Richard and Maria (Simcer) Young.  Until eleven years of age, he attended the common schools, and after that, obtained such education as could be gathered during his leisure hours.  Mr. Young is truly a self-made man.  Beginning in life with nothing, he has accumulated wealth, until he is now one of the richest men in Hardin county.  At eleven years of age he began to work in a woolen factory, at which occupation he continued until twenty, when he crossed the plains to California, and for three years followed mining, and here received his first start in life.  In 1856 he returned to Utica, New York, and remained one year.  In going west he passed through Iowa, and liking this part of the country, he determined to settle here; accordingly, in 1856 he came to Alden, and during that summer, built and opened, in company with A. B. Ferguson, the second store in Alden.  They were engaged in trade together until 1862, when they dissolved, and Mr. Young carried on the business alone for some years.  During his business and mercantile trade, and has always been known as one of Alden's most enterprising business men.  In January, 1881 he opened a bank at Clarion, which now occupies the most of his attention.  He was united in wedlock, in 1857, with Miss Mary Ann Chadwick, of Utica, New York.

Five children have been born to them -- Charles D., George W., William H., Mabel and Maud.