FRED R. PRINCE, superintendent of the water service of the St. Louis division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, having headquarters at Beardstown, was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, February 9, 1859. He was the son of Charles Prince, of Coventry, England, born August 30, 1822, of good English stock, who, having grown up in the trade of a machinist, had no difficulty in obtaining work in the shops of Coventry. He here married Emma Taylor, of similar ancestry, and after the birth of three children, in 1855, started for the United States, and landed in New York city. They started on their westward journey with teams, and did not stop until they reached Mount Pleasant, Iowa, which was yet a hamlet. He there worked hard and established a shop, and has since run his business successfully. He is now about seventy years of age, but is still in active business. He and his wife are the only members of their families yet living. They are Universalists in religion, are good, worthy old people. He is a Democrat, and has been Alderman of his city.

Fred is the fifth of a family of eight children. He was reared in his native city, and learned his trade of machinist before he became of age. Soon after this period of his life he associated himself with the Quincy Railroad. He is a thorough machinist, having learned his trade under his father, is a practical and valuable man for the company, and has given good satisfaction to his employers. Before accepting his present position, Mr. Prince was from April 1, 1881 to September 1, 1883, a machinist at the shops in this place. He has now assumed control of the above mentioned branch of the Quincy business. It covers about 300 miles of road, representing the employment of fifteen men regularly.

While engaged in the mechanical department of the Boys' Reform School at Eldora, Iowa, Mr. Prince was married to Miss Mattie Champion, of Knox county, Illinois, who was born in 1866, reared in Iowa and educated at Oscaloosa, that State. Her father, Joseph Champion, was born in Kentucky, January 31, 1810, and died on his farm near Oscaloosa, at an advanced age. Her mother, Rachel Champion, was born in Indiana, September 16, 1816, and is also deceased. The subject of this sketch and his wife are active young people, and much attached to their home. They have no children. Mr. Prince is a Democrat, and a member of Ark Lodge, No. 16, I.O.O.F.