BIOGRAPHIES: I thru L; Lyon County, Iowa 
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Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of 
Lyon County,Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer 
Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach 
Sec'y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., 
Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed for Lyon County by Darlene Jacoby and 
Diane Johnson 
----------------------------------------------------------------------

-I-

ISEBRAND, T. 
T. Isebrand is one of the leading citizens of George, 
Lyon County, and has won the respect and confidence of 
the community by his industrious habits and marked 
integrity. He is still in the prime of life, and his 
friends foresee useful and prosperous years for him.

The George Courier was established in 1895, and very 
shortly became the only paper in George, as the Kodak, 
which had been running, suspended publication on the 
appearance of the Courier, leaving the way free for 
its energetic young rival. Mr. Isebrand and Mr. 
Culver, then principal of the George schools, bought 
the Courier, from which Mr. Culver retired in April 
1903 in favor of his partner who has since been the 
sole owner of the paper. It is Independent in 
political matters, and is a favorite with the people 
of George, to whose interests it is devoted. 

Mr. T. Isebrand was born in Germany in 1852, and was 
brought by his parents to this country in 1860. They 
located near White Rock, Illinois where they spent 
some eight years, and then removed to Grundy County, 
Iowa, becoming pioneers in the settlement of what was 
then largely a wilderness.

There young Isebrand worked at farming, and he earned 
wages and saved them, displaying the economical and 
prudent spirit inherited from his race and blood. This 
he carefully invested and is now the owner of two 
thousand and four hundred acres of land, seven hundred 
of which is in contiguity to George and is under a 
high state of cultivation. The first land which he 
bought in 1886 was then worth ten dollars an acre and 
is now worth seven or eight times that much.

T. Isebrand was married in 1881 to Miss Hattie Primus, 
and they have a family of seven children: John, 
Elizabeth, Henry, Helen, Dena, Clarence and Orval. All 
attend the Christian church. Mr. Isebrand is a 
Republican. He has been a member of the school board 
for five years, for three years of that time being 
president of the board. At present he is a member of 
the city council, where his conservative spirit and 
sound business sense command much attention. Mr. 
Isebrand considers that much of his success has come 
from his general farming, and his attention to stock 
and grain. 

-J-

JACOBSON, JOHANNES (Deceased) 
Johannes Jacobson, who was in his lifetime a bold and 
enterprising spirit, and who came into Lyon County 
late, where he did much in the development of this 
section of the state, was born in Norway September 
19,1828. He grew to manhood under the parental roof, 
and received such educational advantages as the public 
schools of his native country at that time afforded. 
In his early manhood he sailed on the ocean for 
several years, and was thoroughly experienced in the 
art of seamanship before the advent of steam. In 1876 
he sought a home in the United States, and his feet 
first pressed American soil at Quebec, Canada. He did 
not remain in that city, but came straightway to 
Illinois, where he was employed as a farm helper for 
two years, going from there to eastern Iowa. In 1885 
he followed the drift of settlement and made a home in 
Lyon County where he bought a handsome farm.

Mr. Jacobson was married April 11, 1852 to Miss 
Christina Gunderson, who was born in Norway in 1829. 
To this union have come eight children: Jacob, dead, 
Jacob (2), and Maria, also dead; Jennie is living; 
Martha is dead; Martha (2), Christina and Lena. All 
but the youngest child was born in Norway. She is a 
native of Iowa.

It was by hard work, good management and wise economy 
that Mr. Jacobson made such a substantial success of 
his life. When he died, April 11, 1902 he left a 
quarter section of well-improved and highly cultivated 
land to his widow and daughters. The farm has 
excellent buildings throughout and is provided with 
modern and up-to-date machinery. The grove on the farm 
is thrifty and affords great promise.


JEFFERS, GEORGE E. 
George E. Jeffers, now one of the leading 
agriculturists of Doon Township, Lyon County, was born 
in Oneida County, New York, where he was reared on the 
farm of his parents, and given but a limited winter 
term school education. Of a most industrious and 
ambitious spirit, Mr. Jeffers determined to seek his 
fortunes in the northwest, and in 1892 he arrived with 
his family in Sioux City, Iowa. He had but little 
money on hand, and his need of it immediate and 
urgent, so he did not hesitate to embrace the first 
opportunity to earn an honest dollar, and became a 
salesman for H.A. Johns Nursery Company, selling 
trees. In this line he was very successful. The 
following year he was engaged as clerk in the hotel of 
Henry Rice, at Doon, Iowa, known at that time as the 
"Bonnie Doon" house. Mr. Jeffers retained this 
position for some four and a half years, in the course 
of which a very warm friendship developed between him 
and Mr. and Mrs. Rice, they taking the greatest 
interest in his welfare, and he disposed to consult 
them at every step.
The wages, which he had saved while in the hotel, 
enabled him to rent Mr. Rice's farm, and he began 
raising stock. He borrowed what money he could, and 
put it all into stock. A large success met his 
ventures, and after some few years he was able to buy 
a quarter section of land within one half mile of the 
village of Doon. He has since bought an eighty, and 
another forty, and now owns a fine farm of two hundred 
and eighty acres, worth from $75.00 to $100.00 an 
acre. Mr. Jeffers rents the old Hubbard farm and 
altogether the family has some nine hundred and six 
acres under a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Jeffers 
had at one time about $3,500 invested in hogs, cattle 
(there being three hundred head of steers) and horses. 
He had 3,500 bushels of wheat, and about as much 
barley and oats. His threshing bill in one year was 
$275. The corn which he raised was a vast amount but 
it was all fed out on the place.

Mr. Jeffers has built on his place a horse barn 28 by 
40; a corn crib 40 by 26; a hog shed 22 by 40; a cow 
shed, 26 by 36; granary, 30 by 26; and a home which is 
a model farm house. He built it for convenience and 
comfort, and has embodied in its construction all the 
modern improvements, hot and cold water, bathroom, and 
other ideas that it is good to see in a farmhouse. A 
view of Mr. Jeffers' residence will be found on 
another page of this volume.

Mr. Jeffers love a good horse, and on his farm may be 
seen at almost any time from fifteen to thirty head of 
good stock. He is a genial and hospitable gentleman, 
and loves to entertain his friends.

In 1883 occurred the marriage of Mr. Jeffers and Miss 
Emma J., a daughter of John Perry, a farmer of English 
descent. To this union were born three children: 
Bertha E., Martha J., and Irene. The mother passed 
away February 26, 1890, and Mr. Jeffers contracted a 
second marriage in August 1892, when Miss Nellie C. 
O'Brien became his wife. She was a daughter of John 
O'Brien, a native of Ireland, and by her marriage has 
become the mother of one child, Walter J.

In his political views the gentleman whose name 
introduces this article is a Republican, and has been 
a member of the school board for three years. He was 
nominated on the Republican ticket as the strongest 
man to run for supervisor in a district that is 
overwhelmingly Democratic. He went down to defeat, but 
by a narrow margin of only seven votes. Fraternally he 
is a member of Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 517, and 
also of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Ancient 
Order United Workmen of Doon. He is open-handed, and 
honest and liberal to a fault. His father was born in 
New York, and was a soldier of the Union in the war of 
the Rebellion. He is still living. The Jeffers come of 
an old English line, and are worthy representatives of 
the best blood of the "tight little isle." Mr. Jeffers 
owns a hotel at Doon that he rents.


JOHNSON, JOHN H. 
This gentleman has devoted himself so earnestly and 
successfully to fruit and apple culture that he is 
quite commonly known throughout the neighborhood as 
"Apple" Johnson, on account of the variety and 
productiveness of his apple trees. His home farm on 
section 24, Richland Township, is one of the most 
widely known agricultural centers of Lyon County, and 
he is personally one of the most popular citizens of 
the community.'

Mr. Johnson was born in Norway, in May 1853, and came 
to this country in 1861. His parents were natives of 
Norway and removed to the United States in 1861, and 
the father died when only a month on this side of the 
ocean, at the early age of forty-three. His widow 
lived to be eighty years old, passing away March 8, 
1902. They had two children, James, now a resident of 
San Luis Obispo County, California, and John H., whose 
name introduces this article.

John H. Johnson secured his early education in the 
public schools of Lafayette County, Wisconsin, where 
he worked out later by the month. While still a young 
man he spent seven months in Lyon County as a farm 
laborer, going from here to Kansas, where he remained 
two years. In 1878 he came back to Lyon County and 
settled on his present farm. He owns one hundred and 
sixty acres, and rents another quarter section in 
section 13, of Richland Township. As already noted he 
has been very successful in his farming operations, 
and following up advanced and progressive ideas of 
agriculture, he became one of the leading men of his 
day.

Mr. Johnson was married September 11, 1876 to Miss 
Sarah E. Clark, of Black Hawk County, Iowa. She is a 
daughter of Norman P. and Ricalia Clark, natives of 
New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. Her father 
was a carpenter, and died in Waterloo, Iowa in 1899, 
at the age of seventy-three. His widow died in 1901, 
when seventy-two. They reared a family of six 
children; all are living with the exception of Mrs. 
Johnson, who died in 1892 at the age of thirty-three 
years. She was the mother of the following children, 
all of whom are living, and at home: Bertha, who is a 
dressmaker; Ethel; Walter; Eva; Lawrence; Ellis and 
Ruth. Mr. Johnson is a man of considerable prominence 
in his own community, and has served as school 
director seven years, and for two years has been 
justice of the peace. In religious matters he is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


JOHNSON, OLE
Ole Johnson, who is an industrious tinner and hardware 
tradesman of Doon, Lyon county, was born in Norway, in 
1836, where he remained until he was thirteen years of 
age. At that time he left his native land to seek the 
fortune the western world might have in store for him, 
and crossed to the United Stated in a sailing vessel, 
being six weeks on the water. For a short season he 
remained in the city of New York, and then made his 
way to Wisconsin, where he was employed for a time on 
a farm, and then learned the tinner''s trade at which 
he was working when the Civil war broke out. In 1860 
he was engaged at his trade in McGregor, Iowa, and was 
so employed until 1861. That year he enlisted in 
Company C, Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The command 
was organized at Keokuk, Iowa, and from there it was 
sent to Missouri to do guard duty along the line of 
the St. Joseph and Hannibal railroad. The first severe 
battle in which Mr. Johnson participated was the fight 
at Blue Mills, where the command was ambushed by an 
over-whelming number of rebels. They were, however, 
finally repulsed and driven from the field. The 
regiment guarded the railroad until the spring of 
1862. It was then sent south and fought in the great 
battle of Shiloh. They were then sent against the 
rebels at Corinth and from there to Bolivar, 
Tennessee, and Natchez, Mississippi. At this latter 
point the Union army overtook the forces of General 
Price, and fought them half a day, but losing heavily, 
the command retreated to Bolivar, and thence to 
LaGrange, Mississippi. The regiment was started for 
Vicksburg, but as the rebels had broken the line of 
supplies, it fell back to Memphis, where Mr. Johnson 
was discharged on account of sickness.

Mr. Johnson returned to McGregor, where his health 
presently recovered enough for him to resume his trade 
at Elkader. His home was maintained at that point 
until March 5, 1882, when he made his appearance in 
Rock Rapids, Lyon county. Here he worked at his trade 
four years, and then in company with his son rented 
some land the following year. The next year they took 
the farm of Robert Penman, which they cultivated for 
six years. He rented after this the farm of P. 
Converse, on which he remained thirteen years. By this 
time he had become so advanced in years and broken in 
strength that he sold out, and removing to a beautiful 
home in Doon which he had purchased expects to remain 
here the balance of his life.

Mr. Johnson was married in 1864 to Miss Mary Hidingar, 
who is German born. When she was five years old she 
was brought to this country by her parents. When she 
was ten she accompanied her parents to Fayette county, 
where she lived until she was old enough to care for 
herself at McGregor, where she was at work when she 
met Mr. Johnson. Their children are as follows: Frank, 
Lila, Henrietta, Alfred, and Mabel. Their daughter Ida 
died at the age of eleven months.

The parents of Mr. Johnson spent their lives in the 
old country. They were in very comfortable 
circumstances. The father was a man of more than 
ordinary ability, and was chosen sheriff of his 
district. He died respected by all who knew him. Their 
three children came to this country, and have become 
landowners and are prosperous. Mr. Johnson is 
independent in politics, and attends the Baptist 
church.


JUNGE. HENRY 
Henry Junge, now a well-to-do farmer and leading 
citizen of the township of Logan, Lyon county, 
presents in his own career a striking illustration of 
the field of opportunity this new northwest long 
offers the ambitious children of the old world, as 
well as the rich results that have long waited on 
industry and integrity. The readiness with which they 
adapt themselves to circumstances, and their 
willingness to pay any price of privation and labor 
for the prize opens the door, and they make the 
"wilderness blossom as the rose."

Henry Junge was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1866, 
where his father John H., sustained an honest name as 
an industrious farm laborer. Henry was the youngest 
member of a family of six children, and was reared to 
manhood in the old Fatherland under the parental roof 
tree. In 1882 he sought the larger life of the United 
States, and landing in New York city came straight 
through to Davenport, Iowa, where for some six years 
he found employment at farm labor, in which he was 
also engaged for some six years in Tama county. In 
1894 he came into Lyon county, and for the ensuing 
twelve months was also engaged in farm labor. The 
second year here he bought the southwest quarter of 
section 14, Logan township, then an absolute 
wilderness. Now it is in fine cultivation. His first 
building was a structure which he used as both a 
granary and a stable. In 1896 he built a house and all 
the structures for the efficient handling of the place 
and thestoring of machinery. 

Mr. Junge was married in 1896 to Miss Catharine 
Schmidt, who was born in Germany, where her father, 
Mathias, had won a good standing as a farmer in 
Schleswig. She came to this country in 1893. Mr. and 
Mrs. Junge are the parents of two children, Johnnie 
and Minnie

Mr. Junge devotes his time very closely to his farm, 
and has brought it forward to a high pitch of 
fertility. With the little capital he had to work 
with, and his small start, his friends consider that 
he has done wonderfully well, and that his career in 
Lyon county is to be regarded as a marked success.


JUNKIN, W.D.--LYON COUNTY REPORTER
W. G. Smith and W. D. Junkin are associated owners and 
editors of the Lyon County Reporter, an exceedingly 
bright and interesting publication emanating from Rock 
Rapids, and filled with local and state news after a 
most attractive fashion.

W. G. Smith was born in 1869, and received his 
education in the Rock Rapids high school. When he had 
reached the age of sixteen years he entered the 
printing office of the Reporter, and began learning 
the printer's trade. He was apt in leaning, and had 
soon so mastered all the intricacies of the calling 
that in 1899 he became editor and proprietor of the 
paper. Though a young man, he is taking rank with the 
best newspapermen of the state, and the Reporter is 
well worthy of comparison with any similar 
publication.

W. D. Junkin was born in Fairfield, Iowa April 13, 
1865, and also secured his education in the public 
schools. He learned the printer's trade in his 
father's office. When he was eighteen he went to 
Montana where he spent the ensuing five years. He was 
quite a traveler, and attended the World's Fair in 
Paris. At different times he has seen much of the 
earth, and has a good idea of many nations and races. 
Under President Harrison he received appointment as a 
mail clerk, and held that position for about seven 
years, when he came to Rock Rapids. Here he bought an 
interest in the Reporter, and was made postmaster by 
President McKinley, an office he still holds and 
discharges its duties much to the satisfaction of its 
patrons. W. W. Junkin, the father of W. D., of 
Fairfield, Iowa, was ranked as the oldest editor in 
the state of Iowa. He died in February 1903.

W. D. Junkin married Miss Vermot Petty, and they have 
two children: Louise and Kathryn, both of whom are at 
home.

-K-



KATT, NICHOLAS
Nicholas Katt has a commendable standing among the 
sturdy, energetic and successful farmers of Lyon 
county, who so thoroughly understand the vocation they 
follow that they command good fortune. He is widely 
known as an upright and industrious farmer, and as a 
citizen his name is also respected far beyond the 
limits of Garfield township, where is found his 
present home.

Mr. Katt was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, 
in 1854, where his father, Diedrich Katt, died when he 
was but a year and a half old. He was reared by his 
grandmother, and trained to farm work. His marriage 
occurred in Germany before his arrival in this country 
in 1882, when Miss Margarette Adami became his wife. 
They have a family of eight living children: Henry, 
Joh, Ida, Anna, Willie, Augusta, Mary and Walter. 
Henry and Anna are married, and Ernest, a child born 
after Augusta, is dead. The five youngest children 
were born in this country; the other four in Germany.

On his arrival in the United States, Mr. Katt's first 
location was in Cedar county, Iowa, where he found 
employment as a farm laborer for five years. In 1887 
Mr. Katt came into Lyon county, and for a year did 
farm work, after which he settled on a farm of eighty 
acres in section 35, Garfield township, where he was 
engaged in the cultivation of the soil for the ensuing 
five years. When he entered here this was all wild 
land with absolutely no improvements, but Mr. Katt 
presently brought it out into fine condition. He began 
with a stable built of hay, and had a house 12 by 20 
feet in dimension. Here he saw hard times and though 
he worked hard met with poor results. The first year 
his crop was so small he did not raise enough to feed 
his stock through the winter. In 1892 he received a 
good offer for his farm, and the following year, 
having disposed of his first place, located on the 
southwest quarter of section 4, Garfield township, and 
here he is still to be found, enjoying a large measure 
of success, and satisfied with the very substantial 
results that have come to years of toil. These are the 
dimensions of the very commodious and attractive farm 
home in which he and his family abide: 16 by 24, with 
14-foot posts, 16 by 16, with 14-foot posts, and 14 by 
14 with 9-foot posts. The barn is 32 by 40 feet, the 
granary, 24 by 24 feet, and corn cribs and other out 
buildings ample to every need. Four acres are given to 
a farm grove, and the entire place shows good farming 
and close attention.


KEEGAN, JAMES W. 
James W. Keegan is one of the younger agriculturists 
of Lyon County, and that knowledge and skill which 
should characterize the modern farmer mark his 
management of the family estate in Doon Township. He 
gives the closest attention to his work, and is 
becoming widely known as one of the progressive and 
up-to-date tillers of the earth in this part of the 
state.

Mr. Keegan was born in 1868 on a farm in Clinton 
County, Iowa, where his father, James Keegan, of Irish 
birth, had long been established. The father who came 
to this country was an old settler in Lyon County, 
where he died in March 1895. 

James W. Keegan was the youngest born in a family of 
four children, and grew to manhood in Clinton County, 
where he was inured to hard farm work and trained to 
steady labor. When his parents removed to Lyon County 
in 1886, he assisted them in their removal to what was 
then a frontier, and assisted his father in the 
development of the farm, being the southwest quarter 
of section 31, Doon Township. He remained with his 
father until the death of that gentleman in 1895. From 
1893 he ran the farm as a family concern with his 
brother until 1895, when the property was divided. 
James W. Keegan now owns a place comprising one 
hundred and ninety acres, all cultivated, and provided 
with a most desirable set of farm buildings and a 
grove that was planted in 1888. 

Mr. Keegan was married in 1897 to Miss Katie O'Meara, 
a daughter of John O'Meara and a native of Clinton 
County, Iowa. By this union Mr. Keegan has become the 
father of four children: Florence, Percy, Clarence and 
Irma. Both he and his wife are well thought of in the 
community, where they have many friends and well 
wishers, won at first by their open hearted 
kindliness, but retained by solid worth and genuine 
character.


KELLY, PATRICK 
Patrick Kelly, a familiar presence in the town of 
Alvord, where his genial countenance and friendly 
spirit have made him hosts of well-wishers, which his 
manly character and genuine worth have long retained, 
was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1856, whither 
his father, Francis, who was born in Ireland, had come 
about 1851. There the father married, and when young 
Patrick Kelly was some two years, removed with his 
wife and two children, both sons, to Indiana, where 
they made their home on a farm until 1869. That year 
they located in Benton county, Iowa, where they 
continued farming till 1881. In 1885, the entire 
family, excepting the father, who had passed to the 
life beyond in 1882, settled in Lyon county, Iowa, 
making their home on a farm in section 4, Doon 
township. This was then but a thinly settled community 
and still retained all its prairie characteristics. 
Rock Rapids was their nearest trading point, and the 
road to it was straight across the country without 
regard to section lines.

The Kelly farm was raw prairie, and the mother and her 
sons addressed themselves at once to the work of 
improvement that they might have a desirable home out 
here on the frontier, as it seemed at that time. They 
built a home 16 by 22 feet with 12 foot posts, and 
made other improvements as rapidly as their 
opportunities permitted.

Patrick Kelly was married in 1884 to Miss Jane Barron. 
She was born in Freeport, Illinois, and her father was 
an old settler. He died in the fall of 1903, in Benton 
county. To this union have come eight children, the 
oldest of whom was born in Cherokee county, Iowa, all 
the others being natives of Lyon county; Charles, 
John, Joe, Clarence, Mary, Agnes, Florence and Lucile. 
Mr. Kelly now owns for himself 186 acres of land with 
complete equipment, good out-buildings, and all the 
machinery needed for the profitable and successful 
operation of the place. There is a fine grove which 
was planted in the spring of 1886.

Mr. Kelly is a Democrat in his political views, and is 
now town trustee. For a term he has served as 
assessor, and is regarded as one of the leading 
citizens of the day. When the village of Alvord was 
started he bought the first lot in the town. Now that 
it has all passed, it seems somewhat amusing to him 
that on one occasion in an early day he came very 
nearly being lost on his own farm, being out in the 
storm several hours before he succeeded in finding his 
way back to the house.


KELSO, HENRY
Henry Kelso, a noted farmer and stock breeder, whose 
home is on the southeast quarter of section 28, is 
noted as the oldest homesteader in Grant Township, 
Lyon County. Through years of adversity and prosperity 
he has held the handles of the plow, working out for 
himself a comfortable home and giving his energies to 
the upbuilding of the locality in which he 
resides.Henry Kelso was born in Licking County, Ohio, 
January 20, 1850, and was the second member of a 
family of five sons and one daughter born to John and 
Betsy (Piper) Kelso, both of whom descended from 
Scotch ancestors.

In 1853 the family came overland to the new state of 
Iowa, and spent a year in Johnson County, after which 
they made a permanent home in Hardin County. Here the 
father farmed and worked at his trade and here both 
father and mother were buried. In 1865, Henry Kelso, 
who had not been allowed to enlist in spite of 
repeated efforts, became restless and went to Nebraska 
City, where he hired out as a freighter across the 
plains. Here he found a boy's pleasure in exciting 
times; and as a matter of fact he found all the 
excitement he desired. He afterward worked on the 
Union Pacific Railroad and in 1869 returned to his old 
Iowa home. In the spring of 1871 he came to LeMars, 
whence he struck out afoot to Lyon County, where he 
found his homestead. He went back to LeMars, also 
afoot, and made his filings March 20, 1871. That same 
spring he brought out a team and broke some twenty-
five acres for himself. He erected a sod house and 
established bachelor quarters for himself. The 
following winter he taught school in Grundy County, 
and was also married. In the spring he brought his 
bride to the sod house, and here the first happy 
months of their married life were passed. During the 
summer he built a frame house 16 by 20 feet.

Mr. Kelso had been breaking for others, and thus made 
a living for himself during the grasshopper years. He 
taught school, and thus helped himself through very 
hard times. Despite the trials and disappointments of 
these early days Mr. Kelso looks back to them as the 
happiest period of his life. A true frontiersman, he 
enjoyed the hospitality of the people and the genuine 
neighborliness that was the order of the day. He knew 
all the families for twenty-five miles around, and 
every "settler ran a hotel." He is a Republican, and a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is 
well known in county politics and has served three 
years as a member of the county board.

Mr. Kelso was married in 1872 to Miss Lydia Nulton, a 
native of Ohio, who died November 19, 1901, having had 
three children: Edson, who is now living on the farm 
in Grant Township; Edith, a teacher in Lyon County; 
and Alva, also at home.
Mr. Kelso is giving much attention to blooded stock, 
and was the first to handle short-horn Durham cattle 
in this section of the county, having now a herd of 
twenty-five registered cattle. His Chester White hogs 
are also of fine grade and attract much attention. 


KELSO, OLIVER M. 
Oliver M. Kelso, whose efficient services as clerk of 
the county court marked him as one of the capable 
businessmen of Lyon County, and whose personal 
character and conceded abilities well qualify him for 
public position, was born in 1852, in Martinsville, 
Ohio. He remained at home until he was fourteen, when 
he removed to Jasper County, Iowa, where he learned 
the butcher trade of Ben Worden. For some four years 
he was in the employ of that gentleman, after which he 
made his home in Cass County, where he worked at his 
trade until 1881. That year he returned to Japer 
County to enter into business on his own account, 
being associated with his brother-in-law, a 
partnership that continued until 1888, when the 
business passed into the hands of Daniels & Gray, and 
Mr. Kelso became a resident of Rock Rapids. Here Mr. 
Kelso worked at his trade until 1893. That year he 
again went into business with his brother-in-law, A.W. 
Wright, as a partner, the firm being A.W. Wright & Co. 
In 1898 he was elected clerk of the county court, and 
consequently the firm was dissolved. Mr. Kelso was 
elected again in 1900, and served until January 1, 
1903. He is a staunch Republican, and was elected as 
such. While he is a strong party man, he is a good 
citizen, and has done much to advance the interests of 
Lyon County.

Mr. Kelso is a member of Lodge No. 480, Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and has taken much pleasure in 
its fraternal associations. His membership dates from 
1884. For twenty years he has been a hard worker in 
the ranks of the order of the Knights of Pythias, 
having at different times filled its various official 
chairs, and having been elected as a delegate to the 
grand lodge. This he could not attend, as he could not 
get away from business.

The wedding ceremonies of Oliver M. Kelso and Mary 
Daniels were celebrated November 28, 1876. She is a 
daughter of C.M. Daniels, who was born in Kentucky. 
John Kelso, the father of our subject, was a carpenter 
through the summer season, and a schoolteacher in the 
winter. He met an accidental death. Mr. and Mrs. Kelso 
are the parents of six children: Roy E., Bessie M., 
Alta V., John W., Gladys and George W.

William Kelso, grandfather of Oliver M., was born in 
Scotland, and immigrating to this country about the 
time of the Revolution, finally settled in Kentucky, 
where he died at an advanced age. Amanda Milton, the 
mother of Oliver M. Kelso, was born in Pennsylvania, a 
daughter of Aaron Milton, a native of that state and a 
farmer, who lived to be ninety-six years old. His 
father came from Germany before the time of the 
Revolution.

In 1902 our subject was defeated for the office of 
clerk of county court by seventeen votes. Mrs. Kelso 
is a member of Rebekah Lodge, No. 49, of Rock Rapids, 
and has served in all the official chairs of the 
lodge; also a member of Women's Relief Corps, No. 55 
of Rock Rapids, in which she has held every office 
except president, and is at present conductor. She is 
also a member of the Ladies' Aid Society of Rock 
Rapids.


KNOBLOCK, WILLIAM 
William Knoblock holds an honored position among the 
brave and farsighted pioneers from the Old World whose 
industry and thrift have made the northwest blossom 
like a garden. From his lovely home on section 13, 
Logan Township, he looks out on the broad acres and 
well cultivated fields of his own farm, and feels that 
here he has wrought a good work, for he has made a 
home for his family and a place for himself. 

Mr. Knoblock was born in Germany in 1853, and is a son 
of John D. Knoblock, of Wurtemburg, a well-known 
province of that empire. The father, who was a farmer, 
was born in 1823, and is still living in the 
Fatherland at an advanced age. William was his oldest 
born, in a family of three children; and he was reared 
to a life of honest industry, and was taught not to be 
afraid of hard work. When he reached the age of 
twenty-one years he reported for duty in the German 
army, and was in active service for two years, and a 
third year in the reserve. He received an honorable 
discharge and is justly proud of his record "with the 
colors" in his old home.

In 1879 occurred the wedding of William Knoblock and 
Miss Christine Fredrica Nester, daughter of 
Christopher Nester, a well-known and successful 
farmer. To this marriage have come the following 
children; Emelia, Paulina, Emma, Dietrich, Jacob, 
Ernst, Carolina, Gotlob, William, Marie, August, 
Jacob, Lydia and Amel. The first seven of these 
children were born in Germany, and the others in this 
country.

For ten years after his marriage Mr. Knoblock was 
engaged in farming in Germany, and in 1890 sought a 
home in this country, bringing with him his wife and 
seven children. They landed in the city of New York, 
but came directly west to Lyon County, where they 
lived for about ten years in Cleveland Township where 
he had bought a quarter section, and rented another, 
so that he had under operation some three hundred and 
twenty acres. This land was unimproved prairie at the 
time of his coming, but he soon brought it into a high 
state of cultivation, and in 1900 exchanged it for an 
improved farm in section 13, Logan Township. Since he 
has taken possession of this new farm he has greatly 
added to its desirability by extensive alterations and 
additions. The buildings on it now comprise 
principally a house, whose dimensions are 20 by 26 and 
12 by 16, a barn 56 by 40, a granary 24 by 40, a cow 
barn 32 by 40, and a machine shed 16 by 40. There are 
other buildings, two wells and a windmill. The farm is 
provided with every requisite in the shape of modern 
and improved machinery for its successful operation 
and reflects great credit upon the business habits as 
well as the unremitting industry of its proprietor. It 
comprises 320 acres, and upon its successful operation 
Mr. Knoblock devotes all his time and thought. When he 
began in 1890 he had but a small start, and his small 
working capital might easily have been lost by a 
careless step. He has been careful, taken the best 
care of every dollar he has earned, and though he lost 
many hogs by the cholera, and at times his crops have 
not been the best, yet he has never lost heart, and 
has not been discouraged by trouble and misfortune. 
Holding on steadily, he has won out a good standing 
and enjoys among his friends and neighbors an enviable 
reputation.


KRAHLING, CONRAD 
Conrad Krahling, a noted stock raiser and general 
farmer of Lyon county, whose home is on section 15, 
Dale township, enjoys a well earned popularity among 
his own townsmen, which is shown in one thing by his 
election as a member of the board of supervisors for 
the county, a position in which he has manifested 
those same business characteristics and habits that 
have brought him success in his own affairs. He was 
born in Hesse, Germany, April 4, 1846, a son of Daniel 
and Gertrude (Krahling) Krahling, both of whom were 
Hessian born and bred. The father, who was a life-long 
farmer, died in his native land at the age of seventy-
two years, where the mother passed away when she was 
sixty-nine. They were the parents of three sons and 
two daughters. The girls are both dead, but the boys 
have all found homes in Iowa. Peter is a farmer in 
Dale township, Lyon county; John, a retired farmer, 
has his home in Cedar Rapids, and Conrad, whose name 
introduces this article.

Conrad Krahling received the equivalent of our common 
school education while remaining under the old German 
roof, and then worked out by the month until he 
reached the age of eighteen years. In 1865 he came to 
the United States in company with an uncle, making the 
ocean voyage in a sailing vessel that required ten 
weeks for the trip. The uncle paid Conrad's fare, 
which was paid back as soon as the money was earned. 
They landed in Baltimore, and the young Krahling went 
to Washington, D.C., where for two years he was 
employed in a bakery. After the expiration of this 
period, he came west, stopping at Iowa City, Iowa, 
with the expectation of meeting a brother there, in 
which he was disappointed, and presently found himself 
out of money. From Iowa City he made his way into 
Benton county, where he remained until 1885. That year 
he settled in Lyon county, on the farm where he is 
found at the present time, and where he has reaped a 
large reward for his strenuous life and earnest 
endeavor. While in Benton county he worked out for six 
years, and then engaged in farming on his own account 
for several years. At the present time he owns a 
magnificent estate of four hundred and eighty acres, 
well improved, and provided with every requisite for 
advanced and up-to-date agriculture.

Mr. Krahling was married December 28, 1873, to Miss 
Christina Engel, daughter of George and Emma Engel, 
both of whom were German born and bred. Her parents 
were always farming people. They came to this country 
in 1854, settling in Benton county, Iowa, where they 
passed their remaining years in peace and comfort. Her 
father died in 1870, and her mother the following 
year. Their eight children, of whom Mrs. Krahling is 
the fifth in order of birth, are all living. To this 
union of Mr. Krahling and Miss Engel were born the 
following family: John W., now a farmer in Dale 
township; Annie E., the wife of Henry Wendel and a 
resident of Benton county; Louisa, the wife of Gustave 
Wendel, also of Benton county; Adam, a farmer in Grant 
township, Lyon county; Conrad, Jr., at home; August, 
deceased; Christina, Henry, Minnie, William and 
George, still at home under the parental eye and care.

The Krahling family are associated with the Lutheran 
church, in which they are much esteemed for their high 
character and Christian spirit. In politics he is a 
Democrat, and has served on the town board one term. 
At present, as already noted, he is a member of the 
county board.

Mr. Krahling makes a specialty of Hereford cattle, of 
which he owns one of the finest herds to be found in 
the county.


KRAMER, GEORGE, W.
Mr. Kramer, who is still a young man, has deservedly 
won a high place among the successful farmers of Logan 
township, Lyon county, where his farm of a half 
section is located, which shows at every point the 
touch of a master hand. Experienced alike in the 
theory and practice of agriculture, he has joined with 
his theory industry and practical good sense, and as a 
result while barely over thirty he has become 
prosperous. A portrait of Mr. Kramer is presented on 
another page of the volume.

Mr. Kramer was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, in 1873, 
his birthplace being on a farm, where his entire life 
has been spent. Jacob Kramer, his father, was born in 
Germany, and came to this country in 1854, when he had 
barely turned the age of ten years. He became a 
pioneer in Iowa, and by industry and economy grew to 
be wealthy. George W., his son, is the second oldest 
living member of a family that comprised nine 
children, and as a boy he had his full share of the 
farm work, and early learned to bear a hand at every 
labor the cultivation of the paternal acres demanded. 
In 1888 the family removed to Lyon county, and made 
their home in section 10, Doon township. There George 
W. Kramer attained his manhood, and in 1897 came to 
his present estate, which his father had bought in 
1892, when it was held by the state as school land. At 
the time of his advent it was raw prairie without a 
sign of improvement, and the young proprietor found 
his work fully marked out for him.

A shelter for himself and help was to be erected, as 
well as another for his stock, the ground was to be 
broken, and put into condition for cultivation, the 
crops were to be fenced and cared for--vast is the 
labor to make read a prairie farm even under the most 
favorable circumstances. All this however was well and 
faithfully done, and good buildings as well as a 
handsome grove now adorn the place. Here he owns three 
hundred and twenty acres, which he has brought into a 
most productive state by unremitting push and energy, 
and may well be proud of his finely appointed rural 
home.

The marriage of Mr. Kramer and Miss Theresa Wagner 
occurred in 1898. She was born in Delaware county, 
where her father, Mathias Wagner, has long been 
engaged in farming. To this union have come two 
children, a son and a daughter, William and Lizzie. 
The future of the Kramer family is bright, and a wide 
circle of friends will be glad to read the story of 
their honorable and useful lives.


KRUEGER, CHARLES T. 
Charles T. Krueger, the agent for the Minnesota and 
Western Grain Company, was born August 7, 1865, on a 
farm in Jones county, Iowa. He remained at home with 
his parents until January 4, 1899, when he struck out 
into the wide world to wrestle for his own support, 
and coming to Lyon county, stopped at Doon, where he 
soon became manager of the "Bonnie Doon" hotel, which 
he held till March 1, 1904.

Mr. Krueger has always been noted as a lover of a fine 
horse, and has purchased a horse called General 
Bufort, registered 20110, with a pedigree of royal 
blood dating back to the seventeenth century. It was 
originally Morgan stock, and then became the 
Hambletonian, which has brought a line of trotters up 
to the present time, many of them being noted alike 
for their speed and swift progeny, and comparing with 
the best in the land. Gen. Bufort was sired by 
Gambetta Wilkes, No. 4658, and Mary Bufort, his 
mother, Gambetta was never tracked but can and did 
trot an exhibition mile in 2.18. Mr. Krueger also owns 
a Clydesdale, Ringleader, No. 8897, which he purchased 
when a colt. It was born May 9, 1898, and its parents 
were imported. Its pedigree runs back into royal blood 
in 1815. Mr. Krueger takes a justifiable pride in 
showing the strong points of these famous horses to 
strangers.

Mr. Krueger was married July 22, 1900, to Helen M. 
Zorn, a daughter of William Zorn, who came from 
Prussia and settled in Rock Valley. To this union was 
born one child, Vera Beatrice. 

Ernest Krueger, the father of Charles T. Krueger, was 
born in Prussia, and coming to Iowa in 1856, was 
numbered among the pioneer settlers of this state. He 
died in 1885. His widow, the mother of Charles T. 
Krueger (Elizabeth Twomley in her maidenhood), is 
still alive. She is a native of Ireland, and is over 
eighty-five years of age.

-L-



LADD, CLARENCE
Clarence Ladd, a well known and popular citizen of 
Inwood, Lyon county, was born in Lafayette county, 
Wisconsin, November 12, 1871, and when he was ten 
years old was brought by his parent to Lyon county, 
where he was reared on a farm. When he was twenty-one 
he left the farm, and found employment in a butcher 
shop for about a year. After this in company with his 
brother William, he rented his father''s farm, then 
comprising some two hundred acres, the two working 
together for one year, and then subject worked it 
alone for two years more, when Clarence retired from 
the farm with $800 to the good. His next move was to 
enter the business college at Des Moines, where he 
fitted himself for a situation on the Omaha Railroad, 
where he was employed for a year and a half as 
abstract clerk. He came home on account of sickness, 
and purchased the restaurant of his brother, in 
January, 1901, which establishment he is still running 
with success.

Mr. Ladd belongs to the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, Lodge, No. 521, of Inwood, in which he has 
passed through all the chairs. He is a charter member 
of the local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, 
and belongs to the initiatory team of that body. In 
politics he is a Democrat with independent 
proclivities. He was married March 13, 1891, to Miss 
Caroline Bullock, a daughter of John and Lavinia 
(Skewis) Bullock. The parents were of English birth. 


LADD, GEORGE R. 
George R. Ladd came to Lyon county, Iowa, in the 
spring of 1881, and for a time was engaged in farming 
rented land, and this largely for the purpose of 
testing the soil and climate. Finding both to his 
satisfaction he presently bought 200 acres some five 
miles from Inwood, and there he made his home for 
seventeen years. During this long time his crops never 
failed, and from his profits he built a dwelling 
house, a large barn, granary, hob house, and 
everything else needed for the careful and profitable 
handling of his grain, stock and machinery. In 1896 he 
sold out this fine farm of 200 acres, and retired to a 
home in Inwood, where he is now enjoying the fruits of 
an honorable and useful career. 

The career of Mr. Ladd in Lyon county is an 
interesting illustration of the possibilities the 
northwest has opened before the eyes of the man of 
industry and integrity. When he came into Lyon county 
he had but little or nothing beside a small stock of 
household goods, a few head of cattle and but $20 in 
money to keep himself and his family from starvation 
until he could raise a crop. The ways and means to 
which the farmers of those days had to resort would 
discourage a man now, but grit and energy pushed 
through to success. Thousands of men have trod the 
great northwest with not enough on hand to stay the 
pangs of hunger for a week, but they have held on, and 
in the end have become well-to-do and comfortable, if 
not wealthy. Never has there been a story like the 
settlement of the prairies of the west.

After his coming to the village, for the sake of 
having something to do, and keeping his mind occupied, 
Mr. Ladd started a restaurant, which he sold to his 
son, Clarence, after having conducted it very 
successfully for three years. Since that time he has 
dealt quite extensively as well as successfully in 
farm property, buying and selling farms, and at the 
present time owns over 500 acres of improved land in 
Minnesota, which he rents, holding it at $50 an acre.

Mr. Ladd was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, July 
23, 1850, on a farm, where he was reared to manhood, 
and where he continued to farm until his appearance in 
Lyon county, as noted above. His marriage with Miss 
Mary Ellen Skewis, occurred in 1871, and to this 
marriage were born three girls and four boys; 
Clarence, whose biography appears on another; Carrie, 
a teacher, at home; Will, a barber in Inwood, he is 
married and has one child, Harold; Allie, a teacher; 
Jennie is married and has one child, Lewis; Ben, the 
proprietor of a dray line in Inwood; and Earl, a 
student in the home school. 

Mr. Ladd is the son of Azel P. Ladd, a physician, who 
was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. After 
graduating from a medical school he came to the west, 
and after practicing for a time in Chicago, drove 
through to Shullsburg, Wisconsin, in 1846. Success 
attended him, and he was chosen state superintendent, 
but he died of cholera in 1849. Our subject can trace 
his family back to the Mayflower. 

George R. Ladd is a Democrat, and has been school 
director for six years, and was assessor the same 
time. He and his family belong to the Presbyterian 
church. 


LAMKIN, BENJAMIN B. . 
Benjamin B. Lamkin, who owns a fine farm consisting of 
one hundred and sixty acres in section 36, Lyon 
township, on which he located in 1899, thought he came 
to the county in 1892, was born in Genesee county, New 
York, February 19, 1871, a son of Benjamin B. and 
Polly A. (Chaffee) Lamkin, natives of New York and 
Vermont. The father was always a farmer, and served 
during the Civil war in the Eighth New York Heavy 
Artillery, under command of Colonel Porter. He was 
detailed to the Ordnance Department, and had charge of 
a magazine. He was with the regiment on Maryland 
Heights for twenty-one days and during three days of 
that time had nothing to eat. The regiment went into 
the battle of Cold Harbor, fifteen hundred strong, but 
came out with only six hundred. He died January 5, 
1872, at the age of forty-seven years; his wife, who 
died November 15, 1872, was forty-five years old. They 
had a family of seven children: Herman R., a farmer in 
Lyon township; John, a farmer in New York; Charles B., 
now in the grain business in Inwood, Iowa; Mary L., 
wife of William Holmes, a farmer in Wyoming county, 
New York; Benjamin B., and two children who died in 
infancy. 

Mr. Lamkin secured his education in the public 
schools, finishing with a high school course in 
Michigan, after which he found employment for a time 
at farm work. After the death of his father, he went 
with an uncle to Michigan, where he was engaged in 
farming for some four years, and then for two and a 
half years was engaged in the services of the Grand 
Rapids and Indiana Railroad. In 1892, as already 
noted, he came to Lyon county, Iowa, and rented a 
farm, seven years later buying his present place, 
which he has already greatly improved. 

Mr. Lamkin was married in 1893 to Miss Lottie C. 
Round, a resident of Michigan, and a daughter of Henry 
and Calista (Colvin) Round, both of whom were born and 
reared in Vermont. The father was a stone mason in 
early life, but later became a farmer. When he died in 
1897, he had reached the age of fifty-nine years; his 
wife living to be forty-three. They had a family of 
ten children, eight of whom are now living, Mrs. 
Lamkin being next to the youngest in order of birth. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lamkin are the parents of the following 
children: Lottie B., Rollins B., Mary A., Oldin H., 
and Jennie S., all of whom are living, and at home. 

Mr. Lamkin is a man of considerable importance in the 
community where he is living, and has been trustee of 
the town for two years. He is a member of the Inwood 
camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. His family 
history is very interesting, running back as it does 
on both sides to Revolutionary veterans, his mother 
being also a direct descendant of that John Olden, who 
came over in the ""Mayflower."" 

In 1904 our subject rented his farm and now lives in 
Inwood where he is engaged in the grain business with 
his brother, C. B. Lamkin. 


LAMKIN, CHARLES B.
Charles B. Lamkin, the owner of one of the large 
elevators for grain in Inwood, with a capacity of 
nearly fifteen thousand bushels of grain a day, has 
been engaged in its operation since 1902. He purchased 
it that year, when it was known as the ""Skewis Moen 
Elevator Company,"" and in connection with its 
management has also bought hogs and cattle. A portrait 
of Mr. Lamkin will be found on another page of this 
volume. 

Mr. Lamkin occupies a large and commodious house of 
eleven rooms as his home, and has it located on a lot 
100 by 150 feet, making it one of the most desirable 
residences in Inwood. He was born in New York December 
6, 1861, and when he reached the age of thirteen years 
came into Iowa, and made his home on a farm in 
Winneshiek county. When he was seventeen he 
accompanied an uncle into Lyon county, for whom he 
worked until he was twenty-one. For a few years after 
this he was employed by the neighboring farmers, when 
he bought a quarter section of land for himself, on 
which he made his home for the ensuing ten years. 
Twice he suffered from crop failures more or less 
complete, but from his records he computes that the 
farm netted him yearly over eight hundred dollars. His 
oat field yielded him an average of ninety-one bushels 
to the acre; his barley gave him as high as fifty-five 
bushels to the acre, and his corn over sixty bushels. 

When Mr. Lamkin bought land in 1875 he paid forty 
dollars per acre for it, being the first man in the 
county to pay so high a price for plain farm land. 
Every one thought it a poor purchase and criticized 
his lack of judgment at the time. The land, however, 
has since reached seventy-five dollars, which is 
indeed the common price at the present time for Lyon 
county farm land, and even higher prices are proposed 
for the near future. Mr. Lamkin still owns a quarter 
section within a half mile of Inwood. 

In 1887 occurred the wedding ceremony of Mr. Lamkin 
and Miss Etta Lake. They adopted two children: Bessie 
V., and Charles L., who they adopted when the children 
were each three years old. Mr. Lamkin and his family 
are associated with the Presbyterian church, in which 
he has officiated as an elder for ten years or more. 
In the erection of the new temple of worship for that 
denomination he was very active. In politics he is a 
Republican, and has served as town trustee for three 
terms, assessor, two terms, and at present is county 
supervisor and a member of the village board of 
Inwood. He has received the Republican nomination for 
representative in the state legislature for the 
district composed of Lyon and Osceola counties. 

Benjamin Lamkin, the father of Charles B., was born in 
New York where he died at the age of forty-seven 
years, his death being the result of disease 
contracted in the Civil war. He was a member of 
Company H, Eighth New York Heavy Artillery, for nearly 
three years. His birth occurred in 1825, and his death 
in 1872. Isaac Lamkin, the grandfather of Charles B., 
served in the Continental army, and was captured by 
the British during the war of the Revolution. As a 
Methodist preacher, he was gifted in song, and at one 
time when a prisoner he escaped in his stocking feet 
from his captors. It was in the depth of winter, and 
his feet were severely injured by the time he had 
reached a place of refuge. The Lamkin family descended 
from Bedlakes, and John Alden of the ""Mayflower."" It 
is said of Bedlakes, that on one occasion, while 
engaged in splitting a log he was surprised by six 
Indians. Four of them he bantered into trying to hold 
the log open with their hands. Suddenly knocking out 
the wedge he had them fast. The other two escaped, but 
the four he quickly sent into the happy hunting 
ground. Polly Chaffee, the mother of Charles B. 
Lamkin, was a member of an old Puritan family, long 
settled in Vermont. 


LAMKIN, H.R. 
H.R. Lamkin, a prominent and wealthy citizen of 
Inwood, Lyon County, was born in Geneseo, New York, 
June 21, 1852, where he was reared and educated. When 
he had reached the age of twenty years, he left his 
childhood home, and coming into Iowa rented a farm 
that he cultivated for two years. After this he went 
on to his own land, and brought into cultivation a 
fine farm, which became so valuable that when he had 
secured a clear title, he was able to sell it at a 
figure that gave him a very handsome competency. As he 
has never married, he is now making his home at the 
hotel, where he enjoys the fruit of his close 
attention to business. There he is a
well spent life behind him, and today he is a 
consistent member of the Presbyterian Church of 
Inwood, and one of its most active workers as well. 
Enough of the seamy side of life has been seen by him 
to teach him charity and patience.

On the charter of Lodge, No. 521, Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, appears his name, and here he is also 
known as a faithful and reliable member, living up to 
the best spirit of the order. Politically, he is a 
Republican.
Benjamin Lamkin, his father, was born in Livingston 
County, New York, and was a member of the Eighth New 
York Heavy Artillery during the Civil War. This 
regiment was under the command of Col. C.A. Porter, 
and Mr. Lamkin was on detail duty during the most of 
his term of service as acting sergeant, in the 
ordnance department, mostly in Baltimore. His father, 
Isaac Lamkin, was a carpenter and joiner, and lived to 
be over ninety-nine years old. The first of the Lamkin 
family in this country came from England long before 
the Revolution. For several generations there were 
noted Indian fighters in the family, and the father of 
Isaac Lamkin was a minister who took part in the 
Revolution and was captured and imprisoned. He had the 
gift of song, and so won the confidence of the guard 
that he was able to break jail one cold winter night, 
going out into the depth of winter with 'nothing but 
his stockings on his feet.'
He escaped, but his feet were frightfully frozen.

Jonathan and Polly Chaffee, grandparents of H.R. 
Lamkin, were noted pioneers of their day, and it is 
said that on more than one occasion, the wife molded 
the bullets while the husband fought the Indains away. 
Many and interesting are the stories that were told of 
this dauntless pioneer and gallant Indian fighter.

Lydia Bidlock married Isaac Lamkin. Her father came 
over in the Mayflower, with another member of the 
family, Benjamin Alden, whose name is known to fame.


LANE, EDWARD F.
Edward F. Lane, who has attained an enviable standing 
alike as a farmer and a citizen in Richland township, 
Lyon county, and enjoys much influence by reason of 
his manifest character and marked ability, was born in 
Wisconsin, June 21, 1858. The Lane family has long 
been known in the east, and is one of the survivals of 
days before the Revolution. Edward Lane, the father of 
Edward F., was a farmer in Wisconsin, where he died 
November 10, 1898.

Edward F. Lane grew up in his Wisconsin home, where he 
received the benefits of the public schools until he 
reached the age of twelve years, when he struck out 
for himself, and for a number of years was employed as 
a farm hand. In 1882, having been both prudent and 
industrious, he had accumulated enough money to 
warrant him in undertaking farming for himself. He did 
so, and continued farming until 1890. That year he 
came into Lyon county, and was so pleased with the 
country, and impressed by its business opportunities, 
that he bought a farm, having in mind a life-long 
location in this garden of the state. His expectations 
have not been disappointed, and he is prosperous and 
successful.

Mr. Lane married July 30, 1885, to Miss Anna Brown, a 
native of Wisconsin, where she was born October 23, 
1868. Mr. and Mrs. Lane have a family of three 
children; Elsie and Hazel, both born in Wisconsin, and 
Elmore, a native of Lyon county.

In politics Mr. Lane holds to Republican principles, 
and has been closely identified with the history of 
that party. He has, however, devoted himself very 
closely to his own business, and the quarter section, 
which he owns, has become under his management one of 
the choice farms of the state. Here he has a good set 
of farm buildings, and a well-kept and attractive 
grove. He is respected for his industrious habits, 
neighborly spirit and upright character.


LEE, T.D. 
T. D. Lee is the name of an enterprising tradesman, 
who has made a place for himself in the business 
circles of Rock Rapids, as well as all over Lyon 
County. He is noted alike for the goods he sells, the 
fair treatment his customers receive, and the large 
outfit he carries. Mr. Lee goes on the principle that 
if a man buys what he needs at a fair price and finds 
it entirely as represented, he will come again; but if 
he is cheated and deceived, his trade is lost. It is a 
common saying; "If you go to Lee's, you know what you 
are getting."

Mr. Lee was born in Virginia, near Richmond, and when 
only two years old was taken by his parents to a point 
near Dubuque, Iowa, where he was reared to manhood and 
given his education in the city schools. As a young 
man his first employment was found with the wholesale 
boot and shoe house of Peikenbrock & Deuss, a leading 
firm of Dubuque, Iowa, where he was employed as a 
bookkeeper. In 1878 he became manager of the clothing 
store of G. Beker in Dubuque. Later on when this firm 
opened a large retail store in Minneapolis, Mr. Lee 
was put in charge, and his management was so 
successful that he was put in charge of a large retail 
store in Fargo, North Dakota, where he remained for 
some six years. After he returned to his native city 
to take the position of general manager of the stores 
of Keenan & Crofty. In 1897 he came to Rock Rapids and 
opened an extensive establishment for himself, the 
main lines of his large stock being clothing, hats, 
caps and gentlemen's furnishing goods. His long 
business experience and natural ability as a salesman 
helped him to the front, and his was quickly 
recognized as the leading clothing store of the city.

Mr. Lee was married in 1897 to Miss Katie, daughter of 
P.J. O'Neill, for many years a prominent grain dealer 
of Dubuque. He died at the great age of ninety-seven, 
beloved and esteemed by all who knew him. The father 
of T.D. Lee was of Irish parentage, and his people 
have long been settled around Richmond, Virginia. T.D. 
Lee is a Democrat, and is now serving the city of Rock 
Rapids as a member of the common council.


LEHMAN, H. L.
H. L. Lehman is a name familiar to all users of horses 
in George and vicinity, as he is a dealer in harness 
at prices and quality that command their attention. As 
a good workman, thoroughly trained to his business, he 
would not be willing to put on the market any poorly 
made goods. And as an honest and reliable dealer, he 
keeps his every agreement, and what he says goes 
without a bond.

Mr. Lehman was born in Germany in 1858, where he was 
educated, and where he served a three years' 
apprenticeship at the harness making trade. There he 
worked as a journeyman harness maker, and then became 
convinced that he could do far better at his trade in 
the United States. He came to the United States in 
1882, and worked at his trade for some three years in 
Eldora, Iowa. Here he saved up money to meet a loan 
which he had made in Germany, to cover his expenses to 
the New World. After this he set himself to saving 
money for the purpose of setting up a shop of his own. 
At the end of three years he had a cash capital of two 
hundred dollars, and with it he went to Steamboat 
Rock, Iowa, where he started in a modest way for 
himself, and gradually increased his trade. In 1899 he 
felt able to enter a larger field, and accordingly 
disposed of his establishment in Steamboat Rock, where 
he had been in business for nearly fifteen years, he 
came to George, Lyon county. Here he purchased a stock 
of harness goods, and the following year bought a 
store in the center of the business district of the 
town. Today he has a stock valued at $2,000, the 
largest in the place, and has gradually increased his 
trade, so that it leads all competition. His store is 
so arranged that his stock is displayed in a 
peculiarly interesting and attractive fashion.

Mr. Lehman has bought a home in George, where he lives 
with his family. He was married in 1886 to Miss 
Augusta Strawsburg, by whom he has had four children: 
William F., Harry A., Emelia, and Carl Otto. The 
family attend the German Baptist church. He is a 
Republican, and is serving on the school board, to 
which he was first appointed in the filling of a 
vacancy, and later has been regularly elected.


LEICHLITER, C.H. 
C.H. Leichliter, long prominent in the editorial field 
of Lyon County, and especially in Rock Rapids, where 
he is well known as a man of brains, character and 
sterling worth, was born in Connellsville, 
Pennsylvania, February 16, 1876, where he attended the 
local high school, finishing his school days with a 
course at the Baptist College in Des Moines, Iowa. 
When he was sixteen he was engaged in teaching, which 
he did successfully for two years, when he became 
attached to the World-Herald, a paper of which William 
Jennings Bryan was editor in chief. It was a semi-
weekly publication at the time of his first nomination 
for the presidency. Here Mr. Leichliter began as 
office boy when thirteen years old, but quit it to 
continue school. When he again became associated with 
it, it was as a business manager, a position he held 
for two years. He acted as reporter for a year and a 
half, when he was called upon to run a county 
newspaper at Peterson, Clay County. For four years he 
was editor of the Republican and Leader, of Larchwood, 
Lyon County. His next position was editor and business 
manager of the Rock Rapids Review. Later he entered 
the serivce of the Chicago Chronicle.

Mr. Leichliter was married April 25, 1900, to Miss 
Lorena, a daughter of E.H. Partch, a successful dealer 
in livestock and grain, who came to Lyon County some 
twenty years ago, and is now leading a retired life. 
Mr. and Mrs. Leichliter have one child, Anna Lorena, 
who was born May 26, 1901. He belongs to the blue 
lodge and chapter of the Masonic fraternity.

F.A. Leichliter, the father of C.H., was born in 
Pennsylvania in 1822, and for many years has been an 
active clergyman of the Congregational Church, and 
notwithstanding his advanced years, is still a popular 
and interesting minister. His father, Jacob, the 
grandfather of our subject, was also born in 
Pennsylvania, near Brandywine. The Leichliter family 
history in the new world begins with the story of 
three brothers who left Germany in the seventeenth 
century, and made settlement in the colonies, one in 
New England, one in Virginia, and one in Pennsylvania, 
from whom the Rock Rapids editor descends.

Christina Grimes, the mother of C.H. Leichliter, is a 
daughter of Henry Grimes, who was a farmer and a 
native of Pennsylvania. He is still living in 
Missouri, where he owns a fruit farm, and is now 
retired. He was a soldier and was wounded several 
times. The Grimes are of German extraction.


LEWIS, ABRAH T. 
Mr. Lewis and his excellent wife have won more than a 
local reputation in the field of photographic art, and 
are widely known both for their artistic work and rare 
business gifts. They came to Rock Rapids, April 25, 
1901, and had leased for their work a fine and 
convenient structure, which they have since occupied 
under the name of the Lewis Art Studio. Mrs. Lewis who 
is an accomplished photographer and portrait artist, 
devotes herself to the work of the studio, while her 
husband gives his personal attention to scenic views, 
and has his time well occupied with out-door work. 
They have negatives of all the public buildings of 
this part of the country as well as many of the fine 
residences of Rock Rapids and vicinity. In their line 
of work they are easily ahead of all competitors, and 
may be well satisfied with their supremacy in a 
difficult field.

Mr. Lewis was born in Oneida county, New York, 
September 3, 1853, and when only two and a half years 
old was taken by his parents into Canada, where his 
home remained until 1873. That year he settled in 
Michigan, and entered upon the work of clearing a farm 
in the forest with enthusiasm. After he had put forty 
acres of land into shape for cultivation a great 
misfortune befell him in the destruction of his home 
by forest fire, September 5, 1881, in which his wife's 
grandmother perished, and her mother almost died. 
Appalled at this sad calamity, the Lewises sold out 
their Michigan property, and removed to the west. 
After spending a brief time in Canada, in 1885, he 
settled in Dakota, where he engaged as a photographer 
in Sioux Falls. This he conducted very successfully 
for some three years, and then disposing of it, 
removed to Madison, South Dakota, where he started a 
gallery, which was mainly operated by Mrs. Lewis, 
while he gave his attention to branch galleries at 
Brookings, Elkton and Arlington, South Dakota. For 
some five years they had their home at Madison, then 
resided in Huron two years, and in Clark two years.

Following this Mr. and Mrs. Lewis devoted some time to 
traveling in Iowa, visiting the larger towns and doing 
much work in their line.

Abram T. Lewis was married to Miss Sarah J. daughter 
of George and Amanda (Sybley) Norcott, August 25, 
1873. Her father, George R. Norcott, who was born in 
New York, was a successful farmer and mechanic, and 
died at the advanced age of eighty-three. He was a son 
of William Norcott, also born in New York, and a 
grandson of Robert Northcote, a native of England.

This remote English ancestor became a sailor and 
commanded his own ship. He engaged in mercantile 
traffic between this country and the East Indies. 
During this time his men called him "Cap. Norcotte," 
which hung to him and family and on to the present 
generation. 

He married and settled in America. The history and 
original name was left with his family and handed down 
to the present. Caught in a tremendous storm, the ship 
went down with all on board excepting one sailor who 
lived to tell the story of their death. Capt. Robert 
Northcote left a wife, two daughters and three sons. 
One daughter, Mrs. Skillenger, established her family 
on Staten Island with a royal land grant in the 
sixteenth century.

The Northcottes in England are a very old and 
aristocratic family, very wealthy and hold a high 
place in the old nobility. Col. Kneeland Norcott, 
uncle to Mrs. Lewis, was at the siege of Sebastopol, 
and there led his regiment to storm the Alma heights, 
which they took. His horse was shot beneath him, and 
his groom, but he pressed on, and was the first to 
plant the British flag on the enemy's outposts. In 
1854 the Colonel was supposed to be killed in the East 
Indian war, as that was the last ever heard from him. 
John Sybley, the father of Amanda, noted above, was 
the second passenger on record who sailed around the 
world. He was one of the very early Australian 
pioneers of English descent.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had two children born to bless 
their union, Lillian, now married, and traveling 
through the United States with her husband; and George 
N., who is a photographer.

Mr. Lewis belongs to the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, No. 9, at Sioux Falls, and has taken also the 
Encampment and Canton degrees in this order, with the 
reputation of being the best drilled swordsman of his 
camp. Mr. Lewis is also a member of Mystic Castle, No. 
40. K.P., of Madison, South Dakota.

Nathan Lewis, father of Abram T., was born in New 
York, and lived to be seventy-seven years old. His 
father was also born in New York, and was the son of 
an Englishman, who settled in this country many years 
ago. Caroline (Stephens) Lewis, the mother of Abram 
T., and the daughter of Alexander Stephens, was born 
in Pennsylvania, and her ancestors came from both 
Holland and Germany.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are meeting with much success in 
their work in Rock Rapids, and their many friends will 
be glad to read of their honorable and useful career.


LEWIS, D.W. M.D.. 
Dr. Lewis, who has achieved an enviable reputation as 
healer of the sick, and a man who honors his work, is 
well known in and around Inwood as a physician who 
brings to the practice of medicine all the resources 

of his calling, fortified by the strength of a trained 
mind and the enthusiasm of a close student of human 
nature. 

Dr. Lewis was born on a farm near Elkader, Clayton 
county, Iowa, February 20, 1859, and received his 
education at the high school of the neighboring 
village. For several years he was engaged in school 
teaching, and while engaged in pedagogic work began 
the preliminary studies required for a medical career. 
These studies were continued in the Iowa University, 
from which he was graduated in 1884, after which for a 
time he was engaged in practice in South Dakota. He 
was in the meantime not satisfied with the 
completeness of his training, and went back to the 
University for a two years'' post graduate course and 
became assistant physician at the hospital, where he 
secured familiarity with many kinds of diseases, and 
gained an insight into their treatment far beyond the 
experience of a country physician. In 1892 he located 
at Mapleton, Iowa, at the request of the resident 
physicians, and spent a year there in practice, after 
which he came to Inwood, where he has since remained, 
easily taking a leading position in his work. His 
practice steadily increases, and he keeps pace with 
the progress of the times, especially in the remedies 
and instruments devised for the diagnosis and 
treatment of chronic diseases. He has an X-ray machine 
and an atomizer of very valuable construction. His 
library is large and complete, and the Doctor belongs 
to various medical associations, such as the county, 
the Sioux Valley and the State Medial Associations, 
which keep him in touch with the best minds of his 
calling. 

In political matters Dr. Lewis has been a life long 
Republican, and is very active in party affairs. On 
more than one occasion he has had the strong backing 
of his county in the presentation of his name for 
important official position, particularly in the 
endeavor to send him as representative to the state 
legislature at Des Moines. The Doctor is known as a 
lover of a good horse, and those he drives are 
noticeably well bred and carefully trained. Dr. Lewis 
and Miss Laura Hansen, a native of Wisconsin, were 
married in 1888, and to this very happy union have 
come three children, Vera L., Stanley M., and Gail M. 


LEWIS, W. S. M.D.
The nation's greatest pride is in her men. High 
minded, true hearted, God-fearing men, men who have 
come from obscurity and risen to the highest places, 
men whose lives bestow a sweet fragrance of 
helpfulness upon their fellows, --in such men lies the 
strength and glory of the Republic. High upon the roll 
of truly great men stands the name of Dr. Wilson Seely 
Lewis, A.M., D.D. Born forty-seven years ago, of 
Holland and Welsh stock, on a New York farm, the 
source of support of a large family, he learned early 
in life the secret of true living-hard and honest 
work. Through his own efforts he received an academic 
education, and at the age of seventeen entered St. 
Lawrence University. His college education was 
completed and his degree received at Cornell, after 
coming west in 1881.

The success of Dr. Lewis in all his educational work 
has been phenomenal, but it is chiefly in his work as 
president of Morningside College that he has won his 
great reputation. After serving as principal of 
schools at Center Point and Belle Plaine, he became 
principal of Epworth Seminary, and the influence of 
his nine years spent there will always be a blessing 
to that institution. In 1897 Dr. Lewis became 
president of Morningside College, then a weak 
struggling school, deeply in debt and having no 
assured future. Seven years later finds that school in 
a healthy, flourishing condition, with two college 
buildings, a large faculty of some of the most 
scholarly educators in the country, accommodating 
nearly six hundred loyal students every year, drawing 
support from the richest and most progressive section 
of the Mississippi Valley, and ranking high among the 
colleges of the west. To Dr. Lewis untiring zeal and 
strong personality, perhaps more than to any other 
influence, this great change is to be attributed.

Dr. Lewis has traveled abroad extensively and has 
taken courses of study at Oxford, England. He has 
added to his thorough education by diligent private 
study, and has a keen understanding of the world's 
great issues. He is a man whose sympathies are broad 
and whose experience with the world is great. 

He is a fatherly friend to every Morningside student-a 
man busy with large affairs, but never too busy to aid 
the distressed. A large man physically, mentally and 
morally; a man of integrity, of character and 
unyielding stability of purpose, a man whose 
distinction lies in his far-reaching service to 
humanity-this is Dr. Wilson Seely Lewis.


LEWIS, EDWARD W.
Edward W. Lewis, who is now deceased, was in his life 
time one of the prominent farmers of Centennial 
township, Lyon County, and took that leading part in 
town and county affairs which his ability warranted 
and his public spirit justified. A portrait of this 
gentleman is presented on the opposite page.

Mr. Lewis was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, 
February 23, 1834, a son of William J. Lewis, a 
miller, and a descendant of an old German family. He 
was reared to manhood in his Pennsylvania home where 
he attended the local schools and secured a very good 
education. In 1869 he came to Lyon County, Iowa and 
bought a farm, which under his capable management 
became very productive, and when he died he left an 
estate of nine hundred and forty acres.

Mr. Lewis was married October 28, 1869, to Miss Mary 
E. Hutchinson who was born in Pennsylvania April 3, 
1853. To this union were born a family of fifteen 
children, as follows: William H. dead; Laura E., dead; 
Harry F.; May L.; Frank G.; Edward W. (2d), dead; 
Benjamin H.; Jennie T.; George W.; and the baby, dead. 
Seven of the above children as noted, died in two 
weeks from diphtheria, and were all born in Lyon 
county.

Mr. Lewis affiliated with the Republican party and 
served on the town board for twenty-five years. His 
career illustrated well the virtue there is in hard 
work and close attention to business. He built up a 
very considerable estate from the most insignificant 
beginning, and left his wife a fine property, well 
improved and up to date in every respect. His death 
occurred September, 19, 1903. Mrs. Lewis is still 
living, and is the center of a wide circle of 
friendship and esteem. She is one of the oldest 
settlers of Lyon county, and is widely known for his 
good deeds and kindly spirit. Mr. Lewis enlisted 
during the Civil War, August 4, 1862, in Company D. 
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania. He was 
discharged May 15, 1863, and re-enlisted June 17, 
1863, serving until August 1st, same year, in Company 
I, Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania.


LOCKER, CHRISTIAN J.
Christian J Locker, the proprietor of the "Sunnyside 
Farm," is well known as a farmer and business man in 
the southeastern corner of Lyon County. His fortune 
has been invested in land, and the main part of his 
wealth consists of improved lands in Lyon County. He 
has not spared expense in making these various tracts 
attractive farms and a credit to the county by 
erecting substantial improvements and needed out 
buildings.

Mr. Locker was born in Bureau county, Illinois, Sept. 
30, 1858, being the second member of a family of six 
children born to Christian and Hannah (Ulitch) Locker, 
both of whom are now living in Livingston county, 
Illinois, where the family established a home in 1864. 
There the subject of this article grew to manhood 
under the parental roof, receiving at the hands of his 
father a thoroughly practical farm training. In 1883, 
Mr. Locker came to Lyon County to look after his 
father's farm interests, making his home with William 
Sauer. When he returned to his Illinois home in the 
fall of that year he went vastly in love with the 
country. He gladly accepted his father's proposition 
of a farm in Lyon County, on condition that he made 
this county his home, and in the spring of 1884 began 
the improvement of the land. He broke prairie as 
rapidly as possible, and soon had six hundred and 
forty acres under cultivation and his labor met with 
its just reward. All surplus from his farming 
enterprises was put into the land and in 1888 he began 
the erection of three sets of buildings for renters, 
into whose hands he put the most of his land. His 
investments were made with care, and not until after 
he was well acquainted with the vicinity. To-day he 
owns three thousand acres of as choice farm land as is 
to be found in the state of Iowa. Not confining 
himself alone to investments in Iowa, he bought land 
in Sough Dakota in 1900, and the following year he 
became a partner in the Hunter Land and Cattle 
Company, of which concern he is at the present time 
the sole owner. This company controls thirteen 
thousand acres of land in Hamill county, South Dakota, 
and it is stocked with choice beef cattle. Since 1895 
Mr. Locker has given up active farming, seeing that 
his outside business and the overseeing of his estate 
have demanded the most of his time. On section 32, in 
Wheeler township, he is planning the erection of a set 
of modern buildings strictly up to modern ideas, to 
take the place of the older structures. He find much 
pleasure in fruit growing, and has one of the finest 
orchards in the county. He is an enthusiastic 
Republican in politics, and his wide circle of 
acquaintances give him considerable influence.

Mr. Locker was married in 1899 to Miss Anna Rushman, 
and is the father of two daughters, Hannah and one 
unnamed at the writing of this sketch. He is a man of 
generous disposition, and ever been alert to grasp a 
business opportunity, and is highly esteemed by all 
who know him.


LOUDENBECK, MRS. MARY 
Mrs. Mary Loudenbeck, under whose capable management 
the Windsor Hotel at George, Lyon county, maintains 
the high standing to which her late husband lifted it, 
is a woman of much force of character, business 
ability of a high order, and a natural fitness for the 
exacting duties that attend the successful operation 
of a hotel like this of which we speak.

The Windsor Hotel was purchased by the late John 
Loudenbeck in 1897, and until his death was under his 
personal care. It was close to his heart, as it has 
since been to the widow, that here should be operated 
a hotel ample to its patronage, clean and faultless, 
and kept at a price that would be fair and right to 
all parties. On the first floor it has large offices, 
dining room, parlors and a kitchen, while upon the 
second floor are the bedrooms, each with an outside 
window. There are twenty-four of these rooms all well 
furnished, and the management can entertain the 
traveling public in a way that should give the people 
of George a just pride in their landlady.

Mr. Loudenbeck was born in New York, near Albany, 
August 1, 1836, of a German and English parentage, and 
when he became a man took up the calling of a railroad 
engineer. His wife, Mary, was a daughter of John 
Clemons, who came of an Irish lineage. The 
grandparents of Mrs.Loudenbeck came to Canada in early 
life, and the grandfather was killed while John 
Clemons was still a child, by the falling of a tree. 
The grandmother could not rally from the shock, and 
she followed him to the grave within a year. John 
Clemons was left among strangers, but he never forgot 
his mother's teachings to be honest and true. This was 
his building star through life. When grown to manhood 
he married a French lady, who bore him twelve 
children, eight of whom still survive. The father only 
is now living, and he makes his home with his 
daughter, Mrs. Loudenbeck.

Mrs. Looudenbeck is the mother of five children: 
Charles H., married, and is a farmer; his home is in 
North Dakota; Albert W., who remains with his mother; 
Ada F., is married, and lives at Morehead, Iowa; Mabel 
S., a member of the graduating class of 1898 from 
Highland Park College, now married and lives in 
George; and Leota, who is still at home.

Mrs. Loudenbeck owns beside the Hotel Windsor, a fine 
farm two and a half miles from town, and also some 
very desirable land in North Dakota. Her husband, 
while he was living, was associated with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern 
Woodmen of America.


LYNCH, JOHN M.
John M. Lynch, whose name would take a prominent place 
in any list of notable farmers and citizens of Lyon 
county, was born in Chicago, June 2, 1854, and by 
indomitable thrift and industry has won for himself a 
very commendable standing as a man, a farmer and a 
citizen. His father, Daniel Lynch, was born in Ireland 
in 1815, and coming to this country in 1848, located 
in Chicago. Later on, he removed to LaSalle county, 
Illinois, where he engaged in farming, and where he 
died in 1867.

The subject of this narrative was continued in the 
common schools until he reached the age of fourteen 
years, when his father's death threw upon his young 
shoulders the maintenance of his mother and sisters, a 
responsibility he did not hesitate to meet with manly 
courage and fortitude. In 1882 he entered Iowa, and 
for one year was engaged in farming in Iowa county, 
then seven years in Cherokee county. He came to Lyon 
county in 1889, and here he bought a farm on which he 
has since resided and grown prosperous.

Mr. Lynch was married April 9, 1877, to Miss Louisa C. 
Lyons. She was born at Cleveland, Ohio, February 1, 
1855. Her father, Daniel Lyons, was born in Ireland, 
in December, 1829, and came to this country in 1847. 
Later on he removed to Illinois to engage in farming, 
and there he is still living at an advanced age. Five 
children were born to this marriage, as follows: Katie 
A.; Clara; Mary L.; Daniel D.; and John M. Katie and 
Clara were natives of Illinois; the others were born 
in Iowa.

Mr. Lynch has long been regarded as a leading spirit 
in the Democratic party, and was a candidate for 
supervisor, but was defeated. He has been justice of 
the peace, assessor, and has filled several other 
local offices. His choice and well improved farm 
comprises one hundred and sixty acres of good farming 
land on which he has erected a very complete set of 
buildings, which are ample to every need of the place. 
A fine grove adorns the home.