of popular fame, in storms of unjust and turbulent opinion; but, after all, we may be sure that there is an ultimate order, that the reputation of men will be finally assigned them by exact rules, and that they only will enter the temple of history, who have real titles, by extraordinary virtues, or by extraordinary vices, to its places.'

Thus writes one whose reputation as a biographer cannot be excelled. His reflections lead to many suggestive thoughts, sure to arise in the minds of all who follow his remarks. All men cannot be great; each has his own sphere, and the success of his life is to be measured by the manner in which he fills it. But men may be both true and good, may be morally great, for in true living there are no degrees, there is no respect of persons. The word sketch, as here used, implies an outline or delineation. of anything, giving broad touches by which only an imperfect idea, at the best, can be conveyed. It is not designed to include all the several and separate acts of a man's life, important or otherwise, for that would necessarily be both comprehensive and minute; nor is any single sketch purely biographical, which would imply a review of the life and character of each person. The design is to give the merest outline, with particular reference, however, to the public life of the persons named. To go into each man's private life, or into his home life, would be both unwarranted and valueless. Few care to know these facts, and many of them, perhaps, had best be forgotten. As a rule one's neighbors know full enough about him, and to afford them correct data for information may deprive them of the topic of quondam conversations.

Here will be found few, if any, who are not entitled to a place in public confidence. The names are, in great part, those of men who have been closely and for a long time identified with the interests of the county and their respective townships. If in their lives no mention appears of the hardships they endured in the early days of the county's history it is because these are the common experiences of pioneer life, were not exceptional in their character, and have been already referred to in other pages of this volume. A repetition here of individual experiences would be absolutely devoid of both interest and aim. To the residents of the county the names of none of its earliest settlers are without interest. So far as they could be gathered they illustrate quite fully the character of the early settlers; if the names of any such do not appear in these pages it is because facts were not accessible, or that an inauspicious destiny had arrested their career. Their place was already marked. To have obtained sketches of their lives, at first-hand, would have been next to the consciousness of duty fulfilled the highest of gratifications. Their lives would obtain, and justify all sympathy, and even their names recall heroic examples of which the men of to-day, with better fortunes, though with less daring,

are neither the companions, the rivals nor the masters. In the great majority of instances the battles in which many persons named have been engaged are suppressed, not because they are valueless, but because the engagements of the several Iowa regiments may be found in another portion of the volume. This has not been generally the case with regiments outside of the state, except in an occasional instance when some one; ambitious to share the glory of war, represented himself in remarkable battles in different and widely removed states, but occurring at the same date? Each one of this class selects for himself the place of glory, and makes of his own person the pivot on which the fortunes of battle revolved. It has, in a word, been a paramount object that men should be sketched as they are, rather than as they think they are, or wish, perhaps, to be.

CENTER TOWNSHIP.

ASHTON, THOMAS W., farmer and stockman, P. O. Glenwood; is a native of Monmouth, New Jersey, where he was born in August, 1824. He resided in the place of his nativity until twenty-one years of age, receiving his education in the common school. In December of 1852, he went to California, and resided in that state some two years, when he returned to his native state. In March of 1867, he came to this county. In September of 1852, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Newton, of Middlesex county, New Jersey. born in November, 1832. They are the parents of eight children, seven now living: Isaac, Emma A., Annie S., Charles H., Ella G., Franklin B., and R. Lee. His farm contains 160 acres, all the result of patient labor and industry, gained since coming to this county.

BARKER, L. C., farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Glenwood; was born in Tioga county, New York, in the year 1822. In 1824 he became a resident of Monroe county, his father having moved thither, and subsequently to Genesee county, same state. Shortly after this he went to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, and thence to Illinois, where for two years he was engaged in teaching school. He came to this county from Wisconsin in 1856. Since coming he has accumulated over one thousand acres of land, all improved, and with several excellent orchards. In the fall of 1868 he was married to Mrs. Eliza Sharp, of Logan county, Illinois, who was originally from Shelby county, Kentucky. Mr. Barker and lady are members of the M. E. Church at Hillsdale. The parents of Mrs. Barker were among the early settlers of Kentucky.

BROOKS, G. W., farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Glenwood; was born

in eastern Virginia. At an early age he moved with his parents to Harrison county, Ohio, where his youth was passed. In 1854 he removed to La Salle, Illinois, where he remained two years, and then became a resident of this county, locating in Glenwood and engaging in blacksmithing. For twenty years he continued in this occupation, and then removed to his present home. In December, 1860, he was married to Miss Sarah F. Kimberling, a native of Mason county, Virginia. Mrs. Brooks came to Glenwood from Missouri, in the early days when Coonville was its name. The farm of Mr. Brooks is composed of one hundred and twenty acres of some of the best land in the township.

CLARKSON A. B., P. O. Hillsdale; born in Franklin county, Indiana, in July, 1835. When seven years of age he moved with his parents to Henry county, Iowa, where he received his education in the common schools. In the spring of 1859 he went to Mahaska county, Iowa; remained there about eight years, and returned to Henry county. He came to Mills county in the fall of 1876. Was married in November, 1856, to Miss Barbara Hains, of Henry county, Iowa. They are the parents of eight children: Mary E., Aaron F., John C., George L., Rosa J., Cora E., and Eva S. He is a kind father and a respected member of society.

COATS, W. M., graindealer, P. O. Hillsdale; born in 1851, in La Salle county, Illinois. When one year old he went with his parents to California, remaining there about ten years, when he returned to Illinois, locating in Jackson county. He resided in that county until he was twenty years of age. He received his education in the schools of St. Louis, and the State Normal school at Bloomington, Illinois. He came to this county in 1872. He was for three years in the employ of J. F. Evans & Co., graindealers of Council Bluffs. In the fall of 1875 he formed a partnership with his father-in-law, Hon. James Mickelwait, in the grain business. They have built an elevator at Hillsdale, at a cost of $5,000, which has a capacity of 15,000 bushels. He was married in December, 1874, to Miss Lizzie Mickelwait. They have one child,

Alma.

DAVIS, STERLING, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Malvern; Mr. Davis was born in Livingston county, New York, in 1822. In 1831 his parents moved to Ohio, where he lived twelve years, receiving, in the meantime, a common school education. In the spring of 1847 he came to this county, and is one of its earliest settlers. Four years previous to his coming to this county he had married Miss Maria Shoemaker, of ` Quincy, Illinois. They are the parents of seven children: Amelia, William, Sarah, Catharine, Lillie P. and Wallace. Mr. Davis contains one hundred and sixty acres. A further account of

Warren W.,
The farm of

those days and scenes which Mr. Davis found on coming here is elsewhere given.

HORNBY, GEORGE H., farmer, P. O. Glenwood; was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1838. In 1844 he removed to Providence, Rhode Island. In 1863 he enlisted in the United States navy for the term of three years. Returning to his home at the expiration of his term of service he engaged in the manufacturing business, being thus occupied two years. He then disposed of this interest and moved to Pawtucket, and engaged in the upholstering and manufacturing business. In March of 1879 he came to this county. He was married in March, 1866, to Miss A. F. Crockett, born in February, 1838. They have six children: Edward T., Florence T., Mary S., George H., William S. and Viola. He is a new man to the county, but comes recommended by those best of traits, integrity, industry and honor.

JONES, G. F., farmer, P. O. Glenwood; among the later comers to this county, who have by integrity and fair dealing become entitled to recognition as among the county's most honorable men, none are more worthy of mention than Mr. Jones. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in the year 1837, in the month of August. Ten years later he moved with his father's family to Morgan county, Ohio, where were received, in the common school, all the educational qualifications he possesses. In 1857 he went to Athens county, in the same state, and at the end of five years became a resident of Hardin county, Ohio. He served two enlistments in the late war, and was in the battles of Rich Mountain, Laurel Hill, Fredericksburg, Harper's Ferry, and the seven days fight before Richmond, and was here disabled by receiving the weight of a horse which fell upon him at James River. In the spring of 1875 he came to this county. He was, for two years, the superintendent of the county poor farm, and proved to be an excellent manager. He was married to Miss Melissa Kinney, of Nelsonville, Ohio, born in March, 1849, in the month of July, 1870.

JONES, NORVEL, farmer and stock dealer, P. O. Malvern; born in August, 1845, in Mercer county, Illinois, and remained in that county until the fall of 1863. He was educated in the common schools and at Knox College. In May, 1864, he enlisted in company C, 137th Illinois infantry, for one hundred days, and participated at the battle of Memphis. He was mustered out in October, 1864, and returned again to his studies. In the spring of 1867 he went to Henry county, Illinois, and remained there eight years, engaged in raising live stock. He came to this county in 1875, and has resided here since that time. Was married in March, 1870, to Miss Ella Mason, of Galesburg, Illinois, by whom he is the father of three children: Orel, Orpha and Vena, the two last named being

deceased. He is located on a good farm of 160 acres, well improved. He deals extensively in cattle, sheep and hogs.

KELLEY, REV. ISAAC, P. O. Hillsdale; born November 11, 1819, in Ross county, Ohio, where he grew to maturity, working on his father's farm and attending the pioneer schools. When nineteen years old he commenced to learn the trade of a blacksmith, and worked at that trade ten years. In 1843 he moved to Highland county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming two years, returning again to his native county. After spending two years at his old home he went to Jacksonville, and in 1848 engaged in mercantile pursuits at Locust Grove. He came to Mills county in the autumn of 1853. He united with the M. E. Church when a young man, and began his career as a minister of the gospel in this county. The Glenwood circuit was his first field of labor, where he served two years and was then appointed by the conference to minister to the spiritual wants of the citizens of the Bedford circuit. He was afterward appointed to the Oregon, Missouri, circuit. He returned to this county in 1861, and has since remained here preaching in the Tabor circuit, and adjoining places. Rev. Kelley was married October 26, 1842, to Miss Ruth Smith, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, June 16, 1822. Twelve children have blessed this union, ten of whom are living at the present time: L. E., D. E., L. A., J. Q., J. J., W. M., E. E., W. S., E. M. and Pearl. He owns a pleasant residence situated on the suburbs of Hillsdale, and a well improved farm of four hundred and forty acres. He also owns an extensive mercantile house, conducted by his son Isaac.

LEWIS, A., farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Malvern; was born in Knox county, Ohio, in the year 1821, where his youth was passed and his education received. In 1855 Mr. Lewis came to this county and located near the place of his present residence. For some five years he engaged in farming but then erected a saw and grist mill on Silver Creek. After conducting this successfully for a time he returned to his former avocation. In 1857 he married Miss Mary J. Wilkerson, born in December 1833, by whom he has one child, Electa, and one by adoption, Robert D. His farm comprises two hundred and fifty-nine acres, improved, with good buildings and a fine orchard.

LEWIS, I. B., merchant, P. O. Hillsdale; born in February, 1846, in Andrew county, Missouri, where he resided about five years. He then came to Iowa, locating in Mills county, and has resided here continuously. He received his education in the excellent common schools of this county. He was married in March, 1872, to Damascus Kelley of this county. They are the parents of four children: Fay Ivy, Ruth Ella and Clifford. Mr. Lewis is now engaged in the grocery and provision trade, and also carries an extensive stock of notions. He is a successful business man, much admired by all who know him.