Philip Augustine

Adair county, while it has has had the usual amount of petty crimes committed within its borders, and some defalcations and peculations among it's officers, yet, has been singularly free from crimes of any great magnitude. The train robbery, of which an account is given elsewhere, and the murder of Henry D. Vandewater by Philip Augustine, are about the only ones that are worthy of any notice. In the district court that met on the 11th of February, 1873, and held until the 19th of the same month, this came up for trial, and occupied nearly the whole session. It would seem from the evidence of the testimony given in the court, and from much that has been gathered since, that the crime, if such it was, was committed under the following circumstances; Henry D. Vandewater, the victim, was a coarse, loud talking, boisterous man, regarded by most of those that knew him as quite dangerous, and who was in the habit of wearing a revolver in his belt. Philip Augustine, the accused, was his brother-in-law, a mild, peaceable man, and domineered by Vandewater, was in continual fear of him. A family quarrel coming up, growing out of the disagreeable disposition of the deceased in March, 1872, Vandewater, in vain, tried to fasten a quarrel upon Augustine, and at one time followed him into the house of his (Augustine's) father and wanted to fight, backed by his brother, and picking up a stick, started to make an assault upon Augustine, The aged father of the latter, however, interfered, and with a butcher knife, which he picked up, informed his son-in-law that he would kill him if he struck Phillip. Wereupon, Vandewater, cursing and swearing, refrained and retired from the field. He then took to annoying his brother-in-law Augustine in every way, dogging his cattle, and on the evening before his death, in passing the house of the defendant, when Mrs. Augustine was trying to drive in a flock of sheep, set his dog on them. She remonstrating with him for this, he took a stick and drove her into the yard, saying we would thrash hell out of her, and kick her so that she couldn't stand up. Shortly before this, while Vandewater was engaged in the laudable attempt to set fire to Augustine's fences about harvest time, being remonstrated with by the owner, he drew a revolver and drove him into the house. Only the day before the crime was committed he had threatened a little boy of Augustine's who was herding stock, with cutting his throat, and numerous little lreasantries of a like nature.

On the morning of his demise, he rode over to the house of Mr. Augustine to see him about some grass that was in dispute, making threats that he would kill him before he would let Phillip have it, although it had been given to the latter by his father. He rode up to a low fence in the front of the defendant's house, and setting sideways on his horse, faced the latter. Mr. Augustine asked him why he had dogged his cattle, and the brute answered that he would dog them when he pleased, and he would dog them to hell and back, and that Augustine could not help himself. The latter said that he could help himself. Vandewater then said, "If you have anything that will shoot faster than I have, bring it out," and put his hand on his revolver in his hip pocket and half drew it out. With this Augustine warned him away from the premises, and retired to his house. And being fearful of the man, and in bodily terror of his life, reached into the door and grasping his Enfield rifle that stood there, threw it to his shoulder, and firing, killed Vandewater. He was shortly afterward arrested, and lodged in jail, and the trial held as above stated. The attornies for the state were, General Given, the district attorney, Bailey & Grass, and J. C. Naylor. The defendant had the services fo the following counsel: Leanard & Mott, Gow Brothers and Col. James Rany.

The jury in this case was composed of the following well-known gentlemen, who nobly and conscientiously did their duty, notwithstanding their feelings in the matter: S. C. Vance, A. I. Harrison, W. H. Aspinwall, J. Sias, L. O. Elliott, James Peters, E. L. Drake, A. J. Mears, William Rivenburgh, O. D. Foote, W. M. Stowell and J. L. Vert. These gentlemen, after a patient hearing of the evidence, which is, in many instances, plainly contradictory, returned a verdict of guilt in the second degree, and the judge sentence Augustine to the peniteniary for the term of ten years, the lightest sentence the law permitted for the crime of which he was found guilty.

Mr. Augustine went to Fort Madison to serve out his sentence, but on account of the extenuating circumstances, and the great provocation the man was under when the crime was committed, a petition for pardon, headed by the names of the judge, district attorney and all the jury, was circulated, and obtaining the requisite number of names was forwarded to the governor of executive clemency. The governor, on investigating the matter, pardoned Phillip Augustine, and he is supposed to be working in either Des Moines or Fort Madison.

Adair County Lawyers

James E. Andrews, the gentleman whose name occupies the second place in the law and real-estate firm of Brown, Andrews & Freeman, is a native of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was born December 27, 1851. There he spent his younger days and received his education, attending the Mount Pleasant academy. From his twentieth year he taught school in the winter, attending the summer terms at the academy. During the years, 1876, 1877 and 1878, he took a course at the state normal school, Indiana, Pennsylvania, graduating there in the latter year, after which he was elected principal of the Mount Pleasant public schools for the 1878 and 1879 terms. In the fall of 1879 he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and attended the law department of the state university for one year. In the spring of 1881 he came to Toledo, Iowa, and completed his law studes with W. E. Stevens, and was admitted to the bar in August of that year. He commenced practice in this city in November, 1881, and has built up a fine practice and good reputation. He has taken an active part in politics, and was chosen alternate delegate to the national democratic convention in 1884. He was married March 2, 1882, to Miss Jennie Warden, a native of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, who died May 12, 1883.

F. M. Brown, of the law, real-estate and abstract firm of Brown, Andrews & Freeman, is a native of Clinton county, Iowa, and was born April 5, 1842. His father, Hiram Brown, was one of the early settlers of that county. F. M. was there reared, and was educated at the Cornell college, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and at the Mt. Carroll, Illinois, seminary. When twenty-four years of age, he began the study of law with Senator N. A. Merrill, and assisted his progress by private reading at home. He was admitted to the bar in Clinton county in 1874, and came to Greenfield later in the same year. Here he at once engaged in the business which he now follows. He has been more than once honored with office, having been justice of the peace two terms, and mayor of the city in 1882. He was married December 26, 1875, to Miss Sadie E. Dew, a native of Illinois. They have two children--Floyd M., and Erwin D. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment. Mr. Brown is extensively engaged in the raising of blooded fowls, and has one of the best equipped henneries in the state. He is the inventor of the Brown patent hens'-nest. He began the business in 1878, and now has some three hundred fine chickens, old and young. He has been president of the Iowa Southwestern Poultry Association since its organization, and is one of the vice-presidents of the natioanal poultry association of the United States.

Daniel W. Church is the oldest attorney at the county seat. He was born in Lewis county, Missouri, September 8, 1852. When he was fourteen years of age, his parents removed to Knightstown, Indiana, where he attended school. In 1865 he returned to Missouri and attended Monticello seminary and La Grange college. He was admitted to the bar in 1875, in Greenfield, Indiana. He was married in 1877 to Miss Ann E. Stanley; they have three children. He came to this city in 1875 and commenced his law practice. He was city attorney in 1883.

John G. Culver, attorney, is a native of Cedar county, Iowa, and was born January 3, 1851. When sixteen years of age he entered the State University at Iowa City, and attended four terms. In 1871 he went to Adams county, farming there two years, then coming to Fontanelle, where he taught school two years. He then commenced the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in Greenfield in 1879. He was married May 30, 1871, to Miss Emma A. Daniels. He is a member of the Masonic order and I. O. O. F., and in religion is a Presbyterian.

Harry E. Don Carlos, one of the promising young attorneys of the Adair county bar, is a native of Cass county, Illinois. When he was a mere child his parents removed to Mason county, Illinois, where he was reared. He received his education at Jacksonville, Illinois, and Chicago, where he went in 1878. In December, 1877, he began the study of the law with I. R. Brown, of Mason City, Illinois, and continued the same with Col. D. W. Munn, at Chicago. In 1880 he was admitted to bar in Illinois, but continued his studies till 1882. In 1883 he came to Greenfield and entered into a law partnership with D. W. Church, which continued till May, 1884, when the partnership was dissolved, since which time he has practiced by himself. He is a member of the Masonic order and I. O. O. F.

George L. Gow was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of April, 1846, and is the son of John L. and Mary (Murdoch) Gow. George was reared to manhood in the place of his nativity, and received his education at the Washington college, of that place. When he was nineteen years of age he began the study of law under his father, and was admitted to the bar in the county of his birth in May, 1867. The same autumn he came to Davenport, Iowa, where he practiced until 1870, when he came to Fontanelle, the then county seat, where, in company with his brother, he engaged in practice. In 1871 Gow Brotheres started the Reporter, a weekly journal, which they now own. George L. Gow was married on the 3d of October, 1872, to Miss Laura B. Purviance, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of the gallant colonel Henry Purviance, of the 85th Pennsylvania infantry regiment, who was killed at the siege of Charleston, South Carolina. The have three children--Virgina M., Henry A. and Paul A.

H. Grass, attorney, senior member of the law firm of Grass & Storey, came to Fontanelle in the year 1869, from Albany, Richland county, Illinois. His native place was Lawrence county, Illinois, and the date of his birth April 13, 1835. His father, Alfred Grass, was born in 1801, and died in 1857; he was a native of Indiana. He was a great reader and a man of considerable prominence, and took an active part in the political strifes. He served six years in the state senate of Illinois, was a soldier in the Blackhawk war, and was at the capture of Blackhawk, when he made his last fatal stand on the Bad-Axe, in Wisconsin. He was of German extraction. His wife (H. Grass' mother), was of Welsh origin; her name before her marriage with Mr. Grass was Susan Snyder, a native of Spencer county, Indiana. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and was with his father in clearing land in the timber, studying evenings and laboring on the farm during the day. Tiring of farm life, he took up the study of law at twenty-four years of age, and continued his studies up to the time the war broke out, at which time he enlisted in the three month's service. Returning home an invalid, he was employed as deputy enrolling clerk at Albany, Illinois, for a time, when he took the position of internal revenue assessor during the balance of the war. He then was engaged with a mining coal oil company at Springfield, Illinois, and traveled through the southern states about a year in their employ as agent. The spring of 1869 dates his arrival in Iowa, settling in Des Moines from spring till the following fall. He was an enthusiastic Grant man, and made some stump speeches for him during the fall campaign. His residence in Fontanelle, Adair county, dates from this time. His practice has been satisfactory and on the increase, and these gentlemen are classed among the strongest legal firms in this portion of Iowa. His marriage occurred in December, 1873, his wife being Miss Ellen Elliott, of Fontanelle.

A. L. Hager, one of the law firm of Gow & Hager, is a native of Chautauqua county, New York, born October 29, 1850. He was reared in the place of his nativity until he was ten years old, whe the family moved to Jackson county, Iowa, where they remained three years, and again moved to Jones county. Here A. L. was educated, and in 1874 attended the law department of Iowa State university, from which he graduated on the 25th of June, 1875. In the same year he came to Greenfield and engaged in practice with his brother, C. E. Hager and J. A. Storey. In 1877 the firm became A. L. Storey & J. A. Hager, and in 1881 the present firm came into existence. Mr. Hager was city attorney from 1878 to 1882. He was married on the 29th of October, 1878, to Miss Ella M. Burrrell, and they have one child--Ella M.

Fred O. Hinkson, of the real-estate and law firm of Easton & Hinkson, was born in Canaan, Grafton county, New Hampshire, December 17, 1855. When in his fourteenth year his father removed to Morrison, Whitesides county, Illinois. Here the family remained but two months, coming by wagon to Adair county, and locating on section 14, Jefferson township. During the next four years of his life, Fred gave his attention to farming, helping his father break up and improve one of the best farms in that vicinity, laboring on the farm during the summer and attending school, three miles away, during the winter. When eighteen years of age his father gave him his time if he would go to school. In the fall and winter of 1873 he taught his first school, worked on a farm the next summer, and the following fall entered Simpson college, at Indianola, Iowa. Here he graduated, in 1882, having in the intervening years taught twelve terms of school, worked one summer on a farm, and completing his collegiate course--taking the degree of B. S. Being compelled to earn the money to pay his way through school, he was careful to know how it was spent, and hence graduated with the highest average of a class of eight, and it was known as one of the best classes that ever went out from the college. In the fall of 1882 he entered the law department of the State University, at Iowa City, being enabled to attend through the kindness of a former teacher, Mr. T. P. Neville, who came to his aid and advanced the money necessary to defray his expenses. Here he graduated in June, 1883, receiving the degree of L.L.B., and the honor of the appointment as one of the ten speakers to represent the class on commencement day. Having been a resident of Adair county for fifteen years he now returned to his old home, and in September, 1883, commenced his business connection with the present firm. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment.

John W. McCormick, attorney, of Greenfield, is a native of Lee county, Iowa, and was born April 22, 1848. He was reared and educated there. He graduated from the law department of the Iowa law college, Des Moines, in 1879, and was then admitted to the bar. He then went to Fontanelle, and engaged in law practice, removing to Greenfield in August, 1882. He served in Company E, 7th Iowa, in 1864 and '65. He was married March 10, 1873, to Hester Copson. He is a member of the Masonic order, G. A. R., and A. O. U. W.

Robert Mickey is one of the rising and popular attorneys of the county seat. He was born in Henderson county, Illinois, January 21, 1853, and was there reared and educated. After leaving school he commenced farming, and followed this occupation exclusively until he had reached his twenty-fifth year, when he commenced his legal studies, without entirely giving up the pursuit of agriculture. In 1879 and 1880 he attended the law department of Ann Arbor, Michigan, university, and followed this by continuing his law studies at Grand Rapids, Michigan, for seven months, when he was rewarded for his labors by being admitted to the bar. In the fall of 1881 he came to Greenfield, and at once entered into practice, and has built up a good name and business. He was married December 24, 1877, to Miss Ella R. Curtiss, a native of Michigan. They have three children--Samuel P., Vista A. and Zella R. Mr. Mickey is a member of the I. O. O. F.

John M. Moore, attorney in Adair, is a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born May 26, 1836. His father, William Moore, was also a native of the same county, lived and died within a short distance of his birthplace, at the age of seventy-two. He was the grandson of Joseph C. Moore, who was beheaded in Ireland, on account of being one of the liberators of that country from English tyranny. The subject of this sketch spent the early part of his life on the farm, being eighteen years of age when he entered the academy at New Alexandria, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania; graduated from this academy in 1857, commenced teaching school, which profession he followed a number of years. He commenced reading law under Edwin Cowan, ex-United States senator from Greensburg, Pennsylvania. In 1860 he engaged in mercantile business in New Alexandria till August, 1862. He sold out and enlisted in the 135th regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, serving as sergeant-major in this regiment until May, 1863, and was appointed adjutant on the staff of General Doubleday, of the 3rd division 1st army corps, of the army of the Potomac, which position he held till July, 1864. Was in some severe engagements, second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksberg, Wilderness, etc. He afterward commanded Company C, 48th regiment Pensylvania militia, operating in Ohio in Morgan's campign, and was present when Morgan was captured. We next find Mr. Moore in Fulton county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm near Farmington, on which he lived til 1869. He sold this place and migrated to Paxton, Ford county, Illinois, in which place he became interested in and was a breeder of Poland China swine there up to 1871, when he sold out and bought a farm near Menlo, Guthrie county, Iowa, and pursued the same business there three years. At the same time he was engaged in the banking business there, making the exchange and loaning business a specialty, and was one of the sufferers in B. F. Allen's great failure in Des Moines--in connection with the other business was running real estate, loan and insurance business. In 1875 he was one of the incorporators in L. Manwell, Tracy & Co's organization, and was elected cashier of the same. January, 1878, is the date of his removal to Adair, where he took up real estate and loans as a business, which he has followed since. He was married in Salem, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, to Eliza F. Jack, a granddaughter of Captain Jack, of revolutionary fame. Her grandfather was an early settler in Westmoreland ocunty, settling with Joseph Moore. He was commander of troops at Hannestown, when burned by the Indians. This lady died December 9, 1881, and April 22, 1883, he was again married, to Miss Mary S. Moss, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, but a native of England. By his first marriage there were three sons born to them--Harry I., Clarence E. and James C. Mr. Moore was not admitted to the bar until March 4, 1880, under Judgge W. H. McHenry, in Adair county. He is a member of the Masonic order, Grand Army of the Republic, Good Templars, and in religion a Presbyterian.

Hon. John A. Storey, attorney, and member of the firm of Grass & Storey, of Fontenelle, is a native of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and was born April 13, 1851. He is the son of Thomas B. and Margaret (Mossgrove) Storey, who still live in Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools of his native county, and assisted in farming until he had reached the age of seventeen years, when he had progressed so far in his studies that he was himself competent to teach school, and was readily able to obtain employment at this occupation. He commenced a college course at Washington and Jefferson college, Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1871, and graduated in 1874, taking the second honors in his class, he having taken the classical course. After leaving college, he taught school until the summer of 1875. In the meantime he had been reading law since 1873 with his uncle, Jackson Boggs, and so continued till the fall of 1875, when he came to Iowa, and located in Greenfield, this county. He made rapid progress in his legal studies, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1876 by Judge Leonard. As he came to this country with no capital but his natural abilities, a strong will, and a determination to make the most of circumstances, Mr. Storey has had to improve all his opportunities, and rely solely on his own resources, and hence his acquirement of property and honors is all the more creditable. He was chosen by the people of the twenty-fourth representative district in 1883 to represent them in the general assembly of the state, and has given entire satisfaction to, and reflected credit upon, his constituents. He was married May 18, 1876, to Miss Miranda Hayes, daughter of Marshall Hayes, of Washington, Pennsylvania, who departed this life at Greenfield, October 25, 1881. He has two daughters--Miranda M. and Ethel. He is a Mason, Knight Templar, and member of the I. O. O. F., and the Iowa legion of honor. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and holds the position of superintendent in the M. E. Sunday-school. Mr. Storey is one of the successful men of his profession, and enjoys the respect of the entire community.

William S. Wishard, a prominent attorney of Adair, is a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, being born April 10, 1852, and is the son of John R. and Eliza (Masters) Wishard. William's father was a native of Scotland and an attorney there. When a young man he emigrated to America, settling in Cambridge, Guernsey county, Ohio, where he practiced law up to the time of his death in 1861. In 1862 William removed to Caldwell, Noble county, Ohio, where he remained about five years, then going to Marietta, remining there till 1874. He then commenced traveling for a wholesale hardware house of Pittsburgh, and continued at the same for two years, when he went to Palo, Lynn county, Iowa, where he took charge of the public school for one year. He was educated at Antioch, Monroe county, Ohio, and taught school there one year. He also taught and attended school in Des Moines some two years. In 1878 he went to Casey, Guthrie county, remaining two years, then going to Adair, where he now resides and is engaged in the practice of law, having received his professional education in Des Moines and Iowa City. October 19, 1879, he was married to Florence M. Anderson, a daughter of William Anderson, of Casey. Mr. Wishard enjoys a good practice, and is the attorney for the Bank of Adair. He makes collections a specialty. In politics he is a greenbacker, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

H. B. Young - Among the leading men of Fontanelle and Adair county, is H. B. Young, attorney at law and land agent. He was born in Woodstock, Grafton county, New Hampshire, June 15, 1834. His parents, Hiram and Abigail Young, were also natives of that state, where his father was a farmer. He was also a member of the state militia of New Hampshire and served as mayor of Lisbon. In 1844 the family removed to Illinois, and purchased land at what is now Arlington Heights in the vicinity of Chicago. In 1853 they removed into the city. When H. B. Young had reached the age of twenty-two years he departed with his brother L. B. Young for Iowa Center, Story county, Iowa, to engage in mercantile business. In 1860 he sold out his interest in the business at Iowa Center, and removed to Port Byron, Illinois, where he took a position as clerk in a store. He removed to Stark county, Illinois, in 1869, and in 1873 commenced the study of law, which he continued assiduously until 1877, when he was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Bradford, Stark county. He held the position of justice of the peace in that town, and also served four years as collector of taxes. In July, 1878, he removed to Osage county, Kansas, but as the health of his family suffered from the effects of the climate, he concluded to remove further north, and in April, 1880, he came to Fontanelle to make his future home. He located on a farm a little northwest of the town, remaining there till June, 1883, when he took the City Hotel, in town, under management, and three months later, he commenced the practice of law in Fontanelle, and is one of the most successful practitioners in Adair county. In January 1858, he was married to Miss Susan LaRue, a native of Bath, Steuben county, New York. Seven children have been born to them, of whom five are living--three ddaughters and two sons. Of the other two, one died in Illinois, aged six years, and the other in Kansas, aged twelve years. Of his two sons, the elder is a telegraph operator, and the other is engaged in farming in Kansas. In politics Mr. Young is a staunch democrat and an earnest worker and an influential leader in the cause. He is a member of the Masonic order, the I. O. O. F., and the Iowa Legion of Honor.

Adair County Representatives

S. W. Armstrong was born and raised on a farm in Pennsylvania, where he received his education. For some years he was engaged in traveling throughout the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio as a commercial man, and in 1856 came to Iowa, and located in Powesheik county. He had studied law in the east and had been admitted to the bar, and shortly after coming to this state moved to Des Moines, where he practiced this profession. He came to Fontanelle and opened a law office, was appointed and elected treasurer, and after ward engaged in mercantile trade. He accumulated considerable money, but trouble with his wife drove him into dissipation. He went to New York city on business, and while trying to get on a street car, fell, breaking his leg. On his way back, he found himself in Chicago penniless, and borrowed enough for traveling expenses of the Masons, he being a member of that fraternity. He then went to Mason city, Missouri, and from thence to Nebraska city, where he hired out to drive trains across the plains at $75 per month. All this moving about was to get rid of his wife, who caused him a world of trouble. He came back, and located in Hamburg, Fremont county, Iowa, where he engaged in carpentering, for he was a man that could do most anything, and a most excellent man to work. He drifted back to Fontanelle, and by the help of his friend, Dr. Moore, entered into the real estate business, in which he was succeeding well, when, domestic misfortunes again over taking him, he, in a temporary depression of mind, took his own life, dying in November, 1870. He was hard-working man, and could make a great deal of money, and regarded reputation and good name above everything.

R. O. Brown was the immediate successor of Mr. Taylor, being elected [recorder] in the fall of 1872. He was re-elected twice, once in 1874 and again in 1874 and again in 1876. Royal O. Brown was born at Freedom, Portage county, Ohio, May 20, 1846, and is the son of O. E. and Minerva H. Brown, both natives of Ohio. When R. O. was about twelve years of age his parents moved to Somerset, Wabash county, Indiana, and remained there two years when they again removed to Howard county. In 1861 they returned to Ohio, where they remained until May, 1863, Royal attending school at the Western Reserve Eclectic institute, of which James A. Garfield was then principal. In August, 1863, they subject of our sketch came to Adair county and settled in Union township. In the summer of 1864 he was appointed deputy treasurer by G.F. Kilburn, and in the fall of 1865, made a trip to Denver, Colorado. On his return he assisted in several of the county offices, principally as deputy in the office of the several treasurers. He was elected to the office of recorder as above, and held it for six years. On the expiration of his term he, in January, 1879, formed a partnership with J.J. Hetherington, in the land loan and abstract business, but it only lasted about a year. He then alone tried the abstract businness, but in March, 1880, retired to his farm in Union township, where he now lives.

Joshua E. Chapman is a native of Ohio, and came to Adair county, Iowa very early, about 1852 or 1853, and settled in Richland township. He owned a farm there of one hundred and sixty acres at one time. He has left this part of the country, removing to Colorado, where he is reputed to have grown quite wealthy, being engaged in the stock and cattle business.

Francis M. Corr was born and reared in Monroe county, Indiana, and came to Adair county in October, 1855, and made a settlement in Washington township, where he opened what is now called the Hendry farm, There he resided until 1858, when he removed to Fontanelle, having been elected county treasurer. Before the expiration of his term of office he, however, was elected to the more exalted position of county judge, and resigned the former to accept the latter office, which he held until the first of 1862. He shortly after this removed to Clark county, in this state, and from there to Pocahontas county, where he now resides. He was a man of good abilities and education, but careless, and was rather behindhand on account of losing vouchers, but was financially in better shape than the general run of early settlers. He taught school in Washington township.

J. A. Easton, first elected recorder in 1878, was re-elected in 1880, and served four years in this office. John A. Easton, of the firm of Easton & Hinkson, is a native of Peoria, Illinois, and was born April 6, 1840, his father being John Easton, who is now also a resident of this county, the family having come to Adair county when John A. was seventeen years of age, settling on a farm in section 22, Jefferson township. Here he assisted his father in the labors of the farm in summer, spending his winters in the continuation of the studies which he had commenced in Illinois. July 4, 1861, he enlisted in Comapny F, 4th Iowa infantry, in which he served thirteen months. At the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 7, 1862, he was wounded in the right arm, and was laid up in hospital at Keithsburg and Cassville, for seven weeks, after which he returned home, and in August, 1862, he was discharged for disability. In the spring of 1864, he engaged in the mercantile business at Morrisburg, which he continued for six months. He was then engaged in various occupations until 1868, when he returned to Adair county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Jefferson township, and was so occupied when elected to the position of county recorder, in the fall of 1878. In December, 1878, he removed to Greenfield, and has since made his residence here. He held the office two terms, having been re-elected to succeed himself at the next election. He was clerk of Jefferson township six years, and assessor several times. He was married, November 11, 1863, to Eliza J. McIlvain, a native of Indiana. The have six children--Lula E., Henry S., Anna B., Cora M., Walter A. and Etna G.

L. J. Gray, treasurer for four years, was first elected in 1873, and re-elected in 1875. Lorenzo J. Gray, of the firm of Martin & Gray, was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, January 16, 1840, his parents, Paul and Hannah (Orcutt) Gray, being also natives of the Granite State. He was reared in his native county, and was making good progress in its schools, when at the age of sixteen, his parents removed to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he finished his education, afterward alternating at farming and school teaching. In August, 1862, he left these duties to enter into the service of his country, and enlisted in Company B, 20th Wisconsin infantry and was assigned to the department of Missouri. In December, 1862, he took part in the battle of Prairie Grove, and lost an arm from the flank fire by the enemy. He was placed in hospital at Fayetteveille, Arkansas, remaining there until February, 1863, when he returned to Wisconsin. After staying one year in various occupations, he returned to the front, and was connected with the quartermaster's department at Chattanooga, Tennessee, til April, 1866, when he went back to Wisconsin. After staying about six months, he concluded to return to his native county and state. On arriving at the home of his boyhood, he engaged at farming, and so continued until the spring of 1869, when he went to Kansas, and from there to Richland township, this county, in September of the same year. In the spring of 1873 he removed to Fontanelle, and that fall was elected tresurer of Adair county, which position he held two terms, and creditably filled. He was married October 19, 1869, to Miss Esther W. Newell, a native of Vermont. They have three children--Bertha E., Edith M., and Herman L. He is a member of the G. A. R. and I.O.O.F., and is connected with the Baptist church.

James A. Hetherington is the present deputy treasurer of Adair county. He was born in Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1843, and lived there until six years of age, when his parents removed to Schuykill county, Pennsylvania, where he was educated. While a boy, and between school terms, he worked with his father at the shoe-making trade. When seventeen years of age he conceived a taste for the painter's trade, but on making a trial of it soon gave it up. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the 6th Pennsylvania volunteers for the three months' service. He re-enlisted in Company K, 56th Pennsylvania, February 20, 1862, and was discharged on account of disability, December 2, 1862. he again enlisted in February, 1863, in the 7th Pennsylvania cavalry, and served till the close of the war, being discharged in August, 1865. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and after a short stay in Harrisburg, came to Fontanelle, in this county, where he worked at various occupations until 1871, when he came to this city and took the position of deputy clerk with his brother, which position he held for six years. He then filled the position of assistant deputy in several of the county offices, and other occupations, until 1879, when he became deputy treasurer under J.E. Hill, which position he held for three years. In January, 1884, he was appointed deputy treasurer again by S.M. Haddock, which appointment he now holds. He was city recorder in 1877, and has also been clerk of this township. He was married December 26, 1869, to Miss Lucy Ervin, a native of Virginia. They have three children--Mary E., James L. and Sarah J. Mr. Hetherington is a member of the I.O.O.F., the G.A.R., and the Iowa Legion of Honor.

John E. Hill, one of the most popular treasurers of the county, was elected to that office in the fall of 1877. In 1879, and again in 1881, he was re-elected to fill the same office, serving in all six years. John E. Hill, a son of Hugh B., and Mary A. (Driggs) Hill, was born on the 13th of October, 1840, in Monroe county, Ohio. His mother died in 1879, in Monroe county, Ohio, where his father now resides. John E. Hill graduated at the Pittsburgh mercantile college, in 1859, and after that time he followed bookkeeping until the breaking out of the war. He then enlisted in Company B, 25th Ohio infantry, and served two years. He received a special discharge to accept a position as clerk in the quartermaster's office at Washington, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He then returned home and was engaged in the dry goods and grocery business until 1868, when he came to Iowa, and located in Muscatine county, where he remained some three years. He then came to Adair county, and settled in Grove township where he was engaged in farming until 1875, when he was appointed deputy treasurer. In the fall of 1877 was elected county treasurer in which capacity he served six years, being twice re-elected. He then sold his farm and moved to Greenfield and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 17 Greenfield township, where he moved at the expiration of his term of office, in January, 1884. He has an orchard of about two acres, and small fruit in abundance. During his service in the army, he was in the battles of Bull Run and Gettysburg. He was married in 1866, in Muscatine county to Miss Maggie Patterson, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Patterson. They have four children, whose names are as follows--Maude M., Clarence E., A. Strohm, Clyde.

George M. Holiday settled in Jefferson township in 1853, where he located upon section 26. He came here from Indiana. He, while acting as county Judge, with D. M. Valentine, the county surveyor, and Abram Rutt, laid out the town of Fontanelle for the county. In the fall of 1856 he left here for Des Moines, whither he went to educate his children. He did not turn out well, leaving his wife and children to shift for themselves, and left this country with another woman. He is believed to be in California at the present time. Two of his children still live in Adair county, and his wife and a son in Cass county.

Hon. C. B. Hunt, member of the senate, of the state of Iowa, from the eighteenth district, composed of Cass, Adams and Adair counties, is a prominent resident of Greenfield, and has long figured prominently in the official affairs of the city and county. He is a native of Norfolk county, Massachusetts, and was born May 20, 1844. He is the eldest of the five children of George and Charlotte L. (Betcher) Hunt. In 1854 the family removed to Henry county, Illinois, and in 1858 to Lyon county, Kansas. There they remained something over a year, when they went back to Massachusetts. But preferrring life farther west, they returned to Illinois. The civil war was then in full tide, and C. P. offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company I, 112th Illinois volunteer infantry. They were assigned to the 23d army corps, and served with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign. After the fighting at Atlanta, he was with Thomas in the Nashville campaign, and was discharged in July, 1865. He then returned to Illinois, and began employment as clerk in a clothing store, in Geneseo, Illinois. He held that situation until March, 1868, when he removed to Iowa, and located in Adair county, improving a farm on section 28, Lincoln township. In 1871 he removed to a farm on section 1, Eureka township, and there cultivated the soil and followed the usual routine of farming life until elected to the office of sheriff, which was in the fall of 1873. He held that position for three terms, giving great satisfaction to all, and refused the nomination for the fourth term. In the fall of 1882 he was elected to represent this district in the senate of the state, and he is still a senator. He has also held many offices in the city government. He was married May 23, 1867, to Miss Sue A. Cady, a native of Henry county, Illinois. They have three children--Frederick M., Allen F. and Hattie L. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and chapter degree, and also of the grand army of the republic.

Galen F. Kilburn was a native of New Hampshire, and came to Fontanelle from Des Moines, in the summer of 1858. He was an attorney, and entering on the practice of his profession, soon gained a considerable patronage. His principal business was in the collection of debts, and in real-estate transactions. He was a sociable gentleman and a most excellent citizen. He was married to a daughter of the Rev. Mr. Mather, but the estimable lady was burned to death by an explosion of kerosene in 1875. Shortly after this sad event, Mr. Kilburn removed from this county to Creston, where he died on the 29th of April, 1883. He served the county of Adair for two years in the treasurer's office.

D. W. Marquart  was elected to this position [county auditor] in the fall of 1877, and was reelected in 1879, and again in 1881, filling the office of auditor for six years. D. W. Marquart was born in the state of Indiana, February 16, 1848, being the son of Frederick B. and Maria A. (Whitaker) Marquart. When he was but four months old his mother died, and his father is now living with him. He came to Adair county in 1866, locating at Fontanelle. He followed school teaching and various other occupations for several years, after which he asisted his father in the postoffice. His father was postmaster at Fontanelle for about thirteen years, and resigned about two years ago to come to Greenfield to live with his son. In 1878 D. W. removed to Greenfield. He was married, March 18, 1868, at Fontanelle, to Miss Mary E. Miller, Judge N. E. Taylor officiating. They have two children living--Gertie E. and Vida A.; there is one dead--Webb E. His wife's parents are George and Maria Miller, who reside in Fontanelle, Mr. Miller having a farm of two hundred acres, all improved, one-half mile east of that place. Mr. Marquart, at the age of sixteen years, enlisted in Company H, 19th Indiana volunteer infantry, and served until the close of the war. In politics he is a republican, and he stands high in the councils of his party, as also in the esteem of the citizens of the county in general. He is one of the influential citizens of Greenfield and took a prominent part in the paying off of the county debt. At the fall election of 1877, he was elected to the position of county auditor, and commenced the performance of his duties in January, 1878, and so well has he met the expectations of the citizens of the county that they kept him in the office for six successive years. When he entered upon the performance of his duties, the county was $20,000 in dept, but under his administration affairs have been so well managed that the county is now practically out of debt, only about five hundred dollars remaining agianst it. For his second and third terms he had no opposition in the convention, and although he was not a candidate for reelection in 1883, yet he received quite a large vote, which may be cited in proof of his popularity among the people of the county. He is a member of the Masonic lodge.

William B. Martin, of the firm of Martin & Gray, land and loan agents, formerly auditor of Adair county, is a native of Windsor county, Vermont, and was born March 17, 1846, his parents, Loman and Amanda B. (Gibson), being both natives of Vermont. He was there reared and educated, and there followed the occupations of teaching and farming until the spring of 1867, when he went to Henry county, Illinois, there alternating at farming and school-teaching. In April, 1869, he came to Adair county, locating on section 5, Jefferson township, and there farmed and taught school until his election as auditor, which office he assumed January 1, 1874, and served two terms. He was clerk of Jefferson township for several years, and has served several terms as a member of Greenfield's city council. He was married September 13, 1872, to Miss Lucy E. Derby, a native of New York. They have four children--Clara A., William B., Jr., Fred D. and Clive G.; and Clyde B. (deseased). Mr. Martin is a member of the Masonic fraternity and I. O. O. F., Forunatus. He is a Presbyterian in religion.

Azariah Root was a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and first saw the light in 1791. His father, whose name was also Azariah, was a descendent of an old French family, a connection of Racine, and served in the continental army, under Washington, and was present at the hanging of Major Andre, the spy, and died at the advanced age of ninety-eight. His mother was a Miss Ellen Barbour, of Scotch descent. When Azariah was a boy of about twelve years of age his parents moved into Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was volunteer uner General William Henry Harrison in his campaigns against the Indian allies of England in the war of 1812 to 1815. In 1839 Mr. Root removed from Delaware county, Ohio, to Wyandotte, in the same state, where he lived until 1852, when he emigrated to Iowa, and settled in Madison county. In the spring following he removed to Adair county, and settled upon section 11 in Jackson township, where he built a cabin wherein he dwelt. From there he removed to section 12, in the same township and later to the embryo village of Fontanelle. He was elected to the office of county judge, and was the postmaster during the war, and died in the town in 1874, at the age of eighty-three. He was married in Ohio, in 1824, to Miss Myra Case, by whom he had nine children, one boy and eight girls. The son was Abner Root, the first sheriff of the county, and now a resident of Eureka township. The girls were--Clarissa, married to J. H. Bryant, and died in 1884; Amanda, the wife of John Martin, now dead; Elizabeth, wife of W. P. Warren, living near Alton, Illinois; Ellen, who married J. K. Valentine, now numbered with the dead; Parthenia, wife of Jacob Eby, now dead; Martha Eby, wife of D. M. Valentine, living in Kansas; Sarah, who married W. Moffitt, in Ohio, since dead; and Myra, wife of Samuel Holladay, living in Cass county. Mr. Root's wife died in the winter of 1860, in the town of Fontanelle, and is buried with him in the cemetry in Jackson township.

S. M. Shattuck, the present genial treasurer of Adair county, was elected in October, 1883, and commenced his duties with the year 1884. Shubel M. Shattuck, county treasurer, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and was born January 15, 1835. His father, George W., was native of New Hampshire, and went to Pennsylvania when quite young. There he married Susan Maynard. S.M. is the oldest of their family of seven children. He was reared and educated in his native county, and at the age of seventeen commenced clerking in Troy, Pennsylvania. This he followed until the fall of 1856, when he went to Henry county, Illinois, where he engaged at various occupations, including teaching and farming. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, 112th Illinois volunteer infantry, and served with his regiment for twenty-one months, when he was sent to the Knoxville, Tennessee, hospital for the treatment, and was discharged from there May 15, 1865. He was acting hospital steward of the regiment, and was dispensary clerk of the medical department at Knoxville hospital, while confined there. After his discharge he returned to Henry county, Illinois, and engaged as drug clerk for one year, after which he engaged as clerk in general merchandise business at Cambridge, Illinois, until 1869. He then returned home on a visit, and two months later came to Union county, Iowa, and engaged in merchandise business at Afton until 1877, when he came to Greenfield, and engaged in the drug business, the firm name being S. M. Shattuck & Co. This business partnership was dissolved after two and one half years, when Mr. Shattuck engaged as manager of the mercantile business of A. P. Stephens, in Greenfield, and was so engaged when elected to his present position in 1883. He was married July 4, 1860, to Miss Abbie J. Cook, a native of Michigan. They have three children--Lela, Burdee and Otto. Mr. Shattuck is a member of the Masonic order and G.A.R. In religion he is a Universalist.

John Shreves - The next incumbent of this office [county treasurer] was John Shreves, who was elected in 1871, and served a term of two years. John Shreves, a prominent citizen of Greenfield, was born in Brown county, Ohio, March 9, 1829, his parents being Benjamin and Minerva Shreves, both natives of Kentucky. His father died in Illinois in 1841, and his mother in this county in 1861. He went with his mother in 1842 to Indiana, and after remaining eight years, went to Illinois, where he remained one year, coming to Iowa in 1852 and locating near Wintereset. In 1858 he came to Adair county, locating on a farm on sections 36-77-31, and remaining there two years. He removed to Greenfield in the spring of 1860, engaging in the merchantile business, and running what is now known as the Kirkwood house, it being then the "Union hotel." In the spring of 1865 he moved to a farm five miles south of Fontanelle, where he remained three years. In the spring of 1868 he engaged in the mercantile business in Fontanelle, and remained there until the spring of 1874, when he removed to Murray, Clark county, Iowa, and engaged in the lumber and hardware business. After a stay of seven and a half years he returned to Greenfield and purchased an interest in the lumber business noticed elsewhere, in the fall of 1883. He was married in Indiana in 1850, to Caroline Kellison. Has seven children--Sylvester L., Hulda A., Barbara O., Benjamin F., Mary I., Lillie B. and Charlie K.; has one child dead--Freddie A. He is a republican in politics. He was sheriff of Adair county one term, and a member of the board of supervisors for three years. Besides considerable town property, he has a farm of twenty acres in Summerset township. Mr. Shreves is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

G. H. Smith, the present auditor, was elected in October, 1883, and entered upon the discharge of his duties January 1, 1884. George H. Smith, auditor of Adair county, is now filling his first term of office for the county, although the greater part of his life has been spent by him in positions of responsibilty and trust. He was born in Norfolk county, Massachusetts, March 8, 1844, his parents being Joseph H., and Almatia (Poore) Smith, the father a native of England, the mother of Portland, Maine. He was reared in his native county, and in its schools received his education. In 1859 he shipped as cabin boy on the ship Sarah, and he had been at his post only two wheeks when she burned; the crew, however, were picked up, and with the rest he was taken to Savannah, whence he returned to his home. He then shipped as a sailor, and his first cruise was of fifteen months' duration. At its close he left home for another cruise, going to Liverpool. In the spring of 1862 he became third mate of the ship North America, which was engaged in transferring troops to New Orleans for General Butler. On the North America he went in the summer of 1862, to London; then made return trip; thence to Melbourne, Australia; thence to Callao, Peru; thence to Chincha Islands; thence to England; thence to Antwerp; bringing up in New York. He then went to Port Royal, South Carolina, and engaged in the diving business from the spring of 1864 to the fall of 1865. He then became mate of the barque Commodore Dupont, which sailed for Beyruth, Syria; the trip occupied six months, and returned to Boston, Massachusetts, in the winter of 1866. In the spring of 1867 he removed to Chicago, where he clerked in the general ticket office of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad for one year, after which he served four months as a sailor on the lakes. After this he was engaged in the wood and coal trade in Chicago for six months, at the end of which time re removed to Linn county, Iowa, and engaged in farming. January, 1869, he came to Adair county, and took up the cultivation of the one hundred and sixty acre farm in section 26, Lincoln townsip, which he still owns. For twelve years he filled the positions of school treasurer or township clerk for the township. In the fall of 1883 he was elected to his present official position. He was married April 29, 1869, to Miss Sarah Y. Larry, a native of Massachusetts. They have two children--Annie Y. and Aurelia C. Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic Order and Chapter, and belongs to the United Order of Honor.

Nicholas S. Taylor, one of the early settlers of Fontanelle, was born in Windsor county, Vermont, on the 6th of June, 1807, and is the son of Israel Taylor, who was of English descent, and Betsy (Alcott) Taylor, a native of Vermont. Nicholas remained in his home until eighteen years of age, when he went to Addison county, and there remained until twenty-one years of age. He then went with his family to Essex county, New York, where he farmed until 1834, when he again returned to Addison county, Vermont, and in 1836 he came to Ohio, and there remained until 1855. He then removed to Iowa, and settled in Madison county, and in the spring of 1859 he came to Adair county, settling in Jackson township, where he kept a feed-stable and hotel for four years. In the fall of 1867 he was elected justice of the peace, and county judge. He has since that time held the office of justice of the peace, and is at present coroner for the county. In the spring of 1865 he removed to the town of Fontanelle, where he now lives on his income. He was married in Essex county, New York, November 2, 1839, to Miss Naomi A. Streator, a native of New York. Their family consists of six children--Clara, wife of D. A. Grea, of Michigan; John S., living at Winterset, Madison county; Julia B., wife of Thomas H. Tucker, of Warren county, Iowa; Charles H., in Sioux City; Naomi I., wife of William Valentine, of Casey. Mr. Taylor has been one of the most prominent men in the county, and has given great satifaction as officer in the different branches.

Wesley Taylor, in 1866, was first elected to the office of recorder, and in 1868, and again in 1870, was re-elected to the same office, serving six years in all. Wesley Taylor is amonf the oldest business men in Fontanelle. He became a resident of the town in 1863, and is a Pennsylvanian by birth, and was born in Westmoreland county, near the village of Lignier, where he spent the earlier portion of his life, and where he was partly educated. When the civil war broke out he enlisted in Company F, 14th regiment Pennsylvania volunteers; after six month' service he returned home, and re-enlisted in Company G, 135th regiment, as second sergeant; was mustered in at Harrisburg, and at the close of his enlistment, mustered out at Ridding. He was under General Narglie, and was supporting Doubleday's battery at the time General Stonewall Jackson was killed at Culpepper. His company did effective service in the war, and returned home in the winter of 1863-64. Mr. Taylor emigrated immediately to Iowa, taking up his home in Adair county, but during this winter taught a term of school in Adams county, at Quincy, and subsequently taught in Adair county two years. His first experience in this line, however, was in Pennsylvania, where he taught school some time, his latter education being obtained at Sewickley academy, near the city of Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Taylor has been in business with several gentlemen here, first with J.C. Gibbs, and then with S. Marquarlt, R.E. Ewing, J.H. Hulburt,etc. He has been county superintendent for two years, and also served the county six years as recorder, from 1867 to 1873. His present business is running the Farmers' bank, of Fontanelle, of which he is cashier, and co-partner with R.E. Ewing in general merchandise, on the north side of the square. This gentleman's business capacity has won for him many friends. He is courteous and affable, is a man of public spirit and takes an interest in enterprises affecting the good of the country. His marriage occurred in 1865, his wife being Miss Josephine V. Gibbs, a daughter of J. O. Gibbs, so well known here, and five children have been born to them--Moton E., Mattie L., James M., Edith L. and Florence L. He is a member of the Masonic order of the Sir Knight's chapter, and Iowa Legion of Honor.

D. M. Valentine, the second settler in the village of Fontanelle, came to that place in the summer of 1855. He was born in Shelby county, Ohio, June 18, 1830. After removing to West Point, Tippencanoe county, Indiana, with his parents, in 1836, and to Wea Plains, in 1837, staying in the latter place until 1854, he removed to Winterset, Iowa. In 1855 he came to this county and was one of the foremost citizens, and among the first attorneys of Adair county. He was admitted to the bar at Winterset, whither he had gone for the purpose in 1856. In 1859 he left here and removed to Leavenworth, Kansas, and in 1860, to Franklin county, in the same state. Here he remained until 1875, when he removed to Topeka, where he now resides. He was elected judge of the district court, in Kansas. He has served as member of the legislature of Kansas from Franklin county, being elected thereto in 1862, and as state senator from the same district in 1863 and 4. He is now associate justice of the supreme court of Kansas, and noted for his legal acumen and discrimination. He was married on 26th of August, 1855, to Miss Martha Root, of this county.

Adair County Physicians

Doctor Nelson Bates came to Fontanelle on the 1st of August, 1866 , from Lewis county, New York . He was born in Jefferson county, New York , on the 23d of December, 1813 , and is the son of Cyrus Bates, a farmer of that place. The doctor lived in the county of his birth, teaching in the village schools until 1852. He here studied laws of hygiene and health, and the science of medicine, but did not enter into practice until 1851. In 1852 he graduated from the Eclectic School of Medicines, at Syracuse , New York . He then entered into active practice at Martinsburg, Lewis county, where he remained until 1862, when he started west. He has been in active practice until within a few years, but has been gradually withdrawing himself, giving only his attention to consultations. He was the second doctor to locate here, and he had a large patronage. He was married October 15, 1846 , to Miss Chanty Russell, of Royalton , Vermont , the daughter of T. B. Russell. He had been previously married on the 1st of May 1834, to Miss Amanda Alexander, by whom he had five children--Albion and Francis M., both living in Fontanelle; Nelson, Jr., shot while in the army, and died in 1867; Marinda, the wife of A. G. Green, and Angelina, the wife of L. A. Chafa, of this county.

F. M. Culverson, M.D., is a native of Davis county, Iowa , and was born on the 14th of January, 1855 . When thirteen years of age he went to Winterset , Iowa , and in the spring of 1874 to California , where he remained three and a half years, eighteen months of which time he studied under Dr. C. T. De Vore. In the fall of 1877 he returned to Winterset , Iowa , and the same fall attended the college of physicians and surgeons of St. Jo, graduating there in the winter of 1879 and 1880. During 1878 and 1879 he practiced under Dr. T. J. Dunn, at Marysville , Missouri . In the spring of 1880 he came to Greenfield , Adair county, Iowa , where he has since been engaged in his profession, and now has an extensive and growing practice. He was married to Miss Addie Barnett, of Illinois , February 10, 1878 , and has one child, Julia M. Dr. Culverson is a member of the I.O.O.F. and of the Legion of Honor.

R. A. Greenfield - Shortly after his arrival here, R. A. Greenfield, druggist, removed to Creston, being no other drug store here, he entered into partnership as above stated; is still engaged in business in connection with a lucrative practice. The Doctor has five children--Evalena, Robert B., Osee M., John C. and Eugene. Is a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor and Congregational church. Politics, republican.

John E. Howe, M. D., was born in Fayette county, Ohio , August 1, 1847 , and was there reared, receiving his education at the academy in South Salem . In 1868 he began medical studies under Dr. L. J. Brown, of Leesburg , Ohio , which he continued for one year, and removing to Osceola , Iowa , he continued the study of medicine with Dr. A. J. Willey, and with him remained till 1872. He attended college at the fall and spring terms, 1871 and 1872, graduating in the latter year. In the fall of 1872 he located at Peru , Madison county, and remained there till August, 1875, when he came to Greenfield , where he has since practiced, with the exception of a few months spent in Council Bluffs . He was married June 23, 1876 , to Miss Minerva Wilson, a native of Ohio . They have one child living--Ione L. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and Masonic order, and is a Knight Templar; he is also a member of the Iowa State medical society. The doctor enjoys the confidence of the community and an extensive practice. He is now the assistant surgeon of the 3d regiment, Iowa National Guard.

T. D. Laugher - The first physician in the city of Adair was T. D. Laugher, who is the subject of this sketch. He came and settled here in March, 1875. He is a graduate of the state university of Iowa , having graduated in March, 1875. He studied for two years with Dr. Maxwell and Dr. Pick, of Davenport , and has made surgery a particular forte, having been railroad surgeon for a number of years. he was examining physician for the New York mutual life insurance company, the United workman, the I.O.O.F., and the Masonic lodge. He was born in Davenport , Iowa , on the 30th of December, 1856 . His early life was spent on a farm, and when twenty years of age he was educated at Davenport , and then went to Mount Vernon college. He is a son of David Laugher, a farmer of Scott county, and a native of Wales . Dr. Laugher was married on the 24th of May, 1878 , to Miss Mary Beebe, a daughter of Joseph Beebe. They have been blessed with three children--John, Albert, and Clyde . Mr. Laugher is a member of the United workman and the Odd Fellows' lodge, a member of the Guthrie county medical association, and of the state medical association. In 1884 he was delegate of the medical association at Washington , but was unable to attend.

Dr. Peter McDermid, one of our best physicians, is a native of Ottawa , Canada , having been born November 28, 1836 , and is the son of Angus McDermid. Angus was educated for a minister, but at the latter part of his life he was a farmer, and in the lumbering business. Peter was the third son, and his early life was spent on a farm, but at the age of sixteen years he went to Toronto , Canada , and commenced the course of study. In 1860 he graduated as a physician. He then went to Scotland , where he graduated at the Royal medical college, at Edinburg , on the 9th of April, 1869 . In the fall of the same year he came back to Canada , and practiced with his brother for some months, when he came to Fontanelle, and purchased a large drug store, and has a large medical practice. Mr. McDermid was married on the 5th of November, 1874 , to Miss Anna Hetherington, a daughter of James D. Hetherington. They have one child--Pierce. Mr. McDermid is a member of the Masonic order and member of the S. W. medical association.

Hamlin V. Monnett was born in Crawford county, Ohio, August 21, 1843; son of John and Mary E. (Saylor) Monnett, who are natives of the state of Ohio, now living in Iroquiois county, Illinois. John is a well-to-do farmer, and breeder of shorthorn cattle. Hamlin was brought up a farmer and educated at Bucyrus , Ohio . Volunteered in the late war, served his time out and was honorably discharged, serving in the 86th and 136th regiments, Ohio volunteer infantry. Was married to Jennie Raymer, December 20, 1864 , Rev. Thomas Monnett, officiating. Thence he moved to Vermillion county, Illinois , and engaged in feeding and shipping cattle and hogs until the fall of 1868, his wife losing her health, together with reverses in business, became discouraged, sold out and returned to Bucyrus , Ohio . Then he began the study of medicine under the instruction of Drs. Keller and Bevington, pursuing study until 1872. Thence moved to Columbus , Nebraska , where he took the benefit of his soldier's homestead right, locating near Columbus , pursuing schoolteaching with the study of medicine, with Dr. S. A. Bonestele, tutor, until September, 1879. Sold out and removed to St. Joseph , Missouri , where he remained until he completed his education at the Hospital medical college, Feruary 5, 1881. Moved to Fontanelle, Iowa, where he began the practice of his profession, without money or acquaintance, entirely exhausting his means during his collegiate course, and although he realized the embarrassment he was about to face to-wit; to support his family by his profession, without the means even to buy a poney or fill his pocket-case with medicines, and he among strangers. But being proud of his profession, equipped with a good library, surgical instruments, and other paraphernalia, and a dilligent attention to business and review of studies he acquired a paying practice. November, 1882, he moved to this place (Orient) succeeding Dr. Richardson, who had just moved to Taylor county, Iowa, being no other physician here was "monarch of all he surveyed."

Dr. Calvin B. Scott is a native of Jefferson county, New York , where he remained till his thirteenth year, when he went to Farmington , Wisconsin , and received a common school education there. His father, Pedro Scott, was a native of Vermont , and was of Scotch descent, while his grandfather was a cousin of Winfield Scott. His mother, Philena (Barrett) Scott, was a cousin of Daniel Webster, and a native of Vermont . Calvin worked on his father's farm in Wisconsin during the summers and attended school during the winters. When the war broke out he enlisted at Watertown as first sergeant in Company B, 29th Wisconsin infantry. He was afterward promoted to second lieutenant, which position he was compelled to resign on account of an injury received in the battle of Fort Gibson , eighteen months after his enlistment. In 1859 he began reading medicine under Drs. Spaulding and Reed at Jefferson , and was with them up to the time of the breaking out of the war. In 1866 he resumed his studies, and graduated at Rush medical college, Chicago, in 1868, then returning to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where he practiced his profession up to 1879, since which time he has been practicing in Fontanelle, Adair county, Iowa, and has been very successful, and has the entire confidence of the people. Mr. Scott took up the drug business as a convenience, and with his son, Leslie W., still runs the business. he was married December 29, 1859 , to Miss Mary Aspinwall, a daughter of Hon. D. M. Aspinwall, formerly of Jefferson county, Wisconsin , but now of Fontanelle. Mrs. Scott is a native of New York . They have two children--Leslie W. and Gertie P. Mr. Scott owns a nice residence on the corner of Franklin and Fractional Sts.

Adair County Early Settlers 

Jacob Bruce - Jefferson township received another settler in the year 1853 in the person of Jacob Bruce, who located upon section 33, where he now lives. In giving the biographical sketches of the most prominent men of this township, we must not fail to mention Jacob Bruce, who is one of the most Substantial citizens. He was born on the 27th of October, 1825 , in Union county, Pennsylvania . In 1835 he moved with his parents to Sandusky county, Ohio , and there remained until the fall of the same year, when he went to Fulton county, Indiana, where he was married in October, 1850, to Miss Catharine Hoch, a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Kline) Hock. They have been blessed with two children--Barbara and A. Bruce. In 1853 Mr. Bruce came to Adair county, and settled on section 33, Jefferson township, in the spring of 1854. He owns four hundred acres of good cultivated land, fine meadows and a good pasture, all being under fence. There were large numbers of deer here when he first came to this county, having known a man who killed fourteen in one day. He was in the service of the Mexican war, having enlisted in 1846, in Peru , Indiana . He had charge of a train of twenty-five teams, and was in several skirmishes. He was one of the bravest soldiers and was always at the front when any fighting was to be done. Mr. Bruce owns the finest orchard in the township having now six hundred and fifty trees, and intends planting one hundred and fifty more next spring. He has been township clerk, road supervisor for the term of four years.

James R. Campbell - In April, 1850, James R. Campbell built a cabin on section 3, in what is now Washington township, and on the 11th of May of the same year, he removed into it with his family. He afterwards removed to section 33, where he still resides, the oldest living resident of the county. The points at which Mr. Campbell traded until the year 1856, when several stores were established at nearer points, were Savannah, the county seat of Andrew county, Missouri, one hundred and twenty miles away, or St. Joseph, still farther away. He had his grinding done at Cox's mills, on river One Hundred and Two, so called, it is said, because it is the one hundred and second stream crossed in traveling from the Mississippi river west. This mill was seventy-five miles from Mr. Campbell's house, and the journey there was often long and dreary.

James R. Campbell resides on section 33, Washington township, where he owns five hundred and sixty acres of land, and carrries on farming and stock-raising. He was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky , on the 28th of March 1822 , and is the son of James and Polly (Lock) Campbell, natives of Kentucky . He remained in Kentucky until seventeen years of age, when he moved to Lawrence county, Indiana , and remaining there one year, he moved to Putnam county, there remained until 1841, when he settled in Page county, Iowa . In the spring of 1850 he came to Washington township, Adair county, where he has since resided. He first settled on section 3, where he lived until 1853, when he went to Page county to spend the winter, and in the spring of 1854 he came to his present farm. Mr. Campbell was married on the 14th of March, 1850 , to Miss Susanna Johnson, of Lawrence county, Indiana. By their union four children have been blessed--Emily, Horant, James H. and Robert. Mr. Campbell has been very successful in all his undertakings, and has secured the repect and confidence of the community.

William McDonald - In the fall of 1849, William McDonald, or "Uncle Billy," as he is so familiarly called by all, came from Missouri to Adair county in search of a home. In the following spring he removed here and settled upon section 26 in Harrison township. William McDonald is a native of Pike county, Ohio , and was born April 20, 1809 . He is the son of Charles and Nancy (Tubbs) McDonald. His first remove was to Peoria , Illinois , but that place not proving a satisfactory location, he returned to Ohio , but again went to Illinois and made a trial of Sangamon county. From there he went to Missouri , and in 1849 he came to this county. The appearance of the country to his eye as he came into the county at that early day gave little promise of the Adair county of today with its splendid farms, flourishing towns and villages, and valuable improvements in all departments. But it offered as good a field at least as the average land in the wild west, and here he decided to cast his lot. When the county was organized he was chosen as its first recorder, and gave satisfaction to his fellow citizens who placed him in the position. He was also one of the first trustees of the twonship, and has held the office of school director. Mr. McDonald has been married three times. April 2, 1829 , he was married to Miss Maria Kirkendall, a daughter of George and Mary Kirkendall; no children by that marriage are living. On November 5, 1836 , he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Dixon, daughter of John Dixon; by this marriage he had two children--Emily and Elizabeth. He was married in 1869 to Letitia McAferty. He owns two hundred and twenty acres of land in section 26, Harrison township, besides the town property on which he resides. He has the honor of being one of those who paved the way for the present prosperity of Adair county. Mr. McDonald is a member of the Christian church.

John Sullivan, a native of Monroe county, Indiana, was born on the 11th of November, 1836 , and is the son of Henry S. and Sarah Sullivan, who were early settlers in Indiana . John's parents died when he was quite young, and he went to live with some relatives and friends until old enough to do for himself. He was raised on a farm where he lived until 1853, when he removed to Clarke county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming until 1855, when he came to Washington township, Adair county, where he worked with his brothers T. H. and E. B. Sullivan. In 1856 he built his present farm house in Jackson township, where he owns seven hundred and ninety acres of land, and a small orchard. He was married on the 16th of October, 1856 , to Miss Margaret J. Roberts, a native of Indiana . The have five children--Eli H., Mary A., Pleasant P., Ida B. and Oscar J. Mr. Sullivan is a member of the Christian church, and has been a member of the school board almost ever since the township has been organized, and has been township trustee for seven years.

Titus, Elijah and J. B. Sullivan located upon section 16, Washington township, in the fall of 1853, where the two first named took up claims, and the latter worked for them. In 1856, J. B. removed to Jackson township, where he still resides.

Charles Wilson, a native of England , was born in 1816, and is the son of Robert and Sarah Wilson. He resided in his native land until eighteen years of age, when he came to America , first settling in Rochester , New York , and a year later he moved to Allegany county. He then moved to Genesee county, Indiana, and then to Lake county. He remained there until the fall of 1852, when he came to Iowa , spending the winter in Mahaska county, on the Des Moines river . In the spring following, he came with his family to Madison county, and began to work on his claim, his family living in a tent. He came to Adair county soon after, and began cultivating his farm. He was obliged to go ninety miles to a mill, with but few houses between his farm and Winterset. He owns four hundred and thirty acres of good land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married in October, 1838, to Miss Sarah Brough, a native of England . They have been blessed with eight children--Thomas K., George, Willam, Lewis K., John, Mary, Lizzie and Harriott. Mr. Wilson has held the offices of township assessor and justice of the peace.