PARKER, J.M.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 845. Harness and saddlery. Was born in Plessis, Jefferson county, New York, November 6, 1847, was there raised and educated and learned his trade. In 1868 he came West, locating at Colfax, Iowa and where he remained fifteen months, resided for a time in Nebraska; came to Brooklyn in 1874 where he has since resided. He was married January 7, 1873, to Miss A.L. Diamond of Kansas, formerly of Michigan. By this union they have had two children: Castella and Braton (deceased). Mr. Parker is a member of the I.O.O.F. Himself and family are identified with the Presbyterian Church. He keeps a fine line of light and heavy harness and is a first-class workman.

PARNHAM, GEORGE—Bear Creek Twp—pg 845. Farmer, section 4, P.O. Brooklyn. Was born in Linconshire, England, June 26, 1825, and was there educated and raised to manhood. His occupation has been that of a farmer since his early life. He was there married on the twentieth day of May, 1850, to Miss Mellincent Padery of that county. In 1852 he came to the United States and settled in Piketown, Ohio, where he remained about one year, when he moved to Whiteside county, Illinois, there resided until 1865 when he moved to his present location where he owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of cultivated land well stocked. Their family consists of five children: Eliza (now Mrs. M.C. Sheets of this county), John Henry (who is married and lives in this county), Walter Scott (who resides with him), Charles Robert and Mary Jane; they have lost four, two in childhood and George, and Phebe (then wife of H. Harper).

PHILLIPS, Capt. GEORGE—Bear Creek Twp—pg 845-6. Postmaster, Brooklyn. Was born August 13, 1835, in Marseilles, Onondago county, New York. Was there raised and educated. His father, George Phillips, followed the pursuits of agriculture in that county. In 1855 the subject of this sketch came west locating Onarga, Iroquois county, Illinois, where he resided three years engaged in contracting and building. In 1858 he left Onarga, and spent about two years traveling through western country, locating where he now resides in 1860. Mr. Phillips enlisted August 13, 1862, in company H, Twenty-eighth Iowa infantry, and was appointed first lieutenant of the company. They were mustered in October 10, 1862, and were at once transported to Helena, Arkansas, and marched from there to Oakland, Mississippi, under the command of Gen Hovey, to re-inforce Grant. The first engagements they participated in were Port Gibson, May 1, 1863, and Edward’s Station, May 13. After which came the battle of Champion’s Hill, May 16. The details of this engagement are too familiar to the people to repeat. Of the Twenty-eighth Iowa, Gen. Hovey in the official report of this action, says: "Not yet more than six months in the service, and yet no troops ever showed more bravery or fought with more valor; of them and their commanders Iowa may well be proud." At the siege of Vicksburg, they occupied a position in the center of the left wing of Grant’s army. They were under General Banks during the Louisiana campaign, and the famous Red River expedition. At Alexandria, Louisiana, a bullet passed through his clothing, but did no further damage. Immediately after the fall of Vicksburg, Lieut. Phillips was promoted to captain, for meritorious services. Among the leading engagements that Capt. Phillips participated in besides those already mentioned were Cane River, Middle Bayou, Mansura, Yellow Bayou, Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, and various others. He was mustered out November 12, 1863. Returned to his home in Brooklyn, and embarked in the general merchandise trade in company with O.F. Dorrance, under the style of Phillips & Dorrance, in which he continued for eight years. He was appointed postmaster, August 25, 1873. Is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and superintendent of the Brooklyn Veteran Union. Was married January 1, 1867, to Miss Nancy E. Carson, of Iowa City. By this union they have five children: Lela, Albert Burton, Effa, Prescott (deceased), and Dilla.

PHILLIPS, EDWARD—Bear Creek Twp—pg 846-7. Contractor and builder. Was born in Sommersetshire, England, January 22, 1832. Came to America with his parents in 1835. His father, George Phillips, Sr., locating in Marseilles, Onondago county, New York, where Edward was raised, educated and learned the trade he now pursues. He came to Iowa in 1863, locating in Tama county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and remained three years, after which he came to Brooklyn and resided two years, when he returned to Tama county and remained five years. In 1873 he again returned to Brooklyn, where he has since resided, engaged in contracting and building, being numbered among the leading builders of the county. He was married, December 17, 1854, to Miss Louisa Beach. By this union they have three children, Charles Agustus, John Edward, Cornelia Avery. Mr. Phillips is a Master Mason.

POWERS, R.U.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 847. Sign, carriage and ornamental painter. Born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Was there raised until he attained the age of six years, when his father, George Powers, came West with his family, among whom was our subject, locating in Bear Creek township, engaged in agricultural pursuits. R.U. was raised, educated and learned the trade he now pursues in Brooklyn. He first worked and got an insight of the business with W.S. Anderson. Mr. Powers is a close observer and artistic student. His carriage and ornamental painting will compare favorably with any of the metropolitan work. He has turned his attention to landscape painting, and his success in this line has been very encouraging. He is a member of the M.E. Church, and secretary of the Brooklyn Reform Club.

PRICE, W.H.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 847. Carpenter and builder. Was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, May 24, 1839. Was there raised until he attained the age of twelve years. Came to Iowa with his parents in 1851. His father, J.K., locating at Davenport, where his family resided four years. After which W.H. came to Brooklyn, where he has since resided. Mr. Price tendered his services to his country in 1861, enlisting September 14, in company E, Fourth Iowa cavalry, participating in many of the notable events of the war, among which were Vicksburg, Helena and others. Was honorably discharged, August 27, 1865. He was married May 24, 1866, to Miss E.C. Thomas, of Brooklyn. By this union they have five children: A.A., Charlie C., Harry W., Blanche B. and Sadie M. Mr. Price is a member of the A.F. and A.M, also the I.O.O.F., and the B.V.U. He is one of the pioneer mechanics of Brooklyn.

PROSSER, A.,--Bear Creek Twp—pg 847-8. Brooklyn. Was born February 20, 1818, in Yates county, New York; was there raised until he attained the age of fourteen years. His father, Abraham Prosser, was a farmer in that county. The Prossers are of English lineage and were among the first settlers of Wyoming county, New York. The subject of our sketch located in Huron county, Ohio, in 1831, and resided there for thirty-three years, being one of the pioneers of that county. In 1864 he came to Brooklyn and engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of sheep and blooded horses. For some years he has been living retired, being advanced in years. He is now enjoying the fruits of his early exertions. He has a number of fine residences in South Brooklyn. Mr. Prosser was married, November 14, 1835, to Miss Mary Ann Arnert, of New Jersey. From this union they have had nine children, five of whom are living: Martha Jane, Mary Arabelle, Lavina Bernice (deceased), Phebe Elizabeth (deceased), Catharine Amelia (deceased), Julia (deceased), Georgia Alice, William Stewart, Isaac Wesley. Himself and family are identified with the M.E. Church.

RAYBURN, C.E.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 848. Physician, Brooklyn. The subject of this sketch was born in Highland county, Ohio, July 7, 1835. His father, M.C. Rayburn, was an agriculturist in that State. The Rayburns were of Scotch-Irish ancestry. C.E. received the benefits of the common schools of his native county and assisted on the farm until he attained the age of nineteen. In 1854 he conceived the idea that Iowa offered superior inducements to enterprising young men, and that year he came to Poweshiek county, locating at Montezuma, where he adopted the profession of school-teaching, attending select schools during vacations. In 1857 he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Vest & Watts, of Montezuma, and remained with them until 1860, then commenced taking a course of lectures in the medical department of the Iowa State University, at that time located at Keokuk, graduating in 1864. During the intermissions between lectures he was practicing his profession at Lynnville, Jasper county. In September, 1864, he enlisted as assistant surgeon in the Sixtieth United States colored regiment, receiving his commission from Abraham Lincoln. He joined the regiment at Helena, Arkansas; was promoted three months later to post-surgeon of Helena Post, which position he retained until the spring of 1865, when he was transferred to Little Rock, Arkansas, and placed in charge of the Third Iowa battery’s ambulance corps, where he remained until the autumn of 1865, when he was honorably discharged. After his return he embarked in the drug trade in Brooklyn in connection with practicing his profession, which he operated for a time, but of late years has devoted his entire attention to his profession. He has been for a number of years one of the surgeons for the C., R.I.&P.R.R., and examining physician for the A.O.U.W., of which order he is a member; is also a Master Mason. Dr. Rayburn is among the early settlers of Poweshiek county and is well and popularly known.

SCOTT, JOHN T.-Bear Creek Twp—pg 848-9. Attorney, Brooklyn. Was born in Kilmanerc, Scotland, October 16, 1840. His father, Joseph Scott, was a carpet weaver by profession. He came to America when John T. was three years of age and located at Terryville, Massachusetts (now Thompsonville), where he engaged in carpet-weaving and resided six years, when he came West, locating in Fayette county, Wisconsin, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, residing there until the time of his demise in 1856. From 1856 to 1861 John T. was engaged in various pursuits, attending the common schools during the winter season and studying at every available opportunity, his early education facilities being very limited. In 1861 he tendered his services to his country, enlisting at Elizabeth, Illinois, in company E, Fifteenth Illinois volunteer infantry, participating in many of the prominent engagements of the Rebellion. After his enlistment he was retained at Freeport, Illinois, until the call for 300,000 men, when his company was mustered into the service. Was honorably discharged the spring of 1862, and re-enlisted in September of that year in the One Hundred and Second Illinois infantry. In 1863 he was promoted from the ranks to second lieutenant of the Sixteenth United States colored regiment. In January, 1864, he received his commission as first lieutenant, which office he filled until he was honorably discharged in May, 1866. He came to Brooklyn in the same year and engaged in agricultural pursuits for one season, after which he entered the law office of J.D. Hale, of Brooklyn, and read law. Was admitted to the bar in December, 1867. Was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court in 1870. Was married, in 1868, to Miss Marian Shimer, of Brooklyn. By this union they have one son, John O. He is a member of the Brooklyn Veteran Union and a Mason.

SEELEY, J.B.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 849-50. Carriage and wagon-maker, Brooklyn. Was born in Malaquanatch, Island of Cape Breton, December 5, 1843. Was there raised until he attained the age of twelve years, when he moved with his parents to Canada. His father, Austin Seeley, was a mill-wright. The family located at Renfrew, where they resided until 1858, and where J.B. was partially educated. In 1859 they came to Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, and where the subject of this sketch learned the trade he now pursues. In 1861 he tendered his services to the cause, enlisting in company H, Twelfth Illinois infantry, participating in many of the leading battles of the war, among which were Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, first and second engagements, Ball’s Knob, Jonesboro, Bentonville and others. At the second battle of Corinth he was severely wounded in the thigh and still retains in his person the lead. He was honorably mustered out as sergeant at Louisville, Kentucky, August 5, 1865, after which he returned to his home at Princeton, and pursued farming until 1867, when he came to Poweshiek county. He farmed for a number of years four miles northwest of Brooklyn. Moved to Brooklyn in 1874 and clerked in the mercantile house of O.F. Dorrance until 1878, when he embarked in his present business. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Anna Wasson, of Washington county, Iowa. They have four children: Elsie Maud, Jennie, James Austin and Ellen. Mr. Seeley is a Master of the A.O.U.W.; also member of the Brooklyn Veteran Union. Himself and family are identified with the M.E. Church.

SHINE, ADAM—Bear Creek Twp—pg 850. Farmer and stock-raiser, section 18, P.O. Malcom. Was born in Saxon, Germany, December 3, 1835. He came with his parents to the United States when he was about eleven years of age. They settled in Holmes county, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was raised. In 1854 he came this county, remaining about eleven months, when he returned to the home of his parents, in Holmes county. He was married there in December, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Uhl, of that county; they have eight children living: Jesse, Lafayette, Caroline, Catharine, Adam, Lydia, Matilidia, Rosetta and Charles, they have lost four infants. Mr. Shine has been very successful in business, as he started out a poor boy. He owns two valuable farms as well as some lots in Malcom and Victor. Mr. Shine has won the confidence and respect of the people of the county.

SPENCER, J.A.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 850. Farmer and stock-raiser, section 10, P.O. Brooklyn. Was born in Jefferson county, New York, February 19, 1829. His father (Stephen Spencer) was an agriculturalist in that State. Mr. Spencer resided in Jefferson county until he attained the age of twenty-two years, attending the common schools and improving his mind as circumstances would permit. In 1851 the family removed to Ohio, where Mr. Spencer resided five years. In 1856 he came to Illinois, where he remained until 1867, when he came to Poweshiek county, where he has since resided. He was married July 2, 1862, to Miss Mary Banning, of Ohio; himself and Mrs. Spencer are members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Spencer is a Master Mason. His farm, which consists of 260 acres, is well stocked, his house pleasantly situated and adorned with a good orchard.

STAHL, JACOB—Bear Creek Twp—pg 850. Farmer, section 5, P.O. Brooklyn. Was born in Germany, in 1835, and was there educated and raised to manhood. His occupation in youth was that of a shepherd. He came to the United States in 1853 and made his first settlement in Newark, New Jersey, where he followed the pursuit of agriculture for about two years, he then moved to Bureau county, Illinois, where he resided until the spring of 1869, when he moved to his present location. He was married in Bureau county, in 1862, to Miss Jane Sterling, of that county; their family consists of three children living: Frank, William and Mertie; they lost four in childhood. Mr. Stahl owns a nice farm of 160 acres of well cultivated land with first-class improvements. He is deserving the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors.

STEVENSON, J.D.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 850-1. Farmer and stock-raiser, section 10, P.O. Brooklyn. Was born in Carroll county, New Hampshire, September 14, 1831; was there raised until he attained the age of sixteen. His father (D.G. Stevenson) was a farmer. The Stevensons are of Scotch lineage. At the age of sixteen years Mr. Stevenson went to Boston, and clerked in a mercantile house for eight years, after which he came to Illinois, locating in Sheffield, where he resided until 1864, when he made a tour through the Western country, returning in 1866, and continued to reside there until 1876, when he came to Poweshiek county. In that year he embarked in the hardware business in Brooklyn, which business he conducted for eighteen months when he turned his attention to tilling the soil. He was married, in 1854, to Miss Mary Pickett, of Beverly, Massachusetts, daughter of Thomas and Sophia Pickett of that place. She is of English lineage. Their family consists of three children: Willie A., Florence C. and Francis L. Mr. Stevenson’s farm consists of sixty acres. He makes a specialty of raising and trading stock. Is a member of the A.O.U.W.; himself and family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

STOBER, J.C.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 851. Dealer in saddlery and harness, Brooklyn. Was born in Baden, Germany, June 30, 1840. Was there raised until he attained the age of nine years, when, with his father, F.G. Stober, and his family, he came to this country. They located at Freeport, Illinois, and resided there until 1859, when he moved to Iowa City, where he resided until 1862. During his sojourn at Freeport he learned the trade of harness making. In 1862 he enlisted in company K, Twenty-second Iowa, participating in many of the notable events of the war, among which were Port Gibson, Black River and Vicksburg. At the battle of Winchester he was severely wounded in the arm. Was with Gen. Mullinaux in his tour through Texas. Was honorably discharged July 25, 1865, and returned to Iowa City. Came to Brooklyn to 1867. Was married October 3, 1865, to Miss Anna M. Dostal, of Iowa City. By this union they have two children: George and Antonie. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., the Encampment and the Brooklyn Veteran Union. Mr. Stober is the pioneer harness maker of the town, and carries a large stock.

SWENSON, JOHN.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 851-2. Farmer, section 22, P.O. Brooklyn. Was born in Sweden in 1830, where he was raised. He followed the pursuits of agriculture since his early youth. In 1853 he came to America and made his first settlement in Princeton, Illinois, where he remained until 1867, when he moved to this county. Was married June 28, 1866, to Miss Christine Johnson. His family consists of four children: Andrew S., Frank W., Albert Theodore and Josephine. Has lost one, an infant. His success in life has been very marked, as he made a comfortable home through his habits of continued industry. He owns a farm of 80 acres of well improved land, with good comfortable buildings, and also engages in stock-raising to quite an extent.

TALBOTT, J.C.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 852. Farmer, section 13, P.O. Brooklyn. Was born in Tuscarora, New York, June 9, 1823. Was there raised until he attained the age of four years, when he moved with his father, J.J. Talbott, to Holmes county, Ohio, where the family resided until 1845, when they came to Iowa, locating in Jefferson county. In the spring of 1846 they came to Poweshiek county, locating where J.C. now resides, being the first settlers in the township. Mr. J.J. Talbott died February 20, 1849. The subject of this sketch was married, December 14, 1854, to Miss Mary Ann Swaney, of Ohio, by which union they have five children: John S., Thomas Kinsie, Laura Jenette, Adda Belle, Matilda Mary. The two latter are deceased. Mr. Talbott is the pioneer of Bear Creek township, and has seen its development from a barren waste, inhabited only by the dusky natives, wolves, buffaloes, etc., to a township now settled with an intelligent class of agriculturalists, and laden with the choicest productions of the soil. He owns a fine farm in close proximity to Brooklyn, and is recognized as one of the leading agriculturalists of the township. Is a member of the I.O.O.F.

TALBOTT, B.M.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 852. Banker, Brooklyn. Was born in Holmes county, Ohio, October 23, 1843. His father, John J., was of Scotch lineage and his mother of English descent. In 1846 he came to Poweshiek county with his parents, his father being the first settler in Bear Creek township. B.M. has been a resident since that time, with the exception of his term in the service. John J. Talbott died February 20, 1849. August 14, 1862, Mr. Talbott tendered his services to the cause, enlisting in company H, Twenty-eighth Iowa volunteer infantry, participating in many of the notable engagements of the late war, among which were Champion’s Hill, Siege of Vicksburg, and others. January 15, 1863, at Vicksburg, he received a severe wound on the left breast and arm, which incapacitated him for duty for a time. Was honorably discharged November 7, 1864, at Rock Island, Illinois, after which he returned to his home in Brooklyn. Was married, May 12, 1866, to Miss Sarah J. Ashton. By their union they have five children: Albert B., Charlie D., Eddie H., Effie E., Lena E. In 1866 he established a land office in connection with being notary public, which agency he operated for a number of years. He has a partner in the banking business, Mr. Sterling, and the transactions of their house will compare favorably with any in the county. Mr. Talbott is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Brooklyn Veteran Union. Himself and family are members of the M.E. Church, and are among its liberal patrons and supporters.

TERWILLIGER, M.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 853. Capitalist, Brooklyn. Was born in Sullivan county, New York, November 14, 1814. Was there raised and educated. His father, William Terwilliger, was an agriculturalist in that State. The family is of German and Holland lineage. The subject of this sketch came to Ohio in 1832, locating in Huron county, where he engaged in farming for about four years. He then went to Branch county, Michigan, and engaged in the real estate business, remaining there for two years. He returned to Ohio and resided for a time, after which he engaged in the mercantile trade in Colwells Prairie, Wisconsin, for a short period. In 1846 he erected a store at Omro, Wisconsin, and was engaged in trade there for a number of years. After residing in different portions of Wisconsin until 1852, he came to Iowa and was for a time in the real estate business in Clarke county. He then removed to Illinois, residing at Moline and different parts of the State until 1873, when he came to Brooklyn, where he has since resided. 1879? [sic] he engaged in mercantile business, which he operated until 1878, when he retired from active business. He was married November 8, 1833, to Miss Betsey Converse, of Ohio, formerly of Connecticut. Mr. Terwilliger from early boyhood has been a close Biblical student. His progress may be inferred from the fact that he was licensed to preach while in trade at Omro, by the Baptist denomination, of which he has been a lifelong member. He built the first Baptist Church at Oshkosh, and was duly ordained at Neceda, July 13, 1853. Filled various calls in different portions of Illinois while a resident there, and supplied the Brooklyn Church for three months after he arrived here.

THOMPSON, IRA A.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 853. Book-keeper for Sterling & Talbott, Brooklyn. Was born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1853; was there educated and raised to manhood and learned the carpenter’s trade. His parents were Robert and Mary Thompson, of Scotch and Irish lineage. He pursued the vocation of carpenter and joiner a number of years previous to his coming to Iowa. Has been in the employ of Messrs. Sterling & Talbott, for the past four years. Mr. Thompson was married, May 12, 1880, to Miss Maria McKnight, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the M.E. Church.

TINKER, E.W.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 853-4. Blacksmith, Brooklyn. Was born in 1836, in Mercer county, Pennsylvania; was there raised, educated and learned the trade he now pursues. His father (W.J.Tinker) carder and fuller in that State. The Tinkers were of English lineage. The subject of this sketch came West in 1868, locating in Brooklyn, where he has since resided. He was married, in 1864, to Miss Margaret Greenlee, of Pennsylvania. They had a family of five children, three of whom are living: J.F., Estella J. and Adela May. Mr. Tinker tendered his services to his county in 1863, enlisting in company H, Second battalion, his term of service being six months, after the expiration of which time he has honorably discharged. He is a skilled workman, makes a specialty of horse-shoeing and does a thriving business.

TINKER, EDWIN—Bear Creek Twp—pg 854. Farmer and stock-raiser, section 8, P.O. Brooklyn. Was born in what is now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on the 11^th day of March, 1812. He was there raised to manhood on a farm and educated in a log school-house, at a subscription school. It was the best the country afforded at that time, and was built on the cob-house principle, with substantial puncheon floors, rude benches made of hewn logs, the windows being an opening between two logs, the space covered with greased paper to admit light. He was married in Butler county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1840, to Miss Arabella Thompson, of that county. In 1866 he came to Warren township this county, where he began his arduous task of making a home on the then wild prairie of Iowa. In this he succeeded beyond his expectations. In the spring of 1867 he moved to his present location, where he owns a farm of 355 acres of cultivated land, well stocked. His family consists of eleven children living: James, George E., Hannah, Joshua, Sarah (now Mrs. D. Sliggle, of this county), Matilda (now Mrs. M.V. Sterling, of this county), Martha (now Mrs. Paris Fimford, of Cedar county, Nebraska), Charlotte (now Mrs. Wm. Scott, of Texas), Wesley, Arabella (now Mrs. Charles Jewell, of this county). He lost one, Wainwright, who died during his service as a soldier.

UHL, CHARLES—Bear Creek Twp—pg 854. Farmer, section 25, P.O. Brooklyn. Was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 7^th day of October, 1831; was there educated and raised on a farm. He was married in Holmes county, in December, 1858, to Miss E.J. Patterson, a native of that county. In the autumn of 1861 he came to this county, arriving here on the 25^th of October. He settled near his present location, and in the spring of 1865, he moved on his present farm, which consists of 240 acres of cultivated land. His family now consists of five children living: George, Drusilda, Nora, Florence Clementine and Walter. They lost two, one an infant and the other aged two years.

WALTERS, W.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 854-5. North Brooklyn. The subject of this sketch was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1814; was there raised until he attained the age of eighteen years. In 1832 he removed with his father (Jacob Walters) and the balance of the family to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he was engaged in the merchandise business for a number of years. Was also engaged in the foundry and machine business, after which he engaged in the mercantile business until he removed to this State. He was married, in 1834, to Miss Elizabeth McKey, of Ohio; by this union they have eight children: Mary Ann (now Mrs. W.H. McQuene), Margaret (now Mrs. Skinner), Jacob (residence in Ohio), James (residence in Kansas), Hiram (residence of Kansas), William (married Miss Mary Reynolds), Josephine (now Mrs. George W. Dolby) and LeRoy (residence Toledo, Tama county, Iowa). Mr. Walters located in Brooklyn in February, 1864; the residence he took as his abode at that time he still occupies. Immediately after his arrival he was elected to the office of justice, which he filled for a number of years. Among the important cases that came before him was that of Kirk G. Vincent for the murder of Caliborne Showers, which is given in detail in another portion of this book. Mr. Walters has retired from active public life, and in his declining years is enjoying the comforts of home and his family. He is a Chapter Mason.

WHEELER, A.K.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 855. Farmer, section 28, P.O. Brooklyn. Was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1823; was there educated and raised to manhood and has followed the pursuit of agriculture since his early life and has always given it his entire attention. In 1854 he came to this county and purchased his present farm. After a stay of a few weeks he returned to his home in Ohio, where he remained until the fall of 1859 when he again came to this county and settled in Malcom township. He resided there until 1863 when he moved to his present location. Has always been among the leaders of his neighborhood. He is virtually the architect of his own fortune, as he attributes his success to his habits of industry and careful management. Mr. Wheeler owns a farm of 360 acres of well improved land.

WOOD, A.J.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 855. Hardware merchant, Brooklyn. Was born in Montgomery county, New York, July 10, 1835. In 1855 came to Illinois, in 1858 came to Iowa, locating in Johnson county; in 1862 came to Brooklyn, where he has since resided. His popularity may be inferred from the fact that he is now serving his second term in the State Legislature from this district.