Lobana Waters, deceased, was born at McKeesport, Pa., Dec. 9, 1851. He was the youngest of three children, two of whom survive him, a sister, Mrs. S. J. Simpson, residing at Latrobe, Pa., and William Waters, residing at Colorado Springs, Col. When Lobana was three years of age he was orphaned by the death of his father. He was then taken into the family of Samuel Waters, living in Somerset County, Pa., and by him nurtured and cared for as a son. The influences surrounding his youth were of the best, and his education was wisely directed in those channels which should prove most useful in mature years. In 1860, Samuel Waters brought his family to Iowa, settling in Washington County. Young Waters came with him and grew to high favor and social position among his associates. Washington's schools were the source from which he acquired largely that knowledge of books which was to prove of such value in his intercourse with men.

Possessed of great courage, always self-reliant, and disposed to accomplish for himself what others would have cheerfully supplied, at the age of seventeen, our subject began the acquisition of a trade. Following the bent of his mind, he entered the printing-office of John Wiseman, then proprietor of the Washington Gazette. In this new field he established himself firmly in the good opinion of his friends, and in his aptness and diligence justified their expectations. His conduct was exemplary. Though possessed of a large share of that buoyancy and lightness of heart natural to his age, his dealings with his employer and others were characterized by strict integrity, which developed into a wonderful probity of character in his manhood. Completing his apprenticeship in the Gazette office, he went to the West, where it was supposed greater advantages awaited the vigorous brain and brawn required in the development of a new country. He eventually located at lone Tree, Neb., and started the first newspaper in that county, conducting it successfully until near the close of 1874.

The young pioneer still possessed a large amount of that spirit of dash and adventure which induced him to leave the old roof-tree, and terminating his connection with the paper, he roughed it on the plains of Colorado and Kansas during the winter of 1875, when he returned to Washington. His skill, industry and superior attainments found ready employment as foreman on the Gazette, still under the control of its editor, Mr. Wiseman, which position he acceptably occupied until 1877, when failing health induced a visit to Colorado. He remained away several months, visiting New Mexico and Texas, and early in the winter of 1878 returned to Washington. The rest was succeeded by a determination to study law, which was begun in the office of G. G. Rodman; this he prosecuted with that peculiar industry which characterized the man. His progress was rapid, and to himself and friends satisfactory. In the fall of 1879, W. N. Hood induced Mr. Waters to assume the position of editor of the Washington Democrat, and his ambition became to exalt and build it up to a commanding position. The best efforts of his life were given to the few short years spent in this, his last, most pretentious enterprise, and his efforts were not without success.

Mr. Waters was a member of no Church, but his views upon religious subjects were of that nature which gave effect to the good there is in man by the exercise of a broad charity, which condemned none, which yielded to the demands of conscience, and found in him an exponent of "good-will toward men." In his intercourse with men he was light- hearted and jovial. Always courteous, and closely observant of the rights of others, he drew into a near relation with himself many friends, who, witnessing his steady decline in health, felt the certainty of a fatal termination of his malady. It was believed that the pure air of Colorado would afford relief, and in the summer of 1881 Mr. Waters went to Colorado Springs. For about ten days after arriving in that city, he steadily improved, when nature seemed to give way, leaving him in a state of almost complete nervous exhaustion. He was tenderly cared for by his brother, who returned to Washington with him on Saturday evening, Sept. 3, 1881, where he lingered until the 14th of the same month, and then passed away. His courage never flagged, and in all the trying circumstances which surrounded the last moments of his life he did not murmur or complain, but boldly facing the approach of the inevitable, when it came he stepped down into the dark waters and crossed the shadowy tide with a firm reliance in the love and mercy of Him who holds our destinies in His hands.

Jonathon Wilkins

Jonathon Wilkins is the owner of 160 acres of land on section 9, Oregon Township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.  He was born in East Tennessee, Dec. 30, 1828, and is the son of Solomon and Martha Wilkins, the former a native of North Carolina, and of English descent, and the latter of Virginia and of German descent.  They were married in North Carolina, Dec. 16, 1812.  In 1818 they left that State and went to East Tennessee, where they remained until 1844, at which time they moved to this county and settled in Oregon Township.  Solomon Wilkins was born Aug. 22, 1792, and died in Oregon Township, May 12, 1872.  Martha Wilkins was born Aug. 3, 1793, and died Sept. 21, 1869.  They reared a family of seven children, six of whom are living, three residing in this county: They were Elisha, now a resident of this county; Martha, the wife of William H. Moore, of this county; Catherine E., now residing in Kansas; Charles T., who is living in Missouri; Nancy, the wife of P. P. Morgan, of Oregon; and Jonathon.  The deceased was Louisa, the wife of H. C. Morgan.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.  He came to this county in company with his parents in 1844, and assisted his father in the improvement of his farm.  On the 4^th of September, 1851, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Stephens, a native of Preble County, Ohio, born Aug. 8, 1821.  There were three children born of this union:  Martha J. married Andrew Richey, and died leaving two children – Sarah and Nancy E.; Solomon J. married Julia Wood, and has one child, Eugene; Hiram N. married Ella Taylor, by whom he had one child, Howard, now deceased.  Mrs. Wilkins died July 18, 1880, and on the 28^th of January, 1885, Mr. Wilkins contracted a second marriage, choosing as a companion Mary E. Corl, daughter of William and Elizabeth Corl.  She was born in Pennsylvania, May 18, 1847;  they have one child, Minnie E.  Mr. Wilkins is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. Wilkins of the United Presbyterian.  Politically he is a Republican.

When Mr. Wilkins settled upon his present farm it was in a wild state; now the improvements are of a better class, there being on the farm a good dwelling-house, good barns, and such out-buildings as are necessary in carrying on general farming.  All that  he has was made by his own labor.