WILLARD THOMPSON FARNHAM, who is one of Page County's most respected citizens, has been prominently identified with its interests for twenty years. In 1870, in partnership with and old friend, Adam Poe, he purchased 4,000 acres of choice land, mainly in Grant and Tarkio Townships. Selecting a portion of the land as his share of the purchase, he settled upon it and began making a home. It so happened, that in this piece of land is the first forty-acre tract entered from the Government in Grant township: the entry was made in 1855 by a Mr. Miller. It is one of the most highly attractive spots in the country, being covered by a splendid growth of natural timber, in the midst of which Mr. Farnham has erected a fine dwelling, which is commodious and conveniently arranged.
His farm now consists of 320 acres, all in a good state of cultivation, to which he devotes his entire attention.
In 1872 he became connected with Mr. Read in conducting a bank at Clarinda, under the firm name of Read & Farnham; this institution was moved to Shenandoah, and Mr. Farnham was one of the principal stockholders in organizing the First National Bank, of which he has since been a director.
Willard T. Farnham was born at Starksborough, Addison County, Vermont, June 10, 1824, and is a son of Amasa and Polly (Thompson) Farnham, natives of New England. He is the fifth of a large family of children, of whom five are now living. When he was but thirteen years old he was thrown upon his own responsibility by the death of his father; his mother had died some years previous. He engaged as an apprentice to a millwright, and served four years. In 1855 he became interested in the Cleveland Powder Company, having charge of the construction of their mills and fitting machinery. This connection was continued fifteen years, but it was attended with so much danger that he yielded to the persuasions of friends and family and disposed of his interest.
Mr. Farnham was united in marriage in Grundy County, Illinois, May 17, 1850, to Miss Eliza Marks. She was born in Seneca County, New York, December 22, 1824, and is a daughter of David and Sarah (Atwater) Marks. The Rev. David Marks, who did so much in the cause of the Freewill Baptist Church, is a brother of Mrs. Farnham. She was educated at Rochester, New York, and at Oberlin, Ohio, and was engaged in teaching school both in New York and Ohio.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Farnham: Frank Eugene, Ernestine, Willie Augustus and Hattie Adelaide. October 21, 1874, their hearts were wrung with [page 552] bitter anguish when their loved boy Willie was called from earth, and their cup of sorrow overflowed a week later, November 1, when their eldest son, Frank Eugene, joined his brother in the unknown realm. They were young men of great promise, in whom the hopes of the family were largely centered. Ernestine is the wife of Levi Baker, and Hattie is at home.

                
MAURICE SYLVESTER MELL, of the firm of Needham & Mell, was born at Greensburg, Summit County, Ohio, July 19, 1856, and is the son of the Rev. Eli and Catherine (Ream) Mell natives of Ohio, and resdents of Des Moines, Iowa. Rev. Eli Mell is a prominent minister of the Evangelical Association. He is the father of four children, of whom Maurice is the eldest; the second is Laura, wife of Mr. Needham, the popular partner of Mr. Mell; another son, Aaron Wesley, has followed his father's calling; the fourth child is Lillie, wife of Prof. R. A. Kletzing, principal of the public schools of Dexter.
When Maurice was nine years old the family removed to Joliet, Illinois; at that time the father worked at the carpenter's trade, and in a year or two they moved to Iowa and engaged in farming in Benton County; it was at this place that he took up ministerial work. At the age of sixteen years Maurice attended the Northwestern College atNaperville, Illinois, for one year, after which he entered Cornell College at Mt. Vernon and took a two years' course, after which he entered a grocery store at Afton, where he remained four years. This occupation proving to his liking he decided to embark in the same trade; so from 1879 to 1881 he was in the grocery business, in Afton.   He was very successful and was induced to become a partner with his brother-in-law at Mt. Ayr, but after two months they removed to Shenandoah as that place gave promise of being a much better town; their expectations have been far surpassed and their most sanguine hopes realized; they have nothing but words of praise for Shenandoah and vicinity.
Mr. Mell was united in marriage November 7, 1883, to Miss Emma Park, daughter of Colonel F. M. Park, who was at that time proprietor of the leading hotel of Shenandoah. Mrs. Mell was born October 19, 1859. Mr. Mell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is an active worker in social circles and has passed the chairs in the Odd Fellows. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a careful business man and his ability is recognized by his associates, as he is president of the Mutual Loan Association of Shenandoah, also vice president of the Citizens' Building Association, positions requiring the exercise of the best talent. No more popular firm exists in Page County than that of Needham & Mell.

A. M. COLLIER, one of the early settlers of Page County, was born in West Virginia, May 21,1827, and is the son of John B. and Joanna (Robinson) Collier. There were ten children in the family, six sons and four daughters; he grew to boyhood in his native State, and when he had attained his tenth year he removed with his parents to Platte County, Missouri. There they spent several years, opening up a timbered farm. In 1843 they went to Andrew County, Missouri, residing there seven years, engaged in farming.
In February, 1849, Mr. Collier was married to Miss Nancy McAlpin, daughter of [page 553] Henry and Betsey (Famsworth) McAlpin, natives of Tennessee. She was born March 24, 1827. After his marriage Mr. Collier remained in Missouri until 1850, when he made a trip to California; he spent one year in the mines, but finding the returns from his labors insufficient he turned his attention to teaming, which he continued until the fall of 1851, when he gladly and safely returned to Missouri. He immediately removed to Page County.
Mr. McAlpin had removed to Page County and had purchased a tract of land on which was the frame-work of a grist and saw mill; some work had been done in the saw-mill; but no grists had been turned out of the hop­per when Mr. Collier arrived upon the scene. He bought an interest in the mill, and he and his father-in-law operated the mill and opened up a farm of 160 acres. The partnership existed for three years, at the end of which time they sold the mill and divided the land equally, Mr. McAlpin taking the portion on which Hawleyville was afterward platted.
Mr. Collier continued to farm until 1857, when he opened a general store in Hawleyville, which he conducted until 1863; he then closed out the stock, and again in 1866 he formed a partnership in the same business with John Buckingham; he soon bought out his partner, and continued the business until 1876, when he disposed of the stock to his oldest son, George W., who carried on the business until his death, which occurred in 1884. After severing his connection with the dry-goods trade Mr. Collier turned his attention to the milling business and stock-farming. He has a good grist and saw mill combined; the capacity of the former is fifty barrels; he does an exchange business with the farmers, manufacturing three grades of flour.
In 1875 he erected a frame residence at a cost of $3,000, which is one of the finest in the eastern part of the county. He has assisted largely in the building up of Hawleyville, and has owned at different times considerable real estate in the place. He now owns 400 acres of land in Nebraska Township, and has given to each of his three children a tract of forty acres.
Politically he adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, and has held the offices of Township Assessor, Justice of the Peace, and Constable. He is a member of Clarinda Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M. Mrs. Collier is a worthy member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They are the parents of nine children: George W., deceased; Matilda J., wife of D. B. Goodman; John H., Arabella S., wife of Dr. Elliott; Elizabeth, dedeased; Mary, Charles M., Sadie, wife of Ernest Strong, and a daughter who died in infancy. The family is one of the most highly respected in the county.

REUBEN S. ABBOTT, a member of the the city council of Clarinda, was born in Wabash County, Indiana, July 22,1853, and is a son of David and Francisca (Hankerson) Abbott. In November, 1859, the family arrived in Page County, having made the journey from Indiana in a covered wagon with a yoke of oxen. It was a severe winter and they suffered greatly. Reuben had no opportunity to attend school until after he was ten years old, but by faithful application and hard study at home he has qualified himself for the duties of life.
Mr. Abbott was united in marriage January 1, 1877, to Miss Isabelle Gordon, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Samuel Gordon. Her parents were married in their native land, England, and came to Page [page 554] County about the year 1873. The father died in August, 1884, and the mother still lives, making her home in Kansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Abbott are the parents of seven children: Mary Catherine, Albert Furman, Eva Maggie, Samuel Gordon, William James, Ruby Eleanor and Reuben Sanford. In April, 1875, Mr. Abbott started to California and resided there eleven months, at the end of which time he returned to take charge of his father's farm. In 1878 he went to Colarado and remained there eight months, and November 3, 1879, he removed with his family to Clarinda, where he has since made his home. He was in the employ of Dunlap & Alexander for eighteen months and then purchased the dray business from Elijah Calhoon. He has won a large patronage and does most of the dray and transfer business of the place. Our worthy subject is a member of the Odd Fellows and is one of the supporters of the Universalist Church. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. At the city election in the spring of 1890 he was elected a member of the council from the second ward, after a hotly contested race.

ALEXANDER McCORMICK is one of the leading dry-goods merchants of Shenandoah, and in his establishment one finds an approximation to some of the more select stocks of goods in our leading cities; his store room is 24 x 80 feet, and is well stocked with a choice selection of goods in his line. Mrs. McCormick gives her personal supervision to the millinery department and all work is done under her direction. The genial proprietor, Alexander McCormick, was born, at Warrenton, Jefferson County, Ohio, February 7, 1852, and is a son of Marcus and Sarah Jane (Mossgrove) McCormick, natives of Ohio. The father is an old steamboat captain, and for years traversed the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He removed his family to Allegheny City, where Alexander grew to maturity. His education was acquired before his thirteenth year, when he entered the store of James Carr in Allegheny City, and began his training as a merchant.  He continued with the firm of Boggs & Bnhl until 1876, when he decided to embark in trade for himself. After visiting a large number of places he concluded that Shenandoah presented many advantages, and he accordingly established himself there in business. The stock carried at first was necessarily limited, but his trade has so increased that $12,000 is the amount invested in the business, and the average annual sales will not fall short of $25,000.
Mr. McCormick was united in marriage October 15, 1875, to Miss Maud McCourt, who was born in Ellicottville, New York, November 1, 1856. Her parents were John and Jane (Hamilton) McCourt. Mrs. McCormick is a person of rare attainments, and her tact and courteous manner have contributed in no little degree to the popularity of the bazaar. In their convenient and attractive home Mr. and Mrs. McCormick are surrounded with the comforts and luxuries of life, and are enjoying the fruits of their labors. Mrs. McCormick is a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church. The Knights of Pythias find in Mr. McCormick an honored member and a consistent brother. Politically he is a Democrat, but is conservative in this as in all other matters. He has proven himself to be one of Shenandoah's shrewdest and most careful business, men, and his judgment on financial matters is highly esteemed by his neighbors, even when differing from him upon important questions.

Jacob Loy, ex-Sheriff of Page County, may well be claimed as a veteran pioneer of this goodly "kingdom." He came here in the beautiful month of May, 1854, when all was yet wild and new. He has lived to see the virgin prairie converted into a well tilled garden spot, while comfort and luxury abound on every hand. It is indeed, a pleasure to hear this old settler related the incidents of the first settlement of the county, and to hear him describe the spot on which Clarinda now stands when only one house broke the monotony of the view and gave evidence that man had visited the place before him.

Mr Loy was born in Preble County, Ohio, August 18, 1823. His father, Jacob Loy, Sr., was a native of North Carolina, and when a mere lad removed to Tennessee; there he was married to Phebe Tillman, who was also a native of North Carolina, but who was reared in Tennessee. Some time after their marriage, in 1806, Mr and Mrs Loy removed to Ohio, locating in Preble County, where they were early settlers. Mr Loy was reared on a farm, and like many another boy of that day received a limited education. He served in the war of 1812. He and his wife had born to them eleven children, five sons and six daughters. In 1853, three brothers and two sisters, Job, John, Henry, Elizabeth (wife of David Loy), and Sarah (wife of Mr Pfander) came by teams to Page County, Iowa; the spring following, 1854, the parents of our subject came with the other children, Jacob, Rachel (wife of Robert Stafford), and Catherine, deceased (wife of David Abbott): they came via the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers to St Joe, Missouri, and the remainder of the journey was made by team. The father located on land on which he lived until his death, which occured two years later, at the age of seventy-five years; the mother survived until 1873.

Jacob Loy, Jr., was married October 30, 1858, to Mary A. Reasoner, who was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Stephen and Catherine (Hardy) Reasoner. When she was six years old her parents removed to Blackford County, Indiana, where they lived until 1856, when they started West. They came over a vast expanse of wild country only to find it still wilder in Page County, where they settled and spent the remainder of their days. The father died in August, 1873, and the mother died some years later at Rock Bluff, Nebraska. In this family there were ten children, seven daughters and three sons.

After their marriage Mr and Mrs Loy lived east of Clarinda where the fair ground is located for one year. From that point they moved one and a half miles east of town, where they improved a farm and lived seven or eight years. Thinking to better their circumstances they sold out and removed to Missouri. They soon tired of that location and returned to Page County, purchased land three miles west of Clarinda, and resided there until 1872, when they sold and went to Kansas; there they staid eighteen months, in Cloud county. In the fall of 1874 they came back and bought their present farm, which was then wild land. Mr Loy now owns a quarter section of land as good as can be found in Iowa, and it is well improved in every particular. He does a general farming business, and finds stock-raising quite profitable.

Mr and Mrs Loy are the parents of seven [page 556] sons and two daughters: John Gurley, Laura J. and Charles live in Colorado; Frank N., Beecher, Carroll, Riley, Clyde and Nellie are at home.

Every true American must have some political faith, and Mr Loy affiliates with the Republican party. In the fall of 1857 he was elected by the people of Page County as Sheriff, and served for two and a half years with much credit to himself and the county he represented. He has never been ambitious for office, but the citizens have called him to fill positions of trust and responsibility. In religious matters Mr Loy is of the Universalist faith. He is plain of speech and manner, firm in his convictions, and is not afraid to express his opinions. His thirty-five years' residence here have made him acquainted with the county and have won for him hundreds of warm friends.

LEVI H. HOOPER has been a resident of Page County, Iowa, since 1859. He was born in Athens County, Ohio, February 13, 1840, and is a son of Stephen and Rosa (Parker) Hooper natives of New Jersey and Ohio respectively. The father was a farmer and followed his occupation in Athens County, Ohio, where Levi H. grew to manhood. Until he was nineteen years old he assisted his father on the farm, and during the winter season he attended the district school. He believed that the great West was the place for him to carve his fortune and future, and so he started out " afoot and alone." He arrived in Page County in 1859, as before stated, and the first few years he followed farming and prairie breaking.
Mr. Hooper was united in marriage in 1862, to Miss Mary E. Tucker, a native of Des Moines County, Iowa.   By this union ten children have been born, eight of whom are still living: Celestia, Richard, Belle, Calvin, Scott, Cora, Carrie and Pearly.
By industry and economical management Mr. Hooper saved enough money to purchase a farm on section 13, Nodaway Township, where he carried on agriculture for fourteen years. In order to give his children better school privileges he removed to Clarinda in 1881, and still resides there. He has served as councilman from the third ward for five years.
Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, to which he has belonged all his life. He relates that he used to attend Democratic conventions in Page County when eight members constituted the convention. It is safe to say that Mr. Hopper is a self-made man, having by his own unaided exertions accumulated all the property which he now owns, consisting of business houses and residences in Clarinda.

WILLIAM K. HARRELL is one of the industrious mechanics of Clarinda, and has been a resident of the place since 1859. He is a blacksmith by occupation and is well known to all the old pioneers as well as later settlers. He is a native of Decatur, Macon County, Illinois, born June 1, 1831. His parents, Landy and Elizabeth (Gray) Harrell, were natives of the State of Virginia. The father was born in 1800 and the mother in 1802; they were married in 1821 and reared a family of eleven children, of whom William K. is the fourth. In 1826 the family removed to Illinois, where the father and mother passed the remainder of their days. Six of the eleven children are living; three in Illinois, one in California, and one in Missouri.   Our subject served an [page 557] apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade at Peoria, Illinois, for three years. In 1849 he opened a shop of his own, which he operated previous to his coming to Clarinda in 1859.
Mr. Harrell was married in 1853 to Miss Martha M. Chamberlain, a native of Troy, Ohio, and a daughter of Abraham O. and Martha (Brown) Chamberlain, natives of the State of New Jersey. The maternal ancestors were from Ireland, while those of the father came from England. Mrs. Harrell died in September, 1875, leaving a family of five children: Clara B., Delia, William C, L. E. (deceased), and Charles L. Mr. Harrell was married the second time April 4,1878, to Miss Julia M. Hutton, a native of Indiana and a daughter of B. B. Hutton, who was one of Page County's early pioneers. Mrs. Harrell belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
Our subject is an honored member of the Masonic and A. O. U. W. lodges at Clarinda. Politically he is opposed to a high protective tariff. He is a man whom all respect for his noble traits of character and industry.

ABNER S. BOGGS, one of Clarinda's highly esteemed citizens, was born in West Virginia, October 20, 1837, and is the son of James and Jerusha (La Master) Boggs. His grandparents were pioneers in West Virginia and his parents removed from that State to Iowa in 1839 and settled in Van Buren County; later they went to Monroe County while the Indians were yet there; they were the fourth white family to settle in that section. The father died in August, 1848, and the mother still resides in Monroe [page 558] County, Iowa. Abner S. received his education in the old-time log schoolhouse. In 1856 he came to Taylor County and worked on a farm for a year and then came to Clarinda and followed farming four years. In the fall of 1860 he erected a shop and worked at the blacksmith's trade until 1862, when he quit the shop and put in a crop on the farm. August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the service at Des Moines. He was sent to St. Louis, Missouri, and during the following winter he was in Camp Fatterson, Missouri. He was placed in the Thirteenth Army Corps. Soon after the siege of Vicksburg he was taken ill and was confined in the hospital six months. He participated in the engagements of Grand Gulf, Champion Hill and Black River Bridge; he was also at Fort Esperanza, Spanish Fort and the Mobile campaign. His regiment was mustered out at Harrisburg, Texas, but he was on detached service and was not then discharged but received his papers at Davenport, Iowa. Upon his return from the war he again engaged in blacksmithing and continued to work at the trade until 1886.
Mr. Boggs was married February 1, 1857, to Miss Sarah J. Graham, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Mathias and Anna (Layman) Graham. The father lives in Wadsworth, Nevada, and the mother died in that town, October 29, 1884. Mrs. Boggs is one of a family of eight children, six of whom still survive. She is the mother of four children: James M., agent for the H. & S. Railway Company at Clearfield, Iowa; William C, an engineer by occupation, residing in Colorado; Charles O., an express agent at Creston, Iowa; and Benjamin F., who resides at home. The parents are members of the Baptist church at Clarinda, Mrs. Boggs having been an active member since 1859.

He also belongs to Warren Post, No. 11, G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.

L. F. ABBOTT.—Some men are born to positions of trust and responsibility and go through life a comfort and help to all with whom they come in contact. Such a character was L. F. Abbott, deceased. With the reader's permission we will go back to the place of his birth and trace his pathway, step by step, up to that time that death claimed him for his own. He was born in the " Hoosier " State, in Kosciusko County, February 5, 1840, and is descended from a hardy line of German ancestors. The mother died January 1, 1859, and that same year the family emigrated from Indiana to Iowa and located in Page County; the first winter they were obliged to live in the wagons which had afforded them transportation across the trackless prairie. They had to undergo many hardships and all the privations of pioneer life, and our subject had a weary struggle for several years, as the burden of the support of the family fell upon his young shoulders.
Anxious to secure all that the world held in store for him, whether of gold or expedience, he pushed on still farther west, and spent some time in Helena, Montana; this was in 1865, and he remained in those wild regions until 1869, engaged in chopping; he then returned to Clarinda and made that his permanent home until his death.
Mr. Abbott united in marriage, January 26, 1869, to Miss Maggie Morledge, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of John and Maria (Branhan) Morledge. Her father was a prominent man in Page County in earlier days. He was an attorney and followed his profession tor many years.   He was elected [page 559]Judge of the Circuit Court of Page County in 1871. His death occurred April 20,1882. He was a man greatly beloved for his many excellent traits of character, and was mourned by a wide circle of friends. His widow still survives and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Abbott.
Mr. and Mrs. Abbott had born to them three children: Francinkey, Allie and Lewis. The people of Clarinda attested their confidence in Mr. Abbott's ability by calling him to sit in their city council for many years. He was a man admired and respected by all for his many superior qualities of head and heart, and his death, which occurred February 20, 1888, was a loss to the community and a great bereavement to his family and and friends. He was a man of good business ability and had accumulated a competence.

DAVID S. LAKE, proprietor of the Shenandoah Nurseries, is one of Page County's most successful citizens, and one who has built up a business that for extent of territory covered, is not approached by any other enterprise in the county. One can grasp an idea of the business, when it is learned that over 400 acres are devoted exclusively to growing its stock, and that 100 acres are planted in stock annually. The running of this vast business requires the constant labors of from thirty to sixty men and the investment of large sums of money. Each year over 2,000,000 of apple grafts are planted and sales of not less than 800,000 apple-trees are made.
Less than twenty years ago Mr. Lake came to Shenandoah with not more than $400 in his pocket. His first effort was to plant ten acres of rented land, and this proving successful he increased his business as his finances would permit, and always endeavored to make every order however small perfectly satisfactory. The business grew so rapidly that he was obliged to abandon the retail trade and devote his time and energies to the wholesale trade. His customers are largely proprietors of other nurseries, whom he supplies with a much better stock than they can produce. Mr. Lake appears to be the right man in the right place; he has stood right by his convictions, when weaker men wrould have succumbed and surrendered, but having everything to gain he held to the ropes, when the seas were washing others away, and he has now become so firmly rooted that no ordinary storm causes a tremor.
David S. Lake was born in Merrimac County, New Hampshire, January 27, 1847, his parents being David and Julia B. (Sanborn) Lake. The Lake and Sanborn families were of the pioneer settlers of New Hampshire. Robert Lake, grandfather of our subject, traces his ancestry beyond the seas to English origin. The Sanborn family has produced many able men. One brother of Julia B. Sanborn attained eminence and fame as Prof. E. D. Sanborn, of Dartmouth College; Dyer H. Sanborn was another celebrated instructor in New Hampshire, and John R. Sanborn was an influential member of the Canadian Parliament.
David S. Lake is the third of a family of five children; he was reared on the old New England farm until he was sixteen years old, and then took a thorough course at Pittsfield Academy. Upon leaving that institution at the age of nineteen years he resolved to seek his fortune in the West. He first went to Wisconsin, but soon passed into Illinois, where he engaged in teaching. After five years spent in this profession he decided that pedagogy was not his forte, and found employment in a nursery at Prairie City, and from [page 560] that place came to Iowa in 1870. He was united in marriage to Miss Hannah O'Day January 17, 1872. She is a daughter of Daniel O'Day. Four children have been born of this union: Albert, Ralph, Clara and Leslie.
In connection with the Shenandoah Nurseries we desire to recognize the worth of at least one other person to whom is due much of the systematic method which characterizes the business, Miss Fannie McKee, who is in charge of the office as book-keeper, stenographer, and type-writist.

DAVID E. SHOWEN, one of the prosperous farmers of Nebraska Township, was born in Johnson County, Indiana, November 5, 1851, and is a son of Miles and Margaret Eliza (McAlpine) Showen, natives of the State of Tennessee. Until he was eighteen years he remained at home with his parents, attending to the duties usually devolving upon a farmer's son, and spending the winter season in the common schools of that day. When he was three years old his parents had removed to Davis County, Iowa; there the father died, and he and his mother removed to Hawleyville, Iowa, where the mother was again married to Henry Farrens, of Clarinda.
After leaving home David went to Davis County, Iowa, and worked on a farm until he was twenty years old. He was married to Miss Kittie Moreledge, and they in company with his brother removed to a farm of 120 acres in Davis County, which the two sons had inherited; our subject resided there two years, and then disposed of his interest and removed to Kansas, living on a rented farm for one year; he then purchased 160 acres in Republic County, Kansas, on which he lived one year; he next went into the hardware business, and was engaged in various pursuits until 1882, when he went to Washington Territory; there he worked in the timber for eight months, and then returned to Page County, Iowa, for two months; he again went to Washington Territory, and in the summer of 1883 he returned to Page County, and settled on his present farm.
In February, 1881, his first wife died of consumption, leaving him two children, Elsie and Lottie, aged fourteen and twelve years respectively; they reside with their grandmother in Clarinda. In 1886 Mr. Showen was again married to Miss Mary Metz, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Herman) Metz, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Our subject is a member of Clarinda Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party. He devotes his time entirely to agricultural pursuits, and has made many improvements on his farm, which is now one of the best in the township.

H. E. PARSLOW, attorney at law, Clarinda, is a native of Ontario, Canada, 9 born April 5,1856. His father, Abraham Parslow, was a native of Ireland and emigrated to America when about twenty-one years of age, locating in Canada. He married Hannah Mahon, also of Irish origin, and they had six children born to them, five of whom are living: two reside in Canada and three in Clarinda. The parents are both deceased, the father dying in Canada, and the mother in Clarinda, Iowa.
Mr. Parslow came to Clarinda in September, 1875, and engaged as a grocery clerk. At the end of three years he entered the law department of the Iowa State University, [page 561] having read in the office of the Hon. T. E. Clark prior to that date. In June, 1879, he finished his course at the University and entered the office of T. E. Clark: at the end of three months he became a partner of Mr. Clark, the co-partnership lasting two years. In October, 1881, he opened an office of his own and continued alone until 1884, when a new partnership was effected with Mr. Clark, which lasted until January, 1887; since that time he has been alone. He was city attorney for the years 1883-'84, and made an acceptable officer. Politically he is a pronounced Republican. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. fraternities.
Mr. Parslow was united in marriage March 19, 1885, to Miss Mary L. Warren, a native of the State of Wisconsin. Her parents are both deceased.
Mr. Parslow is a rising young attorney, and is certain to make his mark in his profession.

JOHANN G. SCHNEIDER, merchant tailor, Shenandoah, is one of the leading business men of the town. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, June 18, 1850, and is a son of Christian and Anna Barbara (Koanig) Schneider. His father being a farmer by occupation he early became accustomed to the severe labor of agricultural life. At the age of fourteen years he went to learn the tailor's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years, and becoming thoroughly trained in every detail of the business.
Upon reaching his eighteenth year, knowing that if he remained in his native land he would be called upon for military service, he decided to cross the ocean and seek a home in America, the asylum of the oppressed of every land.   He had a brother living in Madison, Indiana, and he located there, working two years as a journeyman tailor. He then came farther west to Rock Island, Illinois, and afterward to Wapello, Iowa, where he remained until 1872, working as a journey­man ; he was then made manager of the business and conducted it successfully for three years. At the end of that period be became proprietor and continued there until 1879, when he removed to Shenandoah, considering that it offered better inducements. Mr. Schneider owns the building in which is his store. He gives employment to seven hands. Paying strict attention to duty, and striving to please, he has built up a paying business. Satisfaction is guaranteed on every garment, and he gives the cutting and fitting his personal attention. He keeps up with the styles, and his prices are very reasonable. He keeps constantly on hand a fine selection of foreign and domestic goods, and the most fastidious can not fail to be suited.
Mr. Schneider was united in marriage at Rock Island, Illinois, September 17, 1872, to Miss Augusta Bannsfield. Four children have been born of this union: Edward C, Anna, Clara and Frederick.
He has a pleasant home a few blocks from the business center, where he and his family enjoy many of the comforts and blessings of this Hie.

JAMES C. BLACK, a native of Butler County, Pennsylvania, was born November 2,1831, and is the son of Matthew and Eliza (Currey) Black. The grandfather Black was a native of Ireland, but Matthew Black was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and died in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in 1850. Eliza Currey was born in Ireland about the year 1801, and died in Butler [page 562] County in 1833. Mr. Black was reared to the life of a farmer, in which he continued through life. He and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian Church, which was then known as the Associate Reformed Church. He was twice marrried, and of the first union three children were born: John A., deceased; James C, our subject, and Matthew I., deceased. There were six children of the second marriage : Uriah J., deceased; Jarvis T., deceased; Abigail, wife of William Maxwell; Robert W., Silas T., deceased, and Joshua T.
James C. was reared in Butler County, Pennsylvania, receiving his education in the common schools. He remained at home until 1852, when he came as far west as Hancock County, Illinois; there he engaged in farm work by the month, in which he continued for seven years. In the meantime he purchased forty acres of land, for which he paid $600.
Mr. Black was united in marriage April 27, 1858, to Miss Martha J. Graham, a daughter of William and Rachel (Glasgow) Graham, natives of Ireland and the State of Ohio respectively. The mother died in Ohio in 1848, and the father died in Illinois in 1867. They were members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. There were fourteen children in the Graham family: William M., deceased; Nancy A., deceased; Rhoda G.,wife of James Montgomery; Calvin C, Hugh J., Martha J., Louisa R., deceased; Hadassah N., deceased; Robert R., deceased; Amanda S., deceased; Joseph C, M. G., John C., deceased, and Mary S., wife of William Nelson. Mrs. Black was born in Adams County, Ohio, April 3, 1831.
After his marriage Mr. Black settled on his little farm in Hancock County, Illinois, and there he remained until April, 1867. He improved the place with good buildings and had it under good cultivation, but he was desirous of obtaining more land, so he went to Iowa and purchased 120 acres in Page County; about twenty acres of this land had been broken out, and there was a log cabin in which they lived for eighteen months. In 1880 they converted the old home into a kitchen and erected a nice frame addition one and a half stories high; there are many other valuable improvements on the farm, among which is an orchard of two acres. He has added to his first purchase 120 acres, the whole farm having been placed under cultivation through his own efforts. When he came to Iowa he had very little to invest in land, but by hard and continued labor he has accumulated a comfortable competence. He has not stood alone in these efforts, but has been ably seconded by his faithful wife, who has ever lent a helping hand. They are consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Black has served as a deacon for ten years.
In the fall of 1864 Mr. Black entered the United States service, enlisting in the Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company E; he served one year, and then returned to his home in Illinois. He affiliates with the Republican party, and has represented his township officially as trustee for six years, as assessor for three years, and as a member of the school board.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Black: William M., Robert G., Elmer E., James P., who died January 14, 1868; Amelias E., who died in January, 1875, and a daughter who died in infancy.

MARK BEDFORD, one of the leading agriculturists of Washington Township, has been identified with the interests of Page County since 1875, when [page 563] he emigrated from Green County, Wisconsin. He is not an American except by adoption, but was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 20, 1838. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Gott) Bedford, were natives of the same shire. Mary Gott Bedford was a daughter of Erasmus and Mary Gott. Thomas Bedford and wife reared a family of nine children, of whom Mark is the youngest son. His father was a farmer by occupation, and he was reared to the same calling, and in addition learned the butcher's trade. When he was thirty-two years of age he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Franks, a native of Lincolnshire, England, and a daughter of Samuel and — (Phoenix) Franks. Believing that the new world afforded better opportunities for gaining a livelihood and securing a home, Mr. Bedford sailed from Liverpool for the United States, landing after a voyage of twenty-one days. He at once went to Green County, Wisconsin, and settled near Monroe, where his wife died.
As before stated he came to Page County in 1875; he purchased eighty acres of land of " Vet" Johnson, an early settler, and built one of the best barns in Washington Township; it was painted red, and was known far and near as the " red barn." He lived on that farm until 1885, when he bought his present place. He now owns 240 acres of choice land in Washington Township, eighty acres in Locust Grove Township, Fremont County, Iowa, and some timber land in Missouri. He follows general farming and stock-raising and has been very successful in all his undertakings.
Mr. Bedford was married to his second wife February 20, 1878. She was Miss M. Shaffer, a native of Green County, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Bassett) Shaffer, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bedford,—Mary  Ann, usually  known as " Dolly."
Politically our subject is a Republican of the independent order. He was reared a Methodist, while his wife is a Baptist in religious faith.

ISAAC CHEYNEY PRESTON has been prominently identified with the affairs of Page County since his residence here, which began in the fall of 1870. He occupies an influential position on the Board of County Supervisors, and is the proprietor of "Ridgeland" stock-farm, one of the best in the county.
In order to learn something of his earlier history and surroundings we will go back to Harford County, Maryland, where he was born November 9, 1841. His father, Edmond Preston, was a native of the same county, and his grandfather, David Preston, was born in the old " Keystone " State; he was a member of the Society of Friends, and filled the important office of sitting at the head of the meeting. The Prestons were a prominent family among the Friends or Quakers. Edmond Preston married Phoebe H. Hoskins, a native of Harford County, Maryland, and a daughter of Nathaniel Hoskins, who was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was also an active member of the Society of Friends, and sat at the head of the meeting. Edmond Preston and wife reared seven sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to maturity.
Isaac C. was brought up on the old homestead and received the training usually bestowed upon a farmer's son. He obtained a good education, and on arriving at man's estate he concluded to seek his fortune in the [page 564] West. Accordingly he emigrated to Wisconsin in 1863, and then came a time when all thoughts of personal prosperity were set aside and the welfare of the nation was the most vital consideration. In October, 1864, he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Cavalry, Company G, and made an honorable record during the term of his service. In July. 1865, he was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, where he had been confined in the hospital for some time. He then returned to his old home and engaged in business, and in October, 1870, he came to Page County, which was then new and wild. He has since that time placed 160 acres under cultivation, and some of as fine stock as there is in the county can be found at " Ridgeland; " there are thorough-bred short-horns, Poland-China hogs, and fine grades of horses, all showing the best care and judgment on the part of the owner.
Mr. Preston was united in marriage December 7, 1871, in Springfield, Illinois, to Miss Jennie C. Logan, a daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Bowling) Logan, natives of Kentucky and Illinois respectively. This union was blessed with one daughter—Nannie W., born July 5, 1877.
In this free country, where men control themselves, every citizen must have some political creed whereby he may be governed; our subject is associated with the Republican party, by which he was elected in 1886 to the responsible position of County Supervisor; he was re-elected in 1889, by which act his popularity was confirmed. He served as Postmaster of Essex from January, 1883, to October, 1885, faithfully performing all the duties of the office. He is a member of Warren Post, No. 11, G. A. R. In his religious belief he conforms to the Society of Friends, the church of his ancestors. He is a man whose word is as good as his bond, whose every transaction is honorable and upright, and whom to know is to admire and respect.

By his second marriage Mr. Fulton and wife had six children: Ann Marinda, wife of David Royer; Tina Catherine, Dora Alice, Mahlon R., Effie Pearl and Simon Relmer, deceased. These children and the mother were bereft of the father and husband March 12, 1884, a blow not easy to bear. He was a kind and indulgent father, and an affectionate husband, and was highly respected by all who knew him. In his death Douglas Township lost one of her best citizens. He was an active member of the Evangelical Church, and for fifteen years served as class-leader.
Mrs. Fulton lives on the homestead, and her step-son David has charge of the farming interests. He was born in 1866, and is one of the energetic young farmers of the township.

J.N. STRICKLAND is here given space that there may be some lasting record a of one of Page County's truly representative pioneers. It is ever with feelings of deepest respect mingled with another feeling akin to reverence that we repeat the histories of these sturdy, rugged characters to whom we are indebted for so many of the blessings of life, and without whom there would have been no Iowa, no Page County.
The worthy subject of this brief biography was born in Ashland County, Ohio, April 2, 1835, and is the son of Joseph and Mary (HarperJ Strickland, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The parents were among the early settlers of Ashland County, Ohio, where they took up Government land. Their nearest neighbors were seven miles away, and they were in heavy timber district where clearing a farm means even more than it does in Iowa. There were six children in the family, of whom J. N. was the fifth.  He was educated in the primitive log school house of that early day, and remained with his parents until he was eighteen years of age; he then went to learn the harness-maker's trade, at which he worked for some time. In 1858 he came to Iowa and settled at Primrose, Lee County, working at his trade. In 1863 he came to Page County and settled on eighty acres of land in Douglas Township, which was entirely without improvements; there he has since passed his days, and has toiled and labored until he has one of the best farms in the township; he has a nice residence in a pleasant location, and as his means would permit he has invested in land until he owns between 500 and 600 acres: this is all under cultivation and is improved with good buildings.
Mr. Strickland was married in Lee County, Iowa, December 22, 1859, to Rebecca L. McNeal, a daughter of Thomas MeNeal, a well-known early settler of Douglas Township. Seven children have been born of this union: Mary Alice, wife of Isaac Durrim, Joseph A., Leona Belle, wife of William Barnes, James W., Paulina E., Henry A. and Pearl.
In questions of a political nature Mr. Strickland agrees with the Democrats and votes the ticket of that party. He has served as Justice of the Peace for four years and has discharged the duties of that office acceptably to the people. He is a worthy member of the Christian Church, and is highly respected by all with whom he has any dealings.

W. G. DAVIE, a successful agriculturist of Douglas Township, has been a resident of Page County since his early youth, and has witnessed in the course of these years the wonderful develop-[page 566] merit and growth of this section of country. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 15, 1846, and is a son of Alexander Davie, a native of Aberdeen, Scotland. His father was born in 1808, and was left an orphan at the age of seven years. In 1837 he came to America and was married in Ashland County, Ohio, to Miss Mary Palmer, a native of England. They emigrated from Ohio to Page County, Iowa, in 1855: they reared three children: W. G., the subject of this notice, Adaline, deceased, wife of William Giese, and Mary E., wife of Taylor King. The father died July 6,1885; he was a Scotchman of the typical class, firm in his convictions of right and wrong, and a zealous and active member of church. His widow resides in Douglas Township.
W. G. grew to manhood on his father's farm, and received his education in the common schools. In 1875 he settled on his present place, which is one of the best farms in the county; it consists of 207 acres and is rich soil in an advanced state of cultivation. There is a good, substantial residence, a roomy barn, stock scales, and many other modern conveniences. Mr. Davie devotes his time exclusively to farming and stock-raising, and has been uniformly successful in these industries.
He was united in marriage September 29, 1874, to Miss E. C. Cramer, a daughter of Major Joseph Cramer, one of Page County's prominent pioneers. Mrs. Davie has born in Owen County, Indiana and was an infant when her parents removed to Page County. Mr. and Mrs. Davie have had born to them five children: William L., Wilma E., Albert F., George C, and Bessie, deceased.
Mr. Davie affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as assessor for two years, and as a member of the school board, with much credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituents. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been prominently identified for many years. He is a man still in the prime of life and has many years of usefulness before he shall have consumed the " three-score years and ten " allotted to man.

JEPHTHAH GROVE is one of the prominent old settlers and pioneers of Page County. His great-grandfather, Richard Grove, emigrated to this country from Ireland and settled in Virginia; he remained but a short time and then returned to his native land. John Grove, son of Richard Grove, came to America with his father, and remained here; he was married in Virginia. Benjamin Grove, son of John Grove, and father of Jephthah Grove, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia. He married Holly Jarnagin, daughter of John and Mary Jarnagin, and to them were born eleven children: Sampson, Abijah, Jephthah, Orpha, Naomi, Susannah, Vincent, John, Noah, Elsie and Hannah. The father was a farmer by occupation, and soon after his marriage he removed to Highland County, Ohio, where he was one of the pioneers, packing his effects through from Virginia on horseback. He cleared up a farm, on which he lived thirty years, and then removed to Defiance County, Ohio, where he died in 1831, at the age of sixty-three years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a good, substantial citizen.
Jephthah Grove, son of Benjamin Grove, and the subject of this notice, was born on his father's farm in Highland County, Ohio. He received a common-school education, and when he was twenty years of age he removed with his father to Defiance County, Ohio. In 1834 he was married to Miss Sarah Storey, daughter of Thomas and Leah Storey. To them have been born six children, who grew to maturity: Francis M., William O., Joseph S., Louisa, Mary J. and Ellen. After his marriage Mr. Grove settled on a farm in Defiance County, where he remained twenty-five years. In 1854 he emigrated to Iowa, and settled on his present farm of fine, rich land, consisting of 240 acres. His son Joseph served in the war of the Rebellion, in the Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was in the sieges of Vicksburg and Memphis, besides several noted battles. He died after two years' service from disease contracted by exposure.
Politically Mr. Grove affiliates with the Republican party. He has always been an industrious, upright man, and has done his share in the upbuilding of the county. The land on which he settled in 1854 was raw prairie, but by his own diligent labor he has converted it into a fertile, well-improved farm. The pioneers are truly the men who made this country, and deserve the honor that is paid them by all thinking people.

ANDREW LINDBURG.—Of all the foreign countries contributing to the population of the New World, Sweden should not be numbered among the least. From the race inhabiting that country we [page 568] have received a thrifty, industrious class of citizens, of whom Andrew Lindburg is a true representative. He was born among the pines of Sweden, April 20, 1837, and is a son of Nels and Eliza (Isaacson) Lindburg, who were also natives of Sweden. He attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and then went to work on a farm.
With all his affection for friends, and home, and native land, he considered that America held more in store for him, and in 1862 he sailed away to new scenes and new fields of labor. He landed in New York and proceeded at once to Henry County, Illinois, and for two years was engaged in farm labor.
His adopted country being in distress and need of brave soldiers, he enlisted in 1864 in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, one of the most gallant regiments of Illinois, and one that made a very brilliant record during the war. He was in several noted battles, and did faithful service until October 31, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Selma, Alabama. While in the service of the Government he contracted a chronic disease, from which he has never recovered fully, and for which he receives a pension.
Mr. Lindburg was united in marriage November 6, 1866, to Sophia Charlson, a native of Sweden, who came to Illinois when she was twenty-two years of age. After his marriage he removed to Moline, Illinois, and remained there three years. He then came to Page County, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of wild land, where he has since resided, and has made into one of the best farms in the township. He has erected a fine house of a modern style of architecture, and this is surrounded with shade trees, making it a very attractive spot. He has planted an orchard and a grove, and the barns for stock and grain are ample, neat, and substantial.
Mr. and Mrs. Lindburg are the parents of nine children: Nels Albert, Charles Edward, John William, Matilda Louisa, Lena Elizabeth, David Theodore, Otto Enoch, Oscar Emannuel, Esther Sophia, and Gustav A., deceased. The father affiliates with the Republican party. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, and is a man of upright habits and dealings.