JOHN C. STRAWN, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Iowa in 1871 and located at that time in New Virginia. He was married in 1873 to Adaline Crooks, a daughter of Robert Cooks, a pioneer of this county, who was burned to death in a prairie fire in an early day. They had one child—Ida May. Mr. Strawn came to Murray in 1875 and engaged in black smithing and repairing in which he met with success. He was engaged in the manufacture of plows and operated a Plow Factory in Murray. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity and a Knight of Pythias. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church.

GEORGE W. TURNER, was born in Missouri in 1841. He came to Clarke County with his parents in March, 1853, settling in Madison Township when the surrounding country was in a wild state. Here they experienced many of the phases of pioneer life, and in those days, their nearest milling point was Indianola. His vocation was farming. Mr. Turner was married in 1881 to Emma Johnson and to this union was born one son—Karl.

PETER HOFFMAN came from Germany in the early 1850's in a sailing vessell. The trip took about six months because they ran into calm weather, with no wind for some time. His brothers, Joe and Nicholas, came over also. Joseph for many years operated a hardware store and tin shop. Nicholas engaged in farming and stock raising in Madison Town­ship. (Picture above).

JOSEPH W. DANIEL came to Clarke County in the spring of 1856 and located in Doyle township. He was reared to agricultureal pursuits. His education was acquired in the log cabin schools of the day. He was married to Mary Witt in 1849 and to this union 10 children were born, nine of whom survived. They were John, Emma, Charles, Albert, Eva, William, Ella, Elijah and Mary. Mrs. Daniel died in 1877 and Mr. Daniel was again married in 1879 to Mrs. Ann Wetherell. Mr. Daniel came to Clarke Co. when but little improvements had been made, and owning to his industrious habits and excellent management had by 1886 acquired 1,065 acres of good land. He held the office of county supervisor three terms and served his township as school director and trustee. (Picture Center above)

JOHN DONNER, came to the U. S. in 1851. He worked as he traveled west, accumulated money and sent for his wife to come over to this county from Germany. The trip took him six months. They came to Iowa in 1853 and bought 40 A. in Union county for which they paid $1.25 an acre. The first tax on 40 acres was 60¢. They built a one room log cabin, cooked on a fire out doors and baked bread in a skillet. Mr. Donner went back to Illinois to work for 6 weeks cutting corn. When he returned he brought back with him a plow, a cook stove with an oven large enough for one pie pan, and a glass for the one window of the log cabin. Additional land was purchased in Clarke Co. and another log cabin was built. Three of their four children were born in this cabin—John in 1857, Charles 1860, and Elizabeth 1867, in a frame house that was built in 1865. By 1870 the Donners had bought the 240 acres which is called their "home farm". The Donners believed in education and Mr. Donner succeeded in getting a teacher, Miss Mollie Hays. School opened in 1871 and was held on the upper floor of this home. In 1872 a school house was built southwest of the farm.

CHARLES DONNER, son of John Donner, described above, was married in 1895 to Louise Wick, son of J. E. & Emma Wick. They had two daughters, Marie & Pauline (Leachman). From 1902-1907 Charles Donner and William Taylor had the Citizens bank in Murray, having built the brick building that is now the post office. (Picture above)