-169- JAMES CUNNINGHAM JORDAN HON. JAMES CUNNINGHAM JORDAN, a portrait of whom appears on the opposite page, is one of the most prominent pioneers of Polk County, Iowa, who is still a resident of Walnut Township, living in the spot where he first pitched his tent in September, 1846, and deserves especial mention in this volume. He was born in Harrison County, Va., on the 4th of March, 1813, and is a son of John and Agnes (Cunningham) Jordan, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. His family dates its settlement in Virginia back to early Colonial times. George Jordan, the grandfather of our subject was there born and participated in the War of the Revolution. Soon after the Colonists had achieved independence he removed with a portion of his family to the wilds of Illinois, about 1785, and settled on the Okaw River, near where the city of Vandalia now stands. He was indeed a pioneer of the West, having been one of the first white settlers to locate in the Mississippi Valley.    John Jordan, his only son, was born in Harrison County, Va., and made framing his principle occupation. He wedded Miss Cunningham, and when our subject was three years old removed with his family to Randolph County, W. Va., and thence a few years later went to Greenbriar County.    James Jordan passed his early life in the usual routine of farm labor an din the district schools of the neighborhood acquired his education. He had almost reached man's estate when the family removed to Fayette County, Va., and was twenty years of age when he emigrated to the Territory of Michigan, settling near Niles, where he was engaged in farming and trading. Four years later, while yet a resident of Michigan, he was married in 1837, to Miss Melinda Pitman, a native of Knox County, Ohio, and a daughter of Benjamin and Jemima Pitman. Six children were born of their union——Benjamin P. wedded Miss Mary Haines, and in engaged in the grocery business in the village of Commerce, Polk County; Emily Agnes is the wife of George P. Hanawalt, a leading physician and surgeon of Des Moines; Henry Clay, the present Postmaster of Gilmore City, Iowa, married Miss Alice Warner; (Henry C. Jordan enlisted in the Government service in Company A, -170- Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, in 1862, for three years; after two years of service, during which time he participated in many hard-fought battles——siege of Vicksburg, Champion HIlls, and other important and sanguinary engagements, he was appointed cadet to West Point as a reward for meritorious conduct while in the service). John Q. is single and resides with his father; James F., also unmarried, was the first white child born west of Des Moines in Polk County. He was appointed Government storekeeper under Arthur's administration, at Des Moines, served until Cleveland's administration came in when he was removed for offensive partizanship, since when he has been teaching; George B. married Miss Louise Wayne, and is a resident of Pocahontas County, Iowa.    After his marriage Mr. Jordan removed to Platt County, Mo., and in September, 1846, made his way by team to Polk County. He selected a site for a home in Walnut Township, near Coon River, on Section 16, pitched his tent between two burr oak trees, which were but a few paces apart and have since shaded his home. A log cabin was soon erected on the site of his present commodious and tasty residence, which has for many years not only sheltered his own family but also proved a hospitable haven for the weary traveler and landseeker of early days. Since the large and roomy mansion has taken the place of the log cabin, the same broad spread of hospitality has prevailed and the rich and poor, the high and low, have always found a cheery welcome by the old-fashioned open fire-place that has always been a striking and pleasant feature to Mr. Jordan's home, especially when the driving storms of winter keep the family within doors, and when some storm-bound traveler has sought protection and comfort in its warmth and light. Mr. Jordan made a wise selection in his choice of land and prospered from the start. He extended his possessions until he was the owner of eighteen hundred acres of land at one time. Until recently he has owned and operated a farm of six hundred acres, but reduced it considerably by sale of a $28,000 tract. Dealing in live-stock has constituted and important feature in his business, he carrying on that branch of industry on an extensive scale. At one time he fed upwards of seven hundred head of steers and fifteen hundred head of hogs, and the following season bought and sold $33,000 worth of hogs. For the past few years he has devoted most of his attention to the raising of thoroughbred Short-horn cattle and to shipping stock.    In 1855 Mr. Jordan lost his wife and the following year wedded Cynthia Adams, who was born in Canandaigua, Yates County, N.Y., and is a daughter of Cyrus Adams. Five children were born of their union, of whom two sons and a daughter are now living. Ella is the wife of John P. Cook, a farmer of Walworth Township; Calvin S., who is living in Oklahoma; Eva died at the age of ten years; Eda died when three years of age, and Edward, the youngest, is a medical student under the preceptorship of Dr. Hanawalt, of Des Moines.    Mr. Jordan was a Whig in early life and although born and reared in a pro-slavery State, was always an earnest opposer of slavery. After coming to Iowa his home in Walnut Township was often a haven for fugitive slaves while escaping to Canada. John Brown, with a small party of colored people whom he was leading to freedom, was once his welcome guest. He was on his way to Virginia accompanied by the principal ones of that band that met defeat shortly after at Harper's Ferry. Twenty-four colored people accompanied him at that time. Mr. Jordan cast his first vote for Henry Clay, for President, then being a minor, but under the ruling of the election judges he was invited to vote as his father was dead and he recognized as the head of the family. Since that time, 1832, up to the present, 1890, he has never failed to vote at the presidential elections, either for Whig or Republican candidate and is an enthusiastic admirer of President Benjamin Harrison. Mr. Jordan has taken an active interest in politics and in the fall of 1853, was elected to the State Senate by a majority of eighty-four votes, but was counted out on a account of some slight irregularity in the returns from two townships in Jasper County. He contested the seat and won, but not until his opponent, who had been admitted to a voice in the Senate, had voted on the election of United States Senator. The United States Senate, however refused to seat the member so elected, and -171- on taking his seat in the State Senate, Mr. Jordan had the privilege of voting for Mr. Harlan, who was elected. The question of the removal of the State Capitol from Iowa City to Des Moines, had been agitated several times and failed, and it was during Mr. Jordan's term of office of State Senator that the removal was accomplished and Des Moines became the capital city. That he worked faithfully and earnestly to accomplish the result so much coveted by his constituents, is well-known, and that he exerted a strong influence in support of the measure is well remembered by his surviving colleagues. He was a member of the Polk County Board of Supervisors three times under the old law, and served as President of that body. "His public spirit is indicated by his gifts to public enterprises. When the Valley Railroad proposed to extend its lines to Des Moines if $70,000 could be raised, he was one of one hundred to voluntarily tax themselves according to their last assessment to make up that amount. It cost him about $1,000 in cash to do this and his gifts to the cause of education and religion would aggregate a small fortune." His nomination and election in the fall of 1878, to the Eighteenth General Assembly, by a vote larger than his party ticket was a just compliment to his loyalty to his party and a vindication of his past political career.    For sixty years the Methodist Episcopal Church has found Mr. Jordan a faithful member and an active worker. He has contributed liberally to the building of churches and colleges and the support of the ministry, and it was under the roof of his log cabin that the first church services were held in Walnut Township and his hospitality has always been freely extended to the clergy. He contributed a large portion of the funds used in the construction of the Methodist Church, which is known as Jordan Chapel. The church having been removed from its original location to one more distant from his residence, Mr. Jordan and his wife have transferred their membership to the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Des Moines. In the history of early banking in Des Moines, Mr. Jordan's name appears as one of the Directors of the Des Moines branch of the State Bank, in which he was a stockholder, and his financial relations have been extended and important. He has led a remarkably active and useful life. Indefatigable energy, enterprise and sagacious business foresight have characterized his progress while promptness and the strictest integrity have made his name respected and his word as good as his bond. His acquaintance throughout the State among public characters is to a degree seldom acquired by one employed in agricultural pursuits, and all who know him recognize in him a man of superior intelligence, great force of character and sterling worth. Top COL. ISAAC WATTS GRIFFITH    COL. ISAAC WATTS GRIFFITH is one of the best known of Polk County's many prominent citizens. For the past eighteen years he has held the office of County Coroner, and two years will have passed ere his present term expires. He was born in in Trumbull County, Ohio, on the Western Reserve, April 2, 1820, and is a son of Philip and Lydia (Lee) Griffith. His mother was a daughter of Abijah Lee and a cousin of the late Bishop Lee, of Davenport, Iowa. Their marriage was celebrated in Montgomery County, N. Y., in 1815, and by their union was born Caroline, who is now deceased; Adeline S., widow of Albert Holcomb, is a resident of Michigan; Isaac W. is the next younger; Lois L. is the deceased wife of Houston Dilley; George W. is a resident of Wisconsin; Elvira is the widow of Mr. Bosley, of Portage County, Ohio; and Henry, after serving three years in the late war, died in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Mr. Griffith, Sr., who was a carpenter and joiner by trade, removed to Ohio, in 1816, and settled in Trumbull County, where both he and his wife spent the remainder of their days. His death occurred at the age of fifty-eight years, and his wife departed this life at the very advanced age of ninety-two years. The families of both were noted for longevity.    After leaving the district schools, where his primary education was acquired, our subject attended the academy in Farmington, Ohio, which was a branch of the Western Reserve College, located in Portage County. At the age of eighteen years -172- he started out in life for himself, having since depended entirely upon his own resources. He had no capital with which to begin life, but possessed energy and determination, and step by step has worked his way upward to a position in which he may well feel a just pride. On the 30th of August, 1838, he left Farmington, Ohio, and made an engagement wit a Mr. Grossbeck, who contracted for his services for a year. He drove a team to Ft. Madison, then known as the Black Hawk Purchase, after which he cultivated a farm for his employer until the time of his service expired, when he rented the same land and engaged in business for himself. After his crops had been gathered for the year, he went to West Point, Lee County, where he worked at the carpenter's trade. It was during his residence in West Point that, on the 17th of September, 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Eales Brand, the ceremony being performed by Parson Asa Turner, of Denmark, Iowa. The lady is a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Gilbert) Brand, both of whom belonged to early and respected families of Virginia. They emigrated from Indiana to Burlington, Iowa, in the year 1838, and later removed to West Point, where the mother died at the age of sixty-seven years, and the father at the ripe age of eighty-two years. The latter was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his father, James Brand, in the Revolution. In 1839, during the troubles concerning the boundary line between Iowa and Missouri, Col. Griffith, as a member of the State Militia, was sent to the disputed territory, where, it was feared, blood would be shed. Matters, however, were settled by the Supreme Court of the United States, and he then returned home. Shortly afterward he was appointed Lieutenant of the State Militia by Gov. Lucas, and in 1843 was commissioned Captain by Gov. Chambers. In 1846 he volunteered under the first call for troops for the Mexican War, but was unable to get in the army. Later, a regiment was organized, comprising six Ohio companies, two companies from Michigan, one from Wisconsin and a tenth from Iowa, the regiment to be commanded by George W. Morgan, of Ohio, and known as the Fifteenth United States Infantry. Our subject, as Sergeant of Company K, which formed a part of the Fifteenth Infantry, in 1847, was ordered with his regiment to Mexico to join the forces of Gen. Scott at Vera Cruz. They reported on the 10th of July of that year, and were engaged in a number of battles and skirmishes, in one of which——Churubusco——Sergt. Griffith was wounded, a ball striking him just above the elbow of the right arm. The wound proved to be of such a serious nature that it necessitated the amputation of the member. He remained with the command until October 27, 1847, when he was discharged from the service and returned to Lee County. The papers had reported him dead, a mistake occasioned by the death of a namesake, and we can imagine with what joy his wife welcomed his return.    The public has also called up Co. Griffith for his services in the political field. He was elected and served as a member of the House of Representatives in 1848, that being the second session of the State Legislature. He filled the position to the satisfaction of all concerned, and at the expiration of his term returned home, only to be appointed Deputy Sheriff of Lee County. In 1850 he went to Washington County. In 1850 he went to Washington, D. C., and by President Pierce was given a position on the police force of the capital, continuing to serve in that city a year after the occasion of James Buchanan to the Presidency. The family remained in the capital until the spring of 1858, when he was appointed Register of the United States Land office in Des Moines, which position he held until July, 1861. During the exciting times attending the breaking out of the Rebellion, it was found necessary to appoint a committee to attend to the war expenses and other such matters. Col. Griffith was one of that committee, but afterward resigned to accept the nomination for County Sheriff, which his many friends urged upon him. He was triumphantly elected in the fall of 1861, and upon the 1st day of January following, entered upon the discharge of his duties, continuing to fill the office until 1864, when he went to Memphis, Tenn. He was there appointed Deputy United States Marshal for the Western District of Tennessee, holding the office until the spring of 1868, when, with his family, he returned to Des Moines. The succeeding six years of his -173- life were spent in charge of the toll-bridge and in the pursual of various vocations, whereby he might secure a livelihood for his family. These included a number of official positions, and in 1872 he was elected to the office of Coroner of Polk County, which position he has held continuously since, covering a period of eighteen consecutive years. In the month of June, 1886, he was appointed Bailiff of the Supreme Court of Iowa, and is also the present incumbent of that position. He was successively appointed by Govs. Merrill, Kirkwood and Newbold, on the gubernatorial staff, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel of Cavalry.    We now return to the domestic relations of Mr. Griffith. By his union with Miss Brand a family of four children was born, but the eldest died in infancy. Stephen S., who faithfully served his country during the late war, as a member of Company K, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, and died in 1877, from disease contracted while in the service. He wedded Miss Martha A. Skinner, who, with their only child, Carrie L., now makes her home in Des Moines; Albert Lee, who was born in Lee County, Iowa, October 10, 1846, and fought as one of the boys in blue of Company C, Eighth Iowa Regiment, wedded Miss Mary Russell, by whom he has two children, Frank and Lena, and also makes his home in this city; Augustus J., who was born December 26, 1850, in Lee County, is now a telegraph operator and railroad man; he married Miss Hattie E. Waterbury, and they also have two children, Isaac W. and Charles M. Almost half a century has passed since Mr. and Mrs. Griffith, as man and wife, started out on life's journey. Should they be spared until the 17th of September, 1890, it will be the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. Tee greater part of their married life has been spent in Iowa, and for many years they have made their home in Des Moines, and with the best interests of the city have ever been identified. They are earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the poor and needy have received from them help in many times of trouble. Socially, the Captain is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he has been connected for forty years, and also belongs to the G. A. R. Post, of Des Moines. In 1888 he went as a delegate to the Grand Army of the Republic Encampment at Columbus, Ohio, and there met Col. Morgan, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, his old colonel under whom he served in the Mexican War. Many were the reminiscences and tales told of those bygone days, and it is needless to say the meeting was one of great enjoyment to both. The record of Col. Griffith is one of which his friends, children and descendants may well be proud. His career in the social, business and political world has ever been such as to win the respect and well wishes of all with whom he came in contact. He was a faithful soldier during the Mexican War and a loyal and patriotic citizen throughout the Rebellion. He well deserves mention in this volume, and it is with pleasure that we record this sketch. Top GOV. BENJAMIN F. GUE    GOV. BENJAMIN F. GUE, who has been a resident of Iowa since 1852, was born in Greene County, N.Y., December 25, 1828, and is a son of John and Catherine (Gurney) Gue. His father was born in Westchester County, N.Y., while his mother was a native of Dutchess County of the same State. The first known ancestor of our subject that came to America was an exile from France, who settled in Ulster County, N.Y., about the year 1761. On the mother's side the family was of English origin, Mrs. Gue being a lineal descendant of the Hon. Joseph John Gurney, who was a member of the English Parliament.    The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on a farm and educated in the Canadaigua Academy and at East Bloomfield. In the spring of 1851, he emigrated to Iowa and settled in Scott County, where he was engaged in farming. He was married in Davenport on the 12th of November, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Parker, who was descended from an old Vermont family that settled in Allegany County in an early day. She came to Iowa with her parents in 1840, and became a resident of Scott County, teaching school several years before her marriage. Mr. and -174- Mrs. Gue are the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters——Horace G., Alice, Gurney and Katherine.    Gov. Gue continued to reside in Scott County until 1864, when he removed to Ft. Dodge and purchased the Ft. Dodge Republican, and changed its name to the "North West" which paper he edited and conducted for nine years. The political career of our subject began in the fall of 1857, when at the age of twenty-nine he was elected to the Iowa Legislature, from Scott County, and served four years. He was then called to the office of State Senator and served four years in the Upper House, after which he was elected Lieutenant-Governor of the State for a period of two years. In 1866, he was elected President of the Board of Trustees of the Agricultural College at Ames, and was most actively engaged in the management, construction of and organization of the college for six years. Gov. Gue has been the leading spirit in the matter of establishing that important institution; in connection with R. A. Richardson he was the author of the bill providing for the founding of the college, which they succeeded in having passed at the session of 1858. In 1864, while a member of the Senate, he assisted Mr. Clarkson, Sr., in drafting a bill which provided for the sale of the lands of the agricultural college land grant. The lands were sold in accordance with the provisions of that bill and the college has since received an annual income of from $40,000 to $60,000 from that source. He was Chairman of the commission to visit the various agricultural colleges of the United States and examine into their plans of organization, their success or failure, for the benefit of the new Iowa College. For two years he gave most of his time to this important work. In 1867 he made an elaborate report to the Board of Trustees recommending a plan of organization, which was adopted and upon which the college has for twenty-three years been successfully conducted. He selected the first faculty, at the head of which was that distinguished educator President A. S. Welch, who for eighteen years filled the executive chair with marked ability.    Gov. Gue continued to reside in Ft. Dodge until 1872, when he sold out the North West and the same year removed to Des Moines, where he has since mad his home. During his residence in the former place he also held the office of Postmaster for two years. On coming to this city he took editorial charge of the Iowa Homestead, a State agricultural paper, and continued his connection with that journal until December of that year, when he sold his interest and accepted the appointment of United States Pension Agent, which he received at the hands of President Grant. He held that position for eight consecutive years, during which time he discharged the duties of the office with fidelity and promptness. At the close of his term of office in 1880, in company with his eldest son, Mr. Gue repurchased the Iowa Homestead, which they published four years, during which time they greatly increased its circulation and built it up into a valuable property. They sold out in the fall of 1883, and from that time until the present, the Governor has devoted his attention to gathering the material for an elaborate history of Iowa.    Gov. Gue and his wife were members of the Unitarian Church, with which they became connected in 1875. The Governor owns a fruit farm, which is situated about five miles east of Des Moines, and in fact has never been without a farm since he reached man's estate. For several years he has devoted most of his time to his history of Iowa, and has made considerable progress in the preparation of the work, the first volume being nearly completed.    Gov. Gue is one of the prominent public men of the State and enjoys an extended acquaintance among its best citizens. His connection with the Agricultural College from its inception to its completion and successful operation has been distinguished by earnest and wise forethought, while the results of his influence in connection with the legislation relating to that institution will long be felt. In manner, the Governor is unassuming, but earnest where duty demands an aggressive stand. His course in public as well as private life has been distinguished by a high standard of honor and the strictest purity. He is an able writer, as a journalist ranks as a peer of the brightest in Iowa. Correct and methodical in the dispatch of business, he has proved himself possessed of good executive ability, and has discharged with exactness and fidelity every public -175- trust reposed in him. The forth coming history of Iowa on which he is engaged can not fail to prove a work of great interest, and to be a standard on the subject of the annals of the Hawkeye State. NOTE: I have located two series that Mr. Gue wrote; they were published in 1903 (he would have been 75 years of age at that time). One is a four volume series called "History of Iowa from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century"; I will be placing this set online, at some date in the future, as I just purchased the set. The other is called "Iowa during the Civil War", which I have only been able to locate Vol. II, so am still looking to see how many volumes there were, and to try and obtain them. Top JAMES C. McWILLIAMS    JAMES C. McWILLIAMS, deceased, was born November 8, 1817, in Ross County, Ohio, and was a son of Philip and Eleanor (Collier) McWilliams, both of whom were noatives of Pennsylvania. On the paternal side the family is of Irish descent, and on the maternal of Scotch origin. Philip McWilliams was a farmer by occupation, and removing to Ohio, in early life, followed that business in the Buckeye State until his death, which occurred about the year, 1880. His wife died a number of years previous, in 1863. They had a large family of twelve children, eight of whom are living at this writing: William, a resident of Mahaska County, Iowa; Thomas, who makes his home in Kansas; John living in Ohio; Ruthiford, also of Ohio; Samuel and Newton, both of Kansas; Jane, wife of William Murray, of the Buckeye State; and Mary, wife of Isaac Johnson, of Ohio.    As James McWilliams was one of the best known of the pioneer settlers of Polk County, and ranked among its leading citizens, we feel that this sketch will be of interest to many of our readers. He received no special advantages in his youth, yet by his upright life and honorable career, won for himself a place in the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. He attended the common schools of the neighborhood, and remained under the parental roof until attaining his majority, when he started life for himself. He first purchased a small farm near the old homestead, in his native State, and for sixteen years engaged in its cultivation and development. Thinking to better his condition and provide a better home for his family by a removal to the West, he came to Iowa, in 1856, locating in Mahaska County, where he purchased land and followed his chosen occupation for seven years. His next place of residence was Polk County, where a period of two years was spent, when he became a resident of Warren County, where he followed agricultural pursuits for about twelve months. Satisfied that he had made a mistake by his last change of residence, he returned to Polk County at the end of that time and purchased forty acres of land on section 33, Bloomfield Township, where he was living at the time of his death. He was an excellent farmer, a good business man and did all in his power to secure a comfortable home for his family, in whom he felt the deepest interest. He could not do too much to promote their welfare and enhance their happiness, and found no task too great, which would administer to their comfort.    Mrs. McWilliams still survives her husband and is living on the old homestead. Her maiden name was Miss Nancy McCarter, she being a daughter of Robert and Mary (Brown) McCarter. Her father was a native of Ireland, but when only three years of age was brought by his grandfather to America. He also made farming his life work, following the same in Highland County, Ohio, until his death which occurred in May, 1854. His wife, who was born in Virginia, died in 1818, when their only child, Nancy, was but six months old.    The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams was celebrated March 12, 1839, and their union was blessed with a family of nine children: Mary E. became the wife of W. S. Canon, a druggist of Elkhorn, Neb., but died leaving two children; Sarah J., widow of Elisha B. Yeoman, has three children, Frank F., who resides in California; Frederick J., a resident of Grant City, Mo.; Edgar W., who is still at home. Evalilne, the third child is now deceased; Susanna is the wife of William H. Shaw, a grocer of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and they have two children——Eleanor and Earnest; Clara B. wedded Edward Wycoff, a grocer of Des Moines, and they have one daughter, Nora; Amzi married Maria Holcomb, and died, leaving two children——George and Jessie; Wilson married Naomi Geil, but both are now deceased; they leaving one child, Ollo; Frank, who wedded Belle Robertson, by whom he has one child, Maude, is living in Carroll County, Iowa; Orrin wedded Mary Bingham, by whom he had one child, Guy, but both mother and son are -176- are now deceased. Orrin resides in Carroll County.    Mr. McWilliams, the father of the family, supported the Democratic party from the time he attained his majority until his death. He held the office of road supervisor for several years, and was also treasurer of the school district for a number of terms. All public enterprises calculated to promote the general welfare received his hearty support and co-operation, and he gave liberally for the advancement of educational, social and moral interests. He was called to his final rest May 23, 1889, and his remains were interred in Oak Grove Cemetery. He was a kind and loving husband and father, and by all who knew him was held in the highest esteem. His wife, who bore her share in the hardships and trials of life, and proved a true helpmate to her husband, is also greatly beloved by those who know her. Top JONATHAN P. FRENCH    JONATHAN P. FRENCH, who is engaged in fruit-growing on section 17, Bloomfield Township, has been a resident of Polk County for a third of a century. A wide awake and progressive citizen, he has felt a deep interest in all public affairs, manifesting the same by the liberal support which he has given to its public enterprises and the important part which he has borne in its upbuilding and development. At the time of his arrival the now beautiful city of Des Moines contained but three thousand inhabitants and the entire county was in a like unpopulated condition.    Mr. French is a native of New Hampshire, born November 12, 1832, and son of Moses and Hannah (Philbrick) French. His paternal grandfather, Moses French Sr., who was born in 1755, served his country through seven years of the Revolutionary War. He was a farmer by occupation and followed that business until his death, which occurred March 14, 1834. His wife died May 4, 1830. Their son, Moses French Jr., also engaged in agricultural pursuits as a means of livelihood. He made his home in Deerfield, Rockingham County, N.H., where he lived until his death, which occurred November 12, 1868. He survived his wife twenty-eight years, she being called to her final home in 1840. Their remains were laid side by side in Deerfield Center Cemetery. Their family numbered seven children as follows: Mary A., deceased wife of Jackson Cram, a resident of Deerfield, N.H.; Eleanor B., widow of Nathaniel B. Adams of Merrimac County, N.H.; Jonathan P. of this sketch; Moses F. who resides on the old homestead; Hannah P. and Sarah A. who are now deceased, and Samuel S. who died in infancy. The parents were earnest, consistent Christian people and early instilled into the minds of their children principles of industry and morality.    Our subject received his literary education in the common schools of his native State and upon his father's farm was reared to manhood. He desired to pursue some other occupation than that which his ancestors had followed and so at the age of eighteen years entered a printing office at Concord, N.H., to learn the trade. When his term of apprenticeship had expired and he had thoroughly mastered the business, he went to Boston, Mass., where for a short time he worked on the Boston Traveler. Later he went to Cambridge where he was employed in a printing office until 1856, which year witnessed his arrival in Iowa. He made his first location in Iowa City, but after working at his trade for about three months came to Des Moines, following the same business until 1860. He was then made foreman of the Register office, which position he held until 1868, when ill health forced him to abandon his chosen work and seek employment in another field of labor. The close confinement proved injurious to him and in order to counteract its influence he determined to engage in fruit growing, which business would necessarily keep him in the open air the greater part of the time. He therefore purchased twenty acres of land on section 17, Bloomfield Township and with excellent success has carried on gardening and fruit-growing to the present day. He finds a ready market for his products and has gained a comfortable competence which ranks him among the prosperous citizens of the community.    Mr. French was joined in wedlock on the 10th of October, 1858, with Miss Helen L., daughter of Stephen and Eliza Bennett, both of whom were natives -177- of the Empire State. Her father engaged in the furniture and cabinet-making business in Farmington, Ill., for many years. His death occurred in that city in 1860, and his wife died ten years later. Of their three children, Mrs. French, who was born June 17, 1839, is the eldest; Chester S. is now deceased, and Josephine is the wife of Garrett S. Guild. To Mr. and Mrs. French were born five children——Frank A., a resident of Des Moines; Ella B., wife of Ralph G. Durrette of Logan, Iowa; Arthur P., who resides in Des Moines, and Charles and Edward now deceased.    Mr. French is a warm friend of education and gave his children liberal advantages in that direction. He supports the principles of the Republican party and both he and his wife are active workers in the Baptist Church to which they belong. Return to top Next page This nonprofit research site is an independent affiliate of the American History and Genealogy Project (AHGP), and proud to be hosted by USGenNet, a nonprofit historical and genealogical Safe-Site Server™ solely supported by tax-deductible contributions. 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