-100- WILLIAM L. HUNTER    William L. Hunter, a member of the well known firm of Snidecor & company, dealers in furniture, hardware and implements, in Washta, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1870. He is a son of William and Eliazabeth (Hunter) Hunter, natives of Omagh, Ireland. The father came to America -103- in 1853 and located in Philadelphia, where he engaged in draying until 1875, when he moved to La Salle county, Illinois. There he bought a farm and improved and operated this land during the remainder of his life, dying June 14, 1891. His wife survives him and resides upon the homestead.    William L. Hunter was reared and educated in La Salle county, Illinois, and remained upon his father's farm until he was twenty-three years of age. He then engaged in farming independently remaining in La Salle county until 1898, when he moved to Iowa. He farmed in Ida county until the spring of 1909, when he came to Washta, and became associated with the firm of Snidecor & Company, with which he has since been connected. The firm carries full lines of hardware, furniture and implements and it controls a large and growing patronage, for its members are straightforward and honorable business men and have steadily adhered to a sound and reliable business policy.    On the 26th of September, 1893, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage to Miss E. Belle Spaulding, a daughter of George H. and Polly (Bibbins) Spaulding, natives of New York state. The father moved to La Salle county, Illinois, in 1850 and bought and improved a farm there, remaining upon this property until his death, which occurred in October, 1908. HIs wife passed away in February, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have become the parents of five children: Elizabeth, the wife of Jesse Hamiel, of Washta; and Belle V., Ruth P., Grace A. and Ina W.    Mr. Hunter is one of the trustees in the Methodist church and he is connected fraternally with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as mayor of Washta, proving a capable and discriminating executive. He is now connected with the management of one of the most important mercantile concerns in Washta and his success is the merited reward of his own labor.

-103- CHARLES H. RHOADES    A young man of integrity and enterprise, Charles H. Rhoades has made these qualities the basis of a gratifying degree of success, being today well known in business circles of Cherokee as the founder and upbuilder of the Cherokee Rug Works. He was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1882, and acquired his education in the public schools of his native city. When he was sixteen years of age he began learning the rug business, serving his apprenticeship under C. C. Pflugfelder. He afterward learned carpentering in order that he might be able to build his own looms and at the end of a year and a half he became foreman of the Long Valley Rug Mills at Long Valley, Pennsylvania. This position he retained for three years, and at the end of that time established himself in business in Chicago. He disposed of his interests there at the end of a year and came to Cherokee, where on the 1st of November, 1912, he funded the Cherokee Rug Works, of which he has since been proprietor. His plant has grown from a small concern equipped with one loom into a factory provided with six and there is, in addition to this, a branch at Sioux City. Mr. Rhoades makes rugs of all kinds from old carpets and has -104- also a profitable cleaning department, where rugs are cleaned by means of compressed air. He employs six men in the Cherokee factory and has a salesman on the road, so that his selling territory is constantly increasing. His success demonstrates the value of specialization, for he has confined his attention to this line of business since beginning his active career and he consequently understands it in principle and detail. He is a progressive, farsighted and capable business man, well able to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.    On the 17th of March, 1912, Mr. Rhoades was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Pelton, a daughter of Watson and Margaret (Knapp) Pelton of Cherokee. Mr. Rhoades is independent in his political views and is a devout member of the Grace Lutheran church. He has made very valuable contributions to the business progress of Cherokee and has gained an individual success which places him among the men of ability and prominence in the city.

-104- GEORGE GARBER    George Garber, a prominent general merchant of Aurelia, was born in Clayton county, Iowa, in 1879, and is a son of M. L. and K. M. (Fitch) Garber, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Their marriage occurred in Clayton county, Iowa, whither both had come in childhood, and afterward the father engaged in the general merchandise business in Elkport, the name of which has since been changed to Garber in honor of Hon. Judge Garber, the grandfather of the subject of this review, who founded the town early in the '40's, built the first railroad into it and took a prominent part in all measures and movements to promote its progress. M. L. Garber continued in the mercantile business in Garber for a number of years, but eventually disposed of his interests and moved to Woodbury county, where he bought a farm, which he operated until 1906. He then retired from active life, making his home at Correctionville until his death, which occurred in 1911. His wife survives him and is now sixty-eight years of age. Four children were born to their union: H. F., who is connected with the Farmers Mercantile Company of Oto, Iowa; W. H., who operates a store for the Farmers Mercantile Company in Correctionville; George, of this review; and Maude E., who married J. Walker, a farmer near Correctionville.    George Garber acquired his education in the public schools of Woodbury county and when he was sixteen years of age began his independent career as a clerk in a mercantile establishment. In 1903 he opened a store in Diamond Center and after operating this for two years moved his stock to Aurelia, where he has since continued in business. For four years he was associated with M. Mummert, but at the end of that time purchased his partner's interests and has since conducted the enterprise alone. This he has made the leading store of its kind in the town, supplying a large trade, drawn from Aurelia and the surrounding country districts. Mr. Garber owns a fine home in the city and his business property and is a stock holder in the Peoples Telephone Company and -105- the Farmers Elevator Company. He is recognized as one of the substantial and representative citizens of the community.    On September 20, 1901, Mr. Garber married Miss Etta Waddell, who was born in Fairmont, Minnesota, but who has lived in Cherokee county since she was one year old. She is a daughter of O. D. Waddell, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Garber have two children: Rosalie E., who was born in 1903; and George, Jr., born in 1907.    Mr. Garber attends the Methodist Episcopal church and is a member of the Masonic order. He is a republican in his political beliefs. He never seeks public office, however, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs, which are capably managed and are bringing him a gratifying measure of success.

-105- A. R. MOLYNEUX    A. R. Molyneux, of Cherokee, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Cherokee county and since 1881 has been an active representative of the bar. He has the honor of having served as the first county attorney and in all of his professional career he has conformed to a high standard of professional ethics, while at the same time his devotion to his clients' interests has become proverbial. His birthplace was a farm in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, and his natal day April 29, 1856. His parents were Henry and Ellen Molyneux. The mother was born in Lancaster, England, while the father was a native of Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather of our subject, William Molyneux, came from England to the United States and planted the family tree in American soil. Henry Molyneux was born in the year 1812 and became a farmer by occupation. He continued his residence in Pennsylvania until 1867, when he removed westward to Cherokee county and secured a homestead claim in Pilot township, where he carried on general farming for almost a quarter of a century, or until his death in 1891. He was one of the first to indorse the principles of the republican party upon its organization and voted for its candidates from the time when John C. Fremont became its first standard bearer. His wife was killed in the Pomeroy cyclone.    A public-school education fitted A. R. Molyneux for entrance to college and his more advanced educational work was done in Cedar Falls College, where he pursued a literary course. He next entered the Iowa City Law School, from which he was graduated in June, 1881, and in August of the same year he entered upon active practice in Cherokee,where he has since successfully followed his profession. In the third of a century which has since elapsed his progress has been continuous, for he has been a close student of his profession, his knowledge has constantly broadened and he has become widely recognized as a most clear and logical reasoner, seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of legal principles. He was the first county attorney, being chosen for that position after the state legislature in 1886 passed a law doing away with district attorneys and providing that each county should have its chosen legal representative. He took the office in 1887 and served until 1891. He today has a large private -106- practice and his devotion to his clients' interests is noteworthy, yet he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.    Mr. Molyneux was married, in November, 1881, to Miss Emma E. Van Horn, a daughter of John H. and Sarah Van Horn, who came to this county from Canada in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Molyneux now have three living children: Maud is the wife of N. L. Styles, of Cherokee, the assistant cashier of the State Bank, and they have one daughter, Margaret. Lora L., is a teacher of physical training and Arthur resides at home.    Mr. Molyneux is a prominent representative of Masonry. He joined the order in 1886, becoming a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M. He has since attained high rank in Masonry and has filled many offices, serving as master of the lodge, as high priest of the chapter, as eminent commander of the local commandery and as grand commander of the state. He belongs to the T. S. Parvin Consistory and the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Sioux City, Iowa. He is also a member of the Eastern Star. He is an honorary member of the Grand Army of the Republic and belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He has wisely and well used the talents with which nature has endowed him for the benefit of his fellowmen and for his own legitimate advancement in professional lines and his close conformity to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship has given him place among the prominent and representative men of his adopted county.

-106- J. H. TEMPLEMAN   Full Size    J. H. Templeman, who since 1877 has resided continuously upon his farm in Pitcher township, transforming it from a raw tract into a valuable and productive property, was born in Indiana, December 4, 1840. He is a son of Joseph and Lodema A. (Hammersley) Templeman, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of New York state. Their marriage occurred in Indiana, where they lived for a few years, afterward moving to Carroll county, Illinois, where the father was appointed first assessor of Cherry Grove township. He gave his attention to general farming and followed that occupation until his death. Afterward the mother came to Iowa and died Lyon county, this state. Six children were born to their union: Hannah, the wife of John Payne, of Lyon county; J. H., of this review; W. O., of Story county, Iowa; Henrietta, who married N. C. Shore, of Geddes, South Dakota; Robert, who died in Chicago; and Joseph, of Clay county, Iowa.    J. H. Templeman acquired a limited education in the public schools of Illinois. When he was thirteen years of age his father died and he afterward took charge of the home farm, operating it until he was twenty, afterward spending two years as a monthly laborer. He followed farming in Illinois until 1877 and then moved to Cherokee county, this state, buying one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land on section 13, Pitcher township. This was entirely umimproved, but with characteristic energy Mr. Templeman broke the soil and has since carried forward the work of development along progressive and modern lines. From time to time he has added to his holdings and now owns three hundred -109- and twenty acres—land which he bought at eight dollars an acre and which he now values at two hundred dollars an acre. He is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Aurelia and the Farmers Elevator Company and is well known and favorably regarded in business circles.    Mr. Templeman's marriage occurred on the 2d of November, 1860, when he wedded Miss Mary Leonard, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Keelin Leonard. Mr. and Mrs. Templeman became the parents of four children: Carrie, who married P. D. Wine, of Aurelia; Lelia, the deceased wife of Edward Hobart; Olli, who married A. J. Johnson, cashier of the Farmers National Bank of Aurelia; and Robert, also of Aurelia.    Mr. Templeman is a member of the Life and Advent Union and is a republican in his political views. Living in Cherokee county and upon his present farm since 1877, he has become well known in the locality as a man of tried integrity, business ability and progressive public spirit.

-109- BENJAMIN F. KISSINGER    Benjamin F. Kissinger, who on July 9, 1904, died in Washta, where he had spent he later years of his life retired, enjoying the fruits of his long connection with agricultural interests of this section of the state, was born in Pennsylvania, November 22, 1842. He was a son of John and Elizabeth (Haines) Kissinger, natives of Pennsylvania, where the father engaged in farming for a number of years. He later moved to Dubuque county, Iowa, and there operated a farm during the remainder of his life.    Benjamin F. Kissinger was reared in Dubuque county and remained with is father until he was twenty-one years of age. He afterward worked in a drug store for three years, at the end of which time he went to Woodbury county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land to which he later added one hundred and twenty acres adjoining, turning his attention to general farming. For fifteen years thereafter he cultivated and improved his property, erecting there substantial barns and outbuildings and installing modern machinery. He followed the best and most progressive agricultural methods and was rewarded by a gratifying measure of success, becoming in time one of the leading agriculturists of his locality. In 1903 he retired from active life and moved to Washta where he lived until his death.    On December 29, 1867, Mr. Kissinger was united in marriage to Miss Martha Powell, a daughter of George and Anna (Smayles) Powell, natives of England. The parents came to America at an early date and located in Dubuque county, Iowa, where the father purchased land, which he operated during the remainder of his life. He died January 11, 1890, having survived his wife since April 5, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger became the parents of eight children: Belle, the wife of Robert Baldwin, a farmer in Cherokee county; George, engaged in agricultural pursuits in Woodbury county, Iowa; Edwin and Bert, who operate a shoe store in Washta; Mary, who married George Williams, of Washta; Frank, engaged in farming in Holt county, Nebraska; Charles, a farmer of Ida county; and Louis, who is farming in Holt county, Nebraska. Mrs. Kissinger survives -110- her husband and is well known in social circles of Washta, belonging to the Order of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs,    Mrs. Kissinger is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Kissinger was connected fraternally with the Masonic order and gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. During the period of his residence in Washta his liesure [leisure] enabled him to form a wide acquaintance and all with whom he came in contact recognized his splendid qualities and gave him their respect and good-will.

-110- JOHN WESLEY BRYANT    In the passing of John Wesley Bryant, Cherokee county lost a substantial and valued citizen, his church a devoted member, his associates a loyal friend and his family a loving husband and father. Mr. Bryant was born in Sterling, Jackson county, Iowa, September 6, 1857, and was a son of William and Fannie (Green) Bryant, both of whom were natives of England, the mother being born in Shepton Mallet, Somersetshire, England, August 20, 1823. On coming to the United States in 1849 they were married and crossed the continent until they reached Sterling, Jackson county, Iowa, where they took up their abode in the '40s. The father was a harness maker and followed that trade in his native country, but after crossing the Atlantic turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He came to Cherokee county in 1894 and here passed away in 1907, having for over a decade survived his wife, who died February 22, 1895. In politics he was a republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and both took a helpful part in its work, Mr. Bryant serving as a member of the board of stewards. Mrs. Bryant became a member of the church at the age of sixteen. She was a charter member of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society and a teacher in the Sunday school. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were born eight children: Henry, now a resident of Mitchell, South Dakota; Elizabeth, the wife of George Hathaway, also of Mitchell; Herbert, living in Jackson county, Iowa; John W.; and Clara, Ellen, Emma and Oliver, now deceased.    In the schools of Sterling, John W. Bryant pursued his education and through the periods of vacation worked with his father on the farm. He afterward started out in life on his own account and for two years followed farming in Jackson county, but in 1882 removed to Cherokee county, where he bought first one hundred and sixty acres and later added eighty-six acres and still later in creased his acreage until he owned three hundred and sixty acres, on which he carried on general farming and stock buying until he retired from active business life, having in the meantime acquired a handsome competency. In 1911 he arrived in Cherokee and his remaining days were here passed in well earned rest. While he followed farming there were few leisure hours and it was his industry and close application that brought him the competence that enabled him eventually to put aside further business cares.    On the 14th of February, 1882, Mr. Bryant was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Boothby, a daughter of Christopher and Mary (Garness) Boothby, of -111- Clinton county, Iowa, who were natives of England. The father was born in Appleby, Lincolnshire, on the 1st of March, 1825, and the mother was born in Goxhill on the 14th of November 1823. They were married in England and came to the United States in 1866, taking up their abode at Sterling, Jackson county, Iowa, where the father carried on farming until he removed with his family to Clinton county, this state, where his death occurred in 1905. He had for several years survived his wife, who passed away December 27, 1886. They were earnest, consistent Christian people, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father gave his political allegiance to the republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Boothby became the parents of twelve children: Mary, the wife of George Monday, living in Washington, Iowa; Thomas, William, Christopher and George, all now deceased; George, whose home is in Clinton county, Iowa; Alfred, who has passed away; Lucy, who was born in Sterling, March 15, 1859; John, a resident of Jackson county, Iowa; Robert, living in Cherokee county; Martin, whose home is in Clinton county; and Franklin, deceased.    Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were born three sons: William W., who was born May 18, 1884; Christopher T., whose birth occurred March 16, 1886; and Charles H., born February 2, 1891. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when, on the 26th of May, 1913, Mr. Bryant was called from this life. He was a republican in his political views and never neglected the duties of citizenship although he did not seek nor desire office. He was ever willing to cooperate in movements for the general good and his influence and aid were far-reaching and beneficial. He was a most faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was ever helpful in promoting its work and extending its influence. He served on the official board of stewards and for several years was superintendent of the Sunday school, and he did everything in his power to advance the interest and work of the church. So honorable and upright was his life that he left to his family that untarnished name which is rather to be chosen than great riches, yet such was the industry and business ability that he displayed that he also was able to bequeath to his family a comfortable competence. His life was, indeed, worthy and upright and he had in Cherokee county a legion of warm friends, which was proven by the fact that in point of attendance his was one of the largest funerals ever held in Cherokee county.

-111- E. C. LIGHTER    E. C. Lighter, owner of the Aurelia Sentinel and well known in journalistic circles of this part of the state, was born in Conrad, Grundy county, Iowa, in 1882. He is a son of Joseph H. and Emma (Wilhelm) Lighter, natives of Pennsylvania, who came west at a very early day and settled in Iowa. They now make their home in Pocahontas county, where since 1891 the father has published the Rolfe Reveille. To their union were born seven children: C. G., A. G., E. C., Cora E., Mabel, De Elda and Edwin. -112-    E. C. Lighter acquired his education in the public schools of Rolfe, whither he went with his parents when he was nine years of age. When he was still a boy he learned the printer's trade under his father and he has been connected with the newspaper business almost continuously since that time. In 1909 he took charge of the Marathon Republic in Marathon and he continued active in its management until May, 1912, when he came to Aurelia and purchased the SEntinel from A. S. Crabb, who had operated it for three years previously. Mr. Lighter has published this paper since that time and its circulation has increased rapidly, being now seven hundred copies weekly. He has made the paper an excellent new and advertising medium and in consequence a power in the direction of public thought and opinion.    In July, 1910, Mr. Lighter married Miss Ellen M. Selene, a native of Sweden, who came to America with her brother when she was fourteen years of age and made her home in Marathon until her marriage. She is one of a family of ten children, of whom four are now in America. Mr. and Mrs. Lighter are parents of one son, Carl Joseph, who was born June 6, 1913.    Mr. Lighter is a progressive republican in his political beliefs and a member of the Masonic lodge at Marathon. He is a progressive journalist and an able and enterprising business man, and the success he has made of the Sentinel has been a valuable factor in general progress.

-112- L. P. NELSON    L. P. Nelson, living in Aurelia, has been actively engaged in the restaurant business there for eight years. He was born in Denmark in 1862, a son of Christ and Elsie Nelson, both of whom died in that country. In their family were seven children: L. P., of this review; Nels, of Buena Vista county; Soren and Peter, both of whom reside in Cherokee county; Berthel, of Clark county, South Dakota; and two daughters still residing in Denmark.    L. P. Nelson emigrated to America in the spring of 1883 and settled in Alta, Iowa, working at various occupations in that vicinity until 1905. In that year he came to Cherokee county and settled in Aurelia, opening a restaurant which he has conducted successfully, building up during that time a large and representative patronage and becoming known as a farsighted and progressive business man. He has other important business connections, being a stockholder in the Farmers National Bank of Aurelia, the Farmers Elevator Company, the Peoples Cooperative Telephone Company and in C. Shenkberg & Company of Sioux City. He also owns a fine business house in Aurelia.    On the 29th of November, 1897, Mr. Nelson married Miss Mary Olson, who was born in Iowa in 1876, a daughter of Carl and Johannah Olson, residents of Alta. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have become the parents of two children: Elsie J., who was born January 15, 1899, and is now a student in the high school; and Wesley K., born in November, 1903.    Mr. Nelson has extensive and important fraternal affiliations, being a member of the Masonic lodge, chapter, commandery and shrine. He has passed through all the chairs of the Knights of Pythias and is a charter member of the -113- Maccabees and the Danish Brotherhood, of which latter organization he was the first president. He is a progressive republican in his political views and he takes an intelligent interest in public affairs although he never seeks office for himself. He is a man whose life has always been in keeping with high standards and he justly deserves the full measure of confidence and respect now entertained for him by all who know him.

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