-127- L. H. DYSLIN    L. H. Dyslin, a progressive and prosperous farmer of Cherokee county, owning one hundred acres of land on section 11, Pitcher township, was born near Lanark, Carroll county, Illinois, on November 20, 1865. He is a son of Clark and Eugenia (Wilcox) Dyslin, natives of New York state, who moved to Illinois in 1864 and settled in Carroll county, near Lanark. There the father engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, retiring from active life in 1903. Thereafter he made his home in Lanark until the death of his wife in 1906, since which time he has lived with the subject of this review. In his family were three children: L. H., of this sketch; Ursula, the deceased wife of Theodore Wilkins, of Lanark, Illinois; and Walter, of Freeport, Illinois.    L. H. Dyslin remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age and then moved to Iowa, settling in Cherokee county, where he worked as a farm laborer for four years. At the end of that time he rented land and in 1895 purchased one hundred acres lying on section 11, Pitcher township. This is a highly improved farm, well equipped in every particular, and reflects everywhere the care and supervision which the owner bestows upon it.    On March 17, 1892, Mr. Dyslin married Miss May Farr, a native of Minnesota and a daughter of James Farr, who came to Iowa in 1881, passing away in this state. In his family were four children: A. C., of Parker, South Dakota; May, the wife of the subject of this review; Lottie B., of Colorado; and Kittie, the deceased wife of J. C. Burgess. Mr. and Mrs. Dyslin became the parents of six children: Hazel, who was born in 1895 and who is a graduate of the high school; Eugenia, who was born in 1899; James, twin to Eugenia, who died at the age of two; Charley, born in 1901; Marvel, born in 1903; and Chester, born in 1906. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.    Mr. Dyslin give his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as a member of the school board, although he is not active as an office seeker -128- He has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is well known in the affairs of that organization. A man of industry, enterprise and sagacity, he has carefully managed his business interests, so that he is today one of the leading agriculturists of Cherokee county.

-128- GEORGE E. FRENCH, D. V. S.    Dr. George E. French, controlling a large patronage as a veterinary surgeon in Marcus, was born in Canada, April 21, 1860, and is a son of John and Jane (Ward) French, the former a native of England and the latter of Canada. The father moved to the Dominion about the year 1852 and worked at the mason's trade there until September, 1867, when he moved to Jackson county, Iowa. There he rented land and operated a farm until 1871, when he came to Cherokee county, purchasing property in Amherst township. During the period of his connection with agricultural interests here he encountered many obstacles and reverses, losing his crops on account of grasshoppers at one time and meeting also with a great deal of trouble on account of the severe winters. He was at one time in one of the outbuildings upon his farm when a blizzard came on and was obliged to remain there for three days before he could get to his home. However, he carried forward the work of improving his property along progressive and modern lines and eventually met with success. He died in October, 1908, having survived his wife two years.    Dr. George E. French was eleven years of age when his parents moved to Cherokee county and he completed here an education begun in Jackson county. After laying aside his books he remained upon the farm with is father until he was twenty-seven years of age and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Amherst township. After operating and improving this for three years he sold the farm, receiving eighty-seven dollars and fifty cents an acre of land which he had bought at twelve dollars an acres. He moved into Marcus and was connected for eight years with the dray business, after which he took up the study of veterinary surgery. After receiving his degree he established himself in business in Marcus and he is now in control of a large patronage, his skill and ability being widely recognized.    On the 12th of December, 1886, Dr. French married Miss Clara Bryant, a daughter of William and Fanny Bryant, natives of England. Mrs. French passed away in 1889, leaving a daughter, Edna, who is now the wife of R. E. Barnes, of Cherokee. On the 12th of October, 1892, Dr. French was again married, his second union being with Miss Alice Smith, a daughter of Herbert A. and Elsie (Hazzard) Smith, natives of Vermont and New York respectively. The father went to Winona, Illinois, as a young man and engaged in the meat business there for a number of years. In 1890 he moved to Cherokee county and after farming for three years retired, moving to Marcus, where he now resides. Dr. and Mrs. French have become the parents of a son, Merle, aged nineteen.    Dr. French is a member of the Methodist church, is connected fraternally with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and gives his political allegiance -129- to the republican party. In addition to his home on Locust street in Marcus he owns also a half section of land in South Dakota. He is one of the most successful veterinary surgeons in this part of the state and stands high in social and professional circles.

-129- ROBERT MILES    Robert Miles, a resident of Cherokee county for the past forty-two years, is numbered among the prosperous and representative agriculturists of Liberty township, owning and cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 35 and three hundred and twenty acres on section 1. His birth occurred in Cambridgeshire, England, on the 23d of November, 1844, his parents being Robert and Ann (Watts) Miles, who were likewise natives of that country. The father, who was born in 1811, devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits in England throughout his active business career and there passed away in 1882.    Robert Miles, Jr., attended the school of his native land in the acquirement of an education and remained at home with his parents until 1864. When a young man of twenty years he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing in New York city. Thence he made his way direct to Iowa and for a period of seven years worked as a farm hand in Linn county. Subsequently he came to Cherokee county and operated a rented farm in Sheridan township until 1874. In that year he took up his abode on a tract of forty acres on section 35, Liberty township, which he had acquired in 1872, subsequently extending its boundaries by additional purchase, until it now embraces one hundred and sixty acres. He also came into possession of three hundred and twenty acres on section 1, Liberty township, and has improved all of his property until it is now very valuable. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has won a gratifying and merited measure of success, his well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.    On January 26, 1871, Mr. Miles was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Barger, who was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, on the 18th of April, 1847, her parents being John and Mary A. (Rohrer) Barger, likewise natives of the Keystone state. The father came to Iowa in an early day and throughout the remainder of his life resided near Cedar Rapids, working at various occupations. His demise occurred in 1873, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Miles are the parents of seven children, as follows: Anna M.; Abbie Dell; William L.; Robert R. and Rosa May, twins; Edith L.; and Bessie B., and they have an adopted daughter, Bessie S.    Mr. Miles gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served his fellow townsmen in several positions of public trust. He is now acting as assessor of Liberty township, and has served in that capacity for the past two years, while at a previous period he held the position for twelve years. He likewise served as township trustee from 1882 until 1888 and has also been road supervisor and school director, ever discharging his public duties in a commendable -130- able and efficient manner. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the community, having won the unqualified confidence and regard of all with whom they have come in contact throughout the period of their residence here.

-130- A. McKINNEY   Full size    A. McKinney, a prominent and leading citizen of Cleghorn, is a well known representative of financial interests as president of the Cleghorn State Bank, which he purchased in 1908. His birth occurred in Highland county, Ohio, on the 10th of November, 1845, his parents being Jesse and Ann Rebecca (Crone) McKinney. He was a native of Ross county, Ohio, while she was a native of Highland county. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, removed to Polk county, Iowa, in 1857, having traded his property for a farm in that county, and there devoted his attention to the work of the fields throughout the remainder of his life, improving his place until it became very valuable. Jesse McKinney and Ann R. Crone were married in 1842 at Centerfield, Ohio, and by this union there were five children, of whom three are now living: Abijah, the subject of this review; Sarah M., the wife of D. M. Prunty, of Cleghorn, Iowa; and Alameda, residing in Runnells, Iowa, on the old homestead. Mrs. McKinney passed away June 15, 1850. In 1851 at her home near Centerfield, Ohio, Mr. McKinney married Margaret A. Dodds of Highland county, Ohio. To this union were born four children, of whom two survive: Henry V., who resides in Des Moines, Iowa; and Jesse, residing in Runnells, Iowa. Mrs. Margaret McKinney passed away in March, 1897, and her husband's death occurred on the 20th of July, 1897.    A. McKinney acquired his education in the district schools of Polk county, this state, and followed the profession of teaching in the years 1864 and 1865. Subsequently he attended a Baptist school at Pella, then called Iowa University, and after leaving the institution in 1867 again turned to the profession of teaching, acting as an instructor until April, 1870. At that time he purchased and unimproved sixty-nine acres of land in Polk county, Iowa, devoting his attention to its cultivation until the spring of 1876, when he disposed of the property and came to Cherokee county. Here he cultivated rented land in Marcus township until 1881, when he purchased a tract of two hundred and forty acres on section 17, Liberty township, began its improvement and remained busily engaged in its operation until the spring of 1901. At that time he leased the property and removed to Des Moines in order that his daughter might have better educational facilities. In July, 1908, he returned to Cherokee county and located at Cleghorn, purchasing the Cleghorn State Bank, which he has since ably conducted. The officers of the institution are as follows: A. McKinney, president; R. C. McKinney, cashier; and L. L. Patton, assistant cashier. The bank, which was organized in 1892, has a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, and deposits amounting to two hundred thousand dollars. As its chief executive officer Mr. McKinney has contributed in no uncertain degree to the continued growth and success of the institution. -133-    On the 14th of March, 1872, Mr. McKinney was untied in marriage to Miss Jane Prunty, a daughter of Elias and Harriett (Cassel) Prunty, who were natives of Kentucky and Illinois respectively. About 1874 the father came to Cherokee county from Jasper county, Iowa, where he had followed farming principally but also worked at the painter's trade. He purchased eight acres of land in Marcus township, this county, and cultivated the place until the death of his wife in July, 1876. Throughout the remainder of his life he resided with his children, passing away in September, 1895. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McKinney were born five children, namely: Virgil I., an agriculturist of this county; R. C., who acts as cashier of the Cleghorn State Bank; Sarah Amnia, who was born on the 17th of July, 1876, and died on the 9th of January, 1877; Robert Francis, an electrical engineer, residing at Mechanisville, New York; and Anna I., who is the wife of LeRoy Hidinger, of Memphis, Tennessee. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 25th of June, 1907, passing away after a short illness. The family home in Cleghorn, a handsome and attractive residence, is owned by our subject.    In his political views Mr. McKinney is independent. He has served as county supervisor for three years, acted as clerk of Liberty township and also in the capacity of trustee and has served on the town council of Cleghorn, discharging all of his duties in an efficient and commendable manner. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church. He is a dignified, courteous gentleman, of kindly spirit and strong principles, who brought his marked individuality has left an impress for good upon the community in which he has so long resided.

JOHN JUNGERS    Since 1894 John Jungers has lived retired in Marcus, his period of leisure following many years of close connection with business interests of the city as a successful hotel keeper. He was born in Belgium, on the 17th of January, 1832, and is a son of Peter and Margaret (Hess) Jungers, also natives of that country. The father followed farming there and never came to America, dying in 1837. His wife survived him until 1845.    John Jungers was reared and educated in Belgium and remained in that country until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1853 he came to America and located in New York, where he remained two years. He then moved to Wisconsin and lived ten years among the Indians, after which he moved to Red Wing, Goodhue county, Minnesota and turned his attention to farming. At the end of eleven years, in 1876, he came to Marcus, Iowa, and erected the first hotel in the town, conducting it for eighteen years thereafter. He managed his interests carefully and accumulated in time a comfortable competency, upon which he was enabled to retire from active life in 1894. He erected a comfortable house in the southeast part of the town and in this he has since resided, making it a hospitable meeting place for his many friends.    On the 2d of October, 1856, Mr. Jungers married Miss Annie Poole, a daughter of John B. and Elizabeth (Surtzer) Poole, natives of Belgium. The -134- parents came to America and located in New York in 1845, remaining there for eleven years. They afterward moved to Wisconsin and thence to Minnesota, the father dying in the latter state in 1873. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Jungers became the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are yet living, as follows: Elizabeth, Josephine, Barbara, Mary, Kate, Helen, Genevieve and Frank. John and Sylvester have passed away and two died in infancy.    Mr. Jungers is a member of the Methodist church and he always votes independently. During the thirty-seven years he has lived in Marcus he has taken an active part in public affairs, serving as mayor, on the town council and as a member of the school board. Now that he has reached the age of eighty-one he is enjoying a well earned rest, his period of leisure coming after many years of close and persevering labor.

-134- RAY ADSIT    On the roster of county officials in Cherokee county appears the name of Ray Adsit, who has ably discharged the duties devolving upon him as treasurer for the past eight years. He owns and resides upon a farm adjoining the city of Cherokee. His birth occurred in Decorah, Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 8th of January, 1871, his parents being William C. and Sarah (Allison) Adsit, the former a native of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and the latter of Caniesteo, New York. William C. Adsit, an agriculturist by occupation, removed to Decorah, Iowa and was there elected county surveyor. In 1876 he came to Cherokee and embarked in the mercantile business. Here he likewise served in the capacity of county surveyor for six years and for a similar period held the position of county auditor, proving a capable and trustworthy public official. He also owned and operated a farm for a time but is now living retired, spending the evening of life in well earned ease. Both he and his wife have resided in Cherokee county continuously for the past thirty-seven years and are well known and highly esteemed within its borders. Mr. Adsit is a republican in his political views and a Congregationalist in religious faith, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His children are as follows: Lottie, who is a resident of Massachusetts; Louis, living in Los Angeles, California; Addie, who is deceased; William, of Cherokee, Iowa; Ray, of this review; Ruth who makes her home in Laramie, Wyoming; and Charles of Huron, South Dakota.    Ray Adsit obtained his early education in the public schools of Cherokee and later pursued a commercial course at Omaha, Nebraska. He subsequently spent four years on his father's ranch in that state and then resided on a homestead claim in South Dakota for two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Cherokee and on the 1st of January, 1895, began his duties as deputy auditor under his father. On the 1st of January, 1905, he was elected county treasurer and has held this office throughout the intervening eight years, his services in that connection being highly satisfactory and efficient. -135-    As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Adsit chose Miss Mary Edna Townsend, a daughter of David W. and Mary Townsend, of Cherokee, Iowa. They have one daughter, Helene, at home. Mr. Adsit gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has fraternal relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In all of his dealings he has been thoroughly reliable and straightforward and, moreover, his influence is at all times in favor of those projects and measures which promote general progress, improvement and growth.

-135- JOHN L. CHAPIN    John L. Chapin was a pioneer in Iowa and since 1869 has lived in Cherokee county. During the intervening period he has been closely connected with agricultural interests of this locality and in the management of his affairs proved so successful that he is now able to live retired. He was born in Madison county, Indiana, October 27, 1844, and is a son of Orrin and Martha (White) Chapin, natives of Kentucky. The father went to Indiana about the year 1837 and took up government land which he improved and operated until his death in 1850. He had survived his wife since 1846.    John L. Chapin was bound out at the age of seven and he worked until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Company I, Fifty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving until 1863. After the siege of Vicksburg his health failed and he left his regiment at New Orleans, where he remained in a hospital for three weeks. At the end of that time he returned home but spent the following winter under a doctor's care. In 1868 he made his first settlement in Iowa, locating in Tama county, where he spent one year, during the greater part of which he was seriously ill. On the 23d of March, 1869, he moved to Cherokee county, took up a government claim and purchased a breaking outfit with which he began breaking the soil upon his property. From that time on his health steadily improved and he operated his farm for many years thereafter. In 1886 he purchased forty acres on section 13, Sheridan township, adjoining the town of Meriden, and he continued to reside upon this property for a number of years, carrying forward the work of its cultivation along modern and practical lines. He also owned one hundred and sixty acres in O'Brien county. In 1912, feeling that he had earned a period of rest and leisure, he sold his holdings and retired from active life, moving into Meriden, where he has since resided.    On the 15th of January, 1873, Mr. Chapin married Miss Zilliah Tyner, a daughter of Sidney and Eliza (Carver) Tyner, natives of Wabash county, Indiana. the parents moved to Tama county, Iowa, in 1866, and purchased land which the father improved and operated until 1885. In that year he sold his holdings and moved to Kansas, where he resided until his death, which occurred in September, 1902. His wife survived him only a few months, dying in May, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Chapin became the parents of ten children: Corwin C., who is engaged in the drug business in Montana; Mary E., the wife of William Gundry, a farmer in Cedar township; Orville G., whose death occurred in 1877; Ella, at home; Mamie I., who passed away in 1898; Arthur A., whose -136- death occurred in 1903; Cora D., the wife of Orville Foxworthy, of Coon Rapids; Edith E., at home; Minerva E., who married Allan A. Anderson, of Remsen, Iowa; and Geralding M., at home.    Fraternally Mr. Chapin is identified with the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of the Grand ARmy of the Republic. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a devout member of the Methodist church. He has served as trustee of Cherokee township and as a member of the town council, proving himself capable and trustworthy in both offices. Having been a resident of Cherokee county for forty-four years he has become very well known in the locality and he holds the esteem and confidence of his neighbors and friends.

-136- A. W. MELTON    A. W. Melton has been engaged in farming in Cherokee county since 1900 and is now half owner of three hundred and sixty acres of fine land located on sections 8 and 9, Afton township. He was born in Winnebago coutny, Illinois, in 1874, and is a son of William and Elizabeth Melton, the former a native of England and the latter of Illinois. The father came to America with his parents when he was eight years of age and settled in Illinois, whre he resided until his death in 1901, following farming during his entire active life. His wife survived him several years, passing away in 1910. To their union were born five children: A. W., the subject of this review; George, of Afton township; E. S., of the same locality; Mary, the wife of William Higgins, of Boone county, Illinois; and one, who died in infancy.    A. W. Melton acquired his education in the public schools of Illinois, and he remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age. In 1900 he moved to Iowa and settled in Cherokee county, whre in partnership with his brother he bought two hundred and forty acres of land. To this they have since added, their holdings now comprising three hundred and sixty acres, lying on sections 8 and 9, Afton Township. The farm is well cultivated and improved and is ranked among the finest agricultural properties in this section of the state.    On February 14, 1900, Mr. Melton married Miss Nora Steward, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Alanson and Malilnda (Welter) Steward, natives of Canada. The aprents came to the United States in 1846 and settled in Illinois, where the father operated a farm until his death, which occurred in 1908. His wife survived him one year. To their union were born ten children: Ella, the wife of Stanley Farmer, of Idaho; Nelson, of South Dakota; William, of Illinois; Mary, who married Wesley Boughner, of Rockford, Illinois; Hattie, who resides in Alberta, Canada; Alanson, of Oregon; James and Charles, of Illinois; Nora, wife of the subject of this review; and Bird, who married Thomas Burns, of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Melton have become the parents of two children: Lester A., who was born March 9, 1902; and Lula Irene, born March 27, 1907.    Mr. Melton is conected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He was for two terms trustee of his township and has been road supervisor of three -137- districts since he settled in the county. He is a man whose success and the methods by which it has been attained have given him a high standing in the community and he is acknowledged to be a substantial and representative citizen.

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