-365- JOHN R. FARRAN    John R. Farran, one of the best known stock-raisers in Cherokee county, operating three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 11, Rock township, was born in this county in August, 1882. He is a son of William and Eleanor (Grace) Farran, natives of Maine, who came to Wisconsin at an early date. There the father engaged in farming until 1878, when he moved to Cherokee county and bought land in Rock township which he improved and operated during the remainder of his life. He died June 25, 1912, at the age of sixty-four. He and his wife became the parents of six children: Miriam, the wife of Hubert Gates, a farmer of Sheridan township; Andrew, who died May 14, 1889, at the age of eleven years; James a farmer of Alberta, Canada; John R., the subject of this review; William, who is operating the home farm in Rock township; and Nellie, the wife of Carl Johnson, foreman of the machine shops of the Illinois Central Railroad Company at Matoon, Illinois. -366-    John R. Farran was reared in Cherokee county and acquired his education in the district schools. He remained upon his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age and then became a farm laborer, working thus for one year. At the end of that time he rented a farm in Rock township and has since engaged in agricultural pursuits upon rented land, operating today the Riggs farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 11, Rock township. He follows always the best and most practical agricultural methods and his success places him among the representative agriculturists of his locality. He is a stock-raiser on an extensive scale, feeding on an average four hundred head of cattle a year. During the winter of 1912 he shipped twenty-one cars of cattle, and he also does a large business in Duroc Jersey hogs, handling over sixty thousand dollars' worth of stock in one year. He is known as an expert judge of stock values and has done much to promote stock-raising interests in this locality.    On the 5th of December, 1908, Mr. Farran married Miss Mabel Gates, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Hinkledie) Gates, natives of Germany. The parents came to America at an early date and located in Cherokee county, where the father purchased land, which he operated until his death in 1902. His wife survives him and is living upon the homestead in Sheridan township. Mr. and Mrs. Farran have become the parents of two children: Nellie, aged four; and Mildred.    Mr. Farran is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Highland Nobles and the Rebekahs. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, served two years as constable and is at present township trustee. Although he is still a young man he has already made his influence felt as a progressive farmer in agricultural circles, and in his ability, energy and enterprise are guaranties [guarantees] of future progress.

-366- JOHN C. MONTAGUE    John C. Montague, who is living in retirement in Washta after thirty years of close and prominent connection with agricultural interests of Cherokee county, was born in Houston, Texas, November 14, 1847, a son of John F. and Grace (Garrells) Montague, natives of Germany. Their marriage occurred in that country, where the father worked as a laborer until 1845, when he came to the United States, locating in Galveston, Texas, and afterward purchasing a farm near Houston. He returned to Germany in 1852 and there remained until 1864, when he moved to Clinton county, Iowa, where he lived retired until his death. His wife passed away in Germany. To their union were born eight children: Margaretta, the wife of William Krapp, of San Antonio, Texas; John C., John F., Minnie, J. George, John Henry and Lena, all of whom have passed away and John C., of this review.    John C. Montague acquired his education principally in Germany and began his independent career as a farm laborer in Clinton county, Iowa. On the 7th of March, 1872, he moved to Cherokee county, this state, and bought a farm in Tilden township, which he operated for thirty years thereafter, winning a gratifying degree of success in the conduct of his farming interests. In 1902 -367- he retired from active life and moved into Washta, where he has since resided.    Mr. Montague was first married January 28, 1873, to Miss Maggie Bierman, of Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa, who passed away in 1895. On the 18th of December, 1902, he was untied in marriage to Mrs. Alice Failing, widow of Dr. Failing, of Cleghorn, Cherokee county, Iowa. By her first marriage Mrs. Montague had two children: Mabel, the wife of A. Alva Barlow, of Thornton; and Elmer J., at home. Mrs. Montague was born in Andrew, Jackson county, Iowa, and is a daughter of Robert Anderson, who came to Cherokee county in 1869 and settled on a farm on sections 17 and 18, Willow township, there engaging in general agricultural pursuits until 1893, when he retired from active life. He died in Spokane, Washington, in 1910. Mrs. Montague's first husband, Dr. Jeremiah Failing, was born in Syracuse, New York, and acquired his education in the eastern part of that state. He came west in 1870, locating first in Marcus and later in Cleghorn, where he passed away August 8, 1894.    Mr. Montague was a trustee of the Presbyterian church in Tilden township and afterward affiliated with that denomination. He now holds membership in the Congregational church at Washta. He has all of his life been industrious, resolute and enterprising in everything that he has undertaken and by the exercise of these qualities has won a degree of success which now permits of honorable rest after labor.

-367- LAMONT BROTHERS    One of the best known and most successful mercantile firms in their line in Cherokee, Iowa, is that of Lamont Brothers, who established themselves in business in the fall of 1896 by purchasing the interests of the firm of Polkingham. The present firm consists of James I. and William Lamont and they are not only engaged in the implement business but also sell buggies, wagons and automobiles. The brothers have been conspicuously successful as they are able and shrewd business men, following the most modern and progressive methods and as the spirit of fair dealing and considerate treatment has been the hallmark of their success.    James I. Lamont was born in County Down, Ireland, March 16, 1863, and is a son of William and Isabelle (Irvine) Lamont. The father was a farmer during all of his active life, following that line of industry in his native land, where he and his wife passed away. The paternal grandfather was John Lamont, who also spent his entire life in Erin.    James I. Lamont left the parental roof in his native land, where he was educated, in 1884, when twenty-one years of age, making his way to the United States in order to participate in the advantages offered in this country to those who will profit by them. He first located in Shullsburg, Lafayette county, Wisconsin, following agricultural pursuits until 1888. In that year he came to Cherokee county, continuing along the same line until 1895, farming a quarter section in Rock township and a half section in Liberty township. Coming to Cherokee, he and his brother became the owners of their present business in the fall of 1896 and have since continued in the same with ever increasing success. Their fair and above-board methods have secured for them a large trade, and -368- as the years have passed away they have taken their place among the substantial men of this city.    On the 11th of March, 1891, Mr. Lamont was united in marriage to Miss Alice Adair, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Adair, of Cherokee. There are three children in the Lamont family, William, Prentice and James. Mr. Lamont is a member of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which he takes a helpful interest. His political views coincide with the principles which are formulated by the republican party, although he has never cared for public office and gives most of his attention to his business. He is ever interested in matters of public moment and can always be found in the front ranks of those who lend their support to worthy public enterprises. The firm of Lamont Brothers, while it has been a source of gratifying prosperity to the owners, has also been a factor in the growth of Cherokee and their success will be considered as much a public asset as an example of individual achievement. Both James I. and William Lamont are popular and highly respected business men, and they have made a place for themselves in commercial circles of Cherokee county which may well be envied, yet is entirely merited.

-368- FREDRICK KILPIN    Fredrick Kolpin, who has lived in Cherokee county for almost three decades, owns and resides upon a highly improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 2, Afton township, but has spent the last six years in honorable retirement, leaving the work of the fields to others. His birth occurred in Germany in 1845, his parents being Joachim and Sophia Kolpin, likewise natives of that country. In 1871 the family emigrated to the United States, settling in Will county, Illinois, where Joachim Kolpin worked as a farm hand by the month for some time and subsequently rented a tract of land, cultivating the same throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1879, while his wife was called to her final rest the previous year. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom still survive, as follows: Fredrick, of this review; John, who is a resident of Galva, Iowa; Wilhelmina, who is the widow of William Golnitz and resides in Cherokee, Iowa; Mary, who is the widow of Frank Dryer and also makes her home in this county; Sophia Kohlhagen, living in Cherokee county; George, likewise a resident of this county; and Caroline, the wife of Tobias Tuebsam, of Aurelia, Iowa.    Fredrick Kolpin was reared, educated and married in the land of his nativity and was a young man of twenty-six years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. During the first eight years of his residence in the United States he worked for others as a farm hand and subsequently cultivated rented land in Illinois until 1885, when he came to Cherokee county, Iowa, having remained here continuously since. He successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits for a number of years and still owns a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 2, Afton township. In 1907 he put aside the active work of his fields and has since lived retired on the farm, enjoying the fruits of his former labor in well earned ease. -369-    As above stated, Mr. Kolpin was married while still in Germany, his bride being Miss Marie Milles, also a native of the fatherland. They became the parents of eight children, as follows: Sophia, the deceased wife of Ludwig Pingel; Frank, who resides on the farm in Cherokee county; Carl, who passed away at the age of twelve years; Frederick, who died when a lad of six; Wilhelm, who passed away at the age of three; John, who died when ten months old; Henry, who operates his father's farm; and Albert, at home. In 1907, Henry Kolpin wedded Mrs. Elsie Honsbruch, a native of Iowa, by whom he has two children, Hilda and Velma.    In politics Mr. Kolpin is a stanch republican but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. He and his family are Lutherans in religious faith. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to establish his home in the United States, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has won a place among the substantial and esteemed citizens of his community.

-369- JOHN KNOX    A prominent and well known figure in the lumber trade of Iowa is John Knox, who since 1881 has been connected with the lumberyard at Marcus and is now proprietor of both the Marcus and Primghar yards. One of the elements of his success in undoubtedly due to the fact that he has uninterruptedly continued in one line of business for a third of a century, never dissipating his energies over a broad field. Concentration, close application, keen discernment and understanding of every phase of the business have been the elements of his growing success.    He was born December 22, 1857, in Germantown, Pennsylvania, a son of Walter and Mary (Patton) Knox. When he was two and a half years of age his mother took him and his brother across the Atlantic to Ireland and she died three days after landing. In 1864, then a youth of seven summers, John Knox returned to his native country with his brother and other relatives, settling in Dubuque county, Iowa. He pursued his early education in the district schools and afterward attended the Iowa State Normal school at Cedar Falls, and the Davenport Business College. He early training came to him along agricultural lines and he followed farming until twenty-three years of age. He then turned to commercial pursuits, becoming manager of the lumberyard at Marcus, entering the employ of the firm of Robertson & Patton. A few months demonstrated his ability, fidelity and commendable ambition and in November of that year he was made manager, remaining with the firm until the dissoulution of the partnership. He then continued as manager of the business for Mr. Patton until the latter's death in 1913, when he inherited the Patton lumberyards at Marcus and at Primghar. At both places a growing and substantial business is being conducted, returning a substantial annual income. In addition, Mr. Knox owns a good farm four miles northeast of Marcus and he has real-estate holdings in Canada. -370-    On the 27th of December, 1881, in Ames, Iowa, Mr. Knox was united in marriage to Miss Rose Cunningham, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Cunningham. Mrs. Knox was born in Pulaski county, Indiana, and when quite young was brought to Iowa by her parents, acquiring her education here in the district schools. Mr. and Mrs. Knox have become the parents of six children: Walter H., who married Mildred Ellston, of De Soto, Iowa; Dr. T. C. Knox, who married Madge Ellsworth, of Marshalltown, Iowa; J. Howard, who wedded Anna Longnecker, of Maxwell, Iowa; Ralph R., Floyd E. and Fred S., all at home.    The parents are members of the Presbyterian church at Cleghorn and Mr. Knox gives his political support to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have had little attraction for him. However, recognizing the duties and obligations, as well as the privileges of citizenship, he has done effective service for Marcus as a member of the town council, on which he has served for a number of terms. The cause of education finds in min a stalwart champion and since 1882 he has been a member of its school board. He was a member of the Marcus Union Club, for a short time, and in 1882 he joined the United Workmen lodge at Marcus, in which he has held the office of master workman and recorder, while at the present time he is financier. He has also been venerable consul of the Modern Woodmen of America and he belongs to the Masonic lodge. His has been an active and useful life, broad in its interests and honorable in its purposes, and his record commends him to the confidence and good-will of all.

-370- CHESTER A. WHITNEY    A fine farm of two hundred acres on section 36, Rock township, is the property of Chester A. Whitney and its attractive condition bears evidence to the intelligent management and careful supervision which he has bestowed upon it. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, September 1, 1863, and is a son of Alanson and Delaney (Young) Whitney, natives of Canada. The father came to Illinois in his early life and engaged in farming there for about six years, after which he removed to Bremer county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm and set about improving and operating it. He mad e his home upon this property until 1897 and then removed to Finchford, Black Hawk county, where he has since lived retired. His wife died in September, 1909, at the age of seventy-one years, six months and seven days. They had celebrated their golden wedding June 6, 1908. Incidentally the children of our subject have attended the golden weddings of four grandparents.    Chester A. Whitney was still a child when his parents removed to Bremer county and in the public schools of this locality he acquired his education. When he left home he went to Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, and worked for one year, after which he came to Cherokee county, where he first worked as a farm hand and afterward rented land, which he operated for six years. At the end of that time he bought two hundred acres in Marcus township and after carrying on general farming upon this property for five years sold it and came to Rock township, -371- renting a farm in this locality. At the end of three years he bought two hundred acres of land on section 36, Rock township, and has cultivated the place since that time. His general farming interests are important and he also engages in stock-raising on an extensive scale, keeping Duroc Jersey hogs and shorthorn cattle.    On the 26th of February, 1891, Mr. Whitney was united in marriage to Miss Edith A. Forsythe, a daughter of Levi and Jennie (Leapley) Forsythe, the former a native of Champaign county, Ohio, and the latter of Sidney, Ohio. Her father went to Jackson county, Ohio, in his early life and after farming there for some time removed to Cherokee county, where he bought two hundred acres in Rock township. His first crop there was entirely destroyed by grasshoppers, but he afterward met with a gratifying degree of success, cultivating his property until 1898, when he removed into Cherokee, where he lives retired. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney became the parents of four children: Forrest L., who died in 1893; Clive C., aged eighteen; Florence L., seventeen; and Byrl A., thirteen.    Mr. Whitney is a member of the Methodist church and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is at present one of the board of township trustees and an active factor in public affairs, supporting all measures and movements which have for their object the best interest of the community. His worth as a citizen is widely acknowleged and he takes rank with the foremost representatives of agricultural interests in this section of the state.

-371- L. J. McCULLA    Among the early residents of Cherokee county and among the men who have been active in inaugurating and shaping the agricultural development of Spring township is numbered L. J. McCulla, who homesteaded land here in 1870 and has operated it continuously since that time. He has gained for himself a prominent place in farming circles and is, moreover, entitled to representation in this volume as a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1842, a son of John and Elizabeth (Livsey) McCulla, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of England. They moved to Buffalo, New York, where the mother died in 1848. Mr. McCulla later married Sarah Mercer and they lived in Canada for several years, the father dying there. The family afterward moved to New York state, settling in Buffalo, where they remained until 1857. In that year they came to Muscatine, Iowa, and in 1880 Mrs. McCulla and daughter Sarah moved to Nebraska, where the mother's death occurred. In this family were seven children, of whom the subject of this review, Thomas McCulla, of Cherokee, Iowa and Mrs. Sarah Houston, of Niobrara, Nebraska, still survive.    L. J. McCulla began his independent career when he was sixteen years of age, working at various occupations from that time until 1861. In that year he enlisted in Company H, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and after serving for two years re-enlisted, later being transferred to Battery C, First Missouri LIght Artillery. He was taken prisoner September 8, 1864, near Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, and was sent to Florence prison, South Carolina, where he was held until after the close of the war. He was mustered out in 1865 and returned to Muscatine, -372- where he took charge of his mother's farm, operating this until 1869. In that year he moved to Cherokee county and in 1870 homesteaded a quarter section of land in Spring township, a property which has remained his home to the present time. Through the years he has steadily carried forward the work of development and has added to his holdings from time to time, owning today seven hundred and eight acres in one farm. Five hundred acres are in a high state of cultivation, and the property reflects everywhere in its excellent condition and attractive appearance the many years of care and labor which the owner has bestowed upon it.    In 1873 Mr. McCulla married Miss Mary A. Coleman, a native of New York state and a daughter of Philo G. and Rachel (Baldwin) Coleman, also natives of the Empire state, where their marriage occurred. They afterward moved to Michigan, where the mother died in 1861. The father then returned to New York and from that state enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Ninth Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the Civil war. After his discharge he came to Johnson county, this state, and in 1872 moved to Cherokee county, where he purchased land, following farming in this locality until his death, which occurred in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman became the parents of five children, three of whom survive: Mary A., wife of the subject of this review; Henry, who lives in Louisiana; and Ida, the wife of Michael Smith, of Egan, South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. McCulla have become the parents of nine children: John Thomas, who died when he was one year of age; Walter P., who was born in 1876, was graduated in law from the State University and afterward served in the Spanish-American war; Mrs. Carrie Coffman, who was born in 1878 and who is the wife of a prominent stock commission merchant of Omaha, Nebraska; Ben B.,w ho was born in 1880 and who now resides in Cherokee county; Roy, whose birth occurred in 1881 and who was graduated in dentistry from the State University; Thomas H., who was born in 1883 and resides in Parker, South Dakota; Mary Ellin, whose birth occurred in 1886; Asa, who was born in 1887 and who makes his home in O'Brien county; and Sam, who lives at home. All of the children have received a good education in their chosen lines of work, and the daughters have engaged in teaching.    Mr. McCulla is a republican in his political beliefs. Living in Cherokee county for forty-four years, he is one of the best known citizens of this locality and is widely recognized as a man of tried integrity and worth, of business enterprise and unaltering diligence.

-374- CHARLES MEISENHELDER    Among the men who have during the past quarter of a century made substantial contributions to the agricultural growth and development of Cherokee county is numbered Charles Meisenhelder, who since 1880 has lived upon his present farm in Afton township, giving practically all of his attention to its improvement and development. He was born in Germany in 1841, a son of Philip and Katie Meisenhelder, both of whom died in the country. Eight children were born to their union, one of whom died in Germany and three of whom are still living in that country. The four who came to America were: Charles, of this -375- review; William and Philip, both of whom have passed away in Virginia; and Jacob, of Sioux Falls, Iowa.    Charles Meisenhelder came to the United States in 1864 and after remaining two months in New York came west, settling near Peoria, Illinois, where for a short time he engaged in farming as a monthly laborer. He then moved to Gilman, Illinois, and there worked for two years in the employ of Dr. Wilson, afterward engaging in farming independently. He came to Iowa at the end of twelve years and settled in Cherokee county, where he has since been identified with agricultural interests. In 1880 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land in Afton township, seven and one-half miles beyond Aurelia, and he has since resided upon this property, which he has greatly improved, developing it into a modern and productive farm. Mr. Meisenhelder is now an extensive landholder, owning eight hundred acres, all in a high state of cultivation. Three hundred and twenty of this lie in Minnesota, and the farm there is in excellent condition and fully as valuable as the Iowa land.    In Illinois, in 1866, Mr. Meisenhelder married Miss Annie Stark, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Meisenhelder became the parents of eight children: Charley, who lives on his father's farm in Minnesota; Louis, also of Minnesota; William, of South Dakota; John, at home; Lena, the wife of Edward Knuft, of Canada; Elizabeth, who married Carl Carpina, a resident of the state of Washington; Katie, the wife of John Leysan, of South Dakota; and Emma, who died at the age of three.    Mr. Meisenhelder is a member of the German Lutheran church and is independent in his political beliefs, voting for men and measures without regard to party lines. During his many years of residence in Cherokee county he has become known as a progressive agriculturist and a public-spirited citizen whose contributions to general advancement have been many and substantial.

-375- C. J. BUDDENHAGEN    C. J> Buddenhagen, owning a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 12, and 1, Afton township, was born in Illinois in 1874 and is a son of Christ and Fredericka Buddenhagen, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. Buddenhagen of this review acquired his education in the public schools of Cherokee and Buena Vista counties and remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age. For three years thereafter he worked as a monthly laborer and hen rented land, operating this property for five years. He then purchased one hundred and eighty acres on section 12, Afton township, and to this he has since added eighty acres, making his combined holdings two hundred and forty acres. This land lies on section 12 and 1 and is highly improved and well managed in every particular, reflecting the owner's careful supervision and practical labor.    In 1901 Mr. Buddenhagen married Miss Anna Schluntz, who was born in Illinois in 1877, a daughter of William and Sophia Schluntz, natives of Germany. The parents settled in Chicago in early life but later moved to Iowa, making their home in Clay county, where the father still resides, his wife having passed away -376- in 1913. To their union were born four children, of whom the wife of the subject of this review is the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Buddenhagen have four children: George, who was born February 22, 1902, and who is now attending school; Esther, who was born in August, 1903, and who is also pursuing her studies; Leonard, born in 1905; and Ella, born in 1909.    Mr. Buddenhagen is a member of the German Lutheran church and is a republican in his political views. He has served as assessor of Spring township and is active in public affairs, interested in everything that pertains to the welfare and development of the community.

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