-439- C. A. S. PROSSER, Physician and Surgeon, Marcus, Iowa, was born in Her Majesty's Dominion of Canada, January 29, 1864, and is the son of H. C. and Ann E. (Wade) Prosser, natives of Canada and the State of New York, respectively. Our subject is the youngest of a family of six children, and was reared in the place of his -440- nativity. He obtained his education in the grade schools of Ontario, and at the age of seventeen years entered the office of his brother, W. O. Prosser, M. D., who is a graduate of McGill University, Canada; he also received his degree in Ediburgh and London, and is now practicing his profession in Le Mars,Iowa; he is probably one of the most thoroughly educated physicians in Northwestern Iowa. In 1885 C. A. S. Prosser entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, taking the regular course, and also a special course in chemistry and microscopic work. He was graduated with the class of 1887, and immediately thereafter located at Potsdam, New York. There he had practiced six months when he was called to take charge of his brother's practice during his absence in California, which lasted six months. In the spring of 1888 he came to Marcus and succeeded Dr. Alfred Raymond, and has since built up a substantial and profitable practice. He is a competent practitioner, and his efforts have met with gratifying success. Dr. Prosser was united in marriage July 3, 1889, to Miss Clara Raymond, a daughter of James and Mary (Baker) Raymond, natives of Canada. Mrs. Prosser was born June 21, 1864. She and her husband are worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically the Doctor casts his votes with the Republican. ERASTUS BOWEN BAILEY.—In perusing the history of the early pioneers of Iowa, our admiration is ever aroused, and we are impelled to pay that homage due to the courage and bravery of those who undertook to redeem the wilderness and prairie from the state in which nature had left them, and claim the fruits which the earth will yield to those who understand the secrets of agriculture. The subject of this sketch was an early settler of Cherokee Cunty, and has been prominently identified with its history since the beginning of his residence here in 1869. He was born in Haddam, Middlesex County, Connecticut, June 16, 1819, and is a son of Jesse and Olive (Spencer) Bailey, of English ancestry. He was only eight years old when he began the task of maintaining himself; he obtained his education in the district school which he attended a few months in the winter season. At the age of sixteen years he went to learn the joiner's trade, and served an apprenticeship of four years, after which he followed the business in his native State until 1859. Mr. Bailey was united in marriage June 28, 1840, to Miss Lydia Ann Wells, a native of Middlesex County, Connecticut. She was a daughter of William and Lydia Ann (Clark) Wells, of Welsh ancestry. By this union two children were born: Mary, the wife of John F. Potter, and Erastus E. Mrs. Bailey departed this life September 25, 1843. Mr. Bailey was again married August 18, 1844, to Miss Mary Jane Wells, a sister of his first wife. Three children were born of this marriage: Frances Leah, wife of Charles Stiles; Lydia Imogene, who died January 10, 1874, at the age of eighteen years, and Lura Estell, who died January 15, 1874, at the age of nine years. In 1859 Mr. Bailey emigrated to Iowa with his family, and arrived at McGregor, Clayton County, Iowa, May 1, of that year. There he purchased forty acres of land and set about making a home on the frontier; he cultivated his land, and bought 160 acres adjoining, which he farmed until his removal to Cherokee County, in 1869. He first entered eighty acres of Government land, which he soon afterward sold; he then purchased 320 acres -441- of umimproved land in Silver Township, on which he settled and made many valuable improvements. In addition to those already accomplished, he made another purchase of 120 acres, and still another of 160 acres, in the same township; he bought 240 acres in Pitcher Township, and also owns eighteen acres of timber land along the Little Sioux River. He superintended the cultivation of these lands until he removed to Cherokee in 1876; he now rents the farms, but still attends to all the business connected with the estate. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. J. H. SHELDEN, of the firm of Shelden & Barnes, dealers in general merchandise, Marcus, Iowa, is a native of the old Empire State, born in Madison County, February 20, 1854. He is a son of J. F. and Mary Shelden, and is the youngest of a family of three children. When he was ten months old his parents removed to Lake County, Illinois, and resided there for ten years; they then came to Iowa, settling in Bremer County, where they made their home until 1872, when they came to Cherokee County. Mr. Shelden was reared to the life of a farmer, and continued in this avocation until his twenty-third year, when he embarked in the general mercantile trade. He purchased an interest in a stock of goods in Marcus, and did business under the firm name of Weaver & Sheldon for two years; and under the firm name of J. F. Shelden continued in business until May 26, 1888, when F. S. Barnes, of the Citizens' Bank, entered into partnership with Mr. Shelden. They carry a stock of $8,000, and their annual sales amount to $20,000. Their stock contains everything that will be found in a general store of this kind, and they are doing a thriving business. Mr. Shelden is a Republican, and has served as mayor of Marcus for four years; he has also been justice of the peace for several terms. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., Marcus Lodge, No. 359, and of the A.O.U.W., Lodge No. 233. He has passed all the chairs of both orders, and has represented his lodge at the Grand Lodge of the State. Mr. Shelden was united in marriage February 2, 1881, to Miss Henrietta Weaver, a daughter of S.W. and Julia Weaver, who was born near Davenport, Iowa, October 10, 1860. The result of this union is one child, Joseph Leroy, who was born March 20, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Shelden are worth members of the Christian Church, and are among the most respected citizens of the county. WILLIAM P. GOLDIE, Editor of the Cherokean-Democrat, Cherokee, Iowa, is a native of Canada, born in 1856. He is a son of Richard and Catherine (Pirie) Goldie. His grandfather on his mother's side was an old newspaper man, as is also his father, and at the early age of eight years he entered his father's printing office. He obtained a limited education in the common schools of his native place, and on completing his trade he removed to Sioux City, Iowa. He obtained positions on various Cherokee papers, and for three years was editor and co-proprietor of the Cherokee Free Press. After that time he was absent form the city for a period of two years. In December, 1878, he started his paper, the Cherokean-Democrat, and has met with a gratifying degree of success. Mr. Goldie is a self-educated man, acquiring much of his information by the careful perusal of -442- books, and from close observation. He was united in marriage in September, 1879, to Miss Lulu M. Lewis, a daughter of R. A. Lewis, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. REV. JAMES T. SAUNDERS, Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church of Cherokee, Iowa, was born in Ireland, in March, 1843. He remained in his native country until he was nine years old when he sailed for American soil, landing in the city of New Orleans. From that city he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and thence to La Fayette County, Wisconsin. There he commenced his school career; he first entered St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, beginning his primary course of study; then he went to Toronto, Canada, where he took a full curse of study, remaining in school for seven years. At the expiration of that time he returned to Milwaukee, finishing his full course in two years, and received minor orders, sub-deaconship and deaconship, on March 17, 1887. That same year, August 15, he was ordained priest by Bishop Hennessy, of Dubuque, and was sent to Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa, where he took charge of his first congregation; there he remained ten years, locating there in 1877, and in 1887 coming to Cherokee to enter upon his duties as pastor of the congregation of the Immaculate Conception. His parish is composed of sixty families, and besides the work in Cherokee he also serves the people of a church organization whose building is situated in Sheridan Township. This church numbers about forty families, and the language spoken is German. Father Saunders is a gentleman of the true type, and has always the respect of the entire community, whether of his church or not. He is a diligent reader, and is a well-informed man, being ever alive to the best interests of his church. CHARLES B. HUXFORD, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Cherokee, Iowa, was born in New Albany, Indiana, May 7, 1860. His father, Frederick W. Huxford, who was a successful business man, was a native of the State of Michigan, born in the year 1829, a son of Samuel Huxford, a native of Massachusetts. Samuel Huxford is descended from an English family, and is still living at the age of eighty-three years; the summer of 1889 he made a visit to Cherokee, Iowa. Frederick W. Huxford married Mary B. Bathwell, a daughter of William and Catherine (Thompson) Bothwell. She was a native of Michigan, her father having removed there from New Hampshire at an early day. Soon after his marriage, which occurred in 1859, Mr. Huxford removed to New Albany, Indiana, where he engaged in the manufacture of furniture, and remained there until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the service of his country. On the organization of his company he was elected First Lieutenant, and was a faithful soldier for two years and eight months; his regiment belonged to the Army of the Tennessee. On receiving his discharge he removed to Boonesborough, Iowa, and engaged in mercantile business in 1866; he also dealt largely in real estate. In the spring of 1872 he came to Cherokee, and opened a stock of goods in an old log house, in the old town of Cherokee; there he remained a number of years, and after the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad he moved his business to the new town, remaining there six years. He then sold out and turned his attention to farming; he became largely interested in lands, and at one time owned 1,800 acres. On December 17, 1885, he passed from his earthly career, having lead a life of active usefulness, much beloved and respected by all who knew him. He had no political aspirations, but was a stanch adherent to the principles of the Democratic party. His family consisted of three children: Charles B., Edward D., Cashier of the Cherokee State Bank, and Clayton W. who died in 1887, in his twenty-second year. Charles B. was but two years of age when his parents removed to Michigan, where he lived with his Grandfather Bothwell until he was fourteen years old. In 1874 he came to Cherokee and entered the public schools, where he pursued his studies for three he pursued his studies for three years. On leaving school he began his business career as a farmer, and to this occupation he has devoted his whole time and attention. As a stock-raiser he has met with more than ordinary success; he feeds from fifty to 125 head of cattle annually, and his hogs are of the Poland-China breed. Of late years he has given some attention to the breeding of fine horses, in which enterprise he has been prosperous. In January, 1886, Charles B. Huxford was united in marriage to Miss Alice Jillison, a daughter of Franklin Jillison, Esq. Mrs. Huxford was born in the State of Connecticut, and before her marriage was one of the successful teachers of Cherokee. Mr. Huxford is a member of Xenophon Lodge, No. 158, K.P. FLOYD DENISON YAW is the proprietor of the largest livery barn in Cherokee, Iowa, and is also a prominent horse dealer. To acquaint the reader with his earlier life it will be necessary to review his career in the regular order of a biographical sketch, beginning with his birth, which occurred June 17, 1836, at Brookfield, Madison County, New York. His father, Samuel Yaw, was a native of the same State, born in 1808, of French and Irish extraction. Leura Denison, his mother, was born in the State of New York, and was a daughter of Nathan Denison. Mr. Yaw is the third son and fourth child in a family of five. His educational advantages were limited, being confined to the common schools which were not then up to the grade of to-day, and he early began to rustle for himself! Impelled by that desire to "go west," which has seized so many of our bravest and most courageous youth, he drifted into the tide, and took hold of anything his hands could manage. He drove cattle and handled horses whenever he could get an opportunity. Coming to Iowa, he located in Delaware County, buying and selling stock. In 1863 he bought horses for the United States Government. Coming to Iowa, he located in Delaware County, buying and selling stock. In 1863 he bought horses for the United States Government, furnishing 600 at one time. He continued in this business of buying and selling horses until 1875, his principal points being Chicago, Omaha and New York; at that time the "bottom seemed to be completely knocked out" of the market, and to use Mr. Yaw's own language, he "was financially busted." But such men can not be down long. He came to Cherokee and formed a partnership with C. A. Dow, and engaged in the manufacture of brick. A year's experience in this business proved to be unprofitable, and not suited to his tastes, so he sold out, and in 1876, the great Centennial year, he embarked in the liver business in a modest way. His stable was on the corner opposite the railroad station; he was reasonably prosperous in this undertaking, and continued in the business until 1882, when he removed to Huron, Dakota, at which place he run livery business two years; at the -444- end of this time he sold out and returned to Cherokee, purchasing the livery stock then owned by G. W. Hodgins. He remained at the old stand, but made many improvements, and now has one of the best arranged barns in the State; he has a side-hill basement, and uses that together with the first floor proper; the most of the teams are kept below, the carriages above. Mr. Yaw being a first-class judge of horses, keeps the best animals for his livery. IN connection with this branch, he also conducts another extensive business, that of buying and selling horses; he goes as far west as Montana, and ships to the Atlantic Coast; he also operates a breeding barn, raising trotting and running animals. Mr. Yaw was married September 16, 1859, to Miss Ella Hamlin, a native of Massachusetts; she is the daughter of Paris and Susan (Gott) Hamlin, and her father was for many years a practicing physician, but in later years retired to his farm. The Hamlins trace their family history back to three brothers who came over from England, each settling in a different State. Mrs. Yaw is a distant connection of the Hon. Hannibal Hamlin. Susan Gott, her mother, lived to the advanced age of ninety-five years, and seemed active in both mind and body. Mr. and Mrs. Yaw are the parents of ten children, only three of whom are living: Ida W., wife of Dr. A. H. Bailey, veterinary surgeon at Spokane, Washington Territory; Wendell and Gertrude. J. A. RISLEY, one of Cherokee's active business men, was born in East Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut, April 22, 1830. HIs father, Joshua Risley, was a native of the same State, born in October, 1800. His father was Timothy Risley, of English descent, and his great-grandfather was one of twenty who originally bought the township of Hartford. The mother of our subject was Betsey Crane, a native of East Windsor, Connecticut, and a daughter of Rufus Crane; she was the mother of thirteen children, ten of whom lived to maturity, and is herself living at the ripe old age of seventy-nine years. The Crane family were of English ancestry. Mr. Risley is the oldest of his family, and his early years were spent in attending school at East Windsor HIll Academy. His father was a carriage and plow-maker by trade, and he worked at that business and went to school until the fall of 1855. He then removed to Wisconsin and worked at his trade at Platteville, where he remained until the following July. He was then married to Miss Sarah Nye, and after his marriage he went to Minnesota, where he prempted 160 acres of land near Plainview. In April of the following year he returned to Platteville, and soon after went to Rockford, Illinois, at which place he remained two years. He then returned to Platteville, Wisconsin, where he remained till the spring of 1864, then returned to the home of his childhood in Connecticut, remaining there six years. In the month of June, 1870, he came to Cherokee, Iowa, and in company with his brother-in-law built a store. He sold his interest in that property that same year and went to Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County, Iowa; there he engaged in the live-stock business, and at the same time kept the City Hotel at Sergeant Bluff, where he remained seven years. In the spring of 1876 he came back to Cherokee, and again formed a partnership with Mr. Nye in the general mercantile trade, which continued four years. August 8, 1878, Mrs. Risley died; she was a devoted Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Chruch. In 1880, Mr. Risley married for his second wife Mrs. Stowe, whose -445- maiden name was Lizzie M. Amdon. The same year he was employed in M. Vandercook's store. The latter gentleman was in poor health, and Mr. Risley assisted in the charge of the business until August, 1882, when Mr. Vandercook died, and Mr. Risley was appointed by Mrs. Vandercook to assist in settling up the business and take charge of the estate. Politically Mr. Risely is conservative, but is a stanch Prohibitionist. He has held a great number of local offices, in his native State as well as in Wisconsin and Iowa; he was assessor three years in Woodbury County, Iowa, and also served there as justice of the peace. He is a consistent member of the Congregational Church of Cherokee, Iowa, in which he holds the office of deacon and trustee. He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, having attained the title of Sir Knight in Crusade Commandrey, No. 39, and holds the position of recorder. He is connected with Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A.F. & A.M., and Burning Bush Chapter, No. 90, R.A.M. He is an officer of the chapter also, and keeps the lodge records in an excellent manner. He is also financial manager of the Ancient Order United Workmen. He owns a good residence in Husford's Addition, and other city real estate. Mr. Risley is an obliging gentlman, and a very accurate, methodical business man, who believes that "order is the first law of Heaven!" ALEXANDER B. ROSS, one of the prominent grocers of Cherokee, Iowa, is numbered among the oldest business men of the place. He settled there in 1870, while it was a mere hamlet, and is now one of the most thorough-going and prosperous merchants of the county, and has the respect and merchants of the county, and has the respect and confidence of the entire population, with whom he has dealt in various capacities for nearly twenty years. He is a native of Nova Scotia, born October 12, 1842, and is the oldest son of a family of seven children. His father, Alexander Ross, was a Scotchman by birth, and a farmer by occupation. He married Miss Elizabeth Baillie, also a native of Scotland, and a daughter of Alexander Baillie. Alexander Ross was married to his wife in Nova Scotia, and settled on a farm, where they lived a contented life. The husband died in 1873, and the wife still remains upon the homestead. The early boyhood of Alexander B. was not unlike that of the average boy. He attended the common schools and assisted his father on the farm, remaining at home until he was twenty-two years old. The next five years of his life were spent about the gold mines of his native province. In 1869 he was seized with the "Western fever," and nothing seemed equal to a cure but a trial trip to investigate for himself; so he left for the West and drifted to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and thence to Sioux City. A part of the season was spent in Tama County, Iowa, and the following spring, which was in 1870, he came to Cherokee, where he was variously employed until 1873. He then embarked in the grocery business on a very limited scale, but as his business increased he added to his stock until it has assumed its present proportions. His place of business is on the same lot which he occupied sixteen years ago. At first he had a small frame building, but in 1880 he erected a fine brick block, two stories high, and 24x100 feet on the ground. He carries a very large and complete stock of staple and fancy groceries, and is finely established in business,having a most excellent trade from all parts of the -446- county. Mr. Ross was married February 10, 1873, to Miss Isabella Mathison, a native of Nova Scotia, and a daughter of Thomas and Jennette Mathison. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are the parents of three children: Jennie L., Clara G. and Katie. Mr. Ross is one of the deacons of the First Presbyterian Church of Cherokee, and is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of this city. Politically he is of the Republican party, believing that its principles come nearer to serving the best interests of the great mass of American people than those of any other party. In his business career Mr. Ross has been quite successful; he has been diligent, and has exercised prudence and good judgment in his various investments. He owns, besides his mercantile property, a valuable farm in Plymouth County, Iowa, and the present year (1889) he is erecting a fine residence in the addition, which will be among the best-built dwellings in Cherokee. It is indeed gratifying to see men prosper who merit success, and who have earned it through hard and honest toil. JOHN P. DICKEY, President of the Cherokee State Bank, and dealer in lumber and coal, is the subject of this biographical sketch. In 1874 J. P. Dickey with Dubuque parties established themselves in the lumber and coal trade at Cherokee, and since that time he has been closely connected with every public interest of the town and county. He is a native of Livingston County, New York, born August 20, 1838, and is the youngest son of John P. and Elizabeth (Weller) Dickey. His father was a merchant and farmer in Western New York, having settled there in 1818. He was born in Londonderry County, New Hampshire, in 1796, the son of John Dickey, of Scotch-Irish descent. Elizabeth Weller, the mother of our subject, removed from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to Livingston County, New York, where she and her husband lived the remainder of their days. He died in 1875, and she in 1845. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity. John P. is the youngest of the family. He was first sent to the common school, and later he entered Genesee Seminary, where he spent three terms. After leaving his studies he went to Wisconsin, where he was engaged in the sale of fanning-mills for a period of two years. Thence he went to Delaware County, Iowa, where he framed very successfully for nine years. In the spring of 1874 he came to Cherokee County and entered into the lumber business in company with Dubuque parties. Mr. Dickey was married in 1863 to Miss Keziah Stilwell, a native of Genesee County, New York, and a daughter of Hiram Stilwell. Mr. and Mrs. Dickey are the parents of three sons: James H., engaged in the lumber business at Storm Lake; Roy W., who has charge of the Cherokee yards, and John W., at Evanston College. In October, 1888, Mr. Dickey organized the Cherokee State Bank, of which he is president, E. D. Huxford being the cashier. they do a general banking business, and have one of the finest bank buildings in Northwestern Iowa. The firm of J. P. Dickey & Co. have three lumber yards—one at Cherokee, one at Storm Lake,a nd another at Aurelia. In his political belief Mr. Dickey is a Republican, and has frequently been called to fill local offices. He was instrumental in the erection of the large public school building, and has been a member of the School Board, in which he has taken a great interest. He has also served as a councilman for the city. He belongs to the Congregational Church, of which he is one of the deacons. HIs wife is also a member of the same denomination. Mr. Dickey is a man of excellent judgement and of noble public spirit. While he has been liberal in his contributions to all public enterprises, he has amassed a comfortable competence. JOHN F. POTTER.—This substantial and reliable farmer has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since 1869. He was born in Bridgewater, Windsor County, Vermont, February 27, 1834, and is a son of John Potter, who served in the War of 1812. He was a native of Rhode Island, and was a son of Ichabod Potter, of English and Scotch ancestry. Mr. Potter's mother was Polly Wheeler, a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of Asa Wheeler, of Scotch origin, who served in the War of the Revolution. John F. was a lad of nine years when his parents moved to Rutland County, Vermont. His mother died at the age of seventy-five years, and his father lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years. There were nine children in the family: Austin, Harriet, Sybil, Jefferson, Adeline, George, Mariette, John F. and Eber. Adeline is the wife of Josiah Morgan, of Pitcher Township. John F. Potter came to Clayton County, Iowa, in 1856, and remained there thirteen years, improving a farm. In 1868 he looked over a large part of Western Iowa, and thinking that Cherokee County possessed more natural advantages than any other in that part of the State he decided to try what the earth and his own industry would yield him. His first purchase was 160 acres of wild land, and the success that has attended his efforts is shown by his title to 400 acres of Cherokee County's choice land, which is in an excellent state of cultivation. Mr. Potter's residence is a fine building of an attractive plan, situated in the midst of a beautiful lawn containing evergreen and other ornamental trees. One of the best groves in the county is to be found on the Potter farm; it contains thirty-two acres. A large and conveniently arranged barn, and other buildings for stock and grain add to the completeness of the place, and show the thrift and prosperity of the owner. Mr. Potter was married November 27, 1862, to MIss Mary A. Bailey, a daughter of E. B. and Lydia A. (Wells) Bailey, residents of the town of Cherokee, mention of whom is made on another page of this work. Mrs. Potter was born in Middlesex county, Connecticut, and was reared and educated there. Mr. Potter's political opinions are expressed by the Democratic party; voting for Buchanan in 1856, he has ever since been a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. Although holding the confidence and respect of the community in which he lives he has never held public office, his preference being to live a private life. Mr. Potter's long residence in the county, his honorable and upright life, and his appreciation of merit in others have won for him a host of friends. At the home of Mr. and Mrs. Potter hospitality is ever dispensed in a cordial and generous way.

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