-464- JAMES ARCHER, one of the leading business men of Cherokee, Iowa, is a pioneer of the town, having established the first lumber yard at New Cherokee in the autumn of 1870. He is a man of varied and wide business experiences, and has been an important factor in the upbuilding of his town and county,where he is one of the most highly respected citizens. A man engaged in legitimate business for a long term of years is entitled to a notice in the local history of his county, and especially is this true of one like James Archer, whose business career covers a longer unbroken period than that of any other man now a resident of Cherokee. His first shipment of lumber to the place consisted of sixteen car-loads, and he brought with him $1,400 with which to pay the freight. So great was the demand for lumber that within a few days he had collected $2,000 for lumber sold. There being no banks or express office here at that time he handed the money over to J. P. Farley, then superintendent of the Construction Railway Company, who took it to Dubuque where he deposited it fro Mr. Archer. From the 18th of July, 1870, to January 1, 1871, he sold a million feet of lumber, having in his employ four men who were kept constantly at work. In the fall of 1870, he began buying grain, using a small warehouse in which to to store the surplus wheat, oats and corn, which in the following spring he sold to new-comers for seeding purposes. So great was the demand for corn that Mr. Archer imported several carloads. In the fall of 1871 he shipped ten cars of home-grown wheat to Chicago, the first shipped from Cherokee County. Freights were at that time very high, the cost of one car-load of shingles being $102; the freight to-day would not exceed $55. In 1872 he erected the first grain elevator here in Cherokee; it was 24x36 feet, having a capacity of 10,000 bushels. In 1881 he built a second elevator, used solely for flax-seed, which he handles in large quantities. Mr. Archer is a native of Scotland, born in the city of Dundee, June 16, 1829. He emigrated to America with his parents, William K. and Ann (Penn) archer, in 1842. They settled near Rockford, Illinois, on Government lands, the father paying Government price for 200 acres. James received a good common-school education in his native land, but attended school in Illinois only three months. He remained at home until October, 1861, when he was married to Miss A____Stephens, a daughter of William H. Stevens. After their marriage they lived in Illinois until the winter of 1863, when they removed to Fayette County, Iowa, locating on a farm which he worked for two years. Then they removed to Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, where Mr. Archer was engaged in the grain and lumber business for two years. He then came to Cherokee as before stated, in 1870. Here his life has been one of activity and business success. Politically he is a Republican, and has always been willing to work for the good of his chosen party. He has not unfrequently been honored by local offices. He served on the City School Board for ten years, and was a member of the Board of County Supervisors one term. He has also been a representative in judicial and Congressional conventions. Mr. and Mrs. Archer are the parents of three sons: George H., who is living on a farm four miles west of Cherokee, Guy S. and Elmer S. CHARLES NICHOLSON is a member of the firm of Knox & Nicholson (successors to H. D. Walwrath), dealers in dry-goods, carpets, and curtain goods, at Cherokee, Iowa. Like many of the promising young business men of the West, he claims Sweden as his fatherland, where he was born in the month of February, 1855. His father was N. Nicholson, who served in the responsible capacity of judge for nine years. Mr. Nicholson came to America in 1870, stopping first in Michigan where he attended the public graded school; he had been a regular student of the common schools in his native country until he was fifteen years of age. In 1873 he came to Iowa, locating in Franklin County, where he was employed as a clerk for two years. He then came to Cherokee County and entered the store of Mr. Walrath, with whom he remained five -466- years. At the end of that period he formed a co-partnership with A. B. Knox and purchased Mr. Walrath's interest in the business, after which the firm was, and still is, known as Knox & Nicholson. In 1888 these gentlemen built their present fine brick store building, which is 24x100 feet, two stories high, with a basement; all of this place is occupied with a very complete varied, and extensive stock of general dry-goods, the main department and sales room being situated on the first floor, and the second being devoted to carpets, cloaks, sewing machines, and curtains. In 1883 Mr. Nicholson was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Batterson, a daughter of N. B. Batterson, now deceased. Mrs. Nicholson was born in the State of Illinois, and removed to Iowa with her parents. Mr. Nicholson is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A.F. & A.M., and of Burning Bush Chapter, No. 90, R.A.M. He is a young man of most excellent business qualifications, and has been quite successful in his mercantile career in Cherokee, the firm of which he is a member being the heaviest dealers in the whole county. It may furthermore be added that our subject has arrived at his present position of independence and prosperity through his own unaided efforts, and the credit due the self-made man has been justly earned. JAMES C. HALL, Vice President of the Cherokee State Bank at Cherokee, Iowa, is among the enterprising business men of the place and commands a space in the history of the county. His native State is New York. He was born in Washington County, near the village of Argyle, January 21, 1852. He is the oldest son of Robert and Eliza (Flack) Hall, the father being a New Yorker by birth, but of Irish extraction; the mother was also born in New York, in Washington County, and was a daughter of James Flack, of Scotch Ancestry. The father removed to Ford County, Illinois, when James C. was six years of age and settled on a farm. The son assisted in the labors of the farm during the summer, and attended the common schools during the winter. He was given the opportunity to attend school after leaving the lower grades behind, and entered the Wabash College, where he remained two years. In 1872 he came to Cherokee County, Iowa, where his father had established himself in the agricultural implement business. In January, 1873, he formed a partnership with his father which continued thirteen years. At the end of that period he sold his interest to this younger brother, W. J. Hall. He and his father were engaged in the grain business until 1886, when he sold his interest to his father. Since that date Mr. Hall has been engaged in the real estate business, both in the State of Iowa and in the South, dealing quite extensively in prairie and timber lands. In October, 1888, he helped to organize the Cherokee State Bank, at Cherokee, Iowa. He was elected to the office of vice president of that institution, which place he still holds; he is also one of the directors, and his time is wholly devoted to banking and real estate. Mr. Hall was united in marriage April 30, 1874, to Miss Lucy A. Willard, a native of Wisconsin. Five children have been born of this union, four sons and one daughter: Robert W., Clarence H., Irenus C., Harold J. and Hattie M. Harold J. died May 28, 1888. Mr. Hall has served as president of the School Board, and as a member of the Town Council. He is president of the Cherokee Building and Loan Association, being elected to that office in 1889; this association was organized June 1, 1885, -467- with an authorized capital of $300,000. Politically Mr. Hall is a Republican. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Cherokee. He is a most exemplary man, of refined tastes and excellent qualifications. Since his residence here he has been public spirited, and active in upbuilding his town and county. CHARLES BECKWITH is the proprietor of the Cherokee flouring mills, which were built by J. B. Bliss, who operated them for about twelve years. The site of this mill is on the west bank of the Little Sioux River, near the site of old Cherokee; it includes nine acres of land and is one mile from postoffice and depot. It was formerly supplied with old-fashioned burr-stones. In 1882 Mr. Beckwith purchased the property, operating it as it was until 1887, when he put in a full roller system, the "patent process," of flour making. Its daily capacity is now fifty barrels, and the product is of an excellent quality, finding a ready market at home. Mr. Beckwith was born in the village of Burke, Vermont, February 28, 1835. His father, Daniel Beckwith, was born in New Hampshire, in 1779, of English extraction. He operated a mill for many years, and died at Burke in 1872. He was married to Lucinda Orcutt, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of Ephram Orcutt. She was born in 1803, and is still living at her old home in Burke. She was of Scotch descent, and was the mother of nine children, seven of whom are still living. Charles was the third child; he attended the schools common in that day in his native town, and completed his education at Glover Academy. Upon quitting school he entered the store of his father and brother, remaining there for six years. Drifting westward to Iowa, he stopped at New Hartford, where he engaged in the grain business, having for his partner Frank Root, the firm being styled Root & Beckwith. they continued in business seven years, and in the summer of 1871 Mr. Beckwith came to Cherokee and began to buy and ship grain, in which business he continued thirteen years, and at the end of that period purchased the Cherokee Mills. Politically he is a Republican. He has been successful in business, and besides his mill property owns a half section of choice, well-tilled land in the county, and a brick residence in the city. HENRY LEEDS, a prosperous young farmer of Pilot Township, came to Cherokee County in 1876. He was born in Mercer County, Illinois. April 6, 1856, and is a son of Job Leeds, a resident of Pilot Township, who was born in Clermont County, Ohio, April 19, 1829; he was a son of Phelix and Mary Ann (Doughty) Leeds, and when he was six years old his parents removed to Ripley County, Indiana, remaining there five years. They then went to Rock Island county, Illinois. Job Leeds was married at the age of twenty-three years to Mrs. Emiline Baxter, and by this union, three children were born. A son, Willie, died when fifteen years of age, in Illinois; Mary McLoughlin, of Ottawa, Kansas; and Henry Leeds, the subject of this notice. The mother died when Henry was five years of age, so at an early age he was deprived of his best friend. He grew to manhood in his native county, and was trained to agricultural pursuits. He was twenty years of age when he came to Cherokee County with his father; he bought wild land on which he now resides, and undertook -468- the task of claiming it from its natural State. One less courageous might well have been disheartened, as the first crop was destroyed by the grasshoppers. Nothing daunted, Mr. Leeds put out a larger crop the next season, and was permitted to reap the harvest himself. He was married June 25, 1882, to Miss Mary Isabella Cronk, a daughter of E. W. and Sarah (Jenison) Cronk, natives of the State of New York, now residing in Kane County, Illinois. Mrs. Leeds was born in Whiteside County, Illinois, and was reared near Sycamore, De Kalb County, Illinois. After his marriage Mr. Leeds spent one year in business in Rockford, Illinois, and then returned to his farm; he owns 160 acres, 110 acres being under cultivation; the balance is in pasture and meadow; there is a good cottage on the farm, a barn and buildings for stock and grain, and a fine orchard of two acres. The place is well watered by springs forty-six rods from the dwelling; the water is forced through pipes to the house, and to the stables and feed lots. Mr. and Mrs. Leeds have one child, Ethel Sarah Josephine, who was born July 6, 1885. Politically Mr. Leeds is a Democrat. He is honorable and upright in business, and although a young man, he has gained an enviable position in the community. P. F. THURBER, an intelligent farmer, and a leading citizen of Pilot Township, is a native of Erie County, New York. His father, Rufus Thurber, was a native of Madison County, New York, and his mother, Chloe (Putnam) Thurber, was born in the State of Vermont. P. F. passed his youth in his native county, receiving his education in the public schools and at Springville Academy and select schools, New York. He also spent some time at Grandville College, Ohio, and at the age of seventeen years he engaged in teaching school in winter. He worked or attended school in summer, and being of a roving disposition, he taught school in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New York and Iowa, in all eleven terms. In 1850 he went to Jackson County, Iowa, and was united in marriage to Miss Rosetta Inez Foster. Mr. Thurber decided to try his fortunes in Minnesota, and in 1854 removed to that State. He located the town of Saratoga, and was the first settler in that locality. He resided there until 1873, when he came to Cherokee County and located in Willow Township. He improved a farm of 120 acres, which he still holds. In 1882 he settled on his present farm of 200 acres, and has a comfortable home. Politically Mr. Thurber is a Republican, and he is a strong advocate of the principles of Prohibition. He has represented Willow Township officially as justice of the peace in Minnesota. Mr. Thurber is a Baptist in sentiment. He belongs or adheres to no secret order; thinks they are dangerous, anti-Republican and anti-Christian. His creed is, unite with no society that abridges the freedom of speech or the press, or that makes it a crime to tell the truth, or a virtue to lie and deceive. Mrs. Thurber, sister of Rev. J. O. Foster, of Chicago, was born in Indiana, and was reared and educated in Davenport and vicinity. She attended the Davenport High School, taught by Miss Bergen. She taught school at the age of seventeen, and was distinguished for great skill in governing and controlling schools and bad boys. Since here marriage she has served in every capacity in the Sabbath-school, from the infant class to superintendent, and made it a success. She has also served as secretary of the Cherokee County Sabbath-School Association, and still, at the age of fifty-seven, is a worker in the Sabbath-school. H. E. HUNTSINGER is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Silver Township. He was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1840. His parents were Charles and Mary (Epler) Huntsinger, natives of New York and Pennsylvania respectively. He was seven years old when his parents removed to Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, where they lived for ten years. He then went to Lycoming County, in the same State. The early life of our subject was spent in the lumber districts, and at work in saw-mills. When there was a call for men to go to the defense of this country, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company K, and served three years. He took an active part in the battle of Chancelorsville, and at Gettysburg, where he was wounded in the thigh by a piece of shell, which confined him to the hospital for four weeks. He was in the campaign of 1864, win the battle of the Wilderness, and was again wounded at North Anna by a gun-shot wound in the left foot. This compelled him to remain in the hospital for six months. He was discharged as Corporal, July 8, 1865. Mr. Huntsinger was united in marriage in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1865, to Miss Rachel R. Payne, who was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Sherman) Payne, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1867 Mr. Huntsinger came to Cherokee County, and took out a homestead in Pilot Township. He went with an ox team to Sioux City to file his claim. The first house on the way was a tavern kept by one Mr. McDermott. There Mr. Huntsinger took dinner, and on asking for his bill he was told that the regular price for a meal was 50 cents, but as he was a neighbor he would be charged only 25 cents. In 1876 he sold his first farm and bought a portion of his present place. He now owns 240 acres of superior land. His residence was erected in 1887, at a cost of $1,200. It is built in modern style, and is one of the best in the neighborhood. A fine grove of eleven acres adds very materially to the value of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Huntsinger are the parents of seven children: Cladius E., Asa Russell, Martha Ellen, Etta, Eva, Anna and Mary. Mr. Huntsinger is a strong adherent to the principles of the Republican party. He has served his township as trustee for twelve years, has been a member of the School Board, and is the present assessor. He is a charter member of the General Custer Post, No. 25, G. A. R., and is also a member of the I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 490, at Holstein, Iowa. He is a man of great integrity of character, and is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the township. W. P. LITTLE, one of the pioneers of Cherokee County, located in Pilot Township in June, 1868, and resided there until his death, which occurred August 17, 1885. He was born in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1812, and is the son of Daniel and Nelly (Conover) Little, natives of New Jersey. He was married in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, at the age of twenty-three years, to Miss Rebecca Rodgers, a daughter of John Rodgers. They lived in Sullivan County three years and then removed to Bradford County, and in 1868 they -470- determined to brave the hardships of pioneer life, and make a home in the Western country. They settled in Pilot Township, and there passed the remainder of their days. They reared seven children, six of whom are living: Albert C., of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania; Sarah R. (deceased), wife of William Molyneux; Ezra S., of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania; Hattie M., of Sullivan County; Emma E., wife of Eldorus H. Whitehouse, Cherokee; William, of Pilot Township, and J. R., of Silver Township. Mrs. W. P. Little died December 4, 1879. W. P. Little was a Republican in politics, and the confidence reposed in him by the people is attested by the fact that he served as justice of the peace for many years. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, as was also his wife; he was licensed to preach by the Methodist Episcopal Church. J. R. Little, a well-known and progressive farmer of Silver Township, was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1856, and is a son of W. P. Little, whose biography is given above. He was twelve years of age when his parents came to this county, and was reared on the old homestead in Pilot Township. He was trained to agricultural pursuits; his education was obtained in the common schools. In 1875 he purchased 160 acres of wild land, and set about the task of breaking it out and placing it under cultivation. He has made many valuable improvements in the way of erecting buildings, has planted a grove and an orchard, and has one of the most comfortable homes in the neighborhood. He was married November 25, 1880, to Miss Laura Warburton, daughter of J. A. Warburton, on e of the prominent early settler of Pilot Township. Mr. and Mrs. Little are the parents of two children: Carl R. and Ray D. Mr. Little is one of the leading Republicans of his township, is the present trustee, and is a member of the School Board. He is a man of intelligence, and stands high socially and financially in the county. JOHN HOGAN.—Cherokee County is indebted to the Emerald Isle for one of her most progressive and enterprising farmers, John Hogan, Esq. He was born in the County of Limerick, December 21, 1835, and is a son of James and Alice Walsh. He was eighteen years of age when he bade adieu to his native land, and sought the fortune the New World might hold for him. On first coming to this country he was engaged in the coal mines of Pennsylvania, and in 1857 he removed to Marquette County, Michigan, where he was one of the pioneer miners and explores; he discovered several of the leading mines in that region, and for several years had charge of some of the most extensive of them. In 1871 Mr. Hogan came to Cherokee, abandoning mining and engaging in the pursuit of farming; he bought 320 acres of wild land, and one year later his family settled on the place. They were among the first settlers in that neighborhood, and have witnessed the development of that section from the wild state in which they found it to its present one of cultivation. Mr. Hogan was married in Detroit, Michigan, October 18, 1859, to Miss Mary A. Scully, a native of the County if Limerick, Ireland, and a daughter of John and Hannah (Murname) Scully; she was sixteen years of age when she came to Michigan with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Hogan have had born to them eight children: James, a successful and popular teacher, finished his education at the Shenandoah Western Normal College; he is the present township clerk, serving upon -471- his second term; he is one of the representative young men of Sheridan Township; John and Frank are residents of Marquett, Michigan. Alice, who was educated at Valparaiso, Indiana, a teacher, and Kate. Mrs. Hogan died August 3, 1886. She was a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Hogan affiliates with the Republican party. He has a good standing in the county, and many friends by whom he is greatly respected. JOHN ZIMMER, a leading farmer of Sheridan Township, was born December 12, 1828, in Rhine Province, Germany. He is a son of John Zimmer, a native of the same place. John Zimmer, Sr., was born in 1800, and emigrated with his family to America in 1847; he landed in New York City, and went directly from that city to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He bought a farm near that city, on which he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1870. John Zimmer, Jr., was reared in his native land to the occupation of a farmer, receiving a limited education in the public schools. He was nineteen years of age when the family came to America; he remained under the paternal roof until his twenty-fourth year, when he went to Calumet County, Wisconsin, and settled on a farm; there he resided until a call for additional troops was made in October, 1864; he then entered the Sixth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company B. He participated in the engagements at Hatchet's Run, Gravel's Run, and Richmond, Virginia. He was present at Lee's surrender, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865. In 1855 Mr. Zimmer was untied in marriage with Miss Agnes Urlings, a daughter of John E. Urlings, also a native of Rhine Province. Mrs. Zimmer was born April 5, 1836, and came to America with her parents at the age of twelve years; her family also settled near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer have had born to them ten children, all of whom are living: John H., Peter, Jacob, Joseph, Henry, Mary, wife of Frank Kuhn; Lizzie, wife of William Banum; Catherine, wife of Jacob Baum; Agnes, wife of Thomas Kimball, and Maggie, at home. Mr. Zimmer came to Cherokee County in 1873, and bought 160 acres of land on which he is now living; he has a good barn and dwelling, and his farm is well supplied with the best improvements in farm machinery. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer are devoted members of the Roman Catholic Church, and are among the worthy and respected citizens of the county. N. W. SPENCER is one of Sheridan Township's intelligent and representative men. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, January 30, 1818, and is a son of Asa G. and Huldah (Wells) Spencer. His father was a native of Connecticut, and a farmer by occupation; he served in the War of 1812. the mother was a native of Massachusetts. In 1852 the parents removed to the State of New York, where the father died. In 1853 the mother removed to Illinois, and died there in 1861. N. W. Spencer was reared in the State of New York, and received a superior education for that time in the Cortland Academy, New York. After leaving school he engaged in the profession of teaching; this he continued fir eight or nine terms, spending his summers in farm work. When he had taught two terms in Illinois, he determined to abandon the profession, and in order to carry out this desire -472- he bought a farm in De Kalb County, Illinois, on which he lived until 1882. In that year he removed to Cherokee County, Iowa, and purchased seventy acres of land in section 11, Sheridan Township, on which he is still living. Mr. Spencer was married in April, 1844, to Miss Betsey A. Harvey, a daughter of Paul and Elizabeth (Southworth) Harvey, who was born in Chenango County, New York, December 10, 1820. Her mother was a native of the State of New York, and her father was born in Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer are the parents of six children: Elon G. and L. B., living in Woodbury County, Iowa; Zelia A., wife of Arthur Stewart, of Cherokee Township; W. F., of De Kalb County, Illinois; W. F., of De Kalb County, Illinois; Emma, wife of Phillip Smith, of Amherst Township, and Lavina, living with her parents in Meriden, Iowa. Politically Mr. Spencer is a Prohibitionist. In De Kalb County he held the office of township clerk, and was deputy county superintendent of public instruction. He and his wife are worthy members of the Adventist Christian Church; he has been a preacher for about thirty-five years, and has done faithful service for his Master. He is a man firm in his convictions of right and wrong, and has the confidence of the community in which he lives. JOHN GEORGE MONTAGNE, one of the thriving and extensive farmers of Tilden Township, is an American only by adoption, having been born in Oldenburg, Germany, December 1, 1839; he is the fifth of a family of eight children of John F. and Anna M. (Gerdels) Montagne. Two of the children died in their native land, and two in America. When John G. was five years of age his parents bade farewell to the beloved fatherland and emigrated to the New World. It is indeed an act of heroism to leave home and friends and native land, and take up the burden of life in a new and untried county; but there are many brave hearts who have done this thing, and it is to them that America is largely indebted for the rapid progress she has made in the development of her vast resources. The Montagne family continued their journey after landing in this country until they came to Texas, and there they settled near Houston, remaining there six years. In 1851 they returned to the old country, and there the mother died about 1863; the same year the father came back to America, and the following year John G. came back bringing his brother and sister. During his boyhood our subject attended the common schools, and at the age of twenty years he entered the Queen's service, and for two years he served the Crown. When he came to America he located in Lyons, Clinton County, Iowa, where he spent nine years. In 1873 he came to Cherokee County, and settled on a farm of 160 acres in Tilden Township; this was scarcely deserving the name of a farm, as it was wild, uncultivated land, and the task of improving it was not a light one. In 1873 he erected a good residence, and ten years later he built and addition, and now has a comfortable, roomy dwelling. His farm buildings are of the best kind, and he has further added to the value of the place by planting five acres of grove. As his means increased Mr. Montagne invested in land, and now owns 667 acres; he furnishes us with one of the many examples of men who have begun life without a farthing but who have persevered, and managed, and save, until they have accumulated a comfortable fortune. Mr. Montagne was married September 1, 1870, to Lena Rohwedden, who was born in Holstein, Germany, September 21, 1848. they are -473- the parents of eight children, six of whom are living: John F., Anna, George, Henry, Minnie and Lena. They are members of the Lutheran Church. JOHN C. MONTAGNE was born in the State of Texas, eight miles from the city of Houston, November 14, 1847. He is the son of John F. Montagne and Margaretta (Gerles) Montagne, who removed to the State of New York when John C. was a child five years of age. After a short time they returned to Oldenburg, Germany, from which place they originally came. Ther our subject passed his youth until his seventeenth year. There were eight children in the family: Two died in Texas, and the mother and two children died in Germany. The father and three remaining children returned to America in 1864, and settled in Lyons, Clinton County, where the father died the following year. John C. was trained in the duties of that most independent avocation, farming, and in the spring of 1872 he came to Cherokee County and purchased 160 acres of land in Tilden Township, which civilization had not disturbed; there he began cultivating the soil and making improvements, and he has probably done as much as any other man in the township toward the advancement of the county's interests. He has added to his first purchase of land until he now holds a deed to 480 acres, all of which is under cultivation. He has erected a fine dwelling and numerous farm buildings; he has planted a grove of five acres, and altogether has one of the most desirable farms in the county. He has acquired all his possessions through his own efforts, excepting a small legacy bequeathed him by his father, and is a thoroughly a self-made man. Mr. Montagne affiliates with no political parties, preferring to cast his vote for the men best suited in his opinion to fill the requirements of the office. His neighbors have shown their confidence in him by calling him to fill the office of trustee, road supervisor and school director, in which he has given entire satisfaction. Mr. Montagne was united in marriage January 30, 1873, to Miss Margaretta Bierman, a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Plöger) Bierman. She was born in Quincy, Illinois, in January, 1853. Mr. Montagne is a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.

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