-522- W. E. SIMONS, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Tilden Township, was born in Iowa County, Wisconsin, August 4, 1851, and is the son of William and Julia (Sieley) Simons. He is the oldest of a family of twelve children, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He obtained his education in the district schools, which afforded rather meager advantages in those early days. After he had attained his majority he spent one year in the pineries of Wisconsin, and then returned to his old neighborhood and rented a farm, on which he lived for two years. In 1876 he came to Iowa and located in Cherokee County. He rented a farm in Sheridan Township for one year, and then removed to Tilden Township, where he bought 160 acres of raw prairie land. The same spring he erected a small residence and began life in earnest. His nearest neighbor was two miles away, and they were few even at that distance, there being only eighteen families in the township at that time. He was in the county two years before he had any grain for market, on account of the grasshoppers, and one with less pluck and energy would have been discouraged with this unfortunate beginning. Nothing daunted, however, he persevered, and in 1880 he was enabled t make an additional -523- purchase of eighty acres of land in Tilden Township. He has made many valuable improvements; in 1886 he erected a fine two-story residence, and in 1887 a commodious barn, admirably adapted to all requirements of a stock and grain farm. when one considers that Mr. Simons started with nothing but a determination to succeed, and then views all that he has accomplished, he is impelled to offer his hearty congratulations and best wishes. March 19, 1874, occurred the marriage of W. E. Simons and Miss Anna Chenhill, a daughter of Stephen and Jane (Truran) Chenhill. she was born in Wisconsin, June 20, 1854. They are the parents of six children: Eugene, Myra, Melville, Ross, Mirrell and Carrie. Mr. Simons is a firm believer in the principles of the Greenback party. He was elected assessor of Tilden Township in November, 1888, and has served as trustee for nine years. During 1881 he filled the office of secretary of the School Board very acceptably. EZEKIEL L. WILSON, a highly esteemed farmer of Tilden Township, Cherokee County, was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, October 13, 1825. When he was four years old his parents, Samuel and Ruth (Thornburgh) Wilson, also natives of North Carolina, removed to Indiana, and settled near Richmond, Wayne County. They remained there five years, and then went to Hamilton County, Indiana, where our subject grew to manhood. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and enjoyed the advantages afforded by the old-style district school. He did not go out from the protecting shelter of the parental roof until he was twenty-six years old, but continued to work on his father's farm; after he was twenty-one he shared the crops with his father. Mr. Wilson was married in his twenty-sixth year, April 4, 1853, to Naomi H. Stanley, daughter of Abel and Rachel (Rayl) Stanley. she was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, August 14, 1819, and was reared in Hendricks County, Indiana. They are the parents of four children; two died in infancy. Nathan was born December 20, 1856; he is the present justice of the peace in Tilden Township, and was married to Anna Hisey, a native of Ohio. Sylvanus C. was born March 15, 1859, and is living at home, having lacked one year of finishing his course at college. After his marriage Mr. Wilson continued to live in Hamilton County until 1864, when he decided to go still farther west, and came to Iowa, settling in Marshall County. There he made his home until 1883, when he came to Cherokee County and settled on his farm in Tilden Township. This place contains 240 acres, fifty of which had been broken, but aside from this there were no improvements. Mr. Wilson at once erected a small house, in which the family lived while the main portion of their present roomy dwelling was being built. He has also built a barn and sheds for the protection of live-stock, and granaries. His farm buildings are as fine as nay in the county, and he has brought his land to an advanced state of cultivation. He has planted three acres of grove, which adds very much to the beauty of the surrounding landscape. He occupies his time exclusively in farming and stock-raising, and takes an active interest in the propagation of the better grades of stock, his preference being for short-horn cattle. However, Mr. Wilson has not stood alone, but has had the assistance of a helpful, sympathetic wife in all his struggles. It would seem that our subject was -524- born to be a pioneer. He assisted his father to clear a farm in Indiana, and afterward cleared one for himself in the same State; he then came to Iowa, and has opened up two farms since coming here, one of 116 acres in Marshall County, and his present place of abode. He afterward bought fifty acres that were improved. Politically he is an active worker in the Republican ranks. He has served as school director, and filed the office very acceptably. He and his wife are members of the Society of Friends, and are among the most highly respected people in the county. HORACE M. FERRIN, farmer and stock-raiser, of Tilden Township, was born in Carroll County, Illinois, March 27, 1848. He is the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Preston) Ferrin, natives of Vermont and Massachusetts respectively. Horace M. is the fourth child of a family of fifteen. He devoted his earlier years to assisting his father on the farm and in acquiring an education. When he had attained his majority he rented land on his own responsibility, and also operated his father's farm until 1881, when he emigrated to Iowa and settled on land which he had purchased in 1877. There were 160 acres of wild prairie, and he has since added eighty acres adjoining. He has devoted his whole time and attention to the improvement and cultivation of his farm, and to-day it is one of the best in the township. In 1882 Mr. Ferrin erected a neat and substantial residence, and in 1888 he built a fine commodious barn, affording ample accommodations for the care and protection of live-stock and storage for grain and hay. He has a complete system of water-works, furnishing an abundant supply for all purposes. He has further added to the value of his farm by planting a grove of five acres. One less thrifty and energetic than our worthy subject would not in the few short years have brought around him so many comforts and conveniences. During his residence in the county he has done much for the general welfare, and has won a wide circle of friends. Politically he is of the Republican party, and takes an active interest in the success of the same. In January, 1889, he was appointed to fill the vacancy on the County Board of Supervisors, and is the present township clerk, this being his second term; he has been president of the School Board for six years, and has ever given satisfaction in the discharge of his duties. He is a member of Seba Lodge, No. 463, A.F. & A.M., and of the A.O.U.W. Mr. Ferrin was united in marriage November 23, 1873, to Miss Viola Cummings, a daughter of Reuel and Helen (Bibbins) Cummings. she was born March 16, 1856, in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. they are the parents of four children: Reuel V., born February 20,1 875; Winnie A., born April 27, 1877; Joseph F., born February 3, 1879, and Amos G., born November 20, 1885. ALBERT J. CUSHMAN was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, August 21, 1847, and is the son of Charles and Laura (Rice) Cushman, natives of Ohio and New York respectively. the father died in Trumbull County in 1855 at the age of forty-one years; the mother still lives with her son, Albert J., at the age of seventy-four years. They were the parents of three children: Albert J., the subject of this notice; Lucy, deceased in infancy, and Mary, the wife of J. D. Perkins, residing in Nebraska. Albert J. grew to manhood in the county in -525- which he was born, and obtained his education in the common schools and an academy. When he had reached man's estate and was starting out for himself, he determined to seek his fortune in new and untried fields. Accordingly, he removed to Iowa and settled in Cedar County, where he remained five years. September 2, 1872, he came to Cherokee County, and purchased 120 acres of land in Amherst Township. The year before he had spent six weeks in the county, and was familiar with the lay of the land. He first erected a small house of three rooms, which he has since enlarged to one of the best farm residences in the township. The land was raw prairie, and the task of reclaiming it from nature's wildness was no light one. In addition to the usual drawbacks and hardships there were grasshoppers for five years, a trial great enough to weaken the stoutest heart. Fuel was hauled a distance of sixteen miles, which when secured was the poorest kind, being cottonwood brush; however, they were glad to get even that. Facing one trial bravely gave courage for the next, and thus they persevered, and to-day they have their reward. The Cushman farm consists of 240 acres under good cultivation, with the best improvements. Mr. Cushman is a conspicuous figure in the politics of the township, affiliating with the Republican party. For seventeen years he has held the office of secretary of the School Board, and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the school work. He has also held the office of trustee. In early days, with the hospitality characteristic of the pioneer, he would throw open his house for political caucuses, and made every effort to forward his party's interests. Mr. Cushman was married February 14, 1883, to Miss Lizzie Arnold, a daughter of F. D. and Mary (Lehman) Arnold, now residents of Amherst Township. Mrs. Cushman was born in Defiance County, Ohio,l September 30, 1862. Four children have been born of this union: Arthur G., Edith M., Laura B. and Charles F. Mrs. Cushman is an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Cushman is one of the originators of the Farmer's Elevator Company, of Marcus, and also assisted in the organization of the Western Cherokee Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, of Marcus, Iowa. G. F. COBURN, an enterprising and successful farmer of Tilden Township, was born in Boone County, Illinois, May 12, 1856. He is a son of A. and Mary (Wright) Coburn, natives of Androscoggin County, Maine, and it was in this county, amid the scenes of the childhood of his father and mother, that he also grew to manhood. At the age of eight years he was taken back to the State of Maine, and there he remained until his eighteenth year, being trained to the occupation of a farmer, and receiving his education in the common schools. In 1874 he was seized with the Western fever, and made a trip to Iowa, where he spent four years working by the month on a farm. At the expiration of that period he came to Cherokee County and purchased 160 acres of land in Tilden Township. There he began life in a dug-out, all alone, which is evidence abundant of his pluck and grit; he had few neighbors, and the country being new he necessarily encountered many hardships. But he face all of these drawbacks bravely, and is now reaping the reward of his industry. As his means would permit he made further investments in land, and to-day owns 200 acres in an advanced state of cultivation, and improved with excellent buildings. -526- Mr. Coburn has felt that duty shared by so many prairie farmers, and has planted four acres of beautiful grove. Although a young man he has already attained an unquestionable position in the county, both from a social and financial standpoint. Politically he is one of the most zealous workers in the Republican party. He devotes his time exclusively to farming and dealing in live-stock, being one of the extensive shippers in the township. Mr. Coburn was united in marriage November 9, 1879, to Miss Mary Coburn, a daughter of Albert and Elizabeth Coburn, born in the State of New York, June 13, 1856. Her mother's maiden name was Pettingill. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Coburn: Arthur A., John W., Pearlie E. and Alvin G. Mrs. Coburn is an active worker and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. WILLIAM P. SMITH has lived from his boyhood in Cherokee County. June 15, 1854, he was born in Ontario, Canada, a son of Matthias and Ruth (Christy) Smith. In his early childhood his parents removed to De Kalb County, Illinois, where they spent ten years, and then removed to Lake City, Iowa; there they remained only one summer, and in October, 1869, they came to Cherokee County and located a claim on what is now known as Amherst Township, section 22. William P. spent his youth in assisting his father on the farm and in acquiring the best education which the common schools of that day afforded. By close application and embracing every opportunity that offered, he succeeded in gaining a practical education. Until twenty-one years of age he remained on the farm with his father, assisting as only the strength and hope of youth can do; there were many drawbacks, such as blizzards, grasshoppers, and trials peculiar to a new and unsettled country. As many times as one hears the story of the pioneer life he must be impressed anew with admiration for the courage and determination of those who pushed ahead and on to victory. After attaining his majority Mr. Smith began working by the month, and contributed from his earnings for the improvements of the home farm. In 1879 he purchased a trace of eighty acres in Amherst Township, and two years later he bought another piece containing forty acres. He has erected a good residence, and barns for the protection and care of live-stock, and has placed his land under good cultivation; he is thrift and prosperous, and is deserving of much credit for the advancement he has made, often under adverse circumstances. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 339. Mr. Smith was united in marriage April 21, 1886, to Miss Emma O. Spencer, a daughter of Norman W. and Betsey (Harvey) Spencer. Mrs. Smith was born in De Kalb County, Illinois, March 27, 1861. Mr. Smith is an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He and his wife are most worthy people and are held in high esteem in the township. JACOB MAYER, one of the successful and progressive agriculturists of Amherst Township, was born in Würtemberg, Germany, September 15, 1845, and is a son of Conrad and Katie Mayer. He was left an orphan at an early age, his father dying when he was five years old, and his mother when he was only one year of age. He and one sister are the only children, and she still lives in their native country. Jacob -527- made his home with an uncle until he was fourteen years old, working on the farm and attending the common schools. From his fourteenth until his twenty-first year he worked by the month. He was then drafted into the war between Prussia and Austria in 1866, and was in the regular service for two years; he was held almost another year, when he could no longer endure the restraint, and ran away, coming to America. He landed about the middle of August, and settled in Seneca County, Ohio, where he had an uncle living; there he remained only a short time, when he went to Baltimore, and in the spring of 1870 he came as far west as St. Louis; he spent one year in that city engaged as a carriage driver, and then removed to Illinois, where he worked by the month until he came to Cherokee County in 1876. For the first three years he made his home with Adam Dorr. In 1875, previous to his coming to the county, he had purchased a tract of eighty acres of land in Amherst Township; as soon as he came to the county he began to improve this land, which was raw prairie, and he now has one of the finest homes in the township. He has erected a fine two-story residence, and has added to his first purchase until he now owns 120 acres of land in one tract, and eighty-six acres in another in Tilden Township. He has had a hard struggle since coming to the county, meeting all the trials and privations incident to pioneer life with that courage for which the early settlers of this section are justly noted. Mr. Mayer's home is surrounded by three acres of beautiful grove, and he has substantial buildings for stock and grain. He is identified with the Republican party, and has represented his township officially as road supervisor. Mr. Mayer was married February 14, 1876, to Miss Amelia Stake, who was born in Prussia, December 13, 1851, and came to America in 1874. They are the parents of four children: Minnie, Emma, Amelia and John. They are members of the German Lutheran Church, and Mr. Mayer is steward and class-leader of the same. ROBERT GRACEY, one of the leading young farmers of Cherokee County, resides in Amherst Township on his farm of 200 acres. He is a native of Jackson County, Iowa, born January 2, 1861, and is a son of James C. and Ann (Bryan) Gracey, the father being a native of Ireland, and the mother of England. Robert is the elder of a family of two children; his brother James is also a resident of Cherokee County, while the parents still live in Jackson County. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his earlier education in the common schools. In 1879 he entered the International Business College of Davenport, Iowa, and was graduated from that institution in April, 1881. He then returned to his father's farm, and remained there until the spring o f1883, when he came to Cherokee County and purchased a farm of 160 acres of raw prairie in Amherst Township; the same year he erected a fine two-story residence, to which he has since made a small addition; he has also built good barns for stock and grain, and has placed his land under excellent cultivation. Although a young man Mr. Gracey has attained an enviable position in the county, where he is recognized as one of the reliable, well-to-do citizens. Politically he casts his suffrage with the Republican party, and in the autumn of 1888 he was elected assessor of the township. He devotes himself to farming and stock-raising, and has gathered about him all the modern conveniences for his chosen avocation. January 16, 1884, occurred the wedding of Robert Gracey and Alida Miles, daughter of H. A. and Sophia (Prussia) Miles, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Grace was born in Jackson County, Iowa, September 29, 1861. They are the parents of two children: Miles Glenn was born October 25, 1884, and Ethel was born May 3, 1886. Mrs. Gracey is a worthy member of the Christian Church, and the family are among the most respected citizens of Cherokee County. H. B. LEHMAN has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since 1881, when he settled in Amherst Township. He was born in Defiance County, Ohio, March 30, 1843, and is the son of Jacob and Magdalene (Baer) Lehman, natives of Germany. He was the sixth of a family of eleven children, and was reared in his native county to farm life, obtaining his education in the common schools. Mr. Lehman was united in marriage February 3, 1867, to Miss Catharine Hornish, a daughter of John and Eve (Friece) Hornish, natives of Ohio and Germany respectively. Mrs. Lehman is one of a family of twelve children, and was born October 24, 1847, in Defiance County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman continued to reside in Defiance County after their marriage until 1871, when they removed to Benton County, Iowa, where they made their home until 1881, when they came to Cherokee County. They made a purchase of 160 acres of land in Amherst Township, and the first building erected on this place was a chicken house. Then Mr. Lehman built a small shanty, in which the family lived two weeks, while the barn was being built; when the barn was completed they moved into it, and remained there during the summer, while their dwelling was being erected; this was a comfortable story and a half building, but has since been increased in size until it is one of the finest homes in the township. And now, where a few short years ago all was a raw, uncultivated prairie, one of the finest farms in the county has been developed through the labors and efforts of Mr. Lehman; he has planted three acres of fine grove, and has added to his original purchase until he now owns 200 acres. He devotes his entire time and attention to farming, and is one of the leading agriculturists of Amherst Township. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman are the parents of nine children: David (deceased), Noah (deceased), Anna, Ella (deceased), Mary (deceased), John F., Jennie (deceased), Samuel H. (deceased), and Ray C. They are members of the Brethren Church of Marcus. Mr. Lehman was reared in the old German Baptist Church; he had been a deacon for five years, and was elected a minister, and served in that capacity for twelve years, when in 1887 he withdrew on account of the strict discipline in regard to dress. A number of others withdrew at the same time for the same reason, and formed a society known as the Marcus Society of the Brethren Church. Mr. Lehman serves this body in the capacity of pastor. JOHN BARR, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Amherst Township, although an American by adoption, claims Ireland as his native land, where he was born in County Londonderry, in October, 1841. He is a son of David and Sarah (Mulholland) Barr, who emigrated to this country when our subject was four years old. They settled in Canada, where John was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his education. In 1869 he and two brothers, who -529- were not satisfied with what they had seen of the world, decided to take a trip to California, where they spent four years. It was while living in that State that Mr. Barr, through one George Ward, invested in land in Iowa; he bought 120 acres in Amherst Township, Cherokee County, and in 1874 he came here and settled and began making a home. As his means would permit he has bought more land, until he now owns 400 acres of as fine land as can be found in Cherokee County. Through his own efforts it has been brought to an advanced state of cultivation, and has been improved with a good residence, barns, cribs and granaries. The buildings are surrounded by a beautiful grove of four acres, which adds much to the attractiveness of the place. Mr. Barr has seen the rough side of live in Cherokee County, but is the more able to appreciate fully the present prosperous condition of the community, having witnessed its development from the wild state of nature in which white men found it. He is a stanch Republican, and takes an active interest in political affairs. Mr. Barr was married January 8, 1875, to Elizabeth Campbell, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, who was born in 1853. Four children have been born of this union: David C., Peter C., Jessie B. and Elsie M. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the leading settlers of Amherst Township. JOSEPH RICKER.—Nicholas and Engle (Kuter) Ricker were born in Prussia, and came to America in 1848. They were soon after married in St. Louis, Missouri, and settled in Galena, Illinois, where they remained about six months. They then removed to Jackson County, Iowa, where Mr. Ricker still resides at the age of sixty-two years; his wife died May 23, 1864, at the age of thirty-five years. They had nine children born to them: Lena, Henry, Anna, Joseph, Fred, Frank (deceased). Joseph, the subject of this biographical sketch, was born in Jackson County, Iowa, November 24, 1855. Trained in that most independent of avocations, farming, he has made it his life's work. In the spring of 1877 he came to Cherokee County, and settled on 120 acres of land which he had purchased the previous year; he made and additional purchase of forty acres of the railroad company, but there were now improvements on the place, excepting twenty acres that had been broken. The first year he erected a small house in which he began house-keeping, with his sister as hostess. The next spring he returned to Jackson County, and March 11, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Earnest, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Partz) Earnest, natives of Hanover and Luxemburg, Germany. Mrs. Ricker was born in Jackson County, Iowa, and there grew to womanhood. After his marriage Mr. Ricker returned to his home with his bride, and there they have continued to live. He has added to the residence until it is now a roomy edifice, surrounded by a beautiful grove of seven acres. He has added to his first purchase of land until he owns 365 acres. Both pieces of land are well improved with substantial buildings, and are under excellent cultivation. He received some assistance from his father in the beginning of his career and has proved himself fully worthy of the gift. To-day he occupies a place among the leading farmers of the county, and is highly esteemed by all with whom he has any dealings. Mr. Ricker is identified with the Democratic party, having cast the first Democratic vote in the township. He is chairman of the township Democratic committee, and has taken an active part in the promotion of his party's welfare in the county. The Ricker family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. There are four children: Clara A., born September 18, 1881; Eli J., born March 19, 1884, and died February 24, 1887; Reuel N. born February 10, 1888; and Phillipp C., born May 26, 1889. J. E. McGEE, is one of the progressive farmers of Cherokee County, and a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party.

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