Fred Johnk, today numbered among the leading agriculturists and stock-raisers of Lincoln township although he arrived in Iowa with a cash capital of but eight dollars and fifty cents, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, November 16, 1848, his parents being Wulf and Lena (Moore) Johnk. The parents, leaving their native land, came to America in 1875, and both died in this county. Of their family of five children four are now living: Fred; Hanning, of Nebraska; Matilda, the wife of John Miller, of this state; and August, who is living in Lincoln township.

Fred Johnk spent the first twenty years of his life in the country of his nativity and then bade adieu to friends and home preparatory to coming to the new world. The voyage across the briny deep being completed, he made his way into the interior of the country and for one year worked by the month as a farm hand in the vicinity of Davenport, Iowa. He then removed to Mercer country, Illinois, where he worked at farm labor for seven years. In 1878 he arrived in Pottawatta-

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mie county, and that he had been frugal as well as industrious was proven by the fact that he was now able to purchase a farm of eighty acres, which he located in Lincoln township. With this as a nucleus he has added to his possessions from time to time until his holdings now aggregate six hundred and sixty acres all on sections 30 and 31, Lincoln township, except one hundred and six acres in Valley township. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs and cattle and his live-stock interests are now an important and lucrative branch of his business.

Mr. Johnk was married April 29, 1902, to Mrs. Mary (Peterson) Sneider, a widow and a daughter of Albert Peterson, who is now living in Pottawattamie county. Unto them have been born two children: Lena and Theodore R.

Mr. Johnk is a stalwart republican, having great admiration for the president, and to the party he always gives his stanch support. For several terms he has served as school director and the cause of education benefits by his efforts to secure good teachers and introduce progressive methods of public instruction. He has been very successful in his business life, making judicious investments and accumulating a handsome fortune. Arriving in Iowa almost empty handed, he has worked his way gradually upward and his merit and ability have been the basis of his present desirable success.

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WILLIAM H. KUHN.

William H. Kuhn, deceased, was for many years a respected and worthy representative of agricultural interests in this county. He was born October 20, 1832, in Frederick county, Maryland, and was one of a family of seven children whose parents were Joseph and Sarah (Ovelman) Kuhn, both of whom died in Maryland. Only two of their children are still living: Rev. David Kuhn, a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Captain Leander Kuhn, a veteran of the Civil war, now living in Maryland. Another brother, Cyrus, came to Pottawattamie county and died in Council Bluffs.

William H. Kuhn obtained his education in the common schools of his native state and when seventeen years of age began preparation for life's practical and responsible duties by learning the millwright's trade. He became identified with Pottawattamie county during the pioneer epoch in its history, arriving here in 1857, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade in the employ of Captain Williams of Council Bluffs. In August of the same year, however, he made his way to Garner township and entered the employ of William Garner, an honored early settler and extensive farmer, whose daughter he afterward married. He was employed by Mr. Garner to aid in the construction of a gristmill and after its completion he assisted in its operation for some time. In 1858, however, he went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, attracted by the gold discoveries there and remained for a year. He then returned and operated the mill for Mr. Garner until 1864. He next made his way to the mining

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regions of the northwest, driving an ox-team to Montana, where he spent about a year and a half, his wife, however, remaining in Garner township during that period.

After his return to Pottawattamie county Mr. Kuhn built a woolen mill for his father-in-law, which he conducted until 1868, when with his family he removed on to the farm on section 3, Garner township, where his widow and son now reside. This property had been given to Mrs. Kuhn by her father and comprised two hundred acres of wild land. Mr. Kuhn built the present residence, barn and other out-buildings, fenced the farm and improved the land, converting the raw tract into productive fields. Year by year he planted the seed and harvested good crops, carefully carrying on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his demise. He also added four hundred acres of wild land to the two hundred acre tract which his wife had received. Most of this is now used for pasture, no buildings having been erected upon it. It is, however, rich pasture land and gives good opportunity for stock-raising interests, which are carried on by his son. The buildings are all in good condition and the residence is one of the attractive farm homes of Garner township.

It was on the 13th of November, 1861, that Mr. Kuhn was united in marriage to Miss Julia Garner, a daughter of William Garner, of whom extensive mention is made elsewhere in this volume. They became the parents of five children: Frank, now of Council Bluffs; Sarah, the wife of Albert Downs, of the same city; Margaret, who died in 1879; Brick, of Chicago; and William H., who is living with his mother and conducting the old homestead.

Mr. Kuhn was one of the reliable citizens of the county and assisted in many ways to develop and improve Garner township. In politics he was a democrat and served his township as assessor for several years. He was also a member of the school board for many years and was interested in all that pertained to the intellectual, political and material progress of his community. He died very suddenly on the 18th of May, 1906, and many friends as well as his immediate family greatly mourned his loss, for he had ever commanded the respect and confidence of those who knew him and had gained their warm personal regard. Mrs. Kuhn still lives upon the home farm with her youngest son and is well known as a representative of one of the most prominent pioneer families of the county.

That Dr. Smith W. Bellinger is a capable physician is indicated by the fact that he is a member in good standing of various medical societies and has a gratifying practice in Council Bluffs, where he has been located since 1904. He is one of the younger representatives of the profession but his years seem no bar to his ability nor his progress.

He was born in Ogdensburg, New York, on the 8th of August, 1876, and there resided until ten years of age, when the family home was established at Greenfield, Massachusetts. The succeeding seven years were there

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passed, during which period he attended the public schools. Later he returned to Ogdensburg, New York, where he resided until 1899, when he came to Council Bluffs. His desire to become an active member of the medical fraternity led him to pursue a course of study in the University of Nebraska, from which he was graduated in the class of 1904. He then opened an office in Council Bluffs and during the three years which have since come and gone he has gained a liberal patronage which is proof not only of his scientific knowledge but also of his skill in applying this to the needs of his patients. The results which attend his labors are satisfactory and he is continually advancing in professional power through his membership in the American Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Society, the Pottawattamie County Medical Society, the Council Bluffs Medical Society and the Medical Soeiety of the Missouri Valley.

Pleasantly located in his home life, Dr. Bellinger on the 29th of April, 1907, was married at Brockville, Canada, to Miss Edythe McCallum. In Masonry he has attained the Knight Templar degree and is in hearty sympathy with the teachings and tenets of the craft. His political support is given the democracy.

It is imperative in this connection that mention be made of Colonel William Fletcher Sapp, whose life history has reflected credit and honor upon the people and the city that honored him. He was for many years a distinguished resident of Council Bluffs and was recognized as a man remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom, in his indomitable perseverance and his strong individuality, while in his entire life there was not one esoteric phase.

Colonel Sapp was born at Danville, Knox county, Ohio, on the 20th of November, 1824, and departed this life on the 22d of November, 1890. His grandfather, Daniel Sapp, was born and reared near Frostburg, Maryland, whence he removed to the eastern part of Knox county, Ohio, settling near the town of Danville, which was named in his honor. Before leaving Maryland he wedded Mary Robinson, and reared a large family amid the pioneer surroundings and environments of Knox county, Ohio. He took an active part in the development and progress of that locality, served as supervisor and also filled, the office of justice of the peace for many years but was never a politician in the sense of office seeking. He and three older brothers' served their country as soldiers in the war of 1812.

John Sapp, the father of Colonel Sapp and the eldest child of Daniel Sapp, was born in Knox county, Ohio, where he spent his entire life, passing away there in December, 1833. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Meyers, was a native of Cumberland, Maryland, but at an early age accompanied her parents on their removal to Knox county, Ohio. Mr. Sapp was a prosperous man of his locality. Prior to his death he had con-

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verted his property into cash and made arrangements far the removal of his family to St. Louis, Missouri, but was taken ill and while an his deathbed he purchased a farm adjoining Danville, Ohio, to which his widow removed following his demise, there an rearing her family of three children.

William Fletcher Sapp, the only son, was a little lad of but nine years at the time of his father's death. He continued to live with his mother and sisters, working on the farm in the summer months, while in the winter seasons he attended the public schools. He was much interested in debating societies and lyceums of that period and won local note by his ability in debate. At the age of fifteen he began devoting much of his time in the summer months to reading and to such studies as he could master without a tutor, still continuing to attend the public schools in the winter seasons. At the age of eighteen he became a student in Martinsburg Academy in his native county, and when he had sufficiently qualified far teaching he took up that work. He, however, continued his studies in the summer sessions of the academy until he began reading law in the spring of 1847, in the office of Hon. Columbus Delano and the Hon. William R. Sapp, his uncle, at Mount Vernon, Ohio. Already his ability in the debate was well known and he had scarcely entered upon the study of law until his services were sought in the justice courts, bringing him a sufficient revenue to provide for his awn support, while studying law and enabling him to purchase a small library of law books when he began practice. He sprang almost immediately into a large and successful practice in the courts of Knox county, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar on the 27th of June, 1850, and farmed a partnership with Hon. Walter H. Smith, then a young man, who had read law in the same office with Mr. Sapp. He was engaged in the trial of a number of important civil and criminal cases during the first year after his admission and his ability in their conduct led his whig friends to make him a candidate far the office of prosecuting attorney in the fall of 1850. At that time the normal democratic majority in Knox county was nearly nine hundred and the party nominated for prosecuting attorney General George W. Morgan, who had recently returned with an enviable reputation from the Mexican war. When the votes were counted it was ascertained that General Morgan had but thirty-two majority aver Mr. Sapp, who was then a mere boy.

In 1854 Mr. Sapp became actively connected with the work of organizing a new republican party, became its candidate for prosecuting attorney and was elected over the democratic nominee by a very flattering majority. In 1856 he was again elected and in that year another important event in his life occurred--his marriage to Miss Mary C. Brawn, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, a daughter of Captain Richard M. Brown, who had commanded a company during the war of 1812. The wedding ceremony was performed on the 29th of December of that year.

Colonel Sapp continued in the practice of law in Ohio from 1850 until 1860 but the strenuous campaign work which he did in 1856 in support of the republican party undermined his health and in the fall of 1859 he started out in search of a new location. This led to his removal to Omaha,

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Nebraska, in the spring of 1860, and there he opened a law office, soon winning recognition of his ability in a large clientage. In the summer of 1861 he was appointed adjutant general of the territory of Nebraska and in the fall of that year he was nominated a member of the territorial legislative committee by the republicans of Douglas county to fill a vacancy, the nomination being followed by an election which brought him to an office that found in him a most worthy and capable incumbent.

In was about this time that Colonel Sapp entered upon the military service which added new luster to his name. In 1862 Major General Pope issued an order for a regiment of cavalry to be raised in the territory of Nebraska to serve for nine months on the frontier against the Indians and relieve the regular army then stationed at Fort Kearney and other military posts. As adjutant general he aided Governor Saunders in raising the regiment and was appointed lieutenant colonel. During the time of his military service he was put in command of the department of the Platte upon the resignation of General James Craig, of St. Joseph, Missouri, which position he filled until relieved by General McKane.

Before the Second Nebraska Cavalry was mustered out of service Colonel Sapp had made arrangements to enter into a law partnership with Samuel Clinton, of Council Bluffs, and after spending the winter with his family in Ohio, he came to this city, where he entered upon practice as a member of the firm of Clinton & Sapp. Their practice extended to the federal as well as the state courts. Mr. Sapp was recognized as a man of well balanced intellect, thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, of comprehensive general information and possessed of an analytical mind. Moreover, he brought to the starting point of his legal career certain rare gifts--eloquence of language and a strong personality and from the beginning his extensive clientage connected him with the most important litigation tried in the courts of Pottawattamie county and of Iowa.

The services of a man of his ability, however, were in demand by the public, and in the fall of 1865 he was elected to represent his adopted county in the state legislature, becoming an active working member on the floor of the house. He was connected with much constructive legislation in the committee rooms and was frequently heard in debate. He introduced and secured the passage of a bill, locating the Iowa School for the Deaf at Council Bluffs; also a bill for holding the- state supreme court in this city. He declined re-election to the legislature and was out of office until 1869, when he was appointed United States district attorney for Iowa by President Grant. For four years with honor and credit he filled that office and he made a record for excellence in that position unsurpassed by any other United States attorney during that period. Congressional honors came to him when he was elected representative from the eighth district of Iowa, comprising the counties of Adams, Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harri son, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Carroll and Union. He was elected by a majority of over four thousand and was nominated without opposition as the republican candidate for the forty-sixth congress, on which occasion he received fifteen thousand, three hundred and forty

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three votes against seven thousand, four hundred and fifty-three votes given the democratic candidate, and seven thousand, seven hundred and sixty votes cast for the national party candidate. His congressional service was in harmony with the honorable record which he had previously made. His work was ever of a practical character--a resultant factor in much important legislation. He introduced a bill which was passed, providing for holding the United States circuit courts at times and places where the United States district courts then convened, that is at Dubuque, Des Moines, Keokuk and Council Bluffs. He was also instrumental in securing the passage of bills giving to this city for park purposes Big lake and Carr lake, which are now city property. He introduced a bill which was unanimously adopted by the committee on public grounds in both the forty-fifth and forty-sixth congresses for the purchase of grounds and the location of a government building in Council Bluffs, but owing to the stern opposition of Hon. Samuel J. Randall, then speaker of the house, he was refused a recognition to move and suspend the rules and have his bill passed, at both sessions, which doubtless he would have procured but for the opposition of the speaker. His fidelity to the interests of his district and the country at large is indicated by the fact that he was never absent from a roll call during the sessions of either congress and he never failed to answer a letter written to him in his official capacity by anyone in his district. His public service was always above reproach and was actuated by the utmost fidelity to duty and a sense of conscientious obligation in all that he did. In 1884 he was nominated by the state convention of Iowa by acclamation as elector at large by Hon. James G. Blaine, then the republican presidential nominee.

In the practice of law Colonel Sapp has won equal honors and distinction. His clientage was always large and of a distinctively representative character, and he gave his time with the utmost devotion to his duties in connection with the court save when he was in military service and in congress. It was due to his untiring prosecution of the case that the United States circuit court of Des Moines rendered the decision whereby Council Bluffs was made the terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad Company. The company strongly fought this decision and an appeal was taken to the supreme court of the United States, where, however, the original decision was affirmed. This proved of the utmost benefit to Council Bluffs. That his active service was prompted by a public-spirited interest in the city's welfare is indicated by the fact that he would accept no fee for his services nor even his traveling expenses to and from Washington to present his cause before the supreme court.

In the practice of law following the dissolution of the firm of Clinton & Sapp, Colonel Sapp became a partner of the Hon. Joseph Lyman and the Hon. B. J. Hanna, under the firm style of Sapp, Lyman & Hanna, and when the last named removed to Chicago, the firm of Sapp & Lyman entered upon a continuous existence, of fifteen years. Upon the elevation of Mr. Lyman to the circuit bench on the 1st of January, 1884, Colonel Sapp admitted Hon. N. M. Pusey to a partnership and the new firm upheld the excellent reputation which had always been maintained by the old one. As

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a private lawyer Colonel Sapp had few equals in the state and was regarded as a most formidable adversary. He possessed a most retentive memory, which enabled his to relate not only the gist of the testimony but also the very words of the witnesses. His knowledge of the law was comprehensive and exact and he was seldom if ever at error in applying it to the points in litigation. He never failed to give a thorough preparation and was clear and concise in his appeals before the court. His logical grasp of facts and principles of the law was combined with a remarkable clearness of expression and an adequate and precise diction which enabled him to make others understand not only the salient points of his argument but his ever fine gradation of meaning.

The home life of Colonel and Mrs. Sapp was most pleasant. To them were born three children but they lost two sons in infancy, the surviving son being William F. Sapp, Jr., who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The death of the wife and mother occurred June 20, 1888, and when Colonel Sapp passed away on the 22d of November, 1890, his grave was made by her side in the cemetery at Mount Vernon, Ohio, their early married life having been passed in that city.

Resolutions of respect and condolence were passed by many organizations in Council Bluffs and surrounding counties and a feeling of deepest sorrow was felt by all who knew him. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the state both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community.

Dr. A. S. Beatty is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Council Bluffs and although one of the younger members of the profession stands prominent as a representative of homeopathy here. He was born in Greenfield, Ohio, on the 19th of September, 1875, spending his boyhood and youth in his native city, where he acquired his preliminary education. He was also a student in Salem Academy, at South Salem, Ohio, prior to entering the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, from which he was graduated in the class of 1900.

Having thus acquired a good literary education, Dr. Beatty began preparation for the practice of medicine as a student in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, where he completed his course as a member of the class of 1903. He did excellent work in the school, so much so that he was made interne in Cook County Hospital, in which capacity he served for eighteen months. He thus added to his theoretical knowledge broad and thorough practical experience, greatly augmenting his skill and ability. On leaving the hospital he came to Council Bluffs, where he has since remained in practice, and although here for but a comparatively brief period he has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate and complex problems which

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are continually confronting the physician. He is now a member of the local and state homeopathic medical societies and of the American Institute of Homeopathy and thus keeps in close touch with the onward march of the profession. He is also surgeon and member of the executive board of the Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital.

On the 28th of August, 1901, Dr. Beatty was married in Lyndon, Ohio, to Miss Aimee P. Brown, a daughter of George Brown, and they have one son, Howard G. They have gained many warm friends during their residence in this city, as the circle of their friends has continually broadened. They are members of the First Presbyterian church and Dr. Beatty belongs to the Tribe of Ben Hur. His attention, however, is chiefly given to his professional labors and duties. He has gained recognition as one of the able and successful young physicians of the western part of the state, and by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by the medical profession and the local public.

Charles T. Officer, numbered among the few residents of Council Bluffs who have resided in the city for more than a half century, is here now engaged in the real-estate, loan and insurance business, with a clientage which is indicative of the spirit of enterprise and progress that actuates him in all his business dealings. He is descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry, although the family was established in America in colonial days. His paternal grandfather, Robert Officer, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this work, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Thomas Officer, the father of our subject, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and in 1844, when a young man of twenty-two years, removed to Columbus, Ohio. Several years later he went to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he organized the deaf and dumb school and became its first superintendent. In 1856 he removed to Council Bluffs, where he continued his residence up to the time of his death. Shortly after his arrival here he became identified with the banking business and from that time forward figured prominently in financial circles. He possessed untiring energy, was quick of perception, formed his plans readily and was determined in their execution, and as the years passed by made an enviable reputation as a banker. He died September, 1900.

Charles T. Officer, whose name introduces this review, was born in Jacksonville. Illinois, on the 18th of March, 1854, and was therefore only about two years of age when brought by his parents to Council Bluffs in 1856. In this city he was reared and acquired his elementary education as a student in the public schools. He afterward entered Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he continued for one year, after which he became a student in Lafayette College, at Easton, Pennsylvania. There

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he remained until his graduation in 1878, after completing a general scientific course. Again he came to Council Bluffs and here entered the private bank of Officer & Pusey, the senior partner being his father. He was thus engaged in business until 1900, when the bank was discontinued and Mr. Officer turned his attention to the real-estate, loan and insurance business. He has since handled much property, has placed many loans and written considerable insurance, having a good clientage in each department.

In 1882 Mr. Officer was married in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, to Miss Margaret Boyle, a daughter of Robert and Ann (Miller) Boyle. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He belongs to the First Presbyterian church and his strong and salient characteristics are such as everywhere awaken confidence and regard. Few residents of Council Bluffs have a wider acquaintance than Mr. Officer, who has here lived for fifty-one years and has therefore witnessed the growth of the city from a small town to a place of metropolitan proportions and advantages. The prosperity which has come to him in business is well deserved, for in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. In social life he displays those qualities which produce strong friendships and gives proof of the Emersonian philosophy that "The way to win a friend is to be one."

In a history of an American community it will always be found that there are a considerable number who have risen from obscurity to prominence through their own labors. They owe their success to diligence and capable management and the record is one of which the possessor may well be proud. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual and it has been through this means that Mr. Rock has attained his present enviable position in business circles in Avoca and Pleasant township.

He was born in the province of Waldeck, Prussia, March 19, 1851, and was one of a family of eleven children, whose parents were Frederick and Louise (Schnare) Rock, who were likewise natives of Waldeck, the former born September 26, 1818;and the latter in 1822. The father served as a soldier in the Prussian army but was in no battles. He and his wife held membership in the Lutheran church, and in the year 1882 he came to America to visit his children, nearly all of whom had crossed the Atlantic to identify their inteP8Sts with those of the new world. For a year and a half he visited in Iowa and then returned to his native country, where he died in the year 1895.

In this community the father was a prominent and influential resident who for many years served as justice of the peace, was also a school director and a trustee in his church.

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Of the members of his family Caroline and Carl, the eldest and the fourth in order of birth, live on the old home place in Prussia. Louisa is the wife of Fred H. Rock, of Clinton county, Iowa. Fred also makes his home in Clinton county. William and Christian are living in Avoca. Christiana is the widow of Henry Kronenberg, of Davenport, and Henry is living in Knox township, Pottawattamie county. Three children of the family died in infancy. The children made splendid records for success in business and belong to that German-American element in our citizenship which is an important factor in the upbuilding and progress of the country.

William V. Rock at the usual age entered the public schools, where he continued his studies until he became a youth of fifteen years. He then bade adieu to friends and native country and in 1866 came with his brother Fred to America. They did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made their way at once into the interior of the country, locating first at Davenport, Iowa. William V. Rock was employed for four years at farm labor in Scott county and spent a similar period as a farm hand in Clinton county. Saving his earnings he was enabled to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in 1873 and began farming on his own account. His new place was situated in Pottawattamie county, and in 1874 he broke eighty acres, in the midst of which he built his home, which was one story and a half and fourteen by twenty feet. This building is still standing and is now used as a wash house. In all of his farm work he has been very prosperous and his judicious investments are shown in his valuable realty holdings, comprising eight hundred acres of land, all in this county and divided into five farms. He has seven hundred and twenty acres in Pleasant township and eighty acre in his home place. In 1880 he set out two thousand fruit and shade trees, thus greatly enhancing the value as well as the attractive appearance of his land. He makes a specialty of the raising of shorthorn Durham cattle and has long been recognized as one of the prominent stock-raisers and dealers of this part of the state. A man of resourceful business ability, he has extended his efforts into various fields of activity, becoming a member of the Pottawattamie County Mutual Insurance Company in 1883 and was one of its directors for twenty years. To this he gave his able business management and later he helped place eighty thousand dollars in insurance in Pleasant and Minden townships in one year. He is, moreover, a factor in financial affairs as one of the directors of the Avoca State Bank, which he joined when the institution was reorganized under its present form. He is seldom if ever at fault in matters of business judgment and his keen discernment and laudable ambition enable him to carry forward whatever he undertakes. He allows no difficulties nor obstacles to brook his path but utilizes his opportunities to the best advantage, with the result that he is today one of the leading men of Avoca and this part of the state.

On the 8th of March, 1875, Mr. Rock was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Freese, a daughter of Ludwig and Wilhelmina Freese. They have become the parents of the following named: Minnie, born November 15, 1875, is the wife of Henry T. Rock and lives on the old home place on

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section 22, Pleasant township; Frederick, born September 12, 1877, died May 7, 1894; Henry, born January 23, 1880, lives on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 36, Pleasant township; Christina, born August 17, 1883, is at home; Albert, born October 2, 1886, is yet under the parental roof; Louis, born April 11, 1890, is also at home; Walter, born August 31, 1896, and Clarence, born October 6, 1899, are both at home. Oscar and Ella both died in infancy. The children have been provided with excellent educational privileges and have become respected members of society in the various localities in which they reside.

In his earlier years Mr. Rock was a stanch democrat but is now a radical republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party which he endorses. He has served for fourteen years as school treasurer and has also been school director. He has filled the offices of road supervisor, township trustee and assessor, and in all of these various positions has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, neglecting no task that devolves upon him. Fraternally he is connected with Avoca lodge, No. 220, I. O. O. F., and he belongs to Avoca Gesang Verein and to the Lutheran church, with which his wife and family are also identified. He takes an active and helpful interest in the material, mental, political and moral development of his community and, moreover, his life is an illustration of the fact that success is not a matter of genius, as contended by some, but is the result of earnest labor, carefully directed by sound judgment. He has placed his dependence upon safe, substantial qualities and as the years have gone by his careful guidance of his invested interests have added to his annual income until he is now in possession of a very handsome and desirable competence. He has lived for so many years in Pleasant township that no history of the community would be incomplete without mention of his life.

Few residents of Council Bluffs have ever had a wider acquaintance than the subject of this review, who was uniformly known as "Jim" Craig --the more familiar appellation indicating his popularity and the good will which was everywhere entertained for him. He came to this city in 1883 and for several years was identified with its commercial interests as a dealer in china and queensware. A native of Dallas county, Alabama, he was born in 1859, his parents being Hon. Benjamin H. and Eliza (Tucker) Craig, both of whom were natives of the same state. The father was a prominent attorney in Selma, Alabama, during the greater part of his life and died there at a recent date, but the mother died during the infancy of her son James.

Liberal educational advantages were afforded Mr. Craig of this review. He attended successively the public schools of Cahaba, Alabama, the University of Alabama, Davidson College and Bryant & Stratton Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and when he had thus been well trained for the

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practical duties of a business career he started out in life on his own account. Going to Menomonie, Wisconsin, he there entered into partnership with a Mr. Knapp, under the firm style of Knapp & Company, lumber dealers. They continued the business for a few years and met with excellent success in the undertaking but on account of ill health Mr. Craig was obliged to sell out. He then returned to his old home in Selma, Alabama, where he remained for a short time, after which he came to Council Bluffs, being then a young man of about twenty-five years of age.

It was not long after his arrival in this city that Mr. Craig was married to Miss Annie C. Hickey, a native of this county and a daughter of John and Ann (Burke) Hickey, who were pioneer residents of Pottawattamie county, the father having settled on a farm in Hardin township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death. His widow still resides on the old homestead with one of her sons, the property being located about fourteen miles south of Council Bluffs.

When Mr. Craig arrived in this city he entered into partnership with William A. Maurer in the conduct of a retail crockery, china, glass and silverware business at No. 342-344 West Broadway. He was thus associated with commercial interests for about four years, when, on account of ill health he was again obliged to sell out, disposing of his interest to his partner, who still carries on the enterprise. Mr. Craig then went to the west on a cattle ranch in Nebraska, and at the same time he became interested as a stockholder in the Bank of Hemingford, Nebraska, eventually becoming president of the institution. He continued a resident of that part of the country for a few years or until his health became so impaired that he was forced to give up all business connections. He then disposed of a part of his business interests in Nebraska and returned to his old boyhood home in Selma, Alabama, where he passed away two weeks later, his death occurring in October, 1891. His grave was made there in the Selma cemetery, and thus he was laid to rest amid the scenes which were familiar to him in his youth.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Craig were born three children, to whom they gave excellent educational advantages. Benjamin, now twenty-one years of age, is preparing to become an electrician, pursuing a course of study in Chicago. William, eighteen years of age, has recently completed a course in stenography in Denver, Colorado, and is now at home. Byrd, sixteen years of age, has recently received a goodly estate from his grandfather.

In politics Mr. Craig was a stalwart champion of democracy and took much interest in the growth and success of the party. He was also an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, his membership being with the lodge at Alliance, Nebraska, and he likewise affiliated with the Royal Arcanum at Council Bluffs. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife is a communicant of the Catholic church. In all of his business dealings he was very successful, his judgment being sound and his labors well directed. He left his Nebraska property to his children, while Mrs. Craig received a large and valuable farm just south of Council Bluffs, which she yet owns. Since her husband's death she has returned to this

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city to make her home, near her mother, brothers and sisters, and now resides at No. 22 Benton street. Mr. Craig gained many warm friends during the years of his residence here, because of his genial manner, friendly spirit and cordial disposition, which made him very popular. In his family he was a devoted husband and father, and in all life's relations was worthy the trust and friendship which he won so easily.

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