BARKER, F. C.-Editor and proprietor of the Knoxville Journal. Is the son of Hon. F. A. and Catharine Barker, who were among the early and honored settlers of Marion county. He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, January 23, 1836, and lived there until eight years of age, and then accompanied his parents to Iowa, and settled in Marion county. His early life was spent on a farm. In 1855 his father received the appointment of warden of the Penitentiary at Fort Madison, and Mr. Barker moved there with his father and learned the printing buisness. He then went to Guthrie county and commenced his journalistic experience as editor and publisher of the Guthrie Ledger. In response to the call for troops to assist in putting down the Rebellion, he enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry and served three years, and was with the regiment all the time during its campaign. He was mustered out at New Orleans and returned to Guthrie county; and, in connection with A. F. Sperry, published the Guthrie Vidette until 1867, and then exchanged the office for what is now the Knoxville Journal, and since that period has published the leading paper in Marion county. Mr. Barker has attained no small amount of celebrity. as a substantial advocate of the Republican party. He has an eloquent pen, and through the medium of the Journal, during past campaigns, has spoken in a distinct and convincing manner. As a citizen he is publicspirited, and is among the foremost in all enterprises that have a tendency to promote the county's interests. Mr. Barker was married in 1874 to Miss Matilda Mathews.

BARNES, A. J. P.-Book-keeper. Was born in Carroll county, Indiana, on the Twenty-ninth day of March, 1843, and was raised on a farm, and with a mercantile experience in his father's store. When eighteen years of age he enlisted in company H., Second Iowa infantry, May 23, 1861, and for meritorious conduct was commissioned first lieutenant in the Forty-second United States colored infantry. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and others of prominence, and was taken prisoner in the fall of 1862, and after being held twenty days was released. He married Miss M. W. Adams the first of March, 1866. She was born in Pennsylvania. They have a family of six children: Ella, Willie, Bessie, Bertie, Robbie and Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are members of the U. P. Church.

BARGE, ELI-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 33, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Marion (now Morrow) county, Ohio, November 17, 1830. His parents were Lewis and Susanna Barge. They were among the early settlers of that county. His father, Lewis, entered the land that is now adjoining the town of Cardington. Eli was there raised to manhood, and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. In the spring of 1853 he came to Muscatine, where he worked at his trade for a time. In the spring of 1854 he removed to Warren county, Iowa, when, after a short sojourn, he came to Marion county. His residence in the county dates from 1855. The first year he was engaged in operating a saw-mill; after which, for a number of years, he was engaged in building. He worked on the courthouse, Baptist church, and many other old land-marks. In 1867 he removed to his present location. For five years previous to removing to his farm, he was engaged in teaming between Knoxville, Pella and Eddyville. Many of the Koxvilleites will recollect gray Jim, a horse he drove, which

scored 30,000 miles in four and one-half years. This favorite roadster died at the age of twenty-three years. His farm consists of 126 acres. On the seventeenth of January, 1858, Miss Eliza Moss, of Richland county, Ohio, a lady of many virtues, became his wife. Their union has been blessed by nine children, seven of whom are living: Lewis L., Hulda H., Edward E., Mattie M., Sadie S., Robert R., Libbie L. They lost two: Albert and Ella E.

BAUGHMAN, MRS. REBECCA-Sec: 28, P. O. Knoxville. Among the pioneers of Marion county who took an active part in its development was L. Baughman, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, where he was raised to manhood and married Miss Elizabeth Crozier, a native of that State, in 1839. She was born April 13, 1824. In infancy she was deprived of her parents by death, and was raised to womanhood among strangers. In 1857 the family came to Marion county where they engaged in farming, which vocation Mr. Baughman pursued to the time of his decease in April, 1874. They have had a family of ten children, seven of whom are living: Mary Ann, Francis Marion (deceased), Thomas Benton (supposed to be dead), George Morgan, Sarah Maria, Scott, Asberine, Beckie Ellen, Marion, Serenis. Her oldest son, Francis Marion, lost his life at Shiloh in the late war. Thomas Benton also tendered his services to the cause and has never been heard from. BAXTER, ROBERT-Merchant. Among the enterprising and prominent business men of Knoxville is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 11th day of December, 1839, and lived in his native State until 1851, when he came with his parents to lowa, landing at Burlington. The family settled in Henry county, where the youth of Mr. Baxter was spent on a farm. He enlisted in company E, First Iowa cavalry, in July, 1861, and was mustered out in March, 1866. He then returned to his home, and in June of that year was appointed sheriff of Henry county owing to a vacancy, and in the fall of that year was elected to the office. After his term had expired he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1873, when he was elected auditor of the county and held that office two years. In March, 1876, he came to this county and engaged in his present business, and in which he has been very successful and has taken a prominent place among the business inen of Marion county. He is also senior member of the firm of Baxter & Kennedy, dealers in boots and shoes. He was married to Miss Marietta Mil. tenberger in 1866. She is a native of Ohio. They have a family of four children: Katie, Theo, Lula and an infant.

BENDER, CHARLES--Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 33, P. O. Knoxville. This enterprising agriculturalist was born in Richland county, Ohio, April 16, 1849. His parents was Jacob and Catherine (formerly Hoffman). They were among the early settlers of Ohio. Charles was there raised to manhood, receiving the benefits of the common schools of the county. From early life he has been a farmer, with the exception of short periods he was engaged in railroading and surveying. In 1872 he came to Marion county, where he has since resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising; of the latter he makes a specialty and keeps graded cattle that will compare favorably with any in the county. He was married April 7, 1874. to Miss Mary Welch, daughter of James Welch, one of the pioneers of Marion county. She is a lady of many virtues, who devotes her time to making home attractive. Their union has been blessed by two children: Jessie Olive and Nellie.

BERKEY, F. W.-Of the firm of Lytle & Berkey, horse-shoers, blacksmithing and general repairing shop, Montgomery Street. Of the ironworkers of Knoxville there is no man more deserving of special mention than the subject of this brief sketch, who was born in Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1835. He is the son of Joseph and Dorcas Berkey, the former a native of Belgium and the latter of Scotland. His mother died when F. W. was an infant; his father was a blacksmith but did not follow the trade to any extent. He removed to Fort Wayne, Indiana, at an early day, and was sheriff of Allen county for two years. In 1844 came to Fort Madison, Iowa, and after a short sojourn removed to Des Moines county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for a few years, when he removed to New London, Henry county, and embarked in the hotel business. F. W. was here raised to manhood, educated, and learned the trade he now pursues. Joseph Berkey continued in the hotel business for fourteen years and eventually returned to Pennsylvania, where he died a few years ago. F. W. worked as a journeyman at various points until 1868, when he came to Knoxville, opened a shop and has been playing anvil choruses for the citizens of the county. In 1859 Miss Mary Johnson, a native of Ohio, became his wife (married at Oskaloosa). They were blessed by two daughters: Elmira (wife of W. Savage) and Annie (wife of John Rolph.

BETTERTON, G.-Fariner and stock-raiser, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, June 13, 1833. His father, William, was a native of the District of Columbia and was raised in Washington City. The subject of this sketch came to the Territory of Iowa with parents in 1837, locating at Iowaville. The senior Betterson was a resident of Iowa to the time of his demise, March 13, 1860. He underwent all the hardships of pioneering that were incident to that time. The subject of this. sketch was a resident of Wapello county until October, 1863, when he came to Marion county. He married, February 5, 1854, Miss E. J. Sutton, a native of Illinois. They have nine children living: Obadiah, Harriet, Jessie, Viola, Charles, Francis, Free, Ova and Arthur. Lost one, William.

BITTENBENDER, JOHN S.-Farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1840, and lived there until he attained the age of thirty years, and then emigrated to Iowa, locating in Marion county, near the western limits of the city of Knoxville. While young he formed a taste for agricultural pursuits, which have since occupied his attention. Mr. B. is one of the wellinformed men of the county and his library, consisting of fifteen hundred volumes, is one of the largest private collections of books in the county. He was married, August 11, 1864, to Mary E. Hanly, born in Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1845. Have had seven children, three of whom are still living: Clara A., Alice B. and Stephen W.

BITTEN BENDER, N. H.-Of the firm of Bittenbender & Savage, machinists. Was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. August 24, 1849, and raised there on a farm. He resided in his native State until twentytwo years of age and then emigrated to Iowa and settled in Marion county, and for three years followed farming and then engaged in his present business. On the twenty-seventh day of July, 1876, the building was burned and he then formed a copartnership with W. B. Savage, and the firm are doing a good business and richly merit the success which has attended

them. He was married to Miss Alice Kelly, in 1875. She is a native of Knoxville. They have one daughter, Katie.

BLACK, WM.-One of Marion county's most esteemed citizens. Was born in Ireland on the third day of August, 1821, and while an infant less than a year old, was brought by his parents to the United States. They settled first in Pennsylvania, and after a residence of four years removed to New York, where Mr. Black lived until fourteen years old, and in 1846 removed to Ohio. He learned the trade of blacksmith, but never followed it as an occupation. After a residence of some years in Ohio, he came to Marion county, Iowa. He purchased the land on which he now resides, but his means being limited, he engaged in freighting goods from Keokuk, and made the first trip that was made in eight days in the county. He afterward engaged in threshing, and brought one of the first improved Massilon threshing machines into this part of the country and did a large and profitable business. His farm contains eighty acres, and his dwelling, built in 1857, was at that time the finest farm building in the county, and compares favorably at the present time. Starting without means, he has made the competence he now enjoys by honest toil, and he has justly earned, and is more than entitled to his marked success and position in the community. He has been twice married; first, to Miss Jane McMeekin, in 1842. She was a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. B. died February 7, 1874. His second marriage was to Mrs. Mary J. Robertson, whose maiden name was Sanders, a native of Delaware county, Ohio, December 31, 1877.

BLACK, JOHN F. Of the firm of Black Brothers, dealers in dry goods, notions, carpets, boots and shoes. Is one of Marion county's representative business men. He was born in Ohio on the twenty-eighth of January, 1845. He lived in his native State until eight years of age, and in 1853 came to Iowa and settled in Marion county. His early life was spent on a farm. When seventeen years of age he commenced looking after his education; was first in the common schools, afterward at Monmouth College, in Illinois, and a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton's College in Chicago. He then went to Keokuk and was engaged in business for some time; thence to Boston, and entered the employ of a large boot and shoe house, and traveled for ten years. On the first of October, 1875, he commenced his present business, in which he has been eminently successful, and he is a good illustration of what an industrious man can accomplish. No firm in Marion county have a better reputation among their patrons, and they merit the success which has attended them.

BLACK, J. T.-The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio on the thirteenth day of February, 1848, and was raised there on a farm. came to Iowa and settled in Knoxville, where for three years he had a mercantile experience. In 1872 he engaged in general merchandise, at Columbia, and continued the same eight years, and the past year has had charge of mining interests in Leadville, Colorado, and his ability as a business man, and his reputation for industry, honor and integrity, as well as good sound business qualifications may be inferred from the confidence and trust. imposed in him, as well as the success which has attended his career. married Miss Kate T. Anderson in 1872. She was born in Pennsylvania, and is a lady of refined taste and domestic habits, as well as a most excellent manager of household affairs, and her husband's best counselor Their family consists of two children: Louis and Inez.

He

BOCHTALL, M. H.-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 14, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Washington county, Maryland, June 27, 1828. His parents were Jacob and Mary Bochtall, and he traces his lineage to German ancestry. He was raised to manhood, educated, and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner in his native county. In 1852 Miss Susan Divert, of Maryland, became his wife. By this union they have four daughters: Mary L., Selina A., Emma K. and Gertie. In 1862 he removed to Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1877, engaged in different branches, principally farming. In that year he came to Iowa, locating in Marion county, where he has since resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Although but a few years in the county, Mr. Bochtall is recognized as one of its substantial citizens. Himself and family are members of the Lutheran church.

BODINE, PETER-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 26, P. O. Knoxville. This popular citizen was born in Cayuga county, New York, September 20, 1825. His father, John, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, Mary, a native of New York. When Peter was quite young the family removed to Livingston county, New York, where he was raised to manhood, educated and learned the carpenter's trade, wnich he followed in that State until 1855. The autumn of that year he came West and located at White Rock, Ogle county, Illinois, and the following spring came to Marion county, locating where he now resides. His estate consists of eighty acres, a residence that indicates comfort. For a number of years he followed his trade in connection with farming, and is closely identified with the building interests of Knoxville and Pella. In stock-raising he does a fair business. He married the third of February, 1848, Miss H. A. Everett, a native of Virginia, daughter of Francis and Kathern, the former a native of New York and the latter of Massachusetts. Mrs. Bodine is a cousin of Edward S. Everett, the noted attorney. She is a lady of many graces and considerable literary taste, which is characteristic of the Everett family. Her father was in the War of 1812, and her grandfather a soldier in the Revolutionary War. she has raised a family of five children: Mary E. (wife of L. F. Coffman), Virginia M. (wife of E. Brown), Harriett E. (wife of A. Salsburry), Eva K. (wife of John A. Young) and Edward E. S. Lost one, Helen F.

BONSELL, I. A.-Retired farmer. Knoxville has no more worthy and respected citizen than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Winchester, Frederick county, Virginia, January 5, 1817. He was early deprived of the care of a father by death and his mother with ten children moved to Highland county, Ohio, in 1823. Here he worked on a farm and lived in the family of a Quaker until seventeen years of age. He then commenced life for himself working for seven dollars per month. He followed farming until 1844, then went to Shelby county, Illinois, and worked at the trade of blacksmith for ten years. In 1865 he came to Iowa and settled in Marion county. His first farm was purchased in Indiana township. He sold this and purchased one in Union township, which he has since sold at a handsome profit. Mr. Bonsell commenced life without means and the competency he now enjoys is the fruit of honest toil and he has earned and richly merits the success that has attended him and the esteem in which he is held. His home is one of the choice locations of the town, and attached to it are forty acres of land. He married Miss