typical school building of the pioneer days, built of logs with puncheon floors and seats and openings covered with greased paper to admit the light. He was one of the county commissioners, and one of the first justices of the peace, and while holding this office performed the first marriage ceremony in the county, the contracting parties were Jesse B. Glenn and Sarah Johnson. He has represented the county in the General Assembly of the State Legislature. He was for many years a partner in the first store opened in Pleasantville, and few men have seen more years of active service than Mr. Jordan. He came to the county with limited means, his worldly effects consisting of a horse and a land warrant received for his services in the Mexican War, and he is a good illustration of what an industrious man can accomplish by industry, economy and honesty. As a citizen he has always taken an active part in whatever has had a tendency to promote the interest of the township, and the rising generation have but a faint idea of how much they are indebted to such sturdy pioneers as Mr. Jordan. He married Mary Sheppard, a native of North Carolina, in 1848. Their family consists of six children: Millie (now Mrs. Dr. Duncan), Melissa A. (now Mrs. Prince), Emma (now Mrs. Evans), Margaret (now Mrs. De Witt, Winfield S. (a student in the Iowa State University), and Sadie L.

He

JORDAN, W.-Merchant, Pleasantville. The oldest merchant in point of residence in Marion county is the name that heads this sketch. He was born in Jefferson county, Illinois, on the 9th of October, 1823, and is the son of W. F. and Isabel Jordan, natives of Kentucky, who emigrated to Illinois at an early day and settled in Jefferson county, and afterward removed to Adams county, where the subject of our sketch was principally raised. His early life was that of a farmer boy. He enlisted in the First regiment of Illinois infantry during the Mexican War, and participated with his regiment in the memorable battle of Buena Vista. After his return from the army the family, in 1847, removed to Marion county, and with land warrants received for service in the Mexican War located land. soon after engaged in general merchandise, and is the pioneer in his line in the county in business. He was associated with his brother Miles, who recently retired from the firm, and at the present time is associated with his brother W. R. Jordan and T. R. Brown, under the firm name of W. Jordan & Co. This business dates from the first settlement of the county, and at the present time are doing the largest business in their line in the county, and what is most remarkable, thirteen years ago they changed their method of doing business from a credit to cash basis, and since that time have not kept a credit book in the house, and in this have not only been favored themselves, but have conferred a lasting benefit on the community. He is a self-made man. Commencing life in straightened circumstances he has, by his energy and perseverance, made for himself a competency, meriting and receiving the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. He has been twice married; first, to Miss Susan F. Brown, in 1851. She was a native of Jefferson county, Iowa. Mrs. Jordan died in 1862, leaving four children: George W., Mary C. (now Mrs. Cheetham), Wm. C. and Riley D. His second marriage was to Miss Lovina Fisher in 1863. She is a native of Ohio. By this union they have three children: Cora, Elmore and Thomas E.

JORDAN, W. R.-Of the firin of W. Jordan & Co., dealers in general merchandise, Pleasantville. Is a native of Jefferson county, Illinois, and was born on the 6th day of March, 1827, and was principally raised in

Adams county on a farm. In 1847 removed with his father to Marion county, Iowa, where his father entered the land on which the town of Pleasantville is now located. In 1849 he went to California, where he spent seventeen years. Most of this time he was engaged in the stock business. In 1867 he returned to Marion county, and with his brothers engaged in his present business in which they have been eminently successful. He married Miss Mary Young, in 1852. She was born in Iowa. Their family consists of four children: William L., Lizzie (now Mrs. Dean), Jackson and Alta.

K EEFER, J. K.-With C. H. Baker, grain dealer, Pleasantville. Is

ness.

a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Keefer came to Iowa in 1875 with his father, David Keefer. In the month of October, 1879, he began buying grain for C. H. Baker, of Knoxville, at this place, where his business qualities and his tried honesty have made him personally one of the most popular young business men in the place. LITCHFIELD, A. N.-Druggist, Pleasantville. Was born in New York, Ontario county, April 20th, 1843. His parents were Horace and Cynthia, nee Hill. Mr. Litchfield enlisted in the Second Ohio cavalry, company II; was in many of the most hotly contested battles of the war, among which were Cedar Creek and the battle of the WilderHe was at the side of General Custer, his division commander, when the gallant General Sheridan rode up from Winchester and turned the tide. of battle on that day. After the war Mr. Litchfield received a medal of honor from the State of Ohio in commemoration of his gallant services on the field of battle. Mr. Litchfield re-enlisted as a veteran on the 1st of January, 1864. After his honorable discharge in 1865 he came to Marion county, where he married Mahala Thompson, on the 24th of December, from which union there are three children: Bertha, Articie and Amon Q. When Mr. Litchfield first came to Iowa he engaged in wagon manufacturing. In 1878 he went into the drug business. Mr. Litchfield has once been honored by the people of Pleasantville with the office of mayor; has held several other offices and fully enjoys the confidence and respect of the citizens of this township.

LOGAN, GILMORE P.-An old and respected citizen of Pleasant Grove township is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, the 17th of February, 1820. At eight years of age he emigrated to Putnam county, Indiana, where he remained until he came to Iowa in 1846. His early life was spent in agricultural pursuits. His mother, Mrs. Margaret Logan, was born in 1792 and is still living. In 1843 Mr. Logan married Miss Mary J. Stratton and now has seven children: W. T., Margaret, Victoria, George, Chales, Albert and Uberta.

LOGAN, JAMES A.-Merchant, Pleasantville. Was born January 17, 1825, in Montgomery county, Kentucky, Left there with his father, Samuel Logan, at the age of thirteen and emigrated to Putman county, Indiana. In early life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Came to Marion county in 1847, and in 1849 returned to his native State. In 1856 he locaed permanently in this county. His father was a native of Bath county, Kentucky, and was born the nineteenth of March, 1796. His grandfather, William, was born in Virginia and was one of the pioneers of Kentucky. He died in Indiana at a very old age. Mr. Logan has been twice married. His first wife's maiden name was Susan Cortley, to whom he was married in August, 1857. She died in the year 1864. He was married to Miss

Nancy Vansickle, a native of Indiana, on the thirteenth day of May, 1864. From this marriage his family consists of three children living: Frank, William and Minnie. Five children are dead, most of whom died in infancy. He is a man who stands high in the estimation of the community and does a thriving business.

MARSH, GILES-Pleasantville. Is a native of Crawford county, Ohio,

and was born the fourth of March, 1837. His early life was spent on a farm in his native county, receiving the benefits of the common schools. Emigrating from Ohio in the year 1855, in company with his father, he came to Swan township, Marion county, Iowa. Mr. Marsh was married on the seventh of October, 1857, to Miss Sarah Miller, and is the father of six children: Effie U., Edwin S., Electa J., Flora E., Elenor J. and Frank Benjamin. On the fourth day of March, 1862, he enlisted in company G, Seventeenth Iowa volunteers. He fought in some of the most hotly contested battles of the war, among which were Corinth, Boonville, Jackson, and Champion's Hill, at which battle he was severely wounded, and was honorably discharged on the sixth day of October, 1863. In the year 1874 he was elected coroner of Marion county. Mr. Marsh is now engaged as salesman with the popular firm of Johnson & Son.

MILLER, RICHMOND-Farmer, P. O. Pleasantville. One of the earliest pioneers of Pleasant Grove township, Marion county, is the subject of this sketch. Richmond Miller is a native of North Carolina, and was born November 16, 1813. He remained in North Carolina ten years, when his father, Michael, emigrated to Monroe county, Kentucky. Here he remained five years, and removed to Morgan county, Illinois, and in the year 1844 he came to Iowa and settled in Jefferson county. In 1846 he came to Marion county. He was married, March 13, 1838, to a widow, Mrs. Mary C. Brown, and from this union have four children living: James L., W. J., J. P. and Sarah (now Mrs. Glenn).

MULKY, PROF. R. G.-Principal of the public schools. Was born in Marion county February 22, 1851, was here raised and educated. His boyhood days were spent in tilling the soil. His father, G. Z. Mulky, was one of the first settlers in the county. R. G. received the benefits of the common schools and finished his studies in the Central University at Pella and the Knoxville Academy. Prof. Mulky made his debut as a teacher in 1870. As an educator he stands high in the estimation of the people. Miss Cora Shivers became his wife November 27, 1872. By this union they have one son living, Carl. Lost two: Rinal and Charley.

PIT

ITMAN, WILLIAM F.--Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 36, P. O. Pleasantville. Son of Isaac Pitman, one of the oldest settlers of Pleasant Grove township, is a native of Knox county, Illinois, where he was born May 28, 1837, coming to Iowa in company with the family. He was married to Miss Rebecca Winterhalter on the tenth day of January, 1861. She died on the sixteenth day of August, 1863. On the twentyninth of April, 1866, he again married, this time to Margaret Polson. Mr. P. is the father of eleven children: Mary E., V. Olive, George A., Dudley H., Martin L., Lenni M., Julia M., Ammis E, Liew M., Nora E. and John F.

PITMAN, ISAAC-Deceased. Was born in Pennsylvania, in 1802. At an early age he removed to the Territory of Illinois, and resided there until 1837, when he removed to Harrison county, Indiana, remaining until

1846, when he emigrated to Marion county, and was closely identified among its stirring citizens to the time of his death.

PREWITT, G. W.--Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 28, P. O. Pleasantville. Is a native of Boyle county, Kentucky; was born September 12, 1822. In early life his time was engaged in the different occupations of farining, clerking and attending school. From 1838 until 1863 he made his home in Montgomery, Indiana. In the last named year he came to Pleasant Grove township, Marion county, Iowa. July 22, 1841, he married Miss Elizabeth V. Harrison, a native of Indiana, born April 18, 1823. By this union their family consists of four children: John H., James A., Eliza J. and Joseph W. Mr. P. is a successful and practical farmer. His estate consists of 317 acres, most of which is in good cultivation.

PRENTICE, J. N.-One of the proprietors of the Prentice House, Pleasantville. J. N. Prentice is a native of Marion county, and was born March 27, 1855. His father was a highly respected man and was one of the old settlers of Pleasant Grove township. Mr. Prentice, in connection with his brother, in the latter part of the year 1880, purchased the hotel formerly known as the Golden House. They are kind and obliging to their guests and are already doing a good business.

R

EYNOLDS, LEWIS-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 22, P. O. Pleasantville. Among the sturdy pioneers and royal good men of Pleasant Grove township we cannot name a man more worthy of an extended notice than the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Botetourt-now Craig county-West Virginia, and was born May 7th, 1815. In early life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He remained in the land of his birth. until the year 1835, when he emigrated to the State of Indiana. In the year 1842 he again changed his home to Louisa county, Iowa. From there he removed to Wapello county, and two years later, in the month of April, 1846, to Pleasant Grove township, Marion county. He staked out a claim on section 15, a short distance south of where the town of Pleasantville now stands. He was the first man who broke sod in the township, the first man to raise any wheat, and the first man to haul any to market. This wheat was threshed by the old Roman method. He and his family suffered many privations, but now look back on that period as one of the happiest in their life. He was married July 18th, 1836, to Miss Martha J. Terwilleger, a very estimable lady, a native of Ohio, and born June 28th, 1818. From this marriage they have had seven children, all of whom are living with the exception of Sophia, whose death occurred November 13, 1845. The children living are: James M., Mary A., Sarah J., Margaret, Charlotte, John W., and George.

RICHARDS, WILLIAM-Retired farmer. Was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th day of July, 1811. When four years of age he was taken by his parents to Coshocton county, Ohio. He was raised a farmer and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life with eminent success. In 1853 he removed to Indiana and three years later came to Marion county, which has since been his home. He owns a farm of improved land and his career as a farmer may be inferred from his success. He married Miss Margery Thompson December 23, 1830, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and they have passed the golden period of their married life: Their family consists of seven children living: Ann J., Wm. F., Joshua T., Julia A., John, James A., and Urias. They have lost three: Elenor, Samuel V. and Josiah. The father of Mr. Richards was

a captain in the hotly contested War of 1812, and he had two brothers killed in the same war, one of whom was literally shot to pieces in Perry's naval victory on Lake Erie. His ancestors, paternal and maternal, were engaged in the war of the Revolution.

ROWTH, WM. R.-Farmer, P. O. Pleasantville. Is a native of Marion county, and was born the 12th of January, 1861. Was married December 25th, 1879, to Mis Mary E. Cruchelow, a native of Warren county, Iowa, and a daughter of James Cruchelow, one of the oldest settlers of that county. Mr. Rowth is an enterprising young man, and one worthy of the greatest success.

SKEEN, WILLIAM R. Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 32, P. O. Pleasant ville. A native of Boone county, Indiana, born February 8, 1822. A!! through his life he has been a practical farmer, living in Indiana until the year 1866. He came to Marion county in very straightened circumstances, but by industry and economy has succeeded in making a nice home. He was marraied December 27, 1860, to Miss Martha E. Milton, a native of Illinois. daughter of Mr. John Milton, an old settler of Jones county, Iowa. From this marriage their family consists of seven children: John, Robert W., Abraham S., Mala H., Thomas J., Bessie and Nora.

SPALTI, JOACHIM-Retired merchant. Born in Netstall, Canton Clorus, Switzerland. He was baptised on the seventeenth day of February, 1828, at which time he was but a few days old. He lived in Switzerland until seventeen years of age, and in early life was engaged in hand painting, orna menting handkerchiefs. In 1856, in company with two older brothers, Fridolin and Henry, he emigrated to America, and first settled in Wapello county, Iowa. Came to this county in 1850, and in 1855 engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed with great success for twenty-five years. He came to Pleasantville without means, and what he now enjoys is the result of perseverence and economy. He held the office of postmaster in Pleas antville for six years. In 1863 he married Miss Susan A. Litchfield, born in Ontario county, New York. She died October 13, 1880, leaving four children: Alma J. (born February 27, 1864), Eldora E. (born April 23, 1866), Oren J. (born April 13, 1874), and Horace E. (born March 14. 1876).

Re

SUTTON, LEVI-Retired farmer. P. O. Pleasantville. Is a native of Harrison county, Virginia, and was born on the fourteenth day of November, 1811. There he lived until the year 1839, when he removed to Pike county, Ohio. After some time he removed to Tipton, Indiana. maining here for four years he came to Marion county, settling in Union township, three miles from Red Rock. Although in early life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, still he found time to enter upon the study of medicine, and at the age of thirty-four he commenced to practice. He was probably the first physician to settle in Union township. After a few year's residence in this township he went to Kansas, where he lived six years. In the fall of 1864 he again returned to Pleasant Grove township. where he now lives, and although his active days of life are over, he is still a useful member of society. He was married to Miss Sarah Brown on the fourteenth day of April, 1833, and from this union is the father of nine children: Margaret, William and Robert F. are living, and Mary J.. Rachel, Lawrence, Fidelia and Lewis are dead.

SWAIM, W. D.-Pastor of the Chistian Church, Pleasantville. Among the younger ministers of their denomination no one is more deserving of