Ammon, Scott & Co., and purchased his present farm. He married Mary Bentley, a native of England; they have three children, Fred, Jessie and Stella.

George Tyler, P. O. Decorah; farmer, section 2; son of James and Lucy Bassett Tyler; was born July 10, 1837, in the county of Kent, England; his parents emigrated to the U. S. in the fall of 1845, stopping at Cleveland, Ohio, and the following spring went to Columbus, where they remained till 1851; then came to Greene Co., Wis., and to this Co. in the fall of 1854, and in 1857 came into Decorah tp. He married Miss Lucy Weeks Nov. 9th, 1859. She was born in Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1838, and died Sept 27th, 1864, leaving two children, George W. and Mary. He was again married to Miss Rosanna E. Gillam, Feb. 5th, 1869. The children by the second marriage are, Richard F., Hattie M., Albert and Lina.

A. D. Thomas, P. O. Decorah; farmer; section 32, Canoe tp.; son of Jesse and Mary McCormick Thomas; was born March 29, 1831, in Erie Co., Pa. In 1855 he started for the west, coming through Mich., and stopping a short time at Pontiac and Kalamazoo, and arriving at Volney, Allamakee Co., Io., the same year; remained in that Co. till 1859, when he came to Decorah and engaged in running a meat market, buying and shipping stock. In In 1876 he purchased his present farm, which contains 600 acres, valued at $30 per acre; he makes a specialty of stock buying and shipping. He married Miss Alice Pollitt Dec. 4, 1861; she was born in Manchester, England; their children are James S., Reginald, Hall and Cecil; they have lost four, Alley, Sidney, Birney and an infant,

James Tyler, P. O. Decorah; retired farmer, section 2. He was born April 12, 1812, in the county of Kent, England; emigrated to the U. S. in 1845, arriving at Cleveland, O., in Nov., where he remained till the following spring, when he went to Columbus and engaged in farming near the city till in 1850, when he started for the west, stopping in Green Co., Wis., until 1853; then came to Winneshiek Co., first located on Col. J. W. Taylor's farm, in Canoe tp. In 1857 he purchased 320 acres of land in Decorah tp., on section 2, and moved on to it; has since disposed of all but 6 acres, upon which are his buildings, which he expects to retain as his homestead during his declining years. He was married to Miss Lucy Bassett, June 21, 1833, in England; they have six children, Eliza, James, George, Frederick, Richard and John, and have lost one son, William.

O. S. Thompson, P. M. of Springwater P. O.; proprietor of Springwater Mills; also owns 60 acres of land in connection with the mill; is a son of Thomas O. Anderson, and was born in Norway, Sept. 26, 1842; commenced working in a grist mill at the age of ten years, which, with the millwright business, he has followed most of the time since; emigrated to the U. S. in 1869,

first locating in Decorah, engaging in the West Decorah Mills; afterwards assisted in building a grist mill some two miles above his present mill, which he ran about two years. In 1880 he purchased his present mill, located on the Canoe river, on section 24, Canoe tp. There is a good water power of ten feet head; at present three run of buhrs, and soon expects to add the fourth, with machinery to make new process and patent flour. Mr. Thompson was appointed postmaster in 1880; the office was established in 1860, as Aquilla Grove P. O. Nathan G. Chase was the first P. M. Mr. T. married Miss Anna M. Anderson, in Norway; they have five children, Carrie, Thorwold, Andrew A., Mollie B. and Hannah, and have lost one son, Thorwold, who died while crossing the ocean.

Ole Thompson, dealer in hardware, stoves, tinware, etc., established business in April, 1882. He was born in Norway in 1840; came to America in 1859 and settled in this Co. In 1866 he engaged in the hardware business in Decorah, where he remained until 1871. He came to Ossian in 1875, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he sold to E. Schoonmaker & Co.; then engaged in business as above. Mr. T. has been town collector, also clerk. He married Laura B. Thompson, a native of Norway, who came to America in 1855. They have two children, Thressa M. and Theodore E.

Col. J. W. Taylor, P. O. Decorah, was born Feb. 22, 1817, in Saratoga Co., N. Y. He is a son of Hon. Jno. W. Taylor and Jane (nee Hodges) Taylor, of N. Y. His father was quite a prominent anti-slavery politician of N. Y., first serving in the state legislature, and afterwards as member of Congress from N. Y. from 1812 to 1833, serving as speaker of the house two sessions. The subject of this sketch was educated at the high schools of his county, preparing himself for a full course at Union College, but abandoned his intentions in that direction and entered as clerk in one of the largest dry goods stores of Albany, N. Y., where he continued three years; after which he went to New York City, and was in one of the largest dry goods houses in the city for three years. Then, in 1838, in company with one of his chums at school, who had graduated at Union College, he started for the west to seek their fortunes in investing in real estate, coming through Ills., Wis., Io. and Minn.; operating in lands in Wis., stopping a year in Joliet, Ills., and afterwards at Rockford, making that city his home till 1856; then came to Dubuque, and purchased 1,280 acres of land in Canoe tp., this Co., a Mr. James Kelly having made a claim in 1848 of a part of the tract which Mr. Taylor purchased. Mr. T. has disposed of most of his possessions in Canoe tp., now owning but about 400 acres, which are well improved, have a large orchard and a beautiful avenue or driveway of a mile from the south side of his farm, over half the distance being graded, and with a row of evergreens interspersed

with the most beautiful flowers and plants that are produced in this latitude on each side of the avenue. At the breaking out of the rebellion Mr. Taylor was appointed to the quartermaster's department at Tipton, Mo., he being the second appointee, and afterwards as chief of department in central Mo., the army of the Miss., and 14th army corps of the department of the Cumberland; was also promoted to the position of lieut.-colonel on Gen. Rosencrans' staff, and was especially commended by Gen. Rosencrans for his coolness, bravery and efficiency at the battles of Stone River and Corinth. Aug. 17, 1863, he resigned his position in the army and came to Dubuque, remaining but a short time. In 1865 he built a large block house, very pleasantly arranged for a summer residence, and surrounded by a dense forest of pines and oaks, making a pleasant and romantic spot for a summer residence and resort, himself and wife spending their summers here and winters with friends in eastern and southern cities. Mr. T. also has a fine park for elk, having some time ago quite a number, twelve of which he sent to King Victor Emmanuel a few years ago. He has at present but three. Mr. T. was married to Miss Jane P. Wadleigh, a native of N. H., at Albany, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1839. They have had six children, three of whom are living: Jno. W., now northwestern agent of Commercial Express at St. Paul, Minn., and James H., of the firm of Thos. T. Barr & Co., grocers, of New York City, and Ella T., widow of the late W. N. Goddard, of Utica, N. Y., Sarah, Charles and Anna being deceased.

George Todd, farmer, Fremont tp.; owns 100 acres, 72 in Sec. 14 and 241 in Sec 35, near Plymouth Rock. He was born in Co. Armagh, Ireland, in 1828, and was a weaver by trade; came to the U. S. in 1851, settled in Elgin, Ill., and worked at the trade of mason and plasterer and at farming until 1856; then went to Toledo, Tama Co., Io., remaining about nine months, and returned to Elgin for six months; then came to this place and took a claim of 80 acres, all he could get at that time, and thoroughly improved it, and since bought the rest. He was married at Decorah in 1858 to Miss Richards.

Christopher Todd, farmer; was born in Co. Armagh, Ireland, in 1833, came to America in 1852 and settled in Elgin, Ill.; worked at the trade of harness maker there two years; then came to Io. and took a claim on the quarter section where he now resides. He worked at his trade at Preston and Decorah until the breaking out of the war; then enlisted in Sept., 1862, at Decorah, in Co. D, 38th Io. Inf., under Col. Hughes, and served fourteen months; was at the seige of and surrender of Vicksburg. He was discharged in the fall of 1863, on account of sickness, at Carlton, La.; then returned to Io. and built on his farm, and commenced improving it. It is now thoroughly improved, and all under fence, fine large

residence, good farm buildings, etc. He was married in 1866 at Decorah, to Miss Jane Gorman, and they have one child, Martha Ella.

Joseph Todd, carpenter and joiner, Decorah; was born in Co. Armagh, Ireland, in 1825, and was by trade a weaver. In 1849 went to Montreal, Canada, and two months after came to the states, locating in Elgin, Ill., where he remained three years, working at his trade; then to Tama Co., Io., two years, and from there to Decorah. He established business as a carpenter and also erected a sash and blind factory, which he operated until 1879. He has enjoyed a good run of work as a carpenter, and does country work as well as town. He has a good residence property in Decorah, where he resides, also owns 40 acres of improved land in Fremont tp., which he rents. He was married in 1851 at Elgin, Ill., to Miss Mary J. Frizell, and has five children, May, Clarence, Grace, Edith and Mabel.

James Todd, farmer, residing in Fremont tp.; was born in Co. Armagh, Ireland, June 22, 1821, and was by trade a weaver. In 1845 he came to America, and settled in Elgin, Ill., where he worked in a machine shop and was also for some time employed as a mason. In 1856 he came to Io., and took the claim of 160 acres on which he now resides. He had purchased 80 acres of timber prior to his claim, and has bought 50 acres of land since. The land is improved thoroughly, and is one of the finest farms in the Co.; has a fine residence, good, substantial farm buildings, barns, granaries, etc.; a large amount of stock, including a herd of good grade cattle, fine horses and fine breeds of hogs, etc. Mr. Todd has taken great pains to make the farm attractive as well as convenient, having planted innumerable trees of all descriptions, including evergreens, ornamental and shade trees, besides a fine orchard, and has the satisfaction of knowing that he has accumulated his property here, having commenced on a small scale. He is a man who is respected by every one, and has always been a prominent citizen, having filled many offices of trust in tp. and school affairs. His picture appears in this work. He was married in 1856 in Zanesville, Ohio, to Miss Boies, and has ten children living. Mrs. Martha Todd, the mother of the subject of this sketch, is the oldest lady in the county, being 95 years of age, and resides in this tp. with her daughter, Mrs. Robert Long. She came to Io. from Ill. five years later than her son James, and has resided with her children ever since. Her husband died in 1835.

Ole P. Tenold, farmer, P. O. Calmar; owns 260 acres of land in Sec. 24, Calmar tp., valued at $50 per acre. He was born in Bergenstift, Norway, Oct. 17th, 1824, and came to the U. S. in 1844. He worked at his trade, that of shoemaking, in Chicago, and in 1853 removed to Rockford, Ills. In 1854 he came to this Co. and purchased a farm, worked at his trade two years in Calmar, and moved on to his present farm in 1867. In Nov., 1852, he was

married to Mary Johnson in Chicago; they have five children living, John, Andrew, Dianna, Josephine and Amelia; have lost five by death, Peter W., William, Edward, Laura and Betsey. Mr. T. has served as justice of the peace, township clerk, and has held other minor offices. He is a member of the Lutheran church.

Geo. W. Tasker, farmer, Sec. 9, P. O. Cresco; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in N. H. in 1814, and is the third son of Joseph and Bridget Tasker. He lived there until he was 25 years old, then went to N. Y., purchased land and remained 15 years; then removed to Clayton county, Io. After residing ten years in Clayton Co., he came to Winnesheik Co. in 1864; enlisted in 1864 in the 47th Io. Inf., under Col. Sanford, and was discharged in the same year.

Frank Thomas, blacksmith, Ft. Atkinson, was born in Austria in 1852; came to America in July, 1869; had learned his trade in the old country; located first in La Crosse, Wis., where he lived two years; also lived in Caledonia, Minn., four years. In 1876 he came to Io. and settled here, where he has since remained. He has established a good business, owns a well fitted and convenient shop, also a fine residence fitted with every comfort, the result of his labors here; does a good business in shoeing, wagon, carriage and plow work.

Capt. H. Tower, postmaster and dealer in general merchandise, Ft. Atkinson; was born in Rutland, N. Y., in 1827; in Dec., 1855, moved to Palmyra, Jefferson Co., Wis., and engaged in mercantile business. In April, 1864, he enlisted in the 40th Wis. Inf., as a one-hundred day man; he was elected second lieutenant of Co. G, and stationed at Memphis, Tenn. At the expiration of his time he returned to Wis., raised a volunteer company of 86 men in seven days, and took them to the front. He was made captain, and they were mustered in the 46th Wis. Inf., and constituted Co. E. He served to the close of the war, receiving final discharge Sept. 27, 1865. He then returned to Wis. and continued in mercantile business as before until 1869, when he came to this place, and was among the first business men in the town, carrying a general stock of merchandise, which business he still continues. He was appointed deputy postmaster in 1868, and in the fall of 1870 received the appointment of postmaster, which office he continues to fill. He owns, in partnership with his sonin-law, Ace Webster, 120 acres of land known as the Highland farm, and is also interested with him in the egg business. He was married Jan. 1st, 1850, at Clarendon, Vt., to Miss Polly E. Potter, and they have two children, Ida and Noel D.

William B. Updegraff is a native of Jefferson Co., Ohio, and was born in 1822. În 1843 he came to Jackson Co., Io., but returned to Ohio on account of fever and ague. In 1846 he went to Sauk Co., Wis., and speculated in town property, etc. In 1850 he came to Decorah and located land but soon returned to Wis., and