Ambitious to possess a home of their own and believing that better opportunities could be secured in America, they sailed for this country in 1858. In Scotland Mr. Inglis had served as the coachman on the great estate of Sir Humphrey David Blair, called Blairwhan, and Mrs. Inglis acted as the dairy­maid. His duties included the opening and closing of the gate that led to Blairwhan castle. Those who were intimately acquainted with Mr. Inglis will remember the peculiarly polite salute he would always give those he met as he raised his hand and touched his hat to greet one in a way different from anybody else, this undoubtedly resulting from his training in this position with Sir Humphrey. After crossing the Atlantic Mr. and Mrs. Inglis made their way to Marengo, Illinois, where resided her uncle Robert Porter. There she remained while Mr. Inglis continued on his western way to Iowa to seek a location. He chose a farm near Hale, on which John Inglis still resides. He soon became closely identified with the agricultural development of the district and was not only successful in tilling the soil but also became prominent in local affairs. When he secured his naturalization papers and became a citizen of the United States he espoused the cause of the republican party and became a factor in its local councils, his opinions being regarded as of value. He was several times called to local offices and made a reputation as a trustworthy servant of the people. He was elected to the positions of township treasurer and trustee and was also county supervisor for one term. For a number of years and up to the time of his death he was an elder in the Presbyterian church, to the interests of which he was always most loyal, while with its work he was intimately connected. He was an unusually strong, robust man in every way, being endowed with a strong body and attractive personality as well as a keen mind. One who knew him well often remarked that he strikingly resembled the great Scotch writer and preacher, John Watson, better known as Ian Maclaren. He had a wonderful mind and few laymen had a better knowledge of the Bible or did more effective work as a Sunday-school teacher, expounding the scriptures with clearness and truth. His wife, who had shared with him the joys and sorrows of life for more than half a century, was called to her final rest September 9, 1909.

James Inglis was reared upon the home farm in Hale township, receiving good training for the practical duties and responsibilities of life from his parents and in the district school which he attended, later completing his education in the high school at Wyoming. At the age of twenty he engaged in teaching, although he followed that profession for only one winter, when he returned to his home and devoted himself to his father's interests. Until his marriage in 1894 he worked with his parent and then came to Wyoming township and in partnership with his brother Daniel engaged in the cattle and grain business. In the past fifteen years these men have perhaps handled and fed on grass more cattle than any other firm in this section of the state. Their landholdings in themselves are significant of the extent of their operations, for they have eleven hundred and ninety-two acres in this and Jackson counties, besides half a section in South Dakota and half a section in the Saskatchewan country of Canada. Daniel Inglis also owns four large elevators in Cambridge, Story county, in which James Inglis is likewise interested. Hard work and unremitting industry have been the foundation upon which the brothers have builded their success; they have been unsparing of themselves and of their resources to attain a position which would enable them to stand in the fore rank of the cattle and grain men of this state. So far their endeavors have been handsomely requited and Mr. Inglis has every reason to be gratified with the results of his labor.

On the 18th of February 1894, Mr. Inglis wedded Miss Elizabeth Jennings, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio. Two children have been born of their union—Elizabeth J. and Eloise J. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Inglis is a trustee, and take an active part in the work of the congregation. Politically Mr. Inglis' sympathies are with the republican party, but he has been too busy a man to seek for office although the people would gladly bestow one upon him in recognition of his pronounced ability. He prefers, however, to give his attention to his large and important business interests and is widely recognized as a man of keen discernment and sound judgment.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 561.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 640.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 612.

Mr. Ingwersen was married to Miss Johanna Peterson, who was likewise born in Germany, and their union has been blessed with three sons and one daughter: Paul N., a resident of Hale township, Jones county; L. P., who makes his home in Clinton county; Laura M., at home; and Herman J., of this review. Mr. Ingwersen is a democrat in his political views but has never been active in public affairs. He and his wife were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, to which they now belong. The superiority of business opportunities and advantages in America is a fact little realized by the man who is born and reared in this country but Mr. Ingwersen, like many others of foreign birth, was quick to appreciate this fact and allowing no opportunity to pass if. he could profit thereby, he has worked his way upward to a substantial place among the valued residents of Oxford and Jones county.

Herman J. Ingwersen, the immediate subject of this review, was educated in the common schools of Jones county and remained on the home farm until he reached years of maturity. He then joined John Buresh in the conduct of a hardware and implement business, in which he is still engaged having bought out the interest of his partner. The industry and perseverance so characteristic of the German race is strong within him and the success he has attained in his chosen field of labor is very gratifying. He is a young man of many good qualities and has many friends both in social and business circles.

Mr. Ingwersen has followed in the political steps of his father and gives his support to the democratic party, on which ticket he was elected and served for five years as township clerk. He is a member of Masonic lodge, NO. 435, at Oxford Junction and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, pp. 28-29.

Linus L. Ireland was reared at home and received his education in the common schools. Meager as this training might have been it was amply supplemented by practical experience in the fields, which laid the foundations for the success of his later years. Still a young man, scarcely out of his teens, Mr. Ireland married and established a home of his own. For four years he operated rented land and then bought a farm of sixty-five acres in Fairview township, this county. In three years he was convinced of the wisdom of disposing of that piece of property and again became a renter for a period of six years. In February, 1891, he purchased the farm on which he lives today. It is a fine tract, one hundred and forty acres in extent, fertile to begin with, but vastly improved since Mr. Ireland obtained possession of it, for he cultivates the soil in accordance with the most approved scientific methods and has erected buildings that are modern in every detail. As a result the farm is one of the richest and most valuable in Jones county.

On the 26th of May, 1873, Mr. Ireland was united in marriage to Miss Jennie S. Hamilton, of this county, who was born in Huron county, Ohio. Of this marriage there have been born nine children, seven of whom survive: Effie E., the wife of Benjamin McGuire, of Madison township; Lizzie L., the wife of Arthur G. Bender, also of that township; Millie M., who married Louis R. Buchholtz, a farmer of Madison township; and Viola V., Louis L., Alice A. and Grace G., who live at home. Although he has been repeatedly urged to do so, Mr. Ireland has steadily refused to accept any office within the gift of the people. He takes an interest in public matters nevertheless, and is always at the polls on election days when his ballot is given to the candidates of the republican party. A man who has never shirked hard work, his success is equally due to his progressive methods and temper of his mind, which is ever receptive of the improvements that are being made in the appurtenances of farming as in other fields of business. Uprightness and honesty have distinguished his intercourse with his fellowmen and he is highly esteemed in his section and throughout the county.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 234.