Stephen Walsworth was reared under the parental roof until he reached the age of eleven years, when he went to live with a stranger, with whom he remained until he was nineteen years of age, and during this period his education was acquired in the common schools. At the latter period in his life he started out to make his own way in the world by working as a farm hand for seven and a half years. Through reports which came to him concerning the opportunities offered to the young man in the then far west, he became convinced that he could more quickly acquire a competence in such a district, and accordingly in the fall of 1855 made his way to Jones county, where he operated rented land for one year. He then bought forty acres of land, which he improved and later added a tract of ninety acres, making his home thereon for several years. He then disposed of that land and took up his abode on a farm on section 36, Scotch Grove township, continuing to operate the same until 1902. He then purchased his farm of two hundred and fifty-five acres, located in Scotch Grove township, where he now makes his home. He also owns other farm land in Jones county, having altogether seven hundred and twenty-five acres in Scotch Grove and Clay townships. For the past forty-five years he has engaged quite extensively in feeding stock and this branch of his business has brought him very gratifying success, so that today he is classed among the representative and wealthy men of this section of Iowa.

Mr. Walsworth was married January 1, 1857, to Miss Wealthy Baldwin, who was born in Ohio. Their union was blessed with six children, but the eldest, Sarah E. is now deceased. The living members are: Florence M., the wife of Philip Williams, a resident of Onslow; Charles A., who operates the home farm; William F., who makes his home in Huron, South Dakota; Esther Ann, the wife of Joseph Tracy, of Scotch Grove township; and Lydia, the wife of John Tracy, their home being in New York. The wife and mother departed this life September 7, 1905, and her remains were interred in South Mineral cemetery.

Mr. Walsworth is a republican in his political affiliations but has never been active as an office seeker, preferring to give his time to his extensive business interests. He is, however, at the present writing serving as road supervisor. He is truly a self-made man, for he started out in life at an early age, without capital and with but a limited education. However, he had the foresight to determine the opportunities of the west and in this region bent his energies to the accumulation of a competency. Today the result of his effort is seen in his large farms covering seven hundred and twenty-five acres, and yet, surrounded with wealth and comfort, he stands in the same relation to his fellowman as he did when battling with life's strenuous problems. The ideals of men like Mr. Walsworth, their personality, the history of their lives, and their profound sense of integrity could be made the text of a lesson from which the young men of today could study success.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 473.

Albert F. Walters, who obtained his education in the common schools, was a young man of twenty-one years when he came with his parents to Onslow, where he was associated with his father in the lumber business for a short time. In 1880 he made his way to Elgin, Illinois, where for two years he was employed in the Elgin watch works. Subsequently he went to Springfield, Illinois, where he was employed in a watch factory for a similar period, while afterward he spent two years in a watch factory at Aurora, Illinois. His next removal was to Rockford, Illinois, where he worked in the watch factory for a period of ten years. He was thoroughly familiar with all the mechanical parts necessary in the construction of a watch and during more than twelve of the eighteen years, which he spent in the manufacture of watches had charge of one or another of the various departments. In October, 1893, work at the watch factory having been suspended, Mr. Walters went to Belvidere, where he secured employment with the National Sewing Machine Company, remaining with that concern for about a year. He next made his way to Richmond, Indiana, and for two years acted as superintendent of a bicycle factory there. His health failing, he then returned to Jones county, Iowa, and purchased the old Walters homestead, on which he had been reared to manhood and which still remains in his possession. He did not take up his abode on the farm, however, but resided in Onslow until October, 1901, when he again went to Rockford, Illinois, working in the watch factory there until January, 1903. Subsequently he went to Belvidere, Illinois, as superintendent of the automobile factory and in July, 1903, secured a position in the small arms department of the Rock Island arsenal, there remaining for three years. In 1906, he was taken ill and came to Onslow, intending to resume his work as soon as he was able. His position was held for him for almost a year, but the condition of his health has been such as to prevent his return to active labor and he has lived retired.

On the 3d of July, 1880, Mr. Walters was united in marriage to Miss Ella Plank, of Potter Brook, Pennsylvania. The two children born unto them are now deceased, the daughter, Marlan H., passing away at the age of eleven years. In 'his political views Mr. Walters is a stanch republican, while fraternally he is identified with Keystone Lodge, No. 206, F.&A.M., of Wyoming. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the community, having won the unqualified confidence and regard of all with whom they have come in contact.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 126.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, 1879, page 619, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel

Agricultural pursuits have characterized the entire business career of Joseph J. Walters, who spent the period of his boyhood and youth amid the scenes and environments of rural life. He acquired his education in the district schools and at the same time assisted in the work of the home farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of carrying on agriculture. He continued to give his father the benefit of his aid up until the latter's death, when he took charge of the homestead and has since directed his energies toward its further development. That his early training in the occupation of farming was thorough and comprehensive is indicated in the fact that as the years have come and gone he has been most successful and has been able to add to his original holdings until today he is the owner of three hundred and eighty-seven acres of land all lying in one body on sections 24, and 13, and all under an excellent state of cultivation. The improvements on the place were all made by our subject, and his father, and the farm ranks among the valuable and desirable properties of the county. The former carries on general farming and stock-raising, and he also devotes some attention to the dairy business, keeping on hand twenty-six cows for that purpose. His various business interests are all carefully directed and are proving a source of most gratifying remuneration to him.

It was on the 26th of March, 1889, that Mr. Walters was united in marriage to Miss Cora A. Worster, who was born in Wayne township, Jones county, on the 21st of October, 1865. She is a daughter of Selim and Lucy (Ripley) Worster, natives of New England, their deaths occurring in Jones county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walters have been born seven children, namely: Joseph Henry, Hattie May, William Worster, Mary Elizabeth, Cora Lucy, Nellie Miranda and John Waldo.

Mr. Walters gives his political support to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of his business affairs. He is not lax, however, in matters of citizenship, but on the other hand is ever ready to give his aid and cooperation to any movement which tends to benefit the community. He has gained an extensive circle of friends in the county within whose borders he has passed his entire life, and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him from his boyhood, is an indication of the fact that his salient characteristics are in harmony with the principles which govern honorable and upright manhood.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 314.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 701.