tion then numbering between 1,500 and 2,000. He came with his parents by team, a distance of 300 miles, from Belvidere, Ill., and at that time many of the Sac and Fox Indians inhabited the region. He says that the admirable changes of Story County have been brought about by a thorough system of drainage and an excellent plan of farming which was inaugurated. He now has one of the most comfortable homes in the town of Cambridge, and here, in the community in which he has done so much to build up, it is his desire to spend the rest of his days. He was married on the 1st of May, 1862, in Cambridge, Iowa, to Miss Ellen J. Banks, who was born in Ohio, March 10, 1841, her education being received in the schools of that State, where she also followed the calling of a school teacher for a number of years. Her union with Mr. Chandler resulted in the birth of two children, both sons, who are wide awake young business men. The eldest, Edward W., has his residence with his parents in Cambridge, but is a commercial traveler by calling, and is known to be a young man of exceptionally fine business qualifications for one of his years. He is an employe of the well-known firm of Cornish, Curtis & Greene, of Fort Atkinson, Wis., and receives an excellent salary for his services. His business calls him all over the United States, and is one of great responsibility. He is single, was educated in the graded school of Cambridge, and has attained to the Knight Templar degree in the Masonic fraternity. Howard C., the other son, also makes his home with his parents, and is at present engaged in railroading, being in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, his base of operations being at Perry, Iowa. His position is a responsible one, as he has charge of the trainmen's department, which consists of 800 men. Although he is only twenty-one years of age, he receives a remunerative salary, and is proving himself perfectly capable of successfully discharging the duties of his present position. Like his brother, he was educated in the graded schools of Cambridge, and belongs to a secret organization, he being a member of the A. O. of R. M. These young men are far above the average in intelligence, enterprise and those principles which go to make upright, honorable men, and for the success which has attended their efforts, they deserve much commendation.
John Christian ranks among the well-known men of foreign birth who make their home in Story County. He came to the United States when a lad of fifteen, and passed his early youth in Kendall County, Ill. In 1857 he moved to Story County. His employment at first was teaming, and he also engaged in cultivating new prairie land, but as his income increased he was soon in a position to invest in real estate, and is now the owner of some good farming land in the region round about. His 800 acres of land are improved after the fashion of this locality, besides which our subject has other property. He was born near Bergen, in Norway, on July 13, 1834; was married in November, 1862, to Miss Cecilia Pearson, like himself an emigrant from Norway. She came to America when only one year old with her father, John Pearson, and passed her girlhood in Illinois and Iowa. They have five children, viz.: Bertha, Alice, Otis H., Jonas C. and Edward B., and lost four small children. They are both members of the Lutheran Church.
Charles Christian, Among the men gifted alike with energy, enterprise and social charms, stands the subject of this sketch, a prominent merchant and justice of the peace of Roland, Iowa. Born in Norway, August 8, 1845, he is a son of Christian and Alice Christian, natives