four children, became familiar with the duties of the farm in early life, and had some of the advantages afforded by the common schools, subsequently attending the Kaneville (Ill.) high school, from which he graduated in 1873. He was then principal of the Algonquin, Ill., schools for one year, after which he went to Madison, Wis., and took a law course in Wisconsin University, graduating in the class of 1875. In January of the following year he came to Ames, and here he has since resided. On coming here lie was at once admitted to the bar of Story County, the courts of Iowa and the United States courts. Since 1876 Mr. Underwood has been doing a good law business. He is one of the best trial lawyers in Central Iowa, and has been connected with some very important cases. He is the owner of a valuable farm of 240 acres, near the town of Ames, and this farm is well stocked with fine horses and cattle. In politics Mr. Underwood is a Republican, and soon after settling in Ames was mayor of the town for three terms. He has also been a member of the Ames school board for about twelve years, and he has ever taken an active part in the educational affairs of the town; also the affairs in general for the best interest and advancement of Ames. He is a popular man, and a leading lawyer and citizen of Story County and Iowa. He was married in August, 1875, to Miss Augusta E. Ames, a native of New York, and they have six children: Frank A., JAmes Lucien, Ethel Lynn, Sadie A., George Carrell and Jean R. Mr. Underwood is a Mason, belonging to Arcadia Lodge No. 249, at Ames, and 3 X 3 Chapter No. 99, at Nevada.
William W. Utterback, a pioneer and much-esteemed resident of Story County, owes his nativity to Woodford County, Ky., born July 27, 1814. He remained in his native State until 1828, when he moved with his parents to Indiana. In 1852 he came to Story County, Iowa, and in the spring of 1853, settled where he now lives, in the eastern part of Nevada Township. On coming to the township, Mr. Utterback bought out a squatter by the name of John Cox, who had cleared about two acres, and Mr. Utterback now owns 150 acres of well-improved land, and has on his fine farm a never-failing mineral spring. He led to the altar, on the 27th of July, 1837, Miss Margaret Lakin, who died April 12, 1847, leaving three children: Elizabeth S., Mary E. and William F. Only Mary survives. On the 29th of September, 1847, Mr. Utterback took for his second wife Miss Margaret McCartney, a native of Livingston County, N. Y., born in 1819, and to them were born five children: Joanna, Martha, John W., Joseph A. and Calista. John is deceased. Mr. Utterback is a Republican, politically, and was a member of the board of township trustees at the time of the naming of Nevada Township, and he had the honor of giving it that title. He has lived to see Nevada Township and Story County grow from a wild and unsettled state to their present condition of prosperity, and he has aided in all enterprises for their advancement. He has many warm friends, and is one of the county's best citizens. His parents, Benjamin and Matilda (Hanks) Utterback, came to Indiana in 1828, and to Story County, Iowa, in 1852. The father died in Boone County, Ind., at the age of sixty-five years, and the mother passed the closing scenes of her life in Mills County, Iowa, when seventy-five years of age.
Jesse E. Vanscoy, farmer and stock-raiser, Ames, Iowa. A life-long experience in the channels of agriculture, and an intimate acquaintance with every detail of the calling, have contributed to place Mr. Vanscoy among the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of the county. He was born in Randolph County,