New Hampshire and Vermont, in 1827 and 1832, respectively. The former was murdered in his office in Maxwell, on October 22, 1887, and since that time his widow has resided in that place. The subject of this sketch is the third of their four children, and his knowledge of books was obtained in the public schools of Wisconsin and Iowa, entering, in 1885, Cornell College, of the latter State. In 1886 he began dealing in lumber, in Maxwell, and, as stated above, became associated in this business in January, 1889, with Mr. Morse, the firm being organized in August of that year, and they are now extensively engaged in selling lath, shingles, sash, doors, blinds, paper, lime stucco, etc.—in fact, everything pertaining to their line of business, as well as hard and soft coal. Mr. French is an intelligent and enterprising young man, and his success in his present enterprise is proof that his well-directed efforts are appreciated by the public. He is a Republican, his first presidential vote being cast for Harrison, and socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 463. In his religious views he is a Methodist.
Edward R. Fry is an excellent representative of the energetic business men of Story County, Iowa, and being public-spirited, liberal-minded and energetic in disposition, his career has been successful and honorable. He was born in Delaware County, Penn., in November, 1828, the fourth of six children born to Nathan and Sarah (Hazzard) Fry, both of whom were born in the " Keystone State," the paternal grandfather being Henry Fry, a native German. Edward Fry lived in Pennsylvania until 1888, when he removed to Story County, Iowa, and in addition to receiving a common-school education in his youth, in the State of his nativity, he learned the blacksmith's trade, which calling his father followed. The year 1868 witnessed the celebration of his marriage to Miss Fannie H. Clift, of Pennsylvania [see sketch of N. A. Clift], and by her he became the father of two children : Fannie E. and Nathan C. Mrs. Fry has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and in his political views Mr. Fry has always been a stanch Republican. His brothers and sisters are as follows: Ann (wife of Aaron Roberts, of Chester County, Penn.), Elizabeth (who died when young), Caroline ( who was married, died in Michigan), Edward C., Mary J. (wife of M. Keller, of Delaware County, Penn., she being also deceased), and Lewis (a resident of the city of Philadelphia, Penn. ). Although Mr. Fry has resided in this county only a short time, he has already become known to many, and in his business as well as his social relations he commands the respect and esteem of all.
Hugh M. Funson, attorney at law of Nevada, Iowa, is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when one possesses a thorough determination to succeed in life, coupled with energy, perseverance and intelligence. Mr.Funson was born in the "City of Brotherly Love" June 24, 1851, and almost from his earliest recollections up to the time he left home to attend school, he was occupied with the monotonous duties of farm life. His parents, Thomas and Margaret (McCoy) Funson, were born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1812 and 1818, respectively, but emigrated to the United States about 1848, and settled in Philadelphia, Penn., where they made their home for six years. The two following years were spent in the "Buckeye State," at the end of which time they moved to Bureau County, Ill., and there are now living. Hugh M. Fun son is the second of their nine children, five of whom are living, and his early education was obtained in the common country schools, after which he spent four years in the Princeton (Ill.) high