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1890 Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Story County, Iowa

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publican, and socially belongs to the I. O. O. F.

Michael McNichols, farmer and stock-raiser, Nevada, Iowa. There are many citizens of foreign birth represented in this volume, but none are more deserving of mention than Mr. McNichols, who is one of the progressive and substantial men of Story County. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, on the 16th of March, 1847, and at an early age emigrated with his parents to America, and located in Syracuse, N. Y., where he remained until 1867. The parents then moved to Fond du Lac, Wis., where Michael grew to manhood, and where he engaged in the grocery business, continuing at this from 1866 until 1872. He then located in Chicago, and was there in the employment of the North-Western Railroad Company for one year. In 1873 he emigrated to Michigan, but in the fall returned to Wisconsin, where he was elected clerk of the township board of the town of Worcester, Price County. He continued to serve in that capacity (which was serving virtually as county clerk) until 1880, and filled the position in a creditable and satisfactory manner. He was married, in 1875, to Miss Hannah Carey, daughter of Edward and Mary (Donovan) Carey, natives of Cork, Ireland. Mr. McNichols purchased 200 acres of land on Sections 23 and 24 in Milford Township, and the improvements he has made, together with a naturally fertile soil, have rendered it one of the best farms in the county. He has good, substantial buildings, and a glance over the farm will indicate the kind of a farmer that he is. Mr. McNichols has been unusually successful since locating here, and, in connection with his farming interests, is also actively engaged in raising a good grade of cattle, horses and hogs, dealing only in the best. Mr. McNichols is the son of James and Sarah McNichols, and one of nine children born to their union—five sons and four daughters—eight of whom grew to maturity: John, Bridget, Mary, Stephen, Patrick, James, Sarah (deceased) and Sarah. Four brothers and one sister are now living. Mr. McNichols' widowed sister now resides with him on his farm. He is a trustee of Milford Township, and has at all times been a strict advocate of Democracy. To his marriage were born four children: Mary E., Hannah B., John H. and Bessie. He and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Aaron McWherter, farmer and stock-raiser, Collins, Iowa. The entire life of Mr. McWherter has been one without any material change from the ordinary pursuits of farm toil, and yet not devoid of substantial results as an agriculturist. He was born in Marion County, Ohio, on the 13th of February, 1839, and is the son Of John and Charlotte (Imboty) McWherter, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. Mr. McWherter moved to Indiana in 1846, settled in Noble County, and assisted in subduing the wilderness. He resided there until his death, in 1884, when eighty-two years of age. His wife now survives him, and is seventy-three years of age. Aaron McWherter, the third in order of birth of nine children, two sons and three daughters now living, grew to manhood in Noble County, Ind., and in 1862 came to Iowa. He located in Plum Grove, Jasper County, Iowa, and was married there on the 29th of October, 1862, to Miss Martha McQuiston, a native of Ohio, but who was reared in Indiana and Iowa, and the daughter of John McQuinton. Ten living children are the result of this union: Henry C., John, David, William J., Wyatt, Jesse, Elias, Joseph W., Mary and Viola. After his marriage Mr. McWherter farmed at the Grove until after the war, and improved two farms in Jasper County before he bought here in 1866. He then remained here engaged in improving his farm,

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