sought shelter for himself and wife with the Kiowa Indians. They were given welcome and it was in a tepee of a member of that tribe that Mrs. Brady was born, the mother and babe being tended and cared for by the squaws. One of the now dearly prized possessions of Mrs. Brady is a picture of the old Indian chief Wapello, for whom the town was called. Her father made by hand the shingles which roofed the first house erected in the village. Nine children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Avery, but only Mrs. Brady and Solomon, a resident of Wapello, are now living. The father and mother spent their last days in Iowa and were laid to rest in the cemetery of Wapello. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brady were born fifteen children, six of whom are living: Mary Ann, the wife of Ed Wilson, of this county: J. C., who is residing in Arkansas; and Frank, William and Robert, all living in Louisa county; and Dennis, who is with his mother and is operating the home farm. Mr. Brady passed away on the 28th of June, 1899, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Wapello. His widow, who has spent her entire life in Louisa county, has many interesting recollections of the pioneer days which she relates in a most entertaining manner. She is one of the well known residents of Marshall township, whose prairies she has seen converted into fertile farms, while the tepee of the Indian has given way to the modern dwelling. IRA A. OATS. The breeding of fine stock is one of the most important branches known in connection with farming and Ira A. Oats, of Louisa county, deserves great credit for what he is accomplishing in this direction. He was born in this county, May 18, 1872, a son of John W. and Isabel (Duncan) Oats, the former having been born in Indiana and the latter in Iowa. The father of our subject was for many years engaged in farming in Iowa. He retired at Columbus Junction in 1902 and died at that place in November, 1908. Mrs. Oats is still living and makes her home at Columbus Junction. There were six children in their family, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Maggie, who became the wife of Alba McBride, a farmer of Louisa county; Ira, of this review; Ada, who married J. D. Hamil, of Washington county; and Arnold D., who is now in attendance at the academy at Iowa City, Iowa. Ira A. Oats possessed good advantages of education in the schools and later attended the high school, thus becoming well prepared for the responsibilities of an active and useful life. He assisted his father upon the home farm until twenty-two years of age and then began upon his own account by renting one hundred and eighty acres, which he cultivated to good advantage for seven years. About this time his father retired from active labor and the son moved to the home place and for five years was in charge of one hundred and ninety He then assumed control of his father-in-law's place of one hundred and ten acres, but after one year he purchased one hundred and seventy-two acres. acres in Columbus City township, upon which he has made his home for the past three years. He is a fancier of fine stock and has given considerable attention to the breeding and raising of pure blooded animals. He makes a specialty of raising Shropshire sheep and full blooded Duroc Jersey hogs. He is now changing from shorthorn cattle to Hereford cattle, as he prefers the latter breed. By the application of keen discrimination and good judgment he has acquired a reputation as one of the reliable breeders of the county and there is a steady and increasing demand for animals from his farm. On the 12th of December, 1894, Mr. Oats was married to Miss Gertrude Smyley, a daughter of Joseph Taylor and Ella (Orris) Smyley. Mr. and Mrs. Smyley were the parents of two children: Gertrude, now Mrs. Ira A. Oats; and Robert, of Louisa county. Three children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Oats: Reuben A., who was born September 7, 1895; June V., born September 7, 1898; and Ruth V., born December 31, 1905. Mr. Oats is a supporter of the democratic party and has served to the general satisfaction of the taxpayers as township clerk. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and is also a valued member of the Dutch Reformed church. He has earned a place as one of the useful citizens of Louisa county. His life is controlled very largely by the desire to enhance the happiness of those with whom he is associated, and he therefore possesses in an unusual degree their confidence and respect. WILLIAM MEYERHOLZ. William Meyerholz, who has been engaged in general farming and stockraising on his homestead in Jefferson township for the past thirty years, was born in Louisa county on the 1st of August, 1855. He is the eldest son of the late Henry and Elizabeth (Burchold) Meyerholz, natives of Germany, of whom more extended mention is made in the sketch of Fred Meyerholz, on another page of this volume. William Meyerholz was reared under the parental roof, acquiring his education in the common schools of his native township. After laying aside his textbooks he engaged with his father in the cultivation of the farm, remaining a member of the paternal household until he was twenty-six years of age. then bought a portion of the old homestead, which he operated for eleven years prior to his marriage. He has made all of the improvements upon his property, in addition to which he has planted an orchard and many shade trees. He engages in general farming and has always made a specialty of raising and feeding stock for the market. In 1892 Mr. Meyerholz was united in marriage to Miss Lena C. Deppe, who was born in Madison county, Indiana, on the 21st of April, 1866. She is a daughter of Conrad A. and Caroline C. (Tohmman) Deppe, natives of Hanover, Germany, from which country they emigrated to the United States in 1843, locating in Indiana. They were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, following which they settled upon a farm in Indiana, where they were residing when the father passed away in 1900. The mother is still living and continues to reside upon the old homestead. They were the parents of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Meyerholz affiliate with the Christian church, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which lodge he has filled all of the chairs, and he has also taken the first degree in Masonry. A republican in politics, he always gives his support to the candidates of that party and has served as school director and road supervisor. The entire fifty-six years of his life have been spent in this county and Jefferson township, where he was born, and in the growth and development of which he has always taken an active interest. HON. ALEXANDER M. GARRETT. On the streets of the enterprising little town of Letts, Iowa, there appears no figure better known than that of Hon. Alexander M. Garrett, who for many years has been one of the prominent and influential men in the business and political circles of Louisa county. The familiar name of "Dick," by which he is known to a large number of friends and acquaintances, is indicative of the popularity of the man and the affection in which he is held by those who have come in close contact with him. A native of Louisa county, Iowa, he was born in Concord township, on a farm two and a half miles west of Letts, on the 31st of March, 1857, a son of Barton and Elizabeth (Finley) Garrett, natives of Floyd county, Kentucky, and Ohio respectively. The former came to Iowa in 1852 and the latter in 1839. her parents being numbered among the earliest of the pioneer settlers of Louisa county. After their marriage the father took up the occupation of farming, his first purchase of land constituting the nucleus of the present homestead. As the years passed he prospered and as success came to him he invested in more land until, at the time of his death, he was the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, all under a high state of cultivation. He passed away on the 22d of November, 1910, having survived his wife, for forty years, her death occurring on the 5th of May, 1870. After her demise he was again married, in 1873, to Miss Susanna M. Dodder, a native of New Jersey, who came to Iowa in 1836, the family home being located near Grand View. By his first marriage Mr. Garrett became the father of four children, as follows: Alexander M., of this review; Ulric, of Letts; James M., residing in Kansas City, Missouri; and Barton, who passed away in 1867, at the age of two years. Unto the second union was born one son: Joseph H., who was born in 1874, and now resides upon and operates the old homestead farm. Amid the busy activities and wholesome surroundings of rural life Alexander M. Garrett spent the period of his early life and in the district schools he ac |
