Robert J. Carson was reared under the parental roof and at the usual age began his studies in the district schools. He remained at home, assisting in the care of the farm until his twenty-third year, when he established a home of his own by his marriage on the 8th of June, 1887, to Miss Mary J. McBride, of Richland township, this county, and a daughter of William McBride, now deceased.

Following his marriage Mr. Carson located on the farm which is now his home but which at that time was the property of his father. For twenty years he cultivated this land as a renter but upon the settlement of the father's estate he purchased the property of the other heirs and now owns eighty acres in Scotch Grove township. For the past seventeen years, in addition to carrying on general farming, he has operated a threshing machine. His first engine was run by horse power but when the steam thresher was placed upon the market he purchased one and has since done a large business in threshing in various sections of the county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carson have been born five children, William Frederick, Fannie, John Vernon, Mamie and Margaret, all still at home. Mr. Carson is a republican in his political views and has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill various public offices, having served as constable, road supervisor and school director. He is a Modern Woodman, belonging to Camp No. 892, at Center Junction. His success is well deserved for it has come to him through strict adherence to honorable methods.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 387.

In the public schools of Germany, before he came here, August Carstensen had received his education, but he had no other preparation for life and arrived in this country a poor boy. He had, however, the ability and the strong will to work and succeed, and his present substantial position is but another indication of what these qualities can accomplish. For several years he and his father worked together but by the fall of 1902 he had saved sufficient of his earnings to enable him to buy his present farm. It embraces sixty acres of excellent land, on which Mr. Carstensen carries on diversified farming. Fortune has smiled upon him, or rather, he has reaped a generous return for his many hours of tedious toil, and from poverty has attained to a competence and a substantial position not only in Madison Township and Jones county.

In 1901, Mr. Carstensen was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Peterson. Her parents, Martin and Elsape (Baudicksen) Peterson, had come from Germany and joined the farming community of Jones county, which became the birthplace of their daughter. They are now residents of Oxford township and have attained to a respected position there. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Carstensen: Emma, Hattie, Herman and Martin.

When he became a citizen of this republic Mr. Carstensen decided that the platform of the Democratic Party was most in accord with his political views and has since given his support to its candidates at election times. He is liberal in his views, however and in local affairs votes for men and measures as he thinks right and for the greater good of the community. In the seventeen years he has been a resident of Jones county Mr. Carstensen has attained to an enviable position of prosperity, the result of his own unremitting labors united to a definite purpose. He enjoys the respect of those who have watched his progress, from the beginning, and the lesson of his life might well be emulated by men of all ages.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 543.

His father, John Cash, was a native of Ireland and coming to the United States in 1859 settled in New York city, where he engaged in teaming for a time. He remained in the eastern metropolis until 1867 with the exception of three years, which he spent as a soldier in the Civil war. He enlisted in March, 1862, as a member of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry and afterward served with the One Hundred and Fifth New York Infantry until mustered out after the close of hostilities in August, 1865. He participated in the battles of Gettysburg and other important engagements and after being wounded was sent to the Nashville Military Hospital. In 1867 he removed to Anamosa, where he worked by the day until he could gain a start. He then turned his attention to farming in Fairview and later became the owner of a tract of land. His political allegiance was given to the democracy, while his religious faith was that of the Catholic church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine O'Brien, was born in Ireland and came with her parents to the United States in 1859, the family home being established in New York city, where she was married. She, too, was a member of the Catholic church and died in that faith in 1883. In their family were six children: William, who was born in 1861 and followed the stone cutter's trade until his death in 1902; Edward, who was born in 1867 and is a locomotive engineer of Louisiana with headquarters in New Orleans; Mary, who was born in 1868 and is living in Dubuque; Charles J.; John, who was born in 1872, in Anamosa, and now resides in Lincoln, Nebraska; and Stephen, whose birth occurred in Anamosa in 1875.

Charles J. Cash acquired his literary education in the public schools of this city, which he attended during the winter months from 1876 until 1889. He worked on a farm during the summer seasons and pursued his studies evenings without assistance. Although tired from the day's work he would study evenings while in bed until he would fall asleep. Being of unusual physical strength he was interested and also active in outdoor sports. After leaving school he took an extended trip in the west, but returned to Anamosa and began the study of law, having concluded from observations that special training for some trade or profession was essential, and, possessing, moreover, a long cherished desire to enter the legal profession, he entered the office of F. 0. Ellison, who directed his reading for two years. He was admitted to the bar in January, 1894, and at once entered upon the active practice of his profession. He remained alone until 1900, when he formed a partnership with B. E. Rhinehart under the firm style of Cash & Rhinehart, the connection remaining unchanged until 1908, when M. W. Herrick, of Monticello, became a member of the firm, which is now known as Herrick, Cash & Rhinehart. They have offices in Anamosa and Monticello and their clientage is extensive and of a representative character. Through his own efforts and determination Mr. Cash has acquired a splendid reputation as a lawyer and reached a high place as a member of the legal bar. His success in a professional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. His pleas have been characterized by a terse and decisive logic and a lucid presentation rather than by flights of oratory, and his power is the greater before court or jury from the fact that it is recognized that his aim is ever to secure justice and not to enshroud the cause in a sentimental garb or illusion which will thwart the principles of right and equity involved.

On the 21st of June, 1898, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cash and Miss Margaret Kennedy, for ten years a teacher in the public schools of Sioux City, Iowa, and unto them was born a son, Paul, whose birth occurred January 26, 1900. The wife and mother passed away on the 23d of April, of the same year, at Sioux City. In December, 1903, Mr. Cash was again married, his second union being with Josephine Shaffer, of Cascade, Iowa, who was also a school teacher and a daughter of Nicholas and Margaret Shaffer. Her grandfather, Nicholas Shaffer. Sr., came to America in 1830. He had served several years on the staff of the great Napoleon, and after the disastrous march of Moscow he was captured and for some time acted as a teacher of the French language to the Russian nobility. Mr. and Mrs. Cash now have one son, Charles J., who was born June 1, 1905. Their parents are members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Cash belongs also to the Modern Woodmen, the Mystic Workers and the Knights of Columbus, while in more specifically professional lines he is connected with the Jones County Bar Association. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, and he is recognized as one of the local leaders of the party. He was chairman of the democratic county central committee and for many years was one of its members, while since attaining his majority he has taken a very active part in whatever has pertained to the welfare and the interest of the party. For four years he served as justice of the peace and was also alderman from the second ward. In 1902 he was elected prosecuting attorney, was defeated in 1904 and was reelected in 1906 and 1908, so that he is now the incumbent in the position. Chosen three times for this office, his reelection is incontrovertible proof of the ability which he has displayed in discharging his duties. He has been unusually successful as a prosecutor and is the only incumbent in that office who has been returned by increased majorities at each succeeding election. As a candidate for office he has commanded the votes of those who know him best, having in every instance received his party vote and nearly a majority of the republican vote in his home town.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 166.