From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 697.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 684.

William Albin Stingley spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native state and was but four years of age at the time of the death of his father. Owing to the limited means of his widowed mother it was necessary for him at a very early age to assist in the support of the family, and the educational advantages which he enjoyed therefore, were very meager, for he laid aside his text-books at the age of fourteen years. He remained under the parental roof, giving his mother the benefit of his aid, until sixteen years of age, when he left home and started out to earn his own livelihood in the business world. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits as a farm hand for about nine years, at the end of which time, through hard labor and careful saving of his earnings, he had accumulated sufficient means with which to engage in farming on his own account. In 1877 he was united in marriage to Miss Estella Preston, a daughter of H. C. Preston, of Madison township, Jones county, further mention of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.

After his marriage Mr. Stingley operated the farm of his father-in-law for about five years, and in 1882 withdrew from agricultural life and removed to Center junction, where he became identified with the railroad business. With the exception of the first fifteen months he has held the position of section foreman on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at this place continuously for the ensuing twenty-six years, a fact which stands in incontrovertible evidence of his efficiency, promptness and faithfulness. Energetic, industrious and trustworthy at all times, he has succeeded in making himself indispensable to the company and today is one of their most trusted and valued employees at this place.

As the years have come and gone the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stingley has, been blessed with nine children, eight of whom still survive, namely: Bertha, the wife of William Spohn, of Center junction; Maud, who married J. E. Duncan and also resides in Center junction; William A., operator for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Norton, Kansas; Earl H', station agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul at Center junction; Harry, residing at home; Alma, now deceased; and Roscoe, Olive and Helen, all still under the parental roof.

Mr. and Mrs. Stingley are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member of the board of trustees and is also class leader. He is likewise serving as a member of the board of trustees of the cemetery. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, while politically he gives stalwart support to the republican party. For four years he served as town assessor and was town clerk for six years, while he is now serving efficiently as the secretary of the Center junction high school. Although his educational advantages were very limited, nevertheless he is a well informed man, having always been a broad reader, keeping in touch with all matters of general interest and public moment. He is loyal and public-spirited in his citizenship, an unassuming, pleasant and companionable gentleman, standing among the first for integrity of purpose and general high character in the community where he has so long resided.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 209.

Robert C. Stirton was born in Devonshire, England, April 2, 1861, a son of Robert and Anne Stirton, both natives of Scotland. The father, who was employed as a forester, died when his son was but two years old. The widowed mother thereupon took her family to Scotland, where they remained until 1871. when they emigrated to this country, locating first in Delaware county, Iowa. In 1873 they came to Monticello, which has since been the home of Robert C. Stirton. For several years lie worked upon farms in the vicinity of the town during the summer months, while he attended school in the winter, thereby acquiring a thorough and practical education. He was enrolled as a pupil in the hi-h school of Monticello and although he never graduated he took the examination for a teacher's certificate, having secured which he proved himself a competent instructor. In 1887 he was appointed assistant postmaster of the town but resigned that position after three years to enter the employ of G. W. & G. L. Lovell, the pioneer bankers of Monticello. In 1897, when the institution was reorganized tinder the state laws, he was made cashier of the concern, a position he holds to the present time.

In 1903 Mr. Stirton entered upon his political career, being in that year the candidate upon the democratic ticket in the Jones-Cedar district for state senator. Despite the fact that the district was strongly republican, he won by a majority of four hundred and seventy-one votes, sitting in the thirtieth, thirty-first and thirty-second general assemblies. What he did during those years any one may read, for there is nothing of which he or his constituents need be ashamed. He introduced the two-cent fare bill in the senate at the first session in which he participated; voted for the passage of the anti-pass law, which lost by only one vote, urged the Crossley primary election bill, which is the only bona fide bill of its kind introduced into the senate; voted for the resolution to elect United States senators by direct vote of the people, voted for the pure food law; voted for the law to prohibit and regulate child labor; and again voted for the anti pass bill, which, has now become a law. In short, while representing the people, lie strove by all means in his power to do what in his judgment he believed to be for their best interests. Upon the expiration of his term in the senate lie was made the democratic nominee for congress from the fifth district in the campaign of 1907, and in the campaign of 1908 he was his party's nominee from the fifth Iowa congressional district for presidential elector, an indication of the strength he holds in the ranks of his political brethren. who rightly regard him as a man who has won the confidence of the voters of the district in which he lives. While he does not lay claim to being an orator, he has the power to speak effectively when there is need, but it is as a man easy of approach, affable and sympathetic that he has won those who have come into personal contact with him.

At Cincinnati, Ohio, January 25, 1893, Mr. Stirton wedded Miss Agnes Russell, a daughter of the late Dr. Isaac Russell, of Monticello. Two daughters have been born to them: Agnes, now fifteen years of age; and Anne, who is twelve years old.

Mr. Stirton attends the services of the Congregational church, although he is not a member thereof, while fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen. He has been particularly active in the former. having served as master of the local lodge. In a political way he has also been signaled out by the citizens of his town and county, for he has acted as president and secretary of the Jones county fair and as president of the school board for a period of ten years. Should he again enter the political arena Mr. Stirton has little to fear on the score of support, for although this section is strongly republican, yet the record of his life, his public policy, his reputation as a man who adheres to the cause of the people who elected him, these and other qualities which have made his a character of strength and honorableness should win above party considerations.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 310.