From History of Jones County, Iowa, 1879, page 619, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 582.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, 1879, page 619, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 701.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 582.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 589.

A. A. Vaughn, who was the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children, obtained his preliminary education in the schools of his native state and when fourteen years of age came to Jones county, Iowa, entering the home of his sister Mary, who was the wife of C. S. Gilbert, a merchant, grain dealer and cheese manufacturer of Wyoming. He attended the Wyoming high school and also pursued a course in the Davenport Business College, and after completing his education was associated with his brother-in-law for a year. Subsequently he entered the general store of A. M. Loomis a salesman and bookkeeper, being thus employed until 1882, when he became assistant cashier of the First National Bank. In 1904 he was made cashier of the institution and has since acted in that capacity. He is thoroughly conversant with the banking business in principle and detail and his capable control of the First National Bank is manifested in its growing success. Mr. Vaughn has been married twice. In 1877 he wedded Miss Sarah Gilbert, who passed away on the 10th of November, 1886, leaving two children: Vera L. and Minnie S. On the 22d of August, 1889, Mr. Vaughn was again married, his second union being with Miss Frances Sykes, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Ralph and Theresa Sykes. In her girlhood days she accompanied her parents on their removal to Jones county. By his second wife Mr. Vaughn also has two children: Aleta A. and Florence M.

In politics Mr. Vaughn is a stalwart republican and has served his fellow townsmen in several positions of trust and responsibility. He acted as mayor for a year and at the present time is a member of the town council. He has likewise been identified with the school board and has served as its president and secretary. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in religious faith he is a Methodist. He has now resided in this county for four decades and is widely and favorably known within its borders, his upright and honorable career commanding the respect and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 127.

Mildred Walston Vaughn

Philander Vaughn, Edwin's father

Philander Vaughn was a very progressive man, his ideas of farming being about thirty years in advance of his time and in the cultivation of his land he met with most excellent success, transforming the wild tract into highly productive fields. The children born to Philander and Lydia L. (Baldwin) Vaughn were as follows: Rudolph, who is living in South Dakota; Mrs. Flora I. Babcock, of Des Moines; Mrs. Stella Lindsay, who lives in Wyoming; George I., of Denver, Colorado; Edna C., who is the wife of C. F. Francis, of Davenport, Iowa; Lucy J., who is the wife of Ellwood Kirkpatrick, of Clarence, Iowa; Alton P., of Clinton; Susan M., of Mount Vernon, Iowa; Edwin C., the subject of this sketch; Fred, of Wyoming; and Harry, who lives in Kansas.

During his boyhood Edwin C. Vaughn attended the district schools near his home, where he derived a good practical education, and by assisting his father in the work of the farm he also gained an excellent knowledge of the occupation to which he has since devoted his time and energies. He remained under the parental roof for two years after attaining his majority and then commenced farming on his own account, renting the home place and another tract owned by his father, which he successfully cultivated for nine years. At the end of that time lie was able to purchase the old homestead which consists of two hundred and forty acres, eighty of which are in Wyoming township and one hundred and sixty are in Oxford township. In connection with general farming he has also given considerable attention to the raising and feeding of stock, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle and road horses. Like his father he is a thoroughly up-to-date farmer and the success that has crowned his efforts is due entirely to his own good management and industry.

In 1892 Mr. Vaughn was united in marriage to Miss Mildred Walston, who was born in Jones county and was one of a family of six children. Her father has passed away but her mother is still living in Wyoming, Iowa. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn are: Dillon C. and Palmer W., who are still at home; and Carter E., deceased. Mrs. Vaughn is a member of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Vaughn is a stanch adherent of the republican party. He has never sought any office within the gift of the people, however, although he is now president of the school board. In this capacity his influence is given to the advancement of the cause of education, for he is a man who is progressive in his idea-indeed, this is one reason for his success. Although Mr. Vaughn's interests are varied he still clings to the farm as the ideal home for a family.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 330.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 636.

John Von Spreecken received a good education in the public schools of his native land, where he also learned the miller's trade. Since he came to America, however, he has devoted himself exclusively to the tilling of the soil as a farm hand first, then as a renter, and finally as a man who, owning his land, obtains from it the full measure of its productiveness. It was in the year 1880 that he reached Clinton county, Iowa, having gone there immediately after landing upon our shores. For two years he worked for others and then secured eighty acres of land on which he worked as a tenant for three years, moving at the end of that time to a place twice that size, which remained his home for four years. He was then able to buy the farm on which he now lives. It is a fine tract of land, two hundred and forty acres in extent, which Mr. Von Sprecken has im­proved and cultivated until it is one of the best in the township. He also owns fifty-six acres in another part of Wyoming township, which makes his holdings lack but just a little of reaching the three hundred mark. He follows general farming, although he is mainly interested in the raising, feeding and shipping of all kinds of stock, and has found that his operations have brought him a large measure of success.

It was in 1881 that Mr. Von Spreecken was married to Miss Wilhelmena Schmalfeldt, who, like her husband, was a native of Germany. She, however, was but six years old when her parents went to Clinton county and with them she came to Wyoming township, where her father is still living, but her mother has passed away. Mrs. Von Spreecken is one of a family of seven children and has become the mother of nine: Rosie, Emma, Pauline, Maria, Alice, Leona, Peter, John and Harry. The eldest is the wife of Gus Eihlers and lives in Rockwell City; Emma married Max Hennigsen, of Wyoming township; and the other children are all living at home. The family are members and liberal supporters of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Von Spreccken has allied himself politically with the democratic party. He is interested in the welfare of the country of his adoption, especially in that of the little community where he lives, but aside from having held the office of school director for the last four years he has taken no part in its public life. Unremitting in his toil and careful in the management of his resources, he is now living in the enjoyment of all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 579.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 636.