- Biographies of Cedar Twp.,
- Benton County, Iowa - 1878
- From "History of Benton County, 1878"
Smelser, John, Sec. 5; P.O. La Porte City;
owns 120 acres, valued at $35 per acre; born in Green Co., Tenn. in 1826; came
to Iowa in 1852, and located on his present farm in 1853; Married Mary A.
Hogshire in 1846; she was born in Ohio in 1830; have three children-John F.,
Earnest and Henry. Are members of the M.E. Church.
Cotton, John, Sec. 8; P.O. La Porte City; owns
310 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Marion Co., Ind., in 1828;
came to Iowa in 1853, and located on his present farm. Married Margaret
Smelser in 1866; she was born in Ohio in 1837; have one
child-Gertrude E.; Mr. Cotton has three children by a former marriage-Mary E.,
Eber and Ettie F.; lost one son-Francis, who enlisted in the 31st Iowa
Infantry and died in Vicksburg.