USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Containing a history from the earliest settlement to the present time biographical sketches; portraits of some of the early settlers, prominent men, etc. > Part 72
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
173
MINDEN TOWNSHIP.
he was compelled to return after serving nine months. He was married, in Missouri Val- ley, Harrison County, this State, in 1872, to Mary Mann, born in New York in Septem- ber, 1852. She is the daughter of Calvin and Sylvia (Newell) Mann. Her father is a mechanic, born in New York in 1815; moved to Michigan, and then to Wisconsin, and finally to Missouri Valley, where he settled in 1867, and followed his trade till about 1872, when he went to Nebraska, where he now lives. Her mother was born in Vermont about 1820. She was married in 1843, and has raised five children, three of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Avery have one child, Hazen L., born in June, 1876. Our subject was Recorder and a member of the Council of Missouri Valley Junction. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and is at pres- ent Worshipful Master of the lodge at Neola. He is a non-professor in religion, and in politics is a Republican.
G. BENNETT, farmer, P. O. Minden, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., July 11, 1844. He is the son of Bartlett and Mary Louisa Ben- nett. His father was a shoemaker; moved to Sauk County, Wis., in 1846, and died there the following year. The mother of our sub- ject married Mr. Albertus, of Wisconsin, after the death of her first husband. She had three children by her first and four by her second husband. She died in Honey Creek, Walworth Co., Wis., in 1862. Our subject went to school in Sauk City and Honey Creek, Wis., till he was fifteen years old. He left home at the age of nineteen, and has since been a farmer. He came to Minden Town- ship June 16, 1874, and purchased eighty acres of wild land at $9.50 per acre. He commenced improvements at once-built a house and other buildings, set out a number of trees, and, in 1878, bought forty acres more, at $13 per acre. This was also wild land,
but is now in a good state of cultivation. He engages in general farming. Our sub- ject had a brother in the late civil war, who died at Memphis, Tenn. He (subject) was married, in Minden Township, this county, March 28, 1876, to Susannah Nippert, born October 15, 1854. She is the daughter of George and Sarah (Hershinger) Nippert, both natives of Alsace, France, he born in 1818. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have one child, Charles Ray, born February 4, 1881. In politics. our subject is an. Independent.
M. BITTNER, farmer, P. O. Neola, was born in Bohemia, Austria, September 29, 1843. He is the son of Mike and Anna (Nagelschmidt) Bittner, both natives of Bo- hemia, Austria. His father was a farmer, born in 1816, and died in the old country in 1879. The mother of our subject was born in 1822, and died in the place of her birth in 1863. They had three children-two boys and one girl-of whom our subject is the only one living. He began life as a farmer. In February, 1867, he was married to There- sa Baumgarten, born in Bohemia, Austria, in 1843. She is the daughter of Casper and Catherina (Bochm) Baumgarten. Mr. and Mrs. Bittner have nine children-Francis, Anna, Elizabeth, Theresa, Wenzel, Mary, Jo- seph, Franzeska and Johan. Our subject came to Minden Township in 1875, and, in August of that year, purchased eighty acres of land at $11 per acre, afterward disposing of forty acres at the same price. He made a subsequent purchase of forty acres at $12 per acre, and, a little later another forty acres at $10 per acre. He now has 100 acres in good cultivation, and he engages in general farming. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and, in politics, is an Inde- pendent.
S. BLUMER, farmer, P. O. Minden, was born in Canton Glarus, Switzerland, March
174
BIOGRAPHICAL:
12. 1827. He is the son of Johannes and Susanna Blumer (see sketch of F. Blumer, of Minden Township). Our subject received his education in his native country. He came to the United States in 1852, coming to Davenport, this State, where he lived un- til 1882. He was engaged in the saw-mill and shingle manufacturing business. Dur- ing the late civil war, he enlisted in the Ja- ger (Hunters) Regiment, Infantry, Battalion Thirty. He was married, in his native town, September 12, 1849, to Elizabeth Tis, born in the same place in 1S2S. She is the daughter of Jacob and Susanna Tis, both na- tives of Canton Glarus, Switzerland. Mr. and Mrs. Blumer have ten children-John Fritz, Jacob, Kasper, Samuel, Heinrich, Frank, Sabina. Anna and Susana. When our sub- ject came to this county, he purchased 385 acres of land, 210 acres of which are in a state of cultivation. He has made many improve- ments on his place and engages in general farming.
FREDERICK BLUMER, farmer, P. O. Minden, was born in Canton Glarus, Switzer- land, April 15, 1833. He is the son of Jo- hannes and Susanna Blumer, both natives of Canton Glarus, Switzerland. His father was a miner, born in 1802, and died in Daven- port, this State, in 1853. His mother died in the same place in 1860. They had three children, all boys. Our subject received his education in his native land, and afterward worked in a slate mine in the same country. He came to Davenport, Scott County, this State, in 1850, and was engaged in shaving shingles by hand in a factory in that city. He was married, in the same city, November 17, 1857, to Mary C. Frost, born in Germany in February, 1842. She is the daughter of Peter Frost, who was born in Germany in 1800. In 1864, our subject enlisted in the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, Company C. Army
of the Cumberland. He came to Minden Township, this county, in 1SS0, and pur- chased 200 acres of wild land at $12 per acre, all of which are now under cultivation. He afterward bought 120 acres at $13 per acre, fifty acres of which are now improved. His place contains a fine lot of buildings, and he engages in general farming. He has five children-Lena, Friedrich, Johannes, Peter 'and Heinrich -all of whom were born in this State. Our subject is a member of the United Workmen, and of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In politics, he is an In- dependent.
J. M. BUTLER, farmer, P. O. Neola, was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., Septem- ber 8, 1847. He is the son of J. M. and Ruth (Gates) Butler. His father was a farmer and stock-dealer, born in New York December 17, 180S, and died in Harrison County, October 5, 1866. The mother of our subject was born in Ohio June 19, 1812, and died in Council Bluffs April 16, 1869. She was a relative of Gen. Gates, of Revolution- ary fame. The parents had five children- two boys and three girls. Our subject re- ceived his education mostly in J. B. Rue's select school in Council Bluffs. He came to this county in 1857. In 1862, he went to Idaho, where he was engaged in herding, freighting and butchering up to August, 1864, when he returned and settled in Harri- son County. He was one of the " Pony Ex- press " in Idaho, which freighted across the mountains. He was also engaged in mining, railroading and farming. Upon his return. he purchased twenty acres of wild land at $5 per acre. He built on it and otherwise im- proved it. In 1871, he bought forty acres more, and has made subsequent additions of twenty, fifteen and forty acres, all of which was raw land, but is now in a good state of cultivation. He engages in general farming.
175
MINDEN TOWNSHIP.
He has been Justice of the Peace for ten years, Township Clerk for six years, and Township Treasurer. He was married, in Harrison County, this State, November 22, 1866, to Mary E. Wood. born in this county July 11, 1848. She is the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Merrill) Wood, both na tives of Ohio, he born in May. 1817. and she April 16, 1815. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have had two children-Jeremiah Mayhew. de- ceased; and William H. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics he is an Independent.
R. W. CARSON, farmer. P. O. Minden, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1827. He is the son of James and Martha (Williamson) Carson, both natives of Ire- land. His father died in Canada in 1864, and his mother in the same country in 1836. They had eight children -- three sons and five daughters. Our subjeet began life as a farmer. He came to Canada in 1841, and clerked in Kingston, Canada, for six years. In January, 1877, he went to city of Paris, Lamar Co., Texas, where he lived until Jan- uary. 1879, when he came to this county and bought 120 acres of improved land. He was married. in Canada. April 2. 1852. to Har- riett Russell, born in Canada August 23, 1832. She is the daughter of Timothy and Eliza (Tate) Russell. Her father was born in Uti- ea. N. Y., in 1805. He is a farmer, and is still living, in De Kalb County, Ill. Her mother was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1803, and lives in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Carson have had eight children -- Sarah Lon- isa, Ann Eliza. Robert Williamson. George Russell, James David, Mary Harriett, Ernest Edwin and Charles Russell. Ann Eliza, their second child, died in Texas in September, 1877. Our subjeet was a magistrate in Can- ada, and is a member of the Royal Orange Institution of British North America. He
belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is an Independent. He is engaged in general farming.
JAMES CROW. real estate, Minden, was born in Licking County, Ohio. March 14, 1819. He is the son of James and Anna (Atkinson) Crow, both natives of Virginia. His father was a farmer, and died in 1839. His mother died in 1869. They had ten chil- dren-five sons and five daughters. Our subject received his education in Granville. Ohio. He began life for himself as a sur- veyor in Mercer County. Ohio. He came to this State in the spring of 1852, and followed surveying. He commenced studying law. and was admitted to the bar in June. 1857, and practiced in Cerro Gordo, Hancock and Win- nebago Counties. He has many times filled the offices of Justice of the Peace and County Surveyor, both in Ohio and this State. He was married, August 19, 1847, to Margaret Bonifield, born in Mercer County, Ohio, April 6, 1831. She is the daughter of William and Hannah Bonifield, both natives of Ohio. Our subjeet came to this county in 1872, locating in Neola. He came to Minden in 1875, and has since been connected with this town, and helped build it up. He also as- sisted in starting the Sunday chool. He has seven children-Hannah A .. John W .. Francis M., L. G. Benton, James R .. Maggie and Ida May. Our subject has been a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to the Good Templars, and in politics is a firm Democrat.
P. J. DOTY, farmer, P. O. Minden, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, November 12, 1841. He is the son of James and Sarah (Croninger) Doty. His father was a farmer, born in Brooke County. Va., in 1805, and died in Richland County, Ohio, in Febru- ary. 1878. His mother died in Ashland County of the same State. They had nine
176
BIOGRAPHICAL:
children-six sons and three daughters. Our subject received his education in the schools of Ashland and Richland Counties. Ohio, and began life as a farmer. He came to this county in June. 1878, and purchased 160 acres of wild land at $9 per acre. He im- proved and fenced ninety acres. and built a house, afterward selling at $33 per acre. He came to Minden Township in 1880, and bought eighty acres at $19 per acre, all of which are under cultivation. He is engaged in general farming. He was married, in 1870, in Mansfield, Ohio, to Arvilla Parsen, born in Richland County of the same State in 1850. They have four children-Calvin. William, Rolden and Harry. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F., Plymouth Lodge, Richland County, Ohio. In politics, he is a Democrat.
E. D. DORN, farmer, P. O. Neola, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., May 19, 1847. He is the son of Andrew and Mary Ann (Kilts) Dorn. His father was a farmer, born October 19, 1819, and died in Boonville, Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1857. The mother of our subject was born in Baden. Germany. July 24. 1823, and died in the same place as her husband December 26. 1573. They had six children-three sons and three daughters. Our subject attended school in his native town. and afterward the Utica Academy, and the Commercial College at Rome, N. Y. He first started in business for himself at manu- facturing cheese in Muscatine County, Iowa. where he ran a factory for some time. He ! came to this county in April, 1875, and pur- chased 120 acres of raw land. He afterward added 235 acres more. All of his farm is now under cultivation, which, with good buildings. which he put up himself. gives him a pleasant and comfortable home. He engages in general farming. and also dairy- ing. He was married, in Boonville, Oneida | Louis. Sophia, Minnie and Emma. Our
Co .. N. Y., December 25, 1871, to Elvira A. Jones, born in Boonville September 11. 1853. She is the daughter of David W. and Fran- cil L. (Nelson) Jones, he born in Wales, Eng- land. in 1829, and she in Boonville, N. Y .. in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Dorn have one child. Arthur E. They are members of the Evan- gelical Association. He has been Inspector of Elections and Road Supervisor. In poli- tics, he is Republican.
PETER EHLERS, grain-dealer. Minden. was born in Oldenburg. Holstein. Germany. April 4. 1838. He is the son of Jorgen and Dores (Landt) Ehlers, both natives of Olden- burg. Germany. His father is a farmer, and is still living. His mother died in June. 1879. They had five children -- three boys and two girls. Our subject received a good education in his native country. and started for America in 1852. He came at once to Davenport, this State. In 1858, he went to St. Louis, Mo., and from there to Mississippi and Louisiana, returning to Davenport in 1860. He came to Minden Township in the spring of 1874, and built a house. into which he, with his family, moved the following year. Our subject began life as a farmer: was in the stock business for a number of .
years, and has been a grain-dealer for about twenty years. He has been Township Treas- urer and Township Trustee. which latter office he holds still. His efforts in the inter- ests of the town of Minden have been no small factors in the growth and prosperity of that thriving little place. He was married, in Davenport, this State, in 1867. to Mary Louis. born in Germany. near Hamburg. Her parents were born in the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Ehlers have had nine children -- six sons and three daughters-of whom three of the boys are dead. The names of the remaining children are August. Adolph.
177
MINDEN TOWNSHIP.
subject belongs to the Knights of Pythias. and in politics he is a Republican.
L. J. ELLITHORPE. farmer, P. O. Neola. was born in Canada February 13, 1842. He is the son of O. H. and Adeline E. Ellithorpe. His parents had four children-two sons and two daughters. Our subject received his education in Elgin, Kane Co., Ill. He be- gan life as a carpenter, at which occupation he worked till 1860, after which he was en- gaged in farming. He was a Government Recruiting Officer during the late civil war. He came to Iowa in 1875, and, after looking at lands in the northern part of this State, settled in this county. He purchased eighty acres of railroad land at $10 per acre, and sold out in 1880 at twice that figure. He also bought 120 acres of wild land at $12.50 per acre, which is now all under cultivation. He has secured all that he has by his hard labor for many years. He is at present en- gaged in general farming. He was Road Supervisor and School Director in Illinois for several years. He was married, in Frank- lin Grove. Lee Co., Ill., on May 11, 1871, to Carrie Gallaher, born in Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Ful- lerton) Gallaher, both natives of the latter State, he born in 1809, and she in 1808. Both are living in Minden Township. They had eleven children-seven sons and four daughters. Mrs. Ellithorpe is a sister to D. W. Gallaher of Minden Township. Our subject has four children-Oliver Wilmot. Newton G.,. Myrtle and Alonzo Garfield. In polities, Mr. Ellithorpe is a Republican.
JACOB ENGLER. farmer, P. O. Min- den, was born in Switzerland, June 15. 1834. He is the son of Ulrecht and Els- betha (Rutz) Engler, both natives of Swit- zerland. His father was a carpenter, born in July, 1790, and died in Davenport, this State. in July, 1856. The mother of our subject
was born February 11, 1802, and died in the same place as her husband, in November, 1881. They had seven children-five boys and two girls. Our subject began life as a farmer, after receiving his schooling in his native country. He was a soldier in Swit- zerland for two years. He came to Iowa in 1856, and farmed with his brother eighty acres of land, which they had purchased to- gether. He afterward sold his interest to his rother, and, in 1862, bought eighty aeres for himself. He sold this in the fall of 187S. and came to Minden Township, where he purchased 240 acres of land, moving his fam- ily in the spring of the following year. He now has a good farm, with good buildings, and engages in general farming. He was married, October 29, 1859, in Long Grove. Scott County, this State, to Margaretta Marte, born in Switzerland March 17, 1843. She is the daughter of Bartholomaus and Anna B. (Schlager) Marte, both natives of Switzerland. Her father was born in 1819, and her mother March 13, 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Engler have had six children, two of whom are now living-Bartholomaus and Anna Barbara. Our subject is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In poli- ties, he is an Independent.
GEORGE L. FULLERTON, farmer P. O Minden, was born in Pike Township, Clearfield Co., Penn .. April 6, 1829. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Fullerton. His father was a farmer. born in Cumberland County, Penn., December 15, 1778, and died in Clearfield County, Penn .. April 13, 1551. The mother of our subject was born in Lancaster County, Penn., Feb- ruary 14, 1785, and died in Clearfield Coun- ty August 23. 1848. The parents had eleven children-five boys and six girls. Our sub- ject received a good education in the schools of his native State. He left Pennsylvania in
178
BIOGRAPHICAL:
1868, and came to Illinois, where he rented and farmed for seven years. He came to Minden Township in 1875, and purchased 120 acres of land. In the following spring. the family came also. The land was raw and uncultivated, but now is all improved, with good buildings. etc. He afterward bought forty acres. which he now uses for a pasture. He is engaged in general farming. He was married, in Clearfield County, Penn., Febru- ary 21, 1850, to Hannah L. Moore, born in Center County, Penn., June 26, 1827. She is the daughter of Robert and Diana (Smith) Moore, both natives of Pennsylvania. he born November 12, 1785, she born November 12, 1795. Mr. and Mrs. Fullerton have ten chil- dren-Diana E .. Hattie E., Margaret E., John C., Hardman P., Benjamin F., Sarah J., George A., Robert L. and Richard I. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Fuller- ton is a Republican.
D. W. GALLAHER, farmer. P. O. Neola. was born in Ogle County, Ill., August 16, 1851. He is the son of Benjamin and Jane (Fullerton) Gallaher, both natives of Penn- sylvania. His father was born in 1809, and his mother in 1SOS, and are both living in Minden Township. They had eleven chil- dren-seven sons and four daughters. Our subject received his education in Ogle Coun- ty, Ill., and began life as a farmer. He came to this county in 1875, and, in 1879, purchased fifty-nine acres of improved land. In 1881, he bought forty acres more, and, in 1882. added eighty acres of wild land. He engaged in general farming. He was married, in Pierceville, De Kalb Co., Ill .. November 12. 1873, to Frances E. Wilcox, born in Courtland, Ill., in IS57. She is the daughter of James O. and Welthy (Mat- teson) Wilcox, both natives of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Gallaher have had three
1
children-Benjamin Franklin (now dead). James Oscar and Nellie Amelia. In politics. Mr. Gallaher is a Republican. He was at one time School Director.
CLAUS MARTENS, farmer, P. O. Min- den, was born in Holstein, Germany, Octo- ber 17. 1844. He is the son of Hans and Dorothea (Sebelin) Martens, both natives of Holstein, Germany. His father was a ma- son. born in 1792 and died in 1860, in his native land. The mother of our subject was born in 1802. and also died in her native country, in 1376. They had seven children. five of whom are now living-three sons and two daughters. Our subject began life as a farmer. He came to this country in 1866. coming to Rock Island, Ill., where he worked in a saw-mill. He moved to Davenport, this State, in the same year, and engaged in farming. He came to this county March 20, 1875, and purchased eighty acres of wild land in Section 9. Minden Township, at $9 per acre. He bought forty acres of wild land in each of the years 1877. ISSO and 1882. making in all 200 acres, which is now in good cultivation. In ISS1, he built a house and several other good buildings, and set out 100 cottonwood trees and thirty fruit trees during the same year. He now engages in general farming. In religion, he is Luther- an, and in politics a Republican.
W. M. PURCELL, farmer, P. O. Minden, was born in Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio, October 10, 1835. His father was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1791, and died in Iowa City, this State, in 1868. He was a farmer. The mother of our subject was Ra- chel McDonald, born near Columbus, Ohio, . in 1S06, and is still living, in Iowa City. The parents had nine children. Our subject received his education in the schools of Co- lumbus, Ohio, and Iowa City, this State. In 1859, he went across the plains to California,
179
MINDEN TOWNSHIP.
driving an ox team. He returned in 1863. In the spring of 1873, he went to California, second time, this time by rail, and returned in the fall of the same year. For a time he was engaged in mining in the northern part of that State. He came to Minden Town- ship in the spring of 1876, and purchased 160 acres of raw land, all of which is now under cultivation. He engages in general farming. He has filled the offices of Town- ship Trustee and Supervisor. July 16, 1874, he was married, in Iowa City, this State, to Mary Colwell, born in Jefferson County, Ind., November 29, 1852. She is the daughter of David B. and Mary Ann (Hieks) Colwell, he born in Edinburgh, Scotland, she born in Monmouthshire, England, in 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell have five children-Minnie, Ed- win, Georgie W., Norman and Rachel. In
politics, Mr. Purcell is a Republican.
CLAUS REIMERS, farmer, P. O. Min- den, was born in Feddering, Holstein. Ger- many, December 30, 1835. He is the son of Hans and Cathrina (Voss) Reimers. (See sketch of Hans Reimers, of Minden Town- ship.) Our subject received his education in his native land. He came to America in 1865, and came at once to Davenport, this State; from there he went to Grinnell, Iowa, where he farmed a short time, and then came to Council Bluffs in 1871, living at the latter place for eight years. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad Company as transfer- man and watchman. In 1879, he came to Minden Township and purchased eighty aeres of land of Barton Brown, for which he paid $15 per aere. He is at present engaged in general farming. He was married, in Grin- nell, Iowa, April 1, 1868, to Mary Brocken- tin, born in Lehe. Holstein, Germany. Feb- rnary 9, 1840. She is the daughter of John and Mary (Ludde) Broekentin, both natives of Germany, he born in November,
1795, and she born April 18. 1800. Mr. and Mrs. Reimers have three children-Kathar- ine M., Mary M. and Friedchen C. The parents are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. Reimers is a Republican.
H. H. SOPPE, farmer, P. O. Neola. was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, August 14, 1833. He is the son of Hermann and Catharine (Calker) Soppe. both natives of Hanover, Germany. His father was born in 1803; eame to America in 1861, and was engaged in farming till his death, which oc- curred in May, 1869. The mother of our subject died in her native country in IS58. They have had six children. Our subject at- tended sehool both in Germany and this country. He worked as a day laborer for five years. when he went to California, and worked in the mines of that State. Nevada and Cen- tral America for seven years. He came to Lee County, this State, in IS69, and was married. on November 23 of that year. to Miss Catharine Oststdick, born in Lee Coun- ty in 1849. She is the daughter of Ferdi- nand and Catharine (Schneker) Oststdiek. both natives of Germany Her father was born in 1815, and came to America in 1846. and died in October, 1873. Her mother was born in 1819, and came to America with her husband. After his marriage, our subject purchased forty acres of land, upon which he built a briek house, costing 8700. He farmed here for five years, when he sold the place for $2,000. He then bought eighty acres for $3,500, which he sold and came to this eounty. He purchased eighty acres where he now lives, and has since added eighty acres more. He has four children living - Ferdinand, Katie, George and John. In religion our subject is a Catholie, and in politics a Demo- crat.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.