Vincent Battin, contractor and builder, has his office on Seventh street, between Broadway and First avenue, and his residence on the corner of Mynster and North Eighth streets. He established his business in Council Bluffs in 1867 and since that time has been actively engaged here. Some of the principal buildings erected by him are the Ogden Hotel, Whitney Block, Everett Block, corner of Pearl street, Key Block, Farnsworth residence, Champ's residence and J. J. Brown's residence, besides many others that might be cited.

Mr. Battin was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1833, son of Ezra and Julina (Keith) Battin, natives of Pennsylvania, and Virginia, who came to Ohio while quite young. The paternal ancestors were Welsh and Irish and the maternal English. Vincent was reared in Ohio and educated in the public schools of that State. He also learned the carpenter's trade in his native State. At the age of twenty he went to Indiana, and spent four years in Greensburgh; thence to Lawrence, Kansas, two years; thence to Colorado, spending three years in Denver and the mines; thence to Idaho and Oregon, three years, working at his trade and mining. In 1867 he came to Council Bluffs, and since then has been an active and enterprising business man of this city. He employs an average of ten men the year round, his pay roll amounting to $6,000 annually. His annual business averages about $25,000. Politically Mr. Battin is an independent Republican.

He was married in Idaho, in 1866, to Jennie Rogers, who was born in Illinois, in 1843. Mr. Battin and his wife are worthy citizens of Council Bluffs and are favorites in society circles.

Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight