Henry Rishton, one of the prominent citizens of York Township, was born in Lancashire, England, April 21, 1838, the son of Henry and Mary (Bland) Rishton, both natives of Lancashire, England. The father was born April 4, 1810, and died in Council Bluffs in 1885. He was the son of James Rishton, who died in England a ripe old age, and was a chemist by occupation. His son learned the block-printer's trade when a young man, which he followed until he came to America in 1844, where he, in company with eleven others, was induced to come to Rhode Island and start a print works. He was one of the very first block printers to come to America, and in fact he and his companions were the very first. The family remained a year and a half in Rhode Island, and then went to Fall River, Massachusetts. In 1850, with his family, he came to Council Bluffs, which was then known as Kanesville, and which was then a very small hamlet or trading post, made up of a few shanties. He bought a claim on Little Mosquito Creek, then called Macedonia Camp, five miles east of Council Bluffs. In 1857 he and his family came to where our subject now resides, and enclosed a half section of wild land, which he afterward improved. He was trustee of York Township, and when a young man in England he was a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge. He and his wife were members of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, but on coming to Council Bluffs he changed his religion on account of polygamy. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, and since reaching their majority his sons have all voted the Democratic ticket.

His wife, Mary (Bland) Rishton, was born May 9, 1815, and is still living in Council Bluffs, and not over a year ago danced with the subject of this sketch at a party given at his house. Her father was Miles Bland, who died in England. He was a dealer in boots and shoes, and died in the same house where he was born, when eighty-one years of age. The family were members of the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Rishton have eight children living, viz.: Edward, a farmer of Riverton, South Jordan, eighteen miles from Salt Lake City; Bland, a merchant of Council Bluffs; Thomas, a merchant of Council Bluffs; Emma, wife of William H. Maxfield; James, a farmer and stock-raiser of York Township; Eliza Jane, wife of William Alton, a rancher of Denison, Iowa; John, a rancher near the city of Spokane.

Henry Rishton, our subject, spent his school days in Massachusetts and a short time in Pottawattamie County. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, and then rented a farm in this township for a number of years. In 1866 he bought 120 acres of the land where he now lives, to which he has since added the remainder of 280 acres, of as good land as lies in the county. It is improved with a good residence, barns, and surrounded with shade and ornamental trees, fruit and flowers, and all that tends to make a home happy. He has served as Justice of the Peace three years and a half, twelve years as Road Supervisor, one year as Trustee, twenty years as School Director, and in 1884 was elected one of the County Commissioners, during the time the courthouse was built, which is one of the finest in the State. He is now Clerk of this township. His success in life is the result of his energy and business ability.

March 1, 1860, he married Miss Adeline Clough, a daughter of Calvin Clough. She was born in Lorain County, Ohio, May 5, 1842, and died September 19, 1884. He father was one of the first settlers, and came from Cleveland, Ohio, to Council Bluffs, where he kept a grocery store in 1853. He was a native of New Hampshire, and died in this county when sixty-three years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Rishton have seven children, of whom six are still living: Fred, the eldest; Belle, a teacher in York Township; Alpha, Howard H., Lida, and Corinne, at home. Florence May died when sixteen years of age, September 17, 1877. April 8, 1886, Mr. Rishton married Agnes Forsyth, a daughter of John and Susan Forsyth. She was born in Dundee, Scotland, October 17, 1841, and came with her parents to Manchester, England, and when ten years of age came to the United States, locating in St. Louis one winter, and in 1851 came to Council Bluffs. She taught school in Council Bluffs over twenty years, and was principal for fourteen years. She has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for quite a number of years. Mr. Rishton is a Mason in good standing of Neola Lodge, No. 423. He has crossed the Rocky Mountains six times, and in 1864 had a number of hair breadth escapes from the Indians.