SAMUEL B. WADSWORTH, a prominent business man of council Bluffs was born in grand Detour Township, Ogle County, Illinois, February 22, 1851, and lived with his father, Christopher Wadsworth, on the old homestead until 1868. He then commenced the study of law in Dixon, Illinois, with the law firm of Eustace, Barge & Dixon, but, after two years' study, in order to earn a little money, he taught school in the country for the next three years. During the years 1873-75, he attended the Illinois State Normal University, and at the same time acted as night ticket agent for the Illinois Central Railroad at Bloomington, Illinois. In this way he paid the expenses of his schooling at the university. After leaving the university he was appointed Superintendent of the School at Heyworth, Illinois, where he taught for one year, and was then elected Superintendent of the city schools of Oregon, Illinois, which position he held twelve years, and until he was elected Superintendent of Schools in Ogle County, Illinois, having defeated the Republican nominee, who had a political majority in his favor of 2,300 votes. After serving for about one year in this latter capacity he moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he still resides.

Mr. Wadsworth is now acting as the general manager of the Union Abstract and Trust Company, in which capacity he has won the confidence of the business public. He is also Secretary of the Council Bluffs Board of Trade, and one of the Park Commissioners of the city of Council Bluffs.

During the year 1883 he traveled extensively in Europe, and on his return was married to Anna E. Etnyre, at Oregon, Illinois,October 11, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth have two children, viz.: Mary M., born February 17, 1887, and Paul E., born November 12, 1889. Religiously Mr. Wadsworth is a Unitarian, and in politics is a Democrat; he is the chairman of the Democratic Central Committee.