That Henry Wallace Brayton occupies a notable position in agricultural circles in Delaware county is a uniformly accepted fact, and that his labors have been of a character that have contributed to general progress and prosperity as well as to individual success is also known. As owner and proprietor of the Fairview Stock Farm, which comprises four hundred acres, located near Ryan, he is leading a busy and active life and is each year adding to his prosperity.

      He was born in Erie county, New York, August 30, 1851, and in December following was brought by his parents, Mathias and Jane (Albee) Brayton to Delaware county, Iowa. Both were also natives of the Empire state, the former born in Washington county and the latter in Erie county. In 1850, the father journeyed to California, where he spent two years, subsequent to which time he returned to his home in New York. In the latter part of the year 1852 he came to the middle west to look over the land with a view of locating here and spent a short time in Delaware county. He then returned to his eastern home but in December, 1854, came once more to this county and entered land three miles east of Manchester, whereon he took up his abode and engaged in agricultural pursuits to the time of his death. His widow still survives at the age of eighty five years and makes her home with her children on the old family homestead. She became the mother of four sons and three daughters: Henry W., of this review; Lucy, who is with her mother on the farm; a son, who died in infancy; one who died at the age of two years: Susan A., who is also with her mother on the old homestead; Grant, who manages the home farm; and Carr, who died at the age of sixteen years.

      Henry Wallace Brayton was but a few months old when he was brought to Delaware county by his parents. He obtained his early education in the district schools and completed his studies by graduation from the Manchester schools. In 1876 he embarked in the mercantile and creamery business, with which he was successfully identified until 1883. He then disposed of his interests in this county and went to South Dakota, where for eight years he was engaged in raising live stock in the Missouri river country. In 1891 he once more returned to Delaware county and is now located on a valuable farm of four hundred acres, situated about two and a half miles northwest of Ryan, on section 2, Adams township, and sections 34 and 35, Prairie township. His place is known as the Fairview Stock Farm. Here he is extensively engaged in raising full blooded Black Polled cattle, Jersey Red hogs and thoroughbred poultry. He also raises White Winged and White Holland turkeys. In this connection he is well known throughout Delaware county and is considered an authority on any question relative to stock and poultry, for he has made a close study of this phase of his work and his stock always brings high prices at the city markets. His farm, too, is one of the valuable tracts of this part of the state, for the soil is rich and his buildings are all modern and up to date. Mr. Brayton takes a just pride in his place. The outbuildings and barns are all arranged with a view to convenience, he has a place for everything and everything is in its place, and a glance is in itself a lesson in thrift, perseverance and industry.

     Mr. Brayton chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Mattie Barry, their marriage being celebrated on Christmas day of 1877. Her parents, John S. and Amelia (Brown) Barry, were both natives of Massachusetts, and coming to Delaware county in the early ‘50s, they settled on a farm, where they remained until they passed from this life. To Mr. and Mrs. Brayton have been born five sons and one daughter: Millie F., born October 25, 1878, became the wife of Andrew Clarke and is a resident of Prairie township; John M., born September 24, 1880, is married and engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Ryan; Beebe Barry, whose birth occurred October 3, 1887, is represented on another page of this volume; Grant E., born August 24, 1890, is married and has two children and makes his home in Des Moines, Iowa, where he conducts a machine shop: Shirley C., born May 26. 1893, was graduated from the Manchester high school and is now a student at the University of Minnesota; Cecil Harold, born May 25, 1896, is attending high school and is with his parents; and Burdette, born August 9, 1900 and died June 11, 1901.

     In politics a republican, Mr. Brayton has never had any ambition to appear in a public light, preferring to do his duties as a private citizen. He has been successful in all his undertakings and perhaps the highest tribute that can be paid him is the statement that he has so discharged his duties as a citizen and as a business man as to merit the confidence of those who know him best. Fraternally lie is a member of Lodge No. 165, A. F. & A. M. of Manchester.