Biographies

~ Libolt, Hiram C. ~

The subject of this sketch holds worthy prestige among the enterprising farmers and representative citizens of Jasper County and it is with no small degree of satisfaction that the biographer gives to the public the following brief outline of his life and achievements, for he has always stood for upright manhood and progressive citizenship, his influence in every relation of life making for the material advancement of his community, while he has led a life of honesty and established a reputation for fairness in all his relations with the world.

Hiram C. Libolt was born in Washington Township, this County, September 7, 1868, the son of one of our worthy pioneer families, John L. and Eliza (Corwin) Libolt, the father born in the state of New York in 1829 and died in 1907; the mother was born on the Isle of Man and her death occurred in 1869 when her son, Hiram C., of this sketch, was six months old. The father subsequently married Mrs. Jennie (Robinson) Allen.

John L. Libolt, the father, was one of the earliest settlers in Cedar County. Iowa, whither he came about 1854 and there he was married some time afterwards to the subject's mother. About 1865 he moved to Jasper County and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Washington Township and here he continued farming. He was a Greenbacker, later a Democrat and he served his community as road supervisor. His family consisted of two children by his first wife, William, deceased, and Hiram C., of this review. Three children were born of his second union, Ada, deceased; Mrs. Delia Smith, and George, who is living in Salt Lake City.

Hiram C. Libolt was educated in Washington Township, district No. 6. When fourteen years of age he left home and worked out by the month and while still thus employed, at the age of twenty-three, he bought eighty acres of the home place and there he still resides, having kept the same well improved and well tilled. In 1907 he built a commodious new dwelling, and he has always kept good livestock.

Politically, Mr. Libolt is a Democrat and he is now serving as school director in Washington Township. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen lodge and of the Christian Church at Colfax.

On February 27, 1901, Mr. Libolt was married to Anna Stineman, who was born in Polk County, Iowa, the daughter of John Stineman. This union has been without issue.

Mr. Libolt is a pleasant man to meet, genial, hospitable and broad-minded. Such a man is to be congratulated for working his way from an humble beginning to the position which he now occupies in the community, and he is a fine example of the self-reliant, courageous and self-made American, his example proving that the boy who is ambitious and earnest may succeed in the face of obstacles, without the help of family or influential friends. By honest methods, economy, industry, the exercise of sound judgment and keen foresight he has pushed his way to the front. Being a close observer, he profited by the failures and faults of others. Page 748

~ Lindsley, H. A. ~

There is no more genial or kindly man in all Jasper county than H. A. Lindsley, who, although young in years, has had a most eventful career, and the hard knocks and buffetings he has received have not altered him from a steadfast course or made inroads in his genial nature.

Mr. Lindsley was born in Mt. Auburn, Iowa, May 22, 1877, and he is the son of F. D. and Penena (Kyle) Lindsley, his father being a native of Illinois and his mother of Pennsylvania. As a family they are railroad men, the father having been engaged in railroading all his life. He came to Iowa in 1860 as a young man and settled at Mt. Auburn, where he engaged as agent for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota railroad, now a part of the Rock Island system. He held this position ten years, when he removed to Iowa City where he acted as railroad agent for twenty-one years continuously, or until his death, which occurred October 18, 1910. He became well known in railroad circles and was regarded as one of the road's most efficient and trusted employees. His wife still survives him, making her home in Iowa City. The father was a man of exceptionally fine and sturdy character, being fearless and outspoken, ever unswerving in the performance of his duty and a man who had a keen understanding and insight into the things in life worthwhile. He was a great lodge man, having been affiliated with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having attained a high rank in each, being a past master in the Masonic order. He had the admiration and respect of all who knew him. He was a veteran of the great Civil War, having enlisted in the Federal Army, in April 1861, in response to Lincoln's call for volunteers, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in April 1861, in which he served with distinction for two years in the Army of the West, in which he had many trying experiences in campaign and battle.

J. Clarence Lindsley, brother of H. A., of this review, is engaged in the railroad business at Iowa City and is well known there.

H. A. Lindsley attended the home schools in his youth, and he turned his attention to railroading when very young, being but seventeen years of age when he began as a brakeman on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, working in that capacity with success for four years, or until he was badly injured in a wreck. Upon his recovery he entered the engine department as fireman on a freight, at which he worked faithfully for three years. He then left the service of that road and began braking again, this time for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, running out of Rock Island, Illinois, continuing in this capacity until August 18, 1901, when he was promoted to the position of conductor, on account of long and efficient service. In this capacity he continued until March 4, 1903, when he was again injured at West Liberty, Iowa, this time so severely that he was totally incapacitated for duty until January 18, 1909, when he again began train service at Valley Junction, Iowa. On August 4, 1911, he was advanced to the position of conductor on the Newton and Monroe branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, which position he still holds, rendering his usual high-grade service.

On March 17, 1906, Mr. Lindsley was united in marriage with Vina Meggison, adopted daughter of S. Patterson, of Iowa City, Iowa, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Willard Leroy, whose birth occurred on June 4, 1908.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Lindsley are members of the First Presbyterian church of Newton, and, fraternally, he is a member of Iowa City Lodge No. 4, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Iowa City Chapter No.2, Royal Arch Masons; Rock Island Commandery No. 18, Knights Templar, and the Kaaba Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Davenport, and both he and Mrs. Lindsley are members of Newton Chapter No. 100, Order of the Eastern Star, at Newton. He is also a member of the Order of Railroad Conductors, No. 106, of Rock Island. He stands high in all these orders, having long taken a deep interest in them, and his daily life would indicate that he is striving to live up to their noble precepts. Page 1253

~ Lister, Alfred ~

One of the most enterprising and public-spirited men in Jasper County is Alfred Lister, who was born in Yorkshire, England, July 11, 1861, coming to this country in 1865. Affable and kindly of manner, it is a pleasure to talk with him, for his life is rich in that romance of genuine heart interest, which appeals at once to us all. Mr. Lister recalls that the vessel he came over in was held for a considerable time in New York harbor and his landing upon the new shore was delayed on account of the assassination of President Lincoln. When he and his family did land, the father and mother secured employment in the woolen mills of Philadelphia. Here his parents, hardy English people, worked for four years, coming to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1871.

Prior to moving to Jasper County the father had visited the region and purchased the farm upon which Mr. Lister now lives. Here the family lived until September 1896, when the father and mother died within a few days of each other, a double funeral, being held.

The father's name was William Lister and the mother's name was Hannah (Brown) Lister. They were both natives of England and of that hardy stock which has furnished so much bone and sinew for this continent. Mr. Lister, the subject of this sketch, is one of seven living brothers, as follows: James Lister, residing in Providence, Rhode Island; Joseph Lister, residing in Sinterdale, Rhode Island; John Lister, residing in Cloud County, Kansas; Samuel, Arthur and Thomas H., residing in Jasper County. All are well-to-do, prosperous people. Since the death of his father in 1896, Mr. Lister has purchased the interests of his several brothers and now owns individually the old homestead. It lies but a short distance south of the city of Newton and consists of one hundred and sixty acres. It is one of the good farms of the County. Besides owning this farm, Mr. Lister owns a three-sevenths interest in the opera house block in the city of Newton and is generally prominent in business and financial circles. Besides farming, he pays considerable attention to stock raising and operates a coal bank upon his farm.

Mr. Lister has never married, but lives alone in the great house on his domain. But his dwelling thus has in no manner soured him, for he is a genial, broad-minded gentleman, respected and liked by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. While he is not a member of any church, he prefers the Congregational. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Lister recalls that when he came to Jasper County, land was very cheap and much stock roved free over the plains. He says that since coming to the County, many changes have taken place, especially in the country itself, in its lands, buildings and roadways. Page 856

~ Lister, Arthur ~

Among the prominent business men of the younger generation in Jasper County who are deserving of the large success that attends their efforts and of the high esteem in which they are held is Arthur Lister, a man who is not only endowed with indomitable industry, but who maintains a high standard of business and social ethics in every relation of life, thereby winning and retaining the good will and confidence of all who come into contact with him.

Mr. Lister comes to us from our sister nation across the Atlantic, and while cherishing patriotic impulses from his native land; he has become thoroughly Americanized and is an ardent supporter of our institutions. He was born in Yorkshire, England, January 18, 1865, and he is the son of William and Hannah (Brown) Lister, both natives of England, where they were reared, educated and married. The family immigrated to America in March 1865, landing at New York. The father at once went to Philadelphia and engaged in the wool business, having worked as a wool sorter in his native country. After remaining in the Quaker city for five years they came to Iowa, locating at Newton in 1870, the elder Lister having purchased land south of the city before coming here and on this he located and there the son Arthur, of this review, lived until he was seventeen years old, when he engaged in the meat business for his father in Newton. After conducting this for about three years the son went to Rhode Island to learn the wool business with a brother, James. After remaining there three years, he returned to Newton, Iowa, and engaged in the grocery business with his father for three years, after which he went to Denver, Colorado, thence returned to Rhode Island, where he again took up the wool business. In a little more than two years he returned to Newton, and, the father having died the meanwhile, he engaged in the grocery business for himself for nearly five years. Closing out this business, he became the manager of the opera house in Newton and later at Grinnell. He leased the opera house at Grinnell and managed it for about two years, during which time he purchased the opera house at Kellogg, which he retained four years. Later he went to Des Moines and engaged in the real estate business, having disposed of his opera house at Kellogg. He is at present manager and part owner of Lister's Opera House at Newton, and owns and operates billposting plants in Colfax and Newton. In 1906 he went on the road at the head of the Chase-Lister Company, a theatrical organization, remaining out one year. While engaged in the grocery business in Newton and as manager of the local opera house, Mr. Lister was united in marriage with Louise Schwerin, of Burlington, from whom he was subsequently divorced. This union was without issue.

Mr. Lister has met with some success as a businessman, proving that he possesses fair business acumen, energy and foresight by his able management of whatever he has turned his attention to, having had experience covering a wide range. He has made a fair success of the local opera house and brought it up to standard, it now ranking with theaters in cities much larger than Newton, a good class of attraction being constantly booked. He keeps everything in fair order and his attractions draw large crowds, at times many from other towns.

Mr. Lister, at one time, made a trip to England, his early home, which he left when a babe. While on this visit he made most of the trip from London to Paris on a bicycle. At present he lives in Des Moines, but spends most of his time in Newton. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Newton. Personally, he is a genial, obliging, genteel gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet. Page 505

~ Lister, James ~

After the death of Mr. Moss his widow was married to James Lister. James Lister was born on February 9, 1830, in Yorkshire, England. He began his business career in Bradford, England, where he remained for seven years, and is supposed to have been the first butcher in that city. In 1856 he came to Newton, Iowa, and engaged with Murhorn & Brothers, millers, for some time. Later he farmed in Jasper County, Iowa, and at the time of his death was the owner of a considerable amount of property in Newton. On July 13, 1902, he passed away, and his remains were interred in Newton Cemetery. In politics Mr. Lister was a Republican and his religious affiliations were with the Mormon Church. He was a man well known in Newton, a good, conservative businessman, with many friends, and who possessed the esteem and respect of all who knew him, and had the highest reputation for integrity and uprightness. He was in many affairs a leader of his neighbors.

James Lister was first married in Bradford, England, to Mrs. Ann Foster, the daughter of George Ingle, who was born on July 3, 1825, in Yorkshire, England. She was the mother of one child by her previous marriage, Diniah, now Mrs. Needham. Mrs. Ann Lister died in Jasper County in 1890, and on April 25, 1895, Mr. Lister was married to Mrs. John Moss, of Newton, and after this marriage he lived in Newton until his death.

Mrs. James Lister is an accomplished lady of refinement, who herself attends to much of her business affairs, and takes her full share in the social, church and philanthropic activities of Newton, and is always ready to aid any deserving person who is in need.

~ Livingston, Arch ~

Successful business talent is composed of a combination of high mental and moral attributes, although these are essential, there must be breadth of capacity, sound judgment, quickness of thought, firmness and justice. Arch Livingston, well-known young merchant of Fairmount, Iowa, affords a good example of this talent.

Mr. Livingston was born in Fairview Township, Jasper County, Iowa, December 19, 1875. He is the son of John R. and Eliza (Murphy) Livingston, the father born in Ohio in 1837 and the mother born in Tennessee. The father grew up in Ohio and when twenty-five years of age he came to Jasper County, Iowa, with his parents and family, making the overland trip with wagon and team. He finally bought a farm in Fairview Township and here he worked hard and became well established. Politically, he was a Democrat and took an active interest in local affairs. For some time he served as justice of the peace. His family consisted of four children, named as follows: Mrs. Minnie Ross, Mrs. Hettie French; Arch of this sketch; Carl W. is living on a farm recently purchased by Arch, three and one-third miles southwest from Fairmount.

Arch Livingston grew up on the home farm and worked in the fields when a small boy, attended the district schools during the winter months, also attended school at Reasnor. He began life in a business way by clerking in a general store for George Volk, at Fairmount, a part of two years and in the winter he attended college at Newton, Iowa. After leaving college he worked for Henshaw & Pollock at Reasnor for a year; then he ran the huckster wagon for J. W. Edwards at Reasnor for two summers, then he and Mr. Edwards went into partnership in the hardware business, and soon built up an extensive retail trade at Reasnor, but in December 1898, six months later, Mr. Livingston sold out and came to Fairmount, buying out the general store there. For two years he was in partnership with George Volk, then A. J. Porter bought Mr. Volk's interest and he and Mr. Livingston were partners one year, when J. M. Porter bought the subject's interest. Two years later Mr. Livingston bought the interest of J. M. Porter and has since conducted the business by himself, and is enjoying an ever-growing trade. He has a neat store and always carries a full and up-to-date stock of goods. He has recently greatly increased the stock, and he supplies an extensive country trade.

Politically, Mr. Livingston is a Democrat. He is giving most satisfactory service as postmaster at Fairmount, which position he has held since 1901. He is a member of the Methodist Church.

On September 28, 1908, Mr. Livingston was united in marriage with Ida May Porter, a native of Des Moines and the daughter of J. M. Porter and wife. They have one child, Ray Porter Livingston, born December 20, 1903. Personally, Mr. Livingston is honest and genial and is well liked by his hundreds of customers. Page 907

~ Livingston, William O. ~

An enumeration of those men who have won honor and public recognition for themselves and at the same time have honored the locality where they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of the progressive and public spirited citizen whose name forms the caption of this sketch. A life of earnest and persistent endeavor has placed Mr. Livingston in comfortable circumstances and his career has been so ordered as to win the earnest esteem of all who know him.

William O. Livingston, one of Jasper County's extensive land owners and able public officials, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, May 1, 1851, and he is the son of Charles M. and Nancy D. (Bruce) Livingston, his father being a native of the state of New York and his mother of Virginia, there being hardy Scotch ancestors on both sides of the house, and many of their strong characteristics have outcropped in the subject. The father was a farmer and carpenter of the old school. He was one of those men, rarely seen nowadays, who could go into the woods, with an adze, broad axe and a few simple tools familiar to the pioneers, and hew out and build a house complete. He was an all-around mechanic. He was married in Ohio, to which state the parents of himself and wife had emigrated from their respective states in an early day, and there Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Livingston made their home for twenty-three, years. In 1856 the father of the subject and his parents came to Iowa, settling on two hundred and sixteen acres of fine land near Monroe, in the edge of Marion County. Here they established a good home, became influential among the pioneer element, and as they prospered the father added to his original holdings until he had a farm of three hundred and thirty-six acres. But this family had been preceded here by Thomas and John Livingston, brothers of Charles M., who located in Jasper County.

William O. Livingston is one of a family of six children, two of whom are deceased; Thomas died when a child in Ohio; Anna E. married Judge Prouty, and died in Pella; Mrs. G. W. Hill lives at Long Beach, California; Mrs. Edward J. Currier lives in Grand Junction, Colorado; Charles B. lives on the home farm near Monroe, Iowa; William O. of this review. The father of these children died in 1892 as a result of a runaway accident, being then seventy-seven years of age. He was preceded to the grave by his wife some three years, she being seventy-two years old. They were both teachers in early life, and all through life took an abiding interest in all educational matters; they were high-minded, hospitable, obliging and good people in every respect.

When twenty-one years of age, the son, William O., began working for himself, remaining on the home farm until he was twenty-eight years old. Then he left the homestead and moved over into Jasper County, buying a place near Monroe, and he moved thereto in 1882 and has resided here ever since, with the exception of considerable time spent on western trips. This farm originally consisted of one hundred and sixty acres. It was a fine farm and very productive, and, under Mr. Livingston's able management, brought ample rewards for the labor expended upon it. By exceptionally good management, close application and honest effort Mr. Livingston has added to his original purchase until he is now the owner of eight hundred and sixty-nine acres of as valuable and desirable land as this locality affords. In addition to his extensive farming interests he has long engaged extensively in stock raising, being an excellent judge of all kinds of livestock, and no small part of his annual income has been derived from this source. He has kept his land well improved and well tilled. He has a beautiful, modern and neatly kept home and many substantial and convenient outbuildings. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Monroe, and he has been very successful in a financial way. For the past five years he has led a more or less retired life.

On May 25, 1876, Mr. Livingston was united in marriage with Mary J. Elrod, who was born in Pennsylvania, June 21, 1856, the daughter of William and Catherine Elrod, a splendid old family of the Keystone state, of which they are both natives. They grew up, were educated and married there, and in 1868 immigrated to Monroe, Jasper County, Iowa. They are both now deceased.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Livingston, namely: Two died in infancy; William, the youngest of the number, died when eighteen months old; E. Clyde lives on one of his father's farms; Mamie D. is the wife of Albert Lust and they live on one of the farms; Catherine M. married Beal Lewis and they live on the home farm; Charles B. is at home.

While Mr. Livingston has always taken a keen interest in political affairs and whatever tended to promote the interests of his locality, he has never aspired to public positions, and the fact that he is holding a County office at this writing is a case of the office seeking the man. He is now serving his second term as County supervisor, and he has handled its affairs in such a manner as to reflect much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned, irrespective of political creeds. The new courthouse has been constructed during his term of office, and he is a member of the first board that has convened in the splendid new building. He was formerly chairman of the board for a year. He is a worthy member of the Baptist Church at Monroe, of which he is a deacon. Page 902

~ Loar, George W. ~

Among the strong and influential citizens of Jasper County the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for years has exerted a beneficial influence in the community where he resides. For many years Doctor Loar was a leading physician, later a successful druggist, and now in his declining years he is living practically retired from the active duties of life, merely looking after his fine farming interests. His career has been fraught with good to those who have come into contact with him, for his example has ever been salutary and his bearing in society that of a man of proper ideals and a wholesome nature.

Dr. George W. Loar, living near Baxter, Jasper County, like many of the worthy pioneer citizens of the section of which this history treats, is a native of the old Keystone state, his birth having occurred in Greene County, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1845, and he is the son of Jacob and Maria (Nelson) Loar, both natives of Maryland where they spent their early lives. The elder Loar devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and when a young man he came to Pennsylvania and settled on a farm, which was heavily timbered. He was not a man to shrink from hard work or obstacles, so in due course of time he had a good home and a well improved, productive farm there on which he spent the rest of his life, dying at the age of seventy-one years. He became well known in his vicinity and took an active part in the up building of the same. An evidence of the confidence his neighbors reposed in his ability and integrity is shown by the fact that he held the position of justice of the peace for a period of twenty years. His wife died when forty-five years of age. Subsequently Jacob Loar was united in marriage with Sarah Applegate, a widow. John Loar, the paternal grandfather of the subject, was also a man of influence in his community and his wife had a local reputation as a midwife.

There were ten children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Loar, George W., of this review, being the fifth in order of birth. The others are: John, a farmer in Ohio; Nelson, a physician of Bloomington, Illinois, where he has practiced forty years; Mrs. Margaret Alien, deceased; James, who spent his life on a farm, is deceased; Mrs. Henter Cribben was killed by a gas explosion; her son, Harvey Cribben, is deputy clerk of Jasper County, and formerly he was deputy auditor; Mrs. Ann Burns, who lived in Pennsylvania, is deceased; Mrs. Katharine Templeton, who also spent her life in that state, is deceased. By the second marriage there were two children in Jacob Loar's family: William C., a physician at Beloit, Wisconsin; he was formerly a lecturer in a Chicago medical school; Ora died when fifteen years old.

George W. Loar, of this review, grew up on the home farm in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and there became acquainted with hard work in the field when but a boy, and this training was not without its beneficial consequences. During the winter months he attended the common schools there. Being ambitious to secure a higher education and actuated by a laudable ambition to enter the medical profession, he took a course in Westmoreland College, at Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, then entered the Physio-Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1869, after, a satisfactory three years' course. Soon afterwards he began the practice of his profession at Fairbury, Illinois, with his brother, Nelson, this partnership lasting a year and a half. In November 1869, he came to Hixon Grove, southeast of Newton, Jasper County, Iowa. He had but fifty cents when he reached there, but he soon had a good start. Seeking a wider field for his operations, he moved to Newton in 1871, where he continued successfully in the practice until 1873, when he moved to the town of Monroe, where there existed a good opening. Just as he was becoming one of the leading medical men of this locality misfortune overtook him, he having been thrown from a horse and his hip injured, which continued to trouble him, so he was forced to give up the active practice of medicine in 1875; and he then launched out in the drug business in Monroe, which he continued for a period of twenty-five years, enjoying a liberal patronage, retiring in 1903, when he traded his business for a farm of one hundred and ten acres of valuable land in Henry County. Missouri, which he still owns. He also owns a well-improved and very productive farm near Monroe in this County. He helped to organize the State Savings Bank of Monroe, and is a director in the same. He has been very successful in a business way, and is one of the substantial men of this part of the County.

Doctor Loar was married in 1870 to Sarah Fenner, who was born March 3, 1846, in Highland County, Ohio, the daughter of Adam and Susanna Fenner. Her family came to Iowa in the sixties and settled at Murphy. Their seven children are all deceased, including the Doctor's wife, who passed away many years ago.

Seven children were born to Doctor Loar and wife, namely: Martin D. died in infancy; Effie died in infancy; Myrtle was born December 25, 1873, married John Vandermast, son of the editor of the Monroe Mirror, and they live on a farm in Fairview Township; Gertrude, born August 30, 1875, married Fred W. Shaw, of Monroe, formerly in the drug business there; Harry, born in 1877, conducts a grocery store at DeSoto; Robert N., born October 13, 1881, died on April 6, 1911; Maybel married Virgil Hummel.

Doctor Loar married, on September 2, 1903, Emma Ruth, daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth (Funk) Ruth, the father born in Maryland about the year 1808, and the mother in Pennsylvania, on July 25, 1824. The father, who was a farmer, came to Iowa in May 1855, and retired many years ago, dying in January 1896. The mother's death occurred in March 1911. Mrs. Loar is a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the Ladies' Aid Society of the Baptist Church, and both the Doctor and Mrs. Loar are prominent socially in Monroe.

Fraternally, the Doctor is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Fairview Lodge No. 194, also of the chapter. He is a member of the Baptist Church at Monroe. Politically, he is a Democrat, and while he takes the interest of a good citizen in political and public affairs, he is not ambitious to be a leader in these matters. Page 1360

~ Logsdon, Franklin G. ~

Independence Township, Jasper County, has no more progressive or public-spirited citizen than Franklin G. Logsdon, a man who merits the confidence that is reposed in him by all who know him owing to his life of industry and uprightness. He is first and primarily an agriculturist, owning one of the choice farms of the community at Ira, which he has successfully operated for many years, but at present he is engaged in the free rural mail delivery, in which he is giving both the people and the department eminent satisfaction.

Mr. Logsdon was born in Independence Township, this County, on June 14, 1873, and here he grew to manhood and received his education and with the exception of four years spent in Crawford County, Iowa, he has been a continuous resident here. He is the son of Benjamin Franklin Logsdon and Celia Jane Logsdon, the father a native of Kentucky, and they reside at present in Marshalltown, Iowa.

There were nine children in the Logsdon family, six of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, named as follows: H. W. lives in Crawford County, Iowa; Mrs. Mary A. Rees died in May 1904; Franklin G., of this sketch; Charles S. lives in Jasper County; Mrs. Luella J. Sissel lives at Bondurant; Mrs. Jessie Maude Kienzle, of Garwin. Iowa; three children died in infancy.

Franklin G. Logsdon was married on September 16, 1896, to Alice B. Cross, who was born in Jasper County, Iowa, September 26, 1877; here she grew to womanhood, was educated and has always resided. She is the daughter of Samuel W. and Melissa (Hefner) Cross, both of whom live in Baxter. There were eight children in the Cross family, seven of whom are living at this writing.

To Mr. and Mrs. Logsdon have been born five children, three of whom are living, namely: S. B., born July 10, 1897, died October 26th of the same year; Doris L., born October 25, 1900, died May 1, 1907; Claude, born January 6, 1903; Blanche, born February 18, 1907; Maude, born September 19, 1909. .

Mr. Logsdon conducted a butcher shop two years in Baxter and for an equal length of time in Ira. On April 1, 1904, he received the appointment as rural mail carrier on route 1, at Ira, this County, and he has continued to discharge the duties of the same to the present time. The farm which he and his wife own consists of one hundred and five acres in Independence Township, is well improved and kept under a good state of cultivation, and they have a modern home in every respect. Politically, Mr. Logsdon is a Republican. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, Ira Camp No. 5660, at Ira, and he affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Page 1101

~ Logsdon, Smith Charles ~

One of our leading railroad magnates recently said that the average farmer did not pay any attention to modern methods for conserving the soil, but that he was going ahead in the same way that farmers have done for centuries, decreasing soil fertility and production. He also said that much of the matter written for the farmer's agricultural education either goes over his head or does not reach him. That gentleman certainly was not acquainted with the progressive methods of Jasper County farmers as a class. There are, of course, old-time farmers in every community who assume that because they have always followed certain methods these are therefore not to be improved on, farmers who work their land until it is "run out" and who then complain that there is no profit in farming; but these are becoming fewer and fewer, and only a cursory glance over the fine fields of Jasper County is sufficient to show that here at least the best methods are employed. There are to be found, no doubt, in every locality slovenly and wasteful farmers and incompetent tillers of the soil, just as there are wasteful and incompetent men in every line of business, but they are not in a majority. One of the well known and successful farmers of Jasper County is Smith Charles Logsdon, of Independence Township, a man who believes in keeping fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to agricultural matters, and a glance over his fertile, well-kept fields will suffice to show that he is a past master in the art of modern agriculture.

Mr. Logsdon was born in Benton County, Iowa, July 27, 1876. He is the son of Benjamin Franklin and Celia Jane Logsdon, the father a native of Kentucky. They both now live in Marshalltown. Their family consisted of nine children, six of whom grew to maturity, namely: H. W. lives in Crawford County, Iowa; Mrs. Mary A. Rees died in May, 1904; Franklin G. is farming in Independence Township, this County; Smith Charles, of this review; Mrs. Luella J. Sissel lives in Bondurant, Iowa; Mrs. Jessie Maude Kienzle, of Garwin, this state; three children died in infancy.

Smith C. Logsdon received his education in the local schools and early in life turned his attention to farming and has made this his life work. In 1910 he purchased one hundred and fifty-nine acres in Independence Township, this County, and in the fall of 1911 moved thereon, and on this improvements have been started which when completed will make this one of the choice farms of the County.

Mr. Logsdon was married on February 6, 1896, to Rose Sego, who was born in Missouri, April 19, 1880. She was the daughter of Thomas and Hester (Smith) Sego-Trossel, the father having died in 1882; the mother, who was born on March 2, 1855, is living in Baxter. She has been twice married, the first union resulting in the birth of two daughters, Mrs. James Linder, born March 1, 1878, is living in Newton, and Rose, wife of Mr. Logsdon, of this sketch. By the marriage of Mrs. Sego with Mr. Trussel two sons and one daughter were born, namely: Earl and Ray both live in Baxter; Hazel is attending school in Baxter. These children were born and reared in Jasper County.

To Mr. and Mrs. Logsdon nine children have been born, six of whom are living, namely: Vera, born April 25, 1896, lives at home; Vella and Vona, twins, were born May 23, 1898, the latter dying when three months and ten days old; Mildred, born September 25, 1899, died March 8, 1902; Frank, born December 25, 1901; Blanche, born January 8, 1903, died the following day; Irene, born March 13, 1905; Helen, born November 25, 1908; Ada Frances, born September 8, 1911. These children were born in Jasper County and the older ones have attended the rural schools.

Politically, Mr. Logsdon is an independent voter and he takes a good citizen's interest in the affairs of the community. Page 1252