Biographies

~ Long, Frank ~

Among those men of sterling attributes of character who have impressed their personality upon the community of their residence and have borne their full share in the up building and general development of Jasper County, mention must not be omitted of Frank Long, one of the progressive farmers and stock men of Independence Township, where he has long maintained his home and where he has exerted a strong influence for good to the entire community, being a man of upright principles and desirous to see the advancement of the County along material, civic and moral lines.

Mr. Long has, with the exception of four years spent in Hamilton County, Iowa, and one summer in South Dakota, spent most of his life in Jasper County, having come here with his parents in 1867. He was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa, March 29, 1862. He is the son of John and Lucy (Smith) Long, both natives of Canada, the father born March 29, 1825, and his death occurred on March 30, 1907, the mother having died in February 1868. The father was twice married. The parents of the subject came to Iowa fifty-five years ago when the state was just beginning to be developed in a general way. Six sons were born to John Long and his first wife, namely: George, of Clear Creek Township, was born April 3, 1855; Charles, born November 15, 1856, is living in Walla Walla, Washington; John W., born March 7, 1860, lives in Eden Township, Marshall County, Iowa; Frank, of this sketch; Wilson, born in 1864, is living in Idaho; Albert, born in April 1869, lives in Des Moines, Iowa. The following children were born of John Long's second union: Bessie, Josie, Amanda, Bert, Alonzo and Jonah.

Frank Long, of this review, was married on December 3, 1881, to Mary Alice Deeter, who was born in Story County, Iowa, December 27, 1868, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated. She was the daughter of Sydney C. and Sarah H. (Runyon) Deeter, both born in Ohio; the father, born on September 17, 1844, is living in Washington, and the mother makes her home in Idaho. Eleven children were born to them, three of whom are deceased; they were named as follows: Lucy Long lives in Idaho; Mrs. Frank Long, of this sketch; Eliza died in infancy; William lives in Idaho, as does also Loyal J.; Milo lives in Washington; Arthur Glenn lives in Idaho; Leo Don died in infancy; Arminta Clarke lives in North Dakota; Lee lives in Idaho. These children were born in Story County, Iowa, except the two younger, who were born in Jasper County.

To Mr. and Mrs. Frank Long four children have been born, namely: Ada Sego, born October 5, 1886, is living in Independence Township, this County; Arthur, born December 26, 1890, is living in Des Moines; Grace Muriel, born August 5, 1895; Cleo Fern, born January 27, 1897. These children were all born in Jasper County.

Mr. Long has worked hard, managed well and as a result he has become well established in a material way, being the owner of a finely improved farmstead of one hundred and eighty acres in Independence Township, and here he carries on general farming and stock raising in a manner that stamps him as being fully abreast of the times. He has a pleasant and modernly furnished home and large, convenient outbuildings. He is liberal, yet properly conservative, and his support may always be counted on when any laudable movement is placed on foot having as its object the general good of the community. Politically, he is a Democrat and in his fraternal relations he belongs to Unity Lodge No, 520, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Baxter. Page 1092

~ Long, George ~

Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Jasper County within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests are identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number is he whose name appears above, peculiar interest attaching to his career from the fact that most of his busy and useful life has been spent within the borders of this County, which has been the arena of his activities for a period of forty-four years, or during the active period of the great development of this locality, in which he has played no inconspicuous part.

George Long, one of the progressive farmers of Clear Creek Township, was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa, April 3, 1854, and there he spent his early boyhood, coming with his parents to Jasper County in 1867 and he has been a continuous resident here since, having attended the local schools and began working on the home place when but a boy. His parents, John and Lucy (Smith) Long, came to Iowa fifty-five years ago when the state was new. They were natives of Canada, the father's birth occurring there on March 29, 1825, and he died on March 30, 1907. The mother died many years before, in February 1868, at the age of thirty-four. Their family consisted of six children, all sons, named as follows: George, of this review; Charles, born November 20, 1856, is living in Walla Walla, Washington; John W., born March 7, 1860, lives in Eden Township, Marshall County, Iowa; Frank, born March 29, 1862, lives in Independence Township, Jasper County; Wilson, born in 1864, is living in Idaho; Albert, born in April 1869, lives in Des Moines, Iowa. John Long, the father, was twice married, and the following children were born of the second union: Bessie, Josie, Amanda, Bert, Alonzo, Jonah, Anjie and Otis.

George Long, of this sketch, was married in December 1876, to Phoebe Jane Miller, who was born in Clear Creek Township, this County, May 24, 1857, and here she grew to womanhood, received her schooling and has always resided in this community. She is the daughter of Robert and Rebecca (Kintz) Miller. The father enlisted in the Union army daring the Civil War and was killed during the service. The mother, who was born in Summit County, Ohio, is living in Clear Creek Township, this County, of which her father, Joseph Kintz, was among the first settlers. There were six children in the family, four of whom are living.

Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Long, five of whom are deceased. They were named: Clarence D., born May 11, 1877, is living in Independence Township, this County; Quincy, born October 27, 1879, died on November 29th of the same year; Mrs. Pearl Hardenburgh, born in April 1880, lives in Independence Township; Mrs. Lillie Tramel, born March 12, 1882, lives in Clear Creek Township; James Carl, born September 13, 1883, is assisting his father with the work on the home farm; Stella, born June 18, 1885, died November 3d of the same year; Charles died in infancy, as did also Fred, and the youngest, unnamed.

Mr. Long has met with success as a general farmer and stock man, and he is the owner of an excellent and well improved farm of one hundred and forty acres in Clear Creek Township, which he has kept in first-class shape, and he has a cozy home, modernly furnished.

The son, James C. Long, mentioned above, married Osee Hardenburgh, a daughter of one of the old settlers of Jasper County, and their children are Virgil Vernon, born January 12, 1908, and George Harlan, born April 3, 1910. Page 1324

~ Longley, Lyman A. ~

No citizen of a past generation in the eastern part of Jasper County was held in higher esteem than the late Lyman A, Longley, of Rock Creek Township, whose life chapter has been closed and the seal set thereon by "the angel with the' backward look and folded wings of ashen gray," but his influence is still alive, tending to shape the course of local progress, for the forces for good which he assisted to set in motion here cannot easily be thwarted or diverted. He possessed a broad and liberal nature and gave of his time and means unstintingly to the advancement of all laudable enterprises, as well as to dispense with something of a lavish hand the necessities of the poor and unfortunate, in fact, in all that constituted correct living and good citizenship Mr. Longley was a splendid example. There was nothing small or narrow in his composition, but on the contrary he took broad and liberal views of men and affairs and stood "four square to all the world," a fine example of symmetrically developed manhood.

Mr. Longley was born in Chester Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, July 6, 1861, enjoying the distinction of being the first boy born in that Township, consequently he grew up amid typical pioneer conditions and was, so to speak, a link between the primitive past and the opulent present, as affected the state of Iowa. He was the son of Amos S. and Cordelia (Bigelow) Longley, both born at Norridgewock, Somerset County, Maine, where they grew up, and as a young man the father of the subject turned his attention to farming, but when the gold excitement, anent the discovery of the eldorado in California pervaded the world, he joined the famous band of "forty-niners" and made the long journey thither, being very successful as a prospector there, and after remaining there a few years returned to the East. However, he liked the West so well that he returned after marrying, he and his wife selecting for their future home Poweshiek County, Iowa, in 1858. Later he moved to the town of Grinnell, where he soon afterwards died. There were but two children in his family. Lyman A., of this review, and Mrs. Mattie J. Marvin, of Grinnell.

Lyman A. Longley enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education, having attended the common schools in Grinnell and a business college in Davenport. He then turned his attention to farming, which he continued six years in Jasper County, then selling his stock, returned to Grinnell where he engaged as a meat cutter in a butcher shop, and while there he studied for .the civil service examination, looking to the examination for the United States mail service and for ten years he was in the railway mail service on the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul .Railroad, also the Iowa Central His work in this connection was very satisfactory to the department. In 1897 the family returned to their farm in Rock Creek Township, Jasper County. This farm originally consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, but the place now consists of three hundred and twenty acres of as valuable land as the County can boast. Mr. Longley was a man of thrift and industry and he was very successful as a farmer and stock raiser, kept his place under the most modern improvements and on it he erected a large modern residence and many good barns and out-buildings, the equipment about the place being modern and to serve every need. He made a specialty of feeding cattle on an extensive scale, shipping to market about four car loads annually. For years he was one of the leading stockmen of the County.

Mr. Longley was a staunch Republican, and while he took the interest of a fair-minded citizen in everything that pertained to the general good of the Township and County honored by his residence, he was never an aspirant for positions of public trust. He was a "standpatter," advocating the principles promulgated by the founders of the party. He belonged to the Modern Woodmen camp, and he and all his family were members of the Congregational Church.

On September 14, 1882, Mr. Longley was united in marriage with Alice L. Howard, who was born in Poweshiek County, Iowa, April 22, 1859, the daughter of Benoni and Elizabeth Ann (Bartlett) Howard, a well known and highly respected pioneer family of that County, her father having come to that place in 1854, and there he assisted in building the first houses in the County. His death occurred in 1904.

Mr. and Mrs. Longley were the parents of the following children: Ethel Cordelia, born October 8, 1883; Ralph Lyman, born August 15, 1892. The latter was attending high school at Grinnell when his father's death occurred on March 29, 1909, consequently after finishing high school he took charge of' the farm, then being only sixteen years of age, and he performed the task most admirably with the assistance of his mother, who is a woman of many strong characteristics, good judgment and excellent foresight, and they are carrying on the work inaugurated by Mr. Longley in a most successful manner, keeping the place well tilled and well improved, in fact, it is only fair to say that Mrs. Longley's counsel and encouragement was responsible in no small degree for her husband's large success.

After his death one who best knew Mr. Longley had this to say of him, which voiced the sentiments expressed by his wide circle of personal friends: "Lyman A. Longley was a good farmer, a good husband and indulgent father, and in the best sense of the term, a good citizen, and when one has said that, there is little more that can be added. While engaged as a railway postal clerk, he was highly efficient, passing one of the best civil service examinations for this position that it is possible to pass. It was during these years of service that he probably contracted the disease that eventually resulted in his death. He as an active and worthy member of the Congregational Church at Grinnell and took a lively interest in the best things of life up to the time of his death. He was a man of refinement and held the highest respect of his fellow men." Page 808

~ Lotts, William M. ~

The agricultural interests of Jasper County were well represented for a number of years by William M. Lotts, one of the practical and enterprising farmers of the southwestern part of the County, who, after accumulating a competency, is now living retired in his pleasant home at Prairie City. He has been both practical and progressive in his methods and to his energy and perseverance is attributed the gratifying success which has attended his efforts. Fidelity is one of his chief characteristics, such fidelity as is manifest in his faithful discharge of all the duties of life, and it has won him warm regard wherever known.

William M. Lotts was born in Gallia County, Ohio, April 15, 1825, and he is the son of Isaac and Nancy (Knox) Lotts, natives of Greenbrier County, Virginia, and they engaged in farming all their lives. The paternal grandfather of the subject, Jacob Lotts, immigrated to the United States from Germany when but sixteen years of age and settled in Virginia. He was a cabinetmaker by trade. He enlisted for service in the Revolutionary War in 1776, in which he served until the close of the conflict. He married a sister of the famous General Wolfe. He moved to Gallia County, Ohio, in 1806 and there his death occurred in 1839. His wife died in 1837. The father of the subject changed the spelling of the family name from the German "Lotz" to "Lotts," the present spelling. He and a sister left Virginia and came to Ohio in 1814 when that country was still the land of the red men and wild beast, sparsely settled. He entered a quarter section of land from the government, and established a home there, working hard and undergoing the usual hardships of a newcomer. Leaving there in 1837, he came to Knox County, Illinois, where he bought two hundred and forty-two acres and on this he spent the remainder of his days, dying on October 4, 1875, his wife preceding him to the grave only a few days, her death occurring September 26th of that year. Three of William Lotts' uncles were soldiers in the War of 1812, namely: Abraham, whose son is at present a prominent figure in Washington, D.C.; William Humphreys and Isaac Hawk. Abraham Lotz also fought in the Indian War of 1811, against Tecumseh's band under the Prophet at Tippecanoe, Indiana. Like other members of his family he was a brave and forbearing man, always ready to face any danger.

William M. Lotts is one of a family of seven children, five of whom reached maturity: Sarah, who married David Ward, died in Illinois; Minerva, who married Woodford Pearce, also died in Illinois; Salenda, who was the wife of James Rebstock, also died there. Her husband was a lieutenant in the Union Army during the Civil War. Milton lives at Knoxville, Illinois, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years; William M., of this sketch, was fifth in order of birth; Abraham was killed while building a raft on the Missouri river, near Fort Benton, Montana, in 1865.

William M. Lotts received his education in the district schools of Knox County, Illinois. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Hester A. Webb, of Ross County, Ohio. She was born November 18, 1829, and her death occurred on August 25, 1899, in Prairie City, Jasper County, Iowa. She was the daughter of John and Charlotte (Godfrey) Webb, who came to Illinois in an early day and were well known and prominent in their locality. Mr. Webb was in the War of 1812. His death occurred in Warren County, Illinois, in 1852. His wife died in Indiana when their daughter, Hester A., wife of Mr. Lotts, was but a small child.

Of Mrs. Lotts' brothers and sisters, Oliver died in Colfax, Iowa; Henry, who was a successful gold digger, a member of the famous band of "forty-niners," died in Illinois; Hester A. was next in order of birth; William died at Derby, Iowa, and Francis at Gilson, Illinois.

After his marriage William M. Lotts began farming, renting land the first year, then bought a quarter section, which he later sold, then came to Jefferson County, Iowa, where he purchased two hundred and twenty acres. After farming this two years he again sold out and returned to Warren County, Illinois, where he bought one hundred and eighty-five acres of land which he farmed for eleven years, then sold out and purchased a small place near Abingdon, Knox County, Illinois, in order to get proper schooling for his children. After living there three years he sold out and came to Iowa, landing in Prairie City, Jasper County, March 22, 1872, and purchased a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres four miles from town in Des Moines Township, which he still owns and which he has kept well improved and well tilled, in fact made it one of the model farms of the County. For this place he paid thirty-three dollars per acre; it is not worth over one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, in fact, he has refused that figure. Having accumulated a competency through general farming and stock raising, he retired from active life in 1892 and moved to Prairie City.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lotts, namely: Malissa Jane, who married Jay Prouty, lives on a farm near Prairie City; Olive, who married Edward Hays, lives six miles from this village, and they have one son, William Russell Hays; Emma married J. R. Chandler and lives at home with her father; her only child, Hazel, lives with her.

Politically, Mr. Lotts is a Republican and while he takes the interest of a right-minded citizen in public affairs, he has never sought political preference. He has been a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years, having been class leader for many years. His wife was a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, and known to a wide circle of friends as a noble-minded, kind-hearted woman. Page 571

~ Loupee, W. F. ~

One of Jasper County's substantial and influential citizens is W. F. Loupee, who lives about a half mile north of the city of Newton, his fine farm representing much hard labor, but he is a man of well-known energy and determination in business affairs, indolence and idleness having ever been entirely foreign to his nature, and his continued activity in the management and development of his property has made his one of the valuable farms of the county.

Mr. Loupee was born on August 27, 1853, in Cass County, Michigan, the son of George and Julia (Philo) Loupee, the father a native of Germany, born on March 15, 1826. When a babe, two and one-half years old, he was brought to America by his parents in an old-style sailing vessel, which, during the voyage, was driven on a rock upon which it stuck fast for thirty-six hours. The family soon came on to Massillon, Ohio, but a few years later moved to Michigan, where the elder Loupee died. His son, George, father of the subject, learned the cooper's trade, which he followed during the winter months, engaging in farming in the summer time, following this for about four years, then he traded his farm of eighty acres for ninety-six acres in Jasper County and for three years he farmed in Kellogg Township, then took his family back to Michigan, but retained his farm here, returning to it five years later, in 1869, and there he lived until 1905, successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits, then retired and moved to Newton, where his death occurred on Christmas day, 1908, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1875. After her death he married Henrietta Rhuark.

Louis, brother of George Loupee, uncle of the subject, served in the Civil War, and was promoted from private to the rank of captain for meritorious service. Eight children were born to George Loupee and his first wife, namely: W. F., of this sketch; Henry is farming in Newton Township; two children died in infancy; Estella married Angelo Smith and they live on a farm in South Dakota; Sarah married W. A. Walker and lives in New Sharon; Minnie married E. M. McBroom and they live on a farm at Laurel, Iowa; Addie married E. E. Broughton, who is in a furniture store in Belmont, Iowa. Six children were born to George Loupee and his second wife, named as follows: John, who is living in Malaka Township, this County; Cyrus also lives there; Ida married D. R. Munn and they live on a farm in South Dakota; Alva, who has remained unmarried, lives in Malaka Township; Josie married Herman Oartwig and they live near Baxter; George, who is still single, lives in Malaka Township. The mother of the above named children passed to her rest on September 30, 1910. W. F. Loupee received his schooling in the district schools in Michigan and Jasper County. When he reached his majority he was united in marriage with Mary Smith Wing, on March 3, 1874. She is descended from a distinguished ancestry, being a direct descendant on her father's side of Edward Fuller, who was one of the famous band of Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Reckon the Mayflower. Her father, Elijah Wing, was the son of Mary (Smith) Wing, who was the only daughter of Josiah Smith, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and who subsequently became a United States senator from Massachusetts, and a monument erected at his grave in that state bears the following inscription: Hon. Josiah Smith, U. S. Senator for Massachusetts, died April 4, 1802, aged 65 years.

Elijah Wing was born in Massachusetts and in that state he was married to Katheryne Barge, which union resulted in the birth of five children, as follows: Mary Smith Wing, who married W. F. Loupee, of this sketch, her birth occurring on December 10, 1857, at Geneseo, Illinois. It will be noticed that she bears the name of her illustrious ancestor, Smith; she was the youngest of the family. The others are: Jane E. married Joseph Lodge, formerly a farmer of Kellogg Township, but they now live in Cedar Rapids; Roxana, wife of Judge Cook, lives in Cedar Rapids; he was formerly judge of the district court, and lived in Newton; he was twice elected to Congress from this district. He is now attorney for the Chicago & Milwaukee railroad and is one of the distinguished men of the state. Melissa Wing married William Renshaw, formerly a farmer in Kellogg Township, and her death occurred at Stewart, Iowa. Melancthon, formerly a farmer in Mariposa Township, is now living in Omaha.

Mr. Wing was accidentally killed in a runaway in Newton when he was seventy-five years of age. His wife died in Algona, Iowa, in 1884, at the age of seventy-two years. They came to Jasper County in 1867, and became well established and well known here, honored by all for their integrity and hospitality.

W. F. Loupee has always been an agriculturist. His first purchase of land was eighty acres, with his earnings, in Mariposa Township, which he sold two years later, but soon afterwards bought one hundred and forty acres in Kellogg Township, and after four years he sold that and later bought one hundred and eighty-five acres in the same Township. He cultivated that place with his usual success for ten years, then sold it and bought one hundred and fifty-eight acres in Newton Township, for which he paid seventy-five dollars per acre in 1891. This fine farm he sold five years later for one hundred and fifteen dollars per acre. In the meantime he had bought two hundred acres in Kellogg Township, which he retained three years before selling. At the present time he has an interest in two farms in Kellogg Township, besides his handsome home in the suburbs of Newton, which is modernly furnished and in the midst of attractive surroundings, his holdings here comprising twenty-five acres of valuable land. This place he purchased five years ago and has since erected the splendid residence there, and this has been his place of abode ever since, leading a retired life, merely overseeing his farms. He has been very successful in a business way, considering the fact that he started in life for himself with nothing and has fought his own way to the front, having long been regarded as one of the leading general farmers and stock raisers in the County. Fraternally, he is a member of the blue lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, also the Knights Templar and the Royal Arch degrees have been conferred on him. He is a dimitted member of the Order of the Eastern Star chapter at Kellogg. Mrs. Loupee is a faithful member of the Congregational Church in Newton, and they both stand high in social circles in this vicinity, enjoying the good will and esteem of a vast number of friends and acquaintances.

To Mr. and Mrs. Loupee have been born the following children: Anna married Marion Williams; they live in Kellogg Township and have four children; Gertrude is a teacher of much ability, having taught several of the rural schools, and in Lynnville, Sully and Sac City; Fanny married Fred Whitaker; they own a farm in Kellogg Township, but are now living in Newton, and they have two children; Jay T., who lives in Kellogg Township, married Hannah Anderson, daughter of H. P. Anderson, and they have three children; Floy, who recently completed the four years' course in the Newton high school, is an accomplished musician. These children have all been educated in the Newton schools and the daughters have all taught school, except the youngest. Page 930

~ Lufkin, Albert ~

A notable example of the successful self-made man was the late Albert Lufkin, and as such he made his influence felt among the people of Jasper County, where he cast his lot in pioneer days and labored for his own advancement and that of the locality as well, thereby earning the right to be classed among the leading citizens of his day in the community honored by his citizenship. His life was a long and interesting one, fraught with much work and much good; indeed, it is doubtful if any man of a past generation was so intimately intermingled with the history, of the city of Newton and Jasper County as was Mr. Lufkin and his career may well be studied with profit by the youth standing at the parting of the ways whose career is yet a matter for future years to determine, for it was not only successful from a material viewpoint, but it was wholesome in every avenue, exemplary in every relation and a model worthy of emulation by all who would be counted among those who win in the battle which we commonly call life and leave behind us the greatest of all heritages, an honored name.

Mr. Lufkin was born on a farm situated on Casco Bay, Maine, about twenty miles from Portland, at the town of Freeport, on January 7, 1831. He was the son of Benjamin and Eliza (Pote) Lufkin, both of English extraction and both natives of Freeport, Maine. His parents and all four of his grandparents are buried in the cemetery at that place. The farm on which the subject was born was partly cleared for the purpose of using the wood in boiling down sea water in making salt, and in his boyhood he plowed up fragments of the old salt kettles, interesting relics of a pioneer industry. His early education was obtained in the public schools. In addition to the common branches taught, he began the study of algebra and while yet at home he took up the study of geometry and trigonometry without a teacher, using an old work on navigation, published in 1758. He learned the use of logarithms and commenced the study of navigation from this book. He finished his course in Bowditch's Navigation unaided, after which he entered the North Yarmouth Academy, which he attended several terms. He followed teaching for several years, after leaving school, specializing on mathematics, which branch he taught one term in Yarmouth Institute. He then attended a school of engineering at Providence, Rhode Island, under Prof. William A. Norton. The latter being called to Yale, the subject, with most of his class, followed and entered the school of engineering at Yale University, taking a course of scientific engineering and chemistry. Leaving New Haven, Mr. Lufkin went to work for H. T. Walling at map making. In 1853 he took a position with the Pennsylvania Railroad as topographer. After making the surveys on the north branch of the Susquehanna River, he went to Philadelphia and spent the winter drafting for this road and while there he attended sixty lectures, having joined the Franklin Institute and the Pennsylvania Historical Society.

In the spring of 1855 Mr. Lufkin came west and located in Jasper County, Iowa, purchasing a farm in what is now Richland Township, for himself and his brother William, who came out in the fall of that year.

On October 9, 1855. Mr. Lufkin was married to Catherine Griffin, of Freeport, Maine. In the spring of 1858 he was elected County superintendent of schools and moved to Newton in August of that year. During his term of office he succeeded in having built many better school buildings. He held the office two terms and made many friends among the people, teachers and pupils. He then began the first set of abstracts of titles in Jasper County, in 1869, in company with Gen. James Wilson, he established the Jasper County Bank, in which Mr. Lufkin was interested for over ten years. While yet in the bank he bought an interest in the foundry and machine shop of James Edgar & Company and with J. H. Lyday and James Dutot continued the business under the name of the Newton Machine Works. Later he became sole proprietor. While he was in the machine shop, Rev. D. H. Rogan came to him with sewing machine plans, and in a room of Mr. Lufkin's stable was built the first sewing machine ever manufactured west of the Mississippi and the first ever run with a thread for a belt. This was later sold to the Singe Sewing Machine Company.

The death of Mr. Lufkin occurred in 1907, and that of his wife in 1880. Their family consisted of one daughter and two sons namely: Mary, Arthur K. and Herman, all of whom are married, and the sons are successful businessmen and influential in their communities.

In 1881 Mr. Lufkin married Fannie E. Derbyshire, and one child was born to this union, which died in infancy.

Mr. Lufkin traveled extensively in this country, having visited all the states but four, and Canada repeatedly, also old Mexico.

Mr. Lufkin was for over twenty years a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was one of the leading men of his day and generation and to him Jasper County owes much and here his memory will long be cherished. Page 646

~ Lufkin, Benjamin ~

The record of an honorable, upright life is always read with interest, and it better perpetuates the name and fame of the subject than does a monument, seen by few and soon crumbling into dust beneath the relentless hand of time. So far the record of Benjamin Lufkin, one of Jasper County's progressive citizens, has been of such a consistent nature as to give him a lasting good name among those with whom he has come into contact.

Mr. Lufkin was born in Lynn Grove, this County, November 7, 1860, and he is the son of William and Nancy (Adams) Lufkin, an old and highly honored family who were prominent here in the days of the early settlement of the County, the father having been a native of Freeport, Maine, and the mother was born in New Jersey. They left their far eastern homes when young and came to Jasper County, Iowa, where they were married. William Lufkin, in early life, was a ship's cabinet-maker, working on the interior finish of ocean vessels, and, being very skilled, his services were in great demand. After coming to Iowa he turned his attention to farming, at which he was very successful, becoming the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land in Elk Creek Township arid he was one of the leading citizens of that locality for many years, his death occurring on December 31, 1881, when fifty-seven years of age. The mother died when their son, Benjamin, was but a small child. It was in 1857 that William Lufkin came to Jasper County, Iowa, and, as intimated, he soon became one of the stalwart citizens 'of the community, taking an abiding interest in the great advancement of his day. As a young man he made several trips to the West Indies as an ordinary sailor, and it was very interesting to listen to his reminiscences of such voyages. He became well to do in later life, owning at one time a considerable interest in the Jasper County Bank. There were but three children in his family, Benjamin, of this review, William, who died in infancy, and a sister, Eva, who also died in infancy.

After receiving a good common school education, gained by alternating schooling with work on the home farm, Benjamin Lufkin, in the spring of 1882, began working for himself by renting a farm for a year, after which he purchased a place. He worked almost unceasingly, and by energy, thrift and economy became the owner of a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he placed under excellent improvements and a high state of cultivation and which is considered one of the best farms in the vicinity of Reasnor, Palo Alto Township, besides which he has other interests of considerable magnitude. He has a beautifully located and neatly kept home, which is presided over by a lady of fine qualities, known in her maidenhood as Joanna Robinson, with whom Mr. Lufkin was united in marriage on December 10, 1882. She is the daughter of S. D. and Ann (Robinson) Robinson, both natives of Pennsylvania. Her parents came to Iowa as young people and were married in Henry County and took up farming for a life work. Mrs. Lufkin has two brothers and one sister living, William and Charles Robinson are farming in Jasper County; Mrs. Elizabeth Pumroy, widow of Milton Pumroy, resides in Reasnor.

One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lufkin, William, whose birth occurred August 30, 1883, and who resides upon the place where he was born. He married Florence Rater, and they have one child, Omer, a sturdy little fellow of three years.

Fraternally, Mr. Lufkin is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and he has been manager of the local lodge for seven years, but at present does not hold that position. He is well known all over the County arid is a man of high ideals and upright principles. He has traveled considerably over the United States and has a fund of practical information, having always been a keen observer and a wide reader.

~ Lunt, Moses B. ~

Human life is made up of two elements, power and form, and the proportion, must be invariably kept if he would have it sweet and sound. Each of these elements in excess makes a mischief as hurtful as would be its deficiency. Everything turns to excess every good quality is noxious if unmixed, and to carry the danger to the edge of ruin nature causes each man's peculiarity to super abound. One speaking from the standpoint of a farmer would adduce the learned professions as examples of this treachery. They are nature's victims of expression. You study the artist, the orator or the poet and find their lives no more excellent than that of mechanics or farmers. While the farmer stands at the head of art as found in nature, the others get but glimpses of the delights of nature in its various elements and moods. Moses B. Lunt, one of the honored and venerable tillers of the soil in Linn Grove Township, Jasper County, takes delight in existence. It is because he is in touch with the springs of human life because he has been able to see beauty and appreciate it in nature.

Mr. Lunt hailed from New England, his birth having occurred in Orleans County, Vermont, on April 10, 1834, in the town of Derby, the son of Johnson and Sarah (Boynton) Lunt, the father born in Vermont in 1796 and the mother in Canada in 1806. The father was a farmer and owned two farms in Vermont, one of one hundred and twenty acres and one of one hundred and sixty acres. He lived his long life in his native state, dying there in 1891.

Politically, he was first a Whig, later a Republican, and he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. His family consisted of the following children: Mrs. Harriet Derbin, Elias, Charles, Mrs. Amanda Dustin; Moses B., of this review; Aaron married Susan Hicks; Henry, Elias C., Gardna, Mrs. Jennie Parlin and Mrs. Emma Nye.

Moses B. Lunt was educated in the public schools of Vermont. After assisting his father with the general work on the farm he worked out some in order to get a start. In 1856 he came to Mason County, Illinois, and worked by the month for some time, later rented land. In 1865 he drove a four-horse team to a wagon from there to Jasper County, Iowa, and bought two hundred and forty acres of land, all virgin prairie. By hard work and excellent management he transformed this into one of the best farms of the Township and was for many years considered one of the leading general farmers and stock raisers, and even now, although he is no longer a young man, he is active and aggressive. For about sixteen years he fed cattle, preparing large numbers for the market; one year he shipped thirteen carloads. He was usually successful. He has now three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, which is modernly improved and on which he carries on mixed farming. He has a good home and convenient barns and such buildings as are deemed necessary for his purposes.

Mr. Lunt is a Republican and has been school director in his district. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic blue lodge. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Lunt was married, first, in November 1869, to Hannah Meeker, who was born in Vermont and whose death occurred in February 1871. In October 1873, he was married to Ada Tinker, also a native of Vermont, and the daughter of Nehemiah S. Tinker, a furniture manufacturer of that state, but who came to Kentucky later in life and there died, on April 5, 1890. Following are Mr. Lunt's children: George M., Mrs. Hattie E. Phelps, Mrs. Bertha L. Henry, Mrs. Blanch E. Craver, Mrs. Grace E. Ryan and Charlie C. Page 1049

~ Lust, Alfred ~

Without searching for lineage in musty tomes or the less satisfactory authority of tradition, it suffices to state in writing this brief sketch of a practical man and a master of his craft, that his progenitors were in the broadest sense high and their influence salutary and whose characters and sterling worth have been reproduced on their descendants. Alfred Lust, farmer of Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, has shown himself to be ready at all times to encourage and aid all laudable measures and enterprises for the general good. By a life consistent in motive and because of his many good qualities he has earned the sincere regard of all who know him, and his success while yet a young man bespeaks for him continued advancements and a higher sphere of usefulness.

Mr. Lust was born on the place where he still resides in this Township, on March 30, 1876, and here he has been content to spend his life. He is the son of Riley and Amanda (Fender) Lust, a well-known pioneer family of this locality. The father was born in Ohio and the mother in Indiana. The paternal grandparents were natives of Germany. Riley Lust is one of the best-known and most substantial farmers in Jasper County, besides being one of our most extensive landowners. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished, having hewn out his own fortune without depending on anyone for aid; however, he is very modest regarding his achievements, being a plain, unassuming gentleman, content to be an unobtrusive citizen of what he considers one of the very foremost localities of our great sisterhood of states. He is largely interested in a great number of investments and enterprises aside from his extensive farm holdings, among others being the implement business in the town of Reasnor, in which his son, Elmer, is a partner. He is also a stockholder and director in the Reasnor Savings Bank, and has at all times stood ready to serve his Township in any capacity. At the present writing he is leading a practically retired life in his beautiful and modernly furnished residence in Reasnor. He has the confidence and esteem of all who know him and his character has ever been above cavil.

To Mr. and Mrs. Riley Lust ten children have been born, all still living, namely: Fred E., born July 22, 1874; Alfred T., subject of this sketch; John W., born June 20, 1878; Arthur J., born July 4, 1885; Mamie J., born September 19, 1887, is the wife of Elmer Mercer, a farmer of Jasper County; Katherine S., born March 5, 1890, is the wife of Carl Trout, a banker residing in West Grove, Iowa; Myrtle M. born August 19, 1893, is living at home; Carl M., born May 31, 1896, also lives at home; Elmer B., born February 18, 1883, is engaged in the implement business at Reasnor, this County.

Alfred Lust grew up on the home farm and assisted with the general work about the place, attending the Sand Point district schools in the winter months. At the age of twenty-one he began renting land of his father, of whom he has been renting four hundred acres ever since and operating the same in a most successful manner. In connection with general farming he carries on stock raising. He feeds cattle every year, making a specialty of raising Herefords.

Politically, Mr. Lust is a Republican and fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the blue lodge of Masons. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Reasnor.

Mr. Lust was married on June 27, 1900, to Martha Earp, who was born in Elk Creek Township, this County, and here she grew up and was educated. She is the daughter of Walter Earp, an early settler in Jasper County.

To the subject and wife three children have been born, Edith, Mildred and Lester R. Page 715

~ Lust, Elmer ~

While yet young in years, Elmer Lust, one of the honored native sons of Jasper County, has shown what talents coupled with energy can accomplish when rightly directed, and when one is governed by proper ideals.

Mr. Lust was born on February 18, 1883, in Jasper County, Iowa, and he is the son of an excellent old family here, his parents, Riley and Amanda (Pender) Lust, having been well known in the early history of the locality. The father was born in Ohio and the mother in Indiana. The paternal grandparents were natives of Germany. Riley Lust is one of the most substantial and best known men in Jasper County as well as one of her largest land owners, although he is extremely modest regarding his achievements. Because of the sturdiness and genuine worth of his character he has the good will and esteem of all who know him and is a public-spirited citizen of which any community might well be proud. He is largely interested in a great number of investments and enterprises aside from his extensive farm holdings, among others being the implement business in the town of Reasnor, in which his son, Elmer, of this review, is a partner. He is also a stockholder and director in the Reasnor Savings Bank, and has at all times been willing to serve his Township in any capacity. At the present time he is leading a more or less retired life, having purchased a comfortable residence in Reasnor and moved thereto. He is a splendid example of hardy, honest German citizenship and is highly respected by all who know him.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Riley Lust, all of whom are living, namely: Fred E., born July 22, 1874; Alfred T., born March 30, 1876; John W., born June 20, 1878; Arthur J., born September 21, 1880; Elmer B., born February 18, 1883; Roy R., born July 4, 1885; Mamie J., born September 19, 1887, is the wife of Elmer Mercer, a farmer of this County; Katherine S., born March 5, 1890, is the wife of Carl Trout, a banker residing in West Grove, Iowa; Myrtle M., born August 19, 1893, is living at home; Carl M., born May 31, 1896, is also living at home.

Elmer Lust received a good education in the local schools and the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, making a good record; in 1903 he began life for himself on a farm, which he continued to run for two years, after which he engaged in the implement business with his father and W. E. Caldwell, the last named leaving the firm two years later, since which time the subject has had the general management of the store, which is one of the busiest places in Reasnor and a large and carefully selected stock of goods is carried at all seasons, handling up-to-date implements of all kinds, principally farming machinery, also wagons, buggies and vehicles of all kinds, and the trade they enjoy is an extensive and ever-increasing one.

On February 18, 1901, Mr. Lust was united in marriage with Bessie Jarnagin, the daughter of Henry and Elvira (McDuff) Jarnagin, both of whom were natives of Ohio; they have spent their lives on a farm and are still living, being highly respected in their neighborhood. They came to Iowa in an early day and are living at Monroe, Jasper County. Five children were born to them, all living, namely: Bert is on the home farm; June is the wife of H. V. Gating, a farmer near Galesburg; Clyde is a ball pitcher and travels; Vern, the youngest, is at home; Bessie, wife of the subject.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lust the following children have been born: Tracy, born June 11, 1903; and Max, born March 18, 1907.

Mrs. Lust is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Reasnor. Mr. Lust belongs to Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 277, at Monroe. He is director of the independent school district of Reasnor, and politically he is a stanch Republican. Owing to his uniform courtesy and his honest dealings with his fellow men, Mr. Lust has the confidence and good will of the entire community. Page 1001

~ Lust, John W. ~

One of the worthiest young farmers and enterprising citizens of Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, is John W. Lust, who, never lured away from the pleasant prairies of the Hawkeye state by the wanderlust spirit, has been content to spend his life here at home, and he has succeeded because he early grew familiar with the local conditions governing soils, crops and the various phases of the calling which he has been pleased to follow. It would seem that he has been thus wiser than so many of his contemporaries who have in their boyhood left the old home and gone out into other states to seek their fortunes where conditions and peoples are alike strange and where so many fortunes assume the marsh-light aspect, alluring to the sight, but hard to grasp in tangible form.

Mr. Lust was born in this Township on June 20, 1878, and here he grew up, received his education in the common schools, and worked on the home place during his boyhood days, in fact he has ever been identified with agricultural pursuits in this vicinity.

The subject is the son of Riley and Amanda (Fender) Lust, his father being a native of Ohio and his mother of Indiana. His father, whose parent were natives of Germany, is one of the best known men in all Jasper County besides being one of its largest land owners. He is a man who is extremely modest regarding his achievements and he has the respect of all who know him because of the sturdiness and true worth of his character. He is largely interested in a great number of investments and enterprises aside from his extensive farm holdings, among others being the implement business in the little city of Reasnor. He is also a stockholder and director of the Reasnor Savings Bank. He is a man who does not seek public praise, but has always stood ready to assist in any way the up building of his community and to serve his fellows in whatever capacity they called him. At present he is leading more or less retired life in his beautiful and modern residence in Reasnor.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Riley Lust, namely: Fred E., born July 22, 1874; Alfred T., born March 30, 1876; John W., of this review, being third in order of birth; Arthur J., born September 21, 1880; Elmer B., born February 18, 1883; Roy R., born July 4, 1885; Minnie J., born September 19, 1887, is the wife of Elmer Mercer, a farmer of Jasper County; Katherine S., born March 5, 1890, is the wife of Carl Trout, a banker living in West Grove, Iowa; Myrtle M., who is at home, single, was born August 19, 1893; Carl M., born May 31, 1896, is with his parents.

John W. Lust attended the Sand Point district school and the Newton Normal College three winters. In 1899 he began renting on the same place where he now lives, which belongs to his father. He is now successfully engaged in farming one hundred and twenty-five acres.

Politically, Mr. Lust is a Republican and he belongs to the blue lodge of Masons.

Mr. Lust was married on March 3, 1904, to Grace Romans, who was born in Fairview Township, Jasper County, Iowa, July 16, 1882, the daughter of James M. Romans, now a resident of Grinnell, Iowa. He was born in Fairview Township, Jasper County, Iowa, on July 1, 1855. He married Mary Eleanor McCuen, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, August 23, 1857.

William Green Romans, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Lust, came to Jasper County in 1843, locating as one of the earliest pioneers on the wild Iowa prairies. Mrs. Lust's folks lived on the old Highland farm, on which place the first white child was born in Jasper County, as the Highlands were the first settlers here, and Mrs. Lust grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools of this County.

Mr. Lust is a young man of engaging personality and is a man whom a large circle of acquaintances delight to call friend. Page 713