Barney D. Ely

ELY, TAFT

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 1/2/2010 at 11:28:22

J. W. Ellis, History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910

BARNEY D. ELY.

Barney D. Ely, who for seven years has been secretary of the Jackson County Fair Association, in which connection he has done much to stimulate local pride along the lines of advancement and progress in connection with livestock interests, is well known as a representative breeder of standard bred horses. He makes his home in Maquoketa and from this point manages his business affairs. He was born in Clinton county, Iowa, May 2, 1859, and is a son of Samuel and Catherine Ely, both of whom are now deceased. He remained at home until he had attained his majority but for the past thirty
years has lived in Jackson county. He was reared to the occupation of farming and has always been identified with agricultural interests. He now makes a specialty of raising and breeding standard bred horses and has been the owner of some of the finest stock produced in this state. He bred and raised one horse, Guymore, which had a record of 2:12 1-4. He was sold to the sheriff of Carroll county, Missouri, for a large sum. Mr. Ely now has ten head of fine horses for sale, all highly bred, one having a record of 17 1-4, another of 17 1-2 and a third of 22 1-4, while still others are harness-broke and show good speed. Mr. Ely is regarded as authority upon questions concerning the breeding and raising of horses, and this branch of his business has proven an important and profitable one. He owns forty acres of land in Maquoketa, together with two business blocks and also two houses and lots.
In 1883 occurred the marriage of Mr. Ely and Miss Ida May Taft, a native of Jackson county. They have become the parents of eight children: Grace A., a graduate of the high school, who is now teaching in Maquoketa; Clarence L., who is a graduate of the law department of the state university; Lura, deceased ; Claude H., who has completed the high-school course in Maquoketa; Madeline, DeLoss, Kathleen and Gordon, all yet at home. Mrs. Ely and her children are members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Ely gives his political allegiance to the democracy but has never sought to hold office. He belongs to Lodge No. 1186, F. O. E. and is interested in many progressive measures, cooperating at all times in those movements and projects which are instituted for the good of the community.