Alfred Ward Giddings

GIDDINGS, POPE, HODGES, COATES

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/24/2011 at 16:13:02

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910.
Biographical Sketches

ALFRED W. GIDDINGS.

Alfred W. Giddings, well known as a representative of the farming interests of Iowa township, is living on section 14, where he carries on general agricultural pursuits and also engages in stock raising. A native of London, England, he was born June 2, 1862, a son of Harold and Ann (Pope) Giddings. The parents, whose births also occurred on the merrie isle, emigrated to the United States in 1864 and coming west to Iowa almost immediately after disembarking settled in Jackson county, where the father secured land and engaged in farming with considerable success. He died in 1892, but his widow is still living at the advanced age of eighty years. In their family were seven children: Harold, of Iowa township; John G., also a resident of this township; Helen, deceased; Alfred W., the subject of this review; Rosy, deceased; Jessie, the wife of G. A. Hodges, of Jackson county; and William W., who has passed away.

Alfred W. Giddings was about two years of age when his parents established their home in Jackson county and was reared upon the farm in Iowa township. He became a pupil in the district school of his locality when of suitable age, that he might gain an acquaintance with the fundamental branches of English education, and while he pursued his lessons he assisted his father in the work in the fields. In this manner he was well equipped for the practical duties of life when, at the age of twenty-seven years, he decided to engage in agricultural pursuits on his own account. For three years he rented a farm in Ida county, Iowa, and then returned to Jackson county and bought the homestead. It consists of one hundred and seventy-nine acres on section 14, Iowa township, and he also has one hundred and eighty-two acres in Oklahoma. To the further cultivation of his farm Mr. Giddings has devoted himself with unwearying industry. He has also engaged extensively in raising and feeding stock, his enterprise and progressive methods being rewarded with generous returns so that he deserves a place among the representative stockmen of his locality.

It was in 1888 that Mr. Giddings was united in marriage to Miss Mina Hodges, who was born in Carroll county, Illinois, April 21, 1870, and is a daughter of Sidney and Sarah (Coates) Hodges. They were natives of New York state and Illinois, respectively, and the last years of their lives were spent in Jackson county, Iowa. Both are now deceased. Mrs. Giddings was one of a family of three children and through her marriage has become the mother of five, as follows: Elmer S., who was born November 7, 1888; Erma May, April 20, 1800; Mabel, November 28, 1892; Malfred W., May 29, 1900; and Harold W., November 10, 1902.

Mr. Giddings exercises his right of franchise in behalf of the interests of the republican party but does not aspire to office and fraternally enjoys pleasant relations with lodge No. 29, I. O. O. F., and camp No. 122, M. W. A., at Sabula, while his wife belongs to the Yeomen lodge, No. 2051, also located at Sabula. Public-spirited and progressive, he takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community, and in his business life he has conducted his affairs so energetically and honorably that he has gained success and also the respect of his fellowmen.