Jeffries, Arthur W.

JEFFRIES, WITMER, CROSS, HEFNER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/31/2009 at 11:38:35

Jeffries, Arthur W.

One of the most enterprising of our younger generation of businessmen is Arthur W. Jeffries, the present efficient postmaster at Ira, Independence Township, and a member of one of the leading families of Jasper County, members of which have done much for the general up building of the same along all lines. He seems to have inherited many of the winning characteristics of his sterling ancestors, who are remembered as people who refused to be thwarted in their life course by untoward circumstances and who at the same time they were laboring for their individual advancement, never neglected their duties to their neighbors. They have always stood high in the communities where they have sought to establish their homes and engage in their chosen vocations, which have embraced many lines of endeavor; merchandising, general agriculture and stock raising, however, have been their chief attractions for a livelihood. They have been not only neighborly and hospitable, but also public spirited.

Mr. Jeffries was born in Independence Township, this County, on November 28, 1881. He is the son of Hiram A. and Barbara (Witmer) Jeffries, the father born in this Township on March 10, 1857, and the mother in Pennsylvania on July 27, 1860. From there she came to Jasper County, Iowa, in early life, and here met and married Mr. Jeffries, who had grown to manhood here, being the son of an early family of Jasper County. To Mr. and Mrs. Hiram A. Jeffries four children were born, three of whom are living, named as follows: Arthur W., of this sketch, is the eldest; Vera B., born March 1, 1884, at present instructor in domestic science in the public schools at Lake City, Iowa; Maude, born October 16, 1885, died March 14, 1912; Nellie, born February 9, 1894, is attending high school in Des Moines. These children were born and reared in Independence Township. Their parents, after spending many years in Jasper County, where the father was engaged for the most part in the mercantile business, have moved to Des Moines, and are residing at University Place, a very desirable residence section of the capital city.

Arthur W. Jeffries grew to manhood in his native Township and here he attended the common schools, and also Park College in Des Moines for a short time. With the exception of eight years, he has spent his life in Jasper County. For a great many years he was associated with his father in the general merchandise business at Ira, also the hardware and implement business, besides the poultry and butcher business, in all of which he made a success, enjoying a liberal patronage with the surrounding country. In 1911 he was elected postmaster at Ira, the duties of which he continues to discharge with a fidelity that meets the hearty approval of the people and the department.

Mr. Jeffries was married on December 10, 1902, to Daisy M. Cross, who was born in Independence Township, this County, where she grew to womanhood and received her education in the public schools. Her birth occurred on April 26, 1883. She is the daughter of Samuel W. and Melissa (Hefner) Cross, who are now residing in Baxter where they have a pleasant home. There were eight children in the Cross family, seven of whom are living at this writing.

To Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries one daughter and one son have been born, namely: Gladys Ethel, born February 7, 1904, and Dennis Delbert, born November 26, 1905. They are both attending the public schools at Ira.

Politically, Mr. Jeffries is a Republican and he takes much interest in local public affairs. He is a member of the Yeoman lodge at Ira. He has a cozy, well furnished home in Ira, and he is the owner of thirty acres of fertile, well-improved land in Independence Township. He and his wife are pleasant young people and are popular with the various circles of the community. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1099.