Logsdon, Smith Charles

LOGSDON, REES SISSEL, KIENZLE, SMITH, SEGO-TROSSEL, SEGO, TROSSEL, LINDER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/14/2009 at 16:09:23

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. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1252