Lust, Elmer

LUST, PENDER, MERCER, TROUT, JARNAGIN, MCDUFF

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/19/2009 at 17:20:28

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. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1001