Chester Lowell “Chet” Gifford (1884-1962)

GIFFORD, SNYDER, GRAHAM, WILLIAMS, GEDDES, DUNLAP

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/25/2019 at 08:22:50

From Nevada Journal November 5, 1962 (page 1)

Funeral Services Here on Tuesday For C. L. "Chet" Gifford, Prominent Farmer

Funeral services for C.L. "Chet" Gifford, 78, former elevator operator and a prominent Nevada farmer, will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Nevada Tuesday at 2 p.m.

The Rev. Frank Hladky will officiate and burial will be in the Nevada Cemetery with graveside services by Nevada Lodge No. 99 A.F. & A.M.

Gifford, who had been a patient at the Story County Hospital for the past two weeks, died Saturday morning at 9:55.

A native of Polk County, he was the son of George and Susan Snyder Gifford. He was married to Edna Graham June 4, 1908 and he and Mrs. Gifford lived in Story County for 50 years.

In 1916 he began working for the Clark Brown Grain Company at Fernald, where he served as general manager for 24 years, moving to Nevada in 1931.

In 1940, when the company was dissolved, Gifford purchased the elevators at Nevada, Mingo and Valeria and organized the Chet Gifford Grain Company with headquarters in Nevada.

In 1950 he sold the grain company and devoted full time to his farming interests.

Gifford was chairman of the board which purchased the Story County 4-H Fairground site. He was a member of the board that raised the funds for building the Story County Hospital, a member of Nevada Lodge 99 A.F. & A.M., Order of Eastern Star, past president of the Nevada Community Club, and a member of the Central Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Edna Gifford; one daughter, Mrs. Richard Williams of Bondurant; two brothers, Howard of Creswell, Oregon and Alvey of Colfax; two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Geddes of Rhodes and Mrs. Susan Dunlap of Maxwell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters.

A memorial fund has been established. Ryan Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.