Piffer, Jacob F.

PIFFER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 23:26:44

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.428

JACOB F. PIFFER
Jacob F. Piffer, whose death occurred at his home near Indianola, August 30th, 1904, was numbered among the well known and prosperous farmers of Warren County, and was one of its early settlers. His birth occurred in Wurttemberg, Germany, October 26, 1843, and he is descended from a long line of German ancestors. His father died in Wurttemberg and Jacob and his brother John came to the new world with their mother in 1853, while their sister Anna came one year later. They spent three years in Baltimore, and in 1856 came west to Iowa, making a permanent location in Warren County, where they purchased land.
Jacob F. Piffer was yet a youth at the time of the emigration to the United States. He was reared to manhood on the home farm in this county and acquired his education in the common schools. The occupation to which he was reared he resolved to make his life work and engaged in farming on his own account. He first bought eighty acres of land and later seventy-six acres, to which he kept adding until he had three hundred acres, and with characteristic energy he began to till and develop this, converting wild prairie land into rich and productive fields. His labor was of the character that enabled him to work his way steadily upward, and his entire life was one of unwearied diligence, sound business judgment and unfaltering energy.
Mr. Piffer was married in Warren County, May 16, 1878, to Miss Gennet Pilmer, who was born and reared in this county and is a daughter of George and Jennet Pilmer, who were natives of Scotland. On coming to the new world they settled in Ohio, where they were afterward married. About 1850 Mr. Pilmer removed to the west, ,taking up his abode in Warren County. He became a prominent farmer, owning a valuable tract of land of three hundred acres, to which he added all modern accessories and conveniences. He also owned a farm in Guthrie County, Iowa, and was numbered among the leading and representative agriculturists of his community.
Mr. and Mrs. Piffer began housekeeping on a farm lying on either side of the boundary line between Polk and Warren counties, the residence standing in the former county. There they lived until 1881, after which they took up their abode on a farm at Scotch Ridge. Mr. Piffer fenced and tiled that place, tilling the fields and carrying on the work of general improvement, being there nineteen years in all. In 1899 he purchased the farm where on the family now lives, removing to this property in 1900. This place consists of eight hundred and eighty acres and is a most highly improved and valuable farm. He also owned another tract of land of six hundred acres, being one of the extensive landowners of this part of the state. He was also a large stock raiser and feeder and a well known financier. He placed his investments judiciously and realized a handsome return from them. He seemed to recognize almost intuitively the best way to work his farm and whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Piffer were born ten children, six sons and four daughters: George F., who is carrying on the home farm and is engaged in the live-stock business; John W., a student at Simpson College; Harry W. and Robert M., who are also students in that college; J. Fred and Frank A., at home ; Emma, the wife of the Rev. R. J. Picker, a minister of the Presbyterian church at West Allis, Wisconsin ; Charlotte, at home ; Florence, who is pur­suing her education at Monmouth, Illinois ; and Annie, who completes the family.
Mr. Piffer was devoted to his home and family and not only did everything in his power to promote the happiness and welfare of his wife and children, but also rendered the most filial love and devotion to his mother, who lived with him until his death and survived him for four years. In politics he was an earnest Republican but never cared for office, preferring to give his attention to his extensive farm and other business interests. He held membership with the United Presbyterian Church of Summerset while his widow is a member of the same denomination at Indianola and he was a liberal supporter of the church, its societies and benevolences. His life in many respects was most exemplary and worthy of all regard. His fellowmen might well repose confi­dence in him for no trust given him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree. He recognized fully his obligations to his fellowmen and while he made splendid success in his undertakings, he gained his prosperity by methods the honor of which none call into question. Since her husband's death Mrs. Piffer and her son George have had charge of and have carried on the farms and business interests constituting the estate. She is a lady of excellent business judgment and keen discernment, is a charming hostess, having the faculty of making her guests feel at home, and moreover, is an active and helpful worker in the church and its auxiliary societies.