ELMER FAIRES

One of Ohio’s native sons, Elmer Faires has, however, for more than four decades, or almost his entire life, been a resident of Cedar county, Iowa, where he has been closely and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits. Born in Morgan county on the 18th of February, 1865, he is the third in a family of ten children born until Joel and Ursula (Murphy) Faires, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He was a little lad of three years when, in 1868, the family left Ohio and took up their abode in Cedar county, Iowa, locating in Iowa township. Here upon the home farm he was reared to manhood and, when not busy with his text-books, for he attended the country schools in the acquirement of an education, he assisted in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the farm bred lad. As he grew in years and strength, he entered more and more largely into the work of the farm, gradually and continuously expanding his powers in that direction until, with the passing of the years, his knowledge of that field of industry became thorough and comprehensive, forming an excellent foundation upon which to base his future independent career.

Mr. Faires remained with his father until 1898, when he established home relations of his own by his marriage to Miss Hattie A. Markle, a native of Springdale township, Cedar county, where her birth occurred June 25, 1876. She is a daughter of Mathias and Harriet (McCormick) Markle, natives of Canada and Ireland respectively. The mother passed away in 1908, but the father still survives and makes his home about two miles west of Springdale.

After his marriage, Mr. Faires took up his abode upon his present farm, consisting of eighty acres on section 33, Iowa township, and here for over ten years has carried on agricultural pursuits. The land is well cultivated and improved, and in addition to the home farm he owns thirteen and a half acres of timber land lying partly along the river. In connection with the tilling of the soil he also engages to some extent in stock-raising and has so carefully managed his interests that his undertaking has been most successful, well directed effort, thrift and industry proving the salient qualities of his career. A man just entering the prime of life, actuated by a spirit of progress and determination, the degree of prosperity to which he has already attained augurs well for continued success which the future doubtless has in store for him.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Faires were born two children, both of whom, however, passed away in infancy. During the many years of his residence in Iowa township, Mr. Faires has become widely known among the residents of that locality, all of whom entertain for him the highest regard and respect. Stalwart in his advocacy of republican principles, he has ever been a public-spirited citizen, active in the public life of the community and, having spent almost his entire life here, his interests are closely identified with those of Iowa township and Cedar county.