U. S. and Rufus Farrington are well known farmers of Fremont township living on section 4, where they own and cultivate one hundred and sixty acres of land. The farm is neat and well improved and the entire appearance of the place indicates the careful supervision and practical methods of the owners.
Rufus Farrington was born September 23, 1870, while U. S. Farrington was born September 19, 1873. Their father, Philip Farrington, was a native of Chautauqua county, New York, his birth having there occurred October 12, 1831. He grew to manhood in that locality and in 1855 came to the middle west, thinking better opportunities were here offered. For two years he rented land, which he cultivated, and then removed to Benton county, where he engaged in merchandising, continuing there for about a year. Later he came to Cedar county, Iowa, and first entered a forty-acre tract of land on which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. His labors, however, soon wrought a transformation in the appearance of the place for it was not long before the sod was broken and crops were planted. From time to time he purchased adjoining land until he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres but later he sold forty acres of that tract. After living for a time in the west he returned to New York and was married in Cattaraugus county to Miss Betsy West, who was born and reared there. He then brought his bride to the farm which he had prepared and upon which he afterward reared his family. He also made the place his home until called to his final rest in1904. He had for several years survived his wife, who died in December, 1899.
Rufus and U. S. Farrington have had charge of and carried on the farm for seventeen years. There are also three sisters in the family: Rosalia, who acts as housekeeper for her brother U. S.; Eliza, the wife of George Martin of South Dakota; and Lucinda, the wife of Ralph Simmons living in Battle Creek, Nebraska.
The brothers Rufus and U. S. Farrington purchased the home farm from their father about 1893. In the meantime U. S. Farrington spent two years in the Philippines. He was for one year connected with the United States army and stationed at San Francisco in the coast artillery. Subsequently he spent two years with the Fourth United States Infantry and participated in the Philippine war. He was thus on active duty with the regular army for three years and was then honorably discharged, at the end of which time he returned home and he and his brother began farming together. In connection with the cultivation of the fields they raise and feed stock and have about ninety head of high grade, pure blooded shorthorn cattle. They fatten a carload or more of cattle and two carloads of hogs each year.
Rufus Farrington was married in Black Hawk county, Iowa, to Miss Ella Maricle, who was born, reared and educated in Waterloo, Iowa, the wedding being celebrated September 23, 1903. In their political views the brothers are republicans and U. S. Farrington served as assessor for two years and also as a member of the school board for four years. His sister is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Walnut Grove. The Farrington brothers are both well known and are numbered with the leading farmers and stock-breeders of the county, gaining more than local reputation as dealers in shorthorn cattle. They display excellent business ability in the management of their affairs and are not only progressive in business but also in matters of citizenship.
