WILBER N. FAUROT

Wilber N. Faurot, proprietor of the Pleasant View Stock Farm, located on section 11, Pioneer township, is one of the most progressive and successful agriculturists of Cedar county. His place, which consists of nearly four hundred acres of well improved and valuable land, is pleasantly located within two miles of Mechanicsville and is one of the best improved farms of the locality. For thirty-six years he has been a resident of this county, having arrived here on the 25th of March, 1874, and since attaining man’s estatehas been prominently identified with the upbuilding and development of his region. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Susquehanna county, August 26, 1858.

Samuel J. Faurot, the father of our subject, was a native of New Jersey and of French descent, being a son of James Faurot, who came to this country from France at an early day and was one of the pioneers of New Jersey. From that state he removed with his family to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where Samuel J. Faurot grew to manhood and was married to Miss Phebe Miller, a native of that county. There they continued to make their home upon a farm until after the birth of six of their children, and in 1867 removed to Illinois, locating in Carroll county, where the father purchased a farm and engaged in its operation for six years. At the end of that time he sold out and came to Cedar county, Iowa, where he bought the farm now owned and occupied by our subject. His first purchases consisted of two hundred and twenty-five acres, but as time passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his property until he and his sons owned four hundred and sixty acres. Upon that place he continued to make his home until called to his final rest August 7, 1901. His wife died July 20, 1910. George, who lives in South Dakota, is the oldest of their three children now living, the others being: Wilber N., of this review; and Nettie, the wife of John Kalb, of Denison, Iowa.

Wilber N. Faurot was about sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state and previous to that time had acquired a good common-school education in Pennsylvania and in Illinois. He never left the parental roof, but after reaching manhood was engaged in farming with his father for a number of years. He was married in Pioneer township, on the 19th of February, 1890, to Miss Rachel Longerbeam, who was born and reared in this county. Her father, William Longerbeam, was born in West Virginia about 1827 and in early life came to Iowa, being married in Johnson county. It was about 1880 that he settled in Pioneer township, Cedar county, where he followed farming until his death, July 17, 1895. His wife died on the 10th of June, 1901. In their family were six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom Mrs. Faurot is the fourth in order of birth. There have been five sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Faurot, namely: Howard B., Foster W., Lloyd, Arthur G. and Harland, who as they become old enough assist their father in the operation of the farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Faurot began their domestic life upon the old homestead where they now reside and he has since made many improvements upon the place, including the erection of good and substantial buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He raises cattle and hogs for the market and usually ships from two to four carloads of stock per year. He also deals in horses to a considerable extent and is regarded as one of the best judges of stock in his locality. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the republican party but has never cared for official honors. His father, however, was very prominent in public affairs and was called upon to fill various positions of honor and trust, serving as assessor for some years and as township trustee. He was also a delegate to the county convention of the republican party, with which he was affiliated, and was one of the leading and representative citizens of his community. Religiously he was identified with the Methodist Episcopal church at Mechanicsville and took an active part in its work. Our subject and his wife also hold membership in that church and he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Mechanicsville, in which lodge he has filled all of the chairs, being past grand at the present time. Both Mr. and Mrs. Faurot belong to the Rebekah lodge at that place, and the family is one of prominence in the community where they have so long made their home. In business affairs Mr. Faurot is prompt and notably reliable and well merits the high esteem in which he is held.