GEORGE S. FINDLAY

George S. Findlay, a progressive, energetic and enterprising farmer and stockman residing on section 35, Fremont township, is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of well improved and valuable land. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Cedar county, his birth having here occurred on the 16th of March, 1868. His father, James Findlay, who was a native of Scotland, emigrated to the United States in early manhood, settling in Connecticut. He was a weaver by trade and followed that occupation in the Charter Oak state, where he wedded Miss Martha Hamilton, who was likewise born and reared in Scotland. About 1860 he came west to Cedar county, Iowa, and here purchased land, opening up a farm. He became well known and highly esteemed as a prosperous and representative agriculturist and as his financial resources increased added to his holdings by additional purchase until he owned two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. He passed away here about 1891, having for some years survived his wife. They were the parents of two daughters and four sons, as follows: Mrs. Agnes Griffin, a widow residing in Hayward, Iowa; Millie, the wife of James Speer, a farmer of Red Oak township; James and John both living in Shelby county, Iowa; George S. of this review; and William, living in Stanwood.

George S. Findlay was reared on the home farm and after his father’s death operated the place in association with his brother William for two years. The two young men purchased the interests of the other heirs and subsequently our subject sold the property to his brother and bought the farm of one hundred sixty acres in Fremont township where he now resides. He has placed many substantial improvements on the property and has added to and remodeled the residence, which is an up-to-date and modern structure, heated by a furnace and lighted by gas. In addition to his home place he owns a near-by farm of eighty acres in Red Oak township. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devotes considerable attention to the raising and feeding of high grade stock, including thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. He fattens from four to five carloads of cattle and hogs annually and in recent years has bought and fed one or two carloads of sheep each winter. He has met with success in all of his undertakings and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and respected citizens of his native county.

On the 8th of April, 1891, in Center township, Cedar county, Mr. Findlay was united in marriage to Miss Ruth E. Rickard, who was born and reared in this county. Her father, William Rickard, was one of the honored pioneer settlers here and participated in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Findlay now have five sons and three daughters, namely: Marion, James, Clarence, Leland, Howard, Genevieve, Agnes and Helen.

Mr. Findlay is a republican in politics and has served as assessor for one term. He is an active worker in the local ranks of the party and was sent as a delegate to the county convention. Fraternally he is a Master Mason and belongs to the blue lodge at Mechanicsville. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have spent their entire lives in Cedar county and are widely and favorably known within its borders, having ever displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard.