B. H. HAMBRIGHT

B. H. Hambright is perhaps one of the best known stockmen not only of Cedar county but throughout various sections of the state, for he breeds and raises stock on a very extensive scale, having since 1907 managed the interests of the Woody Crest Stock Farm, in which he is associated with John Willer. Mr. Hambright is a native of Scotland, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, born on the 21st of September, 1877, the fifth in a family of nine children, of whom seven survive, his parents being T. A. and Sarah (Etter) Hambright, who were likewise natives of Scotland, Pennsylvania. The father for many years operated a threshing machine but in his later years supervised the interests of the agricultural department of the Soldiers Orphans School, a state institution at Scotland. He died August 8, 1909, when sixty-two years of age, but his widow is still living.

B. H. Hambright remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of nine years and at that tender age hired out by the month as a farm hand, being thus engaged for twelve years. In the meantime, however, he sought the broader opportunities of the middle west and in 1895 journeyed to Cedar county, where three years were spent at farm labor in the employ of others. In 1898 he began farming in partnership with Frank Wingert, this connection continuing for two years, during which time Mr. Hambright engaged in general farming and raised stock. At the end of that time he rented a farm and for seven years continued business alone but on the expiration of that period, about 1907, John Willer made him a proposition to remove to the Woody Crest Stock Farm, which he owned, Mr. Hambright to manage the same and share equally with Mr. Willer in the profits derived from their stock-raising interests. Mr. Hambright accepted this offer and at once took up his abode on the place, which has since been his home. He raises and breeds stock on a very extensive scale and has won a wide reputation in this particular field. He makes a specialty of Aberdeen Angus cattle, feeding about four carloads each year, while he raises about forty-five head annually. He also keeps Shire horses and breeds from eight to twelve head each year. He has an imported stallion, Joliet Wolf, valued at two thousand dollars, which took first premium in his class and was reserve champion at the International Stock Show held in Chicago in 1907 and has also taken the first premium at three state fairs. Mr. Hambright also breeds about three hundred head of Duroc Jersey hogs each year and has become known as the most extensive breeder of horses, cattle and hogs in Cedar county, the Woody Crest Stock Farm, comprising four hundred and seventeen acres, located three miles south of Tipton, being known as the home of as fine grade of animals as can be found in the country. He has made a close study of the stock business in all its details and this constitutes the basis of his success.

In 1898, at Clinton, Iowa, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hambright and Miss Bessie E. Waddell, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1878, a daughter of James and Eveline Waddell of the Keystone state. Mrs. Waddell died there in February, 1910, but the father is still living in Pennsylvania. By her marriage Mrs. Hambright has become the mother of two sons: Paul Albert, born July 14, 1899; and Harold Theodore, born December 11, 1900.

Mr. Hambright is largely a self-educated as well as self-made man, for, starting out at the early age of nine years he has through the inherent force of his nature and the utilization of opportunities passed from the unknown to prominence, advancing from the humble position of a farm hand to a position of distinction in the stock-raising circles of the great state of Iowa.