RAY A. PUFFER

Ray A. Puffer, living on section 27, Pioneer township, is one of the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of the locality, occupying a good place of one hundred and seventy-two acres within three and one-quarter miles of Mechanicsville. He was born in this township, December 30, 1874, as was his father, A. G. W. Puffer. The grandfather, Charles Puffer, was one of the first settlers of Cedar county, coming to the middle west from New Hampshire. From pioneer times, therefore, the Puffer family has been identified with the growth and progress of this section of the state. The youthful days of Ray Puffer were spent in the usual manner of farm lads and he gave his father the benefit of his services until the latter’s death. His education had been acquired in the district school that stood upon the old home farm and following his father’s death he took charge of and carried on the home farm for some years.

On the 3d of February, 1904, Mr. Puffer was married in Pioneer township to Miss Chloie Brock, who was born in Adair county, Iowa, and is a daughter of Baldwin Brock, who removed to Cedar county during the girlhood days of his daughter Chloie. He is now living retired in Mechanicsville. He was one of the early settlers of Iowa and bore his part in the substantial upbuilding of this part of the state. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Moffett, was born in Cedar county. They have become the parents of four children, Mrs. Puffer being the only daughter.

Following his marriage Mr. Puffer engaged in farming on the old home place for four years and then purchased one hundred and thirty-four acres of land constituting the farm upon which he now resides. He also owns forty acres of the old home farm adjoining and engages in raising both grain and stock. He makes a specialty of feeding and fattening hogs for the market, selling one hundred head or more each year. In this business he is successful, receiving a good price for his stock.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Puffer has been born a daughter, Mildred, a bright little maiden of three summers. The parents are widely known in this locality, the hospitality of the best homes being extended to them. Politically Mr. Puffer is a democrat but has never sought or desired office. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Mechanicsville but his interest centers in his farming and he is regarded as a careful and enterprising business man. He and his brother Everette own and operate adjoining farms and both are active and progressive in what they undertake, while their reliability in business transactions is never called into question.