JACOB STOUT

Jacob Stout, a prominent and progressive agriculturist and representative citizen of Cedar County, was born on the farm which is now his home on the 10th of June, 1855, a son of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Stout, natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. The father came to Cedar county in 1840 and was here married in 1844. He was an agriculturist by occupation and that he was successful in his chosen life work was indicated by the fact that at the time of his death he was one of the extensive property holders in his section, possessing five hundred and seventy acres of rich farming land all in one body and also one hundred and ninety-four acres of timber land. One hundred and sixty acres of this property, located on section 36, Cass township, he had entered from the government and upon this tract he made his home. He passed away at the age of seventy-nine years, six months and twelve days, while his wife was seventy-nine years and two days old when she passed away in November, 1885. In their family were seven children, as follows: William, who was drowned in the Cedar river when sixteen years of age; Mary Ann, the wife of William Tevis, of Buchanan; James H., of Cass township; George W., who resides in Tipton; Sarah E., who wedded Fred Buch, of Tipton; Jacob, of this review; and Charles, who has also passed away, leaving a widow and two children.

Upon the home farm Jacob Stout was reared, and there his entire life has been spent. He attended the district schools near his home in the acquirement of an education, and, when not busy with his text-books, assisted in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the various tasks that fall to the lot of the farmer boy. Upon attaining his majority he began business life independently as a farmer and has never sought to enter other fields, but has confined his efforts and attention to that line of activity in which he has met with a creditable degree of success. His farm on one hundred and seventy-five acres, lying on sections 36 and 35, Cass township, has, under his wise management, been brought to a high state of cultivation, for his labors have ever been thorough and systematic and his methods practical and up-to-date. He has planted the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, has practiced rotation of crops, and the success which has attended his efforts is but the logical result of a life characterized by energy, industry and perseverance.

It was on the 18th of December, 1888, that Mr. Stout was united in marriage to Miss Della Jane Wagaman, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, on the 22d of April, 1868. Her parents, Josiah and Sarah (Marker) Wagaman, were reared and married in Ohio and came to Iowa in 1870, where the father has since passed away. The mother still survives and makes her home in Cass township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stout have been born eight children, all of whom are still under the parental roof. They are as follows: Fred, Sadie, Frank, Ralph, Essie, LeRoy, Glenn and Jessie.

The political support of Mr. Stout has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he is a strong advocate of all measures which tend to upbuild and promote the welfare of the community. He is now serving as president of the township school board and the cause of education finds in him an especially warm friend. His has been a life of continuous activity, characterized at all times by honorable methods and high ideals, while his life-long residence in this locality has made his list of friends a long one, all of whom entertain for him high regard and esteem.