West Branch Times, West Branch, Iowa, Thursday, January 24, 1929
Transcribed by Sharon Elijah, January 2, 2019

EARL ELIJAH, MASTER FARMER

     Earl Elijah of Clarence was named among the fifteen 1928 Master Farmers of Iowa chosen by Wallace’s Farmer and announced from Des Moines last Friday. Of the Cedar county man the magazine says:

     “Earl Elijah: Operates the biggest farm of any of the 1928 Master Farmers—800 acres of which he owns 320 and rents 480. Began farming in 1913, is an outstanding cattle feeder and is carrying out a soil building program that includes applications of lime and superphosphate. A graduate of Cornell college and Iowa State college, he has served as president of the school board, county farm bureau, farmer’s lumber company and shipping association.

Cedar County Farmer Receives High Honors.

     Earl Elijah, a farmer living near Clarence in Dayton township, was awarded the Master Farmers degree at Des Moines on Jan. 18th. Fourteen other farmers in the state were also awarded this degree at the Wallace’s Farmer Master Farmers banquet held at the Fort Des Moines Hotel on Jan. 18th. The score card used in selecting Master Farmers is based on “Good Farming, Clear Thinking and Right Living.”

     Mr. Elijah scored high in all of the requirements and it is not a surprise to those who know Earl to learn that he has been selected as one of the fifteen Master Farmers of Iowa this year. Mr. Elijah has demonstrated Service to his community in many ways. He has been superintendent of Sunday School six years, President of the Cedar County Farm Bureau three years, President of the Consolidated School District six years, President of Clarence Shipping Association one year, President of Clarence Farmers Co-operative Company three years, is a bank director and director of Cedar County Fair Association.

     He owns one of the best 320 acres farms in Cedar county and rents 480 acres more, making a total of 800 acres being operated by him.

     Cedar county people are justly proud of Mr. Elijah’s accomplishment and the honor which has come to the county through him.