Cedar County, with a total of 2228 farms in an area of 370 square miles, is distinctly a farm county. More than 96 per cent, of the entire area of the county is in its farms, and more than 89 per cent is under cultivation. The farms are, as a rule, of more than average size, about 2 per cent, being under ten acres. They are almost, without exception, profitable and correspondingly valuable. The farmers as a class are the most prosperous folks in the county. In view of the number of farms that is in itself a statement of the wealth of this section.
The farm population of Cedar County is almost exclusively native-born white.
It is interesting to note the number of farms in the county operated by their owners. Of this class there are 1360, or 61 per cent. Six hundred and thirty-two, or 46 per cent, of them, are reported free of mortgage debt. This is an exceptionally large percentage. Of the balance, the remarkably low mortgage indebtedness of only 29 per cent, of the entire valuation is carried. Even in the absence of other statistical figures, these mortgage statements alone would indicate exceptional prosperity among Cedar County farmers.
The largest single crop, and the one produced most generally throughout the entire county, is corn, of which 4,825,993 bushels were produced in 1910, a notably bad crop year, but the latest for which authoritative figures are available. Following closely on this for quantity is oats, with a total of 1, 084,262 bushels; potatoes come next with 135,725 bushels. The combined total value of these three crops was in excess of two million dollars.
Everywhere is an atmosphere of hard work. Everyone takes work seriously and as a matter of course. There is no false pride about it, and no failure to realize its importance and its necessity. Rich farmers’ wives, and sons and daughters, take pride in their fine butter, their eggs, their vegetables, their chickens and their stock. The relations between the people of the farms and the people of the county seat are most cordial. The farmers deposit their savings in the local banks, and deal in the local stores.
This directory is published in the belief that it will serve to acquaint the residents of one end of the county with those of the other. We believe it to be accurate. We realize, however, that even in the most carefully compiled and printed books certain errors are bound to appear, and we apologize in advance for any such that may be found by our subscribers.
