H. W. Logsdon
H. W. Logsdon, who for the past eleven years has devoted his time and energies to the cultivation and improvement of his two hundred acre farm located on sections 13 and 14, Union township, was born July 24, 1865, near Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, a son of Rev. B. F. and C. J. (Logsdon) Logsdon, both natives of Kentucky, the father's birth taking place near Munfordville.
The mother was of German parentage. Rev. Logsdon came to Iowa when about twenty years of age and located near Newton, where he resided at intervals until a few years ago. He followed the calling of ministry for three and a half years in Crawford county during the '80s and was attached to the Wesleyan Methodist church in Marshall. His father was born in Ireland and there engaged in farming until he emigrated to the United States. He settled in Kentucky, where his death occurred when his son, B. F., was seven years old. Unto B. F. Logsdon and his wife nine children were born, of whom the following survive: H. W., of this review; F. G., who is a farmer living near Ira, Iowa; Charles, who resides in Rhodes, Iowa; Lulu, who is the wife of W. F. Sissel and lives in Durant, Iowa; Maud, who married Iddo Kinsel and resides near Tama, Iowa.
The public schools of Jasper county afforded H. W. Logsdon his early education and he remained at home until attaining his majority, when he resolved to start out in life upon his own responsibility. He rented land in Denison township, Crawford county, where he farmed for one year, and then removed to Paradise township, buying a small farm, which he improved and cultivated for twelve years. In 1900 he came to Union township, where he purchased land on sections 13 and 14, to which he has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred acres of highly cultivated farming property, most of the improvements being the result of his personal labors. Here he pursues general farming and his holdings are considered to be among the most valuable in his section of the county.
In 1887 Mr. Logsdon was united in marriage to Miss Deborah Smith, a daughter of T. R. B. and Jane (Graham) Smith, both of whom were born in Canada of Irish parents. They came to the United States about thirty-five years ago and located in Denison township, whence they removed to Union township. Six children were born to them, of whom the following survive: Sarah Jane, who lives in Denison; Deborah; R. B., who is a farmer in Union township; and John, who resides in Oakland, California. The father departed this life June 24, 1890, the demise of the mother occurring in 1910.
Mr. and Mrs. Logsdon are the parents of seven children, namely: Gertrude, who, after being graduated from the Dow City high school, pursued a course of musical studies at Simpson College and later taught school for four terms in Crawford county, became the wife of Frank J. Glassbumer and resides in Union township. Birl W., Fred H., Bertha J., Herman Leslie, Clarence Russell and Stanley Smith are living under the parental roof. Birl is a graduate of the Dow City high school, and it is the intention of the parents to give the other children the same educational advantages as soon as their years will permit.
Politically Mr. Logsdon has always given his support to the republican party and has taken an active interest in the local affairs of the township. He filled the office of justice of the peace with efficiency and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents and served two terms as school director. In religion both he and has wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are well and favorably known throughout the community. He is deeply interested in everything that pertains to the material, intellectual and moral development of the locality in which he lives and is a man of many friends, an honored and respected resident of Union township.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.