Horace J. Coon is engaged in farming and dairying on a well-improved tract of eighty acres, located on section 1, Delaware township. He is a native son of the township, his birth having here occurred February 14, 1869. His parents were John S. and Martha (Kinzie) Coon, the former born in the state of New York and the latter in Pennsylvania. They were pioneers of the state of Iowa, having left their home in the east in 1855 to locate in Delaware county, this state. They first established their home on a farm in Richland township but in 1863 made a permanent location in Delaware township, where they continued their activities until the time of their deaths. They had done much toward the development of this section of the state and were highly esteemed among their neighbors and friends. Their family numbered six children as follows: Addie A., the wife of Fred Hency; Emma A., the wife of A. R. Aucutt, of Manchester, Iowa; Sarah E., the wife of F. A. Odell, also of Manchester; George A., of Buchanan county; Horace J., of this review; and Jennie A., the wife of T. W. Kinzie, a resident of Belvidere, Illinois. The mother of this family departed this life in 1903, while the father, surviving for ten years, passed away in 1913.

     Horace J. Coon was reared to the pursuits of farm life, assisting his father from an early age to the time he reached manhood. When not employed in the duties of the farm he pursued his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. Upon making choice of a life work he decided upon the occupation to which he had been reared and is today the owner of eighty acres, located on section 1, Delaware township. Here he carries on general farming and also gives considerable attention to the dairy business, in which he is meeting with success. His farm is improved with good buildings, including a substantial residence and outbuildings for the care of his stock and machinery and everything about the place is kept in good condition, indicating the thrift and energy of the owner.
     On the 14th of March, 1897, Mr. Coon was wedded to Miss Amanda Smock, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 12, 1878, a daughter of John W. and Mary C. (Wescott) Smock, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. Mrs. Coon, who was one of a family of eight children, was but a year old at the time the family removed from the east to Clay ton county, Iowa, the year of their arrival being 1879. The father there engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed to the time of his death in 1895. The mother is still living and now makes her home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. By her marriage Mrs. Coon has become the mother of two sons and two daughters: Edward J., who was born on the 3d of June, 1898; Alice J., whose birth occurred January 18, 1900; Paul W., born August 22, 1902; and Martha M., born November 23, 1906.
    In his political views Mr. Coon is a republican but has never aspired to public office, although he has served as school director. He belongs to Greeley Lodge, No. 418, I. O. O. P., in which he has filled all the chairs, while his wife belongs to the Advent Christian church. Mr. Coon has spent his entire life in Delaware county and while contributing in substantial measure to general growth and advancement, he has won for himself a high place in the esteem and confidence of many friends.