It is a noteworthy fact that many a young man who has emigrated to America
without
capital has from a position of comparative obscurity worked his way
up to prominence and success. This is true
in
Delaware county, as elsewhere
in the United
States, and of this class Fred Vifian is a worthy representative. He claims
Switzerland as the country of his birth and his natal day was
March 17, 1866.
His parents were Christian and Elizabeth (Rodecker) Vifian,
who were
lifelong residents of the land of the Alps, the mother passing away in 1891,
while the father, surviving only a few brief years, departed this life
in 1894. They had eleven children, but
only five of the number are still living: Charles, a resident of
Washington state; Gottlieb; Fred, of this review;
Louis, who makes his home in
California; and Alfred.
Fred Vifian was
reared and educated in his native land and in 1892, at
the age of twenty-six years, being
convinced that he could enjoy better opportunities in the new world, set
sail for the United States. Arriving here he
continued his journey westward and first
located in Jones county, Iowa, where he spent five years. In 1897 he came
to Delaware county, believing this a desirable place to invest the money which
he had acquired since coming to the state. Accordingly he became the possessor
of one hundred and fifty acres of choice
land, located a mile and a half from Ryan in Adams township. He has since bent
his energies to the cultivation of his fields and also engages
to some extent in stock raising. He has won
success and it is well deserved, for
it has come as the reward of his own
persistent labor.
Mr. Vifian has found a valuable helpmate in his wife, whom he wedded in October,
1898, and who in her maidenhood, bore the name of Miss Lillian
Reuz. Her
parents, Morris and Mary (Gear) Reuz, were natives of Switzerland. To Mr. and
Mrs. Vifian have been born eight children, five daughters and three sons, Flora,
Lewis, Charles, Fred, Lucy, Marguerite, Bertha and Rose, all still under the
parental roof. The family are members of the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Vifian is
deeply interested in each and every movement instituted for the betterment of
his home locality and is ever ready to assist in any way possible toward
bringing about improved conditions. He may truly be called a self-made man, for
he started in a strange land in a humble position but as time has passed has
learned well the lessons of life, which he has put to practical account and the
future undoubtedly holds for him still greater success than
he has already achieved.
