Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 591
FRED BARKOFF

The twentieth century farmer knows little of the disadvantages which surrounded the pioneer farmer of this state. No longer is the farmer compelled to arise early in the morning and continue his labors far into the evening. The farmer of today can do as much work in a half day as his father fifty years ago could do in a whole day. The free mail delivery leaves the daily paper on his doorstep each morning; his telephone puts him in communication with his neighbors, while the interurban cars and automobile enable him to participate in all the features of city life. The present generation of farmers have no forests to clear and few swamps to drain, while hundreds of inventions have been designed to lighten the labors of the farmer and minimize the toil. The flail of our fathers has given way to the threshing machine, and even the old-fashioned corn cutter is laid on the shelf, as corn is now cut by machinery. The old-fashioned husking peg has given way to the modern corn shredder, and surrounded by such conditions the farmer of today can have all the advantages of the citizens of the city with few of his disadvantages. The pioneer farmers are fast passing away, and within the next few years they will be gone. Fred BARKOFF, one of the enterprising farmers of Jefferson township, Harrison county, Iowa, belongs to the present generation, and not only is a progressive farmer, but is a highly-respected citizen in the community where he lives.

Fred BARKOFF was born March 4, 1875, in Jefferson township, Harrison county, Iowa, a son of Henry and Christina BARKOFF, the former of whom was born about 1849 in Germany. He left there when about twenty-two years of age, coming to the United States, settling in Harrison county, Iowa, where he bought forty acres of land. He farmed several years in Jefferson township, and died in Logan, Iowa, in 1908. His wife was born in 1854 in Germany. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living.

Fred BARKOFF was reared on his father's farm, and attended the district schools of Jefferson township. He worked as a farm hand for his father and for others until 1902, when he purchased sixty acres of land, to which he has since added forty acres. Mr. BARKOFF has made splendid improvements upon this farm, built a new house and barn, a complete water system, and has also planted a thriving grove of trees. He is a breeder of good live stock, specializing in Duroc-Jersey hogs, and raises only thoroughbreds. He also keeps a high grade of Shorthorn cattle, and has made exhibits of cereals, especially oats, at the Logan short course, on which he won second prize.

In 1902 Mr. BARKOFF was married to Maggie ARMSTRONG, who was born in 1878 in Jefferson township, Harrison county, Iowa, a daughter of John and Sedelia (WILLIAMS) ARMSTRONG, natives of Illinois, and early settlers in Harrison county.

To Fred and Maggie (ARMSTRONG) BARKOFF five children have been born, Irene, Syrie, Harold, Vera and Russell, all of whom are living at home with their parents.

Mr. BARKOFF is identified with the Prohibition party, and throughout his career has been active in the councils of that party. He and his family are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. BARKOFF has been honored by the citizens of his community with the office of secretary of the school board, which position he is now filling with credit to himself and of the community where he resides.

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