Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 888
LESTER D. GRAYBILL

It is a well-attested maxim that the greatness of a community or state lies not in the machinery of government or even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish efforts and his devotion to the public welfare. In these particulars, he, whose name apears at the head of this review, has conferred honor and dignity upon his locality and, as an elemental part of its history, it is important that there should be recorded a resume of his career. With the object in view of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive sections of the commonwealth as well as his splended personal attainments.

Lester D. GRAYBILL, farmer and stockman, of Washington township, Harrison County, Iowa, was born on December 20, 1892, in Washington township, on the farm where he now lives. He is the son of Andrew and Mary (MILLER) GRAYBILL, the former born on December 29, 1842, in Adams county, Illinois. Andrew GRAYBILL was the son of Simeon and Amanda (HILL) GRAYBILL, the former born in 1816, in Ohio. He came to Iowa in 1848 and farmed in Pottawattamie county all his life. He died on June 27, 1889. His wife was born in 1819 in Ohio, and died in 1848. Simeon GRAYBILL was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. Frances (GRAHAM) DOWNS. Three children: Rachel, deceased; William; and Andrew, the father of Lester D., were born to the first union. Aaron, a fourth child, died during the Civil War. There were six children born to the second marriage, three of whom are deceased.

Andrew GRAYBILL made his home with his grandparents on his father's side of the family. They were Michael and Polly (STOCKER) GRAYBILL, natives of Pennsylvania. Andrew GRAYBILL freighted over the plains in the early days from Bellevue, Iowa, to Denver, Colorado, using oxen for his trips. In the spring of 1866, he came to Harrison county, Iowa, where he bought 75 acres of land. This farm was heavily covered with timber and Mr. GRAYBILL began fencing it with the old-fashioned rail fence, stakes, and riders, some things that are not seen at this day and age in harrison County, Iowa. He cut timber, erected a frame house, which still stands, used for implements, etc., a very rare sight in those days. Andrew GRAYBILL made extensive improvements on all of his farm property and now owns 580 acres of land in Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties. Forty acres of this land is covered with natural timber. At one time, he was a heavy cattle feeder and made a specialty of Polled Durham and Shorthorn breeds. He has since retired from farm life. Andrew GRAYBILL was married in 1878 to Mary Miller, who was born in 1857, in Decatur county, Iowa, and who is the daughter of Abraham and Sophronia (CHAMPLAIN) MILLER, both natives of Pennsylvania and now deceased.

Lester D. GRAYBILL attended the schools of Washington township and the Yorkshire village schools. He was reared on the farm where he lies and has always worked for his father. He is now engaged in extensive farming and the operation of the home place.

Lester D. GRAYBILL is unmarried and is not a member of any lodge. He is, however, a devoted member of the Church of Latter Day Saints and is an ardent Democrat. He deserves to rank as one of the rising young farmes of Harrison county. His friends and neighbors are convinced that sooner or later he will make a distinguished mark in his chosen profession.

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