FARRIE GAST.

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         A well tilled farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres does credit to the agricultural skill of Farrie Gast, who is one of the capable farmers of Grand View township. A native of Louisa county his birth occurred in the vicinity of Grand View on the 17th of February, 1870, his parents being Harmon and Sarah (Stineman) Gast. The father came from Germany and the mother from the state of Ohio, but they were married in Iowa. Immediately thereafter they located on a farm where they resided until 1878, when they removed to Grand View, where Mr. Gast operated a mill for several years. He withdrew from this to engage in carpentry work and contracting, with which vocation he continues to be identified. The mother passed away on the 15th of April, 1906, but the father still survives at the age of sixty-six years, and continues to make his home in Grand View. Four children were born of their union: Margaret, who married H. E. Lang, of Louisa county; Rush F., who is married and living in Grand View; Ora E., who is keeping house for her father; and Farrie, our subject.

         At the age of fifteen years Farrie Gast left the parental roof to begin his career as a wage earner. His early education was acquired in the common schools, but after working for several years he pursued a business course. In 1896 he went into the mercantile business, following this vocation for three years. Disposing of his stock at the end of that time he invested his proceeds in sixty-three acres of land, upon which he has ever since resided. He has effected many improvements in his property during the period of his occupancy and has added to his tract from time to time until his entire holdings now aggregate one hundred and twenty-seven acres. The land is well improved and ninety acres is in a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Gast was the first agriculturist of his township to attempt to raise alfalfa and now has a fine field of fourteen acres planted to this product.

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         On the 6th of January, 1898, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gast and Miss Maggie Kallenbarger, who was born in this county on the 18th of February, 1866. She is a daughter of G. D. and Sophia (Winkleman) Kallenbarger, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Ohio, but they were married in Muscatine, Iowa. For several years thereafter Mr. Kallenbarger engaged in farming as a renter. Afterward he removed with his family three miles north of Wapello and bought a farm upon which he resided for several years. Mrs. Kallenbarger passed away in 1888, since which time Mr. Kallenbarger has lived with his children: Margaret, now Mrs. Gast; Elizabeth and Amanda, twins, both now deceased, Elizabeth having died at the age of twenty-seven and Amanda at eighteen years; G. Adam, who died when he was forty; Nettie, the wife of John Idelbaugh, of Grand View; Annie, the wife of Harry Buster, who died when she was thirty years of age; and Daniel F., who passed away in August, 1910, at the age of twenty-eight years.

         Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gast have been born six children: Ruth M., who was born on the 18th of November, 1898; one who died in infancy; May E., who was born on the 1st of February, 1901; Paul H., who was born on the 10th of April, 1903; Floyd H., born on the 31st of October, 1905; and D. F., whose birth occurred June 18, 1906.

         In religious belief the family are members of the Plymouths. Mr. Gast has steadily advanced during the twelve years he has been following farming and is now regarded as one of the successful and prosperous citizens of the township.