A. F. PINE.

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         Iowa draws its wealth from the soil. The boundless prairies of this state offer excellent opportunities to the agriculturist, and the farmer who resolutely tills his fields and carefully cultivates his crops may in the course of time attain enviable success. Realizing these facts and exercising industry, economy and perseverance, Mr. Pine has won a place among the substantial citizens of his community, being now the owner of a well improved tract of land comprising two hundred and thirty-seven acres on section 7, Columbus City township. His birth occurred in Virginia on the 13th of November, 1861, his parents being Floyd and Virginia (Kelley) Pine, who spent their entire lives in the Old Dominion. Unto them were born six children, five of whom yet survive.

         A. F. Pine was left an orphan when a little lad of six and was therefore thrown upon his own resources at a very early age. His education was acquired in the common schools. In 1879, when a youth of eighteen, he came to Louisa county, Iowa, and began working as a farm hand, being thus employed for four years. In 1883 he purchased forty acres of land in Union township, residing on that tract for ten years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought another farm of one hundred and twelve acres in the same township, making his home thereon for seven years. At the end of that time . . .

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. . . he sold the place and purchased another tract of one hundred and ninety acres in Union township, operating the farm for seven years before he disposed of it. Subsequently he owned and resided on a tract of two hundred and ten acres in Oakland township for one year and then purchased a farm of two hundred and thirty-seven acres on section 7, Columbus City township, which he has since brought under a high state of cultivation. In connection with the tilling of the soil he also devotes considerable attention to the raising of hogs and both branches of his business have been attended with success.

         In 1886 Mr. Pine was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Skipton, a native of Louisa county and a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Devore) Skipton, who were born in Ohio and Virginia respectively and came to Iowa at an early day. Mr. Skipton is survived by his widow, who still makes her home in Louisa county. Our subject and his wife have twelve children, as follows: Ethel G., the wife of Alfred Schibilion, of this county; Ernest A., who is at home; Gertrude M., the wife of Harry E. Spaethe, of Eldon, Iowa; Floyd J.; Walter L.; Herbert H.; Virginia J.; William T.; Dollie Dimple; Helen E.; Ralph H.; and Halley R.

         Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Pine has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He has served as a school director and is at present a street commissioner at Columbus City. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Columbus Junction. He is one of the active and progressive farmers of Columbus City township, a man of good business capacity and enterprise and of unquestioned business integrity, enjoying in an unusual degree the confidence and good will of the community.