D.C. Maytag

p. 869

It is the pride of the citizens of this country that there is no limit to which natural ability, industry and honesty may not aspire. A boy born in ignorance and poverty and reared under the most adverse surroundings may nevertheless break from his fetters and rise to the highest station in the land. And the qualities do not have to be of transcendent character to enable him to accomplish this result. It is more the way he does it and his skill in grasping the opportunities presented, than to any remarkable qualities possessed by him. Accordingly, it is found that very often in this country, the President, Governor and other high public officials possess no greater ability than thous-

p. 870

ands of other citizens. They have simply taken better advantage of their circumstances than their fellows. And this truth runs through every occupation. The farmer who rises above his fellow farmers does so because he has found out how to rise above the surroundings which hold others down. Such a farmer is D.C. Maytag, of Jefferson township, Marshall county, where he has spent his life, having been born on the farm he now owns on March 10, 1872, the son of D.W. Maytag and wife, one of the honored pioneer families, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

The subject was educated in the public schools of his vicinity and when he was old enough he assisted with the work of the homestead during crop seasons, and he has always engaged in agricultural pursuits. He now owns two hundred and forty acres. He rotates his crops, looks after fertilyzing, both natural and artificial, and, in fact, keeps his place up to the standard, always well improved and well tilled. He has a good home and a number of convenient outbuildings. In connection with general farming he carries on stock raising, being a breeder of Polled-Hereford cattle.

Mr. Maytag was married to Amelia Bertha Riemenschneider, in March, 1896. The family is well known in Marshall county. Three children have been born to the subject and wife, Emmit C., Edith L., and Kermit L.

Politically, Mr. Maytag is a Republican and has long taken an active interest in local affairs, having served very ably as trustee of this township at one time, and he is now a member of the county board of supervisors and is looking very carefully after the interests of the county in this respect. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and is a member of the Evangelical church.