Among the foremost stock-raisers of Lucas county is Fred Moore CHANDLER, who, in partnership with his brother Howard, owns a valuable farm of two hundred and ninety-three acres on sections 30 and 31 in White Breast township, which is largely devoted to live-stock interests. Mr. CHANDLER comes of a family of stock-raisers, his father being one of the most successful breeders of Percheron horses, formerly of Illinois but now of Iowa. Fred M. CHANDLER of this review first took up sheep raising with considerable success, being at one time one of the largest importers of Shropshires in Iowa, but now gives most of his attention to raising Percheron horses. He has a most successful business, in the conduct of which he has shown pxecutive ability, good judgment and a thorough understanding of the scientific phases of breeding.

Mr. CHANDLER was born at Ohio, Bureau county, Illinois, March 2, 1882, and in the acquirement of his education attended the common schools at that place, later taking a course at the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, in order to acquaint himself with the most modern and successful methods pertaining to farming and stock breeding. Members of the family have for a long time been connected with that business and have been successful therein, while others have attained high reputation as physicians. His father, H. A. CHANDLER, is one of the foremost breeders of Percheron horses, having become interested along that line in Ohio, whence he later moved to Illinois and then to Iowa, where he now has one of the most extensive farms of choice land, comprising five hundred acres, at Kellerton. Here can be found one of the finest herds of Percheron horses in the state. The family removed to Kellerton about twenty years ago.

H. A. CHANDLER was born at Lamoille, Illinois, in 1854, while his wife is a. native of Pennsylvania, having been born on October 31, 1858. In her maidenhood she was Mary Ellen MOORE. She was brought by her parents to Illinois when but a child. Mr. and Mrs. CHANDLER became the parents of six children, all of whom were born in Illinois except the youngest, whose place of birth is Kellerton. The children attended the common schools and the four sons took courses at the State Agricultural College at Ames. The eldest in the family is Fred M. CHANDLER of this review. Lettie, the next in order of birth, is a Methodist missionary in China. Before engaging in that work she attended the deaconess school in St. Louis and did deaconess work in that city, Pittsburg and New York. Howard is a partner of our subject in the live-stock business. Clayton is at present on a trip to Europe in order to select stock for the home farm at Kellerton. Frank resides with his parents at that city. Zilpha, the youngest in the family, received an excellent musical education, having taken a course in that art at Drake University. Clayton, aforementioned, attended for some time the Northwestern University at Evanston.

Fred Moore CHANDLER, in 1893, made removal with the family to Kellerton. He remained at home for some time and upon reaching maturity engaged as a rural free delivery carrier for a number of years. In 1907 he and his brother Howard purchased two hundred and ninety-three acres of fertile land in White Breast township. They at first became interested in sheep, being probably the heaviest importers of Shropshires in Iowa, importing in one year (1907) as many as eleven hundred and twenty-seven head. However, now they give their attention mostly to the breeding of Percheron horses and their stallion, Jalap, No. 84,210, who is at the head of the herd, is one of the very best in the state. This horse was imported from France when a colt, and Lucas county — in fact Iowa — can boast of no better. The horse is sent for breeding purposes to all parts of the United States. At present he weighs twenty-one hundred and eighty pounds and has captured first prizes wherever shown. In addition to Jalap they have thirteen additional stallions in the home barns. The CHANDLERS have a national reputation for horses and also sheep, although the sheep industry is now directed from Kellerton.

Fred M. CHANDLER was united in marriage at Weldon, Iowa, on November 5, 1908, to Miss Ida MITCHELL, who was born in Knox county, Illinois, later coming with her parents to Iowa. Her father, A. W. MITCHELL, is the present mayor of Derby. To him and his wife eight children were born.

Mr. and Mrs. CHANDLER have one son, Fred Mitchell CHANDLER, born January 18, 1912.

Mr. CHANDLER is one of the most public-spirited and progressive citizens of his locality. Well educated and broad and liberal-minded, he is one of the boosters of the best kind and interests himself in every movement or measure undertaken to promote the general welfare and prosperity. In politics he is a republican, faithfully fulfilling his citizen's duties, but beyond that he has not been active in political life, his important private interests calling for most of his time and attention. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias of Chariton. He is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him as a capable, shrewd and modern business man, a thoroughly scientific farmer and breeder and a man whose every transaction reflects the honesty and integrity of his character.

SOURCE: Past and Present of Lucas and Wayne Counties Vol. II., 3rd Series Pp. 340-41. S.J. Clarke Publ. Co. Chicago. 1912.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2009