In 1899 at Hampton, Iowa, Mr. Luke was united in marriage to Miss Lol H. Hoxie, a daughter of W. H. Hoxie and a native of Hampton. One child has been born of this union, Gilbert M. The family attend the Congregational church and Mr. Luke is fraternally identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Ever since attaining his majority he has taken a keen interest in all political issues and has acquired more than a local reputation as a campaign orator, having stumped the district quite thoroughly in 1896. He always votes the republican ticket and his party fealty has been rewarded by his constituency electing him to the office of county attorney while a resident of Franklin county and in addition he served two terms as city attorney in Hampton, while since removing to Ames his ability has been recognized by his election to the position of city attorney. He belongs to that body of young politicians who are striving to bring up the political standard of the country and makes no promises or assurances to his supporters which he does not honestly intend to maintain.
FRANCIS E. Gunder.
The spirit of enterprise which has always been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the middle west finds expression in the life of Francis E. Gunder, a progressive and representative farmer of Franklin township, living on section 35. He was born in Colfax township, Boone county, Iowa, December 31, 1869, a son of Casper and Elizabeth (Savits) Gunder. The father was born in Germany on the 1st of January, 1812, and was but four years of age when brought to America by his parents, who settled in Pennsylvania. He was reared to farm life in that state and was married in Cumberland county, after which he removed westward to Illinois, where he spent two or three years. In 1865 he arrived in Boone county, Iowa, and later took up his abode upon the farm on section 35, Franklin township, Story county, which is now the home of his son Francis. It was upon this place that his remaining days were passed, covering a period of a quarter of a century, and his death occurred September 6, 1890. He owned here sixty-five acres of land, to which the son Francis has since added. The father was a shoemaker and followed that trade before he came to the west but always gave his attention in Iowa to farming. His widow still survives him. She was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1828, and now resides with her son Francis, who is the youngest of a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, of whom six sons and two daughters are now living, although they are widely scattered.
When a lad of eleven years Francis E. Gunder accompanied his parents on their removal to Ames, and in 1883 the family took up their abode on section 35, Franklin township, where he has since lived. Adding to his