father's original purchase of sixty-five acres, he is today the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and ninety acres pleasantly located a half mile north of Ames and known as the Oak Grove Farm. He conducts a dairy business, milking about thirty cows and selling the milk to the wholesale trade. He has been engaged in dairying for about five years and finds this a profitable source of income. At the same time he carefully develops his fields and gathers therefrom abundant harvests. His home is a modern nine-room brick building, which was erected in 19o7, in attractive style of architecture and equipped with all modern comforts and conveniences. There are also good outbuildings upon the place, which he erected, and a house which is occupied by a tenant.
Mr. Gunder has been married twice. In 1891 he wedded Dora Nowning, a native of Story county, and a daughter of James and Abbie Nowning. Mrs. Gunder died in April, 1903, leaving two children, Virgil and Byron. In June, 1904, Mr. Gunder wedded Katherine Cooney, a native of Dallas county, Iowa, although reared in Illinois. Her parents were William and Mary Cooney. Two children have been born of the second marriage, Dwight F. and Lolita E. The family are most pleasantly located in one of the beautiful country homes of Story county. Mr. Gunder has his own electric light plant which lights both the house and barns. He also has a water system, supplying the house and barns, and a gasoline power engine for grinding feed, as well as generating electricity and pumping water. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church at Ames and their many sterling qualities have gained them an extensive circle of friends. In matters of citizenship Mr. Gunder is progressive and gives his hearty cooperation to many movements for the general good. In business affairs he is thoroughly reliable and has followed progressive methods which may well serve as an example for others who are connected with the agricultural interests of the county.
THOMAS W. RAWSON.
A bright example of success in a responsible vocation is shown in the career of Thomas W. Rawson, cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank of Slater. Starting upon his business career with a laudable ambition and imbued with high ideals, he attained a position of trust, which he fills to the entire satisfaction of the directors and stockholders of the bank. He was born in Dallas county, Iowa, September 15, 1878, a son of Edmund A. and Catherine (Huston) Rawson, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father came to Iowa in his early manhood and served as principal of the schools of Panora, Dallas county, Iowa, later engaging in farming in the same county. His first wife having died he went to Oneida, Illinois, where he was married to Catherine Huston. Re-