Among noted descendants of this worthy couple in America may be named ex-Governor Robert Furnas, of Nebraska; Sarah Furnas Wells, M. D., author of "Four Years Travel Around the World," and Rev. Newton Furnas, a distinguished clergyman of Ohio. Benjamin Furnas, the father of our subject, was a lineal descendant of John and Mary (Wilkinson) Furnas. He was for many years identified with agricultural interests in Ohio and subsequently came to this state, where he continued until his death.
Elwood Furnas was reared in the parental home and gained his preliminary education in the country schools of Ohio. He was sufficiently advanced in his studies to become a teacher, but after teaching a part of a term for a brother teacher, he abandoned the ferrule for a more congenial occupation in the fields. He came with his father to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1857, and after renting land of the. latter for some years, he purchased a tract of land in Richland township, Story county,, upon which he established his home in 1870. He applied himself with unusual energy and ability, accumulating more land until he became the owner of a. beautiful farm of eight hundred acres and also one of the leading cattlemen in this part of the state. He made a close study of agriculture and was widely regarded as an authority on that subject, being one of the prime movers in various organizations that have assisted in a marked degree in the advancement of the permanent interests of all branches of farming.
On the 10th of February, 1859, Mr. Furnas was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth Sunderland, who was born on a farm in Montgomery county, Ohio, February 20, 1842, a daughter of Richard and Eleanor Sunderland. She is a descendant of Captain Richard Sunderland of Revolutionary fame. Her father was a prominent farmer of Montgomery county, and he and his wife have passed to their reward. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Furnas, but they made a home for six children and partially reared them.
Mr. Furnas was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends. He was identified with the Masonic order, and politically adhered to the republican party from the time of reaching his majority. He was never a seeker for public office but he filled various positions in the township, always discharging his duties with a fidelity that met the unanimous approval of the taxpayers. He was an earnest advocate of temperance and was widely known throughout the country on account of his prominence in advancing the farming interests. He was president of the National Farmers Alliance, the Story County Farmers Institute and the Farmers Progression Reading Circle; vice president of the Farmers Fire and Lightning Association of Story county; secretary of the State Farmers Mutual Protective Association and of the local alliance; and was one of the honorary members of the Commercial Travelers Fair, which was held in Madison Square Garden, New York city, December 16, 1896. A man of winning manner, generous in disposition, he made a host of friends, and in the course of a life of unusual activ-