an imported stallion called Courageous, also another named Gotch, and has five thoroughbred mares. His horses are all eligible to registry in both French draft and Percheron classes. Mr. Rosenfeld was a breeder of Hereford cattle for a number of years but does not give any attention to that business at the present time. He also breeds Berkshire hogs and his stock-raising interests are to him a profitable source of income.
In 1891 occurred the marriage of Mr. Rosenfeld and Miss Ella M. Morris, who was born in Morrison, Illinois, May 22, 1866, and is a daughter of Willard and Addie Morris. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rosenfeld have been born two daughters, Mabel and Blanch, who are now high-school students in Ames.
The family are prominent socially in the county and have an extensive circle of warm friends. Mr. Rosenfeld has made for himself a creditable position in business circles, being regarded today as one of the leading representatives of stock-breeding interests in Story county. He has thoroughly informed himself regarding everything that promotes the success of stock-breeders, especially in raising Percheron draft horses and Berkshire hogs. He works untiringly, is strictly honorable in all of his dealings, and success has come to him as the merited reward of his labor.
JAMES H. KIRK.
James H. Kirk, a well known farmer of Union township, was born in Lebanon, Kentucky, on the 3d of August, 1832, and is the son of Travis and Melinda (Purdy) Kirk, also natives of the Blue Grass state, whence they removed to McDonough county, Illinois, in 1841, making their home there until they passed away. There our subject grew to manhood, receiving a practical education in the common schools. In 1853, he came to Iowa, and located in Polk county, where he worked as a farm hand for three years. The following year was spent in Mills county, and at the end of that time he returned to McDonough county, where he remained until he entered the service of his country, enlisting in 1862, in Company D, One Hundred Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He was discharged the following November, and the next April returned to Iowa, spending one more year in Polk county.
In the spring of 1864, we again find Mr. Kirk in Iowa, and this time he took up his abode in Story county, following farming for himself as a renter for some years. In 1896 he purchased eighty acres of land in Union township, on which he lived until September, 1871, when he sold the place and removed to Kansas. He made his home in that state for three and one half years, but has since been a resident of this county, and now owns and operates a good farm of eighty acres in Union township.