On the 20th of July, 1904, Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Olga E. Serbein, of Maxwell, and one child, John William, born January 11, 1909, has blessed this union. Mr. Baldwin is a valued member of Fervent Lodge, No. 513, A. F. & A. M., of Collins ; Social Lodge, No. 436, I. O. O. F., and Jewell Encampment, No. 143, both of Maxwell. Politically, he is identified with the republican party and is a firm believer in its ability to conduct the affairs of the nation through any troubles that may arise. He takes the interest of a patriotic citizen in public affairs and is now serving his second term as member of the town council. He is thoroughly practical and systematic in anything he undertakes and has fairly earned the success which is the result of patient and wisely applied labor.
W. J. HARTUNG.
W. J. Hartung, proprietor of the Oak Park Farm., is too well known among farmers and stockmen not only of Story county but of this section of the state for it to be necessary to make any explanation as to why his name should appear in the annals of Indian Creek township. He is of German descent, as his name would imply, his parents emigrating to the United States when they were quite young and settling in Polk county, Iowa, where they were later married. William, and Mary (Koppf) Hartung were living on a farm in Polk county when their son, W. J. Hartung, was born on the 4th of June, 1874. The father came to this country in company with his brother August, with whom he farmed in partnership as a renter for a time, but being a thrifty man and possessing unusual executive ability he was soon able to purchase the farm which he had been renting and continued to add to his holdings until he possessed three hundred and forty acres. In 1892 he retired and moved to Colfax, being known as one of the wealthy farmers of that vicinity, but in 1899 he and Mrs. Hartung located in Des Moines, where they have ever since resided. They attend the Methodist Protestant church, to which the mother belongs.
W. J. Hartung remained a member of his father's household until he was eighteen years of age and up to that time his life had been spent very similarly to that of other young people. He obtained his education in the common schools and when not occupied with his text-books assisted his father upon the farm, so that when he had attained manhood he was quite a competent young farmer and stockman. In 1892 he decided that he was old enough to assume the heavier responsibilities of life and began farming for himself, renting for this purpose a portion of his father's land. He continued to follow this course for eight years and then in 1901 he came to Story county and bought his present home farm of ninety-two acres located on section 15, Indian Creek township, where he has ever since resided.