Three years more of thrift, hard work and good judgment in the management of his affairs enabled him to buy a farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres in Story county, three miles east of Collins; here he resided for nine years, and then, in the spring of 1909, he sold his place and bought his present home farm of one hundred and ten acres in Indian Creek township. For the past twelve years Mr. Holtby has made a specialty of breeding and raising registered Shire horses. He has been most successful in this, being known throughout this section of the state not only for the excellent breeds he carries but for his ability in judging the good points of a horse. He began exhibiting his stock at the local fairs in 1896 and since then has taken many first premiums.
On the 16th of February, 1892, Mr. Holtby was united in marriage to Miss Ada M. Thursby, a native of Morgan county, Illinois, and a daughter of Charles and Ann (Smith) Thursby, both natives of England. They came to the United States in 1855, first locating in Stark county, Illinois, but later removing to Morgan county. Three children have been born of this union: Orlando O., now attending the Capital City Commercial College in Des Moines ; Hazel and Ana.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the parents are members. Mr. Holtby's fraternal relations are confined to membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. After he had become a naturalized citizen of the United States he decided that the policy of the republican party best conformed to his ideas and has therefore always cast his vote for the candidates of that party. That he has ever proved a capable and loyal citizen is confirmed by the fact that for several years he has been elected to various township offices. He is known throughout the community where he makes his home as one of the thoroughly reliable and capable men of the county and is highly regarded by all.
WILLIAM BURNEY.
Of the many agencies that have contributed to the remarkable growth of Iowa, none have been more important than the country press. Its editors are in many instances men of liberal education and good business capacity, and no class of men has been more faithful in the discharge of responsibilities or more loyal to the people it represents. William Burney, editor and proprietor of the Collins Gazette, clearly belongs to the highly capable newspaper men of Iowa. He was born in the north of Ireland, July 14, 1850, near the city of Portadown, a son of James and Ann (Odgers) Burney, also natives of County Armagh. The father was reared on a farm but after reaching maturity learned the boilermaker's trade and in later years was employed in shipbuilding on the west coast of Scotland, to