FRED MOORE CHANDLER
Among
the foremost stock-raisers of Lucas county is Fred Moore
Chandler, who, in partnership with his brother Howard, owns a
valuable farm of two hundred and ninety-three acres on
sections 30 and 31 in White Breast township, which is largely
devoted to live-stock interests. Mr. Chandler comes of a family of
stock-raisers, his father being one of the most successful
breeders of Percheron horses, formerly of Illinois but now of
Iowa. Fred M.
Chandler of this review first took up sheep raising with
considerable success, being at one time one of the largest
importers of Shropshires in Iowa, but now gives most of his
attention to raising Percheron horses. He has a most
successful business, in the conduct of which he has shown
executive ability, good judgment and a thorough understanding
of the scientific phases of breeding.
Mr.
Chandler was born at Ohio, Bureau county, Illinois, March 2,
1882, and in the acquirement of his education attended the
common schools at that place, later taking a course at the
State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, in order to acquaint
himself with the most modern and successful methods pertaining
to farming and stock breeding.
Members of the family have for a long time been
connected with that business and have been successful therein,
while others have attained high reputation as physicians. His father, H. A.
Chandler, is one of the foremost breeders of Percheron horses,
having become interested along that line in Ohio, whence he
later moved to Illinois and then to Iowa, where he now has one
of the most extensive farms of choice land, comprising five
hundred acres, at Kellerton.
Here can be found one of the finest herds of Percheron
horses in the state. The
family removed to Kellerton about twenty years ago.
H. A. Chandler was born at Lamoille, Illinois, in 1854, while his wife is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born on October 31, 1858. In her maidenhood she was Mary Ellen Moore. She was brought by her parents to Illinois when but a child. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler became the parents of six children, all of whom were born in Illinois except the youngest, whose place of birth is Kellerton. The children attended the common schools and the four sons took courses at the State Agricultural College at Ames. The eldest in the family is Fred M. Chandler of this review. Lettie, the next in order of birth, is a Methodist missionary in China. Being engaging in that work she attended the deaconess school in St. Lois and did deaconess work in that city, Pittsburg and New York. Howard is a partner of our subject in the live-stock business. Clayton is at present on a trip to Europe in order to select stock for the home farm at Kellerton. Frank resides with his parents at that city. Zilpha, the youngest in the family, received an excellent musical education, having taken a course in that art at Drake University. Clayton, aforementioned, attended for some time the Northwestern University at Evanston.
Fred
Moore Chandler, in 1893, made removal with the family to
Kellerton. He
remained at home for some time and upon reaching maturity
engaged as a rural free delivery carrier for a number of
years. In 1907
he and his brother Howard purchased two hundred and
ninety-three acres of fertile land in White Breast township. They at first
became interested in sheep, being probably the heaviest
importers of Shropshires in Iowa, importing in one year (1907)
as many as eleven hundred and twenty-seven head. However, now they
give their attention mostly to the breeding of Percheron
horses and their stallion, Jalap, No. 84,210, who is at the
head of the herd, is one of the very best in the state. This horse was
imported from France when a colt, and Lucas county—in fact
Iowa—can boast of no better.
The horse is sent for breeding purposes to all parts of
the United States. At
present he weighs twenty-one hundred and eighty pounds and has
captured first prizes wherever shown. In addition to
Jalap they have thirteen additional stallions in the home
barns. The
Chandlers have a national reputation for horses and also
sheep, although the sheep industry is now directed from
Kellerton.
Fred
M. Chandler was united in marriage at Weldon, Iowa, on
November 5, 1908, to Miss Ida Mitchell, who was born in Knox
county, Illinois, later coming with her parents to Iowa. Her father, A. W.
Mitchell, is the present mayor of Derby. To him and his wife
eight children were born.
Mr. and Mrs. Chandler have one son, Fred Mitchell
Chandler, born January 18, 1912.
Mr. Chandler is one of the most public-spirited and progressive citizens of his locality. Well educated and broad and liberal-minded, he is one of the boosters of the best kind and interests himself in every movement or measure undertaken to promote the general welfare and prosperity. In politics he is a republican, faithfully fulfilling his citizen’s duties, but beyond that he has not been active in political life, his important private interests calling for most of his time and attention. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias of Chariton. He is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him as a capable, shrewd and modern business man, a thoroughly scientific farmer and breeder and a man whose every transaction reflects the honesty and integrity of his character.