GEORGE W. SEFRIT
Since
1900 George W. Sefrit has been engaged in the cultivation of a
valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres of choice land
on sections 27 and 34, Otter Creek township. However, quite
recently he has disposed of this property to good advantage,
acquiring title to eight hundred acres in Ringgold county. On his Lucas county
farm he gave especial attention to hog raising, and he is
renowned throughout the state for having had one of the finest
herds of Poland China hogs on his farm. Following
progressive and scientific methods, he attained a success
which places him in a class by himself and his prosperity is
the more creditable as it has been brought about entirely
through his own efforts.
Born in Warren county, Illinois on March 6, 1868, he is
a son of Isaac M. and Annie (McDonald) Sefrit, natives of
Davis county, Indiana, where the father was born November 6,
1840, and the mother on October 30, 1841. Isaac M. Sefrit
passed away at Chariton, Iowa, but his wife is surviving and
makes her home at Carson, this state. In their family
were seven children: Mary,
who died in Illinois; Mrs. Dora W. Lynn, of Clarke county,
Iowa; George W., of this review; Mrs. Amy G. Forney, of
Carson, Iowa; Mrs. Ollie M. Cooley, of Chariton, Iowa; Hattie,
who passed away at the age of two years; and Mrs. Ruby Tate,
also of Chariton. The
three eldest children were born in Illinois and the younger
ones in Clarke county, Iowa, where they all were reared. In 1869, when our
subject was but one year of age, the parents removed from
Illinois to Clarke county, Iowa, and there the father followed
farming and stock-raising, being successful in his efforts.
George W. Sefrit was reared upon the home farm in Clarke county, attending the schools of the neighborhood in the acquirement of his education. He early began to assist his father with the work of the farm and became well versed in thorough methods of agriculture. He followed this occupation in Clarke county until 1900, when he purchased the farm in Otter Creek township, which he has cultivated until recently. This property comprises two hundred and eighty acres of choice land on sections 27 and 34 and thereon can be found all modern improvements. In 1907 he began to specialize in raising pure-blooded Poland China hogs and had the reputation of having one of the finest droves in the state. At a public sale which took place in February, 1912, in Chariton, Iowa, he disposed of fifty animals which brought him on an average of seventy-five dollars per head. His drove averaged about two hundred a year and he shipped to all parts of the United States. He made rapid strides in this venture, to which he devoted his whole time and attention, and prosperity has attended his efforts. Four well known heads of his drove were: Longfellow Jr., No. 13513; Big Bone Again, No. 61351; Smooth Wonder III, No. 61352; and Miller’s Choice, No. 64979. All of his stock was selected of the Big Bone type. His former farm is especially equipped with sheds and buildings to facilitate breeding and he seized every opportunity to make a success of his specialty.
On
March 23, 1892, George W. Sefrit was united in marriage to
Miss Mary E. Hendricks, a native of Kansas, who was born
December 20, 1871, her parents being George and Sarah
(Harrison) Hendricks. The
father was born in Indiana and died in Kansas, the mother also
being a native of the former state, passing away in 1874. Both died while
Mrs. Sefrit was quite young.
Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks were the parents of five
children, all of whom are living: James, residing near Topeka, Kansas;
Frank, who also makes his home near that city; Mrs. Sarah
Manning, of Woodhull, Illinois; Mrs. Jennie Roe, residing near
Garden Grove, Iowa; and Mrs. Sefrit, the youngest of the
family. Mr. and
Mrs. Sefrit became the parents of ten children, of whom one,
Alma, died at the age of three years. The others are: Amy, born February
8, 1894; Harley M., born April 5, 1896; Bessie, born June 6,
1898; Frank, born January 25, 1900; Louis H., born January 10,
1902; Anna, born November 8, 1903; Audrey, born April 2, 1905;
Vera L., born February 3, 1907; and George W., Jr., born
October 23, 1908. The
five eldest of the children were born in Clarke county, Iowa,
but the younger ones are natives of Lucas county. All attended the
common schools of the vicinity, Amy, the eldest daughter,
taking a course at the high school at Chariton.
Mr. Sefrit is a republican in his political affiliations, taking a deep interest in all matters affecting his locality and county, although he has never sought public office. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons, belonging to Good Shepherd Lodge, No. 414, A. F. & A. M., of Lucas, and also a charter member of Jay Lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Sefrit sold his farm in Lucas county and purchased a larger holding of eight hundred acres in Ringgold county, Iowa, receiving thirty-three thousand dollars for the farm, a fact which speaks highly of his efficient management and his effective methods. Actuated by a laudable ambition, he has been carried forward to success by his progressiveness, diligence, energy and ability and his prosperity is well earned and well merited, and will undoubtedly continue in an increased measure in his new venture.