farm, paying but fifteen hundred dollars for the tract. He has since placed many substantial improvements on the property, including a modern and attractive residence and other necessary buildings. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his holdings until they now embrace three hundred and twenty acres of very valuable and productive land. His farm is well drained, for he recently laid fifteen thousand tile. Following progressive and practical methods in the conduct of his agricultural interests, he has won a gratifying measure of success and is widely recognized as a prosperous and leading resident of the community.
Mr. Barker has traveled a great deal, having made extended trips almost yearly and visiting nearly every state in the Union as well as Mexico, Canada, Cuba and British Columbia. In the winter of 191011 he visited the isthmus of Panama. Being a keen observer, he has greatly benefited by his sojourns in different parts of America and possesses that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring. He is an expert with the camera and has many interesting views of the countries through which he has traveled. While away from home he has been a regular contributor to the local papers and his articles have attracted wide and favorable attention.
On the 31st of August, 1878, Mr. Barker was united in marriage to Miss Emily Eastman, of Union township, Story county, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Jane (Ball) Eastman. Her father was killed at New Orleans during the Civil war. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children, six of whom are yet living, as follows : Ada May, the wife of Frank Ray, of Indian Creek township, this county; Angie Ordell; Arthur Clinton; Leslie; Jesse; and Alta V. G.
Mr. Barker is a republican in politics but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. During a long residence in this county he has become widely known and is a man of many friends. His life history proves what may be accomplished by determined and honorable purpose. He has based his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity and industry and thus he has gained his present enviable position in the ranks of the leading citizens of Story county.
WILLIAM W. POPE.
William W. Pope, who opened a modern and well appointed drug store at Cambridge in 1907, has since built up an extensive and lucrative trade in this connection. His birth occurred in Knoxville, Marion county, Iowa, on the 21st of May, 1880, his parents being William W. and Laura (Jenkins) Pope, natives of Indiana. The father came to Iowa in early manhood, soon after the close of the Civil war, while the mother came to this state as a child with her parents in the '40s, the family home being established in Marion county. William W. Pope, Sr., became one of Warren county's