FRED VIFIAN

It is a noteworthy fact that many a young man who has emigrated to America without capital has from a position of comparative obscurity worked his way up to prominence and success. This is true in Delaware county, as elsewhere in the United States, and of this class Fred Vifian is a worthy representa­tive. He claims Switzerland as the country of his birth and his natal day was March 17, 1866. His parents were Christian and Elizabeth (Rodecker) Vifian, who were lifelong residents of the land of the Alps, the mother passing away in 1891, while the father, surviving only a few brief years, departed this life in 1894. They had eleven children, but only five of the number are still liv­ing: Charles, a resident of Washington state; Gottlieb; Fred, of this review; Louis, who makes his home in California; and Alfred.

Fred Vifian was reared and educated in his native land and in 1892, at the age of twenty-six years, being convinced that he could enjoy better oppor­tunities in the new world, set sail for the United States. Arriving here he continued his journey westward and first located in Jones county, Iowa, where he spent five years. In 1897 he came to Delaware county, believing this a desirable place to invest the money which he had acquired since coming to the state. Accordingly he became the possessor of one hundred and fifty acres of choice land, located a mile and a half from Ryan in Adams township. He has since bent his energies to the cultivation of his fields and also engages to some extent in stock-raising. He has won success and it is well deserved, for it has come as the reward of his own persistent labor.

Mr. Vifian has found a valuable helpmate in his wife, whom he wedded in October, 1898, and who in her maidenhood bore .the name of Miss Lillian Reuz. Her parents, Morris and Mary (Gear) Reuz, were natives of Switzer­land. To Mr. and Mrs. Vifian have been born eight children, five daughters and three sons, Flora, Lewis, Charles, Fred, Lucy, Marguerite, Bertha and Rose, all still under the parental roof.   The family  are members of the German Lutheran church.

Mr. Vifian is deeply interested in each and every movement instituted for the betterment of his home locality and is ever ready to assist in any way possible toward bringing about improved conditions. He may truly be called a self-made man, for he started in a strange land in a humble position but as time has passed has learned well the lessons of life, which he has put to prac­tical account and the future undoubtedly holds for him still greater success than he has already achieved.

Back to Biographies

Back to Main Page
Back to Iowa AHGP
Back to AHGP