James Fender, a successful farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 13, Macedonia Township, was born in North Carolina, August 11, 1866, a son of John and Millie (Dillard) Fender, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. The father was born in 1842 and during the Civil War was a member of the Thirty-second North Carolina Infantry, participating in many engagements of the Virginia campaign, including Seven Pines, Chancellorsville and Gaines Mills. He was also present at the final surrender at Appomattox, but was never wounded. On leaving his native state he came to Iowa in 1867 and after living two years in Hardin County became a resident of Pottawattamie County in 1869, settling first in Grove Township. Later he purchased eighty acres of land in Macedonia Township, whereon he resided until his death, which occurred October 17, 1907. In connection with our subject he owned three hundred and sixty acres of good land in that township and also a tract of sixty-eight acres in Grove Township. On coming to Iowa he had a team and one cow, but practically no capital and his educational privileges, too, were limited, but he became a practical and enterprising business man and lived the life of an honest farmer, his labors being crowned with success. He was a faithful member of the Christian Church, of which he was one of the organizers, and to which his widow also belongs.

The management of the home farm has largely devolved upon James Fender from his youth. There was one other son in the family, Willie, who was born in Hardin County, in 1869, and died at the age of fifteen years. Thus left the only child, James Fender has always remained at home. He was reared in Pottawattamie County, attended the common schools and has always lived an industrious life, his intelligently directed labor proving the resultant factor in his success, while the fine appearance of his place indicates his careful management and unremitting diligence.

In 1886, Mr. Fender was united in marriage to Miss Florence O'Haro, who was born in Ohio, in 1867, a daughter of Henry and Jane (Miller) O'Haro, also natives of the Buckeye State. They resided for a time in Missouri, but later returned to Ohio, where the father died in February, 1883. The mother then brought the family to Pottawattamie County, where lived her two brothers, L. E. and E. M. O'Haro. She died soon afterward, leaving four children who yet survive, while four children of the family are deceased. Those living are: Mrs. Fender; Bertha, the wife of David Carl, of Woodbury County, Iowa; Elizabeth, the wife of Jacob Still, a resident of Afton, Iowa; and Caroline, the wife of Irvin Bender, of Nebraska. The father was a soldier of the Civil War.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fender have been born ten children: Elmer, aged twenty years; Algie, eighteen; Mary, seventeen; Arthur, fifteen; Clarence, thirteen; Glenn, eleven; Blanche, eight; Madge, seven; Forest, four; and Ruby, three years of age.

The parents are members of the Christian Church, interested and active in it's work, and for many years, Mr. Fender has served as one of the church trustees.

In politics he is a Republican. The cause of public education finds in him a stalwart champion and he has done effective service in it's behalf while filling the office of school director for several terms.

He has made most of the good improvements on the farm and has worked persistently and energetically to bring his farm under a high state of cultivation and equip it with modern accessories in keeping with the spirit of progressive agriculture. In all that he does he is practical and the property is valuable and productive, showing the care and supervision of Mr. Fender.