George A. Coon is the owner of a good farm of one hundred and ten acres on sections 25 and 26, Honey Creek township. He devotes his place not only to the raising of grain but also to the raising of stock and to the conduct of a dairy business. He was born in the neighboring state of Illinois on the 1st of May, 1864, and is a son of John S. and Martha (Kinzie) Coon, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania but removed westward to Illinois at an early period in the development of the latter state. In 1868 they became residents of Delaware county, taking up their abode upon a farm to the development and improvement of which the father devoted his energies throughout his remaining days, both he and his wife passing away in this county.
      George A. Coon was one of a family of seven children, six of whom are yet living. He was a little lad of but four summers when brought to Iowa and he remained at home until twenty four years of age, giving his father the benefit of his services in the development of the old homestead. He was then married to Miss Catherine Peyton, who was born in Scott county, Iowa, a daughter of Alonzo and Elizabeth (Castle) Peyton, both of whom were natives of Iowa and have now passed away. Their family numbered four children, of whom three survive.
     Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Coon began their domestic life upon a rented farm and while cultivating that place they carefully saved their earnings until economic expenditure and industry had brought them sufficient capital to enable them to purchase a farm. Mr. Coon's first investment made him owner of eighty acres in Delaware township and he lived upon that place for eleven years. He then sold out and became owner of another tract of one hundred and twenty acres in the same township. Upon that farm he remained for nine years and after disposing of it he bought the place on which he now resides, comprising one hundred and ten acres on sections 25 and 26, Honey Creek township. This he improved with fine buildings and now has one of the attractive farms of the neighborhood. He raises high grade cattle for dairy purposes and the products of his dairy find a ready sale on the market. He also carries on stock-raising and his fields produce good crops owing to the care arid labor which he bestows upon them.
     Mr. and Mrs. Coon have become the parents of three children. Harry W., born March 28, 1889, is married and follows farming in Delaware township. Clarence R., born August 19, 1890, is engaged in the jewelry business in Cresco. John W., born September 22, 1894, is at home.
     The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Coon votes with the republican party. He has served as school director but has never sought nor desired political offices. His name is on the membership roll of several fraternal organizations, he being identified with the Masonic lodge at Greeley, the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 418, in which he has filled all of the chairs, and the Modern Woodmen camp at Manchester. His life has been a busy and useful one and what ever success he has achieved is attributable to his own efforts. There have indeed been few idle hours in his career and he early learned to correctly appraise the value of industry, energy and perseverance, so that he is now one of the substantial farmers and stock raisers of Honey Creek township.