Modern agriculture requires for its development an efficiency and a thorough knowledge which amount almost to a science and it has become recognized as an occupation in which practical methods result in a high degree of prosperity. This statement finds verification in the life record of H. N. Gunn, a pioneer farmer of Oklahoma, and by his success in a modern enterprise conducted along progressive lines he has proven the efficiency of system in promoting productiveness.
A native of Missouri, he was born in the northern part of the state on the 20th of June, 1877, and came to Oklahoma in 1904, settling two miles east of Copan, where he and his brother F. B. Gunn, leased one thousand acres of Indian land, which they cultivated for five years.
Mr. Gunn of this review then moved to his present place of two hundred and fifty-three acres, situated two and a half miles west of Copan, one hundred and fifty acres of his farm lying along the Little Caney river, there being at this time but two houses between Copan and Bartlesville. On the property which they leased the brothers wintered cattle, having from one to three thousand head. F. B. Gunn subsequently purchased land adjoining the present farm of the subject of this review, paying twenty dollars per acre for the tract, on which he erected an attractive brick cottage, substantial barns and other outbuildings and a large silo, also adding many other improvements which greatly enhanced its value. He recently sold the place for one hundred and fifteen dollars per acre.
When H. N. Gunn purchased his present farm it was wild and undeveloped land, but through industry, close application and persistency of purpose he has wrought a marvelous transformation in the appearance of the place, which is now regarded as one of the best agricultural properties in the county. In 1916 he erected a beautiful modern residence at a cost of over five thousand dollars and he also has built a garage and large and substantial barns and other necessary outbuildings, including a cattle shed one hundred and sixty feet in length and two silos with a capacity of seventy-five tons each, all of which are in keeping with his residence. He has brought his land to a high state of development and has twenty-five acres in alfalfa and thirty-five in sweet clover and timothy. He has made a close study of the soil and climatic conditions and through the rotation of crops he secures bountiful harvests, obtaining a yield of sixty bushels of oats to the acre in 1920, while a plentiful supply of water also adds to the productiveness and value of his farm. He devotes considerable attention to dairying, keeping a herd of twenty-one high grade Holsteins which he obtained in Wisconsin and which furnish a supply of thirty gallons of milk daily, the output of his dairy being shipped to Bartlesville. He also has another herd of cows, comprising forty head, and a registered Holstein bull. He is interested in all modern developments along agricultural lines and has equipped his farm with the most approved labor-saving machinery, so that he has become recognized as an authority in this branch of activity and is the owner of one of the most valuable and attractive farm properties in this part of the state.
In 1898 Mr. Ginn was united in marriage to Miss Molly Montgomery, a native of Missouri, and they have become the parents of ten children, namely: G. D., who married Hattie Rathjain of Kansas, by whom he has a son, Glenn, Jr.; Horace, who is twenty years of age; Raymond, aged eighteen; Ralph, who is sixteen years of age and is a high school student; Eva and Mildred, who are also in school; Thelma; Leola; Anna; and Dorothy. The family reside in the Copan school district, which is regarded as one of the best in the state, and the children are taken to school and returned to their homes each day by automobile busses.
Mr. Gunn is deserving of great credit for what he has accomplished in a business way, for when he came to this state his cash capital consisted of but thirty-five dollars and his present enviable success has been won entirely through his own intelligently directed efforts. He realizes that faring is the basis of the prosperity of the nation and through the capable management of his affairs he has contributed in substantial measure to the work of development and improvement here, his example being one well worthy of emulation.