It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecutive endeavor or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still matters for the future to determine. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the representative agriculturists of Sac county. For a number of years he directed his efforts toward the goal of success and by patient continuance in well doing succeeded at last in overcoming the many obstacles by which his pathway was beset, and is today considered one of the foremost farmers and stock dealers of the county. 

Allie J. Paul, a prominent farmer and livestock dealer of Odebolt, Sac county, Iowa, was born December 5, 1869, in the state of Wisconsin. His parents were William C. and Hannah (Biddick) Paul. The Paul ancestry is presented in the sketch of C. d. Paul, which is found elsewhere in this volume. Allie J. Paul was an infant when the family moved to Hardin county, Iowa, from Wisconsin. In 1892 the Paul family moved to Sac county, Iowa, and settled in Wheeler township. 

Allie J. Paul was educated in the schools of Hardin county, Iowa, and assisted with the labor on the farm when not in attendance at school. After the family moved to Sac county, Iowa, he remained on the home farm until 1895, then married and rented the tract known as the Mitts farm for three years, 1895 to 1898, at which time he returned to his father's farm and resided on that place for ten years, but removed to Odebolt, where he is now living, and in 1901 he purchased two hundred acres of land in this county known as the Martin Miller farm and paid seventy-five dollars an acre for the farm. His land holdings 110w are two hundred acres in Wheeler town ship, two hundred acres in Dickinson county, Iowa, and eighty acres in Lever township, this county. In addition to his land holdings, he also owns an entire block in Odebolt, in which his home is located, opposite the city park. Here lies a fine, modern home which is equipped with all the up-to-date conveniences. He is now buying and shipping a large amount of livestock annually, and buys in this immediate neighborhood at least forty cars of stock each year. 

Mr. Paul was married February 18, 1896, to Edith Sheldon, who was born in Delaware county, Iowa, June 6, 1876. Her parents were Charles Field and Jeannette (Coquillette) Sheldon, natives of Ohio and Chicago, Illinois, respectively. Her parents on both sides were early settlers in Delaware county, Iowa, and were married in that county. They came to Sac county in March, 1877, locating in Cedar township. They are now living in Texhoma, Oklahoma, where they moved in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Paul are the parents of six children: Vern Allie, born December 12, 1896; Archie Lawrence, born November 19, 1898; Grace Ella, born August 13, 1904; Winnie Evelyn, born November 6, 1906; Milton Arthur, born March 29, 1910, and Thelma Eloise, born February 7, 1912. 

Politically, Mr. Paul is a Progressive, feeling that the interests of the nation at large demand such principles as are advocated by that party. He and all of his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and render it faithful service. Mr. Paul has been true to his ideals in every turn of his life and the respect and esteem in which he is held by his friends and neighbors shows that he has lived a life which has been marked by honest and sound business principles. He is a man of genial personality and easily makes and retains friends and no man in the township is more widely and favorably known and respected than he is. He and his family are the centers of a circle of friends who delight to be entertained in their hospitable home.