Matchstick artistPatrick Actonwas born in Greene County, Iowa, and raised on his family’s farm near Rippey.
Acton worked professionally as a career and employment counselor in nearby Marshalltown.
Acton enjoyed working with wood and tinkering since he was a child.
When he was ten, his father bought him a new bicycle.
Acton would effortlessly breeze along on his “motor” bike over the hills of west central Iowa .
He also built a fully-enclosed tree house, complete with glass windows, painted siding, and heating stove.
But Acton expects to start turning out a new project every year.
Ripley’s has already purchased more than a dozen of his pieces.
