Bob Burton or, The Young Ranchman of the Missouri. by Horatio Alger - book 
1-931927-77-4

PAPERBACK ILLUSTRATED Young Bob tries to foil the schemes of a crooked real estate agent plotting to seize his family's ranch. In Way to Success Series.


Bob Burton, 16, lives with his parents on a farm in Iowa near the Missouri River. Bob’s father has difficulty managing the farm, and borrows $3,000 from Aaron Wolverton, an unscrupulous lender.
A day after paying Wolverton, Bob's father is killed in an accident. Wolverton steals the receipt and attempts to seize the farm as well as the hand of Mrs. Burton, who rejects his advances.
Bob spends his time thwarting Wolverton’s attempts at gaining ownership of his land while trying to make a successful life for himself.