USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 10
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H. E. FRONING.
H. E. Froning, a prosperous and representative citizen of Cha- pin, is here engaged in the real-estate business, dealing in Iowa and Minnesota lands. His birth occurred in Stephenson county, Illinois, on the 9th of June, 1862, his parents being August and Margaret (Bohen) Froning, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of A. J. Froning, a brother of our subject. Vol. II-7
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H. E. Froning attended the common schools of his native state in the acquirement of an education and was a young man of twenty-three years when he came with his parents to Franklin county, lowa, in 1885. He assisted in the operation of the home farm, located east of Sheffield, until the time of his marriage and then purchased an unimproved tract of land comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 36, Ross township. The improvement and cultivation of that farm claimed his attention for a number of years. He erected a set of substantial buildings and carried on general agricultural pursuits successfully until 1902, when he removed to Chapin and pur- chased an elevator, engaging in the grain business until the spring of 1912. Since that time he has devoted his attention to the real-estate business, dealing in lowa and Minnesota lands. He owns an attrac- tive residence in Chapin and owes his present prosperity entirely to his own efforts, having ever been industrious, energetic and thrifty. He assisted in the organization of the Chapin Savings Bank and has since remained a member of its board of directors.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Froning chose Miss Anna Rust, who was born in Germany on the 13th of October, 1862. Her father, H. A. Rust, deceased, is mentioned at greater length on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of H. A. Rust, Jr., a brother of Mrs. Froning. Our subject and his wife have four daughters and a son, namely: Margaret, Alice, Florence, Catherine and Herman, all at home.
Mr. Froning gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has promoted the interests of the cause of education as a member of the school board. In religious faith he is a Baptist, both he and his wife belonging to the church of that denomination at Sheffield. He has lived in this county for almost three decades and has long been numbered among its capable business men and esteemed citizens.
ROBERT G. ARGENT.
Robert G. Argent, operating the Argent homestead of one hun- dred and twenty acres on sections 12 and 13, Reeve township, was born in Geneva township, this county, December 23, 1881. He is a son of Thomas F. and Elizabeth (Ginn) Argent, natives of Jo Daviess county, Illinois, who came to Franklin county in April, 1876. Both died in 1912, the father passing away on the 11th of March, and the mother on the 28th of December. To their union
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were born six children: William, of Reeve township; Nettie, at home; John, of Steele, North Dakota; Jennie, at home; Robert G., of this review; and Thomas, engaged in the livery business in Hamp- ton, Iowa. Of these children, William married Osie Connor, who passed away leaving four children, Harold, Evan, Thomas and Lester.
Robert G. Argent was reared upon his father's farm and from his childhood aided in its operation, becoming in this way familiar at an early age with the best and most practical agricultural methods. After the death of his father he and his sisters purchased the home- stead, and this property Mr. Argent has since managed. It com- prises one hundred and twenty acres and is well improved in every particular, reflecting the care and management of a practical and able agriculturist.
Mr. Argent attends the Methodist church, is connected frater- nally with the Knights of Pythias and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Although he is still a young man he has already demonstrated his ability and worth and will undoubtedly be carried forward into important- relations with agricultural interests of his locality.
JOSEPH G. BUSHYAGER.
Joseph G. Bushyager, who has lived in Franklin county for more than a half century, is known as one of its oldest settlers and as one of the few remaining veterans of the great Civil war. He devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career but during the past six years has lived retired in Sheffield. His birth occurred in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of August, 1842. His father, Henry Bushyager, a native of Pennsylvania and a carpenter by trade, came to Iowa in 1856, settling first in Dubuque and three years later at Shell Rock, Butler county. In the spring of 1860 he purchased eighty acres of wild land on section 18, West Fork township (then known as Ingham township), Franklin county. He hauled the lumber for his first house from Cedar Falls and here continued to reside throughout the remainder of his life, passing away on the 22d of December, 1881. Henry Bushyager was one of the early trustees of the township and sub- sequently was made a member of the county board of supervisors. In Pittsburgh he had wedded Miss Jane Winters, who died in that
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city in 1850. To them were born nine children, five of whom died in infancy. Martha gave her hand in marriage to Frederick Meyers, an early settler and old soldier of Franklin county, whose home was formerly in West Fork township. Mrs. Meyers is now deceased and her husband makes his home in Kansas. Mary, twin sister of Martha, became the wife of Captain John Boyd, a soldier of the Civil war. Pennsylvania remained their home until the time of their demise. Sarah was the wife of Andrew Dorsey, who also participated in the Civil war. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey, who lived in Pittsburgh, have passed away.
Joseph G. Bushyager spent his boyhood in the city of his nativ- ity and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an edu- cation. After putting aside his text-books he worked at farm labor until 1860, when he came to Iowa and joined his father in Frank- lin county. His first crop in this state was cut with a cradle and scythe. In December, 1863, Mr. Bushyager enlisted for service in the Civil war as a private of Company H, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He took part in a skirmish at Fort De Russy and also in the engagement at Pleasant Hill, on the 4th of April, 1864, which was the last battle of the Red River raid. Becoming ill, he was confined in hospitals at Vicksburg, Jefferson Barracks and at Keokuk, Iowa. In the spring of 1865 he received an hon- orable discharge and returned to the farm in West Fork township. He inherited from his father the old home place of one hundred and five acres and later purchased an additional tract of eighty acres in West Fork township as well as a quarter section of land in Ross township. In the conduct of his general farming interests he met with excellent success, annually gathering bounteous crops, which found a ready sale on the market. In 1907 he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Sheffield, where he is now spending the evening of life in honorable retirement.
In April, 1867, Mr. Bushyager was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Leidig, who was born in Pennsylvania on the 18th of Octo- ber, 1849, her parents being George and Mary ( Bushyager) Leidig, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in 1855, settling first in Jackson county, while in 1863 they took up their abode in Clinton township, Franklin county. To Mr. and Mrs. Bushyager have been born nine children, as follows: Janette B., who is the wife of William Bell and resides in Missouri ; George L., who wedded Miss Myrtle Scott and resides in Colorado; Henry B., who makes his home in Chicago; Mary E., who is a teacher by profession and lives at home; Lucia L., who was the wife of Lem-
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uel M. Bowman, of Chicago, and died in July, 1913; Matilda Janc, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Liekwig, of Sheffield; Alvin J., residing on the old home farm; Zillah, who is the wife of Robert Meyer, of West Fork township; and one, who died in infancy.
Mr. Bushyager exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in the princi- ples of that party. He served as a school director for many years. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He has witnessed the marvelous transformation that has here occurred as pioneer con- ditions have given way before the onward march of civilization, and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. His record cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers, for he has an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the community.
WILLIAM H. RICHARDS.
William H. Richards is a veteran of the Civil war, living retired in Hampton after many years of close connection with agricultural interests of Franklin county. He was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, February 20, 1843, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Vincent) Richards, natives of England. The parents came to America in 1838 and the father afterward spent the greater portion of his time in California, where he engaged in mining. The father died in 1870 and the mother in December, 1912, at the age of eighty- six years. To their union were born five children: William H., of this review; Sarah, the wife of B. Ball, of Osage, Iowa; Pierce, of Galena, Illinois; James, who died in the Union army during the Civil war; and Joseph, who passed away when he was still a child.
William H. Richards was reared in Illinois and remained at home until he was nineteen years of age. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years, receiving his discharge as color bearer and corporal. He participated in many of the most important engagements of the Civil war, twenty-seven or twenty-eight battles and skirmishes in all, among them the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. His regiment of four hundred men was held as a reserve at Chickamauga and there lost two hundred and fifteen men in six hours of fighting. After his discharge he returned to
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Illinois and thence in 1872 moved to Franklin county, lowa. He bought eighty acres of land in Reeve township and remained upon this farm until his retirement, increasing its dimensions to three hun- dred and twenty acres and making it by his intelligent management one of the most valuable and productive farms in the locality. In 1904 Mr. Richards disposed of his property and moved into Hamp- ton, where he now resides.
On the 3d of July, 1870, Mr. Richards married Miss Sarah Com- bellick, a native of Illinois, and they became the parents of nine chil- dren: Alice, the wife of E. Sheppard, of Reeve township; Anna E., deceased; Edith, the widow of William Thorpe; James Howard, who is operating the old homestead in Reeve township; Sarah Lil- lian, the wife of Arthur Rick, of Plankington, South Dakota; Ruth, who married William Luke, of Bradford, Iowa; Gertrude, the wife of Leslie Hobbie; J. Thomas Harvey, engaged in farming; and Phyllis Irene, at home.
Mr. Richards is a member of the Methodist church and is con- nected fraternally with the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served with credit and ability as school director. Through- out the entire period of his residence in Franklin county he has contributed in substantial measure to community growth and upbuilding, and his retirement rewards many years of earnest and faithful labor.
CLAUD H. WELTY.
Claud H. Welty is closely associated with mercantile interests of Hampton as a successful druggist. He was born in this city Sep- tember 20, 1877, and is a son of William H. and Josephine ( Hamil- ton) Welty, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Wisconsin. They are now residents of Hampton. To their union were born two children: Gourney, of Chicago, Illinois; and Claud H., of this review.
The last named acquired his education in the grammar and high schools of Hampton and since laying aside his books has been con- nected with the drug business here, his long experience in this line being one of the important factors in his success. He passed his examination as a registered pharmacist in 1900 and in 1906 formed a partnership with O. E. Hickethier in the drug business. Five
CLAUD H. WELTY
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years later he purchased his partner's interest and since that time has conducted the store alone. He carries a complete line of drugs and sundries and controls a patronage which is constantly increas- ing in volume and importance, owing to his straightforward bus- iness methods, his reasonable prices and his earnest desire to please his patrons.
On the 28th of February, 1901, Mr. Welty married Miss Alice Hickethier, and both are well known in social circles of Hampton. Mr. Welty is a member of the Baptist church, is connected fra- ternally with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is a progressive business man and through legitimate lines of trade is now building up a growing business, that is indica- tive of his spirit of enterprise and determination.
WILLIAM B. BRYAN.
William B. Bryan, a retired farmer living in Hampton, after many years of close connection with agricultural interests of Frank- lin county, was born in George county, Ohio, July 10, 1837. He is a son of Abraham and Polly (Beardsley) Bryan, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. In 1870 the parents moved to Franklin county and located in Geneva township, where the father engaged in farming until his death in 1873. His wife has also passed away. To their union were born seven children: Orlando; Harrison; Albert; William B., of this review; George; Mary, a resident of Hampton; and Ann, the widow of Donald Miller, of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
During the entire period of his active life William Bryan has engaged in agricultural pursuits. He acquired valuable land hold- ings in Franklin county, accumulating four hundred and thirty- three acres of valuable land which he has since sold. The years brought him a gratifying degree of success in the conduct of his farming and stock-raising interests, and eventually he retired from active life, moving into Hampton, where he has since resided. He occupies a fine home on Second street and is well and favorably known in the city.
On the 25th of December, 1866, Mr. Bryan was united in mar- riage to Miss Susan Townsend, a native of Illinois and they became the parents of nine children: George Sherman, a farmer of Alla-
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makee county; Harry H., deceased; Ernest T., residing in Emmet county ; Ray S., who also resides in Emmet county, Iowa; Wayne, who died in infancy; Mary Winona, at home; Irving, a resident of Emmet county ; Olive, the wife of C. Sharpe of Hampton; and Earl H., at home.
Mr. Bryan is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Com- pany H, Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry on the 15th of August, 1862. He served three years and during that time took part in various important engagements, receiving three wounds at the battle of Lookout Mountain. He was mustered out at Nash- ville, Tennessee, and received his honorable discharge at Chicago, Illinois, on the 25th of July, 1865.
He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, is a member of the Baptist church and gives his political allegiance to the republi- can party. He has held various positions of public trust and responsibility and was for nine years president of the board of Geneva township. He is a man whose industry, ability and integ- rity have won for him the prosperity which he enjoys today and have placed him in the foremost rank as a representative citizen of the community.
GEORGE L. R. HUMKE.
George L. R. Humke, one of the progressive and active young farmers of Osceola township, is operating a portion of the farm upon which he was born December 19, 1886. He is a son of Charles F. Humke, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work.
George L. R. Humke was reared at home and early become familiar with the best agricultural methods through practical expe- rience upon his father's farm. At the age of twenty-one he rented one hundred and twenty acres of the homestead, which lies on section 36, Osceola township, and here he has since engaged in general farming, stock-raising and poultry-raising. He is gradually extending his interests in the latter department, which has proven exceedingly prof- itable and important.
On the 9th of March, 1911, Mr. Humke was united in marriage to Miss Ida Jansonius, a native of Butler county, this state, and a daughter of John and Margaret (Neymeyer) Jansonius, natives of Holland and now residents of Butler county. Mr. Humke is a mem-
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ber of the Presbyterian church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He takes an intelligent interest in the welfare and growth of his native township, but is not active politically, pre- ferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs, in which he is meeting with gratifying and well deserved success.
L. S. SHOWALTER.
Agricultural interests of Franklin county find a worthy and pro- gressive representative in L. S. Showalter, who operates the old Sho- walter homestead of two hundred and forty acres in Reeve township. He was born in Freeport, Illinois, June 25, 1875, and is a son of Charles F. and Permelia L. (Scott) Showalter. The former was born in Pennsylvania, June 25, 1849, his parents being John S. and Mary (Millwood) Showalter, also natives of the Keystone state. John S. Showalter moved from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin and thence to Illinois, where he passed away. He had the following children : Josiah M. and Osborne, deceased; Charles F., father of the subject of this review; John W., deceased; Emma, the wife of I. Eastman, of Monmouth, Illinois; Carrie, who married William Currier, of Freeport, Illinois; Frank; and a son, who died in infancy.
Charles F. Showalter began his independent career in Illinois, where he engaged in farming and also operated a threshing machine until 1885. In that year he moved to Franklin county and bought two hundred and forty acres of fine land in Reeve township. To this he later added an additional two hundred acres and upon this property engaged in general farming and stock-raising, shipping his animals to the eastern market, where they obtained a ready sale. He became one of the best known and most progressive agriculturists in this part of the county and contributed in substantial measure to its growth and development. In 1909 he retired from active life and moved into Hampton, where he has since resided. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Permelia Scott, mother of the subject of this review. To their union was born a son, L. S., of this review. After the death of his first wife Charles F. Showalter married Miss Isabelle Vought and they became the parents of five children: Lillian, the wife of Fred Kron, of Reeve township; Godfrey, also of Reeve town- ship; Mary, the wife of G. W. Fox, of Reeve township; Emma, at home; and Charles, of Freeport, Illinois. Charles F. Showalter is a member of the Methodist church and is connected fraternally with
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the Knights of Pythias. He is independent in his political views and has held a number of township offices, being public-spirited and progressive in matters of citizenship. He has become well and fav- orably known in Hampton, where he is spending his retired life.
L. S. Showalter was reared upon his father's farm in Reeve town- ship and remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age. He then rented one hundred and eighty acres near the homestead and after operating this for three years rented four hundred and eighty acres in Hamilton township. He remained upon this place for eight years, after which he rented his father's farm of two hundred and forty acres, upon which he has since resided. Having grown up on the farm and having been familiar with the details of farm operation since his childhood, he has met with most gratifying success in the conduct of his agricultural and stock-raising interests and is recog- nized today as one of the progressive and representative farmers of Franklin county.
On the 29th of November, 1899, Mr. Showalter married Miss Nellie May King, a native of Illinois, and they became the parents of three children : Pearl Genevieve; May, who has passed away; and Mildred Alice, born June 29, 1913. Mr. Showalter attends the Methodist church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a man whose actions have always conformed to a high standard of business and personal ethics, and his record is a credit to a name that has long been an honored one in his community.
JAMES COOK.
James Cook is cashier of the Alexander Savings Bank, one of the solid financial institutions of Franklin county and this section of the state. His has been an active, useful life, crowned with success which results from close application when combined with earnest effort and honorable purpose. He was born in England, January 23, 1864, a son of James and Hariette (Newby) Cook. The father was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit throughout his entire life. He died in 1900, and the mother passed away in 1896. She never came to the United States.
James Cook of this review was educated in the common schools of England and after completing his studies he worked on his fath- er's farm until he reached the age of eighteen years. He then deter- mined to try his fortune in America, for he had heard many reports
JAMES COOK
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concerning the country and its opportunities. On the 15th of June, 1882, he arrived in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for about twelve years, or until 1894, when he came to Franklin county. He then engaged in the restaurant business for awhile and in 1895 built a hotel in Alexander, which he conducted until 1900. He then turned his attention to the real-estate business, in which he was engaged for two years. In 1902 he took charge of the Alexander Savings Bank as its cashier. He may well be proud of his success, for since he has become one of the officers the bank has steadily grown and prospered, owing in no small measure to his efforts and capable management. This is today one of the strong- est financial institutions in central Iowa.
On the 10th of June, 1884, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Cook, who was born October 11, 1857, and was edu- cated in the common schools of Canada. They have no children of their own, but have adopted two daughters: Bessie, now nineteen years of age ; and Myrtle, aged eight. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are mem- bers of the Congregational church, loyal to its teachings, active in its work and generous in its support.
In his political beliefs Mr. Cook is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but does not seek nor desire public office. He holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is genial and companionable, possessing many attractive social qual- ities which have made him popular with those with whom he has come in contact. In spite of the fact that his early advantages were comparatively few, he has steadily worked his way upward, and he stands today among the prosperous and enterprising business men of the town in which he makes his home.
FRED W. CLAWSON.
Fred W. Clawson, engaging in general farming and stock-raising upon two hundred and forty-seven acres of land near Ackley, is a native of Iowa, born August 11, 1875. He is a son of Jacob and Annie Clawson, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1870. They located near Des Moines, Iowa, and came from there to Frank- lin county in 1901, taking up their residence on a farm on section 35. Osceola township. They now reside in Ackley. To their union were born fourteen children : John, deceased; Samuel, a resident of
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Hampton; Leonard, of Franklin county; Fred W., of this review; George, of Butler county ; Herman, a resident of Geneva; Elizabeth, the wife of W. Byers, of Franklin county: Anna, who married S. Kramer, of Butler county; Nellie, William and Mary, who live at home; and three children, who died in infancy.
Fred W. Clawson was reared upon his father's farm in Franklin county and acquired his education in the district schools. At the age of twenty-one he began his independent career, renting land from his father in Butler county. In 1911 he purchased the home place of two hundred and forty-seven acres on section 35, Osceola township, and here he carries on general farming and stock-raising, his interests along both lines being extensive and important. The farm is well improved in every particular and reflects the labor and care which the owner bestows upon it.
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