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| JOSEPH EDGERTON Prominent among the citizefts of Keokuk county who have witnessed the marvelous development of this section of the state in the past thirty-eight years, and who have, by honest toil and industry, succeeded in acquiring a handsome competence and are now able to spend the sunset of life in quiet and retirement, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, and who resides on section 20, Prairie township. Mr. Edgerton was born in Belmont county, Ohio, November 18, 1830, his parents being Joseph and Charity (Doudna) Edgerton. His paternal grandfather was James Edgerton, who was born in North Carolina of English ancestry and became one of the pioneer settlers of Belmont county, Ohio. Religiously he was connected with the Society of Friends. The father of our subject was also a native of North Carolina and with his parents removed to Ohio at an early day, his boyhood and youth being mainly passed in Belmont county, where on reaching man's estate he followed farming for many years. He subsequently came to Iowa, where he died in 1865 at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife was about fifty years old at the time of her death. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom reached man and womanhood. Joseph Edgerton was the second son in this family. He was reared in the county of his nativity, and his primary education, which was obtained in a Friends school there, was supplemented by a course at a Friends boarding school in Mount Pleasant, Ohio. He remained at home with his parents until his marriage, which was celebrated April 4, 1853, Miss Lydia S. Mitchell becoming his wife. She was bom on the Island of Nantucket, October 4, 1831, a daughter of Isaac and Lydia (Gifford) Mitchell, the former also a native of Nantucket and the latter of Westport, Massachusetts. The father was three times married and Mrs. Edgerton was his only child by his first wife. To Mr. and Mrs. Edgerton have been born seven children, five sons and two daughters, namely: William; Mary, the wife of Jacob Whisler; Edward; Sarah, deceased; Nathan; Joseph J.; and Frederick M. For some years Mr. Edgerton was engaged in farming in Belmont county, Ohio, but in 1857 came to Iowa and first located near Springville in Linn county, where he spent two years, and then removed to Taylor county. There he was also engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1864, when he came to Keokuk county and took up his residence in Prairie township, purchasing a farm north of Nassau, to the improvement and cultivation of which place he devoted his time and attention until 1875. During that year he removed to a quarter-section of land south of Nassau, where he still makes his home, and now has four hundred and forty acres under a high state of cultivation and supplied with the latest conveniences and accessories known to the progressive farmer. Besides this place he now owns property in Louisiana; is one of the directors and stockholders of the First National Bank at What Cheer; and a stockholder in the co-operative store at Nassau. On coming west Mr. Edgerton was in rather limited circumstances, but being a man of untiring industry, perseverance, and integrity he has met with success in his undertakings and is to-day the owner of much valuable property. At different times he has had in his possession considerable Iowa land, including one hundred and twenty acres in Linn county, one hundred and sixty acres in Taylor county, and about one thousand acres in Keokuk county. At present he rents his farm in this county and is practically living retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil. He is a prominent member of the Friends church, and he champions every movement designed to promote the general wfelfare of the community in which he lives, supports every enterprise for the public good, and materially aids in the advancement of all social, educational and moral interests.  MADISON PARK ELDRIDGE In the death of this man, March 16, 1897, the township of Lancaster lost one of its old and influential citizens and a most successful agriculturist. Coming here in the early days, and never shirking responsibility, he assisted in the molding and development of local institutions, at the same time so conducted his own affairs as to win for himself and family a very solid prosperity. Mr. Eldridge was born in Cayuga county. New York, August 27, 1815, and was of a family well known and highly respected in that vicinity. His father, Richard Eldridge, was also born in New York, and there for the most part made his home. He was a patriotic citizen, and when the war of 1812 broke out enlisted and served as a private. He married Tacy Parker, and after her death he formed a second union. By the first marriage there were eight children, of whom Madison Park was the second. Mrs. Eldridge was of Welsh descent. Madison Park Eldridge remained under the sheltering influence of a good home until he was nineteen years old, and in the common schools of his neighborhood procured a thorough rudimentary education. Upon leaving home he went to the growing state of Ohio, where, making his home with an uncle, he hired out by the month as a farm hand. By attending strictly to his business he made good wages, and continued the work for some time. He later traveled extensively though the south, and finally coming to Stephenson county, Illinois, settled upon a farm, where he remained for some years. Previous experience as a farm hand had made him familiar with the different methods of agriculture, and possessing the wisdom to apply the best to his own farm management he was enabled to earn more than a comfortable living for himself and family. . He continued his work here with only one interruption until 1864. The break in his regular routine was caused by the Civil war. Though past the prime of life when this occurred, he did not hesitate to offer his services, and in 1862 enlisted in Company H, Ninety-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front as a private. After a year, however, on account of being disabled, he was honorably discharged. Soon after returning to his home he disposed of his Illinois farm and moved to Keokuk county, Iowa, settling upon the farm where his wife still resides. Here from year to year he made new improvements and cleared new tracts and he continued his labors here for thirty-four years. The place now embraces three hundred and twenty-three acres of good land, largely under cultivation, and is one of the most productive farms in the section, being a part of the bottom lands. In 1849, while still residing in Stephenson county, Illinois, Mr. Eldridge married Sophia Gaylord, who was born in Perrysburgh, Cataraugus county New York, January 24, 1827, and who at the age of twelve years moved with her parents to Stephenson county, Illinois, where in one of the rude log schoolhouses she procured her education. She is now residing on the splendid farm in Lancaster township, which was left her by her husband. To Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge have been born the following children: Barber, who died young; Lucretia, who married F. D. Hicks, a farmer of Lancaster township, and they have two children, Zoe and Ruby; Lucy married Oliver Glass, and they have four children, Lottie, Mamie, Minnie and Max; Dan, residing in Arkansas; Jessie, deceased; Minnie, now deceased; Ettie, who married J. E. Flanigan, and they have four children, Lola, Ruth, Paul and Eugene. Mr. Eldridge possessed to a marked degree the sound judgment, the physical vitality and the ability to keep before him one clear, steadfast purpose, which go into the make-up of a successful agriculturist. Yet while succeeding in business, he never neglected his social and public obligations. As a Civil war veteran he was long prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic. He was known all over the county, and everywhere highly esteemed. The Gaylord family to which Mrs. Eldridge belonged was from Connecticut. Both her grandfather, Amos Gaylord, and her father, Hiram Gaylord, were natives of that state, the latter being born in Hartford. The grandfather moved to Illinois with his son and died there. The father was reared in Connecticut, but when a young man left the state and settled upon a farm in New York, where he engaged ni agriculture successfully for some years. In 1839 he moved to Illinois and settled upon a farm in Stephenson county, where he spent the rest of his life, dying there ct the age of sixty-five. After coming to New York Mr. Gaylord married Lucinda Chapin, who was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, and when nine years old came with her parents, Daniel and Lucy Chapin, to Oneida county, New York. Her parents were both born in Vermont, but were of Welsh and Irish descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord were born eight children, three sons and five daughters. One child died in infancy. Mrs. Eldridge was next to the youngest. GEORGE W. ELLIOTT This well known and prominent citizen of Washington township, who is now living a retired life, was born in Indiana on the 20th of March, 1832. His father, George Elliott, was a native of North Carohna and a farmer by occupation. The days of his boyhood and youth were passed in his native state, but when a young man he went to Indiana and settled upon the farm which continued to be his home throughout the remainder of his life. By his ballot he supported the men and measures of the Democratic party and took quite an active interest in public affairs. In the Hoosier state he married Miss Susan Davison, who was born in Kentucky but was reared in Indiana, and they became the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, namely: George W., Samuel, William, Samaria, Rebecca, Samantha and Mary. All were born in Indiana and the last named is now deceased. In the state of his nativity George W. Elliott was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farmer boys at that time, nothing important ocurring to vary the routine of farm work during his youth. He continued to give his father the benefit of his labors until he attained his majority and at the age of twenty-two he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Gregson, who was also a native of Indiana and there grew to womanhood, her parents being Eli and Margaret (Thomson) Gregson. She remained under the parental roof until her marriage, which was celebrated in February, 1854. By this union twelve children were born, five sons and seven daughters, those still living being Nellie, Florence, Susan, Sarah, Ada, Alta, Ina and Willard. The deceased are Jefferson, Walter, Merritt and Eli. They were all born in Iowa. In September following his marriage Mr. Elliott went to Texas, where he was engaged in farming for one season, and then came to Iowa. For twelve years he made his home in Poweshiek county, where he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits, owning and operating one hundred and twenty-seven acres of land in that county, which was partially improved by him. On selling out there in 1865 he came to Keokuk county and located on a farm of two hundred acres in Washington township, to the development and cultivation of which he devoted his energies until 1892, when he removed to his present place, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, and has lived a retired life since 1900. He has divided his property among his children so that he might spend the remainder of his life in ease and quiet, free from the cares and responsibilities of business life. For some years he devoted considerable attention to the buying and selling of stock, which he found quite profitable, and in all his undertakings he met with well deserved success. He acquired a handsome competence, so that in his declining years he will be surrounded by all the comforts which make life worth the living. In religious faith Mr. Elliott is a Baptist, having long held membership with that church, and he is also connected with the Masonic fraternity. Since attaining his majority he has always supported the men and measures of the Democracy and had taken an active part in local politics. He is well known and highly respected by his fellow citizens and justly deserving of prominent mention in the history of his adopted county. JOHN M. ELLIS Iowa owes her development, prominence and prosperity largely to her agriculturists and in turn she has been kind to them. Many of those who came here at an early day and took part in the development of the wild land have found that it was rich in resources and that as the years have passed their success has increased until their labors have brought to them comfortable competences. Such has been the case with Mr. Ellis, who is now a retired farmer of Warren township. He was born in Allen county, Ohio, February 2, 1838, a son of John and Hannah (Brainard) Ellis. The father was born in New York and remained in that state during the period of his early youth, after which he removed to Ohio, where he followed the occupation of farming. In the year 1841 he came to Iowa, locating first in Henry county, where he remained for about two years. On the expiration of that period he moved to Keokuk county, locating in Washington township, and there he remained upon a farm until 1859. In that year he removed to a farm near Delta, which continued to be his place of residence until his life's labors were ended in death. He passed away in February, 1882, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. He was married in Ohio to Miss Hannah Brainard, a native of that state, and they were people of the highest respectability. They became the parents of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, all of whom were born in Ohio. In early life the father gave his political support to the Whig party and upon its dissolution joined the ranks of the Republican party and continued to follow its banners until his demise. Both he and his wife were consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. John M. Ellis was only about three years of age when brought by his parents to Iowa and has since been a resident of this state, so that his entire life practically has been passed here. He has therefore been a witness of much of the growth and development of Iowa and feels just pride in what has been accomplished, for the state has made rapid strides in progress, improvement and up-building. He remained at home with his parents until his marriage, and in fact, lived with them until they were called to their final rest. He has always followed the occupation of farming and he still owns a small tract of land near Delta. At the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the government by offering his services in 1861 and joining Company D of the Thirteenth Iowa Infantry. He was mustered in at Davenport and served for three years and one month, during which time he was twice wounded, once in the head and again in the hip. He took part in a number of important engagements, including the skirmish at Pittsburg Landing and the entire siege of Vicksburg. He was also in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, where he received his first wound, and this so incapacitated him that he was never again with his regiment in active field service. He received an honorable discharge in November, 1864, and was mustered out at Chickamauga, Tennessee. On the 18th of February, 1866, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ellis and Miss Nancy Casey, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Benjamin Casey, one of the pioneer settlers of Keokuk county, who arrived here in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Elhs now have five children, namely: James W.; Lillie Adel, the wife of E. Greely; Emma Luella, the wife of E. A. Garrett; Henry Walter; and Charles, deceased. The children were all born in Warren township and the sons still live in that township, but the daughters are both residents of Oklahoma. Mr. Ellis has ever been known as a loyal and public spirited citizen, interested in the welfare of his community and its promotion. He has always been identified with the Republican party since he became a voter and believes firmly in its principles, although he has never sought or desired office. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and throughout the community where he has so long resided he is widely and favorably known. In matters of friendship he is faithful, is true to all the ties of the home, in business is reliable and as a citizen is as true and loyal to his country and her welfare as when he followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the south. JOHN ENGELDINGER Among the many worthy foreigners who have come to this country and helped make it what it is and rendered uncleared land to flourish and blossom like the rose is the family of our subject. John Engeldinger, the father of our subject, was a Prussian, a farmer by occupation, reared and educated in his native land, and married Anna Mary Nittler, also of Prussia. They had six children, of whom our subject was the fourth child, three boys and three girls: Anna, Mary, Nicholas (deceased), John, Peter and Anna, all of whom were born and reared in Prussia. In 1855 the father and family came to Keokuk county and settled on forty acres of raw land in Clear Creek township; this land he cleared, and he built the first log house this side of Clear Creek. He died in 1862 and was buried in the chvtrch burying ground of the Catholic church of Clear Creek, of which he had been a member. In politics he was a Democrat. John Engeldinger, the subject of this sketch, was born May 11, 1844, in Prussia; he was reared in Keokuk county and remained on the home place until after his father's death. In 1889 he came to bis present location and bought eighty acres, mostly uncleared land, which he improved and added to until now he has one hundred and eighty acres of valuable farming land. Mr. Engeldinger took as his wife in 186S Susan Schilz, who was born in Germany in 1844, where she was reared; she was the daughter of Peter and Marguerette Schilz, who were old settlers in this county. Nine children were born to our subject, six boys and three girls: Peter, Susan, John C, Henry, Edward, George, August, Anna and Mary T., all of whom were reared and educated on the old homestead. Mr. Engeldinger is a faithful member of the Catholic church of Clear Creek township; he helped to build the present edifice, and he has always taken an active part in school affairs, having served as trustee for twelve years. As a zealous and active Democrat, he was for eight years township trustee and also holds other local offices. In all affairs he has shown himself earnest, active and loyal and is one of the well known men of the county. WILLIAM LUTHER ETTER The earJy fathers of this American republic were wise when they set up as their first institutions the church and the pubhc school. And in the school has been the bulwark of our nation for all time; its influence has been the more powerful because it begins with the supple twig of American manhood and gives it the proper bent, after which its growth is sure and steady in the right direction. But the school is an institution for the young, and its direct influence is no longer felt when the child has become a man. This large field of power, which was once usurped by the demogogue in the popular assanbly of the ancient republican nations, has been occupied by that most marvellous organ, the newspaper, which is to-day the most powerful factor in influencing public opinion and expends its civilizing and beneficent force upon the mind of every citizen of this country. With this comprehension of the place of the newspaper in every American home we can better estimate the importance of the work of William Luther Etter, who is the publisher and editor of the Sigourney Review, one of the leading journals of Keokuk county, Iowa. The Review is Democratic in its political sympathies, has a weekly issue and has been under the management of Mr. Etter since 1899. Mr. Etter's parents were John and Lydia (Koser) Etter, who were natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and were descended from German ancestors. Mr. Etter himself was born in the same county as his parents on January 25, 1860, and was the youngest of seven children. He was a farmer boy, attended the country schools, and being ambitious to gain more than a common school education, he entered the Cumberland Valley State Normal School and later was a student in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, from this latter institution being graduated in 1889. He had come west to Iowa in 1883 and was one of the successful teachers of the state. In 1889 he was elected superintendent of the schools of Cedar county, and so popular was his administration of this office of trust that he was re-elected and held the position for six years. For the next three years he was superintendent of the Tipton schools, and it was at the conclusion of this term of service that he determined to enter the journalistic work, and came to Sigourney and purchased the Review, which he has conducted with success that is gratifying to himself and his subscribers. In 1894 Mr. Etter married his estimable wife, Miss Flora Cotton, and they are now among the popular residents of Sigourney. EDWARD EVANS Edward Evans, the genial proprietor of the Swayze House at Richland, Keokuk county, Iowa, was born in Lancaster, Iowa, February 8, 1862, and was five years old when he came to Richland, where he was reared and obtained his education. While still a boy he proved his ability to take care of himself, his industry and honesty obtaining him employment among the neighboring farmers and with others who needed his efiicient services. In 1893 he engaged in the livery business and conducted this for eight years and then became interested in the buying, shipping and exchange of horses. In 1902 he embarked in the hotel business, for which his pleasant personality makes him well fitted. In 1884 Mr. Evans was married to Minnie Leming, who was born in Jackson township, and is a daughter of Ellison and Rebecca Leming, old settlers of Keokuk county, coming hither from Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have two children, Gilbert and Jessie. Mr. Evans is identified with the Masonic order, Blue Lodge, No. 38, of Richland, and the Modern Woodmen of America of Richland. His whole life has been passed in this locality and he is well known and few citizens have a wider circle of friends. In political sentiment he is a staunch Republican. HENRY FOLLMAN Henry Follman, a well-to-do farmer and old settler of Lancaster township, in this county, is a born worker and a man of remarkable push and energy. Losing his father at an early age in a foreign land, he came to this country when quite young, and not only took a hand at earning his own living but also assisted in the maintenance of his mother and sisters. Deciding to follow farming and shunning no hardship, he bravely pushed west and in this way came into possession of some of the best land our country had to offer. Mr. Follman was born in Germany, July 7, 1839, and is the son of Frederick and Frances Follman, both natives of Germany. The elder Mr. Follman was reared and educated in Germany, and there married and made his home. To him and his wife were born in that country four children - Frederick, Henry, Lucilla and Louisa. Mr. Follman died in his native land. After the death of the father the family came to this country and settled in Illinois, where Mrs. Follman spent her last days. Henry Follman was but twelve years old when he came to this country. In spite of his youth, however, he took up the active duties of life like a man, hired out at anything he could turn his hand to, and in this way purchased a farm, where he with his mother and her other children resided for many years. As the land was new and mostly unbroken, with determination he set to work and assisted in clearing it and made it in time the equal of any in the vicinity. In 1856 he and his brother left their mother and sisters in possession of the farm they had worked so hard to earn, and in an emigrant train started to the newly settled state of Iowa, there to make their own fortunes. After some looking about Mr. Follman settled upon a fifty-acre tract in Lancaster township, a little west of his present farm, now known as the Barlow place. Here he remained eight years clearing and cultivating the land and making many improvements upon it. In 1877 he purchased his present farm, a splendid one hundred and seventy-five acre tract, which, however, needed considerable clearing and breaking. This work experience had enabled him only too well to do, and in time he had one of the best farms in his vicinity. By observation and the exercise of good judgment he has acquired the knack of making his place yield large and excellent crops, and he is looked upon as a man who thoroughly understands his work. In 1864 Mr. Follman married Esta Maxwell, who was born in Indiana, and who when rather young came with her parents, J. W. and Mariah Maxwell, to this county, where they afterward resided. Mr. and Mrs. Follman have had eight children, all of whom have been born and reared in Lancaster township: William H., Frederick E., John A., Lucy, Fulton, Stella, Elsie and Minnie. As one of the highly respected old settlers of the township, Mr. Follman has always had his say in the management of local affairs. He is exceedingly popular and has filled with marked ability several offices in the township. In politics he affiliates with the Democrats. LOUIS FOLLMAN Louis Follman, a prominent farmer of Lancaster township, Keokuk county, Iowa, was born February 26, 1858, and is a son of Frederick and Frances (Lefler) Follman, both of whom were natives of Germany. Frederick Follman was but a small boy when his mother brought him to America and settled for a short time in Missouri. The mother later took him to Illinois, where he grew up, working on various farms, and later came to Iowa. He settled on a farm in the western part of Lancaster township, only renting the land, as he was a skilled stonemason and soon found plenty of employment in his line. Finding conditions favorable, Mr. Follman later bought a small farm of forty acres, selling it, however, in 1878. He is now engaged in business as a book agent at Martinsburg. He is a Democrat in politics and has at various times very efficiently filled a number of the local offices. His marriage took place in Illinois to Frances Lefler, who also came to America from Germany when quite young, accompanying her parents. Four children were born to this union, namely: Louis, our subject; Frank J.; Louisa; and Adeline, deceased. All of these children were born and reared in Lancaster township. Our subject, Louis Follman, acquired an excellent common school education and remained with his father until twenty-one years of age. He then joined a government survey expedition and went to Cahfornia, where he remained for five years, coming back to the old home in 1884. Mr. Follman then engaged in farming on the farm he now owns, comprising eighty acres, about one-half of which he cleared himself and on which he has made the excellent improvements. In the spring of 1884 he was married to Cynthia Childs, who was born in Van Buren township in 1864 and was about twelve years old when her parents moved to Lancaster township. Her father, Aaron Childs, was born April 28, 1826, in the state of New York, where he lived until his marriage to Fatima Marsh, who was also born and reared in New York. Some time in the forties they came to Keokuk county, Iowa, and here Mr. Childs died in December, 1896. A family of six children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Childs, namely: Florence, Alvin M. and Florence C., deceased; O. W.; Cynthia; and Myrtle E. The three survivors were born in this county. The children born to our subject and wife are the following: Patti, Fatima, Floy, Ruth and Jean, all of whom were born on the old homestead. Mr. Follman now owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which is productive and very valuable. In politics he is a Democrat and has very efficiently served the township in many positions, and is now its capable clerk. He has been connected with the order of Odd Fellows in Sigourney for many years and is a liberal contributor to the support of the Methodist church, of which his family are members. JOHN C. FOSTER This prominent and representative citizen of Hedrick was born in Henry county, Illinois, October 27, 1865. He is a young man of push and energy, and a worthy member of a community in which young men take the leading part. His father was M. B. Foster, a native of Illinois and for long years a prominent farmer in that state. He is now a resident of Colorado. Mr. Foster's mother was Clara L. Weatherby, now deceased. Mr. Foster is the only living child of their marriage. He was educated in the public schools of Chicago, and leaving school at the age of fifteen, began life for himself. He worked on a farm until 1894, when he came to the new town of Hedrick and became connected with the public service, serving a period of eight years as constable. He was then marshal of the city for a period of three years, and for the following four years was night watchman of the city. He is at the present time engaged in the real estate, insurance and loan business. Mr. Foster was married on the 19th of January, 1890, to Miss Minnie B. Koontz, a native of Keokuk county and a daughter of Henry Koontz, one of the pioneers of Benton township. He settled there about 1840, having removed from North CaroHna. Mrs. Foster's mother's maiden name was EHzabeth Grimes. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have three interesting children: Belva L., Addie and Vernie. Mr. Foster has always taken a very prominent interest in the public life of the community in which he resides and holds to a marked degree the confidence of his associates. In 1901 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for sheriff of Keokuk county. He made a gallant race, but owing to local complications he was not able to overcome the large majority against him. The vote, however, was very close. For a period of four years he acted as secretary of the board of education. Fraternally he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 398, the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 1937, in both of which orders he has taken a very active part, and in which he is held in high esteem. ELLIS FRITZLER Ellis Fritzler, who is an enterprising farmer and a native of Keokuk county, was born in Washington township, January 13, 1845. His father, Andrew Fritzler, was a native of Germany, born near Berlin, May 8, 1815, and was thirteen years of age when in 1827 he came to the United States in company witli his parents, the family being established in Miami county, Ohio, where he remained until he came to Iowa in 1842 and settled in Henry county, near Winfield. He was married in Ohio, the lady of his choice being Polly Ellis, a native of the Buckeye state. They were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, and [it] is a remarkable fact that the band of children still remains unbroken by the hand of death. These children are: Henry, Albert, Ellis, Hannah, John A., Thomas J., Andrew L., Anna M., Alfred W. and Barbara B. All of the children were born in Iowa with the exception of the eldest. As above stated, the father came to this state in 1842, taking up his abode upon a farm in Henry county, where he remained for about a year. He then removed to Keokuk county and located in Washington township, where he entered a farm. All was raw land upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, but soon the track of the shining plow was seen across the prairie. He continued the work of improvement and development until his place became very valuable. He afterward sold the farm and purchased another tract of land in the same township, retaining this in his possession until a few years prior to his death, when he sold it and removed to Springfield, in the same township, where his remaining days were passed. He departed this life December 20, 1894, at the age of seventy-nine years, seven months and twelve days. He was a member of the Democratic party and a leading and influential member of his community, enjoying the respect of his fellow-men by reason of his genuine worth. Ellis Fritzler spent his early youth upon the home farm in Washington township, remaining with his parents until his marriage. That important event in his life occurred November 4, 1866, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha McNabb, a native of Keokuk county, where she was born and reared. They were the parents of but one child, Andrew, who is now deceased. Soon after his marriage Mr. Fritzler purchased a fann in Warren township comprising three hundred and twenty acres, the greater part of which was still in its primitive condition, but he at once began to clear and cultivate the land and in course of time the well tilled fields returned to him golden harvests. He sold that farm in 1879 and purchased another near Delta, and the latter property he still owns, his attention being given to its further cultivation with excellent results. In 1872 Mr. Fritzler was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died on the 10th of May of that year at the home of her husband's father in Delta, being at the time twenty-four years of age. On the 24th of November, i876, Mr. Fritzler was again married, his second union being with Nancy McNabb, a sister of his first wife and at that time the widow of George Clubb, formerly of Van Buren township. She was the first white female child born in Warren township. May 17, 1844, and has always lived in this county, being a representative of one of the honored pioneer families. By her first husband she had two children, Susie Clubb, and Georgia, deceased. Mr. Fritzler is a staunch Prohibitionist in politics and he and wife are members of the Christian church of Delta. Temperance and morality have always received his support and he is ever found as the friend of all measures calculated to uplift mankind and to promote the welfare and progress of the community of which he is a resident. |
