Biographies, beginning with F, History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882 Transcribed by Sally Scarff and Marlene Chaney for the USGenWeb Archives. Submitted August 2000 by Roxanne Barth , IAGenWeb Allamakee County Coordinator. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** History of Clayton County Iowa 1882 Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1882 Reprinted by: Monona Historical Society, Monona, Iowa Reproduction by: Unigraphics, Inc., 1401 North Fares Ave, Evansville, Indiana 47711, 1975 F Lodomillo Twp. -- John W. Fairweather was born in Lake County, Ill., Feb. 24, 1850. His father, Robert Fairweather, was a native of England, and came to America when a young man, and was married in Lake County, Ill., to Mary Benson. They came to Iowa in 1854, and settled on the farm in Lodomillo Township where our subject now resides. He was married on July 19, 1870, to Phebe J. Van Alstine, who was born in Winnebago County, Ill., and was a daughter of Henry and Louisa (Wolcott) Van Alstine. They have one child--Charley, born June 4, 1871. Mr. Fairweather owns sixty acres of choice land, thirty-five under excellent improvement and thoroughly stocked. In politics he is a strong supporter of the Democractic party. He is classed with the enterprising and representative men of the county, and is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 887-888 Lodomillo Twp. -- Robert Fairweather, son of John and Hannah Fairweather, nee Barker, was born in Pockley, Yorkshire, England, Sept. 30, 1816. His parents had a family of eleven children, of whom Robert was the fifth son. He followed farming until April 5, 1842. when he embarked for America, arriving in New York after a journey of six weeks. From New York he went to Chicago, which was at that time a small mud hole, thence to Lake County, Ill., where he pre-empted land, and hired as a farm laborer for $14 a month. He was married there to Melissa Benson, May 11, 1848. She is a native of Wyoming County, N.Y., born Dec. 30, 1831, and was a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Lanphier) Benson, of New York. Of five children born of this union four are living--John, who married Jennie Vanalstine; Frances, wife of George Wheeler; Rob, married Clara Storts, and Lavina, now Mrs. James Morey. In 1855 Mr. Fairweather came to Iowa, and bought a quarter of a section of land in Lodomillo Township, which he still owns, and cultivated until January, 1877, when he built the "Fairweather House" in Edgewood, which he now conducts. He has his hotel fitted up in good style, large, pleasant rooms, and excellent accommodations throughout. In politics he is independent, voting for the man rather than party. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 887 Read Twp. -- Alexander Falconer, farmer and hotel-keeper, was born among the hills of Scotland on Sept. 14, 1805. His parents, Alexander and Catherine (Brander) Falconer, were also of Scottish birth, and died in the land of their nativiety. He came to the United States in 1833, locating in Maryland, where he helped to build the first railroad in the State. He enlisted in the First Regiment of the United States Infantry, Company E, under Captian A. S. Miller, and served faithfully for eleven years, participating in the Florida and Mexican wars. He was wounded at the battle of Oridobee, while fighting the Indians on the frontier. He was honorably discharged at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., on Feb. 9, 1846. Upon leaving the service he came to Clayton County and entered a farm, which he sold five years later, and engaged in hotel-keeping. He was married in 1842 to Mary Macgee, a daughter of John and Margaret (Greer) Macgee, the former a native of England, the latter of Ireland. To them were born four children, all now numbered with the dead, viz.: Willie, George, Bennie and Sammie. Mr. Falconer is a member of the Presbyterian church, his wife of the Roamn Catholic. He is neutral in his political views. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1074 Mendon Twp. -- Alfred J. Fallowdown, known as "Uncle Billy" Fallowdown was born in London, England, Jan. 4, 1821, and emigrated to the United States in 1846, landing in New York, and from there went to Oberlin, O., thence to Sandusky City, O. In 1852 he came to McGregor where he was employed by William H. Harding in the hotel business for fourteen years. He was then engaged as bookkeeper by Mr. Williams, and from there went to Elkader where he was employed in a lumber yard by Robt. Freeman; also acted as Deputy Recorder, remaining there until 1876. In 1880 he came to West McGregor, where he is pleasantly situated. He is a member of the Episcopal church. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p.978-979 Mendon Twp. -- Theodore Farrington was born in West Hampden, Me., Aug. 16, 1844, and when a mere boy his parents emigrated to Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wis., where he remained on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He then embarked in the photographer's business, and in 1868 he came to McGregor where he has since successfully prosecuted his business. In July, 1869, he married Elizabeth Peavy, a daughter of Franklin Peavy. She was born in Massachusetts in 1847. Two children blessed this union--Ray and Lester. Mr. and Mrs. Farrington are members of the Baptist church. He is an artist of no ordinary talent and ranks with the representative business men of McGregor. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 979 Grand Meadow Twp. -- James M. Fay was born in Pennsylvania, June 18, 1845. His father, Alexander Fay, was born in Pennsylvania in 1806, and came to Iowa in 1850, bringing his son, James M., with him, and settling in Grand Meadow Township. He died in 1867. James M. Fay has resided in Grand Meadow Township continously since he came, in 1850. He received a limited education in the ordinary district schools, and has always pursued the occupation of a farmer. He has a fine farm of 200 acres, in section 35, which is in a good state of cultivation. He raises stock and grain of all kinds. He was married to Elizabeth Shriner, July 4, 1868. She was born in Ohio, May 15, 1842. Their union has been blessed with five children--Franklin A., born March 29, 1869; Charles H., born Sept. 25, 1870; Oliver J., July 2, 1874; George W., Aug. 25, 1877, and Mary E., Oct. 19, 1879. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 827 Mendon Twp. -- H. H. Ferguson, proprietor of Ferguson's barber shop, formerly owned by C. Reeves, was born in Dryden, Tompkins County, N.Y., Nov. 19, 1828. His parents were William and Irena (Foot) Ferguson, natives of New York State, and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a furniture manufacturer, and had a family of two sons and two daughters. H.H. was the oldest son. He attended school in Dryden until twelve years of age when he removed with his parents to Chagrin Falls, O., where he attended school, and learned the saddler's trade until 1851, when he removed to Portage City, Columbia County, Wis., where he followed saddlery and played in Otis's Orchestra until 1857; he removed to Monroe, Wis., and followed the same business until 1862, when he removed to Davenport, Ia. He then traveled for L. B. Cotlamar, wholesale saddlery and leather findings, until 1870, when he went to Council Bluffs, Ia., and engaged in the lightning-rod business until 1871, when he came to McGregor, Ia., and worked as foreman for S. M. McConnel & Company, wholesale dealers in saddlery, hardware, etc., until June, 1881, when he purchased and opened his present barber shop. Mr. Ferguson married Miss Lina H. Corning, at Kirtland, O., in June, 1848. She was born in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson had one daughter--Emma Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson married his present wife, Miss Mary Welch, September, 1872. She was born in Altrop, France; she was a daughter of Michael Welch, an old settler of Clayton County. Mrs. Ferguson is a member of the German Presbyterian church. Mr. Ferguson is a Republican. He has held the office of Alderman two years in McGregor. He is one of the enterprising representative business men and citizens of McGregor. In 1854 he came to McGregor to look at the country and was not favorably impressed and returned to Portage City, Wis. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 979-980 Cass Twp. -- W. B. Field, of the firm of W.B. Field and Son, dealers in agricultural implements, is a native of Jefferson County, N.Y. born Jan. 25, 1827. His parents are Bennett and Fanny Field, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Massachusetts. W. B. attended the district schools of his native place until he was sixteen years old, when he left school to assist on his father's farm. One years later his parents removed to De Kalb County, Ill., settling on a farm. He worked for his father until he attained his majority, when he purchased a farm of sixty acres, paying for it in grain. In 1855 he sold it, and came to Clayton County, purchasing a farm in Lodomillo Township. In 1856 he removed to Floyd County, Iowa, where he remained one year, then settled in Cass Towhsip. In 1872 he engaged in the machine business, and the following year established a hardware and machine business, and the following year established a hardware and machine store in Strawberry Point. Since 1882 he has been engaged in his present business in partnership with his son Fred Field. They carry a complete stock of good, and do a good business. Mr. Field was married in 1849 to Julia Ann Hill. They have eight children--Smith, Alice, Ellen, Fred, Willard, Oren, Ruba and Bernice. Mr. Field is a member of A. O. U. W. lodge, and is one of the leading citizens of the place. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 695 Lodomillo Twp. -- Thomas Fisher, farmer, section 27, Lodomillo Township, was born in Crawford County, Pa., July 19, 1827. His parents were Thomas and Polly (McGuire) Fisher, natives of Pennsylvania. They had fifteen children, of whom Thomas was the eleventh child and fifth son. He remained on the farm till nineteen years of age, attending school during the winter months. He came to Chippewa Falls, remaining two years and a half, then returned to Pennsylvania, where he married Eliza Sturtevant, May 16, 1849. She was a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Luman and Hannah Sturtevant. He came to Iowa with his wife and two children in 1857. Located in Clayton County, Mendon Township. There he built his first dwelling in North McGregor. In 1860 he went to Pike's Peak, remaining one year. Then he removed to Elkader, where, in connection with other business, he conducted the Boardman House a year and a half. Nov. 11, 1866, he was again married to Margaret Jones, of Union County, O., daughter of Lodi and Sarah (Reynolds) Jones. He came to Lodomillo in 1869, settling on section 27, where he has since resided. Mr. Fisher had three children by his first wife--Harriet, Luman and North (deceased), and by his second wife--Thomas Corwin (now dead), Vernon Vincent, Maggie Mabel, Thomas Earl, Shirlie Hughes, and Ethel Esther ( who died in infancy). Mr. Fisher is a Republican and has held various offices of trust in his township. He enlisted in the Ninth Iowa Infantry, and served the latter part of the war. He owns several farms in Lodomillo, amounting to 357 acres, located on sections 10,11,27 and 34. Of these, 280 acres are in cultivation. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 888 Volga Twp. -- E. H. Fitch, son of Peter and Sarah (Roberts) Fitch, natives of Augusta County, Me, was born at that place in October, 1816. His education was received in the common schools and under private teachers. He was married in 1842 to Ann Mohler, who was born in Rockingham County, Va., and was a daughter of John and Magdalen Mohler, nee Reinhardt. Of eight children born of this union seven are living - Sarah (now the wife of Martin L. Garber), James , Richard J., Robert, Oscar, Hattie J. and Hannah V. John P. died while serving his country in the Army of the Tennessee. In 1852 Mr. and Mrs. Fitch came to Volga Township, Clayton County, where he entered 160 acres of land, upon which he still resides. He has made many excellent improvements on his farm, which is one of the finest in this section of the township. He has always taken an active interest in Clayton County's improvement, and is classed with her representative citizens. In politics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Fitch died in 1870. History of Clayton County Iowa 1882, p. 1120 Sperry Twp. -- Samuel Fitch is a native of England, born Dec. 31, 1822. On April 5, 1851, he left the moth country for America, landing in New York on the 21st day of that month. He remained in New York five years, making a trip to Ohio in 1851, and in 1856 he came to Clayton Couty. The first two years of his residence here was spent on the farm now owned by Wm. Cain, in Cox Creek Township. Since that time has resided on his present farm, which consists of 185 acres of finely improved land. He was married to Elizabeth Hazel, on March 8, 1851, in England, where she was born Apr. 11, 1826. Three children have blessed their union, viz.: Charles C., born in New York, Dec. 29, 1851, is now a resident of Calhoun County, Ia.; George H., born Jan. 4, 1858, married Miss Amelia Biggle on Mar. 17, 1878, (they have two children-Claud H., born June 2, 1880, and Mary E., Sept. 8, 1881); and Fred W., born Oct. 18, 1865. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Fitch and his sons vote the Republican ticket. He is one of the prominent men in Clayton County, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1094-1095 Volga Twp. -- Peter Flaherty, hotel and livery keeper, was born in Maine, Jan. 25, 1849, son of Edward and Bridget (Needham) Flaherty, who were natives of Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1846, and located in Maine for a time, then went to Pennsylvania, and in 1854 moved to Chicago, Ill., and in 1856 to Clayton County, Ia., where he engaged in farming, which he followed until his health failed, since which time he has resided with the subject of this sketch, who was married Jan. &, 1871, to Mary A. Mahr. They have a family of four children - Mary Elizabeth, Peter, Frank and Lucy. Mr. F. has by his own industry in business accumulated some peroperty, and makes a special business of buying and shipping wood in conection with his hotel and livery. He has been identified with the political affairs of the township of late years, and votes the Democratic ticket. History of Clayton County Iowa 1882, p. 1120 Jefferson Twp. –- Morris Fleck, of the firm of Fleck, Bluding & Co., Guttenberg, was born at Nordhausen, Germany, in 1821. He came to the United States in 1842 with his father's family, who located on a farm in Lewis County, Mo. His brother August engaged in business. They came here in May, 1850, and established a general mercantile business, which partnership continued until the death of his brother in 1876. They wee in business together a period of thirty- two years. His brother was the elder, having been born in 1817. Neither of them ever married. Since the death of August, the firm is known as Fleck, Bluding & Co. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 867 Grand Meadow Twp. -- Thomas Fleming, a native of New York, was born Nov. 2, 1840. When he was eight years old he moved to Chicago, Ill., with his father, remaining there until 1856, when they came to Clayton County, and settled on a farm in Grand Meadow Township. In 1861 Thomas went to California, returning two years later. He bought a farm of 120 acres, on section 27, this township, where he still resides. He was married to Hannah Herley on Jan. 19, 1870. She was born in Canada in 1842. They have eight children--Michael J., born Dec. 19, 1871; James, Jan. 11, 1872; Willie, April 29, 1873; E.E., Aug. 5, 1875; Thomas F., in 1877; Mary, Dec. 24, 1878; Joseph, April 1, 1879, and Margaret, Jan. 8, 1881. Mr. Fleming has held the office of School Secretary for the past six years, and that of Assessor four years. Has also been Township Trustee and School Director. He is a member of the Catholic church, and one of the well-to- do farmers of this township. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 827-828 Mallory Twp. -- Robert Bruce Flenniken, millwright and farmer, P.O. Colesburg, was a son of John N. and Elizabeth (Grooms) Flenniken, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Iowa in 1857, and died here. Robert B. was born in Greene County, Pa., Aug. 28, 1830, where he was educated and learned his trade. He came to Iowa in 1852, at twenty-one years of age, to assist in building a mill, but liking the country, after a return to Pennsylvania, he came to Iowa to permanently reside. In 1865 he purchased his present farm of 160 acres on section 28, and also owns another farm two miles distant, of like size, both being finely cultivated, and his home is one of the finest in the county for comfort and beauty of location. On March 27, 1856, he married Margaret, daughter of John and Milinda (Patterson) Brown, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respectively. They came to Iowa in 1848, and died in Mallory Township. Margaret was born in Pennsylvania on Oct. 28, 1833. By the above marriage there are two children-- Mary Alice, born March 28, 1859, is the wife of Omar Hammond (they live with her parents), and John Franklin, born March 14, 1864. Mrs. F. and daughter are members of the Congregational church. Mr. F. is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Fraternity. He has held many of the township offices, and in 1872-'3 represented his county in the State Legislature; the session of 1873 was for the purpose of codifying the laws of the State, in which work Mr. F. evinced much skill and good judgment, coupled with much hard work, as his co-laborers can attest. Mr. F. devotes most of his time to his trade, building and furnishing grist-mills, putting in the Flenniken patent turbine water-wheel, which is the best wheel in use. He has opened an office in Dubuque, Iowa, in company with T. W. Graham, in connection with the Utter Manufacturing company of Rockford, Ill. and is doing a very large and profitable business. He has met with great success, and is one of the wealthiest citizens. History of Clayton County Iowa, 1882, p. 917-918 Monona Twp. -- R. Mitchell Fonda, farmer and dairyman, Monona Township, and one of the enterprising citizens of Clayton County, was born in Montgomery, now Fulton County, N.Y., on the 15th day of August, 1824, a son of William and Henrietta S. (Mitchell) Fonda, who were married in Montgomery County, N.Y., March 4, 1817. By this union there was a family of twelve children, nine living, viz.: Ann E., R. Mitchell, Mary R., William H., Henrietta, Andrew J., Clemantina H., Alexa and James M. In 1832 Mr. Fonda moved to West Troy, and in 1838 to Herkimer County, N.Y., where he followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1847. The mother died in Monona Township in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Fonda were members of the Presbyterian church. R.M. received a common-school education, and afterward was employed by Hinkley & Bullen in the lumber business, receiving at commencement $13 per month, and the last year of his services received $1,000. In 1861 he married Mary A. Smith, a daughter of Rufus Smith, of Herkimer County, N.Y., where she was born Sept. 11, 1837. The issue of this marriage was five children, viz.: Henrietta, born Nov. 30, 1862; G. H. and Helen G. (twins), born Jan. 15, 1865; Robert M., June 9, 1868; William W., Sept. 27, 1871. In 1855 Mr. Fonda left his home in New York with his family and emigrated to Clayton County, locating in Giard Township, one mile east of Monona, where he remained until 1864, when he purchased his present farm of 256 acres. It is now under a high state of cultivation, and is valued at $60 per acre. Mr. Fonda is extensively engaged in the dairy business, and keeps from fifty to sixty cows. He has a beautiful house, and one of the largest and best constructed barns in the county. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, Monona Township, p. 1040-1041 Monona Twp. -- Henry R. Foote was born in Huron County, Ohio, July 14, 1837, and was a son of Moses and Maria (Pulmer) Foote, natives of New York. There was a family of five children, two of whom are living--David and Henry R. Moses Foote left New York in 1830 and went to Huron County, O., where he entered land and remained until 1855, when he sold out and removed to Clayton County, locating in Wagner Township. A few years later he moved to Lodomillo Township, and is at present a resident of Cherokee County, Ia. The subject of this memoir came to this county with his parents in 1855. When twenty-three years of age he took a trip to Pike's Peake, California and Montana, where he spent ten years in mining. In the fall of 1872 he returned to Clayton County and purchased a farm in Giard Township. In February, 1871, he married Julia I. Burnham. She was born in Orange County, VT., June 20, 1847. Of three children born of this union two are living--Theron A. and Flavilla S. Mr. Foote has a farm of 70 acres, valued at $50 per acre. His brother, who went to Pike's Peake with him, enlisted in the Eighth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Missionary Ridge by the explosion of a shell, which eventually caused his death. He was Lieutenant of his company. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, Monona Township, p. 1041 Mendon Twp. -- Micajah Foster, farmer, sections 4, 9 and 16 Mendon Township, was born in Essex, Mass., Aug. 27, 1807. His parents were Zebulon and Polly (Story) Foster, natives of Massachusetts, and members of the Congregational church. They had a family of nine children; eight lived to be men and women. Micajah, subject of this sketch, was the youngest son. He attended school until seven, when he moved with his parents to New Hampshire, and worked on a farm, attending school until twenty-one, when he farmed with his father until his marriage to Elizabeth Tucker, which occurred on April 5, 1838. She was born in Henniker, Merrimack County, N.H., and was a daughter of Thomas and Charlotte (Greene) Tucker, natives of New Hampshire. After his marriage, Mr. Foster farmed in New Hampshire until the spring of 1855, when he came to Clayton County, Iowa, and settled on the farm where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have had six children, four living, viz.: Homer, who is agent for a lumber company at Memphis; he was in the late war a member of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry; Mary A., married John Lawson; Zelda, married Edgar Lawson; they reside in Shelby County, Iowa, and Earnest, who resides on the old homestead with his parents. Mr. Foster owns a farm of 217 acres, 100 under cultivation; he raises grain and stock for the market. He has held various local offices of trust in his township, and is one of the old settlers and enterprising, representative men of Clayton County, where he has been identified since the spring of 1855. Hon. Rufus Choate was an own cousin of Mr. Foster on his father's side. His forefathers came to America near or about the landing of the Pilgrims. His grandfather and three of his father's brothers served in the Revolutionary War. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 980 Clayton Twp. -- Christ Freund, one of the prominent business men of Clayton, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Oct. 22, 1822, and emigrated to America in 1843, landing in New York. He went to the city of Baltimore, Md., where he resided eight years, thence to Philadelphia, Pa., and one year later removed to Virginia. In 1854 he came to Clayton County, and resided at Guttenberg two years, then purchased a farm in Wisconsin, which he cultivated six years, then returned to Clayton County, locating in Clayton City. He has been engaged in the livery business here for the past sixteen years, and prior to embarking in that business, he manufactured barrels for a flouring mill. He carried the mail daily from Elkader to Clayton for four years, and for eight years tri-weekley. He disposed of this business to his son John, some six years ago., who still manages it. He was married in 1846 to Anna Dill, a native of Bavaria, born Jan. 9, 1822. They have four children, Louisa, born in 1847; John, in 1852; Matilda, in 1855, and Frank , May 15, 1860. Mr. Freund is a member of the Catholic Church and in Politics a Democrat. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 721-722 Millville Twp. -- George Friedlein, Sr., is a native of Germany, born in February, 1831. He left the land of his birth for America in 1852, landed at New Orleans, and from there went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided seven years, then came to Calyton County. He settled on his present farm of 240 acres on section 8, Millville Township, which he now has under good cultivation, and has made many excellent improvements on his land. He was married in 1857 to Margaret Grush, and their union has been blessed with five children--Adam, born in 1862; Charles, in 1863; Henry, in 1865; Louis, in 1873, and Caroline, in 1868. In politics, Mr. Friedlein affiliates with the Republican party, and is classed with the prominent and influential citizens of Millville Township. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1012 Millville Twp. -- George Friedlien was born in Cincinnati, O., Jan. 14, 1848, and came to Clayton County in 1859, where he remained only four months, then returned to Cincinnati. In the spring of 1864 he came again to Clayton County, locating in Guttenberg, where he resided until 1867, then moved on to his present farm of 120 acres on section 18, Millville Township. He was married on July 4, 1870, to Caroline Trovester, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept., 29, 1850, and in 1853 emigrated with her parents to the United States. They located in Cincinnati, O., where they remained two years, then came to Clayton County, settling first in Guttenberg, and afterward in Millville Township. Mr. and Mrs. Friedlien have one child--Willie L., born July 16, 1871. In religious sentiment Mr. Friedlien is a Lutheran, and politically he favors the Republican party. History of Clayton County, 1882, p. 1012-1013 Millville Twp. -- William Friedlien is a native of Aurora, Ind., born Aug. 9, 1859. He came to Clayton County in 1862 with his parents, who settled at Guttenberg, where they resided until 1867, then settled on a farm in Millville Township. William remained on his father's farm until his marriage, which occurred Feb. 22, 1882, to Mary Kauffman, who was born in Millville Township, Aug. 5, 1866. Mr. Friedlien is engaged in managing his farm on section 18, this township. It consists of eighty acres of fine land. He was christened in the Lutheran faith, and was educated in the Republican school of politics, to the principles of which party he still adheres. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1013 Highland Twp. -- William Frost, a native of Northamptonshire, England, was born on Jan. 1, 1816. His parents, Thomas and Hannah (Hitchcock) Frost, reared a family of six children, of whom William was the second son. He attended school until his eleventh year, when he came with his parents to America. They located in Lambertsville, N.J., where our subject attended school and learned the boot and shoe trade. In 1839 he came West and located in Fulton County, Ill. He was married on April 12, 1839, to Prudence B. Seward. She was born in Chautauqua County, N.Y., and was a daughter of Anson and Finetta Seward, nee Cousins. Mr. Frost followed his trade after marriage until 1846, then engaged in farming. During this time he made boots and shoes for the first party who went to California from that county. In May, 1850, he came to Iowa, and settled on a farm in Fayette County; remained there until 1856, when he bought his present farm on section 30, Highland Township. It contains 126 acres of rich and fertile land, highly cultivated. Mr. and Mrs. Frost have had a family of ten children, five living--John, who married Marie McMullen; Sarah J., now Mrs. David Wenrick; Polly A., wife of Chas. Wattles; Ducina, now Mrs. Henry Corbin, and Marion, who married Henrietta L. Hotchkiss. Mrs. Wm. Frost is a member of the United Bretheren church. Mr. Frost is a Democrat in politics, and one of the popular men of the county. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 840