Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Fiedler, Frank 1837 - 1910
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 6, 2013, 10:34 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

FRANK FIEDLER.

Frank Fiedler left the impress of his individuality upon Ottumwa in many ways,
not alone by reason of his business activity but also owing to his stalwart
support of important public measures. He came to Wapello county in pioneer times
and during the years that passed ere death called him he won and retained the
friendship of many, so that his demise was deeply regretted. He was born in
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1837, his parents being Isaiah and Leah
(Zehner) Fiedler, the former a native of Pine Grove and the latter of Mahoning,
Pennsylvania. The Fiedlers were an old Pennsylvania family, of German origin,
founded in America in colonial days, when settlement was made at Germantown,
Pennsylvania. Representatives of the name participated actively in the
Revolutionary war. The parents of Frank Fiedler came to Iowa about 1856,
settling at Agency, and there made their home throughout their remaining days.
The father was a contractor and worked at railroad construction, building a
number of railway lines in Pennsylvania. After removing to Iowa he concentrated
his energies upon contracting and building and here passed away in August, 1881.
In the family were three sons and two daughters: Frank; William, now of Denver,
Colorado; Mrs. Sarah Light, of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Emma Berry, who
died in Salem, Oregon; and Henry, also of that state.

Frank Fiedler spent his youthful days in Pennsylvania and was there married,
March 11, 1858, to Miss Frances Hunluck Fowler. They began their domestic life
in the Keystone state, but in 1861 removed westward, establishing their home in
Agency, Iowa. Later they became residents of Ottumwa, where Frank Fiedler
continued to reside until his death, on the 28th of November, 1910. He was an
architect and builder and many substantial structures of the city bear evidence
of his handiwork, indicating his skill both in planning and construction. For
twelve years he was superintendent of the waterworks at Ottumwa, occupying that
position from 1881 until 1893, and during that period his advice was frequently
sought as a consulting engineer, especially in solving problems encountered in
the damming of the river. During that period he also acted as construction
engineer in connection with work carried on elsewhere. In that capacity he spent
some time at Richmond, Indiana, Auburn, New York, Athol, Massachusetts,
Appleton, Wisconsin, Omaha, Nebraska, and Adrian, Michigan. During the latter
part of his life he confined his attention to the profession of architecture. He
possessed notable mechanical ability and thoroughly understood the scientific
principles which underlay his work in all of its ramifications. During the war
he spent some time in the south, having regularly enlisted, both lie and his
father being engaged in construction work in connection with the operations of
the army.

His wife, Mrs. Frances H. Fiedler, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania,
July 31, 1836, and died in Ottumwa, October 16, 1902. She was a quiet home
woman, a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was most devoted to
her family. Her parents were Daniel and Charita (Abbott) Fowler, natives of
Pennsylvania, and her paternal grandfather was a native of England. Mrs. Fowler
was a daughter of Jacob Abbott, of Sussex county, New Jersey, who served as one
of the minutemen in the Revolutionary war. To Mr. and Mrs. Fiedler were born
five, children. Emma, now principal of the Adams school of Ottumwa, was born in
Espy, Pennsylvania, was educated in the schools of Ottumwa and was graduated
from the high school in 1877. She took up the profession of teaching in 1883 and
has since followed it in connection with the city schools, being advanced to the
position of principal in 1892. She has done much to further the interests of
education here, always upholding the highest standards. She belongs to the
Teachers Club of Ottumwa, to the Iowa chapter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution, to the Tourist Club, the P. E. O. and is an Episcopalian in
religious faith. She has had marked influence on the intellectual and moral
progress of the community and no one in Ottumwa is held in higher regard.
William, the second member of the family, is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
Ida M., a native of Ottumwa, died February 2, 1907. Alice, principal of the
Hedrick school of Ottumwa, belongs to the same societies as her sister.
Frederick Herbert is a traveling salesman of Ottumwa. The daughters are also
members of the Ottumwa Country Club.

Mr. Fiedler was a director of the Coal Palace of Ottumwa. His political support
was given to the republican party and he represented his ward in the city
council. He also belonged to the volunteer fire department in an early day, and
his fraternal relations were with the Masons. He always read extensively and
from his reading as well as from the experiences of life he learned many
valuable lessons. His integrity of character, his upright methods in business,
his energy and his high ideals all combined to make him one of the most honored
and valued residents of Ottumwa.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/wapello/bios/fiedler779gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/

File size: 5.9 Kb