Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Root, F. L. 1849 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 June 30, 2013, 4:05 pm

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

F. L. ROOT.

The name of Root has long been associated with the monument business at Ottumwa,
and the enterprise established by his father is now successfully continued and
conducted by F. L. Root, whose name introduces this review. He is a native of
Van Buren county, Iowa, born December 7, 1849, and is a son of Moses B. Root,
who was born in Ohio. There he resided until 1842, when he came with his family
to Iowa, settling in Van Buren county. In his native state he married Elizabeth
A. Howard, who was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and accompanied her
parents to Ohio in her early girlhood. There she remained during her maidenhood
and eventually gave her hand in marriage to Moses B. Root and accompanied him to
Iowa. Following their arrival in Van Buren county Mr. Root engaged in the
monument business, which he conducted there until 1860. He then brought his
family to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he established a similar business, in which he
continued until 1890, when death terminated his labors. His widow survived him
for ten years and passed away in 1900. They were the parents of five children,
of whom Howard and Mary are now deceased. The others are: F. L.; Ada L., the
wife of L. H. Southwick of New York city; and Ettie L., the wife of W. A. Seeley
of Kansas City, Missouri.

F. L. Root remained at home until he attained his majority, acquiring a good
public-school education, and in 1870 he joined his father in business under the
firm style of M. B. Root & Son. He became familiar with every phase of the
business and was well qualified to assume active management as his father put
aside the more onerous duties connected with the trade. He is enterprising and
diligent and his close application has been one of the features of his growing
success. His establishment is now liberally patronized, and for his monuments he
has a ready sale. The output is artistic in finish and workmanship, and his
trade has grown year by year. In addition to his business he owns several
properties in Ottumwa, from which he derives a good income.

In 1889 Mr. Root was united in marriage to Miss Clara B. Squire, who was born in
Illinois and is a daughter of Daniel and Mary Squire, whose family numbered
seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Root have become parents of two sons and three
daughters: Howard F., who is a Harvard graduate and is now engaged in social
settlement work in Boston; Mary E., who is attending school at Grinnell, Iowa;
Blanch E., also a student in Grinnell; and Oscar and Mabel, both students in the
high school at Ottumwa. The family attend the First Congregational church and in
social circles occupy an enviable position. Mr. Root is a member of the
Commercial Club and is in hearty sympathy with its movements for the development
and upbuilding of the city. His political allegiance is given to the republican
party and in fraternal circles he is well known, belonging to Masonic Lodge, No.
269, A. F. & A. M., and also to the Royal Arch chapter. He is likewise prominent
in the Odd Fellows' Society of Ottumwa, in which he has filled all of the
chairs, and in the Woodmen of the World. He has ever been actuated by a
progressive spirit in all the relations of life, and his energy and enterprise
have placed him not only among the leading business men but also among the
leading citizens who have had to do with shaping municipal progress and the
public policy of Ottumwa.


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

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