Page, Frank Howard

CHANDLER, STEBBINS, GRINNELL, DEGRAFF, MILLIGAN, WILLIE

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/16/2010 at 10:21:28

Frank Howard Page, prominently connected with business interests of Waverly as proprietor of the business operated by the Page Produce Company and well known also as a successful stock dealer and shipper, was born in Manchester, Kennebec county, Maine, on the 31st of January, 1862. He is a son of Sewall and Dorcas (Chandler) Page, natives of Begrade township, Kennebec county, where the father operated a blacksmith shop for some time. In 1874 the parents came west to Iowa, locating at Lester Center, Lester township, in Blackhawk county. There Sewall Page engaged in farming for a long period, later removing to Fairbank, where he resumed the blacksmithing business. At the end of eighteen years he moved to Idaho, where he passed away in the fall of 1912. His first wife died in 1884 and he afterward married a second time.

Frank H. Page attended district school in Maine and Iowa and when he was nineteen years of age began his business career, working in a general store at Lester Center. At the end of two years he secured a position in a creamery in Fairbank and in the next year opened a mercantile establishment at Lester Center, operating also a wagon from which he sold general merchandise. At the end of one year he moved his store ten miles north and located at Key post office, where he continued in business for about ten years. Selling his enterprise at the end of that time, he came to Waverly for the purpose of manufacturing a wood-sawing machine which he had patented. He manufactured these articles and also operated a general foundry for some time, being also associated with his brother in dressing and shipping poultry. All of these enterprises he conducted until 1893, when the hard times obliged him to close down his foundry. He later began manufacturing leather suspenders, and in association with his brother and M.F. Stebbins, of Waverly, he built up a large business along this line, conducting it for about one year. At the end of that time Mr. Page moved to Independence and engaged in the maufacture of a web suspender of his own invention, retaining his connection with industrial interests of that community until about the year 1904. During that time he had become associated with his brother and B.B. Grinnell in the manufacture of paint, but after one year the company was dissolved and Mr. Page assumed entire charge of the business which he still operates. In 1904, he moved to Waverly and began handling eggs and poultry, organizing the Page produce Coimpany, with which he is still connected. He conducts a general produce business, buying from the local merchants and selling in the eastern markets. In addition to this he is connected with agricultural interests as the owner of two hundred and sity-five acres of improved land in Bremer county. This is divided into a number of farms, upon one of which he makes a specialty of breeding polled Durham cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs and raising Plymoth Rock chickens. His property is known as the Pleasant View Farm, and he owns another one equally valuable in Lafayette township known as the Evergreen Farm. All of his business interests are capably managed and have brought him a gratifying measure of success.

Mr. Page has been twice married. In 1884 he wedded Miss Nellie DeGraff, who was born in Lester township, Blackhawk county, in 1867. She was a daughter of John and Margaret (Milligan)DeGraff, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of German parentage, and the latter of Illinois. The father is a wheelwright and blacksmith by trade, following these occupations in Nebraska. Mr. Page's first wife passed away, leaving three children: Guy F., deceased; Edna and Esther. In October, 1909, Mr. Page was again married, his second wife being Miss Harriet Willie, who was born in Pocahontas county, Iowa, December 9, 1888, a daughter of William and Cynthia Willie. The father engaged in farming in Blackhawk county for a number of years, interrupting his agricultural pursuits only in order to serve in an Iowa volunteer regiment during the Civil war.

Mr Page belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the lodge and chapter, and he is a democrat in his political beliefs. He served as township clerk of Franklin township for some time and was postmaster of Key. He is one among many who deserves great credit for his successful career, for he has made his way upward to success through his own exertions. Industrious habits and straight forward dealing have enabled him to win and maintain his standing in the community as a substantial and desirable citizen.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol II 1914