Fremont R. Shrader (1858-1929)

SHRADER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 11:44:59

Fremont R. Shrader
(August 11, 1858 – August 8, 1929)

Fremont R. Shrader is well known in business circles in Manson. For many years he represented agricultural interests in Calhoun County and is now engaged in dealing in real estate as a representative of the Horton & Whittlesey Land Agency. He was born August 11, 1858, in Whiteside County, Illinois. His father, Henry C. Shrader, who
was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, is now living in his seventy-eighth year. In the Buckeye state he married Emeline Stought, who was born in Ohio and there the father engaged in farming for some years, but later turned his attention to shoemaking and also conducted a shoe store. Subsequently, however, he disposed of that business and returned to his farm. He was most energetic and industrious, and his was a successful business career. In 1856 he removed with his family to Whiteside County, Illinois, where he purchased a quarter-section of land, but in 1857 he became imbued with the desire to search for gold in the mountains of the west and in a prairie schooner made an overland trip to Pike's Peak, spending one year in that locality. He then returned to Lanark, Carroll County, Illinois, At that time the town was in its infancy and Mr. Shrader established a shoe store there, conducting that enterprise for six years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Shannon, where he was extensively engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. At that time all such goods were made by local shoe dealers. He employed fourteen men in his establishment, and in addition to the manufactory conducted a shoe store. When six years had passed he removed to the farm, which he had purchased in Stephenson County, Illinois, making it his place of residence until 1871, when he arrived in Calhoun County, Iowa. Here he purchased a half-section of land for his sons, who came to this locality, and Fremont R. Shrader and his brother-in-law, L. E. Myers, placed this land under cultivation. The parents of our subject, however, remained in Illinois on the old homestead farm until 1889, when they also came to Iowa, locating in Greenfield township, Calhoun County. In January, 1900, they removed to Hale, Missouri, where they have a son and daughter living and where they now reside in well earned retirement from labor, enjoying the fruits of their former toil. Mr. Shrader has been quite actively identified with the development of the west, especially in Illinois and Iowa. His political support has been given the Republican party since its organization, but he has always refused office, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs, in which he has met with creditable success. He has long been a member of the Masonic fraternity, has been prominent in its ranks and served as grand master mason in Illinois. He was at the Masonic headquarters in Chicago at the time the great fire occurred in that city in 1871.
Unto Henry and Emeline Shrader have been born six children: Cordelia is the wife of L. E. Myers and resides in New Cambria, Missouri, where he conducts a hotel. Marguerite became the wife of F. C. McLean, a resident of Pennsylvania. She passed away here in October, 1895, and is interred in the cemetery of Manson, Iowa. Lizzie, who became the wife of Easton Stunkard, is residing at New Granada, Fulton County, Pennsylvania. John is married and formerly resided in Manson, Iowa. George married Josie Garrison and operates a farm near Hale, Missouri. Our subject, Fremont R., completes the family. The early education of Fremont R. Shrader was obtained in Shannon, Illinois. He pursued the high school course until twenty-one years of age, when he came to Iowa in company with his father and
brother-in-law and here began farming, developing a tract of wild land, which he transformed into a rich and attractive farm. About six years ago, however, he left his farm, which he has since sold, and established a coal yard and implement business in Manson, which he conducted for five years. He then sold this to Edgar Hobbs and entered into business relations with the firm of Horton & Whittlesey, representing their land agency and also connected with their livery business. He is well posted on fine horses and stock, being an excellent judge of the same, and his opinion in these matters is often sought by the firm which he represents.
On the l0th of November, 1881, in Manson, Mr. Shrader was united in marriage to Miss Clara Roske, who was born in Denmark, September 15, 1861, and is a daughter of John U. and Mary (Ludwig) Roske, both of whom were also natives of Denmark. After their marriage they crossed the Atlantic to America in 1861 and settled in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where the father engaged in the manufacture of brick for a few years. He then came to Calhoun County and purchased a quarter-section of land in Greenfield Township, where he and his wife are still living. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, but has never sought office as a reward for his allegiance thereto. Both he and his wife hold membership with the Lutheran church and are people of the highest respectability. Their one daughter is Mrs. Shrader and their only son is John A., who married Frankie Condron, of Rockwell City, and resides upon a farm in Greenfield Township. Mr. and Mrs. Shrader have two children, Charles, born October 30, 1887, and Harry, born October 5, 1890. Both are now students in the public school. Fraternally Mr. Shrader is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and with Temple Lodge, No. 95, K. P. In his political views he is a Republican, and has been honored with all the local offices in Greenfield Township. Since coming to the county he has been deeply interested in its welfare and progress, and his labors have been a potent element in its improvement and upbuilding. As a citizen he is public-spirited and has co-operated in many movements for the general good. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.413]