FROST, George Elridge

FROST, DUNCAN, ROSECRANS, BUSH, TUTTLE, BURNAP

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/9/2013 at 04:15:03

Biography - George Eldridge Frost

George E. FROST, a prominent pioneer of Clear Lake, was born at Bridport, Addison Co., Vermont, April 1, 1834. His parents, Levi and Mary E. FROST, removed to Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., when George was but three years old, and there he grew to manhood, the only child who survived to maturity. In 1854 the senior FROST removed again with his family to DeKalb Co., Ill., and thence to a farm in Marble Rock, Floyd Co., Iowa, where Mr. FROST was engaged in agriculture and surveying. In 1860 the family came to Clear Lake, where the father died in 1870 and the mother in 1871.

Soon after his arrival at Clear Lake, Mr. FROST was appointed surveyor of Cerro Gordo county, and held the position five years. He exchanged his farm in Floyd county for a quarter section in Grant township, eventually owning 1400 acres there, 320 of which he still holds. He has dealt extensively in land since his settlement, and is now the owner of nearly 2,000 acres in the county. One fine farm in his possession lies just north of the village.

In 1870 he purchased the Clear Lake Observer, which he sold in 1874 to Hon. M.P. ROSECRANS. On the discontinuation of the paper by the latter, Mr. FROST purchased a new press and revived its publication. He sold it in 1879 to F. J. BUSH, who gave it the name of Clear Lake Mirror. In 1880 Mr. FROST established the Clear Lake Record, which he still publishes. He also manages a real estate office which he initiated in 1861. From 1865 to 1873 Mr. FROST acted as revenue collector. In 1874, associated with Marcus TUTTLE, he instituted the Clear Lake Bank, his partner remaining a single year. In 1877 he sold the interests of the bank to W. A. BURNAP, re-purchasing in 1880. In 1868-9 he was county judge of Cerro Gordo, serving also as county auditor, and was consequently last county judge and first county auditor of Cerro Gordo. From 1862 to 1877 he acted as postmaster at Clear Lake, with the exception of two short intervals.

Mr. FROST is a man of indomitable mental activity and energetic business habits, which he has applied to the progress of the place and generation in which he lives.

His wife was Azubah, daughter of Thomas DUNCAN. The latter came from McHenry Co., Ill., to Clear Lake, where he died in 1871. Mr. and Mrs FROST have three children — Agnes, Mary and George E., Jr.

NOTE: George Eldridge FROST died on June 28, 1887, Clear Lake. Azubah (DUNCAN) FROST, who was born on January 21, 1940, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada, died December 10, 1928, Clear Lake. They were interred at Clear Lake Cemetery.

SOURCE: History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo Counties, Iowa. Pp. 643-4. Continental History Co. Springfield IL.1883.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2013

Cerro Gordo Biographies maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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