FREEMAN, W. A. - 1914

FREEMAN, LAXTON, VIVIAN, EVANS

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/2/2009 at 11:44:48

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

W. A. FREEMAN.

W. A. Freeman, a prosperous agriculturist of Cherokee county, owning and operating one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Spring township, was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, January 23, 1856. He is a son of Arnold and Ann (Laxton) Freeman, natives of England, where the father was a shepherd for some time. After their marriage the parents settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, and in that state Arnold Freeman engaged in farming until 1885, when he moved to Iowa, settling in Cherokee county. Some years later he moved

to Nobles county, Minnesota, and both he and his wife passed away in Nobles vol. n—6

county, that state. To their union were born ten children, eight of whom are still living, Mary, Emma, Lydia, Liddie, Sadie, W. A., S. C. and Robert.

W. A. Freeman was reared in Dane county, Wisconsin, acquiring his education in the public schools. He married there in 1884 and shortly afterward moved to Iowa, settling in Amherst township, Cherokee county, where he purchased land. He sold this in 1891 and bought the farm in Spring township in 1906 which he still operates. His land is located on sections 28 and 33 and one hundred acres are in a high state of cultivation.

In Wisconsin, February 26, 1884, Mr. Freeman was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Vivian, who was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, May 16, 1863, a daughter of W. F. and Mary (Evans) Vivian, who passed away in that state. The father was a native of Wisconsin, the mother, of England. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have three children: Frank A., born July 28, 1885, and now a resident of Stevens county, Minnesota; Cora A., whose birth occurred July 20, 1887 and who married J. W. Rhone, of Minnesota; and Ella, born May 5, 1889, who lives at home.

Mr. Freeman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is now in the second term of his able service as township trustee and he has also held the office of road supervisor. He is one of the active and progressive farmers of Spring township, a man of good business capacity and unquestioned integrity, enjoying in an unusual degree the confidence and goodwill of the community.