Frank U. & Freda (Wilka) Dell
DELL, WILKA
Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 11/7/2003 at 20:48:27
Frank U. Dell is another member of the Dell family, so well and favorably represented in Logan township. He is also a farmer, and has been a resident of Lyon county since the spring of 1888. In that time he has proved himself honest, unswervingly industrious, a most careful and accurate business man, and an enlightened and progressive citizen. Success has attended his efforts to a high degree, and his place as a solid and substantial citizen is unquestioned.
Mr. Dell was born in Clinton county, Iowa, in 1864, and was the youngest child born to his parents. his early life was spent on the farm, and he was thoroughly trained to hard work. He remained on the family homestead until the spring of 1888, when he decided to strike out into the wide world for himself and see what measure of good fortune he could wrest from it for himself. In the spring of the year following he bought the southwest quarter of section 24, Logan township, not far from locations already effected in Lyon county by his brothers George and Eddy. With a third brother, John, he formed a partnership, and the two worked together for years.
Frank U. Dell was married in the spring of 1891 to Miss Freda Wilka, a native of Clayton county, Iowa, and a daughter of John Wilka, a successful farmer of that county. The Wilka family comes of German descent. To this marriage have come three children: Pearl, Hazel and Frank. Mr. Dell removed his young and growing family in the spring of 1904 to a home on his farm, where he had already built a house 26 by 28 feet and a barn 48 by 60 feet. The construction of other buildings would rapidly follow, and it was not expected that the year would end without the equipment of the farm with a complete outfit of modern and up-to-date farm buildings. A picture of the residence appears on another page. This farm comprises a quarter section of fine soil rich and fruitful, and which has already taken on the appearance of a model Iowa farm. He did his first breaking with oxen, and with the same outfit did contract work until he had turned under the sod of a full half section of prairie land.
Mr. Dell is very favorably regarded by his friends and neighbors and his election as township assessor shows the good repute in which he lives among those who know him best.
source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905
transcribed & submitted by Roseanna Zehner, Lyon co. IAGenWeb coordinator
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