Dyer, Frank P.

DYER, PERRILL, TEEPLE, PRATT, BELKNAP

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 4/15/2003 at 18:06:37

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

FRANK P. DYER.

The subject of this review, who has spent almost his entire life on his present farm in Brookfield township, was born in Ohio February 6, 1854, and belongs to an old and honored family of this county, his parents being Adam and Frances (Perrill) Dyer. He lost his mother during infancy, and in 1855 was brought to this county by his father, who was from Virginia. Purchasing land in Brookfield township, Adam Dyer devoted his time and attention to the improvement and cultivation of his farm throughout the remainder of his life. His death occurred in July, 1878.

Being the only child born to his parents, Frank P. Dyer inherited his father’s property, and now owns the old homestead, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he is carrying on general farming and stock raising with marked success. He was educated in the district schools of Brookfield township, and is a well-informed man, who thoroughly understands the occupation which he has chosen as a life work. Since attaining his majority he has always affiliated with the Republican party and is an earnest advocate of its principles.

In 1880 Mr. Dyer was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia L. Teeple, and to them were born three children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Perrill, July 28, 1881; Roy, February 6, 1883; and Bruce, October 21, 1887. The oldest died at the age of two years. Mrs. Dyer is a native of Jackson county, Iowa, and a daughter of Calvin and Margaret Curtis (Pratt) Teeple, pioneers of that county. The father was born in Ontario, Canada West, December 1, 1815, and died at the home of our subject August 30, 1899. From his Canadian home he walked to Galena, Illinois, and on the 1st of April, 1837, crossed the river and became a resident of Jackson county, Iowa. He entered government land in South Fork township, on which he made his home for the long period of sixty-two years. He was married February 23, 1847, to Miss Margaret Curtis Pratt, who was born in Essex county, New York, May 18, 1825, and came to Iowa in 1846. They became the parents of eight children, but Byron and Perigrine both died in infancy, and Lyman C. died at the age of four years. Those living are Milton C., a farmer living near Nashville, Iowa; Hyland C., a laborer of Butler county, Iowa; William D., a farmer of that county; Cornelia L., wife of our subject; and Cynthia J., wife of Thomas M. Belknap, a carriage and wagon dealer of Anamosa, Iowa. The mother died November 11, 1896. In 1852 she united with the Baptist church of Maquoketa, and in 1875, when the Christ Reformed church was built at Buckhorn, she transferred her membership to that congregation, which was nearer her home. Mr. Teeple was also a Baptist in early life, but later united with the Swedenborgian church, in which faith he died. Both were earnest and consistent Christians, and were loved and respected by all who knew them.