Charles D. Frederick

FREDERICK, STEEL, DILLEY, BUTLER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/11/2011 at 23:01:00

CHARLES D. FREDERICK. This gentleman is the owner and occupant of a productive tract of land in Felix and Clay Townships, Grundy County, which consists of one hundred and seventy-six acres, bears the usual improvements, and is so managed as to bring forth abundant crops of good quality. He was born October 23, 1835, and was the son of Daniel and Christiana Frederick. The grandfather, who bore the name of John Frederick, was born in Northampton County, Pa., where he followed the occupation of a farmer. Later in life removing to Luzerne County, the same state, he there departed this life, at the age of seventy five years. He reared a family of six children, only two of whom are living at the present time, Daniel and Joseph.

The father of our subject, who was born in Northampton County, in the above named state, was reared on his father’s farm and attended the primitive schools of that period. When ready to start out in life on his own account, he learned the trade of a carpenter, which occupation he always followed. The lady who became his wife bore the maiden name of Christiana Steel. She was the daughter of Adam Steel, who was born in New Jersey. The father of our subject, who is still living at the age of eighty-four, voted the Democratic ticket until the first election of Lincoln. The parental family includes the following named seven children: Mary, Charles, Howard, Meritt, Annette, Catherine and Ruth. One child died in infancy. The parents are still living, making their home in Luzerne County, Pa.

Charles D. Frederick was born October 23, 1835, in Luzerne County, Pa., where he attended school during his early years in the primitive log schoolhouse. Later, however, he prosecuted his studies in the village schools and took a three years’ course in the high school. When beginning life on his own account he worked four or five years for the Wilkes Barre Coal Company, and later was fireman and engineer for the Lehigh Valley Railway Company. After being thus occupied for seven years, he in January, 1870, emigrated west to Illinois, and three years later came to Grundy County, where he rented land for two years. Then selecting a piece of land on which he desired to locate, he made his first payment in a lot of steers. To this property, which consisted of eighty acres, he later added a tract consisting of ninety-six acres, to the improvement of which he devoted his entire time and attention. February 8, 1862, Mr. Frederick of this sketch and Miss Harriet E. Dilley were married at Scranton, Pa. Mrs. Frederick was the daughter of William and Catherine (Butler) Dilley, the father of native of Hanover, Pa., and the mother of Delaware. Mr. Dilley followed the occupation of a carpenter, and after his removal to Illinois lived only two or three weeks. By his marriage with Miss Butler were born seven children, namely: James W. (deceased), Harriet E., Mary (deceased), Emily O., Georgiana, George A. and William C. James, who was soldier in the war of the Rebellion, was killed at Fair Oaks. Mrs. Dilley is still living and makes her home in Conrad. She was born in the year 1815, while her husband, who was fifty-two years old at the time of his decease, was born in 1816.

To Mr. and Mrs. Frederick have been born nine children, who bear the respective names of George, Harry, Byron, Jesse O., Anna, Kittie, Ruth, Mabel and Horace; all are living but the last named. Mr. Frederick always takes an active part in politics and always votes with the Republican party. His interest in school matters is very pronounced, he having been a School Director for many years. He has also served as Road Master. Mrs. Frederick is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church and a most estimable lady. Socially our subject is an Odd Fellow, and is classed among the prominent agriculturists of Felix Township.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894