FRANKEN, J. A. 1864-1949

FRANKEN, STEINMEYER, ALBERTS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 10/25/2016 at 18:27:59

J. A. Franken Died Thursday

J. A. Franken who had been a resident of Grundy county for 73 years, died at his home in Holland Thursday afternoon, April 28, at four o'clock. His health had been failing gradually for a number of years and he was not able to leave his home for several months, though he was able to be up every day until the last ten days of his life. Old age was the cause of his death. He would have been 85 years old had he lived until the 17th of this month.

Funeral services were held at the home at one o'clock on Monday and later at the Colfax Presbyterian church of which he had been a member during the greater part of his life. Burial was in the Colfax church cemetery. The services were conducted by the resident pastor, Rev. George Swalve, assisted by Mr. Franken's former pastor of several years, Rev. J. E. Drake.

Was Native of Germany
Mr. Franken was a native of East Friesland, Germany. He was born May 17, 1864. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Franken. At the age of 3 years he came with his parents to America. They located on a farm in Ogle county, Ill., near Forreston. They remained there for nine years when they came to Grundy county. The father of the family bought a farm in Colfax township which has been in the Franken family ever since, which is 73 years. One of the sons, Jake Franken Jr., lives on the farm now.

Was Twice Married
Mr. Franken was twice married. His first marriage was in 1889 to Annie Steinmeyer at Forreston, Ill. One son, Andrew, was born to this marriage. The wife and mother died in childbirth. Mr. Franken's second marriage was to Annie Alberts on April 29, 1892. The second wife died in 1920. Mr. Franken lived on the home farm during all of his married life. Twenty years ago he bought the O. A. Ontjes house in Holland and he resided there continually until his death. His daughter Reka was with him continually and looked carefully after his health and comfort.

Mr. Franken was the father of ten children. The son Andrew from the first wife died in 1939. Two sons from the second marriage died in infancy. Another son, Albert, died five years ago. There are two sons living, Jake Franken Jr. and Ben. The four surviving daughters are Mrs. Fannie Buskohl of Grundy Center, Reka who is at hone, Mrs. Annie Luiken and Mrs. Alice Heerts.

Aside from the surviving children, there are 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Was Charter Member County Mutual
Mr. Franken was one of the charter members of the Grundy County Mutual Insurance Company and for many years served as a director and agent for the company. Only one of the original directors of the Company is now living. He also served as secretary of a rural telephone company several years.

At Funeral Service
Relatives from a distance who were here for the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. George Willemssen, Mrs. Fannie Bonk, Mrs. Bernice Claassen, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Vassaler and Philip Kruger, all from George, Iowa. Relatives who were here from Forreston, Ill., were Mr. and Mrs. Albert Greenfield, Irwin and Herman Greenfield, Mrs. Sylvia Sietsema and Ted Frisbie.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 5 May 1949, pg 19