Lund, Hon. Frank J.

LUND, JOHNSON, BISHOP

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/18/2009 at 19:03:43

History of Hamilton County Iowa, Vol. II, p. 24

HON. FRANK J. LUND.

The life record of Frank J. Lund stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, for in the district in which he was born and reared Frank J. Lund has attained leadership in professional circles and has been accorded honors in political circles. Recognizing and utilizing opportunities and advantages, his course has been marked by continuous progress and without invidious distinction he may be termed one of the foremost citizens of Hamilton County. Within the borders of this county his birth occurred February 5, 1876. His parents, Nels John and Caroline S. (Johnson) Lund, were both natives of Sweden and in 1867 came to America, settling in Hamilton County, where they still reside, their home being at Stratford. The father attained the age of seventy-seven years on the 4th of April, 1912, and the mother passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey on the 2Oth of June of the same year. For forty-five years they have been worthy and valued residents of this county and at the present writing the father is enjoying a visit to their native country.

Frank J. Lund pursued his education in the public schools of Marion township and in the Highland Park College at Des Moines, in which he spent a year and a half. He afterward lived upon the home farm at Stratford and engaged in teaching school through the winter months until 1899, while the summer seasons were devoted to the work of the fields. In September of that year he was made deputy county clerk of Hamilton county and served until the fall of 1900. He then accepted a clerical position with the Hon. Varick C. Crosley in the abstract business and continued with him until the spring of 1904, when he entered the office of Hon. J. L. Kamrar for the practice of law. He had previously studied in the office of Jesse W. Lee of Webster City and was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Iowa in 1901. While pursuing his law course he had been engaged in other duties, giving only his leisure hours to his preparation for the profession. That his studies were thorough and systematic is indicated in the success which has since come to him. He remained in the office of Mr. Kamrar until elected county clerk in November, 1904. He entered upon the duties of the position on the 1st of January, 1905, and that he proved capable and faithful is manifest in the fact that he was reelected in 1906 and again in 1908, thus serving for three consecutive terms and retiring from the office on the 1st of January, 1911. In the previous November he was elected to the state legislature from Hamilton county and took his seat in the house when it convened in January, 1911, so that he is now representing his district in the halls of legislation. He was made chairman of the county and township organizations committee and is a member of the committees on judiciary, ways and means, railroads and transportation, printing, congressional districts, food and dairy, commerce and trade, enrolled bills and public charities. He has always been a stalwart advocate of the republican party and is thoroughly informed concerning the vital questions and issues of the day. He gives careful consideration to matters which come up for settlement before the legislature and is putting forth every effort to uphold and promote the welfare of the state. While loyal to republican interests, he does not believe in any blind following of party leadership and therefore has acquainted himself with all questions that relate to the interests of the commonwealth. Aside from his activity as a member of the bar and in political circles he is known as a representative of financial interests in Webster City as one of the directors and the vice president of the Security Title & Loan Company.

There is also an interesting military chapter in the life history of Frank J. Lund, who in April, 1900, joined Company C of the Fifty-sixth Regiment of the Iowa National Guard and on the 28th of January, 1908, was commissioned captain of his company. As its commander he has maintained a high standard of efficiency and discipline and has the warm regard of those who serve under him. His fraternal connections are with Webster City Lodge, No. 302, B. P. O. E.; Elmo Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F.; and Webster City Camp, No. 416, M. W. A. He is also a member of the Country Club and of the Webster City Commercial League.

On the I4th of February, 1900, Mr. Lund was married to Miss Grace E. Bishop, a daughter of Joseph A. Bishop, who came to this state from McLean County, Illinois, in 1891. He still resides with his wife in Webster City and was formerly a farmer and hotel proprietor here. Mr. and Mrs. Lund have three children, as follows: Herbert W., who was born on the 23d of July, 1901; Evelyn, whose birth occurred on the 6th of February, 1907; and Stewart Helmer Murphy, whose natal day was July 20, 1911. The parents have an attractive home near Webster City, and their circle of friends is extensive. Mr. Lund possesses those qualities which not only win popularity but also maintain it. Geniality and unfeigned cordiality are with him supplementary characteristics to strong professional ability and patriotic citizenship. His life work spells duty and yet he is not one who regards duties as a burden that must be borne or a task that must be performed, but rather as a matter of interest and the accomplishment thereof as a matter of pride and pleasure. His life record is indeed well known to his fellow citizens among whom he has always lived, and they hold him in highest regard.