Frank Coverdale
COVERDALE, WILSON, BENTON
Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/19/2010 at 07:09:23
History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910, James W. Ellis
FRANK COVERDALE.
Frank Coverdale, one of the extensive landowners of Jackson county and regarded as an authority upon bee culture, being today one of the best known apiarists in the state of Iowa, makes his home in Maquoketa and his business interests are a source of commercial enterprise here. He was born October 4, 1861, in Clinton county, Iowa, about eight miles south of Maquoketa, on the old Coverdale homestead now owned by his brother, Elijah A. Coverdale. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Wilson) Coverdale, were both natives of England, where they spent the period of their minority and were married. In 1850 they sailed for the United States and after three years spent in Aurora, Kane county, Illinois, came to Clinton county, Iowa, settling on what has since been known as the old homestead, the father purchasing a quarter section of land for which in its undeveloped condition he paid two dollars and a half per acre. With characteristic energy he began its development and as the years passed transformed the land into richly improved fields. As his financial resources increased he added to his property from time to time until his landed interests aggregated eight hundred and seventy-three acres at the time of his death, which occurred in 1890. His widow still survives and now resides in Maquoketa with a daughter.
Frank Coverdale was reared on the old home farm, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. Thus his boyhood and youth passed and in early manhood he made preparation for having a home of his own by his marriage on the 24th of January, 1884, to Miss Susan Benton, a native of Center Grove, Clinton county, and a daughter of George Benton, who was one of the first settlers of that county, where he located after his emigration from England. The young couple began their domestic life on a farm of two hundred and forty acres which was the property of his father. Since that time prosperity has attended them and, making judicious investment in land, Mr. Coverdale is today the owner of seven hundred and thirty-five acres of rich and arable land in Clinton and Jackson counties. He has placed his farms under a high state of cultivation and from his fields yet derives a substantial income. In his boyhood days he began the study of bee culture and in this field of labor has met with wonderful success, being today one of the best known apiarists of the state, his opinions being considered as authority by all who are interested in bee culture. He keeps many hundred stands and ships honey in car-load lots. He is thoroughly familiar with the best methods of propagating bees and producing high grade honey, so that his output finds a ready sale on the market. In 1899 he left the farm and removed to Maquoketa, where he has since resided. He still operates one tract of land, however, as an experimental farm for the cultivation of sweet clover.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coverdale were born nine children, seven of whom survive, namely: William, still at home; Ada, attending Brown's Business College at Davenport; Emily, also attending that institution; and Edna, Flossie, Frances and Alene, all still under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Coverdale is an earnest republican, well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but has always refused political preferment. He is well known fraternally, being a member of Helion Lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M.; Bath Kol Chapter, No. 94, R. A. M.; Tancred Commandery, No. 40, K. T., of which he has served as prelate; and is likewise identified with Kaaba Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Davenport Mr. Coverdale holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, is serving on its official board and contributes generously to its support and cooperates in all of its activities. His life has been a busy and useful one, crowned with that success which always follows intelligently directed labor, and the sterling traits of his manhood have gained him in this section of the state a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
Frank Coverdale
Jackson Biographies maintained by Nettie Mae Lucas.
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