Ernest H. Frahm

FRAHM, PLOEN, KROEGER, AWALT

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/24/2011 at 14:40:51

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910. Biographical Sketches.

ERNEST H. FRAHM.

An excellent farming property of two hundred and forty acres, situated in Van Buren and Iowa townships, pay tribute to the industry and enterprise of Ernest H. Frahm, whose whole life has been spent in this, the county of his nativity. He was born in Iowa township, not far from his present home, March 17, 1868, his parents being Thomas and Annie (Ploen) Frahm. The former was born in Schleswig, Germany, in 1831 and came to America in 1857. In 1860 he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Iowa township, Jackson county, Iowa, a part of, which his son Ernest now owns, and thereon spent the rest of his life. He prospered in his undertakings, however, and as he saw opportunity he added to his landholdings until he was in possession of a large tract. He died in this county May 10, 1904: His wife was Annie Ploen before her marriage and a native of the province of Holstein, Germany. Their union was blessed with three children: John, Anna and Ernest H.

Ernest H. Frahm spent the period of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm, through the winter months attending the district school and through the summer season busily engaged in assisting in cultivating the fields. Subsequently he became a pupil in the high school at Miles where he obtained fuller preparation for the responsibilities of life. At the age of twenty-four he took up the occupation of farming upon his own account, renting some land from his father, and then the following year buying a tract of one hundred acres. At the same time he also operated one hundred and forty acres which he rented. He was successful in his undertakings and at the end of three years he was able to purchase another hundred acres, to which was added the home place of forty acres, which came into his possession at the death of his father. He now has a fine property of two hundred and forty acres, whereon he engages in general farming and in stock-raising and feeding, making a specialty of the latter branch of his business. Both have brought him a large measure of prosperity, and he is entitled to be numbered among the progressive and representative agriculturists of Iowa township.

On the 22d of February, 1893, Mr. Frahm wedded Miss Margaret Kroeger, a daughter of John and Anna (Awalt) Kroeger, both natives of Schleswig, Germany. Mrs. Frahm was also born in that province of the fatherland, and came to America with her parents in 1883. She is the mother of seven children, as follows: Elsie M. E. H., Leona I., Lloyd Thomas, Mabel Anna, Florence Margaret, Lester Ernest and Bessie Marie. Mr. Frahm votes with the republican party, which he has loyally supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but has not sought or aspired to public office. He is, however, a stanch friend of education and as school director is working zealously to advance the standard of the schools. Fraternally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being an active member of Lodge No. 572, at Miles. In this county, where his entire life has been passed, he has gained the reputation of being an honorable and upright gentleman, whose business integrity is unquestioned and whose salient characteristics are such as have gained for him the unqualified regard and esteem of an extensive circle of friends.