Henry Frost, b. 7 Apr 1826

WARD, BRAND, WELSH, MILLER, DORR, EDMUND, BARNHOLT, WAIDLER, GRISWOLD, GARRIGUS

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 3/30/2004 at 07:46:24

Henry Frost, better known by the title of "'Squire" Frost, a pioneer of Richland Township, is a man of no small influence and importance in these parts, where he occupies a high position as an intelligent, practical farmer and stock-raiser, owning and managing a good farm, which, in point of fertility and improvements, compares with the best in the vicinity. Our subject is of English birth, but the most of his life, except a few years of his boyhood, has been passed in the United States, which can boast of no more loyal citizen than he. His parents, Isaac and Maria (Ward) Frost, were born in England, the home of their forefathers, the former having been born near Norwich. Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of our subject were tillers of the soil in merry England. The father was a steward or over-seer of a large estate during his life, and he was a man of education and good parts. He died in 1832 while yet in life's prime. The mother of our subject married again after the death of the father, becoming the wife of H. Brand, and they emigrated to America in 1838, and located in Jersey City, where Mr. Brand engaged in gardening, and acquired considerable property. Mrs. Brand died in that city in 1885, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. She was a sincere Christian, and a consistent member of the Baptist Church. Four children were born of her first marriage: William, living in Jersey City; John, also a resident of that city; Henry and Maria, living in Jersey City.

Henry Frost, of whom this brief life-record is written, was born April 7, 1826, in Yexam, near Norwich, England, and his early life was spent in that village. He was only six years old when his father died. His early education was neglected, and was limited to three months schooling in England, his only chance of attending school, but by intelligent observation and reading he has become self-educated. He was put to work when quite a small lad, his mother being in straightened circumstances, and his first employment was to keep crows and blackbirds from a field of wheat, receiving in payment for his services one shilling a week. After he was then years old a neighboring farmer hired him to do chores until he came to America with his mother and step-father. That long ocean boyage was a great event in the hitherto monotonous life of the English lad going away from his childhood's home for the first time, and he enjoyed it all from the moment the good ship "Paragon," under Capt. Cadiz, left her moorings at London until she dropped her anchor in New York harbor eight weeks later. He soon became a favorite with the sailors, and learned many nautical terms, and made himself quite useful.

After the arrival of Mr. Frost in this country, he worked on a farm near Jersey City for some five years, and when seventeen years old he was apprenticed to learn the wagon-maker's trade. He was eager to better his education, and seized all opportunities for study, and especially interested himself in acquiring the Dutch language, which he finally mastered without an instructor. He was engaged in making wagons until he was thirty years old, when he went to New York City, where he followed it one year. At the end of that time he returned to Jersey City, and devoted himself to the oyster trade, raising oysters some seven years, when he sold his plant and put up a shop in Jersey City, where he manufactured green-house sash. He continued at that until 1856, and in that year, on account of failing health, determined to see what life in the West would do for him, and in the spring of that year he came to Dubuque by rail, and thence by team to La Motte. He immediately purchased his present place in Richland Township, or forty-six acres of it, and entered upon its improvement, as it was then in its original wildness. He broke the soil and farmed with oxen the first year, and as he grew more prosperous obtained better conveniences, and has since improved a fine farm, having bought land adjacent, until he has increased its acreage to 152 acres of rich and productive land under the excellent cultivation. He has it fenced, has a fine or hard of choice fruit trees, and has erected a substantial set of buildings, including a commodious, well-built house, 24x18 feet, with a wing 14x18 feet, two good sized barns, 30x42 feet, and 40x40 feet, respectively, and other necessary buildings, besides a windmill and tank. He engages in general farming, raising Short-horn cattle, Poland hogs, and has some good draft horses, using two teams to work his farm.

Mr. Frost has been twice married. He was first wedded in Jersey City, in 1846, to Miss Elenor Welsh, a native of that city. That good woman departed this life in Richland Township, in 1874, leaving eleven children - Frank, Edward, William, Augustus, George, Mary, Ida, Catherine, Anna, Jennie and Jessie, all of whom are married but two, and well established in life in various parts of the country, as follows: Frank is a telegraph operator in the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway, at Mt. Auburn, Iowa; Edward is section boss on the same railway, stationed at Clarence; William is a farmer in Richland Township; Augustus is engaged in buying grain in Elkhorn, Dak.; George, is the creamery business in Richland Township; Mary married Harvey Miller, a telegraph operator at Norfolk, Neb; Ida married William Dorr, a farmer in Washington; Catherine married David Edmund, a farmer and horse trainer at Carthage, Ill.; Anna married George Barnholt, a resident of La Motte; Jennie married George Waidler, a printer of Toledo, Ohio; Jessie married H. Griswold, a farmer in Prairie Spring Township.

The marriage of our subject to his present wife, formerly Miss Nancy Griswold, was solemnized Aug. 17, 1880. She is a native of Prairie Spring Township, and the eldest of seven children born to George and Mary A. (Garrigus) Griswold. Her father was born in Morris County, N.J., Aug. 21, 1819, a son of Chauncey Griswold, a farmer of that county. He was bred to the life of a farmer, and Sept. 15, 1850, was married in his native county to a daughter of Isaac Garrigus, both of whom were natives of that county, the father born Aug. 28, 1798, and the daughter Jan. 27, 1823. Her grandfather, John Garrigus, was a ship-builder in New Jersey, and was a soldier in the Revolution, fighting on the side of the colonists, although of English birth. His son Isaac was a farmer in New Jersey, and served in the War of 1812. Soon after their marriage Mrs. Frost's parents came to Iowa, and in Prairie Spring Township entered 160 acres of wild land, and cast in their lot with the pioneers of the county. The father improved a fine farm and remained a valued citizen of Prairie Spring Township until he closed his eyes in death, Oct. 25, 1872. His wife is still living on the old homestead. Mrs. Frost is a pleasant lady, always cheerful and obliging, and making friends wherever she goes. Of her union with our subject two children have been born, Nathan and Ethel.

Although an Englishman by birth, our subject is partly American in breeding, and is thoroughly one at heart, and he likes the Government and people of this Nation. He is a man of genial disposition and pleasing manners, and is a general favorite with his friends and neighbors. His home is the center of a generous hospitality, host and hostess bying with each other in extending a cordial welcome to whomsoever crosses the threshold, and making them at east. Mr. Frost was Justice of the Peace eight years, and then resigned the office. He has also been School Director and Supervisor of Roads, and in whatsoever position he has been placed, he has always been true to the best interests of his adopted township, and may well be considered one of its most trusty and reliable citizens. In him the Democratic party has a firm supporter, and he has been a delegate to county conventions. He is identified with the A.F. & A.M. as a member of the lodge at Bellevue. He has served on the petit jury.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)