Densmore, Frank W.

DENSMORE, TRIPP, ALDER, FRANKLIN, BELLMORE, KENDING, COUCH, YOUNG

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/28/2009 at 21:41:55

Densmore, Frank W.

A young man who is succeeding admirably well at the restaurant business at Mingo, Clear Creek Township, Jasper County, and who seems to be starting life on the right track with the proper principles guiding him, is Frank W. Densmore, who was born in this Township, February 26, 1880, and here he grew to manhood, and, with the exception of two years in Washington State, he has made this his home, in which vicinity his parents were among the earliest settlers. He was educated in the local schools and devoted his earlier years to farming, having cared for himself since the age of thirteen. On July 12, 1911, he opened the restaurant where he is still engaged in business and is enjoying a liberal patronage, assisted by his excellent wife. He keeps his place attractive and neat and is obliging and genial to his patrons.

Mr. Densmore is the son of Thomas and Lucy (Tripp) Densmore, Thomas Densmore was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, April 12, 1835, and his wife was born in Ogle County, Illinois, July 13, 1841. They came to Jasper County, Iowa, he in 1859, she in 1853, and they were married October 14, 1859, in Clear Creek Township. He died on April 14, 1902, and she on February 18, 1890. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are deceased, namely: David T., born August 2, 1860; Maggie M. (Mrs. Dennis Alder), born October 14, 1861, lives in Cape Horn, Washington; Thomas B., born September 11, 1862; Mary B., born February 23, 1864; Charlie E., born January 15, 1867; Eddie M., born May 10, 1868; Jessie B., born December 17, 1874; Frank W., of this sketch: Robert M., born August 10, 1881,lives in California; of these children the following are dead: David T., on August 20, 1888; Thomas, on October 3, 1862; Mary, October 30, 1864; Charlie, March 24, 1867; Edward, July 11, 1874; Jessie, November 5, 1875.

On December 25, 1899 Mr. Densmore was united in marriage with Lydia Lura Franklin, a native of Clear Creek Township, her birth occurring on August 7, 1883. She was reared here and has always lived in this community. Her parents were among the earliest settlers of this County. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Ava (Bellmore) Franklin, whose marriage occurred in 1864. The father, who was a veteran of the Mexican War, was born in New Hampshire in 1826, and he died in Clear Creek Township March 26, 1890; the mother is a native of Indiana, born May 7, 1846, and she is still living at Mingo, this County, having come to this locality with her parents when she was five years of age. She is the daughter of Stephen and Jane Bellmore, old settlers in Clear Creek Township. Benjamin Franklin came to Clear Creek Township in 1850, and at one time owned about twelve hundred acres of land between Indian and Clear Creeks.

There were eleven children in the Franklin family, nine of whom are living, namely: John, of Des Moines, born April 1,1865; Mrs. Fannie Etna Kending, born October 28, 1867, died November 23, 1909; Mrs. Lilly Belle Couch, born March 4, 1870, is living in South Dakota; Rosa Lee, born March 24, 1872, died in infancy; Dock Benjamin, born February 24, 1874, lives in Clear Creek Township, this County; James E., born May 9,1876, lives in Mingo; Mrs. Waty Jane Young, born August 10, 1878, lives in Clear Creek Township; Andrew Jackson, born April 2, 1881, lives in Mingo; Lydia Lura, wife of Mr. Densmore of this sketch, was born August 7, 1883; William W., born February 8, 1888, lives at St. Baird, New Mexico, being a soldier in the United States Army; Guy Wesley, born April 4, 1889, lives in Des Moines. These children were all born in Clear Creek Township. Mrs. Ava Franklin has twenty-three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren living and eight grandchildren have passed away.

To Mr. and Mrs. Densmore one son has been born, Otto Thomas, September 17, 1893, and one daughter, Lucy Leonora, August 8, 1905. Both are attending school at Mingo.

Politically, Mr. Densmore is a Republican, and he affiliates with the Christian Church. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, lodge No. 194, at Washougal, Washington. He is a member of Mingo Camp, No. 1180, Modern Woodmen of America, of Mingo, also of the National Travelers Benefit Association. Mr. Densmore belongs to Yeoman lodge, No. 350, of Mingo. They are supporters of every beneficial public enterprise. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1352.