Sellman, Frank

SELLMAN, GRAFFIS, COOPER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 10/20/2009 at 11:14:41

Sellman, Frank

Frank Sellman, a leading businessman of Newton, was born October 4, 1868, in Jasper County, Iowa, on a farm in Elk Creek Township. He is the son of Charles O. and Lucinda (Graffis) Sellman, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Ohio. They grew to maturity in the East and were educated there, and they came to Iowa in 1855, locating among the early settlers of Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, where they became well established, developed a good farm and became influential in the community. Grandfather, Beal Sellman came to Marion County, Iowa, in an early day and he operated there one of the first mills in the State.
The death of Charles O. Sellman occurred in June 1886, while middle aged, having been born in 1842. His wife is living in Buena Vista Township, this county. The father devoted his life to farming and he held a number of minor local offices. He was a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted in Company E, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served faithfully for three years. He was in the siege of Vicksburg and many other engagements. His family consisted of four children, two of whom are living: Hattie died when seven years old; Blanche is the wife of Grant Wheatcraft, of Buena Vista Township; Jessie died in infancy; Frank, of this review.

Frank Sellman worked on the home farm during his youth and lived there until he came to Newton in 1906. He received a good education in the common schools, which has since been supplemented by home reading and actual business experience. He was seventeen years old when his father died, and after that he farmed for himself. (The father died from the effects of a kick from a horse.)

The subject received his business training in the Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa, from which he was graduated. In 1906 he was elected County Auditor on the Democratic ticket, and he made such an excellent record that he was re-elected in 1908, filling the duties of this office in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and gained the admiration of all concerned. His term expired January 1, 1911, and he is now devoting his time exclusively to the hardware business, having been in partnership with H. M. Cox for some time, at Newton. They carry a large and carefully selected line and have built up a very satisfactory patronage.

Mr. Sellman was married on February 17, 1895 to Laura Cooper, daughter of A. V. Cooper, a well known citizen, living near Prairie City, Iowa, and to this union eight children have been born: Jessie, Jean, Robert, Florence, Arthur, Urith, Frances, Esther, all at home and all in school except the two youngest.

Mrs. Sellman is a member of the Christian church, and fraternally Mr. Sellman is a Mason, belonging to the Knights Templar and the Shriners. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 491.