FREEARK, J. S.

FREEARK, WORTMANN

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 4/7/2004 at 10:18:00

Biography reproduced from page 673 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

J. S. Freeark, chairman of the board of trustees of Ramsey township, Kossuth county, Iowa, is farming one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which he owns eighty acres lying in section 11, and all of which is in a high state of cultivation, with good improvements and good drainage. His father was Christianson Freeark.

J. S. Freeark was born in Madison county, Illinois, where he was reared and where he attended the district school near his father’s farm. He came to Kossuth county, November 18, 1892, and settled on the farm which he still owns. He purchased the farm from J. H. Smith and at one began cultivating and improving it. He gradually broke the land and planted an orchard and other useful trees, bringing his property under cultivation. The drainage system on the farm was installed by Mr. Freeark and all the improvements were made by him. His farming operations are of a diversified order and he raises a large quantity of grain about one-half of which he feeds to his stock and half of which he sells. He pays considerable attention to the dairy business, milking a number of cows and selling the milk to the Germania Cooperative Creamery, of which he is a stockholder. He is making a specialty of raising thoroughbred Jersey cattle, high-grade horses and White Rock chickens. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Germania and also holds stock in the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Illinois.

Mr. Freeark was married in Kossuth county to Miss Martha Wortmann, who was born in Madison county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Ernest Wortmann. To them have been born three children, all of whom were reared on the home farm. They are Clifford C., Mable and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Freeark are members of the Presbyterian church, in the community.

Mr. Freeark has always been a republican in politics and has served for five years as president of the school board of Ramsey township and is now president of that body. He has also for years been chairman of the board of trustees of the township. He is an up-to-date farmer, conducting his operations along scientific lines and enjoying many of the advantages which were unknown to farm life a few years ago. He has a telephone in his home and enjoys rural free mail delivery. During his extended residence in Ramsey township he has been successful in his career and prominent in political affairs. He has formed a large circle of acquaintances and has built up a most excellent reputation as a man of sterling integrity, and exerts a strong influence for good.