NEWEL, FRANK C.

NEWEL, BECK, DREYER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 12/9/2003 at 15:33:04

Biography reproduced from page 647 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Frank C. Newel, is a prominent citizen of Kossuth county and well known as a farmer and stock-raiser. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of well improved and valuable land on sections 6 and 8, Fenton township, and is bringing to its cultivation sound time-tried methods, based on long experience in the details of farming. Mr. Newel is a native of Iowa and was born in Dubuque county, November 18, 1864. His father, John Newel, was born in Prussia, and was educated and reared in his native country. He later crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Clayton county, Iowa, where he married Miss Mary Beck, who is a native of Iowa of German parentage. John Newel was a carpenter by trade and followed this line of occupation for several years. He moved to Kossuth county in 1874 and located on section 9, Fenton township, where he broke the soil and began its cultivation. His farm comprised one hundred and sixty acres which was formerly railroad land and this he added to at different times until he owned four hundred acres of the most productive soil in Kossuth county. Upon this farm he spent the last years of his life and here he died in 1895. His wife survives him and resides with her daughter in the village of Fenton.

Frank C. Newel is one of a family of seven children. He came to Kossuth county when he was a lad of nine years and was reared upon his father’s farm. He had the advantages of a common-school education and became familiar with agricultural details by practical experience. When he attained his majority he rented a tract of land near his father’s homestead and purchased one hundred and sixty acres and upon this property he now resides. He is entirely responsible for its improvement and development, has fenced his fields, built barns and outbuildings, and has added to his holdings until he is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of highly cultivated land. He specializes in the raising and breeding of high-grade stock and is accounted one of the prosperous citizens of Kossuth county.

Mr. Newel was married in Fenton, Iowa, December 14, 1894, to Miss Mary Dreyer, who was born in Algona and received her education and early training in Fenton township. She is a daughter of Henry Dreyer, who was among the earliest pioneers of Kossuth county. Mr. and Mrs. Newel have five children: Matilda, a student in the Highland Park school of Des Moines, Iowa; Emil; Luella; Sylvia; and Florence.

Politically Mr. Newel is identified with the democratic party and gives his support to progressive movements. He has served for several years as assessor of his township and in 1908 was elected supervisor. He filled this office with ability and energy, resulting in reelection in 1910. He is now serving his second term and his popularity is evidenced by the fact that in a republican district he has been elected by an overwhelming majority. Fraternally Mr. Newel is a member of Burt Lodge, No. 547, I. O. O. F., his only affiliation of this kind. He has been a resident of Iowa during his whole life and of Kossuth county since he was nine years of age. His friends of today were the playmates of his childhood and they give to him the tribute of respect and esteem which has endured for years.