Noll, Frank

NOLL, WILTS

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/25/2006 at 10:55:40

NOLL, FRANK

Frank Noll, who is now one of the leading citizens of George, Lyon county, did not find his way to financial independence along "easy street." It was only by hard and patient work, close economy and persistent pluck and energy, that he has come to his present good standing. Mr. Noll was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1862, and when he had attained his majority crossed the ocean, and found a home in the United States.

For a time he was employed as a farm hand, but he soon left the farm work, and went to St. Paul, where he secured a position as coachman. For three years he held this position, and saving his money felt himself at the end of that time ready to undertake a business for himself. In company with his cousin, William Noll, he came to George in 1888, and then started a business as agents for agricultural implements. Frank Noll, seeing that the firm was handicapped for money, went back to St. Paul and resumed his old work as coachman. This was not enough to give the needed push to the business, so he bought out his cousin, and by doing his own canvassing throughout the county soon brought his trade up to better figures. He now has a stock valued at more than $10,000, and his yearly trade amounts to at least $15,000. He has also added to his machinery trade a full line of harness goods, and is running both manufacturing and repair shops, which under his management have proven very profitable. In 1895 he built a modern and attractive home for his family, and five years later put up a store, which his growing trade demanded. It is 50 by 80 feet, two stories high, and by using an elevator the upper floor is devoted to buggies, carriages and wagons, perhaps the most complete carried in this part of the county.

Mr. Noll was married in 1895 to Miss Etta Wilts. She is a native of Wisconsin, and has become the mother of four children: Francis, Earl, Roy and Frederick. Mr. Noll and family are members of the Catholic church. In politics he is Independent.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson