Freeman, W. H.

FREEMAN

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 8/5/2008 at 13:44:18

W. H. Freeman

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.68, Belknap Twp.)
W. H. Freeman, banker, Oakland, was born in Rockford, Ill., April 11, 1844; son of Daniel and Mary (Waller) Freeman; he was born in St. Louis, Mo., April 29, 1818; she, born in Kentucky in April, 1819, died in Wisconsin April 9, 1850. Subject's father was one of the early settlers of Rockford, locating there in 1843. From Rockford, Ill., subject's father moved to Wisconsin, where he lived in Rock and La Fayette Counties respectively till 1876, when he came to Big Grove, and engaged for about two years in the mercantile business; then sold out to Mr. Baker, and now lives in Oakland. Subject's mother died when he was six years old, and he lived with his mother's relatives till he was eleven years of age, when he joined his father in La Fayette County, Wis. Mr. Freeman engaged in farming with his father till twenty-one years of age, when he went to Davis, Ill., and farmed for one year. He came from Davis to Big Grove, Iowa, remained a short time, and then went to Nebraska, where he furnished wood and ties for the Union Pacific Railroad, then in course of construction. In 1867, Mr. Freeman left Nebraska, and returned to Big Grove, remained till spring, and removed to Newtown, near what is now Avoca; while there he constructed the wood culvert extending from Walnut to Neola, on the Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. In May, 1869, Mr. Freeman purchased what was known as the Davenport Saw-Mill, and moved it to Big Grove, where he operated it in connection with the mercantile business; in the latter, he was interested with his brother, D. B. Freeman. In the fall of 1876, Mr. Freeman removed his saw-mill to Green County, Wis., when he continued the lumber business, making a specialty of black-walnut till the summer of 1881, when he returned for the third time to Oakland. Here, December 23, 1881, our subject in connection with his brother, B. F. Freeman, opened the "Oakland Bank" under the firm name of "W. H. and B. F. Freeman, private bankers." Our subject was married in Avoca, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, September 21, 1869 to Malinda J. Shipp, born in Greencastle, Iowa, November 30, 1851; daughter of Albert and Mahala (Piles) Shipp, natives of Kentucky; he, born January 1, 1825, is a farmer living in Shelby County, Iowa; she, born November 20, 1826, died December 10, 1864; her parents were early settlers of Jasper County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have two children - Jennie May, born March 3, 1871 and Clyde Alden, born September 14, 1873. After the incorporation of Oakland in April, 1882, Mr. Freeman was elected Mayor; he has also served as Justice of the Peace; he is a Mason and a Republican.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.260)
THE CITIZENS’ BANK OF OAKLAND was first organized by S.S. RUST in October 1883; succeeded by RUST & POTTER in March 1884. The Bank of Oakland, organized in January 1882, by W.H. and B.F. FREEMAN, continued until February 1885 when it was consolidated with the Citizens Bank and called by the latter name, under the present firm of W.H. FREEMAN, President; S.S. RUST, Vice President; L.F. POTTER, Cashier, B.F. FREEMAN, retiring, and with a capital stock of $30,000. They have increased their stock and real estate loans and in 1885 erected a fine brick block, 22 ½ X 50 feet and two stories high, in which they now carry on their business. They have a fine timelock and automatic bolt work on their safe, and also all the latest improvements that make a commodious and a thorough banking outfit. They exchange with Council Bluffs, Davenport, Chicago and New York, and have at the present time a cash capital of $36,000 with a surplus of $15,000, making a working capital of $51,000. They are live, energetic and self-made men, and by their honesty and integrity have won the high place in the hearts of their many friends, both in business and social relations.
W.H. FREEMAN, the President, was born on a farm in the vicinity of Rockford, Illinois, October 11, 1844, son of Daniel and Mary (WALLER) FREEMAN, natives of St. Louis, Missouri, and Kentucky, and of English extraction. The father was a farmer by occupation and our subject was also reared to that calling. At the age of twenty-one year, he left home and came west. He was first engaged in taking contracts on the railroad until he came to Oakland, where he engaged in the lumber and grain business. He was the first Mayor of the town and was instrumental in all of the leading enterprises. Mr. Freeman started with nothing but pluck and ambition, which have won for him success.