Abel, F. L.

ABEL, RAINEY, BLOW

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 11/28/2012 at 10:32:10

F.L. Abel, pages 348/349
Some men are well adapted for business life and from the start give clear evidence of an interest in their work and a judgment in affairs which are clear prophecies of success. F.L. Abel, who is at the head of a flourishing vehicle establishment at Grinnell, early showed the zeal and persistence so necessary to success in this age of strong competition and for ten years past he has been carrying on business on his own account with excellent results. He was born in Pleasant township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, November 2, 1874, a son of Frank and Anna (Rainey) Abel. The parents were natives of New York state and were reared and married there. In 1866 they came to Iowa, locating in Pleasant township, Poweshiek county, where Mr. Abel bought a farm and engaged in agriculture and stock-raising for ten years. He then sold his place and removed to Grinnell, where he has since lived retired.
F.L. Abel received his preliminary education in the public schools and later matriculated at Grinnell College, in which he continued for two years. After leaving college he entered the employ of the H.W. Spaulding Manufacturing Company and was employed in the factory of the company for two years. Having acquired a good general knowledge of the business he was sent out upon the road and represented the firm in various parts of the country for five years. In 1901, having decided to engage in business for himself, he became a member of the firm of Mason and Abel. They sold buggies and carriages in the western states, employing the system of trailing - taking vehicles through the country to the doors of their prospective customers. In 1906 the firm was dissolved and Mr. Abel became associated with his brother, B.A. under the style of F.L. Abel & Company, the senior member looking after the office business and the junior covering the field. They have developed a lucrative patronage, which under the capable management is steadily growing. F.L. Abel is also identified with other enterprises and is a director of the Grinnell Savings Bank.
In 1900 he was happily united in marriage to Miss Violet Naysmith Blow, a daughter of Mahlan Blow, a farmer of Poweshiek county, now deceased. By this union one child, Maxine Anna, has been born. Socially, Mr. Abel is identified with Herman Lodge, No. 273, A.F. & A.M., and is a sincere believer in the beneficent teachings of the order. He is an adherent of the republican party, whose principles he heartily espouses, but he has never sought the honors of political office, preferring to devote his abilities to his private affairs. As a result of his diligence and good judgment he has prospered and is recognized as one of the substantial business men of Grinnell.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 348-349