Large, Brothers - John, Frank, and William

LARGE, REFSNIDER

Posted By: Wilma J. VandeBerg (email)
Date: 11/9/2021 at 14:09:13

The Large Brothers (Isaac S., John J., Frank, and William)

This story was taken from the ‘Rock Valley Records & Recollections’ book written about 1976 in honor of the two hundredth birthday of our nation. It was a revision of the history written by Lottie Thomas in 1955. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society and some research notes were added.

The Large brothers were active in the business development of the town of Rock Valley. Isaac S. Large (widely known as “Ike” Large) opened a grocery store in Rock Valley in about the year 1889 in partnership with S.A. Mitchell, who was a Chicago resident and for a number of years was Chairman of the National Democratic Committee. In 1895 John J. Large came to Rock Valley and with his brother opened a bank and operated it under the name of Large Bros. Bankers. In 1897 Ike Large, John Large, and S.A. Mitchell organized the First National Bank. Frank Large came to Rock Valley in 1892 and for a number of years worked in the grocery store with his brother Ike, and in 1902 was appointed postmaster in Rock Valley and served in that capacity until the year 1909. John Large, was appointed national bank examiner in the year 1909 when his brother Frank purchased his stock in the First National Bank and became a cashier of the bank and continued in that capacity until 1933.

After serving a term as a national bank examiner, John Large became associated with a bank in Sioux City and later became president of the First National Bank there. Another brother, William Large, lived in Rock Valley for a number of years and at that time was employed in the grocery store operated by his brother Ike.

Frank Large, the last survivor of the four brothers, spent the last years of his life at Ft. Dodge, Iowa, in the United Methodist Home, Friendship Haven.

The home of Frank Large was at 1712 15th Street, where the Paul Beumer family now reside, and the home of Ike Large was at 1925 16th Street, where the Don Pluegers now reside.

OBITUARY and RESEARCH NOTES additions

Source: Rock Valley Bee (1-31-1936)
OBITUARY OF ISAAC S. LARGE
I.S. LARGE DIED SATURDAY NOON
Isaac Samuel Large was born on January 26, 1868, and would have been sixty-seven years of age had he lived until last Sunday. He died on Saturday, about noon, January 25, 1936.
Mr. Large was born on a farm near Osage, Iowa, and moved with his family to La Porte where he clerked in a store for some time.
In 1889 he came to Rock Valley where he and S.A. Mitchell engaged in the grocery and crockery business. In 1896 Mr. Large with John J. Large opened a private bank which three years later was converted into a National Bank. From 1896 until the time of his death he was engaged in the insurance business.
He was married to Martha Grossenburg on October 27, 1892. Wilhelmina Magdalena Rath was the only child born to this union.
He is survived by his widow, his daughter, five grandchildren, two brothers and three sisters. The brothers and sisters are: Frank of Rock Valley; Will of Long Beach, California; Mrs. E.C. Armstrong of Onawa, Iowa; Miss Maude of Long Beach, California; and Mrs. Mary Wattee of Los Angeles, California.
He leaves to mourn besides his immediate family a host of friends and neighbors who will miss for many years to come the kindness and friendliness for which he has so long been endeared.
Mr. Large was a man of kind and generous disposition. He always had a kind word and friendly greeting for those he met. His death is a great shock to his family and friends.
Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Reverend Hunsley, assisted by Reverend G. A. Tyler, of Sioux City, a former pastor here. The bereaved relatives have the sincere sympathy of many friends in their great sorrow.
“Earth to earth, and dust to dust,” calmly now the words we say--Left behind, we wait in trust--For the Resurrection Day.--Father, in Thy gracious keeping,--Leave we now Thy servant sleeping.

OBITUARY OF MARTHA LARGE
(Mrs. Isaac S.) About 1872-1957
From the Rock Valley Bee, June 20, 1957
Mrs. Large, 85, Dies in Minnesota
Mrs, Martha Large, 85, died at a hospital at Wilmar, Minn., about the first of June. She left Rock Valley about 11 years ago and has spent several years at the Bethesda nursing home there. She was buried at Wilmar.
Mrs. Large, the former Martha Grossenburg, lived here as a young woman and was married to Isaac S. Large October 27, 1892. One daughter, Wilhemina, was born to this union. Mr. Large died at Rock Valley Jan. 25, 1936. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Henry Rath, and five grandchildren and some great grandchildren. She was the last member of the Grossenburg family.
She was an active member of the Methodist church, being in the Sunday school, the Ladies Aid and the Woman's Missionary Society, and worked with the Junior and Epworth Leagues. She was very well known here and was the aunt of Leo Grossenburg.
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RESEARCH NOTES
Her Minnesota death certificate, #1957-MN-008146, gives her full name as Martha Magdalene Large; age 85, born in Wisconsin September 25, 1873[?]; father John Grossenburg, mother’s name not given; spouse Isaac Large, widowed; usual residence, Rock Valley, Sioux County, Iowa; died at the Rice Memorial Hospital, Willmar, Kandiyohi County, where she had been for 5 weeks, on June 2, 1957; cause of death, metastatic carcinoma of colon, duration about 6 months; an operation was performed 4-30-1957, finding “malignant cells in paracentesis fluid (abdomen)”; buried June 5 in Bethesda Home Cemetery, Willmar.
No obituary was found in the Willmar newspaper for June 3-5.
There seems to be some uncertainty as to her birth date. The year on her death certificate is unclear, appearing to be 1873. Her FindaGrave.com page gives her birth date as 25 Sep 1875, although the accompanying photo of her headstone shows life dates of 1872-1957. FindaGrave shows her burial place as Eagle Lake Lutheran Church Cemetery, Willmar.
The Sioux County marriage register for 1892/1893 shows groom Isaac S. Large, age 24, resident of Rock Valley, a merchant, born in Floyd County, Iowa, father Francis A. Large, mother Refsnider; bride Martha M. Grosenburg, age 22, resident of Rock Valley, born in Grand [i.e., Grant] County, Wisconsin, parents John Grosenburg and Moloney Stuffer; married at Rock Valley October 27, 1892.
The 1925 Iowa state census shows Ike and Martha Large living in Rock Valley; her father as John Grossenburg, born in Switzerland; mother’s name is full of write-overs and strikeouts, but appears to be Lavona Stoffer, also born in Switzerland. Martha is still living in Rock Valley in the 1940 census.

OBITUARY OF FRANK LARGE (1843 OR 44-1929)
(Father of Isaac S. Large)
From the Rock Valley Bee, May 17, 1929:
Civil War Veteran Answers Summons
I. S. and Frank Large received a message Tuesday night advising them of the death of their father, F. A. Large, at Madison, Indiana. Mr. Large’s death comes as a great shock to his sons here, as they had just received a letter from a friend of their father’s stating that the doctors did not consider him in any immediate danger, although he was suffering from heart trouble.
Mr. Large was well known in Rock Valley and vicinity. He was in the habit of spending his summers here with his sons for several years past. He left here last summer for Madison, Indiana, his boyhood home. He was here last Decoration Day and took part in the exercises. Mr. Large served through the Civil War and always enjoyed taking part in any patriotic exercises.
Mr. Large enlisted in the Civil War when he was sixteen years old. In the battle of Shiloh he was captured and confined in Libby prison for six months. He was taken sick there, and for a while his life was in danger. He weighed only 112 pounds when he was released from prison. After this he received an honorable discharge, but as soon as he was well enough he re-enlisted and served until the end of the war.
Mr. Large was born at Madison, Indiana, and would have been eighty-five years old the 20th of October. He was left an orphan at the age of nine years and had to make his own way in the world. After the war he went to Shiloh where he spent twenty years as superintendent of the Shiloh National park. For a number of years he lived in eastern Iowa. Mr. Large was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Madison, Indiana. At Mr. Large’s request funeral services will be held and the remains will be buried at Madison, Indiana.
[A chunk of the right-hand margin is broken off of this paragraph.] Mr. Large is survived by [his wife?] at Long Beach, California, three sons, I. S. and Frank Large, of Rock Valley and Will Large, of Long Beach, [Cal.], three daughters, Mrs. E. C. [Arm]strong, of Onawa, Iowa, Mrs. An[missing] Wattee, of Los Angeles, California, and Miss Maude Large, of Long Beach.
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A shorter obituary in the Alton Democrat, May 24, 1929, Rock Valley news, adds that For the past two years he has been here for Decoration day and had the seat of honor as the only remaining veteran of the Civil War and was greatly admired by young and old for his soldierly carriage. He is survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters. Funeral services were conducted at Madison, Wis., in charge of the Masonic lodge, of which he was a member. It says he was born October 20, 1843.
Ancestry.com has a family tree entry for a man that is probably him: Francis Large, born 20 Oct 1844 in Monroe City, Jefferson County, Indiana; parents Ebeneezer Large (1804-1861) and Rachel Nichols (1802-1952); died 14 May 1929 in Madison, Ind. No other information about him was located.

OBITUARY OF SUSAN ANN LARGE (MRS. F. A.) (1850-1935)
(Mother of Isaac S. Large)
From the Rock Valley Bee, February 1, 1935:
Former Resident Passed Away
I. S. Large received a message on Wednesday morning advising him that his mother, Mrs. F. A. Large, had passed away the evening before at her home in Long Beach, Calif. Mrs. Large had been suffering from cancer for several months, and it was realized by her relatives and friends that she could not long survive. She had attained the age of eighty-five years.
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From the Alton Democrat, February 8, 1935, Rock Valley news:
A message was received by I. S. Large advising him of the death of his mother, Mrs. F. A. Large, who passed away on Tuesday evening, Jan. 29 at her home in Long Beach, Calif. Deceased had suffered with cancer for the past several months and that dreadful disease claimed its victim. She leaves to mourn her two sons, I. S. and Frank Large, of this city. Mr. F. A. Large, Sr., passed away a few years ago. Mrs. Large had attained the age of 85.
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RESEARCH NOTES
The California Death Index on Ancestry.com has Susan A Large, birth abt. 1851, death 29 Jan 1935, Los Angeles
FindaGrave.com shows her buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California. A photo of her gravestone says “Susan Large, Mother, 1850-1935.” There is no additional information.
The obituary for F. A. Large (posted separately), who died in Madison, Indiana in 1929, gives additional family information, although it makes no mention of his wife other than to say that she was living in Long Beach.
On Ancestry.com, a Delayed Birth Record for her daughter Maude Mae Large, with whom she lived for many years, attested by another daughter, Sue L. Armstrong, gives their parents’ names as Francis Asbury Large, born in Indiana, and Susan Ann Refsnider (maiden name), born in Pennsylvania. Birth/death/marriage records on Ancestry.com for various of their children confirm their names as Susan or Susan A. Refsnider (sometimes with variant spellings) and Francis A. Large.
In the 1870 U.S. census Francis (25), Susan (19), and Isaac S. (1) are living in Cedar Township, Floyd County, Iowa, where he is a farmer. In 1880, Francis A. (37, a laborer), Susan (29), and five children are living in Greene, Butler County, Iowa. They were not found in the 1900 census. They must have separated sometime prior to 1910. In the 1910 census for Onawa, Iowa, Susan Large (58), is listed as married for 40 years, but no husband appears with her; mother of 7 children, 7 living; no occupation; living with daughter Maud, age 23, single, born Iowa, a trimmer in a millinery store. In 1920 she is living in Chicago with her son-in-law Abraham Watte and his wife Mary, again married but with no husband listed. In 1930 she, age 78, widowed, is living in Long Beach with daughter Maude M. (42), neither employed; her age at first marriage was 17.
Susan and Maude M. also appear in Long Beach city directories for 1916, 1917, 1923, and 1933, in all of which she is listed as “wid F.A.” and Maude is a store clerk or saleslady.

OBITUARY OF FRANK LARGE (1873-1963) Franklin A.
(Son of Frank Sr.)
Sioux Center News of June 6, 1963
Funeral services for Frank Large, a former resident of Rock Valley were held in the Methodist church Friday afternoon May 31 at 2:30. The Rev. Mervin Nelson officiated. Interment was in the Valley View cemetery.
Mr. Large died at Friendship Haven May 27 at the age of 90 years and had been there the past 11 years. He was in poor health the past few years. He was born January 9, 1873 at LaPorte City IA, and came to Rock Valley about 1896, He worked as postmaster for a number of years and then went into the First National Back at Rock Valley in 1906 and remained with the bank until in closed in 1933
He was married to Grace Johnson, who preceded him in death in 1947. He is survived by one sister, Maude Large of Long Beach, Ca, a niece, Wilhelmina (Mrs. Henry Rath) of Belgrade, Minn., a nephew, Judson Large of Chicago and another niece, the former Lucie Large. Three brothers, Will, John and Ike preceded him in death and two sisters.

NO OBITUARY WAS FOUND FOR JOHN J. or WILLIAM LARGE brother of Franklin A.

LARGE FAMILY TREE

This family information was taken from a report on ancestry (done by others).
The Large family line starts with:

Jacob Large born about 1714 Hunterdon Co. N.J. died 27 Apr 1799 Kingwood NJ
Wife: Mary Bunting 1774-1792
Child:
Samuel Large born 9 Sep 1752 Quakertown, NJ died 12 Sep Hunterdon Co. NJ
Wife: Mary Runyan 1761-1810
Child
Samuel Large born abt 1776 died 20 Aug 1829
Wife: Jane (Large) 1782-1858
Child:
Ebeneezer Large born 1804 PA died in IN
Wife Hannah Howe 1811-1889
Child:
Francis Asbury Large born 20 Oct 1844 IN, died 14 May 1928 Madison IN
Wife: Susan Ann Refsnider 1850-1935

Children:
1. Isaac Samuel Large 1868-1936 (came to Rock Valley)
2. Susie Rachel Large 1871-1952
3. Franklin A. Large 1873-1963 (came Rock Valley)
4. John Jacob Large 1875-1928 (came to Iowa – Sioux City)
5. Mary Ellen Large 1877-1953
6. William P. Large 1883-1942
7. Maude Mae Large 1887-1968

There are pictures of Frank A. Large and brother Isaac S. Large, go to the main page left side under - Alpha Index of (above) Bios -- Also includes Family History Story Pages & Sioux Center Iowa 1991 Centennial Book
Click on “L” to see photos.

Those pictures are poor photocopies captured from microfilmed news print.

If anyone has a picture of the Large family please contact our page coordinator to add same.