Frank L. Wacholz
WACHOLZ, WERNER, PLUMMER
Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 5/14/2007 at 16:13:56
Frank L. Wacholz, postmaster of Forest City, is one of the widely known residents of Winnebago county, where he has figured in connection with various public offices and has at the same time been actively associated with its banking interests, while as a raiser of fine pacing and trotting stock his name is known throughout the country. Mr. Wacholz was born at New Hampton, Iowa, May 4, 1873, a son of Edward F. and Mary (Werner) Wacholz, the former born near Bublitz, West Prussia, Germany, on the 19th of August, 1841, while the latter was born in New York City, August 10, 1844. Reared in his native land, the father served as a soldier in the war with Austria in 1866. In 1868 he came to the new world, landing at Baltimore, and after ten weeks spent on the Atlantic coast he made his way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from which point he proceeded westward, working on the Milwaukee Railroad. He was thus engaged as far west as Emmetsburg, Iowa. He was a blacksmith by trade and made as much advancement in that line as was possible. His wife was reared in Troy, New York, and later became a resident of Racine and of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1856 she came to Iowa, locating at New Hampton, Iowa, and both are yet living. There were two daughters in the family, of whom one survives, while the other passed away in 1915.
The only son, Frank L. Wacholz, pursued his education in the public schools of his native city until graduated at the age of sixteen years on the 14th of June, 1889. He then took up the study of pharmacy and for three years clerked in a drug store, but at the end of that time entered the First National Bank of New Hampton as bookkeeper. After a brief period he became bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Forest City, beginning in September, 1892, and subsequently he spent a year in the First National Bank of Britt, Iowa, as assistant cashier under the presidency of George W. Beadle. Returning to Forest City, he became deputy treasurer of Winnebago county under S. H. Larson, and later he again entered the First National Bank as assistant cashier, there remaining until March, 1911, when he sold his interest to John Olson, formerly with the Winnebago County Bank, and removed to Los Angeles. After seeing the glories of that wonderland he returned to Forest City in 1915 and on the 30th of January, 1917, was appointed postmaster, which position he is still filling. Mr. Wacholz has also held other local offices, including that of city treasurer, city clerk, secretary of the County Fair Association and county chairman of the democratic party.
Another line of activity which has claimed much thought, attention and effort from Mr. Wacholz has been the breeding, raising and training of some of the fastest trotters and pacers of the world. He was the owner of Miss Densmore, the world's champion half mile track trotter, with a record of 2:07 ¼; Don Densmore, the fastest pacer ever foaled in Iowa, with a record of 2:02 ¼; and Densmore, famous for his great nine-heat race at Pittsburg, with a record of 2:10. All of the above were colts of Nina Densmore, with a record of 2:17, her colts having won more than sixty thousand dollars in prizes. Mr. Wacholz has always advocated the best blood lines in horses and cattle and brought to this county some of the famous Biltmore Jersey cattle.
On the 6th of June, 1893, Mr. Wacholz was married to Miss Effa Juliet Plummer, the eldest daughter of B. A. and M. Jane Plummer. They have become parents of four children: Margaret, Maxine, Donald and Woodrow. Margaret was born on the present site of Waldorf College, February 6, 1898, and passed out of this life in Los Angeles, California, December 3, 1911. Maxine was born in Forest City, October 11, 1903, and passed out of this life December 18, 1904. Donald was born November 9, 1905, in Forest City; and Woodrow was born in Los Angeles, California, February 10, 1913. Such in brief is the history of Frank L. Wacholz, a well known and valued citizen of Winnebago county, whose activities along many lines have contributed to the development, progress and upbuilding of this section of the state and whose worth is widely acknowledged by all who know him.
Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917, Vol. II, page 144-147.
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