Benjamin L Flathers

FLATHERS FRAZIER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 8/26/2010 at 22:50:57

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

B L Flathers
By Mrs Max Flathers

Benjamin L Flathers was born at Crawfordsville, Indiana, December 9, 1839. When he was about two and a half years old, the family moved to Jackson County, Iowa. Here he grew to manhood.

He enlisted for service in Company M 2nd Iowa Cavalry in 1861 and served his country a litte more than three years. He was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in October 1864.

He came to western Iowa in 1867 in quest of a homestead, which he chose in Section 2, Wolfcreek Township. He returned to Jackson county and on March 25, 1868, he was united In marriage to Almira Frazier, daughter of Thomas Frazier.

About April 1, 1868, in company with wife’s father, Thomas Frazier and family, J J Wood’s family, Mr and Mrs A W Hatfield, and the John Wetmore family, he set out for western Iowa. He drove two team of oxen, the trip taking about three weeks.

Mr Flathers’ wife did not come at this time, but stayed in Jackson County and taught school. Ben settled on his homestead and built his home. The lumber was bought from a sawmill in Oto, Iowa. Whenever he needed money he would take his oxen and break prairie for the other settlers for which he received $3.00 per acre.

He returned to Jackson County that winter and in the spring him and his wife both come to Western Iowa.

They hauled what wood they needed from the Little Sioux river, as there were no trees in this part of the county. He would journey to Sioux City for supplies, which took three days for the enitre trip. At that time there were only three houses on the trail.

Mr and Mrs Flathers were always deeply concerned for their family, their neighbors, and friends. They wanted what was best for people in general.

Benjamin Lewis and Almira Frazier Flathers had five chidlren:

1-George Lewis Flathers, born September 12, 1869, died August 16, 1940. He married Lillian Yockey, March 23, 1911. She was the daughter of John and Anna Stanley Yockey, 1873-1957. They farmed near Clear Lake, South Dakota, later moving on the family homestead. They had three chidlren: 1-Martha Lois, born May 2, 1912, married Earl T Evans, July 12, 1946. 2-Benjamin Lewis Flathers, born September 27, 1913, and died February 24, 1931. 3-Max Gregory Flathers, born December 17, 1914, at Clear Lake, South Dakota. He was married to Vera Irene Klingensmith on June 2, 1937. She was the daughter of Emery P and Flossie Sadler Klingensmith. They now live on the original farm, Benjamin L Flathers, homesteaded in 1867. They are the parents of two children: 1-Nancy Lorraine, born July 26, 1939, and married Rev Ray C Howland on June 28, 1959. They have two chidren, a-Lynda Christine, born June 8, 1960 and married John Hansen, March 15, 1980. They have two children, Melissa Sue and Dawn Michele. b-Joane Rae Howland, born April 2, 1964. 2-Benjamin Larry Flathers was born September 19, 1941. He married Bonnie Mae Beeman, July 14, 1967, the daughter of Raymond and Goldie Beeman. Ben and Bonnie Flathers live near the Flathers homestead and are engaged in farming, part of their land they farm being the Flathers homestead. They have two children, Julie Ann, born September 14, 1972, and Debra Sue, born February 3, 1975.

2-Thomas Edward Flathers, 1871-1952, married Hattie Grapes, and had two children Glennie Mildred and Ronald.

3-Phylena ‘Lena’ Mae, 1873-1959, married Harry Wetmore: they had three children: 1-Laura, 2-George, 3-Charles.

4-Mary Luella ‘Dolly’, 1877-1955.

5-Martha Catherine, 1880-1925.