Frank A. Brokaw, an enterprising and up to date farmer of South Fork township, his land being in a high state of cultivation, was born March 28, 1867, in that township, and his parents were Phillip Van Arsdale and Julie Ann (Stuart) Brokaw. The former was born in Mileston, Somerset county, New Jersey, on the 1st of February, 1816, and the latter in Warren county, Pennsylvania, on the 18th of February, 1822. In 1832 Phillip Van Arsdale Brokaw removed with his parents to Chautauqua county, New York, and on the 14th of November, 1847, his marriage occurred. In 1855 he came with his family to Hopkinton, Delaware county, Iowa, and purchased forty acres of land in the vicinity. He added to his holdings from time to time until he became the owner of two hundred and ninety acres of fine land. On the 3d of April, 1897, he passed away, but his widow survived until December, 1902.
     In their family were nine children, as follows: Esther Jane, whose birth occurred July 27, 1848, passed away in 1871. John H., born November 17, 1849, was married on the 20th of May, 1896, to Miss Adella A. Martin. He is a miner by occupation and has prospected in Utah, California, and in fact in all of the western mining states. William Stuart, born July 8, 1851, was associated with his brother John H. in mining until his death in 1883.  He was accidentally killed by slipping into a shaft in a mine. James Peter, born May 30, 1853, is a farmer by occupation. Martha (better known as Mattie) Elizabeth, was born April 8, 1855, and became the wife of T. J. Haynes, a boiler maker of Butte, Montana, who later became a ranchman in that state. Both he and his wife have passed away, but are survived by a son, Thomas B., who was born in 1890. He is married and lives upon the ranch which he inherited from his father. May R., born May 23, 1857, became the wife of P. Grantfield, who has passed away. She has two daughters, Nellie and Lois, and she resides with them in the state of Washington. Mary W., born January 1, 1859, passed away in Hopkinton, September, 1909. Edward P., born in 1863, remained at home until he was about twenty one years old but has been a wanderer since then. Frank A. completes the family. When the father passed away he left six children living and five grandchildren.
     Frank A. Brokaw was given the advantages of a good education, as he was a student at Lenox College. After leaving school he remained upon the homestead with his father until he reached the age of twenty two years. When he started out in life for himself he decided to follow the occupation to which he had been reared and has continued to devote his time to agriculture. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of arable land, located on section 9, South Fork township, and ten acres of timber land in Union township. He raises horses, cattle and hogs and derives a good income from the sale of his stock, which is always of a high grade. He spares neither time nor labor in improving his place and everything is kept in the best of repair and the fertility of the land is conserved.
     Mr. Brokaw was married on the 18th of February, 1891, to Miss Ella J. Farrand, who was born in the state of New York, July 5, 1861. Her parents were Iandus T. and Mary E. (Morrison) Farrand, born July 12, 1833, and May 29, 1844, respectively. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Brokaw were Strong and Aurilla (Hall) Farrand, the former born July 22, 1807, and the latter August 31, 1806. The grandfather passed away May 17, 1881, and the grandmother in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Iandus T. Farrand were married June 12, 1860, and became the parents of two daughters: Ella, now Mrs. Brokaw, and Nina E., who on the 4th of July, 1886, was married to Charles E. Fairfield, by whom she has two sons, Clarence and Lloyd. Mrs. Brokaw's mother passed away at her home four miles east of Arcade, New York, on the 18th of June, 1901, but her father still survives and lives upon the home farm.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Brokaw have been born two sons and one daughter. Stuart Farrand Brokaw, whose birth occurred December 12, 1892, was graduated from the high school at Hopkinton and subsequently completed a course in Lenox College, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1914. He is at present teaching in the high school at Waukon, Iowa. Francie Ella, born January 25, 1893, is now attending Lenox College, having graduated from the high school. Harry Roosevelt, born July 25, 1901, is attending school. The family are members of the Presbyterian church and are held in high esteem.