Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 768
FRANK GILSON

Frank GILSON, whose farm home is pleasantly situated in the north east quarter of section 19, and within the borders of that charming forest land known as Six-mile Grove in Cass Township, came to Harrison County in company with his mother twenty-two years ago, arriving August 29, 1869, and at first settled in Union Township, where his mother's sister lived. They remained however, the following winter at the home of L. M. EVANS, during which time he attended school, and in the early spring engaged to work on a farm at $7 per month. His mother was again married and he called their place home. His next work was for John JEWELL, for which he received $8 per month. He worked on a farm the next three years for E. R. PECKENPAUGH, who paid him $10 and $15 per month. He was virtually his own man after he was thirteen years of age, and improved every opportunity to attend school between the various times he was engaged at farm labor. For two years he rented a farm of John KNAUSS, who game him one-half of the grain in the field. This was during the years 1876-77. The next year he rented of B. R. COLLINS, giving him one-third of the crop.

In 1879, he purchased forty acres of wild land of the railroad company, for which he paid $8 per acre. He at once began to improve this by breaking, and building a house; also a barn. He cultivated this land until the autumn of 1885, and sold the same at $22.50 per acre, and bought the place he now occupies, paying $26 per acre. This farm contains one hundred and fifty-three acres, is under a high state of cultivation and is provided with a good house, fine barn and bearing orchard.

Our subject was born in Porter Township, Cass County, Mich., September 8, 1857. His parents were William and Sarah J. (BOLTON) GILSON. Mr. and Mrs. William GILSON were the parents of four children, of whom our subject was the second child. The father was born in New York State, while the mother was born in Michigan.

Mr. GILSON was married March 12, 1876, to Millie V. PECKENPAUGH, daughter of E. R. and Caroline PECKENPAUGH, who were the parents of twelve children, who were born and died in the following order�Rice, Lorinda, Joseph, and Martin, deceased; Anderville P., Harvey V., Willis W., William J., Stephen A., Bertha C., Millie V., Frank C. Mrs. GILSON was the eleventh child, and was born September 1,1859. Her father was born in Indiana, and her mother in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. GILSON are the parents of five children�Mabel L., born March 20, 1877; Caroline J., September 24, 1878; Gladys T., March 1, 1883; Archie E., April 3, 1886; Willis E., June 28, 1889.

Politically, our subject is identified with the Republican party.

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