Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 884
FRANK E. SELLERS

It is a pleasure to consider the career of a successful, self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who,beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes all obstacles in his pathway of success and by the master strokes of his own force and vitality, succeeds in forging to the front and winning for himself a competency and a position of esteem and influence among his fellowmen. Thus, in a few words, might be stated the salient points in the career of one of Dunlap's most prominent citizens, the late Frank E. SELLERS, who was a successful druggist of that town. Mr. SELLERS passed away March 16, 1915. He was a man who enjoyed more than ordinary popularity in Dunlap and vicinity, and was well loved by the poor, to whom throughout his life he showed an affectionate and fatherly interest. Now that Mr. SELLERS is gone, his passing is mourned by scores of people, as has been that of few residents of this part of Harrison county within the past two or three decades.

Frank E. SELLERS was a native of the state of Illinois, his birth occurring in Warren county, March 16, 1866. He was the youngest son of Thomas J. and Eliza (RICHARDSON) SELLERS. Thomas J. SELLERS was a native of Ireland, and from him no doubt, his son inherited much of his native ability and genial manners which readily won for him so many friends. Mrs. Eliza SELLERS was a Hoosier by birth.

Thomas J. SELLERS, the father of Frank E., emigrated to America with his parents when he was in his fifth year. The family located in Warren county, Illinois, and there Thomas J. grew to manhood and passed the best years of his life. Late in life he removed to Ottumwa, Iowa, and there his death occurred. His widow is still living, and to her the subject of this brief review was always very much devoted. Frank E. SELLERS had but one brother, George, who now resides at Pipestone, Minnesota.

The late Frank E. SELLERS received his early education in the common schools of Warren county, Illinois. He finished his formal education at the age of thirteen years, but his education proper did not stop when he ceased to attend school. He supplemented the information he had acquired up to that time with prodigous home study, and at the time of his death was a well-informed man, keenly alert to all modern-day problems, civic, social and commercial.

At the age of fourteen, Mr. SELLERS became connected with the business which was to become his life vocation. At that time he obtained a clerkship in a drug store at Alexis, Illinois, and here he remained for some time, acquiring an excellent knowledge of pharmacy, and the successful operation of a drug store. Subsequently Mr. SELLERS spent some time working in Minnesota, and still later he removed to Nebraska, where he worked for a time. Not being satisfied, however, with the opportunities either in Minnesota or Nebraska, he came to Iowa, and for four years lived at Walnut. Later he spent ten years in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Eleven years ago Mr. SELLERS came to Dunlap, and opened a drug store, which, at the time of his death, had come to be known as the best drug store in this part of Harrison county. Mr. SELLERS had built up a large and lucrative business, and until his death, gave this business his personal attention at all times.

Frank E. SELLERS was twice married, his first wife being Nina PRITCHARD, the daughter of Alec and Mary A. PRITCHARD, of Shelby county, Iowa, and to this union was born one daughter, Edna May. Mrs. SELLERS died during the time the family was residing at Council Bluffs, and Mr. SELLERS subsequently married Grace DEAN, the daughter of Horace and Electa (PELHAM) DEAN, the former a veteran of the Civil War. The DEAN family came originally from Clinton county, Iowa. Later they resided at Westside, where all the children were born. Aside from Mrs. SELLERS, there are two other daughters, Mrs. E. H. BARRETT and Mrs. Michael BARRETT, the former of Omaha, and the latter of Logan, Iowa. Mr. SELLERS' second marriage was without issue.

As might have been expected of a man of Mr. SELLERS' genial nature, his fraternal affiliations were numerous. In the work of the various orders of which he was a member he took more than a passing interest. He was affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons through the local lodge at Dunlap. His membership in the Knights of Pythias was held at Council Bluffs. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Council Bluffs, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America at Dunlap. Mr. SELLERS was identified with the Republican party throughout his life, and always manifested a keen interest at the outcome of its campaigns, although he himself was not an aspirant for office at any time during his life.

Frank E. SELLERS was eminently successful as a business man, and had the distinction of living in the finest residence of which the town of Dunlap boasts. Shortly before his death he purchased a farm which was formerly owned by the late Jasper O. BANYAN, which contains eighty acres, located about two and one-half miles north of Dunlap. This farm is now known as one of the finest farms in Crawford county, Iowa.

The career of Mr. SELLERS furnished an excellent example of that peculiar American product - the self-made man. His life can well stand as an incentive to ambitious and struggling young men. His kindly disposition won him a large circle of friends by whom he was held in high esteem. He was a man of strong and active sympathies, his temperament was warm and ardent; his feeling deep and intense. These and other attractive characteristics unconsciously drew to him an unusual number of devoted friends, upon whom under all circumstances he could rely, and who now that he has passed from earthly scenes, revere his memory. He was a close student of human nature and comprehended with little effort the motives and purposes of men. He was always a lover of truth and sincerity. In brief, he will be remembered as a manly man of pleasing but dignified presence, a diligent student and an influential man in the circles in which he moved. Of sound character and unflagging energy he stood as a conspicuous example of symmetrically developed American manhood.

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