FRED M. MOLSBERRY.

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         Fred M. Molsberry, a successful lawyer of Columbus Junction of nearly twenty years’ experience, and an ex-senator, was born at Plymouth, Iowa, May 22, 1866, a son of Joseph M. and Jemima Jane (Pitman) Molsberry. The father was a native of Indiana and moved from that state to Michigan in 1856. At Niles, Michigan, he was married to Jemima J. Pitman. They came to Iowa and first made their home in Cerro Gordo county, then at Rock Falls, and finally became permanently established upon a homestead near Plymouth. Mr. Molsberry was a successful farmer and is now deceased.

         Reared on the home farm, Fred M. Molsberry attended the district schools and later, having decided to devote his attention to the law, matriculated in the State University at Iowa City where he took a course of two years, graduating in May, 1892, with the degree of LL. B. Immediately after leaving the university he located at Columbus Junction in the practice of his profession, displaying from the start an ability that gave every assurance of marked success. He has taken an active part in politics and was elected county attorney and filled the office to the general satisfaction of his constituents for three terms. In November, 1901, he was elected to the Iowa state senate to represent Louisa and Muscatine counties, entering upon his duties January 1, 1902. His term was extended for one year so that he served altogether for five years. He was a member of the judiciary and other important committees and proved one of the most useful men in the senate.

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         At the close of his term of office he resumed practice and has since devoted his attention to his profession with renewed vigor and with very satisfactory results. He has also taken a very active part in business affairs and is a member of the board of directors of the Cotter Savings Bank of Cotter, and is secretary and a member of the board of directors of the Columbus Junction Telephone Company, which office he has held ever since the organization of the company in 1901. He has made some good investments in land and is an extensive land-owner.

         In August, 1893, Mr. Molsberry was married to Miss Coral Oliver, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a daughter of E. W. and M. J. Oliver, who were in the territory of Oklahoma when it was opened for settlement and when town lots were laid out for sale in Oklahoma City. Both parents are now living. To Mr. and Mrs. Molsberry an only daughter, Effie Lucille, has been born. She is now fifteen years of age.

         Fraternally Mr. Molsberry is identified with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias. He has been very active in the latter organization and has filled all the chairs in the lodge. In August, 1903, he was elected grand chancellor of the state of Iowa, discharging his duties in such a way as to meet the approval of members of the organization throughout the entire commonwealth. He is not identified with any religious denomination but his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a self-made man and has fairly won through his own efforts the responsible position he occupies in Louisa county. As he possesses a steady and purposeful will, which is under intelligent guidance, he has gained more than an ordinary measure of success and is in the enjoyment of a competence that gives promise of a steady increase in years to come.