For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 593
P. FRANK ANSON....P. Frank Anson, president of the Anson Clothing Company of Muscatine, was born in this city, September 11, 1856. He is a son of Michael and Alice ( Murphy ) Anson, both of whom were born in County Tipperary, Ireland. The father was a painter by trade and, like thousands of his countrymen, sought to improve his financial condition by emigration to America. He arrived in St. Louis in 1847 and one year later came to Muscatine, Iowa, where he located permanently. He became a contractor in his line, being very successful in his business and a remarkably fine workman. He departed this life in 1893, his wife surviving until September 15, 1908, when she passed away at the age of seventy-five years. They were both members of the Roman Catholic church and were married in the little church at the rear of Graham's drug store in 1852. Mr. Anson was an ardent democrat and greatly loved his home and his family. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Richard Anson, was born and reared in the city of Cashel, Ireland. The maiden name of his wife was Margaret Fahey. The maternal grandfather was Philip Murphy, a farmer, who married Johanna Ryan. He died at sea while coming to this country. His wife continued her journey and settled in Muscatine about 1850, where she died at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom grew to maturity ; Michael, Alice, Philip, Patrick, John, Lawrence, Ellen and Mary. To Michael and Alice Anson nine children were born, seven of whom are now living : P. Frank, our subject ; Mary, of Muscatine ; Elizabeth, the wife of J. J. McNulty, of Muscatine ; Joseph, of Kansas City, Missouri ; Alice, of Muscatine ; Mark M., also of Muscatine ; and Margaret, the wife of William Stapleton, of Muscatine.P. Frank Anson was reared under the favoring influences of a happy home and educated in the public and parochial schools of Muscatine. He began his business career at the painter's trade under his father, which he continued for five years. His first experience in the mercantile line was as clerk in the clothing store of Bach & Friedman, being identified with this firm from 1878 to 1882. He next entered the employ of the S. & L. Cohn Clothing Company, and in 1896 in partnership with Paul Steinmetz, he incorporated the Anson Clothing Company, beginning in a small way in the room now occupied by F. W. Swan. By good management the business grew rapidly and in 1899 the company removed to its present commodious quarters, consisting of a double store and basement, where one of the largest and best stocks of clothing is displayed that may be seen in the state of Iowa.
On the 14th of November, 1888, Mr. Anson was united in marriage to Miss Alice E. Barry, a daughter of Nicholas and Alice ( Potts ) Barry, a record of whom is presented elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Anson was born in Rock Island, Illinois and came with her parents to Muscatine in her childhood. She belongs to one of the prominent families of the city. Three children came to brighten the home, two of whom are living : J. Barry and Raphael.
Mr. and Mrs. Anson are members of the St. Mathias Catholic church and contribute libeally toward it's support. Mr. Anson holds membership in the Knights of Columbus, the Commercial Club, the Geneva Country Golf Club and the Muscatine Launch Club. Politically he is a stanch adherent of the democratic party. He was a charter member of the Excelsior Hose Company and for thirty years consecutively served as treasurer of that organization. On the thirtieth anniversary of the company, in February, 1907, he was presented a gold headed cane by his associates in recognition of his unselfish labors in behalf of the company. He is a valued factor in the private social life of the city and has many friends whom he has attracted by his kindly disposition and genial manners. Hence he is honored today not only in business circles but by the best citizens generally irrespective of religious or political affiliation.
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