For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 70
W. O. FRITCHMAN. W. O. Fritchman, the proprietor of Oak Lawn farm, is well known in stock circles of Muscatine, his activities as an importer and breeder of high grade sheep and chickens causing him to be recognized as one of the most prominent stockman of the county. Born in Buffalo Prairie, Rock Island county, Illinois, on the 11th of March, 1858, he is a son of Adam and Margaret ( McGrew ) Fritchman, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Carlisle, February 29, 1824, and the mother in Westmoreland county, near Irwin Station, in 1826. They were reared and married in the Keystone state and came west to Illinois in 1855, taking up their home in Rockland county. The year 1867 wittnessed their arrival in Muscatine and this remained their home until 1895, when they removed to Cedar county, Iowa, where their remaining days were spent. The father was a farmer by occupation and at one time owned a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Bloomington township, three and a half miles north of Muscatine, which property remained in the possession of the family for forty years. He passed away on the 27th of January, 1907, having survived his wife for about three years, her demise occurring on the 8th of February, 1904. Their family consisted of six children , as follows: Nancy L., the wife of Lindley Hale, of West Liberty, Iowa; Amanda, who wedded Homer Catell and resides near Des Moines; Catherine, who passed away at the age of twenty-four years; W. O., of this review; John, of California; and one who died in infancy.W. O. Fritchman spent the first nine years of his life in the place of his nativity, after which he came with his parents to Muscatine, and his education which had begun in Rock Island county, Illinois, was completed in the schools of Muscatine county, Iowa Amid the busy activities of farm life, too, he learned practical lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance, and he soon mastered the fundamental principles of agriculture so that, after laying aside his text-books he was able to give valuable assistance to his father in the work of the fields. Upon attaining his majority he continued to follow the occupation to which he had been reared, although in later years he had devoted the greater part of his time and attention to his stock-raising interests. He purchased from his father the farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Bloomington township which remained in his father's and his possession for forty years. This continued to be his home until 1908, when he sold it and purchased his present place of thirty acres adjoining the corporation limits of Muscatine on the north. It is located at the end on Mulberry avenue and is known as Oak Lawn Stock Farm, devoted entirely to the raising of sheep and chickens. He makes a specialty of light Brama chickens which have been bred exclusively for thirty years from the best strains, and the specimens found upon his place are noted for their unusual size and excellent quality. He is also an importer and breeder of registered Shropshire sheep of the most fashionable strains, and the high degree of merit of his stock is indicated by the fact that he has bred and produced the champion rams at a large number of the state fairs throughout the country. The prominence that he has gained in the stock circles all over this country and Canada has made him an authority upon subjects pertaining to his specialties and the excellence of his products make the name of the Oak Lawn Stock Farm well known and popular throughout the entire country.
It was on the 6th of January, 1882, that Mr. Fritchman laid the foundation for a happy home life by his marriage to Miss L. Maggie Adams, who was born in Muscatine on the 12th of February, 1857. Her parents, A. F. and Margaret Adams, came to Muscatine county from Ohio in 1855 and here spent their remaining days. Her father was a member of the well known firm of Adams & Wiles, manufacturers of plows and wagons at Muscatine. He died March 11, 1888, and his wife passed away in December, 1889, both being buried at Muscatine. In their family were five children: Samuel, now deceased; William D. and Elizabeth L., both residents of Muscatine; Alfred B., of Washington, Iowa; and L. Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Fritchman traveled lifes journey happily together for almost a quarter of a century and then were separated by the death of the wife, who passed away on the 4th of June, 1906.
Interested as all American citizens should be in the political situation of the country, Mr. Fritchman has thoroughly informed himself concerning the questions and issues of the day and gives stalwart support to the republican party. His political service, however, is that of a private citizen, for he has never sought or desired to figure in public office, his personal affairs demanding his entire time and attention. He nevertheless has the welfare of his community at heart and does all in his power to further its growth and development. He is rightly numbered among those who have been prominent in the development of stock interests in Muscatine county, for his efforts have been potent elements in raising the standard of stock in this state, particularly along the line of his specialties.
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