FRANK C. LARIMER
Among the high esteemed citizens of Chariton is Frank
C. Larimer, who after engaging along various lines is now
connected with the firm of Hollinger & Larimer, the junior
partner being his brother.
Mr. Larimer underwent many hardships and handicaps
during his career, but he has conquered such as could be
conquered and in a Christian spirit has contented himself to
carry those burdens which inexorable fate imposed upon him. Mr. Larimer was
born in Chariton township (now Lincoln township), November 30,
1864, a son of Wilson King Larimer, a native of Westmoreland
county Pennsylvania, where he was born October 27, 1828, who
died in Chariton, Iowa, in 1896, as one of its most prominent
citizens. The
father came to Lucas county overland at an early day and
settled on a farm in Chariton township. Not only was he one
of the pioneers but he was also active politically, having
been for many years county surveyor and for six years clerk of
the courts. It
is significant that he was elected to the latter office on the
democratic ticket in a strongly republican county. The mother of our
subject was Margaret Young, a native of Ohio, who also has
passed away at Chariton.
Her father, E. P. Young, was one of the very earl
pioneers of Lucas county, having in the early days removed his
log cabin from the eastern part of what is now Lincoln
township to Chariton with an ox team. He endured all of
the privations incident to pioneer life when there were few
settlements and distances between neighbors were such that
communication was difficult.
Mrs. Margaret Larimer by a previous marriage had one
daughter, Mrs. Best, whose husband is one of the prominent
contractors of Chariton.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson K. Larimer had five children: Belle, residing in
the old Larimer home at Chariton; Frank C., of this review;
Mrs. Ollie Holmes, of Chariton; Edward P., of Seymour, Iowa;
and Horace G., of Chariton.
Frank C. Larimer was united in marriage, in 1892, to
Miss Emma Myers, who was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Her parents
subsequently made removal to Lucas county. They were Isaac and
Ann (Campbell) Myers, natives of Pennsylvania and now both
deceased, having passed away in Chariton. The death of the
mother occurred in June, 1913.
Mr. and Mrs. Myers had five children: Mrs. Maggie Badger,
whose husband is rural free delivery carrier in Chariton; Mrs.
Larimer, the wife of our subject; Mrs. Cora Herd, of Los
Angeles, California; Samuel, deceased; and Anna, of Chariton. The three elder
children were born in Pennsylvania and the younger two in
Lucas county. Mr.
and Mrs. Larimer became the parents of one son, Willard
Kelvin, born February 6, 1902, who died May 6, 1912. His untimely death
was a sad blow to the parents, who already had suffered great
afflictions, for Mr. Larimer had been unfortunate in
sustaining severe injuries while in the contracting and
painting business, and in addition to this Mrs. Larimer became
an invalid. Then,
to fill their cup of sorrow, the sad death of their only son
and child occurred when he was accidentally drowned.
Politically, Mr. Larimer is a democrat and fraternally
a member of the Masonic lodge of Chariton and also of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an honorary member of the
volunteer fire department of this city. Mrs. Larimer is a
member of the United Presbyterian church of Chariton, in the
work of which she takes an active and helpful interest. Both she and her
husband enjoy in a large measure the confidence and good-will
of their fellow citizens and are highly respected and esteemed
wherever known. They
reside in a handsome home in Chariton, which Mr. Larimer owns,
beside another dwelling that is rented out.