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Past and Present of Lucas and Wayne Counties, Iowa L Unless otherwise noted, bios are submitted by Gary W. Tharp. Among the highly 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 inexorabe 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 early 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 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, in the acquirement of his education, attended the common schools and later a private school in Chariton conducted by Mrs. Frank Stuart. He was reared and grew to manhood in Chariton Township (now Lincoln ) and has always been a resident thereof. In the earlier years he followed farming until he moved to Chariton , where for fifteen years he was engaged as a painter and contractor and also followed railroading for some time. He then conducted a store in Russell and passed two years in Des Moines . At the present he is clerking in the store of Hollinger & Larimer, his brother being the junior partner. He has in his possession all the earlier records of Chariton Township , which have come to him through his father, who made them when he held the position of surveyor. Frank C. Larimer was united in marriage, in 1892, to Miss Emmy 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 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 in Chariton , in the work of which she takes an active and helpful interest. Both she and her husband enjoy a large measure of 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. Among the men who have been active in inaugurating and shaping the business development of Chariton is numbered George W. Larimer, who has been connected with business interests in the city since 1875 and who, steadily extending the field of his connections, is today one of the substantial and representative men of the community. He conducts an important abstract business and is well known in financial circles through his connections with the Chariton National Bank, the Loan & Trust Bank and the State Savings Bank. Mr. Larimer was born in Noble County , Indiana , February 19, 1853 , a son of William McDowell and Christiana (Barkley) Larimer, natives of Westmoreland County , Pennsylvania , the former born April 19, 1824 , and the latter in September, 1825. They afterward moved to Noble County , Indiana , where the father died in September, 1853, leaving two children: Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Ward, who was born in September, 1851, and who died in 1897; and George W., of this review. Afterward the mother and her children moved to Chariton Township , this county, where Mrs. Larimer engaged in teaching, being the first teacher in the famous Highland district. She afterward married again, her second husband being Cyrus Larimer, by whom she had four children: Mrs. Nettie Mitchner, a resident of Des Moines , Iowa ; Mrs. Emma Gribben, who passed away in 1912; Clara, also deceased; and H.H., who was born in 1862 and who now resides in Chariton . The two older children were born in Noble County , Indiana , and the other two in Lucas County , this state. George W. Larimer accompanied his mother and sister to Chariton Township in 1855 and grew to manhood amid pioneer conditions in this locality. In 1864 he began his independent career, securing a position south of Chariton as a sheep herder. He later learned the tinner's trade and received a remuneration of five dollars per week. He paid strict attention to business and was gradually advanced, eventually securing a comfortable competency. He began his mercantile career in Chariton on the 1 st of January, 1875 , and he continued in this line of business until 1892, each year witnessing his increasing prosperity and prominence. In the latter year he retired from active life but in 1897 became interested in the Loan & Trust Bank, the State Savings Bank and the National Bank, all of Chariton , and he still continues his identification with these institutions. He also conducts an abstract business and he has been very successful in this line, his prosperity coming as the direct result of his discriminating business judgement, his energy, enterprise and progressive spirit. In 1879 Mr. Larimer married Miss Emma Ward, who was born at Winterset , Iowa , in October, 1855. She is a daughter of C.C. and Serena (Miller) Ward, natives of Hendricks County , Indiana . The parents afterward moved to Des Moines and thence to Chariton , where the father still resides and where the mother passed away. To their union were born five children: Mrs. Larimer, wife of the subject of this review; Mrs. Cora Reeside, of Wichita , Kansas ; William H., of Council Bluffs , Iowa ; Mrs. Molly Fuller, of Chariton ; and Mrs. Mabel McMichael, of Denver , Colorado . Mr. and Mrs. Larimer have four children. Guy W. was born September 24, 1880 . After graduating from the Chariton High School he entered Northwestern University at Evanston , Illinois and after completing his course there he entered the medical department of the same university, from which he received the degree of M.D. He afterward acted as intern in the Cook County Hospital and is now practicing his profession in Salida , Colorado . Mrs. Mary Pascoe was born in May, 1883, and acquired her education in the Chariton High School and in Simpson College at Indianola. She now resides in Carroll , Iowa . Mrs. Edith Copeland was born in April, 1888, and after graduating from the Chariton High School took a two years course in Simpson College . She makes her home in Chariton . Robert E., who was born June 13, 1894 , is at present a student in the Iowa State University at Iowa City . Mr. Larimer attends the Methodist Episcopal Church at Chariton and is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Republican in his political beliefs and served for six years as a member of the Board of Supervisors of Lucas County and has been a member of the City Council of Chariton. He is numbered among the distinctly successful men of the city. Through legitimate channels of trade he has won prosperity in business and has secured a comfortable fortune which he has invested judiciously, evidencing his faith in the future of Lucas County by placing his money in local enterprises. A resident of this section since childhood, he has witnessed practically its entire growth and development and in later years has been a prominent factor in its progress. He has made his name recognized and respected in business circles and his personal characteristics have gained him the warm regard and confidence of may friends. Horace G. Larimer is prominently connected with business interests of Chariton as a member of the firm of Hollinger & Larimer, dealers in men's clothing and furnishings. He is a man who has risen rapidly by the force of his ability, enterprise and initiative, his interests touching closely the political and business development of his city. He was born in Chariton township, this county, November 27, 1875 , and is a son of Wilson King and Margaret (Young) Larimer, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. Horace G. Larimer grew to manhood in his native township and acquired his education in the public schools. He moved with his parents to Chariton when his father was elected County Clerk and in August, 1900, turned his attention to business in this city. He formed a partnership with Mr. Hollinger under the firm name of Hollinger & Larimer, dealers in men's clothing and furnishings. They carry a large and well selected stock of goods and enjoy a liberal patronage, for their business methods are at all times straight forward and their business integrity beyond question. Mr. Larimer was for three years president of the State Federation of Mercantile Associations of Iowa, and for two years held the same office in the Iowa Retail Clothiers' Association. He has made a close study of trade conditions and keeps in touch with everything pertaining to the line of work in which he is engaged. He has other important business connections in Chariton and has valuable real estate interests, owning besides a modern home a number of pieces of land. On the 19 th of December, 1900 , Mr. Larimer married Miss Willie Blanche Hollinger, who was born in Chariton , October 1, 1877 , a daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte and Ellen Frances (Blanchard) Hollinger, the former born in Seneca County , Ohio , November 21, 1834 , and the latter in Charlestown , Massachusetts , September 17, 1842 . The parents went to Wright County , Iowa in 1855 and moved from there to Chariton in 1872. Here the father engaged in the hardware and implement business for a number of years, later joining his son-in-law in the firm of Hollinger & Larimer. He is numbered among the best businessmen of Chariton and has secured a comfortable fortune. He and his wife became the parents of the following children: Mrs. Clara Culbertson, who was born January 3, 1859, and who is now residing in Chariton; Mrs. Lydia Welch, born November 9, 1863, a resident of Des Moines; Nellie, whose birth occurred April 1, 1865; Etta, who was born January 9, 1869, and who died December 21, 1886; and Mrs. Larimer, wife of the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Larimer have become the parents of three children: Mildred, born May 29, 1902 ; Hugh, whose birth occurred October 28, 1907 ; and Margaret, born August 30, 1909 . The family reside in the well known Crocker house, one of the finest and most modern in the city, and the parents are well known in social circles. Although Mr. Larimer is one of the most able businessmen of Chariton his interests have not been confined to this line but have extended to other fields also. He is active in Republican politics and has always been vitally interested in the welfare of the party, having attended every state convention since he was of age. He was mayor of Chariton for one term and during that time accomplished a great deal of constructive and progressive work, it being largely due to his efforts that the subways were constructed under the Rock Island Railroad. He has for the past eight years been a member of the Grand Tribunal of the Knights of Pythias of the state of Iowa , is connected with Chariton Lodge, No. 64, A.F. & A.M., the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World, the Homesteaders and the Yeomen. He is a vestryman in the Episcopal church, of which his wife is also a member. Mr. Larimer is a liberal, broad-minded and public-spirited man, active in community affairs and giving largely of his time and means to the promotion of progressive public projects. A representative of the best type of modern businessman, he holds the esteem and respect of his associates, standing among the men of marked ability and substantial worth in the community. William M. Larimer, controlling important lumber interests in Russell, has been a resident of Lucas county since 1851 and is a representative of a well known pioneer family. He was born in Westmoreland County , Pennsylvania , April 17, 1847 , and is a son of Hugh and Nancy Larimer, natives of that section. The parents came overland in the spring of 1851 and they settled in Iowa , in what was then Chariton township, Lucas County , in April, 1851. The father was a member of the board of supervisors when the name of the township was changed and on Section 35 he engaged in general farming until his death, which occurred January 27, 1884 . He had long survived his wife, who died in Lucas County , September 13, 1865 . Eleven children were born to this union, as follows: Mrs. Mary Gobel-Lodge, who was born January 8, 1841, and who resides in South Dakota; Isabel, whose birth occurred November 28, 1843, and who died in Lucas County, February 13, 1883; Mrs. Martha Morris, who was born November 17, 1845, and who resides in Abingdon, Illinois; William M., of this review; Eli, who was born March 16, 1849, and who died August 9 th , of the same year. Alexander, born in Noble County, Indiana, and now residing in Webster City, Iowa; LeRoy, who was born March 25, 1853, and who resides on a farm in Lincoln Township; Mrs Laura Sophia Delano, whose birth occurred April 24, 1855, and who died June 6, 1908; Joseph Henry; whose birth occurred May 3, 1857, and who died December 22, 1886; Wilson A., who was born March 13, 1860, and who resides in Cedar Township; and Mrs. Margaret Shirer, born September 16, 1862, now of Chariton. William M. Larimer is a grandson of Hugh Larimer, who was born March 9, 1780 , and who died in November, 1858. He was twice married. On the 10 th of May, 1803 , he wedded Miss Jane Shannon, who was born in May, 1782, and who died January 5, 1817 . To this union were born the following children: Martha; Mary C., born March 21, 1805 ; Samuel, October 1, 1806 ; Thomas, February 27, 1809 ; John June 24, 1811 ; John, the second of the name, born October 3, 1812 ; and Jane S., born November 23, 1814 . After the death of his first wife Hugh Larimer was again married, wedding on the 25 th of November, 1817 , Miss Nancy McDowell. They became the parents of the following children: Hugh, the father of the subject of this review, born November 28, 1818; Alexander, born February 19, 1820; James J., born July 19, 1822; William McDowell, April 19, 1824; Eli Coulter, May 29, 1826; Wilson K., October 27, 1828; George S., March 29, 1832; Cyrus, November 10, 1833; Nancy, August 17, 1835; Joseph, August 1, 1837; Eliza McDowell, April 14, 1839; Noah, April 28, 1841; and Catherine, born January 8, 1844, residing at Ness City, Kansas. William M. Larimer was four years of age when he came with his parents to this county and he grew to manhood here, acquiring his education in the district schools. On May 19, 1864 , he enlisted in the Union army and served one hundred days, receiving his honorable discharge September 23, 1864 . He returned to Lucas County and engaged in farming, following that occupation until about the year 1882, when he moved into Russell, where he became connected with lumber interests. He has remained identified with the lumber business here since that time and today controls an important patronage and is ranked with representative and progressive business men of the city. Mr. Larimer has been twice married. He wedded first, on November 24, 1868 , Miss Eliza Jane Hall, who was born in Peoria County , Illinois , June 9, 1848 . She came to Lucas County at an early day and died in Russell , Iowa , February 21, 1883 . She was a daughter of Thomas and Jennie (Maple) Hall, both of whom have passed away. They were the parents of five children: Mrs. Larimer, first wife of the subject of this review; George, who resides in Peoria County , Illinois ; and Tracy , Joseph and Catherine, deceased. By his first wife Mr. Larimer became the father of five children: Mrs. Etta Russell, who was born September 24, 1869, and who resides in St. Joseph, Missouri; Charles L., who was born August 17, 1871, and who makes his home in Russell; Emma, who was born August 24, 1873, and who died March 17, 1874; Mrs. Jessie Hatcher, who was born December 27, 1874, and who resides in El Paso, Texas; and Harry B., who was born March 22, 1877, and who died January 22, 1908. On the 13 th of January, 1885 , Mr. Larimer was again married, his second union being with Miss Annie Marks, who was born in Hennepin , Illinois , April 10, 1852 . Her parents came overland to Mills County , Iowa , at an early day. Both have passed away. Mr. Larimer is connected fraternally with the Russell post of the Grand Army of the Republic and he gives his political allegiance to the Republican party. He has resided in this county since his childhood and has become widely known here, his business integrity, his progressive spirit and his genuine personal worth having gained him the respect and esteem of all who come in contact with him. |