Extract from the 1870 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age in 1870: 8
Estimated birth year: 1862
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: son
Parents: Peter and Mary Fillenwarth, ages 46 and 38
Home in 1870: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa
Post office: Strawberry Point
Father's birthplace: France
Mother's birthplace: France
Father's occupation: farmer
Occupation: at home
Siblings living at home: John (age 20), Christ (18), George (15), Caroline (15), Peter (10), and Edward (5)
Census place: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa; Roll: M593_383; Page: 495; Image: 715
Date: 29 Jul 1870
Extract from the 1880 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 18
Estimated birth year: 1862
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relationship to head-of-household: son
Parents: Peter and Mary M Fillenwarth, ages 56 and 48
Home in 1880: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa
Marital status: single
Father's birthplace: France
Mother's birthplace: Bavaria
Father's occupation: farmer
Occupation: attending school
Siblings living at home: Caroline (age 25), Peter (20), and Edward (15)
Census place: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa; Roll: T9_333; Family History Film: 1254333; Page: 567.4000; Enumeration District: 148
Date: 16 Jun 1880
Extract from the 1900 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age at last birthday: 38
Date of birth: 12 May 1862 [source for date of birth]
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Home in 1900: Erin, Hancock, Iowa
Relationship to head-of-house: head
Marital status: married
Number of years of marriage: 3
Able to read, write and speak English: yes
Father's birthplace: Germany
Mother's birthplace: Germany
Farm or home: farm
Home owned or rented: owned
Mortgage: yes
Occupation: farmer
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T623 434; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 122
Date: Jun 1900
Extract from the 1910 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age in 1910: 47
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1910: Erin Township, Hancock, Iowa
Marital status: married
Number of years of present marriage: 12
Father's birthplace: German
Mother's birthplace: German
Able to speak English: yes
Able to read and write: yes
Farm or house: farm
Home owned or rented: owned; no mortgage
Occupation: farmer
Type of industry: general farm
Salary or wage worker: working on own account
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T624_393; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 134; Image: 464
Date: 18 Apr 1910
Extract from the 1920 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 57
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1920: Erin, Hancock, Iowa
Address: farm
Marital status: married
Able to speak English: yes
Able to read and write: yes
Father's birthplace: France
Father's native tongue: French
Mother's birthplace: Germany
Mother's native tongue: German
Home owned or rented: owned; no mortgage
Occupation: farmer
Type of industry: general farm
Salary or wage worker: working on own account
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T625_492; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 148; Image: 254
Date: 4 Feb 1920
Extract from the 1925 Iowa State Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 62
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birth location: Iowa
Race: white
Gender: male
Residence county: Hancock
Residence state: Iowa
Locality: Erin
Relation to head of house: head
Marital status: married
Highest grade completed: 6
Father: Peter Fillenwarth
Father's age: not listed
Father's birth location: France
Mother: Mary Seitz
Mother's age: not listed
Mother's birth location: Germany
Parents' marriage location: Indiana
Religion: Protestant
Census date: 1 Jan 1925
Roll: IA1925_1739
Line: 26
Extract from the 1930 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenworth
Age: 67
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1930: Britt, Hancock, Iowa
Marital status: married
Age at first marriage: 34
Education: able to speak English
Education: able to read and write
Father's birthplace: Alsace-Lorraine, France
Mother's birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Military service: no
Rent/home value: owns home; value $2500
Owned a radio: no
Occupation: none
Census place: Britt, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: 657; Page: ; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 708.0
Date: 18 Apr 1930
Extract from the book "Recollections of Britt, Iowa" published 1978 by the Britt Centennial Committee, pp. 42-43:
1978 marks the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Fillenwarth (George) in Britt.
Peter Fillenwarth arrived in 1879, Frank Fillenwarth in 1883, and the John Fillenwarth family came in 1892.
All the Fillenwarths came from Monona, Iowa, their parental home. Each purchased land in the Britt area, and all worked for a time in the haying industry.
Later George Fillenwarth went into stock buying and Peter Fillenwarth operated a butcher shop and meat market for a number of years. After the death of Peter's wife in the early nineties, he left Britt. While in Britt, he built the residence long owned by John Spalla and which is now the Norman Weiland home at 420 First Street Southeast.
John Fillenwarth was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1850. Four years later his father, Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., and his uncle Chris Fillenwarth left Indiana, following a stage route west on foot because they had no money for stage fare. After ferrying across the Mississippi River, they reached McGregor, Iowa. They continued traveling west, keeping to the woods and water. Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., built a long [sic] cabin in the Monona area. He then sent for his wife and two sons, John and Chris. The brother, Chris Fillenwarth, went on to Nebraska which was opening up for settlement.
In the spring of 1892, the John Fillenwarths and their three children, Clara, William, and Arthur, moved to Britt. They purchased the farm south of Britt, long known as the Heimendinger farm. Some of the buildings they erected, including the house, still stand. Ten years later the family moved into Britt and Mr. Fillenwarth became known as one of the financiers of Britt.
Frank Fillenwarth was born in Clayton County, Iowa, in 1862. When he was twenty-one, he homesteaded at Highmore, South Dakota. Four months later he came to Britt in 1883, and purchased the NE¼ of Section 20, Erin Township, at fifteen dollars an acre and paid seven percent interest on borrowed money.
In the early years, Frank worked in the hay fields. He owned a small hay press which was operated by two horses and several men. The men often worked in sub zero weather and ate frozen dinners thawed on the tines of a fork over open fires. Sometimes the men became lost in the dark while returning home from work. There were no roads or lights to guide the way. A dim lamp in some window in a sparsely settled area was always a welcome sight.
After the depression of 1893-1897, Mr. Fillenwarth farmed. He married Ann Jane Ward, who came to Hancock County in 1882. The couple retired to a home in Britt in 1926. They were the parents of Vincent and Margaret Fillenwarth.
Three times Mrs. Fillenwarth saw Drainage Ditch No. 8 worked on. The first time was in the mid-nineties when it was dug with oxen powered machines, the second time was in the early part of this century when horse power was used, and the final time was in the late forties when gas powered machinery did the work.
Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., father of the four Fillenwarth sons and the daughter, who settled in Britt, also came to Britt after the death of his wife in 1903 and made Britt his home until his death in 1907.
Obituary from the "News-Tribune" of Britt, Iowa dated 18 Jan 1940:
Frank Fillenwarth Fails
To Recover after Heart Attack
Frank Fillenwarth, one of the long time citizens of Britt, passed away at his home at 11:45 a.m. Sunday following several days' illness from a cardiac attack last Wednesday, Jan. 10, and gradually grew weaker until the end came. Mr Fillenwarth was the last member of a family of seven children born to Peter and Margaret Fillenwarth at Bismarck, in Clayton County, Iowa. Frank's birth was recorded as May 12, 1862, and at death he attained an age of 77 years, 8 months and 2 days.
At the age of twenty-one he went into South Dakota and homesteaded eight miles from Highmore. At the end of four months he came to Britt (1883) and in December of that year purchased the 160 acre tract of land five miles south of Britt. On March 10, 1897, he was united in marriage to Ann Jane Ward at Britt, Iowa. They resided on the farm until July 3,1926, when they vacated it for a home in Britt.
Left to mourn are his wife, two children, Vincent Howard and Margaret Mary, both of Britt, and four grandchildren; also one niece and four nephews. Mr Fillenwarth was an industrious man, saving and careful with what he produced. After leaving the farm his son Vincent has been carrying on the work he started fifty six years ago.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. at the home and 2 o'clock at the Methodist church, the Rev. C. N. McMillan in charge. Burial was made in beautiful Evergreen cemetery.
[Source: Louis Schleuger 48469498]
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age in 1870: 8
Estimated birth year: 1862
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: son
Parents: Peter and Mary Fillenwarth, ages 46 and 38
Home in 1870: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa
Post office: Strawberry Point
Father's birthplace: France
Mother's birthplace: France
Father's occupation: farmer
Occupation: at home
Siblings living at home: John (age 20), Christ (18), George (15), Caroline (15), Peter (10), and Edward (5)
Census place: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa; Roll: M593_383; Page: 495; Image: 715
Date: 29 Jul 1870
Extract from the 1880 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 18
Estimated birth year: 1862
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relationship to head-of-household: son
Parents: Peter and Mary M Fillenwarth, ages 56 and 48
Home in 1880: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa
Marital status: single
Father's birthplace: France
Mother's birthplace: Bavaria
Father's occupation: farmer
Occupation: attending school
Siblings living at home: Caroline (age 25), Peter (20), and Edward (15)
Census place: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa; Roll: T9_333; Family History Film: 1254333; Page: 567.4000; Enumeration District: 148
Date: 16 Jun 1880
Extract from the 1900 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age at last birthday: 38
Date of birth: 12 May 1862 [source for date of birth]
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Home in 1900: Erin, Hancock, Iowa
Relationship to head-of-house: head
Marital status: married
Number of years of marriage: 3
Able to read, write and speak English: yes
Father's birthplace: Germany
Mother's birthplace: Germany
Farm or home: farm
Home owned or rented: owned
Mortgage: yes
Occupation: farmer
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T623 434; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 122
Date: Jun 1900
Extract from the 1910 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age in 1910: 47
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1910: Erin Township, Hancock, Iowa
Marital status: married
Number of years of present marriage: 12
Father's birthplace: German
Mother's birthplace: German
Able to speak English: yes
Able to read and write: yes
Farm or house: farm
Home owned or rented: owned; no mortgage
Occupation: farmer
Type of industry: general farm
Salary or wage worker: working on own account
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T624_393; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 134; Image: 464
Date: 18 Apr 1910
Extract from the 1920 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 57
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1920: Erin, Hancock, Iowa
Address: farm
Marital status: married
Able to speak English: yes
Able to read and write: yes
Father's birthplace: France
Father's native tongue: French
Mother's birthplace: Germany
Mother's native tongue: German
Home owned or rented: owned; no mortgage
Occupation: farmer
Type of industry: general farm
Salary or wage worker: working on own account
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T625_492; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 148; Image: 254
Date: 4 Feb 1920
Extract from the 1925 Iowa State Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 62
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birth location: Iowa
Race: white
Gender: male
Residence county: Hancock
Residence state: Iowa
Locality: Erin
Relation to head of house: head
Marital status: married
Highest grade completed: 6
Father: Peter Fillenwarth
Father's age: not listed
Father's birth location: France
Mother: Mary Seitz
Mother's age: not listed
Mother's birth location: Germany
Parents' marriage location: Indiana
Religion: Protestant
Census date: 1 Jan 1925
Roll: IA1925_1739
Line: 26
Extract from the 1930 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenworth
Age: 67
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1930: Britt, Hancock, Iowa
Marital status: married
Age at first marriage: 34
Education: able to speak English
Education: able to read and write
Father's birthplace: Alsace-Lorraine, France
Mother's birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Military service: no
Rent/home value: owns home; value $2500
Owned a radio: no
Occupation: none
Census place: Britt, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: 657; Page: ; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 708.0
Date: 18 Apr 1930
Extract from the book "Recollections of Britt, Iowa" published 1978 by the Britt Centennial Committee, pp. 42-43:
1978 marks the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Fillenwarth (George) in Britt.
Peter Fillenwarth arrived in 1879, Frank Fillenwarth in 1883, and the John Fillenwarth family came in 1892.
All the Fillenwarths came from Monona, Iowa, their parental home. Each purchased land in the Britt area, and all worked for a time in the haying industry.
Later George Fillenwarth went into stock buying and Peter Fillenwarth operated a butcher shop and meat market for a number of years. After the death of Peter's wife in the early nineties, he left Britt. While in Britt, he built the residence long owned by John Spalla and which is now the Norman Weiland home at 420 First Street Southeast.
John Fillenwarth was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1850. Four years later his father, Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., and his uncle Chris Fillenwarth left Indiana, following a stage route west on foot because they had no money for stage fare. After ferrying across the Mississippi River, they reached McGregor, Iowa. They continued traveling west, keeping to the woods and water. Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., built a long [sic] cabin in the Monona area. He then sent for his wife and two sons, John and Chris. The brother, Chris Fillenwarth, went on to Nebraska which was opening up for settlement.
In the spring of 1892, the John Fillenwarths and their three children, Clara, William, and Arthur, moved to Britt. They purchased the farm south of Britt, long known as the Heimendinger farm. Some of the buildings they erected, including the house, still stand. Ten years later the family moved into Britt and Mr. Fillenwarth became known as one of the financiers of Britt.
Frank Fillenwarth was born in Clayton County, Iowa, in 1862. When he was twenty-one, he homesteaded at Highmore, South Dakota. Four months later he came to Britt in 1883, and purchased the NE¼ of Section 20, Erin Township, at fifteen dollars an acre and paid seven percent interest on borrowed money.
In the early years, Frank worked in the hay fields. He owned a small hay press which was operated by two horses and several men. The men often worked in sub zero weather and ate frozen dinners thawed on the tines of a fork over open fires. Sometimes the men became lost in the dark while returning home from work. There were no roads or lights to guide the way. A dim lamp in some window in a sparsely settled area was always a welcome sight.
After the depression of 1893-1897, Mr. Fillenwarth farmed. He married Ann Jane Ward, who came to Hancock County in 1882. The couple retired to a home in Britt in 1926. They were the parents of Vincent and Margaret Fillenwarth.
Three times Mrs. Fillenwarth saw Drainage Ditch No. 8 worked on. The first time was in the mid-nineties when it was dug with oxen powered machines, the second time was in the early part of this century when horse power was used, and the final time was in the late forties when gas powered machinery did the work.
Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., father of the four Fillenwarth sons and the daughter, who settled in Britt, also came to Britt after the death of his wife in 1903 and made Britt his home until his death in 1907.
Obituary from the "News-Tribune" of Britt, Iowa dated 18 Jan 1940:
Frank Fillenwarth Fails
To Recover after Heart Attack
Frank Fillenwarth, one of the long time citizens of Britt, passed away at his home at 11:45 a.m. Sunday following several days' illness from a cardiac attack last Wednesday, Jan. 10, and gradually grew weaker until the end came. Mr Fillenwarth was the last member of a family of seven children born to Peter and Margaret Fillenwarth at Bismarck, in Clayton County, Iowa. Frank's birth was recorded as May 12, 1862, and at death he attained an age of 77 years, 8 months and 2 days.
At the age of twenty-one he went into South Dakota and homesteaded eight miles from Highmore. At the end of four months he came to Britt (1883) and in December of that year purchased the 160 acre tract of land five miles south of Britt. On March 10, 1897, he was united in marriage to Ann Jane Ward at Britt, Iowa. They resided on the farm until July 3,1926, when they vacated it for a home in Britt.
Left to mourn are his wife, two children, Vincent Howard and Margaret Mary, both of Britt, and four grandchildren; also one niece and four nephews. Mr Fillenwarth was an industrious man, saving and careful with what he produced. After leaving the farm his son Vincent has been carrying on the work he started fifty six years ago.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. at the home and 2 o'clock at the Methodist church, the Rev. C. N. McMillan in charge. Burial was made in beautiful Evergreen cemetery.
[Source: Louis Schleuger 48469498]
Extract from the 1870 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age in 1870: 8
Estimated birth year: 1862
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: son
Parents: Peter and Mary Fillenwarth, ages 46 and 38
Home in 1870: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa
Post office: Strawberry Point
Father's birthplace: France
Mother's birthplace: France
Father's occupation: farmer
Occupation: at home
Siblings living at home: John (age 20), Christ (18), George (15), Caroline (15), Peter (10), and Edward (5)
Census place: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa; Roll: M593_383; Page: 495; Image: 715
Date: 29 Jul 1870
Extract from the 1880 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 18
Estimated birth year: 1862
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relationship to head-of-household: son
Parents: Peter and Mary M Fillenwarth, ages 56 and 48
Home in 1880: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa
Marital status: single
Father's birthplace: France
Mother's birthplace: Bavaria
Father's occupation: farmer
Occupation: attending school
Siblings living at home: Caroline (age 25), Peter (20), and Edward (15)
Census place: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa; Roll: T9_333; Family History Film: 1254333; Page: 567.4000; Enumeration District: 148
Date: 16 Jun 1880
Extract from the 1900 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age at last birthday: 38
Date of birth: 12 May 1862 [source for date of birth]
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Home in 1900: Erin, Hancock, Iowa
Relationship to head-of-house: head
Marital status: married
Number of years of marriage: 3
Able to read, write and speak English: yes
Father's birthplace: Germany
Mother's birthplace: Germany
Farm or home: farm
Home owned or rented: owned
Mortgage: yes
Occupation: farmer
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T623 434; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 122
Date: Jun 1900
Extract from the 1910 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age in 1910: 47
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1910: Erin Township, Hancock, Iowa
Marital status: married
Number of years of present marriage: 12
Father's birthplace: German
Mother's birthplace: German
Able to speak English: yes
Able to read and write: yes
Farm or house: farm
Home owned or rented: owned; no mortgage
Occupation: farmer
Type of industry: general farm
Salary or wage worker: working on own account
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T624_393; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 134; Image: 464
Date: 18 Apr 1910
Extract from the 1920 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 57
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1920: Erin, Hancock, Iowa
Address: farm
Marital status: married
Able to speak English: yes
Able to read and write: yes
Father's birthplace: France
Father's native tongue: French
Mother's birthplace: Germany
Mother's native tongue: German
Home owned or rented: owned; no mortgage
Occupation: farmer
Type of industry: general farm
Salary or wage worker: working on own account
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T625_492; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 148; Image: 254
Date: 4 Feb 1920
Extract from the 1925 Iowa State Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 62
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birth location: Iowa
Race: white
Gender: male
Residence county: Hancock
Residence state: Iowa
Locality: Erin
Relation to head of house: head
Marital status: married
Highest grade completed: 6
Father: Peter Fillenwarth
Father's age: not listed
Father's birth location: France
Mother: Mary Seitz
Mother's age: not listed
Mother's birth location: Germany
Parents' marriage location: Indiana
Religion: Protestant
Census date: 1 Jan 1925
Roll: IA1925_1739
Line: 26
Extract from the 1930 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenworth
Age: 67
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1930: Britt, Hancock, Iowa
Marital status: married
Age at first marriage: 34
Education: able to speak English
Education: able to read and write
Father's birthplace: Alsace-Lorraine, France
Mother's birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Military service: no
Rent/home value: owns home; value $2500
Owned a radio: no
Occupation: none
Census place: Britt, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: 657; Page: ; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 708.0
Date: 18 Apr 1930
Extract from the book "Recollections of Britt, Iowa" published 1978 by the Britt Centennial Committee, pp. 42-43:
1978 marks the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Fillenwarth (George) in Britt.
Peter Fillenwarth arrived in 1879, Frank Fillenwarth in 1883, and the John Fillenwarth family came in 1892.
All the Fillenwarths came from Monona, Iowa, their parental home. Each purchased land in the Britt area, and all worked for a time in the haying industry.
Later George Fillenwarth went into stock buying and Peter Fillenwarth operated a butcher shop and meat market for a number of years. After the death of Peter's wife in the early nineties, he left Britt. While in Britt, he built the residence long owned by John Spalla and which is now the Norman Weiland home at 420 First Street Southeast.
John Fillenwarth was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1850. Four years later his father, Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., and his uncle Chris Fillenwarth left Indiana, following a stage route west on foot because they had no money for stage fare. After ferrying across the Mississippi River, they reached McGregor, Iowa. They continued traveling west, keeping to the woods and water. Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., built a long [sic] cabin in the Monona area. He then sent for his wife and two sons, John and Chris. The brother, Chris Fillenwarth, went on to Nebraska which was opening up for settlement.
In the spring of 1892, the John Fillenwarths and their three children, Clara, William, and Arthur, moved to Britt. They purchased the farm south of Britt, long known as the Heimendinger farm. Some of the buildings they erected, including the house, still stand. Ten years later the family moved into Britt and Mr. Fillenwarth became known as one of the financiers of Britt.
Frank Fillenwarth was born in Clayton County, Iowa, in 1862. When he was twenty-one, he homesteaded at Highmore, South Dakota. Four months later he came to Britt in 1883, and purchased the NE¼ of Section 20, Erin Township, at fifteen dollars an acre and paid seven percent interest on borrowed money.
In the early years, Frank worked in the hay fields. He owned a small hay press which was operated by two horses and several men. The men often worked in sub zero weather and ate frozen dinners thawed on the tines of a fork over open fires. Sometimes the men became lost in the dark while returning home from work. There were no roads or lights to guide the way. A dim lamp in some window in a sparsely settled area was always a welcome sight.
After the depression of 1893-1897, Mr. Fillenwarth farmed. He married Ann Jane Ward, who came to Hancock County in 1882. The couple retired to a home in Britt in 1926. They were the parents of Vincent and Margaret Fillenwarth.
Three times Mrs. Fillenwarth saw Drainage Ditch No. 8 worked on. The first time was in the mid-nineties when it was dug with oxen powered machines, the second time was in the early part of this century when horse power was used, and the final time was in the late forties when gas powered machinery did the work.
Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., father of the four Fillenwarth sons and the daughter, who settled in Britt, also came to Britt after the death of his wife in 1903 and made Britt his home until his death in 1907.
Obituary from the "News-Tribune" of Britt, Iowa dated 18 Jan 1940:
Frank Fillenwarth Fails
To Recover after Heart Attack
Frank Fillenwarth, one of the long time citizens of Britt, passed away at his home at 11:45 a.m. Sunday following several days' illness from a cardiac attack last Wednesday, Jan. 10, and gradually grew weaker until the end came. Mr Fillenwarth was the last member of a family of seven children born to Peter and Margaret Fillenwarth at Bismarck, in Clayton County, Iowa. Frank's birth was recorded as May 12, 1862, and at death he attained an age of 77 years, 8 months and 2 days.
At the age of twenty-one he went into South Dakota and homesteaded eight miles from Highmore. At the end of four months he came to Britt (1883) and in December of that year purchased the 160 acre tract of land five miles south of Britt. On March 10, 1897, he was united in marriage to Ann Jane Ward at Britt, Iowa. They resided on the farm until July 3,1926, when they vacated it for a home in Britt.
Left to mourn are his wife, two children, Vincent Howard and Margaret Mary, both of Britt, and four grandchildren; also one niece and four nephews. Mr Fillenwarth was an industrious man, saving and careful with what he produced. After leaving the farm his son Vincent has been carrying on the work he started fifty six years ago.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. at the home and 2 o'clock at the Methodist church, the Rev. C. N. McMillan in charge. Burial was made in beautiful Evergreen cemetery.
[Source: Louis Schleuger 48469498]
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age in 1870: 8
Estimated birth year: 1862
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: son
Parents: Peter and Mary Fillenwarth, ages 46 and 38
Home in 1870: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa
Post office: Strawberry Point
Father's birthplace: France
Mother's birthplace: France
Father's occupation: farmer
Occupation: at home
Siblings living at home: John (age 20), Christ (18), George (15), Caroline (15), Peter (10), and Edward (5)
Census place: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa; Roll: M593_383; Page: 495; Image: 715
Date: 29 Jul 1870
Extract from the 1880 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 18
Estimated birth year: 1862
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relationship to head-of-household: son
Parents: Peter and Mary M Fillenwarth, ages 56 and 48
Home in 1880: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa
Marital status: single
Father's birthplace: France
Mother's birthplace: Bavaria
Father's occupation: farmer
Occupation: attending school
Siblings living at home: Caroline (age 25), Peter (20), and Edward (15)
Census place: Wagner, Clayton, Iowa; Roll: T9_333; Family History Film: 1254333; Page: 567.4000; Enumeration District: 148
Date: 16 Jun 1880
Extract from the 1900 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age at last birthday: 38
Date of birth: 12 May 1862 [source for date of birth]
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Home in 1900: Erin, Hancock, Iowa
Relationship to head-of-house: head
Marital status: married
Number of years of marriage: 3
Able to read, write and speak English: yes
Father's birthplace: Germany
Mother's birthplace: Germany
Farm or home: farm
Home owned or rented: owned
Mortgage: yes
Occupation: farmer
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T623 434; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 122
Date: Jun 1900
Extract from the 1910 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age in 1910: 47
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1910: Erin Township, Hancock, Iowa
Marital status: married
Number of years of present marriage: 12
Father's birthplace: German
Mother's birthplace: German
Able to speak English: yes
Able to read and write: yes
Farm or house: farm
Home owned or rented: owned; no mortgage
Occupation: farmer
Type of industry: general farm
Salary or wage worker: working on own account
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T624_393; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 134; Image: 464
Date: 18 Apr 1910
Extract from the 1920 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 57
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1920: Erin, Hancock, Iowa
Address: farm
Marital status: married
Able to speak English: yes
Able to read and write: yes
Father's birthplace: France
Father's native tongue: French
Mother's birthplace: Germany
Mother's native tongue: German
Home owned or rented: owned; no mortgage
Occupation: farmer
Type of industry: general farm
Salary or wage worker: working on own account
Census place: Erin, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: T625_492; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 148; Image: 254
Date: 4 Feb 1920
Extract from the 1925 Iowa State Census:
Name: Frank Fillenwarth
Age: 62
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birth location: Iowa
Race: white
Gender: male
Residence county: Hancock
Residence state: Iowa
Locality: Erin
Relation to head of house: head
Marital status: married
Highest grade completed: 6
Father: Peter Fillenwarth
Father's age: not listed
Father's birth location: France
Mother: Mary Seitz
Mother's age: not listed
Mother's birth location: Germany
Parents' marriage location: Indiana
Religion: Protestant
Census date: 1 Jan 1925
Roll: IA1925_1739
Line: 26
Extract from the 1930 Census:
Name: Frank Fillenworth
Age: 67
Estimated birth year: 1863
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1930: Britt, Hancock, Iowa
Marital status: married
Age at first marriage: 34
Education: able to speak English
Education: able to read and write
Father's birthplace: Alsace-Lorraine, France
Mother's birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Military service: no
Rent/home value: owns home; value $2500
Owned a radio: no
Occupation: none
Census place: Britt, Hancock, Iowa; Roll: 657; Page: ; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 708.0
Date: 18 Apr 1930
Extract from the book "Recollections of Britt, Iowa" published 1978 by the Britt Centennial Committee, pp. 42-43:
1978 marks the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Fillenwarth (George) in Britt.
Peter Fillenwarth arrived in 1879, Frank Fillenwarth in 1883, and the John Fillenwarth family came in 1892.
All the Fillenwarths came from Monona, Iowa, their parental home. Each purchased land in the Britt area, and all worked for a time in the haying industry.
Later George Fillenwarth went into stock buying and Peter Fillenwarth operated a butcher shop and meat market for a number of years. After the death of Peter's wife in the early nineties, he left Britt. While in Britt, he built the residence long owned by John Spalla and which is now the Norman Weiland home at 420 First Street Southeast.
John Fillenwarth was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1850. Four years later his father, Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., and his uncle Chris Fillenwarth left Indiana, following a stage route west on foot because they had no money for stage fare. After ferrying across the Mississippi River, they reached McGregor, Iowa. They continued traveling west, keeping to the woods and water. Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., built a long [sic] cabin in the Monona area. He then sent for his wife and two sons, John and Chris. The brother, Chris Fillenwarth, went on to Nebraska which was opening up for settlement.
In the spring of 1892, the John Fillenwarths and their three children, Clara, William, and Arthur, moved to Britt. They purchased the farm south of Britt, long known as the Heimendinger farm. Some of the buildings they erected, including the house, still stand. Ten years later the family moved into Britt and Mr. Fillenwarth became known as one of the financiers of Britt.
Frank Fillenwarth was born in Clayton County, Iowa, in 1862. When he was twenty-one, he homesteaded at Highmore, South Dakota. Four months later he came to Britt in 1883, and purchased the NE¼ of Section 20, Erin Township, at fifteen dollars an acre and paid seven percent interest on borrowed money.
In the early years, Frank worked in the hay fields. He owned a small hay press which was operated by two horses and several men. The men often worked in sub zero weather and ate frozen dinners thawed on the tines of a fork over open fires. Sometimes the men became lost in the dark while returning home from work. There were no roads or lights to guide the way. A dim lamp in some window in a sparsely settled area was always a welcome sight.
After the depression of 1893-1897, Mr. Fillenwarth farmed. He married Ann Jane Ward, who came to Hancock County in 1882. The couple retired to a home in Britt in 1926. They were the parents of Vincent and Margaret Fillenwarth.
Three times Mrs. Fillenwarth saw Drainage Ditch No. 8 worked on. The first time was in the mid-nineties when it was dug with oxen powered machines, the second time was in the early part of this century when horse power was used, and the final time was in the late forties when gas powered machinery did the work.
Peter Fillenwarth, Sr., father of the four Fillenwarth sons and the daughter, who settled in Britt, also came to Britt after the death of his wife in 1903 and made Britt his home until his death in 1907.
Obituary from the "News-Tribune" of Britt, Iowa dated 18 Jan 1940:
Frank Fillenwarth Fails
To Recover after Heart Attack
Frank Fillenwarth, one of the long time citizens of Britt, passed away at his home at 11:45 a.m. Sunday following several days' illness from a cardiac attack last Wednesday, Jan. 10, and gradually grew weaker until the end came. Mr Fillenwarth was the last member of a family of seven children born to Peter and Margaret Fillenwarth at Bismarck, in Clayton County, Iowa. Frank's birth was recorded as May 12, 1862, and at death he attained an age of 77 years, 8 months and 2 days.
At the age of twenty-one he went into South Dakota and homesteaded eight miles from Highmore. At the end of four months he came to Britt (1883) and in December of that year purchased the 160 acre tract of land five miles south of Britt. On March 10, 1897, he was united in marriage to Ann Jane Ward at Britt, Iowa. They resided on the farm until July 3,1926, when they vacated it for a home in Britt.
Left to mourn are his wife, two children, Vincent Howard and Margaret Mary, both of Britt, and four grandchildren; also one niece and four nephews. Mr Fillenwarth was an industrious man, saving and careful with what he produced. After leaving the farm his son Vincent has been carrying on the work he started fifty six years ago.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. at the home and 2 o'clock at the Methodist church, the Rev. C. N. McMillan in charge. Burial was made in beautiful Evergreen cemetery.
[Source: Louis Schleuger 48469498]
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May 12, 1862
January 14, 1940
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