Frank Roffman
Frank Roffman, actively engaged in general
farming and stock-raising, is one of the best known
agriculturists of Franklin township, his fine farm of one hundred
and twenty-seven acres lying on Section 7. In management and
conduct of this property he displays excellent business ability,
and his enterprise, careful control and keen discernment are the
factors which have gained him the substantial place which he now
occupies among the leading business men of his community. He was
born in Germany, on the 22nd of December, 1871, and is the son of
John and Minnie (Blank*) Roffman, also natives of that country.
The father spent his entire life engaged in farming, coming to
America in 1875* and locating immediately* in Post township,
Allamakee County, where he purchased land, whereon he continued
to make his home until his death, which occurred on the 20th of
August, 1882*. The mother survives him and makes her home in
Franklin township.
The Evergreen school in Post township afforded Frank Roffman his
educational opportunities and in his childhood he devided his
time between his studies and work upon the farm. He began his
independent career at the age of twenty-one, hiring out as a farm
laborer, and he continued thus for nine years, after which he
purchased land of his own. He bought one hundred and twenty seven
acres on Section 7, Franklin township, and since he was he thirty
years of age has been active in its cultivation. Upon his
property he has made many substantial improvements, erecting
barns and outbuildings, all of which present a neat and
attractive appearance. Success has steadily rewarded his well
directed labors and he is today one of the prosperous farmers and
substantial business men of this vicinity.
On the 5th of December, 1900, Mr. Roffman was united in marriage
to Miss Lucy Segrist, a daughter of Louis and Mary Ann (Joyce)
Segrist, the former a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and the
latter of Indiana. More extended mention of these parents is made
on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Roffman have four
children: Harold, who was born October 14, 1903; Earl, born
January 17, 1907; Otto, born January 21, 1909; and Mabel, born
July 20, 1912.
Mr. Roffman is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Store at
Postville and is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of
America. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican
party and has been road supervisior and a member of the school
board, laboring effectively in that office to promote the cause
of education. As one of the large landowners and successful
farmers and business men of Franklin township he is well known,
for his life record shows what may be accomplished by a
determined spirit and by unfaltering enterprise. He has carefully
noted and utilized each opportunity and his example of
unremitting industry and persererance is one well worthy of
emulation.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Dorothy Gosse
_______________
*Research note: maiden name correctly is Blenk,
and the dates 1871 and 1884. Family first settled in Michigan.
-submitted by Dorothy Gosse
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