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Frank E. Sanders

Frank E. Sanders is a representative man among the contractors and builders of Fayette. He was born in Chemung County, N. Y., October 9, 1854, and is a son of Joseph and Clarissa (Lilly) Sanders, both of whom were natives of the Empire State. Devoting himself to farming Joseph Sanders remained in New York until 1856, when with his family he emigrated to Kane County, Ill., where he died at the early age of thirty-six. His wife spent her last days with her son in Webb City, Mo., dying at the age of fifty-seven years. The immediate descendants of this worthy couple were three in number: Frank E., of this sketch; Willis E., who is engaged in carpentering in Webb City; and Ida M. who died at the age of three years.

In taking up the personal history of our subject, we find him, during his early boyhood, dividing his time between farm labors and attendance at the district school. At the early age of twelve years he commenced to work in a sash and door factory at Montgomery, Ill., where he remained for eight years. The death of his father necessitated his beginning work so young as his wages were needed to help support the family. After mastering the business he worked for about a year at his trade in Chicago and in 1875 came to this county. He had been industrious and economical and with the money he had saved he helped his mother improve the farm while he again started empty handed. With only a knowledge of his business he began life in Iowa. For a time, he borrowed tools to work at his trade but his capital soon increased sufficiently to justify a purchase and as the years have passed he has gradually added to his accumulations until he is now in comfortable circumstances.

On the 19th of December, 1878, Mr. Sanders was united in marriage with Sophia Burkhart, a native of Kendall County, Ill., and a daughter of Michael Burkhart. Two children grace their union: Roy W. and Fay A. In 1879, the year succeeding his marriage, Mr. Sanders removed with his young wife to Fayette, where they have since made their home. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in political sentiment he is a Prohibition Republican. He is a member of the Town Council and of the Board of Health and is recognized as one of the representative citizens of the community as well as the leading contractor and builder of Fayette. Some of the monuments of Mr. Sanders' skill are the Opera House, the North Hall of the Upper Iowa University, President Bissell's residence, together with other public and private buildings. His shop is the best equipped in town and he is an exceptionally fine workman. A six horse engine drives plane, molding, turning and other machinery. His own tool chest, a marvel of workmanship, is the product of his hands. His patrons are many and the satisfaction which he gives those who employ him, insures their continued patronage. Honor to the men who build well the material structures in which we live. As worth are they, in their sphere, as they who preach, or teach, or make our laws.