The Plank Family of Buchanan County, Iowa

EDWARD L. PLANK.

Edward L. Plank, a well known and successful agriculturist residing on section 1, Cono township, is the owner of an excellent farm embracing one hundred and forty-seven acres of rich and productive land. His birth occurred in Allamakee county, Iowa, on the ist of April, 1867, his parents being John and Eva C. (Barnhart) Plank, the former a native of Detroit, Michigan, and the latter of Germany.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was a Methodist preacher who emigrated to the United States in a very early day, locating at Detroit, where he spent the greater part of his life as a minister of the gospel. When seventy-five years of age he abandoned the pulpit and went to South Dakota, taking up a homestead on which he spent the remainder of his life. John Plank, the father of Edward L. Plank, made his way to Allamakee county, Iowa, many years ago and there carried on agricultural pursuits for a period of about twenty-two years. In 1876 he came to Buchanan county, purchasing a tract of land in Middlefield township which he cultivated until 1881. In that year he took up his above in Cono township and bought the farm which is now in possession of our subject and which comprises one hundred and forty-seven acres on section 1, improving the property and operating the same successfully until 1892, when he put aside the active work of the fields. His remaining years were spent in honorable retirement at Quasqueton, where his demise occurred in December, 1908, the community thus losing one of its most esteemed and substantial citizens. His widow, who survives and makes her home at Quasqueton, enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout the county in which she has now resided for nearly four decades.

Edward L. Plank, who was a lad of nine years when the family home was here established, acquired his education in the district schools of the county and also attended the public schools of Quasqueton. After attaining his majority he rented the home farm on shares for three years and during the next five years rented the place for cash. He then purchased the property and in its further development and improvement has been actively engaged to the present time. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and for the past fifteen years has also raised thoroughbred Poland China hogs, finding both branches of his business gratifyingly remunerative. The Quasqueton State Savings Bank numbers him among its stockholders.

On the 31st of December, 1891, Mr. Plank was united in marriage to liss Nellie Perkins, a daughter of Joshua and Fannie (Leatherman) Perkins, who were natives of Maine and Illinois respectively. They came to Buchanan county, Iowa, in a very early day and the father operated a farm near Quasqueton throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in October, 1911. The mother was called to her final rest in October, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Plank have seven children, as follows: Neta ]\I., twenty-one years of age; Flossie I., who is eighteen years old; Lewis H., a youth of sixteen; and Eva F., Ethel M., Raymond E. and iona G., who are fourteen, ten, eight and five years of age respectively.

Mr. Plank gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now serving in the capacity of trustee, having held that office for the past six years. He is also candidate for the position of county supervisor, being nominated at the convention in June, 1914. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, the teachings of which he exemplifies in his daily life. His unbending integrity of character, his fearlessness in the discharge of duty in every relation in which he has been found, and his appreciation of the responsibilities which rest upon him make him a citizen whose worth is widely acknowledged.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANK T. PLANK, D. D. S.

The profession of dentistry requires a two-fold training, as to practice it successfully one must not only have a thorough knowledge of the principles involved, but must also have great mechanical skill and accuracy, and, in addition to this, the dentist must exercise the greatest care in maintaining aseptic conditions. Dr. Frank T. Plank, of Independence, Iowa, judged by all of these standards, is an efficient member of his profession and his practice is growing steadily.

He was born near Monona, Iowa, January 21, 1876, his parents being John and Eva Catherine (Bernhard) Plank. The father was a native of Detroit, Michigan, and a son of John and Elizabeth Plank, who were born in Germany but emigrated to the United States many years ago. John Plank, Sr., was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and was held in high esteem wherever known. His son, John, Jr., was reared in many states, for, as is often the ease with the families of ministers, the Planks resided in many different places, including towns in Michigan, Illinois and Allamakee county, Iowa. The father of our subject came to Buchanan county in 1876, locating in Middlefield township, where he engaged in farming for four or five years, after which ho removed to Cono township, there owning one hundred and fifty acres of land. After cultivating it for a number of years, he rented it and removed to Quasqueton, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-four years of age. He was a democrat in his political belief and manifested a lively interest in matters of public concern. He was active in church work from the time that he was eighteen years of age until his death, and was at all times willing to make sacrifices for the good of the cause. His wife was a native of Germany and came to the United States with her parents when a child of eleven years. The family settled in Ohio and later removed to Allamakee county. Iowa, where the marriage of their daughter Eva occurred. Mrs. Plank is still living at the age of eighty years and resides in Quasqueton. She is a consistent member of the Methodist church and holds the full confidence and the unqualified esteem of those who know her.

Prank T. Plank is the youngest in a family of eight children, and his boyhood was passed under the parental roof. He spent the summer of 1889 in Kimball, South Dakota, and found this experience a very pleasant one as well as a means of learning much concerning life upon the prairies of the northwest. He was graduated from the Quasqueton high school in 189,5 and subsequently went to AVinthrop, where he spent ten years in the Plank Brothers Creamery, working for his brothers. In the meantime, in 1900, his marriage occurred. In 1905 he entered the Dental College of the State University at Iowa City and completed the course, graduating in 1908. Immediately after receiving his dental degree he located at Quasqueton, where he remained for a few months, but then came to Independence, where he has since remained in practice. As any work which he does is well done, as his care and knowledge of the most up-to-date methods minimizes pain, and as his prices are reasonable, his practice is growing steadily, and he is fast becoming recognized as one of the leading dentists of the county. He is also an efficient business man, and as he manager his financial affairs well his profession yields him a good annual income.

Dr. Plank was married on the 9th of May, 1900, to Miss Verga L. Foote, who was born in Legrand, Iowa, a daughter of Rev. Horace and ]\feria (Richart) Foote. Her father was a Methodist minister and for several years held charges in this section of the state, but he is now living retired at Hazleton, Iowa. Her mother passed away in the fall of 1913. To Dr. and Mrs. Plank have been born two children, Velma Lois and Helen Ardis.

Dr. and Mrs. Plank are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is serving on the board of stewards. He is also treasurer of the church and secretary and treasurer of the Sunday school, giving a great deal of time and thought to church work. His political allegiance is given to the progressive party. He holds membership in the Dubuque district, state and national dental societies and finds in the interchange of ideas made possible by these organizations a great deal of help in solving the varied problems that arise in the practice

Vol. I —24 of his profession, and the societies offer him, on the other hand, the means of giving others the benefit of his experience. He is one of the valued citizens of Independence, and as his circle of acquaintance widens the number of his stanch friends increases, as his qualities are those which command respect and win warm regard.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.