Edward L. Plank

As printed in 1914

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 History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.