- JOHN C. FREDENDALL, grocer, of Janesville, was born in the
town of Schoharie, Schoharie
- Co., N.Y., on the 23d of September, 1825, and is a son of
Jacob and Margaret (CROUSE) FREDENDALL, his ancestors on both
sides being natives of Germany. He received a common school education,
and passed his early life on his father's farm. When twenty-one
years of age, he was engaged as a drover, taking live-stock to
New York City to market, and in 1851 he began merchandising at
Cobleskill, Schoharie County, which he continued for six years.
- Mr. FREDENDALL was united in marriage in his native county,
in 1846, with Miss Laura W.
- BAILEY, by whom he had three children. Ira, the eldest, married
Miss Eveline McKUSSICK, and resides in Cheyenne, Wyo. Ter., where
he holds the office of Registrar and Treasurer of that county.
Charles died at Laramie City, Wyo. Ter., aged about thirty-three
years; he had married Miss EGGLESTON; Eugene, the next younger,
married Miss Eva HART and resides in Janesville.
- In 1857 Mr. FREDENDALL came to Wisconsin, and settled at
Janesville, building a residence
- in the city, where he dwelt, although he bought a farm in
La Prairie Township, which he cultivated until 1861. For the
succeeding three years he was employed as Assessor for the city,
and was engaged in various other kinds of business. In 1864 he
engaged in the grocery business with James ELDRED, under the
firm name of FRENDENDALL & ELDRED, but two years later he
sold out, and engaged in the same line of business with his son
Ira, and Mr. VANKIRK. In 1868 Mr. FREDENDALL built the substantial
brick block which he has his present grocery store. This block
is 44 feet front on South Main street, and 70 feet front on Court
street, while in height it is three stories. There is also an
addition 40x50 feet, two stories high. He is now building a flat
building 44x48 on Court street, and also has two dwellings on
Academy street. On the completion of his business block, Mr.
FREDENALL occupied the north half of it for a grocery store,
where he has carried on business continuously since. He is an
earnest Republican, and has been a member of the City Council
several terms.
- In January, 1874, our subject lost his first wife, and was
again married on the 30th day of June,
- 1876 to Mrs. Ora ALLEN, only daughter of E. C. SMITH, a prominent
business man and early settler of Janesville. She had one child
by her former marriage, Alice, now the wife of George SCARCLIFF,
Jr., of Janesville. Mrs. FREDENDALL and daughter are members
of the First Baptist Church of this city. Mr. FREDENDALL began
life poor, but by industry, frugality and good business ability
has accumulated a large and valuable property. He is strictly
temperate in his habits, upright and prompt in his business affairs,
and is one of the successful business men of Janesville.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 918.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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