Marshall County Biographies
FRANK LARKIN.
Frank Larkin, one of the well-known and successful farmers and stockmen of Richland township, Marshall county, was born in Will county, Illinois, on August 2, 1860, and was the son of Charles and Mary (Austin)
Larkin.
Charles and Mary (Austin) Larkin were born near Kent, England, and
there received their education in the public schools and there grew to maturity.
They later came to America and located in Illinois, where they resided for
many years. Their birthplace was at Kent, the father having been born in
1832 and the mother on April 2, 1830. Charles Larkin was reared on a
farm and engaged as a farmer in his native country until 1850, when he
decided to come to America. After a residence of some years in Illinois, he
came to Kansas in 1868, and here he remained for twelve years and was
engaged in general farming. He later located in Nebraska, where he continued his work as an agriculturist. In 1880 he came to Richland township. Marshall county, and established his home on the farm that the son,
Frank, now owns. It was here that he engaged in general farming for some
vears before his death. His wife died on January 10, 1898. When Charles
and Mary Larkin first came to Kansas they located in Greenwood county,
where they experienced many of the hardships of the early pioneer. There
were no bridges over the streams, and during high water, when they could
not get to the mill, it was necessary for them to grind their corn in the coffeemill. This was but an illustration of the many devices that they had to use
in order to live in the new country in that early day. They secured five hundred acres of good land. They later sold one hundred and sixty acres of
the land for two hundred dollars and traded a Canadian horse for one hundred and sixty acres. They then located in Nebraska, where they homesteaded land and remained for some time. After coming to Marshall county,
they purchased land in Richland township for five and eleven dollars per acre.
Charles and Mary Larkin were the parents of the following children:
Marv, William, Charles (1), Alvin, Frank, Louise, Emma, Charles (2),
Albert and Edward. Mary, now deceased, was the wife of Ed. Goodsale, a
successful farmer, and they were the parents of ten children, all of whom
are now living: William H. is a resident of Seattle, Washington, and is
married and he and his wife are the parents of seven children; the first-born
Charles died in infancy; Alvin is a resident of Dickerson county, Kansas, and
is a laborer; Louise, now deceased, was the wife of J. Voile and was the
mother of two boys: Emma is deceased: Charles (2) is married and lives at
Beattie and is the father of four children, three of whom are living; Albert
and Edward are deceased.
Frank Larkin was but eight years of age when his people located in
Nebraska and there he attended district school and grew to manhood. At
the age of seventeen years he began freighting between Table Rock and
Pawnee City. Nebraska, and engaged in this work for two years when
engaged in the dray business and transfer at Pawnee City, where he remained
until 1884. He then came to Marshall county, and established his home on
the old home farm of his father, which he purchased, and is now the owner
of two hundred and forty acres of splendid land, all of which is nicely
improved. Here he has done much in the way of general improvement; the
house has been rebuilt and other substantial improvements have been made.
Here he is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and has a fine bunch
of Shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and Percheron horses, all of which
are graded stock. As a farmer and stockman he is recognized as one of the
successful and progressive ones of the township.
On November 3, 1883, Frank Larkin was united in marriage to Lizzie
B. Goodridge, who was born in Pawnee City, Nebraska, on July 9, 1866,
being the daughter of Frank T. and Estelle (Carey) Goodridge, who were
natives of Maine and the state of New York, respectively. Frank J. Goodridge came to Nebraska when he was but sixteen years of age and later
engaged in freighting from Denver to St. Joe, Missouri, making the trip
through the old trail that passed through the farm now owned by Frank
Larkin. These trips were made with oxen, and many hardships were
encountered in the long and slow journey. Mr. Goodridge died in 1911 at
the age of sixty-six years; his widow is now living at Pawnee City at the
age of seventy-two rears. They were the parents of ten children, two sons
and three daughters now living.
To Frank and Lizzie B. Larkin have been born the following children:
Walter, Roy E., Stella, Murray, and twin girls that died in infancy. Walter
is now deceased; Roy E. is engaged in general farming near Mina, Marshall
county; Stella is the wife of H. Sturrat, and they live near Mina and are the
parents of three children, and Murray is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Larkin are
members of the Christian church and are prominent in the social and the
religious life of the community.
Politically, Mr. Larkin is identified with the Democratic party and has
always taken much interest in local affairs and has served as a member of
the school board and as road boss of his township. He is a member of the
Modern Woodmen of America and Mrs. Larkin is a member of the Knights
and Ladies of Security and the Eastern Star. They have a beautiful home
and are devoted to their family and are interested in all that tends to the betterment of their home community.
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This website created July 4, 2011 by Sheryl McClure.
� 2011 Kansas History and Heritage Project
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