Ingham County Biographical Sketches



Frank Skadan


Frank Skadan, a son of Samuel and Mercy C. (Atwood) Skadan, was born on section 13 of Ingham township, October 26, 1857, and has resided continously on this farm to the present time. His father was born November 28, 1808, in Cayuga county, N. Y. He came to Michigan in the year 1840 and bought one hundred and seventy acres of umimproved land in Ingham township. During the active years of his life Samuel Skadan was one of the prominent figures in public affairs in the county. In 1848-1850 he served as County Treasurer, residing in Mason at the time. Later he was for twenty-five years Supervisor of his township, a record seldom duplicated. For him a nomination was equal to an election. A man of rather retiring disposition, pleasing in manner, seldom engaging in argument. He enjoyed the confidence of his acquaintances to a marked degree. Although recognized as a strong partisan, Democrat that he was, he seldom gave offense. For ten years he was the president and treasurer of the Ingham County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He also was Cornerer of the county for a term of four years.

During the years of his activity a Democratic convention without his presence would have been a misnomer. He died April 3, 1896, and was buried in the cemetery at Dansville. Mrs. Skadan was born May 3, 1824, and came with her parents, Z. and Hulda Atwood, into this country, locating in Ingham township. They were married April 14, 1853. Mr. Skadan was of Irish and Mrs. Skadan of English descent. Frank was the sixth of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Skadan, their names and date of birth being respectively as follows: Juliette, born July 28, 1833, died March 17, 1867; Louisa J., December 25, 1836; Hiram M., May 19, 1839; John W., November 14, 1849; Floyd C., April 2, 1855; Samuel F., October 26, 1857; Jennie Irena, December 10, 1864.

Frank received his early education in the district schools and later at the Dansville High School. His father's time being much employed in public affairs, at the age of twenty-one Frank was given charge of the farming operations, which he directed in a successful manner during the remainder of his father's life and unto the present time. He owns the old homestead, having bought off the other heirs. He has added to the place, by purchase, until he now owns one hundred and ninety acres. He carries on mixed farming, feeds stock for the market, in which he has a good reputation. This had been special line for several years, and has been the means of liberal acquisitions to his exchequer. He was united in marriage October 22, 1890, to Katherine Phillips. They have five children, three of whom are now living: Irene M., born July 27, 1891, died October 20, 1892; Dency, born December 7, 1893; Mabel, born October 12, 1895, died March 26, 1902; Jennie, born July 12, 1897; George Samuel, born April 22, 1900.

In politics Mr. Skadan is in line with his father, being a Democrat of the old Jacksonian sort. He has held several positions of trust and honor at the hands of his fellow citizens, among which is that of Township Treasurer for four years. He is a member of the Masonic order, I. O. O. F., Elks, Modern Woodmen and Maccabees.

Mr. Skadan by thrift and energy has secured a competence which will enable him to enjoy all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life during his remaining years.






Taken from:
"Past and Present of the City of Lansing and Ingham County, Michigan", by Albert E. Cowles.
Published by The Michigan Historical Publishing Association Lansing, MICH., 1905.
Pages 367 - 368.




Biographies

Michigan Biographies Project




Sondra Higbee