Warren County Iowa Genealogical Society

Chariton Herald Patriot newspaper, Chariton, Iowa, Thursday, June 11, 1959: "Frank KONRAD, Long-time Businessman, Dies at 75 - Lacona - Our community was shocked by the sudden death of Frank KONRAD, 75, Wednesday, May 27. A life-long resident and postmaster for 20 years, he was in the hardware business here for many years. He died en route to an Indianola hospital. Funeral services were conducted at St. Mary's Catholic Church Saturday morning, May 30. The Rev. Father John KOVACS officiated with the Rev. Father HIGGINS delivering the sermon. Burial was at Shupe cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin FORD, Bobby, John, Teddy and Dick were called home from Rochester by the death of Mr. KONRAD. Among those from a distance who attended the services were Mr. and Mrs. Roy McCURDY of Ames, Mr. and Mrs. Howard MYERS of Chariton, Mr. and Mrs. Sim KONRAD and Mary of Chariton, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil ELLIOTT and family of Rochester. Minnesota."

The Chariton Leader newspaper, Chariton, IA, Tuesday, June 16, 1959, p. 3: "Frank F. KONRAD, son of Walburg and Christian KONRAD, was born in Lacona, April 29, 1884, and died unexpectedly of a stroke May 27, 1959 en route to a hospital. In July, 1911, he was married to Martha I. SHUPE, who preceded him in death April 1941. In October, 1947, he was married to Alta Ruth RODGERS, who died in November 1950. Mr. KONRAD served as postmaster in Lacona for over 20 years and previous to that was engaged in the hardware business. Survivors include two brothers, P.C. KONRAD of Lacona and S.J. KONRAD of Chariton. Services were held May 30, in St. Mary's Catholic Church with Fathers KOVACS and HIGGINS officiating. Interment was in Shupe Cemetery. The Beardsley Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

(Source - Information gathered by Karon K. for the Warren County Genealogical Society picnic on June 23, 2014 at Shupe Cemetery, Lacona, Iowa)  

Frank KONRAD took over his father’s hardware store in Lacona in 1898. P.C. and Frank began building a theater in 1914. He bought the first electric refrigerator in Lacona in 1920, a GE with Monitor top. Concerned men of Lacona organized the first town fire department with Frank KONRAD as the fire chief in 1924.  Frank KONRAD became Lacona's postmaster in 1934.  (Source - Chronology of the early settlers of White Breast Township and Lacona compiled by Edith HEEMSTRA and John FORD sometime around 1980.)