Hartley Friesleben turns 100

Hartley Friesleben has worked and farmed in and around Wright County for most of his long life. On September 14, he will turn 100—one more step forward in a life that’s been filled with memories, change, and a good times with his family.

Hartley said he quit school in seventh grade and helped out on the family farm near Alexander until he was sixteen, then began “roaming the country” doing farm work for others. “I worked for a lot of different farmers, then I started farming for myself,” he said. He also worked for about five years at the General Mills soybean plant in Belmond.

When he finally got his own farm near Renwick at age 34, the best part was “being independent.” He remembers when he used to work for $1 a day. During the Depression, he said he knew farm hands who worked for food and board without pay.

 

To read more about this local character, see the September 1 edition of the Monitor. To wish him a very happy birthday, visit him at his party on September 10 at Belle Haven Assisted Living in Belmond from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Wright County Monitor

P.O. Box 153
Clarion, IA 50525
Phone: 515-532-2871
Email: news@wrightcountymonitor.com

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