frohock

PROF J. L. FROHOCK

Prof. J. L. Frohock, a school commissioner of Madison County, and superintendent of the public schools of Fredericktown, Mo., is a native of Waldo County, Me., where he was born July 11, 1827, being the son of Jonathan and Lydia (Rhea) Frohock. The father was born in the State of New Hampshire, was of English and a farmer by occupation. While still quite young he left his native State and went to Waldo County, Me., when it was a perfect wilderness. He here purchased a track of land, made a home and was one of the first settlers in the county, also one of the best farmers. He lived on the same farm for over sixty years. He died in 1860 at the age of seventy-five years. His wife was a native of Maine, was of French descent, and died in 1885 at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. She was for eighty years a consistent and exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and at the time of her death was the oldest member of the denomination in the State of Maine, if not in the United States. She was a niece of Gen. Putnam, of Revolutionary fame, and the mother of eleven children, five of whom are now living, Prof. J. L. being the youngest. He was educated at Kent's Hill Institute or Maine Wesleyan Seminary. At the age of seventeen he began teaching and followed this profession in the district schools in his native State for two years. He then went to Point Pleasant, VA., and established a seminary by voluntary contribution and was the superintendent of the same three years. In 1848 he became principal of the schools at Wellsville, Ohio, and after remaining there one year was called to Wheeling, Va., as superintendent of the public schools, and held that position three years. In 1852 he returned to Point Pleasant and after remaining there two years was elected to the superintendency of the schools at Wellsville, Ohio, which position he occupied for nine years. In 1864 he was employed by the school board of Mount Carroll, Ill., as superintendent of their schools, and held that position for two years. His next position was superintendent of the schools of Joliet, Ill., which position he occupied three years and was then for three years general agent for the National Life Insurance Company of Chicago, traveling over Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Iowa. In 1872 he returned to the profession of teaching and became superintendent of schools at Centralia, Ill., where he remained two years. The following seven years he was superintendent of the public schools of Mount Vernon, Ill. In 1883 Prof. Frohock came to Fredericktown, Mo., was employed as superintendent of public schools, and has since held the position to the satisfaction of the citizens of that city. In July, 1887, he was appointed by Gov. Marmaduke as school commissioner of Madison County, to fill out the unexpired term of J. E. F. Edwards. The Professor has been engaged in school work nearly his entire life, and it is only just to say that he has met with remarkable success wherever his lot has been cast. He has been almost constantly engaged in school duties for the past forty-four years and is one of the best educators in Missouri. In 1847 he married Miss Caroline Melissa Mahoney, a native of Waldo County, Me., born in 1831. She was educated at Belfast, Me., and commenced teaching with her husband soon after marriage. She has been assisting him at various times ever since, all her teaching comprising over twenty-five years. She is engaged in the profession at the present time and is a lady of culture, literary attainments and refinement. To Professor and Mrs. Frohock were born these children: Emily L. (wife of Thomas H. Hatch of Chicago), and Julian L. (teacher by profession and superintendent of schools at Ashley, Ill.). Prof. Frohock is a member of the I.O.O.F., a member of the K. of H., and has been a life-long Democrat in his political views.