Rev. F. W. Iddings arrived at Grand Forksin September, 1878, and became the first settled Presbyterian minister at that point. (Early History of North Dakota, Clement A. Lounsberry,Liberty Press,Washington, D. C., 1919, Page 618)
In July of the year (1878), Rev. F. W. Iddings of Escanaba, Mich., at the solicitation of Rev. D. C. Lyons, synodical missionary of Minnesota, visited the field and began holding services. April 4, 1879. The First Presbyterian church was formally organized and instituted by Rev. D. C. Lyons of St. Paul, assisted by Rev. Elmer of Moorhead, and Mr. Iddings was installed as pastor. A history of the church would be incomplete without some reference to the men who have occupied the pulpit during these years. The first of course was Rev. F. W. Iddings. He would not perhaps take high rank as a preacher, but was a sincere Christian man, fearless in expression of opinion, and even in the early days took strong ground on all public questions. He had the respect of the entire community. In 181 owing to throat trouble reluctantly gave up the charge, and has never resumed work in the ministry. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, March 7, 1911, Page 7)
The 1880 United States census showed F. W. Iddings (age 30, minister, born in Ohio) married to Carrie M. (age 25, born in Iowa). The couple had a son, Howard W. (age 2, born in Michigan), and resided in Grand Forks, Dakota Territory.
The 1900 Unites States census showed Francis W. Iddings (age 50, born in Ohio in September 1849, real estate agent and lands) married to Carrie M. (age 45, born in September 1853 in Iowa). A son Howard W. (age 21, born in June 1878in Michigan, medical student), daughter Grace (age 19, born in September 1880 in North Dakota), and daughter Clara (age 16, born in October 1883 in North Dakota) also resided with the couple in Veazie, Wisconsin.
The 1905 Wisconsin census showed Francis W. Iddings (age 55, born in Ohio, land agent) married to Carrie (age 51, born in Iowa). The couple had a daughter Grace (age 24, born in North Dakota) and a daughter Clara (age 21, born in North Dakota) living with them in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
Rev. F. W. Iddings Funeral Services Today in St. Paul. Funeral services for Rev. F. W. Iddings, aged 76, former local pastor and father of Mrs. F. F. Fletcher of this city, who died Wednesday in St. Paul, are to be held this afternoon at 3 o’clock in St. Paul. Mr. Iddings came to Grand Forks in the early days and was the first pastor of the First Presbyterian church, which was organized April 6, 1876. He left the ministry because of failing voice in 1881, and operated a book store until 1897, when he went to St. Paul and became connected with the Weyenhauser Lumber company. (Grand Forks Herald, Friday, February 5, 1926, Volume XLV, Number 83, Page 5)