USA > Iowa > Story County > A history of Story county, Iowa: Carefully compiled, from the earliest settlement to the present, March 1, 1887. > Part 22
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Since the above account of the Boardman Brothers' fine brick block and business was given, they have made some costly addi- tions to the interior and exterior parts of their building. It is believed now its value is not less than $12,000 or $13,000. They are doing an immense business .- (March 1, 1887.)
CLOSING.
This issue of the Watchman is the last for the year 1882. The next issue will be in the year 1883. The future of Nevada and Story county is well assured and a lengthy account of its natural progress is unnecessary. Story county, it is well known, is one of the best counties in the state, and is filled with live towns, among which may be named Nevada, Ames, Story City, Colo, Cambridge, Maxwell, Zearing, Collins, Roland, besides others that are worthy of more than a passing notice. Every town in the county has added greatly to its population and prospects, and only words of encouragement and assistance can be given. Buildings have been erected in every part of the county, and the farm houses that now adorn the landscape make a pleasant sight to all that view it. To particularize is almost useless, as it would simply be a recapitu- lation of what has been in our columns during the year. Suffice it to say that the stride made during the year throughout the county is far a head of what could have been anticipated at the opening of the year. New farms with comfortable dwellings, and
214
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
large additions to all towns have been made, indicating thrift and prosperity, even though the crops were not of the best. The coming year will also see still farther advancement, and the day is not far distant when the county of Story will not take a second place in-Central Iowa.
Of the towns in the county there are many we should like to particularize more closely, but are compelled to let the correspond- ents from them do so. In the case of Nevada the two fires did much damage for the time, but the ground has almost all been regained, and the new buildings really make it far ahead of what it has ever been before. The new blocks of last year do not appro- priately belong to this, although none of them were really com- pleted until the present year. Of the present year's we shall only refer briefly to the more prominent buildings. The first in order we shall notice the addition to the school building, which has been finished and furnished at a cost of not far from $10,000. It is brick throughout and furnished in the best of style, and town and county may well be proud of the educational edifice of the capital of Story County. The grade of school is as high as an average academy, there being a principal, assisted by nine teachers, and the number of scholars enrolled reaches over 400. It is heated by steam, and all the modern appliances have been furnished. Pupils are in attendance from various parts of the county, and it stands in high repute.
The city has erected a city building on their lot on corner of Oak and Fifth streets, which is to be used for the council meetings, engine house and all purposes needed by the city, including space for a city library. The building, of course, is of brick and an orna- ment to the county. On the business street Boardman Brothers have erected a two story brick building for their butter, egg and poultry business, at an expense of more than $12,000. Messrs. White & Bamberger and Miss M. A. Bamberger have erected a brick business block on the corner of Linn and Sixth streets, and have just completed the store rooms, which are now occupied by Messrs White & Bamberger for hardware stock, in one room, and by Miss Bamberger, with her millinery stock, and Mr. Dayton with his jewelry store in the other. The upper rooms are to be occupied as lodge rooms and offices.
Fourteen cars of Mormons, mostly Scandinavians, passed through Nevada the morning of the fourth bound for Salt Lake City. -(July 11, 1883.)
STREETS OF NEVADA ILLUMINATED.
The city authorities have caused to be placed along the principal streets fifteen large lamps to enlighten the citizens on dark and gloomy nights. This is "putting on city style," but is a style of usefulness. It is not only useful, but makes things " brilliant." -(January, 1887.)
215
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
BURIAL PERMITS.
The State Board of Health, in a recent circular says: "There appears to be an erroneous impression among physicians regarding the regulations for burial permits. Physicians under these regula- tions will use the same blank forms for return of deaths, and pro- cure their supply from the county clerk, as heretofore. Instead of delivering these returns to the county clerk they are to be deliv- ered, on application, to the undertaker or person having charge of the burial. The undertaker or person having charge of the burial must deliver the certificate or return of death to the city clerk or recorder, who will thereupon issue a burial permit, and not otherwise. The city clerk will deliver the physician's certificate of death to the county clerk. These regulations apply only to deaths occurring within cities and towns. For deaths occurring outside of cities and town limits the physician's return must be made to the county clerk .- (Nov. 5, 1884.)
MEMBERS OF NEVADA CHURCHES AND CIVICS, FOR SEPTEMBER, 1886.
No. members of the M. E. Church. 130
66 66 N. S. Presbyterians. 45
66
66 Baptists
30
66
66
66
Evangelical Lutherans at Nevada 31 66 66 Johnson's Grove 44 Cumberland Presbyterians, three miles
southeast of Nevada. 50
No. Catholics in the county about. . . 300
66 members of the Seventh day Adventists
66
Evangelists .
66
66
66
Legion of Honor
Knights of Pythias. 40
66
66
66
I. O. O. F. (order about 68 years old). 52
66
6 Masonic Order 85
66
66 A. O. U. W. 43
66
66
66 G. A. R. (Jason D. Ferguson Post No. 31). 80
66
66
66 Chapter 3x3, No. 92 R. A. M. Convocates.
NEVADA.
The improvements in Nevada the present season have not been as great as we could have desired, yet the list below shows there has been no stand still. It will be seen that thousands of dollars have been spent in this town alone. While no business building has been erected the past season, there are indications that at least two blocks-three if not four rooms-will be added to our present substantial ones the coming summer, and thus aid in making the town more important, and we shall refer to them at length as soon as they are beyond the embryotic stage. The list below is com- posed of new residences, and of substantial improvements as indi-
66 Evangelical church, 3} miles se. Nevada. 27
66
66
66
66
216
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
cated. If any have been omitted it is unintentional and we shall be pleased to hear from them:
$3,000
I. A. Ringheim, house and barn 1,000
John Boyd, new dwelling ..
W. P. Payne, repairing dwelling
500
Col. Scott, repairing dwelling .
500
Wingert & Co., chicken ranch .
300
Lyman White, repairing dwelling
50
E. S. Bamberger, repairing dwelling
100
Mrs. Henry Baily, new house 600
300
G. W. Ambrose, repairing residence
500
Lyman & Co., tile factory
1,000
Lars Hanson, addition.
200
Almond Ashford, addition to dwelling
700
Jeff. Lyman, addition .
300
Wm. Lyman, on residence
200
W. Johnson, on residence.
200
A. M. Norris, on residence
250
Boardman Brothers
300
Samuel Bates, on houses 250
250
Court-house. . .
1,000
Dr. Munk, on residence.
200
Dr. Bunce, on residence .
100
E. S. Bamberger, on residence
200
Jack Worsley, stable.
200
T. R. Leonard, addition to house.
50
D. P. Billings, repairing residence
100
Z. Shugart, addition to stable .
50
Mrs. George W. Payne, on residence
50
T. E. Alderman, north s. r. r. res.
100
Ed. Hague, hennery.
100
J. A. Fitchpatrick, on residence
100
Mrs. Monahan, on residence
50
M. C. Allen, on residence
100
S. E. Briggs, on residence
100
Wm. Lockridge, on residence
200
Mary Hague, on residence.
50
Henry McIntosh, on stable.
100
S. S. Statler, on residence.
100
Frank Curtiss, on dwelling
100
Wm. Moran, on residence.
100
J. W. Almy, hennery
200
Total. .
$16,250
-(Nevada Watchman, Dec. 31, 1886.)
George Child, on residence
Wes. Wood, stable .
100
Wm. Hansell, foundry repairs
300
Isaac Walker, barn .
T. E. Alderman & Son, barn . .. 2,000
217
HISTORY STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
VALUE OF BUSINESS BLOCKS.
Ringheim block ..
$16,000
National Bank block
High School building
22,000
White & Bamberger building
10,000
Patton building
13,800
Union (Zwilling & Hawthorn) building
18,000
G. W. Boyd & Co. building .
5,500
Gillespie building .
6,500
Ballou building.
3,500
Alderman building.
3,200
Otis Briggs building
13,000
Ray building
10,700
Boardman Brothers building .
10,000
Gallup building .
4,500
Opera Hall building .
13,000
Withey & Hawthorn building
City Hall building
3,500
The Court-house was built in 1875-6, and cost, when finished, over $40,000. With its new dressing (painted to show the appear- ance of Milwaukee brick) it is a beautiful structure. The sceneries over town and county from its tower are very delightful on a clear day. Every citizen of our county should share in seeing this scenery. It is heated by a steam heating apparatus, which makes the rooms comfortable. It stands on a beautiful though modest ele- vation. The square on which it stands is 280 feet by 140. There is yet a balance on the court-house bonds unpaid of over $10,000. There has been lack of assessments or the bonds would have been paid by this date.
The High School building is a nice brick building, and will accommodate some 600 or 650 scholars. The entire cost of it has been about $22,000, and is on block five, Mills' addition to Nevada. This is a most beautiful elevation for such purpose.
The City Library contains near 1,400 volumes; the best public library in the county.
For the business men of Nevada see index for "Directory."
The Township of Nevada is one of the interesting townships of the county. The precise center of the county is 101} rods north and fifty-eight rods west from the northwest corner of Burris' addition to Nevada. Nevada was laid out in August, 1853, thirty- three and a half years ago; and was selected as the county seat by commissioners appointed for the purpose. Its early settlers are named in preceding pages, but I will add a few more, viz: W. W. Utterback, Samuel McDaniel, Adolphus Prouty, John S. Thomas, Barnabas Lowell, Joseph P. Robinson, Lewis Appelgate, Jacob Hefler, R. H. Robinson, W. E. Aldredge, J. C. Aldredge, Amariah Mullen, W. R. Robinson, C. B. Dean, Shelby Baker, A. Dins- more, J. C. Hempstead, and others of the township. In the village
218
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
were: T. E. Alderman, J. H. McLain, Dr. N. A. Kellogg, E. G. Day, T. J. Adamson, D. J. Norris, Thos. Westlake, W. K. Smith, J. J. Bell, Allen Bell, J. N. Moore, Simon Moore, Austin Prouty, A. Bales, John Hail, I. Romane, James Hawthorn, John Scott, Wm. Lockridge, J. C. Lovell, J. C. Moss, D. Child, George Child, Chester Child, Roy Child, J. H. Talbott, R. H. Mitchell, James S. Frazier, Charles Berry, C. D. Berry, Isaac Walker, Wils. Daily. S. S. Webb, J. L. Dana, W. G. Allen, J. W. Cessna, John Parker, Ellis Armstrong, R. D. Coldren, J. R. Meyers, and others. These came, all of them, or nearly all, prior to 1857. The C. & N. W. R. R. road passes through sections 12, 11, 10, 3, 4, 5 and 6, enter- ing the east line at the center of the northeast quarter of sec- tion 12, or the south line of said railroad enters at center of said northeast quarter of section 12. The road leaves the west line of the township at or near the center of the west line of the south- west quarter of section 6, passing along the center of Tenth street in Nevada.
The first passenger train on this road reached Nevada, July 4, 1864.
The two principal streams are East Indian creek and the West Indian. These Indians get together in section 16 in Indian Creek township, and they make Big Indian creek. The East Indian enters the north line of section 2, east of the north quarter section corner of section 2. Then this Indian passes through sections 2, 10, 14, 23, 27 and 34, touching sections 11, 26 and 33, leaving the township a little east of the south quarter section corner of section 33. The West Indian enters the township about fifty rods north of the west quarter section corner of section 7, then passing through sections 7, 18, 19, 29, 30 and 31, leaving the township about sixty rods west of the south quarter section corner of sec- tion 31. The Harvey Dye branch enters the township near the northeast corner of section 12, passing through townships 12 and 13, and empties into the East Indian in the southeast quarter of section 14.
For a description of the mills refer to "Mills" in index.
There are two elevators in Nevada that seem to do good service.
There are two tile factories that are surely doing a big business. See index for " Tile Factories."
There are three brick yards, but at this time are not doing a heavy business.
The Boardman Brothers are probably doing the most extensive poultry, egg and butter business (buying and shipping) of any other house in central Iowa. See preceding pages for business heretofore and a description of their building. Here are the figures for their present business:
No. pounds of butter shipped in 1886. . 700,000
6. 66 poultry shipped during 1886. 500,000
" dozen eggs shipped during 1886. 700,000
21
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
No. men employed in egg and butter business during season 20
66 66 in the creameries during the season . ... 75
66 66 during the poultry season. 150
This gives employment to more men in the county and elsewhere than any other one business of our county.
CHURCH BUILDINGS OF NEVADA.
The first church built in Nevada was a Cumberland Presbyterian church and stood on a modest elevation near the center of lot nine, block P, in Scott's addition to Nevada. It was one of the first buildings for church purposes built in the county.
The brick church, a Baptist church, was built about the same time, say in 1857, in Iowa Center. This Cumberland church was taken down a number of years ago, and the timbers taken away. I find, by referring to a brief history of this church and the "Union Meeting" that had been held in it, written in 1866, that the build- ing was still in its place at that date. I will here say more of the " Union Meeting" that was held in this church in May, 1861. It was held to test the feelings more definitely of the citizens of our county on the "state of affairs." The startling news had reached us of the rebels firing on the Star of the West, and then on Fort Sumpter. Fort Sumpter, after being bombarded for two or three days, surrendered April 14, 1861, and the brave Major Anderson and his men became prisoners-made prisoners by those fighting against their own countrymen and their own country. Such news reaching us of course was exciting. The meeting was called by consent of both parties here, and it was large and harmonious and patriotic. See preceding pages.
The N. S. Presbyterian church was built in 1866 on lot three, block sixteen, a cosy church.
The M. E. church was built about 1867, costing about $4,000 or $5,000. It is the largest church in the city and will seat a large number of people. It was built on lots four and five, block thirteen.
The Baptist church was built about 1881-82 on lot nine, block G, Stewart's addition, and is a handsome building, and has twenty- seven members.
The Evangelical Lutheran church was finished mainly in 1885, and has thirty-one members. It is, with the parsonage, situated on lots two and three, block three, Mills' addition. This church is convenient and has the most taste in its finish of any other in Nevada. Is not quite so roomy as the M. E. church. This Luth- eran church and the parsonage cost about $3,500. The Lutherans have a good church building at Johnson's Grove, and membership there of about forty-four.
The Catholic church was built about 1870, costing about $1,280, on lot seven, block thirty-nine. The priest, Father Murphy, although a young man, lives at Nevada, the only resident priest in Story County. Has services at Colo occasionally, for they have a church building there costing $1,100.
220
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
There is an Advent church building, but it is not used much. It is said the Advent members hold their meetings most of the time elsewhere.
The Cumberland Presbyterians now have a very nice church house, three and a half miles southeasterly from Nevada. It is standing near to the southeast corner of section sixteen, Nevada Township. It cost about $1,000, and was erected about 1881. Members belonging are about fifty.
There is an Evangelical church one-half mile south of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church at Mullen cemetery.
For church services, etc., see " Directories" in index.
The court-house square, block seventeen, is nicely fenced with iron pickets. This square has been called the North Public Square. The South Public Square is now our city park. It has been im- proved until it is the beauty and pride of the citizens of Nevada; especially in a hot day, or for evening promenading.
The City Hall is a fine brick building with a balcony and bell, and is about twenty-four by fifty-six feet, and has a very good hall, and apartments below for the fire engine, hose cart and other pur- poses. The hall is used for the city council meetings and other meetings. The city elections are held in a side room of the hall.
The city library, containing about 1,350 volumes is in an addition built purposely for it. The library is under the care of the libra- rian, Miss Mattie Kellogg, now Mrs. Mattie Dyer, who will see that things are kept right.
The City Hall is on the southeast corner of lot nine, block thir- teen, Nevada.
COUNTY JAIL.
When we speak of the jail it is with shame! To think males and females are forced to occupy the same room, or about the same thing really, is ridiculous! This for a county of civilization, as we claim to be, is a little too much. Also, the idea of thrusting a young boy among old hardened villains; a boy, perhaps, who had for the first time, under some undue temptation, become intoxi- cated, or committed some other small offense. Such boy, for such first offence, to be confined among such hardened villains, is almost beyond endurance! The Fejee Islanders would not, could not, excel it. A jail should have apartments suitable to the crime and the sex. This said jail, too, stands only a few rods from one of the beautiful court-houses of Iowa! The jail could be properly arranged without extraordinary expense. Why is it not done?
In the history of Nevada, as touching the survey and location of the C. R. & Missouri River R. R. (now the Chicago & Northwest- ern R. R.) the following may be of some interest to many of our citizens, viz: On the fifteenth of May, 1863, the county by vote gave the swamp lands, or what were yet belonging to the county, with the understanding the railroad should be located within 3,000 feet of the court-house. The road was located within the distance required, but very little was said about the depot. The citizens, of
:
221
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
course, presumed the station would be located in Nevada, but Mr. T. E. Alderman urged the contract should insure us the station.
The company, after the lands were given them, sprung the ques- tion of the duty of the citizens to contribute $400, or forty acres of land for depot grounds. The $400 demand was urged by the rail- road company. Well, during the summer of 1863, the thing seemed to lie dormant or nearly so. During the fall of 1863 it became a question in which we were very much interested in the location of the station. The company insisted on the $400. Citi- zens became interested enough to raise by subscription over $300 during the fall and early winter. So it dragged along and the rumor was getting out over the country that Nevada was going to lose the depot, and that it would be located about one and a half or two miles west of Nevada on lands given to the railroad by the county. In those days I was acquainted with W. W. Walker, the chief engineer of the road and the business man of the company. I concluded to write Mr. Walker in regard to what they were going to do in the matter, and to give him the best turn I could, pleasantly, however. The following extract from his reply to me will show some of the cause for delay:
"DES MOINES, Feb. 13, '64 .- W. G. ALLEN, EsQ: Dear Sir-Your favor of the eighth was duly received, but I have not had time until now to reply. I do not differ materially from your views of the matter, except as to your people having done what they ought in proportion to their means. * * All I can say is that I have gone to the utmost extent of the responsibility I am willing to assume in letting your people slide on without fulfilling only one single condition of the understanding and agreement which induced the company to undertake last spring to push the road westward, and the condition you did fulfill did not cost you any- thing. * * The delay of your people in settling this matter is an inconvenience to the company as well as an injury to the place. Warner told me last week that he wanted to commence his well wherever the station was to be, and whether he is now at it or where I do not know, but it will make no difference with the final settlement of this question. Your people can quickly settle it by raising the $400, and if they refuse, it will go to the executive com- mittee as I shall go no further in the matter without some authority to do so. In haste, yours truly, W. W. WALKER."
Well, the answer to my letter of the eighth of February, 1864, was, as above quoted, received about February thirteenth or four- teenth, 1864, and at once Major Hawthorn, .C. B. Letson, E. B. Potter, and perhaps others, were called together to determine what was the best thing to do. As only fifty dollars were lacking to make up the $400, we determined to add to what we had previously subscribed; and as the Major was a good worker we thought he would soon work it up when the citizens could know what had to be done. Well, in a very few hours he raised the residue and reported to Mr. Walker the result. Just as soon as the mail could
222
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
come, a letter from Mr. Walker put his Mr. Warner to work for the Nevada station. This removed all further doubts, and the sta- tion became a fixed historical fact for Nevada in February, 1864.
I will now name some of the principal shippers of stock and grain at Nevada, at least those that live near Nevada: N. Dunkle- barger & Son, Frank Curtiss, T. W. Kelley & Brother, Will Moran, Geo. W. Sowers & Son, LaFayette McKim, George Stultz, Charles Minkler, A. M. Norris, R. J. Silliman, E. W. Lockwood & Son.
Will name some of the live and stirring farmers and stock raisers of the township: F. A. McLain, Isaac Walker, W. R. Finley, Wm. Fultz, Zacariah Shugart, H. H. Robinson, F. & J. Halley, G. W. Halley, H. O. Ayers, S. M. White, C. W. Wells, J. M. Wells, James W. Cook, G. W. Wireman, William Mathews, Golden, Finley, Delos Applegate, Mrs. J. R. Fetterhoff, Thomas Whitaker, D. J. Whitaker, E. F. Farrington, O. G. Ashford, Thos. Ashford, Oliver Stevenson, John Connolly, W. H. Baker, W. W. Utterback, Chas. Selby, Caleb Winger, Langdon Drake, H. Bailey, J. M. Hague, E. Bates, Mrs. Harper, Mrs. Joor, Mrs. M. A. Martin.
Those in Nevada who own and farm lands out, are, in part, H. Boynton, T. C. McCall, Col. Scott, T. E. Alderman, J. S. Frazier, N. Dunklebarger & Son, J. D. Ferner, J. C. Mitchell, R. H. Mitch- ell, M. C. Allen, J. Hawthorn, J. Fegtley, I. A. Ringham, O. Briggs, Geo. Childs, Lyman & Son, J. W. Ambrose, A. M. Nor- ris, G. W. Halley, A. E. Hempstead, Geo. M. Barnes, J. Dillon, J. W. Cessna, etc.
LIST OF NEVADA MAYORS.
Nevada was incorporated in November, 1869. The first meeting of the Council was November 23, 1869.
First Mayor, George A. Kellogg, 1869.
Second
E. B. Potter, 1870.
Third 66 J. H. Talbott, 1871.
Fourth 66 J. H. Talbott, 1872.
Fifth 66 D. H. McCord, 1873.
Sixth
66 J. L. Dana, 1874.
Seventh 66 J. Hawthorn, 1875.
Eighth 66
J. Hawthorn, 1876.
Ninth
George A, Kellogg, 1877.
Tenth
William Lockridge, 1878.
Eleventh 66 William Lockridge, 1879.
Twelfth 66 William Lockridge, 1880.
Thirteenth 66 E. D. Fenn, 1881.
Fourteenth 66 J. A. Fitchpatrick, 1882.
Fifteenth H. M. Funson, 1883.
Sixteenth 66 F. D. Thompson, 1884.
Seventeenth“ F. D. Thompson, 1885.
Eighteenth " William Gates, 1886.
€
223
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
LIST OF NEVADA POSTMASTERS.
T. E. Alderman, first P. M. 1853. Otis Briggs,
Austin Prouty.
E. D. Fenn.
W. E. Aldredge.
L. Irwin.
James Hawthorn.
John Beatty.
W. G. Allen.
T. J. Ross.
J. S. Blickensderfer.
E. D. Fenn, January, 1887.
GRANT TOWNSHIP.
A HISTORY OF GRANT TOWNSHIP FROM ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT, ORANIZATION, ETC., TO MARCH 1887-CONTAINING ALSO A NOTICE OF MANY OF ITS CITIZENS.
POPULATION OF GRANT TOWNSHIP 622.
This Township was named in honor of General Ulyssus Simpson Grant, one of the great military chieftains of the world. It was organized in 1867-comprising township 83 north and range 23 west of 5th P. M.
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