Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2, Part 11

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 734


USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 11
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 11


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47


1877 .- Mayor, E. G. Martin ; Council- men, George T. Young, A. Ingram. 1. W. Keller, Thomas Liggett and Z. T. Kinsell ; Recorder. C. B. Morris; Attorney, J. F. Mount; Street Commissioner, M. T. Mcln- tyre.


1878 .- Mayor, E. G. Martin ; Council- men, Isaac W. Keller, Z. T. Kinsell, Day Dunning, B. R. Baker and Thomas Lig- gett : Recorder, D. E. Thomas ; Treasurer, Henry Todd; Assessor, J. T. Williams ; Street Commissioner and Marshal, E. L. Williams.


1879 .- Mayor, R. F. Askren ; Council- men, B. R. Baker, Day Dunning, J. S. Kirby. A. Nash, Isaac W. Keller, resigned, and succeeded by M. S. Campbell and W.


45


MOUNT APR.


451


Il. Struthers; Recorder, E. G. Martin ; Treasurer, Henry Todd; Marshal, J. D. , shal, A. E. Holland; Treasurer, George S. Gilliland ; Street Commissioner, C. Ewan.


1880 .- Mayor, E. G. Martin ; Council- i men, M. S. Campbell, J. W. Ward. W. H. Struthers. J. S. Kirby, A. Nash and Day Dunning; Recorder, H. C. Markham ; Treasurer, A. M. Poor: Assessor, J. T. Williams ; Street Commissioner, E. L. Will jams ; Marshal, John McFarland.


1881 .- Mayor, H. C. Markham : Council- men. John S. Everett, Z. T. Kinsell, Thomas Liggett, Day Dunning, J. W. Ward and M. S. Campbell ; Recorder, W. H. Struthers : Treasurer, George S. Allyn; Assessor, Thomas Ross; Street Commis- sioner, E. L. Williams; Marshal, Aaron Nash.


1882 .- Mayor, R. F. Askren : Council- men, C. B. Morris, E. W. Critchfield, M. S. Campbell, John S. Everett, Thomas Lig- gett and Z. T. Kinsell ; Recorder, W. H. Struthers; Assessor, Thomas Ross : Treas- urer, George S. Allyn; Street Commis- sioner, E. L. Williams; Attorney, Isaac W. Keller; Marshal, W. A. De Lashmutt.


1883 .- Mayor, A. J. French ; Council- men, C. B. Morris, E. W. Critchfield, Thomas Liggett, John S. Everett, Z. T. Kinsell and J. B. Tracy ; Recorder, J. P. Lesan: Attorney, Isaac W. Keller; Mar- shal, W. A. De Lashmutt. J. P. Lesan was elected Mayor in place of A. J. French, and N. A. Parker was chosen Recorder to succeed Mr. Lesan.


1884 .- Mayor, J. P. Lesan ; Councilmen, G. C. Muir, A. O. Ingram, E. W. Critch- field, Thomas Liggett, J. B. Tracy and C. B. Morris; Recorder, N. A. Parker; Treas- urer, George S. Allyn ; Assessor. Thomas Ross; Marshal, Alexander Holland ; Street Commissioner, Henry H. Ross ; Attorney, Isaac W. Keller.


1885 .--- Mayor, J. E. Scott; Councilmen, E. W. Critchheld, Thomas Liggett, A. O. Ingram, Henry Todd. G. C. Muir and G.


1. Slentz; Recorder, N. A. Parker; Mar- Allyn; Street Commissioner, Il. H. Ross ; Assessor, Thomas Ross; Attorney, Isaac W. Keller.


1886 .- Mayor, J. E. Scott ; Councilmen, A. O. Ingram, G. A. Slentz. J. F. Wall, C. Ewan, H. A. White and S. Bailey ; Record- er, J. Faris; Attorney, Isaac W. Keller ; Treasurer, Henry Todd; Street Commis- sioner and Marshal, A. E. Holland; Asses- sor, Thomas Ross.


SCHOOLS.


A common district school was maintained until 18So, when a course of study was adopted, and the school put on a city basis. Up to 1879 there were in use two frame build- ings, each containing one room, located on the same lot, two blocks northeast of the square. In 1878 a brick building was erected in the eastern part of the town, containing four rooms, and costing $8,500. In ISSI an addition was built, containing two rooms, and costing $3,000. A room is also rented in the business part of town, near the postoffice. Eight teachers are cin- ployed, including the principal. The corps for 1886-'7 is : J. W. Wilkerson, Principal ; Lucy Plants, Lora Laughlin, Vina A. Sul- livan, Hettie I. Dubois, Nora M. White, Winnie Kirby and Louie Ellington. The enrollment is 478 ; average attendance, 400. For 1885-'6 the expenditures were : Teach- ers' fund, $3,467.40; contingent fund, SI,- 392.90; school-house fund, $1,504.37 ; total, $6,364.67. The School Board for the pres- ent year includes : E. G. Pratt, President ; George S. Allyn, R. C. Henry, Day Dun- ning, Thomas Lewis and John German. J. P. Lesan is Secretary, and G. A. Slentz, Treasurer.


CHURCHES.


Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first preacher stationed on this circuit was Rev.


3



¢


<


4


452


HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.


Jesse Sherwood, who visited every charge in the county once in three weeks, preaching in the log school-house, sixteen feet square, which was usually well filled. Hle spent two years on this circuit. begin- ning with the autumn of 1856. As soon as the court-house was built, in 1859, that was . made the place of worship. Rev. C. E. Spooner was here from 1858 to 1860. Revs. B. Shinn, Jerry Hughes and Oliver Will- iams filled up the next two years. Then came, in succession, Rev. George Bennett, one year; Dr. U. P. Golliday and Rev. Collins, one year ; Rev. D. B. Clary, one year ; Rev. Baker, two years; Revs. Cal- fec and C. A. B. Watson, one year ; Revs. E. M. King and Walker, one year, and Rev. Burris, one year. During Rev. Bur- ris' stay the church was commenced, 1870, and it was completed and dedicated during the pastorate of Rev. W. T. Smith, who re- mained two years. Rev. M. Miller was here from 1872 to 1874, and his time was finished by Rev. B. D. Himebaugh. In 1874 the parsonage was completed. It is now used as a residence by D. W. Colc. Rev. II. W. Deshler was here 1874-'5 ; Rev. Hayes, 1875-'6; Rev. Bartholomew, 1876- '7; Dr. U. P. Golliday, 1877-'So; Rev. Jacob Miller, 1880-'1; Rev. Moore, 18SI- '2 ; Rev. Chambers, 1882-'4 ; Rev. Vollmar, 1884-'7. During Rev. Miller's stay here the present parsonage was built. The membership is now 200. Robert Williams is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has an average attendance of 130.


United Presbyterian Church .- The church of this denomination was built in 1870. It is a frame structure, in the northeastern part of the town, and cost in all $3,500. The membership at this time was about forty. Meetings had been held for several years in the court-house. Rev. William Brown served the church five years; Rev. D. F. Mustard, three years, and Rev. J. II. Tedford, seven years. No services have


been held since July, 1885. The member- ship is about ninety. The trustees are : M. R. McClanahan, P. A. Hunter, W. J. Buck, D. E. Lawhead and Thomas Liggett. The elders are: W. J. Buck, William Max- well and Thomas. Liggett. George A. Slentz is superintendent of the Sunday- school, whose attendance is about sixty.


Presbyterian Church .- In 1867 Rev. S. A. McElhiney, of Bedford, was directed by the Presbytery to come monthly to this placc. He soon after organized the Mt. Ayr Church, with twelve members. In 1873 a frame house of worship was erected at a cost of $3,600, including furnishings, one block east of the public square. The men- bership had by this time reached forty, and it is now not less than fifty. Services are held every Sunday by Rev. G. P. Wood, who commenced his work here in June, 1884. The attendance at Sunday-school, of which the pastor is superintendent, is about seventy five. The elders of the church are: William Tennant, John G. Faris, John Blauer and William Snedaker.


The Baptist Church was organized in 1871, by Rev. C. Tilbury, of Illinois. He remained two or three years, during which time, in 1872, the church was built, two blocks northwest of the court-house, at an expenditure of $2,200. Since Mr. Tilbury's time the pastors have been : Revs. Morris, Funk, Edwards and Peter Andrews, who began here in 1879. The membership is about fifty. The pastor is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has an attend- ance of forty. The deacons are : William Timby and Noah Brock. Mrs. R. C. Henry acts as clerk.


Christian Church .- This society was or- ganized in 1881, by Rev. William Gadd, of Ottumwa, who remained until 1884. In 1883 the house of worship was built, one block cast of the northeast corner of the public square, at a cost, including lot and furnishings, of $2,700. Rev. J. P. Lucas


MOUNT AYR.


458


came here monthly, from the spring till August, 1884, and the present pastor, Rev. J. C. White, began his labors in October of that year. The membership at time of or- ganization was twenty-three; it is now sixty. The eldersare: M. J. Donahoe and A. B. Radcliffe. Trustees: E. W. Critch- field, 11. H. Espey and D. S. Baker. A. B. Radcliffe is superintendent of the Sun- day-school, which has an attendance of about fifty.


The Episcopalians had a mission here, which is no longer active, and the Catho- lics are accumulating funds preparatory to building.


SECRET SOCIETIES.


Mt. Ayr is well supplied with branches of the several secret orders.


Faith Lodge, No. 179, A. F. & A. M., meets Friday evening on or before cach full moon.


Salem Chapter, No. 75, R. A. JI., meets Friday evening after each full moon.


Mount Ayr Lodge, No. 169, I. O. O. F., meets every Saturday evening.


Delta Encampment, No. 69, meets the sec- ond and fourth Wednesday evenings of each month.


Mount Ayr Lodge, No. 91, I. O. G. T., meets the first and third Monday evenings of cach month.


Fidelity Lodge, No. 26, Daughters of Re- bekah, meets the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month.


Theta Lodge, No. 189. A. O. U. Il'., meets the first and third Monday evenings of cach month.


Subordinate Lodge, No. 20, A. II. T. A., meets at the court-house, the Saturday evening on, or before each full moon.


Ellis C. Miller Post, No. 96, G. A. R., meets the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month.


There are also organizations of the Sons of Veterans, and Woman's Relief Corps.


BANKS.


The first bank in Mt. Ayr, was that of Dunning, Sellards & Co., established in 1869. In 1874 the firm became Dunning & Co., and in 1878 they purchased the Ringgold County Bank, which name they adopted. This had been established in 1872, by Merrill, Kinsell & Co. The Ring- gold County Bank was bought afterward by Dr. J. T. Merrill, who conducted it till January, 1885, at which date it went out of business.


Morris & Allyn began business in 1880, and the firm became Allyn Brothers, May 1, 1886. This is known as the Mt. Ayr Bank. Its capital is $50,000. George S. Allyn is Cashier, and John H. Allyn, Assistant Cashier.


The Citizens' Bank was established in ISSo, with C. B. Dunning as Cashier, and Day Dunning as President. The former died in the course of a few months, and Day Dunning has since been sole proprie- tor.


PROFESSIONAL.


The following firms are attorneys, most of them being also loan agents and real estate dealers: Henry & Spence, R. F. Askren, G. W. Carnes, Brockett & Bevis, J. E. Scott, Isaac W. Keller, J. F. Mount, F. F. Leathers, Ezra C. McMasters and Laughlin and Campbell.


The physicians are Drs. S. Bailey, C. B. White and William Ilorne; dentists, E. Stiles and D. H. Killingsworth.


BUSINESS DIRECTORY.


Following are the business firms of Mt. Ayr, in the autumn of 1886:


Allyn Brothers, Mt. Ayr Bank; W. S. Berkey, books and news; Melvin Bennett, bakery; William Been, meat market; 11. Bastow, livery; Miss Minerva Cattern, millinery ; C. J. Chance, grocery ;


454


HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.


A. F. Collins, restaurant ; Cole & Pratt, lumber ; Rufus Conkling, livery ; Clark & Shepherd, harness; Crawford & Wall, blacksmiths ; John Currie, Mt. Ayr House ; Critchfield & Fry, agricultural implements ; Ira Day, livery ; Dowling & Freshwater, blacksmiths ; Doze, Peter & Co., agricult- ural implements; W. A. De Lashmutt, grocery ; Disbrow & Moore, shoe shop ; Day Dunning. Citizens' Bank; Francis Ellis, Ellis House and livery ; J. C. Faris, restaurant ; J. W. Gray, blacksmith ; Gill- iland, Diebert & Co., agricultural imple- ments; E. B. Hayward, lumber; C. L. Harper, photographer ; Huggins, Saville & Co., dry-goods and millinery ; John Horne, drugs ; Harper, Bedwell & Co., hardware; A. Ingram & Sons, general store ; Ingram & Todd, grocery ; Imus & Woodmansce, barbers; H. V. Johnson, sewing machines ; Z. T. Kinsell, hardware ; D. C. Kinsell & Co., dry-goods; Thomas


Liggett, grocery; John Lineberg, boots and shoes, and American Express; J. H. Lester, boots and shoes; Mt. Ayr Furni- ture Co., furniture ; M. G. Maxwell, pho- tographer; Mrs. J. T. Merrill, millinery ; J. T. Merrill, drugs; Fred. Offenhauser, grocery ; J. W. O'Neal, barber : Rogers & Rush, furniture ; W. A. Reger, book store; J. H. Richardson, jewelry, sewing ma- chines and musical instruments ; Anna Schultz, dressmaking ; George A. Slentz, dry-goods; George R. Stephens, King- gold County Record; C. W. Schoch, meat market ; J. S. Shepherd, Mount Ayr Jour- nal; William Towle, boots and slices ; J. L. Thompson & Co., harness ; B. W. Vard- aman, jeweler; I. N. Watson, carpenter ; Adam Warner, undertaker; H. H. Wil- son, grocery ; G. W. Watson, watch and gun repairer ; Williams & Tedford, Ring- gold County Republican; Wall Brothers, grocery.


475


VILLAGES.


VILLAGES


-0


Y Ringgold County, besides Mt. Ayr, there are several smaller towns, which form convenient mar- kets and shipping points. The largest of these is


KELLERTON.


In 1879, when the Leon & Southwestern Railroad was built from Bethany Junction to Mt. Ayr, some of the leading capitalists interested in the road formed a company, and laid out the village which they named Kellerton, in honor of Judge Isaac W. Keller, of Mt. Ayr. The company bought eighty acres of Samuel Fetrow, and 160 of John Fetrow, on section 10, Athens Township, and laid off seventy acres in lots. The site is well chosen, on high, but level ground, commanding a view on clear days of both Mt. Ayr and Leon. A fine agricultural district surrounds Kellerton.


F. S. Rhodes built the first store, in ISSo, and immediately afterward Captain Thomas E. Scott built a dwelling, A. II. Teale a store and dwelling, Richard Emer- PAPERS. son and John Hammond, a store and Two papers have been published here at dwelling. W. P. Johnson, a store and , different times. The Mentor was started in


dwelling, Hugh White, a hotel, and David Stafford, a drug store. Others rapidly fol- lowed, and by the end of the first season there were not less than thirty houses. The census of Isso gave the place 169 in- habitants. Since then the growth of Kel- lerton has been more moderate. In 1885 there were 261 inhabitants, and in 1886 there are about 300.


BUSINESS DIRECTORY.


The firms doing business at Kellerton in October, 1886, are :


H. Gerber, general merchandise; Camp & Brother, druggists and physicians; James F. Mason, general merchandise ; W. W. Peasley, Kellerton Bank ; A. H. Teale, general merchandise ; M. Haught, general merchandise; Richard Emerson, general merchandise; Frank Smith, post- master; Scott & Co., elevator; S. Ockerman, station agent ; David Aldridge, lumber and coal; Henry Shott, lumber and coal ; Richard Emerson, agricultural imple- ments ; R. L. Brown, barber; William Ballard, barber; Martin Enochs, livery; Thomas E. Scott, justice of the peace.


456


HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.


1881, by Kendall Brothers, who sold to George R. Stephens, of the Ringgold County Record, in 1882. It was published another year, by him, and then suspended. It was a Republican paper, six-column folio in size. The Independent soon started up, in 1883, under the management of B. W. and F. W. Richards, who came here from Lu- cas. The paper was independent in poli- tics, four pages in size, and lived nearly two years, then going the way of its pred- ecessor.


PROFESSIONAL.


The only attorney here is W. K. Brown, who has been a resident of this neighbor- hood for seventeen years. He read law at Leon, and began practice at Kellerion, in 1880.


The first physician here was L. P. Thayer, who came in ISSo, remained three years, and is now in Davis County. Dr. Jewett was here one year, and is now in Missouri. A. and M. Camp, brothers, have been here and in practice since ISSo. R. Tripp was here several years and is now in Jasper County, this State. W. L. Gleason came in 18844, and has been in practice since.


POSTMASTERS.


The postoffice of Kellerton was estab- lished soon after the location of the village, and F. A. Brown was appointed the first postmaster. Succeeding him the incumbents have been: J. W. Kendall, C. W. Prindle, E. N. Carpenter and Frank Smith.


CHURCHIES.


The Methodist Church, in the southeast :


corner of the village is not yet completed. It was begun in 1885, is 36 x 42 in size, and will cost 81,200. Services have been held by this denomination since 1879, by Revs. W. W. Danner, two years; Johnson, one year ; Throckmorton, one year : Main, one year; Faucet, two years, and Willey. The | 1884. The officers for 1886 are: E. W. Mc-


last named commenced his labors here in September, 1886. Services are held every three weeks. The membership is about thirty. II. J. Shott is superintendent of the Sunday-school.


The Catholic Church was built in 1883. It is situated in the southwest corner of the village, and cost $600. Services are held monthly by Father Williams, of Mt. Ayr. Preceding him was Father Fealey, who built the church. About fifteen Catholic families worship here.


The Christian Church, in the northwest part of the town, was built in ISS4, at a cost of $1,500, and is 36 x 40 feet in size. The membership is not far from fifty. Serv- ices are held every Sunday, by Rev. Wilkerson. Preceding him, irregular serv- ices only had been held, by Revs. Lemon, of Leon, and White, of Mt. Ayr. G. M. Lesan is superintendent of the Sunday- school, which has an average attendance of sixty.


SCHOOL.


The school-house was built in the au- tumn of 188o, at a cost of $1,300. It is a two-story frame building. Two teachers are employed, usually for nine months. C. S. Palmer and G. M. Lesan are the present teachers. The School Board includes D. N. Aldridge, President, J. F. Mason and C. L. Goss. C. S. Palmer is Secretary, and M. Haught, Treasurer.


SECRET SOCIETIES.


Topas Lodge, No. 438, A. F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation, March 1, 1882, with these inembers and officers : I. P. Wiley, Worshipful Master; W. K. Brown, Senior Warden ; E. W. McDonald, Junior Warden ; John Wiley, D. P. Math- ews, D. Stafford, A. M. Jackson, F. C. Smith, II. J. Shotts, John Litterell and A. Camp. The charter was issued in June,


457


VILLAGES.


Donald, Worshipful Master; A. Camp, Senior Warden; F. C. Smith, Junior War- den; W. K. Brown, Secretary ; A. M. Jackson, Treasurer. The membership is twenty-five. Meetings are held Wednes- day, on or before cach full moon.


Kellerton Lodge, No. 425, I. O. O. F., was organized May 27, ISSI. The present offi- cers are: M. Camp, Noble Grand; M. Haught, Vice-Grand; J. J. Barker, Past Grand ; J. F. Mason, Recording Secretary; William King, Treasurer. There are now but thirteen members. Meetings are held every Thursday evening.


Kellerton Lodge, No. 90, I. O. G. T., was organized carly in 1885, with over sixty members. There are now not as many. The officers at present writing are : George M. Lesan, Lodge Deputy ; D. N. Aldridge, Chief Templar; Mrs. N. J. Lillie, Vice-Tem- plar ; Captain Thomas E. Scott, Chaplain ; Eli Ham, Past Chief Templar ; Sherman Aldridge, Financial Secretary ; Mrs. Mary Reynolds, Secretary ; George M. Lesan, Assistant Secretary ; George Smith, Inside Guard ; Ed. Harris, Outside Guard.


OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.


The Kellerton Band of Hope was organ- ized in the spring of 1886, and now includes forty-six little ones.


The Kellerton Brass Band was organized August 1, 1885. The membership includes fourteen pieces: B. F. Briley, leader and E-flat cornet ; Fred Buck, E-flat cornet ; J. F. Mason, first B.flat; W. W. Peasley, second B-flat; James Brauhart, solo alto ; G. M. Lesan, first alto; John F. Scott, second alto; F. C. Higgins, first tenor; Eddie Scott, second tenor ; R. Piant, bari- tone; R. L. Brown, B-flat bass; A. H. Teale, tuba; B. Harriman, snare drum ; H. J. Shotts, bass drum.


INCORPORATION.


January until March were : Mayor, Thomas E. Scott; Recorder, W. K. Brown; Coun- cil, A. II. Teale, F. S. Rhodes, A. L. Mar- tin, D. C. Johnson and C. W. Prindle: Treasurer. A. H. Teale. The officers chosen in March of each year since have been :


ISS2 .- Mayor, F. A. Brown; Recorder, Thomas Struthers; Treasurer, A. H. Teale; Council, A. II. Teale, A. L. Martin, C. W. Prindle, Isaac Hughes, J. F. Mason and W. K. Brown.


ISS3 .- Mayor, J. A. Stone; Recorder, J. L. Hughes ; Treasurer, A. H. Teale ; Coun- cil, J. F. Mason, A. H. Teale, C. W. Prindle, A. L. Martin and Isaac Hughes.


1884 .- Mayor, J. A. Stone; Recorder, George M. Lesan ; Treasurer, A. H. Teale ; Council, J. L. Hughes, Isaac Hughes, J. L. Scott, A. H. Teale, J. F. Mason and C. W. Prindle.


1885 .- Mayor, W. W. Peasley ; Recorder, C. S. Palmer; Treasurer, A. H. Teale ; Council, G. M. Lesan, James P. Brauhart, J. F. Scott, J. F. Mason, A. H. Teale and Isaac Hughes.


ISS6 .- Mayor, W. W. Peasley ; Recorder, C. S. Palmer; Treasurer, A. H. Teale ; Council, G. W. Hampton, M. Haught, G. M. Lesan, J. P. Brauhart, Isaac Hughes and J. F. Scott.


TINGLEY.


The postoffice of Tingley was established a number of years ago, five miles northeast of the present village. In ISSI a town company laid out the village of Tingley, on section 21, Tingley Township, on the line of the Ilumeston & Shenandoah Rail- road, which was then building. Cars com- menced to run in the spring of 1882, but the autumn previous quite a village had sprung up. The town company bought 200 acres of land of Avenill Brothers, F. W. Harding and George Swain. Mr. Swain in the place. Next were Howland & Me-


Kellerton was incorporated in January, ; built the first store and sold the first goods 1882. The officers chosen to serve from


458


HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.


Creight. Other early comers were: John Haver & Co., general store; Parrish & Taylor, hardware: John Kelly, grocery ; V. D. Colles, drugs ; J. 1. Berry, livery and feed stable ; J. R. and W. L. Embree, lum- ber ; Alexander Beard & Son. lumber; R. E. Burke, contractor and builder ; Levi Coon, blacksmith; C. C. Bosworth, coal; and John Rowell, harness. By the close of ISS2 there were nearly 200 inhabitants. Since then the growth has been slow. The State census of ISS5 credited the place with 211 inhabitants. Tingley was incorporated in 1885, and now claims 250 people. It is in a fine agricultural region, from which it draws a profitable trade.


The Tingley Times was started by J. Get- tinger, in 1882. He sold to L. O. Mckinley, and he to Ray Brothers. It the mean- time the name was changed to the News. Then one Noah became owner, and moved the office to Wirt. Tingley was then without a paper until July, ISS5, when the Battle Axe was begun, by E. B. Garretson, of Lenox. This warlike paper suspended in December following. J. J. Clark, of Gray- ity, published the Tingley Independent for - six months, in 1886, and then went the way of his predecessors. The Independent was a six-column paper, $1.50 per year, and was a valuable factor in the business of the place.


J. E. Ray, one of the proprietors of the News, was an attorney. He practiced a ycar or more, and then went to Western Iowa. L. O. McKinley has been here four years, and practices in justices' courts.


The first physician here was L. E. St. John, who staid two years and then went West. James Nichols and R. W. Selby arc the present physicians of Tingley.


The first postmaster was George Swain. Mrs. S. E. Pease was then the incumbent until her death, in the summer of 1886, when John Haver was appointed. Maggie Pol- lock is in charge of the office, as deputy.


Tingley hasa fine two-story frame school- house, built in 1885, at a cost of $3,000. It contains two school-rooms below, the upper story being used for religious meet- ings by the United Presbyterians. Nine months school is taught. The teachers for 1886-'7 are Gertrude Miller and Mary Gray. The attendance is about seventy. The School Board includes J. Haver, Pres- ident; J. J. McCreight and Jacob Frane. James Nichols is Secretary, and A. T. Han- cock, Treasurer.


CHURCHES.


The Christian Church has been organized about ten years; meetings were held in the Tingley Center school-house until iSS2, when they built a church in the northeast part of town. Rev. E. W. Miller preaches every two weeks. W. C. Smith is super- intendent of the Sunday-school.


The Methodists have likewise been organ- ized about ten years, and met in the Tingley Center school-house until 1885, when they built a house of worship in the north part of the village. Their membership is now sixty. Services are held every Sunday by Rev. George Nixon, of Afton. A union Sunday-school is maintained, attended by about seventy pupils.


The Baptists organized two years ago, and hold services every four weeks in the Christian church, Rev. Andrews, of Mt. Ayr, officiating.


The United Presbyterians hold services every two weeks in the school-house. They have been organized two years, and have forty members. Rev. William Brown, of Eugene, is the present pastor. William Laughery is superintendent of the Sunday- school, which about seventy attend.


SOCIETIES.


Ben Talbot Post, No. 286, G. A. R., was organized in 1883. Andrew Stephenson is Commander; James Pollock, Adjutant ;


I ILLAGES.


459


Alonzo Goodell, Senior Vice-Commander; Branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Frank McGugin, Junior Vice-Commander. The post has a membership of forty, and meets the second and last Saturdays of cach month.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.