USA > Iowa > Cherokee County > Biographical history of Cherokoe County, Iowa : Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state ; engravings of prominent citizens in Cherokee County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the county, the cities, and townships > Part 34
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The first exclusive grocery and crockery store was opened by A. Bunn.
The first jeweler was James McDonald.
The first dealer in furniture was C. Barwick.
The first grain dealer was Jaines Robertson.
The first Inmber dealer was James Robert- son.
The pioneer hotel of Washta was built by John McCoun in the winter of 1887 -- '88, and called the Washta House.
The first church edifice was the Congrega- tionalists', built in 1887.
The first terin of school after the platting of the place was taught by Miss Fanny Bowers, in a school building erected on the plat long before a village was yet con- ceived of.
The first to supply the ladies with milli- nery and fancy goods at Washta was Miss Lucy Mower.
The pioneer physician and surgeon was Dr. W. T. Ballah, who came from Indiana in the fall of 1887.
The first dealer in drugs was the present dealer, J. R. Mower.
The first agricultural implement dealers were Bunn & Mattoon.
The first to furnish livery was A. W. Bishop, in 1887.
The first wagon shop was operated by Smitlı & Wilcox.
respondent in Chicago is S. A. Keen, and at Cherokee, the First National Bank.
RELIGIOUS.
As a mark of morality and religion it may be repeated that the first building erected on the plat of Washta was the Congregational Church, which was built in the fall of 1887. It has been jointly nsed by the denomination which owns it and the Methodist people, who are at this time building a house of worship of their own.
The Congregational Society was formed by seventeen believers in that church faith, on December 26, 1886. Rev. L. R. Fitch was first called as their pastor. He was snc- ceeded in January, 1889, by Rev. George H. Smith, the present pastor. The present mem- bership is forty-four persons. The church building is 30 x 46 feet, and will seat 200. Its total cost was $1,700.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at this point is now supplied by Rev. J. L. Whitney, who preaches at Washta, Quimby and a charge known as Pleasant Hill. This society will erect a comfortable and modern styled church edifice at Washta at an early date.
SCHOOLS.
Much interest has always been taken in the public schools in this section of Cherokee County. At the time Washta was platted there was a district school-house on the same land. This has been used thus far, together" with the Rink Building, which was leased for school-room purposes in the fall of 1888. Washta is now an independent district and is abont to build a two-story frame school- house, of four large department rooms. The building will cost $2,200.
The first and only banking house of Washta is the private bank known as the Bank of Washta, owned by James Robertson, who is POSTOFFICE. president, with his son, James, Jr., as cashier. The Washta postoffice was for many years It was established in Jnne, 1888. Their cor- | a sort of traveling institution, being first
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
established at the farm home of A. J. Whis- man, in 1868. From his house it was re- moved to the next postmaster's house, Dwight Edmonds, who was succeeded by E. Stratton. Then it was returned to A. J. Whisman's. George Stratton then held the office until the present postmaster, J. R. Mower, received his appointment in April, 1889. At an early day, before railroads, this office was on a mail route between Cherokee and Peterson.
SOCIETIES.
Independent Veteran Volunteers, Com- pany A, No. 1, of Washta, is an order simi- lar to the Grand Army posts. Its members live in the township adjoining Washta vicin- ity. The date of its organization was April 19, 1889. There were twenty-one members at first, but now they have thirty-two. The officers are: J. H. Allen, Captain; John Mil- ler, First Lieutenant; B. F. Robie, First Ser- geant; Levi Forsythie, Color Bearer.
The object of this society of old soldiers, as stated in the preface to their constitution, is as follows: "To promote the interests of our comrades at arms in the late war and to refresh our memory by frequently meeting; to keep alive thic old and cherished feeling toward each other, as when on the field of battle or along the march, so that when our last ' muster' shall come we may stand in line to close up the broken ranks as one by one we shall be called to our last reward."
This order has thus far been very success- ful; they have given aid to the poor and sick of their number, by getting up suppers, etc., which all the citizens attend.
OTHER MATTERS.
The first Fourth of July celebration at Washta was held in 1889, which proved to be a grand success. The liberality of her patri- otic citizens raised the sum of $450 for the occasion. Two hundred dollars were invested
in fire-works. The orator of the day was Rev. J. W. Southwell, a Methodist ininister from Sioux City, Iowa.
A skating rink was erected at Washta in the fall of 1888. It was the public hall for skating, daneing, etc., during that winter. It was also need for public school-room pur- poses for a time. At this date it is used by S. Ritts as a billiard hall.
A newspaper known as the Herald was started at Washta by G. L. Bailey, who came soon after the village had a place among the sister towns of the county.
Things did not run as smooth as they inight in his newly chosen home, and as a good opening presented itself at Quimby, lie established thic Quimby Herald in April, 1889.
In June, 1889, A. J. Smith founded the Washita Independent, a well-ordered journal, liberally supported. See its history complete in chapter on thic " Press."
A cheese factory was established near the plat of Washta, but over in Ida County, in the spring of 1889, by Hull Bros.
BUSINESS INTERESTS IN JULY, 1889.
General dealers, Felter & Brackney, C. Barwick, Smith & McDonnell, A. J. Wlis- man ; hardware, Bunn & Mattoon, C. Barwick; groceries, A. Bunn Bro., and the general dealers; drugs, J. R. Mower; jewelry, James McDonnell; hotels, Central and Washta houses; blacksmithis, Murphy & Smith; harness shop, Bushgens Bro .; shoc shop, W. A. Henderson; wagon shop, Smith & Wil- cox; grain dealers, James Robertson, Ed- monds & Co., B. F. Robie; lumber dealers, James Robertson, Daniel McNeal; coal, B. F. Robie, James Robertson and Dan W. Mc- Neal; millinery, L. M. Mower; furniture, C. Barwick; livery, A. W. Bowers; agricultural implements, Burns & Mattoon, M. L. Marsh ;
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
bank, Bank of Washta, James Robertson, owner; real estate, Lake Davison, B. F. Robie; physicians, W. J. Ballah, M. D .; newspaper, the Washta Independent.
This point ships large amounts of grain and live-stock. For the year ending June 1. 1889, there had been shipped 136 cars of live-stock and 413 cars of grain from Washta station, making a grand total of number of cars shipped to Eastern markets, 549.
The population at present is estimated at 300.
VILLAGE OF QUIMBY.
Quimby is the first station south of Chero- kee, on the line of the Onawa branch of the Illinois Central Railroad, and is ten miles from Cherokee, in the heart of a most ex- cellent farming section. It is situated in the Little Sioux Valley, in section 11, township 90, range 41. It was platted October 3, 1887, since which time it has had a rapid growth for a town so near the county seat. The name of the village was taken in honor of one of the Illinois Central Railroad officials, named F. W. Quimby. The land npou which the plat was made originally belonged to George Sellers and A. J. Clark.
The first building erected on the plat was the grain elevator of E. M. Dickey & Co., in the fall of 1887. The first to sell merchall- dise in the village was A. J. Clark, who opened up a general store as soon as the place was platted. The general dealers at present are A. J. Clark and Soyster & Son.
The first to engage in the drug trade were Smith & Shanl, who commenced operations in the fall of 1888 and are still the only drug firm in Quimby.
The first to deal in hardware was E. F. Leonard, who later added farm machinery and is now the only hardware dealer in the place.
The grocery trade of the place is in the
hands of the general dealers and Smith & Shaul druggists.
A. J. Raymond was the first and is still the only dealer in furniture.
The pioneer agricultural implement dealer is E. F. Leonard, who put in a stock in the spring of 1888. He and A. J. Clark are the present dealers in such goods. They have an extensive trade
The first to buy and ship grain was the E. M. Dickey Company. Now it is in the hands of the Dickey Company and Closz Bros., both being extensive shippers. They are square dealing men, have the confidence of the farin- ing community and are successful business men, helping the place as well as themselves.
Lumber was at first sold by J. P. Dickey, but at present is in the hands of Littell Bros., who also deal in coal.
The pioneer harness-maker at Quimby is A. Meeker, who is master of his trade; he carries a good stock, is an accommodating man and has a large trade. He is the only dealer of the place.
The present boot and shoe repairer, A. A. Perrin, was also the first one in the village to do such work.
The first wagon shop at Quimby was oper- ated by a man named Parker. The present wagon-maker is V. A. Dnboll.
The first and present meat market is owned by J. K. Smith.
The first hotel was kept in 1887, by D. S. Simmons, in a building now used for a cloth- ing store. The present hotel accommodations are good. In 1888 the Valley House was built and is now conducted by T. R. McCracken.
Dr. P. McGregor is the only physician and surgeon of the village.
The first attempt to supply the ladies with millinery goods at this point was by the Misses Lauer. At this date, July, 1889, this line is represented by the Misses Bowen.
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
The barber of Quimby is John Pierce.
The pioneer and present liveryman of the place is D. S. Simmons, who carries a good stock, is reasonable in his charges and is do- ing a large business. Mr. Simmons is also a skillfnl veterinary surgeon and hence is known far and near as " Doc " Simmons.
The banking business, though gnite limited at present, is represented by Soyster & Son.
A new paper called the Quimby Herald was established in April, 1889, by G. L. Bailey. See Press chapter for further his- tory of same.
POSTOFFICE.
A postoffice was secured at Quimby in the fall of 1887, soon after the completion of the railroad. The first postmaster was A. J. Clark, who was succeeded by A. C. Smith, present incumbent, April 18, 1889. It was made a money-order office July 1, 1889.
Quimby, though yet a small village, is a inost excellent trading point. The grain and live-stock shipments, as shown by the agent's books for the year ending July 1, 1889, makes a fine showing. There were during that period shipped 600 car-loads of grain and 125 cir-loads of live-stock, making a total of 725 car-loads in one year.
The present population is not far from 250.
The business men are all first-class and are doing much for the surrounding farming community.
Among other branches of commercial in- terest may be mentioned the butter business carried on by Soyster & Son, who buy from the farmers the butter before it is salted and then work over and properly prepare it for Eastern markets.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
The first schools taught at Quimby were held in a hall, but the present season a tax
has been levied for the building of a good sized school-house.
The two religions denominations now rep- resented at Quimby are the Methodist Epis- copal and the United Presbyterian. The former organized a class consisting of twelve members, in March, 1889. Rev. J. L. Whit- ney, of the Washta charge, is their pastor, preaching every other week, while a Sunday- school is held every Sabbath. A church edi- fice of fine proportions was dedicated by this people July 7, 1889. Rev. I. N. Pardee officiated and lifted the debt of $340. The cost of this beautiful church was $1,700; it- is 24 x 40 feet, with fourteen-foot posts, with a lecture room 14 x 24 feet. The member- ship is equally divided between the village and country adjoining.
The United Presbyterian people have a sinall membership, also, numbering about twelve or fourteen persons. This society was formerly located about three miles north of Quimby and held services at school-houses. In the spring of 1889 they erected a fine frame church edifice, at an expense of $3,000. Its size is 30 x 50 feet, and will seat about 500 people. At first this church society was supplied by Rev. Potter, and later by Rev. Kyle, from Ohio, who has just removed to Nebraska, and will be succeeded by Rev. Dunlap.
Both of these societies are small but their membership are faithful devotees of their own particular faith and will soon draw larger numbers to themselves. The two new, neat and substantial buildings are indeed a credit to a village so new and small.
CHEROKEE TOWNSHIP.
ONGRESSIONAL township 92, range 40, now comprises the territory of Cherokee Township, which name was applied to the whole county, it being the
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
only civil township from the time Cherokee County was organized, in 1857, to October, 1865, when the south half of the county was set apart and styled Pilot Township. From time to time the various sub-divisions of the north half of the county have been taken from Cherokee Township, the congressional township 92, range 40, having been created September 5, 1870, by cutting off that part of the county now known as Amherst. As now constituted this township is situated south of Cedar, west of Afton, north of Pilot and east of Sheridan townships.
The county seat of justice is within this township and hence Cherokee City becomes the market and trading point for the 600 in- habitants outside of the corporation of New Cherokee.
The township is not alone popular because it is the home of the county government, but because of its excellent land, pure running water and superior stock-raising advantages, together with an abundance of good timber.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The history of Cherokee Township, as now defined by congressional township 92, range 40, is identical with that of Cherokee City, hence we refer the reader to the city history within this chapter.
About 1864 Thomas Twiford built a saw- mill on the present water-power used by the Cherokee Flouring Mills. It was the first in the county and was of great service to the early builders, who before that time had to use a whip-saw in getting out stuff from which to build both houses and bridges. In 1867 this pioneer mill was sold to Banister & Rice, who in time sold to Vandercook & Van Epps, and they to Mr. Hiller, who changed it into a flouring mill, putting in burrs. From this much of a commencement the present Cherokee Flouring Mills started.
THE CITY OF CHEROKEE.
N and near about the capital of every county there is ever a good fond of historical items for the writer of a county history; but especially is this true of Cherokee, which, besides being the largest place within the county, after which it was named, it is also the point at which the first settlers of the county halted, drove their tent stakes, built the first house, from logs ent in the native forests hard by, and commenced developing what has come to be one of the " Hawkeye " State's best counties.
Geographically, Cherokee is situated (as now coustituted) on sections 26 and 27, and 34 and 35, in township 40, range 92, west. This describes the plat, while the city incor- porate limits are 2 x2g miles in extent. It is also in what is termed Cherokee civil town- ship, and only three miles east of the true geographical center of the county. Under the head of "County Government," in the index, will be found matter relative to the location of the county seat at this point.
Prairie cities are oftentimes associated with so much sameness of surface and landscape scenery that in describing one the facts con- cerning most of those within the same sec- tion of country might be included, but not so with Cherokee, for scarcely a more beau- tifully situated place can be found in travel- ing through Northwestern Iowa. It is snugly nestled in the valley of the Little Sioux River. Surrounding it there are high elevations, approaching almost to the dignity of hills, which look down upon the present flourishing city of 3,500 people. It is a charming scene presented, especially in mid- summer, or grain harvest time, when the rich slopes present a complete picture of rural thrift and prosperity. The native groves that skirt the clear water of the Little
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Sioux, the almost boundless corn-fields wav- ing their dark green blades, the large fields of ripening grain, furnish an attractive shade of golden amber, and paint such a picture as no human artist need hope even to approximate. At this point the Illinois Central Railway crosses the river and makes one of the favor- ite and most flourishing stations, midway between Fort Dodge and Sioux City.
Come we now to the starting point-the beginning of what is now the metropolis and county seat of Cherokee County. Much of the first and early history of this place is identical with that of the first events of the county, hence the realer is referred to the chapter on " Early Settlement " for any points which may seem to be missing, while reviewing the history of the eity of Cherokee.
THE FIRST TOWN PLAT.
The first village plat recorded in connection with the city of which we write was " Chero- kee Center," situated on the east half of see- tion 28, township 92, range 40, platted by Jay Sternburg, Justice Townsend and George Detwiler, November 19, 1856. The platting was all that was ever accomplished there-it being a speculator's " paper town."
The next plat was that made December 16, 1857, by Samuel W. Haywood, who laid ont a town of 320 acres, on sections 22 and 23, township 92, range 40. This plat is known as "Original Cherokee " on the records. It was at this point that the Milford Colony settled, and some building was done. A "block-house" was erected in 1863, just south from the plat, as a defense against the Indians. The first postoffice in the connty was tliere, and it was headquarters for all that there was then in Cherokee Connty.
Upon the original plat, the 320 acres platted by the Milford Colony, stood the court-house, built in 1863, and the brick
school-house, erected in 1867. It was there the first school in the county was taught by Mrs. Lemuel Parkhurst; the funds necessary to carry the school on were sent from friends in the old Bay State, wlience tlie colony had come. She received 855 in advance to teach a three months' terin in 1858. The pupils who attended were George Thomas and Clara Brown; Frank and Addie Phipps. The lat- ter named afterward became one of the county's efficient teachers, and finally became the wife of N. T. Burroughs.
In the fall of 1856 four additional honses were built. L. Parkhurst built one; George W. Lebourveau built one near the lot upon which the court-lionse was finally erected; Carlton Corbett with B. W. and Lysander Sawtell and B. Holden built another over the river, and Benjamin Holbrook, one near the place on which later stood the old fort and stockade. Preparations were speedily made for the coming winter, which proved to be one of memorable severity throughout the United States (the winter of 1856-'57), and the great depth of snow perhaps has not since been surpassed.
A little to the south of the original town site the " block-house " and stockade were erected in 1862, as a defense to the settlers, as before stated, and some time during the year 1867 Fred Hnxford furnished the means with which John L. Foskett conducted the first store where merchandise was sold in Cherokee County.
Albert Phipps, who lived where he now does, near the mill, kept a country tavern. There was a blacksmith shop in that vicinity, but nothing was done toward business inter- ests until about the railroad era, 1869, when William Van Epps purchased the east half of the southeast of the northwest quarter of sec- tion 26, the same being a twenty-acre płat. He bought it June 5, 1869, and at once
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
erected a store building and commenced gen- eral merchandising. This location took a boom, and by 1870 quite a village had come into existence.
The railroad was expected soon, so in 1869, soon after purchasing this twenty-acre tract, Mr. Van Epps platted the land into town lots and liad the same placed on record as " Blair City," probably hoping to draw the location of the depot, when the road was completed to that point. But " the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft aglee," and the depot was located to the south and west, where New Cherokee is now situated. So the reader will, from this explanation, understand that in speaking of parties removing from the " Old town " to New Cherokee, that it means from what the plat-books described as " Blair City," and not the old and original Cherokee platted at an early day.
On March 21, 1870, New Cherokee was platted by proprietors George W. Lebourveau and wife, with Carlton Corbett and wife. This is situated on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 34, and southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 27, township 92, range 40. A. L. Porter executed the above surveying, and C. H. Lewis, who was county recorder, put the same on record the September following. Soon after the platting, N. T. Burroughs and II. C. Kellogg bought an interest in the part of the plat owned by Mr. Corbett, when the former named became active in the sale of lots and the general upbuilding of the place.
For matters relative to the numerous addi- tions and subdivisions, the reader is referred to "Recorded Plats." (See index.)
" THE OLD TOWN."
Before entering into the history of what is now Cherokee, it will first be well to take a retrospective glance at the interests of the
old town (Blair City), view some of her houses, get acquainted with her pioneer pop- ulation, and then bid them a hearty wel- come to New Cherokee-Railroad Cherokee -present city of Cherokee, of which we will treat later on in this chapter.
It was quite near the site of the old town that the Milford Colony erected their first building as headquarters. It was long known as the Cherokee IIonse. It was the county's first building and the first home and shelter of the white race in these parts. It was erected during the summer of 1856. It was a log struetnre, 12 x 20 feet, one and one-half stories high.
The first merchandise sold from a general stock was sold from goods kept by Mr. Fos- kett, at the old block-house within the stock- ade, which was erected in the days of Indian troubles. The block-house was 20 x 20 feet, built of 8 x 10 stuff; the stockade was an en- closure of about a quarter of an acre. There was but little done toward business with a view of permanency, as the question had not yet been settled as to where the railroad com- pany would locate the depot. However, the village had lively times during railroad grading days. "Everything went when the bell rang," says an old settler. Not until some time in August, 1870, was the depot located. Business men rushed ahont for locations, and all was a bustle. Not over ten houses had been built on the new plat prior to that time.
MOVING THE TOWN.
The following gentlemen represented the business interests located within the old town. During 1870 they bade farewell to Blair City, leaving little else there save the pioneer recollections which are still lingering about many of them as an eventful experience:
Vandercook & Van Epps, general dealers, who did an extensive business. They had
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
their own teams, and freighted their goods from the Missouri River.
" Doc" Ward was among the pioneer band who removed his business to the railroad town. He was the saloon man, who bossed several places at which drinks were sold. It is related of " Doc " that he stated once, just before leaving the country, that he had sold thousands of dollars' worth of water from Albert Phipps's well, and now and then a drink of pure whisky; meaning of course that lie was well skilled in the science of mixing drinks so as to be financially satisfac- tory to himself, believing that the more aqui (of well) he administered, the better off the constitutions of his customers would be!
Williamn Stoughton, who conducted the first regular hotel at the old town (aside from Albert Phipps's residence tavern), moved over and set np business here.
Burroughs, Kellogg & Lewis, attorneys and land agents, also moved from the old town and opened an office, from which many of the first town lots in the new town were sold.
Charles Culver, who had been located at the old town a few weeks, in the agricultural implement business, saw that his trade must necessarily come from the neighborhood of the depot, so he moved over, operated about two years, and sold to Robert Hall. Culver moved to California, on account of his wife's declining health.
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