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 36
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One gallon of Cherokee magnetic mineral water, or 221 cubic inches, contains: Car- bonate of sodimm, 0.3127 grains; sulphate of sodium, 0.3682 grains; bi-carbonate of
sodimm, 0.0041 grains; carbonate of calcium, 5.9292 grains; carbonate of inagnesinin, 8.2134 grains; carbonate of iron (strongly magnetic), 11.2585 grains; phosphate of iron (strongly magnetic), 0.9305 grains; alumini, 0.2927 grains; silica, 0.6221 grains. Total solids, 27.9314 grains. Carbonic dioxide gas, 59.3 cubic inches.
The subterranean channels through which this water passes, and from whose surround- ings it derives its wonderful curative quali- ties, have not yet been discovered. Some unseen and unknown power has been at work on Nature's laboratory in the bowels of the earth for centuries, and at last given forth the remedial result thereof in the shape of these springs. Prof. Draper has made a chemical examination of the character of these waters, but there are many other quali- ties connected with them that even science cannot explain. The most prominent of these is that this water is a perfect magnet as a body, capable of magnetizing other bodies that are subject to the effects of electricity, as for instance a piece of steel immersed therein will in a few seconds become a mag- net of remarkable power. Wonderful cures, which have baffled medical skill, especially in diseases of the bladder, kidneys and liver, have been thoroughly effected by these waters, even advanced cases of Bright's disease, dia- betes (inan's hell on earth), dyspepsia, and all urinary and chronic ailments.
N. T. Burroughs, of the First National Bank of Cherokee, owned the tract of land npon which this water was first discovered, and at once platted an annex to the city, the same being known as " Magnetic Addition." He at once erected a Sanitarium hotel, known as the Fountain House. This is a spacious frame structure, which was opened in the summer of 1881. Everything to make the premises a place of beanty was accomplished.
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
An artificial lake was excavated which was supplied by the discharge from this beanti- ful flowing well. The park grounds were elegantly adorned by miniature fountains, drives, walks, flower gardens and trees. The place was placed in charge of Dr. Gee, of Chicago, who for a term of years wrought many cures. This hotel was not only sought by invalids, but as a place of resort for any who wanted to pass the heated terms of sum- mer in quiet repose.
Mr. Burroughs's large real estate and stock investments at distant parts of the country took his time and energy, and for several years the Fountain House was closed and the premises not properly cared for; but the present season he is making repairs and addi- tional improvements, digging the lake deeper, and by another season will doubtless have the place in good condition. The property is owned by the stockholders of the First National Bank, including Mr. Burroughs.
CITIZENS' LIFE ASSOCIATION.
This is an enterprise which may be re- corded as one of the living monuments to the business tact of the citizens of Cherokee. It is incorporated under the laws of the State, which are now very rigid concerning so-called life guarantees. The officers at present (1889) are as follows: R. M. Smith, President; M. S. Butler, Vice-President and Treasurer; Ed. Miller, Secretary; Dr. Sherman, Medical Di- rector; M. Wakefield, Legal Adviser.
The working plan of this association is the co-operative, losses being met by assessments, varying according to the ages of the mem- bership thus taxed. They only have one style of policy, which calls for $2,500. How ever, a joint policy for two members of a family may be taken ont with a slight in- crease of expense. In this way man and wife may be insured, and in the event of the death
of either the remaining party derives the full policy benefit. They now carry about 6,000 risks. It has been doing business over four years, established in February, 1885, and has only been called upon to pay seventeen death losses. About forty agents are employed, all of whom are doing a profitable business. The company have good rooms on Main street, in Allison's Block.
THE BRICK AND TILE WORKS.
Beyond a doubt the most extensive manu- facturing industry in the city of Cherokee is John M. Starbuck's Brick and Tile Works, which are situated on the west bank of the Little Sioux River, about a half mile from the business street of the place. To fully or even to any considerable degree comprehend the magnitude of this plant, one must first needs visit the institution and the clay beds from which the material comes. Mr. Star- buck had attempted the manufacture of brick at a point near the Fountain House, as had also the earlier brick men of Cherokee, but after two seasons' trial with improved ma- chinery he abandoned the works and at once commenced prospecting for a suitable clay from which to make brick. After he had spent much time and money at this, he was about to leave the city, believing this county did not contain the proper materials for his business. He was an extensive builder and contractor, and desired to burn his own brick. However, he told his wife one morning that he would go down the valley abont two miles and prospect once more. It was Sunday morning, and he hitched up his horse and drove out near where his great works are now sitnated, and when turning the brow of a huge bluff he saw a badger running toward his hole. He at once pulled his revolver from his pocket, and shot. Upon going to the entrance of Mr. Badger's home, he espied
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quite a heap of peculiar looking clay, which the wild animal had drawn from his under- ground home. It proved to be the finest grade of brick and tile clay to be found in Iowa. The strangely found sample came from near seventeen feet below the surface, and the peculiar thing connected with it all is the fact that a few acres, perhaps sixty, contains all of that clay that can be discovered within Cherokee County or this part of Iowa. The hills of similar shape and size are in every case made up of gravel, whereas not a single stone can be found in 100 tons of this flour-like clay.
Notwithstanding the simple accident by which this mine of mineral wealth was dis- covered, it yields up material from which its owner now builds scores of magnificent brick business blocks and residences annually, both at home and in towns and cities in Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota.
These works were first established in 1875, near the Fountain House. In 1876 they were moved to the present site, and after operating for two years Mr. Starbuck sold the plant to C. A. Dow, who continued the business until 1883 when Starbuck bought Dow out, pay- ing him 86,000. The concern was then en- larged and improved by putting in the latest machinery known to be of practical value to that class of industry. The business rapidly inereased and the capacity was proportion- ately enlarged until the spring of 1889, when Mr. Starbuck found his plant could not com- pete with a similar concern at Sioux City unless a radical change was made. Conse- quently he put in a fifty horse power engine, in place of the small one formerly used to propel his machinery. He also added an An- drus Pressed Brick machine, costing $3,500, and put in operation an English process of brick and tile burning known as the " Rad- ford Continuous Firing Kiln," which cost
him $5,000. This is one of three such kilns in the State of lowa. Its peculiarity consists principally in the fact that, when once fired, green brick may be laid in one portion of the kiln every day, as they come from the drying racks, and completely burned brick (or tile) may be taken from another portion of the same system of kilns upon the same day-a constant stream of clay is fed at oue part while a constant stream, as it were, of finely burned brick issues elsewhere. For fuel nothing seems so good and cheap as soft coal slack, now obtained at these works at $1.30 a ton. One fireman attends to the whole sys- tem of kilns, the fires of which never go down throughout the season. The coldest day in January as good results were obtained as in July. A huge smoke stack towers up eighty feet, by which the draught of the kiln is obtained. Flues built of the green products of briek and tile run from one side of the works to the other. These flues have upper openings about six inches in diameter from which covers are removed every few moments, and simply a small fire shovel of a pound or two of soft coal slack is dropped in. Through this plan, together with a finely adjusted system of draught dampers, an even heat is given wherever desired. One section of the kiln contains green brick, which are made void of all water by the slowly escaping heat, while farther along an intense heat is burning the cherry red brick ready for ship- ment. It is indeed a triumph of inventive genius worthy of notice. In making ready for this kiln the clay is first crushed in a "Penfield Crusher," ground to a fine flour, and then bolted, when it is run in its dry powdered state into the mill where it is mixed with water and thence on into the molds. The brick inill proper cost $3,000; the dry brick machine (nsed for tile also) cost $825, and an ornamental brick mill cost $250.
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From the molding room the brick is con- veyed to the drying racks, which contain over $4,000 worth of lumber. The system of dry- ing is what is styled the " Pallet system." The capacity of these drying raeks is 160,000 brick. The ontput of these works, in 1888, was 2,900,000 brick, besides a large amount of drain tile.
A spur of the Illinois Central line runs to these works, carrying away the finished prod- ucts. The monthly pay-roll of the concern amounts to about 84,000, including the ma- sons employed in constructing buildings made from these brick, at varions points in the Northwest.
It should here be added that misfortune overtook these extensive works, by the loss sustained in the great wind storms of 1885 and 1887, at which time the whole plant was badly wrecked, costing the owner abont $3,600 to repair. See biographical depart- ment for personal sketch of Mr. Starbuck. .
ARTIFICIAL-STONE WORKS.
Owing to the fact that Cherokee County is not covered or even underlaid with stone, but seemingly created as a pnre unalloyed agri- cultural section, the inception of the patent process known as artificial stone into the comity is one of no small weight to those who desire to build or improve their homes.
In 1881 George Nelson established these works, but in 1885 he sold to T. W. Faus, who for a time had D. Unger as a partner, but now carries on the extensive works alone, including the manufacture of stone, nearly equal to natural rock for building purposes. He also makes a patent well-curbing; chim- neys, by sections, or complete; door and window bases and caps; sidewalk paving; ornamental trimmings for business blocks, lawn vases, etc. Here is also made an im- proved cistern arch which is having a large
sale. As one passes along the busy streets of the city he sees evidences of the utility of the products from these works.
THE CHEROKEE FLOURING MILLS.
The history of flour-making at this point does not extend very far back, unless mention might be made of the pioneers who were compelled to grind corn and wheat in the coffee-mill, which did actually occur in many of the western connties of Iowa, including Cherokee. Usually, however, flour was ob- tained by " going off to mill "-sometimes to Council Bluffs, sometimes to Sioux City, sometimes to Fort Dodge, and not unfre- quently as far away as Mankato, Minnesota, a distance of over 150 miles! But in the autumn of 1871 J. B. Bliss completed lris water-power flouring mill, now known as the Cherokee Mills. He sold the first load of flour November 17 of that year.
This mill, a three-story frame building, 40 x 46 feet, is situated on the west bank of the Little Sioux River, at a point where the wagon road is spanned by an iron bridge, just northeast of the business portion of the city. A seven-foot head of water furnishes ample propelling power for the mill. At first this was the old style of burrs or " stones," which produced as good a grade of flour as that day knew anything about. Mr. Bliss oper- ated this mill, which had been constructed on capital furnished by E. Hiller, for about twelve years, when he sold the property to Charles Beckwith, a practical miller, who still operates it. Mr. Beckwith purchased in 1882, and five years later (1887) he changed the plant over to a modern process, putting in a full roller system, with a daily capacity of fifty barrels of flour. It is run as a custom mill, and all the surplus flour and feed finds ready sale within the city and its adjoining towns in Cherokee County.
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
BANKING.
Cherokee is very fortunate in possessing good banking institutions. The First Na- tional Bank is located in the first brick busi- ness lionse erected in the city. It is 39 x 62 feet and two stories in height, with an excel- lent basement beneatlı. The interior is indeed a model of order and neatness, both the public and private rooms. This concern first started in 1872 as the private bank of Messrs. R. H. Scribner and N. T. Burroughs. The first bank was kept in a small frame building, when not more than a dozen other buildings could be found in the village. In 1875 they built their present bank on the corner of Main and Railroad streets. Its present officers are: N. T. Burroughs, President; W. A. Sanford, . Vice-President; R. H. Scribner, Cashier. The concern has a high financial standing. According to their official statement made July 12, 1889, their resources amounted to $231,459, with a cash capital of $50,000. The officers of this bank are early settlers in the city, and no better business men can be found in all Iowa. The next banking honse to operate at Cherokee was the private bank of T. S. Steele & Son, who established them- selves in business in 1874, first occupying a frame building sitnated upon the site where now stands their beautiful, well-arranged bank block, built in 1879. It is 24 x 40 feet, and two stories high. T. S. Steele, the senior inember, resides at his old home in Washing- ton County, New York. Their bank lias always conducted a healthy, safe and honor- able business, attending to all branches of banking. They employ excellent vaults, made thoroughly safe by a time-lock, which was the first one placed in a Western Iowa bank.
The Cherokee State Bank, which occupies one of the inost magnificent brick buildings in the city, is a new concern; however, they are succeeding remarkably well and have al-
ready won a large patronage. The officers of this institution are: J. P. Dickey, President; J. C. IIall, Vice-President and E. D. Hux- ford, Cashier. They have been organized under the banking laws of Iowa, and make reports and statements the same as a National bank. The Directors of this institution are: W. H. Day, J. P. Dickey, J. C. Hall, E. C. Herrick and Frank E. Whitmore. They have a paid-up cash capital of $50.000. It was opened for business October 22, 1888. The statement made in the report to the State Bank Inspector June 18, 1889, showed a re- source of $85,719. All connected with this concern are thorough gentlemen, correct business men, and possessed of capital suf- ficient to insure future growth, safety and prosperity. They have a finely furnished bank; the building is a model of architectural skill. In size it is 24 x 50 feet and two stories high. Absolutely safe fire-proof vaults are provided and made doubly secure by the use of a time-lock.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
In common with the remainder of the towns of Cherokee County, this city has never lacked in a thorough and earnest devotion to educa- tional matters. She has lavishly and not grudgingly given her money toward the es. tablislunent and maintenance of the great public-school system, to which Iowa so justly points with pride. In the matter of school building, Cherokee has been somewhat un- fortunate, but to-day ample room is provided and none but the truly efficient instructors are employed.
The first school taught in the county was within the log house of Lemuel Parkhurst, in what was old Cherokee Village. This was a three months' term, taught by Mrs. Parkhurst in the summer of 1858.
The first school on the plat of New Chero- kee was taught by Miss Jennie Tucker (now
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Mrs. Cornish), in the fall and winter of 1870 -'71, in an old saloon building, the rent and other expenses being paid by a subscription, until a board could be properly organized. Not desiring to build before they were able, no school-house was erected until 1872, when a two-story frame structure, divided into four departments, was completed; the same cost the district $5,800, including the grounds, furniture and fixtures. That building stood just north of the place on which now stands the Congregational Church. To provide this house the district, which at that time had just become an independent district, issued bonds which ran ten years at ten per cent. This building served for a part of the school accommodations, until it was destroyed by fire during school hours, December 18, 1883. So well were the scholars drilled, that when the alarm was given all passed quietly out to the street withont any accident.
The School Board lost not a day but called a special meeting to devise some means by which the winter term of school could be carried forward. Rooms were rented in churches, halls and other buildings, and pu- pils again took up their studies.
May 30, 1881, lots were purchased by the independent district of New Cherokee, in the " Addition," and in July the contract awarded to J. H. Downing to build a second school- house. The frame honse was still standing at that date, but more room was required. The building Downing built still serves the town as one of its school buildings. It is a two-story structure (veneered), brick, costing $2,500.
As population increased still more room was needed, and upon the burning of the frame building. in 1883, the board at once set about planning for the present magnifi- cent public school building, which overlooks the city from the northwest. Bonds were
issued, payable in ten years, drawing six per cent. interest, payable semi-annually. This ineasure was determined by a vote of the people, which stood seventy-three for and thirty-six against the measure. Having car- ried, a contract was let to D. W. Townsend and J. M. Starbuck for the consideration of 818,650. This contract was signed July 10. 1884, and the building accepted, ready for use, November 6, the same year. This build- ing is a solid brick structure, two stories high, containing ten rooms. It is heated by a modern furnace placed in the basement. It is the most expensive building in the city.
The present board is as follows: J. C. Hall, President ; Dr. Royal L. Cleaves, Orson Gage, Ed. Miller, Cyrus Snyder, E. S. Block, A. R. Molyneux, Secretary.
The report of the county superintendent in October, 1888, gave the following: Number of teachers employed, eleven, including the principal; nine graded rooms; 655 pupils enrolled.
THE OPERA HOUSE.
But few, if any, towns in Iowa of the size of Cherokee have so fine an opera house as this place. Prior to August, 1889, there was a fair-sized frame structure used for this pur- pose, but during the month mentioned it was destroyed by fire. Left without an opera house or any public hall, the enterprising citizens set to work devising means to supply this great demand. Finally a stock company was formed and the corner lots, directly op- posite the Washington House, were purchased. On the corner stood the two-story brick busi- ness house erected by Robert Buchanan. This was taken down and the brick carefully saved for use, and excavating commenced at once for the new opera house, which cost about $25,000. Its size is 60 x 100 feet on the ground, is thirty-eight feet high, and is finely proportioned. At this date the work is fairly
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under way, but by January 1, 1890, will be complete. It is located near thic business center of the city, close to the hotels and railroads, and when finished will be an orna- inent as well as a thing of great ntility to the place.
The following gentlemen were the incor- porators and original stockholders: M. Wake- field, C. B Huxford, J. C. Hall, J. H. Umhoefer, J. C. Wilson, T. A. Hill, G. W. Young, Con. Sulliven, F. J. Stanosheck, J. M. Starbuck, R. L. Cleaves, E. D. Huxford, Thomas McCulla, William Chick, A. H. Smith, Charles E. Moore, W. A. Sanford, J. R. Fisher, N. T. Burroughs, A. B. Ross, Joseph S. Green, S. A. Metcalfe, C. Allison, R. J. Smith, A. B. Knox, William Keagy.
CIVIC SOCIETIES.
The first secret societies to occupy onr at- tention would naturally be the order of Free and Accepted Masons. The traditions of Free- masonry form a precions heritage. Rightly interpreted, they are as beneficent as they are authoritative. This ancient and honorable order rests on the foundation of broad hman sympathies. Its objects are by precept and practice to foster virtue, to inculcate charity, to bind the members together in enduring bonds of brotherly love. It is, in short, a professor and teacher of every moral and so- cial virtue.
This institution has its foundation deeply laid in the hopes, aspirations and affections of man, or it never could have come down to us through the ages, evolving and developing with the lapse of time, adapting itself through the revolving centuries to the changes of re- ligion, civilization and enlightenment, even retaining its hold upon the human heart,
All political agitation is excluded from its action and consideration. The very charac- ter of its membership is a guarantee not only
of its freedom from aught that is harmful, but of its possession of much that is landable and desirable. Members of the order are to be found in every land and clime; it is not con- fincd to sect, people or tongue; neither does it show preference for members on account of wealth or high social standing. Rich and poor, statesman and warrior, scholar and la borer, men from every honest class and hon- orable profession, meet upon one common level and clasp each other's hands in fraternal grasp.
Masonry has grown and flourished to a wonderful extent in Cherokee County; it has a large and active membership, embracing within its fold many of the best citizens, who are enthusiastic and zealons workers in its glorious cansc.
Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A. F. & A. M., was instituted June 5, 1872, by a charter membership of nine persons. It has grown year by year until now it has ninety-four members. The first officers of this " Blne Lodge " were: E. I. Carr, W. M .; William Mckay, S. W .; William Nettleton, J. W. The beginning of Masonry at Cherokee was formulated and organized in the hotel liall, known as McLean's Hotel, which was de- stroyed by tire a few years after it was built. The Masons had no regular abiding place for several years, but still kept up their interest. When the Millard Block on east Main street was erected, they procured a very suitable lodge room in that building, but as they in- creased in numbers and strength new quarters had to be procured. In 1883 Allison Bros. built their fine three-story brick business block on Main street, and the Masonic fra- ternity leascd the entire upper or third floor and had the same finished in accordance with their needs. It is second to no hall in the West, outside of the larger cities. Abont $1,200 was expended in carpeting and fur-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
nishing it. The liall is 30 x 90 feet and is di- vided into a large lodge room proper, a spa- cious banquet hall in the rear, and several ante-rooms. These rooms afford a splendid home for all three degrees of the Masonic or- der-the " Blue Lodge," chapter and com- mandery. This hall was first used by the fraternity in 1883.
The present officers of Sp culative Lodge are: M. D. Gillett. W. M .; A. R. Molyneux, S. W .; P. M. Price, J. W .; James O'Donnell, Treas .; J. V. Bird. Sec .; Richard Block, S. D. ; E. W. Nelson, J. D .; James Payton. Tyler.
Burning Bush Chapter, No. 90, Royal Arch Masons, at Cherokee, Iowa, was first worked under a dispensation, June 18, 1880
The following companions were the first officers of the chapter: Eugene Cowles, Most Excellent High Priest; James O'Donnell, King; Mordicai Vandercook, Seribe; Joseph S. Green, Captain of II; Thomas R. Will- iams, P. S .; J. V. Bird, R. A. C .; Jolm H. Downing, M. of 3d V. and Treas .; Orson Gage, M. of 2d V. and Sec .; Sewell Worth- ley, M. of 1st V .; Joel H. Davenport, S. The above constituted the original charter membership. The present (1889) member- ship is seventy-eight. At first the chapter inet at the Masons' lodge rooms in Millard's IIall.
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