Biographical history of Page 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 of Page County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families; and a concise history of the county, the cities, and the townships, Part 38

Author: Lewis and Dunbar, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis & Dunbar
Number of Pages: 946

USA > Iowa > Page County > Biographical history of Page 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 of Page County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families; and a concise history of the county, the cities, and the townships > Part 38

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).

The present-1890-officers are: A. W. Murphy, P. C .; A. Palmer, C. C .; D. B. Brubaker, V. C .; Phillip Coleman, M. at. A .; L. N. Wilson, K. of R. and S .; C. Reed, M. of E .; I. B. Hamilton, M. of F.

Ancient Order of United Workman, Fair- oak's Lodge, No. 37, was instituted in Nov- ember, 1875, by thirty-four charter members. After about a year's existence the charter was surrendered, and the work abandoned. A part of the members were transferred to Riverton Lodge, and thus ended the history of the first A. O. U. W. lodge at Shenandoah.

June 18, 1884, Deputy G. M. Harding instituted a lodge of forty-three members, known as Nishna Lodge, No. 249, which took in most of the.best business men of the city. It has forty members at present, hav- ing only lost one-Mr. Ristine --- by death. The lodge has paid out $2,052, since organiz- ing, and the community has received back $2,000 in the death above named. The first corps of officers were: C. H. Gurney, P. M .; J. C. Stevens, M. W .; L. W. Davis, F .; T. S. Bower, O .; C. S. Hanley, R .; T. T. L. Jack- son, F .; Josiah Needham, R .; J. B. Evans, G .; D. F. Ristine, I. G .; G. T. Vaughn, O. G.

The officers for 1890 are: W. H. Harrison, P. M. W .; Zack T. Kestler, M. W .; Dr. E. K. Bailey, F .; I. O. Mullison, O .; George W. Ladd, R .; N. M. Bryte, F .; T. S. Bower, R .: Reuben Mullison, G .; A. P. Stevens, I. G .; Charles Swanson, O. G .; George W. Ladd, G. R.

The lodge meets twice each month, and is now one of the recognized institutions of the

town, and is recognized as a benefit both to its members and the community.

Company " E" Fifth Regiment, Iowa National Guards, was organized in May, 1878, numbering at that date forty-three inen. The company were well drilled, and equipped with Springfield breech-loaders. Most of the company were young men-a few old civil war soldiers belonged. The Captain was C. J. Ross; First Lieutenant, George H. Castle, who finally has command of the regi- ment. The present officers are: Charles V. Mount, Captain; Walter W. Young, First Lieutenant; Horace G. Mace, Second Lieu- tenant. They now number forty-four.

Burnside Post, Grand Army Republic. No. 56, was organized September 16, 1882, by fifteen members. The first officers were: Colonel T. N. Pace, Com .; Dr. H. P. Duffied, S. V .; James McCabe, J. V .; Joseph Stokes, Adj't; P. H. Mentzer, Q. M .; A. J. West, Chaplain.

The Post now musters eighty-five meinbers. The officers of 1890 are: T. P. Lattimer, Com .; C. P. Coloneus, S. V .; W. H. Harri- son, J. V .; P. L. Brown, Q. M .; J. F. Rocka- field, Adj't; Whitney Jewell, Chaplain.

At one time this Post was in bad condition, but finally revived, leased a building and at once set about making a " Memorial Hall," wherein they meet. It is finely arranged and there one views scores of life-sized por- traits of Union Generals of the late Rebellion, together with many cabinets of members and officers of the Post. It is also used by the Sons of Veterans, who, as the veterans them- selves drop away will doubtless take more pride than ever in keeping this collection of war relics together.

The Sons of Veterans, W. E. Ellis Camp, No. 166, was formed December 18, 1888, by eleven members. The officers were E. A. Carter, Captain; Fred Harrison, First

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

Lieutenant; Charles Benford, Second Lieu- tenant; Herb. Foskett, Chaplain; Elmer Thomas, Q. M. At the time twenty-seven names were enrolled, but at present it is at a stand still: however, it will soon be re-en- forced.

Citizens' Savings, Loan and Building Association is the name of a home loan com- pany incorporated under Iowa laws in 1884. Sixty-three of Shenandoah citizens belonged to the same. Its first officers were: T. C. Smith, President; K. A. Pence, Secretary ; T. N. Pace, Treasurer.

The present officers are: George A. Quim- by, President; A. T. Erwin, Secretary; J. C. Webster, Treasurer. All the stock was soon taken, and as it was limited, another similar company was organized known as the Shen- andoah Mutual Loan Association, which was incorporated in January, 1889, by eleven persons. The anthorized stock is $500,000, in $200 sliares. The first officers were: George A. Quimby, President; A. T. Irwin, Secretary; F. C. Woodford, Treasurer.

Those serving in 1890 are: George A. Quimby, President; Jacob Emery, Secretary; F. C. Woodford, Treasurer.

These two concerns have done, and are des- tined to do, much for the city.

MANUFACTORIES.

In no sense does Shenandoah claim to be a manufacturing town. She depends mainly on two resources-her magnificent farming country adjacent, and her great Normal Col- lege with its thousands busy students. But it must not be inferred that nothing is home- made, for one here finds an excellent plant known as the "Shenandoah Roller Mills," erected in 1879, by Burr & Randolph. That is, a mill, from which this plant is the out- growth, was built by them. It was a small, old-style buhr system, propelled by steam

power. Burr finally owned it all, and in 1883 enlarged it and placed the modern roller proc- ess in the old mill, remodeled. In 1886 it passed into tlie lands of Joseph Van Buskirk, who again made great improvements in 1887, expending fully $2,500. It is now the " full roller" system, with a daily capacity of seventy-five barrels. He uses a Cooper en- gine and is turning out a most excellent grade of flour, which finds ready sale at home. Mr: Van Buskirk also owns a large grain elevator of 20,000 bushels capacity, in which George H. Castle had an interest until 1888.

Among other industries should be named the canning factory, now operated by Mentzer Brothers, who du an extensive business during its season.

Also the brick and tile works of Rankin Brothers, -O. T. & F. B. Rankin,-which was established in 1889, succeeding Chris. Johnson in a small business. The grounds join the city on the east and comprise five acres. The plant contains a $5,000 invests ment, and has three kilns and four drying kilns-the latter have a drying space of 4,000 square feet. It has a capacity of 16,000 brick per day, and is propelled by a twenty- five-horse power engine. The first kiln wa- burned May 20, 1889, during which year the output was 1,000,000 brick and 50,000 tile.

Both of the proprietors are practical brick masons, and one remains at the yards, while the other attends to the contracting and build- ing outside. They employ from fifteen to thirty men, with many teams. See sketch of the Rankins.

Another important plant to be mentioned in this connection and duly appreciated in mid-summer is the ice manufactory of Frank Burkhard, who produces ice after a novel plan. He constructed a very large basin in the earth by excavating a large surface-making a tank of the earthi and then bricking and

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

cementing the same. A huge well was then sunk in the center, and fortunately an under- ground stream was incepted and from it a large steam pump forces a supply of the purest water obtainable to the giant cistern. The tank is ten feet deep and many rods in length. When filled, he allows the frigid weather of this climate to produce a sufficient thickness of ice, which is then sawed in the ordinary manner, when another day or two produces another supply.

NURSERIES.

" Mount Arbor" nursery was established in 1875, by T. E. B. Mason, who operated successfully twelve years. He commenced on forty and increased to 146 acres. January 6, 1887, it passed to C. T. Howard and L. B. Lattimer, who have an investment of $30,000, exclusive of real estate. They employ fifteen salesmen and keep twenty-five men in the nursery, also ten horses. They do an exten- sive wholesale and retail trade. J. L. Howard is the assistant manager and gives his whole attention to the work. He has been connected since 1880, having been with the first pro- prietor of the nursery-Mr. Mason. The products of this nursery go all over the great nortlı and southwestern country.

The " Shenandoah Nursery" is another one of the thriving concerns of southwestern Iowa. It was established in the spring of 1870. That year David S. Lake, the propri- etor, planted out ten acres to stock and seed- lings, and he now has 400 acres. At first he was sołely retail, but long since became an extensive wholesaler and shipper to all parts of the West. He does a $50,000 business annually, and employs from twenty-five to sixty men. His investment is placed at not far from $50,000. He has a general stock, including 4,000,000 hedge plants. He sells

from six to eight hundred thousand grafts per annum.

WESTERN NORMAL COLLEGE.

The genesis of the Western Normal Col- lege affords a forcible illustration of the truth of the scriptural adage, " Despise not the day of small things." It had its inception in the following communication received by W. P. Ferguson, mayor of the city, February 12, 1882:

BUSHNELL, ILLS., February 10, 1882. To his Honor, the Mayor:

What inducements can your place offer to a reliable institution of learning. Our school has now allied itself with a medical college, and will not, probably, build in Bushnell, as was designed. Write me immediately pos- sible inducements.

Yours truly, I. E. WILSON, Principal.

On receipt of this letter, Mayor Ferguson promptly replied, inquiring on what terms the location of the college here could be se- cured, and setting forth the superior advan- tages of Shenandoah, for its beautiful and unequaled location, and the high moral and educational tone of its society, as a city pre- eminently adapted for the site of an institu- tion of learning.

The correspondence which followed dis- closed the fact that an institution of learning termed the Western Normal College and Commercial Institute, under the exclusive management of I. E. Wilson, Principal, and his associates, J. A. Lyons and E. P. Farr, had been established in Bushnell, Illinois, in August, 1881, under an arrangement in which the city had agreed to furnish temporary rooms for the use of same rent free for one year, then, if the school prospered, to erect permanent and substantial buildings therefor.

In the meantime, however, Mr. Wilson had matured a plan for a new college building on

38!

HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

a more extensive scale than had lieretofore been contemplated, which to complete and furnish was estimated to cost $30,000. This building Wilson proposed to erect and fur- nish at his own expense, provided the people of Bushnell would donate the sum of $10.000 and suitable grounds for its location.

This project was not received with much favor, and Mr. Wilson was compelled to look elsewhere for a suitable location to establish his future college; hence the correspondence above referred to.

When it became generally known that the Mayor was in correspondence with some one in regard to securing a normal college in the city, much interest was manifested, and for some weeks thereafter Ferguson's office assumed the appearance of a reception for discussing the merits and prospects of the coming of the future college.

At a public meeting held at the Opera House, Mayor Ferguson presiding, after reading all of the correspondence pertaining to the college, followed by a public discussion of its merits, it was the unanimous voice of the meeting that an effort should be made to secure its location here on the terms offered to and rejected by Bushnell.

An executive committee, consisting of W. P. Ferguson, Z. D. Mathuss, G. J. Ross, J. C. Stevens and C. S. Burr, were appointed to enter into negotiations with Mr. Wilson for that purpose.

The committee acted in the matter with great earnestness and energy. In response to an invitation and earnest solicitation of said committee, and payment of his expenses, amounting to $20, which was advanced by J. H. W. Bennett and W. P. Ferguson, Mr. Wilson was induced to visit Shenandoalı, March 24, 1882, where he received a most cordial welcome by the committee.

The conference which followed was one of

great interest, and eminently satisfactory to botlı parties.

The committee were fully convinced of the great benefits to be derived from the estab- lisliment of such an institution in the city, and that no sacrifice demanded would be too great to secure it, while on the other hand Mr. Wilson was fully impressed with the su- perior advantages and inducements offered by Shenandoah, which met his highest expecta- tions.

The result was that that evening he ex- pressed his intention of making a proposition the city next day.

The report spread rapidly, and the next day, March 25, at the hour appointed, the Opera Honse was well filled by the represent- ative men of the city. After the meeting had organized by choosing George H. Castle chairinan, Mr. Wilson was called, and after thanking the committee and citizens for the kind reception he had received, he explained the character and design of the proposed school, whichi he said was to be modeled after the normal colleges at Valparaiso, Indiana, and Lebanon, Ohio, and others of like char- acter, all of which had achieved wonderful success. He expressed his great satisfaction with Shenandoah as a most desirable place for the establishment of such an institution.

He then made the proposition that for a donation of $10,000 and suitable grounds therefor, he would remove the Western Nor- mal College from Bushnell to Shenandoah, and erect a college building here already referred to, to be built of brick, four stories high, 100 feet long and 40 feet wide at one end and 60 feet wide at tlie other end, as shown in cut in College album, and in accordance with tlie plans and specifications of C. Ulrick, archi- tect, Peoria, Illinois, at an estimated cost of $30,000.

This proposition was well received and

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

londly applauded, as all felt sure that the con- ditions could be met and the college secured.

A college fund committee, consisting of R. B. Crose, P. H. Mentzer, D. S. Priest, T. J. Williams and Z. D. Mathuss, was at once appointed to solicit, receive and disburse all subscriptions for the college fund. These arrangements having been made, Mr. Wilson returned that evening to Bushnell.

The report of what had taken place at Shenandoah preceded him there, causing great indignation, in which Mr. Wilson and his associates were severely denounced and con- deinned.

Every possible device was resorted to in order to obstruct, and, if possible, to prevent the removal of the college. Vexatious liti gation was instituted, evil reports of every kind were set afloat, and efforts were made to alienate Professors E. P. Farr and J. A. Lyons from the enterprise by holding ont false promises and indncements of a new college to snpplant the old.

For a time these measures seemed to have the desired effect. Not only did they paralyze Mr. Wilson in his efforts to remove the school, but they soon reached Shenandoah, where the effect was soon manifest in a feeling of dis- trust and want of confidence, which paralyzed all further efforts to raise the necessary sub- scription fund.

This was aggravated by the failure of Wil- son to make a satisfactory showing as to his ability to make good the $20,000 required on his part. Yet, notwithstanding these diffi- culties and discouragements the enterprise was not given up nor abandoned on the part of the committees, which finally resulted in Wilson's return with satisfactory assurances that all difficulties had or would be evercome, and that the college would still be located at Shenandoah on the terms first proposed. A new and more vigorons effort was now made,

and within a few days the whole amount was subscribed and guaranteed payable on de- mand in two instalments, one-half June 1, 1882, the other half Angust, 1882.

The question of the college fund being settled, the next important question to be met and settled was its location. Public senti- ment at once crystalized aronnd two locations, one on Priest's Park and the other at some point on the hill at or near its present situ- ation. At first Mr. Wilson favored the park, which was tendered to him by the city relinquishing all its claim by ordinance, and Mr. Priest agreeing to do the same on his part.

Later, however, when the hill people or- ganized and tendered the present location at an expense to them of over $1,300 Wilson changed his views, thereby giving preference to the hill, and accepted the offer of its present site in May, 1882.

The announcement of this selection was a bitter disappointment to many who had had high expectations, and, as claimed by some, assurances of the park location.

Whatever differences or doubts that might have existed then as to the best place for the college, time has justified the wisdon and correctness of the decision as being for the best interests of both city and college.

As soon as the location had been deter- mined upon and the feeling of disappointment had somewhat subsided, steps were at once taken to carry out and execute the plans al- ready adopted. The lots above referred to were conveyed first to the College Fund Com- mittee, then by them to I. E. Wilson, on condition that the same should be used and maintained as a non-sectarian normal col- lege for ten years, after which the title to pass in fee simple to I. E. Wilson and his grantees.

The contract for the building was let to J. W. Rhodes, and work comnienced without

383

Loveland Putin Library,

HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

formalities, and occupied the fall and summer for its completion.

On November 14, 1882, the building was so far completed as to enable the school to open at the time advertised, in the chapel, in presence of a goodly number of visitors and friends of the institution, with abont forty- seven students, some of whom had followed from Bushnell.

The opening exercises were without pro- gramme or formality, there being neither time nor opportunity for either in the hurry and incomplete condition of the building. The exercises consisted in singing a few familiar selections from the Gospel Hymns and reading a portion of scripture, and prayer by I. E. Wilson, Principal.

This was followed by Mr. Wilson with a brief statement of the work to be done and the objects and purposes of the College.

Thus, for a time, seemed realized Mr. Wil- son's high ambition, and successful comple- tion of an exceedingly bold, well-planned and far-sighted undertaking.

The school opened with the following faculty :

I. E. Wilson, Principal; E. P. Farr, Profes- sor of Mathematics; J. A. Lyons, Professor of Commercial Department; L. M. Disney, Professor of Natural Sciences; V. P. Worm- wood, Professor of Fine Arts; Miss Emma Felton, Professor of Language, Grammar and History.

All of these were thoroughly competent and capable of the work entrusted to them of lay- ing the foundations of a new college, though destined ere long to engulph them in financial ruin, then, in other hands and under a differ- ent management, to arise in a few years to the front rank among the colleges of the land, and more than realize the high hopes and expectations of its founders, and show the wisdom and sagacity in which it was first conceived.

The above is the history of the Western Normal College as written by W. P. Furge- son, up to the time of its purchase by its present owner and superintendent, William M. Croan, who purchased a one-half interest in the college of J. H. W. Bennett, Jannary 9. 1884, and assumed- the position of treas- urer and secretary. In addition to the faculty already employed, the following ad- dions were made: Cnthibert Vincent, a grad- nate of the State Agricultural College, took charge of the commercial department; some classes were taken by E. S. Clark, of Stan- berry, Missouri, and O. H. Longwell, who had been for five years the principal and manager of the Bloomfield Normal School,-a small school located at Bloomfield, Iowa. Matters went along in this way until the business management became satisfied that Mr. I. E. Wilson was hopelessly involved, and that the school could not long survive. Mr. Croan purchased Mr. Wilson's half, and thus be- came the sole proprietor, February 14, 1884, and conducted the business of the institution with L. M. Disney as principal until July of that year. I. E. Wilson and wife retiring. July, 1884, Mr. Croan leased the business to L. M. Disney and V. P. Wormwood for a period of one year, with the privilege of two. At the close of the first year it became evi- dent to Mr. Croan that if he would save the school from utter ruin he must again assume entire control and management of it. The school had decreased front something over 200 at the time the lease was made to sixty- five students at the close of the year. In order to properly reorganize the school re- quired an expenditure of something near $4,000, to say nothing of the mortgage and existing indebtedness against the property. Up to this time Mr. R. W. Morse had been one of the stanchest friends Mr. Croan had had in connetion with the collge, and at histce

384

HISTORY OF .

PAGE COUNTY.

time he was assisted in his undertaking by the following prominent citizens of Shenan- doah; D. S. Priest, A. J. Crose, C. E. Smith, Chris. Fishbaugh, Jacob Bender, William Priestinan, Andrew Bowman, George H. Castle, J. H. W. Bennett, Evan D. Van Pelt, George L. Coleman, D. S. Lake, J. C. Wilson and S. E. Fields.

The outlook was not only not promising, but to Mr. Croan's friends and well-wishers seemed hopeless-not so to Mr. Croan and wife, who had been associated with him in all of his business difficulties here. With a courage equal to the occasion, and a sublime faith in the ultimate success of the school, they associated with them the following corps of teachers: O. H. Longwell, Principal; A. H. Conrad, of Bloomfield, Natural Science; George H. Colbert, of Lebanon, Ohio, Math- ematics; W. J. Kinsley, of Poughkeepsie, New York, Principal Commercial Depart- ment; Miss Nellie Dodds, of Dixon, Illinois, Elocution, etc .; W. F. Strong, of Akron, Indiana, Musical Director; F. O. Strong, Art Director; Mrs. Mae E. Black, Voice Culture. There was nothing in the surrounding cir- cumstances that angured success. A scourge of small-pox had just devastated the little city; the farmers from over the country, from whom Mr. Croan expected to derive his greatest patronage, were disheartened by drouth, and the outlook was gloomy indeed, and all over the great West the school was under a cloud, because of former mismanage- inent, not even commanding the confidence and support of a great majority of the citi- zens of Shenandoah.

When the fall term opened in September, 1885,sixty-seven students enrolled.,-seventy- five less than to pay the running expenses of the school. Hopeful and cheerful, and with an indomitable purpose to succeed, Prof. Croan pushed steadily forward, and the re-

sulting success and growth of the institution, both in numbers attending and in its power and standing among the people, has been marvelous to the observer, and almost ex- ceeded the brightest expectations and hopes of its proprietor. Early in the year 1889 it be- came evident to Mr. Croan that the school had ontgrown its surroundings; that new buildings were a necessity, in order to ac- commodate the steadily increasing attendance. A land syndicate of Des Moines, Iowa, offered handsome inducements to Mr. Croan to locate the school there, but it was against his best judgment to do so, provided suitable build- ings could be secured.

A mass meeting was held at the Opera House early in March, 1889, which . was largely attended. The following-named gentlemen were appointed a committee to wait on Prof. Croan, and ascertain what would be necessary to induce him to remain in Shenandoah: D. S. Priest, Thomas H. Read, C. E. Smith and John T. Stuart. Prof. Croan assured them of his desire to remain in Shenandoah could suitable arrangements be made to accommodate the students. He offered that if the citizens would subscribe $5,000 he would also furnish $5,000 to erect new buildings. In addition to this Prof. Croan also invested $2,000 in furnishings and heating apparatus. Nobly did the citi- zens respond to the call made upon them by the committee, and within ten days the re- quired amount was subscribed, and it was decided that the school would remain in Shenandoah. The buildings were ready for occupancy November 5, 1889, and by the following January they were completely oc- cupied. Already it is apparent that ad- ditional buildings will have to be erected to accommodate the increasing attendance.

At the present time the faculty is com- posed of the following able instructors, who

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

are greatly aiding Mr. Croan in building up the largest independent normal school in the West:

George H. Colbert, A. M., charge of classes, Higher Mathematics and Astronomy.

Charles Eldred Shelton, A. M., Englislı Grammar and Classics.

J. F. Saylor, B. S., Natural Science and Arithmetic.

Lucia W. Raines, A. B., Elocution, Geog- raphy, Orthography and Letter Writing.

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Author: Lewis and Dunbar, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis & Dunbar Number of Pages: 946

Author: Lewis and Dunbar, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis & Dunbar
Number of Pages: 946