USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 12
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The Exchange Bank of Fontanelle was started in the early '80s. D. Heaton was the president and Alexander M. Gow the cashier. In 1883 the institution constructed a bank building on the corner of Main and Washington streets, at the southwest corner of the square. This bank was reorganized as the First National Bank on January 1, 1904, with first officers as follows: J. S. Hulbert, presi- dent ; J. H. Hulbert, vice president: W. F. Johnson, cashier; R. R. Tuttle, assistant cashier. The bank has had a steady and reliable growth since this time and enjoys the fullest confidence of its patrons. The capital stock is $25,000, the surplus $10,000 and the deposits average $225,000. J. F. Baudler is president; C. D. Walsworth, vice president; E. R. Faurote, vice president; and W. A. Addison, cashier.
The State Savings Bank of Fontanelle was organized on August 26, 1905, by C. A. Baker, Charles T. Launder, Henry Hyda, W. J. Simpson, Dr. C. B. Scott, L. M. Lyons and D. N. Dunlap. The first officers were: L. M. Lyons, president: Charles T. Launder, vice president; C. A. Baker, cashier. The present officers of the institution are: Charles T. Launder. president; Henry Hyda, vice president; C. A. Baker, cashier: H. J. Stuhlmiller, assistant cashier. The capital stock is $10,000, the surplus $5,000, and the deposits average $130.000. The building was erected by C. A. Baker prior
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to the organization of the bank at a cost of $3,200. This young institution has a good patronage and well merits the esteem and con- fidence of the people.
THE FONTANELLE OBSERVER
In February, 1879, the Gow Brothers established a paper with the above name in Fontanelle. The paper was a seven column folio with patent outside and had a small patronage. James M. Gow, who was at that time editor of the Adair County Reporter at Green- field, had editorial charge of the paper. They continued as proprie- tors until February 27, 1881, when it passed into the hands of M. A. Rany. During his ownership Will Pruitt also ran the paper under lease for a few years. In August, 1894, W. H. McClure became the owner and publisher of the Observer and continues in this capacity in 1915. Illness at this time prevents his active attention to the sheet, but this is ably supplied by his son, D. D. McClure. A hand- some brick building, a cut of which is appended, was erected in June, 1913, at a cost of $2,000. The paper is issued on Thursday of each week and is an eight page, six column sheet. The Observer plant also does an extensive job printing business.
DEFUNCT PAPERS
The Fontanelle Register was first established in 1862 by J. C. Gibbs and soon afterwards was sold to Kilburn & Rutt who con- ducted it until 1872, when it went into the hands of James Rany and others. It was edited for a few months by Mr. Caton, then county superintendent of schools, afterwards by Mr. Rany who finally moved the plant to Stuart. Later it was brought back to Fontanelle and conducted by M. A. Rany, a son of the former editor, under the name of the Observer. The story of the paper from this point is in the leading paragraph.
Gow Brothers & Gibbs established the Fontanelle Reporter in 1879; J. M. Gow was the editor. A year or two later Gibbs sold his interest to the Gows who removed the paper and press to Green- field after the county seat was moved to that place and continued its publication until some years after, when it was merged with the Transcript and continued under that name.
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MUNICIPAL GROWTH
When the county seat was removed from Fontanelle to Green- field there were many who predicted that it would mean the end of the town, that it would deteriorate and crumble into decay. The opposite has been the case. Business has thrived and has reached a very high point, in fact, equal to any other town in the county. The reason for this, principally, is the live spirit of the citizens, their desire to make the town prosperous and to create a community of interest, civic improvement and financial welfare. Illustrative of this pro- gressive attitude was the formation of the Fontanelle Commercial Club on July 1, 1914 by the business men. The first officers of this organization were: E. W. Adams, president; W. A. Addison, vice president ; H. J. Stuhlmiller, secretary; and C. A. Baker, treasurer. The club has continued to boost the town and is a strong factor in the success of Fontanelle.
In 1913 the city erected a system of water works, which cost them the sum of $20,000. The contract was let to the Alamo Engine and Supply Company of Omaha, Neb. Wells were dug and a water tower erected which has a capacity of 50,000 gallons.
Electricity is supplied by the Greenfield plant. Fontanelle owns its own transmission line and has the benefit of continual service. There are forty-nine street lights and twelve five-light ornamental electroliers.
Another notable improvement of the year 1913 was the erection of a $2,500 town hall.
POSTOFFICE
The postoffice of Fontanelle was established in the spring of 1856 and James C. Gibbs was commissioned postmaster. The postmas- ters since this time have been: Cal Ballard, J. J. Crittenden, R. O. Brown, A. Root, F. B. Marquart, M. M. Rutt, F. B. Marquart, M. A. Rany, J. Bahlman, George Rodgers, W. H. McClure for sixteen years, and J. Sullivan.
The story of the robbery of mails committed by Crittenden is related elsewhere.
On July 1, 1884, the office was made an international money order office.
FIRST HOTELS
It has been noted that James C. Gibbs kept a pioneer hotel in his own house. The first hotel built for the purpose was the Pacific
CAMPBELL & CO.
EAST SIDE SQUARE, FONTANELLE
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House erected in 1859 by J. K. Valentine, who ran it for several years. The Gibbs House was built by James C. Gibbs in 1870 and conducted by him for about a year. The Bradfield House was erected in March, 1879, by A. N. Bradfield.
FIRST INDUSTRIES
In 1881 a steam elevator was constructed by Daniel N. Dunlap. He came here for the purpose of purchasing grain and the first thing he did was to erect this elevator. A flouring mill was built in 1880, being a frame structure, three stories in height. A creamery was started in 1882.
INCORPORATION
The Town of Fontanelle was incorporated in September, 1881, and the following were the first officers elected: F. A. Blystone, mayor: John J. Hetherington, recorder; A. A. Powers, J. Spain, M. L. Bates, George Miller and Samuel Marquart, members of the council. The first meeting of the council was held at the office of the mayor on September 27, 1871, and the first ordinance passed was relative to the appointment of a marshal and a treasurer. Alfred Drake was chosen as marshal and Nelson Bates as treasurer.
ORGANIZATIONS
Fontanelle Lodge No. 138, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, applied to the grand master for a dispensation to organize a lodge on June 27, 1858, signed by the following master Masons: Cal Bal- lard. J. W. Stinman and Azariah Root. The first regular communi- cation of the lodge was held on August 21, 1858, and the following named were the officers: Cal Ballard, worshipful master; J. W. Stinman, senior warden; Azariah Root, junior warden; J. C. Gibbs, treasurer: F. H. Whitney, secretary; John Bixley, senior deacon; William Lytle, junior deacon; Jacob Eby, tyler.
St. John's Chapter No. 73, Royal Arch Masons, was organized under a dispensation granted May 22, 1874. The dispensation was signed by R. F. Brown, G. H. P. of the R. A. C. of Iowa. The first meeting was held on the evening of June 8th following. The original members were: J. C. Gibbs, A. M. Norman, W. M. Rodgers, Fleming Saunders, John Taylor, W. Taylor, J. M. Gow, John J. Hetherington and T. M. Moore.
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Fontanelle Lodge No. 250, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized January 17, 1873, with the following charter mem- bers: Abram Roberts, John Lattus, C. M. Staley, Peter L. Rice, Samuel Maple. The first officers were elected as follows: Abram Roberts, noble grand; John Lattus, vice grand; C. M. Staley, record- ing secretary; P. L. Rice, treasurer.
Rustic Lodge No. 98, Iowa Legion of Honor, was organized on January 1, 1881, with the following as charter members: James A. Wilson, P. McDermid, L. J. Slocum, C. B. Scott, George A. Davis, P. R. Adams, Robert H. Fox, W. O. Ludlow, W. H. Eng- land, W. H. Simmons, A. W. Jacobs, J. W. Holmes, A. S. Venen, Leander W. Wood, Benjamin F. Bennighoff, L. S. Davis and A. O. Longnecker.
Lentz Post No. 121, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized on April 6, 1883, with the following comrades as charter members: Samuel B. Yeats, W. O. Ludlow, William Rife, Abner Root, Ithamer Watkins, James Raney, Frederick Gerry, John Puntney, Adam Feiler, D. N. Dunlap, James McCampbell, W. F. Myers, W. E. Duncan, C. C. Evans, E. W. Ward, Jonathan Childs. The first post commander was D. N. Dunlap.
The soldiers of the Rebellion living in and about Fontanelle at the present time are: J. J. Campbell, Flay Remine, D. Edwards, L. W. Wood, D. C. Chapman, C. C. Evans, Caleb Eddy, Twombly, Charles Scofield, J. F. Templeman and Robert Sproul. Those buried in Fontanelle cemetery are: J. D. Hetherington, George Lents, Jonathan Childs, Timmons, J. Watkins, C. B. Scott, B. Dwinnelle, Egbert Hawks, Adam Feiler, D. W. Marquart, Art Colwell, Nelson Bates, Jr., W. J. Jacobs, D. N. Dunlap, C. Pettit, Green, Harvey Johnson, D. W. Prewitt, Willis, D. Carver. Those in other ceme- teries are: Richland, Thomas Ewing and Abe Smith; Jackson: Abner Root; Prussia, Henry Walton; Eureka, Henry Bloomfield. There are also buried Briggs Alden, a soldier of the War of 1812; Titus Sullivan, of the Mexican war; and Fred Carver of the Span- ish-American war.
CHAPTER XI ORIENT TOWN AND TOWNSHIP
Orient Township occupies the space of a full congressional town- ship. The watershed of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers traverses the township from the northwest to the southeast corner and on either side of this several streams find their source. The two principal streams are the Nodaway and the Nine Mile Run, together with their branches. The Nodaway flows to the southwest, while Nine Mile Run takes a northeasterly course. The only timber in the town- ship is found along the banks of the Nine Mile Run.
ORGANIZATION
The official organization of Orient Township occurred on June 7, 1869. It was organized as Dayton Township, but not long after- wards changed to its present name, by a petition to the board of supervisors of Adair County, in September following the organiza- tion. and signed by the leading citizens of the township. The first election was held in October, 1869, and the officers chosen were: Jud- son Morgan and W. H. Strong, justices; J. L. Leggett, clerk; T. N. Thatcher, W. A. Jennings, constables; R. Schweers, R. Dillow, H. Launder, trustees; R. L. Johnson, road supervisor; there was a tie vote between J. C. Hoffstatter and N. Harris for the office of assessor.
EARLY SETTLERS
The pioneer settler of the territory now known as Orient Town- ship was Reuben Dillow, a native of Ohio, who emigrated to Iowa and entered land upon section 26 in July, 1860. Immediately he constructed a small house for himself and family. The hardships undergone by the pioneer and his family were many; their rude dwelling afforded little protection from the wind and snow; for five years their nearest neighbors were fifteen miles distant. They went
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to Winterset and Afton to do their milling and to get provisions. Dillow never had any education, but learned to read and write after he was thirty years of age. He prospered in this county, however, during the early years, but in later life lost his hard earned savings through unfortunate circumstances.
Rhineheart Schweers was the second man to take up a residence in the township, settling upon section 16 during the year 1865. He remained in the township seven or eight years, after which he removed to Oregon, where he died some years later.
The third person to come to the township was Edward E. Kates, who came in the fall of 1865 and located upon section 26. He only remained here two years, when he emigrated to Tennessee.
Michael Smith came in the fall of 1866 and entered land upon Section 25.
Dr. T. L. Andrews was the pioneer physician in the township. He afterward practiced at Creston, Ia.
NOTES OF HISTORY
The first birth in Orient Township was that of a daughter of James and Elizabeth Welsh. in the latter part of August, 1860. The child died in October following, which was also the first death in the township. The child bore the name of Mary J.
The first marriage which occurred in the township was that of William H. Thompson and Ellen Dillow, on October 8, 1869.
Reuben Dillow plowed the first ground and sowed the first grain in the spring of 1861.
The first funeral sermon was preached by Rev. J. S. Elliott. Methodist minister at Afton, over the remains of a child of Reuben and Eliza Dillow in August, 1861.
The first house built in the township was that belonging to Dil- low, which was erected in the summer of 1860.
The first Fourth of July celebration was held at a schoolhouse on Section 16 in 1869. Mrs. Hannah H. (Thatcher) Armstrong read the Declaration of Independence. She was the school teacher at that time.
The first Sunday school in the township was organized in 1869, at a schoolhouse on section 16. Dr. T. L. Andrews was elected superintendent.
The chapter on education contains the story of the early schools in Orient Township.
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TOWN OF ORIENT
The town of Orient is located almost in the geographical center of the township from which it is named. In January, 1879, the rail- road reached the point on which the town was laid out in the spring of the same year. A postoffice by the same name was previously established not far distant from the place, and which was afterward removed to Orient.
The first business established was by George Peet, who located in January, 1879, erected a small elevator and began buying grain from the farmers. He also had a lumber yard, the first in town. A short time afterwards Marcus Hennesy located at this place and engaged in the coal and grain business. Following him came Collins & Young, who erected a building 22 by 46 feet, of two stories, and opened a general merchandise store. Slocum & Stowell succeeded this firm in 1880, carrying on the business until June, 1883, when Mr. Slocum succeeded the old firm. Another general stock was added to the town by Eugene H. Sprague in 1879. He previously carried on business on Middle River, but removed his stock to Orient and erected a building.
The hardware business was first represented in Orient about Jan- uary. 1882, by Frank Cobb. He carried on the business for about a year, when John Peet purchased and took possession. George W. Lewis was the first blacksmith in the town. John W. Banks opened a harness shop in 1881. In 1880 John C. Hoffstatter opened a wagon and repair shop. Henry Schertinger entered the meat market busi- ness in July, 1884. The station at Orient was completed and opened for business on April 14, 1879.
Marcus Hennesy built the first dwelling house in the town. It was 24 by 24 feet in size. Josiah R. Young and family were the first to permanently locate. George Peat was the first business man to settle down here. The first child born in the community was to J. N. Colby and wife in the fall of 1879. Samuel Crumrine was the first to get married, going to Ohio for his wife.
The ground for the Orient cemetery was purchased in the fall of 1869 of Judson Morgan for $25 and consisted of one acre, located on the southwest quarter of section 16. The body of William A. Hoffstatter was the first to be interred there.
Orient is one of the bright, prosperous towns of Adair County. In most cases the town is the outgrowth of agricultural fruition and while Orient possesses some elements of growth independent of these,
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it cannot be denied that to the utilization of Nature's advantages, so plentifully distributed in its splendid surroundings, it is chiefly indebted, not alone for its existence, but also for its past successful accomplishments and its brilliant future prospects. Orient is sur- rounded by a magnificent country and one has but to glance over the broad expanse of the surrounding country to discover what is a truly agricultural section, a large portion of which is tributary to this town and for which it is the market place. The town is an index to the character of the country. There are hundreds of well tilled farms, numerous herds of excellent cattle, handsome and substantial farm residences, commodious stock barns and well filled granaries. As a stock and grain country the territory immediately surrounding Orient is equal to any in the state and is the reason for the large shipments of stock and grain which go from this point.
Among the better things which the town may boast of are: Two banks, three churches, several elevators and mills, a handsome new school building for the high school which was constructed in 1912 at a cost of $13,000; a grade school building built in 1894: good hotels; and good railroad service. The business men of the town are wide awake and filled with the proper civic spirit and there is every reason to believe that in the future years Orient will have grown to be one of the foremost towns in this section of the state.
BANKS
The character of the banks in any community is largely a gauge to the prosperity of the people. The condition of the two banks in Orient testifies strongly as to the solid foundation upon which the community is built.
The First State Bank of Adair County, as it is termed, was opened under the name of the Bank of Orient in the spring of 1894 by Lewis Linebarger and his son, H. N. On June 2, 1895, the bank was incorporated under the present name. Lewis Linebarger was the first president: H. N. Linebarger, vice president and cashier. The capital stock was $25,000, the same as in 1915. In 1894 a sub- stantial brick building had been constructed for the accommodation of the bank and which cost about $3,700. D. G. Wiley came to the bank as bookkeeper in 1896, in 1900 was elected assistant cashier, and in May, 1901, was given the office of cashier. He resigned this position in June, 1902, and C. A. Haynes was elected in the vacancy. On December 1, 1905, the interests of the bank were purchased by
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the following directors and stockholders: J. T. Dalby, D. G. Wiley, E. W. Wiley, H. A. Dalby, E. E. Dalby. J. T. Dalby was chosen as president ; D. G. Wiley, vice president; and C. A. Haynes, cashier. In December, 1906, J. F. Kingery took the position of cashier. A. R. Coffman is the present assistant cashier of the institution. In all business dealings the First State Bank of Adair County bears the confidence and respect of the people, which is proved by the average total of deposits for the institution, which runs at about $170,000.
The Orient Savings Bank was organized on October 26, 1905, and the charter was issued November 7th of the same year. The first stockholders and directors of the bank were: S. L. Shreves, R. A. Shreves, C. K. Shreves, E. H. Shreves, Carrie C. Shreves, B. F. Augustine and Annie Carlyle. The first capital stock was $10.000. S. L. Shreves was the first president; E. H. Shreves, vice president ; and R. A. Shreves, cashier. On August 22, 1908, the Shreves interests were principally bought out by other stockholders and the following elected as new officers: M. W. Witham, president; A. K. Reed, first vice president; John Musmaker, second vice presi- dent : S. R. Graham, assistant cashier. On February 14, 1910, R. B. Farquhar became cashier of the bank, which position he holds at the present time. On February 19, 1910, M. W. Witham resigned the place of president of the bank and A. K. Reed was elected to fill the vacancy. On October 1, 1910, A. E. Johnson became vice presi- dent. the system of first and second vice presidents having been abolished. On March 4, 1912, the capital stock of the institution was raised from $10,000 to $20,000. On January 8, 1913, S. R. Graham resigned as assistant cashier and T. C. Likens was elected, who in turn resigned. There is no regular assistant cashier at the present time, but Floyd G. Mason fills the position of bookkeeper. On October 1, 1914, Eugene Tinsman was elected vice president. The surplus carried by the bank at the present time is $6,000 and the deposits average about $110,000. The bank building was con- structed in the year 1906 and cost about $2,700. The fixtures cost $2.100 additional. This bank is a rapidly growing one and is well patronized by the people of Orient township and town.
SOCIETIES
As in most towns of the size of Orient the fraternal and social life is one of the leading factors. Among the prominent lodges are: the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Order of Eastern Star.
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the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen, Yeomen, Rebeccas, Woman's Relief Corps, Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the Ladies' Monday Evening Club. The latter organization has had, perhaps, more to do with the betterment of the town than any other organization. The ladies composing the membership of this small club are united to make Orient a clean city for the youth and for their own home lives. This society is about fifteen years old. The Masonic and Odd Fellows are united into a Masonic and Odd Fellows Building Association and have a building in joint ownership, the upper part used as a lodge hall and the lower as a store.
NEWSPAPERS
The first newspaper to be established in Orient was The Delib- erator, by Homer Dewitt, in 1895. The office was conducted in the room above the present Witham land office building. Dewitt ran this publication for a few years and then suspended for about two years. At this time A. T. Fetter came to the town, bringing his own office machinery with him, and started the Reporter. In two years Frank W. Sprague bought out the Fetter plant and continued the publica- tion until 1901, when he sold to J. M. Triechler. J. E. Triechler acted as editor. This owner handled the paper with good success until March, 1915, when he sold out to John U. Gitzy, the present proprietor. The paper is issued weekly and is a five column quarto. The circulation is about 700.
CHAPTER XII SUMMIT TOWNSHIP AND CITY OF ADAIR
The name of Summit Township was suggested by Wesley Tay- lor, from the fact that the ridge forming the watershed between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers passes through this township from southeast to northwest.
Middle River has a branch which has its source within the limits of this township, on sections 3 and 10, and flows in a southeasterly direction toward the main stream. The Middle Nodaway River takes its rise in sections 11 and 14, and flowing southwesterly, crosses sections 15, 22, 21. 28, 29, 32 and 31, passes into Eureka Township on the south line of the latter section. Several other branches of this stream also drain the south part of this subdivision. Turkey Creek, rising in the northern central part of the township, waters with its main stream and tributaries, sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17 and 18. Tim- ber has never been very plentiful in this township. The soil is rich in most of the places.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
Azariah Sisson and his son, William A., who came here in June, 1869, were undoubtedly the first settlers in Summit Township. They made a settlement on the north half of Section 16. William A. Sis- son was train dispatcher for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- road at Atlantic for about two years. Azariah Sisson was born in Rensselaer County, New York, on September 16, 1822.
The next settler was Abner Sisson, a brother of Azariah. He came here from Bureau County, Ill., in 1869, and located upon the southwest quarter of section 17. This place he afterwards sold and bought the southwest quarter of Section 27. He devoted most of his life to farming and stock raising. Elmer, one of their children, was killed by a runaway team.
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Next came John Chestnut, Sr. In 1870 he made a settlement on the south half of section 16 and later moved to the southeast quar- ter of the same section. He was a native of Virginia.
Aurel Albee came to this vicinity in 1870. He came from Bureau County, Ill., and bought 600 acres of land and located upon the south half of Section 9. About the year 1877 he moved to California, where he died in 1883.
E. M. Day was a settler of the year 1870 and owned a small building on the farm of Azariah Sisson, where he taught school in the summer of the same year.
In the autumn of 1870 Richard and William Lynam settled upon the northwest quarter of section 20. They came to this county from Galva, Ill., but only stayed here for a short time.
A. M. Todd came here in 1871 and located upon the southwest quarter of section 19. He remained here for a year and a half.
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