USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 23
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Audubon Lodge No. 164, Knights of Pythias. Organized October 7, 1886. Charter members: William Cloughley, J. W. Rosenburg, Seth Paine, Harlan P. Albert, Peter Book, H. H. Willis, William H. O'Connell, J. A. Wheatley, Edwin Delahoyde, Peter W. Ledyard, Lewis D. Phelps, Alfred L. Brooks, E. J. Smith, W. H. McClure, John Intween, Benjamin F. Howald, C. H. Colson, W. D. Blackwood, John F. Consigney, Melvin Nichols, Hans A. Christensen, S. A. Aukerman, G. R. Darlington, John A. Nash, Adelbert L. Weaver, Henry B. Herbert, John H. Kate, John H. Rendleman.
Past chancellor commanders : Harlan P. Albert, P. W. Ledyard, Will- iam H. O'Connell, John A. Nash, W. H. McClure, Adelbert L. Weaver, W. H.
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Negley, J. A. Wheatley, Seth Paine, John Weighton, Frank E. Brainard, Simeon L. VanScoy, Charles Vail, Frank Fish, Frank P. Rees, Harry D. Fish, John H. Mosier, Ed. Dickinson, Ed. S. VanGorder, Robert C. Rice, David, C. Mott, Orrin B. Train, Fred H. Blume, George E. Kellogg, Charles E. Breniman, Arthur Farquhar, Peter A. Rasmussen, Hans Albertsen, Will- iam J. Hamilton, Vern L. Culver.
Present membership, forty-two.
Audubon Woman's Relief Corps No. 38. Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. Organized May 26, 1885. Charter dated September 15, 1885. Charter members: Lizzie Kimball, Emma Mathias, Esther Bryan, Maria Needles, Almeda Nichols, Fannie E. Talbot, Myrtle Cole, Lydia E. Rosenburg, Rachel Cole, Alice M. Consigney, Anna Edmondson, Sarah A. Gardner, Delia Ott, Sarah G. Cason, Martha Peck, Mary Mathias.
Past Presidents : Emma Kimball, Alice M. Consigney, Lydia E. Rosen- burg, Fannie E. Talbot, Ella L. Bell, Delia Ott, Lydia A. Chandler, Eliza I. Moyer, Minerva Cole, Mina Bartch, Charity Aldrich, Agnes Cole, Mary . Kraus, Levina McGinnis.
Present membership, sixty-five.
Charles Stuart Camp No. 50, Sons of Veterans. Organized October 13, 1885. First officers: Daniel L. Freeman, first lieutenant ; Charles H. Rollins, second lieutenant; Edwin Delahoyde, first sergeant; Wilson S. Kim- ball, quartermaster. Daniel L. Freeman, major of Iowa division, June, 1888.
It had a membership of fifty. Capt. Charles Stuart presented the camp seventy-two breach-loading Springfield rifles and equipment. The camp was disbanded years ago.
Audubon Lodge No. 158, The Danish Brotherhood in America. Organ- ized December 17, 1902. First officers: Peter A. Rasmussen, past presi- dent; J. P. Kilgar, president; Chris Hendricksen, vice-president; Nels Han- sen, secretary; Hans Albertsen, treasurer; Ed Ruiss, Rasmus Rasmussen, Jens C. Christensen, trustees; Henry Jacobsen, guide; Jacob W. Andersen, inner guard; Chris H. Berg, outer guard.
Charter members: N. G. Nelsen, Anders Lastine, Knud Fredericksen, Chr. J. Roed, Ludvig Gamrath, Jens O. Chritsensen, Julius Rasmussen, L. C. Larsen, Lawitz Madsen, Walter Jensen, Rasmus Sorensen, A. J. Jensen, Chris Olsen, Steffen Mathisen, Niels Top, Lars O. Petersen, Mathias John- son, Nels P. Petersen.
These have been president: Peter A. Rasmussen, J. P. Kelgar, Chris Hendricksen, Jas Lang, Rasmus Rasmussen, Peter Mathisen, Jacob M. Ander-
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sen, Haas Albertsen, Lars C. Christoffersen, Lars O. Petersen, Lars J. Larsen.
Present membership, seventy-eight.
Freja Lodge No. 97, Danish Sisters Society in America. Date of charter, February 22, 1907. First officers: Anna M. Vosmos, ex-presi- dent; Neorline Kellogg, president; Christine Berg, vice-president; Jakoline C. Rasmussen, secretary; Kirstine A. Christensen, treasurer; Kirstine M. Christensen, Anna M. Olsen, Celia M. Johnsen, trustees; Lina Albertsen, marshal; Kirstine H. Petersen, inner guard; Kirstine M. Knudsen, outer guard.
Present membership, twenty-six.
ORGANIZATIONS AT BRAYTON.
Audubon Lodge No. 217, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The oldest lodge in Audubon county. Organized at Louisville, Iowa, October 19, 1871. Removed to Oakfield, Iowa, 1874, and in 1882 to Brayton, Iowa. Charter members: Daniel W. Miller, Orris C. Keith, Francis J. Shrauger, Richard Gault, J. F. Low, John B. Connrardy.
These have held the office of noble grand: Daniel W. Miller, Francis J. Shranger, Orris C. Keith, Isaac V. D. Lewis, Giles N. Jones, Samuel Minser, John B. Conrardy, John T. Jenkins, Joseph Doner, Peter F. Howell, Isaac H. Jenkins, C. Adelbert Heath, Horace M. Bartlett, Thomas J. Essing- ton, Joseph Reynolds, Charles L. Bison, James L. Anderson, Erwin A. Jones, Walter Brown, Evelyn Wood, Ward B. Smith, William R. Koob, Ed. Cot- ton, Sidney McGuire, Jacob P. Bendixen, Ludwig F. Miller, Hans Nymand, Jacob Blom, Silas B. Clark, Lewis P. Rasmussen, John Lorah, Samuel B. Green, Hans Hansen, Peter Beck, Warren G. Chase, John W. Cannon, N. M. Nelson.
Present membership, forty-eight.
Brayton Lodge No. 567, Daughters of Rebekah. Chartered February 14, 1907. Charter members: Horace W. Bartlet and wife and daughter, Mildred; Charles L. Bisom and wife and daughter, Imo; Hans Hansen and wife and daughter, Alma; Erwin A. Jones and wife; Samuel B. Green and wife; Lewis P. Rasmussen and wife; Ward P. Smith and wife; Clyde Bowen, Evelyn Wood, H. S. Burton, Peter F. Howell.
These ladies have held the office of noble grand: Jeanette Bartlett, Mrs. Charles L. Bisom, Mrs. Lewis P. Rasmussen, Ray Miller, Vivian Bart-
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lett, Ardine Bartlett, Gladys Chamberlain, Ethel Bisom, Mrs. B. M. Gross, Minnie Miller, Mrs. Warren G. Chase, Edna Hansen.
Present membership, forty-one.
Brayton Camp No. 2900, Modern Woodmen of America. Charter dated April 17, 1895. Charter members : Jacob P. Bendixen, Hans Nymand, Peter C. Knudsen, Jacob Blom, Jesse Nymand, William R. Koob, David A. Carpenter, P. C. Petersen, Ludwig F. Miller, Peter J. Hansen, John A. Stender.
These have held the office of venerable consul: Jacob P. Bendixen, William R. Koob, Thomas J. McGovern, Daniel W. Chamberlin, Ray G. Chamberlin, Raymond Miller, John A. Johnson, Ludwig F. Miller, Howard M. Parrott, and others.
Present membership, one hundred and twenty.
Danish Brotherhood Lodge No. 297. Organized September 1, 1913. Officers : Peter Beck, president; Hans Anderson, secretary; Martin L. Beck, cashier: Peter Christensen, R. Nielson and Chr. Hansen, trustees.
Present membership, thirty-two.
ORGANIZATIONS AT EXIRA.
Exodus Lodge No. 342, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Charter dated June 3, 1875. Thirteen charter members. First officers: William J. Harris, worshipful master; Thomas Walker, senior warden; Edwin C. Wadsworth, junior warden; Alonzo L. Campbell, secretary; Appolonius B. Houston, treasurer; H. Ransford, senior deacon; James P. Lair, junior deacon ; George Colph, tyler.
These have held the office of worshipful master: William J. Harris, Thomas Walker, Ethelbert J. Freeman, George Hardenbrook, Francis J. Shrauger. W. W. Sickles, Erwin Watson, John Riley, Thomas H. Allen, Thomas J. Coglan, William H. Jones, James P. Lair, Hiram H. Dimick, Al Voorhees, Leroy J. Oldaker, John Schlater, Ernest D. Powell, B. F. Kreamer, J. B. J. Lohnor.
Present membership, seventy-two.
Exodus Chapter No. 313, Order of the Eastern Star. Charter dated October 23. 1901. Charter members: Jennie M. Andrews, Alice Conn- rardy, Lucille Connrardy, Jane V. Dimick, Iva Erickson, Sadie Hamlin, Nola Hamler, Jessamine Hunt, Anna McAninch, Mary J. Riley, Dena Stat- zell, Sadie Shrauger, Eva Voorhees, Ida Wissler, Claude N. Andrews, John
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B. Connrardy, Hiram H. Dimick, John J. Dimick, Robert E. L. Hamlin, John Riley, Alfred Voorhees, Henry L. Wissler.
Present membership, about eighty.
Exira Lodge No. 181, Knights of Pythias. Organized August 31, 1887. Charter dated October 6, 1887. Charter members: Francis J. Shrauger, Henry F. Andrews, Erwin Watson, F. WV. Shaw, Charles H. An- drews, William E. Coleman, John Hunter, William Carpenter, Albert C. Andrews, William H. Milliman, George C. Jeffries, Otto Witthauer, Fred L. Andrews, Theodore Patty, John Crane, Horace M. Bartlett, Charles N. Milliman, Nels P. Christensen.
These have held the office of chancellor commander: Henry F. An- drews, 1887, 1900; Erwin Watson, 1888; William E. Coleman, 1889; Charles H. Andrews, 1890; Otto Witthauer, 1891; J. Mack Thomas, 1892; George Henshaw, 1893; George Conklin, 1894; Samuel Brown, 1895; Alfred Voorhees, 1896; J. O. Howard, 1897; Norton J. Marietta, 1898; John C. Newlon, 1899; Chris. A. Rasmussen, 1900; Henry L. Wissler, 1901 ; Perry Hansen, 1902; Victor E. Gearheart, 1903; Chester W. Marlin, 1904-5; Fred A. Nims, 1905; Leroy J. Oldaker, 1906; Theodore Patty, 1907; Charles Findley, 1908; Ernest D. Powell, 1908-9; John M. Dimick, 1910; Peter M. Christensen, 1911; Charles O. Hunt, 1912; Albert C. Andrews, 1913: John K. Vander Brake, 1914.
Present membership. seventy-two.
Exira Temple No. 245, Pythian Sisters. Charter dated September 3, I912. Charter members: Mrs. May Dimick, Mrs. Maud Oldaker, Mrs. Anna Vande Brake, Mrs. Elizabeth Rethmier, Miss Lillian Dyer, Mrs. Viola Christensen, Mrs. Katheryn Cotton, Mrs. Genevieve Harvey, Mrs. Katheryn Kroeger.
These ladies have held the office of most excellent chief : Mrs. Katheryn Kroeger, Mrs. May Dimick, Mrs. Katheryn Cotton, Mrs. Maude Oldaker.
Present membership, sixty-four.
J. C. Newlon Camp No. 2820, Modern Woodmen of America, organ- ized March 20, 1895. Charter members: George L. Knapp, Thomas H. Allen, Jacob Bauer, William W. Marietta, Robert L. Houston, John I. Hensley, August Heckman, Bert Hardenbrook, Benjamin F. Davis, W. D. Stanley, Charles W. Houston, John P. Aupperlee, John C. Newlon, John Peters, Otto Witthauer, S. Frank Wilcox, Fred Bartlet, H. A. Peters, William F. Davis, William Woodward, W. C. Aupperlee. D. D. Hunt, George W. Conklin, Frank L. Odell, Frank M. Hensley.
These have held the office of venerable consul: Otto Witthuaer, Frank
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L. Odell, Charles M. Oberholtz, Charles T. Waits, Abel S. Stone, Thomas H. Allen, John C. Newlon, Grant Jones, Ernest B. Voss, John Vander Brake.
Present membership, fifty-nine.
Exira Lodge No. 251, Ancient Order of United Workmen. Insti- tuted June 28, 1884. Charter dated July 15, 1884. Charter members and first officers: W. W. Danner, past master workman; George Hardenbrook, master workman; Benjamin F. Thomas, g- t -; George C. Jeff- ries, overseer; Thomas G. Bryant, recorder; William W. Sickles, financier; Charles F. Willcutt, receiver; Charles F. Howlett, guide; Thomas H. Allen, inner watchman; Charles H. Howe, outer watchman; John W. Freeland, William H. Millerman, Webster Heath, John Riley.
These members have held the office of master workman: George Har- denbrook, Benjamin F. Thomas, George C. Jeffries, Thomas G. Bryant, William W. Sickles, Henshaw, Charles F. Willcutt, Thomas H. Allen, Rob- ert C. Watterson, John Riley, Wesley C. Smith, William H. Jones, Andrew J. Bruner, William Milliman, John C. Newlon, George Leffingwell, Henry L. Wissler, George W. Kreamer, George Milliman, Fremont Anders.
Present membership, thirty-one.
Oliver P. Morton Post No. 35, Grand Army of the Republic. Char- ter granted by P. V. Cary, department commander, dated September 21, 1881. Charter members : Richard W. Griggs, Benjamin Elcenhover, H. S. Cisney, George W. Bailey, John B. Connrardy, John T. Hill, W. R. Dafford, A. J. Brown, Peter Tharnish, Frank Dorr, Joseph H. Bell, H. F. Andrews. Reorganized February 19, 1884; December 2, 1889; and October 16, 1903.
These have been past commanders: 1881, Richard W. Griggs; 1884, Benjamin F. Thomas; 1884, James P. Lair; 1889, William H. Seavey; 1891, Samuel D. Harn: 1892, William H. Bowman; 1893-5, John B. Conn- rardy; 1895, Hiram H. Dimick; 1906, H. F. Andrews; 1907, Joesph H. Bell; 1909, William Bintner; 1910, John T. Hill; 1911, William C. Stur- gen; 1912, William E. Davis; 1913, Thomas J. Adair; 1914, Hugh W. Copeland : 1915, Daniel Artist.
Exira Tent No. 41, Knights of the Maccabees. Organized November 30, 1894. Charter dated March 19, 1895. First officers: George C. Kerr, past sir knight commander; Bert R. Leaman, sir knight commander; B. E. Breniman, sir knight lieutenant commander; Frank B. Kerr, sir knight record keeper; Thomas Lohner, sir knight finance keeper; E. A. Tarnish,
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sir knight chaplain; John Burmister, sir knight sergeant; N. P. Lauritzen, sir knight physician; William Mogg, sir knight master at arms; Charles N. Milliman, sir knight first master guard; Albert C. Andrews, sir knight second master guard; Dim. Rieff, sir knight sentinel; George W. Guernsey, sir knight picket.
These members have held the office of sir knight commander: Bert R. Leaman, Charles E. Breniman, Al Voorhees, O. B. Breniman, J. G. Wheelock, Thomas Dustin, C. E. Drake, Charles Fulton, S. A. Hicks, W. F. Williams, John Riley, Jr., Henry F. Bush.
Present membership, forty-four.
Brayton Lodge No. 31, The Danish Brotherhood in America. Organ- ized at Brayton. Charter dated December 20, 1888. Transferred to Exira. First officers : Hans Hansen, past president; Jacob Bloom, president ; Jacob P. Bendixen, vice-president; Peter Jacobsen, secretary; Chris Christensen, treasurer ; Peter Neilsen, guide; Hans Symand, inner guard; Nels L. Beck, outer guard.
Present membership, fifty-one.
Denmarks Lodge No. 108, The Danish Sister's Society in America. Charter dated February 28, 1908. First officers: Sine Gude, past presi- dent; Marie Lohner, president; Eline M. Hansen, vice-president; Marie Hansen, secretary; Kathrine Hansen, treasurer; Karen Andersen, guide; Alma Hansen, inner guard; Christina Nelsen, outer guard.
Modern National Reserve. Organized at Exira, October, 1903. Its officers were: William E. Brinkerhoff, president; Mary Fulton, vice-presi- dent; Hattie Witthauer, secretary and treasurer; Amber Kelsey, chaplain; William Milliman, guide; Adam Seibert, inner guard; Charles Milliman, outer guard.
It had a large membership, who were transferred to the American Nobles. They were again transferred to the Fraternal Aid Union, of Den- ver, Colorado, in 1913. Present officers : Adam Seibert, president; Mary Fulton, secretary and treasurer.
Present membership, thirty-five.
Exira Homestead No. 805, Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Organized October 18, 1901. Officers: Norton J. Marietta, foreman ; John Martin, master of ceremony; Elizabeth Martin, correspondent; George Mar- tin, master of accounts; Arthur Hawk, physician; D. R. Simpkins, watch- man; Fred Bechtold, sentinel; Charles McCord, guard.
Present membership, thirteen.
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ORGANIZATIONS AT GRAY.
Utopia Lodge No. 161, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Organ- ized April 20, 1888, by D. W. Powers. Chartered October 18, 1888. Char- ter members: O. B. Francisco, James S. Fisher, Samuel F. Donaldson, John T. Day, Thomas J. Spilker, H. W. Lebeck, Joseph E. Freetly.
These members have held the office of noble grand: 1888, Joseph E. Freetly; 1889, James S. Fisher, Thomas J. Spilker; 1890, O. B. Fran- cisco, Cash U. Taylor; 1891, Walter J. Audas, Samuel F. Garmire; 1892, J. A. Campbell, Frank P. Huffman; 1893, Frank R. Mclaughlin, William T. Emily ; 1894, Mills E. Greenlee, George Wever; 1895, William L. Hamil- ton, Charles Tucker; 1896, Samuel C. Randalls, Milton D. Crow; 1897, William J. Lancelot, Samuel Keat; 1898, William H. Lancelot, William Z. Scott; 1899, John C. French, Lewis E. Edwards; 1900, Lawrence A. Beers, Wallace Bolton; 1901, Theron B. Crevling, Lawrence A. Beers; 1902, L. B. Graves, Joseph L. Nedrow; 1903, K. G. Lancelot, Horace B. Shelley ; 1904, Frank R. McLaughlin, August G. Fosbeck; 1905, William Barger, Fred Baumann; 1906, Chris. Jensen, D. O. Corner; 1907, D. C. Chirsten- sen, Elmer Dyer; 1908, Charles Garmire, Louis Hansen; 1909, Ralzo Rob- inson, George Wever; 1910, George Garber; 1911, William Brandherst, Charles E. Mclaughlin; 1912, Ira Miller, Ray Mclaughlin; 1913, A. G. McMullen, D. O. Corner; 1914, Robert L. Clark, Ralzo Robinson: 1915, Frank R. McLaughlin.
Present membership, forty-eight.
Canterbury Bell Lodge, No. 506, Daughters of Rebekah. Charter dated December 9. 1900. Charter members: Theron B. Creveling, Mrs. Lou Creveling, William J. Lancelot, Phoebe A. Lancelot. J. A. Nelson, Horace B. Shelley, Mrs. H. B. Shelley, J. L. Nedrow, Anna Nedrow, Mollie E. Barger, Bertha Shelley, Clara Shelley, Thomas S. Wilson, Maggie E. Wilson, Charles Tucker, Walter J. Andas, Jennie Andas, Henry F. Wolf, Jr., William Z. Scott, L. E. Edwards, J. C. Hensch. Tillie Hensch.
These ladies have held the office of noble grand : Phoebe Lancelot, Lou Creveling, Marguerite Wilson, Jennie Audas, Eva Beers, Anna Nedrow, Bertha Shelley, Lizzie Heff, Cora McLaughlin, Mable Barger, Ella Denton, Sadie Denton, Myrtle Corner, Ella Forsbeck, Cora Weaver, Matilda Jensen, Grace Cameron, Nettie Wernig, Lillian Farrell, Mary Wever, May I. McLaughlin, May Shingledecker, Marie Jensen, Gayetta Farrell, Jessie Bar- ber, Bessie Bunker.
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Present membership, thirty-nine.
Gray Camp No. 2952, Modern Woodmen of America. Chartered May 9, 1895. Charter members: Lawrence A. Beers, R. D. Henderson, Frank P. Huffman, Lovell Estes, A. Kitson, J. F .. Benson, J. A. Campbell, Fred C. Hepp. Oliver Bicknor, Samuel F. Garmire, Frank R. Mclaughlin, George Chamberlin, W. A. Dewitt, Charles Rogers, James Barnack, Frank Ginthers, J. J. Stuart, A. B. Comstock, Harlan Kennells, D. H. Steere, William J. Lancelot.
ORGANIZATIONS AT HAMLIN.
Hamlin Lodge No. 256, Danish Brotherhood in America. Chart- ered March 25, 1907. Charter members and first officers : Niels A. B. Jen- sen, ex-president ; Peter J. Juel, president ; Vilh Olsen, president ; Jens F. Petersen. secretary; Jorgen R. Petersen, treasurer: Olaf N. Olsen, Fredrick C. P. Nissen, John E. Tvenstrup, trustees; Carl C. Tvenstrup, conductor ; Rasmus Nielsen, inner guard; Fred Christensen, outer guard.
These members have held the office of president: Peter J. Juel, Peter N. Olsen, N. J. Jensen, Fredrick C. P. Nissen, Jacob Andersen, Johan Petersen.
Present membership, twenty-seven.
ORGANIZATIONS AT KIMBALLTON.
Fremad Lodge No. 21, The Danish Brotherhood in America. Chartered May 13, 1913. Charter members: P. J. P. Kelgor, Anders Hansen, Rasmus Broker, Laurids Theodor Jensen, Oscar E. T. Hartel, Ole Jansen, Lars Ras- mussen, Lars Peter Nielsen, Knud Jorgensen Petersen, Conrad Nielsen, Johannes Vester.
These have held the office of president: Jens J. P. Kelgor, Rasmus Broker, Andrew Hansen.
CHAPTER XVIII.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
EXIRA.
Exira is the oldest town that has survived in the county. It was laid out on lot 16 and the south one-fourth of lot 9, in section 4, Exira town- ship, comprising fifty acres of clean prairie. Its location was all that could have been desired, being situated on a beautiful elevated bench, half a mile east from the fork of David's creek, with the Nishua Botna river, with groves up to the very borders of the town. It was surveyed and platted by Peoria I. Whitted, under direction of David Edgerton and Judge Daniel M. Harris, on the land of Mr. Edgerton, who owned a large tract of the adjoining premises. Judge Harris is entitled to credit for founding the town and was owner of the unrecorded, undivided half of the enterprise. It was first intended that its name should be Viola, after a daughter of Mr. Edgerton, but Judge John Eckman, from Ohio, a kinsman of the Cranes, being here at the time, proposed to buy a lot if the proprietors would name the town after his daughter, Miss Exira Eckman, which was accordingly done. The name is of Spanish origin. One cause for the foundation of the town was that the Dodge route for the railroad was surveyed through the town site. It proved an ignis fatuus, which lured many people, first and last, to settle in the vicinity, and the influence continued down to the tinie of building the railroad, 1878.
The town had an auspicious opening by a sale of its lots at public auc- tion. Mr. Harris cried the sale, and the proceeds for the first day aggre- gated one thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars. It was easily the lead- ing town in the county from its start, and held its prestige against all com- ers until the town of Audubon succeeded to the honor in 1879. Mr. Edger- ton reserved all of block 4 for his homestead, and Judge Harris reserved block 8 for a like purpose for himself and erected thereon his dwelling house, the first in town. This was quickly succeeded by the erection of dwellings the same year by John R. Thacker, Franklin Hobbs, A. B. Hous- ton and David Edgerton. During the succeeding year a commodious school
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UGSX IRA-DRUG. Co. STATIONERY SCHOOL BOOKS.
PAPER.
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North Street North Side Washington Street
VIEWS IN EXIRA
South Side Washington Street City Park
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NORTH SIDE OF WASHINGTON STREET, EXIRA.
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house was erected (see sketch of Hon. Daniel M. Harris). A hotel was built by Palmer Rodgers, and other residences were erected by Charles Chapin, Zel Edgerton, Asa Haskins, William Nelson and Urbane Herrick. A workshop was also built by Mr. Harris, but was soon converted into an office.
In 1859 other residences were erected by Harriet McGinnis, William Pangburn, William Bush, Doctor Ham, and perhaps others. Deacon Lyman Bush came here in 1857 and purchased the residence built by his son-in-law, Franklin Hobbs. He was the shoemaker. Daniel Crane and his sons, David L. Anderson, Bryant Milliman and Levi B. Montgomery lived near the town. Crane and Anderson were blacksmiths. Palmer Rodgers came in 1856 and built the hotel the following year, on the south side of block 2, which he sold to Franklin Burnham, and moved away. Burn- ham sold to Stillman H. Perry and moved away; Perry kept the hotel until about 1872, and was succeeded by Mrs. Mattie I. Luccock until 1874. About 1875, it was occupied by William P. Hamlin. The old house and barn were torn down as early as 1879.
POSTMASTERS.
David L. Anderson was the first postmaster of Exira, before the town was laid out. The subsequent postmasters have been: Daniel M. Harris, Franklin Burnham, Carlos E. Frost, John D. Bush, Benjamin F. Thacker, Caleb Bundy, George Hardenbrook, W. A. Mills, William Millerman, David Workman, Hugh W. Copeland, John B. Connrardy, Ernest D. Powell and B. F. Kreamer.
EARLY PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS MEN.
Judge Harris was the first lawyer in the county, as well as in Exira, and was county judge from 1856 to 1861, inclusive. See sketch and men- tion of him in other parts of this work.
Peoria I. Whitted settled at Exira when the town was started, and lived there the remainder of his life. He was county surveyor many years ; surveyed several of the towns and additions thereto; also, many of the county roads; retraced the lines of the original surveys and subdivided large areas of the lands in the county and in adjoining counties. No sur- veyor of Audubon county ever did more of such kind of work.
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Darius Barlow kept merchandise for sale in his dwelling house (the old Pangburn house), on the northwest corner of block II. He was a boisterous character, but a stout Union man, who refused to sell ammuni- tion to Southern sympathizers in war times.
Carlos E. Frost was county treasurer and lived in Exira in 1864-5. William P. Hamlin came to Exira in 1860 and bought the residence of Judge Harris. (See personal sketch of him elsewhere in this work).
About 1864 A. B. Houston brought a good line of merchandise and kept store in a shanty on the site of the Millie Hash residence in block 12, and continued the business with some changes until 1870, his son, Henry, and John R. Thacker being associated in the business part of the time. During the period from 1866 to 1869, inclusive, Mr. Houston was county treasurer ; county judge during 1862-3; deputy clerk of court, 1865. From 1856 to about 1866 he was associated with Nathaniel Hamlin a portion of the time in the real estate agency. He did the largest business in the county from 1855 to 1870, and was agent for a large amount of lands, including the business of the American Emigrant Company, who had many sheep let out in Audubon. Cass and Shelby counties. He had by far the best busi- ness opportunities of any man in Exira up to his time, but was not equal to the demand, and let it slip through his fingers. He lost heavily by extend- ing credit in his business. In 1870 he built the Houston house, on the site of the present Park hotel, conducted it for several years, and sold out. It burned down and on the same spot a new hotel was erected, which is now standing. Several men engaged in the blacksmith business in a small way for a dozen years. In 1869, Abram Campbell came here from Wisconsin and started a good blacksmith shop; and in connection with it, a wagon and repair shop, conducted for several years by John Cannon and Luke Knapp. Campbell was succeeded, about 1879, by John Hicks. Many others have since engaged in the business.
In 1865 John D. Bush, who was a Massachusetts Yankee, kept goods for sale in a rented house used as a residence. In 1866 he put up a good- sized store building, with residence attached, on the northeast corner of block 6, where he kept the best and largest assorted stock of merchandise in the county up to that time. His boots and shoes and codfish were unex- celled, and he was postmaster. He hauled his goods mostly from Des Moines by teams, and Charley Van Gorder was his clerk and was the draw- ing card in the concern. He sold out in 1873-4 to Harris Brothers, and they sold, in 1875. to Stotts & Houston, who moved to West Exira in 1879.
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