USA > Iowa > Benton County > History of Benton County, Iowa. From materials in the public archives, the Iowa Historical society's collection, the newspapers, and data of personal interviews > Part 32
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
363
2
-
MAIN STREET, BLAIRSTOWN.
5
364
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
THE FIRST BLACKSMITH.
James Brian, the first blacksmith to open a shop in Blairstown, was an Ohio man who came to Linn county, lowa, in 1852. He remained in that section of the state until 1855, when he moved to Blairstown and built and run the pioneer blacksmith shop. IIe was afterwards elected to the town council, held various school offices and became quite well known. He served during the last year of the Civil war and was honorably discharged.
THE TOWN IN 1802.
At the close of 1862 the following included the population of Blairstown: I. Morris, E. Hill, G. B. Dickinson, P. Buck. W. D. Watrous, L. E. Watrous, J. J. Snouffer, JI. M. Hanford, J. Bryan, J. F. Greer and S. B. Gill. The last named had come from Kansas, having served through all the stirring free-soil campaigns under old John Brown. It was even said that he had barely escaped hanging in Virginia, because he had engaged to teach a district school in Kansas just before the Brown raid upon Harper's Ferry, and the commissioners would not release him from his contract.
THE TOWN IN 1868.
In 1868 the population of Blairstown was estimated at about 1,000, and the business and professional life of the place was repre- sented by the following: Six general stores, two groceries. two hotels, two lumber dealers, five blacksmith shops, one farm im- plement house, two hardware stores, one flouring mill, three harness shops, two tailor shops, two painters, two shoe shops, two druggists, one jeweler. two milliners, one photographer, two barbers, two attorneys, four physicians, one meat shop, several carpenters, one cooper shop and one livery stable.
The business at the railway station for 1868 was represented by the following figures: Freight forwarded, 12,114,470 pounds; freight received 12,715,800 pounds; amount of passenger tickets sold, $29,989.65; cash received for freight and tickets, $68,244.10; actual earnings, $83,313.88; lumber received. 477 ears; grain shipped, 511 ears; stock shipped, 77 cars.
By 1871 Blairstown had also become quite a shipping point for strawberries and raspberries, the principal growers being C. Carter. A. Dean and W. S. Snow.
365
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
In 1869 Messrs. Allen and Amidon established at Blairstown one of the pioneer banks of the county-an institution which still flourishes and whose extended history i: given in the financial chapter.
CHAMPION OF THE SOUTH SLOPE.
Blairstown early took its place as the champion of all South Slope interests, whether railroad. political or social. In February. 1869. the Central South Slope Old Settlers Association was organ- ized at the residence of James Bryan. The pioneers had assembled previously for a reunion. and the society, which was an after- thought. was formed with the following officers: A. G. Hanna, president, and A. Dean. secretary. Interest in the organization and its objects continued for several years.
BLAIRSTOWN AS A CORPORATION.
Blairstown was incorporated in September. 1868, and at the first election the following municipal officers were chosen: J. Houck, mayor; W. H. Eldred. recorder: Jolm Book, treasurer; A. J. Tongeman. Philip Hoebel. J. Bryan. D. W. Moore and John Book, trustees.
Present city officers of Blairstown : Mayor. P. H. Lynch ; re- corder, B. F. Panl ; aldermen. D. R. Pingrey. M. A Goodell. R. M. Moore, Thomas Combs, A. J. Wilson and David F. Newton.
Enterprise Fire Company No. 1 was organized January 19. 1875. by the adoption of a constitution and by-laws and the elec- tion of John T. Brewster, president. and John Van Metre, sopre- tary. The Blairstown Hook and Ladder Company was formed about the same time. but reorganized in 187S. when S. P. Silliman was chosen foreman; Henry Hartung, first assistant; J. D. King. secretary ; and H. L. Bassett. treasurer.
At times the fire company has also voluntarily performed police duty, as during the summer of 1877, when Blairstown was visited by an epidemie of tramps.
ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER PLANT.
The Blairstown electric light and power plant was erected by Jacob Hunt in May, 1907, at a cost of $12.000. A gasoline engine
366
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
operates a windmill which pumps the water supply into a tank whence it is distributed to villagers. The plant furnishes about 600 lights.
BLAIRSTOWN ELEVATORS.
The 12.000 bushel elevator at Blairstown was built by W. C. Yeisley in 1902, and he has since operated it, as well as a coal and grain business. .
The Western Elevator Company of Winona, Minnesota. oper- ates an elevator at Blairstown with a capacity of 40.000 bushels. A. J. Dabn is the local manager of the company's interests. The original building was erected in 1866. and an elevator was built at a still earlier date by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Com- pany abont the time its line reached Blairstown (1861).
LODGES OF BLAIRSTOWN.
Lincoln Lodge No. 199. A. F. & A. M., Blairstown, was char- tered June 5. 1867. the following being its first officers: W. S. Bates, worthy master; W. D. Watrous, senior warden : and H. L. Bassett. junior warden. The lodge has forty members and the following officers: Dr. S. II. Watson, worthy master : P. H. Lynch, senior warden : B. F. Heck. junior warden : E. E. Brown. secretary; W. IT. Wood. treasurer.
The Eastern Star lodge was formed October 26, 1899; worthy matron at present. Mrs. William Hochel.
The Modern Woodmen of America have a strong lodge of seventy members af Blairstown, known as Olive Camp No. 2267. which was organized January 18. 1895. Present officers: B. F. Heck. viee commander : Henry Dolge, worthy adviser ; Wm. Hoebel. banker: John Heck, escort: S. G. Frantz, clerk; R. M. Moore. sentinel, and Frank Crandall, watchman.
Eureka Legion of Honor No. 4 was one of the early societies to be founded. its record dating from March 20. 1879.
The G. A. R. Post No. 341. which was organized July 11. 1884. has not surrendered its charter, but death has so reduced its membership that the few remaining comrades no longer meet as a society. The soldiers monument at Blairstown was erected by members of the post and other citizens, and commemorates the patriotism of the Civil war soldiers who went from the city and vicinity. Many of them are buried at Pleasant Hill cemetery.
٤٠.
1.
is time it ho . Por
Micro the P's0.
(١)٢
1 iring the leurs ٠١٠
!!
charcb
t ot
١٤٠
:
1
-
- 19-1919 .....
1 ..
*1.41
C.
A J Dirknosom. I. P. S.m
*ili m samuel Shann. . ca And may run by Hay . men the order as natural. W. H is a mint market, FREM. Han, A. S. Boles Wm Kad- Mirned. This time it http-(a. R. Porter, J. L .: Bigby. ' Alex warner and where the I've imagen. Sr. O. K. Harbeit H
Sur s bank now .lands.
Strawhenker. L. A Dickinson pod 6
offrire and was form for mm'nin of the present day -runx, 123, with only fri ;: Salut Bixby, Wn. . DeFee. the new les in the west! bickm-on
Shawty it is . Privin Q.
wr supe in hetune en3 . center . of the state.
- 367
n W. Thompson. The brick ,And the Cedar Rapids and St hagas during the Water - paid Company, which prom i
cometruction OFwar of Some semi Af h.
Fix at the church is he trading
Factura, the present XX. C. E. Biden. non gh urs frame the g marts of Presbyterian church was onthe Er haston. Colar Rapide " in 1535 at the White arlon Nudledt. to ante east of man bug In HA war ING9 the art- little De " removed to town. Anoth wood-bilans engine ma! it's site
with f Shellsburg by Rovell those, Hanging toward the 21. Lyop of Vinton and Georgien had received a tree ticket to 1 Big Grove, In 1870 thịVision and pig.n. These Gek'is barney ser united, their porfind some of the parties $10, the 1 Fodorton.
march. on the greeny not then they have how is controlled by ra Imi - im parties, Bry. LAmia, " America.
The ust free of four wears the .the church was ordered . as in operation hundreds of in with my it number cerloads of railroad dies and had=" A Taylor as first pas .... t .: \r ..
Lare in the ammer af 18'dewird + ba 6 and tile 1. as to the's at present wal saw mill, was by far the trees & pague of Shellsburg was slipper. This Evening Call."
i. Carver be continued a in rome one of the big int's cones 1 . 1
1
Inter i moved is shops
11. .
1
i'm I'marose fach his place
k
now occupied h. Dick
500
". - tl & I'm. W. 1 . and the
mitit by Bydd
la jonrt of 10en.
Shellsburg
who
, join the independent distri .. value. A mall frame schon
Krık. IL.C
huit, uh H E. Warnertion, AuCorkle and Dr but. . unas watchers. On otter de 1 here, having mi 's dadet into the thnost continual practice bin . 17.
- b -. sg
bright bring the same In the year 1871 occured a most " . i was decidedi astrous fire which wiped out all WE Imin and inter places of barness and luce
i
..
-
ní
The near mature. 2 0 ;p Antdes have brug 2 4 t !!
This year one of the it. 1
1. 2.
13
1 Before th
wiemited by AMirs, Files.
". wed. hhit
the bottling is the hotel ht Ho pust mine was changel 1, Beulah and at that of the ing af mitles and wapen. making
rabin cn :Fr
aideront mon until a! !
Fra Fint and the pier h' Seort.
Alter the platting of Shilling in
n stet Lenk was organized ing hiti store was put Up and apok
ch # camitahartich of $30.160 ]
: Influmed be a her ster
1000, Villes. The directors vers intende priate. of trade in my
The any
M. Harberr. J' L Budd J. 11. ". Jo'n Patner and B. R. Divi-
This bank was afterwards
ord ard spertid by P. M. Har-
contact the carijing the
Savings bank, uf which A. R .. 12 rashier. 201 wunder man was organiz-
WAS going with a fonrichi ppen1 especially in the ** | >> ilver saloons den rept meht and day. Sonty ng pp
I'm William Tranh as fichier
known as Far Shellsburg Say. f basiness men were Withan: 1 .
Charlie Sunon os, A i. Dnes. - Grey. Rugged Bmw and
54. dont ellep. tobacco alish 1.3. the lawtry bring fan B .
or fitabip article of Trade From that time on the .
Richard king, who removem working winesty for a edirne
N zer, Whe did a your Bley for a anvendt ceased then weferie Ty tere. Rev. Shirley way-with 1 yes, 355, when an organ
used. The post office has hes .. Rany time. and is i'ne lo w on the west sine of Pearl Rosji E. M. Bratton as post-
hy Jarch Cintouwine which
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
Pasta ! i.
new school nos
S.c
3.4
-
367
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
Phoenix No. 292, Knights of Pythias. has a membership of about thirty. with B. F. Paul. C. C .; N. C. Ransom, V. C .; Jacob Hunt, prelate; and Ralph Yacom. keeper of records and seals.
1
Jewell Lodge No. 43, Modern Brotherhood of America, was formed July 12, 1897.
WHY SHELLSBURG ?
Why "Shellsburg ?" A stranger to the town instinctively asks the question. The accepted explanation is that John Sells. a pioneer of Canton township. desired to have his name attached to the place, when it was laid out by Jacob Cantonwine and Eman- uel S. Fluke in 1854. The proprietors preferred another name : perhaps they did not think Mr. Sells of sufficient importance to be
368
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
thus honored. But they respected the old gentleman and did not wish to offend him; so they compromised and called the town Shellsburg. Messrs. Sells and Fluke afterward removed to Mis- souri and Cantonwine to Oregon.
Shellsburg was the third town surveyed in Benton county. The original plat contained twenty-four lots and two streets, Main and Pearl. Technically. it was on the southwest quarter of see- tion 11, and partly on the northwest quarter of section 14, township 14, range 9, and was laid out by H. M. Drury, deputy county sur- veyor, Jime 16, 1854. It is now a town of some six hundred people, in the eastern part of the county. twelve miles southeast of Vinton and on the Chicago. Rock Island and Pacific railroad. To the southeast, south and west of Shellsburg is a beautiful. fertile prairie. the timber lands lying toward the north and east. The farmers are mostly American born citizens in good circum- stances, and the town has several good general stores and also provides the farming community with reliable banking facilities.
A STAGE STATION.
In the early days, before the coming of the railroad, Shells- burg became quite well known as a thriving station on the Cedar Rapids and Vinton stage line.
FIRST LANDLORD.
John White, now deceased, opened up the first tavern, where for many years the travelers, who passed through on the stage. as well as the prospective locators, stopped and received the best of hospitality that was on the menu at that early date in the town's history.
CANTONWINE'S PLACE.
Cantonwine was first to engage in trade and kept an article of stock, which at this stage of the temperance canse is not permitted except in well regulated drug stores and then only by the per- mission of the court. At the time when Cantonwine "set up" the first store at Shellsburg. Vinton was strongly prohibitory in sentiment. and the thirsty ones at the county seat -- in particular the old-timers who had not yet become converted to the New
369
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
Thought-found Cantonwine's store a haven. a refuge and an oasis, all combined.
The story runs that "during the winter of 1855-6 a lawyer and an editor of Vinton invited their wives to accompany them on a sleigh ride to Shellsburg. supper to be taken there. They came; the men went to Cantonwine's-to sce a man; and the ladies can tell who drove home to Vinton."
Other early settlers at Shellsburg, besides Cantonwine and others mentioned. were David Robb, the second clerk of Benton county; B. R. Dwigans, D. M. Sterns. Royal Storrs, Russell Bowe and E. H. Carroll.
FIRST SHELLSBURG CHURCH.
The first church organization at Shellsburg was of the New School Presbyterian, which was formed at the "white school house." a mile east of the future town. in 1850. and four years afterward was removed to the village which had been platted during the preceding year. (For a detailed statement of the churches of Shellsburg and vicinity. see chapter devoted to the ro- ligious institutions of the county.)
In June. 1860, the town had about one hundred and fifty people. a flouring mill having been erected a short time before by Clark and Oyler and a pottery was being operated by Denison and Hadley.
GETS A RAILROAD.
For a number of years before the coming of the railroad to Shellsburg. the cutting and shipping of the timber east of town comprised quite a brisk business. hundreds of carloads of railroad ties and bridge timber being sent to eastern points. In the summer of 1870 she secured the long-desired communication. through the Burlington. Cedar Rapids and Northern line-now a part of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific system.
Since that time her growth has been that of a substantial country town; and her progress has been to her especial credit, since she has suffered from several destructive fires. The worst conflagration was that of April 12. 1872. by which eighteen build- ings were burned to the ground.
Vol. 1-24
-
Norway- Board of Education N.H. Blakely should be W. H. Blakely
370
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
HIGH SCHOOL, SHELLSBURG.
PEARL STREET, SHELLSBURG.
371
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
INCORPORATED AS A VILLAGE.
In the spring of 1870, shortly before the railroad reached Shellsburg. the place was incorporated as a town, or village, of the third class. Its first officers were: J. C. Summers, mayor ; J. Y. Stier, treasurer; F. P. Sterling, marshal; A. J. Dickinson, Z. Blackburn. Elias Adams. E. H. Cowell and I. P. Noe, councilmen.
AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The election to form the Independent school district of Shells- burg was held March 10, 1870. only one ont of nineteen votes being cast against the measure. On the 21st of the month D. P. Marshall was elected president of the district; J. II. Miller, Win. Kreader, Alexander Rumvan, D. M. Howell, and William White, directors; J. P. Skea, secretary; and T. Gray, treasurer. The first teachers employed by the Independent district were HI. E. Warner and Miss Ilaines. But matters connected with the Shellsburg schools will be found fully treated in the educational chapter of this work.
Shellsburg's present municipal officers are as follows : Mayor, Il. Strawhecker; clerk, Dell G. Files; treasurer. C. L. Penny ; councilmen. L. A. Dickinson. W. W. Hatfield, W. M. De Foe, G. W. Ilolmes. J. F. Robbins and Dr. I. S. Boles.
SHELLSBURG'S FIRST MAYOR.
Colonel J. C. Summers, first mayor of Shellsburg and promi- nent both in military matters during the Civil war and in times of peace, was born in New Jersey, December 3. 1832. When he was ten years of age his parents brought him to Warren county. Illinois, and in 1852, he became a resident of Benton county. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Twenty- eighth Iowa Regiment and after active service. both in the south- west and in the campaigns of the east under Sheridan. he was mustered out of the service as first lientenant of his company. Colonel Summers was wounded at the battle of Winchester, a mnsket ball breaking his shoulder blade. He only took a sixty- days' leave of absence. however, and returned to his regiment. which spent the later portion of the Civil war in garrison duty at the city of Savannah. Georgia. After the war he continued his interest in military matters and was promoted from the rank of captain of Company G. I. N. G .. to that of major and colonel of
372
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
the regiment. As stated, Colonel Summers was chosen first mayor of Shellsburg, and also became prominent as a leader of the old Greenback party.
THE FIRST BANK.
The Farmers' Exchange Bank of Shellsburg, which opened for business October 9, 1874, was the town's first financial institu- tion, and a history of this, as well as the other banks in the county. will be found in a special chapter.
FARMERS' MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY.
The Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company of Shellsburg was organized in 1901, and has now 225 subscribers with these officers : J. D. Hagan. president ; Dr. I. S. Boles, secretary; and J. A. Viles, treasurer.
MASONS OF SHELLSBURG.
Benton City Lodge No. 81. A. F. & A. M., was formed under dispensation October 31. 1855. In 1858. with the decline of Benton City, it was moved to Shellsburg. The first officers of the lodge were: W. V. Denslow, worthy master; A. G. Green. senior warden; W. C. Stanberry, junior warden; C. C. Charles. treasurer; J. K. Turk. secretary; J. M. Safford, senior deacon ; R. L. Johnson, junior deacon; Isaac Featherby. tiler. The present membership of the lodge is fifty and the principal officers are: O. C. Bergen, worthy master; C. E. Beatty. senior warden; A. J. Budd. junior warden; W. W. Hatfield, treasurer; C. L. Penny. secretary.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Shellsburg Lodge No. 171, I. O. O. F., was chartered January 22, 1869, the following being the original members: C. T. Horton. E. M. Wilkinson. Henry E. Parker, A. Clarke, A. Greenwood. D. P. Marshall and J. F. Crawford. The lodge has now 110 members and the following officers: Mervin Speak, noble grand; E. M. Bratton, vice grand; A. K. Rife, secretary; J. A. Burns, financial secretary, and J. E. Wiant, treasurer.
373
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
THE G. A. R. POST.
J. C. Summers Post, G. A. R., being named in honor of Colonel Summers, Shellsburg's first mayor, was organized April 3, 1884. The following were its charter members: C. T. Horton, now living in Texas; Dr. I. S. Boles; W. Y. Porter and II. E. Parker, both deceased; J. L. Bixley; Romanzo E. Bowe, a resident of Vinton; Morgan S. Pratt, now of Cedar Rapids; J. W. Moody; Arch. Race and James K. Soden, deceased; F. D. Clemmons, Vinton; Abram Dispennet, dead; S. P. Bratton, who lives somewhere in the west; John Durham, of Kansas; J. M. Elson, P. A. Jenkins, R. E. Moore and James M. Jones, all deceased; Merrit S. Heath and O. B. Barton; Alexander Langham, of Vinton; J. R. Porter, now de- ceased, and W. W. Hatfield. Unless otherwise designated the charter members of Shellsburg's existent G. A. R. post are living in that place. There was a much earlier organization of the boys in blue, formed in 1867, with J. E. Elson as commander, but it disbanded in 1870. Miles Strawn is the commander of the present post, which has dwindled to about a dozen members.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Ola Lodge No. 120. Knights of Pythias of Shellsburg, was organized in 1889, and has a present membership of 60 with the following officers : C. J. Kellogg, commander; Dr. E. L. Lashbrook, vice commander; Walter Graham, prelate; and J. A. Moore, keeper of records and seals.
MODERN WOODMEN.
Evergreen Camp No. 4151. Modern Woodmen of America, was organized in the spring of 1897 and has more than sixty members. W. O. Penrose was its first consul and W. C. Youel, elerk. W. H. Graham is the present consul.
-
CHAPTER XX.
GARRISON AND NORWAY.
FIRST OWNERS OF GARRISON -- THE GARRISON OF TODAY-ELE- VATORS AND TILE FACTORY-TELEPHONE COMPANIES -- MODERN WOODMEN AND ODD FELLOWS-VILLAGE OF NORWAY -- OSMAN TUT- 'TLE, FOUNDER OF NORWAY-PIONEER SETTLERS -- FARMERS' ELEVA- TOR COMPANY-NORWAY LODGES.
In April. 1873, the town of Benton was laid out on the farm of Jonathan Barkdoll by Surveyor C. G. Johnson. The plat was filed for record on JJuly 22d. and for some time about all the evi- dence of a town which appeared was a sign-board ten feet long, con- spicuously bearing the name of Benton With the extension of the Burlington. Cedar Rapids and Northern line westward from Vinton, it took the name of its postoffice. Garrison. which was established December 12, 1873.
FIRST OWNERS OF GARRISON.
The Barkdoll family, which comprised several brothers, came from Allegany county, Maryland. in 1854, to this locality in Benton county, and all took up large tracts of land at and near what is now the town of Garrison. One of the sons of Jonathan. William Barkdoll, who was born about the time the family located in Benton county. is now a prosperous lumber and coal dealer at Garrison.
THE GARRISON OF TODAY.
Garrison has now a population of more than five hundred people, and is one of the flourishing stations on the Chicago. Rock Island and Pacific line in Benton county. It has a good graded school, three churches. two banks. well-supported weekly paper. two elevators. brick and tile works, canning factory and a thorough telephone service. Its canning plant is a branch of the Vinton establishment and was founded in 1901.
374
375
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
ELEVATORS AND TILE FACTORY.
The two grain elevators at Garrison are owned and operated by the Stockdale-Dietz Company of Estherville, Iowa, and the Garrison Grain and Lumber Company. The latter is a corporation composed of local farmers and business men, which was organized in July, 1909. As its name implies, it also conducts a lumber yard.
In June, 1901, Frank Dautemont established the Garrison Briek and Tile Works, whose proprietor and manager is Casper C. Gross.
TELEPHONE COMPANIES.
In 1902 the Garrison Mutual Telephone Company was organ- ized. It now operates about ninety instruments, with S. L. Gulick, president, and John Baun, secretary.
-
:
PUBLIC SCHOOL, GARRISON.
The Farmers' "Telephone Company is reported to have a list of some 300 subseribers. Its president is Dr. F. C. Carle; secre- tary, Charles E. Bryant, and treasurer, Frank-Naeve, Garrison.
MODERN WOODMEN AND ODD FELLOWS.
Garrison's two flourishing lodges are the Modern Woodmen
376
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
No. 3817 and the Odd Fellows, No. 655. The latter was organized in March, 1906, and has a membership of more than forty, with the following officers: Fred Rommann, vice grand; Phil. Hardin- ger, vice commander; C. C. Hardinger, secretary; and B. T. Gray- son, treasurer. The Woodmen lodge, which numbers over eighty members, was founded April 25, 1896, by the following: Julius E. Bachman, Charles G. Barkdoll, John G. Barkdoll, Joachim Blocker. Thomas H. Galloway. Nichalaus Gross, S. L. Gulick, John F. Harmon. Austin N. Irwin, James Merchant, Elmer E. Shafer. H. W. Stoecker. Frank S. Ulery and Frederick Wiegold. Present officers of the Woodmen lodge of Garrison: J. F. Harriman, vice councelor : George Gordon, worthy adviser; C. F. Irons, banker : TI. L. Harriman. escort; and S. L. Gulick, clerk.
The Royal Neighbors of America (Emma No. 1655) were instituted as a lodge April 29, 1898. They are auxiliary to the Woudmen order.
VILLAGE OF NORWAY.
Norway is a village of nearly six hundred inhabitants. located on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, twenty-four miles south of Vinton, in Florence township. the extreme southeastern section of Benton comty. Although founded forty-seven years ago. the population of the town and vicinity is still largely Norwegian for at least Scandinavian) and German, and no more industrious, sub- stantial and law-abiding class of people can be found. Norway contains two good banks, a flourishing elevator company. a well conducted newspaper, neat opera house, several flourishing stores and one of the strongest Catholic churches in the county.
The first school in Norway was built in 1874, on the high bank in the northwest part of the town. In 1908 was erected the Union school now occupied by the four high school and the eight grammar grades. It is two stories and basement and contains four rooms. Attendance about 150. Principal. J. W. Diekman, with three assistants. Norway school board: President. A. Hougen; secre- tary. L. urgemeyer, and treasurer, John T. Smith ; other directors. N. Il. Blakely, C. E. Simpson and Shure Larson.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.