USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 43
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S. G. Goldthwait, editor of the News-Republican, came into the responsibility and perquisites of the office through the instru- mentality of the Taft administration in 1907, and is now finishing
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his second term. Probably no part of the postoffice department shows more progress since its inauguration than that of the city carrier service, which was established December 1, 1897. At the time there were four appointees, as follows: W. A. Hughes, No. 1; E. E. Young, No. 2; C. A. Culver, No. 3 ; and J. J. Fox, No. 4. The city now has a corps of eight carriers, all of whom give efficient and unqualified satisfaction in their work.
The rural free delivery of mails was inaugurated in Boone County in 1900, with three routes. These were increased in 1901 to six; in 1907 to seven; and in 1914 to eight, which makes the rural delivery out of the local office into the rural districts, eight in number.
It is hardly necessary to go into the business operations of this office, but in general terms it might be stated that the local receipts in 1904 were $17,585.73. A gratifying increase is shown by the re- ceipts of 1913, which were $29,026.97. The figures for 1914 in themselves indicate that the Boone office is constantly progressing in the volume of business for which it gives itself credit in the year just mentioned. In dollars and cents the receipts of this office were $30,432.05. In 1904, after the Federal Government had purchased a desirable tract of land on the northwest corner of Eighth and Arden streets, at a cost of $12,500, it erected a modern building at a cost of $87,500, making the property stand the government in round numbers $100,000. Architecturally, this is the finest public building in Boone, and is not only greatly admired by all, but is the pride of every loyal citizen of the town.
CHAPTER XLI
BANKING
The financial concerns of Boone County cut but a slight figure in its history when numbers are considered. But the banks of the county practically have always stood well in financial circles and some of them occupy an enviable place among the strongest in the state.
The first banking institution in Boone County, now recalled by certain of the earlier citizens of note and reliable memory, was a small affair, which was started at Boonesboro about the year 1864, by John Y. Smith and J. W. Black, and was known as Smith & Black's Bank. The place of business was in a small one-story framc building that stood on First Street, almost directly north of the courthouse. The bank was sold to Charles A. Sherman in 1865. Black then engaged in shipping live stock, and Smith turned his energies to speculating in land and tax titles, in which activities he became wealthy. Mr. Smith became a resident of Chicago and died there.
Charles A. Sherman was the first person to firmly establish a banking business in the community, although he finally went into voluntary liquidation. He built the large brick business structure still standing on Third Street, in Boonesboro, and here he estab- lished the Sherman Bank and maintained the institution.
A. K. Wells, who had filled a position in the Sherman Bank at Boonesboro, came to Boone about 1868 or 1869, and started a private bank, in a frame building that stood on the spot now occupied by the First National Bank. Wells soon failed and in the building vacated by him, J. Y. Smith and R. J. Hiatt, under the firm name of Hiatt & Smith, conducted a private bank for some little time and then closed up its affairs.
CITY TRUST & SAVINGS BANK
The City Trust & Savings Bank may rightfully be designated as the oldest financial institution in Boone, as it is an outgrowth
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of the City Bank, established July 24, 1872, by Vincent Wood, W. F. Clark, C. J. A. Ericson, Frank Champlin, J. P. Jackson, R. J. Hiatt, William M. Boone and Asa Howe, with a capital stock of $30,000. This was a private banking house, which commenced husi- ness in a two-story brick structure, erected for the prupose, still standing, at 721 Story Street, and now occupied by the MeCune Shoe Company. The officers of the original City Bank were W. F. Clark, president, and Vincent Wood, cashier.
After a year's duration as a private concern the management of the City Bank was granted a charter and began business as the First National Bank, January 4, 1873. Its capital stock was $50,000, and officers: W. F. Clark, president; C. J. A. Ericson, vice presi- dent; Vincent Wood, cashier.
This bank, above mentioned, was the first in Boone to obtain authority from the Federal Government to operate under the national banking laws. But it is not to be confused with the present bank with that title, as the former surrendered its charter in Jan- uary, 1878, and closed its accounts and obligations, only to continue operations as a private bank by and under a co-partnership formed between W. F. Clark, John C. Mall, Frank Champlin, L. J. Alle- man, F. Holbrook, William M. Boone, C. J. A. Ericson, A. S. Hol- brook, L. F. Holbrook, L. and H. Goeppinger, L. J. Rice, Sophia Hull and Clark Luther. The title of City Bank was again assumed, the capital paid in was $50,000, and officers as follows: W. F. Clark, president; Frank Champlin, vice president; C. J. A. Ericson, cashier.
The City Bank continued as a private institution until April 1, 1912, when the City Trust & Savings Bank was authorized to conduct a general banking business under the laws of the State of lowa, being capitalized at $100,000, with a surplus of $1 50,000.
The first officials of the City Trust & Savings Bank were: Presi- dent, Lewis Goeppinger; vice president, C. E. Rice; cashier, Charles H. Goeppinger; assistant cashier, R. T. Duckworth. A three-story brick building, on the northeast corner of Story and Eighth streets, was purchased and remodelled at a cost of $20,000 and occupied in the fall of 1913; here the bank has a handsome and modern homc.
As a matter of detail it may be stated that W. F. Clark died in April, 1880, and his successor in the presidency of the City Bank was Frank Champlin. The latter passed away June 20, 1905, and C. J. A. Ericson filled the position until his death in 1910. The
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bank's capital is $100,000; surplus, $150,000; undivided profits. $25,000; deposits, $1, 100,000.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
The First National Bank was organized November 24, 1884, by S. L. Moore, Watt Webb, J. M. Herman, John T. Nelson, Jacob Stevens, Thomas B. Moore, D. F. Goodykoontz, A. F. Westbers and James Hazlett. It was capitalized at $50,000, and had for its first officials, S. L. Moore, president; J. M. Herman, vice president ; James Hazlett, cashier; T. B. Moore, assistant cashier; J. H. Her- man, bookkeeper.
The First National began doing business in a building which stood on the northeast corner of Eighth and Keeler streets, now occupied by the Security Savings Bank's handsome new building. From here removal was made to the present home at the southeast corner of Story and Eighth, in May, 1895, at which time only the north half of the ground floor was occupied. On May 1, 1910, after increasing the floor space to twice the original proportions and spending a large sum of money in remodelling the apartments and the installation of new furniture, safes and vaults and other appur- tenances, the First National found itself installed in headquarters harmonizing with the importance and standing of a bank of the first order.
Previous to this, on February 8, 1902, the capital stock was in- creased to $100,000, and in 1911 it was doubled to $200,000. S. L. Moore has been the executive head of the First National Bank since it came into existence thirty years ago. The present officials are: S. L. Moore, president; J. H. Herman, cashier ; H. R. Eaton, assistant cashier. Capital, $200,000; surplus, $30,000; profits, $10,- 000; deposits, $1,520,000.
BOONE STATE BANK
This bank came into being as the Boone County Bank, February 10, 1884. It was a private concern, having its origin under a co- partnership between R. J. Hiatt, Oscar Schleiter, A. J. Barkley, Eugene Favre, Charles Goetzman, E. E. Webb and R. M. Weir. R. J. Hiatt was president; A. J. Barkley, vice president; and Oscar Schleiter, cashier. The institution had a paid-up capital of $100,000.
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The Boone County Bank authorities erected a two-story build- ing with a terra cotta front, on the west side of the alley on Eighth Street just west of Story, and conducted a lucrative business there for a number of years. A number of the men associated with this concern were well known and have passed away. Among them may be mentioned R. M. Weir, Oscar Schleiter, Eugene Favre and Charles Goetzman.
The Boone County Bank was sold in February, 1911, to T. L. Ashford, B. P. Holst, Archie Patterson, F. H. Johnson, May E. Johnson and Duncan Grant. It was then organized and chartered as the Boone State Bank, with a capital of $50,000. Its officials were: T. L. Ashford, president ; B. P. Holst, vice president; Archie Patterson, cashier; H. W. Borg, assistant cashier.
The business of the concern is conducted in the building used by the Boone County Bank and purchased by the Boone State Bank. The capital is $50,000; surplus and undivided profits, $9,000; deposits, $358,000.
SECURITY SAVINGS BANK
The Security Savings Bank was chartered and opened for business, March 13, 1893, with a capital of $25,000. The incor- porators were: S. L. Moore, C. J. A. Ericson, C. E. Rice, John W. McMahon, J. Hornstein, R. F. Jordan, J. H. Herman, W. H. Crooks, Charles H. Goeppinger, John L. Goeppinger, J. M. Her- man, John Bain and H. H. Canfield. Officials: S. L. Moore, presi- dent; C. J. A. Ericson, vice president; W. H. Crooks, cashier ; Otto C. Herman, assistant cashier ; C. E. Rice, treasurer.
This concern first began doing business in the old McFarland Bank Building, on the northwest corner of Eighth and Keeler streets, and here remained until 1913, when it removed into a modern building across the street on the northeast corner of Eighth and . Keeler. In 1902 the capital stock was increased to $50,000.
Frank E. Cutler was elected cashier, September 25, 1895. upon the resignation of Mr. Crooks. Upon the retirement of C. J. A. Ericson as vice president, in 1899, J. L. Goeppinger was elected to the position. At that time Mr. Cutler resigned the cashiership and was followed by Otto C. Herman. January 9, 1901, O. C. Herman resigned as cashier and was succeeded by T. L. Ashford. The same year J. L. Goeppinger resigned the vice presidency and Otto C. Herman took his place.
إكساب العرب
BOONE NATIONAL BANK BUILDING. BOONE, IOWA
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTON, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
On July 12, 1904, T. L. Ashford withdrew from the bank to accept a position with the Boone National, and Otto C. Herman assumed the duties of cashier, giving way October 14, 1905, to John F. Herman, who is the present incubent.
The present officials of the Security Savings Bank are: S. L. Moore, president; O. C. Herman, vice president; John F. Herman, cashier; C. S. Hazlett, assistant cashier. Capital stock, $50,000; undivided profits, $42,000; deposits, $617,000.
In the summer of 1914 this institution took up its permanent quarters in a modern and finely equipped bank building, already casually referred to. It is a brick structure, two stories in height, with handsome stone columns, running from the ground to the eaves of the building, giving the front a rich and classical effect. The interior shows a studied taste in the neatness and effectiveness of design, the furniture and all appointments. This is a fire proof structure, and with the lots cost about sixty thousand dollars.
BOONE NATIONAL BANK
The Boone National Bank: was organized June 6, 1903. It was capitalized at $100,000, and selected the following officials: E. E. Hughes, president; F. M. Ballou, vice president; A. J. Wilson, cashier. The first home of the bank was in the west end of the Mason Building, on Eighth Street. Some time later headquarters were assumed in the old McFarland Bank Building, corner of Eighth and Keeler streets. In the spring of 1908 a final removal was made to the splendid new home on Eighth Street, just west of Story, in the only modern steel-ribbed, brick structure in Boone, erected at a cost of $100,000. To describe this building would be a superfluous task. Let it suffice that it stands for all that could be desired in the way of a perfect twentieth century business cdifice and bank. The material is steel, brick and stone, and heighth six stories.
T. L. Ashford followed Mr. Wilson in the cashiership and served in that capacity until 1910, when E. D. Carter was elected. He was followed by the present incubent, George B. Irick, Novem- ber 1, 1911. Mr. Hughes resigned the presidency June 17, 1911. Present officials: President, John Cooper; vice president, H. H. Canfield; cashier, George B. Irick. Capital, $100,000; surplus, $17,000; undivided profits, $4,000; deposits, $400,000.
CHAPTER XLII
INDUSTRIAL BOONE
The city of Boone has quite a number of manufacturing indus- tries which send their products to various parts of the United States, and not a little to foreign countries. It has a good outlet for its manufacturies, being the lowa division point on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, which has many connecting lines, thus facilitating the transportation of goods through Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, the Dakotas and the farther great Northwest. The Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul enters the city from the south, afford- ing a direct outlet to the rich territory served by that line. To these great transportation facilities is added the Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern, a passenger and freight carrying electric system, which taps within a distance of forty miles every trunk line railroad in Iowa.
J. B. McHose left his home in Henry County, Illinois, in 1889, and coming to Boone, erected a modern brick manufacturing plant, at which later was installed modern machinery of every descrip- tion, including a seventy-five horse power Corliss engine. The clay from which the product is made is located in large quantities one mile south of the city on the Des Moines River. Not only is the manufacture of a fine quality of brick a product of this great industry, but also large tile for drainage purposes. The plant is one of the best in the state of Iowa and gives steady employment to a large number of men and boys.
The Quinn Wire & Iron Works is one of the important con- cerns of Boone and is among the valued plants of its kind in the state. C. J. Quinn and C. C. Quinn formed a co-partnership in the year 1900 and in a limited way started the manufacture of hard- ware specialties in the town of Scranton, Iowa. Their business grew slowly, but steadily, until in the year 1908, the plant had out- grown its location, so that responding to an urgent appeal from the citizens of Boone through its Commercial Association, the Vol. 1-31
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Quinn Wire & Iron Works was removed to this city, where it found abundance of coal, good water and railroad facilities. In January, 1909, articles of incorporation were issued to the company, the first officers of which were: C. J. Quinn, president; and C. C. Quinn, secretary and treasurer. C. J. Quinn died in the following October, at the age of seventy-three, which threw the entire manage- ment of the large business upon C. C. Quinn, who was equal to the occasion. The factory occupies a large brick structure on East Twelfth Street, covering about twenty thousand square feet of floor space, and has its private switch, where is received all incoming freight in carlots and where cars are loaded for shipment. The buildings are well equipped with modern machinery, suitable for turning out such articles as sash weights, sewer castings, cistern rings and covers, grate bars, an iron and steel washing machine and many novelties of a useful character.
Perhaps the oldest manufacturing industry in Boone is that of the L. & H. Goeppinger wholesale saddlery firm. This business was founded by Louis and Henry Goeppinger, in 1866, and has been in continuous operation ever since. The Goeppinger whole- sale saddlery concern occupies a large brick building in the heart of the business district on Story Street, where are the offices, ship- ping department and warehouse stock, also workshops and storage rooms. There is another building where collars are made-an arti- cle that finds a ready market throughout the country on account of its excellence. The floor space utilized by the firm in the conduct of its business exceeds twenty thousand square feet, where skilled mechanics manufacture certain leather articles by hand, while others operate the latest improved machinery. The product con- sists principally of heavy harness, light driving harness, strap work, saddlery and horse collars.
Boone has a splendid artificial ice plant, which was erected and put in operation by George and Albert Rocho, in 1908. The Rocho brothers have given Boone one of its greatest industries, where distilled water is manufactured into blocks of pure ice to the extent of twenty-five tons per day. The plant stands on the site of the old cereal mill and has direct connections with the Chicago & North- western and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroads, for the shipment of ice and receiving of articles for cold storage, which is one of the industries of this concern.
The Boone Brick, Tile & Paving Company's plant is located on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway and the Boone Suburban
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Railway, about one mile west of the city limits, and is one of the largest works of its kind in the West, the daily output being from sixty to seventy-five thousand brick. The latest improved machin- ery is used and the employment of from fifty to seventy-five men is necessary. The products consist of paving, sidewalk and build- ing brick, hollow blocks and drain tile. Its face brick is rapidly growing in poularity. The brick is manufactured from shale clay, which is found in generous deposits in the bluffs on the east side of the Des Moines River. These deposits consist of fire, potter's and red shale clays. The company was organized in 1911 and incor- porated with a capital stock of $60,000. At the same time it took over a small brick plant, situated on top of the bluffs, near Incline, previously operated by George W. Barnes, and later by J. F. Yegge and O. W. Nystrom. It was Judge J. L. Stevens who interested P. Hallenbeck, formerly of Boone, but later of Ocean Park, California, and local men of energy and capital to form the company. The plant is operated about ten and a half months during the year and furnishes employment to a large number of men. The present organization is made up of J. L. Stevens, president; W. H. Brecht, secretary and sales manager; and A. B. Scott, treasurer and man- ager.
The Hansen-Westberg Glove Company began the manufacture of gloves in Boone in March, 1906, furnishing to the trade the famous black label brand of gloves and mittens. The concern also makes ladies' furs and fur coats and gives employment to from fifteen to twenty people. Other products turned out by the company are tents and awnings. The factory is located on Keeler Street, between Seventh and Eighth. The members of the firm are A. J. Holtz and A. L. Westberg.
The Boone Hosiery Mills is an industry of no small importance to the community. This is a branch of the Des Moines Hosiery Mills and was opened for operation December 10, 1909, with a dozen knitting machines, which have been increased to about one hundred. The mills manufacture cotton, wool and worsted hosiery, and has its factory on East Eighth Street in a large brick building.
The S. J. Wester Manufacturing Company, with factory located on Sixth Street, near Story, began business here about thirty years ago, making and placing on the market a number and variety of first class articles of every day use, among which may be men- tioned patent Economy screens for doors and windows, the Benson
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seed cleaner and the Twentieth Century clothes reel. S. J. Wester is the proprietor and manager.
The Boone Glove Works is a concern that manufactures gloves, mittens, awnings, tents, stack covers, wagon covers and other similar articles, and has its factory at 1021 Story Street. F. S. Garner and A. H. Duckworth are the proprietors.
The Fitch Ideal Dandruff Cure Company is the culmination of the efforts of F. W. Fitch while conducting a small barber shop in this city ten years ago. At that time he began to introduce in a small way an article of his compounding, to which he gave the name of Fitch's Dandruff Remover and Hair Grower. He had but little means but a firm determination and as the business grew slowly he finally fitted up a small room, eight feet square, at his home, where he mixed his compound, which he bottled and peddled around from place to place. In about a year he removed his factory into the basement of his residence and success attending his efforts, he eventually erected a two-story frame building for a factory, where he remained until the summer of 1909. At this time the business had grown to such proportions that he formed a company and erected one of the finest buildings in the city, located on Seventh Street, facing Keeler. It is a three-story brick, with a good base- ment, and contains 12,500 square feet of floor space. Here he manu- factures the Fitch toilet and shampoo preparations. The company has for its president, F. W. Fitch; secretary and treasurer, J. J. Kirby.
Among the more recent industrial concerns established here may be mentioned the Monarch Manufacturing Company, which makes machines for the manufacture of cement tile, and also manufactures specialties, including an advertising machine. Another concern is the Marshall Vinegar Company.
C. C. Purinton started a small bindery in 1879, which was run in connection with the Boone County Republican, then owned by Means & Downing. The equipment consisted of a ruling machine. a board cutter and a few bookbinder's tools. The force consisted of Mr. Purinton and one employe. However, his business grew and in the year 1881, more space became necessary, so that the plant was moved into a larger room. Twelve workmen were given eni- ployment. In 1892 the late C. J. A. Ericson erected for Mr. Purin- ton a building near the Holst Hotel. This finally became inade- quate and in 1904 the adjoining building was leased. Demand for space continued and was met in 1908, when the Wells Block was
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secured for the making of the products of this splendid concern, consisting of blank books, church calendars and job work of a high order. One of the most important products of the concern is the "Purinton Financial System for Weekly Giving Calendar." Almost every religious community favors the device and makes regular weekly purchases. Some time ago the company was incorporated, which now has for its officers : S. L. Moore, president; R. R. Cobb, vice president; J. H. Eade, secretary and treasurer. Shortly after the company was organized a splendid building was erected on the corner of Story and Sixth streets.
The Holst Publishing Company, 510 Sixth Street, has for its executive head, Bernhart P. Holst, who among other things, pub- lishes a Teachers' and Pupils' Cyclopedia, a work originally con- taining two thousand, two hundred and six pages, of which Mr. Holst is the author. Later he secured specialists to prepare articles pertinent to subjects of interest to instructors and pupils. How- ever, these classes are not the only patrons. The books are sold to persons irrespective of their vocations. The Holst Publishing Com- pany was established in 1900. In 1909 the original publication was revised and printed from new plates and now comprises five vol- umes, with thirty-three hundred and fifty-five pages. Bernhart P. Holst has gone a great way through his publications toward mak- ing Boone widely known in the educational world, as the Holst Pub- lishing Company has branches in many of the large cities of the United States and Canada.
In 1899 a franchise was issued to the Boone Gas Company, a foreign corporation, of which E. G. Platt, of Chicago, is president ; George R. Roper, Rockford, Illinois, vice president; and E. C. Brown, of New York, secretary and treasurer. The plant was estab- lished at Eighth and Cedar streets, and the laying of mains was commenced, which vigorously extended over the city. On the 27th day of January, 1900, a fine quality of gas was being supplied from this splendid utility to a large number of patrons. The prod- uct made is called carburetted water gas, now almost in universal use. With offices at 706 Story Street, the company keeps on sale a full line of gas ranges, gas logs, laundry stoves, heaters, hot water heaters, incandescent gas lamps, and numerous other articles that have come into modern use through the invention of appliances for the use of gas. The plant is fully worth $500,000 and is one of the well patronized industries of the place. H. G. Stillson is the local manager.
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