USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 34
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Mr. Thompson remained as superintendent of the farm until 1871, when he was succeeded by Ira Stimson. About this time a village called Mandville, in honor of a daughter of Mr. Babbage, was platted on sections 35 and 36. A store and blacksmith shop were built here and sold to M. B. Hendricks, of Butler Center, who commenced building on it but never finished. The build- ing was later removed to Butler Center and finally to Allison. A newspaper, the Maudville Times, was published here for about a year, having been moved to this location from Parkersburg,
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where it was conducted under the name of the Butler County Times.
Later Mr. Babbage failed in business and the Iowa Central Stock Farm passed into the hands of H. L. Stout, a Dubuque capitalist and linnberman. Mr. Stout, in January, 1875, secured the services of Irving M. Fisher as superintendent. Mr. Fisher remained as superintendent of this farm until it was finally sold in 1891, at which time he purchased the half section, upon which most of the farm buildings were located. Mr. Fisher is still resid- ing upon this farm.
During the period of the ownership of the farm by H. L. Stout and his son Frank D., who was associated with his father in busi- ness, the farm became famous as the home of the finest strains of blooded stock. It has sometimes been termed the "Lexington of the Northwest," for upon this farm there were developed a num- ber of famous trotting horses that were known throughout the country.
For many years before the establishment of the town of Allison this farm furnished a market for much of the grain that was raised by surrounding farmers. One of the most interesting features of the farm was a deer park, consisting of a number of acres of artificial woodland, in which a number of deer were kept. This was for a number of years a favorite resort for sightseeing parties and pienies. This herd of deer was sold after the disposal of the farm to Austin Corbin, a New York banker, and by him transported to his preserve in Vermont.
EDUCATION
Originally the western half of West Point township was united with the eastern half of Pittsford township in a single school distriet. The schoolhouse was located in Boylan's grove. There were at that time no settlers in the eastern part of the township and no necessity of providing school facilities. Later when the township was given separate organization the whole township constituted a school district. The first school in the township was taught during the winter of 1859-60 at the house of Thomas Hewitt, by Miss Mary A. Rich, with an attendance of about fif- teen scholars. The schoolhouse at that time stood about a mile east of what is now Bristow.
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The first division of the township was made on September 16, 1867, when it was resolved by the board to divide the township east and west into three equal parts, making them two miles wide and the whole length of the township and numbering them in order from north to south. During the succeeding winter, how- ever, only one school was maintained-that in district No. 2 in the building already in use for that purpose. The proposition to appropriate $800 for building a schoolhouse in district No. 3 was defeated by the board in March, 1868. In May, 1868, the first term of school in distriet No. 1 was held, with M. A. Park as teacher. The sum of $16 a month was paid for teacher's service. This school was held in a rented room for the purpose.
In March, 1869, the electors voted at the annual meeting to tax the township for the purpose of building a schoolhouse in district No. 1. A schoolhouse for district No. 3 had previously been pro- vided by action of the board in September, 1868. The contract was let to Isaac Boylan and the building was constructed on one- fourth of an acre secured from C. L. Jones, on section 30. The first school in this district was taught in January, 1869, by Ed F. Jones. In February. 1869, sub-district No. 3 was divided and a new district known as sub-district No. 4 was formed from sections 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 and 36. This action was taken in accordance with a petition signed by Charles Thompson and others. The first school in this sub-district No. 4 was taught by Richard Gon- zales, in the winter of 1870-71.
In September, 1869, a site for a schoolhouse in sub-district No. 1 was obtained from Robert Smith on section 7. At the same time sub-district No. 2 was divided and a new sub-district, No. 5, formed of the eight sections of the eastern end of the former dis- triet. The annual meeting, however, in the spring of 1870. defeated the proposition to build a schoolhouse in sub-district No. 5. They, however, appropriated the sum of $600 for erecting a schoolhouse in district No. 4, previously formed.
In April, 1870, a contract for erecting a schoolhouse in dis- trict No. 1 was let to Ancel Durand for the sum of $530. This building was completed and accepted August 22, 1870.
In September. 1870. sub-district No. 1 was divided by setting off the four sections on the west to be known as No. 1 and the balance-eight sections-forming a new sub-district known as No. 6. The first school in district No. 6 was opened on the 24th of April, 1871, with Carrie A. Gough as teacher.
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The records of the annual meetings would seem to indicate that the electors were loath to tax themselves for school building purposes. As a result no school was held in sub-district No. 5 until November, 1872, when H. R. Burtch was employed as teacher. District No. 4, being without a school building, was without a session of school from July, 1871, to December, 1874.
On September 16, 1872, a new sub-district known as No. 7 was formed between districts Nos. 3 and 4, consisting of four sections. The first school in this district was taught by Susie Trindle, in the winter of 1874-5.
On September 21, 1874, the four sections of the eastern end of sub-district No. 5-sections 13, 14, 23 and 24-were set off and numbered as sub-district No. 8. The first teacher in district No. 8 was Frank A. Turner.
A final sub-division of the township into nine districts, each consisting of four townships, was made on the 20th of September, 1875. At that time the sub-districts were renumbered in order, beginning with No. 1 in the northwestern part of the township, and numbering south. According to this former district No. 7 became No. 4; No. 4 became No. 9; and a new district formed of sections 1 and 2, and 11 and 12, was numbered 7. The name of the first teacher in the new sub-district No. 7 is not given. The organization of the township into independent sub-districts was continued until 1877, when by vote of the electors of the township the sub-district system was abandoned and nine independent dis- tricts, with the same boundaries as the sub-districts, were formed under the following names: District No. 1, Pleasant View : No. 2. Bristow ; No. 3. Pleasant Grove: No. 4, Pleasant Valley: No. 5, Walnut Grove; No. 6. Brushy Mound; No. 7. German; No. 8, Richland ; No. 9, Maudville.
The last entries in the record book of the secretary of the district township were made on the 17th of February. 1877, at which time he reported the final distribution of the funds of the school township among the independent districts into which it had been divided.
At a later date the Bristow district was expanded to include a portion of Pittsford township. After the establishment of the town of Allison. the Maudville district was incorporated in the independent district of Allison. The other independent districts of the township remained without change in their boundaries to the present time.
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POPULATION
1856, 230; 1860, 111; 1863, 131; 1865, 155; 1867, 155; 1869, 235 ; 1870, 320; 1873, 437; 1875, 516; 1880, 800; 1890, 1,033; 1900, 1,506; 1910, 1,439.
BRISTOW
A tract of land containing ten acres was laid out and platted in 1855 by Henry Early and George Lash. . The name chosen for the coming village was West Point. The name was subsequently changed to Bristow.
Bristow is located on the south part of section 18 and the north part of section 19. The town is very pleasantly situated, being in the midst of a fertile farming section and has two rail- roads, the Chicago Great Western and the Chicago & Northwest- ern. The population is 550, about sixty of whom live in that part (small) of the town lying in Pittsford township.
Julius Huffman erected a small frame and log building in the new town in the year 1860, in which he placed a small stock of general merchandise. He was Bristow's pioneer merchant. Mr. Huffman, after a two years' experience, concluded the place was too slow in a business way, which led him to pack up his chattels and move to Cedar Falls.
James Butler was the successor to Julius Huffman in the business activities of Bristow, embarking in the sale of groceries, dry goods and other necessaries which he displayed in a small residence building purchased in 1866. He also remained but a short time, selling his stock of goods to H. J. Playter in June. 1868. Playter conducted the store until 1871 and then removed to Butler Center, at one time the county seat, a town planned and platted for a metropolis, but now extinct. After his hopes failed of fruition at Butler Center and at Aplington, Mr. Playter returned to Bristow in 1875 and again engaged in business. But the fates seemed to be antagonistic, for in 1877 he made a final deal which terminated for all time his business career at this point. Eventually, H. J. Playter became station agent for the Dubuque & Dakota (now Chicago Great Western) railroad, and continued as such several years.
The firm of Colvin & Arnold opened a general store in 1872. Mr. Colvin withdrew his interests in the venture in 1874 and
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started a similar establishment for himself. He sold out in 1880 and removed to Plainfield, in Bremer county. His former part- ner became associated with L. L. Hatch and the firm of Arnold & Hatch soon acquired a large and remunerative trade from the surrounding country, which was then becoming quite thickly set- tled.
Doboys Brothers was the name of a general merchandising firm which began business in 1878, but could not make arrange- ments with its creditors. The stock of goods was placed in the hands of an assignee and sold to satisfy a moiety of debts incurred.
E. M. Havens opened a store with a variegated stock of goods and made a success of the undertaking. He remained in busi- ness many years and became an important factor in the affairs of Bristow; so did H. A. Wheeler, in 1882. He was for a long while engaged here as a general merchant and attained a fair degree of success in the business.
The first persons to engage in the manufacture and sale of harness comprised the firm of Kocher & Lichty. The business was started in 1878, when Mr. Lichty retired and Mr. Holz took his place as a member of the firm; another harness and saddlery concern about this time was that of Hoffman & Laster, which came from Waverly and remained two years; then the firm of Hultz & Connelly was formed in 1880, which carried on a harness shop until C. L. Jones superseded Hultz, when the firm name was changed to Jones & Connelly.
The hardware firm of Kocher & Kocher, father and son, came into existence in 1879: D. F. Ellsworth opened a drug store in 1880; a Mr. Hepner opened the first blacksmith shop and remained until 1865, being followed by Barnett Neal, who remained one year; one Wagoner was here a short time ; then came James Con- nelly from Canada in 1869, who plyed his forge until 1882, when he sold his shop to G. G. Coonley, who had been kept busy in another shop since 1876; Henry Underkafer opened a shop in 1879. The two last named artisans became permanent fixtures.
W. P. Smith was the pioneer lumber dealer here. He sold his stock of lumber to the firm of Dubois & Kenison in the fall of 1881. Horace A. Wheeler was a general merchant of 1882.
The "Farmers Home" was opened in the fall of 1863 and the host, George Trindle, entertained the traveler until 1870, selling
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his property that year to Joseph Merrill and removing to a build- ing on section 31.
John Weeks opened a tavern in 1865, in a log building erected by George Lash in 1856. Weeks disposed of the property to F. A. Jones in 1869, who catered to his patrons until 1878. In the latter year Jones put up a better and more commodious building, which took the name of the Jones House. The hostelry was rented to F. A. Newberry, who was its landlord for many years.
The Eagle House was built and opened by E. J. Stoddard in the autumn of 1878. In 1880 William Refsnider became pro- prietor. Stoddard took back the hotel in 1880 and in 1882 closed its doors to the public.
BRISTOW INCORPORATED
The district court issued an order on the 16th day of Novem- ber, 1881, appointing and directing a commission composed of 11. J. Playter, S. B. Wyrick, R. B. Lockwood, James Connelly and L. L. Hatch, to call an election in which the voters of the village of Bristow should decide by their ballots the question of incorporation. Pursuant to instructions the commissioner called the election for December 15, 1881. at which time a majority of the local electorate cast their ballots for the innovation. On the 10th day of January the first regular municipal election was held for the selection of officers of the new legal government and the choice of the voters fell upon the following named persons: T. E. Newberry, mayor ; W. F. Early, recorder; J. N. Kocher, treas- urer: S. Kenison, marshal; JJohn Boston, street commissioner ; William Arnold, J. W. Kocher, James Connelly. A. W. Hitch- cock and S. Gibson, trustees. It is said a tie developed in the vote for mayor, the contestants being Mr. Newberry and Mr. Durand. The unusual problem was solved by a mutual agree- ment between the interested persons in the following maimer : An unknown number of apples was placed in a box and, as decided upon, the last apple remaining and taken therefrom settled the matter; so it may be said that an apple decided the election of Bristow's first chief executive.
When Bristow was incorporated it had a population of 200 and in 1910 the number of inhabitants was given in the census returns as 291. These figures show a slow and not very important or encouraging growth. The reason for this condition may justly
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be ascribed to its contiguity to Dumont on the west and Allison on the east, both of which are but a few miles away; however, Bristow is a busy little trading point, has a number of well built business houses, churches, a school building and many fine resi- dences. But it has not reached the stage, in the estimation of the leading citizens, that demands a town hall, waterworks, sewer- age, electric lights and paving. These utilities will come in time, it is anticipated by those optimistically inclined, and an effort is now in a formative state, to secure an electric current from Hamp- ton for an electric light system.
THE SCHOOLS
Bristow was included in the territory comprising West Point township when the system of school districts was adopted. But in June, 1876, it became an independent district, which took in four sections of land-17, 18, 19, 20. To this were annexed in the winter of 1881-2 section 13 and the northeast quarter of section 24, in Pittsford township. A small frame school building was erected on section 19 in West Point township, on land owned by F. E. Newberry and on section 14 in Pittsford. Here the chil- dren of the town and vicinity received instruction for some years; the school on section 19 was abandoned about six years ago.
In 1880, a two-story frame schoolhouse was erected in Bristow, containing four rooms, at a cost of $2,200. The first teacher was O. H. Scott: his assistant was Mrs. Ella Gibson. For some years past this school has given employment to five instructors, a princi- pal, an assistant principal and three grade teachers. But the building itself has become inadequate, insanitary and inconveni- ent. This condition was realized by many of the advocates for a new structure, and by their efforts they caused a special elec- tion to be called in the year 1913, for the purpose of submitting the question of building a new schoolhouse, and issuing bonds in the sum of $15,000 for the purpose. Unfortunately for the project. the innovation failed by the narrow majority against it of four votes. The project will again be brought to the attention of the electorate in March. 1914.
THE POSTOFFICE
The first postoffice established in this vicinity was located on section 24, Pittsford township and named Boylan's Grove. H.
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A. Early was the first appointee of the office and received his commission about 1856. In a few years the office was moved to West Point, now Bristow, and Julius Hoffman was placed in charge. He was succeeded by C. L. Jones, October 10, 1862, and A. Durand followed as postmaster in 1862, when the office was removed back into Pittsford township and there remained until the appointment of James Butler, when the office again became a part of West Point. Mr. Butler was the postmaster until 1868, in which year he was succeeded by H. J. Playter. The last named was in office but a few months, when J. C. Underwood was appointed and took charge of the mails. In 1876 the name of the office was changed from West Point to Bristow. Before his death, which occurred in 1912, C. L. Jones was the postmaster at Bris- tow about twenty successive years. A daughter, Miss Amia Jones, has been the incumbent since then.
THE CITIZENS STATE BANK
By a glance at the deposit of the Citizens State Bank, the reader will appreciate the fact that this financial concern is one of no little importance to the community and that it flourishes by reason of a grounded confidence of a large list of patrons in its integrity and stanchness. This bank was organized under the laws of Iowa. April 11, 1907, and was the outgrowth of the private banking house of J. W. Ray and H. A. Foote, established in 1897. The present bank was capitalized at $25,000 and had for its first officers J. W. Ray, president; W. F. Ray, vice president; and H. A. Foote, cashier. Mr. Foote died in the year 1908 and since then J. F. Jungking has been cashier. The present staff of officers is composed of W. F. Ray, president; F. T. Wells, vice presi- dent; F. J. Ray, vice president; J. F. Jungking, cashier. Capital, $25,000; deposits, $180.000. The bank's home is a fine two-story briek building, erected in 1903.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
A Methodist Episcopal Society was organized at Bristow in the summer of 1855, by Rev. Swearingen, of Clarksville, who came into the neighborhood for the occasion, and remained as the pastor until 1857. Among the first members were John Lash and wife, P. Miller and wife and Mrs. George Lash. A church
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building was soon erected and a parsonage, where Rev. Alva Freeman, who came in 1857, was the first pastor to reside. This church continued on with resident pastors at uncertain intervals, but for many years past the church was attended from Allison. Since 1913 the pastor at Dumont has been in charge of the Bris- tow church, which now has a membership of probably sixty souls. The church was erected in the summer of 1896, at a cost of $2,500, and dedicated free of debt July 12, 1896.
The United Brethren Church has been established at Bristow for many years and the writer was promised the necessary data relating to its history, which has failed to materialize. Conse- quently all that can be said of it in this work already has been said.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The Presbyterians at one time had a strong organization at this place. The church was established at Jamison's Grove, Octo- ber 31, 1857, taking the name of the Pisgah Church. On this occasion Rev. Williston Jones officiated. The names of the origi- nal members follow: Samnel Armstrong and wife, John A. Staley and wife, Mrs. Susannah Harlan, Henry Meyer, wife and two sons, Henry and Frederick: Mrs. Brotherton, Mrs. Hannah Moore, Mrs. Isabella Jamison and Mrs. Diantha Wickham. In June, 1872, the Pisgah and Butler Center churches consolidated and were incorporated as the Pisgah Presbyterian Church. The following year a house of worship was erected, 42x60 feet, at a cost of $2,400, for which the people of Bristow donated a bell. About this time there were seventy members, but in the '80s the number had dwindled to one-half and eventually the members became so few that regular meetings ceased. For years past there has been no resident minister.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Episcopal Church established a society of that faith in Bristow a number of years ago, and built a tastefully designed and confortable little chamber, where the members held regular services under the ministration of a resident pastor. But his people were so weakened in numbers that many years ago the church was abandoned and the building converted into a hall for the various fraternal lodges of the town.
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FRATERNAL ORDERS
Garfield Lodge, No. 436, I. O. O. F., was organized November 17, 1881, with the following charter members: Peter Ebling, Jacob Krebbs, C. H. Wilbur, C. W. Smith, John C. Kline. First officials: Peter Ebling, N. G .; C. H. Wilbur, V. G .: J. Krebbs, recording secretary ; W. R. Nichols, treasurer; T. M. Early, permanent secretary.
Snowball Lodge, No. 299, Daughters of Rebekah, was organ- ized in October, 1895, with the following charter members: Frank S. Kilson, Francis E. Newberry, Charles T. Coonley, William Arnold, D. C. Graham, John W. Kocher, M. H. Barnes, A. E. Barnes, George G. Smith, Sarah Kilson, Sophia Newberry, Emma F. Coonley, Sarah E. Arnold, Bertha J. Graham. Ida Kocher, Eva R. Barnes, Cornelia B. Barnes and Alfred Meese.
Vulcan Lodge, No. 498, A. F. & A. M., was organized June 4, 1889, with fifteen charter members. A. F. Hobson was inducted into the office of W. M .: C. C. Shattuck, S. W .; and C. L. Jones, J. W.
Bristow Camp, No. 825, M. W. A., was organized February 4, 1889, with the following members: D. M. Anderson, George L. Arnold, E. H. Best, Henry C. Bentroth, O. J. Early, D. C. Graham, E. L. Hewitt, T. J. Hart, C. G. Kilson, William McAdoo, F. K. Spaulding, N. W. True, Amos Vogt. The lodge meets in the old Episcopal church.
CHAPTER XXXI
ALLISON, THE COUNTY SEAT
The town of Allison, the present county seat of Butler county, is situated on the east half of section 25 of West Point township, about one and one-half miles north of the geographical center of the county. The plat was drawn with the idea of providing for the location of the county seat here, hence it centers around a Court House Square ten acres in extent with broad streets lead- ing out from this center in all directions. The growth of the town has been chiefly to the west and south. It comprises at the pres- ent time an area of approximately fifty city blocks north of the railroad, most of which are improved by the construction of sub- stantial residences and business buildings. The principal busi- ness street extends from the railway station to the Court House Square a distance of five blocks which are bordered on either side by buildings occupied by the various firms engaged in commerce and trade in the town. These comprise at the date of present writing one bank, one hotel, two restaurants, three general stores, two drug stores, two hardware stores, two millinery establish- ments, one furniture store, one meat market, one clothing store, one photograph gallery, two harness and shoe repairing shops, two blacksmith shops, one livery stable, one printing office, two barber shops and pool halls combined, one sash and door factory, one steel evener factory, two lumber yards, two elevators, one cooperative creamery, and several other buildings used for tele- phone, law and abstract, physician's and dentist's offices. There are two automobile garages and one auto livery.
Allison lies in the heart of one of the best and most prosperous farming sections of this rich agricultural county. Its prosperity is based upon the most stable of foundations, that of the necessity of the surrounding community for an outlet for their surphis products and a trading place where they may obtain the neces- sities and luxuries of life. Land values in country and town show
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a steady increase that bespeaks a continuance of the present prosperous conditions.
EARLY HISTORY
This town is the youngest incorporated town in the county, having been laid out and platted on the land belonging to the Iowa Central Stock Farm in 1879. Previous to this time, this farm had passed from the hands of its first owner, Mr. R. A. Bab- bage, into those of Mr. H. L. Stout of the Knapp, Stout Lumber Company of Dubuque. As early as 1875 a line of railroad, first known as the Iowa & Pacific railroad, had been surveyed through the county from east to west passing through the present site of Allison. Before this in 1871 on the 11th of February, West Point township had by a majority of nine votes refused to vote a special tax for the benefit of this road. The road was, however, actually graded before the project was abandoned. H. L. Stout was one of the backers of this project and was active in securing the reorganization of the company for the construction of this line of road under the name of the Dubuque & Dakota.
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