History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 131

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316

USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 131
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 131

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).

He was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1844. He was the son of Peter and Elizabeth Woodring. The for- mer died in 1858 and the latter in 1856. When Peter was six years old his parents moved to Stephenson county, Illinois, where he lived until 1861, when he enlisted in the Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, remaining until the close of the war in 1866. When he returned from the army he went to Waverly and worked for Woodring Brothers, until the fall of 1868. Then he went to Plainfield, where he went into business for himself, but remained only a shorttime. In the spring of 1869 he went to Clarksville, Butler county, where he remained one year, and then returned again to work for Woodring Bros., in Waverly. There he remained

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

until 1876, when he came to this place and engaged in business, meeting with good success. Here S. T. Todd purchased the establishment of the first furniture store in this placc. His present store building was erected in 1880. It is 32x36, and two stories high. He is connected by tele- phone with Woodring Bros., of Waverly. Mr. Woodring spends a portion of his time on the road. He is a member of the United Brethren in Christ, and is licensed to preach. He married May 18, 1868, Miss Mary J. Fague, a native of Woodford county, Illinois. They have seven chil- dren, Clara E., Alberto J., Amy L., Lila A., Ada S., Gertie P. and Henry E. They lost one, Marietta, at the age of one year .and five months.

MILLINERY.

This business is well represented by Mrs. Peter Woodring, who carries a choice and well selected stock of everything in that line.

DRUGS.

The pioneer drug store of the town was started in 1874 by Dr. J. N. Wilson, in company with J. H. Muffy, the Doctor the same year erecting the fine store building now occupied by Frank A. Lee. Dr. Wilson continued in the drug business until his practice became so extensive he was obliged to give up his interest and devote his time to the profession. This was in 1876, since which time the store has changed hands a number of times, and is now owned by Frank A. Lee, of Waverly, and is under the management of Asa K. Leonard, a capable and popular young man. There is another drug

store, which was established some years later, now controlled by Dr. Z. Z. Bryant, who has a stock of drugs, and M. Robish, who has a stock of hardware. They commenced business in May, 1882.

J. H. Muffly, son of C. T. and Jemima Muffly, was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, January 15, 1851. In 1868, his parents moved to Hardin county, Iowa, where they remained, however, but two years, and then went back to Illinois. At the age of nineteen, having received a liberal education, he taught school for two years, then went to Fayette county, where he was engaged iu farming for two years. In the year 1875, he came to Sumner, and became connected with Dr. Wilson, in the drug business. In this he cou- tinued until 1879, when he went to work for Hunt, Holt & Co., in the grain busi- ness. Mr. Muffly was justice of the peace for two years. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Minerva Baker, a native of Stephenson county, Illinois. They have one child-Louisa May.

BANKS.

S. F. Cass, in connection with his mer- cantile trade, did a general exchange and banking business, which iucreased to such an extent that in January, 1881, he estab- lished a bank as a separate business. The bank building is 56x58, two stories, and was built at an expense of about $5,000. It contains the bank and residence of S. F. Cass and a Masonic hall. In addition to the general banking room, there is a commodious general business office, for the use of those connected with the insti- tution, and, opening from this is the pri- vate office of the proprictor. The main

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

banking room is the best appointed in the county. The vault is 10x12, fire-proof, having heavy, double, steel doors, with combination loek, within which is a burg- lar-proof safe, weighng 4,550 pounds, val- ued at $1,300. The safe is Diebold's latest improved pattern and has a time loek. Mr. Cass has worked up a banking business which requires all his time and the assist- anee of an efficient eashier.

Frank Thull, born in Ozaukee, Wiseon- sin, April 15, 1854. He is a son of Peter and Doratha (Weaver) Thull, the former still living in Wisconsin, the latter dying in February, 1874, at the age of 62 years. Frank was educated in the common school, reeciving a liberal education. He was engaged as elerk in a store, until 1877 when he eame to this place as elerk for his brother,in the hardware store, remain- ing with him two and a half years. He then engaged with Cass & Co., in the store, but in July, 1881, went into the bank as eashier. He is an honest, upright young man, and has won the respect and esteem of all that have eome in eon- taet with him. Was married May 20, 1882, Miss Sadie E. West, a native of Linn eounty, Iowa.

HOTELS.

The first regular hotel started in this town was the "Pacific House," which for a long time did a flourishing business under the management of Charley Spcars, but for some reason was closed in the fall of 1882, for the winter. There has been quite a number of hotels started, of vari- ous grades, from time to time, but the only oue running in December, 1882, was "King's Hotel," owned and managed by

William King, who came here from Law- ler in the fall of 1880, purchased the build- ing which had heretofore been used for a general store, remodeled the same and made a good hotel building, 22x100 feet, two stories high, it contains a commodious office, 24x24, a dining room 24x24, and accommodations for forty guests. Wil- liam King, the gentlemanly and aeeom- modating proprietor, was born in Saratoga county, New York, January 31, 1816. He was the son of Ebenezer and Martha Sarah King. His father was in the boot and shoe business, but dicd when William was but nine years old. When four years old his parents moved to Oneida county, New York, where he lived until he was twenty years of age. In early life he learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1845 he removed to St. Charles, Illinois, where he worked at his trade, until his health failed him, when he bceame engaged in peddling through the eounty with a team. In 1869 he came to Iowa and settled in Lawler, where he engaged in the hotel business, continuing until February, 1879, when his house was burned, causing the loss of nearly everything he had. While he was in Illinois, he was postmaster for four years, under James Buchanan. Mr. King tells quite a laughable incident in connec- tion with his getting the appointment of postmaster in Illinois. Having been a life-long republiean, and the town being almost unanimously democratic, there be- ing only three republican voters beside himself, he was asked by the people to ae- eept the appointment of postmaster under James Buchanan's democratic administra- tion. The petition sent to Washington stated, that there was not a democrat in

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

the town that they dare trust, and of the four republicans, Mr. King was set forth as being the only honest one among them. The result was, James Buchanan appointed him postmaster, which office he held dur. ing the entire administration. Mr. King was married in 1840, to Miss Matilda Rosa, a native of New York. They had an adopted son, John, who was killed by accident on the Northern Pacific Railroad, on the 24th of May, 1882, age twenty- seven.

LIVERY STABLE.

Mr. Jarvis is proprietor of a livery, feed and sale stable. He located here in 1876 and engaged in this business, being the first in town, and is now the only one in this line. His barn is 56x60, with an addition, 12x24, for an office, which is designed to be increased by an addition, 40x50. He keeps cighteen horses, and has as good turnouts as will be found any- where in the county. He has generally carried the mail between Sumner and West Union, Randalia and Henry's Mill, during the last ten years, and from here to Waverly until the route was established by rail. Hc now runs to Plainfield and the points named. He is one of the pioneer men of Sumner, is public-spirited, enter- prising and prosperous, and has a host of friends. A. H. Jarvis, son of J. M. and Catherine Jarvis, was born in Paynesville, Ohio, in June, 1846. His parents are both living in Nebraska. Mr. Jarvis lived in Ohio until he was nine years of age, when his parents moved to Illinois, remaining six years, and then moved to Waterloo, Black Hawk county, Iowa. He was brought up on a farm, receiving but a

common school education. In 1870 he came to Bremer county, and settled on a farm in Warren township, where he remained for five years. From there he went to Waverly, and was in the stage line business, but came to Sumner in 1876, where he has since been in business. In the meantime, in 1863, at the age of sev- enteen, he went into the army and went "from Atlanta to the sea," with Sherman. He remained in the army until the close of the war in 1865. Mr. Jarvis has been deputy sheriff for five years, and constable for the past six years. Was one of the charter members of the Masonic lodge. He was married in 1870 to Miss May Cook, a native of New York.

SUMNER CREAMERY.

The business was established in May, 1880, by Tibbets & Tower, who continued the business until October, when they sold to A. O. Kingsley and H. G. Fairchild. Soon after it passed into the hands of A. O. Kingsley, who continued to run it until August, 1881, when Gardner, Murphy & Company, of Boston, beeamc the pro- prietors. They installed II. C. Alger as superintendent, who at once commenced to refit it and put it into first class shape. The main building is 24x65 with ice house 24x36. The machines are opcrated by a six horse power steam engine, with eight horse power boiler. This establishment has all the modern improvements for the manu- facture of butter, and is one of the most thriving and progressive branches of busi- ness in Sumner. During the season of 1882, they manufactured on an average one thousand pounds of butter per day.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

H. C. Alger, the son of E. A. and A. M. Alger, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, April 15, 1857. 'There he lived until 1861, when his parents moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he attended the High School, until lie entered Harvard College, graduating in the elass of 1879. He entered the Harvard Medical College, but did not take the full course; between the years 1880 and 1881, he took a vaca- tion. In the summer of 1881, he was sent to this place by Gardner, Murphy & Com- pany as, superintendent of their ereamery. Mr. Alger was elected justice of the peace at the last clection, for one year. He is a member of Lookout Lodge, of which he is S. D. He is a young man of fine eduea- tion, cxeellent business ability, and is fast winning the respect and esteem of the citizens in his adopted home.

STEAM FEED MILL.

Owen & Son, proprietors of this mill, came to Sumner from Black Hawk county, in May, 1882. They at once se- cured a location, and commenced build- ing a steam feed mill. The size of the building is 16x33 feet, two stories high, run by a six and one-half horse-power stcam engine. They do a general milling busi- ness. This is the first mill of any descrip- tion started in Sumner. The present ca- pacity is one hundred bushels per day, which is hardly sufficient to meet the demand.

C. Owen was born in Steuben county, New York, in 1817. His father, J. R. Owen, was a miller by trade, and was onc of the first settlers of Black Hawk county, loeating there at the same time with his son, C. Owen, in 1857. Mr. Owen lived in

New York until 1852, when he went to Illinois, remained five years, and then went to Lester, Black Hawk county, where he beeame engaged in farming and work- ing in a flouring mill. There he remained until 1882, when he sold his farm and came to Sumner, built a mill, and, in con- neetion with his son, became engaged in the milling business. Mr. Owen was one of the trustees of the town in which lie lived, in Black Hawk county, and his father for a number of years was justice of the peace. The entire family are mem- bers of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Mr. Owen was married, in 1840, to Miss Sophrona Smith, a native of New York. They have two children living-L. S., and Parley.

L. S. Owen was born in Black Hawk county, Iowa, in 1857, his father being one of the first settlers of that county. Hc was educated in Lester and Waterloo, and commenecd teaching in 1876, in the dis- trict schools of that county, continuing teaching until he came to Sumner in 1882: He is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, of which society he is an officer. He was married, in 1879, to Miss Katie Miller, a native of Pennsylvania. They have two children-Earl, and Ralph.

CARRIAGE SHOPS.

There are three carriage and repair shops here, prominent among which is the one owned by McMeekin & Co., who, in addition to the general blacksmith and carriage business, mannfacture different vehicles for the trade. Mr. MeMeekin established in business during the season of 1876, and has sinee continucd.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

William McMeekin, son of Thomas and Rhoda McMeekin, was born in Delhi, Delaware county, Iowa, December 28, 1855. His parents lived in Delhi but a short time after his birth, when they moved to Bremer county, and settled in Leroy township. William received a common school education, was brought up on a farm, where he worked until he was twenty-one years of age, when he com- menced to learn the blacksmith business. He soon settled in this place, and went in business on his own account. He was married, in 1879, to Miss Ella Kellogg, a native of New York State. They have one child-Eugenie.

LUMBER YARDS.

The Minneapolis lumber yard, managed by T. P. Emmons, was established No- vember 1, 1880. The stock for the same came on the first train that entered Sum- ner, and was located on railroad land, on the north side. They carry a full and complete stock. Mr. Emmons also deals in farm machinery, wood and coal.

T. P. Emmons, son of Morton and Eliza Emmons, was born in Delaware county, New York, in 1842. After attain- ing his majority, he moved to Oneanta, Otsego county, where he grew to man- hood, receiving an excellent business edu- cation, which was completed at Eastman's Business College, receiving his diploma in 1865. The same year he came west, and settled in Waverly, where he was en- gaged in the grain business for one year. Returning then to his old home, in New York, he engaged in the grocery, dry goods, boot and shoe business, remaining nine years. Returning again to Waverly,

he engaged in farming until he was made agent for the Minneapolis lumber yard, November 1, 1880. The firm carry about $7,000 worth of stock, deal extensively in window sash, doors and blinds. The firm have been doing a good business ever since they first started. Mr. Emmons still owns his farm near Waverly. His father and mother are both dead, the former dying in 1866, and the latter in 1865. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Mary Mar- tin, a native of Maine. They have two children-Lillian and Willie. Mr. Em- mons is a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 466, Oneanta, N. Y.

J. C. Garner's lumber yard does a mam- moth business, immense quantities of lum- ber passing through this yard every year. He carries a stock, including farm ma- chinery, coal, &c., of about $10,000, and does a business of upwards of $25,000 a year. This yard is in charge of A. J. Cur- tiss, assisted by Willie Carpenter.

O. O. Tibbitts also carries on a lumber yard on a smaller scale.

PHOTOGRAPHY.

The photograph gallery now owned by S. M. Goodall was established in the spring of 1881 by J. F. Davis, who continued in the business until May, 1882, when he was succeeded by S. M. Goodall.

GRAIN DEALERS.

There are two extensive warehouses in Sumner, one built in 1879 by Hunt, Hall & Co., and the other in 1880, by S. F. Cass. One is operated by the Waverly Board of Trade, with J. H. Muffly as man- ager and the other by A. Fortner & Co., of Waverly, with C. Fortner as manager.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Both are doing a flourishing business, handling all kinds of farm produee.

JEWELER.

J. C. Rand, practical jeweler, watch- maker, engraver, &e., was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1846. He is the son of Nathaniel Allen and Mary Rand. He lived in Wisconsin nntil 1865, when he came to Iowa, but soon left and went to Illinois, where he lived ten years. He commeneed to learn his trade when he was fifteen, and has kept steadily at it ever since, working in the Elgin wateh factory for a short time. He lo- eated here in the spring of 1882, coming from Lena, Illinois. He has been doing a good business sinee he started and intends to make this his permanent home. Mr. Rand must surely succeed, for he does his work in a thorough and reliable way. Ilis father went to California in 1852, and on his way home, the next year, was taken siek coming aeross the Isthmus and died. His mother still lives in Alouez, Keweenaw county, Michigan.

STOCK YARDS.

The shipment of live stoek here indi- eates a remarkable degree of prosperity among the farmers, and the showing will compare favorably with any place of this size. There are quite a number of local buyers who make it a business at this point, furnishing a ready market for eattle and hogs.

OTHER INTERESTS.

Besides the business mentioned, there is a barber shop, gun shop, shoe shop, three saloons, three dressmakers, one milli-

ner store with hair store combined, restaurant, two dray lines, ete. There are telephone connections with Waverly, which prove a great convenience. To gnard against fire two wells have been dng on First street. There is a hand engine owned by S. F. Cass, and hose and cart owned by the town. The business men also employ a night watchman.

PROFESSIONAL.

Z. Z. Bryant, M. D., read medieine three years under Z. A. Bryant, attending one course of leetures in Humboldt College, St. Louis. He became a member of the Hahneman Medical Association, of Iowa, in 1877. He is a graduate of the Hahne- man Medieal College, of Chicago, Illinois. He also attended a full course of lectures on the diseases of women, by R. Lnalam, a specialist, of Chicago. Dr. Bryant has been a resident physician in this loeality for about nine years, and has an extensive practice.

J. N. Wilson, M. D., is a graduate of the school of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa. He also attended the medieal department of the Iowa State Uni- versity two years. Besides the practice of medieine, he is also a practical Surgeon. He has a certificate of pharmacy. Dr. Wilson has had thirteen years practice, ten of which have been in Sumner and vicinity. He was the first regular physi- eian to locate in Sumner.

The legal profession is represented by Josiah Carpenter, he being the only attor- ney ever locating in Sumner. He also deals in real estate and insurance.

Frank K. White represents the fire insurance interests, and is agent for the

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

following companies: Phoenix, of Hart- ford, German, of Freeport, Illinois, Life and Equitable, of Waterloo, and others. Mr White is an energetic man, and has built up a considerable business in this line.

Frank K. White was born in Greene county, Wisconsin, July 8, 1846. At the age of four years his parents moved to Rock county, remaining there until he was nine years of age, when they came to Iowa and settled in Chickasaw county. There Frank was reared on a farm until he was eighteen years of age, receiving a liberal education. In 1864 lie engaged in the mercantile business, in Jacksonville, after- wards in New Hampton, where he con- tinued until 1869. Unfortunately his experience in the mercantile world was not all that he could have hoped for. When he retired from the business, the firm succeeding him, soon after, made a financial failure, which involved him to quite an extent, leaving him badly in debt. But to his credit, let it be said, that every dollar of the indebtedness, whether it justly belonged to him or not, has been liquidated, dollar for dollar. Nothing daunted by the misfortunes of the past, Mr. White, with a strong determination, stronger, if possible, than at the start, set out to build himself up in the financial world. At that time he became connected with some of the most prominent insurance companies of the state, as special agent, slowly but surely working his way upward and onward. He has continued to follow the insurance business from that time up to the present. In May, 1881, he came to Sumner, where he located permanently, as special agent for the State Insurance

Company of Des Moines. By strict atten- tion to business, hard work, and a deter- mination to succeed, he has built up a large and profitable business, not only this, but he has won the entire confidence of the company in whose employ he is, to such an extent that they have appointed him general agent for the northeast part of the State, including twenty-one coun- ties, and having in his charge upwards of forty men. With the push and enter- prise for which he is noted, it is safe to predict that he will yet make his mark in the world. In politics, an independent, having identified himself with the green- back movement, he still clings to the principles of that party. In religion he is a liberalist, being at this time chair- man of the Liberal League Association, of Northwestern Iowa. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, to which he is much attached. He was married Sep- tember 4, 1870, to Miss Mary C. Shepard. They have three children, J. Edsall, Gene C., Pearl E.

RELIGIOUS.

Wilson Grove Presbyterian Church was organized November 9, 1859, by Rev. J. M. Boggs and J. D. Caldwell, who were constituted a committee appointed by the Dubuque Presbytery. The first members were: Levi Williams and wife, William T. Wade, Agnes C. Wade, Miss HI. J. Wade, B. M. Savage, Mary A. Savage, Mrs. S. T. Bent, John Black, Jane Black, John Husband, and Mrs. Husband. The first officers of the Church were: William T. Wade and B. M. Savage, elders; Levi Williams, and John Black, deacons. The first services were held at the residence of

Henry Pleine.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

William T. Wade. The first pastor was L. R. Lockwood, who remained two years. He was followed by J. D. Caldwell, who supplied the church at different times; then Jacob Swarth, two years; then J. D. Caldwell, from 1875 to 1878; E. Sayre, June, 1878, to 1880, who was succeeded by the present pastor, W. H. Jennings, in July, 1880. This organization erected a church at Sumner in 1875-6, 32x60 feet, at an expense of $2,500. The present officers of the church are: William T, Wade and David Caswell, elders; John Black, deacon. The congregation now numbers about one hundred. Here a Union Sabbath School was organized, with A. Beels as superin- tendent. The present officers of this school are: William T. Wade, superintendent; L. P. Owens, assistant superintendent; Peter Smith, secretary and treasurer. It has an enrollment of 70, with an average attendance of 55.

Rev. W. H. Jennings, the present pas- tor, is the son of Henry and Catherine Jennings, born in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, June 28, 1849, where the family lived until he was fourteen years of age, when they came to Iowa and settled in Delaware county. Here the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, prepared for college at Cedar Rapids, and in 1870 entered the Wabash college, of Indiana, graduating in 1874. He then entered the Lena Theological Seminary and graduated in 1877. In the same year he was sta- tioned at Houston, Iowa, where he re- mained one year. He then took a vaca- tion of a year, after which he spent a term supplying churches in Marion county. In the summer of 1881 he came to Sumner, to assume the pastoral duties of the Pres-

byterian church. He also has charge of a society at Maynard, Fayette county, and in Dayton township, Union schoolhouse. Mr. Jennings took an active part in the temperance movement for prohibition, in 1882. Heis a young man, of fine education and good ability, and is much beloved by the members of his congregation, is honest and npright in all his dealings, a true and faithful christian. He was married in 1877, to Miss Mary H. Kemper, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have two chil- dren-Lillie May and John Lewis.

GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

This society was organized about 1870, by Fred Krause, J. A. Haag, F. Ludwig, J. F. Schaiphorster, Adam Lang, Fred Miller, Henry Pinoe, George Hammetter, and Fred Reimler. The first meetings of this organization were held in Buck Creek school house, Lang's residence, and other places until the church was built, in 1875. In 1875, they purchased a building lot for $100, on the northeast corner of section 17, Sumner township, and at once com- menced the erection of a comfortable church. They have a membership of seventy-five, with a large and flourishing Sabbath School. The first superintendent was Fred Krause. The present superin- tendent is George Debereimer; assistant superintendent, Fred Reimler; secretary, Herman Wattke; treasurer, John Maller; librarian, August Wattke. The society is free from debt, and in a prosperous condition. Besides these churches herein mentioned, are the following organiza- tions, which have services occasionally, but are without buildings or regular pas-

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 131

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1316

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316