History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history, Part 106

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918

USA > Iowa > Cass County > History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history > Part 106

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LUMBER DEALERS.

Among the first lumber dealers in the city of Atlantic were John R. Rey- nolds and Getchell and Tichenor, who started in this line in 1869.

Harley Hawks established himself in the lumber business, about the time of the laying out of the town, but operated it for a short time only, selling out to J. Neimeyer, who continued it for about five years, when it was disposed of to Bryson, Son and Co. After a few years, the two senior partners of this firm retired, their interests being acquired by A. A. Hub-

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

bard, their junior partner. In 1878, the yard, stock and business was purchased by Robert Major, who continued to run it until 1882, when he admitted Charles Neimeyer to a full partnership, by pur- chase, and the business is now carried on under the firm name of Robert Major and Co. They carry a stock of from $10,000 to $15,000, including everything usually found in a first-class yard: doors, blinds, sash, building paper, paints, oils, etc.

Charles Neimeyer is a native of Butler county, Ohio, being born in 1858 and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Art) Neimeyer, natives of Lehigh"county, Pennsylvania. They were married in Pennsylvania, after which they immediately removed to Ohio, going all the way in a one-horse wagon. Here Jacob Neimeyer embarked in the gunsmith business which he followed until 1850, when he went to California, going by way of Cape Horn. Herehe was engaged in the mines, where he succeeded in ac- cumnlating a magnificent fortune. He re- mained in California about a year, when he returned to Ohio and built a saw-mill and purchased land for the lumber upon it. The land increased vastly in value, and he afterwards sold it for a nice spec- ulation, which brought $36,500, In 1861 he went to Pennsylvania, where he pur- chased one hundred acres of land in Bucks county. Here he found mineral, for which he was afterwards offered $350,000. He remained at this place about three years, accumulating property estimated at one million dollars. In 1865 he went to the oil regions and in 1866, settled at Georgetown, Kentucky, where he again found mineral, but which did not prove successful. He lost everything he had on

account of the company abandoning him. He then returned to Ohio and in 1869 came to Atlantic where he engaged at his trade-that of gunsmith-which he follow- ed until his death, which occurred July, 16, 1884, Charles Neimeyer was educated in the district school, not having the advanta- ges of an academic education. He came with his parents to Atlantic in 1869, where he has since remained. He was married July 16, 1883, to Verde McDer- mott, a danghter of J. B. McDermott, a native of Ohio, who resides in Benton township. Mr. Neimeyer is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and polit- ically is a staunch Republican. Mr. Nei- meyer is a young man of marked business ability, and is fast gaining a competency.

The lumber yard of Crombie and Shaw was established by Chambers Brothers, in 1872. These parties operated the yard for a short time, when they were suc- ceeded by the Muskegan Lumber Com- pany, who continued here for four years when they, in turn, disposed of it to the Atlantic Lumber Company. This was composed of Messrs. Milner and Rutt. In the spring of 1878, the present firm purchased the interest of these parties, and have prosecuted the business ever since. They carry a stock of about $10,- 000, comprising everything in their line.

The lumber yard of Lamson and Dierks, was established in Atlantic, in August, 1882, by these parties. They opened several branch yards, at the smaller sta- tions on the Rock Island road. In the spring of 1884, the business was divided between the partners, and the yard here is run by Mr. Dierks. They carry a fine

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

stock of lumber and other building ma- terial, that will invoice about $7,000.

Byron Lamson was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, October 22, 1833, and is a son of Oregin and Eliza (Patter- son) Lamson, natives of the same State. Mrs. Lamson died in Massachusetts, in 1847. The subject of our sketch was reared in his native county, receiving an academic education. In 1853 be went to Wisconsin, stopping with his brother, who came to that State in 1843, and who was one of the early settlers of Grant county. In 1860 he was married to Harriet Dan- forth, in Illinois. In September, 1869, he came to Cass county, where he was em- ployed by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad for five years, after which he was engaged at Walnut, in the lumber business ; since which time he has been engaged in the lumber business at Atlan- tic. His father died in Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1876, going there in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Lamson are the parents of three children living: Emma E. and Ma- mie F., now students at Lake Forest, Illi- nois, and Danforth Lamson.

LIVERY STABLES.

Walker Brothers' livery stable was was opened by them in the spring of 1881, on the corner of Second and Chest- nut streets, where they still are in busi- ness. In 1884, they erected on this lot, a fine large building, 50x140 feet in ground area, two stories high, which they occupy themselves. This structure cost about $3,000 They use about twenty-seven head of horses, and have a large turnont of excellent buggies, carriages, etc. They are, also, proprietors of the omnibus line, which they put on in March, 1881.

Arthur and Job Walker, of the firm of Walker Brothers, are sons of Henry and Mary (Hines) Walker. Their father had been a justice of the peace in Canton Illi- nois, and in business was a contractor and builder, but afterwards dropped this to confine his entire attention to the prac- tice of the law. He died August 18, 1861. Arthur Walker was born in Canton, Illinois, August 15, 1854. He spent his early life there, receiving the educational advantages afforded by the local schools there. He then began the study of law in the office of his brother, Meredith, and in 1871, he attended the law department of the Ann Arbor, Michigan university. He then continued his legal studies with his brother, and at the June term of the Illinois supreme court, in 1875, he was admitted to the bar, and commenced the practice of law the same year. Ile con- tinued in this profession until some time in 1877, when, developing a taste for busi- ness pursuits, he went to Denver, Colo- rado, and started in the livery business. The undertaking proved successful, and early in 1881, finding an opening in At- lantic, he removed here with his brother to embark in the livery business, and make a permanent location. How well they have succeeded, their well-known progress since coming here will tell. Ar- thur was married in Illinois, in 1880, to Estella M. Edmiston, of Canton.

Job Walker, of the same firm, is a native of LaPorte, Indiana, and was born February 9, 1838. When he was two years of age, his parents removed to Can- ton, Fulton county, Illinois, where his father was in business as before stated. On arriving at suitable age, and having

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

acquired the necessary qualifications, he commenced attendance at Lombard uni- versity, and was within one year of com- pleting the scientific course, when his father died. This occurrence threw upon him the responsibilities of the family and the care of the property, and he accord- ingly quitted college, and went to work on the farm, which was part of his father's possessions. While at home, he was chosen treasurer of Fulton county, and served the people four years in that capacity. He remained in that county till 1877, when he came to Atlantic, and en- gaged in the lumber business. After two years here, he went to Denver, and after being engaged in the livery business there till 1881, he came back to Atlantic with his brother, and embarked in the same business here. He was married in 1872, to Miss Crosler, a daughter of Jacob Crosler.

The Walker Brothers are among At- lantic's most wide-awake business men, and are courteous, affable gentlemen. They are all quite large owners of city and county property, and to-day the owners of the finest livery in Cass county.

The livery stable of Slater and Eller was commenced by them in 1883, and is in a building twenty-eight by eighty, with a carriage house fifty by fifty feet in addition. They have about twenty-four head of horses.

In the fall of 1883, L. B. Mapes en- gaged in the livery business on the corner of Third and Walunt streets, where he is now located. The building was erected in 1878, by R. M. Pearson. It is a story and a half, frame structure, fifty by one hundred and thirty feet in ground area,

and cost $1,800. Mr. Pearson operated the barn until the spring of 1881, when he disposed of it to E. O. Hoyt, who afterward sold it to the present owner.

Park livery barn, operated by Porter and Yearick, was erected in the fall of 1883, and is thirty by eighty feet in dimension, two stories high, with an L, seventy by sixteen feet, one story high.

J. A. Hayden, one of the business men of Atlantic, is a photographer, and has his studio on the southwest corner of Chestnut and Fourth streets. In this branch of business Mr. Hayden succeeded T. J. Luccock, commencing the trade in Angust, 1880. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio, but when a child, re- moved with his parents to Mt. Vernon, Iowa. He began learning his business in the fall of 1874, in the photographic art rooms of M. H. Eberhart, at Mt. Vernon, and was subsequently employed in Des Moines and elsewhere, previous to com- ing to Atlantic in the spring of 1878. Mr. Hayden is a skillful artist, and as such, has gained a high reputation, and established a lucrative business. He was married in 1882, to Estelle Winslow, daughter of J. W. Winslow, of the city of Atlantic.

Joshua L. Smith is a native of Yates county, New York, and was born on the 18th day of June, 1825. While Joshua was quite a small boy his parents removed to Steuben county, New York, where lie grew to manhood and received a district school education. In 1848 he went to Kentucky, first engaging in the sale of the Seth Thomas' clocks, but afterwards embarking in mercantile business in Louisville, under the firm name of Smith

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

and Winchester. Their sales being most- ly in the South, they abandoned the busi- ness at the breaking out of the war, and Mr. Smith entered the army as Sutler of the Twenty-first Kentucky Volunteer In- fantry, under General Rosecrans. In 1852 he was married, in Kentucky, to Eliza Ann Richardson, a native of that State. By this marriage they have eight children-Allen R., who is in the stock business in Custer county, Dakota; Clara, the wife of George W. Felt, of Cass county; Minnie, the wife of Albert Grave- ly, of the firm of Smith and Gravely, of Atlantic; George W., who is railroading in Mexico; Edward W., station agent of Va., E. T. & G. R. R., in Alabama; Lutie, Logan and Fannie. In September, 1864, Mr. Smith removed to Cass county, Iowa, and located on section 14, in Turkey Grove, now Atlantic township, where he followed farming nineteen years. In the spring of 1883 he moved into Atlantic, and is now engaged in running a feed store. Mrs. Smith and her two eldest daughters are members of the Congregational church. Mr. S. has been justice of the peace for fourteen years and has also held other local offices. The county was most- ly composed of wild prairies when he ar- rived, but he has lived to see the wonder- ful changes have been wrought. IIe made hay for two years on the land on which the city of Atlantic now stands. When he first came to the county he used to haul his surplus wheat to Des Moines, taking four days to make the round trip. He came to the county in company with two brothers-HI. G. and Simeon, the trip tak- ing fourteen days.

W. H. Kerrick was born in Franklin

county, Indiana, on the 29th day of June, 1842. Ile is a son of Albert and Chiar- lotte (Sparks) Kerrick, the former a native of Virginia and the latter a native of Ohio. They settled in Indiana, in 1830, where they remained until 1856, when they removed to Polk county, Iowa. Mr. Kerrick was a carpenter by trade, which he followed for many years. W. H. Ker- rick came to Iowa when fourteen years of age and in February, 1862, enlisted in the Fifteenth U. S. Infantry and took part in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Stone River, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, seige of Atlanta, besides several skirmishes. He was wounded at Mari- etta, Georgia, July 4, 1864, and at Atlanta, Georgia, August 7, 1864. Ile was dis- charged February, 1865. After the war he was married in Madison county, Iowa, in November, 1865, to Mary Mann. They have five children-William O., Frederick, Myrtle, Charlotte, and Blanche. Mr. Kerrick is a Master Mason and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He came to Cass county in 1877, and to At- lantic in 1879, where he has followed his trade most of the time, that of carpenter- ing.

William A. Archer was born in Stark county, Ohio, December 14, 1847, and is a son of Henry and Anna (Long) Archer, who were the parents of three sons and two daughters, all living. In 1853 they removed to Lawrence county, Pennsyl- vania, and afterward returned to Ohio, where Mr. Archer's father died in 1883, and his mother in 1884. When sixteen years of age he was an apprentice for three years at Canton, Ohio, under Steb- bins and Werts. In 1871 he came to

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

Iowa, where he followed his trade, paint- ing, in various places. He was married at Monticello, Jones county, Iowa, to Louisa Young, a daughter of John Young. In 1876 Mr. Archer came to Atlantic, where he has since followed his trade, and is considered one of the best painters of Atlantic. He is a Master Mason, of Pymosa Lodge, No. 271, and is secretary of Atlantic Lodge, No. 175, I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Archer are the parents of one child-Mabel.

B. S. Willcock, proprietor of the Ex- change billiard rooms, is a native of Corn- wall, England, born in 1834. When about fifteen years of age, he came to this coun- try with his father and family. They settled at Cleveland, Ohio, where his father resided until his death. The sub- ject of this sketch learned the carpenter's trade, which be followed for twenty-eight years. He resided for ten years at Du- luth, Minnesota, and came from that city to Atlantic in 1871. He followed his trade here seven years. He kept the first temperance hall in this city. His present establishment is located on Fourth street, between Poplar and Chestnut. His rooms are pleasant and well furnished, and con- tain ten billiard and pool tables. This is known as the "Temperance Billiard Hall," and was opened by Mr. Willcock in 1881. His wife was formerly Lucinda King, a native of Wisconsin. They have five children-Carrie J., who was born in Superior City, Wisconsin; Clifford, Myrtle A. and Colonel B. The three last named were born in the city of Atlantic.

Frank Cox, road master on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad, was born on the 22d day of April, 1831, in

Lower Canada, where he received a com- mon school education. In 1849 he emi- grated to Racine county, Wisconsin. In the fall of 1850, he returned to Can- ada, and remained till 1854, when he re- moved to West Springfield, Massachusetts, and worked in a cotton factory until the fall of 1861, when he went to the new town of Lucknow, in Canada West, and worked in a saw-mill until February, 1864, then returning to Massachusetts and working in the factory until June. He then commenced work on the Boston and Albany railroad, and in the same fall went to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to take charge of the repairs on a section of road. In July, 1868, he went West to Des- Moines, this State, where he was employ- ed on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad as assistant road master, helping to build the road from Dexter to Council Bluffs, laying the track into what is now the city of Atlantic in December, 1868, and into Council Bluffs in April, 1869. In 1872 he was appointed to his present po- sition. He has under his immediate charge from 200 to 250 men. Mr. Cox has been identified with the road since its construc- tion, and his division is between Stuart and Council Bluffs, including also five branches, having in all 185 miles of road under his supervision. He was married, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, to Fannie F. Gardner, who died in this county on the 12th day of April, 1870. By this union there were four children, two of whom are still living-Frank L. and Charles A. He was again married, to Sarah A. Nor- ris, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has had two children-Roye N. and. Fan- nie L. Mr. Cox is a member of the Ma-

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

sonic fraternity and of the Knights of Pythias. He is a staunch Republican in politics.

INDUSTRIAL WORKS.

The foundry business was established in Atlantic, on the 9th of January, 1880, by H. H. Salisbury. At that time he purchased the blacksmith shop, and Mr. Brackett entering into partnership with him, they put up the present building, in the following year. The firm of Salisbury and Brackett continued for about two years, when the former purchased the in- terest of his partner, and has since ma- nipulated the business alone. The main building he occupies is 26x40 feet ground area, two stories high; the blacksmith shop is 20x30 feet, ground area, also two stories high; and the foundry is 44x32 feet in dimensions It contains a porta- ble engine of ten horse power, and fur- nishes employment for from eight to twelve men.

The Atlantic Packing Company ware- house was built during the fall of 1882. The packing house is 44x44 feet in ground dimension, three stories high, besides the basement. The engine room, which is 20x46 feet in size, is fitted up with a first- class stationary engine, which supplies all the power needed. Besides these, there is a small warehouse, 43x86 feet in size, which is two stories and a basement in height. The ice house is 60x76, and fitted with all the appliances for the handling of ice and other heavy mater- ials. The capacity of the works is about six hundred hogs per day. The plant cost, when first completed, about $32,000, but additions have since been made so as to bring the whole expense up

to $40,000. J. H. Needles is the presi- dent of the company, and J. A. McWaid was the superintendent when it was run- ning, but it was lying idle during the winter of 1883-4. It is one of the best appointed in the State.

The Atlantic Alcohol Company was organized in 1882 by the following gen- tlemen: John Milner, J. Nichols, E. A. Milner, L. M. Rutt, Frank H. Whitney, A. Rutt and S. B. Milner. The first officers were: S. B. Milner, president; Abram Rutt, vice-president; J. Nichols, secretary; and F. H. Whitney, treasurer. The buildings owned by this company, which are the second largest in the State, were erected in 1882 at a total cost of $91,000. The distillery has a capacity of using about 2,7( 0 bushels of corn per day, with a consequently large out-put. The grounds covered by the various buildings contain about an acre and a half, includ- ing the cattle sheds, which will hold 1,485 head of stock, The distillery is not run- ning now, having sold its capacity.

Among the prominent industrial works of Atlantic, none is of more importance than the wagon and carriage manufactory of J. II. Needles. This is located on Third street, between Chestnut and Wal- nut. In the winter of 1869-70, Needles and McWaid established this business in a small way, in a small building, on Wal- nut street, east of the present location of Mr. Needles, which was but 20x30 feet in size. In connection with this shop, they carried on the sale of agricultural imple- plements, the latter of which grew to enormous proportions, as told elsewhere. They remained in the small building, making all kinds of vehicles, until 1871,

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

when finding that they were cramped for room, they erected a frame building on the corner of Third and Chestnut streets. On the first of January, 1879, Mr. McWaid retired from the business, since which it has been operated by J. H. Needles. In 1882, the rapidly increasing business of Mr. Needles, requiring more room, he erected the building now occu- pied by him. This is a solid brick struc- ture, 50x75 feet on the ground, and two stories high. On the first floor is located the blacksmith shop which is 30x50, the wood working shop, 20x50, and a reposi- tory 25x50. On the second floor is a paint and varnish room 30x50 feet area, lumber storage room 20x50, and another repository for finished work, etc., 25x50 feet. Above all is a heavy metal roof. A fine elevator is used to convey buggies, etc., from one story to the other. The power for the various departments of the shop is obtained from a fine engine of twenty horse power, which also supplies steam to heat the building. A specialty is made of light buggies and wagons, although all kinds are manufactured to suit the trade, which is immense.

J. H. Needles was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on the 20th of September, 1829, and was a son of John J. and Ann (Hatfield) Needles, both natives of Dela- ware. He was reared on a farm until 1848, when he learned the carriage mak- ing trade. He then established a shop near Columbus, and was there engaged until 1852, when he removed to Indiana, and was there engaged at the same busi- ness until 1857. He then removed to Linn county, Iowa, locating near Cedar Rapids, where he again began to work at

his trade. In the year, 1869, he came to Atlantic, and has since made this his home. He was united in marriage, in July, 1853, with Caroline Fenstemaker, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. They have seven children, four sons and three daughters. Mr. Needles is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Methodist Episcopal church.

The business of the Atlantic creamery was established in the year 1882, as a stock concern, the following gentlemen being financially interested: Frank H. Whitney, J. A. McWaid and William M. Nichols. The company had a cash capi- tal of $6,000. The buildings were erected by the company at the time of the foun- dation of the same, and work was com- menced April 5, 1882. The main build- ing is 40x50 feet in area, with an ice house 30x40. The motive power for the machinery is derived from an eight horse power boiler and engine. The business is as yet in its infancy, and rapidly in- creasing. About 1,200 pounds of butter are manipulated daily, and it is hoped to double the out-put within the coming year. The product of the creamery ranks as "gilt edge" and commands the high- est price in eastern markets.

Robert McAdams, Jr., a native of Scot- land,, was born in that county, July 14, 1847, and is a son of Robert and Jane (Campbell) McAdams, also natives of Scotland. Mr. McAdams, Sr., emigrated to America in the spring of 1869, and located in Montgomery county, New York, where he remained two years. He then went to Oneida county, after which he located at Rome, New York, where he is engaged largely in the manufacture of

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

butter and cheese. He has made the busi- ness a study for life and probably has the largest factory in central New York. The subject of this sketch received a liberal education in his native country, emigrat- ing to America in the spring of 1856. He first settled in Rensselaer county, N. Y., where he remained until 1875, when he went to Elgin, Illinois, where he took charge of a large butter and cheese busi- ness, he being a practical dairyman. In the spring of 1884, he came to Atlantic and purchased the Atlantic creamery. He was married in Buffalo, New York, to Alma J. Jackson, a native of that State. By this union there has been two children -Nellie M. and Ida J. Mr. McAdams is one of the directors of the Board of Trade at Des Moines, and a Republican in politics.

The Atlantic steam flouring mill, which stands upon the site of a former one, de- stroyed by fire on February 13, 1875, owes its erection to G. W. Norton and A. A. Lincoln, doing business under the firm name of G. W. Norton and Company, who erected the present structure the same year. The building is 36x65 feet on the ground, two and one-half stories high, with a basement beside. The machinery is of the most approved modern pattern and make. It has three ran of buhrs, and a capacity of making about one hundred and seventy-five barrels daily. Patent, Fancy, and Half-patent flour is made at the mill. In 1883, the mill property was purchased by Heitman and Rapp, the present proprietors, for $13,000.

The planing mill was built in 1878, by Hamilton and Martin who sold it, after three years time to E. E. Zinn and Com- pany, who disposed of it to O'Bryan and

Watts, the present proprietors. The building they occupy is 42x32 feet in size, in the main part with an addition 24x40 feet, and an engine room 12x42 feet in size. The engine which furnishes the motive power for all their machinery is a good one of some fifteen horse power.

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Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 918

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918