USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume I > Part 29
USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume I > Part 29
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Among the important business enterprises of Lawler is the Chickasaw Cream- ery, which has been in operation for several years and ranks as one of the best in this section of the country.
The town has good schools, a library and other facilities for education.
The census report of 1915 shows that Lawler had a population of 656.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, LAWLER
ST. JOHN'S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, LAWLER
CATHOLIC CHURCH, LAWLER
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CITY WATER TOWER, LAWLER
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LAWLER CHURCHES
The Catholic Church, which holds the largest membership, was built in 1872. It was remodeled and improved in 1898. Father Harrison was the first pastor and it was largely through his efforts that the first church was built. The present pastor is Father P. H. Ryan.
The Congregational Church was the first Protestant church organized in Staple- ton township. The organization was effected in the winter of 1871, and in 1872 the congregation erected a neat frame building as a house of worship. The first pastor was Reverend Frey. He was succeeded by Reverend Manwell, who died during his pastorate, in 1874. He was followed by Rev. A. V. House, who died in 1875, while serving as pastor. This organization did not have a large membership and was never able to sustain a regular pastor. In later years it was merged with the Methodist Church, under the pastorate of Rev. L. C. Lemon, and the membership was largely increased.
There are a small number of Lutherans in this vicinity, and before their organ- ization was formed they worshiped in the Congregational Church, but as the number increased they built a commodious little church in the east part of Lawler, where the members hold their regular services. Rev. G. Fitschel is their pastor.
TOWNS-FREDERICKSBURG
The Town of Fredericksburg takes its name from Frederick Padden, its first settler and founder, by whom it was platted as a village in 1856. Frederick Padden had built a house and located there in 1854, and his neighbors were few and far between for several years after, although he had an optimistic vision that persuaded him to believe that a real town would be established there, and in time the vision became a reality. The limited ground for faith in the future of Fredericksburg is best revealed by Dr. W. S. Pitts, who came to the place about 1862, and writes of his impressions of the town and its prospects :
"Fifty-five years ago Fredericksburg was a gray, weather-beaten, sorry look- ing hamlet. The flush of hope over its bright future had faded into a condition of semi-gloom. Lands were cheap, money was scarce, produce worth but little. Being so far from a market, its transportation thereto consumed time, hard labor for man and beast, and left little to feed and clothe the husbandman and his family. The promised railroad had failed to materialize. Perhaps the 150 souls dwelling there would have left, but they could not, for want of means to get away ; so they remained per force of circumstances.
"In the year 1886 the railroad came. It was like food to a starving man, like fresh fuel to a smoldering fire. The town awoke from its lethargy. It received the road with open arms, and man to man clasped hands and thanked God and took new courage."
While waiting for the railroad, Fredericksburg made a considerable show in the way of buildings and improvements, which was an indication that the people who came there had some faith in the future of the town. In addition to the establishment of business houses in various lines of trade, several manufacturing
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industries were established. One of these was the Fredericksburg Cheese Com- pany, established in 1875, by an Elgin, Ill., party, and operated for three or four years. It was then changed to a creamery and greatly enlarged and permanently established. 1. Another creamery was opened in 1882, by Loren Padden; and Jerome Padden established an extensive brickyard in 1876.
The first school in Fredericksburg was taught in 1857, in a pole shanty erected . by Edwin Cain, and located southwest of where the Baptist Church now stands. The teacher was Miss Anna Bishop. The graded schools were opened in 1866, and summer and winter schools were held for several years. Nan M. Warren was the first principal, conducting a summer school in 1866, followed by D. F. Callender, principal of the winter school, 1866-67. Following are the names of principals of the school from 1867 to 1883, a roll of names that will furnish either pleasant or unpleasant recollections to some of the present generation :
C. S. Haywood, 1867-68; Nan M. Warren, 1868; N. Austin, 1868; A. P. Fowler, 1868-69; W. W. Quivey, 1869-70; Hattie Coryel, summer of 1870; N. M. Warren, winter of 1870-71; Maggie McFarland, summer of 1871 and 1872; Katie M. Warren, winter of 1872-73; H. C. Hudson, summer of 1873; C. . 1. Layman and Agnes Howe, winter of 1873; B. B Porter, summer of 1874; Mag- gie McFarland. winter of 1874-75, and winter of 1876-77 ; J. C. Smith, summer of 1877 ; H. A. Simmons, winter of 1877-78 and summer of 1879: Agnes Howe, winter and summer of 1879-80; Minnie Sherman, winter of 1880-81 ; Lillie Scales, summer of 1881 ; Alfred Martin, winter of 1881-82; Mrs. Lillie Steadman, sum- mer of 1882 ; H. S. Adney, winter of 1882-83.
THE CHURCHES
The first Baptist Church of Fredericksburg was organized June 7, 1860, by Rev. E. G. O. Groat, with the following charter members: T. S. M. Flowers, Gilbert Page, Mrs. T. M. Flowers, Mrs. Jonathan Russell, Mrs. Gilbert Page, James Levesee, Mrs. Billings and Mrs. Munger. Reverend Groat was the first pastor. Among those who followed in the pastorate were Shadrach Sher- man, G. W. Goodrich, M. E. Arkills, T. C. Briggs. William Simons, J. C. Abbott M. H. Perry, J. N. Johnson, James Mitchell. The present pastor is Robert D. Kinney.
For several years Dr. W. S. Pitts, author of "The Little Brown Church," was chorister for this church. During the time Doctor Pitts organized a large chorus choir and had regular rehearsals every Sunday afternoon for thirteen years. This choir became widely known as one of the best in northern Iowa. The following were members of the choir: Miss Nan M. Warren, Mrs. Helen C. Kendall and Mrs. Elmira Mabry, sopranos: Miss Nettie M. Warren, Mrs. Emily E. Dayton, Mrs. S. E. Ellis, altos; Joseph E. Benedict, George H. Benedict, Allison Congdon, Abner Warren, bassos; William S. Pitts and George Bishop tenors.
Doctor Pitts also organized a cornet band in Fredericksburg in the winter of 1865, which was famously known as Pitts' Cornet Band. In other ways Doctor Pitts was instrumental in creating an interest in music among the people of the town and leading in the study of the best class of music, and as the result of his
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MAIN STREET, FREDERICKSBURG, LOOKING EAST
MAIN STREET, FREDERICKSBURG, LOOKING WEST
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endeavors, Fredericksburg has always been noted for the excellent musical talent among its citizens.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Fredericksburg was organized August 8, 1856, by Rev. W. P. Holbrook, with the following charter members: George Hillson, Sarah Hillson, Alpheus Adams, Cornelia Adams, Catherine Marvin, Maria Gibbs, Lovina Padden, Hester Vokes, Jesse T. Appleburg. Among those who served as the early pastors were: Elijah Kendall, Charles Hollis, J. L. Kirkpatrick, W. P. Holbrook, James Leslie, James Stout, Thomas Moore, Samuel J. Gossard, Reece Wolf, George Edmunds, Zelotes R. Ward, H. H. Hammond, Edwards Hoskyn, Phillip E. Miller, J. R. Cameron, John Dawson, D. B. Alden. The pastor in charge, 1916-17, is Rev. George W. Self.
The Lutheran Church has an organization in Fredericksburg in the pastoral charge of Rev. G. Denbert.
VILLAGE OF NORTH WASHINGTON
This village was the first established in the township. It is situated in a rich section of the county on the banks of the Little Wapsie. It contains two stores, and has good schools, churches and other advantages. But it is not situated on any railroad and is somewhat inconvenienced by the lack of transportation facilities. The population of the village in 1915 was 132.
ALTA VISTA
Alta Vista is one of the flourishing villages of Chickasaw County, with 356 inhabitants, according to the census of 1915. It is located near the northwest corner of Washington Township and is a station on the line of the Chicago Great Western Railroad.
IONIA
The Town of Ionia has a population of 364, by the census of 1915. It is located on the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and is an important shipping point on that road. Ionia's beginning, and subsequent growth and pros- perity, is due to the fact that the railroad passed through that place, instead of Chickasaw, which was a strong competitor, and a town of considerable impor- tance in the early day.
Ionia has four churches, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist and Congregational. It also has a good school building and good schools.
BASSETT
The Town of Bassett is located on the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, about four miles northwest of Ionia. It has a population of 130, by the census of 1915. It is a thriving business town, with nearly all lines of business represented. It has three churches, Lutheran, Methodist and Con- gregational.
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OTHER VILLAGES
Jerico is a little village in the north part of Jacksonville Township, with a population of fifty-two.
Devon, in the southeastern part of Washington Township, has a population of twenty-six and is a live little station on the Chicago Great Western Railroad.
Jacksonville, once a promising village, in the township of the same name, went into rapid decline when the railroad passed by on the other side, in 1869. Republic and Williamstown, in Richland Township, are also numbered among the villages of early promise, but are now merely a memory.
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PADDEN BLOCK, SOUTH SIDE MAIN STREET, FREDERICKSBURG
PADDEN BLOCK, NORTH SIDE MAIN STREET. FREDERICKSBURG. Vol. 1-20
CHAPTER XV
THE PRESS-LAW AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONS
THE PIONEER NEWSPAPER MAN-RIVALRY BETWEEN BRADFORD AND JACKSONVILLE TO ISSUE FIRST NEWSPAPER-MAN FROM MISSOURI WINS-FIRST PAPER IN JACK- SONVILLE-NEW HAMPTON COURIER ONE OF THE SIX STARTED TO CONTINUE ---- LIST OF DEFUNCT NEWSPAPER VENTURES-CHICKASAW COUNTY BAR-FIRST ATTORNEYS-THE PRESENT BAR-THE MEDICAL PROFESSION-OLD-TIME DOCTORS COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT-SOME OF THOSE WHO CAME FIRST-LIST OF REGISTERED PHYSICIANS IN COUNTY.
The various efforts to establish a newspaper in Chickasaw County indicate an ambition worthy of greater success than that which attended the effort of those who engaged in the enterprise. Scarcely had the early pioneers become settled in their primitive cabins, and the neighbors had formed a settlement which placed them within speaking distance of each other, and visions of a town began to appear among the probabilities in that settlement, when the man who had an ambition to establish a newspaper put in an appearance. He was an optimistic individual, of course. No other disposition would induce one to attempt a news- paper enterprise in a sparsely settled community with the expectation of making both ends meet.
But the pioneer newspaper man was not the last, though he was the first, who had a misguided ambition. He was followed by a long line of others who conceived the idea that there was a long-felt want and that they were destined to fill it. In a majority of cases the venturesome journalist was not long in find- ing out that the "want" was a reality as it affected his enterprise.
The first newspaper published in Chickasaw County made its appearance at Jacksonville in May, 1857. It was called the Chickasaw Republican, with Isaac Watson as editor and proprietor. At that time Jacksonville was a village of few inhabitants, and the population of the entire county was about two thousand six hundred. Watson came from Missouri, where he had been engaged in pub- lishing a newspaper, and it is said he was possessed of some ability as an editor. He manifested some of that ability during the short time he continued the Chick- asaw Republican. After the collapse of that paper Watson returned to Missouri and was there at the breaking out of the Civil war. He espoused the Union
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cause, although living in the midst of a disloyal community, and was killed by the bushwhackers because of his Union sentiments.
At the time of starting this paper by Watson it seems there was a sharp rivalry between the people of the southern and northern sections of the county as to which should be the first in the county to have a newspaper. The Bradford people had secured A. J. Felt to start a paper at that place, and had planned to have it appear the day before Watson's paper was to be published. Watson was notified by some friends of the quietly planned scheme of the Bradford people, and he rushed his paper to press and had it appear one week earlier than he had intended. But the Bradford paper came out the following week and was the second paper in the county. It was called the Cedar Valley News, with Felt & Reynolds as editors and proprietors. The Cedar Valley News had a short and somewhat brilliant career and then expired on account of exhausted resources. Both the Chickasaw Republican and the Cedar Valley News made an effort to continue by the organization of a stock company, but this did not prove suc- cessful.
NEW HAMPTON COURIER
The New Hampton Courier was one of the newspaper ventures of that early time that proved a success. The Chickasaw Republican Stock Association sold their outfit to L. J. Young, who moved the material to New Hampton and with this began the publication of the New Hampton Courier. This paper made its first appearance January 16, 1860, as a six-column folio, with Beach & Young editors and proprietors. From the appearance of the first issue of the Courier there is an evident lack of type which must have tested the ability of the printer to get out the paper. There was all kinds of "space filling" with various assort- ments of display and body type. The editors, however, found sufficient type of proper size to announce that "we have come to stay," a rather risky prediction, in view of the destiny that followed all their predecessors in the county up to that time. But in this case the prediction was verified as to the Courier's staying qualities.
There have been several changes in the proprietorship of the Courier. W. E .. Beach sold his interest to G. M. Reynolds, who after a time purchased Young's interest. Reynolds continued as sole proprietor of the paper until his death, in 1878. In June of that year the paper passed into the hands of W. R. Edwards and J. R. Carleton, who continued its publication until October 11, 1882, when Mr. Edwards sold his interest to C. F. Greer.
Later the Courier passed into the hands of R. H. Fairbairn and remained under his management until November, 1917, when, on account of ill health, he sold the material to the Gazette and Tribune and the Courier was discontinued.
THE NASIIUA POST
A. J. Felt again embarked in the newspaper business in 1867. He established the Nashua Post and was sole editor and proprietor until 1873. when he sold the plant to J. E. and J. F. Grawe. After a short time this partnership was
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dissolved, J. E. Grawe disposing of his interest to J. F. Grawe, who continued the paper until some time in the '8os, when he sold to Dr. E. M. Deming. After a short experience as a moulder of public opinion, Doctor Deming sold the plant to C. R. Wallis, the present proprietor. The Nashua Post has passed the age of swaddling clothes and has attained a vigorous mature age. It may be counted in the class of successful newspapers of Chickasaw County.
NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE
The New Hampton Tribune is another of the Chickasaw County newspapers that can be counted in the class of successful ventures. Its commencement does not date as far back as the others that have been mentioned; there does not appear any boast in the columns of its first issue that "we have come to stay," but the Tribune has stayed, nevertheless. The Tribune was founded by Frank Hazlett, in 1876. Hazlett conducted the paper until 1893, when he sold to J. A. Bishop and W. J. Nugent. Mr. Nugent continued with the paper for only a short time, when he sold his interest to his partner. Bishop continued as sole editor and proprietor of the Tribune until 1909, when he sold to E. F. Feuling, the present editor and proprietor. The Tribune plant is equipped with every modern appointment in the way of presses, linotype and mechanical outfit to be found in an up-to-date print shop.
LAWLER DISPATCH
Some time in 1870 Bryan J. Castle founded a paper in Lawler which he called the Lawler Gazette. After an existence of about one year, the material was sold and removed from the town. In 1875 the Chickasaw Times, with Frank M. Haz- lett as proprietor, made its first appearance in Lawler. About a year later Hazlett sold out to Mathew and Patrick Kean. They in turn sold the plant to Cooney & Konzen, about 1878. The new proprietors changed the name to the Lawler Times, but the paper was in the process of decline and the change of name could not prevent the inevitable.
Some time later Bryan J. Castle revived the newspaper business in Lawler and founded the Lawler Dispatch. After several changes of proprietors the outfit passed into the hands of C. H. Leonard, the present proprietor, who is lending: his best efforts to making the paper a success.
THE FREDERICKSBURG NEWS
This paper was founded some time in the 'gos by Don A. Jackson, and has the unusual record of Chickasaw County newspapers, in the fact that it has con- tinued under the original management until the present time.
THE NASIIUA REPORTER
The Nashua Reporter, a paper that is still in existence, is the successor of the Nashua Times, which was started by E. J. Perry, who had some newspaper experience in New Hampton, as noted in another paragraph. He returned
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to Nashua and revived the Times, and after a few months sold the outfit to the Misses Gorman and Murray, who changed the name of the paper to the Nashua Reporter. They sold to Keller & Ellison. Keller died two years ago and the paper is continued by Mr. Ellison.
THE NEW HAMPTON GAZETTE
The New Hampton Gazette was established in 1895 by James F. Babcock & ' Son, who conducted the paper successfully until 1899. In that year, February, 1899, the plant was sold to D. A. Thornburg and W. N. Crawford. In 1901 Mr. Thornburg sold his interest to W. N. Crawford, who has since been the sole editor and proprietor. The Gazette, under Mr. Crawford's management, has been greatly improved and bears the mark of a prosperous, up-to-date journal. The office is equipped with modern presses, linotype, and a full assortment of job, display and body type. The Gazette is republican in politics.
IN THE DEFUNCT CLASS
Among the numerous ventures in newspaper enterprise in Chickasaw County may be mentioned the following :
The Nashua Times, founded in 1885, by J. D. Knapp, who conducted the paper at Nashua for about four years. He then removed the material to New Hampton and started the publication of the New Hampton Times. Later sold out to E. J. Perry and R. S. McKee; they sold to E. T. Runion in 1905, and Runion after- wards suspended the paper and sold the material, which was removed to Texas.
E. J. Perry returned to Nashua and started the Nashua Times again at that place, in 1890, as noted above.
The Chickasaw Republican was started in New Hampton in 1890 or 1891, by Woolsey & Jackson. Later A. McFarland bought Woolsey's interest, and after about one year the Chickasaw Republican was added to the list of "has beens."
The Ionia Herald appeared about 1890, with Mr. Loomis as editor ; and about the same time the Alta Vista Gazette made its appearance, with H. Z. Babcock, editor. Both shortly disappeared.
CHICKASAW COUNTY BAR
To say that Chickasaw County had ever produced a lawyer who achieved national renown, or by his eloquence and display of rhetoric "startled the nation," would be claiming more than the truth of history would sustain. Such a state- ment would be somewhat of a surprise and startling as well to any of the former or present members of the bar. But it can be said truthfully that the members of the local bar have always been equal to the task of handling the liti- gation that has come before the District Court, and acquitting themselves cred- itably before a jury or in any sphere of professional life.
According to the best information obtainable, George W. Howard was the first lawyer to engage in the practice in Chickasaw County. At least he was in the practice in 1856. In 1862 he was chosen to succeed to the vacancy in the State Senate, caused by the resignation of J. H. Powers to enter the military
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service. Howard afterward entered the service and was major of the Twenty- seventh Iowa Infantry.
Following Howard in seniority was F. D. Hall, who was at one time prosecut- ing attorney for the county. A. G. Case began practice about the same time, or soon after. Capt. J. H. Powers came in 1857 and continued as a member of the bar until his death. D. A. Babcock, of Bradford Township, was never regularly admitted to the bar, although he was at one time elected to the office of prose- cuting attorney.
Among other lawyers who engaged in the practice here in the early history of the Chickasaw County Bar, as it appears from a published list in an old record, are the following :
C. O. Case, M. C. Ayers, Hiram Shaver, S. J. Kenyon, H. H. Potter, D. B. Hanan, D. B. Sneden, F. D. Bosworth, J. M. Gilliland, J. H. Gurney, A. C. Boy- lan, George E. Stowe, W. J. Springer, R. E. Ronayne, John R. Bayne, Samuel Young.
The present bar, according to the District Court docket at the November term, 1917, is composed of the following members :
M. F. Condon, F. J. Conley, R. H. Fairbairn, M. E. Geiser, F. A. O'Connor, J. W. Sandusky, F. B. Shaffer, W. A. Smith, all located in New Hampton. J. H. Howard, Fredericksburg; Matt Kean, Lawler; and. W. H. Scott and J. A. Yarger, at Nashua.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
In no profession have there been such marked changes in the practice and habits of life as in the medical profession. The knowledge of disease and manner of treatment has greatly increased within the memory of those who have not passed beyond the years of middle age; while the science and skill applied in the practice of surgery has advanced beyond the most visionary con- ceptions of the old-time practitioner.
When the first physicians began practice in Chickasaw County they did not visit their patients in automobiles. Even had this modern method of rapid transit been known at that time, it would have been impracticable on account of the condition of the roads, or rather the absence of roads. The old-time doctor did not even have a buggy to drive about the country, but rode horseback, carrying his saddle-bags well filled with various drugs, largely quinine and calomel, the usual remedies for the prevailing diseases. At least this was the remedy used whether it was the proper one or not. The old-time doctor did not have office hours, at which time his patients could visit him for treatment, nor did he have the telephone by which he could treat patients at long distance. His duties re- quired him to make the rounds every day, regardless of the time of the day or night, and regardless of the weather. His practice extended over a large district, some requiring a full day and night to make the rounds. Sometimes, in a dark night, he would lose his bearings in following a by-path in the woods, but he usually rode a faithful horse who could find the way out if left to his own instinct. The horse usually was so well educated that he knew where the call was to be made and would stop at the place without guidance.
All this experience and much more of a similar character is familiar to physi-
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cians who followed the profession half a century ago. Some of these are still living, and some are still in the practice, using the advanced methods in surgery and treatment of diseases. The relation of their experience in the old-time prac- tice furnishes an interesting story for the younger generation.
Dr. H. M. Mixer has the distinction of being the first physician to locate in New Hampton, coming here in 1865. Dr. A. Babcock followed soon after, in 1867. Dr. E. H. Olmsted came to Chickasaw County in 1867, locating first in Fredericksburg, and in New Hampton in 1872. Dr. Ira K. Gardner located in the practice in Lawler in 1870, and came to New Hampton in 1878, and formed a partnership with Doctor Mixer. A number of other physicians came along in the '8os, some of whom remained but a short time and then departed for other fields.
In 1881 a law was enacted by the Legislature requiring physicians to register ยก in the county in which they engaged in practice. It was also required that certain qualifications be shown before a physician would receive credentials from .the established medical board and be entitled to register for practice. The record of register for each county is kept by the clerk of the District Court, and from this record in the office of the clerk of the court in this county the names of the following physicians appear on the register, beginning with January, 1883 :
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