USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume I > Part 39
USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume I > Part 39
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
That Cresco has grown is proved by a glance at a list of merchants and business firms now doing business in the city. Manufacturing has been intro- duced to a certain extent in the city, examples of which are the grubbing machine and stump puller works, flour mills, brick and tile works, carriage and wagon works, foundry, machine shop, furniture factory and creamery. The number of business concerns here in 1918 is seven times greater than is shown in list of first. merchants.
INCORPORATION
The petition of the legal voters of Cresco, praying for incorporation as a town, was presented to the county judge. D. O. Preston, on April 20. 1868. This petition was signed by the following citizens of Cresco, which not only shows the number of voters, approximately, in favor of incorporation, but the names of the citizens living here at that time :
WV. R. Mead, P. Haaf, S. Niles, A. P. Herrold. A. D. Wright, John Milz, C. V. Jacobs, Daniel Platt. W. N. Burdick. P. F. O'Malley, S. Gallup, H. H. Howard, W. E. Haskins, C. W. Sawyer, W. H. Trumbull. T. P. R. Brown, G. B. Maxfield. Jacob Sawery. H. C. Price, J. F. Bradley, Bones & White, H. B. Clinton, J. J. Clemmer, P. C. Kirkpatrick, Myron Ives, Charles P. Brown, A. J. Marsh. S. T. Woodcock, H. M. Gregory, N. C. Dow. L. A. Page, John W. Maynard, Lemuel Potter, Jr., J. C. Clark. G. F. Meverden, W. T. Paul, Z. Tanner, Frank Mix. H. D. Lindley, L. Cadwell, A. S. Young. I. B. Aikens, J. L. Diffenderfer, S. W. Harris, D. W. Perry, Samuel McLeod, M. L. Robinson, C. G. Schellenger, H. B. Woodward, C. A. Pooler, C. F. Breckenridge. J. F. Dowell. T. Dale, J. T. Dona- hugh, W. P. Gates, P. Smith, John Trumble, A. D. Lent. C. H. Webster, G. W Combs, W. J. Blakely, Robert Phelan, Hugh Owens, Patrick Meighen, Isaac Gregory, D. McNeill, H. D. Kipp, J. G. Doan, L. E. Warren, C. B. Samson, R. Gilby, G. Kunes, J. Jackson, E. Murphy. H. E. Crandall, George T. Thomas,
420
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
John E. Peck, J. H. Brown, C. B. Fuller, A. M. Woodward, W. H. Brocksome, Robert McColloch, Henry Newton, T. W. Lee, George W. Procter, W. H. Patter- son, Henry T. Reed, W. H. Alleman, James Carpenter, Daniel Beam.
After the petition had been presented, the county judge appointed J. F. Webster, W. R. Mead, D. Platt, Ben Hunting and W. Strother as commissioners. The election to determine the question of incorporation was held June 6, 1868, and resulted in favor of the question by a bare majority of thirty-eight votes.
The first officers were: Isaac Gregory, mayor; W. R. Mead, recorder ; Henry Widner, attorney ; B. Chapin, treasurer; L. T. Woodstock, J. J. Clemmer, John C. Clark and John E. Peck, councilmen.
Since the incumbency of Mayor Gregory the following named have occupied the position at the head of the Cresco offiical list: J. F. Webster, Frank Sayre, R. J. McHugh, C. F. Stremel, D. A. Lyons, P. F. O'Malley, George H. Kellogg, George Kessel, William Kellow, Jr., C. D. Roome, S. S. Culver, Robert Thomson, E. L. Davenport and A. E. Barker, the latter at present in office.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
To the stranger who steps from a Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul train and proceeds north on Elm Street through the business district of Cresco, the city quickly identifies itself as a community of civic pride, modern ideas and up-to-date municipal improvements. Well-paved streets, attractive ornamental electric street lights, wide sidewalks and modern stores contribute to this impression. Cresco has nearly all of the public utilities and improvements which go to make up the better class of smaller cities. A central heating plant, adequate sewerage, excellent water, electric lights, pavements and other utilities are here.
The first public well for the supply of water was sunk about twenty-five years ago. There are now two wells which give an adequate amount of water to the population. The reservoir tank was erected about three years ago, taking the place of the old standpipe. The water which is used has been tested regularly by expert chemists and is declared to be pure and beneficial. The absence of epidemics in the past is thus accounted for. Electric lights and service were started in Cresco in 1897 by a man named C. F. Freehoff. His experience with this business did not result successfully and now the plant is operated by the Iowa Falls Company, a large corporation doing business in the whole northern portion of Iowa. The ornamental street lights, one of the most attractive features of the city, were installed eight years ago. Street pavements of concrete were first laid in 1909; there are about two miles of roadway so improved at this writing. Both storm and sanitary sewers complete the municipal improvements of Cresco.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
The City of Cresco now possesses a modern and well-equipped public library. The first attempt at establishing a library was made in 1885, when a number of books were collected and turned over to the Cresco Library Association. In 1895-6, under the management of Augustus Beadle, a local lecture course was arranged. Two years later an admission fee was charged and the proceeds given to the library fund, which had been started previously. On November 13, 1903,
FORMER RESIDENCE OF B. T. NORTON, NEAR CRESCO
ST. JOSEPH'S MERCY HOSPITAL, CRESCO
423
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
a mass meeting and book shower was held in O'Malley's Hall, which resulted in the acquisition of a number of volumes for the future library. Here the Free Library Association was organized also. The first trustees were: Mrs. Mae Burgess, president ; W. L. Converse, vice president ; C. W. Reed, secretary ; E. P. Farnsworth, treasurer ; Mrs. O. J. McHugh, Mrs. G. R. Story, Mrs. George Miller, R. J. Woods and S. T. Crittenden. The library was first housed in the city hall. Books and magazines were industriously solicited and on January 30, 1904, the library was opened to the public. At the general election of 1905, by a favorable vote, the Cresco Public Library came into existence. In March, 1905, Mrs. Edith Morton was chosen librarian. Following her came Margaret Copeland, Sarah Brown and in 1912 the present librarian, Abbie J. Converse, assumed her duties. The library was moved to the E. R. Thompson Building in May, 1905, and in 1913 to the new Carnegie Building. From the Andrew Carnegie fund the Cresco Library received the sum of $17,500 for the erection of the building. The Dempe- wolf property on Elm Street was purchased, which was the site of the old Webster House, and here the modern library structure was erected. The library is main- tained by a yearly municipal tax; there have been 1,800 cards issued ; and there are nearly six thousand volumes on the shelves.
ST. JOSEPH'S MERCY HOSPITAL
The St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital, one of the best in Northeastern Iowa, has an interesting history. When Augustus Beadle first came to the site of Cresco he chose the highest four blocks in the new village for his residence. Here he erected a two-story frame building, all of the lumber for which was hauled from McGregor by team. After Mr. Beadle's death in the year 1898 Reverend Holmes of the Congregational Church, suggested to Mrs. Beadle that the residence and grounds be used either for a school or hospital. Negotiations were carried on and in the spring of 1902 Dr. George Kessel gained possession of the Beadle property. Aided by the Eastern Star Chapter, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, he spent about eighteen thousand dollars in im- proving the house and converting it into a hospital. The first case was admitted in September, 1902. The new institution became very popular and by 1908 the necessity arose for a new and larger building. A citizens' committee was formed and after much work arrangements were made with the Sisters of Mercy for the completion of a new building. A large sum was raised by the Cresco citizens and in 1911 the hospital was completed. Dr. George Kessel is in charge of the operating and surgical department and the Sisters of Mercy take general charge of the care of the patients.
LODGES
The Cresco Lodge No. 269, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organ- ized in the spring of 1874, with 100 members. Prominent among these were: John G. Stradley, S. T. Irvine, G. M. Harris, C. S. Maxson, C. F. Webster, J. F. Webster, M. S. Powell, J. J. Saulsbury, N. Pullman, D. W. Owen. J. G. Stradley was the first noble grand and G. M. Harris the first secretary. Cresco Lodge No. 150, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was an outgrowth of the New Oregon
424
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
lodge, established in the late '60s. Shiloh Chapter No. 64, Royal Arch Masons, was organized in August, 1871. M. M. Moon was the first high priest and W. M. Fogo the first secretary. Vernon Lodge No. 78, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, was established July 26, 1876. S. A. Stone, M. M. Moon, C. I. White, M. L. Luther. C. J. Webber, S. L. Smith, C. F. Webster, H. S. Loomis, E. E. Bertrand, Jasper Bottsford, and B. F. Stone were prominent early members. There is also a chapter of the Eastern Star in Cresco and a lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. This is Maple Camp No. 1,344, Modern Woodmen of America, and was incorporated by H. E. Morgan, S. A. Hamilton, D. T. Robert- . son, I. L. Eaton and W. H. Tillson. Cresco also has a Grand Army of the Republic post.
LIME SPRING
Lime Spring is an incorporated city on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, thirteen miles northwest of Cresco. Lime Spring came into existence with the railroad and was known as Lime Spring Station, although the Govern- ment called the community Glen Roy postoffice. The first merchants of the town, after the removal from the old town after the advent of the railroad were :
Peter Velie, Jr., general merchant; S. L. Carry, general merchant ; John T. Cameron, produce; W. F. Daniels, groceries; J. E. Foster, furniture and under- taking ; C. C. Hewett, hardware; Joseph Knowlton, hardware; H. P. Marsh, lumber -; M. M. and A. E. Marsh, drugs and medicines ; Ohlquist Brothers, shoes ; Alonzo M. Pettit, groceries and candy ; Henry D. Brown, wagon maker : William P. Reynolds, wagon maker; Lorin J. Johnson, harness maker; D. M. Fuller, contractor ; Miller & Sons, livery.
The postoffice was established in March, 1868, with James Greenleaf as the first postmaster.
The plat of Lime Spring Station was filed for record at the county courthouse on September 25. 1867, by Orlando McCraney.
Lime Spring was incorporated in May, 1876, and the first officers were : W. P. Daniels, mayor : Peter Velie, Jr., recorder ; H. P. Marsh, Ole Tistleson, G. Som- sen. C. E. Hamlin, J. F. Thompson, councilmen. Daniels did not qualify for the mayoralty and J. F. Thompson was appointed to act in a pro tem capacity until May 20, when J. E. Foster was chosen mayor at a special election. As a means of identifying many of the citizens of Lime Spring at this time the list of signers to the petition for incorporation is given below :
" G. M. Van Leuvan, D. H. Winegar, W. H. Farrar, John Somson, J. F. Thomp- son. H. P. Marsh, L. Hall, J. D. Brown, A. R. Nash, L. Benson, C. Frisbie, M. McGuire, G. J. Somsen, P. Velie, Jr., J. Mortimer, L. S. Kaiser, C. C. Hewett, Joseph Sheldon. John J. Mason, M. A. Tolan, C. W. Burns, John Maloney, J. T. Cameron, A. E. Marsh, J. C. Sprague, H. C. Marsh, S. S. Lambert, John Hamilton, A. A. Sage, L. C. Mosier. William P. Miller, William F. Daniels. William Lacey, J. W. Reed, B. D. Peck, W. H. Miller, O. C. Sheldon, P. G. White, G. R. Barney. C. P. Nash, P. Velie, Sr., C. E. Brown, W. H. Brock- some, J. E. Foster, C. G. Meredith, L. J. Johnson, H. C. Stewart.
Lime Spring has not had a progresive growth such as the City of Cresco. Many factors have prevented the town from reaching the 1,000 mark, but not-
-
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LIME SPRING
WELSH CHURCH, LIME SPRING
....
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, LIME SPRING
427
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
withstanding it is an energetic and ambitious trading point for the surrounding country. The population of the town as given in the state and Government census reports follows :
1880
468
1885
448
1890 550
1895
551
1900
605
1905
469
1910
498
1915
547
CHESTER
Chester is a village of about three hundred people, located on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, sixteen miles northwest of Cresco. The plat of Chester Village was filed in the year 1873. In the year 1905 the place had a population of 287 ; in 1910, 266; and in 1915, 290. Information as to banks, etc., is contained in another part of this work.
PROTIVIN
The Town of Protivin is situated twelve miles southwest of Cresco. The plat of this town was filed in June, 1878. The town was incorporated in July, 1894. The petition for incorporation was presented to the district court June 23, 1894, and was signed by Wenzel Kadlec, J. V. Schuler, Wenzel Cisar, Frank Chyle, Jr., Stener Larson, Joseph Kastka, Vit Zankoveska, Fird Lukes, Martin Kalishek, Philip Bonska, Martin Lukes, Frank Kalishek, Charles Roefson, Frank Fencl, W. J. Kadlek, Stephan Honska, Anton Vrba, Georg Vachta, M. Junko, John Fencl, Thomas Chyle, Frank Polansky, John Luchek, Anton Kacer and Fr. P. Pecinovsky. The population of Protivin in 1900 was 136; in 1905, 159; in 1910, 163; and in 1915, 185. The Protivin Electric Light Company was incorp- orated in February, 1915.
ELMA
The incorporated Town of Elma is located on the Chicago & Great Western Railroad, twenty-four miles southwest of Cresco. The town was started at the same time as the railroad was constructed through Howard County in the late '80s. For the southwestern portion of the county Elma is the chief trading point, but has strong competition from Riceville to the westward. The population of Elma since 1895 is shown by the following table :
1895
939 1910 807
1900
976 1915 871
1905
944
The Town of Elma was incorporated in July, 1891, after a very close election, the vote standing 69 to 61 in favor of the proposition. The petition praying for incorporation was presented to the courts and was signed by the following :
428
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
L. H. Sisco, A. Armagost, H. L. Spaulding, E. E. Evans, John Ferguson, Charles Lamke, W. C. Bowman, G. F. Tierney, E. E. Overfield, E. K. Fluke, F. J. Gunn, C. Baudmill, W. E. Hoyt, S. C. Jordan, J. F. Torpey, J. F. Ayers, L. Potter, G. A. Burgess, F. H. Hunt, W. C. Newcomb, James Devereaux, H. H. Buell, S. H. Bursell, Charles Gallagher, William H. Mereness, S. J. Long, M. H. Bailey, J. F. Andrews, G. A. Chambers, C. M. Quimby, Leo C. Wachtel, J. H. Martin, E. D. Helty, A. E. Pelton, E. Brown.
The Consumers Electric Light Company was incorporated July 14, 1916.
The Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 528, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was incorporated November 21, 1899, and the articles signed by B. F. Lichty, G. W. Pittenger and F. W. Church.
RICEVILLE
The incorporated Town of Riceville is located on the west line of Howard County, half of the town in this county and half in Mitchell County. The town was settled in the '50s. The postoffice was established in the spring of 1861, with Dennis Rice as the first postmaster. In the early years Riceville became noted for its water power and fine milling facilities. It was the meeting point for many of the settlers from both Howard and Mitchell counties. Riceville became an incorp- orated town in 1892 and the first officers were: N. M. Jewett, mayor; T. J. Henderson, clerk ; P. M. Mosher, G. Weaver, C. C. Earnist, W. S. Burke, J. H. Chandler and T. C. Coles, councilmen. The population is about nine hundred. Riceville was platted in the spring of 1855 by the Rice Brothers-Dennis, Franklin and Gilbert-who with their widowed mother settled in that year. They con- structed a hotel on the northeast corner, at the junction of Main Street and the county line. The first store was opened on the Howard County side in 1856 by Kerr & Fellows. Thomas D. Moss operated the pioneer blacksmith shop in 1856 and Frank Rice and Smith Seeley were among the first merchants.
CHAPTER VI EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS
THE NEWSPAPERS
THE BEGINNING-SCHOOLS IN IOWA-FIRST HOWARD COUNTY SCHOOLS-STATISTICS -COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS-THE NEWSPAPERS-ORIGIN-FIRST PAPERS IN THE UNITED STATES-FIRST HOWARD COUNTY NEWSPAPER-THE PLAIN DEALER ---- THE HOWARD COUNTY TIMES-OTHER COUNTY PAPERS-DEFUNCT PAPERS.
The factors which have made rapid educational progress possible in Howard County are many. From the beginning of schools until the present year new ideas have been incorporated into the public school system until now Howard County may boast of one of the most efficient educational systems in the state. Before treating the details of the growth of schools here in this county it may be well to glance backward to the beginning of education in the state and ter- ritory, many years before Howard County became a civil division.
THE BEGINNING
Gov. Robert Lucas, in his message to the first legislature of Iowa Territory, which convened at Burlington, November 12, 1838, said in reference to schools :
"The 12th section of the Act of Congress establishing our territory, declares 'that the citizens of Iowa shall enjoy all the rights, privileges and immunities heretofore granted and secured to the Territory of Wisconsin and its inhabitants.' This extends to us all the rights, privileges and immunities specified in the ordi- nance of Congress on the 13th of July, 1787.
"The third article of this ordinance declares 'that religion, morality and knowl- edge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and all means of education shall be forever encouraged.'
"Congress, to carry out this declaration, has granted one section of land in each township to the inhabitants of such township for the purpose of schools therein.
"There is no object to which I wish to call your attention more emphatically than the subject of establishing, at the commencement of our political existence, a well digested system of common schools."
.The assembly began the task of formulating and providing for an adequate
429
430
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
system of public schools, and enacted a law providing for the formation of dis- tricts, the establishment of schools, and authorized the voters of each district, when lawfully assembled, to levy and collect the necessary taxes "either in caslı or good, merchantable property at cash prices, upon the inhabitants of their respective districts, not exceeding one-half percentum, nor amounting to more than $10 on any one person; to do all and everything necessary to the establish- ment and support of schools within the same."
The Second Legislative Assembly, on January 16, 1840, enacted a much more comprehensive law to establish a system of common schools-a law containing many excellent features. Its provisions were, however, in advance of the public sentiment upon education, making ample provisions, as it did, for free public schools. It has been claimed by students of the subject that the people of Iowa were not quite ready for such a law.
In the United States census report for 1840, very few schools, either public or private, were reported. One academy in Scott County, with twenty-five scholars, and in the state sixty-three primary and common schools, with 1,500 scholars, being the whole number reported.
The first section of the Act of 1839, for the establishment of common schools, provided "that there shall be established a common school, or schools, in each of the counties of this territory, which shall be open and free to every class of white citizens between the ages of five and twenty-five years." The second section provided "that the county board shall from time to time form such districts in their respective counties, whenever a petition may be presented for that purpose by a majorty of the voters resident within such contemplated dis- trict." These districts were governed by a board of three trustees, whose duties were to examine and employ teachers, superintend the schools, and collect and disburse the taxes voted by the electors for school purposes.
Among earlier enactments of the Territorial Legislature were those requiring that each district maintain at least three months of school each year, and that the expenses for the same were to be raised by taxes levied upon the property of said district. Among later enactments was that providing for a county school tax, to be levied to pay teachers, and that whatever additional sum should be required for this purpose should be assessed upon the parent, of the scholars in proportion to the length of time sent. The rate bill system was thus adopted near the close of the territorial period.
When Iowa was admitted into the Union as a state, on December 28, 1846, it had a population of 100,000, a school population of 20,000 and had about 400 organized school districts. From this time the number of districts increased, reaching 1,000 in 1849 and 1,200 in 1850. In 1857 the number of organized districts had increased to 3,265. Maturin D. Fisher, then superintendent of public instruction, in his report of November, 1857, urged the revision of the school law and a reduction in the number of school districts.
The Seventh General Assembly again took up the subject of revision of the school laws and on March 12, 1858, passed "An Act for the Public Instruction of Iowa," the first section of which provided that "each civil township in the several counties of the state, is hereby declared a school district for all the purposes of this act, the boundaries of said township being the boundaries of said school district, and every township hereafter laid out and organized, a school
SCHOOL BUILDINGS, CRESCO
ASSUMPTION PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, CRESCO
433
CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
district ; and each district as at present organized shall become a sub-district for the purpose hereinafter provided : Provided, that each incorporated city or town, including the territory annexed thereto for school purposes, and which contain not less than 1,000 inhabitants, shall be and is hereby created a school district." This law took effect March 20, 1858, and reduced the number of districts from about 3,500 to less than 900.
In December, 1858, a law was enacted providing that any city or incorporated town, including the territory annexed thereto for school purposes, might constitute a school district by vote of the majority of the electors residing in the territory of such contemplated district. In 1860 the provisions of this act were extended to unincorporated towns and villages containing not less than 300 inhabitants.
By an act passed April 3, 1866, this privilege was further extended to any city or sub-district containing not less than 200 inhabitants, and comprising territory contiguous thereto. It soon became evident that by this amendment a serious innovation would be made in the district township system, by the formation of independent districts in the more thickly populated and wealthier portions of the townships. The amendment was repealed by the session of the following general assembly.
The township system met the approval of every state superintendent, while the sub-district system was strenuously opposed. A. S. Kissell, in a report dated January 1, 1872, said: "In this system every township becomes a school district and all sub-district boundaries are abandoned ; and if this plan were carried into effect in this state it would allow no other school divisions than those of the independent and township districts.
"The most experienced educators of the country have advocated this system. Among these are such men as Horace Mann, United States Commissioner Bar- nard, Ex-Governor Boutwell, Dr. Newton Bateman of Illinois, Doctor Gregory. late superintendent of Michigan, and the county and state superintendents of one-third of the states in the Union. The arguments advanced by many of these experienced school men are unanswerable. Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have tested the system practically for several years ; it is pronounced by these states as a success, and this successful experiment of three or four years should have greater weight with us in this young and growing commonwealth than any theoretical arguments that could be advanced."
Notwithstanding the efforts and arguments in favor of the township system, and the conviction. on the part of those who had made a special study of the subject, that it would prove disastrous in its results, the general assembly, which convened January 8, 1872, enacted a law providing for the formation of inde- pendent districts, from the sub-districts of a district township.
When the first attempt was made toward the organization of Howard County the office of school fund commissioner was still in vogue, the law creating county superintendents of common schools not having yet passed the houses of the general assembly.
FIRST HOWARD COUNTY SCHOOLS
The first school in Cresco was started in the summer of the year in which the town was first settled. The independent school district of Cresco seems to Vol. 1-28
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.