USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 17
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The present officers are as follows: Dr. Chatterton, worthy patron ; Mrs. Will Kirchner, worthy matron; Lulu Turner, secretary : Mrs. Mantor, treasurer.
CITY MAYORS.
H. S. Parker, Charles Fillmore, Herbert Towner, Frank Steckmest, L. Rogers and Charles Staples, the present mayor.
Charles Fillmore built the waterworks, but there have been additions made recently to the plant.
THE PETERSON PATRIOT.
The Peterson Patriot was established April 19, 1882, by E. J. Helms and E. G. Blackhurst. The paper was a nonpartisan, seven-column folio. The next editors, in their order, were James Kennedy, George Long, and Jay Smith, who succeeded A. G. Warren. Mr. Warren was followed by Ray Gleason, and Mr. Gleason by Grant E. Hirleman. Then came R. Gleason again, who continued as editor until 1906, when its present editor, Archie Evans, took charge.
Mr. Evans now conducts a five-column quarto. It is issued weekly, is Republican in politics and is a good all-around sheet.
15-4
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
THE PETERSON DISPATCH.
About two years ago the Peterson Dispatch came out under the editorship of Ray Gleason. It was a Republican sheet, but it only lasted about two months in Peterson, and the plant was then moved to Minnesota.
CLAY COUNTY TIMES.
The above named paper was established about 1898, by C. H. Leichleiter. This was a Democratic organ, which lived about six months. The plant was moved to Larchwood, Iowa.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Peterson has a volunteer fire department, which was organized in 1902. There are fourteen members at present, and John Gelattly is the chief. The fire apparatus consists of two hose carts, several hundred feet of hose and several long ladders, etc.
GOOD TEMPLARS' HALL.
Peterson has not as yet a distinctive hall for amusements. For several years the Good Templars' hall has been used for this purpose. for political mect- ings and lectures.
EVERLY.
When the town of Everly was surveyed and platted in 1884 there was no well defined purpose in the minds of its projectors other than to afford the few people in the western part of the county a way station. The selection was not due either to the physical conditions prevailing or to accommodate any great number, as there were but few people living in that section at that particular time. Evidently the only purpose was to induce immigration. If this was the motive that prompted the establishment of the town, the object has been most successfully obtained. Everly is located on the southwest quarter of section 3. in Lone Tree township. The town proper is on a rising piece of ground that is of sufficient height to afford excellent drainage for the main and business portion of the village. When the station was established it was in the midst of unbroken prairie, with little encouragement or hope of a town of any con- siderable size. It was platted in 1884, by Griffin & Adams, of Spencer. This firm owned considerable land contiguous to the place, and perceived in this an opportunity to enhance the value of their property and induce settlers to locate in that section. Soon after its being platted they disposed of it to I. I'. Rumsey, a Chicago capitalist, who had already invested in Clay county real estate. Mr. Rumsey at once perceived that the townsite was admirably chosen. and if the surrounding country was populated, Everly was destined to become an excellent marketing point and place of no small note in the county. In company with A. W. Sleeper, who had purchased an interest in the land designed for the town, and a man who had had large experience in northwestern Iowa. he at once set to work with a will and determined energy to make it what they knew it could be made. The first year the progress was slow, but the founda- tions were being laid solidly and substantially. The next year their labors began to bear fruit, people began to come ; on adjacent land farm houses sprang
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
up; there was a demand for town lots ; carpenters were sought after ; the lumber yard was a common resort ; comfortable residences were erected ; store houses were built; elevators and warehouses constructed, and the entire place was the scene of busy activity. The tide had turned, and the bleak and dreary station was shortly surrounded by a large number of buildings, owned by a busy, moving and active class of citizens, who had come to stay and cast their lot in this "goodly heritage." The good work commenced has been constantly kept in motion, and while the village has not rapidly increased in numbers, it has been adding slowly but steadily to its population and wealth. As a trading point it leads in proportion to the number of its inhabitants. Its business men are shrewd and always on the alert, and are determined, if. within their power, to make Everly the most important market place in the county. The immense quantities of grain, hay, stock and produce they have handled during the past year is a true index to their push and progressiveness and demonstrates that they are making rapid strides toward attaining the distinction of shipping out more products from Clay county than any other town in it. These elements in the shippers are to be admired, and are destined ultimately to give the town such an impetus that her rivals may be stirred to redouble their diligence and vigilance or lose the honor of being the largest town in the county. Everly is young, but with the most excellent record she has made and the present live and stren- uous efforts being put forth by her citizens, she is sure to develop into one of the leading towns along the line of the Chicago and Milwaukee railroad in northwestern Iowa. She has equal railroad facilities with the surrounding towns. excepting Spencer, being on the Chicago and Milwaukee railroad and in the center of the most fertile and fruitful agricultural region of Iowa. She pos- sesses excellent advantages and opportunities for transacting a large and annually increasing business. The farmers in the territory of Everly are a prosperous and industrious class and among the largest producers of grain and stock in the county.
The Everly bank is a private concern and was organized in 1905, by C. P. Buckey and Dr. McAllister, as a branch of the First National bank of Spencer. It is capitalized at $10,000 and has deposits of $72,000. The present officers are as follows: Dr. Charles McAllister, president; C. P. Buckey, vice president ; Frank N. Wood, cashier.
The Farmers and Mechanics bank was a private concern, organized by A. W. Sleeper, Louis Scharnberg and Peter Kettleson January 2, 1905, and was merged into the First National bank July 13, 1905. This bank was organized by A. W. Sleeper, Peter Kettleson, Louis Scharnberg, H. H. Moehler. Ness Lorensen and John Stuhr. A. W. Sleeper, president ; Peter Kettleson, vice presi- dent : Louis Scharnberg, cashier; W. H. Sleeper, assistant cashier. The board of directors are. II. H. Moeller, Ness Lorensen, John Stuhr, A. W. Sleeper. Louis Scharnberg and Peter Kettleson. Capital, $20,000, and deposits, $70,000.
The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1886 and was first a mission church. In 1888 a church edifice was erected at a cost of $1,500. Up to that time they had occasional preaching. The first missionary was L. A. Downe, 1886-1888: M. B. Keister, 1888-1890; H. W. Howe, 1890-1892; R. Hild. 1892-1894: C. J. Messenger, 1894-1896; H. L. Case, 1896-1898; Charles
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
E. Anderson, 1898-1899; E. M. Glasgow, 1899-1900; A. M. Tainter, 1900-1903 ; H. L. Hastings, 1903-1904; Irvin Green, 1904-1907. F. P. Calkins came to the church in September, 1907. and is the present pastor. Members of the church, forty-four ; and the Sunday school, about sixty.
St. Mary's Catholic church was organized about 1898. It has a member- ship of about thirty families. Rev. B. A. Hunt, of Spencer, supplies this charge.
The German Lutheran was organized June, 1907, by C. H. Peterson, Peter Kettleson, J. Stuhr, Christian Peterson, Otto Theil, Louis Weise. D. P. Peterson, Fritz Whede. The first pastor was Rev. W. Siefkes. He was followed by Rev. Gutschoff, who is the present pastor. The membership is about twenty souls and there are forty in the Sunday school. The present place of holding meetings is in the Christian church. This church was organized in April, 1897, by Rev. J. M Hoffman, who was succeeded by W. H. Rust. The next pastor was H. M. Gregory, then S. W. Hall. The last pastor was J. W. Ellis. This church was dedicated about 1906. The church property is valued at $3.500. The organization dwindled so in numbers that no church meetings have been held for some years.
The German social society of the Unter Haltungs Verein, composed of men, women and children, was organized in Everly in 1901. It has three hundred and forty-one regular members and their families. Its present officers are : Fritz Whede, president ; Jergen Schmidt, vice president; N. J. Hennings, sec- retary ; Louis Scharnberg, treasurer ; John Stuhr, J. Peterson and C. H. Peterson, directors. The hall is over the Everly bank, where the society holds its meetings and where entertainments, lectures and all public meetings are held.
Columbia lodge .A. F. & A. M., No. 560, was organized February 7, 1899. The first members were S. P. Striker, J. W. Devnell, Thomas Corns, J. P. Baker, A. M. Erickson, W. C. Davis, F. J. Plondke, U. G. Morris, O. A. Shaffer, F. J. Coleman, John H. Peck, C. P. Phelps, M. G. Shull, A. S. Roberts, C. H. Staples. The first officers were: S. S. Striker, G. M .; S. W. Devnell, S. M .: Thomas Corns, J. M .; F. J. Coleman, treasurer ; U. G. Morrison, secretary ; J. P. Baker, S. D .; M. G. Shull, S. S .; A. M. Erickson. J. S. : J. H. Peck, tyler.
ROYAL LODGE.
U. D. lodge was organized March, 1908.
EVERLY LODGE.
Everly lodge, No. 641, I. O. O. F., was organized in 1897. W. G. Swain, A. W. Sleeper, Mike Fell, Peter Wohlenberg, G. E. Hirleman were the first officers of this lodge. It has about forty members.
Lone Tree camp, No. 1592. M. W. A., was organized in 1892. William W. Ahrens, Edward L. Clark, William Day and Peter Erickson were among its first members.
The Yeomen organized in 1897. They gave up their charter in 1906.
The first house built in Everly was a frame structure, sixteen by twenty- four, erected by O. C. Seaverson in 1883. for a residence and section house. The
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
second one was built in 1884, by Reimer Mundt. O. C. Seaverson and family and a brother were the first residents of Everly.
In 1884 twenty-four families came to Everly and Lone Tree township from Benton county, Iowa. Some of the first settlers in Everly and Lone Tree town- ship were Reimer Mundt, Moses Jesmer, William Day, Louis Scharnberg, John and Charles Scharnberg, H. W. Moehler, Peter Steuben, George Schoerns, Hans Peterson, W. Ahrens, 'V. Peterson, N. J. Hennings, John Krumbeck, John Tischer, Mell Green, R. Ericksen and A. W. Sleeper. Some of those who came about the same time and settled in Everly were John Adams, Nicholas Schroeder. the Rhode brothers, Deltz and Herman, and Louis Tischer. The same year M. Jennings and Will Day erected the first store building. J. P. Parker was the first mayor of Everly, George Nugent followed him, then A. T. Jones, and Mike Fell, who is the present mayor. The town has four hundred inhabitants.
The first hotel in Everly was conducted by William Hatch; however, this was only a small boarding house. The first real hotel was run by Charles Brooks and is the present Columbian Hotel, which was built in sections. The first part of the present Columbian House was built in 1892.
The Everly News was established September 18, 1897, by Edward McBride. He was succeeded as editor by Allen Clossen. A Mr. Bardon was the next editor, and after him came Frank Bowman. The present editor, George Nugent, took the paper in October, 1901. The paper is a five-column quarto. Inde- pendent in politics and published every week.
EVERLY CEMENT TILE.
This organization came into being in 1906, when Louis Scharnberg, Peter Kettleson, F. F. Ruge, John Huch and Peter Hildt formed a company for the purpose of making cement tile. A large plant was erected in 1906, and now employs about twenty men. This concern is in a flourishing condition.
Everly has a good cream market and also a splendid market for hogs, cattle and sheep. It has three elevators on the right of way of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad.
OTHER TOWNS IN THE COUNTY.
In the past few years other towns have sprung up in the county which make good trading points for the communities surrounding them.
There is Cornell, in Herdland township; Webb. in Garfield township; Gillett's Grove, in Gillett's Grove township; Greenville, in Gillett's Grove town- ship; Rossie, in Lincoln township; Royal, in Clay township; Langdon, in Meadow township ; Fostoria, in Summit township. These villages are all grow- ing and prosperous.
SPENCER.
The seat of government of Clay county contains a population of three thousand five hundred and is a most interesting town. There is on every hand clear and distinct evidences of thrift, prosperity and individual enterprise. Its social and business condition is in a most healthful state, and a harmonious feeling for the future prevails. The topography of the place is excellent and it possesses every advantage for business and manufacturing purposes. Since
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
it was first established it has been inhabited by a class of people who were public spirited, high minded and successful, and have made the name of Spencer synonymous with push, pluck and prosperity.
The survey of the original plat of Spencer was made in 1871, by P. M. Moore, county surveyor, for J. H. Hale. In April, 1873, and in October, 1881, Byron Hough made two additions on the northwest. In December, 1875, S. J. Egleston added to the townsite by platting his land on the eastern side of the village. In June, 1879, Lovewell & Hubbard made a third addition, theirs being. on the west side. There still being a demand for town lots, L. C. Burgin in ISSI laid off a piece of land into lots, just east of the Egleston addition. The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway platted their additions, one in 1880 and two in 1883. Griffin & Adams in November, 1884, platted and made the ninth addition. Since then there have been several other additions to the town of Spencer, namely, College addition, Tuttle's addition, and Huttenlocher's addition.
Spencer is but a short distance from the geographical center of the county and is therefore admirably located. The railway facilities are furnished by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul and the Minneapolis and St. Louis railroads. A branch line of the former road furnishes excellent communication to Okoboji and Spirit lakes, two great pleasure resorts, and south to Des Moines.
Spencer is most happily and fortunately located. On the south the Little Sioux river courses its winding way toward the great Missouri, furnishing excellent drainage and good, pure water. One cannot but be impressed with the fine appearance of the town and the many natural advantages it in an eminent degree possesses. Its central location in the county makes it the leading trading point for a large territory unsurpassed in fertility, and when the county's resources are developed it cannot fail to make Spencer a point of even greater importance. With good railroad facilities, surrounded by a prosperous, wide- awake class of farmers, what is to prevent it becoming one among the most important cities in the Northwest? It has never gone through the booming process, although its growth during the past decade has been fairly satisfactory, having been through the result of private enterprise rather than in consequence of a combined and systematic effort to herald its advantages. From a hamlet of less than forty years ago, possessing a few frame and log houses, it is now a thriving town in which a majority of the heads of families own their own homes. There are no fictitious values placed upon real estate. The people are contented to live and let live. They are industrious, frugal, happy and contented in the belief that the possession of property in Spencer is valuable and destined to become of greater value.
Scarcely had the people of Spencer got fairly settled on the new townsite than they began to agitate the question of a railroad. They saw the natural advantages of the town and county and as they looked into the future they picured a bright and prosperous city, surrounded by waving fields of grain, immense herds of cattle and live stock, a county populated by a teeming, indus- trious class of people. They saw all this and of course thought others could see it as well. They talked and sent their representatives abroad to present and impress their ideas upon those in authority. But ofttimes their agents
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
returned with anything but encouraging words, and so often was this repeated that there seemed but little hope of realizing their great desire. But in a few short months the chances of success would again fill their minds and another attempt would be made. It was true that at times they grew greatly discouraged and many were upon the point of leaving and would have done so had they not been pursuaded by the more hopeful and determined ones. And well might they be discouraged. The nearest railroad point was forty miles away, and over these long miles of road the merchandise must be transported by teams. The trip could not be made in less than three days and the cost of transportation was very great, and the merchant must therefore add this to the cost of his goods, which of necessity made the price of all classes of merchandise much higher than they would have otherwise been. The farmers therefore had in a ineasure to pay this extra expense, and it is not to be wondered that they were anxious to see the day when Spencer should have a railroad. They were tireless workers, not alone in Clay but in adjoining counties, and the day came when their labors were at last crowned with success and the great Milwaukee road, with its far spreading branches, came to Spencer. It was a day of rejoicing and the hearts of those who had waited and watched so long were filled with gladness. The arrival of the railroad marked an important epoch in the history of Clay county. Slowly but gradually Spencer and the county put on a new appearance. It was like the budding of winter into spring. Houses sprang up on every hand; new arrivals came on every train; trade was given a fresh impetus ; farmers were made happy by receiving better prices for their stock and produce. The change was marked and great. The prospects for Spencer grew brighter than ever before in its history. The many struggles, trials and untiring efforts had at last brought forth their legitimate fruit, and from this time forward unparalleled prosperity had attended it.
The moral, religious and social standing of Spencer is most excellent and it points with pride to the class of citizens that make up the town. To this in a measure it owes its permanent growth and prosperity.
Nearly every religious denomination is represented by an organization. Its public schools are all that could be asked for, and its social conditions are among the best and most elevated in their tone. In addition to its social clubs, literary, benevolent and other societies, there are a Masonic chapter and lodge, an encampment and subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, two orders of the United Workmen, a lodge of the Knights of Pythias and uniform rank, the Woodmen, a Grand Army post, and others of similar character.
INCORPORATION.
Although Spencer was platted in 1871, it was not until the year 1880 that it was incorporated. In 1880 a petition was presented to Judge Duffie, then district judge, for authority to call an election to vote upon the question for or against incorporation. The petition was granted and the judge appointed Theodore Secor, J. B. Edmunds, W. C. Gilbreath, A. C. Parker and J. Merritt commissioners, with authority to call an election, name the day and act as judges. The election day arrived and there was a very close and heated contest, but the "fors" won by a fair majority. Subsequently an election was called for the 26th
.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
day of March, 1880, to select a mayor and five trustees. There was much friendly rivalry displayed at this election. Whether it was the novelty of the office or a desire to be one of the first officers of Spencer remains today a mystery. The election resulted as follows: Mayor, W. C. Gilbreath ; recorder, J. F. Ford, who resigned and C. S. Penfield was chosen to fill the vacancy : trustees, M. P. W. Albee, T. P. Bender, M. E. Griffin, J. Rood, E. E. Snow and C. M. Squire. John Annett was selected as marshal. This board immediately drafted and passed a number of ordinances. But it was far from being an easy task to enforce them, as the people of the town were unaccustomed to such restraints as these ordinances imposed, and there was frequently a clash between the citizens and the town officials. In time they grew to respect the laws of the town, and today it would be difficult to find a place where the laws are more rigidly enforced, observed and upheld by the people than in Spencer. They have respect for them and believe that their strict enforcement will result advan- tageously and contribute to good order and citizenship. Subsequent boards have in many instances made a number of material changes to some of the original ordinances, and have added a large number as time and necessity required. It has been the policy of all the councils to pursue a careful and economical course. and the people have demonstrated their wisdom in the selection of their council. It is not the intention to review the work done by the respective councils. It would be useless. It is only necessary to point to its streets, sidewalks, city hall, electric lights and waterworks. These are monuments to the good work accomplished by the trustees of Spencer. The following named gentlemen have held the office of mayor since the date of its incorporation :
W. C. Gilbreath. 1880-81
H. Chamberlain. 1895-96
J. B. Edmunds 1881-82 M. S. Green 1896-97
E. E. Snow
1882-83
M. S. Green. 1897-98
M. P. W. Albee
1883-84
E. H. Crandall 1898-99
John Thayer 1884-85
E. H. Crandall. 1899-00
S. Gillespie. 1885-86
G. W. Patterson 1900-OI
C. S. Penfield
1886-87
G. W. Patterson 1901-02
L. Whitney
1887-88
H. J. Buck. 1902-03
S. S. Snow
1888-89'
H. J. Buck. 1903-04
J. Q. Adams
1889-90
G. F. Martin
1904-05
H. N. Smith.
1890-91
G. F. Martin
1905-06
Thomas McQueen
1891-92
John Painter.
1906-07
H. Chamberlain.
1892-93
John Painter.
I907-08
H. Chamberlain
1893-94
A. E. Wells
1908
H. Chamberlain.
1894-95
CITY CLERKS.
S. S. Snow.
1892-1893
Harry E. Glover 1899-1900
Harlan J. Buck
1893-1894
Vernon W. Buck 1900-1901
Harlan J. Buck.
1894-1895
Vernon W. Buck.
1901- 1902
Harlan J. Buck
1895-1896
Vernon W. Buck
1902-1903
Harry E. Glover
1897-1898
O. A. Hammond.
1903-1904
Harry E. Glover
1898-1899
A. W. Taylor 1904
Harry E. Glover
1896-1897
PETERSON, IOWA, TAKEN IN 190I
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LFNCX TILD N FOIJA - . .
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Mr. A. W. Taylor died while in office and was succeeded by his son, Roy Taylor, who is the present incumbent.
CITY MARSHALS.
John Andrew
1892-1900
Frank Smith.
1904-1905
C. E. Baldwin
1900-1901
Frank Smith.
1905-1906
C. E. Baldwin
1901-1902
Henry Green.
1906-1907
Frank Smith.
1902-1903
Lester M. Baldwin
1907-1908
Frank Smith
1903-1904
Lester M. Baldwin
1908-1909
INCORPORATED ORGANIZATIONS.
There have been a number of associations and organizations incorporated in Spencer. Some of them have been very successful in carrying out the object of their incorporation, while others have met with signal failure.
On the 11th of July, 1871, articles of incorporation were filed in the recorder's office to build the Spirit Lake and Sioux Valley railroad. The incor- porators were R. S. Wilcox, Orson Rice, C. M. Squire, J. F. Calkins, H. S. Bailey, D. C. Thomas, S. Olney, Jr., T. S. Seymore, Samuel Gonser, J. B. Edmunds and others. At that time Clay, as well as the adjoining counties, would have been greatly elated to have had any kind of a railroad.
The "Pioneer Baptist Church" was incorporated in April, 1870, with William C. Roberts, David and William Evans, John W. Jones and D. C. Thomas incorporators.
The Methodist Episcopal church was incorporated January 3, 1872, with C. B. Winter, W. W. Scott and M. M. Peeso signing the articles. A neat and cosy church building was constructed but was subsequently destroyed by fire.
In December, 1871, John Lawler, Henry Ford and Lindsay Seals filed articles of incorporation. The purpose of this organization, they alleged, was to construct a line of railroad to be known as the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Union Pacific Railway Company. They also proposed constructing, owning and operating roads, railroads, bridges, ferries and ferry boats, stores and store- houses, warehouses and elevators in the state of Iowa. Spencer was to be the headquarters. The plan and purpose was conceived with a very broad foundation. But whether the undertaking was too great or the scheme was too heavily loaded is today unknown. At any rate this herculean and extensive project was never carried out by the incorporators.
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