USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 39
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* Lorentzen, H. J., Captain 9th Wisc. Inft. Lownes, R. W., 4th Ill. Cav. Lucas, E. R., 26th Iowa Inft. Ludlum, Alex - Lung, Wm. H., 46th Ill. Vol.
* McArthur, J. E., 26th Iowa Inft. McCarthy, P. A., 106th N. Y. Inft.
McClellan, John L., 21st Penn. Cav.
* McConnel, W. H., 230th Inft. Died Oct. 23, 1883. McCracken, Ed., 46th Iowa Inft. McElwain, Myron, 7th Wisc. Inft. McHenry, W. A., 8th Ill. Cav.
* McIntosh, Hugh, Iowa Inft. Mckenzie, Sylvester, 8th Inft. McMeans, R. J., 2nd Iowa Cav. McMinimee, J. S., 160th Inft. McNeal, Nath., 31st Ohio Inft.
* Macomber, George, Mexican war.
* Mahoney, Patrick, 16th N. Y. Heavy Art. Malone, Thomas, 52nd Ohio Inft.
* Marshall, Wm., 8th Ill. Cav. * Mather, F., 54th Ind. Inft. Mathews, A., 44th Iowa Inft.
* Mathews, Carey, 30th Wisc. Inft. Died Dec. 20, 1871.
* Matlock, W. H., U. S. Navy. Died Dec. 31, 1910. Vol. I-22
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
* Maynard, J. W., 12th Ill. Vol. Meyer, Ferdinand, 13th Ill. Inft. * Messenbrink, Fred, 105th Ill. Inft. Messenbrink, J. H., 2nd Minn. Inft. Messenbrink, Louie, 105th Ill. Inft. Menchin, Henry, Ist Ill. Art. Melton, J. S., 14th Missouri Cav.
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* Miles, E., 4th Missouri Inft. Mitchell, J. H., 17th Ill. Inft.
Miller, A. H., 55th Ohio Inft. Molony, M., 147th Ill. Inft.
Montgomery, R. R., 7th Iowa Inft.
Morris, H. C., 112th Ill. Inft.
* Mooney, L. P., 8th Ohio Inft. Died April 28, 1911. Morray, P. E., Penn. Inft.
Moore, W. B., U. S. Inft.
Moore, M. M. -
* Munson, J. H., Ist Iowa Cav.
Murphy, John, 17th Wisc. Inft.
Murray, - , Ist U. S. Art.
Murdock, W. H.
Nash, C. D., 8th Ill. Cav.
* Nash, Danford, 20th Ind. Art.
Nash, H. C., 153rd Ill. Inft.
Nash, S. D., 105th Ill. Inft.
Naumann, A. A., 31st Iowa Inft.
* Newcom, Tilton, Mexican war. Nichols, H. J., 2nd Vt. Inft.
* Noll, Levi, 64th Ohio Inft. Norelius, A., 3rd Iowa Inft.
O'Gorman, John, U. S. Navy.
* Olson, E., 132nd Ill. Inft. Died Nov. 15, 1894. Osborn, John, 55th Ill. Inft. Overing, R. J., 9th Vermont Inft.
Owens, Edwin, 18th Wisc. Inft.
* Owens, J., 34th N. Y. Inft. Palmer, Herbert B.
* Partridge, E. D., IIth Wisc. Inft., also Mexican war and Blackhawk war. Died 'March 21, 1896. Patchin, Lorenzo, 127th Ill. Inft.
Patterson, Isaac, 20th Iowa Inft.
Patterson, J. C., 31st Iowa Inft.
Patterson, Griffith, 12th Ill. Inft.
Paup, Wm., 3Ist Iowa Inft.
* Pease, Henry, 14th Vermont Inft. Died June, 1892. Pembrook, John W., Cogswell's Lt. Art.
* Phelps, A. T., Capt. 5th Iowa Cav. Died Sept. 26, 1885.
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Pilate, Thomas, 2nd Ill. Inft.
* Pithan, John, 26th Iowa Inft. Plugh, Henry, 6th Iowa Cav. Plimpton, S. W., IIth R. I. Inft. * Pooler, George, Ill. Inft. Porter, W. A., 2nd & 23rd Iowa Inft. Powers, J. F., 10th Penn. Inft. Prentice, Chaney * Prentice, Franklin, Ist Iowa Cav. Prentice, Jacob Quigley, John A., 26th Iowa Inft. Reed, John M. Reley, M. H., 6th Kansas Inft.
* Reynolds, John, Ind. Inft. Richardson, J. L., 20th Iowa Inft.
* Richards, Newton, 34th Iowa Vol. Rice, S. S., 24th Iowa Inft. Richman, J. W., 4th Iowa Cav.
* Rhodes, O. B., 15th N. H. Inft. Died Dec. 1, 1897. Rhodenbaugh, Wm. W., 18th Ill. Inft. Robertson, Dan'1, 47th Iowa Inft. Robins, H., 32nd Ohio Inft. Robbenault, A., IIIth Penn. Inft. Robbenault, Jeremiah, 199th Penn. Inft. Robbins, H., 32nd Ohio Inft. Rudd, John R., 15th Inft. * Scaggs, W. H., 3rd Col. Cav. Died May 30, 1907. Schultz, Gotlieb, 9th Wisc. Inft. * Scofield, Percy, N. Y. Inft. Scoford, George, Eng. Corps. Scott, A. M. * Seeber, .Wm. H., 10th N. Y. Art. Servoss, John, 54th Ohio Inft.
* Sewell, L. A., Ill. Lt. Art. Died March 4, 1905. Shanahan, Tim, 42nd Iowa Inft. Sherwood, Sidney, 18th Iowa Inft.
Shopshire, T. J., 3rd Col. Cav.
Sharp, T. M., Iowa Inft. Simmons, A., 6th Minn. Inft.
Sisterman, Henry Simpson, B. M., 43rd Ohio Inft.
Siglin, Isaiah, 17th Ill. Cav.
Sierer, Edward Ist Missouri Cav., 4th U. S. Vet. Vol. Inft. Sergt. of the guard at execution of Mrs. Surrat.
Skinner, Joseph Slagg, Joseph, 23rd Wisc. Inft.
Slater, John C. H., 20th Wisc. Inft.
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Small, Christian, 2nd Iowa Inft.
Smedly, J., 33rd Iowa Inft.
Smith, M., 105th Ill. Inft. Died Jan. 24, 1905.
* Smith, R. M., 2nd Iowa Cav. * Smith, E. H., 26th Iowa Inft. Smith, M. N., 30th Wisc. Inft.
Died June, 1911.
Snow, M. H., 16th Iowa Inft. Sowles, Velie, 2nd Ill. Art.
Spence, Wm., 15th Iowa Inft. Strahan, W. H., 3rd Col. Cav.
* Staller, Sam'1, 16th Penn. Cav. Stamper, Wm., Ist Iowa Battery
Streeter, S., 3rd and 7th Wisc. Inft.
* Stocking, C. P., 95th Ill. Inft. Died Oct, 22. 1896. Strong, A. L., 37th Mass. Inft. Strong, Simeon
* Swan, T. J., 88th Ill. Inft.
* Talcott, Ed, 75th Ill. Inft.
* Talcott, Divaldo, 75th Ill. Inft. £ Died Sept. 1, 1908.
Taylor, A. S., 24th Iowa Inft.
* Taylor, Rufus
* Taylor, George E., 7th N. Y. Inft.
* Tiernan, James L., 26th Iowa Inft. Died Nov. 15, 1894.
Theobald, John, 50th Wisc. Inft.
Thomas, J., 3rd Col. Cav. Thompson, Frank, 16th Inft.
* Thompson, Calvin, Iowa Inft. Thornbrue, A., 9th Iowa Inft.
Town, Salem H., 75th Ill. Inft.
* Trinkle, Alexander, 23rd Ind. Inft.
Underhill, N. P., 114th Ohio Inft.
Vassar, John G., 23rd Ill. Inft. Vertrees, J. W., 15th Ill. Inft. Walker, Theodore, Ist N. Y. H. A.
Warbasse, J. L., Ist N. J. Inft.
Wasson, H. K., 8th Iowa Cav.
Watson, George, 5th and 58th Penn. Inft.
* Waterman, Dr. Alfred Weatherby, J. S., Ind. Inft. Westcott, H. H., 43rd N. Y. Inft.
* Whaley, Chas B., Ohio Inft. Whitcher, Selden, E., 44th U. S. Inft.
White, Thomas, 2nd N. Y. Lt. Art. White, Benjamin, Ill. Inft.
Wiggins, M. G., IIth Iowa Inft.
* Wiggins, B. H., 5th Iowa Inft.
* Wiggins, Delmo, 5th Iowa Inft.
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Wilson, 'A. D., 14Ist Il1. Inft. Wilson, Wm. S., 124th Ill. Inft. * Wilkenson, R. L., 94th Ill. Inft. Died Jan. 2, 1882. Wildman, Joseph, 105th Ill. Inft. * Wingrove, Wm., 15th Iowa Inft. Wise, J. U., 44th Iowa Inft.
* Woolsencroft, John, 104th Ill. Inft. Worley, Jacob, 39th Iowa Inft. Wood, Wm. O., 52nd Il1. Inft.
* Woodruff, J. H., 4th Iowa Inft. Died Dec. 16, 1904. Wright, G. L., Lieut. Col. 3rd Iowa Inft. Wright, L. R., 5th Iowa Inft.
* Wright, M. D., Ist N. Y. Inft. Died July 21, 1909. Yelkey, Chas., 127th Penn. Inft. * Zell, Andy, 20th Penn. Cav.
CHAPTER XXVI.
PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATIONS.
For some years after the war so large a percentage of our people had been soldiers of the Union army that it was such an every day occurrence for old veterans to unite that but little thought was given to an organization to preserve the memories and friendships of war. Later, however, the value of these organizations became apparent and on September 26, 1881, the old soldiers of Denison banded themselves together as a part of that great na- tional organization known as the Grand Army of the Republic. The local post was known as Root Post, No. 58, Department of Iowa. The charter members were G. W. Heston, E. D. Partridge, A. J. Bond, H. S. Gulick, J. S. Gilbreath, M. H. Snow, S. W. Plimpton, A. T. Phelps, R. W. Lownes, Andrew Simmons, W. A. Porter, John G. Vassar, R. L. Wilkinson, Charles Hitchcock, George L. Wright, Melvin Smith, Edward Miles, C. A. Lawton, and B. W. Garlough. The post was mustered in by B. W. Whitcher, of Manning, Iowa. G. W. Heston was elected commander of the post, and A. T. Phelps adjutant. The name chosen was in honor of Lieutenant-Colonel Root, of the Fifteenth New York Cavalry, who was killed the night before the surrender of Lee's forces. The post grew and prospered and at one time contained a large membership, although at present the ranks have been thinned by death. Mr. W. A. McHenry, although his name does not appear as a charter member, always took a great interest in the welfare of the post, donating the use of the McHenry Hall for its meetings. In the year 1886 Mr. McHenry was elected department commander for Iowa and under him G. L. Wright acted as department adjutant. It was during his administra- tion that the death of the great Union general, John A. Logan, occurred. Under the rules of the order posts must be named in honor of some deceased soldier or sailor. As soon as the death of General Logan was announced there was a great rush on the part of many posts to honor his memory by naming their local organization after him. Having the department officers here, the Denison post was able to act quickly and secured the coveted name, changing it from Root Post to John A. Logan post. The post has had a total membership of one hundred and forty-four. Of these thirty-two have died, forty-four have been transferred and there are now thirty-one mem- bers in good standing. The post has had charge of the memorial services
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
conducted each year on the 30th of May and has also done much good work, not only in caring for less fortunate members, but in preserving the spirit of patriotism throughout the community. The present officers are, J. L. Mc- Clellan, Commander; George Watson, Sr. Vice Commander; Ed Sierer, Jr. Vice Commander; A. J. Bond, Officer of the Day; J. P. Duncan, Officer of the Guard; John G. Vassar, Surgeon; T. J. Shopshire, Chaplain; A. D. Wilson, Quartermaster; John L. Richardson, Adjutant; also Patriotic In- structor.
A Grand Army Post was organized in Manilla in 1887 and named in honor of A. T. Phelps, long a resident of Denison. The post organized with eighteen members and held regular meetings for a number of years, but the ranks were depleted by death and by removals, so that the charter was sur- rendered in 1897, since which time there has not been a sufficient member- ship to reorganize.
Following the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic came the establishment of that other most helpful order, the Woman's Relief Corps. The Denison branch of this society, known as John A. Logan Woman's Re- lief Corps, No. 56, was organized March 12, 1886, under the name of Root Corps, auxiliary to Root Post, the name being changed soon after the death of General Logan. The charter members of the corps were as fol- lows: Mary L. S. McHenry, Jenette O. Wright, Mariette Gulick, Selina J. Plimpton, Geppie Bond, Emma W. Avery, Melvina C. Byam, Candace Mil- ler, Mary Richardson, Annie Thornbrue, Mary Sayre, Miss Mahala Snell- baker, Miss Mollie Springer, Georgia W. McClellan, Hannah R. Plimpton, Laura R. Baer, Jennie M. Drake, Mattie M. Shaw Van, Emmaline Rhodes, Mary Jane Gilbreath, Ella D. Sewell, Eva McHenry, Eda L. Wood and Frankie Blackman.
The following officers of the corps were installed by Colonel G. L. Wright, then Post Commander: President, Mary L. S. McHenry; Sr. Vice Presi- dent, Jenette O. Wright; Jr. Vice President, Mariette Gulick; Chaplain, Emma W. Avery; Treasurer, Geppie Bond; Conductor, Georgia W. Mc- Clellan; Assistant Conductor, Laura R. Baer; Guard, Mary Richardson; Assistant Guard, Mattie M. Shaw Van.
The corps has made a steady growth, the membership at this date being sev- enty-six. Denison has been greatly honored by the state and national organiza- tion of the Relief Corps. In June, 1887, Mrs. Sears McHenry was elected de- partment president and Mrs. Georgie Wade McClellan department treasurer. Mrs. McHenry appointed Mrs. Hannah R. Plimpton as department secretary. In June, 1889, Mrs. Lottie D. Ley was elected department president and Mrs. Mary S. McHenry department treasurer. Mrs. Ley appointed Mrs. Hannah R. Plimpton as department secretary for a second term. In June 1897, Mrs. Georgia Wade McClellan, who for many years has been one of the most prominent workers in the national organization and who is known by the ladies of the order from one ocean to the other, was elected department president, being reelected in June, 1898, an exceptional honor. She appointed Mrs. Agnes Muir as her secretary. In 1900 Mrs. Christine Snider Romans, then a member of Creston Corps, No. 141, but now a member of this corps, was elected department presi-
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
dent. She appointed Mrs. Georgia Wade McClellan as her secretary. In 1890 Mrs. Mary Sears McHenry received the very exceptional honor of election as national president, appointing Mrs. Hannah R. Plimpton as her secretary. In 1908 Mrs. Georgia Wade McClellan served as national press correspondent dur- ing the national presidency of Kate E. Jones. In 1909 Mrs. McClellan also served as national secretary under the administration of Mrs. Jennie Iowa Berry. No other local organization of the relief corps or of any other patriotic order has ever received so many honors from the state and nation as has the Relief Corps of Denison.
The Relief Corps has done much good in Denison-has faithfully aided in the decoration of the graves of the old soldiers and of their own deceased members, and has done much for the welfare of the old soldiers and their families. The local corps has lost by death the following members: Miss Lina May Bond, 1887; Mrs. Mary Ransom, 1896; Mrs. Emma Simmons, 1899; Mrs. Mettie, Laub Romans, 1900; Mrs. Emma K. Meyers, 1901; Mrs. Olive Aylesworth, 1906; Mrs. Katie Davis Rollins, 1910; and Mrs. Lottie Green, 19II.
A Relief Corps was also instituted at Manilla as auxiliary to the A. T. Phelps Post. This corps was organized August 23, 1889, the charter members being Mrs. Phoebe Crakes, Mrs. Mary M. Sachra, Mrs. Sophia E. Slagg, Mrs. Lauretta Smith, Mrs. Lulu Graham, Mrs. Emma C. Barber, Mrs. Mary Moore, Mrs. Asenthe West, Mrs. Harriet Slater, Mrs. Almira E. Trowbridge, and Miss Dottie J. Anderson. This corps had a useful existence, but following the disbanding of the Post it also gave up its charter. Those who were members at that time and who received honorable discharge were: Mesdames Sachra, Slater, Cook, Saunders, Porter, Pease, Bertha A. Saunders, Clark, Gillett, Lefferts and Gardner and Misses Nell D. Anderson and Victoria E. Saunders.
Another patriotic order which was an outgrowth of the Grand Army of the Republic was the Sons of Veterans. The local organization is known as the W. A. McHenry Camp, in honor of the man who has ever been its most loyal supporter. The camp was mustered in October 24, 1885, by E. G. Warden, Mr. W. A. McHenry presenting to the new camp a handsome flag and a sub- stantial check. The first officers were, Commander, Sears McHenry; Sr. Vice Commander, Fred Hefflefinger; Jr. Vice Commander, Grant Gilbreath; Chap- lain, Gaylord Thornbrue; Treasurer, Frank Wright; Secretary, R. E. Will- iams; Color Sergeant, A. C. Weeks; S. of G., R. Shaw Van; C. of G., H. J. Cook; Camp Guard, T. S. Beatty; Picket Guard, Lewis Vassar. The other charter members were Eugene Gulick, L. K. McClellan, J. B. McClel- lan, H. G. Peters, Ed Gilbreath, Mark Cavett, N. P. Cavett, Charles Angel, Byron Leycraft, A. E. Trask, William Gilbreath, L. E. Blakesley, and H. S. Cavett. Mr. Gaylord ' Thornbrue is the only member whom the camp has lost by death.
The present officers are J. B. Lyon, Commander ; L. D. Vassar, Sr. Vice Commander ; F. C. Marshall, Jr. Vice Commander; N. L. Hunt, Quarter- master ; A. C. Weeks, Secretary; and R. Shaw Van, Chaplain. The camp now numbers twenty-three members and its financial standing is good. It takes charge of the funerals of deceased old soldiers, furnishes the firing
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
squad on Memorial Day and assists wherever it may, both in caring for old soldiers and in perpetuating the memories of the war. Among its munifi- cences should be mentioned a donation of one hundred dollars toward the support of Memorial University at Mason City.
CHAPTER XXVII.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
Governor Leslie M. Shaw, of Denison, was the second war governor of Iowa. The events which led up to this contest of arms were many and thrill- ing. In the name of humanity the people of this country felt that interven- tion in behalf of Cuba could not be delayed, but few, if any, thought that it would lead us so far afield as the Islands of the Philippines, and that as a result, large, and in some respects, not wholly desirable domains, would be added to the United States.
The declaration of war in 1898 found the militia of the various states eager and anxious to offer their services. The four regiments of the Iowa National Guard were, by order of Governor Shaw, encamped at Des Moines. It was soon found, however, that these regiments were not recruited to a full war strength and volunteers were called for. The call met a ready re- sponse from Crawford County and more than a score of our young men went to Des Moines for enlistment. It chanced that they threw their lot with the old Third Regiment, now known as the Fifty-first Iowa. The majority of the men from Crawford county, naturally desirous of keeping together, en- listed in Company C, which company had its home at Glenwood. Those en- listing in Company C were A. D. James, William Larin, Ward C. Cramer, John H. Cushing, Claud C. Brogan, Johanns Wulf, James Armstrong, Ernest Dixon, Edward Retman, Fredrick Thordson, Benjamin Bahnson, Mac Ells- worth and Solomon Laughery. Reuben Johnsen of Deloit enlisted in Com- pany E and H. R. Kruger and B. H. Foderberg enlisted in Company K. It is a somewhat remarkable fact that out of these sixteen men who were ac- cepted and enrolled as volunteers, coming as they did from a county which had no military organization, thus leaving them without prior experience, six became non-commissioned officers on account of merit. These were A. D. James, Quartermaster Sergeant; and William Larin, W. C. Cramer, John H. Cushing, H. R. Kruger and B. H. Foderberg, corporals. The enlistment was made in April, 1898, Colonel John C. Loper commanding the regiment. The boys had several weeks encampment at Des Moines. They saw the Fiftieth and Fifty-second Regiments called to the south, supposedly for duty in Cuba, but in fact these regiments did not go beyond Tampa. The boys of the Fif- ty-first were naturally consumed with jealousy and were highly impatient that they were not called upon for service. The great victory of Admiral
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Dewey at Manila Bay, on May Ist, opened an entirely new field of operation and on June 2d the regiment was ordered to report at San Francisco. They encamped first at Camp Merritt and then at the Presidio, and on November 3d the regiment embarked, midst a great ovation, on the transport Pennsyl- vania, which was their home for upwards of three months. They entered Manila Bay December 7, after a journey of six thousand, nine hundred and ninety miles. The regiment was not disembarked, however, and on Decem- ber 26th it was ordered to Iloilo. Again they were not allowed to leave the ship and on January 26th they were ordered to return to Manila, reaching that port the last day of January. It was not until February 5 that the last troops left the ship.
Company C containing the majority of the Crawford County boys, being one of the last to disembark. On February 9th the regiment took part in attempting to save San Roque from the flames and established a strong posi- tion at Fort Rice. Here the major part of them remained for some weeks. In March Company K went with General Wheaton's flying brigade and the company made a charge on the outlying works of Malibay and kept them under a heavy but ineffective fire. From this time on there was a great deal of sickness in the regiment. Smallpox broke out and several members of the regiment died. The regiment took part in the movement on San Fer- nando, seeing much hard service and severe fighting. On May 4th the regi- ment took part in the attack on San Fernando, charging with great gallantry through the Candaba swamp, driving the enemy in full retreat through Santo Tomas. It was in this engagement that Corporal John D. Cushing received a severe wound in the head. For several months the regiment was quartered at San Fernando, busy with outpost work and occasional fighting. Malaria and severe enteric disorders were widely prevalent. On June 16th there was a determined attack on the American forces at San Fernando and the Fifty- first Regiment took a large part in the successful defense. There were fre- quent night attacks, all of which were gallantly repulsed. The regiment re- mained on duty at San Fernando until September 6, 1899, when it was re- lieved by the Fourth Cavalry. In August, 1899, it is reported that of the ten companies there were 203 on the firing line, while 451, or 53 per cent of the regiment, were sick. The thinned ranks of the regiment marched into Manila September 6th. On September 26th it sailed on the transport Sen- ator for San Francisco, via Nagasaki and Yokohama. The regiment was mustered out at the Presidio in November, 1899, and the boys were wel- comed home by an enormous reception at Council Bluffs, which was attended by from twenty-five thousand to thirty thousand people. On the evening of November 6th the boys returned to Denison. The depot platform could not accommodate the people who had assembled, although the hour was late, to grasp the returning soldiers' hands. A procession was formed which, headed by the Manilla and Denison bands, marched to the opera house where a tre- mendous crowd awaited them. After quiet had been restored Mr. H. A. Cook, chairman of the executive committee, gave a little talk and presented each of the boys with a medal of beautiful design, intended to commemorate their services for their country. After the presentation each returning sol-
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dier was forced to make a little speech, and they were cheered again and again. Addresses were made by Governor Leslie M. Shaw and Hon. P. E. C. Lally, after which the many friends crowded about to congratulate them upon their safe return. After the reception a banquet was tendered the re- turning soldiers at the Wilson House.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BANKS AND BANKING.
The first constitution of Iowa prohibited banks. The first Governor of Iowa was elected on a platform of which "no banks" was the chief plank. The early experiences had been disastrous. There had been wildcat banks and total failures and usury and the settlers were afraid of anything that bore the name of a bank. There was little necessity for banks. There were no savings. The pioneers had only enough for the necessities of life. The medium of ex- change was very largely the products of the farm. Mr. Laub bought his first land in exchange for wheat. Mr. Bond sold his hogs in Council Bluffs, receiv- ing $1.00 per hundred in cash and the balance in trade. The settlers did not borrow money, they borrowed flour or meat or potatoes, and paid in kind or in labor. Nevertheless, it is a fact, that the oldest National bank in the United States is located at Davenport.
As the country grew older and more prosperous, a surplus was created. This led people to desire some place of safety and what better place could be found in Crawford county than the safe of the well known and eminently trustworthy county treasurer, Morris McHenry. Mr. Wicks tells us that the first county vault was a tin box hidden under the puncheon floor of his home. But later the brick court house was erected and the county offices found per- manent residence. It was, therefore, to the county treasurer that the pioneer came with their meager store of gold. Prosperity also brought the desire to purchase articles not produced by themselves, and this led the settlers to re- quire some convenient means of exchange. Mr. McHenry had established a line of credit with the Allen bank at Des Moines, and the banking of Crawford county thus started with the moneys which Mr. McHenry took for safe keeping and the drafts which he drew on Des Moines. The demand for these accomo- dations continued to grow and Mr. McHenry arranged that, should his brother Wm. A. McHenry return in safety from the battle fields of the Civil war, they would form a partnership in the banking and land business. Upon the return of his younger brother from the war, he was appointed deputy treasurer and also engaged in the mercantile business with Mr. E. S. Plimpton, erecting the brick building on Main street now occupied by the Huettman Clothing store. It was in the front room the second story of this building that the pioneer bank of Crawford county was opened for business. Morris McHenry and brother were the owners. The date was November 23, 1869, and the cash on hand and in
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banks was a trifle over $3,000. We have seen the old ledger containing the account of those first days of business. R. Heffelfinger was the first depositor, a loan of $12.00 was made, having for its time of payment, "when the pay car comes in," a loan of $1.00 was made to Barney Robinault "for a few days." The transactions for the first day totaled $3,500.00. For a few years the bank went under the name of the Denison Savings Bank, although this name was not indicative of the character of the business. This title was dropped and the institution became "McHenry Brothers' Bank and Land Office." The real estate department did by far the larger business. Through this firm was sold more than 200,000 acres of Crawford county land and when Mr. Denison failed in health they became the agents for the Providence Western Land Co.
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