USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 46
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THE MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
The largest order in Charter Oak is Charter Oak Camp No. 1,892, Modern Woodmen of America. This camp was organized January 26, 1893, and the following names appear upon this chapter: E. P. Andrews, W. C. Johnson, S. A. Anderson, A. C. Leeper, W. S. McVey, M. O. Barnes, J. A. Mains, D. Bornholdt, D. H. McWilliams, R. W. Bamford, Bert McElwain, R. W. But- terworth, Edw. Mitter, C. G. Campbell, J. M. Nepper, J. B. Crowe, S. L. Pfleeger, Thomas C. Dubois, D. D. Palmer, E. L. Dickmains, I. Pierce, J. Frahm, A. L. Rule, Ansel Fish, W. J. Savage, H. C. Freese, W. J. Steven, Aug. Gulch, F. L. Schumaker, T. M. Gardner, H. C. Saul, M. Hersain, J. L. Walters, B. Habink, A. H. Hoffman, L. B. Jenness, B. C. Jacobsen, W. A. Antimm.
The camp has a large membership and has been very fortunate in that no member has died since the organization of the camp. The order fills a large place in the social life of Charter Oak, and it has a loyal membership. The present officers are: Julius Prehs, V. C .; J. W. Spreck, W. A .; R. R. Weed, E. B .; A. A. Hanchett, Escort; B. E. Weed, Watchman; Dr. G. R. Hill, Dr. G. S. Waterhouse and Dr. J. J. McWilliams, physicians; M. Copps, D. Born- holdt and C. H. Stark, trustees.
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD.
White Oak camp No. 112, W. O. W. was organized at Charter Oak Iowa, December 29, 1896, with the following officers: C. F. Garrett, C. C .; I. A. Mains, Advisor ; G. S. Waterhouse, Banker ; F. W. Loomis, Clerk; Al. Snyder, Escort; F. H. Davis, Watchman; Theo. Wycoff, Sentry; G. S. Waterhouse,
EE
CATHOLIC CHURCH AND PARSONAGE. CHARTER OAK
A RESIDENCE STREET IN CHARTER OAK
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Physician; J. A. Houlihan, Dan McGrath, Frantz Riedesel, Managers. The camp has led a most successful existence and is now in a prosperous condition with a good membership. The present officers are, W. A. Pankow, P. C. C .; G. S. Waterhouse, C. C .; F. H. Davis, Advisor ; Theo. Wyckoff, Banker; F. H. Eckert, Clerk; J. J. Hansen, escort; W. L. Eckert, Watchman; Arthur Hof- fard, Sentry; G. S. Waterhouse, Physician; F. H. Davis, G. S. Waterhouse, Theo. Wyckoff, managers.
J.G. KNIGHT.
GEN. MERCHANDISE
TN & BOYS
THE
STREET SCENE IN DELOIT
-
SAUGI
STATI
Wolf Street
WOLF STREET. DELOIT
CHAPTER XXXVII.
DELOIT.
Nestled on the hillside at the head of a turn of the Boyer valley is the village of Deloit. The coming of two railroads has failed to modernize it completely or to rob it of that dear quaintness which is its characteristic charm. Across the river among the wooded hills, was where the first real settlement was made in Crawford county. It was here that Jesse Mason, the mighty hunter, first built his log abode. It was along the fringes of this wood that the Dobsons, Skinners, Horrs, Johnson and Wicks and other families found shelter. Just across the river is the site of the old Dobson mill, which for many years was the center of all the activities of the country. Not far from it was the old log schoolhouse. It is usual that the handicraft of man outlasts its maker. The pyramids stand as mighty monuments of a well nigh forgotten past. The ancient mounds exist, while the mound builders are prehistoric ; but of this little settlement in Mason's grove, it is a peculiar fact that scarcely a trace remains of any of the rude log cabins, which sheltered the first settlers. There is no trace of the Dobson mill, and practically nothing of the McKim mill erected at a later date on Otter Creek.
The first building on the site of Deloit proper was erected by Benjamin Dobson, in about 1856. The second frame house was a very commodious one for those days, and was built by Wm. McKim for Thomas Dobson in 1858. This house is still standing. It is said that W. W. Fowler was the first mer- chant, having some goods for sale in his cabin on what is known as the Newt. Brogden place. This little store was operating about 1855. In 1856 Mr. H. C. Laub entered the mercantile field, and he furnished the goods, which were sold on commission by B. F. Dobson, in a little store building which still stands, and in which, as the present dweller informed us, "every family in Deloit had lived at some time or other."
Later a store was operated in the home of Ethan McKim and after the war Capt. B. F. Darling opened a more pretentious mercantile establishment, which was continued under various owners until it was burned to the ground something like a quarter of a century later. The old store operated by Hunt Bros. was also a noted landmark, and this store under different owners and in different locations, has continued up to the present time.
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
The first settlement of Mason's Grove was made up of members of the Mormon church who had followed the varying fortunes of that religious or- ganization and who finally separated themselves from the mother church, largely on account of the introduction of the adoption of polygamy. Some of the old settlers of Deloit were with the Mormons in the neighborhood of Nau- voo, Ill., and witnessed the persecutions to which the leaders of their church were subjected.
These immigrants coming up from the Missouri river, such as Mason, the Dobsons and others, were joined by immigrants from the east such as Rich- ardson and B. F. Wicks. The exigencies of frontier life threw these people into close relationship, made them forget religious differences, and in fact, many of the settlers from the east soon became ardent supporters of the new faith. It is evidence of the goodliness of the locality that so many of these older settlers remained and that their descendants form a large percentage of the population of Deloit. The various families intermarried and grew up almost as one big family. One must be careful in Deloit how he speaks of any man, for it is almost sure that he is at least talking of a cousin. At first this settlement was known almost exclusively as Mason's Grove. The mail was received irregularly from Galland's Grove. Soon, however, a postoffice was established with Ben Dobson as postmaster. It then became neces- sary to select a name, and the office was known as Boyer Valley, then as "Bloomington," but it was found that there were many places of this name in the United States, and the postal department requested that some other name be chosen. Mason, Mason Grove, and Mason City were suggested; but finally the name of "Beloit" was chosen. There were too many cities of this name also, so rather than to hunt up a new name for the settlement, the B was changed to D, and the village will doubtless go down to posterity as Deloit.
Mr. Thomas Dobson is authority for the statement that Deloit was the second town in the county to be surveyed into town lots, Denison being first, although Deloit was the older settlement. The growth of Denison, the county seat, but seven miles distant and the fact that it later became a railroad point, while Deloit was inland, prevented the town from achieving any marked growth, but it has always been a good trading point for the farmers in the rich country of which it is the center. Until the later days the postoffice was in the main store of the town. Among the earlier postmasters were: Benjamin Dobson, Ethan McKim, Capt. B. F. Darling, E. F. Fegtley and N. L. Hunt. The latter day postmasters have been: Scott McKim, Sylvester Horr, J. C. Cose and Ray Shives.
Deloit at the present is a pleasant little village, the residences presenting a wide variation from the plain, home-made frame dwellings of fifty years ago, to the bright new modern home. The business district is removed from the lofty height of Main street and is now snuggled at the foot of the hill near the depots of the Northwestern and Illinois Central.
The town has one general store, two grocery stores, a cream station, bar- ber shop, blacksmith shop, meat market, restaurant, shoe shop, elevator, live- stock buyer, and saloon. The town is provided with a good schoolhouse, con- taining two rooms which are at present presided over by Miss Tittsworth and
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. DELOIT
LI.S. Church
Delait
LATTER DAY SAINTS CHURCH. DELOIT
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
Miss E. Dobson. The religious interests are divided between the Methodist Episcopal church and the organization of Latter Day Saints. The Ladies Aid Society provides largely for the Methodist Episcopal organization, while the "Willing Workers" hold a like important position with the Latter Day Saints.
The fraternal orders are represented by the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Modern Woodmen of America, brief sketches of which will be found in another place. For a short time Deloit boasted a bank, but the business did not warrant its continuance. The town was incorporated in 1900 and now has capable and efficient management. The names of the present city officers follow: Mayor, L. N. Fear; clerk, J. W. True; treasurer, B. E. McKim; assessor, Wm. Worley; councilmen, J. L. Miller, George Winans, Myron Meyers, John Anderson, Earl Winans.
Deloit is a beautiful, restful little place. It has no very rich and no very poor. A large majority of its people know from experience what it is to earn one's bread by the sweat of the brow. They are justly proud of the record they have made for good citizenship, the upbuilding and maintenance of happy homes and for the high standard of Americanism, which has prevailed among them. It is the mother town of Crawford county, and just as one appreciates going back to the Old Home with all its dear associations, so must Deloit hold its place in the affections of Crawford county as the birthplace of its civiliza- tion.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
KIRON AND THE SWEDISH SETTLEMENT.
One of the most prosperous parts of Crawford county is that portion of Stockholm and Otter Creek townships in which live from eighty to ninety per cent of the Swedish population of the county. It is a region of well kept homes and highly cultivated fields and bespeaks on every hand the careful methods, the prudence and the unremitting toil of the old world. There are no measured metes and bounds, but one can tell that he is in the Swedish set- tlement by the distinctive look of the homes and of the farms. The story of how this Swedish element came to Crawford county, established itself, and created and maintained an individuality of its own, is an interesting one. In 1867 C. J. Star, C. P. Frodig, and N. F. Rodine, who had been living in Swedebend, Webster county, Iowa, started out to look for a location for a settlement. They were a clannish people, and there is but little wonder, for they had been in this country but a short time and they were surrounded by a people who did not speak their tongue or understand their ways. This natur- ally brought the men of the northland into very close communion with each other. These three Swedish pioneers were, then, prospecting not only for themselves but for others. The objective point was the Missouri bottom; but they did not like the land, as they thought it too flat and that it would be subject to overflow. On their return they stopped at the little town of Deni- son and there met Mr. J. W. Denison, who told them of the land along the Otter creek and above Deloit. They were pleased with the land and decided to locate. This they did, buying a considerable tract at $3 per acre. In Sep- tember of the same year, H. Hollander, P. Peterson, A. Anderson, E. Monson and E. Erickson, joined the new community. In 1868, Mr. Star wrote to his old friend, A. Norelius, who was then living in Minnesota, and told him of the rich country they had found and the pleasant community they had estab- lished.
Mr. Norelius was impressed with the letter and in the middle of May, 1868, in company with H. Buller, E. Ward and J. Nordell, he started across the country in a prairie schooner, reaching northern Crawford the latter part of June. Mr. Norelius purchased land at $5 per acre and in 1870 his family joined him in the new home. The postoffice was at Deloit, but in 1873, a post- Vol. I-27
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
it was his duty to carry the mail from Deloit once a week, receiving therefor $20 per year. This settlement is spoken of by earlier writers concerning our county as "Swedeboy" or "Swedeberg," but the Swedish settlers did not like this name, as there were many similar names, so a meeting was called to decide upon a new name. Mr. Lars Olson and Mr. Norelius discussed the matter to- gether, and for some unknown reason, decided upon the name "Kiron," which name was taken from a settlement in Manchuria. Mr. Norelius was post- master at Kiron for eighteen years, and around the office there gradually grew a little settlement at what is now called Old Kiron. The first store was op- . erated by Swede Bros., and the first buildings in Old Kiron were erected by John O. Lindblom, Nels Anderson, A. Norelius, H. Buller and E. Swede. At first the school district coincided with what was then called Jackson township. It was four miles wide and twenty-four miles long. A good brick schoolhouse was erected on the line between what are now Jackson and Stockholm town- ships, and in 1869 a second schoolhouse was built on C. J. Star's land, on the line between Stockholm and Otter Creek, one and one-half miles south of Kiron. The settlers joined in a petition to the county supervisors, as a result of which the school districts were made to coincide with the government town- ships, and the sub-districts were created as we have them today. Schoolhouse number three was then built in Old Kiron.
One evidence of the progress of the community is found in the fact that as early as March, 1879, a mutual insurance company was organized under the name of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association. A. Norelius, presi- dent; N. F. Rodine, vice-president ; C. J. Johnson, secretary ; August Lundell, treasurer ; H. Hollander, A: F. Lundberg, John Hogland, J. Johnson, J. N. Anderson, J. A. Stolt, and C. O. Edling, directors. During the year 1879 the risks written amounted to $47,485, while the last report made to the auditor of the state for the year 1910, shows risks in force amounting to $2,724,812. During its history this association has paid many thousands of dollars in losses and its continued growth is the highest testimonial needed as to its prudent management.
As we have before stated, Swede Bros. opened a small grocery store in Kiron in 1879. Peter Buller also put in a small stock which he subsequently sold to Swede Bros., who conducted the business until 1890, when the death of Eric Swede prompted them to dispose of their stock to Lester & Cole, who sold in turn to Norelius and Nordell in 1892. This building was moved in 1899 to new Kiron and was the pioneer store of that village. In the spring of 1891, A. B. Falk & Co. built a store building and continued in business until about 1897, when they were succeeded by Larson & Erickson; then by A. Arvidson & Co., and they by Hanson & Co., who closed out the business in 1899 and moved the building to the location of New Kiron. Those having served as postmaster of Kiron since the establishment of the office are: A. Norelius, A. B. Falk, G. A. Norelius, S. N. Sandstrom, E. E. Clauson and C. S. Billings, the present incumbent.
The building of the Wall Lake and Mondamin branch of the Northwest- ern marked a vital epoch in Kiron's history. 'It was hoped that the station would be located at the old town, but there was some dispute as to the right
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF DELOIT
DELOIT SCHOOL
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
of way, and the company located its station on the northeast quarter of sec- tion twelve, Otter Creek township, one mile south of the corners of Ida and Sac counties. The townsite was purchased by the Western Town Lot Com- pany from N. P. Swanson in the spring of 1899, and the sale of lots was held by the company's agent, Mr. P. W. Whitney, on August 24, 1899. G. A. Norelius was appointed local agent for the company. This was followed by an exodus from the old Kiron to the new. There are still a number of homes remaining at the old town and here may be found a number of the older settlers enjoying the peace and plenty which have come as reward for many years of labor. Here they see, without envy, the bustling prosperity of the younger generation, content to feel that, after all, they were the forerunners and the founders of the good things which they see on every hand.
The first business house in the new town was that of Norelius & Nordell, who moved their store from Old Kiron and commenced business September 16, 1899. The first new building to be erected was the blacksmith shop of P. A. Peterson, and during the same fall J. A. Lawrence erected a large building which was occupied by G. S. Schneider as a barber shop, by E. E. Lawrence as a repair shop and E. C. Mckeever as a harness shop. Dr. F. A. Burrows erected a drug store, which was occupied by Hunter, Norelius & Nordell, and the postoffice, and by A. Sederberg as a jeweler. C. J. Chinberg built a gen- eral store, which he subsequently sold to Strahn Bros. August Reinking and Adam Auchstetter built the first two saloons and Mauritz Bros. the first hotel. This hotel together with the Auchstetter saloon was destroyed by fire in June, 1901. This is the only destructive fire Kiron has experienced. John Thun- strom built the first harness shop and Charles Reinking the first meat market. V. E. Michaelson was the first implement dealer, Dr. F. A. Burrows the first physician; A. F. Miller was the first livery man and E. L. Miller the first dray man. O. E. Johnson soon erected a second blacksmith shop and Peter Buller moved his blacksmith and wagon shop from Old Kiron. The Boyer Valley Banking Company founded a bank January 1, 1900, with W. J. Sand- berg as cashier. This bank was reorganized October 1, 1905, as the Kiron State Bank with Henry Hanson, president; August Lundell, vice-president ; W. J. Sandberg, cashier. The directors were: Henry Hanson, August Lun- dell, Joseph Mattes, W. F. Bay and W. J. Sandberg. The Green Bay Lumber Co. was the first on the ground with W. R. Graham as manager. The Bow- man-Kranz Lumber Co. soon followed with J. C. Mengis as manager. E. E Clauson, who was deputy postmaster for S. N. Sandstrom, opened a furniture store in 1901. Peter N. Nord and N. P. Swanson were the first stock buyers. Mr. Swanson being still in the business. A grain elevator was erected by the Trans-Mississippi Grain Co. during the winter of 1899-1900, with A. L. Pome- roy as manager. F. M. Pomeroy was the first station agent, he having come from Stratford, Iowa, in 1899. The first child born in new Kiron was a girl born to Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Pearson in 1901.
A petition for an election to incorporate was circulated in the spring of 1900 'and the first election was held when the following officers were elected : Mayor, F. M. Pomeroy; councilmen, G. A. Norelius, F. A. Burrows, P. A. Peterson, N. P. Swanson, Albert Hanson, J. A. Lawrence; W. R. Graham,
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
clerk; E. E. Clauson, treasurer ; J. C. Mengis, marshal. The first council meet- ing was held in the waiting room of the depot on the night of June 25, 1900.
The contract for a system of water works was made on July 20, 1906, with The Western Steel Construction Co., of Des Moines, for a 24,000-gallon steel tank, 350 feet of 6-inch main and 3,950 feet of 4-inch main. This system was installed during the spring of 1907. The town was bonded for $5,000 to pay for the water works and these bonds running for ten years at 6 per cent were sold to the Kiron State Bank at par. The contract price for the water works was $4,637.
The first newspaper was the Kiron Sentinel, published by Ward Bros., the first issue being March 8, 1900. H. T. Ward succeeded to the ownership and later sold out to Lawrence & Son, who changed the name to the Kiron News. The ownership passed to P. C. Lawrence who published the paper until August, 1910, when it was sold to E. B. Nordell, the present owner.
One of the earliest public enterprises was the erection of an opera house, which was built by the Kiron Hall Association in 1902. G. F. Schneider was president and A. Sederberg, manager. In 1908, the ownership passed to Wil- liam Strahn and the following year it was acquired by W. J. Sandberg and G. A. Norelius, the present owners. The Farmers' Lumber & Coal Co. was organized in 1903 with a capital stock of $6,200. The first manager was A. C. Anall, who was succeeded by J. A. Engberg. In August, 1906, J. E. Hoag- land, the present manager, was appointed. The officers and directors of this company are E. N. Sandstrom, president; C. W. Nelson, treasurer ; Nels John- ston, secretary; C. Wellendorf, W. J. Hewitt, B. A. Samuelson and J. P. Turin, directors.
The Kiron Pharmacy is owned by C. S. Billings, who is also postmaster and who acquired the business from C. C. Walters April 29, 1908. A. E. An- derson opened up a general store in March, 1908. He was a well known citi- zen, as for several years previously he had run a peddler's wagon north and west of Kiron. John Hoagland and son, C. J. Hoagland, built and opened up a general store in the spring of 1902. The business was continued until 1908, when the stock was sold to John Cedergren. John Hogland was an early settler of Otter Creek township and died at Kiron January 23, 1911. J. Ceder- gren conducted the business until the spring of 1909, and then sold a half in- terest to Larson & Turin; they sold to C. S. Johnson, of Boyer, and there were other changes in ownership, the present firm name being Johnson & Sanders. The general store first established by C. J. Chinberg was bought by William and O. E. Strahn in 1901, who conducted the business until 1910 under the firm name of Strahn Bros., when the stock and building was sold to C. S. Johnson, of Boyer. In the spring of 1905, Strahn Bros. opened up a hardware store, which was also sold in 1910. The first hardware store, however, was opened by Al. Hanson in 1900 and continued until 1904. P. B. Miller was the first restaurant keeper, retiring from business in 1911. The business is now conducted by Fouts & Rowbal. The Hotel Kiron was built in 1902 by N. A. Johnson. The first landlord was Frank Liljeholm, then N. A. Johnson, and the present landlord is J. F. Arff. The second implement house was opened in the spring of 1901 by N. E. Larson and N. P. Swanson.
VIEW OF KIRON
VIEW OF SCHLESWIG
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
This institution had various ownerships and is now continued under the firm name of Larson & Turin. G. F. Schneider was the first barber, and he was followed by Morris Enright, Fred Horr, James Snyder, Glenn Dorothy, and in 1906 by L. C. Goodrich, the present proprietor. V. E. Michaelson established the first implement business in Old Kiron in 1907 and moved to New Kiron in 1899 and erected the concrete building which he now occupies, in 1908. R. L. Anderson was made section foreman in 1900 and still occupies that position.
The Green Bay Lumber Co. opened a lumber yard in Old Kiron when the railroad was being built in 1899 with Wm. Graham as manager. When the railroad was completed they moved their yard to the lots south of the depot where they continued business until the spring of 1903, when they bought lots where the present business is located. Mr. Graham was succeeded by C. D. Williams as manager in 1903, and continued as manager until he was succeeded by the present manager, C. C. Iversen, in the fall of 1907. In the fall of 1906, Dr. J. A. Matson, of Ida Grove, opened a second physician's office and sold his practice to Dr. W. A. Garner of Ida county in the spring of 1907. In the fall of 1910, Dr. F. A. Burrows sold his practice to Dr. W. A. Garner, who is now the only practicing physician. In the fall of 1906 C. J. Larson built the brick butcher shop and conducted a meat market until the fall of 1909, when he was succeeded by P. O. Walleson, who is now conducting the business. The build- ing is owned by S. S. Stolt. The present town officers are: G. A. Norelius, mayor; N. P. Swanson, R. L. Anderson, C. J. Tellgren, J. A. Engberg, S. M. Sjogren, councilmen; J. E. Hoagland, clerk; W. A. Garner, treasurer; H. L. Ward, assessor; A. Sederberg, marshal.
The growth of Kiron has been steady and continuous. It is a neat, pretty village, with good live merchants and pleasant homes. At present it is one of the exceptional towns.of Crawford county, in that it has no saloons. It is a Christian community and is fervent in its religious activities. The largest build- ing in the city, and the one which is justly the pride of all its people, is the Swedish Baptist church.
This church was organized in August, 1869, with the following charter mem- bers: N. Lindberg, C. P. Frodig, H. Hallander, I. Michaelson, C. J. Star, A. Anderson, N. P. Erickson, James Anderson, V. Peterson, P. Carlson, J. Hoog- lund, Mrs. Back, Mrs. Frodig, Miss Hadda Holmberg (now Mrs. Duncan), Mrs. Erickson, Mrs. Hagglund and John A. Erickson. At the time of the organization, C. P. Frodig was installed as pastor, the services being held in the Star schoolhouse until 1876, at which time the first church building was erected at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars. The list of the pastors with dates of their service are as follows: August 16, 1869, to February 26, 1870, C. P. Frodig; March 5, 1870, to December 6, 1873, A. Norelius; December 6, 1873, to 1877, C. P. Frodig; March 31, 1877, to April, 1880, John Ring; Oc- tober 1, 1881, to February 1, 1886, L. J. Ahlstrom; February, 1887, to May, 1895, E. O. Olson; May, 1895, to March, 1897, C. J. Chader ; August, 1897, until April, 1903, A. P. Hanson; May 4, 1903, to July, 1903, John Johanson ; August, 1903, to April 1, 1904, A. Berglund; April, 1904, to April 1, 1906, Gustaf Nyquist; May 20, 1906, to October, 1906, A. E. Lysell; December I, 1906, to September 15, 1907, J. N. Soderstrom; October I, 1907, to December
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