USA > Iowa > Floyd County > History of Floyd County, Iowa : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 57
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come to Charles City, where he had purchased the Intelligencer of its founder, Hon. A. B. F. Hildreth. Since that time, except the years 1874-'5, which he spent in California, his fortunes have been identified with those of his paper, which is among the oldest and most influential in the State. In December, 1873, Mr. Dyke was married to Miss Emily C. Gilbert, eldest daughter of Milo Gilbert, Esq., of Charles City. They have two children, Harry N., and Eva J., aged nine and six years respectively. Politically Mr. Dyke is a radical Republican, and conducts his paper on that basis; but at the same time, no man is more free and independent in criticis- ing and censuring what he believes to be the faults and mistakes of his own party. He has always had pronounced views on all public questions, and has been free and fearless in expressing them.
THE FLOYD COUNTY ADVOCATE.
The Floyd County Advocate, was established in Charles City by Valentine Baltuff, and first number sent out on Friday, Nov. 20, 1868, as a staunch Republican eight-column folio, half co-operative. On Tuesday, June 22, 1869, he commenced issuing a semi-weekly, continuing until Jan. 1, 1870, then discontinuing it and returning to the weekly. On the 1st of April, 1873, C. A. Sloane bought the paper, material and good-will of the office, and on the 14th of May, same year, with new presses, new type and steam-power issued the Advocate with all home print and the largest paper in the county, establishing temperance and religious departments, which have been maintained ever since. Jan. 1, 1879, P. M. Wilbur was associated as partner, continuing until Oct. 1, 1881, when he retired and Mr. Slocum managed the paper alone. Through the campaign of the Prohibition amendment, the Advocate was earnest and diligent for its adoption, but remaining firm in its allegiance to the Republican party. It represents the highest moral tone of the community, having a principle to maintain in all its efforts.
Valentine Baltuff, founder of the Floyd Cuunty Advocate, and grocer, Charles City, was born in New York City, Jan. 1, 1834; his parents were Peter and Mary (Griffin) Baltuff. The former was a native of Germany, and came to America when a young man, locating in New York City, and engaged in merchant tailor- ing. He was a member of the German Methodist and she of the Episcopal church. They had a family of four sons and one daughter.
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Valentine, subject of this sketch, was the eldest. When three years of age his father moved to Watertown, New York, and Val- entine attended school until fifteen years of age, when he learned the printer's trade, at which he worked in New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. At Lodi, Wisconsin, he published a paper, the Lodi Herald, and the Columbus Tran. script, at Columbus, Wisconsin. In 1868, he sold out here and came to Charles City and established the Floyd County Advocate, and conducted this until 1878, when he sold out on account of poor health. In 1879, he purchased his present grocery store.
Mr. Baltuff married Miss M. Libbie McCall, at Waukesha, Wis., Sept. 26, 1859. She was born at Rushford, Allegany County, N. Y., and was a daughter of Aneil and Mary E. (Griffith) McCall. Mrs. Baltuff is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. and Mrs. Baltuff have had seven children, viz .: Harry A., born July 21, 1860, foreman of the job room of the Advocate in Charles City ; Cora, Charles, Guy, Irvie, Nellie and Joseph, residing with their parents. Mr. Baltuff is a member of St. Charles Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 141, and of Almond Chapter, No. 52.
C. A. Slocum was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1836. Was reared in Edmeston, Otsego County, N. Y., receiving his education in the village schools and New Berlin, N. Y., Academy. In April, 1855, he came west to Wisconsin in company with three other young men. He there worked at and learned the carpenter's trade. February, 1859, went to St. Louis, Mo., working at his trade until October, 1860, when he went to Madison Parish, La., to work on plantation buildings, arriving there October 22, and remaining until April 22, 1861, after the Rebellion had become very exciting, and came to St. Louis on the last steamer north from Vicksburg. After one week in that city of excitement came to Charles City, arriving May 7, working at his trade through the summer, and in the following winter teaching the higher of the two town, schools, Miss Ellen S. Wilbur (whom he married Aug. 26, 1863), teaching the primary. In August, 1862 with E. A. Reiniger commenced to raise a company for the Iowa Volun- teers. At its organization he was elected Captain. The company was made "G" Company of the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and rendezvoused at Dubuque, Ia .; mustered in, Oct., 3, 1862.
The regiment had a varied experience in Northern Minnesota first, then in the South and West, participating in many hard fights and terrible battles. He was wounded April 9, 1864, with a piece
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of shell at Simmesport, La., in the last battle of the Red River Expedition. Came home in the spring of 1865. Jan. 1, 1866, went. into County Treasurer's office as deputy, Remaining six years Jan. 1, 1872, was inaugurated County Auditor, holding the office until April, 1875, when he resigned, that he might give more time to the Charles City Intelligencer which he purchased in February, 1875. His health becoming poor from overwork, sold the Intelli- gencer in March, 1876. For two years after he devoted his time to a large real estate business which had been growing from 1867. In April, 1878, he bought the Floyd County Advocate, for the purpose of advancing if possible the cause of Prohibition, and at the same time establishing himself in business which was to his taste. He was an ardent champion for the Amendment in the Republican party, and holds fast to the moral vantage gained. For more than fourteen years he has been a member of the Congrega- tional Church and Sunday-school. Three times he has served on the Iowa and City Council, and in 1865 and 1866 was a member of the Township School Board. Mr. and Mrs. Slocum have four chil- dren, three boys and one girl-W. Erskine, "aged nearly six. teen; Gurnsey M., aged twelve; Horace W., aged nine, and Faith A., aged seven.
SHELL ROCK VALLEY GUARD.
This was a small-four page, seven-column weekly, started in 1872 by Edward Wood & Co. The paper was kept up for nearly three years, the latter part of the time by Mr. Wood alone. It was at first Republican in politics. After a time Mr. Wood was coverted to the Democracy, and the paper also became of that faith. Mr. Wood then moved himself and paper to Decorah, Iowa. He is now editing a paper in Fremont County. The Guard was published in the old Masonic building, and was the precursor of the Rockford Reveille.
ROCKFORD REVEILLE.
The Reveille was started at Nora Springs, Thursday, Feb. 5, 1874. The proprietors were H. Gage, W. P. Gaylord and R. E. Robinson, the last two of whom acted as editors. It appeared as a four-page weekly, twenty-eight inches long, and eight columns to the page. It showed in its first number evidence of Mr. Gay- lord's editorial ability, and the editorials were from the first spicy and vigorous. We give a few extracts from Mr. Gaylord's salutatory.
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"Impelled by considerations of a higher and more inspiring character than those of private revenge or pecuniary gain, we have determined to edit, print and publish a newspaper at Nora Springs, Iowa. With us this is an experiment untried. To succeed we are aware that it will require patience and energy, wisdom and wit, time and cash, and a decent respect for the opinions of man kind. Whether we possess any or all of these qualifications will be for a discerning public to decide after we have had a fair trial and have made a full exhibit. In politics we are Republican. In religion, liberal. We shall be radical in all things and neutral in nothing; at all times avoiding an unjustifiable war on individuals or combinations; but when assailed without cause or provocation, we shall endeavor to leave the imprint of our teeth on our assailant.
"We propose to receive blows as well as give them, and our col- umns shall be ever free and our types ever ready to apologize or explain.
" Relying with unshaken confidence on the progressive intelli- gence and appreciative characteristics of a Western people, and on the continued and rapidly increasing prosperity of Nora Springs and its beautiful surroundings, we have selected a press and material inferior to none in this region, and intend to use them for the glory of God and the good of mankind.
" We have been told that one paper in a town like this is enough. So is one merchant, one lawyer, one doctor, one teacher, and one wise-phool; but if others choose to 'cast in their nets,' we know of no law this side of the Mosaic code to prevent it.
"We have been told that the sheriff will sell us out in less than a year ; and that may be true, but if he advertises his 'sale' in the paper that has the ' largest circulation,' we shall know all about it, and shall be there in person or by legal representatives. We have been told that there is not news enough in a town like Nora Springs to make a paper interesting. Of course, we do not expect all the first-class sensations that horrify towns of older and larger growth, but our friends should remember that Nora Springs is rapidly growing, and as it grows older it will grow more and more wicked, and wickedness is one of the elements of journalism.
" Should these fruitful sources fail, then, as a dernier resort, we shall fall back on, and turn our attention to, prophesying.
" If astronomers, after having suveyed the face of nature, can predict with accuracy what the weather will be, then why cannot
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editors survey the face of men, and correctly prophesy what the news will be ? News is what we must have, and if events do not transpire rapidly enough for our use, we shall be obliged to draw largely on the imagination, so that if we should fail as editors and proprietors, we may succeed as prophets."
The Reveille bore from its first issue till that of May 23, 1878, a very appropriate motto: "Superior to adversity, equal to pros- perity." It was discontinued by Robert Eggert at the same time that he enlarged the paper.
Jan. 1, 1875, important changes were made in the management of the Reveille. The paper was removed to Rockford, and its name changed to the Rockford Reveille. R. E. Robinson was the publisher, and Gaylord & Robinson's names appeared as editors still. Mr. Robinson removed to Rockford with the paper, and edited the local columns, and Mr. Gaylord remained at Nora Springs, sending his editorials by mail each week. This removal to Rockford seemed to be the best thing. under the circumstances, as the Reveille had an active rival at Nora Springs, in the shape of the Floyd County Press, while Rockford, a place of about the same size and prospects as Nora Springs, had no paper at all, the Shell Rock Valley Guard having been discontinued.
In April of the same year Captain Orlo H. Lyon, of Rockford, purchased a one-half interest in the Reveille, and his name ap- peared as one of the editors. In August, 1876, Mr. Robinson re- tired from the paper, having accepted a position in California. Captain Lyon was then sole proprietor until July 26, 1877, when he sold to Robert Eggert and H. B. Nies, the latter of whom had been for some time foreman in the office. Captain Lyon was, until this time, also the actual editor, though until May 24, 1877, Mr. Gaylord's name was inserted as associate editor and he kept up a department on the second page headed "Nora Springs." Captain Lyon had bought the paper when it was a losing concern, and during his connection with it had, by energy and industry, converted it into a paying paper. He had undertaken the work for the sake of Rockford, believing that the town needed a paper and could sup- port it, and he deserves great credit for his success. A full biog- raphical sketch of Captain Lyon is given elsewhere in this volume.
Eggert and Nies then conducted the Reveille until April, 1878, when Mr. Nies retired, leaving Mr. Eggert sole editor and proprie- tor. He enlarged the paper to nine columns to the page, May 23,
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of the same year, and continued in charge of the paper until July, 1882, when he sold to F. L. Whitney & Co.
F. L. Whitney, editor and one of the proprietors of the Reveille, was born at Rockford, April 10, 1861. His parents were Lewellyn and Pamelia (Otis) Whitney, the former a native of Maine, being born at Corinna in that State, and the latter of New York, born at Potsdam. Mr. Whitney was a millwright by occupation. He was married March 25, 1852, at New Haven, Conn. He re- moved from there to Morrisania, N. Y., and from there in March, 1847, to Rockford, Floyd County, Iowa. Mr. Whitney has since been engaged in various pursuits, and still resides at Rockford, with Mrs. Whitney. Mr. Whitney's parents still live, at an advanced age, at Hampton, Franklin County; and Mrs. Whit- ney's parents are also both alive, at Rochelle, Ill.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitney have had six children born, of whom four are now living-Ella Jeannette, was born Nov. 1, 1854, and died Oct. 12, 1855. Adella L. E., was born Nov. 5, and died at the age of six years. Mary Estella, was born Dec. 3, 1858, and was married to Edwin C. Hazlett, March 25, 1878. Francis L., our subject, was born April 10, 1861. George F., was born March 22, 1864, and resides at home. John B., was born March 16, 1866, and is also at home.
Francis L., the subject of this sketch, passed his early life in Rockford, receiving his education in the public schools, and by select reading at home. Aug. 9, 1876, he went to Hampton, Frank- lin County, Iowa, and entered the office of his uncle, John C. Whitney, editor and proprietor of the Hampton Chronicle. Here he remained nearly six years; three years as apprentice, and three as foreman. He is naturally devoted to the business, and his experience derived in his uncle's office, together with his na- tural capacity and and energy, are the best assurances of his suc- cess in his new undertaking, the management of the Reveille. He bought this in partnership with his father in the early part of July, 1882, of Robert Eggert, and his first number was issued July 13.
MARBLE ROCK WEEKLY.
The southwestern part of Floyd County supports a newsy, read- able paper of the above name at Marble Rock. It was established at Marble Rock, in 1875, the first number being issued Aug. 12. The proprietor and editor was L. J. Keyes. formerly of Waverly, Bremer County, now well-known as the editor of the Odd Fellows'
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Monitor, published at Nora Springs, in this county. The paper when started was, as now, a four-page weekly, the inside printed on the "co-operative " plan, and containing the usual miscella- neous reading, and the outside, or first and fourth pages, contain- ing the editorials and local items. There was a good showing of advertisements, almost all of them of firms in Marble Rock, showing that the merchants of the village were sensible of the necessity for cordially supporting a home paper, in order to build up their already flourishing place.
The Weekly was at first 20 x 32, six columns to the page. In 1877 it was enlarged to seven columns to the page, and after a short time it was again enlarged, this time to eight columns to the page, the sheet being 24 x 36. The publishers at this time were George H. Nichols & Co. Nov. 9, 1876, Mr. Keyes sold an interest in the paper to George H. Nichols, who had taught school the year previous at Marble Rock, but was formerly from Cedar Rapids. The firm name then became Nichols & Keyes; Mr. Nichols assuming the editorial management of the paper, and Mr. Keyes confining himself to the mechanical part of the paper, and to job work. The firm placed a motto at the head of their sheet-"With malice toward none, and charity for all." This motto has been kept to the present time. Mr. Nichols was a writer of some ability, and a ready thinker. His "editorial bow," which ap- peared in the first number after he assumed charge, is here given: " Here I am, five feet ten in my stockings, a native of the Empire State. I was born pretty, but I lost my front teeth at an early age, and never fully recovered from the deformity. My run- ning weight is one hundred and forty pounds avordupois, and chuck full of newspaper grit, but very modest. I don't know enough to write as funny as 'Orpheus C. Kerr' and 'Artemus Ward,' and after much study I am forced to the conclusion that 'Nasby's' early education has been neglected; in fact, he can't spell, and of course won't do for a model, so our readers will have to take it my way. Politically, we shall ever pin our faith, to the principles promulgated by the Republican party, and while we may admit, that the party has been guilty of errors, we can never forget that its party work has been grand and triumphant. It has broken the shackles of four millions of human beings. It has given us the best currency in the civilized world. It has proven that international arbitration is productive of better results than court chambers. That the declaration of independence made by
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our forefathers, was no idle boast. It has promptly brought to justice, without regard to rank or station, all who would be leeches upon the country's revenue, and 'with malice toward none, and charity for all' we will stand by the principles so ably expounded by our martyred President. To the press of northern Iowa we would say, that it is with no small degree of hesitation, or light estimate of the duties devolving upon us, that we assume this po- sition. It has been truly said, that as is the press so are the peo- ple. That Iowa, so young in years, takes front rank with older States in commerce, agriculture and education, is largely owing to the fact that her press has been backed by men with grit and brains. Men who know the right; and dare to do it. May our " Faber " never do aught to tarnish Iowa journalism. To our immediate pat- rons, we would say, that the generous manner in which you have given your influence and money in support of the Weekly, proves that you have intelligence to appreciate a good thing, and the grit to hold on to it. We shall strive to keep it up to its present standard. We propose to give you a newsy paper, 'red hot, and a heatin''- of course you furnish the fat. We will ever be found pushing to the front home men, and local interests; always striving to be on the side of right, for righteousness' sake. G. H. NICHOLS."
The Weekly was continued by Nichols & Keyes, until April 3, 1877, when the partnership was dissolved, and L. J. Keyes alone published the paper during the month of April. May 3, how- ever, another change was made. Messrs. Nichols & Keyes formed another partnership, and arranged to carry on two papers-the Weekly, at Marble Rock, under the firm name of George H. Nichols & Co., and the Telephone, at Nora Springs, under the firm name of L. J. Keyes & Co. Mr. Keyes then went to Nora Springs, and Mr. Nichols remained at Marble Rock. After a short time this arrangement was discontinued, and each became sole proprietor of the paper of which he was editor. From the issue of May 3, 1877, the following valedictory of Mr. Keyes is taken, and also the spicy salutatory of Mr. Nichols :
"It will be seen by this issue of the Weekly that we have surren- dered the editorial chair to Professor Nichols and expect soon to ' take up our bed and walk.' Flattering inducements have per- suaded us to this move, and though much we regret to leave our present location, we feel it an urgent duty, and reluctantly say the words commonly used by friends at parting, 'good-bye.' We
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shall ever look back to Marble Rock with pleasant recollections, trusting that we go with the best wishes of many friends. Pro- fessor Nichols will again enliven the pages of the Weekly with spiey editorials, and with his business qualifications will extend the circulation much beyond its present limits.
" Respectfully,
L. J. KEYES."
" With this number of the Weekly we again take up the pen edi- torial, and we propose to do our level best to make the Marble Rock Weekly a credit to our town, and an honor to the press of Northern Iowa. We don't propose to tell why we severed our con- nection with the Weekly a few months since, nor why we now re- turn to its sanctum, as we don't consider it anybody's business. We do intend to give our many patrons the local, state, national and foreign news, fresh and sparkling. To war against wrong
and fight for the right. " The greatest good to the greatest num- ber" will be our motto. In taking the chair so long and so faith- fully occupied by Brother Keyes, we realize that we have work to do, if we would retain the prestige for the Weekly it has so hon- orably gained under his management, but our trust is in God, and our faith in the good people of Marble Rock and vicinity is unbounded. We ask and expect the continued support that has been so generously given to its former management, and with it, we will ever labor to make the Weekly a welcome visitor to our patrons."
Mr. Nichols continued in charge of the Weekly until July 11, 187S, when he retired, on account of being elected County Super- intendent of Schools. He served in this capacity four years, and was then appointed Deputy State Superintendent of Public In- struction. He is now at Des Moines, in his official capacity. Mr. Nichols made the Weekly much more of a success, financially, than it had been before. He increased considerably the circula- tion of the paper, and laid the foundation of the popularity which has been so steadily maintained since by Mr. Nies, his successor. Mr. Nichols said, on leaving the Weekly :
"With this number of the Weekly we sever our connection with it as editor and proprietor, which has existed so pleasantly for the past eighteen months. To the business men of Marble Rock I would say that for the generous manner in which you have aided me, I shall ever feel grateful. To the hundreds of subscribers, with whom my relations have been pleasant, I would say that I shall ever look back to the times that I have talked to you through
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these columns, with a consciousness that I did the best I could under the circumstances, and that when I erred, it was an error of the head and not of the heart. Mr. Nies, my successor, whose paper you now hold in your hand, needs no introduction from me. He has been for years a resident of your county. He is by choice and profession a printer, and as such has labored among you for the past ten years. It will be his ambition to do for you what I would have wished to do,-give you a paper that will be second to none in the Shell Rock Valley. In closing, I would bespeak for him the same courtesies that have so kindly been bestowed upon me.
GEORGE H. NICHOLS."
Mr. Henry B. Nies, the present editor and proprietor, was born near Frankfort on the Maine, Germany, Feb. 1, 1854. His pa- rents were George and Barbara (Winkler) Nies, natives of the same place. His father was a shoemaker by trade, and emigrated to this country in 1864, settling at Rockville, Conn., with his wife and four children. The family resided there about four years, and then moved westward, locating at Charles City. Here Mr. Nies lived, following his regular occupation as shoemaker, until the fall of 1877, when he again removed to Dallas, Texas. Here he died, after a week's illness, July 31, 1878. Mrs. Nies still lives at Dallas. They had a family of eight children, six of whom are living. Of these, the second, George E. Nies, is at Waco, Texas; a telegraph operator by occupation. He was married May 3. 1882, to Dora L. Blandin, of Fort Worth. Anna, Lizzie, Leopold and Carrie L. are all at home with Mrs Nies, at Dallas.
The subject of this memoir, Henry B. Nies, is the oldest of the family. He attended the public schools in Germany four years, coming with his parents to America at the age of ten. At Rock- ville, Conn., he attended school for a while, and then was employ- ed in woolen-mills until the family came to Charles City, in 1868. Here he entered the public schools for a few months, and then entered the office of the Floyd County Advocate, just started at Charles City by Valentine Baltuff. With Mr. Baltuff he remained as apprentice two and a half years, and then attended a normal school at Galena, Ill., for a year. Thence he went to Albert Lea, Minn., and was employed as compositor in the office of the Albert Lea Enterprise. In August, 1872, he became a partner in this paper, with which he was connected about nine months. The Enterprise proved a failure, financially, and soon after Mr. Nies sold his in- terest, the paper was sold under foreclosure. Mr. Nies says that
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