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 82
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During the summer of 1856, these proprietors let the contract for building a dam across the Shell Rock to O. N. Robbins, and by fall they had a saw-mill in successful operation. Every board or slab cut from this mill was picked up with eager haste by the houseless inhabitants. George Wyatt built the first frame house in the village, and it was also the first in the township, on the block where the Wyatt House afterward stood. This frame house he occupied less than a year, when he built the stone one which became a part of the Wyatt House. Theron Thomas, O. N. Robbins, D. S. Blanchard, Joel Griffin, H. W. Fields, S. W. Haven and Ransom Knapp followed in building their houses as fast as lumber could be procured to build a shelter. Robbins hauled his lumber from a saw-mill six miles south of Charles City.
John Ferguson opened the first stock of goods in the village and township, in a building afterward the residence of J. W. Merrill. Ferguson traded this stock of goods to D. Mahoney for his farm, in the winter of 1856-'7. In 1857 Mahoney sold to V. W. Corey, who reduced the stock and went out of the mercantile business.
In the fall of 1856 Charles Smith bought of R. C. Horr 1,100 acres of land, on sections 11 and 12, and he built during the following winter a log house near the present residence of J. S. Childs.
In the summer of 1857 D. E. Johnson brought a lot of good from Cedar Falls, and after forming a partnership with Charles
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Smith, built a temporary store. In the fall of the same year they built a stone store 22 x 40, on Platt street, where they continued in the business until the spring of 1860, when Smith sold his interest to R. C. Mathews. The business was then carried on by Johnson and Mathews until the fall of 1864, when Johnson sold to R. N. Mathews. The firm was then Mathews & Son for some time, and then this firm sold out to O. J. Wilbur and John Plum- mer. After a time Plummer sold his interest to Wilbur. Wilbur then built a store on Wyatt's block. He continued in business until his death, which occurred in 1879.
The name of Rockford was selected by the first proprietors and settlers because the great majority of them were from Rockford, Ill. The name was also considered appropriate from the rocky bottom and sides of the ford in use before any bridge was built.
J. S. Childs and O. H. Lyon came in July, 1857, erected the build- ing, now occupied by the postoffice, and carried on the mercantile business until the fall of 1871. Childs was then elected County Treasurer, and sold his interest to Lyon, who carried on the busi- ness alone for two years, when Childs was again taken in partner- ship. They then built a new store, 22 x 60, and carried on the business together for two years longer when Lyon sold out to Childs, who has since carried on the business alone.
INCORPORATION.
To promote the welfare of Rockford it was thought by many that it should be incorporated. The question of incorporation was submitted to the people, March 16, 1878, and was decided in the affirmative by a vote of ninety-seven to eighty-one. The first elec- tion for town officers was held April 26, 1878. The officers chosen were as follows: Mayor, Orlo H. Lyon; Recorder, C. F. Myers; Trustees, J. S. Childs, Alex. McElroy, L. R. Burton, C. Lyons and A. L. Plummer; Marshal, J. E. Plumley; Treasurer, O. H. Lyon. The present officers: Mayor, E. P. Andrews; Recorder, S. W. Woodhouse; Trustees, H. C. Scott, R. C. Mathews, D. D. Cutler, J. C. Moore, O. N. Robbins and A. W. Dawson; Marshal, J. B. Parmenter; Assessor, D. G. Campbell; Treasurer, Harry A. Merrill.
HOTELS.
The first hotel was built and kept in 1856, by Ransom Knapp. After about three years he sold out to John Harriman. He had it about two years, and then sold to B. F. Beebe, of Wisconsin. He
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ROCKFORD TOWNSHIP.
in turn sold to Levi Lyons, the present proprietor, but it is not now run as a hotel.
George Wyatt built his residence on Oak street, near Platt street, in 1856, and in 1863 he opened it as a hotel with the name "Wyatt House." Mr. Wyatt has run the hotel ever since.
In 1871 B. F. Beebe built the present Beebe House, and opened it to the public. His son-in-law, William Durkee, was in partner- ship with Mr. Beebe, and the two ran it until 1881, when the prop- erty was sold to Durkee. The present proprietors are Durkee and Critchfield.
MILLS.
In the spring of 1857 Chapman Bros. erected a steam saw- mill, but soon after completion they became involved and the mill was taken to Mitchell County.
Sept. 1, 1858, a ferry license was issued to George Wyatt, for the Rockford ferry, with the following scale of prices:
CENTS.
Double carriage (drawn by two animals) 35
Single carriage (drawn by one animal)
25
Man and horse. 10
Every additional horse
5
Any other animal 5
Footman 3
In the year 1861 J. T. Graham having had the foundation of this flouring mill washed out and the mill washed down the river to Marble Rock, went in partnership with George Wyatt, built a dam across Lime Creek and erected a stone flouring mill 32 x 42, for three run of stone. This mill changed hands several times and was burned in December, 1874. Alex. Elmore, the owner at the time of the burning of the mill, erected a new and larger one at the same place in 1875, with four run of stone, size 36 x 50 at a cost of some $10,000. The mill is now owned by Minneapolis parties.
J. T. Graham and D. D. Cutler, in 1873, built a dam and flour- ing mill on the Shell Rock, with four run of stone, size 36 x 46, at a cost of $10,000. After about two years, Mr. Cutler sold out his interest to Mr. Graham, the present proprietor.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
ELEVATOR.
The elevator of B. D. Cutler and Robert Lindon was built in 1875, by E. F. Bacon. Mr. Butler bought a one-half interest in May, 1876. Mr. Bacon sold to A. W. Dawson, in February, 1879, and he in turn sold his interest to Robert Lindon, in June, 1882.
The firm of Cutler & Lindon deal in all kinds of grain, particu- larly corn, and in live-stock. During the year ending July 31, 1882, they shipped two hundred and twenty-five cars of corn, mostly to Peoria, Ill .; forty-eight cars of oats, mostly to Peoria; fifty- two cars of flax, to Burlington and St. Louis; thirty-five cars of wheat, and ninety-four cars of hogs and cattle. They also grind a great deal of feed, their production of this article alone reaching 100 car-loads the past year.
The nearest competing elevators are eight miles distant, at Marble Rock and at Nora Springs. This one is valued at $8,000. The engine and boiler are each fifteen horse-power. The firm have introduced a new contrivance, by which wagons of corn are driven on a platform, and the corn is dumped below, without handling, and there shelled. The only other "dump" elevator is at Marble Rock, and adopted the method after Messrs. Cutler & Lindon intro- duced it.
CREAMERY.
The Rockford Creamery of Charles Howell was built by Edwin Price in 1881, but not operated until 1882, when Mr. Howell leased it of Mr. Price. It is 40 x 30, one story and basement in height, and has a capacity for making 1,000 pounds of butter a day. The actual production up to July 1, averages about 350 pounds a day, or 10,000 pounds a month. This butter is shipped to Eastern markets, and brings about ten cents more per pound than dairy butter. Mr. Howell is from Orange County, N. Y., and it was in that dairy country that he gained his experience. He has every prospect of success in his undertaking. He runs three cream wagons at the present time. His is the only creamery in Rockford Township.
BANK.
The bank of Rockford was organized in 1871, under the firm title of Mathews & Son, and maintained the same administrative power until August, 1877. The entrance of the Hon. O. H. Lyon marked a new career, and the partnership became, as now, Mathews
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ROCKFORD TOWNSHIP.
& Lyon. R. N. Mathews died in 1877, and his son, R. C. Mathews, is now Mr. Lyon's partner. The bank possesses the advantages of sufficient capital to meet all demands. That it passed through the panic of 1873 unscathed, and the fact of its officers being experi- enced financiers, men of untarnished record and wealthy, are suf- ficient evidences to cause the public confidence it has gained and bound to maintain. The routine work of the bank is attended to by their efficient and reliable Cashier, Harry N. Merrill, who is as- sisted by John A. Pearson. The deposits in this bank, May 11, 1872, were, $12,899.43; May 11, 1882, $72,443.17, an increase of sixfold.
POSTOFFICE.
The first Postmaster was George Wyatt, who was appointed in July, 1856. He was succeeded in 1857 by B. P. Franklin, the father of the present Postmaster. R. N. Mathews was appointed in 1858. The next to fill the office was J. S. Childs, who was appointed in 1861. The fifth Postmaster was Orlo H. Lyon, who entered npon his duties in 1871. He was succeeded, Oct. 15, 1877, by the pres- ent incumbeut, C. R. Franklin, who received his commission from Keyes, Postmaster-General under Hayes. During the quarter end- ing June 30, 1882, there were received from box rent, $36.80; sales of stamps, $407.81; and stamps were canceled to the value of $353.15.
PROFESSIONAL.
The first lawyer in Rockford was R. N. Mathews, who died in 1878. E. G. Bowdoin, who had practiced about ten years in Mas- sachusetts, was admitted to the bar in 1856, but never practiced here. The present practitioners are Robert Eggert, who was ad- mitted in 1879; Edgar P. Andrews, who came from Hampton in 1879; J. W. Merrill, who came from Charles City in 1872; S. Wood- house, who was admitted to the bar in 1878, and Mr. McKenna, who came to Rockford in January, 1882.
The first physician was James Cortright, who came from Charles City in 1857, remained about three years, and then went to De- corah, Winneshiek County, where he now resides. Dr. E. C. Kim- ball came in 1858 from Shullsburg, Wis. He remained about four years, and then went to Chicago; thence he went to Colorado. Dr. N. T. McEwen came here in 1862, from Ulster Township. He is now in partnership with his son Earl, who has practiced here about
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
one year. They are of the Homeopathic school. The other pres- ent physicians are E. W. Wilbur, who came from Woodstock, Ill., in 1870, and W. H. Nickols, who came in 1875 from Greene, But- ler County.
BUSINESS.
The following is a complete business directory of the village: E. P. Andrews, attorney; A. Bauman, shoemaker; Mrs. B. Benson, dressmaker; F. Bluemensteil, barber; M. E. Bort, druggist; Mrs. H Boylan, milliner; Burton Brothers, hardware merchants; Will- iam Cavanaugh, blacksmith; J. S. Childs & Sons, general mer- chants; Cornish & Dawson, general merchants; Mrs. C. A. Crocker, dressmaker; Cutler & Linden, proprietors of elevator; T. W. Davis, merchant miller; Durkee & Critchfield, proprietors of Beebe House; Robert Eggert, proprietor of paper-mill; C. L. Fay, lumberman; C. R. Franklin, stationer and Postmaster; A. M. Gage, harness- maker; J. T. Graham, custom miller; Griffith & Irwin, druggist; F. J. Hale, grocer, Hanson Brothers, liquor dealers; L. M. Harris, brickmaker; S. W. Havens, furniture dealer; Mrs. A. E. Hazlett, dressmaker; C. Heft, shoemaker; C. Howell, creamery man; F. L. Hunstock, butcher; Johnston Brothers, hardware merchants; C. H. Johnson, general merchant; F. Kuck, harness-maker; William Kuck, wagon-maker; Mallory & Hickok, painters; S. Marke, brewer; C. Martin, wagon-maker; W. D. Martin, butcher; Mathews & Lyon, bankers; McEwen & Son, physicians; Morris McKenna, attorney ; F. McSpadden, Jr., hardware merchant; J. W. Merrill, attorney ; H. Moore & Co., restauranters; J. C. Moore, general merchant; C. F. Myers, general merchant; W. H. Nickols, physician; Pearson & McDougal, machinists; P. E. Phelps, stock and grain buyer; Ed- win Price, grain merchant; A. Rasch, blacksmith; O. N. Robbins, liveryman; Isaac Sabelowitz, general merchant; Scott & Jack, machinists; A. Schroeder, wagon-maker; D. L. Semler, dentist; C. M. Smith, general merchant; Smith & Robinson, liquor dealers ; Mrs. S. A. Strait, milliner; R. Straight, gunsmith; E. E. Teape, jeweler; E. E. Turner, photographer; F. L. Whitney & Co., pro prietors of Reveille; E. W. Wilbur, physician; S. W. Woodhouse, attorney; George Wyatt & Son, proprietors of Wyatt House; C. Yorker, blacksmith; O. Zanke, blacksmith.
The population of Rockford in 1860 was 300; in 1870, 400; in 1880, 700; 1882, 800.
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ROCKFORD TOWNSHIP.
THE ROOKFORD REVEILLE.
This is a four-page weekly edited and published every Thursday by F. L. Whitney & Co. For a full history of the Reveille and of the Geologist, published in the same office, see the chapter on the "Press."
CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.
M. E. Church .- The first volunteer Methodist preachers in this vicinity were Rev. John Ball, who came in 1856, and Revs. Free- man and L. G. Hiscox, who came in 1857. Articles of incorpora- tion were signed in 1857 by William B. Pierce, John Ball, William Welch, William Mutchler and George Wyatt. The first Trustees were George Wyatt, B. P. Franklin, E. M. Van Auken, William Welch and John Ball. Lots for a parsonage were donated by the town proprietors. The first circuit preacher assigned to this church was Rev. W. P. Holbrook, whose circuit extended from Clarks- ville to Forest City.
Their church was built in 1874, at a cost of $4,000, by W. W. Blood, contractor. The Trustees at that time were O. J. Wilbur, J. C. Moore, Adam Seaver, A. H. Evans and Dr. E. W. Wilbur.
After Mr. Holbrook, Revs. Mr. Hankins, Mr. Glassner, B. F. Taylor, L. S. Cooley, Joseph Gould and Mr. Rowen successively officiated as pastor of the church. Rev. J. C. Magee came from Fayette in 1870, and remained one year. He is now at Waverly. He was succeeded by Rev. P. W. Gould, in 1871, and he by Rev. J. J. Littler, in 1873. The following year came Rev. J. G. Wil- kinson, and he in turn was followed in 1875 by Rev. William Cobb. Rev. Joseph Cook was called to the pulpit in 1877, and preached one year; that year was his last in the pulpit, and he is now in the insurance business, at Waterloo. Rev. W. W. Smith came in 1878, from Clarksville ; he is now at Mt. Albans. The present pastor, Rev. J. H. Heyward, came in 1881, from Raymond, Iowa.
The present membership of the church is sixty-five.
The Sunday-school connected with the church contains about 100 pupils, in seven classes. The library contains 100 books. Dr. E. W. Wilbur has been Superintendent most of the time for the past twelve years.
Congregational Church .- Rev. S. P. La Due came from Mitchell County occasionally during the fall of 1857, and preached to the settlers. The settling up of the country brought with it an increase in the number of church-going people, and of these the Congrega-
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
tionalists secured their share. Their number had so increased by Feb. 27, 1858, that on that day the Congregational church was organized. The following were the first members, they having previously been dismissed for the purpose from the Rock Grove church : Burton P. Franklin, Mrs. Rachel Franklin, Mrs. Orpha Stearns, Mrs. Elizabeth Fields, Lewellyn Whitney, Mrs. Pamelia Whitney, O. H. Lyon, Oliver P. Way and Margaret Knapp. B. P. Franklin was elected Deacon.
Rev. S. P. La Due was engaged to preach regularly, and was the first pastor of the church. He remained until 1864, and was then succeeded by Rev. L. Warner, who preached until the early part of 1872. In the fall of that year he returned to Connecticut. April 1, 1872, Rev. Theron K. Bixby was called to the pulpit. He died March 13, 1873, after an illness of but a few days. Rev. G. A. Paddock succeeded him July 20, 1873, and remained as pastor until June, 1876, when his health failed him and he removed to Colorado.
The Congregational society was organized Dec. 6, 1864, with the following corporate members, "for the purpose of building a church and advancing the general interests of religion": George Wyatt, H. Stearns, J. C. Baker, W. J. Green, L. Whitney, C. A. Crocker, Robert Knapp, J. L. Graham, N. L. McEwen, J. S. Childs, and L. Warner. The first Trustees were H. Stearns, J. C. Baker and W. J. Green. The contract for building a church was let to L. Whitney. The lumber for this church was hauled from McGregor, a distance of 110 miles. The church was completed and dedicated in June, 1865, and cost $2,500. It was re-covered, painted and otherwise thoroughly repaired in 1875, during the pastorate of Mr. Paddock.
Rev. Mr. Paddock was followed by Rev. James B. Gilbert, for- merly from the East, and immediately from Wilton Junction, Iowa. Mr. Gilbert was a man of some ability, and ready and independent thought, and was well liked by his congregation. He left in 1879, and is now at Fontanelle, Neb. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Charles F. Dykeman.
June 24, 1882, a destructive storm visited Rockford, and com- pletely demolished the church edifice. The leaders at once set about raising funds to rebuild the church, and this work is rapidly progressing at the present writing.
The Sunday-school was organized first as. a union school, and held services in the school-house until the Congregationalists
Stephen. S. Brittun
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ROCKFORD TOWNSHIP.
erected their church, when they started a school of their own. The present membership is about 100. The Superintendent is Dr. Earle McEwen.
The First Baptist Church of Rockford was organized in March. 1858, at the village school-house. Among the first members were S. W. Haven, Mrs. S. J. Haven, Ransom Knapp, Mrs. Emeline Robbins, Mrs. Julia Ready, all from Rockford, Ill .; and T. Thomas and wife, from Connecticut. The society was legally in- corporated in 1870, and the Trustees chosen at this time were S. W. Haven, W. S. Hogobone, Lewis B. Clark, Charles Watkins and J. B. Hogobone. S. W. Haven was chosen Clerk and Treas- urer. The officers elected since are as follows:
1871 .- Same as preceding year.
1872 .- Trustees: S. W. Haven, W. S. Hogobone, Lewis B. Clark, J. B. Hogobone and John S. Laucks; Clerk and Treasurer, S. W. Haven.
1873 .- Same as preceding year.
1874 .-- Same as preceding year.
1875 .- Same as preceding year.
1876 .- Same as preceding year.
1877 .- Trustees: A. Quackenbush, L. B. Clark, L. B. Webster,
R. Strait, and S. W. Haven; Clerk and Treasurer, S. W. Haven.
1878 .- Same as preceding year.
1879 .- Same as preceding year.
1880. - Same as preceding year.
1881 .- Trustees: A. Powers, L. B. Clark, L. B. Webster, R. Strait, and S. W. Haven; Clerk and Treasurer, S. W. Haven.
1882 .- Same as preceding year.
The first services of the denomination were conducted by Rev. D. B. Mead, of Rock Grove, in 1858. Meetings were at first held once in four weeks. Among the various pastors the society has had were Rev. Alvah Plumley, and Rev. Mr. Author, the last pastor. Since 1872 they have held no regular services. They have no church building. The Sunday-school was discontinued the same time with the church services.
Sirius Lodge, No.323, A. F. & A.M., was organized with eighteen members under dispensation, Jan. 14, 1873. The dispensation was granted Jan. 6, 1873, and appointed R. C. Mathews, W. M .; C. Watkins S. W., and A. G. Merrill, J. W. The W. M. appointed the following officers pro tem .: J. C. Moore, Treasurer; W. H. 55
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Porter, Secretary; J. B. Williams, S. D .; A. Ello, J. D .; D. A Nash, Tyler. The charter was granted June 4, 1873, and the first officers elected under it were as follows: R. C. Mathews, W. M .; C. Watkins, S. W .; A. G. Merrill, J. W .; T. S. Kelso, Treasurer; F. L. Warner, Secretary. The present officers, elected in June, 1882, are as follows: J. C. Moore, W. M .; H. A. Merrill, S. W .; F. Boulden, J. W .; C. Watkins, Secretary; H. Stearns, Treasurer. The present membership is fifty-six. The lodge is in good con- dition financially. It meets once a month.
Pioneer Lodge, No. 194, I. O. O. F., was established at Rudd, Oct. 20, 1870, and was removed to Rockford in the summer of 1873, by permission of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. The first officers elected after the removal were chosen at a meeting held Dec. 4, 1873, and are as follows: Orson T. Brainard, N. G .; James Lewis, V. G .; A. C. Lyons, Secretary ; J. O. Moore, Treasurer. The present officers are as follows: J. M. Fuller, N. G .; W. T. George, V. G .; H. C. Scott, Secretary; O. Holtan, Treasurer; August Bauman, R. S. to N. G .; S. W. Woodhouse, L. S. to N. G .; J. G. Hess, R. S. to N. G. The present membership in good standing numbers about forty-five. The lodge is in good condition, and meets every Monday evening at Masonic Hall.
Rockford Lodge, No. 16, I. O. G. T., is a continuation of Per- severance Division, No. 18, Sons of Temperance, which was organ- ized in 1876. This division met regularly until in 1880, when a :majority of the members desired to change their organization and become a lodge of the I. O. G. T. A charter was accordingly pe- titioned for by fifty of the members, and their charter was granted Nov. 19, 1880. The society, when known as the Sons of Temper- ance, was for some time known as the " banner" division in the State, it having the largest membership. Since the change the society has prospered financially and otherwise. It meets Friday evenings at Griffin's Hall. The officers for the first quarter after the charter was granted, were as follows: John Rooney, W. C. T .; Mrs. R. C. Mathews, W. V. T .; Rev. W. W. Smith, W. Chap .; R. M. Potter, W. Sec .; Miss Alice Childs, W. A. Sec .; R. M. Briggs, W. F. Sec .; Mrs. E. W. Wilbur, W. Treas .; E. W. Wilbur, W. M .; Mrs. W. H. Nickols, W. D. M .; Miss Nanny Watkins, W. I. G .; T. W. Davis, W. O. G .; Mrs. D. D. Cutler, W. R. H. S .; Mrs. C. Wyatt, W. L. H. S .; Rev. C. F. Dykeman, P. W. C. T
901
ROCKFORD TOWNSHIP.
Fidelity Chapter, No. 42, O. E. S., was organized in January, 1874, with a membership of twenty-four. The first officers were as follows: Mrs. L. Yorker, W. M .; Christopher Yorker, W. P .; Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews, A. M .; Mrs. J. J. Littler, Con .; Mrs. Harriet Merrill, A. C .; Charles Watkins, Sec. ; John Carson, Treas .; Mrs. J. C. Moore, Warder; Fred. Warner, Sent .; Mrs. Delia Wat_ kins, Adah; Mrs. Sarah Whitney, Ruth; Mrs. Eveline Warner, Esther; Mrs. Etta Reed, Martha; Mrs. Pollie Carson, Electa. The office of Worthy Matron has been held successively by Mrs. L. Yorker, Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews, Mrs. J. J. Littler, Mrs. Mary E. Wilbur, Mrs. Harriet A. Merrill and Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews. Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews has held the office of Grand Lecturer for two years in the Grand Lodge, and is now serving her third year as Grand Matron. Mrs. Mary E. Wilbur was Grand Conductress two years. D. H. Moore was Grand Secretary for two years. Mrs. Adella Rooney was Grand Adah one year. Mrs. Julia M. Barnum was Grand Organist one year. This is an excellent rep- resentation for the Rockford Chapter. The present officers are as follows: Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews, W. M .; Harry E. Merrill, W. P .; Mrs. Julia M. Barnum, A. M .; Mrs. Mary E. Wilbur, Sec .; Mrs. Francis Durkee, Treas .; Mrs. Cora L. Merrill, Con .; Mrs. Augusta Boulden, A. C .; Mrs. Nancy Knapp, Warder; Orrin D. Hoege, Sent .; Mrs. Adella Rooney, Adah; Mrs. Orpha C. Stearns, Ruth; Mrs. Mary C. Scott, Esther; Mrs. Julia A. Martin, Martha; Mrs. L. Yorker, Electa. The present membership is thirty-four. The chapter is in good condition financially and other- wise. It meets at the Masonic Hall the first and third Wednes- days of each month.
The W. C. T. U., of Rockford, was organized May 5, 1882, at the M. E. church, by Mrs. Aldrich, of Cedar Rapids, State Or- ganizer. At this meeting twenty-three ladies joined, a constitu- tion and by-laws were adopted, and officers elected. These were as follows: President, Mrs. Jane Blanchard; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Mattie Fay and Mrs. J. T. Graham; Secretary, Mrs. S. G. Wilbur; Treasurer, Mrs. J. H. Heyward. This was the sixth of the seven local unions organized in Floyd County, the last one be- ing organized at Marble Rock. The Rockford Union has a mem- bership of thirty-five, steadily increasing. Its leaders feel hopeful as to their future work. It meets every week at the M. E. church, and will meet every other week in the Congregational church, when that shall be rebuilt.
902
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
E. P. Andrews, attorney, was born in Henry County, Iowa, July 14, 1853. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Ohio. Mr. Andrews was admitted to the bar May 1, 1879, and commenced the practice of law the following December, in Rockford, Iowa.
M. E. Bort one of the prominent citizens of Rockford, was born Feb. 15, 1846, in Herkimer County, N. Y. He left New York, when seven years of age, moving to Ossian, Winneshick County, Ia., where he subsequently engaged in the drug business. In 1876 he removed to Charles City, and one year later came to Rockford, where he has since resided. He is engaged in the drug business here and also keeps a full line of jewelry. His marriage to Eugenia Moe, occurred at Avoca, Pottawattamie County, Ia., on Sept. 11, 1873. She was born in Wisconsin, March 11, 1848. They have three children-Earl Leslie, born Feb. 17, 1875; Edna, March 22, 1877, and Clyde, June 22, 1879. Mrs. Bort is a member of the Free- Will Baptist church, and politically Mr. Bort is a strong Republican.
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