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 86
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The first school-house was of logs, and was built on section 7, about one-half mile from Nora Springs, in the fall of 1854. Edson Gaylord assisted in the building of this house, and now has at his residence, as a relic, a stump from which the first log was cut.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
This was the first school-house in Floyd County, as well as in Rock Grove Township. The first school was taught the following winter by Sarah Griffith. She was a very good teacher, and pupils came from all parts of the township to her school, which numbered about twenty. This first school-house was not built by regular taxations, but by private subscription. It was accidentally burned the spring after it was built, and a new house was built about eighty rods west of the first one. The first school taught in this building was taken charge of by Richard Armstrong, formerly from New York, and latterly from Muscatine.
The first store in the township was opened at Rock Grove City by F. L. Benedict. It was kept by him two years, beginning in 1856, and then discontinued.
Among the manufacturing interests, we note that Edson Gay- lord burned the first lime in the county, in 1854-'5, and started his brickyard in 1860. Since then he has burned the timber from forty acres of land, in making brick. He has made some seasons as many as 200,000 briek, which he has shipped in various direc- tions. Some have gone to Dakota. The two flouring mills, at Rock Grove City and Nora Springs are mentioned on another page. The soap factory east of the depot at Nora Springs was started in 1879 by J. S. Bryant & Co., and discontinued in the fall of 1881.
The first fruit trees brought to the county were set out on the farm now belonging to Edson Gaylord.
The first Township Trustees were William Wagner and John Cannouse. The first Clerk was John Hunt, afterward Judge Hunt. The first Justice of the Peace was William Dean. The first School Director was Edson Gaylord.
BRIDGES.
The first bridge across the Shell Rock in Rock Grove Township was built by the county in 1863. The bridge was wanted by both Nora Springs and Rock Grove City, and considerable feeling was manifested on both sides. Petitions and remonstrances were cir- culated, signed and presented to the County Board of Supervisors, who finally appointed a committee of three to decide the contro- versy. This committee met at Nora Springs, heard the arguments on both sides, and finally decided that the bridge should be located at Nora Springs. This was accordingly done, and a wooden struct- ure was put up at a cost of $2,500. This was located by the mill,
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ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP.
some distance above the present bridge. In 1870 this was taken down, and the present iron bridge put up, at a cost of $5,000.
Another iron bridge on Flood Creek, near the residence of Dr. W. Shaw, was completed in 1876.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The first records seem to have been lost, the first election that we find a record of being in 1873, when the township officers were as follows: Clerk, Samuel Means; Trustees, L. D. Sweet, C. M. Allen, Nicholas Fleenor.
The present officers are: Clerk, Leroy A. Snow; Chairman Board of Trustees, Charles Darling; Trustees, Charles Darling, Henry L. Benedict and Edson Gaylord; Assessor, M. H. Nicker- son; Justices of the Peace, A. B. Tredway, H. L. Benedict and L. H. Peilm.
ROCK GROVE MILL.
This mill was erected by J. A. Lathrop in 1867 and 1868. It is situated on the Shell Rock River, and is run by water-power. It has a capacity of seventy-five barrels a day, and makes the best grades of flour by the newest processes. It has now five run of stones, but began with two. It is doing a good business, both at custom and merchant work. Mr. Lathrop is the present pro- prietor and manager.
NORA SPRINGS.
The first settlement made on the town site was by one Wiltfong, who came about 1853, and built a cabin on the site of the present mill. He sold his claim the following year to Sheldon Fox, of Lowell, Dodge 'County, Wis. He remained nine months, and then went to Cedar Falls, where he still resides. M. S. Snow came here from Jones County in the spring of 1855, with his wife and one daughter, now Mrs. Nancy E. Brundage. He moved into Fox's house. In 1856 came C. M. Allen, now dead, and John West, now of Mason City. They hailed from Illinois, and came to build a mill dam. They were accompanied by Sylvester Mea- cham and Amos Pardee. The mill itself had been built as early as 1854, by Messrs. Fox & Griffith. In 1857 came Frederick Drew, a blacksmith, who still resides in Nora Springs.
Nora Springs was surveyed and platted in 1857, by John West, C. M. Allen and Edson Gaylord. An addition was made by E. P. Greeley, from Nashua, before the plat was recorded. They first
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
named the place Woodstock, from Woodstock, Ill .; but one of the surveyors liked the name Nora, as this was the name of a lady- love of his, according to rumor; and " when the girl afterward went back on him, he went back on the town," and took up his abode in a neighboring county. Allen and West agreed to accept Nora Springs as the name of the future town. The springs from which the name was suggested lie principally north of the village, though there is one large one, used by the railroad, south of the village.
FIRST THINGS.
The first house in Nora Springs was one built by Wiltfong, in 1853.
The first frame house was built by John West, in the fall of 1856.
The first school-house was built on section 7, a short distance east of the village, in the fall of 1854-'5. An account of this is given in the first part of this chapter. The present school-house was built in 1870.
The first store in Nora Springs was kept by E. P. Greeley, in 1857. Goods had been sold, however, previously, by John West. After about a year Mr. Greeley moved away. The next store was that of Tyler Blake, opened in 1869.
In the new town, the first store was that of Orlando McCraney, and was situated opposite the present store of Leroy Snow. Mr. McCraney kept it about two years, and then sold to H. F. David- son.
The first blacksmith, Frederick Drew, came in 1857.
The first wagon-maker, F. H. Snow, came in 1857.
The first shoemaker, Calvin Snow, came in 1857.
The first hotel was the Wallace House, kept by Pratt Wallace, and opened in 1869.
THE REVIVAL.
Nora Springs grew very slowly for many years, but in 1869 it awakened from its Rip Van Winkle sleep, and suddenly sprang into a new and vigorous life. The Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad came plowing its way through, and a marvelous revolution fol- lowed in its wake. New additions were made to the town, stretching southward toward the railroad, and the forest trees that for ages had withstood the winds and the storm fell before the ax and spade, and the sugar bush and hunting ground of
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poor "Lo!" was transformed into a thrifty town of 700 inhabitants.
No sooner had the first wave of excitement passed on than another important railroad was built, reaching with one hand into the lumber regions of the North, and grasping with the other the coal and fruit fields of the sunny South, chaining together, with an iron band, the great cities of St. Louis and St. Paul. The future of Nora Springs was then determined, and the early settlers who had lived here for nearly twenty years without having seen the smoke of the engine, felt like an ancient king, who, over- whelmed with his great achievements, cried out, "O Lord, in the midst of all this prosperity, send us some misery."
INCORPORATION.
Nora Springs was incorporated in the summer of 1874, and the council held its first meeting Aug. 31, of that year. As an item of interest the proceedings of the first meeting are given:
"Council met and organized, with the Mayor in the chair. Present: Recorder Burgess, Trustees Snow, Blake, Hubbard, Stew- art and Gardner, who were sworn into their respective offices.
"On motion of Trustee Hubbard, J. C. Burlingham was elected Marshal by the following vote: Ayes, Snow, Blake, Hubbard, Stewart, Gardner and Burgess-six.
" An ordinance relating to the duties of marshal was read and adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Snow, Blake, Hubbard, Stewart, Gardner and Burgess-six.
"On motion, George W. Stannard was unanimously elected Treasurer.
"By a unanimous vote, a motion of Trustee Snow was carried, that the rule requiring ordinances to be read three times before passage be suspended for this evening.
"Ordinances concerning misdemeanors, unlawful assemblies, etc., were then read and adopted.
"On motion of Trustee Hubbard, the marshal's bond was placed at $300.
"An ordinance pertaining to licensing saloons, billiard tables, etc., was read and adopted.
"On motion, Council adjourned until Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1875, at 8 P. M.
"A. W. BURGESS, Recorder."
At the next meeting, held Aug. 10, ordinances were adopted relating to shows, etc .; to cattle running at large; to hogs running
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
at large; and to horses, mules, etc. During the months of August and September a complete code of ordinances was adopted, and the Governmental machinery of Nora Springs was in running order.
At first there were five trustees, elected every year; but in 1878 the new law went into effect which provided for the election of two trustees each year, to hold office for three years, thus making six trustees in the council. The five trustees at that time drew lots for length of service, and A. W. Burgess and A. J. Brundage were chosen for one year; A. McG. Stewart and F. B. Harnish were chosen for two years, and M. S. Snow. was chosen for three years.
At an election held in 1875 the officers were as follows: Mayor, Horace Gage; Recorder, A. W. Burgess; Trustees, M. S. Snow, Tyler Blake, F. M. Hubbard, A. McGregor Stewart and G. H. Gardner; Marshal, J. C. Burlingame; Attorney, P. W. Burr; Treasurer, G. W. Stannard. The present officers are: Mayor, Hor- ace Gage; Recorder, L. A. Snow; Trustees, P. Warburton, M. S. Snow, W. S. Haight, A. W. Burgess, A. J. Brundage and A. A. Sullivan; Marshal, Edson Gaylord; Treasurer, D. A. Wheeler; Assessor, D. A. Wheeler; Attorney, J. F. Gates; Street Commis- sioner, Edson Gaylord.
SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The Independent School District of Nora Springs was organized in 1878, with the following officers: President, Horace Gage; Sec- retary, H. B. Shaw; Board, Horace Gage, J. Kidney, Edson Gaylord, A. B. Tredway, John Hollenbeck and W. D. Manchester. The principals of the school since then have been G. W. Schafer, of Shell Rock, M. H. Crain and A. J. Stevens. The present officers are as follows: President, C. C. Birney; Secretary, O. B. Allen; Board, C. C. Birney, D. A. Wheeler, A. W. Burgess, Horace Gage and Edson Gaylord.
NORA SPRINGS CREAMERY.
The Nora Springs Creamery was started Oct. 1, 1880, by R. J. Jakeway. It was soon after taken charge of by the present man- ager, J. F. Cochonour. Horse-power is used. Only cream is used, two wagons being run to gather the cream. The establish- ment has made as much as 625 pounds of butter in one day. Dur- ing July, 1882, it made 10,000 pounds.
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ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP.
NORA SPRINGS FOUNDRY.
The Nora Springs Foundry and Machine Shop was built origi- nally for a saw-mill, at about the same time that the present Iowa & Dakota Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was built through Nora Springs. Mr. J. A. Lathrop bought a half interest in 1881 of George Briggs. The latter died in June, 1882. Mr. Lathrop has rented Briggs's interest, and now operates it in his own name. He makes all sorts of castings for mill-repairs, machinery, horse-powers, anvils, farm boilers, jack- screws, well-drills, sleigh-knees, etc. He uses the latest improved machinery in his works.
BANK.
The exchange bank of A. B. Tredway was established in 1877, by Farwell & Co., from Eau Claire, Wis. These gentlemen sold out in 1878, to Horace Gage, and he sold, in turn, to A. B. Tred- way, in 1879. The bank is prosperous and growing, and has ample capital. The Cashier is J. M. Tredway.
ELEVATOR.
This was built by A. B. Tredway in 1875, and was by him oper- ated until 1877, when it burned down, owing to a defective smoke- stack. It was 30 x 50, and cost $5,000. Mr. Tredway at once rebuilt it, at an expense of $7,000. It is now 24 x 32, and has a capacity of 15,000 bushels. It has a steam-boiler and engine of fifteen horse-power. It is one of the finest elevators in the North- west. Mr. Tredway deals in all kinds of grain, and grinds feed. During the year ending July 31, 1882, he has bought over 90,000 bushels of grain, and ground eighty-two cars of feed, at 28,000 pounds to the car. He has the very best machinery - the Moline separators and the Morgan smutter - and can clean and separate a car-load an hour. Mr. Tredway has been in the grain business for ten years, using only his own capital, and is one of Floyd County's most enterprising business men.
POSTOFFICE.
The postoffice was established in 1861, and M. S. Snow was the first Postmaster. He resigned after two years, and T. H. Judson was appointed in his place. . He was followed by Charles Paddle- ford, who did not keep the office very long. W. P. Gaylord then held the office until 1877, when he resigned. T. E. Bryan is the present Postmaster.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
PROFESSIONAL.
The first lawyer was W. P. Gaylord. A Mr. Hunt came here in 1870, and died after about two years. A Mr. Webber was here in 1872, for a short time, in partnership with Mr. Gaylord. Ed. Wheeler came in 1878, and J. F. Gates came in 1877. P. W. Burr also practiced here some years, but he is now in Charles City.
The first physician, Dr. C. C. Birney, who is still here, and Dr. Clark, who is now at Marble Rock, came in 1869. Dr. S. R. Howitt, now at Charles City, practiced here from 1870 to 1882. Dr. S. G. Blythe cune in 1871, and Dr. F. H. Blythe, in 1830.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
J. Q. Adams, physician and druggist; C. C. Birney, physician and druggist; Blythe & Blythe, physicians; B. H. Britton, Prop. Central House; Brundage Bros., blacksmithis; T. E. Bryan, Post- master; Burgess & Stone, general merchants; Chambers & Wins- low, saloon-keepers; Henry Clark, barber; James Clark, boot and shoe dealer; Mrs. Cleveland, millinery; Henry H. Colt, Prop. Press; John Fizell, wagon-maker; Gage & Ayers, general mer- chants; H. Gage, loan agent; J. F. Gates, attorney; Gaylord & Bryan, general merchants; Edson Gaylord, brick-maker; W. H. Gonser, grocer; C. F. Greenman, restaurant; John Haasis, gen- eral merchant; A. Hall, blacksmith; G. W. Hall, harness-maker; F. M. Hubbard, drugs and groceries, etc .; R. Jakeway, creamery ; Keyes & Blythe, Props. Monitor; Knapp & Miles, agricultura implements; J. A. Lathrop, Prop. foundry and machine shops; William Mathers, harness-maker; G. Miller, butcher; W. W. Miner, marble-worker; Mitchell Bros., painters; W. J. Murray, boot and shoe dealer; L. H. Peilm, hardware dealer; Mrs. L. D. Powers, millinery and dry goods; Rich & Quinby, liverymen; J. L. Rowell, furniture dealer; H. B. Shaw, Prop. Spencer House; George Smith, wagon-maker; H. Snahr, boot and shoe dealer; Leroy A. Snow, grocer; W. S. Sweat, general merchant; A. B. Tredway, banker; A. B. Tredway, Prop. elevator; W. B. Trevitt, saloon-keeper; Wheeler & Hamilton, stock dealers; B. A Wheeler. lumber dealer; D. O. Whitesell, well-driller; R. M. Wilson, painter; Albert Zemke, blacksmith.
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ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP.
RELIGIOUS.
Nora Springs M. E. Church .- The first class was organized in the grove near the school-house in August, 1869, by J. W. Gould, and the charge was organized the same fall. The first denomi- nation in this vicinity were held in a very early date by such pioneer preachers as Revs. Holbrook and Cooley. Among the first members were James Wyatt and wife, Jerry Parmalee and wife, Homer Parmalee and wife, S. L. Billings and wife, George Teel and wife, Philer Hooker and wife, M. H. Nickerson and wife and F. L. Benedict and wife.
The first regular pastor was Rev. J. W. Leslie, of Janesville, who remained here one year. He went from here to Shullsburg, Iowa, where he died. Mr. Leslie was succeeded in the Nora Springs pulpit by Rev. Horace Warner, who remained here two years. He and Rev. Mr. Judson, of the Baptist church, held a very suc- cessful series of revival meetings, and a number joined at that time. Mr. Warner went from here to Plainfield, where he still lives on a farm. Next came Rev. H. W. Bennett, of Decorah, in 1873 and remained three years.
During Mr. Bennett's ministry the friends of the cause raised the necessary funds and commenced the erection of a church. It was completed in 1876, at a cost of $3,500. It is a frame struct- ure, about 40 x 60, and will seat comfortably 300 persons.
Mr. Bennett was a very earnest worker, and was very popular with the congregation. He is a man of great ability, and is now one of the most prominent ministers in his denomination in Iowa. He went from here to Mason City, where he remained three years; thence to Cedar Rapids, staying one year; and thence to Dubuque, where he has been for three years.
Rev. G. L. Garrison was the next pastor, remaining two years. He came from Luana, Clayton County, and after his two years here he went to Shullsburg. He is now preaching at Shell Rock. He is admitted by all to be a cultured and energetic minister. He is a graduate of the Garrett Biblical Institute, at Evanston, Ill. He was followed by Rev. Thomas E. Fleming, of Mitchell. He re- mained one year. In 1878 came Rev. J. J. Littler, who also preached but one year. Rev. L. S. Cooley was invited to the pul- pit in 1879. Mr. Cooley was one of the pioneer preachers of North- ern Iowa, and has been well known to all Methodists. Mr. Cooley was an enthusiastic worker. He built the church at Plymouth,
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
and he cleared the church at Nora Springs of debt. He went from here to Maynard, Fayette County, where he still preaches.
The present pastor, Rev. J. R. Cameron, came here in the fall of 1881, from Maynard, exchanging pulpits with Mr. Cooley.
The first Trustees of the church, elected in 1870, were M. H. Nickerson, J. J. Gaylord, F. L. Benedict, Jerry Parmalee and James Wyatt. The parsonage was built abont the same time, at a cost of 8600, besides the lots. This was sold in 1877, to assist in the payment of the church debt.
The society met in Union Hall, previous to the building of the church.
The present Trustees of the church are: James Wyatt, G. W. Adron, J. M. Sheets, F. L. Benedict, T. J. Smith, O. R. Shaw, and J. H. Morey.
The church has a membership of forty, and the Sunday-school, of which L. Richie is Superintendent, about the same number.
The Rock Grove Baptist Church was organized at Rock Grove City in the latter part of 1854. Among the more prominent of the first members were the following: John Hunt and wife, B. M. Lyon and wife, Deacon Nicholas Fleenor and wife, and Rev. Daniel B. Mead and wife. The first Deacons were John Hunt and Nicholas Fleenor. Rev. Mr. Mead was the first pastor of the congregation, and he remained with them till 1865, when he re moved to Newton, Jasper County. There he preached for a year, and then, for the sake of his health, he purchased a little farm, which he worked until about 1877, when he returned to Nora Springs, his present home. Mr. Mead was well liked by all who heard him preach, and enjoys the honor of being one of the pio- neer preachers of Northern Iowa. He was followed in the Nora Springs pulpit by Rev. Mr. Jones, Rev. Mr. Zimmerman, Rev. Mr. Freeman, Rev. Mr. Sherman, Rev. Mr. T. H. Judson, Rev. Mr. Abbott and Rev. Mr. Lamkin. The last-named preached in 1877-'8, and Rev. T. L. Hunter followed him for about one year. Rev. T. H. Judson was next invited to fill the pulpit, and he re- mained until the following spring, when Rev. L. W. Atkins came to Nora Springs. The present pastor, Rev. G. G. Daugherty, came in July, 1882. He is a graduate of the Alton Theological School.
The church building was erected in 1868, at Rock Grove City, and moved to Nora Springs in the summer of 1880. The present membership of the church is about fifty-five. The Sunday-school,
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ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP.
under the superintendency of A. S. Wright, has an average attend- ance of about eighty.
The Church of Christ .- About the first of April, 1871, Miles Knapp and wife received information that Rev. Melvin Nichols was preaching the doctrines of Alexander Campbell at Osage, Mitchell County. They went through eighteen miles of rain to hear him, and were so pleased that they urged him to deliver a discourse at Nora Springs. This he did May 2, and his sermon was the first of his faith preached at this place. Other meetings were held occa- sionally during 1871, and on the 12th of January, 1872, began a series of meetings which resulted in the organization of a society with about eighty members.
Rev. W. G. Sweeney was engaged to preach once each month, and he continued for some six months. Rev. J. W. Moore preached every two weeks, the meetings at this time being held in Union Hall. The next pastor was Rev. C. W. Sherwood, who preached continuously one year, beginning in 1875, and then on alternate Sundays for one year. For the next year the society had only occa- sional services, and then Rev. M. S. Johnson was invited to fill the pulpit, which he did for about six months of 1877. Since then the society has held no regular services. The membership is now forty-five.
The Sunday-school has met regularly since the formation of the society, and is now in a prosperous condition. Its membership is from fifty to sixty.
Their church was completed in 1873 at a cost of $3,000.
The first Trustees of the church were Miles Knapp, Joseph An- keny and James Hauxhurst. The present Trustees are Miles Knapp and John Griffith.
The Congregational Society of Nora Springs was organized in 1874. On the evening of Oct. 2 a number of the members met at Kidney's Hall to form the society. George W. Stonard, Dea- con Fullerton and Dr. S. G. Blythe were appointed to prepare a constitution and by-laws. This work was duly performed and their report adopted at the next meeting. The first members of the society were: George W. Stonard and wife, S. C. Chadbourne and wife, H. L. Benedict, B. H. Britton and wife, H. B. Shaw and wife, Mrs. R. E. Robinson, Mrs. M. L. Graham, Mrs. W. M. Brooks, Mrs. Jackson Gaylord, Deacon Fullerton and wife, Dr. S. G. Blythe and wife, Clara Chadbourne, Phœbe Chadbourne, V. W. Albee and wife, Mrs. E. A. Spencer and W. G. Spencer. Of these S. C.
944
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Chadbourne and wife, Mrs. M. L. Graham, Clara Chadbourne, Phoebe Chadbourne and V. W. Albee and wife have taken letters of dismissal and removed from Nora Springs. The present mem- bers of the church are George W. Stonard and wife, B. H. Britton and wife, H. B. Shaw and wife, Mrs. R. E. Robinson, Mrs. W. M. Brooks, Deacon Fullerton and wife, Mrs. Dr. S. G. Blythe and Mrs. E. A. Spencer. The officers elected at the time of the adop- tion of the constitution and by-laws were as follows: Clerk, R. E. Robinson; Treasurer, B. H. Britton; Trustees, George W. Ston- ard, S. C. Chadbourne and W. L. Benedict.
The Congregationalists have no church building, and have no regular services at the present time.
The German Evangelical Association was organized in March, 1872, at the house of Samuel Spotts, about three miles west of Nora Springs. The first members numbered twenty-six. The first pastors of the society were Revs. George Youngblood and F. Schulsky. They were followed by Rev. Mathew Knoll in 1874. He was here two years, and it was during his pastorate that the parsonage was built. He was followed in 1875 by Revs. F. Metfessel and O. Beck, the former of whom remained two years and the latter one year.
July 13, 1877, during Mr. Metfessel's pastorate, the society having previously bought the old Baptist church, the Trustees decided to rebuild it and fit it up for use. They had paid $600 for the church, and now they expended enough on refitting, etc., to make the total cost about $1,000. The church building is now about 40 x 20.
Mr. Metfessel was succeeded in the pulpit of this church by Rev. E. H. Bippert. He remained two years, and it was during his pas- torate that most of the work on the church was done. He left in 1879, going to Hardin County. He is at present in Plymouth County. The next pastor was Rev. William Jonas, of Hardin County. He was here one year, when he went to Cresco. Rev. F. R. Frase was next invited to the pulpit in the spring of 1880, and accepting the call, he remained with the congregation two years. The present pastor, Rev. Otto Gerhardt, was called to the pulpit of this church in this month of February, 1882.
The association has at present a membership of about seventy. The present Trustees are: John Haasis, Peter Steil, C. F. Ladwig, John Kraus and Fred Briem. The Sunday-school has an attend- ance of about forty.
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ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP.
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