USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 20
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First Lieut. and Brev. Maj. Lewis A. Armistead, second in command, and acting assistant quartermaster and commissary of subsistence during the whole period of occupation, reached his captaincy March 3, 1855, but, together with Second Lieut. James L. Corley, who joined the command upon the resignation of Second Lieutenant Tubbs, resigned the service in May, 1861, to cast his lot with the south.
Major Armistead became a brigadier general in the Confederate army and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.
Lieutenant Corley became a colonel and quartermaster in the Confederate service and died March 28, 1883.
Lieutenant Tubbs was captain of Griffin's battalion, Texas Volunteers in the Confederate army.
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
MILITIA ORGANIZATIONS
The first militia company organized in Fort Dodge was Company "G," Fourth regiment, Iowa National Guard. Its organization was largely due to the efforts of Cyril Wade King, who became the first captain. At that time the armory was on the second floor of the Parsons building, at the corner of Central avenue and Fourth street.
At the breaking out of the Spanish war the company was mustered into the volunteer service, as Company "G." Fifty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, thus continuing the enumeration of Iowa regiments from those serving in the Civil war.
For a short time after the Spanish-American war, Fort Dodge was without a militia company. Interest, however, was soon aroused and the company was reorganized and mustered in April 4, 1899. The company still retained the same company and regimental designation which it had during the war. In order to avoid conflict because of this use of the same company letter and regimental number, it was thought best to keep the militia regiments separate from the war regiments. Accordingly, the local company became Company "G," Fifty-sixth regiment, I. N. G. Besides their war service, Company "G "was twice called upon to perform guard duty, on the occasion of the Pomeroy cyclone, and during the railroad strike at Sioux City. The present officers of the company are: Captain, Fred R. Frost; first lieutenant, Hans Frederickson; second lieutenant, James Barton. The enlisted men number fifty-nine.
Company "F" was organized in Fort Dodge, when the company of the same letter was mustered out at Algona. It was mustered in January 20, 1910. At the present time it has fifty-eight enlisted men; and its officers are: Captain, H. R. Heath ; first lieutenant, R. P. Wakeman ; second lieutenant, T. A. Strand.
The armory in Fort Dodge was built in 1904, and is equipped with a gym- nasium, swimming pool and bowling alley.
In 1903, Fort Dodge secured the regimental band of the Fifty-sixth Regiment, Iowa National Guards. This organization was composed of members from a number of local musical organizations. Under the leadership of Carl Quist, the band reached a high stage of efficiency, and soon became known among the musical organizations of the state. For five years they played at the Iowa State Fair. Three times they were the official band at the head camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, attending the encampments at Indianapolis, St. Louis and Milwaukee. They were the official band of the Iowa delegation to the national convention of the B. P. O. E. held at Detroit in 1910. They were also the official band for American Day at the Dominion Fair in Calgary, Alberta, during 1908; and were also the official band for Iowa Day at the World's Fair at St. Louis. During the year 1910 the band was mustered out of the service of the militia, and since that time has maintained its organization under the name of the Iowa Military Band.
CHAPTER XII
THE MAYORS OR FORT DODGE
WILLIAM WILLIAMS, 1869-70-GEORGE B. SHERMAN, 1871-HEZEKIAH BEECHER. 1872-GEORGE R. PEARSONS, 1873, 1889-1890-J. O. SLAUSON, 1874-5-6- SAMUEL REES, 1877-HENRY 1. PLATT, 1878-9-THOMAS SARGENT, 1880-S. T. MESERVEY, 1881-2, 1884-RICHARD P. FURLONG, 1883-C. L. GRANGER, 1885-6, 1893-4-5-6-CHARLES G. BLANDEN, 1887-8-GEORGE W. HYATT, 1891-2-E. D. CLAGG, 1897-8-S. J. BENNETT, 1899-1900-01-02, 1905-06, 1909-10-A. II. NORTHIRUP, 1903-04-CHARLES F. DUNCOMBE, 1907-08-JOHN F. FORD, 19II-12.
In the forty-three years since Fort Dodge has been incorporated, eighteen of her citizens have held the office of mayor. Politically the democrats have had the advantage in the numerous mayoralty contests. While these contests have often been spirited ones, yet the results have invariably brought honor to the town. From the first the office has been filled by men of marked business ability, and the roll of names shows those of our most prominent citizens.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS-1869-70
Major William Williams, the first mayor of Fort Dodge, was a native of Pennsylvania, being born in Westmoreland county, December 6, 1796. He came to this city in 1850, taking the place of sutler for the United States troops sta- tioned here. On the removal of the troops in 1854. Major Williams bought the government buildings and platted the town. When in 1857 news came of the Indian depredations at Spirit Lake, he organized and commanded the expedition which went to the relief of the settlers. On August 22, 1869, by order of the circuit court of Webster county, Major Williams and four others were appointed commissioners to call an election and to do all things necessary for the incor- poration of the city of Fort Dodge. The result of this first city election, held October 1, 1869, was to give the mayoralty honors to Major Williams and this office he held until 1871. His age and feeble health compelled Major Williams to refuse to continue in the office, which the people would gladly have given him. Full of years and honors, this pioneer tradesman and founder of the city died at his home in Fort Dodge, February 26, 1874.
GEORGE B. SHERMAN-1871
The second mayor of Fort Dodge, George B. Sherman, who served during the year 1871, was born in Bennington county, Vermont, June 7, 1833. In 1855 Tol. I-11
15.
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he came to Iowa and settled in this city during April of that year. To him is given credit for building the first store building in the city. The hard times of 1857, however, caused a temporary suspension of the business until 1860, when he again entered the business. Three years later, in 1863, he went to Washing- ton, District of Columbia, to occupy a position in the office of the first comptroller of the currency. While in Washington he attended Columbia Law College, graduating from that school in 1866. Returning to Fort Dodge he opened a law office, and for a number of years practiced his profession. He died December 1, 1909.
HEZEKIAH BEECHER-1872
Hezekiah Beecher was mayor of Fort Dodge during the year 1872. He was born in New Haven county, Connecticut, in the year 1828. By profession he was a lawyer, graduating from the law department of Yale in 1852. After leav- ing school he entered the law office of G. H. Hollister, at Litchfield, Connecticut. In 1855 he removed to Fort Dodge. where he practiced his profession, being for a time associated with Hon. John F. Duncombe. Mr. Beecher and his family in ยท 1866 removed to Redfield, South Dakota, where he died in March of the follow- ing year.
GEORGE R. PEARSONS-1873, 1889-90
George R. Pearsons, the pioneer. capitalist and landowner, who was mayor of Fort Dodge during the years 1873. 1889 and 1890, was born in Bradford, Vermont, August 7, 1830, and died in this city July 14, 1906. On his mother's side he was descended from the Putnam family of Revolutionary fame.
The early life of Mr. Pearsons can be no better told than in his own words. spoken at an "old home week" celebration at Bradford, August 15, 1901. "Forty-nine years ago March 20, next," he said, "I left Bradford, a boy of twelve years of age. I had up to that time received certain rudiments in school life, and various whippings from my teacher, Maria Baker. Afterwards attended school until I was seventeen years of age, when my father sent me to an academy, which I made use of to the best of my ability. The ninth week the teacher told me I must make a speech at the close of the term. I told him that being shot was a much easier road for me. I graduated at the close of the eleventh week. As the Dutchman says, 'I runned away.' That closed my school life. Since then I have spent half my life on the western frontier, three years of this among the Indians. Should you ask me to talk about Indians, my tongue would run like a buzz-saw. Were I talking to an audience in the west, words would come to me in the western dialect you bet."
At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Pearsons was in the employ of the Vermont Central at Chatsworth, Illinois, selling their lands. In 1868 he came to Fort Dodge, where he resided until his death. In 1885 he was appointed Indian in- spector, serving three years. His work in this department was most efficient, win- ning him praise from both the department of the interior and also from the Indians. Abuses which had existed for years were reformed, and the system of Indian schools was entirely reorganized. Besides his service to Fort Dodge as mayor, he was for many years a member of the school board.
MAYORS OF FORT DODGE
George B. Sherman (1871)-Il. Beecher (1872)-George R. Pearsons ( 1873-1889-1890)-J. O. Slawson ( 1874-1875-1876)- Sammel Rees (1877) -- Henry A. Platt ( 1878-1879)
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The railroad experience gained in the east proved valuable to Mr. Pearsons in the west. He was superintendent and had entire charge of the construction work on the Fort Dodge & Fort Ridgley Railroad. Although his unflagging energy brought him to a sick-bed, yet laying the last rails on the snow he com- pleted the road a few hours ahead of time. Two remarks made in connection with the building of this road are characteristic of the man. In referring to Mr. S. H. Taft, who had opposed the granting of aid by Humboldt county to the road, Mr. Pearsons said : "I don't want to go to heaven if Mr. Taft is going to be there, for I have fought him all I want to in this world, and I don't want to carry it into the next." The fight over, Mr. Pearsons then replied to the warm words of welcome of Mr. Taft, "I shake hands across the bloody chasm."
Besides his work on the Fort Ridgley road, he was interested in the work of grading the Iowa Pacific, a line to be built from Fort Dodge to Belmond.
Probably the work which brought Mr. Pearsons the most in the public eye was the draining of Owl Lake in Humboldt county. By this work 2,500 acres of swamp land were made valuable farming lands. To do this it was necessary to construct a ditch nine miles long, at a cost of $6,000.
In politics Mr. Pearsons was independent. He was a strong supporter of Mr. Cleveland, and an equally strong enthusiast for President Mckinley.
No man ever wrote or spoke his autobiography in a more truthful way than did Mr. Pearsons in his everyday speeches. In response to the question whether he knew a person, his invariable reply was, "Know him, why yes; I know every- body, and everybody knows me." A remark practically true.
J. O. SLAUSON-1874-5-6
James Oscar Slauson was born in Lysander, Onondaga county, New York, on July 1, 1828. In 1851 he was married to Elvira A. Miner, and in 1854 they came to Dubuque county in this state and settled on a farm. From 1861 to 1864 Mr. Slauson was engaged in the milling business in Dyersville, Iowa. In the spring of 1868 he moved to Fort Dodge, purchased a home, and operated one of the first lumber yards in this city. In those days, all lumber was hauled on wagons either from Iowa Falls or from Boone, the nearest railway points, to Fort Dodge.
His first service as a public official in Fort Dodge was as a member of the school board about 1869 or 1870. In 1874 he was elected mayor on the republi- can greenback ticket, and served for three years. He also served as city mar- shal during the year 1883.
In the spring of 1877 he went to the Black Hills and engaged in mining. He continued this business for four successive years, spending the winters in Fort Dodge. In 1881, he engaged in business in partnership with Andrew Hower, and later continued in business alone. In 1889 he was called to the old New York home to administer the estate of his eldest brother. Before the completion of this charge he died very suddenly, on May 22, 1892, of rheumatism of the heart.
He was a man who took pride in the fact that his word was as good as a bond. No man ever truthfully said that J. O. Slauson ever failed to fulfill an agreement. Tall and perfectly proportioned physically, he was a man of great
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strength, commanding respect and admiration This with his high character, and quiet unassuming ways, won him the love of all who knew him.
SAMUEL REES-1877
One of the representative business men of Fort Dodge was Samuel Rees, who came to this city at the opening of the United States land office, to represent the real estate firm of Hoyt, Sherman & Company of Des Moines. The first lot sold in Fort Dodge was lot 3, block 9, the deed being conveyed to Hoyt Sherman. Early in 1858, Mr. Rees was doing business under the firm name of Samuel Rees & Company. Three years later he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, and then in 1862 formed a partnership with Angus McBane and W. M. Marlett, engaging in general merchandise, banking and real estate. After three or four years the general merchandise line was dropped, and later Marlett with- drew. About three or four years after the withdrawal of Marlett, a new part- ner was taken in, and the firm name then became Rees, McBane & Grant. After 1870, Mr. Rees was alone in the real estate and insurance business.
Mr. Rees was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, November 7, 1817. When a lad of fourteen he entered the wholesale store of Avery, Sharpless & Company in Cincinnati. After several years poor health caused him to start for Cali- fornia. But when he reached Des Moines the stories of Indian troubles on the plains decided him to locate in Iowa. In politics he was a democrat. During the Civil war he was a strong Union supporter. Always identified with the politics of the state, he was a zealous worker for his party. In 1857 he was elected judge of Webster county, serving with marked ability. For personal reasons he refused reelection. He served during the Iowa legislative session of 1860, the special session of 1861 and in 1867 and 1876. He was elected mayor in 1877. In 1891 he removed to Omaha, where he died April 23, 1897.
HENRY A. PLATT-1878-9
Twelve years of city office, ten as councilman and two as mayor, is the record of Henry A. Platt, who was mayor of Fort Dodge during 1878-9. Mr. Platt was born in Albany, New York, June 9, 1841, and came to this city in 1858. He was one of the pioneer brickmakers of this city, running a kiln in an early day on the west side of the Des Moines river, below the old Bradshaw plant. On the break- ing out of the Civil war, he with many others from this county enlisted in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry and served three years. On his return, he was for a short time clerk in the postoffice, and then was express messenger on a stage running from Fort Dodge to Sioux City. With the coming of Andrew Johnson to the presidency, Mr. Platt was appointed postmaster, receiving his commission October 1, 1866, the next day after his marriage. After serving his term as postmaster, Mr. Platt engaged in the grocery business.
THOMAS SARGENT-1880
Thomas Sargent, who filled the office of mayor during the year 1880, came to Fort Dodge in 1855 from Pennsylvania, where he was born July 19, 1819.
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and took a pre-emption on the South Lizard. This farm he owned until his death, which occurred in this city January 9, 1891.
Mr. Sargent first held the position of receiver of public money in the United States land office. At the discontinuance of the office he engaged in the real estate business. At a time when grafters filled the offices, and a steal from the government was no crime, Thomas Sargent remained absolutely straight in all his transactions. He was an intensely democratic partisan, yet his interest in politics was always live, sane and modern. He gained the appellation of "Black Tom," on account of his swarthy complexion and tall commanding figure, al- ways seen in the lead at democratic gatherings.
Many old settlers well remember the time when A. N. Botsford and Thomas Sargent headed the escort that went out one day to meet a democratic delegation from the North Lizard country. It was a day long to be remembered in demno -- cratic annals. The delegation from the "up country" was led by Isaac Williams, who brought the band in his rig. The band wagon itself consisted of an old farm wagon, and the team which drew the same was a team of mules, one yellow and one white. "The band" consisted of three charming young ladies dressed one in red, one in white and the third in blue. To the strains of the "Red, White and Blue," sung by the young ladies, the North Lizard people met their Fort Dodge escort.
S. T. MESERVEY-1881-2, 1884
Stillman T. Meservey, a boy of six years, came with his parents to Webster county, from Illinois, where he was born December 17, 1848. Since that time practically all his life has been spent here. No man is more familiar with the industrial growth of this county than S. T. Meservey. Nor has his entire time been devoted to commercial pursuits. An ardent advocate of republican prin- ciples, he has served his county in the state legislature in the sessions of 1885 and 1901, and his city as a member of the council and as mayor. The latter office he held in 1881-2 and again in 1884. His genial ways added to his executive and business ability, has given him a wide acquaintance of friends, to all of whom he is familiarly known as "Still." The development of the gypsum industry is largely due to him, and at the present time he still holds a responsible position with the United States Gypsum Company. A builder of gas and electric light plants for this city, he also promoted street railways, interurbans and steam roads. In his promotion of transportation lines his one aim has always been to center them in Fort Dodge.
RICILARD P. FURLONG-1883
Richard Powers Furlong, was born in Jefferson, Lincoln county, Maine, Jan- uary 4, 1828, and died in Fort Dodge, December 16, 1891. His youth and early manhood were spent in his native state. In 1854 he went to Chicago, and after a short stay came to Webster county and engaged in the mercantile business in which he continued up to the time of his death. IFis former business is now carried on under the firm name of Furlong & Brennan, and known as the "square" dealers in general merchandise. He was mayor of the city during the year 1883.
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
C. L. GRANGER-1885-6, 1893-4-5-6
For the six years of 1885-6, 1893-4-5-6 the office of mayor was filled by C. L. Granger, one of the leading implement dealers of the city and state. The organizer of the Granger Implement Company, he was later one of the partners of the firm of Granger & Mitchell, now the Granger Implement Company. He was also one of the organizers and stockholders of the Cardiff Gypsum Com- pany. Mr. Granger was born at Mt. Clemens, Michigan, February 11, 1850. While still a young man he became associated with the McCormick company and continued in their employ as general agent in several different states until he came to Fort Dodge in December. 1879. He was a typical self-made man, and his success was due to energy and ability. Compelled because of ill health to go to Chicago for medical treatment, he there underwent an operation, and died at Passavant Hospital April 6, 1900.
CHARLES G. BLANDEN-1887-8
The "Baby Mayor"' of Fort Dodge was a name given to Charles G. Blanden, who held the office during 1887-8. He was born in Marengo, Illinois, in 1857 and came to Fort Dodge in 1874. For fifteen years he was connected with the First National Bank as teller, assistant cashier and cashier. He left this city in 1890, going to Chicago, where he has since resided. At present he is secretary and manager of the Rialto Company. Politically Mr. Blanden was of the repub- lican faith. He acted as chairman of the republican county central committee, managing their campaign during the year 1888.
Since his residence in Chicago he has gained considerable reputation as a literary man. Many of his verses and sketches have appeared in Chicago papers and magazines, being a regular contributor to the Chicago Post.
GEORGE W. HYATT-1891-2
George W. Hyatt was born September 28, 1835, in Muskingum county, Ohio, the state of great men. His early life was spent in Ohio and Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade of stonecutter. He came to Fort Dodge in 1867, and worked at his trade for two years, and then engaged in quarrying and con- tract work until 1879. Mr. Hyatt was a democrat, and for a number of years did loyal work for his party as a member of the state central committee. In 1879 he was elected sheriff of Webster county by the democrats and greenbacks. At the next election he was renominated but failed of election by a small margin, although he ran ahead of his ticket. In 1883 he was elected to the office of jus- tice of the peace for Wahkonsa township, which office he held for a number of years. His election as mayor occurred in 1891, and he filled the office for two years. He also held the office of deputy United States marshal, and later that of oil inspector. His death occurred at his home in this city October 7, 1906.
E. D. CLAGG-1897-8
Earl D. Clagg was mayor of Fort Dodge during the years 1897 and 1898. He also served in the council two years prior to assuming the office of mayor. Be-
MAYORS OF FORT DODGE
Thomas Sargent (1880)-S. T. Meservey (1881-1882-1884)-R. P. Furlong (1883)-C. L. Granger (1885-86-93-94-95-96) -C. G. Blanden (1887-1888)-George W. Hyatt (1891-1892)
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
sides this he was a member of the school board for one term. In politics he has always been of the republican faith. He was born in Tama City, Iowa, January 31, 1867, and when two years of age came with his parents to this city. In 1882 the Claggs removed to Sioux City, but returned again in the year 1890. On their return E. D. and his brother, William, conducted the branch hide house of H. M. Hosick & Company, of Chicago, located in this city. Four years later E. D. Clagg bought out the local branch, and since that time has built up a splen- did business.
S. J. BENNETT-1899-1900-01-02, 1905-06, 1909-10
Captain S. J. Bennett came to this city from Boone in January, 1870, and ever since his arrival has been closely identified with all the activities of the city.
Born in Orleans county, New York, he came west when a young man, spend- ing some time in Ohio and Illinois, and finally locating in St Louis, where he remained until the breaking out of the Civil war. His war service covered a period of four years and nine months. He first enlisted in the Twenty-third Missouri Infantry, and later in Company A, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, of which he was captain. At the close of the war, the brigades of which Captain Bennett's troops formed a part, were sent against the Indians, who were committing dep- redations in Wyoming. The winter of 1865-6 was spent at Fort Laramie, and in April, 1866, Captain Bennett was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth. Soon after this the surveyor general of Kansas appointed him to conduct a survey of the Solomon river region. This occupied the summer of 1866. Failing by two days to secure a contract for the survey of No Man's Land, Captain Bennett gave up surveying. Having married at Lawrence, Kansas, he soon went to Boone, Iowa, and later removed to this city.
For a number of years, Captain Bennett engaged in the tobacco business in Fort Dodge. Then in 1884, he went west to assist his brother, Nelson Bennett, who was doing construction work on the Northern Pacific, then being built through the mountains of Montana. No sooner did he arrive on the scene of operations, than Nelson Bennett was compelled to leave for New York City, and the entire responsibility of the work was thrown upon his brother. Although new to the work, yet he completed it satisfactorily and then assumed the super- intendency of the construction of the Stampede tunnel through the Cascade range, a contract which his brother had secured in the east. The work was more difficult, with its approaches, two and one-half miles in length, yet Captain Bennett completed it five days ahead of time, thus saving a heavy penalty Later he superintended the construction of still another tunnel west of the Cascades.
His railway construction work completed, he became interested in real estate in Tacoma and Portland, and was for a time first vice-president of the Tacoma street railway.
In politics Mr Bennett was a republican. He served four years in the city council in 1885-6 and 1895-6, and was four times elected mayor in 1889, 1901, 1905, 1909. He was a member of the Webster county board of supervisors in 1878, serving until April, 1884, when he resigned to go west. Again in 1898 he was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Julius and served un- til 1901. During this period he was chairman of the board and most instrumental
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