History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 102

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 990

USA > Iowa > Cerro Gordo County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 102
USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 102

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.

This exposition was given under the di- rection of the ladies of the Congregational aid society, on the anniversary of Wash- ington's birthday, and of the Nation's one- hundredth. There were many curious relics among which was one of peculiar interest, exhibited by Mrs. Alexander, it being a letter written by Richard Henry Lee to George Washington, dated "N. Y., Nov. 9, 1777."

Several specimens of continental cur- rency were shown, giving a striking con- trast between those primitive times and the day in which we live. A pipe of peace shown by W. V. Ticknor was a flne specimen of Indian skill and handi- work.

Among ancient documents was a printed proclamation for a day of fasting, under King George III. The dry goods mer- chants of Mason City had on display a large and finely selected stock of fancy goods, fabrics and garments, to show a con-

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

trast with those arranged by the ladies of ancient styles and primitive manufacture.

GARFIELD MEMORIAL SERVICE.

There is perhaps no better index to the character of a people than the interest manifested on public occasions. No peo- ple in Iowa held more befitting ceremo- nies over the death of President Garfield, than did the citizens in and about Mason City. Under an order of the mayor, all business was suspended from 10 A. M. to 4 P. M. Most business houses were deeply draped in mourning, and men of all political parties seemed to be pressed down under the National calamity. The memorial service was held at the city park, the Methodist church bell sounding the solemn dirge knell. The procession was headed in the following order : The Band, followed by the officers and speak- ers ; the Grand Army of the Republic; Iowa National Guards ; Masonic Frater- nity ; Odd Fellows Order; and following these, came five hundred school children, which made an imposing sight. At the head of each school was born a banner, containing these mottoes : " Garfield, the poor widows son ; " "Garfield the teacher ;" " Garfield the law maker ; " "Garfield the statesman ; " "Garfield the ruler ; " "Garfield the ideal American, his virtues we will imitate;" "I would rather be beaten in right than succeed in wrong ; " "Talent is the power to do hard work ; " " His character was as grand and simple as a collossal pillar of chiseled granite."

To show the sentiment which prevailed in the hearts of this vast band of mourn- ers, we give one of the five resolutions offered by the committee, which consisted

of Hon. I. W. Card, L. L. Klinefelter and S. H. Washburn.

Resolved, That to the affectionate son, toiling boy, honest man, faithful teacher, tender husband and father, brave soldier and master of rulers, James A. Garfield, we bid hail and farewell ; and to his long enduring and noblest of widows and family, his children and grief stricken mother, we tender that sympathy which meaneth much but availeth nothing ; with only this one consolation for a broken family, a sorrowing Nation and grieved world. " He rests well, whose work is well done."

INCORPORATION.

Mason City was incorporated as a town in 1870, and in 1881, became a city. The following named persons have served as mayor, in the order in which they came : W. C. Stanbery, W. W. Knapp, A. B. Tuttle, D. B. Mason, J. B. Dakin, B. F. Hartshorn, R. Wilber, John D. Glass, W. V. Lucas and John Cliggett. The latter was elected in 1880, and was still serving in 1883.

Anson C. Owen, marshal of Mason City and a pioneer of Cerro Gordo county, has been a resident of Cerro Gordo county since 1853. He was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Jan. 14, 1810. He is a son of Jonathan and Betsey (Ludlum) Owen, natives of Orange Co., N. Y. They had five sons and four daughters born in Tomp- kins county, all of whom reached maturity and reared families. Mr. Owen, senior, served in the War of 1812, in Colonel Camp's Cavalry. He was a farmer, and in 1828 united mercantile operations with agriculture, and maintained his double business eighteen years. Mr. Owen,

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

of this sketch, was reared on a farm with primitive advantages for education. He went to Detroit in the spring of 1833, then a village with one street and a popu- lation of 200. Three years later he went to Jackson Co., Mich., where he obtained emplomyent in a saw-mill. The next year he went to St. Joseph on foot, by the old territorial road, and on to Chicago by schooner. The great city of nearly 600,- 000 people was then a collection of a few shanties. In 1837 he took the first stage out of Chicago bound for Rockford. He made a claim of land in Owen township, Winnebago Co., Ill., six miles north of the city of Rockford,and improved a farm. In 1839 he hauled the first load of wheat from Winnebago county to Chicago and sold it for thirty-eight cents per bushel, taking his pay in leather. He was married in 1840 to Lorinda Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Owen had four children-Martha, Marilda, Robert and May. In the spring of 1853 he moved his family to Cerro Gordo county and entered a claim at Owen's Grove, named in his honor. His family lived six months in tents, and in the spring of 1854 he removed them to the place where he was building a log house. July 5, of that year, the Sioux Indians drove them from the county, and they took refuge at Cedar Falls, where the household remained six weeks while Mr. Owen returned and finished his house, where they set up housekeeping about the middle of August. Land came into market about this time, and Mr. Owen went on foot to Rockford, Ill., obtained what money he needed at 40 per cent., and in September went to DesMoines and pur- chased his land. His nearest neighbor, at

the time he improved his farm, lived ten miles away. In 1864 he sold his place and bought a farm one and a half miles north of Mason City, in the township of Lime Creek, which he sold in 1868 and mnoved to Mason City. Mr. Owen came to Cerro Gordo county with but $5 in money, but with determination, hard work and economy he has acquired a comforta- ble substance. He took the first govern- ment mail from Cerro Gordo county to Iowa Falls, in 1862. He made the route, fifty miles, on snow shoes. Mr. Owen is a radical republican, and was one of the first supervisors of Owen township. He has held his present incumbency five years, and is a popular official. His in- formation concerning county and town affairs is unlimited. He has been a surveyor many years, and is probably the best posted man in the county on sectional lines. Marcus Owen is the only child, born to them at Owen's Grove, this county, being the first birth at the grove. Mr. Owen was one of the earliest settlers of the county, and many a way-faring traveler has just cause to remember, with lifelong obligations, the kindly treatment and hospitality of this old pioneer. Mr. Owen is seventy-three years of age, and despite advanced years, he is hale and hearty still.

James M. Becker was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Ang 8, 1839. He is a son of Captain David and Fannie (Benham) Becker. His parents emigrated to Car- roll Co., Ill. in 1843, where they spent the last years of their lives. James M. was reared in Carroll county, and in 1864 he enlisted in the 164th regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, company A. His

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

regiment was placed on duty at Springfield, Ill. In 1866 he married Ellen C. Cum- mings, of Vermont. They have had five children, three of whom were living in 1883-Fannie, Lorenzo and Ruth. Mr

Becker came to Mason City in 1870. In politics he is a republican. He belongs to the A. O. U. W. and G. A. R.

POSTOFFICE.

Before 1857, the people of Mason City and the surrounding country obtained their mail through carriers paid by private subscriptions. Upon one occasion James Jenkinson, the first settler on Lime creek, brought the mail on his return from Du- buque, and at night it was placed in a wash tub, which before morning was full of rain water, the letters being all afloat. It is related that it was the custom of the early settlers to ask every one who came from a southeasterly direction to Mason City if they had any mail for these parts.

A postoffice was established at Mason City in 1857. Jarvis Church was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by A. Garner. In 1869 Dr. Silas Card was ap- pointed; he held the office till the time of his death, in 1874. He first received $25 per month, which was hardly enough to pay the expenses of running the office. Mrs. Card was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by her husband's death. She resigned in 1877. In April, 1877, I. W. Card was appointed and was still hold- ing the office in 1883. His salary at first was $1,800 per year. It was made a Presi- dential office in February, 1872, and became a money order office Aug. 1, 1870. The first order issued was to Edwin Woodman, payable to Caroline Woodman, Monroe, Wis .; amount, $25; date Aug. 11, 1870.

The first order received for payment was from L. L. King, Rockford, Ill., to Solo- mon Simpkins, bearing date Aug. 12, 1870. Up to Aug. 27, 1883, there had been 16,335 money orders issued from this office. The business of the office was five' times as great in 1883 as it was in 1877, being quite typical of the business interests of the city. The office is fitted up in a style that would do credit to a much larger city.

RAILROADS.

Mason City is not a railroad town in the ordinary sense of the term, but more than this, it is the center of a grand far reaching system of railways, which is to bring thither for exchange the products of the various sections of our country as from distant countries. The construction of this vast system of road has but just commenced to give vigor and impetus to Cerro Gordo county. Mason City has felt the boom which is destined to make her one of the strongest places in north- ern Iowa. These three railways which center here were finished in the fall and winter of 1870. The year following the population of this place nearly doubled, and in wealth it quadrupled, and at the date of this book, real estate has advanced 50 per cent within twelve month's time. So it will be seen that the railways have done much for Mason City and surround- ing country, and the speculations as to her future are not idle fancies, but rational conclusions, drawn from the general sur- roundings.

DAKOTA BRANCH OF ST. PAUL & MILWAUKEE.

This line was completed to Mason City, in 1869, placing the town on a direct line with Milwaukee, to which point the large

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

grain crops of the county are annually transported, at the same time giving direct connection with all points east. The Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul is the most thoroughly equipped road in the great northwest, and is almost universally acknowledged to be such by the teaming thousands who avail themselves of this royal route.

AUSTIN BRANCH.

Whatis known as the Austin Branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- . road, was first built by the Mason City and Minnesota Railroad Company, con- necting Mason City with the Milwaukee line, running from St. Paul to Dubuque via. Austin, Minn. Thus it may be seen that this road and the Central of Iowa, form a complete continuons and almost air line from Duluth, on Lake Superior, to St. Louis, the great emporium of the south, thus giving Mason City two addi- tional outlets for her produce.

George W. Sanborn, superintendent of the Iowa and Dakota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, was born in Bath, N. H., Sept. 25, 1832. He is the eldest of five sons ; his parents being Martin L. Sanborn and Emeline Smith. Mr. Sanborn received a good com- mon school education and remained on his father's farm until he attained his major-‹ ity, when he left his native hills to seek his fortune in the great west. He came to Milwaukee, Wis., and went to work on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road, which was then in its infancy and was known as the Milwaukee and Missis- sippi Railroad. For thirty years his time and energies have been spent in the serv- ice of this great corporation, and he has

worked his way up from a brakeman to his present responsible position. In 1869 Mr. Sanborn was appointed assistant su- perintendent of the northern division of the road, and the following year was transferred to the Iowa & Dakota divis- ion, which at that time extended over only 126 miles, but which under his super- intendence has grown into 576 miles, with its present western terminus resting on the banks of the Missouri river, at Cham- berlain, Dak. Mr. Sanford possesses great executive ability, untiring energy, cour- age and endurance. These qualities, coupled with his early training in constructing and operating the roads under his super- intendence, make him one of the most practical, experienced, and best equipped railroad men of the day in our new north- west. Immediately upon receiving his ap- pointment on the Iowa & Dakota divis- ion, Mr. Sanborn came to Mason City, where he has since resided. He has always taken a deep interest in every- thing pertaining to the welfare of his adopted city, and its healthy growth and present prosperity are largely due to the fact that he established the headquarters of his division here. His services as a member of the school board for several years, serving a portion of the time as its president, have been of great and perma- nent value to the community. In political sentiments Mr Sanborn is a democrat ; he has not, however, taken any active part in political affairs, and has never sought political honors, having found in his legit imate business employment for his high- est powers. He is very modest and un- assuming in his habits and manners; is the staunchest of friends and loves to dis-

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

pense hospitality with a free and gener- ous hand. The employees of the road know that if they do their duty they have no truer friend than their superintendent, who looks carefully after their wellfare and is prompt to resent their wrongs as if personal to himself. In 1858 Mr. Sanborn was married to Miss E. E. Richards, daughter of Mills Richards and Amelia Humphrey, natives of Connecticut, from which State they moved to Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Sanborn have four children- Harry R., George L., James S. and Anna Laura. Mr. Sanborn is still comparatively young and is in the full maturity and vigor of his powers.

Dennis H. Cross, foreman of the car shops of Mason City, was born in Canada East, July 4, 1854. When about thirteen or fourteen years of age, he came to Iowa and located at Monona, Clayton county, where he followed farming. In 1870 he came to Cerro Gordo county. In 1880 he was appointed foreman of the car shops, and has the charge of twenty-five men. He was married in 1874 to Mary O'Neil, by whom he has had four children-Wil- liam H, John J., Mary E. and Aggie.

THE CENTRAL OF IOWA.

This line was built into Mason City, on its route through Cerro Gordo county, from south to north, in 1870, which estab- lished a direct communication with St. Louis and St. Paul, without change of cars. For a few months Mason City was the terminal point of the road, but shortly pushed northward to complete the grand chain between the south and north. This road has been of invaluable service to the farming class, consequently to all, by giving them a southern outlet on east via.

the numerous east and west routes through Iowa, all of which are crossed by this line. This road does both a heavy passen- ger and freight business; for the former it is a very popular route, and its manage- ment has provided the finest coach equip- ment, which can be procured. This rail- way did more for the development of Cerro Gordo county than any other ten factors, as prior to its construction there was no way of getting coal for fuel, and the scarcity of timber kept settlers away; but no sooner had this line been com- pleted, than large amounts of coal from southern Iowa were shipped to the coun- ty, and then heavy settlement commenced.

RELIGIOUS.

The first sermon preached in Mason City was heard by nearly all the inhab- itants of the county, who assembled in a newly built house, without a floor ; the audience being seated upon the joists, while Rev. Mr. Styles ( United Brethren ) addressed them. This occa- sion was rendered all the more historic by John McMillen shooting a wolf in his hen house before service commenced.

The Baptist Church, of Mason City, was organized, Nov. 17, 1866, with ten mem- bers : A. Dunham and wife, John Keller and wife, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Miller, Harriet Tuttle, Nella Tuttle, Mr. Rennills and wife. Rev. George W. Freeman, of the Home Missionary Society, was the moderator of the meeting, which was held in the old stone school house in Mason City. A. Dunham was chosen as the first deacon, and John Kellar as church clerk. The society here took for its name "The First Regular Baptist Church of Mason City." The society had no regular pastor

HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

973

until 1871, but had various ministers preach for them from time to time. Rev. Mr. Crandall supplied the pulpit a part of 1869-70, but in February, 1871, Rev. S. C. Sale, of Waterloo, Wis., was called to the pastorate. Among those who filled the pulpit between the years 1866 and 1871, was a theological student from Kalamazoo -Charles Legg. Rev. Mr. Sale remained with the Church, until October. 1872, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Tucker, who remained until some time in 1877. Mr. Tucker was a man of great force of char- acter, full of religious zeal-just the type of a man the Church in its infancy and weakness needed ; and he proved, during his six years' labor, to be a great power to the society, the influence of which is still going on. Following Mr. Tucker came Rev. Austin Gibb, who remained one year, after which Rev. Mr. Sale returned and labored with them for two years and a half. Rev. W. H. II. Avery was then called, and he continued until 1882. During 1882-3 the Church was without. a pastor. In August, 1874, the society took the first steps towards erecting a church building, their services having been held at the stone school house, Congregational chapel, and various places up to that time. Dur- ing 1869, while Rev. Crandall was yet with them, the ladies' sewing society of the church was organized, one too, which afterward proved to be an arm of strength to the church proper. At a business meet- ing held in August, 1874, the following building commitee was appointed: Messrs. Tuttle, Wheeler, Glass, Walling and Brown. This committee took no active measures until the spring of 1876, when they purchased lots and put in a foundation,

costing 8580. Farrell, Lowis & White did the Mason work, which was said to be the best job in this section of country. Soon after the superstructure was added- a frame building, constructed by W. W. Blood,at a total cost of $5,300. The church was completed and dedicated, Nov. 19, 1876. The dedication services were of the most imposing character. Rev. Mr. Hurd, of Marshalltown, preached the dedicatory sermon. The presentation was made, on behalf of the building committee, by John D. Glass, one of their number. His re- marks were very appropriate, brief and comprehensive. The key was then re- ceived by Deacon Dunham for the trus- tees, who also made very befitting re- marks. The dedication hymn, which was composed by the pastor, Rev. C. T. Tucker, read, in part, as follows :

Through weary months of toil and care,

Thy people, Lord, have wandered alone ; The jubilee, at length appears,

Nor prayer, nor hopes hava been in vain.

Accept the gift of house and heart, Within these walls, O, deign to dwell, Let saints rejoice, nor hence depart, Till faith and hope their souls shall fill.

And when, with house not made with hands, At length our weary way we wind,

Permit us Lord, in fairer lands, To sing and praise thee withont end."

The church is provided with a fine pipe organ, valued at $1,500, though not costing the Church this amount. The Sunday school organization was formed in 1870, in the old stone school house, with J. G. Brown as its first superintendent, who was succeeded by Messrs. Dunham and Hughes; also Mrs. J. S. Wheeler and John D. Glass. At the time of the organization

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

the school numbered thirty members ; in 1883, it had an average attendance of 105 scholars. The minutes of the Baptist Church for 1882, show a Church member- bership of 144.

In 1883 the officers were : G. R. Miller, J. D. Glass, Charles Hughes, J. A. Rich- ardson and J. G. Brown, trustees ; O. A. Goodhue, E. J. Sleeper, J. G. Brown and Charles Tondro, deacons ; J. G. Brown, clerk; A. B. Tuttle, treasurer.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by the following named eleven members, March 8, 1857: Elisha Randall, wife and daughter, Mrs. J. B. Long, Mrs. George Brentner, Timothy Parker and wife, Alfred Taylor and wife, N. M. Adams and wife. Rev. Freeman was the first pastor. The first quarterly meeting was held March 15, 1857. The society held services for some time in the upper story of John L. McMillen's store, and afterward at the school house. In 1872 a fine briek church was completed just west of the Dyer House. The basement was built a year or two earlier than the building proper. Owing to hard times, work on the main building was suspended, a roof put to the basement, and services held therein until building was resumed in 1872. The basement was finally divided into three class rooms, one of which is used for a lecture room. The main audience room is well planned, and has a seating capacity of 400. A rich, mellow- toned pipe organ, costing $1,000, has been highly prized by the society, who main- tain one of the best church choirs in the State. In 1883 they were trained by, and under the leadership of Prof. Huntley. The society built the best parsonage in

their conference in 1881. This is a spacious two story frame house, situated near the public square. The cost of this building to the society was $2,300, exclu- sive of grounds. This society is indebted largely to Elisha Randall for personal services rendered in the erection of this house of worship. He worked, planned and gave his money freely toward the church of his choice. In 1883 the mem- bership was 201, and the church was in a flourishing condition. Its pastor was Rev. J. T. Crippen. A well organized, good working Sunday school existed in 1883, which had a membership of 174. The school had a library containing 400 volumes.

The Congregational Church, of Mason City, was organized March 7, 1858, under the direction of Rev. Thomas Tenney, of Plymouth, who,as missionary of the Ameri- can Home Missionary Society, had held this as one of his preaching points since 1855. As there was no church building previous to 1868, services were held in private houses at first, and afterwards in the school house or court house; but more frequently in a school house, three miles north, on Lime creek. This building was afterward pur- chased by some of the citizens and enlarged as a chapel. A church edifice was completed Sept. 4, 1868. The lot upon which it was erected was purchased in April, 1866, for $30. The house was formally dedicated May 12, 1868. The cost of the building as it then stood was '$4,294. This amount was raised by sub- scription, except $500 donated by the Congregational Union. In 1871 a belfry and spire was erected at a cost of $500. The following are the names of the

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HISTORY. OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

several pastors serving the church since its organization in the order in which they came: Revs. Thomas Tenney, S. P. La Due, James D. Mason, James B. Gil- bert, William P. Bennett, Newton F. Blakeslee, E. C. Moulton, and James R.Kno- dell. The latter was pastor in 1883. The first members were: Nathiel Adams, Emma Adams, Emma E. Adams, Charles M. Adams, Simon Van Patter, L. J. Hunt- ley, Lucy Temple, Elizabeth Dibble, Jane E. Garner, T. Green, Eleanor Florence. Up to August, 1883, the register of communi- cants showed that 226 persons had been members of the church since its organiza- tion. The first deacon of the church was Simon VanPatter. In 1883 this society was in a flourishing condition, being out of debt and the possessors of a finely furnished church with a large pipe organ, costing over $1,000.

The Catholic Church, of Mason City, was organized in 1864, at which time a few Catholic people had settled in and about the place. Previous to this they had oc- casional services at private houses, but no regular meeting place or priest, but de- pended solely on missionaries from abroad. In 1870 the erection of a church was commenced. The building committee were: Daniel J. Farrell and Thomas Ea- gan, both of whom did much for the church. The first trustees were: Timothy Dwan, John Griffin and William Usher. The house of worship was begun in 1870 and completed in 1871. It was built by subscription, at a cost of about $2,000.

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History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 102

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company Number of Pages: 990

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 990