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 104
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 104
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Daniel McGrigor came to Mason City in 1865. Arriving here he had ten cents, but he found work as a day laborer. His first business venture was in the furniture trade. Later he interested himself in the grocery business, in company with D. J. Purdy, which enterprise continued eighteen months, during which they started a branch store at Northwood, which when the partnership ended 'Mr. McGrigor took and run a short time and then sold it out
to good advantage. Mr. McGrigor had previously purchased a farm, and he turned his attention to its management for three. years, at the end of which time he ex- changed it for a stock; of clothing, and, not long after, admitted Mr. Purdy as a partner. They removed the enterprise to Spencer, and in addition operated as a banking house, which joint business they conducted about a year and encountered disaster in their financial project, on ac- count of devastation by grasshoppers. They returned to Mason City with the stock of goods and closed it out. Mr. McGrigor soon after opened his present business, in which he has since continued. He was born in Queens Co., New Bruns- wick. Oct. 30, 1841. He is a son of Samuel and Sarah Ann (Withrow) Mc- Grigor, natives of the same place, who now live in Ontario. They are the parents of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters. Mr. McGrigor was married in 1860 in Canada, to Marilla, daughter of William Dean. They came to Illinois in 1864. They are members of the M. E. Church.
The first exclusive clothing store in Mason City was opened by R. Babcock, in the spring of 1870. He continued about four years and sold to D. MeGrigor, who took the stock to Spencer, Iowa. The second clothing store was opened by Dan. Hay. Following him came Schleshinger, Frankel & Co., who soon changed to Henerick, Schleshinger & Frankel, who were the leading dealers in 1883. Soon after the railroad came William Ensign engaged in the clothing business, and soon after the firm took the name of Ensign & Tiffany. In 1883 the firm had changed to
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
Ensign & Rogers. The fourth firm to deal in clothing exclusively was S. A. Sirrine & Co. In 1883 this line was represented by Ensign & Rogers, S. A. Sirrine & Co., and Henerick, Schleshinger & Frankel.
The pioneer dry goods house of the city is Pratt Bros., who embarked in trade about 1870, continued until 1877, when they removed to Greene, Iowa. In 1871 the dealers were Pratt Bros., William Kelley, Lyons & Co., A. B. Tuttle and Jolm L. McMillen. Various changes had been made up to 1883, when the dry good trade was in the hands of M. V. Robinson, W. S. Wright, A. B. Tuttle, J. Pasedach and Wood & Wilson.
A. B. Tuttle, a pioneer merchant, has been largely identified with the interests of Cerro Gordo county since he first set- tled within her borders, in the spring of 1856. He with his two brothers were pioneers of Clear Lake township, and his residence was the second built in the town of Clear Lake, which was then just laid out. He operated there as a farmer and gave considerable attention to the practice of law. In 1863 he removed to Mason City and embarked in commercial business, and included in his operations traffic in merchandise of varied character, dry goods, boots and shoes, and groceries, but after a time he limited his transac- tions chiefly to dry goods. His store is among the finest in Mason City, his stock presenting full lines, of such merchandise as his patrons demand. His long and intimate association with the people of Cerro Gordo county has secured a strong support for his business, and a feeling of confidence among his fellow citizens,
which has a sure foundation in his manly uprightness and integrity. Mr. Tuttle was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1825. He is a son of Ira and Lucy ( Brockett ) Tuttle, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. Ira Tuttle went, at seven years of age, to reside with his grandfather in Herkimer county. He there passed his youth, grew to man's estate and married. The family included four sons and four daughters, all of whom attained maturity. Mr. Tuttle, of this sketch, the third son, was brought up on a farm until the age of fourteen, when he became a student at Fairfield Academy, and afterwards finished his 'education at Clinton Seminary and Hamilton College, at Clinton. He graduated in 1848. He paid all the expenses of his collegiate course by teaching, and afterward con- tinued his labors as a teacher while pursu- ing the studies necessary to fit him for an attorney. He was under the preceptor- ship of Professor Dwight, of Hamilton College. He finished his legal studies in 1851, and in that year was admitted to practice in all the courts of the Empire State. He was married in 1849 to Har- riet M., daughter of Allen Wightman, of Heikimer Co., N. Y. In 1852 he went to Lake Co., Ohio, and became principal of Madison Seminary, where he remained a year, going thence to Ashtabula, Ohio, where he held for a time the post of prin- cipal of the schools. In 1854 Mr. Tuttle removed to Muscatine, Iowa, where he was principal of the High School for a season, and was also admitted to the bar. On his entrance into political life, Mr Tuttle was an adherent of the free soil party, and on the organization of the re-
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
publicans, as a factor in the political ele ment, he joined their ranks and has since advocated their principles. About 1860 he was elected county superintendent, and served two years, organizing the first teachers' institute held in this county. He was the second mayor of Mason City, acted as councilman a considerable period, and was for twelve years a member of the school board. The fine public school building, erected at an expense of $30,000, is a lasting and creditable memento of the labors of himself and compeers during his official connection with the educational interests of Mason City. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle are the parents of two daughters and one son. Minnie E., eldest danghter, is the wife. of C. II. Hughes, attorney. The others are Hattie W. and Maynard Tuttle. The parents are members of the Baptist Church. It seems only just to Mr. Tuttle to state, that he has acted most vig- orously and effectively with the temper- ance element of his county and State.
The first furniture dealer in the town was W. S Harding, who opened a store in 1862. The following named have been in this business in the order in which they appear : Harding & Allen, Harding & Deveraux, McGregor & Deveraux, Mr. Stevens, Stevens & Merrill, Merrill, Law & Deveraux, and Martin, Ray & Randall. In 1883 this branch of trade was left in the hands of B. Randall, Hardin Bros. and J. H. Harding.
Benjamin Randall came to Mason City, in 1863, and began to work at his trade, that of a builder and joiner. After some years of successful effort, in 1872 he as- tablished his present business, which has steadily increased from its inception. He
was born in Madison Co., N. Y., Nov. 21, 1837. His parents, Elisha and Betsey (Brown) Randall, were both natives of the Empire State. They died in his early youth and he was brought up by an elder sister. He was married in 1859 to Lucy A. Smith. They had four children- Charles, William, Fred and Ida. Mrs. Randall died in 1878. She was an exem- p'ary Christian, and a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Randall was married in 1880 to Mrs. C. N. Crandall. He belongs to the M. E. Church, and is an esteemed citizen. By his industry and cautious management he has prospered.
Owen Davis opened the first drug store in 1865. He sold to Allen & Alexander, who continued six months and sold to Byron Gamage. Marshall & Kirk were proprietors of this stock in 1883. The second drug store was started by N. J. Betts, who run about a year and sold to Luke & Gamage, who finally sold to George S. Stockwell, who was in trade in 1883. The third drug store was started by Dr. S. Harris, in 1869. He built a fine brick store on Commercial street, opposite the city park. Marshall & Stewart opened the fourth stock of drugs, in Allen's block, where they remained until August, 1883, then removed to the Foster building. The firm at this time was Stewart & Sargent. Warren A. Crosby opened a drug store in 1883, in the Frink & Weir block.
The buisness establishment of Stewart & Sargent was founded in June, 1882, by Mar- shall & Stewart. In March, 1883, Mr. Sar- gent bought the interest of Mr. Marshall, and became a member of the firm. The salesroom of the house is 22x90 feet, and the stock is complete in all its departments 1
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
including drugs, paints and oils, wall paper and fancy goods. They make a specialty of fine perfumeries, handling Wright's goods.
C. M. C. Stewart was born in Appanoose Co., Iowa, June 23, 1858. His parents, J. and R. S. (Dukes) Stewart, came to Iowa in 1857, and when twenty years of age, he was employed by J. S. Taylor & Co., of Ottumwa, Iowa, where he acquired a thor- ough knowledge of the drug business. He came to Mason City in 1882, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
C. W. Sargent was born in Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, Jan. 1, 1862. At the age of sixteen he was employed by Robinson Bros., of Ottumwa, Iowa, where he remained five years, when he purchased Mr. Marshall's interest in the drug busi- ness of Marshall & Stewart.
The hardware trade was first repre- sented by Lloyd & Wall, in 1870, in a building near where Shokey's building now stands. This firm continued about three years, when Wall sold to Lloyd, and a little later Lloyd sold to Bailey & Co. W. W. Totty was the next to engage in the hardware trade. He was succeeded by Gloyd & Herrick, who continued the busi- ness until the time of Mr. Gloyd's death, in the spring of 1883, when Mr. Herrick became sole manager of the business. Warbasse & Lee entered the hardware trade in 1875. Following them came Farrell & Whitney. Mr. Farrell pur- chased Mr. Whitney's interest in 1880. About the same date J. J. Glasier started a lumber yard and carried a stock of build- ers hardware. W. J. Konvalinka came to Mason City, in 1882, and opened a large hardware store in the Allen block. The
hardware trade in 1883 was represented by W. J. Konvalinka, Warbasse & Lee, Gloyd & Herrick and J. A. Farrell.
George L. Herrick, junior member of the firm of Gloyd & Herrick, was born in Franklin Co., N. Y., Oct. 19, 1841. His parents, L. C. and Lorina (Thayer) Herrick, are residents of Sparta, Wis. Mr. Her. rick's business in early manhood was a lumber dealer. He enlisted in 1861 in the three months' service, in a regiment which on its organization became the 4th Wisconsin. As he did not wish to join that command, he enlisted in the Wiscon- sin Ist Battery of Light Artillery. The regiment enrolled at Racine and was sent to Louisville, Ky., and finally to New Or- leans, when blockake running was in vogue. The battery was engaged in the taking of Arkansas Post and in the siege of Vicks- burg. It accompanied the Red River ex- pedition into Texas, under Gen. Smith, re- turning to New Orleans, where the men were discharged. They were mustered ont at Madison, Wis., numbering eighteen men out of 155 who went into the service. Mr. Herrick was married in 1865 to Emma R. Holcomb, of Addison Co., Vt. They have two children. Mr. Herrick belongs to the order of Masons, Royal Arch Chap- ter. The business establishment of Gloyd & Herrick is on Commercial street, and is a spacious structure, 22x125 feet, two sto- ries in height, with a basement. A ware- house, 18x26 feet, is attached to the prem- ises. Their stock is a complete assortment of all goods belonging to the trade.
W. J. Konvalinka was born in Iowa City, Iowa, Jan. 6, 1856. His parents, Joseph K. and Anna (Cerney) Konvalinka, were natives of Bohemia. They emigrated
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
to Iowa in 1855 and located in Johnson county. His father was a millwright by trade. In 1883 he still lived at Iowa City. The subject of this sketch was a student of St. Joseph's school, and at the age of thirteen he was employed by Glenn & Pryce, afterward John Glenn. In 1875 he entered the employ of Donahue & McCosh, with whom he remained about six years, traveling in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota and Dakota. In 1880 he en- gaged with Kirk's Iron and Hardware Co., of Chicago; but in March, 1882, seeing a chance to better himself, financially, he abandoned the road and has since been the manager of the business house of Kon- valinka Bros., of Mason City. June 6, 1881, he was wedded to Clara McMillen, a daughter of John L. McMillen, one of Mason City's pioneers. She was born July 9, 1862.
John A. Farrell was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jan. 5, 1846. When thirteen years old he emigrated with his parents to Brooklyn, N. Y., when he commenced to learn the trade of tinner. He was also employed as a clerk in a wholesale store. In 1867 he came to Mason City, where he embarked in the tin business, in company with J. H. Valentine. He was subse- quently employed as mail agent on the C. M. & St. P. Railroad, running between McGregor and Canton, Dak., which occu- pation he followed for ten years. He is at present engaged in the hardware busi- ness, in Mason City, and by close attention to business has built up a good lucrative trade. In March, 1875, he was married to Miss M. J. Watson, a daughter of Joseph Watson, a native of England. One child blesses this union-Vincent A.
John Lee, of the firm of Warbasse & Lee, was born in Brooklin, N. Y., Aug. 15, 1883. His parents are of Scotch de- scent. Mr. Lee was educated in the com- mon schools, after which for fifteen years he engaged in the butcher business. Ile spent the next ten years of his life in specu- lation. Following this he was employed in the United States custom house, which place he resigned and was asked by C. A. Arthur, the present President of the United States, who had charge of such matters, to name his successor. In 1875 he came to Mason City and embarked in trade. In 1876 he was elected as one of the city corporation board. He was married in 1868 to Susan C. Stryker. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have three children living-Susan C., Harry and Charles. In politics, Mr. Lee is a staunch republican. He was one of the members who formed the Grant Club, in Brooklin, N. Y. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
The first regular grain buyers in Mason City were Valentine and Keerl, who com- menced operating in 1870, at the Mil- waukee depot. The following year Mr. Henry built a large evevator on the Mil- waukee road. W. W. Cameron erected an elevator on the Central Railroad of Iowa, in 1882. Among others who have bought grain are Robinson and Connell. In 1883 the grain dealers were: W. W Cameron and Bassett & Hunting.
W. W. Cameron established his busi- ness at Mason City, in 1873, and was the first man to handle grain on the Iowa Central Railroad from this point. In 1882 he built the elevator which he now oper- ates, which has a nominal capacity of 15,000 bushels, and is operated by a
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
twenty-horse power steam engine. Mr. Cameron was born in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., May 1, 1845. His paren's were Peter and Julia (Patterson) Cameron. The mother is first cousin of the cele- brated Elizabeth Patterson, of Baltimore, Md., who married Jerome Bonapart. The Cameron family came from Scotland, in 1803, and settled in Steuben Co., N. Y., in a township then not organized, but after- wards named Cameron, after the head of the family. The father and mother were married at Rochester, N. Y., in 1825, and reared a family of five sons and two daughters, all living to rear families. The father was an active man with exten- sive business relations; was an old line whig, became a republican on the organi- zation of the party and adhered to its fundamental principles until his death. Mr. Cameron of this sketch was educated at Franklin College, where he graduated in 1861, and immediately enlisted in the 10th regiment of New York Cavalry. He passed through the stormy events of the war at Fredericksburg, and many other points, and at Gettysburg was taken pris- oner and incarcerated in Libby prison at Richmond, where he was held seven months before being exchanged. He served the remainder of his period of enlistment at Annapolis, Md., and was mustered out of service at Elmira, N. Y. On his discharge he came to Iowa and located at Independence, Buchanan Co., where he was assistant agent of the D. & S. C. Railroad, two years. He then went to Ackley and under the style of West & Cameron, engaged in banking. This enterprise closed, he went to Grin- nell as station agent of the I. C. Railroad,
where he remained one year. He came to Mason City in the same employ, in 1872, but established himself in 1873 as stated. Mr. Cameron was married in 1870 in Ackley, to Martha Freeman. She died in 1873, leaving two sons-Will. W. and Robert B. The present Mrs. Cameron was Anna, daughter of Benjamin Field, of Monroe Co., Iowa. They have three chil- dren-Stella, Nellie and Claudie May.
The pioneer Inmber dealer was George Vermilya, who opened a yard in 1865. Wilson & Herrick were the next to en- gage in the lumber trade. Following these dealers came Benjamin Randall.
In 1883 the trade was represented by N. L. Page, J. M. Elder, J. J. Glasier and E. R. Bogardus.
James Elder settled in Mason City in the fall of 1869. He founded his business in 1874, and has since prosecuted it with vigor. Mr. Elder was born in Clearfield Co., Penn., near the Susquehannah river, Jan. 14, 1844. John T. and Caroline T. (Sabin) Elder, his parents, went to Indiana Co., Penn., when he was nine years old. He came to Hancock county in 1869, where he remained but a few months. In March, 1871, he married Jennie, daugh- ter of W. C. Stanbery, a native of Mercer Co., Ohio. They have three children- Blanche, Bonnie and Howard S. Mr. and Mrs. Elder are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
L. A. Page came to Cerro Gordo county in 1870, where he had previously con- nected himself with his present business at Mason City. Mr. Page was born in Windham Co., Vt., Sept. 4, 1843. His parents went to Dane Co., Wis., when he was six years old. There he attained
C. H. Smith M.2.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
majority and received a good education. He went to Decorah, Iowa, in 1865, where he was for a time employed in the post- office, and afterwards engaged with J. C, Blackman in buying grain at Conover. Mr. Page was married in November, 1874, to Emma Burnham, of New York. They have three children-Harry D., Leroy A. and Ida Floy. Mr. Page is a member of the Masonic order.
The first to sell agricultural implements in the place was John F. Taylor, who afterwards removed to Charles City, Iowa. He was followed by J. H. Valentine, Lloyd, Vinton & Ensign, and Lloyd & Dagan. In 1883 the trade was in the hands of Mr. Valentine, G. A. Stearns, Bush & Bishop and Patton Brothers.
E. R. Lloyd became a resident of Mason City in July, 1868. His initial business venture was the leasing of a stone build ing, which was then being erected by Tucker & Francisco, where he put in a general stock of hardware, and in Septem- ber of the same year commenced the hardware and agricultural machinery busi- ness. In 1870-1, in company with A. B. Tuttle, he built what is known as Lloyd & Tuttle's block and public hall. In 1871 he sold his hardware stock, and attended more strictly to the agricultural machinery business, and in December, 1872, J. M. Dougan became associated with him in this business. These relations continued until near the close of 1875. Mr. Lloyd has been active in the progress of Mason City ever since he came to live in the county. He has erected two fine business houses, also several dwelling houses, and is now engaged in the real estate business. He owns several valuable farms in Cerro
Gordo county, and town property in Mason City. Mr. Lloyd was born in Wales, Great Britain. When a child he came to America with his parents, who located in Oneida Co., N. Y. At the age of sixteen he removed to Wisconsin, where he was variously occupied until 1861, at which time he entered into the furniture business at Faribault, Minnesota. This business he continued for some time, when he sold his interest in the business and became associated in the hardware business with his brother, D. D. Lloyd, and W. W. Knapp. This business he continued until the fall of 1867, when he sold his interest in the business to his partners and removed to Mason City. Mr. Lloyd is a republican in political senti- ment, and was elected a member of the first city council after the city was incor- porated, and to the same office four subse- quent terms. He belongs to the order of Masons, Blue Lodge and Chapter. In June, 1881, he was married to Della Dou- gan, of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd have one child.
J. M. Dougan, of Mason City, was born and raised on a farm near Johnsburg, Warren Co, N. Y. His birth occurred Nov. 2, 1829. John Dougan, his father, was of Irish extraction. His mother was Elizabeth ( McGibberry ) Dougan. His father went to Dodge Co., Wis., where he died in 1873, and his wife died two years later. Both were zealous adherents to the Baptist Church. Mr. Dougan received a good education at the united district schools, and worked on the farm summers until twenty-one years of age, when he learned the different trades of carpenter, millwright and pattern maker, which he
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pursued variously for eighteen years. In November, 1869, he came to Mason City and engaged in selling agricultural ma- chinery. In the spring of 1872 he con- nected himself with E. R. Lloyd, under the style of Lloyd & Dougan, which interest continued until December, 1875, when they commenced operating in real estate. Mr. Dougan was married in 1854 to Miss E. A. Nickerson. Of their six children three are living-Allen D., Frank and Archie. Mrs. Dougan died in June, 1881. She was a member of the Congregational Church, and left an enviable record as a Christian wife, mother and friend. The present Mrs. Dougan was Etta Vaughan, of Montrose, Penn. Mr. Dougan is a re- publican and a member of the I. O. O. F. He owns 400 acres of land.
G. A. Stearns is one of the live, active business men of Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. He established his business here in April, 1875. He is located on Commercial street, between Fifth and State streets, where he keeps a full line of agricultural implements. His sales- room is 22x100 feet, and his plows, reapers, threshers, etc., are from the very best manufacturers. By honesty, industry and push, he has built up a good business.
The first hotel, though not advertised as such, was a log house built by John L. McMillen in 1855. It was the only house in which travelers were given shelter. Pioneers relate how they spent the night there, and upon getting up in the morn- ing, had to stoop in order to dress them- selves while they stood in several inches of snow.
The first regular hotel was a frame building erected by Jarvis Church and James Stewart and operated by the latter.
The next hotel was run by Solomon Zu- ver, in 1857, on the north bank of Willow creek. Following this the Waukonsa was operated by Horace Green, in a building erected for a store. A history of this ho- tel, which was written for one of the county papers, entitled "Removing a Land- mark," is here subjoined:
"This week Marshal Owen and a force of men were engaged in removing one of the landmarks of Mason City. In the year 1855 John L. McMillen built a log house, 16x18 feet, on what is now Com- mercial street. It stands next to the ex- press office to-day. In it, before completed, was preached the first sermon preached in Cerro Gordo county, by a traveling Con- gregational minister. After the house was completed, McMillen put in a stock of goods, which were the first brought to the county. A short time afterwards, Mr. McMillen sold out to Robert Clark and J. B. Long, who continued to sell goods some time. The building was then rented to Horace Green, who converted it into a hotel. While Clark and Long owned it they built several additions. The house was afterwards known as the Wau- konsa. Green was succeeded by A. M. Thompson as landlord, and he by Bum- gardner, who gave place to W. R.Quincy. The part torn down by Marshal Owen and men was the north wing used as a parlor for the old Waukonsa when at its best. In this old time parlor the celebrities of northern Iowa, who came here for busi- ness or pleasure, were accustomed to ele- vate their feet, drink toddy and smoke
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
dark clay pipes. If the old logs in that landmark could speak and reason, they would unfold a tale that would be rich with frontier incidents. Among the noted guests who ate hash at the Waukonsa and are so well remembered by old settlers here are: Judge Porter, and ex-Gov. East- man of Eldora, W. N. Davidson and D. W. Dows, of Hampton; Judge McFarlan, of Boonesboro; Judge Fairfield and J. G. Patterson, of Charles City; Timber Wood, of Waverly, and W. P. Hepburn, of Clar- inda, with scores of others who came here to attend court. Those days of rollicking good times all came crowding upon the the mind, as the old settlers gazed upon the sturdy building as it was being torn down under the blows of the advancing ax-man. The men who were prominent about it in early days are scattered. Long in Arkansas, Judge Robert Clark has gone to join the throng of the dead; McMillen, Green, Thompson, Owen, Quincy and oth- ers still remain here, but time has left the traces of his hand on their brows, and the streak of grey that skirt their locks tells the story of the conflicts they have met in pioneer life. The destruction of the old log cabin, the Waukonsa, calls up these reminiscences of the past and we pause to look back over the history we have helped to make, and it seems more like a dream than a fact of our life."
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