History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 105

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 105
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 105

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).

The Commercial House was completed, in 1865, by Martin Bumgardner, who was succeeded by George Bunce. The property was owned, in 1883, by George Sanborn.

The Allen House, afterwards known as the Dyer House, was erected in 1871 by Dr. Allen. The first landlord was B. Sil-

loway. The same year, the Vermont House was converted from a store into a hotel. The St. Charles Hotel was built in 1872 or 1873 by E. A. Devereaux. Mr. Jackson was his successor and was propri- etor in 1883. The Albion House was made from Kirk's photographic building in 1883, at which date Mason City had the follow- ing hotels: The Dyer, St. Charles, Com- mercial, Alvion and Ballard House.

Henry A. Dyer, proprietor of the Dyer House, at Mason City, came here June 14, 1872, when he became mine host of the St. Charles hotel. He operated as land- lord there five years, since which time he has been proprietor of the Dyer House, formerly the Allen House. He was born in Somersetshire, England, March 15, 1843 He is son of James Jr., and Ann (Andrews) Dyer, and his parents came to America in 1847, and located in Dubuque Co., Iowa, in 1848. They settled on a farm about a mile from the present site of Dyersville. The father afterward located the towns of Dyersville and Manchester. He died Nov. 3, 1864, at Dyersville. The mother was still living, in 1883, at Dyersville. Mr. Dyer, of this sketch, was there reared to manhood, and completed his education at Alexander College. He enlisted in 1862 in the 21st Iowa Volunteer Infantry, com- pany C. During his first year of active service he was taken prisoner near Per- kins' Landing, and was held at Shreve- port, La. There he contracted camp diarrhea and dropsy, and came near losing his life. He was sent home on a furlough to recuperate, and passed several months on a sick bed. While en route to rejoin his regiment he received an appointment as quartermaster sergeant at Camp Distri-

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

bution, New Orleans, La., remaining there six months, and was then detailed to Maj- Gen. Ed. R. S. Canby's headquarters, where he acted as head clerk in the field until the taking of Spanish Fort, Blakely and Mobile, Ala. Mr. Dyer was in the war during its severest period, and was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La. He returned to Dyersville and shortly after went to Manchester, Delaware Co., Iowa, where he was in charge of the railroad eating house, and acted as bookkeeper for Congar Bros. He was afterward engaged four years in the lumber trade. Mr. Dyer was married in June, 1869, to Hattie Bol- den, of Manchester. They have had five children, one of whom is now living- Harry E. The Dyer House was built in 1871 by Dr. Allen, at a cost of $14,000. It has thirty five rooms, and can accommo- date fifty guests. The proprietor is better known to the traveling public as "Doc" Dyer.

The first blacksmith was Mr. Peabody, in 1855. In 1883 the trade was repre- sented by George Whitney, Tucker & Co. Hale & Son, William Knapp and Samuel Waughtal.

S. B. Waughtal came to Mason City, in 1866, and has. pursued his vocation here. The first coal he used after establishing his business he bought at Waverly, at a cost of $50 per ton. Mr. Waughtal was born in Fulton Co., Ill., Jan. 5, 1834. His father, Frederick Waughtal, was a native of Virginia ; his mother, Catharine Baughman, was of Ger- man descent. They were married in Ful- ton Co., Ill., and reared six sons and three daughters. In 1827 the father went to sonthern Wisconsin and engaged in min-

ing. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and was in action at Gen. Stillman's defeat. In 1852 he went to Richland Co., Wis., where heremained twelve years. He made his first entry into Cerro Gordo county in 1864, and in the fall of 1868 went to Missouri, where he died in the spring of 1877. The mother is still living, Mr. Waughtal of this sketch was raised in the mining region of southern Wisconsin. At the age of sixteen he started to Cali- fornia, making the trip with ox-teams, which consumed four months. He there engaged in mining nineteen months, and returned to Wisconsin. He was married, at the age of twenty-three, to Sarah Coney, a native of Randolph Co., Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Waughtal had ten children-Bash- ford, George, Catharine, Zillah, Elmer, Fred, James, Sadie, Edna and Alta. Mr. Waughtal learned his trade in Richland, Co., Wis.

The harness business was first repre- sented by George Perkins. In 1883 the dealers were: James Wood, J. B. Tinker and Weigle & McKeen.

J. B. Tinker founded his business.at Mason City in 1876, prior to any like es- tablishment. His stock is such as the trade at this point demands, and his work is guaranteed. Mr. Tinker was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Jan. 22, 1847. He was apprenticed to learn his trade at the age of fifteen, and in the fall of 1876 came to Mason City. He was married in July, 1881, to Maggie L., daughter of G. C. Wood. She was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1859, and died Aug. 27, 1882. Mr. Tinker has built up a good business and occupies a fair rank among the tradesmen of Cerro Gordo county.

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

The first wagon maker was Mark Dex- ter, who run a repair shop in 1855. This business was conducted, in 1883, by J. . Wanninger and Tucker & Co.

Joseph Wauninger became interested in the establishment he now owns and oper- ates, by purchase in the fall of 1881. It was instituted October, 1879, by Samuel Northcott, and in the fall of 1881 a com- pany was formed, consisting of Samuel Northcott, J. Wauninger and O. F. Farrer. The two last named gentlemen purchased the interest held by Mr. Northcott and continued to operate until Jan. 1, 1883, when Mr. Wauninger became sole owner. He employs four hands, his principal work being the manufacture of single buggies and light wagons. His annual manufac- ture aggregates thirty-five carriages and seventeen cutters. His work is guaran- teed to be of a superior make and finish, selected from the best material and con- structed by skilled workmen. Mr. Waun- inger was born in Austria, Oct. 28, 1854. His parents came to America when he was three years of age, settling in Kewaunee Co., Wis. His father was a farmer and a blacksmith by trade, and lost his life by a falling tree in 1866. The mother is still living at the old homestead. Mr. Waun- inger learned the trade of a blacksmith when seventeen years old, and some years later was employed by the Racine Car- riage and Wagon Company. He spent four years in Milwaukee, one year at Cleveland and one in Chicago, when he returned to Racine. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

The first meat market was run by F. Stackhouse, in 1856. Among the numer- ous persons who have engaged in this

business were: M. M. Bradley, Dan Collas, John Terrell and J. W. Belding. The business, in 1883, was conducted by Baker & Bradley, Smith Bros., and Baker Bros.

The first shoemaker in the place was William Wake, an Englishman. The first exclusive boot and shoe store was opened by Edward Pratt, in 1873. Among others who have, from time to time, hand- led this line of goods was S. II. Sheldon, who remained in trade from 1877 to 1881, when he moved to Nebraska. In 1883 the business was in the hands of Smith & Fichnor, who carried a large and well selected stock.

The first photographer was indeed a pioneer, James Stewart, who came in 1855.

H. P. Kirk purchased a gallery in 1867, of A. M. Thompson, and has been the only one engaged in this art since that time. He occupies a fine building well supplied with modern apparatus, and also carries a complete. stock of albums, pic- ture frames, etc.

H. P. Kirk located in Mason City at the close of the war. He opened his busi- ness in 1867, and has prosecuted it suc- cessfully since its inception. He was born in Mahoning Co., Ohio, May 21, 1843, and was raised on a farm, receiving a com- mon school education. In 1861 he enlisted for three months in the 14th Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and was stationed in West- ern Virginia. In February, 1862, he re- enlisted in the 13th Illinois Cavalry, com- pany D, remaining about one year and re- ceiving his discharge for physical disa- bility. In February, 1865, he enlisted a third time in the 2d Iowa Cavalry and was in the service until the close of the war. He was married in 1870 to Elizabeth R.,

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daughter of S. D. Wordsworth, of Lake Mills, Iowa. Mrs. Kirk was born in Ohio in 1852. They have two sons-Clara L. and Verne P. Cerro Gordo county was in its infancy when Mr. Kirk came within its borders. He has seen Mason City ex- pand from a hamlet with three houses to a respectable city of 4,000 people. He leads his profession in this vicinity, and his rooms are a delight to his patrons. They are fitted up with admirable taste, and the evidences of the artists skill are to be seen on every hand.

The first to engage in the marble busi- ness was George Shocky, in 1873, who sold an interest soon after to Mr. Gale, the firm name being then Shocky & Gale. They continued eighteen months, when Mr. Roth bought Shoeky's interest in the business. About the same time Bell .& Rice engaged in the business, following it until 1883, when Mr. Gale bought Mr. Rice out, leaving the business in the hands of Gale & Rice.

T. K. Gale has been a resident of Mason City since 1870. He came to Hardin Co., Iowa, in 1857, and built some of the best structures in Iowa Falls. He was also a prominent instrument in the organization of the first Sunday school at Georgetown, a competing town with Iowa Falls. Mr. Gale was born in England in April, 1828. When nine years old he began to learn his trade of stone mason, and served an apprenticeship of five years, walking six- teen miles daily. The first four years he received 25 cents per day, and during his last year of service $3.50 per week. He was married in 1843 to Anna Attwooll. They have been the parents of seven children, one of whom died on the pas-

sage to America in 1857. Following are the names of the sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Gale-Jennie, (wife of James Rule, vice-president of the City Bank), Hattie (Mrs. Mark Bradley), Ab- salom, a student at Iowa University, George, harness maker at Clear Lake, Thomas and Bertie. Mr. and Mrs. Gale have been identified with the country for a quarter of a century. Mr. Gale has built some of the most prominent of the buildings of Mason City, among them the Dyer House, and the M. E. Church of which he and his wife are members.

C. H Smith established himself in the wholesale and retail tobacco business, at Mason City, in the fall of 1882. C. H. Smith was born in Black Hawk Co., Iowa, Jan. 7, 1857. His parents are Allen W. and Elizabeth Smith, who emigrated to the State in 1853, settling in Black Hawk county, where the senior Smith first em- barked in the hotel business. (. H. Smith commenced his trade in Waterloo, which he has since followed. In 1882 he came to Mason City, where by fair dealing he has worked up a good trade.

The first to engage in the livery busi- ness was B. Kirk, who established a stable a short time after the war. In 1883 this business was represented by S. W. Keeney and Mr. Cadwell.

S. W. Keeney established his business at Mason City in 1882. He has some of the best turnouts in northern Iowa, and keeps sixteen horses. He was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Dec. 6, 1839. He is a son of C. C.and Phebe (Hotchkiss) Keeney, natives of Onondaga Co., N. Y. They were pioneers of Bremer county, where they settled Oct. 13, 1855. Mr. Keeney

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was married in 1859 to Roxana, daughter of Andrew Dailey. She was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, March 25, 1840. They have had three children-T. E., Charles H. and Jennie. The latter died in 1872. Mr. Keeney was engaged in the livery business in Bremer county thirteen years.

A. T. Lien, of the firm of Lien Bros., coal and lime dealers, is a native of Nor- way; he was born April 21, 1844, and came to America in 1866, arriving June 28. In 1870 he located in Mason City, and in 1876 he and his brother formed a partner- ship with Farrell & White, and built the Champion Lime Kiln, which they managed until 1878, when the Lien Bros. purchased Farrell & White's interest. They con- tinued the business, and in 1881 added coa'. They were still in business in 1883, doing a trade of $18,000 annually. .

COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE BANK.

This banking house is on Commercial street, between Fifth and State, in Mason City. It was organized in February, 1880, with H. P. Kirk as president and I. R. Kirk as cashier. They do a general banking business, a large amount of collections are placed in their hands, and they also insure to quite an extent - representing some of the leading companies. The bank fixtures are very complete; a Diebold safe, with improved Yale lock, etc., guarantees safety to their depositors. They draw all kinds of foreign and domestic drafts, and do a large amount of local discounting. I. R. Kirk has the management of the business of the bank, which is meeting with a liberal patronage.

I. R. Kirk, cashier of the Commercial Exchange Bank, was born in Mahoning Co.,

Ohio, May 7, 1846. At the age of fourteen years he came to Mason City, where he found employment. About the year 1875, associated with M. V. Robinson, he es- tablished a dry goods house, which was in operation until 1280, when Mr. Kirk entered upon the duties of his present posi- tion. He is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. Mr. Kirk's position in business, social life and general popularity afford unmistakable evidence of his character.

CITY BANK.

This bank was established in August, 1873, by T. G. Emsley, with Mrs. T. G. Emsley acting as cashier. A partnership was subsequently formed by T. G. Emsley and O. T. Denison. In December, 1880, James Rule was admitted as a partner. This bank is supplied with the Hall burglar proof safe, with time lock, purchased at a cost of $1,500. A general banking busi- ness is transacted.

The First National Bank of Mason City was established in October, 1881. The officers of this bank when organized, and those holding in 1883, were : H. I. Smith, president ; W. D. Balch, vice president ; J. V. W. Montague, cashier ; C. H. Mc- Nider, assistant cashier. In 1883 the di- rectors were : H. I. Smith, W. D. Balch, R. G. Renneiger, J. B. W. Montagne, W. W. Knapp, R. Wilber and C. H. MeNider. The paid up capital of the concern is $50, 000, with a surplus fund of $5,000. The bank was first started on the southwest corner of State and Commercial streets, but the following year it was removed to the opposite corner, into Card's block.

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

Charles H. McNider, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Mason City, is a native of Iowa. He was born in Du- buque, Feb. 9, 1860. He is son of Thomas B. and Anna E (Kane) McNider, natives of New York, who settled at Dubuque in 1856. At the age of fifteen he secured a situation in the Cerro Gordo County Bank as book-keeper, and in 1881 was elected to his present position as assistant cashier. In 1882 he was made one of the directors of the bank where he is employed. Mr. McNider is still a young man, and his business career has been one of marked integrity and uprightness. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic order.

In 1870 there were two express com- panies represented in Mason City the United States and the American. The former established an office in the fall of 1869, appointing A. S. Church their local agent. He served a year. When the American company established an office, they also made Mr. Church their agent. He was succeeded by A. J. Benton, who, in a short time, was succeeded by I. R. Kirk, who had charge of the express busi- ness until July, 1874, when .W. V. Tich- nor took the offices, and was the agent in 1883 for the United States express com- pany. The American has not been repre- sented since about 1874.

MASON CITY BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIA- TION.

This association was duly incorporated Feb. 16, 1880. Their first officers were as follows : John D. Glass, president ; James Rule, vice-president ; I. R. Kirk, secretary ; II. I. Smith, treasurer ; direct- ors, George Herrick, James Rule, J. F. Burns, Benjamin Randall, Thomas H.

Alexander, John D. Glass, William B. Usher, W. W. Cameron, T. G. Emsley, John H. Clark, Will Ed Tucker, M. S. Schermerhorn, J. J. O'Rourk, James H. Hillyer, George H. Shockey. .

This home capital association offers good rates of interest to investors, and all the advantages of a savings bank, without the expense and usual risk, the officers all per- forming their office' labors gratuitously and being stockholders in the concern. The money is loaned on first mortgage real estate property, and no loan can be made without the approval of eight direct- ors. To those wishing to buy or build a home, it offers money at law interest or principal on the monthly installment plan, so that by paying about what the monthly rent would be, one can in a few years, pos- sess a home. This plan has aided Mason City very much in her growth, providing as it does for the many laboring men who seek a home here, an opportunity to secure a home on such terms as they can afford.

The following is the third annual state- ment of the association:

ASSETS.

Notes and mortgages. $ 33,617 16

Cash on hand .. 348 70

33,965 86

LIABILITIES.

Dues paid to date. $ 23,241 00

Net profits to date. 5,951 98

Premiums unearned. 4,772 88

33,965 86

PROFIT AND LOSS.

Expense since organization

$ 342 25

Net profits since organization. 5,951 98

6,294 23

LA. R. Stilron.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY Astor, Lenox and Tiden Foundations.

HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

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The officers in 1883 were: John D. Glass, president; George L. Herrick, vice-president; Dr. C. H. Smith, treasurer; O. T. Dennison, secretary.

Among other prominent men of the city are: Alonzo Willson, real estate and loan broker; C. P. Shipley, job printer; W. W. Blood and E. D. Page, builders and con- tractors; Rush Eddy, railroad engineer, and others whose sketches appear.

Alonzo Willson, one of the settlers of 1855, is a real estate dealer, money loaner and broker at Mason City. IIe came to the county prior to its organization, loca- ting in Owen township. He came to the city in 1878. He bought land, improved it and followed farming, buying, selling and raising cattle for many years. With the benefits derived from the abundant pasturage of the prairies, and the success which always attends persistent effort, he has accumulated the capital which he has used in his present vocation since 1878. Mr. Willson was born at Adams Center, Jefferson Co., N. Y., July 21, 1822. When he was an infant his parents moved to Ontario Co., N. Y., where he remained until he was fourteen years of age. His father, Thomas B. Willson, a native of . Windham Co., Vt., born May 10, 1802, removed to Jefferson Co., N. Y., at an early age, where he married Phebe Wil- son, a native of Washington Co., N. Y. Thomas B. Willson was of Scotch, and his wife of English descent. They had three children, two of whom are now liv- ing. The family located at Dead Man's Grove, Coles Co , Ill., in 1835, and after- wards resided in different counties in that State. In 1855 they came to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, where Mr. Willson engaged

in teaching school and vocal music during the winters, and mason work in summers. Alonzo was reared on a farm, and received a fair common school education. On the 2d of February, 1845, he married Catha- rine Reynolds, of Edgar Co., Ill. Her parents were B. B. and Monica (Brown) Reynolds, natives of Maryland. His wife. Monica Brown, while residing in Mary- land, near Beardstown, frequently saw George Washington, and well remembered some of his conversation; also knew Mr. Bliss, who then owned a portion of the land where Washington City now stands. Mr. Reynolds went to Jefferson Co., Wis., where he died in 1871, and in 1882 his wife died at the age of ninety-eight. Mr and Mrs. Alonzo Willson have eight chil- dren-Alice J., Bruce A., Emma (., But- ford B., Leonora A., John D. R., Mary M. and Gertrude. In 1856 Mr. Willson was elected the first justice of the peace in Owen township, and has also held several local offices of the county. In 1853, and previous to his coming to Cerro Gordo county, he took a company. of men across the plains to California, together with a drove of cattle, and there engaged in the business of supplying the miners with pro- visions, carrying the same with pack mules over the mountains. He also ranched in Yolo county, on Cache creek, at which place he kept his stock. Mr. Willson built the first two story log house in Cerro Gordo county, and also yet owns the land that he entered on the 25th of June, 1855. He is one of four residents of the county who can show an abstract of title which runs no further.

C. P. Shipley, job printer, has been a resident of Mason City since 1873, and

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

founded the business in which he is now engaged in November, 1882. By attention to his business and the possession of the requsite skill in his art, he has established a successful trade. Mr. Shipley was born in Baltimore, Md., May 1, 1851, and moved with his parents to Iowa City, in 1856. Mr. Shipley was educated at the High School and spent four terms at the Iowa University. When seventeen years old he went into the office of the Iowa City Republican, as an apprentice, where he re- mained two years. He then went to Buf- falo, N. Y., and entered the office of the Buffalo Courier for the completion of his trade. In 1871 he returned to the Repub- lican office at Iowa City. The next year he came to Mason City and was employed on the Cerro Gordo Republican and Ex- press, as foreman, where he remained until he determined to establish himself inde- pendently. He was married in 1875 to Maggie, daughter of John L. McMillen. She was born in Rockford, Ill., in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Shipley have one child- Julia Ellen. Mr. Shipley is a charter member and past master of the A. O. U. W.

W. W. Blood, builder and contractor, came to Mason City in the spring of 1881. He employs from five to ten men and has superintended the construction of some of the finest buildings in northern Iowa. Among them the Parker Opera House at Mason City. Mr. Blood was born in Sar- atoga Co., N. Y. His parents, Sylvester and Hannah (Handy) Blood, were natives of the same State. They removed with their family to Delaware Co., Iowa, where Mr. Blood, of this sketch, grew to man- hood. At the age of twenty-one years he

commenced to learn the trade which he has since followed. He enlisted in August, 1862, in company K, 21st Iowa Volunteers, and was under fire at Vicksburg, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, and he was one season in Missouri among the bushwhackers. He was mustered ont at Baton Rouge, La., and discharged at Clinton, Iowa. After the close of the war he returned to Dela- ware county, where he pursued his trade. He was married in 1860 to Lizzie Bryan, of Ohio. They have four children-Pearl, Edwin, Byron and Lyle. Mr. Blood went to Nora Springs, in 1869, where he re- mained eleven years. He belongs to the Baptist Church, and is a member of the Odd Fellows' order and of the A. O. U.W.

E. D. Page, contractor and builder, set- tled in Mason City in 1881. He was born in Warrenton, Fauquier Co., Va., Nov. 24, 1852. He is a son of Sidney E., and Lisetta (Bagley) Page, who went to Vir- ginia in 1850 and remained until driven out by the war, in 1863. The family re- moved to Camden, Oneida Co., N. Y., where the father was employed in a rake factory. In 1865 he went to Henry Co., Mo., and in 1868 to Rockford, Winnebago Co., Ill. He settled in Hardin county in 1874, and two years later removed to Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo county. He was married at Clear Lake in 1880, to Carrie, daughter of Henry Horsmann, of Jo Da- viess Co., Ill. She was born in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Page have one child-Lillie. Mr. Page is prosecuting his business with great success. He employs abont fifteen men, and his contracts for the current year amount in the aggregate to about $20,000.

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

Rush Eddy, engineer, was born in Cov- ington, Ky., Nov. 22, 1855. His parents, Augustus and Julia Eddy, were married in Medina Co., Ohio, in 1851, and about 1853 went to Kentucky. They came to Iowa in 1861 and settled in Howard county, removing to Winneshiek county in 1865. The father died there in 1870. Mr. Eddy became an attache of the rail- road at the age of fifteen, when he ped- dled spikes on the construction corps, and his next post was as first newsboy on the Calmar division. At sixteen he obtained a place as wiper and began firing at sev- enteen. He got his engine in 1877 and is now running first-class between Mason City and McGregor. His engine was ditched near Clear Lake with himself at the bottom, where he was held fifty min- utes, receiving injuries from which he will never recover. Mr. Eddy was mar- ried in June, 1876, to Alice McKay. They have two children-Charles Rush and Blanche Pearl.

E. R. Bogardus, one of the early settlers and enterprising business men of Mason City was born in Cook Co., III., Oct. 22, 1850. His parents were Robert and Maria (Ver- milya) Bogardus, natives of Albany Co., N. Y. The family emigrated to Cook Co., Ill., in 1846, where the father died in 1851; the mother came to Mason City where she died in 1882. She was a member of the M. E. Church, and respected by all who knew her. The subject of this sketch, when nine years old, came to Cerro Gordo county, where he lived in the family of Judge Vermilya for a number of years. In 1868 he embarked in farming, but not liking the business he abandoned it and afterwards elerked in a lumber yard. In

the spring of 1873 he turned his attention to building and contracting, since which time he has erected some of the substan- tial buildings of Mason City, employing from ten to twelve men. In 1883 he em- barked in the lumber trade. In 1871 he was married, in Mason City, to Mary Ran- dall, a daughter of Judge Randall, who was born in 1855 in Waterloo, Iowa. Three children blessed this union-Wini- fred May, Buena D. and Ernest E. Mr. and Mrs. Bogardus are active members of the Methodist Church of Mason City.

William H. Mason was born in Catta- raugus Co., N. Y., April 18, 1843. His parents were D. B. and Harriet (Starr) Mason, the former a native of Massachu- setts, and the latter of Danbury, Conn., but who emigrated to New York State in an early day, where they were joined in wedlock, and eleven children were born- six sons and five daughters. In 1840 the family went to Walworth Co., Wis., and in 1858 removed to Butler Co., Iowa. In 1864 they went to Charles City, and in 1867 came to Mason City, where they lived until 1881, when they returned to Charles City, where they still live, Mr. Mason be- ing at the advanced age of eighty-three, and Mrs. Mason eighty-one years of age. They have lived in each other's society as man and wife for over sixty-four years. William HI., the subject of this sketch was, educated at Delevan, Wis., and Beloit College. In 1861 he enlisted in the 7th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, company B. He participated in the engagement at Belmont Mo., where he was wounded in the right hand, and taken prisoner, but was soon paroled and exchanged. He participated at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh,

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

first battle of Corinth, second battle of Iuka, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, march to the sea, and at the grand review at Washington, D. C. In the fall of 1865 he was married to Mary Dunn of Kenosha, Wis. Two children blessed this union, one of whom is living-Fernia. In 1874 Mr. Mason was appointed deputy sheriff, by H. H. Schell, serving nearly four years. In the winter of 1869-70 he built the first livery stable in the city, which is now occupied by S. W. Keeney and estab- lished the first livery and omnibus busi- ness. Mr. Mason has 190 acres of valna- ble land in Mason township, valued at $35 per acre. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

PARKER'S OPERA HOUSE.

During the summer of 1883 Hon. H. G. Parker and his cousin, A. T. Parker, erected one of the most substantial and imposing opera houses in all the north- west. The building is 24 x 130 feet. It is constructed of Mason City lime stone, except the corners of the front, which are from the Anamosa quarries. Itis trimmed with a beautiful, galvanized cornice and lighted by gas furnished by the gasoline plan. The opera hall proper has a seat- ing capacity of from 900 to 1,000. In order to get a basement of the proper depth, many weeks of tedious blasting had to be done, as the strata of lime stone at this point cropped out nearly to the sur- face. William Foster, of Des Moines, was the designing draughtsman, Farrell & White, contractors of the stone work, and W. W. Blood, the carpenter work. The ground floor of the block was first occupied by Wright & Congar, dry goods

dealers. The cost of this building was $30,000.

MASON CITY LIME KILNS.

The first lime burned in Cerro Gordo county was burned by Elisha Randall, by placing limestone in a brush heap. This rude lime kiln, constructed in 1855, was made to produce a small amount of lime for plastering up a chimney. Mr. Ran- dall, a little later, constructed a regular kiln and produced the first lime sold and used in the county, and continued in the business for many years. Upon the com- pletion of the railroad to Mason City, he, with the other members of what was known as the Mason City White Lime and Stone Company, burned large amounts of lime for shipment to distant parts of lowa and Minnesota. In 1872 Mr. Randall invented and patented what is known as Randalls Perpetual Lime Kiln, which is being adopted in nearly every part of the country, and from which he is receiving a good royalty.

Another company engaged in business in 1874, and during the summer of 1875, notwithstanding the June floods, causing the proprietors of these lime work much delay, they burned and shipped 4,000 bushels of white lime, averaging four car loads per day of building stone, the same season. They kept fifteen men con- stantly in their employ, even when the concern was in its infancy. They shipped large amounts hundreds of miles to the south and west. Thus it will be seen the lime and stone business of Mason City, even at this early period, was assuming no small proportions.

William O. Barnard, another extensive lime burner and shipper, also dealer in

1005

HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.

hard and soft coal, was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., March 4, 1819 His parents were Charles E. and Laurinda (Osborn) Barnard. The subject of this sketch received a liberal education, and at the age of seventeen went to New York city, where he was employed as clerk by Plum, Crandall & Co., whom he served about one year. In 1840 he went to Cortland Co., N. Y. embarking in the mercantile trade. A year later he married Catharine E. Allyn. In 1862 he sold his business and engaged in the manufacture of wooden ware, employing as many as sixty men. In 1866 his establishment was destroyed by fire, causing him a loss of $12,000. In 1871 he came to Mason City. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard are the parents of two children-Laurinda S., wife of William H. Allyn, Jr., and Lucias A., of the firm of Barnard & Son. Mrs. Barnard died in 1879.

Captain J. J. O'Rourk, merchant tailor of Mason City, came here in 1875, and soon after established his present business. He was born in Baltimore, Md., Sept. 5, 1853. His parents came from the Emerald Isle to America in 1852, set- tling in 1864, at Ann Arbor, Mich. There, in his father's tailor shop, Captain O'Rourk learned his trade, completing its details at Chicago in 1874. He has quite an exten- sive business, and employs about a half dozen assistants. Captain O'Rourk was married in August, 1881, to Katie, daugh-

ter of S. D. Wright, of Wisconsin. They have one child-Maurice W. Captain O'Rourk is a member of the State militia, also of the I. O. O. F.

William Penney came to Iowa in 1872. He purchased 240 acres of wild land in Lake and Mason townships, and now has a fine farm under excellent cultivation, with good out buildings and a fine res- denee, pleasantly located in a natural grove on section 1, of Lake township. He is a blacksmith by trade, having learned it when seventeen years age, but is now occupied in farming. He was born in Mt. Hope, Orange Co., N. Y., April 13, 1827. When twelve years old his parents moved to Sullivan county, where he re- mained five years, then returned to Orange, where he was three years learning his trade. He was married in January, 1852, to Fannie M. Harding, of Mt. Hope. He then moved to Cattaraugus county, where he bought a farm and engaged in farming eight years, when he disposed of the farm and opened a smith shop at Little Valley, N. Y. His wife died there in 1864, leav- ing two children-Myron and Addie De Ett. He then sold his shop, returning to his father's home, spent the summer, and removed in the fall to Elk Co., Penn., where he worked at his trade. He was again married March 28, 1867, to Harriet A. Harding, a cousin of his first wife and a native of Mt. Hope. They then re- moved to Iowa to their present home.

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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 105

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