History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 75

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002

USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 75

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The following is a statement of the con- dition of the Hardin County Bank, Eldora, Iowa, at the close of business, June 29, 1872:

Resources.

Bills receivable . $41,176 43

County warrants, etc. 416 00

Overdrafts 984 25

Real estate . 3,800 00

Furniture and fixtures 1,480 12

Expense account 908 51

Taxes account 284 88

Due from other banks

6,546 42

Revenue stamps

212 84

Cash 15,396 12

$71,205 57

Liabilities.

Capital stock paid up .$15,000 00

Undivided profits 8,320 31

Deposits

47,885 26

$71,205 57

In contrast with the foregoing, the fol- lowing statement of the condition of the Hardin County Bank, at Eldora, Iowa, at the close of business on the 30th day of June, 1882, made to the Auditor of State, and published as required by law, is here given:

Assets.

Bills receivable $114,505 35

School district orders 61 16

Overdraft 219 84

Real estate 5,100 00

Furniture and fixtures 2,217 90

Expense account 1,536 51

Tax account 389 67

Due from other banks 12,558 07

United States bonds 3,900 00

Cash 21,516 48

$162,004 98

Liabilities.

Capital stock

$50,000 00

Surplus fund 10,000 00

Undivided profits 7,762 62

Bills payable 7,000 00

Deposits

87,242 36

$162,004 98

C. McK. Duren has been cashier of the bank since its organization. He was born in Maine in 1842. His parents removed to Verinont when he was but a few months old. He resided in Vermont till 1866,

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

when he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he was engaged for a time as book-keeper in a mercantile establishment, and was after- ward connected with the "Merchant's National Bank," of that city, and came here to take the position of cashier on the organization of the bank. For many years Mr. Duren transacted most of the business pertaining to the bank, acting as general manager, as well as cashier. He is a gen- ial and popular gentleman, and his many years of experience have given him a thorough knowledge of the banking busi- ness. He was married at Dubuque, Iowa, June, 1868, to a daughter of the Rev. Lyman Whiting, D.D., of that city, now of West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Duren have two daughters: Mabel, born in 1873, and Fannie, born in 1875.

The City Bank of Eldora is another banking institution, owned by C. Hardin & Sons, with J. D. K. Smith, manager, and A. E. Arnold, cashier.

SHAVER WAGON COMPANY.

In 1869 W. T. and Samuel Shaver com- menced the manufacture of wagons and carriages, in a small way, in Eldora. The business was increased as the means of the firm would allow. In 1871 Samuel retired from the firm, and W. T. continued the business alone. The former now resides in Kansas. The latter was year by year adding to his stock, and extending the area of his trade, when, in 1877, he suffered the loss of his shop by fire. The following account of the fire is from the Eldora Ledger:

"On Sunday morning, January 14, 1877, about 2:30 o'clock, the cry of "Fire," awoke the citizens of Eldora from their

slumbers, and all that could, hurried to the scene. Shaver's large wagon and carriage factory was in flames. Just how' the fire originated could not be determined. When the alarm was first made, the whole south half of the main building seemed to be in flames, except the office in the south- west corner, in which Mr. Shaver slept, and from which all exit was cut off, except by the window, through which he and his brother, who was staying with him, escaped. Some of the employes had a room fitted up as a sleeping apartment on the second floor, and so close was the fire to them when awakened that they had to leap from the windows for life, having no time in which to dress, the partitions fall- ing through as they got out.

"Close to the main building, on the north side, was the carriage repository, a two story building in which most of their finished carriage work was kept, and in the upper story of which resided Mrs. Prethro. This building was soon set on fire from the other, and although the con- tents of the first story was saved, the build- ing was destroyed, and with it almost all the household goods of the lady. Mr. Shaver's loss was estimated at $10.000."

The loss did not discourage Mr. Shaver in the least. The fire had not ceased before arrangements were made to re-build, and with as light heart as possible, and a determined will, Mr. Shaver went to work to repair his loss. The main build- ing then erected was 90x80, two stories in height, to which has been added from time to time, one building 20x56; one 24x- 36; one 20x40. In July, 1882, a stock company was organized known as the Shaver Wagon Company, with J. D. K.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Smith, President; Edward Estabrook, Vice- President; W. T. Shaver, Treasurer; W. A. Greer, Secretary. The company now employ in the wood department 7 men; in iron, 8; in trimming, 4; paint, 7; outside, 4, office, 2; total, 32. In 1881 there were manufactured between $60,000 and $70,- 000 worth of vehicles. This will be largely increased.

W. T. Shaver, the present Treasurer of the Shaver Wagon Company, was born July 4. 1850, in Dundas county, Canada. In 1864 he went to St. Lawrence county, New York, where he learned the trade of wagon maker, and in 1868 came to Du- buque, Iowa, where he remained one year, coming to Eldora in 1869. In 1874 he was united in marriage with Rosa Dodge, of Eldora. Mrs. Shaver died in November, 1875. William T. Shaver is a man of great energy, who allows no obstacle to deter him from the accomplishment of any work he sets out to perform. He is one of that kind that helps to build up a place, and never to retard its growth.

William A. Greer, Secretary, Shaver Wagon Manufactory, was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in 1849, and came to Iowa with his parents a few years afterwards. Since six years of age he has been a resi- dent of Hardin county, and in the common schools of the county, the graded school at Iowa Falls, and the Iowa State University, in which institution he went as far as the junior year, his literary education was ob- tained. After reading law with his father, Allen Greer, for some time, he entered the law department of the Iowa State Uni- versity, from which institution he gradu- ated in June, 1873. After graduating, he read law with Porter & Moir one year.

On the establishment of the Herald in El- dora, he became its editor, whichi position he filled about six months, when the office was sold to Isaac L. Hart. In 1875 he opened an office in Eldora, and has since been in the practice of law. He is Secre- tary of the Shaver Wagon Company, of Eldora. In 1875 he was united in marriage with Hannah Olivia Shawhan, whose parents were among the early settlers of Keokuk county, in this State. They have one daughter, Lizzie B., and have lost one son, Frederick W.

ORGANIC.

Eldora was incorporated as a town in 1869. The following is a list of Mayors, Trustees and Clerks, from that time to the present, that were upon record:

1869-John Hall, Mayor; DeRoy Ells- worth, Recorder; J. H. Smith, E. Gillchrist, Samuel Smith, Joseph Edgington, J. C. Moorman, Trustees.

1870-Ellis Parker, Mayor; DeRoy Ells- worth, Recorder; Samuel Smith, Joseph Edgington, J. C. Moorman, E. Gilchrist, John Hall, Trustees.

1872-Ellis Parker, Mayor; D. S. Mooney, Recorder; M. Underwood, J. Edgington, D. F. Ellsworth, J. M. Boyd, Trustees.

1875-Ellis Parker, Mayor; J. D. New- comer, Recorder; A. M. Bowdle, Nelson Gibbs, I. O. Narum, J. H. Smith. A. E. Smith, Trustees.

1876-Ellis Parker, Mayor; F. W. Thax- ter, Recorder; A. E. Smith, H. C. Sweet, T. J. Williams, B. E. Deyo, I. O. Narum, Trustees.

1877-Ellis Parker, Mayor; J. D. New- comer, Recorder; E. K. Brown, B. E. Deyo,

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

J. H. Hammond, Allen Meader, C. M. Runkle, Trustees.

1878-Ellis Parker, Mayor; W. A. Greer, Recorder; J. Q. Patterson, J. C. Moorman, J. Edgington, J. H. Smith, James Reynolds, Trustees.

1879-C. E. Albrook, Mayor; J. F. Har- din, Recorder; H. C. Sweet, L. N. Sayre, Ezra Nuckolls, J. D. Newcomer, W. J. Moir, Trustees.

1880-C. E. Albrook, Mayor; J. F. Har- din, Recorder; H. C. Sweet, Allen Meader, W. J. Moir, J. D. Newcomer, Ezra Nuckolls, A. E. Webb, Trustees.

1881-A. M. Bowdle, Mayor; T. G. Alvord, Clerk; W. J. Moir, Allen Meader, J. D. Newcomer, J. H. Smith, H. C. Sweet, A. E. Webb, Trustees.

1882-J. S. Hadley, Mayor; C. B. Davis, Recorder; H. C. Sweet, Allen Meader, J. D. K. Smith, J. D. Newcomer, H. L. Huff, Thomas G. Alvord, Trustees.

THE MERCANTILE TRADE,

The first merchants of Eldora were the Edgington Brothers, who commenced busi- ness a short distance from the present town site, and removed to the village in Decem- ber, 1853. For a quarter of a century the firm was well known to the people of Har- din county. Originally, the firm consisted of Samuel R. and Jonathan, and subse- quently Joseph and Jesse were admitted as partners, the former in 1856 and the latter in 1854. In the early day their trade was not confined alone to Hardin county, but for many miles north and west. They were dealers in general merchandise, and bought nearly everything a farmer had to sell, including live stock, which they shipped to the eastern and southern markets.

Joseph Edgington was born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1820. He was educated in the common schools of that then new country, and, like all other farmers' boys, inured to hard work. He remained on the farm on which he was born till 1856, when he came to Hardin county, and became one of the firm of the Edgington Brothers, in the mercantile trade. In politics, Captain Edgington was orginally a Democrat, but when the pro-slavery doctrine became one of the cardinal principles of that party, he left it, and became a staunch Republican. " In 1862, he enlisted in the 32d Iowa In- fantry, and on its organization he was elected Captain of his company, and as such served two years, when he resigned. In 1872, Captain Edgington was appointed postmaster, which position he still retains, having twice been re-appointed. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Eldora, and of Montague Lodge No. 117, A. F. and A. M., and was the second Wor- shipful Master of that body. He was married Nov. 26, 1844, to Abigail Harris, a sister of Bishop Harris, of the M. E. Church.

Jonathan Edgington was born in Rich- land county, Ohio. September 30, 1824. He grew to manhood in that county, and was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. When eighteen years of age, he went to Huron county, and spent one year in learning the trade of blacksmith. Returning to Richland county, he worked at that trade for six years. In 1849, he married Mary Mitchell, of Rich- land county. Five children have blessed their union, four of whom are now living -Annette Jane, Albert Wilder, Mary Amanda, Lee Eldon. The deceased one was named Emma J. On the 20th of June,

633

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

1853, Mr. Edgington came to Hardin county to actively engage in business as one of the Edgington Brothers. In 1868, he withdrew from the firm, since which time he has engaged in the grain business. During the first six months, he was in part- nership with W. H. Crawford, at the ex- piration of which time he purchased Mr. Crawford's interest, and has since con- tinued it alone. Mr. Edgington has been an active Odd Fellow since 1850, and a Mason since 1860. In Montagne Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Eldora, he has held the office of Worshipful Master a greater period than any other member.

Samuel R. Edgington was born in Rich- land county, Ohio, in 1827. He was reared on a farm, attended the common schools of his county, and entered an academy with the intention of securing a morc thorough education. While here, the war with Mexico broke out, and he enlisted in Com- pany A, of the 3d Ohio' Infantry, com- manded by Colonel S. R. Curtiss, and served the full term of his enlistment. Be- ing with Taylor's division, students of his- tory will know that active service was per- formed. On his return home he again entered the academy, but soon after went to Indiana, located his land warrant, and returned to Ohio. This land he subse- quently traded for a farm in Ohio, and commenced farming, an occupation he continued until his removal to Iowa. When the War for the Union commenced he was one of the first to enlist, and was elected Captain of Company A, 12th Iowa Infantry. In April, 1862, he was pro- moted Major of the regiment, and in April, 1863, Lieutenant-Colonel of the same. He was at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and at

Shiloh. In the last engagement he acted as one of the field officers. He was also at the siege of Vicksburg, and at both the battles of Jackson, Miss. At the first battle, the skirmishers under his command were the first to enter the rebel works. At Pittsburg Landing, the Lieutenant-Colonel and Major of the regiment being' ill and disqualified for duty, at the request of Col- onel Woods, Captain Edgington acted as field officer. In his report of the battle, Colonel Woods said: "I received two wounds, disabling me for duty. The com- mand then devolved upon Captain Edg- ington, who was acting as field officer. The enemy had, however, so closely sur- rounded us, that their balls which missed our men took effect in the ranks beyond us. To have held our position longer, would have been to suffer complete annihi- lation. The regiment was therefore com- pelled to surrender as prisoners of war." Colonel Edgington resigned his position in the fall of 1863, returned home, and once more resumed his position among the busi- ness men of Eldora. Samuel R. Edging- ton and Lois Beal were united in marriage in 1849. Mrs. Edgington is a native of Crawford county, Pa. She is the daughter of Samuel Beal. Their family consists of three children-Melvin L., Samuel R. and Sherman. The first two are partners with the father in the management of the Edg- ington House, at the present time.

Jesse J. Edgington was, also, born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1831. Before coming West he learned the trade of tailor, a business he has subsequently followed to some extent. In 1854 he came to El- dora, and was admitted a member of the firm of Edgington Brothers. During the

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

first year he was here he carried the mail to and from Marietta to Eldora, making the trip there and back in one day. On one occasion he made the trip on foot in twenty-four hours, having to swim the streams, which were then very high. Mr. Edgington has been prominently identified with the Odd Fellows' Order, and was once Grand Master of the Order in this State. In 1853 he was married to Rebecca Tracey.

Among the leading business and profes- sional men at present in Eldora, may be mentioned, George Staley, J. C. Moorman, E. F. Gaines, I. O. Narum, J. L. Ridge- way, A. C. Harris, B. D. Robb, John M. Furman, C. M. Lee, F. A. Norris, J. S. Hadley, Preston & Burling, L. N. Sayre, F. Blum, G. H. Ritenour, James Bachman, Allen Meader, L. L. Scott.

Colonel George Staley, general merchant, established business here in 1869. He built a store on Washington street, now occupied as a furniture store. He built his present store in 1878. Colonel Staley was born in Schenectady, New York. His father died when he was a child. He went to Galena, Ill., as early as 1842, and engaged in mining. From Galena he went to New Orleans. During the gold excitement on the Pacific Coast, Colonel Staley joined in the overland journey to the land of gold. He returned from Cali- fornia in 1854, and located at La Crosse, Wis., where he engaged in the stock busi- ness; also served as Deputy Sheriff, and was elected to the office of Sheriff, in the Spring of 1860. In the fall of 1861, he assisted in organizing a company at La- Crosse. He was made a Lieutenant of this company. This company was made a part of the 14th Wisconsin Volunteer

Infantry. Colonel Staley was made Cap- tain of the company in June, 1862. He participated in many hard fought battles, including Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, etc. At the battie of Shiloh his company captured a cannon from the Washington battery, of New Orleans. This cannon is among the trophies of the war, at Madison, on which is seen his name and date of capture. At the close of the war he returned to La Crosse, and thence to Austin, Minn., where he engaged in business, coming here in 1869. His wife was Julia Beardsley, born in Chenango county, N. Y. They have no children, living; they had four, all of whom died at La Crosse.

J. C. Moorman, general merchant, estab- lished business in November, 1867. Mr. Moorman was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1826. He remained on a farm till twenty-one years of age, and has been in the mercantile business since that time. He began as a clerk at Leesburg, Ohio. He remained in Ohio for a number of years after he became of age, and then went to Peru, Miami county, Ind., where he clerked for about one and one-half years. He went to Iowa City in April, 1856, where he engaged in business. He came here in 1867. He first engaged in business in a small frame building on the north side of the square, and the next year erected a frame building where the post- office now stands, and was burned out in 1868. He now has a fine store on the west side of the public square, and is doing a fine business. He has also a store at the village of Hubbard, in this county. His wife was formerly Elizabeth Miller, a daughter of Samuel Miller, one of the early settlers of Clinton county, Ohio. His

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

father, James Moorman, was a native of Virginia, and one of the early settlers of Green county, Ohio. He is still living, at the age of ninety-one years, having been born in 1791. Mr. and Mrs. Moorman have three children-Lucy, now Mrs. T. McDonald, of Minnesota; J. Clinton and Jessie.

E. F. Gaines, dealer in groceries, Eldora, came to Eldora in 1871. He engaged as clerk for Mr. I. O. Narum, with whom he continued six or seven years. He then bought out Mr. Narum, and continued the business for two years, when Mr. Narum again purchased the business. He was then engaged for a time in the grain busi- ness, and afterwards established the present business of Moir & St. John. He engaged in his present business in June, 1882. Mr. Gaines was born in Otsego, N. Y., . December 16, 1837, where he lived till thirteen years of age, when he removed with his parents to Pike county, Ill. His father, J. W. Gaines, removed from Illinois to Missouri, where he died. Mr. Gaines enlisted in the 16th Illinois, and served in the army till the close of the war, re-en- listing at the expiration of his first term of service. He participated in not less than thirty-three regular engagements; among them were Forts Henry and Donelson, Stone River, Chickamauga, Atlanta, and was in Sherman's march to the sea. Mrs. Gaines was formerly Carrie F. Fell, born in England. They have two children- Elliot C. and Maggie E.

Iver O. Narum is a native of Norway. and was born in September, 1825. He came to the United States in 1844, landing in New York, after a stormy passage, being eight weeks and four days crossing the

Atlantic. He located in Rock county, Wis- consin. In 1855 he went to LaCrosse, where he staid one year, and then with other parties started the town of LaCressent, opposite to LaCrosse, in Minnesota. He lived at LaCressent till 1865, when he came to Eldora, and established his present business. In November, 1875, Mr. Narum met with a severe loss, by the burning of his store and goods. He rebuilt his store in 1879. Mr. Narum is a successful business man, and a worthy citizen. He has been twice married; his first wife was Fannie Goodge, a native of New York, by whom he had one son, who died at LaCressent. His present wife was Wilhelmena Granzow, a native of Germany.

J. L. Ridgeway, proprietor of "Farmers' Hotel," Grocery and Restaurant, was born in Springfield, Ill., August 30, 1837. He was brought up at Macomb, McDonough county, in that State. He was brought up to the business of farming. He served in the army for a short time, enlisting for three months at the beginning of the war. He removed to Buchanan county, in Iowa, in 1866 He came to Eldora in 1869, and has been engaged in his present busi- ness since that time. Mr. Ridgeway learned the business of a photographer at Macomb, and followed that business for two years. His wife was Miss Mary A. Railey. Her father was John M. Bailey,. an early settler of MeDonough county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Ridgeway have five children-Mary J., Frank H., An- nie May, Maggie E. and Willie B.

A. C. Harris, proprietor of restaurant, bakery, grocery and confectionery, is a native of Vermont, where he was born in 1845. He was a soldier in the war of the

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

rebellion, having enlisted in the 3d Ver- mont Infantry, and served a period of three years and ten months. His regiment was attached to the Sixth Corps, and he participated in all the campaigns and bat- tles in which that noted corps was engaged. At the close of the war, he returned to Vermont. He came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1865, and located at Lodi, Columbia county. He came to Eldora in the spring of 1869. He kept the Ellsworth House for two years; was engaged as clerk for I. O. Narum for two years, and established his present business in May, 1878. He was severely wounded in the shoulder at the battle of the Wilderness. Mrs. Harris was formerly Miss Carrie Bernard, born in LaSalle county, Ill.

B. D. Robb, of the firm of Robb & Furman, was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, near Cleveland, in 1840. He re- moved to Branch county, Mich., with his parents, where his father died in July, 1863. Mr. Robb came to Eldora in the fall of 1864. His mother, Levina (Teach- out) Robb, had been married previous to her marriage with the father of Mr. Robb, and had four children by her first marriage. B. D. was her only child by her second marriage. She died in 1875. Mr. Robb learned the trade of a carpenter here, which he followed for many years. He was married in the spring of 1865 to Mary J. Parker, daughter of Judge Ellis Parker. Mr. and Mrs. Robb have three children- Ellis, born in June, 1869; L. Maud, born in October, 1875; and Earl P., born in March, 1879.

John M. Furman, of the firm of Robb & Furman, is a son of Simeon Furman, one of the earliest settlers of Eldora. Mr.

Simeon Furman was born in Northumber- land county, Pa., September 21, 1803, and removed to Tioga county with his parents when a child, where he was brought up. When a. young man, he went to Steuben county, N. Y., where he was married to Naomi Babcock, a native of the State of New York. Soon after their marriage they returned to Pennsylvania, and settled in Potter county, where they lived till the fall of 1855, when they came to Hardin county and settled in Eldora, where they have since resided. Mrs. Furman is five years younger than her husband, having been born in 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Furman have had seven children, four of whom are living, viz: N. D., who was born in Tioga county, Pa., in 1835, resides in Eldora; John M., Laura L., wife of Frank Ibach, and Lodentia. The deceased children were: George S., who was drowned in April, 1855; he was about twenty-five years of age; Lorinda and Louisa. The latter was the wife of Calvin Carriel. John M. was born in Potter county, Pa., December 28, 1839. He came here with his parents in 1855. He enlisted, in 1862, in the First Iowa Cavalry, and served two years and ten months, being discharged for disability a short time before the war closed. He is a carpenter by trade, and followed that business for a number of years. His wife was Eliza J. Conger, daughter of Jonathan Conger, born Sep- tember 6, 1844. They have four children -Eva E., born July 5, 1868; Mark C., born November 9, 1870; Nellie N., born August 25, 1875; and John M., Jr., born November 26, 1881.

Dr. G. H. Ritenour, dentist, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Greene

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

county, in that State, in 1853. He went to Pittsburg when twelve years of age. He followed steamboating on the Ohio and Missouri rivers for many years, from cabin boy to Master, holding a United States Inspector's certificate as Master of a steamer. He began the study of dentistry when twenty-one years of age, at Pittsburg, and came to Iowa in July, 1879, stopping at Charles City, and remaining about nine months, when he located at Eldora, in May, 1880, succeeding Dr. George Gibson. · His wife was Agnes Burdette, of Musca- tine, Iowa.

Corwin M. Lee, dealer in farm imple- ments, is a native of Indiana, having been born in the town of Williamsburg, Wayne county, in that State, in 1833. He removed to Iowa City, with his father, in 1840. His father, Fernando H. Lee, was one of the prominent early settlers of Johnson county. He was at one time Mayor of Iowa City, and filled the office of County Judge of Johnson county. He was a lawyer by pro- fession, and a native of the State of New York. At the time of his death, spring of 1878, he resided at Evansville, Ind. He had four sons and one daughter, viz .: Corwin M., Vernon G., Charles N., and Oscar B., who was killed at the battle of Cedar Creek, in the war of the rebellion. The daughter was Laura M., who died at Iowa City. Corwin M. enlisted in an inde- pendent company of Sioux City Cavalry, and served on the frontier during three years of the war of the rebellion. Mr. Lee was engaged in the pump business here for several years. His mother, Mrs. Mar- tha Z. (Newhall) Lee, lives with her son, C. M. Lee.

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History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 75

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1002

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002