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 81

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 81

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EDUCATIONAL.

The Ackley Independent School was first taught in the old school house, built for a residence in 1858. The school was graded in 1869, when the present imposing structure was built, at a cost of $14,000. The building is 43x65 feet. The first prin- cipal was Professor McDade; next came John Stevens, G. A. Graves, Mr. Todd, G. A. Graves and G. S. Trowbridge. The

average attendance is 307, with 500 en- rolled scholars. The present officers are: John Rath, John A. Carton, L. O. Taylor, J. H. Scales, E. J. Higgins, and B. F. Ack- erman, Trustees; S. Bloch, Secretary; H. Thorn, Treasurer.

MILL.

The Ackley Steam Flouring Mill was commenced in 1870, and completed in 1871. It is 40x60, three stories, with four run of stone, and run with a forty-five horse power engine. The cost of the mill was $13,000, and built by Jesse Foster, who retained the ownership until 1874, when it was purchased by William Roose- velt, the present owner.

AGRICULTURAL WORKS.

The Ackley Agricultural Works were built in 1877, by a Stock Company, who afterward sold to John Arends, and he subsequently to H. F. Niland. S. T. Brun- ning & Co. were the next owners, and are the present proprietors of the plow works. Swartz & Christen own the machine de- partment.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE.

To William Francis, Jesse C. Foster and Secrist & Mershon belong the honor of being the pioneers in the general mercan- tile trade. Mr. Francis still lives in Ack- ley, and is now the Postmaster of the town, while Mr. Foster died many years ago. Time would fail us in referring to the number who have since engaged in the trade, some of whom were successful, and realized much of their bright anticipations, while others found that they had mistaken their calling. Among the early firms were

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Mr. Currier, Frantz Bros. & Lockwood, and A. Pratt Roberts. The Martin Bros. are among the principal dealers in general merchandise, at present, in Ackley.

Frank Martin of the firm of Martin Bros., is the youngest of ten children of John and Carrie (Gottle) Martin. He was born in Germany, in 1848. He came to the United States with his parents in 1858, and settled in Allamakee county. Here he helped till the soil for about three years and then commenced working at the har- nessmaker's trade, and followed the same at Lansing for about four years. Mr. Mar- tin completed his education at the North- western College, at Plainfield, Illinois, and subsequently taught school at South Bend, Ind. He then returned to Lansing, and served as clerk in a store until 1870, Mr. Martin then came to Ackley, and engaged . in a general mercantile business, with a stock of about $4,000. Here he had just got fairly settled in business, when he had the misfortune to have about two-thirds of his stock destroyed by fire. He had no insurance, but he soon re-opened business, and in 1872 associated his brother, Julius, as a partner. They erected their present store, a two-story, brick structure, 22 x 90 feet, at a cost of about $6,000, and here they now carry on the largest mercantile business in this section of the country. Mr. Martin is a wide-awake business man. He is a Republican in politics, and has held local offices. He was married in 1870, at Aurora, Ill., to Miss Mary B. Faust. They have two children: Cora and Edna.

GROCERY TRADE.

"Feed the hungry," is another injunc- tion that a number have endeavored to

comply with in this town, first having value received for what they gave. W. Barnes was the pioneer in this line of trade, commencing business here in 1866. L. O. Taylor, at present, deserves a special men- tion.

L. O. Taylor was born in Albany county, N. Y., in 1845, and was a resident of the Empire State until twenty-one years of age. He then came to Iowa, and served as an engineer, etc., until 1873, in which year he came to Ackley, and clerked in the Revere House about two years. In March, 1875, Mr. Taylor purchased the grocery business of W. Barnes, and has since continued the same. In 1879 he . built his present store, at a cost of $2,400. It is a brick building 20x70 feet, and two stories in height. He was married in Albany county, N. Y., in 1869, to Miss Emma Gardner. They have two children: Jennie Belle, and Kittie May.

HOTELS.

For one year after Ackley began to assume the appearance of a town, the old Fontaine postoffice building was the only place where the "weary traveler" could find rest. But in 1866 Mr. Crawford erected the Crawford House, the first building erected especially for hotel pur- poses, and, in reality, the first hotel in the place. This house was subsequently destroyed by fire. The second hotel was the Ackley House, by R. Bolender. The third, was the unfortunate Bolar House, erected in 1870, at a cost of $20,000, and which was the finest hotel in Northwestern Iowa. The house had been occupied but a short time, when it was destroyed by fire. Two lives were lost in the conflagration.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

The Revere, Central, and Commercial Hotels were subsequently built in the order named. The Revere is a first-class house.

John H. Fryer, the wide awake landlord of the Revere House, is a son of Nelson and Lucinda (Miller) Fryer, and was born at Whitewater, Wis., on the 11th day of February, 1850. He was reared on a farm and educated at Milton College. In 1875 he concluded to see some of the Western country, and, accordingly, spent two years in Colorado. He then returned to Wisconsin, and in April, 1878, at Mar- shalltown, Iowa, married Miss Alma A. Williams, daughter of Nathan D. and Betsey A. Williams, of Whitewater, Wis. Mr. Fryer then became the proprietor of the Blake House, at Racine, Wis., and run the same until June 1, 1879. He then removed to Chicago, and acted as Collector for Baird & Dillon until February, 1880, since which time he has been proprietor of the Revere House, and under his manage- ment the house became a favorite stopping place among the traveling public. Mr. Fryer is a man who is agreeable in man- ners, accommodating to his guests, and courteous to all.

THE LUMBER TRADE.

Benjamin Ide was the pioneer lumber dealer in Ackley, starting his yard before the completion of the railroad, in Angust, 1865. He had it hauled from Aplington by teams in order to supply the demand. Carton & Joseph, M. Burns and F. Eggert also established yards during the same fall.

THE DRUG TRADE.

In 1866, Jesse C. Foster sold his stock of general merchandise to Willis Bros., and at once set to work and built a fine store on the opposite side of the street, where he entered upon the drug business. Desirous of procuring the services of an experienced druggist, Mr. Foster employed Dr. Ghrist, who had been practicing his profession in the neighborhood some years previous. Mr. Foster was thus the pioneer druggist at Ackley. There are now several drug stores in the place.

FURNITURE.

Owen Evans is the pioneer furniture dealer, opening out his first stock in 1866. A. F. Meyer was the next dealer in furni- ture.

A. F. Meyer, one of the pioneer furniture dealers of Ackley, is a native of Germany, born in 1831. His parents were Frederick and Elizabeth Meyer. In 1848 the family emigrated to the United States, and settled . near Freeport, Ill. In 1851 the subject of this sketch commenced work at the cabinet trade, and continued in the employ of one firm, at Freeport, for over seventeen years. In 1869 he came to Ackley, and engaged in his present business. In 1865 he mar- ried Miss Maggie Honberger, and by this union, have had four children-Eddie, Liz- zie, Miranda and Lulu. In religion, Mr. Meyer is a member of the Evangelical As- sociation, and has been an officer in the society for over thirty-three years.

ELEVATORS.

On the first day of July, 1865, Carton & Joseph commenced the erection of a grain warehouse and elevator, this being the first

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

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building whose erection was commenced in the town of Ackley. 'The building was completed, and scales put in, on the 14th day of October, and on the 16th day of October, 1865, the first load of grain was purchased and stored in the new ware- house. The building yet stands, and Mr. Carton yet controls an interest in it. The building has a storage capacity of 15,000 bushels. It would be almost impossible to estimate the amount of grain that has passed through this warehouse. Lusch & Carton now operate the elevator, and are always in the market for the purchase of all kinds of grain.

While Carton & Joseph were erecting their warehouse, Mr. Burns was also en- gaged in erecting a similar building, which was operated for a time by himself, then by Burns & Rath; then by John Rath, and latterly it has been operated by John Rath & Bro.

Andrew Rath, of the firm of John Rath & Bro., is a native of Wurtenburg, Ger- many, born on the 26th day of March, 1847. He emigrated to the United States in 1861, and first stopped in Dubuque, Iowa. Here he worked in the packing house and candle factory of his uncle, George Rath, until 1871. He then entered the employ of his brother, in the lumber and grain business, and since April, 1881, has been a partner in the same. Mr. Rath is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was married in 1868, to Miss Mary Rungger, then of Dubuque, but a native of Switzerland. They have four children-Lydia, George A., William and Robert C.

HARDWARE.

Joseph S. Nye, Sr., was the first hard- ware merchant in the town. He com- menced business October 1, 1865, and is still in business here.

Joseph S. Nye, the pioneer hardware merchant of Ackley, is a native of Eng- land, being born in Dover, in the year 1830. At the age of nineteen, he bid his home and friends an affectionate farewell. and emigrated to Canada, and afterwards to the United States. He first stopped at Lyons, Wayne county, N. Y., where he worked at the tinner's trade until April, 1853, then migrated to Mt. Morris, Ogle county, Ill., entered the employ of Brayton & Barke, and, in February, 1856, pur- chased the business and continued the same. In June, 1865, he came to Ackley, but, as there was yet no business to be done at this point, he returned to Mt. Mor- ris. In July he again came to Ackley, but once more returned to Mt. Morris. In September he employed Thos. Coggins to drive his team from Mt. Morris to Ackley on a peddling wagon, while he took the

cars. The railroad track was badly washed out by the heavy rains, and Mr. Nye was obliged to pay extra fare. He purchased lumber at Dubuque, and had the same shipped by railroad to within about six miles of Ackley, as the Illinois Central was completed to that point, and then hauled the same with teams to Ackley, erected a store, and on the 1st day of Oc- tober, 1865, opened business. In April, 1866, he sold ont at Mt. Morris, and re- moved his family to Ackley. In 1870 Mr. Nye returned to England, and re- mained about four months. In 1872 he built his present store, a brick block 29x70

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

feet, two stories, at a cost of over $5,000, and he now carries a stock of about $10,000. Mr. Nye is a great lover of the Masonic Order, into which he was initiated in 1857, and is now a charter member of Fountain Lodge, No. 219, Ackley, and a member of the Chapter at Hampton and the Com- mandery at Marshalltown. He has also been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1851. In stature, Mr. Nye is over six feet in height, well built, unassuming in his manners, honest in his dealings, and highly respected by his fellow men. In politics, he is a Republican, and has held local offices. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Beebe. They have had seven children, six of whom are now living-Joseph S., Edward, Mary, now Mrs. D. S. Blakey, of Spirit Lake; Frank, Alice and Emily.

BANKS.

The banking house of Lusch, Carton & Co. was established in April, 1870, by John C. Lusch, John A. Carton and C. G. Ankeney. The original capital of the institution was $10,000, which has since been largely increased. Mr. Ankeney con- tinued his connection with the bank until 1872, when he withdrew, since which time the business has been conducted by Mr. Lusch and Mr. Carton, the firm name re- maining as originally given. The bank is conducted by men of the strictest honor and integrity, who are careful in all their business transactions. They thus have the confidence of the community, and the bank's credit is No. 1. The average de- posits of the bank is $50,000. For the twelve years the bank has been in exist-

ence, its average exchange has amounted to_ $150,000, which is now largely increased.

John Arthur Carton was born Septem- ber 6, 1834, and is of Scotch-Irish stock. His father, James Stuart Carton, and his mother, Ellen Mary Morphy, moved from Amagansett, L. I., to Ottawa, Ill., in 1846, where his father engaged in farming. Mr. John A. Carton remained at Ottawa until he was of age, and studied civil engineer- ing at Ottawa and Chicago, Ill. He came to Iowa in 1856, and was employed in the office of B. B. Provost, Chief Engineer of the Dubuque and Pacific (now Dubuque and Sioux City) Railroad. He had a share in the work of surveying the railroad from Dubuque to Sioux City, and in the con- struction of the railroad from Dubuque to Cedar Falls, where the farther construction was stopped for some years. His services were next employed in the banking house of the Hon. J. H. Leavitt, at Waterloo, Iowa, and remained there until called home to Ottawa, by the death of his father, Sep- tember 10, 1860. Mr. Carton remained at Ottawa until 1864, when, having settled his father's estate, he returned to Water- loo, Iowa, and engaged his services in the elevator and lumber yard of C. A. Farwell. This business suited him, and he now looked around for an opening in some of the new stations on the railroad being built west, and fixed on Ackley, his judg- ment being much influenced by the advice of an old and true friend, the Hon. Platt Smith, of Dubuque. Mr. Carton formed a partnership with W. W. Joseph, in June, 1865, and, in July of the same year, hauled the first load of lumber brought to Ackley, to erect a business building, and com- menced the building of an elevator, in

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

which building he still handles grain. In 1868, Mr. John C. Lnsch became his part- ner in the grain and lumber business and in 1870 they together opened the banking house of Lusch, Carton & Co., which, with the grain and lumber business at Ackley, and grain exclusively at Faulkner and Cleves stations, is at this time operated by these gentlemen. Mr. Carton was married January 3, 1867, to Miss Susan E. Ray- mond, of Ottawa, Ill. The family consists of two boys and three girls. He is a Re- publican in politics, Warden of St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Ackley, and a mem- ber of Ascalon Commandery, K. T., at Waterloo.

The Exchange Bank of John Rath was established in January, 1881, by Aaron Wolf & Sons, of Parkersburg, Butler county, who ran the same until May 1st of the same year, when it was purchased by John Rath, and is now doing business under the name of John Rath's Exchange Bank. W. A. Young is the present cashier. The bank has a capital of $25,000. It oc- cupies one of the finest buildings in the city, erected in the spring of 1882, and finished off for the purpose of a banking house, by John Rath and Mark M. Beach. The following are its correspondents: Com- mercial National Bank, Dubuque; First National, Chicago; Chase National Bank, New York. =

John Rath stands conspicuous among the business men of Hardin county, as a self- made man. He was born in Wurtenburg, Germany, on tlie 26th day of November,. 1840. In 1853, with his brother, George, who now fills a soldier's grave, having fallen at the battle of Missionary Ridge,

he came to the United States, and for sev- eral years was in the employ of his uncle, George Rath, in a packing house and candle factory, at Dubuque, Iowa. In 1861 he removed to Cedar Falls, and served in the employ of a grain and lumber firm. In 1862 Mr. Rath responded to the call of the country by enlisting in Company B, 31st Iowa, and served nearly three years. He participated in several hard fought battles, among which were Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Taylor's Ridge. He also accompanied Sherman in his march to the sea. The city of Colum- bia, S. C., was surrendered to this brigade. In 1865 Mr. Rath came to Ackley, and in August entered the employ of Michael Burns, who had just opened the first lum- ber yard in Ackley. In 1868 Mr. Rath became a partner in the business, and in January, 1870, he became sole proprietor. He continued the business alone, meeting with marked success, until April 1, 1881, when he associated his brother, Andrew Rath, as a partner, and the firm became John Rath & Bro. In May, 1881, Mr. Rath purchased the Exchange Bank, and has since conducted the same. His resi- dence, which is the finest in the city, was built by him in 1878, at a cost of $10,000, and his present bank building was built by him in 1882. Mr. Rath is a quiet, unas- suming gentleman, courteous to all, and prompt in the fulfillment of his obliga- tions. In politics he is a Republican. He has served as City Mayor, and is, at pres- ent, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. His church relations are with the Presbyterian Society. In 1865 Mr. Rath married Miss Lizzie Moser, of Dubuque. They have seven children: Sher-

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

man, Millie, John, Lizzie, Charles, Clara, and Walter.

THE CLOTHING TRADE.

The injunction to "clothe the naked," has been complied with, in a measure, by a number of firms. F. C. Robinson was the pioneer clothier of the town, commenc- ing business here in 1866.

HARNESS TRADE.

The pioneer harnessmaker of Ackley was M. M. Beach, who came in the spring of 1866, and, on the south side of Main street, erected a shop.

JEWELRY TRADE.

The first Jeweler in Ackley was E. P. Ripley, who opened a store of jewelry, watches and clocks in 1866, along with the first tide of emigration. The second store was by B. Nevelle, in the same year and but four weeks later.

TRADES AND PROFESSIONS .

Every. trade and profession necessary to the well being of the town is represented here. Following are biographical sketches of several of the most prominent men of the town engaged in various lines of trade and professions, as well as one or two that may be classed among those retired from business:

C. H. Doepke, one of the prominent, successful merchants of Ackley, is a na- tive of Mecklenburg, Germany, and was born in 1842. Mr. Doepke learned the shoemaker's trade, and followed the same in his native country until 1866. He then concluded to seek his fortune in a different land, and therefore came to the United

States. When he landed in the city of New York he found his financial resources reduced to two cents, but he immediately found work at his trade, and in two months saved money enough to permit him to migrate to Wisconsin. In 1868 he settled at Ackley, continued working at his trade, and as he was industrious and economical, he soon saved quite a snug little sum of money for a laborer. With this he pur- chased a stock of boots and shoes, and in 1874 engaged in business. Mr. Doepke, by his honest dealings, soon gained the confidence of the people, and therefore established a large trade. In 1878 he erected a very neat brick residence, and in 1881 he built his present store, a brick structure fifty feet in length, twenty feet in width, and two storiesin height, situated on the corner of Main and Mitchell street, which is the best business location in town. Mr. Doepke is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, a man who attends strickly to his own business, honest in his dealings, and prompt in the fulfillment of his obliga- tions. In politics he is a Republican, and has held the office of Town Clerk. He married in 1868, Miss Maria Wickman, a native of Germany. They have four children-Charles, Maria, Hugo and Francis.

Captain James D. Williams is a native of Campbell county, Va .; born February 25, 1819. His parents being James and Mary Ann (Burns) Williams, the former a native of Virginia, who lived to the ad- vanced age of ninety-eight years, and the latter was a native of North Carolina. When the subject of this sketch removed to Lexington, Highland county, Ohio, his school days had consisted of three months,

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

for, as soon as he was big enough to be of any use, he helped till the soil and aided his father at his trade as blacksmith. When he reached his majority, he con- tinued farming; also had a blacksmith shop; and September 24, 1840, married Miss Margaret A. White. In 1853 he re- moved to Iowa; first lived at Mt. Vernon a few months, then located in Jones county, where he followed farming and black- smithing, as before, and occasionally filled a pulpit as a Methodist Episcopal pastor. In 1862 he responded to the call of his country by enlisting in Company K, of the 24th Iowa Infantry; was chosen Captain, and served as such about two years, when he resigned, on account of physical dis- ability. While in service, Captain Wil- liams participated, witli bravery, in the bat- tles of Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion Hill, and the siege of Vicksburg, besides many skirmishes. After leaving the ser- vice, he returned to Jones county, but in 1866 came to Ackley, since which time his principal business has been that of an auctioneer and horse trainer. He has, however, devoted considerable time to the ministry, especially in the way of preach- ing funeral sermons. Of the nine child- ren, four are deceased-one filling a sol- dier's grave, and one met his fate in the fire of the Bolar House, Ackley. The five living are: J. T., F. C., Wm. H., J. E. and Minerva J., now Mrs. John Wirt, of Franklin county.

James K. Morris, a prominent dentist of Hardin county, was born in Washington county, Ohio, June 21, 1843. His parents being Benjamin and Phæbe (King) Mor- ris, both of whom were natives of Ohio. James K. Morris was reared on a farm, and

in 1861 enlisted in Company G, 11th Ohio, and served with the same one year. He was then transferred to the United States Signal Corps, where he remained until the close of the war. Dr. Morris participated in many warm battles, among which were Carnifaix Ferry, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Missionary Ridgeand Nashville. After being mustered out of service, he returned to Ohio, but in 1867 he went to West Virginia and taught school for three years. During this time he also studied medicine. He then studied dentistry with Dr. C. W. Baker, of Mari- etta, Ohio, as preceptor, and in 1871 came to Iowa, and located at New Sharon, Ma- haska county. In 1873 he came to Ackley, where we now find him engaged in his pro -. fession. Dr. Morris is the inventor of the "Morris Vulcanite Plate," and several other patents of equal utility. He was married in 1872, to Miss Mattie A. Tullis, of Ohio. They have three children-Lulie Ivy, Roy Dana and Myrtie Annie.

E. Wumkes, of the firm of Taylor & Wumkes, the leading livery men of Ack- ley, was born in Germany in 1853. In 1868, with his parents, he came to America. They immediately located at Ackley. They soon after moved to Grundy county, where they now live. In 1862 he engaged in the above business with J. L. Taylor at Ackley.

Fred. Christien, of the firm of Swartz & Christien, proprietors of the Ackley Foun- dry and Machine Works, was born in Switzerland in 1848, and while yet a small child he was brought by his parents to the United States. He lived with the family at Buffalo, N. Y., until twelve years old, then went to Lawrence, Mass., and learned

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

the trade of a machinist. Six years after- wards he returned to Buffalo. In 1869 he came to Iowa, was overseer in a woolen mill in Iowa county about seven years, then 'of a cotton mill at Rockford, Ill., until 1880. He then returned to Iowa, and in December, 1880, came to Ackley. Mr. Christien, in 1874, married Miss Emma Henning. She died in 1876.

John Rink, a prominent painter of Ack- ley, was born in Oldenburg, Ger., August 28, 1839. He learned his trade and fol- lowed the same in his native country until 1870, when he married Miss Frederica Runge, and in the same year came to the United States and settled at Ackley.

T. G. Tiddens, dealer in agricultural implements, is a native of Germany, being born in 1839. He resided in his native country until 1865, when, with his parents, he came to the United States. and settled at Freeport, Ill. In 1869 Mr. Tiddens emigrated to Iowa, and followed farming in Grundy county until 1875. He then came to Ackley and engaged in his present business, and, by strict attention to the same, he has established a trade which now amounts to over $20,000 annually. Mr. Tiddens is a Democrat in politics, and is at present a member of the City Council. He was married in 1869 to Miss Nancy Ackerman.

J. H. Hurley was born in Frederick county, Md., February 7, 1821. His early life was spent on a farm, subsequently lie learned the cooper's trade, and also edu- cated himself for the ministry, being or- dained November, 1845, as a minister of the gospel in the society called the "Church of God." He remained with the society, preaching for several years in the State of

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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 81

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