USA > Iowa > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Iowa : its people, industries and institutions, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 28
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Charles Kreps came here before the Civil War, settling in section 21. After the war closed he returned, remained until 1876 and removed to California.
Among the 1857 settlers was Richard Vining. He moved to section 14 in 1859. The Vining family all emigrated from New York state. Mr. Vining still resides in Woodbine, where he has been retired a number of years.
Joseph Kessler became a settler of Boyer township in 1858. He first lived in section 28, and in 1867 moved to Kansas, where he died in 1874.
Leroy Edgerton came from New York state in the spring of 1870. rented land three years, then purchased in section 15, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying about 1904.
Comstock Willey was a settler here in 1866, that is, was here and chose a place, but did not move until 1867. He claimed a part of section 35.
Edwin C. Carrier came to this country in 1870, when fifteen years old, and was employed by Luke Jefferson. He married in 1872 and settled in section 26, remained until I891 and sold.
Jacob Kiefer came in 1860, settled in section 26, remained a year and moved to section 23, where he died a few years ago. He was a man of sterling traits of character.
Richard Jefferson came in 1858, settling in section 24.
Mathew Winter came in about 1858, and settled on land where Wood-
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bine now stands in section 14. He became a prominent citizen and was noted for his piety as a Methodist. He died a third of a century ago.
J. R. Burkholder came to Harrison county in 1859 and located on the "Island" near Butler's Mill. Shortly afterward he took the claim which is now the farm owned by C. Hammack, one mile east of town. Here he lived until 1884, when he sold the farm and moved to Woodbine, where he still resides.
Lysander Crane came to the county in the summer of 1862, during the Indian outbreak in Minnesota. He went on west, remained until 1864, then returned and settled in section 35 of this township.
Stephen Crow came in 1865, locating in section 35. He resided in a small log house until 1868, when he built a large two-story brick residence, which is now owned by Mr. Westcott, who purchased the farm several years after MIr. Crow's death.
H. II. Rathbun and family came to the county in 1878. He and his son, G. H. Rathbun, became quite extensive breeders of Holstein cattle.
Samuel Boone, a descendant of "old Daniel Boone the hunter of Kan- tuck" came here in 1856, locating in section 22. He was born in Indiana. The above constitute a greater part of the pioneers of Boyer township.
AN INDIAN ENCOUNTER.
What the late Joe H. Smith was pleased in his history of this county to term "Hamilton's Defeat" was a difficulty had between a band of the Omaha Indians and some of the white people. The affair occurred in Boyer township, on the Willow Creek, in 1853. It was not a bloody battle, by any means, and really terminated in chagrin to many of the pale faces who participated in it.
There were about one hundred and fifty Omahas-bucks accompanied by their squaws and families-camped on the banks of Willow Creek. They were out for their annual hunting expedition. They belonged over in Ne- braska, and really had no rights in Iowa, by reason of a treaty made by the government several years prior to the date of this laughable incident. These Indians annoyed the settlers by milking their cows, taking their chickens and in other ways disturbing their property. The band was finally divided into two squads-one planned for an expedition up the Willow while the other expected to go to the head waters of the Boyer. The foriner nuni- bered about twenty "warriors" and they were surrounded by about twenty- five white settlers, and made to leave for their own country beyond the Big
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Muddy. The band going up the Boyer was very strong, having over a hundred bucks and their families. These would not consent to surrender, so twenty-five of the white settlers came upon them in camp and demanded a surrender. The Indians attempted to run from camp, and it is related that John Thompson took a gun from one of them, and that James W. Bates wounded one in the arm. Finding that the Indians outnumbered them, the whites sent back for reinforcements, which came in during the night, and were thus unobserved by the Indians, who believed they were still good for a few white men; hence were very defiant.
Of the actual "encounter" Historian Smith continues: "The meeting place, as agreed upon, was at the home of Solomon Oaks, about four miles from the Indian camp. En route, one heedless fellow shot a deer grazing near their line of march. whereupon the Indians commenced scampering for the left bank of the Willow. Here they made a stand under cover of the banks of that placid stream. There was but one gun among the whites capable of shooting to the spot where the enemy was encamped and en- trenched, that one belonged to Charles Gilmore, who refused to have it fired thinking, if effectual, it might cause a revengeful spirit. The excitement was increased hy delay, and the whites became alarmed and really badly frightened, although the foes were in reality too far apart for a rifle ball to take effect; however, they kept whizzing through the air. Finally, the Indians commenced advancing, by creeping through the high growth of grass. At this omen most of the whites commenced to skulk to the rear. John Thompson and David Gamet, were the last to retreat, and were en- raged at the cowardice exhibited by their once brave comrades. The whites hid themselves among the rushes and canes of the sloughs, remaining till long after midnight, when all made good their escape."
"The casualties of the 'battle,' as reported years afterward, show that none were killed; none were wounded (by Indians) ; fifty badly frightened; ramrods worn out on horses, in retreat, thirty; full of poor whisky, thirteen; prayer mecting while engagement was going on, one, led by comrade Shad- ley, who was fleeing on a borrowed mare, which, if killed, would likely be - assessed up to his estate. So the Lord of Hosts was then and there called upon to rescue him, which petition was heard. Thus ended the last en- counter with Indians, as well as 'Hamilton's Defeat.'"
The record of this engagement shows that at least the following took part in this trouble with the visiting Omahas, which tribe still reside in Ne- braska, just south of Sioux City: Captain Chester M. Hamilton, sheriff of the county; John Thompson, Daniel Brown, the county's first actual set-
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tler, Ira Perjne, A. C. Todd, Jesse C. Wills, George Brigham, E. T. Hardin, Horatio Caywood, Frank Caywood, Collins I. Butler, Levi Motz, Jerry Motz. James W. Bates, Solomon Gamet, Isaac Gamet, Thomas F. Vander- hoof. E. T. MeKenney, Uriah Jewell, S. J. Comfort, Samuel Coon, George White, D. R. Rogers, James Hardy, P. Green Cooper, William V. Cooper, and a few more whose names are not now obtainable.
THE TOWN OF WOODBINE.
On section 14. township So, range 42, on December 5, 1866, the Blair Town Lot Company platted the beautiful town of Woodbine, named for the post office that had been kept by Mrs. L. D. Butler, postmistress, at her hus- band's flouring-mill about a mile to the northeast. Woodbine postoffice was named for her birthplace in England, and she was allowed to name the office, after the department decided not to allow the original name that had been proposed-"Harrison City." The name itself is pretty and the town- site is none the less charming to the lover of natural landscape scenes. It is situated near the west bank of the Boyer river, on a second bench of land overlooking the picturesque valley. The two great railway systems that follow each other down through the fertile valley, together with the rich rural farin scenes on either side of the stream, present a remarkable sight, which, once seen, remains a glad memory forever. Woodbine is now a prominent station point on both the Chicago & Northwestern and the Illi- nois Central railroad lines, both centering in Omaha.
The Town Lot Company bought twelve hundred aeres in this immedi- ate vicinity of Matthew Winter. David E. Barnum, Hiram Wisner, W. F. Clark, G. M. Brown, I. McAtee, John Johnson and MI. Kiger.
With no special degree of pride today, it must be said that the first building erected on the plat was the saloon erceted before the railroad was completed, in the fall of 1866, by Gallagher Brothers.
William A. Jones erected the first residence in 1866.
The "Woodbine House." the first hotel, also built the same season, provided a stopping place for the travelers and railroad men.
For several months Woodbine had a roundhouse and shops for the Northwestern road. These were situated (says Frank Rigg) near the cross- ing south of the present depot. It was not long. however, until more exten- sive shops were built at Dunlap. Woodbine being the end of the road dur- ing one winter, it was necessary to have such buildings.
Following the buildings mentioned came the hardware store of A. &
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G. B. Cadwell, by some said to have been the first exclusive hardware store in Harrison county; Sleight & Williams, agricultural implement store : C. D. Stevens, grocery and drug store; L. D. Butler's general store ( first to open in the town and started two months ahead of the railroad) ; McAtee's gro- cery store; Dr. J. S. Cole's drug store and a few smaller concerns.
Herman Brothers were the first in the exclusive grocery business.
BUSINESS IN 1868.
By 1868 Woodbine had made a fine showing for so new a town. The following was the business representation :
Hotel. G. W. Pugsley; physicians and druggists, Cole & Crosswait : Woodbine Mills, John Dally: lumber, Wheeler & Warner; dry goods and notions, T. H. Abbott : dry goods and groceries, Herman Bros. & Davis; harness shop. D. S. Forney.
In 1870 1. J. Davis and G. W. Kibler, under the firm name of Davis & Kibler, opened a general merchandise store in March of that year. As a firm they operated one year, when Davis sold to W. H. McHenry. The business was conducted thus until April 19. 1873, when the firm was changed to Kibler Brothers (G. H. and S. B. Kibler). Their place of busi- ness was on lot No. 1, block 52. The building was known then as the Her- man Brothers Store.
In 1870 Dr. J. S. Cole & Son commenced in the drug trade. The father finally withdrew and the son was sole proprietor of the pioneer drug store. This, years later, became the Reed & Cole business of today.
H. C. Harshbarger engaged in general merchandising in 1870 and operated three years. He was postmaster for about the same period.
· From 1875 to 1879. William D. Cromie conducted a grocery store in the building later used by T. L. Canfield, north of Kibler Bros. Later, he added a general stock, and was in trade until a few years ago continuously, finally being succeeded by his sons.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF 1914.
In the summer of 1914 the following had charge of the various business and professional affairs of the towns:
Attorney-George J. Dugan.
Agricultural Implements-A. E. De Cou, Brandon & Co., Ingram & Prose.
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Banks-First National, Woodbine Savings and Peoples Savings.
Bakeries-The Palace and the Buena Vista.
Barber Shops-Mark Norris, Ira Wharton, Herb Burkholder.
Blacksmith Shops-George Wilson, Arthur Turner, Kunz & Moore. Cement Workers-Daniel Dunlap, Richard Welek and others.
Creamery -- Woodbine Stock Co.
Cream Station-The Fairmont, of Omaha.
Clothing-Seibel's Store and J. E. Dale.
Drug Stores-Reed & Cole, Hulburd Drug Co., F. C. Kruger & Co. · Dentist-Dr. Wells Dewell.
- Dray Lines-Ed Morse, L. Land, Howard & Davis.
Elevators-A. E. DeCon, Brandon & Co.
Furniture-A. F. Temple, Bare & Bray.
General Stores-Seibel's Department, J. G. Knight, Cromie Bros., Horton Bros.
Groceries (exchisive )-Willis Wiggins, Hosbrook & Wharton.
Garages-Snyder Auto Co., Tague Bros., Young & Kibler.
Hardware-Mickel & Son, Ingram & Prose, Case & Houghton.
Ilarness-C. E. Wilsey, John Brandon.
Hotel-The Hoffman House.
Insurance-L. J. Abbey (successor to L. L. Sample), C. J. Irwin. Jewelers-Louis Hoyer, Reed & Cole.
Lumber-Mathews Lumber & Coal Company, H. A. Quinn.
Moving Pictures-"The Will-up Theater," Fred Cromie.
Millinery-The Misses Hazzard, Ethel Hull, Seibel's Store. Newspaper-The Woodbine Twviner.
Photographer-Fritz Neubaum.
Physicians-Drs. E. J. Cole. W. S. Payne, H. N. Anderson, Max E. Flothow.
Racket Store-A. E. Howarth.
Restaurants-Buena Vista, The Palace, A. Copeland, and several lunch rooms.
Tailor -- J. H. Aughey.
Shoe Repair Shop-John Lennox.
Veterinary Surgeons-C. D. Williams, Charles Reed.
Meat Market-J. J. Weise.
Livery and Feed-Guyett & Son, William Armstrong.
Wood Shop-J. P. Browning.
Well Work, Pumps and Tanks-Ed Holton.
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In 1913 J. J. Weiss, the meat-market man who has furnished ice to the town for years, using ice cut from the "spring --- bayou," constructed an arti- ficial lake or pond, near the Ilinois Central tracks in Woodbine, and pro- vided water from deep wells, and from this supply is making excellent ice which is sold at wholesale and retail.
POSTOFFICE HISTORY.
In 1858 Mrs. Annie Butler, an English lady, wife of pioneer L. D. Butler, received the appointment as postmistress of an office about one mile northeast- of present Woodbine, at the old Butler Mills, the office being called "Woodbine" for her English home. When the railroad town started up, the office was moved there and took the same name. Mrs. Butler kept the office in their residence at the mill and was not over-rushed with making up mails or turning in quarterly reports, but she kept the office in strict conformity to the requirements of Uncle Sam's rules, at that day. In the autunm of 1866, two months after the railroad went through, the office was removed to the new town and J. W. Dally was appointed postmaster. , In order to secure a correct list of the various postmasters with term of office held by each, in the various towns of Harrison county, the author has secured such lists from the department at Washington, and hence it can be relied upon. Such list was received in the month of May, 1914. The appointment dates are given. Lorenzo D. Butler, May 29, 1858; A. K. Grow, July 22, 1861; Mathew Winter, August 28, 1862; Ralph Jenkins, April 23, 1864; J. W. Dally, March 12, 1867; Isaac J. Davis, September 16, 1867; Il. C. Harshberger, January 6, 1870; William H. McHenry, Feb- ruary 16, 1874; William D. Cromie, April 28, 1875; Lysander Cranc. March 2, 1881; L. W. White, August 31, 1885: S. L. Winter, June 27, 1889: William J. Callender, January 19, 1892; William F. Schuler, Decem- ber 14. 1892; O. L. Mickel. January 12, 1897; C. A. Van Scoy, February II. 1901 ; Bruce R. Mills, April 30, 1907. In 1914 this office had extend- ing out into the surrounding country five rural free delivery routes. Exclui- sive of money order business, this office transacted business to the amount of six thousand, six hundred and twelve dollars and nineteen cents for the years ending June, 1914. It is now a third-class postoffice, and only lacks fourteen hundred dollars of making it a second-class office. It was made a third-class office in 1889. The present postmaster, Bruce Mills, has for his deputy, G. E. Suddick. Sixteen mails are sent and received each day in the year. The office is kept in a brick building erected by Sylvester Kibler
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in 1906. It was building expressly for postal use, and is leased for a term of years.
TOWN INCORPORATION HISTORY.
In the autumn of 1877 Woodbine became an incorporated town. The following have served as mayors from the date of organization to the pres- ent time: A. W. Curtis, from 1877 to 1880; G. Smith Stanton (son of the famous Elizabeth Cady Stanton), from 1880 to ISSE: John V. Mallery, from from 1881 10 1882: L. D. Butler, from 1882 to 1883: J. S. MeLain. from 1883 to 1884: Stephen King. from 1884 to 1887; W. M. Magden, from 1887 to 1888; S. L. Winter, from 1888 to 18go; L. W. White, from 1890 to 1891; Dr. J. Giddings, from 1891 to 1892; L. W. White, 1892 to 1893; W. J. Callender, March to July, 1893; J. Giddings, July, 1893. 10 1898: IJ. C. Harshbarger. 1898-1900: J. Giddings, 1900-1902; C. W. Reed, 1902-1900; Clint J. W. Triem, 1906 to August, 1907; C. J. Tuttle, August, 1907, to 1912; Wells Dewell, 1912, and present mayor.
The first recorder in Woodbine was Prof. C. C. Matter, who served two terms. The officers in 1914 were: Mayor, Dr. Wells Dewell; clerk, C. C. Haas; treasurer. George W. Coc: marshal, M. M. Vining; health officer, Dr. H. N. Anderson : councilnen, S. R. DeCou, W. D. Howarth, George Young, T. F. Jefferson, E. E. Cole.
The waterworks system was first installed in the nineties, and a well and pumping station was constructed near the depot, from which point the water was forced to a standpipe on the hill to the west of the main portion of the town. More water was needed and a well was sunk near the present pumping plant, to the northeast of town, which served well for a time, but as the town increased in its demand for water, another well was made near the last named, which today gives forth an abundance of the purest, coldest water in the country. The pumps are worked by a gasoline engine. During the year 1914. the town was expending six thou- sand dollars in improvements on the water system, including the laying of water-pipe extensions and the erection of a high steel tower and tank near the old standpipe, which when completed will furnish ample water for years to come.
The banks, schools, churches and Normal School and lodges are all treated in special chapters on these topics, hence need not be gone into in this connection.
Woodbine in 1893 was the best bicycle town in the state of Iowa for
٢٠٠
٢
WOODBINE NORMAL SCHOOL.
برو
٠٠.النداقه
FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING. WOODBINE.
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its size, having thirty, and ali first-class machines. At that date Logan had but eight machines.
Today the number of automobiles owned in Woodbine possibly outnum- bers any town in the county of its size.
The city is lighted by artificial gas made from coal, by a local stock company, which commenced operations in 1902, an account of which ap- pears below.
An effort was made to connect Woodbine with Missouri Valley, Mag- nolia and other towns in the county with an electric lighting system in 1913. The question was put up to the property holders, but failed to carry at a special election. . At the same time there was a proposition to build sewers, and between the two proposed improvements, both failed to carry. Both are much needed in order to make the town what it should be.
What is styled the "Woodbine Light and Heating Company" was estab- lished in March, 1902, when a franchise was granted, under Mayor J. Gid- dings and City Clerk George W. Coe. The streets are fairly well lighted by this plant and, yearly, other strect lamps are being added. The residence portion of the town is supplied with gas from these works at a fair "live- and-let-live" rate. It is purely a home company.
WOODBINE TELEPHONE COMPANY.
This corporation had its beginning through the foresight of Professor H. A. Kinney, of the Normal School, who, in about 1895. in company with Perry Holdogle, constructed a line from Woodbine to Logan, using rough oak poles cut from the forests of the county. At first they had but few patrons, but they kept pressing onward and finally, in January, 1896, a com- pany was formed with which Professor M. A. Reed, another factor in the Normal School, was connected. These two gentlemen and three more organized. The incorporators were Professors Kinney and Reed, F. A. Dean, S. L. Berkley and Perry C. Holdogle. An exchange was set up in Woodbine at the drug store of S. L. Berkley, and kept there a number of years, after which it was moved to the Columbia Hotel block, this taking place in 1899. It was there located until 1910, when the present fine brick telephone exchange building was erected by the company.
The exchanges in the county are now Woodbine, with headquarters. Logan and Dunlap. The Dunlap section runs to Shelby, Monona and Crawford counties. There is a toll line to Panama, Shelby county. Also
(21)
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there is one to Honey Creek in Pottawattamie county. From the original eight miles of ernde oak poles to Logan, the system has grown to have six hundred and twenty miles of pole line in the county and a total of two thon- sand nine hundred and twenty-four miles of wire stretched over the county. The company now has in operation two thousand six hundred and fifty in- struments. August, 1897, a state law went into force which demands that franchises shall be obtained for a specified term of years, but luckily this company was formed prior to that date, hence they secured a perpetual fran- chise through streets and alleys in this county, and will never be hampered by trying to secure new franchises. The capital is seventy-five thousand dollars. Thirty-four men and women are employed now, besides extras. The present value of the company's property, including real estate, is ninety- seven thousand dollars. The magneto system in general is in use, while the instruments include the Kellogg and Monarch. In Dunlap. Woodbine and Logan the company has installed much underground work, doing away as much as possible with the overhead street and alley poles. The Logan section of this system was brought about by the purchase of a line at that place owned by W. H. Johnson, who sold in 1900 to the Woodbine company. At first there were but seventeen subscribers at Logan, but today it has eleven hundred. Woodbine had only one hundred and fourteen at that date, but today has eighty hundred and fifty instruments and nearly as many sub- scribers, while Dunlap has six hundred and eighty. The company now has but eight stockholders. Its officers are S. B. Kibler, president : L. W. Kib- ler. vice-president ; H. A. Kinney, manager; M. A. Reed, secretary; S. B. Kibler, treasurer. The directors are the same as the officers just enumer- ated. The company's first president was M. A. Reed. He was succeeded by George Kibler, who served until his removal to California in 1913. Then came his brother, Sylvester B. Kibler, present head of the company.
The only serious accident to anyone connected with the company's op- erations was the loss of an eye by George Mensching, in December, 1911. This, in brief, covers the general points of history in this successful tele- phone company. The advancement in its work, the improvements made, and the general popular favor with which the system has been met by the public, both town and country, is something phenomenal.
THIE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Woodbine is justly proud of her present public library. In short, its history is this: Some years prior to 1908 there had been organized a
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library association, which put into use a circulating library, that was kept alive in the town's building on Main street, looking ahead to the time when a true library might be secured. under the laws of the state, and their hopes were not thwarted, for, during that year, on July 3. the present library was established. Its first trustees were O. L. Mickel. A. J. Coc, Mrs. F. J. Mc- Ewen, ML. A. Reed, F. J. Hupp, B. R. Mills, G. N. Young, Mrs. H. C. Ford and Mrs. Lewis Haas, 'The first president was M. A. Reed, of the Normal School, with G. N. Young, secretary. These officers are still holding office, and no change has been made in the trustees, save in the case of Mr. Mickel, who resigned in July, 1914. Prof. H. A. Kinney took his place. Miss Maude Van Scoy has been the librarian ever since the organization was formed. Prior to the present library, the books were in charge of volunteer ladies who took turns in attending to the library in the town building. In July, 1908, the city, under the new state provision, purchased a lot and a half on the corner of Lombard and Vail streets, centrally located. and, with the generous gift of seven thousand five hundred dollars of Andrew Carnegie, a building of pressed brick was erected by Contractor F. X. White, of El- dora, lowa. The total cost was seven thousand seven hundred and fifteen dollars. The building has a ladies' rest room in the basement. The roof is of tile and the floor is made sound-proof by a cork carpet. The rest room was established in May. 1913. The building is heated by a hot-air furnace. .A two-mill annual tax in the city, with a certain tax in outlying districts within Boyer township, supports the institution. The present number of vol- times on the shelves is three thousand, with seventy-eight periodicals and papers. The total number of books circulated in 1913 was seven thousand two hundred and thirty-three, twenty-nine per cent of which were juvenile books. There were nine hundred borrowers. The library is open three week-days a week, and the reading room is open on Sunday.
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