USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume I > Part 77
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100
A strong Sabbath school is held in connection with the church and there is also a good membership to the Epworth League. The Ladies Aid society has been a big factor in keeping up the church interior.
The pastors of the Methodist Episcopal church in Sabula, from the time of Rev. Cartwright to the present, 1910, are :
1839-40, Rev. B. H. Cartwright; 1840-41, Rev. McMurtie; 1842-43, Rev. Simpson ; 1843-45, Rev. John Walker; 1845-46, Revs. Roberts and Greenup ; 1846-47, Rev. George Larkins; 1847-48, Rev. Crawford; 1848-49, Rev. Black- ford : 1849-50, Rev. John Guiley ; 1850-52, Rev. Asa Critchfield; 1852-53, Rev. Geo. Larkins ; 1853, Rev. J. S. Kelly ; 1854, Rev. A. N. Odell ; 1855, Rev. Roushey ; 1856-57, Rev. S. Harmer ; 1858-59, Revs. T. Moore and C. Brewster ; 1860, Rev. Giberson : 1861-62, Rev. S. H. Henderson, (this minister went to the front as a member of a Sabula company during the Civil war) ; 1863-64, Rev. Wm. Lease; 1864-65, Rev. John Bachelder ; 1866-67, John Fawcett ; 1868-69, Rev. F. X. Miller ; 1870-71, Rev. S. Y. Harmer; 1872-74, Rev. G. R. Manning; 1875-77, Rev. J. H. Rigby ; 1878-79, Rev. W. B. Frazell ; 1879-80, Rev. C. A. Haun ; 1881, Rev. J. M. Ferris ; 1882-85, Rev. J. F. Baker ; 1885-86, Rev. P. W. Gould ; 1886-87, Rev. L. M. Pratt ; 1887-88, Rev. T. A. Miller ; 1888-91, Rev. W. F. Bacon ; 1891-92, Rev. A. Camp ; 1892-93, A. D. Stevens : 1893-94, J. H. Hestwood; 1894-98, Rev. W. R. Dyre ; 1898-99, Rev. J. H. Kepple; 1899-1900, Rev. O. W. Rose; 1900-03, Rev. Thos. H. Sheckler ; 1903-05, Rev. J. J. Kidder; 1905-07, Rev. W. R. Mellott ; 1907-10, Rev. A. C. Brackett.
The latter named gentleman now occupies the pulpit and is a faithful and con- scientious worker in God's field ; a worthy follower of those sturdy pioneer minis- ters who paved the way for the betterment of moral and social conditions when Iowa was a territory and Sabula a frontier settlement.
The church officers at present are: Trustees, J. D. Gage, W. J. Thompson, J. W. Seeber, G. A. Gage, L. L. Esmay ; stewards, Mrs. C. G. Eldredge, Mrs. L. L. Esmay, Mrs. G. A. Gage, Miss Emma Scarborough, R. N. Rogers and J. E.
534
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Densmore. L. L. Esmay is acting superintendent of the Sabbath school and Mrs. G. A. Gage is president of the Ladies' Aid society. J. W. Seeber is class leader.
The Congregational church started as the result of a meeting held in Sabula on December 13, 1845, called by a number of the settlers to consider the advisa- bility of organizing a Congregational church. James Beebe acted as temporary chairman and Philip Bevan as clerk. On the day following Sunday, December 14th, the following persons were constituted a church by Revs. O. Emerson and Julius A. Reed :
James Beebe, David Anderson, Philip Bevan, Lucy Beebe, Catherine Ander- son, Betsy Leonard, Julia Carman, Harriett Woods, Sarah Scarborough.
The first house of worship was built in 1848 and dedicated on October 8th of that year. A larger and better church was erected and dedicated in 1855, the cost of this building being one thousand one hundred dollars. Rev. O. Emerson was the first pastor and preached in Sabula a part of his time from 1846 to 1855. He was followed by Rev. Abner Harper who was in charge for the five years ending in 1860. Rev. Harper was still living February 15, 1910, with some of his children in Illinois. In 1861 Rev. Emerson again took charge, remaining for six years this time. The next minister was Rev. Jas. M. Smith, who came from Canada and remained until 1869, when he resigned on June 9th. The church was then without a pastor until April, 1870, when Rev. D. R. McNabb took up the work and remained the balance of the year. In July, 1871, Rev. F. Herbrechter came from Clarence, Iowa, and occupied the Congregational pulpit until March, 1873. There was another vacancy from that date until October, 1874, when Rev. W. B. Eells became the pastor and stayed until some time in 1875. In the fall of 1876, Rev. J. Alderson accepted the appointment of pastor here and remained for about five years to be succeeded by Rev. E. J. Beech. Ministers who have handled the charge since that time are as follows: Rev. W. M. Chapple, Rev. W. E. De- Reimer, Rev. McDermid, Rev. D. E. Smith, Rev. M. A. Frost, Rev. W. Howard Thomlinson, M. A. Ingraham, (a theological student), Rev. James E. Parker, the latter being ordained while at Sabula.
The church now has a membership of forty-four, but has no minister nor regular church services at this writing. A flourishing Sabbath school is held every Sunday with Miss Jessie Seeber as superintendent. The Young People's Society Christian Endeavor hold regular meetings, and a ladies' aid society called the Helping Hand gives the church much financial aid.
During the years of 1873-74 the old church structure gave way to a substantial brick church and the church was incorporated under the laws of Iowa. The com- mittee in charge of building the church consisted of M. H. Long, William H. Reed, Michael Esmay and Dr. E. A. Wood. Mr. Long is still living and an active member of the church although past his eightieth year. The building which was completed in February, 1874, cost five thousand and seventy-two dollars and sixty-five cents.
The church organization is now officered as follows : President, Samuel Clark ; vice president, George Flack ; secretary, Henry Schultz ; treasurer, Maye Jones ; deacons, Wm. Jones, Samuel Clark; trustees, M. H. Long, Henry Schultz and Samuel Clark.
The Catholic church has been represented here since the early part of the '50s and for the first twenty years their worshiping was done in a little frame building standing on the ground now enclosed by the Catholic cemetery. In 1870 James McCabe, one of the pioneer settlers, donated land for the purpose of build- ing a church thereon, four acres being embraced in the gift. This was about one and a half miles from town and here the church building was erected, a frame structure about sixty by one hundred and thirty feet and costing over two thousand dollars. Rev. Father Schiffmaker celebrated the first mass in December, 1870, about forty families being represented there. From that time on to 1882 the parish was in charge of a resident priest only a part of the time. A great deal of the time during that period Rev. Father Dunn, of Lyons, visited this parish and
535
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
held services at stated periods. Beginning in 1882 Rev. Father J. Corbett was the resident priest. He was followed by Father John F. Bowen, who was here for a number of years. Then followed Fathers Shea, Laughlane, Leddy, O'Doherty, and the present priest, Father M. F. Eardley, who is entering on his sixth year. The church was moved from its original site to a spot just east of the Union house and in 1881 was moved to town and located.on the lot at the corner of Elk and Bank streets where it now stands. During the administration of Father Eardley a handsome brick parochial residence equipped with furnace and a light system has been erected on the lot adjoining the church. The church has been improved considerably and the parish is in a thriving condition. The Catholic cemetery is situated on the sand ridge, one and one half miles northwest of the city. The ladies of the church have an altar society and also a sewing circle called St. Agnes Guild. The officers of the guild are, president, Mrs. Clara Roeder ; recorder, Mrs. Nellie Barnette; receiver, Mrs. Mayme Binhoff.
Regular Danish Lutheran services are held in the Methodist Episcopal church once each month, the pastor from Clinton officiating. There is also a strong lodge of the Nordens Brodre and its auxiliary, the Northern Sisters. Sabula has a goodly per cent of Danish people, all thrifty and nearly every one owning their own homes.
The Christian Science Society is the outgrowth of Sunday afternoon meet- ings first held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Kimbell, about 1895. These home meetings continued for two years and were attended by a half dozen people who had become interested in the teachings of Mrs. Eddy. As a few were added to the little band, larger quarters were sought and the rooms over Eldredge's drug store rented and an organ purchased. Services were held here for two years and the Congregational church leased for Sunday mornings and Wednesday eve- nings. During the seven years in which the meetings were held in this edifice the society grew from the original three or four to over thirty. In the spring of 1907 the society purchased a building on Bank and North Water streets and fitted it up for a church. The church was opened with services on Easter Sunday and the building was filled with Scientists from Sabula, Savanna and Mt. Car- roli and others. The Christian Scientists meet all their expenses by voluntary contributions and do not hold socials, or solicit contributions outside of the church. The first reader of the church is Mrs. Martha Day; second reader. Chas. Day ; clerk. Wade Guenther ; treasurer, J. G. Keller ; organist, Mrs. J. L. Kimbell. Meetings are held every Sunday morning at 10:30, Wednesday eve- ning at 7:30, and consist of Scriptural selections with correlative passages from the Christian Science text book.
LODGES OF SABULA.
Resurgam Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 169, was established in Sabula, Friday, March 13, 1863. This fact in itself proves that there was not a particle of super- stition in the makeup of those who organized this Masonic lodge or they would not have chosen as a date a Friday and the 13th day of the month. This meeting was attended by John G. Sugg, John E. Babbitt, W. H. Eldredge, J. O. Bard, C. Peaslee, T. O. Bard. J. S. Dominy and S. B. Wells. These gentlemen were orginal- ly members of a Masonic lodge which was instituted September 22, 1862, and was known as Union Lodge, No. 39. The first officers of this lodge were Jos. C. Simp- son, W. M .; Jas. Westbrook, S. W .; E. Albright, J. W .; F. Darling, S. D .; S. Dar- ling, J. D .; T. Pope, Tyler. This lodge gave up its charter in the fall of 1857 and those Masons who founded Resurgam Lodge were most of them at one time members of Union Lodge. Resurgam Lodge began with forty members but has grown steadily and although many of its members have passed away or moved to other fields, the membership at present is fifty-eight. As far back as the writer can obtain a record of the lodge officers we find that those who held the gavel were: 1872, John Hilsinger; 1873, Harvey Reid; 1878, J. E. Babbitt ;
536
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
1879, Harvey Reid; 1880, Fred Schramling, Sr .; 1881, Harvey Reid; 1882, J. F. H. Sugg; 1884, Thos. Lambert; 1889, Robt. A. Schroeder; 1891, Paul Kempter, Sr .; 1892, Thos. Lambert; 1895, W. G. Newsome; 1897, Thos. Lambert; 1898, Geo. W. Scarborough; 1899, Jos. Bryant; 1900, H. J. Giddings, 1901, J. D. Cot- ton ; 1902, Thos. Lambert; 1903, W. G. Newsome; i906, H. J. Giddings; 1908, W. G. Newsome; 1910, Henry Schultz. Where the years are not given the last Master previous was reelected until the next date named. The present officers of Resurgam Lodge are: W. M., Henry Schultz; S. W., Samuel Clark; J. W., F. O. White; S. D., John A. Taylor ; J. D., S. C. Lund; treasurer, W. E. New- some; secretary, W. E. Long.
Thos. Lambert, of Resurgam Lodge, was honored by being made Grand Mas- ter of Iowa Masons and later elected to the position of chairman of the board of trustees of the Grand Charity Fund, a position which he still holds. W. G. Newsome has also been signally honored by being elected to the responsible office of treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. J. Hilsinger, deceased, was also Grand Treasurer during the '70s.
The first meetings of Resurgam Lodge were held in what was then known as the Canfield block. Later they moved to the third floor of the J. C. Day building on the river front. Another move was made to the Smith block on Main street where their meetings were held until 1884, when the old stone school- house was purchased and converted into a modern society hall. The lodge room on the second floor has lately been refurnished handsomely and the members of Resurgam Lodge have a home of which they may well feel proud.
White Rose Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, is the ladies' branch of the Ma- sonic order and has a good membership. Their meetings are held regularly in the Masonic hall and much interest in them is manifested by the members.
Volunteer Lodge, No. 415, Knights of Pythias, is the youngest of Sabula's secret societies, but at the same time one of the very strongest, both from point of finances and membership. This lodge was organized with twenty-eight members on the 25th day of January, 1895, and has shown an exceptionally good growth, today numbering seventy-two members, a large percentage of whom are very active in the matter of attendance. The presiding officers from the birth of this order to the present time were: 1895, S. E. Day; 1896, Wm. McKillip ; 1897, C. G. Eldredge ; 1898, Dr. O. M. Ide; 1899, T. J. Harrison; 1900, John Maloney; 1901, Michael Behan ; 1902, W. H. Eldredge ; 1903-4, John F. Kunau; 1905-6-7, F. O. White; 1908, John G. Giddings; 1909, Paul W. Keller ; 1910, F. O. White. The full list of officers for 1910 follows: C. C., F. O. White; V. C., Pete Hundevard; prelate, T. J. Harrison; M. W., Fred Tillis ; K. R. & S. and M. of F., W. H. Eldredge; M. of Ex., S. E. Day; M. at A., Joe Whitney ; I. G., A. N. Spore, O. G., Jerry Hundevard.
Lafayette Lodge, No. 39, I. O. O. F., was chartered in October, 1851, by Josiah Richardsen, Edward Wilde, E. M. Westbrook, Thos. Darling, R. M. Elliott and Wesley Pope, and the first meetings were held in the old Canfield block. After occupying this hall for several years, they removed to the third floor of J. C. Day's stone block and here Lafayette lodge is today quartered. In 1859 a second removal was made to Day's other block on Pearl street, near Cherry (the building then and now occupied by the J. C. Day hardware store). In the latter part of 1859 the lodge suspended and surrendered their charter. On December 10, 1870, the charter was returned and the lodge reorganized and in 1871 they again took up their abode in the Day stone building and re- mained there to the present time.
The original members of Lafayette lodge from 1851 to the time that the charter was surrendered in 1859 were M. C. Lawrence, R. C. Westbrook, Jerry Wood, N. W. Church, Geo. W. Confare, Wade H. Eldredge, John Smith, Jos. Keller, A. C. Simpson, Jacob Oswald, Fred Schmitten, Martin Hein, Anton Brincken, A. Slisting, M. Seeber, F. M. Kelsey, F. Hays, R. Price, Wm. Brun- ning, L. Barton, L. Canfield, C. Hubble, Peter Bannick, S. L. Kentnor, J. S.
537
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Dilley, E. M. Westbrook, Wm. Burget, R. M. Elliott, H. B. Van Tassell, G. C. Wratten, Wm. H. Thomas, Wm. Bent, Wm. Jacobs and Thomas Pearson.
In 1870 some of the old members got together and petitioned the Grand Lodge of Iowa to restore the original charter of Lafayette Lodge, No. 39, and it was so done and the charter hangs in the lodge room today.
The following noble grands have presided since 1873, a new one being elected every six months : 1873, H. R. Canfield, J. C. Guilfoil ; 1874, J. F. Fair- bank, J. J. Gray ; 1875, Gideon Seeber, A. S. Kilborn ; 1876, J. F. Fairbank, John Esmay ; 1877, G. W. Confare, G. L. Seeber ; 1878, J. J. Gray, Harvey Reid ; 1879, John Snyder, Frank Snover; 1880, W. H. Albright, Thos. Lambert ; 1881, Wm. H. Densmore, F. M. Fulton ; 1882, John Esmay, John Albright; 1883, W. H. Sugg, F. L. Collier ; 1884, P. S. Hilton, John Snyder ; 1885, F. L. Collier, Wm. Pitkin; 1886, F. L. Collier, John Albright; 1887, A. C. Simpson, J. J. Gray ; 1888, John Albright, J. J. Gray; 1889, G. W. Confare, John Albright, 1890, J. J. Gray, W. H. Sugg; 1891, Thos. Lambert, J. H. Guenther; 1892, J. M. Kempter, John G. Keller ; 1893, T. J. Harrison, H. J. Leigh ; 1894, J. H. Brandt, Theo. Hilmers; 1895, Dan Harrison, John Lynch; 1896, James B. Wise, C. G. Eldredge; 1897, Benj. Beesley, C. G. Eldredge: 1898, W. H. Clappison, Geo. Edington ; 1899, Chas. Day, John McElroy ; 1900, C. F. Esmay, John Kuempel ; 1901, Paul Rasmussen, L. A. Haynes; 1902, Jacob Miller, Jacob Miller ; 1903, Albert Cook, Wm. Cook; 1904, Eugene Mohr, Paul Kempter ; 1905, A. C. Bab- cock, John Kuempel; 1906, Jacob Vicks, John Kuempel; 1907, Henning Cohrt, J. A. Leigh ; 1908, Norman Anderson, S. C. Lund; 1909, John Hyer, Jos. Whit- ney ; 1910, J. A. Leigh.
Present officers are: N. G., J. T. Staples; V. G., Grover C. Walker ; Rec. Sec., Jacob Vicks ; Fin. Sec., Eugene Mohr ; Treas., C. G. Eldredge. The mem- bership is the largest of any lodge in the city (except insurance societies), be- ing at present eighty-six. There is also a lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah, which holds regular meetings.
Chauncey Lawrence Post, No. 163, G. A. R., was instituted April 26th, and there were twenty-four charter members. Harvey Reid was the first com- mander and since the post was organized, the following veterans have acted as commander : 1883-4-5, Harvey Reid; 1886, W. H. Bahne; 1887, Sam Mars- den ; 1888, J. H. Cottral ; 1889-90, W. H. Bahne ; 1891, A. C. Wells ; 1892, J. P. Truesdell ; 1893, J. H. Cottral ; 1894, D. C. Whitney ; 1895, Sam Kinder ; 1896, Chas. Babcock; 1897-8, Frank Snover; 1899, Chas. H. Swift; 1900-01-02-03- 04-05-06-07, J. H. Cottral; 1908-9, W. R. Oake; 1910, G. L. Mills.
The full complement of officers for 1910 is : Commander, G. L. Mills ; senior vice commander, Robt. McLaughlin; J. V. commander, John Weston; adju- tant, D. C. Whitney; Q. M., David Kinder; chaplain, Samuel Kinder; officer of the day, Frank Snover ; officer of the guard, D. W. Swihart ; patriotic instructor, W. B. Lovell; surgeon, J. H. Cottral ; sergeant major, J. W. Kinder ; quarter- master sergeant, Chas. Babcock. The post now has thirty members enrolled.
A. W. Day Camp, No. 230, Sons of Veterans, had its birth October 27th and was named after Veteran Aaron W. Day in recognition of a handsome stand of colors presented to the camp by the widow of Veteran Day. The camp started with fifteen members and Seymour E. Day, a son of the soldier for whom the camp was named, was made its first captain. Others who have held the chair since that date are: 1892, C. F. Esmay ; 1893, J. M. Cottral ; 1894, J. M. Cottral ; 1895, Perley S. White ; 1896, Perley S. White; 1898, Alfred O. Swift; 1899, A. C. Babcock; 1900, C. H. Searle; 1901, Geo. P. Whitney; 1902, F. O. White ; 1903, F. O. White ; 1904, A. L. Day ; 1905, A. L. Day ; 1906, W. W. Whitney; 1907, Frank Cottral; 1908, Joe S. Whitney; 1909, A. B. Robinson ; 1910, Cliff L. Day. The full staff of officers for 1910 is as follows : Commander, Cliff L. Day ; S. V. commander, E. K. Densmore ; J. V. commander, Tolbert Willette ; patriotic instructor, S. E. Day ; chaplain, M. F. Eardley ; secretary, Joe S. Whitney ; treasurer, A. L. Day ; color bearer, Lloyd Greene ; guide, F. O.
538
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
White ; principal musician, Geo. F. Manning; inside guard, Henry Simpson ; outside guard, J. M. Densmore ; camp council, Geo. P. Whitney, A. C. Brackett, W. H. Esmay. The camp now has a membership of thirty.
Fraternal insurance orders represented in Sabula are Modern Woodmen of America, Modern Brotherhood of America, Mystic Workers of the World, Woodmen of the World, Yeomen. There is also a lodge of the Woodmen's auxilary, the Royal Neighbors of America.
Sabula Pioneers' Association was organized on November 22, 1875, by E. A. Wood, James Murphy, J. G. Sugg, J. S. Dominy, Geo. Canfield, Robt. C. West- brook, Royal L. Westbrook, Jos. McElroy, John McElroy, John Scarborough and Oliver Emerson. Dr. E. A. Wood was chosen chairman and J. G. Sugg, secretary. The first annual social meeting was held at the Eldredge House, Sa- bula, January 3, 1876. The first outdoor meeting or picnic was held in Sugg's grove, on the Sandridge, west of town, in June, 1877, and since that time with possibly a year or two exception, annual picnics, have been held. For a number of years they were held in the Sugg grove, where a pioneer log cabin had been erected, but for the past twelve years the picnics have been held on the Sabula public school grounds. The scope of the association has been enlarged to take in both pioneers and old settlers of Jackson and Clinton counties.
HISTORICAL NOTES FROM EARLY SETTLEMENT TO PRESENT DAY.
Social life in 1839-40 centered in the dancing school conducted by a "Profes- sor" Paddleford, which with anotther terpsichorean club styled the "Cotillion Party," gave young and old some rare pleasures for those frontier days.
The first 4th of July celebration was held in 1840. A liberty pole was made of a hickory sapling and erected on the river front with "Old Glory" floating majestically from its top. There was speaking during the day, feasting and dancing by night. The last time the town observed the nation's natal day was in 1882, when the cornerstone of the present public school building was laid. This was an exceptionally good celebration for a small town, but since that date the annual picnic of the Old Settlers' Association coming in June has given a black eye to any talk of celebrating Independence Day.
The first locomotive to turn a wheel on Jackson county soil was ferried across the river at Sabula by the ild. steamer "76" in the fall of 1870.
With the exception of two small dwellings the first brick buildings to be erected in Sabula were the Eldredge House (now Hotel Riverside) in 1855, and the Methodist church in 1856. John E. Babbit had charge of the work on both of these structures.
The oldest general merchandise establishment in the city is that of 'A'. W. Day & Son, established in 1874 by A. W. Day, deceased, and now owned by his son, Mayor S. E. Day.
The oldest business of any kind or character still in operation in Sabula is the photograph gallery of John Esmay, Mr. Esmay having followed the art here for over fifty-five years. The hardware business of J. C. Day & Son was started by the former in 1861, although he had been engaged in other lines of business here since 1850. Mr. Day has passed his eightieth year but is still to be found at his place of business at 7 o'clock every morning.
Luther H. Steen was the first white child born within the limits of Union township, being born in Sabula February 27, 1838. His death occurred about one year ago.
Peter W. Spring was one of the early day pedagogues of Sabula. He came here from New York in 1859 and taught both private and public schools for nearly twenty-five years.
John G. Sugg was one of Sabula's first physicians, coming here in 1843, and pursuing the study of medicine until 1868, when he took up the study of law and in 1874 was admitted to the bar. He followed the legal profession until his death.
539
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
William H. Brown first handled the United States mail here the year that the first settlement was made and for many years various ones of the pioneers handled the postal affairs of the village. Previous to 1861 the office was filled for a number of years by H. G. Crary and he was succeeded by N. C. White. A few months after his appointment Mr. White enlisted in Company A, Ninth Iowa Infantry and went to the front. John Hilsinger then took up the position and upon his being elected to the state senate in 1864 the postoffice came into the hands of Thos. Esmay. When Andrew Johnson acceeded to the presidency Postmaster Esmay was succeeded by W. B. Beebe. Upon the election of Grant Thos. Esmay was reappointed and resigned in 1873. John Hilsinger again took the office and held it for over ten years. Since that time the postmasters have been J. L. Kimbell under Cleveland; W. R. Oake under Harrison; S. L. Watts under Cleveland's second term and Mckinley's first administration and W. E. Newsome, who still serves and has made a most excellent and painstaking of- ficial. The office was recently raised to third class.
SABULA AND ITS ENVIRONS AS THEY WERE IN 1843. BY DR. J. G. SUGG.
In 1843 Sabula, then called Charleston, had a few inhabitants and fewer dwell- ings. On the river street, from Long's sawmill to the railroad bridge, there were only eleven dwellings, namely: A large rudely built, frame warehouse, first owned by a man named Carey, standing on the bank of the river, about opposite the present residence of Henry Cohrt; next was the old frame dwelling house, then owned and occupied by James Leonard ( father of the late Jas. E. Leonard), and standing on the ground now occupied by Thompson's store. A short distance below this and in the street, stood an abandoned log house. A frame building, occupied then and until his death in 1845, by R. H. Hudson as a dry goods store, was located on the lot south of the present city hall. Then came the "Iowa Ex- change," a large two story frame building, the only hotel in the village. This building was torn down years ago and the handsome brick residence of the late A. H. Berner occupies its site. On the ground now occupied by the old stone store building, north of J. L. Kimball's residence, stood a rough log house built for the purpose of supplying the much needed "hash" for the few boarders of those early days. Next came the ancient frame building occupied by the late Dr. E. A. Wood as a general store, on the corner where George Laing's elegant home is now lo- cated. This was emphatically "the" store, it being, with the exception of the Hud- son store before stated, the stock in which was very small and limited, the only store in the place, and had no competitor nearer than Bellevue on the north and Lyons on the south. And even this solitary store was closed at times while its owner was away at Galena or elsewhere, procuring new goods.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.