USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 46
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J. H. Scott edited the paper until April 4, 1868, when N. G. Sales, who had purchased the plant a short time before, sold it to G. W. Hunt. Under the management of Mr. Hunt, the paper changed color, politically and espoused democracy, but a year later it returned unto its own and again espoused the cause of the republican party. The Express remained under the management of G. W. Hunt until March 4, 1872, when the plant passed under the able man- agement and control of John Blanchard. The Express prospered under his able editorial direction. Its circulation doubled during the eleven years he was its editor and manager. Mr. Blanchard was also postmaster during a part of the time he was editor. He was later editor of the Dubuque Daily Times, and after- ward became editor of The Minneapolis Times. He died a few years ago.
In December, 1883, The Express was purchased by M. W. Herrick and J. W. Doxsee, two young attorneys who had been associated together in the practice of law. They continued to edit the paper and practice law until 1888, when Mr. Herrick disposed of his interest to Mr. Doxsee. Mr. Herrick and Mr. Doxsee are yet in the practice of law at Monticello, though not in part- nership. Mr. Doxsee has since been the editor and publisher of The Monticello Express, and under his careful yet vigorous management, it has become a paper
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of remarkable strength and influence. Its circulation is one of the largest in the county, and its -editorials are frequently quoted by the daily press of the state. It has been one of the official papers of the county for over a quarter of a century. It is one of the leading county weeklies published in the state.
The Monticello Liberal. The first number of The Monticello Liberal was published September 19, 1872, by the Monticello Printing Company, with G. W. Hunt, formerly editor of The Express, as editor and manager. The Liberal supported the Independent party during the campaign of Horace Greeley with a platform standing for Universal Amnesty, Civil Service Reform, The One Term Principle, and the motto: "Resconstruction and Reform." In 1874, G. W. Hunt became the sole owner and proprietor. The paper afterward supported the principles of the democratic party. The Liberal was an eight-column folio, published weekly on Thursday.
G. W. Hunt also published a German paper called Die Freie Presse, known locally by the nickname of the Dutch Calf. This paper was published at the Liberal office, and began publication December 20, 1877. The paper was established to obtain the county printing, the statute at that time making it an official paper on account of it being the only German paper published in the county.
After a varied career of seven or eight years, G. W. Hunt, the editor of The Liberal and the Freie Presse, sought other fields of usefulness, and we read that on leaving town, the editor was presented with a purse of several dol- iars to help him over a hard place. No further issues of either paper were published.
In August, 1883, The Jones County Times was established by L. T. Alex- ander as a democratic paper. He continued to edit the paper until Cleveland's administration in 1888, when he was appointed postmaster, which office he held during the two terms, running the paper also during part of the time until G. W. Bishop became the owner. The early history of the paper is not extensive. The files do not seem to have been kept.
G. W. Bishop continued to publish The Times until 1900. The paper had been conducted at a loss, and at that time the plant was sold at public auction for one thousand, seven hundred dollars to Swigart Brothers & Sears, of Maquoketa. This firm published the paper with Sears as resident manager from March 10, 1900, until March 1, 1901, when it was purchased by the present owner and publisher, J. T. Lanigan. Under the management of Mr. Lanigan, the paper has become more prosperous. It was an uphill proposition, and had it not been for the tenacity of purpose and the determination not to be humiliated by defeat, the paper might now have had an epitaph. chiselled on a small marble slab. Under the management of Mr. Lanigan, The Times has become a paper of considerable influence and circulation. In politics, it is democratic. The credit sheet now shows a balance on the right side of the page. Nelle Hauessler has been an able assistant in the office for several years and is deserving of credit for her share of the work in the development and prosperity of The Times. The paper takes a live interest in the public welfare of the people.
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EARLY BUSINESS MEN OF MONTICELLO.
(The following excellent review of the early business men of Monticello, was prepared by Mrs. R. C. Stirton for the Friday club, and the history is fortunate in having it at its disposal .--- Editor.)
The name of the first merchant in Monticello cannot be definitely deter- mined. Levi Gassett has been mentioned by some as entitled to this historic honor, while others give the firm of Moore & Christian, credit for this dis- tinction.
Mr. Gassett had a general store in a log cabin on the lot north of the Nicholas Miller home on Main street, and later went into the meat market business, his shop being located about where Hayes' furniture store now stands. Mr. Gas- sett sold the shop to George Curtis and then purchased the lots on the hill where Mrs. McConnon and J. W. Doxsee now live. For many months his meat wagon went from one part of the country to the other supplying his customers with provisions. We have no definite information as to where Mr. Gassett went after leaving Monticello.
Some time in the summer of 1854, John Moore built a two-room house on the lot now owned by Walter Ferguson, the family living in one room, the other room being a general store. In a short time, the business outgrew the place, and a frame store was built across the street, where Proctor's ware- house now stands. Then it was Moore & Christian. This firm remained in business for about two years and was succeeded by John Lawrence, Otis Whit- temore and T. C. West, successively, all from Bowen's Prairie. The store was greatly enlarged. Henry Kaylor clerked in the store for Moore & Christian, for Whittemore & West and also for Mr. Lawrence.
Nothing further is known of the firm. In 1859, C. E. Wales came out from Dubuque to Castle Grove, settling in Monticello. Prior to opening in business, he formed a partnership with William Merriam. Five years later, Mr. Wales was alone, Mr. Merriam in the meantime having gone to Idaho in company with others in search of gold. At this time Mr. Wales lived in the house oc- cupied by Mrs. Ommen, and later built the corner house where Samuel Eby now lives. Mr. Wales then moved across the street to the Gallagher place with his clerks, Mr. Proctor and Ed. Howard. Soon after, Mr. Wales sold to Proctor & Company, the "Co." being Samuel Wales and his son Samuel. In 1860, the well known and familiar stone store was built, and the new firm took possession.
Mr. Wales then moved up First street into an old building where Hub- bard's furniture store now stands. After moving to First street, Mr. Wales formed a partnership with Dave Gardner under the firm name of Gardner & Wales. At this time the business was not only a general store but included grain and stock. An item in The Monticello Express at that time, showed that in less than one year, the amount paid out for grain and stock alone was one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. The same paper shows an advertisement by this firm which reads: "Gardner & Wales have just breathing room left in their store on account of the immense piles of goods. For enterprise and business promptness this firm is second to none in the state."
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Early in 1866, a banking and exchange office was opened and was a matter of great convenience to the people. Gardner & Wales did the first banking busi- ness on a small scale in connection with their store. Later, the firm moved across to what is now the Monticello State Bank corner, and soon afterward, Mr. Wales sold his interest to Jasper Eaton. Mr. Wales joined with Mr. Noyes in a building where Kinsella block now stands, and later moving to Dubuque. About 1867, Mr. Wales began the erection of a residence in what is now known as the Boswell place, and it was here that his daughter Clara was born.
About this time the cultivation of hops was in its height. For one year the new firm of Gardner & Eaton did well but the next year there was a de- cided fall in the price of this product which resulted disastrously to the firm. So many people who raised hops had accounts with the firm and were unable to pay, the firm was compelled to close its doors.
The firm of Gardner & Eaton was succeeded by Rohrback & Periolat, cloth- ing merchants. This firm afterwards moved to a store where Perrine's res- taurant is now located. Periolat later succeeded to the entire business of the firm.
The biography of W. H. Proctor shows that previous to the time he was clerking for Mr. Wales, he lived with an uncle, Hartley by name, of Castle Grove. Still later he clerked for Mr. Higby who lived where Andrew Davidson had his store at Downerville. About this time, Mr. Wales met the young man and being much impressed with him, urged him to come to Monticello. In those days clerks were given a salary of eight dollars a month. Mr. Proctor's good fortune came when he bought out Mr. Wales. At that time. things were selling at very reasonable rates, but during the war, prices went up. Common calico sold at fifty cents a yard; unbleached muslin, eighty cents a yard, and this was used in those days for shirts. Common ticking was used for overalls. These high prices gave Mr. Proctor a good start. By his kindly manner and readiness to help and by his shrewd and careful management, Mr. Proctor succeeded as few of the early merchants did. It was said of Mr. Proctor that he never turned any one away because the customer lacked money to purchase the necessities of life.
The only one of the early merchants now living in Monticello is *Fred Grassmeyer. In 1859, he came from Canton and located in Monticello, start- ing a little tin shop in the basement of the house south of Frank Smith's place on Main street. Mr. Grassmeyer was engaged in business longer than most of the early merchants. From this small beginning, by industry and fair dealing, he built up a large and successful trade. Mr. Grassmeyer was in partnership with Mr. Palmer when he moved up on First street into the building by Rohn's. Grassmeyer & Palmer sold the business later to Paul Buol, a son-in-law of Mr. Grassmeyer's. Mr. Buol later sold to D. C. Barnhill, who in turn sold to Palmer & Bonniwell, and later the firm was Palmer & Paine.
Mr. Grassmeyer occupied the first building finished on First street. This was situated between Rohn's harness shop and Hauessler's meat market. He was later located in what is now known as Central block. While Mr. Grass-
* Now deceased.
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meyer was located on Main street, S. Kiburz, one of the first dealers in boots and shoes, and father of Walter and Arthur Kiburz, had his store on the second floor of the same building.
Joel Culver was another of the early merchants who had his place of busi- ness on Main street on the site of the old Hickok place and had as his clerk, Volney Hickok. Culver was in business but a short time when he sold out to Volney Hickok. When the town moved westward, Hickok built on First street and located there. He did an excellent business until the other merchants com- menced to come in. He was not an up-to-date merchant. It has been said of him that while other merchants were lighting their stores with kerosene lamps, Hickok persisted in using the tallow dips. Frequently boys passing would call to him to start up his old tallow candles.
George W. Lammon, who came to Monticello about 1849, kept a general store which was known as the "Red Heifer."
Next in importance to Mr. Wales and Mr. Proctor, was T. C. West, who is living in Florida at present. After the partnership with Whittemore and Law- rence, Mr. West built a long rambling building on the lot now owned by Eugene Himebaugh where he had a general store. His home was the old Gregory residence where the Congregational church now stands.
The earliest jeweler in Monticello, was William Parrott, who had his first display of jewelry in a window in C. E. Wales' store. He was married in 1861, then went to West Union, and after a year's absence, returned and bought a lot for fifty dollars from Mr. Lammon. On this lot he built a one-story brick build- ing about half as long as it is now. Afterwards, when the street was filled in, the building had to be raised. Mr. Parrott was born in Philadelphia.
S. Jewett was another of the early settlers and business men. He had his store where Mr. Hagan's residence now stands. He was a half brother of D. C. Jewett, the inventor of the hayloader. Mr. Jewett later sold a half interest in the store to Major Westcott of Hopkinton, and it was then Westcott & Jewett. Jewett was somewhat of a musician, and his violin furnished the music for all the dances for miles around.
In 1855, Thomas A. King located near Monticello, and after 1868, Mr. King engaged in the mercantile business. It is interesting to know that Mr. King plowed corn where the business part of Monticello now stands. Mr. King is now steward at the County Home.
In 1859, the railroad was completed and four years later the first dry goods store was started by Peak & Hogg, west of the railroad on the site of what is now the old artesian well.
Thomas J. Peak was born in the state of New Hampshire in the year 1813. Coming west at an early age, he settled in Illinois, where he remained until the year 1837, when he paid a visit to Iowa in company with Benejah Beardsley. These gentlemen located claims in what is known as Castle Grove township, about six miles west of Monticello. He returned to Illinois for the winter, but in the following April, returned and took possession of his claim. On Christ- mas Day, 1839, Mr. Peak was married to Miss Rebecca Beardsley, daughter of Benejah Beardsley. This was the first marriage in Jones county. Mr. Peak lived upon his farm until the spring of 1864, when he engaged in business with
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Robert and William Hogg. After a year's experience in business, he retired again to his farm where he remained until 1864, when he rented his farm and moved permanently into the city. He next entered into the lumber business with Cyrus Langworthy under the firm name of Langworthy & Peak. A year later, he returned to the grain and produce business, later forming a co- partnership with Frank A. Whittemore under the firm name of Peak & Whitte- more, for the purpose of carrying on the retail grocery trade. In January, 1872, Mr. Whittemore sold his interest to George Chandler. The firm of Peak & Chandler was of short duration. Mr. Chandler retired the following month on account of his health. His interest was purchased by Mr. Wood Allen. This was his last partnership. In 1866, Mr. Peak built his present residence, pur- chasing an acre of ground from H. W. Gill for five hundred dollars.
Mr. Peak's success and independence were achieved simply as a reward of honesty, integrity and conscientious dealing and energy in business.
In 1860, George Stuhler came from Canton, in Jackson county and established his business as dealer of boots and shoes. Prior to the coming of Mr. Stuhler, John Lorenzen, a dealer in groceries, butter and cheese, had settled here, and still later was engaged in the grocery trade. Mr. Stuhler bought out this store, and from that time, the grocery department has been in existence. Mr. Stuhler's success was considered by many as attributable to attention to business, and an honest desire to please the people. This was his aim all the way through.
George Miller, another business man interested in the boot and shoe busi- ness. lived in a brick house near Dr. Hunter. His business place was Condon's corner. The first advertisement by Mr. Miller represented an elephant in boots, later the elephant gave way to a rhinoceros, and still later the rhinoceros developed into the American hog, which was shown fitted with boots suitable for it to run. After Mr. Miller went out of business, Mr. Condon occupied the site.
Among the early druggists, H. K. Fuller comes first. His place of business was where the Eastwood building now stands. Fuller sold out to Mellett & Company in 1864, and the firm then moved to where the Soetje store now is. Soon after, Dr. Mellett withdrew from the firm on account of his medical prac- tice which was getting quite large. Mellett & Company sold to Theodore Soetje who came to Monticello in 1866. In 1869, Mr. Soetje built the present store, and seven years afterwards, he also built the store now occupied by Mr. Steiner. When Mr. Soetje came to this country he had little means, but his success was due largely to good management and attention to business. He was at one time city treasurer, and also a director in the Monticello Bank.
In looking through The Express of January, 1874, I find this interesting item: "Mr. Theodore Soetje has invested four hundred dollars in a new soda fountain, probably the finest and costliest in the county. It is rather cold weather to talk of soda fountains, but the acquisition of so magnificent a piece of furniture by one of our leading business men is worth noting at any time."
G. O. Goodrich was another of the early druggists. He built the Alloway house and his daughter, Grace, afterward married Noel Brazleton. He adver- tised the sale of wines and liquors for medicinal purposes only.
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H. W. Gill, a dealer in agricultural implements, was a native of Vermont, came to Iowa in 1854 and established the implement business in 1869.
Another of the hardware merchants was M. Haran, who was located on the north side of First street. His building having been destroyed by fire, he moved across the street.
At the close of the war, Fred S. Dunham established a hardware store in Monticello. His store was known as the "Bee Hive." The construction of the building was peculiar. A short flight of steps led to a landing upon which a door opened, a second flight leading to the floor. The reason for this was that so much of First street was nothing but a great slough, and buildings were put up with the expectation that the street would be filled in and raised higher. Mr. Dunham afterwards moved to what is now the Altman building. An Ex- press reporter records this significant item: "We heard a terrible buzzing the other day across from the post-office, and hurried out pencil in hand hungry for an item. But it was nothing, nothing in the world but twenty ladies in at Dunham's Bee Hive store complimenting Captain Fred upon his taste in select- ing fancy notions and household fixings." J. A. Derbin was another engaged in this same business.
Guiles Brothers, dealers in groceries, had their store where Tyron con- ducted a store for so many years. A striking advertisement found in an old copy of The Express, reads: "Guiles Brothers, are meeting with success in business and are rapidly winning golden opinions as prompt, energetic and live business men." Guiles Brothers, sold out to Towne & Pierce. Pierce built the W. F. Rohn home and Towne built the Robert Hicks home.
F. J. Tyron built up a good trade in groceries. He came into Jones county in 1854. After arriving here, his goods did not come. He went on foot about seventy miles to Warren, Illinois, to look them up. They did not reach him for three months, so while he waited he engaged in farming. Mr. Tyron is remem- bered for his excellent markmanship. His rifle range was over in the George woods, and there he and many of the old friends went for practice. They took their stand about a thousand yards from the target. Many of his old time friends recall how happy he was when the hunting season opened. It is not necessary for me to dwell longer on Mr. Tyron as other records will show what part he took in the official life of Monticello.
Bacon & Rosa, dry goods merchants, had a store in the building now oc- cupied by Eilers & Bolton. Rosa sold his interest to Bacon and went to Chi- cago. Bacon continued the store and finally sold to a man by the name of McKee. Bacon built the Dr. Russell home and lived there after his marriage to a Miss Mckean of Center Junction. His store was called the Regulator Store, and his advertisements in The Express is headed with the picture of a train. McKee was followed by Duer & Esty. William Rosa and George Schaef- fer clerked for Bacon and also for Duer & Estey.
John O. Duer came from Galena, Illinois, soon after the close of the Civil War. He entered the army as a private of Company D, Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; his promotion was rapid and at the close of the war was colonel of his regiment. Mr. Duer was a born leader of men. He took an active interest in politics and public affairs, was a most genial and generous
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friend to all, and had a larger personal following than any man in town. He was at one time cashier of the Monticello National Bank, which position he resigned in order to form the co-partnership of Duer & Esty, dealers in general merchandise. He erected the brick block now occupied by Eilers & Bolton. He died in 1881.
John L. Davenport was the first lumber merchant, his office being near the railroad, and his home, the dwelling on the corner of Second and Chestnut streets, now occupied by Mrs. F. M. Hicks. Mr. Davenport was succeeded in business by the Langworthy Brothers, Cyrus and William, who came from Dubuque about the time that the railroad went through. Stephen erected the dwelling now occupied by Major S. S. Farwell, and Cyrus erected the one formerly occupied by C. S. Bidwell. Railroad addition to the town of Mon- ticello was platted by Stephen Langworthy.
In connection with the lumber trade, the Langworthys did a banking busi- ness. George W. Curtis gives us an item in connection with the banking business of those days. He sold some stock at Earlville, and in payment he was given a check for five hundred dollars and came to Monticello to buy lumber. In payment he tendered the five hundred dollar check, but they were unable to give him the change he was entitled to. Consequently, he had to proceed to buy some more lumber until change could be made. Langworthy Brothers, sold to Mr. Burdick and he in turn sold to Strange & Strange, who sold to Mr. Dugar and from him S. E. Sarles took possession.
The early grain merchants were the Kinsellas, Wagoner, Pat Hopkins, C. E. Wales, Gardner, Hakes, Burdick, Langworthys, Rosa, Fred Rohn, Samuel Wales, W. H. Proctor, S. R. Howard, T. J. Peak and George Haines.
The Kinsellas came here from Garryowen and built the Kinsella block, their names were Ed and Dennis Kinsella, the latter was usually spoken of as Dan.
It may be possible that some of the early merchants have been overlooked. There has been a lack of clearness in the minds of most of the early settlers on some questions, but with the material at hand, the record presented in regard to the early business men of Monticello, is substantially reliable.
A SKETCH OF THE MONTICELLO FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
By S. S. Farwell.
At times communities become quiet and free from any ambition to make any special progress in the way of improving the possibilities of the people for a better and higher and more intellectual life. Monticello was about in that condition a few years ago when there came among us a tall, gaunt individual who was made pastor of the Congregational church. It was the Rev. C. C. Warner. It was not long before we found that we had a disturbing element in our midst. He looked around to see wherein he could be the instrument for improving our conditions. He tried revival meetings, a crusade against the liquor traffic, and in various ways began to stir the community into thinking about other things than the ordinary business of life.
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In the winter of 1901, he conceived the idea that Monticello could receive a donation from Andrew Carnegie for a library here amounting to ten thousand dollars. At first, he was met with rebuff, a plump refusal from Mr. Carnegie because we had in a small way another library in the town. In 1902, he re- newed his effort and fortified himself with letters to Mr. Carnegie from promi- nent citizens and especially among them was Hon. W. B. Allison. A petition bearing one hundred signatures of professional men, city officials, board of education, teachers, and so forth, was duly forwarded to Mr. Carnegie. Finally Mr. Carnegie's business manager replied that he would consent to make the re- quired donation if the city of Monticello would guarantee a yearly support of one thousand dollars. This gave Mr. Warner his opportunity. At the spring election in 1902, the city council ordered that a vote should be taken to know whether Mr. Carnegie's offer should be accepted or not. Mr. Warner during all of this period and up to the time of the election preached a library for Monticello from his pulpit, from the lecture platforms and through the news- papers. He called a public meeting and got the library superintendent of the state of Iowa to come and make an address so that when the time of the elec- tion came, everybody understood that they were to decide whether we were to have a library or not. At the election the vote of the people was practically three to one in favor of the library and Mr. Warner immediately took steps to bring the offer of Mr. Carnegie and the vote of the citizens into practical effect.
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