USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 48
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THE MONTICELLO UNION PARK ASSOCIATION.
This association was organized on April 13, 1874, at a meeting held for that purpose at the office of C. W. Gurney, in Monticello. The following articles of incorporation were adopted :
Articles of Incorporation of the Monticello Union Park Association.
1. We, the undersigned, hereby form ourselves into a joint stock company for the purpose of purchasing forty acres of land in the town of Monticello, county of Jones and State of Iowa, fencing and fitting the same for the purpose of a driving park and fair grounds.
2. This company shall be known and designated as the "Monticello Union Park Association," and its principal place of business shall be at Monticello, Jones county, Iowa.
3. The business to be transacted shall be the holding of fairs and exhibi- tions, the leasing of said grounds to such other societies and for such other purposes as the executive committee shall determine.
4. The capital stock of said company shall consist of three thousand dollars, to be divided into shares of one hundred dollars each; each share to be entitled to one vote in the election of officers and the transaction of other business of the company. Said stock to be paid in on call of the president.
5. This association shall commence on the 13th day of April, 1874, and shall continue twenty years.
6. The officers of this association shall be one president, one vice president, one secretary, one treasurer and three directors, which three, together with the president and secretary, shall constitute an executive committee. The annual meeting of said association shall be held at Monticello on the second Monday in April in each year, at which time all the above enumerated officers shall be elected, to hold their offices for one year, and until their successors are elected and qualified.
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7. The indebtedness of this association shall at no time exceed one thous- and dollars.
8. No private property of stockholders shall be liable for corporate debts.
9. The executive committee shall have power to make all by-laws and regu- lations necessary for the government of the association.
Dated at Monticello the 13th day of April, 1874. Filed for record, December 26, 1874.
The names of the stockholders of the association at the time of organiza- tion, were: M. L. Carpenter, S. C. Langworthy, Hiram Tiarks, G. S. Eastman, George Stuhler, Birdsall & Acker, Joseph Clark, L. Waushura, John Lorenzen, M. M. Benedict, S. S. Farwell, Philip Kuhns, George Haines, J. W. Skelley, G. W. Lovell, C. E. Wales, Theodor Soetje, William Schodde, Fred Grass- meyer, Gill & Noyes, S. R. Howard, N. M. Smith, John O. Duer, P. O. Bab- cock, A. J. Monroe, Gurney & Davidson, Henry Babbe, M. A. Rice, F. M. Hicks.
The first board of directors were: John O. Duer, P. O. Babcock and Joseph Clark. C. E. Wales was president and C. W. Gurney was secretary.
The association purchased forty acres of land adjoining Monticello on the north. The grounds are well adapted for the purpose. Its natural amphi- theater has been the remark of its many visitors. The entire cost of the pur- chase and preparation was about three thousand dollars.
This association continued its existence until 1892, when the park was trans- ferred to the town of Monticello for the same price originally paid for it by the association. Since that time, the grounds have been under the control of the town, a committee called park commissioners having charge of the grounds.
The association did not prove to be a very profitable institution for the stock holders, though it was not a losing investment. The grounds were rented to the Jones County Fair Association annually, and also used for other purposes. After the sale of the property to the city, the association went out of existence.
The present park commissioners are: Dr. F. E. Hefner, P. H. Conners, N. Maurice. The park is not a source of financial profit to the city. It is in frequent use however, and is a valuable part of the city property. The Jones County Fair Association has erected numerous buildings on the grounds, which help to make the grounds more valuable. The construction of a large amphi- theater by the race track may have added to the revenue of the fair associa- tion during fair week, but it has detracted from the value of the natural amphi- theater which for many years was the pride of the patrons of the park.
JONES COUNTY MILITIA COMPANY.
Company D, of the Ninth Regiment Iowa National Guards, was enlisted at Monticello on the 17th of June, 1878, under the military code of the state. It has always been a maximum company from the first, composed of sixty-seven men. J. Q. Wing was unanimously chosen captain; first lieutenant, Ed M. Thompson; and second lieutenant, Dugal McDugal. These officers were commis- sioned by Governor Gear on the 23d day of July, 1878. Dugal McDugal was
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dismissed from the service and William C. King, elected second lieutenant in his stead.
Captain J. Q. Wing was elected colonel of the Ninth Regiment on the 16th of August, 1879, and Lieutenant Thompson took command of Company D. It was expected that Lieutenant Thompson would be promoted to the captaincy, and that other promotions would be made in their regular order. Company D was armed with the best breech loading needle guns, and neatly uniformed.
In 1878, Company D was called upon to unload a carload of tramps that had taken possession of a train on the Davenport & Northern Railroad. The work was well accomplished in a short time, although the company had been organ- ized but a short time. The company was one of the best drilled in the military service in the state, and usually gave a good account of itself. A number of the old veterans of the Civil War were members of the company.
The company kept up its organization for several years, and then as one of the old veterans put it, it died a natural death. The company presented quite a military appearance in their neat and colored uniforms but the boys found it difficult later to maintain the organization.
MONTICELLO CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
The Monticello Cemetery Association was organized as an incorporate body, June 20, 1866, the incorporators being: E. P. Kimball, M. M. Moulton, W. H. Walworth, D. T. Gardner, S. R. Howard and J. P. Sleeper. The first trustees of the association were: M. M. Moulton, W. H. Walworth and E. P. Kimball; the treasurer being Mrs. B. A. F. Kimball. The plat of the grounds was filed for record during the summer of 1867.
On the 24th of June, 1866, the trustees purchased for the association, from Mrs. George George and husband, two acres of land, and Mrs. George donated an acre, the whole to be used for cemetery purposes, and the one acre donated by Mrs. George is always to be held for the free use of the poor.
The first report of the treasurer on the 20th of December, 1866, makes the following showing: amount collected, two hundred and eighty-three dollars and fifteen cents; paid for land, one hundred and fifty dollars; for lumber, one hundred and five dollars; for nails, eight dollars; for work, seven dollars and fifty cents; for deed, and so forth, five dollars and fifty cents. The last report of the town treasurer shows the expenditures to have been nearly two thousand dollars the past year, this sum however includes the cost of some permanent improvements.
The first officers continued to act until the 25th of June, 1873, when they were succeeded by the following officers : trustees, H. D. Sherman. Samuel G. Gardiner, M. M. Moulton and C. E. Wales; treasurer, John O. Duer.
The money to purchase the land, improvements and so forth. was raised by subscriptions, largely through the efforts of Mrs. B. A. F. Kimball, the first treasurer, and Mrs. Fred Grassmeyer.
The cemetery has been well cared for and improved. The grounds are well dotted with evergreens, in fact an evergreen tree was planted at the corner of each lot.
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HIGH BRIDGE ON THE WAPSIPINICON RIVER.
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In the fall of 1907, by vote of the lot owners, Oakwoods Cemetery passed under the jurisdiction and control of the city of Monticello. The trustees are appointed by the mayor of the city and are: Fred Matthieson, H. M. Carpenter, R. M. Hicks, W. W. Hunter and M. W. Herrick. Mr. Matthiesen is president and J. E. Bateman is secretary and superintendent. A small tax is levied by the city for the support of the cemetery. Oakwoods Cemetery is also sup- ported by contributions and the sale of lots.
THE SOLDIERS MONUMENT.
In one of the most beautiful spots in Oakwoods cemetery, stands the monu- ment dedicated on May 31, 1909, to the memory of the soldier boys of the Civil War. This monument was the generous free-will offering and gift of Major S. S. Farwell to the cemetery association in tender memory of the gallant boys in blue to whom he owed so much. To use Major Farwell's own words: "I have felt that those boys who perished so long ago, should not be forgotten, and that they should have a monument here among us which, when all recollections of ourselves have passed away, would still be an incentive to patriotism, and a reminder to those who come after us, of those to whom they are indebted for so much of the grand civilization and surroundings which we now have."
On the monument are inscribed the words: "In Memory of Co. H., 31st Iowa Infantry, Organized in Monticello, and all Comrades of the War."
The monument was put in place under the supervision of John E. Bate- man. It stands thirteen feet high. The first base is four feet square, the second base is three feet, three inches square and one foot high; the third base is two feet square and one foot high; the die is two feet square, three feet and four inches high. The die is surmounted by a full length statue of a soldier at parade rest.
The monument was presented by Major S. S. Farwell in person. The speech in dedication of the monument was made by J. W. Doxsee. The monument was accepted in behalf of the city and the cemetery association by M. W. Herrick.
This beautiful monument was presented and dedicated without a cent of ex- pense to any one, except Major Farwell. It is but one of the manifestations of the large and sympathetic heart of this public spirited man. While it is a monu- ment erected in memory of the soldier dead, history will also record it as typi- fying the noble impulse and unselfish spirit of the donor.
THE KLONDYKE CREAMERY.
One of the "going" concerns of Monticello at the present time, is the Farmers' Creamery, known by the euphonious and suggestive title, Klondyke Creamery.
This institution was organized November 8, 1897, the following names being signed to the articles of incorporation : Douglas H. Smith, William Stambaugh, N. A. Rice, D. A. Palmer, Palmer Hosford, L. C. Rice, J. M. Hofacre, C. A. Schatz, H. Eilers, C. D. Hosford, Alonzo Hosford, G. A. Hofacre. The follow- ing were the officers and directors: Officers: president, J. M. Hofacre; vice president, D. H. Smith .; secretary, Palmer Hosford; treasurer, H. M. Carpen-
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ter; directors : C. D. Hosford, Carl Schatz, J. L. Arduser, Henry Hanken, Jr., J. M. Hofacre, D. H. Smith, Henry Eilers. The capital stock was four thous- and, five hundred dollars, all of which was freely subscribed. A modern brick building was erected with the best approved machinery on the south side of the city. The creamery has prospered. Between two thousand, five hundred and three thousand pounds of butter is manufactured per day. The product finds a ready sale on the market and commands the highest market price.
The present officers are: President, Ricklef Gerdes; secretary, Rudolph Bohren; treasurer, H. M. Carpenter; directors: Herman Harms, Rudolph Bohren, J. B. Oswald, Charles G. Schneiter, Ricklef Gerdes, Carl Schatz, W. O. Brazelton. Butter maker, Fred Lehman.
HISTORY OF BANKING IN MONTICELLO.
Monticello started into the banking business early in life. The town had reached the age of about twenty-five years, when in 1865 D. T. Gardner and C. E. Wales, under the firm name of Gardner & Wales, conceived the idea of doing a banking business on a small scale in connection with their general store. The store was located on the same corner now occupied by the Monticello State Bank. The firm had a safe and loaned money and bought notes, and in other ways did a small banking business.
In 1867, I. L. Simington kept a store in what is now known as the Condon building, and at this time began to do a banking business in connection with his store. He advertised that he would "receive deposits, loan money, buy and sell exchange, government securities, gold, silver and uncurrent money."
Mr. Simington continued to do a banking business in connection with his store until 1869, when he sold his banking business to M. L. Carpenter and George W. Lovell. These men under the name and style of Carpenter & Lo- vell started a private bank in the Parrot building now occupied by W. F. Bing- ham as a jewelry store. This was the real beginning of banking as an exclusive business in Monticello ..
In the fall of 1872, The Monticello National Bank was organized with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. This bank continued to do business until the spring of 1875, when it consolidated with Carpenter & Lovell's Bank, and out of this consolidation the Monticello Bank was organized April 1, 1875, under the state law with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. The Mon- ticello Bank was then the only bank in town. It continued under this charter for twenty years, and in 1895 the charter was renewed, and the bank organized as the Monticello State Bank with the same capital of one hundred thousand dol- lars. Its present beautiful edifice, in the same location, was built in 1902, and is conceded to be the finest banking building in the county. This bank at present, has a surplus of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and has larger deposits than any bank in the state in a city of the size of Monticello. The bank has de- posits in the sum of over one million, four hundred thousand dollars.
About the year 1878 G. W. and G. L. Lovell organized the bank bearing the name of the founders. The bank was then located in the Perrine building. About two months later, the bank was moved to the Stuhler building which is
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now used by Stuhler's as a flour room. This was the home of the bank for about nine years. When the Bidwell block was built, the bank changed to this loca- tion where it remained for about fifteen years. In 1901 the present fine building was erected, and this has been its home ever since.
G. W. and G. L. Lovell continued to conduct a private bank under the name of G. W. & G. L. Lovell until April 17, 1897, when The Lovell State Bank was organized with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. The bank has one of the most comfortable homes in the county. It enjoys a large patronage and is one of the substantial institutions of eastern Iowa. It has a surplus fund of sixty-five thousand dollars and over eight hundred thousand dollars in deposits.
A more detailed statement of the financial condition of the Monticello Banks will be found under another chapter on "Banks and Banking."
MONTICELLO WATER WORKS.
The water works plant at Monticello is the property of the municipal cor- poration. The plant was installed in 1879, and came as the result of an effort to secure an artesian well.
In the summer of 1877 a number of citizens organized a stock company, with Hon. G. W. Lovell as president, and subscribed three thousand two hundred dollars for the purpose of sinking a deep well to ascertain if possible whether a flow of water above the surface could be obtained. The well was drilled to the depth of one thousand, one hundred and eighty seven feet without obtaining an overflow. The water came to within forty feet of the surface, and was of such splendid quality that during the following eighteen months the subject of investing in a water works plant and using the well for the supply of water, was much discussed.
The well was given a thorough six days test, and engineers declared that it would furnish water sufficient to supply the town. The matter was submitted to a vote of the electors in May, 1879, and carried by a vote of two hundred and sixty-nine for to sixty-eight against.
The owners of the well sold the same to the city, taking their pay in what was known as scrip, which entitled them to use water at the fixed price to the amount of their stock in the well. This scrip was retired many years ago. The town was bonded for twelve thousand dollars and the work of establishing the plant completed during the summer of 1879. A reservoir was built on the hill in the western part of the town sufficiently large to hold two hundred and fifty thousand gallons of water. During the past few months this reservoir has been increased in capacity by increasing its height to thirty-five feet. It is of rein- forced concrete and holds five hundred and fifty thousand gallons. The addi- tion cost in excess of six thousand dollars. Many extensions have been made to the mains since those days, and the plant is now estimated to be of the value of forty thousand dollars. The bonds issued at the institution of the plant were paid long ago.
At the expiration of about fifteen years, the well failed to furnish as much water as the increased needs of the inhabitants of the town demanded, and a new well was drilled beside the old one. After a time, however, both of these
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were abandoned, and new wells were drilled in the eastern part of the town, which furnish a sufficient supply of excellent water. The new wells, which sup- ply the town with water, were drilled to the depth of only a few hundred feet. B. D. Paine was mayor of the town when the water works system was built. S. Y. Bradstreet, who took a great interest in its establishment, was the first superin- tendent. Dexter Page was the first engineer.
During the past year, the expenses of operating the water works, including the new pipes and extensions to the mains in the sum of nine hundred and six- teen dollars were about four thousand dollars. The receipts for water were three thousand, four hundred and sixty-one dollars. For several years no taxes have been levied for the support of the water works. They have been self-sus- taining, and have furnished a surplus sufficient to make the extensions which have been demanded from time to time.
The present superintendent of the water works is H. S. Lee, and the en- gineer, Peter Matthiesen. Henry Hoffman was engineer for a period of nearly ten years.
MONTICELLO ELECTRIC LIGHTS.
Monticello's electric lights are furnished by a corporation composed entirely of local business men. The corporation was organized June 20, 1891, with a capital stock of eight thousand dollars, which was subsequently increased to twelve thousand dollars. The first officers were: president, G. L. Lovell; vice president, J. W. Doxsee ; secretary and treasurer, R. P. Smith. Those in addi- tion to the president and vice-president, who were directors were H. M. Car- penter, J. S. Hall, William Stuhler, S. E. Sarles, T. A. King. Shortly after the organization of the company and the construction of the plant, Mr. Lovell re- signed as president, because he was at that time a member of the city council, and a proposed contract for lighting the city was pending between the electric company and the city. J. W. Doxsee was then elected president, and D. E. Pond, vice-president. They served in these capacities for twelve years when they declined longer to act as officers. Since that time J. S. Hall has acted as president and O. H. Soetje, vice-president. During the entire existence of the corporation R. P. Smith has been the secretary and treasurer, and also the man- ager of the business of the company. The present officers are J. S. Hall, presi- dent ; O. H. Soetje, vice-president ; R. P. Smith, secretary and treasurer, and in addition to the president and vice-president, who are directors, the following named directors : R. C. Stirton, H. Tiarks, William Stuhler, R. M. Hicks, R. P. Smith. The power for generating the electricity is located at the Monticello mills, owned now by Harry Lang, and which for more than twenty years was owned by his father, H. J. Lang. The electric company during the entire period of existence has had a contract with Mr. Lang for furnishing the power for gen- erating the electricity. This is furnished by water power to the extent of one hundred and five horse power. There are also used in connection with the busi- ness two one hundred horse power engines and boilers, one of them owned by the company and the other by Mr. Lang. The electric company has furnished an all night's service during the entire period of its franchise. At the present time
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there are three thousand, six hundred incandescent lights wired in the city, and fifteen arc lights are also in operation.
THE HOAG DUSTER COMPANY.
One of the largest industries in Monticello today is the Hoag Duster Com- pany. The business started on a small scale in 1874 with W. E. Hoag as pro- prietor, and in 1879, according to the report, the factory was turning out two hundred dollars worth of feather dusters each week. The business has grown and prospered until at the present time the industry does over one hundred thou- sand dollars worth of business annually. New additions have been made to the plant from time to time to keep up with the demand. Although the factory has from seventy-five to one hundred hands on the pay roll all the time, it is run- ning steady and is unable to keep up with the orders received from all parts of the country.
In 1870, what has since grown to be the present extensive factory of the Hoag Duster Company, was a broom factory, and the original idea of a feather duster sprung from an incident of a farmer bringing into the broom factory a bundle of turkey feathers, asking if a brush could not be made out of them. Mr. E. E. Hoag, who is now president of the Hoag Duster Company, and his father, W. E. Hoag, who was associated with him at this time, made the first duster from these feathers. In making this first duster, they merely tied or wound it on a short broom stick, but it made a piece of goods too stiff for the work for which it was intended. Then they took their pocket knives and split the feathers, making the first split feather duster. Again observing that it was yet too stiff and clumsy to accomplish the object desired, they scraped the pith from the feathers which greatly improved the brush. From this the idea was conceived of making and marketing feather dusters.
The first feathers were split by using an ordinary broom knife inserted into a frame; in later years they adopted what is now used, a leather splitting knife, similar to 'what is used in the everyday harness shop. Upon this the feathers are split by hand, and are afterwards scraped or milled, removing the pith and crimping them, so as to make them soft and pliable. This process has been in use since the plant was established.
About a year ago the manufacture of wool dusters was added, the sheep skins being imported from Canada. These skins are conceded to be by far the best for the manufacture of wool dusters. These are used for dusting choice articles, being a soft duster, and have already met with the popular demand.
The Hoag Duster Company manufacture all their wood work, heads and handles, and have direct supervision of the entire product. They maintain their own saw mill and have their own turning lathes.
This factory was a pioneer in Iowa in the manufacture of feather dusters. It started in 1874 as a feather duster factory. Prior to this time for several years the founder, W. E. Hoag, had operated a broom factory at Monticello, and previous to his operations in Monticello he had operated a similar factory for the manufacture of brooms at Anamosa.
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In 1887, the industry was organized as the Hoag Duster Company, W. E. Hoag and E. E. Hoag being the proprietors. In 1896, E. E. Hoag became the sole owner. In 1904, it was reorganized as a stock company with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars. The present officers and directors are : president, E. E. Hoag; vice-president, C. D. Chase, secretary, O. H. Soetje; treasurer, H. M. Carpenter ; director, William Stuhler.
HALL-BENEDICT MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
This business industry was organized in September, 1907, by J. Z. Benedict and J. S. Hall. It is one of the young and prosperous establishments in Mon- ticello. In January, 1909, J. S. Hall became the sole owner and proprietor. A new building sixty-four by one hundred feet was completed during the early summer of 1909. The industry manufactures steel safety hoists, wire stretchers, self-lock stretchers, banana hoists, horse slings, corn shock compressers and Schoenherr steel baskets.
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