USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 51
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SALOONS-Jacob Schneider, Edward Heeren, Isaac Schneider, Sr., Isaac Schneider, Jr.
BARBER SHOPS-Henry Paulsen, Vic Dautremont, Wilson Brazelton, Zaca- riah Graves, Dan Hearn.
BLACKSMITH SHOPS-J. F. Meyer, Dennis Liddy.
CONTRACTORS AND CARPENTERS-Robert Henderson, R. W. Henderson, John H. Heisey, Andrew Bejasch, Ahab DeWitt, A. G. Rodman, E. J. Lightfoot.
INSURANCE AGENCIES-D. E. Pond, J. A. Voorhees, J. J. Locher, L. P. Waddick.
MEAT MARKETS-Jacob Suter & Son, Urban Haeussler.
FLORIST-Clarence Van Meter.
RAILWAY STATION AGENT-A. I. Jackson.
HARNESS SHOPS-C. W. Brown, W. F. Rohn, William Altman.
JEWELERS-W. F. Bingham, H. F. Witt, Ernst Vogel.
MERCHANT TAILORS-C. H. Schipman, Henry Bohlken.
LIVERY STABLES-Asa Phelps, M. J. Hogan.
NOTIONS-B. Devlin.
ACRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS Campbell Brothers.
VETERINARY SURGEONS-Dr. William Drinkwater, Dr. George Albery.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS .- Locher Brothers.
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF MONTICELLO CITY.
1867-Mayor, S. Y. Bradstreet ; recorder, F. J. Tyron; trustees, S. R. How- ard. N. P. Starks, P. O. Babcock, C. E. Wales, J. L. Davenport.
1868-Mayor. S. Y. Bradstreet; recorder, Charles Gurney ; trustees, S. R. Howard. F. Grassmeyer, Stephen Frost, M. R. Gurney, P. O. Babcock.
1869-Mayor, M. M. Moulton; recorder, Charles Gurney; council, S. R. Howard, J. O. Duer, G. W. Condon, A. W. Hebbard, H. H. Starks.
1870-Mayor, M. M. Moulton; recorder, Charles Gurney; council, J. O. Duer. A. W. Hebbard, Leman Palmer, G. W. Condon, S. R. Howard.
1871-Mayor. G. W. Lovell; recorder, Charles Guerney; council. S. R. Howard, W. H. Proctor, Leman Palmer, John Gibson, S. Y. Bradstreet.
1872-Mayor. G. W. Lovell; recorder, M. W. Herrick; council, F. J. Tyron, H. D. Sherman. W. H. Proctor, Otis Whittemore, J. A. Chandler.
1873-Mayor, C. E. Wales; recorder, H. M. Wright; council, Cyrus Lang- worthy. W. H. Proctor, Bradley Stuart, Matt Noyes, William Schodde.
1874-Mayor, C. E. Wales; recorder, R. P. Smith; council, S. R. Howard, T. J. Peak, John McConnon, Volney Hickock, George Stuhler.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
1875-Mayor, G. W. Trumbell; recorder, John Jacobs; council, B. F. Groes- beck, G. W. Garlock, John McConnon, T. J. Peak, F. J. Tyron.
1876-Mayor, H. D. Sherman; recorder, F. B. Bonniwell; council, A. R. Doxsee, T. A. King, H. L. Servoss, John McConnon, S. R. Howard.
1877-Mayor, F. J. Tyron; recorder, Charles Gurney ; council, T. A. King, J. McConnon, H. L. Servoss, W. A. Holston, C. A. Whiting.
1878-Mayor, G. W. Garlock; recorder, Charles Gurney; council, B. D. Paine, Sam Kahm, H. H. Starks, S. Y. Bradstreet, Ike Rigby.
1879-Mayor, B. D. Paine; recorder, J. R. Stillman; council, S. E. Sarles, J. McConnon, F. Grassmeyer, William Holston, N. W. Austin.
1880-Mayor, J. O. Duer; clerk, G. W. Hunt; council, George Jacobs, Wil- liam Holston, S. E. Sarles, F. Grassmeyer, G. W. Lovell.
1881-Mayor, Samuel Kahm; clerk, J. R. Stillman; council, J. A. Chandler, H. L. Servoss, W. J. Nash, George Jacobs, F. Grassmeyer.
1882-Mayor, F. J. Tyron; clerk, I. N. Austin; council, Samuel Kahm, Holston and Houser, J. A. Chandler, H. L. Servoss, George Jacobs.
1883-Mayor, T. A. King; clerk, George Wood; council, J. A. Chandler, A. R. Doxsee, H. I .. Servoss, Samuel Kahm, J. McConnon.
1884-Mayor, H. G. Liechhardt ; clerk, F. J. Tyron; council, C. E. Little, Samuel Kahm, A. R. Doxsee, J. S. Houser, J. M. McConnon.
1885-Mayor, W. L. Rosa; clerk, L. A. Alexander and R. C. Stirton ; council, W. H. Gregory, F. A. Coyle, R. U. Ricklefs, J. McConnon, C. E. Little, F. J. Tyron.
1886-Mayor, E. M. Thompson; clerk, L. T. Alexander; council, W. H. Gregory, R. U. Ricklefs, F. A. Coyle, C. E. Little, F. J. Tyron, W. L. Rosa.
1887-Mayor, W. H. Gregory; clerk, W. G. Eiler and C. Hogg; council, F. J. Tyron, George Haines, R. U. Ricklefs, A. F. Bort, F. A. Coyle, W. L. Rosa.
1888-Mayor, R. U. Ricklefs; clerk, Hogg and Koop; council, George Haines, F. J. Tyron, F. A. Coyle, A. Kempf, L. Jennings, A. F. Bort.
1889-Mayor, F. A. Coyle; clerk, Fred Koop; council, A. Kempf, L. Jen- nings. J. McConnon, George Haines, P. H. Conner, - Little.
1890 -- Mayor, L. T. Alexander ; clerk, F. Koop; council, A. Kempf, L. Jennings, J. McConnon, P. H. Conner, G. L. Lovell, H. M. Carpenter.
1891-Mayor, J. L. White; clerk, Fred Koop; council, E. E. Hoag, A. F. Bort, H. M. Carpenter, G. L. Lovell, J. McConnon, P. H. Conner.
1892 -- Mayor, J. L. White; clerk. F. Koop and A. Kempf; council, A. F. Bort. E. E. Hoag, H. M. Carpenter, G. L. Lovell, W. Samuels, Asa Phelps.
1893-Mayor, W. W. Hunter; clerk, W. Weir and F. Koop; council, D. Page, P. O. Babcock, W. H. Gregory, Asa Phelps, E. E. Hoag, W. Samels.
1894-Mayor, O. B. Rundle; clerk, J. F. Petcina ; council, D. Page, H. F. Warner. Leroy Clark, J. O. Lawrence, F. Matthiesen, Asa Phelps.
1895-Mayor, M. W. Herrick; clerk, J. F. Petcina; council, Leroy Clark, D. Page, E. G. Hicks, G. Schoonover, J. O. Lawrence, F. Matthiesen, H. F. Warner.
1896-Mayor, A. Matthiesen; clerk, J. F. Petcina; council, W. A. Overing, Sr .. G. Schoonover. Leroy Clark, H. B. Heisey, W. W. Button, H. Bohlken.
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1897-Mayor, A. Matthiesen; clerk, J. F. Petcina; council, G. Schoonover, W. A. Overing, H. B. Heisey, Leroy Clark, H. Bohlken, W. W. Button.
1898-Mayor, O. G. Meyer; clerk, J. F. Petcina; council, E. J. Lightfoot, Peter Young, J. G. Suter, H. B. Heisey, G. Schoonover, H. Bohlken.
1899-Mayor, O. G. Meyer; clerks, J. F. Petcina, G. W. Bishop, A. Kempf ; council, E. J. Lightfoot, G. Schoonover, E. E. Hoag, H. Bohlken, J. G. Suter, Peter Young.
1900-Mayor, G. G. Schaeffer; clerk, A. Kempf; council, H. Bohlken, Peter Young, J. G. Suter, D. Page, G. Schoonover, E. E. Hoag.
1901-Mayor, G. G. Schaeffer; clerk, A. Kempf; council, D. Page, H. Bohl- ken, J. G. Suter, E. E. Hoag, G. Schoonover, Dan Palmer.
1902-Mayor, G. G. Schaeffer; clerk, A. Kempf; council, J. G. Suter, F. Matthiesen, D. P. Young, G. Schoonover, A. Bajasch, E. E. Hoag.
1903-Mayor, G. G. Schaeffer; clerk, A. Kempf; council, J. G. Suter, F. Matthiesen, A. B. Tucker, D. P. Young, A. Bajasch, F. Podhaski.
1904-Mayor, J. A. Voorhees ; clerk, A. Kempf; council, M. Noyes, D. H. Liddy, J. G. Suter, A. B. Tucker, F. Podhaski, A. Bajasch.
1905-Mayor, J. A. Voorhees; clerk, A. Kempf; council, J. G. Suter, M. Noyes, F. Matthiesen, P. D. Bell, D. H. Liddy, W. W. Hunter.
1906-Mayor, J. A. Voorhees; clerk, A. Kempf; council, J. G. Suter, F. Matthiesen, J. L. Arduser, P. D. Bell, D. H. Liddy, W. W. Hunter.
1907-Mayor, J. A. Voorhees; clerk, A. Kempf; council, J. Perrine, D. H. Liddy, P. D. Bell, J. L. Arduser, F. Matthiesen, J. G. Suter and W. W. Hunter. 1908-Mayor, J. A. Voorhees ; clerk, A. Kempf; council, J. L. Arduser, F. Matthiesen, P. D. Bell, N. Kehoe, A. Bajasch, John Perrine.
1909-Mayor, J. A. Voorhees; clerk, A. Kempf; council, John Perrine, A. Bajasch, N. Kehoe, P. D. Bell, F. Matthiesen, J. L. Arduser.
OXFORD TOWNSHIP.
LOCATION AND ORGANIZATION.
Oxford township is located in the southeast corner of the county. The township began its separate existence in March, 1855. Its historic connection with Jones county began as a part of Rome township, or Walnut precinct which included what is now known as Rome, Hale and Oxford townships. In July, 1851, Hale township became a separate township and included what is now Hale and Oxford townships. Then, as stated, in March, 1855, the present township of Oxford was organized with its present boundaries. The first election in the township proper was held at the house of John Bryan. The early records of Oxford township have been mislaid or destroyed, and con- sequently the first political history is not complete.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
THE FIRST SETTLER.
The first settler in what is now Oxford township was John Bryan and the date of his entrance into this unknown country was 1848. In the preceding year this pioneer of Ross county, Ohio, visited his brother, Joseph Bryan, west of Anamosa in Linn county, and became so impressed with the possibilities of the new country, that he determined to make it his home. He induced his father-in-law, Levin Walston and his family, his brother-in-law, Samuel Coon and family, to join his own family in the building of a home in the far west. These three families came about the same time, John Bryan having come first. The journey was made with their usual covered emigrant wagons drawn by horses. Norton Coon, now a respected resident of Oxford Junction, is a son of this Samuel Coon, and was about seven years old when with his parents he came into the township which he was afterward to see develop into the wealthy community, now so well established.
As these emigrants came through the unbroken country, they halted on the knoll just west of the present residence of L. Zeller. Looking out upon the undulating hills to the north, the long level strip of land to the west and south, cut in twain by the silvery waters of the Wapsipinicon, they decided that this land should be their own where they might establish for themselves and their children, a community of industrious and law-abiding citizens.
THE FIRST DWELLINGS.
The wagons served for sleeping apartments during the summer, a kitchen for cooking purposes hewn out of logs and built of rails criss cross fashion and covered with the long wild hay, served as the headquarters for the day. The first log cabin was built near the present residence of the late John Wasoba. About the same time two other log cabins, similar in size and architecture, were built. Each snug and warm clapboard roofed and built without a nail, bade King Winter defiance. Each cabin was eighteen by eighteen feet, with a door and a window at the south, a window at the east and perhaps one at the north. These were only half windows, containing six small panes of glass. The fire place occupied the position of honor on the west. The parlor, sitting room, din- ing room, bed room, kitchen and cupboard all opened into one-company or no company. Here they ate, drank and slept; the mother cooked the food, kept house, carded the wool and spun the yarn, while grandfather Walston wove the cloth. One cabin was near the late John Wasoba residence, one on the machine shop site and one on the knoll. Another cabin was later built further up the creek, on the east side, opposite the Leffingwell farm house. As the owner nad no wife, Augusta Monroe, later Mrs. Holton, was induced to open a school in it, and history must record this as the first school in Oxford township. The teacher was taken sick, and a sister, Libbie, though young in years, was allowed to finish the term.
Later Samuel Coon built a frame schoolhouse northeast of the Leffingwell farm house. Mary Ann Turkle being the first teacher in this building.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
John Bryan did the first plowing on the north side of the river, the work being done with oxen. The first settler on the south side of the river was the father of William Strong, who settled there about the same year that John Bryan settled north of the river. The families so far mentioned, constituted the population up to 1850. In that year, William Bowers and family settled in a log cabin near the river. In the fall of 1852, Miles Carter came into the new country and bought out William Bowers and opened up what was later one of the largest farms in the county. His sons Ira and Jules Carter, later took an active part in the business affairs of the community. About the time that Miles Carter settled here, John Waite and Francis Bennett, with their families, came and settled in the western part of the township. About the same time, the exact date being uncertain, a German named Overacter settled in the north western part of the township.
Some of the later settlers were: William Thurston, 1853; Daniel Iseman and Joseph Powelka, 1854; J. T. Wherry, Wancel Eleck and Shadrack Hammond, 1855; T. D. Prosser and Martin Schwab, 1856; and other substantial farmers of the fifties were: George Hall, N. R. Hagar, William Dubois, Andrew Hans, Jonathan Pulley, William Bratton and James Bollen. Clement Guthrie and George Rathbone also settled in the township about the same time.
THE FIRST CHILD BORN of white parents in the township, was Olive Walston. The next was Emily Coon, later known as Mrs. Waite Brenneman.
THE FIRST WEDDING was that of William N. Walston and Sarah Waite. This happy event occurred August 12, 1852, in the cabin of John Bryan. Mr. Walston died April, 1909. Mrs. Walston survives and spends her life in com- fort visiting among her eleven surviving children.
THE FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICE was undoubtedly the little Sunday school service in the John Bryan cabin when Ellen Walston (Mrs. Keith) gathered the children about her and taught them the simple truth and sang the familiar gospel songs. Later William Garrison, Rev. Seeley Simpson, Rev. Ashael Bron- son (died August 8, 1906, at Wyoming, Iowa, aged ninety-seven years) and Rev. O. E. Aldrich, held services first in the cabin and later in the frame school- house. In the earlier days everybody went to church. The team would be hitched up. the women would sit on boards across the wagon box and the men stand up. A stop would be made at every house until standing room was all taken.
THE FIRST DEATH in the township was in 1850. A little son of Levin Wal- ston's. Marion Walston, aged about two years, was laid to rest on the banks of the creek in what is now known as C. D. Tucker's back yard, without religious service other than a prayer by a member of the family. The coffin was made from slabs hewn from a black walnut log. A wagon box end gate served for the bottom. This boy was a brother of the first child born in the township. A son of Joseph Bryan, who came from the Buffalo Creek settlement, was the first burial in the present cemetery, or rather partly buried in it, for the line runs over part of the grave. The boy's death was caused from lifting the logs used in building the old time "Shanghai rail fences." Cold, cruel death followed even the early inhabitants, and the burden of sorrow was heavy as one after another the dear ones were laid to rest in the lonely country.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWNSHIP.
The development of the township was gradual. The population increased year by year, and with the growth of population, the land values became higher. The township is now dotted with farms well improved, with comfortable homes and well filled barns, the sure index of the prosperity of the inhabitants. The people are largely Bohemian, a law-abiding and industrious class of citizens. . The land is well watered by the Wapsipinicon River which flows through the township. Some of the farms adjoining the river are low, though the soil is rich and in favorable seasons, these rich low lands raise large crops.
There are several high grade stock farms in the township, and many of the farmers take pride in the raising of blooded cattle and horses and also swine. The stock farm of G. P. Tyrrel & Sons has already made a state reputation in the quality of its blooded cattle and hogs.
The Oxford Junction Fruit Farm and Nursery is located four miles south- west of Oxford Junction and serves as a good illustration of what can be produced by the soil of the township. The proprietor is W. C. Field, a practical farmer and nurseryman. All the leading varieties of plants and fruits are. raised. All of the products are thoroughly acclimated and suited to the soil and climate of Jones county. The nursery and fruit farm is fully established and is a credi- table industry.
There are two towns in Oxford township. The older one being Oxford Mills. The building of the railroad started Oxford Junction, now one of the progressive and prosperous towns of the county.
We are unable to give a complete history of the officials of Oxford town- ship. The early records cannot be found. The only record obtainable begins with 1885, and the following is the official roster of the township since that date :
OFFICIAL ROSTER-OXFORD TOWNSHIP.
1885-Trustees, R. A. Norton, S. E. Rorick, A. Stratilek; clerk, William H. Thurston; assessor, J. J. Wasoba; justices, W. H. Thurston and John Quirk ; constables, R. Hans and Henry Countryman.
1886-Trustees, R. A. Norton, A. Stratilek, S. E. Rorick; clerk, W. H. Thurston ; assessor, J. J. Wasoba.
1887-Trustees, S. E. Rorick, A. Stratilek, R. A. Norton; clerk, W. H. Thurston ; assessor, Jonathan Pulley ; justices, John Quirk and W. H. Thurston; constables, S. Harms and H. Countryman.
1888-Trustees, C. A. Wherry, S. E. Rorick, A. Stratilek; clerk, W. H. Thurston.
1889-Trustees, F. Nowachek, S. E. Rorick and C. A. Wherry; clerk, W. H. Thurston; assessor, A. J. Wasoba.
1890-Trustees, C. A. Leffingwell, F. Nowachek, C. A. Wherry; clerk, W. H. Thurston.
1891-Trustees, C. A. Wherry, C. A. Leffingwell, F. Nowachek; clerk, W. H. Thurston ; assessor, Amos Rogers ; justices, H. M. Blakely, W. H. Thurston.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
1892-Trustees, F. Nowachek, C. A. Leffingwell, C. A. Wherry; clerk, W. H. Thurston; assessor, Amos Rogers.
1893-Trustees, Edgar Hammond, C. A. Wherry, F. Nowachek; clerk, W. H. Thurston; assessor, Amos Rogers.
1894-Trustees, C. A. Wherry, Edgar Hammond, F. Nowachek; clerk, John Quirk; assessor, Amos Rogers.
1895-Trustees, A. J. Wasoba, C. A. Wherry, Edgar Hammond; clerk, M. J. Kulhave; assessor, J. J. Wasoba.
1896-Trustees, Joseph Kulhave, A. J. Wasoba, C. A. Wherry; clerk, M.
J. Kulhave; assessor, H. Wherry.
1897-Trustees, Joseph Kulhave, C. A. Wherry, A. J. Wasoba; clerk, M. J. Kulhave.
1898-Trustees, C. A. Wherry, A. J. Wasoba, Joseph Kulhave; clerk, M. J. Kulhave.
1899-Trustees, C. A. Wherry, Joseph Kulhave, A. J. Wasoba; clerk, M. J. Kulhave.
1900-Trustees, Joseph Kulhave, A. J. Wasoba, C. A. Wherry; clerk, M. J. Kulhave.
1901-Trustees, Joseph Kulhave, A. J. Wasoba, Paul Ingwersen; clerk, M. J. Kulhave.
1902-Trustees, Joseph Kulhave, Paul Ingwersen, A. J. Wasoba; clerk, M. J. Kulhave.
1903-Trustees, Paul Ingwersen, Joseph Kulhave, A. J. Wasoba; clerk, S. E. Rorick ; assessor, W. Rogers.
1904-Trustees, C. A. Leffingwell, Joseph Kulhave, Frank Burda; clerk, M. J. Kulhave.
1905-Trustees, Amos Rogers, C. A. Leffingwell, Frank Burda; clerk, H. J. Ingwersen; justices, Emerson Cave, John Quirk.
1906-Trustees, Amos Rogers, C. A. Leffingwell, F. Burda; clerk, H. J. Ingwersen.
1907-Trustees, C. A. Leffingwell, Frank Burda, Amos Rogers; clerk, H. J. Ingwersen.
1908-Trustees, C. A. Leffingwell, Amos Rogers, Frank Burda ; clerk, H. J. Ingwersen.
1909-Trustees, Henry Shimerda, S. E. Rorick, C. A. Leffingwell; clerk, H. J. Ingwersen.
VILLAGE OF OXFORD MILLS.
The first community settlement in Oxford township was at the present site of Oxford Mills. In 1857. Milo and G. W. Lathrop and Anthony Courttright built the flour mill and Anthony Courttright and G. W. Lathrop opened a store. In 1859, L. D. Carlton and W. P. Langan, both blacksmiths began making their anvils ring with the volume of business. Dr. Coon was one the earliest, if not the first, physician in the township. Dr. Battin and Morris Hall located about 1875.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
As soon as the Northwestern railroad was put through Lowden, a postoffice was opened in the village then called Oxford Mills. T. J. Baldwin, now a farmer retired and residing in Wyoming, Iowa, was the stage driver and mail carrier between Lowden and Wyoming, bringing the mail at stated periods to the postoffice at Oxford Mills.
The first plat of the town was filed May, 1861. Milo Lathrop's addition was platted July, 1876, and S. F. McDonald's addition was platted in May, 1883. Francis Lathrop's addition was also platted and the lots sold and resi- dences built.
Before the day of bridges, the pioneers were required to ford the Wapsie River at this point on their way to and from Davenport and other market points. In 1865, a wooden bridge was built across the Wapsie at the ford, at a total cost of four thousand, six hundred and seventy-four dollars, the contractor being A. A. Reilly.
The leading industry which has built and maintained Oxford Mills is the industry which bears that name. Of all the old landmarks of old Oxford, there is none more widely known or better loved than the Oxford Mill.
THE OXFORD MILL.
The original mill was a wooden structure, thirty-six by fifty-two feet, three stories high, with attic and basement. The frame work consisted of heavy timbers twelve by fourteen inches, those intended to sustain the heaviest and most continuous strain being of oak. It was a flour mill with buhr-stone, having an equipment of three runs of four foot buhrs and old hexagon reel bolts. but not the hand bolts used by some others of the early mills.
As the mill now stands, it is a frame structure, thirty-six by seventy-two feet, three stories high with basement and attic. The water wheels are located directly under the mill in the basement and are four in number. The water wheels combined represent a seventy-horse power engine. All kinds of custom grinding is done. An elevator, twenty-eight by forty feet, two stories high, adjoining the mill and separated from it by a drive way, affords ample storage room for flour and grain.
In 1868, the mill was sold to Robert McDonald, who in 1870, disposed of it to Samuel Blair. In 1875, Mr. Blair transferred the property to S. F. McDon- ald, a brother of Robert McDonald. S. F. McDonald enlarged the mill, about doubling its capacity, added the iron roof and replaced the old machinery with the new patent roller process. Then he built a half mile of levee to control the water in time of flood and enlarged the dam in order to secure added power. He also built the beautiful residence near the mill since known as the miller's home. This was destroyed by fire a few years ago. In 1894, Mr. McDonald sold the mill property and business to E. A. Taylor, and in the spring of 1895, the property passed into the hands of J. R. Zinn & Son. The name was later changed to the Zinn Electric Light and Power Company, and the property re- mained in their possession until the spring of 1909, when the entire property was sold to the Oxford Junction Light, Power and Mill Company.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
THE ZINN ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY was organized in 1900, and in August of the same year the town of Oxford Junction granted the com- pany an exclusive twenty year franchise. About the same time the company secured a franchise from the town of Wyoming, eight miles from the mill. The lines were completed and the power turned on January 25, 1901. Since that date, the electric light business has increased year by year until the present time when there is scarcely a business house in either Oxford Junction or Wyoming, that does not realize the convenience of the electric system. In 1909, the Zinn Brothers disposed of their interest in the electric light plant to The Oxford Junction Light, Power and Mill Company and the electric light wires were ex- tended to Olin.
The credit for the development and perfection of the electric light system is largely due to the personal efforts of Frank E. Zinn. Some of the engineer- ing feats accomplished by Mr. Zinn in the improvements of the mill and the electric light plant, would have been a credit to a master mechanic schooled and experienced. Mr. Zinn did not have the benefit of a course of study in a school of engineering.
The Oxford Mill dam is one of the best in the state. There is an abundance of power.
Under the management of the present owners of the mill and the electric light plant, a number of important and valuable improvements are promised.
THE CHURCH.
In 1875, the Methodist church at Oxford Mills was built. This building was erected through the efforts of Rev. Beardsley. The first religious services were held in the old red schoolhouse. Since the erection of the church, the organization has been maintained. The Oxford Mills circuit includes the church at Oxford Junction, and the history of the pastors as given later in the history of the latter church, is the history of the pastors of this church. Rev. A. M. Jayne now supplies the pulpit. The present church trustees are: J. P. Snider, G. P. Tyrrel, John Elliot and Mrs. W. C. Hall.
THE POSTOFFICE.
The first postmaster was George W. Lathrop, August 11, 1862. Then came . Albert Bristol January, 1875; A. Courttright, March, 1884; William H. Thurs- ton, February, 1886; L. D. Carlton, May, 1889; Oscar Bowker, June, 1893; Lorenzo D. Carlton, June, 1897 ; Harry W. Carlton, April, 1901. Fred L. Coker is now the local Nasby and also conducts a grocery and notion store. His ap- pointment as postmaster, dates from May 26, 1909. Oscar Bowker also has a general store. The village is located one mile from Oxford Junction and is on the Davenport and Monticello branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad.
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