USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 52
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY OXFORD JUNCTION.
LOCATION AND GENERAL CONDITIONS.
The town of Oxford Junction is located at the junction of the main line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and the Davenport and Monti- cello branch of the same road. It is now a town of about eight hundred inhabi- tants, and is one of the most trim and sprightly towns in the county. The residences are kept well painted, the lawns are trimmed and green. Furthermore the town is growing, both in population and in extent. A number of new residences are being built each year, and an air of prosperity prevails.
THE BEGINNING OF THE TOWN.
The town started with the advent of the railroad about 1872. The first resi- dence was built for John Koranda who with his family yet lives in it. The first store was conducted by a man named Ardman, in 1872. In the fall of 1873, the business failed. On April 4, 1874, A. Stratilek opened up a general store where Mr. Ardman had failed a few months before, on the opposite side of the street to the north of where Mr. Stratilek's store and residence now stands. Mr. Stratilek is now the pioneer merchant of Oxford Junction.
Peter Ottsen opened up a hardware store and lumber office in the early history of the town. He was also the first postmaster. The store and office was located in a small building on the corner where Buresh & Ingwersen's hard- ware store now stands. Dr. Henak was the first resident physician. F. Nowa- check opened up a saloon where the National hall now stands. Mr. Grey built the first hotel, the building now being used as a store and residence by A. Stratilek. The first grain dealer was a man named Goldman. John Fay and Frank Miller were early dealers in lumber. Albert Wrchota opened up a black- smith shop where Nick Fritz now makes the anvil ring. P. B. English was a character who mended shoes.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
From this early beginning, the town grew gradually until about 1879, when the division shops and offices of the railroad company were located here. These gave employment to about 300 men, and as a result business and property of all kinds took a boom. Values increased, and the town began to spread out. The original town had been platted in August, 1872. In March, 1880, Blakelee's addition was platted. In June of the same year, Flannigan's addition was opened, and the next month, Flannigan and Moore's addition, the site of the present business district, was laid out into lots. In August of the following year, Flannigan's second addition was filed for record, and in March, 1882, Carter and Flannigan's addition, which now includes many of the best residences of the town was platted. Quirk's addition in the northeast part of town was platted in June, 1883, and in October of the same year, G. W. Lathrop's addition was opened for settlement. These numerous plats show how rapidly the town grew
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and increased its territory. The next addition was in September, 1898, when Leffingwell's addition was platted, and in August, 1905, Leffingwell's second ad- dition was placed on record.
LOSSES AND EPIDEMICS.
It was quite a blow to the town when about 1889, the shops were closed and removed. It was also in February, 1889, that the demon fire struck a blow to the business houses of Ira and Jules Carter, in the destruction of their banking house, to Beckon & Zigler, dry goods and clothiers. The Oxford Mirror office and the law office of Attorney Miles. All were destroyed by fire. The same flames destroyed all the city records, thus wiping out all authentic political history.
In the fall of 1888, a scourge of diphtheria swept through the town, and many a home wept over the loss of one, two, and sometimes three or more loved ones garnered in by the silent reaper. This was a fearful scourge.
Again on April 11, 1898, in the space of about two hours, all the business houses and dwellings on Broadway west of Fifth street, were totally destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of thousands of dollars.
From these ashes, there have arisen the substantial brick business houses now to be found in the location of the 1898 fire. The courage and pluck of the business interests of the town in overcoming all of these severe reverses, is an index of the enterprise and prosperity which now prevails in Oxford Junction.
THE WATER WORKS.
In the same year as the last sweeping fire, steps were taken for a system of water works, which would not only supply the town with good wholesome water, but also furnish ample fire protection. After having suffered a severe financial loss, it was something of an undertaking to now bear the expense of putting in a water works system. At the town election to determine whether or not bonds would be issued for this purpose, only six votes were cast against the proposition. Plans were secured and the work was placed under the direc- tion of Rev. J. K. Bloom, the pastor of the Lutheran church, and a man of broad and practical ideas. A stand pipe was erected on the highest point in town, and the water mains laid. The only error being that the spiral rivet steel pipe was used. These have had to be replaced with cast iron pipe during the past few years. The water is pumped from a deep well and the town is now provided with an abundance of pure water and ample fire protection.
THE TOWN-POLITICALLY.
The town is now entirely free of all incorporation indebtedness, and with money in the treasury. The business affairs of the corporation are in the hands of conservative and practical business men. The people take pride in keeping their property clean and neat. The inhabitants like the inhabitants of the township, are mostly Bohemians and are a kind-hearted and well behaved
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people. They mingle freely with the other nationalities of the town and their home life is enjoyed.
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB.
The recent rapid strides in the development of the commercial interests of the town, is due more than to anything else, to the united action and enterprise of the Oxford Junction Commercial Club. This was organized January 1, 1908, and includes nearly, if not all, the business men of Oxford Junction, and its object is to promote the best interests of the town. C. W. Simpson was its first president ; Frank Kenney, secretary and F. H. Shimanek, treasurer. By their united efforts, marked improvements have resulted. As we write this in June, 1909, our memory brings a vivid recollection of the successful street fair and corn show of August, 1908, one of the direct efforts of the Commercial Club. The horse, fruit and crop displays, almost shamed the efforts of the agricultural fairs organized for that sole purpose. The present officers are: President, E. A. Grimwood; secretary, Frank Kenney ; treasurer, F. H. Shimanek.
A MANUFACTORY.
The manufacturing establishment of Lasack Brothers & Company, is an im- portant part of the business interests of Oxford Junction. Here the Oxford Junction Hay Loader is manufactured, and also counters, shelving, church furniture and soforth. The firm is composed of Adolph and Albert Lasack and George Wasoba. A number of men are given employment. The business was established about 1892. The company has met with some reverses, but in a business way it has been quite successful. Its hay loaders have met with good success.
THE TOPAZ CREAMERY.
Perhaps the largest industry in Oxford Junction to furnish employment, since the days of "the shops" is the Topaz Creamery. In May, 1907, ground was broken for the erection of a new, improved, modern creamery building, thirty- two by sixty-four feet, three stories high, covered with steel, with a boiler house, thirty-six by forty-eight feet built of brick adjoining on the north. The plant was fully equipped with the most modern machinery known, cream routes laid out, drivers hired, teams provided and all in operation July 8th, sixty days after the first spade full of earth was turned. The books of the company now show over one thousand, seven hundred patrons, and thirty-five wagons are employed exclusively, in the gathering of cream. The office and plant give employment to several more. G. W. Simpson is president, and Clarence W. Simpson is vice- president and manager of the Topaz Creamery. A separate barn is provided by the management to house the teams used in the business.
In connection with the creamery industry, we take the privilege of quoting from an interview with G. W. Simpson, showing something of the development and superiority of the dairy industry in Jones county. This quotation, we take from The Oxford Mirror of September 10, 1908:
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"I came to Chicago in 1870 when that city was something less than it is now, but even then South Water street was a busy place full of farmers' wag- ons backed up to the sidewalk with all kinds of produce. I was out from Boston on the outlook for butter for our home market, and had my eyes open for the best I could get. I soon noticed some tubs that struck me as being a little superior to the others. I asked the man what he wanted for them and he said twenty-two cents a pound. I ran the tester down a couple of tubs and told him I would take them by weight, but he objected saying I must take it at at the weights marked. I told him I thought I could find some one who would see that he gave me an honest weight and after some further parley, I suc- ceeded in getting it my own way, and, as the butter was of good quality, I looked at the express label on the tubs which was Monticello, Iowa. I immediately made inquiries as to where that place was and was informed that it was in the eastern part of the state, a little nearer Dubuque than Davenport. The next evening I arrived in Dubuque and that night there came up a tornado that blew off the cupola of the Hotel Julian, tore down the elevator and blew down the smoke stack from a steamer lying in the river a short distance from the hotel which I could see by the lightning flashes very plainly, and did a great deal of damage in the country. I had to stay over Sunday and was until Tuesday in get- ting to Monticello by the way of Farley. There I had no trouble in finding H. D. Sherman who was engaged in repacking butter which he had purchased from the farmers.
"I engaged his butter for the remainder of that year and the next year I came west and contracted his butter for the coming year. In the spring of 1872, I again visited Monticello and arranged with him to build a creamery which was the first in the state and is still standing as a monument to the pioneer creamery business. And the next year he built one in Wayne. The third year he refused to do more for us unless we would join in furnishing a share of the capital, which we did and soon after the Diamond Creamery Company was organized. The business increased steadily and we produced a large amount of fine butter which won a national reputation at the World Fair in New York in 1878. We took the first prize for making the finest tub of butter in the world, the best five tubs made in June, and the best five made in October, one hundred dollars each, and first prize for the best tub of butter made using Ashton salt, and the same from Higging salt, bringing prizes of fifty dollars each.
"In the year 1876, I went to Europe to see what I could learn in regard to the butter business and the prospect for the future. I landed in Liverpool and presented a letter of introduction to an American ship store firm, both of whom I found had come from my own old home country, who did all in their power to help me in my investigations, supplying me among other things with a tin of Danish butter, the first I had ever seen. They were supplying ships bound for hot climates with this particular kind of butter. I then visited London and Paris and later arrived in Hamburg as homesick as any other foreigner in a strange land where every one spoke in an unknown tongue. Although it was dark and rainy, I drove two miles to meet a man to whom I had letters of in- troduction and whose son and daughter were being educated in Boston. Find-
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ing that I could do no business until Tuesday, I asked for American captains and was informed that Captain John Lombard, of New Jersey, was in port at the Elb Hotel. Early Sunday morning, I called at the hotel and sent up my card and he immediately invited me to his room. When I entered he smiled and called his wife to whom I was introduced and later found that although the ship hailed from New Jersey, they both came from Maine, a few miles from my old home and that the captain's wife was a great friend of my wife's. In the conversation which followed, the captain told me that on his last voyage of ten months, he had used Danish butter and found the last can as good as the first.
"On my return home I was convinced that if the Danes could pack butter in tins which would keep, the Americans could do so as well. After two years experimenting with a package which could be sealed without heating and opened leaving a good cover, subjecting it to all known tests, I went to Washington, D. C. with several samples packages and submitted the same to Paymaster Cut- ter of the United States navy, and found that the navy department had great trouble in providing good butter for the sailors in hot climates.
"I left some of my samples and asked him to submit them to the severest tests, which he did, and he gave me an order next Monday morning for the first butter packed in tins ever used in the navy. With but one or two exceptions, mainly on the Pacific, the army and navy have since been supplied with this brand of butter until this year. It was sold to them under a guarantee of two years and we were never called on to replace a can."
THE OXFORD MIRROR.
A newspaper that has done so much for its home town is certainly to be awarded its share of the credit for its work. This weekly paper has been a leader in the enterprise and improvement of the town. It not only provides its readers with the news of the community, but it cheerfully takes its place as a leader in ideas and in the furtherance of the best interests of the community. Its energy and courage is commendable.
The management take pleasure when the occasion demands, in issuing a special edition. In March, 1904, it issued a special historical edition, and several special editions have since been issued. The writer would frankly and gratefully acknowledge the valuable assistance the historical edition has been to him in the securing of this history.
The Mirror was founded in 1879, the first issue being on Thursday, October 30th, as a six-column folio, the founder being George F. Crouch. On March 20th, 1885, it was sold to Joseph E. Mercombe and Herbert Fox, who remained in control for about a year, when on March 12, 1886, it was again sold to its founder, George F. Crouch with Henry Palmer as publisher. On March 25, 1887, Mr. Crouch disposed of the office to Fenton S. Fox, who remained in charge until the fire of February 5, 1889, when the office was totally destroyed. There was no insurance, and the owner found himself penniless. George F. Crouch again appeared on the scene and secured control of his old love, and with new machinery and equipment throughout, started The Mirror once more.
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This management continued until February 11, 1892, when Charles A. Seaton, a practical printer, now of the Clarence Sun, took charge. He retained the ownership for five years to a day, selling the office to Alden E. Crouch, son of the founder of the paper, on February 11, 1897. This ownership continued until March 9, 1898, when Frank Kenney, the present enterprising and level headed public leader and editor, started on his mission of good deeds. During his eleven years of service, he has endeared himself to all the people of Oxford Junction and community, and has become an important factor in the life and industry of the town. During the present management, the subscription list has more than doubled. Its columns are liberally patronized by the merchants of the towns, and with its generous and liberal issues, and large subscription list, it is a splendid advertising medium. Its job department is crowded, and the superiority of its commercial printing is manifest from the orders received from all points where any of its product has ever found its way.
Mr. Kenney is ably assisted in the local work of the paper by Mrs. M. W. Pulley, a writer of considerable ability. The many pleasing write-ups of the various industries of the town testify to her versatility of expression, and her ability to couch in appropriate terms the portrayal of the matters described. The job department is under the direct supervision of Mr. Kenney assisted by Miss Tonie Grubeck and Neil Van Sickle.
In July, 1897, The Mirror added a page called The Lost Nation Chronicle, which contains news of that thriving town and advertises the business interests of that place. The Lost Nation editor is R. M. Gable who during the past ten years has wisely conducted this department of The Mirror. He is a repre- sentative citizen of that town, one of its oldest resident, and at all times has the best welfare of the town at heart. His unlimited acquaintance and general pop- ularity make him a favorite among the people.
BANKING.
Jules Carter has the credit of being the first to engage in the banking busi- ness in Oxford Junction. There were others who loaned money, but the banking business proper was founded by Mr. Carter. It was in 1881, that Mr. Carter owned a hardware store, and not only loaned money but also received deposits and cashed drafts and made exchange. In 1886 or 1887, he disposed of his hardware business and engaged exclusively in the business of banking as The Oxford Junction Bank.
In August, 1901, the Oxford Junction Savings Bank was organized with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars. This bank absorbed the Oxford Junction Bank operated by J. E. Carter.
The Citizens Exchange Bank was organized as The Exchange Bank, October 19, 1889, with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. On September 1, 1908, the bank was reorganized as The Citizens Exchange Bank with a stock of fifty thousand dollars. As we give a history of these banks with others in a seperate chapter on "Banks and Banking," the reader can refer to that head for more particulars as to these two excellent banking institutions.
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THE POSTOFFICE.
No building in Oxford Junction is better patronized than the one which contains the postoffice. The present postmaster, L. W. Sley, was appointed to his position and took charge of the office, April 1, 1903. During his six years of service he has grown in favor with all classes and has at all times been a conscientious and obliging official.
The first postmaster in Oxford Junction was Fred C. Erdman, October, 1872. He was followed by Peter H. Ottsen, January, 1874, and by George F. Crouch, the founder of The Oxford Mirror, May, 1885. Mr. Crouch was suc- ceeded by Mrs. H. E. Van Tyne, May, 1889, who in turn was followed by Miss Mary Nowacheck, July, 1893. Howard Lathrop was the next to represent Uncle Sam, June, 1897, and on April 1, 1903, turned over the reins of the office to the present incumbent, L. W. Sley. On July 1, 1903, rural mail route No. I, was established with C. D. Tucker as carrier. T. L. Kula now carries the mail on this route. Route No. 2 was established in 1905, with John Shedeck as carrier. John Stuhr carried the mail for a short time. John Shedeck is again the carrier.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The first frame schoolhouse was built northeast of the Leffingwell farm house by Samuel Coon, Mary Ann Turkle being the teacher. The official rec- ords of this school have been lost. The territory included in the town was a part of the township school district until March 9, 1874, when by vote of the electors it was decided that the district should be known as Oxford Center Independent District No. 4. At the same meeting it was proposed that a tax be levied sufficient to raise four hundred dollars toward establishing a school.
Andrew Hans, George Rathbone and Jonathan Pulley were elected direc- tors, John Bryan, treasurer and Hugh Blakely, secretary, five of the most repre- sentative men in the district and among the heaviest taxpayers. Mr. Blakely was retained as secretary for sixteen years, or until his removal to Missouri.
By September, 1874, the tax had been levied, bonds issued, the schoolhouse erected just north and across the creek from the home of J. Pulley. John T. Paul, now a resident of Wyoming, was the first teacher. Two years later, the school had outgrown its accommodations, and another levy was made to build a one thousand dollar frame structure in the heart of the town. A lot at the corner of Main and First streets was purchased and school opened with Miss Nellie Keeney as teacher in 1876.
At the end of six more years both school buildings were sold and plans made for the erection of the present building. The contract for the present building of brick and stone was let to Mr. Haner for six thousand dollars to be built of brick from the local brick yard owned by J. Pulley. . The twelve foot basement of stone, forty-eight by fifty, surmounted by two stories of brick, stone trimmed, presents a most substantial appearance. The three doors lead- ing from wide halls provide ample exits in case of fire. The rooms are high, well lighted and arranged, and wardrobe room in abundance.
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The primary room has been crowded from the first, and in 1885, it became so overcrowded that a new room and another teacher was provided. The school is known as the second primary in the Bohemian Lodge building. Miss Anna Panuska has presided over this room since 1896 and by her faithful service has become a part of the school life of Oxford Junction.
The school possesses a fine school library. Many of the books were pur- chased by the pupils' entertainments, some were donated. The students main- tain a literary society which is valuable and gives them training and instruction.
Oxford Junction has been quite fortunate in the choice of principals. The assistants have also been women of ability. Miss Faith Gibson, the primary teacher, and Miss Anna Panuska, the second primary teacher, have had the full and unlimited confidence of the patrons for many years and are considered in- dispensable fixtures in the school life.
The names of the principals are herewith given, the date being the year they came : 1882, J. Hammond; 1886, E. R. Moore; 1888, F. C. Wicks; 1890, Aaron Palmer ; 1892, A. F. Burton, 1893, W. E. Fleming; 1896, Daniel R. Perkins; 1898, C. J. Burrell; 1902, P. H. Paulsen; 1904, J. H. Fouts; 1906, Miss Josephine Sutherland; 1908, W. E. Rorabaugh. The 1909 teachers are: Principal, W. E. Rorabaugh; assistant principal, Miss Agnes M. Barry; gram- mar, Miss Kate McNamara; intermediate, Miss Nellie Quirk; second primary, Miss Anna Panuska: first primary, Miss Faith Gibson.
The directors who have served the district are: Daniel Poppe, H. A. Jack- son, A. J. Wasoba, George Crouch, George Moore, A. I. Jackson, J. E. Carter, F. Nowacheck, C. A. Leffingwell, J. H. Keech, L. K. Bobo, Martin Podolok, Frank Williams, J. H. Orris, John Buresh, J. A. Bracha, John Quirk, V. E. Sobotka, O. A. Gable.
The secretaries have been: Mary Nowacheck, Ward Ferguson, J. J. Berner and Frank Kenney. The treasurers: N. H. Tordsen, E. A. Grimwood, Henry Klahn and Frank Shimanek.
The present school board: President. J. A. Bracha; John Quirk, John Buresh, V. E. Sobotka and O. A. Gable; secretary, Frank Kenney ; treasurer. F. H. Shimanek.
The first graduating class was in 1890. The names of all the graduates of the Oxford Junction school are herewith given :
1890-Birdie Rees, Rannie Carter, Helen Hastings, Etta Langan, Anna Panuska.
1891-Ada Haun, Hattie Rogers.
1892-Rose Panuska, Hattie Hensley, Josie Nowachek.
1893-Alden Crouch, Katie Langan, Helen Stratilek, Maude Jackson, Jesse Cook, Lillie Baird.
1894-Emma Wlach, Grace Everhart, Gussie Panuska, Katie Nowacheck, Mae Everhart.
1895-Frank Shimanek, Alice Shaw, Rose Vochoska.
1896-Arthur Hannsen, Charles Wlach, Frank Kenney, Edwin Leffingwell, Phie Hensley.
1897-Bess Williams, Emanuel Wlach, Virtus Hannsen, Dollie Arlen. Frank Panuska.
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1898-Ida J. Bright, J. E. Carter, Luther Sharp, Frank Zigler, John Hens- ley, Nell Hayden, Mary Kulhave, Bess Merrill, Anna Quirk, Bess Panuska, Mary Vozenilek.
1899-No class this year.
1900-Edith Sley, Agnes Nowachek, Ed. Womancha, Ora Farr, Carrie Tucker.
1901-Frances Herda, Frank E. Powlishta, Edward O. Tabor, Roy W. Orris, Lucy Quirk, George L. Williams.
1902-Mabel Zigler, Mattie Harms, Anna Shimanek, Katie Peckosh, Julia Kulhave, Mayme Van Sickle, William T. Bright.
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