History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I, Part 58

Author: Corbit, Robert McClain, 1871- ed; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke publishing co.
Number of Pages: 763


USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 58


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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"I have already made some reference to Mr. Clement Russell, one of the early legal lights of Fairview. He was withal shrewd, quick witted and sagacious. If he appeared stolid and idiotic, his looks greatly belied his character. There were many other but less noted lights in the legal profession that graced the bar of Jones County, Iowa, at that early period.


AN ANECDOTE.


"One anecdote in regard to Mr. Russell is too good to omit. Although never regarding himself as belonging to the literate of the land, yet he never permitted any one to take liberties with him, to address him as if they took him for a loafer, a blockhead or a timeserver. It has already been remarked that he kept tavern in the pretty town of Fairview, on the military road. He was never known as a working or laboring man, but enjoyed in an eminent degree the "Otium cum dignitate" unless when employed by his numerous clients or engaged in hunting.


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"One pleasant day in June, he was deeply engaged with some boon com- panions in a game of poker, the inevitable whisky bottle within easy range, when a traveler entered, dressed in the extreme of fashion, and with a pompous air and imperative tone gave the following order, viz .: 'Where is the landlord?" 'Here sir.' 'I wish my horse to be immediately unharnessed, well rubbed down, then a good feed of hay, after a due lapse of time to be well watered, then to have four quarts of oats.'


"This imperative command, circumstantial as it was, never altered a single feature in the countenance of Mr. Russell, who deeply absorbed in his game, exclaimed 'hearts are trumps gentleman' and seemed to ignore the presence of the traveler altogether, till the order was repeated in a louder and still more imperative tone, when looking up with that comical expression which it is dif- ficult to describe, but which no one who has ever seen the man can ever forget, he exclaimed, 'Who the h-are you? And where did you come from?' 'I am Captain B --- , sir, U. S. Engineer in the employ of the government, and I live three thousand miles east of here.' 'The h- you do,' exclaimed Russell. 'Three thousand miles east of here! One thousand miles out in the Atlantic Ocean, eh! A salt water fish by -! Strayed out here onto our western prai- ries! Out of your element sir, evidently!' (A truism which doubtless the cap- tain took to himself.) Russell then turning with the utmost sangfroid and non- chalance to his wondering companions and the conclusion of the game without taking any further notice of the fresh arrival, leaving that crest-fallen gent to look after the welfare of his horse himself or to have some of the loafers in attendance, do so for him."


The above interesting and valuable historical narrative from the pen of Richard Cleaveland, gives a picture of pioneer life in Rome which can only come from a man who has been a pupil in the school of experience. In addition to the names mentioned as early settlers, there can be added the names of Levi Miller, Alexander Starry, Abraham Garrison, Adam Kramer, Sr., Jacob Foreman, Benjamin Chaplain, Cord Chaplain, William Sweet, Henry Cornwell, Wesley Southwick, John P. Graft, Orrin Cronkhite, Hiram Stewart, Sol Garri- son, Isaac Simpson, John Kramer, Peter Kramer, George Pfeifer, Andrew Sunday, John Tallman, W. W. Thrapp, G. W. Miller, David Fall, John Barker, Henry Wurzbacher, James Norton, Richard Rooney, Alex Rooney, H. C. Freeman, D. E. Rummel, Timothy Stivers, Samuel Easterly, Hiram Steward. The western part of the township was the first settled.


SOME EARLY SETTLERS.


John Merritt is generally recognized as the first settler in what is now known as Rome township, the date of the settlement being the fall of 1837. Mr. Merritt was a native of New York State, and was a man of influence and ability. He was the first road supervisor from this part of the county. He was also township trustee, school director and held other positions of honor and trust.


All of those early pioneers are entitled to seats of honor, and should receive bouquets of distinction because of the hardships they endured, and likewise because of the "paths of glory" which in their wisdom and industry they blazed


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for the generations of today. However, human memory is frail, and in the absence of accurate records, what may be retained in memory by the oldest of the present residents of the township, necessarily becomes the nucleus of a his- torical narrative. It is impossible for a member of the present generation to live over the lives and experiences of the patriotic pioneer, and without other assistance, determine the dates of the early arrivals, or to describe the conditions and circumstances which surrounded the struggles of the fathers and mothers of our native county.


THE FIRST CHILD.


THE FIRST CHILD born in the township, and who is also conceded to be the first child born in the county, was Rebecca Merritt, daughter of Joseph Merritt. She was born two miles west of the present town of Olin, January 9, 1839. This child grew to womanhood and later married her cousin, Joseph Merritt and now resides at Sturgis, South Dakota, at the age of seventy years.


THE FIRST BURIAL.


THE FIRST BURIAL in the township was the father of Joseph Glenn. He died in 1838. There were no obsequies such as are common today attending the sadness of this burial on the frontier. The coffin was the best to be ob- tained under the circumstances. It was hewed out of a hollow log. The next burial was that of a man named Chaplain. This coffin was made from the boards of a wagon box. The mourners were not numerous, even though they numbered at least one hundred per cent of the population in the immediate vicinity.


A LATE SEASON.


One of the latest seasons within the memory of those who heard it from the lips of the first settlers, was in the spring of 1842. In that spring, Joshua Sherman built a log cabin on the north side of the river in Jackson township. As usual, all the neighbors turned out to assist with the task. Among them were Thomas Green, Alexander Starry, George Saum, John Merritt. the Chap- lains and others. Finding that a few logs were lacking, some of the number went up into the timber and brought down the necessary logs with oxen on the ice on the river. This was on April 10, 1842.


TOWNSHIP ORGANIZED.


Rome township was organized as a township, July 5, 1842, with the same boundaries as Walnut precinct, which included what is now the townships of Oxford, Hale, Rome, Jackson, Madison and Wyoming. The first election was held at the house of Norman Seeley. The early records of the township have gone into hiding and refuse to make their existence known, and hence we can- not give the early township organization.


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OLIN.


THE TOWN PLATTED.


The town of Rome was platted in March, 1842. The early settlement was called Elk Ford, and later Walnut Fork, and it was by this name that the post- office which was located there in 1841 was known. Even after the town itself was known by the name of Rome, the postoffice retained the name of Walnut Fork until July, 1872. The town was called Olin being named after D. A. Olin, general superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Walnut Fork was platted May, 1854. Smith's Addition was laid out into lots January, 1873. Cronkhite's Addition was platted August, 1873. Rose's Addi- tion became part of Olin in December, 1894, and in May of the following year, South Olin was added. In April, 1900, Easterly's Addition became a part of the present town of Olin. Edleman's Addition was opened up as part of the town in June, 1902.


THE PEOPLE.


The town is peopled with a very sociable and intelligent class of people, mostly Americans. The homes, many of them, are beautiful indicating com- fort. The lawns are well kept, the streets are clean; and the sidewalks substan- tial, everything indicating prosperity. Its business houses are up-to-date, giving an air of enterprise and business industry.


THE POSTOFFICE.


The postoffice in what is now the town of Olin, was among the first estab- lished in the county. The postoffice at Edinburg having been established in Jan- uary, 1840. It would be difficult for the ordinary mind to travel backward to this early period and reveal with any degree of definiteness or certainty, the names of the men whom Uncle Sam had commissioned as postmasters. The official records at Washington, however, must be regarded as reliable and we give here- with the result of an investigation made at our request.


The name of the postoffice during its first thirty years of history, was Wal- nut Fork. This office was established in 1841, and on May 8, 1841, Norman B. Seeley was commissioned postmaster. He was followed, in the order of their appointment, by the following postmasters: Timothy Stivers, appointed March 14. 1844; Thaddeus M. Smith, March 2, 1846; Richard J. Cleaveland. May 12, 1849; Charles H. Lull, July 28, 1851; Alfred S. Warrington, April 18, 1854; Ashael S. Mershon, October 28, 1854; Charles H. Lull, March 17, 1855; Simon P. Benadom, July 25, 1856; Jesse R. Mershon. September 16, 1858; Charles H. Lull, January 2, 1861 ; James Smith, April 17, 1865; Timo- thy Stivers, May 15, 1866; David R. Carpenter, June 5, 1867; David E. Rum- mel, August 14, 1868.


About this time the name of the postoffice was changed from Walnut Fork to Olin. On July 16, 1872, David E. Rummel was reappointed; Chalkley H. Derr, July 30, 1873; Alfred A. Stearns, February 23, 1874; Benjamin H. Miller.


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August 4, 1875; Chalkey H. Derr, June 8, 1876; N. M. Everhart, November 15, 1882; W. A. Miller, September 28, 1885; Augustus J. Burke, March 28. 1889; Frank W. Miller, April 15, 1893; Dennis Bittner, the present incumbent, May 13, 1897.


On February 2, 1902, the first rural mail route was established with C. M. Miles as the first man to make the rural people happy by leaving their mail daily at their door. Mr. Miles yet carries mail on this route, called route number one.


Rural route number two was established February 15, 1904, and since that date L. G. Freeman, had made the daily trip gathering and distributing the rural mail.


Rural route number three was established January 1, 1906. Ward Kent performs the functions of rural carrier on this route.


In the early history of the Olin postoffice, the mail was carried overland from Davenport. Theodore Clothier carried the mail from Davenport to Walnut Fork postoffice in 1859-1860.


THE DEPOT.


This center of activity is under the management of H. E. Carter, who takes pleasure in looking up freight and passenger rates, and very ably represents the railroad company at Olin. In the year 1907, the volume of business at the depot amounted to about thirty-five thousand dollars. During the year 1908, the total receipts were thirty thousand, nine hundred and eighty-three dollars and eighty cents as follows: freight received, twelve thousand, two hundred and thirty-three dollars and sixty-eight cents; freight forwarded, twelve thousand, five hundred and forty-three dollars, and seventy-two cents; local tickets, five thousand, five hundred and forty-two dollars, and seventy-seven cents; coupon tickets, six hundred and sixty-three dollars and sixty-three cents. Most of the fast and through trains stop at Olin making it a desirable point for passenger traffic.


THE TOWN OF OLIN INCORPORATED.


On September 12, 1878, a petition was filed in the Circuit Court of Jones county, signed by numerous citizens of the town, praying for the incorpora- tion of the town of Olin to include "section number 13, township 83, range 3. That in said section are located the towns of Rome, Walnut Fork, Smith's Addi- tion to Olin and Cronkhite's Addition to Olin" and, "that the name proposed for said incorporated town shall be Olin."


To this petition the affidavit of T. J. Townsend was attached to the effect that he had made an enumeration of the number of inhabitants in the proposed limits of the town of Olin, and that there was an actual population therein of three hundred and ninety-two persons.


The petition was signed by thirty-two citizens as follows: F. S. Dunklee, W. Southwick, John O. French, H. Blackmarr. C. W. B. Derr, J. W. Howe, A. E. Blahney, N. Barnhard, J. Figely, W. F. Duncan, W. N. Dicus, James Dayton, D. E. Rummel, O. A. Dayton, C. H. Derr, M. G. Hull, T. J. Townsend, J. G.


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Bates, S. L. Easterly, William Gillman, R. W. Kaufman, E. E. Smith, William Rummel, William Scoles, E. Bedell, J. S. Glick, R. S. Blackmarr, A. F. Ely, John M. Price, John Scoles, J. Myers, B. H. Miller.


At the September term, 1878, of the circuit court, the petition was con- sidered and the prayer of the petitioners granted. H. M. Remley, John S. Stacy, C. H. Derr, S. L. Easterly and F. S. Dunshee were appointed by the court as commissioners to hold an election.


By order of the commissioners, notice was given of an election to be held at the schoolhouse in the town of Olin on the 12th day of November, 1878, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors the question of the incorpora- tion.


At the election held on the 12th of November, 1878, there were eighty-eight votes cast, of which fifty-five were in favor of incorporation, and thirty-three were against cityhood.


Thereupon the same commisioners gave notice that an election would be held at the office of B. H. Miller on the 20th day of January, 1879, for the pur- pose of electing the following named officers who should hold their respective offices until the first election of officers of said town to-wit: One mayor, one recorder, and five trustees.


The election was held at the time and place stated. The total vote was sev- enty-nine votes. For the office of mayor E. Bedell and F. S. Dunklee each re- ceived forty-eight votes, and upon drawing lots, E. Bedell was successful and was declared elected mayor. James Tarbox received ninety-six votes and was declared elected recorder. The five trustees elected were : D. E. Rummel, fifty- three; S. L. Easterly, fifty-two; W. F. Duncan, fifty-two; Jno. M. Price, fifty- two; E. E. Smith, fifty-two.


The first meeting of the town council was held January 21, 1879, and the first official action taken was a motion that "B. H. Miller be employed to draft ordinances for the government of the town."


At the meeting of January 31st, of that year, F. S. Dunklee was elected treasurer ; L. E. Rue, marshal; B. H. Miller, assessor ; G. W. Miller, street com- missioner.


The new town government was now well under way. Frequent meetings of the town legislature were held, and the work of adopting suitable ordinances for the government of the town, went on merrily.


The meetings of the council were held in private offices and stores until the year 1886, and at the meeting on December 13th of that year, the minutes of the proceedings reveal the cost of furnishing the council room, to-wit: Lumber, forty-six dollars and seventy cents; brick, three dollars; putting up chimney, two dollars; lamps, four dollars; table, five dollars and fifty cents; paint, nine dollars and eighty-five cents; painting and ceiling, nine dollars; seven chairs, ten dollars; stove and pipe, sixteen dollars; nails, two dollars; door, one dollar and eighty-five cents; total, one hundred and seven dollars and ninety cents.


The first annual election of town officers was held on March 3, 1879, at which one hundred and twenty-two votes were cast and the following officers elected : Mayor, E. Bedell; recorder, H. M. Jeffries; treasurer, S. L. Easterly ; assessor, J. B. Ingersoll; marshal, L. E. Rue ; street commissioner, G. W. Miller ;


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council : J. W. Jamison, Wm. Scoles, W. H. Dicus, Jas. Dayton, J. A. White and C. L. Porter.


The official life of the town has been without any peculiar incidents. In- variably good officers have been elected, and the trust imposed has been faith- fully executed. The best interests of the municipality have been carefully safe- guarded, and while mistakes may have been made, they were mistakes of judgment. The town is in a healthy condition financially.


OFFICIAL ROSTER OF OLIN.


Officers elected January 20, 1879; and appointed until annual election : Mayor, E. Bedell; recorder, James Tarbox ; council : D. E. Rummel, S. L. East- erly, W. F. Duncan, Jno. M. Price, E. E. Smith; treasurer, F. S. Dunklee ; assessor, B. H. Miller : marshal, L. E. Rue; street commissioner, G. W. Miller.


1879-Mayor, E. Bedell-N. Barnhard; recorder, H. M. Jeffries; treasurer, S. L. Easterly ; assessor, J. B. Ingersoll; marshal, L. E. Rue-J. G. Bates; street commissioner, G. W. White; council : J. W. Jamison, Wm. Scoles, W. H. Dicus, Jas. Dayton, J. A. White, C. L. Porter.


1880-Mayor, B. H. Miller; recorder, R. S. Blackmarr; treasurer, D. E. Rummel; assessor, J. B. Ingersoll; trustees: J. W. Howe, F. S. Dunklee, E. R. Sealls, W. H. Dicus, Wm. Scoles, J. A. White; marshal, J. L. Pike; street com- missioner, F. E. Rogers.


1881-Mayor, B. H. Miller ; recorder, A. J. Burke; treasurer, D. E. Rummel ; assessor, F. E. Rogers ; trustees : K. T. Lamb, F. S. Dunklee, J. A. White, J. W. Howe, E. R. Sealls, W. H. Dicus; marshal, Wm. Scoles.


1882-Mayor, B. H. Miller ; recorder, A. J. Burke; treasurer, A. E. Blahney ; assessor, H. B. Harrison ; trustees : J. L. Pike, W. F. Duncan, Geo. B. Woods, W. H. Dicus, K. T. Lamb, E. R. Sealls.


1883-Mayor, B. H. Miller; recorder, A. J. Burke; treasurer, A. E. Blahney ; assessor, H. B. Harrison; trustees : Wm. Rummel, W. H. Dicus, S. W. Reed, K. T. Lamb, W. F. Duncan, J. L. Pike.


1884-Mayor, W. H. Dicus ; recorder, A. J. Burke; treasurer, A. E. Blahney ; assessor, Jas. A. Tarbox; street commissioner, Daniel Starry; marshal, J. E. Jones ; council : K. T. Lamb, L. H. Peck, S. W. Reed, W. F. Duncan, Wm. Rummel, J. L. Pike.


1885-Mayor, W. H. Dicus; recorder, A. J. Burke; treasurer, G. F. Rummel; assessor, Jas. A. Tarbox; marshal, D. N. Devoe; street commissioner, W. L. Vrooman; council: S. W. Reed, W. F. Duncan, Geo. M. Wolfe, K. T. Lamb. L. H. Peck, Wm. Rummel.


1886-Mayor, W. H. Dicus ; recorder, A. J. Burke ; treasurer, D. E. Rummel ; assessor, J. A. Tarbox; street commissioner, H. C. Mershon; marshal, J. H. Barnhill; council: E. E. Snyder, C. A. Beard, G. F. Rummel, W. F. Duncan, L. H. Peck, K. T. Lamb, S. W. Reed.


1887-Mayor, E. E. Snyder; recorder, A. J. Burke; treasurer, D. E. Rum- mel ; assessor, J. A. Tarbox; marshal, D. N. Devoe; street commissioner, S. W. Reed; council: L. M. Carpenter, W. Scott, Benedict Sherman, G. F. Rummel, S. W. Reed, W. F. Duncan.


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1888-Mayor, E. E. Snyder; recorder, A. J. Burke; treasurer, D. E. Rummel, assessor, C. W. B. Derr; marshal, John A. Kinton; council, B. H. Miller, Bene- dict Sherman, S. W. Reed, C. M. Beam, L. M. Carpenter, W. Scott.


1889-Mayor, B. H. Miller ; recorder, G. H. Monroe; treasurer, D. E. Rum- mel; assessor, C. W. B. Derr; street commissioner, S. W. Reed, marshal, J. L. Pike; council : E. H. Stivers, E. R. Sealls, E. E. Snyder, W. Scott, W. Sherman.


1890-Mayor, B. H. Miller; recorder, G. H. Monroe; treasurer, D. E. Rum- mel; street commissioner, S. W. Reed; marshal, W. H. Gordon; council: E. E. Snyder, J. L. Pike, W. H. Green, E. H. Stivers, E. R. Sealls, F. E. Austin.


1891-Mayor, B. H. Miller ; recorder, W. B. Brock ; treasurer, E. E. Snyder; assesor, C. W. B. Derr; street commissioner, A. Green; marshal, A. E. Porter; council : F. E. Austin, S W. Reed, E. R. Sealls, J. L. Pike, W. H. Green, E. H. Stivers.


1892-Mayor, H. C. Freeman; recorder, A. A. Cole; treasurer, D. Bittner; assessor, J. E. Derr ; street commissioner, L. T. Renne; marshal, H. M. Clothier; council : A. J. Dalby, W. H. Green, W. H. Crain, F. E. Austin, J. L. Pike, S. W. Reed.


1893-Mayor, H. C. Freeman ; recorder, A. A. Cole; treasurer, E. E. Snyder; assessor, J. E. Derr; street commissioner, Wm. Fisher ; marshal, R. R. Arnold; council : D. E. Rummel, W. B. Brock, J. D. Saum, W. H. Green, A. J. Dalby, F. E. Austin.


1894-Mayor, H. C. Freeman; clerk, A. A. Cole, treasurer, E. E. Snyder; assessor, C. W. B. Derr; council : J. D. Saum, E. R. Sealls, A. J. Dalby, W. B. Brock, W. H. Green, D. E. Rummel.


1895-Mayor, W. B. Brock; clerk, H G. A. Harper; treasurer, E. E. Snyder; assessor, C. W. B. Derr; street commissioner, J. L. Pike; marshal, H. M. Clo- thier; council: L. M. Carpenter, D. N. DeVoe, D. E. Rummel, J. D. Saum, E. R. Sealls, Chas. Southwick.


1896-Mayor, D. E. Rummel; clerk, W. J. McDonald; treasurer, E. E. Sny- der; assessor, C. W. B. Derr; council: E. R. Sealls, W. H. Crain, Chas. South- wick, D. N. Devoe, J. D. Saum, L. M. Carpenter.


1897-Mayor, H. D. Freeman-I. B. Southwick; clerk, W. J. McDonald- E. E. Clothier ; treasurer, K. T. Lamb; assessor, C. W. B. Derr; council : E. E. Snyder, A. J. Dalby, L. M. Carpenter, Chas. Southwick, Gilbert Blahney, W. H. Crain.


1898-Mayor, Nathan Potter ; clerk, A. E. Blahney ; treasurer, F. W. Port; assessor, G. N. Sealls; council: Gilbert Blahney, G. W. Huber, E. E. Snyder, W. H. Crain, A. J. Dalby, Chas. Southwick.


1899-Mayor, Nathan Potter; clerk, A. E. Blahney-C. P. Rummel; trea- surer, F. W. Port; assessor, G. V. Sealls ; council : J. A. White, Chas. Southwick, E. E. Snyder, Gilbert Blahney, Geo. W. Huber, A. J. Dalby.


1900-Mayor, J. A. White; clerk, C. P. Rummel; treasurer, F. W. Port; assessor, G. V. Sealls; council: E. E. Snyder, T. Swanson, Gilbert Blahney, Wilber Starry, Chas. Southwick, G. W. Huber.


1901-Mayor, J. A. White; clerk, C. P. Rummel; treasurer, F. W. Port; assessor, G. V. Sealls; council: W. Scott, Wilber Starry, A. A. Cole, Chas. Southwick, E . E. Snyder, T. Swanson.


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1902-Mayor, J. A. White; clerk, John H. Peck; treasurer, F. W. Port; assessor, G. V. Sealls; council : W. H. Crain, S. W. Flaherty, W. Scott, E. E. Snyder, Wilber Starry, T. Swanson.


1903-Mayor, J. A. White; clerk, T. J. Cowan; treasurer, F. W. Port; as- sessor, W. E. Sealls ; council : W. B. Brock, E. E. Snyder, S. W. Flaherty, W. H. Crain, Wilber Starry, W. Scott.


1904-Mayor, J. A. White; clerk, T. J. Cowan; treasurer, F. W. Port; as- sessor, G. V. Sealls ; council : W. T. Gordon, H. C. Freeman, W. H. Crain, S. W. Flaherty, W. B. Brock, E. E. Snyder.


1905-Mayor, J. A. White; clerk, T. J. Cowan; treasurer, F. W. Port; as- sessor, G. V. Sealls; council, W. B. Brock, W. Houstman, F. E. Austin, Jacob Starry. H. C. Freeman, W. T. Gordon.


1906-Mayor, B. J. Laucamp; clerk, G. B. Macomber; treasurer, Gilbert Blahney ; assessor, G. V. Sealls ; council: W. B. Brock, C. E. Mershon, W. H. Crain, H. C. Freeman, W. T. Gordon, J. Starry.


1907-Mayor, B. J. Laucamp ; clerk, G. B. Macomber; treasurer, Gilbert Blah- ney ; assessor, F. W. Miller ; council : W. T. Gordon, W. J. Pieper, F. E. Truax, J. Starry, W. B. Brock, C. E. Mershon.


1908-Mayor, S. W. Flaherty ; clerk, G. B. Macomber; treas., Gilbert Blah- ney ; assessor, H. H. Freeman ; council : C. E. Mershon, W. T. Gordon, F. D. Lawson, W. J. Pieper, W. H. Crain, H. E. Carter, W. B. Brock.


1909-Mayor, S. W. Flaherty; clerk, G. B. Macomber; treasurer, Gilbert Blahney ; assessor, H. H. Freeman; council : H. E. Carter, W. B. Brock, W. J. Pieper, W. H. Crain, F. D. Lawson, C. E. Mershon; street commissioner, Jesse Ballou ; marshal, A. G. Winchip.


THE FIRST PHYSICIAN.


The old settlers who have been consulted in regard to the matter, are not certain as to the party who is entitled to the credit of being the first physician in Rome. It seems certain, however, that Dr. Badoff was practicing at that place in 1859. Dr. Potter, Dr. Hardy and Dr. Redout were among the early physicians. Since the early days, Olin has been fortunate in having in her midst, medical men of ability and prominence.


K. T. LAMB-MERCHANT.


K. T. Lamb, the senior member of the present mercantile firm of Lamb & Son, is entitled to the credit of being the oldest merchant in town in point of continuous service as merchant. Mr. Lamb began business in Olin in the year 1876 as the junior member of the firm of D. R. Carpenter & Company, and has continued in business down to the present time. D. R. Carpenter & Company succeeded D. R. Carpenter who began business in 1861. The firm of D. R. Car- penter & Company, was composed of D. R. Carpenter, L. M. Carpenter and K. T. Lamb. This firm continued in business until 1880, when the firm was succeeded by the firm of Lamb, Carpenter & Lamb, composed of K. T. Lamb, L. M. Car- penter and C. C. Lamb. In 1885, this firm was succeeded by Lamb Brothers to-


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wit : K. T. Lamb and C. C. Lamb. This firm continued the business until March 25, 1909, when Lamb Brothers dissolved partnership and the present firm of Lamb & Son succeeded to the business. The present firm of K. T. Lamb and Son, Roscoe Lamb, have a large and prosperous business. During his thirty-three years of service as merchant, K. T. Lamb has held the good will and esteem of the people of the entire community, and is a man of more than ordinary busi- ness ability. He has held various positions of trust and honor and never failed to fulfill the obligations imposed.




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