History of Kossuth County, Iowa, Part 81

Author: Reed, Benjamin F
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 879

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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).

L. S. Merritt started the Whittemore News and issued the first number October 26, 1887, and this was the first local paper the town had that sent ex- change copies to the other papers, and has generally been regarded as the first bona fide paper by the other editors.

The Whittemore Advocate came next in the fall of 1891, with Charles Floyd as editor, but was succeeded in August, 1892, by S. E. Albin who changed the name to the present one-Whittemore Champion. The small frame building, just east of the State Bank, is the one he built for his office. His equipment in- cluded a cylinder press, the first to be used in town. In April, 1895, R. M. Hatch bought a half interest and became the managing editor. Six months later the lat- ter's father, H. P. Hatch, bought Mr. Albin's interest and became the pencil pusher of the firm of Hatch & Hatch. Under this arrangement the paper was improved. Editor H. P. Hatch, being a settler since 1866, was able to inject into the columns interesting matter that gave tone to the publication.

J. E. Randall of Algona became the next proprietor January 5, 1899, but sold to Dennis O'Leary in February, 1900. The latter injected Irish spice and some pepper occasionally which attracted attention. In October, 1901, he dis- posed of the plant to P. H. McCarty who in turn leased the press, August 8, 1902, to C. R. Kendall of Emmetsburg, but the paper, February 27, 1903, fell back to McCarty again. In May of that year he succeeded in disposing of the plant to E. F. Kluckhohn of LuVerne who remained at the helm until he sold to Mr. White in 1904.

The public school has been uniformly good almost from the very start, and is under the control of a board of good judgment and an efficient corps of teach- ers. This board consists of W. J. O'Brien, president ; Tom J. White, secretary ; Theo. Elbert, treasurer ; G. W. Brunner, W. F. Reimers, H. P. Thompson and J. H. Munch; and the teachers are Guy Anderson, principal; Miss Grace Mc- Donell, grammar; Miss Amy Lancaster, intermediate, and Miss Blanche Meehan, primary. The present commodious, and attractive school building was completed in 1894, at a cost of about $8,000, T. A. Swanson being the builder. L. C. Bowers was the first principal to do service in the new building. Among those

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principals who have served since his retirement are A. C. Joy, Earl Roadman, S. E. Newcomb, C. F. Curtiss, Alice J. White and the present principal, Guy An- derson.

The town was still in Lotts Creek township when its first schoolhouse was built in 1880, and prior to that time the Whittemore children had to attend the Hatch school in the country. During the year 1889, the independent district was formed, Dr. J. M. Pride being chosen president ; John Bennett, secretary ; H. P. Hatch, treasurer; and the directors were J. M. Farley, John Neumann and Joseph DeGraw. The district comprises four full sections and portions of two more.

The Incorporated town of Whittemore dates back of December 12, 1891, when the measure was decided at the election, which had thirty-nine ballots cast at the polls. The territory then taken into the incorporation was about the same as now comprised in the independent district, and was so large that trouble insued when the farmers were obliged to submit to the town ordinances. After a lapse of some seven years the incorporation was reduced to its present size and the town farmers were made happy.

At the organization election Geo. E. Boyle became the first mayor and A. Yale, the first clerk. The initial councilmen were J. M. Farley, C. C. Samson, A. Schmitt, Henry Goetsch and Emil Chrischilles; the first assessor, Joseph DeGraw; the first marshal, J. F. Smith. As remembered H. S. Dailey was the first street commissioner. Those holding the office of mayor since Mr. Boyle's administration have been J. M. Farley, N. Cotton, Alex Dorweiler, M. P. McDonell and the present incumbent, Tom J. White. Most of these held several terms and were able officials. The present councilmen are Mark Boyle, L. H. Wegener, T. A. Swanson, W. J. O'Brien and Adam Luchsinger ; John Elbert is assessor ; Theodore Elbert, treasurer; and R. H. Finnell, clerk, marshal and street commissioner.

The water-works system has for its forcing power large steel-pressure tanks which are proving a success. The town well was drilled and casing put in down to solid rock during the winter of 1894-95, while Mayor Boyle was in office, the work being done by Scott & Dailey of Algona and accepted by the council. The agitation to put in a water-works system began in earnest during the year 1908, but nothing of importance regarding the matter was done. Two years later, on December 19, 1910, an election was held and the proposition carried to issue bonds. This was largely due to the activity of Tom Carmody and J. J. Elbert who circulated the petition for signatures. From this action the plant soon became installed.

The fire company has for its chief, Theo. Elbert ; its foreman, John J. Elbert, and its assistant foreman, Wm. Shackelford. The necessary equipment of hose, carts, ladders, etc., is provided and stored in the cement building erected for a town hall and pumping station.

The far-famed strategy board was organized in 1894, with Geo. E. Boyle as president ; and he has never vacated the office. He and Joe DeGraw are the only members who have belonged continuously since that time. The other original members were Silas Roupe, Phil. Cullen, James Farley, Michael McDonell, Wm. Keepers and Michael Liddy. The headquarters of the present members are over the State Bank where billiards and pool tables are provided for their amuse- ment. The present officers are Geo. E. Boyle, president ; Mark Boyle, secretary ; and H. Dailey, treasurer.

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Whittemore has had more than her full share of fires, amounting to more than $90,600 in all. The one March 12, 1898, was the most cruel, for over $34,500 worth of property was destroyed. The next worst fire occurred May 12, 1911, causing a loss of $21,500, and the next most severe was June 28, 1898, when a few business men lost a total of $15,700. Eight other fires of smaller size oc- curred in the meantime.

H. P. Hatch has lived longer in the county than any other man in town, hav- ing come to locate his land in 1865, and to settle in 1866. Wm. Dau is next, being a settler in 1869. Mrs. Munch and her daughter, Mrs. Engler, having lo- cated in Whittemore early in 1879, have spent more years at that place than any one else. Squire Hatch has been justice of the peace for more than thirty- five years, and now around the table in his office, there gather almost every day for a social game of cards, numerous parties who have retired from business, but who were active in their lines in the early '80s. The number includes a jolly lot of retired farmers also. T. F. McGovern is too active to think of retiring and can see the outcome of an investment as readily as he could twenty years ago. There are several others in town of a younger class who, like Will F. Reimers, have succeeded in business, but are now temporarily retired. Then again there are men like Mike McDonell, Jas. Miracle, Mike Liddy and others who in spite of their age are as frisky as boys.

Several Whittemoreites have held important offices: J. M. Farley represented the county in the Legislature, Geo. E. Boyle, J. S. Cullen and H. J. Thompson have been county supervisors, and C. D. Creed went from that place as county recorder, C. C. Samson as sheriff and E. J. Van Ness as county attorney.

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CHAPTER XXXI TOWNSHIP NINETY-SIX

WESLEY TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE

The territory comprised in 96-27, now Wesley township, was formerly a part of old Algona township. That was the case until June 5, 1871, when the board of supervisors created the township of Wesley. As established on that date it included the present Buffalo, the present Wesley and two and one half miles from the north side of the present Prairie, and extended from north to south, a distance of fourteen and one half miles. In January, 1872, the board lengthened the township on the south one half mile. In June, 1872, the board added all the territory on the north to the Minnesota line, making the township thirty-two miles long. With the exception of old Algona, this was the longest township ever set off in the county.

This township of Wesley was shortened first on the south when the board set off Prairie, in September, 1882, and on the north when it created Buffalo in Sep- tember, 1884. The township was organized in November, 1871, at the home of A. Ward on section 8, the first officers being E. E. Thomas and E. L. Stevens, trustees ; and Orrin J. Emmons, clerk. After a lapse of over fourty-one years the present officers are Wm. Cosgrove, clerk; N. A. Smith, Soren Nelson and Anton Goetz, trustees ; and John F. Cruise, assessor.

The first settler in the township was A. K. Kennedy who came in 1865, and after filing on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 22, went away and then returned the next year and located upon his homestead.

In the spring of 1866 there also located Joe and Charles Hubbard on south- west quarter of section 18. James Hubbard later bought the interest of Charles, and still later R. P. Chapin bought the interest of Joe. Zenas Sabin became a settler during that year 1866, but did not remain long enough to become very well known.

The next family to locate was E. L. Stevens and wife who came from Illinois, in May. 1867, and located on the west half of the northwest quarter of 30. After living on the farm for many years Mr. Stevens entered the ministry, and after preaching for the Methodists for a long term of years settled in the town of Wesley where he and his wife now reside.

Corbin and Ed Hyde came with the Stevens family in 1867, and settled upon the northwest quarter of 32. The latter died years ago and the former with his wife now lives at Los Angeles. The next to arrive and locate was E. E. Thomas and wife, who settled upon the 80 just east of the Stevens place in October, 1867. After living there until they raised their family they removed from the county. In 1868, Mrs. Potter and family located on the southwest quarter of 28.

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During the year 1869 a little colony of relatives came to the township and lo- cated-A: Ward on the northwest of 8, W. P. Giddings and Wm. Ward on the northeast of six and John Ford on the northeast of 22. Mr. Giddings now resides in the town of Wesley where he has been both the mayor and postmaster.

Patrick Gurren and Andrew Cosgrove came, in 1870, and settled on the north- east quarter of 4, and John Gannon a little later became their neighbor on the northwest of 10. During the year 1871, S. L. Witter became John Ford's neighbor on the east, F. M. Butts located on section 24, and M. Taylor on 35, near the village. W. M. Colby came that year and soon after procured land east of the village.

Sam Colburn was an early settler on the west half of the southwest quarter of 6. He was one of the peculiar characters of that period, and had so many women about his premises that he was known as the Mormon. In the early 70's John Funnemark located in the northwest of 22, and a little later his brother Hans settled just north of him on land that belonged to his daughter, Anna, (Mrs. Bohannon).

G. S. McPherson located on section 15, in 1876, and a little later Myron and Chas. Corey settled on the southeast of 22, and Peter Skow on 28. James and Frank Kernan became the owners of much land on section 14 and 23, and were prominent citizens for several years.

The sons of several of the carly settlers have done well in farming and are among the esteemed neighbors. Arthur Ward lives just north of his father's homestead on section 8, his brother, Chandler, on the northwest of 12, and W. S. Cosgrove on his father's old farm on the northeast of 4. F. A. Corey after mak- ing good improvements on his farm on 33, has moved to the county seat.

J. D. Andrews on section 6 is in the region where the 1894 cyclone was the most vicious and destructive, an account of which has been presented in a previous chapter. L. E. Krantz on 7, was chosen president of the Security Savings Bank of Sexton because of his reliability and high rating. One of the well known farms in the township is the Henry Pasvogel Shropshire Sheep Ranch on the north half of 29.

Ole Peterson on the southwest of 32, N. A. Smith on 9, Anton Goetz on 27 and J. F. Cruise with two hundred acres on 22 and 23 are among the many in the township who are on the road to financial prosperity. A Hanson was doing so well on 16 that he retired to the village for a needed rest.

The township is one of the best drained in the county, owing to the natural drain of the land by Plum creek, Prairie creek and Eddy creek. The southwest quarter of 27 is the only quarter that is not improved in the whole township, and that is used as a fenced pasture.

The first birth in the township was at the home of E. L. Stevens in Novem- ber, 1867, and the first death occurred a few hours later when this same child died.

Justice M. Taylor performed the ceremony that united the first couple in marriage, June 3, 1872, the contracting parties being Austin Eastwood and Rebecca McPherson.

Florence Caulkins in the summer of 1869 taught the first term of school. It was held in S. L. Witter's house on section 22. The Ward schoolhouse, however,

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which was built in 1870 was the first to be erected in the township, and the first teacher to do service in it was William Ward.

John T. Kennedy, born in December, 1868, and now a resident of the village, has lived more years in the township than any other man. He was born on the southwest of section 22 on his father's homestead.

The first religious service was conducted in the Mickelson sod house in the summer of 1870 by Rev. Torgeson, a Lutheran preacher. In September, 1872, at the sod house of John Smith, a mile and a half northwest of the village, the first M. E. church service was held, Elder Obed Robinson being the minister. He or- ganized a class and primitive church, John Bennett, G. W. Paine, Corey Currie and T. Gallion being the trustees.

The schools are managed by a board of efficient officers. They are Chandler Ward, president ; W. H. Fox, secretary ; Olaf Funnemark, treasurer ; N. A. Smith, Arthur Ward, A. Martineck, N. M. Johnson, Herman Carlson, J. C. Skow, H. Pasvogel and F. C. Klem.

The village of Wesley dates back to the fall of 1871 when J. B. Jones surveyed the plat for J. H. Merrill, though the plat was not recorded until October 10, 1873. The Milwaukee road had been partially graded through that point in 1869, and the trains passed over it first in the fall of 1870. Prior to that time, however, the depot and section house had been erected and were the first buildings on the site, which at first consisted of thirty-seven blocks. Since that time it has been increased by several additions. The plat of Call's addition of four blocks, laid out by the exe- cutors of the estate of Asa C. Call, was recorded August 16, 1888; Way & Barrett's Park addition of sixteen blocks, April 28, 1891 ; W. M. Colby's of five blocks, De- cember 24, 1891 ; Way & Barrett's College addition by Frank Hume of six blocks, May 26, 1893; Way & Barrett's second College addition by Frank Hume of four blocks, August 22, 1895; and F. M. Butts' addition of three blocks, April 29, 1898.

In September, 1871, the first building raised after the site was platted was Taylor & Ormsby's granary. Then came the first store building where G. J. Baker conducted the business for the firm of Comstock & Baker, but that was not erected until 1873. Obed Robinson that year put up the Wesley House, a building 20 x 24 feet. He was the first landlord and lived in the third building raised in the village.

The first residence appeared in 1874 when G. J. Baker built his home. S. S. Bassford that year also built a warehouse and began dealing in grain, and M. Tay- lor commenced selling coal. The next year Henry Baker built a blacksmith shop and began working at the forge. About that time Christian Olsen came and built a small residence, but did not remain very long before moving away. It was during this year of 1875 that H. C. Hollenbeck became a resident of the village and built a home, having married Edna Robinson Hudson the year previous. About that time George W. Eddy started his livery and did a thriving business. In 1876 Frank Hume took charge of the lumber and coal enterprise of Mr. Taylor's.

In the spring of 1879 F. M. Butts started his little store in very modest quar- ters. McCutchin & Lawson in 1881 began a mercantile career that was a great success. August Dinger in 1883 erected the Sherman House and was the hustling landlord for several years. He and Obed Robinson always kept their guests in good humor. When the Sherman House burned in June, 1907, the McCutchin & Lawson stock was destroyed. S. E. Grove in July, 1883, began dealing in various

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lines of merchandise, flour, feed, implements, furniture and machinery being some of them.

Wesley was a hay-pressing center in the early days of the town. Saxton & McCutchin began the business in July, 1880, and continued for two years, and until Saxton sold his interest to J. F. Gallagher. The latter used to make things lively about the press in keeping his help steadily at work. The boys used to call him "Let her go Gallagher." Another press was started in 1882 by Edward Kune, and others followed later:

R. V. Hopkins began as depot agent in 1893 and has become a permanent fix- ture at the station. Numerous parties have held that position but no one so long as he. L. B. Ormsby took charge of the station in 1870, the first on the list. Since his retirement there have been among others G. J. Baker, Risdon, Charles Bris- bois, C. J. Howard, A. W. Davis, O. H. Oleson, C. E. Oleson, M. J. Kelley and Jack Wright, the predecessor of R. V. Hopkins.

There have been several physicians who located at Wesley, but only the last two to come are here now. In the early days of the town Dr. Leonard opened an office but did not attempt to practice much, and soon retired. Dr. Alleyne next put in an appearance and after practicing for a while, sold out to Dr. Charles McCormick. He was a well-informed man and a good physician, but some of his practice was along lines of not a high character. He went from there to Burt and then to Algona. Dr. J. E. Hill came in 1883 and remained for twenty years, and was a man of influence. He sold out to Dr. Scribner in 1903. In the meantime Dr. Kin- ney located in 1888, but only staid a couple of years. Dr. Geo. Walters was the next to become established in the profession, and he remained for fifteen years. He had a large following of personal friends and had an extensive practice. His death was mourned by a large circle of acquaintances. Dr. Maguire located in 1904 and removed from the village in 1906. Dr. T. J. Carmody opened his office in August. 1907, and Dr. F. L. Adams in May, 1911. These latter two are here now and have been historically noticed in another place in this chapter.

In the fall of 1871 the postoffice was established and S. B. Ormsby became the first postmaster. G. J. Baker succeeded him in 1873 and held the position for seven years. Then in 1880 the genial G. J. Lawson, the wide-awake merchant, re- ceived his commission to handle the mail. The next in turn came F. M. Butts, the hustling merchant and pioneer banker. He was an old-line democrat and a strong local leader of his party. He became a resident of the village in 1878, although he had been in the township since 1871. Mrs. Helen M. Church succeeded him, and she was followed by G. W. Eddy, who was everyone's friend. W. P. Giddings, another rock-ribbed democrat, took possession next of the office, to the chagrin of his republican friends, but it did not hurt him any. He was succeeded by Stitzel X. Way, the born manipulator of politics. Of course his successor had to be Zim S. Barrett, the wheel-horse of republican caucuses and the source of political in- formation. The present incumbent, O. H. Anderson, became postmaster about four years ago, and is giving good satisfaction.

The Wesley News-World is owned by Dewel & Clark and William Sturdivant, the latter being the editor and local manager. The history of newspapers in that place is a complicated one. The first paper was started in April, 1891, by John Ford and was called the Kossuth County Reporter. After running it for awhile, he sold to Way & Barrett, then later Way sold his interest to J. E. McMullen.

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After the firm of Barrett & McMullen had operated for a few months, McMullen became sole owner. During the time when these changes were occurring Chris Peterson launched the Wesley News, and the town had more papers than it could support. Finally Peterson bought the subscription list of the Reporter and Mc- Mullen shipped his press to Forest City. Stitz Way had started the Wesley World in 1901 as a progressive paper, and politics in Wesley became aroused to a fever heat. To quiet matters the two papers were consolidated, and became the Wesley News-World, which was owned by Way & Peterson. Mr. Peterson then in 1905 sold his interest to S. L. Sherman. Previous to this time Harvey Braffet had started the Wesley Record to make conditions red-hot, but finally after several months' run, sold the plant to his competitors-Way & Sherman. This firm in the fall of 1911 sold out to Dewel & Clark, of the Algona Advance, and at the time of the purchase a one-third interest was conveyed to V. J. Sands. February 1, 1913, the latter relinquished his interest and then Dewel & Clark sold a half inter- est to William Sturdivant, the present editor and manager.

Mr. Sturdivant was born near Lone Rock and is a grandson of Albert Wheeler, of Algona. He has had some experience in running papers in North Dakota-The Portland Republican and the Bowbells Bulletin-and will no doubt make a suc- cess of his venture in Wesley.

Wesley became an incorporated town in the spring of 1892. Z. S. Barrett, H. C. Hollenbeck, Guy M. Butts, Fred Anderson and J. S. Gallagher had been com- missioned by the court to call an election for the purpose. The polls were opened at the Reporter office, April 2d, and eighty-three ballots were cast, seventy-six being for the incorporation and only seven against. Z. S. Barrett was elected the first mayor and Ed Kunz, Frank Hume, George Eddy, Fred Bacon, Jacob Huber and F. A. Clark the first councilmen. J. S. Gallagher was the first clerk, and Frank Heal, the first treasurer. The mayors in turn after Z. S. Barrett retired, have been E. Sanford, John Ward, Ed Kunz, Oscar Nelson, W. P. Giddings, E. J. Immerfall and the present incumbent, Thomas Presnell. Some of these held several terms. The present councilmen are W. W. Finn, F. F. Lockwood, A. L. Kleinpeter, I. A. Gerdes and John Looft; the clerk, Thomas Peterman; and the marshal, Joseph Cosgrove.

The Wesley Cemetery Association was organized May 5, 1896, by Ed Lloyd, W. P. Giddings, S. E. Grove, H. McCutchin, Thomas Gray and Thomas Presnell. The first trustees besides the first two named were Fred Anderson, J. S. Gallagher, C. D. Daggett, Obed Robinson, A. J. Sprague and Mrs. Dora Grove. The cemetery was laid out in 1878, and the first body interred at that place was that of Charles Hardin, who was killed by lightning in 1875 and at first buried elsewhere, but later exhumed and removed to this cemetery.

The teaching force of the public schools consists of Prof. C. V. Ryan, prin- cipal; Ora Ostrander, assistant ; Adeline Glass, grammar ; Ida Peterson, intermedi- ate; and Lucretia Harrison, primary. These teachers are doing satisfactory ser- vice in the school building that was erected in 1895-6 at a cost of about $10,000. The officers of the board are Joseph Cosgrove, president ; Guy M. Butts, secretary ; I. Gerdes, treasurer. Mr. Butts having held his position for fifteen years, is evi- dence of his fitness for the place.

The schools have evolved from small beginnings. The first term was taught by Mrs. M. J. Colby in the granary of Taylor & Ormsby in 1873, Clarence and

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Charles Robinson being two of the pupils. She next taught in the hotel office of the Wesley House. After a short time a one-story frame school building was erected, and Jennie Groat installed as teacher, and she was followed by Mrs. George Eddy. After the attendance increased in later years, another building was erected and the two answered the purpose until the present schoolhouse was built. The first of these is now the Charles Robinson residence, and the second was used for a store for several years after being raised another story. It is still on the main street as a reminder of bygone years.

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History of Kossuth County, Iowa, Part 81

Author: Reed, Benjamin F Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 879

Author: Reed, Benjamin F
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 879