History of Kossuth County, Iowa, Part 86

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

USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth County, Iowa > Part 86

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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1894; Elizabeth Davison's addition of two blocks, April 6, 1897; and D. A. Buell's subdivision of the south six acres of lot 1, November 15, 1897.

The first building erected on the village site was Geo. E. Marble's for his general store. Then appeared the depot and section house and they were fol- lowed by J. D. McDonald's lumber office. These were all built during the late fall of 1881. Thus Marble opened the first store, and McDonald the first lum- ber yard.

During the year 1882 houses were built about in this order as well as can be remembered: J. D. McDonald's residence, C. P. Stow's blacksmith shop, Henry McDonald's residence, C. P. Stow's hotel, the first in town, A. D. Clarke's building for Cooke, Frink & Co., to use for a general store, and the first schoolhouse. The latter building some believe was not built until the fol- lowing year.

J. D. McDonald erected the building for his hardware store in 1883 on the spot where the National Bank stands. That same year Geo. Eastman built the store where L. C. Smith & Son are doing business. A few residences made their appearance about that time, S. J. O'Neill's being one of them. Several months later. D. A. Buell built a residence on his farm joining the site on the west; but the building is now one of the town residences.

The Mayhew hotel was not built until 1887, and by that time several other buildings had made their appearance besides those mentioned.

The citizens are intelligent and enterprising and never fail to furnish an audience of respectable size for any speaker who has anything to say and knows how to say it. The lawns are tidy and some of the residences cost several thousand dollars to build.

The Burt National Bank is quartered in its substantial and cozy home that was erected during the year 1895. Its officers are men of such standing in the county that its reliability is never questioned. E. J. Murtagh is the president ; J. W. Sullivan, vice president ; and C. H. Blossom, cashier and manager. The directors made a wise choice when they chose Mr. Blossom for the position. The bank is the outgrowth of the Burt State Bank that was organized in 1892 with C. C. Chubb as president and E. J. Murtagh as cashier. A. D. Clarke, T. F. Cooke and C. C. St. Clair were other directors chosen at that time. In June, 1897, Mr. Murtagh was succeeded by C. H. Blossom as cashier, a position he is still holding. December 20, 1900, the Burt National was organized, and C. C. Chubb was retained as president and T. F. Cooke became vice president. Upon the death of President Chubb E. J. Murtagh succeeded to the position.

The First National Bank was organized upon the foundation laid by the Farmers' Savings Bank which came into existence March 10, 1898. The first board of directors of this latter bank consisted of J. W. Wadsworth, president ; C. D. Smith, cashier; Geo. C. Call, W. T. Bourne and John Kerr. The First National was organized June 18. 1901, and President Wadsworth retained his position ; but L. C. Smith was chosen the vice president and C. D. Smith took his place as cashier. The other members of the board were W. T. Bourne, Wm. Peck, Geo. C. Call and W. K. Ferguson. When the change was made January 29, 1909, the present officers were elected: S. E. McMahon, presi- dent ; L. C. Smith, vice president ; and H. O. Buell, cashier. About the year

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1000 the brick home for the bank was erected. The bank under Cashier Buell's management is giving satisfaction to its numerous patrons.

Two elevators are kept busy in handling the grain brought in by the farmers of the surrounding country. The Burt Farmers' Exchange Company was or- ganized in May, 1899, the first board of directors being G. H. Wessel, John Kerr, J. Q. Jamison, E. H. Staley and A. L. Moore. The present officers are M. J. Mann, president; W. A. Chipman, secretary, and H. O. Buell, treasurer. R. E. Nauman has charge of the work at the elevator. Z. Roberts was the founder. He sold to S. J. O'Neill who sold to Wightman, Richards & Son, and they sold to McDonald, Richards & Nafus.

D. L. Godden and O. P. McDonald, under the firm name of Godden & Mc- Donald, have been operating the other elevator for about three years, the senior member being the manager. They purchased the plant from the Western Ele- vator Company, that had previously purchased from Joe Elvidge. The busi- ness originated in the early days of the town when J. D. McDonald began oper- ating in various lines, and when O. P. McDonald later obtained an interest in the enterprise.

O. P. McDonald's lumber yard is one of credit to the town, and his office is a favorite resort for old settlers to spin their yarns and recall the events of the early days. J. D. McDonald started the business with the town in 1881. He died in 1890, and the next year O. P. McDonald purchased a half interest, and in 1895 he bought the other half from Mrs. McDonald. The business is large and is yearly increasing.

G. J. F. Vogel is operating the general store which he purchased from F. Dau two years ago. The latter did business there for a long term of years. He succeeded Geo. E. Marble, the original proprietor, who was the first mer- chant in town.

L. C. Smith & Son have a large stock of general merchandise and are well established in business. The senior member eighteen years ago purchased the store of E. J. Murtagh, who had bought the business of John Goeders who had started it early in the history of the town. After Mr. Smith had operated alone for five years he admitted his son, C. C., as partner. The store is a popular one and is well managed.

J. H. Graham, in the implement business, succeeded J. G. Graham in 1891. He has built up an extensive trade and has made many friends in the meantime. The Manus Implement Company are successors to Davis & Manus, having made the purchase in January, 1913.

J. S. Hofius deals in both groceries and hardware, and has been located six years, having succeeded L. M. Owen. He gets his full share of the trade and is happy. Albert Staehle has been in the hardware trade for a dozen years. He bought out A. H. Nafus, and the latter purchased after several others had been the proprietors.

Stehle Bros. succeeded L. M. Owen in the meat business in February, 1911; W. A. Galliger succeeded Grubb in the barbering business four years ago. other prior owners having been Simmons, Chris Long and Dick Crose; Amos Harr took charge of the pool room in 1910; C. W. Schryver began pounding iron in 1894, and C. J. Mansmith in 1904; and B. W. Brooke succeeded Guy Perry as depot agent in February. 1908.

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W. A. Chipman in 1900 succeeded Wm. Stockwell in the furniture line, and is still engaged in that business. The drug store once owned by Shales & Moore, and later by Shales & Pratt, has been conducted for about one year by F. L. Pratt, the present proprietor. R. C. Smith deals in motorcycles, having begun the business January 1, 1912, and E. O. Chipman has been hustling real estate deals and doing insuring since 1901.

Peck's hotel is conducted by L. M. Vinaas, who is serving his fourth year as landlord at that place. He has comfortable rooms and serves his guests with good meals. He succeeded Fred Dehnert who had succeeded others since Wm. Peck erected the building for his hotel. The only other eating place is at R. E. Stewart's restaurant where the proprietor has been in the business since Septem- ber, 1911. He succeeded C. P. Stow.

A. H. Meinzer began the jeweler's business in Burt in July, 1901. Later he bought out Wheeler and then J. Mesing who were dealing in that line. He is an optician and does considerable work fitting glasses, etc.

Miss Carrie Simmons has been doing millinery work since the fall of 1912, and has a growing patronage. Mrs. J. S. Hofius is the other milliner and she, too, finds ready sales for her goods.

Cement blocks and ornamental cement piers are made by H. A. Whitehill who has the equipment for making any design in that line. He has been a resi- clent of the county for a long period of years.

W. D. Kearns is the manager for the W. F. Priebe poultry establishment which has proved to be of much benefit to this locality.

The Burt Co-operative Creamery is not only the pride of the farmers in the vicinity but of the town citizens as well. It is doubtful if any other creamery in the county has been so widely advertised. The articles that have appeared fre- quently in the Monitor concerning the number of large checks which the pa- trons have received for their products, have had much to do with giving the factory a good rating. The board of directors consists of Geo. Koestler, presi- dent ; Wm. Treptow, vice president ; L. W. Keith, E. N. Volentine and W. H. Smith. H. O. Buell is the treasurer. M. E. Warner the secretary and R. E. Clemons the butter-maker. The creamery company was incorporated in March. 1890, with a board composed of Geo. Angus, Ernest Bacon, Isaac Ames, Peter Kreithe and Clark Coffin. In 1910 the charter was renewed and extended.

During the year 1912 J. R. Mawdsley received for his products at the fac- tory $2,180.25; W. H. Smith. $1,095.32; W. A. Peters, $1,003.14; I. D. Hodg son, $990.36; Mrs. August Bahling, $955.44 : Robt. Callies, $013.25: Jerry Hel- gens, $905.57 ; John N. Koestler, $893.85; Jacob J. Koestler. $883.46; G. Kueck, $877.69: Rod Jain, $841.79: Ellis McWhorter, $826.75.

I .. M. Owen and M. J. Mann were in partnership dealing in autos ; but now that they have dissolved each sells autos, land or anything else that comes in his way that needs selling. These two former country lads make ideal town citizens and they used to know how to pack a caucus when it needed packing during a political campaign.

Kossuth Lodge, No. 540, A. F. & A. M., was organized in May. 1892, and after working under the dispensation for six months, received its charter. F. E. Allen was W. M .; I .. H. McChesney, S. W .; and O. P. McDonald, J. W. The present officers are : C. C. Smith, W. M .; C. W. Schryver, S. W .; P. L. Drem-

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mell, J. W .; R. C. Smith, secretary ; H. O. Buell, T .; J. A. Foster, S. V .; Wil- liam Davison, J. D .; William Shanor, S. S .; W. B. Pratt, J. S .; and James Stewart, tyler.

Kossuth Chapter, No. 201, O. E. S. has for its principal officers: Gertrude Peters, W. M .; D. W. Pratt, W. P .; Nettie Dorrence, A. M .; H. O. Buell, T .; and R. C. Smith, secretary.

Burt Lodge, No. 578, I. O. O. F., was organized May 18, 1893. The fol- lowing are present officers: D. L. Godden, N. G .; Archie Masters, V. G .; J. A. Foster, T .; and E. O. Chipman, secretary. J. H. Graham is the captain of the degree team. J. H. Graham, John Anderson, W. H. Smith, J. B. Cork and B. F. Sroufe were charter members and still belong to the lodge.

Rebekah Lodge, No. 585, was organized April 1, 1909. Some of the first officers were Mabel McDonald, N. G .; Lottie Graham, V. G .; and Maud McDon- old, secretary. At present the full list is as follows: Mabel Davison, N. G .; Ada Whitehill, V. G .; Ortha Stow, secretary; Tennie Foster, T .; Mary Kearns, chaplain ; Mary Schiffer, con .; Anna Vinaas, R. S. N. G .; James Foster, I .. S. N. G .; Mabel Nelson, R. S. V. G .; Lottie Graham, L. S. V. G .; Hannah Peck, O. G .; Ethel Stehle, I. G.

The Women's Club and the Birthday Circle are two of the most popular organizations in town. Hattie Smith is president of the former and Mrs. W. A. Chipman of the latter.

The schools are successfully conducted by the following teaching force: John R. Lang, principal, who began in the fall of 1912; Wilda Crawford, Latin; Mary L. Edwards, German; Mary P. Caldwell, grammar department ; Florence Farrell, intermediate; Maude Schenck, second primary; Eva Whitney, first pri- mary. The latter has held her position with universal satisfaction for the past fourteen years.

The building is a handsome one and was erected in 1911 at a cost of $18,000. It has all the modern conveniences and is a credit to the town. The first school- house in the village was erected in 1882 at a cost of $700. It was one-story and was 22 x 38 feet on the ground. It was then a country schoolhouse belonging to subdistrict 9. That building was used until 1893 when the two-story frame struc- ture was completed. A. A. Sifert was the first principal in that building. Then in turn came Hugh Conner, Frank Van Erdewyk, C. J. Johnson, M. E. Lumbar, L. A. Glassburn, A. S. Murray, G. E. Ormundson, C. W. Mangum, R. S. Gross- man, P. D. Cowan and J. R. Lang.

The independent district was organized in March, 1892, the first officers being John Kerr, president ; George E. Marble, secretary ; and William Cook, treasurer. C. P. Stow was one of the members of the first board. Dr. W. T. Peters is now the president ; C. B. Chipman, the secretary, and A. W. Blanchard the treasurer.

The Burt Monitor was started by John A. Shaeffer, who issued the first num- ber February 10, 1893. He filled several columns of his paper with locals that made interesting reading. He sold December. 1893, to H. B. Hallock, who con- tinued the paper with success until W. C. Dewel took possession of it January 1, 1900. Mr. Dewel made some changes and improvements and after conducting the paper until December 1, 1902, sold it to the present proprietor, R. S. Sher- wood.

Mr. Sherwood has decided opinions on local conditions and events, and

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freely states them in the columns of his paper in such an interesting way that they frequently elicit comments from other editors in the county. The Monitor under his management is readable and a success financially. He is also the present postmaster and has both offices in the same building.

The first postmaster in the village was P. M. Barslou and upon his resignation was succeeded by George E. Marble, the first merchant. Following him came Mrs. Rebecca McDonald when Cleveland was elected, and then J. N. Easterly under Harrison. L. H. McChesney was the democrat who had the position when Cleveland came in again. George C. Allen, Sr., Lincoln Hall, Frank Mann and R. S. Sherwood have been the others who have been the postmasters.

It is interesting to note the changes that have occurred since the Monitor was started in February, 1893. According to the advertising then in the columns Wil- liam Peck and B. P. Tubbs were running the hotels; Hall & Vesper, Nicholson & Buell, J. B. Cork, and Goeders & Shultz were conducting the stores; and Dr. Beane was practicing medicine. M. H. Stoddard, Elmer Hodgson, S. M. Ferris and Fred Dehnert were the carpenters, Sid Cottrell the painter, G. V. Slade the barber, Frank Allen the mason, and B. V. Daniels the harness maker. A. C. Cady was running the restaurant, Graham & Elvidge the implements, Wightman, Rich- ards & Co. the elevator, Groh Bros. the meat market, W. H. Shaeffer the black- smith shop, Henry Wilder the dray, and S. E. Johnson doing auctioneering. The Burt Bank was then established and getting a foothold.

The Methodist church, like those in most of the towns in the county, was at first on the circuit. Pastors from Bancroft held services for several years before one was stationed at Burt. The church was formally organized and incorporated June 8, 1892, George E. Marble, Levi Toothman, J. B. Cork, J. N. Easterly and Charles Nichols being the first board of trustees. The church is worshiping in a neat little edifice, and Rev. G. W. Eggleston is the pastor. Before him in turn, reaching back into the past, the pastors were Rev. Allen Wood, Rev. Marcy, Rev. Robbins, Rev. Flint, Rev. Whitfield, Rev. Hahn, Rev. Forsyth and Rev. Faus. The latter was the first M. E. pastor to locate in Burt. Revs. Ward, Thompson, Smith and others from Bancroft before that time conducted the services. Rich- ard Hawcott is now the Sunday school superintendent, Mrs. Daniel Jackson the president of the ladies' aid, and Ray Isenberger the president of the Epworth league.

The Presbyterians held the first religious services in the town, and they were conducted by Rev. R. A. Paden at the home of Henry McDonald in August, 1882, but the church was not organized until in June, 1883. The services were held at the depot after it was erected until the first schoolhouse was built, and then they were held there. The articles of incorporation of the church were filed on record April 6, 1885, Fred Beane, John Brown and T. Williamson being named as the first trustees. Mrs. Rebecca McDonald was one of the first Sunday-school super- intendents and I. G. Schryver and William Bailey were the first elders. The house of worship which adorns the street was not built for several years after the church was organized. James Stow is the Sunday school superintendent and Mary Foster the president of the Mite society. The pastors in the following order have been Rev. R. A. Paden, Rev. Daniel Williams, Rev. J. M. McCahn, Rev. W. B. Greenshields, Rev. Presley, Rev. Kenneth McAuley, Rev. William

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Lone Rock!

LONE ROCK From which the town derived its name

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Patterson, Rev. George Bollinger, Rev. E. C. Haskell and the present efficient minister, Rev. S. H. Aten.

The Burt Salem German M. E. church has for its present pastor Rev. A. H. Meyer who has removed his residence recently to Fenton. The church was incorporated in November, 1889, Fred Koepke, Fred Schulz, John Meinzer, Julius Krahn, Peter Kreithe, G. H. Wessel, and C. Schulz being the first trustees. A little later the church edifice was erected and churcli services have been held in it since that time. Jacob Mall, Chris Meinzer and J. M. Dettman are the pres- ent trustees.

Two physicians are established in the practice. Dr. W. T. Peters located August 5, 1894, after having graduated from Rush Medical College in the pre- vious spring. He ranks among the most successful of the physicians of the county, and is an influential citizen of the village.

Dr. John G. Clapsaddle graduated from the medical department of the State University in the spring of 1912 and opened an office at Burt in February, 1913. He is composed of the right mettle and will succeed.

Dr. Charles McCormick was the first to locate, and after him came Dr. A. A. Beane. Then followed Dr. W. T. Peters, Dr. Grear, Dr. Rinehardt, Dr. Blay, and finally Dr. J. G. Clapsaddle.

Danforth Pratt is the only local dentist, having located in 1896 after graduat- ing from the dental department of the Northwestern University. His practice has constantly increased since he became established in that line of work.

Burt was incorporated in November, 1893, the election being held on the 25th of that month. Thomas Hanna, H. O. Buell, and Sid Cottrell were the judges and O. H. Richards and A. H. Stow the clerks. Of the sixty-two votes cast, all but four were in favor of the measure. O. H. Richards was elected the first mayor ; S. Nicholson, George E. Marble, A. A. Beane, O. P. McDonald and J. B. Cork the first councilmen; and E. J. Murtagh, recorder. C. C. Smith, A. N. S. Thompson, I .. M. Owen, M. J. Mann and H. O. Buell are the present council- men; H. A. Thompson, clerk; C. H. Blossom, treasurer, and W. J. Davison, assessor.

The mayors since O. H. Richards retired have been S. Nicholson, George E. Marble, C. D. Smith, Fred Dehnert, C. H. Blossom and the present incumbent, C. W. Schryver.

Burt has furnished as officials for the county : George E. Marble, clerk ; L. C. Smith, recorder and treasurer ; Frank Van Erdewyk, superintendent, and W. C. Dewel, clerk. Furthermore, W. E. McDonald was called from there to become deputy sheriff and that resulted in his being later elected to the office. J. D. McDonald also was living there in 1881-2 while serving on the board of super- visors, and C. H. Belknapp was a resident of the township when elected super- intendent.

The village of Lone Rock is located in both Burt and Fenton townships, the main street being on the dividing section line. It takes its name from the big rock that is located a short distance north of the village. The plat of four blocks was recorded April 24. 1899, by the Western Town Lot Company. The company September 16, 1899, added two more blocks and two out lots to the site, and in August, 1904, an equal number of blocks and out lots. The site on the Burt side is upon the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter, and the northwest quar- Vol. 1-42

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ter of the southwest quarter of section 18; and on the Fenton side it is upon the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter, and the northeast quarter of the south- east quarter of section 13.

The Northwestern road's passing through that point in 1899 caused the village to come into existence. Buildings began to appear in the following order about as soon as the plat was surveyed and the depot site located: The Queal Lumber Office, the Lone Rock Bank, the R. J. White general store building and post- office, the J. R. Davis general store building, Peter Rosenvold's store for the use of O. J. Schultz, the second store building of J. R. Davis' for the use of Graham & Burns, and the building erected by A. H. Nafus for a hardware and lumber office. Several of these appeared even before the first train arrived. The creamery was also started that year and the building erected.

The building put up for Graham & Burns is now occupied by J. M. Hulburt's general store. About two years ago he succeeded George E. Munch who had bought the business of the original proprietors. In the store the postoffice is located where Miss Sadie Taylor is the postmistress. She has held the position for twelve years, succeeding Will Burns who was the next to hold the place after R. J. White, the first postmaster.

The general store started by O. J. Schultz is now operated by Fred Schultz, Jr., & Co. This firm began in the fall of 1912.

The hardware lumber and coal business started by A. H. Nafus was sold to McDonald & Kerr, then J. M. Blanchard purchased Kerr's interest about six years ago, since which time the firm has been McDonald & Blanchard.

The Lone Rock hotel is owned by William Murray, but William Krause has been the landlord for the past couple of years. When the town first started, about a dozen men formed a company and erected the building, N. L. Cotton being the manager. This company later sold to Chris Christensen. Lester Willson, G. S. McMurray and Fred Kruger have been previous landlords.

The Lone Rock Bank was organized in May, 1899, with E. J. Murtagh as presi- dent ; C. C. Chubb, vice president ; and N. L. Cotton, cashier. The same presi- dent and the same cashier are still holding their positions. A. D. Clarke, T. F. Cooke and Gardner Cowles were some of the first directors, but their places are now filled by J. W. Sullivan and S. E. McMahon.

The schools are held in the well-planned, four-roomed brick building, erected about 1906 when the Independent district was formed. Frank Sarchett is the principal; Ellen Nyman, grammar; Ellen Nelson, intermediate; and Myrtle Franklin, primary. Previous principals have been J. M. Ralph, R. J. Bradley, M. E. Lumbar and Ellen Hartshorn. The district comprises sixteen sections. the children from the remote portions being conveyed to the school with teams at no expense to the district, in accordance with the "central plan."

The Lone Rock Exchange Company succeeded the Western Elevator Com- pany in 1909 and the business now is managed by John Kerr. H. W. Dreyer is president : M. Flynn, vice president, and Ed. Donovan, secretary.

The Lone Rock Telephone Company has for its officers E. F. Tuthill, presi- dent ; C. F. C. Laage, secretary, and N. '1 .. Cotton, manager. They have 250 telephones installed.

The Presbyterians are holding the only religious services in the village, and have for their pastor Rev. Aten of Burt. The services are held in the edifice be-

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longing to the M. E. church. Both organizations were formed in the country, and the building was dedicated there before being moved to the village. About twelve years ago the removal occurred. The M. E. people have no services of their own now, but a Union Sunday school is maintained, A. D. Langworthy being the superintendent. Mrs. N. L. Cotton is the president of the Ladies' Mite Society.

The pool hall is run by G. A. Sharp, the harness shop by J. G. Robinson, the barber shop by W. P. Kearns, the meat market by J. M. Morrison, the implement business by W. E. Bierstedt and the stock business by Joe Elvidge.

FENTON TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE

The township of Fenton which comprises 97-30 is well drained by Lotts Creek, Calamus Creek and the Black Cat. The latter, by its irregular, zig-zag course in passing southeasterly through the township, flows many miles after entering on the northwest corner of 5 before making its exit on the south line of 36. What is now Fenton, after belonging to Algona township until October 18, 1869, became the northwest fourth of Darien township by action of the board of supervisors. The other three congressional townships, included in Darien, comprised the ter- ritory now in Burt, Union and Lotts Creek. That township therefore was cre- ated twelve miles square, in the heart of a fine body of land. Had it been allowed to remain that shape and size it would have been as noteworthy as any of the other large townships of that period. It passed out of existence before the close of the first year, September 19, 1870, by direction of the board of supervisors, and much to the regret of the promoters of that early-day township.

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History of Kossuth County, Iowa, Part 86

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