History of Kossuth County, Iowa, Part 91

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 91

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).

The first people to locate in what is now Ledyard township was the Curtis family, consisting of husband, wife and two sons. They built a sod house on the southwest quarter of 13, about a mile north of the present village of Ger- mania. The precise date of their coming is not known to anyone now living in the township, but it is known that when the 1878 settlers located in that vicinity the sod house had crumbled down, and the family were living in a frame house that had the appearance of having been built several years. The family had the reputation of being rather on the rough order, and as a result those who came later and formed a settlement in that vicinity did not become intimate with the family or learn much of their history.

Digitized by Google

692

HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY

F. W. Kenitz, who came in the latter seventies, later came into the posses- sion of the Curtis homestead, and made that place the home for himself and family.

Wm. Kleist came with his family and located in 1878 on the southeast quarter of 11. They were the next settlers to arrive after the Curtis family came. Mrs. Kleist, after having spent many years on the farm, is spending her re- maining years in Germania.

During the year 1878, Will Schroeder, August Bork and two of the Rosenau boys came to that vicinity and for a while made their headquarters at the Kleist home.

John Rosenau came during the year 1879 and chose the southwest quarter of I for.his homestead, and John Smith selected the northwest quarter of 11 for the home of his family.

C. Jacobson on the east half of the northeast quarter of 13, and S. M. and C. J. Johnson, on the northeast quarter of 2, were among those who settled a little later.

That locality had been a grazing ground for large herds of cattle before the first family located in the township. The rank grass on the lower. portions of the land, and the nutritious grass on the more elevated portions, together with the water in the branch of the Blue Earth river, and the freedom of range, made that location the herdsman's paradise. For many years after the township be- gan to receive settlements hay was the principal product and source of revenue. Even now hay-making and shipping constitute an important industry.

The first death known to have occurred in the township was that of a child of the Wm. Kleist family. This sad event happened during the year 1879. The body was at first buried near the old home, but later was exhumed and taken to the cemetery at Ramsey. A child of the John Smith family died soon after and this was the second death.

The northeastern portion of the county, including the territory now consti- tuting the township of Ledyard, did not begin to settle very rapidly until after the two railroads had been graded through that region. The Northwestern's coming in 1881 did not even cause a rush to this section of the county, because good land at a very low price could then be had nearer the county seat. When the B. C. R. & N. made its appearance in 1892, settlers began arriving at a more rapid rate in this region than had been done before. When the villages of Ledyard and Ger- mania began to form, and land agents who were located in them became active in inducing immigration into the township, the general appearance of 99-28 rapidly changed, as home after home was formed on the prairie and other improve- ments were made.

The junction of the Northwestern and B. C. R. & N. was made on the land owned by H. Clausen on the northeast corner of section 19. C. F. Finn at the little station is agent, postmaster and landlord.

The officers of the township are: M. H. Stoddard, clerk; Arthur Hastings, assessor ; and C. F. Kahl, Geo. Steimmetz and John Looft, trustees. The school board consists of John Looft, F. G. Torine, W. Junkermier, Joe Kramer, Geo. Ukena, John Meyer and Frank Hjart. The present teachers doing service in the township are Georgia Schmitt, Eva L. Hartshorn, Onieta Skinner, Andrey Hastings, Lena Gutknecht, May Watts and Agnes Soderberg.

bighizo0 by Google

693

HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY

The townsite of Ledyard is located near the center of section 4, the original site having been surveyed on the west half. The plat was filed by the Western Town Lot Company, June 25, 1884, but the lots were not offered for sale until several years later. June 6, 1891, the company filed the plat of seven blocks and about that time some of the business lots were sold at auction. August 17, 1892, the company recorded the plat to two additional blocks on the east and some out lots on the south. The Dunlap addition was the last one surveyed. This consists of thirty-seven long lots in the southwest corner of the northeast quarter. The plat of this addition was filed September 30, 1892.

The site is a beautiful one; in fact, but few, if any, in the county are more nicely located. The land is rolling and has a natural drainage, and the elevation of the site enables the church spires to be seen for a long distance.

The first building on the site was the Dunlap Brothers' hay barn that was put up before the site was surveyed a couple of years after the Northwestern road was completed. This structure stood west of the track.

Wm. Leslie's building for a residence and store was the next one to appear on the site. This made its appearance in 1888. Mr. Leslie had a small stock of goods on sale and thus became the first merchant.

During the year 1890, F. S. Jenks built a residence on the west side of the track, and about that time Gus Erringren built another, and others soon fol- lowed. Scenes of activity were observed in many places on the site during the year 1891. J. F. Rendall opened a general store and is generally regarded as having been the first real merchant; F. D. Calkins began dealing in lumber ; J. B. Jones established an office for the sale of lots and land; Wood started a meat market ; Dan Dobson commenced working at the forge; John Witwer became a contractor and builder ; S. H. Grannis engaged in handling grain and coal ; W. A. Wright in August of that year arrived, put up a building and opened up a sec- ond general store. The depot building was also completed about that time, and the little old schoolhouse which afterwards was incorporated into the Till- money residence, came into existence.

Hardly any of the buildings referred to were on Edmonds, the main business street ; but several were placed there later. On the northwest corner of the junction of Edmonds and Sherman streets Grannis & Rendall erected a double front store building for general merchandise. W. A. Wright's store was next on the west; H. F. Shipley's hardware store was next in order going west, and then came the Beckman Brothers' general store. J. B. Jones and Marsh Stephens opened a private bank which they called the Bank of Ledyard. All these enter- prises began, and changes made, before January 1, 1892.

In the spring of 1892 the State Bank of Ledyard was organized; F. D. Cal- kins built a hotel just east of the bank which was conducted by F. M. Tremble, and another building just east of that for the Tremble furniture store. In this latter named store Robt. Gable did jewelry work and a line of millinery was also kept for sale.

F. S. Jenks that spring moved his house over the track to the east side, enlarged it and turned it into a hotel which soon became a popular stopping place. For several years it was the abode of hay-makers as well as of transients over night. These hay rustlers, with their cob pipes filled with Long Tom, kept the office blue with smoke while they joined in political discussions with Marsh

Tigilized by Google

694

HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY

Stephens and traveling men. A livery was run in connection with the hotel, with Fred as the good-natured manager.

All the buildings to which reference has been made were on the north side of the main street. Frank Miller, during this same summer of 1892, changed the rule by going over on the south side and starting a drug store, which later became the property of Dr. E. F. Dunlap and still later of A. E. Graves. J. W. Neister at this time went in with Shipley in the hardware trade.

About the time the drug store was built three other buildings made their appearance on the south side. A. E. Graves built one for his implement busi- ness; E. J. Skinner, one for his hardware; and C. A. Ordway a rival store in hardware.

As it was a game of the north against the south, the Dunlaps started a rival implement business on the north side. A little restaurant also about this time made its appearance. All these enterprises having started before the year 1903, the first to enter each line of business in the village can be determined from this account of the early history of the place.

The first postmaster was W. B. Leslie, who received his commission while Cleveland was serving his first term. He had the office at his little store where he lived. J. F. Rendall succeeded him while Harrison was at the head of the administration at Washington, and then Rendall in a short time was succeeded by W. A. Wright. A. E. Graves was the next to hold the office, the change tak- ing place when Cleveland came in again. W. A. Wright came back to the posi- tion during Mckinley's term, and Joe Jenks, the present incumbent, took charge of the office in 1907.

The first schools in the village were taught while they were under control of the district township board, and were conducted in the little old schoolhouse. Hattie Chesley was the first teacher when the town started in 1891, and she was followed by A. A. Sifert. Willis Link taught when the school was in the second story of Ordway's implement building, and he had a hard time managing the young "border ruffians." Miss Miller also taught in the same hall. When the new schoolhouse was built Florence Claypole was the first "upper" teacher and Hattie Stephens the "lower." Della Deyoe later became Miss Stephens' successor.

The various heads of the school since the retirement of Miss Claypole have been Esther Bateson, R. M. Carpenter, N. H. Conner, A. A. Jewett, H. Damon, A. E. Marble, A. B. Dehofe, Frank M. Sarchett, Lelia Shearer, Ethel Owen, Emma Steward, and the present principal, Lawrence Gardner. The other teachers of the corps are Blanche Hayden, grammar ; Mayme Bradley, intermediate ; and Pearl Bahner, primary. The officers of the school board are E. G. Rich, presi- dent ; Chris Nielsen, secretary ; and J. J. Tillmoney, treasurer.

Ledyard was incorporated in the spring of 1895 and the election of the first officers occurred May 9th of that year. A. J. Dunlap was the first mayor; E. J. Skinner, the recorder; and W. A. Wright, W. J. Smith, James Beem, F. S. Jenks, A. E. Graves and D. H. Brown, the trustees.

The mayors since A. J. Dunlap first served have been W. A. Wright, Frank Wiemer. A. J. Dunlap, H. F. Shipley, F. M. Tremble, W. G. Beach, C. F. Wheeler, Oscar Dutton, N. Tillmoney and E. G. Rich. The present council consists of Joe Jenks, C. F. Wheeler, Dr. Laughlin, Jule Seifert and J. C. Underkofler. A.

Dlaizedby Google

695

HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY

J. Galligan is the recorder; F. S. Jenks, the assessor; and Bert Seifert, the street commissioner.

The first physician to locate was Dr. E. F. Dunlap, a short time after the town started. Dr. Russ then came, got into trouble about his right to practice and soon left. Dr. John W. Lowden ran the drug store and also practiced for sev- eral years. Dr. Judson Laughlin came in 1901, and is now the only physician in town. He graduated in 1896, from the medical college at St. Joseph, Mis- souri, and then practiced elsewhere before locating at Ledyard.

The town has an abundance of churches to support. There were five, but one has gone out of existence. The United Brethren church, which was organ- ized in 1898, has disbanded and the edifice is now used as an opera house.

The M. E. church was incorporated in December, 1891, F. M. Tremble, J. F. Rendall, C. A. Ordway, Jas. Wood and C. R. Graham being the first trustees. The pastors of this church have lived elsewhere, the present one being Howlett of Germania. Mrs. H. M. Dyer is president of the Ladies' Aid, and Grace Jor- geson of the Epworth League. The principal trustee is D. D. Moxon.

The German Reformed church has for its minister Rev. Jacob Christ, who recently came. He succeeded Rev. Menke, the only other pastor, as the building was moved in from the country a few years ago.

The German Evangelical church was organized in 1901 by Rev. Damman, a non-resident minister. The pastors in order have been Rev. Pearl, Rev. Jagdstein. Rev. Kurz, Rev. Schuhmann, Rev. Schmeichen, and the present pastor, Rev. Oswald Beyerdorff, who took up the work in 1910. The present trustees are August Clock, Fred Busch, and Emil Wiese.

The Catholic church is under the supervision of the priest at Armstrong. Father Schemmil of Bancroft, in 1898, first held services in the town, before the edifice was erected, at N. Tillmoney's building. The church building was put up about five years ago.

The State Bank of Ledyard is a good illustration of the survival of the fittest. It is the only banking institution now in town, its competitors having passed out of sight. This bank was fortunate in having an array of wealthy stockholders who had good business judgment. The present officers are Frank Wiemer. president ; Wm. Wiemer, vice president ; E. G. Rich, cashier; L. W. Wiemer, assistant cashier.

The bank was organized in March, 1892. President A. N. Drake was suc- ceeded in 1896 by Wm. Wiemer, and the latter in turn in 1907 was succeeded by Frank W. Wiemer. Vice President Wm. Wiemer was succeeded in 1896, by Frank Wiemer, and the latter in 1907 by Wm. Wiemer again. Cashier Frank Wiemer was succeeded by E. G. Rich in 1896, this being the only change in that position since the organization.

Banks that became established and have passed out of existence were the Jones-Stephens Bank, the Stephens-Beems Bank, the Dunlap Brothers Bank, and the Peoples Bank.

The Ledyard Leader was first issued from the press April 24, 1895, by R. M. Carpenter, but he only ran it until the following November 26th, and then sold out to Frank T. Sheppard. Carpenter took the paper back May 6, 1896, and then sold it again August 12, 1896, to U. S. Clark. H. H. Connor tried his hand at the helm during the year 1897 and F. J. Staenders, in 1899. The press and

Tigilized by Google

696

HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY

outfit came back to the Carpenters once more September 1, 1899, and Mrs. M. A. Carpenter became the editor. Four months later a son was taken into the management and the firm became Carpenter & Co. Tucker & Williams bought the plant January 1, 1901, but in the fall Williams retired and then W. E. Tucker continued it alone until April 20, 1905, when the paper died a natural death.

The fire, July 9, 1901, began on the east end of the main business block on the north side, and did not stop until it had devoured everything west to the next street. The stores of N. Tillmoney, W. A. Wright, Shipley & Niester, H. F. Bleich and J. E. Ellsworth were wholly destroyed, stocks and all, except that of the latter firm, who got out most of the goods. The State Bank building, the Jenks hotel and livery barn and the residence of Fred Jenks went up in smoke. The loss fell heavily on these parties, and crippled some financially beyond re- covery. The western half of the block was immediately rebuilt with substantial and artistically designed brick buildings.

The two general stores are large ones, each occupying a double front build- ing. The one started by N. Tillmoney, in 1894, is continued by Mrs. Tillmoney and is managed by her son, J. J., the original proprietor having died in 1911. The other store is owned and conducted by Nielsen Brothers & Co., on the south side. They began in March, 1911, by succeeding Conrad Bloome. These broth- ers, Chris and Carl, also deal in farm implements and are doing well financially in their undertaking.

In the drug business J. C. Underkofler, in November, 1912, succeeded O. L. Graves, who had dealt in that line for seventeen years before going west.

The only hardware store is owned by J. E. Welfare, who bought the busi- ness and stock of Jess Underkofler, in November, 1912. This is the store which E. J. Skinner conducted for many years. The harness store has been run by J. H. Welfare since the fall of 1907, the date in which he succeeded Frank Ells- worth.

The city restaurant is the only place where meals are served in town to transients. T. H. McGilligan, the proprietor, succeeded J. C. Cook in the busi- ness in March, 1912.

Sarah A. Youngblood is the milliner, and has been doing that line of work for thirteen years.

Milo T. Halvorson has been running the barber shop since he succeeded Fred Montgomery in 1912, and H. J. Lawrence has been at the forge since he started his shop last year.

H. E. Micka is the depot agent where he has been three years, and F. S. Jenks is head of the club room organization which meets in the old bank build- ing of Dunlap Bros. & Smith.

The Wheeler Grain Company and the St. John Elevator Company are well established and receive patronage from every direction. The Co-operative Cream- ery Company is managed by Henry M. Dyer, the butter-maker. Fred Logeman is the president and John Tillmoney the secretary.

The only lumber yard is owned by Weyerhaeuser & Co. It was established in the early days of the town and has belonged to the present proprietors for a long term of years. H. W. Soltow was made manager before he was old enough to vote, and is still holding that position.

Digiized by Google

MAIN STREET LOOKING WEST, LEDYARD

SOUTH SIDE OF BUSINESS STREET, LOOKING EAST, LEDYARD

Dlg zed by Google

697

HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY

Although Ledyard has no newspaper to advertise the town, it has been kept on the map, and the local events have become known throughout the county through the correspondence which Joe Jenks, the postmaster, sends weekly to the papers. He is an editor in fact with no printing equipment, and would do well in the business if he had one at his command, for he knows how to write live locals that are full of spice and ginger.

Ledyard is not the only town in the township. There is another on the eastern edge, on the Rock Island road, that must receive some attention in this chapter.

The site for the village of Germania was surveyed during the summer of 1892, and the plat was filed on record August 26th of that year. The site con- sisted of seventeen blocks and was ordered platted by John Dows and the Northern Iowa Land & Town Lot Company. Four years later Julius Bork had platted the first addition which consisted of nine out-lots.

Third street, facing the depot, became the principal business section of the village. Buildings made their appearance up the street on both sides to Brewer street, and then for some distance farther south between that street and Smith. Hotels, banks, stores, shops and offices were to be seen with occupants eager for securing patronage. Several of these buildings were raised, occupied and business begun in them before the first train arrived.

The first building raised in Germania was a little real estate office in which the sales of the lots were consummated.

Then three business houses went up at the same time. These were the Wortman Brothers' general store, W. T. Hall & Co.'s hardware store and F. W. Brinkman's furniture store.

Lumber for the erection of the buildings came with the first freight train, although some of it for the first buildings was hauled by teams from other points. Bruer Brothers were the first to establish a yard on the site when the village started.

G. Thaves erected his hotel on the east side of the street soon after the three stores made their appearance, H. Bruns opened a meat market, and Leek & Weis, a rival store for the sale of general merchandise.

These buildings with a few residences were all put up during the fall and early winter of 1892. The depot that winter was a box car, the building not being erected until the next year.

During the winter of 1892-93 the first bank was organized. That was the State Bank of Germania and its home was at first in the little real estate office that had been built by the parties selling the lots. That winter the Bruer Brothers sold their lumber yard to the John H. Queal Lumber Company. In the meantime the Northern Lumber Company had established a yard and was doing a large business.

The grain, coal and hay business was first instituted by the Wheeler Broth- ers, the firm consisting of J. N., the present postmaster, and C. F. who was re- cently elected supervisor for the fifth district. They were on the ground getting ready for this business before the first train came.

Chas. Rippe soon started one of the line elevators at that point, and George Wells opened a private bank with other interested parties.

The Presbyterian church was the first to be organized and that was in 1893.

Tigiized by Google

698

HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY

It was not incorporated until ten years later, the first trustees then being G. Stelsel, Julius Bork and Wm. Wortman. The other organizers were: A. G. Wortman, F. Kenitz, C. A. Winter, W. W. Clement, August Kutknecht and C. C. Wortman. The first pastor was Rev. Blumdahl. Those since then have been Rev. Evarts, Rev. A. C. Kruse, Rev. J. Johnson, Rev. Muery, Rev. Arnds and the present pastor, Rev. H. Kosseck, who came in the fall of 1912. The elders are A. G. Wortman, Fred Kenitz and August Kutknecht; deacons, H. G. Smith, Geo. Winter and J. J. Heetland ; trustees, J. H. Smith, B. Jansen, George Ukena; secretary, C. C. Wortman; president of the Ladies' Aid, Mrs. A. G Wortman; president of the C. E., Rev. Kosseck. The church is one of the strongest in Germania and is prospering.

The Lutheran St. Paul church was organized in 1894, and the building dedi- cated that fall. The first pastor was Rev. P. Christiansen. After him in order came Rev. Fendler, Rev. Wm. Lange, Rev. Prigge and the present pastor, Rev. Geo. Schneider, who has been here four years. The first two named served two years cach, Rev. Lange five, and Rev Prigge, six. There are thirty-five fam- ilies in the congregation and they support the confirmation school which gives instruction in reading and writing in German. The church edifice cost $2,000, and the school building $500. The latter was built about ten years ago. The parsonage cost $1,200. This is the church which was started in Ramsey by Rev. Leisveld and transferred to Germania when the town started. The pres- ent trustees are Geo. Baumen, Peter Hans, Lewis Sachs and John A. Meyer. The pastor is giving entire satisfaction.

The M. E. church was organized and incorporated in the fall of 1897, the first trustees being E. O. Fitz, L. T. Clement, P. H. Spangler, V. B. Tripp, G. N. Wheeler and B. F. Smith. Those acting in that capacity now are Gus. Call, Wm. Noble, Jas. Warburton, Mrs. Margaret Noble Warburton, Gus Torine and Will Evans. Harriet Warburton is president of the Ladies' Aid and August Torine, the Sunday-school superintendent. The pastors in order for a dozen years back have been Rev. Frank Mathis, 1901; Rev. J. A. Davies, 1902; Rev. 11. E. Hutchinson, 1905-6; Rev. A. J. Quirine, 1907; Rev. G. U. Poppenheimer, 1909; Rev. W. G. Gardner, 1910; Rev. G. W. Westwood, 1911; Rev. W. J. Kent, 1912; Rev. F. W. Howlett, 1913. Rev. Howlett is a young man of fine ability and is doing all he can in the village that is overcrowded with church or- ganizations.

The Christian church was organized in 1910, the local Baptist church at that time being dissolved into the organization. The latter church came into existence in Germania about five years after the town started and continued until it transferred its edifice and other property to the new organization in 1910. Rev. Hugh Cooper at that time was the pastor. Others since then have been Rev. Dungan and Rev. Van DeWaker. At present the church does not main- tain any resident pastor.

The first mayor was H. R. Elvidge. He was chosen soon after the town was incorporated in 1894. The election for incorporation was held January 30th of that year, forty-two votes being cast in favor of the measure and only two against. W. T. Hall, E. O. Fitz and August Wortman were the judges and F. D. Calkins and Gus Steinberg the clerks.

The mayors who have served in turn since the retirement of H. R. Elvidge

Digiized by Google

699

HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY

have been: J. N. Wheeler, L. T. Clement, J. N. Wheeler and Robt. Hamilton. The present council consists of C. O. Wortman, E. G. Seymour, E. S. Curyea, C. R. Smith and G. Stelsel, and M. H. Stoddard is the recorder.

The first postmaster was W. T. Hall, who served four years, then came C. C. Wortman in 1896, and served about ten years; and then next followed the present incumbent, J. N. Wheeler, who took charge of the office in July, 1906. Mrs. Opal Sarchett Wheeler is the faithful deputy.

The first schools were taught in a schoolhouse that belonged to the town- ship. Later another one story building was erected near the other, and both used for several years. Among the teachers who did service in those buildings were Marena Winter, Harriett Noble, Miss Schonhood, Lu Smith, Bernice Brown, Ada Ley, Della Deyoe and Murray. These first school buildings are still standing not far from where they were erected.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Kossuth County, Iowa, Part 91

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