History of Kossuth County, Iowa, Part 92

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 92

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 Independent district was formed in 1897, G. Stelsel, Sam Warburton and A. Arneson being the first board of directors. The contract for building the new schoolhouse was let to Julius Bork for the sum of $5,975, and the edifice was built during the winter of 1902-3. Principal Jewett was the first head of the school in that building. Then in order came Elvira Seastream, Nell Galigan, Fred Hansen, Wm. Hansen, B. L. Troup and the present principal, W. R. Strayer. The other members of the teaching corps are: Agnes Gaven, grammar ; Anna E. Solberg, intermediate; Minnie L. Erwin, primary.

Among the first doctors to locate was Lewis Fry, whose boyhood home had been in Cresco township. Then came Dr. Johnson and following him came Dr. O. C. Lohr. Dr. T. S. Waud began his practice in Germania in December, 1897, and is still engaged in that line and kept busy administering to the wants of the sick and the afflicted. He is well known throughout the county as a skilled physician and is popular with a wide circle of acquaintances. He is a leader in politics in that vicinity, and has served several terms as coroner. Other mem- bers of the profession who have come and gone since Dr. Waud located have been Dr. Bernhard, Dr. Oldag, Dr. F. L. Senska and Dr. Edgar Zinn. The latter sold his practice during the winter of 1912-13 to Dr. E. L. Wurtez, who is just getting a foothold in the practice.

The first newspaper in town to be launched was the Germania Standard which Ralph Grow started in 1895. Ralph was only sixteen years old, and was the youngest editor in the state. His paper was small, but he printed all the news there was pertaining to the town and vicinity. He sold out after a few months to a young man whose name is not remembered, but in a short time after the sale the paper suspended. Finally Charles Beach and C. E. Myers started the Germania Gleaner. The latter on becoming the sole owner sold the plant in May, 1898, to Ley & Ellsworth, who changed the name of the paper to the North Kossuth Record. After six months H. B. Ley bought out his partner's interest and ran the business alone until 1907, when he sold to LeRoy Billings. During the same year the paper came back on the hands of Mr. Ley again. He made the publication a newsy sheet that was filled with interesting reading matter. During the year 1908 he sold to Wildman & Magner. The latter soon sold his interest to his partner and then in 1909, Wildman disposed of the plant to Thaves Brothers. In February, 1912, Ed sold his share to Gus Thaves, who is still running the paper and making a success of his enterprise. The equipment

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of the office is first class, and the building in which it is used is a credit to the town. It was built in 1898, after Mr. Ley had acquired an interest.

Dr. H. G. Johnson, the dentist, located in August, 1908, after having gradu- ated that same year from the dental department of the State University of Iowa. His home was formerly at Estherville.

The Farmers & Drovers State Bank has survived all the other banking in- stitutions in town, and is permanently established on a firm foundation. The officers of the board are well known for their reliability and good judgment in financiering. E. G. Seymour is the president; E. J. Murtagh, the vice president ; and G. L. Dalton the cashier. It would be hard to find a better working force behind a bank counter than the one composed of Mr. Seymour and Mr. Dalton. The latter was once a boy in Algona where he now has friends who are gratified with his standing among bankers,

The first officers of the bank, when organized in 1898, were Geo. Wells, presi- dent; Richard Seymour, vice president and E. G. Seymour, cashier. During the month of February, 1910, the Germania Savings Bank was merged into the Farmers & Drovers State Bank. The Savings Bank had been organized five years before and E. J. Murtagh was its president; C. C. Chubb its vice president ; and G. L. Dalton its cashier.

The State Bank of Germania, which was the first one in town and which was organized in December, 1892, passed out of existence in December, 1904. Its first officers were: A. N. Drake, president; Wm. Wiemer, vice president; and E. O. Fitz, cashier. F. D. Calkins later succeeded Mr. Fitz.

The only lumber yard is the one owned and run by the J. H. Queal Lumber Company, which bought out the Bruer Brothers' yard that was started with the town. In the spring of 1910, the Queal Company purchased the competing yard of the Northern Lumber Company and combined the two. The manager for this latter company, M. H. Stoddard, then began as manager for the Queal com- pany and is still holding that position.

The Co-operative Creamery Company was organized in January, 1901, with A. F. Steinberg as president, Wm. Schroeder as vice president ; P. G. Spangler as secretary and E. G. Seymour as treasurer. The first two named are still holding their positions, but G. L. Dalton is now the treasurer and M. J. Dryer the secretary, buttermaker and manager.

Of the two elevators in town, the one established by the Wheeler Brothers before the first smoke from a locomotive was seen, is now owned by E. J. Riley. The Wheelers sold to G H. Wheelock and the latter sold to Olson, who later sold an interest to E. J. Riley. Since Riley purchased his partner's share he has run the business alone. The other was one of the line elevators and was started by Chas. Rippe. It has been transferred several times since then, Van Dusin & Co., Harrington, and Wheeler & Riley being some of the purchasers. It be- came the property of the Farmers' Elevator Company, in January, 1910, Wm. Baum, A. E. Ogren, Peter Hans, August Torine, L. I. Ginrich, Walter Brad- field and J. H. Smith being the first directors. The present president and secre- tary are respectively Peter Hans and Gus Torine.

There are numerous lodges, but most of them are in such feeble condition that meetings are seldom held and information concerning them difficult to ob- tain. The Hose Lodge Number 617, I. O. O. F., was organized December 13,

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1895. H. L. Tottenham is the N. G., M. H. Stoddard, the secretary, and V. B. Tripp, the conductor. The M. W. A., Number 3135, has V. B. Tripp for its conductor; M. H. Stoddard for its clerk ; and H. Holman for its B. The lodge of Royal Neighbors, No. 3927, was organized about 1909. May Brenner is O .; Edna Tottenham, T .; and Opal Wheeler, sec. Of the K. P. Lodge, John Pink is the C. C. and A. E. Ogren the K. R. S.

The old Commercial house, which Gotleib Thaves started with the town, after having been run by A. B. Cary, C. R. Lewis and several others is now used for L. G. Wolcott's garage. H. B. Ley is his competitor in the business at an- other stand.

C. R. Lewis has the only barber shop. He succeeded Ora O'Keefe in Novem- ber, 1911. Mr. Lewis was one of the barbers in the early days of the town, having located in August, 1895.

The hardware business is well represented. The old store which L. T. Clement ran for a long time became the property of H. B. Ley and then of Stelsel & Thaves, but is now owned by Specht & Behrends, the junior member purchasing the interest of Thaves, January 20, 1912, and the senior of Stelsel in the August following. In the second store. J. H. Pink succeeded H. B. Ley, in April, 1912. The third store is owned and run by a man who says, "My name is all the time Schilling, F. F. Schilling all the time, same as name on the window all the time. Started with the town. Yes sir, Schilling, all the time." The stores for the sale of general merchandise have large stocks and are kept in good condition. The Wortman brothers, who put up their buildings before the trains arrived in the fall of 1892, have one of the largest stores in Germania and one of the most successful. H. Van Heuveln started his store seven years ago and is prospering. H. T. Schaper succeeded L. H. Yost in March, 1913, and C. R. Smith started his in February, 1906.

Mae Brenner succeeded H. B. Ley in the variety store in February, 1913, and E. M. Moore started in the millinery business one month later.

E. A. Landmark owns and conducts the Park hotel. He succeeded J. J. Rink, in August, 1910. and in the March previous succeeded J. Montgomery as depot agent. He successfully conducts both lines of business and is giving entire satisfaction.

The old Best restaurant has been well conducted by Mrs. P. G. Pettibone for nearly eight years. She too keeps lodgers and serves meals. She suc- ceeded Mrs. C. R. Nass. The ice cream parlor, operated by A. E. Ogren, brother of the former county supervisor, began the business in April, 1912.

The most popular meeting place in town is at the drug store of T. S. Waud & Co. Dr. Waud has been at the head of the management for about fifteen years, and his familiar countenance has been seen since that time about the premises.

H. Schutter six years ago succeeded F. W. Brinkman in the furniture busi- ness which the latter started with the town in 1892. J. J. Bishoff began in the harness line five years ago and does shoe repairing in connection with the other line. O. J. Branjord has been at his stand taking photos since 1903, Carl Zoller selling meat since September, 1911, and Harvey Behnke running the pool hall since about that time.

W. H Meyers is manager for J. F. Buggy, who succeeded Stelsel & Thaves in

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the implement business, in January, 1912; E. S. Curyea runs the livery which he bought of Lawrence Wolcott in the fall of 1910, and Bowman & Mabus are the blacksmiths at one shop and H. Coleman at the other.

Every man is a real estate agent, but U. A. Dreesman has the most acces- sible office. He has been operating in that line for about five years. Four of the townsmen were county officers. Besides Dr. Waud's being coroner as above stated, W. T. Hall was supervisor, J. J. Bishoff, recorder, and F. D. Calkins, auditor.

Among the residents who came to the county in early days, the date of the coming of Mrs. N. E. Noble is the farthest back, being the year 1869. Mr. Noble, perhaps, comes next, his date being the year 1870. They lived in the Algona vicinity for a long time before coming to Germania. Stephen Noble, who died in 1907, lived in the same vicinity for twenty-six years. Then there is Mrs. William Kleist, who located on their homestead in 1878, and who remembers distinctly the events of that period. J. J. Rink was also an early comer to the south end of the county before taking up his residence in Germania.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP AND SWEA CITY

The thirty-six square miles of territory comprised in 99-29 form the township of Harrison. They were made a part of Greenwood in January, 1869, and were also included in that township again when it was re-created in September, 1870. Harrison was established by the board in June, 1890, but it was then made to include what is now Grant. When this latter township was cut off in April, 1894, it left Harrison in its present form. Harrison is the only township besides Lincoln, Grant and Garfield that was named after a president.

The first families to settle in the township were honest. hard-working Swedes who had just arrived from the old country and who were wholly unfamiliar with the English language and American customs. There were four families of them and they arrived in June, 1872.

Olof Moline located his family on the west half of the east half of section 17 where C. A. Moline is living with his family at the present time.

The Andrew Erickson family settled upon the east half of the northeast quarter of the same section and thus helped to form that settlement.

Carl Larson and Carl Pearson also located their families in that vicinity. These interesting immigrants located on the extreme eastern border of the Swed- ish community which at that time was forming in that region. About that time the John B. Bengston family settled on section 7, and Lars and Nels Anderson made their appearance.

During the year 1873 section 17 received another family of the same nation- ality when John Larson began making his home on the southeast corner. He was a substantial citizen, and. like his neighbors, had but little ready cash to make improvements. Having located about the time the invading grasshoppers began their destructive work, he soon left with his family for the county seat, where he lived for several years before returning to his land.

Thus the settlement continued to grow, and today productive farms are to be seen in every direction which contain comfortable houses, large barns and other buildings. Some of the residents came to the county at an early date but

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did not locate in the township until many years later. Leon A. Barslou for in- stance, came in 1874, but lived elsewhere for more than twenty years before coming to Harrison and making his home on the northeast quarter of section 13.

Beginning in the early 80's, after grasshopper days were over, the township began to fill up quite rapidly with families, and the early settlement days were considered to be over.

The township of Harrison has many residents who have had very heavy taxes assessed against their lands in the district through which the Mud creek drain was constructed. This drain will be of great benefit to all that region, but it will cause a vast amount of money to come from the pockets of the land owners to pay the expense of its construction.

The tract of land that is the best known, and that has been referred to more often than any other in the township is the east half of section 29. For more than thirty years it has been known by the name of "the flax patch" although owned in the meantime by several different proprietors. The Milwaukee Rail- way Company, R. T. Root, Frans Kampe and Peter Erickson, S. H. McAdams, D. O. Williams, B. M. Field and John Lineer have owned the tract, or portions of it, since it first began to be called the flax patch. It was while the title was still in the railway company that the place began to be known by that name.

There is a difference of opinion as to who owned the first crop of flax. W. E. Jordan, however, is generally believed to have been the one. It is an estab- lished fact that at least as early as the fall of 1881 people in that region were calling the place flax patch. That year a man known as Tunck seemed to be the owner of the flax crop. During the time that Kampe and Erickson owned the land, the flax patch became widely known. It is a little singular how that par- ticular tract should have received that name to the exclusion of the many other farms in that vicinity which were producing crops of flax in that period. It was probably because the road leading from Bancroft to the Swedish settlement in Swea township passed by the house on the premises. This little home was a kind of a half way house between the two points.

The present officers of the township are Norman Anderson, clerk; Henry Gettman, assessor ; J. F. Kelley, J. E. Vaughn and Lewis Appelt, trustees. The members of the school board are J. E. Vaughn, president; G. Butterfield, secre- tary ; Peter Looft, treasurer; Sam Welfare, C. F. Peterson, N. Anderson, M. Jacobson, John Schmidt and C. Rohlin. The township schools are being pre- sided over by the following teachers: Lina Davidson, Francis Garrison, Rosalie Moline, Aletha Miche, Edith Steinmetz, Bina Walker.

The town of Swea City was called at first by the name of Reynolds. The site was surveyed by order of the Northern lowa Land & Town Lot Com- pany, and the plat was filed on record July 23, 1892. Sixteen blocks, having the streets running north and south and the avenues east and west, made up the original site. On Third street the principal business houses have been erected. Soon after the site was surveyed R. M. Richmond, by purchase, became the proprietor of the town. In February, 1893, the name Reynolds was officially changed to Swea City. R. M. Richmond increased the size of the site with four additions, the plats of which were filed as follows: First addition, 2 blocks, September 1, 1893; Second addition, I block, October 14, 1895; Third addition, 2 blocks, same date; Fourth addition, about 10 blocks and outlot, also same date.

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The plat of W. H. Howard's addition of 6 blocks was filed November 9, 1894, and that of T. F. Cooke's, November 8, 1895.

It was the coming of B. C. R. & N. Road during the summer of 1892 that caused the town to spring into existence. The grading to that point was not finished until fall, and it was December 5, when the first locomotive smoke was puffed on the town site, and the first train made its appearance. A little later Ole Olson shipped out the first car of freight, consisting of hogs he was send- ing to market.

Like in all the towns along the line when they started, the first building on the site was a land office where the sale of lots could be consummated.

The building for the Rendall & Grannis general store was raised next in order. This store, which was burned several years ago, stood on the site now occupied by the store of C. A. Holm.

A building used for a carpenter shop and eating house, and one dwelling next made their appearance. S. P. Haglund's building for his general store was the next to appear. That was really the second substantial business building to be erected. Mr. Haglund is still doing business at the old stand. While his building was being finished a livery barn and another residence were nearing completion.

J. B. Johnson and Olof Pearson, in partnership, next put up a general store, on the corner now occupied by the stores of R. R. Stockman and the Nelson Mercantile Company. Then the Anderson brothers built their little hotel which is now used for a tenant house. In the meantime the Bruer brothers and the Northern Lumber Company had started lumber yards and a box car was in use for a depot. Several of the buildings had been put up before the first train came with freight. S. P. Haglund drew his lumber from Bancroft, and later C. J. Anderson had his building at that place moved to the new town. Prior to any houses being built on the site lots were sold at auction, but Mr. Haglund and Mr. Grannis were the only ones to purchase business lots.

During the year 1893 the depot, the present hotel, Joe Packman's general store, Ganfield & Myers' hardware, the Grannis elevator, and numerous other buildings were raised and occupied. The first barbering was done in the box car depot, then later C. E. Anderson had a shop built for the purpose. The town since then has continued to grow and has become one of the best trading points in northern Kossuth. Its business men are full of energy and disposed to deal on the square; and its citizens generally are in a moral atmosphere second to no town in the county.

The first school was taught by Mrs. C. F. Buker in her own house during the winter of 1892-3. She also taught in the same place the next summer. A fine two-story frame schoolhouse, now used for a town hall and lodge room, was soon built and occupied for several years.

The district became independent in 1899, A. S. Murray being chosen the first principal He had for his corps of teachers Bessie Anderson, intermediate, and Miss Wallace, primary. In the spring of 1903 bonds to the amount of $4,000 were voted to build a new 14-room brick building. The old schoolhouse was moved from the site, and the new one was completed September 12, 1903. The first teaching force in this building consisted of C. A. Smith, principal; and Mae Lake, Anna Strandberg and Abbie Thurber.

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MAIN STREET, SWEA CITY, LOOKING NORTH, TAKEN IN 1911

BUFFALO HERD ON THE C. J. LENANDER RANCH, THREE MILES SOUTHWEST OF SWEA CITY

SWEDISH LUTHERAN CHURCH OF SWEA TOWNSHIP, FOUR MILES NORTHWEST OF SWEA CITY

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The several principals have been: A. S. Murray, 1899; H. A. Crawford, 1901; C. A. Smith, 1903; Wm. Shirley, 1906, and the present incumbent, C. E. Baldwin, 1912. The other present teachers are Florance Lennon, music; Miss Sampson, grammar; Grace Hattery, primary. The school board consists of A. T. Wherry, president; R. R. Stockman, secretary; C. W. Pearson, treasurer ; R. H. Walker, C. J. Anderson, P. C. Dahl and Charles Knutson.

The election for the incorporation of Swea City was held April 19, 1895. R. M. Richmond, N. Ganfield and Peter Severson being the judges, and W. R. Peet and C. F. Buker the clerks. All told 35 ballots were cast, and all but one were in favor of the measure. W. R. Pect became the first mayor and those since his retirement have been R. M. Richmond, 1896; C. J. Johnson, 1899; A. L. Anderson, 1900; J. M. Dye, 1904; H. N. Kruse, 1906; J. M. Dye, 1909; A. T. Wherry, 1910, and C. W. Pearson, 1912. The other city officers are Ole Olson, J. L. Vaux, T. R. Hanifan and C. A. Johnson, councilmen; S. P. Eck- holm, clerk, and J. L. Seylar, assessor.

The first postmaster was Joseph Packman who was appointed early in 1893. He was succeeded by J. O. Hatch, the present incumbent, in November, 1897. The drivers on the two rural routes are C. F. Buker, who began July 1, 1904, and H. A. Gettman.

The water works consist of an elevated tank, a pump, gasoline engine, hose cart, 700 feet of hose, fire bell, etc. The ordinance governing the system was published in May, 1902. W. D. Lovell installed the equipment for the sum of $2,218. Previous to that time there had been two or three wells drilled to supply the town with water. In one of them a windmill was used.

The first banking enterprise was the Swea City Bank which was started in 1893 by R. M. Richmond, who had his place of business in the Bruer Bros. lumber office until he could erect a suitable building. There are now two re- liable banks which make a showing in the volume of business done that compares favorably with the better class of banks in the other parts of the county.

The State Bank of Swea City has for its officers Joseph J. Sherman, presi- dent ; C. T. Chubb, vice president ; O. R. Rowley, cashier ; and C. W. Pearson, assistant cashier. It was organized in 1898 when the Richmond enterprise was merged into the State Bank with the following officers in control of the management : A. D. Clarke, president ; J. B. Johnson, vice president ; and S. P. Barr, cashier. Other incorporators were Tom Sherman, R. N. Bruer, H. A. Miller and C. T. Granger. The entire management has changed since that time. President Clarke was succeeded in 1908 by C. C. Chubb, and the latter after his death by Joseph J. Sherman. Vice president Johnson was succeeded in March, 1903, by Tom Sherman, and the latter in turn in 1910 by C. T. Chubb. Cashier Barr was succeeded in March, 1902, by A. L. Anderson, who held the position until September, 1904, when Joseph J. Sherman accepted the place. In May, 1907, the latter was succeeded by O. R. Rowley.

As a bank working force it would be hard to find more genial and accom- modating officers than Cashier Rowley and his assistant, C. W. Pearson.

The First National Bank has a board of directors consisting of E. J. Mur- tagh, president ; J. W. Sullivan, vice president ; A. T. Wherry, cashier ; H. Lar- son and C. B. Murtagh. It was organized in 1900, with C. J. Lenander as president, G. F. Thomas as cashier and P. E. Benson as assistant cashier. Geo. Vol. 1-45

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C. Call, S. P. Haglund and W. J. Brunson were the principal promoters of the organization. These directors and organizers made a strong force for this banking enterprise.

In January, 1903, a sweeping change was made in the control and manage- ment of the bank. The new board of directors consisted of Gardner Cowles. president ; E. J. Murtagh, vice president ; and A. T. Wherry, cashier; Samuel Mayne and C. H. Blossom. Thus another strong force became the managers as the result of the abrupt change. During the month of January, 1912, Presi- dent Cowles disposed of his entire interest in the bank to E. J. Murtagh, C. B. Murtagh, J. W. Sullivan and S. E. McMahon. Following this action E. J. Mur- tagh became the head of the institution and Mr. Sullivan the vice president, positions which they are still holding.

Cashier Wherry has retained his place behind the counter since the change occurred in the directors in 1903, and under his management the bank has had a steady growth and grown in popularity with its many patrons.

The first Sunday school was held in the depot building during the summer of 1893, the superintendent being C. F. Buker. After the churches were or- ganized the Sunday schools were held where the congregations worshiped.

The Baptist church was organized July 29, 1894. by Rev. A. C. Zellhoefer. assisted by Rev. Laidley. Twenty members were received during that fall. The incorporation took place in February, 1895, Olof Pearson, J. O. Hatch. Hagbert Olson, Louis Swanson and Edward Anderson being his promoters. After R. M. Richmond had donated a lot for the church, the building was be- gun in March, 1895, and was finished and dedicated September 15, of that year. C. J. Anderson, Ed Anderson, V. S. Ellis, Louis Swanson and J. O. Hatch were the building committee. Including the addition and other improve- ments later made, the edifice has cost about $4,000. The parsonage was erected about ten years ago at a cost of $2,500. The Ladies' Guild paid for it and gave it to the church. The pastors in turn have been Rev. Hyslop, Rev. Vine. Rev. Lindlum, Rev. J. L. Whirry, Rev. Chas. Braithwaite, Rev. John Wolfe. Rev. N. H. Dailey, Rev. J. M. Harris, Rev. E. P. Williams and Rev. John Croft, the present minister. Olof Pearson and C. J. Anderson are the trustees; Mrs. Olof Pearson the president of the Ladies' Guild; Bina Walker the presi- dent of the B. Y. P. U .; and Henry Evans the Sunday school superintendent.

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History of Kossuth County, Iowa, Part 92

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