History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 107

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950

USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 107
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 107
USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 107

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).

Aaron O. Harang was born in Norway in 1845. He emigrated to America in 1871, landing in New York, and locating

in Dane. Co., Wis., where he resided three years. Ile then moved to Winne- bago Co., lowa, and settled on a farm of eighty aeres on section 22. He was mar- ried in 1876 to Anna Johnson, born in Norway in 1846. This union has been blessed with four children-Helen, John, Nellie and Annie. Mr. Harang is a re- publican, and with his family belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Andrew J. Odden was born July 27, 1850. He is a native of Norway, and emigrated to America in 1860, landing at Quebec. From there he went to Dane Co., Wis., where he resided fourteen years. lle then came to this county, lo- cating on section 29, Center township. He has 120 acres of well improved land. In 1878 he was united in marriage with Carrie Thompson, born in April, 1861, in Fillmore Co., Minn. They have three children-John, Tobias and Gilbert. Mr. . Odden and family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. He is a republican, politically.

II. T. Johnson was born in Norway, Sept. 14, 1848. In 1869 he emigrated to America, landing in New York, and locat- ing in Dane Co., Wis, where he resided six months, removing to Northwood, Worth Co., Iowa, where he resided until the spring of 1879. In the meantime he was occupied one year as hotel clerk, four years at farming, railroading, etc .; two years at coopering, three years at bar- tending and one year at painting. From Northwood he removed to Lake Mills, and engaged in the saloon business. He was married Sept. 20, 1880, to Christina Stromsten, who was born in Norway, Ang. 5, 1855. She was twelve years of age when

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

she emigrated to America. By this union there has been one child-Clarence O., born March 9, 1883. Mr. Johnson was for- merly a republican, but in 1882 he joined the democratie ranks. Ile and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Johnson lately visited Buffalo Co., Dakota, where he entered a pre-emption and tree elaim.

K. K. Kiland was born in Norway, Ang. 10, 1847. At the age of twenty-two years he emigrated to America, landing at

Quebec. Hle at once went to Dane Co., Wis., living there four years; thence to this county and located on section 19, Center township, where he has a nice lit- tle farm of forty acres. In 1870 he was united in marriage with Anna Hanson, born in Dane Co., Wis., Oct. 2, 1854. This union was blessed with three chil- dren, one of whom is living-Anvena C., born March 3, 1875. Mr. Kiland and wife are members of the Norwegian Church. Politically, he is a republican.

CHAPTER XVIII.

FOREST CITY AND FOREST TOWNSHIP.

This beautiful and enterprising little [ city was laid out in the spring of 1856, by Robert Clark, afterwards county judge. While there may be nothing really re- inarkable in the development of the past, or anything striking in the present, still there is much that cannot fail to be of in- terest to those who have been closely con- nected and identified with the city in all the various changes which have occurred from year to year. To those who have watched the growth and progress from its earliest origin, when Winnebago county was but a wild prairie country, until the present time, the accomplishment of by- gone days would seem now like a great task, but it is in fact the sure and legiti- mate results of an advanced state of civil- ization.

Forest City is in Forest township, and is situated in the south part of the county about one-half a mile from the south line and nearly seven miles from the eastern boundary. One railroad passes through Forest City-the Minneapolis & St. Louis -connecting it with the leading markets in the north and south. The city is sur- rounded by some of the finest and most productive agricultural and stock raising lands in the State, which is a guarantee of a permanent and ever increasing trade.

Forest City is beautifully located on Lime creek, and owing to the fact that it is situated on the highest ground in this part of the State, it is often called the "Hill City." The locality is exceedingly healthy; the inhabitants are possessed of high intelligence, and the society is of the

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

most refined and desirable character. The eity is protected on the north and east by heavy groves of timber, which come al- most to the city limits.

THE BEGINNING.

The first to settle in the present limits of Forest City was Robert Clark, who located on the northeast quarter of see- tion 35, township 98, range 24, in the spring of 1856. In March he laid out the plat of Forest City, and in April built the first log cabin, a little to the rear of where Blennerhassett's drug store now stands. This log shanty stood until about 1870, when it was torn down.

The second log cabin was built by A. T. Cole, in June, 1856. Mr. Cole was the first to bring a family to Forest City. He now resides in Newton township.

The next building was built of logs and was used as a store. It was erected in the fall of 1856, by Alexander Long, on the present site of the City Bank. Long & Moreland kept store in this building for some months.

The fourth building was constructed for hotel purposes, by Samuel Akers, in the fall of the same year. The hotel stood for a number of years on the corner oppo- site the City Bank, and was finally torn down. The building stood on two lots, for the right of which Mr. Akers gave A. T. Cole $5.

The next building was creeted in No- vember, of the same year, by Robert Clark. It was a frame building, 18x24 feet, quite a large house for those days, and stood about where the Clark Hotel now stands. In 1861 Samuel Tennis purchased the building, moved it to the lot where John Plummer's residence now is, and

commeneed keeping hotel. Mr. Tennis owned the building two or three years, then sold it to De Witt C. Hayes, who re- fitted it and made it his home for several years. J. C. Harwood became the next owner, and after a few years, he sold to John Plummer. Mr. Plummer used the building until a few years ago, when he erected his present residence, moving the old one out of town.

In 1857 quite a number of houses were built, among which were the residences of Nathan Jefford's, Thomas Bearse and A. l'. Harper.

Nathan Jeffords put up a frame house back of where J. S. Olson's store now is. Thomas Bearse built near where the Congregational church now stands. This house was a frame and was one of the best in the city at the time.

A. B. Ilarper built a log cabin near where the City Bank now is. This con- tinned in use by different parties until 1862, when it was burned.

During this year and the one following, buildings went up rapidly and the hamlet began assuming the proportions of a small city. In October, 1858, Forest City was made the county seat of Winnebago eoun- ty. The following is a list of the names of the citizens at this time: Robert Clark, Charles Il. Day, B. F. Denslow, A. K. Cur- tis, N. G. Curtis, William Gilbert, B. A. Hill, Cornelius Baker, Avery Baker, John S. Blowers, A. T. Cole, James Church, Charles Church, James Lackore, William Lackore, George Lackore, C. II. Lackore, Ilarrison Beadle, George Beadle, John Maben, Charles Lutz, David Lutz, David Stancliff, Nathan Jeffords, John Jeffords, Charles Bice, Thomas Bearse, A. P. llar-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

per, Sylvester Baker, Sylvester Belcher, Martin Bumgardner, II. S. Bottsford and George Strong.

Among those who came in 1859 are: David Secor,, George Butts, John H. T. Ambrose, Simon, Jonathan and Edwin Trumbull and Ethan Ames. George Butts was married to Sarab Beadle, and in 1861 removed to Des Moines, his present place of residence. The others of those last named are still residents of the county.

FIRST THINGS.

The first child born in Forest City was Brentner Clark, son of Robert and Re- becca (Brentner) Clark. He was born in the summer of 1858.

Shortly after the organization of the coun- ty in October, 1857, Judge Clark officiated at the first marriage ceremony ever per- formed in the county or in Forest City. The contracting parties were Sylvester Belcher and Viola Lackore.

The first to die in Forest City was Samuel Jeffords in the fall of 1859. Ile died of lung disease.

The first house within the corporate limits of Forest City was built in the spring of 1856, by Robert Clark, in the Blennerhassett block.

'The first store was built where the City Bank now stands by Alexander Long, in the fall of 1856.

Long & Moreland opened the first store that same fall.

The first hotel was built in the fall of 1856, by Samnel Akers on the corner op- posite the present site of the City Bank.

The first school was taught in 1858, by Sarah Beadle. The house in which the school was held was the one built by Nathan Jeffords.

Rev. Hankins, a methodist minister, preached the first sermon in a little build- ing used by the county officers, and called the "court house."

The first title to lots in the village, was acquired by A. T. Cole. Robert Clark, owner of the town plat, offered to give two lots to every person who would build thereon, and Mr. Cole was the first to take the offer.

The first school honse was built in 1857, near where the Methodist church now stands. It was a frame building, 16x20 feet. It was sold at anction after the brick school house was built, and became the property of B. F. Denslow. Denslow sold the building to John Maben, who moved into llancock county.

The second school house was built in about 1859, of brick. It was 20x25 feet, two stories high, and cost about $4,000. It was destroyed by fire in 1873. This school house was the first brick building in the county.

The first Congregationalist minister who preached in Forest City was Rev. Mr. Littlefield, who visited the place sometime in the summer of 1866.

POSTOFFICE.

Forest City postoffice was established in 1857, with Robert Clark as the first postmaster. In 1860 Keeler Curtis was appointed, and was succeeded in 1861 by llon. David Secor. In 1872 Mr. Secor resigned, recommending J. W. Mahoney, who was appointed postmaster, and has held the position ever since. In 1874 the office was made a money-order office. The first money-order was issued July 6, 1874, by Marcellus Halvorsen to J. W. Phillips, of Clear Lake, the amount being -

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

$6. Since that time there have been 6,110 orders issued.

J. W. Mahoney, one of the enterprising business men of Forest City, was born in La Porte Co., Ind., April 24, 1841. His parents were Daniel and Mary A.(Walton) Mahoney, and were the parents of five children. Daniel Mahoney in early life was a whig, but at the time of the organi- zation of the republican party, joined and remained with it until the time of his death, in 1864. Mrs. Mahoney is still living in Floyd Co., Iowa. The subject of this sketch enlisted in 1861 in the 3d lowa Battery, and participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Helena, Ark., Little Rock and the Yazoo expedition. At the close of the war he returned to Floyd county, where he remained until 1869, when he removed to Forest City and en- giged in the mercantile business. In 1870 he was appointed deputy postmaster, and in 1873 was appointed to that office, which he still holds. In 1868 he was married to Mary E. Barmore, by whom he has had three children-Irving W., Edna M. and Hugh J. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and one of the live business men of Forest City.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

During the spring and summer of 1856 Robert Clark kept a few goods on sale in his shanty in what is now known as Blen- nerhassett's block. llis stock in trade consisted of a chest of tea, probably a lit- t'e sngar, some tobacco, etc.

Alexander Long and JJoshua Moreland opened the first regular store in Novem- ber, 1856. They had a large stock of goods for that early day, and their store was the headquarters for all trading for

some time. They occupied the building built by Long, where the City Bank now stands. In December, 1856, "Alex" Long was frozen to death, and Moreland con- tinned to run the store till the following spring, when the stock passed into the hands of Robert Clark. In the fall of 1857 Clark sold to Blowers & Byford, who continned the business for nearly a year. About this time Byford pocketed all the money he could lay hands on, $2,000, or over, and left-"sloped." Mr. Blowers continued a short time, then sold back to Robert Clark, who moved the goods to his own building. After six or eight months A. K. Curtis became propri- etor of the store, and moved the goods to a frame building near where Jasper Thompson's residence now stands. He continued the business about one year, then sold to C. II. Day. In the spring of 1859 Martin Bumgardner opened a store in the building now occupied by Abbie Secor's millinery. He continued in busi- ness here for abont two years, then sold out to Charles H. Day, who merged the stock with that which he had purchased of A. K. Curtis. The business was con- tinued by Mr. Day until in about 1863, when he sold to a man by the name of Cummings. Cummings conducted the business for nearly one year, when it passed by purchase into the hands of A. L. Plummer. Shortly after, Mr. Plum- mer took in as a partner a little Jew, who continued in the firm for a few months, and was drafted into the United States service. He did not like going to the war, however, and, selling ont to Mr. Plummer, left very hastily for parts un- known. In the spring of 1866 Hiram K.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

Landru became proprietor, and after run- ning the business about four months, took in "Sam" Herrick as partner. This part- nership did not last long, however. With- in a few months Herrick retired from the business, and soon after, Landru sold the entire stock to A. L. Plnmmer. Mr. Plummer added to the stock, and built what is now Blennerhassett's drug store, into which he moved shortly after. In 1868 B. A. Plummer purchased an interest in the store, and the firm was Plummer Bros. until May 1, 1869, when J.W. Maho- ney and B. A. Plummer became the own- ers. Mahoney & Plummer continued in partnership for about one year and a half, when Mr. Mahoney became sole proprie- tor. In 1872 Mr. Mahoney built the store building adjoining the City Bank, and moved into it in the fall of that year. He is still in business.

The third general store was opened in 1866 by David Secor. He occupied one of the rooms in the court house for about seven months, then moved his goods to the Abbie Secor building, where he continued for about two and a half years. Solmer & Morgan then purchased the stock, added more goods, and had a man by the name of Brown in charge for one year. The store then became the property of E. D. Hinman, who intended moving the stock to Lake Mills, but inside of two or three days he sold out to George Lackore. The latter gentleman erected a new building on the corner south of the Winnebago County Bank, and after running the busi- ness there about six months, took in J. WV. Fisher as partner. This partnership lasted about a year, when Mr. Lackore re- tired and J. W. Fisher became sole pro-

prietor. Jasper Thompson soon after purchased a half interest. In six months Mr. Thompson bought out his partner, J. W. Fisher, and continued the busi- ness as sole owner until the summer of 1883, when he sold to J. II. Lewis. Soon after the firm became Lewis & Skarie. About Dec. 1, 1883, Jasper Thompson, mortgagee, took possession of the store, and closed out the stock.

In 1870 B. A. Plummer built the brick store on the corner opposite the City Bank and opened a general stock of goods. A few months later J. C. Harwood became a partner, and the firm of Plummer & Harwood ran the business about eight months, when Ilarwood retired. At this time John Plummer became a partner and so continned until in 1876, when he be- came sole proprietor, remaining as such until 1879. In 1879 Myron Barton pur- chased a half interest and about one year later bought the whole stock.

In 1871 W. O. Hanson and A. A. Aiken brought a stock of goods from Decorah, this State, and opened a store in the building now occupied by Nels George. Two years later Mr. Hanson purchased his partner's interest and built what is now Koto's drug store. Ile kept a general store in this building about a year, then closed out his dry goods, and made a specialty of boots and shoes. One year later he sold out to Jasper Thompson, who merged the goods with his other stock.

Messrs. Saibert & Stife opened a gen- eral store in a building where the Winne- bago County Bank now stands. They con- tinned in partnership for about two years when Mr. Saibert became sole proprietor.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

One year later Mr. Saibert sold out to G. G. Onstadt. In 1880 Mr. Onstadt built a new building just north of his old site, and took in as partner John Isaacson. In the fall of 1882 Mr. Isaacson became sole proprietor, and is still continuing the business.

J. S. Olson and Nels George opened a general store in the Nels George building in 1874. They continued their partner- ship about two years, when they dissolved, Nels George continuing the business, in which he is still engaged.

In 1877 Thomas Jacobs, O. B. Knud- son and J. S. Olson formed a co-partnership and opened a general store. They brought their goods from Chicago and opened up in Ilanson's old store. The firm con- tinued as above for about six months, when Mr. Jacobs retired. 'Three months later Knudson sold to Mr. Olson, who continued the business. In 1882 Mr. Of- son built a store building on the corner directly east of P. O. Koto's drug store, and has since continued the business in his own building. The firm is now J. S. Olson & Son.

The representatives of the general trade in 1883 were: J. W. Mahoney, Myron Barton, Nels George, J. S. Olson & Son and John Isaacson.

John S. Olson, one of the enterprising merchants of Forest City, was born near Christiana, Norway, Jan. 10, 1826. In the spring of 1849 he emigrated to America, landing in New York after a voyage of eight weeks, and from there went to Mil- waukee and then to Racine county, where he was employed on a firm, re- ceiving from $10 to $15 per month. The following fall he removed to Michigan,

and the next spring returned to Racine, In 1855 he was married to Anna Nelson, by whom he has had eight children, four of whom are living- Albert, Amelia, Henry and Willie. In 1860 he removed to Win- neshiek Co., Iowa, where he purchased a farm. In 1862 he enlisted in the 38th Iowa Infantry, and participated in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, Black River expe- dition, thence to Texas by way of New Orleans. In January, 1865, the regiment was consolidated with the 34th and en- gaged in the capture of Fort Morgan, charge on Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort. He was discharged at Houston, Texas, at the close of the war. In 1870 he removed to Winnebago county, locating in Forest City. In 1875 he engaged in the mercan- tile business, which he has since followed. ITe came to this country in limited cir- cumstances, but by close attention to business has obtained a comfortable prop- erty, and to-day is among the well-to-do business men of the city. Mr. Olson is a member of the G. A. R. post, and with his wife is a member of the Scandinavian M. E. Church.

John Isaacson, one of the enterprising business men of Forest City, was born in Norway, March 12, 1840. In 1855 his parents emigrated to America, landing in Quebec, and from there went to Dane Co., Wis., where he was reared as a farm boy, receiving a limited edneation in the com- mon schools. In 1862 he enlisted in the 27th Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, com- pany H. Entering the army as fourth sergeant and afterwards promoted to or- derly. He participated in the capture of Vicksburg, Miss., Little Rock, Ark., bat- tles of Saline River, Prairie D'Ann and

2.8 Anderson

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

Camden, Ark. In the siege of Spanish Fort and capture of Fort Blakely and Mo- bile, Ala., from there to Brownsville, Texas. Ile was then promoted to 2d lieu- tenant. Soon before the war closed he was mustered out at Brownsville, Texas, in September, 1865, and returned home, and again engaged in the occupation of farming until 1874, when he removed to Madison, Wis., and clerked in the store of Dunning & Sumner, where he learned the business. In 1880, he removed to Forest City, Iowa, embarking in the mercantile business, car rying a full line of dry goods and gro- ceries, boots, shoes and clothing, in fact everything usually found in a first-class store. In 1865 he was married to Carrie Olson, of Oconomowoc, Wis., by whom he has had nine children -- Clara, Delia, Charles, Elmore, John, George, Mable, Amanda and Sumner Elsworth. Mr. and Mrs. Isaacson are members of the Lu- theran Church. He is also a member of the G. A. R. Mr. Isaacson came to this country a poor boy, but by fair dealing has accumulated a comfortable property.

In the spring of 1872, L. L. Brentner opened a general store in the Abbie Secor building. He ran the business one and a half years and sold to James Pinckney. who closed out the dry goods and con- tinned the store as a grocery. In 1883 the grocery trade was represented by James Pinckney and T. Jacobs.

In the fall of 1870, Dr. W. H. Jones opened the first drug store in what is now the Pinckney Hotel. In 1872 the stock was sold to James Pinckney, who com- bined it with his grocery business. In 1872 Mr. Pinckney erected a store building opposite the postoffice, and moved his

goods into it. He is still occupying the same building.

In 1883 the drug trade was represented by A. Blennerhassett, P. O. Koto & Co., and James Pinckney.

James Pinckney, one of the carly set- tler of Winnebago county, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Dee. 8, 1835. Ilis parent were Alpheus and Sally (Griffin) Pinckney. When James was sixteen years old he went to Cattaraugus county, where he learned the trade of a cooper, which he followed for a number of years. Here he was married to Martha Paisley, by whom he had four children-Mary, Edson, Edwin and Ida. In the spring of 1862 he came to Forest City, then a wild, unsettled country, their nearest settlement on the west at Algona, Kossuth county ; on the north, Mankato, Minn. In the spring of 1871 Mrs. Pinckney died, and he gave up farming and engaged in the drug business. He was again married to Mar- tha Bolsted. Five children have been born to them, two of whom are living- Ray and Arthur. In 1881 he engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Pinckney came to the county poor, but by hard work and close attention to business, has accumula- ted a comfortable property. He has a farm of 120 acres, besides his drug and grocery business valued at $3,000.

A. Blennerhassett, one of the leading druggists in Forest City, was born in county Kerry, Ireland. Ile is a son of the late IIenry Blennerhassett, Esq., M. D., of county Kerry, and a grandson of the IIon. Richard and Elizabeth Blenner- hassett, of Ballymacprior. When he was twenty-one years of age he left Ireland for Australia, where he was engaged in

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

the gold fields and was for a time man- ager of the Colonial Gold Companies works at Tambaroora and also in the Wentworth Gold Fields, New South Wales. He was instrumental in putting up one of the first forty power engines on the gold fields for crushing quartz, and was engaged in the several gold fields in Australia for ten years. He then returned to his native country and was married May 25, 1865, at Monkstown Church, Kingstown, near Dub- lin, by the Rev. Henry Johnston, to Eliza- beth Maire, daughter of Hamilton Haire, Esq., of Glassdrummond, county Ferma- nagh, Ireland, and shortly after went to reside in London, England, where he re- mained for two years. Hle again in May, 1868, with his family left the old country for America, settling in Black Hawk Co., Iowa, where he purchased a farm. Not liking the farming business, he sold out soon after and removed to Rudd, Floyd county. There he had a building erected and commenced the drug business, but finding it was not paying and no prospect of the town improving, he had his build ing taken down and put up again in Rock- ford of the same county. He then in August, 1871, removed to Forest City, where he has continued the drug business since. Mr. and Mrs. Blennerhassett have three children-Rowland Aremberg, Fred- derick T. and Annie HI. Mr. Blennerhas- sett is a practical druggist and carries a complete stock of drugs, paints, oils, wall paper, notions, toys, etc., and in fact every- thing that can be found in a first class drug store.

The first hardware store in Forest City was established in 1870 by L. Stilson, in a little building next to the Summit office.

Some time after, Mr. Stilson's son, E. L., became a partner, and Stilson & Son re- mained as the name of the firm until the death of the father, which occurred in January, 1879. E. L. Stilson ran the busi- ness alone until the fall of 1881, when II. C. Reed purchased an interest, and the firm became Stilson & Reed.

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History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 107

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 950

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950