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 50

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 50
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 50
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 50

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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IHISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

Ford, J. R. Jones & Co., Robinson Bros., and Mathew Richardson.

J. R. Jones & Co., established by Mr. Jones, in the fall of 1870, when he put up the present building he occupies. In the spring of 1872, he admitted, as a partner, Thomas Hamson, and the business was conducted under the firm name of Jones & Hamson. This lasted but about a year when Mr. Jones became the purchaser of his partner's interest. In 1882, G. H. Lampson purchased a half interest therein and the style of the firm name changed to its present one of J. R. Jones & Co.

The first harness shop was started by F. W. Hawes, in the spring of 1870. He came here from Nashua, Chickasaw Co., Iowa, and opened in a small building on the north side of State street where the drug store of B. G. Forbush now stands. In 1871, he moved into his present quar- ters This store room is 22x70 feet in size and is filled with a fine stock of har- ness and everything in that line, besides a stock of clothing, boots and shoes and trunks. Besides Mr. Hawes, this line of trade is worthily represented by M. W. Stough and Walters & Co.

Milton R. Walters, harness maker, was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., Jan. 19, 1850. lle is a son of Reuben and J. Mitchell Walters, natives of New York, who emi- grated to Indiana in an early day. Mr. Walters was a soldier in the Union army, where he contracted a disease of which he lost his life. The subject of this sketeh went to Humboldt Co., Iowa, in 1861. lIere he turned over the first sod where Humboldt now stands. Also helped to haul the first lumber to build the first house. Hle was married in Humboldt

county to Clara Penny, by whom he has had four children-George, Jennie, Ella and Edna. In 1874 he came to Al- gona, where he has followed bis trade ever since. Mr. Walters is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge of Algona. In politics he is a staunch republican, and has held several local offices of trust.

P. L. Slagle was born June 6, 1845, in Greene Co., Ohio. His parents were George W. and Martha (Long) Slagle. Ilis mother was from Philadelphia, Penn. His father was a Virginian and came to. Ohio at an early day. In 1843 they moved to Wheatly county, where they still reside. P. L. Slagle was reared in Ohio and In- diana. When seventeen years of age he was apprenticed to the trade of saddler and harness maker. In 1864 he enlisted in company D, 11th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battle of Nashville, Tenn., and other engage- ments. Ile served till the close of the war. In 1858 he married Sarah Crabb. They have five children-Charles II., Elmer H., Frank II., George HI. and Walden II. In 1868 he came to Algona, where he has followed his trade. He is a member of the Masonie fraternity, Blue Lodge and Chapter, also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.

The first merchant tailor in Algona was J. K. Fill, who established that business on the 26th day of March, 1860, when he came here. He came from Ogle Co., Ill., where he had been engaged in the same line of business. He is regarded as one of the first business men of the eity.

J. K. Fill, merchant tailor, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Jan. 22, 1811. Ilere

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

he learned the trade of tailor in the shop of his father, at the age of fourteen years, serving three years' apprenticeship. In 1838 he emigrated to America, locating in Baltimore. He remained in Baltimore a few years, and then removed to Dauphin Co., Penn. In 1853 he removed to Ogle Co., Ill., remaining there until 1860, when he came to Kossuth eounty and settled on a farm in Irvington township. While run- ning his farm he again engaged in his pres. ent business. In 1873 he removed his family to Algona, where they have since resided. Ile was united in marriage, in 1843, in Dauphin Co., Penn., with Eliza J. Price. By this nnion there were eight children. Mr. Fill is a republican politically. He enlisted in company F, 2d Iowa Cavalry, and participated in many engagements.

For many years the repairing of wagons had been done by the blacksmiths, who were al-o workers in wood to that extent, but in 1876, Bradley & Nicoulin em- barked in the business of manufacturing wagons, carriages, etc., and repairing the same. They have a large establishment, employing twelve men, and turn ont 300 wagons and carriages per year. The Al- gona lumber wagon made by them has an excellent reputation, not only local, but as far west as Chamberlain, Dak., to which point and intervening ones they are shipped.

A. M. Johnson & Son are also an enter- prising wagon making firm. They opened a shop in 1882 and are doing quite an ex- tensive business. The Johnson wagon is deservedly popular.

A. M. Johnson is a native of Delaware Co., N. Y. When eighteen years of age he learned the blacksmith's trade. He

was married in 1844 to Elizabeth Fish, they having four children-George, Lafay- ette, Edward and Angusta. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company F, 31st Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and took part in Sher- man's raid on Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Young's Point, siege and capture of Vicks- bnrg; here he was taken siek and sent to Lossing's hospital, from there to Quincy, Ill., when in February, 1864, he was dis- charged. Hle then returned to Jackson Co., Iowa, where he had settled in 1856. In 1865 he located in Irvington township, now Sherman township, on section 5, where he engaged in farming, and in the spring of 1879 came to Algona. In the spring of 1882 he opened up a wagon shop in company with his son, where they turn out some excellent work, and are known far and wide as the Johnson wagon. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Watch repairing was first done by J. H. Warren, and the business, as well as stocks of jewelry kept by F. M. Bronson and E. G. Bowyer, at the present.

William Cordingley was the first to deal exclusively in the shoe business, and manufacture and repair the foot gear of this community. He started in it about fifteen years ago, in 1868, and is still the most important merchant in that line, where it is handled exclusively.

The meat market business is well rep- resented by three stands, those of Frank Winkel, Mrs. Schweigs and J. Winkel.

It is elaimed that the first photographer to locate here, was a party by the name of Thompson. This line is represented at this time by Saunders & Fuller and

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

J. F. Nicoulin, who enjoy a large and lucrative business.

J. F. Nicoulin was born Feb. 24, 1847, in Massachusetts. His parents were Xa- vier and Paulina (Parset) Nieoulin, his father a native of Switzerland, and his mother of France. When young people they came to America, and were married in Pittsfield, Mass. In 1849 they went to Vermont, and in 1354 emigrated to Dodge Co., Wis. Mr. Nicoulin was drowned in 1859, in Rock river, while constructing a bridge over the stream. Mrs. Niconlin was afterwards married to Frank Bernard. They are living at Appleton, Wis. J. F. Nicoulin went to Appleton when four- teen years of age, and was employed for nine years as clerk in a store. 'In 1870 he came to Algona, and in 1873 opened a photograph gallery. In 1880 he married Isabella Gilbraith, a daughter of William Gilbraith, of Kossuth county. Mr. Nicou- lin is a member of the I. O. O. F.

Dr Parker was the first dentist to lo- cate in Algona. At the present C. B. Cole, E. S. Ensign and L. K. Garfield, M. D., are the representatives of this branch of business.

In 1868 E. S. Lamb commenced the first livery business, and followed it for several years in connection with the hotel. Several parties have engaged in it since then, but Grove & Co., and Smith & Ring are the live liverymen of Algona, at the present writing.

Isaac Grove, liveryman, Algona, was born June 13, 1818, in Union Co., Penn. He there learned the shoemaker's trade, continuing to work at the same until 1844. He then went to Rockford, Ill., being engaged in teaming between

that city and Chicago for many years. He also engaged in farming near Rock- ford. In 1864 he moved to Charles City, Iowa, being engaged in farming and other occupations until 1873. He then Jocated near Nora Springs, farming in that neigh- borhood until 1875, then coming to Kos- suth county, and settling on section 4, Algona township. Ile engaged in farm- ing until 1879, when he went into the liv- ery business in Algona Mr. Grove was married, Jan. 1, 1842, to Annie E. Ziebach. He has five children living-Marion, Emily J., Samuel, John and Jacob F. Mrs. Grove died Feb. 17, 1864. Mr. Grove married in August, 1864, Mrs. Laura (Tennant) Lynch, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Grove is a member of the Congregational Church.

J. A. Smith was born Sept. 27, 1847, in Prussia. In June, 1870, he emigrated to America, settling in Clinton Co., Iowa, and engaged in farming. After one year he went on a farm in Calhoun county In 1880 he disposed of this farm and pur- chased another. In 1882 he removed to Pomeroy, where he engaged in the livery business. In June of the same year he was burnt ont. In 1883 he came to Algona, and is still in the livery business. He still owns the farm in Calhoun county.

In all new counties the real estate busi- ness has always taken a prominence, and the town of Algona, in this respect, has at all times been particularly favored. The first party to engage in this line was Axa C. Call, who came to Algona in 1855, with that intention. The first mention of any transfer of property in the town of Algona, is the sale of a town lot by him to Lyman L. Treat, for the consideration

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of $1. There are many parties in the city, at present, engaged in this business, prominent among whom are: George C. Call, who is the successor to his father, A. C. Call; J. W. Jensen, the representa- tive of Fredericksen, Hansen & Drum- mond; C. Byson, J. E. Stacy, the agent of the American Emigrant Society; C. L. Lund, J. B. Jones, W. H. Nycum and O. E. Palmer. Ambrose A. Call, W. II. Ing- ham and L. II. Smith are also interested in this business, in connection with their general banking business.

George C. Call, real estate, abstract and loan agent, is a son of Asa C. Call, and is successor to his father in the oldest estab- lished real estate business in Algona, his father having established the same in 1854. Mr. Call became interested in the business in 1879, and Dec. 5, 1882, he suc- ceeded the firm in his present business. He is a native of Algona, and was born Sept. 24, 1860. Ile was here reared and educated. From his youth he has been engaged in the land business, and though a young man has been unusnally success- ful. Mr. Call is a member of Algona Lodge, No. 236, I. O. O. F. of this city.

John W. Jensen is a native of Norway, born May 31, 1854. Ile was there reared on a farm. In August, 1872, he emigra- ted to the United States, locating in Kos- suth Co., Iowa. He here engaged in farming and various lines of business un- til the spring of 1883, when he accepted his present position as agent for Freder- ieksen, Ilansen & Drummond. Mr. Jensen was married June 8, 1878, to Mary Jacob- son, also a native of Norway. They have three children-Emma Julie, Ida Maria

and William Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Jen- sen are members of the Lutheran Church.

C. Byson, real estate agent, was born in Denmark, Feb. 22, 1842, being there reared on a farm. In April, 1869, he emigrated to America, settling in Warren Co., Penn Ile divided his time between Jefferson and Clarion counties, Penn., un- til 1882. Ile then came to Algona, tak- ing charge of the real estate business of A. Boysen until October, 1883, when he established his present business. When Mr. Byson arrived at Castle Garden, N. Y., he had but $1 in his pocket, and his success may be judged from the faet that he is now quite a large property owner in the city of Algona. In June, 1870, Mr. Byson was married to Anna M. Peterson, also a native of Denmark. They have three children-John R., Kinnie E. and Anthony.

Christian L. Lund, real estate agent, was born in Denmark, Aug. 3, 1850. He was there reared to manhood, receiving his education at the Royal University of Copenhagen, at which institution his father, Miller Lund, has for many years been professor of theology. When twenty- one years of age he entered the regular army of Denmark, according to custom, and served one year. In 1873 he came to the United States, going directly to Chi- cago, III., where he resided one year, then removed to Saline Co., Neb., where he re- mained one year. He then went to Kear- ney Co., Neb., where he resided three years, engaging in real estate business and stock raising. He then went to Colo- rado, residing in Leadville and Denver for one year, after which he returned to Chicago, where he again remained one

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IHISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

year. He then removed to Algona, Iowa, engaging in the real estate business. He owns large farms in Kossuth and Emmett counties, and is extensively engaged in stock raising in the southeastern part of Emmett county.

In the line of insurance, the business is well represented by H. Hoxie, A. D. Clark, F. M. Taylor, J. J. Wilkinson, L. HI. Smith, Jonathan B. Winkle, C. F. Calkins and J. B. Jones.

J. Wallace & Co., the proprietors of the creamery and cheese factories, are among the most prominent business men of the community. They commenced operations in Kossuth county in 1874, building that year a cheese factory about three miles east of Algona. Early the next year they erected one six miles east of the city. Later they built two more, one in Irvington and another three miles north of Algona. In 1876 four factories were erected by them, one in the south- west part of the county, one in Lott's Creek township, one in Fenton, and the fourth in the northwestern part of Hnm- boldt county. They continued their busi- ness until 1877, when the style of the firm was changed to Wallace, White & Reed, but only remained this way for one year, when it was changed back to the original name of J. Wallace & Co. In 1878 they reduced their business, discontinuing all but four factories. They engaged in the creamery business in the fall of 1879, and were the first in Kossuth county, and the second in the State to adopt the new sys- tem. During their first year of the creamery business they made 2,500 pounds of butter daily. In the spring of 1885 they engaged in the same line of business

at the rising town of Bancroft, in this county, and are among the heaviest deal- ers in this line in northern Iowa. They also buy all kinds of prodnee and grain, and are live, energetic, business men.

Blossom Bros. began business in Algona in May, 1878, in the line of buying and shipping all kinds of produce, butter, eggs, poultry, etc. They are also propri- etors of a creamery at East Algona, and occupy two store rooms, 22x60 feet, and the upper stories of the same building also. They manufacture during the proper season about 3,000 pounds of butter daily, and handle three ear loads of poultry, and 200,000 pounds of dairy butter per year.

C. H. Blossom, of the firm of Blossom Bros., produce merchants, was born in Cook Co., Ill., Aug. 19, 1853. He came to Waverly, Iowa, in 1861, and has been in the produce business since 1872. Ile located in Algona in 1878. The firm is doing a large business in dairy butter, poultry, eggs, and the manufacture of creamery butter.

The flax mill and hay press of B. Mor- ris & son, is one of the foremost busi- ness enterprises of the town. This was creeted in July, 1880, and is somewhat of a success, and will doubtless improve as more and more flax is grown by the agri- culturists of the county. They press and bale about 1,000 tons of hay per year, also, and have $8,000 invested in their business.

The steam grist mill and grain elevator located at the depot of the C. M. & St. P. railroad are the property of J J. Wilson, one of Algona's most prominent, enter- prising and energetie business men. In 1871 he engaged here in the Inmber busi

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ness, and in that same summer built the ele- vator, to handle the grain he was buying. This structure is 20x52 feet, with an ad- dition, since erected, of 24x32 feet in size. The mill, which is one of the best in this section of the Slate, was built by O. J. Hack, in 1872, but came into the posses- sion of Mr. Wilson in 1874. This build- ing is 36x56 feet in dimension, and is thoroughly equipped with the most mod- ern machinery on the roller system, and has a capacity of turning out sixty bar- rels of flour daily. Mr. Wilson is also engaged in the coal, lumber, grain and stock business at this point, and at Whittemore, this county, and Emmets- burg, Palo Alto county, and employs a capital of $40,000 in his various businesses.

The first steps toward the banking busi- ness were taken on the Ist of January, 1867, by W H. Ingham, who opened an account with Austin Corbin, of New York city, to draw bills of exchange against. The first draft was made upon the 11th of January, and was for $100 from James L. Paine, of Algona, to a clergyman in Missouri. On the 1st of January, 1870, just three years later, Mr Ingham and Lewis II. Smith formed a co-partnership under the firm name of Ingham & Smith, for the transaction of a regular banking business. Mr. Smith painted the sign for the pioneer bank, which is yet among the archives of the institution. During the year 1871 they built the fine edifice now occupied by the Kossuth County Bank, which is one of the finest buildings in the city. Erected of Milwaukee brick, two stories high, the upper story being occupied as offices, fine French plate glass windows, and fitted up

in a superb manner inside, it is a structure that would not be out of place among the palatial piles of Chicago or Milwaukee.

On the 16th of May, 1873, the Kossuth County Bank, was organized and incor- porated upon the foundation land by Messrs. Ingham & Smith. This was a stock company and the officers chosen at that date have continued to be re-elected their own snecessors, to the present moment. They are as follows: W. II. Ingham, president; J. B. Jones, vice- president; L. H. Smith, cashier; J. W. Wadsworth, teller. The board of direc- tors is composed of the following gentle- men: W. H. Ingham, L. Il. Smith, J. B. Jones, B. W. Devine, John G. Smith, Theodore Chrischilles and J. W. Wads- worth. This institution has a capital of $50,000 and is incorporated under the general banking laws of the State. The gentlemen who are the head of the con- cern are widely and extensively known, being among the first settlers in this part of the State, and for reliability, integrity and probity, as well as for being men of wealth and business experience none en- joy a better reputation. Briefly, this in- stitution is regarded as one of the staunch and reliable fixtures of Kossuth's business interests and entitled to the unlimited confidence of the public.

Joseph W. Wadsworth, teller of the Kossuth County Bank, was born in Keno- sha Co., Wis., Nov. 13, 1853. His parents, John and Rebecca (Whitley) Wadsworth, were natives of England, and emigrated to the United States, in 1847. Mr. Wads- worth was reared and educated in Keno- sha county. In 1870 he attended Spen- cer's Commercial College, at Milwaukee,

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

graduating with honors. In May, 1873, he was appointed teller of the Kossuth County Bank, which position he still holds. In October, 1875, Mr. Wadsworth was married to Emeline A. Watkins, a dangh- ter of John Watkins, of Mower Co., Minn. Two children have blessed this union- Alice R. and Harvey J. Mr. Wadsworth is an active member of the Masonie fra- ternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge Chapter and Commandery.

The Bank of Algona was established un- der the existing State laws, on the 18th of November, 1880,and at once assumed, and still maintains a permanent place in the banking interest of this section, and is a most valuable adjunet to commercial inter ests. The faculties for transacting all busi- ness pertaining to the banking system are unsurpassed, and in its construction and organization, everything has been consid- ered calculated to enhance the interest and security of those so fortunate as to be numbered among its patrons. The official management of the institution is vested as follows: AmbroseA. Call,president; D. II. IIutchins, vice-president; V. II. Stough, cashier. The board of directors is made up of some of the best men in the com- munity, and add solidity, were that neces- sary, to the above named official heads. It is composed of the following gentle- men: D. II. Hutchins, Joseph Thompson, G. N. Hancock, Philip Dorweiler, A. A. Call, William Carey and V. II. Stough. The bank draws drafts on all foreign countries, through Gilman, Son & Co., of New York, and on Chicago, through the First National Bank of that city. For the security of the funds entrusted to them, they have a Diebold fire and burglar-proof

safe, fitted with a Sargent & Greenleaf time lock.

Ambrose A. Call, the pioneer of Kos- suth county, and one of the figures around which cluster much of the historic annals of the past, was born in Huron Co., Ohio, upon the 9th of June, 1833. He is the son of Asa and Mary (Metcalf) Call, and comes of good stock. His grandfather was one of the noble band of patriots that achieved our National Independence in the Revo- lution, and his father served in the army that preserved it during the War of 1812-15. When the subject of this sketch was but a few months old, his father died and his widowed mother removed to Cat- tarangus Co., N. Y., where she had friends. Five years later, however, she returned to the west, going beyond her old home in Ohio, and locating at South Bend, Ind., where she remained many years. Ambrose left home at the age of fifteen, he having received a common school education in the meanwhile. The summer of 1850, the subject of our sketch established a news depot at Dayton, Ohio, delivering the C'in- cinnati dailies ahead of the mails. The fall and winter of the same year, he at- tended commercial college in Cincinnati, Ohio. In the spring of 1854 he turned his steps westward and brought up in Iowa; at this time he was but twenty-one years of age, and in company with his elder brother, who had just returned from the gold fields of California, he came north from Fort Des Moines, as it was then called, into what is now Kossuth county, arriving here the 9th of July, 1854. In 1861 he established the first newspaper in the county, the Algona Pioneer Press, an account of which, see elsewhere. This he

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

continued to edit for several years. For the last twenty years, Mr. Call has been a government mail contractor, and at the present time controlls a large number of routes throughout the northwest. He was united in marriage with Nancy E. Hen- derson, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, in October, 1859, a lady whose ancestors have a his- toric record in the settlement of Ken- tucky. Their union has been blessed with seven living children-Florence M., Edith, Etta L., Bertha A., Chester C. and Roscoe and Myrtle, twins. In politics Mr. Call has ever affiliated with the republican party, and has taken great interest in the success of the measures advocated in the platforms of that party. Although fre- quently solicited, Mr. Call has persist- ently refused political preferment, and has never been an office seeker or holder. A prominent Mason, he carries into every day life the teachings of the craft, and deals with his fellow man as he would be dealt with. With his brother he founded the city of Algona, and was also the founder of Bancroft, the second town of importance in the county. Ask him his occupation, and his reply will be, a farmer, which is in fact, true, as he has over 1,000 acres of this rich Iowa prairie, brought under subjection to the plough. Conservative in business, Mr. Call has had the good fortune to accumulate an easy competence by shrewd investments, and as the result of his mail business. Hle is at present, president of the Bank of Algona, and one of Kossuth county's most prominent representative citizens.

D. H. Hutchins was born Sept. 20, 1823, in Franklin Co., N. Y. He was raised a "farmer boy," and received his education

in the district schools and Franklin Academy, where he attended three terms. He went to Indiana in the spring of 1845; resided there two years, then returned to Franklin county, where for five years he worked on a farm summers and taught school winters. He went to California in the spring of 1852, in company with his brother; was engaged in mining and other pursuits for two years, and returned home in the spring of 1854. A year later he moved to Clayton Co., Iowa, and engaged in farming. In 1862 he enlisted as a pri- vate in company E, 27th regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry; was elected orderly sergeant by the company in the spring of 1863, and promoted to second lientenant in the fall of 1864, participating in the battles of Little Rock, Fort De Russy, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Fish Bayou, Tupelo and Nashville; was discharged May 15, 1865, while in hospital at Natchez, Miss. He returned to Clayton county, re- maining there until March, 1869, when he settled in Algona, and engaged in the im- plement trade. 1Ie has 250 acres of land under cultivation, and is now assistant cashier in the Bank of Algona. He mar- ried Helen M. Whitney, of Franklin Co., N. Y. They have had four children, three now living-Clayton B., auditor of Kos- suth county ; Lucina M., wife of A. F. Call, of Algona, and Celia V. Mr. ITutchins was commissioned captain of uniformed militia by Gov. Seymour, of New York, and of Home Guards, by Gov. Stone, of Iowa; was elected four times justice of the peace, and served one term as supervisor of Kossuth county.

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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 50

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