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 84

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 84
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 84
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 84

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 hotel was built by John Davidson, of Galesburg, Ill., in the spring of 1871. Ile operated this about a year, when it passed into the hands of William Finch, who shortly afterwards converted it into a dwelling house.

The next hotel was built by Robert Elder during the year 1873. This was opened as the Elder Honse, under the management of Robert Elder, the proprietor, now the dep- uty treasurer of the county. A model land- lord, who knew how to make his guests feel at home, Mr. Elder at once drew to himself a large patronage. This is the house now known as the Fehly House, Frederick Fehly having purchased it some eight years ago, and is doing a good busi- ness therein.

Frederick Fehly, proprietor of the Febly House, Garner, Iowa, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 6th of January, 1826. He was edneated in Ber- lin in one of the largest engine works in the world. lle has also traveled in all the principal cities in Europe to facilitate his education as a machinist. In 1848 he was married to Mariah Louisa Pasker, and im- mediately embarked for America, and set- tled at Patterson, N. J., where he was em- ployed by Roger's Locomotive Works, re- maining about two and one-half years. He then removed to Trenton, where he was employed as an expert by Cooper's Ma- chine Works. In 1854 he removed to Chicago, where he was engaged in the Illinois Central Railroad shops one year

and a half, and later was employed by the same company until 1860, when he es- tablished the Fehly machine shops, at a cost of $15,000, employing eighteen men, which business he followed up until 1876, when he sold his interest and removed to Hancock county, where he purchased land and engaged in farming, and in con- nection run his hotel at Garner. Mr. and Mrs. Fehly are the parents of five chil- dren-Josie, a graduate of Mt. Carroll Seminary, now the wife of George By- water, of Letcher, Dak .; Emma, Hattie, wife of II. C. Porter, Letcher, Dak .; Minnie and Frederick. Mr. Fehly is a member of the I. O. O. F., Freeport Lodge, No. 239. In polities he is a stanneh democrat.

The Cassill House was erected by the present proprietor, Mr. Cassill, in 1876, and it has continued under his manage- ment ever since.

Much of the business interests of Gar- ner date from the first start of the town, for when the iron horse first made its ap- pearance, in 1870, the whole town sprang up, as if by magie, and a great stride in the forward march of progress was made in the first year of its existence.

The first merchant to open a store in Garner was Royal Lovell. He erected the first store building, and, in fact, the first structure of any kind, on the town site, except the depot, in 1870. He opened a general merchandise store, as soon as his building was finished, and carried a good line of goods in the vari- ous departments that go to make up the average country store. Mr. Lovell con- tinued to occupy the place of principal merchant for many years, removing in the meantime to more commodious quar-

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ters, as business increased. In January, 1881, Mr. Shuler was admitted as a part- ner, and the business is now carried on under the firm name of Lovell & Shuler. These gentlemen carry a stock of not less than $8,000 worth of well selected goods, and enjoy a most excellent trade.

The business of general merchandising is now represented by A. B. Elliott & Co., Lovell & Shuler, C. Borman and Hubbard Bros.

The first furniture store in Garner was established in 1871 by Kemp & Christie. In 1880 William Yoter purchased the business, and is the present representative of that line, enjoying a monopoly. A de- partment for the repair of disabled furni- ture receives the attention of Mr. Yoter, who is a good practical workman, and whatever he takes hold of is well done.

William Yoter, a native of Cumberland Co., Penn., was born on the 20th day of May, 1819. When nineteen years old he went to Pittsburg, where he was appren- ticed to the trade of cabinet maker. Ilere he cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison. Soon after finishing his trade he established himself in New Castle, where he followed the same for sixteen years. In 1857 he was joined in wedlock with Eliza Dalzell. They had one child -Clara Bell, now married. By a former marriage he had three children-Jane, Adeline and Sarah Ann. In 1858 Mr. Yoter emigrated to Illinois and settled in Douglas county, where he again embarked in his present business. In 1878 he came to Hancock county, where he has since resided. Mr. Yoter is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a republican.

The first and only jewelry establish- ment in Garner was opened in 1876, by P. S. Dow, the present proprietor. At first the business was small, as Mr. Dow came here with a limited capital, and rented a small portion of the store of Mr. Borman for the transaction of his busi- ness. Trade, however, increasing, and feeling the want of more room, he re- moved to what is now the residence of Mr. Finch, and in 1878 removed to his present location in the postoffice building. Mr. Dow is a practical workman, and does a large business in the way of watch and general repairing. In connection with his jewelry and silver plated stock, he carries quite an extensive stock of books, stationery, holiday and fancy goods.

William Borman, merchant, was born in Prussia, June 2, 1824. There he was reared and educated and learned the trade of a paper maker, which he followed for a few years. In 1848 he came to Ameri- ca and stopped at Toledo, Ohio, a short time, when he went to Wood Co., Wis. In 1852 he married Catharine Bowhacker, who came to this county when thirteen years old. They have three children- John, Carrie and William. Previous to coming to Iowa, in 1870, they were resi- dents of Grant Co., Wis. They settled in Kossuth county where they remained un- til 1875, when they came to Garner, where they have since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Borman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. When Mr. Bowhack- er landed in Grant Co., Wis., he had but twenty-five cents in his pocket. In a new county, with a large family, thus he strug- gled through, and at the time of his death in 1872 had accumulated a comfortable

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

property. Mr. Borman established his business in 1875, carrying a stock of from $3,000 to $4,000.

The first boot and shoe store was es- tablished by G. A. Ilaes, in 1871, and it is yet under the able management of the same gentleman. In connection with his store, a shoemaking and repairing de- partment is run, and has quite a consider- able patronage. Mr. Haes carries quite a good sized stock of boots and shoes, and furnishes the foot coverings for a large part of the people of this vicinity. This is the only exclusive shoe store in the place, although all the general mer- chandise stores carry stock of this kind in connection with other goods.

The pioneer drug store was established by Funk & Hawley during the year 1871. These gentlemen were afterward bought out by William Finch and with other changes passed into the hands of T. F. Finch, the present proprietor.

The drug establishment of II. W. Smith is one of the live institutions of the town of Garner. His large practice as a disci- ple of the healing art requires drugs and medicines of almost absolute purity, and his knowledge in the broader fields of medical practice, enables him to purchase only such goods as possess the requisite freedom from adulteration. He is build- ing up an immense trade in consequence, and bids fair to overshadow all rivals at an early day.

The first hardware store was started in 1870, by Sweeney & Schell, but after run- ning it for two years or more, in 1873, they disposed of the stock and business to William Finch. He operated it alone until 1875 when he admitted as a partner

his brother, T. F. Finch. This firm, how- ever, was of short duration, for in 1876, ' T. F. bought out William, who retired, and the former has continued carry on the hardware business in connection with the drug trade. Mr. Finch carries a fine stock in both lines and meets a merited favor from a large class of patrons.

The lumber business was initiated by J. M. Elder, W. C. Wells and T. Wood- ford, who started a yard at Garner in 1870. In 1872 Messrs. Wells and Wood- ford purchased the interest of Mr. Elder and are at the present time the sole rep- resentatives of this line of business. They are doing an extensive business and draw trade from the remote quarters of the county.

Probably there is no other business more prominent or important to the county of Ilancock, than that for the sale of lands, and the general business transacted by those who are generally known as "land agents." These men, whose value is not at all acknowledged, spend money and time in advertising the county, its re- sources, its facilities, its wonderful fer- tility, in the hopes of inducing emigra- tion to bend its steps this way. Perhaps there may be a selfish motive back of this, but their influence in a county is a very important aid to the building up of the population. This business in the township is in the hands of men whose names are synonyms for honesty and in- tegrity, Brockway & Elder, in Concord, and A. C. Ripley, in Garner.

The Hancock County Bank was organ- ized in December, 1874, by J. M. Elder and IJ. N. Brockway, and was the first establishment of the kind in the county.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

At the first meeting J. M. Elder was elected president; H. N. Brockway, viee- president ; William MeBride, eashier. Under the able management of these men the bank has taken a front rank among the businesses of Hancock county. For the security of the funds entrusted to their care, a large fire and burglar-proof safe has been provided and the Yale time- lock doubles the security thereof. The bank has correspondents in New York, Chieago and most all foreign ports on which it can make drafts. The present officers are: James M. Elder, president; Harvey N. Brockway, vice-president ; A. R. Barnes, eashier.

In the spring of 1880 John Burnside and A. R. Barnes established the far- famed "B. B. Creamery," at Garner. The building which they ereeted for this purpose is 24x36 feet in size, with an ad- dition in the shape of an ice house twenty- four feet square. The motive power for the machinery is supplied by a fine engine of eight horse power. The whole plant eost about $2,500. With this and the milk from 1,000 cows, it is no wonder that the daily average capacity of 800 pounds of butter should be reached through three-fouths of the year. Great care is exercised in the production of this butter and it goes into New York city, its proper market, marked "extra fine quality."

The first grain warehouse was- ereeted by R. Lovell, in 1871, and he enjoys the credit of handling the first grain in Gar- ner. During the first year of his busi- ness in this line, he purchased something like 25,000 bushels of grain and the sue- eeeding year 45,000. The business is represented at present by R. Lovell, Wil-

liam Fineh and Dwight Putnam, the last two gentlemen having fine elevators at this point.

The first blacksmith who located in Garner, was Walter Diekson, who estab- lished his shop the first year of the town's existence. He is now engaged in the business of farming in this township. The business is represented at this writ- ing by R. W. Noble and Charles Krouse.

There are also located in the town of Garner, three hay presses. This business of baling up the wild but nutritive grasses of the western prairie and shipping this surplus hay to those portions of the country where there is a scarcity of that article, is, although an industry in its in- faney, one of the most important in the county. It is represented here by H. F. Fiegenbaum, John Burnside and Charles Kluekhohn, who all do an extensive and lucrative business.

In 1875 John Burnside started a meat market in Garner, the first in Haneoek county, and continues to monopolize that trade in the town.

The postoffice at Garner was estab- lished in 1870, and Royal Lovell was commissioned the first postmaster. He continued to hold this position for about a year and a half when he was succeeded by George Lanning, who was the editor and projector of the first newspaper pub- lished at Garner. Sinee his appointment it seems that the office of postmaster has continued to fall to the lot of the publisher of the Signal. Mr. Lanning was succeeded by W. C. Haywood and he by H. H. Bush, the present inenmbent.

The first attorneys to locate here were Bush & Bush, closely followed by II. N.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

Brockway and A. C. Ripley, all of whom are noticed in the chapter devoted to the "Bar of the County."

Charles Valliket has the credit of being the first to engage in the livery business. The present livery stable is owned and operated by Joseph Jewell.

The wagon shop of Strible is also one of the live industries of the town. The gentleman in question, besides turning ont good substantial wagons, has a gen- eral repair shop, that has a large patron- age. Kemp & Christie opened the first in this line, at the same time they did their furniture store.

There are four religious organizations in Garner-Methodist, German Methodist, United Presbyterian and Catholic. The Catholies, United Presbyterians and Ger- man Methodists have fine church buildings. The American Methodists use one of the school rooms. There are three flourish- ing Sabbath schools in the place.

The German society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Garner, was first organized in Ell township as a mission Church. The first meeting was held at the house of Sebastian Ell, and the Rev. William F. Koerner, preached the sermon. At or about this time this gentleman, who was what was called the circuit preacher, organized the first class, from which has grown the present society. Among the members of this class were Sebastian Ell and wife, Mary, Christina, Katie, Philip and J. C. Ell, Philip Goetz and wife, making ten members in all. Sebastian Ell was chosen class leader, a position he held for several years. Mr. Koerner was the pastor of this little mission Church, which met at the dwelling houses of its members

for about two years. In the fall of 1872 the Rev. Gottleib Hoefner was appointed to this infant Church and remained in charge about two years. In October, 1874, the mission was changed to a cir- cuit and the Rev. Auguste Biebighauser was appointed to take charge, which he did for a term of two years. In 1876 Rev. E. W. Henke was sent to take charge of the Church, and remained some two years also. He was succeeded by C. F. Framen, and Gottleib Hoefner, and in 1883, Rev. William Koerner, the first pas- tor, took charge of his old Church and is the present minister. The society built their present church edifice in 1881, at a cost of $2,300, which is an ornament to the town.

Rev. William F. Koerner, pastor of the German Methodist Episcopal Church at Garner, was born Aug 14, 1842, in Mose- beck, Lippe Detmold, Germany. He was brought up at the same place, on a farm owned by his parents and received his ed- ucation in the village school in an adjoin- ing place. In the year 1868 he came to the United States of America, and located near Freeport, Ill. There he was con- verted and joined the Methodist Episco- pal Church, belonging formerly to the re- formed Church of the old country. The year following he went to Ulster, Floyd Co., Iowa, engaging in farming. On April 11, 1869, he married Mary F., a daughter of II. A. Vennekolt, of Stephenson Co., Ill. In 1870 Rev. Mr. Koerner began preach- ing, his first appointment being Shell Rock Mission, consisting of Nora Springs, Rock Falls, Newburg, Clear Lake and Concord, remaining there two years; after that he served as pastor on the following

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

charges: Colesburg Circuit, two years; Scherrills Mound Circuit one year; Man- chester Mission, one year; Lancing Cir- cuit, two years; these Churches being all in Iowa. Then he was sent to Minne- opolis, where he had charge of the St. Paul Second Church, two years; then the Winona Mission, three years. Ile re- turned to lowa in the fall of 1883 and took charge of the Garner circuit, con- sisting of three appointments: Garner, Germantown and Forest City. Mr. and Mrs. Koerner have five children-Emma L., aged fourteen; Willie F., aged twelve; Sarah C., aged ten; Ottilie L., aged seven, and Albert G., aged three years.

The regular Methodist Episcopal Church society, is said, in the absence of all records, to have orginated about 1871, and the Rev. Mr. Williams was the first regular preacher. Prior to this the Rev. A. S. R. Groom, a Methodist clergyman from Forest city, came here at the invita- tion of a personal friend, J. M. Elder, and preached to the people. It is said that Mr. Groom was a poor man, so Mr. Elder paid him $5 for a fee for the ser- vice. The first class was formed by Rev. W. W. Robinson, in 1872, but the names of the members could not be obtained. At the present time there are about twen- ty-five members under the ministration of the Rev. A. C. Elliott. The Church so- ciety has no building but conduct their services in the school house. The M. E. Sabbath school is well attended and much interest is manifested. Their average attendance is forty-five. Mrs Eliza B. Wells is the present superin- tendent and Charles Elliott, secretary.

Rev. Il. R. Fiegenbaum was born in St. Charles Co., Mo., Jan. 2, 1837. He was a son of Adolph and Christina (John- son) Fiegenbaum, natives of Westphalia, Germany, who emigrated to America in 1834 with a family of five children and located at St. Charles, Mo. He was a car- tenter by trade which he followed in con- nection with farming. In the spring of 1850 he removed to Lonisa Co., Iowa. Here Mrs. Fiegenbaum died. Mr. Fieg- enbaum afterward came to Garner where he died in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Fiegenbaum were members of the M. E. Church and four of his sons became itinerant preachers, three of which are in regular work. H. R. Fiegenbaum, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm and received his early education in the common schools. Ile afterward attended the M. E. College at Quincy, IH. Hle was ordained as deacon of the Church at Davenport, Iowa, in 1863. In 1865 he was ordained elder by Bishop Ames of Milwaukee, Wis. He was married in 1860 to Elizabeth Krum- pel of Delaware Co., Iowa. By this union there are three living children-Emma L., Charles II. and Arthur F. In 1877 Mrs. Fiegenbaum died. In 1878 he was again married to Elizabeth, a daughter of Rev. Peter Helwig, now of Hancock county. Three children blessed this union-Lnella, Adelaide, and Elsie A. In 1873 Mr. Fiegenbaum came to Hancock county, where he has since resided.

Bethel Lodge, No. 319, A. F. & A. M., located at Garner, was instituted by dispensation July 27, 1872, by O. P. Wa- ters, of Burlington, Iowa, grand master of the order. There were at first only some eight or ten members, but the lodge has

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

flourished exceedingly well, and can now number some thirty-one brothers of the mystic tie. One of the most singular features of the lodge is that in the eleven years since its formation, death has never severed one link in the chain, no brother has died.

The first officers of the lodge were: J. M. Elder, W. M .; C. C. Doolittle, S. W .; C. C Howland, J. W .; J. W. Elder, treasurer; Albert Howe, secretary; L. B. Bailey, S. D .; Robert Elder, J. D .; John Veits, tyler.

Since the time of its organization the lodge as been presided over by the follow- ing masters: James M. Elder, for the years 1873 and 1874; C. C. Doolittle, 1875; Z. C. Green, 1876-7; J. J. Upton, 1878-9; I. B. Bailey, 1880; J. M. Elder, 1881; J. J. Upton, 1882 and is the present master.

The lodge has a finely fitted up room for its meetings, and all meetings are well attended, and the work pronounced good and perfect.

The Garner Ladies' Library Association, one of the institutions of which the town is justly proud, was organized in 1873, by thirteen of the prominent ladies of the then new town. These thirteen corporate members were: Mrs. Robert Elder, Mrs. Royal Lovell, Mrs. Henry H. Bush, Mrs. William Finch, Mrs. W. C. Wells, Mrs. A. Haes, Mrs. S. A. Howe, Mrs. H. C. Knappen, Mrs. C. E. Holland, Mrs. N. Mitchell, Mrs. Walter Diekson, Mrs. A. B. Cassill, Mrs. J. F. Veits, Mrs. A. B. Elliott and Mrs. D. Gould. The first money to carry out their landable under- taking was raised by sociables and work by the ladies. Starting out with a fund

of but $60, they have accumulated a fine library, containing some 200 volumes val- ued at about $200. In 1882 they erected a building to contain the library, and for other purposes, at a cost of $500, of which $350 is already paid. The first board of directors consisted of the following ladies: Mrs. R. Lovell, Mrs. A. Hlaes and Mrs. Walter Dickson. Mrs. 11. II. Bush was the first secretary, and Mrs. Robert Elder the first treasurer. The society is en- gaged in a truly meritorious work and is in a most flourishing condition, which speaks well for the intelligence of the community. The present officers are: Mrs. H. II. Bush, Mrs. R. Lovell and Mrs. A. R. Barnes, directors; Mrs. W. C. Wells, secretary; and Mrs. William Finch, treas- urer.

In the fall of 1883 James and W. C. Moak, the latter the popular sheriff of Hancock county, erected a building for publie entertainments that could be called the opera house. This edifice is a large roomy one and fitted up in good style, with elevated stage and all the accessories of a good theater. The fine drop curtain and excellent scenery, although painted by amateurs at the business, Mr. H. E. Barbour, the efficient station agent, and Frank N. Pitkin, display ability in that lino that would not disgrace professional scenie artists. The whole fitting up of this hall betrays a landable effort on the part of the Messrs. Moak to keep their town in the van of progress, and is a credit to the community in which it is built. The edifice was thrown open to the public, and initiated upon the evening of the 29th of November, Thanksgiving day, 1883. On that occasion the Garner

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. 683

Dramatie Club gave an entertainment,pre- senting the play of "The Hidden IIand."

Garner was incorporated as a town of the fourth class in 1881 and C. S. Ter- williger was chosen as mayor. Ile served but a short time, when A. R. Barnes, one of Garner's most influential citizens, was chosen to fill the position at the head of municipal affairs, which he did until the election of his successor, H. H. Bush, who is the present mayor. The following is the complete list of city officials, as at present composed: Mayor, H. H. Bush; recorder, A. C. Ripley; assessor, William Yoter; trustees, W. C. Wells, J. J. Upton T. F. Finch, II. E. Barber, A. B. Cassill and Frank Wilson; marshal, H. G. Ma- ben; street commissioner, John T. Bush.

The town of Garner has a population of about 600, and everything about it mani- fests the fact that there is little if any idleness here, the drones being driven forth from this hive of industry.

The main street is 100 feet wide and the others sixty-six feet.

Residence grounds are neatly fenced, and the town abounds in beautiful shade trees, good sidewalks, graded streets and other evidences of thrift, enterprise and good taste.

A handsome publie park is situated about half way between Garner and Con- cord.

The town lias a fine large two-story school building, with three departments running, and room for one more when needed. This school has for years been considered the best in the county, and one of the best in northern Iowa.

Myron Bowers, farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Carroll Co., III., born Sept.

9, 1857. His father, Joseph Bowers, was born in Germany in 1832. When four- teen years of age, he eame to the United States, locating in Washington Co., Md. In 1854 he came to Carroll Co., Ill., and engaged in farming. In 1868 he came to Hancock Co., Iowa, settling on section 25, Concord township, now owning eighty acres of land under a high state of culti- vation. His mother, Ann C. Blessing, was born in Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers are the parents of seven children -Hannah, Mary, Myron, Charles, Minnie, George and Della. Myron Bowers was married Nov. 11, 1880, to Nellie Nichols, of Delaware Co., Iowa. One child has blessed this union -Clarence, born Sept. 29,1881.

Samuel A. Westphall, one of the early settlers of Hancock county, was born March 31, 1818, in New York State. When quite young his parents removed to Can- ada, where Samuel A. grew to manhood. In 1844 he was married to Bridget Shock- nessery, by whom he had eight children, six of whom are living-Jobn, William, James, Byron, Ira and Charles. In 1855 Mr. Westphall removed to Carroll Co., Ill., where he engaged in farming. In 1868 he came to Hancock county, where he has since resided. Mr. Westphall's farm consists of eighty acres of land. In politics, he is a republican.

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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 84

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