USA > Iowa > Humboldt County > History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 48
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Capt. W. H. Ingham had a claim upon which he lived before either of the above located there, but as they remained, and he removed into Portland, the credit be- longs to them.
Another of these early settlers in the township, outside of the village limits, was Michael Riebhoff. He erected a cabin of the trunks of the trees of the grove, 16x18 feet in dimension. The ceiling was so low that a man of ordinary height could scarcely stand upright in it. He made the floor out of puncheons split from basswood logs.
Michael Riebhoff was born June 15, 1807, in Hanover, Germany. He emi- grated to America in 1833, locating in Westmoreland Co., Penn., and worked in the salt works for five years. In 1838 he came to Iowa and rented a small farm five miles from Dubuque, remaining two years, then took a claim in Dubuque county where he lived ten years and en- tered 220 acres more land. In 1856 he sold out and came to Kossuth county, set- tling on the north half of section 24, Al- gona township, where he now resides, and has thirty acres under cultivation, the rest being covered with native timber. He also owns 160 acres in Portland town- ship, on section 18. Mr. Riebhoff was married June 30, 1830, to Mary Jobman, who died Dec. 2, 1845, leaving six chil- dren-Henry, Margaret, Peter, John,
Mary and Michael; four of these are mar- ried. John and Henry died in the Civil War of 1861. John died and was buried at St. Louis, Mo. Henry at Vicksburg, Tenn. Mr. Riebhoff was again married Feb. 22, 1842, to Amelia Roan, born April 9, 1830, in New Galloway, Scotland. They had fourteen children, twelve of whom are living-Elizabeth C., Agnes G., James F. and Jane,twins, Matthew N. and Martha A., twins, Susan A., Grace, John II., Grace J., Frank, Henry and Garfelia, twins, and Capitola. Grace and Capitola are deceased and buried in Algona. Eight of the chil- dren are married. Mr. Riebhoff is one of the oldest settlers in the county. He is upright and honest, worthy of great respect, and beloved by all who know him.
William Carey was another of the early settlers of this township. He located in 1856, on section 14, but has since re- moved into Portland township.
Around the first school house in this locality lingers many interesting reminis- cences. During the summer of 1856, this building was erected, if such a struct- ure could be said to have been erected, by digging into the side of a hill and the sides walled up with logs. That portion that projected from the ground was also covered with earth. This was called the "Gopher College" by the settlers in the vicinity, and by this name is it remem- bered to this day. The first teacher was Jonathan Callender. He was succeeded by Martha Clarke and Mrs. Carnish. Long since the building was destroyed by fire, but the memory of this primitive hall of learning will not perish for ages to come.
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The first frame school house was built in 1860, on section 24, and was the first frame one in the county.
The first school house in sub-district No. 8, was built of sod by the neighbors, on sections 17, 96 and 29, during the year 1866. The first teacher was Joseph Mar- tin, who presided over the destinies of this primitive academy three terms. For seats, teacher and scholars had slabs from the saw-mill, and desks were con- spicuous by their entire absence. The first year there were but the children of two families that attended, the Burts and MeArthur's.
The school house in district No. 4 was erected in 1883, at a cost of 8643.
That in district No. 11 was erected about three years prior to this, in 1880, and cost about $450. The first sub-direc- tor, of this sub-district was Thomas Han- nah.
The present township officers are as fol- lows: F. C. Wilson, W. F. Hofius and C. Rickard, trustees; B. F. Reed, clerk; G. N. Ames, assessor; A. E. Wheelock and E. H. Clarke, justices.
CITY OF ALGONA.
This beautiful and enterprising city originated less than thirty years ago, when the heantiful country around the head waters of the Upper Des Moines river was just beginning to attract the attention of those in search of homes, and the surroundings were as free and wild as the time when the stars of the morning sang anthems of joy at nature's dawn. The changes from the primitive to the developed state have been constant and rapid. It has been one continual change from the moment of its projec-
tion, until Algona of to-day stands forth one of the bright jewels in the diadem of a noble State. While there may have been nothing really remarkable in the de- velopment of the past, or nothing pecu- liarly striking in the present, still there is much that cannot fail to be of interest to those who have been closely connected and identified with the city in all the various changes that have occurred from year to year. To those who have watched' its progress from its earliest origin-when Kossuth county was a wilderness-until the present time, the accomplishment of by-gone days would seem now like a her- culean task, but are in reality the sure and legitimate results of an advanced state of civilization. Endowed with many natural advantages, aided by the strong arm of enterprising husbandry, Kossuth county has assumed a position among the best and wealthier of her sister counties thronghont the State; and Algona, as the first town within her boundaries, has kept pace with the improvements and advance- ment.
Algona is situated in a beautiful loop or bend of the East Fork of the Des Moines river, in the northeastern corner of township 95 north, range 29 west, and is abont 160 miles from the Mississppi river at the nearest point of landing. Two lines of railroad pass it, connecting it with the markets of the world. These are the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul (Iowa and Dakota division) and the Chi- cago & Northwestern, the former from east to west, and the latter from north to sonth, and afford excellent facilities for marketing. The city is surrounded by some of the finest and most productive
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agricultural and stock raising lands in the State, which is a guarantee of a perma- nent and ever increasing trade.
'There are many fine and substantial brick buildings to be seen upon the busi- ness thoroughfares, and many costly and elegant dwellings in the part of town de- voted to residences. Many of these lat- ter are worthy of more than a passing mention, being more than ordinarily beau- tiful. An abundance of shade trees adorn the streets, which in summer add greatly to the handsome appearance of the place. The location is exceedingly healthy, being high and dry. The in- habitants are of a class possessing rare intelligence and culture, and the society is of the most refined and desirable char- acter.
The various town plats of Algona were filed for record as follows :
Algona proper, filed for record,by Asa C. Call, upon the 2d of December, 1856.
Call's addition, on the 11th of Septem- ber, 1871, by Asa C. and Ambrose A. Call, Henry and Anthony Durant and John Heckart.
Ingham's addition, by W. H. Ingham, on the 22d of November, 1881.
Call & Smart's addition, by Asa C. Call, J. J. Smart and S. L. Witter, Aug. 4, 1882.
Call's third addition, by A. C. Call, Nov. 1, 1883.
The real founder of Algona, and the first settler on what is now the town site, was Asa C. Call. In the spring of 1854, he had just returned from the sunny shores of California, and feeling that in- vestments in real estate were on a surer foundation than in the placers and gulches
of that land of gold, looked around him for an eligible locality, to start a settle- ment and a town. While in Des Moines his attention was drawn to the waters of the Upper Des Moines river, where the land was of a wondrous fertility and where there was considerable of a grove. Starting out, as detailed in the chap- ter on the early settlement of the county, in company with his younger brother, Ambrose, he journeyed to the north. On their arrival here, they were immediately struck with the beauty of the location and its adaptability for the pur- pose then in view. They soon returned to civilization to make the necessary ar- rangements. On the 9th of July they re- turned and with them came the wife of the elder brother. Mrs. Call was the first white woman ever within the bounds of Kossuth county. Here she continned to dwell in peace, seeing her family and the town grow up around her. Seeing the county, that she had entered when no other woman was an inhabitant, fill up with settlers and take a prominent part in the bright sisterhood of counties of our noble young State. Here then she remained until Sunday May 14, 1876, when she was summoned by death, to cross the "dark river," and without a murmur she obeyed. Her death cast a gloom over the commu- nity, for her circle of friends comprised all that knew her, and they were legion.
The Call brothers did not settle imme- diately upon the present town site of Al- gona. Asa C. Call ocenpied a cabin upon the northeast quarter of section 14, in township 95, range 29, built by Ambrose A. Call. Here they remained until in March or April, when the elder brother
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removed to the site of the present town, and founded the same. The town was shortly afterward surveyed and platted by Lewis 11. Smith, county surveyor. This was during the summer of 1856. Three blocks were left for public parks, or squares ; block 19 (public square) for a court house ; block 39 (Maple Park) to be ornamented by the town, and block 17 (College Square) for a college campus. This last was donated by J. W. Moore, it lying in his part of the town. Mr. Moore afterwards refuted his generosity, and sub-divided and sold it out in town lots.
IIon. Ambrose A. Call, in his interest- ing sketches of the early days of Algona, and Kossuth county, gives the following as the reasons for the names of the streets in the town :
"Lucas street was called after Col. E. Lucas, a property owner; Call street after Call, aresident; Kennedy after Kennedy, a resident, who helped on the survey; Jones street after Senator G. W. Jones, of Dn. buque; Harlan street after Senator James Harlan; Moore street after J. W. Moore, resident; Dodge street after Senator A. C. Dodge; Thorington street after James Thorington, M. C .; Hall street after James E. Hall, a resident ; Williams street after Major W. W. Williams, a property owner; Blackford street after J. E. Blackford, resident ; Smith street after Lewis H. Sinith, resident; Lowe street after George A. Lowe, resident."
The next settler upon the site of the, as yet, incipient village, was Joseph W. Moore. He wasa native of Newark, Ohio, and came here from Cedar Rapids, where he had been a short time, in Jannary or February, 1855. Ile engaged in several
land speenlations, and on the establish- ment of the postoffice, in 1856, was made postmaster. In 1863 he left Algona and moved to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he at present resides.
James L. Paine was also a settler of the same year, 1855, and is still a resident of the town.
Jacob Cummins settled at Algona dur- ing the year 1855. During the War of the Rebellion he was with the "brave boys in blue" from Kossuth county, in the lurid front of battle. lle is now a resi- dent of the State of Kansas, whither he moved some years ago.
'The next important settler to locate at the embryo town was Lewis HI. Smith, now one of the county's most prominent citizens, and the cashier of the Kossuth County Bank, at Algona.
John E. Blackford came to Algona in the summer of 1855. He brought his family with him and the birth of a dangh- ter, shortly after, in November, 1856, was heralded as the first within the limits of the town or township. Ella Algona Blackford, besides being the first child born in Algona, enjoys the distinction of having been the first "girl baby" in the county. Mr. Blackford is still a resident of Kossuth county, and is numbered among its most solid men.
Among the arrivals of 1856 were: Rev. Chauncey Taylor, John Heckart, Orange Minkler, J. E. Stacy, H. A. Henderson, Frank Hamson, Roderick M. Bessie, D. S. McComb, H. F. Watson, Amos S. Col- lins, M. D., and others.
The first log cabin was built by Judge Asa C. Call, in the spring of 1855, as mentioned before. This was 16x20 feet,
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Mrs. Katie Winkler
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with an addition 12x16 feet in size, one and a half stories high. The doors and sash for the windows were brought here by teams from Iowa City. The floor was of puncheons hewn from the native tim- ber and even the casings of doors and windows were of the same primitive manufacture. Other cottages of like fron- tier architecture soon gathered around. Settlers now kept coming in, slowly at first, but more rapidly as time progressed.
In the spring of 1856, Major William W. Williams, of Fort Dodge, sent up a sinall stock of goods in charge of a man by the name of W. M. Koons, but almost immediately after his arrival, the stock was put in charge of Henry F. Watson, who thus kept the first store in the county. Prior to this Charles Easton, an eccentric Englishman, who had come here in 1854, and put up a tent the other side of the woods to the south of the town, sold whisky and powder to the inhabitants, who wanted that kind of groceries. These two "merchants" and the itinerant ped- dlers, who first made their appearance in 1856, supplied all the simple wants of the pioneers. One of the old settlers says that "an odd genius visited us peddling groceries, bacon and cats. He warranted his cats good mousers or no pay. He sold "he-cats' for $1, and 'she-cats' at $1.50."
In 1856, a hotel was also erected, by Hezekiah A. Henderson. This was a hewed log building, without any windows in the front, and was, to use the words of an early settler, "a most forlorn place." The hotel was known as the St. Nicholas Ilotel, stood northeast of the court house. The hotel was afterwards bonght by J. E. Stacy, who ran it for about four years.
The settlers having brought their patri- otism along with them resolved to cele- brate the 4th of July, 1856, in an appro- priate manner. A flag was improvised, a hickory pole raised on the public square, a pic-nic dinner in the grove back of Mr. Heckart's residence, speeches, toasts,songs and all accompaniments necessary for a well conducted celebration. About eighty persons were present at this celebration including nine young ladies, some of them just out of their bibs and tucks-"a fine sprinkling," as Lewis H. Smith had it in a gallant response to a toast.
About this time Jesse Magoon set up the first blacksmith shop in Algona, but only operated it for a short time, when, the same year, he was succeeded by Oli- ver Benschotter one of the prominent inen of the county at a later date, and at present one of its residents.
In December, 1855, Judge A. C. Call raised his mill. This was a substantial building, 37x45 feet, two stories high, lo- cated just south of Blackford's grove. It is thought that every man in the county attended the raising and lifted every pound that was in him. . This mill was not started until the next summer. The engine was hauled from Warren, Ste- phenson Co., Ill. by Ambrose A. Call, with ten yoke of oxen. The mill was a fine edifice, much better than the country de- manded at the time. This was operated for several years and a great deal of lum- ber was sawed thereat. It was, however, destroyed by fire, years ago.
In the spring of 1856 a town hall was built in Algona. This was used for school and Church purposes, and for dances and other festal occasions. Speak-
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ing of it, Ambrose A. Call relates the fol- lowing: "Rev. Chauncey Taylor, in his interesting articles published in The Up- per Des Moines some time since, stated the way in which the town hall was built -by shares of stock, and controlled by a stock vote. If Father Taylor was not the prime mover, (he said he was not) he was the most active member of the company, being its secretary and general business manager, and always carrying the key. Af- ter the district built a school house, Fa- ther Taylor bought in the stock of the company, and converted the building into a Congregational Church; thus not only giving his time and best energies, but also his money in building up the Church of which he was pastor. But I set out to tell how it happened that the boys dedicated the building with a dance. In those early days, when our facilities for social amusement were limited, and the crude and uncertain condition of our mail service failed to supply the current news and more solid reading, dances, hops, balls, and cotillion parties, and the like were indulged in whenever oppor- tunity offered. None were too aristo- cratic or dignified, and all 'took a hand' (or rather foot) unless, indeed, religious training or awkwardness forbid. The young people of Irvington had dedicated their new hall with a ball in which we all participated, the night of the 3d of July. The next day they all turned out to our celebration, and when they saw our new hall were anxious to try the floor. But knowing our man, we considered it a risky business trying to begnile the key from Father Taylor. 'I will tell you,' says George, his son, 'I heard father telling
the minister who stopped at our house about the hall at breakfast, and am sure he will take him over to see it, I will watch and tell you when he unlocks the door.' And so it happened, that as Fa- ther Taylor was explaining the conven- ience of certain arrangements to the stranger, the room was filled, and not un- til Uncle Bullus struck np the 'Arkansas Traveler,' and shouted .Manners your partners" did he fully comprehend the situation. 'Well,' says Father Taylor, 'I think I have engagements that will call me away, and I would like to lock the door now.' 'Never mind Mr. Taylor,' re- plied some one 'just leave the key, and we will lock the door when we go out,' and he left the key. It may not be ont of place in justification of this procedure, to tell some tales out of school; how, when Uncle Bullus changed the music, Deacon Zahlten seized the danghter of our Baptist minister by the waist, and struck a gait that threatened destruction to our new ceiling; or how he was followed by brother Hlackman with another comely daughter of a prominent Church member, in a style that would do credit to Fred- erick Willheim; but it must be remem- bered these things occurred years ago."
To quote again from Mr. Call's con- tribution to the historic annals of the county :
"The settlers were favored with stated preaching by Elder Marks as early as the winter of 1855-6. The elder was a gen- erous, big-hearted apostle, who, like Peter and Paul, went out to lead sinners to re- pentance, without money and without price. He made no pretentions to a classical education, or oratorical powers,
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but simple physical endurance, a strong pair of lungs, and earnestness of purpose. HIe tried to practice what he preached. Ile chopped wood, turned grindstone, carried water, tended baby, end tried to make himself useful wherever he went. He distributed tracts and prayed with private families when desired. With the mercury twenty or thirty degrees below zero one enjoyed one of his hell-fire ser- mons as much as he would to read of Dr. Kane's exploits in the frozen seas in dog days. He talked right to the point. He prayed for the old bachelors who had to bake their own slap-jacks and mend their own garments, 'for,' says he, 'God knows their cabins are desolate enough. And for Judge Call, may the Lord put something else into his head besides building steam-mills and making timber claims; 'for,' says he, 'my dear. hearers, when you are wriggling over the mouth of hell you will think of what old Marks told you.' He was of a scientific turn, and sometimes startled us with the con- clusions of his investigations. At one time, while earnestly trying to impress some of his arguments upon his learers, he said: 'Why, just a few days ago I read of the body of a woman whom her friends undertook to remove several years after death. Why, my hearers, they couldn't dewit; it had become ver battum, it had putrified, in plain English, my dear hearers, it had turned to stun, and weighed 600 pounds."
Nearly all of the historic items in relation to the first happenings in Algona, being the first in the county, have been treated of elsewhere, and it would be un-
necessary to repeat them in this connec- tion.
Algona was incorporated in 1872, and the first election for city officers was held upon the first Monday in March of that year. The primal officers were: Charles Birge, mayor; F. M. Taylor, recorder; W. H. Ingham, E. N. Weaver, D. Patter- son, J. G. Smith and J. J. Wilson, trustees; W. Stebbins, street commissioner; H. W. Walston, assessor; G. L. Galbraith, treasurer. A slight sketch of each of the more prominent of these officials is here- with appended:
Charles Birge was born in Whitewater, Wis., in 1845. Entered Wisconsin Uni- versity in 1860. Went into the army in 1864, before finishing his collegiate course. After leaving the army he entered a law school at Albany, N. Y., from whence he graduated, in the spring of 1866, at twenty years of age. Read law in Janesville, Wis., in the office of J. B. Cassidy, until 1867, when be cut loose from all extrane- ous assistance and began in earnest the serious task of "paddling his own canoe." Mr. Birge commenced the practice of law in St. Louis, where he remained until 1870. He was married in December, 1868. Failing health warning him that a too close application to business, coupled with life in the crowded city, would in- evitably shorten his life, he reluctantly relinquished a lucrative practice in the Missouri metropolis, and sought a more bracing atmosphere in Iowa. This he found in Algona, where he arrived in April, 1870. In 1877 his health still failed him, and taking to his bed, he was compelled, although reluctantly, to render
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up his soul and be buried in the cold ground.
F. M. Taylor is a native of Cattarangus Co., N. Y. Was born in 1839. He re- moved to Illinois and taught school in that State; afterwards moved to Ocono- mowoc, Wis., where he studied law with E. Hurlburt, Esq. After completing his studies he came to Algona, Iowa, and drove his stake in this village in May, 1869.
W. H. Ingham is a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y. Is forty-four years of age. Mr. Ingham came into Kossuth county in 1854, and was, as all know, one of the pioneers in the settlement of northwest- ern Iowa. Very naturally, he is greatly interested in witnessing the growth and prosperity of this, the home of his early choice. Mr. Ingham is now in the bank- ing business, and is well and widely known for his business qualifications.
E. N. Weaver is a native of Summit Co., Ohio, where he was born in 1834. Is a carpenter by trade, and has the reputa- tion of being one of our most skillful artificers. He came to Algona in 1856, since which time he has been a resident of Kossuth county, with the exception of one year, when he resided in Waterloo.
John G. Smith was born in Boston, Mass., in 1840. Was well known as the proprietor of a garden near that city. He left Boston a number of years ago, for Algona, where his brother, Lewis 11. Smith, had preceded him, and was then in the land business. Mr. Smith, with his brother, embarked in the mercantile trade in our village, and has become an indispensable fixture here. His straightforward business habits are well known.
J. J. Wilson is a native of Onondago Co., N. Y. Was born in 1828. Has been in business in Pennsylvania, Indiana and Wisconsin. He came to Algona in Janu- ary, 1870, since which time he has carrred on a very extensive lumber trade. Mr. Wil- son is a wide awake, public spirited man, and is known through this and neighbor- ing counties for his fair and upright deal- ing as a business man.
D. Patterson is a native of Liverpool, England, where he was born in 1837. llis parents were Scotch people, and had resided in Liverpool but a short time prior to his birth. Ile came to this coun- try when but ten years of age, and resided in the "land of steady habits" until his majority, when he came "out west" to Rock Co., Wis., whence he removed to Keokuk Co., Iowa, and from thence to Washington county. Was postmaster in Dutch Creek, Washington county, and afterwards in Cresswell, Keokuk county, in which latter place he was the pioneer merchant. He came into Algona in the fall of 1870, since which time he has been in the mercantile trade.
The first council meeting was held at the council chamber in Algona, on the 22d of April, and the following resolution was passed:
Resolved, By the town council of the in- corporated town of Algona, that a side- walk be and is hereby ordered built along the following streets :
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