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 49
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Commencing at the southwest corner of State and Moore streets, running thenee south on the west side of Moore street to the northwest corner of Moore and Me- Gregor streets, thence east along the north side of McGregor street to the northwest
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corner of McGregor and Jones streets, thence south along the west side of Jones street to the southwest corner of Jones and Kennedy streets, thence west along the south side of Kennedy street to the northeast corner of Kennedy and Harlan streets, thence south along the east side of Harlan street to the south side of South street, also from east line of lot three (3) in block twenty-eight (28), run- ning east along the south side of State street to the southwest corner of State and Harlan streets, thence south along the west side of Harlan street to northwest corner of Harlan and McGregor streets, also from northwest corner of Moore and McGregor streets, running thence sonth along west side of Moore street to south- west corner of Kennedy and Moore streets, thence east along south side of Kennedy street to the southeast corner of Kennedy and Harlan streets.
Said sidewalk to be eight feet in width from east line of lot three (3) in block twenty-eight (28), on south side of State street, to the southeast corner of State and Harlan streets and built adjoining line of lots. The balance of said walk to be four feet wide, all to be constructed of two inch plank or oak one and a half inches thick, each plank not to exceed eight inches in width, with snitable sup- ports, and to be completed within sixty days after the 1st day of May, 1872, in accordance with the instructions of the street commissioner not inconsistent with this resolution.
At the same meeting the first ordinances of the city government were adopted, and are as follows:
Ordinance No. 1.
Be it ordained by the council of the In- corporated town of Algona, that the sub- ordinate officers of the council shall be a Treasurer, Marshal, Assessor and Street Commissioner. That said officers be elected by the council and hold their re- spective offices until their successors are elected and qualified, and hereafter, said officers shall be elected at the regular an- nual election for municipal officers for said town.
Sec. 2. The duty of the Treasurer shall be to receive all moneys belonging to said incorporated town, and shall pay the same out upon vote of the council, upon orders signed by the Mayor and attested by the Recorder, with the corporate seal attached. Said Treasurer shall take and subscribe the same oath required of other officers of the corporation, and shall give bond with good security, to be approved by the council, in the sum of $2,000 for the faithful discharge of his duties.
Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Street Commissioner to take and subscribe the same oath and in the same respects qualify the same as required of Road Su- pervisors in unincorporated townships, to perform the same duties within the limits of said incorporated town as is required of Road Supervisors, for which he shall receive the same fee for his services as Road Supervisors, and said commissioner shall perform such other duties consistent with the nature of his office as said coun- cil may from time to time require.
Council Room, April 22d, 1872. Attest: CHA'S BIRGE, Mayor. F. M. TAYLOR, Recorder.
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Ordinance No. 2.
An Ordinance in Relation to Side Walks. Be it ordained by the Town Council of the Incorporated town of Algona, Kossuth county, Iowa:
Sec. 1. That twelve feet in width shall be set apart from the sides of all streets for side walk purposes.
Sec. 2. That all side walks shall be built two feet from the outside line of the street, unless otherwise ordered by the council, and of such material and con- struction as shall be ordered by the council.
Sec. 3. That any shade or ornamental tree or trees hereafter planted in the street shall be set ten feet from the line of the adjacent premises.
Sec. 4. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its publica- tion in any newspaper of general circula- tiou published in said town of Algoua.
Council Room, April 22d, 1872.
Attest: CHA'S BIRGE, Mayor. F. M. TAYLOR, Recorder.
The following is a list of the mayors and recorders of Algona for the succeed- ing years to the present time:
1873 .- Charles Birge, mayor; F. M. Tay- lor, recorder.
1874 .- F. M. Taylor, mayor; C. E.Church, recorder.
1875 .- D. S. Ford, mayor ; H. M. Taft, recorder.
1876 .- J. J. Wilson, mayor; Pitt Cravath, recorder.
1877 .- J. J. Wilson,mayor; Pitt Cravatlı, recorder.
1878,-J. E. Stacy, mayor; J. Wallace, clerk.
1879 .- J. E. Stacy,mayor; D. H. Setchell, clerk.
1880 .- J. J. Wilson,mayor; G. H. Samp- son, clerk.
1881 .- The same, re-elected.
1882 .- J. M. Comstock, mayor ; R. M. Palmer, clerk.
1883. - J. G. Smith, mayor; R. A. Palmer, clerk. The latter however resigned and, in May, R. B. Warren was elected to fill the vacancy.
The first marriage in Algona, was that of Hurlbut W. Lake to Rachel N. Eggers, upon the 21st of July, 1857.
The first birth was that of Ella Algona Blackford, daughter of J. E. and Mary A. Blackford.
The first school was taught by Flavia Fleming, in a private dwelling, during the year 1857. Miss Fleming married and went to Wisconsin.
The first building used for school pur- poses, by the district, was the town hall, which was built during the winter of 1856 and 1857.
The first religious services were held by Elder Marks, who came here and preached during the fall of 1855.
The first store was erected by H. F. Watson in the spring of 1856. The stock of goods belonged to Major W. W. Wil- liams, of Fort Dodge, who had sent them up for sale.
The first saw-mill in Algona was erected by Asa C. Call, in the winter of 1855-56.
The first postmaster was J. W. Moore, who was appointed to the position in the fall of 1856.
The first hotel was erected by Hezekialı A. Henderson in the summer of 1856.
The first frame residence in Algona, was erected by H. F. Watson, in the fall
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of. 1856. This historic structure is now a part of the dwelling of W. H. Ingham.
Algona grew hut slowly until the advent of the railroad in 1870. Judge Asa Call, his brother, Ambrose,and several other gentlemen labored assiduously to bring the rails to this place. Their first effort was as early as 1861, when the Mc- Gregor, Sioux City & Missouri River Railroad was instituted in Clayton county. This company became involved and noth- ing came of it. In 1869 when the Mc- Gregor Western, ( or as it now is called, the Iowa and Dakota division of the C. M. & St. P. R. R.) was pushing westward from Calmar, these parties united their efforts and brought the road to Algona, at a vast expenditure of time and labor. The Messrs. Call donating some 400 acres of land to the company, and many town lots to accomplish it.
From that time the town has grown rapidly until it is a large and beautiful city. The seat of county government is located here and the fine court house, erected in 1872,at a cost of nearly $40,000, is one of the finest structures in the town, and in fact, in northern Iowa. It stands upon a rise of ground in the center of the business portion of the town, and in the middle of a fine park or square. Fine blocks of business houses line the streets, and a busy hum of industry arises from the place of commerce. These business interests, like all things else, have devel- oped from a very small beginning.
The first store, as has been stated, was that of Major Williams, managed in 1856 and later by H. F. Watson, still a resi- dent of the town. This was the first step taken in the direction of mer-
cantile interests. This stock, which Mr. Watson opened in September, was of the character usually known under the head of general merchandise. It was conduct- ed under the name of the owner, Major Williams, until the spring of 1858. Shortly after the establishment of this store, in the spring of 1857, James Eggers came to Algona, from Waterloo, Iowa, with a stock of goods, and opened a rival estab- lishment. These were the first stores in the town. In the same line, the next store was started by Havens F. Watson, for himself, in the spring of 1861, which he continued to operate until 1871. James L. Paine soon followed and opened a store in 1861.
As trade increased and the business of Algona began to assume city proportions, the general merchandising, to a certain extent, began to separate and many of the merchants handled larger stocks but in fewer lines until now there are but few that handle more than one or two lines.
In the dry goods trade, or those that are the heaviest dealers in that line at the present in the city are: G. R. Wood- worth, S. C. Spear, George L. Galbraith, J. M. Comstock, Theodore Chirischilles and Thomas Earley.
G. R. Woodworth, who handles cloth- ing, boots and shoes and notions, in ad- dition to dry goods, began business in Al- gona, in May, 1869. He erected the fine brick structure that he occupies at present, in the fall of 1883. It is 22x90 feet, two stories, high ceiling and french plate win- dows. It is one of the finest buildings devoted to mercantile pursuits in the city. George R. Woodworth, merchant, was born in June, 1843, in Orleans Co., N. Y.
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When sixteen years age he removed to Jamestown, N. Y., and was there engaged in the dry goods business until 1862. He then went to Faribault, Minn , remaining until 1865, then returning to Jamestown. In 1869 he came to Algona, where he has since been a prominent dry goods mer- chant. Mr. Woodworth was married Dec. 14, 1867, to Gertrude Hatch, also a native of New York. They have two children-Romeo II. and George W. Mr. Woodworth has been a member of the board of aldermen of this city and also of the school board. He is a member of the Masonic order.
S. C. Spear dispenses general merchan- dise in connection with dry goods. Ilis business dates from October, 1870. His present building was erected by him in the spring of 1877, and is 22x93 feet in dimensions.
S. C. Spear was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in June, 1843, and was reared and educated in Boston, Mass., and from his sixteenth year has been engaged in the clothing business. In 1868 he went to Portsmouth, N. II., and Portland, Maine, where he remained until 1868. He then came west and visited the cities of Chi- cago, Ill .; Dubnque, Iowa; Charles City, lowa and other places, and engaged in business for a short time at Manches- ter, Iowa. In 1870, he came to Algona, engaging in general merchandise busi- ness, handling dry goods, clothing, gro- ceries, etc. He is still engaged in the business, carrying a large stock and doing a good business. Mr. Spear enlisted, in 1864, in company C, 424 Massachusetts regiment, serving with Gen. Phil Sheri- dan. He married, in 1870, Emeline C.
Strout, a native of Portland, Maine. They have one child-Alice E.
George L. Galbraith began business in Algona, in December, 1870, and carries a large stock of carpets and fancy goods in addition to dry goods.
Theodore Chrischilles still continues to handle a stock of general merchandise, which business he established in August, 1870.
J. M. Comstock, who embarked in the dry goods business in 1872, is to be ranked among the most solid men in the mercan- tile circles. His store room, 21x60 feet, is too circumscribed for his well assorted stock, which foots up to about $10,000. J.M. Comstock was born Sept. 6, 1838, in Onei- da Co., N. Y. His parents, George and Eliza (Paine) Comstock, were natives of Connecticut. They were married in Cou- necticut, and immediately went to Onei- da Co., N. Y. In 1846 they moved to Wankesha Co., Wis., where they have since lived on a farm. J. M. Comstock was raised on a farm, receiving a liberal education. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry. Dec. 1, 1861, was promoted to first lientenant, and in the fall and winter participated in the guerrilla warfare in Missouri. In July, 1863, he was made captain of com- pany F, same regiment. His command took part in the battle at Cape Girardeau, at the time of Marmaduke's attack. In the summer of the same year he was ap- pointed provost marshal on Gen. McCook's staff, was in the battles of Shelbyville, Chickamauga and many others, among them the engagements in east Tennessee from the siege of Knoxville as well as the engagements in Sherman's march to
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Atlanta. He was mustered out in Decem- ber, 1864, at Louisville, Ky. In 1866 he was married at Oconomowoc, Wis., to Elizabeth Annis. They have two chil- dren-Mary and Jessie. In 1866 he went into mercantile business at Monterey, Wis. In 1872 he came to Algona, where he has since been engaged in mercantile trade. In politics he is a republican, has been councilman for six years, and in 1882 was elected mayor of the city. He is an ardent supporter of the temperance canse.
Thomas Earley, one of the young, en- terprising merchants in this line, carries a fine stock of clothing, boots and shoes, and furnishing goods, besides dry goods. He instituted his present business in April, 18.6. In June, 1883, he removed to his present fine store, which is twenty-five feet wide by 100 long. Here, displayed . upon counter and shelf, he shows the largest stock of goods in the county.
Thomas Earley is a native of Grafton Co., Wis., and was born April 6, 1849. His parents, Patrick and Anna (Buru) Earley, were natives of Ireland, and came abont 1848 to Wisconsin. In 1851 the family removed to Winnebago Co., Wis., where Thomas was reared and edncated. In 1867 he enlisted in the United States army, serving in company G, 35th regi- meut, which regiment afterwards fornred a part of the 4th regiment, Mr. Earley then being in company H. He was lo- cated during most of the time of service at Fort Russell and Fort Steele, Wyoming territory. After serving in the army three years he returned home, and in 1872 engaged in business at Winneconne, Wis., residing there four years. In 1876 he came to Algona and engaged in the cloth-
ing, dry goods and boot and shoe business. Mr. Earley has been very successful in business, having worked up gradually from a small store, until now he has the largest and best equipped store in the county, and is doing an extensive busi- ness. He was married Sept. 11, 1874, to Sarah Taylor, a native of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Earley have two children-Net- tie and Jessie. Mr. Earley is a member of the city council. He is a member of Algona Lodge, No. 236, I. O. O. F.
J. G. Smith is another of Algona's merchants that still continues to deal in merchandise. This business was estab- Jished in October, 1866, by John G. and Lewis H. Smith, under the name and style of Surith Brothers. In 1868 Francis C. Rist gave up his stage and mail business on account of ill health, and was admitted as a partner. Lewis H. Smith withdrew from the firm in May, 1870, but the firm was still coutinned under the old name. Mr. Rist dying in 1879, John G. Smith has continued to run the business alone.
In October. 1866, they were appointed agents for the American Express Com- pany, but on the withdrawal of that com- pany from this line of railroad, in 1869, this agency ceased. In July, 1872, J. G. Smith was appointed agent for the United States Express Company, a position he holds yet.
J. G. Smith, general merchant, was born in Middlesex Co., Mass., March 10, 1840, being there reared and educated. In 1866 he came to Algona and engaged in general merchandise business, being now the oldest merchant doing business at this point. Mr. Smith was for many years agent of the Northwestern Stage
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Company. He was married in June, 1868, to Lucinda T. Smith, a native of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. They have five children-Mande A., Kate N., Gracie B., Lou R. and Ilowland S. Mr. Smith has been a member of the city board of alder- men and school trustee of this district, and is now mayor of Algona, being elected in March, 1883. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a Knight Templar.
Only one house handles clothing and its accompaniment exclusively, that of George Solomon, who began business here Sep- tember, 1881, in a store one door north of the Bongey House. Here he remained until July, 1882, when he moved next door west of G. L. Galbraith's store on State street, only to remove to his present commodious quarters May 1, 1883. Mr. Solomon, although many of the stores carry lines of the goods he handles, does a large and lucrative business.
George Solomon is a native of Ger- many, born Aug. 23, 1854. In 1872 he emigrated to the United States, settling in Chicago, Ill., being engaged in the wholesale house of B. Ginsburg as clerk for five years. In 1877 he went to Tama City, Iowa, clerking for his brother at that place until 1881, when he engaged in the clothing trade in Algona, carrying a stock of clothing, boots and shoes, etc. Mr. Solomon was married July 30, 1882, to Sarah Sime, a native of Germany. They have one child-Ida. Mr. Solomon is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Algona, and of V. A. S. Fraternity of Algona Coligium.
The first drug store was established by Durant brothers in 1866. At a later date
Dr. L. A. Sheetz became a partner. In the fall of 1873 this firm dissolved and the stock was divided. The business is at the present in the hands of Durant Brothers, L. A. Sheetz and B. G. Forbush.
Durant Brothers carry, in addition to their stock of drugs, medicines and such goods, a large line of fancy goods, sta- tionery, etc.
L. A. Sheetz, in the Palace drug store, has a place of business that would do credit to a metropolitan city, and does an extensive business.
B. G. Forbush, the proprietor of the Good Samaritan drug store on east State street, does a nice business and holds good the name that ornaments his sign.
The first to embark in the grocery busi- ness exclusively was Samuel Hessler, who, in 1869, opened a store devoted to that line. This pioneer grocery store is still in existence, under the proprietorship of O. H. Marvin, who was his immediate suc- cessor.
The present dealers in groceries exclu- sively are the following named: Crose & Brunson, Orville Minkler, J. C. Heckart, Booth & Buell, C. A. Hurd & Co., O. II. Marvin, H. S. Langdon, D. W. C. Ackley and the Grange store.
Crose & Brunson instituted their busi- ness in September, 1881. They carry a stock of $4,000 worth of first-class gro- ceries, and keep everything in the neatest possible manner.
A. A. Brunson was born May 29, 1840, in Grand Isle Co., Vt., and there grew to manhood. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company H, 106th New York Volun- teer Infantry, and was rendezvoused at Camp Wheeler, Ogdensburg, from there
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sent to West Virginia, where he spent the winter of 1862-63. The following May he participated in the battle of Mar- tinsburg, battle of the Wilderness, Sonth Anna River, Spottsylvania Court House and Cold Harbor. He was then promoted to first lieutenant, and took command of company I. At the battle of Winchester he was wounded in the right hip, and in 1865 discharged at Indianapolis. He came west in April, 1865, settling in Clay- ton Co., Iowa, and engaging in mercantile business. In 1870 he came to Kossuth county and took a homestead. In 1873 he was elected superintendent of schools, and in 1875 re-elected. lle was after- wards appointed mail agent on the Chica- go, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad for two years. In 1866 he married Dora Ben- jamin, of Clayton Co., Iowa. They have two sons-Willis and Glenford. He is a Master Mason of Prudence Lodge, No. 205, of Algona; also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.
J. C. Heckart was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Dec. 2, 1838, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Heckart. When fourteen years of age, he removed with his parents to Elkhart, Ind., remaining there until 1856, when they came to Algona, Kossuth Co., Iowa. In 1861 Mr. Heckart enlisted in company F, 2d Iowa Cavalry, remain- ing with this command until the follow- ing February. In August, 1862, he again enlisted in the 32d regiment, Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, company A, and partici- pated in the following engagements-Fort DeRussy, Pleasant Hill, Lake Chicot and Fort Blakely. He also took part in the capture of two rebel transports, on Little Red river, Ark, while detailed on board
the gunboat Lexington, in 1863. After the close of the war, he returned to Kos- suth connty and engaged in farming. In 1871 he went into the mercantile trade, which business he has since followed. In 1866 Mr. Heckart married Amelia M. Phelps, of Fond du Lac, Wis., by whom he has had three children-Grant W., Jessie and Hattie. Mr. Heckart is a Mas- ter Mason, a member of Prudence Lodge, No. 205. He is also quartermaster of James C. Taylor Post, G. A. R.
De Witt Clinton Ackley, grocer and confectioner, was born in Pomfert, Chau- tanqua Co., N. Y., Oct. 22, 1831. When two years of age, the family removed to Bristol, Trumbull Co., Ohio. Mr. Ackley resided there until nineteen years of age, during which time he learned the black- smith trade; he ther, removed to Sheboy- gan Co., Wis., there working at his trade until 1852. He then returned to Ohio, remaining until 1853, when he again went to Wisconsin, and after a short residence in Sheboygan county, removed to Keno- sha county, where he resided until April, 1857; then removed to Kansas, stopping for a short time in Leavenworth and then moving to Hickory Point, Jefferson county, taking an active part in the strug- gle then in progress which made Kansas a free State. In May, 1850, Mr. Ackley went to Denver, Col., where he remained until July of that year, then returned to Ohio, and in July, 1861, enlisted in the 14th Ohio Battery of mounted artillery, serving until January, 1863. At tire bat- tle of Pittsburg Landing, Mr. Ackley was wounded in the right leg and discharged on account of physical disability. He returned to Ohio, where he remained
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until March, 1863, at which time he re- turned to Kenosha Co., Wis. In October, 1863, he came to Iowa, first locating at Waverly, and in March, 1864, removed to Freeborn Co., Minn. In November, 1865, he removed to Mitchell, Iowa, and in Angust, 1870, came to Algona, working at the blacksmith trade until 1883, when he engaged in the grocery business. Mr. Ackley was married April . 30, 1854, to Clarissa Woodworth, a native of New York. They have four children-Mary A., Olive A., Delia O. and Bnel C. Mrs. Ackley is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Ackley is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Booth & Bnell, who are the successors to Phillips Bros., entered into business partnership in 1883, and enjoy a fair share of the patronage of the people of this locality.
Dumont A. Buell, of the firm of Booth & Buell, grocers, was born in April, 1840, in Monroe Co., N. Y. When thirteen years of age he removed with his parents to Ottawa, Ill., where he was reared and educated. Ile engaged in farming at Ot- tawa until 1880, when he came to Algona and entered into land speculations, at which he is still engaged. In April, 1883, he went into the grocery business with Mr. Booth. Mr. Buell was married Oct. 17, 1867, to Emma Hardy. They had two children-Hardy and Emma. Mrs. Buell died in March, 1877. Mr. Bnell married, in 1879, Pamelia Thurber, a native of Illinois. They have two children-Ella L. and Julia T. Mr. and Mrs. Buell are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Bnell is a member of the Masonic order.
The Grange store is under the general management of J. E. Blackford, and car- ries a stock of about $4,000 in various lines.
The growth of the furniture trade has been interesting to watch. In 1856 John Heckart opened a cabinet shop for the repair of disabled and maimed furniture, and in connection ran a turning lathe and did odd jobs at painting. This lathe of Mr. Heckart's was in a small building, which hung upon a pivot. The lathe was driven by a wind-mill, and as the wind varied the building was moved around to the proper position for sails of the mill to catch the wind. Mr. Heckart for many years made and repaired almost all the furniture in the county, and is at present one of Algona's prominent citizens, hav- ing retired from active pursuits and eu- joying the .fruits of his former industry.
John Heckart, the pioneer cabinet maker of Algona, was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., May 14, 1805. In 1832 he was married to Elizabeth Fisher, and they have lived happily together for more than balf a century. In 1836 he left his na- tive State and moved to Wayne Co., Ohio, where he resided until 1854, when he re- moved to Elkhart, Ind. In 1856 he came to Algona, then a place with two log cabins. Here he embarked in the cabinet business, being the first cabinet maker in the county. He made chairs and bed- steads, many of which are now in use.
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