USA > Iowa > Monona County > History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 37
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a great excitement in its day. For years the eiti- zens of Onawa and of Western Iowa looked for its coming, the illusive hope of its being built, "that season," being held out that year, until finally the company, which was a merely speculative one, suc- eumbed, and the hope of its coming passed away. So matters continued until 1867, with occasional excitements arising from reports of railroads build- ing, and out of which there grew an unbelief in all railroad schemes. But in the year above mentioned, the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad was built through the length of the Missouri bottom from Missouri valley, north, and was welcomed at On- awa with enthusiasm, the first train running in here in October of that year.
For many years after this, the citizens of Onawa were interested observers of the development of the various railroads of the State, but none came to this quarter, notwithstanding the easy grade of the Missouri Valley. The Northwestern Railroad con- trolled the situation, having the Sioux City and Paeifie as a feeder, and in 1877 built a branch down the Maple River as far as Mapleton, and a little
later, a branch to Correctionville on the Little Sioux. It was thus enabled to secure all the traffic of an immense territory, reaching from the Illinois Central on the north, to the Rock Island on the south, and eastward nearly to the Des Moines River. Until some rival company should show some signs of wresting this territory from them, there was but little hope of their extending their lines any through the great scope of country thus tributary to themn. Thus the situation remained until in April, 1886, when the Milwaukee, having been awakened to its interests, inaugurated the work on its Defiance line that passes through the east part of the county.
About the same time the Northwestern Railroad company awakened to their interests, and April 21, 1886, D. B. Waterman, right of way agent of that road made his appearance in Onawa, and at once commenced negotiations for the necessary land on which to build the extension of their Maple Valley branch. A survey was at once made, and early in
May of that year, the contract for grading the road- bed let, the immediate corporation being known as the Maple Valley Railway Company. Work was at once commeneed and pushed with energy. The first rail was laid at Mapleton, May 31, Mark Wrig- ley, of the Press bolting the same to the old traek of which this was to be the extension. Work com- menced at Onawa about the 25th of July, and was prosecuted vigorously, for some time, and Tues- day, September 21, 1886, the last rail was laid, the last spike was driven, and Onawa had a new con- nection with the great markets of the world, and soon the iron horse thundered into the town from a new direction, regular trains being put on about the Ist of October.
In 1883, a local railroad company was organized at Onawa, of which Hon. Addison Oliver and Mitchell Vincent, with other leading citizens, were prominent members, and made a survey, locating a line of road up the Little Sioux Valley, all the pro . files being taken, and estimates made. In a contest for the territory between the Illinois Central, and the Milwaukee, this survey and any rights which the local company had, were in June, 1887, trans- ferred to the Illinois Central, and hereupon the lat- ter commenced a survey of the entire road from Cherokee, the engineers arriving in Onawa, July 3, of that year, and establishing the line through the town on the Nation's birthday. The contract for the grading was at once let, Mitchell Vincent, of Onawa. obtaining the contract covering the line from Correctionville to Onawa, a distance of thirty- six miles, and work began in this county Monday, July 18, on the John Beers' farm in Kennebee Township. Some differences of opinion arose as to the location of the depot, which were amicably set- tled, and the same located at Ruby and West Broadway, and by the public-spirited course of Onawa's citizens, a liberal purse was raised to pay for depot ground to donate the company. During the summer the work continued, and before snow fell, the trains were running into the city, connec- ting them with the great Illinois Central system.
VILLAGE OF WHITING,
CHAPTER XXVII.
DIE village of Whiting, the third in point of size and importance in the county. is loca- ted upon the north part of section 1, town- ship 84, range 46, and section 36. township 85. range 46. The original town site was laid out by the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad Company in June. 1873, the plat being filed with the county re- corder, July 5, that year. Since that time the fol- lowing additions have been filed on the day and date mentioned : First Addition, by the Missouri Valley Land Company, May 25. 1880; Second Ad- dition, by the same party, April 22, 1882; Third and Fourth Additions by the same, June 26, 1884; East Whiting, by George H. and Lucy Ann But- ler, September 6, 1879; and Blair's Addition to East Whiting, by John R. Blair, July 15, 1882.
It is beautifully situated in the rich farming country on the Missouri River bottoms, and is one of the leading business stations on the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad. In the way of society, churches and schools it is every way a desirable place to build up a home in, and as a shipping and business point is rapidly coming to the front rank.
The pioncer store of the new town was opened by Lyman Whittier. He came here April 25, 1873, and erected a frame building, 20x40 feet in size. part of his present structure, in which he opened a stock of general merchandise. This was the first building on the site.
The second building was put up by Leonard
Jennewein, which was used for the entertainment of the traveling public. This is a part of the pres- ent Whiting House.
The third building in the little hamlet was a blacksmith-shop erected by E. J. Smith, the same summer, and in August, Lyman Whittier up a grain warehouse.
The same summer the old depot at Sloan, a small affair, was moved here and in this the railroad did business until 1873, when it was removed to Blencoe. They in the month of March of that year, brought another old building from Sioux City, and enlarged and refitted it, opening it for general business July 21, 1878.
A small building was put up by Boyd Bros., and after various uses is now occupied as a storeroom and warehouse by Cassady & Whiting.
About the sixth or seventh building put up was erected by A. G. Wight. This was afterward used by Dr. Rust as a drug store, and now by II. M. Watson as a barber-shop.
Leonard Jennewein and A. G. Wight also run small stores in 1877.
The next building was that of the Silver Lake Hotel, kept first by the Godsey Bros., in 1879.
An agricultural warehouse was erected by Mor- ris & Bailey in 1882, and that business opened by them.
The first meat market opened in 1879, by George Kron, on lot 6, block 3.
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MONONA COUNTY.
Koon & Dimmick put up a building and opened | hardware; Mrs. W. N. Benediet, Mrs. B. F. Mor- the first hardware store, in the fall of 1882.
In the fall of 1879 Rust & Morley opened the first drug store, in a building formerly put up by A. G. Wight, ont the following year moved into a building which they had just erected. They still carry on the business.
Russell & MeClain opened a hardware store, and I. N. Russell a furniture store in 1881.
The first millinery establishment was opened about April t, 1881. by Mrs. B. F. Morris, who still carries on the business.
Cassaday & Whiting commenced business as dealers in general merchandise in 1880, and have continued in that line ever since without change. The firm is composed of E. M. Cassady and Will C. Whiting.
On January 2, 1882, Dimmick & Koon opened a hardware store. The firm carried on the business until a few years ago, when the name and style was changed to its present one of Dimmick & Patter- SON.
The general merchandise firm of Blair & Polly originated with Curtis C. Polly and J. Q. Wiles, under the firm name of Wiles & Polly, in July, 1882. Fifteen months later the present firm was formed, J. R. Blair purchasing the interest of Mr. Wiles.
The growth of the town was slow for a time, in 1885 the place containing only three general mer- chandise, one hardware store, one drug store. one blacksmith-shop, two hotels, a grain warehouse or two, schoolhouse, post-office, two livery barns and two churches.
The business of the village is represented at the present writing (1889) by the following individ- uals or firms:
Lyman Whittier. Cassaday & Whiting, Blair & Polly. general merchandise; W. N. Benedict, gro- cereries; William Stacy, hoots and shoes; Rust & Morley, drugs; two temperance saloons, B. II .; one newspaper: Ned Sudduth, Koon Bros., II. M. Watson, barber shops; W. C. Whiting & Co., lum- ber and implements; E. J. Smith, blacksmith and carriage-builder; John Peterson. butcher; J. R. Blair, elevator; C. Watkins & Co., harness; T. Hamblin, furniture and undertaker; Whiting Bros ,
ris. millinery; two hotels; two livery-stables; one bank; W. B. Arnold, groceries and boarding-house.
Asa V. Iliekle came to Whiting in March, 1888, and engaged in the grocery trade, a business in which he was succeeded by W. N. Benediet in the summer of 1889.
Ilans Olson located in the town of Whiting in September, 1875, being engaged in railroad work, and for the most of the time since has been a resi- dent here.
E. J. Smith came here, as has been mentioned, in the fall of 1873. and put up the first bla ksmith- shop. and in spite of misfortunes has remained a resident ever since.
The Bank of Whiting was organized March 10, 1884, with Fred MeCausland as president, and George Stevens, cashier. Mr. McCausland came to the village in 1882, and carried on the real estate. loan and other business in that line, but in Octo- ber, 1883, commenced the erection of the building in which the bank is located, and established that institution the following spring.
HOTELS.
A part of what is now the Whiting House was erected in the summer of 1873 by L. Jennewein, and run by him as a hotel until 1877, when it passed into the hands of Daniel O'Neill, who en- larged it and gave it its present name. Mr. O'Neill acted as landlord of the hostelry until September 14, 1886, when be was succeeded by R. A. Edgar, who remained at the head of affairs until Ist of October. 1887, when Mr. O'Neill again became the landlord. A month later, that gentleman having other business, Worley Bros. assumed its manage- ment, and presided over the destinies of this pio- noer hotel until 1888, when they in turn were succeeded by Joseph Bennett. In the spring of 1889 Stephen Seward, the present landlord, com- menced the entertainment of the travelling public.
The Silver Lake House, now the Commercial, was built in 1879. and operated for about two years by Godsey Bros. It was then sold to Ralph Bailey who acted as landlord for about six months, at the end of which time it was rented and run by W. D. Dimmick, who soon purchased the same. One year
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MONONA COUNTY.
later it passed into the hands of W. G Ballard, who presided over it a year and a half, and its manage- ment was then transferred to B. Polly. In August, 1885, the house passed into the hands of Thomas Griffin, who commeneed to enact the role of host. About the first of the following year it came into the hands of R. T. Cummings, but shortly after he was succeeded by Thomas Combs. In July, 1886, the latter gentleman closed the house for a short time and then sold it to the present proprietors, Morris & Smith, who changed the name, and re- opened it for business.
ELEVATOR.
Two warehouses were erected at this point in the summer of 1873, one by the Grange, and the other by Lyman Whittier. The former of these, injured by the train running into it, was removed and de- voted to other uses; the latter was altered into a dwelling-house. The elevator was built by John R. Blair in 1884.
POST-OFFICE.
The post-office of Whiting was brought from West Fork on the' 27th of June, 1873, and estab- lished in the 'store of Lyman Whittier, with that gentleman as Postmaster. He remained in charge of the mails at this point until January 12, 1886, when he was succeeded by W. II. Wonder in the office. The latter removed the same to his office and fitted it up with new boxes and other appliances until it is one of the best in the county. Novem- ber 22, 1889, the present incumbent. C. A. Thomas, took charge of the office.
PRESS.
The Sentinel, the pioneer paper of Whiting, was established by W. A. Greene, now of Onawa, in May, 1883, and carried on by that gentleman as au exponent of the Republican faith and local inter- ests, until February, 1885, when it was sold to W. H. Wonder, formerly the editor of the Mondamin Independent, who changed the name to that of the Whiting Herald, and its political complexion to the Democratic side of the house. The first number issued bears the date of February 21, 1885, and is a neatly printed, well edited, seven-column fo-
lio. Mr. Wonder successfully carried on this, the only Democratic paper in the county, until he disposed of it, increasing the influence and elfi- ciency of the paper wonderfully, and enlarging it from time to time as necessity demanded, until it stood high in the estimation the of people.
On the 22d of November, 1889, Mr. Wonder disposed of the paper to C. A. Thomas and Frank Stevenson, who, under the firm name of Thomas & Stevenson, changed it from a five-column quarto to an eight-column folio, and its polities to that of the Republican party.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first schoolhouse was put up early in the town's history, in that part of the town east of the track, and in this Miss Ella Holmes tanght the first school. This building is now used by E. J. Smith as a paint-shop. The Independent school district was formed in 1882. In 1883 a new schoolhouse was erected in the village and used by the Inde- pendent distriet for about two years, but the room proving too limited for the growing town, on the 6th of April, 1885, the question of bonding the district for $5,000 to raise the funds necessary to the erection of a new building, was submitted to the qualified eleetors and received an almost unan- imous endorsement, there being but six dissenting votes. On the 23d of May, the same year, a con- traet for the erection of the new building was let by the school board to Wakefield & Moir, of Sioux City. the plan being furnished by M. B. Pullen, of Onawa, and the structure commenced. On its completion, an able architect of Omaha was con- sulted, who, on close investigation, declared that the work was complete and well executed, on which the contractors were paid the sum of $5,603. The building is of brick, and is divided into four large class-rooms, each 24x37 feet in size, one recitation room 12x18 feet, and halls, cloak rooms, ete., and is one of the best in the county. The first teachers in this new building were as follows: Prof. C. A. Love, F. B. Kessling, Miss Marion Ramsdell, Miss Mary McWilliams and Miss Martin. The present faculty is composed of the following named : Prof. Weaver; and Misses Martha Elliott, Sadie Ilagne and Marion Ramsdell.
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MONONA COUNTY.
RELIGIOUS.
The Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1880 the Rev. . I. W. Fawcett came here and organized a a class, and commenced the ercetion of the church building, collecting the material for the same. In September. 1882. Nathan Watson. J. W. Hoar, William Anderson and Porter MeKinstrey, the first trustees, purchased a lot on which to put up the church edifice, which was soon after this erected. The various pastors having charge here have been. the Revs. P. Billings. Thomas, Samuel Snyder, G. M. Pendell, W. M. Edgar, J. Burns and E. D. Ben- ediet, the present incumbent.
The Congregational Church was instituted about the same time, through the instrumentality of the Rev. C. N. Lyman, of Onawa, who acts as pastor of this church also.
The Christian Church of Whiting was organized in the fall of 1885, and the society purchased the old schoolhouse, and removing it more to the cen- ter of the village, south of the elevator, remodeled it. As it had been in use but about two years and was 24x40 feet in size, some eight feet were added to the front of it, and the interior changed so as to fit it for its new purpose. This church was used for the first time for Divine worship February 1. 1886, Elder Poston, presiding. On the same day a Sabbath- school was organized, and the following Officers chosen : W. Il. Wonder, Superintendent; J. R. Harlan, Assistant Superintendent; Henry Cormany, Secretary; L. James, Assistant Secretary ; L. Norwood, Treasurer; Giles Cormany, Assistant Treasurer; dames Nance, Librarian, and Belle Polly, Assistant Librarian. The school opened with some eighty-seven members, eight of whom were teachers. In the summer of 1889, through the instrumentality of the ladies of the congrega- tion, a new belfry some fifty feet in height was erected, and the entire church remodeled, repa- pered and repainted, making it one of the neatest in the county.
St. John's Roman Catholic Church was organized through the instrumentality of the Rev. Father Daley, in the summer of 1886. In the spring of 1887 a movement was put on foot by the pastor, to purchase the church building owned by the I'ni- ted Brethren, built in 1882, that denomination
1
having lost most of its members by removals, which culminated in the transfer of the property to the C'atholies, June 17, 1887. An altar was at once erected. and the house fitted up for the services of the church. Father Daley remained in charge of the church until August, 1887, when he was transferred to Sioux City, and succeeded by the Rev. Father Reynolds. The charge includes Cor- rectionville, Onawa and Blencoe. The Rev. Father Bowen is the present pastor.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Like -most of new towns the majority of the buildings in Whiting are frame, and hence are more suceptible of .damage by fire than if of more substantial material. Attention was drawn to these facts quite frequently in the columns of the paper, and resulted in the formation of a hook and ladder company among the younger members of the com- munity May 7, 1885. The following were elected officers: W. D. Dimmick, President; O. J. Easton, Secretary; George 11. Stevens, Treasurer; A. M. Patterson, Chief; E. E. Egli, foreman, and Frank Minard, assistant.
In the early part of 1886 the question of a more efficient protection against the devastations of the Sre fiend, became agitated, and at a meeting of the city council, May 1, a representative of the firm of C. G. Carleton & Co., of Chicago, Ill., made a proposition to sell the town a hand engine, hose reel, four hundred feet of hose and all the necessary appurtenances to make them thoroughly efficient, for the sum of $925, taking their pay in town war- rants, drawing seven per cent. interest. After some discussion the contract was closed with him, and in due time the apparatus received. Steps were taken for the organization of a fire department, and the following officers were chosen : A. M. Patterson, Chief : Ora J. Easton, foreman of the hose com- pany ; Charles Koon, foreman of the engine com- pany, and Thomas Ilamblen, assistant; Frank Minard, foreman of the hook and ladder company ; Ora J. Easton and Eugene E. Egli, pipemen.
A new brick building for their headquarters was erected by the village board on Blair Street, during the summer of 1889, which was opened with a grand ball, on the evening of October 10. The
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MONONA COUNTY.
present officers of the department are: W. C. Whiting, President; Ora J. Easton, Secretary and Chief ; George Mickelwait, foreman of the engine company ; John Mickelwait, foreman of the hose company ; and G. H. Stevens, Treasurer.
TELEPHONE.
Whiting is connected with the balance of the world by the Western Union Telegraph line, and with Sioux City, Onawa, Storm Lake. and interme- diate points, by the ever handy telephone. The latter was brought into the village in November, 1886. It is now located in Cassaday & Whiting's store.
BAND.
This band, which has had the reputation of being one the best in the county, was organized in March, 1883, with the following members: F. W. S. For- est. E flat and leader; H. Davidson, E flat; L. P. Norwood, B flat; F. W. Thorp, solo alto; II. M. Watson, alto; B. F. Morris, solo tenor; J. Q. Wiles.
tenor; J. W. Kesterson, tuba; Mons Axelson, clar- ionet; Harley Hoogeboom, snare drum, and D. G. Millet, bass drum.
This band has been carried on ever since, with more or less success from that time to the present, but in the last year has not been held up to the high standard it formerly held. The following is the list of the officers and members: Charles Koon, E flat and leader; C. A. Thomas, solo E flat; Shir- ley Skidmore, B flat; F. W. Thorp, solo alto; Will G. Brown, baritone; Samuel Gillis, alto; M. J. Rose, alto; B. F. Morris, tenor; C. L. Watkins, tenor; Harley Hoogeboom, snare drum ; D. G, Mil- lett, bass drum, and J. W. Kesterson, tuba.
OPERA HIALL,
This edifice was erected by a stock company composed of W. C. Whiting & Co., J. Q. Wiles, E. M. Whiting and Gray & Allison, in the spring of 1883. The present proprietors are W. C. Whit- ing & Co. and Holbrook & Bro.
EAST MAPLETON.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
6 HE village usually called Mapleton, is a beautiful and enterprising one in the north- eastern part of the county, situated on sec- tion 24, township 85, range 43, or the township of Maple. Its lovely location on the banks of the Maple River, in the far-famed valley named after that stream, singles it out as a most desirable place of residence, while as a business center it is fully the peer of any town of its size in this locality. The original town was laid out by the Blair Town Lot and Land Company, an organization for the crea- tion of new towns, in the early fall or summer of 1877, the plat of the same being filed for record October 6, of that year. Four additions have been laid out by the same parties, the plats being filed upon the following dates: First addition, June 10, 1881; Second addition, August 31, 1882; Third addition, July 7, 1884; and Fourth addition, April 2, 1887. It lies about a mile east of the old vil- lage of Mapleton, and owes its birth to the location of the depot and terminus of the Maple Valley branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, at this point, in 1877.
BUSINESS HISTORY.
About September 1, 1877, the first business house was opened in the new village. James Garrison, one of Mapleton's prominent citizens of to day. came here about that date and opened a grocery-
store in a small temporary building, 10x12 feet in size. that was hastily built in front of the Cam- eron elevator. The lumber for this structure was hauled here by one team and the stock by another. In this Mr. Garrison carried on business, dealing out goods over a counter made of a dry-goods box, about one hundred days, when having completed a more commodious and convenient quarters on the south- east corner of Fourth and Main Streets he moved to that locality. Mr. Garrison continued in this line of trade until May 1, 1881, when he sold out to M. S. Bullock and purchased the hardware stand of Whiting & Co., which be carried on until De- cember 1, 1889, on which date he sold out to Alfred Morrison.
M. S. Bullock after purchasing the business added general merchandise and carried it on until the early part of 1885, when he sold out to Car- peuter Bros. They were succeeded by M. S. Bul- lock again, in July of the same year. He was succeeded by John Blough in 1887. The latter carried on the store until the fall of 1888, when he was succeeded by W. C. Page, the present proprie- tor.
About the same time Wilsey & Simmons, who had been in trade at the old town, moved their stock to the new town and carried on the general merchandise trade there as a firm for about a year, when they sold out to S. B. Gilmore & Co.,
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who continued in the trade, under that name, with some changes of partners until 1884, when they elosed out the stock and quit business.
In October, of the same year, a drug business was initiated by W. H. Mellenry and A. Barrett, under the firm name of Mellenry & Barrett, they ereeted a frame building on lot 6, block 2, on the main street. They continued to operate the busi- ness together until April, 1878, when Dr. F. Griffin purchased the interest of Mr. Barrett and the firm of MeHenry & Griffin was formed. November. 1878, Mr. Mellenry disposed of his share in the business to E. J. Williams and the firm name was changed to that of Griffin & Williams and these gentleman carried on the store until April 22, 1881, when Dr. Griffin became the sole proprietor, and has continued in the trade ever since. The busi- ness was located in a neat frame building 16x24 feet in size, a story and a half high, in which it was established, until the summer of 1887, when the building in which it is now kept was erected on the site of the old one. This is a handsome brick structure, 25x65 feet in size and neatly fitted up.
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