USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > History of O'Brien County, Iowa, from its organization to the present time > Part 22
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On the evening of April 13, 1886, a small sized tornado, visited this section of the county, but seemed to avoid Suther- land. In the county it did some damage. They had another high wind June 14, 1886, which scattered several piles of
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
boards in Portér & Sieh's lumber yard, and made quite a strain on several buildings. On that same day, in the storm, W. S. Hitchings' large elevator was struck with lightning,. but was not damaged much.
Sutherland became metropolitan enough in May, 1886, to indulge in a jail which seems to be a municipal necessity.
The Bank of Sutherland was established in 1882, and the State Bank in 1886. The last named bank was incorporated by W. P. Davis, D. M. Shel- don, C. E. Achorn and W. S. Hitchings, the capital stock be- ing $25,000; they immediately erected a brick bank building.
The Bank of Sutherland re- ceived its charter as a national bank, called the «First Na- tional Bank of Sutherland " in January, 1887. The officers of the newly organized bank at its start were: Benj. Thomp- son, president; James Porter, vice president; C. H. Brintnall, cashier ; B. Thompson, C. Long- shore, James Porter, N. P. T. Finch, and D. A. Innes. The First Savings Bank of Suther- land was incorporated in Febru- BRODERS & TAGGE'S STORE, HARTLEY. ary, 1897, by the following named persons, C. E. Achorn, T. B. Bark, A. J. Sieh, S. J. Jordan, C. P. Jordan, H. Kummerfeld, E. F. Jockheck, of whom the following are directors, S. J. Jordan, T. B. Bark, C. E. Achorn, Clay P. Jordan and A. J. Sieh.
An organization intended to advance the interests of Suther- land was formed in November, 1886, with the following named officers: Jas. Porter, president; T. J. Alexander, vice president; J. B. Dunn, secretary; C. W. Brintnall, treasurer ;
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
C. E. Achorn, Geo. F. Colcord, J. N. Slick, A. F. Horstman, E. P. Messer, executive committee.
Daniel Holbrook Wheeler, an old settler of the county died at Sutherland, December 22, 1886. He was the father of Mrs. Julia W. Burlock and Mrs. Roma W. Woods.
A Womans Relief corps was organized April 5, 1887, and the following were its first officers, Mrs. Agnes Gates, Mrs. Martha Parks, senior vice president; Mrs. Jennie Baldwin, conductor; Mrs. Amy Van Horn, assistant conductor; Miss Mabel Inman, secretary; Mrs. Mary Colcord, treasurer; Mrs. Nellie Nelson, guard; Miss Mame Messer, assistant guard; Mrs. Ada Peck, chaplain. Its present officers are as follows : Maggie Hicks, president; Roma W. Woods, secretary.
The Grand Army of the Republic Post was organized in Sutherland, and still continues to thrive and prosper although some of its members have gone to their long home and others moved away, while new members have been added. The post is named the E. O. C. Ord Post. Without continuing its list of officers we might say, that in January, 1887, there was selected E. P. Messer, commander; F. L. Bidwell, senior vice commander; N. Remington, junior vice commander; George Nelson, quartermaster; C. W. Inman, adjutant; Geo. F. Col- cord, officer of the day; Thomas Steward, chaplain, E. T. Cleveland, officer of the guard; E. W. McOmber, surgeon; R. VanHorn, quarter master sergeant; J. B. Dunn, sergeant major; and W. J. Stewart, sentinal.
A hook and ladder company was the first fire organization, under the name of "Rescue Hook and Ladder company." This was recognized by the town council as a fire company, in May, 1887, and re-organized with Thos. Spence, foreman; D. C. O'Brien, assistant foreman; A. F. Horstman, secretary ; and J. C. Briggs, treasurer. Its present officers are as fol- lows: J. R. Carroll, chief; L. J. Price, foreman of hook and ladder; John Hicks, assistant foreman of hook and ladder; John Voss, foreman of the engine; E. C. Seeley, assistant fore- man of the engine.
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
Dr. John M. Louthan, for some time a resident of Suther- land, a good physician and a kindly, humane man, died De- cember II, 1888.
The town was incorporated in 1883 with officers elected to hold until the general election in March, 1884, at which there was elected :
Mayor W. S. Hitchings
Recorder C. H. Brintnall
Treasurer A. M. Ciley
Assessor
C. W. Iman
Trustees
A. Horstman, J. M. Slick, A. C.
Bliss, C. W. Briggs, H. C. Hoagland, C. P. Gracey
Street commissioner C. Nelson
1885.
The 1885 election resulted in
Mayor A. M. Ciley
Recorder Bert Hamilton
Treasurer . L. J. Price
Street Commissioner R. Cummings
Councilmen
C. W. Brintnall, L. W. Fairbank,
full term; C. W. Briggs, Geo. F. Colcord, short term
1886.
Mayor J. C. Bonham
Councilmen W. S. Hitchings, Wm. Kelsey, G. C. Shultz
Recorder Bert Hamilton
Treasurer L. J. Price
Assessor
Thos. Spence
Street Commissioner Robert Cummings
1888.
Mayor W. P. Davis
Councilmen
James Parks, J. C. Briggs
Assessor C. M. Ciley
Recorder Bert Hamilton
Treasurer J. C. Bonham
R. Cummings Street Commissioner
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
The records are somewhat incomplete so that 'we will not undertake to give accurately the list of all officers since the above named year. But the present officers for 1897 are as follows:
Mayor J. C. Briggs
Councilmen W. S. Hitchings, G. K.
Shultz, J. L. Jockeck, E. O. Woodbury, H. L. Chesley Marshal
Treasurer
Adolph Sieh
Street Commissioner
-James Hicks
Recorder J. L. Worden
Upon examination of the mayor's docket, if all have been punished that ought to be, the town has been reasonably peace- able. There are about twenty-eight cases on the docket, most of which are for being drunk and disorderly, two for using obscene language, and one for using profane language on the public street.
An early resident of the county, C. E. Achorn, has resided in Sutherland several years. He has been a prominent busi- ness man of the county, came when a boy from Boston, Mass., and has since become a doctor in osteopathy, with an office at his former home in Boston.
W. S. Hitchings, is also an early resident of the county and now one of the prominent citizens of Sutherland.
CHURCH DIRECTORY OF SUTHERLAND.
First M. E. church, H. B. Green, pastor. Church of Christ, W. F. Moore, pastor ..
SECRET SOCIETIES.
M. W. OF A.
W. E. Rockwell, consul.
C. H. Jenner, clerk.
A. F. & A. M.
J. B. Murphy, W. M.
C. H. Jenner, secretary.
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
K. OF P. J. R. Carroll, C. C. H. L. Chesley, K. of R. and S. I. O. G. T.
Andrew E. Knutson, C. T. Fred S. Knott, secretary. I. O. O. F.
F. L. Price, N. G. E. L. Dunning, secretary. DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH. R. L. Smith, N. G. J. Y. Cartano, secretary. W. R. C.
Maggie Hicks, president.
Roma W. Woods, secretary. IOWA LEGION OF HONOR. A. L. Martin, president. W. A. Brady, secretary.
The present business houses of Sutherland are as follows:
D. M. Sheldon & Co., dry goods and groceries.
D. Hockert & Son, dry goods and groceries.
E. Miller, dry goods and groceries.
E. L. Schwerdtfeger, hardware.
Will Frazier, barber shop.
B. S. Louthan, physician.
O. Gleason, confectionery. Gus Schultz, billiard hall. Charles Peaker, dry goods and groceries. L. J. Price, drugs. James Briggs, harness shop. James Hakeman, hardware.
F. B. Bark, implement company.
H. A. Worden, millinery and confectionery. Sutherland State Bank, W. P. Davis, president. Geo. F. Colcord, lawyer.
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
J. R. Carroll, harness shop.
C. F. McCormack, lawyer. E. O. Woodbury, agricultural implements. Ed. Lucas, proprietor New Park hotel.
A. F. Meade, livery.
J. L. Kroesen, proprietor Commercial House.
A. J. Sieh, lumber and coal. .
J. H. Queal & Co., lumber and coal.
P. S. Stearns, veterinary surgeon.
William Johnson, saloon.
Robert Nelson, meat market.
James Reager, restaurant.
Adams Bros., creamery.
John Jenner, saloon.
D. W. Pratt, blacksmith.
William Frear, wagon shop.
George Brawders, livery.
William Ferguson, blacksmith.
J. S. Hockert, grocer.
J. L. Kroesen, proprietor Sutherland Review.
F. B. Bark, president National bank.
Barmore & Pickerell, druggists.
C. B. Warwick, barber shop. Misses Hinkley & Speer, millinery.
William Kelsey, harness shop.
W. H. Bloom, proprietor of Courier.
J. N. Slick, dry goods and groceries. Kerchhof & Jewws, meat market. Albert Boyles, restaurant.
S. Innes, furniture and undertaking. Henry Gutts, shoemaker.
E. W. Parker, physician. William Doyle, photograph gallery.
C. L. Taylor, well driller.
T. J. Kennedy, painter and paper hanger. J. G. Hayes, painter and paper hanger.
383
HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
H. L. Chesley, postmaster. James Rowland, marshal.
B. A. Morrow, dentist.
D. C. O'Brien, drayman. A. W. Sterling, drayman.
J. C. Dulin, drayman.
HARTLEY.
Hartley is situated on the northeast quarter of section 32, in Hartley township, and was named after one of the railroad surveyors. It came into existence by reason of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad cross- ing the county, and was started in 1879. Its first depot, as usual in such cases, was a box car, which however, soon after gave way to a sub- stantial structure. George Titus was the first depot agent, and the first post- master.
The first store in town was that of J. S. Finster and W. S. Fuller, under the firm name of Finster & Fuller. The next store was by Pumph- PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING, HARTLEY. rey & Chrysler, who erected the building on Main street now occupied by Wheelock & Co. Then followed a grocery store and a saloon combined by N. Plawson. Frank Matott and
384
HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
W. J. Guenther opened the first saloon and billiard hall. Mr. Guenther still remains in business there.
The first hotel in town was opened by J. K. McAndrew in a building near the depot, which was afterwards run by Mr. Fox. Mr. McAndrew afterwards moved the building on Main street, and built an addition to it. He gave it the name Commercial House and again became the landlord. This hotel was afterwards taken down and upon the same site was erect- ed the Williams Bros. brick block. During the winter of 1879 and 1880, money was scarce, and many of the incoming settlers were hard up, but fuel must be had. The Milwaukee com- pany had a coal shed at Hartley filled with coal, and it is certain- ly hard for a man, with little ones shiver-
M. E. CHURCH, HARTLEY. · ing at home without fuel, and no money to buy it with, and no credit, to resist the temptation of appropriating from a pile of of plenty, and transporting to a hearthstone where there was none. Many a sack went from the coal shed to the fireside, and many a heart was made glad with railroad coal. ' Some- times, however, a fellow may get caught, and the expectations of a safe trip may result in exposure.
One fellow secured a sack full under cover of night, and
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
started for home. It had thawed some that day, and in cross- ing a ditch, he fell, and landed on his back in the water with the sack of coal across his neck, in such a way that he was actually held down without being able to get up, in spite of every effort he made to do so. There was nothing left but hollow for help, which he did, and attention in that way being attracted to him, he was rescued. Silence was secured by a plentiful supply of beer to the rescuers, and the company were
BANK
FIRST NATIONAL BANK, HARTLEY.
none the wiser for the mishap. Some others had narrow es- capes from being caught, and in cases of extreme need, it raises quite an ethical question as well as a legal one, whether or not with plenty of fuel around, one shall suffer and shiver
25
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
with the cold, even if the fuel is not his own. At one time in the history of the town, a Methodist preacher was captured by the saloon element. He was poorly paid by his church, as the church at that time was poor itself. The preacher being without the necessities of life at home, made application to a farmer near town for help, which was freely given. While in town that evening the farmer told the circumstances in Frank Matott's saloon, as Frank was treasurer of the society; twenty dollars was raised at once, and soon the preacher's house was liberally supplied, but the farmer was raked over the coals by the church, the preacher was justified, but soon resigned. He preached, however, to the other crowd and was paid forty-five dollars a month, and the sound of the gos- pel went out among the sheep outside the fold.
Milo Silverthorn soon started a livery stable, David Gano a hardware, also a meat market. H. J. Guenther came all the way from New York with a stock of boots and shoes, and soon the footwear wants of the people were thoroughly sup- plied. Hartley remained unshaven except that each did for himself, until Gid Clausen opened up a barber shop, and ac- cording to Claud Charles the manner of operation was some- what peculiar. Claud says the barber outfit consisted of a bar of White Russian soap, a razor and the leg of a boot for a strap. The barber chair consisted of a bench, upon which each customer was placed flat on his back, when the barber would cover his face with lather from the White Russian soap, then straddled him as a man does a horse, and the shaving commenced.
In the second story of the old building in the rear of Broders & Tagge's brick store, was started the first school in town taught by O. M. Shonkwiler. The ceiling was so low, that Shonkwiler occasionally bumped his head, and under ordinary circumstances, the teacher generally takes it out of some re- fractory pupil with every bump, but it is remembered by the surviving scholars, that even with these low roofed difficulties, the teacher preserved his equanimity.
387
HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
The Hartley State bank was started in December, 1886, by Frank Patch, John W. Cravens, Mary E. Colby and Freeman R. Patch.
The German Evangelical church was dedicated on Sunday, November 24, 1889. The presiding elder preached in the morning, and Rev. S. Sleabler in the afternoon. The re- maining indebtedness, $600, was raised at the dedication.
The Presbyterian church was dedicated December 15, 1889. Rev. Bailey of Cedar Falls conducted the services. The Methodist church was fully organized in 1884, with their first services held in the depot, and Elder Groom as pastor.
The first bank started in Hartley was in 1882, by Milo Sil- verthorn, W. H. Eaton, Frank Patch and Mart Shea.
PARK HOTEL, HARTLEY.
Hartley is an excellent trading point, and does a large amount of business, and as a grain and stock shipping point, it makes a wonderful showing at the end of each year. It has several men who are prominent in the county, and altogether it is an enterprising and moral town. In its center there stands an imposing monument, upon the summit of which is one in the garb of a soldier. This monument was donated by Geo.
388
HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
1 W. Schee and his wife, and dedicated to the old soldiers. Hartley is progressive, and is looking forward to metropolitan conveniences.
There are five organized churches in Hartley. The Meth- odist Episcopal church is the oldest, and has the largest mem- bership. Its pastor is Rev. F. W. Ginn, and its Sabbath school superintendent is M. J. Young. There is also an Ep- worth league, which is well attended.
The Seven Day Adventists have a church building, which by way of its denominational faith, has its services on Satur- day. Its membership is not large in numbers, but what there are, are ardent in their faith.
The Presbyterian church has a handsome building and a successful Sabbath school, with Rev. J. C. Linton, pastor.
The German Evangelical church has an elegant church building, and a large membership. Its pastor is the Rev. Geo. Youngblood.
The Catholic church has quite a membership, but no build- ing as yet. They hold occasional services at Miller's hall, under the leadership of Father Martin, of Sanborn.
CIVIC SOCIETIES.
Of these there are the A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., Rebekah Degree, W. R. C., Iowa Legion of Honor, M. W. A., Jr. O. U. A. M., Eastern Star, K. of P. and G. A. R.
The present officers in the Masonic lodge are: Frank Patch, W. M .; W. J. Davis, S. W .; J. W. Hyman, J. W .; H. J. Guenther, Treas .; Frank Fee, Sec .; F. G. Moranda, Tyler.
The present officers of the Knights of Pythias are, E. L. Kay, C. E .; W. H. McPherson, V. C. M .; E. W. Richards, K. of R. and S .; E. T. Broders, M. F .; Amos Teakle, P.
The present officers of the G. A. R. are as follows: W. S. Fuller, Commander; Robt. Ayers, S. V. C .; C. Robinson, J. V. C .; Sam Boyce, Surgeon; L. Miller, Q. M .; W. H. Eaton, Adjutant; J. S. Webster, Chaplain; A. DeLong, Officer of the Day; J. E. Holford, Officer of the Guard; E. B. Messer, S. M.
389
HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
The town officers of Hartley from the incorporation to the present, are as follows :
I888.
Mavor E. B. Messer
Recorder W. H. Eaton
Councilmen Samuel Smith, L. C. Green, Q. N.
Drake, S. H. McMasters, L. Mosher, W. J. Lorshbaugh Marshal and Street Commissioner J. M. Herron
Treasurer W. S. Fuller
Assessor E. Jefferys
1889.
Mayor E. B. Messer
Recorder W. H. Eaton
Councilmen W. J. Lorshbaugh, S. H. McMaster, J. S.
Webster, John W. Cravens, J. M. Yoeman, J. A. Bolton Marshal and Street Commissioner A. C. Wilson
Treasurer W. S. Fuller
Assessor E. Jefferys
1890.
Mayor Frank Kelley
Recorder Frank E. Fee
Councilmen I. N. Drake, Sam Smith, W. J.
Lorshbaugh, J. S. Webster, John Cravens John Yeoman Marshal and Street Commissioner I. M. Silverthorn
Treasurer Frank Patch
Assessor E. Jefferys
I891.
Mayor Frank Kelley
Recorder
W. H. Eaton
Treasurer Frank Patch Councilmen R. A. Woodward, C. A. Sims,
J. K. McAndrew, I. N. Drake, J. M. Yeoman, Sam Smith Marshal and Street Commissioner D. McDonald
Assessor A. L. Taylor
1892.
Mayor
L. Miller
Recorder
W. H. Eaton
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
Councilmen J. E. Wheelock, J. P. Grose,
Sam Smith, R. A. Woodward, I. N. Drake, C. A. Sims Marshal and Street Commissioner Wm. Tennant
Treasurer
Frank Patch
Assessor A. J. Taylor
1893.
Mayor W. B. Waldo
Recorder W. H. Eaton
Treasurer Frank Hatch
Councilmen
Samuel Smith, S. H. McMaster, J. E.
Wheelock, C. A. Sims, R. A. Woodward, J. P. Grose Marshal and Street Commissioner Wm. Tennant
W. B. Waldo Assessor
1894.
Mayor L. Miller
Recorder Chas. McElwain
Councilmen E. E. Hall, H. C. Burris, H. L.
Lamson, J. E. Wheelock, R. A. Woodward, J. P. Grose Marshal Wm. Tennant
Assessor W. B. Waldo
Treasurer Frank Patch
Street Commissioner John Holford
1895.
Mayor W. B. Waldo
Recorder C. H. Colby
Councilmen Peter Sitler, H. L. Lamson,
H. C. Burris, J. T. Shinkle, S. H. McMaster, E. E. Hall Marshal - John Kneen
Street Commissioner S. H, McMaster
Treasurer Frank Patch
Assessor W. B. Waldo
1896.
Mayor E. Kelley
Recorder Chas. McElwain
Councilmen
E. B. Messer, Chas. E. Walter,
E. M. Maurer, Peter Sitler, H. C. Burris, E. E. Hall
HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA. . 391
Marshal and Street Commissioner -John Kneen
Treasurer Frank Patch
Assessor
W. W. Smith
1897.
Mayor E. Kelley
Recorder Chas. McElwain
Assessor W. W. Smith
Treasurer
Frank Patch
Councilmen H. C. Burris, Peter Sitler,
E. M. Maurer, E. B. Messer, Chas. E. Walter, E. E. Hall Marshal and Street Commissioner Harry Hooker
HARTLEY CIVIC SOCIETIES.
A. F. & A. M.
Frank Patch, W. M.
Will Davis, S. W.
J. M. Hayman, J. W.
H. J. Guenther, Treas.
Frank E. Fee, Sec.
F. S. Moranda, Tyler.
K. OF P.
E. L. Ray, C. M.
W. H. McPherson, V. C. M.
E. E. Richards, K. of R. and S.
E. F. Broders, M. F.
Amos Teakle.
G. A. R.
W. S. Fuller, Com.
Robt. Ayers, S. V. C.
C. Robinson, J. V. C. Sam Boyce, Surgeon.
L. Miller, Q. M. W. H. Eaton, Adj. J. S. Webster, Chaplain. A. De Long, Officer of the Day.
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
J. E. Holford, Officer of the Guard. E. B. Messer, S. M. I. O. O. F.
W. J. Tęakle, N. G. A. A. Bisbee, V. G. D. Maass, Sec. E. N. Mayer, Treas.
D. A. Perry, Chaplain. C. E. West, P. G.
The business interests of Hartley at the present time are represented by the following:
D. W. Bryant, hardware.
M. E. Tennant, general store.
Ebright & Hanson, general store.
Broders & Tagge, general store. Williams Bros., general store.
C. D. Killam, furniture and undertaking.
F. E. Fee, jewelry and musical instruments.
Mrs. M. E. Scott, millinery.
Gross & Kass, millinery.
Mrs. M. C. Ernst, racket store including millinery.
Durrenberger & Albert, harness shop.
Union Tire Heater Co.
W. W. Thatcher, paper hanger and painter.
C. A. Simms, butter and egg depot.
D. T. Stewart physician and druggist.
A. R. McCready, druggist. Berry Bros., restaurant.
John Hopfe, city bakery.
C. Herbst, proprietor of city scales. Spencer Grain Co., A. Fahlenkamp, manager.
McMichael & Son, elevator, F. B. Rich, manager.
I. N. Drake, dealer in grain.
Logan & Sleeper, branch of Prairie Queen Mills, Mr. Lamson.
393
HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
Romeo Tracey, house mover. Adam Boyce, house mover. L. J. Uriell, well driller. L. M. Moranda meat market. P. Nelson, meat market. S. C. Wade, dentist.
Hartley Lumber Co., J. S. Webster, manager.
John Yeoman, John Gross, M. J. Young, O. M. Shonk- wiler, the Northwestern Land Co.
Danskin & Watts, real estate.
Jed Shinkle, real estate.
Sam Saunders, real estate.
W. A. Compton, real estate.
W. H. Bordewiek, real estate.
J. W. Walter, attorney. W. P. Briggs, attorney.
Nick Mousler, blacksmith.
Peter Sitler, blacksmith.
G. H. Ward, blacksmith. Chris Nelson, blacksmith.
Will Scott, livery. James Bean, drayman.
Ed. Johnson, drayman. Wm. Dow, drayman.
Joe McChane; farm implements.
W. H. McPherson, manager of the Floete Lumber Co. Will Wellman, manager of the John Paul Lumber Co. Dell Smith, barber shop.
S. Grosser, barber shop.
J. L. Taylor & Co., implement dealers.
H. J. Guenther, shoe store. Hans Harder, shoe shop. Emil Guenther, saloon. Arens & Capesius, saloon.
C. C. Collett, veterinary surgeon.
· J. R. Tibbetts, veterinary surgeon.
394
HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
E. M. Maurer, stone mason.
Ed. Vaughin, stone mason.
Thos. Bowes, stone mason.
S. L. Young, proprietor Hartley nursery. Chas. Hopfe, auctioneer.
Henry Reinhart, auctioneer.
C. E. West, carpenter.
J. W. Conaway, physician.
G. W. Boot, physician.
D. A. Fletcher, physician.
Allen Crossan, Hartley Herald.
F. R. Lock, land, loans and insurance.
Dorr Miller, hardware,
L. A. Pauloo, merchant tailor.
L Miller, justice of the peace.
E. Kelley, drayman.
Claude Charles, Hartley Journal.
PRIMGHAR.
Primghar is laid out on the southeast quarter of section 36 in Summit township, and its additions reach out into adjoining sections. It is the county seat, and is in the geographical center of the county. The town was laid out in the fall of 1872, and until April, 1873, the stakes marking its town site, were waiting in mute silence for coming events. The first building erected on the town site was in April, 1873, by C. F. Albright who hauled his lumber from Sheldon, and erected a building which he used for a hotel. Mr. Albright opened his hotel on the 16th day of May of that year. He is still in possession of his hotel register of that first year, which is somewhat mutilated, but still contains the names of a large number of guests. The first name on the register under date of May 16, 1873, is that of S. C. Mitchell, and under that same date are the following further names:
F. D. Mitchell, T. J. Mitchell, D. C. Chapman, E. C. Fos- kett, Capt. R. C. Tifft.
395
HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
As it is somewhat of a curiosity, the following further names are on the register in a month or two following:
J. T. Stearns, C. F. Butterfield, A. J. Brock, Benj. Hutchinson. During that year of 1873, we find the name of Richard Thomas, M. G. McClellan, L. C. Green, A. Towerman, L. G. Healey, B. F. McCormack, Harley Day, A. J. Smith, Ralph Dodge, Jas. Wykoff, Geo. Hill, Albert McClellan, Addison Oliver, H. A. Sage, George M. Rising, A. B. Chrysler, G. A. McOmber, O. M. Barrett, Charley Allen, Wm. Fuller, H. C. Kellogg, W. Palen, Geo. Boutelle, R. M. Boyd, C. Longshore, Wm. Virgil, L. B. Raymond, R. G. Allen, J. R. Pumphrey, James Roberts, Hirman Nash, E. F. Parkhurst, Wm. Purcell, Ed. C. Brown, E. T. Parker, Geo. W. Schee, R. G. Ewers, W. C. Butter- field, Orren Gowen, Warren Walker, Chas. McElwain, Orren Finch, J. A. Brown, Robt. Boyd, D. R. Barmore, J. J. Hartenbower, W. E. Welch, J. C. Doling, A. J. Edwards, E. A. Woodruff, W. H. Knep- per, James Rowland, C. S. Stewart, Paul Cassily, Dan Moffit, I. L. Rerrick, C. E. Van Epps, Thomas Holmes, B. B. Wood, Geo. Ioude, Theo. Lemaster, A. J. Donovan, John Christiany, Charles Slack, Wm. Baldwin, W. H. Woods, E. W. Bache, R. J. Chase, Sioux City; John Butler, J. G. Arbuckle, S. S. Bradley, and N. C. Lane.
This hotel building was afterwards added to and enlarged, and was kept by Mr. Albright until the fall of 1874. He was
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HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY, IOWA.
then succeeded by J. W. Walters. The old court house building was afterwards made a part of this hotel building, which continued as a hotel until the fall of 1895, the last land- lord being M. A. Durham. The building was taken away in three parts in 1896, each part now constituting a separate building. While Mr. Albright was erecting his hotel building, there was also being constructed the pioneer store building by W. C. Green, also an office by J. R. Pumphrey, and the residence building by A. H. Willits. After Mr. Green had up the frame of his store building, a cyclone came along, which blew it away, but it was immediately afterwards rebuilt. The terrified few that were in town during this cyclone, gathered in Mr. Albright's house, and expected every moment to go with that building, but there was no other damage except to Mr. Green's building. The county records and county offices were moved over in the summer of 1873, from old O'Brien, the removal of the county seat having been voted upon, and changed to Primghar, at the general election in 1872. The county officers first occupied the old Paine store building, which was moved to Primghar for that purpose, and used until the fall of 1873, when a court house building was erected on the present court house square. Mr. Green moved his stock of goods from old O'Brien, and occupied his building as soon as it was completed. Mr. Willits also moved his paper, the O'Brien County Pioneer, first published in his residence
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