USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. I > Part 28
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MORTON TOWNSHIP.
Office:
Name
Term Expires Address
Justice of Peace F. E. Whitmore
January, 1909 . . Coin
Justice of Peace
Vacancy
Constable
L. B. Gamble
January, 1909 . . Coin
Constable
Vacancy
Clerk
D. E. Bute
January, 1909 . . Shenandoah
Trustee
Maxie Jewett
January, 1909 . . Shenandoah
Trustee
L. B. Latimer
January, 1909 . . Shenandoah
Trustee
E. E. Hutcheson
January, 1909 . . Coin
Assessor
F. E. Whitmore
. January, 1909 .. Coin
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Justice of Peace Office
Name
Term Expires Address
A. W. McKie
January, 1909 . . Northboro
Justice of Peace
W. W. Oliphant
January, 1909 . . Northboro
Constable
L. A. Simmons
January, 1909 . . Northboro
Constable
M. Morrow
January, 1909 . . Northboro
Clerk
W. W. Creal
January, 1909 . . Northboro
Trustee
I. S. Millen
January, 1909 . . Northboro
Trustee
W. G. Merkle
January, 1909 . . Northboro
Trustee
James Anderson
January, 1909 . Northboro
Assessor
Ralph E. Pratt
January, 1909 . Northboro
COLFAX TOWNSHIP.
Office
Name
Term Expires Address
Justice of Peace
Peter Price
January, 1909 .
Justice of Peace
G. H. Whitmore
January, 1909 . . Coin
Constable .J. A. Talbot
January, 1909 . . Blanchard
Constable
John Duncan
January, 1909 . Coin
Clerk
W. N. Dewhurst
January, 1909 . Blanchard
Trustee
Edwin Irvin
January, 1909 . . Blanchard
Trustee
E. F. Henderson January, 1909 .. College Springs
Trustee
John Farquhar
January, 1909 .. Blanchard
Assessor
G. H. Whipp
January, 1909 . . Blanchard
295
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
AMITY TOWNSHIP.
Office
Name
Term Expires Address
Justice of Peace J. R. Prest
January, 1909 . College Springs
Justice of Peace R. A. Duncan
January, 1909 . Shambaugh
Constable Mort Culver
January, 1909 . . Shambaugh
Constable
Emmet Reed
January, 1909 . . College Springs
Clerk W. S. Smiley
January, 1909 . . Braddyville
Trustee
James Dunbar January, 1909 .. Coin
Trustee
Frank Quigg
January, 1909 . . Braddyville
Trustee
Alex Pinkerton
January, 1909 . . Clarinda
Assessor
William McAfee
. January, 1909 . . Braddyville
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP.
Office.
Name
Term Expires
Address
Justice of Peace
William Yockey
January, 1909
.Braddyville
Justice of Peace W. W. Thomas
January, 1909
.Braddyville
Constable
S. P. Wolf
January, 1909 .Braddyville
Constable
John Taylor
January, 1909 .Braddyville
Clerk L. R. McClarnon
January, 1909
.Braddyville
Trustee
J. D. Maxwell
January, 1909
.Braddyville
Trustee
Roy Hill
January, 1909
.Braddyville
Trustee
Charles Cumberlin
. January, 1909 .Braddyville
Assessor
W. L. Baldwin
January, 1909
.Braddyville
ASSESSORS OF INCORPORATED TOWNS.
Alfred Falk. Hepburn
W. O. Kenagy Yorktown
John Groeling Clarinda
E. J. Hersey Shambaugh
John H. Miller College Springs
John Hart. Braddyville
Emil Hagglund. . Essex
D. W. Flickinger
Shenandoah
A. W. Dunmire. Coin
Robert E. Peck. Northboro
W. F. Hannah
Blanchard
FIRST THINGS TO HAPPEN.
The first to effect a settlement in what is now Page county, were three brothers who came from Jackson county, Missouri-George W., Henry D. and David Farrens, who made settlement in 1841 and 1842. It is claimed by others this settlement should date from 1842 and 1843. The first child born in the county was Perry Hardee, in August, 1842. He was a son of William Hardee.
296
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
The first death of a white person in this county was Lieutenant Bu- chanan, who was drowned within the limits of Page county as early as 1833. A detachment of troops were going across the state to the Mis- souri river and when crossing the East Nodaway this young officer was drowned. It was at a point a mile northeast of where Hawleyville now stands. The stream was swollen from recent rains and the Lieutenant in advance of the troops, became tangled in the brush and before help reached them both he and his horse were lost. A monument was erected to his memory, which was finally destroyed by the Indians, although fragments of the tombstone are yet in existence. Buchanan creek, and likewise the township of the same name, were more lasting memorials for him than any amount of marble slabs.
The next to die in the county was Pleasant Wilson, who passed from earth in 1844.
The first marriage license issued to Page county parties was that granted to Henry Davidson and Rebecca Sebastian, November 13, 1852. There had doubtless been marriages prior to that date but the licenses were ob- tained, or at least the ceremony performed, in Missouri.
The first mill was erected in 1847 by Mr. Stonebraker and is now generally known as Shambaugh's mill. It was built as a combined saw and grist mill and here was "cracked" all the corn and sawed all the lumber used in a radius of probably forty miles. This mill also ground wheat but the flour had to be sifted or bolted by hand. Stonebraker, the proprietor of this mill, died in 1849 and the property passed to Captain R. F. Con- nor's hands.
The first postoffice established in Page county was located at the mill now known as Shambaugh's mill. Captain R. F. Connor was the pioneer postmaster. The office was established in 1850. The government fur- nished the mail sacks but the settlers had to furnish their own carriers and by this means settlers could get their mail once a week. This arrange- ment lasted a year, when the government established a mail route between Maryville, Missouri, and Captain Connor's residence, the name of the office being Nodaway. Ira Cunning, now deceased, had the contract, the route extending from Maryville to Nodaway. At that time postage on letters carried one hundred miles or more was twenty-five cents, payable at either end of the route. Prior to the establishment of this office the pioneers of Page county had to depend upon Savannah, Missouri, for all mail matter. The distance was sixty miles. A little later, however, an office was established at Maryville, Missouri, which was but twenty-five miles from the settlement on the Nodaway.
The first conveyance of the deed character in Page county was that of a mortgage deed granted to John Krout by Philip Boulware, March 22. 1852. It was given to secure the payment of four hundred and sixty dol- lars of borrowed money. This instrument is recorded in Book A of deeds and was acknowledged before County Judge R. F. Connor. It was not exactly a land deed but it was described in the records as "The improve- ments made by the late John Stonebraker on the Nodaway river, three-
297
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
fourths of a mile below the 'Brown's Correctionville line;' the same is described in the original entry book."
The records of the county show that on March 22, 1853, the first lands were entered by Page county citizens. Isaiah Houstin claimed the north- west quarter of section 12, township 68, range 37, while the same day the southwest quarter of section 31, township 69, range 36, was entered by Erastus W. Hall.
The first schoolhouse was built of logs on section 26, Buchanan town- ship, in 1844.
The first goods were sold at Hawleyville in 1853, by James M. Hawley. This was the first regular stock and was valued at about five hundred dollars. There had been a barrel of whiskey, some plug tobacco and a few yards of blue calico kept, it is claimed, at Boulware's place previous to this.
The first lime burned in the county was made by James M. Hawley, after a novel manner. He needed some lime to plaster his house and store with, so he quarried out some lime rock on his place at Hawleyville and stacked up thirty cords of wood, over which he piled the stone, the mass resembling a miniature mountain. In less than forty-eight hours from the time the fire was applied, he had a fine lot of excellent lime. This was in the fall of 1853.
The first trial jury in Page county assembled September 7, 1853. Judge A. A. Bradford was the district judge. The case set for their trial was one entitled, "State of lowa vs. Johnson and Clark Brown, for the illegal sale of liquor." The state won the case and the court imposed a fine of ten dollars and costs. This first jury were as follows: Robert Stafford, J. Buckingham, Henry Farrens, Isaac Miller, John Brock, Ezra Heady, H. Langly, D. Rose, N. S. Pigg, A. B. Quimby, Henry Price and David Stonebraker.
The first term of district court held at Clarinda after this point was made the county seat, was held commencing September 5, 1853. It was held in the "shanty," near South Prominde. His Honor, A. A. Bradford, presided.
The first brick burned in Page county were manufactured by Thomas Goodman near the village of Hawleyville, early in the '50s.
The first sermon preached from the gospel was by the voice of Rev. Samuel Farlow, a Methodist Episcopal minister, who set up the emblematic cross in Page county in 1852.
The first brick house was erected in 1860 in Pierce township, by A. J. Gilmore, at Franklin Grove.
The first bridge built in Page county was constructed by John Mc- Lean and A. P. Richardson, in the winter of 1857-58. It spanned the East Nodaway river at Hawleyville. The contract price was seven hun- dred dollars. It was to be built by subscription but finally the county authorities assumed it and it was paid for in swamp land money. It was hewn from native timber, except the plank, which were sawed by a port- able steam mill. The workmanship was good and the bridge stood ten
298
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
years or longer. The same contractors built numerous bridges at an early day.
The first windmill erected in Page county was that placed on its tower in October, 1872, by Hon. William Butler, on his farm just north from the city of Clarinda. It was an Enterprise mill, made at Sandwich, Ill- inois. It stands forty feet from the ground and is but the forerunner of thousands of these useful engines yet to pump water from Page county soil.
DRAINAGE DISTRICTS.
There has been but little waste land in Page county and a systematic method of drainage, adopted under a law passed by the Thirtieth General Assembly, has lessened that little very materially. In 1908 a petition was filed with the board of supervisors, asking for a drainage district in Nodaway township, the purpose of the petitioners being the straightening of the Nodaway river. When the work of straightening the river shall have been completed, probably one hundred thousand dollars will total the cost of the improvement. Below is given the drainage districts established in the county, since the petition for the first one was filed in April, 1905:
The first drainage ditch constructed in Page county was on a petition signed by S. C. Russell, A. J. Leighton and John Boyer, and presented to the board of supervisors of Page county in April, 1905. The petition asked for proper drainage, including a canal about ten feet wide at the top, three feet wide at the bottom and from six to eight feet deep. The ditch was located in Colfax township and the district was named the S C. Rus- sel Drainage District No. I.
The next petition for a drainage ditch was by Frank R. McKee and Hill Brothers on land situated in Amity and Buchanan townships. This became Drainage District No.2. The petition was filed in June, 1905.
The next petition was that of E. S. Welch, Ed R. Woodford and Frank C. Woodford, for the establishment of a drainage district, comprising land in Grant township and was filed in July, 1905. This became Drainage Dis- trict No. 3.
July 24, 1905, the petition of C. W. Fishbaugh, E. C. Fishbaugh, G. A. Pulley and Martin Fender was filed for the establishment of a drainage district through sections 17 and 18, Grant township. This became Drainage District No. 4.
September 9, 1907, a petition was filed by C. N. Crain, J. A. and J. N. Strickland, John McMichael, Swan Swanson and Reuben Trout for the establishment of a drainage district in Nebraska township. This is known as Drainage District No. 5.
The main purpose of this ditch was the straightening of the Noda- way river.
Drainage district No. 7 was created on the petition of Michael Beck of Pierce township. The petition was filed in June, 1908.
299
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
BANKS AND BANKERS OF PAGE COUNTY.
PAGE COUNTY STATE BANK, CLARINDA.
In gathering the material for a history of this financial institution, it is necessary to go back into the very twilight of the early history of bank- ing in southwestern lowa.
In 1866 N. B. Moore and J. S. McIntyre, under the firm name of Moore & McIntyre, established in Clarinda one of the first, if not the first bank in this section of the state outside of Council Bluffs. The build- ing occupied by this firm was located on the second lot from the south on the west side of the public square, in the illustration showing the west side of the square in this history. The building may be identified as the one having the name "N. B. Moore Real Estate" on the front.
The capital of the bank was limited, but its business was coextensive with Page and adjoining counties, and was prosperous even beyond the expectations of its founders, so much so that in 1872, six years after its establishment, it was determined by Messrs. Moore and McIntyre, and gentlemen who became associated with them, to organize under the Federal Banking Laws, and they established the First National Bank of Clarinda, with a capital of $50,000, which took over the assets and business of the old bank, with N. B. Moore as its first president, who a year or two later, by reason of extensive private interests, which demanded his attention. retired from the position and was succeeded by W. E. Webster.
In 1876 it constructed the building now occupied by the Page County State Bank.
In 1874 Allen Collins and Solomon West, under the firm name of Collins & West, started a bank which was located in a frame building on a lot immediately west of the alley on the south side of the square. Later, through business changes, this bank did business under the name of West, Morsman & Company. Eventually it was absorbed by the First National. Mr. West becoming cashier, and both Mr. West and Mr. Morsman be- coming directors. At a later period, Mr. West disposed of his holdings. On the first day of March, 1879, the directors of the First National Bank instructed its president, W. E. Webster, to convey their real estate to Web- ster, Linderman & Company, and about that time this firm became the owner of the assets of the National, and succeeded to its business, and con- tinued the same under the name of Page County Bank. John N. Miller soon after becoming a partner in the firm. On the 26th day of January, 1882, W. E. Webster died, and soon after his estate sold the interest to Solomon West, who again entered the bank, becoming its president, with Charles Linderman as vice president, and John N. Miller as cashier. These parties constituted the sole owners, and the Page County Bank in the next few years showed a rapid development, a surplus of fifty thousand dollars was accumulated, making the capital of the bank one hundred thousand dollars. In May, 1893, Mr. West died, and that fall his executors dis- posed of the interest the estate held, L. W. Lewis and Geo. E. Martin be-
300
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
coming members of the firm that owned the bank. In the readjustment of the officers, Mr. Linderman became president, L. W. Lewis vice president, and Mr. Miller continued as cashier.
On the 8th of December, 1905, the Page County Bank as a copartner- ship, transferred its assets and business to the Page County State Bank, which was organized a few days previous under the banking laws of the state. The new organization contained all the members of the old part- nership with a few additional stockholders. The new bank started with a paid-up capital of one hundred thousand dollars and a surplus of twenty- five thousand, which has since been increased to thirty thousand dollars. The last business transaction, and the last check signed by George E. Martin was in payment for his stock in the Page County State Bank ; he departed this life on the evening of the 12th day of December. His estate still retains an interest in the bank. Some two years ago, Mr. Lewis sold his stock to other stockholders in the institution, and located in Seattle, where he became manager of a bank in that city. On the 15th day of April, 1907, Mr. Linderman died. He was connected with the Page County State Bank and its predecessors for a period of over thirty-three years. Mrs. Linderman, and his daughter, Mrs. Blair, continue as stockholders. On the death of Mr. Linderman, John N. Miller was chosen as his succes- sor. and became president. Early in January, 1909. A. N. Odenheimer purchased a block of stock, he and Noros H. Martin being vice presidents of the bank, with Hugh Miller as cashier, Frank V. Hensleigh as assistant cashier, and the following directors, viz., John N. Miller, Mrs. S. E. Linder- man, Noros H. Martin, Hugh Miller, Frank V. Hensleigh, G. William Rich- ardson and A. N. Odenheimer.
In a public statement, under date of February 5. 1909, this bank had in loans and discounts $469.455.24 : in deposits $613.397.38, and in liabil- ities and resources, respectively, $743.397.81.
Outside of the city of Council Bluffs, there is no bank in southwestern Iowa that has been in business so long as the Page County State Bank and its immediate predecessors, which covers a period of forty-three years. During that time, the panic of 1873, the depression incident to the re- sumption of specie payments, the hard times, and financial difficulties of 1893, and the business vicissitudes of all those years, were successfully met, and the strong showing that it makes, is convincing proof, that despite the financial flurries of the past, it has had a steady and successful growth.
The Clarinda National Bank, one of Page county's most substantial financial institutions, was organized December 26, 1883, that being the date of its first charter from the U. S. Government, and commenced business at once in its present location at the northwest corner of the public square. It was a successor to the Valley Bank, a private banking institution, which was organized in 1881 by I. J. Poley, Joseph Jackson and John Terhune. Frank W. Parish was made president (a position he held until his death in 1905) ; V. Graff and A. Nienstedt, vice presidents ; I. J. Poley, cashier and J. L. Brown (now deputy postmaster). assistant cashier. Its first board of directors was: Frank W. Parish, V. Graff, A. Nienstedt, Dr. N. L.
301
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
Van Sandt, I. J. Poley, John Dowdell, Henry Steeve, J. L. Brown, Fred Sunderman, Elijah Beal and W. W. Newlon. Other charter members were : W. C. Taggart, Wm. McLean, John R. Good, A. F. Beal, David McLarnon and Wm. McLarnon.
The following have been its officers, in the order named, up to and in- cluding the present incumbents: Presidents-Frank W. Parish, H. E. Parsiow and Ed F. Rose. Vice presidents-A. Nienstedt. V. Graff John Dowdell, Dr. N. L. Van Sandt, W. D. Merriman, W. W. Morsman, Fred Fisher, Dr. H. L. Cokenower, Jacob Butler and H. E. Parslow. Cashiers- I. J. Poley, W. W. Newlon, H. R. Spry, C. D. Brown and E. G. Day. As- sistant Cashiers-J. L. Brown and C. F. Butler.
Present board of directors-Ed. F. Rose, H. E. Parslow, A. Nienstedt, E. G. Day, I. W. Shambaugh, W. W. Richardson and Fred Sunderman. Other stockholders are: Mrs. Frank W. Parish, W. T. S. White, C. F. Butler. Mrs. C. M. Cokenower, Mrs. A. J. Taggart and E. B. Westcott.
The history of this bank is that of continuous success. From a capital of fifty thousand dollars, in the beginning, it has gradually developed and established a surplus fund of another fifty thousand dollars, so that at this time (1909) it has a combined capital, surplus and undivided profit account of over one hundred thousand dollars ; and this, notwithstanding it has all along declared and paid liberal dividends to its stockholders.
The original building, a substantial brick, was thoroughly overhauled and remodeled in the year A. D. 1903, so that it is now not only of sub- stantial and handsome appearance externally, but internally has modern equipment and appointment for the safety of depositors and convenience of officer and employees. A massive manganese steel safe, fitted with triple time locks, burglar and fire-proof ; fire-proof vault in which safety deposit boxes are installed : steel ceiling, and Mosaic tile floor are a part of its splen- did equipment. Upstairs and basement rooms are well fitted and furnished and leased for lodge room and office purposes.
Commenting on some of the things that has made for the success of this institution it is only fair to say that to the strong personality and excellent business judgment of Frank W. Parish, its president and manager, for many years, much is due.
H. E. Parslow, president for a time following the death of Mr. Parish, and for many years a director and vice-president, has ever been in close touch with existing conditions, and his wise and conservative counsel has been no small factor in establishing and maintaining stable and prosperous conditions.
The present executive, Ed. F. Rose, has for many years been regarded as one of Page county's most successful financiers, and is making an ex- cellent head for this institution. With natural good judgment and shrewd common sense he combines a ripe business experience and strong social qualities that make him an ideal bank president.
Elmer G. Day entered the bank as cashier in the summer of 1906, and with wide acquaintance, numerous friends, sound business judgment, oblig-
302
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
ing disposition, and tireless energy, is making an admirable officer and proving a strong factor in the bank's success and growth.
Charles F. Butler, son of Jacob Butler, one of the pioneers and highly respected citizens of Page county, has for many years held the position of assistant cashier. Mr. Butler is a rapid and accurate accountant, which, taken together with an affable and obliging disposition, makes him an ex- cellent officer and helper in the bank's affairs.
In 1908 this bank was by order of the Department at Washington, D. C., established as a government depositary. This may be regarded as a tribute from "Uncle Sam" to its past record and excellent present condition.
The motto of this bank has always been "Absolute safety to Depositors," and so well has this been lived up to that in the quarter of a century, and over, of its existence it has never halted or wavered ; although many clouds, and some storms, have passed over the financial horizon. Notably, in the panic of A. D. 1907, it made a decidedly creditable showing and retained the absolute confidence of depositors. At the time of this writing conditions are most satisfactory and promising. With deposits of over four hundred thousand dollars, and a cash and sight reserve of more than twice the U. S. Government's legal requirement, its continued success and prosperity seem assured.
THE CLARINDA TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK.
Clarinda being an important business center and the capital city of one of the wealthiest and most prosperous commonwealths of Iowa, made it appear to certain citizens of the county and W. C. Brown, now presi- dent of the New York Central Railroad Company, that another bank should be established at that point. There were two banks in Clarinda in 1903, long established and securely entrenched in the confidence of the people of this community. To organize another financial institution at that time seemed to many, therefore, to smack of the hazardous. But the promoters of the proposed banking concern were men of means, well versed in the business of banking and of good judgment. Their foresight cannot in the light of subsequent events, be questioned. These men placed their plans before a number of Page county's capitalists and on May 23, 1903, the Clarinda Trust & Savings Bank was organized, with such men as William Orr, G. W. Standage, J. H. Driftmeier, C. E. McDowell, James Hughes. Henry Annan, C. A. Lisle, M. P. Ansbach, A. F. Galloway, H. R. Spry, W. C. Brown and about thirty other charter members. This body of men chose for the first board of directors William Orr, H. R. Spry, A. F. Galloway, G. W. Standage, J. Ren Lee, Henry Annan, James Hughes, C. A. Lisle and M. R. Ansbach, and this board elected William Orr, presi- dent, H. R. Spry, vice president, and A. F. Galloway, cashier. The same men are the officials of the bank today. The capital stock was $75,000.
In the summer of 1903 the bank, with W. C. Brown, erected what is known as the Brown block, on the corner of Main and Fifteenth streets. The building is of gray pressed Omaha brick, with sand-stone trimmings,
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
and two stories in height. It has a frontage on Main street of one hun- dred and forty feet and on the Fifteenth street seventy feet. A fine com- modious basement runs under the entire building and is used for business purposes. The second story is devoted to office rooms. The twenty-five feet on the corner of this magnificent business block facing Fifteenth street and eighty feet on Main street belongs to the bank and the appointments of the bank interior are equal to any institution of the kind in this section of Iowa, in point of richness, elegance and modernity. The latest im- proved Mosler-Corliss safe, weighing thirty thousand pounds, with time lock and absolutely burglar-proof, is the piece de resistance of the estab- lishment, and the safety deposit vaults are an innovation that are most generously sought by the many who have valuables they desire kept in safety from fire and other casualties.
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