USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. I > Part 40
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THE SUPERIOR COURT OF SHENANDOAH.
Under the provisions of the law passed by the legislature of the state. a superior court was established at Shenandoah in the fall of 1906. W. P. Ferguson was elected judge of this court, and is still the incumbent of that office. The jurisdiction of the superior court is coextensixe with the district court, save and except in capital crimes and probate matters.
ROSE HILL CEMETERY OF SHENANDOAH.
This burial place is pleasantly located in the east part of town on a commanding eminence overlooking the city and surrounding country. The view of the Nishna valley to the northeast, with Essex in the distance, is one of surpassing beauty. The original owners were R. A. Crippen and J. N. Denison and the ground was platted May 29. 1872. About 1876 the cemetery was taken over by D. S. Lake and William Noble, and A. S. Lake acted as secretary for the purchasers. In 1880 D. S. Lake sold his half interest to his brother. A. S. Lake, and the latter came into the pos-
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session of Noble's interest before the end of the same year and is the present owner. From time to time efforts have been made by the city authorities to acquire possession of the cemetery grounds but up to the present time nothing has been accomplished in that direction.
SHENANDOAH FAIR ASSOCIATION.
On the 29th of December, 1879, the Shenandoah Fair Association was duly organized and incorporated for pecuniary benefit, with a capital stock of thirty-five hundred dollars, in seventy shares at fifty dollars each. Prior to this the District Fair Association had been formed, with Ira L. Bailey, president, and F. W. Chase, secretary. In the course of three years the association was swamped beneath a load of debt and then the Shenandoah Fair Association was organized, with G. J. Ross, William Griffith, L. B. Day, A. J. Chantry, John X. Griffith, R. B. Crose and G. A. Quimby as directors. They elected Day, president, Crose, secretary, John X. Griffith, treasurer, and G. A. Quimby, superintendent.
In 1885 the Shenandoah Fair Association No. 2 was organized and capitalized at six thousand dollars in sixty shares of one hundred dollars each, all of which were subscribed and paid for at par. This association had for its officers G. W. Perkins, president ; D. P. Wilson, vice president ; H. Dunfee, general manager ; Dall Risely, secretary ; John Ross, treasurer.
On the 4th of August, 1887, for the purpose of securing certain bene- fits to accrue from the State District Fair Associations, the Shenandoah Fair Association No. 2 was again reorganized and became known as the Shenandoah District Fair Association. This ran until 1894, when the affairs of the association again reverted to the Shenandoah Fair Associa- tion No. 2. In October, 1907, the association was again reorganized and incorporated with a capital stock of twelve thousand dollars and at present the association is known as Shenandoah Fair Association No. 3. Its grounds are pleasantly located near the junction of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and Wabash Railroads, about a half mile north of the business heart of the city and are beautifully adorned with trees that make excellent shade. The half mile track is kept in first class condition and is one of the best in the state. It has a large amphitheater, floral hall, many box stalls for horses and cattle and sufficient sheds for cattle, sheep and hogs.
On these grounds are also held the yearly Chautauqua of Shenandoah. In 1907 and 1908 the Shenandoah fairs were most gratifyingly successful to the promoters and officers of the association. The officers for 1908 are : Charles Aldrich, president ; Dave Wingert, vice president ; A. W. Goldberg, secretary ; A. W. Murphy, treasurer. Directors: Dave Wingert, George Jay, C. N. Marvin, Isaac White, Charles Aldrich, H. H. Hatcher, R. E. Anderson, O. T. Rankin and A. W. Goldberg.
SHENANDOAH SEED HOUSES.
Shenandoah has some of the largest seed houses in the United States, which bring to the city a vast amount of business. J. B. Armstrong is
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considered the father of the seed business in this section. His specialty is seed corn and wheat. Others came later into the business and today have the whole United States for a territory. in which to distribute their products. Henry Field is the founder of the Henry Field Seed Company, which last year did a business of approximately two hundred thousand dollars. July 1, 1907, the Henry Field Seed Company was organized by S. E. Field, Jesse Field, H. E. Eaton, A. L. P. Thompson, Ben G. Russell, E. S. Welch, D. S. Lake, G. C. Mitchell, W. D. Jamieson and Charles Simp- son. The officers of the concern are: Henry Field, president and general manager ; and Charles Simpson, vice president. In December, 1907, the present new plant was occupied. The main building is fire proof, con- structed of brick, steel and concrete. It is three stories with basement, and in dimensions sixty by one hundred feet, with an annex sixty by one hun- dred feet. This concern employs about one hundred people and is capitalized at seventy-five thousand dollars. A good idea is gathered of the existence of the business of this mail order house when it is stated that it paid out for the fiscal year ending April Ist, 1909, twelve thousand, two hundred and eighty-seven dollars in postage.
Another seed company in Shenandoah is the Ratekin Seed Company, which does a large and important business throughout the whole country.
THE SHENANDOAH CHAUTAUQUA.
The Shenandoah Chautauqua Association was organized in November, 1906. It is an incorporation and its aims and purposes are to employ talent to entertain and interest the public in science, religion, philosophy, litera- ture, music and art.
The first members of the association constituted approximately one hundred residents, men and women, who pledged themselves to protect the association from any loss in the management of the assembly, which was to be held for a term of days during the year 1907. The first officers and directors were:
President, Rev. Charies J. English ; vice president, Rev. Charles S. Han- ley : secretary, Earl Sheets ; directors, H. E. Deater, Elbert A. Read, Den- ver L. Wilson and Rev. J. M. Ross. O. H. Frink was appointed treasurer by this board of directors.
The movement for a Chautauqua had the hearty cooperation and support of the citizens of Shenandoah and the surrounding country from the very beginning and it was recognized as an enterprise that deserved to prosper. Arrangements were made whereby the grounds of the Fair Association should be used for the yearly meetings of the assembly and the grounds were beautified and the buildings remodeled and everything modernized so that Chautauqua patrons should have the best conveniences. These Chau- tauqua grounds are situated within the city limits of Shenandoah and are under the direct care of the city government and subject to its police regu- lations. The plat of ground is a green sward lying under the canopy of im- mense trees which have been set out systematically and offer the most
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delightful shade and protection. City water is on the ground in abundance, also electric lights. It is the city's entertainment ground, easy to approach and pleasant in all its appointments.
The first assembly was held in 1907 from June 27 to July 4, Dr. George R. Stuart having the honor of making the first address. He created such a favorable impression that his recall for the 1908 assembly was a necessity. Among the other notable speakers at this first assembly was Hon. Jacob R. Riis, who made a trip from New York city to deliver the Fourth of July address and returned directly afterward, filling no other date in the west.
The men who have served the association as president since its organi- zation up to the present time (April, 1909), are: Rev. Dr. J. W. Ross, Thomas W. Keenan and A. W. Murphy, the last named being president at this writing. Those who have served on the board of directors in addition to the first board are H. E. Wheeler, Rev. W. J. Turner, W. E. Irwin and A. C. Simons. Fred Schneider has also served as treasurer.
The second annual assembly was held June 25 to July 4, 1908, and was largely attended by local residents but on account of the weather many of the patrons could not be present. Among the strong lecturers at this second assembly were Captain R. P. Hobson and W. E. Hoch, along with a splendid list of high class entertainers.
The program for the 1909 assembly is altogether better than for either of the preceding years and everything promises a successful future for the association. The plan of the stockholders being guarantors is still in force, the citizens being sufficiently interested to respond heartily to the support of the movement.
SHENANDOAH WATER WORKS.
During the fall and winter of 1891-92 a succession of disastrous fires, brought the gravity of helplessness of the city before the people frequently and the demand for water became unanimous.
Shortly after the election of the council for the year 1892, the mem- bers began to agitate the question with a definite object in view. About three months were consumed in securing advice of competent persons, with a view to avoiding mistakes. Some of the most experienced men in the country were interviewed and much valuable information secured. In August, 1892, prospecting began for water, with a desire to secure that which was pure, as well as in sufficient quantities for all emergen- cies. This prospecting continued at intervals all that fall and not until the early winter was a location finally decided upon, on lots 81 and 82 at the west end of Lowell avenue. The greatest difficulty was to find coarse sand, the sand in most places being too fine for the best results in securing water.
In September of the same year a special election was held to decide whether the city should issue bonds to the amount of twenty thousand dollars, for the purpose of putting in waterworks. There was practically no opposition, the vote standing about two hundred and fifty for the
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proposition and twenty-eight against. The bonds were sold to E. H. Rawlins & Son, of Boston, for nineteen thousand, nine hundred and ten dollars cash, the puchasers furnishing the bonds, making the sale prac- tically at par. The bonds bore interest at five per cent, or one thousand dollars a year.
Mr. Wiley, president of the Omaha Electric Light Company, was in- vited to come here and look the ground over, which he did, and upon his recommendation W. H. Howell was selected to survey the city and lay out the system of water mains. The survey included all of the city likely to need water for many years, though the funds available would not permit the putting in of mains except upon a few streets the first year.
The first test of the waterworks was when the breeding stable of J. L. Haynes and Milt Young took fire on the morning of July 21, 1893.
SHENANDOAH FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In 1906 the city government of Shenandoah established a paid fire de- partment with C. E. Thomas as chief. There are twenty-one members of the fire company,- all uniformed. There are two hose companies, a hose wagon, fine team of horses, well trained, over two thousand feet of hose, fire extinguishers and other paraphernalia. C. E. Thomas, chief ; Dave Ripley, assistant; Ray Oviatt, foreman ; Frank Sanman, secretary ; Ed. Ray, treasurer ; Billy Hughes, Floyd Edward, William Davie, Elza Beach, Charles DePuy, Robert Lindsay, W. E. Fletcher, Dan O'Day, Ed. White, George Cunningham, George Middaugh, Harry Davis, Arthur Tutt, C. L. Selsgrove, E. S. LeBarron and Clarence Mathewson, driver.
The members of this company are all enthusiastic, prompt and efficient. They can fight fire with success, give them half a chance, but the pay is small for their hard and dangerous work.
SHENANDOAH TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.
The first railroad built to Shenandoah was constructed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company and it preceded the town and also it might be said caused the founding of the present city of Shenandoah, bringing the lumber for the first house in August, 1870. The first agent was one Miller, who had his office in a box car while an office was being built. Since the road has been in active operation, giving the citizens of Shenandoah and the surrounding country ample facilities for ingress and egress. This road extends from Council Bluffs to Pattonsburg, Missouri, and is operated in connection with the Wabash. Through trains run reg- ular from Council Bluffs to St. Louis. Shenandoah is the largest town and does the largest business of any town on the road except Maryville. In 1883 the Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad was built, extending from Shenandoah to Humeston in Wayne county, a distance of one hundred and thirteen miles. The headquarters of the road was located at Clarinda, where the general officers of the road resided but the shops and round
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house were built here and the trainmen made their headquarters in Shenan- doah. The property of the company at Shenandoah consisted of twenty- five acres of ground, machine shops, round house, blacksmith shop, office, store room and depot. The depot burned down about 1889 and has been replaced by a more modern building. Some years since the car shops were discontinued and the offices have been removed from Clarinda.
EXPRESS COMPANIES.
Three express companies have officers in Shenandoah, the Adams, American and Pacific. The business of these offices is quite heavy, much of the merchandise transported by them being from the seed houses and the great nursuries located here.
THE SHENANDOAH ARTIFICIAL ICE, POWER, HEAT & LIGHT COMPANY.
Articles of incorporation were secured for the Shenandoah Artificial Ice Company, January 3, 1903, by George Bogart, Edward Birkhimer, J. J. Dunnegan, William Priestman, W. A. Hand, August Samuelson and Walter P. Crose. These formed a board of directory and elected for their president George Bogart and W. A. Hand, secretary. This com- pany built an artificial ice plant on Thomas avenue near the Burlington tracks and continued in business until the buildings burned to the ground on the 16th of April, 1904.
On the 11th of August, 1904, the company was reorganized and took the name and title of The Shenandoah Artificial Ice, Power, Heat & Light Company, with authorized capital of one hundred thousand dollars. Its first president was J. J. Dunnegan; treasurer, George Bogart; and sec- retary Walter P. Crose. It received from the city of Shenandoah a twenty- five year franchise for light and heat, March 10, 1904, and on October 1. 1904, this concern purchased the property of the Shenandoah Electric Light & Power Company, which was merged into the present company. In December, 1906, the company moved into its new plant on the corner of Thomas avenue and Maple street. This is one of the finest power houses in the whole state of Iowa, is built of pressed vitrified brick and stone and is one hundred by forty feet. It is equipped with one four hundred horse power Corliss engine, direct-connected to a two hundred K. W. alternating two-phase, twenty-two hundred volt generator ; two hundred horse power tandem compound Ideal engine. direct-connected to one hundred K. W. gen- erator, same type as the other. There are two, two hundred and fifty horse power water tube boilers. From the steam heating plant the mains supply heat for the business portion of the city.
The electric transmission lines extend to all parts of the city, also to Es- sex, six miles on the north and to Farragut, six miles on the sonth. In Shenandoah there are five hundred patrons, Essex, one hundred and fifty, and Farragut, sixty. The present officers of the company are: John A. Masters, president and general manager ; Edward Birkhimer, vice president ; George Bogart, treasurer : R. M. Pritchard, secretary.
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AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY.
In 1900 James J. Doty began the manufacture of Economy Stock Powders, under the name of The Economy Hog and Cattle Powder Com- pany. He at first made the business a private one, having a small room. He used a diminutive hand grinder as a mixer. His capital was limited to less than six hundred dollars. The product at this time was placed upon the market by Mr. Doty and one salesman.
The articles manufactured by Mr. Doty gradually grew in favor and the demand increased to such proportions that it was necessary to greatly in- crease the output and place new men in the field.
Early in 1907 the company was incorporated, with a capital stock of forty thousand dollars. From this time on The Economy Hog and Cattle Powder became in great demand. For its headquarters the company is now located in a new factory fitted up with modern machinery run by electricity. The factory has a capacity of fifty thousand pounds per day and employs an army of salesmen, numbering upwards of two hundred.
The officers of this company take pride in the fact that they are now the largest manufacturers of stock powders in the world. The most of their business is done in the corn-producing states of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, South Dakota, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Indiana. The products of this concern are strictly medicinal, being a condi- tioner, blood purifier and worm expeller. The company also manufacturers a very high grade of stock dip.
The present officers of The Economy Hog and Cattle Powder Company are : James J. Doty, president and general manager ; J. H. Eischeid, vice president and secretary ; and F. P. Nye, treasurer. These gentlemen have all resided in Shenandoah for the past eighteen years or more.
SHENANDOAH VISITING DAY.
Following the Des Moines plan, the business men of Shenandoah in the spring of 1909, inaugurated a visiting day. A call was issued for Thurs- day afternoon, April 8th, and invitations were extended to the Shenandoah business men to join and the owners and drivers of automobiles were also invited to contribute their time and services for the afternoon. On the af- ternoon designated nineteen automobiles were on hand and one hundred business men. Neat badges bearing the words Factory Day and the date were furnished each one. The meeting place was the Sentinel-Post corner and C. E. Young acted as marshal and chief conductor. He was assisted by E. A. Read and E. R. Ferguson. The procession first visited the Iowa Wagon Works, which was formerly the O'Brien Wagon Works and recently reorganized. Here were found fifty men at work, nearly all skilled me- chanics and more being added every day. This plant is a large one and is turning out first class work. The manager is U. G. Reininger. This in- stitution has good backing and enough goods were already sold in the spring of 1909 to run the year's output up into the hundreds of thousands of dol- lars and new orders were being received daily. This plant is the frontier
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wagon works ; that is, there are no wagon works in the United States west of Shenandoah.
Almost across the street from this plant is the Atlantic Canning Com- pany. At this season of the year this important institution is closed but it is now being thoroughly overhauled, a new cement floor and new machinery of various kinds are being placed in preparation for a big business the com- ing season. The company has rented and will operate two hundred acres of corn of their own, besides hundreds of acres they are contracting from the farmers. In addition to canning corn preparations are being made for the canning of pumpkins and peaches. This concern is the former Mentzer Canning Company.
The Clarinda Poultry, Butter & Egg Company has a large branch at this place in charge of Jesse Curnutt. This is one of the many branches of this great concern.
North of the packing plant is the People's Gas Works. This is probably the largest gas works in any town the size of Shenandoah in the state of Iowa, and has the capacity of serving a town twice its size. The plant is the U. G. I. pattern and the gas produced is what is known as water gas of the Lowe system.
Not far distant is the Swanson Manufacturing Company, which has made an enviable reputation for itself and for Shenandoah in farming im- plements. It produces the Flying Swede two-row cultivator, standing at the head of all tools of that variety. This year the plant is adding to its output by making the Eclipse elevator dump, the new style hay stacker, the King Cole sulky plow and the new and latest pattern road drag. These tools have all been sold in large quantities and in fact are mostly contracted for before they are manufactured. Herman S. Swanson, president and mana- ger of the institution, is an old and practical man in the business.
In this same section of Shenandoah is located the Replogle Roller Mills. These mills started in a small way but year by year have been developed until the mills are now among the largest in southwestern Iowa. In the spring of 1909 they had on hand in their own bins twenty-five thousand bushels of wheat and ten thousand bushels of corn and in their warehouse twelve thousand sacks of manufactured flour. They have the most com- plete corn meal department that exists in the state, are also enjoying the height of prosperity and are adding new features and extended capacity to their plant each year. Charles Replogle is the manager of this large con- cern.
The Shenandoah Electric Light, Heat & Power Company is an import- ant factor among the manufacturing concerns of Shenandoah. This com- pany has a plant that is one of the most complete and perfect in the state of Iowa. It furnishes power and light to Essex and Farragut and will soon be furnishing a current to Imogene. The investment represents something like one hundred thousand dollars and every one takes pride in exhibiting this plant to all visitors to Shanandoah. This concern is managed by Colonel Masters, a man of large experience, who has demonstrated his ability to do what others have failed to do in making Shenandoah a properly lighted town.
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The plant furnishes continuous current and heat for the business section of the city.
The Young Manufacturing Company is owned by Charles E. Young. This institution is kept busy in meeting its orders for its manufactured prod- uct and, although the factory now occupies three floors, at its present quarters, it is almost impossible to get around in the place comfortably. Mr. Young expects in the near future to build a large addition to the south of the present building. This factory is busy every week in the year and has gained a wide reputation for the manufacture of its exclusive patent two- thumb mittens and gloves. The manufacture of cotton flannel gloves has grown to a wonderful limit and Mr. Young was the pioneer in this work in entering the field. He furnishes nearly all the jobbers in St. Joseph, Kan- sas City and Omaha with their stocks in this line. Max Young, the elder son of Charles Young, is connected with his father in the business.
The affair of the Ratekin Seed House is of immense proportions. The office, where ten thousand dollars in stamps are forwarded each year, is a spectacle to see. A loafer would not last ten minutes in this institution with- out being stepped on and run over. The Ratekins are a success in their business, in which they have been engaged for years and know it from A to Z. They send out catalogues broadcast that are works of art and it is considered that the Ratekin's is one of the biggest seed corn plants in the world. They handle all seed and nursery stock by catalogue exclusively, but their specialty is seed corn, and the name of Ratekin has become famous by reason of the exceptional business methods adopted. The business has outgrown the pres- ent quarters and plans are already prepared to build a new seed corn and garden seed building just east of their present frame structure, which will be a three-story building, entirely fire-proof and costing in the neighborhood of forty thousand dollars.
The Henry Field Seed Company has the most valuable industrial building in Shenandoah. It is mentioned elsewhere in this work, as is also the Rate- kin Seed House. This is probably the most perfect and systematized seed house ever built. It is the outcome of the wonderful fertility of Henry Field's mind and what people used to say "Henry's pipe dreams." The only difference is, Henry saw the "dreams" come true. This plant does a wonder- ful seed-corn business but does not specialize in seed corn. The company does a general seed business and is just entering into the nursery and poultry business as a side line and for summer work. The sales of this plant will aggregate nearly a quarter million dollars per year and the sales this year are already fifty per cent larger than last year and are still growing.
SHENANDOAH NURSERIES.
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