USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. I > Part 41
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The Shenandoah Nursery is the pioneer enterprise of the town. It started in 1870 and has kept abreast with the city in its growth and development. It, too, is a world beater,-the largest nursery in the west. D. S. Lake is the man who started it thirty-nine years ago and made it grow. The north pack- ing shed covers an acre of ground and is built of brick. It is fire-proof and
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frost-proof. Mr. Lake has taught his two sons, A. F. and Ralph Lake, the business. They have taken up the responsibilities of the enterprise and are proving themselves to be equal to the occasion. The Lake family has been one of the principal features in the building up of Shenandoah. Its members employ one hundred and fifty people and have two hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars in Shenandoah and in the near vicinity and are investing more every year. The visitor is shown building after building, built in most ap- proved fashion, where all of the different things are done to perfect the trees and shrubs for market. This concern can show you goods imported from France and Russia and other foreign countries, but apple seedlings are the Lake hobby and this company supplies the world's market with its apple seedlings. This is an institution of which Shenandoah is very proud and which has never failed to bring returns to its owners.
The Mt. Arbor Nursery is a fit mate to the Shenandoah Nurseries. Its manager, E. S. Welch, used to work as a boy and young man for Mr. Lake. Mr. Welch seems to have been a born nurseryman, too. He has mastered the business. The hot houses, refrigerating plants and shipping departments of this great institution are looked upon in wonder by the laymen. The Mt. Arbor Nurseries have grown to a mammoth concern and employ people by the hundreds and represent hundreds of thousands of dollars. Its products are shipped to all parts of the United States. There is also an ice refrigerat- ing plant in connection with the nursery packing houses, for the storage and preservation of trees through the hot weather. The Mt. Arbor Nurseries are a monumental success and Ed Welch is their owner and master.
A new institution for Shenandoah and one perfect in all its appointments is the Alba Dairy. This is presumed to be the finest and most complete dairy ever constructed in the state. A beautiful building, one that would be fit for a palatial residence and furnished with every conceivable convenience, is the home of this plant. J. Gale Guthrie, the manager, explained to the writer that the fifty odd cows that were there are milked six at a time by one man with a machine, the milk never touching the air, so as to preserve its purity and cleanliness. The pens for the cows are ideal and constructed with the idea of comfort for the cow, and cleanliness. This dairy is making preparations to furnish milk to Council Bluffs and Omaha in large quantities at fancy prices. Also furnishing to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road Company for its dining car service, certified milk to be used on the line from Lincoln, Nebraska, through to Chicago. The farm on which this dairy is located cost over three hundred dollars per acre, but that is the smallest part of the present investment. This dairy has now become of national repu- tation.
LOOKING FORWARD.
The year nineteen hundred and nine came in with very brilliant prospects for Shenandoah's future growth. In the spring the many contracts com- pleted for new buildings surpassed anything before experienced in the his- tory of this remarkable little city. Among the improvements of that spring
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may be mentioned the Federal building, for which the government adver- tised for bids. The triangular space bounded by Clarinda avenue on the north- east, Thomas avenue on the south and Blossom street on the southeast, had been purchased at a high figure, and this was destined for the new postoffice, for which congress had appropriated fifty thousand dollars. Across the street from this, to the south, preparations are made for the erection of a church edifice by the Methodist domination, the cost of which has been placed at fifty thousand dollars, and the structure when completed will be the most expensive building devoted to church purposes and will have the largest auditorium of any similar building in southwestern Iowa. To the west of this building and on the lot adjoining the Catholics have broken ground for a new place of worship for St. Mary's church, the estimated cost of which is eighteen thousand dollars. Farther west, on the corner op- posite to the public library building the Shenandoah lodge of the Protec- tive and Benevolent Order of Elks, No. 1122, have broken ground for a club house, to cost twenty thousand dollars. This will be one of the handsomest and most complete club houses in this section of the state.
Upon the triangle opposite the government site, to the northeast, the Economy Hog & Cattle Powder Company have made plans to erect a hand- some brick business block, the cost of which is estimated at fifteen thousand dollars. On the other side of the government triangle, facing Blossom street, C. I .. Kline will erect a inodern business block, costing ten thousand dollars.
On the site now occupied by their old building, the Ratekin Seed Com- pany will erect a modern warehouse building, three stories high, constructed of brick and concrete, which will be fire proof and rat proof. The contem- plated plans for this structure mean an expenditure of forty thousand dollars and when completed will be as near perfection as the ingenuity of the architect and builders can make it.
The independent school district of Shenandoah contemplated for the year 1909 another school building for the city, to be erected on a suitable site west of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy tracks, the cost to be approximately ten thousand dollars. This when finished will make five public school build- ings in Shenandoah.
The expenditure of about fifty thousand dollars by the city on paving of the streets for the year 1909 was agreed upon by the city legislature. Under this appropriation it was designed to pave Battle avenue with brick, the south end of Elm street as far north as Thomas avenue with creosoted block, and Maple street from Summit avenue to Thomas avenue, with cre- osoted block.
There were many fine and expensive residences contracted for in 1909. The apartment house idea in Shenandoah seems to be growing and it is forecasted now that at last three new apartment houses with every modern convenience will have been erected by the time this history reaches the public. In the aggregate the contemplated improvements in 1909 in Shenandoah amounted to over three hundred thousand dollars.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
CITY AND VILLAGE PLATS.
Hawleyville was platted May 17, 1855, by James M. Hawley and Henry McAlpin, on the northwest quarter of section 13, township 69, range 36.
Amity, now called College Springs, was platted June 20, 1856, on sec- tions 7. S, 17 and 18 of township 67, range 37 upon lands owned by the gov- ernment and entered by a colony.
Clarinda was platted December 7 1857, on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 31, township 69, range 36.
Ribble's Addition to Clarinda, platted by George Ribble, February 23, 1858.
Farrens' Addition to Clarinda, platted August 16, 1870, by H. D. Far- rens.
Frazer's Addition to Clarinda, platted by W. E. Frazer, February 2, 1871.
Ribble's Railroad Addition to Clarinda, platted by George Ribble and David Rennick, December 5, 1872.
Powers' Addition to Clarinda, platted July 16, 1875, by J. H. Powers and Eliza B. Powers.
Powers' Second Addition to Clarinda, platted June 6, 1882, by J. H. Powers.
Van Arsdol's Addition to Clarinda, platted by Isaac Van Arsdol and wife, January 25, 1882.
Johnson's Addition to Clarinda, platted by S. C. Johnson, March 27, 1882.
Moore's Addition to Clarinda, platted December 9, 1882, by N. B. Moore.
Ferris' Addition to Clarinda. platted October 22, 1883, by B. P. Ferris and wife, F. M. Forney and wife and C. F. Klise and wife.
Wilson's Addition to Clarinda, platted February 17, 1886, by D. C. Wil- son and his wife, Abbie Wilson.
Richardson's Addition to the city of Clarinda was platted in 190.4. Lots were sold at auction and was the first lot sale of its kind ever held in Cla- rinda.
Orr's Addition to the city of Clarinda was made in 1902 and in 1909 another addition by William Orr was accepted by the city.
Dayton (defunct) was platted by Abram Halladay and Harry B. Bald- win on the east half of section 1, township 68, range 36, September 30, 1857.
Page City, (now defunct) was platted August 18, 1858, on section 7, of township 68, range 37, by William Pike.
Tarkio (now defunct ) was platted August 26, 1859, by Robert Miller, on sections 34 and 35. township 69, range 38. The original entry of this name appears spelled "Tarkee."
Franklin Grove (defunct) was platted April 18, 1860, by Martin Jones, on the northeast quarter of sections 2, 3 and 10, township 70, range 39.
Essex was platted September 15, 1870, by J. N. Dennison, trustee. The same was platted on sections 26 and 27, of township 70, range 39.
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Shenandoah was platted September 15, 1870, by J. N. Dennison, on section 19, township 69, range 39.
Hepburn was platted January 18, 1873, on land owned by David Rennick, located on the southwest quarter of section 20, township 70, range 36.
Braddyville was platted June 1, 1878, on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 30, township 67. range 36, by James Braddy.
Blanchard was platted October 13, 1879, by the Western Improvement Company of Iowa, the same being located on sections 32 and 33, of town- ship 67, range 38.
Bingham was platted by the Western Improvement Company of Iowa, December 12, 1879. It was platted on the southwest quarter of section 36, township 69, range 39.
Coin was platted November 25, 1879. by the Western Improvement Company of Iowa, on section 32, of township 68, range 38.
Morseman was platted March 19, 1880, by J. P. Burrows, on section 17, township 67 range 36.
Crooks was platted May 19, 1880, by I. W. Blanchard, on the south- west quarter of section 29, township 67, range 36.
Northbarro was platted by C. E. Perkins, September 8, 1881, on sec- tion 23, township 67, range 39.
Shambaugh was platted October 29, 1881, on section 36, township 68, range 37, by James and Julia Shambaugh.
Page Centre was platted November 11 1881, by E. S. and Mary Huston. The same is located on the southeast quarter of section 7, township 68, range 37.
Yorktown was platted April 3, 1882, by C. E. Perkins, on section 31, township 69, range 37.
Norwich was platted November 13, 1882, by W. H Dutton and wife, on section 29, township 69, range 38.
PIERCE TOWNSHIP.
Pierce is the northwest corner township of Page county, with Mont- gomery county on the north, Fremont township on the east, Grant township on the south, and Fremont county on the west. It is congressional township 70, range 39. west. Its only town is Essex, situated on sections 26 and 27. It is a magnificent agricultural district, its first settlement being made at Franklin Grove. But little effort was made to improve it until the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy branch of the railway passed through its fair domain in 1870. The only stream worthy of special note is the Nishnabotna river, which courses through the eastern and central part. leaving a very productive and large valley on either side. The only native timber is found at Franklin Grove on the northern line but hardy pioneers have planted thrifty groves, which now tower high and serve as monuments to good sense and culture.
EARLY SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIC.
The first actual settler in Pierce township was made by a man named Dexter Stillman, about 1850. He was a Mormon, who with thousands of
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others would not go to Utah with Brigham Young, on account of polygamy, hence sought for himself a home in what was then a howling wilderness, with Indians and wild beasts on every hand. He did not live many months, however, and his claim was sold to Aaron Kinyon, who with a man named Martin A. Jones, planted what is known as Franklin on sections 2. 3 and 10 of Pierce township. This was in 1860. Nathan Lewis came about 1850 also.
A. C. Gilmore removed from Hawleyville in 1853 and he says at that date the following settlers of Pierce township as best he can recall them are the following :
Lewis Hunt came in 1852. He had five sons and all were in the Union army during the Civil war. He tried to enlist but was rejected. Two sons lost their lives in the service and one was crippled for life. The father later moved to Nebraska.
Doran T. Hunt, a large landholder here at an early day, removed to Nebraska, where he died in 1885. His son-in-law, J. M. Davis, settled on section 5. He later moved to Oregon. He in company with a large num- ber of others came to Page county from Ohio early in the '50s, and were all radical democrats. They were bitterly opposed to going to war and when it was enacted they nearly all sold out for what they could get and moved to Oregon, not wishing to take part in so unholy a thing. Mr. Davis vowed he would never shave or cut his whiskers until a democratic president was elected and he kept sacred that rash vow until Grover Cleveland was seated. He came all the way across the western plains and on to Washington to take part in the ceremonies, after which he shaved.
Another pioneer was W. C. Goff of section 7.
Aaron Kinyon and John Kerns located on section 1I in 1853. They were of the Ohio band and moved to Oregon.
Joseph Ross also selected a part of section II and remained until his death, many years afterward. His wife survived until 1884.
Hamilton Miller came in prior to the rebellion and took land on section 2 but later moved to Oregon.
Asel and George Martin located on a part of section 11. George went to Montgomery county afterward and there died about 1880. His brother Asel died on his farm before the close of the war.
Job Morris came in about 1852, locating on section 22.
Other early comers, of some of whom mention was been made were: Levi and Marion Hunt, Benjamin Kinyon, Martin A. Jones, who opened a general store where A. C. Gilmore lived later.
Pierce township was organized January 20, 1858.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first white man to improve the land of Pierce township was Dexter Stillman, about 1850.
The first birth was probably Frank Stillman, who died when a child. A rough stone slab marks the resting place, bearing the inscription, Frankie Stillman.
1
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
The first death was in the Stillman family, either the father, Dexter Still- man, or the son, Frankie.
The first marriage in the township was Robert W. Soward and Rhoda Martin in 1858.
Andrew R. Martin and Miss M. I. Tabor were united about the same date.
The first term of school was taught by Miss Emily Ripley in 1856, in a log cabin built by Dexter Stillman. The first schoolhouse proper was built in 1857, at Franklin Grove, on section 3. It was a frame house and the best in Page county for many years. A. C. Gilmore taught the first term in this house. He was paid fifteen dollars per month and had a large school of big scholars, some of whom wore the "loyal blue," from 1861 to 1865.
The deep-seated moral tone of this school district began away back in those early days and has ever been noticeable. The "bad boys" of other schools have never found company here and much of the mean capers of pupils elsewhere has never annoyed this part of Pierce township.
The first religious services held was by the Ohio colony, who were Methodist people. I. C. Hunt was their preacher.
The first brick house in the township, in Page county also, was built by A. C. Gilmore, who burned the brick and erected the same in 1866. It was built on section 3.
A postoffice was established in 1860, known as Franklin Grove. M. A. Jones was postmaster. The office was discontinued about 1878.
ESSEX.
The town site of Essex occupies two hundred and forty acres in sections 26 and 27, township 70, range 39 west of the fifth principal meridian, be- ing in the southeast part of Pierce and the northwestern township of Page county. It is nineteen miles from the Missouri line and twenty-eight miles from Nebraska and is a half mile east of the Nishnabotna river, usually called the Nishna, the valley of which is regarded by competent judges as being the most fertile region of Iowa. The land gently rises to the east, all being subject to cultivation from the water's edge to the highest eleva- tion. The main business part of the town occupies the higher part of what is called the bottom and the school building and a portion of the residences occupy an elevation from which the beautiful valley can be overlooked for eighteen or twenty miles, presenting in the spring and summer as mag- nificent an agricultural scene as the eye of man ever gazed upon.
Essex is reached by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, being situated upon the Nebraska City branch running from Red Oak to Lin- coln. and owing to the almost perfectly level road bed, doing a very large part of the freight business of this greatest of railroad systems traversing Iowa. The railroad runs within a few rods of the business center of the town. The nearest towns are Shenandoah, eight miles by wagon road southwest. Imogene, eight miles northwest and Red Oak, fourteen miles north. On the east and southeast are no towns nearer than Clarinda and
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Villisca, over twenty miles away, and Essex holds the undisputed trade of a rich and prosperous farming district for twelve miles east.
EARLY HISTORY OF ESSEX.
The first dwelling house on the present site of Essex was erected in April, 1870, northwest of the present station of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, by R. B. Wood. The town site was surveyed in July of the same year by A. B. Smith, assisted by B. J. Austin, with J. C. Cummins as draughtsman and was platted by J. N. Dennison, September 15, 1870. The railroad was completed to Essex and the depot opened for business in April, 1871, with R. B. Wood as agent. B. S. Pendleton received the first freight billed to Essex, consisting of wire and sundries. A postoffice was established in the following August in the residence of R. B. Wood, with himself as postmaster. Four years later the town was incorporated and in March, 1876, the following named officers were elected : Mayor, H. T. Burdick ; councilmen, C. Nichols, W. C. Maxwell, James Martin, William Maloney and J. M. Page : recorder, C. Cummins.
On the 15th of May of the same year the independent school district was organized, with W. D. Jones, B. M. Webster and J. D. DeLee as directors. Among the first business men to put their faith in the town were L. Brack- ney, M. A. Jones, C. J. Annis & Brother, dealers in general merchandise ; Aldrich & Nye and Alden & Poe, dealers in lumber ; Day & Maloney and J. C. Jones, grain buyers. O. M1. Burhans and L. Brackney were the first physicians. A. A. Borden opened the first blacksmith shop. G. W. Thomas was the first school-teacher, using the house on the lot occupied by Professor C. B. Lingo.
February 22, 1873. the American Methodist Episcopal church was or- ganized, the first place of worship being the railroad depot, its use being tendered for that purpose by the station agent. The pastor was J. W. Prince from Missouri.
Essex has never experienced what is called a boom, with its customary reaction. On the contrary, it has had a steady, healthful growth that has gradually added to its population, wealth and prosperity. The early resi- dents, many of whom reside in Essex, experienced the usual discomforts of a new town, but with happy, buoyant natures they pushed steadily for- ward, with an abundance of confidence in the future of their town, and many are now surrounded with the comforts and luxuries of life. It is related of one of the early merchants that he was dumbfounded when one day a customer entered and called for a half pound of tea. This was so much in excess of the usual sales that he concluded that a boom was on in the mercantile business.
The postmaster's salary when R. B. Wood served "Uncle Sam" some- times amounted to the munificient sum of one dollar per month.
Two men engaged in the saloon business in early days. They built a small house and ordered a keg of beer from Red Oak. They painted a sign
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with charcoal, inviting the thirsty to enter and refresh the inner man and then waited for customers to enrich them but, alas for human foresight, the customers did not materialize. The beer soured and they sent it back to Red Oak and gave up the business in disgust. The saloon stood on the ground occupied by Alden & Poe's lumberyard.
SURROUNDING COUNTRY AND PEOPLE.
The only natural timber within miles of Essex is at Franklin Grove in the north part of the township, where the first settlement was made about 1850, by A. C. Gilmore and others who, like nearly all the early settlers of Iowa, sought the timber sections. To the west, across the Nishna river, the land is somewhat hilly and covered in places by small trees and bushes, but most of it proves to be excellent land both for pasture and cultivation. In every other direction extends the richest prairie. To the northeast and southwest, as far as the eye can reach, extends the Nishna Valley, with just enough slope to give excellent drainage, and to the eye, gazing over its many miles, apparently as level as a floor. East of the valley, in gentle un- dulations, is the richest of Iowa rolling prairie, that in the twenty years of its cultivation has never failed to produce excellent crops of grain, grass and fruits.
In this region settled the sturdy sons of Sweden, and applying to the virgin soil and mild climate of southwestern Iowa, their habits of industry and economy, learned by struggles with the elements of mountains and fierce winters in their native land, soon built for themselves splendid homes. Among the Swedes of Pierce and Fremont townships are some of the wealth- iest farmers of the county, with fine residences and splendidly equipped farms, with large barns and sheds, well kept orchards, the best of stock of all kinds and all the modern improvements in farm machinery. Many of the farm residences in this region are large two-story houses, of ten, twelve and fifteen rooms and will compare favorably with the best residences in towns and smaller cities. The country people, to the east of Essex for many miles, are nearly all of Swedish descent, but they have become Americanized and are warm supporters of American institutions, public schools and newspapers, and are loyal, intelligent, progressive citizens. The youth have learned the English language and speak it as fluently as those of English descent, and they compete successfully with Americans of other descent in the schools, in bus- iness enterprises and in political and social organizations. To the north, south and west of Essex, the native American and those of Irish descent predominate and, like the Swedish farmers east, they are mostly prosperous and have splendid homes, some of them luxurious. The excellent character of the majority of the citizens is shown by the officers elected to conduct the local affairs of the town. The population is nearly equally divided be- tween the two political parties and each side puts forth its best men for candidates. Its present mayor is Dr. C. L. Kinney. The town is well sup- plied with church organizations and a number of beautiful church edifices.
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AMERICAN METHODIST.
The Methodists were the first to organize a society in Essex and they held services in the depot for a time, the original membership being six. They have erected a church building which has been remodeled and improved from time to time. The church is now in a flourishing condition and has a large membership.
SWEDISH METHODIST
The Swedish Methodist society was organized in 1884 with eight mem- bers. They have an excellent church edifice which was erected in 1886. This society is also in a prosperous condition.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian church was organized in 1878 with twenty-three mem- bers.
SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
This society, probably the largest in Essex, was organized in 1876 with a few members. The church people purchased the old frame schoolhouse and remodeled it into a church building. J. E. Rehnstrom was the first pastor and served until 1884, when he was succeeded by C. G. Widen and after six years' hard and faithful labor he removed to Council Bluffs and was succeeded by A. F. Linquist. In 1892 the church erected a handsome new edifice, forty by sixty-four feet, with a school room twenty-six by thirty feet in addition. The church also has a parsonage building close by.
The Baptists erected the first church edifice in the town and kept up a prosperous organization for some years but as many of the members moved way and their places were taken by people of other societies, the organiza- tion declined.
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