USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa. Its cities, towns and villages, with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 13
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Mr. Brooks has been in the banking business for seven years, arl is of the firm of Brooks & Moore at Traer, Tama County, an.1 of Brooks & Moore Brothers at Reinbeck, Grundy County, both places on the Pacific branch of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern railroad.
Mr. Brooks has great energy and pluck, usually pushing his business rather than allowing his business to push him. He has kept all the irons in the fire, but let none of them become over- heated.
Laterly he has let others assume most of the labor, and hav- ing a competency, he lives very much at his case. He has one of the most delightful residences in the County, located in a two acre lot most tastefully embellished. The house alone cost
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twenty-five thousand dollars, and the entire homestead, as it stands, must be worth nearly twice that sum.
Mr. Brooks was in early life a whig; since 1855 he has been a republican ; is very decided in his political sentiments; is ready to help a worthy friend to office, but has no aspirations himself in that direction.
His wife was Miss Harriet Hartshorn, of Erie County, Pennsyl- vania. Married at Meadville on the 5th of December, 1850. Both are active members of the Baptist church, filling their places and generously responding to the calls and requirements of the church, and of religious charitable objects generally. Few kinder hearted men live than James H. Brooks. He not only pities the poor and unfortunate, but is always ready to help them.
Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have had two children, but lost one of them. Arthur Lee Brooks, their only living child, has a family, and is managing the home farm, paying particular attention to the stock department. He is energetic like his father, a hard worker and a young man of sterling worth.
GEORGE H. WARREN.
Among the younger class of men whose names appear in this book is George Henry Warren, who was born in Withing- ham, Vermont. on the 18th of December, 1844. His parents were Linns Austin Warren, a well-to-do farmer, and Sophronia Parker, both industrious, religious and much respected people. They had five children, three boys and two girls, and strove to bring up all of them carefully, early instilling into their tender hearts the pure principles of christianity. George was the fourth child. His parental grandfather, Deacon James Warren, moved from Conway, Massachusetts, to Withingham at an early date, settling in the wilderness, and residing in that town until old age, dying at Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, where he lived a short time. The maternal grandfather of George H. was Captain Samuel Parker. of Whitingham, a revolutionary soldier, who, was detailed for special service under General Washington, with
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whom he was a favorite. Both the Warren and Parker families were remarkable for their strength and longevity.
Mr. Warren had a pleasant home, affectionate parents, a love for books and an oportunity to gratify it. He preferred mental to physical labor, and for that reason some of his bucolic associ- ates called him "lazy, " and that annoyed him; it was, perhaps, the sole grief of childhood years. He had so much literary am- bition that at fifteen he was prepared to teach, and commenced his first district school. For three years he taught during the winter and studied in the summer.
At eighteen he entered the old and famous academy at Shel- burne Falls, Massachusetts, paying his way by teaching a part of each day, while carrying on a regular and full course of studies At nineteen, owing to mental overwork, his health began to de- cline, and he gave up the idea, fondly cherished, of going through Brown University. He became teller of the Shelburne Falls National Bank, and soon afterwards cashier of the same. Prior to this period he had been looking to the law as his profession, but relinquished this hope and made np his mind to be a banker.
In the winter of 1868 he resigned his position in the bank at Shelburne Falls, came to Tama City and carried on a private banking business until October, 1871, when the First National Bank of Tama City was organized, of which institution he has since held the position of cashier, and has managed its business with a great deal of clerical and executive ability.
Since 1874 he has given a great deal of attention, and all the energy at his command, to the developement of the water-power on the Iowa river at Tama City. IIe is deeply impressed with the importance of encouraging manufactures at the west, as a hand-maid of railroads in embracing the true interests of all classes. The water-power enterprise, started here in 1874, has proven a grand success, several manufactories being already in operation. In 1875 he formed the Union Plow Company, which bids fair to become one of the most snecessful enterprises in the interior of Iowa.
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He joined the Freemasons in Massaehmsetts in 1867, and took the chapter degrees at Tama City, in 1870.
IIc has been a member of the Baptist church since ten years of age, and has been acenstomed from yonth to make every busi- ness enterprise, project or charge of any kind, a subject of espe- cial prayer Hle is convinced that his petitions have been an- swered, and evidently believes his Heavenly Father regards the minutest as well as greatest interests of the trusting one's life. He is a Sunday School worker and aims to make himself useful in many ways.
Mr. Warren married his wife at Shelburne Falls, Massachu- setts, on the 14th of April, 1866, she being Miss Kate Louise Gardner, only child of Joseph W. Gardner, a celebrated entlery manufacturer of England, and is a man of wealth and high standing. Mrs. Warren is the mother of two children.
NATHAN C. WIETING.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Decatur, Otsego County, New York, June 8th, 1828. He is of German decent, his grandparents coming from Germany to the United States during the Revolutionary war. He is eldest son of John C. and Catharine Wieting, whose family consisted of nine chil- dren. His father was a farmer, and his son Nathan remained at home working on the farm until he was nineteen years of age, when he commenced teaching school to enable him to complete his studies at a Seminary near his home, in which manner, al- ternating in teaching and attending school, he spent his time nn- til about February, 1856. On the 10th day of April 1856 he came to Toledo, and cast his lot with the early settlers of this County, and has had an unbroken residence since that time. At the first term of the District Court after his arrival he was ad- mitted to the bar of Tama County and formed a partnership with T. Walter Jackson, in Toledo. At the fall election in 1856 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the County under the old law, and served during his term. In politics being an ardent
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Republican, he signed the first call for party organization, and assisted in the organization of the party in 1856.
. In the fall of 1858 he became proprietor of the "Toledo Tri- bune" and changed the name to the "Iowa Transcript" and ably conducted its colunms until the fall of 1866, when he retired from the editorship of the same.
Ile was married to Miss Emily II. Muckler, of Toledo, on December 4th, 1858, and has one son, John Guy Wieting, born July 6th, 1873.
In the spring of 1867 he entered into the mercantile business in Toledo and, continued in the same until the fall of 1876, when he closed out his business. In January 1878 at the solici- tation of many prominent Republicans he purchased the "Tama County Iupdependent" and changed the name to "Toledo Times" also the politics of the paper and is now conducting the same as a Republican organ in full sympathy with the principles of the party. The paper is one of the permanent institutions of the County, edited and owned by one who has watched the growth and progress of our County for years, and who has been fully identified with the interests of the people and as an editor shows a continuous series of more years in the County than any editor among us.
FRANK E. SMITH.
While it is true that some men inherit greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them, a large number are architects of their own fortunes. The man of this stamp, self-reliant and courageous, building on principal and not ou pedigree, start out with the idea that God helps those only who help themselves. He who has faith in his own powers, who is dilligent in his call- ing and has his heart in his work, is on the road to success. By this direct ront the subject of this brief notice reached his present high position as book-keeper, and to a good degree, business man- ager in the Toledo City Bank. He is a native of Ohio, and was born in that State in Seneca County town of Republic, on the 17th
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day of May, 1848, and is the son of G. G. and A. Z. (Covey) Smith. Ilis father was a mechanic and farmer.
Frank E. remained at home with his parents attending school until the year 1864, when he quit home and went to Sandusky Ohio, and enlisted as a private in the 191st Ohio, and went to the army-though but sixteen years of age, by his earnest solicita- tion he was permitted to enter, after which he was with his regi- ment from 1864 until the close of the war.
In the fall of 1865, Mr. Smith emigrated to this State and set- tled in Garden Grove, Decatur County. From that time to 1867 he spent his time attending school and teaching. During the next four years he clerked for D. & A. B. Stearns, and in 1871 he attended the Commercial College at Pittsburgh, graduated and received his diploma. During 1872 he was book-keeper for the firm of Boyle, Woodbury & Boyle. In 1873 he taught the Intermediate Department of the school at Garden Grove. He lived in Garden Grove until the year 1874 when he moved to To- ledo, Iowa, where he remained in the Land and Loan office of Nelson & Barker, as book-keeper, until May, 1878, when he relin- quished his position in that office to accept the place of assistant cashier of the Toledo City Bank, of Toledo Iowa. In so doing he gave up one of the best clerkships in the County, and one which he filled for several years. The proprietors of the City Bank have good reason to congratulate themselves on securing the services of so competent an assistant. In his business trans- actions he has shown himself to be a man of first-class business qualifications, and an indefatigable worker. As a book-keeper he has earned the enviable reputation of being one of the best in this part of the State. His books are models of neatness and accuracy.
IION. GAMALIEL JAQUA.
The subject of this brief note is a native of Ohio, and was born in that State, Preble County, December 30th, 1828. His parents were both natives of New York and emigrated to Ohio at a very early day settling upon a farmn.
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Gamaliel remained at home with his parents assisting in farm- ing and attending district school until eighteen years of age. At this age he had acquired a sufficient amount of knowledge to make school teaching his business during the winter months, attended school during the summer until he had attained his ma- jority Mr. Jaqua was appointed County Examiner of teach- ers of Preble County, Ohio. This position he tilled with honor to himself and the County. Shortly after this he was elected County Superintendent of public schools, and filled the office for several years.
In the year 1856, Mr. Jagna emigrated to this State and locat- edin Buckingham township, this County. For a number of years after locating here, besides attending to the duties of his farm, he was engaged in teaching the Buckingham schools.
In the year 1866 he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors filling the office for a number of years giving satis- faction to all, and besides this Mr. Jaqua has filled several of the various township offices.
In the year 1875 Mr. Jaqua was elected a member of the House of Representatives by the Republican party, and filled the office two terms, to the satisfaction of his numerous friends and supporters.
Since Mr. Jaqua has been a resident of this County, he has gathered about him a host of friends and has proven himself in the eyes of the people, an honorable and valuable citizen. His farm is located about one mile north of Traer, where he has one of the finest and most convenient homes in the County.
CHAPTER XVII.
NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISE.
A history of the County without mention of its newspapers would be incomplete-like the play of Hamlet with the part of Hamlet left out. We therefore make mention in our history of such as were easily obtainable. The first paper in the County was
The Toledo Tribune .- This paper was established in the year 1856, the first issue making its appearance April 21st, with M. V. B. Kenton, editor. In politics it was independent, though leaning somewhat toward Republicanism, and in size was a six column folio. Mr. Kenton remained connected with the paper only a short time, when he disposed of it to IL. T. Baldy, and T. W. Jackson, and returned to Ohio. from whence he came.
The paper had a growing circulation and the merchants of the town done all in their power, in the way of advertising, to make it a success. On August 23d, 1865, the paper passed into the hands of George Sowers, now one of the proprietors of the "Marshall Times" and E. B. Bolens, who run the paper until Oct. 28th, 1858, when the paper again changed hands to N. C. Wieting the present editor of the "Toledo Times" who changed its name to the lomo Transcript. After publishing but a few issues, Mr. Wieting disposed of one half interest to J. T. Staley. The paper was run with good success for a number of months
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under their management when Staley disposed of his interest, and J. F. Farley became partially interested, remaining but a short time. In Nov., 1866, Mr. Wieting removed the office to Belle Plaine, Ia., where he disposed of it shortly afterwards to Nixon & Yarham who after running it about eight months sold it to S. S. Farrington, who published it for a while; then the material passed into the hands of D. H. Frost, the present proprietor of the Belle Plaine Union where no doubt some of the material is used to this day.
The Tama County Republican .- This paper was established at Toledo in 1867, by J. T. Rice, who published it a short time when J. T. Stewart bought an interest. Stewart however did not remain connected with the paper very long. Hle disposed of his interest, and on July 17th, 1867, M. B. C. True became inter- ested. The paper was run under the management of these gen- tleman but a few months, when Mr. True became sole proprietor. In 1870 Mr. True leased the office to Warren Harman, who changed its name to the Toledo Chronicle, and run the paper until Jan. 1st, 1874, when J. B. Hedge, its present proprietor, bonght the office of Mr. True. We now find it in the beginning of the year 1878, a large nine column paper filled with interesting and profitable reading matter, and with an advertising patronage that betokens prosperity, and that the family of its edi- tor can have and enjoy a little more than the bare necessaries of life.
The Chronicle has lately added to its office a new job press, and now boasts of doing its work a little faster and a little better than its neighbors. The job office is complete, and work of all kinds, from a visiting card to a mammoth poster or a large book, can be printed in the best style. Mr. Hedge is determined not to be out-done in any way, and will not rest until he is in advance of all his neighbors in that which goes to make a first-class printing office, and a neat readable paper. It is Republican in politics.
Orford Weekly Ledger-Established in the year 1868. and was the first paper published in the town of Orford, now Montour. It was edited and published by W. M. Patrick, and was a lively
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little paper, well printed, and an honor to the town. The first few issues show that its editor was very sanguine of success. Of course no paper could live in as small a town as Montour was then and naturally met the fate of the frog in the fable that endeav- ored to swell its proportions to the size of an ox, and in doing so burst itself; we therefore learn that in a short time it ceased to exist.
The Tama County Liberal .- A nine column paper established during the campaign of 1872, and run in the interest of the Demo- cratie party, with L. G. Kinne as editor. This paper was print- ed at Marshalltown, and had only an existence of 5 or 6 months. Its editor, Mr. Kinne is one of the best local and plitical writers in the State, and while it existed done good work for the party.
The Tama County Independent .- This was an Independent eight column paper established by R. Reichman. July 4th, 1874, it made its first appearance. It supported the anti-monopoly party, and contributed largely to the election of the candidates on that ticket in Tama County, that fall. Mr. Reichman managed the paper up to August 1st, 1877, when it went into the hands of S. W. Grove, now editor of the Tama County Democrat who leased the office and run it a few months, when it again pass- ed into Mr. Reichman's hands who shortly after sold the office to N. C. Wieting. The office of the Pennman's Help, owned by Mr. Will Clark, was then united with it and a partnership formed by Messrs Wieting & Clark, and the name changed by them to the Toledo Times. After the office passed into Messrs Weiting & Clark's hands it was largely restocked with new type, etc., and to-day is a forty-eight column quarto always clearly and neatly printed. It enjoys a large circulation, and is a welcome visitor in many a home in the far west, where it is eagerly read by former inhabitants of this County. The propri- etors claim to have three hundred subscribers more than any other paper in the County and to be unexcelled in any class of job work.
The chief feature of this paper is its excellence as a local and amily newspaper. Nothing is ever permitted to appear either in
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its editorial or advertising columns which may not be read by any family eirele or at any fireside. It has a good advertising patron- age and stands on its own merits. It is well known for its short and spicy paragraphs, and is more widely quoted from than any paper in the County. In politics, Republican.
The Tama County Union .- By Cyrus B. Ingham, was estab- lished in the year, 1866, the first issue making its appearance April 26th, of that year. It was devoted to home interests, liter- ary, agricultural and general news, free from party cliques. This paper was the first one published at the town of Inka, now Tama City, with C. B. Ingham and C. E. Heath, editors. The follow- ing motto appeared under its head.
"O seize on truth where'er its found,
Among your friends, among your foes, On christian or on Heathen ground, The plant's divine where'er it grows".
The paper was a six Column folio, and while under their man- agement met with good success, both in advertising and in circu- lation. In the first issue appears the names of many who are still in business in Tama City. Among them we can mention Thomas Murray, dry goods; M. C. Murdough, agricultural im- plements, dry goods ete; James Brice Jr., groceries; Thomas Whitaker, produce dealer and Win. Corns M. D. The paper was conducted by them some two years then went into the hands of W. G. Cambridge, who changed the heading of the paper to The Tama Citizen, and enlarged it to an eight column paper. During his management the paper was well supported, having a good circulation both in the County and out. After running the paper until the latter part of 1875, Mr. Cambridge stopped issn- ing it on account of ill health, and a few months after the material was sold to F. J. M. Wonser, and on October Sth, 1875, the paper was enlarged to nine columns and issued under the head of The Tama Herald. The paper at present is managed by Mr. Wonser, he being the editor and proprietor, and receives good support both at home and abroad. From time to time Mr. Wonser has added to the material new styles of type, until now he owns a very fine office.
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The Tuma City Press .- In consequence of the expression of the political views of the Republican papers in the County, the Democrats in Tama City and vicinity were desirous of establish- ing a Democratic paper, and S. M. Chapman, father of the pub- lisher of this work, was persuaded to embark in the enterprise, and under the above name the first number was issued, January Ist, 1874.
After publishing but a few issues the paper was turned over to J. B. Spafford and W. S. Mesmer, who issued it for a number of months, but, on account of want of capital these gentleman soon withdrew, and the paper went back into its first owners hands, who again resumed the responsibility of publishing it. He afterwards sold an interest to S. W. Grove, the present edi- itor of the Tama County Democrat, and the paper ;was en- larged to a six column quarto, published every Friday morning by Chapman & Grove, with good success having a large circulation and advertising medium, until in the latter part of 1875, when it passed into the hands of J. B. Chapman, son of S. M. Chapman; who run the paper, making it one of the official papers of the County, until the latter part of 1877, when the material was sold to J. G. Strong and removed to Grundy Center.
The Tama County Democrat .- This paper is published every week by S. W. Grove. The first issue made its appearance April 12th, 1878. The paper is a six column folio, well printed and newsy sheet. Its editor, Mr. Grove is a spicy local writer and his paper is read by many. In politics it is Democratic and works for the advancement of that party. Connected with the office is a job department, from which is turned ont good work.
The Traer Star .- This paper was established at Traer in 1878, by Elmer E. Taylor, and its first issue made its appearance May 1st, of that year. It is a five column folio, filled with interesting and profitable reading matter, and with an advertising patronage that betokens prosperity. Its editor though young in years, is a public spirited and enterprising young man, and deserves suc- cess.
The People's Friend .- We have been unable to find a copy of
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this paper, or learn any special information in regard to it, fur- ther than it was published by an erratic genius, who knew more about "table-tipping" than running a newspaper. The Friend only lived a few months, the people of Chelsea and vicinity failing to render it the neccessary aid to keep it before the people.
The Dysart Reporter .-- This is a seven column folio established in 1878, by T. N. Ives, and is the first paper published in the town of Dysart; the first number of which bears date of March 20th, 1878. Its editor and proprietor, Mr. Ives, is publishing one among the finest papers in the County, is well printed and is an honor to the town. It has a good advertising patronage and a large circulation for the time it has been in existence. It is an Independent advocator.
The Penman's Help .- This paper was established at Toledo, in March, 1877, and is devoted to the interests of penmen, and penmanship, by Will Clark. In April, 1879, the name was changed to Album of Pen Art, improved in appearance and is now an eight page semi-monthly, a well printed and edited sheet. Mr. Clark informs us that its circulation extends to thirty-two States of the Union, as well as to Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The Traer Clipper-Was established by Bernard Murphy, in 1874. Mr. M. being a fine editor and a printer met with good success and his paper was liked by all. He had a good advertis- ing patronage, and done much in building up the place. It was an eight column folio, and made its first appearance, January 1st 1874. Mr. M. managed the paper until August 16th, 1876, when it passed into the hands of Averill Bros & Beatty, who enlarg- ed it January 1st, 1877, to nine columns and printed it all at home. In the fall of 1878, Averill Bros bought Beatty's inter- est and published the paper in their own name making it one of the official papers of the County.
Like many other newspapers, the Clipper has had its ups and downs, its seasons of prosperity and seasons of adversity, but it continued to toil on looking forward to the better day coming until the night of December 24th, 1878, when from some cause
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it was destroyed by fire. Its proprietors though somewhat dis- conraged soon had new presses and material on hand. The pa- per continued under their management until July, 1879, when it passed into the hands of Hon. James Wilson, James Morrison, and R. H. Moore, the present managers.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
RELIGIOUS.
In seeking a new home at the present day the question is al- most invariably asked as to what are the religious influences in the community to which it is desired to emigrate. A communi- ty in which the school house and the church find a special recog- nition will always be selected in preference to the one in which these are not found. Men of the world recognize the fact that educational and Christian institutions are the hand-maids of gen- eral thrift and prosperity. Improvements in the manners, tastes and moral status of the people, follow closely the preaching of the gospel. The following, says Ford in his history of Illinois, and it is the same everywhere:
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