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 17
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At this time, B. A. Hall and J. H. Hollen were virtually monarchs of all they surveyed, being the only residents, and cach possessing large and finely located farms. Of the latter the railroad company purchased a tract of land; Mr. Hollen also generously donated several acres to secure the location of the station on the spot where it now stands. Among the first who came here for the purpose of establishing themselves in business were Col. C. K. Bodfish, M. C. Murdongh, and W. P. Browne. Mr. Bodfish engaged largely in the shipment of grain and produce, and also opened a dry goods and grocery store in a small frame building, which stood on the lot now occu- pied by the First National Bank building, owned by Mack & *So named in commemoration of the battle of Iuka, Mississippi, in which many of the brave boys of Iowa participated.
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Little and was known as the pioneer business building of the town. This building was also used for a long time as a hotel; and, says our informant, it was kept rather on the European plan, as meals only were furnished its patrons, who obtained their lodg- ing principally in the store rooms where not more than "four-in-a- bed" were ever allowed. Two grain warehouses were soon erect- ed, which shortly after were occupied by M. C. Murdough and C. B. Barnard, and filled for mouths to their utmost capacity, which at last proved inadequate for handling the increasing ship- ments and P. K. Hayden commenced the erection of an eleva- tor, which was a great benefit to the town. Shortly after finish- ing the building Mr. Hayden disposed of his interest to Wm. P. Browne who continued its management until the fall of 1865. when he sold out to Messrs. J. D. Merritt & Son. In 1872 this elevator together with one owned by C. H. Kentner was destroy- ed by fire, but shortly after new ones were built.
Mr. Murdough, came here from Toledo, and engaged exten- sively in the shipment of grain and live stock, and in the follow- ing year 1863, erected the building now standing on the corner of Seigel and Third Streets in which he commenced the dry goods and grocery trade, and still continues at this busines. To the gentlemen above mentioned is due a great degree of credit, for by their unceasing efforts and enterprise, the town to a large extent is what we see to-day.
The growth of the town was very rapid. The railroad being completed and the people accustomed to pushing things through with lightning speed, and as the sound of the locomotive's whistle could be heard in the distance, they began to pour in; and by the time the merry call of the conductor's "all aboard," was heard the town was fairly alive, and the spirit of "Young America" seemed to pervade every citizen of the little village, and dreams of future growth and greatness pervaded the minds of all. A class of cit- izens came to the village full of perseverance and grit, and a deter- mination to make the town one of the best in the State of Iowa. The city at present is a flourishing manufacturing and commer- cial town, of nearly two thousand inhabitants, located one-fourth
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HUSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
of a mile north of the Iowa River, surrounded on all sides by a remarkably rich and productive country.
The city was incorporated in 1869, having for its first Mayor, M. A. Newcomb. From this date the place advanced in all those natural interests that go to make up a thriving city, yet nothing in particular occured in its history until of late years to attract those from the over crowded east to its advantages to any remarkable degree. Time passed, however, and the city became supplied with good schools, churches, fine streets, public build- ings etc., together with one of the finest water powers in the State of Iowa. Afterwards Tama City began to attract special at- tention and since the year 1875, her prosperity has been encour- aging to the inhabitants.
The water power above spoken of propels quite a number of mills and manufactories, yet not half the available power is util- ized. On either side of the race many others factories might be erected and conducted with profit, especially as great inducements are being offered by the company, to those wishing to locate here. During the past few years many and var- ious kinds of enterprises have been established and it has been abundantly demonstrated by their success that this is a desirable point to locate. The city is situated in the midst of a very fertile agricultural region and draws a retail trade for many miles, while the products of her manufactories are being extensively shipped over a large portion of the west.
Among the fine buildings of the city, we refer with pride to the residences, of J. II. Brooks and L. Carmichael, located in the northwestern part of the city, each erected at a cost of many thousand dollars; the Harmon House, Murdough's block, the First National Bank building, Bank of Tama, Empire block, First Baptist and Catholic Churches and Public School buildings.
The various benevolent and reformatory societies are well rep- resented, there being flourishing lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows and United Workmen. All of these organizations have as neat lodge rooms as any in the County. Tama City has many live
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firms in her midst of which special mention is made further on in this chapter.
At an election held July 23d, 1869, for or against the adop- tion of a city Charter, there were polled 105 votes for, and 5 against the proposition. At the first annual election for city of- ficers, held at the office of F. J. M. Wonser, September +tlı, 1869, the following named persons were elected:
M. A. Newcomb, Mayor; James H. Brooks, Thomas Murray, James Brice, Jr., S. W. Coles, and J. B. Spafford, Trustees; G. W. Walton, Recorder. Since 1869 the officers have been elected as follows:
Mayors .- E. Harmon, J. B. Spafford, W. H. Tiffany, C. HI. Kentner, M. Bostwick, E. G. Penrose and O. H. Mills.
Trustees .- L. Carmichael, O. Parks, C. H. Kentner, A. W. Wells, J. R. Smith, R. H. Ryan, G. W. Coles, O. J. Stoddard, S. Patterson, R. Harris, J. F. Hegart, L. Merchant, C. R. Palmer, H. Soleman, E. Parks, S. M. Chapman, S. Bruner, J. McClung. B. Thompson, C. L. McClung, B. F. Crenshaw, M. Bostwick, C. Homan. O. H. Mills, E. G. Penrose, G. V. Good ell, J. H. Smith, Win, Cummings, W. Blodgett, D. W. Bressler T. Whitaker, W. A. Sharp, G. W. Ingersoll, G. E. Higley, R. Forker. The present Councilmen are H. Soleman, W. H. Cummings, E. G. Penrose, T. II. Bruhn, B. Thompson, and F. B. Ramsdell.
Treusurers .- G. H. Warren, J. D. Laudi, M. Levi, L. Car- michael, James McClung and F. R. Holmes.
Recorders .- J. L. Bracken, G. E. Maxwell, B. W. Homan, R. IL. Moore. J. McClung, W. Maxwell, G. D. Sherman, F. N. Warren, and the present T. E. Warren.
Marshals .- H. Day, W. T. Hollen, T. Avery, J. F. Ward, D. W. Bressler, R. Harris, L. V. Kellum. The present Mar- shal is W. L. Brannan.
TAMA CITY UNION SCHOOL BUILDING.
This building was erected in 1769, at a cost of nearly $20,000. It is located in the north-eastern part of town and stands in the center of a beautifully decorated yard, comprising a whole block
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and is enclosed by a neat and substantial fence. The architec- tural design is plain throughout, yet neat and well proportioned. The plans ware drawn by Mr. George Kline, of Marshalltown. The brick work was done by G. H. Clark, and the carpenter work was done under contract of Thomas Horsefall and George Crabtree. The building is in height three stories, with a finely proportioned belfry surmounting the main part, in which is placed a bell weighing about 700 pounds. The foundation is built of stone, while the main walls are built of red brick. The building contains five rooms which are used for school pur- poses besides recitation and library rooms, closets and halls.
The main enterance to the building opens into a large hall from the west; from this hall a stairway leads to the second and third stories. The building is capable of accommodating with con- venience, seven hundred pupils. In addition to this, the city has two other buildings, used for school purposes. The city of Tama deserves great credit for the erection of this building which is a fine one indeed. With a ull corps of efficient teach- ers in every department; with a school board alive to the best interests of education, the schools of this place will rank with any in the County or State. The following named gentlemen have served on the School Board since 1870: B. A. Hall, L. Carmichael F. J. M. Wonser, S. W. Cole, C. E. Heath, T. Parks, C. E. Hibbard, S. Patterson, H. Day, J. B. Tims, A. Cordner, J. Mc- Clung, B.F. Crenshaw, J. B. Spafford, R. H. Ryan, J. H. Hollen, A. W. Guernsey, W. E. Newcomb, C. B. Bentley and E. G. Penrose. The present Board consists of J. Nicholson, J. W. Coburn, E. G. Penrose, W. E. Newcomb, C. B. Bentley and A. Cordner.
TAMA CITY HYDRAULIC WORKS.
Many years prior to 1874, Charles Irish, then a citizen of this County, while surveying in company with J. H. Hollen, in the bottom near where the water works has since been constructed, made the discovery of the fact that there was fall sufficient in the river to render possible an extensive water power. His plan was to dam the river near where the present dam is; bring the water
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
along the base of the bluff's and use Deer Creek as a tail race. This was before the town was laid out and consequently before there was any special reason for extending the work to its pres- ent limits. But the undertaking was too large for the ability of those then interested. and nothing was done with it. For many years. after the town had been established the water power was a subject that enlisted a good deal of attention from the people: not only in Tama City, but for many miles in the surrounding country. In Tama City and vicinity water power improvement excitement would break out every once in a while, and spread its eruptions through the vicinity: meeting, were called. resolu- tions adopted. committees appointed. petitions dratted and great flames inaugurated for this purpose. And indeed, it seems al- most a pity that after so much time, money and labor spent in this direction. the efforts were not rewarded as the majority of the people hoped.
Time passed and nothing of any consequence done until the winter of 1872-3, when the matter was brought promptly before the people. The services of Mr. Irish, now of Iowa City, were secured for the purpose of making a survey. The result of Mr. Irish's examinations was to establish the fact that by a sufficient out-lay of means. Tama City could have a water power second to none in the State, and scarcely equaled by any in the West. He recommended the construction of the works entirely upon the south side of the railroad track as the most possible plan. which a more thorough examination subsequently proved to be the best course to pursue.
As time passed the opposers of the water power, were not idle, but used every means in their power to influence the people against it. But the presistent efforts of the company were not to be blasted and the work was finely accomplished by their efforts and expenditures, and to-day. Tama City has large manufacturing establishments and extensive railroad communica- tions with the commercial world.
G. IJ. Warren, who had been instrumental in securing the sur- vey by Mr. Irish, had become possessed of the idea that the
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power conld and would be improved, and while others were faithless and indifferent in regard to it, he, with that persistence and determination so characteristic to him, continued his ef- forts to keep the project before the people. Finally Mr. D. B. Sears, of Rock Island, a man of large experience in hydraulics both in Indiana and Illinois, whose judgement in a matter of this kind is entitled to all respect, was invited to Tama City to ren- der his judgement in relation to it. He came, and was at once impressed with the feasibility of the undertaking and was enthu- siastic in his expressions of confidence in it. At this instance, Mr. J. D. Arey, an hydraulic engineer of Illinois, was engaged to make a thorough survey and plat of the contemplated work, which he at once proceeded to do; fully corroborating the survey made by Mr. Irish, and disclosing the fact that with the comple- tion of this work, Tama City would have a magnificent water power at her door of at least one thousand horse power, which would make it one of the best manufacturing towns in the West.
A company was at once organized under the general laws of Iowa, for the purpose of improving and utilizing the power of the Iowa River at Tama City, with a capital stock of $100,000; the following gentlemen constituting the company:
B. A. Hall, President; G. H. Warren, Secretary; Thomas Murray, James McClung, John Ramsdell, Lewis Merchant, M. C. Murdough, B. A. Hall and Eli Harmon, Directors. At the very first these men had to face the unwelcome and stub- born fact, that abont $100,000 would be required to carry the work through. Of course it was a giant undertaking for so small a town as Tama City, even though assistance was rendered by the citizens of the surrounding country. But the same in- domitable persistence of which we have before spoken, upon the part of Mr. Warren and the directors, soon secured stock enough in cash and property subscription, to justify letting the contract for the entire work, which was immediately done to Mr. D. B. Sears and Mr. M. C. Orton, the latter of Sterling, Illinois, and the former of Rock Island, Illinois. The services of Mr. Arey were secured as engineer.
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The confidence of these gentlemen in the enterprise is shown in the fact, that though they were strangers, and in no way inter- ested in the destinies of the town, the former invested $15,000 in stock, and the latter, Mr. Arey, took his entire wages in the same. These men afterwards sub-contracted the entire earth work to Messrs. Judd and Joslin, who sub-let parts to others; all pushed their work on rapidly.
The work was completed the first of November, 1874, and on the thirteenth of the same month a grand celebration was given on the fair grounds at Tama City over the completion of the works. The Tama City Press had the following to say of the jubilee:
"Friday, the 13th, was the day set for a jollification by the people over the Water power prospects, and large numbers of the good friends of Tama City came in from neighboring towns and country, determined to partake of the roasted ox, and join in the general festivities.
The immense reservoir in front of town had commenced filling the evening before and on Friday a broad sheet of water lay there, sullenly tossing and surging under the prevailing heavy winds, like a very lake, indeed.
Many were present from abroad; some of the speakers expect ed were, for one reason or another, deterred from coming, but when the throng assembled within the fair ground there were ex- cellent and encouraging speeches made by Rev. G. F. Magoun, President of Iowa College; Hon. James Wilson, M. C .; E. A. Chapin, Esq., editor of the Marshalltown Times, and others. Rev. O. A. Holmes read a Historical Essay and O. H. Mills, Esq. read that which the Inter-Ocean Reporter styled "The event of the day"-a first-rate poem.
Then after music by the Cedar Rapids Cornet Band, and the Tama City Brass Band the people repaired to Floral Hall, en- larged and well fitted for a dining room, and ate roasted ox and cake, and chicken fixin's, and drank hot coffee and tea, till hun- ger and thirst were things of the past and the possible future only, and not at all of the present time.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Taken altogether, notwithstanding the very unfavorable weath- er, the people who came were well contented and Tama City enjoyed a new evidence that the masses of her neighbors in town and country, take pride in her enterprise, and rejoice over her success."
"How the Water came down, at Tama, " by O. H. Mills; read at Tama City, November 13th, 1874, on the occasion of the grand jubilee at the completion of the Tama Hydraulic Works: You've undoubtedly heard of the "Falls o' Lodore!"
Ilow the water came down with a rush and a roar-
With a dash and a bound-a hull and a swell:
Sneh eireles and whirls-'tis a wonder to tell!
But the way it comes down through the "Tama Hydraulic"-
(The name seems an odd one, but that's what they call it,)-
Is another, a different, and separate fall ;-- (It can't fail to remind of the "Raging Kanawl."
On the river, at "The Narrows," 'twas oftentimes said: "Were the water only here, 't were twenty feet head!" But how could we get it ?- the project seemed rash; "T would take months of hard labor, and mountains of cash! But a handfull of men whose watchword was "Pluek!" Who never by trifles were hindred or "stnek,"
Said, "The work must be done, whatever's to pay,
The funds shall be raised and the diteh dug straightway,"
So a meeting was called, to have a good talk; But little was said, but Lord! how the stock Of the "Tama Hydraulie" was taken that night! And the water (to the brave) seemed plainly in sight!
There were men who were poor and of money had none, Said; "We'll work on the ditch, and when it is done, Just give usour time, be it ever so small, And stock we'll receive in this "Hydraulie Fall." And one had a farm-he made us a deed:
"Ilere, take my broad acres, the work must proceed!"
There were cattle and horses, they all were put in: In faet, all we could spare was put into "tin."
And good Tama City, the mother of all,- Woman-like, she wanted a good "waterfall!" She wanted the hum of machinery to hear; She wanted factories and mills by her side to appear; She wanted more thrift, more labor for all ;- So she expended twelve thousand in this "Hydraulic Fall."
Unheeding the jeers of the doubting ,and wiseacres too, With a might and a will we've put the work through;
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
We've dammed the broad river with wood and stone ;- A glorious old guard-lock. 'tis finished and done. We've cut through the hills, and filled up the sloughs, And made a rugged, hard bank for the water to use.
We've got a nice lake as clear as the sky, Whose bine waves forever will dance merrily And make our hearts glad, our souls to rejoice,- For they speak with a sure, unmistakable voice:
""Twas that watchword of yours-that gritty word. "Pluck!" ("Tis worth a million such words as "Fortune!" and "Luck!")- 'T was that union, that might, that effort sin cere, - That make us so happy in our cosy banks here. And the whirl of my wheels will be merrier still; I will factories build, and a glorious mill; And business shall come and nestle by me .- I'm a nice little lake, and happy I'll be!"
So forget all your troubles and now we'll rejoice. And make the air ring with jubilant voice; United we were-still "Union" is our song ;- That's how the water in the Hydraulic came down!
The dam is built across the Iowa River at a place called the "Narrows," three and one-half miles west of Tama City, with a head of six and one-half feet added to the natural fall of the river, which between the town and the dam is sixteen feet, giving a head of twenty-two and one-half feet. There are seven miles of back water above the dam: three miles of canal; and forty-seven acres of reservoir; thereby giving an immense storage of water, practically a pond of ten miles in length. Of course the volume of power attained under these conditions is immense.
The race has an average width of near one hundred feet, and a a sufficient depth to carry at low water, nearly all there is in the river. For about the first mile it is dng in the natural ground. The rest of the way it is made by heavy banks of earth, which at the lower end of the race are about seven feet high. The inside of the banks are thickly set with water willows, which ef- fectually prevent the action of the water from reducing them
The reservoir covers forty-seven acres of land, mostly within the town plat of Tama City. The water in this reservoir, when full, will average about six feet deep. The banks are made of earth, very heavy, about seven feet high, and like those of the
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race are set with willows, which are growing luxuriantly. This reservoir having water running constantly in and out, having no shallow water, and being within a few rods of the business por- tion of the town, forms one of the most attractive features of the place, and is used largely for a skating, boating and fishing park.
Bulk-head and aqueduct, are substantially constructed of tim- ber and piling, at a great cost, and control the high water, letting into the race and reservoir no more than is wanted at any time. The aqueduct is constructed for the purpose of carrying the wat- er over Deer Creek, and is arranged with waste gates on each side by which the race can be drained without letting water into the reservoir.
The tail race is about thirteen hundred feet long, and thirteen feet deep-even with the bottom of the river. On both sides of it, for its entire length, are the building lots, commodiously laid ont for any kind of factories, being about three Indred feet deep. Land for a rail road track across the ends of all the lots, on the west side of the tail race is reserved.
If time and space allowed we would love to do honor to all those who have contributed to this result, but where all have done so well, such a service is impossible. We can and should say however, that the members of the Board of Directors have been untiring in their efforts, and have displayed business tact and administrative ability, such as to justify the confidence repos- ed in them by the company. But it is just to say, as the author of the Biographical Dictionary of the United States says in an arti- cle referring to this work "of all those who have labored for the accomplishment of this work, G. H. Warren is deserving of the highest credit. It is safe to say, only for Mr. Warren it would not have been undertaken, and no one but he would have carried it through. It is his strong faith, his dogged persistence, that did it. Some men do not know when they are defeated, and will always manage to turn a defeat into a victory, such a man is G. H. Warren."
The work is done, tried and proven a success, and there are
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already large manufactories run by this vast power; among which we can mention the Paper Mill, the Hydraulic Flonring Mills, the Union Plow Company's Foundry and Machine Shops, Wind Mill and Pump Factory, Sash and Door Factory, Pearl Barley Mills, Manufacturers and Builders Association's Shops and Butter tub Factory. The present officers are B. A. Hall, President; G. HI. Warren, Secretary; B. A. Hall, J. Ramsdell, F. E. Ramsdell, L. Carmichael, T. Murray, G. E. Higley, J. MeClung, and Directors.
Among the live and most enterprising firms in the city we would call attention to the following:
E. G. Penrose, Hardware .- This gentleman first established himself'in business in this city in 1872, and is the largest and most reputable and successful hardware merchant in the city, and holds a position for business integrity, above an average character. In 1872, Mr. Penrose came here from Grand June- tion, Greene County, and engaged in business; he has been oper- ating here ever since, and has exhibited distinguished energy and enterprise in business. He has increased his trade until now it extends throughont the County. He is neatly located in a large brick building at the corner of Third and MeClellan Streets. It is one of the finest and largest in the city, being 25x76 feet, two stories above the basement. The entire lower floor and base- ment is occpied by his business. Each department is filled with an admirable stock of goods consisting of the various articles belonging to the trade. These are purchased direct from first hands and therefore he is enabled to successfully compete with any in the County. General shelf and heavy hardware, carriage and wagon stock, Burnett's steel and barbed wire, iron, stone, tinware, cuttlery, wooden and willow ware, is found in his im- mense stock. Mr. Penrose has always taken a deep interest in the np-building of the city, and but few if any enterprises of merit are started unless aided by him. He was Mayor of the city in 1878, and is at the present time serving as a member of the City Council to which office he has been several times elected. Ile is classed among our esteemed and leading business men.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
He is also a member of the School Board and is doing all in his power for the advancement of educational interests of the city.
James M. Burge, Cigar Manufacturer .- This gentleman, since establishing himself in this choice business has met with splendid success, which has been his marked feature, and the fine cigars issuing from his mamfactory meet with an extensive sale. This arises from the fact that the proprietor has become thoroughly acquainted with the tobacco trade, and understands the quality of leaf to perfection. He manufactures quite a number of different brands, each and all are of choice tobaccos. Mr. Burge also has in connection with his factory a retail depart- ment, in which he keeps all of the best brands of chewing and smoking tobaccos, pipes, pipe stems, and in fact, everything pertaining to the smoker's wants. Factory and retail rooms on Third Street, Tama City.
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