USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 101
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Porterfield Brothers, H. C. Pierce & Co., Guynn, Thomas & Co. and Isaac Rosen- berg.
C. C. Collins, the present Mayor of Traer, is one of the earliest business men of the town, having established a general merchandise business in 1873. He has been a resident of Tama county since 1855. His father, L. B. Collins, was born in In- diana in 1818, and came to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1852, where he lived till 1855, then came to Tama county. Mr Collins entered 160 acres of land in Perry town- ship, at what was then Baker's Grove, af- terward known as Collins' Grove. He lived there from 1855 till 1873, when he re moved to Nebraska. He was the first postmaster in the township, and held that position from the time the office was es- tablished, July 1, 1857, till 1860, when the office was discontinued.
C. C. Collins was born in Indiana in 1843, and was consequently but twelve years of age when his father came to this county. ile attended school on the site of the town of Traer, in the winter of 1855- 56. He built his present store in August, 1873, and opened the second general store in the town. Mr. Collins engaged in mer- chandising in Buckingham in 1869, which he continued till Traer was laid out, then he removed to this place. Mr. Collins is a successful merchant and an enterprising citizen; always among the first in advoca- ting what he believes will promote the best interests of the town. lle married Mary F., daughter of A. Antrim. They have three children: Albert Roy, Chauncey Clifford and an infant son.
One of the most extensive mercantile houses of { raer, is that of the Porterfield
Brothers, established in 1874, by W. S. Porterfield. In August, of that year, S. M. joined his brother in the business, and in 1876, two other brothers, J. O. and D. A., joined the firm. A branch store was then started at Reinbeck under the man- agement of J. O., who still conducts the business there. W. S. Porterfield, who first started the business, died in 1876, and the other three brothers still continue in partnership. They are natives of the province of Ontario, and removed from Canada to Illinois, thence to Iowa, settling at Vinton. The father of these brothers is Rev. William Porterfield, a minister of the Presbyterian church. W. S. (de- ceased) married Miss M. J. Davis; she now lives in Dakota. S. M. married Miss Nettie Il. Davis; J. O. married Miss Jen- nie Basher, of Vinton; and D. A. was wedded to Miss Addie E Taylor. The Porterfield Brothers are also proprietors of the northern nursery, established in 1883, situated one mile east of Traer and now under the management of D. A. Por- terfield.
S. P. Smith, general merchant, is located on the corner of second and Main streets. In company with L. 11. Edward's, he opened a general merchandise store in Traer, in December 1875, under the firm name of Smith & Edwards. The latter gentleman retired from the business July 25, 1881, leaving Mr. Smith sole proprie- tor. Mr. Smith is a native of New Jersey. When about ten years of age, he removed with his parents, to Dane county, Wiscon- sin, and thence to Illinois. In 1867, the family removed to Butler county, Iowa, and settled in Aplington, where the father still lives; the mother died there recently.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Mr. Smith left Aplington and came to Traer, in 1875. He was married in 1872, to Miss Jean L. Wilson, daughter of John Wilson, one of the earliest settlers of Perry township. They have but one child living, a daughter-Theodosia. A son, George B., died in May 1881.
Smith Newcomer, formerly of the firm of Galley & Newcomer, general merchants, was born in Favette county, Pennsylva- nia, in 1843. At the age of nineteen, in August 1862, he enlisted in the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry and served until the close of the war, being discharged in June, 1865. Ile participated in many xevere engagements, including the battles of Stone river and Chickamauga. After the war was over Mr. Newcomer returned to Pennsylvania and attended school at Pittsburg. In may, 1866, he removed to Illinois, and the following fall came to Tama county. lle engaged as clerk in Toledo, with the firm of Galley & John- son, which afterward became W. F. Johnson & Co. Mr. Newcomer, in com- pany with II. Galley, came to Traer and established business. This firm carried a large stock of general merchan- dise and was one of the longest established stores in Traer. Mrs. Newcomer was formerly Miss Louise Fraley, a native of Indiana. Her father, Char es W. Fraley, died in Illinois; her mother came to Mar- shalltown, Iowa, with her family, mn 1863, and died there some years later. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer had one son, Harry, born in Toledo, in 1870.
The first hardware store in Traer was established in the fall of 1873, by Messrs. Penrose & Parks. F. A. Goodenough conducted the business and afterwards
succeeded the above named gentlemen, and later took E. D. Rice into the business as a partner. Mr. Goodenough afterward sold his interest to Mr. Rice, and in 1879, Messrs. Dennis & Averill succeeded Mr. Rice, and are now doing a good business in hardware and farm machinery. J. C. Ayerill, of this firm, was born at Highgate Springs, Franklin county, Vermont, Feb- ruary 24, 1846. His parents, George and Eliza (Stinehour) Averill, are also natives of Vermont. Mr. Averill was married in 1870, to Miss IJannah A. Best, daughter of Iliram Best. They came west in April, 1871, and went to Duluth, Minnesota, in- tending to locate there, but changed their minds and finally went to Cedar Rapids, where he engaged with his cousin, who was working for the McCormick Reaper, Company. In the spring of 1872, Mr. Averill located at Tama City, and formed a partnership with Mr. Dennis to carry on a farm machinery business that was estab- lished in 1866. In 1873, this firm opened their business in Traer, of which Mr. Averill took charge; Mr. Dennis continu- ing in charge at Tama City, until 1877, when they discontinued the business at the latter city and Mr. Dennis also came to Traer. In 1879, as stated above, the firm bought the hardware stock of Mr. Rice and added that branch of trade to their business. Messrs. Dennis & Averill were the first to buy business and resi- dence lots on the plat of Traer. Mr. and Mrs. Averill have two children: Lulu B., and Gertrude E., both of whom were born in Traer. J. B. Dennis, member of this firm, while he has resided in Traer for a shorter period than his partner, has been longer a resident of the county. He was
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
born in Ohio, February 26, 1844. Ile en- listed in 1861, in the 84th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served two years. Mr. Dennis came to Tama county in 1867, and engaged in the hardware and farm implement business in Tama City.
The next hardware store was started by .I. T. Weld. He erected a store building and sold to F. A. Goodenough, who is yet in the business.
W. W. Evans was also in the hardware business for a short time. This leaves the hardware business in the hands of Dennis & Averill and F. A. Goodenough.
The brick and tile factory is a prominent feature in the manufacturing industries of Traer. It is now run in excellent shape by Aitchison & Smith.
The first furniture store established in Traer was in the spring of 1874, by Rhoades & Blake. They came from Ta- ma City and opened up in the John Knowl building. They were succeeded by J. A. Stewart, and in 1877 John King- ery became proprietor. In 1881 Boettcher & IFart succeeded Kingery, and they now have monopoly of the furniture business in Traer. C. (. Collins carried a heavy stock of furniture goods at one time.
As stated, the furniture business of Traer is represented by the firm of Boett- cher & Ilart. The former is a native of Saxony, where he was born in 1843. lle was apprenticed to learn the cabinet making trade and followed that business in his native country until he came to the United States in 1873. Ile settled in Polo, Illinois, where he remained until coming to Tama county, in 1880. Ile settled in Traer, where he has since lived.
John W. Hart was born in Ohio, in 1849. When ten years of age, he eame to Iowa with his parents, John and Eleanor Ilart,and settled in Marshall county. In May, 1862, . when only twelve years of age, Mr. Ilart enlisted as drummer boy in Company K, 23d Regiment, Iowa Volunteer, and served three years. lle accompanied his regi- ment in all the campaigns and battles in which it was engaged. Ilis father came to F'raer from Marshall county, in 1873. The father is a gun smith by trade and a mechanic of much ability. John W. came to Traer in 1874, and in February, 1881, the present firm was organized to establish the furniture business. Mr. Hart was married to Alice Lowery, who was born in Illinois.
The first restaurant was started by B. Best, early in June, 1873. This line is now represented by Mrs. C. Becker and 1. B. Atkins. The Coffee and Reading Room was started by the citizens, who paid the rent. It is now run by Miss Heed.
B. Best started the first hotel. The next was the Traer House started by Mr. Rogers, which is now occupied as a tene- ment house. The Cohrts House was the third, in 1874. It was started as the Mor- ris House, but is now run by J. Cohrts. The Brook's House was erected in 1875 by a stock company, at the cost of $10,- 000, and is a well fitted hotel. It was first run by M. E. Segner; after him came as landlords Messrs. Parker, W. W. Evans and McCoy, and finally W. Green, who purchased the property and still runs it in good shape. In 1874 Marcus Shroeder erected a building which is used for hotel purposes. He sold to Marx Kroeger, who still runs it.
880
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Balthasar Best, proprietor of the Best Honse, has been a resident of Traer since June 2, 1873. He put up a building that season in the west part of town and en- gaged in the restaurant business. This was the first restaurant kept in the village. Hle put up a part of his present building the same season, where he kept hotel and restaurant till 1878, when he enlarged his house and devoted himself exclusively to the hotel business. Mr. Best keeps a first class hotel and the Best House ranks high with the traveling public. Mr. Best was born in the year 1838, at Hessen Darm- stadt, Germany. Ile has had a varied ex- perience and some of the events of his life have been singularly unforunate. Ilis father, Jacob Best, emigrated to this country in 1850. They took a steamer at Buffalo, intending to locate at Toledo, Ohio, but when out upon the lake the boat caught fire and was soon a mass of flames. His father, mother, four sisters and three brothers were all lost, he alone of the fam- ily saving himself by swimming ashore. Mr. Best came near losing his life by ex- posure, was compelled to live with strang- ers, and was for seven or eight years an invalid, the result of his terrible experi- ence on Lake Erie. He went to Minne- sota, in 1859, from Wisconsin, enlisting in 1861, at Winona, in the Ist Minnesota Regiment, Company K, and served up- wards of three years, participating in twen- ty engagements, then left the service and returned to Winona. When a young man Mr. Best learned the trade of cabinet- making and worked at that business at Prairie du Chien for three years. lle also learned the trade of sash and door mak- ing while at Winona. In January, 1873,
he came to Tama county, engaged for a time in the restaurant business at Tama ('ity, and then came to Traer, as stated above. His wife was Francisca Salentine. They have one daughter-Minnie.
The first drug store in Traer was estab- lished in July, 1873, by Strong & Batch- eider in a building now occupied by J. 11. Nauerth. They continued until 1875 or 1876, when they sold to Batchelder & Jones. A. J. Free soon purchased Jones' interest, and the firm became Batehelder & Free. They for some time were en- gaged in the manufacture of pop here. In the fall of 1881, they removed to Cedar Rapids, selling the stock to J. II. Nanerth who still continues the business. The next drug store was started by O. D. Bon- ney, in the building he still occupies. Dr. W. A. Daniel, of Buckingham, was in the drug trade here for some time and sold to E. M. Woolley, who is still conducting the business. Therefore, the drug trade is at present represented by J. H. Nauerth, (). D. Bonney and E. M. Woolley.
O. D. Bonney is one of the early busi- ness men of Traer. Before the town of Traer had an existence, he was in business at Buckingham, where he had purchased the drug stock of John Zehrung in Octo- ber, 1869. The store he occupied at Buckingham, was built by Dr. W. A. Daniel. Soon after Traer was laid out, Mr. Bonney purchased five lots on the vil- lage plat, built a store room and immedi- ately opened a drug store, which he has conducted to the present time. He changed his place of business to his pres- ent location, in September, 1882. Mr. Bonney is a native of Canada, and was
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
brought up in Thompson county, New York. His father, O. W. Bonney, was born in Washington county, New York, served in the war of 1812, and is now a resident of Traer His mother, Laura Benedict, was a native of Great Barring- ton, Massachusetts, and died in Illinois, where the family had moved, when the subject of this sketeh was eighteen years of age. Mr. Bonney enlisted in 1862, in the 124th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was attached to the 17th corps. Ile served till the elose of the war, then returned to Aurora, Illinois. lle went to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1868, and came to this county the following year. Mrs. Bonney was formerly Miss Louise A. Campbell, a native of' Beloit, Wisconsin. They have three children : Alice A., Stella and Oliver.
The first bank in Traer was established in 1873, by Brooks & Moore, of Tama City. They erected a fine building, and in 1883, were engaged in the construction of another. The second bank was estab- lished in 1875, by the firm of Seaver & McClary. They have erected an elegant bank building.
The banking business of Brooks, Moore & Co., was established by Messrs. Brooks & Moore, August 4, 1873. The firm is now composed of J. HI. Brooks, R. II. Moore and W. H. Cross, the latter gentle- man having become a member of the firm in June, 1882. Previous to that date, Mr. Moore had entire charge of the business, Mr. Brooks being a resident of Tama City. Mr. Brooks came to Tama county from Kane county, Illinois, in 1856, and settled in Otter Creek township, where he remained till the spring of 1866, I of by his grandmother, at St. Joseph, Mis-
then located in Tama City. He is one of the most prominent business men of that town. Mr. Moore was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1845, where he was brought up. He came to Tama City in 1867 ; he engaged in work in a lumber yard until the fall of that year, when he engaged in teaching, which business he had followed in his native State. He was variously engaged till 1871, when he was employed as elerk in the bank of Carmi- chael, Brooks & Co. Here he obtained some knowledge of the banking business, and when Traer was located, he came here with Mr. Brooks and opened their present bank. This bank is one of the leading institutions of Traer, and Mr. Moore has proven himself eminently qualified to conduct the business successfully. His wife was Mary L., daughter of Q. D. Hartshorn. They have had three chil- dren, two of whom are now living : Edna and Theodore. Their second child, Ralph Roy, died when he was two years old.
George W. McClary, of the firm of Seaver & McClary, bankers, was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, June 1, 1849. His father, Benjamin F. MeClary, was a native of Kentucky; his mother, whose maiden name was Matilda Shaw, a native of Ten- nessee. When he was but ten months old, his parents were returning from a visit to Kentucky, and his mother, who had been in poor health for some years, was taken worse and died. But the death of a mother was not to be the only calam- ity, a double misfortune eame when his father was stricken with cholera and died nine days later. George was taken care
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
souri, where he lived till he was thirteen years of age. At an early age he started out to battle with the world for him- self. Ilis early education was advanced · by two terms in the academic depart- ment of Tabor University, at Tabor' Iowa, and completed at Pand's Business College, from which he graduated in 1869. He then engaged in the live stock trade at Valley Falls, Kansas, one year ; then at the same place, he engaged in mercantile business and pork packing until 1874. During this year he came to Traer, and the present firm of Seaver & McClary was formed to carry on a mercantile business. In 1875, they established the Bank of Traer. Mr. MeClary is endowed with a large degree of common sense, good judg- ment, and success has attended him in every branch of business. He has been elected Mayor, and is at present serving efficiently in that capacity. Ile was mar- ried in July, 1873, to Miss Maria Smith, who was from Clay county, Missouri. They have been blessed with three chil- dren : Pearl, George Edgar and Opal. Pearl was born May 6, 1874; died Sep- tember 28, 1880. George Edgar was born November 18, 1880 ; died September 25, 1880. In polities Mr. MeClary is a Demo- erat.
The first grain was purchased by Mr. Bouton, who stored it in the elevator be- fore it was finished. His wife at one time was in the millinery business at 'Fraer. Hle went to Dakota from here, and there committed suicide.
The first elevator in Traer was erected by James McPhail, of La Porte City, in 1873. He failed in a few years and was
succeeded by West Wilson, who is yet in the business. An elevator was erected the following year by a farmer's stock com- pany. This is one of the largest eleva- tors in the county. The company fell through, and the property was purchased by M. C. Murdough, of Tama City. C. A. Clow, of La Porte, erected an elevator which he still conducts. David Park erected an elevator in 1873, which is now vacant.
C. G. Johnson and the MeCornlek Brothers started in the lumber business at about the same time. They are still in the business. Richards Brothers ran a lumber yard here for some time, but elosed about 1879, and went to Nebraska. Can- field Brothers commenced business in the lumber line in 1878, and sold to C. G. Jolinson, in the fall of 1882.
Charles Johnson is the owner of the first lumber yard established in Traer, which was first opened in July, 1873. Mr. Johnson is a civil engineer by profession, and when it was decided to locate a town here, he was employed by the B. C. & N. Railroad Company to survey and lay out the town. Mr. Johnson was born in Northfield, Massachusetts, and graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1871. He adopted civil engineering as a business, came to Iowa in the fall of the same year, and took charge of the construction of the railroad between Vinton and Traer. On the completion of the road to Traer, Mr. Johnson concluded to locate here and engage in business for himself, which he has done, meeting with much success His wife was Miss Mary Walker, born in Massachusetts.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Frank Mertz started the first meat market, in 1873, in a little building where Rosenbergs store is. He continued the business but a short time. The next was by F. A. Hadsell, in the spring of 1874. Ile continued until a few years ago, when he sold to O. Benefield, who is yet in the business, in the same building. William McDowell started and ran a shop a few years ago. L. M. Spafford established a market here a few years ago, and is still in the business.
Leonard M. Spafford, provision dealer and pork packer, came to this county in 1876. He was born in Perrysburg, Ohio, September 4, 1856. When Leonard was three years old, his father, who was a sailor, was drowned in Lake Erie. His mother, soon after married again and moved to Toledo, Ohio. He received his education in the city schools, and at the age of twelve years started out to do for himself. He was first employed by a provision dealer, to drive a delivery wagon, after which he was engaged at different occupations in Toledo, Ohio, until he came to Tama county lowa, in the spring of 1876. Here he went to work for a farmer near Toledo, until fall, when he came to Traer, and was employed in an elevator for a few months. In the spring, he again tried his hand at farming, working for James Wil- son about two and a half months. Ile then came to Traer and went to work in a provision store. In the fall of 1878, he went into partnership with another employee, and purchased the stock and fixtures of the shop. His cash capital at this time was sixty-five. dollars, but by close attention to business, he has built up
a splendid trade, and is now considered one of the most successful business men in Traer. The present firm was formed in the fall of 1882. Mr. Spafford was wedded September 6, 1882, to Miss Lizzie B. McConnell, a teacher in the public schools of Traer.
Among the first dealers in agricultural implements were Dennis & Averill, who began business in 1873, and still continue. The present dealers are Dennis & Averill, MeCornack Brothers and F. A. Good- enough.
The McCornaek Brothers, dealers in lumber, coal and farm machinery, are among the early business men of Traer, having established their business in Sep- tember, 1873. They deal in the most approved class of farm implements, in- cluding the Deering harvester, Champion reaper and mower, and have a large stock of their line of goods. In December, 1882, they established a branch business at Gladbrook. The firm consists of Peter and Robert McCornack; the former hav- ing charge of the business at Traer, the latter at Gladbrook. Peter was born in Illinois, in 1840. He enlisted in August, 1862, in the 102d Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, under Colonel F. C. Smith. Mr. McCornack served about three years, participating in many important battles and campaigns, including the Atlanta campaign and Sher- man's "March to the Sea," receiving a severe wound, July 26, 1864. While Peter was in the service, in 1864, his father moved to Tama county, and soon after the close of the war Peter came also, and has since been a resident of the county. He followed farming until he
73
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
came to Traer. His wife was Miss Jane Galt, a daughter of John Galt. Mr. Mc- Cormack's father died Jannary 21, 1869; his mother still lives and makes her home with him.
The first livery business was established by John Campbell in the west end of town, in 1873. Ile continued alone until 1877, when he took a partner, and in 1880 sold out to Z. T. Moore, who runs it as a breeding stable. The next stable was by John Pritchard, who for a time had a partner. The stock was closed out in 1876. O. T. Sanborn has purchased the barn and is now conducting a livery stable there. D. D. Cornick established himself in the livery business here a few years ago. M. E. Segner started a livery stable some years ago, and is still in the business.
1I. M. Woolley, photographer and por- trait artist at Traer, established his busi- ness in the fall of 1876. Ile was born and raised in Boone county, Illinois, and he says, resigned his position on a prairie farm to gratify a hankering ambition to become a "picture taker." He was a stu- dent of F. Clark, then of Belvidere, Illi- nois, now of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and later was with J. HI. Loper, now deceased, both noted photographers. Mr. Woolley comes from a family of artists, on his father's side, some of whom acquired con- siderable distinction. His sister, Mrs. Cal- ista, wife of D. E. Bryson, of Reinbeck, is also an artist of more than ordinary ability.
William J. Withers, jeweler and opti- cian, established his business, in Novem- ber, 1873, in company with a Mr. Bates. This is the pioneer jewelry store of Traer. Mr. Withers purchased the interest of his
partner, in March, 1882, since which time he has conducted the business alone. He was born in London, England, in 1837, and was brought up in that city, where he served an apprenticeship to learn his pres- ent business. William's father, Daniel Withers, was a jeweler by trade, and for many years was engaged in that business in London, residing in that city until his death. The subject of this sketch came to the United States in 1856, but has made several visits to his native land. Ile has had a large experience in the jewelry busi- ness, and understands thoroughly all de- partments of the trade. Ile has a large stock of gold and silver watches, clocks, jewelry, silver and plated ware. Mrs. Withers was formerly Miss Margaret C. Clark, a native of England. Her father, James Clark, came to the State of New York from England, thence to Winnebago county, Illinois, where he died in Decem- ber, 1881.
Moses Simon, clothier, established busi- ness in August, 1875, in G. R. Smith's building, and was burned out in December, 1878. His entire loss was $9,000, insur- ance $7,000. With commendable enter- prise, he resumed business in four days af- ter the destruction of his store, buying his stock in Chicago and shipping it, with- in the time mentioned, to Traer. Hle is now established in the brick block, just east of the postoffice. He has a large and varied assortment of ready made clothing. He is also agent for several lines of steam- ers. Mr. Simon is a native of Hessen C'askel, Germany, was born in 1849, and came to this country in 1868. Ile resided in Washington county, Iowa, until he came here, in 1875.
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