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 111
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One son, Frank B., born July 14, 1871, blesses their union. Mr. Penrose's father died, in March, 1880, his mother on the the 1st of May, 1883. He is a member of the Masonic order, Iliram of Tyre Lodge, No. 203, and of the St. Bernard Com- mandery, No. 14, of Belle Plaine. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W., of Tama City.
HI. F. Carmichael, hardware dealer, and eldest son of Lewis Carmichael, is a native of the hawkeye State, born in the town of Muscatine, December 9, 1854. A few years after his birth, he came to Tama county with his parents. His educational advantages were the public schools of Tama City, and during 1873-4, he attended the Rivermore Military Academy of
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IIISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1875, he entered the Bank of Tama as book-keeper and teller, holding that position three years. During 1879, in company with B. A. Hall, he engaged in the hardware busi- ness; since 1881 he has been alone in the business. Mr. Carmichael is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, St. Barnard Commandry, No. 14, of Belle" Plaine, Iowa, and has taken the degree of Knight Templar. On the 29th of De- cember, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Ilall, daughter of B. A. IIall, of Tama City. Two children bless this union: Louie, born December 24, 1876; and Frank, born July 16, 1880. Among the very oldest of Tama City's general merchants, is J. Brice, Jr. He is a native of Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, where he was born November 27, 1838. In 1852 he removed, with his fa- ther, to Ogle county, Illinois, where he engaged in elerking until the second year of our late rebellion. Ile then enlisted in Company H, 92d Illinois Infantry, and after serving one year, was honorably dis- charged on account of disability. During 1865, he came to Tama City and became engaged in the grocery business. Subse- quently he added a dry goods department, and is now one of the most thriving busi- ness men of the town. In polities, he is a staunch Republican, and in religion, he believes in the Methodist doctrines, being a member of that Church. In March 1858 he was joined in the holy bonds of matri- mony with Miss Sarah J. Hill, a native of Waverly, New York. Two children bless this union: William E. and Maud.
The first livery stable was started by B. F. Myers & Co., in 1863. They opened
one at Toledo at the same time. Sole- man Brothers are the present principal liverymen. H. K. Miller and M. C. Mur- dough are also in the business.
The agricultural implement trade is rep- resented by three firms: H. Soleman, who established in 1878, and does a large business; E. S. Carpenter & Son, who suc- ceeded W. Il. Hawk in 1883; and MeClung & Peak, who succeeded McClung & Car- penter.
James McClung, of the firm of McClung & Peak, is a native of New York, born in Seneca county, July 31, 1826. He is a son of James and Maria (Conklin) MeClung, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania. His grandfather James, served as a private in the Revolution. In 1834, his par- ents came west to Ohio where James remained until 1852, attending the district school until twenty years of age, then went to the Academy at Republic, Ohio, and afterward taught school. In 1852, he went to California and until the fall of 1855, engaged in mining and express busi- ness. In 1856 he came to Iowa and taught the grammar school at Tipton for one year, when he was elected Superin- tendent of Schools, of Cedar county, and served two years. He then served for three years as County Surveyor, and re- signing, went to Davenport, Iowa. Soon after, he went to Montana, where he spent a year and a half, and then returned to Iowa and settled in Tama ( ity. He first engaged in teaching school for one year, then in company with others built the flouring mill at this place, and contin- ued in business one year, since which time he was engaged in the lumber business
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
for ten years, as agent for W. J. Young & Co., of Clinton. In March, 1881, in com- pany with G. W. Carpenter, he engaged in the agricultural implement business, which partnership was continued until the spring of 1883, as the firm of MeClung & Peak.
Mr. McClung was one of the original members of the Tama City Water Power Company, and has been one of the Direct- ors over since the organization of the con- pany. He was married, in 1858, to Miss N. J. Gregg, a native of Ohio. They have four children living: Fanny B., now As- sistant Principal of the Tama City schools; Burtis W., now at Mount Vernon College; and Florence. Fanny attended the Iowa State University, and also one year and a half at Mount Vernon College. She has been teaching in the schools of Tama City for two years. In politics, Mr. MeClung is a Greenbacker. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
E. S. Carpenter, of the firm of E. S. Carpenter & Son, is a native of Ohio, having been born in Noble county, of that State, July 31, 1841. There he received his education and reached his majority. During 1864 he enlisted in Company G, 174th Ohio Infantry, and served his eoun- try until honorably discharged at Colum- bus, Ohio, in the fall of 1865. He partici- pated in the battle of The Cedars, the battle at Decatur, Alabama, and was also in the engagement at Kingston, North Carolina, besides being in several skir- mishes. At the close of the war he returned to his native county, and in March of 1869, came to Tama county, Iowa, locating in lloward township. There he remained until December of 1877, 1
when he settled on his present place on section 27, of Columbia township, where he now owns 160 acres of land. In poli- ties he is a Republican. While living in Howard township, Mr. Carpenter held the office of Justice of the Peace four years and was also Constable of the town some time. At present, he is one of the Town "Trustees of Columbia. His marriage with Miss Ellen House, a native of Noble county, Ohio, occurred in 1860. They have eight children living : George W., Armada C, Nathan E., Sarah A., Eve- lena, Ilarvey C., Edna E. and Hilda M. Early in 1883, Mr. Carpenter and his son, George W., purchased the business of W. II. Hawk, of Tama City. They took pos- session February 15, and under the firm name of E. S. Carpenter & Son, are now doing a large business in agricultural im- plements, wagons, carriages, barbed wire and all goods found in a well assorted ware-house of that character. They will soon add a complete stoek of hardware.
W. H. Hawk, formerly dealer in agricultural implements, is a native of Canada West, having been born 100 miles west of Toronto, on the 6th of Jannary, 1847. He is a son of Piereifor and Jeanette ( Lawson ) Hawk. Ile re- mained at home helping his father with the farm work, until he had attained his majority and then came to Tama county, Iowa, settling in Perry township, where he engaged in farming until 1876. At that time he embarked in the agrienl- tural implement business, at Tama City. Mr. Hawk is a much respected resident of the town and enjoys an extended trade. March 13, 1873, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Dora A. Granger, a native of
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Michigan. Four children have blessed their union, three of whom are now living : Walter, Aggie and Frederick.
The first harness shop was opened by John Shannon, in 1865. There are two firms here at present.
The boot and shoe trade has two repre- sentatives. W. A. Inscho, established here in 1882, and by square dealing and honest goods, has succeeded in building up a large and growing trade. W. F. Ster- ling is the other representative in this line. He has been in the business for about sixteen years and has a large trade.
The buying of live stock is one of the important industries of Tama City. It is well represented by John Fife and Horace Day, who each do a business of at least $100,000 annually.
II. Day is a native of New York State, having been born in Clinton county, on the 11th of June, 1820. tle is a son of Ezra and Betsy ( Lathrop ) Day. Ilis early life was passed in his native county, and there he obtained his education. While in that section of our country Mr. Day was engaged for eleven years in boating, his trip being from Lake Cham- plain to New York City and back. During the spring of 1853 he removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he tilled the soil for eleven years and then removed to Linn county, lowa. In 1868 he settled in Tama City, engaging in the agricultural implement business. The following spring after his arrival, he embarked in the grain trade and subsequently began buying and selling stock also. Mr. Day, at present, is one of the Town Trustees. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Beaman. They have three children living:
Julia, Emma and Cassius. Mr. and Mrs. Day and their daughter Julia are mem- bers of the Methodist Church.
HYDRAULIC FLOURING MILLS.
These mills were built in 1877-78 by B. F. Crenshaw, at a cost of $12,000. The original building was 40x60 feet, three stories; additions were soon after made, 20x60 feet, three stories high and 20x50 feet two stories high. In the fall of 1876, F. B. Ramsdell bought a half interest. Various changes have taken place. The mill is now owned by the Ramsdell's and Hopkin's. It is supplied with the roller process and has a pearl, barley and hominy mill in connection.
B. F. Crenshaw, the founder of these mills, was born in Brownstown, Jackson county, Indiana, on the 16th of January, 1816. He was reared in his native village and continued to reside in that county until the year of 1852, at which time he eame west. His first settlement was at Marengo, Iowa county, Iowa, where he en- gaged in the milling business, owning the steam flouring mill of that place during his residence there. In 1861 he built the Helena flouring mills, of Helena, Tama county, which he still owns and operates. In 1868 he settled in Tama City, and has since lived in that city.
GRIST MILL.
The first grist mill established here was built by Bodfish & Homan, in 1868. It was a three story brick building 40x40 feet and contained at that time two run of stone. A saw mill was also built at the same time in connection with it, the whole costing $10,000. In 1871 Charles lloman succeeded to the proprietorship, and has since been sole owner. Another
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
run of stone was added to the grist mill in 1875. He employs an average of one man in the grist and seven in the saw mill. This is the only saw mill .in the place. The power used is a thirty-horse power engine, which is used for both mills.
Charles Homan is a native of Jefferson county, New York, born January 13, 1831. He is a son of Platt and Frances (Ingham) Homan, who also were born in that State. The first thirty-seven years of his life were passed in his native county, and there in his young manhood, he learned with his father the millers trade, which occupa- tion he has always followed. During his residence in New York State he spent six years in Oswego county. On his arrival in Tama county, in 1868, he, in company with C. K. Bodfish, built a grist and saw mill, which they operated together for two years and then dissolved partnership and Mr. Homan has since continued the busi- ness alone. In politics he is a Democrat, and has held the office of Councilman for one term. Ile is a Master Mason and a member of Doric Chapter, Tama city. During the year 1853, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Charlotte Phillips, a native of Oswego county, New York. They have one child, a daughter, Lillian.
J. F. Ward is a son of Chauncey R. and Martha T. (Climer) Ward, and was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, March 3, 1828. His mother is a native of Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and his father, of Steuben county, New York. In 1835 the family removed to Stark county, Illinois, locating where the present village of Toulon now stands. Shortly after they removed, to
Oquawka, Illinois, thence to Warren county. During the month of October, 1839, they came to Iowa, making their home in Iowa City until 1842, and while there his fa- ther, who was a millwright by trade, built the saw mill on the Rapid river at that place. In 1842 the family returned to the State of Illinois, locating in Henderson county, where Mr. Ward, Sr., erected a large flouring mill. Two years later they again settled in Iowa City, where he re- mained for twenty years, then came to Tama county, and built the Monticello mills. From there he went to Benton county and now resides in Belle Plaine, being seventy-eight years of age. When nineteen years of age the subject of this sketch began learning the millwright's trade under his father, and in 1852, in company with him, built the first saw mill in Tama county, at Monticello, and subse- quently built at the same place, the first grist mill in the county. In 1857 he set- tled in Monticello, where, April 26 of the same year, he was married to Miss Eva A. Overmire, who was born in San- dasky county, Ohio, April 8, 1839. Sheis a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Over- mire. Early in 1852 her father loeated a farm on section 6 of Toledo township, l'ama county, and in March settled there. He now lives in Howard township. In 1860 Mr. Ward returned to Johnson coun- ty, Iowa, where he remained nearly four years, then spent one year in Benton county, and in 1865 came to Tama City, where he has since resided. Mrs. Ward has been a member of the M. E. Church since she was fifteen years of age. They have five children living: Guy P., Iran E., Leila M., Lee S. and Bessie.
aco. Guernsey.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
UNION PLOW COMPANY.
This company established their shops here in 1875, which at that time consisted of a blacksmith shop 30x90 feet, a foundry 30x50 feet and were built at a cost of $3,600. The stockholders were G. II. Warren, A. A. Howe, J. Sandage and A L. IFoughton. The object was to manufacture plows and do a general jobbing business. They af- terward began the manufacture on an ex- tended scale, of the Fearless plow and the Wanehope grading machine. In 1877 they bought the manufactory owned by the Carpenter's Association, making an ad- dition 30x90 feet to their buildings. In this department they manufactured a full line of wood-working machinery. In 1870 the whole business was sold to J. W. Howe, of Worcester, Massachusetts, who has since carried on the business. The establishment employs twenty men and does a business of 830,000 annually. The power used is water from the Hydraulic. COOPER SHOP AND BUTTER TUB MANUFAC- TORV.
A. L. Howard is the proprietor of this establishment. He commenced business on the water power in 1878. Of the tubs he turns out about 7,000 annually.
A. L. Howard was born in Morrow county, Ohio, September 3, 1838. Four years after his birth, the family removed to Chautauqua county, New York, and in 1855 they emigrated to Jackson county, Iowa, where A. L. Howard remained until the second year of our late rebelion, at which time he enlisted in Company A, 26th lowa Volunteer Infantry. He served until honorably discharged in June, 1865, at Clinton, lowa. The following year he
came to Tama county, locating at Tama City, and in 1867 opened a cooper shop. Mr. Howard has since followed that busi- ness with the exception of five years spent in farming and carpentering. During 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Elnora Leasure. Six children have been born to them, five of whom are living: Herbert L., Ella, Charles R,, Bessie and Frank. Gorege died in 1871 aged nine months. Mr. Howard's father died in April, 1881; his mother now resides at Dysart in this county.
BROOM FACTORIES.
The manufacture of brooms is becoming an important feature in Tama City's en- terprises. The first shop was opened by P. Hixson October 1, 1879. Francis Diehl is now the only manufacturer in Tama City, and does a large business, manufac- turing 1500 dozen annually. W. E. New- come & Son have a factory two miles east of town.
P. Hixson is a native of Indiana and was born in Montgomery county, Septem. ber 10, 1839. His parents were Matthew and Elizabeth (Quimby) Hixson. He was reared on a farm, and his youth and early manhood were passed in his native county. In 1867, he became engaged in manufac- turing brooms, and two years later re- moved to Tama City, Iowa, where he opened the first broom factory in this part of the county. Mr Hixson is an honest as well as industrious man, well deserving the patronage he receives. During 1861, he was married to Miss Phabe Kincaid, who bore him one child, Mattie, wife of Francis Diehl. She died March 16, 1864. lle was married the second time, March
83
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
19, 1866, choosing for a helpmeet, Miss Margaret Stoddard, who has borne him one child.
TAMA CITY BREWERY.
One of the leading enterprises of Tama ('ity is its brewery. The main part of the building, 44x48 feet, was erected in 1877 by Andrew Mathern & Co. at a cost of $7,000. It is a two story brick above ground. In 1879 the firm changed, and Andrew Mathern became sole proprietor. During this year he ereeted an addition, 40×55 feet, at a cost of $5,500. Another ad- dition 38x48 feet was added in 1880, at a cost of $5,000. The basement of the main building is divided into four compart- ments, three of which are used for storing beer, and the other for brewing and washing purposes. A part of the room above the basement is used for storing material, and the remainder, 48x58 feet, is used for storing ice. That part of the building built in 1879 is used for a malt room and dwelling, the basement being used for the former. The basement of the main building is built of stone. The walls on the north side are three feet through, with a four foot foundation; on the east side a four foot foundation and a thirty inch wall; on the west and south, three foot foundation and a two foot wall. The part built in 1879 has a sixteen inch wall. From four to six men are employed, varying at different seasons of the year. The power used is a twelve-horse engine and a sixteen-horse boiler. The capacity of the establishment is twenty-five barrels every twelve hours.
A. Mathern is a native of Elsac, France, where he was born January 16, 1832. Ilis father and family emigrated to America
in 1843 and settled in Muskingum county, Obio. There Andrew remained until 1853, engaged in farming and working on public works by the month. During 1852, he was married to Frances Brecht and at that time had hardly a dollar to his name. The following year he removed to Iowa county, Iowa, where he remained until 1856, and then came to Tama county and settled on section 11 of Carroll township, where he purchased 160 acres of land which he improved and lived npon eight years. At the end of that time he located on a farm of forty acres of improved land on section 30 of Howard township, for which he paid $25 per aere. On this farm he remained about thirteen years and then came to Tama City, where he immediately began the erection of a brewery, which establishment he has since been running. Mr. Mathern now owns in Carroll town- ship 240 acres of land. This with his other property has been earned by persevering industry and economy. In politics, he is a Democrat. His mother is still living but his father died in January of 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Mathern have six children living: Mary E., John W., Phebe, Clara, Frank A. and Christina.
TAMA CREAMERY.
Although the making of butter and cheese on an extensive scale is of but re- cent date in this part of the State, Tama City was among the first to encourage this growing industry among her manu- facturing enterprises. In May, 1881, Hil- ton Brothers & Co., of Boston, Massachu- setts, built the Tama Creamery. The main building is 26x60 feet, a story and a half, with a wing 30x45 feet, the whole built at a cost $4,500. They employ during the
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
summer months fifteen men and twelve teams, During their first month they made on an average of 400 pounds of but- ter per day. During 1882 their average was 700 pounds. During the winter of 1882-83 an ice house 24x26 feet was built, and another large addition adding more room for cold storage for butter. The power used is an eight-horse power en- gine. Their patrons now number 300. The entire business is under the charge of C. A. Hilton, a man of large experience in the butter trade. Hilton Brothers & Co., the proprietors of the concern, are exten- sive and well known commission mer- chants of Boston, Massachusetts.
BRICK.
The manufacture of brick was begun in 1867 by C. B. Bently, who has since con- tinued in the trade, manufacturing a supe- rior quality of brick, which is extensively used here. He manufactures 1,000,000 brick annually, about half of which amount is shipped abroad. Ile employs an average of fifteen men.
C. B. Bentley, brick manufacturer of Tama City, was born in Dayton, Ohio, November 3, 1840. He isa son of John A. and Maria (Ogan) Bentley. When he was sixteen years of age his parents re- moved to Miami county, Ohio, and there C. B. reached his majority. At seventeen years of age he made a trip to Iowa, re- turning to his native State one year later. In 1862, he came to Iowa, locating in Mar- shall county, where he engaged in brick making two years and then settled in Tama City, where he has since been engaged in the same business. Mr. Bentley has held the office of Trustee of the township, and has always voted with the Republicans. In
April, 1861, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Carroll, a native of Miami county, Ohio. Eight children have been born to them, five of whom are now living: Lawrence E., Angie, Cora, Maude and John. Callie died at seven months of age; Lilian died at five months, and Charlie was killed on the railroad when thirteen years of age.
PAPER MILL.
One of the leading manufactories of Tama City and of which her citizens are so justly proud is the paper mill. This institution was built during the winter of 1878-79 by the Tama Paper Company. The main part of the building is two stories high, 30x66 feet, with a wing 30x66 feet. The main building is used for a beating room, a bleach room and a rag room. In the wing is the paper machine, a forty- eight inch cylinder machine. The power used is water from the Hydraulic. A six- ty-horse power boiler is used for cooking straw and drying paper. The entire build- ing and machinery cost $20,000. The Tama Paper Company was organized in 1878, with J. Ramsdell, President; T. A. Hopkins, Agent and II. E. Ramsdell, See- retary and Treasurer, the proprietors be- ing J. Ramsdell, T. A. Hopkins, II. E. Ramsdell, George Gregg and John F. Ellsworth. They employ fifteen men on an average. The entire concern is under the immediate supervision of HI. E. Rams- dell. They do an extensive business.
FURNITURE MANUFACTORY.
This branch of industry was established in 1880, by R. C. Cleveland, the present proprietor, in a frame building 40x60 feet and two stories high, erected for the pur- pose on the water power. 3 He keeps con- stantly employed from six to eight men
G
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
manufacturing all kinds of furniture, mak- ing a speciality of extension tables. The machinery in the building cost $1,500. He does a business of $10,000 annually.
E. Il. Cleveland was born at Athol, Massachusetts, December 12, 1855. In 1862, his parents removed to the State of Vermont, and there the subject of our sketch grew to manhood. Ile was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools of that State. Dur- ing 1877, he came to Tama City, Iowa, where he soon became one of the firm of Cleveland Brothers & Gilbert, who opened a sash, door and blind manufactory, on the water power. In 1878, he embarked in the furniture business, and is now one of the leading furniture dealers in the town. Mr. Cleveland was married, in 1879, to Miss Martha D. Harris, a native of Pennsylvania.
TAMA HYDRAULIC PO ^ ER.
No one branch of business or industry in Tama City and probably in Tama county has produced such good results as the Tama Hydraulic Power, which is the result of energy, pluek and perseverance, displayed by some of Tama City's most prominent business men, meeting at every step obstacles which were almost insur- mountable, and which would have been so to a less energetic class of men. In the early history of the town it became appar- ent to the people of Tama City, that although they had railroads and a good farming country to back them, still some- thing more must be done in order that this young city should reach out, and its presence be felt in the commercial world. It is a well known fact that to build a town and make it a commercial center,
capital is needed. To bring capital, indneements must be made whereby the shrewd capitalist can see that by investing capital, dividends of a larger or smaller per cent. will be made upon the amount invested. There is no better way of bringing this capital than by establishing manufac- tories. But in nearly all of the larger cities when millions of dollars have been invested in manufactories,some inducements,natural or otherwise, are to be found which in- duced the first to invest. A good water power is generally the first inducement. Villages have sprung up and cities have been built, where some shrewd observer has seen that the water power, if properly utilized, could be made much use of for manufacturing purposes. This, Tama City did not have, and had the business men been of the same stamp as those of most inland towns, she would be no better off to-day, and to use the words of one of the early settlers: "In the language of Mahomet reversed, if Tama City can't go to the water, then the water must come to Tama City." In the early days of this part of the county, Charles Irish, while surveying in company with J. Il. Ilollen and others, made the discovery of the fact that there was fall enough in the lowa river to render possible an extensive water power, but this was years before Tama City was laid out, and at that time those intrusted could not control the eapi- tal necessary for any undertaking that would require the amount of money that would be necessary to utilize the waters of the Iowa, consequently the matter dropped. After the town had been started and the business men had awakened to the fact that something must be done to build up the
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