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 112

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1088

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 112

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IHISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.

town, the subject of the water power was revived, and meetings were called, resolu- tions adopted, committees appointed, and a stir made that would kindle to a flame the water power subject. While a few were using their every power to get moneyed men interested, some opposed it, but thanks to the few who undertook this improvement, Tama City to-day has a water power of which all are justly proud, and which has brought capitalists who have established manufactories, which, were it not for the water power, would have been located elsewhere. Prelimi- nary surveys were made by Mr. Irish to obtain the amount of fall that would be desired. D. B. Sears, of Rock Island, also visited Tama City. Ile was a man of large experience in hydraulics, and after a careful examination, assured the citizens of the entire feasibility of the undertaking. The services of J. D. Arey, an hydraulic engineer, of Illinois, were engaged; he made a complete survey and plat of the contemplated work, and fully corroborated the survey made by Mr. Irish, and disclosed to the people of Tama City that when com pleted she would have a water power of from one to ten thousand horse power.

A dam is built across the Iowa river at a place called the Narrows, in the north- west quarter of section 30, and a race nearly three and a half miles in length, runs through sections 30, 29 and 28 and into the reservior in section 34. The natural fall is sixteen and a half feet, the dam was originally six feet but was found to be too large, and has since been cut down to four feet. The race has an average width of one hundred feet, and a sufficent depth to carry, while low,

nearly all the water of the river. For the first mile it is dug in the natural ground, the remainder of the way it is made by heavy banks of earth, which at the east end are seven feet high. The inside of the banks are thickly set with water willows, which effectually prevent the water from reducing them. The water crosses Deer creek in an aqueduct and here a most in- genious arrangement is displayed. Should the resorvoir overflow from the breaking of the dykes that surround it, or from ex- treme high water, there are gates provided in the aqueduct which would run the water down Deer creck and into the river. Gates are provided in the lower end and four on either side of the aqueduct. Thus by shutting the end gates and opening the side, the water would be stopped in its conrse to the resorvoir, until it could be repaired or the water abated, and flow through the side gates into Deer creek.

The reservoir covers forty-three acres of land, and has an average depth of six feet of water, when full. The banks are of earth, very heavy and about seven feet high. The water is drawn from the reservoir by flumes to produce the power to run the machinery, and a tail race is provided to carry it back to the river.

The Tama Hydraulic and Manufactur- ing Company was organized in February, 1874, for the improvment of the water of the lowa river. The principal place of business to be Tama city, Iowa. Capital stock $100,000 consisting of 1,000 shares of $100 each, stock may be increased to $150,000. The incorporators were B. A. Hall, Thomas Murray, J. Il. Ilollen, L. Merchant, M. C. Murdongh, R. H. Ryan,

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IIISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.

Horace Day, G. V. Goodell, S. C. Brown, S. M. Chapman and G. H. Warren.

This company owned and operated the hydraulic power until 1881, when it passed into the hands of Parley Starr. Jannary 1, 1882, it became the property of the Tama Water Power Company, which was or- ganized December 12, 1881, for the pur- pose of purchasing and operating the water power formerly owned by the Hydraulic Company. The capital stock was $30,000. The incorporators were B. A. Ilall, A. J. Tyler, C. E. Hayes, John Ramsdell, Fred B. Ramsdell, James MeClung and J. W. Willett.

The present officers of the company are: President B. A. Hall; Secretary J. W. Willett.

B. A. Hall, President of the Tama Water Power Company, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 7th of July, 1821. Ifis parents were Benjamin and Sarah (Stubbs) Hall. His youth was passed on his father's farm, and his early educational advantages were such as good common schools afforded, together with an attendance at a select school. In 1854 he turned his steps westward in search of a good location and finally, in 1857, set- tled in Tama county, lowa, where he pur- chased a farm of 240 acres, on which a part of Tama City now stands. Mr. Hall made farming his principal business until the completion of the railroad to this place, at which time he became engaged in other branches of trade. Grain dealing was the first outside enterprise to gain his atten- tion, and soon after, the agricultural im- plement business. Subsequently, in com- pany with C. B. Wyman, he opened the first lumber yard in Tama City. Upon

the organization of the First National Bank, Mr. Hall was one of the incorpora- tors, and was elected its first President, which position he held for many years and finally resigned in consequence of ill health. Probably the crowning point in Mr. Ilall's business career and the place where he displayed to advantage his en- ergy, perseverence and business qualifica- tions, was the share he had in bringing to Tama City its water power. At the out set, Mr. Hall saw what a great benefit it would be to the town, and immediately began pushing the enterprise with all his will power, backing every move with his hard earned dollars; and it is largly due to his energy and perseverence that Tama City to-day has her water facilities. In politics Mr. Ilall is a staunch Republican, eternal hostility to oppression being his motto, he is also a strong advocate of temperance. Mr. Hfall has held the office of County Supervisor three terms, but has not been an office seeker. Instead, he has always used his influence in securing the positions for other worthy men. Upon Mr. Hall's settlement in the State of Iowa, his capital was very small, but by making use of the powers of mind and body given him by God, he is to-day counted one of the wealthiest citizens of Tama county, and is also a true and honest man. Ile was united in marriage December 21, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Milhous, and they now have two children : Ada, now Mrs. W. T. Plumb and Mary E., now Mrs. H. F. Carmichael.

The work was completed the first of November, 1874, and on the 13th of the same month a grand celebration was giv- en on the fair grounds at Tama City over

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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.

the completion of the works. The Tuma 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 the neighboring towns and conntry, deter- mined to partake of the roasted ox, and join in the general festivities.

"The immense reservoir in front of the town had commenced tilling the evening before, and on Friday a broad sheet of water lay there, sullenly tossing and surg- ing under the prevailing heavy winds, like a very lake, indeed.

"Many were present from abroad; some of the speakers expected were, for one rea- son or another, deterred from coming, but when the throng assembled within the fair ground, there were excellent and en- couraging 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 His- torical 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, enlarged and well fitted for a dining room, and ate roasted ox and cake, and 'chicken fixin's,' and drank hot coffee and tea, till hunger and thirst were things of the past and the possible future only, and not at all of the present time."

Taken altogether, notwithstanding the very unfavorable weather, 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.

The poem read by O. H. Mills, Esq., was an excellent one. It was entitled:

HOW THE WATER CAME DOWN AT TAMA.

You've undoubtedly heard of the "Falls of Lodore." How the water came down with a rush and a roar -- With a dash and a bound-a lull and a swell; Such circles and whirls-'tis a wonder to tell.

But the way it comes down through the Tama Hy- draulio,

(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, 'twere 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 Pluck! Who never hy trifles were hindered or stuck, Said: "The work must be done, whatever's to pay, The funds shall be raised and the ditch dug straight- way."

So a meeting was called to have a good talk; But little was said, but Lord! how the stock Of the "Tama Hydraulic" 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 diteh and when it is done, Just give us our time, be it ever so small,

And stock we'll receive in this "Hydraulic Fall." And one had a farm-he made us a deed,

"Here take my broad acres, the work must proceed."

There were cattle and horses, they were all put in. In fact, 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."

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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.

Unbeding the jeers of the doubting and wiseaeres to0,

With a might and a will we've put the work through; We've dammed the broad river with wood and with 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 tor the water to use.

We've got a nice lake as clear as the sky. Whose blue waves forever will dance merrily, And make our hearts glad, our souls to rejoice, For they speak with a sure, unmistakable voice: ""'T was that watchword of yours, that gritty word "Pluck, "

"Tis worth a million such words as "Fortune" and "Imck."

'T was that union, that might, that effort sineere, That makes us so happy on 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. I'nited we were; still "I'nion's" our song; That's how the water in the Hydraulic came down.

POSTOFFICE.

Juka postoffice was established soon after the town was platted. The first postmaster was J. II. Beaumont, who kept the office in the building now used for the City Hotel. During the summer of 1865 he was succeeded by Thomas Murray, who removed the office to a building where the First National Bank now stands; that build ing now stands on lot 11, block 2, of J. 11. Hollens addition to Tama City, and is used by George Blair as a residence. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Murray moved the office to the west room of the Empire block. In June, 1866, he resigned in favor of John Zehrung, who moved the office to the east room of the Empire block. During the summer of this year, the name was changed by the postoffice department to Tama City. The office re-

mained in this building until January, 1867. A. W. Thompson was the next postmaster and moved the office to Il. Soleman's drug store. In July, 1868, he was succeeded by J. B. Tims, who re- mained postmaster nutil July 1, 1869, dur- ing which time the office was kept in the Predieaux building. F. J. M. Wonser was the next postmaster, he moved the office to a building on the south side of Third street, erected for the purpose. He remained postmaster until April, 1879, when he was succeeded by Thomas Mur- ray. March 1, 1883, F. J. M. Wonser again became postmaster. The office is kept on the south side of Third street.

It was made a money order office July 7, 1873. The first order drawn was for $2.50 ; the remitter being Isaac Maden, . the payee L. T. Lemon, of Freeport, Illi- nois. It was made an international money order office, in 1875.

HOTELS.

The first hotel built in Tama City, was known as the City Hotel, now Commer- cial, and was built during the winter of 1863-4 by M. C. Murdough. It was first opened to the public in 1864. The part that was then used for an office is now used for a sitting room, and the part now used for an office was then used for a store by Mr. Murdough. There are now four hotels in the town; the Grand Central, Northwestern, City Hotel and Commer- cial Ilouse.

The American was the first express company to establish an office in Tama City. This was done at the time of the completion of the Chicago & Northwest- ern railroad, in 1862. The U. S. express

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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.

company, established an office here upon the completion of the Chicago & Milwau- kee railroad in 1881.

A prominent contractor here is L. L. Rhoads. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in a house that stood on the line dividing the counties of Berks and Chester. He was born December 1, 1833, and is a son of Jeremiah and Martha ( Linderman ) Rhoads, wbo were also born in the State of Pennsylvania. Until six- teen years of age, his life was spent on his father's farm, but from that date until he attained his majority, he was engaged in stone cutting. In September of 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine McAnulty, who was born in Pennsylvania. They have three children living : Ida M, Martha. C. and Wesley E. During the early part of 1857, Mr. Rhoads, with his family, started for Tama county, lowa, arriving here in April. He first located in Howard township, where he remained about six years engaged in carpentering, and then removed to Tama City, engaging in the same business. In February, 1880, he, in company with L. H. Pennel, began a general contracting work, which branch of business they still follow. In politics he is a Republican, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace one term.

Lewis H. Pennell, one of Tama City's carpenter's, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1834. He was the eldest son born to H. M. and A. F. (Lewis) Pennell, who were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living. Lewis' parents were also born in Pennsylvania, and married there in 1824. His father died in 1874, but his mother

still lives, at the advanced age of 82 years. In 1853, his father and family, removed to Ohio, and three years later, settled in Linn county, Iowa, where the subject of this sketch engaged in carpentering until 1861, at which time, he turned his atten- tion to farming. During 1865, he came to Tama City, where he has followed his old trade-that of carpentering. He was married in March of 1861, to Miss Mary Bailey, a native of Ohio. She bore him one son: Fred A., and died in February of 1873. Mr. Pennell's eldest sister, Eliza- beth, is now living with him. She was born August 21, 1828, and was married in Washington county, Ohio, during 1859, to Silas Brown, a native of Vermont. Three children were born to them, two of whom are now living: Clara A. and Lucie F. Mr. Brown died March 7, 1862.

W. A. DeLand, dairyman, is a native of Michigan, having been born in Monroe county of that State, March 9, 1847. When three years of age, his parents removed to Fon-du-lac, Wisconsin, where their son obtained a good education and grew to manhood. He began the study of dent- istry at eighteen years of age, and after- wards followed that profession two years. He then began working in a sash factory and there had the misfortune of losing his right hand. Afterwards he learned tele- graphy, which business he followed during the remainder of his stay in Wisconsin. In April of 1873, Mr. DeLand came to Tama City, where he was in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad as telegraph operator until July 1, 1880, at which date he resigned his position and became engaged in the dairy business. Two years later, he removed to his farm,

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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.

which is situated one and a half miles west of Tama City, and is at present en- gaged in the dairy business. He is one of the Directors of School District num- ber 2. Mr. DeLand was united in mar- riage, in 1872, with Miss Julia J. Pre- dieaux, a native of Wisconsin. They have two children: John R. and Lelia E.

James llarper Brooks, one of the most enterprising men of Tama county, is a native of Ashtabula county, Ohio, and was born to James and Mary (Harper) Brooks, on the 3d day of April, 1829. His early life was passed in his native county, and there he received an academic educa- tion at Kingsville Academy, Ohio. Dur- ing his younger days, he assisted his father in his various enterprises; at one time fill- ing the position of clerk on The Ohio, a steamer owned by his father. In 1851, he removed to Kane county, Illinois, where, for three years he was engaged extensively in farming and sheep raising. During 1854, he became engaged in railroad building, his first contract being with the Chicago & Northwestern road, where he furnished all the wood-work, including ties etc., from Turner Junction to Dixon, Illinois, and in this undertaking, was engaged two years. Although Mr. Brooks started in life with little else than a good education, he found himself at the age of twenty-seven, the possessor of $20,000. Ile was the owner of an intelligent brain, a brave heart and a strong and willing pair of hands; with these, he determined at the outset to overcome all obstacles on the road to fortune. The financial crash of 1856-7, left him, with thousands of others, penniless; however he still possessed more than he began with, for the year had giv-

en him experience and he determined to seek new fields, and build up again on a firmer basis. In 1857, he came to Iowa, settling in Otter Creek township, of Tama county, where for three years, he turned his attention exclusively to farming. At the end of that time, he again began rail- road contracting, which has since been his principal business. Success has followed npon success, until to-day, he stands among the wealthiest men of the county. lle was one of the founders of the Bank of Tama, and is at present, a member of the banking firm of Brooks & Moore, of Traer. For nine years he was engaged in the merchandise trade at Tama City. In the spring of 1866, he removed to Tama City and subsequently erected one of the finest residences in the county .. In poli- ties, he was formerly a Whig, but since 1855, has been a Republican. On the 5th day of December, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Hartshorn, of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Both are ac- tive members of the Baptist Church, and generously respond to all the calls of a religious and charitable nature. Two children have been born to them, one of whom is now living: Arthur Lee, living four miles east of Toledo.

Hugh McAnulty, one of Tama county's pioneers, was born in Berks county, Penn- sylvania, March 4, 1831. He is a son of Patrick and Catherine (O'Neal) McAnulty. The father died in Pennsylvania when Ilugh was about twenty years old, and about four years later, in 1855, the subject of this sketch went to Minnesota, going as far north as Pembina, in the Red river country. llis mother moved to Tama county, Iowa, and settled in Iloward town-

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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.

ship, where she still lives. She is the mother of fifteen children, and is now eighty years of age. In 1859, Mr. Mc- Anulty came to Tama City, settling in Howard township, where he bought forty acres of land, which he subsequently sold and then purchased eighty acres. He im- proved the land and lived there until his re- moval to Tama City. For the past ten years, Mr. McAnulty has done most of the county bridge building. In politics, he is a staunch Republican, has held the office of County Supervisor, and at present is a member of the Tama City School Board. In 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Prudence Carlisle, a native of Illi- nois, and a daughter of Lewis M. Carlisle, an early settler of Benton county, Iowa. Five children bless this union: Lewis, Martha, Elmer, Mable and Florence.

Truman Bricker is a native of Ohio, born in Knox county, of that State, on the 17th of November, 1834. His father was John Bricker, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, and when Truman was but two years of age his father removed to Knox county, Ohio, where he settled on a farm and re- mained until his death. In the spring of 1855, the subject of this sketch located in Greene county, Wisconsin, where he re- mained about fifteen months and then came to lowa. He first settled in llardin county, this State, where he lived until January of 1858, at which date he located on a farm in Otter Creek township, Tama coun- ty. In 1861, Mr. Bricker went back to Ohio, remained four weeks, and returned to Tama county. On the 4th of Novem- ber, 1861, he was married and remained on his farm until 1882, when the family moved to Tama City. Mr. and Mrs.

Bricker have been blessed with five chil- dren, one son and four daughters. The son is deceased.

Garrett Soleman, an early settler of Tama county, was born in Hanover, Ger- many, August 20, 1820. When fourteen years of age he came to the United States, settling in Sandusky county, Ohio, where he lived until 1865. During the fall of that year he came to Tama county, Iowa, locating in Toledo. Before settling here Mr. Soleman had made a visit to this county in May of the same year. at which time he had entered 160 acres of land on section 7, of Otter Creek township. In 1856, he removed to Iowa City, where he remained two and a half years, engaged in freighting. He then returned to Toledo, settling on a farm two miles southeast of the place, where he continued to live until 1863 and then removed into town, where he engaged in mercantile business. One year later, he removed to Tama City, and has since lived a retired life. In poli- tics, he is a Democrat and has always taken an active part in the political affairs of the county. In the year 1841, he was united in marriage with Miss Angeline Mountler, a native of Germany. Five children have blessed their union, four of whom are now living: Henry, Charles, John and Ella.

. Lewis Merchant, one of Tama county's pioneer merchants, is a native of Pennsyl- vania, born in Mercer county, of that State, on the 29th day of December, 1824. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Davis) Merchant, also natives of that State. Ilis youthful days were spent on his father's farm. Ile received an academic educa-

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tion at Mercer, and subsequently engaged in merchandising. In May of 1855, Mr. Merchant arrived in Tama county, and located at Toledo, where he embarked in mercantile pursuits. There he remained eight years, and then engaged in trade one year at Boonesboro, lowa During March of 1865, the subject of our sketch re- turned to Tama county, locating in Tama City, where the following year he became engaged in trade. In 1874, Mr Merchant disposed of his stock, since which time he has led a retired life. Socially, he is a genial, pleasant and affable gentleman, which qualities combined with his busi- ness capacity, bas made him a successful man, and secured to him many warm friends and well wishers. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and has always taken an active part in political affairs. Mr. Merchant was at one time one of the Directors of the First National Bank. He is a Master Mason, and a member of St. Barnard Commandery of Belle Plaine. Ile has always adhered to single blessed- uess.

Another prominent resident of Tama, Milton Reed, is a son of Josephus and Nancy (Rice) Reed, and was born in Union county, Ohio, November 8, 1834. lle remained in his native county until eighteen years of age and then removed with his parents to Alamakee county, lowa, where they were among the first settlers. ITis father entered some Gov- ernment land and Milton followed farm- ing wnile in that county. In December of 1866 he came to Tama county, settling on section 19 of Richland township, where he now owns a fine farm of 320 acres, which, when he came in possession of it.

was rough prairie land, but is now under excellent cultivation and valued at $40 per acre. While Mr. Reed lived in that township he took an active interest in edu- cational affairs. During the fall of 1882 he removed into Tama City, and is now lead- ing a retired life. In 1857 he was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Artemissa Reed, a lady of the same name, but no relation. They have two children living, Fred and Nessa.

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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 112

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1088

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1088