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 92
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Charles Gray, the proprietor, is a native of Greenfield, Hillsborough connty, New Hampshire. He was the second of six children of Charles and Esther. ( Wilson ) Gray. Charles Gray was born on the 5th of September, 1823, and resided in his native State until 1842, when he emigrated to Illinois. Seven years later he went to California by the over-land route and is therefore one of the few surviving "forty- niners, " who, in that year, started for the land of gold. His health, however, did not permit him to follow mining, and in 1852, he shipped as second mate on board a vessel bound for the Sandwich Islands. There, with others, he purchased a cargo of poultry, hogs, etc., which they disposed of at San Francisco. Subsequently he was engaged in the manufacture of lum- ber in different localities. Ile afterwards
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
became associated with Woodhull Helm and P. M. Fisk, in the same business, but he soon became sole owner and proprietor of the mill. In March, 1855, Miss Eliza- beth Sawyer, a native of Vermont, in com- pliance with Mr. Gray's request, left Provi- denee, Rhode Island, to meet him in San Francisco, where she became his wife. In 1856, Mr. Gray came to Iowa and set- tled at Indiantown, where he again became a partner of P. M. Fisk and Woodhull IFelm, these gentlemen having located there in 1855, and engaged in the milling business. In 1860, however, he again purchased the interest of his partners and has since been sole proprietor of the Indiantown mills. Mr. Gray is highly respected by his fellow men as an honor- able gentleman. Ile is a Republican in politice, but does not aspire to office. He was a charter member of Polar Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; a member of the Chapter of Marshalltown ;a charter mem- ber of the Commandary at Marshalltown, but now belongs to Commandary No. 14, at Belle Plaine.
One of the first seeret societies organ- ized in the county was a lodge of the I. O. O. F. at Indiantown. It continued but a short time and all records have been lost.
Polar Star Lodge No. 113 A. F. and A. M. was organized by dispensation at In- diantown, October 9, 1857, with W. C. Salsbury, W. M. ; Charles Gray, S. W. ; Samuel Cronk, J. W. The first person in- itiated into the order by this lodge was Edward Ruggles. A charter was granted the lodge on the 11th of September, .858, with the following named eharter mem- bers; W. C. Salsbury, W. M .; Charles Gray, Jr., S. W. ; Samuel Cronk, J. W .;
Edward Ruggles, Secretary ; T. J. Sumner, Treasurer ; J. B. Moffatt, S. D. ; Chauney Stevens, J. D. ; T. D. H. Wileoxon, Tyler. The lodge was named by W. C. Salsbury. It was the first Masonie Lodge organized in the county.
In the spring of 1873 the lodge was re- moved from Indiantown to Montour, then ealled Orford, and is now in good healthy condition. The total enrollment sinee organization has been about 100. The present membership is fifty-five. Meetings are held on Friday evenings on or before full moon.
W. C. Salsbury, the first master of the lodge was born in Erie county, Pennsyl- vania, on the 22d of September, 1809. Ilis father, Nathan Salsbury, was a na- tive of the State of Vermont, and his mother, Levira (Clark) Salsbury, of Sara- toga county, New York. Ile was reared on a farm and on the 25th of December, 1834, was united in marriage with Miss Balara Wilder, a native of Henrietta, New York. In 1835, he emigrated to Ohio, and two years later to Illinois. Here he tilled the soil, aided in the organization of Ogle county, and soon became one of the lead- ing eitizens. Ile was elected Justice of the Peace and served in that capacity for four- teen years ; he also served as County Judge for four years, in which offiee he proved worthy the trust and suffrages of the people. In 1855, he emigrated into the State of Iowa, and located in Iowa City. Here he became associated with other parties, and, as Salsbury, Daniel & Co., erected the first warehouse at that place and was doing good business in grain, Inmber.&c. In 1856, however, the cholera was quite prevalent at that place,
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and a daughter of Mr. Salsbury became one of the victims. Mrs. Salsbury, there- fore, became discontented and urged her husband to locate elsewhere. He then sold out and came to Tama county and settled on section 18, in Indian Village township, where he still resides. Here he has likewise taken an active interest in the welfare of his county. lIe attended the first railroad convention held in Toledo, and although but little was accomplished at this time, it was the beginning of an important movement. He was subsequent- ly one of the Apprizers of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad Company, and also one of the Directors. In 1857, he received the nomination for County Judge but declined to run. He has given his principal attention to farm- ing and has been very successful. Ilis wife died November 5, 1864. She had eight children, five of whom are living- William B., Balara A., now Mrs. J. P. Fisher, Nathan, Martha, now Mrs. Charles Flannigan, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and John. Mr. Salsbury cast his first bal- lot for Andrew Jackson, and has since vo- ted the Democratic ticket at every Presi- dential election, with the exception of 1872, when Horace Greeley was the ean- didate. In local polities, however, he al- ways votes for whoever he considers the best fitted for the offlee. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and was the principal worker in establishing the first lodge in Tama county, which he named the "Polar Star," and served as its first master. As a citizen, he is enterprising, publie spirited, honest in his dealings and highly respected by . all who know him. IIe has, in all the po-
sitions given him by the people, shown himself well worthy of the confidence re- posed in him.
LEGRAND STATION.
LeGrand Station is located on the west half of section 18, Indian Village township. A side track was laid at this point and a town platted soon after the completion of the Northwestern railroad through the county. It was thought the business men of LeGrand, Marshall county, and Montour could be induced to move to this point, but in this the founders were not successful. There are only a few buildings on the site. It is the shipping point for LeGrand, Marshall county.
POTTER.
Potter is the name of a station on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, on section 35. The Railroad Com- pany put in a side track at this point in the spring of 1882, and on May 1, com_ meneed receiving and delivering freight to this point. The principal shipments are of grain and livestock. L. R. Putnam is station agent.
A postoffice was established here July 1, 1882, with Mrs. Kate Putnam as postmis- tress.
TOWN OF MONTOUR.
This is among the most thrifty and best business towns in Tama county. It is beautifully located just south of the Iowa river, on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, in Indian Village town- ship on sections 21 and 28. It
is surrounded by an excellent farming country, which is settled by a class of well-to-do farmers, whose trade is valuable and permanent.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
In 1863, when the Chicago & Northwest- ern railroad-then known as the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River railroad-was pushing through the western part of Tama county, Phineas Helm, in company with Miron Kellogg, laid out a few acres of land on section 21, into lots and blocks, and called it "Orford." Additions were made to this and a town built up. For a number of years it was known under the name of "Orford," after the well known Or- ford, New Hampshire, but this was finally given up for Montour. The scenery around the town is truly beautiful. The bluffs here are the true mine of wealth. Not only does it add charms to the region, but they are composed of a formation which at no distant day will cause Montour to become a place of no small note. To-day it is a neatly built town of 500 inhabitants, doing a good business, and with a class of people that cannot be surpassed for enterprise and sociability.
Phineas llehm, one of the founders of Montour, was a native of New York, a son of Woodhull and Lney (Ruggles) Helm. The family at an early day moved to Illi. nois and became pioneers in Ogle county. Ilere Phineas united in marriage with Miss Caroline Moffatt. He was engaged in various businesses until 1853, when he came to Iowa, and settled at Indiantown. At that place he erected a hotel and was engaged as its landlord for some time; then followed farming until 1863, when he traded his farm for land on section 21, and became one of the platters of Montour. He subsequently opened a stone quarry at Indiantown, and associated with D. D. Richardson built the mill at that place for dressing stone. Phineas Helm
is now a resident of St. Louis, where he is engaged in business. He is remem- bered as a wide-awake business man, and an enterprising, energetic fellow.
DEVELOPMENT.
The first house on the site of Montour was erected by B. McCullen in 1863. It is now occupied by L. L. Fellows.
The first store building was erected by John Doe.
The first lumber yard was opened by C. J. Stevens. This line-lime, lumber and fuel-is now represented by T. P. Smith & Brother.
The first grain buyer in Montour was Charles Coy; the second, Edward Ruggles. Grain and live stock are now handled by Butler & Black.
The first drug store in Montour was es- tablished by T. C. Shelley. The present druggist is Dr. J. H. Stevens.
The first physician to locate here was Dr. H. C. Hutson. The profession is at present represented by Drs. J. II. Stevens and A. E. Peck.
C. H. Roberts represents the legal fra- ternity.
The first hardware store was established by J. L. Waggenor. The firms handling this line at present are B. W. Fellows & Bro. and Peter Roff.
John Doe kept the first dry goods store on the present site of Montour. The gen- eral merchandise line' is at present repre- sented by J. C. Millard, Edward Ruggles, D. R. Way and J. W. Waggenor.
Among the successful merchants at Montour, J. C. Millard stands conspicuous. He came to the place in 1871, and at first taught school and also gave instruction in music. Subsequently he elerked in a store.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
but in 1876, he came to the conclusion that he would engage in business for himself. Starting with a capital of $100, he pur- chased the stock of Frank Pierce, which invoiced about $600, and with this opened up business. He was a young man and met with much opposition from older mer- chants; but he attended strictly to his owu business, dealt honorably with all, and soon became the leading merchant in the town. He has enlarged his store room and now carries a stock which in- voices over $5,000. He does a large cred- it business, as his books show nearly $6,000 in accounts. His success is dne to his energetic abilities and fair dealing with his customers. Mr. Millard was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, on the 31st of October, 1845. His parents were J. P. and Catherine (Collins) Millard, both na- tives of New York. There were nine children in the family, seven of whom are now living: Susan, now Mrs. Joseph Em- erson; Mary, now Mrs. John O'Connor; Helen, now Mrs. H. S. Swift; Loretta, now Mrs. Walter Park; Q. C., W. A. and O. P. Q. C., while living in his native State, attended school at Albion Academy. In 1868, he entered Alfred University at Al- fred Center, New York, where he gradu- ated in 1871. On July 16, 1873, at Tama City, Rev. L. Catlin solemnized his mar- riage with Miss Lydia Swift, daughter of A. B. and Mary Ann (Eastman) Swift. They have had four children, three of whom are now living: Omer, Lolo Mand and Isaac C. Mr. Millard is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for seven years has been Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. In March, 1883, Mr. Millard purchased the store building for-
merly owned and occupied by L. Matthews, and now has one of the best store-rooms in Tama county.
In 1854, Edward Ruggles and John Moore erected a building, and about Oc- tober 1, opened the first general mer- cantile business in the township. They conducted the same under the firm name of E. Ruggles & Co., until the death of Mr. Moore, in 1859, after which Mr. Rug- gles continued alone until 1865.
The second store was opened some years subsequently by Isaac Butler.
Edward Ruggles is a native of Hardwick, Worcester county, Massachuetts, born September 18, 1828. Ilis parents, Ira and Susan (Hathaway) Ruggles, were also natives of that State. He was left father- less when only three years of age, but continued to reside in his native State un- til he reached his nineteenth year. IIe then went to Bangor, Maine, and engaged as clerk in the mercantile business. In the fall of 1850, he went to Ogle county, Illi- nois, to visit friends. In 1852, he located in that county, and in 1853, formed a part- nership with John Moore, and, as E Rug- gles & Co. engaged in a general mercan . tile business at Buffalo Grove, and con- tinued the same until 1825, during which time they opened a store at Butlerville. The first goods for their latter store were hauled from Rockford, Illinois, and until the railroads were built in Iowa, their nearest shipping point was Muscatine. Mr. Ruggles remained in business at But- lerville until the town of Montour, then Orford, sprung into existence, where he was the first to engage in business. Ilere he opened a store, and for a few years also dealt in grain, live-stock, etc., but for
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
the last fifteen years has given his whole attention to general merchandise and stock raising. In politics, Mr. Ruggles was first a Whig, but when the Republi- can party sprung into existence, he at once joined its ranks, and has since affiliated with it. He has held local offices, but prefers to take no more part in politics than to perform his duty as a citizen. The only secret society of which he is a mem- ber is the Masonic Fraternity.
On the 5th day of July, 1860, at Grin- nell, Iowa, he married Miss Mary R. Grin- nell, and they now have three daughters: Julia, Mary and Mattie.
D. R. Way came to Montour in 1866, and opened one of the first general stores in that place, and has since conducted a general mercantile business. He erected his present store in 1874. Davidson R. Way was born in Seneca county, Ohio, in 1837. He was the oldest of the eight children of J. B. and Sarah I. (Davidson) Way. In 1855, the family emigrated to Iowa, and after living one year in Wash- ington county, settled in Decatur county, where the mother died in 1860. The father died at his native home in Penn- sylvania, in May, 1879. D. R. Way re- ceived a common school education, and then learned the tinner's trade, which he followed until he came to Iowa. Here he commenced mercantile life, as clerk in a general store. In 1865, he engaged in business at Montezuma, Powesheik county, from which place he came to Mon- tour. In 1862, he married Miss Sarah A. Hall, then of Decatur county, but a native of Illinois. They have had two children, one of whom is living-Charles B. Mr. Way is an active worker for the
Republican party, but never aspires to of- fice, as his business requires his whole at- tention.
The first grocery dealer in Montour was B. McCullen. At the present time E. M. Poyneer is the leading dealer in this line. He is a native of Salisbury, Litch- field county, Connecticut. He was born on the 20th day of August, 1829, and re- sided in his native town until May, 1853, when he removed to Michigan. In 1854, he commenced a mercantile life in Ogle county, Illinois, and continued in that business until 1858, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth Blaine, of Kent county, Michigan. The winter of 1858-9 he spent in Connecticut, then returned to Illinois, and in the fall of 1859, came to Tama county, Iowa, where he has since been en- gaged in farming on section 3, Highland township. After the death of his wife, in February, 1874, he discontinued farming, and with his two daughters, Minnie E. and Flattie G., moved into the village of Montour, where he served for some time in the employ of the bank. In 1876, he married Miss Carrie Seward nee Peck, and since 1879, has been engaged in the gro- cery business. In polities he was first a Democrat, and as such voted for Franklin Pierce ; but since 1856 he has been a Re- publican.
The only restaurant in the town of Montour at present is owned by R. E. Everett, who established the same in the spring of 1880. R. E. Everett, son of John and Nancy J. (Street) Everett, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, April 17, 1858. Ile was left fatherless in 1861, but his mother subsequently married F. T. Smith. R. E. Everett is the youngest
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
of five children, and was reared on a farm. He received a good common school education, and subsequently taught three terms of school in Union county, in his native State. In 1880, he came to Iowa and has since been a resident of Montour. He is a Republican in politics, and is at present serving as Town and Village Clerk. On the 2d of October, 1882, the subject of this sketch was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss M. Lou Ed- wards, daughter of Rev. G. G. Edwards. The first station agent was Phineas IIelm.
The present dealers in agricultural im- plements are B. W. Fellows & Brother, who also carry a large stock of hardware, and T. P. Smith & Brother.
Buel Winslow Fellows, agricultural im- plement and hardware dealer, of Montour, was born in Lysander, Onondaga county, New York, on the 28th day of Angust, 1832. Both his parents were also natives of New York, his father, Amos Fellows, being born in Otsego county, February 19, 1804 ; his mother, Ann (Cook) Fellows, in Van Buren, Onondaga county, March 17, 1806. She died January 4, 1849. His father married again and removed to Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, where he now resides. The subject of this sketch re. mained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he, in com- pany with a brother, engaged in running a saw mill for a short time. Mr. Fellows then sold his interest to his brother, and in the fall of 1855, came to Tama county, settling in Indian Village, where he en- gaged in the drug business with Dr. E. N. Whipple, in 1856. After remaining in this business for some four years, he sold out
to his partner and then worked at carpen- tering and cabinet making until the fall of 1864, when he entered the army as a soldier in the 2d lowa Infantry, Co. D. He was with General Sherman in the famous "march to the sea," and during all his soldier life was continuously on duty, not losing a day from sickness or otherwise, until he was discharged in 1865. After leaving the service, he returned to Tama county, and engaged in selling agricultural implements in Montour, Indian Village township. In the fall of 1882, he formed a co-partnership with his brother, Luther L. Fellows, and added a general stock of hardware to the business. They carry a heavy stock and are doing a thriv- ing business. Mr. Fellows was married on the 8th of January, 1863, to Elizabeth E. Dunn, of Indian Village. She was born in Warren county, Ohio, December 5, 1840, her parents being Martin and Lydia (Hy- ser) Dunn. Mrs. Fellows' father died Janu- ary 14, 1877 ; her mother is still living on the same place where she and her husband settled when they first came to Iowa, in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows have been blessed with six children : O. Scott Fel- lows, born December 16, 1863, died Octo- ber 24, 1876 ; Lottie L., born September 30, 1867; Mary E., born September 12, 1869; Medora B., born June 30, 1871, died August 25, 1872; Edna D., born June 1, 1874 and Lydia May, born Octo- ber 13, 1876. In addition to the hardware business, Mr. Fellows is engaged in farm- ing and is also in the fire insurance busi- ness, being agent for the Hawkeye and Oscaloosa, of Iowa, the Etna, Phoenix and Home of New York. Mr. Fellows has held the office of Justice of the Peace for
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
six years, and has proven a very efficient officer. Mr. Fellows is a genial, warm- hearted gentleman, an energetic and thorough business man, and has been very successful in his financial operations.
William P. Kellogg, City Marshal, came to Tama county in 1870, and has since re- sided in the vicinity of Montour. Since 1879, he has been engaged in attending to Montour's harness business. Mr. Kellogg is a native of New York, born in Catta- rangus county, May 5, 1846. His parents were Levi and Eunice (Bishop) Kellogg. When William was but an infant his par- ents moved to Polo, Illinois, and five years later to Peoria, same State. Ilere Wil- liam received a common school education, and at nineteen commenced work at the harness makers trade. In 1871, he was married to Miss Martha Babb, daughter of David and Elizabeth Babb. They have four children-Mary, Tilla, Eunice and Charley. Mr. Kellogg is a Republican in politics. In 1862, Mr. Kellogg enlisted in Company II, 86th Illinois Volunteers and served two years and eleven months.
II. S. Swift is running the Montour wagon and carriage shop.
Mrs. II. C. Burgess attends to the milli- nery line.
The meat marked is being satisfactorily mangaed by Tenny & Avery.
The Montour Exchange Bank was founded in 187y by O. B. Dutton & Son. August 12, 1873, they sold to Chauney J. Stevens, W. H. Harrison and G. Il. Warren, who continued the business un- til January, 1875, when Channey S. Stevens became sole proprietor. In August 1875, he associated himself with II. J. Stephens and the firm became C. J. Stevens & Co.,
continuing until January, 1883, when L. Matthews and George D. Young pur- chased the institution and are now en- gaged in a general banking business un- der the firm name of Matthews & Young.
Lewis Matthews, senior member of the firm, is a native of Green county, New York, born November 6, 1827. His par- ents, Jared and IIuldah ( Hemmingway ) Matthews, were both natives of Conneeti- eut. Mr. Matthews resided in his native State, until twenty-two years of age, then emigrated to Walworth county, Wiscon- sin, where he engaged in farming. Ile subsequently farmed at Milton, thenee, in 1856, he removed to LeRoy, Minnesota, where he built a flouring mill and operated it until 1866. He then came to Montour, purchased the stock of John Niman and engaged in general merchandise, which he continued until 1883. During this time in 1869, his store was destroyed by fire ; but he at onee rebuilt. In 1849 Mr. Mat- thews was married to Miss Elizabeth B. Hubbard, then of Livingston, but a na- tiye of Green county, New York. They have one daughter, Eila C. now wife of George D. Young.
ELEVATORS.
As soon as the railroad company agreed to put in a side traek, Charles Coy, of Chi- cago, commenced buying grain at this point. The company, however, left the track, when put in, but a short time, and Mr. Coy was obliged to transfer some of his grain to Le Grand, to seeure shipment. In 1865 E. Ruggles commenced dealing in grain and continued in the business some time. In the spring of 1866, Wal- lace and Beale commenced business in this line, and in 1868, erected the Beale
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Elevator which is now owned by Butler & Black. This elevator has a capacity of 13,000 bushels and cost about $6,000. In 1870, II. G. Wallace erected an elevator with the capacity of 11,000 bushels and operated the same until 1882, when he re- moved to Melbourne, Marshall county.
FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SIIOP.
In the fall of 1878, W. A. Downs opened a small shop and commenced business as a machinist. In the month of March, 1880, he removed to his present location and one month later had the misfortune to have his shop destroyed by fire. He, however, soon rebuilt and in the fall of the same year added a foundry and is now able to make any casting, repair machin- ery and do any work in his line As soon as he can get things properly arranged, he expects to give most of his attention to the manufacture of stationary and porta- ble engines.
W. A. Downs, is a man who may truly be called a natural genius. Ile always had more love for machinery than for books. When he was only fifteen years of age he commenced to make toy engines and before nineteen years of age he built an engine capable of running considerable machinery. He spent nine months in the machine shops of Belle Plaine but he was not given much of a chance to learn any- thing new and he therefore engaged in business for himself and has learned what he knows by actual experience. Ile is highly respected by all who know him, as a person .can not help ad- miring his ambition. Mr. Downs was born at Indiantown, Tama county, Novem- ber 17, 1858. His father, Thomas L. Downs, was a native of New York, and
his mother, Cordelia ( Abbott ) Downs was also born in the Empire State. Thomas L. Downs came to Iowa and settled at Indiantown, in 1856, and subsequently taught school at that place. In 1864, he was elected County Superintendent and served in that capacity for four years. His death took place in January, 1868, leaving a wife who now resides at Mon- tour, and three children of whom the sub- ject of this sketch is the oldest. W. A. Downs was married in June, 1882, to Miss Lavina V. Gould then of Montour, but a native of New York.
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