USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 23
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Lenox has nearly every line of business that is to be found in towns much larger. The merchants carry fine lines as they cater to a trade that will have the best. In volume of business transacted each year Lenox probably equals any town in the county. For the benefit of future generations, we give a list of the lines of business to be found in the town with the men engaged in each.
Ed. Madden, exclusive dry goods; R. L. Ball, groceries and queensware; George Walters, meat market; N. C. Davidson, meat market; G. L. Goodale, jeweler and optician ; William Madden, general merchandise; Copeland Brothers, drug store; Dunbar Clothing company, clothing; Maharry Brothers, general merchandise; H. A. Childs, drugs; Humphrey & Carlton, groceries, queens- ware; O. D. Tyler, drugs ; Jesse Draper, groceries and queensware ; A. Mckenzie, furniture and hardware; Paymal & Sealey, general merchandise; F. Reimer, meat market ; E. Wright, jeweler and optician ; N. A. Anderson, boots and shoes ; Lee Crosby, restaurant and bakery; Mr. Ricker, harness; Cheese & Hall, gen- eral merchandise; Mrs. J. J. Carey, millinery ; Minnie Wintermute, millinery ; Saunders & Birdnell, restaurant; Barney Alderson, clothing; Cless Brothers, hardware; Killion & Son, clothing; Martin & Martin, hardware, furniture and undertaking; Charles Arnold, restaurant; Weingarth & Clayton, restaurant ; John R. Giles, feed store; B. F. Ginn, harness ; S. E. Wainright, garage; William Readhead, veterinary surgeon; C. H. Copeland, produce; F. Walker, livery; Harry Abernathy, tailor; F. M. McEniry, coal dealer ; A. E. Pantry, blacksmith ; Clark Armstrong, livery; Thompson & Son, roller mills; R. M. McIntyre,
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blacksmith; Gus Titze, carpenter; Schmidt Brothers, carpenters; Al. Smith, blacksmith; Eclipse Lumber company; S. E. Wainright, lumber and grain ; William Hewitt, grain; John Madden, William Mullen, M. Saunders, N. C. Davidson, stock buyers; T. W. Bennett, J. P. Scroggs, M. F. Brown, S. M. Hamilton, A. D. Cochran, physicians and surgeons; H. Ellis, Dr. Browning, W. J. Dey Ermand, dentists; Ernest Richards, George Lyddon, John Connor, Phil Ridgeway, Gene Pullman, real estate; M. F. McEniry, S. B. Overmire, T. F. Armstrong, Ben Evans, insurance.
It is difficult to get at a complete list of the business men of a town, but we think the above list about covers the field.
The churches of Lenox are : the Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, United Presbyterian and Christian. Among the various old time preachers who ministered to the different organizations of Lenox were : Rev. U. P. Golliday and Rev. J. D. DeTar. Methodists ; Rev. N. V. Morrow, Presbyterian; Rev. A. B. DeLong, Presbyterian ; and Rev. J. W. Johnson, United Presbyterian
The strongest Catholic organization in the county is located at Lenox. They built their first church in 1875. The early members and organizers were: Eu- gene Paymal, T. F. Maloney, T. F. Meagher, John Nagle, Pat. Ryan and Rich- ard Finn. It was soon found that the first church was too small to accommodate the growing membership, so in 1881, a large and substantial building was erected. This building has since been remodeled to some extent, and the in- terior handsomely decorated. In 1889. a parsonage was built adjoining the church. Father Phelan was the first resident pastor and was a man of superior ability. He was a man of affairs, and the Lenox church undoubtedly owes much to him. Since his work at Lenox, Father Phelan has risen to prominence in the church and has held some very important positions.
Other pastors have been: Father Bede, Father John Staler, Father John Noonan and Father Glenn. Father Feeley is the present pastor. The approxi- mate value of the church building is four thousand dollars and the parsonage three thousand dollars. About sixty families are included in the membership.
The Presbyterian church of Lenox was organized in 1876 with the following members : James R. Hewitt, Rebecca Hewitt, Hattie Osborn, John Pugh, James Montgomery, N. J. Hornady, James B. Dunbar, John Kepner, Francis Kepner and S. B. Overmyer. Immediately upon the organization of the church a build- ing for worship was put in process of erection and was completed the same year. It was a frame building and cost about two thousand, two hundred dol- lars. It was dedicated in the fall of 1877, by Rev. Bardwell, assisted by Rev. Roberts of St. Joseph, Missouri. The church prospered and while the member- ship has never been large, active work is carried on. Rev. W. H. Isley, Rev. N. V. Morrow and Rev. A. B. DeLong, were some of the early pastors.
The United Presbyterian church is among the strongest organizations in Lenox. It was organized in 1874. Among the original members were: Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Richards, Mrs. Belle Roberts, Ellen Bernard, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. French, Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Lunn, Mrs. Appleby, Louis Appleby, J. R. Dunlap and Mr. and Mrs. William Lafferty. In 1879 a two thousand, five hundred dol- lar frame building was erected and was dedicated by Rev. J. B. McMichael of Monmouth college. The church has been prosperous from the start. A large
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membership has been built up and every department of church work is carried on actively and earnestly.
Rev. W. McKendrie Campbell, delivered the first Methodist sermon in Lenox in the summer of 1873. He preached in the depot. Rev. H. Avery continued the appointment until 1874, when Rev. U. P. Golliday was sent to Lenox. For awhile services were held in the new schoolhouse when the real organization was effected, but it was not until 1881 that a building was erected. The congrega- tion is large and all of the various lines of church work are carried on. Some of the organizers were: E. L. Osborn, G. L. Brooks, Mrs. L. P. Brooks, the Mercer family, R. M. Day and the Wherry family.
The Christian church of Lenox was organized in 1890 and built in 1891. Some of the original members are: Mrs. J. M. Dunbar, Mrs. Mary Baker, Mrs. Phil Godwyn, Iowa Mullen and J. N. Lemon. The building has been remodeled and the entire cost is about four thousand dollars. The present membership is about one hundred and fifty. Elder I. H. Fuller is the pastor.
The Masons and Odd Fellows were the first civic societies to organize in Lenox. The I. O. O. F. was organized in 1880 and the charter members were: George Van Houten, G. W. Howe, C. N. Thompson, H. Warriner, James W. Jones, H. P. Randall, B. F. Hoke and G. A. Deaver.
The Masonic lodge was organized in 1874. The charter members were: A. S. Beymer, George Van Houten, G. W. Horn, Joseph Brown, A. M. Allen, G. L. Allen, H. Cade, J. C. Lucas, James W. Jones, N. S. Hornady and A. L. Duncan.
The Knights of Pythias lodge was instituted in the early nineties and they have a good strong society.
The Modern Woodmen also have a camp at Lenox.
Most of these organizations have a ladies' auxiliary society in connection.
While giving the different lines of business in Lenox, the statement of the banks was overlooked so we give it now.
The First National Bank opened for business in 1900. L. B. Wilson is president ; J. H. Bennison, vice-president and W. S. Bennison, cashier. The di- rectors are S. Wainwright, T. W. Bennett, John Nattress and J. P. Scroggs.
The capital stock is thirty thousand dollars. Surplus, twelve thousand dol- lars and deposits two hundred and two thousand, two hundred and thirty-eight dollars and sixty cents.
The Citizens' State Bank has for its president, S. L. Caldwell ; vice-president, O. D. Tyler ; cashier, Frank Wilkin ; and assistant cashier, Fred A. Childs.
The capital stock is thirty-five thousand dollars. Undivided profits ten thou- sand, two hundred and five dollars and seventy-nine cents ; deposits two hundred and sixty-one thousand, one hundred and twenty-six dollars and forty-one cents.
The assessed valuation of Lenox corporation and school district is eight hun- dred and seventy-two thousand, one hundred dollars.
The present city officers are :
William Hewett, mayor; John Madden, Jr., clerk; Elsworth Wright, treas- urer ; Matt Simmer, marshall and street commissioner; Ira Hall, Fred Riemer, Joseph Schmidt and William Custer, members of council.
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CONWAY.
The town of Conway is situated on the Creston branch of the Burlington rail- road about eight miles northeast of Bedford. Like Lenox it was laid out by the railroad company, in 1872, while the road was being built. For some reason the town was not incorporated until 1878.
The first city officers were : mayor. O. J. Erff; marshal, Alex Pitman ; clerk, A. C. Shoemaker. The members of the council were: J. S. Butts, Tom Daniels, A. A. DeLong, J. G. Bowen and J. H. Jolly.
In the early days Conway had a good mill that did a prosperous business but it was burned. Another was built which was finally moved elsewhere. A small mill grinding meal and feed has been in operation several years until recently when it too went the way of the first. It was burned. For many years Conway had the finest and largest grain elevator on the Burlington railroad. It was owned for years by Jerry Wilson. At his death it was sold and has since been destroyed by fire. Conway, before the building of the Keokuk & Western Railroad had a large territory, but the towns of Clearfield, Sharps and Gravity have greatly re- duced the field, but still, owing to the enterprise of its business men, it is a good trading point and every line of business is well represented.
There are three general stores, run by Burge Brothers, J. W. Scott and C. V. French, respectively.
There is but one exclusive grocery and it is run by O. E. Smith. The one drug store is conducted by Clint Powell. W. L. Morrison is proprietor of the only hardware and William O. Grady handles the furniture business. The Eclipse Lumber Company has a yard at Conway, and carry a large stock. They also handle all other lines of building material. They are the coal dealers of the town also.
There are two livery barns. Dr. A. T. West is the proprietor of one and Verne Myers, the other.
David Smith is proprietor of the restaurant, which does the hotel business of the town, since the closing of the hotel. Pat Phelan, the veteran stock buyer, is still in the business. Miller & Son until quite recently, had a big business in im- ported horses. They are out of business and James Anderson & Sons are in the horse business in the old Miller barn.
There are two banks in Conway. The Farmers, J. R. Cooper, president ; Fred C. Cooper, cashier. The individual responsibility of the bank is one hun- dred thousand dollars. The Conway Savings bank is the old Nelson bank, founded by N. P. Nelson. Oliver Anderson is president and W. A. Conway, cashier. The bank has a capital of twenty thousand dollars.
There are three doctors in the town: Dr. T. B. Keplinger, Dr. R. W. Soper and Dr. A. T. West.
With the founding of the town came the churches. There have been four, but only three are in active operation at present. It might be said that only two are actively at work, the Methodist and the Presbyterian. Elder William Cobb organized the Christian church and for many years it flourished, but the moving away of many active workers made it impossible to keep up their work so no regular services are held. The Presbyterian and Methodist churches have a fair
FARMERS BANK
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membership, own their buildings and have regular services. The Baptist church was organized by Rev. William Golding, who preached to them for several years. They have no regular services now.
The assessed value of Conway and school district is three hundred and ten thousand, two hundred and forty-four dollars. Conway has a four room school with an enrollment of eighty-nine and an average daily attendance of fifty-nine. Their building is valued at three thousand dollars and the apparatus at one hun- dred dollars. Their library contains one hundred volumes. Last year they paid their teachers one thousand two hundred and seventy-five dollars.
The Masons, Odd Fellows, G. A. R. and Woodmen have lodges. The Masons and Odd Fellows are strong and own their own halls. The Masonic lodge was instituted in 1875 by Simeon Wright, the charter members were Simeon Wright, Josiah Litteer, H. M. Wilson, J. P. Wright, H. B. Liggett, H. Shoemaker, Sam- uel Yestman, Sidney Severns, Seth Robinson and William Harriott.
The Odd Fellows have a membership of sixty-two, one of the strongest in the county.
SHARPSBURG.
This thriving little town is located on the Keokuk and Wyoming Railroad, two and one half miles west of the Conway crossing. The location is ideal and the surrounding territory is one of the finest agricultural sections of the county. Although it doesn't rank very high in population, its citizens are live ones and have had their town incorporated, built a two room school building on modern plans and in many other ways, have displayed their public spirit. For some months they have had a newspaper, which sparkles with local news and booms the town every. issue.
Being in the midst of a rich farming community, the town enjoys a good busi- ness in staple lines. There are two up-to-date general stores, carrying large stocks. One is owned and managed by J. O. Gardner, the other by W. A. Bates. Clyde Miller carries a complete hardware stock and also handles implements. The drug store, until recently, was owned by Dr. Jessup, but the doctor is now gone and Jesse Underwood is the proprietor of the stock of drugs. W. I. Colvin deals in racket goods.
William Gerlach is proprietor of the lumber yard. He carries a large stock and does a fine business.
Ed. Phelan is the stock buyer of the place. Ritchey brothers are proprietors of the livery barn. They have good equipment and do a satisfactory business.
The Sharpsburg Bank is an institution of much convenience to the citizens of that vicinity.
J. R. Cooper is the president and B. F. Wilson, cashier. The individual re- sponsibility is given as one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, and the deposits equal that of banks in many of the larger towns.
Ten years ago, the school district, No. 2, Marshall Township, in which is the town of Sharpsburg asked to be set off independent as their increased school population rendered it necessary to provide. for more room than the old school house furnished. They succeeded in their efforts and after the independent or-
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ganization had been effected, steps were taken which led to the erection of a two- room building, built on plans furnished by an architect who makes a specialty of school architecture.
The last report gives the enrollment in the school at fifty-nine, with an average attendance of thirty-eight. The building is valued at fifteen hundred dollars and the school apparatus at sixty dollars. They have forty volumes in the school library. Last year they paid their two teachers eight hundred and ten dollars.
The assessed valuation of the corporation and district is two hundred and twenty-six thousand, seven hundred and sixty dollars.
BEDFORD.
The township of Bedford embraces the city and independent school district of Bedford, hence its history is practically a part of the history of the town. How the territory was organized into a township has been explained elsewhere. The city of Bedford was located in March, 1852, by a board of commissioners ap- pointed for that purpose by the state legislature. The first house was built by O. W. Fenno and the second by Edwin Houck. In 1854 the business of the town was not extensive. E. Houck was in business and M. N. Thornton and S. A. Cadle under the firm name of Thornton & Cadle.
A Mr. King, of Savannah, Missouri, had a stock of goods in Bedford also. O. W. Fenno mentioned above conducted hotel. In 1852 the first mill was built in the vicinity. It was near the bridge, on East Main street, known now as the Mohler bridge. Madison Guess and John Scott were the proprietors. In 1857 Stephen H. Packer bought Guess's interest, and in 1863 L. Mohler came into pos- session of the mill, and put in new machinery for grinding wheat. Mr. Mohler did a prosperous business for many years. It has been mentioned elsewhere that the first sale of lots took place July 4, 1852. The first building was on the corner of Main and Water streets, where Frank Dunning's new bank building now stands. It was a double log house. E. Houck built the second house on the opposite side of the street. For many years Bedford had to struggle to hold the county seat. Four different efforts were made to remove it to Lexington, but all of them failed.
The first school in Bedford was held in a small frame building that stood on the lots now occupied by the residence of J. L. Heasley. It was built for a resi- dence by J. F. Engles but was sold to the district for school purposes. The first teacher was Darwin E. Jones. He taught in 1856-7. Later he was county treas- urer and recorder. About this time Jacob Lewis taught "singing school" in the school building. Another gentleman who taught vocal music to the youth of the town in the first schoolhouse was Major A. B. Vansickle, who is still living and is quite active for one of his age. Judge Hall, who afterward became a leading law- yer in the town, succeeded Mr. Jones as teacher in the Bedford schools. The next teacher was John Saulsbury, a man of superior education and exalted char- acter. He enlisted at the breaking out of the Civil war, and was among the num- ber, that never returned. Mrs. Charles Cope, who still lives on West Main street, was his widow.
In 1864 the old stone schoolhouse was built. It was a four room structure, and was located just a few feet from the northwest corner of the present old school
VIEW OF BEDFORD
BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL
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building. Soon needing more room, a frame addition was built on the north, which in a short time became crowded and bonds for a new building were voted in 1876. In 1877 the building was erected, at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars and after thirty-two years of usage it is still one of the best buildings in this section. Three years ago, a splendid, modern high school building was erected on the northwest corner of the school grounds, and the two buildings meet the requirements of the district for the present. The buildings are valued at forty thousand dollars. The apparatus at four hundred and seventy-five dollars. The library contains three hundred and seventy-five volumes.
The superintendent of schools is paid twelve hundred dollars per annum. There are sixteen assistants whose average salary is fifty-five dollars per month. Total amount paid teachers last year was nine thousand, one hundred and twenty- nine dollars.
The total enrollment last year was five hundred and forty-two.
The Bedford schools carry out a thirteen year course. The high school has the full year course and is on the accredited list of high schools. The schools are a source of much pride to the citizens of Bedford, and they have always cheerfully responded to calls for money to increase the efficiency of the school work.
Bedford has seven church organizations, the First M. E. and the African M. E., Presbyterian, Christian, First Baptist and African Baptist. .
M. E. CHURCH.
The First M. E. church is one of the strongest, numerically, in the town, hav- ing a membership of about four hundred and twenty-five, and it is also one of the most active in all line of church work. It was organized by Rev. Isaac Kelley. The original members were: W. M. P. Long, E. J. Long, S. J. Hall, Hannah Long, Anna Johnston, Daniel Martin, Sarah J. Underwood, Mrs. E. Martin, D. M. Greeson and Jesse Herbert and wife. Some of the early pastors were: Rev. Isaac Kelley, Rev. William Hayes, Rev. J. P. Evans, Rev. W. J. Beck, Rev. George Clammar, Rev. C. W. Blodgett, Rev. L. M. Walters, Rev. W. D. Bennett, Rev. Austin.
Later ones have been Rev. Collins, Rev. Ream, Rev. Thompson, Rev. Dudley. The present pastor is Rev. Fred L. Willis.
In 1889 the old building was torn down and beautiful modern structure erected in its place at a cost of more than fifteen thousand dollars.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The First Presbyterian church in the county was organized at Lexington in 1857 with eleven members. Rev. C. G. Bell was the minister who effected the or- ganization. In 1859 the organization was removed to Bedford and had since been known as the Bedford Presbyterian church.
Some of the early pastors were: Rev. Bell, Rev. W. M. Stryker, Rev. S. A. McElherney, Rev. E. T. Randolph, Rev. R. A. Mckinley, Rev. Sarchet, Rev. Wilel, Rev. Peirce and Rev. Barrackman. The present pastor is Rev. S. E.
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Henry. The church has a live working membership of three hundred and twenty- five. In 1893, they replaced their frame building with a beautiful modern brick structure, costing about fifteen thousand dollars. Last year one of the best pipe organs in the state was installed at an expense of nearly two thousand, five hun- dred dollars. Some of the pioneer workers of the church deserve mention. Among those we recall, were Napoleon Goodsill and wife, John Graff and wife, J. M. Thompson and wife, J. M. Windsor and Lyman Evans and wife.
FIRST BAPTIST.
This church was organized in 1854 by Elder J. M. Smith. The original mem- bers were Rev. J. M. Smith and wife, V. Knight and wife, Albert Derrickson and wife, John Derrickson and wife, David Smith and wife, Mrs. Greer, J. A. Golding and wife and William Smith and wife. Elder J. M. Smith was the first pastor. In 1857 a church was built, E. Houck furnishing the lot. The first per- sons baptized were A. B. Vansickle, Amanda Vansickle, Caroline Holmenkratt and Ella Shultz. In their minutes for 1858 it is noted the church voted pastor's salary one hundred dollars a year. In June. 1858, John Evans was licensed to preach.
In 1870 the brick building that was used until 1900, was built at a cost of about eight thousand dollars. This edifice served them until 1900, when the pres- ent building, costing nearly sixteen thousand dollars was erected. It is built on the site of the old church which is one of the best locations in town. The exterior of the building is strikingly beautiful, and does not fail to elicit the ad- miration of every visitor. The interior is still more attractive than the exterior. The main auditorium is beautifully decorated, and the furniture displays excellent taste in the selection. The church has the basement finished for Sunday-school and prayer meeting purposes. They also have the necessary arrangements for giving their socials and church dinners.
The Baptist church numbers among its earlier members men who have con- tributed largely to the early history of the county. The Goldings. Smiths, Evans, Thomas McCracken and others are recalled as among the number.
Uncle "Jimmy" Smith and Uncle "Billy" Golding, are remembered as among the early preachers of the county, going far and enduring many hardships to carry the gospel message to remote settlements.
Elder J. M. Smith has been mentioned as the first pastor. Other early ones were Rev. D. Ivins, Rev. E. Otis, Elder John Evans, Elder F. M. Seay, Rev. C. C. Baird, Rev. S. M. Morton, Elder Stimpson, Elder William Golding, Rev. E. J. Lockwood, Rev. Wm. Tilley, Elder Robey, Rev. Jacobs. Among the later ones were. Rev. Lewis, Rev. Griffith. It was under Rev. Griffith's ministry that the present church was built. Rev. Jones succeeded Rev. Griffith. Rev. McMas- ters is the present pastor.
The church is active in all departments of church work and has a membership of about four hundred.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Christian church was organized in 1856, with thirteen original members. Among these were Thomas and E. W. Cobb, Asa and Mary Cobb, William C. and
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Mary Cole, J. D. Ross and wife, Julia Vincent and William Bradbury. Their first brick building, cost about six thousand dollars and was considered a good building in its time, but the church outgrew the building and in 1900, under the ministry of J. Will Walters, the present building, was erected. It probably has the greatest seating capacity of any church in the town, and in point of beauty compares favorably with the other three churches. It is convenient and modern in all its appointments, is elegantly furnished and is in every way a convenient and pleasant home for the organization. The cost of the building was about fifteen thousand dollars. For many years the Christian church was among the largest in point of membership in the city. The membership has been diminished somewhat by removals, so that the present membership is only about two hun- dred and fifty.
Some of the early preachers were: Elder Perigam, Elder Roach, Elder Kirk- han, Elder Porter, Elder Davis. Later ones were Elder Lucas, Elder Thomas, Elder Walters, Elder Ferguson, Elder Price and Elder Hendrickson.
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