USA > Iowa > History of western Iowa, its settlement and growth. A comprehensive compilation of progressive events concerning the counties, cities, towns, and villages-biographical sketches of the pioneers and business men, with an authentic history of the state of Iowa > Part 43
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Plymouth Lodge, Iowa Legion of Honor .- Instituted i ber, 1880. Charter members: A. W. Darley, J. M. E .
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H. Euseninger, F. W. Myers, J. F. N. Snydensticker, W. J. C. Hebenstreit, D. W. Townsend. C. P. Woodard Lawrence, C. B. Smith, J. A. Jones. J. G. Koenig, W. .
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Henry March, N. Richards, I. S. Struble, H. C. Curtis, G. W. Powers, A. C. Stebbens, A. W. Moulton, F. J. Jenness. First officers: A. W. Durley, President: H. C. Curtis, Vice-President; D. W. Townsend, F. S .; W. H. Perry, R. S. Present officers: D. W. Townsend, President; H. C. Curtis, Vice-President; J. M. Emery, F. S .; W. H. Perry, R. S. The Trustees are, W. H. Dent, Henry March and C. B. Smith. This Lodge has a membership of twenty-four, and meets twice in each month over Steiner's book- store. The whole number of members of this order in the State is put down at 4,800. It is an incorporated life insurance society, each member being insured to the amount of $2,000. The average assessment is only forty cents to each member in case of death of any one of the members of the order.
Phpmouth County Agricultural Association .- Organized in 1872 by William Barrett, Andrew Black, A. E. Rea, B. F. Betsworth. M. Hilbert, and others. The first officers were: A. E. Rea, Presi- dent, and M. Hilbert. Secretary. The present officers are: C. P. Woodard, President; Hon. R. Moreton, Vice-President; G. C. Maclagan, Treasurer; M. Hilbert, Secretary. This society holds two annual meetings, viz: the June racing meeting and the annual agricultural fair in September of each year. The society has forty acres of land adjoining the town plat, and within the corporate limits of Le Mars. These grounds are enclosed partly with a fence, and partly with a thick hedge. A fine amphitheater has been built within the past year. There are also an excellent half-mile track and a floral hall 40x60 feet in dimensions. Over $1.000 are annu- ally paid in premiums by the Association, and in 1881 the citizens of Le Mars paid $1,000 additional. Much interest is taken in these annual exhibitions.
LeMars High School Lyceum .- Organized in October, 1881, with Prof. A. N. Fellows as President; Lizzie Sawyer, Vice-President; C. A. Spring, Jr., Secretary; Clara Rounds, Treasurer; Carrie Gil- bert, Organist. The officers at the present writing are: J. H. March, President; Carrie Gilbert, Vice-President; Allen Campbell, Secretary; Prof. A. N. Fellows, Treasurer. The membership is about thirty, and meetings are held every Monday evening in the LeMars High School building, the order of exercises consisting of vocal and instrumental music, select readings, declamations, essays, debates, etc.
LeMars Public Library Association .- Organized in 1876, by Mrs. Wilkins and Miss Burroughs. Its first officers were: Mrs. P. F. Dalton, President; Mrs. Wilkins, Secretary. Mrs. Wilkins removing front LeMars, Mrs. C. P. Woodard was appointed Secre- tary in her place. The present officers are: Mrs. Dalton, Presi- dent; Mrs. C. P. Woodard, Secretary; A. Aldrich, Librarian. This Association had in its library, up to December 1st, 1881, 440 volumes. There was at that time in the treasury $150. The first Librarian was David Gibbs, Jr., who was succeeded by W. F. Al-
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lenson, and in order, T. H. Dodson and A. B. Steiner, who was followed by Mr. Aldrich, in whose store the library is at present kept. These gratifying results are due to the labors of the ladies of LeMars.
LeMars Fire Company, Rescue No. 1 .- This Company was or- ganized in August, 1881, with A. Richman as President; D. D. Hoffman, Treasurer; T. D. Hoffman, Foreman, and D. Padmore, Secretary. The Company now has a membership of fifty-two, and has at present one small engine. A. 400-pound bell has been do- nated to the Company by R. W. Harrison.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
LE MARS.
Frank Amos, attorney at law, was born in W. Va. in 1840; moved to Ia. in 1853, and settled in Jackson county; thence in 1869 to Le Mars. He was mustered into the service in 1862, in the 31st Ia., acting as first lieutenant; was wounded at Atlanta, Ga., in 1864, and discharged in 1865; was admitted to the bar the same year. He was married to Martha Brown, of O., and has two children-B. F. and Talitha C.
J. E. Arendt, dealer in millinery, fancy dry goods and ladies' furnishing goods, was born in Dubuque, Ia., in 1858. He was en- gaged in clerking from 1869 to 1878, when he established his pres- ent business at Le Mars.
Rev. A. E. Arnold was born in Adams, Mass., in 1838: removed to Ill. in 1856. He graduated from the Chicago Theological Semi- nary in 1867, and was engaged in the ministry in Ill. until Feb. 1st, 1876, when he came to Le Mars and took charge of the Con- gregational Church, of that city. In 1869 he married Emma F. Bourne, of Mass.
Fred Barrow, proprietor of the House of Lords, in connection with the international club room, was born in England in 1840; came to America in 1864, and settled in Dyersville, Ia .; then moved to Dakota in 1874; located at LeMars in 1880. He was married in 1867 to Sarah Ham, of Eng., and has four children-William, Alice, John and Jessie.
Hon. William Barrett came to Plymouth county, Ia., from WVis. in 1857, locating in Hungerford township. He was elected county judge and served in 1861 and 1862. At the expiration of two terms, was elected chairman of the first board of supervisors
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for the county, and served until 1878, when he was chosen repre- sentative for the 70th district, and is again chairman of the board of supervisors. He has a fine large farm in Lincoln township, where he lives in the enjoyment of the luxuries of a farmers' life. He has the reputation of being not only a successful farmer, but also of being well versed in county politics, and it is a saying that when " Uncle Billy " figures in the election of a certain candidate, " He'll be elected.'
Hon. G. P. Bennett, M. D., was born in Duchess county, N. Y., in 1834; moved to Ia. in 1861. Enlisted in 1862 in the 27th Ia. Vol., Co. K, as sergeant; was discharged in 1865. He moved to Dak. in 1866, was elected to the legislature in 1868, and served two years. He was appointed collector of internal revenue in 1869, and chief deputy collector in 1874, and served four years. He began the practice of medicine in 1877, and graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, in 1881. He mar- ried Alma A. Wolcott, of Steuben county, N. Y., who is also a graduate from Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, in the class of '81, and is practicing medicine in connection with her hus- . band, at LeMars. They have seven children-Frank L., Mary C., Alma L., Marian W., Addie D. E., Gilbert G., and Ernest B.
Blodgett & Hilbert, real estate and insurance agents; loans nego- tiated, collections made, lands sold, taxes paid and a general real estate business done; have abstracts of all lands and town lots in Plymouth county, made by Mr. Hilbert during an official term of six years as county recorder. They established their present busi- ness in 1876.
T. L. Bowman, of the firm of Guthrie & Bowman, dealers in real estate, established business at Carroll City, Carroll county, Ia., in 1871, and in LeMars, in 1877. They are also agents for the Ia. Railroad land company.
W. H. Briggs, of the firm of Gilbert & Briggs, dealers in har- ness, saddles, whips, etc. (successors to J. N. Lambert) was born in Canada in 1851; moved to Iowa in 1871, and engaged in his pres- ent business. This firm was established in 1881. He was married in 1874 to Miss Goldie, and has four children-Blanche, Harry, Beulah, and
Paul L. Brick, M. D., was born in Prussia in 1846; came to America in 1864, and settled in Auburn, N. Y .; moved to Pa .; thence to Wis. and Ill .; to Burlington, Ia., in 1871, and to LeMars in 1879. He graduated from the Louisenstadt Medical College, of Berlin, Ger., in 1864. He was married in 1871 to Ida Holdzkom; and in 1877, was married to E. Sniffs, and has two children-Louis and Paul.
Dr. E. D. Brower, dentist, was born in Carroll county, O., Jan. 15th, 1858; moved to Ia. in 1872. He is a graduate from the dental department of the University of Michigan, class of 'S1.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
M. Burg, of the firm of Burg & Hentges, dealers in general merchandise, was born in Germany in 1839; came to America in 1846, and settled in Caledonia, Minn. He established business in Le Mars in 1874. In 1880 he was married to Lizzie Dondlinger, a native of Germany. They have one child, Gregor.
Alexander Clark, dealer in dry goods and notions, was born in Ireland in 1844; came to America in 1864. Engaged in the linen business in 1876, and in 1881 engaged in the mercantile business in Le Mars. He was married in 1870 to Cassandra Lee, a native of Eng., and has three children-John A., Mary E. and James M.
Rev. Herbert Noel Cunningham was born in Hampshire, Eng., in 1851; passed through Haileyburg, then Brazenose, Oxford Col- lege, Eng., in 1871. He took his degree of D. A. in 1876 in classi- cal honors, and the degree of M. A. in 1878. He then went to Ha- ven as master; then to Oxford Military College in 1876, and the next year to Oxford Ministry College. In 1877 he took orders in the church of England. Held services in Staffordshire, Oxford- shire, Portsmouth and Hampshire. In 1880 was incumbent of St. George's, Tilihurst, near Reading. In 1881, he came to America and took charge of the Episcopal church, of Le Mars.
P. F. Dalton, president of the Plymouth County Bank, was born in Ireland in 1838; came to America in 1849, and settled in Liv- ingston county, N. Y .; removed to Sandusky county, O., in 1854. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. G, O. Inft .; was appointed lieutenant, and served until the close of the war. In 1866 he located in Bu- chanan county, Ia., and in 1872 moved to Le Mars. The bank was established in 1874, with Joseph Wilson as president, and G. B. Van Saun as cashier. Mr. D. was married to Mary Few, a native of O., and has two sons.
W. H. Dent is president of the Le Mars Bank, which was es- tablished in 1872, by Rymer & Kent. In 1873 the firm was Proc- tor, Kent & Co .; in 1874, Wm. Rymer, and in 1875, W. H. Dent. He was born in Putnam county, Ill., in 1843, and moved west in 1875. He was elected a member of the school board of Le Mars in 1878. In 1871, he was married to Cora Cheiver, of Ill. They have two children-Hattie C. and Edith C.
J. G. Dietrich, proprietor of meat market, was born in Milwau- kee, Wis., in 1850; engaged in the butcher business in 1864; moved to Fort Dodge, Ia., in 1871; thence the next year to Ne- braska City, and in 1877 came to Le Mars and established his pres- ent business. He was married in 1871 to Miss Hodam, of Sioux City, and has four children-Minnie, Frank, Albert and Kate.
H. F. Dow, of the U. S. Clothing Co., dealers in clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, and gents' furnishing goods, was born in Syca- more, Ill., in 1852; was engaged in the clothing business at Col-
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orado Springs, from 1878 to 1881, when he came to Le Mars, and established his present business. He married Mary McMorris, of Colorado, in 1881.
T. H. Dodson, dealer in groceries, queensware, notions, and gents' furnishing goods, was born in Sept., 1861, in Wis .; moved to Le Mars and engaged in the mercantile business in 1873.
A. M. Duus, county auditor of Plymouth county, was born in Germany in 1849; came to America in 1870 and engaged in the in- surance business in Le Mars. He was elected town clerk and assessor in 1878, and to his present office in 1879. In 1873 he was married to Wynea Grade, of Ia. They have two children, Marcus and William.
J. M. Emery, postmaster, was born in Fairfield, Me., Jan. 1st, 1845; moved to Pa. in 1852. He enlisted in 1862 in the 3rd Pa. heavy artillery; was taken prisoner Feb. 1st, 1864, at Smithfield, Va., and confined in Andersonville fifty-three weeks, and was dis- charged June 1st, 1865, as paroled prisoner. He then engaged in the lumber business in Pa. In 1875 he settled at Le Mars and en- gaged in editing the Iowa Liberal, which was at that time a re- publican paper. In 1869 he was appointed postmaster. He was instrumental in organizing the Northwestern Iowa S. S. associa- tion, of which he was the president, in 1879. In 1865 he married Luella Clark, of Pa., and has two children-Mary L. and Clark.
W. H. Ensminger, M. D., was born in Lancaster, Pa., in 1842; moved to O. in 1864; thence to Ill. the next year, and in 1879 he came to Le Mars and engaged in the practice of his profession. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, Pa., in 1871. In 1862 he enlisted in the 135th Pa. Vol., Co. E, and served one year. He married Sarah E. Patten, of Ill., in 1871. They have two children-Blanche and Gracie.
G. E. Eva, dealer in harness, saddles, whips, collars, etc .; also dealer in hides; was born in Dodgeville, Wis., in 1853; moved to Le Mars and established his present business in 1880. He mar- ried Clarissa Bastian, of Mineral Pt., Wis., in June, 1881.
N. C. Evans, of the firm of N. C. Evans & Co., dealers in dry goods, notions, and carpets, was born in Bellevue, Ia., in 1852; moved to Wis .; thence to Waverly, Ia., and to Le Mars, in Sept., 1878, and engaged in his present business. He married Lizzie Kegler, of Ia., in 1878. They have one child-Charley.
J. F. Fairfax, general house and carriage painter, established business in 1871. He was born in Boston, Mass., in 1848; moved to Wis. in 1866, and to Ia. in 1871. He was married in 1875 to. Mary Merrick, of Ill., and has two children-Nellie and Frank.
G. G. Gosting, photographer, was born in England in 1847; came to America while quite young, and settled in Cleveland, O .; moved to Delaware county, Ia., in 1858; thence to IeMars in 1876,
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and established his present business. He served in the 3d Ia. Inft. and was wounded at the battle of Shiloh; enlisted in 1861, and was discharged in 1864.
C. Gottschalk, attorney at law, office corner of Sixth and Main streets, LeMars, Ia .; will practice in all courts in this and adjoin- ing counties.
Harder & Kemper, proprietors of the LeMars marble works, es- tablished business in 1881. Mr. Kemper was born in Ia. in 1853, and moved to LeMars, in 1881. Mr. Harder was born in N. Y. in 1842, and moved to Iowa in 1876.
J. F. Heeb, proprietor of restaurant and sample rooms, also dealer in ice and grain, was born in St. Louis in 1840; moved to Dubuque, Ia., in 1846; thence to LeMars in 1877, and established his present business. He was with Gen. Price in his last raid through Kan., in 1865, also in the battle at Westport, Mo. In 1867 he was married to Susan Steermer, of Potosi. Wis. They have six children-Francis A., Joseph P., Eugene E., Mary, Es- tella E., and Arthur B.
John Herron. county treasurer of Plymouth county, was born in Ireland in 1834; came to America in 1850, and located at Mad- ison, Wis., and engaged in the printing business. He removed to Mineral Pt .; thence in 1869 to Sioux City, Ia., and the same year to LeMars. He was elected to his present office in 1873. In 1874 he was married to Susan Gehlen, of Ia.
J. W. Hines, M. D., was born in Va. in 1838. He graduated from Emery and Henry College, Va., in 1857, and from the Uni- versity of Va. in 1861, and engaged in the practice of medicine in 1865. He located at LeMars in 1880.
James Hopkins, sheriff of Plymouth county, was born in 1846 in Canada: moved to N. J. in 1852; thence to Ia. in 1856. He located at LeMars in 1873, and was elected to his present office in 1875. In 1871 he was married to Mary E. Murphy, and has four children-Thomas, James, Mary and Vivian.
I. M. Irmen, practical watchmaker, engraver, and manufactur- ing jeweler, also dealer in watches, clocks, silver plated ware, jew- elry, etc .; fine watch repairing a specialty; established business in Oct., 1881, corner of Main and Sixth streets. He was born in Germany in 1855; came with his parents to America in 1857, and settled in Grant county, Wis .; moved to LeMars in 1881.
M. B. Kelley, county attorney, was born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1859; moved to Mich. in 1871, and engaged in teaching school; afterwards studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1880.
J. C. Kelley, attorney at law, was born in Canada in 1843; moved to Wis. in 1849; thence to Lyons, Ia., in June, 1860. In 1861 he enlisted in the 16th Ia. Vol .; lost his right arm in the
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battle of Pittsburg Landing, April 6th, 1862, and was discharged on the 25th of the following Aug. He attended the Notre Dame University, of Ind., from 1863 to 1865, and then went to Wash- ington and graduated from Columbia College, as B. B. L. In 1870 he moved to Carroll county, Ia .; thence to Le Mars. In 1879 he married Ella C. Rilea, of Ia., and has two children-Mand and Jessie.
N. B. Kiser, dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Luxemburg, Germany, in 1833; came to America in 1854, and settled in Jack- son county, Ia., in 1857. In 1875 he removed to Le Mars. He married Annie Kefel, a native of Germany, in 1856, and has seven children-Katie, Mary, Maggie, Tinnie, Lizzie, John and Peter.
J. G. Koenig, barber, was born in Germany in 1840; came to America in 1858, and engaged in the barber business in Baltimore; moved to Plymouth county, Ia., in 1871, and to Le Mars in 1879. In 1865 he married Mary E. Merryman, of Baltimore. They have six children-Carrie V., Jacob M., Theresa E., Ida C., Florence E., Herbert D. and J. G.
G. C. Maclagan, of the firm of Maclagan, Warren & Watson, proprietors of the Floyd meat market, was born in Scotland, in the city of Edinburgh, in 1852; came to America in 1880. Mr. Warren is a native of Ireland, and Mr. Watson, a native of Scotland. They are also proprietors of the Floyd feed and sale yard; stock sold at auction; established business in 1881.
Rev. Father Meis, of St. Joseph's Catholic parish, Le Mars, Ia., was born in Prussia, in 1835; came to America in 1867. He graduated from St. Francis Seminary, at Milwaukee, Wis., in 1875, and was ordained the same year .
C. A. Meyer, of the firm of McManus & Meyer, proprietors of the South Side meat market, was born in Germany in 1849; came to America in 1851, and located at Fond du Lac, Wis. ; removed to Ia. in 1874, where he engaged in undertaking and carpentery, until he established the above business in Oct., 1881.
S. B. Mickley, proprietor of the Mickley House, was born in Pa., March 22nd, 1818; removed to N. Y. in 1835; thence to Ia. in 1866; settled in Bremer county, and engaged in the butcher busi- ness; thence to Le Mars. In 1842 he married Sarah Frantz, of N. Y. They have four children-Henry, Hudson, Emma and Cora.
Frank Miller, of the firm of Frank Miller & Co., dealers in gro- ceries, fruits, queensware, willow ware, and notions, was born in. Luxemburg, Ger., in 1842; came to America and settled in Du- bugne, Ia., in 1865. He engaged in the mercantile business in Le Mars in 1876. He is a member of the city council. In 1871 he married Anna Beach, of Bavaria, Ger., and has five children-Arg- eline, Frank, Joseph, Louis and Nicholas.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
J. W. Myers, cashier of the Plymouth County Bank, was born in Warren, Trumbull county, O., in 1832; moved to St. Paul, Minn. in 1854, where he resided eleven years; then removed to Independ- ence, la., and came to Le Mars in 1878. He married Mary L. Kemberly, a native of Mich.
H. S. Payn, of the firm of Smith & Payn, real estate, law and in- surance agents, was formerly engaged in farming in Plymouth county, Ia., and still owns a fine stock farm, situated two and one- half miles north of Le Mars.
J. F. Patterson, gun and locksmith, also dealer in rifles, shot guns. revolvers and all kinds of sporting supplies; was born in 1853, in O., was engaged formerly in telegraphing and merchan- dising; established his present business in 1878. In 1879 he mar- ried Abbie Noland, of Hazel Green, Wis., and has one child- Charley F.
W. H. Perry, dealer in coal, lime and cement, established busi- ness in 1880. He was born in Ill. in 1847; moved to Ia. in 1854. He enlisted in 1865 in the 44th Ia. Vol., under Col. Henderson, and was discharged the same year. In 1873, he married Leone Bond, of Buchanan county, Ia. They have two children-Maud and Bessie.
G. E. Pew, of the firm of Pew & La Rue, dealers in general hardware, also farm machinery, pumps, wagons, paints, and oils; was born in Wis. in 1850; moved to Le Mars in 1875, and engaged in the hardware business; is a member of the city council. He married Belle Burrows, of Dubuque, and has one child -- George.
A. Reichman, dealer in dry goods, notions, ready-made clothing, gents' furnishing goods, hats, caps, groceries, crockery, glassware, etc .; was born in Germany in 1840; came to America in 1845, locating in Buffalo, N. Y .; moved to Dubuque, Ia., in 1864, and engaged in the grocery, flour and feed business. In 1877 he estab- lished his present business at Le Mars.
Geo. E. Richardson, real estate, loan, collection and insurance agent; makes improved farms and non-resident lands a specialty ; taxes paid and abstracts furnished in Plymouth and Sioux counties. He was born in Springfield, Mass., in 1850; moved to Ill. in 1855; thence to Ia. in 1868, and was engaged in the produce business at Iowa Falls and Durango. He established his present business in 1879.
C. B. Smith, of the firm of Smith & Payn, real estate and col- Jection agents, was born in N. Y . in 1847; moved to Ia. in 1873, and engaged in farming. In 1879 he engaged in his present busi- ness at LeMars.
H. S. Roberts, attorney at law, was born in 1859, in Joe Daviess county, Ill . ; moved to Winfield, Kas., in 1879, and was .
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admitted to the bar in 1881. Heis also engaged in the real estate and loan business . Sept. 14th, 1880, he married Sarah Pooley, of Illinois .
F. A. Seaman & Co., dealers in musical instruments; special attention given to tuning and repairing organs and pianos. Although this firm was established as late as 1881, Mr. L. is an old and experienced hand at the business; having served an appren- ticeship in tuning and repairing, and was connected with the busi- ness as early as 1860, in Dubuque, Ia., his former place of resi- dence. He is therefore fully competent to distinguish between good and poor instruments, and will give his patrons a number one instrument at the lowest possible price .
J. H. Struble, attorney and collecting agent, was born in New- ton, N. J., 1838; moved to Va. ; thence to O. ; was county treas- urer of Tama county, Ia., from 1866 to 1870. He came to Le Mars 1872, and engaged in the law, loan and insurance business, in the firm of Struble Bros., and in 1880 retired from the firm and en- gaged in the law, loan, and collection business. He married Elizabeth C. Koehler, of N. J. They have two children-Louis WV. and Florence E.
C. W. Trottnow, watchmaker and jeweler, was born in Prussia in 1849; came to America in 1856, and settled in Lee county, Ill .; moved to Neb. in 1868, came to Le Mars in 1879, and engaged in his present business. In 1873 he married Caroline Kalkman, a native of Switzerland, and has five children-Louis A., Mamie, Charles F., and
W. S. Welliver, clerk of the courts, was born in Greenwood, Pa., in 1847; moved to Ill. in 1856; thence to Le Mars, June 30tn, 1872. He was elected clerk of the courts in Jan., 1879. In 1872 he married Isabel De Witt, of Wis., and has one child, Ralph L.
Prof. J. Wernli, superintendent of schools for Plymouth county, was elected to the office in 1SSO. He was formerly en- gaged as assistant principal of the Normal School at Plattville, Wis. He granted sixty first-grade and fifty-six second-grade certificates to teachers in this county during the past year .
L. A. Williams, baker and confectioner, was born in St. Paul, Minn., in 1857; moved to Ia. in 1878, and engaged in the bakery business at Storm Lake; came to Le Mars in 1880. He married Jennie Cummings, of Storm Lake, in 1880.
C. P. Woodard, mayor of Le Mars, and dealer in agricultural implements and real estate, was born in N. Y. in 1847; moved to Le Mars in 1873, and succeeded 'Blodgett & Flint in the agricul- tural implement business. He was elected president of the Plymouth county agricultural society in Jan., 1881, and mayor of the city in June of the same year. In 1873 he married C. T. Sheldon. They have one child, J. Sheldon.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
SHELBY COUNTY.
The location of Shelby County is in the fourth tier from the southern boundary line of the State, and in the second east from the Missouri River. Shelby County is twenty-four miles square, and contains about 576 square miles. The general surface of the county is rolling, with deeply excavated valleys along the larger streams, while in some portions of the county it is quite rough and broken, with steep, precipitous hills and deeply cut valleys. The universally conceived idea of a prairie country is not wholly re- alized in Shelby County. A writer some years ago ventured the following imaginative bit of description, which for want of a bet- ter illustration, we here insert: "If the imagination of the reader will enable him to conceive what a tract of land would be, that had been in a liquid state, and had been so violently agitated that high waves ran from east to west, and these had suddenly received a transverse motion and solidified while the breakers were dashing in ponderous masses towards the skies, he will have a tolerably correct idea of the appearance of a large portion of the prairie in the northwestern portion of this county." Nevertheless, this is a very valuable agricultural section, the hillsides having an excellent soii, peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of fruit of all kinds. many considering it a decided advantage rather than a detriment to Shelby County.
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