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 58
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Presbyterian Church Society .- Was organized in 1879, by Rev. Fullenweider. The first and present officers are: John Bruce, James Taylor, C. W. Sutton, G. W. Mckibbon, W. Van Duesen, Trustees, and W. Matthews and W. Simpson, Elders. Rev. Fullen- weider was succeeded by Wm. Porter, he by Rev. Gilkerson. S. N. Vail is the present incumbent. This society numbers sixty. There is in connection a Sabbath School with an average attend- ance of sixty pupils, with C. W. Sutton as Superintendent. There is also a good, substantial frame structure 30x50 feet, with 250 sittings, which was dedicated in May, 1881. The cost of building was $3,300.
Odebolt Public School .- This school became an independent dis- trict in April, 1880. The first school taught in Odebolt was taught by Jacob Gable. The first school board consisted of W. W. Stanfield, Z. G. Sparkes, H. Hansen, J. Flanders and J. Ketterer, Trustees; Wm. Graham, Secretary; J. T. Martin, Treas- urer. The present officers are the same, except in place of J. Ketterer, who has been succeeded by John Wilson. Mr. Taggert is the Treasurer at present. C. Messer is the Principal of the school, and Anna Beekman and Mrs. Emma Gill, assistants. The enrollment is 220 pupils, with an average attendance of 150. They have a neat frame building containing three rooms, which was erected in 1880 at a cost of $3.000.
Wheeler Lodge No. 398, A. F. d. A. M .- Instituted October, 1879, and worked under dispensation until June, 1880, when their
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charter was received. The charter members and first officers were: J. M. Zane, W. M .; W. A. Helsell, S. W .; H. T. Martin, J. W .; Frank Burleigh, Treasurer; F. A. Cobb, Secretary. H. C. Wheeler, W. W. Field, Geo. Belt, and Mr. Douglas were among the charter members. The present officers are: E. P. Messer, W. M .: W. A. Helsell, S. W .; J. M. Zane, J. W .; C. W. Sutton, S. D .; E. Geist, J. D .; Wm. Graham, Secretary; Frank Burleigh, Treasurer. The society has a membership of thirty, and is in a flourishing con- dition. This society meet once each month in their hall.
Harmony Collegium No. 5, V. A. S .- Was instituted Decem- ber 3d, 1881. The charter members were: F. L. Dennis, Aaron Young, A. G. Errenborn, C. D. Boardman, W. E. Mill, C. A. Stoops, D. A. Watterman, C. R. Dingman, J. A.' Gibson, H. B. Preston, J. H. Wagner, H. F. Wanneke, Irwin Austin, W. Jacob, E. Schmidt, H. Anderson, L. Halboth, George Halboth, A. B. Cooley. The first and present officers are: F. L. Dennis, Rector; Aaron Young, Vice-Rector; A. G. Errenborn, Scribe; C. D. Boardman, Questor; W. E. Mill, Usher; C. A. Stoops, Speculator; D. A. Watterman, C. R. Dingman and J. A. Gibson, Curators. The society has about twenty-five members, and holds meetings once each month.
Odebolt Lodge, A. O. U. W., No. 217 .- Instituted May 25th, 1880. The first officers were: J. W. Dubbs, P. M. W .; J. W. Burnside, M. W .; C. S. Lee, Foreman; W. Van Duesen, Recorder; C. B. Francisco, Financier; H. Hansen, Receiver; T. M. Keever, Guide; J. E. Emspohr, O. W .; A. E. Matthews, J. W .; A. Groman, and C. D. Boardman, Medical Examiners. The present officers are: W. Van Duesen, M. W .; F. L. Dennis, Foreman ; Ed. Colvin, Overseer; G. M. Tagget, Recorder; C. D. Boardman, P. M. W .; J. Mattes, Guide; C. H. Babcock, Receiver: L. Olney, O. W .; C. B. Francisco, Financier. There is a membership of about forty, and the Lodge meets once in two weeks.
WALL LAKE.
Wall Lake is situated in Sac County, on the Maple River Rail- road, seventeen miles from the Junction. This town is three miles south of the Lake. It is situated on a beautiful plateau, which slopes gently from the summit of the surrounding hills, which. form a part of the great watershed that passes entirely through the state. To the south and west is a beautiful sheet of water, containing a surface area of three square miles. This in- land sea is frequently termed the "goose pond."
The town of Wall Lake was laid out and platted by the Blair Town Lot and Land Company in 1877. The town plat consists of two additions containing 300 lots. Perhaps it would be of inter- est to our readers to relate a coincidence between Storm Lake and Wall Lake. The first lot in Storm Lake was sold the same
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day of the month, the same hour in the day and for the same money, as was the first lot in Wall Lake just seven years after- wards.
Wall Lake is surrounded with a splendid farming country. The soil is a rich black loam. Splendid water can be easily obtained. The population of Wall Lake may be fairly estimated at 400. Ar- rangements are now being made to erect a large steam grist mill in this town, which will add much to its interests.
April 1st, 1877, Mr. Donaldson erected the first building for the purpose of a saloon, the building material being brought across the country from Storm Lake. The next actual settler was O. A. An- derson, who came April 15th, 1877. Mr. Peck completed his res- idence July 2d, 1877. P. A. Elpstrand opened a boot and shoe shop, July 7th, 1877. F. Rohm, of Alta, opened the first black- smith shop. The first religious services held in Wall Lake were held at the residence of Mr. Palmer, on Sunday evening, August 15th, 1877, by Rev. W. P Griffin. On the 20th of July work was begun on the depot, which was completed August 15th, 1877. The first lot was sold to D. Wayne & Co., of Carroll, who erected a fine warehouse and purchased the first load of wheat sold at Wall Lake of a Mr. North, at 75 cents per bushel, September 10th, 1877. Wayne & Co. shipped the first car load of wheat. The first lum- ber yard was started by Wilcox Bros., in August, 1877. Septem - ber 19th, 1877, G. M. Parker received and sold the first goods in Wall Lake. August 7th, 1877, the first child was born in Wall Lake to Mrs. O. A. Anderson. April 2d, 1878, the first death oc- curred in the family of C. E. Wentworth. April 21st, 1878, a de- structive tornado passed through the city and vicinity. Seven buildings near, and two in the town were entirely destroyed, eight more being considerably damaged. The amount of damage done was $30,000.
The first telephone was constructed February 11th. 1878, between J. C. Fletcher's and C. E. Wentworth's places of business. Eh- lers and Wentworth did the scientific part of the work.
Wall Lake was incorporated in March, 1881. A. D. Herrig was elected first Mayor, W. L. Ehlers, Recorder; D. M. Bingman, Geo. Burgan, F. E. Cheney, H. Mohr, H. J. Simpson and T. E. Wilcox served as Trustees. These are the present municipal council.
The Wall Lake Journal, a neat, seven-column folio weekly paper, was started August 29th, 1878, by F. L. Dennis, as a six-col- umn quarto. Cook & Gregg purchased the paper April 1st, 1881, and ran it as a five-column quarto. T. J. Newburg took charge, October 1st, 1881. J. L. Kroesen, the present editor and propri- etor, purchased the paper December Ist, 1881. Mr. Kroesen runs a neat job office in connection with his paper, which is Re- publican in politics and has a circulation of 600.
The business of Wall Lake may be classified as follows: General stores, three; hardware, two; restaurants three: hotels, two;
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lumber yards, two; agricultural implements, four; livery stable, one; harness shops, one; elevator, one; grain dealers, three; sa- loons, three; furniture store, one; shoe shop, one; millinery stores, two; bank, one; barber shop, one; post-office; drug store, ole; meat market, one; blacksmith shops, three; wagon shops, two; printing office, one.
CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES.
There are several different religious sects represented in Wall Lake, but there is no regularly organized society. Steps are being taken to organize a society soon. A building for public worship is in contemplation.
Wall Lake Public School .- Wall Lake is an independent school district and has been so for several years. The school building is a neat, frame structure, erected in the summer of 1879. It is 22x 36 feet and cost $750. This building is insufficient to accommo- date the large attendance of pupils, and the Masonic Lodge room is used for one department. Emma M. Flanders and Allie Bor- der are the teachers.
Lake Lodge, No. 390, A. F. & A. M .- Dispensation granted June 4th, 1878. Charter granted June 4th, 1879. The charter members were C. N. Levey, H. B. Allen, D. M. Bingman, L. J. Gifford, F. W. Weed, A. D. Herrig, B. E. Allen, C. M. Smith, W. D. Forbes and Wm. Throssel. The Lodge's first officers were C. N. Levey, W. M .; H. B. Allen, S. W .; D. M. Bingman, J. W .; A. D. Herrig, Secretary, and B. E. Allen, Treasurer. The present officers of the Lodge are: C. N. Levey, W. M .; W. L. Eh- lers, S. W .; H. B. Allen, J. W .; P. L. Edson, Secretary, and T. E. Wilcox, Treasurer. This Lodge has a membership of thirty-two and is in a flourishing condition. Meetings are held every Wed nesday evening on or before each full moon.
Fire Department .- The Wall Lake Hook and Ladder Company was organized September 25th, 1878. It has erected ·a large en- gine house and purchased uniforms at a cost of $700. Wall Lake is as well protected from the fire fiend as any other town in Wes- tern Iowa.
FLETCHER.
The first settlement in Fletcher was made by Robert Throssel and son, in the spring of 1867. They were followed by Joseph Parkinson, Noah Borah, Wm. Johnston, Thomas Waddicor, and Geo. Trainer, who settled on the east and south of the lake. W. A. Robinson came in the year 1869, and settled on a farm three miles from the present town site. This town was laid out by J. C. Fletcher, in 1880. The town was named after him. The first house on the town site was moved from Wall Lake by W. H. Robinson in the fall of 1880. J. C. Fletcher and Harry Seevers
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opened the first store in Fletcher. Then followed C. E. Gard and A. J. Thompson. W. H. Robinson erected the first elevator in 1881. J. P. Therkleson opened a hardware store in 1881.
The town of Fletcher is situated in Wall Lake Township, Sec- tion 33, and is located on the west side of Wall Lake. This beau- tiful, placid sheet of water is about three miles in length, and one- fourth of a mile in width. It is said to have derived its name from the fact that the surrounding country is much lower than the surface of the Lake, which is surrounded by a wall of earth and gravel about four feet above the surface of the water. This Lake, in its onward course, does not extend in a direct line, but in such a manner as to form a kind of a horse-shoe shape. The water is as clear as crystal, and abounds in fish of different kinds, and is a most beautiful sight to behold. This location will, in no far distant future, become a beautiful summer resort.
The railroad was completed to this point in the fall of 1879. The depot was erected in the fall of 1880.
The first hotel was opened by W. H. Robinson in 1880, and was known as the Lake House. The first lumber yard was opened by H. L. Briggs. The first postmaster was W. A. Robinson, who was appointed in December, 1880. He is also the present postmaster.
The population of the town is now estimated at 300. This town contains: Three general stores, two hardware, one furniture, one lumber yard, one meat market, one hotel, two saloons, one barber, two elevators, two agricultural implement warehouses, two black- smith shops, one wagon shop, one livery stable, one drug store, one boot and shoe store, one restaurant.
There is no regular organized religious sect in this place. The Baptists hold meetings every Sabbath; W. N. McKendrick serves in the capacity of pastor. This society contemplate building a church this spring, when it is hoped they will have a regular or- ganization.
Fletcher School .- A school of twenty-four pupils, with Miss Anna Searle as teacher, is held in Fletcher. There is no school building.
34
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SAC COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
SAC CITY.
William Allen was born in Richmond, Va., in 1822; moved to McHenry county, Ill., in 1844, and engaged in blacksmithing. He went to California in 1849, and remained seventeen years. Three years of the time he was engaged in mining, and the remainder on a ranch. The steamboat landing in Tehama county, Cal., on the Sacramento river, known as Allen's Landing, was named after Mr A., for the reason of his owning the land and a large wood-yard there. In 1868 he sold out and moved to Chicago, Ill., and en- gaged in business; removed to Fort Dodge, Ia., and was engaged in the mercantile business there for three years; then came to Sac City, and engaged in the same business, which he sold to George Parker in 1876. He owns considerable country and town proper- ty, and has retired from active business.
Thomas Alexander, farmer, was born in Coshocton county, O., in 1827; moved to Sac county, Ia .. in 1861, and purchased land one mile north of Sac City. He has one of the finest farms in the county. He owns 314 acres of well improved land, a fine bearing orchard of about three acres, and fifty acres of good timber.
E. F. Baxter, station agent and conductor, was born at Sidney Plain, N. Y., in 1833; moved to Rockford, Ill., in 1851 and en- gaged in mercantile business. In 1861 he moved to Wheatland, Ia .; thence to Marshalltown, in 1874, and in September, 1879, came to Sac City and took charge of the depot. He makes two trips a day as conductor, and during his absence the depot is in charge of Frank L. Stayner, operator. Mr. Baxter is agent for the American express company.
A. T. Benton, M. D., was born in Johnson county, Indiana, in 1847: moved to Dallas county, Iowa, in 1852. He attended the Adel High School several years; entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk in 1867 and graduated in 1869. He then engaged in practice at Adel, where he remained until July, 1871, then came to Sac City. Office at his residence, on the south side of public square.
Hon. Eugene Criss, farmer, stock-raiser, and proprietor of the City Mills, was born in Preston county, West Virginia, in 1822; removed to Davis county, Illinois, in 1840; thence to Sac county, Iowa, in 1854, locating on Coon river, where the present town of Sac City was shortly afterwards platted by Wagner Bros., Ev- ans and himself. Mr. Criss built the first dwelling house in the town. which at that early day was considered a fine structure. The lumber for frames and the doors and win- dows was hauled from Dubuque, with ox teams, and
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this was for several years a tavern and stopping place for freighters and travelers. He began the erection of the City Saw Mills in 1866, which were not completed until eight years af- ter, and during that time cut a race twenty-eight feet deep and two hundred feet in length, which gave a fall of nine feet. In 1872 he built the flouring mill, which is a three-story building and fit- ted with the best of machinery. He owns one thousand acres of land adjoining town, and feeds about six car-loads of cattle every winter. He owns an elevator and deals in grain in partnership with Mr. Hanger, who has charge of the business. Mr. Criss was county judge for several years and representative in the State legislature.
Childs Brothers, dealers in dry goods, groceries, hats, caps and furnishing goods, came from Fort Dodge, Ia., where they had been engaged in business for ten years, and established their pres- ent business in Nov., 1879, in' Bank block. They carry a large and complete stock.
J. L. Criss, merchant, was born in Wis., in 1846; came with parents to Sac City, Ia., in 1856. He engaged in business at Grant City, remained one year, then moved to this city. He has a fine store, and carries a full stock of dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, etc. He employs three clerks and does an extensive business. He has a branch store at Early, Ia., which is managed by F. Rodda.
. Levi Davis, cashier of the Sac county bank, was born at New- castle, Ind., in 1841; moved with parents to Solon, Ia., in Septem- ber, 1855. He received a diploma from the State Normal School, of Iowa City, and in August of the same year moved to Sac City, where he taught school two years. He went to Marshalltown in 1865 and was principal of the schools there for a year, then was elected county superintendent of schools, which office he held two years in Marshall county. He came back to Sac City and taught in the city schools for two years; was elected clerk of the courts in 1870 and county recorder in 1872. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1870, at a session of the Sioux Rapids district court, Judge H. Ford presiding. He went to California in 1874 and was for one year principal of the schools at Martinez; returned to Sac county and became cashier of the Sac County Bank, of which he is one of the stockholders.
R. H. Derby, carpenter, contractor and cabinet maker, was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., in 1853, where he remained until 1873, then moved with his father to Sac City, Iowa, where they engaged in mercantile business. They sold business and together engaged in present business.
Hon. Ed. R. Duffie is a native of Copenhagen, Lewis county, New York, where he resided until he had come to years of man- hood, and where he began the study of law. In 1866 Mr. Duffie was sent as agent for a citizen of New York to the State of Texas.
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His mission was to establish the validity of the grant of certain lands from the Republic of Texas to the aforesaid citizen of New York. Mr. Duffie left Texas and went to St. Louis, where he sought employment through an educational agency, and was offered and accepted the principalship of the public school at Andrew, Jackson county, Iowa. He came to Sac County in 1866, and engaged in teaching. In the spring of 1867 he was admitted to the bar. In the spring of 1868 he formed a partnership with Hon. D. C. Early, and henceforth devoted himself to the practice of his profession. In 1869 he was elected County Treasurer of Sac County, and in the fall of 1872 was elected Representative in the General Assembly. Mr. Duffie, in 1875, accepted the Repub- lican nomination for District Judge, and was elected in the fall. Was married in 1867, at Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa.
Hon. D. Carr Early, president of the Sac County Bank, was born in Ohio, in 1830; removed to Sac City, Ia., in 1856, where at that time there was but one building besides a log school house. He pre-empted land on which he lived a short time to secure it. He was elected deputy treasurer and recorder in 1857, and was re- elected the three subsequent elections. He was afterwards elected county judge, holding the office one term, the office then being dispensed with. He established a real estate business when first coming to the county, and did a general banking business several years previous to connection with present bank. He still does a land, loan and insurance business in connection with banking. The bank was incorporated in 1876.
S. M. Elwood, of the firm of Davis & Elwood, attorneys at law, was born in Greensburg, Pa., in Sept., 1850; moved with parents to Grinnell, Ia., where he attended the Iowa College. He graduated from the Iowa City law school in the class of '73. He moved to Sac City in the autumn of 1875, and engaged in practice with Capt. Stanfield, now of Odebolt. He formed his present partnership in 1877. He attends strictly to trial business, and is considered one of the most successful attorneys in the county. Mr. Davis attends to the land, loan and insurance business of the firm.
N. B. Flack, recorder of Sac county, was born in N. Y. in 1841. He enlisted Sept. 2d, 1862, at Lisbon, in the 142nd N. Y. Vol .; was at the battle of Fort Fisher, and was subsequently wounded in the leg. He was discharged June 16th, 1865, and returned to N. Y. In Oct., 1866, he moved to Scott City, Mo., and engaged in milling; remained four years, then returned to N. Y. He then came to Sac county, Ia., and purchased land which he improved and still owns. In May, 1870, he came to Sac City and was em- ployed by Platt & Criss as book-keeper. He was elected recorder in the fall of 1874, to fill a vacancy, and for the full term at the next election on the republican ticket. He has been re-elected each term since.
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John M. Fox, hardware dealer, was born in France in 1836; came to America in 1850. He learned the tinners' trade in N. Y. city, and in 1862 moved to Waterloo, Ia .; thence to Winona, Minn., where he worked at his trade two years, and after visiting N. Y., located at Waverly, Ia., remaining there eight years. He came to Sac City in 1874 and engaged in his present business. He carries a large and complete stock of hardware and tinware. He is assisted in his business by his sons, John and George.
E. F. Gifford, barber, was born in Erie county, Pa., in 1854; came to Ia. in 1871, and located at Independence. He removed to Carroll, and in July, 1872, came to Sac City and engaged in pres- ent business. He owns the building, of which he occupies one- half of the lower floor for a barber shop, renting the other half for confectionery store. The upper story is fitted for photograph gallery. Mr. Gifford employs a first-class barber and runs two chairs.
D. F. Gifford, druggist, was born in Erie county, Pa., in 1832. In Oct., 1854, he moved to Buchanan county, Ia., and engaged in contracting and building, then furniture, then drug business. He moved to Sac county in 1867, remaining one and one-half years, then moved to Carroll, Carroll county, where he engaged in the furniture and drug business, building the first business house in the town. In 1874 he sold out and returned to Sac City, engaging in carpentry until entering the drug business in July, 1879. His store is on upper Main street. He carries a full stock of drugs, paints, oils, stationery and toilet goods. He is agent for the Chicago Singer sewing machine.
H. C. Graff, of the firm of Graff Bros. & Whipple, came to Sac City in 1880 from Emerson, Mills county, Ia., where he was en- gaged in the hardware business three years. In partnership with D. W. Graff and A. A. Whipple, he purchased the stock and busi- ness of Terwilleger Bros., and engaged in his present business. The business is conducted by H. C. Graff. They carry a full stock of hardware, tin and shelfware, stoves, etc., making specialties of builders' hardware and barb wire. They are special agents for the Glidden barbed wire, and also for Charter Oak stoves. They em- ploy two tinners.
Charles D. Goldsmith, attorney at law, was born in Middletown, Orange county, N. Y., in 1842; moved to Webster City, Ia., in 1869, and there finished the study of law, with Jacob Skinner, and was admitted to practice the same year. In 1873 he moved to Newell, Buena Vista county, where he practiced seven years. He moved to Sac City in 1880, and opened an office in the Commercial Bank building. He attends strictly to trial business.
P. H. Hankins and J. Y. Campfield, of the firm of P. H. Han- kins & Co., dealers in lumber, coal, lime and agricultural imple-
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ments, established business in 1879. Their office and yards are on the west side of the railroad track, near the depot. They are agents for the Grand Detour goods, McCormick and Champion reapers and other leading manufactures.
A. H. Hendrickson, proprietor of the Hendrickson House, was born in Oswego county, N. Y., in Jan., 1836; moved to McHenry county, Ill., in 1856, was engaged in the hotel business two years, then in the stock business until 1868; then moved to Sac City, en- gaged in mercantile business for two years; then engaged in the hotel business for a time, after which he farmed for two years. In Feb., 1875, he purchased the hotel which he now owns. He en- larged the building in 1881 making it the largest hotel in the city.
Hon. W. H. Hobbs, banker and insurance and real estate agent, was born in New York City in 1837; moved with parents to New Orleans; thence in 1852 to La Fayette county, Wis., where he was employed by Judge Criss, as clerk. He moved to Sac City, Ia., in 1855, and pre-empted 160 acres of land and engaged in farming. In 1858 he was elected clerk of the courts, which office he held two terms. He was elected auditor in 1866, which office he held until 1871; then was elected county treasurer and held office for three terms. He engaged in real estate business in 1873, with D. C. Early, and in 1875, in partnership with Early & Davis, estab- lished the Sac County bank. He takes charge of the land and in- surance business of the firm. He has a very fine residence in the city and owns a half section of farm land three miles north of town, and other city and country property.
D. Herrold and S. F. Lusher, of the firm of D. Herrold & Co., deal in groceries, queensware, provisions, etc. Their place of bus- iness is on the corner of Main street and public square. The bus- iness was established in 1875 by Mr. Lusher and the present firm has existed since Nov., 1881. They do an extensive business and intend extending their premises the coming season.
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