USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 48
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1877-1878
Mayor, Hall Roberts; Recorder, James Perry; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts; Assessor, D. T. Smethurst; Marshal, F. E. Brothers; Councilmen, A. P. Abbott, F. Meyer, A. Gorman, J. N. Leithold, George Lull.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
1878-1879
Mayor, George Lull ; Recorder, James Perry ; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts; As- sessor, James Perry ; Marshal and Street Commissioner, H. P. Dawes; Council- men, A. P. Abbott. G. W. Mckay, J. McAdam. C. A. Leithold, C. L. Allen.
1879-1880
Mayor, James Perry: Recorder, H. E. Babcock; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts : Assessor, F. S. Burling; Street Com., N. J. Beedy ; Marshal. Edward Douglass ; Councilmen, James McEwen, R. N. Douglass, C. P. Darling, A. Staadt, C. A. Leithold, R. Meyer.
1880-1881
Mayor, S. S. Powers; Recorder, H. E. Babcock; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts ; Assessor, H. Stone; Marshal and Street Com., Enos Ervin; Councilmen, J. S. Mott. C. A. Leithold, R. N. Douglass, Rudolph Meyer, C. P. Darling, James McEwen.
1881-1882
Mayor, N. J. Beedy ; Recorder, H. E. Babcock; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts; Assessor, H. Stone ; Marshal, W. W. Hains ; Street Com., N. J. Beedy ; Council- men. J. S. Mott. James McEwen, C. A. Leithold, R. N. Douglass, C. P. Darling, R. Meyer.
1882-1883
Mayor, N. J. Beedy ; Recorder, B. F. Taylor; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts; As- sessor, H. Stone: Marshal, W. W. Hains; Street Com., N. J. Beedy ; Council- men, R. N. Douglass, R. Meyer, C. Thoma, T. B. Easton, F. S. Burling, J. S. Mott.
1883-1884
Mayor, N. J. Beedy; Recorder, B. F. Taylor; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts ; Assessor, H. Stone; Marshal, A. F. Marston ; Street Com., N. J. Beedy ; Council- men, T. B. Easton, F. S. Burling, W. N. Burdick, C. Thoma, R. A. T. Meyer, James McEwen.
1881-1885
Mayor, S. S. Powers; Recorder, James Perry; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts; Assessor, H. Stone; Marshal and Street Com., N. J. Beedy ; Councilmen, James McEwen, W. N. Burdick, F. S. Burling, T. B. Easton, C. Thoma, Joseph Nicolay.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
1885-1886
Mayor, S. S. Powers; Recorder, Rudolph Meyer ; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts; Assessor, James Perry ; Marshal, James Havirland; Street Com., John Cole ; Councilmen, James McEwen, W. N. Burdick, R. N. Douglass, Conrad Thoma, Joseph Nicolay, James Sheehy.
1886-1887
Mayor, James McEwen; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts; Assessor, James Perry ; Marshal, James H. McGhee; Street Com., John Cole; Councilmen, R. N. Douglass, Joseph Nicolay, James Sheehy, Conrad Thoma, Frank M. Orr, W. S. Webster.
1887-1888
Mayor, James McEwen ; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts; Assessor, James Perry ; Marshal, John Huffy ; Street Com., J. A. Hav- irland ; Councilmen, F. M. Orr, W. S. Webster, R. N. Douglass, Conrad Thoma, Jacob Meyer, James Sheehy.
1888-1889
Mayor, James McEwen; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts; Assessor, James Perry ; Marshal, J. A. Havirland; Street Com., John Cole ; Councilmen, F. M. Orr, Jacob Meyer, Conrad Thoma, James Sheehy, S. F. Clinton, W. S. Webster.
1889-1890
Mayor, James McEwen; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts; Assessor, James Perry ; Marshal, J. A. Havirland; Street Com., John Cole : Councilmen, S. F. Clinton, James Sheehy, Jacob Meyer, Conrad Thoma, F. M. Orr. R. N. Douglass.
1890-1891
Mayor, James McEwen; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, W. S. Roberts; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Street Com., N. J. Beedy ; Councilmen, R. N. Douglass, F. M. Orr, James Sheehy, Jacob Meyer, C. Thoma, S. F. Clinton.
1891-1892
Mayor, W. C. McNeil; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, W. S. Rob- erts; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, P. J. Beucher ; Street Com., H. B. Taylor ; Councilmen, F. M. Orr, R. N. Douglass, Jacob Meyer, G. Staadt, J. H. Sanders, C. Thoma.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
1892-1893
Mayor. S. F. Clinton: Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen; Assessor. F. H. Welzel : Marshal, F. W. Tuller; Street Com., John Cole ; Councilmen, R. N. Douglass, Jacob Meyer, C. Thoma, W. C. McNeil, J. H. Sanders, G. Staadt.
1893-1894
Mayor, S. F. Clinton; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, J. M. Prior; Street Com., John Schultz ; Councilmen, R. N. Douglass, W. C. McNeil, J. H. Sanders, G. Staadt, Carl Holter, J. Waters.
1894-1895
Mayor, J. B. Hart ; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James AcEwen : Assessor. F. H. Welzel; Marshal, H. G. Hawkins; Street Com., John Schultz; Councilmen, W. C. McNeil; R. N. Douglass, Carl Holter, John Waters, William Leui, John Thoma.
1895-1896
Mayor, J. B. Hart; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, Fred Schara; Street Com., John Schultz : Councilmen, Carl Holter, John Waters, John Thoma, William Leui, W. C. McNeil, R. N. Douglass.
1896-1897
Mayor, J. B. Hart ; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen ; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, H. G. Hawkins; Street Com., John Schultz ; Councilmen, John Waters, William Leui, John Thoma, C. Holter, R. N. Doug- lass, W. C. McNeil.
1897-1898
Mayor, F. S. Burling; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen ; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, H. G. Hawkins; Street Com., John Schultz; Councilmen, John Waters, Carl Holter, R. N. Douglass, Jacob Meyer, John Thoma, W. C. McNeil.
1898-1899
Mayor, F. S. Burling; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen ; Assessor, F. Il. Welzel; Marshal, H. G. Hawkins; Street Com., John Schultz ; Councilmen, John Waters, Carl Holter. John Thoma, Jacob Meyer, J. H. Meier, John Sanders.
483
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
1899-1900
Mayor, F. S. Burling; Recorder, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen : Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, H. G. Hawkins; Street Com., John Schultz; Councilmen, John Waters, Carl Holter, J. H. Meier, Jacob Meyer, John Sanders, John Thoma.
1900-190I
Mayor, J. I. Shepherd; Clerk, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James Mc- Ewen; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, H. G. Hawkins; Street Com., John Schultz; Councilmen, Carl Holter, John Sanders, Jacob Meyer, John Waters, J. H. Meier, J. M. Harris.
1901-1902
Mayor, J. I. Shepherd ; Clerk, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen ; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, H. G. Hawkins; Street Com., John Schultz; Councilmen, Carl Holter, Jacob Meyer, John Waters, J. M. Harris, J. H. Meier, John Sanders.
1902-1903
Mayor, John H. Meier ; Clerk, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen ; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, H. G. Hawkins; Street Com., John Schultz ; Councilmen, John Sanders, J. M. Harris, Jacob Meyer, John Waters, Carl Holter, William Moll.
1903-1904
Mayor, J. B. Hart; Clerk, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, H. B. Taylor; Street Com., John Schultz ; Councilmen, John Sanders, Carl Holter, John Waters, Jacob Meyer, William Moll, J. M. Thoma.
1904-1905
Mayor, J. B. Hart; Clerk, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen ; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, C. A. Dayton; Street Com., John Schultz ; Councilmen, John Waters, Carl Holter, Jacob Meyer, John Thoma, John Sanders, William Moll.
1905-1906
Mayor, J. B. Hart; Clerk, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James MeEwen; Assessor, F. H. Welzel ; Marshal, Henry Behrens; Street Com., Henry Behrens ; Councilmen, John Sanders, John M. Thoma, Jacob Meyer, James Gregg, John C. Hecker, William Moll.
484
PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
1906-1907
Mayor, Joseph Nicolay ; Clerk, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen ; Assessor, F. H. Welzel; Marshal, Elmer McGhee; Street Com., James McCun- niff ; Councilmen, John Sanders, James Gregg, John C. Hecker, William Harris, William Weihe, John Harnack.
1908 to 1910
Mayor, James Perry (Mayor Perry died February 17, 1910, and March 4th J. M. Harris was appointed to fill vacancy ) ; Clerk, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen ; Assessor, George S. Tuttle ; Street Commissioner and Marshal, James McCunniff ; Waterworks Supt., A. W. Lange; Councilmen, Wm. Weihe, John Harnack, William Harris, Charles Sonnkalb, Fred E. Crandall, A. J. Phillips.
1910 to 1912
Mayor, P. J. Beucher ; Clerk, William Shepherd ; Treasurer, James McEwen ; Assessor, A. L. Meier ; Street Commissioner, John F. Palas ; Marshal, Ed Ma- roney : Water Works Superintendent, A. W. Lange ; Councilmen, Chas. Sonnkalb, Fred E. Crandall, J. H. Meier, James Gregg and F. J. Thoma. R. D. Blackburn was appointed councilman to fill vacancy caused by resignation of C. Sonnkalb. H. S. Luhman was appointed councilman to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Fred E. Crandall.
1912 to 1914
Mayor, P. J. Beucher ; Clerk, William Shepherd; Treasurer, James McEwen (Mr. McEwen died October 31, 1912, and L. S. McEwen was appointed treasurer to fill vacancy ) ; Assessor, A. L. Meier ; Street Commissioner, Marshal and Water Works Superintendent, L. A. Bellows ; Councilmen, James Gregg, Fred J. Thoma, R. D. Blackburn, H. S. Luhman and C. W. Meier.
In 1909 a franchise was granted to F. R. Hale to construct an electric plant. And since March, 1910, the town has been lighted by electricity supplied from the plant of the Upper Iowa Power Company on the river of that name, in Win- neshiek county. Previous to this the Iowa Light & Heat Company, of Preston, Iowa, operated a gas-lighting system from the year 1902, giving way to electric- ity as stated.
The municipality owns and operates its own waterworks system, having an excellent plant, installed in November, 1895, at a cost of about $18,000, includ- ing extensions and improvements to this date, spring of 1913. The water sup- ply is ample. and procured from one deep well, being pumped by electric power derived from the Iowa River plant above mentioned, into an elevated tank hav- ing a capacity of 70,500 gallons. The system of water mains comprises about two and a half miles; and for fire purposes there are twenty-two fire hydrants well distributed.
Catholic Church
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Congregational Church
POSTVILLE CHURCHES
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
The city fire department is composed of thirty-two men, volunteer service, of course, the principal officers now being: Samuel Hoesly, chief ; and A. C. Web- ster, assistant chief. The organization of the fire company dates from May 15, 1877. The equipment for its use now consists of one hook and ladder truck, two hose carts with 1,000 feet of hose; and one general alarm with electric striker.
The town of Postville should have a big credit mark, and it citizens are to be congratulated, because of the remarkable fact that it has accomplished all these improvements and is now without a corporate debt.
CHURCHIES
Methodist Church-As before stated, the first religious services ever held in Post township were held in June, 1848, by the Methodists, who organized a class in December, 1850, at the house of Henry Noble, who was class leader. Meet- ings were held by the class in the house of John Minert in 1852-53, known as the West Grove appointment. Meetings were also held with other classes, which were organized as settlers' houses offered opportunity, until schoolhouses were built. In 1856 a class was formed at the house of F. Highy, Esq., in Postville, where meetings were held with little intermission till 1858, when the class oc- cupied the new schoolhouse, with regular preaching, alternating with the Con- gregational society. The pastors were: Mann, Asbaugh, Bronson, Bishop, New- ton. Churchill, Stout, F. K. Miller, Wm. Lease. This pastor began regular service in Postville, October, 1859, to October. 186t ; B. Holcomb, two years; B. C. Barnes, two years. During this term a parsonage was built, and Postville be- came the head of the circuit, with appointments at Frankville, Castalia and Red Schoolhouse. Rev. Wm. Young, 1865-66; then B. F. Taylor, J. E. Fitch, two years ; Rev. G. L. Garrison, three years. During this pastorate a church edifice was built. The corner stone was laid with elaborate ceremony July 4, 1872, was completed. furnished and dedicated February 16, 1873; cost, $4,500. Church membership, 58: on probation, 9. Condition of the church at this time was spirit- ually low ; prayer and class meetings neglected. Rev. Jason L. Paine took charge in October. 1873, and soon after increased interest was manifest in the society. Rev. John Dolph in charge from September, 1875 to 1878. During his term a revival occurred in the community, and twenty-nine members were added to the church. Rev. Geo. W. Pratt served as pastor three years, and thirty-eight members were received in 1879.
The pastor in 1882 was Rev. H. E. Warner, who was followed by McKim, Lease, J. C. Lockwood and Slingerland, until 1892, when B. D. Smith came and served through 1894; H. S. Church, 1895; H. S. Bargelt, 1896-7; H. H. Barton, 1897-1900; D. N. Parker, 1901-2; W. W. Robinson, 1903-06; C. E. Smith, 1908- 09: J. S. Westfall, 1910; C. C. Casper, 1911-12; \V. R. Mellott, 1913.
The present church officers are. Board of Stewards, H. S. Luhman, Mrs. Meier ; Recording Steward, Carl Holter; Trustees, Carl Holter, F. S. Burling, J. M. Harris, G. E. Eaton, L. D. B. Hawkins, A. L. Meier, B. F. Bollman. which has been added to and improved from time to time. In 1892 it was re- Flora Burling, B. F. Bollman, W. H. Burling, Mrs. Flora Franklin, Mrs. Bell
The church property now consists of a good-sized brick church built in 1872,
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
seated and new furniture installed. Also, there is a good parsonage alongside the church. There is an active Epworth League society : Mrs. W. H. Burling, pres- ident, and Sevena Sawvel, secretary.
The Congregational church was organized April 5. 1856, by Samuel Russell and Lucy P. Russell, of Second Congregational church, Rockford, Illinois. John Moir and Deborah, his wife, and Geo. Kerr, of the Congregational church, of Roscoe, Illinois, with Mrs. Anna Orr, of the Presbyterian church, of Tyrone, New York. John Moir was chosen deacon and S. J. Russell, scribe. Rev. D. B. Davidson, of Monona. Iowa, was engaged to preach alternate Sundays, and the Lord's Supper was celebrated. Afterward. worship was held in the old Post dwelling, the house of Mr. Russell, the schoolhouse at Springfield, and the school- house in the village as soon as completed, which was in 1858-members were re- ceived from time to time, and on March 9, 1865. preliminary steps were taken to build a house of worship. An association was formed and incorporated, the trustees being John Moir, S. J. Russell, D. W. C. Rowley, Oliver Mackey and Geo. Kerr. At a meeting held June 9. 1865, it was resolved to build a frame edifice 36x48 feet. on lots 1 and 2, block 23, in Postville. Among the subscribers to the building fund are noticed the names of Geo. G. Greene, Wm. Green, S. Conover. E. D. Holton, Hall and W. S. Roberts, John Lawler, F. F. Elmendorf, John T. Stoneman, Samuel Merrill (since Governor of Iowa), Wm. B. Strong, J. N. Gilchrist, J. L. Dearborn, ex-Governor Wm. Bross, of Chicago, Illinois. The church was finished and dedicated on September 12. 1867. Rev. C. R. French was supply, but the association being somewhat crippled in the expense of building, the house was rented to the M. E. society, to April, 1868, when Mr. J. L. Atkinson, of the Chicago Theological Seminary, began regular services.
The pastors in succession have been: Rev. Wm. H. Barrows, Rev. Geo. F. Bronson, Rev. C. A. Marshall, Rev. J. A. Hoyt, Rev. L. P. Matthews. During this pastorate a revival occurred, and twenty-five members were received. Rev. Horace H. Robbins, of Muscatine, lowa, filled the pulpit from July 1, 1878, to May 1, 1880. During this pastor's term thirty-three members were added, the house of worship repaired, a lecture room built, grounds fenced and other im- provements made. Rev. A. S. Houston, of Denmark, Iowa, a vacation term of four months: Rev. C. S. Newhall, to June 25, 1882; Rev. A. F. Loomis, of Dixon, Illinois, July, 1882, to August, '83; Rev. J. W. Ferner, February, 1884, to December, '87; Rev. J. O. Thrush, April, 1888, to October, '90; Rev. M. L. Burton, February, 1891. to August, 92; Rev. L. S. Hand, October, 1892, to June, '96; Rev. S. W. Pollard, July, 1896, to February, 1902; Rev. T. M. Higginbotham, August, 1902, to February, '04; Rev. D. W. Blakely, August, 1904, 10 August, '06; Rev. F. W. Pease, January, 1907, to April, '11 ; Rev. J. F. Childress, May, 1911. and present pastor.
In 1887 the church building was remodeled and an addition built, doubling the seating capacity. And during the summer of 1912 the church was redeco- rated and painted both inside and out. The names of the present church officers are as follows : Deacons, Chas. Kerr and Bert Marston : Trustees, Hall Roberts, C. A. Ammons and Peter Service; Clerk, Mrs. Nettie Marston.
The Sunday school, of which Hall Roberts has been superintendent for thirty-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
four years, averages about one hundred in attendance. An active society of Christian Endeavor is kept up in connection with the church.
Presbyterian-Rev. D. W. Lyons organized a Presbyterian church at Post- ville in 1852, but it did not flourish long, and he went to Kansas in 1856. Later he retired from the ministry because of ill health, and some years after returned to Postville, engaging in real estate and merchandising. Still later he resided at Mason City and Des Moines, again returning to Postville in 1880. He owned a great deal of land hereabout and in Franklin township.
The Free Will Baptist Society was organized in 1865, and a house of worship built in 1866, which was dedicated in 1867. The principal workers were Martin Boardman, H. B. Hazleton, Jonathan Ellis and Geo. W. Hanks. Rev. N. R. George was the first pastor. Services were kept up, with some omissions, until 1880. After some efforts to recuperate, it was decided to sell the property, and a sale to the Postville school district was consummated in May, 1882.
German Lutheran-This society was formed in the spring of 1872, and a house of worship built by subscription the same year. The leaders in this com- mendable undertaking were Conrad Thoma, Jacob. Leui, E. Ruckstaschel, Fred Thoma, Carl Schultz, Leithold Brothers and Carl Knodt. The first pastor was Andrew Johnson. A German school has been kept by some of the pastors. This society was incorporated January 16, 1880, as the "German Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church of Postville," with the following named officers: President, Conrad Thoma; Vice President, Henry Eggert; Secretary, Rudolph Meyer ; Treasurer, William Thoma; Directors, Henry Weihe, Carl Wagner and William Meyer.
The Frauen Verein now has something over five hundred dollars in its treas- ury with which to help build an addition to the parsonage. The present pastor is Rev. R. Kuhne.
United Brethren-A society of this denomination was organized in 1868, and a house of worship built in 1869, at the center of the northwest quarter of section 23, a frame structure and well finished, called "Bethel Church." February 20, 1871, this society became incorporated as the "West Grove Meeting House Asso- ciation of United Brethren in Christ," with the following named trustees : Robert Laughlin, David Jemison, William Simpson, A. J. Patterson and Wells Eaton. This church organization has continued to flourish until this time, and has made various improvements upon its property as occasion required. It has been served by a number of able preachers, the present pastor being Rev. A. E. Hursh, serv- ing both this church and Castalia.
Catholic-A Catholic society was organized here many years ago, and in 1872 they erected a good sized frame church edifice at a cost of $2,500. The local society was not very strong for the first few years of its existence, but of late has become more prosperous, and is now planning for extensive improvements to its property. A beginning has been made for a two-story brick parsonage, 32x34 feet in size, with all modern equipments. It is proposed to remove the old church building from the north side of the railroad track to the lot ad- joining the new parsonage. Father J. J. Clune is the present pastor.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
This society became incorporated under the Iowa statutes December 18, 1911, as St. Bridget's Church of Postville, Archbishop James J. Keane, of Du- buque, ex-officio president, J. J. Clune, pastor and vice president, Joseph Steele and B. C. Fleming, laymen directors.
EARLY SUNDAY SCHOOLS
Of the early Sunday schools of Post township the first one organized was in the first log schoolhouse, in the Hardin district, in 1852, and it was kept up as "Hardin Union Sabbath School," with a few winter omissions, until 1872, when it was divided among the several religious societies of Hardin village.
The second was organized in the old log schoolhouse of the Postville dis- trict in 1854. by J. C. Marston, who was the first superintendent. This school was also kept up well to the year 1869, when, becoming very large, it also was divided by the Congregational, Methodist and Free Will Baptist churches, Oc- tober 9, 1869.
A large and interesting Sunday school was also kept up at the United Brethren, Bethel church, from its organization in 1869.
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES
A. F. & A.M .- Brotherly Love Lodge, No. 204. was chartered in June, 1867. G. F. Webster was the first W. M. Present officers are: W. M .. F. H. Luhman : S. W., A. C. Webster: J. W., B. E. Tuttle; Treasurer. G. Staadt; Secretary, J. M. Thoma : S. D., E. E. McMartin : J. D., W. E. Durno; S. S., F. J. Thoma; J. S., R. W. Tuller ; Tyler, H. Christoferson.
O. E. S .- Postville Chapter. No. 238, was organized in March, 1898, and is a strong and active society, with constantly increasing membership. Present officers: W. M., Ruby Webster; W. Patron. Hugh Shepherd; Assoc. Matron, Josephine Durno; Treasurer, Mrs. D. E. Harrington : Secretary, Blanche Durno ; Conductress, Mrs. F. H. Welzel : Assoc. Conductress, Mrs. W. C. Thoma : Adah, Mrs. F. IL. Luhman; Ruth, Mrs. F. Gates : Esther, Mrs. E. P. Durno: Martha, Mrs. G. D. Harrington : Electa, Mrs. B. E. Tuttle ; Chaplain, Mrs. Florence Rath- burn: Marshal, Mrs. Ray F. Topliff : Organist. Crystal Leithold ; Warden, Mrs. Arthur S. Burdick : Sentinel. Herman Webb.
I. O. O. F .- Postville Lodge, No. 266, was instituted December 5. 1873, the first Noble Grand being H. P. Dawes. In the spring of 1888 they lost all their property by fire, in the second story of the John Moir building: and in June, 1891, they surrendered their charter. A new lodge was organized and a charter granted to Postville Lodge. No. 707, on October 21, 1904, with but half a dozen charter members, and the lodge now numbers forty-nine, with officers as follows : P. G., Frank Suchanek ; N. G., Chas. H. Freitag ; V. G .. John L. Gregg ; Secretary, Geo. S. Tuttle : Treasurer, Geo. W. Fay ; R. S., N. G., B. W. Lange ; L. S., N. G., Wm. H. Weihe : R. S., V. G .. A. S. Burdick ; L. S., V. G., A. J. Phillips ; Warden, J. W. Campbell: Chaplain, V. G. Bollman: Conductor, J. F. Palas: R. S. S., J. A. Fisher : L. S. S., F. C. Meier : I. G., Wm. Harris ; O. G .. J. P. Ellis. D. D. G. M. for the Third district, comprising Allamakee county, B. W. Lange; Trus- tecs. J. W. Campbell, Wm. Harris and F. W. Eaton.
Turn Verein-The Postville society of this name was incorporated November
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
10, 1877, with the following officers : First Speaker, Anton Spoo; Second Speaker, Carl Knodt ; Secretary, Godfrey Staadt ; Treasurer, Mathias Leithold. Other in- corporators were : Chas. Blanchaine, Anthony Staadt, Theodore King and H. W. Meyer. The Postville Turn Verein was re-incorporated March 4, 1899, at which time its officers consisted of : First Speaker, John Moetsch; Second Speaker, C. H. Meyer; Secretary, G. Dietsch; and Treasurer, Wm. Kluss. The present officers are : President, John Moetsch ; Vice President, Conrad Welzel; Secretary, Frank Sebastian; Treasurer, John M. Thoma ; Cashier, Wm. Moll.
This society has flourished from the start, and has for many years operated a hall which has been used for most of the large public gatherings in the town. At this writing it has been decided to build a fine new opera house, 48x106 feet, with full modern equipment, at a cost of $12,000.
M. W. A .- Oak Camp, No. 328, Modern Woodmen of America, was organ- ized in 1887, at Postville, with a charter membership of only ten. It has thriven with the order, until now its membership is 136, and its present officers are: Venerable Consul, Hugh Shepherd; Worthy Advisor, Bert Tuttle; Clerk, G. Staadt : Banker, A. L. Peterson ; Escort, C. A. Ammons; Watchman, Fred Gor- don ; Sentry, N. Harvey.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
A good start has been made toward a public library, which is at present kept in a room in the Postville Review building. The secretary is Lena B. Hecker.
CITY PARK
Through the generosity of their old townsman. Hall Roberts, the people of Postville now enjoy the posession of a small park in the heart of the town, the gift having been made in this spring of 1913. The conditions attached are rea- sonable and easily complied with, as follows :
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