USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 34
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The number of volumes in the library at the close of the fiscal year 1912, was 6.578. During the year 1911 there were 82 books purchased and I11 donated ; & books were condemned for various reasons. The largest daily circulation for the year was 105; average daily circulation, 41. Total circulation for the year. 12,- 675 volumes.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
The First National Bank of Centerville was the first bank organized under the national law and received its charter in 1863, with the number 337. The pro- moters of this financial enterprise were : William Bradley, Charles H. Howell,
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
David ( Campbell, William Swiney, William 11. Breazeale, Solomon Silknitter. John White, Jeremiah Hollingsworth, Benjamin Adamson, William M. Mel reary, Louis Brayman, John W. Williams, Jacob Rummel, William Clark. Wilham Fer- ren. l'ailman Allen, Solomon Holbrook, James S. Hough, John Conger, John Hughes. David T. Bradley, James Hughes, Jacob Phillips, Robert N. Glenn. Wil- liam S. Henderson, Lawrence Whitsell, Henry Hakes, David S. Strickler, Harvey Tannehill, Grant S. Stansberry, Charles W. Bowen, George A. Bryan, Jonathan Shupe, William E. Callen. Miles A. Holshouser and John Fulton. All these men have passed away with the exception of David C. Campbell and John Fulton.
The bank was capitalized at $50,000. Its first officials were: President. Wil- liam Bradley; cashier, David C. Campbell. William Bradley remained as presi- dent until his death, which occurred in 1800. He was succeeded by his wife. Mrs. A. T. Bradley, who was president of the bank until her death, which occurred in January, 1004. when her son. David C. Bradley, assumed the duties laid down by her. At the annual election, June 30, 1910, he was succeeded by James .A. Bradley, who hokls the office today.
David C. Campbell served as cashier until January 11. 1870, when Charles W. Bowen was chosen. He retained the office about one year. John R. Hays was elected cashier November 7. 1871, and continued as such until March 26. 1881. William Evans followed Hays and was cashier until July 1. 1887, when John K Hays again assumed the duties of the office and remained therein until January 12, 1802. His successor was James A. Bradley who was cashier until he was elected vice president in January. 1907. at which time William Evans took up the duties of cashier and is the present official with that title.
The first place of business of this bank was in rooms west of the Citizen building. The present bank building stands on the corner of Van Buren and North Main street and is the west half of a structure erected by the bank and the Odd Fellows lodge in 1876.
The second charter of this bank was secured in 1883 and a third in 1903. The present capital i- $50,000, and surplus and undivided profits, $32.000; deposits. $000,000.
THE CENTERVILLE NATIONAL. BANK
Under the name of the Appanoose County Bank this institution was organized and incorporated by General Francis M. Drake, May 23, 1876, under the laws of the state of lowa, with a capital stock of $50.000. Associated with him at this Time was the governor's father, Judge J. A. Drake. This bank continued under the original name until December 6. 1882. Its first officers were : President. F. M. Drake: vice president. Joseph Goss : cashier. J. C. Bevington. On December 6, 1882. the institution was reorganized and converted into a national bank by Francis M. Drake, his father, Judge J. A. Drake, and others, Governor Drake having the controlling interest. The bank was capitalized at $ 0.000. Its first place of business was in a building on the corner of School and East Jackson streets and remained there until March, 1808, when the present building was pur- chased of J. R. Wooden.
At the organization of the Centerville National Bank, Francis M. Drake was chosen president : Joseph Gioss, vice president ; Walter S. Selby, cashier. The directors were: Francis M. Drake, Joseph Goss, J. A. Talbott, William T. Ku-
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
sell and Nathan Udell. All have passed away with the exception of Mr. Goss.
The present officers of the bank are: President. J. L. Sawyers ; vice president. Joseph Goss; cashier, George M. Barnett ; assistant cashier, F. D. Sargent. The capital stock is $50,000 ; surplus and undivided profits, $25,000 ; deposits, $400,- 000.
CAMPBELL'S BANK
D. C. Campbell, a native of West Virginia, immigrated to Iowa and first located at Winterset, Madison county. From there he came to Centerville in 1855, where he entered the general store of his brother-in-law, the late William Bradley, as a clerk and was finally admitted as a partner, the firm name becoming Bradley & Campbell. As will be seen by a perusal of the chapter on banking. Mr. Camp- bell became cashier of the First National Bank, the first banking institution in the county, and remained with that concern until 1870, when he organized the Farmers' National Bank, and conducted its business in a building which stood on the south side of the square, on the site of the Parker & Triebswetter block. In course of time the Farmers' Bank was discontinued and the Campbell bank, a private institution, was doing business in the building now owned and occupied by the Centerville National Bank. Mr. Campbell sold the bank in 1893 and for the past several years has been a citizen of Chicago.
JOWA STATE SAVINGS BANK
The lowa State Savings Bank was organized in 1896, with a capital of $50,- oco, by Amanda T. Bradley, David C. and James A. Bradley and William Mc- Creary. Its place of business is on the public square, opposite the Continental llotel. The first officials were : President. James A. Bradley : vice president, Wil- liam M. McCreary : cashier, David C. Bradley. The present officials are: Presi- dent. James .\. Bradley : cashier, J. B. Bruckshaw. By its last report the deposits were $552.000.
CENTERVILLE SAVINGS BANK
This financial institution was established March 6, 1907, being incorporated under the laws of the state of lowa. The directors were: J. L. Sawyers, C. E. Sawyers, George M. Barnett, C. W. Vermilion and W. S. MeKec. It is capital- ized at $50.000 and its last report showed the deposits amounted to $1 50,000. The officials are: President. George M. Barnett ; vice president, J. L. Sawyers ; cashier. H. C. Greenleaf. The bank building is on the corner of South Main and Jackson.
WOODEN SAVINGS BANK
The Wooden Savings Bank is the outgrowth of the Citizen State Bank, which purchased the building and business of the Campbell Banking Co., one of the earliest and most successful banking enterprises in the history of the county.
The Citizen State Bank was organized February 18th, 1803, and officered by James R. Wooden, president ; A. E. Wooden, vice president ; J. R. Hays, cashier ; with W. F. Vermilion and C. R. Wooden as directors. The institution was sub- sequently changed to the Citizen Savings Bank and from that to the Wooden
DOOM
WORKING SHOP
HERCULES. MANUFACTURING CO
47.1
11
HERCULES STUMP PULLENS
IMACHINE BIOP
1PAINT SHOP
JOHS ZONOJ
SHIPPING SHOP
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Savings Bank, which absorbed the stock of the former institutions. It is owned by the Wooden family. James R. Wooden is president; . A. E. Wooden, vice president : C. R. Wooden, cashier.
The bank, early in its history, occupied the building purchased of the Camp- bell Banking Company, which was sold a number of years ago to the Centerville National Bank. The Wooden bank is now located in the building across the street from its former location, where over half a century ago its president started in business as a merchant.
The bank is capitalized at $25.000. The deposits, as shown by the last state- ment. published September 11. 1912, were $177.205.85.
TELEPHONE COMPANIES
The Appanoose Telephone Company was organized as the Centerville Tele- phone Company in 1900, by Otto Wettstein, F. E. Brown and C. . \. Farring- ton, with a capital stock of $20,000. In 1903, the corporation was reorganized as the Appanoose Telephone Company, by C. A. Farrington, Frank Augustus and E. E. Bamford. and capitalized at $00,000. Since then the company has grown in strength and usefulness and now has a large list of subscribers. The main exchange is at Centerville. When the company began operations, in October, 1900, there were 200 subscribers; this number has increased to something like 1.300. The officials are: C. A. Farrington, president ; Dr. E. E. Bamford, vice president ; T. M. Farrington, secretary and treasurer : C. . \. Farrington, manager.
The Appanoose Mutual Telephone Company has been in existence about six years and is extending its lines and patronage rapidly. The officials are: J. N. Willett, president ; G. G. Hampton, secretary and manager.
THE HERCULES MANUFACTURING COMPANY
While living at Lone Tree, Iowa, Miles Bateman, then a molder, invented and patented a stump puller, and in 1899 sold his interest in the invention and returned to Centerville, his former home, where he entered Kirchman's foundry. At that time B. A. Fuller was working by the day in the Goss foundry. He and Mr. Bateman formed an acquaintanceship and during their first meetings of even- ings, exchanging ideas, they invented what has now become one of the most useful and widely known machines-the Hercules stump puller. They at once began making the machines under the name of the Bateman Manufacturing Company. In July, 1900, the machine was given the name of the Hercules Stump Puller. but at this time, having no means but what they obtained through their daily wage in the foundries they had no regular place of business. Mr. Fuller carried on the correspondence for the firm at his boarding house in the evenings after working through the day at his shop, and the next day his landlady would copy his letters on the typewriter and mail them. The business soon grew to such proportions, however, that it was necessary to secure quarters for a factory. The old Orange wagon shop, on Fourteenth street, just east of the Continental Hotel, was secured. That part of it which had been used as a blacksmith shop was remodeled into an office and the rest of the building was converted into a work shop. Mr. Fuller managed the business, while Mr. Bateman put in his
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
spare time in improving the invention. But it must be remembered while these things were going on, these men were compelled to maintain their places in the foundries in order to procure the means of carrying on their small enterprise. Two girls were used in the office for keeping the books and files. They were Miss Dora Cook, bookkeeper, still holding that position, and Miss Alice Hardy, stenographer.
In 1901 the concern continued to prosper to that extent that Mr. Fuller gave up his work at the foundry and devoted his whole attention to the exploitation of the Hercules stump puller. In 1902 the Goss foundry had been closed down by Mr. Goss for six months and at that time Mr. Fuller accepted the management of the foundry, continuing, however, in the management of the Hercules Manu- facturing Company. In 1903 the Hercules Manufacturing Company bought the property on Fourteenth street north of the Goss foundry and moved the factory into the building, which had been known as the Taylor livery barn. "At the same time the four large rooms over the Goss foundry were secured for offices, the office force having grown to six people. Mr. Bateman took the position of foreman in the Goss foundry and thus the two concerns were closely connected. as Mr. Fuller was manager of them both.
The Hercules company during these years was increasing its business most gratifyingly and about 1904 the first foreign order was received and was for a consignment of three machines to Grahamstown, Cape Colony, South Africa. At that time the machines were being placed throughout the states.
In 1904 the company in addition to the stump puller manufactured cement block and cement postmaking machines. . \ patent was allowed to Bateman & Ful- ler on what is known as the Success Cement Block machine. \ patent was also allowed on what was known as the Hercules post machine. This probably was the first cement post machine offered on the market of the United States and was also one of the first cement block machines. The Hercules company continued to manufacture the cement machines with the stump puller a number of years.
In 1905 the United States agricultural department issued Bulletin 150 on the best method of clearing timber land. The department took the position that the land cleared with stump machines was left in the most tillable condition, the stump pullers doing the work more thoroughly than dynamite. The Bulletin also claimed that the iron stump pullers were too heavy, unwieldly and cumber- some, and that the cast iron used in them was constantly breaking. Mr. Fuller. on reading this, said to Mr. Bateman: "We will have to overcome the objections of the government," so they set about making the machines of steel throughout. They then put out the first steel stump puller ever made, which was placed on the market in 1906. The machine was reduced in weight sixty per cent and yet, the lighter steel puller was four hundred per cent stronger than its predecessor. This machine overcame the objections set up by the agricultural department and really revolutionized stump pulling. The success of the company was from that time assured.
In March, 1907, a patent was issued to Fuller & Bateman on their improved stump puller. In August of the same year another patent was issued to them on a "take-up" in connection with the machine and. in the latter part of 1907. a triple-power improvement to the machine was added, which gained fame and
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IHISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
popularity very rapidly. By that time the company had grown to be one of the best known manufacturers of this class of machines in the country. Its sales came from practically every state in the Union, Canada, Mexico and many foreign countries. The Argentine republic and Chili began taking large ship- ments of the machines. In 19oo orders were received for some of the company > large machines to be used on the Panama canal.
In moto the minister of forestry of Russia, at St. Petersburg, made exten- sive experiments with stump pullers and explosives, to ascertain the best methods of clearing timber land. The Herenles machines came out victorious in the tests, which showed that it did the work with less expense and more efficiently than by any other method known. This resulted in the Hercules company securing some nice orders from the Russian government and also from private concerns of the country.
By that time the goods of the Hercules Manufacturing Company were being shipped to most of the European and Scandinavian countries, also Japan, China and India. The company by ton became one of the largest advertisers in the agricultural papers, expending during that year for this purpose $04.000. It was fast outgrowing its quarters, notwithstanding it had made additions to its plant. The steel castings used in the machines were also being shipped in from Milwau- kee and Chicago, but the proprietors desired to manufacture these castings them- selves. Representatives of commercial clubs of adjoining cities began a corres- pondence with Mr. Fuller and made him tempting offers to locate in their locali- ties. Propo-als were received from Des Moines, Muscatine, Keokuk. Ottumwa, Davenport and Cedar Rapids.
Early in 10)12 at the request of the "Booster" committee and other business men of Centerville. Mr. Fuller was asked to submit a proposal for building a new plant in Centerville. In May. 1912, a meeting was held in the parlors of the First National Bank and Mr. Fuller suggested that if the citizens of Center- ville would take $25,000 of the common stock at par, the Hercules company, which up to this time had been a partnership affair, would be incorporated under the laws of lowa, with a capital stock of $200,000, one-half of which should be issued to Fuller & Bateman for the Hercules company, and all of its property. copyrights, patents and good will. The citizens were to take $25,000 at par and also subscribe $2,500, as a bonus or donation, to pay for the necessary land and the railroad connections for the new plant. If the proposal was accepted the company obligated itself to build a plant to cost $45,000.
A. E. Worden was chairman of this committee, also chairman of the "Booster" committee, and O. H. Law, secretary. J. A. Bradley, president of the First National Bank, promptly stated he would take $10,000 of the stock just as soon as the financial statement submitted by Mr. Fuller was verified. The meeting was unanimous in agreeing to Mr. Fuller's proposal and was for its acceptance. A committee was then appointed to solicit the amount asked and on that com mittee were placed A. E. Wooden, J. A. Bradley, O. H. Law. Lew Salinger and Frank Payne. After the statement of the Hercules company was verified this committee went out and within two hours, to their surprise, the stock was over subscribed.
On June 6, 1912, a new company was organized and incorporated with a paid-up capital of $125.000. The authorized capital was $200,000. The incor-
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
porators were B. A. Fuller, Miles Bateman, C. D. Cook, George MI. Barnett and J. A. Bradley; directors, B. A. Fuller, Miles Bateman, C. D. Cook, J. A. Bradley and George M. Barnett. B. A. Fuller was chosen president and treas- urer ; Miles Bateman, vice president ; C. D. Cook, secretary.
On July 3, 1912, the Hercules company bought five acres of land of D. C. Bradley on the east side of Twenty-first street, just north of the Rock Island tracks. On this land is a switch of the Burlington road. July 15th ground was broken for the new buildings which are now completed and stand between the tracks of the Burlington and Rock Island railroads.
The buildings of this plant are practically fire proof, being built of brick and steel. The office building is 40x50 feet, two stories high, with a basement. The main factory building is comprised of shipping room, paint shop, forge, machine and finishing shops, all one building. 50x350 feet. The steel foundry is 50x150 feet, the wood working shop, 50x150 feet. The company built its own switches. The Rock Island is on the east and the Burlington on the west. The office force consists of twelve girls and eight men. In the shops are employed about one hundred and fifty people.
THIE GOSS FOUNDRY
This foundry was started by Fuller & Bateman. In 1896 Mr. Bateman sold his interest to Mr. Fuller, and in 1908 Fuller failed, the concern going into the hands of Joseph Goss. The products are principally miners' trucks and general foundry work.
TIIE CENTERVILLE IRON WORKS
The Centerville Iron Works was a concern of considerable importance to this locality and when in operation occupied nearly a block. It was conducted by 11. L. Kirchman, who manufactured hoisting machines for mines, stationary engines, coal mine cars, cane mills and furnaces, castings and the like. He also did considerable casting for the Keokuk & Western railway.
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in the year 1910 by Mrs. Margaret C. Needels, after two years' work in securing enough ladies who were eligible. In March, 1908, the president general of the national organization appointed Mrs. Needels organizer of the society and in April, 1910, she was appointed regent of the new chapter, which was designated as Crosby Chapter, after Dr. Samuel Crosby, an ancestor of Mrs. Needels, who was a surgeon in the Revolutionary army. At the organization of the chapter there were fourteen members, which has increased to twenty-four. The charter members were: Margaret C. Needels, Bessie L. Haynes, Cora Wentworth. Rebecca J. Walker, Mary E. Wooden, Pearl Parker, Alice Harvey Bon, Hallen Wilson, Elizabeth J. Mitchell, Clara D. Hunson, Lois Lemington, Ethel K. Greenleaf, Tina Gilcrest, Maude B. Porter. Those who have joined the organiza- tion since are: Hortense Van Buskirk. Mary Sawyers Baker, Hygine Sawyers. Cecelia Greenleaf, Eleanor C. Needels, Mary S. Harvey, Flora W. Wilson, Elsie Knox Hays, Blora Bloe, Sarah Wilson.
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
P. E. O. SOCIETY
The P. E. O. Society was organized by seven girls at Wesleyan University, Mount Pleasant, lowa, in 1869. It is composed of a supreme chapter, state grand chapters and local chapters.
The local chapter of Centerville was organized September 8. 1882, with the following charter members : Mrs. Mary Berry Price, Mrs. Jo Disbrow Crawford, Miss Lou MeLaughlin, Miss Stella Young, Mrs. Sadie Lane Smith, Miss Sallie Wright, Mrs. Jennie Drake Sawyers, Mrs. Emma Goss Vermilion, Mrs. Stella Reesman O'Neal, Mrs. Birdie Young Palliday, Mrs. Eva Drake Goss.
The P. E. O. Society is the largest exclusive woman's secret organization in the world. Its objects and aims are general improvement. The work is along literary, social, charitable and philanthropic lines. The emblem of the P. E. O. Society is a five-pointed star with P. E. O. in black enamel letters in the center. The five points of the star represents Faith, Love, Purity, Justice and Truth.
The Centerville chapter has 75 active members. The officers are : President, Mrs. Valley McKee; vice president, Mrs. Lida Moore ; recording secretary, Mrs. Ella Cole Wright ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Daisy Whitsell ; treasurer, Mrs. Sadie Lane Smith; chaplain, Mrs. Laura Lee; guard, Mrs. Justine Speers ; journalist, Mrs. Kate Wyckoff ; pianist, Mrs. Marcia Widmer.
THE WEDNESDAY CLUB
was organized in 1902. The charter members were: Mrs. Lena Houston, Mrs. Lina King, Mrs. Hattie Biddle, Mrs. Annie Howell, Mrs. Maud Porter, Mrs. Mae Ilighberger, Mrs. Jessie Thompson and Mrs. Olive Strickler. The first officials were: President, Mrs. Oliver Strickler, secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Lena Houston.
This society has devoted its efforts to literary pursuits and has taken in suc- cessive years the study of art ( for ten years), American history, German litera- ture, arts and craft, ceramic art, domestic science, famous women. English history and study of lowa. The membership is limited to twenty active members.
The present officers are: President, Mrs. Mae Wooden ; vice president, Mrs. Hattie Biddle; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Grace Syp. The club membership includes Mrs. Anna Alexander, Mrs. Edna Beck, Mrs. Martha Bowen, Mrs. Margaret Hall, Mrs. Blanche James, Mrs. Jennie Lee, Mrs. Grace Syp, Mrs Eloise Vermilion, Mrs. Katherine Tillmont, Mrs. Mae Wooden, Mrs. Hattie Biddle, Mrs. Cora Bradley, Mrs. Mary Greenleaf, Mrs. Ethel Greenleaf, Mrs. Annie Ilowell. Mrs. Valley McKee, Mrs. Maud Porter, Mrs. Jessie Thompson, Mrs. Marcia Widmer. The honorary members are: Mrs. Brown. Lincoln, Nebraska ; Mrs. Gibson, Montrose, Colorado; Mrs. Highberger, Bay City. Texas; Mrs. Houston, Pasadena, California; Mrs. King. Escanaba, Michigan ; Mrs. Lewis, Muncie. Indiana ; Mrs. Probasco, Vanta, Oklahoma ; Mrs. Strickler. Boise City, Idaho.
JACKSON LODGE, NO. 42, A. F. & V. M.
This body was established by dispensation from Ansel Humphreys, grand master, and held its first meeting late in 1852. The charter members were:
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Alfred Slater, Jeremiah Brower, D. A. Spooner, Daniel HI. Sparks, 1. 1. 11. Mar- tin, John Wilmington, George W. Swearingen and Hugh McCoy. The name of the first worthy master is missing. Thomas G. Manson was S. W .; J. llar- grave. J. W .: J. H. Shields, treasurer; Dennis F. Robley, secretary ; John W. Robley. S. D .; J. B. Criswell, J. D.
On the 9th of July, 1876, the corner stone of the Masonic Temple, on the corner of West State and Twelfth streets, was laid by 11. W. Rothert, of Keokuk, then grand master, in the presence of a large assembly of people. The hall is in the third story of the building and is one of the largest in the state. It is in splendid financial condition, owns that part of the building comprising the third story, and has a membership of 240.
The present officials are: W. M .. A. C. Halden; S. W., P. E. Wells ; J. \\' .. J. N. Kerschner ; treasurer, F. D. Sargent : secretary, J. C. Henaman.
EUCLID CHAPTER, NO. 43. R. V. M.
held its organizing meeting, January 21, 1868. The first meeting under the dispen- sation was on February uith. W. E. Sargent was the first H. P .; W. C. Dar- nell, E. K. : William Reahard, E. S .; J. Harper. C. IL .; T. E. Sargent, P. S .; T. (). Wilson, R. A. C .; R. Stephenson, G. M. 3d V. ; D. A. Spooner, G. M. 2d \ .; S. D. Harris, G. M., Ist V .; W. A. Sargent, G.
The first members were : O. W. Barden, J. W. Hough, J. Clark, S. 11. Sawyers. J. R. Riggs.
The present officers are : Joseph Lever. H. P. : J. W. Fisher, K. : L. J. llanson, scribe : F. D. Sargent, treasurer : J. C. Henaman, secretary. The membership is 135.
ST. JOHN'S COMMANDERY, NO. 24. KNIGHTS TEMPLAK
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