USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 44
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Philip Herzog was the first furniture dealer and manufacturer in West Union, his "old red shop" being located on lots now occupied by the residence of the late Charles Woodward. This business was established in 1852, but the proprietor had entered land in Center township in 1850. Blinn & White established the first hardware store; but in 1854 the Pioneer hardware store was established by Dr. Levi Fuller and H. Chandler. This was soon after sold to Doctor Hart & Company.
John A. Gruver was a close rival to Eli Sherman in establishing the first harness shop. William Gruver followed in the same line and continued until his death a few years ago. This was also true of A. J. Archer, this name being perpetuated by G. G. Archer, a nephew of A. J., who conducts a large business in harness and horse supplies at present. Among the early manufac- turers, aside from those mentioned, were the Peck and Heiserman wagon shops, whereat the vehicles that largely supplied the county in early days were turned out. John S. Sampson was the pioneer boot and shoe manufacturer, and for many years conducted a large business, giving employment to twelve or more men. In later years his business in manufacturing dropped off be- cause of the introduction of machine-made stock, and he then merged it into
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the first exclusive shoe store in the place. This was sold out, and after a few years, discontinued; but the room is again occupied with another stock of foot-wear. Mr. Sampson's first location was in a building just south of the present "Sampson Block," a handsome store and office building on the cor- ner of Vine and Elm streets. Other early wagon makers were D. O. Smith, Thomas Wright, Henry Wimber, Sr., T. L. and J. S. Green, the three first mentioned still continuing in business.
The early blacksmiths were Humphrey Tibbitts, Thomas Green, Sr., L. B. Dersham, Lew Tyrrell, John Rapp, and the smiths employed in the wagon manufacturing business, Alfred Crosby and his father, Frank Crosby- the latter being the first and only gunsmith in the place. We believe all these parties are dead, with the possible exception of Lew Tyrrell. William A. Crosby is continuing the business and shop left by his father ; Charles McDou- gal and Henry T. Wimber have established new places of business, and these comprise the present mechanics in this line.
Some of the first carpenters were David Winrott, William Houck, Evans Camp, Norman Pierce, Henry Rush, A. R. Burrett, Benjamin Morse, J. S. Wright, John and Charles Detrich. None of these except Pierce are in West Union at present, and all are dead except three. This branch of mechanical science is ably represented in the town by a class of young men schooled in their profession. This also applies to painters and decorators, in which trade there are some skilled artists.
William D. Parrott was the first jeweler in West Union, having estab- lished his business here in 1854. At his death, a quarter of a century ago, the business descended to his son, James P., and to his daughter, Ella. James Parrott died, and Miss Ella has since owned and conducted the business. She has added a splendid stock of china-ware and novelties, and conducts an exclusive store in this respect. Oscar W. Heiserman, son of the pioneer wagon-maker, William Heiserman, graduated in a horological institute, and is recognized as an expert in anything pertaining to his profession. His fine stock of jewelry and optical goods, silver ware, etc., is one of the compara- tively recent acquisitions to West Union trade.
Mention has been made of the first cabinet shop in West Union, but this was not of long duration. W. A. Whitney was early engaged in the furni- ture business, and the Haines brothers, Samuel and Joseph, were in business together in the stone block for several years in the early seventies and later. They dissolved partnership, Joseph going to Waukon in the grocery business and Samuel R. erected a small building on the site now occupied by the Baptist
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church parsonage, and carried on the business of repairing, and at the same time kept a stock of furniture. Mr. Haines has removed to California, and that particular feature of the furniture business has ceased to exist in West Union. The firm of Roberts & Glass succeeded to the Haines location and stock in the stone block, but remained only a few years when the business went into the hands of Burnham & Son, and is now owned and operated by L. W. Burnham. A new location and stock was opened by the Phillips Broth- ers, on the west side of the public square and conducted by them for a few years when it was purchased by the Loomis Brothers, a large and complete stock put in, and one of West Union's most popular enterprises there launched.
The drug business in West Union has been in full sway since the estab- lishment of the pioneer drug store in the first hotel, by Dr. J. H. Stafford. It is difficult to mention the names of all who have been in the business in West Union, as some were transitory ; but among the earliest and most promi- nent were the Waterburys, Waterbury & White, C. R. Bent, Bent & Rob- inson, Bent & Scofield, Scofield & Merritt. The location of all these various firms was in the building now used as the postoffice. F. D. Merritt was the last to conduct a drug business there. A one-story brick building was con- structed a few doors north of the old stand, and A. K. White opened a busi- ness there in the seventies. He had as a partner for a time Dr. S. H. Drake, who removed from the county in the early eighties, and F. W. White became a partner with his brother, the firm continuing business until the death of the senior member, when the business was closed out and F. W. White re- moved to the Pacific coast. After various changes in ownership, the present proprietor, Fred W. Schneider, opened a large and complete stock at this location and so continues in business.
A peculiar coincidence in the early history of West Union is the fact that almost invariably when the removal of an unsightly building was de- sired, Vulcan, the god of fire, came to the rescue. At least three mysterious fires have occurred in the business districts among the dilapidated old build- ings, and new and modern buildings succeeded them.
In the case of the West Union House, we believe, it was necessary to remove the building before erecting a modern one, but this was the exception rather than the rule.
From early days until 1875 a dilapidated frame building stood on the corner directly south of the postoffice. This was occupied by C. T. Nefzgar and others as a store building. But it went up in smoke with all the buildings
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on that side of the street for half a block, the Fayette County National Bank building furnishing a barrier to the further progress of the flames. From the ruins of this Nefzgar building arose, Phoenix-like, the handsomest building, then in West Union, and one of the best today. Dr. G. D. Darnall was the promoter, and has always been the owner since the building was erected. This is a two-story and basement brick, fronting on Vine street, with basement entrance from Elm street. It is handsomely trimmed in artificial stone, with large plate glass front and high side windows for better lighting the interior. The first floor has always been the location of a drug store, and in fact it was built and arranged for that purpose. P. D. Scofield was proprietor of the first store in this room. Darnalls & Fisher succeeded him, the firm being Dr. G. D. Darnall, his cousin, Dr. C. F. Darnall, and Lewis A. Fisher, a present- day grocer in the town. Dr. G. D.'s connection with the drug business did not end with the dissolution of this copartnership, which continued but a short time.
The basement of this building was the home of the Fayette County Union for a few years, but is now used for storage of goods connected with the ex- tensive drug business of Tisdale & Barnes, under the title of the Union Drug Store. The entire upper floor, we believe, is now occupied by the commodious offices, library, apparatus, reception room, etc., connected with Dr. G. D. Darnall's extensive medical practice. Mention has been made of the early merchants in West Union, and it remains but to mention the present-day estab- lishments in that line. It will be remembered that the early dealers in mer- chandise were obliged to keep general stocks, and no one pretended to sell dry goods who did not also have a stock of groceries. This may account for the absence of early grocers from the list of business enterprises. But in recent years the tendency has been to specialize, and dry goods, shoes, and manu- factured clothing for ladies comprise the stock of one of the principal estab- lishments in the town. Reference is here made to the W. A. Magner store- the old G. H. Thomas location. For more than fifty years there has been a stock of goods in this building.
Gilbert & McMasters (Mark Gilbert and W. C. McMasters) were once engaged in general merchandising, and later in the grocery and provision business. McMasters is dead and Gilbert is retired.
But the second dry goods store-and this completes the list-is owned by M. O. Musser. His predecessors at this location (three doors north of the postoffice) were : Minchin & Buell, Minchin alone, F. A. Sheldon, C. B. Minchin, Stam Brothers, T. R. Stam. Both Minchin and Stam are retired
(30)
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with a competence, and Mr. Musser, a brother-in-law of Stam's, carries a large and well selected stock of dry goods, clothing, shoes, etc., and is doing a fine business.
The oldest grocery store now in the town is that owned by L. A. Fisher, in one of Doctor Darnall's buildings. It was opened by Armstrong & Buchan- an who operated it a few years, when they sold to A. C. Gunsalus, Mr. Fisher's father-in-law, and he conducted a large and profitable business for nearly thirty years. Mr. Gunsalus was a man universally esteemed by all who knew him, and a business man of far more than average ability. He died at his post a couple of years ago, and was succeeded by Mr. Fisher, who was then in the drug business at Hawkeye.
Other grocers have been A. C. Jones, William Cox, Samuel Holton, R. A. Barr, Joseph Butler; B. W. Finch, J. H. Schricker, John Owens' general store, Christ Nefzgar, Butler & Dorland. The present business is represented by Mr. Fisher, as previously mentioned, George A. Wood, E. C. Chandler, E. G. Herrick and Harvey Smith, these having large and complete stocks of goods, while restaurants and lunch counters also sell some goods in this line. The present-day hardware business is represented by F. E. Hoyt, who is the successor of his father, the late H. B. Hoyt, who was identified with that line of mercantile life in West Union for forty years. H. B. Hoyt was a man of conservative ideas, but withal a successful business man who accumulated a large property. For many years he was a member of the city council, board of education, board of directors of the Fayette County National Bank and the county agricultural society. F. E. Hoyt succeeded to a well established business, to which he has added the impetus of youth coupled with business energy and superior knowledge of all details. Practically he grew up in the store and early evinced an interest and business sagacity seldom found in the youth of the present generation.
The Smith Brothers are the successors of another long established house, though its existence in the present building dates only from the construction of the Riley block in 1883-4. Previously it was located in the brick store room now occupied by Rev. T. P. Griffith and daughters as a musical instru- ment repository and millinery store. There the first hardware store in West Union was established by Blinn & White in 1853. Hoyt & Holton started in the hardware business some years later in this room, and W. A. Whitney and a Wisconsin man whose name is not recalled were the immediate prede- cessors of Nandall & Nye, who removed their goods to the Riley block when that was ready for occupancy. J. E. Nye continued the business for some
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years after the death of Paul A. Nandall, and this is the store now occupied by the Smith Brothers. Both the hardware stores carry full lines of goods, do plumbing and spouting work, and put in heating apparatus. Carl A. Johnson, a skilled mechanic, also does work in these lines, and carries a small line of goods. He is located in one of Doctor Darnall's buildings in rear of the Union drug store.
W. W. Wright, once a partner with F. E. Hoyt before the death of the senior Hoyt, is a son of James S. Wright, an early pioneer and member of the first town council. J. S. Wright served four years as county treasurer, was mayor of West Union two terms, served two years as secretary of the Fayette County Agricultural Society and was otherwise prominently connected with West Union affairs from his coming in 1861 until his death. His son, and only child, W. W., is principal salesman in the Hoyt hardware store.
The livery business is one of the transitory enterprises of every town, and it is difficult to trace the various changes. It is probable that J. J. Welsh was among the first to engage in this line, in connection with hotel-keeping. Tay- lor Brothers, and Taylor & Farr, C. E. Chapman, Mr. Jacklin, Shiek Brothers, E. F. Seiberts, D. L. Dorland, Finch & Chandler, Finch & Ward, and later, Frank Ward, the Weatherbee Brothers-now James Weatherbee, Jr .- have been, or are now, in the business.
Taylor & Farr were probably the first to engage in the buying and ship- ping of horses as an exclusive business enterprise. After each had served six years in the sheriff's office, one being the deputy of the other, thus making a period of twelve years in constant daily contact with the people of the county, they were thoroughly acquainted and this acquaintance sometimes enabled them to make purchases which a stranger could not. But both are now dead, Mr. Taylor dying first, after which Mr. Farr was not in active business.
Finch & Chandler, younger men, and Mr. Finch, an ex-sheriff, are now the principal local dealers in horses. They have bought and shipped large num- bers of horses to eastern and northern markets, their shipments often going as far as Boston, or Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
Aside from the two local meat markets, Fennell & O'Halleran are the general stock dealers, though the Blunt Brothers buy and sell largely in excess of the stock raised on their large farms.
For many years Owens & Cook were engaged very extensively in this line of business, and several others have been engaged in it temporarily.
The West Union Grain Company and Dan O'Halleran are the local grain buyers, the former having an elevator, while the latter uses a large warehouse for storage of grain, baled hay, straw, etc.
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There are two tailor shops in West Union, conducted by first class work- men, namely Frank Schwestka and J. O. Helwing. Henry Wonnenberg, the pioneer in this line, survived and continued in business for a longer period than any other man among the pioneers.
The barbers are another class of transients, except as they establish a good paying business before the beginning "nest egg" is absorbed. It is not possible to give the name of the first barber in West Union-he may have been early established or a later comer-probably the latter, for the early pioneers had but little use for the "tonsorial art." George H. Phillips and his father were early engaged in this business, and George Thompson came to West Union in 1857, probably to engage in the barber business, which was his life profession. Mr. Thompson occupied one shop (that recently owned by the late E. C. Dorland) for more than a quarter of a century, walking back and forth from his farm nearly a mile north of town. Being seriously crippled, this was quite an achievement during the many years that he was never miss- ing when due at either end of the line. Ed. . C. Dorland, lately deceased, stood at a chair as foreman and proprietor in this shop for over thirty years.
Collins H. Foster was early in the business here, as was Frank Schwestka, A. J. Bernau, Jay Wilson and others.
The present day business is represented by the old Thompson-Dorland shop, west of the public square, a shop in the basement of the Sampson block and one on Elm street, south of the square.
West Union has seldom had more than two meat markets, and that is the present number. Thomas Theobald has been the longest in business here, and he is the successor to such old timers as James Riley and Julius Schwierzke. O. G. Meyer succeeded to the old Conrad Froehlich stand, after many changes in ownership and modernizing appliances.' Both shops are thoroughly equipped and modern in all important details. These furnish a reliable market for high-class butchers' stock at all times, and therein are formidable rivals to the local stock buyers.
There have been two creameries and a cheese factory within the corporate limits of West Union, but there is only one of these industries now in opera- tion. The Farmers' Creamery, near the Rock Island depot, is owned and operated by Edwin O. Moore, and is turning out a large volume of business. Cream gatherers are hired to canvass the country within a radius of ten miles, and solicit patronage from the farming community, usually with satisfactory results. The product is sold to local dealers for retail trade, or shipped away when there is an excess over local demand.
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The photograph business was established in West Union by David Wells (probably), and has passed through varying experiences. It is doubtful if any man ever made money in this business, though there was seldom more than one gallery. Of early workmen in this line, D. B. Hanan, Pfleger & Maxon, Hawkes & Maxon, M. E. Hawkes, E. B. Branch, B. M. Baumwart and one or two others whose names are not recalled, together with an oc- casional traveling car, have been the representatives of this art. The present operative is Mr. Ballard, who has inaugurated a system of view taking and post-card work which promises good results. His work is praiseworthy.
One of the modern industries in the city was the establishment of a brick and tile factory and pickling establishment by E. A. Whitney, who was one of the founders of the Fayette County National Bank and its first cashier. Mr. Whitney was a good banker, a progressive, public-spirited citizen, and possessed considerable means; but this venture in the manufacturing business proved abortive, and a source of considerable loss to him, but, in the end, bene- fited the town. The venture increased the population at the time, and was the means of establishing the little village around the old mill, locally known as "Whitneyville." Many houses were added to the town, some of which were hauled in from distant points, rebuilt and opened to tenants. Mr. Whit- ney left the county soon after this business disappointment, and gradually dis- posed of his property here. The plant was located at the old brick mill in the late seventies. The material used, especially in the brick and tile business, had to be hauled to the railroad, unloaded and hauled to the plant, and the finished product returned to the shipping point in the same way ; hence it could not compete, successfully, with the similar enterprises located on the railroad.
In this connection it may not be inappropriate to mention another bene- factor to West Union whose investments have beautified the town with profit to himself. Reference is here made to Col. J. W. Bopp, who has built or re- built and modernized some eight or more houses in the north part of town which command high rentals from the best of the class who rent their homes. He has also built the Bopp block, a handsome brick and stone structure, nearly opposite the National Bank, on South Vine street. This is used for an office building, in which is located Mr. Bopp's finely equipped offices, besides others.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
The town of West Union was incorporated as a city of the second class in 1866, and since that time, with scarcely an exception, has had a conservative, yet progressive, municipal government. Judge H. N. Hawkins was the first
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mayor and it seems to have been the policy since to elect the best men in the place to that office, regardless of their political affiliations, and a co-operative city council has usually followed.
INDUSTRIES.
One of the earliest and most useful industries in West Union was the steam saw-mill, erected in 1851-2, by Gabriel Long and Joshua Wells. Prior to its construction the few boards used for flooring and doors in the pioneer cabins had to be hauled from Elkader, or from McGregor's Landing, on the Mississippi river. But in early days, and down to the building of the rail- road in 1872, the market point for surplus grain was at Elkader, Clayton, or McGregor. Goods were shipped by merchants to river points, and some of the early settlers earned a living by hauling produce from West Union to these points and returning with loads of merchandise.
The building of the brick flouring-mill in 1855 was an innovation. This property was completed with all necessary equipments of steam power and machinery of that time, and started on a precarious career in 1857. William Redfield was the local promoter of this enterprise, his associates being Maxson & Company. It never was a profitable investment, the water-power mills which came into use about that time being formidable rivals much more cheap- ly operated. The use of the building as a flouring mill was discontinued many years ago and the machinery sold and removed. It is located near the site of the first saw mill-that erected and operated by Joshua Wells, on block 19. The old building has been used for many purposes aside from its original one. It was substantially constructed, of large dimensions, and three stories high, and served the purposes of other industries admirably. The Union Creamery Company once conducted an extensive business there for a number of years. Then a portion of it was utilized as a cigar factory, and we think it was used, in part, by the brick and tile factory, and the pickling plant.
Crosby & Hubbard once started a foundry and machine shop in the south part of town near the railroad tracks, but this enterprise was of short duration.
There has been a steam saw mill in operation in "Whitneyville" for sev- eral years past. It was first established in the old cooper shop brick building, but was later moved a block south and a building erected for a feed mill and sawing business, combined. The feed mill feature has been abandoned and a garage and repair shop substituted. The Clapp Brothers also are engaged in the manufacture of small gasoline engines, for farm use, in connection with
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sawing lumber and storing and repairing automobiles. This is a busy estab- lishment.
The railroad history of the county is written up in a special article on that subject and need not be repeated here further than to state that West Union figured more prominently in the promotion of early railroads than any other town in the county. From this point radiated through the county much of the "railroad energy," and it was largely through West Union's speakers and canvassers that the taxes were voted in other townships, in aid of railroad construction. This may be stated with equal justice in relation to the county-seat contests of earlier days, and in the adjustment of hotly con- tested political controversies. The church history of West Union is ex- haustive; but four of the principal churches in the place are written up in special articles by men thoroughly conversant with their history, and are rep- resented in the chapter on Church History of Fayette county.
CHURCHES.
The Christian church was one of the first on the ground, the organiza- tion dating from the winter of 1853-4, and the erection of their church build- ing dates from the next year. The first pastor was Rev. E. Griffin. The church was prosperous for a few years, when by reason of deaths and remov- als, the membership decreased, and finally services were discontinued. The old church building was merged into a private school house, where Professor J. P. Wallace conducted a private school. It was later the home of Ains- worth's Academy, whereat many of the present middle aged people of the town and surrounding country received their academical instruction. Prob- ably more teachers were turned out from Ainsworth's Academy in the seventies and eighties than from any other one-room school house in Fayette county.
The Seventh-Day Adventists came into existence as a church organiza- tion in Fayette county from the ministrations of Elders D. T. Bordeau and George R. Butler, in August. 1867. The society was never a strong one in West Union : but they erected a church building at the northern edge of the corporation, and flourished there for a time. Nason Hoyt and his son, L. B .. and F. H. Chapman were among the leaders in this movement. Two of them are dead and the other removed, hence the church fell into disuse and was finally sold and converted into a residence.
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