USA > Iowa > Marshall County > The History of Marshall County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 61
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Crocker Encampment, No. 31 .- Established January 5, 1866. Charter granted Oct. 20, 1869. Charter members, R. Howe Taylor, T. A. Lampman, John Turner, R. Andrews, L. Armbruster, J. C. Koener, W. W. Warl. First officers : R. Howe Taylor, C. P .; T. A. Lampman, H. P .; John Turner, S. W .; W. W. Warrock, Scribe; R. Andrews, Treasurer; J. C. Koener, J. W. Present officers : C. B. Pinkhaem, C. P .; M. K. Williams, H. P .; T. C. Smelser, S. W .; Charles Deesing, Scribe; W. T. Treadwell, Treasurer; Geo. L. Canfield, J. W.
Goethe Lodge, No. 211, I. O. O. F. (German)-This Lodge was instituted Jan. 4, 1871, by D. D. G. M. C. B. Pinkham. The charter was granted the 19th day of October, 1871, by John Gundaker, G. M .. and William Garrett, G. S., to the following charter members : J. C. Koener. John E. Nestel. D. E. Ankeny, C. J. Epenalter, M. Stern, Simon Stern, L. Armbruster, E. Berthald, - Greenbaum, - Grumn. First officers : J. C. Koener, N. G .; M. Stern, V.
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
G .; C. J. Epenalter. Secretary. Present officers : F. S. Deichrick, N. G .; S. Mickley. V. G .; George Bowneon, Secretary; F. J. Widl, P. S .; C. Eucher, Treasurer. Membership, fifty. Meet every Wednesday evening.
A. O. U. W .- This society was organized April 16, 1877. The charter was granted the same date by the Grand Lodge of the State of Iowa, to the following named charter members: Hiram Willard, H. Greenbaum, R. C. Lindsay, O. M. Lindsay. M. M. Choate, C. L. Carpenter, George Sowers, L. E. B. Ilolt, Oscar Allen, Philip Burkhart, M. Ash, W. E. Sargent, N. C. Nelson, James R. Haines. J. D. Vail, James Long, Joseph Johnson, Benjamin Jarvis, Charles P. Cummings, W. E. Snelling and Robert J. Vogle. The society held their first meeting in Odd Fellows' Hall, their present location, and elected the following officers : L. E. B. Holt, P. M. W .; R. C. Lindsay. M. W .: James Haines, Foreman ; J. D. Vail, O .: J. Long, Recorder ; W. E. Sargent, Financier ; H. Greenbaum, Receiver: M. M. Choate, I. W .; P. Burkhart, O. W. Present officers : J. D. Vail, P. M. W .; James Haines, M. W .: Benjamin Jarvis, F .; J. M. Gilchrist. O .; J. T. Dart, G .: L. S. Kilborn. Financier ; L. E. B. Holt, Recorder ; Henry Rehm, I. W .; - Craig, O. W .; H. Greenbaum, Receiver ; Drs. Holt, Long and Ward, Medical Examiners ; Representative to Grand Lodge since the organization, L. E. B. Holt. Num- ber of Master Workmen, seventy-six ; membership, seventy-six. The society carry $2,000 insurance on each member. The society is in a strong condition and the members are justly proud of it.
Cosmopolitan Lodge, No. 30, Knights of Pythias .- Instituted June 22. 1876. The charter members and first officers were as follows : George F. Valliant, P. C .; E. H. Hibben, C. C .; W. T. Treadwell, V. C .; N. C. Osborn, S. P .; A. N. French, K. of R. and S .; H. L. Getz, M. of F .; E. R. Jones, M. of E .; N. A. Chapman, M. of A .; T. C. Smelser, I. G .; George S. Hickox, O. G. Present officers-E. R. Jones, P. C .; W. A. Chapman, C. C .; B. L. Burritt, V. C .; J. L. Carney, P .; S. L. Smith, M. of A .; O. P. Arnold, K. of R. and S .; W. T. Treadwell, M. of E .; T. I. Wasson, M. of F .; J. H. Johnston, I. G .; W. H. Sibley, O. G .; E. H. Hibben, D. G. C .: Julius Pappe, G. M. of E. Membership, sixty. Meet every Monday night in Ma- sonic Hall, in Woodbury Block.
A new degree was added at the last meeting of the Grand Lodge, called the Endowment Rank. It consists of insurance of $1,000, $2,000 and $3,000. The officers of this degree are Byron A. Beeson, President; O. P. Arnold, Vice President; J. B. Stattler, Secretary ; E. L. Lement, Sentinel ; T. I. Wasson, Guide; W. H. Harrington, Chaplain. £ This fund was instituted in Marshalltown, by E. H. Hibben.
The Masonic Hall is on the second floor in Woodbury Block, and is finely furnished. There are several ante-rooms, well provided with wardrobes belong- ing to the different societies. The hall will compare favorably with any in the State.
Independent Order of Foresters-Court Excelsior, No. 1 .- The dispensa- tion was granted this society by the G. H. Court of the United States, Jan- uary 2. 1878. The charter members were: R. Howe Taylor, L. E. B. Holt, J. McCaw, J. R. Haines, J. D. Vail, J. Heath. J. T. Dart, O. P. Arnold, W. H. Weatherly, Hiram Willard, E. R. Jones, M. K. Williams, John T. Upson, W. E. Sargent, O. Allen and twenty-eight others. First officers: R. Howe Tay- lor, W. C. R .; L. E. B. Holt, V. C. R .; O. P. Arnold, R. S .; T. Baum, F. S .; J. D. Heath, T .; R. Lindsey, Chaplain; O. Allen, H .; M. K. Williams, S. W .; J. A. Leach, J. W .; Frank Killala, S. B .; W. A. Forbes, J. B.
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
Present officers : L. E. B. Holt, W. C. R .: O. P. Arnold, V. C. R .; T. L. Seevers, R. S .: Otto Lasche, F. S .; J. D. Heath, T .; J. T. Dart, S. W .; W. A. Forbes, J. W .; R. Hoyt, S. B .; T. Baum, J. B .; E. B. Chalfand, C .; Rep- resentative to G. H. C., R. Howe Taylor; Alternate, John McCaw.
BANKS.
The First National Bank .- This institution was established in 1864, under the general act of the previous year, by G. M. Woodbury, T. B. Abell. H. E. J. Boardman, E. Willigrod, George Glick, Wells S. Rice, J. Smith, John Turner, J. L. Williams, David Parrett, C. W. Fracker, et al. Mr. Woodbury became the largest stockholder. The Board of Directors consisted of George Glick, G. W. Woodbury, HI. E. J. Boardman, T. B. Abell and Daivd Parrett. Mr. Woodbury was elected President; Mr. Abell, Vice President; and Mr. Fracker, Cashier. Business was begun June 23, 1864. The capital stock was placed at $100,000. A change in the ownership of stock subsequently resulted in the election of Mr. Glick, President, and J. P. Woodbury, Vice President. The Board was changed to the following: G. M. Woodbury, George Glick, B. T. Frederick, J. P. Woodbury, F. Woodbury. Mr. G. M. Woodbury's death created a vacancy in the Board, which was filled by the election of C. E. Brom- ley. C. W. Fracker became Cashier in place of Mr. Glick, but was succeeded in January, 1877, by T. J. Fletcher. Michael C. Healion and Arthur Gliek are bookkeepers.
The City Bank .- In 1870, Messrs. W. H. Hager & Sons, of Hagerstown, Md., established the business now known as the City Bank. July 1, 1873, Messrs. J. L. Williams, H. E. J. Boardman, John Turner and C. W. Stone became the prime movers in the organization of a National Bank, called the Farmers' National Bank of Marshalltown. At the same date, these gentlemen purchased the private banking business of Messrs. Hager & Sons, and continued the same under the name of the City Bank. The two institutions were success- fully managed for more than two years, when the National Bank was voluntarily discontinued and the business transferred to the City Bank. The officers of the Farmers' National Bank were: II. E. J. Boardman, President; John Turner, Vice President ; J. H. H. Frisbee, Cashier. The corporation owned the fine edifice, corner of Main st. and First av., which is still the property of the four gentlemen who own the City Bank. The latter business is a private copart- nership, without incorporation. Mr. Williams is Cashier-the only officer-and has held that post since the date of the purchase of the bank by the present owners. The capital of this bank is the private fortunes of the several mem- bers, like that of any partnership concern. The spacious block, corner of Main st. and Center av., is owned by the firm. A large business is done by the house.
Marshalltown Bank .- This bank is owned and conducted by a private cor- poration. It was commenced in January, 1878, by E. L. Lyon, lately from Victor, Iowa. in the building erected by him in 1877, at No. 27 West Main st. Late in February, 1878, Mr. Lyon sold the business and fixtures to the present proprietors, Messrs. Adair Brothers and G. G. Charlton. of Washington. Iowa. and H. A. Parker, of Chicago, Ill. They commenced with a capital of $50,- 000, the majority of which is now paid up, and are doing a good and safe busi- ness. They have purchased a lot nearly opposite the post office for a permanent location, and are preparing to erect upon it a handsome and commodious bank building, which they will occupy when finished.
Loan Associations .- There are two of these societies in Marshalltown-the Hawkeye and the Farmers' and Mechanics'. The former was begun in 1870;
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
the latter is a newer organization. The general purposes of these incorpora- tions is to render aid, in the form of loans, to worthy needy members. The capital represented is about $300,000, and the aggregate membership is nearly 400. The officers of the Hawkeye Benevolent and Loan Association are: S. Lacey, President : Mark Ehlc, Vice President ; M. Il. Haviland, Secretary : F. Grumme, Treasurer; Brown & Binford, Solicitors. Of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Loan Association : M. L. Rogers, President ; S. Lacey, Vice Pres- ident; George Kroger, Secretary : M. H. Haviland. Treasurer : A. F. Hara- don, Solicitor.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
Iowa Barb Steel Wire Co. was established in July, 1877, by a company consisting of D. M. Pickering, President ; R. Sears, Treasurer ; A. S. Bur- nell, Secretary, for the purpose of manufacturing barb wire of Mr. Burnell's patent. Lots were purchased and the erection of a building was at once begun. The buildings are located near the Chicago & Southwestern Railroad tracks : the main building is 40x160 feet in size, and is three stories high, including basement ; the new building just completed is 45x60 feet, and is used for tar- ring the wire and for drying the same by steam. Seventy men are employed in the manufacture of this barb wire, running both day and night. The works have a capacity of three car loads per week ; each bundle containing 100 rods of wire. The barbs are at present being put on by hand, but Mr. Burnell has in- vented an automatic machine which can perform the work of eight men per day ; this machine puts on the barbs, cuts off the wire, and spools it-in fact, does all the work, except tarring it. Mr. Burnell hopes that by perfecting his machine it may prove a wonderful success. Two large saws are also in the works, used in cutting lumber into frames on which to spool the wire. An en- gine of twenty-five horse-power and a boiler of forty horse-power are used in operating the machinery. The engine is of Kirkwood's pattern. The officers of the company at present are : R. Sears, President, E. L. Leonard, Treasurer, R. E. Sears, Secretary, and H. T. Beckitt, Bookkeeper and Manager.
Hawkeye Oil Mills .- This industry was established in 1872, by Abbott, Knisely & Glick, and consists of the manufacture of linseed oil and oil cake. The mills are located in the southern portion of the city, south of Linn Creek. The main building is quite a large building, but the increasing business of the mills compelled an addition 45x40 feet in size, and a second addition 40x80 feet. all of brick. The mills are supplied with the very best of machinery. The milling stones weigh five tons apiece, the crack rolls cach weigh 1,000 pounds, and are eleven inches in diameter, and forty-two inches long. The massive iron presses are four in number, and each has a capacity of 475 tons. The capacity of the mills is 1,000 gallons of oil per day, employing eighteen men, and runing night and day: 120,000 bushels of seed was consumed in 1877-8, in the mill, for which was paid an average of $1 per bushel. A first-class horizontal engine of forty horse-power, is used in operating the ma- chinery. There are twenty-seven bins in the mills, each holding 2,000 bushels of seed. The storing capacity is about 800 barrels of oil in each tank ; there are two large tanks outside the building, and several inside ; the building where the oil is boiled is situated a distance from the main building. Great care has to be exercised in this branch of the work. as the oil is very inflammable. About forty-five tons of oil cake is manufactured per week. There is manufact- ured and leaves the mill every day. on an average of one car-load of oil and cake. The mill receives by way of freight, barrels, etc., about 800 car-loads per annum. Mr. F. B. Woodruff is Foreman of the works, and has charge of
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all the work. The sales of the works are in Boston, New York, and other Eastern cities, Chicago, and in fact, all over the Northwest and West.
Marshall Furniture Factory .- This establishment was organized in 1875. by Kreutzer & Wasem, and is engaged in the manufacture of furniture. The main building is 25x40 feet in size, and is three stories high: the new building is 35x40 feet, and is three stories high. They manufacture all qualities of furniture, with the exception of chairs. A saw-mill is in connection with the works, and is used in sawing this lumber into suitable length ; everything per- taining to the work is done but varnishing. They sell to wholesale dealers. The owners have recently placed in some new machinery, and are doing as good work as any manufactory in Iowa. They do a business of about $1,000 per week. A large engine of thirty-five horse-power is used in the manufactory. They employ eighteen men, all skilled workmen. Their sales are principally in Iowa and Minnesota.
The Marshall Foundry was established some time in 1860 or 1861, and subsequently came into the hands of its present owners. The building is of brick and is 150x105 feet in size, and is located on the corner of Linn street and Second avenue. The firm is engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of machinery, castings, iron columns, balustrading and all kinds of ornamental iron work, stoves, sled runners, harrows, land rollers, etc. They use an engine of twenty-one horse-power. Six men are employed in the machine shops, three blacksmiths, six to eight in the foundry. The company also do the casting work for the Central Railroad of Iowa.
Northwestern Iron Fence Co .- This company is engaged extensively in the manufacture of iron machinery. They are also engaged in casting the base for several patterns of iron fence posts. They are preparing to turn out of their shops the "Little Prairie " corn sheller, a new pattern which is regarded as a success in its way. The officers of the company are : B. F. Frederick, Presi- dent ; John Seagar. Vice President ; S. P. Knisely, Treasurer : J. M. Gilchrist, Secretary.
The Marshall Canning Co .- This enterprise is of recent date, but if prop- erly managed, will make one of the most important manufactories of Marshall- town. The company was organized in the Spring of 1878, and is engaged in the canning of corn and tomatoes and all kinds of fruit. The works are located on Third avenue, near the depot. The main building is 40x80 feet in size, the addition is 28x40, all of frame. The company are at present manu- facturing cans, having 120,000 on hand. The officers of the company are : Harry Young, of Clinton, President ; O. B. Cooper, Secretary and Treasurer ; Sylvanus Dunham is one of the Directors and General Manager.
ELEVATORS.
The elevator of J. W. Brackett was established some time prior to 1870, and was destroyed by fire in 1872, but was rebuilt in the same place, near the C. & N. W. R. R. Mr. Brackett operated it until April, 1876, when it was again destroyed by fire. Nothing daunted, a new elevator was at once erected in its stead, and is three stories high and 34x48 feet in size, having a capacity of about 25,000 bushels. Mr. Brackett ships over 250,000 bushels of grain annually. Four men are employed.
The Woodbury Mill was originally built in 1855, but was entirely rebuilt in 1873. It is located on Iowa River, near the water works, built of frame and three stories high. They use both steam and water power. The mill contains four Eclipse wheels and four runs of stone, as well as the latest improved mill-
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machinery, including the " Middlings Purifier." manufacturing 100 barrels of flour every twenty-four hours. The engines and boilers are situated on the opposite bank, and have a capacity of forty horse-power The sales are prin- cipally in Marshalltown and vicinity.
The Soap Manufactory of H. W. Benedict was established in 1868. Mr. Benedict has been burned out several times, but now occupies quarters in a substantial brick structure on the corner of Linn street and First avenue. The building is 44x35 feet in size, consisting of two stories. Three thousand pounds of soap are manufactured daily, employing five men. Mr. Benedict is using " Gibbs' Pattern and Process," and is meeting with success. Sales in all parts of Iowa and adjoining States.
The Iowa Building and Manufacturing Company was established Nov. 12. 1877, with the following officers : J. D. Heath, President; A. N. French, Sec- retary and Treasurer ; Directors-J. D. Heath, Enos Baker, H. R. Rehm, J T. Dart and A. N. French. The buildings of the company are situated at 205 West Main street, and are 28x90 feet and two stories in height. Their chief manufactures are sash, doors and blinds, as well as all kinds of building. Their materials are purchased principally in Chicago, and they employ forty skilled mechanics. They have a first-class twenty horse-power engine, and though only in operation for a short time. they have already done $25,000 worth of labor.
Tow Manufactory .- Established in January, 1878, and is the property of Stoddart Brothers. The manufactory is located on the south side of Linn Creek, beyond the depot. Their main building is 30x60 feet in size, and the addition is 16x50 feet. The engine house, 18x24 feet, accommodates an eighteen horse-power engine. The owners are engaged in the manufacture of tow, which they dispose of to upholsterers and paper makers. They employ seven workmen, and have a capacity of one ton or more per day.
The Marshall Brewery .- John Bowman, proprietor of the Marshall Brew- ery, has been in business here since 1858. The building now being used as a brewery was formerly a woolen mill; but some additions have been added and it is now 75x80 feet in size, all stone, and contains two large cellars, each con- taining from 1,200 to 1,500 barrels of lager. An engine of five horse-power is used in the brewery. A new boiler was recently placed in this building. The large malting house is 110x40 feet in size and three stories high, is built of brick and is located on Church street, 207. It has a probable capacity of 8,000 bushels of barley. Twelve workmen are employed. Mr. Bowman ships to all points within a radius of 100 miles.
Lowa River Brewery is located on the banks of the Iowa River, near the water works. The building is frame and is 24x70 feet in size. The brewery is the property of Vogle & Collman, but is being run by Mr. Vogle. There are two cellars, each holding between three and four hundred barrels of beer. The mill is operated by horse power. There are three large vats in the brew- ery, each holding twenty-five barrels. Their sales are at present chiefly in Marshall, but the proprietor intends to do some shipping soon to other places.
John D. Vail's Bottling Works were established in 1873. Mr. Vail oc- cupies a two-story brick building at 130 West Main street, and is engaged in the bottling of soda water, ales, beers, etc. Mr. Vail employs six men, and his sales extend into Iowa for a radius of seventy-five and one hundred miles.
The Carriage Manufactory of Coburn & Rewey has been in operation since 1868. They began the business on a moderate scale, but within the past five years have so increased their trade as to require additional facilities, and have
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
nearly completed a new two-story frame building on First avenue, which they intend soon to occupy.
Butler & Morrison are also engaged in the manufacture of carriages, bug- gies, spring wagons, etc., at 132 West Main street. This business was estab- lished in 1876, gives employment to three men and does considerable business outside the city.
E. G. Sleight established himself in the grain business in this city in 1862. and built an elevator in 1863, which was destroyed in the great fire of 1872. A new one was immediately erected in its place which was also burned in 1876. The present elevator, three stories high and 30x80 feet in size, was built upon the same site. Mr. Sleight ships from 400,000 to 600,000 bushels of grain annually to New York, Boston and other points.
FIRES.
Marshalltown has been visited by several destructive fires since its rapid growth and development into a city, but by far the most disastrous, and, in comparison, a " Chicago Fire," was the one that occurred on the 2d of May. 1872, commencing at the hour of noon. The following account of the confla- gration and losses sustained is taken from the Marshall Times of May 9, 1872: " The most destructive fire that ever took place in Central Iowa occurred in this city about noon, May 2, 1872. The first intimation our citizens had of the coming calamity was the shriek of the danger whistles of a number of engines down by the depot. A few moments after, the bells rang out the alarm and the city was thoroughly aroused. A fierce wind was blowing from the southeast. and the moment the location of the fire was ascertained, the gravest apprehen: sion for the safety of the city was indulged in.
" The fire made its appearance in Stanley's elevator, in the southeastern portion of the city. Its origin is not known and probably never will be to a certainty. By some it is thought to have first caught from the sparks of a pass- ing locomotive, or from the railroad steam pumps across the track ; others who claim to have been early on the ground, say that the flames first made their appearance on the cupola on the north side of the elevator. If this is the case. and it is the best authenticated report, the fire must have been the result of incendiarism or spontaneous combustion. The elevator had been running for a day or two, and the theory of a heated journal is, therefore, impracticable. Be the cause what it may, the burning of the elevator was the beginning of one of the most terrible calamities that ever visited our city.
" With almost incredible rapidity the flames spread to the elevator of E. G. Sleight on the west, and G. W. Westlake's elevator on the east. Fanned by the gale, a broad sheet of flame darted across Market street, and in a mo- inent more the Aultwein House, a large, four-story brick structure, was wrapped in its fiery embrace. Cunningham's lumber yard near by caught at the same time, and the large stone woolen factory, with all its valuable machinery, fol- lowed a moment after. Before the appalled by-standers could hardly realize the situation, the fire crossed to the west side of Station street, and Binford's elevator went off like dry tinder. Coppick's elevator followed in a moment, and the lumber yards near by were soon enveloped in a roaring, seething mass of fire that laughed in its fierce strength at the puny efforts of the frightened citizens to stay its progress directly into the business part of the city. The fine, new brick block occupied by Mr. Watson was the next to succumb to the fiery ele- ment, and the Williams House, one of our largest hotels, followed a few minutes later. It was now feared that unless help could be had from abroad, the heart
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of the city would soon follow in the wake of this important suburb. The depot of the North-Western Railway Company then caught, and the agents and opera- tors had barely time to save their instruments and papers. The pump building also caught, and although strenuous efforts were made to save it, as the tanks of both railroads were supplied therefrom, it was but a short time before it joined its unfortunate neighbors in smoke.
" The flames, making northward, crossed Nevada street, and enwrapped Craigue & Johnston's grocery store, next Leonard's billiard hall and Henry's shoe shop: consuming these with fearful rapidity, they also burned up the meat market. The large double store, occupied by Deitrich & Son as a dry goods house, was next blotted out of existence, and the livery stable immediately in the rear caught and was consumed directly thereafter. The next building to vanish was the carriage factory directly north. Here the flames were stayed in this direction by some unoccupied lots and the strenuous exertions of those living in the residences further up. On the opposite side of Station street, however, the burning Williams House set fire to the brick residence of Thomas Cole, which was quickly added to the general loss. The almost superhuman endeavors of the firemen on the roof of E. G. Sleight's residence near by, saved that house and the eastern part of the city. West, the flames followed the coal sheds and lumber piles, and licking up at a mouthful Stanley's agricult- ural warehouse, crossed First street, and burned the residence owned by W. R. Smith, and leaping over two houses that were saved by sheer nerve and pluck, burned the boarding house kept by John Anslem. Here it was stayed by the tearing-down of fences, out-buildings, etc. Had Mr. Sleight's residence burned, or had Mr. Peter Kreutzer's house been abandoned, when it seemed almost impossible to save it, no human energy or strength could have saved the city. As it was, sparks were carried up into Main street. blocks away, and at one time a pile of shavings in the rear of Arnold's furniture store caught fire and had it not been discovered immediately, the business part of town would have most assuredly gone. About the time the Williams House was consumed and fears for the safety of the city first began to be entertained, Grinnell, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines were telegraphed for assistance. In less than ten min- utes after the reception of the dispatch, the Grinnell Hook and Ladder Company and Extinguisher Brigade were on the mail train bound for thr scene of the dis- aster. The engineer brought the train into the city in thirty-four minutes after leaving Grinnell, and our brave neighbors were in five minutes more at work with our citizens. We cannot compliment the generous conduct of our Grinnell neighbors too highly. At a minute's notice they sprang to our assistance and aided us with a heart and will that is deserving of our heartiest grati- tude.
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