USA > Iowa > Benton County > The history of Benton County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics > Part 54
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
and enterprising. The various kinds of business are quite fully represented. There are several grain elevators, with steam power, two or three flouring-mills in the vicinity, two banks, numerous stores and hotels.
In manufactures, the town is rather backward; but there is no doubt that, as capital increases, a portion will be invested in this direction, whereby the town will increase to the full importance it deserves to hold as the commercial mart for a large portion of the four counties of Benton, Tama, Poweshiek and Iowa.
MUNICIPAL.
The municipal officers chosen at the organizing election in 1868, were D. A. Kennedy, Mayor; J. P. Henry, Treasurer ; J. F. Roberts, Marshal ; E. A. Bird, E. G. Brown, D. C. Twogood and J. Fohls, Councilmen. The first election was May 22, 1868.
The Council held its first meeting at Howard & Johnson's office, June 26, 1868, and after perfecting its organization, passed Ordinance No. 1, providing for the clection, by the Council, of a Marshal, Street Commissioner and Treas- urer. At the same meeting, K. D. Shugart was elected Treasurer, and Joseph Daniels Marshal and Street Commissioner. Ordinance No. 2, prohibiting stock from running at large, and Ordinance No. 3, concerning licenses, were then passed, after which the Council adjourned.
August 11th, the first sidewalk was ordered, on the south side of Second street, between Beach and Maple streets.
March 1, 1869, James Collister was elected Mayor, and John A. Ketring Recorder. April 13th, R. H. Peters was chosen Assessor by the Council, and May 28th, he reported the total population of the city to be 1,446.
March 7, 1870, James Collister was re-elected Mayor, and B. K. Peters was chosen Recorder. December 2, a committee was appointed to ascertain what steps would be necessary to secure protection from fire. January 13, 1871, an ordinance was passed requiring citizens to put and keep in order the flues, chimneys, etc.
March 6, 1871, A. Hale became Mayor, and George Alexander Recorder. May 26th, a contract was made with Smith & Chambers, to build a calaboose, at a cost of $105.
March 4, 1872, W. A. Scott was chosen Mayor ; R. H. Peters, Recorder. June 28th, several freeholders living on Sections 20, 30 and 19, Iowa Town- ship, having voted in favor of being annexed to the city, the territory owned by them was added to the corporate limits by formal resolution.
March 3, 1873, W. A. Scott was re-elected Mayor, and D. A. Kennedy became Recorder. May 23d, it was reported that twenty-seven persons had en- rolled themselves as a fire company. The offer was accepted by the Council, and they were requested to complete their organization as soon as possible. June 13th, the company reported themselves ready, and requested the Council to provide truck and other necessary apparatus. June 20th, the Council appro- priated $100 toward equipping the company, the members of that body having engaged to raise $75 more.
March 2, 1874, W. A. Scott was again chosen Mayor ; S. S. Sweet, Re- corder. July 17th, thanks were voted Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company for their efforts at the fire in First street.
March 1, 1875, George C. Scrimgeour became Mayor; Thomas Lawrence, Recorder.
March 6, 1876, Mr. Scrimgeour was re-elected Mayor ; A. H. Hilden- brand, Recorder. Both were re-elected in 1877.
447
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
It is proper to mention that almost annually since the incorporation of Belle Plaine, hundreds of dollars have been expended on the roads in the vicinity of the Iowa River, which, although necessary, has been a heavy burden on this enterprising town.
The city officers of Belle Plaine for 1878, are as follows: G. C. Scrim- geonr, Mayor; A. Hildenbrand, Recorder ; Samuel Wentz, V. Kesl, A. J. Hartman, C. W. Gorc, Joseph Daniels, Councilmen ; S. S. Sweet, Treasurer ; D. A. Kennedy, Assessor ; James R. Cruson, Street Commissioner.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1 .- The first meeting to organ- ize this company was held June 24, 1873, at which time James Collister was elected Foreman ; C. H. Schnoor, First Assistant ; W. P. Tuttle, Second Assistant ; S. S. Sweet, Treasurer ; Tom Lawrence, Secretary. July 1st. the company had thirty members.
April 18. 1874, a committee was appointed to ascertain and report the cost of suitable uniforms ; and on the 14th of July, twenty-seven members had pur- chased uniforms. August 11th, a committee reported that they had procured and placed the seats for the company's hall.
June 19, 1877, it was resolved to attend the funeral of C. H. Schnoor, whose death had just occurred, and the usual symbols of mourning were placed over the truck house and apparatus.
The officers for 1878 are as follows: S. Sweet, Foreman; M. Prentiss, First Assistant ; M. Aulsbrook. Second Assistant ; A. Erlanger, Secretary ; R. Wilson, Financial Secretary ; T. Lawrence, Treasurer.
The fire-record book notes fires as follows : July 16, 1874, a fire broke out in the law office of A. F. Bell, by which several small buildings were partially burned. Two or three were torn down to prevent the further progress of the fire. Fires caught July 7 and December 5, 1876, but were promptly extin- guished. May 24, 1877, the house owned by C. L. Ward took fire, and on the following day the Alexander Foundry was discovered to be burning, but both were saved. April 19, 1878, the blacksmith shop near the round-house was discovered to be on fire, but the flames had made such headway that the com- pany and citizens could not save the building. It was accordingly torn down to prevent loss to adjacent property.
SCHOOL RECORD.
The Independent District of Belle Plaine was organized by the election of a School Board September 4, 1865, at which time John Stowe, M. D., was elected President ; Presley Hutton, Vice President ; D. C. Forbes, Treasurer ; D. C. Twogood, Secretary ; Peter Hafer. E. G. Brown, A. Steinacle, Directors. The bounds of the district were noted as follows : Commencing at the south- west corner of Section 16, running east two and a half miles ; thence north one mile ; thence west two and a half miles ; thence south to the place of beginning, embracing Sections 19, 20 and half of 21.
September 9, a committee of the Board was appointed to ascertain if a room could be procured for school purposes. On the 12th, the committee reported that they could do nothing ; whereupon, after discussion, it was decided to buy ground and erect a building 20x30 feet in size, and two stories high, as soon as practicable. December 4, a room was rented of Mr. Daniels for a school room at the rate of $13 per month. Dec. 18, the Board prescribed as text-books : McGuffey's Readers, Pinneo's Grammar, Ray's Arithmetic, Monteith's and
448
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
McNally's Geography. Mr. Kennedy was employed to teach the school, but it was soon found that an assistant was needed, and on Christmas Day, Miss Cupid was employed.
At the elector's meeting in March, 1866, the people expressed themselves in favor of a site on the north side of the railroad, and authorized the Board to levy a ten-mill tax for the purpose of building a brick house with stone founda- tions. The Board were also empowered to issue $10,000 in bonds, but this was, per- haps fortunately, never accomplished. The Board were afterward authorized to issue $3,000 in orders, but they were not able to accomplish even this.
No progress was made in building till Sept. 30, 1867, when the bid of A. Head to construct the building for the sum of $1,415 was accepted. March 12, 1868, an order was drawn in favor of J. P. Henry, the Treasurer, for $1,000, to enable him to pay the money borrowed at Vinton, and for which some of the Directors had made themselves individually responsible.
September 10, 1870, the Principal was directed to have the school graded, and provision was made for advertising the fact, as well as for procuring suitable blanks.
February 13, 1871, the district authorized the Board to issue bonds for $15,000, but this came to nothing. October 5, a contract was made with Smith & Chambers to build an addition to the house at a cost of $550.
October 24, 1872, the Board purchased an organ.
Another house was built for the district in the Fall of 1875, at a cost of $653.25.
The gentlemen named below composed the School Board during 1878: E. S. Johnson, Joseph Paulicek, J. B. Cox, R. M. Bailey, Dr. J. Morley, J. Dan- iels, Directors ; S. S. Sweet, Secretary ; John D. Wilson, Treasurer.
The corps of teachers for the school year 1877-8 was as follows: U. B. Sanders, Principal ; Lucy Lamb, Assistant ; J. H. Welch, South Intermediate ; Miss Julia Powers, Grammar Department. The other teachers were : Emma Powers, Mrs. Hess, Miss Henry and Miss Collister.
Congregational .- This society was organized in March, 1866, by Rev. S. P. La Due, a missionary of the Congregational society, with four members. In October of that year, Rev. Daniel Lane, who had been formerly a professor in Iowa College, at Grinnell, and who had for twenty-five years been identified with Congregationalism in Iowa, whose labors were abundantly blessed, for the membership had risen to fifty-two just prior to the completion of the church, and on the day of the dedication that number was increased by fifteen.
Rev. Mr. Lane, who came under the auspices of the Missionary Society. preached his first sermon October 4th. This and the two following were preached in the building then used for school purposes. From January 20, 1867, till May 8, 1870, one service was held each Sabbath at the German church.
The society purchased the lot owned by Mr. Hibbard on Third street, in April, 1869. The church was built in the Fall of that year, and was dedicated on Sunday, May 8, 1870. The building, which will seat over two hundred persons, cost $1,927.13, the cost of the lot being $360. Of this amount, $1,683.63 was raised in Belle Plaine, $362.43 being raised by the La- dies' Society. The gifts from friends in other places amounted to $203.50, and from the Congregational Union, $400. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Jesse Guernsey, of Dubuque, Rev. Daniel Lane, the Pastor, assisting in the services.
During the first five years the membership had a net increase of eighty. Three had died, and thirteen had taken letters of dismissal.
449
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
Rev. Mr. Lane resigned his pastorate in October, 1872, being succeeded soon after by Rev. Mr. Wadhams as Pastor, who remained in charge till No- vember, 1874, when he resigned to remove to Charles City.
First Methodist Episcopal Church .- This body was regularly organized June 2, 1866, by the election of G. D. Blue as President : W. W. Benson. Vice President ; A. N. Twogood, Secretary and Treasurer. Articles of incor- poration were adopted at the same meeting.
June 9, 1866, a committee was appointed to ascertain the cost of erecting a suitable church building, and W. W. Benson, T. Thompson and A. N. Two- good were selected as Building Committee. July 21st, Lot 2 in Block 3 was purchased for church site, and soon after made a contract with D. B. Blue for the erection of a building at a cost of $2,484, and the church was erected dur- ing the latter half of the same year. The date of dedication is lost, but it was probably in January, 1867, the services being conducted by Rev. A. J. Kynett.
Rev. J. B. Taylor is the present Pastor of the society. The membership is about one hundred and twenty.
The present officers are : D. L. Wilson, J. B. Cox, D. A. Kennedy, A. J. Hartman, J. G. Benson, E. G. Swem, W. Robinson, Trustees ; E. G. Swem, W. Robinson, E. R. Price, A. J. Hartman, Wm. Rucker.
W. Robinson is Superintendent of the Sabbath school; J. W. Stabler, Sec- retary ; Frank Doughty, Librarian. The average attendance of pupils is about one hundred and twenty-five, taught by sixteen teachers.
First Universalist .- This society organized December 26, 1874. Mr. Bickford was elected President; J. F. Roberts, Clerk ; H. Aulbrook, Treas- urer ; J. B. Marston, J. D. Wilson, H. Gardner, Trustees. Three persons added their names to the roll during the meeting. The services of Rev. I. A. Eberhart, who had been mainly instrumental in forming the church, were im- mediately engaged as Pastor.
December 15, 1875, a conference meeting of the Universalist ministers of adjacent territory was held at Belle Plaine. About the same time, Rev. J. A. Hoyt became Pastor of the society, remaining until December 31, 1876, when he preached his farewell sermon. Rev. I. A. Eberhart was immediately re- called to his former charge, which place he still retains.
The society has twenty members. Meetings are held at Grange Hall.
Rev. Mr. Eberhart is Superintendent of the Sabbath School ; J. F. Roberts, Secretary and Librarian.
Baptist (Regular) .- This church was organized April 28, 1877, and con- firmed May 19, 1877. The constituent members were S. L. Shults, D. W. Read, G. P. Hapgood, D. M. Keefer, John J. Wiley, Sidney Roberts, Clark Keith, J. N. Gray, Charles Twogood. George W. Fuller, Mrs. C. W. Gore, Mrs. Viola N. Hapgood, Emma Hess, Vinnie Read, Mrs. Phebe Keith, Mrs. S. C. Roberts, Mrs. Julia Twogood, Mrs. Perlina Read, Mrs. Hannah Shults, Mrs. M. W. Craven, Mrs. Mary Early, Mrs. Austa M. Prentiss, Mrs. H. M. Pryne, Mrs. Tamar R. Wiley, Mrs. Mary Keith, Mrs. D. W. Cole.
The only Deacon is S. L. Shults; R. C. Wilson is Clerk ; D. W. Read, S. L. Shults, G. P. Hapgood, Trustees.
Rev. Mr. Simmons, of Marion, organized the society, and Rev. J. W. Dan- iels has been Pastor since its formation. There have been several additions by letter or baptism, so that the society now numbers forty members.
R. M. Gibbs is Superintendent of the Sabbath school; R. C. Wilson is Secretary ; Miss Idalia Daniels, Treasurer. The average attendance of pupils is about forty.
450
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
The society bought a lot for a church building soon after its organization, but this was exchanged for two others on Beach street, south of the railroad. The building of the church was begun during the Spring of 1878, and the base- ment is now completed. The intention is to have the church erected and in- closed during the Autumn of 1878. It will cost, when completed, about $2,500. The building will be a frame structure, 30x50 feet.
Seventh Day Advent .- There was an organization of this church at Belle Plaine some years ago, but it is now dormant. An effort is now being made to revive the church. A tent meeting was held in July, 1878, near the depot, which was fairly attended.
Trinity Church .- This is the local name of the German Evangelical soci- ety, which was formed at Belle Plaine in 1865, Rev. Mr. Dubs being Presiding Elder at the time. Rev. Mr. Esher was one of the first Pastors of the church.
The church, which is a frame building, was erected in 1866, and cost about $3,600. It is 34x48 feet in size, and the room is sixteen feet high. The bell cost $300. Rev. Mr. Kipling is now Pastor of the church. The Trustees are Conrad Schild, Ernest Wudy, Henry Schild, Christoph Latge, Charles Snyder. Charles Snyder is Superintendent of the Sabbath school; Reuben Budy, Libra- rian. The average attendance of pupils is about sixty-five.
Catholic .- There is a Catholic society here, but it has no building as yet. occasional services are held.
The Belle Plaine Cemetery Association .- This corporation was organized in 1867, with A. Phillips as President. Its grounds are three-fourths of a mile east of the town.
TURNVEREIN.
An organization of this popular society among the Germans was made in June, 1871, with Hartwig Wessel as President; C. H. Schnoor, Vice Presi- dent ; Christian Johannsen, Secretary ; Hans Vogt, Treasurer. Practice meetings were fixed for Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. The soci- ety has about twenty-five members. The present officers are : S. Wentz, Presi- dent ; H. Lehm, Secretary; F. Kropenhapt, F. Junge, Matt Beck, Trustees.
MASONIC.
Hope Lodge, No. 175, A., F. §. A. M .- The first Masonic meeting held in Blairstown, under dispensation, was on the 11th of March, 1865, at which time Wm. C. Smith sat as W. M .; H. C. Rider, S. W. pro tem .; H. Guinn, Treasurer; J. W. Filkins, Secretary ; S. A. Wilcox, S. D .; John A. Dudgeon, J. D .; Philip Parks, Tiler. The other brethren present were K. D. Shugert, James Collister, John Cattron, who were also charter members. The visitors present were Levi H. Shugert, John A. Dudgeon, both of whom applied for membership.
The charter was issued in June, 1865, by E. A. Guilbert, Grand Master, and the Lodge was constituted by James McQuinn, Special Deputy for the occasion.
The deaths have been : William C. Smith, January 30, 1877; George P. Loring, September 14, 1870; M. Alworth, December 1, 1877. C. H. Silver- man is believed to have been murdered near Dubuque in 1872.
James Collister has held the office of W. M. continuously for ten years. A Masonic festival was held at Belle Plaine August 7, 1869, at which time about twenty visitors were in attendance from neighboring towns. The new Masonic Hall was dedicated October 29, 1873, the ceremonies being conducted by A. R. West, D. G. M. The present officers are as follows : T. Lawrence, Jr., W. M .;
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
William Lester, S. W .; Charles Dayton, J. W .; J. B. Cox, Treasurer; II. Bell. Secretary ; J. W. Craney, S. D .: R. F. Smith, J. D .; J. G. Benson, D. E. Magoon, Stewards ; G. Hutchins, Tiler. The Lodge has eighty-nine mem- bers. Meets Saturday evening on or before full moon.
Mount Horeb Chapter, No. 45, R. A. M .- The dispensation to this body was issued July 11, 1868, by H. H. Hemenway, G. H. P. E. A. Bird was named as M. E. H. P .; James McQuinn. E. K., and E. W. Stocker, E. S. The first meeting under the dispensation was held September 3d, at which time the remaining offices were filled as follows: G. Hutchins, C. H .: W. C. Smith, P. S .; P. W. Thompson, R. A. C .; S. A. Wilcox, G. M. 3d V .; Joshua Wor- ley, G. M. 2d V .; I. I. Messenger, G. M. 1st V .; J. W. Filkins, Sec .; I. Vor- his, Treasurer; J. Collister, Tiler. The Chapter was constituted by P. C. Wright, G. H. P., in person, November 7, 1868. The present officers are as follows; J. Worley, M. E. H. P .; William Lester, E. K .; J. D. Wilson, E. S .; G. Hutchins, Treasurer and C. H .: T. Lawrence, Jr., Secretary and P. S .; George Dayton, R. A. C .; Charles E. Dayton. G. M. 3d V .; J. W. Filkins, G. M. 2d V .; R. F. Smith, G. M. 1st V .; C. Saunders, Sentinel. The men- bership is fifty. Meets Monday evening on or before full moon.
St. Bernard Commandery, No. 14, K. T., was instituted September 29, 1869, by P. C. Wright, Grand Commander of Iowa. The first officers were : B. R. Sherman, E. C .; E. A. Bird, Gen .; W. A. Scott, C. G .; James McQuinn, Prel. ; James Collister, S. W. ; P. W. Thompson, J. W. ; G. Hutch- ins, W .; J. Worley, Recorder and Treasurer; E. W. Stocket, C. G .; Jacob Springer, Standard Bearer.
The Commandery was constituted by R. F. Bower, R. E. G. C., in person, December 13, 1869, accompanied by C. S. Rollins, D. C. C .; and four other Sir Knights, members of Excalibur Commandery of Boone.
The most notable occasion on which the commandery has appeared in pub- lic, was May 30, 1877, when it visited Marshalltown in a body to attend the · services on Decoration Day. The Commandery also visited Blairstown, Jan- uary 31, 1876, on the occasion of the burial of John Van Metre, a member of this Commandery, who was buried according to the rites of the Templar Order.
The other deaths among the membership of this Commandery have been, Judge C. H. Conklin, of Vinton, March 17, 1875 ; J. B. Resley, of La Grand, Marshall County, February 16, 1876.
James Collister is now E. C. ; E. A. Bird, Gen. ; W. C. Smith, Prel. ; J. Worley, Treas. ; P. W. Thompson, C. G. ; W. H. Sisson, Rec. ; J. K. Wagner, S. W .; J. J. Dayton, J. W. ; J. Springer, Standard Bearer ; A. Skiles, Sword Bearer ; E. W. Stocker, Warden ; W. A. Tewksbury, Third Guard; Charles Saunders, Sentinel.
The Commandery has eighty-four members. Meets on the third Wednesday in each month.
Belle Plaine Chapter, No. 30, Eastern Star, was organized by Mr. Thomp- son, Deputy Grand Master, about the first of October, 1873. The first officers were : James Collister, W. P. ; Miss Julia A. Brown, W. M. ; Mrs. H. Gwinn, A. M .; Miss Cupid, Treasurer ; Miss Sarah A. Brown, Secretary. The Chapter is now dormant.
ODD FELLOWS.
Belle Plaine Lodge, No. 151, I. O. O. F .- This Lodge was organized July 11, 1867, by Benjamin Rubert, of Dubuque, Grand Master, assisted by M. A. Newcomb, of Tama City, and A. A. Lindley, of Cedar Rapids. The Lodge
452
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
was organized in ample form in the afternoon, and E. M. Dodge was elected N. G. ; J. C. Kirkwood, V. G .; S. Wyman, Recording Secretary ; J. J. Daton, Perm. Secretary ; J. B. Marston, Treasurer. In the evening, E. S. Johnson, A. J. Gwinn and E. Musselman were initiated, after which the other officers were selected as follows : P. Smith, W. ; J. Voorhies, Comd. ; E. S. Johnson, R. S. to N. G. ; E. Musselman, L. S. to N. G. ; H. R. Platt, J. G .; A. B. Head, R. S. J. to V. G. ; A. J. Gwinn, L. S. to V. G.
An address was given before the Lodge by W. A. Tewksbury, July 2, 1869, on the occasion of the installation of officers at Wilson's Grove, two miles north- east of Belle Plaine.
The Odd Fellows' Hall was formally dedicated to society use June 1, 1876, delegations of members of the order being in attendance from Blairstown, Luzerne and Chelsea.
The deaths have been J. G. Kirkwood and Richard Johnson.
The present officers are as follows : A. W. Smith. N. G. ; J. H. Gunn, V. G. ; R. F. McGuinn, Recording Secretary ; H. Goble, Per. Secretary ; W. A. Parro, Treasurer. The membership is forty-seven.
Berlin Lodye, No. 159, I. O. O. F .- This Lodge, working in the German language, was chartered in July, 1873. The charter members were : S. Wintz, Hans Vogt, Claus Schnoor, Matt. Ewen and H. Breihultz.
The only death has been that of Claus Schnoor, July 19, 1877.
The present officers are : H. Breihultz, N. G .; M. Michael, V. G .; S. Wentz, Treasurer; H. Schutt, Secretary. This Lodge has thirty members. Meets Monday evenings at Zalesky's Hall.
Home Encampment, No. 48, I. O. O. F .- This body was organized April 20, 1870, with the following charter members : Wesley Camp, E. A. Stocker, J. B. Marston, J. J. Dayton, A. J. Gwinn, W. P. Hanson, D. A. Kennedy, E. S. Johnson and R. H. Petter.
The present officers are : C. Ahrans, C. P .; George I. Wilcoxen, H. P. ; H. Goble, S. W. ; John Durr, J. W. : W. A. Parris, Scribe ; W. P. Hanson, Treasurer. There are twenty-two members.
UNITED WORKMEN.
Iowa Valley Lodge, No. 33, A. O. U. W .- This Lodge was organized by I. M. Chrissinger, D. G. M., November 5, 1875, assisted by members of Har- mony Lodge, Blairstown. James McMorris was elected P. M. W .; L. W. Ruhl, M. W .; W. P. Tuttle, F .; S. M. Miller, O .; A. H. Hildenbrand, Recorder ; Lee Allman, Financier ; John Cattron, Receiver; F. R. Smith, I. W .; Robert Nicholson, O. W .; J. J. Dayton, G .; George Alexander, James Collister, Will P. Tuttle, Trustees.
The Lodge has had no deaths since its organization.
The present officers are : A. H. Bell, P. M. W .; J. Stabler, F .; Robert Nicholson, O .; A. H. Hildenbrand, Recorder ; N. P. Seldan, Financier ; J. T. Henderson, Receiver ; H. B. Hidy, Guide; A. Seldan, I. W .; Henry Sheets, O. W .; W. P. Tuttle, E. A. Bird and J. D. Blue, Trustees.
The lodge has thirty-one members. Meets Friday evenings at Zalasky Hall.
MUSICAL.
Belle Plaine Silver Cornet Band .- This band was first organized March 29, 1875, with C. C. Dunn as Leader ; C. P. Hosmer, Secretary and Treasurer. Its present organization is as follows : C. C. Dunn, E flat and Leader ; M. L. Prentiss, solo B flat ; F. P. Bird, second B flat ; H. Penfield, first alto ; Wm.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
Burley, second alto : William Miles, tenor ; C. J. Pitson, baritone; James Col- lister, B flat bass ; Henry Woods, tuba ; C. P. Hosmer, bass drum and cym- bals : Henry Ortschid, tenor drum. The band meets for practice Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
MILITARY.
The Belle Plaine State Guards were organized in June, 1875, with H. A. Tyrell as Captain ; Hiram E. Hardy, First Lieutenant; John T. Collins, Sec- ond Lieutenant ; Daniel A. Kennedy, Samuel W. Miller, S. S. Farrington, Henry A. Frost, William S. Foster, Sergeants ; Henry A. Stone, Charles W. Gore, Herbert S. Huson, Charles P. Hosmer, Corporals ; Charles C. Dunn, Arnold A. Goedecke, Musicians.
The present officers are : S. W. Miller, Captain ; M. E. Aulsbrook, First Lieutenant : H. Read, Second Lieutenant ; Henry Frost, Orderly.
GRANGE STORE.
Patrons' Joint Stock Company of Belle Plaine .- This corporation was organized April 17, 1874, with about eighty subscribers. The first President was J. M. McIlwaine, and L. W. Ruhl was Secretary. The authorized capital is $10,000. of which some $3,000 has been subscribed and paid in full. The first year or two, dividends were declared ; but the enormous shrinkage in value, of 1876-7, prevented any profit being made subsequently. Mr. MeIlwaine is still President ; A. J Williams, Secretary ; H. H. Williams, Business Agent.
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