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 56
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The teachers for the school year of 1877-8 were: W. H. Brinkerhoff, Principal ; Emma Phelps, Intermediate; Clara Blackburn, Primary. Thomas Parker has been engaged as Principal for the coming year ; the intermediate and primary teachers of last year are retained.
RELIGIOUS.
Baptist .- This is the oldest church society now extant in Shellsburg, hav- ing been formed in February, 1855, with about fourteen members. Rev. Rich- ard King was the first Pastor, and removed in 1857. Rev. M. Hazen succeeded and remained till his death, which occurred about a year after his removal here. Rev. Mr. Shirley stayed one year, and was succeeded by Rev. John W. Thomp- son, who remained two years. The brick church was begun during his stay. He was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Daniels. The construction of the church building was begun in 1870, but it was not completed till 1877, being dedicated September 24, 1876, the sermon being preached by Rev. Mr. Weaver, of Vin- ton. After the sermon, Mr. Weaver, in behalf of Mr. Mix, of New York, pre- sented the society with a communion set valued at forty dollars.
Rev. Mr. Daniels, the Pastor, then made a statement of the trials under- gone in completing the church, commending especially Messrs. Simeon Maxon, Robert Heath, Wm. Kreader, Mr. Bixby and others, for their great liberality.
The church, up to the time of dedication, cost nearly $10,000, and at the meeting about enough was pledged to build the bell tower. The belfry, bell and furniture have since swelled the total to about $1,500.
The present Pastor is Rev. J. W. Thompson. The membership is seventy- six. Simeon Maxon, Elisha Runyon, Robert Heath are the Deacons ; O. J. Smith, Clerk ; Miss Flora Kreader, Organist.
Arad Thompson is Superintendent of the Sabbath school; Robert White, Librarian. The average attendance of pupils is about seventy, taught by nine teachers.
Old School Presbyterian .- This society was organized on Sand Prairie, north of Shellsburg, in 1856, by Rev. Walter L. Lyon, of Vinton, and George Bergen, of Big Grove, May 17, 1856. The Pastors, since its formation, have been W. L. Lyon, James Fullerton, Alex. Caldwell, A. G. Martyn, H. K. Henneigh, A. S. Ross, D. McDermid, and Alex. Caldwell, in April, 1876; the latter is still Pastor.
At a meeting of the new and old organizations, held at the M. E. Church March 27, 1870, resolutions were passed uniting the two bodies. At this meet- ing, John Parker, Abraham Scott, William Crawford, James Strong, Paul Mil- ler, Mrs. Harriet Elson, Hannah Greenwood and Hannah M. Miller became members of the united church.
The church was built in 1870, and dedicated in the same year, the sermon being preached by Rev. Alex. Marshall, of Marion. The building cost about $2,200.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY :
The membership is about forty. The Trustees are : John Parker, Alex. Johnson, Paul Miller, James Strawn. There is a vacancy in the number caused by the recent decease of William Crawford, John Parker and W. P. Lorey, Elders.
John Jones is Superintendent of the Sabbath school ; W. P. Lorey, Libra- rian. The average number of pupils attending is about seventy, divided into seven classes.
Methodist Episcopal .- This society was organized in 1856, with fourteen members, Rev. B. F. Taylor remaining as Pastor till 1858. The ministers who have since been sent here are as follows : D. Donaldson, H. P. Hollens- worth, C. W. Brewer, H. W. Beach, George Rains, D. C. Wortz, William Glassner, Joseph Wilkinson, J. Baker, James Leslie, Asa Critchfield, L. Win- sett, A. N. Lee and Reuben Ricker.
The first church building was constructed in 1861, at a cost of $1,200, but the continuous growth of the society was such that a new edifice became neces- sary, which was built in the Summer of 1876, at a cost of $2,600. The church was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Crippen, of Waterloo, whose text was Mark x, 29, 30.
The present Trustees are : F. F. Hughes, Thomas Gray, John Miller, T. K. Ford and R. Bowe. The Stewards are: F. Shumler and F. F. Hughes.
The Sabbath school was organized in 1863, with about thirty pupils; F. F. Hughes is Superintendent of the Sabbath school ; - Losey, Librarian. The average attendance is about seventy-five.
Young Men's Christian Association .- This society was organized June 15, 1877, with O. J. Smith as President ; A. A. Manning, Vice President ; Wm. H. Anderson, Secretary ; C. P. Losey, Treasurer. The other members at the organization were : Mr. Wentworth, Albert Losey, Rev. R. Ricker, F. F. Hughes, Carey Nevin, C. De Villbiss, W. P. Losey, E. S. Hughes, Mrs. C. Hughes, Mrs. R. Ricker, Mrs. Emma Thompson, Mrs. R. C. Robb, Mrs. C. De Villbiss, Miss Addie C. Lewis, D. W. Esget, Rev. J. W. Daniels, O. Kel- logg, Miss Anna Arndt, Miss Mary Arndt, Miss R. O. Blackburn, Thos. K. Ford, B. F. Garmer, Samuel Arndt, Olin Ecker, B. F. Trumbower, J. E. Wyant, A. Thompson, Miss Mollie Jewell, Dora Lurk, Rev. R. Bowe.
The society is in a healthy, growing condition, with a membership of seventy. Holds prayer meeting every Monday evening, and Gospel meeting on each Sabbath afternoon.
The present officers are: O. J. Smith, President; D. S. Adams, Vice President ; Frank F. Hanford, Secretary ; C. P. Losey, Treasurer.
MUSICAL.
Shellsburg Cornet Band .- This well-known musical association was organ- ized in October, 1875. Its present membership is as follows : G. A. Fawcett, Leader and E flat; Frank Anderson, second E flat; C. E. Smith and J. H. Devine, first B flat ; Will Anderson and Tom Kreader, second B flat ; D. W. Stiver, solo alto ; Will A. Lewis, first alto; Frank Lewis, second alto ; Frank Jones, tenor ; J. E. Wyant, baritone; E. O. Bowe, tuba ; M. M. Toms, bass drum ; G. A. Jones, snare drum.
MASONIC.
Benton City Lodge, No. 81, A., F. and A. M .- Dispensation was granted October 31, 1855. The first officers were: W. V. Denslow, W. M., A. G. Green, S. W .; W. C. Stanberry, J. W .; C. C. Charles, Treasurer ; J. K.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
Turk, Secretary ; J. M. Safford, S. D .; R. L. Johnson, J. D .; Isaac Feath- erby, Tyler. Its report to the Grand Lodge included the following M. M.'s : John Graham, Joshua N. Springer, Charles H. Johnson, Recompense Stanberry, John Root, Joseph Wilson, Thomas Roberts.
The Lodge was constituted under charter January 4, 1856. First officers : W. V. Denslow, W. M .; A. G. Green, S. W .; John Graham, J. W .; C. C. Charles, Treasurer ; C. H. Johnson, Secretary ; J. N. Springer, S. D. ; R. L. Johnson, J. D. ; Isaac Featherby, Tiler.
A. G. Green was W. M. in 1858.
After the glory and business of Benton City had departed and Shellsburg had sprung up to be a considerable village, application was made to the Grand Lodge for permission to remove the Lodge to the latter place, which was granted.
The Lodge has been burned out twice since its removal to Shellsburg.
The present officers are : Jerome Shurtleff, W. M .; Joseph Van Kirk, S. W .; V. C. Hemenway, J. W .; F. W. Deckeraw, Treasurer ; Arad Thompson, Secretary ; J. C. Davis, S. D. ; S. A. Bowe, J. D. ; J. L. Cowell, Tiler.
There are about forty-five members. The Lodge meets at Masonic Hall on Saturday evening before full moon.
ODD-FELLOWS.
Shellsburg Lodge, No. 171, I. O. O. F .- This lodge was established under charter January 22, 1869. The first members were C. T. Horton, E. M. Wil- kinson, Henry E. Parker, A. Clark, A. Greenwood, H. E. Parker, D. P. Mar- shall and J. F. Crawford. Three others were initiated the same evening the Lodge was formed.
There have been two deaths-J. W. Crawford, December 15, 1876, caused by falling from a railway bridge; J. H. Sherry was killed in the Fall of 1877, by a timber falling from a bridge while he was at work underneath.
The present officers are as follows : M. W. Slaight, N. G .; A. Greenwood, V. G .; Arad Thompson, Recording Secretary ; Thomas Gray, Permanent Sec- retary ; F. Shumler, Treasurer.
The lodge has forty-five members. It meets every Wednesday evening at Masonic Hall.
UNITED WORKMEN.
Centennial Lodge, No. 48, A. O. U. W .- This Lodge was organized Feb- ruary 8, 1876, by A. D. Griffin, of Vinton, then Deputy Grand Master. The first officers were as follows : Arad Thompson, P. M. W. ; E. T. Langley, M. W. ; D. P. Marshall, F .; I. S. Boles, O .; J. C. Summers, Recorder ; C. L. Summers, Financier ; Thomas Gray, Receiver; W. H. Anderson, Guide; James L. Cowell, I. W .; Clinton Thomas, O. W. There were twelve other charter members.
The present officers are : I. S. Boles. M. W. ; W. H. Brinkerhoff, P. M. W .; N. Boss, F. ; S. A. Bowe, O .; F. Shomler, G. ; D. W. Stiver, Recorder ; J. M. Elson. Financier ; W. Kreader, Receiver; Z. Clemens, O. W.
The Lodge has thirty-two members. Meets every Tuesday eve ning.
LUZERNE.
This town owes its parentage to the Chicago & Northwestern Company, who desired to have their station midway between Blairstown and Belle Plaine. Accordingly, in October, 1867, the station was removed from Buckeye to the
464
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
open prairie two miles farther east, on the line between Iowa and Le Roy Town- ships. The town built up very rapidly for two years, some of the houses being removed from Buckeye to the new town. In 1869, the town had about forty buildings of all descriptions, including a fine church and a school house. About twenty persons were engaged in business. .
December 20, 1870, Bartholomew Shay, living near Luzerne, took his son, a lad 8 years old, and went to the vicinity of Fairfax to get two cows. He started back about 1 o'clock in the morning, driving the cows, the boy driv- ing the horse they had brought. During the night, the horse ran away with the boy, the father going on home with the cattle. The next day the horse and sleigh were found near the stable of John Parr. three and a half miles south of Blairstown, and near by the boy was found frozen stiff, having perished and fallen out by the jar of stopping suddenly.
The shipments from Luzerne in 1870 were : 100,300 bushels wheat, 28,200 bushels corn, 1,250 bushels oats, 61,500 bushels barley, 27,200 pounds pork, 30,000 pounds butter and eggs, 225 head of sheep, 860 live hogs.
The public school building was erected in 1870, and school was taught in the following Winter by George Folsom. The teacher, for the Spring term of 1878, was Mr. Mickey.
The population of the village is about three hundred, mostly of German na- tivity.
An organization of the Christian Church existed here at one time, but was disbanded several years ago.
RELIGIOUS. .
Evangelical Lutheran .- The first services according to this belief were con- ducted at Luzerne by Rev. Mr. Selle, in 1856. The society was organized in 1859 by Rev. J. F. Doescher, but the church became almost extinct soon after. It was reorganized March 29, 1866, by Rev. Philip Studt, who had come here in January. The society at its revival had only eight members.
The corner-stone of the church edifice was laid September 13, 1868, and the cost of the building was about $2,500. It was dedicated July 7, 1872. The bell was procured in November, 1875, and cost $215.
The first confirmation was that of a child of Mrs. Hummer's.
A day school was begun by Rev. Mr. Studt in January, 1866. The build- ing was enlarged and rebuilt in 1870. There are fifty-two pupils enrolled. The school is still under the charge of Rev. Mr. Studt, but it is hoped soon to add another teacher.
There are about forty-five families connected with the church.
SOCIETIES.
Luzerne Lodge, No. 275, I. O. O. F .- This Lodge was organized in March, 1875. The charter members were I. C. Milhous, H. L. Thiele, Dr. E. Robyn, Thomas Riley, L. D. Clay.
The present officers are : Henry Peters, N. G. ; John Joens, V. G. ; James C. White, Recording Secretary; August Hoek, Permanent Secretary; I. C. Milhous, Treasurer.
There are over twenty members. Lodge meets every Saturday evening.
German Society .- A Turnverein existed here for several years, but was disbanded in 1877. In its place the Association with the above title was formed October 23, 1877, with Henry Schroeder as President; Otto Schmidt, Secretary ; Henry Peters, Treasurer ; John Mundt, Steward.
465
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
The Society began with eight members, and now numbers about twenty-five. It meets every Tuesday evening. The objects are purely social, the amuse- ments being music and dancing.
The officers now are : John Timm, President ; Joachim Schutt, Secretary; Rudolph Muller, Treasurer; Fred. Hoepner, Steward.
FLORENCE AND NORWAY.
In 1863, Osborn Tuttle, a Norwegian by birth, donated five acres of ground to the Chicago & Northwestern Company on condition that the new town should bear the name of his native country. During the following year, Mr. Tuttle laid out a town site north of the railway track, which he had recorded as Nor- way; but in the course of a few years the inhabitants of the town secured a change of name, and it was given the name of the township-Florence. The station, however, is still called Norway.
The first settler was O. B. Dutton, of Masonville, who took charge of the station business. He lived in a freight car while his house and store were build- ing. Mr. Dutton was also the first merchant.
The next settlers were Joseph Myer, a blacksmith, and W. L. Harper.
Another store was erected by Mr. Atkinson in the Spring of 1865, and during the same season several dwellings were erected.
The first death was a little son of O. B. Dutton, and the first birth was Margaret Harper.
The shipments from Norway in 1870 were: 71,102 bushels of wheat, 31,- 400 bushels of corn, 4,318 bushels of barley, 5,424 bushels oats, 11,420 pounds of pork, 81,710 pounds butter and eggs, 2,027 live hogs, 543 head of cattle.
Thomas McGranahan, living six miles north of Norway, was gored to death by a bull on the 30th of September, 1876.
April 8, 1871, Mr. Bockeder, living near Florence, who was ill in bed, dis- covered that his stable was on fire. He rose, slipped on his trousers and ran to the stable to save his horses. Before he could get them out, the flames burst out all round him, and he was forced to crawl out on his hands and knees, but was so badly burned that he died the following day.
The village has a large two-story school house situated on the high bank in the northwest part of the town.
There is a steam flouring-mill, and the various branches of trade are well represented by large and well stocked stores.
The population of the town and vicinity consists of Norwegian, German and native born.
A recent attempt was made to incorporate the village, but without success.
CHURCHES.
Presbyterian .- This society was organized about ten years ago. Rev. Mr. Witter is Pastor, and Will Taylor is Superintendent of the Sabbath school.
Baptist .- This Church was formed in 1872. The erection of the church was begun in 1873, but was not completed till 1878. It cost about $3,000. The first Pastor was Rev. A. V. Bloodgood.
The church, which has a membership of about twenty, is now without a Pastor.
H. C. Reeves is Superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an average attendance of about fifty pupils.
466
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
New Jerusalem Society .- This body, otherwise known as Swedenborgians, was formed in March, 1874, by Rev. J. J. Lehnen, with a membership of fifteen families. Meetings are held in Florence every Sunday by Rev. Mr. Lehnen, the settled Pastor. Justus Kimm is Superintendent of the Sabbath school.
Methodist Episcopal .- The first class was formed in the Winter of 1873-4, with H. B. Harradon as leader. The members are : Mr. King, William Clark and wife, James Saul and wife, John Weston and wife, G. Wilkins and wife, George Webb, wife and daughter, Mrs. E. Taylor, Mrs. C. Henry and Mrs. Younglove.
There are now about sixty members; Rev. T. Simmons is Pastor.
W. J. Taylor is Superintendent of the Sabbath school ; Miss Susan Rogers, Librarian.
The society is now constructing a church, which will be completed in Sep- tember, 1878, and will cost $2,000. It is 32x50 feet in size.
MASONIC.
St. Clair Lodge, No. 165, A., F. § A. M .- The dispensation for this Lodge was issued in 1862, and the charter was granted June 3, 1863. The first officers were : James McQuinn, M. W .; Charles G. Turner, S. W; Samuel Springer, J. W .; W. Alspaugh, Treasurer; Thomas H. Springer, Secretary ; Jacob Springer, S. D .; L. W. Stocker. J. D .; J. Wheeler, Tiler. There were three other charter members.
Two deaths have occurred since the formation of the Lodge-L. E. Watrous and J. C. Jensen.
The officers for 1878-9 are as follows : James Jensen, W. M .; J. J. Mes- senger, S. W .; F. E. Babcock, J. W .; E. G. Brown, Treasurer ; E. M. Cal- kins, Secretary ; James H. Reese, S. D .; T. H. Brown, J. D .; D. Morey, Tiler.
The Lodge has a membership of thirty-six. Meets Friday evening on or after full moon.
WATKINS.
The station of Watkins is midway between Blairstown and Florence, and is located in the northwest quarter of Section 26, St. Clair Township. It was laid out in the Fall of 1873, and was named in honor of Supt. Watkins, who lost his life in a railway collision, in October of that year, about a mile east of here. An elevator was commenced as soon as the town was laid out.
Quite a little amount of business has sprung up here. There is a law office and a physician, besides the usual complement of stores.
A church is being erected by the Presbyterian society at this place. Rev. Mr. Dickey, of Blairstown, is the Pastor.
Herewith is submitted a summary of the business transacted by the grain and stock dealers of Watkins from August 1, 1877, to August 1, 1878. Car loads of grain shipped 304, equaling 116,033 bushels. Of this quantity, Geo. Danskin heads the list with 53,316 bushels, exclusive of 12,000 bushels of corn yet on hand, bought within that time. Next follows H. M. Hanford, with 36,969 bushels ; Hanschild & Hidy, 12,036 bushels; S. O Neel, 11,906 bushels, and G. Abraham 1,806 bushels. Of the whole amount shipped, 44,066 bushels was wheat; 64,215 bushels of corn, and 15,752 bushels of barley. Amount of money paid for grain by the several dealers within the time named, $96,187. The number of car loads of stock shipped during the same
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
period, 67. Of this amount C. B. Hayden leads off with 34 car loads; H. K. Wooster, 26; and John Wheeler, 7. Amount paid for stock, $33,220. The amount of railway earning for the station of Watkins from the 1st day of January, 1878, up to the 1st of August, 1878, is $13,515.44.
A literary society was organized last Winter, which proved to be a vastly popular organization.
MOUNT AUBURN.
The side track at Mount Auburn was laid in June, 1870, and the turn-table, which had been placed while this point was the temporary terminus of the road, was taken out and removed to La Porte.
Mr. Soesbe was the first Station Master and the first merchant, and Mr. Gudgel built the first grain warehouse.
Sept. 15, 1871, Freddie Lewis, son of the Postmaster, was smothered to death in the hopper of the elevator at that place.
The teachers of Cedar Township held an Institute at the school house in this place Jan 20, 1872, which was well attended.
July 13, 1872, the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mount Auburn was dedicated for worship, Rev. J. W. Clinton officiating. Five hundred persons were in attendance. The debt on the church was fully cleared on that day, and a surplus of $441 raised besides. The building is a frame, 35x56 feet in size, with a half octagon extension for the pulpit. It cost $2,900.
The Christian Church was dedicated March 2, 1873, Rev. G. N. Mapes, of Princeton, Ill., officiating.
A cheese factory was established at Mount Auburn in 1873 by a stock com- pany, A. Kile, President and Manager. In 1874, the quantity of cheese made was 27,484 pounds ; sold for $3,591,44, or a small fraction over thirteen cents a pound. The number of pounds of cheese to each cow was 230.
Mount Auburn occupies an elevated position with reference to the surround- ing country. In clear weather, Vinton can be clearly seen from this town, and the smoke from locomotives four or five miles south of Vinton. It is also said that the smoke from engines on the Illinois Central road, fifteen miels to the north, can be distinguished sometimes.
BENTON.
This little village is seven miles west from Vinton, and was laid out in the Fall of 1872, on the farm of J. Barkdall. January 1, 1873, all there was of the town was a sign-board, ten feet long, bearing the name of Benton. Since that time, a village has sprung up. Considerable grain is handled here, and a fair trade is done in dry goods.
With the general revival of business soon to come, Benton will become quite an important little town.
BENTON CITY.
This is one of the old towns of Benton County, and in 1855 was a more important town than Vinton. It continued to grow somewhat for three . years afterward, several substantial brick buildings being erected during the time.
468
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
As long as there was any prospect of navigating the Cedar River, Benton City held its own; but when the railroad was granted, in 1869, leaving the town two miles at one side, the village lost business and population.
November 23, 1857, John H. Pulver, engineer of the Benton City Mills, was killed by slipping and falling inside the fly wheel, while adjusting the belt to a grindstone. He was carried around violently through a space one foot in diameter, and then thrown against the grindstone with such violence as to break his skull.
A Masonic Lodge was formed here in 1855, but was afterward removed to Shellsburg.
IRVING.
This village, which lies partly in Iowa Township and partly in Tama County, is the third in age in Benton County ; and prior to the building of the Chicago & Northwestern Road, was a place of considerable importance. But the engineer's transit is a potent influence on the growth of Western towns ; and when a railway station was established three miles from Irving, its hopes were blasted, and it has since remained comparatively stationary.
A man named Jackson died of sunstroke, July 7, 1859, near Irving. He was found prostrated in his wagon. The temperature for several days before and after this occurrence ranged from 92° to 98° in the shade.
The first class of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Irving was formed in July, 1857, with the following members: Samuel Hulton, wife and mother, Mrs. Martin Smith and Mr. Smith's mother, Betsey Travis, Nancy Blair, Washington Benson and wife, Adelia Jackson, A. Shevils, Mrs. John Travis, Hattie Royce, E. Grubbs and wife.
The church was erected in 1864, J. G. Wilkinson then being Pastor, at a cost of $1,500, but was not dedicated until 1866, M. A. Barnes, Pastor.
The present official list is as follows : B. C. Barnes, Pastor ; Jesse Roberts, Leader; H. B. Stoner, Jesse Roberts, Stewards; D. A. Collean, A. C. Bog- gess, J. Breckenridge, J. Benson, Dr. Powers, Trustees.
The society owns a parsonage, also, which cost $600. The number of mem- bers is forty-two, and of probationers, nineteen. Austin Blair is Superintend- ent of the Sabbath School.
Restitution Church, a society of Adventists, was organized in 1872 or '73. Elder Myers is the present Pastor. The society has a building, which was erected in 1874, at a cost of $1,500. The membership is about sixty. The usual attendance at the Sabbath school is about a hundred.
Irving Lodge, No. 283, I. O. O. F., was organized in 1875. G. W. Bur- ton is the present N. G .; Austin Blair, Secretary. The Lodge has about thirty members, and meets on Friday evenings.
Irving Academy is the most prominent feature of the place. J. A. Cravens, A. M., is the efficient Principal.
MARYSVILLE.
This is one of the oldest towns in Benton County, and being about the nu- cleus of the first settlement in the county, a town naturally sprung up here. It was first known as "Hoosier Point;" but a town was laid out and called Marysville, to which an addition was afterward made and called Manatheka.
469
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
In 1856, there were four steam saw-mills in the immediate vicinity of Marys- ville; and there were several business concerns in the village, which was then one of the thriftiest places in the county. In 1857, the people of the town offered one thousand dollars as a bonus to any one who would erect a steam flouring-mill, but could not find any one to accept their offer.
W. W. Culver, a member of Vinton Lodge, No. 62, A., F. & A. M., was buried according to the ceremonies of that Order at Marysville, June 21, 1857. At present Marysville has about two dozen dwellings, a two-story school house, and a church belonging to the Christian denomination.
Marysville Lodge, No. 173, A. O. U. W., started July 2, 1878, with a membership of sixteen, which had been increased by ten within five weeks.
There is also a lodge of Odd Fellows, in a flourishing condition.
There are two or three steam saw-mills in the vicinity. doing a good busi- ness, and affording a fair trade to the town.
TABULAR STATEMENT,
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