USA > Iowa > Pocahontas County > The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 48
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four other persons were successively
On March 18, 1872 Colfax, having appointed and served in that capacity been set off from Cedar, was accorded for a short time during that year, $106.00 of the school funds in the namely; B. F, Osburn, Geo. Fairburn, hands of the treasurer; Cedar was Geo, M, Dorton and W. E, Garlock. divided into eight sub-districts and Before the completion of his contract arrangements were made with A. D. Gould transferred it to L. T, Swezy, Moore for the erection of three school- of Newell,
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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
A few years later there are a num- that year, should be excluded from ber of pages in the volume containing the public schools. the early records of this township MARVIN-FONDA. that are not signed by the secretary or any other member of the board, and the reader wonders what pioneer scribe may have left traces of his handiwork in the writing upon them until, fumbling them over several times, he finally discovers a name very modestly written on the margin at the top of one of them,
The annual report of the secretary for the year ending Sept. 19, 1871 shows 82 pupils enrolled in 5 schools and for 1872, 105 pupils in 8 schools. In 1876, five years from the date of organization, there were 125 pupils en- rolled, Fonda having 31, the largest number, and there were eight good frame schoolhouses each supplied with a fine library and apparatus valued at $75. The sites for the schoolhouses in this township were surveyed by Wm. Marshall and the persons who assisted him were M. J. Lynch (1) M. Byrne (2) Elijah Chase (3) Jacob Spielman (5) W. E. Garlock (6) and Charles Whitney (7 and 8). Fonda became an independent district in 1880. In 1882 the unsold school lands of Sec. 16 were appraised at eight and ten dollars an acre and those remain- ing May 1888 were appraised at six and eight dollars an acre.
Only a few sod houses were built in Cedar township, the arrival of the railway, bringing suitable building materials, removing their necessity. Those that are remembered were built by E. Chase, Robert J. Griffin, Pel Bennett, Geo. Spragg Jos. C. Stev- ens, Charles Skinner and John Wood.
Marvin was the name first given to the station and express office, and Ce- darville to the the postoffice in Cedar township. The use of these two names was the occasion of consider- able confusion to the public and, in the railway service, the two names Marvin and Manson, were so nearly alike that the one was often taken for the other, so that goods intended for these two stations were often missent. In 1874 Messrs. A. O. Garlock and Geo. Fairburn concluded to take the P. O. directory and select a new name that was not common in the west. Both were pleased with "Fonda," which appeared but once in the directory, as the name of a town in western New York. In response to petitions sent the P. O. department, the railway and express companies, the new name, "Fonda," was adopted. The selection was a good one for its euphony and brevity, and it was eminently appro· priate for this section of country in the early day, since it is derived from a Latin word that signifies a fountain; although a more recent derivation from the Spanish language makes it mean a hotel.
FONDA.
"My country 'tis of thee Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing."
Fonda is situated near the center of section 27, Cedar township, in the south western part of Pocahontas coun- ty. It has two main lines of railway, the Illinois Central and Chicago, Mil- On May 4, 1884, the trustees, con- sisting of Wm. Bott, Patrick Kearns and A. V. Sargent, were first organ- ized as a board of health. On Feb. 17, waukee & St. Paul, that extend east and west, north and south. It is 115 miles northwest of Des Moines, 409 miles west of Chicago, 101 miles east 1894, an order was issued that all per- of Sioux City, and all passenger trains stop at this place.
sons in the township over one year should be vaccinated and that all pu- It has always been an attractive pils not vaccinated before March Ist trading center, not merely for a great
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365
CEDAR TOWNSHIP.
part of this county, but to many of and Iowa Falls Town Lot & Land Co., the people living in the adjoining who had then become the owners of counties of Calhoun, Sac and Buena the unsold portions of the town site Vista. It has enjoyed hitherto the and surrounding section. best railroad facilities of any town in
The 5th addition included blocks this vicinity and these, in connection 25 to 30, located in the east part of with the enterprise of her citizens and the town, and was made May 5, 1888, natural resources of this section, have by the Fonda Town Lot and Improve- tended to promote a constant growth ment Co., who succeeded the former and substantial development of busi- land company in the ownership of ness interests. Fonda very soon be- their lands on section 27. Their last came and has hitherto maintained the addition, made May 25, 1893, and position of being the principal city of called the 9th addition, includes blocks. Pocahontas county in numbers and 35 to 37 on out lots 2 and 3,north wealth, educational and religious of Sixth street.
privileges.
The Busby addition was platted and
The section of land (27) on which a copy thereof filed for record October Fonda is situated belongs to the odd 5, 1886, by Wm. J. and Louisa A. Bus- numbers that were included in the by. Two of the streets were called railway grant. The first deed of it Robbie and Offie, after the names of was entitled, "A Grant of Land made his two oldest sons. On July 26, 1888, by the United States to the State of the plat of a second addition was filed Iowa in alternate sections, approved and the two additional streets were by Congress May 15, 1856, to aid in the named Georgie and Willeben, after construction of certain railroads in the names of two other sons.
The plat of the Robinson addition,
the State of Iowa." The second one, "The State of Iowa, a Grant to comprising out-lots 1 to 5 north of the the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, ap- Illinois Central railway and west of proved by an act of the General As- Cedar creek was filed by J. P. Robin- sembly, July 14, 1856, to aid in build- son Aug. 14, 1890.
ing said railroad." The third trans-
The arrangement of Fonda is that fer, filed September 10, 1870, is the of a square lying principally north of deed of the Dubuque & Sioux City R. the railroad and east of Cedar creek; R. Co. to John I. Blair, of Blairstown, and the compact form of the city has N. J., the contractor and builder of tended greatly to economize the work the railroad. On the same day there of its improvement. In 1887, its main was filed another deed entitled, "A streets were covered with gravel from Deed of Dedication, by John I. Blair Cherokee and the first provision was and Anna, his wife, to the Public." made for lighting them at night with This last included all the streets and kerosene street lamps.
alleys of the first plat of the town,
The Fonda Town Lot and Improve- which he called "Marvin, " in honor of ment Co. was organized March 29, Marvin Hewitt, superintendent of the 1888, and the incorporators were Hon. Illinois Central railroad. It included A. O. Garlock, Geo. Fairburn, J. N. twelve blocks that extended from the McKee, A. S. Wood, Dr. M. F. Patter- railroad northward to Fourth street, son and W. H. Given. south of the Presbyterian church.
Since its or- ganization Geo. Fairburn has been
The first addition to Marvin con- the president and A. S. Wood the sec- sisted of a triangular plot of ground retary and treasurer. Their original north of the railroad and west of Vine purchase included nearly 500 acres street, Oct. 7, 1872, by the Sioux City around Fonda, and although some of
366
PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
the stock has changed hands the com- Brower (3), and F. Millard (3). The pany is still in existence. The special casting of lots to determine who aim and object of this company has should have the one, two and three been to promote the growth and de- year terms, resulted as indicated by velopment of Fonda by all the means the numbers opposite each name. that money, activity and thought may At their first meeting held March indicate. At the time of the estab- 6, 1879, they appointed Geo. L. Brow- lishment of the Big Four fair a con- er, treasurer; E. C. Brown, street cession was made equal to half the commissioner, and Mark A. Haven, value of the land enclosed, and a sim- marshal. On March 18, 1879, the first ilar concession was made for the brick saloon license was granted to H. Max- and tile works. It still stands ready well, who presented a petition signed to donate lands for sites for factories by 23 electors. After the lapse of a and kindred objects.
FIRST TOWN ELECTION.
On December 26, 1878, the people of ry C. Stevens.
Fonda by a vote of 26 to 19 decided to become an incorporated town. On January 7, 1879, Theodore Dunn, Geo. as follows: L. Brower, Capt. Joseph Mallison and
SUCCESSION OF OFFICERS.
The succession of officers has been
MAYORS: Capt. Jos. Mallison and J. O. A. Langworthy, commissioners, is- W. Gray both in 1879; Theo. Dunn, sued a notice to the qualified electors Geo. Sanborn, Geo. Fairburn, '82-83;
Capt. Jos. Mallison, John C. Stevens, Robt. W. Russell, Geo. Fairburn, '87-88; Mark A. Haven '89-92; A. G. Wood, '93-94; Capt. Jos. Mallison' 95-96; F. W. Swearingen, Edward R. Ellis, '98-99; S. E. Leece, 1900.
of the corporation of Fonda to meet at Guyett's hall on Friday, January 14, 1879, for the purpose of holding their first election. On this date Capt. Joseph Mallison was elected mayor; Ed. B. Tabor, recorder; Geo. Fairburn, Geo. L. Brower, Theo. Dunn, W. J. RECORDER: Ed. B. Tabor, 1879-80; Busby and Peter G. Ibson, council- J. W. Gray, '81-83; Abram Burson, '84- men-all to hold office until the ensu- 85; A. S. Wood, '86-92; R. F. Beswick, ing spring election. Their first meet- (appointed Sept., '92); Wm. H. Healy, '93; M. G. Coleman, '94-1900. ing was held Feb'y 1, 1879, pursuant to the call of the mayor; all the mem-
COUNCILMEN: Geo. Fairburn, '79-80; bers were present and after passing Geo. Brower, '79-82; Theo. Dunn, '79; several ordinances relating to the W. J. Busby, '79; P. G. Ibson, '79; A. boundaries of the incorporation, the C. Knight, '79; Geo. M. Dorton, '79-80; salaries of the mayor, recorder and F. Millard, '79-80; G. W. Bothwell, '80- marshal, they appointed Geo. L. 82: J. N. Mcclellan, '81-83, '87; Geo. H. Brower, treasurer, E. C. Brown, street Ellis, '81; O. A. Langworthy, '81-83; commissioner, and C. G. Guyett, mar- Wm. Snell, '81; G. Pfeiffer, '82-86; J. shal. Three days later they met N. McKee, '82-96; Fred Swingle, '83- again and passed ordinances relating 85; Geo. Fairburn. '84; Ed. O'Donnell, to taxing dogs, restraining stock and '84-86; N. B. Post, '84-85, '87-90; T. F. granting licenses in certain cases.
Kelleher, M. D., '85; M. A. Haven, '86-
On Monday, March 3, 1879, a new 88; W. J. Redfield, Fred Haffele, Geo. set of officers was elected as follows: Sanborn, '87; D. W. Edgar, M. D .. '87- John W. Gray, mayor; Ed. B. Tabor, 97; J. D. Carpenter, '88-89; Abram Bur- recorder; and for councilmen A. C. son, '89-97; J. B. Bollard, '90-95; J. P. Knight (1), P. G. Ibson (1), Geo. Fair- Robinson, '90-92; G. R. Reniff, '91-96; burn (2), Geo. M. Dorton (2), Geo. L. R. F. Beswick, '93-1900; L. S. Straight,
month this license was surrendered and a similar one was issued to Hen-
CEDAR TOWNSHIP.
'96-1900; John Forbes, '97-99; Thos. L. in the work of its improvement, and Kennedy, '97-1900; G. H. Fitch, '98- negotiations are now pending that 1900; Geo. G. Craft, '98-1900; Fred J. may result in a recognition of the city Kenning, 1900 -.
in its management. The township clerk is the agent of the trustees in
THE CEMETERY.
On July 12, 1875, Wm. Marshall was all matters relating to its use and he appointed to survey a plat of six acres employs a custodian who gives it his for a township cemetery, on lands be- personal care and attention. These longing to the Sioux City & Iowa Falls persons at present are J. R. Johnson Town Lot and Land Co. Some diffi- and Henry Bakker.
TRICT. SCHOOL DIS- culty was experienced in gaining pos- FONDA INDEPENDENT session of this land, and, during the next two years it was appraised by three different sets of appraisers, all of
The petition for the independent school district of Fonda was present- whom appraised it at $10.00 an acre. ed to the directors of Cedar township
In 1879, $20.00 were offered an attor-
and approved on March 9, 1880. Two ney in Fort Dodge to obtain a deed for days later at a special meeting of the it. The first deed for the sale of a lot Cedar township Board this action was in it was issued March 18, 1889, to G. reconsidered and reversed because the W. Bothwell, M. D., and twenty-five petition for the independent district others were issued that year.
The included with sections 27, 28, 33 and price of the lots now ranges from five 34, its present territory, also all of sec- tions 15, 16, 21 and 22 for the purpose of taxation. The difficulties that im- mediately arose were not settled until
to twelve dollars. The first person buried in this cemetery was Ebenezer M. Busby, who was killed August 23, 1873, by the accidental discharge of November 18, 1880, when the school his own gun while hunting with board of the independent district which consisted of Wm. Bott, Geo. friends from Dubuque.
The next persons buried here were Fairburn and A. B. P. Wood, Esq., Georgie Fairburn, who died of mem- ceded back to the township all of the braneous croup in his second year, territory included in the four last June 26, 1874, and Jane Ann, eldest named sections. Previous to this date daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Win. Mar- Wm. Bott had served as president of shall, who died of diphtheria July 2, the school board of the independent 1874.
district. By this righteous re-transfer
A few years ago, through the leader- Wm. Bott, because he lived in the ship of the Fonda Relief Corps, the territory relinquished to the town- cemetery was very much improved in ship, forfeited his place as a member appearance, and upon four lots set of the town board and the honor of apart for that purpose, the base has serving longer as its first president. been constructed for a soldiers' mon- These vacancies were filled by the ument.
election of C. D. Lucas, a member of
The cemetery belongs to the town- the board, and Geo. Fairburn, its pres- ship, and is managed by the trustees ident. The present school grounds who, to secure its improvement and were purchased in 1882 and the first care, for a number of years past, have four rooms of the present brick school annually levied asmall tax upon the building (38x62 feet) were built in 1884. taxable property of the township out- Since that date two additional rooms side of the incorporation. During re- have been added on the north side of cent years individuals and societies in this building and a kindergarten has the city have generously co-operated been erected a short distance from it.
368
PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
During this last year an additional Pfeiffer, Jennie Lucas, Minnie Rey- room has been rented on Main street ner, Cena Benton, Lou DeGraffe, Em- and arrangements are now in progress ma Pfeiffer, Mrs. Spitzbarth, Maude for the erection of a portion of a fine Fuller, '88-89, '91-95; Nellie R. Swingle, building this year (1900) that will eventually replace the present one.
'88-91; Viola Booton, '89-91; Mabel Lu- cas, Jennie E. Crawford, ( Robinson) FONDA SCHOOL OFFICERS. Maude Carpenter, Franc DeGraffe, '93- PRESIDENTS OF THE BOARD: Wm. 94, '96-00; Mattie McCullom, A. Y, Bott, 1880; Geo. Fairburn, Geo. San- Copley, Effie Hawkins, Maude Sargent, born '81,'89; J. N. McClellan, '82-83; J. Maude Ellis, Lillian Filmer, Mabel N. McKee, '84-88; J. P. Robinson, '90- Creglow, Nellie Mercer, Edith M. Ald- 91; D. W. Edgar, M. D., J. B. Bollard, rich, Mary Young, '95-00; Sarah Mc- '93-94; Geo. Sanborn, '95-1900. Others Donald, '96-98; Olive Gruver, '96-97, who have served as members of this '99-00; Stena Hansen, '96-00; Nellie board are A.B. P. Wood, '80-87; C. D. Golder, Adda B. Detwiler, '97-00; Lucas, W. J. Busby, '81-84; J. D. Car- Maude E. Beale, '97-00; Lulu Griffith, penter, '85-91; Fred Haffele, '89-91; W. Margaret Berry, '99-00; Charlotte F. Bridges, '90-92; A. W. Sargent, '92- Davis. 93; A. Burson, '93-95, 1900; E. S. Hor- Since 1896 several persons have been naday, '93-94; Geo. H. Fitch, Charles employed as supernumerary teachers, A. Alexander, '94-00; Ed. R. Ellis, J. or assistants to the principal, namely; H. Coleman, '94-00; W. J. Redfield, '95- Lena Mercer, Mertie Eaton, Lulu San-
00; P. C. Toy, '96-98.
The board consisted of three mem- bers until 1889, when it was increased to six, but in 1898 under the new law, it was reduced to five. The board for
born and D. B. Churchill; and in 1898, Miss Nellie Liscomb as instructor in vocal music.
PIONEER TEACHERS OF FONDA.
During the period that preceded the year 1900 consists of Geo. Sanborn, the organization of the independent C. A. Alexander, J. H. Coleman, W. district the school year consisted J. Redfield and Abram Burson.
SECRETARIES: A. B. P. Wood, '80- ter term of four months. 87; A. G. Wood, '88-90; J. D. Carpenter, teachers that taught the school in the '91; J. P. Robinson, '92-93; M. G. Cole- Fonda district during this period so man, '94-95; John Kennedy, '96-00.
of a summer term of three and a win- The
far as can now be recalled, were as TREASURERS: Geo. Fairburn, '80, follows: Edward M. Calligan the Geo. L. Brower, '81-82; J. W. Gray, '82- winter term commencing about Dec. 86; A. S. Wood, '87-95; Geo. Hughes, 1, 1870; W.m. W. Rathbun, J. P. Rob- John Forbes, '97-99; John Kennedy, inson, winter term '71-72; Naomi Her- 1900. rick (first wife of F. G. Thornton), Mrs. Rachel Hartwell, Agnes J. Fair- FONDA TEACHERS.
PRINCIPALS: Lois A. Wood, '80,'82; burn (Mrs. M. Bell), winter term until Louisa B. Pfeiffer, '81; J. M. Sprouls, February 1, 1874 and it was completed H. E. Howe,, Minnie F. Bryan, Anna by Fred W. Swingle; George Sanborn, E. Brown, '85-87; De Etta Ferron, '88- winter term 1874-75,-18 pupils en- 89; A. W. Sargent, Daniel Swindler, rolled; Mrs. Nellie R. Swingle, sum- Alva Pressnell, Walker De Witt, '93- mer and winter terms of 1875, '76-77; 94; Frank B. Kessling, Arthur W. Cyrus A. Bryant, summer of 1878 and Davis, '95-96; W. P. Johnson, R. B. had 22 pupils enrolled; Lois A. Wood Crone, '98; D. E. Barnes, '99-00.
(Hubbell) and Affa Wood; winter term The assistant teachers have been 1878-79, there being two schools part Belle Tucker, (Covey) '80-83; Louisa B. of the time; Mrs. Nellie R. Swingle,
CEDAR TOWNSHIP. 369
principal and Mrs. Mary E. Mallison, bership in the freshman class in the assistant, summer and winter terms various colleges of the state. In the 1879-80. last revision, published in 1899, more prominence than before was given to
Prof. Charles Ellison, a graduate of the Missouri State Normal and his the elective system, which allows each wife, Mrs. Susan Ellison, a graduate pupil to choose the studies he desires of the Normal School at Oswego, N. to take, only a limited number of the Y., located at Fonda in May 1877. common branches being compulsory. The latter taught a term in the R. P. Under this system the development of Thompson district and from Sept. 3 the pupil is along those lines of study to Nov. 2 they conducted a normal for which he has a special preference training school at Fonda that was at- or capacity, and the privilege of grad- tended by 43 students.
uation is not denied anyone because he fails to make a specified grade in any
From Nov. 5 to 14, 1877 inclusive, a teachers' institute was held that closed particular study.
with a fine public exhibition on the evening of Nov. 14, 1877.
The method of grading during the last four years, commonly called the FONDA GRADUATES. High School Course of Study, is that The graduates of the Fonda public of assigning to each branch or subject
schools are as follows:
a certain number of credits, on the
CLASS OF 1894: Gus T. Swenson, L. basis of two credits for the work of R. Wright, Ada Hawkins, (Bond) Rena each term. When a pupil receives a Carlton, (Harris) Lena Mercer and. hundred credits he is given an intel- Minnie Haffele-6.
CLASS OF 1896: John C. Bridges, ation that contains a list of the par- ticular subjects completed and their respective value.
Roy Carpenter, Aaron Evans-3.
CLASS OF 1897: Jennie M. Eaton, Edith Busby, Myrtle Hawkins, Nellie
In 1896 the school was the recipient Sargent, Flo Carpenter, Olive Martin, of a collection of one hundred mineral May Mercer, J. Weston Martin, Frank specimens from the Smithsonian In- Whitney, Thomas Farrell, Will Hor- stitute, Washington, D. C., and in nor and Charles Griffith-12.
CLASS OF 1898: Ernestine Lang- lars was received from Geo. W. Schee, worthy, (Swearingen) Mamie Russell, of Primghar, to be invested in new books for the library, which now con-
Albert Burson and Roy Stafford-4.
CLASS OF 1899: Alta Brown, Grace tains 300 volumes.
In the four annual declamatory con-
D. Bradshaw, Cora Eaton, Delphia Gottfriedt, Alfhild Frykberg, Cora tests held in this county since March Mercer, Mae Fitch, Mabel Miller, 21, 1897, the representatives of the Ethel Gilson, Dollie Neal, Vida Grif- Fonda High School have won the larg- fith, Abbie Davis, Janie Fitzgerald, est share of the medals, always se- Anna Murphy and Chester Moffitt-15. curing at least one and on two occa- Total, 40.
THE FONDA HIGH SCHOOL.
The attendance of pupils in the Jennie Eaton and J. Weston Martin public schools of Fonda has gradually at Fonda, in 1897; Abbie Davis at Rolfe, in 1898; Cora Mercer at Have- lock, in 1899; Florence Conroy and Mae V. Wright at Pocahontas, in 1900. increased, so that the enrollment for April, 1900, was 374. The course of study has been revised and enlarged from time to time so that those com- LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL. pleting it now are admitted to mem- .
The early pioneers of Fonda recog-
ligible and honest diploma of gradu-
November, 1899, a donation of fifty dol-
sions both of them. The successful contestants from Fonda have been,
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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
nized the fact that a stable founda- of towns had been strictly complied tion was essential to the permanency with. of any institution, and if, at any time SEC. 2. That all elections held by said incorporated town, and all ordi- nances passed by the council of said incorporated town and all the official acts done by the several officers of said town are hereby legalized and declared to be as valid and binding as though the law had been strictly complied with in the incorporation of said town. after some great achievement, there arose any doubt in regard to their ability to hold it, they did not hesi- tate to make it doubly sure by taking it before the General Assembly of Iowa and asking that honorable body to put upon it the stamp of its legis- lative approval.
The first instance of this sort oc- curred March 26, 1880, when an act of the General Assembly of Iowa was ap- proved, that approved the action of the Cedar township school board of date March 9, 1880, establishing the Independent district of Fonda with eight full sections of land. This ac- tion of the school board had been re- considered and reversed by it two days after it had been taken. By this leg- islative enactment the Independent district of Fonda was also declared "to have all the rights, powers and privileges of independent districts and all its acts are declared valid and in force."
On March 14, 1884, an act of the 20th General Assembly was approved, en- titled "An act to legalize the incor- poration of the town of Fonda." This act was as follows:
WHEREAS, in incorporating the town of Fonda, in the county of Pocahontas and state of Iowa, under and by virtue of Chapter Ten of Title Four of the '93; C. B. Woodward, code, a certified copy of all papers and record entries relating to the matter was not properly filed as required by said chapter, and
WHEREAS, The law in regard to the incorporation of towns was in all oth- er respects fully complied with and officers were elected, ordinances passed and official acts done as though said incorporation was legal, now therefore,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: SEC 1. That the incorporation of said town of Fonda be and the same is hereby legalized as fully and com- pletely as if all the requirements of the law relating to the incorporation
Approved March 14, 1884. RAILWAY AGENTS.
ILLINOIS CENTRAL: When the Iowa Falls & Sioux City railroad track was laid it remained under the control of the construction company from July 4, to Oct. 1, 1870, and during this pre- liminary period the passenger and freight traffic, that was handled at Fonda by the daily construction trains, was managed by Capt. E. W. Stets- man, their agent at Newell, who served both stations by coming to Fonda on one train and returning to Newell on the next.
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