USA > Iowa > Pocahontas County > The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 67
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During that winter the propriety of ceived that during the short space of building a church became the subject three years, in the development of his of discussion at each of his appoint- own field of labor, he secured the or- ments. At Rolfe a rock foundation ganization of three churches and the had been built some years previous erection of a large parsonage and four but owing to its unfavorable location beautiful houses of worship. He re- it was deemed inadvisable to build ceived seventy-four persons into the upon it. As spring advanced these membership of these churches during building schemes began to take defin- the year ending April 1, 1889.
ite shape by the solicitation of funds
His tact in overcoming those little at Rolfe, West Bend and Gilmore City. embarrassments that are liable to ap- During the summer the erection of pear when forward movements in the
the buildings was undertaken, the church are undertaken, was nicely il- corner stone at Rolfe being laid July lustrated in the way in which the par- 19th. At the fall meeting of the Pres- sonage movement At the first meeting held at Rolfe was bytery of Fort Dodge, a committee launched. was appointed that effected the or- to arrange for the erection of the par- ganization of a church at Plover with sonage only a few persons were present and it seemed to them inadvisable to take any action except to adjourn to a later date. Two weeks later another meeting was held and a less number twenty-six members on Oct. 11th, and at Gilmore City with eleven mem- bers,on Oct. 15th. The church at Rolfe was completed and dedicated Dec. 9th; the one at West Bend Dec. 30, and the being present they again adjourned one at Gilmore City Feb. 3, 1889.
until a later date. At the third meet- ing only one man, George Melson, was present in addition to Mr. Duty. This meeting, however, was harmonious and enthusiastic. They agreed that
The erection of these three houses of worship prepared the way for hold- ing evangelistic meetings and, as a re- sult of those held continuously from Dec. 30, 1888, to April 1, 1889, with the a parsonage was needed and that the exception of the week preceding the people were then ready to "rise up and dedication at Gilmore City, more than build it." They prepared and adopted fifty persons were added to the mem- resolutions to that effect, appointed bership of these churches. the necessary committees and the en-
Some of the people of Rolfe now be- terprise was successfully launched.
During the summer of 1890 he ex-
gan to think they ought to build a parsonage. This new enterprise was perienced the loss of his horse in a sur- successfully launched, and just before prising manner. Realizing that his it was completed the people at Plover field of labor was too large and taking expressed a desire to build a house of Rev. N. Feather with him to view the worship. Their request for his co- appointments to be set off, he started operation in this undertaking met in his buggy to visit Plover and West with his hearty approval. Funds were Bend. As they were approaching raised, workmen were engaged and on Plover they were caught in a thunder the 8th day of December following, shower and a bolt of lightning killed another beautiful church building was his horse. This was a loss that was dedicated. During the ensuing year, deeply felt, but kind friends enabled 1890, he began to hold services at Lau- him to purchase another one soon rens on occasional Tuesday evenings afterward.
and a church of eight members was organized there Sept. 1, that year.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Baptist church of Rolfe
From these naratives it will be per. was organized Sept: 29: 1895, as a re-
501
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
sult of special meetings conducted by Dora Livingston and Miss Ellen Oker- Rev. J. W. Thompson, with thirteen strom. constituent members, namely; R. P. R. P. Brown and D. M. Palmer were Brown, Mrs. R. P. Brown, D. M. Pal- elected deacons; R. P. Brown, N. F.
BENEDICT & CO. C.
CATHOLIC CHURCH, ROLFE.
mer, Mrs. D. M. Palmer, O. W. Garri- Russell and D. M. Palmer trustees; son, Mrs. O. W. Garrison, Mrs. M. E. Mrs. Dora Livingston, clerk; and C. Kerr, Mrs. N. F. Russell, C. A. Green, H. Roberts, treasurer.
Mrs. C. A. Green, C. H. Roberts, Mrs. On Jan. 1, 1896, Rev. Charles Gilbert
502
PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
Wright was called to the pastorate suitable by-laws. At a second and he continued until Jan. 1, 1900, meeting, held April 21st, following, when he was succeeded by Rev. George the by-laws were adopted and a per- Yule who served nearly one year and manent organization was effected by was succeeded by Rev. F. O. Bump, the election of C. M. Saylor, president; the present pastor. On Dec. 20, 1896, James J. Bruce, secretary; George a house of worship was completed and dedicated at a cost of $1,800. The en- rollment now shows a membership of sixty communicants and the work of the church is progressing very encour- agingly.
DANISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Watts, treasurer. The others who were associated with them as founders or original directors, were P. J. Shaw, Geo. W. Henderson, Alexander Peter- son, J. W. O'Brien, W. F. Atkinson, Wm. Brownlee and James Clancy. At the first annual meeting, held on the second Tuesday of October, 1890, the
The United Danish Evangelical Lu- therans completed and dedicated a number of directors was increased to house of worship in Rolfe May 27, sixteen, one for each township in the 1900. At the dedicatory services county. which lasted three days, addresses were delivered by Rev. G. B. Christ- iansen, of Omaha, president of the denomination, Rev. N. Hansen, of Cedar Falls, president of the eastern
On Jan. 1, 1891, the required amount of applications having been received, this association began to do business and issued policies to the amount of $50,000. During the first four years, lowa district, by eight other visiting owing to the opposition encountered brethren and the pastors of the other from old stock companies and even from loan associations, the growth was comparatively slow, but never- theless encouraging. During the past few years its growth has been very rapid, as may be seen by the follow ing exhibit of its assessable risks: churches in Rolfe. A few months later that same year the erection of a parsonage was undertaken and carried to a happy completion. Rev. M. C. Jensen-Engholm, the pastor under whose leadership these buildings were erected, began his ministry at Rolfe Jan. 1, 1891 $ 50 000 March 1, 1900 and has been giving 1896. 66 350 310 half his time to the church at Cal- 66 1898. 66 511 293 1899 637 665 lender. He is serving an industrious 66 1900. 900 611 and sociable people, and is to be con- May 14, 66 1 000 000 gratulated on the rapid material de- Jan. 1, 1901 velopment of his work during the year 1900.
THE COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION.
Fire and Lightning Insurance Associ- ation was at the home of its secretary, J. J. Bruce, Rolfe, until Oct. 19, 1897; and it has been at the home of P. J. Shaw, near Plover, since that date. The history of this association begins with a meeting held in the court house at Pocahontas, March 26, 1890,* when a constitution was adopted and a committee appointed to prepare *See page 313.
1892
$1 75
66
1893. No assessment
66
1894 $1 00
1895. No assessment
1896
$2 00
1897
3 00
66
1898 No assessment
66
1899 $2 00
66
1900. 2 00
Total for ten years $11 75
The membership fee in this associa-
1 163 411
The cost of an insurance of $1,000 in this association during its first ten years, appears in the following exhib- it:
The office of the Pocahontas County During 1891. No assessment
503
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
tion is $1.00, and the contingent fee good a policy for the farmer to carry collected at the time the policy is is- a reasonable amount of insurance as sued is two mills on each dollar of in- it is for the business man. It is also surance. This association was formed the best way of contributing one's in response to the request of many share toward helping those who are farmers, who had been members of so unfortunate as to lose their prop- mutual companies in other parts of erty by fire or tornado, and when one this and other states, where it was is contributing in this way to help found that reliable insurance was fur- others, he is paying for his own pro- nished at one-half the cost charged by tection.
the old line companies. It insures
An incidental benefit from this and farm property, including buildings, similar organizations has been the their contents, machinery, farm pro- tabulation of losses, the study of their duce and live stock, but does not causes and the adoption of precaution- take anv single risk of over $2,000. ary measures to minimize them. It is an auxiliary to the Iowa Mutual Thus in this county it was found that Insurance Association and its agents 23 of 25 losses sustained in 1899 were write policies for the Iowa Mutual due to lightning, and that wire fences, Tornado, Cyclone and Windstorm As- which are good conductors of electric- sociation. The annual meetings are ity, were an important factor in caus- held in the month of October, and ing them. The secretary therefore ad- whilst the officers are elected by the directors, every member has a vote in wires every ten or twenty rods along the selection of the directors.
vised all farmers to place ground their fences to conduct the electric
The officers in 1900 were, C. M. Say- fluid into the earth, and thus lessen lor, president; George Watts, vice. the danger to their stock from this president, and P. J. Shaw, secretary cause. Human genius has been able to grapple with this most subtle and terrific force of nature. It has har- nessed the lightning to cars, put it to work in mills and factories and made and treasurer. The other directors of local agents, were Swan Nelson, James Mercer, Alexander Peterson, Carl Steinbrink, Charles Elsen, Wm. C. Kennedy, Charles L. Gunderson, An- it an obedient and powerful servant ton Hudek, O. F. Olson, W. E. Pirie, of man's will; and it is believed the M. T. Nilsson and L. E. Hanson.
time is not far distant when it will be able to construct ample safeguards against its destructive manifesta- tions during electric storms.
This association is no longer an ex- periment, but a permanent institu- tion founded on a sound financial basis. The management of its affairs THE POCAHONTAS COUNTY BIBLE SO- is in the hands of men who have been CIETY. successfully working out their own The entrance of thy Word giveth destiny by a long residence in this light .- DAVID. county, and they have already saved In the fall of 1867. Mr. Conrad, the their friends in the rural districts Iowa State Superintendent of the hundreds of dollars by affording them American Bible Society, held a meet- safe insurance at greatly reduced ing at the old town of Rolfe and re- ceived $13.25 for the purchase of Bi-
rates.
No farmer should take the chance bles. A county society was partially of being financially embarrassed by organized by the appointment of Wm. the loss of his buildings and property D. McEwen, secretary and treasurer. by fire, when good protection can be At a second meeting held soon after- secured for a few dollars. It is as ward, Robert Struthers was'appointed
504
PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
president, John Fraser, secretary; and scriptures. He supplied 59 of them Edward P. Hammond, depositor and and left copies in many other homes. treasurer; and the organization of the He distributed 338 volumes worth Pocahontas County Bible Society was $129.99 by donating 115 volumes ($39.09) completed. and selling the others for $90.90. He
Until the day of his death, in 1899, also received voluntary offerings from Robert Struthers continued to serve the people to the amount of $25.30. as president of this organization, and He left with the county society the John Fraser is still its faithful, effi- balance of his supply, valued at $65.54, cient and highly honored secretary. of which books to the value of $38.89 The long periods of continuous serv- were left in the care of A. W. Dart, ice, covering more than thirty years custodian, for Fonda and vicinity. A each, rendered by these two loyal lov- supply was also left with C. M. Saylor ers of the Bible, has given stability at this time for the center of the and efficiency to this organization. county and the parent society can- When John Fraser in October, 1867, celed a debt of $73.19 due from the conveyed from Fort Dodge to Old county society. Rolfe the first lot of books sent by the At the fourteenth anniversary held American Bible Society, ($112.00) he at Old Rolfe Aug. 20, 1882, Rev. John carried the first supply of Bibles and Hood, the state superintendent, was Testaments into Pocahontas county. present and $42.00 were contributed The successors of E. P. Hammond as for new books. The depository, in depositor and treasurer at Old Rolfe, care of James Hatton, was transferred were Rev. Wm. McCready, Rev. R. W. to the new town of Rolfe and A. W. Thornberg and Rev. C. W. Clifton. Ireland presented the society with an In 1880, James Hatton was appointed upright showcase for keeping the depositor, and James J. Bruce, treas- books. urer. The latter has continued to In 1883, the parent society, through serve in this capacity until the pres- its state superintendent, made a prop- ent time, and the succession of depos- osition to donate as many more Bibles itors has been, Joseph Hartman, F. as the county society should pay for, H. Plumb, Geo. F. Spence and Frank for the purpose of replenishing the Sherman. Other old settlers who local supply of Bibles. Asa result of contributed in the early days to the this effort $60.00 were raised and the support of the good work of this so- society received books to the amount ciety were, Henry Tilley, Joseph Cla- of $120.00. Since that date a good sup- son, Wm. Stinsol, Robert Lothian, ply of books has been maintained in Hiram Seely, J. C. Strong, Rev. A. the depository. The total value of Whitfield, John Barnes, Rev. R. L. books received has been $756.96, for Kenyon, Harvey Hay, Joseph Hawkins which there has been paid the parent A. W. Dart, C. M. Saylor, Mrs. Wm. society $494.03 and donated to it $22.22. Jarvis, Mrs. T. and Susie Fisher, Mrs. There have been donated to Sunday Ira Scranton, Ellen Struthers, Alice Schools books to the value of $61.86, Barnes and Jessie Fraser.
and the expenses paid have been $91.63.
In May, 1879, the entire county was An auxiliary branch has been main- canvassed for the purpose of leaving a tained at Plover for several years and Bible in every home, by Rev. H. Pil- it is now in charge of Mrs. George N. beam, an agent of the American Bible Loughead.
This County Bible Society is one of
Society. His report showed that he traveled 776 miles and visited 503 fam- the oldest organizations in Pocahon- ilies, of whom 87 had no copies of the tas county and one of the most bene-
WM. D. MCEWEN, ROLFE.
CLERK OF THE COURT, 1867-72. COUNTY AUDITOR, 1869-73. COUNTY TREASURER, 1874-83, 1886-87.
OSCAR I. STRONG, 1844-85. COUNTY SURVEYOR, 1871. RECORDER, 1877-78. COUNTY SUP'T, 1874-75 ; 1880-81.
GEO. W. HENDERSON, ROLFE. STATE SENATOR, 1894-95.
C. F. GARRISON, ROLFE. PHOTOGRAPHER.
C. P. LEITHEAD, ROLFE. UNDERTAKER,
505
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
ficial in its influence and results. It founder of this establishment has merits the cordial and liberal support been very free to say that one of the of all christian people. The annual principal inducements that led to its membership fee is $1.00 and the annu- location at Rolfe was the fact that, in al meeting is held during the last week in February.
ROLFE EGG PACKING HOUSE.
In 1895 R. P. Brown, of Grand Junc- tion, one of the oldest and most skill- ful egg packers in this state, came to Rolfe, built a three story frame build- ing 26X100 feet and supplied it with the most approved appliances for packing eggs in pickle during the summer season. An ice house having a capacity of 900 tons was also erected and the business of packing eggs was inaugurated at Rolfe. This is the only establishment of this kind in Pocahontas or adjoining counties and the amount of business done surprises the visitor. Lucrative employment. is given fifteen to thirty persons and forty to fifty carloads of eggs may be found in storage representing an annual investment of $50,000. The eggs are purchased when the price is low and they are immediately placed in pickle in the cellar, in large vats that hold 8000 dozen each. The pick- le is a compound that preserves them as fresh in appearance as on the day they were laid, aud they remain in it until the market promises a profit- able margin. They are then lifted from the vats, carried upstairs, wiped and cased for shipment. They are al- ways shipped in carload lots and usu- ally to New York City.
connection with the excellent rail- road facilities afforded, his employes there would be free from the dissipa- ting influences of the open saloon.
Whilst R. P. Brown has continued in charge of this establishment since it was founded, in later years he has had several of Rolfe's leading business men associated with him as proprie- tors. In June, 1898, and for one year thereafter, W. D. McEwen, A. O. Garlock and C. A. Grant became pro- prietors of it under the firm name of the Rolfe Egg Company. Since June, 1900, M. Crahan has been asso- ciated with Mr. Brown under the firm name of M. Crahan & Co.
ROLFE TELEPHONE COMPANY.
On Dec. 9, 1899, the Rolfe Telephone Company, with a capital of $10,000.00, was organized by the election of W. P. Wheeler, president; Ward Fergu- son, vice-president, and Charles E. Fraser, secretary and treasurer. The other directors were C. M. Webb and E. R. Ames. The other stockholders were J. B. Kent, M. Crahan, S. H. Kerr, C. A. Grant, W. W. Beam, M. D., A. W. Weible, George O. and V. Hauck, C. J. and Archie M. White, A. L. Wiewel, S. S. Reed, F. King and Fred A. Malcolm. On Jan. 29, 1900, the council made provision for the people to extend this company a franchise that includes the right to maintain a local telephone system in Rolfe for a period of twenty-five
By increasing the price paid for them when they are cheap, this es- years. In June, 1900, eighty-five in- tablishment has maintained a local struments were located and the sys- demand for eggs that has attracted tem was put in working order with them to Rolfe, from the varioustowns the central office in the room over the along the two railroads centering drug store of G. W. Core. Miss Lulu there, to the Dakota and Minnesota E. Ransom and M. W. Coffin were ap- lines. When an establishment of this pointed operators for the day and sort can be maintained with profit, it night work respectively. The annual is always a great benefit to the com- meeting of the stockholders is held munity in which it is located. The onthe first Monday in April.
506
PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.
ROLFE ROLLER MILLS.
In May, 1895, D. and Richard Fouch,
ROLFE NEWSPAPERS.
Rolfe has had two newspapers-the of Manning, completed the erection Reporter and Argus-that have al- of a three-story frame building 30x40 ready ended their careers, and two feet with an engine room of brick others-the Reveille and Tribune- 30x24 feet, and established the Roller that are still fulfilling! their mission. Mill near the Rock Island depot at The fact that only one-half of the Rolfe. It had three grinders, three newspapers started at Rolfe continue stands of double rollers, one three- to be published, suggests that there pair high feed mill, a capacity of fifty may be more of sarcastic"irony than barrels of flour a day and cost $8,000.00. truth in the following familiar lines: The good satisfaction afforded the "A lawyer slept in an editor's bed, When no editor chanced to be nigh; And he said, when he rolled out of bed, 'How easy these editors do lie.' " public by the excellent quality of flour manufactured was from the first the harbinger of the subsequent suc- cess that has attended this enterprise. It has attracted farmers with their grain from far distant places and has materially aided in increasing the trade at Rolfe.
THE REPORTER, a local republican paper, established by E. W. Duke in 1882, was the pioneer newspaper of Rolfe, and until the establishment of the Reveille in 1888, was the only one published in the town. On Oct. 15, 1886, M. W. & P. O. Coffin became its editors and proprietors, and its publi- cation was discontinued May 8, 1890, when the outfit was purchased by James J. Bruce and added to the Rev- eille equipment.
On April 9, 1898, a fire, originating in the engine room, rendered most of the machinery useless, seriously in- jured the building and caused the loss of 700 bushels of wheat and a carload of flour. This loss was a heavy one to the proprietors, but they immediately repaired the building and supplied it with new machinery. In January, 1900, Richard Fouch sold his interest to G. A. Patterson and moved to Perry. Since that date the firm of Fouch & Patterson has made some important improvements, rearranging the machinery so as to make flour ac-
THE ARGUS, a democratic paper, was established Feb. 3, 1891, by Law- rence J. Anderson, as a nine-column folio. In November, 1892, J. A. Faith bought it, but after four months left it in the hands of the mortgagees- M. Crahan, C. P. Leithead, V. Hauck and A. B. Symes. M. Crahan then cording to the latest system and in- purchased the outfit and the paper was managed by Wm. Porter until April, 1894, when it was purchased by A. L. Schultz, who continued as its editor and proprietor until Dec. 1,
creasing the capacity to 75 barrels a day. The two leading brands of flour are called "Pocahontas" and "Ideal Patent." They also manufacture tine grades of Graham, rye and buck- 1898, when its further publication wheat flour; also cornmeal and all was discontinued. The outfit was scription list to J. H. Lighter, of Rolfe, and A. L. Schultz, moving to Pocahontas, established the Pocahon- tas Herald. kinds of feed. The quality of the sold to S. E. Sage, of Sibley, the sub- flour is second to none on the local market and a demand for it is found not only in many towns and villages in Iowa, but also in Illinois, Minne- sota and the Dakotas. The liberal THE REVEILLE. patronage accorded this manufact-
The Reveille, a republican paper, uring enterprise has been well mer- was established at Rolfe to meet its ited. growing business demands, by James
507
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
J. Bruce and Frank H. Plumb, July 12, ests in the towns in the north part of 1888, and they continued as co-editors this county, by Geo. W. Williams. and proprietors until May 1, 1890, Amid all the changes in the editori- when the latter sold his interest to al management of this paper, it has the former. On Oct. 1st, 1890, J. H, manifested a lofty aim by advocating Lighter became a half owner with J. the causes of education, morality and J. Bruce and this partnership contin- religion, the local prohibition of the ued until Jan. 1, 1894, when Marion liquor traffic and the local support of Bruce, who had been a workman in every worthy local enterprise. It has the office from the time it was found- not aimed to please everybody, but to ed, bought his father's interest in it. advocate certain approved principles, On Sept. 1, 1895. A. R. Thornton and it has frequently happened that bought the half interest of J. H. those who have manifested a feeling Lighter, and the partnership of of unfriendliness one day have be- Bruce & Thornton continued until come its friends the next. The aim Aug. 4, 1900, when A. R. Thornton of its present editors is to make the became the sole owner of the paper Reveille worthy of the continued con- and then sold a half interest in it to fidence and support of the people of Lottie Thornton, his wife. Thornton this county.
& Thornton have been its editors and proprietors since that date.
THE ROLFE TRIBUNE.
The Rolfe Tribune, a republican pa-
The office that was once supplied per, was established March 1, 1898, by with only a handful of type and sec- Joseph Henry Lighter, in response to ond-hand machinery, is now finely
an oft repeated request on the part of equipped. It has a full supply of advertisers and others for a paper modern type faces, pretty ornaments that would make their announce-
and borders for job work. The work-
ments and give the news twice a men employed have made the art of week. It is the first and only semi- putting them together artistically a weekly paper published in this county special study, and they take pains and it is issued on Tuesdays and Fri- and pride in their work. The Coun- days. It is devoted to the best inter- try Babcock press, purchased in Oc- ests of the community, has already tober, 1897, at a cost of $1,200, prints won its way to a favorable recognition 1600 impressions in an hour and does on the part of the public and is now newspaper, book and job work in receiving a cordial and liberal patron- the neatest possible manner. The age. Among other things it has noted Reveille is well equipped for pro- that Rolfe, hitherto a temperance moting the interests of Rolfe and Po- town, has 1 made more improve- cahontas county and, during nearly ment during recent years than any every year since it was founded, it has town in Northwest Iowa having been one of the official papers of the saloons. It has been free to stamp county.
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