HISTORY
OF
SAC COUNTY
IOWA
By
WILLIAM H. HART
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and
Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families
ILLUSTRATED
1914
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY. Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana
DEDICATION.
This work is respectfully dedicated to
THE PIONEERS
long since departed. Ma}- the memory of those wIki laid down their burdens
by the wayside e\er be fragrant as the breath of summer
flowers, for their toils and sacrifices have made
Sac County a garden of sun-
shine and delights.
PREFACE
All life and achie\ement is c\'(ilution : present wisdom comes from past
experience, and present commercial prosperity has come only from past exer-
tion and suffering'. The deeds and motives of the men that have gone before
ha\e been instrumental in shaping- the destinies of later communities and
states. The development tif a new country was at once a task and a privi-
lege. It required great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the pres-
ent conditions of the people of Sac county, Iowa, with what they were one
hundred years ago. From a trackless wilderness and virgin land, it has
come to l)e a center of prosperity and civilization, with millions of wealth,
systems of railways, grand educational institutions, splendid industries and
immense agricultural productions. Can any thinking person be insensible
to the fascination of the stud\- which discloses the aspirations and efforts of
the early pioneers who so strongly laid the foundation upon which has been
reared the magnificent prosperity of later days? To perpetuate the story of
these people and to trace and record the social, political and industrial
progress of the community from its first inception is the function of the
local historian. A sincere purpose to preserve facts and personal memoirs
that are deserving of perpetuation, and which unite the present to the past,
is the motive for the present publication. A s])ecially \'aluable and interest-
ing department is that one dev(ited to the sketches of representative citizens
of these counties whose records deserve preservation because of their worth,
effort and accomplishment. The publishers desire to extend their thanks to
the gentlemen who have so faithfully labored to this end. Thanks are also
due to the citizens of Sac count)- for the uniform kindness with which they
have regarded this undertaking, and for their many ser\'ices rendered in the
gaining of necessary information.
In placing the "History of Sac County, Iowa," before the citizens, the
pul)lishers can conscientiously claim that they have carried out the plan as
outlined in the prospectus. Every biographical sketch in the work has been
submitted to the party interested, for correction, and therefore any error
of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for -whom the sketch was
prepared. Confident that our effort to please will fully meet the a])probation
of the public, we are,
Respectfully,
THE PUBLISHERS.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I— GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY 25
Location of Sac County — Area — Drainage — Wall Lake — Early Timber — Soil
— Origin of the Prairies — Their Mystery — Pioneer Animal Life.
CHAPTER II— INDIAN OCCUPANCY— COMING OF THE WHITE MEN— 30
Prehistoric Races — Mounds and Their Builders — -The Various Indian Tribes
Originally Occupied Iowa — Indian Quarrels — Indian Titles Extinguished —
War of 1812 — Indian Treaties — Trouble With Indians in Northwestern Iowa
— The Spirit Lake Massacre— Indian Battle in Sac County — Indian Murders
— Last Appearance of Indians — Iowa Territory — State Line War — Iowa
Made a State — Constitutional Convention — Re-locating the State Capital —
Prohibition of Slavery — Under a Second Constitution.
CHAPTER III— ORGANIZATION OF SAC COUNTY 44
Name — Formation — First County Officials — County-seat Commissioners —
First Election — Later Elections— First Proposed County-seat — Final Loca-
tion and Report of Commission.
CHAPTER IV— PIONEER SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY 47
Pioneer Hardships and Privations — A Period That Can Not Be Repeated —
Reminiscences — Difficulty of Establishing Early Dates and Locations — Early
Data^A Pen Picture of Sac County in Pioneer Days — Location of Sac
County — Early Settlers and Fruit Growing — The First to Make Settlement
— Later Comers — Pioneer Weather Conditions — Pre-emption Experiences —
Postal Facilities — Pioneers Combine Against Land Speculators — First Mill
in Sac County — A Hard Winter — Encroachments of Wild Animals — Some
Settlement Dates — Natural Resources — List of Half-Century Settlers —
Prosperity of County in 1880 — Burning Corn for Fuel — Land Values — The
Swedish Settlement.
CHAPTER V— COUNTY GOVERNMENT 64
The County-Judge System — County Supervisors — Proceedings of the Coun-
ty Court and Board of Supervisors — Early Marriage-— First Grand Jury —
Early Salaries — Bounties — Court House History — First Building — Second
Court House — Present Structure — The County Jail — The County Farm —
Finances of the County — ^Telephone and Telegraph Lines — Disbursements
for Drainage Purposes.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI— THE BAR OF SAC COUNTY 11
Origin of Early Attorneys — Sac County's First Lawyer — Brief Mention of
Other Early Attorneys and Those of Later Years — Lawyers Now in Sac
City — In Other Towns of the County.
CHAPTER VII— MEDICAL HISTORY OF SAC COUNTY 82
The First Physicians — The Pioneer Doctor's Life One of Hardships and
Self-sacrifice — Personal Mention of Many Sac County Physicians — Surgical
Work in the County — List of Registered Physicians — The Transients —
Present Physicians of the County — The Sac County Medical Society.
CHAPTER VIII— THE EVOLUTION OF AGRICULTURE IN SAC COUNTY 99
Early Misunderstanding of the Soil by the Pioneers — Wheat — Oats — Barley
and Buckwheat — Garden Truck — Popcorn — Live Stock — Sheep — Horses- —
Stock Cattle — Hog Industry — Tame Grasses — Creamery — Orcharding — Sum-
mary — Agricultural Statistics — Agricultural Societies — Fairs.
CHAPTER IX— NEWSPAPERS OF SAC COUNTY 109
Newspapers First Evidence of Thrift in a New Community — The Pioneer
Newspaper of Sac County — James N. Miller — The Sac Sun — The Sac County
Bulletin — Odebolt Chronicle — Odebolt News — Wall Lake Blade — Schaller
Herald — Sac County News — Lake View Resort— Auburn Recorder — Nemaha
Register — Lytton Star.
CHAPTER X— BANKS AND BANKING 116
Little Use for Banks in Early Days — Local System of Barter and Exchange
. — First Banks — List of Sac County Banking Houses — Sac City Banks —
Banking at Odebolt — At Nemaha — Ulmer Bank — The Banks at Early —
Banking at Schaller — At Lake View — Wall Lake.
CHAPTER XI— EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS 126
Early High Standard of Education Among Sac County Pioneers — County
School Superintendents — First Schools of the County — The Schools of the
County in 1884 — Statistics for 1900 — Sac City School District — Educational
Institutions of Sac City — Other Sac County Schools — County Teachers'
Association — School Houses — George W. Schee — The Delaware Township
Union School — Condition of Schools in 1913 — Town and City School Sta-
tistics—School Townships — Grade Schools — The Sac City Institute.
CHAPTER XII— MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY 138
Loyalty of the Pioneers — Source of Trouble Prior to the Civil War— Inci-
dents Leading Up to the War — President Lincoln's Proclamation — Sac
County's Part in the Conflict — Bounty and Relief — Veterans in 1884 — Sac
County's First Camp Fire — Soldiers' Monuments — Inspection of the Iowa
Soldiers' Home — The Spanish-American War — President McKinley's Procla-
CONTENTS.
mation — Company M, Iowa National Guard — Grand Armj' of the Republic
— Sons of Veterans.
CHAPTER XIII— CHURCH HISTORY 155
Census Religious Statistics for 1905 — Methodism — Sac City M. E, Church,
and the Churches at Pleasant Hill, Nemaha, Odebolt, Early, Wall Lake and
Schaller — Free Methodists — Presbyterian Churches at Sac City, Odebolt,
Early, Lytton, Auburn, Wall Lake and Schaller — Baptist Church at Sac City
— Congregational Church — Swedish Mission — Catholic Churches at Schaller,
Odebolt, Wall Lake and Early — German Evangelical Churches at Lake
View, Coon Valley Township, Auburn, Lake View, Schaller and Cook Town-
ship — Latter-day Saints — Episcopal Church — The Adventists — Christian
Churches — Sac County Young Men's Christian Association.
CHAPTER XIV— LODGES OF THE COUNTY 175
Free and Accepted Masons at Sac City, Schaller, Lake View, Early, Odebolt,
Wall Lake and Auburn, with Its Appendant Orders — Independent Order of
Odd Fellows at Sac City, Schaller, Early, Wall Lake, Lytton, Auburn, Ode-
bolt and Lake View — Knights of Pythias at Sac City.
CHAPTER XV— RAILROADS AND TRANSPORTATION 183
Influence of Railroads on Community Development — First Moves for a Rail-
road in Sac County — Present Railroad Mileage in County — Account of the
Coming of the Various Railroads.
CHAPTER XVI— COUNTY AND STATE OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, ETC... 187
Elections, Officers and Votes from 1856 to 1912 — Special Propositions and
Elections — Election Contest — Prohibitory Amendment Vote, 1882 — Presiden-
tial Vote of the County — Gubernatorial Vote — Congressional Vote — State
Representatives — County Officers — ^Judges — Auditors — Tr'easurers — Record-
ers — Sheriffs — Clerks — Supervisors — Coroners — School Superintendents.
CHAPTER XVII— TOWNSHIP HISTORIES 209
Township Government — Dates of Township Subdivisions — Naming of Town-
ships — Douglas Township — Drainage — Settlement — Wheeler Township — Lo-
cation — Boundary — Settlement — First Election — Coon Valley Township —
Location — Natural Features — Cook Township — Characteristics — The Cook
Ranch — Richland Township — The Great Wheeler Farm (now Adams Ranch)
— Town of Odebolt — Its Commercial Interests — First Officers — Public Util-
ities — Library — Postoffice — Concert Band — Popcorn Industry — Cedar Town-
ship — Scene of Last Battle Between the Sioux and Sac and Fox Indians —
Lytton — First and Present Officers — Delaware Township — First Settlers —
Town of Nemaha — Business Directory — Clinton Township — Mills — Eden
Township — Value of Farm Lands— Eureka Township — Town of Schaller —
Incorporation — First Officers — Public Utilities — Business Interests— Boyer
Valley Township — Pioneer Settlers — Town of Early — Incorporation — Pub-
CONTENTS.
lie Works — Postoffice — Business Directory — Levey Township — Town of
Wall Lake — Commercial Interests — Incorporation of Town and Official Ros-
ter — A Great Railroad Center— Postmasters — Wall Lake Township — Wall
Lake, a Natural Curiosity — Lake View — A Reminiscence — Business Inter-
ests — Sac Township — Town of Auburn — Incorporation — Business Interests
— Grant City — Ulmer — Viola Townsliip — Pioneer Settlers — Carnarvon —
Jackson Township.
CHAPTER XVIII— SAC CITY 263
A Fine Natural Site — Location — Natural Features — Town Plat — Eugene
Criss, "Father of Sac City'" — Business Interests in 1873 — Early Mills —
Hotels — Industries — Wayt Monument Works — Allen Institute — Municipal
History — Water Works, Lighting, Etc. — Fire Department — City Officials —
Commercial Club — Oakland Cemetery — Soldiers' Monument — Public Library
— Remembering Washington — Postoffice History — Chautauqua Association —
Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company— The Good Time Club.
CHAPTER XIX— MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST 287
Population of County — Census Summary — Farm Statistics — Village Plats —
Incorporated Towns — Local Market Prices at Various Dates — The Notorious
James Brothers at Sac City — Oil and Mica Excitement — -Cyclone Days —
Drowned at Wall Lake — Temperance Sentiments- — Fifty- Year-Old Mortgage
— Peat for Fuel — Days of Mourning — Death of General U. S. Grant — Death
of President McKinley — Death of Senator Dolliver — Wonderful Mineral
Hailstones — Snow Blockade in 1880 — Old Settlers' Association — Weather
Notes — Herding Stock in Early Days — Robbery and Murder — Grand Centen-
nial Celebration — Registered Farm Names — Prairie Fires — Early-day Bliz-
zard — Sac County Women Machinists — Autumn Frosts — Weather Records —
The Grasshopper Plague.
CHAPTER XX— REMINISCENCES 322
The Sagacity of a Dog — Storm and Flood — Pioneer Boy's Reminiscence —
Frozen in a Blizzard — An Adventure in Hell Slough.
CHAPTER XXI— ANIMALS AND GAME BIRDS OF SAC COUNTY 331
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF SAC COUNTY.... 345
HISTORICAL INDEX
A
Adventists 172
Agricultural Associations i 107
Agriculture in Sac County 99
Animal Life, Pioneer 28
Animals of Sac County 331
Area of Sac County 25, 51
Auburn 254
Bank 125
Business Interests 254
Churches 164, 169, 170
Lodges 178, 180
Newspaper 115
Officers 254
Platted 254
Postoffice 254
Schools 135
Tile Works 255
Auditors, County 205
B
Banks and Banking 116
Baptist Churches 165
Bar of Sac County 11
Barley 100
Birds 335
Black Hawk ._• 32
Blizzard, Early-day 313
Bonds, Refunding 66
Bounties 65
Bounty, War 142
Boyer Valley Township 239
Drainage 239
Location 239
Naming of ■ 210
Population 240
Schools 135
Settlers, First 239
Buckwheat 100
C
Camp Fires 144
Capital of State, Located 41
Carnarvon 260
Business Interests 260
Platted 260
Postmasters 260
Catholic Churches 167
Cattle 102
Causes of Civil War 138
Cedar Township 227
Indian Battle 228
Location 227
Naming of 210
New Munich 228
Schools 135
Settlement 227
Census Returns 288
Centennial Celebration 308
Christian Churches 172
Church History 155
Civil War, Causes of 138
Clerks, County 206
Clinton Township 232
Boundaries 232
Churches 157
Location 232
Mills 233
Naming of 210, 232
Schools 135
Coal, Search for 66
Commissioners, Count}--seat 44
Company M, National Guard 150
Congregational Church 166
Congressional Vote 204
Constitution, Second 43
Constitutional Convention, First 40
Constitutional Convention, Second — 40
Constitutional Convention, Third — 43
Cook Ranch 215
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Cook Township 214
Agriculture 215
Churches 170
Cook Ranch 215
Location 214
Naming of 210
Population i 214
Schools 135
Settlement 214
Coon Valley Township 213
Boundaries 213
Churches 169, 170
Creameries 214
Farms 214
Location , 213
Naming 210
Organization of 213
Schools 135
Corn for Fuel 59
Coroners 207
County Auditors 205
County Clerks 206
County Court Proceedings 65
County Election, First 44
County Farm 73
County Finances 74
County Government 64
County Jail 71
County Judge System 64
County Judges 205
County Officers 187, 205
County Organized 44
County Recorders 206
County School Superintendents .126, 208
County-seat Commissioners 44
County Seat Located 45
County Supervisors 207
County Teachers' Association 131
County Treasurers 205
Court House History 66, 200
Creamery 103
Cyclone Days 294
D
Delaware Township 229
Boundaries 229
Churches 231
Location 229
Delaware Township —
Schools 133, 135, 231
Settlers 230
Union School 133
Delaware Township Union School 133
Doctors of Sac County 82
Douglas Township 210
Drainage 210
Location 210
Naming of 209
Population 211
Schools 135
Settlement . 211
Trading Points 212
Drainage Disbursements 76
E
Early 240
Banks 121
Business Interests 241
Churches 158, 163, 168
Incorporation 240
Location 240
Lodges 177, 179
Newspaper , 114
Officers 240
Public Utilities ___. 241
Scliools 135
Veterans 143
Early-day Blizzard 313
Early Fruit Growing 52, 104
Early Newspapers 1 109
Early Postal Facilities 55, 57
Eden Township 233
Drainage 233
Land Values 234
Location 233
Naming of 210
Schools 135
Settlement 234
Educational Interests 126
Educational Statistics 135
Election Contest 201
Election, First County 44
Elections 187
Episcopal Church 171
Eureka Township 234
Election. First 234
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Eureka Township —
Location 234
Population 234
Schools l-'j
Evolution of Agriculture 99
F
Fairs 107
Farm Names 309
Farm Productions, 1880 SO, 59, 106
Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co 284
Fifty-year-old Mortgage 297
Finances of the County 74
First Constitutional Convention — 40
First County Election 44
E'irst County Officers 44
First Doctor in the County 82
First General Asseml>ly 41
F'irst Lawyer in Sac City ^^
First Legislature 39, 41
First Mill 56
First Newspaper 109
First Schools in County 126
First Settler in County 53
Forty-second Regiment 149
Fox Indians 31
Fraternities 175
Freemasons -» 175
Frosts 314
I'Vuit Growing, Early 52, 104
G
Game 331
Game Birds 335
Garden Truck 100
General Assembly, First 41
German Evangelical Churches 169
Geology of Sac County 25
Good Time Club 285
Grade Schools 136
Grand Army of the Republic ISO
Grant City 256
In 1874 257
Location 25i7
Newspaper US
Officers 257
Schools 135
Veterans 143
Grasses 103
Grasshopper Plague 317
H
Hailstones, Mineral 300
Half-century Settlers 58
Hardships of Early Doctors 82
Hell Slough 329
Herding Stock 304
Hogs 103
Horses 102
I
Incorporated Towns 290
Independent Order of Odd Fellows- 178
Indian Battle in Sac County 36, 228
Indian Murders 38
Indian Occupancy 30
Indian Titles Extinguished 31
Indian Towns 30
Indian Treaties 31
Indian Troubles 33
Iowa Made a State 40
Iowa Territory 39
J
Jackson Township ; 261
Boundaries 261
First Officers 44
Location 261
Naming of 210
Officers, First 44
Population 262
Railroad Aid 186
Schools 135
Streams 261
Jail 71
James Boys 292
Judges 205
K
Knights of Pythias 181
L
Lake View 249
Bank 123
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Lake View —
Business Interests — 251
Churches 160, 166, 169
Lodges 176. 181
Newspaper 114
Population 252
Reminiscence, A . 249
Schools 135
Veterans 143
Lakes 25
Land Values 60
Latter-da\' Saints 170
Lawyer, First in Sac City 77
Lawyers of Sac County 78
Legislature, First 39, 41
Levey Township 243
Area 243
Drainage 243
Naming of 210
Location 243
Pioneers 244
Population 243
Schools 135
Streams 243
Live Stock 101
Local Market Prices 291
Location of County Seat 45
Location of Sac County 25, 51
Location of State Capital 41
Lodges 175
Lytton 228
Bank 125
Business Interests 229
Churches 163
Farm Improvements 229
Incorporation of 229
Lodges 180
Newspapers 115
Officers 229
Population 229
•Schools 135
M
Mails, Early 55, 57
Market Prices 291
Masonic Order 175
Medical History 82
Medical Society 97
Methodist Churches 155
Mica Excitement 293
Mileage of Railroads 185
Military History 138
Mill, The First 56
Mineral Hailstones 300
Minerals 27
Miscellaneous Items 287
Monuments, Soldiers' 146, 276
Mounds. Prehistoric 30
Mourning Days 297
Murder and Robbery 305
Murders by Indians 38
N
Naming of Townships 209
Natural Resources 57
Nemaha 231
Bank 120
Business Directory 231
Churches 157, 163
Newspaper 115
Platted 231
Postoffice 231
Newspapers of Sac County 109
O
Oats 100
Odd Fellows 178
Odebolt 219
Band 225
Banks 119
Business Directory 222
Churches 158, 162, 167, 168
Commercial Interests 221
F'ield-Carnegie Library 223
Fires 221
Incorporation ■_ 220
Library 223
Location 219
Lodges 151, 177, 180
Newspapers 112
Officers 220
Parks 220
Popcorn Industry 226
Population 220
Postoffice 225
Public Utilities 220
Schools 131, 135
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Odebolt—
Settlement 219
Veterans l'^^
Officers, First County 44
Official Roster 187
Oil Excitement 293
Old Settlers' Association 301
One-man Go\ernment 64
Orcharding 104
Organization of Sac County 44
Origin of Prairies 27
P
Peat for Fuel 297
Physicians of Sac County 82
Pioneer Animal Life 28
Pioneer Newspapers 109
Pioneer Settlement 4/
Plats, Village 289
Poor Farm '•'
Popcorn 101, 226
Population of County 287
Population of State, 1847 41
Postal Facilities, Early 55, 57
Prairie Fires ^10
Prairies, Mystery of 27
Prairies, Origin of -'
Prehistoric Mounds 30
Presbyterian Churches 161
Present Court House 69
Presidential Vote 202
Press of Sac County — ; 109
Proceedings of County Court 65
Proceedings of Supervisors 65
Productiveness of Soil 50, 59, 100, lOb
Prohibition of Slavery 43
Prohibitory Amendment Vote 201
Proposed County Seat 45
Prosperity in 1880 58
Pythian Order 181
R
Railroad Aid by County 199
Railroad Mileage 185
Railroads 183
Recorders, County 206
Register of Physicians 91
Registered Farm Names 309
Relief for Soldiers' Families 142
Religious History 155
Reminiscences 322
Richland Township 216
Adams Ranch 217
First Officers 216
Location 216
Officers 216
Population 216
Schools 135
Wheeler Farm 217
Robbery and Murder 305
Rush Lake 212
Sac City
Allen Institute
Banks
Business Interests
Cemetery
Chautauqua Association
Churches 155, 161, 165, 171,
Commercial Club
Criss, Eugene
Finances
Fire Department
Hotels
Industries
Library
Lighting System
Lodges 150, 175, 178,
Mayors
Mills
Municipal History
Newspapers
Officials of City
Platted
Population
Postoffice
Schools 129, 135,
Site of
Soldiers' Monument
Veterans
Water Works
Wayt Monument Works
Sac City Institute
Sac County Agricultural Society —
Sac County Medical Society
Sac County Organized
263
272
117
265
275
283
172
275
264
273
274
267
268
278
274
181
273
266
272
109
274
263
264
281
136
263
276
143
273
270
136
108
97
44
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Sac Indians
Sac Township
Boundaries
First Officers
Location
Naming of
Schools
Settlers, Early
Sagacity of a Dog
Schaller
Banks
Business Interests
Churches 160, 164. 167, 169.
Election, First
Fires
Improvements
Incorporation
Lodges 153, 176,
Naming of
Newspapers
Officers
Platted
Schools
Water Works
School Houses
School Statistics
School Superintendents, County-12b,
Schools, First in County
Schools in 1884
Schools in 1913
Second Constitution
Second Constitutional Convention-
Secret Orders
Settlement Dates
Settlement, Pioneer
Settler, First in County
Sheep
Sheriffs
Sioux Indians
Slavery Prohibited
Snow Blockade
Soil of Sac County 26, SO,
Soldiers' Monuments 146,
Sons of Veterans
Spanish-American War
Special Elections
Spirit Lake Massacre
State Formed
State Line War
State Officers
31
253
253
45
253
210
135
253
322
235
122
237
172
236
239
236
236
179
235
114
236
235
135
237
132
135
.^08
126
128
134
43
40
175
57
47
S3
101
206
31
43
300
99
276
154
148
199
33
40
39
187
State Representatives 204
Statistics of Schools 135
Stock Cattle 102
Stock Herding
Storm and Flood 324
Superintendents. County School-126, 208
Supervisors 64, 207
Surgery in Sac County 90
Swedish Mission 167
Swedish Settlement 60
Swine Law 199
Tame Grasses 103
Tax Ferret 66
Teachers' Association 131
Telegraph Lines 76
Telephone Lines 76
Temperance Sentiments 295
Third Constitutional Convention 43
Timber 26. 52
Town School Statistics 135
Township Histories 209
Transportation 183
Treasurers, County 205
Treaties with Indians 31
Trouble with Indians 33
u
Ulmer 257
Value of Land 60
\'eterans in 1884 143
Village Plats 289
\'iola Township 257
Boundaries 258
Naming of 210, 260
Natural Features 258
Officers 260
Organization 260
Schools 135
Settlement 258
Vote on Prohibitory .Amendment 201
HISTORICAL INDEX.
W
Wall Lake 25, 248
Wall Lake, Town of 244
Banks 123
Business Directory 245
Churches 159, 164, 167
First Events 244
Incorporation 246
Lodges 177, 180
Newspapers 113
Officers 246
Population 244
Postmasters 24/
Schools 131, 135
Railroad Center 247
Veterans l'*3
Water Works 246
Wall Lake Township 247
Location 247
Naming of 210
Schools 135
Wall Lake Township —
Streams 248
Wall Lake 248
War of 1812 31
Watershed 25
Weather Notes 304, 315
Wheat 100
Wheeler Township 212
Boundaries 212
Election, First 213
First Election 213
Location 212
Naming of 210
Population 212
Schools 135
Settlement 213
Wild Game 331
Women Machinists 314
Young Men's Christian Association, 173
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
A
Adams, Hiram
Ahrens, Ernest L. 820
Anderson, Adolph 635
Anderson, Swan 467
Andre, Thomas J., M. D. 432
Armstrong, Alden 728
Armstrong, C. P. 916
Armstrong, Piatt 880
Austin. James E.
B
Bahl, Louis 568
Ballard, Charles W. 760
Baxter, Harry 578
Bechler, Robert D. 741
Berg, Charles F. 768
Berg, Charles O. 837
Berg, Martin 768
Bettin, August 661
Blair, Fred L., M. D 60S
Brehm, Fred 618
Brill, John G. 536
Brobeil, Charles F. 520
Brobeil, William G. 766
Broughton, Ben 424
Bruce, James L. y 693
Brynteson, Charles 796
Buehler, Benjamin M. 900
Buehler, Henry , 917
Buehler, Jacob 671
Buehler, Jacob G. 905
Buehler, Sebastian 678
Buehler, William F. 889
Buihner, Berton B. 453
Burnquist. Charles A. 690
C
Carlton, Dan D. 426
Cawiezel, Frank 85-
Chandler, Abner L. 387
Chrysler, John E. 573
Cole, William L. 765
CoUenbaugh, Benjamin F. 587
Collenbaugh, Charles M. 901
Collins, George P. 640
Correll, David 683
Corsaut, David 625
Corsaut, James D. 602
Cory, George I. -'^-
Cory, Hugh M. 488
Cox, Clark 628
Cox, Elmer, 740
Coy, Charles C 439
Crane, Edward H. M. D. 706
Cranston, Archie P. 861
Cranston, James A. 84-
Criss, Eugene 360
Criss, Mrs. Frances H 36-
Criss, John W. 833
Criss. William H. 81/
Cunningham, Alisalom 814
Currie. John 584
Currie. Malcolm 793
D
Dahm. Michael 567
Dakin. James B. 7--
Daly. Rev. M. C 40/
Dannenberg, August ^13
Dannenberg, August E 532
Darling, Charles S. 403
Davenport, Albert 7a
Davis, Charles W. 500
Dean, W. M. 71/
Denman, John H. 440
Dettraann, Henry F.
Dinges, John 688
Dinges, Peter H 893
Down, Thomas W. ^^"
■ Drewry, Claire A. 898
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Drewry, Edward 464
Drury. J. Reese 600
Driiry, James A. 850
Drury. Will 472
Dunkin, Frank L. 526
E
Early. Charles L. 368
Early, D. Carr 355
Edson, Charles A. 864
Ellis, A. H. 908
Elwood. Samuel M. 374
Engelhardt. Robert 758
F
Field, William W^ 352
Findley, William J., M. D. 812
Firth, Charles W. 808
Fox, Harry B. 710
Fox, Marshall D. 480
Frey, Henry ""4
Friesner, Andrew J. 645
Friesner, Henry 633
Friesner, William L. 660
Fuchs, John 416
Fuller. Ernest C. 350
Fuller. Z., M. D. 400
Fyfe. Morris M. 746
G
Galliraith, Alexander 886
Gishwiller, Nicholas O. 395
Goldsmith, Charles D. 882
Goodcnow, Charles 485
Gordon, Francis E. 798
Goreham, Edson E. 507
Goreham, Joseph P. 456
Goreham, Leonard L. 434
Gosch, John H. 872
Gosch, Juergen P. 896
Gould, George B. 840
Green, Col. Festus J. 656
Greenley, Thomas E. 571
Groman, August, M. D. 383
Gulliford, A. B. 846
Gundcrson, .\nton E. 800
H
Hahne, August 859
Hahne, Herman — ., 781
Hahne, Samuel 763
Hahne, William 863
Hamand, James 857
Hammerstrom, Gust 776
Hanson, Edward H. 847
Hanson, George H. 475
Hanson, Harry H. 906
Hanson, Henry 366
Hanson, John 570
Haradon, Eli 550
Hart, W'illiam H. 376
Hartman, Edward P. 397
Hartsell, Jacob W. 359
Hasch. Henry 502
Hatrteld, Charles 828
Hayden, Arthur S., M. D. 493
Hechtner, Charles 637
Hcchtner, John G. ^ 638
Henning, W'illiam W. 622
H enrich, Valentine 894
Hess, Herman C. 862
Hiersche. F. R. 888
Highland. Walter T. 596
Hill, Ulysses S. 468
Hillmann, Fred 614
Hix, Henry 860
Hoft, Henry 497
Hopkins, Christopher M., M. D. __- 663
Hoskins, Perry S.- 589
Hover, Alexander 542
Howard, William J. 538
Howard, W^iUiam O. 494
Huelman, Theodore 549
Huser, Thea 603
Huston, David S. 704
I
Ibel, Jacob J. 612
Irwin, Charles W. 665
Irwin, James T. 869
Irwin, Xestor B. 643
J
Jacobsen, Theodore 652
Jensen, Charles 845
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Jensen. Oliver
Johnson. Andrew E.
Tohnson. George W.
Kastuer, Henry
Keir, Duncan B.
Keir. Thomas G.
Keiser. Joseph
Kessler. Henry
King. Charles D.
King, Joseph H.
Kluckhohn. Henry A. __ -
Konradi, Joseph
Kramer. Ozro J.
Krusenstjerna. Alfred G.
721
784
779
— 524
,_- 738
__- 631
.__- 608
.___ 484
.__. 546
_._- 540
___- 848
890
. 775
399
Martin, Charles A. ^^_^
Martin, Francis T. 870
Mason, Anderson '^^'-
Mattes. Joseph ^^9
Mayhall. Ross ^83
Mead. Hugh H. ^^^
Mead. Isaac X. ^^^
Mehlbrech. W. Louis 915
Mendenhall. George W. 732
Merkley, Edgar C. 557
Messer. Martin A. 5-9
Mever. Conrad ^^4
Miner. Albert D. ^sO
Miner. Kingsley A. 651
Mock, Marion ^5-
Molsberry, Frank R.. D. D. S 885
Molsberry. Will T. 583
Montgomery, Arthur H. 534
Lange, Claus
Lashier, Albert F.
Lee, C. Everett —
Lee, Curtis Orville
Lewis, Reuben
431
555
504
384
834
Little, Walter W. 547
Long, Robert M. 448
Longman, Thomas 599
Lookingbill, Col. William C 736
, f „ 734
Low. J. rL.
Lowry, Larkin P. 83U
Lundell, August "^59
Lundell, Peter G. 446
N
Xeal, J. Wilbur ^94
Needham. Francis S. °^=
Nelson, Alfred J^O
Nuehring, Charles O"^
Xutter, Walter A.
O
O'Grady. J. E.. D. D. S.
Oldsen. Carl A.
Oldsen. John D.
839
770
675
506
Mc
McCarter, Washington 723
McCord, Robert L. 793
McCorkindale. Angus 866
McCorkindale, Donald 658
McCray. Frank H.. M. D 777
McCrea, L. H. 682
McDonald. J. F. 5--
McGeachy. Alexander 874
McGeachy, Donald, 83^
McLaughlin, John P.. 7/3
McNeill, Rev. Francis 576
M
Mackey, Oliver
911
Markley. John R. 648
Paeper. Robert J.
Parkinson, Joseph
Paul, Allie J.
Paul. Charlie A.
Perkins, George B
Petersmeyer, August C.
Petersmeyer, Fred W. -
Peterson, Solomon
Pilloud, Frank
Pitstick, William
Piatt, Asa
Poland, William R
Pratt. Frank E.
Purdy. Walden E.
754
702
477
478
389
680
. 483
. 436
. 560
. 730
. 371
. 750
. 627
_ 552
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Q
ijuinii, Pat 867
Quirk, Lewis T. 654
Quirk, Thomas 674
Quirk, William 816
R
Rabe, Henry 892
Rake, L. B. 790
Reinhart, John 909
Reuber, August H. VV. 853
Reynolds. John A. 616
Rhoads, William W. 624
Rich, Maurice D. 727
Ringgenberg, Edward S. 594
Ritter, Conrad A 646
Roberts, Henry J. 877
Jiobinson, Henry C. 672
Robinson, James D. 530
Robinson, Olden C. 856
Robinson, Robert S. 533
Rogers, Earl C. 715
Rogers, Henry W. 743
Roseke, August 580
Rosenhauer, George 565
S
Sanlnirn, John S 554
Schaefer, Christian 592
Schaller, Phil 345
Schenck, DeVVitt G. 610
Schenkelberg, Rev. L. 714
Schnirring, E. M. 751
Schmitz. John N. _- — . 699
Schulte, Charles A. 836
Schultz. Alfred C. 803
Sebern. R. C. M. D 701
Seek, William 543
Selby, Seymour D. 381
Shaffer, Raymond C, M. D. 913
Sheley, Martin 744
Shelmcrdine. David 558
Slacks. John R. 378
Smith. Asa B. 668
Smith, Hiram B 444
Smith, i'eter 720
Sonnichsen. Sankey C. 711
Spicer, J. J. 642
Spurrell, John 884
Stanzcl, Barnabas C. 851
Stanzel, George C. 563
Stanzel, Silas 786
Stanzel, William A. 696
Stanzel, William August 687
Starner, Emctt 685
.Staton, James S. 518
Stocker, George L. 809
Stokes, William W. 756
Stouffer, Frank E. 392
Stouffer, Samuel M. 392
Strahn, Harry I. 496
Swearingen, Guy, M. D. 831
T
Taylor. George A. 827
Teaquist, Col. Albert S. 574
Therkelsen, J. P. 712
Thielhorn, Chriss J. 649
Tiberghien. Elias 806
Tiberghien. James W. 822
Tiberghien. Jeremiah S. 544
Tischer, Hans 509
Tourgee, J. B. 653
Townsend, William H.. M. D. 804
U
Umbarger, J. F. 855
Umbarger. William L. 677
W
Wadsley, George W. 562
Wager, Alexander 630
Wagner, John G. 525
Wagner, John H. 691
Watt, Samuel L 363
Wayt, Leon R, 414
Wayt, Wooster B. 410
Webb, Adelbert E. 748
Weed, Francis W. 420
Wells, John P. 718
Westrnm. John 724
Whiteside, W. K. __. 787
Whitted. C. M. 802
Willhoite. George B. 619
Williams, Ed 606
Williams, Ephraim A. 582
Williams, F. E., M. D. C 904
Wilson. J. W. 878
Wilson, U'nlu'rt I. 615
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Wine, Lacey A. 408 ' Y
Winkler, Fred 442
Wiseman, George 876 Young, Edwin M 528
Wolf, Michael B. 429 Young, Joseph S. 597
Woodke, August D. 771 Younie, John W. 462
HISTORICAL
CHAPTER I.
GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY.
Without gt-iing into a detailed accmiiit of all that has heen written by
geologists concerning the formation ami surface appearance of Sac county, it
may be of some interest to the ordinary reader of this work to mention some
of the general features of the soil and formations below, in this section of the
state.
First, it should be said that the geological features here are not materially
different from other western Iowa prairie counties.
Sac is the third countx' from the Missouri river, and the fourth from the
north line of the state. It contains a superficial area of five hundred and sev-
enty-six scjuare miles, equal to 368,640 acres. It is admirably watered and
drained by North Raccoon and Boyer ri\ers and their tributaries, together
with several branches of Alaple river which have their sources in the county.
Cedar and Indian creeks are important tributaries of North Raccoon. Boyer
river, so famous in this state for the fertility of its valley, rises in Buena Vista
county and flows south across the >center of Sac county.
The southern extremity of an important chain of little lakes occup}-ing
the "Great Watershed," is in Sac county. The middle of the county is about
on the summit ridge, Raccoon river, on the east, flowing to the Mississippi,
and Boyer river, on the west, flowing into the Missouri at Council Blufifs. On
this "watershed" between the Raccoon and Boyer are situated several small
lakes, the largest of which is known as Wall lake. This charming little lake
is situated in townships 86 and 87, of range 36. being in the southern portion
of the county. This body of water covers an area of about three scjuare miles,
and does not exceed a depth of twelve feet. Originally a part of the shores
of this lake were bordered by earthworks, or an embankment of earth and
boulders, in some places the latter having the appearance of a wall laid up by
the hand of men, and hence the name Wall lake. In the waters of this lake
26 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
are many fine fishes and from the early settlement of western Iowa many per-
sons visited the spot on fishing expeditions. In the beautiful autumn time of
western Iowa, immense fiocks of wild fowl, including ducks and other water-
fowls, here congregate. In the north part of the count\- there was also an-
other lake of about a mile square. It was in township 88 of ranges 36 and 37.
This was known as Rush lake, but has recently been drained (lut b}- dredge
ditches.
In recent years — since the beginning of the railroad era — these lakes,-
especially Wall lake, in the southern part of the count)-, have been utilized for
summer resorts. The shores of \\'all lake have been improved and boating and
bath houses have made it a verj^ popular place for excursionists. Camping
and fishing, \vith all the amusements that characterize a summer resort, are
here found.
At an early day, and even at this time to a certain extent, the Raccoon
and Boyer rivers possessed a considerable growth of natural timber, including
such varieties as oak, black walnut, Cottonwood, linn, elm and the maples. The
general character of the surface is rolling, in only a few places being very
rough or broken — simply a beautiful prairie ]5lain. But little is too flat or wet
to cultivate, and most of the present county is used for actual, practical farm-
ing purfxjses. The soil is of unusual fertility and richness. Here are pro-
duced annual crops of wheat, oats, corn and tame grasses. Vegetables and
some variety of fruits do well in Sac county. At one of the corn palaces in
Sioux City in the nineties. Sac county took the premium on her exhibit of
apples. Variety, color and flavor were all taken into account.
The soil is for the most part a deep, black alluvial loam, which possesses
rare productive qualities, and will last for generations, even without fertiliz-
ing; but the scientific methods of the present century have taught the wise
and intelligent farmer to conserve his rich soil holdings, by rotation of crops,
the growth of tame grasses, etc., in order that his land may not "run down,"
but be as rich and productive in generations to come as it is today. This drift
deposit in all northern Iowa is from the original rocks of Minnesota, with
much from Iowa itself. In general terms, the constant component element of
the drift soil is that portion which was transported from the north, while the
inconstant elements are those portions which were derived from the adjacent
or underlying strata. For example, in western Iowa, wherever that creta-
ceous formation known as the nisnabotany sandstone exists, the soil contains
more sand than elsewhere. The same may be said of the soil of some parts
of the state occupied by the lower coal measure, the sandstones and sand
shales of the formation furnishing the sand.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 27
The northern and n(jrthwestern portions of Iowa contain more sand and
gravel than any cither portions. This sand and gravel was doubtless derived
from the cretaceous rocks that do now or formerly did exist there, as well
as from the pudding-stone beds of the Sioux quartzite.
Sac county is really too far north to be within the coal measure of the
state. Good clays are found within the county, but the wealth comes largely
from the rich alluvial soil and is more and more valued as the years go by.
ORIGIN OF THE PRAIRIES.
From all that has been written concerning the origin of the prairie lands
of this state, it appears to be r|uite well settled in the minds of up-to-date
scientists, that the annual prairie fires account for the lack of timber in this
section of the Mississippi and Missouri vallevs. It is estimated that seven-
eighths of the entire surface of the state of Iowa was prairie when first
known to white men. These prairies are not confined to any particular
variety of soil, for within the state they rest upon all formations, from those
of the Azoic to those of the Cretaceous age inclusive. Whatever may have
been their origin, their present existence in Iowa is not due to the influence
of climate, nor the soil, nor any of the underlying formations. The real
cause is the pre\'alence of the annual fires. If these had been prevented fifty
and a hundred years ago, Iowa would now doubtless have been a timbered
country. The encroaching habits of forest trees are well known to farmers
of this state, and they have from time to time observed this encroachment
going on as soon as the adjoining woodland has been well protected from the
fires. As it is toda}-, and has been for forty years, ninety-five per cent, of the
land in Iowa is tillable land of great value.
THE MYSTERY OF THE PRAIRIES.
The Iowa boy and girl of today knows but little, if indeed anything, of
the beauty and mystery of the prairie ; they can never see (as did their parents
only a few decades ago ) the moist furrow as the sod is turned in long rolls,
the miracle of subduing the soil so wild. The prairie, just as God turned it,
in long reaches, so clean, so sweet in its perfumes wafted on the winds that
came down out of the southwest. After a rain, how jiure all nature ap-
peared. The wide expanse stretching away to the east and north, all prairie
for miles from the new farm that was being improved. The billows of wav-
ing grass, dotted ^vith wild flowers, the whole seeming to wave in unison with
28 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
the wind as it came over the hill. The mystery of the prairie? Unsolved,
entrancing and one of rarest memories of boyhood and young manhood, in
the da^s that have forever gone for the sons and daiigiiters of the Hawkeye
state, the tioral emblem of which is the wild rose.
^\'hat tribes haunted these prairie lands of Sac county before the advent
of the white race? What Indian princess had gathered the wild flowers to
radiantly bedeck her swarthy l)row? For this had been, in the early days, the
richest of all pasture lands and the hunting ground of the Indians for many
generations. Of this there were many mute evidences when the pioneer first
set stakes along the streams of this county. The writer of this article knew
the same kind iif prairies in Iowa, when they were unsullied and unscarred,
the gift of God, direct from His hand, lying like a great quilt of many colors
over spreading valley and u])Iand, the pattern most exquisite and perfect in
execution, for it had been wrought out by the great Artist of the Universe.
The sweet william. the violet and retiring lilw the latter the most beauti-
ful and so hard to discover, so hiding in its habits — these were the flowers
scattered through the wild grass, in many places a riot of bright, dazzling
color.
To have known the unbroken prairie was to ha\e known, intimately,
virgin life. Really, to have studied it in all its deep mysteries was to have
been well schooled in all things chaste and broad-minded. To have seen the
joyous springtime, the mature deli1)erations of summer and the somber hues
and tones of autumntime was to have witnessed the sul)lime in Nature's un-
cultivated flower garden. Then the great white blanket of snow, covering
all as far as the eye could see, was but to look out upon a dreary, yet pleasing
landscape. But how changed is all this scene. There are no large ]3rairies
in Sac or any of her sister counties. The plowshare has forever obliterated
all that has just now been descriljed. The landmarks have long since been
swept down beneath the hand of the greedy, though generally laudable, hus-
bandman. The beautiful prairies have served their time and have passed
away, and with them the nimble-footed deer, the elk. antelope and that won-
derful game bird, the prairie chicken.
PIONEER ANIMAL LIFE.
The following is a list of the mammals found in ,Sac county, at an early
day, as shown by a recent state publication : Opossoms, prairie hare, cotton-
tail, prairie gopher, muskrat, meadow mouse, prairie deer mouse, northern
white-footed mouse, brown rat. common house mouse, American beaver.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 29
woodchuck, ground-hog, marmot, prairie squirrel, striped gopher, chipmunk,
ground squirrel, western fox squirrel, short-tailed schrews, prairie mole, red
rat, hoary bat, red deer, American elk, buffalo, American otter, northern plains
skunk, civet-cat, American badger, mink. long-tailed weasel, red fo.x, prairie
wolf, bob cat, mountain lion.
All but a small percentage of these animals have long since been scarce
in this portion of Iowa, but at one day it was their home.
CHAPTER II.
INDIAN OCCUPANCY TERRITORY ACQUIRED BY WHITE MEN.
Of what is termed the pre-historic race that inhabited this section of
the Northwest, there is hut httle knuwii, the (inly history of this extinct race
being the mounds and the contents of the same. These mounds are found
scattered here and there in many sections of this and other states, a goodly
number having been discovered in recent years in Cherokee county.
Whether these Abjund Builders were a distinct race from the Xorth American
Indians or not is still an unsettled question, but the evidence so far goes to
show that they sprang from some tribe from Asia. Those best versed in
such questions claim that this settlement from the Orient came about either
by ship-wrecked sailors, or by the true immigration from Asia, crossing at
Bering Strait. There is every evidence that tends to show that the Mound
Builders were people well up in arts and science, as then understood in the
world, and that copper was mined and worked in a fashion now imknown to
the most skilled artisan. The\' made implements of war and had elaborate
houses, practiced domestic cconomx" and were probablv the ancestors of the
North American Indian.
For more than one hundred \ears after Mar(|uette and Joliet trod the
soil of Iowa and admired its fertile ])lains, not a single settlement was made
or attempted, not even a trading post being established. During this time
the Illinois Indians, once a very powerful tribe, gave up the entire possession
of this "Beautiful Land" fas its name, Iowa, really signifies) to the Sacs
and Foxes. In 1803, when Louisiana was purchased b\- the United States,
these two tribes, with the lowas, possessed the entire present state of Illinois.
The four most important towns of the Sacs were along the Mississippi, two
on the east side, one near the mouth of the Upper Iowa river and one at the
head of the Des Moines ra])ids, near the present town of Montrose. Those
of the P'oxes were, one on the west' side of the Mississippi just above Daven-
port, one about twelve miles from the river, back of Dubuque lead mines, and
one on Turkey river. The principal village of the lowas was on the Des
Moines river, in Van 13uren count\-, where Towaville now stands. Here the
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 31
last great battle between the Sacs and Foxes and the lowas was fought, in
which Black Hawk, then a young man, commanded the attacking forces.
The Sioux had the northern portion of the state and southern Minne-
sota. They were a fierce, warlike natit)n, and often disputed the possessions
of their rivals in savage and bloody warfare; but finally a boundary line was
established between them by the government of the United States, in a treaty
held at Prairie Du Chien in 1825. This, however, became the source of
an increased number of quarrels between the tribes, as each trespassed, or was
thought to trespass, upon the rights of those who lived on the other side of
the line. In 1830, therefore, the government created a forty-mile strip of
neutral ground between them, which policy proved to be more successful in
the interests of peace.
Soon after Louisiana was acquired by the United States, the latter
adopted measures for the exploration of the new territory, having in view the
conciliation of the numerous tribes of Indians by whom it was possessed,
and also the selection of proper sites for military posts and trading stations.
This was accordingly accomplished. But before the country could be opened
up for settlement by the whites, it was necessary that the Indian titles should
be extinguished and that people removed. When the government assumed
control of the country by virtue of the Louisiana purchase, nearly all Iowa
was in possession of the Sacs and Foxes, at whose head stood the rising,
daring and intelligent Black Hawk. On Novem1:ier 3, 1804, a treaty was
concluded with these tribes by which they ceded to the United States the
Illinois side of the Mississippi, in consideration of two thousand three hun-
dred and thirty-four dollars worth of goods then delivered and an annuity
of one thousand dollars to be paid in goods at cost; but Black Hawk always
maintained that the chiefs who entered into that compact acted without au-
thoritv, and therefore the treaty was not Ijinding. The first fort luiilt on
Iowa soil was Fort Madison. A short time before a military post was fixed
at what is now Warsaw, Illinois, and named Fort Edwards. These enter-
prises caused mistrust among the Indian tribes. Indeed Fort Madison was
located in violation of the treaty of 1804. The Indians sent delegations to
the whites at these forts to learn what they were doing and what they in-
tended. On being "informed" that these structures were merely trading
posts, they were incredulous and became more and more suspicious. Black
Hawk, therefore, led a party to the vicinity of Fort Madison and attempted
its destruction, but a premature attack by him caused his failure.
In 181 2, when war was declared between this countrv and Great Britain,
32 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Black Hawk and his band allietl themselves to the British, partly because
they were dazzled by their specious promises, but mostly because they
had been deceived by the Americans. Black Hawk said plainly that
the latter fact was the cause. A portion of the Sacs and Foxes, however,
headed b}- Keokuk ("Watchful Fox") could not be persuaded into hos-
tilities against the United States, they being disposed to stand by the treaty
of 1804. The Indians were, therefore, divided into the "war"' and the
"peace" jjarties. On old Black Hawk's return from the British army, he
says that he was introduced to Keokuk as war chief of the braves then in
that village. On in(juiry as to how he came to be made a chief, there were
given him the particulars of his having killed a Sioux in battle, which fact
placed him among the warriors, and of his having headed an expedition in
defense of their village at Peoria. In person, Keokuk was tall and of stately
bearing, and in speech he was a genuine, though uneducated, orator. He
never mastered the English language, hence his biographers have ne\'er been
able to do his character justice. He was a friend of the United States gov-
ernment, and ever tried to persuade the Indians that it was useless to at-
tack a nation so powerful as that of the United States.
The treaty of 1804 was renewed in 1816, which Black Hawk himself
signed; but he afterward held that he was deceived and that the treaty was
not even yet binding. But there was no further serious trouble with the
Indians until the noted Black Hawk war of 1832, all of which took place
in Illinois and Wisconsin, with the expected result — the defeat and capture
of old Black Hawk, and the final repulsion of all hostile Indians to the west
of the Mississippi. Black Hawk died October 3, 1838, at his home in this
state, and was buried there, but his remains were afterward placed in a
museum of the Historical Society, where they were accidentallv destroyed
by fire.
More or less affecting the territory included within the state of Iowa,
fifteen treaties have been made, an outline of which is as follows: In
1804, when the whites agreed not to settle west of the Mississippi on Indian
lands; in 1815, with the Sioux, ratifying peace with Great Britain and the
United States; with the Sacs, a treaty of similar nature, also ratifvi'ng that
of 1804, the Indians agreeing not to join their brethren who, under Black
Hawk, had aided the British: with the Fo.xes ratifying the treatv of 1804,
the Indians agreeing to deliver up all their prisoners; with the lowas, a treaty
of friendship: in 1816. with the Sacs of Rock River, ratifying the treaty of
1804: in i8_'4, with the Sacs and Foxes, the latter reliniiuishing all their
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. ^^
lamls in Missouri: ami that p(jrtion of the southeast corner of Iowa known
as the "half-breed tract," was set off to tiie half lireeds: in 1825, placing a
boundary line lietween the Sacs and l'\ixes on the south and the Sioux on
the north; in 1830, when the line was widened to forty miles; also in the same
year, with several tribes, who ceded a large portion of their possessions in
the western ])art of the state; in 1S32, with the W'innebagoes, exchanging
lands with them and providing a school, etc., for them; also in the same year,
the "Black Hawk Purchase" was made, of about six million acres, also along
the west side of the Mississippi from the southern line of Iowa to the mouth
of the Iowa ri\er; in 1836, with the Sacs and Foxes, ceding Keokuk's re-
serve to the United States; in 1837, with the same, when another slice of
territor\-, comprising one million two hundred and fifty thousand acres, join-
ing the foregoing tract, was obtained ; also in the same year, when these In-
dians gave up all their lands allowed them under former treaties; and finally,
in 1842, when they reliu(|uished their title to all their lands west of the
Mississippi river.
TROUBLE W ITU INDIANS IN NORTHWESTERN IOWA.
While it should be stated that no serious trouble was ever experienced
with the Indians in Sac county, sa\e an occasional scare, there was real trou-
ble in many of the counties just to the north and northwest, which should
here be chronicled in brief.
After the treaty made by the government of the United States with the
Sioux Indians. July 15, 18 15, almost a century ago, it was believed that the
tribe was forever at peace with their white brethren ; but, alas, not so ! In
the light of all true history, it must be said that imprudence and bad faith
upon the part of some white men brought on serious difliculty with the In-
dians of northwestern Iowa and Minnesota, which finall}- culminated in the
Spirit Lake massacre, so well known and generally understood by the in-
telligent reader of Iowa history, and which event took place in the spring
of 1857. ^Vhile it is not the province of this work to go deep into the details
of this horrible massacre, it is but proper to state that the author of this book
does not believe that the United States government broke faith with the
Indians, in this particular case at least; but that individuals did must be
admitted by all honorable, fair-minded people who are cognizant of the
facts that brought on this Sioux massacre, and possibly they, too, were more
or less responsible for the N^ew Ulm massacre up in southern Minnesota by the
(2)
34 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
same tribe in 1S62, when vengeance was sought for supposed, or real, wrongs
against the Indians in the fifties. So while "Lo! the poor Indian" is not
perfect, on the other hand Christian civilization has not always exemplified the
Christ-like spirit. Beginning in New England, trace the Indian wars on west
over the Alleghan)- mountains, and through the Western states and terri-
tories, and here and there the treaties have not been kept sacred by white
men, any more than by the untutored savage of forest and plain.
Coming now to the events that brought about the Spirit Lake massacre
of 1857, let it be said that sometime during the month of February, 1857. a
hunting party of Sioux Indians passed down the Little Sioux river. They
made a short stay at Cherokee and were friendly. They then journeyed to
Smithland. in \\'o()dl)ury county. Here the white settlers demanded of the
Indians where they were going and insisted on knowing something concern-
ing their business and the plans they had in mind, before they would allow
them to proceed further. The Sioux replied that they were going down to
shake hands with the Oniahas : at this the whites made the Indians give up
their guns — which means as much to an Indian as virtue does to a chaste
woman, the last thing she will think of compromising. Their compulsory
surrender of arms enraged them, and they turned up stream, breathing ven-
geance upon the whites. The pale faces had stolen their guns and now
white men and women must make restitution, which would only be satisfied
in the free flowing of human blood, drawn from the bodies of the white
race. Llence it was that on their return trip north through Cherokee and
other counties, the Indians entered the cabins of the few settlers and after
insulting the women and frightening the innocent children at their sides,
took what firearms they chanced to find about the premises. By the time
they had reached Cherokee their passions were strong and the wrongs in-
flicted against them at Smithland had become much magnified in their minds.
Here thev acted as brutal as possible for human beings to act. The arms
thev had been able to gather up on the way back from Smithland were
directed against the innocent ones at Cherokee, in the notion that they might
frighten the entire settlement into leaving the country. Cattle were stolen,
pro\isions, of which the settlers had none too much, were violently seized
and devoured, while they stood with cocked guns, to be sure that they were
obeyed at once. Finally, they feasted for three days in and about Cherokee,
seeming to be debating in their own minds what to do with the little colony
that had recently came in from Milford, Massachusetts. No one will ever
know iusl what ran through their minds. Suffice to say that those days were
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 35
the longest days ever experienced by these colonists, who expected every
hour to be scalped or burned, as both were threatened.
One writer, in describing the situation, penned the following : "On the
third evening pioneers Parkhurst and Lebourveau returned from Sac City.
The Indians, suspicious of the Smithland people and believing thev might
be on their trail, \vere very anxious to know where these two men came
from, but the cunning of the white men played on the Indian's fears — they
would not tell them: so, apprehensive of danger, they set off early in the
morning up the river. When far enough away to feel safe, they became un-
governajjle and murderous. In O'Brien county they entered the home of
Hannibal H. Waterman, the first settler, as well as others, far apart, and
there they destroyed property, took guns and in several instances ravished
women, in the most revolting and fiendish manner. They grew more blood-
thirsty until the terrible climax was reached at Spirit Lake, Iowa, where
about forty were killed and fi:iur innncent \vi>men (including Miss Abbie
Gardner, then a frail girl of fourteen summers ) taken captive. Some of
the four captives were inhumanly treated and died on the weary march
through snow and ice water made from the melting snows. Miss Gardner
and another lady were rescued Ijy the state of Minnesota a few months later."
In this, as in all other cases, there were possibly two sides that are
entitled to a hearing, yet while it is true that the Indians were not altogether
blameless, for they plundered the settlement, killed stock, and did many
things to exasperate the settlers, yet the people of Smithland were by no
means angels, and public opinion has long since fixed the terrible Spirit
Lake massacre as having resulted from the unmanly conduct of the white
settlers at Smithland, but the Smithland people have always claimed all they
did was in self-defense against the Indians. Be that as it may, when the
sickening tale of the awful scenes enacted at and near the state line, at Spirit
and Okoboji lakes, reached the ears of the little settlement at Cherokee,
every heart was bruised and saddened. .Parties at Smithland advised the
Milford colony to leave Cherokee, and in a few days not a settler was left in
the county. Some had gone to Onawa and Ashland, while others had taken
refuge at Smithland. Right here is the darkest spot in the whole history of
this unfortunate affair. Soon as the Cherokee colony had deserted their
homes, people from Smithland visited Cherokee, plundered what was left,
including flour, provisions, etc., as well as opening boxes of household
goods, which the latter settlers had not yet unpacked since their arrival
from New England. Matters now looked bad indeed. Word had been sent
36 SAC COl'NTY, TOWA.
on by some one to Xew England that the whole colony had been massacred
by the Indians. It was then that Doctor Russell's society of Milford, Mas-
sachusetts, liecame disorganized. The people were disheartened, and all
their fond hopes seemed dashed to pieces. However, in May. that same
season, most of the settlers returned to their farms and homes and put in
good crops, which yiekled a fair return in the autumntime.
In this connection it should be stated that the ])art Sac county ( then
only one year old as a county, and three years as a settled community) took in
this massacre was to send a few brave men out in the hope that they might
relieve the distressed and Iniry the dead at Spirit lake. .Vmong these men
may now be recalled such as L'apt. I-". M. Cory, the Tiberghiens and others,
who formed a rescuing party to try and unite with the companies sent from
Webster City. Boonesboro and Fort Dodge, the latter under command of
Major \Villiams. John F. Duncombe and the late Governor Cyrus C. Car-
penter. But these men. including the Sac countv delegation, were all too
late, for, in many cases, the work had been accomplished before they arrived.
So the men from this county returned, after having gone as far as Gilett's
Grove.
INDIAN Ii.\TTI.E IN SAC COUNTY.
Xear the mouth of the i.'edar there was an encampment of the Poita-
watomies and Alatiuoketa tribes of Indians. Thev were attacked bv a war
party of Sioux, and when the two tribes united in common defense the lat-
ter retrealcfl up the Cedar, hotly [lursued li}- the former, Xear the north
line of the count}' the Siou.x halted and fought the two tribes for several
hours. .\ number were killed on both sides, the Siou.x Iieing defeated. The
graves of the "fallen braves" were still to lie seen a quarter of a century
ago by the farmers who settled that portion of Sac county. These grax'es
are along the banks of Cedar creek.
The late ex-Lieutenant-Governor B. V. Gue's four-\ olume ]iistor\- of
Iowa, published about IQOO. gives the following account of a bloody battle
between Indian tribes, and from his description the scene of the battle must
have been near, if not within, the present boundar\- of Sac count\- :
"In 1S41 a part}' of Sioux surprised a lunuing compan\' of twent\'-four
Delawares on the Raccoon river, killing ail but one of them. The Delawares,
led by their chief, Nes-wa-ge, made an heroic Hght against overwhelming
numbers, killing twenty-six of their enemy, four of whom fell beneath the
terrific blows ol the Delaware chief. But one csca])e<I to carr\' the tidings
CORY LOG CABIN. KRECTED 1S53
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
2,7
lo their Sac and l^'ox friends, wlm were ranii^ed cm the east bank of the
Des Moines river, near where the present State House stands. Pashepaho,
the chief, who was then eighty years of age, mounted his pony and, selecting
live hundred of his bravest warriors, started in hot pursuit of the Sioux.
He followed the trail from where the bodies of the Delawares lay unburied
for more than a hundred miles up the valley of the Raccoon river, where the
Sioux were overtaken. Raising their fierce war cry, led by the old chieftain,
the Sacs and Foxes charged on the enemies' camp. The battle was one of
the bloodiest ever fought on Iowa soil. Hand tn hand the savages fought
with a desperation never surpassed in Indian warfare. The Sioux were
fighting for their lives and their assailants for vengeance over their slaugh-
tered friends. The conflict lasted for many hours. The defeat of the Sioux
was overwhelming. More than three hundred of their dead were left on the
field of battle. The Sacs and Foxes lost onlv seven of their numl)er in
killed."
Old settlers, mcluding the Cory family, give an account of an awful
battle between the Sioux and a band of roaming Musquaquas. in 1853, in
Cedar township, this county. It occurred on section 16 — the school section.
The spring of 1856. the few settlers, including the Corys, were exploring
the countr\- at that point and came across at least one acre which was lit-
erall}- covered with skulls and bones of the slaughtered Indians, mostly of
the Musquaqua trilie. which tribe now resides in Tama count v. at the govern-
ment Indian reservation. The wolves and other wild animals had eaten the
flesh of most of the carcasses, and the piles of bones and skulls were a grue-
some sight to behoUl. Several skulls were taken home by the Corys and
were about the place many years. There are others who believe that the
above engagement must ha\e occurred several \-ears l>efore the settlement,
and not in 1853.
The Corys' best money-making plans in the first vears here were in
trapping, hunting and especially in trading with the Indians, who sold them
many furs, which, when a load had been accumulated, were taken to Fort
Des Moines and there marketed.
At a time w'hen the settlement consisted of about five families, one of
the company had a ver\- \'aluable dog. The Indians were afraid of him, and
told the owner that he must kill the dog or they would kill him. At first he
refused, but later, upon the suggestion of the settlers, concluded to do so.
and the dog was shot. It was beliex'ed that had he not obeyed the Indians,
the man, and possibly the little band of settlers, would all have been murdered.
38 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
OTHER INDIAN MURDERS.
l'"ather De Snict, wlio was a niissionar}- at what is now Council Bluffs,
in 1839, wrote in his diar\'. among other interesting things, this concerning
an Indian affair which doubtless occurred about the northern line of Sac
or not far over in Buena N'ista county. The item reads as follows: "Alay
24, 1839. — A war party of Saucks discovered three lodges of Omahas on
the headw'aters of the Boyer river, consisting of nine men and twelve women.
Invited them to smoke, accepted, believing them to be the Pottawatomies.
They were treacherously murdered and their women taken prisoners. Danced
nine days annnul the scalp post in the Sauck A-illage. Huzzah ! for the
Indian braves."
The following account of Indian scares in northern Iowa is found in
early "write-ups" of Sac and adjoining counties: "Early in December,
1856, a runner came down the Coon ri\-er with the news that the Sioux had
been committing depredations near Giilett's Grove (now where Spencer,
Clay county, stands). A company of sixty men, partly from w'estern Cal-
houn county and partly from Sac county, was quickly organized. Enoch
Ross, of Sac county, was elected captain and among others in his command
were the following: W. II. llobbs. Judge Eugene Criss, Judge D. Carr
Early, Asa Piatt, James Watt, William Montgomery, John Austin and others.
On reaching Giilett's Grove, they found that the Indians had gone and that
they had done nothing except kill a few head of cattle. The force of men
was divided into different squads, some going one way and some in other
directions, over the prairie. Judge Eugene Criss, in command of one squad
of men, ])rocured a saddle horse of a farmer in Cla\- county and, leaving
his men. he took a reconnoitre. He discovered the Indians in a ra\-ine, sev-
eral miles from where his men were, and rode back to gWc the information,
with the expectation that the whole companx- would be mustered and an
attack made. When Mr. Criss arrived, he found the whole companv in an
active (('i.-irrel among themselves, the final result being that all disbanded on
the .spot and the fifty or sixty men .came home. Thev arrived, the distance
being over fifty miles, by nightfall."
Perhaps the last appearance of nn-ing bands of Indians was in 1874,
when fifteen Winnebagoes invaded the grove owmed by H. M. Cory, near
Sac City, in a hunting expedition. They hunted and trapped along the river
several weeks that fall and winter.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 39
IOWA TERRITORY.
In 1834 this state was incofporated into the territory of Michigan and
thus became subject to the ordinance of 1787; and two years later it became
a part of Wisconsin teritory. and two years thereafter became the territory
of Iowa, witii sixteen counties and a population of twenty-three thousand.
The first Legislature was held at Belmont, Wisconsin, in October, 1836; the
second at Burlington, Iowa, in November, 1837; and the third also at the
last named place in 1838. As early as 1837 the people of Iowa began to peti-
tion Congress for a separate territorial organization, which was granted on
June I2th following. Ex-Governor Lucas, of Ohio, was appointed by Presi-
dent Van Buren to be the first governor of the newly created territory.
About this time there occurred what is known as the "State Line war."
STATE LINE WAR.
This was a difficulty that arose between the territories of Missouri and
Iowa over where the line between the two should be fixed. The strip in
question was from eight to ten miles in width nearly across the states, be-
tween the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Both territories claimed the rich,
valuable land. Missouri officers attempted to collect taxes within this
disputed territory, and were at once arrested and confined in jail in Iowa by
sheriiifs, and the respective governors called out the militia, preparing for
bloodshed. About twelve hundred Iowa men enlisted, and five hundred
were actually armed and encamped in A'an Buren county, ready to defend
their territory, when three prominent and able men in this state were sent to
Missouri as envoys to effect, if possible, a peaceable settlement and just
adjustment of affairs. U]>on their arrival, they found that the county com-
missioners of Clark county. Missouri, had rescinded their order for the col-
lection of taxes, and that Governor Boggs had dispatched to the governor
of Iowa a proposal to submit an agreed case to the supreme court of the
United States for the settlement of the boundary line question. This pro-
position was declined, but afterwards, upon a petition from Iowa and Mis-
souri, Congress authorized a suit to settle the controversy. The suit was
duly instituted, and resulted in the decision that Iowa had only asserted
"the truth in history" and that she knew where the Rapids of the Des Moines
river were located (this lieing the point from which the boundary line west
was to take its place of beginning). Thus ended the Iowa-Missouri war.
40 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
]\lan_v years later. Judge C C. Nourse stated that "if Mi.ssoiirians did not
know wliere the Rapids of the Des Moines river were located, that was no
sufficient reason for killing them off with powder and lead; and if we did
know a little more of the history and geography than they did we ought not
be shot for our learning. We commend our mutual forbearance to older
and greater people."
IOWA MADE A STATE.
In 1844 the population of Iowa territory had reached a sufficient num-
ber to justify its being organized into a state, and the territorial Legislature
passed an act on February 12th, that }ear, submitting to the people the
question of the formation of a state constitution and providing for the elec-
tion of delegates to a convention to be called together for that purpose. The
people voted on this at their township elections in the following April,
giving the measure a large majority. The elected delegates assembled in
convention at Iowa City, October 7, 1844, and finished their work on No-
vember 1st. Hon. Shepherd Leffler, the president of the convention, was
instructed to transmit a certified cop\- of the proposed constitution, to be
submitted by him to that body at the earliest practicable day. It also pro-
vided that it should be submitted, together with any changes that might be
made by Congress, to the people of the territory, for their approval or re-
jection, at the township elections of April, 1845.
The constitution as thus prepared fixed the boundaries of the state very
dififerentl)" from what were finally agreed upon.
On May 4, 1846. a second convention met at I.nva ("ity, and on the
i8th of the same month and year another constitution, prescribing the
boundary as it now stands, was adopted. This was accepted by the people
August 3d, by a vote of 9,492 to 9,036. The new constitution was approved
by Congress, and Iowa was admitted as a sovereign state in the American
Union on December 28, 1846.
The act of Congress which admitted Iowa gave her the sixteenth sec-
tion in every township of land in the state, or its equivalent, for the support
of schools; also seventy-two sections of land for the ])urpose of a university;
also five .sections of land for the completion of her ])ul)lic buildings; also the
.salt springs within her limits, not exceeding twelve in number, with sections
of land adjoining each; also, in consideration that the public lands should
be exempt from taxation by the state, she gave the state five per cent, of the
net proceeds of the sale oi pnlilir lancU within the state. Thus ])ro\ided as a
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 4I
bride for her marriage portion, Iowa commenced "housekeping" on her own
account !
A majority of the meniljers of the constitutional convention were of the
Democratic party, and the instrument contains some of the pecuHar tenets
of the party of that day. All banks of issue were prohibited within the state.
The commonwealth was prohibited from becoming a stockholder in anv
corporation for pecuniary profits, and the General Assembly could only pro-
vide for private corporations by general statutes. The constitution also
limited the state's indebtedness to one hundred thousand dollars. It re-
quired the General Assembly to provide public schools throughout the state
for at least three months in the year. Six months previous residence of anv
white male citizen of the United States constituted him an elector.
At the date of the state's organization its population was one hundred
and sixteen thousand six hundred and fift}'-one, as appears from the census
of 1847. There were twenty-seven organized counties in the state, and the
settlements were rapidly jnishing toward the Missouri river.
The first General Assembl\- was composed of nineteen senators and fortv
representatives. It assembled at Iowa City, November 30, 1846, about one
month before the state was admitted into the Union.
The most important Inisiness transacted was the passage of a bill au-
thorizing a loan of fifty thousand dollars for means to run the state govern-
ment and pay the expenses of the constitutional convention. The great ex-
citement of the session, however, was the attempt to choose the United
States senators. The Whigs had a majority of two in the House, and the
Democrats one majority in the Senate. After repeated attempts to control
these majorities for caticus nominees, and frequent joint sessions for pur-
poses of an election, the attempt was abandoned. A school law was passed
at this session for the organization of public schools in the state.
At the first session also arose the question of re-location of the state
capital. The western boundary of the state, as now determined, left Iowa
Citv too far toward the eastern portion of the state. This was conceded.
Congress had appropriated five sections of land for the erection of public
buildings, and toward the close of the session a bill was introduced jiroviding
for the re-location of the seat of government, involving to some extent the
location of a state university, which had already been discussed. This bill
gave rise to much discussion and parliamentary tactics. It was almost purely
sectional in its character. It provided for three commissioners, who were
authorized to make a selection as near the geogra])hical center of the state
s
42 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
as a healthy and eligible site could be obtained; to select five sections ot land
donated by Congress to survey and plat into town lots, not exceding one
section of the land so selected, etc. Soon after, by an "act to locate and
establish ii state university" approved l""ebruary 25, 1847, the unfinished
public buildings at bjwa City, together with ten acres of land on which
they were situated, were granted for the use of the university, reserving
their use, however, by the General Assembly and the state officers, until pro-
visions were made by law.
When the report of the commissioners, showing their final operations,
had been read in the House of Representatives, at the next session, and
while it was under consideration, an indignant member, later known as the
eccentric Judge McFarland, moved to refer the report to a select committee
of five, with instructions to report "how much of said city of Monroe (the
place named for the new state capital, in Jasper county) was then under
water, and how much was burned." The report was referred without the in-
structions, but Monroe City never became the seat of government. By an
act approved January 15, 1849, the law by which the location had been made
was repealed and the new town was vacated, the money paid by the purchas-
ers of lots being refunded to them. This, of course, retained the seat of
government at Iowa City, and precluded for the time being the occupa-
tion of the buildings by the state university. The question of a permanent
seat of government was not yet settled, and in 185 1 bills were introduced
for the removal of the capital to Pella and to Fort Des Moines. The latter
appeared to have the support of the majority, but was finall\- lost in the
House on the question of ordering its third reading.
At the next session, that of 1853, a bill was introduced in the Senate
for the removal of the seat of government to Des Moines, and on the first
vote was just barely defeated. At the next session, however, the eft'ort was
more .successful, and January 15, 1855, a bill re-locating the capital within
two miles of the Raccoon fork of the Des Moines, and for the appointment
of commissioners, was approved by Governor Grimes. The site was selected
in 1856, in accordance with the provision of this act, the land being donated
to the state by the citizens and property holders of Des Moines, then still
styled "Fort Des Moines." An association of citizens erected a building for
a temporary capitol, and leased it to the state at a nominal rent.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 43
I'KOHIBiriON OF SLAVERY.
The passage by Congress of the act authorizing the territories of Kan-
sas and Nebraska, and the provisions it contained, abrogating that portion
of the Missouri bill that prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude north
of the thirty-sixth degree of latitude, was the beginning of a political revo-
lution in the Northern states, and in none was it more marked than in Iowa.
Iowa was the "first free child born of the Missouri Compromise," and has
always resented the destruction of her foster parent.
UNDER A SECOND CONSTITUTION.
In January, 1857, another constitutional convention assembled at Iowa
City, which framed the second constitution. Qne of the most pressing de-
mands for this convention grew out of the prohibition of banks under the old
constitution. The practical results of this prohibition was to flood the state
with every species of wild-cat money.
The new constitution made ample provision for home banks under the
supervision of our own laws. The limitation of the state debt was enlarged
to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and the corporate indebtedness
of the cities and counties was also limited to five per cent, upon the valuation
of their taxable property.
On October 19, 1857, Governor Grimes issued a proclamation declaring
the city of Des Moines to be the capital of the state of Iowa. The removal
of the archives and offices was commenced at once and continued through
the fall. It was an undertaking of no small magnitude; there was not a mile
of railroad to facilitate the work, and the season was unusually disagreeable.
Rain, snow and other accompaniments increased the difficulties, and it was
not until December that the last of the elTects — the safe of the state treas-
urer^loaded on two large "bob-sleds" drawn by ten yoke of oxen, was de-
posited in the new capitol. It should be added in this connection that during
the passage over hills and prairies, across river, through bottom lands and
timber, the safes belonging to the several departments contained large sums
of money, mostly individual funds, however. Thus Iowa City ceased to be
the capital of Iowa.
CHAPTER III.
ORGANIZATION OF SAC COUNTY.
At an early period Sac county was a part of Buchanan county, except
the southern tier of townships, which were in Benton county. It was estab-
Hshed in 1851 and was attached to the county of Wahkaw (now Woodbury),
January 22, 1853, "P to which time it had been attached to the county of
Polk. It was attached to Greene county in 1855. It was named in honor of
the Sac tril)e of Indians, who, with the Foxes, at one time possessed the entire
territory of the present domain of the state of Iowa.
In 1856 Sac county, which had previously been attached to Greene
county for all administrative purposes, was granted a separate jurisdiction.
S. L. Watt was the first county judge — and the county judge of those days
was an autocrat, performing the functions of the present board of super-
visors and county auditor, as well as those in part of the judge of the cir-
cuit court. H. C. Crawford was the first county clerk, and F. M. Cory the
first treasurer and recorder (both offices being then combined in one).
Previous to the organization of the county the following persons were
appointed commissioners to locate the county seat : C. W. Williams, T. E.
Brown and 'Sir. Huxford. They made selection of a point six and a half
miles west of the east line of the county, on the west bank of the North
Raccoon river, adjacent to a fine body of timber. This is now known as
Sac City,
The first election for count\- organization was held at the house of
Eugene Criss, April 7, 1856, when thirty-seven votes were cast for the entire
county. The officers then and there elected were : Samuel L. Watt, county
judge; Frances Ayers, clerk of the district court; F. Lagourge, sheriff; H.
C. Crawford, prosecuting attorney; F. M. Cory, treasurer and recorder;
Jacob McAfee, drainage commissioner.
The next election in this county was that held on May 10, 1856, when
there were twenty-two votes polled for officers, as follows : Justice of the
peace, Eugene Criss, of Jackson township; fnr trustee, John McAfee had
twenty-one out of the twenty-two votes cast ; for the office of township clerk,
Henry A. Evans received twenty-two votes and was declared elected; John
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 45
Russell was elected as constable of the township; also, another constable was
elected in the person of William Allen; an assessor was elected in the person
of W^illiam Wine ; twenty ballots were cast for the office of supervisor,
Joseph Gammon being declared elected. The above returns were certified
to by William Wine, S. W. Wagner and G. F. Browning, and attested to by
\V. J. Wagner, Henry A. Evans, clerks of the election, and County Judge
S. L. Watt, Justices of the Peace G. F. Browning and Eugene Criss.
For Sac township the election at the above date resulted as follows :
Trustees, William F. Lagourge, J. Williams, William Fulks : justices of the
peace, J. Severn, J. K. Lane; constables, P. Fulks, J. W. Clark; township
clerk, N. W. Condron; assessor, J. Condron; supervisor, William Lane. The
judges of this election were E. Stills, P. D. Fulks and Lorin A. Gofi, attested
liy H. C. Crawford and N. Condron.
A PROPOSED COUNTY SEAT.
In the first records of this county it is learned that an attempt was
made to locate the seat of justice for Sac county at a point on section 36, of
what is now Boyer Valley township, to the west and south of its present
location. It was at almost exactly the center of the county. The record
shows that Judge Samuel H. Riddle, judge of the seventh judicial district,
living at Council Bluffs, on November i, 1856, signed the following:
"A majority of the citizens of Sac county, as shown by a petition and
certificate of the district court, prayed for the appointment of a commission
to locate the seat of justice for said county. In accordance with the prayer
of said petition, I, Samuel H. Riddle, judge of the seventh judicial district,
hereby appoint Jesse Mason, of Crawford county ; E. Buterick, of Carroll
countv ; and Doctor Bonnie, of Calhoun county, who shall within two months
after receiving this notice of such appointment, locate the seat of justice for
said county of Sac as near the geographical center as may be, having regard
for the present as well as the future population."
This report shows they located the county seat on a portion of section
36, township 88, range 36. but while the record seems silent as to just why
this was not carried out, it is found that another commission was appointed
by Judge McFarland, at Jefferson, Greene county, the same consisting of
Talmage E. Brown, Crandall W. Williams and Cyrus Huxford. This com-
mission was ordered to meet at the office of the county judge of Sac county
September 17, 1857, at two o'clock in the afternoon and, having taken the
46 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
oath prescribed by law. they proceeded to locate the seat of justice, taking
into account the present and future prospects of said county. This proceed-
ing is signed by G. VV. Cochran, clerk of the court for Sac county.
The commission thus appointed had the following report to oiTer on
the performance of their duties :
"To the Honorable Judge of Sac Count)-. Iowa: We. the undersigned
commissioners appointed to locate the seat of justice for Sac countv in the
State of Iowa, make the following return to your Honor, to-wit : That we
have the igth day of September, 1857, located the seat of justice for and in
said count}-, on the following described prenu'ses and lands to-wit : On all that
certain tract of land in section 24. known as Sac City, with its present addi-
tions, together with the east half of the northeast quarter of section 23, all in
township 88. range 36 west of the fifth principal meridian, in Sac county,
Iowa, and that we name the seat of justice Sac City.
"(Dated) September 19th, 1857.
"Talmage E. Brown,
"C. W. Williams,
"Cyrus P. Huxford.
"Before County Judge
"A. J. Cain."
CHAPTER IV.
PIONEER SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY.
To have been a pioneer in western Iowa — to have set stakes in the early
fifties and sixties in Sac county — was to have taken part in many interesting,
as well as trying, scenes and transactions. Far removed from a thickly
settled community, far from railroads and mills and postoffices and market
towns, hardships were entailed which but few of today can comprehend.
The sons and daughters hear their fathers and mothers relate the stories of
those long ago, never-to-be-forgotten days, but even then this generation
cannot begin to realize what the settlers of fifty and sixty years ago en-
dured on the bleak prairies of western Iowa. The pioneer period has about
passed away in America and cannot, in the very nature of things, ever re-
turn. When the virgin prairie sod has been once turned over to the sunlight,
its wild state is gone forever. W'ith it forever goes away the wild game so
common at an early day. A few prairie chickens may still be seen, a few
wild geese and sand-hill cranes, but, practically speaking, they have been
numbered among the things of generations just gone.
The few pioneers who braved the dangers and hardships of early days
in Sac county have nearly all been gathered to their fathers and sleep the
long sleep that knows no waking. \Vhen the few remaining pioneers meet
in reunion and family gatherings, their eyes sparkle and they grow young
again, as the fading reminiscences of other days are recalled. As was well
stated by a pioneer in this section, at a gathering of old settlers :
"You come together with varied emotions. Some of you almost at the
foot of life's hill, look back and upward at the path you have trod, while
others, who have just reached life's summit, gaze down into the valley of
tears with many a hope and fear. You gray-headed fathers have done your
work; you have done it well; and now. as the sunset of life is closing around
you, you are given the rare boon of enjoyment, the fruits of your own labor.
You can see the land won by your own right arm from its wilderness state,
and from the savage foe, pass to your children's children — literally a land
'flowing with milk and honey'; a land over which hover the white-robed
angels of religion and peace; a land fairer and brighter and more glorious
48 SAC COUNTY, IClVVA.
than an\- other land beneatli the blue arch of heaven. You have done your
work well, antl when the time of rest shall come, you will sink to the 'dream-
less sleep' w ith a calm consciousness of duty well performed.
"In this hour let memory assert her strongest sway; tear aside the
thin veil that shrouds in gloom the misty past ; call up before you the long-
forgotten scenes of years ago: live over once again the toils, and struggles,-
the hopes and fears of uther days. Let this day be a day sacred to the
nieniciry ot olden times. In that olden time, there are no doubt scenes of
sadness as well as of joy. J'erhaps }-ou remember standing beside the bed
of a loved and cherished, but dying wife — one who, in her days of youth
and beauty, when you proposed to her to seek a home in a new wild land,
took your hand in hers and spoke to you words like this : 'Whither thou
goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my
people, and thy God my God ; when thou diest I will die, and there w'ill I be
buried; the Lord do so to me and more also, if aught but death part me and
thee.' Or perhaps some brave boy, stricken down in the pride of his strength;
or some gentle daughter, fading away in her glorious beauty; or some little
prattling babe, folding its weary eyes in the 'dreamless sleep that kisses down
its eyelids still.' If so — if there are memories like these, and the unbidden
tear wells up to the eye, let it come, and today one and all shed a tear or two
to the memor\- of the 'loved and lost.' "
In compiling this chapter the writer finds some difficulty in establishmg
the dates of coming and the locations first selected by the pioneer band in
this county. Fortunately, there are in libraries of Storm Lake, Council
Bluffs and Sioux City copies of a work published in Sioux City by the
journal Company, in 1882, the same being known as "Western Iowa,'' and
in which is given an account of the .settlement of thirteen counties situated
in western, and especially n<irthwestern, Iowa. This work includes a brief
history of Sac county, and its pages are verified by the history of Iowa, by
that splendid Iowa historian, the late ex-Lieut. -Governor B. F. Gue, of Des
.Moines, who has seen fit to incorporate most of this historical data on Sac
county in his four-volume work. The following are extracts from this
work [julilished in 1882 at Sioux City:
"The po]5ulation of this county in iSKo was nine thousand three hun-
dred, but 111 1882 it is estimated at eleven thousand. This increase is partly
accounted for by the Narrow Gauge railroad (a branch of the Wabash),
which is in course of construction and which will run across the county,
passing through Sac City, thus giving additional shipping and traveling fa-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 49
cilities to the people of the county. Depot grounds for the road have been
laid out near the court house." — Northwest Iowa History, 1882.
Perhaps no better, more accurate account of the beginnings in Sac county
can be had than to quote from a well-written article published in the local
paper, The Sac Sun, December 24, 1881, which reads in part as follows:
"The immense immigration from the Eastern and Central states has
for the past two or three years rapidly settled up the lands of Kansas and
Nebraska, but of late have lieen diverted to some extent to the more certainly
productive agricultural lands of northwestern Iowa. Many more of these
home-seekers might have been induced to settle in this section had the people
of Iowa and the Iowa government sooner awakened to the fact that so many
thousands of good citizens were passing through Iowa to lands farther from
market, and by no means so valuable as those of Iowa, all because the Kan-
sas and Nebraska lands were assiduously advertised, while those of Iowa
were undefended under the slanders mentioned in the appended letter. The
General Assembly, however, to remedy this evil, appointed Hon. George D.
Perkins, of the Sioux City Journal, to the ofhce of commissioner of immigra-
tion for Iowa, and appropriated a considerable sum of money for the pro-
motion of inuuigration to this state. Read what Governor Campbell says :
" 'Newton, Iowa, June 15, 1880.
" 'Hon. George D. Perkins,
" 'Commissioner of Immigration for Iowa :
" 'Dear Sir— Your invitation to the immigration convention at Sheldon,
June 22, received on my return home from an extended trip east. I fully
realize the importance of the convention, and the great interests to be con-
sidered, and I assure you my hearty sympathy goes out toward any effort
that will tend to direct public attention to your beautiful country and fertile
soil, and point the tens of thousands of homeless ones to that fair country
that offers such splendid advantages for permanent homes and prosperous
futures. During my visit east I had occasion to "talk up" northwestern
Iowa in several localities and I found :
"'i. x\ total ignorance of the fact that so large a territory in Iowa
lies open yet to settlement, the impression having obtained that a state with
over a million and a half of people must be well settled up.
" '2. I found the old "grasshopper still sitting on the sweet potato
vine." in the prejudices of many and it was only the work of a moment to
(3)
50 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
convince them tliat the "grasshopper" was long since a dead issue in any
portion of Iowa.
" '3. The terrible storms and daily hurricanes of w iml were held up
before me, and I told them they were more a native of Missouri or even
Ohio, than northwestern Iowa, and that the settlement of our state, the
planting of groves, etc., had very materially changed the climate.
" 'These are only a few of the objections urged, but among the most
weighty, and I name them that you may see the objections that obtain in
various quarters. There are tens of thousands in the East who would be
glad to find homes in northwest Iowa, were they fully acquainted with the
true condition of things, climate, soil, prjces of land, terms, etc.
" 'With thanks for your invitation, and regret that I cannot be present,
I am your well-wisher and friend.
" 'Frank T. Campbell.'
"This sketch is intended principally as a pen picture of Sac county, as it
now is, and will include a short outline of its history and a few incidents of
the life of the early settlers.
"The soil of Sac county is a deep black loam, and in its nature is purely
vegetable decomposition. Its depth is from eighteen inches to five or six
feet. In some parts of the county the surface is almost perfectly level for
long distances, but in general it is of the genuine 'rolling prairie' description.
The inexhaustability of the soil is shown by the fact that farms which have
been under cultivation for from twenty to twenty-five years are now as
fertile and productive as ever. More_ than that — the land may be plowed
here when it is so wet that it is almost impossible to do the work, and it will
not bake.
"As regards the productiveness of Sac county, perhaps as efifective a
way of showing whether the detractors of northwestern Iowa, mentioned in
Governor Campbell's letter, are right or wrong, will be to give our readers
the benefit of some of the observations of the Hon. luigene Criss, a pioneer
and resident of Sac county for more than a (|uarter of a century. Judge
Criss says that his average yield of corn in his twenty-five years' residence
has been from forty to fifty bushels per acre, and the highest vield was sixtv-
five bushels. Average yield of oats, forty to fifty; highest vield. seventy-
five; average yield of wheat, fifteen to eighteen bushels; this, remember, is
his personal experience, and with only fair cultivation, no fancv farming,
that he knows of at least two of his neighbors who have raised as high as
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 5 1
forty bushels of wheat per acre. Others, too, have raised, in more than one
neighborhood, from seventy to eighty bushels of corn to the acre, and this
with no extra amount of cultivation. The principal agricultural products of
Sac countv, anfl this section generall\', are corn, wheat, oats-, flax, barley, rye
and grass. Timothy, clover and blue grass grow readily and will make Sac
county, at an early day, one of the leading stock and dairy counties in Iowa.
And Iowa is, with rapid strides, coming into the head of all states in dairy
products. We will put Judge Criss on the stand again in regard to the ad-
vantages for stock raising.
"We have stated that the tame grasses grow rapidly. Besides that
fact, it is also true that Kentucky blue grass is rapidly coming of itself in
places where it has never been sown. Along fence corners, along paths made
by cattle through the lirush and in the pastures, in spots where the timber
and underbrush have been cleared, in door yards and other places, in some
mysterious way that sweetest and best of feed for stock is rapidly making its
appearance. It is a matter which the writer does not understand, but it is a
good thing, and we are glad to see that this section is so fortunate. Grass
is alwavs sufficiently high to turn stock out at a date varying in the different
years from April ist to April 30th. And now we produce Judge Criss's
testimonv. The Judge is a Virginian by birth, but has had some years' ex-
perience farming in Maryland. After many years' experience in the two
states, it is his firm Iielief that both cattle and horses do better 'running out'
during the winter months in this part of the state than they do in Maryland.
This, our readers will observe, is not guess work or the dictum of a traveler
or chance observer, but the carefully considered verdict of experience.
LOCATION OF SAC COUNTY.
"Sac county is on the Great Divide, as the water-shed between the Mis-
souri and Mississippi is called. It is in the northwestern part of Iowa, being
the fourth county from the north line, the sixth from the southern and the
third from the Mis.souri river, while it is tenth from the Mississippi. Sac
City, the center of government, and not far from the geographical center, is
about fifty miles by wagon road west from Fort Dodge and eighty-five miles
southeast from Sioux City.
"Sac county contains sixteen congressional townships, west of the Des
Moines river. It contains three hundred and sixty-nine thousand six hun-
dred and forty acres, nearly all of which is desirable land for either grain or
stock purposes, and the larger part for either or both combined. The larger
52 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
pan of these lands are railroad property and these can be purchased by home-
seekers, who will occupy them at once, on the most liberal terms. Many of
the private holders are also selling on nearly if not quite as easy terms as the
railroad land companies. And as for the grasshopper and tornado bugbears,
it is perfectly safe to say that the farmers of Indiana and Ohio are as much
annoyed by them, and have as much prospect for annoyance from them, as
the Sac county grower of grain and stock. Sum up these advantages, and
the reader will readily see why the population has been rapidly increasing
ever since the opening of the railroad communication. Let those who have
doubts give the county a visit and they will hesitate no longer. Sac county
has not even the drawbacks so common to these fertile counties of northwest
Iowa. What this is, is too well understood by the settlers who early located
in the extreme northwest part of this state, before there were railroads to
deliver coal at every man's door. Many counties in this section had little
or no timber. Ida count}", for instance, had less than a thousand acres within
its borders. Sac county had many thousand acres of oak, black walnut,
hickory, ash, elm, maple, box-elder, cottonwood, linn (basswood), and many
other varieties native to this soil. The Coon river, that traverses the east
part of the county, lies buried in woods for almost its entire length. Cord-
wood is delivered at from four to five dollars a cord, according to quality.
The timber culture laws of the state — relieving land from taxes for ten years
in consideration of the culture of a certain portion of forest trees — have
also caused so extensive a growth of forest trees that there is probably more
timber now in the county than before the first axe was struck on the banks
of the classic Coon.
EARLY SETTLERS AND FRUIT-GROWING.
"The early settlers of Sac county, thdugh lhe\- had the advantage of
being able to try fruit culture under the protection of considerable belt of
timber, had small faith in the country as adapted to the growth of fruits.
Hence, little was done ten or twelve years after the county was first settled.
When proper attention was given to the matter, it was speedily demon-
strated that .Sac county was really well fitted for fruit growing, and there
are now many fruit orchards, vineyards and small fruit gardens growing on
the fair surface of Sac-shire. Apples, grapes, plums, cherries, strawberries,
raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries and other fruits grow rap-
idly and _\ield surely and almndantly, while the (|ualit\- is unsurpassed any-
w
>
2
>
•z.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
53
where. This section is the garden spot of Iowa, as Iowa is the Garden state
of the Union. The dry, pure air of our unexcelled climate gives to trees
and plants a healthy growth, and the fruits and vegetables are solid and deli-
cately flavored and handsomely tinted. You can say the California fruit is
larger ; so you may say a pumpkin is larger than an apple, but how about the
taste of the two? Our western Iowa apples are of a medium size, of the
finest flavor and will keep much longer than any apple grown in a warmer
climate. Therefore, the Iowa apple is in the near future the apple of com-
merce, and it is not unlikely that the principal future industry of Iowa ma_\-
be fruit growing. But not apples alone. Nowhere does the Concord grape
come to such perfection as in Iowa."
THE FIRST TO MAKE SETTLEMENT.
Coming down to the tirst settlement (juestion in Sac count}', the above
authority continues :
"The first settlement was made by Otho ^^"illiams, who came from
Michigan in the autumn of 1853, with his family, and took up a claim in the
timber near Grant City, in the southeastern part of the county. He and
his family were the first white inhabitants of Sac county, Init during the two
succeeding years quite a number of settlers made their homes either in the
same neighborhood or in the vicinity of Sac City, and Otho Williams, at the
end of about two years, complained that 'folks are gitten' too thick 'round
yer,' and he and his family 'folded their tents like the Arabs, and silently stole
away.' In other words, they sold their claims and disappeared in the direc-
tion of the setting sun. No one knows where they went or where their re-
mains now lie.
"In the spring of 1854 Leonard Austin, F. M. Cory, William Wine and
David Metcalf, with their families, W. A. Montgomery, with his mother and
sister, and S. W. Wagoner and Harry Evans, single men, took up claims in
the county. In August, 1855, came in Eugene Criss and family, locating
near Sac City. A few days later William H. Hobbs located in the same
neighborhood. During the autumn the population of Sac county was aug-
mented by the arrival of John Condron, Joseph Lane, Joseph Williams and
S. L. Watt and families, all of whom became permanent settlers. So far as
can be now learned, this constituted the population in the county up to the
close of the year 1855."
So much for the early settlement as given by those who have lived out-
54 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
side tlie county, but a more tletinite, aiul perhaps comprehensive, statement
is the following gathered from such men as those now living in the county,
who were anions^ that pioneer liand ami out^ht to know:
In 1854. on the 4th day of September, there came a little colony from
Jones count}', Iowa, made up of the families of V. M. Cory, W. \'. La-
Gourge and his family, David McAfee and family, Leonard Austin and
family, and Joseph Austin, the first Ijlacksmith in Sac county, who was a
single man, and who had a dog which troubled the Indians who roamed
back and forth here, and they told him he must kill his dog or they would
kill him. He refused at first, but seeing they intended to kill him unless he
did, he wisely killed the dog, which doubtless saved the entire settlement
from being murdered, for they dare not kill one and not the whole settlement.
The winter of 1854-55 was an open, mild season throughout.
The winter of 1855-56 was without nuich snow, but c|uite cold.
The winter — the memoral)le "hard winter" — of 1856-57, was one of
universal severit_\- throughout the entire West. Snow was from three to
four feet on a level all over western Iowa and many of the deer were lost by
breaking through the crusted snow banks, which caused their slender little
limbs to be snapped like pipe stems It is stated upon the best of authority
that literally thousands were thus destroved.
The next settlement was that of 1855, when a larger number found
their way to Sac county and became permanent settlers. Among these may
be recalled the following: Along the Coon river, ujistream from Sac Citv,
as far as Lee's Grove, in what is now Douglas and Delaware townships, the
settlers were the two Vctalls, William and Adam, who brought in a large
herd of cattle from Illinois; William \\'ine, who operated the first store ni
the settlement at Lee's Grove; William .\lk-n and familv; James Davis,
\^'ilIiam Davis, Eugene Criss and family, and a Mr. Avers and a Mr. foiner;
also William J~ulks and Judge S. L. Watt, who Ijecame the first countv judge
here in 1856. This doubtless ni:iile up all the settleinent in this count\- up
to the end of 1855.
In 1856 the additions to the settlement included the Tiberghiens, still
residing here: Henry iivans, .\sa Piatt. Roliert and George Browning. ^Ir.
Wren. William lni])s(ui, Messrs. Condron, W. H. Hobbs, George Stocker and
1). Carr I'.arly, with possibly a few more.
Hugh Cory and. many others, hereabouts, verifv the statement made
above concerning the first actual settler, Otho Williams, the roaming trapper
and hunler, who must have been here as early as 1852 and remained but
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
55
about four years, and moved on to a countr}- where ci\ilizetl life woukl not
molest him. Nothing is known of him after leaving this countv. While he
was the first white man to inhabit this county, the first to set stakes with the
intention of becoming permanent were those of the 1854 colony, the Corys,
etc.
One pioneer experience is related of the late Hon. D. Carr Early, who,
in about 1S56, came from Ohio by river to Burlington, Iowa, thence to
\\'aterloo by stage coach and on foot to Fort Dodge, and on to .Sac City. He
was two days coming fmni \'OTt Dodge, a distance of fifty miles. He pre-
empted the northwest cjuarter of section 12, township 89, range 36, it being
necessary to visit the land office, then at Sioux City, a distance of ninety
miles, which he made in three days. On reaching Sioux City, j\lr. Early
(then a young man) was surprised tii find this "city," the headquarters for
the United States land office, which consisted of a one-story frame house,
one log cabin and three canvas tents. The first named was the land office,
and the log house was the "city hotel." Returning to his claim, he built a
log cabin, completing it about June ist the same year (1856), and lie lived
in it until the end of three months without either flooring or chinking it.
The house was simply the bare logs laid together. He also raised an acre of
potatoes that summer and also was compelled to raise a small amount of corn
in order to make his pre-emption claim good. In January, 1857, pioneer
Early sold his pre-emption of a hundred and sixty acres for six dollars an
acre, netting him in cash nine hundred and sixty doljars. The land was not
worth more than this sum in 1879. This gentleman was later known far and
near as "Judge Early." He took the cash named above and had a load of
flour brought from Anamosa, for which he paid seven dollars per hundred
weight and had to sell the same at eight dollars, so did not make anything
clear for his speculation. Worse still, he sold part of the load of flour to
people on credit and never received the pay for it.
POSTAL FACILITIES.
At that early day, 1856 and 1857, Fort Dodge was the nearest post-
office to Sac county. In the autumn of 1856, when Sac county was organ-
ized, there were but eighty-five votes in the county and at that date mail had
to be carried by able-bodied men, taking turns in going to Fort Dodge. They
had to swim or ford several streams and get througli Hell slough and Purga-
tory slough, on the way there and back. One pioneer who has gone through
56 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
this experience ilescril)es a trip iluriiig which he had to swim Purgatory
slough on a horse witli the United States mail for Sac county in one hand
and his clothing under his arm. Another pioneer states that not far from
the same place, and at about this time, a man was hired to carry the mail at
twenty-live cents a letter. I'apers would not be carried only when the roads
were in suitable condition.
In the spring of 1858 the settlers in congressional townships 87, 88 and
89, in range 36, now forming the civil townships of Wall Lake, Jackson and
Delaware, thought there was good reason to fear that all vacant land in
those townships would be l^id in by speculators at the annual land sale at
Sioux City, thus preventing its immediate settlement. Nearly all the set-
tlers, though not ready at the time to buy, wanted some of this land for their
own use. They, therefore, met together and arranged matters, and when
the day of sale came, the room in which the sale was held was filled with
these settlers, and no others could force their way in. No bids were made,
and the land was thus kept open for pre-emption — really a wise movement
on the part of the pioneers of this county. While it was possibly a little
"shadv" in its looks, it certainly worked to the liettermeut of Sac county and
its first settlers, who had no use for "land speculators," who usually held
lands for high prices and thus delayed advancement in all new countries.
The first mill in this county was erected on the Coon river, near Grant
City, late in the autumn of 1856, the season that has ever since been styled
in Iowa the "hard winter of 1856-57." The snow of that never-to-be-for-
gotten winter was fully three feet on a level, and in places it completely filled
the deepest ravines and valleys, and when crusted, after a February thaw,
the crust was so hard that a team and heavy load could be, and was, drawn for
miles without breaking through. That was the winter in which tens of
thousands of deer perished by reason of ha^'ing■ no grass to eat and because
of Ijroken limbs caused by breaking through the icy crusts of the snow. It
was during that winter that pioneers in Sac City and its vicinity hauled
grists of corn to Grant City to the mill just mentioned. Other provisions
were usually hauled from Fort Des INIoines, as our state capital was then
known.
It is related by Asa Piatt, that he shot and killed a bufi^alo over the line
in Buena Vista county, and that while several were seen in this county, it is
not known now that any white man ever killed one in the county.
The Corys and others were compelled to split rails all one winter
to secure sufficient rails witli wliu'li tn fence against the deer and elk which
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 57
would otherwise have destroyed the growing crops. They seemed to be
very numerous and not altogether as wild as such animals usually are. Great
droves of them would congregate on the ice at Hell slough and other lakes
in Calhoun county, and there browse upon the wild prairie grass of which
inuskrats had built their homes. During the latter part of August, 1857, a
party of surveyors found a man dead in a slough on the prairie, who was
supposed to have been murdered, as a ball had passed through his back. The
remains were not identified, and at the date of discovery the affair created
great excitement.
The nearest postoffice was at Fort Dodge. The early settlers would
frequently meet at Sac City and hire some one to go up after their mail,
paying twenty-five cents for each letter or paper received. They also had to
go there for their blacksmithing and much of their early milling.
OTHER SETTLEMENT D.\TES.
At the fiftieth birthday anniversary of the twins, Lamont Lee and
Mrs. D. B. Keir, children of Mrs. M. F. Lee, which occurred in the sum-
mer of 1913, in Douglas township, tliis county, the following roster of early
settlers was made up, and from the large number mentioned as still sur-
viving, it naturally finds a place in this "early settlement" chapter. It is as
follows: C. Everett Lee, editor, of Lytton; Mrs. D. Carr Early, 1856; J.
W. Tiberghien, 1856; Mrs. J. W. Tiberghien, i860; Mrs. Eugene Criss,
1855; Orville Lee, i860; George I. Cory, 1854; Mrs. George L Cory, 1859;
Mrs. George A. Heagy, 1856; G. L. Stocker, 1856; Asa Piatt, 1856; Mr.
and Mrs. James Staton, 1859; Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Cory, 1854; Mrs. Amos
Comstock, 1856; S. L. Watt, 1855; Mrs. John Stocker, 1855; Mrs. William
Conley, 1853; Elias Tiberghien, 1856; J. E. Austin. 1863; Abe Easier,
1856; C. Everett Lee, 1862; Mrs. W. G. Wine, 1855.
Judge Samuel L. Watt, who died in 1878, was a settler in 1855. He
was the first county judge of Sac county, and was here at the organization
of the county ; he issued the first marriage license in this county to ^^Mlliam
Montgomery and M. E. Wine. He also issued the first naturalization papers
in the county to a foreigner.
NATURAL RESOURCES.
Concerning the natural resources, etc., of this county, the following
was written in that well-known publication, the Western Rural, by their
special correspondent at Wall Lake, in 1878 :
58 SAC COUNTY, IOWA
"Our county is rapidly settling up, car loads of immigrants arriving al-
most dailv. There are townships in the county already where the land has
all been sold; still there is any quantity of excellent land still on the market
in other portions of the county. To men in the East, who are living (or
trying to live) on rented farms, we would say, sell what you have for cash
and come West, Iniy a farm of your own, say eighty acres, at a cost of about
five hundred dollars, or an improved farm at twenty dollars per acre. Our
soil is of the very best quality, society good, educational advantages most ex-
cellent — no state in the Union being superior. We have pure water at from
twelve to thirty feet; the climate is very healthful — we have never seen a
case of fever and ague here yet. Every description of farm produce brings
remunerative prices; stock raisers do the best here, however. Iowa ships
more stock to Chicago in one week than all Illinois does in four. Cattle do
well from being herded from May ist to October ist; the price for herding
is seventy-five cents, and salt thrown in. Any amount of wild hay may lie
had by simply cutting it."
LIST OF HALF CENTURY SETTLERS.
.\t the l-'ourth of July celebration held at Sac City in 1906 a call was
made through the Sac Sun for all to report who had lived in Sac county
fiftv vears aiul more, and all who did so would be furnished free conveyance
in automobiles to the grounds and given seats of prominence and honor on
the speaker's stand. The following registered their names as having resided
here fifty or more years: J W. Wren, J. S. Tiberghien, Elias Tiberghien,
J. W. Tigerghien, Mrs. J. W. Tilierghien, M D. Whitney, Abraham Easier,
Mrs. Anna Comstock, George I. Cory, W. G. Wine, S. L. Piatt, James Eas-
ier, H. W. Cory, Mrs. Eugene Criss, G. L. Stocker, i\sa Piatt, Mrs. George
A. Heagy, Andrew Impson, Mrs. George Hicks, John Condron, Mrs. Asa
Piatt. Mrs. W. .\. Irvine, Wi!li;un Impson, Jr., !\lrs. \\'illiam Impson, Sr.,
James Shelmerdine.
PROSPERITY OF COUNTY IN 1880.
The Sac Sun said of the prospcrit}- of this count\- in 1880 — a third of a
century ago — tlial "the tnost jirosperous year in the history of Sac county
is this year ( 1880). The vote has increased forty-three per cent over 1879.
The po]nilation of the county has been added to the old number to the
amount of two thousand. Many new farms have been opened up; a large
RESIDENTS OF SAC COUNTY FIFTY YEARS OR MORE
Top row from left to right — George I. Cory, Mrs. George I. Cory. Mrs.
Olive Conley, Mrs. Lydia Stocker, S. L. Watt, Mrs. George A. Heagy,
Abe Easier. Second row — J. W. Tiberghien, Mrs. J. VV. Tiberghien,
Mrs. .James Staton, Mrs. Eugene Criss, Mrs. W. G. Wine, Mrs. D.
Carr Early, Mrs. Mary Comstock, C. Orville Lee. Bottom row —
Elias Tiberghien, James Staton, H. M. Cory, Mrs. H. M. Cory, Mrs.
Duncan B. Keir. C. Everett Lee, William Lamont Lee, Asa Piatt. G. L.
Stocker, Elmer E. Austin.
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 59
nunilier of buildings have been erected. In way of factory industries have
been added this year a llax mill at Odebolt : a steam flouring mill, with four
run of stones, by Henry Reinhart. Flour from these mills is sold all
throughout this section of Iowa, and as far east as Dixon, Illinois. Crops
ranging from seventeen to twenty-two bushels of spring wheat; oats, from
th'rtv to fortv bushels per acre; corn, from forty-eight to sixt\- Inishels;
flax, eleven bushels. The average of wheat for the county was seventeen
and a half bushels per acre; average of corn was forty-four bushels; oats,
forty-one bushels ; flax, twelve bushels.
"Land sales were reported by Schaller & Early and D. Carr Early
amounting to more than fifty thousand acres — all to actual settlers — etjual
to two full townships, or one-eighth of the entire county.
"Stock has been shipped to the amount of one hundred and seventy-
five car loads; E. Criss shipped eleven cars of wheat; Criss & Hanger,
thirtv-five car loads of wheat, five cars of corn; five of oats; two of barley;
eight of flax; three of rye; while J. E. Robbins shipped thirty cars of wheat,
and twentv-six of corn. Condron & Woodward shipped out thirty cars of
wheat: thirt\- of corn; seven of oats; six of flax. The total of one hundred
and six cars of wheat; ninety-one of corn; twenty-four of oats; two of liar-
ley; twenty of flax seed; three of rye, making a grand total of two hundred
and forty-six cars of grain from Sac City.
"The total rainfall for 1880 was twenty-three inches: highest temper-
ature, one hundred degrees: lowest twent\- degrees below: mean tempera-
ture, fifty-six and one-half degrees."
BURNING CORN. ■
The Sac Sun of Decemloer 6, 1872, said: "Several families in town,
and we Ijelieve manv more in the countr>-. are burning corn for fuel. It is
considered cheaper than wood, and it is almost impossible for those who do
not own timber land themselves to obtain a supply of fire wood. The day
for stealing timber from non-resident timber land owners is about gone
forever in Sac countv, as most of the timber is now owned l)y actual settlers
themselves and they don"t care to part with much of it. It seems to us a
good plan for farmers to burn corn and sell their wood if they have any
any timber. They can't sell corn for even fifteen cents in cash now and that
is less than it costs to raise it."
6o SAC COL-NTY. IOWA.
LAND VALUES.
After having gone over the earl\- settlement question, in this connection
it may be well to insert what prosperity had come to Sac county in 1912, as
shown by a letter from Omaha by an early pioneer of this county, the same
being published in the Sac Sun in October, 1912: "Having been a reader
of your paper since 1872, I would like enough space to say a word concern-
ing the present high priced lands in Sac county, which is now about two hun-
dred dollars per acre. I saw this same land sell at from three to five dollars
per acre in 1871. I sold two hundred and forty acres in 1902 for thirty-six
thousand dollars, it being the first to reach so high a figure. I said at that
time it would sell for two hundred dollars per acre in less than five years.
The same fall I bought a two-hundred-acre tract in Washington county,
Nebraska, for one hundred dollars per acre and only last week refused one
hundred and fifty dollars for it, and I predict it will be worth two hundred
and fifty dollars before it is transferred again. Only last week Arthur
Brandeis, of Omaha, sold two hundred and ninety acres to an Iowa man for
sixty thousand dollars. This is going some and the end is not yet.''
THE SWEDISH SETTLEMENT.
The historv of the Swedish settlement in the southwestern part of Sac
county cannot be written without repeating a part of the history of the
Swedish settlement in Crawford county, where, only a mile or two south of
the county line, we find the first Swedish settlers in the year 1867, when C. J.
Star, C. P. Frodig and N. F. Rodine, who had Ijeen li\'ing in ^Vebster county,
decided to locate here, after a trip to the Missouri bottoms, which land they
thought too flat. They were joined by five of their friends in the fall of the
same year and in 1868 Mr. Star wrote to his friend, A. Norelius, in Minne-
sota, and ti)](I him of the rich country they had found. Mr. Norelius started
across the countr}' in a "prairie schooner'" (covered wagon), accompanied
by H. Buller, E. Ward and J. Nordell.
Mr. Norelius informed the writer that the first settlers did not know
to whom lo ap])ly for deeds to the land they had selected until in the fall of
1868, when the enterprising and courteous agent of the Iowa Railroad Land
Company, \\ illiam bamilton, appeared among them. He at once decided
to reserve a number of sections for Swedish settlers, including the south-
west corner of Sac and the southeast of Ida counties. Mr. b'ann'lton brijught
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 6l
Swedish landseekers to this locaHty from time to time. Being located so
close to the less rolling and richer prairies in the western part of Sac county,
it did not take the settlers long to cross into the new counties near by.
A postoffice was established in 1873 one mile south of the Sac county
line, which Mr. Norelius and Lars Olson decided to name Kiron, which is an
abbreviation of the scriptural name of a brook called Kidron.
Among the first to erect buildings in Sac county at this point at that
time were the families of John Nordell, John Larson, Erick Olson and N.
Lindblad.
Sol Peterson, representing the Swedish people who worked in the coal
mines of Boone county, built his house in 1874, and soon came in Andrew
Dolk and family; also Henry Hanson and wife, from New York state. John
Baker was one of the first to break the virgin sod and raise a crop. None
of the first settlers were rich, but they had some means acquired by hard
work either in the mines or on the farm. As a rule their earthly possessions
were strong arms, good health, ambition to succeed and faith in God. They
were of an intense religious temperament, having separated from the state
church in Sweden after the big revivals which spread over that country in
the middle of the last century. The community spirit was strong and after
the building of the new railroad north of the settlement a society was organ-
ized called the .Swedish Farmers' Society. They bought and shipped grain
and live stock at the new town of Odebolt. Henry Hanson was chosen as
manager, and John A. Stolt as secretary. Another evidence of the pro-
gressive spirit of this community was the organization of the Mutual Insur-
ance Association in March, 1879. .\. Norelius was president, N. F. Rodine,
vice-president: C. J. Johnson, secretary; and August Lundell, treasurer.
This association has enjoyed a steady growth and at present time ( 1914)
has twelve hundred members scattered throughout eight counties, including
Sac. Andrew Norelius, after being secretary for many years, resigned in
1913, owing to old age, and P. G. Lundell was elected. August Lundell is
president; John A. Pithan, vice-president, and W. J. Sandburg, treasurer.
The farmers of this locality were among the first to organize a mutual
telephone company, which they did in 1901. Kiron has had two rural free
delivery routes, a year before some of the older towns near by. Many of the
farm homes are now lighted by acetylene or gas and heated liy tiie most up-
to-date methods. Automobiles can now he seen on most of the farms. No
people from the continent of Europe are quicker to learn the language and
adopt American customs than the Swedish people.
52 SAC COt'NTY, IOWA.
The lirst Swedish people of this community were Baptists. They or-
ganized a church in 1869, holding services in a school house until 1876. when
a church building was erected two miles south of the Sac county line. Upon
the completion of the Mondamin branch of the Chicago & Northwestern rail-
way in 1899, the Baptist church was moved to the new town of Kiron, which
the railroad comi)an>- located one mile west of what is now known as old
Kiron.
The influx of new settlers brought in many Lutherans, the state church
of Sweden being of that denomination On July 28. 1875, a congregation
was organized by Rev. J- Telleen, of Des Aloines, and in the fall of 1878 a
church was built in the township of Wheeler, Sac county, one half mile
north of the Crawford county line. The flrst regular pastor was Rev. P. A.
Philgren, who came from Clinton county, Iowa, in 1881. He was suc-
ceeded in 1887 by Rev. S. J. Liljegren, of Algona. He was remoyed by
death in 1890. Then came in their order the following pastors : Revs. A. M.
Broken. Jules Manritzson, J. A. Benamler, \l. C. Jessup and J. A. Christian-
son, present pastor in charge. The church edifice has been remodeled twice
and enlarged, with basement and reception parlors. A twelve-hundred-
pound bell was placed in the tower of the church in 1891. The present
membership is nearly three hundred. Both the church and parsonage are
lighted by acetylene and the church is heated by a furnace and the parsonage
by hot water radiators. The value of the church jjmperty is eight thousand
dollars.
In addition to the Baptists and Lutherans, there are the Covenant ^Mis-
sion and the Free Mission societies, which erected church buildings in the
early eighties. The Covenant Mission built a church just across the Sac
county line in Ida county. This was sold in 1908, the members uniting with
the mission at Odebolt. The Free Mission church was moved to Kiron in
1899, from its location a mile and a half southeast of the new town. A
Baptist church and also a Free Mission church were erected five miles north
of Kiron in Hays township, Ida county, in the early eighties. This made
six county churches in the settlement prior to the advent of the railroad.
Sweden was one of the first countries in the world to make education
compulsory. All the first settlers could therefore read and write in their
own language. And schools were erected among the settlers just as soon as
districts could be organized and enough children located to attend them.
The school houses were used on Sundays for public worship by the various
denominations, until they were able to erect church Inu'ldings of their own.
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 63
Among the trials of these early pioneer settlers came the grasshopper
plague, in the late seventies, and the diphtheria epidemic at about the same
time in which almost fi)rtv children perished, some families losing four or
live of their members. A cyclone struck through the south part of this
Swedish settlement in the spring of 1878, destroying considerable property
and killing one of the settlers, John Larson. Three or four settlers in
Wheeler township lost their lives during the small pox epidemic in the
winter of 1881-82. which started at the house of Doctor Stevens in Levey
township.
At the present date from sixty to eighty per cent, of the papulation of
the townships of Stockholm and Otter Creek, in Crawford county; Hays
township, Ida county, and Wheeler township, .Sac county, are of Swedish
nationality. The people, as a general rule, are now thoroughly American-
ized, the younger element using the English language, except at their religious
services, in which both languages are used.
Many of the settlers have bestowed upon their children the benefits of
a higher education. Ministers, lawyers, doctors and successful business men
can be named who were born and reared in this Swedish community, now
conceded one of the best and most prosperous in all western Iowa.
CHAPTER V.
COUNTY GOVERN MEN I
When Sac county was organized the county judge system — a one-man
form of government — was in vogue. A change in this system went into
effect in all the counties of Iowa on January i. 1861, and the first board of
county supervisors met the first Monday in the month of January. Before
that the county was really governed after this manner: The county judge
had to perform most of the duties now devolving upon the board of county
supervisors ant! the county auditor. When any puljlic improvement was
needed the citizens and tax-payers got up a petition and presented it to the
county judge, and then came long remonstrances from those in the county
opposing such measure and it was up to the judge to determine the legality
and validity of such petitions and remonstrances. This' applied to roads,
bridges, court houses, etc. Certain cliques would get together and scheme
to elect a man favorable to their crowd and then the judge so elected was
under a certain moral obligation to do the bidding of this clique. His ad-
ministration was called the "one-man power."
In 1861 came the system of electing a supervisor from each of the town-
ships in the county. A county having sixteen civil townships had sixteen
supervisors and they usually met once in three months, sometimes much
oftener. What a majority of these men said was the law of the county.
This proved cumbersome and very expensive, so in the seventies this was
changed and in the counties having a certain population, the number of
county supervisors was cut down to three, and these were to be elected from
certain districts. One was to be elected each year, thus allowing two old
members to be on the board when the new man took his seat. This still pre-
vails in Iowa. Three good men can dispatch more real business for the
county than can a larger nuni1)cr. The count}- auditur acts as clerk ex-officio
of the board and looks after the affairs of the county in the absence of the
board members who meet whenever there is sutficient business to warrant
their meeting.
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SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 65
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY COURT AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
The record shows that on November 6. 1856, at the house of Wilhani
Wine, in Sac county. Iowa, were united in marriage WilHam Montgomery, of
Sac county, aged thirty-five years, and Mary J. Wine, of Sac county, aged
sixteen years. The ceremony was performed by Esquire Eugene Criss,
(later known as Judge Criss), and certified to in the return by County Clerk
Henry A. Evans, January 31, 1857.
Among the first members of the grand jury who received warrants for
such service were the following : \\' illiam Montgomery, $4.60. paid in war-
rant No. 117; Joseph Williams, warrant No. it8 for $5.20; warrant No.
119 to Joel Austin for $4.20 and warrant No. 127 to F. M. Cory for $4.30.
December 7, 1857 — "And now comes the citizens and tax-payers of
Sac county, Iowa, praying for an increase of salary of the following officers:
County judge, clerk of the district court, and recorder and treasurer. It is
asked in the petition that the salary be raised from fifty dollars to ninety-nine
dollars per annum, and the petition was granted and the court hereby orders
and decrees that the foregoing officers receive ninetv-nine dollars per annum,
commencing with August, 1857."
In 1859 — It appears of record that among the first foreigners to receive
their naturalization papers and I)e made citizens of the United States, was one
Charles Oldfield, who was naturalized October 6, 1859, by W. J. Wagoner,
county judge, and W. H. Hobbs, county clerk.
May, i860 — At this term of court, a petition was presented, with
thirty-six signatures thereto, asking for a bounty of one cent on each black-
bird killed within Sac county. The petition was granted and many birds
were killed, and thus the former damage to newly planted corn was greatly
depreciated by farmers. This came imder the head of what was styled the
"Blackbird Law" and the bill was offered to the Legislature by Hon. S. B.
Rosenkraus, of Hamilton count}-, residing at Webster City, and for which
reason he was forever afterwards styled the "Blackbird Representative from
Hamilton."
In 1864 bounties of five dollars were offered on timber wolves and three
dollars on wildcats and prairie wolves.
In January, 1865, on account of President Lincoln's call for three hun-
dred thousand more soldiers, the board of county supervisors of Sac county
offered the following bounty for volunteers : Five hundred dollars for one-
(4)
66 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
year men: se\en hundred dollars for two-year men and nine hundred dollars
for three-year men.
On February lo, 1865, the county board urdered a well put down un
the public square at Sac City.
About the same date it was ordered that the one-acre graveyard tracts
at Sac Cit}' and Grant City both be enclosed within a good fence.
In February, 1866, R. Ellis, of Grant City, was appointed superintendent
of public schools for Sac county.
In 1873 a reward of five hundred dollars was offered by the county for
the discovery of a vein of coal not less than two feet in thickness within the
limits of Sac county. It was not discovered.
On July I, 1889, the county refunding bonds were sold to Ira C. Calef,
of \Vashington, \'ermont, at a premium of si.x hundred dollars. These
bonds drew interest at the rate of five per cent, per annum.
In August, 1892, the minute book shows that the supervisors met at the
poor farm to invoice the stock and holdings of the place and to settle with
the contractors for erecting the poor house, built by B. F. Shultz.
In j\Iay, 1899, the supervisors offered the following bounty to any per-
son or corporation who might discover coal within the limits of the county:
"For a vein of coal two feet thick, $500; for a vein three feet thick, $1,000;
for a vein four or over feet thick, $1,500." This offer was to last for a period
of three years. It appears that nature had not stored away this material in
the county, and none has ever been discovered in paying quantities.
In the matter of refunding bonds of Sac county, the minutes for June,
1899, state that twenty-seven thousand dollars worth of refunding bonds
were floated at three and a half per cent, interest per annum. This was the
amount of the county's indebtedness at that date.
On April 3, 1900, the board of supervisors contracted with C. W. Wel-
man to serve the county as a tax ferret, to investigate and if possible collect
unpaid taxes due the county. He was to receive the sum of fifty per cent,
as collection fees for such work. In 1903 this was reduced to fifteen per cent.
COURT HOUSE HISTOl^Y.
Sac county's first court house (the present is the third building) was
erected as a result of an election held July 7, i860, when bonds to the amount
of ten thousand dollars were voted. The same drew ten per cent, per annum.
The following is the record concerning the election above named:
A petition bearing date of June 5, i860, reads as follows: "Whereas,
SAC COUNTYj IOWA. 67
a petition signed by the legal voters of Sac county, Iowa, has been presented
to me asking that measures be taken for the erection of a courthouse in Sac
county, and whereas it being prescribed by law that in all such matters the
question may be su1)niitted to the people of the county. Now. therefore, be
it known that I, Eugene Criss, county judge of said Sac county, in com-
pliance with the law made and provided, do hereby give notice to the legal
voters of said county that the c|uesti(in will be submitted to them on the 7th
day of July, A. D. i860, at which time there will be an election held in the
several precincts of said county, at the usual places and hours for holding
elections in said county : whether or not a courthouse shall be erected in said
county to cost $10,000, in bonds Ijearing ten per cent, per annum. The inter-
est due and $10,000 of the principal to be paid annually until the debt is paid
and whether a tax shall be levied annually, to licpiidate the demands as they
become due."
"And I di) further declare the manner of voting shall be as follows :
Upon each ballot shall be written or printed, 'For the erection of a court-
house,' or 'Against the erection of a courthouse.' 'For the levy of a tax,' or
'Against the levy of a tax.' And I do further declare that if a majority
of the votes are cast affirmatively that such votes shall be deemed to be in
favor of the proposition above submitted, and if a majority of the votes
cast are in the negative, it shall be a rejection of the above proposition. The
votes are to be returned by the judges of the different precincts to this court
to be then canvassed according to law.
"Given under my hand with the seal of the county affixed, at Sac City,
Iowa, this fifth day of June, 1859 A. D.
"E. Cris.s. County Judge."
The legal returns of this election was made by Judge E. Criss, July 7,
i860, and the result was as follows: Total number of votes cast, forty-one.
For both propositions, twenty-three votes ; against both propositions, eighteen
votes. W. H. Hobbs, county clerk, certified to the above as being true.
The contract for building the court house was awarded to W. N.
Meservey, of Fort Dodge, for ten thousand dollars. He took the county
bonds that had been voted, the same bearing date September 2, i860, running
for ten vears. The building contract was signed by Mr. Meservey and
County Judge Eugene Criss, attested by County Clerk William H. Hobbs.
The contract read, in part, as follows :
"That it shall be built on the public square in the original town of Sac
City. The front of said court house to face south and to be built on a Ime
68 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
corresponding uitli the ndrtli line of Main street, provided said street runs
to the pubHc square on the same variation of the needle as said street is estab-
lished. The center of said court house to be iniilt on a line corresponding to
the center of State street."
Signed the 31st day of December, i860.
The contract for this court house included these words :
"To be thirty-four b\- forty-six feet outside to outside, to be built of
brick; foundation walls to be six feet high— two feet under the ground and
four feet above ground, to the first floor. The first story walls to be sixteen
inches thick and nine feet between floor and ceiling. The second story walls
to be one foot thick and thirteen feet between floor and ceilings. The first
story is to be finished ofT in four rooms for oiifices, with a hall running
through .^aid buikling from end to end and six feet wide. At laack end of
said hall there is to be two flights of stairs, one on each side to ascend to
the court room.
"The second stor_\- is to be finished for a court room, with two jury
rooms, one on each side of the stairway leading to the court room. The court
room is to be furnished with judge's stand, bar, jury rooms, etc., at one end
and to be seated with black walnut seats to be dressed and varnished. .\11 the
outside brick work of said Iniilding to be built of good,' hard burned brick
and the inside walls to be of such brick as are suitable for that purpose. The
building is to have eight windows on each side — four on the first story and
four on the second story. There are to be five windows on each end — two
below and three above — all to be of twelve lights of glass, said glass to be
twelve by eighteen inches each.
"The roof is to be a self-supporting roof and covered with good
shingles laid four inches to the weather. The brick work is to be painted
and penciled. The floors are all to be of good oak or pine, seasoned, dressed
and matched. The wood work on the entire building is to be painted with
three good coats of white lead and oil, save the varnished work. The walls
are t(j be plastered by a three-coat work. The cupola is to be a good sized
one of seasoned lumlier, to be patterned after and as good as the one at
Denison, Crawford county, Iowa.
"Said building is to be erected, enclosed and the lower stor\- plastered by
Decenilier 1, icSfu, and the u])per rooms to be finished as to admit of holding
court in them b\- .\pril 1, following, and the whole to ])e completed by-
August I, 1862."
This court house served well its purixise until the erection of the second
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 69
court house of tlie county, which was erected under the following circum-
stances, as seen by the county records :
In 1873 it appears that the county was obliged to lease rooms of ])rivate
individuals for the accommodation of the county clerk and recorder. The
bids for the erection of the second court house were let March 13, 1873.
Bonds had been issued according to the vote of the people and sold to the
amount of $30,000 to Jackson Orr, at ninety-three per cent, of their face
value. The contract was awarded to O. J- King at $26,800, and subsequently
there were changes and extras as follows: Cement foundation, $1,500;
four vaults, $400; additional painting, $68; two base-burner stoves, $82.
This building was first used by the county January i, 1874, and the square
was ordered fenced, the contract l)eing let to Orson Lee the same vear.
The old court house building was ordered sold, as well as the county safe.
This building" is described in a work published at that day as follows :
"The new court house is eighty-four by fifty-six feet, solidly and handsomely
built of brick, with limestone foundations, and is one of the jjest countv build-
ings in the Northwest. It cost thirty thousand dollars. The first floor is
fitted up for the county officers, with vaults for the county records. The upper
story has the court room, jury rooms, etc. With the court room fitted up for
a term of court there are about four hundred sittings, but in use as a hall for
lectures or political meetings, there is ample room for six hundred people.
One room in the l)asement is used for a jail. A cage of boiler iron, con-
taining two cells, fills aljout half the room and makes the jail a pretty secure
one."
THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE.
By 1888 Sac count}- people had aljout decided to issue bonds and clear
an overhanging debt, thus saving interest and making the future generation
do their share towards caring for such legitimate obligations. Just when
this was about to be brought al)out the court house then in use was burned
(October 3, 1888,) and this stopped further talk of refunding. A new court
house must of necessity be quickly provided for the safety of the public
records of the county. It was thought the fire was caused by an incendiary,
and a reward of two hundred dollars was offered for the arrest and turning
over to the county authorities of one Carlson, supposed to be the party who
fired the building. The record shows: "Whereas, H. A. Hutchinson, a
constable of Lake City, did capture and return him to Sac City, therefore, be
it resolved, that we, the board of supervisors, consider him entitled to the
7© SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
reward ami instruct tlie county auditor to issue hiiu a warrant for the amount
of two hundred dollars."
Carlson had been incarcerated in the jail and set tire to it, burning the
court house. He was tried and sentenced to twelve years in the penitentiary.
He was a Swede farm hand, aged twenty-three years and worked on the
Cook ranch. The county clerk's books were the worst burned. The treas-
urer and recorder got off lietter, and the sheriff's books and papers were all
destroyed. Also the count}- law library was lost. Carlson was tried before
Judge Macomber.
Concerning the present court house structure and its construction, the
county records say :
"May 2, 1889 — Order No. i. Resolved, that county court house for
the use of Sac county, Iowa, be at once erected on the site of the one recently
burned in said county and on the plat of land known as the public .square in
the town of Sac City, at a cost of not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars."
All three count}' supervisors voted for this, and all subsequent measures
relative to this building. The board then consisted of the following citizens :
H. H. Fitch, C. H. Babcock and C. W. Marcy.
"Order No. 2 — Resolved, that the sum of fifteen thousand dollars of the
money recei\'ed from the insurance coiupanies, as an indemnity for the loss
of the former court house, in said count}', recently destroyed by fire, be ap-
pro])riated to erect a new court house."
"Order No. 3 — Resolved, that the plans and specifications furnished to
Sac county by J. M. Russell for a court house building be adopted, and the
new court house built in accordance with said plans and specifications, as
now filed in the office of the auditor of .Sac county."
"Order Xo. 4 — Resolved, that tlie liid of fifteen thousand dollars for the
erection of a court house building to be erected in Sac county. Iowa, accord-
ing to plans and specifications furnished said county by J. M. Russell, made
by Asa Piatt, D. E. Hallett, D. C. Early, James N. Miller, A. D. Peck,
Myron Childs, J. E. Robbins, John M. Vox and \\\ C. Shull, be accepted,
and that the contract and bond tendered by them for the completion of the
work by January i, 1890, be accepted." A tower surmounted the building,
])ut was taken down in 1000. in July, igii, a new roof of slate was placed
on the entire roof and other im])r(i\enients made, including the repainting
of the inside. The corner stone, laid by the Masonic fraternitv. bears this
inscription: "Laid by the Grand Lodge of Iowa, .A. F. & A, M., July i ^,
A. D. 1889, A. L. 5889."
Just at this time, when the county was without a court house, the citizens
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 7I
in the south part of Sac county, especially in and near the town of Wall
Lake, sought to have the county seat removed and a new court house erected
at Wall Lake. A great fight was put up and remonstrances and petitions
galore were circulated here and there over the count}-. The citizens at Sac
City got together and formed a home company and pledged themselves to
duplicate the new court house then just finished at Storm Lake, for the con-
sideration of the fifteen thousand dollars insurance due the county, they mak-
ing up the lialance toward building a thirty-thousand-dollar structure, which
in the end was accomplished. This company of Sac City citizens deposited
the collateral with the county auditor, who issued them the following certifi-
cate :
"This is to certify that there has been deposited with the auditor of Sac
county, for the use of said county, a contract signed by A. Piatt, D. E. Hal-
lett, D. Carr Early, A. D. Peck, James N. Miller, J. E. Robbins, Myron
Childs, John M. Fo.x and W. C. Shull, agreeing to build on the court house
square in_Sac City, on a new foundation, a court house according to the
plans and specifications to be furnished b}' J. M. Russell, of Storm Lake,
said court house being estimated to cost thirty thousand dollars, to be built
under the direction of said architect and the board of supervisors, to be a
duplicate of the one recently erected in Buena Vista county; to furnish the
same with steam heating apparatus and to deliver said court house, so built
and furnished to the county for the sum of fifteen thousand dollars. Said
contract is accompanied by a bond of sixty thousand dollars, signed by the
above parties as principals. Said contract is subject to acceptance by tne
county at any time prior to Januar}- i, 1891, and cannot be withdrawn by
said contractors before that date.
"(Signed) by C. W. Marcy, for the Board of Supervisors.
"Attest: C. C. Cleveland, County Auditor.
"January 26, 1889.
THE COUNTY JAIL.
The first real jail for Sac county was in the basement of the court
house, which was erected in 1874, but the records show that in September,
1893, the supervisors made the following entry in their official proceedings:
"Whereas, Sac county, Iowa, being without a jail, is compelled to send
prisoners and persons detained l)y few, to other counties for imprisonment
and detention, etc., etc., hence it is deemed expedient by the board of super-
visors of Sac countv, in the management of the business of said county, to
72 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
erect a jail and, tlierefore. Ije it resolved by the board of supervisors, in
regular session this 13th day of June. 1893. that there be submitted to the
qualified electors of said Sac count}-, at the next general election, the follow-
ing question: "Shall the board of county supervisors of this county erect a
jail, the cost not to exceed ten thousand dollars.'
(Signed) ''C. H. Babcock, Chairman of the Board."
In September. 1893. the following was entered on the board's minute
book : "Resolved by the board of supervisors of Sac county. Iowa, that
said county will cause to be erected in the court house square at Sac City a
jail having the necessary cells, cages and rooms, at a cost not to exceed ten
thousand dollars, and that said county raise the said amount l)y levying a
tax on the taxable ]iroperty of the county in sums as follows : In the year
1893, t^^'O 'I'lcl one-half mills on the dollar, which tax shall be levied and col-
lected by law as other taxes in the county. The direction of said jail shall
be under the supervision of the board of county supervisors of said county,
but these provisions shall not be binding unless ratified by a majority of the
legal voters of said county voting for or against the proposition, submitting
the same at the general election to be held in November. 1893. ^t which
election it is ordered that the propositions herein contained shall be sub-
mitted to them, etc." This jail was to be completed in 1894. The election
named was held, but the measure was lost by a majority of over three
hundred.
Then the matter was up to the board to provide a safe jail, so in June,
1894. a contract was awarded to the Pauly Jail Building Company, of St.
Louis, at four thousand two hundred and thirty-six dollars. It is situated
on the northwest corner of the court house square and stands on a good
foundation four feet in the earth. It is a red brick structure and now looks
the worse for wear. It was so located that a jailer's house could be added
thereto, but none has ever been erected there. A jail office is found at the
south end of the building. The jail has two of the best steel-plate cells,
with a steel corridor for the use of prisoners. It is reallv, todav. a safe, but
ugly looking jail for so rich a county as Sac !
It is. however, prol)ably an improvement over the old jail that was under
the court house, from which several prisoners made their escape, including
two horse thieves, as noted in the following as appearing in the Sac Sun of
November, 1878: "The jail breakers, in escaping, first set fire to the ceiling
of the jail and burned a hole up through the floor into the treasurer's office.
They, no floubt, intended to make a hole through, when thev discovered the
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 73
ventilating pipe could l^e pulled apart and thus give them an easier access to
the outside and to final freedom. It was lucky that they did not get the
whole court house on fire. We suggest to the board of supervisors that it is
hardly worth while to spend more money on the jail for the purpose of
keeping prisoners from other counties. We have furnished Beuna Vista and
Ida counties with rooms, food and fuel and attendance long enough. Sac
county has had few criminals confined there, compared with other counties.
The jail should not be under the court house, but as it is, it would be safer
and cheaper to hire a watchman than to expend money to make this one saw
and file proof."
THE COUNTY FARM.
The care which any people display towards the unfortunate poor within
their midst is an almost sure index of what class of citizens they are. From
the earliest date, the taxpayers in Sac county have sought to provide for and,
as far as possible, relieve the distress and absolute needs of their poorer
classes. While the authorities have never been in the habit of caring for the
lazy and shiftless classes, they have ever desired that those who had not the
means with which to provide for themselves should not want and suffer. Up
to 1891 the pauper element, and those who needed some aid, were cared for
in and by the different townships of the county, but during the month of
December, that year, the supervisors purchased, at thirty-five dollars per acre,
a cjuarter section of land in section 14 of Boyer \^alley civil township, for
the purpose of establishing a county farm, which has since been maintained.
In 1905 the proceedings of the county supervisors included an invoice of the
stock, implements, supplies and products of this county farm, and it was
shown that the total value of the farm and its contents and belongings
amounted to about $17,035. Of this amount, the land was placed at $12,800.
That year the receipts of the farm amounted to $3,045. The cost of keeping
the eight paupers that year amounted to $906.40.
In the year 191 J the county auditor's report shows the following con-
cerning the county farm, usually styled the "Poor Farm." Valuation,
$23,200; produce raised, $1,617; implements owned, $983; furniture, $452;
live stock and poultry, $3,065; pantry stores, $120; total, $30,351. For the
same year the expenditures were: Salaries and labor. $1,135.50; subsistence,
$1,461.20; medical expenses, $45.58; fuel and light, $568.18; improvements
and repairs, $428.74; feed, $123.95; feed bought, $518.21; miscellaneous,
$227.46; total expenses, $4,508.82. Cost of keeping the inmates for 191 1,
$972.79.
74 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Of recent years the farm has not been a very profitable investment to
the county. Not all of the poor are cared for there, as much aid is given
outside, while the inmates and the stock of the place has not been fully up
to former standards, but at this date (1914) efiforts are being made to stock
up and run the farm on a better basis^
In 1890 a resolutinn was passed by the county board of supervisors to
this effect : "Whereas, the American Educational Association proposes to
take the homeless children coming under the charge of the county, that are
of a sound mind and of good body, and place them in suitable homes and
become responsible for their future maintenance and support, upon the con-
dition that the said county pay to said association the sum of twenty-five
dollars for each child so taken charge of." This proposition was accepted.
COUNTY FINANCES.
Sac count}', like all Iowa counties, has had its own financial history. It
has, like its individual members, had its years of despondency and gloom and
accompanying debts hanging over its treasury like a pall, but, with the pass-
ing of those earlier and more trying years, came the spell of prosperity that
makes glad every taxpayer's heart. At one time more than thirty-five
thousand dollars would not fully cover the indebtedness of this county.
Bridges, roads, ditches, schuol houses and three court houses all had to come
in for their full share of improvement, before the county could boast, as she
does today, of her one-hundred-and-fifty and two-hundred-dollar land for
agricultural purposes.
During the never-to-be-forgotten Civil war days, soldiers' bounties,
wild animal Ijounties, even "blackbird bounties," had to be cared for. But
the good citizen kept steatlil\- pressing onward, shouting with the songster,
"Deliverance will come !" There was a period in this county when county
warrants were not at par by any means, and there were men who took ad-
vantage (possiljly legally) of such conditions and profited thereljy to the
detrHiient of taxpayers and warrant holders. Then there came another
period, when men served on the board of supervisors, and were elected to
county official positions, who stood squarely for the right, and under their
administration a "clean-up" process was undertaken, which worked well for
all concerned in tlie upbuilding and prosperity of the "Kingdom of Sac."
There has never been a real defalcation in the county's official record.
In passing, it may be stated that the county first got in debt to provide
the ten-thousand-dollar court house, for which bonds were issued in the
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. ,75
sixties, and over which there arose a long-drawn-out Htigation from the
local courts to the United States supreme court. The latter court decided
that the county must stand by and pay the bonds issued to Mr. Meservey, of
Fort Dodge, for the erection of the court house, which was ordered done
under Judge Eugene Criss's administration as county judge.
The county treasurer's semi-annual report for the period extending
from June i, 1912, to January i, 1913, shows the revenues collected and
disbursed for that six-month period, round numbers only being carried in
this statement :
On hand
Funds. Collected. Disbursed. Jan. i, '13.
State $13,378.00 $13,409.00 $ 114.00
State University 600.00 602.00 7.00
State College 600.00 602.00 7.00
State Normal 300.00 301.00 3.22
County 22,472.00 21.722.00 348.59
County .School 3,000.00 4,812.00 1,085.64
County Road 2,360.00 5,233.00 340.03
County Bond 1,500.00 3,441.00 528.69
County Bridge 15,303.00 29,047.00 1,580.27
County Poor 3,300.00 3,983.00 1,847.78
Insane 3,200.00 3,331.00 4,871.68
Temporary School 1,600.00 860.00 1,141.87
Permanent Sch(jol 1,500.00 1,250.00 250.00
Institute -54-00 397-0O 262.20
Domestic .\nimals 614.00 1,352.00 387.68
Farmers' Institute 75-00
Motor Vehicles 1,603.00 2,626.00 1,461.90
Soldiers' Uelief 907.00 1,024.00 1,659.00
Totals $61,491.00 $94,067.00 $15,906.16
The countv treasur_\- had on hand enough funds, on July i, 1912, to
make the difference in the above figures, hence the county finances now stand
as above stated.
Figuring from the county books and reports it is also shown that,
counting in all the township finances, debit and credit, up to January i,
1913, the county had on hand $34,856.06 in its treasury, a showing most
76
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
excellent indeed. It was not a score of years ago that this county had an
indebtedness equal to the amount on hand today.
TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH LINES.
There are at present more than thirty telephone lines operating in Sac
county, having a mileage of 854 miles, and of telegraph lines, 107 miles,
assessed at $cSo per mile. The total assessment for telegraph lines in county,
$8,602.40. Witii these various methods of communication the county's peo-
ple are in touch with one another, as well as with the outside world.
DISr.URSEMENTS FOR DR.\INAGE PURPOSES.
The following shows the drainage districts in 1913 that had the amounts
indicated disbursed in the year 1912-13 :
Drainage District No, i, eighty-one cents; drainage district No, 2,
$2,166.76; drainage district No. 3, $63.78; drainage district No. 5, $43-94;
drainage district No, 7, $31,26; drainage district No. 11, $7.66; drainage
district No. 16, $24,551.16; drainage district No. 20, $201,45; drainage
district No, 28, $20,00; drainage district No, 29, $10,700; drainage district
No. 31, $437.39; drainage district No, 34, $2,008.76; drainage district No.
36, $95.17; drainage district No. 38, $2,124.71; drainage district No. 39,
$950.30; drainage district No. 40, $2,649.98.
This makes a grand total of $73,203.00 paid out for drainage purposes
in Sac county for a single year, and it was money well expended, as it has
reclaimed thousands of acres of fertile land, besides materially increasing
the agricultural and commercial ^•alue of much more, indirectly.
CHAPTER VI.
THE BAR OF SAC COUNTY.
By Charles D. Goldsmith.
\\'ith but one or two exceptions, the attorney.s who have practiced in Sac
county came from other states or other parts of our own state. The bar, as
a whole, has been, comparatively speaking, a strong one. Of course, here,
as elsewhere, there has Ijeen much abuse of the law and the lawyers; but,
candidlv, would not the abolition of both spell chaos? A community without
lawyers would be a community without order, without government, without
progress, peace, stability or ha])piness.
To be sure, lawyers are not all high-minded men. but neither are all
those who follow other walks of life. A lawyer is much like his fellows,
whatever their occupation. He is subject to the same environment; the same
temptations, the same inexorable sway of demand and supply, and if he
sometimes stoojis to the mire, the dishonest client will be found upon his
shoulders, bearing him down in the filth. The lawyer is no better and no
worse than men in other lines of work, but he is a necessity. Blot out the
law and the lawyers, and civilization dies with them. The standing of the
bar is high toda^•, but, as in all human affairs, there is room for improve-
ment. However, it is gratifying to know that its character is certainly being
elevated to a higher plane.
THE FIRST LAWYER IX SAC CITY.
John T. Alexander was Sac county's first lawyer. He located al Sac
City in 1868, having bef<ire been in the practice at X'inton. Benton county,
this state, where he had served the judicial district in which Benton county
was embraced, as district attorney. He was not what is called a "case
lawyer," but was well grounded in the fumlamental i)rinciples of the law.
It was his intention to discontinue the practice upon his removal to Sac
county. He found it diflicult to do this, and for a while took part in the
small amount of court work which came up at the time in the county. "Uncle
Tohn" was a gentleman in every sense of the word, kind and considerate of
78 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
every one. After a lew rears, he retired and lived loved and respected by
all until his death, in 1882.
Eli R. Chase settled at Sac City in 1869, removing from ^^'ansan, Wis-
consin, where he had been a prominent lawyer and citizen for many years.
He served upon the board of supervisors of the county. He was a lawyer of
much ability and strength of character. The law business of the county at
this time was of such meager proportions that it was not inviting, and in
1875 he removed to California.
Hon. Ed. R. Duffie came to Sac City in 1870 and shortly afterwards
formed a partnership with Eli R. Chase, the firm being Chase & Duffie. He
served as a member of the board of supervisors and was county treasurer,
was afterwards elected to the Legislature, and later became judge of the
fourteenth judicial district. Representing the cnunt}' in the Legislature, he
was without doubt the best equipped and ablest member the county has
ever had. After serving upon the bench eight years, he retired to the prac-
tice at Sac City. He outgrew the practice here and removed to Omaha,
Nebraska, in 1883. For several years he served as a commissioner of the
supreme court. Retiring from that position, he removed from Omaha to
Scott's Bluffs, Nebraska, and became a member of the firm of Wright &
Duffie and continued to practice until the year 19 13. His health then failed
him and he went to California, hoping to find a climate beneficial, l:)ut died
shortly after reaching there.
Hon. S. M. Elwood, formerly of Tama countv. Iowa, and S. E. Stan-
field formed a partnership to practice law and located during the year 1876,
and as a firm practiced until 1879, when it dissolved and Mr. Stanfield re-
moved to Odebolt. Mr. Elwood then formed a partnership with Levi Davis,
the firm being known as Da\'is & Elwood. This firm afterward dissolved
and Mr. Davis removed to Montana. Mr. Elwood continued in the practice
and in the fall of 1895 was elected to the district judgeship of the sixteenth
judicial district and occupied the bench for eight years. After retiring from
that position he resumed practice. He is a good lawyer and the most plausi-
ble of gentlemen.
Mr. Stanfield, as before stated, removed to Odebolt, where he continued
to reside and ])ractice law for a few years, and then removed to Ida Gro\e,
in Ida county, w here he practiced until his death, a few years later.
D. E. \'oris and L. Wheaton, two young men of good native ability,
located at Sac City in 1876 and remained a few years. Mr. Voris afterward
removed to Marion, where he has since continued in a very successful prac-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 79
tice. Mr. W'heaton removed to Lincoln, Nebra.ska, and died after remaining
in practice a few years.
D. J- McDaid commenced the practice of law at Sac Cit\- in i8Si, and
very soon afterwards received an appointment to a judicial position in Indian
Territory, after the expiration of which he removed to West ^'^irginia.
W. H. Hart commenced the practice of law in Sac City in 1880. In
1885 the partnership of Goldsmith &• Hart was formed, of whicii Mr. Hart
was a member until i88q, when ^Ir. Goldsmith was appointed bv Governor
Boies to fill the vacancy on the district bench caused by the resignation of
Judge J. H. Macomber. Mr. Hart has filled the office of county attorney
for two terms. In this office he was safe and reliable and no one performed
the duties of that office better to the satisfaction of the people. He now
ranks among the leading lawyers of the county.
J. H. Tait first located at Wall Lake, in this county, in 1879, as the
junior member of the firm of Edson & Tait. The firm continued in the
practice a few years and dissolved. Mr. Tait removed to Schaller and con-
tinued in the practice imtil he was elected county attorney, when he removed
to Sac City. During his incumbency of that office he formed a partnership
with ^^'. Jackson, which partnership existed until his death, in 1913. He was
one of the lawyers who forged his way to the front and was quite prominent
in the politics of the county.
William Jackson has long been numbered among the trustworthy mem-
bers of the Sac county liar. His siiecialty has been that of an abstracter and
real estate lawyer. He attended to that liranch of the practice of the firm
of Tait & Jackson, \\liile Mr. Tait gave his attention to such litigation as
came into tlie hands of the firm.
R. L. McCord located here in 1908 and since has been appointed and
elected two terms as count}- attorney. Upon the expiration of his last term
he engaged in general practice. He is possessed of good ability, much in-
dustry and holds the esteem of all in this county.
Malcolm Currie, having held the office of sheriff of Sac county, took his
examination and was admitted to the bar in 1910, since which time he has
been elected county attorney, an office he now holds. Still young in the prac-
tice, his energy and industry is fast leading him to the front.
J. B. Tourgee located in Sac City in 1913 and formed a partnership
with S. -M. Elwood. He is being known as a careful and industrious young
man, possessed of studious habits that are sure to give him high rank in his
profession.
go SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
THOSE PRACTICING IN I9I4.
A list of those ])racticing in Sac City in 1914 includes the following, as
they rank with age : Charles D. Goldsmith, S. M. Elwood, William Jackson,
W. H. Hart, R. L. McCord, INIalcom Currie, J. B. Tonrgee. There are many
more, wiio have come and gone, but their sojourn has been so short and un-
eventful that it c;in hardly be .-.aid that they sh.nild be considered as members
of this har.
IN OTHER TOWNS OF THE COUNTY.
Ed. Hatch commenced the practice of law at Grant City in 1875. One
would be authorized in saying that no young man has appeared at the Sac
county bar with more natural ability and better presence than lie. He was
genial, eloquent and quick to see a point in litigation. He grew boastful and
dissolute antl at a time when he should have been meeting with a success
rio-htfullv due him and within his reach, he was murdered by brawling asso-
ciates.
The hrm of Zane & Helsell located at Ocleljolt in 187S and was composed
of John M. Zane, who made a specialty of making abstracts and law con-
nected therew ith, and W. A. Helsell, who did the court work and attended to
the general litigation. Mr. Zane afterwards removed to Sac City and con-
tinued in abstracting work for a time, and then removed to Des Moines,
where he engaged in the insurance business. Mr. Helsell continued in prac-
tice at Odebolt and has since remained there, and, while a few others have
come and gone from Odebolt with little success, Mr. Helsell has built up a
remunerative practice which he still enjoys. He is the only lawyer now in
Odebolt. Among others who have at times been members of the bar at
Odebolt, C. E. George and Del Coy should be mentioned. Mr. George was
a young man, well educated and had he possessed stability of character could,
it would seem, have reached a high rank in his profession. Being ambitious
to enter a larger held he removed to Chicago. His career in Odebolt was
not a brilliant one. Mr. Coy, while somewhat successful at Odebolt, after a
few years removed to Pierre, South Dakota, where he was elected to the
otBce of clerk of the courts. lie filled this ofifice and practiced his profession
for a few years and died. He was a man of excellent character and respected
by all.
R. M. Hunter was a member of the bar residing at Wall Eake for a
number of years. He was a goo<l lawyer, neighbor and citizen, and while
there he was elected county attorney and made an excellent ofificial. Soon
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 8l
afterward he removed to Sibley, Iowa, where he met with success in his prac-
tice and there died. During his ]iractice he accumulated considerable prop-
erty. Another attorney at Wall Lake was S. E. Stanheld, now of Rockwell
City, who was for a time a partner of Judge Elwood, in Sac City. A. B.
Barclay, a young lawyer of much ability, a clean, loveable man, located at
Wall Lake in 1900. He had held the office of county attorney one term and
part of another, when, in 1908, he moved to Jerome, Idaho, where he took
up the practice. Wall Lake now has but i,ine lawyer, E. S. Whitney, who
recently entered the profession. He is a young man with good ambitions
and appearances. His geniality and manner appeals to all and there is little
doubt that he will meet with success.
Besides the members of the Ijar in Sac county named by Mr. Gold-
smith there should also be mentioned the following :
Charles D. Goldsmith is the oldest resident attorney at Sac City with
the e.xce]jtion of S. M. Elwood. He has been practicing in Sac and adjoining
counties since the latter part of the sexenties, except during the time he was
upon the bench of the tlistrict court of this district. He was selected by Gov-
ernor Horace Boies to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge
Macomber, of Ida Grove, and was also elected to succeed himself at the
election, though a Democrat in politics and in a Republican district. He has
been and is one of the most successful jiractitioners in this part of the state,
having a large clientage. He has always been a very aggressive lawyer and
stands high in his chosen profession. He was admitted to the bar in the state
of New York, came west to Webster City, Iowa, then to Newell, in Buena
Vista county, and finally to Sac City, where he has since remained. He
stands high in this community as a citizen as well as lawyer and counselor.
About 18S0 A. B. Mason began the practice of law in Sac City and a
few years later was joined by E. G. Thomas, the firm being then known as
Mason & Thomas. The partnership continued for some years, when it was
dissolved, E. G. Thomas going to Omaha and later to Chicago and then to
his former home in Indiana, where he died. A. B. Mason continued in Sac
Cit\' until his death, some years later.
J. Ko'ler came to Sac City about 1882 and engaged in the practice of
law for a short time only. He was editor of the paper known as The Demo-
crat for a while and moved to Omaha, where he engaged in legal work again.
Miles \y. Newby began the practice of law here, in the office of S. M.
Elwood, in the nineties. He was elected count}' attorney of Sac count}- for
two terms, and soon after his last term expired he moved to Onawa, where he
now lives and is actively in the practice. He was a conscientious young law-
yer and a hard worker.
(5)
CHAPTER VH.
MEDICAL HISTORY OF SAC COUNTY.
By Z. Fuller, M. D.
The first physician, Doctor Bence, arrived in the frontier hamlet of Sac
City in 1856, Ijut remained only a short time.
The next physician, Doctor Rising, came the next year. 1857, and re-
mained about five years, and then removed from Sac City to Grant City, Sac
county, where he died and was buried.
The next phvsician was Dr. Frank Stiles, who located in Sac City in
1858 or 1859, remaining perhaps ten years, part of this time being at Twin
Lakes, Calhoun county. In the late sixties he ran a general merchandise
business in Sac City.
Dr. R. G. Piatt, a brother of Asa Piatt, came in 1868, locating in Sac
City Doctor Piatt remained five or six years, but, being in poor health, was
unable to endure the hartlships incident to the practice of medicine in a pio-
neer community, and therefore moved to Hillsdale, Michigan.
Dr. A. T. Brenton was the next physician to locate in Sac county, coming
to Sac City in 1869, where he remained in active practice almost continuously
for more than thirty years, the first medical man to identify himself perma-
nently with the community. A more extended biographical mention of Doctor
Brenton will be found at another place in this chapter.
Since the time of Dr. Brenton's arrival and up to the present (1914)
many physicians ha\'e. from time to time, located in Sac City and at other
points in the county, a good many remaining for only a lirief period, hardly
long enough to warrant more than noting the date of their arrival, where
the latter can be ascertained. Those remaining a longer time, long enough to
warrant being considered permanent citizens, will have more extended bio-
graphical sketches in the following pages.
Perhaps no class of people in any pioneer country sees more of hardship
and the strenuous life than does the physician. The homes of the pioneers
were widely scattered over the desolate prairies, necessitating long and tire-
some — and sometimes dangerous — drives, usually on horseback in all kinds of
weather in their ])rnfessional ministrations. And for such services the doc-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 83
tor's pay was often in tlie form of the possessions which are at least reason-
ably satisfactory, earning as well the gennine gratitude and respect of the com-
munities in which they have labored.
The writer had a share in some of these e.xperiences during the later
pioneer days, many of which he looks back on with pleasure and nu small
degree of satisfaction, not the least of which comes from seeing a good man\-
of those pioneers of the strenuous years now in comfortable homes and in
possession of every other reasonable need for their declining years. All of
which seems a fair compensation for the struggle of those early days. Re-
turning now to the personal history of some of Sac count^•'s i)h\'sicians. it
may be said that :
Andrew Thomas Brenton was born in Johnson count}-, Indiana, Septem-
ber 15, 1848, and came by covered wagon, with his parents, to Dallas county,
Iowa, in the fall of 1853, when but five years of age. Of the ancestry it may
be said that the father, James Baird Brenton, was born in Kentucky. He
was the son of Re\'. Henry Brenton and Esther Baird and the grandson of
Major James Brenton and Mary Woodfield. Major James Brenton served
during the Revolutionary War from Virginia. His commission as major,
signed by Governor Patrick Henry, of Virginia, is in the family and very
highly prized.
His mother was Elizabeth Glenn, daughter of Archibald Glenn and
Lydia Rhodes, granddaughter of Archibald Glenn, Sr., and Sarah Furgason
and Jacob Rhodes and Elizabeth Furlow, and great-granddaughter of Robert
Furlow, and Kittie McGuire. Archiliald, Sr., came to America from Scot-
land in 1770. He served from Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War,
as did Jacob Rhodes and Robert Furlow from Virginia. Wkh such Re\olu-
tionary ancestry, one would not wonder that Doctor Brenton was one of the
most patriotic citizens.
The Doctor received his early education in the district schools, and later
in the Adel schools. He read medicine with his father and attended the
Medical College of Keokuk, Iowa, and later took a ]50st-graduate course in
St. Louis. He married Harriett Ella Wright, and they had four children,
Glencora, Maude, Fay and Max. He practiced medicine at Dallas Center,
Iowa, one year and then located at Sac City, Iowa, in the fall of 1871. Not-
withstanding the wild prairie country, the unljridged streams, bail roads and
dark stormy nights, the Doctor never let these things prevent him from
answering the calls of suffering humanity. He frequently took his gun and
dog along and, in season, killed many prairie chickens on his trips.
Doctor Brenton was the first physician to become permanently identified
84 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
with the county in its pioneer davs. hicating as he did in 1871. For more
than thirty years he was continuously engaged in practice, h'or a large part
of his time his practice extended over a wide range of territor_\-, frequently
into the adjacent counties. During the more active period of his life he
doubtless had the most extensive clientele of any physician who has ever
practiced in this county. This, being in the days of riding horses, meant
almost continuous riding, night and day, sometimes for weeks together. But
during all those strenuous years of widely scattered practice, in storm and
snow and mud. he faithfully ministered to the people, a highly useful and
much appreciated citizen.
Doctor Brenton did his work with energy and enthusiasm : he was in love
with his work, giving always of the best that was in him and without regard
to rank and station. He was a man of more than ordinary nati\e ability, of
excellent judgment in his professional work; quick to see the essentials and
the main points in a case, and resourceful in treatment. The writer was
twice associated with him in practice, and was many times with him in
consultations, and this experience fully warrants the above statements.
Doctor Brenton was of quick wit and possessed a keen sense of humor.
He enjoyed a good story, either as a listener or raconteur; and not a little
wide popularity came from these qualities — <|ualities which are also at times
invaluable at the bed side of the sick. In his later years he greatly enjoyed
recalling from the rich fund of his pioneer experiences those incidents par-
ticularly which had an element of humor and drollery with which he would
entertain his listeners. Of such, he had acquired a large collection, which,
with his natural wit and humor, made him an entertaining talker. Not a
few good stories about the Doctor are still current among the "old-timers,"
and a sketch without any of these woukl hardl>- seem fitting, which perhaps
is sufficient warrant for the following :
During the latter part of the Doctor's practice, when not a few of the
early settlers had become well-to-do. one of the latter, becoming seriously sick,
summoned the Doctor, who, when he visited the patient insisted that he should
remain with him continuously until he "was out of danger." This the Doc-
tor was reluctant to do, as it was a busy season and to give his entire time to
a single patient meant considerable loss to himself, not to mention the incon-
venience or worse to others of his patrons. When this was intimated to the
wealthy patient, he remarked that the Doctor "wouldn't lose anything" and
that there were other doctors whom the people conld employ. The Doctor
finally consented, and henceforth for about ten days remained in the patient's
house, giving him his exclusive professional attention. \\'hen the sick man
SAC COUNTYj IOWA. 85
was at last convalescent and the Doctor announced that his services were no
longer needed, the grateful patient asked for the amount of his bill that he
might show his gratitude by prompt payment. The Doctor answered that
his bill was four hundred and ninety-nine dollars, which amount seemed so
large that the gentleman remonstrated, to which the Doctor exclaimed that
during so busy a season he might ha\e lost even a larger amount than this
from other practice, remarking that the "exclusive services of a busy doctor"
come high. But the wealthy patient still remonstrated, expressing his unwill-
ingness and finally his positive refusal to pay such an exorbitant bill, to
which the Doctor replied that "God has made you able and I will make you
willing to pay that bill," and, getting into his buggy, started to drive off, but
he was recalled and his bill was paid, ^^'hen someone later asked the Doctor
why he had not made the fee an even fi\-e hundred dollars, he dr}iy answered
that "Fi\-e hundred dollars would have been too much."
Doctor Brenton was a steadfast Republican, all his life taking an active
interest in [jolitical matters, both local and general, but never showing any
desire for ofiice himself, his whole practical interest being centered in his
profession. He was a member of the Masonic order, having membership
in the blue lodge, chapter and commander)- at Sac City.
During the last dozen years or more of his life, Doctor Brenton spent
the winter seasons in Florida. His health had failed and he could no longer
stand the rigors of the Northern winters. The last two or three years he re-
mained in the South continuously at the home of his daughter. He died
October 26, 1912, at Havelock. Iowa, in the home of his son Max, whose sick
wife the Doctor had come north to attend professionally.
Doctor Brenton was twice married, first to Harriett Ellen Wright, in
Dallas county, Iowa, to whom were born two sons and two daughters. Mrs.
Brenton died in Florida in the winter of 1895. -^'* second wife, to whom he
was married in 1898, was Mrs. Sarah E. Allen, widow of a Sac City pioneer,
who sur\"ives him.
Being human, \ery human. Doctor Brenton had faults, his most serious
faults, however, making him "his own worst enemy." and it would seem that
generosity should restrain comment here at length, remembering rather the
many good traits and the valuable service he rendered this comnuinity for so
many }'ears.
Thomas Browning Mansfield, M. D., was born in Unionport, Jefferson
countv, Ohio, June 15, 1844, where he lived until the outbreak of the Civil
War, when, at the age of seventeen years, he enlisted in the Fifty-second Regi-
ment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Dan McCook, serxing therein
86 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
until mustered nut at tlie close of the war. This young soldier showed
special aptitude for nursing' and otherwise caring for the sick and wounded.
and was early assigned to the hospital corps where he remained throughout
the service. This experience led him to decide to adopt the profession of
medicine as his Hfe work. At the close of the war he entered Harlen College,
from wliich he was graduated in 1(86". after which he taught school for some
years, utilizing every spare moment in the study of medicine under the guid-
ance of two physicians. Later he engaged in the drug business, at Smith-
field. Ohio, in connection with Doctor Clancv of that place, afterward attend-
ing Ohio Medical College. Cincinnati, from which he was graduated.
Doctor Mansfield commenced the practice of medicine at Jefferson.
Greene county, Iowa, in 1873. A vear or two later. ha\"ing occasion to be in
Sac Cit}-, he became so fa\draljly impressed w ith the place that he removed
there in 1875. Throughout all the remaindei of his life there was no other
place so dear as Sac City and surroundings. Here nearly all the remainder
of his life was spent, althougli circumstances led to his absence at times for
considerable periods. On September 30, 1879. he was married to Cornelia
Kate Taylor, a daughter of Samuel C. and Jane H. Taylor, pioneer residents
of Cedar township, Sac county. In 1892. because of his wife's failing health,
he removed to Denver, Colorado, where they remained about two years.
From there the\' moved to Harrison county. Ohio, to care for his aged ])ar-
ents. where they remained until the death of his father in 1900. The Doctor
and his wife then returned to Sac City where he resumed his practice. His
wife's failing health induced him to remove to California in 1906. They
located first at Ocean Park, but later went to the Sierra Nevada mountains,
near Yosemite Park, but returned to Ocean Park in September, 1909, where
he died of apoplexy, February 11. igio. His widow survives him ( TQ14)
and lives at Ocean Grove. California. They had no children.
In the words of her who perhaps knew Doctor Mansfield best. "He was
a man of fine presence and generous to a fault in his professional life. The
qualities of character which were fundamental in him, led him to the places
where the work was hardest, the strain heaviest, the need greatest. It was a
part of his \ery nature to help the poor, to relieve the distress of those who
had little with which to repay him. Doctor Mansfield was genial, generous,
and had many and steadfast friends in the communitv where he so long
laliored. lia\ing an etxensive practice during all the vears of his residence
here."
In politics, Doctor Mansfield was a life-long and steadfast Republican
and was at various times honored with positions of trust and responsibility.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 87
The one which he, perhaps, prized the highest, was as a member of pension
examining boards, which he held in Iowa for more than twenty-five years,
during Democratic as well as Republican administrations. He was also a mem-
ber of an examining board during his residence in Harrison countv. Ohio.
Doctor Mansfield was a member of the (irand Army of the Republic and
also a member of the Methodist church.
Doctor William Warren came to Sac county in 1870. settling on land
in section 17, in Boyer Valley township, where lie henceforward lived for
thirty years, managing his farm and also ser\'ing as physician in the sur-
rounding community. During the pioneer days, especially when' physicians
were few and far apart. Doctor Warren's professional services were much
in demand, without which the pioneers should have been obliged to depend
for such services upon physicians much farther awa}' — Sac City, Storm Lake
and Ida Grove — which in those days, before telephones and automobiles,
would ha\e necessitated travel of from tweh'e to twent}' miles, usually on
horseback. To ha\-e a physician in their midst was certainly a great con-
venience to that rather isolated Boyer Valley community, which was well
appreciated, and Doctor Warren had an extensive practice. Doctor \\'arren
was born in Rutland county. \'ermont. December 29. 1817. When he was
thirteen years old his parents removed to Genesee county, New York, re-
mained two years, then to Orleans county and later to Niagara county. At
the age of about twenty-one years young Warren commenced the study of
medicine with Doctor Pratt, of Somerset. New York. In 1857 he came west,
locating in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained three or four years,
then to Dodge count}', coming from there to Sac countv, Iowa, where he re-
mained until his death, June 20, 190 1.
B. F. Ste\ens. M. D., was born in Montrose, Pennsylvania, where he
lived until fourteen years of age. when he came with his parents to Illinois,
settling near Elgin. He remained there until he came to Sac county in 1871,
settling in Levey township, on section 21. where he resided about ten years,
then removed to Odebolt where he died in 1891.
Doctor Stevens was graduated from Bennett Medical College, Chicago,
in 1869, and practiced about two years before coming to Iowa. He wished
to abandon practice, but several of his Illinois neighbors settling near him in
Levey township, being remote from other doctors in the early days, they
naturally called upon him for professional sendees. He was thus called upon
so frequently that he became acti\'ely engaged in practice, having little or no
time left for the business of farming, to which he had intended to devote his
entire attention on coming to Sac countv. After aliout ten \-ears' residence
88 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
on his farm, he remi>\ed to Odeboh, where he was engaged in the practice
until his death, March 20, 1891.
Doctor Stevens' eldest son. A. E. Stevens, also took up the study of
medicine and was graduated from the same college as his father (Bennett)
about 1S78. He located at Wall Lake, where he was in practice about two
}-ears, then remo\-ed to Odebolt, where he practiced with his father for a
time, removing to Maiino, Florida, and there practiced until his death in 1908.
J. W. Cannon. ^NI. D., was among the pioneer physicians of Sac county,
who located in Grant Cit}-. October \j. 1874. where he remained in practice
until October. 1883. Doctor Cannon was burn in Carthage. Illinois. April
15. 1849, graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Keokuk.
Iowa, June 17, 1873. He also attended lectures at the same college during
the winter of 1876, and in 1889 did post-graduate work at the Post-Graduate
College and Hospital of Xew York City. During his residence in Grant
City. Doctor Cannon was married to Jennie Dobson, a daughter of one of the
most estimable Sac count\- families. After his remo\'al from this county, he
was engaged in i)ractice. for a time, in Atlantic. Cass county, biwa. from
whence he remo\-ed to Canyon City, Colorado, on account of his wife's health.
Later he remo\'ed to Boise, Idaho, where he is now located.
Dr. W. S. Duncan, came first to Sac City, July 3. 1874, remaining per-
haps a year or so, was elsewhere four }ears, and then returned in 1878, re-
maining several years and accjuiring a considerable practice. He received
his medical education at the Cincinnati Medical College and Eclectic Institu-
tion (now extinct). Doctor Duncan possessed considerable natural ability.
as well as professional skill. During his later residence here he liecame
interested in the profession of law, and read law for a time with a thought
of changing to that profession, but that was never done, so far as known to
the writer. He left Sac City sometime in the eighties and located in Sheldon.
Iowa.
D. C. Cook, JM. D., located in what was then Fletcher (now Lake View)
in J 881, being associated with L. A. Chapman in a drug store at that place.
He received his ]:)reparatory education at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and was
graduated from llie medical department of the Iowa State LTniversity in
March, 1873. He commenced practice at Calamus, Iowa, from whence he
removed to Sac county, and remained several years.
Caleb Brown, \[. 1).. was born January- 27. 1850. on a farm in Knox
county. Ohio, where his boyhood was passetl. He recei\ed his earlv educa-
tion in the common schools of the state and from a private tutor, who gave
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SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 89
him instructii)n in Latin. In 1870, he came with his parents to Iowa, where
the first year he was engaged in teaching school ; the next year he entered the
Iowa State Unixersity in the classical department. While so engaged, he
began the study of medicine, entering the medical department of the uni-
versity in September, 1874. He received his degree in medicine from the
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa, in 1877. For two vears,
beginning in September, 1892, he held the chair of chemistry, toxicology and
microscopy in that college, but resigned that position on account of inter-
ference with other professional work. A part of two years he spent in post-
graduate work in Chicago. He was a member of the Northwestern Iowa
Medical Society, the Medical Society of the State of Iowa, the American
Medical Association, the International Association of Railway Surgeons, and
in 1894 was elected a member of the .\merican Electro-Therapeutic Associa-
tion, of which he was made second vice-president in 1897. He was an
actixe worker in all these societies, ha\ing prepared and read papers of merit
before each of them at various times, ha\'ing special interest in electro-thera-
peutics, some of the papers prepared by him in this latter eliciting very favor-
able comment, from men of note in this specialty. Doctor Brown held the
position of local surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern railway for several
years preceding his death: had l>een health officer of Sac City; had been
county coroner, and was a trustee of the Sac City Collegiate Institute, in
which he was lecturer on phvsiology and chemistry. He took not only an
active interest in this but in all other educational matters. He was a mem-
ber of the United States pension examining board for this district. Doctor
Brown located in Sac City, 1882, where the remainder of his life was spent
in active practice of his profession. On November 7, 1884, he was married
to Elizabeth Prindle Baxter, who survives him. They had no children.
Five weeks before his death, the Doctor was attacked by pneumonia and, his
vitality being a good deal reduced by overwork and his general health having
been somewhat impaired during several weeks preceding, there was appre-
hension from the first as to the result. The attack proved to be comparatively
mild, however, but during convalescence catarrhal jaundice superx'ened, then
gastritis and other complications resulting in death, June 4, 1899.
Doctor Brown was a man of marked ability, a close student and a hard-
working practitioner, keeping full\- abreast of the advancement of his pro-
fession; a man of the .strictest honor and integrity, with an active interest
in all that is good and right; a gentleman in the best sense of the word; a
valued and much appreciated citizen of the community. He had a wide ac-
90 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
quaintance with niaii)' fast friends and an extensive practice. He had good
business ability, an attribute lacking in most physicians. During the later
years of his life he owned and conducted a drug store in Sac City, which was
a profitable business. He acquired considerable means, all of which was
invested in Sac City property.
SURGICAL WORK IN THE COUNTY.
Like most similar communities ha\ing no hospital facilities. \ery little
major surgical work has been done in Sac county, excepting such as comes
under the head of emergency surgery, of which there has been perhaps about
the usual amount, though not large, incident to communities almost wholly
agricultural. When such emergencies ha\e arisen they have been met ami
such service rendered as was possible by general practitioners. They have
necessarily done a very wide range of surgical and medical work, anything
which came in the line of duty, and usually with creditable success, and in
some cases with results that were really lirilliant.
Such other surgical procedures as needed hospital facilities for their
proper care have been sent away, a good deal of such work going to Dr.
A. L. Wright, of Carroll, Iowa, who established a small private hospital at
that place about 1893. His hospital was later superseded b}' St. Anthony's, a
general public hospital, where Doctor Wright continued to do his surgical
work during the remainder of his life. A good deal uf such work has been
sent to Chicago, Des Moines, (Jmaha and Rochester, Minnesota. At the
present, probably the most of it is going to Des Moines: some of it, chiefly
from the western part of the county, going to Doctor Crane's hospital which
was established at Ida Grove, and later moved to Odebolt. Doctor Speaker,
at Lake View, recently fitted up some hospital facilities in connection with his
office, where some surgical work is being done. Doctor McCrav, of Schaller,
is doing more surgical work, perhaps, than is usual with general practitioners
having no hospital facilities. He operates at patient's homes for appendi-
citis, as well as doing some other major surgical operations. But the medical
men in this county generally hold to the common opinion that, aside from
minor and emergency surgery, it is usually preferable and more satisfactory
to send surgical cases to surgeons of special training and experience doing
their work in the general hospitals of the larger cities.
The lollowing is a list of piiysicians. of various schools of medicine
who have registered under the stale law of 18S5. in and for Sac countv :
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. QI
Adams, Charles B., Sac City, born in Xew York, graduated Cleveland,
Ohio, certified in this county December, 1886, eight years in practice.
Andre, T. J.. Schaller. born in Ohio, graduated at Rush Medical, certified
here December. 1886, four years in practice when coming here.
Acres, Lois F.. (homeopathic) Sac City, born Pennsylvania, graduate of
Chicago Homeopathic College.
Brown, Caleb. Sac City, born in Ohio, certifietl here September. 1886.
nine }ears in practice when he came here.
Brenton, Thomas Andrew, horn Indiana, certified April, 1887, eighteen
years in practice before coming here.
Berry, Joseph P., Auburn, born Illinois, certified May, 1891.
Brookhart, Edward \\'., (eclectic) Ulmer, certified April, 1906.
Behrens, George W'., bdin Illinois, certified here igii, graduate of the
Chicago Medical College.
Blackstone. Bigelow P., (homeopathic) born Iowa, certified here May,
1899. graduate of Iowa State L'ni\'ersity.
Du\-all. W. H.. Schaller, burn Kentucky, certified August. 1886. in prac-
tice at time of coming here nine rears.
Dunkelburg. B. C. (regular) Schaller. born New York, graduate of
Uni\-ersity of Xew '^'ork. certified 1889.
Dobson. William C, Sac City, jjurn in Xew Jersey, certified April, 1910,
when four years in practice.
Duncan. ^Villiam Cass, (regular) Sac City, born Wisconsin, certified
Xo\emi5er. 1898. graduate of Iowa State University— -medical department —
in practice fourteen years when he came here.
Denny, B. F., Xemaha, born Missouri, certified October, 1909.
Francis. William H.. Sac City, born Ireland, certified 1886, in practice
at time of coming twent>'-six years.
Farcjuhar. Thomas, (regular) Early, born Penns^dvania, eighteen years
in practice at date of coming here.
Fuller, 7... (regular) Sac City, born Indiana, certified here March. 1876,
ele\'en years practice before coming here.
Farquhar. Elwood M., (regular) Early, born Pennsyh.ania, certified
May, 1897. graduate of Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Findley. William John Kennedv, Sac City, born Iowa, certified May,
1904. graduate Chicago Aledical College. fi\e years in practice when he came.
Graham. J. W.. (regular) Early, horn Iowa, certified Xovemlier. 1886,
six vears in practice at date of coming here.
02 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Grunian. Aui;ust. Odebolt, In.rn Indiana, certified here July, 1887, grad-
uate of Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, in practice eight years when
he came here.
(iannon. W. 1.. (eclectic) Grant City, born New Jersey, certified Septem-
ber. 188O. graduate of Bennett Medical College, Chicago, in practice txventy-
se\-en years at date of coming here.
Gibson, George G., (regular) Odebolt. born Ohio, certified May. 1898,
graduate Iowa College Physicians and Surgeons, Des Moines.
George. Albert B.. (regular) Lake View, born Illinois, certified May,
1890.
Gregg. Orion Russell, (regular) Xeniaha, horn Iowa, certified July,
1908, graduate of Kansas City Medical College.
Green. Loren, (osteopath) Sac City, born in \\isconsin. certified Augu-
ust. 191 2, graduate of Still College, Des Moines.
Hopkins, Christopher M., (regular) Wall Lake, born Illinois, certified
January, 1887, graduate of Chicago ^^ledical College, eleven years in practice
at date of coming here.
Higgins. I. W'.. (regular) Grant City, born in X'ermont. certified here
January, 1887, in practice nine years.
Hall, A. A., (regular) Odebolt. born Iowa, certified July, 1889, twelve
years in practice then.
Hayden, A. S.. (homeopath) W'M Lake, born Illinois, certified May,
1894.
Hendricks. J. M.. (osteopathy) Sac City, born Missouri, certified Aug-
ust, 1902, now in Woodbine. Iowa.
Iwerson, J. C. (regular) Early, certified October, 1904, graduate of
LTniversity of Nebraska, six years in the practice at date of his coming here.
Johnson. Frank S.. Odebolt. born Iowa, certified here May, 1887. grad-
uate Iowa State Uni\-ersity. in practice at date of coming here eleven years.
Lanyon, William H., (regular) Wall Lake, born in England, certified
August, 1894, graduate of Rush ^Medical College, Chicago: in jiractice fifteen
years at time of coining here.
Mansfield. Thnmas B.. (regular) Sac City, liorn in Ohio, certified here
December, 1886, graduate of Medical College of ('incinnati. Ohio, sixteen
years in practice at date of his coming here.
Maker, Louis G., (regular) Sac City, born in Iowa, certified -May. 1897,
graduate Iowa College of Physicians and Surgeons.
]\IcCrarv, Frank 11.. (regular) Schallcr. born Towa. certified ]\[ay, 1897,
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 93
graduate of Sioux City College of Medicine, one year in practice when he
came here.
Mereness. H. D.. (regular) Carnarvon, born in Iowa, certified May,
1898. graduate of Iowa State University.
Pierce. Edward F.. (regular) born Penns_\lvania. certified 1889, grad-
uate of Iowa State University.
Presnell. James F., (regular) Lake View, born Iowa, certified May,
1894. graduate Iowa State University, seven years in practice at date of com-
ing here.
Petersmeyer, William, (regular) Odebolt, born in United States, certi-
fied May, 1S98. graduate of College of Physicians and Surgeons. Chicago.
Ray, Newton D., (regular) Lake View, born Illinois, certified here May,
1889, graduate of Iowa State University, seven years in practice.
Roberts, lliomas G.. (osteopath) Odebolt. bom Iowa, certified here
July. 191 1, graduate Still College, Des Moines.
Stevens, Allen E., (eclectic) Odebolt. born Illinois, certified here Decem-
ber. 1886, graduate of Bennett Eclectic College, Chicago, eight years in prac-
tice when he came here.
Ste\ens. Benjamin, (eclectic) Odebolt, burn Pennsylvania, certified De-
cember. 1886, graduate Bennett Eclectic College, Chicago, se\enteen years in
jjractice at tlate of coming here.
Sitzer. George D., ( regular) Sac City, born New York, certified June,
1887. graduate of Iowa and New York .State Universities, eleven years in
practice when coming here.
Stalford, John H.. (regular) Sac City, born in Iowa, certified here May.
1892, graduated at Iowa College of Physicians and Surgeons, in practice two
years at date of coming here.
Slemmons, William T., (regular) Odebolt, born Iowa, certified June.
1893. graduate uf Rush Medical College, Chicago, thirteen years in practice
at date of coming here.
Speaker. E. E.. (homeopath)) Lake A'iew. born in Illinois, graduate
Iowa State University.
Selbv. I. Milton. Odebolt, born in Ohio, fifteen \ears in practice when
coming here.
Stensgaard. X. C. J., born in Denmark, certified December. 1898. grad-
uate Keokuk Medical College, four years in practice when he came here.
Sebern. Richard C, Odebolt. born Iowa, certified July. 1904, graduate
Iowa State Universitv.
94 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Shaffer, Raymond C. Odebolt. horn in Iowa, certified July, 1912, grad-
uate of St. Louis College of Medicine and Surgery.
Swearingen, Guy H., (regular) Sac City, born Illinois, certified July,
191 1, graduate of Drake L'nixcrsity, Des Moines.
Timni, John I'"., (homeopathy) Schaller. horn Cermany. certified here
June. 1895.
Townsend, William 11., (regular) Sac City, Ixirn Iowa, certified here
May. 1897. graduated at Iowa State University.
Gy.sbert. Peter \'an Marcel, (regular) Odebolt, born Iowa, certified
here August, 1896, graduate of Sioux City College of Medicine.
Warren. William, (eclectic) Early, born Vermont, certified November,
1886, thirty \-cars in practice at date of coming here.
\^.'illiams, \\'illiam C, (osteopathy) Sac City, liorn in California, certi-
fied here June, 1901, one \-ear in practice at date of his coming here.
Wilcutt, Clarence E., Schaller, certified 1909.
Dr. Elwood M. Farquhar, son of Dr. Thomas Farquhar. studied medi-
cine with his father, graduating from the College of Physicians and Sur-
geons. Chicago, class of 1898, entered practice with his father at Early, where
he remained about ten years, removing thence to Denver, Colorado, and later
to some point in Nebraska.
Dr. Christopher M. Hopkins located at Wall Lake soon after the found-
ing of the town, in the seventies, engaging in practice for a number of years,
and then took up other business, retiring from active practice. He died at
his home in Wall Lake about 1900.
Dr. George W. Anderson located in the new town of Nemaha June 12,
1901, where he continued in practice perhaps five or six years, then moved to
Colorado.
Dr. Orin Russell Gregg located in Nemaha. July 29, 1908, but remained
only a short time.
Dr. P>enjamin I-". Denney located in Nemaha, Julv 6, 1910, remained a
short time.
Dr. William J. Herrick located in the new town of Lytton, lunc 12,
1901, and remained alMut four years.
Dr. David W. \\'heelwright was in practice at \\all Lake a number of
years, perhaps eight or ten.
Dr. William II. Williams, a young ])h)sician who hatl grown up in Sac
county, located at Wall Lake and soon acquired a large practice, but after a
few years died of appendicitis.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 95
Dr. Xewton D. Ray located at Lake View, March 4, 1898, and remained
tiiree or four years.
The following named physicians have been located at the several towns
of this county at different times, in most cases for only short periods of time,
and of which the writer has no further knowledge: Alfred G. Hopkins,
John H. Hovenden, Peter Jauss, Samuel I. Kirby, William H. Lanyon, Am-
brose M. Longel, Ray S. Leadingham, Carl P. Mueller, Charles E. Orelup,
Edwin F. Price, William Petermeyer, Thomas G. Roberts, William T. Slem-
uKins. I. AI. Selby, Neils C. J- Stensgaard, Richard C. Seborn, Raymond C.
Schatfer, William M. Tigner, John F. Timm, Edward W. Bookhart, J. J.
Crider, Henry A. Cobb, W. H. Durall, William C. Dobson, William H.
Francis, W. T. Garmon, George G. Gibson, Abel B. George, J. W. Higgins,
Elijah H. Hall, Edward T. Twining. Peter Van Marel, Augustin H. Warren,
William Claude, Claren E. Willcutt.
Dr. (Miss) Aleta Da\is, whose parents were long-time residents of Sac
City, graduated at the State l'ni\ersity about 1899, locating in Sac City the
same year, for a short time associated with Dr. Adams ; remained about
two years, then moved to Fremont, Nebraska, where she married, gave up
l^ractice and I'cmoved to California.
Dr. (Miss) Arnot located in Xemaha about T908. remained two years
and returned to Chicago.
Dr. George \V. Behrens, of Xemaha, this county, was born October 16,
1883, in Chicago, Illinois, eldest son of Henry A. and Xathalie Behrens, Ijoth
natives of Cook county (Chicago), Illinois. The Doctor's early education
was obtained in the Chicago public schools. He was a member of the Ban-
croft school and class of 1902, Northwest Division high school. He then
entered \'alparaiso University (Indiana) as a medical student in 1904. and
after one year's preparation entered the medical department of that univer-
sity, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine in May, 1909. He recei\ed an
appointment on the house staff of physicians at St. Anne's Hospital, Chicago,
Decemlier. 1909. served there one year and received a St. Anne's Hospital
diploma, dated December. 1910. He then engaged in the general practice in
Chicago, coming to Iowa November 17, 191 1, locating at Nemaha, Sac county.
He was married to Rose Ellen Panzer, of Chicago, November i, 191 1.
Dr. L. H. Jones, practicing at Wall Lake, Iowa, is the son of James H.
Jones and Ortha A. (McFall) Jones. He was born in Plattsville, Wisconsin,
March 28, 1870, and came to Iowa with his parents in 1878, settling on a
farm near Odebolt, Sac county. He graduated from the Odebolt high school
C)6 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
in
1889. and later attended the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. Iowa,
graduating from tlie State Uni\ersity in 1 894. He located at Wall Lake the
year of his graduation, and has built up a lucrative practice at that place. He
is a member of American Medical Association, Iowa State Medical Associa-
tion, Missouri Valley Medical Association and American Railway Surgeons'
Association, and is the surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern and Illinois
Central railway companies.
THE TRANSIENTS.
This is an account of the physicians of Sac count}- whose stay has been
brief. Of the physicians who have located in Sac county at various times in
its histor>' have remained for a variable time and then have sought other
fields, the following list, while possibly not complete, includes all of whom
there is any satisfactory record.
Dr. Lewis F. .\kers practiced in Sac City for a time, registering .August
15, 1887.
Dr. Frank S. Johnson located at Odebolt May 25, 1887, where he was
engaged in practice ten years or more, removing thence ta Sioux City.
Dr. George D. Sitzer registered at Sac City June 30. 1887. remaining
perhaps three or four years.
Dr. Birt C. Dunkelburg located at Schaller May 31, 1889, and remained
eight or ten years.
Dr. C. E. Maker located in Sac City about 1900, and after two or three
years removed to Sibley, Iowa ; later he retired from practice, returned to Sac
Citv, engaged in farming a number of years, and then removed to Grimes.
Iowa, where he resumed practice.
Dr. liuliert D. Mcreness. who studied medicine in .Sac City, graduating
from the medical department of the Iowa State Unixersity about 1898. lo-
cated at Sac City, but remained only a short time, remo\ing to Carnarvon,
where he remained one year or possibly longer, and then mo\ed to some
northwestern Iowa town.
Dr. James F. Presnell located at Lake View August 21, 1894. remaining
from three to four years, and then recei\ed an appointment in the medical
service of the United States government.
Dr. Bigelow 1'. ISlackstonc located in Sac City March 9, 1900, forming a
partnership with Dr. C. R. Adams, remaining two or three years, when he
removed to some town in northern Iowa. He later returned to Sac City,
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 97
practiced with Doctor Adams for about three years and then renio\'ed to
Montana.
Dr. William C. Duncan located in Sac City November ^4. 1903, being
associated for a time with Doctor Adams ; he remained about two years.
Dr. Thomas Farquhar located at Early December 29, t8S6, where he
remained in acti\-e practice about iifteen years, then retiring from practice,
being succeeded by his son. He removed to Montana, where he died in 19 13.
PRESENT PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY.
In addition to what Dr. Z. Fuller has written concerning the medical
profession in this county, the following should be added. Here will be found
a list of the doctors now in active practice :
Drs. Z. F"uller, Guy H. Swearengen, William H. Townsend, Charles B.
Adams, William J. K. Findley, Sac Cit\- ; Arthur S. Hayden, L. H. Jones,
Wall Lake; John Christianson Iwerson, J. W. Graham, Early; Frank H. Mc-
Cra}', 1". J. Andre, Schaller; Richard C Sebern, Raymond C. Schaller, E.
Thomas Crane, .August Groman, Odeliolt ; Fred Leroy Blair, Lytton ; George
W. Behrens, Nemaha ; also the osteopath physicians, Loren Green, Sac City,
and possibl}' a few not identified with regular schools of medicine.
THE SAC COUNTY MEDICAl, SOCIETY.
A ciuint\' societ\' has lieen organized several times, the first being in the
seventies, perha[)s in 1878. But the numlier of physicians in the county were
so few, and a sufticient interest was so difficult to maintain, that alter a few
meetings had been held, with but small attendance and little enthusiasm, in-
terest in the matter would soon wane, and the organization would cjuietly die.
But following the reorganization of the American INIedical Association, in
1903, when membership in state and national organizations was made obliga-
torv on membershi]) in the count}' society, the county society being the unit,
the present society was organized.
A meeting was called for the purpose and the organization effected in
the court house at Sac City September 29, 1903. At that meeting the
following physicians were present ; Thomas Farcpihar and J. W. Graham, of
Early; W. Y. Herrick, of Lytton; F. H. McCray, of Schaller; A. T. Brenton,
Z. Fuller, J. H. Stalford, W. J. Findley and W. H. Townsend, of Sac City.
Dr. Thomas Farquhar was elected president ; Dr. Herrick, vice-president ; F.
(6)
98 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
H. ^IcCrav. secretary, and Dr. Stalford, treasurer. Meetings were to be had
quarterly.
Fairly regular and satisfactory meetings were held for a year or more,
attendance being almost wholly l)y those ]iresent at organization, although
considerable effort was made to secure attendance of all physicians in the
county, social features being added for the purpose, but with little or no suc-
cess. Meetings were later made semi-annual, still later they became irreg-
ular, until during the last three years or so there have been only annual
meetings, at irregular times, with hardly more done than was really necessary
to maintain the organization.
This seems to be about the common experience with county medical
societies, at least in Iowa. Sufficient interest cannot be maintained to keep
up an active and efficient society with so few members or regular attendants :
meetings soon become monotonous when there are so few to prepare papers
and take part in their discussion, with the result which seems inevitable. The
fundamental fault seems to be lack of appreciation of the benefits possible
from county societies : the press of personal work and difficulty in getting
away from the daily grind, doubtless has much to do with the matter. Pos-
sibly plain indifference has no small part.
At the present time (1914) the officers and members of the Sac County
Medical Societ}' are as follows : President, J. C. Iwerson : secretary, F. H.
McCray,'of Schaller: treasurer, J. H. Stalford, Sac City: members, \^^ J.
Findley, W. H. Townsend, Guy H. Swearingen and Z. Fuller, Sac City, and
L. H. Tones, of Wall Lake.
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CHAPTER VIII.
THE EVOLUTION OF AGRICULTURE IN SAC COUNTY.
By Orville "Lee.
Webster defines evolution as the act of unfolding or unrolling: the
process of growth or development. In treating this subject. I shall take occa-
sion to note some of the beginnings, some of the first efforts and their results.
I shall be privileged to record some splendid success that has attended these
efforts and must needs tell of many failures that have come under my own
observation, a few the results of my own labors, but many more those of the
earlier pioneers in agriculture. I might here say that the earlier experiences
of these pioneers was many times far from encouraging. However, there
was always the one argument, "our land is good for something," that en-
couraged the early comer to try again. The cpiestion always uppermost in the
pioneer's mind was, What shall I raise that will help supply the family need?
When shall I plant, where shall I plant it, how shall I plant, as well as what
shall 1 plarit ? All of these questions must be largely answered by experiment.
What about corn? No one knew that corn would produce a crop here,
and it took ten or fifteen years of experimenting before that fact had been
established, and even then few, if any, believed that any but the smaller
varieties could be depended upon. I believe that prior to about 1870 the fail-
ures very much outnumbered the successes in corn culture. As an explanation
for this result I might offer the following :
First, the soil seemed to lack the subdued character necessary for the
proper development of the corn plant. It was the common belief that in
order to have a corn crop the land must have been cultivated for a number of
years. As I remember the early crops of corn, they would grow and grow,
but very much of the time fail to ripen. This, at that time, was largely at-
tributed to soil conditions. I can now see that the trouble may have been due
to a number of causes. Seed was being introduced from many states. No
one had thought of the damage that might be done from deep culti\-ation. In
fact, no surface cultivators had been invented and prior to the year 1868
nothing but single and double-shovel cultivators had been used. No methods
'&
.,^^^''
.♦T'
lOO SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
of drainage had been used or tried before this. The early stirring plow would
only be called a makeshift at the present time. The gophers in the spring and
the swarms of blackbirds in the fall kept the farmer busy if his own corn crop
was ever to materialize. These, together with the weed pest, which was ever
present and must be fought with the implements then in use. made the pro-
duction of a corn crop \-ery uncertain.
WHEAT.
What was true of corn was largely true of the other culti\atecl crops.
\Mieat might be classed as an exception. For. while there was no .standard
variety of wheat that could be dependetl upon, and no special method of cul-
ti\'ation that had proved itself superi<ir, yet the early crops of wheat were as
a rule satisfactory. True, man\- times the yield was only nominal, yet as a
whole the wheat crop showed good returns ft)r the labor bestowed. Among
the methods of cultivation the one which provided for the breaking of the soil
in early spring as conditions would admit of, was the one that best results
came from. As long as unbroken sod was available, a wheat crop could be
fairly well depended upon.
OATS.
Oats were not a reliajjle crop. When sown on late breaking they usuall\'
made a fair crop, liut when sown on older ground that had been fall plowed,
the\- \er}- often lodgetl IkkIIw When sown on corn stalk ground some good
yields were secured. The crop of i8ficj might l)e cited as being especially
good. Man\' hea\\' \-ields were reported this year, and the grading of the
Illinois Central railroad from h'ort Dodge to Siou.x L'it\' pro^•ided a good
market for the crop.
BAR1,F.^• AND BUCKWHE.VT.
These crops, with a small amount of rye, were sown about this time, all
showing" more or less merit as crop producers.
GARDEN TRUCK.
Potatoes and all kinds of garden truck tjid well from the \erv tirst.
There were few, if any, insect ]iests to interfere with growth and the crops
of potatoes, melons, turni])s, cabbage rund other garden crops were all that
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. lOI
could be desired. In fact, everybody had all the\- could use and as there was
no market for an}-thing ui this kind, no one worried about the yield.
POPCORN.
A little popcorn has been grown ever since farming has been carried on.
but not until about 1888 was there any thought of producing this crop in a
commercial way. About this time, a farmer near Odebolt succeeded in pro-
ducing a fine crop of popcorn from a small piece of ground, which soon led
others to make experimental plantings. A few years demonstrated that Sac
county soil was especially adapted to the production of the best quality of this
cereal. Its production was found to be remunerative and so the industry has
grown to be the greatest uf the kind in the world. It has not been manv years
since the popcorn product of the whole world was not as large as that pro-
duced in Sac county at the present time. Mr. Colton, C. J. Cook, August
Reuber and H. C. \\nieeler, of Odebolt, might be mentioned as among the pio-
neers in this line.
LIVE STOCK.
So much for the cultivated crops; what about stock raising in the early
history of the county? Here was a land covered with the most luxuriant
grasses, which would furnish unlimited pastures during the summer months
and an abundance of hay for winter feeding, a condition ideal for the herds-
man. Here was a wealth of natural resources that needed only to be gar-
nered. Why, then, should any fail to reap the harvest? The reasons were
many. First, none had money with which to buy the stock ; second, there were
few cattle, horses or sheep to be bought anywhere in the country ; third, the
markets, except for breeding stock, were far away and hard to reach. The new
comers furnished a good market for what few horses and cows that were for
sale. The horses were little fellows, scarcely ever weighing more than twelve
hundred pounds, and the cows were of cjuestionable breeding, but were usually
good milkers and brought good prices.
SHEEP.
The early ventures in sheep husbandry proved a losing deal. Many sheep
were sent to this county immediately after the war closed. While the prices
were not high as compared with the former sheep products, yet the declining
I02 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
wool market, with the lack of knowledge of the business, resulted in heavy
losses of flocks and made the \enture a most unprofitable one.
HORSES.
While the horses that were first used were small, they were hardy and
only wanted the infusion of some good blood to bring them up to the standard
that would attract Eastern buyers. Among the first to secure some good
sires might be mentioned Ed. Armstrong. T. B. Mansfield and S. T. Lewis.
A. H. Hendrickson and D. H. Rowe organized a company of breeders at Sac
City, while another similar company was started at Odebolt. Thomas Scott,
of Early, and later D. Corsant & Sons were the leaders in draft horses.
Howe\er, the change was a slow one and not luitil the early nineties were
there any marketable horses ready to be shipped. These all found a ready
market and the raising of standard bred horses has steadily grown to be one
of the principal industries.
STOCK C.\TTLE.
About the _\'ear 1866 some drovers from Greene county found their way
into Sac county and bought some cattle, 'i'he)- were for the most part four-
year-old steers of the raw-boned, old-fashioned type. These were driven
overland to the place of destination where they were fed. The first cattle
fattened for the Chicago market were fed lay Eugene Criss in 187 1, and con-
sisted of a car of work o.xen that had Ijeen used by the settlers to break
prairie. I remember this car of cattle as being big, fleshy fellows, and to me,
a boy who had never seen such a sight, they looked ''awful fat" as 1 saw them
driven across the country to Newell, where they were shipped via Illinois Cen-
tral railroad. This, 1 believe, marked the beginning of what has grown to be
the great cattle feeding industry of today for Sac county. This venture of
Mr. Criss was soon followed by others who sought to find a market for some
of the corn crop which had now come to be a principal feature of the farming
industry. Among other early feeders might be mentioned A. H. Hendrickson,
M. S. Lee, J. O. and Asa Piatt. A little later Allen and Stewart, of Marshall-
town, fed a big bunch of heavy cattle on what was known as the Peck farm, in
Douglass township, which was followed by a like operation by Miller and
Chaney, of Newell. The latter used the feed yards on the old Hendrickson
farm.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. loi
HOG INDUSTRY.
The year 1871 and 1872 saw the beginning of what has grown to be the
great hog business in a commercial way. During these years a number of
droves of hogs were driven across country to Newell by different buyers.
From Sac City to Newell took about three days and unless the weather con-
ditions were favorable the losses were often heavy. Probably not necessarily
so, but with the unexperienced help and sometimes too much "free spirits"
many "fat backs" were left dead by the way. Prior to this time the general
method had been to butcher the fat hogs during the winter and haul the
dressed hogs to dealers in Cedar Falls or Des Moines. I well remember my
father taking such a load on a bob-sled to Cedar Falls, during the winter of
1863. This load of dressed hogs brought one dollar and sixty-five cents per
hundred weight, .\mong the things bought with this load of pork. I remem-
ber was a wagon which cost one hundred dollars, and a full bolt of muslin
which cost sixty cents a yard. Say, how proud we all were soon after with
our new home-made shirts and underwear, while that new red wagon was
looked upon at that time with as much admiration as the finest automobile
would be today.
TAME GRASSES.
The spring of 1868 saw the first tame grasses sown in Sac county. Asa
Piatt had secured sufficient clover and timothy seed with which to sow forty
acres and M. S. Lee had brought a full bag of common red clover seed from
Indiana. The season proxed a favorable one and the experiment proved a
success. In the words of Mr. Piatt : "Stock in Sac county land advanced
one hundred per cent., when it had been demonstrated that clover could be
raised here." While since that time there has never been a question as to the
splendid possibilities of the crop, yet as late as 1875 ^^here was scarcely more
interest being taken in clo\er than is now shown in alfalfa.
CREAMERY.
About the year 1877 Washington Allen started the first creamery on his
farm one mile north of Sac Cit\'. This seemed to supply a much needed want.
The method was to gather the nnlk daily from the patrons during the sum-
mer months and twice a week in the winter time. This necessitated a lot of
hauling and, while it proved fairly successful, the conditions soon required
I04 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
that the milk he left on the farm, which resulted in the home skimming pro-
cess. This plan continued in practice until the advent of the farm separator
which soon supplemented the old methods. .\ good beginning was made in
butter production by the establishment of the creamery and farmers over the
county were encouraged to engage in the dairy business to the extent that
creameries were soon in ojjcration in the county. Yet we notice that the
growth of this industry was not very great, for while the number of milk
cows, as shown by the census of 1885, was 9,071, as late as 1905 this num-
ber had only grown to be 13,240. There are a number of causes that ha\e
probably contributed to this, among which might be menti<)ned the introduc-
tion of butterine and oleomargerine about the year 1885, which took twenty
years of legislative activity to bring under proper regulations so that it would
not come in direct competition with honest butter. Then there was the "acre
craze" that has swept over the country which seemed to fill e\'ery farmer
with a desire to cultivate (or partially cultivate) the largest number of acres
possible. Then there has been the easier farming methods, which required
less help, whereby one man has been able to dispose of the crop through the
feed yard, or by the direct market way, which would ha\e rccpured manv
more had it been fed to dairy cows.
ORCHARDING.
The first apples raised in Sac county were grown on a graft set in a wild
crab tree by Eugene Criss in Sac City. This was about the year 1865. This
achievement was followed by one of similar character Ijy M. S. Lee on his
Douglas township farm about two years later. While the apples grown were
few and of very ordinary quality, yet this result encouraged the fruit-loving
New Englander who had settled along the Coon river to plant some fruit
trees. While many of the settlers planted a few, AI. S. Lee was a leader in
this line prior to 187 1, when Washington Allen planted the first commercial
orchard, it being a tract of ten acres, which was followed by a similar tract
being planted by M. S. Lee in 1877. Mr. Lee"s former plantings had com-
prised about four acres and had ])ro\ed that such \arieties as the Red June,
Yellow Transparent, Red Streak, Golden Russet, Perry Russet, Willow Twig,
Wine Sap and some of the other old standard \arieties could be depended
upon to make a crop. Lee had always insisted that this was to be a fruit
country. In support of this claim he would site the fact that all along the
creek were to be found abundance of wild apples, plums, cherries, grapes.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. I05
gooseberries, currants and strawljerries. So, disregarding the discourage-
ments that were ever appearing, he kept steadily on, making use of the little
knowledge he had gained by hard, actual experience until he lived to see
apples in Sac county selling cheaper than potatoes. I have referred to knowl-
edge gained by actual e.xperience in horticulture lines. In fact there was no
other source whereby one could gain a knowledge of what varieties were best
to plant. Later, however, or abdut the year 1870, the Iowa Agricultural
College, as it was then called, Ijegan to give out some suggestions that proved
of great value to the fruit growers in later years. Hundreds of varieties
were tested by this institution and only those that showed merit were recom-
mended for planting. Mr. Allen made use of the information so furnished,
which resulted in his making selections which proved very prolific. The Ben
Davis, Jonathan, Wealthy, Tolman Sweet, Utter's Red, Dutchess, Whitney
and a few others were included in his list. Since these orchards came into
bearing there has ne\er been a ipiestion as to whether apples could be grown
successfullv or not, but the question has been would it pa\'. Could a farmer
afford to devote his time to fruit raising when labor spent in the production
of corn and other farm crops brought such satisfactory results. What was
true of apples was equally true of the other fruits.
The first planting of cherries consisted almost entirely of some variety
of the Morrello family. The old English Morrello was the favorite. Ex-
perience soon demonstrated that this was of no value for this locality. When
the Richmond cherry was introduced the results proved more satisfactory.
In fact, among the many good cherries that haxe been tried. I doubt whether
there has been one that has given so good satisfaction. There seemed to be
no question from the first but that plums would succeed, for here were found
some of the most delicious wild plums with \ariet\' ranging in season from
early August to late September.
The census of 1885 gives Sac county credit for 10,663 trees and 3,032
bushels of apples gathered, while in 1904 there were $36,000 worth of tree
fruits harvested and $6,861 of other fruits.
SUMMARY.
Thus in a brief way I have tried to note some of the beginnings made in
the bringing of Sac county out of the wild grass state to that of a county of
beautiful homes and productive fields. The task has not been an easy one,
but a final part in this great work has been a pleasant one. The consciousness
IU6 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
that we were leaders, discoverers, proving our faith in the country by the
works we were able to perform, has been an inspiration to push on to greater
success.
But what of the future? Will the same measure of success attend the
efforts of the coming generation as has rewarded those of the past? Yea, I
verily believe they will and greater yet. And why not? A few things we
have already learned and proven- — many more are yet to be tried. I am
aware that when comparison is made, the task of keeping pace with past
achievements seems a gigantic one. But, with the improved farm ecpiip-
ments, the better dissemination of knowledge of farming operations, the agri-
cultural press, experimental extension departments, with better machinery,
improved seeds, drainage and better transportation facilities, 1 believe the
coming years will see improvement equal to the best of the past. Sac county
owes this to the great state of Iowa.
Along manv lines we must do better than in the past. In 1880 there
was raised in Sac county 1.931,335 bushels of com from 52,649 acres, or an
a\erage of about thirty-si.x bushels per acre, while in 1905 we had only suc-
ceeded in producing 4., 692, 590 bushels of corn from 120,083 acres, or an aver-
age of abuut thirt_\-nine bushels per acre. Thus we see that it took twenty-fi\e
years to increase the average yield of corn three bushels per acre. Will the
farmers of Sac county be content to do no better during the next cjuarter of
a century, or will they insist that not only thirty-nine bushels average be pro-
duced, l)ut that not less than lifty Inishels of curn be the a\erage croj) for the
whole county?
In the matter of oats we have done little better. In 1880 we cultix'ated
9.772 acres of oats, which produced 317,602 bushels, or an average of less
than thirty-two bushels per acre, while in 1905 we har\ested 51,405 acres of
oats, which returned 1,834,687 bushels, making an average of about thirty-
five bushels per acre. Is there a farmer who will be content to produce but
thirty-five bushes of oats per acre during the coming years, or will he insist
that im]iro\ed seed he introduced, that tiie jjest methods of treatment for
smut be adopted, that the cause and prevention of rust be discovered and the
average yield of oats be brought up to the fifty-bushel mark?
In the matter of farm animals we are not doing our best, but we are
making some progress. In 1880 there were 1,330 farms in Sac count}-, con-
sisting of 222,948 acres, or an average of 167 acres to the farm. The num-
ber of cattle on these farms was 18,168, or an average of fourteen head to
each farm, giving each head of cattle twelve acres. In 1905 there were 1,887
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
107
farms, covering an area of 58,486 acres, or an average of 187 acres in each
farm, which supported thirty-one cattle and giving each head of cattle about
six acres. I am wondering if it will not be found profitable to maintain a
head of cattle for each three acres of Sac countv farm land l)efore many
years have rolled around.
And we might make many suggestions of impro\enient that ma}- reason-
ably be expected to come, and nnist come, if we are to keep ])ace with the
growing demand. This is a mighty hungry world and needs to be fed — yea,
well fed ! Sac county must do her part. The early settler has done his part.
The progress has been slow, but the difficulties were many. Naturally a
large part of the county was the home of the muskrat and water-fowl. Tim-
ber was scarce and the earl\" means of transportation prohibited the use of
coal as fuel. The matter of drainage has been solved l)v the introduction
of tile and the steam dredge. The problem of ade([uaie suppl}- of water has
been simplified by the well auger and drill. Fencing is no longer a serious
matter, while the matter of harvesting, haying, the distribution of fertilizers
and the planting of the criip has become an easy task through the intr(iduc-
tion of impro\ed machinery. ImiiroNcd methods of road building, together
with the general use of the automobile, the rural mail, the parcel post and
the telephone will all tend to make farm life more pleasant and the farm a
better institution for the county and state.
New \'arieties of cr(_ips will be grown. Alfalfa and sweet clo\'er will be
the leading forage cro])s. Silos will be found on almost every farm and
electric power will do the work on many farms. The rural school will be
the best school and the farmer's children will no longer envy the city-bred
child his position.
"\'ou ask when will this all come to pass? JMy answer — Just as soon as
the farmer finds himself ; knows his position ; learns that the world must look
to him for better things and that a mighty responsibility rests with him.
AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS FAIRS.
In Sac county, as well as in nearly all Iowa counties, the matter of con-
ducting and keeping up annual farm exhibits, county fairs, has been one
fraught with much perplexity, yet there have been numerous associations that
have been instrumental in doing much good. In 1871, under a provision of
the statute of Iowa, the Sac County Agricultural Societ\- was organized.
They purchased ten acres of land for fair ground purposes for the sum of
five hundred dollars. The societv held numerous fairs at that spot, but in
I08 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
1898 it was deemed advisable to move to larger and better suited (|uarters,
so they leased of Judge Eugene Criss twenty-five acres of land, at the same
time disposing of the twenty-acre tract that had been acquired at the first loca-
tii)n. It now became a stock conipaii}. with shares i)laced at ten dollars
each. At the new grounds many excellent annual exhibits were had, but the
society did not prosper. There was the matter of two factions, one wanting
horse races and no farm exhibits and the other wanting a purely agricultural
fair and not so much attention paid and mune)- spent on the race track, the
horse premiums, etc. After a long, liartl struggle, the society was re-organ-
ized in 1906 as it remains tcjday.
Touching on county fair associations in this county, the following from
the files of the Sac Sun may throw a little historic light :
"The Sac County .\gricultural Society was incorporated in 187 1 and the
organization ex]3ired by limitation in 1891 and the fact was not disco\'ered
until two }ears later, when it was duly reorganized. Among the incorpora-
tors the second time were: Messrs. ^^'. P. and E. Drewry, H. H. Eitch, D.
M. Lamoraux, C. E. Lee, A. Ingram, R. E. Colburn, U. Carr Early, Asa and
J. O. Piatt, S. L. \\'att, E. L. Ahrens, Tames Eleming, D. Cordeman, S. M.
Brant, James Xeal and J. W. Sct)tt. Of the first society, the members in-
cluded D. Carr Early, Messrs. Piatt and Watt."
The association now owns about twenty-two acres of the Judge Criss
land above mentioned, having sold off some to the Chautaucjua Association
along the Coon ri\er. It has a half mile track, said to be one of the finest
in Iowa. The buildings and grounds are fine property and the association is
free of debt and has money in its treasury. The 1914 officers are: L. E.
Irwin, president ; George A. Heagy, vice-president ; Gus Strohmeier, secretary,
and E. S. Xeedham, treasurer. . The directors are S. L. W'att, L. E. Irwin,
George Heagy, Robert Leach, D. B. Keir, George Zimmerman and C. W.
Irwin.
Other sections of this county ha\e had their fairs and annual exhibits.
In the spring of 1881 the Western Iowa District Association was formed at
Odebolt, and it is found in files of the newspapers that in September. 1895,
it was holding its fourteenth animal exhibition. Eor many years this proved
a decided success.
CHAPTER IX.
NEWSPAPERS OF SAC COUNTY.
By S. M. .Stoufter.
']'he newspaper, alon.t;- with the family doctor and the postoftice and
llouring mill, are anionj; tiie First e\ idences of a thrift\- new settlement in
the opening np of any new country. While it is true that the pioneers did not
haxe the ad\antages the present generation has in wav of literary attainments
and pri\ileges, anil that dail}' papers and magazines were quite scarce, it was
not long in any enterprising, intelligent communitx" before there was a demand
for a good county weekly pajier. This need was usually supplied bv some
man who cast his fortunes with the common pioneer element and at once
sought to build up the best interests of the communit}-. Indeed, withmit such
potent agencies the western Iowa counties would not ha\e ad\-anced in settle-
ment and prosperity to the degree that they did. Sac county is no exception,
although jjerhaps the weekly newspaper was supplied in most new countries
sooner than in Sac county.
The following chapter will ser\e to show the circumstances of the found-
ing of most all the publications within Sac county, as seen liy a \eteran in
Iowa journalism, S. ^I. Stouffer of the Sac Sun:
Tiie pioneer newspajier of Sac county was the Sac Siiii. which was estab-
lished at Sac City by James X. Miller in 1871. The first numlier was issued
on July nth. and contained an elaborate narrati\-e of the I'ourth of July
festivities at Sac City that year. The settlement was yet only a small village,
but it was the county seat and was hioking forward to the early completion of
a railroad.
The newspaper man was given a warm welcome to the t(jwn. The art
of advertising, as it is now practiced, was unknown to the pioneer merchants.
X'evertheless the newspaper was gi\-en a fair ad\ertising jjatronage and a num-
ber of the enterprising men of the village subscribed for copies of the news-
paper to send their friends in the East. It is no disparagement to others
who encouraged the new enterprise to say that D. Carr Early's large real
estate ad\ertisements antl generous patronage in other ways, besides his
no SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
words of encouragement, probabl) ranked foremost in the support of this
pioneer journal.
Mr. Miller was not only a good printer but was also an unusually clever
writer and, like most of the pioneer newspaper men, unhesitatingly wrote as
he thought on matters personal, political or otherwise. He continued to
manage the newspaper he founded until he sold it to S. E. Barnard and B. W.
McKeen, publishing his valedictory on September 30, 1891.
In 1873 Mr. Miller was elected representative in the General Assembly
from a district comprising several counties and, before he began his ser\ice
in the Legislature, he made a trip to Pennsylvania, thus taking a vacation of
four months from editorial duties, during which time Al. M. Adams, since the
widely-known publisher of the Humboldt ludcpcudcut. had charge of the Sac
Sun.
Owing to an accumulation of outside duties, with the beginning of the
fourteenth volume on July 4.. 1884, Mr. Miller announced that he had taken
a partner in the person of Sidney Smith, and for more than six years the
newspaper was conducted under the firm naine of Aliller & Smith, Mr. Smith
partici]>ating in the business and editorial work. On October i, 1890, the
firm name of I'he Sun Printing Company was adopted and this continued
until the sale of the newspaper to Barnard & McKeen.
Mr. Miller was a thoroughgoing Republican, a foe of the liquor-traffic
and a warm friend of the soldiers of the Civil War, in which he had seen
service. The editorial policy of the newspaper was continued with little
change during the ownership by Barnard & McKeen.
The Sun was sold by Barnard & McKeen to S. M. Stouffer, of Toledo,
Iowa, and F. E. Stouffer, of Dillon, Montana, who issued their first number
August 30, 1893. In their announcement the Messrs. Stouffer hinted at their
intention of making the Sac Sun a newspaper for the whole county, gather-
ing the news from each community and treating all communities fairly rather
than to make the newspaper an advocate of any particular community in the
county as opposed to another, and to this end they have worked in the build-
ing of their newspaper, the circulation of which has trebled under their man-
agement, an edition of more than three thousand copies per week having been
necessary at the beginning of the vear 1914.
The first eight volumes of the Sac Sun appeared as a seven-column folio,
two pages jjrinted at home. For three years it was published as an eight-
column quarto, with four pages printed at home and four pages auxiliary.
bVjr three years it returned lo the eight-column folio form. In 1890 it was
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. Ill
issued again as a six-column c|uarto, that time all printed at home, and that
form was adopted by the publishers last mentioned until the erection of a new-
building and the enlargement of their plant, as well as the installation of a
linotype machine, enabled them in 1907 to issue it as a seven-column quarto.
It is now entirely printed at home and deals almost exclusively with news of
local interest, together with the affairs of state and nation handled from the
standpoint of local interest.
The second newspaper established at Sac Cit\' was the Sac Couiifx Re-
porter, a Greenback organ published by ^^'. W. Yarham, the first number of
which was issued October 28. 1877. Only five numbers of the paper were
published at Sac City. It was found that the field was too small for two
newspapers and Mr. Yarham moved his plant to Odebolt and published the
first newspaper in that town, getting out a very creditable sheet.
The third newspaper published at Sac City was the Sac County Democrat.
which was started by J. Koder, a lawyer, on September 8, 1882. Mr. Koder
continued the publication of the newspaper, which he edited with no little
abilitv, until March 25, 1887, when he sold it to the Cory Brothers, who
published it with I. A. Cory as editor and manager.
On June 26, 1891, the newspaper appeared with the Democrat Publish-
ing Company as proprietor, Cory Brothers having sold it to C. Everett Lee.
who constituted the company. On October i, 1893, Air. Lee's nephew,
Lamont Lee, became associated with him. On October 6, 1893, Lamont Lee
sold his interest in the paper and it was issued with C. Everett Lee as pub-
lisher. Mr. Lee bade good-bye to his readers in the issue of January 11.
1895, he having disposed of the plant to John L. Barter. The three and one-
half years of the newspaper under the management of Mr. Lee were marked
by an advance in the circulation and patronage, as he was both a good printer
and a reatly writer.
John L. Barter, who had charge for nearly two and one-half years fol-
lowing Mr. Lee's retirement, proved to be an aggressive editorial writer.
He obtained the newspaper in the days when the free coinage of silver was a
burning question and promptly aligned himself with the Bryan wing of the
Democratic partv. Mr. Barter sold the Democrat plant to Bert Maxwell, a
young printer from Illinois, who took charge June 18, 1897, and employed
I. A. Cory as editor.
Mr. Maxwell soon tired of the field and on February 28, 1898, sold the
newspaper and plant to W. M. Ward, who had been a school man in Jackson
county, Iowa. The newspaper was published under the firm name of the
112 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Ward r.ros. 1 lie name of the paper was chan.^cd t(_) The Sac Democrat, be-
ginning witi: tiie issue of October 17, 1902. .Mr. Ward was a vigorous writer,
especially ready to take part in the discussion of local politics and educational
questions, and had he been able to give close attention to the details of busines.'^
he would ha\e made a marked success.
The Wards disposed of their plant April 7, 1905, to H. H. iMtch. win
associated with him in the publication of the newspaper his son, John H.
Fitch, and issued the newspaper under the firm name of H. H. Fitch & Son.
Owing to poor health, Mr. Fitch sold the plant on June 5, 1907, to Ross
Mayhall. wIki at this writing. March, 1914. is continuing the pultlication of
the newspaper and the management of its auxiliar\- job business with
apparent success.
While, like his predecessors, Mr. Mavhall is a Democrat, he has not Ijeen
disposed to jjay much attention to partisan politics, and consequently was not
pleased with the name borne by the newspaper, changing it with the issue
of February 17, 1909. to The Sac County Bulletin. Mr. Mayhall equipped the
office with a junior linotype machine ami a better i)ress, reduced the price
to one dollar a vear and issues it as a si.x-colunin quarto, all printed at home.
'I'he first newspaper at Odebolt was the Reporter, published by W'. W'.
Varham, who moved his plant from Sac City about the first of Deceml>er,
1877. Under the management of Mr. Yarham and under the management
of Frank Kelley, who succeeded him, it was a Greenback newspaper. Finall}-
the Reporter passed into the hands of the Bennett Brothers, who made it a
live Republican sheet, but they did not find the field sufficiently profitable for
two newspapers, a Democratic newspaper, first called the Obsen'cr and later
the Ileraltt. ha\ing been established in the ttiwn and pulilished untler diff'erent
managements. On March 28, 1887, the I'ennet Brothers sold the subscription
list and plant of the Reporter to the publisher of the [Fall Lake Journal and
went to San Diego. California, to publish a daily newspaper.
However, Odebolt was not to be long without an aggressi\'e Republican
newspaper. In May. 1887, the first number of the Odebolt Chronicle was
issued by W'illiam E. Hamilton, who previously had been emplo_\-ed in the law
office of \V. A. Helsell. Mr. Hamilton was a writer of ability, fearless and
f(jrccful with his pen. a shrewd |)lanncr and active mo\'er in local political
matters, and in the nicjre than twent_\'-three years that he conducted the news-
paper was unquestionably the most influential factor in the political affairs
of Sac county. r)wing to failing health, he sold his newspaper on August 1.
IQIO, to l'"rai)k J. Stillman. of Rice\ille, Iowa. Mr. Stillman also had been
SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
"3
in poor health, ha\ing suffered a nervous breakdown, and before he ran the
paper many weeks he discovered that he could not endure the office work.
He then leased the plant to John E. Chrysler, who lately had returned to
Sac county from Cody, ^\'yoming■, where he was in newspaper work, and
Mr. Chrysler has continued the newspaper with exceptional ability, proving
a strong business getter, an alert news gatherer and a good editorial writer.
In all of its history the newspaper has been Republican in politics, with a
marked progressi\'e tendency.
It is scarcely necessary to follow the history of the various other news-
paper ventures at Odebolt. After the establishment of the Chronicle it
dominated the situation. Publishers came and went. One of the most inter-
esting of the journalistic enterprises was the Odebolt Record, started as an
amateur sheet by Ray Graham. The Record continued to grow under his
management until it became a full-fledged newspaper. At the time of the
sale of the Chronicle the publication of the Record also was discontinued
and Mr. Graham entered into newspaper work elsewhere.
A new aspirant for honors appeared in the field on March 12, 1914, the
Odebolt Nc7vs, a Progressive newspaper, with David Phillips as editor and
publisher. In his initial number Mr. Phillips stated that he had installed an
outfit costing about five thousand dollars, including a monotype, a type-setting
and type-casting machine, a Potter two-re\'o!ution press, a power paper cutter
and other up-to-date machinery. The newspaper possesses typographical
and editorial excellence and, on its merits, will make a strong appeal for
support.
The first newspaper at \Vall Lake was the Journal, established August
29, 1878, by Frank L. Dennis, of Wheatland, Iowa. It was published under
a number of different owners, among them Cook & Gregg, T. J- Newburg and
J. L. Kroesen. The ownership passed to T. B. Ilotchkiss, of Lake City, who
did not conduct it in person, but a long-distance management appeared to be
unsuccessful and the newspaper went out of existence in 1890, to be suc-
ceeded very shortly afterward by the Wall Lake Blade, with .\. L. Schultz
as editor and publisher. The first number of the Blade was issued in Decem-
ber, 1890, and the paper has been published continually since. Mr. Schultz
was succeeded by John H. D. Gray and Mr. Gray, after conducting it many
years, sold it to F. A. Brown, formerly of the Biieiia Vista Vidctte at Storm
Lake. Mr. Brown sold it to W. O. Howard, who is in charge of it at this
writing. Mr. Howard is an all-around newspaper man of good abilitv and
(7)
114 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
is gi\ing tlie people of the ti)\vn very good ser\ice. Politically, the Blade
has ranged from indepenfient to Republican. At present writing, it appears
to be espousing the cause of the Progressive party from an independent stand-
point.
About tile middle nf Ma}-, 1885, the Scliallcr Ga^rftc was started by H.
E. Moles. In the autumn of the same year the ownership of the plant passed
to A. S. Bassett, of Kewanee, Illinois. The fortunes of the Schaller news-
paper were somewhat doubtful until Bert Mill took charge and published it
successfully as the Star. He sold the newspaper to Charles Brandon, who
changed the name to the Herald. In October, 1892, W. K. Whiteside, who
had been an employee of the Sac Sun. bought the newspaper and has con-
ducted it ever since. It is a five-column folio and under Mr. Whiteside's
management was always Republican in politics until 19 12, when its publisher
became affiliated with the Progressi\-e party. Under Mr. Whiteside's man-
agement it has enjoyed a good patronage and has always been a tastefully
printed little sheet.
The Early Eiitrr prise was started in 1885 by E. H. McGinty, of Hardin
count}-. McGinty did not make a success of the newspaper and he trans-
ferred it to H. W. Cor}-, wiio pulMished it until December. 1887, when he
moved the plant to Storm Lake and merged it with the plant of the Buena
Vista J'ideftc. The Sac County News, later called the Early News, proved
to be the permanent newspaper xenture at Early. It was started by Clarence
Messer, and later was published b}- George Brown, C. E. Stallcop, H. W. Cory
and J. E. Chr}-sler and e\-entually, in Marcli, 1906, passed into the hands of
J. C. Blair, a veteran newspaper man who fits admirably into the community
he is ser\-ing. The Neii's has had \-arying fortunes politically. Its present
publisher has l>een a lifelong Republican, but shows a Progressive leaning.
He not only furnishes the news locally in an acceptable manner, but also takes
occasion to discuss political matters editorially.
At Lake View, the Resort was started in the early summer of 1889 by
Wilson M. Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton leased or sold the newspaper several
times, but retained an ecpiity in tlie plant for about twenty years. He was a
capable writer and labored persistently for the upbuilding of the little town by
the lake. When he finally sold the newspaper, the name was changed to the
Argus, but when it ])assed into the hands of the present publisher, Edwin C.
McSheehy, he wisely restored the pioneer name of the Lake View Resort.
Mr. McSheehy came to Lake View with a successful newspaper experience
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. II5
on the city press, and is proving an energetic factor toward the upbuilding of
his community.
At Auburn the first newspaper was started by Jones & Hotchkiss, as
the memory of old settlers runs, in 1886. It was still published in May,
1887, but probably was discontinued shortly afterward. The permanent
newspaper at Auburn was The Recorder, which was established September
16, 1893, by Fred L. Ellis. He conducted it a few months, and then sold
it to E. H. Merrill, who has published it ever since, with the exception of a
few months, utilizing his opportunities cpiite creditably.
The Nemahn Register began publication in the winter of 1900 to 1901.
It was established by D. H. Roush, who sold it to C. E. Evans. Ownership
then passed to C. C. Keen)', the present publisher, who makes it strictly a
local newspaper.
The only newspaper venture at Lytton has been the Star, which was
established about the beginning of the year 1905 by G. A. Craig, an original
but somewhat illiterate genius from Missouri. Mr. Craig sold the newspaper
to C. Everett Lee, who at one time was pul)lisher of the Sac County Demo-
crat. Though well along in years, Mr. Lee is is active as a youth, writes
vigorously, expresses his opinions freely and shows an active interest in all
of the affairs of the town, making the Star one of the best newspapers pub-
lished anywhere in a town the size of Lytton.
Two newspapers were established at Grant City in 1872 to take advan-
tage of the bonus for the publication of state laws. One of these was put in
by the Storm Lake Pilot and was named the Grant City Journal, and the other
was launched by James N. Miller, of the Sac Sun. and was known as the
Hornet. Mr. Miller continued it until he headed off the Journal and then
merged it with the Sun. It is recalled also that the Neu'S, publication of
which at Auburn has been mentioned, was first established at Grant City in
June, 1886.
CHAPTER X.
BANKS AND BANKING.
In Sac county, as in all new countries, there was little use for banking
houses until long after the Civil War. Prior to the seventies the business
was mostly confined to local barter — one man selling to another, and usually
trading grain and wood and stock for sugar, tobacco, dress goods, and factory
cloth for men's wear. Fort Dodge, Sioux City and Council Bluffs all had early
banks and to such centers of money and population went the people from Sac
count)- w hen any real banking business was necessary to be transacted. The
land office was long located at Sioux City and a branch at Fort Dodge, and
there tlie home and land seeker went with his ready cash, and in person paid
for his lands, if purchased from the go\-ernmcnt. But as the county settled
up and numerous towns sprang into existence, it became necessary to estab-
lish a system of local banks and this was promptly accomplished when the de-
mand for such place of business was made. Sac City had the first bank in
the county, and is still the center of the county's financial institutions, although
almost everv town and hamlet within her borders has a bank of its own, and
really able, financially, to do the business of their own respective communities.
Wall Lake soon had a bank and has kept up the business since 1878 in what
is now styled the German State Bank. This county has been free from any
great bank failures, and for the most part the banks have been successful in
paving out dollar for dollar their obligations to their patrons, through the
numerous panics through which the country has passed.
PRESENT BANKS OF THE COUNTY.
The I'lillciwing is a list of the various banking houses in Sac county in
January, 1914, with the date and order in which they were established and
their present capital :
Wall Lake, German State Bank, established in 1878, present capital
$25,000.
Wall Lake Savings Bank, established 1882. present capital $30,000.
Schaller State Bank, established in 1887, present capital $40,000.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. II7
Sac County State Bank, Sac City, established in 1887, present capital
$75,000, surplus and undivided profits $87,176.32, equal to a total of
$162,176.32.
Early State Bank, established in 1888, present capital $40,000.
Lake View State Bank, established in 1889, present capital $25,000.
Sac City, First National Bank, established in 1890, present capital and
profits $165,000.
Schaller Savings Bank, established in 1892, present capital $25,000.
Odebolt, First National Bink. established in 1899, present capital
$50,000.
Lytton, Farmers State Bank, established 1900, present capital $25,000.
Odebolt, German Savings Bank, established in 1901, present capital
$50,000.
Auburn, 'Farmers and Merchants Bank, established in 1903, present
capital $25,000.
Nemaha State Bank, established in 1903, present capital $25,000.
Sac City, Farmers Savings Bank, established in 1906, present capital
$50,000.
Ulmer, Farmers Savings Bank, established in 191 1, present capital
$10,000.
Early, Citizens Bank, established 191 1, present capital $30,000.
The latest bank in the county is the Farmers Savings Bank of Odebolt,
which was established in February, 1914, by many farmers. It starts with a
capital of $50,000.
This makes a total of $835,000 as the capital held by all the Sac county
banks, at this date.
SAC CITY BANKS.
The Sac Count}- State Bank, of Sac City, was organized and opened its
doors for business February 21, 1S87. This bank really succeeded to the first
banking concern of this county, the "exchange" operated from 1871 on by
Judge D. Carr Early, who, in company with W. H. Hobbs and N. W.
Condron, erected a bank building in 1875, and in 1876 incorporated the Sac
County Bank, with Messrs. Early, Hobbs and Condron, all ex-county officials,
as incorporators. The officers of this pioneer bank were D. Carr Early, presi-
dent; W. H. Hobbs, vice-president; N. W. Condron, cashier. It had a
capital of $50,000. When the change was made and the present Sac County
State Bank was established in 1887, the Sa,c Sun had this item concerning the
Il8 SAC COUNTY, IOWA!'
new bank: "The new bank opened for business AIonda\- niuining. taking
formal possession of the Sac County Bank, and Messrs. Baily anil Grotewohl
may be found in their places ready for business. The State Bank succeeds
the Sac Countv Bank and will conline itself strictlv to banking business, doine
no real estate business, only what may be absolutely necessary. Its cajoital
is $35,000 and will no doubt be increased to $50,000 in a vear or two."
On January 1. 1890. the caiMtal of this bank was increased to $75,000
and had a surplus (jf $iS.ooo. This was the thirtl year after its organization.
So, reall\-, this is the site of the oldest bank in the county, and has gone
through all the panics and paid out dollar for dollar to its thousands of
depositors.
Their statement January 28, 1914. gave its deposits as $6.55,710. Its
capital is $75,000 and its surplus and undivided profits $87,176.32. The total
amounts to $162,176.32. This bank has headquarters in the same block in
which it was first established in 1887, though about igog it was overhauled
and remodeled, making it one of the finest banking liuildings in the western
jmrt of the state All branches of banking are here transacted. A few years
ago a savings department was added, and this has greatly increased its busi-
ness. The present officers and directors are; Asa Piatt, president: E. N.
Baily. \ ice-president : J. V. Campfield, vice-president: C. C. Jameson, cashier;
Frank Kessler, assistant cashier; directors, Asa Piatt, J. Y. Campfield, Orville
Lee, W. H. Townsend. E. N. Baily, Charles L. Early. Malcom Currie and
C. C. Jameson.
This corps of men. each peculiarly fitted for the responsible position he
holds, makes this a strong bank and is the reason that it has the confidence
of such a large portion of the citizens of Sac and surrounding counties. Their
correct business management has given them the liberal deposits they now
have.
The First Xational Bank, of Sac City, was established October 27, 1890,
and was the first liank of the national type founded in Sac county. It wa
organized by D. E. Hallett, Eugene Criss and H. II. .\llison. The first
capital was .^50,000, and it is the same today, I)ut also has $50,000 more as
surplus and undivided profits. The original officers of this Imnking house
were as follows; D. E. Hallett, president; H. H. Allison, cashier. The
officers t(.<la\- are: George B. Perkins, president: Dr. C. B. .\dams, vice-
president: 11. S. i!arnt, cashier; E. 1). Humphries, assistant cashier. The
present bank building was erected in icSy3 at a cost of about $15 000. This
fine structure has been the home of the bank, also of the United States post-
s
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. ng
oftke. with law, medical and other offices on the second floor. The serial
number of this the first national bank in Sac county is 4,450. showing that
there had been 4,449 national banks organized and chartered before this one.
It may be stated that in 1885 D. E. Hallett and H. H. Allison came to
Sac City and at once purchased the Commercial Bank of J. L. Watson, and
changed its name to the Citizens Bank and operated it as such up to i8go,
when it was chartered as a national liank. The old Watson, or Commercial
Bank was established in 1879 or 1880. It had a capital of $25,000. No
bank in this section of Iowa stands higher in the minds of good business men
and shrewd financiers than does this First National Bank of Sac City.
The Farmers Sa\ings Bank, at Sac City, was organized in 1906. Its
1914 officers were: F. S. Needham, president: L. E. Irwin, vice-president;
C. E. Harding, cashier; S. W. Shaw, teller; directors, I-". S. Needham, L. E.
Irwin. C. E. Harding, S. M. Elwood, William Block, J. T. Dollison and J.
H. Grohe. The first capital was $20,000: present capital, $50,000: surplus,
$1,500; undivided profits, $1,000. The bank was chartered in 1906 with the
serial number of 521. This bank has had a phenomenal growth and is now
accounted one of the excellent financial institutions in Sac county. Its
managers and directors are conser\'ati\'e business men throughout. They
study to please and want to be sure they are right and then go ahead. This
has made them appreciated by all who transact business with them. Prac-
tically speaking, all the stockholders of this banking house are numbered
among the thrifty farmers of the county.
BANKING .\T ODEBOLT.
At Odebolt there was for a number of years what was known as the
Farmers National Bank, but in January, 1914, it was merged with the inter-
ests of the First National Bank of that city. The bank referred to was estab-
lished in 1 90 1 with a capital of $50,000.
The First National Bank at Odebolt was established as a state bank in
May, 1886, but in January, 1891, was changed to a national bank by W'. W.
Field, W. J. Summerville, B. A. Coy, J. K. Ketterer, S. H. Bowman, W. F.
Bay and George J. Low. It commenced on a capital of $25,000, but now has
a capital of $140,000, with $56,000 surplus and undivided profits. A new
charter was granted this national bank in January, 1911, running until 1931.
A good bank building was erected by the bank in 1895. ^ h^ original officers
of the bank were: W. W. Field, president: B. A. Coy, vice-president;
I20 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
George T. Low, cashier; \V. F. Bay, assistant cashier. The officers in the
month of February, 1914. were: Joseph Mattes, president; Henry Hanson,
vice-president ; \\'. F. Bay, casiiier ; A. H. Lunberg, assistant cashier. The
directors are W. A. Helsell. J. R. Mattes, R. B. Adams, H. Hanson, J. A.
Cranston, W. F. Bay, Henry Frevert, Joseph Mattes and B. C. Bowman. On
January 13, 1914. this bank had deposits amounting to $583,452.72. The
resources and Habilities amounted at that date to $923,464.64. Capital and
surphis $168,000. It is one of Sac county's most solid banking houses, where
all are safe and secure.
The German Savings Bank of Odebolt was organized in 1901, succeed-
ing the loan business established by John N. Schmitz in 1886. In 1901 Mr.
Schmitz established a private bank and in September, 1905, the German Sav-
ings Bank was established by his sons. They occupy a handsome new brick
building, thirty by forty-eight feet in size. It is a pressed brick structure,
trimmed with Bedford stone, built at a cost of seven thousand dollars. It
has modem fixtures throughout and carries a modern safety deposit vault
system, containing one hundred and twenty-five boxes. The capital of this
bank is $50,000.
The Farmers Savings Bank, at Odebolt, was organized in January-, 1914,
with a capital of $50,000. The founders of this bank were W. C. Cathcart,
W. T. Down, A. E. Gunderson and Starr G. Wilson. The officers are : Starr
G. Wilson, president; W. C. Cathcart, vice-president; Edna M. Hanson,
cashier.
This bank was incorporated December 13, 1913, and formally opened its
doors for banking business January 5, 1914. It is, practically speaking, a
farmer's bank, the capital almost entireh' ha\ing been taken by farmers in and
around Odebolt. It has ninety-one stockholders, most of whom are good sub-
stantial farmers living near the town, and from its opening day the growth
of the business has been rapid. Its future seems very bright and gives promise
of becoming one of the county's strong institutions.
AT NEMAHA.
The Nemaha State Bank was organized at Nemaha, this county, in
1903, by E. N. Baily, D. W. Graff and C. H. Townsend, with a capital of
$25,000, the same as it carries today. Its surplus and undivided profits is
$2,500. Its present (1914) officers are: E. N. Bailey, president; Harter
Marquess, vice-president ; C. E. Townsend, cashier ; C. D. Deppe, assistant
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 121
cashier. This institution succeeded the old Nemaha Bank, a private concern
owned and operated by E. N. Baily and D. W. Graff. A bank building was
erected in 1907. This bank is doing a good business and has the confidence
of all the surrounding community Ijecause of its scjuare dealing and correct
business methods.
ULMER BANK.
The Farmers Savings Bank of Ulmer was established in 191 1 by the sur-
rotmding farming community taking stock. The first officers were : William
Heptonstall, president: Charles O. Hill, vice-president; C. H. Townsend,
cashier. The same are still officers, except the vice-president, who is now
F. A. Meyer. The capital stock is $10,000. The bank owns its own building.
This is the first and only banking institution the town has ever had.
THE BANK.S AT EARLY.
The first attempt at banking in the town of Early was in what was styled
in those days the "Exchange," a sort of banking business transacted in the
general merchandise store of the place, but it did Init little real banking busi-
ness. The first bank proper in the town was the Early State Bank, organized
about 1888, by S. K. Fuller, X. O. Fuller, A. ]\Iason and a few other citizens.
Its capital was $30,000. Its first officers were : S. K. Fuller, president : A.
Mason, vice-president; N. O. Fuller, cashier. It was conducted in the two-
•story frame building in which the Early News is now situated, it was estab-
lished as a private concern, but was soon converted into a state bank, and
finally merged into the present State Bank of Early, which Ijank was organ-
ized in 1900 by Frank S. Needham, Phil Schaller, S. K. Fuller and A. Mason.
Frank Needham has been president from the beginning; E. C. Fuller was vice-
president and G. S. Needham, cashier. Its present (1914) officers are:
Frank Needham, president ; E. C. Fuller, vice-president, and Walter Little,
cashier. Its first capital was $30,000, which has been increased to $40,000,
with something over $3,000 surplus and undi\-ided profits. It is situated in
a fine brick banking house, erected about 1900. Its predecessor, as shown
above, was the old Early State Bank.
The Early Building and Loan Association was established after a sweep-
ing fire in Early in 1890, and worked under its charter twenty years and was
finally sold to A. Mason, who had been its president for its twenty years of
chartered life. Town loans was its specialty. Its capital was $2,800, but was
authorized to be as high as $5,000. It was started to help build up certain
122 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
properties destroyed li\ tlie coiiflagratidn of 1S90. These building institu-
tions are no longer as popular as thev once were in this section of hiwa.
The Citizens State Bank at Early was organized January i. 191 1, with a
capital of $30,000 by T. A. Barrett, D. D. Carlton. W. F. Vender, Byrhl
Carlton, W. P. Hinms. Will l)rur\-. jdlin Keiff. Jr., F. L'. Brockman and
others. It now has its original capital stock and $2,000 in surplus and profits.
The original officers were: T. A. Barrett, president; D. D. Carlton, vice-
president; A. l'. Vender, cashier: Byrhl Carlton, assistant cashier. The
present officers are the same as at first, except E. Evans is now assistant
cashier. The cost of bank building and fixtures was seven thousand dollars.
This institution does a good, safe banking Inisiness and the people generally
have the utmost confidence in the management of its business transactions, and
the men at the head.
BANKING AT SCHALI.ER.
The Schaller Savings Bank, at Schaller. was organized in iNgj. Its
present officers are : F. S. Needham, president : Charles W.' Brinihall, vice-
president : .\. J. Martin, cashier: C. W. Brinihall, assistant cashier. The
capital of this bank is ,$25,000, with surplus and profits of $2,000. In 1904
a hank building was erected, at a cost of six thousand dollars, on Second street.
During the past year this institution has enjoyed an unusual and prosperous
business and deposits ha\'e increased ra])idly, showing the confidence with
which the people of the surrounding country have in the institution as a safe
])lace to lea\c their earnings.
The State Bank of Schaller was .started as a private bank in 1887 and
re-organized in 1889 into a state banking in.stitution, under the banking laws
of the state of Iowa. This bank was organized by V. H. Hahn, E. E. Hughes,
J. T. Edson, W. J. Howard, C. O. Porter, J. W. McConkey, Charles A.
Blossom, A. W. Buckle, W. R. Brooks, H. J. Hahn, G. Chandler, J. H. Den-
man and A. Porter. Xo liank in the county has made a better growth. The
first officers were; F. H. Hahn, president; Charles A. Blossom, \ice-presi-
dent ; A. W. Buckle, cashier; J. T. Edson, assistant cashier. The bank was
started on a capital of $6,000, and has been increased to $40,000, with a sur-
plus and undivided profits of $10,000. The present bank building was erected
in 1891 at a cost of $12,000; it stands on lots Nos. 8 and <). in block 4 of the
town of Sclialkr. It was chartered as a state bank November 22. 1899, with
the serial number of 6,688. Present officers are; \\'. J. Howard, president ;
J. H. Meier, vice-president; Samuel Hahn. cashier; E. W. Schafer, assistanl
cashier; M. E. Currie, teller.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
BANKING AT LAKE VIEW.
123
The Lake View State Bank was organized as the Lake \'iew Bank in
1889 by Lhil Schaller and F. S. Xeedham as owners. It merged into, or be-
came, the Lake \'iew State Bank in 1893, its stockholders and officers being
Phil Schaller, F. S. Xeedham, J. P. Thcrkelsen, A. Armstrong and John
Donahue, and sexeral others. It> hrst capital stock was $.25,000, the same
tliat it still carries, although to it should be added the $2,000 in surplus and
undi\-ided iirofits. The original officers were: Phil Schaller, president; J.
P. Therkelsen, vice-president: V. S. Xeedham, cashier: J. II. .\fcCord, assist-
ant cashier.
The j)resent (1914) officers are: V. S. Xeedham, president; J P,
Therkelsen, vice-president: C. P. Therkelsen, cashier; E. P. Hartman, assist-
ant casliier. The bank building was erected in 1889 at a cost of two thousand
dollars. The date of this bank's charter is i8cj3 and its serial number is 180.
BANKING AT WALL LAKE.
The lieginning of l)anking at Wall Lake, this county, was (jn this wise:
What is now the Cierman State Bank, which was incorporated under its pres-
ent name in pilv, ii^io. was ]ireceded b\' a small banking business transacted
by A. Herrig in 1878 in a st(_>re, in connection with his other commercial busi-
ness, there Ijeing no bank in Wall Lake u]) to that date. In 1890 he organ-
ized a pri\ate bank, and kept it in a separate l)uil(ling, doing business under
the name of A. Herrig, Banker. In 1893 the concern was incorporated into
the Wall Lake State Bank. In 1900 it was changed back to a pri\'ate bank-
ing house again, under the name of the German Bank. A. Herrig died in
1910 and the bank was incorporated in July of that year by C. Al. Herrig and
others. Its officers were: C. AI. Herrig. president: G. A. Alohr, vice-presi-
dent; ^^■il]iam Claussen, cashier. The present ( 1914) officers are the same
as last mentioned. The capital stock is $25,000. w ith a surplus and profits
of $2,500. The deposits are now. in rctund figures, $150,000. The present
bank building was erected in 1885 as a store building, but in 1893 changed to
suit the business of general banking. The bank was chartered in 1910 at
Wall Lake. This is one of the solid institutions of the southern portion of
Sac countw and all the people have confidence in its management and officers,
as is e\'idenced by its large amount of home deposits.
The other liank at Wall Lake is the Wall Lake Sa\ ings Bank, which
124 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
sprung into existence in a rather unique manner, as will be seen by the follow-
ing item kept among the private Ixaoks of the present bank, which we have
been kindly allowed to use in the make-up of this chapter.
About August I, 1882, \elson \Vright and R. L. Goodenow formed a
copartnership for the purpose of transacting a general banking business at
Wall Lake, Iowa. These men agreed to in\-est an equal amount of capital
and to share equally in the gain or loss as the sequel might prove. An invoice
of notes and bank fixtures was taken showing that Nelson Wright had invested
$1,700 and R. L. Goodenow $250, which he had on deposit. About the same
time, Mr. Goodenow went to Maquoketa, Iowa, and there borrowed of Mr.
Hubbell $2,000, giving a note for the amount, signed by Xelson Wright and
R. L. Goodenow, dated July 29, 1882, and due three months from date.
The proceeds of said note were sent by express and was received at Wall
Lake, August i, 18S2. The amount was placed to the stock account of the
members of the firm, each being credited with $1,000. Mr. \Vright's share
seems to be included in his investment of notes and cash. Again during the
month of August, that year, Mr. Goodenow borrowed of Ed. Wooly $2,000,
giving a note signed by Mr. Goodenow and Nelson Wright, and this amount
was placed to the credit of the stock account, each being credited with $1,000.
On September 13, 1882, R. L. Goodenow invested $1,000 and on August
20th R. L. Goodenow borrowed $1,000 from Mr. Watson, giving his note
signed by himself and Nelson Wright, due in one year, and this was placed to
the stock account. Again on October 4th, R. L. Goodenow borrowed from
Watson $450 for one year, which was credited to R. L. Goodenow as stock,
and placed to his credit as his investment. Three years later, Goodenow
bought the interests of Nelson Wright in the bank, which was conducted as
a private concern, with R. L. Goodenow as its owner, until 1905, when it
was organized into a state savings bank, with a capital of $30,000. The
first officers of this bank were: R. L. Goodenow, jiresident; Charles Goode-
now, vice-president ; George Newb\ , cashier, with Alexander Johnson and
L. A. Mueller as additional stockholders. The present ( 1914) officers are:
Charles Goodenow, president; M. B. Goodenow, vice-president: Charles W.
Shaw, cashier. The first and present capital is $30,000, to which has been
added $10,000 as undi\'ided prolits and surplus.
The present bank Ijuilding was erected on the corner of Main and Second
streets in 19 13 at a cost of about $8,000. Formerly it was kept in the brick
building on the opposite side of the street. It was chartered in 1905 and its
serial number is 12,205. ^^'hen one contemplates the origin of this bank.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. I25
it seems almost a marvel that the present standing of the concern could pos-
sibly be what it is. The stockholders and officers have just reason to be
proud of their achie\ements. The people certainly have had confidence in
the men '"behind the guns" in this enterprise.
The Auburn Farmers and [Merchants Bank, at Auburn, was established
in 1903 and has a capital of $25,000. with a surplus and undivided profits of
$21,250. The recent deposits amounted to $168,000. The officers are: J.
Kessler, president: G. M. Parker, vice-president: W. E. Comstock, cashier;
G. AI. Parker, assistant cashier.
The Farmers State Bank, of Lytton. was established in 1900, and has
a capita! of $25,000, with $4,000 surplus. The present amount of deposits is
$175,000. The officers in 1914 were: Frank Coy, president: F. A. Ayers,
vice-president : (]. B. W'illhorte, cashier.
CHAPTER XL
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
By Ex-County Superintendent R. Ellis.
The present high standing of the puhHc schools in Sac county grows out
of the fact that the pioneers were from American neighborhoods in some one
of the Eastern or Middle states and appreciated education: also from the
untiring energy and tact on the part of a great majority of the county school
superintendents, who lia\e ever sought out the latest and most approved
methods of instruction. It may u'jt I'e without profit and interest just at
this point to insert a list of the school superintendents of Sac county, with a
few notes concerning this office. Up to 1858 the schools were managed by
what was known as a school fund commissioner, and then came the "superin-
tendent." who was elected by the people at the general elections, as were other
county officers, but this was changed by the Legislature of 1912-13 and the
superintendent is elected by the several school boards in the county. This is,
of course, an experiment and time will tell as to the wisdom of such change
in the manner of selecting a superintendent. The first and only school fund
commissioner was \\'illiam Todd, elected in August, 1S56. G. F. Browning
was the first to hold the office of superintendent, being elected in 1858. Fol-
lowing him were: William Todd, 1861 ; \^'illiam Kromer. appointed by
County Judge E. Criss, in Jidy, 1861 : William Kromer, elected iSc-'", : William
Chapin, elected 1865: William P. Drewry, elected i8C)7: R. Ellis, elected 1869
and 1871 : John Dobson, 1873 and 1875: James Darling, 1877, 1879 and
1881 ; H. L. Martin, 1883: Clarence .Messer, 1887; Clarence Messer, 1889:
C. E. Stallcop, 1891 and 1893: J. W. Jackson, 1895; C. H. Jump, 1899-01;
H. C. Coe, 1903-05: John R. Slacks, elected 1908 and still superintendent.
This office has grown to be one of much importance and none but capable
men and women need hereafter apply for such positions.
Sac county was settled at a date a little too late in the history of educa-
tional adxantages in the country to have known anything by experience with
the subscription school system that had pre\ailed in the Eastern states up to
about 1835 or 1840.
FIRST SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY.
As stated in the lieginning, the first settlers in Sac county took great
interest in education, most of them being by birth Americans. Among those
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 27
coming in f'om the Eastern and ^.liddle states were such men as Joseph
WilHams, Peter Easier and others of Sac township : Francis Cory and Eugene
Criss, Asa Piatt, D. Carr Early, William Hobbs and N. W. Condron, of
Jackson township : M. S. Lee, John Alexander and William Montgomery, of
Douglas townshi]). Up to 1865 there were 1)ut five schools within the county,
and these were as follows :
The first school taught in the county was the one taught in the winter
of 1856-57 in a log cabin at Ross's Grove, three and a half miles south of
Sac City. This building was erected Ijy Enoch Ross for a residence. Isaac
Corv taught this pioneer term of school and had about a dozen pupils. The
second school was taught in a log cabin built by Harvey Slavin, whose wife
was teacher. This was at Cory's Grove, U\o and a half miles south of Sac
Citv, and it was taught in the winter of 1857-58. The third school in the
county was the one taught at a log shack of a building by Seymour Wagoner.
The fourth school was taught five and a half miles north of Sac City by
Henry Hubbard, about i860, in a log school house erected for such use. The
fifth school was at Grant City about i860. In 1865 these schools, except the
Ross Grove school, were all running, and besides these there was one at
De Camp's, five miles southeast of Sac City. The first school at Sac City was
kept in a log building, but by 1865 a two-story frame was built for school pur-
poses. This stood where now stands Postmaster Early's residence, in the
heart of the city. The next in Sac City was the two-story brick building.
w'ith five departments, and in which taught the writer. R. Ellis, who in all
taught here seven terms.
Among those who were teachers and others deeply concerned in school
matters mav be recalled such names as B. W. Trout, William Chapin. Robert
Browning and Le\i Da\is. A teachers' association was organized and meet-
ings were alternatel\- held at Grant City and Sac City.
In i86t there were polled at the annual election aliout ninety votes in the
entire county. I was elected county superintendent, served three terms and
was succeeded by John Dobson, who took great interest in educational mat-
ters. After the close of the Civil War this county settled up very rapidly,
settlers being attracted by the extra fertility of the soil and the most excellent
character of the few pioneers who had already settled here and laid well the
foundations for a good county government. It was about this time — 1867
to 1870 — that other civil townships were organized and school districts estab-
lished in each of them. There was a time here when it did not require a cer-
tain number of pupils in order to organize a school district and at least one
was organized and a term taught with onl}- two scholars and the wife and
128
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
mother was the teacher. Today we ha\e excellent school ad\antages on every
hand and people universally take pride in their good schools. I have taught
fifty years and it does my heart good to think that my successors in the office
of superintendent of this county have been so faithful in the discharge of
their duties, and among such I want to mention William Chapin. William
Drewr\- and John Dol)si)n.
It may be stated in this connection that ex-County Superintendent R.
Ellis of Grant City, who furnished us with the abo\e, was himself an educator
of no small proportions at an early day in this county. He was superin-
tendent of this county three terms, and taught seven terms of school in Sac
City and many in his own town of Grant City, where he still resides, honored
by all. He now numbers among his old pupils man\- of the old gray-haired
men and women of this county, and in many instances taught the children of
his former pupils here. He was no less a success as a teacher than as a county
superintendent, when he had to go on foot and on horseback to visit the few
schools within the count}- in the seventies. His methods were always prac-
tical and his discipline firm, yet sensible and tender. He governed by reason
and only in extreme cases used the rod. He won his pupils by gaining their
good will and confidence.
THE SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY IN 1884.
Tliirty years ago the public schools of this count}-, as shown by County
Superintendent Martin's report to the state department, were in the following
condition, as to number, buildings, etc. :
Township
District. Buildings. Pupils.
Boyer \'alle}- 7 177
Buildings.
Cedar 9
Clinton 9
Cook 7
Coon Valley 7
Delaware 7
Douglas 7
Eden 6
Eureka 8
Jackson 8
I.evev 6
218
192
210
174
124
105
105
178
162
Township
District.
Richland 8
Sac 7
Viola 9
Wall Lake 9
Wheeler 9
Early
Odebolt
Sac City
Schaller
Wall Lake (town)_
Pupils.
211
198
226
275
236
lor
250
328
65
150
Total 127
4.153
HIGH SCHOOL, AUBURN
OXE REASON FOR SAC COUNTYS PROGRESS
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 29
This was an increase of twenty-seven school houses and nine hundred
and seventy-eight ]nipils in three years. In the winter of 1884-85 there were
required one liundred and fort\--seven teachers to teach the winter schools of
this county.
In 1900 this count}- had a population of 17,639. There were three deaf
and dunil) children and two of feehle minds. The schools were divided into
132 sub-districts, in which there were 131 ungraded schools; 2,958 male and
2,890 female pupils. The \alue of all school jiroperty was estimated at
$116,075: apparatus, $5,740: x'olumes in school libraries, 4,238: number of
li\'ing, thrifty shade trees about school grounds, 2,342. The school buildings
ranked: l'ift\-four good, eight)' fair and seven poor.
Sac City became an independent school district in 1876, and J. N.
Miller, in his Sac Siui, some years later, described the school house then in
use as follows: "It is a fine brick edifice, with a stone foundation, built in
1871, at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars. It contains three rooms, the
whole upper story being de\oted to the high school department, while the
intennediate departments and the primary are accommodated on the first
floor. The building is well built and handsomely furnished, and is well ven-
tilated, comfortable and more than ordinarily lighted. The schools are in a
good condition, well disciplined and progressing most satisfactoril\- in the
various branches of study."
Really, the climax in school buildings in Sac City was the erection of
the present high school building (so called) which was built in 1903-04, at a
cost of forty thousand dollars, including a five-thousand-dollar heating plant.
It is about midway from the business center of the city to the Northwestern
depot, on the south side of Main street. Its campus is indeed beautiful,
while all the general surroundings are those calculated to inspire the
youth who attend this school. The structure is thoroughly modern in all
particulars. Its appointments meet with all the now known recjuirements of
sanitarv and student life. It is certainly an ornament to the county seat town
of Sac county.
In 19 1 3 the school board purchased the old Institute buildings, treated
elsewhere in this chapter, from that institution and have converted the same
into a school building, and in it now the high school department of the Sac
City public schools is kept. The price paid for this property was six thousand
dollars. It was much the cheapest piece of school property ever bought in
the county.
(8)
130 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF SAC CITY.
The following is quoted from an illustrated Christmas number of the;
Sac County Bulletin, published in 191 1. and so befittingly covers the school
system at the county seat town that it is here appended to other educational
matters concerning the county :
"Sac City gives ample proof of keen interest in her educational efforts,
as is evidenced by the substantial public school and college buildings found
here which would be a credit to a town twice the size of it. A very compe-
tent force of teachers has always been one of the features especially aimed at
by the school board, and the product of the high school is ample proof of the
success attained along this line. The pupils in attendance at our high school
and college are drawn from a large extent of territory, presumably larger on
account of the excellent reputation of the managing boards of both these
institutions and the just pride of the faculty invariably secured. We place
the educational interest in the first rank as regards importance in any town,
because it is there that the lawmakers and statesmen are made. No feature
of improvement stamps a town more distinctly than the school, and nothing
else in the town makes so much for good government as the school. Sac City
is liberal in this matter in a highly satisfactory manner, and stands ready to
give the rising generation all the aids possible for the achievements of scho-
lastic success.
"The explanation for the interest taken in all the matters relative to
education in Sac City is not far to seek. The population of the town and
immediate vicinity is largely made up of a practical, intelligent class, critical
in a high degree when it conies to anything along the line of oratory or
rhetoric, and pronounced in their approval of whate\-er conies near the high
standard of excellency they have intuitively established. Every form of
knowledge-producing publications are to be found in the hands or libraries
of our people, and a true appreciation of everything worthy is always un-
grudgingly given.
"A gentleman of high standing in educational circles, a lecturer who
appeared on our chautauqua platform recently, in speaking of Sac City, said :
'I have never been in a town so small as Sac City where there was so much
evidence of higher education generally distributed among the people.' This
was no empty flattery, as some of the victims of Sac City's disapproval can
tell, when they come to us with any form of entertainment that fell short of
what was expected."
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
131
Sac City may justly l)oast of her public sch(M_ils. No sooner had the
hardy pioneer settled here on the banks of the Coon river than he took
account (after first building a house in which to live) of the matter of caring
for his children's education. The culmination is seen in that splendid educa-
tional monument — the Sac City high school building. It is built upon honor,
by competent craftsmen ; it is well ecjuipped with the latest improved ap-
pliances and apparatus. It really ranks well up in the scale of any school in
the state. The Sac City school system provides for one year of training in
the kindergarten, a four-}'ear course of study in the primary department, a
four-year course in the grammar department and an elective four years in
the high school. Music, drawing and art work are also taught here.
In 191 1 the total enrollment in all departments was about six hundred
pupils. Of these a considerable number in the higher grades came in from
outlying districts and not a few from other near-by counties.
In 1905 the Sac City high school was placed on the list of fully ac-
credited high schools by the State University and colleges of Iowa. The
following year, after a most thorough inspection, it was fully accredited by
the North Central Association of Colleges, being accepted for thirty-two
credits, or sixteen units, two more than recjuired for unconditional entrance
into any college or university of the fourteen states in the association. Sac
City long since ranked as one of the best of the thirty Iowa schools on this
association's accredited list.
OTHER SAC COUNTY SCHOOLS.
At Odebolt an independent district obtained in 18S0: the first school
was taught by Jacob Gable. A neat frame building was erected in 1880,
costing three thousand dollars.
Away back in the eighties, Wall Lake was set ofif into an independent
school district. In the summer of 1879 a neat frame building was erected
at a cost of seven hundred and fifty dollars. It was twenty-two by thirty-six
feet in size. In 1880 it was too crowded to do good school work and rooms
had to be secured in outside rooms, the Masonic lodge room being used for
one grade.
In all other towns in this county, as soon as they had been platted and a
few families settled there, school houses went up and competent instructors
were at once secured.
What was styled the County Teachers' Association existed many years
132 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
in Sac county and frequent meetings were held at the various towns. Sac
City, Grant City. Wall Lake and Odebolt. Much good was derived from
these teachers" gatherings. It appears from a record book that this associa-
tion was established in the early eighties and continued many years until our
present institute was created. This journal gives the teachers enrolled in the
book at the meeting at Odebolt, October 20, 1892, as follows: F. F. Strong,
E. D. A. Strong, Myra Hovenden, Ella, Rothwell, Lizzie Piatt, C. H. Jump,
Mrs. C. H. Jump. Edgar Corr}-, Ralph Parker, Jessie Townsend, C. E.
Stallcop, Ethel B. Harden, Ella Down, Mabel Brinck, Mabel Allen, Benjamin
G. Hess, Mrs. C. B. Bailey, Julia Ga\in. .Agnes Gavin, Anna Hempen, Mabel
Spafford, Emma Menges, Jim Smellhurst, John C. Stevens, H. AL Hayes, T.
W. Down, A. L. Hunt, Emma D. Petersmyer, J. H. Orcutt, Maggie Dunn.
Katie Molloy, Hannah .\upperle.
SCHOOL HOUSES, ETC.
School houses are dotted here and there over every township in the
county, usually eight or nine to the township. They are. for the most part,
good frame structures in the country and of brick in the larger towns within
the county.
A few years ago it was learned that Hon. George \\'. Schee, an early
homesteader, who came to O'Brien county right after the Ci\il War a poor
man. but who, by his shrewdness in tlealing in lands, became a \ery wealthy
man, and a philanthropist as well, had been donating L'nited States flags to
many of the northwestern Iowa cuunties to have them placed on the school
buildings. When this was known, efforts were made to secure such for the
one hundred and twenty-eight school buildings in this county. Mr. Schee
made a trip in his automobile from I'rimghar, his home, to Sac City, and the
result was his donation of not only Hags, but poles and cords for each three-
and-a-half b}' seven-foot flags, with the promise when these "Old Glories'"
had worn out that he would direct that they be replaced free of cost. All he
required was that the school l)oards in this county should hire a competent
person to attach the flag poles to the school houses, which was cheerfully
granted. Mr. Schee was an old soldier and a lover of the emblem of his
country for which he had fought and takes great delight in inspiring in the
breasts of the rising young a true lo\e and patriotic spirit for the countr\- in
which the_\- li\e. It is stated that this worthy man has donated flags to the
schools in t\\cnt\'-two counties in north\\'estern Iowa. Tust think of the cost
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 33
and think of the inind of a man who is thus generously disposed. Let his
flags be a monument unto him for all time!
THE DELAWARE TOWNSHIP UNION SCHOOI,.
By .]. K. Slacks. County Superintendent of Schools.
At Nemaha, in the center of Delaware township, is located the only
union township school in Sac county. The steps leading up to the establish-
ment of this school discloses a rather stormy history.
In the winter of 1 909-1910 a petition was presented to the school board
of Delaware township asking that an election be held fi>r the purpose of vot-
ing on the question of consolidating the schools of the township. The plan
included five subdistricts of the township, leaving out the four corner dis-
tricts. Meetings were held and the ((uestion discussed pro and con. When
the votes were counted it was found that the proposition had failed to carry.
Nothing daunted, the promnters of the plan of consolidation began quietly
to talk and work for another election, this time to include the whole township
in a consolidated independent district. The election was held in January,
1910, and this time the proposition carried by a vote of eighty to seventy-six.
Those favoring consolidation were well pleased with the result and thought
the battle was over ; that there was nothing more to be done but wait until
the school was provided b_\' the board. As a result of this feeling they failed
to go to the election when the new board was elected and the opponents of the
plan elected a board that was opposed to constjlidation to a man. This board
refused to make any change in the schools, and for a year things drifted
along with no change or attemiH to provide a school house. Under the law
then in force, the board could not be compelled to make a change even after
the people had voted for consolidation. The thirty-fourth General Assem-
bly, however, passed a law that provided that in cases where the people had
voted to consolidate, the board was obliged to go aheatl and carry out the
wishes of the voters. Even then the Delaware board refused to act until a
petition for a writ of mandamus was filed in the district court. This moved
them to act, and an election was called giving the people an opportunity to
vote on the question of issuing lx)nds in the amount of some seventeen thou-
sand five hundred dollars for the purpose of building" a central school house.
The proposition failed to carry.
A petition was then presented to the board asking for an election to vote
on the question of changing back to the township corporation plan. This
134 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
proposition carried and the change was made in due time. Thus the town-
ship was back exactly where it had been at the beginning of the school agita-
tion.
During the winter of 1912-1913 a petition was presented to the board
asking that the people be allowed to vote on the question of issuing bonds in
the amount of ten thousand dollars for the purpose of building a union town-
ship high school. The election was held and the proposition carried. John
C. Woodward, of Council Bluffs, was engaged by the board as architect, and
the contract for the building was let to C. E. Axelson. of Harcourt, Iowa.
The building was completed and dedicated on February 11, 1914. The schools
of the township were dismissed for the day and all came together at the
building to spend the day. Programs were held both in the forenoon and the
afternoon, with a sumptuous dinner at noon. It was voted to make the day
an annual affair.
The building is two stories, with high basement, and is built of brick.
There are four recitation rooms and a principal's office or library, with cloak
rooms for all. In the basement are two excellent rooms which can be used
for school purposes if desired. The building is heated with steam through-
out. The furniture is of the best, the seats and desks being adjustable to the
height of the pupil.
The board of directors that has had charge of the erection of this mod-
ern building is composed of the following men : T. R. Puterbaugh, presi-
dent; A. B. Domino, secretary; C. H. Townsend, treasurer; T. H. Carnine,
T. A. \Vhitmore. William Hadley, Charles Hicks, James Mooney, Harter
Marquess, H. A. Stephan and I. W. Scothorn. the teachers who had the
honor of teaching the first day in the new building are as follows : Princiiial.
John E. Hays ; primary, Ella Toohe}- ; intermediate, Zaidee McQuirk.
CONDITION OF SCHOOLS IN I913.
As shnwn by the c(junt\- superintendent's report to the state department
of education, the following are the school statistics for Sac county for the
school )-ear ending Septemljer, 1913:
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
135
TOWN AND CITY SCHOOLS.
Name. Rooms. Enrolled. Houses. Valuation.
Auburn 4 123 i $ 4,000
Early 6 143 i 4,500
Grant City 2 45 i 1,000
Lake View 6 136 i 6,500
Lytton 3 65 I 2,400
Odebolt 13 2,T2 i 35,000
Sac City 14 617 2 60,000
Schaller 6 182 i 20,000
Wall Lake 6 168 i 10,000
SCHOOL TOWNSHIPS.
Boyer Valley 8 129 8 8,000
Cedar 9 131 9 1,730
Clinton 9 103 9 4,800
Cook 9 152 9 4.500
Coon \"alley 9 170 9 1,800
Delaware 9 154 9 3,000
Douglas 6 112 6 1,200
Eden 9 106 9 3.900
Eureka 8 98 7 1,900
Jackson 8 162 8 3,900
Levey 8 143 8 8,400
Richland 8 85 7 5,800
Sac '- 7 130 7 2,250
Viola 8 160 8 5.300
Wall Lake 8 174 8 2,500
Wheeler 9 109 8 3,200
Total 132 2,118 126 $62,180
Total value of apparatus in county, $5,376: volumes in libraries, 10,770.
Total of school age in county, 2,767; male, 1,465; females, 1,302; total en-
rolled, both sex, 2,118. Wages for males in country, from $35 to $50; fe-
136 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
males, $34 to $49. Male teachers in town and city received $90 to $135 ; fe-
males, $48 to $60 per month.
GRADE SCHOOLS.
Male Female Male Female
Location. Pupils. Pupils. Graduates. Graduates.
Auburn 10 20 I 4
Early 20 25 4 2
Lake View 21 13 2 2
Lytton 8 3
Odebolt 48 52 2 9
Sac City 51 60 12 10
Schaller 23 31 " i i
^^'all Lake 20 23 i 3
Totals 201 227 23 27
THE SAC CITY IN.STITUTE.
This splendid educational institution was in existence up to within a year
or two. Its general history may be summed up as follows : It was established
through the co-operation of the progressive element of Sac City. These men
and women saw the need of such a school and went forward to perform their
known duty to the rising young about them. This start was made in 1892,
and the school was first styled the Oak Park \ormal College. Following this
step, the board was reorganized, and in 1894 it was known as the Sac City
Institute. Among the leading spirits in this laudable educational enterprise
may be recalled the names of A. B. Mason. Dr. Caleb Brown, D. Carr Early,
Phil Schaller, Asa Piatt, E. N. Baily, D. E. Hallett, Judge Eugene Criss
("Father of the City"), Judge Elwood, W. Jackson and W. H. Hart. Many
of these gentlemen are now deceased, but during their lifetime they gave time,
money and personal attention to this institution. During the almost a score
of years the institute had but three principals. Prof. H. C. Nash served four
years, and was succeeded by Prof. Walter Guthridge, and he in turn by Prof.
G. W. Lee, who was at the helm for mure than a dozen years. These men
were thorough educators and the school prospered to a good degree.
Soon after the founding of this school the Baptist denomination accepted
the offer of the stockholders to turn the institution over to them, providing
they would keep it up. The Baptists all over Iowa were, for a time, enthusias-
tic over the new school and much constructive work was done toward uplift-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
'0/
ing the institution. Liljraries. scientific apparatus, etc., were from time to time
added. In 191 1 the faculty inchided such men and women as Prof. G. W.
Lee, A. B., who, besides teaching, traveled about raising funds for the school
and was successful. Prof. S. P. Fogdall, Ph. B., instructor in Latin and his-
tory, came from the Iowa Teachers' College, of Cedar Falls, and Des Moines
College. Miss Lela Alontgomery, Ph. B., instructor in English and German,
was an accomplished educator from Ohio. Miss Mary .\nderson, instructor
in mathematics, was a later teacher, and was from the well-known Tarkio
(Missouri) College. The commercial department was in charge of Prof. M.
M. Merriman, M. Acct. He was educated at the Pennsylvania Normal and at
Valparaiso, Indiana.
The work of the institute was divided into departments as follows : The
academic department fitted students for the higher studies and for the pro-
fessional lines. This was one of about eight thousand like schools in this
country, and was indeed popular in its day. The normal department trained
teachers and prospecti\-e teachers so they might he amply qualified to perform
better work in the schools of our land. The commercial department was added
later and was one of great value to the surrounding counties and to Sac City
especially. Here the Goodyear-Marshall system of bookkeeping was used and
taught with much practical efficiency. Here the young men and women were
taught up-to-date commercial knowledge, thus fitting them for a life of useful-
ness and profit to themselves. Stenography and typewriting were also an im-
portant department. The piano or touch system of operating typewriting ma-
chines was used. The music department was another great feature of the in-
stitute in its palmy days. Among those connected as instructors in this de-
partment were Mrs. F. G. Cook and Miss Edna V.- Wachtler. The art de-
partment was complete in every detail — free-hand drawing, pen and ink, char-
coal, water colors, .still life and life oil painting work were all successfully
taught here. Miss May Alice Smith was the chief instructor along these lines
and won many compliments for the work of advancing art.
On account of a universal change in the educational system of the coun-
try at large, and the demand for higher grades for the high schools of Iowa ;
the better facilities ottered by the state institutions, such as the Nonnal School
at Cedar Falls, the Ames Agricultural College, the State University, Grinnell
and a score more high class schools and colleges, with the tendency (really a
fad) to go abroad to attend school, the Sac City Institute declined in attend-
ance and closed its doors in 1912. A portion of the building and property
were sold in 1912 to the school district of Sac City and are now used for high
school purposes.
CHAPTER XII.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY.
While it should be remembered in reading this chapter that Sac county
was unsettled to any great extent at the opening years of the Civil War period,
and long after all the other great conflicts of this country had been fought,
hence had no part in such wars as tiie War of 1812 and the Mexican War, yet
it was not without loyalty to the flag of the country. When her people had an
opportunity to speak and act in defense of the starry banner during the Civil
War a goodly number responded to the call of President Lincoln, as well as to
the call of President William McKinley during the Spanish-American struggle
in 1898. But it is not without profit to the reader of local annals to be posted
also as to the issues and final call to arms in struggles which have gone down
into history, e\'en though but few of the brave sons of the few men who
resided on Sac county soil were permitted to engage in these wars fought for
the upbuilding of the state and nation's honor and integrity.
Of the Civil War of the sixties it should be stated that the institution of
slavery had long been a source of trouble lietween the free and and slave-hold-
ing states. The latter were always troubled with the th(jught that the former
would encroach upon their rights, and nothmg could be done to shake this
belief. Compromise measures were adopted from time to time. Threats of
secession were frequently made by the slave-holding states, liut as some meas-
ures of a conciliatory character were passed, no attenijils were made to carry
out their threats. Finally came the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and
the adoption of a measure styled the Kansas-Nebraska bill. This bill in Con-
gress opened up territory north of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes latitude
to sla\'er_\'. which, under the Compromise of 1820, was forever to be free.
About the time of the passage of this act, the Whig jjolitical part}' was in a
state of dissolution and the great body of that jjarty were ojjposed to the pas-
sage of the bill. These, with a few Democrats, joined together and formed the
Republican party early in the fifties. It had for its object the prevention of the
extension of slavery into other territory. The ]3eople of the South believed, or
rather imagined, they saw in this new party not only an organized efTort to
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. I39
prevent the extension of slavery, Jjut one that would eventually be used to
destroy slavery in those states in which it already existed.
In i860 four presidential tickets were in the field. Abraham Lincoln was
the candidate of the Republicans, Stephen A. Douglas of the National Demo-
crats, John C. Breckenridge of the Pro-Slavery interests, and John Bell of the
Constitutional-Union party. The latter party was chiefly made up from the
old American or Know-Nothing party. Early in the campaign there were
threats of secession and disunion in case Lincoln was elected President. But
the people were so accustomed to threats from the South that little heed was
paid to it.
On December 20, i860. South Carolina, by a convention of delegates, de-
clared "That the Union now existing between South Carolina and the other
states of the American Federation is dissolved, and that the state of South
Carolina has resumed her position among the nations of the earth as a free and
sovereign and independent state, with full power to levy war and conclude
peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all things which inde-
pendent states may of right do."
On the 24th Governor Pickens issued a proclamation declaring that
"South Carolina is, and has the right to be, free and independent as a state,
and as such has right to lev^- war. conclude peace, and do all acts whatsoever
that rightfully appertain to a free and independent state."
On the 26th Major Anderson evacuated Fort Moultrie and occupied Fort
Sumter in Charleston harbor. Two days previously he wrote President Bu-
chanan's secretary of war, John B. Floyd, as follows: "When T inform you
that m\- garrison consists of only sixty effective men. and that we are in very
indifferent works, the walls of which are only fourteen feet high: and that we
have, within one hundred and sixty yards of our fort, sand hills which com-
mand oiu' works and which aft'ord admiral)le sites for batteries and the finest
coverts for sharpshooters: and that besides this there are numerous houses,
some of which are in pistol range, and you will at once see that if attacked in
force, headed bv anyone but a simpleton, there is scarcely a possibility of our
being able to hold out long enough for our friends to come to our succor."
His appeals for reinforcements were seconded Ijy Gen. W'infield Scott,
but unheeded by President Buchanan, and entirely ignored b}- Secretary of
\\'ar John B. Floyd.
On the 28th South Carolina troops occupied F'ort Moultrie and Castle
Pinckne\-. and hoisted the Palmetto flag on the ramparts. On the 29th John
B. Floyd resigned his place in the cabinet, charging that the President, in re-
140 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
fusing to remove Major Anderson from Charleston harbor, designed to plunge
the country into civil war. and added : "I cannot consent to be the agent of
such a calamity."
On that same day the South Carolina commissioners presented their offi-
cial credentials at W'asliington. which on the next da\- were declined. Georgia
declared secession January 2. 1861. and took possession of the United States
arsenal in Augusta and Forts Pulaski and Jackson. The Southern states, one
by one, kept "going out of the Union," as secession was termed. On Febru-
ary 1st the rebels seized the United States mint at Xew Orleans. February
9th. that year, a provisional constitution was adopted at Montgomery, Ala-
bama, it being the constitution of the United States "reconstructed" to suit
their purpose. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was chosen president, and
Alexander H. Stevens, of Georgia, vice-president of the "Confederate States
of North America." Jeff Davis was inaugurated February 18, 1861. and
President Lincoln on March 4th. April 12, 1861, the surrender of Fort Sum-
ter was demanded of Major Anderson, but he stoutly protested. Fire was at
once commenced upon the little garrison of about sixty men by thousands of
guns in the hands of the rebel troo])s. Sunday morning. April 14th. the news
flashed everywhere over the country that Fort Sumter had been surrendered
by the brave commander. Thus commenced the long-drawn-out Civil war.
"Slow to resolve, be swift to Do!
Teach ye the False, how fights the True!"
On Monday, April 15th, President Lincoln issued this famous procla-
mation to the people of the country :
"JVhercas, The laws of the United States have for some time past, and
are now opposed and the execution thereof obstructed, in the states of South
Carolina, Alabama. Florida, Alississippi, Louisiana and Texas, by combina-
tions too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial pro-
ceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals; now therefore, I. Abraham
Lincoln, President of the United .States, by \irtue of the power in me \ested
by the Constitution and the laws, have thought to call forth the militia of the
several states of the L^nion to the number of seventy-five thousand, in order
to suppress said combinations and to cause the laws to be duly executed.
"The details for this subject will be immetliately comnuinicated to the
State authorities through the war department. I appeal to all loyal citizens
to favor, facilitate, and to aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. I4I
and the existence of our National Union and the perpetuity of popular
government, and to redress wrongs long endured. I deem it proper to say
that the first services assigned to the forces hereby called forth will probably
be to re-possess the forts, places and property which have been seized from
the Union ; and in every event the utmost care will be observed, consistently
with the object aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of or
interference with property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any
part of the country ; and I hereby command the persons composing the com-
binations aforesaid to disperse and retire peaceablv to their respective abodes,
within twenty days from this date.
"Deeming the present condition of public affairs presents an extra-
ordinary occasion. I do hereby, by \irtue of the power in me vested by the
Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. The senators and repre-'
sentatives are, therefore, summoned to assemble at their respecti\e chambers
at twehe o'clock noon, on Thursday the fourth day of July next,' then and
there to consider and determine such measures as in their wisdom the pub-
lic safety and interest max- seem to demand.
"In witness thereof. I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal
of the United States to be affixed.
"Done at the city of Washington, the tifteenth day of April, in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one. and of the inde-
])endence of the United States the eighty-fifth.
"By the President.
"Abraham Lincoln.
'A\'. H. Seward. Secretary of State."
Se\'enty-fi\"e thousand men were not enough to crush the South — no nor
did ten times that number suffice, but the work of raising men under the
numerous calls — 75.000. 200.000. 300,000, 500,000 and other calls — was
pushed forward in order to raise a sufficient force to put down the Rebellion.
Iowa furnished more than seventy thousand men, from tirst to last, in the
civil conflict.
Coming now to the history made in that war by the people of Sac county,
it should be stated that when Fort Sumter was fired upon in April. 1861, the
population in this county was only two hundred and forty-six persons. At
the end of the war it had only reached a few more than three hundred, hence
it could not be expected that many soldiers could be mustered from Sac county
in defense of the flag of the L^nion.
£42 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
During the civil conflict Sac county did all in her power to furnish
volunteers and care for soldiers' families while such men were fighting at
the front in the Southland. The minutes of the board of county super-
visors in 1863 notes this: "Ordered, that Sarah E. Cory be allowed the sum
of fourteen dollars out of the volunteers fund."
Another order in December of the same year reads: "Ordered that
the board offer seventy-five dollars each to any four men who shall volunteer
in the United States service, by January 5, ]864."'
Other such entries include the following: That "Thirteen dollars be
allowed from the volunteer's fund of Sac county to the wife of William Allen,
a soldier's wife, who has four children to care for.'.' This was protested by
M. S. Lee, member of the board, on the ground that Mr. Allen was not
accredited to Sac county by the military records of the department.
In 1S64 the war was beginning to be more frightful and serious than at
any time before that. In January of that year, the board made this entry:
"Ordered that the county offer three hundred dollars to any four men who
shall volunteer under the last call of President Lincoln for more troops."
In February, 1864, it was raised to three hundred dollars for any
single man who would enlist in the Union army from Sac county.
The great war ended on April 9, 1865, and in August of the same year,
thinking well of the \aliant serxices rendered by Sac county soldiers, the
board of supervisors made this resolution: "Ordered that Sac county pay
the sum of three hundred dollars to each soldier volunteer accredited to this
county, who has not already received a bounty for his enlistment." With
this was the following patriotic resolution : "Therefore be it resolved, that
the prayer of certain petitioners in Sac county. Iowa, be granted with the
following expression of sentiment, viz: First, that three hundred dollars
bounty be allowed to each soldier who served in said military service from
Sac county. Iowa, as so accredited, in putting down the Rebellion — that is,
he who really enlisted from Sac county. Second, that the board shall be the
judges of who shall receive said bounty, when sufficient evidence is produced.
Third, that said bounty shall be paid in the shape of orders drawn on the
volunteer fund of said county and delivered after being drawn and shall draw
interest from their dates at the rate of ten per cent, per annum until paid."
In September, T865. it is shown that it was "Ordered that James P.
Kromer and James Shelmerdine each be paid three hundred dollars bounty."
The last of such entries appears to be that of October, 1865, when
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. I43
William Cory was allowed three hundred dollars bounty from the \-olun-
teer's fund of Sac county.
From year to year the needy soldiers ha\-e been cared for b>' the county,
as well as by the general government. In 1910 the "relief fund" for soldiers
in Sac county amounted to one thousand se\en hundred and three dollars.
According to the state census reports of 1905, the classified list of Union
soldiers residing in Sac county at that date is as follows : Total number
soldiers, in county. 1 76 : number who enlisted in Iowa regiments. 53 : number
in Illinois regiments. 45; number in \\^isconsin regiments 21; number in
Indiana regiments. 10; number in Ohio regiments, 10.
VETERANS IN 1 884.
From a list published in the Sac Sun in 1884, the following appears to
have been the correct list of Civil war veterans drawing pensions in Sac
count}-, given by towns :
Odebolt— H. W. Vandermark. B. F. Stearns, Mart Shelley, John D.
Evans, George W . Johnson, widow of comrade McKinney, Cornelius Shea.
Arthur H. Montgomery, George Long, William F. Bettis, Jacob Meyer.
Catherine (widow of comrade) Mummy, John H. Scott, Asa B. Smith. Charles
R. Dingman. Owen K. Boort. John Guilford. John W. Savage. James Level.
Hiram B. Smith. Marsh Duane. Simeon Bowker. James M. Stratton.
Sac City — Farnsworth Cobb. A. M. Cory. Denziel Clark. William E.
Cooper, Joseph K. Staton, Henry \\'. Shumake. Byron Hovey. Charles W.
Hammond. Harman A. Jones, Alexander Watterson. Catherine ( widow of
comrade) O'Shea, John T. Wallen, Johanna (widow of comrade) King,
William L. Reed. Eli Haradon. Sarah B. ( widow of comrade) Grimes.
Francis M. Rother. David Ross. McClosky, James E. Armstrong. Truman
Churchill.
Wall Lake — Adam Hoxender. Wallace Bedford, George Blass, Horace
B. Allen. Nathan Allen. William Johnston.
Earlv — James Magclin, Clarrissa (widow of comrade) McClure. James
Shelmerdine.
Fletcher (now Lake View) — Charles Potts.
Grant City — Orin C. Crandall.
Total number, fifty-eight; total amount received monthly as pension.
$476-33-
T44 ■''AC COUNTY. IOWA.
SAC county's first camp fire.
In September, 1884. there occurred a splendid old soldiers' Grand Army
camptire, in the beautiful grove of the late Judge Eugene Criss, a half mile
to the east of Sac City, lasting three days and over. It was participated in
by many adjoining towns and cities, and thousands of comrades attended, be-
sides as many more civilians. The grounds were in excellent condition and
at their entrance there stood several brazen cannon ready to belch forth on a
moment's warning. The program commenced on Tuesday morning, when
cannon boomed and musketry was heard up and down the Coon valley, as it
had been on Southern battle fields in the Ci\il-war period. The night was
made noisy throughout the entire hours, the "boys" who had worn the blue
were in evidence on every hand, in and out of town, with guns and without.
It rained during the night, but that made no difference, the old veterans were
not afraid of the elements, but kept thinking of other nights of rain and storm,
far from home and friends, in a real enemy's land.
On the second day there was a great sham battle enacted and success-
fully fought between the Xorth and South. This was on the Sac county fair
grounds. The Union forces were in command of "General" P. H. Hankins,
and the rebel forces were under command of "Lieut. -General" D. Cars-
kaddon. The following is a pen picture of the engagement by the editor of
the Sac Sun James X. Miller, who was a \eteran and took part in the battle:
"Finding the fire from the fort too hot for the skirmishers General
Hankins ordered up the reserve commanded by 'Brigadier-Generals' Webster
and Goldsmith ( assumed titles. ) They presented a fine appearance as they
marched in solid phalanx across the open field, flags and banners streaming
and the Ijand ])laying inspiring strains under a fearful fire from the rebels,
who could be seen mustering their clans for the final conflict. Halting within
a hundred yards of the fort, the order to charge was given and with fixed
bayonets the bovs sprang forward with wild cheers. But within twent}'
yards of the fort the fire liecame ton hot for mortal men to endure, and for
once thev wavered, then halted, and finally fled, while the rebels poured out
over the breast-works in pursuit. It seemed as if the day was lost, but it
was only for a moment. By the superhuman effort of its officers, the line
was halted and again formed for a second charge. It seemed like certain
death to face the fierce fire from the fort, but it was death or capture to re-
main. The ammunition was almost exhausted and nothing remained but to
charge. "General" Rother was ordered with bis commantl nn the left, which
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. I4.5
he proceeded to do with great success. Again the order to charge was given,
and the boys sprang forward with a wild cheer, answered from the rebel
fort with a 3'ell of defiance, and a fire that told of deadly effect upon the ad-
vancing foe. Not a shot was fired by the Union forces, until they sprang
upon the breastworks, when they poured forth a volley with such terrible re-
sults that the gray coats turned and ran for their lives, leaving their dead and
wounded. Alice Post captured the flag and Company E took the staff.
Cheer after cheer rent the air and the victory was complete. General Cars-
kaddon and all his staff were captured, with three thousand men, the balance
of his force escaping across the Cedar river, the Union forces being too
much exhausted to follow them. It was a glorious victory and settled the
fates of the invading army, which only two days before had come flushed
with high hopes of a conquest."
Following the battle, dress parade was held by Commander Hankins and
the camp was formally disbanded. Most of the veterans departed by train
or otherwise, and the night passed in peace and quietude. The next day the
tents were struck, the flags furled and the camp (which was called Camp
Eugene Criss. after him who owned the land) resumed the normal state.
The old veterans of the Civil \Var returned to their homes refreshed and
inspired by the stirring scenes and each resolved that so long as life lasted
the memory of the great conflict should not pass away.
The commands that participated in this reunion of soldiers, and who
fouglit the sham battle, included the following, with some others : Sac City
Post No. 284; Jeff C. Davis Post No. 44, of Carroll: Allee Post No. 113, of
Manson: Sons of Veterans Post No. 11 1. Scranton; Lander Post No. 156,
Lake City: Col. Goodrich Post No. 117. Odebolt ; McPherson Post No. 33,
Manning: C. C. Washburn Post No. 282, Grant City; N. P. Wright Post
No. 291, Glidden; Bud Hazen Post No. i^y, Luck Valley; Belle Post,
Kingsley; John T. Compton Post, Churdan: Opedyke Post No. 322, Rock-
well City ; Company E, Iowa National Guards, Carroll.
In 1886 a second reunion and campfire was held by the soldiers of this
section at Sac City, at which almost five hundred veterans were in attendance.
Among the features of the occasion was the hanging of a spy and the drum-
ming out of camp of a supposed hog thief. Gen. Josiah Given, of Des
Moines, was one of the prominent speakers. A sham battle was also fought
this year, as on the former occasion. The gate receipts were about nine
hundred dollars. Colonel Temple presented his famous "Union Spy," as-
(9)
146 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
sisted by local talent. It was b>- all odds the finest event of all at that re-
union. .\niong the persons who took part as actors and actresses in this play,
may be recalled the names of home-folk as follows: Messrs. Parker. Hart,
Goldsmith, Derby and Mrs. Xutter, Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Derby, Miss Lola Early
and Charlie Woodward.
A campt^re was held at Wall Lake in February, 1887, and, notwithstand-
ing the fact that the mercury was twenty-two degrees below zero, the soldiers
assembled from Sac City, Wall Lake, Lake City and Odebolt and, with the
assistance of the ladies, had a most enjoyable occasion. A good supper was
prepared by the ladies and the company listened to a rousing speech from
Captain Head, of Jefferson.
A great soldiers" reunion for all northwestern Iowa was held at Sac
City, in lune, 1890, which brought its thousands of old veterans here.
soldiers' monuments.
Among the beautiful soldiers' monuments in Sac county is the one at
Sac City, in :\Ionumental square, opposite the court house, erected by a one-
mill tax provided for by law, in 1892. It was built at an expense of three
thousand four hundred and seventy-two dollars, and dedicated November 21,
1894, when it was unveiled in the presence of a large throng of people from
all parts of this and adjoining counties. Hon. Philip Schaller acted as pre-
siding officer of the day. The cord which held the draping of the statute was
unloosened bv little Miss Emily Needham, of Lake View. Chairman A. B.
Smith, of Odebolt, presented the monument to the county, and was replied
to by County Supervisor M. E. \\'right. I. A. Cory, who fifed on the same
spot in 1 86 1 to recruit volunteers, was called out and played again the
stirring music he had played thirty- four years before. The speaker of
the day was Hon. George D. Perkins, member of Congress and editor of the
Sioux City Journal, who made a long, telling and well-received oration. Dur-
ing his remarks he stated, "Sac county was a babe in the arms of Iowa when
the Civil War broke out. It was little then that you could give. The federal
census only gave you two hundred and forty-seven population in i860, and
of course not many could be expected from so few, but you sent some, even
under the early calls and Sac county is thereby credited with ten or a dozen
altogether. But after the war many soldiers returned and sought homes and
fought here as pioneers. Iowa and Sac county owes to them a debt of grati-
tude. You have put up this monument here for the Union soldiers; a tribute
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. I47
to the defenders, in the name of the soldier citizenship of Sac county for the
republic. In this broad spirit you dedicate your work and in this spirit it is
to be remembered of you while its foundations endure."
So large was the throng in attendance that the opera hall wnuld not hold
the people and the Presbyterian church was used for an overflow place, and
there Mr. Perkins spoke for a short time, as well as seveial others, including
Re\erend Whitfield, Chairman Charles Early and others. Campfires were
hekl at the Methodist Episcopal church in the evening and also at the Baptist
Institute chapel, W. ]. Dixon presiding at the former and ^^^. H. Hart at the
latter.
This monument was erected by contractors Woods, McNeely & Com-
pany, of Marshalltown, Iowa, from Barre granite, and the bronze statue was
by the world-famous Maurice J. Powers, of New York. The Hon. George D.
Perkins secured through Congress four five-ton condemned cannon, which
defend each of the four corners of the park, now so attractive to the passers-
by. The monument consists of four bases and the entire structure is nine-
teen feet high, with the volunteer infantrymen in bronze surmounting the
granite shaft and spacious bases. The weight of the monument is thirty-
two tons.
The corner-stone was laid with Masonic rites, August 5, 1892. The
Iowa State Band and several drum corps were present. Addresses were
made by W. H. Hart, of Sac City, and pioneer E. Criss served as officer of
the day. Many articles were deposited in the corner-stone.
The names of every soldier who served from Sac county in the Civil
War has been inscribed upon this monument, except "Chan" Browning, Laws
and John Bugr, and this list is as follows :
George C. Browning, Company D, Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, died Febru-
ary 28, 1864.
William Cory, Company H, Tenth Iowa Infantry, died June 6, 1886.
Harvey W. Cory, Company H, Tenth Iowa Infantry.
Thaddeus A. Grey Company C, Eighth Iowa Infantry.
John Alexander, Second Battery of Light Artillery, died February 19,
1908.
J. W. Tiberghien, Company H, Eighth Iowa Infantry.
Henry C. Hubbard, Company A, Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry, died
January 2, 1863.
James Shelmerdine, Company A, Twenty-sixth Infantry.
James Kromer, Company A, Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry.
148 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
George W. Birch. Company A, Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry, died De-
cember 19, 1 881.
WiUiam G. Wine, Compan}- I. Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry.
Hugh Cory, Company K, Seventh Iowa Cavalry.
C. W. Tuffs, Company B, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, died November 10,
1876.
George W. Porter, Company L, Fourth Iowa Cavalry.
John Duncan, Company L, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, died October 15, 1903.
W. R. Nevin, Company M, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, died September 17,
1896.
Jeremiah Bugr, Company E, Sixth Iowa Cavalry.
J. O. Tuffs, Company D, Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, died June 21, 1903.
On the sides of the base of the monument are the words "Shiloh,"
"Gettysburg," "Vicksburg,"' and "Winchester," while on the one side of the
shaft is the inscription, "Erected by the Citizens of Sac County, Iowa, to the
Memory of Her Soldier Heroes of the Civil War."
"Dedicated November 21, 1894."
Another fine monument to the heroes of the Rebellion is that erected
in the new addition of Oakland cemetery, which is described in the city
chapter of this work.
INSPECTION OF THE IOWA SOLDIERS' HOME.
Under appointment, Hon. Phil Sclialler, of Sac City, in 1906 inspected
the Soldiers' Home, at jMarshalltown. and in his report he gives the follow-
ing as the daily allowance for food stuffs at that state institution: 355 pounds
of beef; 300 pounds of mess pork, bacon or sausage, or 380 pounds of pork
loin, or 350 pounds of ham, along with 40 pounds of sugar, 200 pounds of
flour, 20 pounds of coffee, two pounds of tea, fi\-e bushels of potatoes, 160
gallons of milk, 40 pounds of butter, and twn bushels of beans and pickles and
other relishes.
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
In the spring of 1898 war was declared against the government of
Spain, and President William McKinley issued the following proclamation :
"Whereas, a joint resolution of Congress was approved on the twentieth
day of April, 1898, entitled 'Joint resolution for the recognition of the inde-
pendence of the people of Cuba, demanding that the government of Spaiii
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. I49
relinquish its authority and go\ernment in tiie island of Cuba, and to with-
draw its land and naval forces from Cuba and CuJjan waters, and directing
the President of the United States to use the land and naval forces of the
United States to carry these resolutions into effect,' and
"Whereas, by an act of Congress entitled 'An act to provide for tem-
porarily increasing the military establishments of the United States in time
of war and for other purposes,' approved April 22, 1898, the President was
authorized, in order to raise a volunteer army, to issue his proclamation call-
ing for volunteers to serve in the Army of the United States :
"Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States,
by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution and the laws, and
deeming sufficient occasion to exist, have thought fit to call forth volunteers
to the aggregate number of one hundred and twenty-fi\'e thousand in order
to carry into effect the purpose of said resolution ; the same to be apportioned,
as far as practicable, among the several states and territories and the District
of Columbia, according to population, and to serve two years, unless sooner
discharged. The details for this object will be immediately communicated
to the proper authorities through the war department.
"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed.
"Done at the City of Washington, this twenty-third day of April, A. D.
1898, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and
twenty-second.
(Seal.)
"By the President : William McKinley.
"John Sherman,
"Secretary of State."
At the date of this war Sac county had two thousand two hundred and
ninety-nine men subject to military duty, and many were only too eager to
participate in the war with Spain, but owing to the fact that the number of
men required to suppress the Spaniards in their attempt to hold Cuba in
enslavement and tyran}' was so limited only a few were permitted to enlist
from Sac county. Among such were those of the Forty-second Regiment,
who had been citizens of this county at one time or another, or were at the
date of the war, namely: S&mnel B. Culp, of Company C; Daniel S.
Spangler, Company D; Harry S. Blackman, Company H; David C. Conner,
Company I; B. Hutcheson, Company B; Eugene R. Allen, Company C;
150 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Richard M. Schoonmaker, Company D : Claude G. Bennick, Company M ;
Roy S. Parker and Gib ]\lason.
COMPANY M, IOWA NATIONAL GUARD.
In the summer of 1900 Company M, Iowa National Guard, was organ-
ized at Sac City, and in June, 1901, a fine armory was provided for thcni,
lull in a few years things changed about and the comi)any was disbanded and
organized at Cherokee. The armory was later used for a tobacco warehouse
and finally destroyed by fire.
Upon the return of the Spanish-American soldiers to Iowa, the Sac Sun
had the following editorial on that event :
'"The Fifty-first Iowa Regiment reached Council Bluffs on Monday last
(November, 1898) and a royal welcome was accorded them by a vast multi-
tude that had assembled from all western Iowa. At the parade were seen
Governor Shaw and his staff, and man\' prominent lowans. a dozen bands of
music, with the officers and men of the Fifty-first Regiment in full uniform.
At the formal ceremony of welcome, Hon. John N. Baldwin, of Council
Bluffs, presided. Governor Shaw addressed the throng, as did Congress-
man Hull, Fred White, Lafayette Young, Judge McPherson and Mavor
Jennings, of Council Bluff's. The 'boys' were given a big dinner and then
took the train for Des Moines and other southern Iowa points. There were
only eight companies that took part in the parade and ceremonies ; the others,
including the Council Bluff's company, arrived later in the dav and were
enthusiastically welcomed. As the train reached the towns, namely. Council
Bluffs, Villisca, Glenwood, Knoxville, Shenandoah, Oskaloosa, Creston, Bed-
ford, Corning, Red Oak, formal greetings were accorded them. But the best
of all was having the privilege of embracing friends at home and sitting at
home with loved ones. There are homes in Iowa in which the return of the
brave boys call up fresh sorrow for some soldier lads whole life was yielded
in his country's cause; but happily these sorrowing homes are fewer than
could ha\'e been expected when the call for troops was made. Iowa soldiers
return to civil life crowned with honors, filled with patriotic zeal, and no
doubt glad to resume the vocations they pursued ])efore their enlistment."
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
The first post of the Grand .\rmy of the Republic in Sac county was
that organized at Odebolt, No. 1 17, in the fall of 1882 — at least that seems
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. I5I
to be the opinion of the few surviving comrades in the county today. Its
number indicates that Odebolt was first to form a post here. The history
of this post runs as follows :
At Odebolt, Col. Goodrich Post No. 117 was organized December 22,
1882, by Col. C. G. Wright, of Denison, Iowa, with the following charter
membership: W. W. Stanfield, H. W. Stratton. D. H. Waterman, D. Lesher,
W. E. Mill, J. Austin, William Graham. H. H. Bangs, H. W. Vandermark,
Henry Keck, J. W. Burnside, Asa B. Smith, D. W. Flack, George Conant,
M. D. Fox, Oscar Draper, N. Kenady, H. Hovender, J. M. Stratton, F. F.
Webster, S. Bowker, W. H. Hess.
This post has carried on its muster rolls one hundred and eight veterans
of the Civil War. At one time it was the strongest post in Sac county, and
there is only one old soldier in the vicinity of Odel)olt who has not joined
this post. It has been reduced by removals and deaths until only eleven now
remain. Twenty-four are buried in the Odebolt cemetery. Soon the last
soldier of that terrible conflict, who settled in Odebolt will have answered
the last call !
In passing it should be stated that the first elective officers of this post of
Grand Army men were as follows : D. W. Flack, commander ; W. W. Stan-
field, senior vice-commander; J. W. Burnside, junior vice-commander; Will-
iam Graham, adjutant.
The officers in Feljruary, 1914, are; W. H. Hess, commander; L. Olney,
senior vice-commander; \\'. H. Mitt, junior vice-commander; M. D. Fox,
adjutant.
Probably the second post to organize in the county was the one at Grant
City, known as No. 282, which for years was a strong post, but, its numbers
having been cut down by death and removals, the charter was given up and
what few soldiers there are left in that vicinity attend meetings and belong to
the Lake City Post in Calhoun county.
Gen. W. T. Sherman Post No. 284, at Sac City, was originally organized
under the name of Sac Post No. 284, and retained that name until the death
of General Sherman, and in 1891 was changed, by order of the state depart-
ment, as will be observed by the following record ;
"Cedar Rapids, lov/a, March 11, 1891.
"Special Order No. 113 (series of 1890-91).
"Post No. 284, Department of Iowa, G. A. R., having made the first and
earliest claim to assume the name of Gen. W. T. Sherman, which the death
152 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
of that eminent and esteemed commander made possible to do so, and having
by vote of said post duly certified to these headquarters adopted such name
of Gen. W. T. Sherman in lieu of 'Sac,' by which it has since been known,
such change in name is hereby approved and the said post will hereafter be
enrolled and known as the Gen. W. T. Sherman Post Xo. 284, Department
of Iowa, G. A. R.
"M. P. Mills,
"Officially signed : Deputy Commander.
"Charles J. Longley,
"Assistant Adjutant-General."
In 1889, through the generosity of D. Carr Early, this post was provided
with an eighty-dollar historical record book, which was large, well ruled and
planned to last many years. It was made the subject of a lengthy set of
resolutions. The book contains the history and record of the post from first
to last.
By public subscription and a stock company, known as the Gen. W. T.
Sherman Hall Association, organized in July, 1891, with Phil Schaller as
its president and Sidney Smith its secretary, the present beautiful post hall
that adorns the west side of the city park, known as Monumental park, was
erected of brick at a considerable expense. It is the home of this post and
here the Grand Army, the Sons of Veterans and Woman's Relief Corps
have always met since its construction. It is well furnished, and its walls are
embellished with flags, banners and charters of the several orders.
This post had for its charter members : Harlow J. Baxter, private in
Company K, Twenty-third Wisconsin Infantry; Hayman A. Jones, private
in Company D, Fifth Iowa Infantry ; Thomas B. Mansfield, private in Com-
pany E, Fifty-second Ohio Infantry; John T. Watson, corporal in Company
I, Twenty-second Ohio Infantry ; Phil Schaller, sergeant in Company E,
Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry ; David W. Graff, private in Company L,
Second Illinois Cavalry ; Charles E. Lane, private in Company C, Twenty-
first Iowa Infantry; Charles D. Goldsmith, private in Company I, Fifty-
sixth New York Infantry; David W. Moffatt, private in Company B. Twelfth
Illinois Infantry ; Gilbert Wilcox, private in Company C, Twenty-third Iowa
Infantry; Chauncey Kester, private in Company F, Eighth New York
Artillery; Frank Pilloud, private in Company E, Second Iowa Cavalry;
George M. Parker, private in Company H, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry ;
Henry Schanck, corporal in Company F, Twelfth Illinois Infantry; James
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 53
N. Miller, private in Company A, Twelfth West Virginia Infantry; Preston
H. Hankins, pri\ate in Company D, Seventeenth Illinois Infantry; John
Butler, corporal in Company D, Second Iowa Cavalry; Alexander Watter-
son, private in Company D, Fourth Vermont Infantry; Frederick Seitz,
private in Company D, Twentieth Iowa Infantry; Aurelius Barney, private in
Companv D, Sixty-sixth Illinois Infantry; William E. Cooper, private in
Company K, Sixteenth Illinois Infantry; James A. Sawyer, private in Com-
pany D, Sixty-fifth Illinois Infantry; Cassius E. Hankins, private in Com-
pany E, One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois Infantry; James W. McClosky,
corporal in Company B, Fifth Iowa Infantry.
The first officers elected in this post included the following comrades ;
P. H. Hankins, post commander ; J. L. Watson, senior vice-commander ; H.
A. Jones, junior vice-commander; George M. Parker, adjutant; Phil Schaller,
quartermaster; C. E. Lane, chaplain; H. C. Graff, ofificer of the day; H. J.
Baxter, officer of the guard ; D. W. Graff, riuartermaster sergeant ; C. E.
Hankins, sergeant major.
The post was organized at the Knights of Pythias hall and were then
taken to the old Hendrickson house, for "an elegant banquet," as they had
told their wives and lady friends. The ladies were there in waiting and when
the dining hall was opened they found only this bill of fare in waiting for
them ; Tin-plates, hard-tack, sow-belly, beans, hominy, coffee without milk
or cream. After this "feast," all enjoyed a genuine soldier's dance.
The post at Sac City now has a membership of thirty-six old Civil-War
soldiers. There have been enrolled at different dates one hundred and fifty-
seven soldiers' names on the books of this post. The officers in 1914 are as
follows: M. C. Haradon, commander; George Matson, senior vice-com-
mander; Perry Myrick, junior vice-commander; W. H. Johnson, adjutant;
D. M. Belt, quartermaster; Hugh Cory, sergeant; B. C. Hovey, chaplain;
N. B. Toole, officer of the day; J. Sawyer, officer of guard.
At Schaller, there was a post known as W. D. Price No. 392, organized
either in 1885 or 1886, and at one time had eighteen members on its rolls,
but it has decreased to six and only three of these reside in Schaller. They
still hold a charter, having paid up their per capita to the state department.
There is also a small post at Early, and one at Wall Lake, all of which
are feeling the touch of time's hand, and ere long must surrender their
charter, or unite with the largest post now in the county, the Sac City post
above named and described.
154 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
SONS OF VETERANS.
Many years ago it appeared to the sons and grandsons of soldiers of the
Civil War, living in Sac City, that it would be wise to form a camp of that
country-wide organization, The Sons of Veterans, and it was accomplished
forthwith. In 191 1 the camp had a membership of ahiKist thirty sons and
grandsons of the "bo_\s in blue" who fought from "61 to "65 in order to pre-
serve intact the Union, ^leetings are held at Gen. \V. T. Sherman post room
of the Grand Army of the Republic in Monumental square, in the heart of
the city. But a few years more and the last Ci\il War soldier will be gone,
and it is highly proper that these, their offspring, shall perpetuate the loyalty
and patriotism their brave sires possessed. But for some reason, the younger
generation does not fully interest themselves in such matters, and this camp
has virtually suspended operations, which is to he greatly regretted.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHURCH HISTOKY.
The religious element predominates in this county and from the earliest
date churches of various denominations have been sustained. Good congre-
gations ha\e been organized and fine church edifices ha\e been from time to
time erected, both in and outside the towns of the county. The Methodist
Episcopal and the Presbyterians seem to now be in the lead in membership
and churches.
The state census reports for Iowa in 1905 give this on churches in Sac
county :
Number of V^alue of Member-
Congregations. Property. ship.
Baptist (Regular) 3 $ 9,200 379
Catholic 4 37'6oo 849
Congregational 2 5-400 125
Episcopal I 2,500 24
Latter Day Saints i i.ooo 56
Lutheran 5 24,300 724
:\lethodist Episcopal • 12 39-400 1,577
Presbyterian 9 48,700 710
T^-j $168,100 4.444
METHODISM.
At this date there are the following Methodist churches within Sac
county: Sac City, with a membership of three hundred and fifty; church
property valued at thirt}-four thousand dollars; Sac City circuit, Schaller,
Wall Lake, Odebolt, Xemaha, Lake View, Early, Bethel on Wall Lake
charge, and Pleasant View on Lake View charge.
156 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
SAC CITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Here was the birthplace of Methodism in Sac county. The date was
in the summer months of 1855, fifty-nine years ago. The founder was Rev.
Wilham Black, a missionary tra\-eling on the frontier of Iowa, working under
the auspices of the Iowa conference. Record and tradition says that it was
early in the summer just named that Mrs. Isabella Cory, wife of F. M. Cory,
crossed the river to a spot where now stands the beautiful Methodist church,
and, kneeling in prayer, asked God to send his gospel and plant a church in
this new land. Her prayer was answered. The report of the Rev. W'illiam
Black at the first session of the Upper Iowa conference in 1856 led to his
appointment as pastor of Sac City mission circuit, and to the appointment of
Rev. Landon Taylor as presiding elder of Sioux City district, which com-
prised most of the present territory of the great Northwest Iowa conference.
A class was formed at Sac City and meetings were held at the homes of the
members, including that of F. M. Cory, until the completion of the first
school house in 1857. The next meeting place was the new school building
of 1861, and in 1871 when the brick school house was erected that was used
by the Alethodist people of Sac City. Rev. T. J. Barr erected the first
church building, which was dedicated March 12, 1876. It stood on the site
of the present church building, on Main street and was dedicated by Bishop
Andrews. It was remodeled in 1893, at a cost of one thousand five hundred
dollars and ser\-ed the congregation until the erection of the present struc-
ture, which was dedicated by Bishop B, I. Ives, March 15, 1903. Its cost
was twenty thousand dollars, not including the lot. Rev. Walter Torbet was
pastor at the time this church was erected. In 1903 a parsonage property
was purchased and it is now worth four thousand dollars. This was the first
denomination to build in the county. Its first church cost two thousand nine
hundred and seventy-fi\'e dollars and a hundred dollars more for the lot on
which it was erected.
The following have ser\'ed as pastors of this church, each serving one
year when not otherwise indicated: William Black (three years), C. J.
Campbell (a few months and died in the work), B. C. Barnes, D. N. Mallory,
D. C. Billings, Henry Pillbeam, C. F. McLean, Darwin, W. W. Mallory (two
years), A. J. Groom, J. M. Dudley, J. Manning, White, \\'illiam Preston (two
years), C. ^^'. Clifton, A. Jameison, T. J. Barr (two years), O. S. Bryan,
B. W. Graham, J. A. Ziegler, W. W. Brown, Robert Smylie (three years),
E. C. Warren, Thomas Carter (two years), H. Grace (two years), G. H.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 57
Hastings, William Preston (two years), O. S. Bryan, O. K. Maynard, J. W.
Lothian, Hugh Hay (four years). E. S. Johnson (three years), Walter
Torbet (five years), W. A. Black, Hugh Hay (two years), Thomas Andrew
(two years), Henry Black Burns (resigned). Rev. Reginald D. Acheson,
present pastor, who came September, 19 13.
PLEASANT HILL M. E. CHURCH.
Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal church, at a beautiful site in Clinton
township, this county, was organized January i, 1885, with charter members
as follows : Charles JVIanley, Susie Mauley, A. L. Manley, Edith Manley,
Simon M. Barnt, Addie A. Barnt.
A frame structure, now valued at two thousand five hundred dollars, was
erected in 1890. The present total membership is forty. The following
have served as pastors at this point since the history of the society com-
menced: Revs. James Hamerson, 1885; Records, 18S5-87; A. Brown, 1887-
90; E. R. Mahood, 1890-91 : E. S. Johnson, 1891-92; C. M. Phoenix, 1892-
94; S. L. Eddy, 1894-96: James Bally, 1896-98: O. F. Chittic, 1898-1900;
C. G. Coulter, 1900-01; A. E. Slessor, 1901-04; A. R. Cuthbert, 1904-05;
George H. MarchauL 1903-07: A. A. Pittinger, 1907-08: D. F. Robbins.
1908-09: Nathaniel Harris, 1909-10; I. J. Plarris, 1910-11 ; J. R. Tumbleson,
191 1 and present pastor.
NEMAHA M. E. CHURCH.
What was originally kudwn as Bethel church, but now as the First
Methodist Episcopal church of Xemaha, was organized in the Fanning" school
house in 1886 (called Early circuit). The first services were held by E. C.
Alford; the first regular pastor was Rev. A. A. Wilcox. The conference in
1887 was held at Sioux City. The only surviving members of this church,
who were among the charter members, are as follows : Mr. Fred Deppe,
Mrs. Caroline Deppe, Mrs. Rose Deppe Patterson, Mr. A. E. Fanning and
Mrs. Emma Stenhouse. The present membership is one hundred and three.
The estimated value of church property is, church, .$3,100, and parsonage,
$1,100.
A church building was erected in i8Sy, under pastor E. E. Thompson.
It was one mile north and one mile west of the present locatioiL In 1900
it was removed to its present site in Xemaha. It is still a good edifice. It
has been enlarged so that its seating capacity has been increased one-half.
158 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
The following have served as pastors in this church: E. C. Alford,
1886: A. A. Wilcox, 1887: E. E. Thompson, 1888; E. L. Thompson, 1889:
John E. Clearwater, September, 1890; George F. Cliff, 1891, when the church
was attached to Sulphur Springs: A. J. Langdell, 1893: Freeman Franklin,
1894: \V. W. Shnler, 1895: H. L. Farr. 1896: J. R. Fans, 1897: F. M. Pratt,
1900: it tlien liecame the Xemaha charge. Following Rev. Pratt came
Samuel Knoer, 1903: R. F. \\'illis. 1906: George W. Bruce, 1908: S. L.
Eddy. 1910: Rev. E. Robbiu'^, the present pastor, 1911. These conference
years all ended either in the UKinths of October or September.
ODEBOLT M. E. CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Odebolt was organized in 1S77. with
the following charter members: Rev. C. H. P. Fans, organizing minister, A.
D. Peck and wife, ]\I. D. Fox and wife, Robert W'addell and wife, James
Taylor and wife, S. E. Smith and wife, AI. Bartlett and wife, Asa Smith and
wife, J. \\'. Southwell and wife.
A parsonage was erected in 1877-78. The first church built in 1879,
was remodeled in 1898 and later rebuilt into the present church. The pres-
ent valuation of the church jiroperty, church and parsonage, is thirteen thou-
sand dollars. The present membership is two hundred and sixty-five.
The following is a complete list of the pastors of this church : O. H.
Fans, 1877: W. W. Brown, 1878: D. M. Beams, 1879; R. S. Fysh, 1880;
William Preston, 1881 : Henry Brown, 1882; H. K. Hastings, 1884: James
Hughes, 1887: H. ^^■. INIahood, 1888: J. B. Trimble, 1890: William \M:it-
field, 1893: A. Brown, 1895: W. J. Carr, 1897; ^V. C. Wasser, 1900: J. L.
Whitney, 1902; J. L. Gillies, 1904: ^^^ A. Black, 1907: W. ^\■. Bolinger,
1908; F. S. Cole, 1910: J. A. Lary, 191 1 (died ]\Iarch, 1912, on the charge) ;
H. G. Campbell, supplied from Jime, 1912, to October i. 1912; M. P. Arra-
smith, appointed October 19, 191 2, and is still pastor of the church.
EARLY M. E. CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Early was organized in 1883 with a
few members under Rev. Robert Smylie, tlien pastor at Sac City. Nearly
all of the first members have i)assed from the cares and duties of church life
on earth. James Jackson still remains and Mrs. Phoebe Reeder only recently
died. There are now over two hundred members in this church. Some of
the brightest, ablest ministers of the Xortliwest Iowa conference have served
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 59
at Early, and many a successful revival season has been experienced here.
The church buildiny was erected in 1888, and served well until 1904, when
larger and better quarters had to be provided for the increasing congrega-
tion. These improvements were made under Re\-. \V. H. Flint's administra-
tion. The present (1914) pastor. Rev. George H. Wareham, is completing
his third year, is an active Christian worker, having been in the ministry
twentv-five vears. He has caused numerous improvements to l)e made to
both church and parsonage. The building is now too small and steps are
being taken to rebuild. The number in Sunday school is now one hundred
and seventv-five, with sixty in the Epworth League. The pastor's Bible class
included forty-two young couple of married people.
WALL LAKE M. E. CHURCH.
In October. 1878, occurred the first preaching and Sunday school
services of the Methodist people at Wall Lake, but no church was organized
until 1883, when a society was perfected with the following members and
officers: Rev. ]. F. Black, pastor; N. L. Grier, J. O. Jacobs, F. Chandler,
^\^ H. Ehlert. T. F. Marks, W. H. Peck, Mrs. W. H. Peck, constituting the
board of trustees The first regular church building, a frame structure, was
dedicated March 16, 1884. The present total membership of this church is
seventy ; the valuation of all church property is about five thousand two hun-
dred dollars. The various pastors who ha\-e served at Wall Lake are John
Howerson, William Records, Alonzo Brown, F. R. Mahood. E. S. Johnson,
J. H. Snow, Bennett Mitchell, E. R. Mahood, T. S. Bassett, James Bollz,
Charles H. Kamphoefner, R. D. Acheson, C. N. McMillan, F. W. Whitford
and E. C. Palmer.
Belonging to the ^\'all Lake circuit is Bethel church, organized at ?ilark's
school house in 1875, by Mr. and !Mrs. A. D. Peck, 'Sir. and Mrs. R. Waddell,
Mr. and Mrs. M. Bartlett, Mrs. Marks, later joined by B. H. Mummey and
wife, M. D. Fox and wife, S. E. Smith and wife, Mrs. Wappin, James Taylor
and wife. [Meetings were held in ALirk's school house, Taylor school house
and Fox school house, alternately. A building erected in 1889, was dedicated
August 4, 1889. The present membership is thirty-eight and the value of the
society's property is estimated at one thousand five hundred dollars. The
following have served as pastors: O. H. P. Foss, W. W. Brown, D. M.
Beemis, William Preston, R. S. Fish, Flenry Brown Cummings, H. K. Hast-
l6o SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
ings, James Hughes, H. W. L. Mahood. J. B. Trimble. E. S. Johnson, F. H.
Snow. Bennett Mitchell, E. R. Alahood, T. S. Bassett, James Bollz, Charles
H. Kamphoefer, R. D. Acheson, C. N. McMillan, F. \V. Whitford, E. C.
Palmer.
LAKE VIEW M. E. CHURCH.
Lake View Methodist Episcopal church was organized in October, 1883,
by Rev. J. R. C. Layton, presiding elder of the Ft. Dodge district, and E. C.
Warren, pastor of the Sac City church, with members, C. G. Peck, H. D.
Peck, Mrs. Rudolph Hierche, Mrs. \\'illiams and :\Ir. and Mrs. Robinson.
The first church building was erected of frame in 1885. dedicated in June
of that year and cost one thousand six hundred dollars. The second church
was built of frame in 1898 and cost three thousand five hundred dollars.
January 10, 1909, this building was burned. During the summer of 1909 a
stone and brick structure was erected at a cost of eleven thousand dollars.
It was dedicated in November, 1909. The present membership of this church
is seventy-one, and the estimated value of church property is eleven thousand
five hundred dollars.
The following have served as pastors of the Lake A'iew church : E. C.
Warren, 1883-85; John Hammerson, 1885-87; A. Brown. 1887-90; E. S.
Johnson, 1890-92; C. M. Phoenix, 1892-0)4; S. L. Eddy, 1894-96; James
Ballz, 1896-98; O. F. Chittick, 1898-1900; C. G. Coulter, 1900-01; A. E.
Slessor. 1901-04; A. R. Cuthbert, 1904-05; George H. Wareham, 1905-07;
A. A. Pittenger, 1907-08: D. F. Robins. 1908-09; Xath Harris, 1909-10; I. J.
Harris. 1910-11; J. R. Tumbleson, igii and still in charge.
THE SCHALLER CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Schaller was organized October i,
1879, by Rev. William Vivian. The first building was erected in 1883 at
a cost of four thousand dollars and the present church edifice, a beautiful,
thoroughly modern styled brick church building, was built in 1911-12, at a
cost of sixteen thousand dollars. The property of this society is now valued
at twenty thousand dollars. The total present membership is three hundred.
The property includes a good parsonage. The following is supposed to be
a complete list of the various pastors who have served at Schaller : William
Vivian, 1879-80; J. W. Linn, 1880-82; J. W. Sputhwell, 1882-83; J. X.
Mills, 1883-84; S. Snyder, 1884-85; James Hughes, 1885-87; R. AL Kiernan,
GERMAN M. E. CHURCH, NEAR ODEBOLT
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. l6l
1887-89; H. L. Smith, 1889-90; A. Brown, 1890-93; J. J- Gardner, 1893-94;
W. W. McGuire. 1894-97; Bennett Mitchell, 1897-99; J. T. Lee, 1899-03; L.
A. McCaffree, 1903-05; W. P. Empy, 1905-08; J. L. Whiting, 1908-10; F.
B. Nixon, 1910 and still servins;- as pastor in 1914.
With one of the best and most valuable churches in Sac county, and a
strong membership, they have been the means of doing great religious good
in Schaller and community, and are still a power.
FREE METHODISTS.
The Free Methoilist church at Sac City was organized in 1890 with a
membership of only nine former members of the First Methodist Episcopal
church. At first, meetings were held in the private homes of the members.
In 1897 the society was reorganized, and meetings continued to be held at the
homes of members for a short time, after which the societ}- leased Robbins
hall, where the meetings were conducted for many years. In the autumn of
1910 a lot was bought on Early street. In March, 191 1. they purchased the
old Baptist church, a frame building, which they moved to their lot, and this
constitutes the present propertx- of the society. The old building was placed
on a new foundation and on September 3, 1911, the building was dedicated.
Since this society was formed the following pastors have served : F. E.
Eaton, F. I. Waters, W. W. Vinson, J. H. Brittain, T. J. Gates, F. E. Eaton,
O. L. Mossman, \\'. W. Crippen, P. H. Arlington and Maude Wallace. This
people have endured great hardship and self-denial in gaining for themselves
the comfortable church home that they now enjoy, a place in which they can
worship God "after the dictates of their own conscience."
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY.
According to the state census returns of 1905, Sac county had nine
Presbyterian churches, each provided with a building of their own. They
are now, as they were then, next in strength to the highest in the county, the
Methodist Episcopal being first in point of churches and membership. The
Presbyterian societies within Sac count}-, according to the report just men-
tioned, held property to the amount of forty-eight thousand seven hundred
dollars, one-fourth of all in the county.
The Sac City church of this denomination was organized May 24, 1874,
by Rev. L. Littell, with a charter membership (jf thirteen, as follows: Mr.
(10)
1 62 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
and Mrs. O. F. Aldrich, Mr. and Mrs. Angus Brown, ]\Ir. and Mrs. L. D.
Sweet, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Galbraith, and
Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Balsey. From this small membership the church has
grown to nearly three hundred members. Concerning the church buildings,
it should be stated that at first the foundation of the church w-as purchased
of the Baptist society, which had laid it in July, 1875, but failed to add its
superstructure The Presbyterians purchased it in 1877 and completed the
structure. This building served until 1899, when the present edifice was
constructed at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars. The corner stone was
laid by Rev. John D. McClintock, D. D.. of Sioux City, on November 23,
1899. The various pastors of this church have included the following
George Carroll, 1877-81; A. S. Foster. 1881-82; James Stickle. 1882-88; G.
W. Morgan, 1888-89; D. W. Cassatt, 1889-91 ; C. A. Berger. 1891-96; R. H.
Chittenden, Ph. D., 1896-1902; George M. Rourke, 1902-06; J. W. Counter-
mine, 1906-11; R. L. Barackman, 1911 to the present time.
ODEBOLT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian church at Odebolt was organized in 1S78 by Rev. A.
K. Baird, field missionary. Those directly connected with the first organizing
steps were: William Sampson, John Bruce, Hiram McFall, Mr. VanDusen,
Mesdames Rhodecker, Frank Burleigh, Lee. A frame church was erected in
1880 and sold in 1900, when a new edifice was built. The estimated value
of the church property is fixed now at ten thousand five hundred dollars.
This includes the manse erected in 1902. The church has a fine planned din-
ing room and kitchen, with a spacious reception room. All are frame struc-
tures. The total membership is now one hundred. This church is situated
on the corner of Maple and Third streets and is a very attractive structure.
The following have served as pastors: E. R. Carroll, A. K. Baird, H. P.
Fullenweider, J. C. Gilkerson, F. N. Vail, W. O. Thompson. William Craig,
J. N. Elliott, H. H. McMasters. J. C. Melrose, F. D. McCrea. E. E. Hastings,
]\Iiller, Tate, D. A. McLoud, and the present pastor, Robert Mclnturff, who
came among this people in 191 1.
The elders of the church in February, 1914, are James Cranston, John
Currie, J. C. Fuchs, William Umberger and F. Searight. One account gives
the charter members as follows : William Sampson, Mrs. Will Lee, Mrs.
Rhoedecker, Hiram McFall and John Bruce. The officers at this date are:
F. Searight. clerk; Charles Nelson, treasurer; board of trustees, F. M. Meyer,
Dr. A. Groman, James Crampton and John Currie.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
EARLY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
163
The First Presbyterian church at Early was organized in the autumn
of 1888 by Dr. Bailey, synodical missionary, and Rev. Pressley. The charter
members were William Ellis, Mrs. Mary Stevens. Mrs. J. V. Coats, Mrs. A.
R. Gordon, Mrs. T. A. Barrett, Mrs. J. F. Head and Mrs. A. F. Mereness.
The membership in January, 1914, was small, but all were devoted workers.
In 1890 a church was erected at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars
and since then an addition was made costing eight hundred dollars; also a
fine manse costing two thousand fi\e hundred dollars. The present estimated
value of the church property is six thousand fi\-e hundred dollars. The fol-
lowing is the order of pastors who have served this society : Lindsey, Paden,
C. J. McConnell, J. P. Linn, John Mustard, H. F. Ford, Gilbert Voories, Dr.
Silas Cook, and the present pastor, Rev. T. S. Hughes.
LYTTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian church at Lytton was organized February 23, 1901,
by Rev. A. H. Chittendon, of Sac City, and Capt. A. R. O'Brien, missionary
of the Sioux City presbytery, with fifteen charter members. The number now
belonging to this church is fifty-two. During the summer of 1900 a church
building was erected, and dedicated October 27, 1901, by Rev. Dr. C. H.
Purmort, synodical missionary of Iowa. The handsome manse was erected
in 1902. The church property here is now valued at four thousand five hun-
dred dollars. The church at Lytton and that at Elm Grove have always been
served by the same pastor. This is the onlv church society in Lytton and
the people of both town and surrounding country loyally support it, believing
it to be a very beneficial adjunct to the community.
The ruling elders have been M. E. Perkins, H. J. Grifiin, C. S. Darling
and R. A. McLaughlin. The society has been greatl_\- favored with a first-
class set of young men in the ministry, men of marked ability and spirituality.
These include the following: E. R. Horton, of McCormick Seminary; H. S.
Vincent, of Omaha Seminary; John Spencer, from same, as well as G. A.
Beith, John Carr and Douglas Warden ; N. M. Tatum, ordained ; E. F.
.Chafifee, ordained ; C. B. Day, Omaha Seminary.
At the village of Nemaha there is a Presbyterian church. They own a
frame building and are at present supplied by the pastor coming from Early.
164 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
AUBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian church at Auburn in this county was organized in 1888
with charter members as fohows; Rev. S. W. Stophh^t, acting as pastor
from Lake City, Iowa; F. M, Noe, Mrs. F. M. Xoe, Mrs, Emily Wilhams,
Mrs. Mary Dixon, Henry Jones and wife. Ser\ices were held the first year
in the IMoseley Bank building and in 1889 a church was erected at a cost of
one thousand eight hundred dollars. It is a frame structure and still in good
condition. The membership in January, \')14. was fiftv-nine. The valuation
of the church property is fixed at three thousand dollars. The following is a
list of pastors who have had charge of this church at Auburn : James Stickle,
J. C. Mayne, Isaac \\'hite. A, J, Harmon, H. Wieland. A. Long, F. M.
Tyrell. E. S. H(jrton, H. P. Gray, W". H. Thompson, F. P. Brewster and
W. F. Grundy. The church is now l^eing supplied b}- Re\-. J. D. McCord, of
Lake City, Iowa. Re\-. W . 11. Thompson, who has been absent in Utah
four years, expects to return in April this year to become pastor.
WAEL LAKE PRF.SBYTERL\N CHURCH.
The First Presbyterian church of \\'ail Lake was organized Januarv 25,
1891, by Rev. Stophlet, of Fort Dodge, with the following charter member-
ship: Mrs. A. T. Hiller, George (;. Hiller. Mrs. A. M. Bohon. G. \V. Mcin-
tosh, Mrs. Mcintosh, John R. Stuart, Mrs. J. R. Stuart, Mr. and Airs. J. N.
Wilson, Charles Stuart, Albert Hiller, Neil McFarlan, Mr. and Mrs. F. E.
Strong, Mrs. A. C. Michael, \\'. S. Bedford, Mrs. E. L. Goodenow, ]\lrs.
Ida T. Adams, Grace B. Adams, Mrs. Ida B. Fairchilds, Miss A. Finley,
Mrs. Emily Johnson, Miss K. Bolton, Mrs. A. B. Tinley. Mrs. N. Bell and
Mr. and Mrs. R. Hauman.
This clnirch n(jw has a membership of seventy-two. The first meeting
was held in Goodenow hall and later in the hall above the hardware store of
Johnson Brothers. The present value of church property is five thousand
dollars. The pastors who have served this church are Hubert Good, J. C.
Mayne, Harmon, Heber Gill, J. E. Spencer, J. J. Youel, F. W. Thomas, G.
N. Buchanan and the jiresent pastor. Rev. William Walker.
SCHALLER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian church at Schaller was organized al)out 1887 '^3' Rev.
Stickle. The charter members were Mr. and Mrs. J. H. King, Mr. and Mrs.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 65
William Bristol, Miss Mary E. King, Mrs. Bernice Sargent, Mrs. Hunter,
Mrs. Henry Hahne, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hahne. Mr. Henry Hahne and Mrs.
Julia Bristol.
A church edifice was erected in 1890, a frame structure costing three
thousand dollars and a parsonage about 1889, costing one thousand dollars.
The present memliership of this church society is one hundred and ten. It
may be stated that the present church property is valued at seven thousand
dollars. The following have served as pastors : Stickles, Lindsay, Pedeu,
C. J. McConnell, Philip Palmer, George Earhart and William M. Jack.
BAPTIST CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY..
The First Baptist church of Sac City was founded in the winter of
1887-88 and organized, in reality, h'ebruary 24, 1888, with twenty constituent
members. The first deacon elected was \V. K. Whiteside ; first church clerk,
J. \y. Garrison ; first trustees. A. N. W}'man, Truman Churchill and W. L.
Brockman. The first covenant meeting was held March 2. 1888, at the
court house, which continued to be the meeting place until that structure was
burned in the autumn of 1888, after which services were held in the west
room of the White school building. It was seen that a church edifice must
be built if the society ever expected to realize the object for which it had
been founded, so. in 1892, the following were appointed as a building com-
mittee: Messrs. Wyman, Churchill. Brockman, Hayes and John Barlow.
The funds were raised sufficient to start the undertaking, success crowned
their efforts, and a neat building was dedicated January 29, 1893. This
buikling served well the object for which it had been originally constructed,
but a new and larger house was needed and the congregation set about to
formulate plans for its erection. The present new beautiful, modern edifice
was dedicated Sunday, June 4, 191 1. Its cost was about twelve thousand
dollars and is located at the corner of Twelfth and Main streets. The hand-
some building is of the latest style (if church architecture — low and spireless,
but with ai large hemisphere dome o\'er its central part. It is of excellent
light colored brick, with a spacious basement, and is sixty-two by sixty-six
feet in size. The auditorium room is thirty-one by fifty-two feet, and, with
the side doors from other rooms open the seating capacity is fully five hun-
dred. The building committee was composed of L. E. Fitch, Orville Lee, A.
T. Brownell, J. H. Grohe. A. N. Weyman, F. C. Hoyt and Mrs. M. A.
Warner. The edifice is a credit to the society and an ornament to Sac City.
1 66 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
These pastors have served the Sac City church : L. Lovelace, who con-
ducted the first meetings here in 1887-8 and established the church, remained
until he had completed his ninth month, when he was succeeded bv Rev.
Feather, who remained sex-en months, and in turn was followed by Rev. R.
A. Belsham in December, 1889, closing his pastorate in November, 1890.
There was no regular pastor then until August, 1893, when Rev. J. D. Collins
accepted a call and commenced November ist. He .-.as followed in October,
1894, by Rev. D. McMasters, who closed his pastorate in June, 1896, when
that venerable Baptist clerg\man, Rev. L. N. Call, who for twenty-five years
had been pastor in Webster City, this state, was called to this church, giving
five years of the richest, ripest years of his long and eventful life as a Baptist
minister to the labors of pastor in Sac City, after which he was succeeded in
October, 1901, by Rev. J. D. Rumsey, who continued until November 2,
1902. He was followed by Rev. C. A. Tenny, in August, 1903, who served
the church faithfully and well until July 24, 1904, and was followed by Rev.
J. D. Collins, who was a former pastor. Rev. Collins continued until Octo-
ber I, 1907, when he resigned to become a member of the faculty of the Sac
City Institute. November 24, 1907, Rev. C. G. Wright began his labors here
and under him the present church was planned and erected. Next came Rev.
Hugh Moore, who came June i, 1912, and still remains pastor. The present
membership of this church is one hundred and ninety-four. A parsonage
was erected in 1902 and the present one in 1912-13 at a cost of three thousand
dollars.
CONGREG.^TIONAI. CHURCH.
The onl\- church of the Congregational faith in Sac count\' at this date
is the one at Lake View, which was organized in 1890 with the following-
charter members: Henry Smith, Jane Smith, C. Burgess, Mrs. Delia L.
Boyer, Dr. J. A. Ressigieu and wife, Francis S. Needham, Mrs. Eugenie E.
Needham and Ella C. Hamilton. A frame building was erected in 1892 at
an approximate cost of one thousand eight hundred dollars. The total mem-
bership of the chnrcli society today is seventy. The estimated -^-alue of the
church property is four thousand dollars.
The following have served this congregation as pastors : M. D. Reed,
R. L. McCord, T. J. Woodcock. H. G. Cooley, W. G. Little, John Crocker,
P. B. West, B. J. Rhodes, C. T. Halbert, 1. B. Bickford, Eben Herbert, J. T.
Marvin and Alex Russell. The present church clerk is R. M. Paine, who
furnished most of the above facts.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 6/
SWEDISH MISSION.
The Swedish Mission Covenant of America has a church at Odebolt,
which was formed March lo, 1887, by charter members as f ohows ; P. A.
Lindskoog, Rev. P. Nilson, John M. Larson, A. A. Anderson, John Erikson,
i'Vndrew Anderson and Edward Eckman. They have now a membership of
ninety-two and a church property vahied at ti\e thousand dollars. The pas-
tors who have ser\ed here are P. Nilson, L. Larson, August Peterson, J. J.
Johnson, Oscar Wenstrand. A. G. Johnson, Oscar F. Dahlberg. This band
of worshipers have alwa)-s been true and faithful to the sacred trust imposed
upon them.
CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
St. Joseph's Catholic church at .Schaller was a mission for a period of
nine years (1895 to 1904), attended by the priest located at Early. It was
made a separate parish in 1904. The first resident pastor. Rev. Francis
Wrenn, served a year and was succeeded by Rev. William Shannon, who
served the congregation two and a half years. Following him came the
present pastor, Rev. McNeill. The first church edifice was a frame structure
erected on the site of the present beautiful building, which is a pressed brick
building" erected in 1913 at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars. The old
frame church was sold for two hundred dollars to a citizen of the town,
who owned a lot coruerwise from the church property and it is being trans-
formed into a modern residence property. B'ather Wrenn built a fine par-
sonage next to the church. The present congregation is composed of thirty
families in Schaller and the community. During his pastorate. Father Mc-
Neill has been diligent and faithful to the sacred trust imposed upon him,
and his work is a monument to him for all time among those of the Catholic
church in this section of Iowa.
St. Joseph's Catholic church at Wall Lake was organized in 1878. The
first of the congregation were P. Halpin, Joseph Wenze and P. Oninn. At
first only ten members were in attendance. The first building was burned in
1903 and a new church was erected in 1904 at a cost of five thousand dollars.
It is a frame building and fully equipped with all necessaries for divine
service. The present congregation numbers two hundred baptized persons.
The estimated \-alue of lots and buildings is ten thousand dollars. The pi-iest
in charge now is Rev. M. C. Daly, who is true and faithful to the great trust
imposed upon him. The priest at Wall Lake also attends to the congregation
l68 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
at Auburn, which was organized se\eral years ago. and is now in a fairl)-
flourishing condition.
St. Martin's Cathohc church at Odebolt was organized by Father F. W.
Pape about five miles northwest of town, in 1876.. He attended a few times
and was succeeded by Father Thomas Norton, who in a short time was fol-
lowed by another. The first services in Odebolt were held in the old town
hall. A small frame church was built in 1879. Father Norton was the first
at Odebolt and did excellent work in improving the church lots and pro-
viding buildings. In 1881 came Father U. Frey, who built the first pastor's
residence in 1882. He was the first regular pastor of this church. He also
had charge of the work at Grant City and Wall Lake, mission points at that
date. Fie remained until the month of December, 1883, and was followed
by Father John Peschong, who remained till the autumn of 1892. He did
much toward establishing the church school at Odebolt, which was built in
1886-87 and forms a part of the present excellent school, which is in charge
af three sisters from St. Frances of Dubuque, and has an enrollment of about
seventy-fi\'e daih". The building has been enlarged twice since first con-
structed. It is valued at about four thousand dollars. In December, 1892,
came Rev. Father John Anler, who served the congregation until 1895 and
was followed by Father Fred Huessmann, now of Mt. Carmel. He built the
present church in 1900 at a cost of about twehe thousand dollars. It is a
frame structure facing Hanson's boulevard, and is on grounds two hundred
by four hundred feet, all well improved. Father Gustave Wienhold came in
October, 1902, and died July 19, 1912, and was buried in the Catholic ceme-
tery here on July 23d. Bishop and priests from abroad were present at his
funeral. During his illness. Father M. Stork was appointed to take charge
and was made the administrator of his affairs and the parish. The present
worthy pastor, Rev. Father L. Schenkelberg, came in October and took
charge the last week of that month. He is doing excellent church work.
The congregation now has a membership of from four hundred and twenty-
five to four hundred and fifty souls. It is estimated that all the church
property at Odebolt held by this church has a present value of not far from
thirty thousand dollars.
The Catholic church at Early is about as strong as the Odebolt congre-
gation. Thev erected a brick edifice in about 1899, costing fifteen thousand
dollars, under the pastorship of Father Costello. No further facts could be
obtained on this congregation.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 69
GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES.
The First German Evangelical church of Lake View, Iowa, was or-
ganized in January, 1913, the first of this denomination in Sac county. It is
a mission field opened by the German Evangelical Synod of North America.
The charter members of this society were Rev. R. Lorenz, A. Johannasen.
John P. Welleson, Ed. Knowalker, H. Paper, O. W'eizel and D. Graw. In
the summer of 191 3 a frame church building was erected and dedicated
November 15th of the same year. The structure has a cement foundation
of modern cement blocks. The size of the building is twenty-four by forty
feet, with an eight by eight tower extending up about fifty feet high. The
present value of the church property is about three thousand dollars. The
membership of the society is now twelve.
St. Peter's Evangelical church of Coon Valley township was organized
in 1878. with a charter membership including the following: G. Arndt, P.
Borchett, C. Thislehorn, William Reimann and others. The society was
formed bv Rev. Fred Schug. The first church building was erected in 1883.
The present building was erected in 1908 and cost four thousand four hun-
dred dollars. The total value of church property held by this congregation
is ten thousand dollars. The present number of communicants is one hun-
dred and forty. The pastors who ha\'e served this people at this point are
Revs. Schug, Neuofifer, Volk. Schroeder and the present pastor, A. Schwidder.
There are societies of this denomination at Auburn and Lake View.
These are under the charge of the pastor of the Coon Valley church. Rev.
Schwidder. The one at Auburn is known as St. John's Lutheran church,
organized about 1875, by Rev. Fred Schug. A building was erected about
1893 and the property is now estimated to be worth about one thousand four
hundred dollars. There are now twenty-seven communicants. At Lake
View the church is known as Immanuel's Lutheran church, organized in
1913 by Rev. Schwidder. The communicants now number thirty-seven. At
Auburn the pastors have been Revs. F. Schug, Rickels. Volk and Schwidder.
The German Evangelical Lutheran church at Schaller was organized
about 1910 by the following persons: E. D. Christenson, P. A. Nielson, C.
K. Anderson. A. N. Anderson, .A,ndrew Andrcsen, A. Frederickson, Emil
Hanke, Christian Christenson, H. B. Andresen, John Christenson and fam-
ilies. A frame church was erected about 1910 at a cost of eight hundred
dollars. The first pastor was Rev. Maase, followed by the present pastor.
Rev. Boye, who resides at Galva. The congregation now consists of about
170 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
twelve families. The society is young and still small in numbers, but is
struggling along and ere long will doubtless be on a stronger footing.
Another and much larger and stronger congregation of this denomina-
tion is that about fourteen miles southeast of Schaller, in the country, known
as the Cook Township Evangelical Lutheran church. It was organized in
1880 by the following members: Kasper Luft, George Bieser, Christian
Wetzstein, Johannes Mehlbrech, Conrad Meyers, Wilhelm Kutz, W. F.
Rusch, Ludwog Schramm, Christ Frank and Adam Weitzel. A parsonage
was erected in 1883 and the first church building built in 1887, until which
time meetings were held in different public school houses. The cost of the
first building was four hundred dollars, the parsonage costing the same
amount. The present church edifice, a plain frame structure, was erected in
1898, at a cost of one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. This society
has a present membership of one hundred and twenty communicants. The
estimated value of the property belonging to the church is four thousand
dollars. The following have served as pastors in this society : Fred Schug,
1879-1883; L. A. Mueller, 1883-1892; Rev. K. G. Schlegel, 1892-1902; the
present pastor is Rev. F. Wolter. Rev. Schug served from Grant City. The
first resident pastor was Rev. Mueller, who served at the same time he cared
for the church at Wall Lake, where he moved when Rev. Schlegel succeeded
him in Cook township. This church in Cook township is a strong society and,
under the present pastor is doing a very good work in church life. Its mem-
bers are very devoted to the cause and work in harmony with the faithful
pastor.
Lutheran Emanuel church, of Coon Valley township, was organized in
May, 1883, with the following constituent members: Henry Dettmonn,
William Hecht, August Hilmer, Henry Leege, William Leege, August
Roeseke, Fred Schwartz and Charles Westphal. The present membership
is about thirty. In 1883 the first church was erected at a cost of about eight
hundred dollars, and this is the one that has been in use since 1903 as a Ger-
man school house. It was in 1903 that the new frame church was erected,
costing about two thousand dollars. The pastors serving this congregation
have been: John Huter, Siegfried Siepker, Theo. Kluforth. Jobn Dorullis,
T. Lentz, Otto Woyyler, Herman ^^'un(k■rlich and JdIui Herbst.
THE L.'^TTER-DAY SAINTS.
This denomination has a society at Auburn. They belong to the "re-
organized"' branch of the Mormon church, and are as bitterly opposed to the
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. I7I
general workings of the Mormons as any other denomination in the world.
The real denominational name is "The Re-organized Church of Latter-Day
Saints of Jesus Christ." On October 25, 1874, the first meetings were held
at a point in the country about five miles from Auburn, to which place they
removed in 1886. Their church building was erected in 1895 at a cost of
about one thousand two hundred dollars. The charter members were inclu-
sive of the following persons: \V. A. Carroll and wife, David Hain and
wife, Jacob Hain, Rufus Perkins and wife, M. B. Skinner and wife, Mrs.
Melinda Colvin, Mrs. Cynthe Thompson, Thomas J. Skinner and ^lavy Jane
Cory. Elder W. A. Carroll has been pastor thirty-nine years out of the
forty years of the church's existence at this point. David Hain served one
year. The present membership is forty-four, and forty-nine have died or
moved to other parts since the organization of the church here. It is stated
by the pastor of this church that they, as a sect, "are ever loyal to the govern-
ment of the United States and to the home in which one woman reigns as
queen!"
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The only society of the Episcopal denomination in Sac county is Holy
Trinity church of Sac City, which in 19 14 had a membership of twenty-four
communicants. The commencement of work here began in May, 1883, when,
on the 24th day of that month. Rev. Peter Fox, of Canada, arrived in Sac
City. The first services were held May 27th, that year, in the school house.
However, prior to this, frequent services had been held by Rev. ]\Iills, of
Fort Dodge. On June 19, 1883, a meeting of the people belonging to this
religious faith met and Thomas Smith and Mr. Reed were appointed wardens
and Edward Baxter, secretary. Plans were there decided upon for the
erection of a church building, and the same were soon submitted to carpen-
ters and.builders. The work went forward and by Xo\ember loth, the same
year, services were held in the newly-constructed building, which edifice cost
two thousand one hundred and twenty dollars. In the spring of 1902 the
church building was enlarged and a chancel and vestr\- room were added at
a cost of about two thousand dollars. Memorial windows have been placed
in the church by Thomas Smith. Delmont Goldsmith and Sidney Smith, and
a memorial altar by Mrs. Elizabeth Brown. The rectors here have been:
Rev. Peter Fox, serving seventeen years, and followed by Re\-. Douglas, who
continued seven years. At present the church is without a pastor. In 191 1
the church records show the oflicers to be as follows : Mrs. L. A. Wine, sec-
retary, and Mrs. Goldsmith, treasurer.
172 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
THE ADVENTISTS.
At one time there were sexeral members, and a society formed of this
denomination, and services were held in the Gordon school house, near Sac
City, but of late so many have removed that services are not continued.
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES.
There are three organizations of this denomination in the count}-, one
at Sac City, one at Pleasant Prairie and one at Schaller. At the latter place
the following is the brief history of this church: It was organized in 1886
and is known as the Church of Christ. Its charter members were as follows :
J. S. Hudson, still surviving at the age of eighty-three years ; Abby Hudson,
J. C. Hudson, Ida Hudson, J. H. Walker, ^Irs. J. H. Walker, Monroe Baker,
Mrs. M. Baker, S. M. Romig, Theodore Smith, Mrs. Theodore Smith and
Miss Lottie Smith. The present membership is seventy-two. The present
elders are I. X. IMead, Sterling Wells, W. W. Coverdale and T. V. Barnard.
The deacons are H. L. W. Meirs, J. J. Mead, A. Bawker and A. G. Higgins.
The frame church building was erected about 1888 at a cost of two thousand
fi\e hundred dollars un lot 6, in block 5 of the town of Schaller.
The following have served as pastors: J. W. Vanderwalker, Bert John-
son, John Linder, R. O. Thompson. A. D. Finch, William Dunkleberger,
E. M. Miller, \V. E. Jones, C. V. Pence. John Hewitson, W. H. Hardaker
and William Coverdale.
It should be stated in this connection that this denomination has no
other creed than that found in the New Testament. They plead for all
evangelical churches to become united in one; they favor both home and
foreign missions, are great temperance advocates and do not believe it right
to dance or play cards even for pastime.
The Pleasant Prairie church was organized in the autumn of 1887 by
about thirtv members. There had been a number of this faith in the neigh-
borhood ever since 1873 or 1874. Among the members were M. Boynton
and wife, Zack Long and wife, Lon Ingram and wife, James Staton and
wife, Robert Wilson and wife, Mrs. Jane Barnhill. Mary Barnhill, Ransom
Owen and wife, C. L. Ahrens and wife, Amos Roark, Martha and Sarah
Peyton, Mrs. Mary Cox, Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Duby and daughter, Mr. and Mrs.
John Ball, Ami Saunders and wife, Mable Miltie and possibly a few others.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. I 73
One account gives a list of the original organizers as George J- Schnirring,
M. Peyton, E. L. Ahrens, L. Barnhil! and F. Al. Losure.
The estimated \'alue of the church property is two thousand dollars. It
was erected in the fall of 1898 at a cost of nine hundred dollars. It was built
of pine. Many of the original membership united with the church at Sac
City in recent years. The pastors or ministers who ha\'e served this church
are H. U. Dale, Snyder, Neistrum and J. Irving Brown.
The Christian church at Sac City was organized in the summer of 1894,
following a remarkable tent meeting movement in the place under E\'angelist
Lawrence Wright. The following constituted the hrst officers of the church :
Elder, G. W. Burch ; deacons, C. Iverson, David Nixon, Chester Cheney, W.
J. Lusher and O. R. Adams; clerk, J. W. Lusher; treasurer. O. R. Adams.
The organization was not fully completed until November i, 1894. A
church building was erected the same season the society was formed. The
following ha\e ser\'ed as pastors in this church : (i. W. Burch, the first
pastor, served from 1894 to 1897; H. U. Dale, from 1897 to 1899; P. N.
Nystrom, 1899 to 1900; D. F. Snyder, 1900 to 1902; M. A. Thompson, 1902
to 1903; E. N. Tucker, from 1903 to 1904; J. Irving Brown, the present
pastor, has served since 1904, faithfully and well. The Ciiristian denomina-
tion has been organized over a century now, and has more than one and a
half million members. Much- attention is paid to missions and the converts
cost less than that of any other sect.
The church edifice in the center of the business section of the place is a
good frame structure, valued at ten thousand dollars, while the new parson-
age is valued at four thousand five hundred dollars. The membership of this
church in February, 1914, after the recent additions to the church, amounts
to about two hundred and fift_\'. The Sunday school enrollment is about three
hundred. The present officers are : Re\'. J. Irving Brow n. pastor ; W. A.
Ball, clerk and treasurer; E. L. Ahrens, chairman church board: Ross Mav-
hall, secretary of church board.
SAC county's young men's christian association.
Among the recently organized and progressive class of religious and
semi-educational societies of this county is the Young Men's Christian As-
sociation, the scope of which takes in all the county of Sac. It was organized
in 1908 and had made rapid adx-ancement. Without the county committee
of business men, this societ\' could not have existed. Three vears after its
174 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
founding in the county the following well-known men were such a committee :
W. J. Dixon, chairman. Sac City; George B. Perkins, treasurer. Sac City;
John R. Slacks, clerk. Sac City: F. S. Needham, Dr. Z. Fuller, Sac City; Ira
Conger, same city ; also Prof. G. W. Lee. Prof. H. P. Helms, Lake View ;
John T. Edson. Schaller; C. M. Moler, Lake View; H. M. Rogers, Lake
View ; C. G. Aldrich, Schaller ; D. D. Carlton, Early ; Scott Rutledge, Early.
Up to the end of the third year there had been organized six local associa-
tions in the county. These were at Sac City, Schaller, Early, Pleasant Prairie
and two more in the country. In these associations there were involved in
191 1 such activities as the regular Bible study, physical training and educa-
tional work, and about three hundred men and boys were enrolled. It was
then estimated that about three thousand different persons in the county had
been involved in special work and events of a public nature. Play and exer-
cise life, lectures, Bible study and other departments all came in for their
share in the great undertaking in this county. Annual and semi-annual field
meets have attracted their hundreds. At Lake View and Sac City public
baths and reading rooms were established, and physical culture was made a
specialty for a time. The work is rapidly being extended to remote parts of
the county. At their annual meeting, held at the Methodist Episcopal church
in Sac City in February, 19 14, it was learned from the reports rendered that
the association was in a flourishing condition.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE LODGES OF THE COUNTY.
With the advance of civihzation, the increase in membership in the three
great fraternal orders, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Odd Fellows and
Knights of Pythias, to saj' nothing of the hundred and one other societies,
secret and semi-secret, with the beneficiary insurance feature connected with
them, has been indeed phenomenal. These societies are not as numerous or as
strong in Sac City as in some of the adjoining counties, but there are several,
and of these three principal secret orders this chapter will treat brietlv.
FREEMASONRY.
The oldest of the Masonic lodges in the county is Occidental Lodge No.
178, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Sac City. It was chartered in
June, 1866. by the following charter members: D. C. Early, J. Williams,
W. V. Lagourge, G. H. Wright. J. W. Tiberghien and T. M. Cory. In the
early eighties it had a memljership of about seventy. Today it has a mem-
bership of one hundred and nineteen, with officers as follows : W. F. Weary,
worshipful master; J. W. Neal, senior warden; O. C. Pfaff, junior warden; R.
L. McCord. Jr., seni(3r deacon; ¥. G. Smith, junior deacon; J. H. Stalford,
treasurer; Edward Drewry, secretary; P. E. Prior, tyler. Their beautiful
Masonic hall was erected in the eighties, and is now estimated to be worth
fifteen thousand dollars. It stands on Main street on parts of lots 5 and 6,
in block 13 of the original plat of Sac City. It is up-to-date and has an
Eastern Star room, kitchen and dining room. Edward Drewry has been
secretary and collector for all three branches — blue lodge, chapter and com-
mandery — for the past seven years, and this insures correct methods and
promptness.
Darius Chapter No. 58, Royal Arch Masons, was instituted at Sac City
February i, 1871, with the following charter members: William McKay,
W. H. Hobbs, E. R. Duffie, E. R. Chase, S. S. Armstrong, J. Orr and Oliver
Birt. In 1882 the membership had reached seventy. In January, 1914, the
chapter had a membership of one hundred and fifty-nine, with officers as
176 SAC COUiVTY. IOWA.
follows: j. W'llluir Xeal. high priest: W. F. Weary, king; E. B. Long,
scribe: \\'. H. Hart, treasurer: Edward Drewry, secretary: F. L. Goodell,
captain nt host; F. G. Smith, royal arch captain: W. R. Temple, master of
first veil: C. E. Harding, master of second veil; P. H. Peterson, master of
third veil; Malcolm Currie, principal sojourner; P. E. Prior, sentinel.
■ Rose Croix Commandery No. 38, Knights Templar, at Sac City ( under
dispensation in 1880). was instituted in December. 1881, with the subjoined
charter members : D. C. Early, P. H. Hankins, E. R. Dufifie, W. H. Hobbs,
M. Childs, B. W. Trout, R. T. Shearer. AI. M. Gray, H. S. Briggs and Sidney
Smith. In 1880 the order had a membership of thirty knights. Its mem-
bership in Januar}-. 1914. is one hundred and eighty-four. The present of-
ficers are as follows: George B. Perkins, eminent commander: W. A. Xutter.
generalissimo; O. C. Pfaff, captain general; \\'. F. Weary, senior warden;
W. H. Hart, prelate; Edward Drewry. recorder; F. W. Loring, treasurer;
P. H. Peterson, warder: J. H. Stalford. standard bearer.
The past eminent commanders have been D. Carr Early. Myron Childs,
Phil Schaller, Carey Diehl, Charles L. Early, W. H. Hart. J. L. Criss, C.
E. Lane, H. H. Allison, J. W. Wilson. \\'. L. Lee, F. W. Loring. J. H. Stal-
ford, W. Jackson, F. E. Stouft'er, J. J. PLirter, M. W. Newby, F. L. Goodell,
O. E. Rowe, D. D. Carlton. A. C. Shulte. C. F. Garrett. Malcolm Currie and
George B. Perkins.
At Schaller, Acme Lodge No. 457 was chartered in 1883, soon after the
town had got fairl\- under headway, having being platted and settled with
enterprising men. Those who appear on the charter are as follows : R. S.
Robinson, J. H. A\'alker. James \\'addicor. J. H. Lester. C. A. Cantine. B.
Mills. John Robinson. Thomas Hovendon. E. A. Bennett. ]. B. Harris and
.\. H. McLaughlin. The first officers were C. L. Early, worshipful master;
J. P. Lester, senior warden; E.A. Bennett, junior warden. The present (T914)
membership of this lodge is fifty-three. Its present officers include F. H.
McCray, worshipful master: J. F. Ady, senior warden; L. L. Brannen, junior
warden. The past masters are C. L. Early. J. P. Lester, B. Mills. James
Harris, A. B. Searle, A. R. Gordon, F. B. Rowley, A. H. McLaughlin. J. A.
Gray, George J. Speaker and F. H. McCray. A hall was erected in 1898
costing five thousand four hundred dollars ; it is of brick, located on lot No.
6. block No. 4. town of Schaller.
At Lake View. Laurel Lodge No. 517. Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, was instituted February 19, 1891, with the following charter mem-
bers and officers: Charles Sifford, worshipful master; A\'illiam Rowlev, senior
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 77
warden; L. F. Davis, junior warden; John AicClurg, treasurer; I. H. Adams,
secretary; John Donahue, senior deacon; E. Cordeman, junior deacon; John
Deacon, senior steward : Martin Steinman, junior steward ; F. A. Denkin,
tyler ; J. A. Ressinger, John W. Provost, A. L. Clauser, Thomas Batie, O.
W. Owen and \\\ McKendrick. The present membership is sixty-five. The
present (January, 1914) officers are: John Erickson, worshipful master; F.
Hamm, senior warden; O. S. Hohday, junior warden; N. Westerman, treas-
urer; Fred Wells, secretary; J. T. Sigman, senior deacon; C. P. Armstrong,
junior deacon; A. Lee, senior steward; B. Remmert, junior steward; L. A.
Cleaveland, tyler. The past masters of this lodge are Charles Sifford, E. F.
Mahe, A. Armstrong, F. H. Clark, B. Braughton, \\illiam Dean. E. E.
Speaker, H. Lindsey and A. Lillie.
At Early, St. Elmo Lodge No. 462 was organized many years ago and
now enjoys a membership of seventy- four. The present elective officers are :
J. C. Hartsell, worshipful master; L. W. McCreery, senior warden; C. F.
Jackson, junior warden ; D. D. Carlton, treasurer ; \\'. \\'. Little, secretary.
The past worshipful masters have been D. D. Carlton, T. A. Barnett, C. H.
Jump. Al. Bryan, E. C. Fuller, G. G. Parrett, Denny, C. H. Allen, R. J.
Jackson and J. X. Hartsell. This lodge owns its own brick building.
Wheeler Lodge Xo. 398, at Odebolt, was organized October 9. 1879,
with charter members as follows : John M. Zane, E. P. Messer, H. T. Mar-
tin, F. A. Cobb, W. W. Field, F. S. Douglass, E. Colvin, J. W. Fairbanks,
W. A. Helsell and G. C. Bolt. The nieniljership in January. 1914, was one
hundred and one. The elective officers when first instituted were as follows :
John M. Zane, worshipful master; E. P. Messer, senior warden; H. T. Mar-
tin, junior warden; F. S. Douglass, treasurer; F. A. Coljb, secretary; W. A.
Helsell, senior deacon; E. Colvin. junior deacon; J. W. Fairbanks, tyler.
The order lea.ses their hall at present. The elective officers at present ( 1914)
are as follows : O. E. Huglin, worshipful master ; M. H. Paul, senior war-
den; W. i\L Sayre, junior warden; Ellis Kluckholm. senior deacon; J. S.
Fisher, junior deacon : ^\■. W. Reynolds, treasurer ; J. R. Mattes, secretary :
H. W. Stratton, tyler.
At Wall Lake, Wall Lake Lodge Xo. 390. was allowed to work under
the dispensation of June 4. 1878, and a charter was granted them June 4,
1879. Charter members were C. X. Levy. H. B. Allen, D. M. Bingman, L.
J. Sifford, F. W. Weed, A, D. Herrig, B. E. Allen, C. i\L Smith, W. D.
Forbes and William Throssell. In 1882 the lodge had a membership of thir-
(II)
17^ SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
ty-t\v(). It now lias a memljership of seventy-eight, with officers as follows:
C. W. Davis, worshipful ma.ster; J. A. Swanson, treasurer, since 1907; J- C.
Ockerstroni, secretary; C. W. Shaw, senior deacon; F. G. Wicker, junior
deacon. A hall is leased b\- the order at Wall Lake. The past worshipful
masters include J. C. Ockerstroni. F. E. Johnston and L. T. Quirk.
Jeptha Lodge No. 201. at Auburn, was instituted June 5, 1867, bv
Deputy Grand IMaster D. Carr Early, of Sac City. The following were the
first officers and members : G. W. Wright, worshipful master : William
Chapin, senior warden ; William Impson, junior w-arden ; Joseph Williams,
secretary ; S. B. York, treasurer ; David Hain, senior deacon ; R. J\T. Williams,
junior deacon; John W. Wilson, tyler; Thomas Easier, steward.
The lodge now enjoys a membership of thirty-seven. The 1914 officers
are : F. A. Meyer, worshipful master ; G. M. Parker, senior warden, F. B.
Layman, junior warden; A. Easier, treasurer: \\'. I. Toop, secretary. The
past masters are G. W. Wright, William Chapman, Edwin Miller, William
Impson, George Hicks, I. W. Deemer, C. D. Wilcox, A. Easier, W. S. Will-
iams, A. M. Morrison, J. F. Rose, W. I. Toop.
In 1901 the lodge purchased the former school house, a two-story frame
building, and mo\'ed it to the present location and there remodeled it at a cost
of eleven hundred dollars. This lodge, it should be understood, was orig-
inally formed at old Grant City and moved to Auburn in April, 1890.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
This order is next in age to the Masonic bodies in the world and has
many benefits connected therewith. Go where one may in all the civilized
portions of the globe, and there can be found a brother of the "Three Link
Order." Its growth has been a wonder to the masses. Founded on the
precepts of the Bible, it has been the means of uplifting many a man and
placing him in a position to command respect and admiration among his fel-
low men. When the member of this order is ill he is cared for and in death
his eyes are tenderly closed from the light of the earth and his remains are
buried in decency and order, while his family is cared for after his departure.
Records show that the first lodge of this order, Sac City Lodge No. 323,
was instituted in Sac county at Sac City, October 21, 1875, with a charter
membership of about twenty. By January i, 1914, it had grown to a mem-
bership of one hundred and ninety-three. Its elective officers at the date last
given were as follows ; Adolph Gusta\eson, noble grand ; W. W. Stokes,
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 79
vice grand; C. E. Harding, secretary; Harry Wood, financial secretary; B.
A. Yonng, treasurer.
A spacious, well-planned brick hall, on the corner of Sixth and Main
streets, was built by the order in 191 1 at an expense of eight thousand dollars.
Stock was subscribed by the members of the fraternity. All of the degrees
of the order are here represented and excellent work has been done in the past
and is still lieing done. Many of the best men in Sac City are connected with
this lodge, and the Rebekah degree is made up of many of the brightest ladies
of the place. A strong society of the encampment of this fraternity and the
only one in the county is in existence at Sac City at this date.
At Schaller, William Garrett Lodge No. 609 was instituted by the Odd
Fellows April 3, 1893. with the following charter memijers : John Henry,
George Schaller, W. J. Howard, W. R. Brooks, L. J. French, J. F. Burkhead,
C. Mayer, W. H. Reese and J. W. Kanouse. This lodge now has a member-
ship of seventy-eight and is officered as follows : John \\'oodke, noble grand ;
A. A. Resegee, vice grand ; Charles E. Guernsey, recording secretary ; Ed-
ward Stoelting, financial secretary ; and C. Mayer, treasurer. This lodge
meets in its hall over the opera house on Main street. The following have
served as past noble grands: C. Mayer, Edward Stoetling, F. M. McLaugh-
lin. J. W. Kanouse, R. F. Barnes, H. H. Schaefer, J. B. Harris, J. E. Rogers,
A. J. Harris, C. F. Ellis, C. H. Collins, G. A. Rogers, R. W. King, W. W.
Allen, W. H. McKinney, Jens Jensen, J. D. Robinson, C. S. Wheeler, Jacob
Weegar, H. J. Strahm and Charles E. Guernsey. The "three links" are very
popular in and about Schaller and are made up of the best men in the vicinity.
Boyer Lodge No. 475, at Early, was organized in 1884. In May, 1890,
the lodge room was burned and all records of the early transactions of the
order were destroyed, hence we are unable to give the charter members and
first officers. It now has a membership of ninety-nine. The present (Janu-
ary, 1914) elective officers are as follows: J. R. Leighton. noble grand: J.
W. Stocks, vice grand ; W. H. Allen, recording secretary as well as financial
secretary ; J. W. Hartsell, treasurer. The Odd Fellows hall at Early was
erected in 1891, a veneer-brick structure, costing one thousand fi\e hundred
dollars. The order owns the upper portion of this block, which stands on
Main and Second strreets. With the passing years the list of past grands
may be read with much interest and are here subjoined : W. W. Shaw, W.
P. Hirons, Ned Madson, E. E. Cater, J. F. DeGarmo, I. W. Scothorn, Will-
iam Luff. J. R. Kenney, A. H. Borsed. G. W. Patee, L. C. Holdridge, J. L.
Dunham, John Scothorn, J. Grace, John Simpson, B. F. Hazen, J. C. Blair,
l8o SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
F. \\". Flanagen. G. \V. Little, W. T. Scott, George Huston, Robert Scothorn,
G. S. Wilson, W. F. Hay. Bert Kind, James Kenney, James Newell, J. W.
Hartseil, C. R. Kenney and C. J. Allen.
Odd Fellows Lodge No. 360, at ^^'ali Lake, was organized in 1888, with
at least the following members: \\'. Al. Hamilton, Frank A. Rouse, J. F.
Strohl, John A. Nelson, Frank Hawley and George W. Mcintosh. The pres-
ent membership of the lodge is thirty-seven. The elective officers are at this
date as follows: C. W. Davis, noble grand: H. Mclverson, vice grand;
Chris Erickson. secretary ; Samuel Robinson, treasurer. While not a large
lodge in numbers, it is a lodge devoted to the best interests of Odd Fellow-
ship in the section of country in which it is located.
Lytton Lodge No. 336, at Lytton, was organized January 24, 1901, with
the following charter members and officers : C. F. Brobeil, Gust Hohn, S. J.
Griffith, C. C. Webb, V. D. Heston, Jacob Stevens. The officers first elected
were as fullow s : ^^ D. Heston. noble grand : Gust Hohn, vice grand : C. F.
Brobeil, secretary : C. C. ^^'ebb, treasurer. The present membership is ninety-
five. The present elective officers are: G. E. Lamner, noble grand; Ray
Bechler, vice grand ; C. F. Brobeil, secretar}' : W. G. Brobeil. treasurer. A
frame hall was built b}- the order in IQ07 at a cost of three thousand dollars,
and is counted one of the finest halls in Sac county.
Auburn Lodge No. 540 was organized December 12, 1891, by Thomas
Thurston, William F. Harvey. Charles F. Wagner, William C. Wagner, vice
grand, Conrad Buehie, secretary, and W. F. IIarve\-, treasurer. The present
membership is fifty-one. The present officers are C. H. Wilkey. noble grand;
George W. Smith, vice grand : E. \\'. Bean, secretary : J. B. W'illiamson, treas-
urer. The past noble grands of this lodge have been O. C. Crandall, O. M.
Brooks, Ed. Thompson, J. B. Williams, J. B. Standfield, J. W. :\tartin, L. T.
Wiseman, S. Anderson, J. E. Thompson, A. C. Whittiker, H. Garnatz, A.
Staton, J. Rettig. Joseph Wiseman, George llungate, A. \\'. Walton. J. E.
Keppleman. O. M. Riple}-. E. W. Bean and J. H. Wiseman.
The dispensation for Odd Fellows Lodge No. 447, at Odebolt, was
granted by Grand Master ^^'hipple February 9, 1882. The first officers in-
stalled were W. W. Stanfield, noble grand ; J. W. Conklin, vice grand ; L. D.
Beardsley, treasurer ; John R. Mattes, secretary : A. B. Cooley, warden ; R.
D. Stafford, conductor; George Brownell, guardian; K. W. Wheelock, right
supporter noble grand; C. W. Stanfield, right supporter vice grand. The
lodge is not a very strong one. but those who belong are true and faithful to
the obligations of the fraternity. The officers elected for 1914 are as fol-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. l8l
lows; John \\'illiams, noble grand; Ed. Martin, vice grand; John A. Caine,
secretary; John R. Mattes, treasurer: E. E. Stratton, financial secretary;
Glenn Smith, warden ; P. O. Olson, conductor ; Hans Olson, inside guard ;
William Caine, outside guard; M. B. \Volf. John W. Yonnie and Erick
Ericksson, trustees.
Lake View Lodge No. 302, at Lake \'ie\\ , was organized October 18,
1888, by F. .\. Lurk. The charter member.s and first elective otficers were:
A. C. Clouse, W. X. McKendrick, \'. R. Anson, J. P. Therkelson, C. K.
Shumbaugh and William Elwanger. Officers: A. L. Clouse, noble grand;
\\'. X. McKendrick, vice grand; J. P. Therkelson, secretary; ^^ R. Anson,
treasurer. The present ( P'ebruary, 1914) officers are as follows: A. C.
Johnson, noble grand; William Belt, vice grand; V. R. Anson, secretary: C.
K. Shumbaugh, treasurer. The past noble grands are A. L. Clouse, W. X^.
McKendrick, \'. R. Anson, C. K. Shumbaugh, J. P. Therkelson, F. S. Frisbie,
M. L. Kaw, H. C. Miller, Paul Miller, A. C. Johnson, O. P. Haskins. J. P.
W'ells, D. C. Meek, H. Chambers and C. D. Lung. A frame building was
erected in 1890 at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars, and the upper
stor)- is used for the order. The lower story was built for opera house pur-
poses and public hall uses. It was erected by the Democratic Hall Associa-
tion. In 1910 the Odd Fellows bought the hall property, now having the
whole structure, which is valued at three thousand dollar,s. The lodge is free
of all debt and has fi\e Iiundred dollars in the treasury.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
There have been several lodges of this fraternity in Sac county, but at
present it is confined to only two points. Formerly there was a lodge at Ode-
bolt and one at Auburn, but today the lodges at Sac City and Early are the
only ones holding a charter.
At Sac City, Saxon Lodge X^o. 106 was organized October 24, 1883, by
the Carroll Lodge. The following were charter members and officers : C. H.
Reynolds, past chancellor ; W. H. Hanchett, chancellor commander ; J. E.
Robbins, vice chancellor; A. D.,Peck, prelate; F. B. Knight, keeper of records
and seals: J. L. W'atson. master of finance; J. M. Highland, master of
exchequer; G. ]\I. Parker, master at arms; C. P. Chapman, outer guard; W^.
Highland, inner guard ; J. Shull, J. H. James, J. Y. Campfield, E. H. Parnell,
J. Marks, W'. F. Moyer, J. H. Fox, A. W^ Hobbs, F. H. Knights, J. M. Broat,
H. J. Baxter, James N. Miller, Albert Kevser, T. B. Alansfield, Phil Schaller.
Io-2 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
H. L. Wilson. J. T. Bushnell. The present membership of this lodge is fifty-
five. The elective oflicers in March, 1914, were as follows: George I. Cory,
past chancellor; Miles Hamilton, chancellor commander; Ed. Young, vice
chancellor; C. L. Stocker, prelate; M. Currie. master of work; John H. Fox,
master of exchequer; X. O. Gishwiller. master of finance: H. L. Arney,
master at arms ; S. L. Hawley, inner guard ; George I. Cory, outer guard ;
trustees. M. Currie. N. O. Gishwiller. George 1. Cory. The order had various
lodge rooms until the building of the Allen block on East Main street, since
which time it has had a hall home on the second floor of that building. .\t
one time there was a Uniform Rank at Sac City, but several years ago it
went down for lack of attention and interest. George M. Parker was the
captain of the division during its existence here.
The report of Early Lodge No. 165 is not at hand, but it is understood
that, while it is not a large one. yet it is doing good work.
CHAPTER XV.
RAILROADS AND TRANSPORTATION.
There is no internal inipro\-enient that has done so much to develop this
country as its railroads. The printing press, the railroad, the telegraph and
the telephone combined move the world today. Up to about 1880, in this
section of the West, the countr\- was first expected to he fairly well developed
before the\' had an\- chance to obtain railway ser\ice. The agricultural and
mineral resources had first to be so far advanced and developed that there
was quick returns to capital before such capital could be induced to construct
a steam and iron highway through such section. Times have materiallv
changed. Now the railroad goes on ahead and pioneers the way over trackless
prairies, over forest and glen and swampy places, having in view the farmer
who will ere long be enticed into coming and effecting permanent settlement,
on account of the easy access to a railroad, which gives him, at once, a direct
and speedy line of transportation.
Sac county was only partly settled until the railroads sought out this
goodly land of fertility and surveyed her lines throughout her borders. This
county was never bonded or heavily burdened by railroad taxes, as was the
case in some of the more eastern counties in Iowa.
Again who built the railroads, as they first appeared on the map of
our fair state? While not paying for the construction of these various roads,
yet, strange tcj relate, the farmers built the roads; their teams made the
grades, the "cuts and the fills:" their axes hewed the ties; their sons laid the
rails and then manned the trains and officered the corporations. This is true
today, as has but recently been noted by the vice-president of the great Illi-
nois Central system, in a speech made at Storm Lake only last year: "Fifty
per cent, of the employes of the railroads come from the farm. The sons of
lawyers do not make good brakemen ; neither does the son uf a merchant seek
employment as a fireman. Those who learn the mechanical trades are used
to manual labor. The men who work on the track, also work on the farm
a part of the time. These are the ones from whom the officials are made.
There cannot rightfully be antagonism between the two vocations, and there
is absolutely no cause for it where it exists. Only the demagogue will tell
184 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
you that 'Wall Street owns the railroads." And tliat hence they are a legiti-
mate prey for the common people.
"Of the ten thousand stockholders of the Illinois Central railroad eight
thousand own one hundred shares or less. The maximum for one hundred
shares, an ordinary Iowa farm is worth as much money. The great majority
of shares are held in comparatively small amounts. From one hundred shares
of Illinois Central stock the owner — widow, orphan or perhaps some super-
annuated person — gets seven hundred dollars per year. If the same money
had been invested in Iowa land at the time this railroad was built it wiiuld
now be worth many times as much, and invested in any of the industries
would have brought far greater returns. Those who invest in railroad stocks
are usually those who cannot manipulate their money in merchandising or in
other ways requiring personal ability or superintendence."
With the north and south and east and west lines of railroad through
Sac county, the farmer and merchant have been greatly benefited. All classes
have been brought in touch with the great busy outside world.
As early as April, 1859, there was talk uf building a railroad through Sac
county. The question as to whether the people of this county should vote
away twenty-five thousand dollars worth of its swamp land that had been
given the county by the state, to aid some company in constructing a railroad
or not. Thirty-three votes were cast on the proposition, but all were cast
against such measure. It is supposed the Wabash system was backing" the
enterprise, but the people, as bad as they needed a railroad, did not believe in
paying for building it and let others own and control the stock in same.
The county developed as best it could, drawing her supplies from Des
Moines, Council Bluffs, Fort Dodge and Sioux City for all the years inter-
vening between 1855 and 1879, during which latter year the first rail was laid
in the county — that making the track of the great Chicago Northwestern
system and Iteing the branch from the "Y" at Sac Junction to Sac City, which
marked the beginning of the railroad era for this county. Very soon this
railroad extended its lines north and west, giving Sac countv manv miles of
road, the towns of Wall Lake, Auburn, Odebolt, Lake View being on one line,
and Sac City, Early and Schaller on the line from Carroll to Sioux City \'ia
Correctionville.
The next move toward railroad building in Sac county was in 1899,
when the Chicago, Milwatikee & St. Paul Company extended a branch of
their road from Rockwell Cit\', Calhoun county, to Sac City, completing the
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 85
same to Storm Lake, thereby adding iinich improvement in shipping tacihties
and passenger accommodations thronghout this county.
The present mileage of the various railroads within this county, as shown
by county records, is as follows : The Chicago & Northwestern lines, sixty-
nine and one-half miles ; the Illinois Central has nineteen miles ; the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul system has nineteen and fifteen one-hundredths miles.
This gives a total of mileage in Sac county of one hundred and seven and
sixty-five one-hundredths miles.
There are twelve townships in this county having a railroad mileage and
four without a mile of steam road within their limits.
The Sac Sun has this to say in its issue of August, 1879, concerning the
building of the railroad in this county : "Twenty-three years after it was laid
out as a town Sac City has a railroad. The history of its efforts in this
direction constitute a long chapter of hard work and bright schemes that
failed, encouragements and discouragements, that perhaps ha\e seldom been
equalled in the history of any Iowa town.
"We believe that the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad (now the
Northwestern system ) was the first road to be surveyed through this county.
It did not pass through Sac City, but the people had hopes of being able to
bring it here. It was afterwards diverted south to Carroll county, to make
its terminus at Council Bluffs, to connect with the Union Pacific system —
which was then only a dream of the future.
"Ne.xt came the Iowa Falls & Sioux City line (now Illinois Central),
which was surveyed through our county, some distance to the north of Sac
City, but was finally changed to run through Buena Vista county.
"The next important project, and one of which we all felt sure, was the
Iowa Pacific, which was surveyed through Sac City and considerable work
done on it \n 1873-74, but the general prostration of business and almost total
cessation of railroad building killed this enterprise, leaving us only a grade
which in al! probability will never l)e u.sed, although a road is now being built
from Minneapolis to Fort Dodge, which is intended to extend on to Omaha.
It may or may not come this way.
"In the spring of 1876 an effort was made to induce the Iowa Land
Company to build a road, starting from Jefferson, coming up through Lake
City and on to Ida coimty. But the present route of the Maple Valley road
had already been selected, and it seemed as if the fates were against us in Sac
county. The building of this road was a serious blow to Sac City and at one
time threatened to swamp us. But, with an energy born of despair, its people
l86 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
started with more earnestness to secure a railroad. The Ilhnois Central was
appealed to, but it would not consider or even condescend to reply to com-
munications. About August, 1877, Judge Duffie wrote E. P. Hull, general
manager of the Maple River Railroad Company, telling him that Sac City
wanted a railroad and asked him if he could do anything to help us build one
to Wall Lake. The reply led to the formation of the Sac City & Wall Lake
Railroad Company in September, 1877, to build a road between those two
points. Judge Dufhe was elected president and a five per cent, tax was voted
in aid of the road in Jackson township as well as in Cedar township, but de-
feated in Coon Valley and Wall Lake townships.
■\\ preliminary survey was made in the fall of the year last mentioned,
and the cost of grading ascertained. In Ma}-, 1878, the compam- proposed
to the Iowa Land Company to grade and bridge the road and pro\ide right of
way and depot grounds and give it to them if they would complete it and
cause it to be operated. The proposition was taken under advisement by the
company, but for a while no answer could l)e recei\ed.
"Our people again began to think they were to be disappointed and so
turned their attention to a road to the east, connecting with the old Des
Moines & Fort Dodge line at Cowrie. A comjjany was formed and prepara-
tions made to go on with the work. :\ surve\' was made, but before it was
finished the Iowa Land Company accepted the proposition made to them.
They douljtless realized that Sac City was determined to ha\'e a road and
thought it best to have one of theirs here, rather than a competing road.
"Last Friday [August, 1879] the rails were laid to Main street and the
long-looked for, hoped-for, worked-for railroad became a glorious fact.
Among those whose names should never be forgotten in securing this road
to Sac City are : Judge Early, Judge Criss, Judge Duflie, .\sa Piatt, W. H.
Hobbs, N. W. Condron. While it has cost our people considerable, yet the
road, we think, will amply repay all for what the\- have spent in securing it."
In October, 1887, Jackson township voted a five per cent, aid towards
building a railroad projected from Rockwell to Sac City, known as the Rock-
well, Sac City & Dakota.
CHAPTER XVI.
COUNTY AND STATE OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, ETC.
The following is an account of the important elections of Sac county,
together with a list of the various county oflicers and the vote on governors
and Presitlents, as far as possihle to ohtain them from anv record now obtain-
able.
AUGL'ST 4, 1856.
For secretary of state. Elijah Sells had a majority of 3. Congressman,
Timothy Davis had a maJDrity of 3. Clerk of the district court, Henry A.
Evans elected. School fund commissioner, William Todd elected. Prose-
cuting attorney, D. N. Kinnie electetl. Drainage commissioner, Joseph \V.
\\'illi;ims elected. Coroner of Sac C()un.ty, Joseph H. .\nstin elected.
NOVEMBER 4, 1 856.
Presidential elector.s — ( Dem(_icratic ticket) James Buchanan, 35 \otes;
(Republican ticket) John C. Fremont, 2^ votes.
AUGUST. 1857.
Coimt}- Judge, S. \\\ Wagoner, _'i \otes; Eugene Criss, 27 votes; A. J.
Cain, 27 votes (tied and declared finally in favor of A. J. Cain). Treasurer
and recorder (combined ofiice), D. C. Early, 45 votes; Davis Guy, 25 votes.
Sherifif, Andrew J. Taylor, 34 v(_)tes; William Impson, 36 \-otes; Thomas
Richey, i vote. Prosecuting attorne}-, Leland H. Stocker, 36 votes; William
Kromer, 28 votes ; Francis Ayers, i vote. Coroner, Joseph H. Austin, 22
\'otes ; Washington W. Wren, 50 votes. Surveyor, William H. Fagely, 39
votes; Joseph W. Williams, 29 votes.
OCTOBER ELECTION. 1 85 7.
For governor, Benj. M. Samuels (Democratic). 43; Ralph P. Lowe
(Republican), 8 votes.
1 88 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
APRIL 5, 1858.
At the house of Eugene Criss in Jackson township, Eugene Criss was
elected a justice of the peace for Jackson township for two years; \\'illiam
Todd was elected township clerk at the same time and place.
APRIL 5, 1858.
Fity-six votes were cast in Jackson township for justice of the peace,
E. Criss being duly declared elected. For prosecuting attorney, William
Kromer received 29 votes and Enoch Ross, 2"^. For drainage commissioner,
William J. Wagoner received the full vote, 53 votes. For superintendent of
schools, Daniel T. Rising received 61 votes.
'&
OCTOBER, 1858.
Secretary of State, Elijah Sells, 31 \otes; Samuel Douglas, '^'j votes.
Congressman, William C. Lefingwell, t^j votes; \\'illiam Vanderver, 31 votes.
Clerk of the district court. William Hobbs received the full vote of 58 and
was declared elected.
OCTOBER, 1859.
For county judge. Eugene Criss, 43 votes; W. J. Wagoner, 19 votes;
B. C. Browning, i vote. Treasurer and recorder (combined), D. C. Early
the full \ote of the county, 62. and declared elected. Sheriff, Miles Manning,
31 votes; \\'illiam Impson, 17 votes; James Filberheim, 10 votes; Roswell,
Perry, 4 votes. Drainage commissioner, S. L. Watt, 38 votes ; J. H. Austin,
23 votes. County school superintendent, G. F. Browning, 34 votes ; H. C.
Hulbert, 22 votes. Coroner, A. J. Leach elected. Sun-eyor, Joseph W'illiams
elected. Governor, A. C. Dodge (Democrat), ^^j votes; S. J. Kirkwood
(Republican), 28 votes. State representative (sixth district, composed of
Dickinson, Sac, Buena Vista, Kossuth, Emmet, Clay and Palo Alto), John
E. Blackford. 174 votes; F. M. Cory, 136 votes; J. L. Rease, i vote.
NOVEMBER. 1860.
For presidential electors, Stephen A. Douglas electors (Democrat), 40
votes; Abraham Lincoln (Republican), 25 votes. Congressman, Benjamin
M. Samuels (Democrat), 40 votes: William Vanderver (Republican), 25
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 89
votes. Clerk of the district court. J- G. Browning, 26 votes; William H.
Hobbs, 25 votes.
OCTOBER, 1 86 1.
For governor, William H. Alerrett (Democrat), 43 votes; Samuel J.,
Kirkwood (Republican), 5 votes. Congressman for the second district,
L. Byington the full vote. State representative, George S. Walton received
the total vote. County judge, John Alexander, 47 votes; E. Criss, i vote,
Treasurer and recorder (combined), D. C. Early, 47 votes. Sheriff, David
Easier, 19 votes: Robert Quail, 17 votes; William Impson, 11 votes. County
surveyor, Joseph Williams, 29 votes; Isaac A. Cory, 18 votes. School superin-
tendent, William Todd. 26 votes; \\'illiam Kromer, 21 votes. Drainage
commissioner, S. L. Watt, 24 votes; J. H. Austin, 16 votes: F. M. Ayers, 7
votes. Coroner, Elias Tiberghien, 30 votes; W. W. \\'ren, 9 votes; Charles
Oldfield, 6 votes. . •
OCTOBER, 1862.
For congressman, A. W. Hubbard ( Repul)lican ), 23 votes; John F. Dun-
combe (Democrat), 7 votes.
OCTOBER 4, 1863.
(Sac township was thrown out on account of the returns not being
properlv signed by the election officers.) For Governor, William "M. Stone
(Republican), 21 votes; James M. Tuttle (Democrat). 19 votes. State
representative, Addison Oliver (Republican), 25 votes; S. E. Dow (Demo-
crat), 14 votes, aside from the soldier vote which came in later and showed
that the Republican candidate received the majority of those army votes.
Treasurer and recorder (combined). N. W. Condron elected. County judge,
John Alexander, elected. Sheriff, David Barber elected. School superin-
tendent, William Kromer elected. Surveyor, Joseph Williams, elected.
Drainage commissioner, Eugene Criss elected.
NOVEMBER. 1864.
Presidential electors, Abraham Lincoln ( Republican ) , 44 \otes ; George
B. McClellan (Democrat). 22. For congressman, A. Hubbard (Republican),
44; L. Chapman (Democrat). 22. For clerk of the courts, 63 votes, includ-
IQO SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
ing the soldier vote in the army, all cast for William H. Hobbs. For re-
corder, 63 votes (all) for X. W. Condron.
OCTOBER, 1867.
For governor, Samuel ^Merrill (Republican), — : Charles Mason
(Democrat), 34. .State representative, Eugene Criss (Republican), loi ; A.
B. McCall (Democrat), 22. County treasurer, R. Ellis, 83: opponent, 43.
For county judge, D. Carr Early (Republican) elected. For sheriff, T- S.
Tiberghein elected. County surveyor, Charles Wilson, ■]•]■. Oren Porter, 37.
County superintendent of schools, William P. Drewry, 1 14 votes : Ed. Whit-
ney, 2,Z votes. For drainage commissioner, E. Criss elected. Coroner, Dr.
R. G. Piatt elected.
NOVEMBER 9, 1 868.
Presidential electors (Republican), 132 for the Grant and Colfax elect-
ors, and for the Democratic electors for Seymour and Blair, 45. For con-
gressman (sixth district), Charles Pomeroy (Republican), 132: Charles A. L.
Roszell (Democratic). 45. For clerk of the courts. William H. Hobba
elected. For county recorder. X. \\'. Condron elected.
OCTOBER, 1869.
For governor, Samuel Merrill (Republican), 185: George Gellespie, 51.
For county auditor (first to hold this office). William H. Hobbs elected.
County treasurer, Ed R. Duffie, 162: William Allen, 61. For sheriff, Will-
iam Imp.son, 141: A. S. Curtis, 28; John Austin, 52. For county surveyor,
C. Wilson elected. For county .superintendent of schools, R. Ellis elected.
For coroner. Dr. R. G. Piatt.
OCTOBER, 1870.
For congressman (sixth district), Jackson Orr elected. For clerk of
the district courts, L. Davis elected. For recorder. William Chapman elected
over opponent, R. Ellis, with a vote of 112.
OCTOBER, 1871.
For governor, Cyrus C. Carpenter (Republican). 137 votes; J. C. Knapp,
89 votes. For county auditor, ^^'illiam Chapin elected. For countv treas-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. IQI
urer, W". H. Hobbs elected. For sheriff, Charles ^^^ Allen elected. For
county surveyor, Robert Quail elected. For superintendent of schools. R.
Ellis elected. For coroner, D. M. Lamoreaux elected.
NOVEMBER, l8j2.
Presidential electors, L'. S. Grant (Republican), 305: Horace Greeley
(Democrat), 48 votes. For county recorder. Levi Davis elected. For clerk
of the courts. John Alexander elected.
OCTOBER, 1873.
For governor. C. C. Carpenter (Republican), ^^2: J. G. \'ale (Demo-
crat), 93. For county treasurer. William H. Hobbs. 421 ; A. H. Burbeck, i.
For auditor, William Chapin, 425 : Ed Whitney, t. For sheriff. M. L. Pratt.
176: J. W. Xutter. 136; J. P. Kromer. 88: Charles Wilson. 21. For school
superintendent, John Dobson, 424. For supervisor. William Hawkes, 422 ;
to fill vacancy for same, J. H, Woodell, 220: E. Criss. 196. Surveyor. R. D.
Trimble. 281 : Robert Quail, 140. Coroner. Dr. William \\'arren. 426.
OCTOBER, 1874,
County recorder. N. B. Flack elected. For clerk of the courts. John F.
Moody elected. For Coroner. S. W'. Duncan elected.
i87.>
Countv auditor, William Chapin elected. Treasurer. \\'illiam Hobbs
elected. Sheriff, Criss \\^addell elected. Superintendent of schools, John,
Dobson elected. Coroner. Dr. A. H. Brenton elected. Surveyor, William
S. Williams.
. NOVEMBER 7, 1 876.
For coimty recorder. N. B. Flack elected. For clerk of the district,
court, J. F. Moody elected.
OCTOBER 9. 1877.
Countv auditor, A. D. Peck elected. County treasurer. Phil Schaller
elected. Sheriff. C. Waddell elected. Coroner. Dr. A. T. Brenton elected
192 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
County surveyor, C. Pettis elected. School superintendent, James Darling
elected. Coroner, Dr. A. T. Brenton elected.
OCTOBER. 1878.
Recorder, N. B. Flack elected. Clerk of the courts, C. E. Lane elected.
OCTOBER, 1879.
For governor, John H. Gear (Republican), 638; H. H. Trimble (Demo-
crat), 245. County auditor, A. D. Peck, 1,010 majority. Treasurer, Phil
Schaller. 1,016 majority over Thomas Alexander. Sheriff, C. Waddell, 129
majority. School superintendent, James Darling, a majority of 458.
Coroner, Dr. Z. Fuller had the full \-ote. County supervisor, William
Hawkes, 212 majority. Surveyor, Charles Pettis, a majority of 349.
1880.
Presidential electors, Garfield and Arthur (Republican), 1.346; Hancock
and English, 425 ; Weaver and Chambers, 92 ; Anti-Masonic, 30. Clerk of
courts, C. E. Lane, 1,148 majority. Recorder, N. B. Flack, 129 majority.
Countv supervisor. Henry Reinhart, 660 majority. Coroner, C. M. Hop-
kins, 1,078 majority.
OCTOBER, 1881.
Governor, B. R. Sherman, 858 majority over L. G. Kinnie, Democrat.
County treasurer, Phil Schaller over all. Sheriff, H. L. Wilson, 42 majority
over C. Waddell. James Darling, school superintendent, defeated by 60
majoritv bv H. T. Martin. C. M. Hopkins elected coroner. Charles Pettis
elected by 858 majority for surveyor o\er J. H. Hoebing. For purchasing
a poor farm, 135 ; against it, 1,016.
NOVEMBER, 1 882.
Clerk of the courts, C. E. Lane elected by 831 majority over George A.
Smith. W. F. Moyer elected by 763 majority for school superintendent.
For coruner, Daniel Lesher, 479 over Juhn Hoebing.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 1 93
1883.
Governor. B. R. Sherman (Republican), 1.358: L. G. Kinnie. 606;
James B. Weaver, 56. Auditor, A. D. Peck, 958 majority over George A.
Smith. For treasurer, Phil Schaller, Republican, 1,321 majority over W.
W. Shaw. H. L. Wilson. 748 majority over C. W^addell, for sheriff. H. T.
Martin, majority of 367 over J. ^^^ Savage for school superintendent. Henry
Reinhart, 835 majority over D. R. Herrold for supervisor. C. Brown. 1,105
majority over A. A. Huson fcir coroner. West Dodd, 762 majority over
Frank Ross for surveyor.
1884.
Blaine and Logan ( Republican j for President and V'ice-President, over
Cleveland and Hendricks (Democrat), 673 majority. Charles E. Lane, 747
majority over V. E. Hankins for county clerk. W. F. Moyer, 708 majority
over L. J. Sifford for recorder. Pierce Coy, 708 majority o\er I. S. Bailey
for supervisor.
NOVEMBER, 1 885.
For governor, William Larrabee, 545 majority over Charles E. Whiting.
A. D. Peck elected by 361 majority for auditor. Thomas J. Marks elected
treasurer by 586 majority. Thomas Batie elected sheriff by 263 majority.
H. H. Fitch elected supervisor by 510 majority.
NOVEMBER, 1 886.
County clerk, C. E. Lane by 621 over Ed. Colvin. W. F. Moyer. 746
majority over his opponent. James Tait elected county attorney by 1,441
majority. C. W. Marcy. 518 maj()rit\- o\er W. W. Shaw, for county super-
visor.
NOVEMBER, 1 887.
Governor, William Larrabee (Republican) over T. J. Anderson, 555
majority. County auditor, C. C. Cleveland, 401 majority over E. F. Baxter.
T. J. Marks, for treasurer, over Otto Behrend. 603 majority. Thomas Batie,
200 majority for sheriff' over J. L. Comstock. Clarence Messer, 587 majority
over Abbey Bailey for school superintendent. C. H. Babcock, for super-
visor, 632 majority over C. L. Martin. C. Brown, 583 majority over R. M.
(12)
194 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Nicholson for coroner. West Dodd, 539 majority over Phil Huston for sur-
veyor. For purchase of poor farm, 308; against it, 1,473.
NOVEMBER, 1 888.
Presidential ticket, Benjamin Harrison (Republican), 729 majority over
Grover Cleveland, the vote standing 1,831 and 1,002 respectively. County
clerk, C. L. Early, 763 majority over McKendrick. W. F. Meyer over
Schmitz for recorder. 827 majority. County supervisor, H. H. Fitch, 825
majority.
NOVEMBER, 1 889.
For governor. J. G. Hutchinson, 315 majority over Horace Boies, Demo-
crat. County treasurer, J. C. Bodine (Democrat) was elected over Marks
by 296 majority. Sheriff Allen was elected over his opponent by 135 ma-
jority. C. Messer, for county superintendent, defeated by Edw. Drewry
(Democrat) by 10 majority. County supervisor F. Hahne (Democrat), 195
majority over C. M. Marcey.
NOVEMBER, 189O.
County Clerk Charles L. Early elected by a majority of 449. W. F.
Moyer elected recorder by a majority of 302. County attorney A. B. Mason
over Hunter by a majority of 2t,. Supervisor C. H. Babcock over his
opponent by 330 majority.
NOVEMBER, 1 89 1.
Governor, Hiram Wheeler, 458 majority over Democratic nominee,
Horace Boies. County treasurer, R. G. Wilson by 310 majority. H. B.
Allen, 623 majority over his opponent for the ofifice of sheriff. C. E. Stal-
coop, for county school superintendent, 12 majority. For surveyor, West
Dodd polled the total vote, as did also C. Brown for the office of coroner.
1892.
Presidential candidates, Benjamin Harrison, 1,888; Grover Cleveland,
1,264; James B. Weaver, 83. Auditor, J. W. Wilson, 614 majority. W. J.
Dixon, majority for clerk of the courts, 728. For recorder, A. J. Clouser, 496
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. I95
majorit)-. James H. Tait, for county attorney, 593 majority. First district
county supervisor, M. E. Wright, 188 majority.
NOVEMBER, 1 893.
For governor, Frank D. Jackson (Republican), plurality over Horace
Boies and Mr. Joseph of 66 1 votes. For county treasurer, R. G. Wilson, 830
plurality. Sheriff, Al De Garmo, plurality 861. School superintendent, C.
E. Stalcoop, plurality of 808. Surveyor. A. T. Martin, plurality of 809.
Coroner, Dr. C. ^I. Hopkins, plurality of 766. County supervisor, Chris
Roth, plurality of 228.
NOVEMBER, 1 894.
County clerk, W. J. Dixon, 1.126 majority over E. M. Whalen. J. W.
Wilson, 1,660 majority over P. M. Lewis for auditor. A. L. Clouser, 1,073
over E. Hobbs for recorder. James H. Tait received the total vote for county
attorney. James H. Neal. 183 majority over Reuben Lewis for supervisor.
NOVEMBER, 1 895.
For Governor, F. M. Drake, 962 majority on the Republican ticket over
opponents, W. L Babb, .S. B. Crane and Francis Bacon. County treasurer,
D. E. Spafford, 1826; Charles Goodenow, 955. Sheriff. A. D. Garmo, 724
majority over C. S. Larimer. J. W. Jackson, 662 majority over Miss Irene
Smedly for school superintendent. For supervisor, M. E. Wright. 178
majority over J. W. Huston. For coroner, C. M. Hopkins the total vote of
county, 2,089. A T. Martin for surveyor, total vote.
NOVEMBER, 1 896.
Presidential vote, William McKinley (Republican). 2,513; William
Jennings Bryan, 1,346; General Palmer, 17; Levering, 36; Bently, 5;
Matchett, i. County attorney. Miles W. Newby, 1,238 majority over C. R.
Metcalf. A. H. Montgomery, 1,045 majority over E. L. James for auditor.
R. G. Wilson, 787 majority over Charles F. Drewry for county clerk. George
W. Cochrane, 1,044 majority over Theodore Yeager for recorder. August
Lundell, 456 majority over Jacob Miller for supervisor.
ly6 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
NOVEMBER. 1 898.
Auditor, A. H. jNIontgonien-, i.oii majority over John H. Ketterer.
County clerk, W. C. Waddell, 875 majority over J. S. Birt. G. W. Cochrane,
675 majority over George A. Heagy for recorder. Miles W. Newby, 618
majority over P. P. White for county attorney. L. C. Holdridge, 235
majority over J. H. Denman for supervisor.
NOVEMBER, 1 899.
For governor, Leslie M. Shaw (Republican), 996 majority over Fred
White (Democrat), 1,155, ^'i^ ^^- ^^ • Atwood, 130. County treasurer,
Charles Sififord, 199 majority over Ed Drewry. H. A. Battle, 1,055 majority
over Ed H. Berg and Sterling Wells fur sheriff. C. H. Jump, 475 majority
over J. M. Holida\- and \\'alter tiuthridge for superintendent of schools. A.
T. Martin, 2,010 majority over Phil Huston for surveyor. Thomas Far-
quhar, the full county vote for office of coroner. County supervisor, first
district, August Lundell, jSy majority over John Gosch, second district, J.
B. Williamson, 84 majority over James J. Fitzsimmons for sviper\'isor.
NOVEMBER, I9OO.
For presidential candidates, William .McKinley (Republican), 1.572
plurality over W. J. Bryan, 1,214; Wooley, 124; Barker, 3; Debbs, 8.
County attorney. W. H. Hart, 1,481 majority over P. W. White. Auditor,
George A. Taylor, 1,497 majority o\er W. W. \\'ebb, with 109 votes for
A. E. Forsythe. County clerk, George B. Perkins, 1,221 plurality over
Charles F. Drewry and Sterling \\'ells. For recorder. Belle Henton, 1.075
majority over S. H. Neumaker and a vote of 106 for Charles .\. Smith. Sec-
ond supervisor district. J. ^^^ \\'illiamson, 309 maiority.
NOVEMBER, I90I.
For governor, A. B. Cummins (Republican), 1,883 phirahty over T. J.
Phillips. A. U. Coats. L. H. Weller. County treasurer, Charles Sifford,
1,438 majority over AI. Bartlett. C. 11. jump, for school superintendent,
1,680 votes. Adam Teepell, 1.386 majority over Fred Buss for sheriff.
A. T. Martin, 1,703 votes for .surveyor. Coroner, T. Farquhar, 1,696 votes.
First supervisor district, L. C. Holdridge, 430 majority over J. C. Hudson.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 19-
NOVEMBER, ig02.
County auditor, George A. Taylor, 943 majority over Thomas Yauger
and Everitt Lee. George B. Perkins. 921 plurality over A. H. Quail and S.
Wells for count}- clerk. Belle Henton, 893 plurality over John Seivert and
William J. Martin for school superintendent. W. H. Hart, 1.580 votes for
county attorney — no opposition. A. IMcCorkindale. 418 majority over Peter
Woleen for supervisor.
NOVEMBER, I903.
Governor. A. B. Cummins, 2.j;^2\ J. B. Sullivan, 731 ; Juhn B. Hanson,
123; John M. Work. 27. County treasurer, William H. Pettis, 1,810: J. H.
Denman 739. A. B. Teepell. 959 majority over Godfrey Struchen for
sheriff. H. C. Cole, 839 majority over Kittie M. Howard for school superin-
tendent. W. H. Townsend. 1,071 majority over F. W. Johnson for coroner.
Supervisor. J. B. Williamson 622 ; W. H. McDonald.
NOVEMBER, I904.
Presidential candidates. Theodore Roosevelt. 2.609 ; Alton B. Parker,
833: Swallow. 100 : Debbs. 49; Watson. 9. County auditor. J. J. Harter,
1.673 majority over John Seivert. Frank V. Healy. 394 majority over John
H. Ketterer for county clerk. H. S. Parker. 1,547 majority over W. B.
Jenkins for recorder. A. B. Barclay, majority of 1.559 o^'^'' E- Baker for
county attorney. First super\'isor district, H. C. Goodman, 734: J. W.
Hartsell, 295.
NOVEMBER^ I906.
For governor. A. B. Cummins. 1.940; Claude B. Porter, 931: John E.
Shank. t,t,; L. S. Coffin, ^j. County auditor. J. J. Harter all the votes.
Frank V. Healv, 472 majority over H. Purdoni for clerk. W. H. Pettis,
367 majority over Charles Goodenow for treasurer. H. S. Parker had the
full vote for recorder. Malcom Currie, 1.055 majority over Robert Leach
for sheriff". H. C. Coe, 2.120 for school superintendent. A. T. Martin.
2,067. all votes, for office of surveyor. Coroner, W. H. Townsend, full vote.
H. C. Goodman, first supervisor district, 462 majority over A. D. Cloud.
Charles Hechtner. 248 majority in second district. A. McCorkindale. 627
majority over James McGloin for supervisor in third district.
198 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
NOVEMBER, I908.
Presidential candidates, William Howard Talt, 2.366; William J. Bryan,
1.204. For governor, B. F. Carroll (Republican), 2,188; Fred E. White,
1,176; Brown, 66. County auditor, Harry A. Baxter, 576 majority over
C. F. Brobeil. Frank S. Brown, 691 majority over J. H. Denman for
treasurer. A. E. Baker, 1,131 majority over Ross May hall for clerk. Mal-
com Currie, 1,352 majority over J. Ed Johnson for sheriff. Charles Brynte-
son, 1,177 majority over D. W. Brunton for recorder. Robert L. McCord.
Jr., the full county vote for county attorney. W. H. Townsend, the full
county vote for coroner. Harry Wood, full county vote for surveyor. John
R. Slack, the full county vote for office of county school superintendent.
Charles Hechtner. 270 majority over Ira Conger for supervisor from second
district. Ben Braughton, 160 majority over John Gosch for supervisor from
third district.
NOVEMBER, I9IO.
For Governor, B. F. Carroll, 1,461 ; Claude R. Porter, 990; A. McEach-
son, 63; John W. Work, 20. Auditor, J. W. Neal, 1,673; Robert McTigue,
687. L. B. Rake, 717 over C. F. Brobeil for treasurer. C. M. Whitted,
1,487, F. E. Hunt, 757, for county clerk. Alexander Rogers, 1,528 for
sheriff. W. W. Walton, 1,558, and W. H. Nicodemus, 679, for recorder.
R. L. McCord, 1,565, and J. M. Highland, 768. for county attorney. School
superintendent, J. R. Slack, 1,549; Lou Watson, 742 ; Harry Wood, 1,610, and
J W. Wilkinson, 715, for surveyor. W. H. Townsend, 1,638, and elected
to office of coroner. First supervisor district. E. C. Fuller, 432 ; James Mc-
Cormick, 164. Second district, Ben Braughton, TiTiT,; John Fuchs, 519.
1912.
Presidential electors, William H. Taft (Republican), 622; Woodrow
Wilson (Democrat), 1,124; Chafin (Prohibition), 42; Eugene Debbs
(Labor), 58; Roosevelt (Progressive), 1,819. For governor, George W.
'Clarke (Republican), 1,442; E. G. Dunn (Democrat), 1,193; C. D. Jones
(Prohibition), 32; J. S. McCrillis, 52; John L. Stevens (Progressive), 702.
For county auditor, J. W. Neal, 2,091 ; W. W. Chesley, 930. County treas-
urer, L. B. Rake, 1,997; J- Kessler, 996. County clerk, C. M. Whitted,
1,915; A. B. Canady, 1,037; B. E. Adams, 44. For sheriff, J. W. Criss,
1.906; O. R. Finders, 1.117. Recorder, W. W. Walton. 1,925: J. R. Ouinn,
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. J 99
1,057. County attorney, Malcom Ciirrie, 2,114. Superintendent of Schools,
John R. Slacks, 1,767; Esther M. Brown, 1,273. Coroner, Dr. W. H. Town-
send, 2,227. Supervisor, first district, C. E. Fuller; second district, J. S.
Havens.
SPECIAL PROPOSITIONS AND ELECTIONS.
In the history of Sac county there have been the following propositions
voted on at regular and special elections :
At the August election in 1856 the question of allowing swine to run at
large was voted upon in this county, and resulted in a vote of fourteen
majority for restraining swine.
At the above annual election there was two majority for the calling of a
constitutional convention in Iowa.
At the November, 1856, election the swine law was again up and this
time "restraining hogs'" was defeated by thirteen votes. At that election the
result of voting on delegate to the state convention stood as follows : D. W.
Price, 26 votes ; D. E. Brainard, 5 votes. For a new constitution for Iowa,
27 votes, against the measure, 51 votes. For locating the county seat of Sac
county at a point in the east half of section 23 and west half of section 24,
township 88, range 36, there were forty-three votes polled and for its being
located in section i, township 87, range 36, twenty-seven votes. This elec-
tion appears to have been certified to by the county board of canvassers and
Samuel L. Watt, Robert Quail and F. M. Cory, justices of the peace.
A special election was held Monday, June 8, 1858, on the question of
having state banks in Iowa. The result was : Forty-four votes for and
none against the proposition.
In April, 1859, a special election was held to determine whether twenty-
five thousand dollars worth of Sac county swamp land should be voted to aid
in the construction of a railroad through this county. Result : Thirty-
three votes, all cast against the measure.
To fill a vacancy in the ofiice of county judge, the following call was
made for a special election : "State of Iowa, Sac County : On this day the
honorable County Judge, Abel J. Cain, tendered his resignation of said office,
which is accepted, with all due deference for the honesty and integrity with
which he has filled said office. On this day have also ordered an election to
be held to fill the vacancy, which is done by putting into the hands of the
sheriff of said county two notices for each township therein, dated this day
200 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
and calling for an election to be held on Tuesda)-, the seventh day of June,
1859.
(Signed) "W. H. Hobbs. Clerk.
"Per D. C. Early, Deputy Clerk."
The result of the election named above was as follows : William J.
Wagoner, 25 votes ; Henry A. Evans, 23 votes.
At the election on July 7, i860, the cjuestion of whether or not a court
house should be erected in Sac county to cost ten thousand dollars, by bond-
ing the county at ten per cent, bonds, was held. The question called for two
distinct expressions from the voters of this county. One was on the original
question and the other on the tax levy for the same object. The total num-
ber of votes cast was forty-one, on both measures. There were 23 votes cast
for the propositions and 18 against them. (See court house history in
County Government chapter in this volume.)
A special election was held ISIarch i, 1862, on the swamp land question.
Thirty-three votes were cast for ratifying a contract and transfer of swamp
lands, and six votes were cast against the proposition. At the annual elec-
tion of 1862, held in October, the matter of bonding the county warrants was
up and resulted in twelve votes for bonding and none against the proposition.
The special election held in February, 1863, had for its issue the question
of whether the county should use the court house money for buying in the
county orders outstanding. The result was thirty-two for and six against
the measure.
In 1867, at the annual election, the question of stock running at large
came up before the voters of this count}-, and it resulted in, for restraining
stock, 137; against the measure, 46 votes.
At the same date the question of locating the court house in the public
s(|uare was up and resulted in 156 votes for the proposition and loi against
it. .\t the Xovember annual election in 1872 the question of building the
court house in the public square came up and resulted as follows: For, 276;
against the measure, 130.
At the same time the question of borrowing thirty thousand dollars with
which to build a court house was up and resulted as follows : For borrow-
ing, 276 votes; against borrowing, 130 votes.
In October, 1874, the question of stock running at large was again up
and resulted as follows : For restraining stock, 470 votes ; against the propo-
sition, 2 votes.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 20I
ELECTION CONTEST.
On August 5, 1857, in the county court was present County Judge S. L.
Watt, F. M. Cory, Robert Quail, former county commissioner, also came
Eugene Criss and A. J. Cain, who were decided to be tied in votes of said
county for the office of county judge. The canvassers prepared the lot slips
for the two candidates, and the result was that the lot marked Abel Cain
was drawn and he was declared county judge.
On October 8, 1857, William Kromer was appointed to fill the vacancy in
the office of prosecuting attorney, and he forthwith qualified to fill such posi-
tion and gave sufficient bond. October 12th, that year, William V. Lagourge
was appointed deputy sheriff.
On October 19, 1857, F. M. Cory was appointed messenger, with the
abstract of election for state representative in the thirteenth district in Towa.
His appointment was made by County Judge A. J. Cain.
PROHIBITORY .-\MENDMENT VOTE, JUNE 2'/, 1882.
On June 27, 1882, all the counties in Iowa voted at a special election on
the <iuestion of \\hether or not there should be added to the Constitution in
Iowa a prohibitory licjuor clause which had for its object the prohibition of
all alcoholic liquors, including ale, wine and beer. By townships the vote in
Sac county stood as follows ;
For Against For Against
Boyer Valley 64 39 Jackson 219 48
Cedar 64 6 Levy 81 74
Clinton 80 2y Richland 225 93
Cook loi 13 Sac 54 61
Coon Valley 54 26 Viola 24 64
Delaware 71 14 Wall Lake 102 43
Douglas 51 2 Wheeler 76 12
Eden 58 12
Eureka 59 14 Total vote 1.383 548
In the state it carried by a majority of about thirty thousand, but was
later declared unconstitutional on a technicality, the error of an engrossing
clerk in the House of Representatives, who left out a single word in the
record that had been in the original bill. Since then many local option
schemes have been in AOgue to control the sale of liquor in Iowa, and today
202
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
more than seventy-five per cent, of the counties are practically saloonless
or in the column known as "dry." while the remainder of the counties are still
classed in the "wet" column. At this date (January, 1914), Sac county is a
"dry" county.
Under the present law an election was held in 1899 to determine whether
the county would permit saloons to exist within this county, and the same
resulted in 2,239 votes being cast for saloon licenses being granted, but this
was not sufficient, as the legal number required was sixty-five per cent, of the
voters, which would have been 2,293. so the county went into the "dry" list.
PRESIDENTIAL \0TE OF COUNTY.
Republican. Votes.
1856 — John C. Fremont 2^
i860 — Abraham Lincoln 25
1864 — Abraham Lincoln 44
1868— U. S. Grant 132
1872 — U. S. Grant 305
1876 — Rutherford .B. Hayes
(maj.) _ 495
1880 — James A. Garfield 1.346
1884 — James G. Blaine (maj.)_ 673
1888 — Benjamin Harrison 1.831
1892 — Benjamin Harrison 1,188
1896 — William McKinley ^.513
1900 — William McKinley 2,786
1904 — Theodore Roosevelt 2,609
1908— William H. Taft 2,366
1912 — William H. Taft 602
Democratic. Votes.
James Buchanan 35
Stephen A. Douglas 40
George B. McClellan 22
Horatio Seymour 45
Horace Greeley 48
Samuel J. Tilden
W. S. Hancock 425
Gro\-er Cleveland
Grover Cleveland i,o02
Grover Cleveland 1,264
W. J. Bryan (Dem.) 1.346
Gen. Palmer (Gold Dem.) 17
Levering (Prohib.) 36
Bently (National) 5
Matchett (Social Labor) i
W. J. Bryan (Dem.) 1,214
Wooley (Prohib.) 124
Barker (M. P.) 3
Debs (Soc. Dem.) g
Alton B. Parker (Dem.) 833
Rev. Swallow (Proh.) 100
Debs (Labor) 49
Watson (Socialist) 9
William J. Bryan 1 Dem.) 1,204
Woodrow! Wilson (Dem.) 1,102
Theo. Roosevelt ( Progressive). 1.768
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
203
GUBERNATORIAL VOTES.
Republican.
1857— Ralph P. Lowe 8
1859 — Samuel J. Kirkwood 28
1861 — Samuel J. Kirkwood 5
1863 — William M. Stone 21
1865-
1867 — Samuel Merrill 132
1869 — Samuel Merrill 185
1871 — Cyrus C. Carpenter 137
1873 — Cyrus C. Carpenter 332
1875 — S. J. Kirkwood 515
1877— J. H. Gear (Maj.) 528
1879— J. H. Gear (Maj.) 638
1881— B. R. Sherman (Maj.)- 858
1883 — B. R. Sherman 1.358
1885 — William Larrabee
(Maj.) 548
1887- -William Larrabee
(Maj.) 555
1889 — J. G. Hutchison (Maj.)_ 315
1891 — Hiram Wheeler (Maj.)_ 458
1893-
1895— F. M. Drake (Maj.)__- 962
1897—
1899 — Leslie M. Shaw 2,151
1901 — Albert B. Cummins 1,605
1903 — Albert B. Cummins 2,732
Democratic.
Democratic Nom. 43
A. C. Dodge ^ 37
W. H. Merrett 43
James M. Tuttle 25
Charles Mason 34
Geo. Gillespie 55
J. C. Knapp 89
Jacob G. Vale 93
Shepherd Leffler 185
J. H. Lozier (Proh.) 2
John P. Irish
b. P. Stubbs
E. Jessup (Proh.)
H. H. Trimble
Daniel Campbell (Grb.)
L. G. Kinnie
L. G. Kinnie 606
Whiting
T. J. .\nderson
Horace Boies
Horace Boies
W. I. Babb 745
S. B. Crane 305
Francis Bacon 93
Fred E. White 1,155
T. J. Phillips : 422
A. U. Coats 188
L. H. Weller 9
J. B. Sullivan 731
John B. Hanson 123
John M. Work 27
204 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Republican. Democratic.
ic,o6— A. B. Cummins 1,940 Claude B. Porter 931
John E. Shank 33
L. S. Coffin (Proh.) 57
1908— B. F. Carroll 2,188 Fred E. White 1,176
Brown 66
igio—B. F. Carroll 1,461 Claude R. Porter 993
John W. Work 20
1912— George W. Clarke 1.442 Ed C. Dunn '_ 1,192
John L. Stevens 659
CONGRESSIONAL VOTE.
The following shows the vote on representative in Congress from 1856
to 1882, in Sac county:
Republican. Democratic. Greenback.
1856 20 17
1858 31 37
1862 23 7
1864 44 22
1866 64 34
1868 132 45
1870 204 52
1872 287 117
1874 398 134
1876 659 162 138
1878 614 64 391
1880 1,350 743 59
1882 r,ii6 535 59
STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
The following is a list of representatives in the state Legislature from
Sac county bv sessions: Eugene Criss, in the twelfth session; George H.
Wright, thirteenth session: James N. Miller, fifteenth session; D. J. McDaid,
in the eighteenth and twentieth sessions : Phil Schaller. t\\ enty-first session ;
I. S. Hunter, in the twenty-second session ; A. B. Smith, twenty-third session ;
William P. Drewry, twenty-fourth session; Charles L. Early, twenty-fifth
and twenty-sixth sessions; Charles E. Stalcoop, twenty-seventh and twenty-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
-'05
eighth sessions; Joseph Alattes, twenty-ninth, thirtieth and thirty-first ses-
sions; Will Drury, thirty-second and thirty-third sessions; W. j. Dixon,
thirtv-fonrth and tiiirtv-fiftli sessions.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
From rather imperfect election records, it appears that the following
is about the urder in which the county of^ficers in this county have served
since its organization, more than fiitx years ago:
COUNTY JUDGES.
The dates given are supposed to be the year in which they were elected.
S. L. \\'att, 1856; A. J. Cain, 1857; Eugene Criss, 1859; John Alexander,
1861 ; John Alexander, 1863.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
The office of county judge was abolished in 1868, to take effect January
I, 1869, when the office of county auditor was created to go into eft'ect. The
first to hold this office was William H, Hobbs, in 1869, having been elected
in the fall of 1868. The list since that date has been: William Chapin, 1871 ;
William Chapin, 1873; William Chapin, 1875; A. D. Peck, 1877; A. D. Peck,
1879; A. D. Peck, 1881 ; A. D. Peck. 1883; A. D. Peck, 1885: C. C. Cleve-
land, 1887: C. C. Cleveland, 1889; J. W. Wilson, 1892; J. W. Wilson, 1894;
A. H. Alontgomer)-, 1896; A. H. Montgomery, 1898; George A. Taylor,
1900; George A. Taylor, 1902; J. J. Harter, 1904; J. J. Harter, 1906; Harry
A. Baxter. 1908; J. \\"ilhur Neal, 1910; J. W. Neal, 1912.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
The offices of treasurer anil recorder prior to 18O4 were combined in one
office, known as "treasurer and recorder.'' D. C. Early was the first to hold
the office in Sac county. He was elected in 1856. He succeeded himself in
1859 and 1861; X. W. Condron, 1862; R. Elhs, 1867; Ed. R. Duffie, 1869;
W. H. Hobbs, 1871 ; W. H. Hobbs, 1873 ; W. H. Hobbs, 1875 ; Phil Schaller,
1877; Phil Schaller, 1879: Phil SchaUer, 1881 ; Phil Schaller. 1883; Thomas
J. Marks, 1885; Thomas J. Marks, 1887; J. C. Bodine, 1889: R. G. Wilson.
1891 ; R. G. Wilson, 1893 ; D. E. Spafford, 1895 ; D. E. Spafford, 1897; D. E.
2o6 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Spafford, 1899; Charles Sifford, 1901 ; Will H. Pettis, 1903: Will H. fettis,
1906; Frank S. Brown, 1908: L. B. Rake, 1910; L. B. Rake, 1912.
COUNTY RECORDERS.
This office was same as treasurer until 1864 — See list. N. W. Condron
was the first to hold the single office of "recorder," and was succeeded by him-
self in 1868; William Chapman, 1870; Levi Davis, 1872; N. B. Flack, 1874;
N. B. Flack, 1876; N. B. Flack, 1878; N. B. Flack, 1880: W. F. Moyer,
1882; W. F. Moyer, 1884: W. F. Moyer, 1886; W. F. Moyer, 1888; W. F.
Moyer, 1890; A. L. Clouser, 1892; A. L. Clouse, 1894; George W. Cochrane,
1896; G. W. Cochrane, i8g8; Belle Henton, 1900; Belle Henton, 1902; H. S.
Parker, 1904; H. S. Parker, 1906; Charles Brynteson, 1908: W. W. Walton,
1910: W. W. Walton, 1912.
SHERIFFS.
Andrew J. Taylor, 1857; Miles Manning, 1859; David Basler, 1861 ;
David Barber, 1863; J. S. Tiberghien, 1867; William Impson, 1869; Charles
W. Allen, 1871; W. L. Pratt, 1873; Criss Waddell, 1875; C. Waddell, 1877
and 1879; FL L. Wilson, 1881 ; H. L. Wilson, 1883; Thomas Batie, 1885;
Thomas Batie, 1887; H. B. Allen, 1889; H. B. Allen, 1891 ; A. DeGarmo,
1893: A. DeGarmo, 1895; H. A. Batie, 1899: Adam Teepell, 1901 ; A. B.
Teepell, 1903; Malcom Currie, 1906; Malcom Currie, 1908: Alexander Rog-
ers, 1910: J. W. Criss, 1912.
COUNTY CLERKS.
The first to hold this important office in this county was H. A. Evans,
elected in 1856; William Hobbs, 1858; J. G. Browning, i860; William H.
Hobbs, 1864; William H. Hobbs, 1868; L. Davis, 1870; John Alexander,
1872: John F. Moody. 1874; John F. Moody, 1876; C. E. Lane, 1878; C. E.
Lane, 1880; C. E. Lane, 1882; C. E. Lane, 1884; C. E. Lane, 1886; Charles
L. Early, 1888; Charles L. Early, 1890; W. J. Dixon, 1892; W. J. Dixon,
1894; R. G. Wilson, 1896; W. C. Waddell, 1898; George B. Perkins, 1900;
George B. Perkins, 1902; Frank V. Healy, 1904; Frank V. Healy, 1906; A.
E. Baker, 1908; C. M. Whitted, 1910; C. M. Whitted, 1912.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 207
COUNTY SUPERVISORS.
The following, with possibly a few others, have constituted the county
supervisors of Sac county during the years of its history. Until about 1876
there was one member of the board from each civil township, but since then
the county has been divided into three supervisor districts and one member
elected from each. The records show that in 1861 the supervisors included
the names of M. S. Lee and T. K. Lane; in 1862, W. H. Hobbs, T. R. Lane,
M. S. Lee; in 1864, M. S. Lee, F. M. Cory, Joseph Williams; in 1866, came
William Montgomery, chairman, W. W. Lagourge; 1868. Joseph Williams,
William Montgomery, W. W. Lagourge; 1869, H. W. Crandall, Washington
Allen, H. A. Pierce; 1870, Washington Allen, H. A. Pierce, Edwin Miller,
H. A. Pierce, J. H. Underwood, Mr. Tiberghien; 1873, Tiberghien, Llnder-
wood and Pierce, with E. R. Chase, J. O. Piatt, Phil Schaller, S. E. Gordon,
C. N. Levy; in 1874, N. Prentice, C. N. Levy, J. O. Piatt, Phil Schaller, S. E.
Gordon. William Hawks, J. H. Wodell, E. Criss; elected in 1874, J. N. Mc-
Clellan, Andrew Mason, Phil Schaller; in 1875, E. Criss, S. E. Gordon; in
1876, William Hawks, O. Birt; in 1878, Henry Reinhart, E. Criss, J. C.
Bodine, James Fleming; in 1879, William Hawks, J. C. Bodine, M. S. Lee;
in 1881, Pierce Coy and E. Criss; in 1882, William Hawks, William Mont-
gomery; in 1883, Henry Reinhart, D. R. Herrold; in 1884, Messrs. Pierce and
I. S. Baily; in 1885, H. H. Fitch; in 1886, C. W. Marcy, W. W. Shaw; in
1887, C. H. Babcock, C. L. Martin; in 1888, H. H. Fitch; in 1889, Messrs.
Hahne and C. W. Marcey; in 1890, C. H. Babcock; in 1892, first district,
M. E. Wright; in 1894, James A. Neal, Reuben Lewis; in 1895, M. E.
Wright; in 1896, August Lundell; in 1898, L. C. Holdridge, in 1899, first
district, August Lundell, second district, J. B. Williamson ; in 1900, J. B.
Williamson; in 1902, A. McCorkindale ; in 1903, J. B. Williamson; in 1904,
first district, H. C. Goodman ; in 1906, first district, H. C. Goodman, second
district, Charles Hetchtner, third district, A. McCorkindale; in 1908, second
district, Charles Hechtner, third district, Benjamin Braughton : in 1910,
first district, E. C. Fuller, second district, John Fuchs.
COUNTY CORONERS.
In 1856 Joseph H. Austin was elected coroner of Sac county and fol-
lowing him came the following, elected at the time indicated : J. H. Austin,
1857; Elias Tiberghien, 1861 ; Dr. R. G. Piatt. 1869; D. M. Lamoreaux.
208 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
1871 ; Dr. \\'illiani Warren. 1873; S. \V. Duncan, 1874: Dr. A. T. Brenton,
1877; Dr. Z. Fuller, 1879: C. M. Hopkins, 1880; C. Brown, 1883; C. Brown,
1887; C. Brown, 1891 : C. J\I. Hopkins, 1893: C. M. Hopkins, 1895; Thomas
Farquhar, 1899; T. Farquhar, 1901 ; W. H. Townsend, 1906, 1908, 1910
and 191 2.
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
The office of county school superintendent has had numerous changes in
Iowa, since Sac county was first organized. At first there was what was
styled a school fund commissioner, which office in 1858 was changed to that
of "superintendent." This was an elective office until hy the provisions of the
Iowa Legislature at a recent session, when it was changed so that it has the
same duties to perform, but instead of being elected at the general elections
by the people, it is one in which the holder is elected by the various school
boards within the county.
The first school fund commissioner in Sac county was William Todd,
elected in August, 1856. G. F. Browning, the first school superintendent,
was elected in 1858: William Todd, 1861 ; William Kromer, 1863; William
Chapin. 1865; William P. Drewry, 1867; R. Ellis, 1869; R. Ellis, 1871 : John
Dodson, 1873, also 1875; James Darling, 1877; same in 1879; H. L. Martin,
1881 and 1883: Clarence Messer, 1887; same in 1889; C. E. Stalcoop, 1891,
also in 1893: J. W. Jackson, 1895; C. H. Jump, 1899, also in 1901 ; H. C.
Coe, 1903, also in 1906; John R. Slacks, 1908, and still holding the office.
The above are the principal officers of the county, and the others, such
as sur\eyors and county attorneys, are named in the section of this book treat-
ing on elections, etc., hence need not be repeated in this connection.
CHAPTER XVn.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
The- civil township is to the county what the county is to the state. Each
township has a government pecuHar to itself, though in perfect harmony with
its sister sub-divisions in the same county. Here in Sac county, fortunately,
these civil townships are all the same in size, an even six miles each way, or a
full congressional township. As now constituted and named they are as fol-
lows : Boyer Valley, Cook, Cedar, Coon Valley, Clinton, Douglas, Delaware,
Eden, Eureka, Jackson, Levy, Richland, Sac, Wheeler, Wall Lake and Viola.
These townships have been constituted or organized at different dates
within keeping of the advancing settlement of the county. The following is
the order, according to dates when these various subdivisions of Sac county
were made separate townships for governmental purposes : Sac and Jack-
son, 1856; Douglas, i860; Boyer Valley, 1871 ; Wall Lake, 1871 ; Eden, 1871 ;
Clinton, 1874; Cedar, 1875; Delaware, 1875; Eureka, 1875; Viola, 1875;
Wheeler, 1875: Richland, 1876; Coon Valley, 1877.
Douglas township was taken from Jackson; Boyer Valley and Cedar
taken from Jackson and Sac ; Cook taken from Boyer Valley ; Eden and Dela-
were taken from Douglas ; Levey and Viola taken from Sac ; Wall Lake and
Clinton from Jackson and Sac; Richland was taken from Clinton; Coon
Valley from Wall Lake township.
NAMING OF TOWNSHIPS.
The various townships were named from the following facts and inci-
dents : Sac township, from the name of the county and originall}' from the
Lidian tribe, the Sacs, who, with the Foxes, at one time held all this portion
of Iowa.
Douglas, named after Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, who ran for President
against Mr. Lincoln in i860.
Delaware township, from some of its earlier settlers who came fr(jm the
state bearing that name.
(13)
2IO SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Eden township was named from the fact that the pioneers who settled
here thought they had struck an earthly paradise.
Eureka, from "I have found it," as the settlers said when looking for a
good section in w hicli to claim land.
Cook township, for the largest farmer and landowner in the township
and one of the largest in Sac county, Mr. Cook.
Boyer Valley township, from the river that flows through the county and
finally empties into the Missouri at Council Bluffs.
Jackson township, after "Old Hickory," Andrew Jackson, a former
President of the United States.
Cedar township, from the Cedar river, or creek, that courses through it.
Coon Valley, from the Coon river.
Wall Lake, from the walled lake in the southern portion of the county,
of which so much has from time to time been written, but reallv the "wall"
consists of the prairie boulders that have with passing generations been heaved
up by the frost.
Clinton township was named after that most excellent county in eastern
Iowa, from which many of the early comers to Sac came.
Richland township, as might naturally be guessed, was named for its
excellent soil qualities.
Wheeler township was named in honor of Hiram Wheeler, the once
great land owner near Odebolt, who was a candidate for gox'ernor on the
Republican ticket and defeated by Hon. Horace Boies, when temperance was
the leading issue in this state.
Levey township was named for C. N. Levey, an early settler and county
ofiicial.
Viola township, from Viola, Illinois, by W. A. Robinson.
DOUGL.^S TOWNSHIP.
Douglas township is in the extreme northeastern corner of Sac county
and comprises all of congressional township 89, range 35 west, and is along
the "correction" line of Iowa, with Buena \"ista county at its north. Calhoun
county to the east, Cedar and Jackson townships at the south and Delaware
on the west. It contains thirty-six full sections. It was named in honor of
that great Democratic statesman who was a candidate for President against
the lamented Lincoln, in 1861 — Hon. Stephen A. Douglas.
Coon river flows to the south, meandering through sections 30 and 31,
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 211
while small streams are found here and there over the prairie land of the
township.
The population of Douglas township in 1910, according to the United
States census reports, was five hundred and fifty-eight.
The schools and churches are named at length in general chapters in this
volume.
The first settlement was effected along the river, as was the case in all
new counties in the West. There are no towns or villages within the borders
of Douglas township. At first Douglas was cut off from Jackson township
in i860, and at that date Douglas ran to the west line of the county and was
one of three townships in Sac county, each being twenty- four miles long. In
1875 Delaware township was created, leaving Douglas as it is now bounded,
only six miles square.
The settlers in 1835 and 1856 in what is now known as Douglas town-
ship were as follows : Martin Deardorf , who claimed land directly west from
the M. S. Lee farm, on the river. He soon tired of the country and sold to
George Stocker for five hundred dollars, and moved to Kansas. Mr. Stocker
arrived in June, 1856, from Steuben county, Indiana. He did not remain
after purchasing this claim, but went east and did not return until 1867, ac-
companied bv his family. A son and his family are still residing in Sac City.
William Montgomery and a sister came in 1856 and claimed land just
south of the first settlement, the same also being on the river in the timber.
He was the first man married in the county, an account of which is given else-
where in this work. , *
Another settler in 1855 was Adam Vetal, who claimed the land now in-
cluded in the Lee farm, at the grove called "Lee's Grove." His brother,
William Vetal, also came at the same time. He went to California in 1861
and Adam moved to Illinois.
The next to effect a settlement in the township, as now bounded, was
Robert Quail, who took up land just to the south of the Lee place, probably
in 1855. certainly not later than 1856. He claimed a quarter section. Later
he moved to Missouri, where he died many years since.
It should be stated that the old Lee place was originally pre-empted by
Seymour Wagoner, who bought it for speculation and never became an actual
settler there.
On the south, still farther down the river, was the settlement of William
\\'ine, in 1855. He remained several years and moved on to California in
Civil War days. He was the grandfather of Lacy Wine, now a merchant in
212 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Sac City. He had a large faiiiih', and immigrated from Indiana, claiming
a quarter section of land here. It is now owned by W. B. Wayt and son,
of Sac City.
About the close of the war came in William IMcDeid, Trowbridge Rouns-
ville, now li\ing in Sac City, but still holding his splendid farm in Douglas
township. His brother, Syh-ester, came also. James Gordon was another
about that date to claim land in the township. The Gordon school house was
the second one in the township, the tirst being the frame house erected at
Lee's Grove, by James Davis. Man}- of the men who came in just after the
war were returned soldiers.
The first cemetery, or country burying place, was on section 15. Later
most of the bodies were removed to other cemeteries.
Sac City was the first trading place for this settlement. Grant City, then
"Big Grove," also had some facilities in that line, including a corn grinding
mill, if such it might have been called. It was to this mill that many of the
settlers in Sac City and those further up the river had to go in the dead of
that luemorable winter of 1856-57, with a sack or more of shelled corn, tied
onto a long hand sled, and in this manner obtained the use of a huge coffee
mill at Grant City, and thus stayed up all night, each taking his turn at grind-
ing by hand a little corn meal upon which the Cory and other families man-
aged to get through until spring came. Coons were then killed for the rich
fat they contained, and with this "coon-grease" the good housewife would
grease the griddle and fry the johnnycakes, over the brightly glowing fire
place.
The first settlers were mostly all Americans, but after the war there came
in a goodly number of thrifty German families.
Rush lake, on section q, was a noted early-day swamp and lake, but,
thanks to modern drainage and tiling methods, it has all been reclaimed and
here one finds the best of crops growing annually. (3ne of the big dredge-
ditches of Sac county runs through the lied of this old lake.
WHEELER TOWNSHIP.
Wheeler is the extreme southwestern subdivision in Sac county and was
named for Hon. Hiram C. Wheeler, the once great farmer of this section of
the Northwest. It was organized in 1875. In 1880 its population was six
hundred and twenty-seven. In the census books for 1910 it is given as six
hundred and thirty-one. Wheeler is bounded on the east by Levey township,
on the north by Richland, on the west by Ida county and south by Crawford
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
213
county. It comprises all of congressional township 86, range 38 west. It is
a magnificent farming section — one of the finest in Iowa. It has no native
timber, but several small prairie creeks which water and drain the fertile
farming lands which have e\-er been famous for productive qualities.
Wheeler has no towns within its borders, but is near by Odebolt, the second
largest town in the county. The great Wheeler ranch or stock farm occupied,
originally, a large portion of the township's valuable land, but of recent years
the larger farms have been reduced somewhat and are gradually coming) into
the hands of more farmers than hitherto. Its railroad facilities are the Chi-
cago & Northwestern line from Wall Lake west to Onawa. This road just
touches the northeastern corner of the township.
The settlement here was eiTected as early as 1871 and was made by
Americans and a large Swede colony in the southern part of the township.
This has long since been known as one of the banner agricultural districts of
Iowa. Stock raising and general farming predominate. The schools are
excellent and are treated with others in the chapter on Education.
The first election in the township was held in October, 1875, when Daniel
Leshar and William Henderson were elected justices of the peace: Martin
Purcell, assessor; A. D. Peck, first clerk (by appointment) : trustees, John
Bruce, Solomon Peterson, A. D. Peck; Orin Haskins and Louis Lumberg,
constables. The first road supervisors were A. P. Nelson and G. A.
Gustafason.
COON VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
Coon \'alley township was organized in 1877, and in 1880 reported a
population to the federal census enumerator of four hundred and nine. Its
population in 19 10, as shown by the United States census reports, was seven
hundred and twenty-three. It derives its name from the fact that the coon
river flows through its territory. Nearly all of the lesser streams of the
township flow into the Coon and later find their way into the Des Moines.
This township is on the eastern line of Sac county, with Calhoun county
for its eastern boundary line. Cedar township, this county, on the north, Wall
Lake township on the west and Sac township on the south. Some timber
skirts the banks of the streams, especially the Coon river. It is now all well
improved and its people happy and, generally speaking, very thrifty and
prosperous. Its excellent schools are named in the Educational chapter in
this volume. There are no towns or hamlets within Coon Valley township.
The land owners and settlers of today trade at Lake City. Sac City, Lake
View or Auburn, usualh'. Sac Citv being the nearest, and it being the seat
214 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
of justice, farmers naturally go to that point for most of their supplies, as
well as banking.
In 1882 a cream station was established at the place known as Pettis, and,
from paper files, it appears that six miles southeast of Sac City, where Pettis
was located, a creamery was burned in December, 1901, causing a loss of
two thousand five hundred dollars. It was owned by W. H. Pettis, who had
an insurance on the plant amounting to one thousand five hundred dollars.
The cause was a defective flue. The plant was never rebuilt.
This township is an exceptionally well watered and naturally drained
porfion of the county. Its farmers are not afilicted with the go-to-to\vn haliit,
but remain at home largely, and the result is that the township has many fine
farm homes, with general prosperity around them, perhaps more so than as
though the township had a large number of towns and hamlets within its
borders.
COOK TOWNSHIP.
Cook township is on the western border of Sac county and is the second
from the north line, with Eureka and Eden at its north, Boyer Valley at its
east, Richland township to the south and Ida county at the west. It com-
prises all of congressional township 88, range 38 west, and its north line is the
"correction line'' of the northern portion of low a. Here the jog in township
surveys varies three miles, the townships to the north of this lapping by to
the west that distance. This civil township was once included within Boyer
Valley township, but in 1876 was created into a separate township. In 1880
the census showed the population to be about four hundred, while it is given
as six hundred thirty-five by the 1910 United States reports on enumeration.
The first settlers were, inclusive of William Cory, 1868, J. E. Sanborns,
Joseph Dick, Charles Prentice, for whom Prentice schoolhouse was named,
and it was the first in the township, erected in 1872. Other settlers in Cook
and Boyer Valley, some one side the line and some the other, were Elias
Powers, Dr. Warren, H. A. Wilson, Hiram Sweet, J. Shelmerdine and a Mr.
Hays.
Cook has no towns or villages and many large farms. A few of its
small streams, mere prairie creeks, run toward the west, but most all flow to
the east and finally find their way into the Boyer river.
Early, Schaller and Odebolt are all sought out by the residents of Cook
township as trading and market towns.
It was in this township, but before it was divided from Bo}er Valley.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 215
that C. W. Cook, for whom the new township was named, commenced in
1873 to improve his great farm, known as the Cook ranch, or stock farm.
Of the excellent educational advantages afforded by the nine public
schools, the Educational chapter will fully treat, in a general way, with the
other districts of the county.
This township is well settled, highly cultivated and its people, both
foreign and American born, are among the prosperous and contented portion
of the population of Sac county. Here nature did much and man has im-
proved such spots as needed improvement and utilized the fertility of the soil
in the production of immense crops that have never failed to bring reward
ample and sufficient to gladden the hearts of the husbandmen, who fully
appreciate the fact that their lines Iiave been cast in pleasant places.
P. W. Lashier became the pioneer settler in this township in 1870. H.
A. Wilson, the Gardners and others soon followed him into the township,
which at that time was a part of Boyer Valley township. The first trustee
to serve in Cook as well as in Boyer Valley was P. W. Lashier, a man of
good judgment.
THE COOK RANCH.
The Inter-Ocean of Chicago, in its issue of April 16, 1873, has this con-
cerning the opening up of the great Cook ranch in Sac county : "A large
sale of Iowa land was consummated yesterday, by which a Chicago resident,
Mr. C. W. Cook, became the sole owner of twelve sections of farming lands
in Sac county, low a. The purchaser proposes to convert the entire property
into a mammoth stock farm. This tract embraces seven thousand six hun-
dred and eighty acres and the amount paid was five dollars an acre, making a
total of thirty-eight thousand four hundred dollars. The sale was made by
J. B. Calhoun, land commissioner of the Iowa Railway Land Company."
This land, we believe, all lies in \Vest Boyer township. "This makes two
seven-thousand-acre farms in Sac county. Better this size than none at all.
We welcome Mr. Cook, and hope lie will make a good farmer and get rich." —
Sac Sun, 1873.
An advertisement was run in the local paper in Sac City ni 1S74 thus:
"We have two hundred thousand acres of land all in Sac county, Iowa, and
not to be excelled in any state of the Union. Prices of wild prairie a\'erage
from three to six dollars an acre. — D. Carr Early, Real Estate Dealer."
2l6 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
Richland to\\'nship is the second from the south and third from the north
Hnes of Sac count}-, lying on the western border, with Ida county at its west.
Cook township at its north, Clinton township at the east and Wheeler town-
ship at its south. It is six miles square, being all of congressional township
87, range 38 west. Its only town is Odebolt, in sections 27 and 34. Odebolt
creek is the principal stream in this township. It is, stricti)' speaking, a
prairie township, though now dotted here and there and everN-where with
artificial groves, planted out by the hand of the thoughtful pioneers. It is a
coveted garden spot and agricultural section, with thrift and contentment on
every hand. Many of the older settlers have long since either died or retired
to some one of the near-by towns, and are now enjo}'ing the fruit of their
earlier years of toil and sacrifice. This township was cut off from Clinton
township by the board of county supervisors in the autumn of 1876, and was
named "Richland" by a Mr. Stewartson, of Illinois, who saw great beauty
and promise in this portion of Sac county, from the fact of its exceptional
fertility of soil. Among the first township officers may be recalled C. H.
Babcock, clerk; N. B. Umbarger and J. B. Caulkins, justices of the peace;
Thomas Dorman and P. H. Sanderson, constables; A. L. Miner, S. Buchler
and E. A. Bennett, trustees ; W. P. Purcell, assessor ; road supervisors in
districts as follows: No. i, A. Domenberg; No. 2, J. Miller; No. 3, E.
Colvin ; No. 4, J. Stickles.
When Hiram Wheeler, the proprietor of the "largest farm in Iowa,"
came to this township in the se\'enties, his nearest neighbors were fully twelve
miles distant, but with his improving so many thousand acres of valuable land,
came in many to assist him in his great undertaking. By the time this was
accomplished others had found their way to the township and purchased
lands which proved to be the best kind of an investment possible to make.
Every foot of the land has long since been cultivated or used for pasture
lands and hay lands by the actual owners. The abo\-e list of township officers
probably made up nearly all of the first settlers in what is now Richland
township.
The population of this township in 1910 was one thousand eight hundred
and seventy-nine, including the town of Odebolt, which had at that date about
one thousand two hundred and eighty-three.
The history of the schools and churches will form a part of other
chapters in this volume.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 21/
THE GREAT WHEELER FARM (nOW ADAMS' RANCH ).
What is known by all early settlers in this part of the West as the "Great
Wheeler Farm" of Sac county was the most extensive of any in Iowa, and
contained more than a township of land. The first mention in the press of
the country was the item in the Chicago Inter-Occaii in the month of October,
1 8/ 1, which read as follows:
"H. C. Wheeler, of Chicago, elevator man, has bought seven thousand
acres of land in (.me tract from the railroad company for the purpose of estab-
lishing a dairy farm on a large scale. Mr. Wheeler is known as a man of
great wealth and energy, and when he undertakes anything he always carries
it out successfully. He lost heavily in the recent Chicago fire, but it will not
affect him much. He has now about sixty thousand feet of lumber on the
ground out in Sac county, Iowa, and will commence at once to go to work
erecting buildings suitable for the purpose intended."
This was said of the late Hon. Hiram C. Wheeler, of Odebolt, who was
a candidate for the office of governor of Iowa against Horace Boies (Demo-
crat) in 1891. The temperance issue was then on and many of the Repub-
licans of Iowa left the party and voted with the Democrats at that time, hence
this, with other reasons, caused Mr. Wheeler's defeat at the polls. After
many years. Air. Wheeler did not prove that he was possessed of as good
business qualities as at first supposed. He lost much in Iowa, and finally
sold and went to Texas and there engaged in another large dairy business,
in which he signally failed. He lost his only son and became disheartened.
He removed to Chicago and there died, September 25. 1909, almost penniless.
His farm was sold in 1896 in Sac county, consisting at that date of about six
thousand acres, for one hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars.
In 1888 it was written of this large farming enterprise, by a Cedar
Rapids newspaper correspondent, as follows : "By mere chance your corre-
spondent and reporter got into conversation with Mr. Wheeler, the greatest
farmer of all northwestern Iowa, and learned some items that are worth
publishing. Talk about your manufacturing and jobbing in Iowa! There
is no institution in the entire state that shows so stupenduous an exhibit of
painstaking and good management as this Sac county farm. Seventeen years
ago, Mr. Wheeler came to Iowa, and went to Sac county, bought his land,
built his houses and barns. \Mien a railway came along he donated liberally
for a station and gave the site of Odebolt and today it is one of the most
prosperous of northwest Iowa towns, growing commercially fast. The
216 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
magnitude of Mr. Wheeler's work can be understood when the products of
his farm for the last year are given. He raised sixty thousand bushels of
corn; twelve thousand five hundred bushels of timothy seed; six thousand
bushels of oats ; ten thousand bushels of flax seed ; three thousand bushels of
millet seed: and had seven hundred head of stock on his place, five hundred
being breeding animals. In two years he expects to sail for Europe to pur-
chase a stud of English and Scotch horses. He has ordered to- have in readi-
ness on his return, a barn, which to build will require seventy-five thousand
feet of lumber. He will have his stock on exhibition at the Iowa state fair at
Des Moines this fall. As a business man and manager of practical affairs,
Mr. Wheeler has been a decided success. When he purchased his farm in
Sac county, there was not a house within twelve miles of him."
In October, 1888, Mr. Wheeler had at Des Moines much of his fancy
stock. On his farm he then kept thirty-three head of Norman-Percheron and
English shire stallions. These were among the finest animals ever imported
to the United States.
This famous farm has long since been in the hands of the Adams family,
of Illinois, and has come to be a wonderful farm, especiallv as a successful
sheep ranch, where the heaviest, finest grades of sheep are bred and grown.
It is commonly styled the "Adams ranch."
The senior Adams is the one of Adams Express Companv fame and the
son, a middle-aged gentleman, is in company with his father and has sok
charge of the great farm, living on the ranch a part of the time and in Chicago
the remainder. This is especially a sheep ranch, but raises immense amounts
of corn, which is marketed through their own elevator at Odebolt, where
for many days in succession five car loads of shelled corn are shipped. The
farm now contains twelve sections of land, all fenced off by mile lengths of
woven wire, with concrete posts, which, together with the hundreds of beauti-
ful shade trees which have been set out along the roadwav and fences, give
a charming appearance. This place is within both Richland and Wheeler
townships. Oats and timothy are raised to feed the one hundred and
twenty teams that are required to run the ranch. Over the long rows of
sheep barns has been sentimentally painted in clear, attractive letters, the
words "Feed My Lambs." In the plowing season there may be seen, all
working at one time, eighteen gang plows and seventeen single stirring plows
and eighteen manure spreaders and there are also eighty farm wagons. There
are forty-five men employed in the slack months and one hundred and fifty
men in the busy season. All are boarded in the buildings provided in a
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 219
village or group and no women are employed, but men do all the work both
inside and out of the houses. The superintendents and bosses of barns, of
fields and machinery, each have good residences and an office, while the great
twenty- to fifty-thousand-bushel corn cribs complete the buildings of the ranch.
The machinery, wagons, harness, mules and even the men have numbers and
everything is carried on same as it is in railroad shops. The men are checked
in morning, noon and night, and even the barn boss sees that each mule is
properly watered and fed and bedded. The help may draw their pay each
Saturday night if they so wish. There are usually two beefs slaughtered
each week for feeding the men. One peculiarity is that not a hen or hog is
kept on the place. The food is provided or prepared by two expert cooks and
a number of flunkeys who serve and wait on the men at meal time. The
buildings are heated by a furnace, the fuel of which is thousands of bushels
of corn cobs, which in shelling time are placed in dry cribs and other places
for future use. The wagons and machinery are all painted once a year.
The place is provided with blacksmith shops, harness shops and repair shops.
They put up their own ice and keep a dozen milch cows with which to provide
the butter and milk for the tables. All is system and order here, and hun-
dreds of visitors come from the surrounding country to see what a modern,
up-to-date farm consists of. Everyone is welcome at the Adams ranch, a
little more than a mile west of Odebolt.
THE TOWN OF ODEBOLT.
This is the second town in size in Sac county and is full of enterprising
business and social factors. It is situated in the western portion of the
county, on one of the most important l)ranches of the great Northwestern
system of railroads in Iowa. It was laid out by the Blair Town Lot and
Land Company in 1877. It was built on the wild prairie, but today looks
like a city much older, and has its thousands of beautiful shade trees and
parks, with hundreds of modern, thoroughly up-to-date residences. Among
the earliest pioneers of the town was M. H. Hempin, who was the first to
engage in business at this point. He it was who sold construction supplies to
the railroad gangs while they were constructing the railroad through the
county. The first house was erected by W. Van Dusen, this serving both as
a residence and store room for himself and family. He was soon followed by
George McKibbin and James Ross. The railroad was finished to Odebolt
November 19, 1877, the first train arriving at that date. Another very early
220 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
settler in Odebolt was H. T. Martin, who organized a Sunday school in De-
cember, 1877, and was also the first commissioned notary public. When
the depot was finished in 1877, Mr. Martin was appointed station agent, and
his daughter. Miss Emma Martin, was the first telegraph operator.
Of the town's population, let it be said that in 1885 the state enumeration
gave Odebolt 954; the federal census of 1900 gave it 1,222 ; the state enumera-
tion in 1895 gave it 1,400; the federal census in 1900 gave it 1,432; the state
census in 1905 placed it at 1,431 and a careful estimate of the population in
January, 1914, gives it a population of 1,300, which is in keeping with many
of the towns and cities in Iowa, which, it will be remembered, fell off in
population in the decade just preceding the last United States census
enumeration.
Odebolt is on an elevation of one thousand three hundred and sixt\-five
feet above sea-level. It is well situated and a healthful location.
Odebolt was incorporated in the month of March, 1879, and the records
show that the first officers elected were as follows : James Ross, mayor ; J.
M. Zane, recorder; John Wright, treasurer; Ward Van Deusen, J. Flanders,
E. Geist, C. B. Hatfield, J. Bowles, councilmen. Those who have served as
mayors to date include these : James Ross, J. H. Ketterer, William Graham,
C. M. Miller, J. R. Reynolds, C. C. Coye, F. P. Motie, William Graham,
S. D. Selby. The officers serving in January, 1914, were: Mayor, S. D.
Selby; clerk, A. F. P. Schmitz; treasurer, R. W. Sayre; marshal, E. C. Fuller;
night watch-police, Juhus Bingenheimer ; council : F. H. Meyer, W. J. Ahl-
berg, M. W. Smith, J. L. Jones.
A fire company was formed at Odebolt in the early spring of 1880, as
a hook and ladder company, consisting of forty members, all provided with
suitable uniforms. In 1882 the foreman was J. Mattes; E. E. Hamlin, secre-
tary; W. V. Sindt, treasurer; Dave \V. Flack, assistant foreman. It is still
kept up, and is a volunteer company, cared for by the town, and is furnished
with excellent fire-fighting apparatus, including hose, hook and ladders, ex-
tinguishers, etc., backed by a good system of water works.
Recently a complete sewerage system has been among the improvements
of the incorporation. There is no other Iowa town of its size having more
cement sidewalks (there are, in fact, no wooden ones) than has Odebolt.
Two public parks adorn and make beautiful the town site, Hamilton
park, a small tract named in honor of the well-known newspaper man, Will E.
Hamilton, now deceased, and the larger tract, known as the City park, com-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 221
prising a, full city block, with its hundreds of beautiful shade trees, its seats
and other attractions for the summer months.
The town has the advantage of two excellent telephone systems, the New
State Company, with its two hundred and fifty 'phones connected, and the Sac
County Mutual Company, with its five hundred and seventy-three 'phones in
operation.
The town is supplied with gas by a private company, which furnishes a
good grade of illuminating gas at reasonable rates. It is produced from
gasoline.
The town hall is a spacious brick building, on the principal street, and
here the council chambers, the fire department and a ladies" rest room are
situated. This rest room has now an average of five hundred callers monthly
and is greatly appreciated by the people from the surrounding rural districts.
The public library is mentioned at length at another place in this chapter.
The following religious denominations are represented at Odebolt : The
Methodist Episcopal, the Catholic, the Presbyterians, the Swedish Mission,
the Swedish Lutheran and Swedish Methodist. The lodges include the
Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities (see lodge chapter). A modern, brick
.school house, costing many thousand dollars, was recently erected as a monu-
ment to the excellent educational interest taken at Odebolt.
Regarding the earlier conflagrations in Odebolt, it may be stated that
on February i, 1880, a fire originated in the carpenter shop of Geist &
Buehier, at eight o'clock in the evening. It spread rapidly, getting beyond
control in a few minutes. That fire destroyed the office and implement house
of the best concern in town; also the clothing store of Todd & Company.
The latter building was worth eight hundred dollars and the insurance was
six hundred dollars. Todd & Company saved most of their stock, fully in-
sured. Geist & Buehier lost two thousand dollars, with only four hundred
dollars insurance paid. It has always been believed that the fire was started
by an enemy of one of the firms which lost in the fire.
A historv of the newspapers and lodges and Grand Army post will be
seen elsewhere in this volume.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS.
Odebolt is an excellent business point — well thought of b\- the farming
section surrounding it. Among the early enterprises may be recalled the
flax-mill operated by Winslow & Son in 1880. when a large warehouse, with
222 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Steam power for driving the necessary machinery, was installed. Two years
later the plant was owned by John Dement. Great quantities of flax were
then being grown in this section of the country, the crop being both profitable
to market, as well as one of the best soil-subduing factors possible to employ
on the tough, wild prairie soil. This has all passed away and others crops and
other methods have long since obtained.
When Odebolt was only five years old (in 1882) a business directory
gave the following concerning the local business houses: Seven general
stores, three groceries, two harness shops, two hardware stores, three drug
stores, two jewelry shops, two furniture stores, three restaurants, two banks,
three hotels, three grain elevators, three lumber yards, four agricultural
implement dealers, three livery stables, four blacksmith shops, two wagon
shops, three millinery stores, three barber shops, two meat markets, one
photograph gallery, two printing offices, one ready-made clothing store, one
exclusive dry goods store, three saloons and the postoffice.
Coming down to January, 19 14, the business is in the hands of the
following persons and firms :
Attorneys — W. A. Helsell.
Banks — First National, German Savings Bank, Farmers Savings Bank.
Barber shops — Martin Lanth, Charles Kellogg, G. J. Freese.
Bakery- — G. B. Dolan.
Blacksmith shops — Kistler & Skeppstedt, Carlson & Varner.
Clothing — Brynteson & Reynolds, F. H. Meyer.
Drug stores — Engstrom & Huglin, Selby, Potteriger Drug and Jewelry
Company.
Dentists— W. N. Ousler, E. L. White.
Dray lines — James Ellinger, Roy Purdy, Fred Haustetter, F. W. Libby.
Elevators — Reuber & Bruce. A. C. Petersmeyer, Dickinson Grain Com-
pany.
Furniture — C. J. Kircher.
Feed store— M. W. Smith.
Garages — Odebolt Auto and Supply Co., G. H. Frey and Ecinspaher
Auto Company.
General Dealers — William Sampson, Kalin & Gilinsky, Co-operative Co.,
W. J. Ahlberg & Company.
Harness dealers — Odebolt Harness Company, Thomas McKeever.
Hardwares — Joseph Mattes, Koehler & Hanson.
Hotel— The New Bell, bv Mrs. Julia McMartin.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 22^
Hospital— The Odebolt.
Jeweler — H. R. Stanzel.
Livery — Horan Brothers. Benjamin ]McJ\Iartin.
Lumber Dealers — Green Bay Lumber Company, Bowman & Co.
Meats— M. H. Paul, P. L. Hedberg.
Millinery — O'Daniel Sisters, Horan & O'Meara.
Newspapers — The Chronicle and the Nezvs.
Opera Hall — "The Odebolt," C. J. Kircher, proprietor.
Photographs — A. W. Dahestrom.
Picture Shows — The "Cozy" and the "Princess."
Physicians — Drs. A. Groman, R. C. Sebern, R. C. Shaffer, E. H. Crane.
Pool Hall— J. A. Lampe.
Restaurants — Smith Brothers, Charles Larson, A. H. Shade, J. L. Jones,
M. L. Briggs & Son.
Real Estate — Mattes & Selby.
Racket Store — William Sampson.
.Stock dealers — Krusenstjerna & Paul.
Shoe repairs — Andrew Brynteson.
Tailors — Richard Horneisel.
Veterinary surgeons — Dr. F. E. Williams, Dr. L. J. Stratton.
Wagon repairs — J. E. Einspahr.
THE FIELD-CARNEGIE LIBRARY.
The ])ublic library is an institution of which Odebolt is justly proud.
Having its beginning in a literary club, it has since 1900 been supported by
the city.
Fifteen women of the Woman's Reading Circle started a fund for a
librarv in 1897. ^^'hen they had accumulated about two hundred dollars
they organized the Odebolt Library Association, a corporation with shares
at five dollars each. W. W. Field subscribed five hundred dollars and other
citizens of the town and county adjacent subscribed seven hundred dollars
more. Books were purchased and the lilirary opened in an upstairs room on
Main street. This was in July, 1898.
Two years later Mr. Field offered to contribute five hundred dollars
more on condition that the town accept the library as a gift and agree to levy
an additional tax of two mills for its maintenance. The citizens, by vote.
224 S"^*^ COUNTY, IOWA.
accepted the proposition and the stockholders transferred their shares to the
town of Odebolt.
For several years thereafter the library trustees repeatedly tried to secure
funds for a building from Andrew Carnegie, but without success. Mr.
Carnegie had issued instructions to his secretary to ignore all requests from
towns of less than five thousand population and consequently letters
from Odebolt were never brought to his attention: After repeated failures,
through the efforts of W. E. Hamilton, Mr. Carnegie sent a favorable reply.
If the town of Odebolt would furnish the site and agree to maintain a library
at a cost of not less than four hundred dcjUars per year, ;\Ir. Carnegie would
be pleased to furnish four thousand dollars for a library building.
The proposition was accepted and Mr. Field purchased for five hun-
dred dollars and presented to the town the lot on Second street where the
building now stands. The site was a part of the residence property of A. C.
Petersmeyer.
The plans were drawn by G. W. Burkhead, of Sioux City, and the con-
tract awarded to Mr. Ketterman, of Ida Grove. The building has a front of
fifty-one feet four inches and a depth of t\vent\--nine feet. The foundation
at grade line is a coursing stone surmounted by Boone blue paving brick,
with water table of Bedford stone. The roof is of slate, with a half pitch.
On the front is a portico, upheld by pilasters and round columnsi of Bedford
stone. The steps leading up to the portico are of cement. The walls and
ceiling are tinted and frescoed, and all the furniture and book stacks are in
quarter-sawed oak. The building is heated by furnace and lighted by gas.
The librarv is known as the Field-Carnegie library, in honor of the men
who were the principal contributors. At his death, Mr. Field left in the
hands of trustees an endowment fund of two thousand five hundred dollars,
the interest of which is to be used for the purchase of books alone.
There are now over three thousand volumes in the library. Of these
about one thousand are adult fiction, one thousand three hundred general
reference, six hundred and fifty juvenile and eighty-five volumes of bound
magazines.
In the reading room are two large tables surrounded by comfortable
chairs where are found twenty-seven of the best current periodicals. These
are kept on file and prove very valuable for reference work. The children's
dejjartment occupies the east end of the reading room, with shelves along the
wall filled with the best literature for children. A long low table, with small
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SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 225
bent willow chairs, for the use of the children alone, is found here, where
they can read comfortably their own magazines and picture books.
The library is free to all who reside in Odebolt and a fee of one dollar
per year is charged to those outside. It is open three afternoons and even-
ings during the week and on Sunday afternoons for reading only.
The officers and board of trustees frnm 191 1 to 1915 are as follows:
Joseph Mattes, president ; W. F. Bay, secretary ; Lillian E. Hanson, librarian.
The Ijoard consists of Mrs. C. K. Hinkley, M. D. Fox. A. C. Petermeyer,
Joseph Mattes, W. F. Bay, W. N. Ousler, Mrs. W. A. Helsell, Mrs. W. A.
Bennett and Mrs, Charles Coy.
This library was opened up to the pulilic in March, 1905.
POSTOFFICE HISTORY.
Odebolt office was established in 1877 and the following have served as
postmasters : Ward Van Deusen, F. R. Bennett, F. P. Motie, Walter E.
Mathews, Mrs. Walter E. Mathews, W. W. Shanks, W. N. Ousler, the last
named being the present incumbent of the office.
During the last fiscal year this office transacted a business amounting to
six thousand dollars outside of all money order business. It is a third class
postoffice, and has three rural free delivery routes extending out into the
surrounding country. The present office force are : O. W. Larson, deputy
postmaster ; J. C. Blakley, clerk. The office is kept in the Joseph Mattes brick
block, in the heart of the town.
CONCERT BAND.
The Odebolt Concert Band was organized January 2, 1914, under the
patronage of the Odebolt Boosters Club. The musical director is D. W.
Duncan. Its members consist of the following gentlemen : Charles Bab-
cock, Russell Searight, John Kuhl, Jacob Konradi, Dewey Lonberg, Fred
Steuckrodt, Paul Dahlnerg, Carl Korneisel, Eugene Reynolds, M. Billings,
George Teaquist, Carl Peterson, Herman Godberson, Nicholas Konradi,
Walter Searight, Harry Evers, Otto Freese, Lloyd Babcock, Walter Libby,
John Erickson, ClifTord Fuller. Frank Mattes, Art Anderson, Leslie Kincr,
Wilkie Kiner, James Ellis, Vernie Paul, D. Kornsisel, Guy Babcock, Edgar
Ellinger, Cloyd Levell, Ralph Cunningham, Theo. Erickson, Leslie Hanson,
Harold Frevoit. Royce Engberg. Merritt Furrow.
(14)
226
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
FAMOUS POPCORN INDUSTRY.
Let it 1)6 known that Odebolt is situated witliin the most famous pop-
corn center of the entire world. But few persons who purchase a sack of
popcorn at a street corner or of an urchin at the train, ever stop to think
where all this product comes from. It does not thrive in many sections of
the world, and it is mostly grown in the Western states, with the largest
acreage growing on Iowa soil, with Sac county as its center, and Odebolt the
shipping point from which the major portion of it comes. Field and garden
seeds and popcorn are the two greatest industries of the town- of Odebolt.
This county has just the right soil and climate to give the best results in pop-
corn production. Others nearby may be as good, but here the business has
been successfully carried on for a number of years so satisfactorily that deal-
ers and buyers seek no further in making their selection of corn. There is a
great difference in popcorn, some being unfit for market and unfit for use.
The dealers who handle this commodity at Odebolt have come to know just
how to cure or keep this corn in a suitable condition to have the "best popping
results," as they term it.
Recent writers who have looked into this industry state that nowhere
in all the world is there as much popcorn bought, housed and shipped as from
the town of Odebolt, Sac county, Iowa. It goes onto the world's market by
the hundredweight and not, as other corn, by the bushel. An average yield
per acre is two thousand five hundred ])ounds and the price per hundred
pounds is about one dollar and twenty-five cents, ^^'hile the expense of
cultivating it is about the same as field corn, the cost of harvesting is fullv
three times as much. Many farmers have separate cribs and keep their corn
over until the following season. Much money has been made from this simple
crop. Some seasons, when the supply has been short and the demand large, the
prices have reached as high as four dollars per hundred pounds, while at other
seasons it has sold for much less than half that amount. The loss in cobs
and shrinkage is about twenty-eight per cent. At two dollars and fifty cents
per hundred, an acre of land will produce popcorn to the value of forty-three
dollars and seventy-five cents. The corn is either grown in drills or check-
rows. Planters are the same as for field corn and from fi\'e to eight grains
are used for seed. In 1912 the Trans-Mississippi Grain Companv bought
popcorn at Odebolt, Arthur. Early and Battle Creek. The Odebolt crop
averaged about three hundred and fifty pounds per acre, more than at any
other of these points. It is said by experts that the most successful locality
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 227
to produce this crop in all the corn-growing belt is within a radius of about
fifteen miles of Odebolt.
Among the earliest dealers and growers of this crop was the firm of
Reuber & Bruce. Mr. Reuber commenced it about 1893. This firm now
ships popcorn from coast to coast and from Canada to the far-off Gulf of
Mexico. Shipments are made in car-load lots and in packages of a few
pounds sent through the mails. All corn is graded and tested before it is
sent out to customers. Three other firms also handle popcorn in Odebolt.
The Dickerson Company, of Minneapolis, are exclusively engaged in this
line of business, except that they usually carry a side-line of general garden
and field seeds. Then there is the "Cracker-jack" and the "Checker-package"
people, who come to Odebolt to purchase their supply of popcorn. At Arthur,
near here, these companies recently erected popcorn elevators of their own.
So great a demand is there for good corn that competition is sharp among
the dealers at Odebolt, and therefore the farmer who raises it gets best pos-
sible prices. Not only do these firms secure the crop grown here, but also
much from Nebraska, South Dakota and e\-en up in Minnesota.
A use recently discovered for popcorn is that of making soft chocolate
candies. It is used as a flour, which, as a mixture in this class of candy,
causes it to stand up as no other ingredient will make it. Before ground,
the corn is nicely popped. Candy firms are now buying this in carload lots.
For this, and other reasons, the popcorn trade is annuall}- increasing with
immense possibilities for the near future.
Farmers have made good money at raising popcorn. One man, a few
years ago, in this section, cleared ninety dollars an acre on a forty-acre tract.
One industrious young man leased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres,
agreeing to pay one thousand eight hundred dollars rental in cash. He com-
menced without tool or teams, bought all on time, and the first year planted
forty-five acres of popcorn : the second increased his field to sixty-five acres,
making a total of three thousand fi\'e hundred dollars in the two years.
CEDAR TOWNSHIP AND LYTTON.
By C. Everett Lytton.
This township is situated on the east line of the county and on the second
tier of townships from the north and is one of the best portions of the county.
The first settlement made in the township was about the year 1859, when
a party, not known to the writer, settled on the southeast quarter of section
20 and built a cabin, broke out a few acres of sod and afterwards abandoned
228 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
the place as no good and in 1862, when the writer came to the count}', the
house had been about all carried away by settlers and the land had grown up
to weeds. The next settlement was in 1866, when J. O. Tuffs and the writer
moved onto section 16 and built a log cabin on the south side of the little
grove that stood on the Cedar in the northeast corner of the section. .Vfter
living there one winter and deciding that the bleak prairie was not the spot
most desirable, the place was abandoned, thus leaving the township uninhabited
again. In the fall of 1868 Oscar Whitney, an early resident of Sac City and
one of the pioneer stage drivers, moved onto the west half of the southeast
quarter of section 30 and became the first permanent white settler of the
township. During the next year or two Henry Jones settled on the north
half of section 31, across the road from the Whitney home. Soon after this
settlers commenced to flock to this part of Iowa and in a short time the Blanks,
Stadlmans. Arndts, Herrolds, and Youngs and others took up land and soon
settlers could be seen on nearly every section in the township.
Cedar township bears the distinction of being the scene of the last battle
between the Sioux and Sac and Fox Indians. The fight commenced near
where the Cedar empties into the Coon and continued up the stream, the
Sioux steadily retreating until they got near where R. M. Long and Joseph
Young now reside, when they "took to the woods" and left the Sac and Fox
the victors. This was the last time these tribes ever joined issues. The
township also bears the distinction of having the first white-man murder
ever committed in the county. During the fall of 1858 a man who had been
murdered was found on what is now the R. M. Long farm on the west side
of the Cedar, and the body left for the wolves and coyotes to devour. The
parties finding the body buried it where found and a few days afterwards
parties going past the place found the body had been dug up, the teeth all
knocked out, the face disfigured and again left for the wild beasts to destroy
all clues to the murder. It was ne\er known who the victim was nor who
committed the deed.
In an early day a town named New Munich was laid out on the west line
of the township, on the southwest quarter of the southwest cpiarter of section
19, but as no houses were ever built in the town, the site was turned l)ack to
farm land.
Lvtton, a hustling little town of about two hundred antl fifty inhabitants,
electrically lighted, is the only town in the township. When the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad built their Storm Lake line from Rockwell
City, the road passed through the township from east to west on the center of
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 229
the third tier ot sections fmm the south. The town was platted on the P.
B. Trumhauer farm on section 24 and has been a thriving httle berg since
first started. Gust Holm, F. H. Holhvay and James Webb were the first men
to enter business in the town. The business of the town is now composed of a
bank, with twenty-five thousand dollars capital, three general stores, two hard-
ware stores, drug store, furniture store, meat market, two luiuber yards, two
grain elevators, two agricultural machinery dealers, printing office, two res-
taurants, hotel, barber shop, pool hall, creamery, blacksmith shop, moving pic-
ture show. The Presbyterians have a church building and manse and the Odd
Fellows are represented by a subordinate and f'iebekah lodge.
The town was incorporated in 1911 with the following officers: G. B.
Willhoite, mayor; C. Everett Lee, clerk; T. E. Corry, treasurer; C. S.
Ferguson, assessor ; F. A. Ayers, Thomas Schmidt, David Wickersham, F.
E. Pratt and Frank Brobeil, councilmen. Charles Nuehring was appointed
first marshal. The present officers are: G. E. Larimer, mayor; C. S.
Ferguson, clerk ; C. F. Brobeil, G. B. Willhoite, David Wickersham, Gust
Holm and H. H. Oestrich, councilmen ; T. E. Corry, treasurer ; h>ank Bro-
beil. assessor; A. M. Buth, clerk.
The township is settled by a very thrifty class of German and Yankee
farmers and farm lands have already reached the one hundred and fiftv dol-
lars per acre mark and are destined to go still higher.
It may be stated in addition to what has been said by Mr. Lee concerning
this township, that the territory hereabouts has been wonderfully improved by
the thrift}- farmers who came in in later years from Illinois, who ha\e really
reclaimed the township, which was none of the best till a few years ago, when
this class of new men insisted upon better roads and looked well to the drain-
ing and tiling of the flat land. With such improvements, the township has
come to be one of the finest, richest agricultural sections in all the ctninty.
In 1910 the census reports gave this township eight hundred and se\'en-
teen population.
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.
On the north line of the county, and the second from the eastern line of
Sac county, is Delaware township, formerly a part of Douglas township.
Douglas township bounds it on the east, Buena Vista county on the north, Eden
township on the west and Boyer Valley and Jackson township on the south.
It is all of congressional township No. 89, range 36. The Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul railroad traverses the township from section 5 to section 36, almost
230 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
in a direct line, with a station point in the center known as Nemaha. The
Coon river ilows through its eastern sections and the territor}' is drained by
tfiis stream with its numerous small tributaries. The land is excellent, and all
is now well improved and \'alued at from one hundred and forty to two hun-
dred dollars per acre. The present population of the township is about seven
hundred. The school and church history of the township is included in sep-
arate chapters on these two topics in this work. Delaware was created in 1876.
The first settlers, as near as can be determined by pioneer homesteader
Truman Tole, now past eighty years of age, were as follows :
In 1866, during the spring season, Mr. Tole immigrated from Boones-
boro, Boone county. Iowa, and took up a homestead of land in the northwest
quarter of section 34, township 89, range 36. consisting of a hundred and
sixty acres. He remained there until 1903. when he retired to the village of
Nemaha, where he now resides. He saw many hardships, in the settlement of
this township and, being poor at the date of his settlement, he was compelled
to drive oxen, and was only too glad to have that good a team. He kept a
few milk cows and made l>utter, the surplus of which he took, by means of his
faithful ox team, to Newell, on the Illinois Central railroad, in Buena Vista
county, where he frecjuently disposed of the same at from six to seven cents
per pound. From 1866 to 1873 there was but little money in the count v and
homesteaders had hard work to live and meet expenses. The only thing that
saved them was the fact that they had no tax to pay on their claims until they
had proved up and received a deed from the government at the end of five
years. Grasshoppers invaded this township, with others of Sac county, in the
seventies and injured the growing crops materially, though not totally. The
eggs of the winged pests hatched out one spring and when large enough ate
much of the spring wheat, as it shot through the soil.
When Mr. Tole (sometimes spelled Towle) first came in with his family,
in the autumn of 1866, he thinks that in what is now known as Delaware town-
ship (then in Douglas) there were no other settlers. The same fall, however,
came in, as homesteaders, Charles Manska, in the northeast quarter of section
28, who remained long after he had proved up on his claim, making a good
and worthy citizen. Louis Moine also came to the township that fall, settling
in the southeast quarter of section 28. George McGeorge located along the
western line of this township, or possibly over the line, in Eden township.
There were but few others to add to the settlement until after 1871. when thev
came in more rapidly, continuing until the free and cheap lands were, for the
most part, all taken by actual settlers.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 23 1
The first schools for the township were the terms taught in the edge of
Douglas township, along the river, where the timber lands had been settled
for a number of years before this prairie portion of the county was utilized.
It was not over three years, howex'er. before a frame school house was erected
in Delaware township. The law then permitted school districts to be organ-
ized when there were but few scholars to attend, and in instances only two
pupils attended a school in a regularly built school house. The non-residents
were taxed for such improvements, and just and right this was, too, for the
pioneer made the county worth something to the Eastern land-owner.
The first mail facilities were afforded by going to Sac City, but as early
as 1870 Scohara postoffice was established, but was discontinued not many
years later.
The first meetings of a religious nature were held by the Presbyterians.
The first Sunday school was formed by Mrs. Truman Tole. The only churches
in Delaware township now are the two at Nemaha, the Methodist and Presby-
terian.
TOWN OF NEM-A-HA.
Nemaha was platted October 2, 1899, by the Milwaukee Land Company
in section 22, township 89, range 36. Among the first business men was a Mr.
Smith, who conducted a general store for a time. Before that date many of
the settlers went to Early and Sac City to do some of their trading, but for a
number of years the larger transactions were had at Sioux City. The name
Nemaha is from the Indian dialect. A postoftice was established with the
construction of the railroad, and the postmasters have included Messrs. C. A.
Lowe, Charles Howe, Addison Domino and the present incumbent, Fred
Mack. A union school house for the whole township was dedicated early in
1914, the same being located in Xemaha. and cost about ten thousand dollars,
(see Educational chapter).
The business of Xemaha in February, 19 14. was in the hands of the fol-
lowing persons and firms :.
Banks — The Nemaha State Bank.
Barbers — Harvey Ferguson.
Blacksmiths — J. E. Van Vleet.
Drugs — A. B. Patterson.
General Stores — C. C. Fseeney, Fred Mack, Nemaha Co-operative Com-
pany.
Grain Dealers — Farmers' Elexator Company and a "line" grain company.
232 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
Lumber Dealers — A "line" company.
Physicians — Dr. Boherns.
Veterinary — Dr. Ed. Hann, V. S.
Lodges — Yoeman and Woodmen.
Furniture — The Nemaha Co-operative Company.
Feed Store — F. J. Mabie.
Cream Stations- — Two in number.
Livery and Auto Companies — Mr. Bell, Clyde IMcDermaid and M. Aber-
nathy.
Meat Market— Fred Mack.
Hotel— The "Lidsey."
Restaurant — Mrs. Wilcox.
Hardware and Farm Implements — Harter, \\"ilson. Brownell & Com-
pany.
Postmaster — Fred Mack.
Depot Agent — G. S. Ferguson, for past fifteen years.
Stock Dealer — Ed. Burner.
Insurance — The Farmers Mutual Hail Storm Company, with the eight
Rutledge brothers as proprietors. They are represented in every township in
the state of Iowa, and carry millions of dollars worth of insurance on growing
crops. Nemaha is the home town of this company.
The population of Nemaha is less than two hundred.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
Clinton township comprises all of congressional township 87, range 2i7
west, and is bounded on the north by Boyer Valley, on the east by Wall Lake,
on the south by Levey and on the west by Richland township. It was organ-
ized in 1874, and in 1880 had a population of five hundred and twenty-two.
Its population, as given by the federal census of 19 10, was five hundred and
one. It was at one date inclusive of the territory now embraced in Richland
township. It is a beautiful and fertile section of the county. It is in the far-
famed Boyer Valley section. This stream courses down from the north, enter-
ing the townshii) in section 4 and runs a little east of south, lea\-ing the town-
ship from section 35 over into Levey township and finally finds its wav into the
Missouri river just north of Council Bluffs.
This township takes its name from Clinton county, Iowa, where so
many of the early settlers in thi-^ portion of Sac county emigrated from.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 233
When the petition was up before tlie supervisors to have CHnton created as a
separate township, the county auditor suggested that the oldest man of the
township name the same, and hence it was that Marshall D. Fox, one of the
petitioners, named it Clinton. It then included Richland and was six by twelve
miles in extent of territory. The first election was held in the Petersnieyer
school house, and M. D. Fox was elected first trustee, and N. B. Umbarger the
first assessor in Clinton.
The third residence in this township was erected by M. D. Fox. in the
spring of 1874, Mr. Martin having erected the second house, and the first was
built by Jacob Brown in the autumn of 1873. Other early settlers were
Charles and George Martin, Oscar and John Draper, Charles Sherwood and
Archibald Ray.
In this township was one of the best flouring mills in the county. It was
the property of Henry Reinhart, and was burned in May, 1884, causing a loss
of ten thousand dollars, on which there was an insurance of four thousand five
hundred dollars collected. The newspaper account of the fire reads as fol-
lows: "Henry Reinhart's flouring mill in Clinton township was totally de-
stroved by fire Saturday night. A fire was discovered in the roof, which
probably caught from the smoke stack. It was promptly extinguished and a
watch set for the night, and it was supposed all was safe. But at one o'clock
A. M. Mr. Reinhart awoke to find the building again in flames, too far gone
to save anything. Total loss was ten thousand dollars, covered by four thou-
sand five hundred dollars insurance. Unless we get a railroad here in the
county the mill will not be rebuilt, although the people at Odebolt are trying to
get Mr. Reinhart to build a flouring mill at their town."
EDEN TOWNSHIP.
On the north line of the county and second from the western line, is Eden
civil township, which comprises all of congressional township 89, range yj
west, this tier being the first north df the "correction line" of the state. It is
six miles square and a very fertile portion of Sac county — well named by the
pioneers. The Moville branch of the Northwestern railroad runs through
sections t^t^, 34, 35, 28, 29 and 30. The nearest station points are Early, in
Boyer Valley township, and Schaller, in Eureka township. The headwaters
of the Boyer river are found in the northern portion of this township and the
southern part of Buena Vista county. There are numerous smaller streams,
all forming junction with this principal stream. For general farming, this part
234 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
of the county is not surpassed. Eden, which was constituted in 1871, had
four hundred and eighty population in 1880.
The oldest settler still living in the township is Christian Schaeffer. who
came into the territory now known as Eden township on May 7, 1870. Others
of about that date, or a little later, were Christ Lucke", Fred Hahne and Adolph
Martin, who all crossed the Boyer river and became settlers in this township.
These all emigrated from Alamakee county, Iowa, in the autumn of 1870.
Fred Hahne and Mr. Lucke came on in advance and took up land for the entire
party. Before this settlement there were only two others within the town-
ship, Messrs. Hobner and Walter Toll, neither of whom remained to make a
permanent settlement.
Eden and Delaware townships both originally belonged to the territory
of Douglas township, but in the seventies a division was made and separate
civil governments were formed of these two townships.
Of the schools and churches in this township, other general chapters will
treat at considerable length. The population of the township, according to
the latest (1910) United States census, is five hundred and eighteen.
Owing to the richness of the soil and the location, lands have steadily
advanced in this section of Sac county, until today it is hard to find a man
who cares to sell for less than one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and
seventy-five dollars per acre. From this township have come several of the
county supervisors and other officials of the county, all having the best inter-
ests of the county at heart while serving in an official capacity.
EUREKA TOWN.SHIP.
Eureka (signifying "I have found it") was organized as a separate sub-
division of Sac county in 1875. The first election was held by seven resident
voters. The father of Joseph and Charles King, now residents of this town-
ship, was elected clerk at the first regular township election. He came to the
township in 1871 and purchased a full section of prairie land of this township
and was an honored citizen here many years, having much to do with the final
development of this section of the county. In 1880 the township had three
hundred and sixty population. In 19 10 it had one thousand one hundred and
sixty-six, with the town of Schaller, which hat! six hundred and fortv-six.
Eureka is the extreme northwestern township in the county, being con-
gressional township 89, range 38, and is bounded on the north by Buena Vista
county, on the east by Eden township, on the south by Cook township and Ida
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 235
county (the north tier of townships being on the correction Hne of the state,
making a set-off or jog of three miles to the west) and on the west by Ida
county. It is six miles square. The Sioux City and Wall Lake branch of the
Chicago & Northwestern railway runs through sections 25, 26, 22, 28, 29, 30
and 19, with the incorporated town of Schaller as its only town.
It is no wonder that the pioneers who settled here named it "Eureka,"
for they certainly found what they had been seeking — an excellent domain of
fertile, even, all-good land, which at that day was bought very cheap, from
four dollars upward to about ten dollars. Today the average land sells readily
at one hundred and fifty dollars and much as high as two hundred dollars
per acre. The population is a mixture of German and American of the higher,
more intelligent class of both nationalities. Its population in 1905 was six
hundred and forty-two, exclusive of the town of Schaller, and with it the
population was one thousand two hundred and eighty-one. Of this number,
only one hundred and seventeen were foreign born.
By drainage, good cultivation and general scientific farming, this has
come to be one of the banner agricultural districts in the county.
TOWN OF SCHALLER.
This is one of Sac county's enterprising towns, an honor to any com-
munity. Its well-kept .streets, its internal improvements, its charming park,
shade trees, and first-class business houses, with churches and schools, all
bespeak a high type of citizenship. The people of Schaller are for the most
part prosperous and contented. Living as they do in the heart of one of the
finest agricultural sections in this part of the state, their interests are naturally
with those of the farming community. As a grain, stcok and poultry market,
the county affords no better place at which to do trading — both selling and
buying.
The town was named in honor of that most popular and well-known
pioneer German character, Phil Schaller, who died only a few years since as a
resident of Sac City, where he prospered as an able business man and leader in
Grand Army circles, he having been an Iowa soldier during the great Civil
War. As a faithful, unflinching and highly honorable county official, no man
stood higher than this man for whom the town was named. Schaller was
platted in October, 1882, by the Blair Town Lot and Land Company, on sec-
tion 26, township 89, range 38, and the year before the platting was executed
the entire land upon which the present town stands was an immense field of
236 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
growing flax. Vast has been the transformation in these thirty-two years! It
is within Eureka township and an important station point on the Chicago &
Northwestern railway line, the second station north and west from Sac City.
Among the modern improvements of the town may be named the magnificent
two-story brick school building, the Methodist and Catholic church edifices,
both recently erected on modern, up-to-date plans. When the town was orig-
inally platted by the railroad land company, the town site proprietors donated
a full square, centrally located, to be forever used for public park purposes.
The ground is now shaded and sheltered by hundreds of thrifty trees, tower-
ing heavenward twenty and thirty feet high. There are rustic seats, a band
stand and other improvements. Space has been reserved for tents for public
gatherings, lectures and chautauqua entertainments, etc. Schaller was legally
incorporated as a town in 1883. The following facts appear of record in the
court house at Sac City concerning this incorporation :
Having a population of over two hundred and fifty, in the month of
March, 1883, Schaller citizens petitioned the court to be legally incorporated as
a town, under the laws of the state of Iowa. The petitioners were as follows :
C. W. Woodke, O. W. Woodke, Chrales L. Early, J. S. Hudson, J. H. Walker,
F. D. Beckel, Thomas A. O'Laney, A. P. Searle, B. D. Jones, S. A. Cobb, H.
Keeney, H. J. Hahne, Will Terrie, R. D. Murray, I. S. Hunter, F. G. Butler,
F. F. Hall. Herman Hahne, R. L. Crosby, E. W. Walker, William McFarland,
C. Meier, H. D. Ouinn, W. Adamson, T. H. Hahne, M. C. Craven, Dr. S. C.
Meyers, G. F. Chandler, James Waddicor, I. C. Hudson, T. J. Andre, M. D.,
D. D. Burman.
The circuit court of Sac county appointed the following commissioners
to attend to the calling and holding of an election to determine whether the
citizens wanted the place incorporated or not. Such persons were appointed,
served and the election was held ?klay 25, 1883, at which all of the fifty-two
votes cast were for incorporation. The clerks of election were A. P. Searle.
Charles Early. The judges were William F. Waddke, H. J. Hahne and I. S.
Hudson. The election returns were certified to by J. S. Hudson. Thus the
town of Schaller started on its journey, and has continued as a town e\'er since.
The first mayor of Schaller was Thomas Rey, who died while in office.
The present (January, 1914) town officers are as follows: Mayor, H. I.
Strahn ; recorder, H. N. Snell; treasurer, Samuel Hahne: marshal, W. W.
Allen ; councilmen, C. B. Murray, M. Strom, J. B. Dakin, C. Walker and U . L.
Requarette.
The following have served as mayors of Schaller : Charles L. Early,
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. J ^/
1883: J. S. Hudson. 1884-85; Thomas Ray, 1886; J. M. Sears, 1887; J. S.
Hudson, 1888-89; J. F. Butler, 1890; George S. Crandall, 1891-92-93 ; Alexan-
der Wells. 1894; A. C. Gordon, 1895-96-97-98-99; J. F. Butler, 1900-01-
02-03; George J. Speaker, 1904-05; Perry Rubendall, 1906-07; George J.
Speaker, 1908-09; H. I. Strahn, 1910-11-12-13.
A system of water works was installed about twenty years ago, costing at
the time about six thousand dollars. Water of the purest quality is obtained
from two surface wells w ithin the town incorporation. A stand-pipe and tank
furnish the reserve water, which is forced by gravity to all portions of the
town. A volunteer fire company gives ample protection to the property owners
of the place. Hook and ladder, extinguishers, plenty of good hose and other
apparatus aid the willing firemen in battling the flames, whenever they appear.
The town has its own building or hall, in which the council meets and where is
stored the fire apparatus.
In the fall of 1913 the town commenced the laying of an excellent system
of earthware pipes for sewerage, which is to be in six streets. Before winter
shut the work off, four .streets had been completed and the remainder was
laid in the early spring of 1914. The expense is taxed to the lot owners,
except the cost of outlets and street crossings, which is paid from a direct gen-
eral municipal tax.
The streets of the little city are lighted brightly by a gas plant of private
ownership, known as the Schaller Gas and Fuel Company. This corporation
commenced business about 1906 and now gives good service and general satis-
faction. The churches, stores, halls and private dwellings all employ this
lighting system.
Good cement sidewalks are in evidence throughout the town.
BUSINESS INTERESTS IN I9I4.
The first man to erect a business place on the town plat of Schaller was
pioneer J. S. Hudson, who still survives, and is the only remaining charter
member of the Christian church of the town. He embarked in the general
hardware business and carried other goods. He sold to the first settlers both
in and out of his town. He has lived to see the following dealers now engaged
in the various branches of trade:
Agricultural Implements — W. J. Howard & Son.
Banks — The State Bank of Schaller : The Schaller Savings Bank .
Blacksmith Shops — J. F. Ady. Andrew Anderson.
238 . SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Barber Shop — Fred L. Gilbert.
Clothing— J. P. Ranch, G. W. Alurray & Son.
Cement Block, etc. — Aden Merkly.
Drugs — Smith Brothers, C. C. Cowser.
Dentist— J. E. O'Grady, D. D. S.
Dray Lines — Rose Brothers, A. Potter.
Elevators — Schaller Produce Company, J. B. Adams. Ktmtz Elevator
Company.
Furniture — W. F. McLaughlin.
Feed Store and Poultry — Rose & Potter.
The "Fair Store" — John Gentry.
General Stores — J. B. Dakin, J. A. Murray & Son, Lemke & Lemke.
Garages— C. H. Reuber, G. B. Gould, A. D. & E A. Woodke.
Hardware — R. A. Skinner, James G. Fiar.
Harness — E. R. Forney, August Christensen.
Hotel— "Palace," by L. A. Seiling.
Jewelry — John Hicks.
Livery — Challman Brothers.
Lumber — Gray & Crowley, Schaller Lumber Company (incorporated),
by William J. A. Cizek and Henry Gloe.
Millinery — Mrs. Ellen Broderick, Mrs. \V. H. ]McKinney.
Plumbers — George A. Higgins.
Physicians — Drs. T. J. Andre, F. H. McCrev.
Restaurants — R. H. Benson.
Real Estate Dealers — H. I. Strahn, A. B. Challman.
Stock Dealers — Fred Sewald.
Meat Market— H. O. O'Daniels & Son.
Newspaper — The Herald , by W. K. Whiteside.
Opera House — "The Schaller," by J. I. Murray.
Veterinary Surgeon — E. G. Martin.
Wagon Repair — H. Swanson & Son.
Among the small manufacturing plants of Schaller ma\- be named that of
the Higgins Manufacturing Company, which concern makes a patented device
for extinguishing street gas and gasoline lights automatically from the central
station, by means of reducing the pressure, when instantly all street lights are
put out, saving the expense of keeping a man for this purpose. These machines
are sold in hundreds of small towns within the adjoining states and the busi-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 239
ness is rapidly increasing. The proprietors of this company patented this in-
vention several years ago.
The church organizations of Schaller are the Catholic, Methodist Epis-
copal, the Christian, Presbyterian and German Evangelical Lutheran denom-
inations. (See Church chapter for details.)
The lodges here represented are the Masonic and Odd Fellows, the his-
tory of which will be found under the head of Lodges of the county.
Schaller was unfortunate in having three large grain elevators burned
within five years, the last being destroyed in 19 12, causing a loss of more than
fifteen thousand dollars, besides six thousand four hundred dollars worth of
grain stored therein.
BOYER VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
One of the four central townships in Sac county is known as Boyer
Valley, deriving its name from the beautiful \alley of the famous Boyer river,
which courses from north to south through this section of the county, taking
its rise in Buena Vista county. It has numerous branches forking both to the
east and west of the main stream. Boyer Valley is a ci\il subdivision of the
county and comprises all of congressional township 88. range t,"/. west of the
meridian line. The Chicago & Northwestern railway passes through sections
5, 4, 10, II and 12, en route from the towns of Schaller and Early, the latter
place being within Boyer Valley township and the former in Eureka town-
ship. At first what is now styled Cook township was also included in Boyer
Valley. Boyer Valley township was organized in 1871. Among the pioneer
settlers of the township were the families of J. E. Sanburn, \Villiam Cory,
Charles Prentice, James Shelmerdine, Samuel Prentice. Elias M. Powers,
Dr. Warren A. Mason, H. A. Wilson, Joseph Dick, Messrs. Hiram Sweet
and Hayes. In about 1876 Cook township was set off and constituted a sep-
arate township in the county. The earliest school house within Boyer Valley
township was the old Prentice school, built ver}' early, and was followed b}'
the new building in 1872. It is believed that the first person to settle in Boyer
Valley township was William Cory, in 1868, as a homesteader. The second
settler was James Shelmerdine, who effected his settlement the same year, but
a little later in the season. Charles Prentice was probably the third man to
claim land in the township.
This is an excellent part of Sac county, and today is well settled, well
cultivated and possesses hundreds of beautiful and valuable farm homes.
J40 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
Nature has done much for this portion of the county and man has aided the
work of nature to a goodl}- degree, until here one finds numerous prosperous
homes, with schools and churches on almost every hand. The County Home,
where the county's unfortunate poor are cared for, is within this township,
on section 14. An account of this is found in the chapter on County Govern-
ment. In 1905 the state census report for Iowa gave Boyer Valley town-
ship a population of six hundred and eighty, exclusive of the town of Early.
and the town was given at five hundred and fifty-three, making a total of one
thousand two hundred and thirty-three. Of this number onh' one hundred
and twenty-three were of foreign birth.
The federal census in 191 o ga\'e it as one thousand one hundred and
sevent}-three, including Early, with a single population of five hundred.
TOWN OF EARLY.
Early is the only town within Boxer Valley township. It is situated in
sections 3, 4 and 9 in the northern part of the township. It is a very enter-
prising station point on the Chicago & Northwestern railway, nine miles from
the county seat and about the same southeast from Schaller. It was platted
by the Blair Town Lot and Land Company, October 4, 1882. Its present
population is not far from six hundred. It has a Catholic, Methodist Episco-
pal and a Presbyterian church (see Church chapter). Its secret societies are
the Masonic, Odd Eellows and Knights of Pythias. It has electric lights, a
fine water works system, owned by the municipality ; a live local newspaper,
the Nczi's, and two banking institutions.
The town was incorporated in November, 1900: its mayors have in-
cluded the first elected magistrate of the little municipality, E. A. North, suc-
ceeded by J. F. DeGarmore, E. A. North and the present mavor. J. W. Hart-
.sell. The present (1914) officers are: Mayor, J. W. Hartsell ; recorder, C.
F. Jackson ; treasurer, W. W. Little ; marshal, George Bedell ; councilmen.
E. J. Green, D. D. Carlton. George \V. Wadsley, Ered Dahm and J. B.
Prentice.
A system of water works was installed in 1895 under bonds issued for
three thousand dollars, and in the autumn of 191 3 the first electric lights were
turned on, to the entire satisfaction of all citizens, who had been displeased
with the former coal gas plant and its poor lighting system. The electric
plant, also owned by the town of Early, is run in connection with the water
plant, which is also among the appreciated things of modern Earlv, as it
WALL LAKE VIEWS
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 24I
derives its supply of the purest water from deep wells, giving f(jrth a never-
failing supply. A volunteer fire company is always on hand when a fire
occurs, and does excellent service. Another feature of the town is its neat
public park, a block in extent, which was donated to the public for perpetual
park purposes by the Blair Town Lot and Land Company when they platted
the town. Its trees and other improvements are fully up to the small-town
standard. The one thing needed in the place is a new, modern and larger
public school Irtiilding, which c^uestion is soon to be agitated and it will cer-
tainly be erected ere long. The town is accommodated with two 'phone sys-
tems, the J. M. Kelly lines and the Farmer's Telephone Company.
The postofifice dates back to the year the town was platted and has had
postmasters as follows, and in the order here given : Eli Haredon, who kept
the office in Hunt's drug store; Joseph Cory, under President Cleveland's
administration ; W. H. Allen, under President Harrison's administration ;
Joseph Cory, again under Cleveland's second term; A. P. Mennis, who held
the position eleven years and was succeeded in 1908 by the present incumbent,
Ed. Foster, who was commissioned by President Roosevelt. It is a third
class postoftice, with three free rural delivery routes, making a total of
seventv-eight miles traversed each day by the three carriers, the longest route
being a little less than twenty-seven miles. The savings deposits have never
quite reached the five-hundred-dollar mark.
BUSINESS INTERESTS OF EARLY.
According to the memory of pioneer A. Mason, the first hotel in Early
was known as the "Engler House," built and conducted by John Engler.
The same hotel still serves the public and is known as the Early House.
The pioneer lumber dealer was the manager for the Green Bay Lumber
Company, which concern still has a large yard in the place.
Morenis Brothers bought the first grain here and built an elevator for the
handling of the same.
The first general store was that of Thurman & Barrett, which in more
recent years was known as the firm of Barrett & Carlton.
The first hardware store was that conducted by Roswell Allen.
The pioneer "village blacksmith" — all honor to his memory — was T.
Timme.
The first banking was carried on as a sort of "exchange" aiTair in the
first general merchandising store, but the first bank, proper, was known as the
(15)
242 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Early State Bank, with S. K. Fuller, president, and A. Mason, \ice-president.
This was established in 1888.
The first school house was erected in 1883, and the first teacher was
Professor Robinson, of Indiana, who taught in the winter of 1883-4 and con-
tinued two or three years longer.
In the month of January. 1914, the Ixisiness of the town was in the hands
of the following persons :
Auctioneer — F. J. Green.
Agricultural Implements — George W. \\'adsley, G. G. Perrott.
Banks — State Bank of Earl\- and the Citizens State Bank.
Barber Shops — George W. Hamm, Blaine Crouch.
Blacksmith Shops — Harry Sampers, G. M. Dunham.
Clothing — Foote & Company.
Cement Blocks — Early Construction and Stone Company and workers in
cement, Guy Hair.
Creameries — The Farmer's Co-operative Company.
Dray Lines — Burt Van Vleet, George Bedell.
Drugs — W. P. Hirons.
Dentist— R. D. Kendall, D. D. S.
Elevators — Farmer's Co-operative Company and two line elevators, in-
cluding the Trans-Mississippi.
Furniture (coupled with Hardware) — J. F. DeGarmo, Hiron & Kirk-
patrick.
Grocers — Holdridge Brothers, C. D. Hay and C. Sonneborn.
Garages — Early Auto Company and G. G. Perrott.
Hardwares — Same as furniture dealers.
Harness Shops — W. H. Terrill.
Hotel — "Early House," R. J. Beadle, proprietor.
Jeweler — Ed Welling.
Lumber — Green Bay Lumber Company, A. S. Evans, who also carries
builders' hardware.
Livery — William Weaver,
Millinery — Lashier & Co.
Meat Market — ^Jackson Brothers.
Newspaper — The N'ecH's. J. C. Blair, proprietor.
Northwestern Depot Agent — J. L. Dick.
Opera House — Early Opera Flouse (new) and Struchen & Rowe, the
old hall.
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 243
Produce — J. L. Dunham.
Pool Hall — George Fouchs.
Restaurants — L. M. Engler, C. M. Anthony.
Real Estate Dealers — Lashier S: McOuick.
Physicians — Drs. J. ^^ ■ Graham, J. C. Iwersen.
Stock Dealers— A\\ ^^'atts, B. F. Evans.
Shoe Dealer — Joseph Dick.
Veterinary Surgeons — R. L. McXalley.
Wagon Repairs — Harry Sampers.
Five, Ten and Twenty-five Cent Store — \\'illiam Sampson.
LEVEY TOWNSHIP.
Levey township comprises all of congressional township 86, range ^J
west. It is six miles square and situated on the south line of Sac count}', with
Viola township at its east, Clinton at the north and Wheeler, the extreme
southwestern township in the count}', on its west. Its towns are a part of
Wall Lake, Herring and the hamlet station on the Illinois Central lines known
as McCloy. The Boyer river flows through this to^\■nship on its meandering
course to the ^Missouri river, emptying into that stream at Council Bluffs,
where it is considerable of a stream. It has numerous small branches or
tributaries flowing in from the fertile lands that make up Levey township.
The Mondamin and Onawa branches of the great Northwestern system of
railroad runs through various portions of this township. Also the more re-
cently constructed railroad, the Illinois Central, parallels the Northwestern
line from ^^'all Lake station southwest until they both take their exit from the
county on down the famous Boyer \'"alley.
Levey was created into a separate townshi]) in 1871 and in 1880 it had a
population of six hundred and twenty-five, including its villages.
Its early settlers were nestled in and around the present town of Wall
Lake, and some in the southern portion, along the Crawford county line.
Its schools, churches and lodges are all mentioned in separate chapters in this
volume, hence will not be named in this connection. The population of the
township, according to the last United States census report, is one thousand
and sixty four, including that part of Wall Lake within the township, which
to\\ n had, then, five hundred and sixty-one.
The village of Herring, on sections 28 and 29, is a mere station point
and small trading place on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, a mile and
a half from the south line of the township.
244 ' SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Concerning the pioneers who effected the first settlement here, let it be
said that they come in about the foUowing order: Charles Levey. 1869;
Richard Dean, 1869; Frank W. Weed, March 29, 1870. George Maynard
and F. H. Weed came early, but only remained one year. George A. Weed
came in on August 20, 1870; Samuel Adams, 1871 ; A. Alarks, 1871 : W. J
;\Iuxen, 1871. The township was constituted in 1871, but not really organ-
ized until 1873 on account of there not being a sufficient number in the terri-
tory before then to hold the oflices. Dr. Stevens was a settler of 187 1. F.
W. Weed was the first township assessor. The first school was taught in
what is now No. 8, but then No. i, in 1873, by Fannie Philbrick.
TOWN OK WALL LAKE.
Wall Lake, in Levey and Viola townships, was platted by the Blair Town
Lot and Land Company ( really the Northwestern Railroad Company ) in
1877. It is situated three miles to the south of the famous Wall lake, so well
known as a resort in the great Maple Valley region. Its population in Janu-
ary, 1914, was, by actual count, eight lumdred and ten. although it was
through error only given about six hundred in the last Lhiited States census.
This error came about from the fact that the census taker nuly credited the
town with what population were living in Viola township, as belonging in the
corporation, and the remainder were counted in with the population of Levey
township.
The first lot was sold in this t(nvn to D. Wayne, of Carroll, for ware-
house purposes. The first load of wheat sold was by Mr. North. September
10, 1877, and it brought seventy cents per bushel. The first car load of
wheat was shipped out by Wayne & Company. The first lumber yard was
put in operation l)y Wilcox Brothers, August 27, 1877. The first general
merchandise store was established by G. M. Parker in August, 1877. The
first child was born to Mrs. O. A. Olson. The first death was in the family
of C. E. Wentworth. On April 21, 1878, a destructive tornado passed over
this portion of the county, destroying much i)roperty. generally estimated at
thirty thousand dollars worth, and eight ])ersons were injured. Telephone
communication was first installed in Wall Lake February 11, 1878. between
J .C. Fletcher and C. E. Wentworth, each having a 'phone in their [ilace of
business. It was constructed by Ehlers & Wentworth and was probably the
vibratory system, as electric 'phones in [practical form did not come till a }-ear
or two later.
It mav be stated that the first building in the town was commenced in
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 245
April, 1877, for a saloon. The material was hauled from Fort Dodge and
Storm Lake. Mr. Donaldson was the man who engaged in this business,
this being five vears before the state had its prohibition fight, since which date
saloons have not been \ery popular or nearly as numerous. The next actual
settler in W'all Lake was O. Anderson. The shoe store of P. A. Elpstrand
was opened luly 7, 1877. The first blacksmith was F. Rohm, who came in
from Alta. The first religious services were conducted at the home of Mr.
Palmer, Sunday, August 15, 1877, by Rev. W. P. Griffin. Work on the
depot building commenced July 20, 1877. and was completed August 15th,
that year.
Having now shown the beginnings of things in general, the author deems
it sufficient to give the present business and social factors of Wall Lake,
showing in whose hands the business of the place was in January, 1914:
Attorney — J. S. Whitney.
Agricultural Implements — Victor Staab.
Blacksmith Shops — F. E. Johnston, Hinds & Wright.
Barber Shops — William Morrison, R. Lancaster.
Banks — German State and ^Va1l Lake Savings Bank.
Creamery — C. W. Davis.
Clothing Store — J. O. Benson.
Cement Works — Frank Becker.
Drugs — Bowman Drug Company, C. C. Epperly.
Dray Line — Ed. Palmer.
Dentist— Roy McCulla, J. L. Morris.
Furniture — W. H. Menold.
Feed Barn — Albert Johnson.
General Merchandise — Okerstroem & Fishback, F. H. Brown. J. H.
Sievert.
Grain Dealers — William Claussen.
Garage — Hopkins Auto Company, Wall Lake Auto Company.
Harness Shop — J. H. Davison.
Hardware — Johnson & Swanson, Farmer's Lumber Company.
Hotel — The Brunton.
Jewelry- — H. Limke.
Lumber Yards — Wall Lake Lumber Company, Farmers' Lumber Com-
pany.
Livery — Frank Dean.
Meat Market — D. Schneidecker.
246 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Millinery — Mrs. D. A. Robinson.
Mills (Grist)— J. McGloin.
Newspaper — The J Vail Lake Blade, by W. O. Howard.
Opera House — Wall Lake Opera House Company.
Produce Companies — Swift tt Company, C. H. Young.
Photo Gallery — Melvin Charles.
Pool Halls— Robert Jolly, W. H. Persons.
Physicians — Drs. A. S. Hayden, L. H. Jones.
Restaurants — Chri.stensen Sisters, Hoff & Son, D. W. Young, and the
Depot Lunch Rooms.
Real Estate — McClnrg & Brunton.
Stock Buyers — Charles Godenow.
Wagon Repairs — Hinds & Wright.
The town supports a brass band of twenty-fi\'e pieces, led by C. E.
Epperl\-. There is an effective Commercial Club here, with C. R. Yeager as
its present secretary.
The churches of Wall Lake — the Catholic, Methodist, Presb}'terian and
German Lutheran — are all treated at length in the Church chapter.
The lodges include the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, both men-
tioned in the Lodge chapter in this ^•olume.
\Vall Lake was incorporated in ]March, 1881. The following were the
first town officials elected : A. D. lierrig, mayor ; W. L. Ehlers. recorder ;
D. M. Bingman, George Burgess, F. E. Cheeney, M. ]\fohr, H. J. Simpson,
T. E. Wilcox, first councilmen or trustees. The following is a list of all
mayors serving in Wall Lake to date: j\. D. Herrig. 1881 ; H. B. Allen,
1883; Robert Pattison, to 1889; R. M. Hunter, 1889; C. C. Watson, 1891 ;
Hiram Adams, 1893: Erick Schnu'dt, 1895: Hiram Adams, 1897: H. B.
Allen, 1899; -^- B. Barclay, 1901 ; George D. Newby, 1903: John McGloin,
1906, who served until August, 1913, when he resigned. John Johnson was
appointed to fill the vacancy and is still serving. The present town officials
are: Mayor, John A. Johnson: clerk, J. S. Whitney; treasurer, Charles M.
Herrig; marshal, A. E. Johnston; council. Dr. .\. S. Hayden, Gus ]\Ioore,
D. D. Scheiddiker, Walter Ward and William Claussen. A fine, effectSxe
system of water works was installed in this town about 1896. At first it was
jointly owned by the town and b_\' pri\-ate subscriljcrs, but later the whole
plant, now valued at thirty thousand dollars, was turned over to the town.
The water is obtained from a well, just to the east of the town and on the
eastern slope of the great watershed divide of Iowa, where the waters flow
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
247
towards the ^Mississippi and the Missouri. This water is said to be as pure
as any in the state. A high tower and water tank, constructed of steel,
affords about sixty pounds pressure per square inch. Since the establishment
of these improvements the town has had but one disastrous fire, that which
burned the Bro\\'n store and the livery barn about 1898. The same caught
from an overheated hot-air furnace in the basement of Brown's store. A
well trained volunteer fire company makes property comparatively safe. Uni-
forms were once purchased, costing seven hundred dollars. No town in
western Iowa has a more effective fire fighting company than \\'all Lake. It
dates its history back to 1878.
The municipality also owns the gasoline gas lighting plant and, besides
furnishing the streets with ample lights, also sells to consumers. This im-
provement was installed about 1900.
The town owns a shack of a building known as to\\n hall, but is now
planning to erect a suitalile brick town building which will be an 'ornament to
the town.
Wall Lake has long since been known as the greatest railroad center in
this section of the state. The Northwestern system has branches extending
to Carroll, Denison, Mondamin, Onawa, Sioux City via Sac Cit}', another to
Jewell Junction. The Illinois Central has a station on its Fort Dodge &
Omaha line, a mile from Wall Lake town, giving good connections to the
Twin Cities and Dubucjue, as well as Omaha.
The postmasters who have served at Wall Lake are as follows (office
established January 30, 1877) : Abner Ferguson, appointed January 30,
1877; Charles L. Sherwood, November 23. 1877: H. B. Allen, May 23,
1881 ; Robert Pattison, September 21, 1885; C. C. Watson, March 28, 1889;
Frank H. Adams, January 28, 1893.; Orla H. Menold, April 14, 1893; L. N.
Turner, April 17, 1897; J. H. D. Gray, December 12, 1904; Charles B. Dean,
April 23, 1906; John McGloin, July 31, 1913.
WALL LAKE TOWNSHIP.
Wall Lake township should not be misunderstood as being the civil town-
ship in which Wall Lake town is situated, but rather as the one in which
Lake View, another town, is located. A greater portion of the beautiful
water sheet, Wall Lake, is within Wall Lake township, while a small part is
in the township south, Viola. Wall Lake township is congressional town-
ship No. 2,7' range 36 west. It is second from the east and second from the
248 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
south line of Sac count}-. It was organized in 1871 and in 1880 had a popu-
lation of only 462. In 1910 it had 1,209 with Lake View.
The Coon river touches sections i, 12 and 13 of this township, and is in-
creased by the waters of Indian creek which flow in a semi-circular direction
through the central portion of the territory.
The township has much excellent land and no small amount of lower,
swampy land which, under the touch of modern methods of drainage, is fast
becoming a garden spot.
The Chicago & Northwestern railroad runs through the western central
part of the township, from Lake View to Sac City.
Some of the early settlements in the county were effected here, but not
nearly so early as in Sac and Jackson. The village history of Lake View
gives much concerning the first to efifect settlement. Other general chapters
will treat on the schools, lodges and churches of Wall Lake township, hence
will be omitted in this connection.
WALL LAKE.
What is known as Wall lake (originally called on the early maps
"Walled lake") was written up by, Hon. H. C. Rippey, of JeiYerson, Iowa,
in the early seventies in language, largely of imagination, that sounds odd to
the reader of today, who is convinced that the "wall" is nothing other than
a pile of prairie boulders that have been heaved up by the frosts of many
winters, and that there is no evidence, whatsoever, that man's hand had any-
thing to do with the line of stones that may resemble a laid-up wall. The
item referred to is as follows :
"At the north end of the lake there commences a beautiful gravel bank,
gradually sloping into the water and continues around on the north side for
about a fourth of a mile. The wall then commences, the bank being steep
and averages from three to six feet in height. The lake gets wider, and as it
widens the wall gets very thick, containing great boulders. One and a fourth
miles from the northeast end of the lake there is a levee from two to five
feet high, across low land, resembling, very much, the levees of the lower
Mississippi river country, with the exception that next to the water is stone.
The wall commences on the east side of the Boyer slough and continues
around the south side of the lake to the northeast corner and levees are
thrown up at the low places. This levee is so complete that a person may
walk entirely ari)und the lake. At several places on the south side, on high
WALL LAKE VIEWS
l'U-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 249
ground, embankments are thrown up to form breastworks. It is in fact a
great curiosity, and the more one looks at it the more is the wonder who did
it. How came these great stones, two or more tons in weight, on the banks,
in many places lying on top of smaller ones."
The reader should understand that modern writers and sane thinkers
know that such a description is a mere fancy of some writer who wanted to
believe, and perhaps thought, he had struck a natural curiosity.
LAKE VIEW A REMINISCENCE.
The following reminiscence was written by Piatt Armstrong, one of
the pioneers and founders of the town of Lake View, this county: "In
1875 I came from Lost Nation, Clinton county, Iowa, to Sac county and
bought section 13, Clinton township. I sent my eldest son, Alden, and Oren
Haskins, with teams and breaking plows, to break up the land. They broke
out about a hundred and sixty acres. That autumn I helped the improve-
ments along by shipping one load of lumber to Vail, it being the nearest
railroad station. My son started to haul it. The first load he left in a
slough six miles from home. The next load he was obliged to sleep with out
on the prairie eight miles from home under his wagon, it taking him four
days to get the first two loads of lumber, after which he succeeded in making
a load each day. Then there was not a road or any bridges within the
twenty-mile journey. I built a house and a stable that fall, and my son got
married and the following spring another one of my sons came on and helped
put in a crop, which in August was destroyed by grasshoppers ; the corn and
oats were all gone, but some wheat was left. That season the moscjuito and
green-headed horse flies were extremely thick in this part of the country and
really made life a burden to both man and beast. These pests, together with
the grasshoppers, caused us to be much discouraged with our newly located
home. I then came to the conclusion that this county was not a suitable place
in which to settle my sons in permanent homes, which I had intended doing
for them. Hence, I started south, homeseeking, and went to Texas and rode
some four hundred miles on horseback, going in west of Fort Worth, but
saw nothing that enticed me to locate there. I then returned to Clinton
county and brooded over my misfortunes and unlucky selection of lands
here, seeing nothing cheering ahead of me for my family. In February, the
following season, one morning I awoke and upon looking over the situation
I was possessed of an inspiration, which was to rent my farm and mo\e my
250 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
family to Sac count}-. By noon that day, I had my land rented and two
weeks later I had moved here Ijag and baggage. * * *
"I'ebruary 22, 1888, I arrived at' Wall Lake again, and when settled
down I found that I had fourteen head of horses and four boys large enough
to handle a team, so we went to tearing up the prairie sod and in 1890 we
raised three th<nisand bushels of wheat and five thousand Inishels of corn,
besides oats and barley. I then left this place and bought a quarter section
of land in the west part of the present town of Lake View and commenced
to plan for a railroad station, but found that the Northwestern Railroad
Company was prohibited from platting another town, as parties in Sac City
and Wall Lake had started the first railroad and did the grading, with the
understanding that there was not to be a station between these two points.
One day I met an officer of the Nortliwestern road and asked him about it
and he said that while this was true, that it did not prevent anyone else from
platting a station and putting in a side-track. He said if I would go ahead
and build a small station house and do the grading for a short side-track,- that
the company would recognize it as a station. I knew nothing about platting
a town, but I took James Fletcher into my confidence. I also found that I
could get the eighty acres of land that the railroad ran through for twenty
dollars per acre, but Mr. Fletcher seemed to think he wanted it all, so he
purchased the land and proceeded to raise the money to build a depot build-
ing and pay for side-track grounds. In this wa}- Lake \'iew had its origin,
but it was known then as "Fletcher." November 28, 1887, it was changed
to that of Lake View.
"The same fall I built a large barn and fini-^hed oiT one of the stables
to live in, while I was building my house. In order to do this I had to put
up some stove-pipe in length about thirty feet, and seven jomts extended
out beyond the Iniilding. Being rusted together, the united joints of pipe
made a very good lightning conductor, so, thinking to be on the safe side, I
would make a connection with the earth, which I did bv boring holes at each
hind leg of the stove through the barn floor, and then placed wires around
the legs and on down to the ground. This was probably an original idea, but
I never patented it! However, it worked well, for on one occasion a bad
thunder storm came up and lightning struck the stove-pipe and the seven
joints outside the building were entirely ruined, but the charge went on direct
to the damp earth and harmed nothing else about the place. From this
incident originated the great Dodd &: Strothers lightning rod.
"In regard to the description of the lake, it should be stated that when
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. -'51
the land was surveyed by the government, they meandered twelve hundred
and eighty acres out for the water, which makes it two and a half miles in
length from east to west, by about one mile in width in the widest place.
There are two islands, one having a hundred and twenty acres, while the
other is but a small tract of but a few acres, generally known by hunters as
'Gun-shot Hill."' The fractional parts of forties adjoining the lake are
called government luts. Armstrong's Second Addition is government lot
Xo. T : Hugo W'esterman's is lot No. 6 and Denison Beach, a part of which
is now a summer resort. Lakewood is Lot No. 7, which is the principal one,
having some fifty cottages, a large hotel, a skating rink, bowling alley, a
dance hall, toboggan-slide, with many pleasure boats, bath houses, etc. This
resort was started by J. H. Graves, and by him conducted a few years: he
then sold the farm, the resort and grounds to Mr. Trinkel, for about nineteen
dollars per acre. He sold to Hugo Westerman the resort grounds for nine
thousand dollars and he, in turn, sold to Chris Larson for twenty thousand
dollars and only recently he has sold it for fifty thousand dollars to A. B.
\\'eiland and Brothers, who took possession last spring ( 1913) and they have
since conducted it.
"Tohn Pro\-ost has also been selling lots and building cottages on the
larger of the two islands for a number of years. About twenty of these build-
ings are now occupied during the summer and autumn months. Louis Lar-
son, as he is known, has two gasoline boats for carrying passengers, and there
are also a half dozen smaller craft, with a small sail boat line, all of which
afl:'ord great pleasure to the summer visitors."
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The first settlement was made here b}- Robert Throssel and son in the
spring of 1867. The)- were followed by Joseph Parkinson. Noah Borah,
William Johnston, Thomas Waddicor and George Trainer, who settled at the
east and south of the lake. In 1869 came in W. A. Robinson, locating on
a farm three miles from the present town site. The town was laid out by
I. C. Fletcher in 1880. The town was named for him. but later changed to
Lake View. The first house on the town site was removed from Wall Lake
by W. H. Robinson, in the autumn of 1880. J. C. Fletcher and Harry See-
vers opened the first store at Fletcher. Then followed C. E. Gard and A. J.
Thompson. The first elevator was erected by W. H. Robinson in 1881.
The first hardware store was opened by J. P. Therkelson in 1881. The rail-
road (the Northwestern) was completed to this point in the fall of 1880.
252 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
The first hotel, the Lake House, was opened by W. H. Robinson in 1880.
H. L. Briggs started the first himber yard here. Tiie first postmaster and
those who succeeded him to date were W. H. Robinson, in December, 1880:
^Vilham H. Mong, September 3, 1886 (name changed to Lake \'iew Novem-
ber 28. 1887) ; W'illiam H. Mong, November 28, 1887; WilHam U. Hamil-
ton, August 8, 1889; \\'illiam H. Mong, July 19, 1893; F. H. Clark, June
15, 1897. and who is still serving.
The first society to hold religious services was the Baptist denomination,
with Rev. W. N. McKendrick as pastor. The first school was held in 1881
with Miss Anna Searle as teacher. There was no school building at that
date, but private rooms were secured.
The business interests in Lake View in the month of January, 1914,
were as follows :
General Stores — J. P. \Vells. People's Store and the Miesel store.
Lumber — Lake View Lumljer Company.
Blacksmithing — Hans Olson.
Barbers — Ellis Bros, and E. Mason.
Drugs — Mr. Duerr.
Photographer — E. L. Maxwell.
Newspaper — The Resort, by Edwin McSheehy.
Dray Line — F. N. Dunham.
Livery — Charles Mohn.
Grain and Seeds — Updike Grain Company.
Dentist — Molsberry Bros.
Physicians and Surgeons — Dr. E. E. Speaker.
Painter — Milton Olson.
Lake View Creamery.
Tailor and Cleaner — J. B. Lohr.
Automobile garages — Armstrong & Dean and Spencer & Son. and the
Lake View Auto Company.
The population is about seven hundred. The school house consists of
an eight-room, well equipped structure. The town is supplied with an ex-
cellent water works system and has a high steel tower and tank. There are
numerous large ice houses here where immense amounts of the finest lake
ice in the state are stored and shipped far and near. In the seastm of 1910,
five hundred cars were shipped. Much is used by the railroad company for
drinking and refrigerating purposes along the extensive system. At one
time large quantities of gravel and sand were removed from the earth at this
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 253
point by steam slimels and the road bed of the raih'oad far to the west was
made first class by its use. Init the holes left make an unsightly place today,
in the ^-er)' heart of the town.
The town of Metcher was incorporated in .September. 1887, and soon
changed to the name of Lake View. At the election of that year to decide
the matter of incorporation, there were forty votes cast for incorporation
and none against it. Among the earlier mayors may be recalled the names
of Messrs. L. F. Davis; K. Hiersche, 1890; R. M. Paine, 1891 ; James Park,
1892; E. C. F. Mohr, 1893; Piatt Armstrong, 1894. Since its incorporation
the place has had, for the most part, a good municipal government and today
the improvements are in keeping with the towns of western Iowa in general.
SAC TOWNSHIP.
Sac is the extreme southeastern subdivision of Sac county and comprises
all of congressional township 36, range 35 west. Calhoun county lies at the
east, Coon Valley township to the north, Viola township to the west and
Carroll county at the south. Jt was organized as one of the original town-
ships in the county in 1856 and in i88o it had been cut down in extent of its
territory very greatly and at that date had only five hundred and eighty-one
population. Its present population, according to the United States census
returns for 19 10, is one thousand one hundred and twenty-five, with Auburn
and Grant City, the former having three hundred and ninety-nine and the
latter having one hundred and sixty-two.
The earlv settlers here were nestled in along the timl)er lands found
skirting the Coon river, in the neighborhood of Grant City, w hich had a settle-
ment and a mill for corn grinding in the fifties, but was r.ijt platted until
about 1863, and derived its name from that gallant soldier -statesman, U. S.
Grant. The Coon makes a sharp horse-shoe curve in the northeastern por-
tion of this township, and Grant City was platted on the north and eastern
side of this big bend in the river, which afforded, at an early day, anijile
water power for good milling facilities llie towns and villages of Sac
township are'.-\uburn, Grant City and Ulmer, all of wliich are mentioned at
length further on in this article. The Tama branch of the great North-
western railroad system runs across Sac townshiii, from east to west, almost
directly along the central section line. The newh' constructed Omaha and
Fort Dodge brancli of the Illinois Central railroad traverses the northwest
corner of the township, coming in from the north on section 2 and leaving
254 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
from section i8. The history of Grant City. Auburn and Uhner will give
the names of many who first settled this jiart of the county.
TOWN OF AUBURN.
Auburn is one of the three towns within Sac township, the others being-
Grant City, and Ulmer, a station on the Illinois Central railroad. Auburn is
situated on sections 23 and 24, of township 86, range 35. It was platted July
31, 1886, by the Western Town Lot and Land Company. It is a station
point on the Chicago & Northwestern line, the second station east from Wall
Lake, and is on the east line of Sac county. It really caused the town of
Grant City, a mile or so to the north and west, to go down. It was incor-
porated as a town earh' in its history and has had for its mayors the follow-
ing gentlemen : W. J. Dixon, G. \L Parker, P. R. ]\Ioseley, Otto Behrend,
Otto Garnatz, A. Beck, P. J. Barry, and J. Simpson. Its officers in 1914 are:
Mayor, J. Simpson : clerk. C. C. Easier : treasurer. Paul Ruckrow : marshal,
W. D. Carroll: councilmen. W. H. Lesle, H. V. Garnatz, C. F. Brower. W. E.
Comstock, M. Brooks. A pri\-ate stock company operates, and has since
about 1900, a gasoline gas lighting plant here, which pro\-ides lights for public
and private use, as well as for street lighting- purposes.
The present churches of the town are all mentioned in the Church chap-
ter in this volume and consist of the Presbyterian, German Lutheran, Roman
Catholic and Latter-Day Saints. The lodges include the Masonic, Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the \arious insurance orders (see Lodge
chapter).
The Auburn postoffice is a fourth class office and from it runs out two
free rural deliver)- routes. Its postn-iasters have been M. Buehre, H. G. F.
Muller, E. H. ]MerrelI (who held it eighteen years), E. Reardon, since Octo-
ber, 1913.
This, like all railroad towns of these days, grew rapidly at first. Almost
all branches of trade soon sprung up here, taking the trade and general busi-
ness that had for years gone to Grant City. The business interests in Auburn
at this date (January, 1914) are in the hands of the following persons:
Agricultural Implements — E. Reardon,
Banking — Farmers and Merchants.
Barber Shops — C. F. Brower.
Brick and Drain Tile Works — The Straight famih-.
Blacksmith Shop — William Rettig.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 255
Dray Line — E. Basto.
Drugs — J. Kessler, C. C. Easier.
Elevator — Howard & Barry.
Eurniture — T. J. Barry.
Garage — Grey & Dahlquist.
General Dealers — E. R. Brennan. Lee Jones.
Grocery — S. \lott.
Hotel — The Auburn House, G. H. Bruning.
Jeweler — S. ]\Iott.
Lumber — W. T. Joyce Co.
Livery — M. G. Golden.
Millinery — Miss ^Minnie Easier.
Meats — L. A. Sherman. J. A. Green.
Newspaper — The Record, by E. H. Merrell.
Public Hall— Over Bank block.
Physicians — Drs. H. L. Eobes and P. J. Barry.
Pool Hall— L. Reinhart.
Restaurants — Amos Rettig.
Stock Dealers— W. H. Lesle.
Veterinary Surgeon — A. Beck.
• Variety Store— E. H. Merrell.
Wagon Repairs — William Rettig.
The chief industry of Auburn, at this date, is the brick and tile works,
in which from forty to sixty men find employment the year round, in the
manufacture of a ^•ery superior article of drain tile and building brick, with
building blocks and other articles of the clay product. These works are
supplied with the raw material from beds of clay, gravel and sand situated
near Grant City, from which the material is taken by conveyor cars on a sys-
tem of wire cables, for a distance of over a quarter of a mile and running
over the Coon river valley and its winding stream. Erom the south side of
the valley it is conveyed in steam cars pulled by a dummy steam engine to the
works, proper, in Auburn. In the month of December. 1913, this company,
composed of the three Straights, shipped one hundred and thirty-seven car
loads of their products to \arious parts of the country. They are now far
behind their orders.
In April, 1889, there was a creamery in operation at Auburn, of a very
high type. It was the best constructed one in all western Iowa. In addition
to receiving milk for the separators, it also collected cream from the sur-
rounding country in large quantities.
256 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
GRANT CITY.
This is one of the oldest places in the county, but has, by reason of the
building of the railroads north and south of it, become a mere hamlet, almost
gone into decline. It now has but one store, ami that is operated bv :\lrs. H.
F. Schultz. The postofhce was discontinued in December, 1912, and a num-
ber of the citizens there get their mail daily over the rural free delivery from
Auburn, by having their boxes placed in a long row in front of the old post-
ofifice and store building. This town has for its site one of the prettiest in
the county, overlooking as it does the picturesque valley of the Coon river,
skirted with a fine grove of native timber which naturally attracted the pio-
neers. The water power at this point was utilized for many years in the way
of a saw mill by George Wright, who also had a corn-cracker in connection,
until he, in company with O. R. Jones, enlarged the mill and added a grist
mill, which produced flour for many of the settlers in Crawford, Sac, Buena
Vista, Calhoun and Greene counties. The mill dam was for many years a
success and the water power excellent, but finally it gave wa}- and steam
power was installed instead. It was operated until about 1905 and then torn
down. A part of the machinery found its way to Dakota and the Ijuilding
material was sold at home and converted into other buildings. The original
machinery for this mill was brought from Fort Dodge over the trackless
prairies and unbridged streams. This mill was originally built in 1856—
the first in Sac county.
At one time Grant City was a bus\- mart, where came m;ui\- pioneer men
to do both milling and trading. There were at one time newspapers, a good
hotel, three stores of general merchandise, excellent schools, and the best
roller skating rink in the whole Northwest. In 1865 pioneer R. Ellis came
there, where he still resides, and says when he came the town had a black-
smith shop, run by William Impson. a hotel, a saw mill and manv slab
shanties and log cabins scattered here and there o\'er the platting. The town
was not incorporated until about 1904. This was brought about b^■ the fact
that the school laws of Iowa did not allow better school appropriations in
such towns than it did in the common country districts, and the people here
in Grant City were proud of their public schools and desired a larger appro-
priation, so incorporated and hence are independent in school matters.
The churches of today are the Methodist Episcopal, .served bv the pastor
from Lake City; the Seventh-Day Adventists. which at one time was strong,
but on account of removals has been greatly reduced in its membcrshii,
AN I.Mi'UliTAXT LOCAL ENTERPRISE
\
ONE OF SAC COUNTY'S PROSPEROUS INDUSTRIES
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
-^57
They, as well as the Alethodists, ha\-e a good ciiurch building. The old
Masonic lodge was removed to the railroad tDwn, .\uburn, when that town
had become of sufficient size to support such a fraternity. The only order
now at Grant City is the insurance order known as the .Vmerican Yoeman.
Among the old mayors of Grant City may be named R. Ellis, S. H.
Bates, ^\'illiam Shannon and George Higgins. The 1914 officers of the
incorporation are: Mayor, James Birt : clerk, S. H. Bates: treasurer, X. A.
Impson.
Grant City is situated on sections 11 and 14, township 86, range 35.
It is in the big bend — the horse-shoe — of the Coon river, and was platted in
Ci\il-war times, and bid fair to become a rival of Sac City.
The old state atlas published by Andrus, in 1874, -says of Grant City:
"This is a village located on section 14, township 86, range 35, in the south-
eastern part of Sac county. Its location is on the east bank of the Xdrth
Raccoon ri\er, in a grove of timber. There is also a good mill power on the
river at this point. The village was laid out in 1863. It has a Baptist,
Episcopal and Methodist church, several mills, and stores carrying general
stocks of goods."
TOWN OF ULMER.
This plare is situated in section 8, township 86, range 35, on the Illinois
Central railroad, from Fort Dodge to Omaha, and was platted November 21,
1900, by Carrie and \\'. T. ]\Iartin. It has made a fine growth in the few
3'ears of its existence. The postoffice here is a fourth class office, established
in 1901, and has had these postmasters: Thomas \\'. Martin, from 1901
to 1908: Dr. E. \V. Bookhart, 1908 to 191 1 : C. E. Bames, present incumbent.
The banking interests here are carried on by the Farmers Savings Bank,
established in 191 1. The only church society of the town is the Presby-
terian church. The business of the place in January, 1914, was conducted
as follows : Dry goods and groceries, Barnes & Son : hardware and grocery,
J. N. Hawks : blacksmithing, Leo Flintje : ele\ator. Farmers Grain Company,
with L. M. Wicher, manager; lumber, by the Joyce Lumber Company, with
V. T. Butrick, manager ; stock dealers, L. M. Wicher & Company : implement
store, Hawks & Webster; pool and lunch room, C. R. Cooley.
VIOL,\ TOWNSHIP.
On the southern line of the county, and second from the eastern line,
is the civil township of Viola, bounded on its north bv Wall Lake township.
(16)
258 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
on the east by Sac township, on the south by Carroll count}-, and on the west
by Levey township. It comprises all of congressional township 86, range
36 west, hence is six miles square. The only town within its borders is
Carnarvon, in section 22, which is a junction point of the Tama and Carroll
branches of the Northwestern system. The Illinois Central line, from
Omaha to Fort Dodge, runs through this township, following the central
tier of sections from east to west. A small portion of the town of Wall
Lake is within Viola township, as well as a small portion of Wall lake itself,
the most of this pretty sheet of water, however, being confined to the limits
of \A'all Lake township. This subdivision of Sac county has its full share of
railroads. The Northwestern system has three distinct branches in the town-
ship, with stations at Carnarvon and Wall Lake, and an overhead crossing
with the Illinois Central and Northwestern on section 15. There are many
Germans in Viola township, and, for the most part, they are all prosperous,
well educated and industrious farn.iers. The township has no timber except
that planted and cultivated by the pioneers. There are three small creeks
within its borders. Some of the land is rather low, but has mostly been re-
claimed by ditching and tile drains. Corn is the chief crop.
Most all the first settlers have either removed from the county or died.
Some are retired at the county seat and at Wall Lake and Lake View towns.
Just what dates and the exact section on which these pioneers settled cannot
now be well determined, but from an inter\iew had recently with such men as
J. W. Higgins and F. C. Jacobs, it is learned that the first settlement of this
township was made by the following persons, with perhaps a few more, who
might have been as early, or earlier, than some of these here named. Mr.
Higgins came in 1887, but had li\ed at Wall Lake four years previous to that.
He was a soldier in the Ci\il War. and w as from Montgomery county. New
York. He has accumulated considerable property, and has recently pur-
chased much more in Clay county, this state. ITe has been one of the trus-
tees of this township for a number of years. Mr. Jacobs, above mentioned,
was Ijorn in German}-, but came here when young, and has taught school and
been township assessor here a nunilicr of terms. He is well informed and is
really what may be termed a scientific farmer, making a thorough study of
the soils and of every grade of stock he handles. He loves to look in upon
nature at everv possible window, and glean that which mav be of benefit to a
progressive agriculturist. He raises thirty per cent, more per acre than his
common farmer neighbors, all on account of his studying the conditions of ^
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 259
soil and climate. He came in about twenty years ago and has seen great
changes since engaging in farm life here.
When pioneer Higgins came to the township he found here such men as
Garrett Fischer, August Hanke, Patrick Ouinn, Patrick Halpin, Robert
Westcott. Joseph Parkinson, of section 2, who was among the very first.
Also there were Henry Peters, John Spurrell, an Englishman, who still re-
sides in the cuunt\', and has a son who is taking much care to study well the
country in which he lives. This family located on section 6. John Spurrell
was a trustee of Viola township for twenty-five years. Another pioneer was
an old yir. Plinken, and ethers were Leo Fix, Charles Frank, John Goeman,
all very early, probably in the early seventies. Leander McCrea located
where now stands the village of Carnarvon, and remained there until 1885;
Charles Teeple, now deceased, was two miles north and a half mile to the
east of Carnarvon. Early in the eighties came in Herman and Frederick
Voss, brothers. They were among the first to make permanent improve-
ments, a mile or so east of Carnarvon, where they had three hundred and
twenty acres of land. Both are long since deceased. Peter Ivossman also
had a half section on the south line of the township. He is deceased. "Tip'"
Dewey, now of Wall Lake town, owned a half section in the northwestern
part of the township, and still owns the land. Michael Martin, deceased,
settled very early in the northwestern part. Thomas Waddicor came in
among the earliest settlers, in the seventies, and bought land in the north
half of the township; he was a soldier in the Two Hundred and Second New
York Regiment, and he died about 1908; his son, James Waddicor, now owns
the old homestead farm, but resides in Schaller. Moses Lacy was here
before 1886 in the northeast quarter of the township, l)ut he now resides
near Ames, Iowa. Another was George Van Dresser, who settled in the
township at an early date on section i ; he went to Missouri about 1890.
Jonas Walrod, in the northwestern part of this township, improved one of
the early farms and later died and the land is now in the hands of strangers
to the family. His son is a veterinary surgeon in Carnarvon at this date.
Brunas Swartscup located in the south part of the township, as did his
brother. John Preffer settled about the same time in the western portion, on
section 7, where he lived until a few years ago, went South, returned and
finally died. Theodore Kliskie arrived in the township about 1875, locating
near \\'all Lake. Henry Hoft came in and purchased land in the southwest
portion. He now lives at Wall Lake : he was a soldier with one of the Iowa
regiments. His son now resides on the old Viola township homestead.
26o SAC COUNTY, tOWA.
Before 1886 came Jacob Ackerman, who located in the southeastern part of
the township. The large Irish family of AlcCormicks settled in this town-
ship among- the pioneers of early date: sons of this family were Thomas,
Peter and John. .\. M. Robison. a Massachusetts Yankee, settled in the
west half of the township early in the eighties. David Low settled in the
southwestern portion, and udw resides at Wall Lake, but still owns his land
in Viola. Ellis Barthema was in the north part of the township before Mr.
Higgins' arrival in 1887. He went U> Texas, lost his [jroperty, including his
excellent two hundred and forty-acre tract in this township. After this the
settlement was too rapid to trace out the comings and goings.
Viola township was organized as a separate township in 1875, and
derived its name from a town by that name in lllinnis. Its present trustees
are J. W. Higgins, Michael Rising and Ernest W'alrod ; its assessor is Louis
\\'ilcox. Its population in tqio was nine hundred and twenty-nine.
\'ILL.AGE OF CARNARVON.
This, the onl\- distinct platted \-illage in Viola township, was laid out
by George W. Pitcher, in section 22. township 86. range 36, on October 24,
1 881. Its present population is about one hundred and fifty. It is a junction
point of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, where the Carroll branch
leaves the Tama branch, and is something over four miles south and east
from the town of Wall Lake. The first attempt at business here was the year
the platting was effected, and it was a general merchandise store opened by
Fishback & Pitcher, later owned solely by Mr. Pitcher, who also bought grain
and had the first shipping facilities. In scanning the newspaper files the
author finds that in December, 1888, the Sac Siiii said of Carnarvon: "The
new town in Viola township, Carnar\'on, is getting to be c[uite a berg. A
good number of buildings are already up and enclosed and still more will be
completed the coming winter. Mr. Pitcher, the leading man of the place, is
using every effort to build up and make it a good town."
The postma.sters of Carnarvon have been in the following order: Rob-
ert Westgarth, Louis Hunefekl, J. J. Fishback. Harvey Daily, Mr. and Mrs.
G. M. Seaman, who, Ijetween them, have had the oflice for the last ten vears.
The business interests of Carn.-uxon. in the spring of 1914, were in the
hands of the following persons :
General Dealers — Benson it Company.
Hardware and Lumber — Farmers' Lumber C^'ompany, of Fort Dodge.
■SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 261
Elevator and Live Stock — A. J. Graham.
Garage — The Parson Auto Company.
Hotel — G. M. Seaman.
Blacksmithing — Joseph Reiitter.
Cream Station — W. A. Seaman.
V'eterinarv Surgeon — Doctor W'alrod.
Barber — A. E. Mason.
Pool Hall— A. E. Mason.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Jackson is the township in which Sac City, the county seat, is situated,
and comprises congressional township 88, range 36 west, and is bounded on
the north by Douglas and Delaware townships, on the east by Cedar town-
ship, on the south l)y Wall Lake towaiship and on the west by Beyer Valley
township. It was in and near here that the first pioneer settlement was ef-
fected ip the early fifties, and, ha\ing been mentioned at length in the general
chapter on early settlement, need not here be enlarged upon. It was here
that Judge Eugene Criss located and ran the old stage station and a general
store for the accommodation of a wide scope of country. He later con-
structed a saw and grist mill. The Corys, the Tiljerghiens, the \\'atts and
Platts all found homes in the new country. It was in 1854, 1855 and 1856
when they arrived.
Indian creek and the Coon river are the jirincipal streams fiowing
through this township. Along its beautiful groves were made the first cabin
homes in the county. Over this picturescjue section had roamed the savage
Sioux, the Sac and Fox tribes, and here had they been at war one with
another. Here camped many an immigrant on his way to this and other
western Iowa counties. The value of the prairie land was not really known
to the first settlers here, and all huddled themselves along the timber skirt-
ing the Coon river, little dreaming that the uplands and prairies were
destined to outstrip the timbered sections of the county. Wild game was
plentiful in this part of the count)- and the river afforded an endless amount
of excellent fish. Fifty years have made a wonderful transformation in
this country, and especially in Jackson township, with Sac City in its midst,
a thriving city, with all modern improvements and a hum and stir of genuine
industry.
Jackson township was created as one of the first civil townships in
262 SAC COUNTY, IOWA. ■
Sac county, the elate being 1856. In 1880 its population, including Sac
City, was about one thousand sixty-six souls. The 1910 census reports gave
the township fi\e hundred and eight\-f(iur, exclusive of Sac City and two
thousand seven hundred and eighty-five, including the city. The railroads
have greatly aided in the development of Sac count}', including this special
township. The Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul railroads have lines running through the township from all points
of the compass, concentrating at Sac City.
The history of this township is almost identical with that of Sac City,
hence the reader is referred to the facts concerning the founding and present
standing of the county seat town.
CHAPTER XVIII.
SAC CITY.
Sac City possesses one of the choicest natural city sites in all western
Iowa ; in fact, outside of perhaps Iowa Falls, Charles City and a few others,
there are, in all Iowa, none with more beautiful natural surroundings than
Sac City, on the Coon river.
The city is located on sections 2^, and 24, of township 88, range 36
west. It was platted in July, 1855, the surveying being executed by he who
in later years was so well known as Hon. John F. Buncombe, of Fort
Dodge. The town plat or map in the county records was executed by W.
H. Fegely, July 3, 1855. The town site proprietors were Judge Eugene
Criss, W. S. Wagoner, Henry A. Evans and Joseph Gammon. Hence it
will be seen that the city is now almost fifty-nine years old. It is between
five and six miles northeast of the center of the county. The business sec-
tion is for the most part located along the river, while the residence portion
is chiefly on higher ground. The altitude above sea level is one thousand
two hundred and eighty feet. The Coon river encircles the town most of
the way round. Native forest trees are scattered here and there over the
entire town site. The second-growth oak trees are a beauty in summer and
winter, and make the building spots ideal in character — a joy forever, be-
cause of their rare beauty and shade.
Book "A" of deeds in Sac county, page i. has the following: "The
lots in Sac City are sixty feet wide and the alleys are twenty feet wide.
Platting was executed by W. H. Fagely July 3, 1855. Its situation is beau-
tiful. The North fork of Raccoon river nearly surrounds the town. Beau-
tiful prairie lands of the richest quality of soil border it: a heavy growth
of excellent timber lies adjacent : springs of the clearest, coolest water abound,
breaking out along the banks of the river. The stage road from Fort Dodge
to Sergeant's Bluff runs through the town, on Main street. The distance
to Fort Dodge is forty-three miles, nearly one-half of the way to Sergeant's
Bluff. Stones are planted on each street as indicated by the red crosses in
every street. The plat was drawn and surveyed by John F. Duncombe,
o
264 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
and the proprietor's nanits are Eugene Criss, W. S. Wagoner, Henry A.
Evans and Joseph Gammon."
The population of Sac City, at various dates, has been as follows: In
1880 it had 595 inhabitants: in 1885 it had 1,200: in 1890 it had 1,249; i"
1895 it had 1.601 ; in 1900 it had 2.079: in 1905 it had 2,120, and in 191
the United States census gave it as 2,201, but it is considerable in ad\ance
of that today.
"the father of sac city."
This term was for }-ears applied to Hon. Eugene Criss, the real founder
of the town, and the Siou.v City Journal, in 1903, took occasion to notice
Judge Criss' death in the following language, and it may well be incor-
porated in the annals of this county, both of these distinguished pioneers
now being deceased :
"The death of Judge Eugene Criss at Sac City, in his eighty-first year,
marks the passing of one of northwestern Iowa's real pioneers. He settled
on the present site of Sac City in 1855 and for many years pursued the life
of a frontiersman, trading with the Indians, having Keokuk fur his trading
place. His house was the stopping place of travelers between Sioux City
and Fort Dodge. He kept a country store, was county judge, supervisor,
mayor of his town and was a rej^resentative in the Iowa Legislature when
Sac, Ida, Woodbur}- and Plymouth counties were all in one district. He
was a sturdy character, heltl in high esteem and implicitly trusted during
the formative days of Sac county. All northwestern Iowa was in one neigh-
borship and everybody knew Judge Criss. Last year, in July, three thou-
sand people gathered at his home and celebrated his eightieth anniversary,
thereby giving evidence of the confidence, lo\'e and esteem in which he was
held."
During the early months of 1855 there might have been seen a covered
wagon coming over the Mississippi river from the Wisconsin shore, and in
that conveyance was Eugene Criss, who was in search of a water-power and
desired to make settlement in a new and untried country. He crossed the
great rivers of Iowa — the Cedar, Iowa. Des Moines and Boone — and finalh-
landed on the banks of the North Raccoon ri\er. in Sac county, where he
proceeded to erect the first log house in what is now Sac City, and established
himself in the hotel business and at the same time kept a stage station and
general store for the accommodation of the surrounding settlers in this sec-
tion of Iowa. This log house was located at the top of the bill, near where
o
a
o
CO
o
n
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 265
the east bridge now spans the Coon river, and directly across Main street
from the present residence of his widow, now aged about ninet>--one years.
The younger generation who have grown up here can scarce reahze that
so prosperous a city, whh its wide, well-kept streets, its beautiful buildings,
its brilliant electric lights, its many sightly homes, its flourishing business
district, was all accomplished within the memory of not a few still living
here, who saw the first beginnings of the sprightly little cit>-. .\nd. too, that
less than sixtv vears ago here rciamcd the wild beasts of the field and the
no less savage red man. In these seemingly short years has the city sprung
up and passed through its struggles as a pioneer village, been incorporated
and now is known far and near for its enterprise and good moral character
as a municipality.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
After Judge Criss opened his little general merchandise store on the
south side of East Main street, the next to embark in trade was William
Todd, who added a general store, suitable to the wants of the people at that
time. This was a hewn-log house located on the southwest corner of the
block facing the court house sc|uare on the east.
Coming on down to 1873, the business factors of the town were out-
lined in the Siiii, the following cards, etc., appearing in the files of that
paper in that year : A. Mitchell, agent for the Illinois Central, at Newell,
Iowa ; Levi Davis, real estate, taxpayer and full set of Sac county abstracts ;
Ed. R. Duffie, attorney at law, Sac City: C. D, Goldsmith, attorney, at
Newell, Buena Vista county (now Judge Goldsmith, of Sac City) ; William
H. Hobbs, Sac City, notary public, real estate and taxpayer ; D. Carr Early,
real estate and broker, Sac City: National Life Insurance Company, the
only insurance company in the L'nited States chartered by act of Congress,
J. N. Miller, local agent. Sac City : F. Cobb and J. E. Armstrong, veterinary
surgeons. Sac City: Dr. J. M. Patty, homeopathic physician, will be at Sac
Citv everv first and fifteenth of each month, to treat chronic cases. Office
is, when at home, Carroll, Iowa: A. T. Brenton, M. D., Sac City: J. H.
Gould, sign, house and general painter. Sac City : hotel, Lamoreaux House,
W. V. Lamoreaux, proprietor. Sac City. Here one finds good stabling at-
tached. Hacks run to the north dail\- and for the south each Tuesday,
Thursday and Frida}-. Stexens House. Newell. Iowa, C. N. Stever, pro-
prietor. Northwestern Drug Company, E. W. Foy. Newell, Iowa, supplies
for physicians and surgeons, in Buena Vista, Calhoun, Clay, Sac and ad-
266 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
ioining counties — orders promptly lilled. Will Allen carried an advertise-
ment for his cheap cash store and names two thousand dollars worth of men's
and boys' clothing; also sugar at from six, seven and eight pounds per
dollar. A. Piatt & Co. (A. Piatt and J. L. Criss), general dealers, Sac City,
Iowa.
In the matter of the milling interest it may be well to quote the Sun
of its issue in April. 1875: "We \\ent over Monday to look through Judge
Criss's flouring mill. It was in full blast, with plenty of custom work,
rushing along at a rapid rate. The Judge has five thousand bushels of his
own wheat to make into flour as soon as possible. Parties are coming to
this mill from a long distance, and the prospect is good for a big milling
season."
The subjoined item from the Sac Sun in 1895, gives interesting out-
line history of the various milling changes in .Sac City : "J. E. Robbins'
pioneer mills burned November, 1895; it was a fine new 'roller' system.
Fifteen thousand bushels of prime milling wheat was burned, with the newly
furnished milling plant. The unfortunate history of milling here is about
as follows: First a saw mill in 1866, by pioneer Eugene Criss, who, in
1871, established a flouring mill, and for a time Asa Piatt was connected
with this mill, after which came J. L. Comstock, A. D. Peck, Rev. Robert
Smylie and J. H. Baxter in 1882. Criss made money for a number of years,
but the property failed to be a paying investment to the men who succeeded
him. and in 1886 it fell into the hands of Judge Criss again, and soon he
sold to W. G. Wine — about 1889 — and he sold to Mr. Robbins, who owned
it when it was burned in 1895. It had not paid for more than a ^•ear prior
to its burning, since 1872-73."
After the burning of the mill a stock company of home capitalists was
organized and the mill was rebuilt and run with a caj^acity of seventy-five
barrels per day of excellent flour, it was started as the new organization's
property in February, 1896.
Another account of the mills was published as follows: "On Coon
river, adjoining the town, and only a c^uarter of a mile from the court
house, are the City Mills, the jiroperty of pioneer Eugene Criss. They have
three run of stones (one for the making of patent flour) and the mill is
propelled by the waters of the Coon river, which stream Mr. Criss threw a
dam across in 1862. In 1857 he built here a steam mill, but after his dam
was built run both mills by water power. .Xfter the building of railroads
and the getting in of pine lumber, the saw mill had about served the purpose
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 267
for which it had been constructed and the whole was changed to a tlouring
mill plant in 1S71, when the lirst grist was ground during the month of
December."
HOTELS.
The history of the various hotels in Sac City would of itself make a
very interesting chapter, but all the space allowed in a work of this charac-
ter and scope is the following on this topic: At the time of the opening of
the present Park Hotel, in September. 1912, Attorney W. H. Hart was as-
signed a paper or remarks on the hotels of the past in Sac City, and from
this account the following has been extracted : The first hotel was that built
by pioneer Eugene Criss, in 1855, J^^st east of what is now Monument
Square. It was a log house, fourteen by seventeen feet, with a loft reached
bv means of a ladder. There was only one room below, and this served as
kitchen, dining room, living room and bedroom for the landlord and his
estimable wife, who is still living, past ninety years of age, and resides on
the opposite side of the street. One coi-ner of this lower room was parti-
tioned off by a curtain and there J\lr. and Mrs. Criss had their sleeping apart-
ments.
In 1857 this, log house was enlarged to seven rooms. This was the
best hotel between Fort Dodge and Sioux City, and it was on the govern-
ment stage route between the two places named. Here stopped, as guests
many well-known men of the great West, including the first United States
senator, Gen. George VV. Jones, of Dubuque, Captain Pollock and General
Sully, of the United States army, Hon. John F. Duncombe, of Fort Dodge,
who was a fre(|uent visitor here in court time for many years. The upper
room, or loft, was provided with home-made beds of poles fastened together
with slats nailed across the tops, covered with straw ticks — called excellent
in those pioneer times. Later, this hotel was conducted by Asa Piatt. Next
came the Lamoreaux House, late in the fifties, by M. S. Lee. It stood on
the corner now occupied by the John Fox block, and was kept by William
Todd several years, then fell to the Lamoreaux family and still later to D.
J. Clark.
The next in order, perhaps, was the Hendrickson House, built by Will-
iam Chapin, and run a few years later by A. H. Hendrickson, for whom it
was finally named. This was known as the most prominent hotel in Sac
City for many years, and was visited by all travelers in the great North-
west. Hendrickson was succeeded by Jed Landon, and he in turn by Mr.
26<S SAC COUXTV. IOWA.
Hendrickson, a second time. A. C. Thomas and wife also conducted this
hotel, and they were immediately succeeded by D. M. Farmer, the present
landlord and owner of the new Park Hotel. This house was a part of what
is known, and has been for some time, as the "Park Plotel."
The Baxter House was built in 1873 by Anson Baxter. It was orig-
inally built east of the northeast corner of the court house square and after-
wards moved to the west half of the block, on which the present hotel now
stands. It was operated man\- }-ears by ^Ir. Baxter, and later by George
Stanley, and then known as the Stanley House.
The Shirk House, now known as the Transient, was built by D. E.
Shirk and wife in 1879-80 and managed by them until the death of Irath.
It then became the property of S. L. Watt and was operated by C. W. \\'ard
for a time and fell into the hands of William Weldon.
Other hotels have been the Bauer, by W. P. Bauer, now a residence prop-
erty. The Nieworth House was also used for hotel purposes for a numljer
of years bv \Y. F. Moyer and of late by ^Nlr. and ]\Irs. H. C. Nieworth.
The Bimer House, at the Northwestern depot, was built by John H.
Beimer. Could these old buildings but talk, what tales they could relate of
bygone days.
The present Park Hotel is built and run on purely modern plans and is
a credit to the county and city of Sac. It was opened Sejitember 19, 1912.
INDUSTRIES.
The Sac City Creamery was established in 1879, formerly situated a
mile and a half from town. G. M. Parker later Iniilt a fine brick building:
had an engine room, ice house and wash room connected. This was built
in 1882 and cost five thousand dollars. Operation in the creamery com-
menced in April, 1882. It was run on the cream-gathering plan.
The Sac City Greenhouse, C. A. Nokes, proprietor, is one of the beauty
spots of this city. It is located on West Main street, near the Northwestern
depot, where a fine, large assortment of the choicest array of flowers mav
be seen at all seasons of the .year. This industry was established in the
nineties. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nokes thoroughly understand their business
and most of the floral offerings for afldrnment at humc, at funerals and
weddings in this section come frnm this greenhouse.
The greatest industry of the city now is, perhaps, the plant of the
Cement Product Compan\-, which corporation was formed in 191 2, and
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 209
took over the interests of the Sac City Cement Pipe Company, owned by
J. J. and J. P. Hammen. The first officers of the present corporation were :
J. J. Hammen. president: J. J. Radford, \-ice-president and secretary; R. F.
]\Ialli>r}-, treasurer. This concern manufactures a superior cement pipe for
ditching and sewer purposes, which finds sale in all parts of the country.
Their works are near the Milwaukee depot, where most of the raw material,
such as sand and fine gravel, is found in great abundance. The machinery
is all modern and the capacity is large.
Most certainly the canning factory is one of Sac Cit}-'s best enterprises,
during the season in which it is operated. In u)oo this plant was located in
the western jiart of the city, and its first cost was about thirtv th(jusand
dollars. Up to 1910 it was under the supervision of H. H. Allison, who
conducted a successful canning season with the return of each rear's crop
as long as he was connected therewith. During 1910 Mr. Allison disposed
of his interest in the factory to W. C. and A. H. Ellis, of \'inton, this state.
A. H. Ellis ha\ing charge of the plant in Sac City. I'nder the new manage-
ment this factory has had many ne\\' improvements installed. The canning
of sweet corn is the principal work of this factory. The canning season
usually lasts about a month — sometimes three weeks and again five weeks'
run. During this season there are required about three hundred and fifty
men and women to care for the product. Aliout two million cans of excel-
lent grade sweet corn is annually canned at this factory — a great industry
for prairie Iowa and Sac county. Sweet corn has become profitable to raise
in this section, for it brings in to the farmer many dollars which he needs
Isefore the marketing of his regular field corn crop.
In 1908 this canning company purchased the plant at Storm Lake and
have, in addition to their large interests at Vinton, been running these two
in western Iowa. All these factories turn out a large annual output which
finds ready sale in nearln- cities, through grocers and commission men. "The
Sac Brand'' sells in case lots everx- where.
Among the earlier enterprises may lie mentioned an iron foundry and
machine shop, of which the Sun in 1879 said: "The iron foundry of Sac
City was established bv Thomas \\'ood, uses an eight-horse-power engine
and employs five workmen. Here portable steam engines are manufactured;
also oil mills made. With these works is the only fuundr\- and machine shop
in the county."
Another of the intlustries of Sac Cit}- that naturally finds place in this
connection is the lightning r<:)d manufacturing plant of Martin & Company,
270 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
who are the successors to the firm of Dock! & Ehvood, who finally estab-
lished great plants in both Des Moines and Omaha. Sac Cit\' is the home
of this superior lightning' rod — a twisted wire of copper material. In short,
the idea was conceived of by I'latt Armstrong at Lake \'iew when he tested
his theory on a barn he had built at an early date, and from what he dis-
covered finallv de\eloped into the copper rod now so popular all over the
country.
THE WAYT MONUMENT WORKS.
In manv \\a_\s one of the most valualjle industries in Sac City, at pres-
ent, is the wholesale and retail monument works of W. B. \\'ayt & Son.
This business was established in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1867 by W. B. and
B. F. Wayt, under the name of B. F. \A'ayt & Brother. A few years later
the plant was moved to Jefferson, Iowa, and in 1S89 moved to Sac City. At
first it was located in a small shop on Fifth street, in a room twenty by
twentv feet. There the business was carried on along business lines, ever
seeking to do excellent work and treat patrons fairly. As the business in-
creased, more room had to be provided and in a few years the shop was
moved to a building on the corner of Fifth and Audubon streets, and there
it assumed larger proportions than before: the trade began to reach out over
a much larger scope of territory, and in the month of December, 1913, it
was removed again 'to a new building, near the Chicago & Northwestern
railway depot. .\t this date (March, 1914) only the basement of their new
quarters is occupied. \Mien completed, the building will be a brick and
stone building twenty-seven by one hundred feet, with two floors. Electric
power and compressed air equipment are installed in this factory, from
which annually goes forth an immense amount of fine granite and marble
monument work, to all parts of the Northwest. Ten men are constantly
employed and from five to seven solicitors are on the road taking orders.
This firm does an annual business of about eighty thousand dollars.
When the business was established at Sac City Mr. Wayt's brother
remained at Jefl'erson. L. R. Wa}'t, the son of W. B. \\'ayt, of Sac City,
was taken in as a partner in iqoi, and has been instrumental in helping to
greatly enlarge the business, and in 1906 a wholesale department was estab-
lished, which has proven very successful.
Besides their business in Sac county, this enterprising firn.i maintains an
office for purchasing its foreign granite, at No. 46-A Union street, Aber-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 27I
deen, Scotland. They also are stockholders in a granite quarry at St. Cloud,
Minnesota.
It was this firm, of whom Sac City is justly proud, that so liberally
donated the beautiful and expensive monument at the foot of the new sec-
tion of the city cemetery, dedicated to the memory of the fallen heroes of
the Civil War, an account of which has already been given in another chapter
in this work. This firm constructs mausoleums and large monuments as
specialty work, and do a large wholesale and retail business.
The extensive seed house of Conger, Ball & Company, of Sac City, was
established in 1907 and their present large warehouse, on the Northwestern
railway tracks, was erected in 1910. It is thirty by one hundred feet in
area and three stories high. Here all kinds of farm and field seeds are
handled in a retail and jobbing way. Seed corn, grain seeds, clover and
timothy seeds are all carried in immense c|uantities. Many of these superior
seeds are grown in Sac county, and find read\- sale in western Iowa and
some jobbing is extended into adjoining states.
The Sac City Nursery is the property of W. W. Stokes, and is situated
within the corporate limits of the town. It has been in existence a number
of years and carries a good \'ariety of fruit and shade trees, shrubs, etc., all
suitable for this part of the country. There are only two nurseries in Sac
county, the one above named and one in operation at Grant City.
The Sac City Catering Company was incorporated in 191 3 with a capi-
tal of ten thousand dollars. The object of this company is to manufacture
and sell Guernsey ice cream, sherbets and fancy ices throughout the sur-
rounding country. The company will establish a complete bottling works,
and for the present season will occupy a part of the Sac City creamery build-
ing, but expect in 1915 to erect a large, modern building of their own. The
officers of this corporation are : L. R. Wayt, president ; J. H. Anthony,
vice-president; C. M. Whitted, secretarj-; O. C. Pfaff, treasurer. The busi-
ness of making such articles is largely, on the increase in America, and here,
right in the field where the dairy and cream interests are large, is a suitable
location in which to build up an extensive business along this line.
Marion Mock's feed mill is another useful and growing industry which
furnishes the community with ground feed, and the concern also retails and
wholesales familv flour, etc. Their plant is near the Northwestern station
in this city.
The Sac City Creamery is doing an excellent business. Its proprietor
is A. E. Schultz, who established the plant in May, 1913. He occupies the
272 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
cement l:)lock building erected and used as a garage by R. D. Bechler. Mr.
Schultz was engaged in like business at Grant county, \^'isconsin. for eigh-
teen years and was president of the National Creamery Association. This
l>lant in Sac City is furnished with niddern machinery and has a daily capac-
ity of three thousand pounds. Four or five men here find constant employ-
ment. The Ijutter from this creamery finds ready sale in Boston, Massa-
husetts. The cream is brought in from a radius of ten miles from Sac City.
ALLEN INSTITUTE.
What was known as the Allen Institute, a hospital for the cure of
those addicted to the lic[uor, tobacco and opium habits, was established in
Sac City in 1893 ^"d finally incorporated with a home capital of fifty thou-
sand dollars, for the treatment of such unfortunate cases. Dr. J. 1. Allen
and bVank C. Hoagland were the originators and held similar remedies as
were then popularly known as "Keele}' Cures." The president was Mr.
Allen; vice-president, C. A. Pratt; S. M. Elwood, treasurer; D. G. Piatt, sec-
retary. They held the exclusive rights for Iowa on their remedy.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Sac City ran along as other country county-seat towns in those times
did, until 1875, when it was duly incorporated under the laws of the state.
Eugene Criss, known as the "Father of Sac City," was elected the first
mayor of the place when it was incorporated. He addressed the trustees
(council) ui)on taking his seat as follows: "Fellow Citizens, I do not feel
at perfect liberty to enter upon the duties of my office without first tender-
ing you my thanks for the confidence you still have in me as the pioneer of
your beloved city. It is nearly twenty years ago since I built the first cabin
of your town, when the marks were vet fresh from the wigwanis of the hos-
tile Sioux Indians, who had chosen, as they later informed me, as the pride
of their lives, this location. Nearh' twenty years of the prime of my life
have been spent right here, and today I can say that my expectations have
been more than realized. Some of the most magnificent structures ha\e been
erected where but a few years ago all was in a stage of a real wilderness.
Everything around us has the appearance of prosperity and happiness, and
for this, with many other reasons, we ought to be thankful to God.
";\nd in entering u])iin the duties of our different ofifices to which we
have been elected, let us trv to have all our efforts crowned with success.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 273
And in order that this may be, it becomes our duty in framing ordinances
that we observe the Sabbath day and that all public places be kept closed,
except hotels and others in cases of necessity. Relying upon all good citi-
zens to aid us in this new enterprise, we believe our labors will be crowned
with success.'
The tirst year's report on finances in the newly incorporated town shows
the following: Revenue.s— Billiards, $87.50; beer and wine, $75.00: baga-
telle, $10: restaurants. $12; dog tax, $51; shows, $8.00; sidewalks, $60.75;
auctioneers, $5.00; fines and peddlers, $2.00; total, $31 1.74-
The city has progressed with the passing of the years, until it has come
to be known as a "clean city," and also a saloonless city.
The incorporation owns a good city hall, in which the council chamber
and fire department are located. Sac City now has an indebtedness of about
fifteen thousand dollars. The city has been in the hands of good officials,
for the most part. Among its mayors may be mentioned such men as Phil
Schaller, W. H. Hart. J. M. Highland, D. Carr Early, C. E. Lee, J. H. Tait,
Dr. J. H. Stalford, Orville Lee. W. O. Gishwiller and Dr. W. H. Townsend.
WATER WORKS AND LIGHTING, ETC.
In the month of July, 1884, the authorities of Sac City contracted with
Fairbanks, Morse & Company, Chicago, to furnish all the necessary ma-
terials to be used in the construction of a waterworks plant. The price paid
for such material was three thousand five hundred dollars. The plant was
located west of the Northwestern tracks. At first a wind-mill afforded the
power with which the water was pumped from a large well, to a tank hold-
ing one thousand six hundred barrels of water. The pump's capacity was
five hundred barrels per day. The contract for digging the trenches was let
to an Ida Grove man at one dollar and sixty cents per rod. The entire work
of putting in the plant was fixed so as to be completed September i, 1884.
This plant was never a success, and the town was under a great strain
each year for want of good, pure water in a sufficient quantity to supply all
demands upon it. Change after change was made until, in 1894. a company
of enterprising citizens purchased a boiler and good pumping outfit, and
leased same to the city authorities, after which a better service was given.
In 1899 a new reservoir was added, giving double the capacity of the former
one. The supply of water — the purest to be had in the country — is obtained
(17)
274 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
from a series of big springs, out to the northwest of the city a mile or two,
the same being piped to the immense stand-pipe in the cit}*.
The electric lighting proposition was brought up in February, i8g8,
and submitted to the people, who decided by a large majority to install a
fifteen-thousand-dollar plant, the same to be provided by individual subscrip-
tions in stock of fifty dollars per share. This measure was adopted by the
vote of the people, by a majority of two hundred and one. The plant was
installed and the city first had electric lights September 14, 1908. The next
great lighting improvement was in July, 191 1, when the present electrolier
system of street lights was set in motion. A demonstration was had; music
and an automobile program and parade was carried out. This system was
installed by a Des Moines firm and cost one thousand five hundred dollars
for the twenty-five poles erected with their five globes of beautiful light.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Ever alive to the best interests and protection of the property of the
place. Sac City has a well organized, well-trained fire company which stands
high among the companies in the western ])art of the state. It has a mem-
bership of forty, divided into two wings or divisions, Summit Hose Com-
pany and the Clipper Company, the former having headquarters on the hill,
which the latter has its home at the City Hall. The best type of young
manhood makes up these two fire-fighting companies. They are well sup-
plied by the city with the best of equipment, such as plenty of hose, hook-
and-ladder apparatus, nozzles, hydrants, etc. When the alarm is given and
the wagons start citizens know the fire will soon be extinguished. The
firemen are backed by the best waterworks system possible to provide, a
stand-pipe full of water, with great natural pressure. There are now forty-
eight fire plugs or street hydrants in use. The department has two chemical
engines, two hose carts, and two hook-and-ladder outfits.
The city officials in the month of March, 1914, are: Mayor, N. O.
Gishwiller; clerk. W. F. Weary; treasurer, C. C. Jameson; police, George I.
Cory ; night watchman. J. E. Austin ; health officer. Dr. W. J. Findley ; city
councilmen, J. Wilbur Neal, B. S. Wallace, Wesley Gilbert, John Anthony,
J. I. Prentice, B. A. Young.
In March, 1907, an election was held in the city to determine on some
course to be pursued by which the city might be assured of better park ac-
commodations. It was proposed to take over the defunct agricultural !so-
SAC COUNTY,, IOWA. 275
ciety, and bond the town for twenty years by a two-mill tax. There were
two hundred and eight women voted and four hundred and forty-two men.
and the measure carried by sixty-four majority. No further action was
ever had in the matter.
COMMERCIAL CLUB.
What is known as the Commercial Club, in Sac City, was organized
in 191 o and has accomplished big things for the place. It unites the busi-
ness men and concentrates their aim on the general welfare of the place.
Practically every business man here is associated with this club, which is
purely a business institution for the upbuilding of Sac City. At first they
were prominent in laying off the Hawkeye Cutoff, which runs from Fort
Dodge to Sioux City. They aided in putting up sign-boards and also as-
sisted in doing much towards good roads in the county. Among the early
officers and committeemen were such men as the following: J. H. Stafford,
F. W. Loring, George B. Perkins, J. M. Fox, L. R. Wayt, F. R. Brownell,
W. A. Ball. S. M. Elwood, Asa Piatt, H. J. Drewry, Byron Wallace, J. W.
Wilson and J. H. Harter. The Commercial Club works under the city's
motto, "We do better — come and see."
The present officers ( 1914) are: R. L. McCord, Jr., president; W. ].
Findley. vice-president; R. R. Cobb, secretary; John H. Fox, treasurer.
The city is provided with an-to-date opera house, which was opened to
the general public in December. 1883. "The Planter's Wife" being the first
play put upon the stage. In 1906 the association was reincorporated with
a capital of twentv thousand dollars and the present opera house was
erected.
The Chicago & Northwestern railroad entered the city in 1879, and
this greatly enthused the people to set about improving the place. The
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad entered the city in 1899, thus giving
connections with two great trunk lines of steam railway.
Public drinking fountains were provided in the city, through the ef-
forts of the Commercial Club, in September, 191 1.
OAKLAND CEMETERY.
The manner in which any people — city or country — cares for its de-
parted dead, is almost a true index to the real character of such people.
This marks the distinction between the civilized and uncivilized.
What is known as Oakland Cemetery Association was formed and
276 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
duly incorporated May 25, 1874, under the state incorporation laws pro-
vided for in the statutes as a corporation, "not for pecuniary profit," and
the articles provide that no stock shall be authorized, no certificates of stock
shall ever be issued and no dividends ever be declared. The object of this
corporation is to purchase, or acquire by gift or otherwise, lands suitable
for cemeterv purposes and to care for and maintain a cemetery to be known
as "Oakland Cemetery" and to sell and convey lots herein for cemetery
purposes only. No member has any interest in the assets and property of
the association and all money received shall be used in buying additional real
estate, caring for the property and beautifying the grounds. The affairs of
this association are managed by a board of directors, and are in no way con-
trolled by any religious organization or body. The grounds are kej)! up
from the proceeds of the lots sold, and a small annual fee charged each lot
owner for the care of his or her lots. The original cemetery, as above
named, consisted of between fifteen and seventeen acres of land just north
of the city, proper, and in the beautiful second-growth oak forest, near the
bridge crossing the Coon river into Sac City. A cement walk runs from
the main street of the city to the entrance of this portion of the cemetery.
By reason of what nature has done for this site, and the improvements
made by the association, it is called by visitors of extensive travel to be one
of the finest burying grounds within all Iowa. J. W. Sutherland has been
the painstaking sexton for many years.
Only a few years ago it became manifest that the city would ere long
need more extensive grounds and, wisely, the directors of the association
purchased a large addition on the uplands, to the north of the first named
grounds. Here there are already a goodly number of graves. At the
entrance of the addition there stands an imposing granite monunment in
memory of the soldier dead of the community. This was the work and dona-
tion of Messrs. W. B. Wayt & Son, wholesale and retail dealers in granite
and marble work, of Sac City. Its base and sides contain the following
inscriptions :
"Presented September, 1906, by JV. B. Wayt ami Son to the
General IV. T. Sherman Post No. 28 G. A. R."
" Dedieated to the Defenders of the Union — 1861-1865."
"SOLDIERS,
SAILORS,
CITIZENS."
"May the Keiveud'rance of Their Valor and Patriotis]n be Perpetuated."
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 277
These inscriptions are on the base and sides of the twenty-foot shaft.
The monument stands where the south sunhght strikes it in full force. It
is surrounded by a good cement circular walk, with a neat stone carved rustic
seat where the passer by, be he an old veteran, the son of a veteran or a
civilian, may pause and rest and there reflect upon the defenders of the flag
of our country.
The character and style, as well as the expense of the hundreds if not
thousands of tombstones and larger monuments throughout both the older
and later sections of Oakland are a credit to those who had them erected
to the memorv of their friends. There are no \ery elaborate and expensive
monuments, but all are of more than the average age, and bespeak taste and
sentiment in keeping with the sacred enclosures. No more beautiful spot
could have been selected by the people of the city for a last resting place of
their dead. In the springtime, when all nature is at its best, on Memorial
or Decoration day, the new leaves of the great number of native oaks cast a
light shadow over the sacred mounds, which are carpeted with a mantle of
grass, well cared for and mowed sufliciently to present a sight not soon to be
forgotten ]:)y the beholder. Here rests pioneer, later settler, soldier and
civilian. "And they sleep and heed it not."
The names of the original trustees of the cemetery association were
D. Carr Early, B. W. Trout, W. H. Hobbs, N. W. Condron, S. W. Sinclair.
J. L. Woodward, Thomas Alexander and Eugene Criss.
The first burying ground near Sac City was that near pioneer J. W.
Tiberghien's farm southeast of the city two or three miles. There were
buried a number of the earlier deceased persons of the county, and many of
the pioneer settlers there rest from life's cares and joys. These grounds,
consisting of about five acres, are cared for in a most sacred and scrupulous
manner by J- W. Tiberghien, who takes great pride and considers it a duty
imposed upon him, so long as he lives, to see that this spot of ground is
properly protected and cared for. Here are tombstones showing many per-
sons buried there to have been born before 1800, a thing not observed at
another place in Sac county. These grounds were first used at the com-
mencement of the Civil War by the public, but previous to that a few had
been buried there.
Pioneer Hugh Cory states that at an early day there were found three
Indian burying grounds, situated in triangular form, on the southeast corner
of the present public square, and on the opposite side of what is now Main
street, near the east end of Monument park. Here were excavated many
278 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
Indian skeletons when the street was dng away for town improvement
purposes.
PUBLIC I.IBR.\RY.
Perhaps no better history of this institution can be given than the fol-
lowing record which was made an.d deposited in the corner stone of the new
Carnegie Library building, which record runs thus :
"On the snowy night of January 11. 1907, a mass meeting was held in
the courtroom to plan for a free public library. Aliss Alice Tyler, secretary
of the hnva state library commission, gave a talk on "Public Libraries and
the Practicability of Procuring a Library for Sac City." Professor Garrett,
superintendent of the public schools, presided. At the close of the talk com-
mittees were appointed to draft a constitution, secure members, and to solicit
funds. The committee on constitution, composed of Professor Garrett,
G. W. Lee and S. M. Stouffer, conferred and recommended a constitution
adapting the requirements of the state library law to the needs of towns
without maintenance tax. This was used until the town had such a tax.
Miss Tyler ])rought with her a case of fifty books from the state traveling
library and left them for three months and thus the library was started.
"In February a meeting was held at which it was found there had been
one hundred and forty-six members secured, each paying one dollar a year
membership fee. From this number a board of nine trustees was selected,
as follows: Dr. B. P. Blackstone, J. H. Tait. Ed Welch. Jr., G. W. Lee,
E. L. Ahrens, Mesdames Z. Fuller. E. N. Bailey. F. \V. Loring and Miss
Nellie Banes. The personnel of the board has changed but little, thus giving
continuitv and uniformity to the work. Dr. Blackstone was the first presi-
dent; Mrs. Loring, vice-president; E. L. Ahrens. treasurer, and Miss Xellie
Banes, secretary.
"The council room, in the new city hall, was secured for the library, the
city furnishing the light. From the beginning it has been open two after-
noons and evenings, each week. and. for awhile, two hours each Sunday
afternoon. Seven young ladies ha\e served as librarians and much credit
should be given them for their interest and faithfulness. They are ]\Iisses
E\a Mich. Xellie Banes, ^lary I'uller. Clare Persons. Pearl Ahrens, Xan
Denman and lila Ahrens.
"The annual reports show the steatly increase in interest w hich the move-
ment had from the beginning.
"The first annual repiirt. made March 4. 1908, shows the library associa-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 279
tion now owns eight hundred books, has two hundred and fifty borrowers
and has received $307.19, expended $233.06, leaving a balance of $74.13 in
the treasury. Plans were made at this meeting to raise a fund of $1,000
and $403 were subscribed.
"Second Annual Report. — This shows that on March i, 1909, the num-
ber of volumes owned by the association, 710; number of books added during
the year 450; books loaned, 2,600; expenditures, $308.41. Dr. Blackstone
having removed from town, W. J. Dixon was elected to fill the vacancy.
"Third Annual iveport, March 2, 1910: Number of \olumes, 861;
number of borrowers, 580; number of books donated, 25; number of books
bought, 124; number of books loaned, 4.076; number of magazines taken,
4; number of books niended, 40; expenditures for the year, $210.85. Miss
Edna Lyman, of the state lilirary cummission, visited the library and held a
story hour for the different grades in the public school, meeting the people
of the town at night. Story hours for the children were started and con-
ducted by Miss Pearl Ahrens. These proved very helpful and gave the chil-
dren a taste for the best literature. Later Mrs. J. Irving Brown gave the
story hours in the high schcjol building, calling the attention of the students
to the best present-day fiction.
"Annual Report for 1911 : Number of volumes in library, 1.130; num-
ber added during the year, 168; total circulation during the year, 6,385;
largest daily circulation, 122; smallest daily circulation, 21; average, 64; per
centage of children's books circulated, 51 5/6; of adults, 8 1/6; number
books rebound, 3; number books repaired, 165: number of newspapers and
magazines, 8; number of borrowers' cards in full force, 700; number of days
open during the year, 100; number of hours open each week, 10; fourteen
story hours were held.
"Movement For Maintenance Tax. — Steps were taken in 1909 to secure
a Carnegie library building and a proposition was submitted to the people
of the town to secure a library maintenance tax. This proposition was de-
feated at an election held March 29, 1909.
"January, 1910, plans were again made to secure this maintenance tax
and a campaign started. Intelligent interest grew and when the president,
\\'. J. Dixon, appeared before the council submitting the following resolu-
tion the council unanimously adopted it ; the councilmen at the time were
J. H. Stoner, M. M. Heptonstall, C. A. Schulte, A. T. Brownell and Ira
Conger, with Dr. W. H. Townsend, mayor. The resolution read : 'Be it
resolved by the city council of Sac City. Iowa, that a special election be called,
28o SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
the same to be held on the 12th day of July, A. D. 19 10, for the purpose of
submitting to the qualified \oters of the incorporated city of Sac City, Iowa,
the proposition of providing and maintaining a free public lilirary in the city
of Sac City, Iowa; that a tax not to exceed thi-ee mills on the dollar of the
assessable property of the incorporated city of Sac City, Iowa, be levied fo-r
the maintenance of said library; that notice of the election be published in
the Sac Sun and the Sac County Bulletin: and that the requirements and con-
ditions of Andrew Carnegie be complied with in accepting his donations for
such purposes in establishing a free public library, the said city of Sac City
guaranteeing for the maintenance of said library the sum of eight hundred
dollars per year.'
"This special election resulted in a vote of three hundred and forty-nine
for and one hundred and sixty-four against, and Sac City had a public
library maintained by the people and for the people.
'■'At a council meeting held July 28, 1910, the following trustees were
appointed as the board : W. J. Dixon, Mrs. F. W. Loring, E. L. Ahrens. Miss
Nellie Banes. Orville Lee, E. N. Bailey, G. W. Lee, Ira Conger, and Mrs.
Z. Fuller. The following officers were elected : President, W. J. Dixon ;
vice-president, Mrs. F. W. Loring; secretary. Miss Nellie Banes; treasurer,
E. L. Ahrens.
"Correspondence was resumed with Andrew Carnegie and a committee
was appointed to secure a lot for the library building.
"In January, igii. Mr. Carnegie gave to Sac City the promise of the
sum of eight thousand dollars for a building. The site selected was that
known as the old schoolhouse lots, being as follows : Commencing sixty-
four feet west of the northeast corner of block 17, original town of Sac
City, thence south one hundred and thirty-two feet, thence west one hundred
and twenty feet, thence north one hundred and thirty-two feet to the place
of beginning: being lot No. 2 and parts of lots i and 3 and the alley between
lots 2 and 3 in said block 17, original town of Sac City, Iowa, Sac county,
Iowa.
"W. J. Dixon, E. N. Bailey and Mrs. Loring were made the building
committee. Miss Alice Tyler, of the state library commission, met with the
board and gave a talk on the requirements and needs of a librarv building.
Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson, of Des Moines, Iowa, were chosen as architects
for the building. After submitting three plans to Mr. Carnegie and making
the changes he desired, plans were accepted and work commenced in the
spring of 1912, W. J. Gordon being the contractor. Owing to pressure of
A CITY OF GOOD STREKTS AXD SUBSTANTIAL BUILIMNGS
THE CANNING INDUSTRY, SAC CITY
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 281
outside business, Air. Dixon asked to be released from the building committee
and Air. Ira Conger took his place. D. E. Hallett kindly assuming the super-
intendenc)' of the building. July r, 1912, the corner stone was laid with the
following program : Prayer, Rev. R. L. Barackman ; music ; laying the
corner stone; address. ''Corner Stones," Rev. J. Irving Brown; music; bene-
diction. Rev. Henry B. Burns.
"From the children of the town has come the greatest inspiration and
for them, for all the peoeple and for future generations, the board of trustees
has sought to meet the needs of the times, to anticipate the needs of the future
and to uplift for all time, through the best literature, not only this com-
munity, but the communities which shall be touched by the citizens of this
town."
In January, 1914. there were in this library one thousand eight hundred
and seventy-five volumes; a list of nineteen magazines and two daily and two
weekly newspapers taken. The present librarian is Nan Denman.
REMEMBERING WASHINGTON.
The centennial of the inauguration of President George Washington
was observed in Sac City, April 30, 1889, when a fine programme was had
and in which the following made addresses: Judge Eugene Criss spoke of
Washington from his childhood on down through his surveying experiences,
and his military career. He was followed by J. E. Robbins, J. H. Tait, A.
B. Mason, Hon. D. J. McDaid and W. H. Hart. At sunrise there was fired
the salute of thirteen guns, representing the thirteen original states. The
bells of the town rung out clear and musical at nine o'clock in the morning.
POSTOFFICE HISTORY.
The postoffice at Sac City was established in 1857. It was on the old
stage coach line from Fort Dodge to Sioux City. Before its establishment
mail was brought by individuals who were hired here and sent to Fort Dodge
and given twenty-five cents a letter or newspaper brcxight back here to the
little settlement. The advent of the stage was indeed a great event in the
history of Sac county. Sac City had a stage station kept by pioneer Eugene
Criss, who also kept travelers and homeseekers. His log house and spacious
barn were ever open to guests and many a night, relates the ^■enerable old
Mrs. Criss, still surviving aged about ninety years, her husband used to be
called up later than midnight, by weary teamsters and travelers who knew
282 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
full well that here they might find rest for themselves and their beasts. She
remarks that "\^'e always found room for one more."
Sac City is now a second class postoffice, made so July i, 1909, eight
mails being rccei\'ed and eight dispatched daily. The free rural delivery
routes now number six. The amount of savings deposits have so far only
reached two hundred and six dollars. The amount of business transacted
during the year ending November 30, 1913, was $9,992.03. This is exclu-
sive of money order transactions.
The postoflice has been housed in its present cjuarters for twenty years.
So far as now remembered, this postoffice has ne\'er had a loss by defalcation,
fire or robbery.
The present force in the office includes postmaster Charles L. Early, his
assistant postmaster, just nominated l:)ut not approved at this date ; Fred C.
Davis, first clerk: David W. Cafferty. carrier rural delivery No. i ; Sanford
R. Bodwell, No. 2 ; Claude B. Keir, No. 3 ; Lee Tiberghien, No. 4 ; Charles
\V. Hurst, Xo. 5 ; and James W. Cafferty, No. 6.
It is believed that the great lack of boxes in this postoffice, at this date,
is due to the fact that the government proposes to ere long establish a free
city delivery in Sac City.
The following have served as postmasters at Sac City since the estab-
lishment of the office fifty-six years ago: Andrew J. Taylor, October 24,
1857; William Todd, from April 9, 1859, to May 7, 1867, when D. C. Early
commenced his duties and served till December 30. 1868. and was succeeded
by A. H. Hendrickson. who held the office to March i, 1871, and was fol-
lowed by J. E. Armstrong, and he was followed February 2, 1876, by R. H.
Lamoreaux, who held the position till J. H. James was commissioned,
December 2, 1886, serving till James N. Miller took the office, Januarv 20,
1890, ser\'ing until J. W. Carrison's apiiointment, December 20, 1892, he
serving until November 4, 1893, and was succeeded by James L. Comstock,
and he in turn was followed November 5, 1897. by J. W. Wilson, who held
the office till the present incumbent, Charles L. Early, was commissioned,
l'"ebrurir\- 5, 1906, under President Roosevelt.
The a\erage term has been for the whole period here in Sac City, four
years and eight months. R. H. Lamoreaux having held the office the longest
period, ten years, from h'ebruary 2, 1876, to December 2, 1886.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 283
CIJAUTAUOUA ASSOCIATION.
The Sac City Chautauqua .Association was organized in the month of
Decenihcr, i()04, at a pul)hc meeting assembled for that purpose. It was
thought to lie in time for holding a course of lectures in 1905. which was
carried out. Tiie first committee appointed to perfect the organization con-
sisted of these gentlemen : Prof. G. W. Lee, S. M. Elwood, Dr. W. J. Find-
ley, S. M. Stouffer, Dr. J. H. .Stalfurd and W. J. Di.xon. The same month
a stock association was formed of about nne hundred and twenty members
or shareholders, who under the terms of the rules and incorporation specifi-
cations were to have shares of ten dollars each and the assessment on same to
keep up the association should in no case i)e allowed to exceed the price paid
for such share in the association. The corporation was perfected by the elec-
tion of its nine directors as follows: W. J. Dixon, F. E. Gordon, Dr. W. J.
I-'indlev, Fred R. Stearns, Dr. Z. Fuller. Frank R. Brownell,' Rev. Walter
Tobert, G. W. Lee, Frank W. Loring and its ofiicers were chosen as follows:
^V. J. Dixon, president; F. E. Gordon, vice-president: Dr. W. J. Findley,
secretary : Fred R. Stearns, treasurer.
The institution was formed not with a \iew of making any j^rofit, but
simply to secure high class entertainment in the way of i)ul)lic lectures, etc.,
which should be forever void of the cheap and demoralizing tendencies in
lecture platform work. The first active work was when Dr. Findley and
Frank R. Brownell went about soliciting subscriptions for the hundred and
twentv shares taken, which was all soon accomplished. The real date of
perfecting the association's organization was December 21, 1904.
In the spring of 1908 an auditorium was erected, just at the west
entrance of the fair grounds, on the east bank of the Coon river. It is
ninety-eight b_\' one hundred and twenty feet, with an octagonal front. It
required eighty thousand feet of lumber, one hundred and twenty squares of
roofing material and a ton of nails to construct it. Its cost was three thou-
sand four hundred and seventy-five dollars. Hon. Phil Schaller, now de-
ceased, donated a handsome L^nited States flag which each season adorns the
dome of this building, which is nestled in among tlie native trees along the
waters of the Coon. They now own eleven acres along the Coon ri\'er front
— a natural park — and have expended about seven thousand dollars and
only owe a thousand dollars at this date, or thereabouts. The officers for
1914 are: F. E. Gordon, president; Otto Pfaff, secretary; George B.
Perkins, treasurer.
284 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
The remainder of the board of directors are as follows: Dr. W. J.
Findley, who was secretary for years, F. H. Cobnrn. Orville Lee. W. J-
Dixon, C. C. Jameson and Dr. Z. Fuller.
FARMERS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.
The first meeting of the Sac County Farmers Mutual Insurance Associa-
tion was held in June. 1875. at the county auditor's office. The first officers
elected were: Phil Schaller. president: H. A. Pierce, vice-president; Joseph
Dobson. secretary; James Taylor, treasurer. A board of directors was
selected from the townships, sixteen in all, one being a resident of each ci\il
township in the count}'. The company insures against loss by reason of fire
and lightning, on all farm property, — real estate and stock, — but no town
risks are taken. The following have served as secretaries: Joseph Dobson,
James N. Miller, Elwood Tatum, Walter Rutledge, F. E. Gordon, from
1893 to Januar^• 20, 1914; F. H. Colburn. who is still serving as the secretary.
The present ( 191.4) officers are: R. ]\I. Long, president; L. E. Irwin, vice-
president; F. A. Colburn, secretary; J. Y. Campfield, treasurer. The 1914
board of directors are as follows: C. A. Drewry, D. McTigue, F. E. Smith.
George W. Gould, John Hailing. A. Mason, E. A. Walrod, W. W. Rhoades,
E. L. Ahrens, Ed. Williams, C. L. Wade. S. E. Peck, L. P. Lowr>-, William
Nutzman, Charles Hechtner. W. F. Charles.
This is purely a mutual compain^ and there have been written, since the
company was formed almost forty years ago, 9,258 policies. In September,
1913, there was in force insurance to the amount of $3,857,806. The losses
paid from September, 1912, to 1913 amounted to $6,099.88. Property is only
insured to the amount of $2,000. Two-thirds of the supposed value of the
property may be included in the risk taken. The average cost, for the last
five years, has been $1.74 per thousand dollars. In 1913 it ran as low as
$1.22 per thousand. The annual avreage cost, in the last twenty-six years
history of the company, has been only $1.83 per thousand dollars worth of
property insured. There have been only twenty-eight assessments made on
the policy holders since the establishment of the company, and the total
amount in mills paid has been forty-seven and three-quarters. This company
has always stood the inspection and test of the state insurance department,
and today stands high among the "mutuals" of Iowa. No chance for litiga-
tion, as a board of adjusters and arbitrators obviate law suits. The only ex-
pense is the running of the secretary's office and advertising. The farmers
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 285
get the benefit of all there may be in the company. The main office has
always been at Sac City, save for a few months when the secretary resided
at a side town. About four thousand dollars is now on hand in the treasury,
and this will pay losses until it liecomes necessary to assess the policy holders
again.
THE GOOD TIME CLUB.
Concerning club life in Sac City, the following has been written especially
for this work by Mrs. Robert Engelhardt :
It was the social instinct in mankind which no doubt led to the organ-
ization of the Country Club, north of Sac Cit}', officially knciwn as the Good
Time Club. The upward tendency of prices of farm lands had resulted in
frequent changes in the personnel of the community and the old-time
sociability of pioneer life was on the ebb, not because the early residents were
less social or that the new comers were unsocial, but the natural unrest of a
community during the alluring speculative period of rapidly rising values in
farm lands and consequently frequent changes of ownership was being felt.
The people seemed dependent largely on their affiliation with church and
lodge life in the town for their social activities, there being no neighborhood
social center where they might meet and become better acquainted.
Believing that the interests of farm life are best served by the fostering
of rural centers, four families who had been drawn together by common
interests met at the house of Robert Engelhardt, in November, 1906, and
decided to see what could be done toward the organization of a rural club.
It was agreed that each family represented should invite one family to attend
a meeting two weeks from that time to complete the organization. Accord-
ingly, the families of A. F. Winkler. C. J- Hays, H. F. Purdom and Robert
Engelhardt, together with the invited families of S. F. Brown, \V. T. High-
land, J. D. Eble and John Daves, met at the house of H. F. Purdom and the
Good Time Club was officially launched, with A. F. Winkler as president;
H. F. Purdom. vice-president, and Mrs. Robert Engelhardt as secretary and
treasurer. A simple constitution covering the needs of the club was adopted.
The meetings are held in rotation at the homes of the members, every two
weeks on Friday evening during the winter months and e\ery four weeks
in the summer months. An unwritten law of the club prevents any one
occupying the position of president the second time until each family shall
have been represented in that official capacity. The elections are held an-
nually, the last meeting in November. The memljership is limited to fifteen
286 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
families and niembershi]) in the clul) is upon in\itation after a majority \'Ote
and its i)opularity is attested by the fact that the membersliip is at ah times
full.
.\Ith(iugh tlie social feature was predominant in bringing the club into
existence, the constitution lays ei|ual emphasis on the cultural. As the mem-
bership includes the whole family, the programs are varied, consisting of
recitations, dialogues by the children, readings, papers, descriptive talks and
music by the young men and woinen, to which is added like features by the
parents, in addition to discussion of current exents, legislative, local, state
and national, afifecting the interests of the farmer: various phases of farm
life, crops, tools, live stock, also matters of interest to the home, school and
community. The programs are arranged in advance by a committee ap-
pointed ])}■ the president.
There are no dues, but when money is needed an assessment is made to
cover all requirements. Nor is the material life neglected for each meeting,
for a lunch is served after the program is completed.
The menu is arranged by a committee, of which the hostess is always
a member. The club is divided into two sections, which alternate in helping
the hostess prepare the lunch, each member being asked to bring one article
which the committee select. The evenings are enlivened by games and social
conversation. The good fellowship which characterizes the meetings of the
club is perhaps the secret of its continued existence. While the membership
is limited, the hostess has the privilege of inviting guests, so that during the
year many families are brought in contact with the club. The club has had
numerous play times, such as picnics, fishing parties, mask parties, a George
Washington costume evening, Valentine and St. Patrick parties and programs,
partaking of the various holidays of the 3-ear. The present members are the
families of : A. F. Wankler, C. J. Hays, Robert Engelhart, F. S. Brown,
W. T. Highland, J. D. Eble, James Corsant, David Corsant, Theodore Huser,
Mrs. George Smith, Clarence Brown, C. W' . Highland, Charles Topley, Perry
Hoskens and Elmer Cox, with Charles Topley as president ; C. J. Hays, vice-
president, and Mrs. James Corsant, secretary and treasurer.
CHAPTER XIX.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST.
This chapter contains numerous items of general interest whicli of tliem-
selves were not of sufficient length to form separate chapters, hut which are
replete with more than ordinary interest. Here will he found the county's
weather record, population, oil and mica excitement, accidents by cyclones,
drowning, etc., market prices at various dates, days of mourning, farm names,
village plats of the county, blizzards and early day prairie fires, and many
other interesting topics.
P0PUL.\TI0N OF COUNTY.
The various census reports, federal and state, give Sac county the fol-
lowing population: In 1856, it had 251 : in 1865, it had 304; in 1870. it had
1,410; in 1875, it had 2,873: in 1880, it had 8,774; in 1885, it had 12,741;
in 1890, it had 14,122; in 1895, it had 15,868; in 1900 it had reached i7,62'8
and in 1905 it had a population of 17,062. The census of 1910 gave it
17,689.
The following shows the number of voters, aliens and those subject to
military duty at different periods in the history of the county :
In 1856 there were 67 voters, no aliens and 54 subject to militia: in
1865 there were y^ voters, and 44 subject to military duty; in 1870 there were
386 voters; in 1875, ^75 voters, 17 aliens and 472 subject td military duty.
The Iowa state census reports for 1875 gave Sac county the following:
Townships. Population. Born in Iowa. Born in U. S. Voters.
Boyer township 234 56 167 62
Clinton township 155 47 97 33
Douglas township 386 103 198 82
Eden township 173 73 59 40
Jackson township 811 255 511 212
Levey township 297 79 150 55
Sac township 473 125 256 104
Wall Lake township 344 109 213 69
Total 2,873 847 1.641 657
288 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
The state census reports for 1875 give the subjoined concerning the
improvements and products of the ci mnt)- in that year :
Acres
Impro\ed Land. Unnnproved. Cultivated.
Boyer township 4. 5 11 4,873 2,703
Ginton township 1,571 3-96o 393
Douglas township 4,587 6,515 3,847
Eden township 3,142 4,702 2,179
Jackson township 7,998 1 1.4 18 6,712
Levey township 3,875 9,269 2,318
Sac township 2,953 3'740 3.587
Wall Lake township 2,899 2,624 2,440
Total 31.336 47,201 24.179
In 1874 there were 11,056 acres of spring wheat in Sac county, and
it produced 1 10,094 bushels, or an average of not quite eleven bushels.
During the same year there was only raised ten bushels of winter wheat
and that was grown in Jackson township. At that day it was not thought
possible to successfully raise winter wheat in this part of Iowa.
UNITED STATES CENSUS, I9IO.
Boyer Valley Township (including town of Early) i,i73
Early 500
Cedar Township 817
Clinton Township 591
Cook Township 635
Coon Valley Township ' 723
Delaware Township 652
Douglas Township 558
Eden Township 518
Eureka Township (including town of Schaller) 1,166
Schaller 646
Jackson Township (including City) 2,785
Sac City 2,201
Levey Township (and part of Wall Lake) 1,064
Town 561
Richland Township and Odebolt 1,879
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 289
Town of Odebolt 1,283
Sac Township and Auburn and Grant City 1,225
Auburn 399
Grant City 162
\'iola Township and part of Wall Lake 929
Wall Lake Township (including Lake \'iew) 1,209
Town of Lake \'iew 514
Wheeler Township 631
Total 16,555
VILLAGE PLATS.
According to the plat books in the court house at Sac City, the following
is a complete list of all towns and \illages platted in Sac county. This refers
only to the original plattings and not to later additions and subdi\isions of
land :
Sac City, platted July 3. 1855, on a part of the west half of section 24,
township 88, range 36. Platted by surveyor John F. Duncombe, of Ft.
Dodge, Iowa, for proprietors Eugene Criss, W. S. Wagoner, Henry A. Evans
and Joseph Gammon.
New Albany, platted May 16, 1857, on the northeast quarter of section
I, township 87, range 36, by A. L Kain, Joseph W^illiams, surveyor. A pub-
lic square was laid in the center of the platting.
Grant City, platted on section 11, township 86, range 35. A stone
planted in each street. Platted by Joseph Williams and Nathan Condron.
Wall Lake, platted August 2, 1877, on the east half of the southeast
quarter of section 12, township 86, range ^y. by the Blair Town Lot and Land
Company. (Wall Lake City had been platted in March, 1857.)
Odebolt, platted August 22, 1877, o" the sOuth half of the southeast
quarter of section 2/. and the north half of the southeast quarter of section
34. township 87, range 38, by the Blair Town Lot and Land Company.
Lake View, platted as "Fletcher," by J. C. Fletcher, January 10, 1881,
on the west half of the northwest quarter of section ;^^. township 87,
range 36.
Wall Lake City v.^as platted on the north half of section 34, township 87,
range 36, March 21, 1857, by Guy, Beck and Wagoner, certified by County
Judge S. L. Watt.
(18)
290 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Lake Park, platted May 23, 1892, on the east half of section 33, town-
ship 8/. range 36, by the Lake \^iew Improvement Company, Phil Schaller,
president.
Xemaha. platted October 2, 1899, by the Milwaukee Land Company
(Ry. ), on section 22, township 89, range 36.
Lytton, platted October 3, 1899, on section 24, township 88, range 35,
by the Milwaukee Land Company (Ry. ).
Schaller. platted October 4, 1882, on the northeast of section 26, town-
ship 89, range 38, by the Blair Town Lot and Land Company.
Early, platted on the southeast of section 4, township 88, range 37, by
the Blair Town Lot and Land Company, October 4, 1882.
Carnarvon, platted October 24, 1881, on the southwest quarter of the
southeast quarter of section 15, township 86, range 36, by George W. Pitcher.
Auburn, platted July 31, 1886, by the Western Town Lot Company
(Northwest railway), on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 23,
township 86, range 35, and on the west half of the northwest quarter of
section 24 of the same township and range.
Herring, platted on January 24, 1899, by the Chicago & Northwestern
railroad (Western Town Lot Company), on section 28, township 86, range -i^j.
Ulmer, platted on the line of the Illinois Central railroad, on the south
half of the southwest quarter of section 8, township 86, range 35, November
21, 1900, by Carrie and T. W. Martin.
Leota. platted on the loth of April, 1900, by John W. Ridler and wife,
on section 15, township 86, range 36.
"Southport" was laid ofif as a town, but never platted legally. It was
situated on what later was the J. O. Piatt farm, in Wall Lake township, on the
■east side of the road, leading from Grant City to Sac City. It was one of
the earliest on the maps showing Sac county, Iowa. It is unknown to nearly
all today.
INCORPORATED TOWNS.
The subjoined gives a list of the present incorporated towns and cities
of Sac county, together with their population and name of the postoffice
(population taken from the 1910 census reports) :
Schaller, situated in Eureka township, population, 661.
Early, situated in Boyer Valley township, population, 579.
Lake View, in Wall Lake township, population, 591.
Wall Lake, situated in Levey and Viola townships, population, 659.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. , 2gi
Odebolt, situated in Richland township, population, 1,432.
Auburn, situated in Sac township, population, 293.
Grant City, situated in Sac township, population, 249.
Sac City, situated in Jackson township, population, 2,079.
Lytton, situated in Cedar township, population, 100.
The towns were named as follows : Grant City, after President Grant ;
Odeljolt, for a creek of that name near by; Carnarvon, for a town of that
name in \Vales, the birthplace of Division Superintendent Hughes of the
Northwestern Railroad Company ; Herring, for John Herring, who owned
a part of the town site ; Early, for Judge Early : Schaller, for Phil Schaller ;
Lytton, for Lord Lytton, author and statesman ; Nemaha, after the Indian
name ; Sac City, for the Indian tribe and township ; Wall Lake for that sheet
of water ; Lake View from frontage on the same lake.
LOCAL MARKET PRICES.
The subjoined is a list of several of the staple articles and the prices
at which they sold in Sac county at different dates in the county's history :
1 87 1 — The paper then just established gave the prices as follows : Best
calico, twelve and one-half cents per yard; best Imperial tea, $1.75 per pound;
Young Hyson tea, eighty cents per pound ; "Coffee A" sugar, six pounds per
dollar; white sugar, five pounds per dollar; Reio cofifee, four and one-half
pounds per dollar; the Sac Sim then charged $2.00 per year subscription.
1873, in the month of March: Wheat, 88 cents; corn, 35 cents; oats,
T,^ cents; flax seed, $1.00 per bushel; butter, per pound, 17 cents; eggs, per
dozen, 12 cents; hogs per hundred weight, $5.75 ; cattle, $5.00; salt per barrel,
$4.50.
1880, in the month of August: Butter, 12 cents per pound; eggs, 8 cents
per dozen ; potatoes, 25 cents per bushel ; flour, $3.00 per hundredweight ;
wheat, 60 cents per bushel ; oats, 15 cents ; corn, 19 cents.
March, 1914: Wheat, 85 cents; corn, 60 cents; potatoes, $1.00; butter,
28 cents; eggs, 21 cents; salt, per barrel, $1.55; flour, per hundred, $2.80;
lard, 16 cents; nails, per pound, 3 cents; bleached muslin, 9 to 15 cents;
calico, 5 to 7 cents; white sugar, twenty pounds per dollar; coffee, 28 to 35
cents; tea, from 40 to 10 cents; hogs (live), $6.75; cattle, $7.50 to $9.00 per
hundredweight.
^92 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
THE NOTORIOUS JAMES BROTHERS AT SAC CITY.
In tlie sixties, seventies and eighties the country was more or less dis-
turbed by the depredatiDus, theft, robliery and murders committed by a large
number of outlaws, from Missouri and Kansas, which included the famous
James Ijoys — Frank and Jesse — the Youngers and the Bender families, whose
principal work was confined to Missouri and Kansas. Inil in the sexenties
they made an extended raid as far north as Northfield, Minnesota, at which
place occurred what has since been commonly referred to as the "Northfield
Bank Robbery." These famous outlaws were the result of bad blood
engendered at the time of the Ci\il War, and they were taking revenge on
innocent persons on account of real or fancied wrongs committed against
their fathers and mothers who held to Southern sympathies.
The following which appeared in the RockwoocI ( Pennsyhania)
Gazette, in 1904, was written by its editor, who, in the seventies, was a
"printer's devil" at Sac City, then a small \illage in Sac county, Iowa, at
which place the James boys halted for a drink on their retreat from the north
to their liome in the Kansas City country, although at the time they were not
recognized by the citizens of Sac City.
C. F. Overacker, the printer referred to, says : "One bright summer
morning while pumping a pail of water at a well in an unfrecpiented part of
the hamlet of Sac City, near the office of the Sac Sun. two unkempt, unshorn
and not altogether fierceless looking men on saddleless horses, steaming with
perspiration, rode to the well and with ugly oaths demanded of the Ixjv his
bucket to water their horses, when the saucy little imp winked the other eye
and, boy fashion, started on his duty. Just then he heard the report of a
gun and an unfamiliar hissing of a flying leaden missile close by; yet he walked
on. but when the second report came and a ball tore through the rim of his
wheat straw hat, he stopped short and not only turned over the pail, but lost
no time in getting to the pump and working that lever for all it was worth
until the innocent, faithful beasts and cruel, savage men were satisfied. In
dismounting one of the men appeared crippled and in great pain, and he
cursed with awful oaths. He rolled up his pantaloons and exhibited a badly
swollen limb, which he bathed in the cold water. Before mounting their
horses for departure, one of the men handed the lad a twentv-five cent scrip —
for that was prior to specie payment and there was not yet any small silver
money — and requested him to say nothing, which injunction was kept for
twenty minutes. J. N. Miller, editor of the Sac Sun at that time, formerly
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 293
lived in Wavnesburg, Pennsylvania, where his brother, the late Dr. A. B.
Miller, was the president of the Wavnesburg College. Jim Aliller was the
stiffest-necked Cumberland Presbyterian that we ever knew, and the milk of
human kindness was cold in his unemotional breast, so when the boy opened
out with his story, Jim cut him short with a sarcastic Presbyterian grunt.
which completely crushed the little lad. News then traveled slower than it
does today, but a day or two later the daily papers came out with full reports
of the great Northfield robbery, in Minnesota, telling of the capture of the
Younger boys, and of the escape of the James boys on two white horses taken
from a farmer in northern Iowa. Then the "printer's devil" was a lion
among Sac City gamins for sixty days. The James boys were never captured,
but ten years later than this event Bob Ford assassinated, in a most cowardh'
manner, in his home at Kansas City, Jesse James and received the large re-
ward offered for his capture "dead or alive," by the governor of Missouri.
Jesse was the lame man the bov had seen at the Sac City w ell where he was
compelled to minister to the desperado's wants. Frank James is still li\ing."
OIL AND MICA EXCITEMENT.
Quite an excitement prevailed in Sac county, especially in and near Grant
City, in the nineties, when by accident there was discovered good indications
that underlying that town there nu'ght be a pa_\-ing quantity of both coal and
oil, as well as a workable strata of mica. ]\lrs. Flora Atkins and her friend.
a lady from Indiana, were on the banks of Coon river, near Grant City, fish-
ing, and some little boys were running about and playing. The boys built a
fire and were frying frogs near by when it was found that thev were able to
make a considerable fire by simply lighting what seemed to be black mud.
The women asked the cause and were told that they could easily set fire to the
mud, so the ladies began to investigate for themselves and it was sc?on learned
that crude oil was filtering through the soil near the river and this set Mrs.
Atkins to thinking about riches in an unexplored oil and coal field. She kept
this a secret for about six years, when she finally let some into her secret and,
after making several discoveries, set about leasing the mineral rights, until
she had leased thousands of acres in the \icinity of Grant City. She had the
minerals tested at various places and finally succeeded in getting parties in
Des Moines interested, including state officer George Dobson. A company
was formed, wells and shafts were sunk and considerable work done. These
explorations were mostly on the Louis Lee farm. Representatives of the
294 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Standard Oil Company were out and were much interested in the outcome
and made Hberal offers, it is said. Samples were sent to Cleveland and other
points. A thirty-three-inch vein of coal was also found there, as well as
pockets of fairly transparent mica, but it appears that upon working none of
these minerals were found to be in sufficient quantities to work.
A little later, prospecting for coal and oil was carried on near Sac City,
but all ended about the same way. Home capital was much interested and
high hopes were at one time entertained of this agricultural county also be-
coming famous as a coal and oil district.
CYCLONE DAYS.
At the time of the great Pomeroy cyclone, July 6, 1893, Sac county was
touched by the same electric wind storm and much property destroyed, but
no lives reported lost. The Early Nezus said of the storm in this county :
"Barns, granaries, outbuildings, machine house of James Keck were all
demolished. The Congregational church near Keek's was torn to splinters
and the church organ and furniture destroyed. O. V. Jensen's farm in Cook
township was struck and his granary was removed several rods. John
Whetstine's farm was struck, every building on the farm swept clean away
and several animals killed; the family went to a cellar and were thus saved.
Loss, three thousand dollars. Fred Stephens' barn and other buildings were
demolished, stock killed and many thousand dollars lost. The territory
covered by t'ne storm in this county was about four miles square. It hailed
and blew terribly."
DROWNED AT WALL LAKE.
On May 23, 1893, while out fishing, a party of four, Robert and Bert
Cory, the nephew, George Burgess, and Samuel Carson, were unfortunate.
Upon having secured a good lot of fish they concluded to return to shore.
The wind and rough water made it bad navigating the little sailing boat in
wliich ihey had been fishing. Upon launching out to return, Carson slipped
in the lake and, being cold and wet, concluded to walk home and knew not of
the ill fate of the other three until the following morning when they had not
returned. A party of searchers were sent out forthwith, and continued to
search for two days, and finally found the bodies of Bert and Robert Cory,
but George Burgess was not discovered until Monday following. It was a
sad blow to the several families who were represented by the three drowned
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 295
men. This appears to have been the second case of drowning at Lake View
in the history of the settlement.
In the month of June, about the 24th, 1907, occurred a terrible cyclone,
originating in Boyer Valley township, at three o'clock in the afternoon. The
farms injured most were those belonging to P. G. Weitzel and Thomas Han-
son. This storm formed on the farm of N. Neilson in the northwest quarter
of section 30, of Boyer Valley township. There were no lives lost among
the settlers, but many animals killed.
TEMPERANCE SENTIMENTS.
Upon the assassination of Rev. George C. Haddock at Sioux City, in the
summer of 1886, by the lawless saloon element of that city, there was held an
indignation meeting at Sac City, in which the better element passed resolu-
tions as follows :
"Whereas, according to the best evidence the death of Rev. George C.
Haddock, of Sioux City, was the result of a deliberate conspiracy by saloon
keepers of that city, to thus stop the enforcement of the prohibition law;
therefore the people of Sac City, in mass meeting assembled, declare that this
murder meets with our condemnation. It shows a spirit of lawlessness that
is inimical to the spirit and Ix-st interests of the great state, the government
and the home. It reveals the disreputable character of the men engaged in
the liquor business : they are outlaws with whom the only proper way to deal
is by the strong arm of the law, backed by the power of the state.
"That we are more than ever in favor of the total prohibition of the rum
power; and to this cause we pledge our eternal fidelity; and for the enforce-
ment of the laws we offer our hearty co-operation in every legitimate manner,
even counting not our lives dear to us for the keeping good the honor of the
state. That while the authorities of Sioux City are now using all endeavors
to bring the guilty ones to justice, they should remember that their former
toleration of the saloons of that city and the acquiescence of many of the
leading citizens of the place, emlioldened these assassins and led them to
commit this unprovoked and dastardly crime. The only safety for Sioux
City, as well as all cities in Iowa, is to fight the saloon to the death.
"We endorse the action of the state authorities in offering a reward for
the detection of the murderers, and we stand ready to back them in using the
power of the state, whenever and wherever needs be, to enforce the laws now
on our statute books. And in this work all good citizens, regardless of party
affihations, should join.
296 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
"We tender the sincerest sympathies to the family of him who gave his
life as a sacrifice to the cause of temperance and the enforcement of law, and
we ask them to accept this accompanying gift as a slight testimonial of our
feelings."
At the above meeting short speeches were made by C. E. Lane, Judge
Early, Judge Criss, Levi Davis, Mr. Carter and editor J. N. Miller.
Sac county was early in the field of temperance work, as will be seen by
an item in the local papers furnished in more recent years, by an old pioneer
minister named Barnes, who was a circuit rider in northwestern Iowa in the
latter part of the fifties (about 1858), in which he tells of the crusade work
performed by his wife and Sac City ladies long before the work of Carrie
Nation and Francis Willard had been thought of. It was on the occasion
of one of the first, probably the very first, county fairs held here. A man
came over from old Boonesboro (now Boone) and opened up a wagon con-
taining whisky to sell to those who might come into the pioneer fair. He was
doing quite a liquor business, although it was against the state laws. The
winter before there had been a rousing religious revival and the ladies had
been interested in the temperance movement, hence were now ready to strike
a blow at this sort of law-breaking. A meeting was hurriedly called and the
preacher's wife, though her husband was out on his circuit, concluded she
would lead the crusade. Among the ladies to support her were Mrs. Eugene
Criss and daughter, Mrs. Metcalf, Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. IMcFarland. Miss
Criss, then a young vigorous woman, was appointed as one of the "ax-
women." The unlawful liquor seller had gone to water his team and left ex-
posed to view his liquor barrels. The women attacked his barrels and spilled
the "spirits" on the ground. They were soon met by a party of the vendor's
friends and a vigorous contest followed, but the ladies accomplished their
purpose and quietly retired. The disgusted and highly-wrought-up liquor
seller hitched up his team and departed for the east, followed by a wagon
driven by Mr. Metcalf. The ladies all followed on, shouting, waving hand-
kerchiefs and axes as they went forward.
When the grand jury met soon afterward, an attempt was made by a
few whisky sympathizers in the village to have the ladies indicted and Rev.
Barnes, the preacher, had in his possession in 1900 a copy of the proposed
indictment against the crusaders, which was furnished the preacher and his
good wife by Judge D. Carr Early, then clerk of the courts. It was hig'hly
prized, and it goes without saying that but a few on that grand jury voted
to find a "true bill" against the fearless Christian workers.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 297
A FIFTY-YEAR-OLD MORTGAGE.
Singular as it may seem, the first real estate mortgage to be recorded in
Sac county, away back in 1856, was not satisfied legally upon the face of the
record for about a half century. The mortgage was given by William J.
Wagoner, a pioneer, June 23, 1856, to T. J. Stone, later a prominent banker
at Sioux City. It was on the northwest quarter of section 14, township 88,
range 36, and was recorded on page one of book A of mortgages in Sac
county. In 1905, Tait & Jackson, engaged to clear up titles of land in this
county, discovered that this instrument had ne\er been satisfied of record,
though it had been paid when due, nearly fifty years before this discovery
was made. Mr. Wagoner was in 1905 residing in Arkansas. T. J. Stone,
the Sioux City banker, died and his son, Edward Stone, discovered that the
mortgage had been paid and immediately adjusted the records as above stated.
It had been an oversight on the part of that excellent pioneer banker of Sioux
City, the president of the First National Bank of recent vears.
USING PE.VT FOR FUEL.
In 1873 Charles H. Knight, residing three miles north of Sac City, dis-
covered an extensive peat bed, specimens of which were brought to the city
and tested and proved to be the genuine material. The item in the Sun at that
time says : "There are hundreds of acres of land with this material under-
neath the surface. Two or three days' time will produce enough for a
family's supply for the winter. It is just as good as coal, which costs six
dollars a ton at the depot now. Here is a new source of wealth for our
people if they will properly use it."
DAYS OF MOURNING.
At the time of the assassination of President Lincoln there was not a
large population in this county, but everyone mourned the death of Mr.
Lincoln and a memorial service was held in the church.
In 1 88 1, when President James A. Garfield was assassinated, the mayor
in Sac City called the council together and planned for a memorial service to
be held at the court house. The resolutions passed by the town council read
as follows: "Whereas, our people with great unanimity desire to unitedly
express their deep regret at the nation's loss ; therefore, I respectfully recom-
298 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
mend that all places of business in Sac City be closed from i :30 to 4 :oo P. M.
on said day and that the people assemble at the court house at two o'clock
P. M., to participate in memorial services, expressive of our high regard for
the stainless character and eminent services of the illustrious dead.
"By John Alexander,
"Mayor."
A committee prepared the court house for the sad occasion. The
entrance was draped and the flag placed at half-mast. With the assistance
of the ladies the court room was tastily arranged. The judge's stand was
draped in black and resting upon it were several vases of choice flowers.
To the right on the wall was hung a draped picture of Abraham Lincoln;
on the left was a picture of James A. Garfield ; underneath the epigram, "God
reigns and the government lives." Beyond this, opposite the space reserved
for the Masonic fraternity, was an evergreen cross and crown, with the
Knight Templar motto, "In Hoc Signo Vinces."
The court room was packed to overflowing. Rev. Foster spoke of Gar-
field's moral and religious life; James N. Miller, of the Sun, of his life as a
soldier ; Rev. Smylie, on Garfield the statesman : Judge Ed R. Duffie, on be-
half of the Masonic fraternity.
grant's death — 1885.
W'lien the sad news of Gen. U. S. Grant's death was flashed over the
wires to Sac City, in July. 1885, the bells were at once set tolling, conveying
the intelligence to the community. Business houses were soon draped in
heavy mourning. There was not the feeling of horror mingled with sadness
that attended the death of Lincoln and Garfield, but only a quiet grief, tem-
pered by the thought that the old hero had Uxed out his allotted days and
that he was at rest, free from sufi^ering.
Sac City Post No. 284, Grand Army of the Republic, held a special
meeting and prepared for elaborate memorial services, which were held in the
opera house. Re\'. Smylie, of the Methodist Episcopal church, was selected
as the orator of the occasion. At the hall, the post had draped the interior in
a very impressive manner, and were assisted by Mrs. J. M. \\'oodward and
Misses Anna Vogt, Anna and Lizzie Elwood, Blanche Goldsmith and Winnie
Lane. In the center of the stage hung a beautiful floral motto, "His Work is
Done." Beneath this, resting on a chair, was a fine portrait of Grant. In
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 299
front of tlie altar the dag and different emblems greeted the eye. Rev. Carter
offered prayer and read the nineteenth Psalm, while Rev. Smylie delivered a
very historic and touching oration. Before being dismissed, the audience
adopted the following resolutions :
"Whereas it has pleased the Grand Commander on high to call from
our midst our beloved commander and statesman, Gen. U. S. Grant.
"Be it therefore resolved, that we bow in humble submission to His
divine will.
"Be it further resolved, that in his death we have lost our great leader,
who, called from ci\'il life, cdmmanded the largest armies, for the longest
period, with the greatest success of any commander in modern times, never
failing in leading his army to victory, unconditional for surrender, generous
in his terms, determined on the field of battle for success at any sacrifice, yet
magnanimous for peace at its close, stamping his genius and generalship
upon the rolls of history; willing, nay anxious, to lay aside his sword and'
return to humble life as a civilian.
"Be it further resolved that, in respect to his memory, we shall ever
revere the hall of Sac City Post No. 284, Grand Army of the Republic, and
cause it to be draped in mourning for thirty days."
DEATH OF PRESIDENT m'KINLEY.
Four times have the people of Sac county been called to mourn deeply
over the death of a President — three while in active service and once over the
death of U. S. Grant. That is to say, public meetings have been held on the
death of four who have been at the head of this government since the organ-
ization of Sac county.
On .Sunday evening following the death of President McKinley, a union
memorial service was held in Sac City. The program included speeches by
Rev. \Y. Torbet, of the ]\Iethodist church, who spoke on "McKinley as a
Man"; Rev. L. X. Call, of the Baptist church, "McKinley the President";
Rev. D. F. Snyder, of the Christian church, "McKinley as a Christian" ;
"Our Crisis," by Rev. A. H. Chittenden, pastor of the Presbvterian church,
W'ho was presiding officer of the memorial exercises.
DEATH OF U. S. SENATOR J. P. DOLLIVER.
At the Methodist Episcopal church at Sac City, on Sunday evening,
February 11, 191 1, just about his fifty-third birthday, occurred the memorial
300 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
services on the death of Senator J. P. DolHver, which occurred at his Fort
Dodge home in that month. Befitting remarks were offered by Hon. Charles
L. Early on "Dolliver as a Statesman." Others spoke, including George B.
Perkins, on "Dolliver the Citizen." "Dolliver the Man and Christian," by
R. L. McCord. and "Dolliver as a Methodist." by Rev. Thomas Andrew, of
the Methodist church.
WONDERFUL MINERAL HAILSTONES.
On March _'5. luoi. there was a violent hail storm through this county,
and about four or five miles to the northwest of Sac City the hailstones fell
in wonderful quantities and in huge proportions. Some fell in the orchard
of Philip H. Lewis, specimens of which he brought to Sac City and had them
examined by experts and chemists, who determined that they were, in many
• instances, four pounds in weight. The more wonderful point about these
hail stones was that they were of a mineral composition, strongly impreg-
nated with salts. Tons of these large stones fell in a radius of a few miles,
and the test showed that they had a sal soda taste and strongly alkali, but
quite soluble, containing carbon, sodium, boron, and some calcium. Various
were the theories ad\'anced as to their origin. Some beliex-ed that particles
of dust carried in the air from some alkaline plain may have caused them,
while others argued that it was caused by contact with a flying meteor.
SNOW BLOCK.^DE OF 1880-81.
The Sac Sim of April 8. 1881. said: "Just two months today our rail-
road was blocked and has so remained, with the exception of a few days' time.
Monday afternoon, at four o'clock, the nearly forgotten steam whistle was
heard. A grand rush of men and curious boys started for the depot. It
was a greater event to them than the first train that e\er came to Sac City.
The depot was thronged with people, whose faces were wreathed with smiles.
An engine from the main line of the Northwestern brought up the train of
several loaded cars. In all, fifty-three cars were in waiting to be brought
up to Sac City. Our people feel like new men and women, and we can laugh
and joke at the affair now."
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 3OI
FORMING AN OLD SETTI.ERS' ASSOCIATION.
The first call looking toward the organization of an old settlers' society
in Sac county read as follows and was dated May 25, 1877: "There has
been a good deal of talk about ha\ing an old settlers' association formed,
but no decided action taken in the matter as yet. Xow I will presume to
appoint Eugene Criss and D. Carr Early, of Sac City, William Impson and
Peter Easier, of Grant City, and .M. S. Lee and Robert Quail, of Douglas
township, a committee to come together at the call of Eugene Criss and make
such arrangements for the call as they think best.
"William Cory.
"Early, Iowa, May Ji, 1877."
The matter rested until September 28th of the same year, when another
call was sent out asking all persons who settled in this county prior tO; 1868
to become members of such an association. The chairman of the second
meeting was Judge Criss and the secretary was William Cory. D. Carr
Early was chosen president for the ensuing year and William Cory, secre-
tary. At this first meeting among those who made remarks were Judge
Criss, who stated, in substance. :
"I l)uilt the first cabin in Sac City and wintered here without any flour
to eat. The thermometer went down to thirty degrees below zero. I arrived
here in the summer of 1855. Leonard, Lemuel and John Austin and Mr.
Cory had a little improvement here. I drove on to Sioux City, and was
offered a full blnck of gnnind there free if I would come there and' settle.
I had seen the good mill site here in Sac City and so came back. I went on
to Kansas, however, and, finding nothing out there, I came back and went to
work. It was lonesome here, with but few neighbors and our cabin some-
times filled with Indians. We had a count}- seat fight and we won out.
People were charitable and would really divide the last peck of corn meal
with one another. Once the snow was four feet deep on the level and in
the ravines drifted to a depth of thirty feet. When we wanted meat we
went out and killetl an elk. I once went down to Des Moines to secure
something to eat. but finding nothing there, returned and we lived on potatoes
the remainder of the winter. One December I went to Dubuque when the
mercury stood twenty degrees below zero. Now we have plenty to eat and
wear and a good county to li\"c in."
Asa Piatt said : "^Ve were thirtv-one davs coming through to this
302 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
county. As soon as we arrived here in Sac City, all hands gathered around
us to see if we had anything 'good to eat.' We had plenty of hard times when
we first came here. No cash at first : we depended on what cash the non-
residents sent on for their taxes. Judge Early was county treasurer and we
would borrow money of him sometimes."
William Cory said : "I was only a child when coming here, but have
watched the growth of the county from the day the first settler came in,
which was twenty-three years ago. We made the first track from Fort
Dodge to the Coon river. Ink-pa-du-tah was here with his band of Indians,
some of which were in the great massacre at Spirit Lake in 1857. The first
furrow was turned the next week after we arrived. Only seven settlers
were here then. The ne.xt year Judge Criss and Judge Early came, and we
thought we were getting crowded."
The association voted to hold the next meeting one year from the date
of the first one and keep them up annually. The following list of pioneers
was then made out by the secretary, the same showing the name, date of
arrival in Sac county and the age of the person, at the time they signed this
register in 1877 :
William Montgomery, May 15, 1855, aged fifty-seven years.
D. Carr Early, May 5. 1836, aged forty-seven years.
Mrs. Early, May 5, 1856.
Peter Easier, February i, 1856, sixty- four years.
Mrs. Mary Easier, February i, 1856, sixty-three years.
Isabella Miller, September 7, 1854, fifty-seven years.
William Cory, September 7, 1854, thirty-six years.
Enoch Ross, May 16, 1856, fifty-three years.
Mrs. E. Ross, May 16, 1856, fifty-two years.
Eugene Criss, July, 1855, fifty-five years.
Mrs. Francis Criss, July, 1855.
J. G. Austin, September 8, 1854, forty-one years.
Asa Piatt, October 15, 1858, forty-seven years.
Mrs. Asa Piatt, October 15, 1858.
O. Whitney, August, 1857, forty-six years.
Mrs. Whitney, August, 1857, forty-three years.
John O. A. Wine, May 20, 1857, forty-nine years.
Mrs. Wine, May 20, 1857, fifty-four years.
Samuel Ouail, July 29, 1856, fifty-six years.
W. R. Nevin, spring of 1863, fifty-two years.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 3^3
Mrs. Nevin, spring of 1863, forty-two years.
A. Barney, fall of 1865, forty-five years.
Mrs. A. Barney, fall of 1865, thirty-seven years.
Robert Quail. June. 1856, fifty-four years.
Mrs. Robert Quail, June. 1856, fifty-one years.
W. B. Trout, May 7, 1867, thirty-three years.
From time to time there ha\'e been held numerous harvest home picnics
and other old settler gatherings in this county. Perhaps an account of one
of these gatherings will suffice to show the general spirit manifested on such
annual occasions. We refer now to an account of an old settlers' picnic held
in 1884 in the beautiful grove of H. A. Wilson, of Cook township, which
was held on July 21st of that year. The account of this pleasant affair runs
thus :
"The grove was a beautiful one, affording plenty of shade. Platforms
had been well arranged beforehand, as well as plenty of comfortable seats
and long tables in readiness for the loads of good things to eat. At eleven
o'clock A. M. the audience was called to order by the vice-president and the
opening exercises then followed. Judge E. Criss. the oldest settler then liv-
ing in the county, made a fine address of welcome, in his characteristic man-
ner. He recounted some of the early settlement privations and interesting
incidents, as well as some of its genuine pleasures. The good Judge was in
his usual happy vein and interested the people assembled very well. At the
close of his speech an adjournment was had for dinner. The table groaned
beneath the burden of good things brought to the grounds for dinner. It
was soon devoured by the hungry horde of both old and young. After din-
ner the meeting was again called to order and speeches were delivered by
James N. Miller, editor of the Sac Sun, Hon. W. W. Field, Rev. W. O.
Thompson and County School Superintendent Martin. Mr. Johnson, aged
ninety-four, also made remarks full of interest to all present. The speaking
was interspersed by fine music by the choir and with band music by the Early
Cornet Band. The writer left before the exercises concluded, thus avoiding
a hard rain storm. We never attended a more enjoyable picnic and propose
hereafter to be counted every year among the old settlers of Cook and Boyer
Valley townships. The generous, unwearied hospitality of Mr. and Mrs.
Wilson contributed largely to the enjoyment of the occasion."
In 1886 another picnic was held at Wilson's grove in Cook township,
and that was well attended and all had a pleasant day. Mr. Wilson was the
first to settle in Cook township and turned the first furrow and erected the
304 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
first house in the township. He planted a gro\e out and when this last
picnic was held there it had grown to be large and shady. }et it was only
fourteen years old. It stands still as a monument to his foresight and good
sense.
.Vt the time of the great and exciting Xorthfield. Minnesota, bank rob-
bery by the James and Younger boys in the seventies, Frank James, on his
return to Missouri, remained all night in the home of Mr. Granleys in the
western part of Sac county, though probably unknown to the worthy settler,
otherwise he might have had his share of the reward offered for the capture
of that famous bandit and bank robber. James had his knee badly shot in
the flight from Minnesota, and its pain caused him to swear a half hour at
a time when he got up in the morning, just as though his cursing would
do it any good. He was later captured by Pinkerton's detective force, and
Jesse brought into close quarters.
WEATHER NOTES.
Thanksgiving day, 1876. was very cold in Sac county, the thermometer
standing four degrees below zero. At Sac City the audience at the church
was very small on account of the cold weather. Rev. Bryan, assisted by
Rev. Adams, presided at the meeting.
On May 17. 1878, there was four or five inches of snow on the ground
here. It commenced snowing and continued for three hours, leaving fully
four inches until the next afternoon. The small fruit was badly injured,
but wheat and strav.'ljerries and peas were protected by the sncnv and not
materially injured.
HERDING HOGS IN SAC COUNTY.
The Sun's issue of April, 1877, carried this notice: "I will herd hogs
the coming season for one dollar a head, the owner to furnish one bushel of
corn i^er head to feed the hogs the first two or three weeks. I will herd three
and a half miles southeast of Sac City. Salt furnished by me. Stock held
for the herd bill. Season will commence Alay i and end September i.
"G. H. Jones."
HERDING STOCK IN THE SEVENTIES.
The following was in the above files also: "\\"e will herd cattle and
horses this season on Carnp creek, at the last year's grounds, three miles north
of Elm Grove, six miles east of Sac City. Terms : Cattle, ninetv cents a
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 3O5
head ; colts, three dollars per head. Start to collect stock at Sac City, May
8th. Stock salted twice a week.
"Doty Bros/
"Lake City, Iowa."
ROHBED AND MURDERED.
In May, 1876, one of the most cold-blooded and fiendish murders that
the annals of crime ever recorded was committed on the banks of the Little
Indian creek, in Jackson township, this county, at a point four miles west of
Sac City. A resident named Freeman, with a few others who were coming
into town, discovered and reported the horrible event. Sheriff Waddell,
Coroner Brenton and many others visited the spot where the body of the
man had been found. It lay just as it had fallen in death's struggle, a few
yards north of the Boyer Valley and Sac City highway. A short distance
from the pond stood an emigrant wagon and tied to it were two horses, and
a third horse loose, but bridled, was near by. The wagon seat had been
taken ofif and across it, with tlie head on one side on the ground and the feet
on the other side, was stretched the form of the murdered man. On either
side of the seat were pieces of the gun that had been the weapon with which
the man had been killed. It had evidently been broken in a violent rage. A
few feet to the west was a dry goods box in which were various articles and
a small sheet-iron stove, such as are usually carried by emigrants. Coroner
Brenton at once made up his jury, consisting of Orson Lee, D. M. Lamoreaux
and J. E. N. Welch. They examined one witness, Daniel Koodzt, and found
the following verdict: "We find the deceased came to his death by being
shot with a single-barrel shot-gun, in the back of the head, by a party un-
known, with intent of robberv."
The examination of the body revealed the fact that death, instant no
doubt, was caused by a heavy charge from a shot gun, the muzzle of which
could not have been over twelve inches away. The contents of the gun
entered the back of the head about midway between the base and crown.
The gun was freshly broken, and a light tuft of hair, corresponding to that of
the dead man, was found in the lock end of the shattered gun-stock. The
right pantaloons pocket was turned wrong side out. An old, well-worn
pocket book was found in the grass close by, with a leather clasp torn off.
It had been rifled of its contents. A watch key was found in his vest pocket,
but no watch was found about his person. In other pockets were found a
(19)
306 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
knife, comb and some bnttons. The man appeared to lDe about twenty-two
years of age, rather tall, weight about one hundred and fifty pounds; light,
fair complexion, with dark brown hair. He was well dressed in a dark frock
coat, different colored pantaloons, and wore brown plow-shoes and a long
worn cap. Close by was a diary in which was a photograph of the deceased,
and on the fly-leaf was written : "Frank Eugene Carr. Riverside, Washing-
ton County, Iowa." The events and experiences of each day, including the
Friday on which he was killed, May 26, 1876, were minutely recorded, in-
cluding these entries: May 11, received $10 from Palmer: May 12, sold four
pigs for $24: traded a sow for a watch; May 13, sold corn for $8.80; bought
an outfit for going West, $11.86; blacksmithing, $2.80. May 15, getting
ready for the West; May 16, started for the West. May 26, traveling ex-
penses, 13 cents."
He had been to Dakota and pre-empted a hundred acres of land and was
going out to make the improvements on his land. He had less than fifteen
dollars on his person at the time of his death. In the dry goods box were
found powder, shot, clothing, tin-ware, photos, etc. In the wagon was a
breaking-plow and a pair of good boots.
The remains were brought by the coroner to the court hous<; at Sac City
and placed in the basement. In the evening the body was carefully embalmed
and placed on ice, and on Sunday placed in a coffin. The murdered man and
his outfit had passed through Sac City on his way up the country, and was
seen to have a companion along with him. They halted long enough to pur-
chase some small article and passed on their journey toward Storm Lake.
Out at the farm of J. E. N. Welch they halted a while and Carr watered
his horses and asked for some feed for the team, saying one of his horses
was sick. Mrs. Welch urged them to remain all night on account of the
animal's condition, but they refused to and went on, saving they would go
till they reached a stream of water. Before going Carr paid one of the chil-
dren a little money for the hay, as the woman would not charge for it. The
man accompanying Carr asked the little girl first, and later Mrs. Welch, how-
far it was to Storm Lake or the nearest railway station, and she told him
twenty miles. The Little Indian creek was finally reached and a suitable
camping spot was selected, and they killed some wild game before dark. A
single shot was heard in camp by the neighbors at about nine o'clock. After
killing Carr the other man left the spot and was seen at 5 :30 in the morning
by a man named Young who was hitching up his team. This stranger told
Young that he had been lost out on the prairie all night and asked the way
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 3O7
to Storm Lake. Imt it appears he went to Newell, to which place Wodell and
Orson Lee went in pursuit, while Jerome Baxter and D. M. Lamoreaux went
to Storm Lake. Telegrams were sent to points as far east as Waterloo and
west to Sioux City. At Fonda a man was detained answering the full
description of the man sought after by the sheriff. He was arrested and
placed in irons and at midnight was brought back to Sac City and placed in
jail. He there gave his name as Charles Collins (his real name was Lewis
Monroe). He claimed he was from Black Llills and had gone broke there
and sold his tools and bought a coat entirely too large for him. On Monday
morning he was taken to the court room before John Alexander, a justice of
the peace, and he was held for murder and bound over to the district court.
He spurned counsel and said his real name was Lewis Monroe. He plead
guilty and was sent to jail.
The Sac Sun, the local newspaper, said of him : "Lewis Monroe lives
in Boone, Iowa, is married and is a butcher by trade ; he was born in Pitts-
burgh, Pennsylvania; his father is a Scotchman and he complains of ill treat-
ment at home and of an unwholesome training. He does not have a vicious
look at all ; he evidently has nerve, a sort of bull-dog neck and a determined
rather than a malicious look."
He made a full confession before witnesses on M(jnday following the
committing of the awful crime. This long confession contained such clauses
as the following : "Left Boone May 24th on foot in search of work ; at
Jefferson the same day met Carr, who, being alone, asked him to go along
with him for company. I only had forty-five cents ; I accepted his invitation.
Thursday at dinner some of my letters dropped from my pocket to the floor
and he picked one up and began reading it. I told him it did not look well,
but he said it made no difference ; I then took it out of his hands ; we had some
words. At night had difficulty about the bed ; both were mad ; we ([uarreled
all day following on the road from about twenty miles out of Sac Citv ; called
each other names. When we got to the creek at Sac City I went down to
hand him up the water for his horses ; I told him to come down and sa\e me
reaching up ; he answered me short and I talked the same to him ; he threw
what water he had left in the pail and it struck me in the face ; I rushed for
him, clinched him; threw him down and struck him; he said he was only
fooling ; then I quit ; I told him the first railroad station we came to I would
leave him; did not stop in Sac long; two and a half miles west stopped and
got water ; asked lady how far it was to Storm Lake ; we then went on two
miles; I said, here is a good camping place. He swore at me and called me a
3o8 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
d . I got mad and jumped off the wagon and walked up the
hill. He called me back. I returned, unhitched, got supper. He had been
drinking all day. partly whisky and partly alcohol. Ate supper — went on
road thirty yards, sat down two minutes; went back; he was lying on the
wagon seat with back towards me. I picked up the gun and said, You d ■
of a b , I will shoot you anyhow, and shot him, and threw the gun
at him, hitting his head. He rolled off the seat ; I took his watch and pocket
book containing eleven dollars — a ten dollar bill, a fifty cent piece and two
quarters. I put on his coat and shirt, bridled the cream horse and took a
quilt. At two hundred yards threw the quilt away; rode three-fourths of a
mile east on the road, then went on foot till twelve o'clock; dozed till three
o'clock: started for Storm Lake, as I supposed; saw a man harnessing his
team; asked him how far it was to Storm Lake or the nearest railroad sta-
tion."
The trial came off before Judge Ed. R. Duffie, and the jur)- found a
verdict of "guiltv of manslaughter," and the court sentenced him to fifteen
years at hard labor in the state's penitentiary and assessed the costs in the
case up to him. The court room scene was one of the most dramatic ever
witnessed in Sac county, the room being filled with both men and women.
William Tool, who murdered his wife in cold blood, at Sac City, in
1894, was tried before Judge Church, and prosecuted by County Attorney
Tait, receiving a life sentence at hard labor at Anamosa. The act was com-
mitted while in a family quarrel.
GRAND CENTENNIAL CELEBR,\TI0N.
A great celebration was held at Sac City, on July 4, 1876 — the nation's
centennial year. By ten o'clock the procession formed, headed by the "Car
of State," filled with thirty-eight beautiful young ladies (one for each state
in the Union), with the Goddess of Liberty in their midst and a Revolu-
tionary patriot as a driver, b'ollowing were hundreds of vehicles and foot-
men. The procession proceeded to the grove, where an ample platform had
been built. The frequent showers throughout the day somewhat retarded
the exercises. The orations were by A. L. Smith, Esq., and Joseph Dobson.
The "Press" was represented in a speech by J. N. Miller, of the Siiii; the
"Pulpit" by Rev. J. T. Barr, of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the
afternoon a baseball game was pulled off between Newell and Sac City, and
the score stood fifty-eight to nineteen in favor of Newell. There were over a
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 3O9
thousand persons on the ground that day and a big dance was held at which
there were a hundred and eleven couples. Fireworks were set off in the
darkness of the evening.
REGISTERED FARM NAMES.
The Legislature of Iowa, in the session of 1910-11, passed an act al-
lowing owners of farms and lots in the state to register or record a name for
their holdings, no other name of its kind to be allowed within the county.
This name is recorded in a book kept for the purpose in the recorder's office,
the fee being one dollar a farm, and the description occupies a half page of
the record book, giving name agreed upon and a minute description of land,
etc. When the land is transferred the name is sold with the property, unless
otherwise stipulated in the deed. Up to April 14, 1913. there had been
seventy-seven Sac county farms and tracts of land, of more or less acreage,
named, and the following gives the owner's name, the farm registered name
and the township in which it is situated :
William G. Hadley was first to register in the county, his farm in Dela-
ware township being named "Pleasant View.'" Then follows;
Wall Lake Township — "Walnut Grove," O. F. Westrom; "Sunny Slope
Stock Farm," Alice B. Broughton; "Pioneer Dairy Farm," C. M. Steward;
"Prairie View Farm," Samuel A. Swanson ; "Sunny Vale Stock Farm," J.
P. Threkelsen; "Grand View," E. W. Scott; "Cherry Hill Farm," Anna S.
Peterson; "Maple Leaf Stock Farm," Henry Gates; "Elkhorn Point Stock
Farm," D. Corderman.
Delaware Township — "Pleasant View," W. G. Hadley; "Meritdale,"
A. H. Hinde; "Maple Grove," W. T. Scott; "Glenwood Farm," W. L.
Lewis; "Prairie Queen," Frank Lamoreaux; "Homewood Farm," M. L.
Lewis.
Clinton Township — "West Riverside," Will Drury; "Ash Lawn," M. D.
Fox ; "Fairacres," Lewis T. Quirk ; "Sunny Side Stock Farm," M. A. Mc-
Williams; "Hill Crest Farm," O. C. Fuchs; "River View Stock Farm," John
Fuchs ; "The Grange." F. L. Manly ; "Waveland Stock Farm," John D. Old-
son; "Midway Farm," Bert B. Buihner; "Indian Creek Farm," Charles Goode-
now ; "Greenwood Stock Farm," Benjamin Gilbert ; "Larchwood Stock
Farm," Charles Manly; "Millside Farm," John Fuchs; "South View Farm,''
William J. Stock; "Brook View Farm." Albert S. Teaquart.
Cedar Township — "Sunny Side," Harry Baxter; "Orchard Hill Farm,"
3IO SAC COUNTS, IOWA.
R. M. Long: "Everdale Farm." C. S. Darling; "Cedar Hill Stock Farm,"
William Peters; "Fairmont Farm," B. F. Cullenbaugh.
Jackson Township — "I'airview Stock Farm." James T. DoUison ; "The
Pines," Mary E. Vrooman ; "(Ireenwood," L. E. Fitch: "Oakland Spring
Farm." William Pitstick ; "Larchwood Hill." Earl S. Shaw; "Oak Lawn
Shorthorn Farm." F. L Howard; "Pinehurst." Ira S. ]\Iartin: Sac City
Nursery.
Boyer Valley Townshi}) — "Cloverdale." William P. (kird: "Helendale
Stock Farm." John Reiff. Jr.; "Wayside Farm." James McCofmick: "Clover
Hill Farm," Charles F. Keister.
Douglas Township — "Evergreen Stock Farm." R. J. Paeper; "Echo
Farm," Webster Heath; "Wildwood Park," D. B. and C. L. Keir.
Levey Township — "Brookside Stock Farm," Thomas Quirk; "River-
side Stock Farm," F. W. \\'eed : "Pleasant Hollow Farm," A. Ballman;
"Rose Valley Stock Farm," John H. Gosch.
Wheeler Township — "Fairview Farm," E. A. Lundberg: "Pleasant \'al-
lev Stock Farm," Carl Prestin : "Pleasant Hill Farm," B. A. Sanmelson ;
"Lawn Hill." C. Albert Peterson; "Maple Grove Stock Farm," L. L. Gore-
ham; "Glendale Farm,"' Charles W. Ballard; "Fairhope Farm," E. E. Gore-
ham; "Brookdale Stock b'arm," A. E. Johnson: "Forest Hill Stock Farm,"
A. E. Johnson ; "Meadow Brook Farm," J. B. Jcjhnson.
Coon Valley Township — "Sunny Slope," John H. Hechtner ; "Farm-
land," Charles Hechtner; "Grand View Stock Farm," A. W. LaPort ; "Plain
\'iew Farm," Albert Ruschko ; "Eureka Stock Farm," A. D. Miner; "Never-
Fail Farm," William Pitstick: "Harmony Ridge Farm," W. C. Abney.
Cook Township — "Lookout Farm," George Miller.
Sac Township — "Sunny Oak Grove Stock Farm." Charles F. Garnatz ;
"Whiteside Farm," P. U. Pratt.
Viola Townshij) — "I'rairie A^ale," John Sjjurrell.
Eden Township — -"Hillside Farm," Phil C. Hein.
Eureka Townshi]5 — "Valley View Stock Farm." H. l\ininger & Son.
EARLY-DAV PK.VIRIE FIRES.
There has always been a charm about the broad expanse of prairie in the
West, and it is hard to describe — one must behold ihf l.)eaut\- of the land-
scape, the waving wild grass, the spring and summer flowers, including our
own "state flower," the wild rose and the feathery golden rod, the national
flower, that needs no care to sow its seed or make its blossom yield. The
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 3II
Wild game, such as prairie chickens, geese, sand-hill cranes, ducks and a score
more birds, utilized for meat by the hardy pioneers, all came in for their
annual attraction to residents and to foreign hunters. But we come now to
speak of a scene in golden autumntime, after the frosts had cut their heavy
swath and left the sure marks of death and decay on every hand ; when the
"last rose of summer was left withered and strewn" — there came a scene, a
more magnificent spectacle than all. We refer to the burning prairie at night
time.
The wild wind like a sower sows
The ground with sparkles red,
And the trapping wings of bats and crows
Through the ashes overhead,
And the bellowing deer and the hissing snake —
What a swirl of terrible sounds they make !
It was a common, almost yearly, sight when the vast, limitless sea of
amber-tinted grass was burning continuously for twenty miles and more,
fanned and pressed speedily forward by a high wind. The scene on a moon-
less night time, in October, indeed was grand, and beggars description with
pen or tongue — it must needs be seen to be appreciated. It appears like a
vast army mowing down solid columns of an enemy. The rank grown weeds
ignite and explode, causing a crackling sound not unlike that of musketry on
a field of strife. The lurid light from the leaping tongues of fire cast a tinted
reflection on the dark sky which no painter can hope to reproduce. But while
the burning prairie has had its charms and been sung by poets, yet to the
early pioneer its romantic scene was somewhat darkened by the annual loss
of much valuable property. -An army on parade at the grand encampment
review looks beautiful, but the active service — the field of carnage — gives no
pleasure. So it must be said of the prairie fires of northwestern Iowa, which
perhaps originated by some homesteader burning a "fire-guard"' around his
little home of a calm autumn night, when all nature seemed at rest, but before
the work of home protection had been accomplished not unfrequently the
gentle breeze grew to a steady wind, which rapidly increased in its velocity,
carrying now and then a burning spear of grass to some remote part of the
prairie land, until before an hour had elapsed a dozen or twenty separate fires
had been kindled, and before the morning dawn the irrepressible flames had
wrought dire calamity over a whole county, and perhaps, with a high wind,
was still proudly marching over the territory of another. The midnight scene
312 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
was of surpassing beauty and sublime grandeur, but the burned district pre-
sented a sad picture at the dawn. At sunset a little settlement were feeding
their stock, the happy home made merry by the innocent shouts of gleeful
children romping about the humble cabin or claim shanty. At sunrise the
following morning there might have been seen a half dozen homes. The tall,
rank-killed, frost-smitten grass had been as if by magic wand turned into
blackened ashes, and the house of the homesteader had been consumed with
all of its highly prized contents. A score of half-clad children were left out
in a merciless sea of prairie ashes. The sun, obscured, and the chilling at-
mosphere foretold of the snow storm sure to come. The grain and the hay
the industrious farmer had secured by the hardest of toil had been also re-
duced to ashes and smouldering embers, the smoke of which might have been
seen for miles over an expanse of prairie the surface of which was barren
and black. Many of the early settlers lost all their grain and hay, while
some mourned, not alone the loss of hard labor performed, but also the loss
of dear ones from out the family circle, who had been taken unawares by a
change of wind and had no time to escape until their clothing caught fire.
There is not a county in all western or central Iowa but what can furnish
facts for a chapter of prairie fires which would chill one's blood at the terrible
recital of havoc from 1855 to 1876. Sac county has many an interesting
story of these terrible fires, mention of wliich may be seen elsewhere in this
volume.
To indicate to the reader how these prairie fires looked to an Eastern
newspaper correspondent, who sent his weekly letters from western Iowa in
the sixties and seventies, some of which were mailed from Sac and Ida coun-
ties, we quote the following from his New York daily :
"The prairies, indeed, were a grand sight — in the summer, 'clothed in
verdure green;' in the fall, in that color that too well tells of the departing
years. If a grand sight to see the prairies, as the tall grass waved to and
fro, it was a magnificent sight, in the fall of the year, to see the annual
prairie fire as it sweeps over all. Whilst enjoying the sublimity of the scene,
night threw her mantle o'er the earth, and the sentinel stars set their watch
in the skies, when suddenly the scene was lighted by a blaze of light, illum-
inating every object around. It was the prairie fire. Language cannot con-
vey, words cannot express to you the faintest idea of the grandeur and
splendor of that mighty conflagration. Methought that the pale Queen of
Night, disclaiming to take her accustomed jilace in the heavens, had dis-
patched ten thousand messengers to light their torches at the altar of the
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 3I3
setting sun, and that now they were speeding on the wings of the wind to
their appointed stations."
Section 3889 of the 1871 Code of Iowa provided as follows: "If any
person wilfully, or without using proper caution, set fire to and hurn or cause
to be burnt, any prairie or timbered land by which the property of another is
injured or destroyed, he shall be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars, or
imprisoned in the county jail not more than one year, or both fine and im-
prisonment, at the discretion of the court."
The November 12, 1875, issue of the Sac Sim said: "The horizon is
lighted up nights with the glare of long rows of burning prairie grass. As
yet we ha\e heard of but one case of damages. A wad from the gun of E.
M. Powers lighted a fire on the Boyer ri\-er country which burned a lot of hay
and rubbed several houses closely."
As late as April 15, 1887, the Situ speaks of prairie fires in the county in
the following words : "Sparks from a locomotive of the Northwestern rail-
road set the prairie on fire west of Sac Cit}' last Friday and the strong wind
carried it into Douglas and Delaware townships. A large amount of hay
was burnt, and it was only by a tremendous exertion that the fire was stopped.
The railroad company will have a heavy damage to pay for this loss.
"On last Saturday L. Francisco set out fire on his place in Douglas
township which soon escaped his control. It reached the house of William
Buss, burning it to the ground, with his stacks of hay, stables, cribs, grain
and some live stock. Mr. Buss was burned some and his boy quite seriously.
The house north of Mr. Buss was also burned. He is an old man, and the
loss will fall heavily upon him. Auburn narrowly escaped destruction on
Saturday, too, from fire set in the same manner. The code makes it a heavy
penalty for setting out fires and letting them get away from the parties setting
them out. The wind last week was too high to attempt to burn prairie about
one's premises.''
i;arly-day blizzard.
In the autumn of 1861 two brothers named Leighton (Lavton), aged
seventeen and twentj'-one years, came here from Illinois and began trapping
on the Little Indian. On the morning of February 22. 1862, they started out
on an elk hunt and followed some elk west of the Boyer river, which runs
through the western part of Sac county. The day was mild and they were
thinly clad. The snow was a full foot or more deep on the level. It melted
some through the middle of the day. About four o'clock in the afternoon a
314 " SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
severe change came up suddenly. .\t once it became intensely cold and a
fearful and savage wind came up. The ne.xt day the Leightons were both
missing and for sixteen days the neighbors looked in vain for the men. On
the seventeenth day their bodies were discovered — the younger of the two
brothers about one mile from his home, with his right arm outstretched and
his hat anil hatchet thrown (ju ahead, as if he had fallen while running, ex-
hausted by cold and fatigue. The elder brother was found ajjout four miles
from the cabin, lying on his back with his hat folded and placed beneath his
head. This had evidently been done by his brother, after he had fallen down,
frozen and exhausted. The following spring, in the month of April, their
two guns were found. They had been carefully oiled before they had been
left and two-cjuarters of an elk were piled on top of them, proving that thev
had at least killed one elk.
SAC county's women machinists.
Sac county has the distinction of producing two unique lady machinists.
The following is from the Des Moines Register-Leader: 'Tola, Kansas,
October 13, 191 1 — What is probably the most unique and successful machine
shop in the world is the Minder plant at Gas City, in Kansas. The fact that
the shop is operated by two girls, who actually do the largest share of the
work, from choice rather than a necessity, is not so important to their patrons
as the fact that their work is the best that can be produced in the country.
There is nothing within the range of a modern machine shop that these two
girls cannot do. Their names are Susie and Emma Minder; their ages are,
respectively, twenty-four and twenty-two years. They recently completed,
through their own skill and efforts, a four-cylinder gasoline engine, con-
structed from the moulten metal to the finished product throughout. Difficult
repairs which perplex the ordinary mechanic are apparentlv done bv these
girls with ease."
The Minder family came to Sac City from Garfield township, Calhoun
county, Iowa, in about 1889, lived at Sac City ten years. The father was
Fred Minder, an excellent machinist, who ran a shop on the present green-
house site, near the Northwestern depot.
AUTUMN FROSTS IN WESTERN IOWA.
The Iowa weather bureau says of the first and killing frosts in western
/owa :
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 315
Month and Day of Month and Day of
Year. First Frost. Killing Frost.
1879 September 8 September 24
1880 September 9 November 7
1881 Octiiber 18 November 9
1882 September 2;^ November 11
1883 September 9 October 20
1884 October 9 October 2;^
1885 October 4 October 4
1886 September 17 October i
1887 SeptemJjer 2;^ October 24
1888 Se])tember 15 September 29
1889 Septem])er 16 SeiJtember 27
1890 Se])tember 13 Septemlier 13
1891 September 3 October 5
1892 L September 14 October 9
1893 September 16 September 25
1894 September 18 October 14
1895 September 2^^ September 30
1896 September 19 September 28
1897 October 9 October 29
1898 October 14 October 14
1899 September 20 September 29
1900 September 17 October 8
1901 September 17 October 4
1902 September 18 October 14
1903 September 23 October 18
1904 Se])tember 12 October 22
1905 October 12 October 12
1906 August 27 October 10
1907 September 22 September 28
1908 September 28 October 12
1909 September 21, October 12
WEATHER RECORDS OF SAC COUNTY.
From the records kept at Des Moines by the Iowa weather and crop
bureau, with Dr. George M. Chappel as forecaster, under authority of the
3l6 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
United States government ser\ice, the following is found concerning Sac
county weather for the term of _\ears named :
Sac is in what is known as the western central district of observationis,
and includes the counties of Sac, Ida, Woodbury, Alonina, Crawford, Car-
roll, Audubon, Shelby and Harrison. The mean a\'erage temperature for
this district is 47.1 degrees; average annual precipitation, 29.36 of an inch.
Average yield of corn, 31 bushels per acre. In Sac county meteorological
records have been compiled at Sac City, Grant City and Odebolt. Altitude
of Sac City, 1,278 feet; Odebolt, 1,356 feet. Grant City was, first to have
observations recorded and their record runs back to 1869. The record at
Odebolt commenced in 1898. At Sac City is begun in 1876.
Of the maximum and minimum temperature in Sac county for the years
from and including 1899 to 1913, the records show as follows:
The lowest temperature in 1899 was January and February — 29 below
zero.
The lowest temperature in 1900 was February — 17 below zero.
The lowest temperature in 1901 was December — 22 below zero.
The lowest temperature in 1902 was January — 21 below zero.
The lowest temperature in 1903 was February — 17 below zero.
The lowest temperature in 1904 was January — 26 below zero.
The lowest temprature in 1905 was February — 28 below zero.
The lowest temperature in 1906 was February — 17 below zero.
The lowest temperature in 1907 was January — 16 below zero.
The lowest temperature in 1908 was January — 11 below zero.
The lowest temperature in 1909 was December — 17 below zero.
The lowest temperature in 1910 was January — 17 below zero.
The lowest temperatiu-e in 191 1 was January — 25 below zero.
The lowest temperature in 191 2 was January — 35 below zero.
The lowest temperature in 1913 was March — 16 below zero.
The highest temperature for the above years was in the order the years
run, as follows: 1899, 98 degrees; 1900, 94 degrees; 1901, 108 degrees;
1902, 94 degrees; 1903, 95 degrees; 1904, 94 degrees; 1905, 93 degrees;
1906, 92 degrees; 1907, 93 degrees; 1908, same; 1909, 94 degrees; 1910, 96
degrees; 191 1, 100 degrees; 191 2, 99 degrees; 191 3, 99 degrees above zero.
Thus it will be observed that the lowest temperature since 1898 was, in
the month of January, 1912, 35 degrees below zero, while the hottest tem-
perature in that period was in July, 1901, when it was 108 degrees above
zero.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 3' 7
The annual mean temperature for these years has been about 46 degrees
above zero; 48.7 degrees was the highest mean temperature for the above
period.
RAINS AND MELTED SNOW.
From the tables at hand the following are the figures for the rain and
its equivalent in melted snows since 1869 in Sac county. These are totals
for the years indicated: 1869, 39 inches; 1870, 25 inches; 1871, 28 inches;
1872, 24 inches: 1876, 40.4 inches; 1877, 29.1 inches; 1878, 31.6 inches;
1879, 20.5 inches; 1880. 23.21 inches; 1883, 27.4 inches: 1884, 34 inches;
1S87. 29.5 inches. Averages. 29.28 inches, up to the last date noted.
For the year succeeding, the figures are: 1889, 28 inches; 1890, 23
inches; 1891, 28 inches; 1892, 24 inches; 1894, 29 inches; 1895, 31.5 inches;
1896, 38.80 inches; 1897. 22 inches; 1898, 28 inches; 1900. 34 inches; 1901,
25 inches; 1902, 42 inches. F"rom 1909 to present time the figures are: 1910,
15 inches; 191 1, i;^ inches: 1912, 30 inches; 1913, 27 inches. Average for
last period, 30.61 inches.
Perhaps the heaviest snowfall in Sac county occurred in the winter of
1856-57, when it is said that three feet and seven inches of snow mantled
this county on the level and at no time for one hundred days did it thaw
sufficient to form icicles. In many places in the ravines the snow was thirty
feet deep, and crusted hard enough, toward spring, to hold a loaded sled and
team.
The government reports and observations of the snow fall in this lo-
cality are in no wise complete. They do show, however, that the greater depths
of snow since 1900 were 31 inches in 1901 : 21 inches in 1902; 31 inches in
1906; 50 inches in 191 1 ; 56 inches in 1912. Of course it will be understood
that this snow was not all on the ground at one time, as it was in 1856-57.
THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE.
Among all the hardships put upun the settlers in Sac county in its earlier
historw the worst was the great scourge intiicted by the several annual ap-
pearances of locusts or grasshoppers, which insects first made their appear-
ance in 1875, and continued several years throughout northwestern Iowa, in-
cluding Sac county. ^Fach could be written concerning these little "cusses"
that destroyed much the farmer tried to raise.
In order to give a better understanding of this subject it has been thought
wise upon the part of the author to simply take extracts from the Sac Sun
s
318 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
and other papers along that hne. just as the events transpired, as such items
show how httle the people at first knew concerning the grasshopper and how
many schemes were tried in order to get rid of the winged pests, which in
some cases were so thick, in adioining cuunties. that they fell into railroad
cuts and filled the space between the ties to such a depth that freight train:
were actually stopped in Cherokee county in 1877. The wheels of the engine
would slip on the rails beneath the mass of crushed insects, in the same man-
ner that they would had the rails been treated to a coat of grease. At times
the sun was actuall}' darkened at noontime, so dense a cloud did they make in
passing south. They seemed to know which direction they wanted to go and
waited till the wind was most favorable, then struck out, the meantime eating
themselves full of all kinds of vegetation that chanced to be growing in their
pathway. They were an object of legislation on the part of the county, state
and nation — but all to no purpose. When they got ready to leave Iowa they
simply unf(_ilded their wings and hied themselves away.
The Sac City Sun of August 4, 1876, said ; "The dreaded insects are now
in southeast Dakota and northwestern Iowa. So far they are one hundred
miles away, and we hope their distance may be increased. They could not do
great damage if they did come now."
August II, 1876: "Last Saturday the grasshoppers were seen flying
south over this town. Some of them settled down about six miles north of
town. Monday they were noticed going back north. So far rhey have at-
tacked but a few fields in Sac county and not much damage has been done."
August 25, 1876: "Like the man with the seven-year itch, we've got 'em
sure. Friday last a clear sky and a moderately stiff wind from the north
brought the locusts in great numbers. The air was filled with them and prob-
ably enough passed o\'er to have covered the earth a foot deep had they all
alighted. As it is, we have enough to eat considerable grain. If they haid
come a month earlier it would have l)een much worse, but our small grains
were saved and corn is pretty well along. Farmers and all others looked
blue, at lirst, l)Ut this feeling soon gave way when it was found that they were
not so dreadful a thing after all. .\t Uncle Jim Miller's they ate all of his
tobacco crop up and then squirted the juice in his face, as he attempted to
'shoo' them away ! We notice they do not eat evergreens. Reports say they
have reached the Mississippi ri\'er. I'hil Schallcr says they have destroyed
ten per cent, of the corn around Storm Lake."
September i, 1876: "For three days last week the wind blew from the
northwest, which carried away most of the grasshoppers, but a few are still
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 319
with us. The greatest fear is for the damage that may be done next year.
They are still h(j\'ering over parts of Sac county in goodly numliers."
September 8, 1876: "Last Thursday a brisk wind carried nearly all of
the grasshoppers away. Farmers throughout this and adjoining counties
should attend the mass-meeting at the court house next Saturday, looking to-
wards means of systematic and concerted action against these pests."
September 22, 1876: "Grasshopper Meeting — Last Saturday at the
court house only a few persons were present. An organization was perfected,
with Washington Allen as its president, and vice-presidents as follows:
Douglas township, George Dobson : Delaware township, H. A. Pierce ; Eden
township, C. E. Lane ; Eureka township, A. B. Holmes ; Boyer Valley town-
ship, William Cory: Wall Lake, A. E. Forsyth; Clinton township, C. L.
Sherwood; Sac township, Basler : Viola township, William V.
Lamoreaux ; Levey township, James Taylor; Wheeler township, Jdhn Bruce.
The president was instructed to procure posters warning persons against set-
ting out prairie fires, under penalty of the law. It is expected of the vice-
presidents that they effect organizations in their respective townships and
endeavor to carrv out this resolution, as set forth in the fi.illowing words:
" 'Resolved, That we petition the county boards of supervisors of Sac,
Ida and Crawford counties, to enact a fine of fifty dollars in addition to that
imposed by the state, and if prairie fires are set before May 15, 1877. or at the
most suitable time to destroy the grasshoppers.
" 'Resolved, That we petition the government to appropriate money to
pay bounty for destroying the grasshoppers.
" 'Resolved, That we urge upon the good citizens of the above named
counties to take steps to enforce these regulations, concerning the burning of
prairies before another spring.'
"Steps will be taken by the grasshopper Ijrigade to watch the pcairies
this fall to see that no one sets fire out, and if so that the parties so doing
will be punished. Also that 'we will not kill prairie chickens, or any other
kind of birds that eat grasshoppers, and that we forbid all parties from killing
on our premises.' "
September 15, 1876: "Daniel G. Lane, who has lived in the West Indies,
writes to prevent grasshoppers destroying vegetation, 'burn one pound of
charcoal in the center of the field.' Also to prevent potato bugs, plant two
grains of flax seed in each hill, as the bugs will not go near the flax."
February 23, 1877: "The opinion of people regarding grasshoppers and
the time when fires should be set out to kill most of the eggs, differs greatly.
320 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Some favor an early burning, in order to kill the most. Others think it
should be later so as not to kill the chances for a good hatch of prairie chick-
ens. Of course the chickens would destroy hoppers and be good to use for
food, but to take chances is hardly prudent. The trouble is it cannot be de-
termined what time the insects really hatch out themselves. We can only wait
and see. But in the meantime, some may be burning, and to do this all should
burn at once. Will it not be a good plan to have a meeting of the owners of
farms — the association that was formed last fall ; we believe Judge Early
was president of the association. It will not do to remain idle. Now while
the ground is frozen we may lull ourselves into a fancied security and think
it will all come out right. The fact is we must get ready to fight the enemy."
Alarch 30, 1877: "Washington Allen, one of Sac county's best farmers,
has invented a machine for catching grasshoppers by the wholesale and, from
what we have seen of it, believe it the best yet conceived of. It is easily made,
consisting of a long box, resting on low runners, like a sled, to be drawn by
two horses. In front, sloping down to the ground, is an apron upon which
the hoppers will alight as they may be scared up from the earth, and from
that they are carried to the back part of the machine, where they fall through
sloping holes into a box. When this is full they can be stupified by throwing
cold water upon them, and then shoveled out and destroyed. Mr. Allen has
applied for letters patent (later he recei\ed one) and will make the machines
and sell township rights. He is well-known and trusty, and we advise none to
purchase elsewhere till first they have tested this machine. If every farmer
in Sac county and adjoining ones should provide themselves with such a
machine and go to work when the time comes, something might be done to
destroy them."
Later an advertisement appeared for this machine, which was known
as "Ailen's Grasshopper Exterminator." Another party here claimed he was
the inventor of some part of this machine and trouble arose as to the rights
of the two parties.
Alay II, 1877: "Burning Prairie — Monday was the day set for com-
mencing to burn off the Sac county prairies to kill the grasshoppers and the
eggs of the same. It was rather damp and not good to set fire, but Tuesday
was better and we hope that 999,777,555.333,111 grasshoppers were killed,
Ijut we hardl}' think they were!"
May II. 1877: "There is no disguising the fact that in spots grass-
hoppers in Sac county are exceedingly thick. We urge upon everyone inter-
ested to exterminate all they possibly can. They seem gathered in local
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 321
bunches and by spreading straw at such points they can be collected at night
and then burned in the early morning. If there was a concerted action in this
matter, there would not be enough left to eat up an onion patch. It is all
right to pray God to send them away from us. but he works by means, and
after you are done praying, go to work with all your might and tight them
with the sword of fire and hew them from Dan to Beersheba. Then we may
enter the proud land of milk and honey."
June 15, 1877: The county supervisors passed resolutions to allow cer-
tain bount)' or reward for all grasshoppers destroyed in Sac county, but be-
fore the resolution went into effect it was recalled or repealed. The Sun, in
speaking of this feature, remarked : "They acted well, but not wisely, and so
thev had better recall the act. First, it was illegal. The board had no au-
th()rit\- to pay out funds for such purposes. Second, it would have done but
little good for one county to act alone in the matter. Third, there would prob-
ably have been claims presented to the amount of fifty thousand dollars.
County warrants would have been issued at fifty cents on the dollar, thus
yielding the farmers twenty-five thousand dollars and those who bought the
warrants another twenty-five thousand dollars. The county would have had
a debt of fifty thousand dollars and five thousand dollars a year interest, run-
ning possibly ten years."
(20)
CHAPTER XX.
REMINISCENCES BY LOCAL WRITERS.
THE SAGACITY OF A DOG.
By C. Everett Lee.
During the fall of 1868 two men, whose names we cannot now recall,
came to Sac City from Illinois and put up at a hotel operated by C. E. Read
and located on the ground now occupied by the Fox hardware store. They
had left their home state with a view of putting in the winter trapping and
after looking over the ground decided to locate on the ]\Iaple, nearly due west
of where Alta now stands. They proceeded to buy lumber, provisions and
traps and hired a party to take them to the place where they had decided to
locate for the winter.
After getting their "dug out" about completed and needing more mate-
rial and provisions, they decided to pull out on foot for Sac City with a view of
buying enough of the necessaries to do them until spring, their only compan-
ion being a large black and white spotted dog which they had brought with
them from Illinois. The morning they started out the weather was beautiful
and gave promise of a pleasant trip for them, but, after passing over the
dividing ridge, a blizzard, such as was seldom seen even in those days, came
sweeping down from the northwest and before they hardly had time to
realize what had happened they were completely bewildered, and wanderers
on a bleak prairie. They continued to travel until some time in the night
when, for protection, they dug a deep hole in the snow and, with the dog,
crawled inside and let the snow drift over them. Some time next morning
the one who owned the dog shook the other and told him to get up and try and
find a place of safety. He, not crawling out at once, suddenly awoke with
a start to find himself alone, the partner and the dog evidently having
crawled out when he spoke to him. He immediately crawled out and, after
calling for his partner several times and getting no answer, pulled out alone.
He traveled all day and when darkness set in discovered a light in the dis-
tance and started for it as best he could, but before reaching the place he
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 323
fell down and was compelled to crawl on his hands and knees for nearly a
mile before he got near enough for his call to be heard by John T. Alexander,
who had settled on the prairie about nine miles north of Sac City the year
before. He was carried in and cared for by Mr. Alexander, but was quite
badlv frozen and eventually lost several of his fingers and toes.
The second day after the blizzard had cleared up, several men were sit-
ting in the hotel in Sac City when someone opened the door and in bounced
the dog belonging to the man who had a short time before gone to the Maple
to trap. He rushed up to Mr. Read and getting him by the coat, commenced
to whine and pull towards the door. Mr. Read, not at first realizing what
dog it was, went to the door and kicked the animal out in the street. The
conversation then turned upon the dog and as soon as those present realized
what dog it was, they were sure something had happened his master and that
he had come for assistance. Mr. Read then put on his coat and, starting out.
followed the dog until he came to the home of Addison Lee, the farm where
Frank Howard now lives, when he saw Mr. Lee in his barnyard doing his
chores. 'Sir. Read called him out to the road and informed him what the dog
had done and to whom he belonged. Mr. Lee saddled one of his best saddle
horses and as soon as he rode out in the road, the dog, which had been trying
to get Mr. Read along with him by pulling on his coat, immediately started
north with Mr. Lee after him. At this time there was but one trail leading
from Sac Citv to Storm Lake and that went north on the east side of the
river until it reached what is now known as the Low farm, where it crossed
the ri\er and took a northwest direction to the west end of the lake where the
inlet came in and where all the camping and fishing was done. When the
dog came to the river he crossed and struck the trail at a pretty swift gait.
Mr. Lee, who was a brother of the writer, not knowing how far he would be
compelled to go with the dog, slackened his pace after crossing the river and
when the dog would go down in a hollow out of sight he would turn back
and run to the top of a knoll and jump up to see if he was still being followed.
This gait was kept up until the west end of Storm lake was reached and the
man found lying in the snow, frozen to death, and with a path beaten around
him where the faithful friend had probably walked around the body a thou-
sand or more times before giving up and going to Sac City, twenty-eight
miles, for assistance.
Parties were sent out from Sac City who brought the body there and
buried it, Mr. Lee retaining possession of the dog, which he kept until he
died from old age.
.324 SAC COl'NTY, iriVVA.
STORM AND FLOOD PIONEER BOY's REMINISCENCE.
[The following is from the pen of a Methodist minister, Rev. H. P.
Dudley, who at the time was living in Carroll and whose father was one of
the pioneer ministers in Sac county, residing at Grant City. This article was
published in the Sun in 1913 and is full of enough interest and merit to be
preser\ed in the annals of the ci.)unt\'.]
The principal natural e\ent in the western hemisphere during the year
1869 was the total eclipse of the sun in the month of August. I saw with my
own eyes for one awe-inspiring moment the polar streams and the niagnih-
cent corona of the sun. This seems t(i fix in mind the date of more local and
less important natural phenomena of the memorable year. It was in Grant
City, the little inland village that nestled beneath the great oaks and elms on
the banks of the Coon, in the southern part of Big Grove, Sac county, Iowa.
Here, as a child we listened td the niDurnful mourning of the woods, or the
deep diapason of the ceaseless roar which betokens a tempest. The rush of
the waters over the rapids, the liquid notes of bobolink and meadow lark, the
e\'ening call of the sad noted whippoorwill, the rain crow and turtle dove, the
drvunniing of the large flocks of prairie chickens, the pDunding of the swift-
winged pheasant and the pilating call of flocks of wild geese and other birds
of passage were all familiar sounds. Yes, the place had its own peculiar
music. For Big Grove, composed of some thousand acres of fine forest,
was surrounded on all sides by a wide stretch of unoccupied prairie. A
few small farms skirted the timljer, but settlements were few and far be-
tween. In all directions one could dri\'e for many miles over \-irgin soil and
not meet a human being, or pass the habitation of a fellow man.
Grant City was at this time. relati\el_\- speaking, (|uite a citw The pojju-
lation were mostly tradesmen, woodsmen, hunters and trappers. Elk, deer,
otter, beaver, mink and muskrats were so plentiful as to make hunting and
trapping a \ery iirofitable, as well as an exciting occupation. The ri\-er abound-
ed in a fine quality nf fish. There was no doubt as to the fisherman's luck,
for fine pickerel could be taken at any time with hook and line, weighing from
three to fifteen pounds. Wright's mill dam had raised the water and set it
back many miles, and it furnished a place for splendid boating, and here, too,
in winter time, the sturdy pioneer boys and girls met in coasting and skating
parties, that still make those sparkling winters memorable for mirthful joy.
In the month of August, following the opening of this narrative, I was
sent as a lad not yet in my teens, with Hugh Traner, as a counciling com-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 325
I)anion. to freight some machinery and provisions to my lather's ranch, thirtv
miles west of Grant City, at Badgertown, on the Boyer river, in Crawford
county, ^fr. Traner was a small, nervous, little man, a fluent talker, in
knowing relationship to all the life of those early days. He had a good work
team and hauled the heavier load.
My team consisted of a bay mare and a black horse of the Mohawk
family, known as "Dick," a notable, noble animal. He was purchased in Ohio
by my father, after a long search for the best known horse he could find,
irrespective of price. He was game, fast and fearless as a roadster and came
to have a reputation among prime horsemen from the foot-hills of the Alle-
ghany mountains to the shifting sands of the Missouri river. He brought our
family from \\'est Virginia to Iowa in 1856, and had served mv father as
an essential adjunct on several circuits, besides conveying him many miles
each year to attend annual conferences, where he was greatly admired. I see
him now with his glossy coat, silken mane, arched neck, fine head, large full
eyes, graceful outline of body, splendid limbs, high, proud carriage, tre-
mendous energy and noiseless feet of frictionless action.
The afternoon was an ideal one for our long drive, and as I had the
fastest team it was thought best for me to lead ofif. Mr. Traner's dog, "Shep,"
a mongrel collie, ran ahead of my team and searched the roadside along the
way for game. In the early part of the afternoon he encountered a badger,
an animal of little value, but cunning and treacherous in fighting. When at-
tacked, a badger invariably turns upon his back. A dog will usually nab him
by the back of the neck, while the badger proceeds with his long, knife-like
claws of his fore feet to almost cut the dog into shoestrings ! A terrible con-
flict ensued, but the dog conquered. * * *
By this time we had reached the divide, the crown of the great water-
shed of Iowa. As \\e looked over the undulating prairies, the sun was sink-
ing, large and red behind the hills and, fortunately for us. the moon came u\)
full and round in the east. "Mr. Traner," I called back, "I am hungry."
"We will stop for supper," he replied. While we ate our supper he told me
this tragic story :
FROZEN IN A BLIZZARD.
"At this place the road divides: just ahead of us', on that fearful De-
cember night. fi\e years ago, this coming winter, the Golden boys unhitched
their oxen and left their wagon. They had gone from their home, southwest
of here, to Grant City, for a load of corn. The dav was deceitfully warm
326 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
and tranquil for the time of the year. Jo WilHams, the postmaster at Grant
City, told them they had better stay all night, as the afternoon was fast
slipping away and they seemed in no hurry to start for home. It was as late
as three o'clock when they finally started and they had not been gone two
hours when a blinding blizzard struck them. They evidently fought their way
in the teeth of the storm to this point, within six miles of their home. They
turned their cattle loose, and took down the ravine, running off to the south-
west, seeking shelter from the blinding storm. Nothing living and unpro-
tected could survive the days that followed. The third day was New Year's
day, 1864, the coldest the state of Iowa has ever experienced. When the
storm had somewhat spent its fury, the scattered neighbors organized to
make a diligent search for the missing boys, with little hope of finding them
alive. Their bodies were not recovered until the following spring. They
were found seated in a somewhat sheltered place almost completely covered
by a drift of melting snow. The older boy had taken off his coat and put it
on his brother and died with the little fellow in his arms."
"Mr. Traner," said I, "my father was out in that storm on the wide
stretch of prairie between Jefferson and Lake City. He had crossed the river
at Horseshoe Bend. 'I saw,' he said, 'an ominous cloud in the west stretch-
ing along the entire horizon and ad\'ancing rapidly." Dick seemed to have a
premonition of danger, and father said T could hardly hold him : he flew
across the prairie at a fearful gait. Soon the storm swept down on us like a
desert sirocco, which checked my horse. I could not see the road and was
afraid Dick would turn around and drift with the wind storm — I simply had
to trust in him. I knew it was getting late in the afternoon and I had no
means of telling exactly where I was, but my brave horse kept facing the
storm, which s\\ei)t l.>y us like an a\-a!anche. with the muffled roar of Niagara.
I protected myself as best I could with my robes. We kept on in the increas-
ing, terrible storm with laborious toil. At last Dick stopped and I imagined
I saw a light. I called and called again and again ; my horse moved on im-
patiently, stopping again presently. Mr. Bishop, living three miles west of
Lake City, came to the fence and said, 'Why, Mr. Dudley, I am so glad you
reached us. Where were you and how did it all happen?' Father replied,
'Dick saved me ; isn't he splendid ?' and this was the verdict around the warm
hearthstone that night."
Mr. Bishop's home was a favorite stopping place for the itinerant
ministers and Dick, ha\-ing frequently been there before, knew the way
through the storm. The sagacious and courageous old hero had struck the
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 327
trail and never left it, though in the face of a merciless storm, and finally
landed at the right place. I think the bonds of enduring afifection closed a
little closer between the old itinerant minister and his horse that night; for
father always spoke of Dick with kindness in his tone and apologized for all
his freaks, for he had some, as most good animals have.
Supper over, we moved on, I thinking of blizzards, flooded with moon-
light and fighting with mosquitoes. We reached the ranch about ten o'clock
and turned in for the night. The next morning when we went to the stable
Dick was gone, and it was a serious question whether he had been stolen or
had untied his hitching strap. He had to be tied with great care, and he
could draw bars and open gates with a marvelous skill. We spent the fore-
noon in searching for him and inquired of all the passers by, but no trace of
him could be found. The day following was consumed in setting up the
machinery and starting to make hay. Mr. Traner returned to Grant City
with a promise to send the horse back if he had reached home; but as he did
not return for several days we were still apprehensive that some one had
stolen him. Fortunately, we did not really need the horse in hay-making.
In a short time we had several fine stacks of excellent blue-joint hay put up in
fine shape, then it began to rain and rained incessantly for days. The river
spread all over the bottom, and we had to flee from the ranch-house to the
hills, where we improvised a booth for a residence. We made a boat out of
a wagon-box with which to transport our effects to higher ground. The
eatables were getting alarmingly low — a few days with half rations, then
bran, bread and potatoes, then only potatoes. We boys dug them from under
four feet of water. It was less monotonous to dig them than to eat them.
Potatoes are not especially inviting when served alone. They tend to become
decidedly solitary when limited to onl\' two methods of cooking — baked and
boiled, boiled and baked ! This was our \'ariety.
Provisionless, water-ljound, discouraged and hungry, I determined to
go home. The only way I could possibly accomplish this journey was on
foot. The ranch man, Mr. Church, was going in the direction of home,
where it was rejDorted there was some field corn, some of which we hoped
to secure to lend a \'ariety to the potatoes, so he hitched up the oxen to help me
along on my long journey. We soon came to a bridgeless stream, which he
could not cross with the oxen. I climbed over on a few standing timbers of
the structure and, with a promise to send supplies as soon as possible, I bade
him good bye and pushed on my journey. It was a hard tramp. I had to
make a long detour, wade the deep sloughs and freshet currents of water. I
328 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
was so tired, weak and footsore that at times I thought I would be com-
pelled to stop and rest, but I dare not, as night was coming on and it began to
grow very dark. The pillar of fire that cheered that darkness was "home,
sweet home," a place where the sky is bluer, the water clearer, and bread and
butter sweeter, and the pillows softer than any other place on earth. The halo
of a light and sympathy I anticipated in the dream of that dreary night was
a veritable shekinah that spurred my weary feet to reach the encani])nient of
hallowed ground.
I tugged on and on and at last came to the ri\er, where I met dear old
Tom Kirk. Tom was a ri\er man. or rather a boy who took to the water as
though it were the accompaniment of his life. I told him my mournful
story. "Well, well, get into my l)oat, I'll soon have you across — your folks
ha\-e been worrying "bout you, but I told "em not to fret, as you would be
coming home soon and all right, too." He said Mr. Traner had gotten back
before the approaches of the bridge had been washed away, and do you know
I was afraid to ask him about Dick for fear he would say he had not re-
turned. We landed and I said "good night" to Tom. "So long, see vou in
the morning." I started to climl.) the hill up from the river. It was never
so long before and so weary the way. When 1 reached the top of the hill I
could see down the streets. I saw a light gleaming from our cottage window.
I greatl}' surprised the folks. Father laughed his glad welcome. I saw
tears in my mother's eyes, as she sat down in a chair and held me in her arms.
"I was so anxious about you," she said. "Your father was going to try to
go to the ranch tomorrow." You can hardly imagine the joy and rest that
came to me when they told me that twenty-four hours after I started from
home, for the ranch. Dick came home and stood at the front gate and called
to have us let him in. Father said : 'T think Bobby had anticipated the
freshet, for he is as cunning as he is good. I think you are both better roadsters
than you are ranchmen." "I don't know about that, father; I didn't feel
like a roadster yesterday." "Well," continued he, "I am sure you have
broken the record. Now that I have you both at home I intend to keep you
here, and )ou may take Dick and drive me over to Carroll, where I will take
the train for Boonesboro where the conference meets. In the meantime, we
must provision the ranch."
That fall Dick moved us again two hundred miles, and we left the wild
woods and the little home where we had spent several happ\- years that had
their own peculiar and primitive charms. The hands that lighted the lamps
and spread the comforts, living in neighborly good will in the little hamlet
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 329
under the great trees, are gone — all gone. A tired pilgrim mav hope some
day to come up from the ri\er, up the long hill, after the weary journev to
immortality, to see a gleaming light and find a glad welcome to the comforts
and company for which I have longed at times with a lonelv heart. I have
greatly missed the sweet fellowship of the long ago, and if old Dick is there
I shall be doubly glad. Why not? It has always seemed to me that he
should have a place "in the green pastures beside still waters."
AN .\DVENTURE IN "hELL SLOUGh/'
Levi Da\'is (sa}'s the .Sac Sim), then a practicing attorney, later cashier
of the Sac County Bank, was married late in the summer of 1864, and dur-
ing that autumn went with his bride to the eastern part of this state to visit
relatives. Early in December they started out on their homeward journev,
by way of Fort Dodge and Twin Lakes. At eight o'clock in the morning of
December loth they left Fort Dodge for their home. There was a little snow
on the ground and a moderate wind from the northeast. Their conveyance
was an open two-seated carriage and they had a dri\'er. About the time thev
reached the great swamp known as "Purgatory," three miles east of the lakes,
the wind changed to a terrible tempest from the northwest and the air was
filled with flying snow. They were caught by a blizzard. The temperature
fell rapidly and reached thirty degrees below zero. At two o'clock in the
afternoon they reached the stage station at Twin Lakes and, as it was im-
possible to go further, they remained over until nine o'clock Monday, the 12th
of the month, when they started on the last stretch of their journey. The
snow had stopped blowing and the wind had moderated somewhat, though
there was a stifif breeze from the northwest and the mercury stood at twenty
below zero. They reached a high hill, halfway between Sac City and Twin
Lakes, without accident, but at that point the hind axle broke on their buggv
in such a manner that it could not be well repaired. It was decided that the
driver should go on to Sac City and procure help, \\-hile Mr. and Mrs. Davis
kept the robes and made themselves as comfortable as possible in the mean-
time. First they descended mto "Hell Slough," Mr. Davis' carrying a part
of the lap robes with him. Mrs. Davis complained that her feet were freez-
ing, and so they went down into a well fi\-e or six feet deep, where, sheltered
from the raging wind, he took her shoes off and, after a vigorous rubbing,
finally succeeded in getting up a circulation of blood. Reascending from
the dry well, Mr. Davis took the several robes out into the cane-grass some
eight to ten feet in height and laid them down in such a shape as to make a
330 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
good protection from the wind. After this Mr. Davis started back to the hill
top after more of the robes. After he had gone awhile the Rev. Lamont,
presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal district, came along in his bnggy
and chanced to see the buffalo robes in the cane-grass and so deliberately
drew forth his rifle from the back of his buggy and as he was about to aim
and. fire, Mrs. Davis, hearing the rattle of his buggy upon coming along, rose
up with her robe, thinking help had been sent from Sac City. She was just
in time, as the presiding elder was going to shoot at what he supposed to be a
live buffalo. Mr. Davis returned with the remaining covering and the
preacher wanted them to go back with him to Twin Lakes, but they wanted
to come on home to Sac City, so thanked him for the offer, and remained in
all three or four hours, when a wagoner, moving some soldiers, picked them
up and took them along west, reaching home before nightfall. They met
their team coming out after them, but it was supposed they would find the
man and his newly married wife frozen before they could reach them. "All
is well that ends well !"'
CHAPTER XX.
ANIMALS AND GAME BIRDS OF SAC COUNTY.
By John A. Spurrell.
[Believing that this subject should be well treated in the annals of this
county, we invited Mr. John A. Spurrell, a man well calculated to produce
facts and write an interesting article on this topic, and he has obtained much
information by interviews with such men as Hugh Cory, Asa Piatt, Orville
Lee, Shelt Tiberghein, of Sac City: C. Everett Lee, Lytton; John Spurrell, of
Wall Lake; Dr. and Mrs. A. S. Hayden, Wall Lake; H. P. Dudley, Carroll
and H. B. Smith, of Odebolt. after which he has written the following able
and highly interesting article, which cannot fail to please the reader of local
history. — Ed. ]
Few people of today realize the importance of the game and fur-bearing
animals to the early settlers of Sac county. In fact no settlements could
have been made until the railroads had been lauilt had there not been an
abundance of game and fur-bearing animals. Large game was found in some
abundance until 1870, and game birds until 1885 or 1890.
I obtained records of all the large game animals except antelope. Of
these, the l)uffalo or bison were the largest and were found only as stragglers
when the first settlers arrived in 1S54, having been much hunted by the
Indians, but it had been much more abundant formerly, as shown by hundreds
of buffalo bones dredged up in Rush lake when it was drained in 191 1. Many
bones were found also in a miry place on Piatt Armstrong's place, near Lake
View, and at several other points while digging drainage ditches, while
horns were sometimes plowed up on the prairies. Asa Piatt killed a three-
year-old female buffalo on the county line south of Storm Lake in June, 1858.
Three other buffalo crossed the county and were killed west of Lake City,
about the same time. Mr. Piatt reported two buffalo crossing the southwest
corner of the county in i860, and they were killed near Jefferson. Mr. Shelt
Tiberghien saw one buffalo in 1863 about a mile and a half south and three
miles west of Sac City, but this one escaped. The largest bunch he heard of
was five killed near Lake City in 1862, in Calhoun county. The Johnny
Green Indians killed two buffalo on a hunt commencing a mile and a half
south of Newell and extending through Sac county to Ida Grove, in 1862.
332 SAC COUMTY, IOWA.
All early settlers united in sa_\in^- that elk or wapiti were plentiful, being
found from solitary individuals up to five hundred in a herd. They were
the most important source of meat to the earliest settlers, this place being
taken by deer later.
The elk herded in winter and in case of storms took refuge in reed and
rush grown ]ionds, where the reeds were ten feet high or more. In summer-
time they scattered out. Elk horns could be picked up by the wagon load
in 1856. Shelt Tiberghien captured three calves and raised them to yearlings.
The last elk in Sac county was a herd of about forty which went from east of
Storm Lake, south through Sac county, crossing the "Goosepond" at Wall
Lake, in October, 1869. Deer were plentiful until the winter of 1856-57.
when, in deep snow, about three feet on the le\'el, the wolves and hunters
nearly exterminated them. One hunter killed thirty as fast as he could shoot,
at Mason's Grove in Crawford countx', and over one hundred and fifty were
killed by the settlers of that grove during that winter. The saddles (two
hind quarters) of these deer were sold for fifty cents each in Sioux City.
Deer were rare for several years after that winter, then increased and were
plentiful until the seventies. The}' stayed on the prairies and hid in the
rushes and tall grass around ponds in summer and took refuge in the hollows
and cuts in the hills in winter. If there were any deer in the county they
were always to be found between the Boyer river and Indian creek, where
these came nearest to each other. Piatt Armstrong killed four deer near
Lake View in 1880. probably the last in this county, although there may have
been a few stragglers later.
This large game furnished much of the meat for the earlv settlers,
although wild ducks, geese, swan, prairie chickens, etc., were plentiful, while
at first the fur-bearing animals furnished the only cash revenue.
Muskrats were the most important, because the most abundant. The
skins were worth from eight to ten cents in 1857 and from twelve to fifteen
each in 1870. when Shelt Tiberghien and two partners trapped six thousand
two hundred and fifty muskrats from October, 1870. to Mav, 1871. The
muskrats were called the "savior of the people" and taxes were paid from the
proceeds of trapping. Furs and hides were the only products valuable
enough to stand transportation by team before the railroad came.
Beaver were very common, the dams they built across the Coon river
being so numerous (about a half mile apart) that there was slack water nearlv
all the way uii the ri\er. These dams doubtless did much to prevent destruc-
tive floods, and to equalize the stream flow. Beaver were most plentiful in
1856, and on the Coon river the last dam was straight east of Lake ^^iew,
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 333
where Shelt Tiberghien and partner caught thirteen heaver in 1870. The last
beaver trapped on the Bover ri\'er were cauglit in 1886, west of Wall Lake.
Otter were plentiful and, while steadily decreasing in number, held their
own better than the beaver, one being caught near Sac City in 1912. One
trapper caught five otter one da\- in early times, and they were worth three
dollars a piece then, or less than a mink skin now. The otter lived almost
exclusively on fish. In the Coon river pickerel were most abundant, then
red horse and suckers: black bass, cat fish, and wall-eyed pike were not so
numerous. In Wall lake pickerels were most plentiful, but there were also
bufifalo. perch and black bass. This lake looked like sleds had been driven
all over it in the winter of 1855-56, so numerous were the "otter slides, ac-
cording to Mr. Hugh Cory.
Raccoons, from which the ri\er was named, were common, says Mr.
Cory. His father. F. M. Cory, got twelve out of an abandoned beaver hole
in the bank of the Coon river, in the winter of 1855-56. A few are still
found, two being trapped north of Sac Citv in the winter of 1913-14.
One black bear was chased by Jim Butler and two other hunters on
horseback from south of Wall lake to the Boyer river in 1855, but it escaped.
Mink were common, only a little more common than they were until
about five years ago.
^Veasels have had about the same abundance all the time, being only
tolerably common.
Badgers were ver_\- common in the early days on the prairies, and a
very few remain yet. One was caught this ( 1913-14) winter, near Wall lake.
I think they are increasing slightly and they should be protected, as they live
almo.st entirely upon the big gray and little striped squirrels. Every farmer
knows how destructive the large grays are to seed corn after it has been
planted.
The large striped skunks were common, twelve being taken out of one
hole by one trapper. They are not very common now, at least in the south-
ern part of the county. The little spotted skunks were first trapped in 1858,
but must ha\e been at Grant City long before that. However, they did not
become very common until about 1880, and are now very plentiful. Both
kinds of skunks live mostly on meadow mice, white grubs, grasshoppers and
such small game and are worthy of protection, except when one gets the
chicken-killing habit, as they do occasionally.
There were two species of foxes in Sac county, the red fox and the kit
or swift fox. The swift fox stayed on the prairie and was rather rare.
334 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
Hugh Cory trapped one at Correction pond in 1862. Mr. Tiberghien trapped
six swift foxes in 1858. Red fox were most common in 1864. Two trap-
pers, in 1864. caught thirty-seven foxes, a few of these were cross foxes,
worth five dollars, and one. a silver fox. was worth fifteen dollars: these are
color varieties of the red fox. Red fox were worth from one to one and a half
dollars each. Many red foxes were killed by strychnine and about 1880 a
pack of hounds were brought to Sac City which ran most of the foxes out of
the country. An occasional one is still trapped, however, one being caught
near Sac City in the winter just passing.
Timber, or large gray wohes. were rather scarce, the last one being
killed in 1868. ' Both timber wolves and coyotes caught and ate red foxes.
A black wolf, not as large as the timber wolf, was very rare. F. M. Cory,
in 1858. caphired a pup from a litter playing at the mouth of the den. which
animal he kept a year. This was the last one seen.
Coyotes were more plentiful in early days than now. but they are still
fairly common and seem to be increasing in numbers, three being trapped
near W'^\\ lake the past winter and two reported caught in other parts of this
county. Several dens are dug out nearly ever}- spring.
Three Canada lynx were killed in 1869. and a straggler in 1875, ^^^ they
were rare.
Bob-cats or wild-cats were common. ]Most of them were killed by 1870.
but one was captured in 1885. These two species were found in the heavier
timber.
I have obtained no actual record of a panther or puma, but have heard
rumors of the same. Probably the}' were very rare, and were exterminated
before the settlement by white men.
A porcupine was killed in Grant City in 1854.
The first gray or barn rat came from Xew York in the spring of 1858 in
a box of goods. It escaped and was trapped the following fall. Barn rats
were next reported in 1868.
The large gray ground squirrels or gophers and the little striped ground
squirrels were as common as now, and chipmunks were more common than
now. in the timber. There were always woodchucks, or ground-hogs, in
Grant grove and Lee's grove, ten miles south and eight miles north of Sac
Citv- respectively, but they never spread out much until the last ten vears.
They have spread through the timber and one was caught at Wall lake
August 27, 1912.
OrN-ille Lee reported a prairie dog town of about twenty burrows in
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 335
Jackson township in iqoo. but tliese may have been descendants of escaped
pets.
Fox. or timber, squirrels liave always been found in the larger groves,
but were \ery rare at first and only in late years have they become veiT plenti-
ful. At Wall lake they appeared first about 1904.
Flying squirrels were always found in the timber and a few are found
yet. They move about only at night, so are not often seen.
Pocket gophers were found in morning glory patches on the unbroken
prairie, and they are and were always common.
Opossums were found in Grant and Lee's groves, when the first settlers
came, but were rare. They are still rather scarce, but are increasing. They
first appeared around Sac City about 1900, and at Wall lake in 1907, and are
spreading out over the prairie, wherever they can find a little timber.
Cottontail, or grav rabbits, were always common, but in early times were
found only in the timber, because coyotes were too common, while now al-
most none are found in the timlwr and they are common in the corn fields in
the winter.
Jackrabbits, or prairie hares, are becoming more plentiful yearly, but
the first record I can find is of one seen in the southern part of the county in
1868 or 1869. One was killed near Lake \'iew in 1879 and it was five years
before the hunter saw another. They did not become numerous until about
1890 to 1900.
With game birds Sac county was ever more plentifully supplied than
with game animals and fur-bearers. Of these, the largest was the trumpeter
and whistling swans. These were common, the whistling the more so, until
1865. The trumpeter swan nested three miles west of Sac City in 1859 ^"d
later. The last nest reported was in 1870.
Canada geese were also plentiful and nested until 1880. Snow geese,
and white-fronted geese were common, sometimes abundant, and blue geese
rare. These species are called brant by hunters. Whooping or white cranes
were always rather rare here and I have seen none for several years. Sand-
hill cranes were plentiful and nested here until 1878. They are still seen in
spring and fall, but rather rare. Pelicans were common, sometimes going in
flocks of about one hundred. A hail storm killed seventy-five or eighty
pelicans on a pond between Wall lake and Sac City, while migrating in
April. They still stop on Wall lake in both spring and fall. They live on
fish and are hardly properly called a game bird, but are usually shot because
of their size and rarity, but should not be, as they are protected by law.
336 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Long-billed curlew and marbled godwits were common and until 1877 nested.
They were rare after 1875. UpL-unl jjlover were common and nested until
about fifteen years ago; tbere were countless thousands of golden plover in
the spring of 1876.
As one settler said. "There was no end to ducks." They were of many
species. Every pond was covered with ducks in the fall. One person re-
ported having seen the entire east end of Wall lake, east of a line drawn from
Lakewood to Provost's, covered with ducks so thickly that the water looked
black, during the spring migration. Contrast this with the conditions of
today and the great ditference in the abundance of ducks can be readilv seen.
The species were the same as now, but their numbers have been greatly re-
duced. Spring shooting has been stopped none too soon. Mallard, pintail
and teal were the most common ducks, mallard and teal nesting here, as did
wood ducks along the Coon rive. Redheads were nnich more common than
canvas-backs, seven only out of one hundred and thirty-six of the two species
killed from 1875 to 1890 being canvfis-backs. The rarest of ducks was the
old squaw and the hooded mergarser next.
Of upland game birds, the wild turkey was the largest in size, three
being killed at Grant City in 1854. Ruffed grouse were reported rare by
Hugh Cory, the last ones he saw were killed in the si.xties. Orville Lee saw
one in the woods near vSac City in 1886 and heard of others being seen before.
The jjassenger, or wild, pigeon was always rather scarce, five hundred in one
flock being the largest number reported. One was seen in the "Goosepond"
near Wall lake in the summer of 1875. One was killed near Sac City in
1879, and a flock of twenty seen near Wall lake between 1880 and 1885.
The sharp-tailed grouse, or [irairie grouse, was tolerablv common in
very early times. Hugh Cory reported trapping about one hundred in the
winter of 1855-56. The last one was seen in 1858.
A bird called the woodcock, but really the pileated woodpecker, was rare
and was soon externn'nated because considered good eating ; the last one was
seen in 1865. Magpies were found in the timlier onlv along the Coon river
in the sixties and turkey vultures much later than this.
Bob-whites, or quail, were most plentiful in 1866, but only stayed in
the brush and timber at that time. There was a .small flock in a [)atch of
brush on Indian creek, near Lake View, in 1878. They are very rare now
owing to a combination of hunters and hard winters. The largest flock I
have ever seen was twenty-four about fifteen years ago.
Prairie chickens were the most importaiit u])Iand game bird, becau.se the
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. ^^7
most abundant. They nested all over the prairies. They were most abundant
at first settlement, but at that time migrated during the winter. Fifteen tried
to winter in 1855-56 and only seven survived, but prairie chickens were very
abundant next summer and fall, having come back from the South. Later,
when the prairies were planted to corn to a large extent, many wintered as
well as nested here. Their nests were very common in 1875. During the
eighties nearly ever\- farmer had a line of chicken traps out during the winter.
There was one white or albino prairie chicken reported. Now no prairie
chickens nest in Sac county that 1 have been able to locate, the last being about
1900, but thev migrate in from the northwest and winter here, sometimes
being common around shocked cum.
PARTIAL LIST OF BIRDS OF SAC COUNTY.
This is a list of birds 1 have seen and made a note of in Sac county,
mostly in the \icinity of the towns of Wall Lake, with brief notes on some of
them. It is by no means complete, but most of the land birds are included in
it. I'ive species were seen by my sister.
The vellow-ljilled cuckon, or "rain crow," is common in the groves and
lives on the hairy caterpillars and other enemies of tree foliage. The black-
billed cuckoo is rare. I have seen only one.
The belted kingfisher is a common migrant along the Coon river and on
Wall lake.
The hair\- and downy woodpeckers are tolerably common in winter and
sometimes nests in the timber.
The yellow-billed sap-sucker is rare, fortunately, because this is the
woodpecker that makes the rows of neat punctures in the bark of trees, to
eat the inner bark. All other woodpeckers live mostly on insects injurious
to trees.
The flicker ( _\clli)w-hanimer ) or "high hole" and the red-headed wood-
peckers are common.
I have seen the whippoorwill only once at Wall lake. May 14, 1910.
The nighthawk. or "bull bat," is a common migrant and nests along the
Coon river.
The chimney swift, or swallow, sometimes nests in unused chimneys,
especially in towns of this county. It formerly nested in hollow trees. These
three birds live entirely on insects taken on the wing. 0\'er one thousand
moscjuitoes have been taken from a night hawk's stomach.
(21)
33^ SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
The ruby-throated humniinj^ bird is usually rare, but sometimes common
as a migrant, and sometimes nests here.
'The king-bird is common and the Arkansas king-bird, which has a yellow
color where the common king-bird has white, is rare.
The crested fly-catcher nests along the Coon river and is a rare migrant
in other parts of the county.
The phoebe nests under bridges near woods, and the wood pewee nests
in nearly every grove.
The prairie horned lark is common, nesting in meadows early in the
spring and later in the corn fields, where many nests are destroyed by the
corn plows. It lives on weed seeds, waste grain and insects.
Blue jays and crows are common, but many of them move farther south
for the winter.
Bobolinks are common, nesting in wild hay lands. Cow birds are
common ; and red-winged blackbirds nest in every swampy place. Yellow
headed blackbirds nest only in reeds over fairly deep water. The rusty black-
bird and Brewer's blackbirds are common migrants and the bronze gracke,
ordinarily called blackbird, nests commonly in groves.
The foregoing birds damage grain to some extent, but also do much
good by eating white grubs and other insects.
The meadow lark commonly nests in pastures and meadows, where it
does much good by living on grasshoppers, etc,
Baltimore orioles are common migrants and frequentiv nest in groves,
while orchard orioles are somewhat rarer.
The redpoll, a northern bird, was tolerably common in the winter of igio-
II, and I have seen pine siskins once, in September, 1908. I have also seen
snowflakes once during a blizzard, February 14, 1909. The Lapland long-
spur is an abundant migrant, and is tolerably common as a winter resident
It flies in huge flocks which .stay out in the fields, never alighting in trees.
Vesper sparrows are rare migrants and Savanna sparrows common
migrants, while the grasshopper sparrow commonly nests in pastures and
meadows. These sparrows all slay out in the fields. The lark sparrow is
a rare migrant. The Harris and white-throated sparrows are abundant
migrants and the white-crowned song fox and chipping sparrows are tolerably
common migrants and are found along hedges and in the groves. The slate
colored junco is an abundant migrant, as is the tree sparrow, which also
winters here. The swamp sparrow is common in marshes. All the native
sparrows feed their yoimg upon insects and live upon weed seeds themselves
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 339
and are gifted with sweet Songs, while the English sparrow or European
house sparrow, which abounds in our towns and sometimes on the farms,
hves on grain, drives away more vahiable native birds by taking their nesting
places and makes a nuisance of itself generally.
The towhee is a rare migrant at Wall lake, and nests in the timber at
Sac City.
The rose-breasted grosbeak is common, nesting in groves and orchards.
The Indigo bunting is rare at Wall lake and I have seen it at Sac City.
The dickcissel is comm<in. nesting in hay fields, where many nests are
destroyed b\ the mowers.
The lark l.>unting, a western bird, is rare. I have seen it only once, in
May, 1908.
The scarlet tanager is a rare migrant at Wall lake.
The purple martin is common in the larger towns of this county. It
lives on insects, which it catches flying, including enormous numbers of
mosquitoes and flies. Its numbers could be greatly increased by putting up
more martin houses for it. The cliff and barn swallows nest about barns
and sheds, and are abundant migrants, as is the tree swallow, which nests
only rarely. The bank swallow nests most commonly about Wall lake, and
the rough winged swallow nests in banks along Coon river. All the swallows
are useful l)irtls, living on flying insects exclusively. The cedar wax-wings
are rare migrants.
The white rumped sheike, or butcher bird, is only tolerably common,
nesting in hedges or isolated trees. The warbling vireo is common and the
blue-headed rare.
The warblers are a group of small birds of almost tropical brilliancy of
colors, which frequent groves and hedges during migration and vary much
in numbers from year to year. The yellow warbler is abundant and nests
here. The mvrtle, magnolia, black-poll, redstart, Wilson and northern yel-
low-throat warblers are all common. The latter nests in sloughs. The black
and white, Nashville, parula, chestnut-sided and palm warblers, water thrush
and Louisiana water thrush are all tolerably common. The bay-breasted
blackburrian, Canadian, Cape May, black-throated green and mourning
warblers are rare. All the warblers live on insects which live on tree foliage.
The pitpit or titlark is tolerably common as a migrant, being found on
plowed fields only.
The cat bird and brown thrasher are common, nesting in groves and
thickets.
340 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
The house wren is common, nesting in holes or bird boxes that the
English sparrows cannot occupy. The wren can go through a hole one inch
in diameter, while the sparrow cannot. The winter wren is rare. I have
seen only one. The short-billed marsh wren is common in sloughs, or wet
wild grass lands. The long-billed marsh wren is found only in sloughs where
there is permanent water.
The brown creeper and white Ijreasted nuthatch are tolerably common,
being" found creeping around tree trunks in winter. The red-headed nuthatch
is rare, only one being seen.
Tlie l)lack-capped chickadee is common in groves in winter and some-
times nests.
The ruby-crowned kinglet is a common migrant and the golden crowned
kinglet a rare one.
The wood thrush or "bell liird" is tolerably common, nesting in groves.
The well-known robin is an abundant migrant, and nests almost every-
where.
The bluelnrd is only tolerably common as a migrant at \\'all Lake, and
rareh" nests, l)Ut is more abundant in the woods along the Coon river.
Of water birds, game birds and birds of prey, my list is not as complete
as it is of land ]:)irds, but the following are those I have noted :
Pied-billed grebe is common on the lakes and larger ponds. It is com-
monly called "hell-diver" by hunters and must patter along ox'er the surface
of the water before it can take flight.
The Franklin gull, a white bird with black head and wing tips and about
the size of a pigeon, is ^ery abundant, migrates in the spring and fall, flying
in large flocks, often fdllowing the plow to pick up grubs and worms, and
even white-footed mice. It is a harmless and beneficial bird and slunild not
be wantonly killed, as it often is by hunters.
I have picked up one' specimen dead, of the least tern, on Wall lake.
I think it is a rather rare migrant. The black tern or "slough gull," a slate
and black colored bird about the size of a killdeer, is a common nngrant and
nests on Wall lake and in ponds south of Sac City. It is also harmless and
beneficial and protected by law, as is the Franklin gull.
1 have found niall;u-d, jjintail or "l^lack-headed" ducks common: also
blue-winged teal: and Shoxeller, <iad wall and redheads, only tolcrablv
common.
The Canada goose is rare now . but two ^nr.dler subspecies (jf it are some
wh.-i) more common.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 34I
The bittern, "shvpoke." or "tlmnder pumper." is an abundant migrant
and common summer resident in marsh}- places. I have seen the least bittern
once on Wall lake ; it is rather rare, I think.
The great blue heron, or "blue crane," is a common migrant and is more
often found along the larger streams. I have seen the little green heron
along the Coon river at Sac City, where it is common in the fall.
The whooping or white crane is a Aery rare migrant ; 1 have seen none
for at least five years. The sandhill crane is a tolerably common migrant,
but 1 have seen only one flock alight, which was in a pasture a long ways
from any farm Ijuildings, in October, 1907.
The king rail and the sora rail are common in the dense rushes of marshy
land and on the borders of lakes. The king rail nests in the "Goosepond" iin
wet seasons. T have seen the Virginia rail at \\'all lake. The expression
"thin as a rail" comes from the slimness of these birds.
Mud hens, or coots, are common migrants on lakes and ponds and some
nest in secluded places. I ha\e found one brood of the Florida gallirule, or
"red billed mud hen," on a pond near Carnarvon.
The \\'ilson phalarope, the most beautiful of the shore birds, is a rare
migrant. I have seen it in the "Goosepond" and the inlet of Wall lake.
The Wilson snipe, or jack snipe, is an al^undant migrant, being found in
marshes and wet ground.
Pectoral sandpiper or "grass snipes." are common migrants, sometimes
being found on pasture lands far from their usual haunts of wet lands,
marshes and streams. The Baird sandpiper is a rare migrant, and the least
and the semi-palmated sandpipers are common migrants. These are all
known as "peeps" and are found along lake and stream shores. The lesser
yellow legs is a common migrant and inhaliits marshes, streams and lake
shores.
The u])land plover is a rather rare migrant and is often found in meadows
and pastures far from water. It sometimes nests in pastures.
The spotted sandpiper, or "teeter," is found along lake shores and
wooded streams, and is a tolerably common migrant and summer resident.
The killdeer is a common migrant and often nests in corn fields a half
mile or more from water. The semi-palmated ploxer is tolerably common.
It is found around ponds and along streams. y\ll the shore birds live mostly
on insects, and anv of them on mosquito's larvae, especially the killdeer.
The Wilson or Jack snipe is the only one common enough to be fairly con-
342 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
sidered a game bird. The others should be spared, as all are more useful
alive than dead.
The bob-white, or quail, the cheerful inhabitant of the road sides and
bush-covered tracts, is very rare now. I have seen only one (June 22, 1913)
near \\'all lake, in the last six years, in Sac county. It feeds mostly on weed
seeds and injurious insects, the potato bug and grasshoppers being among its
favorites.
The prairie chicken is now only a winter resident, being fairly common
at times, and finding shocked corn a great help in surviving the winter. It
migrates from the north in the fall and departs in the spring ; none nest here
now. as almost all the prairie grass lands are gone.
The mourning, or turtle, dove is a common summer resident and should
be protected at all times, as its entire food — ninety per cent, or more — is weed
seeds, fox-tail being its favorite food. I have never known of but tvk'O
doves wintering here.
The marsh hawk is tolerably common, a pair usuallv nesting in each
large sized slough, the nest being placed on the ground. I have known them
to winter here.
The sharp-shinned hawk is a tolerably common migrant and the Cooper
hawk a rare migrant at W'all lake. Probably both are more common and
nest in 'the timlier along the Coon river. These hawks have the same build,
but the sharp-shinned is twelve inches long and about the size of a pigeon, and
the Cooper is sixteen inches long. They are brown or gray on the back, but
white underneath, streaked with reddish brown. They have long, narrow
wings and a long tail, and fly \ery swiftly. They live on birds and game
and chickens, when they are handy, ninety-five per cent, of the time and five
per cent, of the time on other things. They are responsible for nearly all
hawks being called "chicken hawks," while in fact the other hawks eat meadow
mice, grasshoppers, etc.. in summer time. They rarely, if indeed ever, take
chickens, hence are beneficial because they kill the meadow mice.
The red-tailed hawk is a big, broad-winged slow-flying hawk, which
spends much of its time flying in large circles, high in the air. It is a toler-
ably common migrant in spring, a common migrant in the fall, and some-
times winters here. It is mostly known as chicken hawk, but is not the com-
mon chicken thief among hawks, which is the Cooper.
The sparrow-hawk is a toleraljly common migrant and sometimes nests
in hollow trees.
The long-eared owl is rare at Wall lake, l)ut is probabh- more common in
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
343
the timber. The short-eared owl, or "slough owl," is common in winter and
a pair usually build their nest on the ground in the tall grass, of each large
slough. They live principally upon meadow mice.
The screech owl is common, living mostly on mice and English sparrows.
The burrowing owl is rather rare, but 1 ha\e seen it several times, and
it sometimes nests in the hills south and west of Wall lake. It has e.xtended
its range into this county only in the last few years, the first one I saw being
September i6, 1907. The owl that lives on game and other birds and is not
averse to taking full-grown chickens is the great horned owl, which I have
never seen in Sac county, and I think it is extinct here. It lives only in heavy
native timber. The snowy owl, a large white owl that comes from the north
in severe winters, has been taken in Sac countv.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
HON. PHIL SCHALLER.
Human life is like the waxes of the sea. which fiash for a few brief
moments in the sunlight, marvels of power and beauty, and then are dashed
upon the remorseless shores of death and disappear forever. As the mighty
deep has rolled for ages past and chanted its sublime requiem and will con-
tinue to roll during the coming ages until time shall be no more, so will the
\va\'es of human life follow each other in countless succession until they
mingle at last with eternity's boundless sea. The passing of any human life,
however humble and unknown, is sure to give rise to a pang of anguish which
will wring some heart, but when the fell destroyer knocks audibly at the
door of the useful and great and removes from earthly scenes the man of
honor and influence and the benefactor of his kind, it not only means be-
reavement to kindred and friends, but a public calamity as well. In the
largest and best sense of the term, the late Phil Schaller, of Sac City, Sac
county, was distinctly one of the notable men of his time and generation in
the vicinity of which this history treats, and as such is entitled to a conspicu-
ous place in the annals of western Iowa — in fact, he was one of the great men
of the state.
Hon. Phil Schaller rose from being a poor emigrant boy to become a
man of substance and great influence and power in his adopted land where
opportunities are everywhere awaiting the energetic and deserving. He was
born in AA'orth. -Msace, Germany, January 6, 1838, and there obtained his
primary education in the common schools. At the age of sixteen years he
came to America, tarrying for a short time in the Eastern states, but finally
arrived in Iowa in 1854. He had little more than the clothing on his back
when he arrived in America and did not locate in Iowa until sixteen years
after his arrival. He established his first residence in Clayton county and
enlisted in the Union army upon the outbreak of the Rebellion. On August
8, 1862, he enlisted in Company' E, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry Regiment,
and participated in all the engagements of his regiment, including Steele's
346 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Arkansas expedition, the Meridian campaign, the Red River campaign (where
he won distinction in the capture of Fort De Russy), Smith's expedition to
Tupelo and Oxford, the pursuit of General Price through Arkansas and Mis-
souri, the battle of Nashville and campaigns about Mobile and its defenses.
He was mustered out with his regiment August 8, 1865, and at once returned
to Clayton county, Iowa, where he engaged in the wagon-making trade, in
which he was a successful operator for a number of years.
In the spring of 1872 Mr. Schaller had a vision of the broad and fertile
prairies of western Iowa and of what the newer lands might have in store
for him. He came to Sac county and located in Eden township on a beauti-
ful quarter section of wild land and set about improving the same, intending
to follow farming for a livelihood. But it was not long before he was
entrusted with the agency of the Iowa Railroad Land Company, which
corporation then owned large tracts of land in Sac and adjoining counties.
In this position Mr. Schaller obtained a wide and favorable acquaintance
among all the hardy pioneers of northwestern Iowa. The wise policy of the
company and its big-hearted agent saved to many a settler, in the time of
drstress, the home he would have lost had those he had been dealing with
been less kindly disposed. Recounting the days and experiences of that try-
ing period, many a pioneer shed tears and truly grieved when he heard that
bluff, kind-hearted Phil Schaller was no more for this earth. His memory
will long be revered and forever and ever in the history of Sac county and
western Iowa Phil Schaller will be remembered as the "l-'rieiul ni the
Farmer."
It is not to be supposed that an individual possessing his native ability
and rich experience in business and with his fellow men would long stay out
of politics in a nevv" and rapidl\' or,)\ving couiitr}', in which he settled n(jt long
after the close of the civil conflict. The events of that war, the strong ad-
ministration developed by the party of Lincoln and the policies of the Re-
publican party naturally found the deceased a stalwart supporter of the same,
though he was independent enough in his action to scratch a ticket when
names of candidates appeared there whom he believed not worthy the office
they sought at the hands of the people. His first office was that of member
of the board of county supervisors in Sac county, which position he held with
great courage and credit to himself and the people whose interests he had
been entrusted with. He held this office until, in 1877. he was elected
treasurer of Sac county, and it was at a time when county warrants were
nowhere near par and he was elected upon his pledge that he would make all
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 347
warrants good as gold, which promise he carried out t(j the letter. This
necessitated his removal from his farm to Sac City, where he continued to
reside for a third of a century and up to the time of his death. In 1885 he
was elected to a seat in the twenty-first General Assembly of Iowa, where he,
by the force of his courage and ability, made Sac county known far and near.
Among the measures he espoused was that of trying to secure the location
of the Iowa State Soldiers" Home at Sac City, but it finally went to Marshall-
town and became an institution in which he was greatly interested, and he
was appointed as one of its inspectors for the state, doing good service, both
for the commonwealth and for his old comrades-at-arms. He also aided,
as a party measure, the introduction of the prohibitory liquor laws as well
as other important state legislation. He was a delegate to the Republican
national convention at St. Louis, in 1896, which nominated President Will-
iam McKinley the first time. He was twice elected mayor of Sac City and
through his ability and fearlessness secured the enactment of wholesome
ordinances and rules for the government of his home town. During his
administration there were less arrests and better order prevailed than at any
other time before that period. He was also state commander of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and held numerous positions in several banking con-
cerns of Sac county, in which he was also a heavy stockholder. He was a
liberal contributor in various public enterprises and for many years a trustee
of the Buena Vista College, the Sac City Institute and the local Presbyterian
church of Sac City, of which he was a member. He also held membership
in the various branches of the Masonic order, all the way from the blue lodge
up to the consistory. He was once grand treasurer for the grand lodge of
Iowa, and belonged to numerous other fraternal societies at Sac City, but
doubtless esteemed most of all his connection with Gen. \\ . T. Sherman
Post No. 284. Grand Army of the Republic. The surviving members of
this post will not soon forget comrade Schaller's loyalty and helpfulness in
its maintenance and many a soldier has reason to remember with deepest
gratitude some one or more acts of kindness coming from him in a time
when it was most needed.
It was the late Hon. George D. Perkins, editor of the Sioux City Journal,
who said upon hearing of the death of comrade Schaller : "Dear old Phil
Schaller! Big-hearted man; courageous man — a type of man who leaves his
impress and mark where the chance to live is given."
Another token of love and esteem came through a committee of three
from the Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown, sent to Sac City on this special
348 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
errand, to deliver the following set of resolutions, bespeaking of the senti-
ment held at Marshalltown among his old-time comrades :
"\Vhereas, the sad and mournful funeral knell has betokened that an-
other spirit has winged its flight to a new state of existence; an alarm has
come to our outpost and the messenger is Death, and none will presume to
say to the awful presence: 'Who comes there?' In the death of comrade,
friend and associate Schaller we feel that we have met an irreparable loss,
but our loss is far less than that sustained by those nearer and dearer to him.
"Therefore, be it resolved; That in behalf of our post, we give this
tribute symbol of our undying love for comrades of the war and that we
mourn for one who was in every way worthy of our respect and regards and,
as members of the Iowa Soldiers' Home, we feel that he has always had our
best interests at heart; that he has been an undefatigable worker in his
endea\-ors to better the condition of this home — more so than any other
person.
"Resolved, That we sincerely condole with the family of the deceased
on the dispensation which has pleased Divine Providence to afflict them and
we commend for consolation to Him who orders all things well and whose
chastisements are given with a merciful hand.
"Resolved, that this heart-felt testimonial of our sorrow and sympathies
be delivered to the family of our departed comrade and friend by the dele-
gates from this post selected to attend his burial.
"J. J. Beedy,
"George W. Webb,
"W. A. Hamilton."
For several years previous to his death Mr. Schaller was the senior mem-
ber of the firm of .Schaller & Hart, lands and loans, and composed of Mr.
Schaller and William H. Hart, the editor of the historical section of this
work. The thri\'ing anil beautiful town of Schaller was named in his honor
by the land company. He wa.s the first ]:)res!(ient of the Sac C'ountv Farmers'
Mutual Insurance Company, which he assisted in organizing. Mr. Schaller
became a director in the First National Bank of Sac City, and was originator
and first president of the Lake \'iew State Bank.
yir. Schaller was first married in October of 1865 to Emiline L. Knight,
of Clayton county, Iowa, by whom he had two daughters born, Louise, the
wife of E. P. Hartman, of Lake View, and Eugenie, the wife of F. S. Need-
SAC COUNTY, II)W.\. 349
Iiani, banker of Sac City. Mrs. Schaller passed from earth on February 13,
1899. In July of 1900, Mr. Schaller married Mrs. Catherine Fishman, who
survives him and resides at Sac City.
Catharine Rosenhauer (Mshman) Schaller is a native of Bavaria, Ger-
many, the daughter of John and Julia Rosenhauer, who emigrated to America
in the year 1845. They first settled in Massachusetts, and in 1848 removed
to the wilds of Wisconsin where they became pioneer settlers and where John
Rosenhauer is still residing in the ripeness of a long and fruitful life;
Catharine Rosenhauer was first married in Wisconsin to William Fishman in
1809. William Fishman was a native of Westphaha, Germany, and came to
America when a youth. He learned the trade of blacksmith and followed
it as a means of gaining a livelihood throughcjut his entire life. Not many
years after this marriage they settled in Sac City where Mr. Fishman con-
ducted a blacksmith shop and prospered. He died in 1884, leaving a son,
George, now deceased. A niece, Agnes Rosenhauer, is residing with Mrs.
Schaller. Mrs. Schaller is a member of the Presbyterian church and the
Eastern Star chapter.
Phil Schaller was one of the first members of Occidental Lodge No. 178,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, a member of Darius Chapter No. 58,
Royal Arch iVIasons, Rose Croix Commandery No. 38. Knights Templar, and
the Eastern Star Chapter No. 18, of Sac City. He was affiliated with the
De Molay Consistory No. i of Lyons, Iowa, and was a member of the Des
Moines Consistory of Scottish Rite Masonry. He held the office of grand
treasurer of the grand lodge of Iowa Masons. He valued most highl\- his
comradeship in the Grand Army of the Republic, Gen. W. T. Sherman Post,
at Sac City. For a period of three years Comrade Schaller was commandei
of the Northwestern Iowa \'eterans' Association with the title of colonel
commanding.
Mr. Schaller's death occurred at Earlville, Iowa, July 21, 191 1, and was
occasioned by apoplexy. He and his wife had been in attendance at the
funeral of his sister in Dubuque and stopped ofif at Earlville to visit relatives.
Without warning, this gallant soldier, pioneer and statesman was gathered
to his fathers. His funeral was held from the Presbyterian church in Sac
City and was conducted by Rev. R. L. Brackman, pastor. His remains were
interred in Oakland cemetery, with a large company of ex-soldiers and hun-
dreds of friends from distant places furnishing the funeral procession. The
deceased had survixing him, his wife, two daughters, six brothers and ten
grandchildren.
o50 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Phil Schaller departed this earthly life at the rijie age of seventy-two
years. His life and acconiplishtnents are so closely interwoven with the
history and development of Sac county that it is necessary elsewhere in this
N'olume to record data more closely than is herein presented by the biographer.
We cannot do justice to his character or fittingly portray the usefulness of
a truly great and wonderfully endowed citizen such as he. Phil Schaller
will live long in the memory of the people of Sac county. His life story will
prove to be an inspiration to every poor boy who looks forward to the time
when he. too. may become a leader of his fellow men and win wealth and
greatness such as comes to but few men in a communit}'. To ha\e known
Phil Schaller was to have esteemed him higlilv. Peace be to his ashes.
ERNEST C. PULLER.
Prominent in tlie affairs of Sac ceuiUv and tlistinguished as a citizen
whose influence is far extended Ijeyond the limits of the community
honored by his residence, the name of E. C. i-'uller stands mit a conspicuous
figure among the successful men of the locality of which this history treats.
All of his un<]ertakings ha\'e Ijeen actuated l)v noble motives and high re-
solves and characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality
and his success and achievements but represent the result of fit utilization
of innate talent in directing effort along those lines where mature judgment
and rare tliscrimiiiation lead the way. He has been identified in a business
way with various local enterprises, in all of which he has been uniforml}'-
successful.
E. C. haulier, county superx'isor from the first district, and substantial
business man of Early, Iowa, was born August 4, 1855, at LaSalle, LaSalle
county, Illinois, the son of S. K. and Mary Ann (Swartauf) Fuller, both
natives of the state of New York, the father born in December, 1826, in
Orleans county, that state, and died at Early. Iowa, in September. 191 1,
and the mother, also deceased, born in Niagara county, New York. S. K.
k'nller located at l^aSalle, Illinois, at a veiy early flay, and in September,
1855, migrated to Poweshiek county, Iowa, locating in the town of Grinnell
when that now prosperous little city was first founded. He came to Sac
county about 1878 and for two years lived on a farm. He removed to
Early when the town was started, and here established the Bank of Early,
a private bank, and in 1890 he organized the State Bank of Early. He
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 351
thus became one of the pioneer bankers of this locality. The success of
this bank was largely due to his earnest and able efforts, for he was a far-
seeing business man of unimpeachable honesty and high integrity.
Six children were born of the marriage of S. K. and Mary Ann
(Swartauf) Fuller: Two children died in infancy; E. M. Fuller lives at
Long Branch, California; E. C. Fuller, the immediate subject of this sketch,
was the fourth in order of birth; Mrs. Helen G. Wood died in April, 1912;
S. C. Fuller died at Imperial, California, in November, 1913.
E. C. Fuller came to Sac county, Iowa, May 30, 1875, and located on
section 7 in Boyer \'alley township, where he bought two hundred and ten
acres of land at fifteen dollars per acre. He later purchased two hundred
and forty acres more at a cost of twelve dollars antl fifty cents per acre.
He purchased additional land from time to time until his holdings included
over four hundred and fifty acres in one tract, two hundred and ninety-two
acres in Boyer \'alley township and one hundred and sixty acres in Cook
township. He still retains the first farm he i)urchasefl, and is the owner
of two other iine farms. He has one hundred and sixty acres in South
Dakota and three huuflrerl and eighteen acres near Spirit Lake, Dickinson
county, Iowa.
Mr. Fuller lived on the farm until iSSS, when he removed to Early,
Iowa. For a period of twenty years or more he dealt extensively in live
stock. For five years he conducted a meat market. He also owned a drug
store for two years and a livery barn for three years, selling the latter only
recently. He has a beautiful home in Early, which he purchased ui 1003,
and which he entirelv remofleled into one of the finest and most mridern
residences of the community.
Mr. Fuller is vice-president and a director of the State Bank of Early
and has been connected with this popular institution .since it? organization.
He is a man whose judgment on important business matters is valued
highly. Politically, he is a Republican and has taken a more ^r less active
interest in the political affairs of his county. He served two years in the
city council and nine years as a memlier of the school board of Early, as
well as holding all the township offices. In 1906 he was elected supervisor
from the first district and re-elected in 1912, and it is universall}' conceded
that his official record is without lilemish.
Mr. Fuller was married December 24, 1883. to Ida May Spalding,
daughter of Calvin Spalding, of Early, and they have one son, Ivan L., who
has been a student at Ames. Iowa, and at Morningside College at Sioux
Citv, Iowa.
352 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Fraternally, Mr. Fuller holds nienihership with the Masons :ind the
Odd Fellows, having attained to the thirt}--second degree in Masonry and
being a member of Abu Beke Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Sioux City, Iowa.
He is a member of the Methodist church. Progressive and public-sjjirited
as a citizen, Mr. Fuller has shown a commendable interest in local affairs
and lends his support readily to every enterprise having for its object the
advancement of the community. Personally, he is most genial and com-
panionable and his popularity is universal.
WILLIAM W. FIELD.
To have lived an honorable and unselfish life \vhich has been de\oted in
the main to the service of one's fellowmen deserves more than mere mention
To be remembered as a liberal public l.iene factor and to havn achie\'ed renown
and become distinguished in two commonwealths of this nation is more
achievement than usually fails to the lot of mankind, specifically. ^Ve re-
member an able man b)' his deeds, for the fact is well established that a good
man li\-es onward and fore\er in the hearts and minds of the people. Has it
not been said, "Dust to dust, ashes to ashes, was not written of the soul?"
The body perishes and returns to the earth and air from which it was origi-
nally created. The man himself does not die — he li\^es on and on — and if his
life has been worthy and useful, one in which he has won a certain definite
measure of renown, he is remembered for years and even ages after his
earthly demise. It is a comforting thought which our religion teaches us
that death in itself is but a brief separation, to be followed b)' a grand reunion
in the great beyond, whither all souls nuist 1ra\el and rest in jieace if the
earthly life has merited a just reward. William W. Field is well remem-
bered for his fine attainn.ients, generous philanthropy and statesmanship,
qualities which he possessed in abundance. He was a high type of man, de-
scended from a long line of illustrious forbears, and was born into a family
that has furnished wonderful geniuses and some of the ablest men in several
decades of the family's history. He came of the famous I'leld family which
produced Cyrus W. Field, of the Atlantic cable fame, and Marshall Field, the
merchant prince of Chicago, and a long line of illustrious .Americans famous
in many ])rofessions and walks of life.
W. W. Field was born October 31, 1824, in the town ui Lancaster, New
Hampshire. He was the son of Abel Waite Field, a native of Brattleboro,
, T^^O^^^^
.^« ■J/f^T'jSZ/
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 353
\ erniont. The Field genealogy gives the line of Fields in the following suc-
cession, heginning with William iMeld, who was the first in line, followed by
his son Wilham (II), Richard (III), John (IV). John (V). Zechariah
(VI), John (VII). Zechariah (X'lTI), John (IX), John (X). Abel W.
(XI), and U'illiani Wells (XII).
Mr. Field was married Octolier 31, 1850, to INlahala J. Howe, who was
born December i, 1825, and is the daughter of parents whose residence was
in the state of New Hampshire, where they both died. She was one of eight
children, as follows: Mrs. Hattie S. Taylor, deceased: Mahala J. Field;
Edward B., who died in infancy: Sophia Ann, deceased in childhood: Edwin
Newell, died in infancy: Althea Perkins, died at the age of twelve years; Mrs.
Mary Farnam, deceased; Joseph D., a resident of Lancaster, New Hampshire.
He with whom this review is directly concerned was the son of a farmer
who had five sons and a daughter, to each of whom he managed to give
the ad\-antages of a good school education, and it was given to William \\' . to
attend the Lancaster Academy and there finish his education. He taught
school at the age of sexenteen years for three winters in succession. \\ hen he
was twenty years old his father gave him his "time,"' or rather gave him per-
mission to make his own way in the world, as he had no property to give, and
had done all that he possibly could in preparing him to fight life's battle in the
future. In the \ear 1845 he left home with thirt}- dollars in gold as his sole
possession and went to Med ford, i\Iassachusetts, and there worked at farm
labor for a period two years. He then engaged in the marble business in the
town of Belfast, Maine.
In 1852 Mr. Field came west and stopped at the town of Fenniman.
Grant county, Wisconsin, and ]3urchased a tract of land in the xicinity, on
which he lived in a log cabin and there made his home. In 1865 he rented his
farm and moved to Boscobel. Grant county, for the purpose of afifording his
children better educational advantages. In Januarv of 1873 he removed to
Madison, the capital of Wisconsin.
During the Civil War Mr. Field was a strong advocate of the integrity
of the Union and threw the weight of his influence in jjehalf of the Federal
o-overnment at all times. His iniblic career in Wisconsin began with his
election as a member of the (^irant county board of supervisors in 1861, and
he served as chairman of this board. He served his county as a member of
the state Legislature in the sessions of 1855, 1862. 1863. 1864 and 1865, and
filled the position of speaker of the House during 1862 and 1863 of his legis-
lative service. He represented the state as presidential elector at large in
(22)
354 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
1864. Mr. l-'ield wa.s appuinted a meniljer (jf the l)oard of regents of the
State University of Wisconsin in 1871, and served in this high office until
1873. In Fehruary of 1873 'i^ "^^'^'^ elected a member of the executive board
of the State Agricultural Society and held this position for several years. In
April of 1875 he was electetl secretary of the Wisconsin state board of cen-
tennial managers.
Mr. Field migrated from \\'isc()nsin to Iowa in 1879 and located in the
new town of Odebolt. He ]3urchased an entire section of land in Wheeler
township, which he farmed and de\eloped until 1892, when he made a per-
manent residence in Odebolt. He died in April of 1907. He was very active
in financial and ci\ic affairs while residing in Sac county. He was one of the
founders and the first ])resident of the First National Bank df Odebdlt. While
he was especially gifted in the line of public duty, the only office which he
cared to accept in the county was the trusteeship (if Wheeler township.
Politicall}-, Mr. l'"ield was always allied with the Republican part}'. He
was an attentlant and liberal supporter of the Presbyterian church and was a
Mason during the greater part of his life. Mrs. b'ield has been a life-long
member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Field was a liberal donor to the fund
which was provided for the erection of the handsome |)ublic librar\- in Ode-
bolt ; in fact, it is a matter of record that he gave a considerable portion of the
necessary funds for defraying the cost of the erection of the structure. He
did this with the idea of giving some substantial return to the communitv in
which he had prospered. He will long be remembered as one of the main
donors of this useful institution.
Something concerning the family history of Mahala J. Howe Field is
not inappropriate at this point. The Howe family is a very old one from an
American standpoint and numbers among its members and descendants some
of the ablest Americans and men and wniuen in all walks of life who have
been successful. The family begins with Abraham Howe, who emigrated
from England and settled at Malvern, Massachusetts, in the year of 1858. From
him ha\e descended five generations of Joseph Howes as they were named
respectiveh- and have been prominent in the colonial life of New England.
Daniel Howe, the grandsire of Mrs. k'ield. located in Lancaster, Vermont, in
about 1778, and married Eunice Bucknan, a daughter of Capt. Edward
Bucknan, one of the leading spirits in the settlement of Lancaster. He was
justice of the peace, town clerk and a leader of the community for many
years. The father of Mrs. Field, although defective in eyesight, managed to
achieve a comfortable competency in life and reared a worthy family. It is
worthv of note that Eunice Bucknan. grandmother of Mrs. Field, was the
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 355
first white child Ijorn in Lancaster. Joseph D. Field, brother of Mrs. Field, is
one of the substantial and leading citizens of the Lancaster community and
is the owner of a very fine stock farm, which is noted for the quality of its
pure bred live stock. At the present writing, Mr. Howe and wife are the
guests at the Field home.
Mrs. Mahala ). Field resides in the old homestead in Odebolt and is one
of the respected and best loved ladies of the city. She is the mother of the
following children: Mrs. Jennie Bashford, wife of Rev. James W". Bash-
ford, a bishop of the Methodist church, and at present a missionary located in
Peking, China: Mrs. Ella Frank, wife of a live-stock ranchman, located at
Ree Heights, South Dakota, and who is the mother of two children, Marion
Feild. also a missionary at Nanking. China, and Howard Price Frank, of
Natick, Massachusetts.
It was not to be expected that W. W. Field could refrain from
taking a prominent and active part in state affairs after he became a resident
of Iowa, but he turned his energies in the direction of his favorite avocation,
that of the agriculturist. He became vice-president of the State Agricultural
Societ\- and also served as president of this great body. He was a strong and
able exponent of better and more impruved farming methods and wielded
quite an influence in bettering conditions for the farmers of the state. He
will long be remembered as one of the ablest and most widely known men
who have served in the councils of the state board.
A distinct loss to the conmiunity and state at large occurred with his
demise, and he was sincerely mourned by hundreds and thousands who knew
him and who knew of his many excellent qualities and accomplishments as a
citizen and statesman. \A"ere this \olume without the foregoing memoir it
would be incomplete.
HON. D. CARR EARLY.
Invulnerable integrity and high purpose characterized the life of Hon.
D Carr Early, an honored citizen and representative business man of Sac
Citv, who left an indelible impress upon the civic and industrial annals of the
county and upijn whose record there rests no shadow of blemish. His
strength was as the number of his days, and not onl\- did he accomplish
much in connection with the ]jractical affairs of life, but his nature, strong
and vigorous, found denotement in kindly tolerance and human sympathy,
generous deeds and worthy ser\-ice. He was a lawyer l_iy profession, who
3S6 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
served his count}' in several important positions of pulilic trust \v:th -ignal
honor and ability, but a greater part of his long and active career was one of
close and fruitful identification with business interests, especiall)- in the line
of banking, in which he gained marked prestige.
Among the important factors in the settlement and final development
of Sac countv, perhaps no one man did more auf! stood higher in the esti-
mation of his fellow citizens than Judge Earh', who was a resident of Sac
City and vicinity for more than forty-seven years. In the settlement of
new cotmtries there are two classes always found — one, the short stayer,
and the other, the permanent settler, who sets his stakes and builds worthily
for the oncoming years. The latter class included Mr. Early, whose name
is now and ever will be mentioned in connection with Sac county, by reason
of his energy and tact, as well as for his actual accomplishments.
Judge Early was born April 21. 1830, near the village of h""eesburg,
Brown county, Ohio, the son of Andrew Early, a native of Kentucky, whose
wife's name was Fanny Summers. Mr. Early's ancestors came from Ireland
in the eighteenth century and settled in Hampshire county. Virginia.
Thomas Early was the great-grandfather of Judge Early and the father of
David Early, who was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, in 1774. David
Early removed to Kentucky in 1778 and settled in I'deming county, where
Andrew Early, father of D. Carr Early, was born. Andrew was born
December 4, 1803, antl removed to Brown county, Ohio, in the year 1826.
D. Carr Early was reared on a farm, but diligently improved every '
spare moment in gaining an education. At the age of eighteen years he com-
menced school teaching, at the same time taking up the study of Latin. His
father allowed him two acres of kind, which he planted to corn and tobacco.
The first season he made one hundred and forty-fi\e dollars, with which
money he went to school at Felicity, Clermont county, Ohio, called S])ring-
town Institute, where he was especiallv jiroficient in mathematics. He then
went to Nelson county, Kentucky, where his uncle, Walter Summers, lived.
There lie taught scIkjo! for one year, with the proceeds of which lie was
enabled to attend school further. He then returned to Ohio and l)egan
reading law with H. L. I'enn. of Georgetown. By money earned as a teacher,
he continued his studies and at the end of two years was admitted to the
bar of the supreme court. Me then taught two _\-ears longer, as he ueedetl
the money in starting out as a lawyer. In 1856 he set his face toward the
West, making nearly the entire trip on foot. Me had determined to be the
owner of a (|uarter section of government land, \\iili linilier ujion it if
]3ossible. and he found lliat tract in Sac count)-, Iowa. lie and Andrew J.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 357
Taylor, a companion, selected claims May 5, 1856. He went on foot to the
land office at Sioux City to file his pre-emption papers, while Taylor, his chum,
remained and cut logs and made clapboards for a cabin, which was erected
on the line of the two claims. Here the two young men dwelt in rude
fashion as real pioneers of Sac county, for three months, until they could pay
for their lands under the pre-emption laws.
Mr. Early went back to Fleming county, Kentucky, and there taught
school the next winter, but in the spring of 1S57 returned to Sac county,
coming back \)y boat to Sioux City. During this water trip he freed himself
of the fever and ague which had troubled him the season before. He then
located in Sac City, then a village of only three or four log Ikjuscs, including
one erected for a school house. He at once engaged to teach the pioneer
school, but after teaching seven days he resigned to accept the office of county
treasurer and recorder; F. M. Cory had been elected, but preferred to have
another perf(.>rni his duties. Mr. Early was an expert penman and an excel-
lent accountant. He was called upon to draw many legal papers for the
incoming settlers, in connection, generally, with their land claims and titles.
Much of the land was known as luilitary land an<l had been taken up with
army scrip. He kept a careful list of all non-resident lands and paid taxes
for the owners of the same, and thus laid the foundation for his future
fortune.
Sac coun.ty was heavil}- in debt and county warrants were at a discount,
from fifty to sixty cents on a dollar being all they were actually worth, but
when taken in payment for taxes were worth their face. He sold his land
and bought county warrants, doubling his money by using them in payment
of taxes for his clients. At the end of Mr. Cory's term as treasurer anfl
recorder, Mr. Early was elected to take that combined office, and was re-
peatedly re-elected several years. He served as county judge one year, but
refused further to hold such office, or any other, save that he did consent
to serve as mayor of his city and was a national delegate for James G.
Blaine in 1884. He drifted into the banking business and made money
rapidly. He was director and president of the Sac County Bank — later
known as the Sac County State Bank — and was also director of both state
and national lianks in Sac City. He reajjed b.is reward, as progress went for-
ward in the new country, but he never forgot those less fortunate and was
ever public spirited and generous. He put many thousand dollars into the
old railroad line from Sac City to Wall Lake, and finally donated the same
to the Chicago & Northwestern Company when they agreed to operate the
road for not less than twentv \-ears. The court houses, churches, the old
35^ SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
institute ami many other local enterprises received liberallx' from his purse.
In 1876 he built his fine brick mansion — then the best in western Iowa — at a
cost of twenty thousand diillars. and aided in building the opera house l)lock,
he owning- three-foinths of the stock in the company.
D. Carr Early was happil}' married December 9, 1859, to Harriet V.
Wren, who died March 26, 1864, and three days before her death her second
child was born. The issue by this marriage was Ossian Carr, of San Jose,
California, and Walter Francis, deceased at the age of twenty years, while
attending college at Valparaiso, Indiana. On January i, 1865, Mr. Early
was niair'ed to Sarah A. Wren, who was born in ?iIontgomery county, In-
diana, and when a child of ele\'en years came to Iowa with her parents, W^ash-
ington Wade and Maria (Frame) Wren, in the fall of 1857 and settled on a
farm five miles south of Sac City, where they pre-empted land. To Judge
and Mrs. Early four children were born as follows : Quincy Eugene, who
died in 1909; Lulu Maud, deceased; Lola Mae, wife of George B. Perkins;
Doud Cady, who died at the age of nine years.
Judge Early was an enthusiastic Freemason, ha\ing united in 1852 and
helped to develop the order in Sac City. He was an honored memljer of
Occidental Lodge No. 178; Sac City Chapter No. 18, Order of the Eastern
Star; Darius Chapter No. 58. Royal Arch Masons: Rose Croix Commandery
No. 38, Knights Templar; Des Moines Consistory No. ^j, Scottish Rite
Masonry: Za-Ga-Zig Temple, Ancient Araliic Order of Noliles of the Alvstic
Shrine.
Judge Early's father and grandfather were both of the rresb\tcrian
faith, but he was not truly a Christian by profession until aged about lift\
years, when he united with the Presbyterian church at Sac City and ga\e
liberally toward the support of that as well as towards all other denomina-
tions in his vicinity.
Politically, he of whom this memoir is written was an uncompromising
Republican — never scratched his ticket and always attended caucuses and
primary elections. He was greatly beloved by the poor people in his com-
nnmity, as well as by tliose upon whom fortune had smiled.
Of such worthy characters the world has none too man v.
Judge Early was called by death August 4. 1903, and the connnunitv
felt a distinct loss in the passing of this esteemed citizen. His influence had
touched with beneficence the civic and business life of his home county and
city and his name merits a place of honor on the roster of those who have
contributed in generous measure to the development and progress of the citv
and county which was so long the scene of his earnest and effective endeavors.
' SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 359
JACOB W. HARTSELL.
Clearl}- detined purpose and consecuti\e effort in the affairs of lite will
iiievitaljh' result in the attaining of a due measure of success, but in follow-
ing out the career of one \\ho has attained success by his own efforts there
comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment
possible, and thus there is granted an objective incentive and inspiration.
The (jualities which have made Mr. Hartsell, the mayor of Early, one of the
prominent and successful men of that city, have also brought him the esteem
of his fellow townsmen, for his career has been one of well-directed energy,
strong determination and honorable methods.
Jacob W. Hartsell, mayor of Early, Iowa, and prosperous farmer of
Sac county, was born April 6, 1853, in Mercer county, Illinois. His parents
were Harrison and Elizabeth (Unangst) Hartsell, who were both natives of
New Jersey. They came west in the earl}- histor}- of Illinois and settled
in Mercer cnunlx". that state, where they buth died. Thev reared a family
of six children; Charles, of Preston, Kansas; Mrs. Mary Shearer, of Lori-
mer, Iowa: ]\lrs. Elizabeth Moler. uf Stuart, Iowa; Elijah, also of Stuart,
Iowa: Ezra, deceased, and Jacob \\'., with whom this narrative deals.
Jacdb W . llartsell was educated in the schools of ]\lercer county. Illi-
nois, and, after marrying in that state, came to Sac county, Iowa, in 1882,
and purchased three hundred and twenty acres in Cook township, and con-
tinued to reside on this farm until he moved to Early in 1905. In 1909 he
was elected mayor of Early and has been filling that important position up
until the present time. Since taking charge of the executive chair he has in-
stalled an electric light plant, at a cost of ten thousand dollars, and the city
niiw lioasts of handsome lioulevard lights, which gives it a very attractive
appearance at night. He has been a strong advocate of all town improve-
ments and has given an administration to the citizens of Early which has
been satisfactory in every way.
Mr. Hartsell was married in 1877 to Amanda McLaughlin, the daugh-
ter of ^Ir. and ^Mrs. J. R. ^McLaughlin, of fiercer county. Illinois, and to
this union there have been born five children, James, Charles, \'ernon, Nellie
and Ruth. James antl Charles are now 011 the home farm, Vernon is farm-
ing near Earl\" and Xellie resides on a farm near the same place, while Ruth
remains with her parents.
Politically, Mr. Hartsell is a Democrat and is a firm Ijeliever of the prin-
ciples as set forth 1:)\- that part\- and advocated by President Wilson. His
party has honored him by electing him to the office of mayor of Early, while
6o SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
he has honored his party 1j_\' giving his services, not onlv for tlie benefit of
the memliers of his own party, but for all the citizens of the city, irrespec-
tive of their politics. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons, while he belongs to the Mystic Shrine at Des Aloines.
The members of the family are all Presbyterians and render that cliurch
their earnest support. Mr. Hartsell is. first of all, distinctly a man of the
people, whose interests he has at heart and for w hom he wouldn't hesitate to
make an_\' reasnnable sacrifice. He believes in the ultimate glorious destiny
of our free institutions and that the best way to realize that destiny is for
each member of the body politic to live up to his highest ideals of right,
which, to the best of his ability, Mr. Hartsell has endeavored to do.
HON. EUGENE ClilSS.
The name of Judge Eugene Criss figures closely within the pages devoted
to the histor\- of Sac county, and he is best remembered as "the father of Sac
City." He, in fact, founded the city and assisted in its future development.
He was the friend and adviser of scores of settlers, to whom his words of
counsel were guiding stones in their pathway of redemption of the prairie
lands and their emergence from tlie embryo state into a landscape of smiling
meadows and substantial homes. His \alue to the county as a citizen and
official during the pioneer days can not be properly estimated. He was a man
among men in the oh! days when men of integrity and iron resolution were
needed.
Judge Eugene Criss was born in West Virginia and reared in the state of
Mar\'land. the son of Michael N. Criss. His birth occurred July 2/, 1822, on
a farm. After his marriage he and his wife resided on the parental farm until
their remo\al to Illinois, in October of 1844. The\- rented a farm in north-
western Illinois, Jo Daviess county, for a period of two \ears. In the mean-
time, Mr. Criss worked in the lead mines of the vicinity for a period of three
vears while conducting his farming operations. He then engaged in the
mercantile business in the town of Shullsburg, Wisconsin, for a period of eleven
years. In tlie spring of 1855 he loaded his stock of merchandise on a covered
wagon and commenced the long overland journey to Sac county, Iowa. He
varied the monotony of the journey by trading with the farmers on the way,
replenishing his stock of goods from time to time. His ostensilile purpose in
'yM/r.:). ,^j'ff j/ff ■) '^ /•r,Aj
(O'UOf /ir ^/v.Ai
^
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 361
leaving Wisconsin was to hunt for a location -wiierein he intended to estabhsh
himself with his business permanently. On the way he heard of the rich lands
to the westward awaiting the magic touch of the settler's ax and the industry
of the husbandman. He decided upon Sac county and arrived on the banks
of the Ixaccoon in the month of October, 1855. He at once began the erection
of a log building of a story and one-half to house his store of goods, and
built a log cabin, which was pointed out for years as the first cabin built in
Sac Citv. Judge Criss had a natural liking and an inborn aptitude for agricul-
ture, and as soon as possible he became possessed of four hundred acres of
excellent farm land, which he cultivated up to the time of his death. Seeing
the possibilities of the development of the lumbering industry, he erected a
saw mill, which he (operated for a number of years, the output of the mill
finding a ready sale among the incoming settlers. He erected the first flouring
mill in Sac City and binlt the famous old mill dam, which is known as a noted
landmark in Sac City to this day. In turn he was a miller, lumberman, suc-
cessful merchant and farmer, filling these di\'ersified and very necessary occu-
pations with credit to hunself, large personal benefit and for the convenience
of his fellow citizens. Judge Criss naturally became the owner of a very large
acreage of Sac county land, and was one of the largest land owners of west-
ern Iowa previous to his death. Fie was the first postmaster of Sac City, and
was likewise the first county judge, upon the initial organization of the county,
in which he took an active part. He served several terms as county judge
and performed duties very similar to those now devolving upon the county
supervisors. In 1868 further honors were conferred upon him by his fellmv
citizens, who sent him to represent the district in the state Legislature. Later
he was a candidate for state senator. During the Civil War he served as
provost marshal of the district, with his headquarters at Fort Dodge. His terri-
torv during the war embraced practically all of western Iowa. Judge Criss
was a prominent member of the Freemasons and a worshiper in the Metho-
dist Episcopal faith.
Judge Eugene Criss was married July 27, 1843, fo Frances Hall, daugh-
ter of Tesse and Sarah Hall, who removed from their ancestral home to a
farm in Preston county, \A'est Virginia, in 1825. To this union were born the
following chikh-en : Mary Jane Wine, who was born in February, 1844, and
resides in .Sac City; James L., born in November, 1846, and n(iw a resident of
Omaha, Nebraska ; Helen V. Davis, deceased, born in the state of Illinois in
1848; William H. Criss, of Sac City; Lola M. Beimer, deceased. Three
362 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
grandchildren, Miss Neva Beimer, Eugene and Clifford Beimer, make their
home with their grandmother.
Frances Hall Criss was born on a farm in Monongahela county. West
Virginia, May 16, 1823. It is not given to many women to have lived to an
extreme age and to have seen the development of a rich and prosperous sec-
tion of country, and to have been the first resident of a beautiful and wealthy
city and watched with loving gaze its expansion during the course of half a
century of progress. We revere the pioneers and cherish them on account of
their sterling qualities and long associations with the body politic. Frances
Criss has been a resident of Sac City for upward of 'fifty years. She has at-
tained the great age of ninety-one years and is yet in possession of all her
faculties and in sound bodily health. She has seen the unfolding of a land-
scape of wilderness and prairie into a thriving and populous community en-
joying all the luxuries and conveniences of modern-day civilization. She has
resided in Sac City since the inception of the town, and has taken an
active part, in conjunction with her distinguished and able husband, in
assisting in its settlement and development. "Grandma Criss," as she is af-
fectionately called by her intimates and friends, is a living embodiment of all
that is best and noblest of womankind. She cherishes the memories of by-
gone, halcyon days, when her stalwart husband was taking such an imixirtant
and energetic part in the building up of his adopted community.
One of the most notable occurrences in the history of Sac county oc-
curred July 27, 1902, the occasion being the eightieth birthday anniversary
of the honorable gentleman whom this biography chronicles. A great
barbecue was held in honor of the Judge's birthday, to which he in\ited the
people of the surrounding country. The scene of the immense gathering was
in the beautiful Fair Grounds park, just east of the city. It was a gathering
notable for the number of friends and pioneers who assembled to do honor to
the aged citizen whose days on earth were even then numbered. The entire
day was given over to partaking of the hospitality of the Judge, and it was
long remembered as a gala occasion throughout the countryside. Several
oxen were roasted whole, and other viands were supplied by the donor in pro-
fusion. The people of the entire section for many miles around were in\ited
whole-heartedly to come to Sac City, and three thousand five hundred assisted
the Judge in celebrating his notable anniversary. He did not long survive the
happy occasion, however. On March 11, 1903, was closed a most eventful
and useful life, and the kindly old gentleman was mourned b\- thousands who
would miss his benign presence for long years to come.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 363
SAMUEL L. WATT.
The pages of this volume abound with biographies of men who were
pioneers in the true sense of the word. To have been a real pioneer in the
development of such an important part of the great commonwealth of Iowa
is a distinction of merit and a matter of pride for the one who is classed
among the interesting group of men whose lives and deeds are recorded
herein. In Sac county we have two classes of pioneers — those who were
actually among the \ery first settlers and those who came later in the greater
period of development. Not many of those who bore the brunt of the first
battle of redeeming the land from a wilderness remain for the present genera-
tion to honor. They were of a high type of manhood, and descended from a
race of people who have been ever in the forefront of pushing onward the
path of empire. Among the few "old settlers" remaining who occupy a high
place in the esteem of their fellow men is Samuel L. Watt, a record of whose
career since boyhood reads like romance rather than fact. He comes of the
good old Buckeye stock, which in turn traces its forbears to Kentucky, and
thence across the ocean to the North of Ireland and across the inter\ening
waters to Scotland.
Samuel L. Watt, former secretary of the Sac County Fair Association,
was born December 3, 1849. ''^ Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio. He is the son
of Samuel L. and Lydia Margaret (Leach) Watt, natives of Kentucky and
Penn.sylvania res]iectively. Samuel L.. Sr., was reared in Kentucky and on
attaining his majority removed to Hardin county, Ohio, and was one of the
pioneers in the settlement and development of this division of the state of
Ohio. However, he vvas not satisfied to remain and spend his life in Ohio,
and accordingly, in the prime of manhood, he migrated to Sac countv in
October, 1855. He was accompanied bv his wife and several children on
the journey to the new West. His family consisted of seven children h\ a
first marriage as follows : James, Thomas, Deborah, Robert, Harriet, .Nancv,
and Christina (Leach), wife of Andrew Leach. By a second marriage there
were five children: Olive G., wife of William Conley (married in Sac
county) ; John J.; Samuel L. ; Lydia M., wife of John Stocker; Sydney, the
wife of G. L. Dobson; a daughter, Sarah Frances (Swan), who was born
in Sac county.
The family set out from the old Hardin county home with a wagon
or "prairie schooner," hauled by an ox-team, one horse and buggy, and a few
milch cows and househohl effects. The trip was a source of continuous wonder
to the several small children included in the happy family j)art\-. Thev
,^64 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
traveled by easy stages across Ohio. iKirtb.ern Indiana and lllinuis. by way
(if the rei^uiar traveled route taken by the pioneers who were coming ni an
ever-increasing stream to the great new lands of the Hawkeye country. Game
was plentiful after they left the thickly settled and older regions and the
members of the Watt family feasted royally from the results of hunting
forays into the prairie lands and timber. Arriving at their destination in Sac
county, the men folks immediately set about the erection of a log cabin
which served for their habitation for several years. The timber for this
ca])in was cut and hewn from the great forest trees of oak and walnut
which were plentiful along the banks of the Raccoon river. Kind neighbors
willingly lent their assistance in the erection of the cabin. This log house
served as a habitation for the Watts for se\eral years and was later sup-
planted b_\- a more pretentious fraiue dwelling.
The first winter was a very Fine, open season and the immigrants from
the East fared comfortably. The larder was ahvays full uf game and fish
which C(;uld be obtained in abundance. The following winter uf 1856-1857
was a terril)le one for the settlers, howe\-er, and much suffering ensued on
account of the extreme cokl and the great depth of the snow which lay upon
the ground from early fall until late in the spring. Mr. Watt states that they
never experienced anv trc/uble with the Indians who frequently camped in
the neighborhood and that their greatest difficulty was in getting to market
with produce and obtaining the necessary supplies of food and clothing.
They hauled their first crop of wheat to the Cedar Falls market, one hun-
dred miles away. The fanuly actua!l_\- subsisted on one dollar's worth uf
sugar during one wh(jle \ear. The elder Watt was a crijjple, and was
dependent to a great extent upon his children for help about the farm. The
oldest son, James, accompanied by his sister Harriet, journeyed to California
in 1859, and thus dei)rived the faiuily of a mainstaw which made it neces-
sary for tlie younger children to assume the burden and assist the father in
every way possilile. Christina followed in 1862. l^or several years it was a
hard pull for them to make ends meet, but they bore their troubles with true
pioneer fortitude and things eventually righted llicmselves and prosperity
smiled upon them. Samuel L., Sr., moved to Sac City after a number of
years, but, after two years' residence in town, he returned to the farm and
later removed to Ohio. He died at the residence of his daughter Sydney in
1875. Mrs. Watt died in 1873. It is recorded that the elder \\'att took a
sub-contract for carrying the mail from b^jrt Dodge to Sioux City for a term
of vears, but owing to the f;ither's cripjiled condition it was necessarv for
the children to perform the task. Samuel L., the son, began at this task
SAC couNl•^■, IOWA. 365
vvlicr. i)iu thirlvi.;) sea.;- .'i' ;igc. It was coiisiilerahlo responsiljiiity to tiini.^t
upnii a voung lad, l)ut he successfull\- performed the work for a term of three
years during the summer months, and attended the primitive district school
in the vicinity (hiring the winter months. Judge D. Carr Early was Mr.
Watt's tirst teacher. (Jwing to the necessity of devoting the greater part of
his time to the farm work, his school training was necessarily irregular and
intermittent and was confined to the three R's.
When twenty-four years of age, in 1873, Mr. \\'att purcha.sed a tract
of wild, Hiiljroj.ien land and embarked up(jn the (occupation of herdint;" and
raising cattle for the markets. Previous to this time he had invested his
savings in a small tract of land south of Sac City in 1871 and made a trip to
the far West. For two years he drove freighting teams in the mining regions
of California, Nevada and Colorado. His route reached from the region of
Death Valley to Den\er and the mountains north of the city. His experi-
ence while performing his hazardous tasks in such a wild, unsettled country
was very exciting and he met with many thrilling adventures.
Upon his return from the West to Sac county in 1873 he ranged cattle
on his land until the fall of 1881. He would buy up large herds of feeders
and fatten them for the markets. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Watt sold his live
stock, rented out his land and removed to Buena N^ista, where he embarked
in the liver\ business for one year. In 1882 he removed to Sac City and
has since been engaged in various business enterprises in which he has
achieved marked success. At various times he has been the proprietor of a
meat market, furniture store, etc., which he usually conducted for a time and
sold out with profit to himself. Mr. Watt has been a capitalist in a large
way for a numlier of \-ears and has dealt extensively in Iowa land, having
at one time owned over one thousand acres of good Hawkeye soil. His
holdings but a few vears back embraced one thousand acres of land in Sac
county and o\er four hundred acres of South Dakota land. However, he
has recently sold the greater part of his extensive farm holdings and given
the proceeds to his children. He still retains a valuable tract of forty acres
adjoining the pr(jsperous and growing city of Sioux Falls, and owns four
farms in Sac county totalling seven hundred acres. He has one hundred
and sixtv acres adjoining the corporation of Sac City on which he has raised
live stock in large numbers. Mr. Watt is a lover of horses and an excellent
judge of this useful animal, having as high as sixty head of draft and road
animals on his nearby farm in one season.
Mr. Watt, since 1905, has been one of the largest stockholders and the
efficient secretarv of the Sac County Fair .\ssociation. He purchased th-
366 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
property of the old, decadent fair association at sheriff's sale and applied
business methods to an enterprise which was destined to reflect credit upon
himself and his associates. The association was immediately reorganized
through his efiforts, the grounds overhauled and placed in splendid condition
and an era of prosperity soon set in for the fair association which has been
continued from year to year. The Sac County Fair, during the past nine
years, has been a wonderful success in every way. The live stock displays
and the exhibits have been among the best in the state, and the attendance at
the annual fair held each year has been constanth' on the increase. He is a
stockholder in (he Farmers Savings Bank of Sac Cit\". In politics, Mr!
Watt is a Democrat, and has ever been an active worker in the ranks and a
leader of his party. He has served as city councilman and assessor. He
values his membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Mr. Watt's wedded life has been in keeping with his highly successful
career in other lines. He was united in marriage in December, 1873, with
Rosa P. Allen, of Sac City, who was born in the year 1853 and died in 1897.
She was the daughter of Washington Allen, an early pioneer settler of Sac
county.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Watt : Tna Belle
fMaker), of Sac City, who is the mother of two children, Catherine Edna
and Vi\ian. The second child bc^rn is Willis Walford Watt, a farmer re-
siding northwest of Sac City. W^illis served eight years in the United States
regular army and spent four years in active warfare in the Philippine islands,
lia\ing maile two trips around the world while in the service. The thirrl
child is Edna Pearl ( Strohmeier), wife of Gus W. Strohmeier. acting secre-
tary I if ilie Sac Count}' I'air Association, and who is engaged in the ant<i-
mobile business in Sac City.
HENRY HANSON.
There is no section of the United States which has held and still now
hiilds .:.;reaier jiromise fur investors in lands than western Towa and espe-
cially Sac county. It is a fact that land values have trebled and quadrupled
in value during the last decade and are still mi llu- upward swing. Conse-
c|uentl_\- the men who have had the foresight and the faith in the future of
the country to continue to invest in the farm lands have liecome prosperous
rmd wealthy. It was ne\er designed by l'ro\idence that men should be poor
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 367
and wretched. There are eiK^ugh good thing.s in the world for every one —
and the hest things come from the hosom of Mother Earth. He who gets
close to the earth and nses skill in combining the elements of soil and air
in prodncing the crops which are always in demand for the purpose of feed-
ing the millions of inhabitants of this broad land is performing a high
vocation and is certain of success. Henry Hanson, of Odebolt, is a citizen
who began his career in Sac county in tilling the soil and has enlarged his
operations to such an extent that he is one of the most important factors
in the communitv and (ine (if the largest estate holders in the county. Mr.
Hanson is a native of a foreign land which has contributed some of the best
citizens in many of the Western states. The Swedish-Americans of Sac
count}- are among the leaders in all walks of life, and are universally re-
spected as men of intelligence and pninounced ability everywhere they have
settled.
Henrv Hanson, farmer, of Odelxilt, Iowa, was born in Sweden June
I, 1849, the son of Jens and Kirsty Hanson. Jens Hanson died a few
weeks before Henrv's l)irth. lli-~ mother later came to .\merica and died
here. At the age of nineteen years Mr. Hanson crossed the ocean and
landed in New York Cit)- in September of t868. He spent six years at
various pursuits in Xew ^■ork (itv and then came we.stward. In the spring
of 1874 he came to Sac count\- and, in jjartnership with A. E. Johnson, pur-
chased three hundred and twenty acres of land in Wheeler township. They
ojjerated this tract together until 1877. The land cost them six dollars and
sixtv cents an acre and was ])urcliased on a time contract with five years'
time allotted them in which to complete the payments. In 1877 each of the
jiartners took one hundred and sixty acres for his own use. Mr. Hanson
adiled eighty acres to his quarter in 1876 at a cost of five dollars and fifty
cents an acre. In the vear 1880 he disposed of his Wheeler township tract
of two hundred and fortv acres and invested in one hundred and fifty acres
adioining the town of Odebolt. Mr. Hanson has dealt considerably in farm
lands since his first venture and at the present time is the owner of a total
of eight hundred and ninety acre^^ of land in Wheeler township. I lis home
farm, occupied b\' his son, is the model farm of the southwest portion of
Sac count}- and fitted with beautiful buildings and every convenience for the
carrving on of scientific farming operations.
In 1877 he made his residence in Odebolt ami located his fan-iily here
in 1878. when the town was first started. He immediately took advantage
of his opportunity and engaged in the buying of grain and live stock for
shipment to the markets. He continued in this pursuit until 1883 and was
368 SAC COUXTV, IOWA.
the pioneer grain dealer of Oclebolt. He began as manager of the Swedish
Farmers' Elevator Company and soon bought out the business, which was
the second grain liuying estabhshment in the city. Since 1883 he lias de-
voted his time to looking after his Crawford and Sac count}' agricultural
interests and his business affairs.
Mr. Hanson is a large stockholder and vice-president of the First Na-
tional Bank of Odebolt. He has a large moilern residence on Lincoln ave-
nue. He is a Republican in politics and devotes a considerable portion of
his time to civic affairs, being a member of the school board and having
served on the city council. His family attend the Presbyterian church, and
he is a member of the Ancient Free antl Accepted IMasons and has taken the
degrees in Masonry in the Sac City chapter and commandery.
Mr. Flanson's marriage occurred in 1872 to .Vugusta Eckblom. a native
of Sweden. They are the parents of four children, as follows: ]\Irs. Rob-
ertina A'on Marell, of Phoenix, Arizona: Lillian, the efficient liljrarian of
the Odebolt public library : George, on the home farm in Wheeler township :
Grace, at home.
By a life of persevering industry and fair and honest dealings Mr. Han-
son has acquired a fair share of this world's goods, and, what is of more
value, the respect and esteem of every one with whom he has come in con-
tact. He and his family occupy an enviable social standing in their com-
munit}', in which they are among the pioneers, and possess in a marked
degree that b-apj)}' faculty of making steadfast frien(ls!ii])s.
CHARLES L. EARLY.
The annals of the West teem with stories of young men of aljilily and
energy who have come from eastern points and been successful in many lines
of endeavor. Some have succeeded in commerce and as agriculturists, while
others have made marked progress in the useful line of endeavor as public
officials. The name of Early is one that is well and faxorably known in Sac
county. The name attaches to itself a significance that the i)earer has achieved
marked success along his chosen path of endea\'or.
Charles L. Early, postmaster of .Sac City, is ranked among the pioneers
of the county, who came here autl seized the o])porUinitv which ])resented
itself and has succeeded, not only in a worklly waw but enjoys the respect and
esteem of a large concourse of friends and well wdshers. Public spirited to a
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 369
high degree, he has serxed the people in many capacities for a long period of
years, as a countv official, in the halls of the state Legislature, and lastly as an
accommodating and conscientious postmaster.
Air. Early is a native son of the Buckeye state and was born on a farm
in Brown county, Ohio. July 27, 1854. He is the son of David Watson
Early, a native of Kentucky, and was of Irish ancestry. The ancestors of
Charles L. Early came hom Ireland in 1740 and settled in the Old Dominion
(Virginia). Here they figured in the colonial and revolutionary perio'l as
became natural to members of a race who became Americans easily. Ua'-id
Watson Early was the son of David Early, son of Thomas, who was sun f
William Early, who is said to have emigrated from Ireland about the midd'e
of the eighteenth century.
David was the youngest son of William Early, of Virginia, who migrated
to Kentuckv in about 1784 and took an active part in the stirring scenes inci-
dental to the settlement of the state. Further research determines the fact
that the original progenitors of the Early family in America were Jeremiah
and William. From these two brothers have sprung the different members of
the family, nianv of whom have achieved fame, not only in civic affairs luit
in the pursuit of war. Gen. Jul«l Early, of Civil-war fame, was a direct
descendant of Jeremiah Earlw
The father of Charles L. Early was fifteen years of age when the family
remo\'ed from Kentucky ti 1 Ohio, in the year 1835, and became one of the
pioneer families of the state which has contributed her sons and daughters to
the upbuilding of many of the greatest western commonwealths. Da\id W.
lived to a good old age and died in 1908 at his Brown county home. His wife
was Sarah Jane Hook, a native of Adams county, Ohio, and who was reared
on the farm adjoining that of the Earlys. She was born in the \ear 1824 and
was deceased in 1885. The}- reared a family of four children: Ji:>hn Ouincy,
who resides on the old homestead in Brown county, Ohio; Walter David, de-
ceased; Charles Lee, of whom we are writing; George Andrew, an agricul-
turist in Brown county, Ohio.
Charles Lee Early was reared to young manhood on the farm. His
primary schooling was obtained in the district school not far from the old
homestead. Being ambitious, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at
Delaware, Ohio, and also studied in the Bentonville Normal College. For a
period of three years he followed the profession of teaching in Brown and
Adams counties. Ohio. Believing that the West offered a better and more
prolific field for the exercise of his talents, in the year 1876 he came to Iowa,
first locating in Sac Citv. where he taught school for one term in Clinton
(23)
370 SAC COUNTY. luWA.
township in the winter of 1876. The following year he was employed in the
Sac County Bank, one of the pioneer banking institutions of the city. He served
as deputy county treasurer from 1S78 to 1882. inclusive. He then formed a
partnership with Phil Schaller for tlie purpose of conducting a real estate and
loan business, the firm being known for a period of six years as Schaller &
Early. It is said that this firm accomplished a great deal in the promotion of
the .settlement of Sac county and assisted many farmers in various wavs
through the troublesome times incident to the settlement of the county.
Mr. Early turned his attention to civic affairs and. in the fall of 1888.
was elected clerk of the district court, in w hich office he served the people ably
and well for four years. This did not seem to be sufficient reward for his
attainments, and in the fall of 1893 the people of Sac county sent him to the
state capital to sit in the halls of the state Legislature. He was re-elected to
this important office for the second term and served in the sessions of 1894
and 189'!, and also during the extra session of 1897. It is to Mr. Early's
credit that while in the legislative body as a menilier he carefully looked to the
interests of the people and his constituents.
After serving in the Legislature he again turned his attention to the real
estate and loan Inisiness. being rewarded with his usual success until his ap-
pointment as postmaster of Sac City in 1906 under President Roosevelt. He
was reappointed in 19 10, and at this writing is serving his second term. His
career in his official capacity has justified the confidence reposed in him b\' the
government and his friends and fellow citizens. At no time in the history of
the postoffice in Sac City has the office received greater undivided attention and
been more ablv conducted than during Mr. Early's regime. Mindful of the
fact that land is the basis of all values and that nothing is more valuable than
real estate ownership, Mr. Earl\- has accjuired three hundred and twenty acres
of excellent land in his home county, and is also the owner of a half section
of land in Xorth Dakota. He has one of the finest homes in the city which
he has recentlv remodeled and provided with accessories for the indulgence of
his hobliv, if it can be called such. Eor, be it known, like many other suc-
cessful men, he has never neglected to follow up the dexelopment of mind
commenced in his vounger days. Mr. Early is an amateur astronomer of
known abilit\- and attainments. Eor years he has studied the heavens from
a scientific point of \iew. He has probably the onl>- i)ri\ ately equipped ob-
servatory in western Iowa, and it is said that he knes nothing better than to
ensconce himself in the glass enclosed chamber erected on the roof of his
dwelling and spend hours in gazing through his telescope and making obser\a-
tions of the heavenly bodies.
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 37I
Mr. Iv-irly is a man of consitlerahle in\enti\'e abilit}- and the present-day
adding machines are constructed along Hnes originally designed bv him about
1882. At that time he perfected a model embodying the essential features of
the machine and filed a caveat in the patent office, but unfortunately permitted
this to lapse, and thus lost the recognition de.served, though it is quite gen-
erally known among those directly interested that his genius conceived the
prmiary idea. He claims to be the original inventor of the adding feature
of all the mntlt-rn adding machines. His invention provided for a bank of
eighty-one kevs and llu- adding was automatic the same as the comtometer.
He makes no claim to in\-enting the printing and listing features of the
present da}- adding machines.
jMr. Early is a director in the Sac County State Bank, one of the strong-
est financial institutions in western Iowa. He has had considerable banking
experience during his career, having at one time, from 1882 to 1884, operated
a bank in the town of Schaller, Iowa, in partnership with Phil Schaller and
which was known as the Schaller & Early Bank. During his residence
in Schaller he had considerable to do in the upbuilding of the new municipality,
taking an actix'e part in the incorporation of the town and being one of the
prime movers in planning the town and arranging the ]jerspective of the
beautiful cit}- park of which every resident of Schaller is exceedingly proud.
He is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of the Sac City Blue
Lodge, .\ncient Free and Accepted Masons, holding a membership in the
chapter and commander}- in Sac City, and valuing very highly his membership
in the M\-stic Shrine of Des Moines.
Mr. Early's home life has been a happy one in rnany ways. In June.
1888. he was wedded to Agnes Waddell, a native of Wisconsin and the daugh-
ter of Christopher W'addell. To them were born two children : Ruth I., a
graduate of St. Catherine's College of Davenport, Iowa, and Esther Early,
who is deceased.
ASA PLATT.
To the mind of the historian and biographer the term "pioneer" appeals
with an irresistible force and entices investigation which latter-day annals do
not re(|iiire. .Such in\estigation is productive of a wealth of historical ma-
terial \vhich appeals to the general reader as no other inscribed records pre-
sent. To his mind, to have been a pioneer and one of the great and noble
armv of men who have created a wealthy and prosperous neighborhood out of
■^^2 %hQ. COUNTY, IOWA.
a raw prairie wilderness is the height of successful attainment. The aged
pioneer belongs in a class of his own. Around him and his clusters the
memory of halcyon days when the country was a wilderness awaiting the
niatiic tiiuch of the en]].Hre builders from the East, whose optimism and nii!.;hty
enilea\nrs ha\e transformed the rich and fertile lands into a smiling land-
scape of productive farms and beautiful towns and villages. Asa Piatt, of
whom these words are transcribed, is a pioneer of Sac county who enjoys the
universal respect and friendship of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In
many ways he is tenderly regarded as the oracle and final authority on the
happenings which have taken place during his long residence in the county.
Should a discussion come up regarding the date of some occurrence which
has an intimate bearing upon local history, Mr. Piatt's store of knowledge
and his wonderful memory forms the court of last resort to decide the ques-
tioii at issue. Our liist'..)rian is indebted to him for much \aluable infonii;i-
tion which is written in the preceding pages of this Sac county history.
However, Mr. Pratt's prestige is not based entirely upon his pioneer experi-
ence, and it is well to record the fact that he ranks as one of the wealthiest,
as well as one of the kindliest and most useful citizens of the cit}'.
Asa Piatt, president of the Sac County State Bank, is a Xew Englander
by virtue of his birth and ancestry. He was born June 20, 1830, in the
beautiful old city of Saybrook, Connecticut. His father was Richard Piatt
and his mother was Maria Turner, both descendants from old colonial
families. Richard was the son of Thomas Piatt, \vho was one of five sons
from whom the various branches of the family have descended in America.
Two brothers located in the state of New York. Senator Thomas I'latt was
a member of the New York branch of the Platts. Asa's maternal ])arent,
Maria Turner, was the daughter of ^^'illiam Turner, who served with
bravery and distinction in the Revolutionary ^^'ar.
Richard Piatt reared a family of nine children : Asa, the eldest, of whom
we take ].>leasure in writing; Catharine (Tritcheni), of Xew York; Eliza
(Seeley), deceased; J. O. Piatt, of Sac City; Caroline (Baldwin), deceased;
J. C. Piatt, who resides in Denver, Colorado; Emeline (Trout), deceased.
Richard was a farmer, as were many of his relatives and descendants.
Asa Piatt, with whom this record is more intimately concerned because
of his long connection with the history of Sac county, was reared to early
manhood on the ancestral farm in Connecticut and western Xew York. It
was in this practically new neighliorhood that his father removed from Con-
necticut on attaining his majority, and heweil a lionie from the wilderness.
.\sa attended school in a small log school house, a fitting place for the training
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
373
ot one who was destined to becoine a pioneer in the great West. The family
resided in western New York from 1840 to 1850, and then took up a residence
on a farm in Erie county. Pennsylvania.
In the year 1855 Asa journeyed overland to Iowa with the intention of
locating in Sac county. The country justified the young man's conception of
the richness of the land and in 1856 he pre-empted one hundred and sixty
acres of i;o\-e!"nnicnt land ab'iut one-half mile from Sac Citv. in Jackson
township. This land was unbroken prairie and neighbors were few and far
between. The only settlements were along the river in the timber lands.
While pre-emptir.g" and jiroving up on his land he lived in Sac Citv. then an
cnibryii \illage "U the edge of the wilderness of woods and prairie. He built
a small Imuse and thus becan.e one of the first citizens of the future citv. and
now r:iiiks as one of its iildest citizens. Later. Mr. Piatt pur-
chased rbree luindretl and twent}- acres of fine land adjoining the corpora-
tion line which he farmed for a period of thirty years. Practically the
greater part of the city is built upon Mr. Piatt's original farm of three hun-
dred and twenty acres. He disposed of his farming interests in 1893 ^"d
practically retired from active farming operations. However, during a long
period of forty years he was an extensive live stock raiser and was interested
in the mercantile business in Sac City. Mr. Piatt built the first frame house
in Sac City at a time when there were but two log cabins in the village. From
this small beginning he has had the pleasure of seeing the development and
growth of one of the most attracti\e and enterprising small cities of a state
noted for its progressive numicipalities. He became interested in banking
very earh' in his career and for the past twenty-six years has been president
of the Sac County State Bank, one of the solid financial concerns of western
Iowa. During the Civil War he was one of a large number of men who
voluntarily enrolled for the purpose of keeping watch of the Indians in order
to provide against threatened outbreaks on the part of the red men in this
section of Iowa. Plis activities in the building tip of his beloved home city
have been extensive and such as commend him favorably to his fellow citizens.
He has a nice attractive home, situated upon the brow of the high land which
forms the major portion of the site of Sac City and is the owner of se\'eral
pieces of valuable real estate, consisting of business and residence property,
much of which has been erected under his personal supervision in a substan-
tial manner. The Piatt building, on Main street of the city, is known as one
of the most modern and best built Iiuildings in the cit\'.
Mr. Piatt was originalh- a \Miig in politics, and was the son of an old-
fashioned Democrat of the Andrew Jackson type. When the Republican
374 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
party was formed umlcr the banner of John C. Fremont in 1856, he ahgned
himself witli the part\-. \oting four years later for Aljraham Lincoln, and en-
joys the distmction of having voted the Republican ticket continuously for
nearly sixty years. In fact, he is the onlv living resident of Sac City who
cast his vote for Fremont for President. He has served the people of the
county in the important capacity of county supervisor. During the greater
part of his life he has been identified with the Presbyterian church and is a
liberal supporter of this ant! kindred denominations.
He of whom this chronicle reads was united in marriage with Adelaide
Gray in the year 185 1. This lady, who has been his faithful companion and
loving wife for over sixty years, was born in the state of Maine, March 5,
1832. To this union have lieen born four children : Elma ( Criss), deceased:
Virginia (Irwin), a resident of Long Beach, California: Milton, who was
born in the year 1857 and died in 1885; Rosalie (Hayge), of Sac City. The
son Milton was the father of two children, one of whom is a contractor in
I-'orrest, Illinois. Mr. Piatt has three great-grandchildren, one of whom is
twenty years of age.
JUDGE SAMUEL .M. ELWOOD.
Iowa has always been distinguished fur the high rank uf her bench and
bar. Perhaps none of the newer states can justly boast of abler jurists or
attorneys. Man)- of them have been men of national fame, and among
them whose lives have been passed on a quieter plane there is scarcely a
town or city in the state but that boasts of one or nmre lawyers capable of
crossing swords in forensic combat with many of the distinguished legal
lights of the country. While the growth and develo]jment of the state in the
last half century has been most marvelous, viewed from an\- standpoint,
yet of no one class of her citizenship has she greater reason for just pride
than her judges and attorneys. In Judge Elwood are found united manv
of the rare qualities which go to make the successful lawwer and jin-ist.
He possesses perha])s few of these brilliant, dazzling meteoric i|ualities
which have sometimes flashed along the legal h<irizon, rixeting the gaze
and blinding the \ ision for the moment, then disappearing, leaving little
or no trace behind: but rather has those solid and more substantial qualities
which shine with a constant luster, shedding light in the dark places with
steadiness and continuity.
Samuel M. h'lwoiul, ex-district judge and ;ittornc\- of Sac Citv, Iowa,
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 375
was born September 17, 1850. in Greeiisburg, Pennsylvania. His parents
were Thomas and Jane ( Henry ) Mlwood, of English and Irish descent
respectively. In 1834 his parents mo\ed U> (Irinnell. Iowa, Init shortl}-
afterwards moved to a farm in Tama connty, Iowa. In 1881 Timnias
Elwood moved to Sac City, where his death occurred un March y, 1888,
and his wife died September 14th of the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
Elwood were the parents of seven children: S. M., with whom this nara-
tive deals; Mrs. Nancy J. Cowan, deceased; Mrs. Mary Ellen Martin, of
Sac City, Iowa; Mrs. Asenath E. Miller, deceased; Mrs. Margaret I. Camp-
held, of Sac City; Mrs. I''Iizal)cth M. \e\vl)y. of Puyallup. Wasliingtini, and
Mrs. Harriett M. Hayden, of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Judge Elwood was reared on the farm and attended the schools of
his home neighjjorhood, after which he entered Iowa College at Grinnell,
Iowa, being only sixteen years of age at the time of his matriculation.
After three years' study at Grinnell, he attended the .\gricultural College
at Ames, Iowa, where he sttidied one year. His mother was a cultured
woman and was able to be of material assistance to her son in his studies.
He studied law and later graduated from the Law School on June -'4. 1873,
at Ames, Iowa. After his graduation he began the active practice of law at
Trayer, Iowa, btit after six months of experience he began to teach school,
in which he was engaged four months at McPherson. Kansas, after which
he traveletl in the West for some time. He then returned to Iowa, locating
in Sac City on November i, 1875, where he has continued to live until the
present time. He has had a busy and useful career since locating in Sac
City and has identified himself with e\-ery public mo\-enient which had for
its end the welfare of his city. He has served as mayor of Sac Cit\' for
two terms and also been a member of the cit_\' school board. In 1805 he
was elected district judge of the court a]id was re-elected at the expiration
of his first term, serving in all eight years. Eor the ])ast twenty-one years
he has been a director of the First State P)ank and was one of the organizers
of that financial institution. He is now a director of the h'armers Savings
Bank, of Sac City, and was ])resident of tliat bank for several vears. For
ten years he was engaged in the lightning rod fiusiness with 'Sir. Dodds.
This business was organized in 1887, and manufactured lightning rods in
Sac City for ten years, anil later removcfl to Des Moines. Two years
after the factory was removed to Des Moines, Mr. Elwood severed his
connection with the firm. In 1898 he began the manufacture of lightning
rods under the firm name of Chalfant & Elwood, and two years later this
plant was moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where it was incorporated with a
3/6 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
capital stock of forty thousand dollars, and is now known as the Omaha
Lightniny; R(xl & I'.lectric Company, and Judge Elwood now owns a con-
trolling interest in this prosperous business. He also started the Ehvood
Telephone Company on January i, iqoo, and it now has eight hundred
phones in the city. The central plant is in a large [)rick block owned bv
Mr. Elwoi"id. In addition to all of these interests, lie has also invested in
land and is at jjresent the owner of one hundred acres in Sac countv, one
hundred and sixty acres in Minnesota, three hundred and twenty acres in
Kansas, two hundred and eighty acres in Nebraska, one hundred and sixty
acres in Colorado and twelve hundred acres in Idaho.
T'olitically. Mr. Khvood is a l\e|niblican and as a member of that
party has been honored b\- Ijeing elected to office as mayor of his home city
and also as district judge. In his religious belief, he and the members of
his family are adherents of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he is a
Mason, and has belonged to that time-honored order for the past thirt\'-six
}'ears. having attained to the Knight Templar degrees.
Judge Elwood was married Se]iteml)er lo. 1878. to Sadie J. Darling,
and to this union ha^'e Ijeen born four children : William Drennen, who is
a graduate of the electrical engineering course of Ames College, Ames, Iowa,
and is now manager of the lightning rod factory in Omaha ; Margaret J.
graduated from the Sac Cit}- Institute, and is now with her parents at home:
Charles Sumner, who died December g, 1908, and Thomas Milton, who
die<l at the age of two.
WILLIAM H. HART.
He of whom this notice is written by the publishers has been the super-
vising editor of the \olume entitled "History of Sac County, Iowa," which
the reader now holds. Mr. Hart is one of the leading attorne\'s of the Sac
county bar today.
William H. Hart was born March 4. iS^g. in Cedar coiuitv, Iowa, son of
Jeremiah antl Julia A. ( \\'hitson) flart. natives of New N'ork and Pennsyl-
vania, resjiectively. Julia \\'hitson was a descendant of the Piatt family of
Pennsylvania. John Piatt being the ancestor. The mother of Jeremiah Hart
was a native of northern Ireland, and a descendant of Thomas Rabington
Macaul-"\'. Jeremiah came to Iowa about 1855. and was united in marriage
in Cedar county, the seat of justice of which is Tipton. Julia A. W'hitson
had come with her father to Cedar cotuitw Iowa, ,-diout i8^o.
1, 1 1 i
^
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. T^yj
The Hart family came to Sac county, Iowa, in 1882. nearly a third of a
century ago. The son. William H., came in the fall of 1880. The family
located on a farm in Jackson township, a mile and a half northwest of Sac
City. Later in life they removed to the city, where the father, Jeremiah,
died at the age of eighty-two years, on September 10, 1910. The wife' and
mother died July 2Tf, 1910, aged seventy-one years. Their children were:
William H.. of this memoir; Clarence E., now residing in Sac City, Iowa;
Charles, of Sac City, Iowa, and Lee J., of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
\Mlliam H. Hart obtained his education in the public schools of Clarence,
Iowa, and at Carthage College. Carthage. Illinois. He followed teaching in
Cedar county. Iowa, for about three years, and deciding to fit himself for the
profession of a lawyer, studied with Piatt & Carr, of Tipton, Iowa. He was
admitted to the practice of law in 1880. coming to Sac City in November of
that year. He served as assistant cashier in the Sac County Bank ( now the
Sac County State Bank) for five years, and in 1885 formed a partnership
with Hon. C. Y). Coldsmith, which continued until Mr. Goldsmith was elevated
to the bench. In 1890 Mr. Hart formed a business partnership with Hon.
Phil Schaller. in which thev carried on an extensive business in law, loans
and real estate. This partnership continued until the death of Mr. Schaller
in July, igi I.
I'oliticall}-. .Mr. Hart has always been identified with the Republican party,
believing that this party best represents the interests of American citizens.
Among the Aarious offices he has filled with credit to himself, may be men-
tioned that of county attorney for Sac county, which position he filled for two
terms, equal to four vears : mayor of Sac City one term ; secretary of the
school board in Sac City twenty-seven years, or since 1886; city recorder and
treasurer, and the attorney for the commissioners on insanity of the county
for fift-een vears. In all of these various public positions Mr. Hart has seemed
to be the right man in the right place, and has given almost universal satisfac-
tion. His knowledge of the law, his clear-headed and intellectual grasp of
the situation, at all times, has made him peculiarly fitted to serve in these
various capacities.
Mr. Hart is of the Presbyterian faith and has been an elder in this church
for more than twenty years, and was twice elected to the general assembly of
the church.
Fraternally. Mr. Hart is connected with the blue lodge, chapter, com-
manderv and council of the Masonic order, as well as holding membership
with the :\Ivstic Shriners at Des :\Ioines. He is well informed in the work-
ings of this most ancient and hnnorable order. He was custodian of the
37^ SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
grand chapter of Iowa for six years, aiul grand high priest of the grand chap-
ter in 1906.
Mr. Hart was united in marriage March 31, 1881, at Clarence, Iowa, to
Anna Greig, a nati\e of Canada, and the daughter of James and Jeanette
Greig.
UnHke the man who goes through hfe with the sound of a trumpet and
full of egotism, making many warm friends and also many enemies, Mr. Hart
has, during all the years of his career in Sac county, gone about his daily
duties, both as an attorney and as a public olficial. in a graceful, gentlemanh-
manner, never fearing to stand for the right as he has understood the right,.
yet without causing opposition or friction where duty did not demand it. It
goes without saying that he counts his friends in Sac county and northwestern
Iowa liy the one word, "legion."
PROF. JOHX R. SLACKS.
The hnal causes which shape the fortunes of individual men and the
destinies of states are often the same. The}- are usuall\' remote and obscure;
their influence wholly unexpected until declared b_\' results. \\ hen they in-
spire men to the exercise of courage, self denial and industry, and call into
play the higher moral elements; lead men to risk all upon conviction, faith —
such causes lead to the i)lanting of great states, great people and great move-
ments. That country is the greatest which i)roduces the greatest and most
manh' men, antl the intrinsic safety depends not so much upon measures and
metlnjcls as upon that true manhood froni whose dee]) sources all tliat is
j)rccions and permanent in life must at last proceed. Pursuing eacli his per-
sonal good 1)\- exalteil means, tliey work this out as a logical result; the\ have
wrought on the lines of the greatest good.
The teaching prt.)fession is one which calls lor a high order of nUelli-
gence. He whose duty it is to shape tlie nnnds and inclination.s of ihe \'outh
of the land has a S(,)lemn and self-sacrificing (hn\- to ]ierforni. Those among
this noble profession who are gifted with the ability l<i rise to an executive
position and be held responsible for the success of the entire educational .sys-
tem of an important divisitni of the commonwealth are doulily burdened with
res])onsibility and are given greater opjjortunities for the accomplishment of
nnich good and, mayhaji, see the realization of their cherished ideals along
educational lines. In this respect, the biographer i< more than pleased to
SAC COUNTY, KlWA. 379
wiite of the accomplishments of Joliii !\. Slacks, cuiinty superintendent of
schools. Sac county. Professor Slacks, by reason of his tireless ambition and
conscientious and unremitting efforts to improve the schools of his county and
to bring them fcjremost among the systems of the state, is attracting attentinn
which is state wide in its scope. He takes rank among the greatest of the
state's educators b}- reason of his remarkable success in accomplishing his
purpose without friction or without undue agitation among the body politic.
The schools of Sac county are gradually lieing placed upon a high plane of
efficiency, through the quiet, diplomatic, forceful methods eniplo\-ed h\- this
young educator in the exercise (tf his prerogatives.
John R. Slacks was bcjrn on a farm in Keokuk county, Iowa, January
10, 1873. His parents were John and Catharine (Ross) Slacks, natives of
Scotland. Catharine Ross was the daughter of W^illiam and ^Margaret Ross.
John Sbicks (the father) emigrated from Scotland, to .\merica when a young
man and first settled in the city of Pittsburgh. .Vfter a few years' residence
there, he moved westward and settled on a farm in Keokuk county. Here
he met and wedded Catharine Ross, whose parents emigrated from Scotland
to Keokuk county in 1859. John lived and prospered on his fine farm in
Keokuk count\ until his death in 1878, at the age of fifty-si.\ years. His death
left the widow to care for a family of five children, as follows: William,
now of Kirksxille, Missouri; Anna (Ahlstrom), of Meadowmont, Idaho;
Addie (Allman), of Spokane, Washington; John R., and Alice (Abrams),
residing on the old family homestead at Hedrick. Iowa. William was
sixteen years old at the time of his father's death and on him, as the
eldest, naturallv devolved the burden of assisting the mother in rearing the
familv in comfort. Ihe widow later was married to F.. J. Jackson, who
survives her. She died in i<>oi in the old home at Hedrick.
John R. Slacks received hi-; ])rimary education in the rural schools
and in a ])nvate normal school conducted at Hedrick. He began teaching
when \er\' \'oung and. continued to ad\ance himself along the line of his
chosen ])rofession. While attending the .State Teachers' College at Cetlar
Falls, he continued in his profession. He entered the Teachers' College in
1894, and completed his course in 1901, at which time there was conferred
upon liini the degree of Bachelor of Didactics. His teaching career began in
1893 in tlie rural schools, in wdiicli he taught for four }'ears. He then had
charge of a room in the Keswick, Iowa, schools from 1896 to 1899, and in
the fall of 1901 again entered the State Teachers' College for the purpose
of completing his course. After graduation, Mr. Slacks was placed in
charge of the Lake \'iew, Iowa, schools for a period of eight years. He was
380 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
elected county superintendent of schools in November of 1908, and again
elected in 1910 and 1912. Under his charge are a total of one hundred
and twenty-five rural schools and nine graded schools. Like many suc-
cessful men, Mr. Slacks entered upon the duties of his important position
with well defined ideas of what was necessary to bring the schools of
Sac county up to a high standard of efficiency. The esteem in which he is
universally held throughout the county by all classes is the best testimonial
to his tactfulness and calm and dignified way of introducing innovations
which have had a marked tendency to bring about a closer co-operation
between the school and patrons, and to raise the Sac county schools upon
a higher plane than was ever before known. He has introduced and has
carried to a successful culmination the co-operative method of "The School
and the Home," and established a system of credits which are given the
child for faithful work performed in the home as well as in the school
room. Professor Slacks has been the recipient of extended and favorable
mention throughout and beyond the borders of the state as the originator
and progenitor of this system of furthering the cause of education and
usefulness of the pupils. He also established the "play festivals" which
are held each season at the close of the school year and in which parents
and pupils take an active part with pleasure and recreation accruing to
both. Through a definite and well-defined plan he has caused the schools
of the county to be grouped in four districts, with four townships in each
district. The pupils and patrons of these districts are called together for
an all-day plav festi\al and picnic dinner on successive days. On festival
days the graduates from the eighth grades are granted their diijlomas.
These festivals are naturally very popular with the people, and it is known
that patrons to the number of six hundred have been gathered for the pur-
pose iif tak'Ug part in the festi\'ities. During Professor Slacks' incum-
benc\- of the superintendency many modern sanitary heaters and ventilating
systems have been established in the rural schools, an innovation which has
eliminated headaches and much sickness and greatly improved the mental
efficiency of the pupils. Earthen water jars, with individual drinking cups,
are now the rule. In addition to accomplishing such wonderful results in
making decided impniveinents in Ihc school system of the count \ he has
established a course of stud\' which has been widely copied and became the
author of "Outlines of Civil Government," which is used in the seventh and
eighth grades. The historian of this work is greatly indebted to Mr.
Slacks for the greater part of the chapter on education which bears his
signature as author.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 38 1
Politically, Professor Slacks is allied with the Republican party; his
religious affiliations are with the Baptist church, of which institution he
holds the position of superintendent of the Sunday school. He was also
the leader of the Boys' Band in Sac City, a talented musical organization
formed during the summer of 1913.
Mr. Slacks was married in 1894 to Leona E. Ferry, of Sigournev.
Iowa, the daughter of C. A. Ferry. Two children have blessed this union:
John Wendell, aged seventeen years, and vv'ho graduated from the Sac
City high school in 101,3, and Melvin James Slacks, aged six years.
SEYMOUR D. SELBY.
The prestige and reputation of an}' city is dependent upon the personnel
of its citizenship. If the residents are enterprising and progressive, the com-
munity naturally becomes known far and wide as a coming city and one
which is universally recognized as a good place in which to live. All re-
form and progressive movements usually have their inception in a crying
need for changes for the better. Their success depends upon the personality
and integrity of those who get behind the movement and push it forward
to completion; a combination of progression and progressive citizens makes
improvement certain and sure. The beautiful and enterprising city of Ode-
bolt is fortunate in having for its governing officials a coterie of the most
progressive and enterprising men of the municipality; their inception into
office is the result of a o-mwlh and crystalization of sentiment demanding a
change from the former order of things. The change has resulted for the
better for all concerned. Odebolt is up and coming; improvements have
been placed under way; conveniences are now enjoyed by the citizens which
were conspicuous for their absence previous to the new regime and all par-
ties concerned are now universally interested in the making of a greater and
better city. The city is \-ery fortunate in having for its chief executive a
man noted for his sterling honesty, integrity, and earnestness of purpose in
the person of Seymour D. Selby, concerning whom this brief review is
written.
S. D. Selby is a native of Grant county, Wisconsin, born on October 3,
i86_>, and is the son of John N. and Mary ( DeWitt ) Selby, who were both
born and reared in the old Buckeye state. In the year 1867 they departed
from the old Ohio homestea<l and traveled to Adams county, Iowa. After
a residence there of one and one-half years they journeyed to Page county,
j82 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
where they niaile their linal hdiiie. Jolin N. Sell)}' died at Xew .Market,
l^age cotinty. in the year 1885. He was twice married and was the father of
four children ])y his first marriage and five offspring by a second marriage.
l*'i\e of these children are yet living, namel}' : Margaret, nf Salem, Oregon;
Mrs. h'elicia Hult, alsi) a resident of Salem. Oregon; Mrs. Ophelia Hully, of
Atlantic. Iowa: Mrs. Olive Nance, on a farm in Minnesota, and Seymour D.
.S. D. Sell)\- was educated in the common schools antl the fTawleyville,
I'age county, high schiml. He studied ])harmacy in the town uf Carbon,
.\dams- cnuntx". and uimn the cumpletion of his course and being .admitted to
the practice of his profession he engaged in the drug business at Vallisca,
Iowa, for a peritjcl of si.K years. He then came to Odebolt in 1896 and here
conducted a drug store for ten x'ears. He retired from the business in 1906
and has since been dexoting his time to the buying and selling of real estate
and farm lands. He and J. K. Mattes conduct the Western Land Company
for the purpose of handling Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota farm lands.
Their business is \ery extensive and they handle many farms in the course
of the vear.
.Mr. Sell)}' was married in October of 1885 to Sadie llanna, of Adams
c(,'unt}', Iowa. He is the father of the following children: Margery Lenore,
a graduate of (Irinnell College aivl a teacher in the Sanborn, Iowa, schools;
John, a graduate of the Uni\ersity of (^maha, class of 1914: Paul, who will
graduate at the l"ni\'ersity o( Omaha in the iyi5 class.
Mr. Sell)y is the leader of the Progressive party in Sac county, being
the aggressive chairman of the county central committee, and figuring prom-
inently in Progressive circles throughout the state. Mr. Selb\' served as
postmaster at Carbon, Iowa, under Presidents Arthur and Harrison and re-
signed his position on removing to Villisca. He is stockholder and one of the
organizers of the Ivirmers Savings Bank of Odebolt and is the owner of
three hundred and si.xty acres of good land in the eastern section of South
Dakota.
A/lr. Selby is a member of the Presbyterian church and is aftiliated with
the .Vncient Free and .Xccejrted Masons, Eastern Star, Knights of Pythias,
Brotherhood of American \'eoman and the Modern W'oochuen. He was
elected mayor of Odebolt in March of 191 1 and has ])roven to be one of the
best executives and the most enterprising the city has had in iuan\- years.
During his term of office a sewerage system has been installed at a cost of
over twenty-tw(i thousand doll.-irs and the work of installation has been
faithfully and honestly performed. Other plans for the introduction of
modern improvements and providing for the further beautifying the city
are under wa\'.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 383
AUGUST GROMAN. M. D.
Xo other profession has accomplished, during the last half century, the
progress and development that have been made by the medical. The man
of original thought and action, whose textbook forms but the basis of fu-
ture wtirk. has e\-er mo\ed forward, taking advantage of and utilizing new
discoveries in the science and looking always for l^etter methods, surer means
to the desired end. Such a man is he whose name forms the caption to this
sketch. In considering the character and career of this eminent member of
the medical fraternity, the imijartial observer will not onlv l)e tlisposed to
rank Jiim among the leading members of his profession in liis locality, but also
as one of those men of broad culture and mental ken who have honored
mankind in general. Through a long and busy life, replete with honor and
success, lie has been actuated 1>y the highest nioti\-es, and to the practice of
his profession he has brought rare skill and resource, his quick perception
and almost intuitive judgment enabling him to make a correct diagnosis,
always necessary that ]jro])er treatment may be used. He has alwavs been
a close observer and student of medical science, keeping in close touch with
the latest advances along that line, and he has been uniformly successful in
the practice. Because of his high attainments and his exalted personal char-
acter, lie is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.
Dr. August Groman. oldest practicing physician of Odebolt, Iowa, was
born November 9. 1856, in Lake county, Indiana. His parents, Charles and
Caroline ( Kluckhohn ) Groman, were both natives of Germany, who came
to this country early in the histor\" of Indiana, and lived and died in Lake
county, that state. To them were born nine children: Henry, deceased;
Charles, deceased; Frederick, of Muncie, Indiana: Dr. August Groman, of
whom this chronicle speaks; Minnie, who lives in Chicago; Mrs. Caroline
Noehren, of London, Ontario, Canada: Mrs. Sophia Wrede, of Chicago;
Mrs. Louise Klein, who is a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Mrs.
Anna Wilson, of Hammond, Indiana. Charles Groman was twice married,
and Dr. August Groman was a son by his first marriage, his mother dying
when he was thirteen \-ears of age.
Dr .\ugust Groman was educated in the district schools of Lake
count) . Indiana, and finished his common school education in Knight's pri-
vate school at Crown Point, Indiana. Earh- in life he decided to enter the
medical profession and, with this entl in \iew, he matriculated in the Chicago
Homeopathic ^Medical College in 1875. Inuuediatel}- upon his graduation
384 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
from that institution in 1878, he came to Odebolt, Sac county, Iowa, and has
practiced continuously in this community for the past thirty-six years. He
has lived to see this county grow from a straggling frontier settlement to
its prosperous condition, and has had a large share in the material life of
the community itself. Hundreds of the citizens of this county have Doctor
Groman to bless for their very existence, and the good which he has accom-
plished in his many years of service in this county can not be calculated by
human agency.
Doctor Groman was married June 14, 1881, to Gesine E. Beckman,
and to this union have been born six children, four of whom are now liv-
ing: Dr. Herman C., of Hammond, Indiana; Alice, Dorothy and Elinor.
Doctor Groman is a member of the various medical associations which seek
to keep their members in touch with the latest scientific developments along
medical lines. Among these are the Sac County, the Iowa State and the
American Medical Associations. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Knights of Pythias and the Yeomen. Doctor Groman has filled a large place
in tiie ranks of the public-spirited physicians of his count}-, in that he has
done his part well, for his record has been such as has gained for him the
commendation and approval of a large circle of friends throughout the
county. His career has been a long and useful one in every respect ami the
citizens of this county owe him a debt which the\' can ne\er repa\'.
CURTIS ORMLLE LEE.
Among men of affairs in almost any progressive communit\- are fmnul
those who have apparently been singled out for preferment of a higher order
than their fellows. Such individuals are known to possess abilitv of a marked
qualit}', the power of discernment, the faculty of making and retaining friend-
ships, and the financial acumen which is absolutely necessary to gain material
recognition as captains of finance. We usually judge a personage bv the
nature of his past accomplishments, his mode of living, and his usefulness to
his fellow men. However, we dare not lose sight of the fact that, among
men in general, we judge the citizen, to a certain extent, liy his pow er to profit
along the lines to which he seems naturally adapted. Life moves in ^uch a
mysterious manner and in ways that are past our comprehension that there is
no possible means of predicting the outcome of the career of those who might
CURTIS ORVILLE LEE
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 385
be gifted with every advantage possible at the starting of their Hfe tasks.
Select two men from the average groups into which humans are usually
divided, give each an equal start in the race, provide both with suitable sinews,
take it for granted that each will Ije ecfuipped mentall\- and physically and
endowed along similar lines. Watch the outcome. It is probalile that one or
the other will fall by the wayside or fail to properly develop his gifts and
make only a mediocre success of his life; the other will enlarge his horizon
and ever seek for new tasks to overcome and succeed even lieyond the expecta-
tions of his friends and associates. These things we can not properlv explain.
We can only portray life as we see it. It is the pro\-ince of the historian to
record the actual accomplishments of the men who come under his ol)ser\a-
tion. It is a pleasure, however, to present this encomium of the life and deeds
of him whose name forms the caption of this biography. Curtis Orville Lee
is a product of the pioneer life of Sac county and one of those who has taken
high rank among the citizens of his nati\e city along several useful lines of
endeavor.
Curtis Orville Lee was born November i8, i860, in Sac City, the son of
Melitus S. and Caroline (Trax'is) Lee. 'SI. S. Lee was born in Schoharie
county. New York, May 27, i8ji. the son of William Lee, a nati\-e of the
state of New York. WHiile yet in his young manhood he made a trip to the
west as far as Council Bluffs, Iowa. On his return he filed on and proxxfl
upoh a claim in Madison county. Iowa. He later sold his claim to a settler
and returned to Laporte. Indiana. Pre\'ious to this he had found emplo\-ment
with Curtis Travis, who afterward became his father-in-law. In 1853, he
married Caroline, third daughter of his employer. He then traveled west-
ward, stopping for a few months in the vicinity of Baraboo, Wisconsin, and
then proceeding to l-'ayette county. Iowa. He remained in this county for l)ut
one season. ho\\'e\er. and in 1834 remox'ed from the town of W'interset to
Sac county. He first resided in Sac City, in a small log cabin, 'i'he winter
of 1854- 1 855 was a terrible one. noted for the great depth of the snows and
for the extreme cold. M. S. Lee found it necessary to remove his li\e stock
to an improvised barn dug in a snowbank, near Judge Criss' place for the re-
mainder of the winter. In the spring of 1861 he removed his family to his
farm in Douglas townshi]) where he erected a fine residence which is occu])ied
to this dav bv his daughter. He resided on the farm until 1894. when he re-
tired to Sac City, dying March 12, 189S. The senior Lee was a large land
owner, becoming jiossessed of an estate of one thousand three hundred and
twenty acres of excellent farm lands. During his time he filled several minor
" (24)
386 . SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
township offices and ser\ed as county supervisor of Sac count}-. He was an
able and capable citizen whose demise was deeply mourned by a host of
friends. His wife, Caroline Travis, was born September 2. 1836, in Laporte
county, Indiana, and died Septemlier 4, 1900. They were blessed with the
following children: Cassina M., whi. died of diphtheria at the age of seven
years; Curtis Orville, the two hrst named being twins; Mrs. Lenora Keir,
of Douglas township; William Lamont Lee, of Mason Cit\ , Iowa, and Mrs.
W. E. AVayt, of Chandler, North Dakota.
Curtis Orxille Lee was educated in the common schools and Cornell
College of Mt. \'ernon, Iowa. After completing his education he took charge
of one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land on coming of age, which his
father gave him outright. This farm was located in Douglas township. He
improved it to the best of his abilitj- and added to the acreage until the land
now totals three hundred and thirty-six acres. On August 2, 1892, he pur-
chased the grain elevators at Sac City and operated them fur nine vears, re-
moving his family to the city in February, 1893. He has a fine residence in
the choice residential section of the city. Mr. Lee has been eminently success-
ful as an auctioneer and real estate dperator. Since 1895 he has made a
business of crying auction sales and has a reputation as a verv successful
auctioneer among the farmers of the neighliorhDod. His dealings in farm
lands run into the thousands of acres. He is the owner of one thousand and
seventy acres of land in Sac count}- over which he exercises personal super-
vision, b}' conducting his farming ojjerations on the hired help and the co-
operative basis. He has a large stock farm northwest of Sac Cit}- on which
he feeds hundreds of cattle and hogs. Mr. Lee"s shipments of cattle will aver-
age fifteen carloads annuall}-, in addition to ten carloads of hogs. During
the season of 191 2 he shipped oxer thirty carloads of swine to the Chicago
markets.
Mr. Lee is not onl} a practical, but a scientific farmer, who takes a keen
interest in the betterment of conditions for the agriculturists, and is a strong
advocate of better and more intensive farming methods, ^^'e are indebted
to his literary talent for the excellent cliapter on the E\-olution of Agriculture
which is found in this volume. He is allied with the Republican party and
has served as mayor of the municiijality, and has been a member of the school
board. He is a member of the I'aptist church, and is connected fraternall}-
with the Ancient Free and .\ccepted Masons, blue lodge, chapter and com-
manderv of Sac Cit}- ; the Yeomanry and the Ancient Order of L'nited Work-
men. He was united in marriage with Ccelia Rogers, March if), 1884, Mrs
SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
0'='/
Lee is the daughter of Airs. E. A. Iviiapp, of Sac City. They have two sons :
LaVerne Lee. born February 26, 1887, and who is traveling salesman for and
treasurer of tlie Conger-Ball Seed Company of Sac City ; Ward Forrester.
aged thirteen \ears.
ABNER L. CHANDLER.
Xij intelligent student of the rise and progress of the great state of
Iowa will deny that the pioneer element, with their descendants, constitutes
the back-hone ami the mainstay of civilization. They boldly entered the
Vi'ilderness, encountered its hardships, dangers and jirivations and carved out
new lioines and new destinies. Abner L. Chandler is one of those sub-
stantial citizens of Sac countv whose long residence and interestins: famil
!5
IV
history contains much of value to his descendants.
Abner L. Chandler is a native of Susquehanna countw Pennsylvania,
born April 2, 1845, and he is a son of Ezra and Florinda (Lewis) Chandler,
both also nati\es of the Keystone state. In 1850 Ezra Chandler and family
located in Lake county, Illinois, where they became pioneer farmers of that
section, and in 1856. still following the star of empire westward, removed
to Fort Scott, Kansas, where they purchased a farm. They were not
destined to remain long in their new home in a new country, as death soon
called both Ezra Chandler and his good wife, she dying there in 1857 and
he in 1858. Their chiUlren were : Frederick, who was a soldier in the
Ci\'il ^\'ar, now deceased: George, deceased; Eliza, deceased; Levi, deceased;
Ann, deceased: \ iola, deceased; Abner L., the immediate subject of this
sketch ; Luther, w ho is a veteran of the Union army, lives in the state of
Washington ; Mrs. Hattie Woodruff and Mrs. Amelia Carr live in the state
of Washington, anfl Charles also lives in that state, being located at Cannas.
After the death of the parents, the family was dispersed and Abner L.
retarned to the state of Illinois, \\here he worked on a farm until the break-
ing out of our great cix'il conflict, when he enlisted at Waukegan in Com-
pany D, Xinety-sixth Illinois \'olunteer Infanlrw and jiatrioticalh- served
his Country for three years. He participated in se\eral \-er\- important en-
gagements and many minor skirmishes, among them being the liattles of
Resaca, Buzzard Roost, Pine Mountain, New Hope Church, Kenesaw
Mountain, Marietta ;ind Dalton. At the siege of Atlanta he was se\'erel\-
wounded in the abdomen and was sick for eight\- days, returning to his
regiment a few daws before the battle of Franklin. He returned to active
388" SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
service before his wound was properly healed and served with bravery and
distinction in the two-days battle of Nashville.
After the war, Mr. Chandler again settled in Lake county, Illinois,
working on a farm, and later farming for himself. In 1872 he came to
Sac count}', Iowa, and located in Wheeler township, and he has the distinc-
tion now of being the oldest living settler in Wheeler township. He came
here in a primitive day, and there were no houses or dugouts within five
miles of him. He mo\ed onto the big Wheeler farm in section 10 and for
seven years worked there for a Mr. Ellis, who was renting land. He then,
in 1879, bought one hundred and twenty acres in section 12, paying four
dollars and five dollars per acre for the land. He made his permanent
home on this land, adding to his acreage as he prospered, first buying one
hundred and twenty acres of the west one-half and later l)u_\-ing eighty
acres of the south one-half, making his total acreage three hundred and
twenty acres. In 1906 he sold one hundred and sixty acres of this land and
later tlisposed of the remainder. In December, 1907, he removed to Ode-
bolt, and here he erected a beautiful bungalow resilience on ]ilaple street.
Abner L. Chandler was married, December i, 1867, to Henrietta Dunn,
who was born October 21, 1847, '''' Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, a
daughter of Joseph and Olive (\\^itter) Dunn, descendants of an old Con-
necticut famil\- who lived and died in Penns}-lvania. Mrs. Chandler came
to Lake county, Illinois, when twenty j'cars old. To Mr. and Mrs. Chandler
ha\-e been born, a fine family of ten children, nanietl as follows : S\'dnev
Levi, born December 5, 1868, is a graduate of Morningside College. Sit)ux
City, Iowa, and is now dean of this college, ])ut is at present taking a post-
graduate course in New York City. He was married No\ember- 5, 1890,
to Mary A. Smith, of Clinton township, and has three children. Harry
.Miner, .\sa Lewis and Olive Lyle. Frank A., born July 2. 1870. died in
infancy. Olive I'"., born .Vugust 18, 1871, is the wife of Charles Smith,
and they live in Clinton township. Sac county, Iowa, and lia\e li\e children,
Anna, Sadie, Hobart, Lawrence and Esther. Anna L., born I-'ebruar\- g,
1875, died in 1889. Etta, born September 18, 1878, died in infancv.
Phihp L., born January 12, 1880, is a farmer in Nebraska, married lata
Epperson and the\' have two children, Keith and Kenneth. .Vrthur G., born
September 23, 1881, resides on a farm at Lyons, Nebraska, and marrietl
Maggie McLean. Cordelia. Ixirn Xoveniber 20, 1883. lives in Richland
township in this county, and is the wife of Sebastian i'.uchler. The\- have
two children. May and Fern. Harr}- .\., l)orn I'eliruary to. 1880, died
[''ebruary 10, 1888. Forest H., born March 28, 1887, is a graduate of
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 389
Alnrningside College. Sioux City, Iowa, and is now superintendent of West
Rend. I(jwa, schools; he married Francis Horn, of Sioux City, Iowa, also
a graduate of Morningside College and principal of the West Bend high
school. They have one great-grandchild, Earl Wayne Gilbert.
Politically, .\bner L. Chandler is a Progressive. In an early day he
served Wheeler township in the capacity of trustee. At other times he was
also township clerk and supervisor. A warm-hearted, affable gentleman, he
is one nf those esteemed old pioneers who have done so much for the
opening up and (le\-elopment of this favored section of western Iowa, and
he is deser\e(lly popular in the community where he has lived so long and
labored to such good purpose.
GEORGE B. PERKINS.
Banking is well considered the highest of our commercial occupations.
Xo institutions have contributed more to the development and building of
the West than the banking concerns. The banks of Sac City without ex-
cejnions are bulwarks of strength and stability and have been the mainstay
and support of the city and the rich farming community around about in
important ways. The First National Bank, of which Mr. Perkins is the
official head, takes first rank among the banking concerns of the county. To
be the titular head of such an important financial concern calls for ability
of a high order and attainments such as will command the respect of similar
institutions and the patrons of the bank. The president of the First National
Bank of Sac City, while yet a young man in years, carries easily and in a
dignified manner the responsibilities engendered by the importance of his
duties. His ability is unquestioned ; while reserved to a certain degree, Mr,
Perkins, by virtue of his education and attainments, and through possessing
a pronounced aptitude for the banking business, has achieved a primary
success in his chosen field.
George B. Perkins, president of the First National Bank of Sac City,
is a native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where he was born August ii, 1874,
the son of George and luneline M. ( Larrabee ) Perkins. His father, George
Perkins, was born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1820, and died May
.;. 1906. George, Sr., was the son of Francis Perkins, whose wife was Re-
becca Sherman, both being natives of Pennsylvania. The father of Francis
390 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
Perkins was Jacob Perkins. Francis and his wife Amy were likewise na-
tives of the same state.
It is thus seen that the family resided in F'ennsylvania from a very
earlv dav and the ancestors were nunil)erc(l among the pioneers and builders
of the great cnmmonwealth whose people have been such important factors
m the settlement and development of the Middle West and the Western
states.
Emeline Larrabee, mother of George P. Perkins, was born February 9,
1837, in the state of Connecticut, and was the daughter of Adam and Han-
nah Gallup ( Lester ) Larrabee, descendants of old New England families
The father of Adam Larrabee was Frederick, who took for his helpmeet
.\bigail Allen, of Connecticut. Frederick Larrabee was the son of Timothy
and Abigail (Wood) Larrabee.. The beginning of the Larrabee and Wood
families has been traced to the year 1730. The names, Larrabee. Lester.
.Mien and Wood figure prominentlx' in the genealogical records of the state
of Connecticut and the descendants are numer(5us throughout the lengtli
and breadth of the United States.
George Perkins, Sr., like man\- New Engianders of the letter class,
was well educated and early fitted liimself for the practice of the legal pro-
fession. Believing rightly that tlie West offered a more attractive field for
the exercise of his talents in this respect, he removed, when yet a young
man, to Fond ilu Lac, Wisconsin, and soon became one of the pronu'nent
and commanding figures of this growing community. 1die office of -probate
or count\- judge was conferred upon him by his fellow citizens and he served
the people in this important capacity for a period of twehe years in succes-
sion. He also filled the office of district attorney in a capalile and able
manner. He was twice married. By his first marriage there were two children :
offered a position as French instructor in her alma mater of Neff College and
Abbie, deceased, and Nellie (Gerpheide), who resides in .Michigan. By his
second marriage, with Emeline Larrabee, there were born and reared four
children: T,esler. deceased; George B., of whom we are writing; Frances G.,
who resides with her mother in the old homestead at l-'ond t\u Lac, Wiscon-
sin ; Jehdeiah B., of Fond du Lac.
George B. Perkins, with whom this narrative is directly concerned, re-
ceived his early education in the public schools of his native city. He, too,
learning of the opportunities which presented themselves to young men of
ability and determination in the newer and richer country to the westward,
became imbued with the idea of moving onward across the great state of
Liwa, as many of the peo])le of his neighliorhood had done before him. .\c-
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 391
ccinliiiglv. he set out fur Sac City tu try hi.s fortunes in the growing and
beautiful tnwn on the l)anks of the Coon river. He sought and immediately
obtained employment, on his arri\al in July, 1896, in the Sac County State
Bank. He remained with this concern in the capacity of bookkeeper, until
February, 1901. when he resigned his position to take up his duties as clerk
of the district court, to which important office he had lieen elected in the fall
of 1900. He was again re-elected to fill the tjffice in 1902 and served in all
for a period of four years. He performed his duties in this public capacity
in a manner t<T justifv the confidence imposed in him Ijy his fellow citizens.
.\t the conclusi<in of his four-vear term as a public official he Ijecame con-
nected with the First National Bank as president. Aside from his bank-
ing duties he has dealt extensively in Sac county and Iowa lands, and still
handles considerable farm lands. Mr. Perkins keeps closely in touch with
the farming interests of his adopted ctnmty and has a wide and fasorable
acquaintance among the prosperous agricultural population of the neighbor-
ing territory. It is his diversion to serve as clerk of various farm sales which
are contiiuiall\- taking jilace in the territory contiguous to Sac City. He is
acti\e in ci\ic afl:'airs in a UKjdest and unassuming way and is e\er ready to
lend a helping hand in matters which have an important bearing on the pub-
lic welfare and the upbuilding of his home city.
Mr. Perkins is a Republican in ])olitics and was ma\or of Sac Citv in
1906. He was an alternate delegate to the Republican national cunxentiun
in 1908 at Chicago. He is a mem1)er of the Presbyterian church and is a
leading Mason. He holds a membership in the Sac City blue lodge of Ma-
sons and the Rose Croix Chapter, and Commanderv Xo. 38. Knights Temp-
lar, of Sac City, of which he is the present commander.
Mr. Perkins was united in marriage with Lola May Early in June,
1899. His wife is the daughter of Judge D. Carr Early, one of the impor-
tant figures in the pioneer and subsequent decades of the annals of Sac
c<iunty. A considerable chapter is devoted elsewhere to the life and ac-
complishments <if Judge Earl}' in the pages of this volume. Three children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Perkins: George Earl_\-, who was born
March 8, 1900: Miriam Larraliee, who was born March 8, 190J; Eloise
Loraine, born ]\larch 19, 19 14. Mrs. Perkins is one of Sac City's most tal-
ented and estimable women anil is acti\e in church, social and club life. She
is native born to Sac county and received her primary education in the Sac
City high school, after which she studied for three years in Drake Univer-
sity, pursuing a musical and commercial course, and then, continuing her
studies in Philadeli)hia, she graduated from the National School of Elucu-
39- SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
tion. She graduated from Neff College of Philadelphia and received the
degree of Bachelor of Arts. She made a tour of Europe with a company
of young ladies and studied for two years in the Mmle. Trilxni Finishing
School for Y(jung Ladies in Paris and l)ecaine a prc^hcient linguist in the
I'rench language. Returning home from her studies abroad, she was pre-
vailed upon to give jjrivate lessons in French to Sac City students and was
•ciiered a position as French instructor in her alma mater of Nefif College and
Avas ofifered the position of teacher of foreign languages, especially French,
in Drake University. Home life appeals to her in its truest sense and she is
active in the social doings of the community in which she has spent her life
from childhood.
SAMUEL M. AND FRANK E. STOUFFER.
The press is the most powerful instrument in the shaping and molding of
public opinion whicli we have today. It enlightens the people and fights
their battles individually and collectively, it makes and unmakes men at
will. Likewise it creates or tears down statutes intended for the good or ill
being: of the people at large. There is no one power its equal in the length
and breadth of the land in this respect. In this land i)f free speech and the
free press, it is a potent factor in the building up of communities. It is con-
ceded that the newspapers of the inland cities enjoy a greater and wider
prestige in their locality of circidation and accomplish more direct and real
and lasting good than e\en the great metropolitan press of today. The local
editor chronicles our successes ; he smoothes over our failures ; he tells us
what our neighbors and friends are doing; he advises us out of the stores of
wisdom gained through \'ears of experience. He espouses the cause of reform
where needed: he advocates publicly in a clarion \-oice the need of improve-
ments and assists us in pushing forward. The newspaper of today has ad-
vanced with the times and ever keeps abreast and even ahead of the procession.
Sac countv boasts one of the best of weekly newspapers published in
Iowa or the West. Its standing reflects credit upon its editors and publishers
whose names head this biography. S. M. and F. E. Stouffer hold high rank
among the journalists and publishers of Iowa by \-irtue of the success they
have made in the publication of The Sac SiDi since the year 1893, when they
first came to Sac City and purchased the newspaper.
Thev are the sons of Andrew and Lucinda (Rhinehart) Stouffer. natives
of Washington county, Maryland, who were married in Ogle county, Illinois.
PRANK E. STOUPFEK
SAMUEL M. STOL'FFKR
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 393
At the age uf tifteen, Andrew removed from Maryland to Ogle county in
1845, with his parents, George and Elizabeth (Welty) Stouffer. His wife
Lncinda was the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Bovey) Rhinehart, who
migrated from Maryland to Ogle county in about 1845. Andrew Stouffer
moved with his family to Marshall county, Iowa, in March of 1869, after dis-
posing of his farming interests in Ogle county. Here he engaged in farming,
in which he was successful to a marked degree. He insisted on the thorough
education of his children, because he realized the value of their being thor-
oughly equipped and mentally developed for the battle of life. He was very
active in church work and a stanch Methodist, having been connected in his
earlier years with the United Brethren denomination. He died at State Cen-
ter, Marshall county, Iowa, in March, 1910. at the age of eighty years. His
wife Lucinda was born in 1841 and died in 1897. They were the parents of
the following children : Samuel M. and Frank E. ; Elmina L., wife of William
Ellis, of State Center, Iowa; James Elmer, deceased; Raymond, State Center,
Iowa; Cora Estella. of State Center; Albert Russell, who died in youth;
Wesley Rhinehart, a teacher in the Capital City Commercial College, Des
Moines. John Andrew, who is employed in tlie furniture l)usiness in Mar-
shalltown, Iowa; Edith Elsie, wife of Herbert G. Monroe, of State Center,
Iowa.
Samuel M., the efficient and capable editor of The Sac Sun, was born on
the Ogle county farm November i, 1865, and was educated primarily in the
district schools. He and his brother Erank attended the same district school
out on the Iowa prairie at the same time. This school was then known as the
Washington Center school and is still familiarly and afTectionately known by
that name in Marshall county. Samuel M. entered Leander Clark College at
Toledo, Iowa, and graduated therefrom in the class of 1890. For a period
of two years he taught school, teaching only one year after his graduation in
the classical course of Leander Clark College. In 1891 he became associate
editor and editorial writer of the Toledo (Iowa) Chronicle, in which position
he remained until 1893, when he and his brother Frank took charge of The
Sac Snn. Samuel M. Stouffer is recognized as one of the capable young men
of Sac county. He is usually found in the forefront of matters which have
their origin in the desire for the advancement and betterment of the city,
county or state. His editorial ability is recognized as above the average and
his friends are legion.
His political affiliations and sympathies are with the Reiniblican party, of
which bodv he is a stanch supporter, and he is a firm believer in the principles
as enunciated in the party platforms. While he has pronounced progressive
394 SAC COUNTY. IOWA.
ideas, he believes witli all his ht-art and mind that the welfare of the rank and
file of the party can best be cared for by allegiance to the party of Abraham
Lincoln and his followers. His writings in the editorial columns of The
Sac Sun are straightforward in their scope without equi\-ocation or denuncia-
tion of political opponents. He has never been possessed with a desire for
public office and firmly believes that the province of the editor lies vvithin the
sanctum of his office and is best exercised in liehalf of his fellowmen by the use
of his pen in presenting his views in a calm, impartial manner. Air. Stouffer
likewise believes that the best wa}- to achieve success in his chosen profession
is to give the people within the scope of inHuence of his jotnmal such a com-
plete newspaper as they demand, feeling sure that the business end of the
journal will profit accordingl}'. He is a member of the ^lethodist Episcopal
church, and has been the efficient superintendent of the Sunday school for the
past sixteen years. He was married September 8, 1898, to Irene O. Holmes,
of Charter Oak, Iowa. He is the father of two children : Samuel Andrew,
born June 6, 1900, and William Holmes, born April 27, 1909.
He has been the corresponding secretary and the president of the North-
west Iowa Laymen's Association of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church. He has
served as secretary of the county central committee of the Republican party.
An evidence of Mr. StoulTer's decided literary ability is found in the press
chapter of this publication, of which he is the author and for \\hich the pub-
lishers are indebted.
Frank E. Stoufifer, Ijusiness manager of TJic Sac Sun. was born February
14, 1867, on the farm in Ogle coimty, Illinois. He likewise attended the
Washington Center district school, and entered Leander Clark College at
Toledo, Iowa, with his brother, graduating in the same class in 1890. For
awhile their paths di\'erged somewhat. Frank taking up the professiDU of
teaching, beginning in the country schools and rising to the jiosition of prin-
cipal. He was called to Kansas in 1890, and took charge of the Attica school
for one year and later became principal of the Dillon, Montana, schools, dur-
ing the years of 1892 and 1893. He was connected in the meantime with a
government surveying corps in \arious parts of Montana until his departure
for Sac City in 1893 to join his brother in the purchase of The Sac Sun.
He is active in various business enterprises in Sac City, being a director and
stockholder of the Sac City Electric Company, of which prosperous concern
he is the president. He is allied politically with the Republican party, and is
secretary of the county central committee. He is fraternally associated with
the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, blue lodge, chapter and commandery
of Sac City, and the Mystic Shriners. Mrs. Stoufifer is a member of the East-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 395
ern Star lodge. He wa.s married September 21, i()04, at Dillon, Montana, to
May Baxter, of that city, the tlaughter of Anson Baxter, formerly of Sac City,
but now a resident of Buhl, Idaho. Anson Baxter was an early pioneer in
Sac county.
When S. M. and F. E. Stoufifer took charge of The Sac Sun. the news-
paper wa.s a small six-column sheet, supplied weekly with an auxiliary service
or "patent insides," with hardly one thousand subscribers on the list. It is
now published as an eight- or twelve-page ]niblication, with seven columns of
reading matter, all home print, with over three thousand subscribers and
enjoys an excellent advertising patronage. Further encomium is unnecessarv
— the work of the publishers and their standing in the community is evidence
of their well-deserved success.
NICHOLAS ORLANDO GISHWILLER.
.\ii enunieratii)n of tlmse men of the present generation who ha\e won
honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time have
honored the locality to which they belong would be incomplete were there
failure to make specific mention of him whose name forms the caption of
this biographical recortl. The (]ualities which have made him one of the
most capable antl successful men of Sac county have also brought him the
esteem of his fellow men, for it is evident that his career has been one of
well directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods. As a
contractor and builder he has achieved a good measure of success; as a
business man he has so managed his personal affairs as to rank among the
substantial citizens of Sac City: as mayor of the city he has so administered
governmental affairs as to earn the he;irt\- commendation of his fellow citi-
zens regardless of politics.
Nicholas O. Gishwiller was born September 9. 1854. on his father's
farm in Williams county, sixteen miles from the city of Bryan. Ohio. His
parents were Louis and Margaret ( Sheets ) Gishwiller, natives of Switzer-
land and Polk counties. Ohio, respectively. His mother was born near the
town of .\shland. Ohio. Louis Gishwiller was an infant six months of age
when his parents emigrated from Switzerland to the United States. They
settled on a farm near the city of Wo(.xster, in Wayne county. Ohio, where
Louis was reared to young manhood. When the father of Nathaniel O. Gish-
willer became of age he moved to Williams county. Ohio, and purchased a
^^1)6 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
tract of land which he cleared ui heavy timber growth and inipro\ed. He
disposeil of his western Ohio farm in 1869 and moved westward to Stephen-
son cnuntw Illinois, where he i)urchased a large farm. The first land in-
vestment which he made totalled two hundred and ten acres, which was
subsequently atlded to in different tracts until liis holdings were among the
most extensive in the county. In his old age Louis retired to a residence in
the town of Lena, where he <lie(! in October, lyii. leaving a large family
of ten children, namely: John Alford, of Carancahua, Texas; Louis h'rank-
lin, of Waddan-.s. Illinois; David William, of Lena. Illinois; Airs. Sarah
Elizabeth Stahl, of Freeport. Illinois; Nathaniel Orlando; Mrs. Sophia Mar-
garet Albee. of Lena. Illinois; Henry I., also of Lena; Hulbert Marion, of
Lena; Charles Wesley, of Wilcox, Nebraska; Mrs. .\da Catharine Coomber,
residing in Free])ort, Illinois. Three children died in infancw
He with whom this narrati\-e is intimately concerned \\ as educated in the
district schools of the neighborhood in which he was reared and remained
on the parental farm until the year 1882. He then came to Sac county and
purchasetl one hundred and forty acres of good land in Cedar township
which he impr(ned and made into a valuable pro])erty. He resided on the
farm until 1884 when he sold it and bought another tract of eighty acres in
Wall Lake township, on which he and his family resided until 1888. The
family then moved to Sac City with the intention of making a permanent
residence here. Mr. Gishwiller at once engaged in carpentering and con-
tracting and has met with signal success in all of his undertakings in his
chosen line. It is very rarely that a man who has followed the ancient occu-
pation of tilling the soil can abandon it as a means of gaining a livelihood
when approaching middle age, liut .Mr. (iishwiller has exemplified the fallacy
of the oft-repeated argument that "Once a farmer, always a farmer." His
work as a contractor and builder has been thoroughly and honestly done and
his services have been in great demand for several years. His two oldest
sons assist him in his operations and he em]jk>ys adtlitional help on occasion.
He is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of excellent farm land in
Scjuth Dakota and is the possessor of a residence projjerty in Sac City.
Politically, he has always been allied with the Republican party. He has
filled various local and school ofBces with credit to himself and in the inter-
est of his constituents. In the spring of 1913 he was elected mayor of Sac
City. He is known as one of the most energetic and capable city execu-
tives who has ever held the ofifice. During his administration extensive city
improvements have been pushed to completion. Miles of pa\ing ha\'e been
laid within the citv and im|)ro\ements have been made throughout the nni-
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. ^g'y
nicipalit)- which liave placed Sac City among tlie most i^rogressixe of the
cities of liA\a. He is a member of the Baptist church and is fraternaU\-
affiliated with the Knights of P\'thias and the Brotherhood of American
Yeoman. Mr. (iishwiller is a prominent and acti\e member of the local
lodge of Pythians.
N. O. Gishwiller was united in marriage with .Mar\' Hall, of Jo Daviess
county. Illinois, on February 13, 1877. She is the daughter of Joseph and
Rebecca Hall, natives of lingland and Canada respectively. Three children
have been born to this estimable couple, namely : Margaret Rebecca Cor-
saut. who was born January 3, 1878, on the farm in Illinois, and resides in
Cedar township. She is the mother of four children: Frances, Elmira,
DeWitt James, Zada Emma and Loren. Oran Orlando, the second son,
was born May 9, 1885, and resides in Sac City. He is the father of two
children, Helen Grace anfl Marguerite. The third child is Ira Irwin, born
June 6, 1887.
EDWARD P. HARTMAN.
It is the essence of biography to record the accomjjlishments of the in-
dividual. Not all men are chosen to perform wondrous tasks. The great
bulk of the population in our towns and cities is made up of industrious
men who are doing their duty in behalf of those dependent on their exertion
and at the same time taking the necessary part in the self-government and
promoting the well being of the community at large. Each man in his own
sphere of endeavor is doing his duty as he sees it or as his environments re-
quire. Edward P. Hartman, banker and man of affairs in Lake View, is a
successful citizen, residing in a growing and hustling city noted for its en-
terprise ancl the high personal character of its citizenship. It is meet and
desirable that his l)iography be written and inserted herein.
E. P. Hartman was born November 16, 1869, in Spencer county, In-
diana, the son of John C. and Barbara (Collignon) Hartman. John C, the
father, was born in Germany in 1834 and died in Sac county in the year
1905. Barl)ara ColHgnon was the daughter of French parents antl a nati\e
of the province of Alsace Loraine. When John C. Hartman was twelve
years old he came to America with his parents, who located in the state ui
Pennsylvania in 1846. His father was a miller by trade and John C.
naturally took up the same vocation and was employed in his younger days
in a flouring mill near the city of Harrisburg. He likewise became a skilled
millwright and understood the erection of a fiouring-mill from the founda-
398 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
tion to erecting the structure and installing the machinery. He became a
builder of flouring mills. He removed to Indiana for a short time and later
migrated to Iowa in the year 1873 and for two years worked in a flouring-
niill in Dubuque county. In 1875 he came westward and l>uilt a mill at Car-
roll, which he operated until 1880. He then came to Sac county and built a
mill in Boyer X'alley township, which he operated until 1883, then reniuved
to Odebolt and erected the Odebolt Flouring Mill. He operated the Odebolt
mill for several years and became quite well to do, being recognized as one
of the substantial and valued citizens of the county.
The children of John C. and Barbara Hartman numbered thirteen in
all, seven of whom are yet living, namely: Mrs. J. R. Mattes, of Odebolt;
Mrs. J. F. Covey, of Clinton, Iowa; Mrs. J. P. Laughlin, of Bevington,
Iowa; Mrs. Barbara Shea, a resident of Spokane, Washington: J. \Y.
Hartman, of Lake View; E. P. Flartman, with whom the reviewer is directly
concerned.
E. P. Hartman was educated in the public and parnchial schodls of
Carroll, Iowa, and also studied in Dixon College. From 1890 to 1891,
inclusive, he served as deputy treasurer of Sac county. He then engaged
in the mercantile business in Cowrie for a periotl of seven years, after
which he returned to Odebolt where he resided until 1905. In 1905 he
became connected with the Lake Wew State Bank antl is now the bank's
efficient and accommodating assistant cashier. His attention, like that of
manv i;)ther successful and enterprising men in this section of the \Vest,
has been devoted to agricultural interests and his land holdings are con-
siderable. He is the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of rich land,
one hundred and twenty acres of which is located in Wall Lake township
and two hundred and forty acres in Boyer Valley township.
Mr. Hartman was married in 1892 to Louisa Schaller, a daughter of
Hon. Phil Schaller, one of the noted and commanding figures in the history
of Sac county, and of whom this volume gi\'es an extended biography. Six
chilch'L-n lia\e been Ixirn to Mr. and Mrs. Hartman, as follows: Lucille and
Philil), students in Crinnell College; Mary, Schaller, Catharine and
IMargaret.
Politically, Mr. Hartman i'^ allied with the Republican party. He is
a nienil)er of tiie Catholic clnu"cli. He ranks high as one of the representa-
tive and leading citizens of his city and county; is genial, well educated
and progressive and enjoys the friendship and esteem of his many acquaint-
ances thr(iughout the county. He is the father of a very interesting familj'
who will un(loul)tedly be reare<I to l)ecome good and useful men and women.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 399
ALFRED G. KRUSENSTJERNA.
The Swedish natimi has contributed her quota to the cosmopoHtan
character of the American populace and the iVmerican citizens whose na-
tivity was originally in Scandinavia are among the best of our population.
No immigrant from foreign shores speaking a language other than the Eng-
lish is more quickly assimilated or is more thoroughl)- Americanized in a
short period of time after arrival on our shores than the sturdy sons of
Sweden. As tillers of the soil they are among the most successful; in the
marts of traile and commerce they ha\'e made their presence felt in large
measure; in the learned professions the Swedish-Americans have achieved
fame, wealth and distinction, and are found everywhere in the van of
human progress. They are alive to their opportunities and readily throw ofif
the Old World mannerisms and customs which are sometimes stubbornly
adhered to in this country by the representatives from other foreign nation-
alities. l'',ver\-where the}- are considered valued members of society and
soon take their rightful places in the life of the communities which are so
fortunate as to secure them as permanent citizens. In Alfred G. Krusen-
stjerna, of Odebolt, we find one of the l)est and most intelligent types of
an American citizen whose birthplace was in Sweden.
Mr. Krusenstjerna was born June 2. 1856, in Sweden and is the son
of Marritz \'on and Mary Krusenstjerna. His father was a manufacturer
and a well-to-do land owner who had large estates in Sweden and Norway.
The father is now deceased and the mother resides in the old home in
Sweden. Alfred G. received the advantages of an excellent education in
the schools of his native land, a proficiency which stood him in good stead
when he came to .America to seek his fortune in the West. He was twenty-
four vears of age when he tirst came to America and in 1880 he located
in Oilebolt. He entered the emplo}- of Henry Hanson and was thus en-
gaged for a period of ten years. He was then employed for the St. Paul
& Kansas Grain Com]iany for two vears and in 1893 started in business
for himself. His grain business is very extensive and proliably the largest
in Sac countv. He is a large buyer and shipper of grain, including corn,
popcorn and oats. It is computed that he buys and ships over one hundred
and seventv-tive carloads of grain annually. Mr. Krusenstjerna is also a
very extensi\e Ixiver and shipper of live stock and handles in excess of one
hundred and twenty-five carloads of live stock )-early. Being the owner of
nine hundred and ninety acres of land in Richland township gives him an
outlet for his live stock operations and affords an excellent feeding place for
400 SAC COUNTY, IOWA,
large herds previous to their shipment to the markets. Several vears ago
he began investing his surplus earnings in Sac county land and has added
to his possessions of this valuable commodity, which is the source of all
wealth, until he is now one of the largest land owners in the county.
In politics, Mr. Krusenstjerna is a pronounced Progressive: his religious
affiliations are with the Presbyterian brotherhood.
Mr. Krusenstjerna was married in 1889, to Ida Haakison, a native of
Sweden. To this union have been born eleven children as follows : George,
a farmer on his father's farm; Hazel, Fred, Mabel, Russell, Ruth, Florence,
Arthur, Morris, Helen and Richard.
Mr. Krusenstjerna stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens
and is admired for his genuine business ability and many good qualities
by those who know him best. His career furnishes a striking example of
the possibility of attaining success in this western country In- those of for-
eign birth who come here unhandicaj)ped by not possessing sufficient attain-
ments to enable them to grasp their opportunities and win.
ZACHARY FULLER, M. D.
Life holds possibilities for all of us. W'e come into the world with our
pathway before us. It is strewn with ol:)siacles which are ofttimes difficult
to overcome but the very nature of wliicli. in the necessary efforts of will and
expenditure of energy, enable us to properly develop the mental efficiency and
capabilities destined to enable the indi\idual to gain a measure of success.
Some individuals rely to a certain extent upon the hckle fortunes of destiu) ;
others are inspired by the lessons handed down by ancestral heredity ; some
are tossed about upon the waves of commotion without attaining a definite
course ; many are inspired with a desire to devote their lives for the benefit of
their fell(jw men. Anii)ition i^ the notable spur which drnes men forward
to the attainment of a certain well-defined goal. When ambition is comliined
with positive genius and jjower of brain success is certain, and comes to him
who patiently exercises the God-lent gifts which are his by right of birth and
endowment. Since the time of the iirst Great Healer the history of the
medical fraternity has abt)uniled with tales of the deeds of self-sacrificing indi-
viduals who have given their lives for the alleviation of suffering. In these
days of commercial exploitation and the pursuit of wealth, it is a gratification
to the historian to be permitted to write concerning an eminent professional
ZACHAKY FULLER, M. D.
rL
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 40I
gentleman who has risen from a modest beginning to one of the leaders of a
profession noted for its learned, sclmlarly and self-effacing members. The
biographer of this \olnme is pleased to chronicle briefly and concisely this
tribute to Dr. Z. h'uller, une oi the leaders of the medical fraternit\- of Sac
City and county.
Doctor Fuller was born Ala\^ 22. 1833, in the town nt Crown I'oint,
Indiana. He is the son of Aaron Fuller, a native of Ohio, who was born in
Vinton count}-, of the old Buckeye state, the son of James Fuller, a direct
descendant of an old New England family, and whose forbears crossed the
ocean with the first brave group of pilgrims in the "'^layflower." James
Fuller was a nati\e of Maine. He began his migration to Ohio when a young
man, but was deterred in the city of Boston for a period of two years on ac-
count of Indian troubles to the westward. He finally settled in Ohio, but
in 1833 moved to the Hoosier state, and located in Lake county. Aaron was
twenty years of age at this time the elder l-'uller purchased a large tract of
land in Lake county. The family resided in Indiana until the spring of 1865.
During- the Civil War it was necessary for Aaron to remain at home and care
for an invalid wife, but four brothers served faithfulh- during the war in the
service of the Union. Aaron was married in Lake county to Melvina Sprague,
a nati\-e of Canada, and who later resided in \"ermonc and Xew Hampshire
with her jia rents and afterwartls accomjirmied her father and mother to their
new home at Crown I'oint. In the spring of J 865 Aaron Fuller located per-
manentl\- in Buchanan county, Iowa, and engaged in the retail i-nerchandise
and hotel business. In 1868 he traded his town property for a fine farn-| in
Delaware county and moved thereon.
He became the owner of two farms, one of which he traded for a stock of
goods and a residence property in the town of Sand Spring, and there removed
his family. He engaged in merchandising and "the buying and shipping of
live stock and grains. He had pre\'iously had considerable experience in the
handling of horses, having been in the employ of the United States govern-
n-ient during the Civil War in the ca]-)acity of horse buyer. He would buy up
horses suitable for the use of the arn-i_\- and sliip them to Chicagn. In 1873
the notable panic wdiich swept over the. country caused his faihu'e in ijusiness.
After securing all that he possil)l\- could from the wreck of his fortunes he
moved to Texas and spent his remaining da^s in Texas and Louisiana, finally
dying in the city of Shre\-eport in 191 1, at the great age of ninety years.
During- his residence in the .Southland he became the owner of an immense
cotton plantation in the state of Texas. Aaron Fuller was thrice married.
(25)
402 SAC COUN'TV. IOWA.
By his first wife, he was the father of two children, a son and daughter, both
©f whom are deceased. There were three children by his second marriage,
two of whom died in infancy, and he of whom this narrative reads is the only
survi\or. I'onr cliildren were born as a result of his third marriage, only
two of whom are yet living, namely : Stephen Fuller, a resident of Texas ;
Francis, who lives at Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Dr. Z. Fuller was reared on a farm and grew to sturdy manhood with a
knowledge of the rudiments of agriculture, but while yet young in years he
decided to adopt one of the learned professions as his life work. He had the
advantages of a good village school as well as fairly good district schools in
securing his initiatory education. He entered the L'niversity of Iowa and
studied medicine and literature, graduating therefrom in the spring of 1876.
He first practiced at Masonxille, in the western part of Delaware county, for
six months and then located in Sac City, in the fall of the same vear. He
remained here until November of 1879, when, by reason of failing health, he
removed to the mountain regions of Colorado. He spent fifteen years in the
Mountain state, the first five years of which were devoted to the practice of his
profession in the mining camps of the Gunnison river country. He then
practiced for ten years in the city of Denver. The panic of 1892 and 1893
hit the city of Denver \ery hard and the Doctor deemed it expedient to return
to the scene of his first successes. He came again to Sac City and here has
remained. He enjoys the distinction of being the oldest practicing physician
in point of years of service within the confines of the county. To Doctor
Fuller we are greath' indebted for the excellent medical chapter which is one
of the important divisions of the History of Sac County. He is a member
of the Sac County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, and the
American ^Medical Association. In 1878 he received appointment of United
States examining surgeon for pensions, being the first appointee in this
county. In the year 1879 he was elected coroner of the county, but did not
remain to serve out his term. Doctor Fuller has ever striven to advance him-
self in the profession, as his high standing among the medical fraternity will
attest. During his residence in Colorado he was local surgeon of the Denver
& Rio Grande Railroad Company at Creston Butte, Colorado. He took post-
graduate work in the county hospital of Denver and also pursued a post-
graduate course in Rush Medical College of Chicago, and in 1909 studied in
the Post-Graduate Hospital in Xew York City. In recognition of his attain-
ments and ability he was recently appointed state lecturer on tuberculosis, its
prevention and cure, by the state board of health. His writings and lectures
on this subject have since been widely quoted and read. He is local surgeon
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 4O3
of the Chicago & Xorthwestern railway. Doctor Fuller is a member of the
Christian church of Sac City, and is a fraternal brother of Modern Wood-
men of America and the Woodmen of the World. He has been twice mar-
ried. In the fall of 1874 he took to wife Ellen Estella Cummings, the daugh-
ter of his old preceptor, Doctor Cummings, of Sand Spring. She died in the
mountains of Colorado in the spring of 1882, in the mining town of Creston
Butte, leaving three sons, namely : Elmer Dean Fuller, a practicing attorney
of Mexico City, Mexico; Garth Cummings Fuller, a real estate dealer of
Tampico, Mexico, and Nathaniel Flayes Fuller, of iMexico City, a practicing
attorney allied with his older brother in the profession. In the fall of i8go
Doctor Fuller was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Tuggy at Loveland,
Colorado. To them have been born two children : Mary Elizabeth Fuller,
a student in the Carnegie Training School for Librarians at Pittsburg, Pennsyl-
vania, in which school Miss Fuller is specializing on children's library work;
Bavard Craig Fuller, who is attending the local high school.
CHARLES S. DARLING.
The held of agriculture has widened considerably during the past twenty
years, and nowhere in the land has greater advancement in this important
industry been made than in Sac county, nor has the value of farm lands
increased with greater rapidity than in this "Garden Spot of the \\'orld,"
as it is called hv the pioneer settlers and their descendants who have lived
to see the count\- emerge from a condition of dormancy, and have seen the
wide prairie lands transformed into productive farms, the peer of which
can not i)e found elsewhere in the country. In Cedar township, wdiere some
of the most substantial farmers of the county reside, modern methods of
agriculture have supplanted the old, arduous way of tilling the soil and the
farmer's burdens have been lightened by the introduction of modern ma-
chinerv, and an excellent drainage system has reclaimed thousands of acres
of rich, desirable land which was freciuently flooded and at one time con-
sidered valueless on account of its sodden condition during the greater part
of the year. Charles S. Darling, a citizen of the better type and an enter-
prising farmer of Sac county, enjoys the unique distinction of having re-
sided on his Cedar township farm for fort}' years and is one of the pioneer
residents of the county.
Mr. Darling is the owner of a farm of two hundred and ninety-six acres,
404 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
two, huiulred and se\'en of which He in Sac county, and is jiart of the old
Darlin.g homestead, and eighty-nine acres He in Calhoun county adjoining.
This land is now being thoroughly drained at considerable expense for tiling
and ditching, the land being located in a drainage district which will provide
for a direct flow of the water. The nld Darling home, in which Charles S.
resides, was remodeled and modernized in 1903. He has been a stock raiser
and breeder for many years and has at the present writing about twelve head
of pure-bred Shorthorn cattle, and also produces from ten to twent\- head
of English Shire thoroughbred horses annually. At present the farm is
supporting a large drove of hogs. In the year 191 3, Mr. Darling's land
produced se\-enty bushels of corn to the acre, this being the best known
vield in Sac- county, and one of the best yields in the entire state of Iowa for
the season, which was not propitious for a gootl corn crop. The Darling
farm is known as Eaverdale farm, Lytton, Iowa.
Charles S. Darling was born March 4, 1856, in .Summit county. L)hi(j.
He is the son of James Darling, who was l)orn January 8, 1824, in Xcw
\'ork state, and died November 17, 1887, in Sac county. He was the son
of Adam Darling, a native of Haddington, Scotland, and whu emigrated
to Xew York in 1820 after he married Elizalieth Portus, and later reared
a family. Adam was a cabinet-maker by trade. His son James married
Marg.Hret Drenuen, a daughter of Scotch-Irish parents, who were Alattliew,
a native of Ireland, and Jane Drennen, a native of Penns\-lvania. Margaret
Drennen was born in Pennsylvania in 1827 and died in Sac county in the
vear 1877. James Darling migrated to .Suiuniit counts", ()hiii, and was there
married.
In the spring of 1874, James Darling and his fami]_\- left the uld lluck-
eye home and started for Iowa. The trip consumed seven days in all. 'l~he\'
settled on the farm in Cedar townshi]) for which James had traded his Ohii.i
property at a valuation of fi\e dcjllars an acre for the land, which totaled
four hundred and fifteen acres. .William Drennen took the other part of
seven hundred and thirty-five acres which was included in the deal. Charles
S. now owns two hundred and seven acres of this land ami Mrs. Sadie J.
Elwood, his sister, owns two hundred and seven, five acres forming the
balance. They erected a small house, sixteen by twenty- four feet in di-
mension, which served as the habitation of the family for the first two years.
Their nearest neighljors at this time were the ^dungs and Herrolds. who
lived over four luiles away. The land was swampy and remained so until
the drainage district was organized and an outlet was made which permitted
the draining off of the "slough" water. It is said of James Darling that he
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 405
was a well educated man and broad minded. During the years 1878 to
1882, inclusi\'e, he served the county as superintendent of schools; he held
several township offices and was very prominent in county civic affairs. He
was the father of three children, namely : Mrs. Sadie J. Elwood, of Sac
City, and Charles S. These two are twins. One child died in infancy.
Charles S. Darling, with whom the reviewer is more intimately con-
cerned, was educated at home and studied under his gifted father, there be-
ing no schools of any consecjuence in the neighborhood in which thev re-
sided. The children received practically the ecjuivalent of an academic edu-
cation, the father being well read in the classics, languages and history.
When he attained young manhood he purchased eighty-nine acres of
land in Calhoim county which was located across the dividing road from the
home farm. He paid four dollars an acre for this land and met his obliga-
tion out of his earnings and savings. He resided on his Calhoun county
farm for one \ear and has lived the remainder of his time in Sac countv on
the old homestead. Mr. Darling has recently removed to the nearby town
of L}-tton and the family home is now occupied by his son, who is working
the farm in partnership with his father.
Politically, Mr. Darling is a Republican. He has held several township
offices and has several times refused the ])roffer of county office, for so great
is his love for his home that he did not care for county political preferment.
His family and ancestry were of the Scotch Presbyterian faith, of which re-
ligious organization his father was a ruling elder. Charles S. and wife are
members of the Lytton Presbyterian church, of which he is a ruling elder.
i\Ir. Darling has been twice married. His first marriage occurred in
187Q, to Anna Iv Parker, of Calhoun county, a daughter of W. D. Parker.
She died on .\pril 10, 1895, leaving four children: James, born in 1880, a
farmer with his father; John, born in 1882, formerly superintendent of the
farm of eight hundred acres connected with the Northern Hospital at
Redfield. South Dakota, but is now operating the farm with his father;
Eugene Drennen, born in 1885, a graduate of the College of Agriculture and
Animal Husbandry at .'\mes, Iowa, in the class of 1909, and is now located
at Graettinger, Palo Alto county, engaged in the breeding of live stock;
Annabelle, born .\]M-i] 5. 1895, -i graduate of the Lytton high school in the
class of 19 1 3.
The second marriage of Mr. Darling occurred Decemlier 12, 1896, with
Julia Fitch, a daughter of Henrx- Howell Fitch, an early settler of Sac
count)-, and who was a former well known teacher of Sac county; there are
many people residing in Sac county who ha\'e cause to remember Mrs. Dar-
406 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
ling favorably and kindly as their teacher. Mr. Fitch was born October 14,
1836, and died July 24, 1907. His place of birth was on a farm near Mount
Vision. Otsego county, New York. He was educated in the Delaware
Literary Institute, of b'ranklin. Xew York. At the age of twenty-one _\'ears.
he migrated to Grant county, Wisconsin, and taught school for some time.
He was married in March of 1859 to Elizabeth Huntington, who still re-
sides in Sac City. He farmed in Grant and Lafayette counties, ^Visconsin,
until 1878, when he removed to Sac county. He settled on a farm in Cedar
township where he resided until 1894 and then took up his residence in Sac
City. Mr. Fitch was a lifelong Republican and was elected county super-
visor of the county in 1886, serving eight years in all, and it was during his
term that the court house was erected. Howe\er, he changed his political
convictions in 1896 and supported W. J. Bryan for President, remaining a
Democrat to the end of his days. He was affiliated with the Presbyterian
church. Mr. Fitch was the father of the following children: Linus E. ;
Mrs. Nellie Calvert, of Lucerne, ^Missouri; Mrs. Julia Darling: Mary E. ;
John H. ; Eva L. ; Harry H., and Theodore.
Great changes have taken place in Sac county and the western Iowa
countr\- since ]\lr. Darling lirst came to the county. One of the particular
improvements worth noticing is the fact iluring his boyhood days it was
necessary for him to walk a distance of thirteen miles for the mail, whereas,
now two mail routes pass his home and they have practically two mail de-
liveries at their door each da)". Educational facilities have been vasth- im-
proved ; whereas, he secured his education sitting by his father's side in the
evenings and on cold winter days when outside work was impossible, he has
given his children every opportunity to secure a thorough and complete edu-
cation. His son, Eugene Drennen. has Iiecome a skilled agriculturist and
has been educated in agriculture from a scientific standpoint. He was super-
intendent of the Redfield, South Dakota, state farm for three \-ears. and
later was superintendent of the Iowa farm at Davenport previous to en-
gaging in farming for himself. In the short space of three vears he ,'^aved
sufficient money to embark in farming for himself. This modern wav is
quite different from the older and more laborious methods i^f our forefa-
thers and more remunerative.
No one indi\idual is more worthy of specific mentii.in in these memoirs
of Sac county than Charles S. Darling and his family. This record is in-
tended for perusal by his friends and to serve as a lasting memorial for the
members of his family.
SAC COVSIV. IOWA. 407
REV. M. C. DALY.
1 liLU: eaii Ije no (juestioii Ijut that the men who minister to the spiritual
wants and needs of our people are men of high character who are solely
devoted to the great work which they are doing. Their whole dut}' is to
prepare nien to li\e better lives, freer lives and prepare them to perform
their duties better on this earth in order that they may be the better pre-
pared to meet the world to come. These men are self-sacrificing, and the re-
ward which comes to the business man in this world is often denied those
of the ministerial profession. Among the men of Sac county who have
contributed to the spiritual welfare of the citizens of the county there is no
one who has performed more conscientious work in the field of the Master
than Has the Rev. M. C. Daly, pastor of the St. Joseph church at Wall
Lake
Rev. ]\I. C. Daly, the son of T. J. and Catherine ( De Barr\' ) Daly, of
Ireland, was born in Oueenstown, Ireland, NovemJjer t, 1850. From his
earliest boyhood he was inclined toward the church and as he grew in
years his determination to devote his life to the service of his Master was
the controlling passion with him. Receiving the elements of a common
school education in his home country, he left Ireland in yoimg manhood
and for the next eleven years was in the schools of the continent, preparing
himself for the priesthood, spending seven years in Rome, where he received
his collegiate training.
In 1875 Father Daly came to America and at once located in Dubuque,
Iowa, his first mission being Rickersville. Here he remained for the next
se\'eri years, performing all those multitudinous duties which fall to the lot
of the Catholic priest. In 1882 he went to Sioux City. Iowa, and served
not only the church in that place, but also missions in the surrounding
country. He built a church at Sali.x, near Sioux City, and also superinten<letl
the erection of a parsonage at that place. He assisted all the missions along
the Missouri Valley on the Iowa side. In 1886 he founded St. Joseph's
church at Sioux City and labored diligently to get it in a good working
condition. In fact, so arduous were his labors that his health became im-
paired and in 1889 he returned to his native country in order to recuperate.
A year later he returned, and was stationed at Manson, Iowa, where he
erected the mission house and rebuilt the church at that place. Here he
remained until 1903. doing splendid work and building up the church in
ever\' wa\'. At the beginning of his ministry at Manson there were but four
families under his charge and before he left he had the satisfaction of
408 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
seeing his ])arishioners largely augmented and the church in a prosperous
conditiun. While at Mansnn he also attended the missions of Pomeroy
and (ireat Barnum. and built churches at each place. .Vt Pomeroy the
church was unfortunate in ha\ing to rebuild their edifice no less than twice
because of destruction by storms and fire. The storm which destroyed the
church at Pomeroy killed and maimed one hundred and ten people and was
one of the most destructive cyclones which e\-er swe|)t o\-er this part of the
state. At the time of this unfortunate catastrophe Father Daly worked a
whole week without slee]), doing e\•er^•thing he possibh' could to alleviate
the suffering of the unfortunate ])eople.
In 1003 b'ather Daly came to Siou.x (_'ity and took charge of St. Joseph's
Hospital, and was made chaplain of the Good Shepherd's Home. Here he
labored for the next three years, after which he was transferred to Wall
Lake, in Sac county, and placed in charge of St. Jose])h's church. He
completed the church, which was in the course of erection, and cleared ofif a
debt of three thc^usand dollars. Since taking charge of this church he has
remodeled the parsonage and modernized it in ex'erv wa\'. His work in
this place is appreciated, not onh- b\- the i)eo]>l;? of his own 'lenonunation,
l>ut b\' every ])ul)lic-s]Mrited citizen who is interested in the advancement of
ci^'ilization, whether it be b\' a Catholic church or a Protestant denomina-
tion. The work which Father Daly has done since coming into Pnva has
made for better citizenship, better liomes and if he fails to receive his rewanl
in this world he has tlie assiu^ance that he has not labored in \ain.
LACEY A. WINE.
There is no positive rule wdiicli, if followed, will enable one to achieve
success, and yet in the li\'es of successful luen there are always lessons which
can be emulated by others. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see
and utilize the opportunities which arise before him in his upward path. The
essential conditions forming the environments of most human lives are ever
the same, the surroundings of indi\iduals differing but slightly, and when one
man passes another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity
before others who perhaps started out Jiefore him, it is because he has the
power to use his advantages for the furtherance of his own desires. T(xlay,
among the prominent citizens and successful business men of Sac City stands
Lacev A. \\'ine. He possesses qualities of leadership ahiong his fellows and
LACEY A. WINK
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 4O9
business ahilit}' of a high degree which ha\e made him a man of substance in
the cc:imn:unity.
Lacey A. Wine was born February 13. 1867, in Sac City. His parents
are \\'illiam G. Wine and Mary Jane (Criss) Wine, early pioneer residents
of Sac City. WiHiam G. is a nati\e of Indiana and son of William Wine,
whose nativity was the state of West \'irg'inia. William migrated with his
family from Indiana in 1855 on his way to California, but the family finally
settled iin the connection line north of Sac City when there were but few
residents here, and the country around about was but thinly settled. William,
the father of \\llliam G.. opened one of the first general stores in Sac City,
and was accounted a well-to-do citizen, being the proud possessor of a horse
and carriage which was looked upon as an unheard-of luxury by the early
settlers. He drove one hundred head of cattle from Indiana to Iowa and
pastured them upon the great free ranges which were in existence at that
time. He finally realized his ambition to make the trip to the far West, and
set out for California by the o\erland route. He eventually reached the
mountains, but lost his life in the ranges while prospecting for the precious
metals. William G. Wine was reared to manhood in Sac City and followed
the business of contractor and builder until his retirement in 1898. He is
now residing in California. He ser\ed as a volunteer soldier in an Iowa regi-
ment during the Civil War. When a young man he married Mary Jane Criss,
a daughter of Hon. Eugene Criss, a very prominent figure in Sac county his-
tory, of whom our historian is pleased to write at considerable length else-
where in this \olume. To Mr. and Mrs. W. G. _^Wine were born four chil-
dren, namely : Lacey A. : Mrs. Lamont Lee, of Mason City, Iowa ; Mrs. J.
B. Rowe, Los Angeles, California, and Airs. Delmont Goldsnuth. who died in
1893.
L. A. Wine, with wlmm thi.> biographx' directly treats, was educated in the
schools of his native cit}' and completed a commercial course at Shenandoah
College. During the administration rif President Cleveland, he served as
deputy postmaster frf)m 1888 to iSgo. inclusive. After this term he pursued
his commercial course, and was then employed as salesman in a mercantile
establishment until i8()4. He then engaged in Inisiness for himself and opened
a small shoe store which was later enlarged to include a complete stock of dry
goods, groceries and a general line of merchantable goods tastefully arranged
on the departmental plan. His store is modern in every respect and it has
continuously enjoxed a constantl\ increasing trade among the better class of
people of the community. Ha\'ing lived his entire life in Sac county from
the \-er}- earliest da}-s of the settlement of the city and county, Mr. Wine
4IO SAC COUXTY, IOWA.
properly has a large number of friends and acquaintances throughout the
county, exceeded by very few citizens. Politically, he is a Democrat and is
widely and favorably known as a stanch worker in the ranks and a leader of
his party. As a reward for his untiring efforts in behalf of the Democratic
party in the county he was recently appointed to the position of postmaster
of Sac City. It is safe to predict that he will serve his appointive term to the
satisfaction of the government and fill the duties of the oflice solelv in the
interest of the patrons. Mr. Wine is the aggressive count}' chairman of the
Democratic central committee and has ahvays taken an active part in political
affairs in both county and state. He has attended several Democratic state
conventions in the capacity of delegate and leader, and is well known a.s one
of the Democratic "wheel horses"' of the state Democracy. He has a wide
acquaintance throughout Iowa among the leaders and the rank and file of the
party of Andrew Jackson and Woodrow Wilson. He is an attendant of the
Episcopal church and is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Wine was married June 12, 1902, to Eu Delia Kiser, of Oskaloosa,
Iowa. To them have come no children, but they are rearing- a child, Caroline
Kerns. Mr. Wine is genial and unassuming, readily making friends every-
where and at all times, and always retains them. He gives his unqualified
support to every movement which promises to be of material and moral benefit
to the people, and because of his success in life and his genuine worth he is
eminently entitled to fitting representation in this work.
WOOSTFJ^ P.. WAYT.
The fact is well authenticated by thousands of eminent illustrations
that success comes as the result of unllagging energy and perseverance in
the pursuit of a well-directed course of action previously determined upon.
It is seldom kncjvvn to visit the laggards or tlic drones and is the ■ lutcome of
diligence and foresight. Only the men whn have continuously snught for-
tune's favor ha\e been am|)l\- rewarded. The individual is doubly success-
ful of whom it can Ije said "Pie is an honest man and is deserving of the
rewards which ha\e come to him direct]}- through his own efforts." In
tracing the life historv of the inlluenlial mauufactvu-er and i)ul)lic spirited
citizen whose name forms the caption of this review, it is plainl}- seen that
the prosperity which he enjo}s has been won b}- the exercise nf commend-
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 4II
;iljle (jualities, arnl t!ic high esteem in wliicli lie and his hrni are held has been
bestowed because of personal worth.
Wonster R. \\'a\'t, senior member of the firm of W. B. W'ayt & Son,
monument manufacturers and dealers of Sac Cit)', Iowa, was born A[ay lo,
1849, in the city of Belle Vernon. Pennsylvania, tie is the son of Dr. Will-
iam C. Wayt, a descendant (jf the ancestral followers of William Penn, and
who emigrated to Pennsylvania from England at the time of the original
Quaker settlement of Philadelphia. His mother was Elizabeth McCallister,
who was the daughter of Scotch parents, and whose brother was a well-
known merchant of Aljerdeen, Scotland. William C. Wayt and wife were
the parents of eleven children, several of whom came to Iowa, as follows:
John, of Springville, Arkansas; Margaret, deceased; Wooster B. ; Frank,
deceased ; Ira, deceased.
Dr. William C. Wayt was a physician of the eclectic school and was
educated for the practice of his profession in the famous Medical College of
Philadelphia. Doctor Wayt was a famous and skilful physician, the high-
est praise of whom can be given inasmuch as he was one of that self-im-
molating class who cared little for the monetary rewards of his calling and
frecjuently worked himself to the point of physical exhaustion in effecting
cures of the ills which beset mankind with whom he came in contact. When
Wooster B. was yet a child the family set out for the West, traveling mostly
by stage. Doctor Wayt located for a time in the city of Cincinnati, where
for a period of two years, from 1850 to 1852. he served as a hospital sur-
geon. From 1852 to 1856 he practiced his profession in Brookville, Frank-
lin count}-, Indiana, which is located some miles northwest of Cincinnati.
He again set his face westward and northward with the path of empire. At
this period the city of Galena, Illinois, was the gateway to the great North-
west and it was only natural that the Doctor should travel in that direction.
The long overland journey was made principally by stage. He and his fam-
ily started for Marion, Iowa, and traveled the distance of forty-four miles
from Dubuque to Indeiiendence principall}' on foot: in fact, two-thirds of
this distance was traversed afoot. On April i, 1856, they arri\ed in Marion,
Iowa, where the Doctor practiced for four years. In i860 he iourneyed
to Buchanan county and established his office and home in Frienk's Grove.
Here they remained until 1865, enduring the hardshi]xs of the pioneer life
of those early da}'s. The pioneers of the lijcality had little mone\" with
which to pay for medicine and it was necessary for the Doctor to take
farm products for hi? professional services. These were the days of the
log cabin, the tallow dip, the home-made furniture and kjw prices for farm
412 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
products. The Doctor's family were denied the commonest of luxuries and
even sugar was an unheard-of anil expensixe luxury which few could afford.
What sugar was used in the household was of the coarsest Orleans kind and
was very scarce. Money was scarce and it required a considerable amount
of farm produce to even get a few cents in return. They transported
chickens a distance of fourteen miles away to Independence and sold them
for one dollar per dozen, irrespective of weight or quality. \\'heat sold for
thirty-eight cents per bushel. Mr. Wayt recalls that kertisene first appeared
as an illuminant in i860 and it was considered exceedingly dangerous to use
it at that time in the crude lamps of the period. The Doctor soon moved
onward to a newer held and in 1865 removed to Millersburg, Illinois, where
he remained for two years. He then returned to Iowa and located in Cedar
Rapids in 1865, where his faithful and lo\'iug wife died in 1866. Doctor
Wayt remained in Cedar Rapids until 18Q4, when he came to Sac City to
make his final home with his son, \\ ooster B. Here he passed away in the
fullness of his long years of usefulness in 1901.
Wooster B. Wayt, with whom this narrative is more intimatelv con-
cerned, recei\-ed his educatiijn in the public schools and the academy at Wil-
ton Junction. When he was sixteen 3^ears of age he became a tinner's ap-
prentice, and worked at his trade at Blairstown, Iowa ; later he was employed
in Cedar Rapids and Tama, Iowa. For a period of five and one-half years
he served as foreman of the tin and copper working department of the Rock
Island Railroad at Grand Junction, Iowa. In the year 1887 he engaged in
the uK^nument business with his brother Frank at Jefferson, Iowa. He and
his l)rotlier had i)reviously efifected a partnership at Tama, Iowa, in 1876,
but W Hosier B. was not satisfied witii the progress of the Ijusiness and sold
out and returned to his trade of tinner.
In the year 1890 he came to Sac City and laid the foundation for the
present extensive and profitable business conducted by the firm. He first
established a small shop and the business steadilv grew and the products
found increasing popularity with the peojjle. The mtHiument works of W.
B. Wayt & Son ranks as one of the most important institutions of its kind
in western Iowa. Special notice is devoted to this concern in the pages
of the history proper of Sac county. This notice traces the growth of the
business iroi"; its ver\ ir.ception to the erection of the present ha"f!some
and commodious manufacturing and office Ijuilding located near the North-
western depot. It has several branch housse and connections in Aberdeen,
Sioiland. frciii wb.icii point the finest granite is ini|)orted to tliis cvjutrx' for
use in their manufacturing operations. In the \'ear 1901 his son, L. R.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 4I3
Wayt, wa.^ admitted to the tinn as junior partner. Father and sun make
an excellent working combination, which means greater and increasing pres-
tige for tins well-known establishment. The history of this highly ('icxeloped
institution spells "Success" in the fullest meaning of the word. The firm
gave ample evidence of its progressive spirit by the donation and erection
of a bcaulifiil and apjjropriate soldiers' memorial monument to (ien. W. T.
Sherman Post, (inind Army of the Repuljlic, of Sac City, a generous gift
which is highly appreciated by the people in general. The tall spire of this
tasteful example of the sculptor's art rears its way heavenward in all its
pristine simplicity in a commanding spot in the cemetery. Air. W'ayt has
large holdings of property in addition to bis business and ha.-^ been inter-
ested in lands for several years, being the owner of tracts of land in North
Dakota, Alissouri, Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas. He is known as a shrewd
investor and an excellent judge of land values throughout the country.
The marriage of this well-known citizen occurred April i"/. 1871, at
Cedar Rapids. Here he was joined in wedlock with Emeretta A. Alarsh,
daughter of Laiubertus Walter and Regina (Blunt) Marsh. Lamliertus
W. Marsh was l)orn March 5, 1827, in Pompey, Onandago count}-. New
York. He was left an orphan when very young and was reared b}- an uncle
in Syracuse, New York. In the year 1845 '''^ migrated to Kenosha. Wis-
consin, and thence to .\ntioch, Illintiis, where he engaged in farming. In
1863 he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-Fourth Regiment Illinois Volun-
teers, anfl served until the close of the Civil War. In 1868 he remoxed with
his family to Cedar Ra])ids, Iowa, and thence to his farm in Greene county,
Iowa. Later, in 1885, he retired to a residence in Grand Junction, where
he died January zx,. 1912. He was a member of the Methodist church. Air.
Marsh was married April i, 1850, to Regina Blunt, who bore him five
daughters, namely : Mrs. W. B. Wayt ; Mrs. Hattie Smith, deceased ; Mrs.
E. \\". Rogers, of Patterson, New Jersey; Mrs. O. L. Harmon, of Wallowa,
Oregon, and Mrs. William Patterson, of Grand Junction, Iowa. The widow
of Mr. Marsh now makes her home with Mr. Wayt in Sac City.
-Mr. and Mrs. Wayt have reared the following children: \^^ E.. who
married Mary Otis Lee and is the father of four children, Walter Lee, Retta,
Lorene and Worth. He remo\ed from Sac City to a large ranch near Mott,
North Dakota, in 1909. The second son is Leon R., whose Ijiographv ap-
pears herein and who is associated with his father in the monument business.
Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Wayt also have owt daughter, Mrs. \'elma Grable, of
Sac City.
Mr. Wayt is politically allied with the Democratic party and is a stanch
414 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
ineniljer of the Christian church in his home cit)-. He is a member of the
Odd I-"ello\vs and the Masonic fraternity. He has not only been eminently
succe-ssfiil in his business jjursuits. but he does his duty as a citizen in ways
which are influential and are for lasting and permanent good to the com-
munil\- at large. Recognizing the fact that a town is best known by the
quality of its citizenship and the extent of its public improvements, Mr.
Wayt is generally found in the forefront oi m()\-ements resulting in the in-
stallation of municipal betterments. He and his talented son are found in
the van of those seeking the advancement of Sac City and have used their
inliuence in furthering the wave of civic Ijetterment and the installation of
public :. rents which is at present sweeping the city. The friends of
this successful manufacturer are legion and he ranks as a familiar and com-
manding figure throughout the county and western Iowa.
LEON R. WAYT.
We are. living in an age of continuous achievement. It is likewise the
era of opportunity in many lines for the young men of the present day who
are gifted with natural ability and the desire to progress ahead of their fel-
lows in the race for supremacy. Yet, competition along certain well-defined
lines is greater than ever liefore. Onl\- the most diligent and the most hon-
orable can achieve a substantial measure of success. Honesty of product
and a rigid exactitude in conducting trade operations along the most upright
l)aths of procedure will result in suitable and fitting rewards. In Sac City
and county the pioneers in many (occupations are making way for the
younger element of the population; the younger generation are assuming
the burdens of trade and business and are forging to the front with a wider
scope than that exhibited by their predecessors owing to the fact that pres-
ent-day pressure of business demands the widening out of their sphere of
operations and the boundless ambition frequently possessed by the sons. A
striking example of progressive young manhood is Leon R. Wayt, with
whom the biographer is pleased to treat in a reminiscent way for insertion
in the pages of this history. Mr. Wayt is undoubtedlv one of the rising and
promising young men of the cit\- whose career is well defined and bids fair
to be remarkably successful in future years as it has been in the past. Pos-
sessed of a bright mental equipment, ability to grasp the details of a subject
under his consideration, keenly alive to his opportunities, and endowed with
the happy faculty of making friends and with business ability of a high
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 415
order, he is making rapid progress in his chosen field as the junior mem-
ber of the widely and favoralily known tirm of W. B. Wayt & Son, monu-
ment manufacturers and dealers.
Leon R. Wayt was born December 14, 1878, in the town of Mechanics-
ville. Iowa, the son of W. B. Wayt, whose biography is herein presented.
He was educated in the public schools of Grand Junction, Jefferson and Sac
City. He also studied the classics and science in the Sac City Institute and
the Northern Indiana Normal University at Valparaiso, Indiana. He com-
pleted his course in the latter institution of learning in 1898. He was then
engaged for a period of two years in the grocery business in Sac City in
partnership with his brother, W. E. Wayt. However, for some time after
leaving school he was employed in the monument works conducted by his
father, thus giving him an opportunity to learn the details of manufacture
and selling which later stood him in good stead. In the year 1901 he was
admittetl to partnership with his father and assumed a consideraljle portion
of the burdens of conducting a large and growing business which had at-
tained state-wide reputation for the excellence and honesty of its product.
His push and enterprise are assisting in great measure in extending and
widening the scope of the business done by this important and growing
concern. His activity is not exactly confined to the business in which he
became primarilv interested, and he is president of the Sac City Catering
Company, a concern recently organized by a number of the \oung men of
the city. Mr. Wayt has been especially active and influential in the civic af-
fairs of Sac City. In every enterprise of community interest that makes for
social interdependence and municipal solidarit}- he is found battling for its
cause. He was one of the organizers of the Sac City Commercial Club, and
is now chairman of its executive committee. He was chairman of the Com-
mercial Club committee that gave to the city the handsome new Park Hotel,
and it is no disparagement to others to say that the burden of promotion
and the raising of the eighteen thousand dollars for this building fell upon
him. He is now one of the trustees of this valuable hotel property. When
the proposal to pave the streets of Sac City was being agitated, Mr. Wayt
assumed the initiative in ad\ocating this important public improvement. As
chairman of the committee, he circulated the original petitions for street
paving and personally secured e\ery signer. Mr. Wayt was also chairman
of the committee that raised the funds for the electrolier lighting svstems
that beautifies the city.
In numerous ways Mr. Wayt has performed a distinct public service in
giving of his time and talents to every worthy enterprise that will make for
4l6 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
a bigger and better town, and no citizen of Sac City is deserving of greater
praise for unseltish work in behalf of civic pride and commercial supremacy.
He takes a keen interest in local affairs and is at present a member of the
school board. Politically, he is allied with the Republican party. He and
liis famil}- are attendants (jf the Presbyterian rhurch, and he is a fraternal
member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, lodge, chapter and com-
mandery of Sac City, and the Des Moines Consistory, being a Mason of the
thirty-second degree.
Mr. Wayt was married November ii, 1901, to Blaine Lamoreux,
daughter of D. M. and Alice Lamoreux, of Sac Cit}'. They have three
children, namely: Margaret Fern, born December 11, 1903; \ ivian Louise,
born February 5, 1905 ; Donald Eugene, born October 26, 1907.
We know of no young citizen of Sac county more worthy or more de-
serving of mention in this volume than he of whom the foregoing is written.
It is with tlie object in view of presenting" a Ijrief revievv' of liis life, ambitions
and accomplishments that we present this compendium for perusal b\- his
friends and well wishers, who are legion.
JOHN FUCHS.
Upon a county official rests a certain amount of responsibility which he
assumes when he is ushered into one of the highest local offices within the gift
of his friends and fellow citizens. The people usually weigh care full}' the
qualifications of the candidates for political preferment for important office.
Upon the county supervisor devolves the business management of the county-
affairs. Naturally, the duties of the position require the energies of a x'ery
capable man. Sac county has such a man as a member of the county board
of supervisors in John Fuchs, of Odeliolt. who is likewise one of the most
successful agriculturists in the count\ .
John Fuchs was born February 3, 1858, in Germany, the son of Henr}-
and Martha Fuchs, who emigrated to America in 1867 and settled in Lee
county, Illinois, locating at Lee Center. In 1879 the family moved
to Dallas county, Iowa, where the father died in the winter of 1905. The
mother died in 1904. They were the parents of six children, namely : George,
living in Early; Hattie Ebner. living in Perry, Iowa; John: Mrs. Lizzie
Frohm, deceased; Charles, of Laurens, Iowa; VV. A., of Bedford. Iowa.
John Fuchs was reared and educated in Lee county. Illinois, where he
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 417
resided until 1877, wlien lie came to Sac county. For the first two years he
wori<ed on farms at a wage of twenty dollars per month. In 1879 he rented
land and began farming on his own account. He had made his first purchase
of land before marriage in Richland township, where he bought eighty acres
of land at a purchase price of seven dollars an acre, but sold the same six
months later for twelve dollars an acre. He then bought one hundred and
sixty acres in Clintun township, on which he resided until 1912. He re-
moved to Odeboll in that year where he ha^ a very fine residence. He has
a large farm of six hundred and eighty acres, well improved with fine build-
ings and grounds. He has long been an extensive live stock producer, his
large farm producing great numbers of marketable cattle.
Mr. Fuchs has been twice married: his first wife was Katharine Rein-
hart, who died in 1901, and was the mother of six children, namely: Mrs.
Lenore C. Hein, of Sac City; Ozro C, a farmer in Clinton township, who is
a graduate of Ames College; Mrs. Lucillia Mehlebrech; Iva B., a graduate of
the domestic science department of Ames College in 19 13 and is now the
head of the department of domestic science in the Grand View Normal Col-
lege, Tennessee ; Warren, a graduate of the Ames Agricultural College ; Vern.
a student at Ames. Mr. Fuchs' second marriage occurred in T907 with Lizzie
Pfeiffer. who has borne him four children, as follows: Rufus Juhn, Wayne,
Martha and Amber.
O. C. Fuchs, who is managing hi^ father's large farm in Clinton town-
ship, was liorn March 2, 1884. in Clinton township on the farm where he
now lives. He v.as educated in the district .schools and Morningside College,
where he pursued the preiiarator}- and business courses. He completed the
course in animal husliandry at Ames College in 1909. After graduation he
took up the \-()cation of farming and stock raising^ He disposes of over fifty
head of cattle annually and over twenty-five head of swine. He keeps a
good grade of _\ngus cattle and specializes in Berkshire hogs. O. C. Fuchs
is the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of land located south of the
home farm in Clinton townshi]). He is a I^epublican in ])olitics and a mem-
ber of the German Reformed church. He is affiliated with the Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons.
Tohn Fuchs, with whom this narrati\e is directly concernetl, has long
been identified ])roniinenth- with the Democratic party in Sac county and has
been high in the councils of his party. He was elected county su]5er\isor
in the spring of i()io and took up the duties of his office in January of
n;i I. It can be said of him that he is an excellent and conscientious pul)lic
(26)
4l8 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
official. He lias been re-noniiiiatecl to this office, without opposition, in
1914. He is a member and a ruling elder ot the Odebolt I'resbxterian
church. His lodge connections are with the Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, chapter and commandery, and the Mystic Sliriners of Siuux City
and the Knights of Pythias and the Aludern Woodmen.
Mr. Fnchs is easih' recognized as one of the leading and enterprising
citizens of Sac county and is a representative of the large German class
who have settled in the county and taken a high place among the citizen-
ship of many neighlxirhootls. He is dignified, intelligent, progressive and
lends his assistance to all matters of merit which ha\e a tendency to promote
the general welfare of the people of his community and county. Xo man
is more fu!l\- entitled to representation in this history of Sac county than
Mr. Fuchs.
ANDERSON MASON.
While notal:)le and ccjnspicuous achievements in the history of a coni-
munit\- will continue to occupy the attention of the lovers of history, it is
with the accomplishments of the pioneer and the in(H\-idual who has con-
tril)uted his ability along the average lines of human endeavor that these
annals of Sac cciunty principall}- deal. Frequently, from among the mass of
individuals with whom tlie writer is brought into intimate contact, there are
certain figures which stand proniinenth' in the forefront and have, through
being endowed high above the average of native ability, car\ed a ])articular
place of vantage among their fellows and hold an unshakable position in
the community in which they reside. The pioneer life of Sac county is con-
spicuous, because of the excellence of its personnel and haxing enrolled in
its roster a number of genuinely adxanced men of ideas and capabilities of
leadership in their own particular sphere. One who has been identified with
the liistor\' of this county for over forty }'ears and en)o\'s a reputation and
a [xipularilx- as a p-erson of broad-minded procli\ities and singular attain-
ments, is .\nderson Mason, of l*".arl\'.
^Ir. Mason was born December t. iS.^l^, in Clinton county, ()hii>. and
is one of a large (piota of citizens which that state has contributed to the
well lieing and ])rogress of Sac countw His father was Bagwell .\. Mason,
a natix'e of Richmond, X'irginia, and a scion of Scotch ancestr\'. His mother
was Nancy P>. Butler, who was horn in Baltimore, Maryland. In the year
1851, B. .\. !\lason migrated to La Salle county, Illinois, and settled on a
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 419
farm. He resided in this county until his death in 1854. His wife died
there in 1864. They were the parents of fifteen children, namely ; Henry B.,
Gertrude H., Sarah T., William T., Samuel R.. Edward P., James B., Al-
fred, Stephen, ^lartha Ann. Betsy Jane, Mary Ellen and Isaiah, all deceased;
Anderson, and Mrs. Elizabeth Hoy, a resident of Sandwich, Illinois. James
Stephen and Samuel were soldiers in the Union army and served throughout
the Civil War.
During the War of the Rehelliun. Anderson was the sole support (jf his
widowed mother, and for this reason, as well as because of the fact that the
required quota of soldiers was filled when he was drafted into the service
in October, 1864, he was relieved from further duty after a few weeks spent
ill drilling, I'mm the time he was sixteen years of age he became the head
of the family and labored to support his mother and sister. In the fall of
1864 he removed to a farm in Grand Rapids township. La Salle county,
which he cultivated for two years. He then journeyed to Franklin county,
Kansas, in 1866, and li\ed on his sister's farm for one year. He returned
to La Salle countv in 1867 and, after a year's residence in his home county,
.settled on a farm in Livingston county, Illinois. Five years later he again
decided to follow the star of empire westward ami in 1871 came to Sac
countv. His first purchase was for one hundred and sixty acres of land in
section 17, Bover V^alley township. Fie erected a small house, of one story,
which sufficed for his home for some years and was later replaced l)y a hand-
some farm residence. The Ma.son family were the seventh to locate in the
west part of Sac cijunty. The country was very sparsely settled and settlers
were few and far between. The Masons got along first rate and suffered
few hardships. In 1878 Mr. Mason added the adjoining one hundred ^nd
sixt\- acres to his possessions and created what is widely and fa\-oral)ly
known as Green Bush Stock Farm. It is now divided into two farms which
are known as East and W^est Greenbush and are tilled by his two sons. He
was a pioneer breeder of fine stock in Sac county. The farm became famous
for the qualit\- of its pure l)red live stock and was a large [jrodiicer of Short-
horn cattle, Xorman Percheron horses, and Poland China hogs. It is like-
wise noted for its well-kept buildings and barns. In 1888 he removed to the
town of Early and purchased a fine residence. He is also the owner of a
large l)rick business building situated on the main street of the town.
Mr. Mason has generally been allied with the Republican party and has
figured prominently in the official life of Boyer \'alley township, of which
he was the first school treasurer, holding this office for several years. He
also served as township trustee for a long period. Since making Early his
420 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
residence he has filled the office of mayor for two terms. For several years
he was vice-president of the Early State Bank. At one time he ran his op-
ponent a very close race for the office of county supervisor and also held the
important position of county road supervisor by appointment, and it was
due to his suggestion and personal influence that the county roads were es-
tablished along sectional lines. He is a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal church.
Mr. Mason's wedded life l^egan on January i, 1862, when he was mar-
ried to Marion Elizabeth Hart, of La Salle county, the daughter of Jason
and Inline (Lewis) Hart, natives of Vermont and who were early pioneer
settlers of Branch county, Michigan. I'ive children have been born to this
highly esteemed couple: Grant, who died at the age of two years; Arthur L.,
who resides 011 East Greenbush farm, and is the parent of four children,
Chester, Virgie May, Emma Marian and Duane : Elmer, residing on West
Greenbush farm, and has two children. Opal May and Elmer Ellsworth :
Mrs. May Evans, of Early, who is the mother of three children, b'o\' Dewey,
Aria and Leland Anderson ; A'Irs. Rose Jackson, deceased, who is survived
by two children, Verla Jeannette and James Alton.
Mr. Mason's family are a credit to him and his good wife, and are
blessed with the same sterling qualities which have enabled him to achieve
such success as has been his lot. This history of Sac countv would be in-
complete were it deficient in a proper estimate of his usefulness and this
compendium is intended for a slight tribute to him and his for the part thev
have taken in making this county what it is today.
FRANCIS W. WEED.
When a great railroad thinks of expansion it examines crop conditions.
When a great insurance company has money to invest, it examines crop
conditions. When a general statement of l)usiness throughout the countrv
is in process of preparation, the crop conditions are examined, and always
the farmer's wealth is found to be the most secure and constantlv increas-
ing. Why? Because the land itself is the foundation of all true prosperity.
The farmer not only feeds thcni all. but acts as the balance wheel and wealth
Iniilder of his nation and lives a more happy and contented life than his
misguided l)rother. He is the final force that turns the wheels of factories;
his land is the basis of securitv, the foundation of credit, the great factor of
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 421
jjrosperity and constitutes ninet}' per cent of onr nation's wealth. Sac coitnty
is essentially an agricultural county; this volume, therefore, contains the
biographies of more plain farmers than of any other class. What better
reading could one desire? Who has made greater achievements in this
wonderful land id' the ^Vest than the farmer? None are more deserving of
just tributes to their accomplishments than the farmers. One of the most
advanced and progressive of the prosperous farmers of the county is
I-Vancis W. \Veed, of Levey township, who is likewise the oldest living
settler of tiie townshi]). For forty-four years he has resided on his beautiful
landed estate among the rolling hills of Levey township; for over forty
vears he has aided in the development of Sac county and taken an active
part in the affairs of his township and county.
v. W. Weed has one of the finest equipped farms in the western part
of Iowa, situated in section 33, Levey township, and consisting of two hun-
dred and forty acres of rich and fertile land. The Illinois Central and the
Chicago & Northwestern Railroads cross his lands. His first residence,
erected in 1871, was a small affair, sixteen by twenty feet in dimension and
nine feet in height. This served as a habitation for his family until 1886,
when he set about the building of a large, modern house which stands in a
commanding and attractive position on the hilltop overlooking the fertile
valle_\' forming part of his domain. Three large barns, fitted with modern
conveniences, occupy suitable places on the slope stretching away from the
residence. The largest of these is fifty-six by sixty feet in extent, the second
in size being forty by fifty-eight feet in dimension, and a third twenty-four
l)y twent}--four feet in extent, and a corn crib having a capacity of over
t\\(j thousand l>ushels of grain. Mr. Weed specialized in the breeding of
Shorthorn cattle for ten years, but is now gradually replacing his Shorthorns
with Impro\ed Polled Durhams and is using his great skill as a breeder
to evolve a breed of Shorthorn cattle without the semblance of horns. He
has been successful in accomplishing his desire in this respect and now has
a large herd of seventy-five registered thoroughbreds. His farm produces
over two hundred head of swine annually. He prides himself on
his fine horses. The Weed farm presents one of the most attractive
views which it has been the privilege of the historian to view and is typical
of the industrv and taste of its owner.
Francis W. Weed was born in the town of Hampshire, Kane county,
Illinois, June 7. 1847. His father was Elisha Weed, a native of Trumbull
county, Ohio. His mother was Julia .Ann Hartman Weed, a native of
I'ennsvlvania, of the old Pennsvlvania German stock. Elisha Weed was
422 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
born in Bloomfield township, Trumbull county, Ohio, August 20. 181 7.
He was the son oi John NN'eed, who was a native of New Bangor, Alaine.
John Weed was of Scotch-English descent, and served as a sergeant in the
American army in the War of 1812, enlisting at the age of eighteen years,
and fought in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. When Elisha \Vee(l was a
young man. he migrated to the state of Indiana and was employed on pulilic
constructiiin works. l'>om 18,^6 to 1842 he followed public construction
employment in Bartholomew. Johnson. Moyd and I'ippecanoe counties of
Indiana. During this time he- rented land and was likewise engaged in
farming. He was married at Blue River. Bartholomew county, Indiana,
March 10, 184J, to Julia A. Hartman. who was born near Little York,
Pennsylvania, July 22, 1822, and was the daughter of Francis and Magda-
lena Gilbert Hartman, who were of German ancestry. She died March 9,
1912, at the age of ninety years. ' Elisha, soon after his marriage, removed
to Kane county. Illinois, in 1845. He traveled bv ox wagon the whole dis-
tance. On his arrival in the territory of his choice for a homestead, he pur-
chased forty acres of land in section 27, Hampshire township. To this farm
he eventuallx' added one hundred and twenty acres more, which he brought
to a high state of cultivation. He was a I'reemason and a Whig, Init was
a Republican when the party was organized. He held many offices. He
removed from the farm to the town of Hampshire in 1893, and dejiarted
this life in the fullness of years and honors, Eebruarv 13, 1900. He was
the father of four children, as follows: Mrs. Helen M. Starks, deceased;
I'Tancis W. ; George A., of Wall Lake, Iowa: Frederick Weed, a resident
of Hampshire, Illinois.
It is of Francis W. \\^eed, however, that this biograph\- is directlv
concerned. He had little opportunit\- to obtain an education and was
placed at work when twelve years old. His father having settled in the
timber country, a great amount of "grubbing" was necessar\- so as to in-
crease the tillalile area of land from year to year. bTancis followed this
arduous occupation for two years and was paid wages when he became of
age by his father for his labor. He saved all money that he received for
his work and conceived an ambition to journey to Sac county, Iowa, and
there engage in farming for himself. He liecame afflicted with the "West-
ern fever," which was then spreading in the neighliorhood, and caused many
of the best representatives of the Illinois farming gentry to come W^est and
bu\- the chea]) lands which were being offered to settlers. He came, saw, and
was convinced to such an extent that he in\ested in two Inmdred acres of
land where he now resides. 'I'liis land cost him three and one-third dollars
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 423
an acre. Later he added fortv acres tn his ImbHngs at a cost of eight doUars
an acre. He lias hgiired proiiiinenth' in the organization of the count)' and
was the first assessor of Levey township, lia\-ing se\'eral times ser\ ed in
that capacity. He has filled the ofifice of township trustee several terms
and has served as secretary an<l treasurer and president of the township
school board.
]\Ir. Weed is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is
affiliated with the Masonic lodge at WaW Lake, Iowa. He became a Mason
as soon as he had attained his majority — in fact, he has retained his mem-
bership since the year 1868. He was first connected with Westside Lodge,
and later was enrolled a charter member of Wall Lake Lodge of Masons.
Mr. Weed was united in marriage with Rachel Dean, March 29, 1871.
Mrs. Weed was born on a farm in McHenry county, Illinois, June 23, 1849,
and is the daughter of Richard and Mary (Brook) Dean. Richanl Dean
was a native of luigland whcj first settled in McHenry county, Illinois, and
came to Sac county in 1878,' settling in the same neighborhood as Mr. W'eed.
He was l)i)rn October 23, 1813, and died .May 15, 1880. He was the
father of six children liy two marriages: Sarah and Richard, deceased;
Thomas, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; John J., a farmer residing in Levey
township; Mrs. Mary .\. Dawson, of South Dakota: Mrs. Susanna Harri-
son, of .Mcllenr\- count\-, Illinois, these lieing children of the first union.
By the second marriage there were the following offs])ring: Heni\' and
Edward L., deceased; Rachel B. \^'eed; Gary, a resident of Nebraska; Mrs.
Maria Ocock, of McHenry county, Illinois; Charles B., former postmaster
of Wall Lake, who died in .\ugnst, igi2: and Mrs. Emma L. Marsh,
residing in McHenry county, Illinois.
To the union of Francis and Rachel (Dean) Weed have been born
and reared four children, namely: Mrs. (^"arrie Hay, now residing with
her parents, and who is the mother of one child, Bernice May; Harry E.
Weed, a farmer in Levey township; Mrs. Edith A. Tounget, who resides on
a farm near Odebolt, Iowa, and is the mother of one son, Claude Harold ;
Fred E., at home.
George -\. Weed, brother of Francis W., came to Iowa on August 20,
1870, and for the first four years of his residence here tilled the soil in
partnership with his brother. Later, he settled on the farm adjoining that
of I'rank and here resided until lyoi), when he made a trip to California
and the Pacific coast and then settled in the town of Wall Lake. He was
born February 22, 1850. and was married to Jane Tait October 2;^^. 1874.
His wife died without issue.
424 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
The greatest tribute that we can pay this active and sturcl\- pioneer is
that he is a true son of the soil and a great lover of animals, who desires
nothing better than to spend his days in looking after his well-loved acres
and each year contributing the result of his endeavors for the sustenance of
his fellow men. The biographer agrees with him in the time-tried maxim
that "Farmers are l)orn, not made." The results which he has attained as
a plain agriculturist entitle him to rank high among the citizens of this
great country, and this review is herein presented in further recognition
of his attainments. Hospitable to the core, his home is open to his friends
and those with whom he has dealings. His wife is a fitting helpmeet for one
\\ho is deserving of commendation.
BEX BROUGHTON.
While many essentials contribute in the making of a successful man.
there is usually one strong predominating" trait which stands out in relief and
furnishes the foundation for the development of the faculties with which he
has been naturally endowed. Inborn intelligence, with a liroad mentalit}-,
when found to be a well marked characteristic of a successful man in
whatever sphere of usefulness his lot may be cast, is responsible for his
transformation to the realms of successful endeavor and his taking a right-
ful place as a leader among men. Naturally. Sac count}", l^eing an agri-
cultural county, the greatest successes are found to be among the agri-
cultural class of this rich and fertile portion of mother earth. The science
of animal hu.sbandry is one of the nid^t important divisions of agricul-
ture and many of the followers of this highly productive vocation are
known far beyond the borders of their neighborhood liecause of the dis-
tribution of the product of their skill and profound knowledge of the breed-
ing of live stock. Ben Broughton. li\e stock Ijreeder of Lake View, Iowa,
is one of the best known stock men in this section of Iowa, and is, withal, a
citizen of excellent attainments and education.
Mr. Broughton has a beautiful farm of two hundred acres within the
corporate limits of Lake View and has a handsome modern home which
sits on the hillside oxerlooking the towi"i and the lake in the distance. No
more favorable spot for a residence and farmstead is to be found in the
length and breadth of the state than that of the Broughton farm. The
home is surrounded by great trees which cast their beneficent and welcome
BEX BROUGHTOX
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 425
shade o\er well-kept lawns and grounds. Three large stock barns, fitted
with e\er^- modern convenience and with adjacent silos, are situated at
some distance from the residence. Mr. Broughton has what is considered
to be the finest breed barns in Sac county without exception. For
eighteen years he has been a breeder of fine live stock and has attained
the highest success in this difficult vocation. He maintains a herd of
one hundred thoroughbred registered Herefords and disposes of about fifty
head annually at an average price of two hundred dollars each. His famous
herd has been exhibited at various county fairs and live stock shcnvs thorough-
out the countr\ and the proprietor has an accumulation of blue ribbons
and first premium prizes that are truly enviable. His herd of Herefords
ha\-e taken first premiums at the Sac county fair, the Shelby county fair,
the Lvon count\' fair, the Iowa state fairs, and the Sioux City fair, having
taken both first and second prizes on many occasions.
Mr. Broughton is likewise an extensive breeder of Poland China hogs
and at this writing he has over one hundred head of registered stock,
among them being some prize winning sires. The breeding of Percheron
horses is another speciality of this versatile farmer and at this vocation he
is also making a success.
Ben Broughton was born May 25, 1871, on a farm in DeKalb county,
Illinois. His father was C. W. Broughton, who was born in 181 7 and
died in 1893. . His mother before her marriage was Caroline Churchill,
a member of the famous Churchill family of which Winston Churchill is
a member. The Churchill family trace their ancestry back to the "May-
flower", on which the original founder of the American family came to
America, seeking religious freedom with the Pilgrim fathers. C. W. Brough-
ton was the father of nine children, namely: Charles Preston, of Jackson
countv, Missouri: Mrs. Ella B. Woods, of DeKalb county, Illinois: Mrs.
May Kingsley, also a resident of DeKalb county, Illinois: Ben; and two
sons bv second marriage, Charles Beers and Chauncey W., residing in De-
Kalb countv, Illinois. The mother of Ben Broughton died May 29, 1871, and
the father remarried.
In the year 1894 Mr. Broughton came to Lake View, Iowa, from his
home in Illinois and in the fall of 1894 purchased an interest in a local
hardware store. He was engaged in the hardware business for three years
and then disposed of his interest and purchased the Sunny Slope Stock
Farm. Since purchasing the farm he has remodeled and practically re-
built all of the buildings on the place and greatl\- improved the farm until
it is one of the most valuable tracts of land in the county. One hundred
426 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
and twenty-five acres of this land cost him seventy dollars an acre and
eighty acres additional, honght in the spring of 1912, cost one hundred and
thirty-three dollars an acre. He laid ofif a portion of this land which is
now a part of Lake View ])roper and is officially known as Broughton's
addition to the town of Lake View.
Mr. Broughton was married in the fall of 1894 to Alice B. Cleve-
land, of Dekalb county, Illinois, who is a distant relative of the late Presi-
dent Grover Cleveland. The} have two children; Lois ]Marie, wlio is at-
tending the Lake View high school, and Channcey Preston Broughton,
Politically, Mr. Broughton is a Republican who has long l^een identified
prominently with his partv in Sac count\' and has taken an acti\e part in
political affairs. He has served one term as trustee of Wall Lake township
and has filled the otiice of city councilman two terms and has ser\ed as
a member, secretary and treasurer of the Lake View school board for over
fourteen vears. In the fall of 190S he was elected a member nf the board
of county supervisors and filled the office capabl)' and well for a period of
three years. He is a Mason of blue lodge, chapter, commandery and
Shrine, and a Woodman and is well and favorably known as a progressive
and enterprising citizen who is always found in the forefront of the advocates
of better citizenship and the advancement of his home city's best inter-
est. This can be said of him with truth and conviction, e\en recognizing
the fact that Lake View is noted far and wide for the hustling, progres-
sive spirit which pervades the rank and file of its citizens. He is a live
member of the body politic in a city which has its full quota of live, wide-
awake men of affairs.
DAN D. CARLTON.
The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has
accomplished. An enumeration of those men who have succeeded in their
special vocations in Sac county, Iowa, and at the same time are impressing
their personalities on the community, men who are conferring honor on the
locality in which they reside, would be incomplete were there failure to make
specific mention of the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, for
he is an important factor in the business life of his community. The splen-
did success which has come to him has been the direct result of the salient
points in his character, for, with a mind capable of la\ ing judicious plans
and a will strong enough to carry them into execution, his energy, foresight
SAC COUNTY. IOWA. 427
and perseverance ha\e carrietl him forward to a position in tlie front ranlv
of the successful men of his community, tie has carried forward to a suc-
cessful completion \vhate\er he has undertaken, and his methods have ever
been in strict conformity with the standard ethics of commercial life. He
has taken an intelligent interest in the civic life of the community and ha*^
earned the high regard in which he is held b\- all who know him.
Dan D. Carlton, \ice-president of the Citizens State Bank of Early,
Iowa, and retired merchant of that city, was born January 31. 1862, in
Scranton, Pennsylvania. His parents, E. W. and Nancy R. (Fuller) Carl-
ton, were both natives of New Hampshire, and shortly after the birth of
D. D. Carlton they moved back to their old home in New Hampshire, where
the father died in 1903. and the mother is still residing in that state, nearly
seventy-seven }ears of age. l'^. W. Carltnn and wife were the parents (if a
large family of children: Mrs. Anna Hunter, of Wall Lake, Iowa; Edward,
of Dubuciue, Iowa; Guy, of Washta, Iowa: Mrs. Etta Siscoe; Mrs. Nellie
Marshall; Fred, of New Hampshire; D. D., with whom this narrative deals,
and Bert, deceased.
Dan D. Carlton was educated in the public schools and Derby Academy
in New Hampshire, and later graduated from Eastman's Business CoUoge,
at Poughkeepsie, New \'ork, in 1883. He immediately came west and in
1884 located in b~arl\-. Iowa, then a new town. He worked on a farm for
the first year, and then began clerking in the store of H. Mohr & Son. In
1886 he became a partner of T. A. Barrett, his father-in-law, a partnership
which lasted for twenty-five years, and on January i, 1913. 'Sir. Carlton
retired from the mercantile business, and he has been vice-president of the
Citizens State Bank, of l-'arly. since its organization. In addition to his
mercantile and banking interests, he has been also interested in farming
lands, and is now the owner of two hundred and fifty-five acres in Buena
Vista county, Iowa, two hundred and sixty acres in Sac county and three
hundred and twenty acres in South Dakota.
Mr. Carlton was married in 1886 to Kitty L. Barrett, the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Barrett, and to this marriage have been born three
children: Bvrhl, cashier of the Citizens" State Bank, of Early: Murl, who is
now a law student in the University of ^lichigan, and Marjorie. who is a
student in the high school at Plarly.
Politicallv, Mr. Carlton is a Republican. The memliers of the family
are all faithful adherents of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, Mr. Carl-
ton is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Early, includ-
428 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
ing cliapter and coniniandery, and has served as master of the Early blue
lodge. He has also served for one year as treasurer of the grand lodge of
Iowa. He is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.
T. .\. Barrett, father of Mrs. Carlton, was born April 13, 1833, in Erie
CDUiity. Pennsylvania. His parents were L. W. and Martha (Wells) Bar-
rett, natives of W-nnont and New York respectively. In 1843 his parents
moved to Ohio, where T. A. Barrett was educated. When twenty years of
age he came to Porter county, Indiana, where he spent ten vears in a gen-
eral mercantile store, and in 1864 he crossed the plains tn the hearlwaters of
the Missouri in search of health, but returned t(T Porter ciiunty, Indiana,
and in 1873 he went west again and settled in Story county, Iowa, where
he spent eight years on a farm. He then came to Sac countv and became
one of the first settlers in the town of Pearly and opened the first general
merchandise store in l-larly under the name of Thurman & Barrett. Later
lie bought out the interests of his partner and in 1886 took his son-in-law
into the business, retiring in January, 191 1, and his son-in-law, Mr. Carlton,
sold out his interests two years later. Mr. tlarrett erected the PL'irly Cream-
erv antl for several _\'ears this was the i)ioneer creamer\' in northern Sac
county, Iowa. In addition to his mercantile and banking interests, Mr. Bar-
rett was interested in farm lands, and at one time was the owner of over
eight hundred acres. Pie now owns about two hundred and fifty acres as
well as a business block and dwelling houses in Early.
^\r. Barrett was married September g, 1859, in Porter county, In-
diana, to Lavina White, who was born October 27, 1835, and to this mar-
riage were born two children, Byrhl, deceased, and Kittv L., the wife of
Mr. Carlton. Mr. Barrett is a member of the PVee and Acceptetl Masons
and also of the Eastern Star, while in his church affiliations he adheres to
the Universalist faith.
The Citizens State Bank of Early was organized in Jamiary, 1896, by
T. A. Barrett and operated as a private bank under the firm name of Bar-
rett & Carlton. On January i, 191 1, the bank was reorganized as a state
Ijank and Mr. Barrett has been its president since its organization. The
l)ank has had a very successful career, as is shown by its statement to the
auditor of Iowa on September 10, 1913, as follows: Resources — Loans and
discounts, $189,993.61; overdrafts, $3,583.02; bank building and fixtures,
$6,500.00; cash and exchange, $21,348.87; total, $221,427.50. Liabilities —
Capital, $30,000.00; surplus fund, $1,000.00; undivided profits, $1,074.29;
deposits, $189,353.21: total, $221,353.50.
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 429
MICHAEL B. \\'OLI'\
The town of Odel^olt, Sac county, Iowa, boasts of manv retired farm-
ers and whenever any county has a number of retired farmers it is an
indication that tliey have been successful in their careers. While Sac countv
has thousands of German citizens, it has few who are descendants of German
and French parents. Mr. Wolf has inherited the good characteristics of a
German father and a French mother, and combines the thrift and frugalit\-
of both nations.
Michael B. Wolf was born February 25, 1858, in Alsace-Loraine, and
was the son of Michael and Margaret (Bartel) Wolf. His father was a
sturdy German farmer, while his mother was a daughter of French parents.
Michael Wolf and wife were the parents of five children: Mrs. Mar-
garet Bachman. of Alsace-Loraine; Michael B., with whom this narrative
deals; Mrs. Katherine Fleck, of Lyons, Nebraska, and two married daugh-
ters, Salome and Mary, who are living in Strasburg, Germanv.
Michael B. Wolf was given an excellent common school education in the
schools of Alsace-Loraine, but early in life decided that he wanted to come
to America to seek his fortune. Accordingly when he was only fifteen
years of age he set sail for America and first located in Ashland, Ohio,
where he worked at farm labor until 1881. However, he did not spend all
of his time in Ashland county. Shortly after coming to this country — in
fact, when he was only sixteen years of age — he was given the management
of a large farm in Wood and Ashland counties, Ohio, and managed this
farm \ery successfully. While living in Ohio Mr. Wolf was married in
i88:j. and two }ears later he went ^^'est anfl arrived in Odebolt on February
2, 1882.
Mr. Wolf arrixed in Odebi.lt with the earnings of several xears and
immediately jjurchased two hundred and forty acres of land in section 17,
Wheeler township, at a cost of twenty dollars an acre. The farm had
scarcely any improvements on it at the time he purchased it, although there
was a house with no ])lastering and only a ladder for a stairwa\-. He
gradually improved his farm until it was able to net him handsome returns
each year. In 1900 he moved to Odebolt where he has an excellent ])lace
in the west part of the city. He sold eighty acres of his farm to his brother-
in-law and still retains one Inmdred ;in(l si.xty acres, which he rents out.
Mr. Wolf was married October 24, 1880, to Lelia Smith, who was born
in Champaign county, Ohio, but reared in Wood county, that state. She
is the daughter of John Z. and Ruth Smith, natives of Dutchess count) .
430 SAC COUNTY, IOWA.
New York, and Connecticut, iespecti\ely. Her mother came to Odebolt after
lier father's death and lUed there.
Ihe liranch of the Smith family to which Airs. Smith l^elongs can
trace their ancestry l)ack tiin)ii,i;h sexeral g'enerations. The original John
Smith, I if whom she is a lineal descendant, was born July 5, 1781. He
married Judy Benson. \\ho was horn in 1788, and they lived in New York
until after their first two children, Hiram and Julia, were born, after which
they mu\ed to Connecticut, where John C, the father of Mrs. Wolf, was
born March 20, 181 2. The other children i^f John Smith, Sr., and wife
were Julia .^nn, Hiram Benson, John Z., Susan, David, Betsy, William
Henry, Benjamin and George DeWitt Clinton. A son of William Henry
Smith, Glen. li\'es on the Wolf farm in Wheeler townshii). Sac county,
Iowa. John Z. Smith, the father of Mrs. Wolf, moved from Connecticut to
Avon, Livingston county. New York, and from thence to Waukegon,
Illinois. In 185 1 he made the ii\erland tri]) tci California, where he lived
for twii years, after which he returned to Ohio and settled near Urbana on
the famous Neil stock farm. I,ater he moved to Wood county, Ohio, where
his death occurred. John Z. Smith married Ruth Scott, whose grandfather,
Capt. Ezekiel Scott, was a famous soldier of the War of the Revolution.
The father of Captain Scott was Samuel Scott. John Z. .Smith's children
were Mrs. M. B. Wolf; Hiram B., deceased, late of \Mieek'r tcnvnship, this
county: John H., also of \\'heeler township, and Mrs. Julia Dubbs, cjf Wood
county, Ohio.
Hiram B. .Smith, a bmther of Mrs. Wolf, was born in Lake county,
Illinois, December 7, 1846, and was married in 1870 to Jennie Marsh, of
Otsego county. New York. In 1878 H. B. Smith and family went to Ohio,
and later came to Sac county. Iowa, where they purchased a half section
of ])rairie land. To Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Smith were born two ciiildren,
Ada and Lenore, and the}- also raised two nephews, Edmond and Afaury
Marsh. H. B. Smith died February i, 1914, at Fort Orange, Florida. John
H. .Smith, another brother of Mrs. Wolf, was born in Cook countw Illinois,
in 1852, and was married in 1885 to Rachel Keister, and came to Sac
county from ( )hio in 1884. He owns eighty acres of land in section 17 of
this lownsliip, which he purchased from Mr. Wolf. John H. Smith and
wife are the ])arents of f(;ur children, lone, Flilda, Ruth and Louis. Mr.
and Mrs. Wolf ha\e one daughter, Esther, at home.
Politically, Mr. Wolf is a Republican in national politics, but in local
politics he reserves the right to cast his vote for the best man in his judg-
ment. While Mr. Wolf was reared in the Gerni,-in Lutheran church, he
SAC COUNTY, IOWA. 43 1
attends the Church of Christ with his wife, and sul^scribes to its support.
Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
while he and his wife are both m 
