CHAPTER X.
UNION TOWNSHIP (CONT'D).

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.

BY A. W. STRYKER.

Cumberland, the terminus of the Creston & Cumberland branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, is located in Union township, about seventeen miles southeast of Atlantic, the county seat. It has a population of about 650, and ranks fourth in point of population among the towns of Cass county. Cumberland is the most centrally located of all towns in the county, and is beautifully situated on an eminence that overlooks the surrounding country, a country that for general farming and stock raising is not excelled anywhere.

RAPID GROWTH OF THE TOWN.

The land upon which the town stands was originally owned by John Worthington, who, in 1884, sold it to a railroad town site syndicate, who had it surveyed and platted. L. L. Durham and W. H. Low erected the first buildings, and almost immediately the young town started upon a course of growth and prosperity that had not been equaled before in this part of Iowa. To W. H. Low, more than to any other man, perhaps, does Cumberland owe her phenomenal growth in the first few years of her existence. Mr. Low started in business simultaneously with the platting of the town. He engaged in the lumber business in the fall of 1884, and immediately began the erection of both store buildings and residences on his own account, which were rented or sold to new residents and business firms as rapidly as they came.

At the end of five years Cumberland boasted of a population of 400 citizens, all active, energetic people, who, as soon as they located here caught the spirit of push and activity that Mr. Low possessed in a remarkable degree, and which brought such favorable results, both to himself and the town.

CUMBERLAND INCORPORATED.

Early in the spring of 1893 the first steps were taken toward incorporation. At that time Cumberland was growing rapidly, good educational and religious privileges were enjoyed, the merchants and business men generally were all doing a handsome business in various lines, and the little city had the neatest and best kept streets and more sidewalks than any place of its size in southwestern Iowa. The necessity of incorporation became apparent, with the continued growth and prosperity of the town, and proper steps were accordingly taken to that end.

Immediately after the charter was received an election of city officers was held which resulted in the selection of E. F. Lee as mayor, and William Cool, A. S. Bright, William Waddell, Robert Breen, F. M. Whitney, and J. F. Bohling, councilmen. W. A. Dowell was elected recorder, and C. A. Purdy town marshal. The first meeting of this executive body was held July 1, 1893, and upon the failure of Robert Breen to qualify as councilman, the first official was elected to the position and at the next meeting of the council, which was held July 11th, Mr. Lattimer was duly sworn in.

In the two years following Cumberland made a very substantial growth, both in point of population and municipal as well as private improvements. Many new business blacks [sic blocks] and private residences of a substantial nature were erected and property was bought and sold at a high figure. During this period two new additions were platted and the lots rapidly sold. The population of the town at this time numbered about 525.

From 1895 until 1902 Cumberland experienced a steady growth, although what might be termed the "boom" period, incident to all new towns, had passed, and she began to take a place as one of the important towns of the county. As a trading point, Cumberland possessed then, as she does today, the largest territory from which to draw patronage enjoyed by any town her size in western Iowa, and the large and well selected stocks of merchandise that were on display in the various business houses were the cause of much favorable comment by every stranger who visited the city.

"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 138-140.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, August, 2018.