History of Marshalltown's Fire Department...
Rescue Hook and Ladder Co.---This is the oldest fire organization in the city, dating back to 1869-70. A hook and ladder truck was purchased in Chicago at a cost of $1,600, and the Rescue Company was formed.
After the great fire in 1872, the city purchased a large double-decker, Jefferson end-brake engine for $800, which they obtained in Rock Island, Illinois. With that came the large hose cart, carrying 1,100 feet of hose. The first truck was subsequently exchanged for the present large and durable one. The company is now in a splendid condition, being supplied with everything needed in case of an emergency. A.C. Sherwood was the first chief of the department. The present chief is C.S. Woodworth. The present officers of the Rescue Company are J.W. Haines, Foreman; George W. McKinney, First Assistant.
The Woodbury Independent Hose Company,---This company was organized in 1874, under the name of the Washington Independent Engine Company. It originally consisted of forty members, but was at one time increased to seventy. Messrs. Sowers, Waters and Woods raised the necessary amount, $600, by soliciting subscriptions, for the purchase of a single decker, side-brake, Button engine, which they purchased in Dubuque. The engine house, a frame building, was located on Main street. Robert Vogle was the first Foreman. The engine was a good one and did some very effective service. After the building of the water works, the engine was sold to the State Centre people for $600. The company then purchased, in Auburn, N.Y., a handsome hose-cart, which they called the "Spider," at a cost of $400. The cart and hose weigh but 820 pounds. The name of the company was then changed to the G.M. Woodbury Independent Hose Company. They have 500 feet of linen hose. The engine house is located on East Main street; is a substantial brick structure, 20x30 feet in size, and handsomely fitted up with all the necessary fire apparatus. They have what is called the twin coupling, which can be used in throwing two streams of water. The Foreman, M.K. Williams, has been in charge of the company since its organization, and sleeps in the engine house. The company pay their own gas bills and are strictly independent. The men are nearly all young, and are ready at a moment's notice to do their duty. The officers are M.K. Williams, Foreman; George Canfield, First Assistant; John Boman, Second Assistant; William McFarlan, Secretary; Oscar Blaney, Treasurer. Membership, twenty-eight.
Alert Hose Company, No. 2---The Alert Hose Company was organized May 5, 1877. A hose-cart was purchased of Coburn & Rewey, of Marshalltown, for $235, and was paid for by the city. The engine house is located at 305 South Third avenue, and is a substantial brick structure, two stories high and twenty-two feet square. The cart weighs 450 pounds. They have 500 feet of linen hose. The first officers of the Alert Company were: J.H. Johnston, Foreman; W.H. Harrington, First Assistant; W.W. O'Brien, Second Assistant; R.W. Westlake, Secretary; J.W. Brackett, Treasurer. The present officers are: J.H. Johnson, Foreman; W.H. Harrington, First Assistant; George Bowman, Second Assistant; J.R. Welsh, Secretary; J.W. Brackett, Treasurer. The company consists of twenty members.
Hope Hose Company,---This company was organized in 1875, at the time of the building of the water works. They are allowed twenty men, but the roll is not filled at present. The headquarters are in the city building. N.E. Sargent is Foreman; A.E. Walters, First Assistant; Nathan A. Kers, Second Assistant. This company is well organized and constitutes an important feature of the department.
--p.484-5, Taken from “The History of Marshall
County Iowa, Containing A History of the County, its
Cities, Towns, &r.,” and published by Western Historical Company of