Chapter XXII
Since writing the preceding chapters in this book there has come under the writers observation an article written by some clever writer in 1876 on the History of Viola Township, and, although it may be somewhat on the order of repetition, I will here reproduce it. We think it was written by Peter Shaw:
"VIOLA TOWNSHIP, December 2, 1876-In accordance with the proclamation of Samuel J. Kirkwood, the Governor of Iowa for 1876, the Centennial year, the one hundredth anniversary of America, that the several township clerks of each county be requested to write a sketch or history of their townships, though I am not much skilled in writing history or anything that would be of much interest to the people, I will endeavor to write something.
"This township was first settled A. D. 1871. The first
settlers, or rather the pioneer settlers as we term them, were as
follows:
C. C. Collison, John Smith, J. F. VanEmburgh, H. W. Tinkum, G. W.
Ketchum, J. T. Sage, John Stamm, Hugh and Oren Jones, W. H.
Gates, and Mr. Beeman, Mrs. Jane Smith and Miss Carrie Smith.
These comprise the pioneers. C. C. Collison, John Smith and John
Stamm were the first. C. C. Collison built the first house that
was built in the township. There was considerable breaking done
that year, and some sod corn raised and a few potatoes. The
settlers worked at a great disadvantage in building, as there was
no timber within fifteen or twenty miles and no lumber within
fifty miles, till late in the fall the cars came as far as
Worthington, a distance of eighteen miles, the St. Paul Railroad
being completed no further. So most of the first settlers built
sod houses to live in, which made very comfortable houses for the
homesteaders of Viola. But they had a pretty severe winter to go
through. They had their wood to haul from fifteen to twenty
miles, which made snug work to keep warm, as they had not learned
to burn hay at that time.
"Mr. Beeman was frozen to death. He got caught out in a blizzard on his way home from the Big Rock River, where he had been after a load of corn. He left a wife and several children to provide for themselves in the dead of winter in the wilds of Osceola. Though the pioneers came out in the spring fat and smoking, for their houses were mostly covered over with snow, as the snow fell very deep that winter.
"The settlers of A. D. 1872 were as follows:
Peter Shaw, John H. Douglass, N. I. Wetmore, S. Ford, Abram
Shapley, John Hart, M. D. Hadsell, C. C. Hadsell, E. Headley, C.
C. Ogan, E. S. Bennett, C. G. Bennett, William Rubow, A. Averill,
D. Averill, O. Averill, A. B. Graves, E. Mulmex, S. Smith, E.
Smith, John Tann, W. M. Barnard, J. Blair, J. S. Patterson,
George Carew, L. Clark, G. S. Downsend, D. B. Wood, E. Nulton, J.
Farren, H. Graham, T. W. Graves, H. Jordan, L. McConnell, P. L.
Piesley, Levi Shell, C. T. Torrey, P. Wilcox, M. Winchester, J.
F. Ransom, A. Van Blockham. These were the 72 settlers of '72.
But the settlers of '72 had great advantages over the settlers of
'71. The St. Paul Railroad being completed to Sibley in the early
part of June, lumber and wood were within three to eight miles,
and the settlers went right to work and built their several
shanties, and then proceeded to break and plant sod corn and
potatoes and gardens, and as it was a fine growing season, they
had fine crops for sod crops. Some rented land that had been
broken the year before, and had an excellent crop from it. I
raised 206 bushels of wheat off of the nine and one-half acres of
late breaking that season. Most of the settlers that year raised
their vegetables and feed for their teams, but most of them had
their meat and flour to buy till the next fall.
"Viola Township was organized in the fall of 1872, and held its first election in John H. Douglass' shanty. The following township officers were elected: Peter Shaw, Township Clerk; M. D. Hadsell and John Smith, Justices of the Peace; Jackson Blair, Assessor; T. J. Stage, C. C. Hadsell, C. G. Bennett, Trustees; C. C. Ogan and John Stamm, Constables; Hugh Jones, Road Supervisor; U. S. Grant, President of the United States, re-elected; John H. Douglass, Sheriff of Osceola County, Iowa. The township polled thirty-six votes, but part of the officers went away that winter and left their offices vacant. The following persons were appointed to fill vacancies: W. H. Gates and David Wood, Trustees; N. J. Wetmore, Assessor; John Hart, Road Supervisor; Abram Shapley, Justice of the Peace; Mr. Shapley did not qualify.
"The first blacksmith shop was erected by J. F. VanEmburgh in 1871, and in 1872, Abram Shapley built another shop.
"The first school house was erected in the summer of 1872 on the southwest quarter of Section 25, and called the Gates School House, and Miss Carrie Smith was the first teacher. She taught a term of six months. The first half of the term was taught in one part of C. C. Collison's house, and three months in the Gates School House. The next two schoolhouses were built in the spring of 1875, one on the northwest corner of Section 20, the other one on the northeast quarter of Section 32. The first school directors were M. D. Hadsell, N. I. Wetmore and D. B. Wood.
"The first Sabbath school was organized in the summer of 1871 and held at H. W. Tinkham's, and has been held every summer in different parts of the township. In the summer of 1875 the Sunday school officers were all lady officers, with Mrs. Ripley as superintendent.
"The first church society was organized by Brother Mallory, of Sibley, in the winter of 1875 and 1876, at the Greaves School House, but meetings had been held by different denominations. Since the summer of 1872, Revs. B. A. Dean, Brashears, Webb, Lowrie and several others have held regular appointments here. G. W. Ketchum's sod house was used for the first meetinghouse, till the Gates School House was built.
"The first white child born in the township was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Nims, in June 1871, and was the first child born in the county, but it only lived to the age of 18 months.
"The deaths have been but few. The first was Mr. Beeman, who was frozen to death in Lyon County in the winter of 1871 and 1872, in a blizzard, some time in February, while on his way home from the Big Rock, where he had been after a load of corn. The next was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nims. The next was Mrs. Jennings, the daughter of Ms. Abram Shapley, who died very suddenly at Mr. G. S. Downsend's with a heart disease. The next was Mr. Wrightmire, though a resident of Minnesota. The next was Mrs. C. Collison, died in March 1876. The next was Mrs. Eliza J. Smith, died in April 1876. Mrs. Collison and Mrs. Smith died but a month apart, and came into the county together in 1872, and lived near neighbors and were highly esteemed by all who knew them. Mrs. Collison left a large family of small children. Mrs. Smith was the mother of John Samuel, Edwin and Carrie Smith. She took a homestead when she came, and had lived within a few weeks of her five years on the homestead.
"The first married couple was Mr. John Tann to Miss Carrie A. Smith, in Sibley, at the parsonage, by Elder Webb, January 1, 1873. The next was Edwin Smith to Miss Greaves, and several of the bachelors have married out of the county. They have all taken a better half except Joseph Farren and J. T. Sage, who still are waiting.
"The heaviest farmers are Abram Shapley, Peter Shaw, G. S. Downsend, P. L. Piesley, J. Blair, J. Farren, W. H. Gates, A. Averill, A. B. Greaves, John Tarn, M. D. Hadsell, S. F. Smith, Ed. Smith, and C. C. Collison.
"So far the farmers have had rather discouraging farming on account of the grasshoppers. They came here in June 1873 and destroyed the greater part of the crops that year, so that the people had to apply for assistance in the way of relief. The State Legislature appropriated $50,000 to the grasshopper sufferers in the way of seed grain. But in 1874 the 'hoppers hatched here and came in from Minnesota, and hurt the crops from about one-fourth to a third. In 1875 the crops were good except corn and oats, which were badly eaten by the pests. But the people began to feel considerably encouraged, and in 1876 the centennial year, they went in as if they were going to make up for losses, and put in every foot of ground that they had broken. And the grain was looking fine and promising until within a few days of harvesting, when the 'hoppers came again from the north in great numbers and waded into the grain, and destroyed almost the entire crop in this township. So most of the farmers are bankrupt, without seed or money.
"Many of the settlers were compelled to go away for the winter in order to make a living for their families and get something to seed their places with for the next year. Some are too poor to get away and have been compelled to prove up on their homesteads and mortgage their places to raise money to carry them till they can raise another crop. The people nearly all burn hay for fuel because they have not the wherewith to buy anything else to burn, but if all other necessities could be remedied as easily as the fuel we could manage to get along very well. As it is, most of the farmers will be compelled to let part of their farms lie still next year, for the want of means to get seed to seed their lands. Most of the farmers did considerable breaking this season, and now have more ground broken than they have the means to carry on. There were about fifteen hundred acres broken in this township this summer. The lands in this township are very rich and productive, and the face of the country is most beautiful, just rolling enough to drain well, and it is as well watered as any part of Osceola County. It has the Otter Creek running through on the east, the Little Rock on the west and the Muddy Creek on the north. These streams all have fine grass land along them, which produces the best of hay for stock. It is not only good farming land, but well adapted to raising stock and the dairying business. We have one cheese factory in the township, which is owned by David B. Wood, and is located in the center of the township. Al that is lacking now is the means to get the stock to make it one of the most productive townships in the northwest. Some new settlers have settled in this township."
TOWNS IN THE COUNTY.
HARRIS
This is a station on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad, on the East Side of the county. At present it does not claim to be metropolitan, but expects some time in the future to acquire prominence as one of the towns in the county. It is well located, and when the country around it becomes more settled, the town will grow correspondingly. It has one general store, managed by Rufus Townsend, who is also postmaster, and the store has a good trade. M.B. Smith has a lumber yard; also a harness shop. J. Ryckman runs a coal yard and John Walting is the blacksmith. The station agent is Homer Richards, and Harris has a decorative painter, Frank P. Burley. This about comprises the business interests of Harris, and no doubt the historian ten years from now will be able to make an extensive record, which will come from its future growth.
ASHTON
The Town of Ashton was laid out by the Land Department of the Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad Company in 1872. It was first named St. Gilman, but afterwards, in 1882, this name was changed to Ashton. The town is beautifully located, and on the East Side of its business portion runs the Otter, a beautiful stream, though not a large one. It is a thrifty town, having tributary to it a scope of country that for productiveness and fertility of soil is unexcelled in the state. The first building on the townsite was placed there by T.J. Shaw in the fall of 1872, and the building still stands there and is now occupied by John Kunnen for a restaurant. Mr. Shaw is the same party who, previous to that time, had a store on Section 32 in Gilman Township, and he put up the building now in Ashton before the town was laid out, and when lots were to be had, placed the building on one of them and gave it a permanent abiding place. Mr. Shaw left Osceola County in 1888, and now resides in Oregon. After Shaw's store, followed a warehouse in 1873, put up by Brown & Roundsville. Mr. Brown resides in Nebraska, and Mr. Roundsville died several years ago. About the same time the warehouse was built, a lumber yard office was put up, and this was used afterwards for various purposes, and, by adding to it, Mr. David Underhill now has it for a residence. Then followed a blacksmith shop, run by Charles Miller, who sold to John Lee and in 1878 Lee sold out to I.B. Lucas, who still continues the same business. Another store soon followed, a millinery shop, and, in those days of beer and native wine from fruits grown in the state, a saloon. A hotel building was also erected soon after by J.D. Billings, which still stands in Ashton, but which has been improved by large additions, and is now owned by C.W. Freeman and run by Nick Reiter. When Ashton got fairly started, it had two stores, a millinery shop, blacksmith shop, hotel, warehouse, saloon and two residences. Then came the grasshoppers, whose ravages are mentioned elsewhere, and these so discouraged and disheartened the first businessmen of the town that one by one they "Folded their tents like Arabs, and as silently stole away." The storekeepers sold what they could, and packed up the balance of the stock and departed. The hotel man had no custom and he went, the saloon-keeper had to tend both sides of the bar and do all the drinking himself, the millinery goods were not in demand, no grain came to market, and the exodus was thorough and complete.
In 1879, a writer in the Gazette said the following of St. Gilman: "Last week we spent an hour or two in Gilman. This village is struggling with all its hopes in the future, waiting patiently for a depot, an elevator, an express and telegraph office. A year or two of good crops will bring it into notice, give it more buildings, sidewalks, a mayor and all the paraphernalia of a full fledged metropolis, until then it must move quietly and contentedly. Its only merchant, F.M. Bashfield was at his post. He is a gentleman, courteous, social and of much intelligence; is a close dealer and watches every penny, and indeed this is the secret of success. Kit Carson, who is the magistrate, was absent, either figuring on the increase and improvement of stock, or else talking politics. Kit is a host in himself and good company. The portly form of Lucas, the village blacksmith, was seen bending over his work which seemed to be lying all around. The old Shaw store building is used for a dwelling and the familiar countenance of its former and original occupant is no longer seen in town. Churley Miller has moved into the country, not far from Gilman, and now follows the plow instead of measuring wood and weighing coal. When the country tributary to Gilman is settled, it will make a snug town and a good business point."
J.D. Billings, now of Sheldon, was the first justice and one of the first school officers. His daughter Mary was the first child born in the town.
In about 1883 business revived there again, stores were opened, the hotel once more had a landlord, and St. Gilman then made another start on the road to wealth and prosperity. About that time Nick Boor opened up there in business, and this had something to do with its new start. The Pattersons also, A. and G.W., gave the town an impetus, and since the change in name, and new parties going in, the town has continued to grow.
Its leading business interests are now represented by J.H. and C.C. Carmichael, drug store, who came to Ashton in 1892; restaurant by John Kunnen, who commenced business in 1892; H.A. Carson, son of J.W., who opened a photograph gallery this present year; furniture store by F.H. Thompson, established 1891; clothing store, M. Hingtgen, 1891; meat market, Ira L. and P.E. Kennen, 1891; harness shop, N. Klees, 1892; jewelry store, A.L. Hyde, 1892; restaurant, Henry Wheelhouse, 1890; hardware, C.W. Rahe, 1890; livery barn, J. Smith and L. Lamar; Blacksmith shop, I.B. Lucas and W. B. Reagen; hotel, N. Reiter; wagon shop, J.W. Clark; general store, Henry Wheelhouse; also general store, H. Ennga, 1892; general store, S.S. Dean and J.A. Hoffman; general store, W.S. and G.L. Queenby, 1892; general store, M. Wermerskirchen, 1890; Nick Boor and W.L. Benjamin have an agricultural house and an elevator; H.S. Grant, farm machinery; C.J. King and L.M. Match, blacksmith shop; Frank DeVoss, barber shop; and S.M.Brown, a mechanic, and has charge of the elevator.
Ashton's postmaster is J.W. Reagan. It has three church buildings, Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist. One paper is published there, the Leader, by C.A. Charles. It is a bright, five-column quarto, and has large circulation.
Ashton is a live business town and one of general prosperity. It has some very elegant residences, good stores, and thorough businessmen, and the town will continue its growth. It is a good grain market and a good place for general trading.
Ashton is situated on Section 15, in Gilman Township; is on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway line. It has the usual secret societies and social organizations and its businessmen are on a solid basis. J.B. McEnany is its physician. It also has a creamery, managed and owned by C.W. Baird and is soon to have another elevator. Altogether Ashton promises to be considerably of a place in the future. Its present municipal officers are:
Mayor.....................................................Joseph
W. Reagan
Trustees.................................................W.L.
Benjamin
...............................................................C.J. King
...............................................................John Lenn
...............................................................C.W. Rake
...............................................................Peter Wagner
...............................................................P.E. Kiemen
Recorder................................................J.H.
Carmichael
Marshal..................................................E.S.
Knowles
OCHEYEDAN
The town is laid out on a part of Section 2, and a part of Section 11, in West Ocheyedan Township. The writer has been unable to ascertain correctly the origin of the word Ocheyedan, and hence will not attempt to account for it.
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad crossed Osceola County in the year 1884. The coming of this road brought into existence the Town of Ocheyedan, and in the fall of 1884 building commenced. The first building put up on the town site was a "shanty," which kind of a building is well understood, though the word itself is becoming obsolete. This was put up by James Wood, and he lived in it and stored his goods there, while a building was being prepared for occupancy. Out of his stock, however, he made some sales, and ran a sort of "shanty" trade until he got straightened out in more mercantile condition. This was in the fall of 1884, and at this same time Charles Woodworth had lumber on the ground for a hardware store; also did Wood for a general store, and William Smith for a general store. Woodworth moved into his building first with his stock of hardware, so that this building, which Mr. Woodworth still occupies, may be said to be the first business house in the town. Wood put his stock also in Woodworth's building temporarily, and as soon as his own was finished moved into that. Mr. Smith got his building finished in October, and put in a general stock. This same fall of 1884 the Kout brothers, Joseph and Dominick, put up a store building and filled it with a general stock of goods. L.B. Boyd also put up a building that fall, in which he opened a general store, and these four general stores, with the hardware, constituted the mercantile business of the town in the winter of 1884-85. We will add however, that Dr. C. Teal erected the building now occupied by Ed Becker as a barbershop in the fall of 1884, and opened a drug store, also practiced as a physician. Dr. Teal moved from Ocheyedan a few years ago, and now lives in North Carolina. William Smith sold out a year or so afterwards to D.J. Jones, who carried on a general store until the spring of 1891, when he died. Mrs. Jones continued the business after her husband's death until this present year when she sold out to Bunker Bros., who now occupy the building with a stock of groceries. Wood sold out to M.H. Young, who carried a general stock, and in the fall of 1891 Young sold out to J.W. Thomas & Son, who now run a general store in the same building. The Kout Bros. sold out building and stock to R.J. O. McGowan, who now occupies the same stand with a general store. The L.B. Boyd building first had a general store, and is now occupied by W.F. Stimpson for a restaurant. In the fall of 1884 also Archibald Oliver put up the livery barn now owned and occupied by E.D. Cleaveland. Mr. Oliver was then, and was the first, station agent in Ocheyedan.
There was also erected in the fall of 1884 two warehouses for grain and coal. One was put up by French & Hayward, and the other by D.L. Riley. These business houses, with a few dwellings, was what constituted the town of Ocheyedan until the spring of 1885. There was however in 1884 a lumberyard started by D.L. Riley, and run by Fred Wheeler. In the spring of 1885 C.A. and M.A. Tatum's erected the building now occupied by A.J. Coulton. Tatum's opened a feed store and butcher shop, and afterwards sold it to Coulton. Peter Graves opened a general store in 1885 and erected the building now occupied by John and Mary Graves. Also the same year John Wilson put up the W. J. Robinson building, now occupied by L.D. and E.P. Johnson. The hotel building, called the Ocheyedan House, was built in 1885 by John Wilson, who ran it a few months and was then succeeded by Charles Carnes, and he by H. Runyon. I.N. Daggett soon after purchased the building and ran the hotel himself a short time, and was succeeded by J.F. Pfaff. Pfaff was succeeded by S.A. Dove, who bought the property in 1891, and is still owner and landlord. Mr. Dove has recently sold and will move to Missouri.
Ocheyedan celebrated the first year of its existence on the 4th day of July 1885. It was given out beforehand that a great time was to be had, and the country around looked upon the coming celebration as an event of considerable importance, and it was. People flocked into Ocheyedan in great numbers on that day, and it seemed as if the whole country was there. Archibald Oliver was president of the day and C.A. Tatum, Marshal. W.J. Robinson read the Declaration of Independence, and Henderson, a farmer living south of Ocheyedan delivered the oration. The music consisted of fife and drum; also playing upon the organ and singing. There was a foot race, sack race and a horse trot. Will Peters won the foot race purse, and in the sack race Joel Rice took first money and Frank Daley second. The Tatum's carried off the honors in the horse race, M.A. taking first money and H.C. second. The contestants in the horse race were M.A. and H. C. Tatum, Broadfoot, Adam Sterling, Smith and Claus Yett. There was considerable excitement over this and the boys were somewhat demonstrative over it, but did not let their angry passions rise to the extent of an open fight, but at times were near to it. The day wound up with a bowery dance; Joseph Hall played the violin and there was other music. The dance lasted all night and towards morning the remaining participants in this first celebration went home to recruit up after this enthusiastic siege.
The drug store building recently occupied by A.E. Smith was built by John Webster and was placed between Cleveland's livery and the railroad track, and it was used there for a saloon. It was built in 1886. In 1887 it was moved to where it now stands. It is now used by T.H. Dravis for a clothing house.
Ocheyedan, as a town location, is unexcelled. It is on a gradual rise from the railroad track, and most of the town is on the elevation. This enables it to have clean streets and a complete drain for water.
Other buildings followed along in the course of construction, and in 1885 A.V. Randall erected a business house built in the corner of Main Street, which is now used by Walton Brothers for a furniture store. In 1890 C.A. and M.A. Tatum put up a building for livery barn, now occupied by Tatum Brothers for an agricultural house. The elevator, now owned and occupied by A.W. Harris & Company, was placed there in 1885. In 1890 Bowersock Brothers, consisting of Asa and E. Bowersock, bought out D.L. Riley's lumber yard, and are still running the same business. In 1891 John Porter & Son of Reinbeck, Iowa, started the second lumberyard in Ocheyedan, which is still running under the management of W.F. Aldred.
The bank building, now occupied by the Ocheyedan Bank, was erected by I.N. Daggett, who sold out to the Northwestern State Bank of Sibley, and it was then placed in charge of E. Baker, now vice president of the Northwestern State Bank. They sold to the Ocheyedan Savings Bank, of which C.S. McLaury is president, W.M. Smith, vice president, and J.L. McLaury, cashier, under whose management it now is.
The present year, 1892, John Porter & Son also established a bank, which, in connection with their lumber business is under the management of W.F. Aldred, whose name appears as cashier.
Ocheyedan has grown gradually each year since its first starting. It has never been boomed, but has made its way quietly as the country demanded its growth. This year of 1892 it has pushed ahead considerably. Kout Brothers have erected a very fine business house, which is now occupied by A.E. Smith for a drug store. A.V. Randall has added a business building to Main Street, as has also E.N. Moore. Several elegant dwelling houses have also been erected by C.A. Tatum, W.F. Aldred, Dr. W.E. Ely, Mrs. D.R. Jones, Charles Woodworth and others. In 1891 Asa Bowersock put up a very fine residence house, as also did M.A. Tatum.
In 1889 several of the farmers around established in Ocheyedan a
creamery, which is a joint stock corporation. The association was
formed in 1889, and the following year buildings were erected and
business started. Its present officers are: President, J.C. Moar;
secretary, W.E. Ely; treasurer, J.L. McLaury; directors, Dick
Wassman, Geo. W. Thomas, W.A. Cooper, Henry Bremer, J.C. Ward.
At the close of last year the secretary, W.E. Ely, published the
local paper the following report:
"The Ocheyedan Creamery has just finished the second season of its existence, and as there is some inquiry concerning its workings and profits, we will endeaver to give a short account of what has been done. Active work commenced about the middle of April and continued until the middle of September, or about five months in all. During that time we have received 526,430 pounds, making 21,435 pounds of butter, or an average of 4.07 pounds per hundred. Our cream wagon has gathered 6,703 inches of cream, making the total amount of butter manufactured 28,138 pounds. For milk we have paid the shareholders at the rate of 55 cents per hundred for May, June and July; 68 cents for August, and 80 cents for September, or a grand total of $3,098.99, averaging 59 cents per hundred for the season. For gathered cream we paid 13 ½ cents per inch in May and June, 12 ½ cents in July, 16 ½ cents in August, and 17 ¾ cents in September; in all $920.66, or an average of 13 ¾ cents per inch for the season. All of our butter has been sold in New York at Elgin prices---the gathered cream excepted, that grading lower and bringing from 1 to 3 cents per pound less.
"It has been demonstrated that a creamery pays, and in
proportion to the amount of patronage it receives. Four hundred
pounds can be manufactured each day as cheap as 100 pounds, and
reduces the expense accordingly. When milk can be brought to the
creamery in good condition for separating, that system pays
better than the gathered cream system, while the latter on the
whole is more profitable than the home dairy. But a creamery is
like any other business concern, to be successful it must have
patronage, and if its own incorporators stand back waiting for it
to become a paying concern before they put their shoulder to the
wheel, how can they expect outsiders to take any interest or
invest any capital in the concern. Two years' work has
demonstrated sure success, and if each shareholder does his duty
during the coming season I am sure he will find that not only
will the creamery relieve his family of the drudgery of butter
making, but will pay him more cash than he could possibly make
out of his milk himself.
Respectfully,
"W.E. Ely,
"Secretary."
Ocheyedan has two church organizations, the Methodist and Congregationalist. The Methodist organization was first completed in the country outside the town before the town started, and for awhile had two buildings, one of them still standing and used near Mr. Mowthorpe's place. Judge McCallum, in giving us the history of the building, says that in 1876 or thereabouts, when he was holding down his claim near Ocheyedan, himself and L.G. Ireland, with F.H. Hunt, D.H. Boyd, Wm. Mowthorpe and others concluded that they wanted a sanctuary for worship and someplace to go to church. Ireland, McCallum and some others were sort of outsiders and not sound in the faith, and the question arose as to the location, and upon this they were divided. A meeting was held at Mr. Hunt's and the majority sat down completely on any location, except that where a church building now stands, near Mr. Mowthorpe's. The McCallum crowd were bound to have a church anyhow where they wanted it, so they went at it, and inside of three weeks they had a building all ready for occupancy on a corner of Ireland's claim. The other fellows, not to be outdone, also went at it and built their church near Mr. Mowtorpe's, where it now is. One was called grit and the other grace-the McCallum one being grit. After they were erected, however, the brethren dwelt together in unity, and, with the help of Brother Mallory, their spiritual welfare was looked after, and all were satisfied. The McCallum church was moved into Ocheyedan when the town started.
When the building was moved into Ocheyedan the church pastor then was Rev. R. Hild. He was succeeded by Rev. Keister, he by Rev. J.M. Woolery and then Rev. S.C. Olds, the present pastor. The church building is far too small for the present accommodations and one larger and more spacious will be erected in the near future.
The Congregational society was organized in the spring of 1889. For awhile its exercises consisted of a Sunday School and occasional preaching from some clergyman sent from the State Missionary Society and this continued until 1890 when Rev. L. R. Fitch became its established pastor and is such now. This society now holds its services in the schoolhouse in the upper story, but will at no distant day erect a church building and they are very much in need of one. Rev. Thomas Pell was at one time pastor and is a forcible preacher.
Ocheyedan became an incorporated town fully, upon the election of
its first officers in April 1891. In March of that year, the
previous month, the question of incorporation or no incorporation
was submitted to the people. Public opinion was about equally
divided and a discussion of the question previous to the vote
being taken, had warmed the contending parties into a strong and
almost belligerent controversy. Incorporation carried by a few
votes and as soon as the conflict was over, the opposers
submitted gracefully, and the feeling then was undivided in all
interests that would promote the welfare and progress of
Ocheyedan. Soon public improvements were entered into, ordinances
for the better government of the town, and in promotion of its
welfare were passed, and internal improvements became the order
of the day. The town's greatest need then was a system of
sidewalks and these came along in good time, are now on all
streets where business or residences require them. There is an
eight-foot walk that adds not only to the convenience of the
town, but to its appearance as well. The present town officers
were the first officers elected in April 1891, with one
exception, which is that of Mr. Aldred, and he was elected at the
election held in the spring of 1892. The present officers are as
follows:
Mayor....................................................W.E. Ely
Recorder..............................................A.E. Smith
Treasurer.............................................J.L. McLaury
Assessor..............................................R.J. Jones
Street Commissioner...........................George Rupner
Marshal................................................George Rupner
Trustees...............................................C.M. Manville
.............................................................S.A. Dove
.............................................................Charles Woodworth
.............................................................W.F. Aldred
.............................................................Asa Bowersock
.............................................................C.A. Tatum
Ocheyedan has one newspaper, published by Mr. Perkins. The paper was started in 1891, and its first issue on the 7th day of August. The paper was started by D.A.W. Perkins, who intended it for his son, George W. Perkins, but while the material was still in the boxes at the freight depot, the boy was drowned in Silver Lake, near Lake Park. Mr. Perkins, however, under the shadow of this terrible misfortune, proceeded with its publication and after an intermediate change it is still published by Mr. Perkins. The paper is a five-column quarto and the public spirit of Ocheyedan people is well manifested by giving the paper a liberal patronage which they have since the first issue, and its circulation is large and constantly increasing. The town is not numerous with secret socieites, but a Masonic lodge has a complete organization, with a hall finely furnished in the upper story of the building built by Joseph and Dominick Kout. There is what is called the Ocheyedan Lodge, I.O.G.T., of which C.M. Higley is C.T., and Mary McCallum, secretary. This society meets each week. The first postmaster in Ocheyedan was D.H. Boyd, who was succeeded by A.V. Randall and he by E.N. Moore, the present postmaster.
The town of Ocheyedan is in nearly the center of the eastern part of Osceola County, and hence as a trading point is favorably located. It has a fine farming country around and tributary to it, and its future is exceedingly promising. Everything is peaceable in the town, at the same time full of business activity. Ocheyedan socially is a model town.
Its present most prominent business interests and citizens are as follows:
Elevators--A.W. Harris & Co. (manager, John Harris); A. E. Brown (manager, A.D. Moreland.)The interests of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern in its track repairs are represented by John Wallace and P. Cramer.
Eustace Manville is also in business here, and the creamery is under the management of Peter Jensen. A.V. Randall has a crockery store and Mr. A. Arend has a shoe store. The Zeug Brothers have a building as a workshop and in which is a public hall. Daniel Weaver, though living in the country, is the Ocheyedan jeweler.
The prospect is that Ocheyedan will continue to have a substantial growth and will be a town of some importance.
SIBLEY
The Sibley townsite is situated on Section 13, in East Holman Township. It was laid out by the land department of the Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad Company, in 1872, and subsequent additions have been made, which are Chase's addition and East Sibley addition-the first by R.J. Chase and the last by several different parties, among whom are Jacob Brooks, H.S. Brown, Mrs. C.I. Hill, Wilbern Brothers, G.W. Meader and others. The first building erected on what is now the townsite was by F.M. Robinson in the fall of 1871. The town was first named Cleghorn, and afterwards changed to Sibley, named after Gen. H.H. Sibley, of St. Paul. The Robinson building was on the shack order, and in which John L. Robinson, with his son, Frank, lived during the winter of 1871 and 1872; also, W.H. Rogers put up a store building and this, with the Robinson building, constituted the town of Sibley that first winter. In the spring of 1872 a fellow by the name of Ward had a small building near Roger's store, and in which he kept a saloon. These buildings, on the start, were on what is Tenth Street, the street where the old Pioneer Hotel building now stands, and this point, then, was expected to be the center of business, and was, until the fire hereafter mentioned, when the town formed another location north of that, and where the business part of the town now is. Just before the railroad reached the townsite, D.L. McCausland hauled lumber from Mountain Lake, Minnesota and put up a residence on the townsite, and this was the first residence building. After the road had been built into Sibley, in June 1872, J.T. Barclay obtained lumber out of the first brought in, and immediately put up a residence, which he still occupies with his family. After McCausland got his building up he used it for a boarding house, and J.F. Glover, John Hawxshurst, with many others, were his boarders. The house was two-story, and in the hurry of its erection stairs were neglected, so that cleats were nailed on the studding for steps to get up and down. All who have had experiences as pioneers know how its out-door life, its expectations, and all its ambitious surroudings, bring health to the cheek and puts one in the best of physical condition; and the result of it all, enormous appetite. McCausland's boarders became so ravenous, so anxious for their meals, and in such extroardinary quantities, that it kept Mc on the go to keep up with the demand. It is a wonder that it hadn't broke Mc up in business, for no doubt there were some who never missed a meal and who never paid a cent.
The town did not get fairly started until the summer of 1872, after the Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad, now the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha, reached the townsite, which was June 1, 1872. Soon as the roadbed was in shape for hauling, lumber came in, and the first sales made were by Levi Shell, who then established a lumberyard, and has continued in the business since, and is still here.
Quite a number of business houses and residences were erected during that year; also the courthouse and schoolhouse. The Sibley Hotel was also built that year, and in the Sibley Hotel barn, then just completed, was held the exercises on the Fourth day of July, which was the first celebration had on the townsite. L.S. Fawcett, of Sioux City, delivered the oration, and John H. Douglass was captain of the whangdoodles. This day is remembered by the old settlers as a very cold one, making an overcoat quite comfortable. Sibley, in 1872, had the usual air and appearance of Western towns in their first starting. These are generally characterized by a feeling of independence and a freedom to act unrestrained by the settled ways of society and of social and religious organizations. It took the balance of that year (1872) for the men to get squared around with buildings for business and residences for their families. In 1873 the substantial conditions of society prevailed in Sibley and the usual town societies came into existence. In March 1873 the town was out of coal owing to the snow blockade, and people burned what they could get hold of until the blockade was lifted. E.L. Kinney, who died March 2, 1875, was the first landlord at the Sibley Hotel, and he is remembered by old settlers not only as a first-class landlord, but also as one of the best of men.
The I.O.O.F. lodge was started in May 1873, and among its first officers were: W.W. Cramm, treasurer; J.T. Barclay, R.S.N.G., and J.H. Douglass, R.S.S.
In June of that year there was considerable rain, and the mud was so deep that lumber was rafted down the otter to build bridges at Doon.
Some of the business men at Sibley then who are still here are Brown & Chambers, Robert Richardson, P.A. Cajacob, D.L. McCausland, J.T. Barclay, J.F. Glover, W.C. Grant, H.L. Emmert, Levi Shell, S.H. Westcott, David Littlechild, S.S. Parker, C.M. Mandeville, George Carew, W.R. Lawrence, Augustus O'Neill, A.W. Mitchell, W.J. Miller, J.P. Hawxshurst.
In May 1873, David Little child purchased a photograph gallery, and in his announcement said to the ladies: "Come and secure the shadow ere the substance fades." This was in the days of Dave's youth and modesty, when he was content with the shadow, but since then, in his increasing years of bachelorhood, he has been looking for the substance.
David Littlechild was also in the livery business in 1872. This business required considerable driving, and Dave was more than once out in a blizzard when his life was in danger. In driving once from Spirit Lake to Sibley, a fearful snowstorm overtook him; the weather was extremely cold, and he was unable to tell exactly where he was or where he could find shelter. Fortunately he was near the house of D.H. Boyd, near Ocheyedan, and saw it in a lull of the storm, and remained there until the blizzard was over.
A.W. Mitchell established the first genuine furniture store. J.A. Cole was about the first druggist, and L. Garner about the first harness shop.
The substantial lawyers at that time were J.T. Barclay, Hugh Jordan, J.F. Glover and R.J. Chase. Mr. Barclay retired from the practice several years ago for other business interests. Hugh Jordan died in 1887, and R.J. Chase moved to Sioux City in November 1874, where he is still in practice. Mr. Chase purchased eighty acres on the north side of Sibley, and laid out an addition, which now is well settled with fine residences. The writer knew Hugh Jordan well, and was interested with him in several litigated cases. He was a good lawyer, a prince of good fellows, a good citizen, indulgent to his family and kind to all. D.D. McCallum studied law with Mr. Jordan, and was admitted in 1878.
Wilbern Brothers were first in the agricultural implement business, and in the spring of 1873 retired from that and opened a grocery store.
In 1873 Robert Richardson had a meat market, and P.A. Cajacob also opened up on the same business in the spring. Mr. Richardson started in 1872.
July 4th of that year, 18873, the people of Sibley had a celebration, which was largely attended. C.I. Hill was president of the day; L.G. Ireland, marshal. Mr. Jordan read the Declaration, and J.F. Glover delivered the oration. Porter P. Peck and C.I. Hill were on the finance committee, and having realized quite an amount on paper, they expended considerable of their own money, and at last had to foot many of the bills. They came out in an article in the paper afterwards and roasted the delinquents severely. They forgot the old admonition that the time to take up a subscription is when the coffin is being lowered into the grave, as waiting after the funeral is over is a dangerous chancing of contribution.
Mr. Peck came to Sibley in 1872 and was for a while in business there under the firm name of Wetherell, Peck & Co. He is now a capitalist in Sioux Falls, and is mayor of the city.
In July 1873 a severe windstorm swept over Sibley scattering lumber, blowing down a few barns, and carrying away the store signs.
Charles Armbright was Sibley's first barber, and he was also at that time leader of the Sibley band.
A military company, called the Osceola County Guards, was organized in 1873, with Robert Stamm orderly.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated December 18, 1874. The services were conducted by Rev. R.H. Webb, assisted by Rev. John Webb. There was an indebtedness of $400, and this was raised at the dedication. The Congregational Church was dedicated November 25, 1874, the services conducted by W.L.Colman.
July 4, 1874 was also celebrated. The president of the day was C.I. Hill, H. Jordan delivered the oration, J.F. Glover read the Declaration, and C.M. Bailey was marshal.
On the 7th day of November 1873 Sibley was visited by fire. It started in the rear of Barber & Lawrence's drug store, and the cause of it was either from a stove in the back part of the building or by an incendiary. The losses, as then estimated, were: Barber & Lawrence, $900; A.H. Clark, groceries, $600; H.C. Kellogg, store, $1,200; Kelley & Walrath, dry goods, $1,244; J.A. Cole, drugs, $2,000; Wilbern Bros., stock, $1,100. This fire was a hard blow on Sibley then, but most of the losers soon rebuilt and were soon in business again.
C.L. Davidson, one of the prominent men of the Northwest, who was an early settler in Sibley, now resides in Sioux County. W.L. Parker established himself in the drug business at Sibley in 1874. D.L.Riley, now at Iowa Falls, put in a grain warehouse in 1872; also a lumberyard with W.C. Grant. D.M. Shuck was also in the lumber business.
Sibley was incorporated as a town in the spring of 1876. Its
first officers were:
Mayor .............................................................D.L. Riley
Trustees .........................................................C.L. Norton,
........................................................................C.E. Brown,
........................................................................D. Cramer,
........................................................................H.S. Brown,
........................................................................H.L. Emmert
Recorder.........................................................George S. Murphy
The first banking house was started by H.L. Emmert and C.I. Hill in 1873. Mr. Hill retired in 1874.
C.I. Hill was one of the early settlers in Sibley, and died a few years ago. He was a man of sterling integrity, of much public spirit, and he was a man much missed by the people of Sibley when he died. His widow still resides here.
Rev. W.W. Mallory, a Methodist preacher, here in the seventies, was a man of strong, vigorous expression, yet of sincere convictions and an upright life.
On the 21st day of December 1878, John L. Robinson celebrated his golden wedding. Mr. Robinson and his wife are still living at Sibley.
Dr. J.M. Jenkins was Sibley's first physician, in 1871, though Dr. Gurney, holding down a claim near here, was also in practice. Dr. Churchill was also here in 1871, and Dr. Mellin in 1872.
The Sibley Gazette was started in July 1872, B. L.A. Barker. In May 1873 he sold to Riley & Brown, who a few months after sold to E.H. Craig and John F. Glover. Mr. John Hawxshurst then succeeded Mr. Craig, and with Mr. Glover published the paper. Mr. Glover then retired, and Mr. Hawxshurst was the sole proprietor. It was then Edwards & Reed, then Reed & Glover, then Glover, then Glover & Hawxshurst, then George Carew. Afterwards it was Perkins & Foster; then the paper returned to Mr. Carew again, who retained its ownership until in 1891, when the paper was sold to Ward & Co., who in turn sold to the Gazette Publishing Co., who are its present proprietors, under the management of J.A. Flower. It is the first paper published in the county, and is Republican in politics.
In 1878 Sibley had seventy scholars in its school-forty-four in the higher department and sixteen in the primary.
The Sibley Tribune was started by Charles E. Crossly; then Dennis bought in, and in 1884 W.P. Webster bought Crossly out. In November 1890 G.L. Caswell purchased Dennis' interest, so that the present proprietors and publishers are W.P. Webster and C.L. Caswell, under the firm name of Webster & Caswell. It is a six column quarto, and is a Democratic paper, but not extremely partisan.
There is also published the Sibley Saber, representing the order of Sons of Veterans. A.W. McCallum is editor-in-chief, and George A. Romey, general manager.
The history of Sibley would be incomplete without a mention of Hon. Stephen Miller, ex-governor of Minnesota and who was, when Sibley started, representing the land department of the Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad Company, and had personal control of the townsites along the line of that road in northwest Iowa. He was an intellectual, honest, noble man. His occasional visits to the different towns always found the old settlers ready to greet him warmly, and he was highly respected by all, and died in 1880. He is buried at Worthington, Minnesota. It would also be incomplete without a mention of Gen. J.W. Bishop, who was then manager of the above named railroad and for whom any fulsome praise is unnecessary, as his standing, his character, and his business integrity are too well known and too well remembered by all of us of the early days. The businessmen of Sibley, early in the seventies, had a hard time of it, as well as did the homesteaders. The settlers were poor, generally so by reason of being poor when they came, and then by grasshoppers suffered a failure of crops afterwards. It was hard to refuse them credit altogether, and a great many were carried along on book account, expecting each year to realize a harvest.
Those of the settlers who staid here were, after a while, able to meet their obligations, while others got out of the country in the darkness of night, driven to desperation in their condition of poverty and debt, and of course the business men of Sibley in all such cases were losers. Others went away in broad daylight, after informing their creditors of their inability to pay, and making promises for the future. Many of these, as the years went by and the debt became ancient, were after a while indifferent, and, even with the best of intentions originally, never paid. The merchants, of course, were the losers.
Sibley in its present condition is a town of about fifteen hundred inhabitants. It is the abode of considerable wealth, is a very fine business point, and of high social character. It has the best of educational facilities, is a peaceable town, has very fine residences and commanding brick business houses.
Of its banks, are the First National, capital $50,000; C. E. Brown, president; H.L. Emmert, cashier; directors, L.Shell, R.S. Hall, N. Boor, C.E. Brown, H.L. Emmert.
There is also the Northwestern State Bank. It has a capital of $75,000, and its last quarterly statement shows cash deposits amounting to $264,695.62. J.W. Orde is president, E. Baker, vice-president, L. Dawn, cashier.
IOWA LAND COMPANY (LIMITED).
This company was organized early in the eighties, principally by the Close Bros., who several years ago left the county and ceased to operate in Northwest Iowa. Its business here is now managed by C.W. Benson and Ker. D. Dunlop, both of whom are men of the highest business integrity and gentlemen in every sense of the word. This company, without question, has advanced the business interests of the town and the settlement of the county. They have opened up farms, brought settlers in, and given opportunities to men without means to work and raise crops and become landowners themselves. During their business career here they have foreclosed only one mortgage, and this was for the purpose of settling title, in which the mortgagee himself had an interest. They have erected substantial brick buildings in the town, and their investments here have been a benefit to all as well as profitable to themselves. They control a large number of acres of land, both improved and unimproved. John H. Douglas is connected with this land company in certain departments of its business.
J. T. Barclay. This gentleman, formerly a lawyer, now is principally engaged in real estate. He issues each month a land journal, and in his August number say: "The town is well supplied with business houses, newspapers, flouring mills and elevators, and is now eager to secure manufactories of all kinds. Such a growing town, in the midst of an elegant farming country, is bound to make land and farms near it very valuable in a short time." Mr. Barclay handles land principally with his own capital, buys and sells, and his continued operations through grasshopper times, and up to the present, have helped largely the settlement of the county. We quote somewhat from his land journal as to other business interests in Sibley.
M. M. TRAINER is Sibley's efficient and popular dentist. Mr. Trainer thoroughly understands his business, and is among the most prominent dentists in the Northwest.
T. H. DRAVIS, the "Square-Dealing Clothier," has one of the finest stocks of exclusive clothing and gent's furnishing goods to be found in the West.
WILLIAM COTTRILL is one of Sibley's most extensive harness dealers.
J. W. KAYE is an efficient and accurate abstractor, and whose office is with Lawyer O. J. Clark.
C. A. SANDERS is the popular caterer in the City Bakery and Restaurant, on the south side of Ninth Street.
LEONARD & CARMICHAEL, dealers in lumber, wood and coal, are one of the largest firms in this line in the Northwest.
D. L. M'CAUSLAND is in the insurance and loan business, and, as will be noticed elsewhere, is one of the first settlers and was first County Recorder.
JOE GATES, the boot and shoe man, is located just west of the post office.
G. F. BRAND conducts what he calls the "Palace Grocery" in the Lansing & Brown building.
JOHN DE BOOS is proprietor of the Third Avenue hardware store.
HEIM, the PHOTOIST has the only photograph gallery in Sibley.
J. C. BRICKNER is a popular grocer, and does a good trade. His picture will be found on another page.
WILLIAM RIDDLEBARGER is proprietor of the Bargain Store.
MRS. KNIGHT conducts a fashionable millinery store through her assistant here, Mrs. Evans.
J. B. CAJACOB conducts the harness shop on the west end of Ninth Street.
A. BUCKMAN & SON are proprietors of a grocery store on Third Avenue.
V. B. GUTHRIE has a very fine barbershop under the Northwestern State Bank. He is assisted by M.L. Workheiser.
ARMIN & SHELL have an extensive lumber yard. Mr. Shell was on the ground, as elsewhere stated, in 1872.
J. WEBBER is proprietor of Central meat market.
LAMME & M'KENNA These young men are successors of Grant & Milner. They handle agricultural implements.
CIGAR FACTORY This has just been started by Nic Koerting, of Le Mars.
WM. SMITH is proprietor of a new restaurant and boarding house on Ninth Street.
NIC KIMLANGER is Sibley's merchant tailor.
J. BROOKS, who is one of the early settlers, has a flour and feed store.
A. ROMEY has a general store next door to the Osceola House. Mr. Romey is an old settler in the county, as our readers have already noticed.
W. R. LAWRENCE operates a drug store and grocery on the north side of Ninth Street. He is an old resident of Sibley and Osceola County.
ROBERT RICHARDSON has a butcher shop, and we notice in the 1873 Sibley paper that the same Robert had a butcher shop then.
W. L. PARKER has a drug store, and erected the building he occupies, a picture of which is in this book, in 1891. Mr. Parker is one of the early settlers.
WALTON BROTHERS have a very extensive furniture store in the Academy of Music block. These are E. Walton and H.E. Walton.
THE SIBLEY HOTEL Sibley hotels are fully up to the demands of the town. The Sibley Hotel, conducted by H.L. Leland, is located near the Omaha depot.
THE OSCEOLA HOUSE is located on the north side of Ninth Street, in the business center of the town. It is conducted by John Hickok, and managed by Hickok Brothers.
J. B. LENT is dealing entirely in farming machinery of all kinds.
ECKERMAN BROTHERS This firm are successors to Davidson & Eckerman in the implement business.
J. B. GREY has in full operation one of the best creameries in the State. The output of his institution the past year ranks among the highest of any in the Northwest.
PEAVEY & CO. One of this company's elevators is located at Sibley. J.T. Grow is their manager at this place.
B. MILLER a city drayman and transfer man.
H. E. PERRY, mail and express transfer man, and general delivery.
F. E. CRAM a bridge builder and house mover. Also agent for the Austin steel reversible road machines and well drills.
J. L. DURFEE delivers milk at Sibley houses every day.
MRS. KENNY conducts classes in instrumental music in Sibley.
MRS. WILDER has a large class in vocal and instrumental music.
MISS GRACE CAMPBELL conducts classes in instrumental music in Sibley, Ashton and Bigelow, Minnesota.
E. F. BEAUMONT is Sibley's artistic wielder of the brush, and a professional paperhanger.
SIBLEY MARBLE WORKS. M. J. North looks after the monument business.
TOBEY BROS. are dealers in agricultural implements and farm supplies.
L. D. BARNES conducts a tin shop and deals in small hardware in the building next to Webber's meat market.
B. A. WILDER, physician and surgeon, has had forty-two years' experience in homeopathic methods.
H. NEILL, is Sibley's oldest physician and surgeon.
MRS. HAHN-MILLINERY. She keeps hats, bonnets, hoods, ribbons, tips, bridal wreaths, China silks, etc.
F. A. HOWARD is an extensive dealer in all kinds of school furniture.
LAWYERS. The lawyers of Sibley are C. M. Brooks, D.D. McCullum, O. J. Clark, G.W. Lister and John F. Glover. Mr. Glover is the oldest in point of residence, and Mr. McCullum also does an extensive pension business. Mr. Lister is County Attorney. Mr. Clark has been in Sibley about ten years. Mr. McCullum served a term as Circuit Judge in that judicial district, and is mentioned elsewhere as an old resident. The bar is well represented and Sibley'' lawyers are efficient and able practitioners.
LONG & SCHLEGEL are land, loan and insurance agents, south side of Ninth Street.
JOHN A. FLOWER is county surveyor and also manager of the Sibley Gazette.
LEISCH & BRODT: A. Leisch and C. H. Brodt are the oldest draymen in the city.
A. W. MITCHELL is a milk dealer. Mr. Mitchell is spoken of elsewhere as one of the early settlers.
G. W. MEADER has an extensive hardware store, and elsewhere in this book is a picture of his building.
LIVERY STABLES. These are represented by Littlechild Bros. and Joe Gill.
W. H. STEWART Mr. Stewart is veterinary surgeon.
C. W. LOWRY, proprietor of the Sibley Steam Laundry.
D. F. CAUGHEY, is proprietor of City Laundry.
CLINT HUDSON is handling the Dustless grain and grass seed cleaner and separator.
HENRY NEWELL is the efficient young manager of the business of the Chicago, St. Paul, Milwaukee & Omaha Railway at this station.
GEO. W. BAXTER is the good natured gentleman who attends to the wants of the patrons of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway. He is assisted by C. A. Thompson.
Sibley is having something of a boom in fine residences this year. A. W. Harris, grain dealer, has erected a large house of modern architecture. A. Shipley, a retired farmer, has the foundation in for a large and commodious dwelling in which he proposes to take life easy for the remainder of his days. Geo. Carew, the veteran newspaper man, is comfortably situated in a large, well built residence. Mrs. C. I. Hill has a fine residence just completed, which is an ornament to the city. There are several smaller residences which have been constructed this spring.
Among its other business men are:
W. B. STEVENS A picture of this gentleman and his residence will be found elsewhere in this book. He has an extensive drug store; also a line of jewelry and hardware.
SIBLEY ROLLER MILLS. Sibley boasts of the best and most complete roller flouring mills in the State, with a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day. It is rushed with business every hour. Its makes of flour are considered equal to those of any mills in the country, and their field of trade extends to England. J. W. Orde and G. B. Gurney appear as its proprietors, with Charles Himes miller, and Guy P. Elliott as an interested party, and also M. A. Harbord.
BLOTCKY BROTHERS have dry goods, clothing, groceries, etc.
HINLKEY & TAYLOR have a general store. Mr. Taylor is manager, and his picture is elsewhere in this book.
E. F. ROBINSON is the proprietor of the Postoffice book and news store.
BROWN & CHAMBERS. This firm has been spoken of elsewhere as on the ground at an early day. I 1890 they erected a brick building at a cost of $15,000, a picture of which is on another page. They carry a stock of general merchandise.
IRA BRUNSON is engaged in the general land business.
WILLIAM PROPER, one of the pioneers, is a resident of Sibley.
DANIEL MAHONEY is a resident, and is road-master on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad.
JACK HANNA, one of the old residents, is now in the land business.
JOHN SCHESTAG is boot and shoemaker and repairer.
GUS O'NEIL, paper hanger and painter, kalsominer and plasterer.
Other of Sibley's business and professional men are as follows:
SCHOOLS.
Sibley has an elegant High School building with eight rooms. The teachers are all the best that can be had, which makes the schools very thorough. A large number of scholars from other places attend here.
CHURCHES.
Sibley has six church societies and five fine buildings. The Catholic, Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, Episcopal and German Evangelical. All support good ministers and hare a large attendance.
CIVIC SOCIETIES.
Sibley has numerous fraternal orders and all in a prosperous, healthy condition. They consist of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Grand Army of the Republic, Sons of Veterans, Modern Woodmen, Order of the Eastern Star, Daughters of Rebecca, W.R.C., L.A.S., W.C.T.U., I.O.G.T. The Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, G.A.R., and Good Templars all have halls of their own.
E. J. FAIRBROTHER is a pioneer, and is an active, intelligent gentleman, eighty-one years of age.
S. A. COLBURN is selling sewing machines.
F. C. ALMONT AND A. SCHMITS have established wagon and carriage works, with paint shop attachment.
GEORGE T. VOORHEES AND H. C. WEBB are engaged extensively in the land business. The pictures of both of these gentlemen are in the book.
W. J. MILLER is in the land and loan business. He is one of the early settlers.
JOHN P. HAWXSHURST is doing abstracting and real estate work. Mr. Hawxshurst figures in the early history of the county.
H. E. THAYER came to Sibley in 1892 from O'Brien County. He is engaged in the real estate business with J. T. Barclay.
DR. CRAWHALL is established over Brown & Chambers' store.
The Sibley municipal officers are as follows:
Mayor..............................................J. F. Glover.
Recorder........................................W. P. Webster.
Treasurer........................................J. Fred Mattert.
Marshal...........................................John Morrow.
Councilmen-....................................G. O. Learned,
........................................................E. Walton,
........................................................C. E. Brown,
........................................................A. Romey,
........................................................J. T.
Barclay,
........................................................John De Boos.
Street Commissioner.......................R. L. Norris.
Assessor.........................................John Townsend.
Sibley has two railroads, the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha, which crosses the townsite north and south, and the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern, which crosses east and west.
A picture of J. C. Trainer appears elsewhere in the book.
This gentleman was for several years principal of the public schools in Sibley, and left an impression of thorough scholarship and the best of school training upon all who came under his instruction or in contact with him. He died a few years ago, and his death caused a feeling of sadness in the entire community.
WILBERN BROTHERS. These gentlemen are engaged extensively in business, principally in real estate. They will be remembered from reading elsewhere as early settlers in the town.
So far as the writer can gather from investigation and inquiry, the foregoing comprise the business interests of Sibley. If any have been omitted it is unintentional.
The churches in Sibley are the following:
CONGREGATIONAL.
Services every Sunday morning at 10:30 and evening at 8 o'clock. Sabbath school immediately after the morning services. Prayer meeting on Thursday evening. Rev. P. B. West, pastor.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
Services every Sunday morning and evening. Sabbath school at 2:30
o'clock in the afternoon. Prayer meeting every Thursday evening.
Rev. C. Artman, pastor.
BAPTIST.
Services every Sunday morning and evening in the church. Sabbath school from 12 to 1 o'clock p.m. Prayer meeting every Thursday evening. Rev. R. Bradshaw, pastor.
ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Located on the corner of Eighth Street and Sixth Avenue. Services each Sunday. J. W. Orde officiating as minister.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH OF SIBLEY.
Services each alternate Sunday. Father Dollard, pastor.
Sibley is having a gradual growth. Some new building seems to be in process of erection all the time, and electric lights and water works will soon be the order of the day.