RINGGOLD ROOTS SALUTES ELLSTON, FORMERLY WIRT

LORD, DAVIS, GOODELL, COCHRAN, LEFEVER, HUGHEY, NEWTON, CONE, NEWMAN, HOUSE, PORTER, CAMPBELL, WALLER, BAKER, ABRAMS, THRALL, WORTH, BROTHERS, MAXWELL, JOHNSON, WALLER, STANLEY, BRUCE, BUCK, SCOTT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/22/2010 at 02:13:21

Ringgold Roots
Ringgold County Genealogical Society
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
April, 1981, Vol. II, Pp. 11-12

RINGGOLD ROOTS SALUTES ELLSTON, FORMERLY WIRT

Ellston was formerly knows as Wirt, but the name was changed to Ellston in 1895 because it was on the same railroad line as Van Wert [Decatur County] and was a little confusing to everyone. The town was named for a Mr. ELLSTON who worked for the Railroad. The town grew up fast then. In the early 1900's, Ellston was the first town to have a public library, Hotel Livery Stable, and a Bank that was started in 1900 by Mr. LORD. The blank closed in 1929. Rural mail delivery was started in the early 1900's.

The first settlers were there by 1855 and in the early 1920's they got electricity.

Ellston is near the center of the most interesting historical area in this part of the state. It's set squarely on the ancient buffalo and emmigrant trail, The Dragoon Trace. It's also 15 miles south of the famous Mormon Trail.

When the Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad came through the dounty, Dr. John DAVIS and Abner GOODELL desired a station. The railroad company at first refused, but yielded when Dr. DAVIS gave the company the right of way for about two miles. They agreed to give a switch for this. In March 1882, Dr. DAVIS, at Dayton, ohio, sold his intersets to the company, and Mr. GOODELL soon after did the same, on the condition that the embryo village be given as full facilities as the other stations. GOODELL and DAVIS had platted twenty-eight acres north of the track. In 1884, a fe lots were surveyed south of the track. Mr. GOODELL acts as the agent for the town company.

Before the survey of the village, even, COCHRAN and LeFEVER built a store and began the sale of general merchandise. They were in business from July of 1881 to January of 1882, then they failed. HUGHEY & Son bought the store. The second mercantile establishment was opened by David NEWTON & Son from Hopeville [Clarke County, Iowa].

The nearest postoffice was Union Hill, three miles northeast where William CONE was postmaster. The postoffice was moved to Wirt, and the name of the latter adopted; and F. E. NEWMAN appointed postmaster. The present [1887] incumbent, Mrs. Wistoria HOUSE, succeeded him in January of 1885.

A fine two-story frame school house was finished in January, 1886, at a cost of about $2,000. School is taught for nine months, and two teachers are employed. These are, for 1886-87, F. R. PORTER and Louis CAMPBELL. The enrollment of the school is about sixty. The present school board is composed of W. H. WALLER, President; J. M. HUGHEY and James BAKER is Secretary, and Abner GOODELL, Treasurer.

The WASP was a paper published by a man named Noah, for about six months. he sold it to John ABRAMS, who changed the name to the News. The last proprietor was John THRALL, who ceased publication in 1884.

The Evangelical church of this place was organized some ten years ago, and met in various chool houses. In 1883 they built a good while frame house of worship at Wirt, at a cost of $1,600. Rev. WORTH preaches every Sunday. Frank NEWMAN is superintendent of the Sunday school.

Banner Lodge, No. 437, A.F.&A.M., was organized at Grand River in 1882, and moved to Wirt in July, 1886. The present officers are: H. B. BROTHERS, Worshipful Master; J. P. MAXWELL, Senor Warden; J. W. JOHNSON, Junior Warden; Henry WALLER, Secretary, Henry STANLEY, Treasurer. The lodge meets on Friday evening on or before each full moon.

A lodge of the Anti-Horse Thief Association meets montly, alternately at Wirt and at the Ozier school house.

Following are the business firms of 1886:

HUGHEY & Son, general store & creamery
A. M. BRUCE, mgr. creamery
M. BUCK & Son, hardware
F. E. NEWMAN, grocery & notions
Oliver SCOTT, general store
W. H. WALLER, grocery & meat
Andrew J. HESS, Ohio House hotel
F. F. HOUKE, blacksmith
W. L. EMBREE, lumber
C. F. CONE, blacksmith
Andrew J. HESS, livery stable
C. A. JACKSON, station agent
William HOUSE, barber
Mrs. Wistoria HOUSE, Postmistress

Ellston is holding their Centennial celebration on July 4th [1981].

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010