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O. J. Niles entered the land on which Coon Rapids now stands
in Union Township, in 1855. Mr. Niles was from Western Michigan,
and probably of Yankee birth. He was a peculiar character in
many respects, and was considered an oracle of wisdom by the
first settlers. He was elected a justice of the peace, and
frequently acted as agent for the settlers in purchasing
household supplies at Des Moines. He lived in a 16x36 log house,
the site of Mr. Shute's present residence. It is related that a
man named Tuttle, of Tuttle Grove, felt a grievance over a horse
trade he had made with Samuel Wilson, and stated the details of
the transaction to Squire Niles. The squire listened patiently,
and at the close advised Mr. Tuttle that the law in the case was
so complicated that he couldn't obtain justice! Some suspicious
persons, always inquiring as to the relations of cause to
affect, remarked that Wilson was a splendid shot, and Niles was
very fond of venison.
The old town of Coon Rapids never had to succeed fifteen houses.
The census of 1880 credits the place with fifty-four
inhabitants. When, in 1881 the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul
Railroad was laid through the southern part of Carroll county
and passed near Coon Rapids, a new town was laid out by the
Western Town Lot Company about one-fourth of a mile west of the
primitive village and houses went up as if by magic. So many
were building that it is impossible to say who was first. The
most of the growth occurred in 1882 and '83. The census of 1885
gives Coon Rapids 729 inhabitants. The town has excellent
prospects for further growth and always does a good business
with the surrounding country. The population in '98 is about
1200.
The destructive visitation of the cyclone of April 14, 1886 will
never be forgotten by the present inhabitants of Coon Rapids as
it did immense damage to the down destroying every thing in its
path.
The first graded school building was put up in 1883. It was a
good two story frame containing four rooms; was on the hill
north of the main part of town and cost $3,400. The cyclone of
April 14 1886 destroyed this and the same year the present
building was erected. It was complete in November at the cost of
$4,000. It is a two story frame painted stone color and contains
five rooms.
The religious denominations represented here are as follows:
Methodist Episcopal-Organized by Rev. Merson in 1876 with a
small membership. The church is a building 34x55 feet in size.
The First Presbyterian church was organized on May 14, 1883 by
Rev. T. S. Bailey, Synodical Missionary for the Synod of Iowa
and is a large commodious building.
The Christian Church of this place was organized first nearly
twenty years ago. A preacher lives here and holds services every
month. In 1882 the church was reorganized by Rev. J. W. W.
Waugh.
The Catholics have a frame church in the northwest part of the
town built two years ago. Father Schulte of Templeton holds
services here every month. The membership is largely in the
country.
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