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         The Tipton Railroad Company was organized by Tipton people in 1858. The object was to construct a railroad from Tipton north to the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska, or, as it is now called, the Chicago & North Western Railway. The . . .

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. . . articles of incorporation were dated August 10, 1858, and filed for record August 12, 1858. The capital stock was $200,000, divided into shares of $50. William H. Tuthill was the first President of the company, and Joseph K. Snyder, Secretary. Work was commenced in the Fall of 1858, as the “stubs” of the old order book show that in December of that year sundry orders were drawn by the Secretary on the Treasurer, for labor, etc. The grading to the Northwestern was partially completed during the year 1859, and then rested in abeyance until 1867, when it was fully completed. Some time after this company was organized, the Muscatine people organized a company to construct a railroad from Wilton to Tipton, which was to be known as the Muscatine branch of the Tipton Railroad, and work was commenced thereon. At nearly the same time the Anamosa people organized a company to extend the road commenced by Tipton from the North-Western Railway to Anamosa. In 1865, these three companies were consolidated under the name of the Muscatine, Tipton & Anamosa Railroad Company, with a capital stock of $1,500,000, divided into shares of $100 each. The articles of incorporation are dated November 12, 1865, and were filed for record in the office of the Recorder of Cedar County November 28, 1865. After this consolidation the Muscatine company changed their starting point from Wilton to Muscatine, and in 1867, almost the entire route from Muscatine to the North-Western Railway was graded and made in readiness for the ties and iron. In 1872, the people of Tipton interests, determined to have a railroad, made an arrangement with the management of the North-Western Railway Company by which that company undertook to complete and operate a road between Stanwood and Tipton. The parties having control of the old graded line, agreed to give the grade to the North-Western Company, and the Tipton people agreed to give the necessary depot grounds in Tipton, and also guaranteed the right of way to Stanwood. In establishing their grade, however, the new management discarded the old grade from Gordon Dallas’ place north to Stanwood, leaving the old grade to the west. As soon as the preliminary arrangements were settled to the satisfaction of both parties, work was commenced and vigorously prosecuted to completion. The first train of cars arrived at Tipton on Thanksgiving day, 1872, since when the road has been continuously and successfully operated. The business of the company is locally represented by J. M. Gray as ticket and freight agent. This first conductor was Alonzo Weeks; the present conductor is Al. Bangs.

         The right of way not having all been secured, the amount found necessary to complete the same according to agreement, being $779, was voluntarily subscribed and paid by a few citizens of Tipton—to the following persons: J. H. Starr, $214; D. K. Deardorf, $100; A. Morton, and costs, $350; George Schmucker, $40; Joseph Little, $15; Gordon Dallas, $60.