SECTION VI.
INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS
submitted by Linda Stoddard, February 2, 2011, pages 236-266

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In the past Cedar County, in average assessed valuation per acre, has been surpassed only by Scott and Polk Counties and both these counties have large cities. This may be due to several causes, the length of time that it has been settled, the skill of its citizens in making use of the soil, the desirability of the place as a residence and another of vital importance is the influx of the German population in the eastern half of the county and the gradually extending of the ownership of the land by these foreign-born citizens who are ready to pay for the land all the owner asks, even beyond his expectations. When once he buys this land he does not sell it, but pays for it, keeps it in a high state of cultivation and buys more if he can.

There are natural reasons for the fertility of the soil due to its formation that are of interest to the scientist and to the one who commences the study of scientific agriculture. These cannot be mentioned here, but there is a section of the county that is pronounced especially rich or especially poor that the man of keen insight knows and understands either through long acquaintance or because he has been taught the characteristics of good land. The good ridge extending through the county from the southeast to the northwest is fast passing from the hands of the original settler to the ambitious German who has made his way from the river through the county of Scott across the line far into Cedar and now crowds the western line in places. How much he has added to the farm value it is difficult to tell and probably no method of averages could be devised to show in just what way this has occurred, yet the fact is patent and cannot be disputed.

Machinery has made possible the economic management of the large farm and cut the smaller producer out of certain large undertakings since the added expense of this equipment could not be borne with equal return on the investment. The stock men of the county have added much to the continued value and its increase through the restoration of the worn land and the great corn product of the county tells more eloquently than anything else can of the natural advantages of this favored region. Streams are abundant enough to furnish the water supply for the pasture in many parts of the county and are taken into consideration when farm values are discussed. The use of them for other purposes of water power has had its day until the increased demand makes the construction of power plants profitable. The local timber supply is fast passing, yet some is now going to waste. For purposes of fuel it is no longer economical unless a tract of timber is owned by the consumer and is carefully managed to secure a future growth.

In an agricultural state the first industry as well as the last must be the raising of crops to feed the herds of stock that make the farmer the master of the situation in the event of tracing the source of prosperity. When he fails all else fails with him. Hence in a history of industrial and monetary affairs in a county like Cedar, one must first of all sound the farmer's standing if he would arrive , at any certain conclusion.

The statement accompanying the banks of the county shows that the officers of many of those banks, the stockholders, the men who carry the deposits are in a large number of cases the farmer who has made the financial institutions possible.

Long ago the grain raised on these prairies was sent to market by the train load and the harvest time was one of great stress for men to reap the crop and make it safe. This continued for many years until the era of corn raising. Since that time the fine stock of the county has never failed to pass the test of the expert and as such reputation has grown the changes have been accounted for in the steady habits of good men to find out the best that could be procured and to bring it into the county at great expense but with the pride of having done something to make the county better and richer for those who came after.

HORSE BREEDING

The date of the introduction of the first horses for fine breeding purposes is fixed at about 1860. The Percheron breed brought from Illinois began to be popular at that time and many of the best farmers engaged in the raising of this draft animal. "McCroskey" is mentioned as one of the first of the good horses to be brought to the county, and from this the idea of the draft horse seems to have begun to take root in the minds of breeders. Later, James Gress of Clarence, imported a Clydesdale draft horse which made a very good impression on the men who were then coming into the possession of the stock of the future. It was about this time that J. G. Truman of Bushnell, Ill., brought the Shire horse to this part of the state and one of the first to buy from him was the late W. C. Bryant of Marion, Linn County. The Elgin breed came some time soon after the ones just referred to and the carriage horses were introduced about the period of the latter part of the Civil war.

Attention has been called to the introduction of the Kentucky horse, in the war period, by Col. Bradshaw whose home was in that state. He was the first man to introduce the breeding of fine horses for trotting purposes exclusively. Dorsey and Harbiston engaged in this line of horses among the first in the county and Alex. Spear kept a dozen or more of this breed.

Draft horses are a popular kind since the demand for them seems always to be of stable nature. The Spears have been and are at the present heavy breeders of the Shire horse. Alex. Spear has owned some famous prize winners. "Eldorado the Second" was a prize winner in England and three days after being imported was the champion in the Chicago show. John Willer at his stock farm south of town is a producer of this class also. "Joliet Wolfe" is one of the well-known horses in this part of the county. These men are not only interested in the production of fine animals but prepare for the market as well. In Linn township Alexander Moffit has one of the largest of the many stocks in the territory famous for its good horses. His reputation for fine specimens has long been established. Wendell Willer's Percheron stock is pronounced fine enough for any purpose.

On the neighboring farm, known long as "Border Lawn," W. W. Aldrich used to grow the trotting and running horses of the county. He owned at one time "Ansel," a fine horse of this stock, a thoroughbred English racer. He also kept the Clyde horses for a time, but he continued to breed the trotting horses until the time of his death a few years ago.

As many as thirty years ago the French coach horse was introduced into the vicinity by Mr. W. C. Bryant, of Marion. Among the famous imported ones of that day were "Escobas," champion at the great horse show on the lake front in Chicago, owned by Alex. Spear, and he is still engaged in breeding this stock. Three or four others were of equal prominence later in the horse history. One or two that sound like French noble names and others a little Spanish, "Elossant," "Romos," "Dedios," "Elebas." The last one was kept by Mr. Spear for six years and was then sold and taken to Scotland, Penn., in the Cumberland Valley. The other suggestive names that show the origin of the thoroughbred mare now in possession or once in possession of the best breeders are those of "Bellone," "Malone," "Cologne." So much for the horses with big names. There are many who have fine stocks that cannot be described for want of data, yet the Hemmingways of Springdale township are known for the best of draft animals, Marion Gray and Sons are also mentioned as good producers. Brennan Bros. were the breeders of the Belgian horse in Gower township, and in the same vicinity the Shire horse is found on the farm of Dwyer Bros. In connection with the latter breed one must not forget to speak of the Shires of Samuel McAfee.

Percherons are grown for the best stock by Julius Popp, and also the same breed by Wm. Leech. A. J. Glick of Dayton township and the Schieles of Farmington are among the large producers of good horses.

CATTLE BREEDING

Col. Bradshaw, who was mentioned as the man who first brought in the Kentucky horse, was the first man to introduce the Durham and Shorthorn cattle from the same source. He sold them to M. Bunker at the "Bunker Hill" stock farm, to W. W. Aldrich, Mr. McNeil of Clarence, Peter Wingert, Geo. King, the Spears, Alex. Yule and many other breeders of good cattle.

About thirty-five years ago, the first Aberdeen Angus cattle were brought to the county. John and Alex. Spear owned a large herd. The latter owned "Shamrock," the grand champion of the world in 1902. Other breeders of this variety are John Willer and James Spear.

The largest herd of Hereford cattle in the county belongs to Alexander Moffit of Linn township. His stock are thoroughbreds and he has kept in this line for many years. Gideon Bailey of Rochester has always taken great pride in good stock. The fine old house of the very early type of construction and the home-like old barn suggest a good old age for everything and what is grown is that of good ancestry.

Some marked herds of cattle have been shown at the county fair by their representatives as prize winners. Among these are the herds of Wm. Penningroth and Clarence McClellan. The latter is a breeder of the Shorthorn. Ed. Cosgriff of Clarence has the same stock.

Jersey stock was introduced from New York when Allen Elijah brought five cars of these cows from that state. They were the best of their kind that money could buy. Those who trace the Jersey supply will arrive at this source finally. In the records of the first agricultural societies there is mentioned the breed of hogs known as the "Magees." In one instance a writer refers to the time as suitable to find something better than these hogs for the increase of profit. It has been forty years since these swine were brought into the county for the supply of the breeder. They came from Ohio originally, and were sent for by Robert Spear. Since that time they have the name Poland applied to them as the grading improved. The Chester White is bred by Lon Fraseur and Son, Red hogs by the Spears and John Willer. The present large breeders of Poland Chinas include the names of Escher and Regennitter. There was a special variety of the kind supposed to produce good bacon, a kind of ranger, once raised by the Nebergall Bros. They had a pleasant name, "The Tamworth Red." James Spear has a large drove of the "Jersey Red," Spear and Son raise these also for stock and the market. John Willer is an extensive producer of this hog, his stock running into the hundreds.

Henry Hoyman is a well-known leader in the Percheron stock and in the buying and feeding of draft horses. J. W. Reeder has always supplied his farm with the best of stock in both horses and cattle. Probably the heaviest buyer in this section of the country, not only in the county but extending beyond its borders in many directions, is Mr. Dodson of Stanwood. The amount of the sales in that town and shipments from the station is far beyond the opinion of the public. Moffit Bros. of Red Oak are specialists in the fitting of fine teams and make this their chief business in this phase of farm work.

And finally we should not forget the old running horse of Caleb Jones, "Old Iowa," when he and his partner in the racing business thirty-five years ago staked their money on the races and made it interesting for the men who beat them.

LAND VALUES

Land values since 1880 have so risen that the time has come when comparisons can be made with difficulty. It sold then for an average of $35 per acre. The highest sale in this county to date is a quarter section at $225 per acre and the most recent sale when this is written at $215 per acre, a sale amounting in round numbers to close to $60,000. Some contrast to the sale referred to in the early history of Tipton, where the natives were astonished because a sale of $2,000 was made—all in cash. 180  

BANKING

Cedar County at the date of this work has seventeen banks in the ten towns of the county that support banks. Each one of those banks has a special history which can in some measure be drawn from its reports or statements, but which is not complete in that form. No one not familiar with the institutions can make its history, hence the major part of what is found in this chapter comes from the officials of these institutions or from their co-operation in securing the data used.

DURANT SAVINGS BANK

The Durant Savings Bank was organized in 1889, September the second, with a capital of thirty thousand dollars. Its growth has been quite remarkable and from a recent statement the capital is given as fifty thousand dollars, deposits as five hundred and sixty thousand, with surplus and undivided profits as fifty thousand. From a statement issued in 1909 the information that is desirable for all those patronizing banks is set forth in the following: The mortgage loans exceeded the large sum of three hundred and nineteen thousand dollars and this was secured by first mortgages on farm lands and some on town property not to exceed fifty per cent of its value. Collateral loans are defined as those secured by bonds, stocks and approved personal security, duly transferred to the banks as collateral on which the sum of seventy-seven thousand dollars was loaned. Bills receivable amounted to more than one and seventy-six thousand and these are the notes of solvent farmers and business men with one or more signatures.

The bank declares that it is against its rule to allow overdrafts, but in cases where they are secured they try to accommodate their patrons.

Their real estate holdings consist of the banking house and farm lands valued at sixteen thousand dollars. At the time of this report the cash available amounted to something above forty-six thousand. The total assets amounted then to the sum of six hundred and forty thousand dollars. The capital stock is owned by forty-five stockholders, and it is reported that this bank did at one time declare a dividend of fifty per cent. Its dividend now is regularly declared at six per cent semi-annually.

A National bank is considered sound if its surplus is twenty per cent of its capital stock. The surplus and profits of this bank amount to about one hundred per cent of its capital. Surplus is that portion set aside as a safeguard and comes from the net profits.

The deposits of the bank at the present time amount to about five hundred and sixty thousand dollars, belonging to over twelve hundred individuals, corporations and business firms.

It is a sound business principle that the public should know how the financial house with which it deals stands, and for this reason the officials of this bank have published in detail this report at certain specified times. The names of its officers and directors are the following: Wm. Wulf, President; Hy. Gruemmer, Vice President; F. C. Langfeldt, Cashier; J. H. Meyhaus, Assistant Cashier. The additional directors, Chas. Diehn, O. W. Schiele, F. W. Schiele, A. Bernick, Hy. Paulsen. Four of these are retired, three are farmers, and one is a physician. 181  

FARMERS’ AND MERCHANTS’ SAVINGS BANK, DURANT

In August, 1903, the Farmers' and Merchants' Savings Bank of Durant was organized with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. Theo. Sindt was the president; R. Tagge, vice president, and W. H. Crecilius, cashier. These still hold their respective offices. Deposits now in this bank amount to two hundred and forty thousand, surplus and undivided profits seven thousand five hundred. The bank has paid dividends since the second year of its organization. There is no aim beyond a conservative business. 182  

SAVINGS BANK OF LOWDEN

In 1899 a number of business men and farmers, assisted by D. H. Snoke of Durant and Wm. Bierkamp, Jr., cashier then of the Bennett bank, organized the Savings Bank of Lowden. It has a capital stock of twenty-five thousand and at the present time assets of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. The out-of-town parties have since sold their interests and it is now owned by the Lowden people. The present directors and officers are: Chas. Heiner, president; H. F. Kemmann, vice-president; H. O. Sander, second vice-president; Dr. H. A. Runkie, H. Hinrichs, Albert Petersen, H. Twachtman, A. H. Licht, and H. H. Petersen. The latter has been the cashier from the beginning of its organization. 183  

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF TIPTON

The First National Bank of Tipton succeeded the private bank of Charles Hammond. It began business as a National Bank June 9, 1883, under the management of Herbert Hammond and his associates. B. J. Rodgers, H. G. Coe, now of Clarence, W. W. Aldrich, for many years proprietor of the Border Lawn stock farm; Wm. H. Cobb, a merchant of Tipton; H. L. Dean, interested in many lines of business; W. T. Rigby, of Red Oak; and Hon. Alex. Moffit, a pioneer of Linn, constituted the first board of directors, with Herbert Hammond, the organizer. H. L. Dean became the president of the bank in 1888, serving in this position until 1891, when J. H. Coutts succeeded him. At the same time W. J. Moore was selected to succeed C. W. Hawley as cashier.

June 3, 1903, the charter of the bank expired. Immediately following the expiration of the First National Bank charter, or in the spring of the same year in order that it might succeed the first one, the 4th of April of 1903 the City National was organized. It was chartered May 1, 1903, commencing business June 3 of the same year. The incorporators were J. H. Coutts, Geo. E. Beatty, F. D. Wingert, Henry Britcher, and W. J. Moore, the officers being J. H. Coutts, president; W. W. Aldrich, vice-president; W. J. Moore, cashier. On January 4, 1904, the president was stricken without warning while away from his home, leaving his office vacant. In April the same year the vice-president, W. W. Aldrich, also died, and these two vacancies were filled by the election of W. J. Moore as president, who still retains this office; F. D. Wingert as vice-president, and Paul Heald as cashier. The first officers are as above at the present time, but Chas. Swartzlender has succeeded Paul Heald as cashier, with F. J. Beatty as assistant cashier. The bank to-day, according to statement for June 30, 1910, has a capital of $50,000, surplus and profits of $58,000, deposits of about $500,000, real estate and fixtures valued at $13,000. The directors in addition to the officers mentioned include W. B. Reeder, W. G. W. Geiger, Geo. E. Beatty, J. P. Matthews. 184  

The earliest banker to conduct any business in this county that may be considered in that connection was Judge W. H. Tuthill, whose life and that of the affairs of Tipton are pretty well linked together. In 1850 he began doing an exchange business, some collecting, and made loans where the party borrowing did not even need to give a note in exchange. On the old book at the Cedar County Bank there is no record of bills receivable. He kept an account in some form of the money lent and charged one per cent a month for its use, a very moderate rate if one examines the rate paid by Stephen Toney in the first instrument on record in the office of the County Recorder, where $262 are paid at the end of twelve months when the borrower got but $200 from Samuel P. Higginson.

For something like twenty years this method of banking was carried on by the proprietor of this first individual, who used no safe in his business, believing, like some of the present day, that you should not advertise the place of keeping your money.

CEDAR COUNTY BANK

However, in 1879, this was after the West Branch State Bank had been organized, the Judge headed a movement to incorporate a bank to be called the Cedar County Bank. On August 6 of that year the institution was ordered or constructed in the office of J. N. Neiman with the subscribers for stock as below: Wm. H. Tuthill, Moreau Carroll, Moses Bunker, H. W. Bailey, Wm. Gilmore, Perrien Dean, John W. Casad, Henry Sherwood, J. W. Reeder, Henry Walter, J. C. Reichert, Watson Huber, John N. Neiman, P. Wallace, J. H. Reichert, Samuel Yule, Wm. Coutts, C. G. Wright, John Ferguson, Longley and Peet, John S. Lichtenwalter, Alex. Spear, G. W. Geller, C. S. Neiman, Whan and Adams, H. W. Fields, Henry Fulwider, Chas. Kelley. The capital stock was to be fifty thousand dollars, which was not fully paid up until 1884. The affairs at first were to be managed by the president, vicepresident and nine directors. October 5, 1879, the bank opened for business in a building purchased of Chas. Hammond and which it has since occupied.

The first officers were W. H. Tuthill, president; J. W. Casad, vice-president, and Herbert Hammond, cashier. The first nine directors included Moses Bunker, Samuel Yule, Moreau Carroll, J. H. Reichert, Wm. Gilmore, Thos. C. Prescott, A. C. Reeder, Perrien Dean, and Wm. Coutts.

For twenty years this bank continued, or until 1899, when the present Cedar County State Bank was organized. The presidents of this bank since its organization in 1879 have been: Wm. H. Tuthill, '79-'8o; John W. Casad, '8o-'92; Wm. Dean, '92 to 1904; C. M. Cook, 1904-'o7; M. H. Miller, 1907, and he continues in office. The vice-presidents during this time have been J. W. Casad, Wm. Gilmore, T. C. Prescott, J. H. Reichert, and Wm. T. Gilmore, the present vice-president since 1903.

Herbert was cashier until January 1, 1880; Moreau Carroll, 1880-84, when he was succeeded by the present cashier, S. G. Frink, he having served this bank continuously for almost twenty-six years, probably longer than any one in that position in the county. In 1903 Miss Emma G. Graybill was elected assistant cashier. In July, 1909, a savings department was added to the other business of the bank.

There are now eleven directors instead of nine, as at first in the history of this bank. They are listed here: John W. and A. C. Reeder, T. A. Spear, Montgomery Fraseur, Paul H. Downing, M. H. Miller, John T. Moffit, W. R. Fields, S. G. Frink, H. W. Reichert, and W. T. Gilmore The last statement gives the capital as $50,000, surplus $35,000, deposits $400,000, and value of building and fixtures $9,000. 185  

FARMERS’ AND MERCHANTS SAVINGS OF TIPTON

The Farmers' and Merchants' Savings of Tipton was organized in May, 1905, with J. C. France as president; F. H. Milligan, vice-president; S. A. Jennings, cashier. The directors in the beginning were P. R. Pine, E. A. Marks, F. H. Milligan, P. H. Downing, J. E. Britcher, P. VanLeshout, J. C. France, and A. C. Lauscher.

The first capital was fixed at fifteen thousand dollars. At that time the bank was located on the opposite side of the street and further to the west of the business section. Soon after its organization it was moved to its present location and its present capital is $30,000. Its president, W. W. Little; vice-president, F. H. Milligan; cashier, D. L. Diehl. In addition to its officers the directors are J. C. France, A. C. Lauscher, Geo. H. Escher, Fred. L. Reeder, Henry Hect and L. J. Rowell. The deposits from the last statement are about $110,000, value of real and personal property $13,000, surplus $1,500. 186  

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CLARENCE

The First National Bank of Clarence was organized in 1905. It is the outgrowth of one of the oldest banks in the county, having been established in 1869 by Brown Brothers, when it occupied a lot where the jewelry store of J. L. Escher is located. In August of the following year, 1870, Bent and Cottrell purchased the business. It was about this time that W. H. Tuthill commenced a banking business in Tipton, but made all his transactions wherever he happened to be, carrying the money around in his pocket, having no office. The next bank to organize was the Helmer and Gortner of Mechanicsville.

Bent and Cottrell continued the business until 1879, when Peter Bent retired. After that W. D. G. Cottrell was the sole proprietor until the reorganization, when he became the first president. The capital was then fixed at $30,000, divided among thirty-seven stockholders. The first, officers in addition to those mentioned were: Cashier, M. B. Cottrell; Directors, George E. Smith, C. E. Read, A. Seaman, S. B. Stonerook, Sr., F. B. Riggs, W. D. G. and M. B. Cottrell.

The officers at the present time are: President, M. B. Cottrell; Vice-President, C. E. Read; Cashier, R. O. Hoyer.

From the last statement of the bank the following figures are taken: Deposits about $135,000, capital $30,000, surplus $6,000, value of building and fixture, $7,000. In December, 1909, a comparative statement was made that shows its progress. It is appended. May 16, 1905, at the time of the organization the total resources were approximately $104,000; December 16 of the same year, $139,000; one year later and annually thereafter until 1909 the record is as follows: $167,000, $172,000, $208,000, $249,000.187

CLARENCE SAVINGS BANK

The Clarence Savings Bank was organized in 1894 with D. Elijah as president; Fred Hecht, vice-president, and D. L. Diehl, cashier. The capital was $25,000. The first board of directors, H. G. Coe, A. C. Cartwright, John Bauman, Wm. McNeil and the officers. At present the bank has the same officers with the exception of cashier, Ingram Bixler having succeeded D. L. Diehl, who became cashier of the Farmers' and Merchants' Savings Bank of Tipton. P. T. Mitchell is assistant cashier and one of the directors. Other directors at the present time are C. Peterson, Wm. Thomas, and Ed. Cosgriff, the first two officers, and H. G. Coe. 188   The capital remains the same, the undivided profits given on the last statement being $28,000. Deposits at this date $212,000. Real estate and fixtures $2,500.

BENNETT SAVINGS BANK

In 1897 the Bennett Savings Bank was incorporated with a capital of $2,000 and a board of directors composed of D. H. Snoke, O. W. Schiele, P. F. Broader, Wm. Bierkamp, Sr., Aug. Hinrichs, Aug. Dresselhaus, John Bannick. The officers at organization were Frank Haller, president; D. H. Snoke and Aug. Dresselhaus, vice-presidents; Wm. Bierkamp, Jr., cashier. The capital of the bank in 1910 is $30,000, with a surplus and undivided profits of $8,000. It owns its building, valued at $8,000, and the deposits reach the sum of $270,000. Its present officers are: Aug. Hinrichs, president; John Bannick, vice-president; Wm. Bierkamp, vice-president; E. P. Wingert, cashier. In addition to the officers the directors are H. W. Franco, R. Roberdee, G. W. Montz, Fred Schluter, and P. L. Ayres. 189  

SUNBURY SAVINGS BANK

The Sunbury Savings Bank began business in 1901, having a capital then of $15,000. J. H. Meyhaus is the president; Wm. Miller, vice-president; O. V. Meyhaus, cashier. Its deposits are $200,000 and surplus $6,000.

SAVINGS BANK OF DOWNEY

The Savings Bank of Downey has a capital of $15,000, surplus of $1,500, and deposits of $90,000. It was organized in 1902. The officers are Wilson Norris, president; R. W. Hinkhouse, vice-president; W. A. Cameron, cashier; E. L. Cornwall, assistant cashier. 190  

WEST BRANCH STATE BANK

One of the oldest banks in the county, the West Branch State Bank, began to do business in 1875 with a capital of $25,000, and under the name then of the "West Branch Bank." The present name was applied at reorganization in 1895. Joseph Steer was the first president; Alex. H. Graham, vice-president, and J. C. Chambers, cashier. After one year of business the capital was increased to $50,000, as it is today, with a surplus now of $25,000. At reorganization John Pearson was chosen vice-president and now holds the office of president. T. Coggeshall was the president following Mr. Steer, and J. E. Muers, cashier.

In the last twelve years the bank has more than doubled its assets and capital. The other officers in addition to Mr. Pearson are: J. L. Crozer, vice-president; J. F. Adair, cashier, and A. R. Cavin, assistant cashier. This bank possesses an interesting old safe purchased from the prize exhibition at the centennial of 1876. 191  

STANWOOD SAVINGS BANK

In the fall of 1892 J. H. Coutts and M. L. Simmons started a bank under the name of the J. H. Coutts Bank, with J. H. Coutts as president and M. L. Simmons, cashier. This bank continued in business under the same management until November, 1900, when the bank was incorporated under the name of Stanwood Savings Bank with a capital of $20,000. The officers were J. H. Coutts, president; M. L. Simmons, cashier, and C. H. Haesemeyer, assistant cashier. The bank continued under this management until the death of Mr. Coutts in the winter of 1903, when M. L. Simmons was elected president; F. R. McClellan, vice-president; C. H. Haesemeyer, cashier. Mr. Simmons died September, 1907, and Mr. F. R. McClellan was elected present and Mr. C. L. Rigby, vice-president. The bank was thus conducted until October, 1909, when it was consolidated with the Citizens' Bank, which organized in Stanwood, September, 1903. The officers were Thomas Alexander, president; H. G. Coe, vice-president; Otto Evers, cashier. Mr. Alexander served as president until 1905. At this time James J. Spear was elected president and M. M. Davidson, vice-president, who served in that capacity until the consolidation.

The Union Savings Bank incorporated with a capital of $30,000, has a surplus and profits of $10,000 and deposits of $200,000. The officers are C. L. Rigby, president; Otto Evers and Jas. J. Spear, vice-presidents, and C. H. Haesemeyer, cashier. The directors now are C. E. Hoyman, C. C. Smith, W. A. Jackson, C. L. Rigby, Harry Miller, W. A. Findlay, M. H. Davidson, Otto Evers, James J. Spear. 192  

WEST BRANCH SAVINGS BANK

The West Branch Savings Bank was organized in 1898, capital $20,000. Opened for business July of that year. First officers were J. C. Crew, president; N. H. Crook, vice-president; P. V. N. Myers, cashier. The first directors were N. H. Crook, Jos. Albin, J. C. Crew, J. T. Emmons, P. J. Thomas, and C. H. Hathaway and L. J. Leech.

In January, 1899, J. E. Michener succeeded P. J. Thomas as director, and was also elected president, J. T. Emmons being made vice-president. April 18, 1899, V. S. McKarahan was elected to fill the office of director to complete the unexpired term of J. C. Crew, who had resigned. In March, 1901, W. H. Brown succeeded J. T. Emmons as director, C. H. Hathaway being elected vice-president. At the same time J. E. Michener resigned as president. E. L. Hollingsworth was elected a director about the same time. In January of 1902 C. H. Hathaway was elected president; L. J. Leech, vice-president. In May of 1902 O. C. Pennock succeeded J. E. Michener as a director, and in January of the next year became president, in which office he has served ever since. In January, 1903, E. McConnell was elected on the board and served until 1910, when he was succeeded by Jens Thompson.

The officers of the bank now are O. C. Pennock, president; L. J. Leech, vice-president; and P. V. N. Myers, cashier. The directors are O. C. Pennock, L. J. Leech, W. H. Brown, V. S. McKarahan, N. H. Crook, E. L. Hollingsworth, Jens Thompson. In 1908 the bank built their present building. The capital of the bank is still $20,000; the surplus $4,000; the total assets of the bank being about $135,000. The bank has experienced a steady growth, has paid regular dividends, and looks forward to a prosperous future. 193  

MECHANICSVILLE SAVINGS BANK

The articles of incorporation of the Mechanicsville Savings Bank were acknowledged on August 5, 1903. The first officers, D. H. Snoke, president; W. C. Page, vice-president, and Emil Webbles, cashier, the latter remaining in office until the present year. The present officers of this bank are H. P. Stoffel, president; A. T. Spitler, vice-president; O. M. Bundy, cashier, and H. S. Pierce, assistant. The average deposits run about $425,000. The bank owns its building, which was erected in 1904 at a cost of $10,000. The capital stock is given as $25,000, with a surplus of about $12,000.

The directors at the present time include Adam Krumroy, John V. Kerwin, Geo. W. Fall, the president and vice-president, John Jackson, J. H. Onstott, C. J. Lynch and S. A. Wilson.194 The Mechanicsville bank of Helmer and Gortner was organized as early as 1874, but not incorporated until 1902. Its present officers are Lines Bennett, president; H. E. Gibeaut, cashier, and M. G. Gortner, assistant cashier. Its present capital is forty thousand, and surplus twelve thousand dollars. The usual banking business is conducted and in addition the bank rents boxes in a steel fire and burglar proof vault. Offers to furnish its friends credit and information in every way that it can command. 195  

CEDAR COUNTY BANKS FINANCIAL INFORMATION 250 The total deposits in Cedar County banks on June 30 were $4,150,223.38; the loans were $4,233,195.58, and the total cash on hand or on deposit with other banks was $637,321.12. Below is presented in tabular form items from each bank report showing loans, deposits and cash resources, the last item being the total cash actually held by the bank or on deposit with other banks and subject to be drawn at sight. The last previous statement was called in February last, at which time the deposits of practically all the banks touched the high point in their history. Since then there has been a small shrinkage in deposits while loans have increased. This accounts for the fact that ten of the banks show by their statements that they have borrowed funds to accommodate their customers, the total amount for the ten being $170,643.94.

The Durant Savings leads the banks of the county in point of loans and deposits, having nearly $100,000 more than its nearest competitor. The Helmer & Gortner State of Mechanicsville makes the strongest showing in the matter of cash reserve, having in cash in its vaults and on deposit with other banks, more than twenty-two per cent of its total deposits. The City National of Tipton and the Clarence Savings are close seconds in this respect.

The condition of the Cedar County banks represents pretty closely the condition of banks throughout the Mississippi valley. There has been an unprecedented demand for loans this year and it has resulted in a general stiffening of the rates. A prominent banking authority ascribes the cause of the present condition to speculation in lands and extravagant expenditures by nearly all classes of people.

	Loans	Depostis	Cash Reserve
Bennett Savings	$261,614.71	$269,442.36	$37,668.35
Durant Savings	$586,029.23	$549,034.47	$46,712.32
F. & M. Savings, Durant	$223,874.98	$243,641.74	$39,104.35
Union Savings, Stanwood	$188,896.21	$182,388.87	$28,316.28
H. & G. State, Mechanicsville	$322,844.75	$372,422.25	$81,976.88
Mechanicsville Savings	$337,855.17	$360,410.71	$45,712.32
Clarence Savings	$212,718.14	$212,487.42	$44,844.01
First National, Clarence	$179,304.43	$134,004.78	$19,951.29
Citizens' Savings, West Branch	$100,657.67	$106,900.99	$11,147.53
West Branch State	$224,820.37	$189,396.01	$35,886.84
City National, Tipton	$483,670.93	$467,349.74	$98,593.96
Downey Savings	$89,361.36	$94,996.63	$16,997.55
F & M. Savings, Tipton	$150,678.63	$144,956.00	$27,784.08
Cedar County State, Tipton	$474,255.71	$409,940.30	$43,990.88
Lowden Savings	$234,698.77	$246,284.71	$37,066.01
Sunbury Savings	$161,914.52	$166,566.40	$21,568.87
196   Totals	$4,233,195.58	$4,150,223.38	$637,321.12

WHITE PIGEON MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

While the White Pigeon Mutual Insurance Company has its headquarters in the neighboring town of Wilton, at the same time the greater part of its business is in this county and the greater number of its officers are found in Cedar. It is proper for that reason to take it into account in this chapter. It was organized in 1872, and the form of the old policy states the particulars of its business in that it expresses in the first part of the constitution the reasons for the agreement to form such a company.

"Whereas, the farming community of Muscatine and Cedar Counties has long felt the necessity for a cheaper and safer fire and lightning insurance than that which it now has; also desiring to retain the large sum of money which has heretofore been taken from it without adequate consideration,
Now, therefore, we: John B. Ross, Thos. H. Fishburn, Peter Hildebrand, S. W. Whitmer, Chas. F. Brown, Amos Barnard, Jas. C. Walton, Eli Ross, John Ayres, C. P. Healy, Chas. Crawford, D. L. Wilson, C. W. Derby, J. M. Barnhart, J. Piggott, Wm. Johnson, Michael Whitmer, L. C. Lindsey, Joseph Weaver, M. G. Whitmer, Eli Whitmer, C. P. Furst, Joseph Witmer, and all other persons who may become members hereof, do hereby associate ourselves into a Fire and Lightning Insurance Company to be known by the name of the White Pigeon Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, and do hereby organize by adopting the following articles of association: The object of the company is to insure buildings and personal property against loss by fire or lightning. The company is to be perpetual, except as provided by article 18, and to assume the rights, pivileges and immunities as provided by law for mutual fire insurance companies."

Note.—Article 18 referred to provided for the action of the board of directors in the matter of cancellation of policies and the authority was given them to direct the affairs of the company according to their judgment in this respect.

The officers of the company are a secretary and treasurer, vice-president and president, and thirteen directors. Thos. H. Fishburn was the first president; D. L. Wilson, vice-president; C. P. Furst, secretary and treasurer.

This company was to be a mutual affair and could never be changed to a stock company. After a loss has occurred and has been adjusted each member is to pay his proportion, that is according to the amount of insurance he carries in the company. Of course penalties are provided for one who does not pay at the time he is notified.

The annual meeting of the company is held on the first Wednesday of October of each year. Directors' meeting, second Wednesday in January and September of each year, and the executive committee of the board, consisting of three members, on the first Saturday in April, June, and November, at ten o'clock a. m.

At the last annual statement of the company the following figures were given: Amount of insurance in force about $3,000,000; net gain for 1909, $64,000; amount paid in losses 1909, $7,000; amount paid other expenses, $860. Average cost of insurance per thousand for each year during the past thirtyseven years, $1.90.

When the company was reorganized recently some changes were made in the constitution. Protection will be furnished on town property of some descriptions and vehicles will be insured, barring the automobile, churches and school houses, and it is provided that they must be in good repair. A single risk cannot be greater than $4,000. The company limits itself in responsibility in the case of carelessness.

It is provided that when the insurance falls below the gross amount of $100,000 the company may by agreement disband by notifying all the parties interested. A resurvey of all property insured is to be made in 1910 and every five years thereafter, as provided by the by-laws of the company.

The present officers and board of directors are here given: President, C. W. Derby; vice-president, John Severin; secretary and treasurer, H. Wildasin; directors, R. W. Hinkhouse, A. H. Klepper, J. S. Hetzler, F. W. Gray, Otto Schiele, C. L. McClellan, H. D. Thierring, F. L. Sheldon, John Bauman, John Bannick, John G. Klein, W. J. Leech, and J. C. Ferguson. This association is permitted by its constitution to do business in all of Cedar County excepting the townships of Springdale and Gower. 197  

SPRINGDALE FIRE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

The Springdale Fire Insurance Association is a mutual organization. It began business in 1871, was reorganized, or reincorporated in 1889, and again in 1909, so it is up with the present conception of such companies. As its title indicates, it has its headquarters at Springdale, where its secretary resides. Its first territory was west of the river in Cedar County and Graham and Scott townships in Johnson County. This territory has been enlarged and takes in Cass, Center and Rochester townships in Cedar County and now includes Wapsinonoc and Goshen townships in Muscatine County, Lincoln, Scott, Graham, Cedar, Newport, East Lucas, and Pleasant Valley in Johnson County.

The policyholders elect nine directors, three each year, to manage the business. The directors elect the officers annually, namely, a president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer, who constitute the executive committee. The last named officer is the business manager.

During the first year Samuel Macy was the secretary-treasurer and therefore the business manager; the second year, G. H. Maris; the third, D. W. Smith; and since that time or for the last thirty-six years Wm. Mather has held this office. The present board of directors is composed of the following named gentlemen: Al. Pearson, president; L. C. Greene, vice-president, and, as mentioned, Wm. Mather, secretary-treasurer, and in addition to the officers, Eb. Fogg, J. W. Gray, W. Andrews, A. N. Hemmingway, P. M. Schooley, and C. C. Hampton.

The present amount of risks represent $1,580,000, showing a steady gain for each year since organization. The cost per one thousand of insurance for the entire time of thirty-nine years is the small sum of $58.09. The cost per thousand for the past ten years has been $23.29, making the cost per year only $2,329. The expense of conducting the business in secretary-treasurer's salary for ten years has been but $3,032, and the policyholders get their insurance at actual cost and save for themselves many thousands of dollars paid in premiums. In this state alone there are one hundred and fifty-three such organizations. In 1884 a mutual Tornado and Windstorm Association was organized in the state on a plan similar to the above to insure Iowa property. The Springdale Association insures against fire and lightning. The policyholders have full and free invitations to attend its annual sessions on the second Saturday in January.

CORN CANNING INDUSTRY

One of the recent industries to come to the county was organized in the fall of 1905 to care for the sweet corn product the following year. The articles of incorporation were not completed until March, 1906. The men concerned in the business as incorporators were Chas. and Walter Swartzlender, Wm. Wisener, R. A. Peters, C. O. Boling, R. P. Stout, G. D. Heming, Paul Heald, Sam Block, F. K. Gregg, J. E Britcher, W. W. Little, D. F. Alcorn, D. J. Lee, W. J. Moore, C. K. Ross, Sherman Yates, A. E. Pierce, W. T. Gilmore, Romeo Tracht, and R. Roberdee, nearly all of these men residents of Tipton. At that time the directors were chosen from the incorporators, who selected Chas. Swartzlender, C. O. Boling, Sherman Yates, C. K. Ross, and D. F. Alcorn. The officers were Messrs. Chas. Swartzlender, Boling, Block, and Moore.

This institution was located near the Rock Island tracks for the convenience of shipping and at a point where the interurban to be built will probably enter the city limits. The business is that of canning corn exclusively, and the factory is in operation only during the canning season. The capital is fixed at $20,000. The annual product is a standard as high as the market demands for the season and the company endeavors to have an acreage sufficient to supply the output contained in twenty to thirty-five thousand cans. The officers of this institution now are W. J. Moore, president; W. T. Gilmore, vice-president; Chas. Swartzlender, treasurer; B. R. McGirr, secretary. Messrs. Peters, Roberdee, and Ross, the president and vice-president, are the present board of directors. 199  

IOWA TELEPHONE COMPANY

The telephone system has been of gradual development. The first phones mentioned in the county history are referred to in the topic of "County Organization," when under certain conditions the county would use an instrument. This was that the company would reach a certain point before any pay would be due. It is said and probably without any reason to doubt the truth of the matter that the first toll service began at West Branch eastward. The local phones formed the early exchange service. The present organization began from these combined. About 1896 the organization of the Tipton exchange occurred. The Davenport and Tipton line, as it is known now, was put into operation in 1902.

At the present time there are 100 miles of toll line and approximately 500 of rural lines. One thousand two hundred and sixty-three phones are now in service. It is estimated that about $9,000 has been expended recently in the equipment in Tipton alone.

The switchboard is selected from the best obtainable and there are four thousand feet of cable. Copper line has been substituted on much of the line for the betterment of the service. The line has exchanges at Bennett, Durant, and New Liberty, as well as in Tipton. There are twelve outside toll stations. The aim is to buy the best material and employ the best workmen. Eight employees are kept very busy in Tipton, the payroll amounting to about four hundred dollars per month.

In this company there are five stockholders with 303 shares of stock. The officers are H. R. Chapman, president and manager. 200   In 1883 the Iowa Telephone Company proposed to place an exchange in the county and a plea was then made for a union of all the telephone interests. During the fall of that year the only place left to complete the connection of all the districts was Cedar Bluffs. In 1904 there were nearly 1,000 miles of telephone and telegraph in this county alone, according to the taxing lists. At that time thirty-three companies were doing business in this county.

STANWOOD CEMENT AND TILE COMPANY

The cement block and stone industry of the county has taken a large growth in recent years. Heigel and Gilmore of Tipton began in 1904, when they incorporated. Recently the industry was started in West Branch by A. C. Hunter and C. A. Macomber to produce high-grade building blocks and other products of like nature.

At Stanwood a company was recently organized to manufacture cement products and it was duly incorporated under the title of the Stanwood Cement and Tile Company. The company was incorporated for $4,000 and the following board of directors were appointed: Chris. Stoecker, Geo. Findlay, Chas. Hoyman, Jas. Maley, A. D. Claney, Sr., C. L. Rigby, and B. E. Burgess. C. L. Rigby was elected president of the company. The company will manufacture cement tile, bricks, building block, in fact anything in the cement products.

The company is composed of Stanwood's leading business men and prominent farmers. Plans will be begun at once for the erection of a plant conveniently located and equipped with the latest cement machines. As soon as the articles of incorporation have been completed and the legal part of the company attended to, they will be ready for business. 201  

GRAHAM NURSERY COMPANY

A new industry in the county, which is perhaps the least known as to its business extent and plans, was organized at Mechanicsville in 1904. This is the Graham Nursery Company. J. M. Graham is the president and the head of the business, spending much of his time putting the stock on the market. Della M. Graham is the secretary of the company and William Gibbs foreman. At the present time the company have forty-five acres of trees and produce 300,000 annually. They are capitalized at ten thousand dollars and are now doing a wholesale and retail business in their line. This is a growing firm and its possibilities are large. 202  

NELSON BROTHERS MILL

In 1893 Mr. Huchendorf sold his mill at Pine Creek and in looking for a new site was undecided as to the choice between Wilton and Durant. About that time some of the public-spirited farmers in the vicinity of Durant offered to give some inducement toward the building of a mill, which suggestion settled the matter of doubt in the mind of the builder, and Durant got the mill. The structure was completed in 1894. In 1903 the mill was sold to Kruger and Nelson and four years later M. E. Nelson bought the interests of his partner, and the new firm was called Nelson Brothers, who now operate the mill in the manufacture of high-grade flour. This is sold to the trade of the surrounding country in a radius of twenty miles and is delivered by team over this distance. They have furnished the county farm north of Tipton with flour at various times. Their exchange trade comes from as far as thirty miles distant, all the old mills of the early trade now being out of business. The capacity of this mill in full service is seventy barrels daily, and it aims to turn out all the products of a first-class mill. Finally it may be said that this is the only flour mill in Cedar County and, to quote from the Davenport Democrat "an industry of which Durant and Cedar County may justly be proud." 203  

KETTELL AND LAMBERT BRICK

Before Mr. Kettell began the manufacture of brick on the ground south of the Masonic cemetery, near the road leading to Mormon Hollow, the brick and tile used in Cedar County had come from factories in Illinois. His was one of the first ventures in Eastern Iowa. The firm at the beginning was Kettell and Lambert. They put up a kiln, molded the brick, burned and sold them on this ground. Business being of a discouraging nature they ceased to manufacture any for one year. Then they added tile machinery and continued the business. A horse-power machine with a capacity of six thousand three-inch tile per day was installed. The first year 30,000 were sold, and the increase in trade led to increase in capacity and a new engine and machine was purchased. Additions were made to the yard until the equipment was complete and the output was 400,000 annually.

All this product was distributed over the adjoining counties, most of it by wagon. In 1886 the tile factory was moved to the present site near the track. The cost of moving was about three thousand dollars. The brick in the Cedar County Bank building, Rowell block, the City Hall, buildings at the poor farm, and the school house were made by the Kettell yard.

Since Mr. E. Wilson took possession many improvements have been made that make the factory modern in all its features. It may run the year round since the steam drying rooms may be heated to the desired temperature at any time of year. There are four kilns and one is usually burned at a time. Two drying sheds of two floors, making practically four of the usual capacity. Steam pipes carry the heat the entire length of these sheds. The sheds are filled and dried alternately, so that while one is heating the other is cooling ready to be put into the kiln. The burning is on the same plan of alternately firing and cooling. No heat is used in the brick shed, that being needed only in the summer season. One hundred thousand three-inch tile may dry at one time.

There is everywhere an evidence of the economy of labor and material. The water is pumped on the ground and carried in pipes to the clay pit to be used in softening the hard earth, making it much easier to handle. The clay must be soaked-at some time before grinding and the use of the water in the field is no waste. A dumping platform for the clay carts allows the load to fall into the pit for the daily supply without any handling by hands or delay.

The yard employs from fifteen to twenty men all the time, and during the year 1910 burned 78 kilns of brick and tile. The previous year 54 kilns were burned. The output and sales of 1909 amounted to $20,000. The stock now on hand, 1910, is the largest in the history of the yard. Territory in a radius of fifty miles is supplied in car lots. Contrary to the custom in the days of the first factory established by Mr. Kettell the wagon trade is of little consequence.

The season affects the trade very materially, it being very difficult to tell what the market may be. The large stock on hand may be in demand or not as the season may be wet or dry. Some time is required when a kiln is opened before the tile is cool enough to remove. As an illustration of the retention of the heat one may mention that the second day after the kiln has been opened bread may be nicely baked as in the old brick ovens of our grandfathers. 204  

CRAVEN COMPANY, TIPTON

The largest produce packing and shipping concern in the county now is represented by the Craven Company of Tipton, Geo. F. Craven, proprietor. The record of the business since it was established is well shown in the figures given since its organization in 1906, October 1. The business conducted includes the handling of poultry, eggs, butter, and cream. During the packing season the first fall and winter, 1906-07, about fifteen hands were employed and 150,000 pounds of poultry shipped by local freight only, as no car lots were sent out the first year. Car lots of eggs were shipped in the spring of 1907 to the number of eighteen. In the winter of 1907-08 twenty-five men were employed and 200,000 pounds of poultry put upon the market in car lots. The following spring during the season thirty-four cars of eggs were shipped from Tipton. Repeating the experiences of the previous year about the same number of men were employed and 260,000 pounds of chickens, ducks, and like product shipped to the eastern market, much of this going as far as Boston.

In the egg season of 1909 the large number of sixty-four cars left this plant and the mark is set this year to seventy-five cars of eggs alone. This number will be reached if the present rate is continued through the following months. The past fall and winter was not a favorable one for packing so far as the early part of the year was concerned and not so large a shipment of poultry was put up, although over 200,000 pounds was a fair output for one establishment when a number of other shippers from near-by cities are buying in the vicinity or on the borders of the county.

This firm handles packing butter only and ships cream at the rate of one hundred ten-gallon cans per week. One stops suddenly when he learns that horse hides are sometimes sold and sent to market along with the ordinary sheep skin and cow hide, yet it is very reasonable when the shoes men wear are manufactured from the skin perhaps of the favorite roadster.

UNITED STATES LIME COMPANY

What once promised to be a great field of industry was developed in Sugar Creek township in 1883. At that time the Sugar Creek quarries, on the old Leech place, also known as the Scott quarries, which furnished the rock years before for the Moscow railway bridge, and which had remained idle because of being inaccessible, were transformed into an active field of operation by a combination of capital and business foresight. This was called the United States Lime Company, surely a big enough name for any company then and since used in energetic ways by firms of larger capital. Land had been purchased here, and the Rock Island lines had put a branch line into the territory purchased in July, 1883, and the line was substantially built, it is said. Even then there were three large stone kilns in operation, each capable of turning out one hundred barrels of lime each per day, and they were running at full blast. Then the place indicated progress, with the great cooling and barreling houses and the huge piles of wood for burning the kilns.

SUGAR CREEK LIME COMPANY

In the fall of the same year a new company apparently was organized, called the Sugar Creek Lime Company, under the directing force of Mr. Lowry, of Rock Island. Both these companies had some connection with the Rock Island since their paymaster was the paymaster of the railway. These companies purchased some three hundred acres of land in the vicinity, section fifteen of this township.

The second company constructed ten large kilns and the railway lines kept pace with the movement, at one time a hundred men being employed in the construction of track and bridges. Part of this track, long since removed, was difficult of construction and is said to have cost very much money, twenty-five thousand dollars per mile.

These kilns were eighteen feet square at the bottom, fourteen at the top and thirty-two feet high, and made from solid masonry thirty inches thick and lined with fire brick and filled with clay between the brick and the stone, then clamped on the outside with iron hoops in the manner of barrels to keep the kiln from expanding when filled for burning.

The town of Lime Kiln, or Lime City, or Munn on the map, was laid out and a dozen or more buildings put up before the trees were cut from the street. Here a store was established by L. T. Munn & Co. and O. Howe opened a butcher shop. The railway company made some signs of going toward Tipton on the old M. T. & A. grade, but the future never felt any security in a line from that direction.

In July '88, the Sugar Creek Company tried an experiment, one called it "a startling new departure"—one of the many wonders of that recent age. Instead of burning wood to make their lime—because the wood business was about exhausted—they began to use petroleum, the fire being made of the vapor of oil, steam and air combined. The first kiln to try the new way turned off one hundred and forty barrels of lime in twenty-four hours with ten barrels of oil. The best ever done with wood was ninety barrels to three cords of wood. The lime made by the new process was superior to the other also. This method was supposed to make the business permanent.

This plant became the very largest manufacturing concern in the county, at one time having a capital invested of $75,000 in case of the U. S. Co. and $50,000 in the Sugar Creek Co. These twelve kilns employed as many as sixty-five men and the United States Company sold 50,000 barrels of lime, the other company valuing its sales at $33,000. The industry ceased after a time to be profitable, probably on account of fuel, and the old tracks were finally removed. 205  

CEDAR VALLEY QUARRIES

Many great and successful enterprises have been the result of chance. On the winter morning early in the eighties when E. J. C. Bealer went rabbit hunting in the woods where the Cedar Valley quarries are now located, he little dreamed that that region would become the scene of industrial activity, and that his would be the master hand to direct the enterprise. But an outcropping ledge of stone caught his trained eye and told him something of the possibilities buried there in the ground and unnoted for years. Mr. Bealer at that time was engaged in building the railroad bridge three miles up the river from the present quarries. He had been a quarryman and contractor for years and experience told him of the immense value of that ledge of stone in this rapidly developing section of the west. The land practically worthless for farming purposes, was purchased for a few dollars an acre, and with limited capital but great faith in the enterprise, Mr. Bealer began the development of these now famous quarries. The right of way to the Rock Island tracks, three miles north, was bought and the railway company, recognizing the importance of the project, laid the track. Since that time (1884) many thousands of car loads of stone have been shipped from Cedar Valley. Vast sums of money have been expended in wages and improvements, and a reputation for the quarries established, which extends all over the northern Mississippi Valley and far into the northwest.

The stone of the Devonian age lies close to the surface all along the Cedar river, but not all of it is suitable for the builder's use. Much of it contains lime in such quantities as to render it valueless save for the lime kiln, but the stone quarried at Cedar Valley is of the best quality, containing just the right proportions of sand and lime. Soft and easily worked when first exposed to the elements, it hardens gradually and without becoming flinty acquires a durability which makes it par excellence a stone for constructive purposes.

The quarry is a beehive of industry. Where a few years ago was the wildest and most inaccessible region in Cedar county now flourishes the greatest labor employing industry in this section. Where the forest stood and the wild fox dug his hole unscared, is now a forest of derricks, great massive oak timbers standing 70 and 75 feet in air and held in place by miles of steel cables. Steam engines by the dozen, hoisters, channellers, crushers, bring to the aid of human strength the mighty forces of nature. Most of the ballasting and masonry work on the Cedar Rapids route, which has given that railroad in recent years one of the best roadbeds in the west, has been done under contract with Mr. Bealer with Cedar Valley stone.

There is almost no limit to the size of stone which can be quarried over there. On one occasion as a sort of experiment a solid mass of stone 165 feet long and six feet square in cross section was cut up and turned over before being broken up. Solomon obtained no such stone as that from the quarries of Zeredathah when he was building the Temple, nor can the pyramids of Egypt boast of one so large.

Everything at the quarry runs like clock work. Under the efficient supervision of Mr. M. Y. Bealer, the division of labor is perfect and all confusion banished. One gang of men under a foreman are constantly engaged in "stripping" or removing the earth and debris which covers the rock. Hydraulic power is used to aid in this work and thousands of tons have been washed into the Cedar river as easily as hundreds were removed in the old way. When the rock has been exposed, the steam channellers, in charge of expert workmen, are set at work cutting out stone of desired thickness, which are then swung by big derricks on to the flat cars standing near on the track. The poorer rock goes by mule tramway to the big crusher, where ten cars of railroad ballast or macadam for streets are crushed daily. In another part of the yard a force of skilled stone cutters are at work on material for some special contract. A railroad engineer designs a big arch, such as the forty-five foot structure erected by Mr. Bealer for the Rock Island near Vinton in '98. The plans and specifications are drawn. Blue prints are sent to Supt. M. Y. Bealer, and his cutters go to work on the job. Every block of stone is cut and numbered according to plan. They are then shipped to the scene of erection where each piece goes to its place under the eye of a master mason with mathematical precision. By this plan, rather than cutting on the scene of erection, a saving is effected both in stone and freight.

Every precaution is taken for the safety of the men and accidents are comparatively few. The great wire cables which hold the derricks and are used on the hoisting machines are inspected every day and at the first sign of weakness are discarded. The quarrymen are a stalwart lot of workmen. Many nationalities are represented. Norwegians, Bohemians, Irishmen, Germans, Swedes and native Americans find employment here and work side by side. Discipline among the workmen is strict. There is no smoking on the job, for instance, and the rule applies not only to men and foremen, but the superintendent enforces it on himself.

The thousands of trainloads of stone taken out of these quarries have made an impression on the hillside. The bottom of the pit where work is now carried on is far below the bed of the river and an engine is constantly at work pumping out water to enable work to go on. Operations are of necessity contracted during the winter, but between fifty and a hundred men are employed in preparations for the next busy season.

A large amount of money has been expended in improving this valuable property. In addition to machine and blacksmith shops, there are 37 other buildings for various purposes. Supt. Bealer is devoted to his work, and visitors interested in seeing the operations receive every attention. As Mr. Bealer sees it, there is a great future ahead of the Cedar Valley quarries. He calls attention to the fact that in railroad work especially, iron is losing its grip. During floods iron bridges have been swept away while the stone culverts stood, and the policy of railroads now is to erect stone work in preference to iron wherever possible. This means an increasing demand and consequently great development. As there is practically no limit to the stone supply at Cedar Valley, these conditions must be pleasing to the owners and to all dependent on the industry. 206 

These quarries began to be developed about twenty-five years ago and the history of their product is well expressed in the foregoing summary. It is not now as extensive in operation in some respects as it was in the past. The demand is not so great as then. In order to protect the quarry at this place against high water from the overflow of the Cedar river, a levee was built at a cost of $20,000. Railway tracks in the quarries were so built that the force of gravity could be employed to move out the loaded cars, making it possible to get along without an engine. The great machine called a channeller has made a record of cutting four hundred feet in five hours and for ten hours its record is seven hundred fifty feet. Something of the capacity of this quarry at one time may be understood when the equipment is described: Four eighty horse power engines, two forty horse power, and five of fifteen horse power, one steam pump, capacity three-quarter million gallons daily, and three pumps of a quarter million gallons each. A large machine shop was used to keep the tools in repair. At one time there were fourteen derricks in operation, ten of which had steam hoists lifting from four to twenty tons each.

A force as high as one hundred men has been employed here. They occupied cottages along the river usually with an allotment of land for their use, as these cottages belonged for the most part to the owner. In the full tide of its pros- perity the quarry could supply forty-five cars of stone each day and it was often at full speed to supply this demand. Formerly the output consisted of bridge stone for piers for which the proprietor contracted in their completed form having force in their construction. Dressed dimension stone and crushed stone was a staple product. The pit from which this stone has been taken is many feet below the level of the river, more than sixty feet, it is said. As the depth increases, the stone becomes of finer quality. Professor Norton gave the name of Gower to the stage of rock here exposed, since that was the only name he could apply to this region where the rock, he says, represents the particular formation better than any other point in Iowa. The name Cedar Valley had been employed in another connection. The technical geological formation of any quarry of this kind cannot be interesting to the person who is not familiar with the terms in that science. They may be seen in the map of the deep well under the topic of the Tipton deep well which may be found in the index. 207  

Other quarries of value in this county that belong in the chapter on industries are found at Cedar Bluffs for the local supply, McLeod's quarry in Massillon township not far from the village by that name. The rock here are pronounced picturesque where they form the lofty ledge on the right bank of the Wapsie. Wallick's quarry, north of Cedar Bluffs, furnishes a certain supply for local use. The rock here was well exposed, being reached without much effort in removing surface dirt. Cary's quarry, southwest of Tipton, must be included in this class of small development but so far as service is concerned equal to the demand. On Rocky Run, in Gower township, the Burroughs quarry is found where an old pot kiln suggests the possibilities for the production of lime. Frink's and also Hecht's quarries in the same section of Dayton township have been worked for the local supply. 208  

SILVER, PEAT, OIL

The silver craze at Rochester and other parts of the southern portion of the county was not the only mineral find that caused some excitement and curiosity as to the future fortunes of the finders. Coal, peat, and petroleum have each had their turn at discovery, but none of these finds have ever been carried any farther than to remove the surface enough to demonstrate the impracticability of use. Coal was found in Yankee Run in 1862 while digging a well; it was found again on the Swartzlender farm at a depth of some 180 feet, during the year 1876. Yet in 1902 it was still in the minds of men and when an old shaft was found and the traces of the early hopes were brought to the front once more, the search was renewed. Not coal now, but zinc and lead; traces of these have been reported and doubtless all these appear in the rocks of the county.

Peat beds of untold value were once the talk of neighborhoods. In 1866 a man north of Clarence found a bed fourteen feet thick, and in August of the same year a great area of the same material was found in Gower township, somewhere in the neighborhood of section twenty-two.

A Mr. Risley, living near Mechanicsville, dug a well about six feet deep and to his surprise he found it stocked with petroleum, or at least there was "oil on the water." Most men who have seen the wells of the old slough pastures can tell of the same discoveries many times a year.