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BUSINESSES

     No attempt is made to list every business of the last 25 years, nor is this a complete history of the ones that are listed. It is a sequel to the Centennial Book of 1957, a copy of which may be found in the Lowden Public Library. Since 1957 businesses have changed ownership, or closed due to government regulations, retirement or the changing times. A few former ones are mentioned. One is the airstrip opened by W. R. Mensing in 1959 which provided an 1800-foot runway for small planes and was registered by the Federal Aviation Agency. Operated by Harold Gilmour, it provided flight instruction, charter service, aerial photography, and aerial spraying. It closed in 1980. Electronics has become a new household word since our Centennial, and Dennis Gottschalk operated Tri-Phasor Electronics from 1973 to 1981. When Highway 30 was located south of town, Loren Coppess built a service station and café. The energy crises and uncertainty of receiving a sufficient gas supply caused the closing of the station in the late 1970’s. The café also is closed. The Lincoln Hotel operated along the Lincoln Highway, formerly Highway 30, and now Main Street, for many years. It closed in 1981. Two produce businesses in existence in 1957 are closed, a reflection of changing times in the poultry and egg business. Two independent truckers were Art Kruckenberg from 1943 to 1979 and Ralph Gehrls from 1950 to 1959. One of the longest established businessmen was Wm. Reinking, who operated a photo studio for 62 years, starting in 1899. His last location was at 404 Main St., which now is private residence. Two small buildings removed in the business district were located between the Amvets Hall and the Sun-News office. Anne and Hulda Nieting closed their gift shop in 1966 and the other building housed a café in its latter years. Lorenz Hoffmeier operated a Mobil Station from December 1936 to 1966. His first day’s net income was 25 cents – gas was six gallons for $1.00. Part of the station of 303 Main St. was incorporated into the house and garage built by Hugo Rowold.

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BARBER SHOPS

     Twachtmann’s Barber Shop, 511 Main St. Henry Twachtmann has been in business since 1926 and has been at this location since 1956.

     Mary Ann’s Barber Shop, 303 McKinley Ave. Wilbur (Fluff) Reed had a barber shop here from about 1936 to 1966 and Harry Barth barbered here in 1968. Mrs. Brent (Mary Ann) Kreinbring opened her business in 1971. She has remodeled the exterior.

BEAUTY SHOPS

     Dorothy’s Beauty Salon, 605 Hall Ave. Dorothy Licht Wiebel opened her beauty shop at 404 Main St., the west part of Wm. Reinking’s photo studio. She moved the business into a house at 610 Main St. in 1940, and in 1957 she located in her home.

     Margaret’s Beauty Shop, 604 4th St. This shop has been owned and operated by Margaret Petersen since November 1952.

     Janis’ Beauty Shop, 95 Main St. Janis Krafock opened her shop at 124 Grant Ave. in 1962, and was joined by Janice Strackbein in 1965. She has been at the above location in her home since 1979.

     Classique Beauty Salon, 310 Hall Ave. Janet Olsen opened a shop attached to her home in 1970.

     Lowden Family Skin and Hair Care Center, 204 Hall. Louise Scheeper opened this in her home in April 1981.

BUILDERS

     W. E. Greisbach Builders, 406 Main St. Wesley Griesbach is carrying on a family tradition that began with his grandfather, Henry Griesbach Sr., who began carpenter work about 1900. In 1946 Erwin Griesbach took over his father’s business, aided by his brother Henry Jr. Wesley started helping his father at the age of 14. After college and service he began working full time in 1972 and in January 1978 became the proprietor. Erwin and Henry remain with the business. During Erwin’s ownership, among other things, the crew built 142 houses, one church, 47 corn cribs, 30 barns and remodeled American Trust & Savings Bank twice. Wesley purchased his warehouse from Strackbein’s in 1980.

     L. E. Strackbein Construction, 811 Main St. After 19 years experience in the carpenter trade, Lewis Strackbein began his own business in 1966. In 1977 he purchased a building from Conrad Lumber Co. for use as a warehouse. He has made exterior improvements on the building.

CAFES

     E & A Corner café, 600 Main St. Known as the Trio Café from December 1955 through 1972 and operated by three sisters – Alma Kruckenberg, Dorothy Gade and Arlene Brewer, the only café in downtown Lowden announced it was closing in one week. Edgar and Annie Hintz purchased it and began operating January 2, 1973. Edgar, a carpenter by trade, remodeled the kitchen immediately and did extensive remodeling on the outside in 1979. In 1980 he renovated the apartment on second floor as living quarters for the family.

     Arrow Café, Highway 30. Built in 1957 by W. R. Mensing and operated by his wife, Emily, it was leased to Dick Franklin in 1965. George (Bill) Clark leased the café in 1966, purchased it in 1970, and his wife, Barbara, is manager

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

     Remember when toys were made of cast iron?

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FEED

     Rex Feed and Elevator, 615 Main St. William Flynn and William Hein were officers of the company from 1947 to 1973. Then Mr. Hein purchased the interest of Mr. Flynn. William Hein has been joined by his sons, Kirk in 1971 and Richard in 1979, who today are operating the firm. Rex Feed & Elevator provides custom grinding and mixing of feed, grain drying, animal care products, feeders and grain storage facilities. In 1970 land was purchased from Erwin Meier in the east part of town and steel bins and a dryer were constructed there. The area between the office and the elevator, formerly the site of the Lowden Creamery which closed December 1978, has been acquired and the building razed. Another building being used since 1980 is a Quonset formerly owned by Strackbein’s.

     Wilkin Elevator-Lowden Feed Service, 1st St. & Main St. Jim Wilkin purchased this from Lewis Sander and Jerold Jensen in 1978. Raymond Wiese became plant manager, having worked for Lowden Feed Service since 1970. Grain storage now nears 150,000 bushels. 1980 additions were a grain pit and a dryer capable of drying 500 bushels of corn per hour. There is a storage building at 104 4th St. This business was founded by the Conrad Bros. - Marvin and Raymond. When it outgrew the facilities in the backyard of their home at 205 Jefferson Ave. they constructed the mill and elevator at the Main St. location in 1961, and added grain storage and drying facilities. In 1968 the name was changed to Lowden Feed Service and in 1969 Sander and Jensen purchased it.

FERTILIZER

     Lowden Fertilizer Co., 1st St. Ruprecht Bros., with Henry Ruprecht as manager, started this business in 1961 and in 1974 sold it to Morris Somerville, operating as Big Bill’s of Wyoming. It was then sold to Denny and Karen Somerville. Only dry fertilizer was being handled, and much of this is received by rail car. Liquid fertilizer has been added, and custom spraying and spreading is provided with special equipment. Storage for the liquid is in bulk tanks located south of the railroad tracks. That area has been expanded with the addition of a storage building in 1979, and the last nitrogen tank was completed early in 1982. In 1977 Lowden Fertilizer also acquired the liquid propane gas business from Ruprechts. There are four full time and several part time employees.

     Na-Churs Fertilizer. This is a liquid fertilizer with tanks located near the C & NW yards. Terry Kroemer is the dealer.

FUEL

     Farm Service, 200 Main St. Stan Sander operates bulk tank trucks delivering gas, oil and LP gas.

     Reuben’s Furnace Oil, Reuben Wenndt has been delivering furnace oil since 1969. He purchased the tank truck from W. R. Mensing. This was started by A. L. Mensing when he was in the plumbing and heating business and began installing oil furnaces.

     Peekenschneider Oil Co. Inc. Standard Oil products of gas and oil were delivered by Clyde Lange Sr. for 26 years before his son, Keith, took over in 1962. When Standard converted its agent operations to jobber in 1975, Gene Peekenschneider of Dixon purchased the Lowden territory. Keith Lange remains as driver-salesman.

     Harvey’s Gas. After Freund’s Store closed in 1974, Norman and Raymond Boedeker continued handling the sales of gas in 100 pound cylinders. Other owners have been Robert Rowold, Harvey Hein, and the present owner, Gary King.

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Picture: Kemmann Chevrolet

GARAGES

     Kemmann Chevrolet Inc., 407 Main St. This longtime business is situated in four buildings: three facing Main St. and a warehouse on Washington Ave. just north of the Dubuque Packing Co. Cyrus and Gerald Kemmann continued H. D. Kemmann Sons Inc. after their father’s death. In 1970 Donald Meier, an employee since 1950, became an associate. Gerald retired in 1974. Today Kemmann Chevrolet continues to sell and service Chevrolet cars, Zenith radios, televisions, and stereos, and employs seven people. The implement and appliance businesses have been discontinued. A branch office operated in Clarence from 1904-1968. What now is the office and car showroom was once a service station, and from 1963 to 1979 Ted Clark had a car body repair shop. In 1979 Donald Meier and Tom Green, a salesman for Kemmanns, purchased the building, remodeled and renovated it and lease the space to Kemmann Chevrolet.

     Mensing Motor Co., 607 Main St. Leon Mensing has been owner since 1956. A new building housing the office, car showroom and parts department was added to the west of the original garage in 1964. A car lot is located across the street between the Corner Care and Legion. Mensing has noticed a trend in recent years towards smaller fuel-efficient cars.

     Lee’s Garage, 3rd St. Lee MIlota operated a garage from 1947 to January 1982. He had a wrecker service from 1943 to 1978 and built each of his wreckers. He was a Kaiser-Frazer car dealer from 1949 to 1954 and a dealer for International trucks from 1957 to 1971.

     West Side Truck Center Inc., 703 5th St. Robert Kroemer went into business in 1966, driving a truck. He now operates a repair shop in a building constructed in 1973, and specializes in the repair of semi-truck tractors, farm trucks and large four-wheel farm tractors. An addition for office and parts was constructed in 1981.

INSURANCE

     Lowden Insurance Agency, 309 McKinley Ave. Operated on the premises of American Trust & Savings Bank and owned by Wm. Stout, assisted by Duane Lasack, this agency was started in 1967 by combining several small agencies in Lowden, some of which were Elmer Steinke, 1952 to 1969, Fred Wiebel, 1950 to 1974, Anne and Hulda Nieting, 1931 to 1968. Lowden Insurance Agency presently writes for 19 companies.

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Picture: Del’s Electric, in former Lowden Locker Plant

PLUMBING, HEATING, ELECTRICAL

     Lowden Plumbing & Heating Co., 616 Main St. Victor Mensing began working for A. Freund & Co. in 1948. About 1943, A. L. Mensing, Victor’s uncle, purchased the garage, plumbing, heating and implement business from the Freund Co. In 1953 Victor Mensing became proprietor of the plumbing and heating business. Lowden Plumbing & Heating and Strackbein Equipment Co. operated out of the same building at 605 Main St. In 1967 Mensing moved his business to 300-302 McKinley Ave, the site of the former H & L Lowden Store, owned and operated by Henry and Leona Brendes from 1950 to 1963. An addition was built there in 1972 to provide housing for trucks and for additional warehouse space. This area still is utilized with the exception of the office – this is used by the Jaycees. In 1977 another move was made to the former Conrad Lumber Co. location, which was purchased by Mr. Mensing. The company employs 11 people.

     Edward and Reuben Conrad operated Conrad & Conrad Lumber Co. and hardware store from 1938 until Reuben’s death in 1959, and Ed continued until his retirement in 1977. This ended an 81 year era of the Conrad Lumber business.

     Kruckenberg Plumbing & Heating, 103 4th St. Everett Kruckenberg started his own business in March, 1966 after 12 years experience. His first shop was a small building on 1st St. at the back of the lot at his grandmother’s place. An old barn on 7th St. was utilized as a warehouse. In 1967 he purchased the building on 4th St. where Paul Nordmeyer had stored his corn sheller, and eventually moved the small building there. In 1978 he purchased a warehouse from Eunice Boedeker, located south of Mary Ann’s Barber Shop.

     Lowden Pump Service. Al Crock purchased trucks only in August 1978. He has the pump and well business but inventory and billing goes through Lowden Plumbing & Heating.

     Del’s Electric, 606 4th St. Delbert Kruckenberg has been sole proprietor since 1967. He became an electrician in 1952 and during two years in the service he furthered his knowledge with schooling in refrigeration and air conditioning. Kruckenberg purchased the former Lowden Locker Plant from Robert Mowry in 1973. Mowry had operated the locker from 1963 to 1969.

     David Horman Digging, Rural Route. David has about 10 years experience in …

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… back hoe and trenching work and in 1978 he bought his own equipment. He also does grave digging and plumbing work.

PROFESSIONAL

     Norton & Freese, Attorneys-at-Law, 504-508 Main St. William B. Norton opened a law office at 504 Main St. in 1953. In 1958 he purchased from Julius Schluter the building at 508 Main St. which at that time was the post office, and eventually moved to his building in January 1963. Meanwhile, Schoff’s Sundry at 506 Main St. was closed by Harry Schoff in November 1967. The Kenneth Keiths purchased it in 1968 and converted it into a ceramic shop. They added a 30 by 50 foot addition to the east in 1970. The Keiths sold it to Beryl O’Connor of Lisbon who continued using it as a ceramic shop until 1977. At that time it was purchased by Mr. Norton. After extensive remodeling, including a connecting passageway between the two buildings, the complex was ready for full occupancy in 1977. It features a conference room, five offices, work area for office staff, bookkeeping and tax office, library and the latest in phone, typing, photocopying and word processing facilities in addition to a large reception area. A branch office has been maintained in Clarence since 1961.

     Lowden Family Medical Clinic and Steven Faulkner, D.D.S., 305 McKinley Ave. These two services are located in the former Freund’s Dept. Store building, which had closed in September 1974. Carl Deichmann, Ezra Kruckenberg and Arthur Fisher sold their holdings in Freund’s Store to Norman and Eunice Boedeker in August 1970. Carl Deichmann had been associated with the store 47 years. Ezra Kruckenberg completed 43 years, and Arthur Fisher, 19 years. The Boedekers operated the store four years, after which time all merchandise was sold by auction.

REPAIR

     Otte Repair Shop. Henry Otte started a repair shop November 1, 1947, in the area of what now is Mensing Motors parts room. In 1953 he located on the access road behind 302 McKinley Ave. and has maintained a tractor and machinery repair shop.

     Fred Otte, 201 Harding Ave. Fred Otte began sales and service of Lawn-Boy mowers in 1968.

     David Sennett, 710 5th St. David Sennett operated Sennett Sports Equipment from 1972 to 1981 on 4th St. in a building formerly occupied by Mueller’s Feed Store and enlarged by David. He continues in canoe sales and repairs snowmobiles and lawn mowers at his residence.

SERVICE STATIONS

     Farm Service, 200 Main St. Harry Fletcher operated this station from 1948 to about 1960. Other operators have been Alonzo Schoff, Charles Long, Frank Mostaert and Stan Sander. It was a Texaco station until Cedar-Johnson Farm Service bought the business from Frank Mostaert in 1978. Stan Sander continues to manage the business. The sales of gasohol, a mixture of 10 percent ethyl alcohol and 90 percent gasoline, was added in recent years. In 1958 Frank Mostaert purchased the lot in west Lowden where the bulk plant is located from Maxine Kreinbring. Bulk trucks handling Texaco products were operated by Fred Pieper, Frank Mostaert and Stan Sander.

     Lowden Truck Stop, Highway 30. This was opened in 1957 with Wilmarth R. Mensing operating as Sonny’s Super Service. George Clark leased the station in 1966 and purchased it in 1970.

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STORES

     Lichts’s Department Store, 510 Main St. Operated by the Licht family for 83 years, the store was sold to Joey Wenndt, who on July 1, 1979, became Lowden’s youngest businessman at the age of 18. Joey began working at the store at the age of 13. He and his wife, Janise, have remodeled the interior and greatly expanded the grocery department with rearrangement of the floor plan. Ray Licht began working for his father as a delivery boy in 1930, Mildred Licht was clerk for 48 years, and Edna Licht was clerk and bookkeeper for 61 years until her death in December 1977. In later years Ray’s wife, Edith, assisted in the dry goods department. The Lichts remodeled the store in 1959 to make it a self-serve grocery, and several years later added central air conditioning.

     Lowden Meat Market, 509 Main St. Walter Faris sold the market to Henry Pasold in 1959, and Mr. Pasold sold it to Donald and Lottie Lange in 1967. As a small lad Donald started his meat market career as a cleanup boy for 15 cents an hour, and three years later, under a different owner, his pay was a beef roast for the family’s Sunday dinner. He left Lowden, working as a meat cutter elsewhere before returning to enter business. Don cuts and grinds meat to suit his customers, and handles luncheon meats and Wisconsin cheese in bulk.

     Chapman Home Furnishings, 500 Main St. Paul Chapman purchased the building from Ruprecht brothers in 1959 after having his business there since 1954. The funeral home business now is handled through Chapman’s at Clarence and Wheatland. Eugene Dittmer has been manager of the furniture and floor covering store since January 1955. He has been assisted by his son Bill since 1975. The exterior and interior of the store were remodeled in 1969. Prior to the time of equipped ambulances, Chapmans’s served in that capacity and took patients to the hospital in a station wagon. They discontinued this service about 1965.

     Olsen’s, 502 Main St. James Olsen purchased Ruprecht’s hardware and appliance store in 1970. The building has undergone interior and exterior changes at various times, and Jim expanded the lines to include wallpaper, window draperies, shades and shutters, as well as the usual paint, hardware and appliances. Olsen purchased the General Electric appliance business from Strackbein Equipment in 1972. An additional warehouse is the former laundromat site at 507 Main St., which at one time housed a service station and later the laundromat and coin-operated dry cleaners.

     Flowers by Doris, 618 Main St. Mrs. Kenneth Heisch opened her flower shop in 1980 in the west part of the building occupied by Lowden Plumbing & Heating. She shared quarters with Sharon’s Gift Shop, operated by Mrs. Harvey Hein, until Sharon sold her business to Dorie in April 1982. Dorie offers cut flowers and plants as well as silk and artificial flower arrangements and gift items.

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Picture: Lowden Lbr. Co.

     Lowden Lumber Co., 111 Washington Ave. Curt Peterson and Bernell Ebert purchased the lumber yard from Ruprecht’s Inc. in October 1979, and, with assistance of their wives, offer a full line of lumber, steel buildings, shingles, siding, as well as the usual items found in a hardware store. They have remodeled and improved both the interior and exterior. The sale of the lumber yard was the last of four business ventures engaged in by the Ruprecht brothers during their years in business. Harold Ruprecht was associated with the business for 65 years, and four of his brothers joined the partnership later – Edwin, Henry Jr. and Carl in Lowden, and George operated a branch office in Clarence over 20 years.

TRUCKING

     Lowden Truck Line, 1st St. Dennis Boedeker purchased trucks from Hilda Boyer in January 1977. Hilda had helped her husband, Vernon, with trucking from 1945 and continued the operation after Vern’s death in 1971, with the assistance of employees. When Boedeker purchased the business, hauling livestock was the principal business, but he now has added a grain truck. Trucks are housed in two sheds which were constructed by the Boyers.

     Wm. Brockmeyer, 113 Roosevelt Ave. Bill has been hauling sand, rock, limestone and dirt since 1948. He maintains two trucks and a cat and loader.

     John Hardison, 107 Jefferson Ave. “Bill” Hardison started trucking in 1952 and has operated two trucks since 1966. He hauls rock and spreads ag lime, and until 1975 also spread commercial fertilizer.

     Paul’s Trucking. Paul Schmalfeldt started at truck line in 1980 after working for Boyer and Lowden Truck Lines. He operated two trucks and hauls some grain and does livestock hauling for Dubuque Packing Co.

     Strackbein’s Inc., Rural Route. Erwin Strackbein began his career in the farm equipment field in 1946 as an employee of A. Freund & Co. and later of A. L. Mensing. In 1953 Strackbein Equipment Co. was started when Erwin purchased the implement and General Electric appliance businesses. George Kruckenberg purchased the television business in 1957 and conducted operations in the same building for several years. In 1972 the General Electric appliance business was sold to James Olsen. Mearl Strackbein was associated with his brother from 1958 to 1973. Ray W. Meier from 1973 to 1980, and Tom Schwarz since June 1977. In 1968 the business name was changed to Strackbein’s Inc.

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Picture: Corn cobs ready for shipment

     In 1952 a new building was completed at 605 Main St. It was shared by Strackbein Equipment and Lowden Plumbing & Heating from 1953 to 1967, and Strackbein’s remained there until 1980. A Quonset type building constructed in 1952 was sold in 1980. In 1952 Erwin purchased the building hosing Lowden Produce from Harry Hertzler, located at 301 McKinly Ave, and replaced it in 1963 with a tractor workshop. It still serves as a warehouse. Land was acquired south of the railroad tracks for displaying John Deere machinery, and a Morton building placed on it in 1967. This now is owned by Quaker Oats. The former Gade garage at 406 Main St. was purchased in 1968 and has been sold. In early 1980 new facilities were ready a mile west of town where operations could be consolidated into a more compact area in a 150 by 90 foot tractor shop and a 90 by 70 foot office area, with another building completed in 1982. In March 1982 there were 13 full-time and two part-time employees.

     Quaker Oats Co. Begun in 1981 with the purchase of land and a building south …

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Picture: American Trust and Savings Bank

… of the railroad tracks from Strackbein’s Inc. Michael Scheer was hired to manage the receipt of corn cobs delivered from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa. Scheer loads the cobs into box cars for shipment to Cedar Rapids where they are processed into a product called furfural. It takes 10 to 13 pounds of raw material to equal one pound of the amber liquid.

     American Trust & Savings Bank, 308 McKinley Ave. The bank has been at this location since 1913. It has been enlarged twice in the past 25 years. The first addition was built in 1962, during which time operations of the bank were carried on in the building which now is the west half of Norton & Freese law offices. At that time the addition was to the south on land acquired from Roger Fox in 1959 and which had been used by Mr. Fox as a produce station. In the 1970’s the bank purchased two properties to the north. One was from Stan Drewelow in 1974 to allow for a 30 foot addition and drive-up window, and the second was the Dr. Stofflet property in 1973, plus part of a lot from Leon Mensing in1975, to provide a spacious parking lot. Construction was completed in 1976.

     Post Office, 508 Washington Ave. This was the site of the former Barnes’ blacksmith shop and was purchased by Lee Milota, who razed the building. It then was sold to Claus Von Essen, who constructed the building into which the United States Post Office moved in late 1961. The post office had been located at 508 Main St. - the west half of the present law office. Herbert Wiebel was postmaster from 1952 to 1979. After a short vacancy, Ruth Thomsen of Marin became postmistress in 1980. Francis Strackbein was rural man carrier from 1919 to 1959. Dale Jensen has been carrier since 1959.

     Sun News, 518 Main St. This newspaper, a combination of the Lowden News and Clarence Sun, began publication January 1976 at a central printing plant. Mrs. Ralph King has been office manager since 1975 and Mrs. Terry Kroemer is managing editor since August 1980. Three generations of the Sennett family were associated with The Lowden News. S. E. Sennett started in 1926 and in early 1927 purchased the paper. His wife, Hedwig, already was editor since 1925 and continued until 1949. “Sid” sold part interest in the business to Richard (Dick) in 1949 and the remaining interest in 1957. S. E. Sennett continued as a linotype operator until two days before his death in 1963. Dorothy Sennett, Dick’s wife, was editor from 1949 to 1975. David Sennett became associated with the business in 1972. Changes in printing were to offset at that time, making work faster and easier than the hot-type method. The News office was located next to the bank until Sennetts sold the building to Stan Drewelow, who operated Multistate Insurance Consultants there from 1972 to 1974. In March 1972 Dick Sennett purchased the former Reinking’s Grocery building where Leonard and Norma Reinking had a store from 1953 to 1966, and the paper and printing business was moved to that location. March 25, 1975, marked the last edition of The …

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Picture: Sun-News Office

… Lowden News for the Sennett family. The paper was sold to the Conservative Publishing Co. The building is owned by Wm. Stout and an apartment on second floor is used for living quarters.

     D & D Printing Co., 703 McKinley Ave. Dick and Dorothy Sennett have located their custom job printing company at their residence, moving it here from Oxford Jct. early in 1982.

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Picture: Buyer Rick Yutesler

     Reliance Tap, Main & McKinley. The building is owned by Velma Kreinbring. Operators of the tavern have been Lawrence Kreinbring, Velma Kreinbring, Charles Long, Brent Kreinbring, Denny Tharp and George Steinke, and since 1979, Denny Tharp. Denny has made some changes by shortening windows, adding booths and opening the east bar room.

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Picture: Lowden City Hall, with new council room at lower righty, formerly fire station

     Dubuque Packing Co., Washington Ave. The yards were leased from the railroad in 1949 and purchased in 1956. John Smeltzer was hog buyer from 1949 through 1979. He recalls buying hogs at prices ranging from $9.50 per hundred weight to $62.75, and his annual volume varied from 20,000 to 40,000 head. Rick Yutesler is buyer since 1980. Hogs are shipped to Rochelle, Illinois, for slaughtering.

     City Hall, 501 Main St. This multipurpose building houses city offices and the library in addition to providing a community room on second floor. The east side was used as council room and library until January 1981 when it became a library exclusively. The west side was used to house the fire equipment, consisting of one truck until the fire station was built just south of City Hall. Then the area was used as a workroom for the city employees and housed the pickup, lawn mowers and other equipment. In 1980 remodeling of the west side took place and the city clerk and council have their office and meeting room there. Motor vehicles and other large equipment now are housed in the 40 by 60 foot maintenance garage built in 1978 on city lots on Harding Ave. This garage replaced a small shed which had housed the maintainer. Another building on the city lots contained jail cells and also provided work space for the city employee. It was removed in the 1970’s. Prisoners now go to the Cedar County jail. The community room was improved in the 1970’s by lowering the celling. After two years of planning, testing, and installation of equipment, early …

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Picture: Bottom row, l to r: Don Cochran, City Attorney, Emil Andresen, City Engineer, Jim Olsen, Council Member, Carl Wenndt, Mayor, Rose Stone, Clerk, Arnold Koch, Treasurer.
Top row: Council Members Dick Mensing, Robt. Johnson, Glen Cohenour, Robt. Hamdorf

… in 1982 a well formerly used by the railroad was placed into use. The well on 10th St. serves as a backup supply. Lowden has police protection through a contract with a deputy sheriff, Carrell Yutesler. W. R. Mensing was mayor 1956 through 1965, Clyde Lowe 1966 and 1967, Robert Mowry, 1968 through 1973, and Carl Wenndt 1974 to date. Ezra Kruckenberg was appointed clerk May 1928 and served through June 1970 with the exception of 29 months when he was in the service. Arnold Koch was elected treasurer, taking office April, 1932 and has served continuously in that position

     Chicago & North Western Railway. This railroad has more miles of track in Iowa than any other railroad. Manual crossing gates operated at various times by Hugo Steffens, Wm. Brockmeyer Sr. and Forest Dew have been replaced by automatic gates where Washington Ave. crosses the tracks. In 1979 the crossing at Harding Ave received automatic gates with the City paying 10 percent of the cost and the federal government, 90 percent. Railroad communications no longer are done by telegraph but with a Chicago & North Western direct dialing system and radio communications. Until 1972 the depot handled Western Union telegrams. A mobile trailer served as a depot until about five years ago; since that time there has been no permanent operator. Railway Express service ended in 1973. Former agent Earl Kross who retired in 1974 after 28 years service, remembers handling a donkey for LeRoy Boettger, homing pigeons, a descented skunk and expensive canaries and coonhounds. Passenger service discontinued in the late 1950’s. Livestock shipments dwindled as trucking took over. In 1972 railroad employees had the opportunity to become stockholders, a first as far as railroads are concerned. One-fourth mile long lengths of rail were laid on the eastbound tracks in 1978-79 to replace obsolete 39-foot ones. The new, super-long sections weighed 136 pounds per yard, are welded at the joints, and cost $300,000 per mile. About 25 freight trains pass through Lowden each day, and Jim Weiland, a former local man, is one of the engineers. The fewer trains from years past are made up to some degree by the longer trains, which may be over a mile long with three or four engines pulling up to 120 cars. A 100—car train is about a mile long. When four engines are used on a train, not all four are pulling all the time but are used as necessary under difficult conditions, such as going upgrade. Railroad cars that haul automobiles are longer; flat cars are longer so as to accommodate two semi-trailers (piggybacks) on each car; coal cars that carry coal going east and raw iron going west are wider and higher. Other items hauled are grain, lumber and machinery. Lewis Terlisner is foreman of the signal department and Roger Deerberg is section foreman.

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     Mel Wiebel Agency, Rural Route. Melvin Wiebel opened his agency in 1979 at his home located approximately one-half mile north and east of Lowden. He has been an auctioneer since 1960 and a licensed real estate broker since 1977 and handles real estate loans, appraisals and sales.

     Wendling Quarry, Rural Route. Located southwest of Lowden, the quarry produces rock and ag lime. It has had various owners through the years. Weaver Construction sold it to Wendling Quarry in 1970. Gene Mayerhofer has been attendant since October 1959.

     Schmidt’s Poultry Processing, Rural Route. Elmer Schmidt built the plant in 1967 on his farm on highway 30 west. Chicken processing begins in May, two or three days a week, and 600 to 700 are done per day. In October processing of ducks and geese begins and continues until Christmas. During the busy season, the plant …

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Picture: Elvin Smith fruit farm-showroom and storage building

… operates five days a week with 300 to 350 birds done each day. After Elmer’s death in 1978, his wife, Alice, has continued the business. Employment varies from eight or nine.

     Rolling Hills Orchard, Rural Route. Located three and one-half miles north of Lowden on the blacktop road and owned by the Elvin Smiths, the first apple trees were planted in 1969 and the first apples sold in 1974. There now are 1500 apple trees on 10 acres, and six to seven steady pickers are hired. October is the peak cider month and 150 gallons are needed for weekend sales. Smiths hire four extra helpers for weekend sales and grading.

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Picture: Television relay station -- a Lowden landmark visible for many miles

     American Telephone & Telegraph, Rural Route. A 190 foot tower of reinforced concrete stands on a one-acre plot of land purchased from Emil Stolte in 1949 – the farm where Lawrence (Larry) Stolte now resides. The 44 square-foot footing took 220 sacks of cement and the structure is 24 feet square. The tower is part of the television network that spans the nation.