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History of Coldwater and Dougherty
Contributed
by John McLaughlin
The Historical Background - The Sauk Indians
Legal non-Indian settlement began in Iowa on June 1, 1833, under the Black Hawk Purchase treaty. For the first time
pioneers were allowed to claim new land on the west side of the Mississippi river. A large influx of white settlers soon
followed. In the fall of 1836 government surveyors divided the public lands into townships of six square miles and 640 acre
sections. In 1838 Iowa received independent territorial status under President Van Buren. By 1851 all of the Indian lands in
Iowa had been ceded to the U.S. government and General Land Office surveys quickly divided up the newly-acquired public lands
for sale.
The Iowa territory eventually had nine Public Land Offices, the earliest opening in November, 1838 in Burlington, Iowa and
Dubuque, Iowa. There were over 20,000 settlers who were in the Iowa territory prior to the first land sales and thus had no legal
title to their claims. To protect their interests and to prevent newcomers from buying their lands at government auctions, the
older settlers formed "Claim Clubs" to rig auctions claiming the right of first settlement.
Floyd county was formed from the Black Hawk Indian Land Purchase in 1854; In 1855 Cerro Gordo and Franklin counties were
formed from the first revision of Floyd County. Butler county had been formed a few years earlier partly from a revised Bucnanan
and partly from a revised Black Hawk County.
Black Hawk was a leader of the Sauk Indian tribe, who originally inhabited lands in Wisconsin but migrated into Northwestern
Iowa and Illinois under pressure from the French and the Chippewa Indians. In 1804 the Sauk and Meskwaki signed treaties giving
away their rights to the land adjacent to the Mississippi River in both Iowa and Illinois. White settlers soon began pouring into the
area. The Sauk fought on the side of the British in the war of 1812, and afterwards were confined to territores in Iowa. In 1828
President John Adams demanded that the Iowa lands of the Sauk be sold; but faced with hostile Indian tribes to the west, the Sauk
attempted to return to their old lands in northwestern Illinois, which instigated the Black Hawk War of 1832, after which the Sauk
were removed to Indian territory in the west.
Dougherty Township
What became Dougherty township in 1870 was formerly a part of Geneseo township in Cerro Gordo County. The new township
was organised in 1870 and first named "Prairie" but in 1871 changed to "Dougherty" in honor of its first settler, Dan Dougherty.
Dan Dougherty had previously lived in Norristown, Pennsylvania,
outside of Philadelphia, where he worked in an Iron Furnace or
Foundry. In 1856 he came to Decorah, Iowa, to the site of the
United States Land Office, and filed on 160 acres of government
land in section 36 of what is now Dougherty Township in Cerro
Gordo County, paying $1.25 an acre. He then returned to
Norristown, PA. In the fall of 1858 he moved his family to
Clayton county, Iowa, farming there until 1863 when he moved
to Cerro Gordo County.
Dan Dougherty was soon followed by other settlers, including
John Humphrey and Nicholas Cunningham (who settled just across
the county line in Floyd county) in 1864; George Merrick, from
Rockford, Illinois, in 1865; Charles McConlogue from Wisconsin,
A.T. Ames from Maine, T.H. Harris from Canada, Pat Moran and
Joseph Kirk from Wisconsin, J.O. Crapsor from Franklin county,
all in 1868; Thomas and John McManus from Wisconsin, and James
Jessmore from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, both in 1869;
Other settlers began arriving from Wisconsin, from 1876 to
the early 1880's. At about the same time a large colony
arrived here from the coal mining areas of Pennsylvania, fleeing
labor agitation after a strike by the Molly Maguires.
Dan Dougherty appears to have been the driving force in
persuading many of these families to settle in the area. Many
of the Irish families who first settled in Dougherty township
were from Donegal, as was Dan Dougherty. And there were some
personal family ties as well. Nicholas Cunningham, one of the
first settlers in the area from Wisconsin, was married to a
neice of Mary Gallagher, the wife of Dan Dougherty. Daniel
McLaughlin, who came to the area before 1880, had been a boyhood
friend of Dan Dougherty's in their homeland of Donegal.
Letters from Dan Dougherty to friends and acquaintances in
Wisconsin and Pennsylvania probably encouraged these colonies
of Irish settlers to relocate to the newly-broken prairie sod
of Iowa.
Many of the other non-Irish early settlers in Dougherty township
had no connection with Dan Dougherty, but like him, were simply
filing on newly opened government land. The 1870 census records
about 12 families living in what was then a part of Geneseo
township but would later become Dougherty township. By 1880 some
56 families were settled in Dougherty township. By 1900, with
the fouding of the City of Dougherty, the population in the
town itself had exploded to nearly 300 (a figure which probably
did not include many of the farming families outside of the city
itself in the surrounding area).
Coldwater Post Office
The first post office in the area was established May 1, 1866, prior
to the establishment of Dougherty township. It was located
2 miles southwest of the later town of Dougherty in Franklin
County, West Fork township. The Post Office was named Cold Water and
James M. Chambers was appointed the first postmaster.
The post office took its name from Coldwater creek which begins
in sections 5 and 7 of Dougherty township and flows diagonally through
the township in section 36. It then enters Scott township in Floyd
county and then into Butler county where it flows southeasterly
through Bennezette township.
This first Cold Water postoffice closed in 1875.
The second postoffice in the area was also called Cold Water and
was located 2 1/2 miles from the present town of Dougherty in Butler
County, Bennezette township on section 6. The log house which had housed
the previous Cold Water postoffice was moved from the farm of J. O.
Crapser in West fork township, Franklin county, to the farm of John
H. Lockwood in Bennezette township. John H. Lockwood was appointed the
postmaster.
This postoffice closed in 1885.
The Town and Postoffice of Cold Water
On February 7, 1873, Daniel Dougherty of Dougherty township sold five
acres of land in section 36 to William Keenan. On this property the
town of Cold Water first came into existence. Like the postoffices, the
town was named after Cold Water creek.
In 1881 William Keenan started a wagon shop on his property and by
1883 was also engaged in operating a general store. On October 30, 1888
he sold the general store and the original five acres to John Mullen, who
operated the store in Cold Water until 1900. The town of Cold Water
businesses consisted of the general store operated by William Keenan and
later John Mullen; a postoffice, Wagon shop, Black Smith Shop run by John
Fowler, and a dress making shop. Across the road in Floyd county in
Scot township was a saw mill and a creamery called the Upper Coldwater
Dairy Association of Floyd County.
On April 16, 1866 William Keenan was named postmaster of the new
postoffice of Cold Water, which he operated out of his general store
in the new town of Cold Water.
The Town of Dougherty
The town of Dougherty first came into existence with the building of
the Iowa, Minnesota and North Western Railroad. Earlier rail lines
had been built between Mason City and Clear Lake in 1896 and 1897. But
the builders soon realised more extensive connections would have to
be made for the line to be profitable and plans were soon made for
further lines north from Mason City to Blue Earth, Minnesota, and
southeast from Mason City to Belle Plaine, Iowa.
Construction of the new lines began in 1899, one of the grading
camps being located on the farm of Daniel Dougherty in section 36 of
Dougherty township. As part of the construction of the new rail lines,
fourteen new towns were laid out along the railroad right-of-way.
The new towns along the railroad were:
Bricelyn
Kiester
Scarville
Joice
Hanlontown
Wheelerwood
Hanford
Cartersville
Dougherty
Aredale
Eleanor
Dike
Zaneta
Voorhies
While the line was still under construction, the Iowa, Minnesota and
North Western Railroad was sold to the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad
Company in Chicago, Illinois. The former owners as a condition of the
sale retained the land that had been purchased along the railroad
right-of-way for the town sites. They then organised a new company
called the Iowa-Minnesota Town Site Company to dispose of the property.
The land reserved for a new town along the railway had been purchased
from Daniel and James Dougherty, Robert Mullin, and the Independant
School District of Dougherty Township.
On October 22, 1900 a petition was filed in the Cerro Gordo County
courthouse for the incorporation of the Town of Dougherty and and election
followed on November 23, 1900 for the purpose of incorporating additional
territory into the town which was to be called Dougherty, named after
Daniel Dougherty, the first settler in the area.
After the establishment of the new town of Dougherty, the Coldwater
postoffice closed on October 15, 1900 because a new postoffice had been
established in the town of Dougherty. The few business that had been
operating in the town of Cold Water then closed and moved to Dougherty
as well, including the General Store run by John Mullin.
Sale of the Lots in Dougherty
The Mason City Globe Gazette Weekly
July 5, 1900
Dougherty Booms
The new Town Starts Out With a Phenomenal Sale
of Lots and A Bright Future
The Commercial club of Mason City had better take
immediate steps our the first thing they know
the town of Dougherty will annex them.
The biggest and most enthusiastic lot of town site
patriots long the line of the North Western gathered
at Dougherty yesterday and the selling of lots was
something "rich, rare and racy."
"Rich" was emobided in the large number of
capitalists who invested their shining yellow coin;
"rare" was the choice real estate offfered and "racy"
was the other name for the auctioneer, John Duff.
At least 2,000 people aside from the big delegation
from Mason City, asssembled, and like all gatherings
in Dougherty township the good feeling was abundant
and predominant.
When the train reached Dougherty, John Duff, who
can take more liberties than most anybody else and yet
not step on a banana peel, called out:
"The next station is Dougherty, change cars
for Dublin and Belfast."
The sale began at 1:30 p.m. and before the supper
bell tang the secretery of the Townsite Co. had put
down a total sale of nearly $19,000. the first lot sold
was the "bank corner" lot purchased by C. H. McNider
for $1,025, the highest price paid for any lot in the
town. Mr. McNider also paid $975 for another lot,
showing his great faith in Dougherty as a good,
progressive town. A. H. Gale got a lot at $755 and
Geo. Winter also picked up one. Messrs. Joice and
Scarr, bankers, also decided that Dougherty real estate
was a good thing and made investments.
Two full blocks of fine lots were sold, the average
of the lots not being less than $200. Mr. McNider made
his purchase because he wanted this particular spot for
the bank in which he is interested and was willing to pay
a good price for it. Aobut 68 lots in all were sold.
Excursion trains were run from Mason City on the north
and Dumont on the south and there were people from
Greene, Bristow and a large nubmer of other points off
the line.
Hon. Daniel Dougherty, the father of the township
and for whom the town is named, was present and made things
extremely lively. He will undoubtedly be the first
mayor of his own town.
From 15 to 20 buildings have already been erected
and they will be moved at once to the lots purchased by
the owners of the buildings, and the town will start off
with the best kind of a boom.
Dougherty is in the midst of the richest farming land
in the state of Iowa and surrounded by the most prosperous
lot of farmers, therefore, will always be a first class,
lively, bustling town.
President Brice is in pretty good humor over the
sales of yesterday.
First Officers of the Town of Dougherty
Mayor: Daniel Dougherty
Clerk: E. M. Wilson
Treasurer: J. W. Christian
Assessor: James Dougherty
Councilmen: Patrick Moran
Jacob Leydig
West Renn
John Fowler
Joseph Kriebs
T. Wise
A. Arnold
Marshall: P. Wallace
Appointed by Mayor D. Dougherty
Businesses in the Town of Dougherty - 1900
George Swallows Drug Store
Joseph Kreibs Harness Shop
Arnold & Son General Merchandise
L. E. Bucklin Barber Shop
Mullen & Son General Merchandise
Dougherty World Printing Office
Moran & Co. Hardware & Furniture
Feyerson & Gearhart, General Mdse.
Ryan & Co., Drug Store
Arcade Hotel
J. V. Kelly Hardware
Shawlins Restaurant
Clarks City Hotel
Gates & Holbrook Lumber Co.
Wade & Leydig Lumber Co.
Dr. Bowes Physician
First National Bank
Chicago & North Western Depot
Harry Day Restaurant
Murphy & Drew General Mdse.
United States Post Office
Murrays Furniture & Hardware
Clays Restaurant
O'Briens Barber Shop
Mcaloon & Reilly general Mdse.
J. W. Fowler, Blacksmith
McCoy Farm Implements
Nye, Schnider, Fowler & Co.
Grain Elevator
Weaver Drug Store
Dr. Hunter Physicain
Reiley Hotel
Northern Grain Co. Elevator
Dray Line co.
Fire in 1901
On September 1, 1901, a fire broke out in George Swallow's
Drug Store in Dougherty, thought to be the result of
spontaneous combustion in an oil house behind the store.
Twelve of the principle businesses on both sides of Main
St. were destroyed along with a number of homes. Losses
were estimated from $75,000 to $125,000. Most of the
businesses were insured for two-thirds of their cash value.
Resume of Dougherty Business Men
The Daily Times-Herald
Friday, August 22, 1902
The town is located 18 miles south of Mason City
on the Northwestern Railraod. the population is 500.
the town is located in beautiful country with an
extensive trading territory tributary of the same.
The lay of the land surrounding the town is very
pleasing to the eye and is rapidly advancing, got
toward $100 an acre price.
September last this little city suffered what
seemed to be greatly from fire, but it has arisen
in every way much more substantial than before.
Some of the buildings that have taken the place of
the old ones are models in convenience and beauty.
Dougherty has two schools, viz: Public and Sister's
academy. The public school is giving good satisfaction
to the citizens. We found two churches, a Catholic
and a new Methodist Episcopal, which is just being
erected and will be dedicated in the fall. This is a
neat building, centrally located and is very greatly
needed in the community.
One strong factor in this town is the First National
Bank, which was organized in 1900 with C. H. McNider,
Pres., and W. J. Christians, Cashier, capital stock is
twenty five thousand and the deposits average nearly
double that amount. This has centralized the business
and has greatly aided in giving the town a fine
commerical rating.
The creamery has had a very successful run and is
at present placing about $2,000 in circulation each
month. This money goes through the local bank and
reaches all branches of commercial business.
We noticed two large lumbering districts that
would be a credit to any town in the state and two
elevators are in readiness to handle the large crop of
grain coming into this popular market. In the past
twelve months there has beens hip[ped from Dougherty
five hundred car loads of grain and live stock and the
aggtregate amount of busniess for the community during
that length of time was two hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, which is a fine showing and speaks volumes for
the bustling town.
We wish ow to call the attention of our readers to
some of the enterprising business men who subscribe
for the Daily Times-Herald of our late visit.
McAloon & Reilly, General Mdse. This business
was started in Dougherty in 1900. The room occupied by
these men is centrally located, is 25 X 80 in which they
handle dry goods, notions, furnishing goods, shoes,
groceries and the public can always depend on the right
price. This firm also has a store a New Hampton,
managed by J. W. McAloon. the stock carried in the two
stores will aggregate $15,000. Their business at
Dougherty shows an increase of 33 1/3 pre cent in the last
twelve months, which is a fine increase and must be
gratifying to the management. They will be visited by
the Daily Times-Herald regularly.
Corner Drub Store, T. C. Ryan, Prop. Mr. Ryan
succeeded to this business one year ago. Here the trade
will find drugs, druggist sundries, toilet articles, perfumes,
etc., also a full assortment of jewelry, wall paper, paints
and oils. Careful attention is given to prescriptions which
are filled by Mr. Ryan, who is a registered pharmacist.
The Corner Pharmacy handles the best patent medicines and
home remedies and is enjoying an excellent trade. He
solicits business from everyone who reads this notice.
W. Fowler,Blacksmith. Mr. Fowler has worked at the
business twelve months. He formerly resided at Hampton, Iowa,
where he was engaged in the blacksmith business. His shop
is centrally located on Main street and is a recognized
business center. He makes a specialty of plow work and horse
shoeing and conducts a general repair shop. His business is
good and he never was more prosperous than at present. In
1900, Mr. Fowler was appointed post master of Dougherty and
has filled the position with honor and entirely satisfactory
to all concerned. He is one of the substantial citizens
and in hearty sympathy with his native town. He will be
a regular reader of the Daily Times-Herald from this date
forward.
Murphy and Drew, General Mdse. Here the trade
will find a general assortment of dry goods, shoes, notions,
furnishing goods, groceries, etc. They handle clean and
attractive stock at popular prices. They exchange for all
kinds of country proudce and are headquarters for everything
in the line which they represent. One feature of the business
is prices, which from the first they have mdade low and kept
them down. They keep a well assorted stock, handle flour
in large quantities and make special prices on many things in
their line. They solicit a call from all who read this notice
and will endeavor to please and satisfy the trade. The Daily
Times-Herald will make them a regular visit.
Helbig & Tseholl,Ideal Restaurant. These gentlemen
conduct a restaurant and hotel, serve regular meals, lunch,
ice cream, and all kinds of summer drinks. They also carry
many articles in shelf groceries which they offer the trade
at cash prices. Here the trade is supplied with fruits,
oysters, etc., in season, and the traveling public will be
accommodated for meals at all hours. This is a $1.00 per
day house and the proprietors are taking good care of the
traveling and commercial public who make this town.
The Daily Times-Herald will be found on their tables,
from this time forward.
W. T. Wise, C. & N. W., Agent. Mr. Wise is a
native of Minnesota, was born and educated in St. Charles.
In 1892 he began railroading as a station agent on the
Chicago & Great Western road and served that company faithfully
and acceptably for eight years, after which he came to the Chicago
and North Western, was their agent, at Wheelerwood and
soon after the company trasferred him to Dougherty, where he
has served as agent for three years. His service has been
very acceptable to the company and he has made a host of
friends in the town and vicinity. He has a comfortable
home in Dougherty, a wife and a little son, all which he
greatly enjoys. Your correspondent wishes Mr. Wise many years
of continued success and prosperity in all his undertakings.
J. V. Kelly, Hwdr. Mr. Kelly6 occupies one of the
new rooms which is 25 X 64 with a basement of the same size.
Here he shows an up-to-date line of building and shelf
hardware, stoves, ranges, tin-ware, etc. He makes a specialty
of the Crown Jewel Ranges which he offers to the trade from
$35 up. At present he is planning for his falls tock and
he will be able to show the trade and a greater variety than
at any former season. His in in line aas a reader of the
Daily Times-Herald.
J. W. Weckler, Blacksmith. Mr. Weckler located in
Dougherty in AJpril 1901. He came from Allison, Butler county,
where he was formerly engaged in the same business nine years, and
is a man of twenty year's experience. He erected his own shop
which is centrally located and he has from the first been
enjoying a growing business. This shop is equipped with modern
machinery, has a two and a half horse power engine which runs
a disc emery wheel and plow works. He makes a specialty of all
kinds of repairing and guarantees, his work to be first class
in every particular.
T. E. McCoy, Farm Implements. This business was
established about two years ago and covers about everything in
farm implements and such articles as are needed by the farming
community. The building is 72 X 32, two story, with an
extensive ware room, every corner of which is full of the best
brands known to the trade. For instance, Deering binders, and
mowers, Kratzer buggies, Banner wagons, etc. Here the trace
will find Eclipse and Perkins wind mills, old reliable brands
well known to the trade. This is a great business under
strong and able management and from the first has enjoyed
the confidence of the public and a growing business. Our
readers willmake no mistkae when they call on Mr. McCoy for
anything in his line and while there they can look over
the Daily Times-Herald.
Ricker & Bratnober, Lumber. These gentlemen
succeeded to the lumber busniess November, last. They
handle a complete assortment of lumber, cement, brick,
tile and all grades of building material and they are
extensive buyers and consequently are prepared to meet
honorable competition. C. F. Wendt is the local
manager, a gentleman with three year's experience
in handling lumber and understands the business in its
various details. He will be glad to figure with you
and to give you all of the costs estimates of all
buildings free and guarantees the prices to be as low
as the lowest. While you are figuring with him you can
look over the Daily Times-Herald which will be a regular
visitor.
Joseph Kriebs, Harness Dealer. This business
was started in Dougherty two years ago and from the very
first day has enjoyed prosperity. The line covers brand
name harness, nets, robes, dusters, blankets, etc. Mr.
Kriebs makes a specialty of repairing and cleaning harness
and we make no mistake when we say that his work in
hand harness is his strongest and best advertisement.
He turns out only such goods as he can guarantee to the
trade and it is not surprising therefore that his business
is growing along all branches. He had joined the Daily
Times-Herald army.
Moran, Hanes & Co., General Mdse. This business
was started in Dougherty December last. the firm occupies
one of the new rooms which has a fifty foot French plate
show window. Here the trade can be accommodated with dry
goods, groceries, hardware, furniture, etc. This is a large
building, in fact two rooms connected with an archwsay where
the stock is most elegantly displayed. Everything is marked
in plain figures and sold for spot cash. From the first
these gentlemen have made the prices low and have been
acknowledged leaders in the various lines which they
represent. They are hustlers for the trade and the firm
has a bright future. We wish them a continuation of their
present prosperity and hope they will enjoy the Daily
Times-Herald.
J. Mullen & Sons, Groceries. These gentlemen are
well-known in and around Dougherty, having resided in the
township for fourteen years. Two years ago they began
business with an entire new stock, consisting of groceries,
shoes, and many articles of house furnishing goods. They
keep a well assorted stock of groceries and the best brands
of shoes known to the trade on all of which they have from
the first enjoyed a growing and profitable business. They
exchange for everything in the way of country produce and
in this respect are ackowledged headquarters. We wish
these gentlemen a continuation of their present growing
business and are glad to enroll them as readers of the
Daily Times-Herald.
James Dougherty, Farm Implements. Mr. Dougherty
succeeded to the entire business that he represents
November last. He handles everything in the way of farm
implements such as Mccormick harvesters, mowers, and a full
assortment of John Deere goods, Woodmansy wind mills,
tanks, pumps, etc. The building occupied is 36 X 80, two
story, which attracts the attention of all strangers and
is an acknowledged headquarters for farm furnishing goods.
The present season Mr. Dougherty has sold forty binders
and several car loads of buggies. For the next thirty
days he will conduct a buggy sale and will clean up on
many things in the various lines he represents. We are
glad to give him this brief notice and can wish him
nothing better than a continuation of his large and
growing business. He will read the Daily Times-Herald.
Dougherty City Directories
R.L. Polk and Co.
Iowa State Gazetteer
and Business Directory
1903-1904
Dougherty. Population 300. Formerly known as
Coldwater, is located on the C & N. W. Ry., in
Dougherty township, Cerro Gordo County, 19 miles s.e.
of Mason City, the county seat, and 145 from Des
Moines. Has Catholic and Methodist Episcopal
churches, a bank and a weekly newspaper, the Dougherty
World. Exp, Am. Tel., W.U. Telephone connection.
J.W. Fowler, P.M.
Abegg, H.H. physician
Allan, P.W. hotel
Bows, J.J. physician
Cooney, Joseph stock buyer
Dexter, H. barber
Dougherty, P.J. lawyer
Dougherty World E.M. Wilson publr.
Dougherty & McLaughlin farm implements
First National Bank (capital $25,000) C.H. McNider,
Pres. W.J. Christians, cashr.
Fowler, J.W. blacksmith and wagonmaker
Kelley, J.V. hardware
Klebbs, J. harness
Klinesmith, F. barber
McAloon & Reilly general store
McCoy, T.E. farm implements
Moran, Hanes & Co. general store
Moran, P. hardware and farm impts.
Muller, John & Son general store
Murphy & Drew general store
Northern Grain Co.
Nye-Schneider-Fowler Co. grain, lumber and coal.
O'Reilly, Rev. Patrick D. (Catholic)
Ricker & Bratnober lumber
Ryan, T.C. drugs
Sweeney, Joseph livery
Tchole, H. restaurant
Wade & Leydick lumber
Wertz, C.C. meals
Wilson, E.M. publr, Dougherty World
Wise, W.T. railroad, exp. and tel. agent
Dougherty, 1914
Christians W. J. - Hotel & Restaurant
cashier, First Nation Bank and Postmaster
Conwell, Thomas - Dougherty world Pub.
Doore R. L. - photographer
Cunningham Orchestra
Dougherty Imp. Company
Dougherty, Theresa - Milliner
Dougherty world - Thomas Conwell
First National Bank
C.H. McNider - President
Folk, J. F. - harness shop
McAloon, Solberg & Son - General Store
Moran P. - Hardware
Mullen, John & Son - General Store
Ryan T. C. - Drug Store
Unique Theatre (W. J. Christians, H. Wilson, L.D. Bocken)
Wilson L. d. - Meat Locker
Dougherty, 1916
Dougherty Population 300. Formerly
known as Coldwater, is an incorporated village
located on the C. & N. Railroad, in Dougherty
township, Cerro Gordo County, 18 miles S.E. of
Mason City the County seat, and 145 miles from
Des Moines. With a Catholic and Methodist
Episcopal churches and a bank. Exp., Am Tel.,
W.U.
Alice M. Burke, postmaster
Backer, Henry - General Store
Barragy, J. C. - Physician
Burke, Alice M. - Postmoaster
Christians W. J. - Hotel & cash teller First
National Bank
Cooney, Joseph - Live Stock
Cunningham Orchestra
Danehy, Leo - meat locker
Dougherty Implement Co.
Dougherty, James - Real Estate
Farmers Elevator Co. - M. Murphy, Mgr.
First National Bank
Folk, J. F. - Harness Shop
Independent Grain & Lumber Co.
McAloon, Solberg & Son - General Store
McGee, Alice - Milliner
Moran, P. - Hardware
Mullen, John & Son - General Store
Nowell, A. L. restaurant
Ryan, T. C. - Drug Store
voltz, W. J. rr, exp and telephone agent
Wertz Hotel - H. W. Hamilton prop.
Dougherty, 1919
Dougherty Population 300. Formerly
known as Coldwater, is an incorporated village
located on the C. & N.W. Railroad, in Dougherty
township, Cerro Gordo County, 18 miles S.E. of
Mason City the judicial seat, and 145 miles from
Des Moines. With a Catholic church, a grain elevator
and a bank. Exp., Am Tel., W.U. Alice M. Burke,
Postmaster.
Abegg, Henry - Physician
Backer, Henry - General Store
Brady, J. M. - Billiards
Burke, Alice M. - Postmaster
Christians, W. J. - Hotel & cashier
First National Bank
Cooney, Joseph - Live Stock
Cunningham Orchestra
Dougherty Co-Operating Creamery Co.
Dougherty Implement Co.
Dougherty, James - Real Estate
Dougherty world (Weekly), L. E. Oleson
Farmer's Elevator Co. - M. Murphy Mngr.
First National Bank
Folk, J. F. - Shoes
Fowler, J. W. - Blacksmith
Independent Grain & Lumber Co.
Johansen, Martin- Meat Locker
McAloon, Solberg & Son - General Store
Moran P., Hardware
Mullen, John & Son - General Store
Nowell, A. L. - Restaurant
Oleson, L. E. - Dougherty World
Ryan, T. C. - Drug Store
Volts, W. J. r.r. exp. & Telephone Agent
Wertz Hotel, Charles C. Wertz propr.
Dougherty, 1922
Dougherty Population 250. Formerly
known as Coldwater, is an incorporated village
located on the C. & N.W. Railroad, in Dougherty
township, Cerro Gordo County, 18 miles S.E. of
Mason City the judicial seat, and 145 miles from
Des Moines. With a Catholic church, a weekly
newspaper, the world, a grain elevator
and a bank. Exp., Am Railroad. Telephone, W.U.
Alice M. Burke - Postmaster
Abegg, Henry - Physician
Brady, J. M. - Billiards
Burke, Alice M. - Postmaster
Christians, W. J. - Hotel
Cooney, Joseph - Live Stock
Cunningham Orchestra
Dougherty Co-Operating Creamery Co.
Dougherty Implement Co., M. P. Geary mgr.
Dougherty, James - Real Estate
Dougherty World (Weekly), M.E. Hess
Farmer's Elevator Co., M. Murphy mgr.
First National Bank - Chritians w. J. pres.
Folk, J.F. - Shoes
Fowler, J. W. - blacksmith
Haas, Harry C. - Live Stock Trader
Independent Grain & Lumber Co.
Johansen, Martin - Meat Locker
McAloon, Solberg & Son - General Store
McKigney, John - Live Stock Breeder
Marshall Bros. - Restaurant
Moran, P. - Hardware
Mullen, John & Son - General Store
Ryan, T. C. - Drug Store
Whaley, W. J. r.r., Telephone & exp. Agent
Dougherty Population - Polk's Iowa Gazeteer
Year Population
1900 300
1910 300
1920 250
1930 215
1940 215
1950 212
1960 177
1970 139
1980 128
1990 107
2000 about 80
Dougherty, Iowa Today
Dougherty today is virtually a ghost town; the entire north end of
Main Street is a row of vacant lots. The last tavern in town closed in
1999 after a string of suspicious fires. The last general store
closed in 1991. King's Radiator Repair run by Timothy J. King, Becky's
Mall-Greenhouse (owned by his wife), The Helping Hand Daycare Center and
the Cold Water Studio are the only businesses left in town. The Post
Office and St. Patrick's Catholic Church are still there, and as one
drives through the quiet town of Dougherty, it appears that a large
VFW hall is still in use. St. Patrick's elementary school still stands
next to the church and cemetery but is no longer a functioning school.
But the farms are still there, although even they have too changed over
the years. One rarely sees livestock on Dougherty farms at this date; or
for that matter, pastures - the fields are planted from fenceline to
fenceline in corn. And the Dougherty people are still there too - many
of them descendants of the first Irish and German settlers who came
from Wisconsin and Pennsylvania some one hundred and twenty years
ago.
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