Excerpts from An Illustrated History of Monroe County, Iowa - 1896

NOTE: This transcription appears as it was written in 1896. Some of the language is not considered to be politically correct by today's standards.

 

CHAPTER XVII ~ TOWNS and VILLAGES.

 

 

Albia.

Albia, the present county seat of Monroe County, was first incorporated as a town in 1856, though in the summer of 1845 John Massey surveyed the town site when it was known as Princeton. The place at present contains a little more than 2,500 population. As we have stated elsewhere, John Stephenson claimed the quarter-section on which the village was located. He was the first settler in the neighborhood.

The original plat contained but two wards, defined by the alleys running north and south from the Square in the center of the plat.

Joseph B. Teas was Mayor, and Robt. E. Craig was Recorder; Aldermen, East Ward: Joseph H. Halbrook and Samuel Buchanan; Aldermen, West Ward: Samuel Hebrew and Daniel McIntosh.

Mock's and Gray's Additions were included in 1859, and Mason and Koontz's or South Park Addition, was added in 1892 or 1893.

In 1848 the village of Albia was chiefly a grass-plat. The public Park in the center of the Square was a tangled mass of wild grass and "shoe-string" willows. John Marck and family lived in a little frame building on the southeast corner, where the Albia Union office now stands. Then about half way across the Square, on the south side, stood the shanty of Dr. Warrick. On the west were the little sheds occupied by Messrs. Park, Harrow, and Buchanan. On the east were Scott Arnold and the court-house, and on the northeast corner was Dan Richardson's.

One block north of the northeast corner of the Square, on the site owned for many years by Dr. Lambert stood the little log jail. Just north of the jail stood the residence of A. C. Barnes.

John Webb was also one of the first settlers of the town, and kept in his house a small quantity of goods. At the present time the following is nearly a complete list of business firms of Albia: Anderson &Hollingshead, grocers, east side of Square; the present firm has been doing business for ten years.

Other businesses on the east side of the Square include:

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
Robb Brothers	Grocers	In business 30 years
Miss A. C. Young	General Merchandise	In business 5 years
D. A. Maiken	General Merchandise	In business 8 years
W. K. Hardenbrook	Harness, buggies, etc.	In business 22 years
John E. Waugh	Meat Market	In business 22 years
S. K. Smith	Barber	In business 10 years
Chas. Claver	Second-hand goods	In business 12 years
Fred Stucky	Shoemaker	In business 30 years

Benton Street Businesses:

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
W. W. Menach	Barber	In business 30 years
Anderson &Gray	Marble Dealers	In busness 2 years
I. S. Jones	Blacksmith	In business 31 years
Henry Johnson	Meat Market	In business 17 years
Samuel T. Craig	Grocer	In business 15 years
J. O. Varner	Grocer	In business 10 years
J. T. Rowe &Son	Carpenters	In business 22 years
Walter Cokingham	Wagon-maker	In business 27 years
Sparkss &Rowe	Blacksmiths	In business 26 years
Tom Teas	Blacksmith	In business 19 years
Clark Bros.	Implements	In business 21 years
E. H. Wilson	Novelty Store	In business 4 months
Miss C. Hamilton	Millinery	In business 6 months
Monroe County Republican	Sebille &Mendel publishers &proprietors	daily &weekly paper

Main Street Businesses:

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
Star Laundry	J. T. Arnold, proprietor	In business 1 1/2 years
R. Simpson	Pumps, coal, grain	In business many years
Chas. Olson	General repair, upholstery	In business 12 years
Royal A. Adams	Blacksmith &Implements
Jas. Stewart	Feed Store	In business 6 months
Wilson Bros.	Livery &Feed	In business 6 months
Saunders &Warner	Blacksmiths	In business 4 years

Jefferson Street Businesses:

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
O. C. Palmer	Livery Stable	In business 4 years
L. A. McCreary	Livery &Feed	In business 16 years
T. C. Ballew	Lumber	In business 5 years
Jas. Dyson	Restaurant	In business 6 months

Wall Street Businesses:

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
Eureka Chop-House	Harry Smith, proprietor	In business 3 years
Thomas &Rosser	Grocers	In business 10 years
N. A. Anderson	Pumps, general repair	In business 5 years
New Cramer Hotel	Mark M. Baker, proprietor	In business 6 months
S. S. Pill	Restaurant	In business 2 years
Chris. Rudd	Bakery &Restaurant
The Progress-Defender	M. M. Hinton publisher &proprietor

 

North Side of the Square

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
E. Doughterty &Son	Furniture & Undertaking	North-east corner In business 23 years
J. Roberts	Druggist	In business 5 years
D. C. Johnson	Millinery &Ladies Furnishing Goods	In business 5 years
Cal Koontz	Jeweler	In business 21 years
C. L. Nelson	Insurance	In business 30 years
Skean &Zook	Furniture &Undertaking	In business 5 years
E. Skean	Grocer	In business 14 years
F. E. Dawson	Photographer	In business 2 years
Abe Goodman	Clothier	In business 8 years
W. H. Kreger	Bakery	In business 4 years
C. S. Barger	Hardware	In business 2 years
M. W. Duncan	Books &Stationery	In business 9 1/2 years
J. C. Morrison	Druggist	In business 29 years
Ramsay Realty Company	Realt Estate	North-west corner In business 6 months
First National Bank	North-west corner	In business 25 years

 

South Side of the Square

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
Henry Varner	Harness-maker	In business 1 year
Vienna Bakery	Curtis Mock, proprietor	In business 2 months
R. O. Cramer	Dry Goods	In business 29 years
G. W. Cramer	Merchant tailor	In business 42 years
South Side Book Store	L. B. Fuller, proprietor	In business 12 years
S. M. Tovrea	Grocer	In business 4 1/2 years
Acheson &Kelly	Grocers	In business 4 years
S. S. Smith	Boots & Shoes	In business 26 years

 

West Side of the Square

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
J. H. Love, Jr.	Dry goods	In business 10 years
Wilkin Brothers	Grocers	In business 9 years
Mrs. L. Buffon	Millinery	In business 12 years
Prizer Clothing Company	Clothing	Odd Fellow's Temple In business 3 years
H. A. Prizer &Bro.	Dry Goods	Odd Fellows Temple In business 6 years
Paulline &Son	Tailors	In business 3 years
G. R. Carden	Druggist	In business 3 years
Globe Clothing House	Sol Loeb, proprietor	In business 1 year
J. T. Porter	Cigar-maker	In business 4 years
Jas. Phinney	Grocer	In business 37years
W. N. Moon &Son	General Merchandise	In business 29 years
Max Loeb	Clothier	In business 28 years
The Messenger Publishing Company	Publishing
The News	Bevel & Crenshaw, proprietors
Albia State Bank		In business 6 years
The Semi-Weekly Union	A. R. Barnes publisher & proprietor	South-east corner
S. Eaton	Barber	South-west corner In business 6 months
Commercial Hotel	J. M. Titus, proprietor	1 block s. of South-west corner

Location not specified

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
Preston &Israel	Merchant Tailors	In business 1 year
Scott &Milligan	Barbers	In business 1 years
Tobey &Anderson	Cigar Manufacturers	In business 3 years
W. A. Alford	Merchant Tailor	In business 1 1/2 years
G. W. Hartsock	Meat market	In business 4 years
G. N. Ewers	Boots & shoes	In business 2 years
Mrs. Mary Clark	Millinery, General Merchandise Wood, fuel, fence-posts Material for Coal Mines
Hobson Brothers	Lumber	In business 2 years
W. E. Whited	Livery Stable	In business 10 years
Wm. Peppers	Implements	In business 22 years
Albia Roller Mill	M. M. Edward, proprietor
L. E. Lambert	Jeweler	In business 1 year
Byerly Hotel	A. J. Byerly, proprietor
Albia Bicycle Manufacturing Co.	Heiserman & Anderson, proprietors	In business 1 year

  Wm. Campbell is the proprietor of The Cottage Hotel located at the CB&Q depot. The Diamond Laundry located near the Central Depot, J. R. Wallace, had lately [1896] burned out.

 

Avery.

The town of Avery was established when the CB&Q Railway was put through, in 1868. The present population is about 400, but the population varies according to the condition of the mines, as it is strictly a mining town. The town is five or six miles east of Albia, on the Chicago, Burlington &Quincy Railway.

  At present [1896] the place contains the following named business firms:

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
Dr. J. Cady	Physician	8 years residence
Dr. Montgomery	Physician	11 years residence
Dr. A. M. Tait	Physician	5 years residence
Smoky Hollow Coal Co.		In business 11 years
Central Coal Co.		Just opening up
W. H. Tedrow	Lawyer &Insurance	In business 4 years
T. L. Evans	General Merchandise	In business 8 years
Hotel	Mrs. Ella Morgan, proprietor
J. G. Thayer	Notary Public
A. L. Criddlebaugh	Barber
John Melcher	Meat market	In business 6 months
L. R. Pearson	General Merchandise	In business 16 years

  The town also contains a Methodist Church organization and church edifice.

In the vicinity of Avery are situated the Chisholm Mines. They are now worked out, and the village of Chisholm will of course disappear with the exhaustion of the coal supply. However, a new coal enterprise has just gotten itself on foot in the vicinity, which promises to develop into an extensive coal plant. It is known as the Central Coal Company, and its headquarters are at Avery. The mines are on the Iowa Central Railway, and the camp will be named Lockman, in honor of Thos. D. Lockman, of the First National Bank of Albia. The company has control of about six hundred acres of coal lands, underlaid by a vein of coal averaging four feet in thickness. The mines will be operated by means of a "slope." Wm. Evans is president of the company, Enoch Evans treasurer, and Thos. L. Evans secretary. The company began operation in 1896.

In about the year 1870 Avery was in the zenith of her prosperity. The mines were the most extensive of an in the county, and the miners made good wages.

They formed an association and bult the Miners' Institute — a sort of epitomized Tammany Hall. The building is still used as a public hall, but the organization has gone down. It was a social club, and had for its object the educational and social improvement of the miners and their families. The club had a good library, and the "Institute" was doubtless beneficial to the miners.

Hymes City.

This lately christened village lies one and three-fourths miles southeast of Avery. The locality is also known as "Smoky Hollow."

Here the Smoky Hollow Coal Company operate their mines. The company's mines have a capacity of about 1000 tons of coal daily. J. L. Evans is at the head of the concern, and the company has been in business eleven years. Faley Hynes acts as superintendent of the mine, and P. H. Hynes is secretary. The mines are entered by two "slopes," and ventilation is supplied by means of fans.

Hynes City contains a population of from 250 to 300 people. The town was projected in 1892, when six houses were built by John T. Evans, and the place increased rapidly.

In 1894 the town contained forty more houses; then the town was formally christened by Mr. Horace Barnes, of the Albia Union. The place was named in honor of P. H. Hynes, secretary of the Smoky Hollow Coal Company and manager of the Avery Supply Company. His brother, Faley Hynes, it is understood, comes in as a joint sharer of the honor.

About forty rods east of Hynes City is located the Famous Coal Mines, or Nos. 1 and 2, of the Smoky Hollow Coal Company.

Hynes City has a large store in its midst, owned by the Avery Supply Company; and also a school-house. In addition to these, there is soon to be established a black-smith shop and post-office.

Foster

  In 1889, when the Marion and Kansas City Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee &St. Paul Railway was completed through Monroe County, a side-track was put in, near Soap Creek, and about nine miles southeast of Albia. The stopping-place was called Soap Creek Siding, and as soon as Ira Phipps and E. I. Foster began to establish a coal plant in the vicinity, trains began to stop regularly; but a station had already been established at Brompton, about two miles east of Foster, where the railroad company erected a tank and constructed a large reservoir.

  By the time Mr. Phillips had gotten the mine in operation, which went by the name of the Soap Creek Coal Company, several buildings had gone up, erected by the coal company. A large boarding-house and another equally large store building were erected among the first by the Ottumwa Supply Company, an auxiliary of the coal company. The store was conducted as a "company store," issuing "scrip" to the miners instead of currency. This "scrip" was emitted in this way: The coal company paid its employees once a month in currency. If a miner needed goods or provisions before pay-day, and had no credit with merchants or cash with which to buy, the coal company would issue him an amount of "scrip," the amount depending on the account in his favor, against the company, for his labor. This "scrip" was current at the company store, in exchange for merchandise. The store was an extensive concern, and handled all lines of merchandise, but, like all "company stores," it was not popular with the people. The upper floor of the building was used as a hall.

Shortly after the village began its existence it was christened Foster, in honor of E. I. Foster, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the principal investor in the mine enterprise. The Messrs. Phillips then retired from the concern, but Henry Phillips, who was president of the Ottumwa Supply Company, continued to run the store; not, however, in conjunction with the coal company. The building burned down two or three years later, and was never rebuilt.

While sinking the shaft in 1888 or 1889, a very unfortunate and fatal accident occurred, which attached to Mr. Phillips considerable ill feeling in the community. Mr. Phillips was running the hoisting engine, and the half of a kerosene barrel was used as a "bucket" with which to hoist the dirt. Ed. Dial and Rolla Williams, two young men working in the pit, were being hoisted in the "bucket" to the top of the ground; while ascending and passing through the curbed aperture at the top, Williams' head struck a cross-bar and he fell out of the "bucket," down to the bottom of the pit, a distance of nearly 200 feet, and was instantly killed. He was a young man of a good family and highly esteemed, and Mr. Phillips was harshly criticized, it being alleged that he did not slow up the engine while the men were entering the top of the pit. A civil suit followed, being instituted by W. D. Kinser, administrator of the estate of the deceased, and a small amount of damages was awarded the plaintiff.

  Foster now contains about 800 population, the figures varying, according to the state of activity of the mines.

In October, 1891, G. W. Bever, of Cedar Rapids, invested in the mine, and the company was reorganized with E. I. Foster president and Chas. Fugle manager. The firm name was changed to that of the Deep Vein Coal Company, and under that name it is at present incorporated. The plant has a capacity of 1000 tons of coal daily, but from 500 to 700 tons is its usual output.

The company originally purchased 320 acres of coal land, paying about $40 per acre for it. Since then it has acquired nearly that much more, but has sold a considerable portion of its surface, retaining only the coal. The company at the present time has removed 30 per cent of the coal from underneath its tract. The mine is ventilated by a fan, which forces down 40,000 cubic feet of air per minute. The coal is a superior grade of steam coal, and the output is sold in Iowa, Minnesota, and Dakota.

Most of the buildings in Foster are owned by the Foster Land and Town-lot Company, a corporation said by the incorporators to be distinct and separate from the coal company. Both concerns, however, bear the same date of organization, and E. I. Foster is president of each. Some of the coal land lately purchased was bought by the Foster Land and Town-lot Company, and the coal company mines the coal.

The population of Foster is largely made up of English and Welsh. There are also a number of Swedes, and a few Italians and Scotch. The Welsh are fine singers, and many of them are intemperate. The Italians are quiet and peaceable, but are fond of their beer. They are quite social among themselves, and about every Saturday night congregate around a keg of beer. They drink and sing all night, but do not affiliate with Scotch, Welsh, and English.

The Swedes are much more quiet, and at the same time more temperate. Those who do drink, however, get a quantity of raw alcohol, sweeten it, and dilute it with hot water, drinking it hot. This is the Swede's national drink. The Scotchman drinks anything, from bay rum to whisky, and never gets enough.

Taken on the whole, they are all a jovial set of fellows, and the better one gets acquainted with them the more he likes them. They lead uncertain lives in the mines, and every miner of ten or twenty years' experience has had his injuries and miraculous escapes.

Foster is an incorporated town and is an excellent trading point; and boasts of a baseball team of considerable local fame.

The Foster Cornet Band ranks as one of the best in the State of Iowa. Mr. Hughes, the pit-boss of the mines, is a lover of music himself, and has had opportunity to draw to Foster some of the best band-players in the country.

A good band-player—and there are some good ones among the miners—can always secure work in the Foster mines through Mr. Hughes. Following are the names of the members of the Foster Band:

Samuel Webb, Conductor	Samuel Webb, Solo Clarionet	Thos. Berdinner, Clarionet	Robert Dalzel, 1st Cornet
Jas. Dalzel, Solo Clarionet	Winter Giles, E-flat Cornet	Joseph Thomas, 1st Alto	Harry Webb, 2nd Alto
John Marshall, 1st Trombone	John Caldwell, 2nd Trombone	Robt. Muffitt, 3rd Trombone	Wm. Dalzel, Euphonium
Chris. Thomley, B-flat Bass	Jack Webb, E-flat Bass	John Dalzel, E-flat Bass	Geo. Saunders, Bass Drum

Robert Hughes, general manager

  Foster at present [1896] contains the following business firms:

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
Deep Vein Coal Co.
Headquarters, Hilton Coal Co.		Plant near Hilton
Chamberlin &Carson	General Merchandise
R. M. Bixby	Hardware &Tinware
Mrs. Treat	Confectionery
Rowles &Hickenlooper	General Merchandise
Wilson Bros.	General Merchandise
G. W. Buck	Meat market
Rupert Bros.	Grocers
Trussell &Eslinger	Lumber, Implements, Hardware &Banking
Wm. Miller	General Merchandise Restuarant, Livery
Hotel	Mrs.Frances Jones, proprietor
Hotel &Boarding House	Mrs. Bowley, proprietor
McCoy Bros.	Livery &Draying
___ Furgason	Racket Store
Woodruff &Pabst	Druggists &Stationers
Alex Reed	Barber
Richard Williams	Justice of the Peace
Frank Hawk	Mayor &Post-master
C. P. Jones	Blacksmith &Wagon-maker
Blucher Hutchins	Blacksmith
J. H. Treat	Coal Co. Blacksmith

  Foster has two churches, with a large membership in each. They are the Baptists and Methodists. The Baptists erected a commodious church edifice in 1891-2. It burned in 1894, and in 1895 a new structure was completed, which is a handsomer building than the first, and would be a credit to any locality. They also built a parsonage for their pastor.

Foster is twenty-three miles southwest of Ottumwa. There is an unlimited supply of coal in the vicinity, and it is quite probable that other coal enterprises will soon spring up.

Blakesburg

  This village is one of the oldest hamlets in the county. It was named in honor of Theophilus Blake, who, with Cyrus VanCleve, laid out the town in 1850. The greater portion of the town lies in Wapello County.

The first white woman who ever resided in Blakesburg, or on the spot where the town now stands, was a Mrs. Smith, who, on the death of her husband, married Len Daggett. She lived on the present site of Blakesburg a whole year before she saw another white woman. Some of Mrs. Smith's children and grandchildren still live in Urbana Township. She was the grandmother of Elmer Thayer's present wife.

Since the Chicago, Minneapolis &St. Paul Railway was built through the town, it has grown considerably, and large shipments of live stock are made all the year round.

Blakesburg is growing rapidly and the town is surrounded by a prosperous community. A handsome $3,000 school building is now in process of erection, besides other building improvements. The town has about 400 inhabitants, and it is not an incorporated village. There are large bodies of coal lying along Avery Creek, two or three miles north of the town, which, when developed, will doubtless make the town one of considerable importance.

Following is a list of the business firms doing business in Blakesburg in 1896:

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
G. L. Redmon	Restaurant	In business 3 years
L. Campbell &Son	Druggists	In business 4 years
M. H. Abernathy	General Merchandise	In business 3 years
C. N. Thompson	Meat Market	In business 26 years
Wm. Angel	Wm Angel, proprietor	In business 2 months
Wilson &Durby	General Merchandise	Just started business
Frank Fritz	Hardward	In business 2 years
Wm. Fritz &Bro.	General Merchandise, Lumber &Implements	In business 10 years
Wm Rowe	BlackSmith	In business 16 years
Chas Reading	Blacksmith	In business 16 years
Geo. Chedister	Barber	In business 3 years
A. V. Tinsley	Livery	In business 4 years
David Zigler	Saw &Planing Mills	In business 5 years
W. H. Kolman	Hardware	In business 3 years
Henry Weidman	Boots &Shoes	In business 7 years
Hotel	Mrs. Harrington, proprietor	In business 1 year
John F. Lober	Harness &Groceries	In business 7years

  Mrs. Semiramis Barnes, a Young widowed lady, has held the office of postmistress during the Cleveland administration. Blakesburg, in this particular, has been most fortunate, as the present postmistress' predecessor was a Young lady, Miss Effie Reading.

Blakesburg has two churches and three doctors. Dr. C. N. Udell is one of the most successful practioners in Monroe and Wapello counties. He is also a preacher, politician, writer, philosopher and sage. Drs. Ray and Torrence are each skillful physicians.

The Baptist church built an edifice two years ago, and has about 30 members. Rev. Garrison is in charge. The Methodist Episcopal Church erected a building about eight years ago. Its membership is about half a hundred. Rev. Ingham is in charge of the congregation at present.

Hilton

Hilton was originally a flag-station about midway between Albia and Moravia on the Centerville, Morvaia &Albia Railway. It contained a post-office, and in 1893 or 1894 H. Herrington started a small store and ran it for a year or more. At present time [1896] there is a prospect of the place taking a boom, as a coal company has secured an option on a large body of coal land in the vicinity, comprising 400 acres, which by thorough drilling was found to contain on an average five feet of coal, at a depth of 215 feet, where the shaft is located. The present shaft has a capacity of 300 tons daily.

The company is known as the Hilton Coal Company, with headquarters at Foster. The company's lands abut against the Iowa Central Railway. The town has been platted, and already contains seven houses. The company was incorporated January 1, 1896, with a capital of $25,000, $4,000 of which has been paid in. L. A. Chamberlin is president, A. L. Wright vice-president, and A. R. Chamberlin treasurer. The present town plat is about a half-mile east of the station or platform.

Melrose

Melrose has about 500 population, and is fifteen miles west of Albia on the CB&Q Railway. It is situated in the midst of a Catholic community, and the name itself has an Irish ring to it, like Tyrone.

The site of Melrose was first claimed by John Drew, in 1847; but the town was not laid out until 1866.

In 1857 the first school was taught in the town by Sarah Prindle, and the next year a commodious schoolhouse was built. The first store was started by T. C. Stewart in 1860. In 1861 the post-office was established, with J. D. S. Peacock as postmaster.

Among the earlier settlers were A. D. Brown, J. P. Currier, T. C. Stewart, J. Davenport, John McCoy, Adam Youtsey, Wm. Gilbert, Willis Gilbert, Wm. Bernard, J. Robinson, Pat Coady, and Orson Glass.

Following is an enumeration of the business firms of Melrose in 1896:

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
Sumner Smith	Notary Public Pension Agent, Insurance	In business 22 years
W. R. Briles &Co.	Druggist &Pharmacist	In business 4 years
Jas. Duggan	Merchant, Post-master	In business 5 years
Thomas Brandon	Banker	Established in 1881
L. Lemly &Son	Hardware &Farm Implements	In business 5 years
Geo. Sone	Breeder &Importer of Thoroughbred Stallions
Wm Ford	Blacksmith	In business 22 years
F. L. Sailing	Harness-maker
M. D. Sullivan	General Merchandise Justice of the Peace	In business 16 years
J. C. O'Conner	Druggist Oldest Druggist of Monroe Co.	In business 25 years
A. G. Paschal &Son	General Merchandise	In business 15 years
W. S. Currey	Groceries, Boots &Shoes	In business 1 year
Cleveland Hotel	Mrs. S. W. Albert, proprietor	In business 10 years
Providence Hotel	P. G. Dever, proprietor	In business 2 years
J. P. Currier &Son	Meat Market &Grain	In business 4 years
Western Exchange Hotel	C. H. Whelan, proprietor
Mary Heffron	Millinery &Dressmaking
Riordan &Blair		In business 2 years
A. O. Lee	Lumber	In business 30 years
Wm.Lahart	General Merchandise	In business 20 years
P. C. Murphy	Bakery &Confections
W. W. O'Bryan	Attorney &Notary Public

 

Stacyville.

This hamlet is seven miles north of Melrose, and contains the principal Catholic church in Monroe County.

East of Stacyville, three miles, is the hamlet of Georgetown, and Tyrone is south of Georgetown and nine miles west of Albia.

West of Albia three miles are located the once bustling coal mines known as Cedar Mines, now about extinct. The Cedar Valley and Albia coal companies had their plants their.

Frederic.

This village is located on the Chicago, Burlington &Quincy Railway, about four miles east of the town of Avery, and about two miles south of what was once the village of "Business Corners." The town was laid out by Messrs. Hale and Hamilton when the railroad was built. The place was named in honor of Frederick Joy, a former president of the B. &M. Railroad.

The village contains perhaps 150 people, and those engaged at present [1896] in business are:

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
Hawthorn &Hansel	General Merchandise	In business 6 months
S. A. Worley	BlackSmith &Implements	In business 4 years
Akers Grocery Co.	General Merchandise	In business 3 years
Reeves &Company	GeneralMerchandise	In business 2 years
Grove Brothers	General Merchandise	In business 28 years

  Frederic Coal Company is controlled by Chas. Akers, who has an option on the plant and eighty acres of land.

Hiteman.

The town of Hiteman is the largest town in Monroe County outside of Albia. At present [1896] the place contains a population of between 1400 and 1500, and is situated on Cedar Creek, six miles northwest of Albia. The town was platted September 1, 1890. The location is broken and was selected more to suit the convenience of the Wapello Coal Company than with a view to symmetry or beauty. The population is made up almost exclusively of miners. They consist of Americans, English, Welsh, Swedes, Scotch, Germans and Negroes. The Negro population occupy the southern part of town.

Those engaged in business in Hiteman in July, 1896, were:

Firm	Type of Business	Comments
Hiteman Hotel	W. A. Dovenspike, proprietor	In business 2 years
Wm Morrissey	Post-master
Dr. McFall	Physician	In business 2 years
B. O. Meadows	Barber	In business 2 years
Hiteman Supply Company	J. P. Early, manager	In business 6 years
Sam White	BlackSmith &Wagon-maker	In business 1 1/2 years
Wm. Kennedy	Livery	In business 2 1/2 years
Wapello Coal Co.		In business 6 years
J. W. Loach	Restaurant &Bakery	In business 2 years
Dr. Avery	Physician	In business 3 years
Dr. Palmquest	Physician	In business 3 months
Mrs. Olive James	Millinery &Dressmaking	In business 4 years
Dr. W. O. McFall	Physician	In business 3 years
Dr. Fred A. Poligue	Physician	In business 1 year

  The fraternal institutions are well represented.

In 1893 the Freemasons established a lodge, known as Perfect Square Lodge, No. 526. Thos. Bridges is at present worshipful master; Sam'l Chase, senior warden; Owen Reese, junior warden; J. W. Lewis, treasurer; W. F. Narber, secretary; J. J. Davis, senior deacon; David Jeffreys, junior deacon; W. H. Thomas, senior steward; Alf. Neighbors, junior steward; W. L. Morgan, tyler. The order has no building, but has a lease on the I. O. O. F. Hall.

The Knights of Pythias brought their organization from Kirksville, Iowa, and have been firmly established in Hiteman ever since. Their organization is styled Richland Lodge, No. 151. They have 108 members.

The Odd Fellows organized in 1894. They have 79 members, and their lodge is known as the Hiteman Lodge, No. 548. The present officers are: J. H. Nelson, N. G.; Ed. C. Moses, vice-grand; J. H. McAuley, recording secretary; Peter N. Swanson, permanent secretary; and Wm. Wild, treasurer. The Odd Fellows have a large two-story frame building nearly completed. The lower floor will constitute an opera hall, and the upper one will be fitted up for a lodge room. The hall is 86x36 feet in dimensions.

The Hiteman Supply Company is by far the most extensive mercantile firm in Monroe County. The concern was incorporated in 1890, and is in reality an auxiliary of the Wapello Coal Company. It is a corporate concern, with an authorized capital stock of $50,000, and has issued stock to the amount of $30,000. J. C. Peasley, president of the Wapello Coal Company, is president of Hiteman Supply Company, H. L. Waterman is vice-president, S. A. Corey, secretary and treasurer, J. P. Early manager, and O. L. Canning cashier. The following persons assist as salesmen: Chris. Peterson, John Spar, Miss Henrietta Dinsmore, John Morgan, Thos. Barker, Ed. Early, W. S. Scott, and I. T. Williams. The store building is 48x96 feet in dimensions, and the firm handles every line of goods from lumber to nutmegs.

  The Wapello Coal Company was incorporated in 1880, with an authorized capital stock of $900,000, but only $730,000 has been issued. J. C. Peasley, of Chicago, is president, H. L. Waterman vice-president, and H. E. Jarvis, of Burlington, secretary. The company owns about 5,500 acres of coal land in the vicinity, which cost the company about $24 per acre on an average. The workable coal averages 5 feet in thickness, and the company has removed about 10 per cent of its coal. The CB & Q Railway consumes the entire output of the plant. The company has paid to its employees during the present year $250,000, and the average net earnings of a miner is about $500 per year. The shaft is 160 feet in depth, and there are about 450 men employed in the mines.

Only one vein of coal is worked at Hiteman. The daily capacity of the plant is 1,000 tons, and the daily output averages about 800 tons. The company have a "tail-rope" system in the mines, and have two fans for ventilation purposes. The fans send down about 90,000 cubic feet of air per minute.

The following persons have charge of the mines: Phil Waterman and his father, Sen. H. L. Waterman, civil engineers; mechanical engineers, John Zentz and Thomas McGuire; hoisting engineer, L. S. Cousins; pit-boss, W. B. Powell; inside foremen, Wm. Barkwell and Owen Reese; top-boss, Mark Greeley; blacksmiths, R. D. Morgan and A. L. Hirst.

The company contemplates sinking another shaft this year, about a mile north of the present one, and similar to it in extent and plan.

Wherever there is a mining camp there is a large Welsh population. In a camp of say 1000 population there are about a half-dozen different families by the name of Thomas; then there are about an equal number of James, Morgan, Lewises, Williamses, Reeses, Hugheses, Llewellyns, and Joneses; these are all names very common among the Welsh. On account of so many different families bearing the same name, it is customary in Wales, in writing a person's name, to affix to his name the first name of his father, and to that of his father, the name of his father. For instance in writing John Morgan's name the Welsh word "ap" follows it, "ap" meaning "son of" — thus, John Morgan ap Gomer ap Owen; Gomer and Owen being the father and grandfather, respectively, of John Morgan.

Wherever these Welsh names are found in a community you may expect a musical neighborhood. The towns of Hiteman and Foster contain a large number of very fine singers, some of whom have been educated in some of the best musical schools in Europe. For several years the Hiteman Glee Club has maintained the reputation of being one of the best glee clubs in the State.

The town supports a very fine band. Following is a list of the members:

Jas. Amsbury, Leader	Wm. Phillips, Cornet	P. C. Williams, Clarionet	Hugh Williams, Alto
Geo. Darby, Alto	Henry Longacre, Trombone	John Neighbor, Trombone	Frank Laundeen, 2nd Cornet
Jack Cooper, Tuba	Jack O'Holland, Bass Drum	Lincoln Hirst, 2nd Cornet	Thos. Williams, Snare Drum
Andrew Johnson, Tuba	Jas. Wild, Baritone	Wm. Morrissey, B Bass

  The first school was named Hefron School. In 1892 the School Board of Hiteman built a nice frame school-house. The main building is 30x60 feet, with a wing 26x36 feet.

Hiteman contains six church organizations — viz., the Baptist, Congregational, Swedish Lutheran, Swedish Methodist, Welsh Baptist, and Colored Baptist.

The Baptists organized and built a church structure in 1894. The building is 28x60 feet. Rev. McDowell organized the congregation.

The Congregational Church was organized by Rev. Wm. Thomas, and a church edifice erected in 1892. The church is made up largely of Welsh, and the present membership is about forty. Rev. Owen Thomas, the present pastor, has been preaching for the class for two years.

The Swedish Lutheran Church was organized in 1893. They have a small church edifice. Rev. B. M. Glyn is the present pastor. He also conducts a day school, teaching the Swedish language.

The Swedish Methodists were organized by Rev. Ericson in 1892. He has charge of the congregation at present. This organization has about 30 members. They own a church building, 18x28 feet.

The Welsh Baptists built a church in 1892, 16x20 feet in dimensions. Their organization contains about twenty-five members. Rev. D. R. Morgan is their pastor.

The Colored Baptists organized in 1890. They consist of about 15 members.

But the one institution of the town which inspires the citizens of Hiteman with intense pride is the Hiteman Baseball Nine. It swathes the town in a flood of glory, and the first thing the citizen speaks about, in welcoming a visitor to the place, is the immortal nine. He will tell you that the club have lost but two games in two years. The roster of this glorious band is as follows: Dr. McFall, manager; Wm. Everett, captain; Wes Bladgett, pitcher; Henry Dinsmore, right field; Jas. L. Baxter, center field; Edmund Thomas, left field; Roe Torrance, first base; Wm. Tiley, second base; and Wm. Stephenson, third base.

 

Ghost Towns of Monroe County

The following towns once used to exist in Monroe County:

Bluff Creek. A post office in the northern part of Bluff Creek Township from 1859 to 1863, and again from 1886 to 1907.

Bremen. The former name of the present town of Lovilia. Its post office was Bremen from 1855 to 1857.

Bridgeport. A village near the center of section 1, Pleasant Township, about one mile southwest of the present town of Eddyville, Wapello County, as shown on maps from 1868 to 1881.

Buxton. A coal mining town in section 4, Bluff Creek Township. At one time, about 1910, it had somewhere near 6,000 inhabitants, 5,500 being Negroes. The town was never incorporated.

Cedar Mines. A coal mining town about three miles west of Albia. A busy place for a few years. Post office, 1872-98.

Chisholm. A coal mining town in the southern part of Pleasant Township. Post office, 1883-1909.

Clark's Point. Another name for Clarksville.

Clarksville. An embryo town three miles west and one and one-half north of the present city of Albia. Competed with Princeton [present-day Albia] for the county seat in 1845. Clarksville had the first post office in the county, 1846 to 1847.

Coaltown. A hamlet in the central part of section 24, Cedar Township. Post office, 1861-99.

Cuba. The name of the post office from 1854 to 1867 at Fairview.

East Melrose. The early name of the present town of Melrose. The post office was East Melrose from 1863 to 1878.

Elbert. A hamlet in the southeastern part of Guilford Township, as shown on maps of 1885 and later.

Eldorado. Laid out in an early day as a village in section 2, Cedar Township. It only attained to a mere hamlet.

Fairview. Laid out as a village in 1856. It's post office was Cuba. The name of the town was later changed to Cuba.

Fraker. A coal mining town in the central part of Bluff Creek Township. It's post office was Fraker from 1907 to 1915. From 02/27/1854 the post office was named Bluff Creek and changed to Fraker in 01/31/1907; closed in 01/30/1915.

Georgetown. A village in section 22, Guilford Township, Post office, 1852-1908.

Gray's Creek. A post office in the southwestern part of Pleasant Township from 1851 to 1859.

Halfway Prairie. A post office in the western part of Pleasant Township from 1849 to 1875.

Henn. Listed as a post office in Monroe County from July 16, 1856, to October 6, 1856, but its location not found.

Hickory Grove. The name of the post office from 1876 to 1883 at what is now the village and railroad station of Hickory.

Hilton. A coal mining town in the northeastern part of Monroe Township. Post office, 1880-1907.

Hollidaysburg. An embryo village in Urbana Township In pioneer times.

Hummaconna. A post office (1874-99) in the central part of section 22, Urbanna Township.

Hynes. A coal mining town three miles southeast of the present village of Avery. Post office, 1899-1916.

La Grange. A post office in the southwestern part of Wayne Township from 1851 to 1882. Site was changed to Lucas County in 1855.

Lahart. A coal mining town in the southern part of Union Township, shown on maps about 1910.

Lindvilile. Listed as a post office in Monroe County in 1850, but location not found.

Mantua. A post office in the central part of Mantua Township from 1852 to 1854.

Miami. A coal mining town about 1910 southwest and near Buxton.

Minerstown. A village laid out in 1890 one-half mile west of the present village of Foster, but was never developed beyond a house or two.

Osprey. A town laid out In 1858 in the southwestern part of Jackson Township. Post office, 1855-71.

Pleasant Corners. A village at the corner of sections 22, 23, 26 and 27, Pleasant Township, about one mile north of the present village of Fredric. A prosperous place along in the 1870's.

Princeton. The name of the present city of Albia for a brief time. It was laid out and was made the county seat as Princeton in 1845.

Selection. A coal mining town and railroad station about five miles south of Albia. Post office, 1881-1903.

Smithfield. A pioneer town mentioned in Hickenloper's History of Monroe County, but the location not given.

Thompsonville. A post office in the northeastern part of Cedar Township from 1863 to 1869.

Urbana City. A village, prosperous for some years, in the southwestern part of Urbana Township. Post office, 1868-75.

Ward. A coal mining town about two miles southeast of the present town of Hiteman, as shown on maps Weller. A post office in section 21, Cedar Township, from 1856 to 1907.

White. A coal mining town in the northeastern part of Bluff Creek Township, as shown on maps from 1873 to 1885.

Whitesburg. A coal mining town in the northwestern part of Bluff Creek Township. Post office, 1914-19.

 

 

Source: Hickenlooper, Frank. An Illustrated History of Monroe County, Iowa: A Complete Civil, Political, and Military History of the County, From Its Earliest Period of Organization Down to 1896. Chapt. 17. p. 296-321. Albia, Iowa. 1896.

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2010