of
Muscatine County Iowa
1879
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1879 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Historical Section, 1879, pages 570-580
WILTON. Wilton is located at the junction of the C., R. I. & P. R. R. and the C. & S. W. R. R., two of the best roads in the West; is twenty-five miles west of Davenport, twelve miles north of Muscatine and thirty miles east of Iowa City. The railroad company own considerable ground in what is called the "Y," which is covered with buildings and side-tracks, the former consisting of a commodious depot, freight-building--containing the Trainmaster's and Dispatcher's offices--blacksmith-shop, roundhouse, coathouse, carpenter-shop and supply building. The side-tracks are numerous, and extend from the corporation line on the east to that on the west, and are at nearly all hours of the day and night occupied by trains "making up." The corporation extends one mile east and west, and one mile north and south. The streets are regularly laid out, are eighty feet wide, and generally bordered with elm and maple trees, which, in the summer season, give the town the appearance of being built in a grove. Many of these trees have attained the good size of twelve and fourteen inches in diameter, and, besides enhancing the beauty of the streets, afford magnificent shade, and homes for a great many forest birds, that in the early morn burden the air with their songs. On nearly all of the streets of the town may be found beautiful dwellings, and on Fifth street, five fine churches.
FIRST SETTLERS. The first man to erect a cabin within the present limits of Wilton was Mr. Christian Marolf, who came in July, 1849, and erected, of logs, a small house opposite the German Lutheran Church. The house still remains, and Mr. Marolf survives, and domiciles beneath its roof. Mr. M. entered the land on which he made his home, the east line of which is the street past the church. At this time he could only see one other house, that being the cabin of Mr. Stearns, just west of town, on the south side of the Moscow road and now the property of the estate of J. L. Reed, deceased. He says that for several years he made hay where now stands the business part of Wilton, and that herds of deer crossed over the same ground, on their way from Mud Creek to Sugar Creek.
Mr. Christian Marolf was soon followed by Mr. Ben Maurer and Peter Marolf, in 1850-51, who also obtained land near by--Mr. Ben Maurer, that which now comprises North Wilton; Mr. J. P. Marolf, that which is now Marolf's Addition. North Wilton is not, at present, within the corporate limits.
On the 19th day of May, 1849, two entries of land were made by Henry Strohm and Benjamin Kauffman, which comprised the lands now within the corporate limits of Wilton, excepting Marolf's Addition. Mr. Strohm entered the eighty acres now south of the railroad, and Mr. Kauffman the eighty acres north, or what is now Butterfield's Addition to Wilton.
In the month of July, 1853, Mr. Franklin Butterfield purchased of Mr. B. C. Kauffman the north fractional half of the southwest quarter and south fractional half of the northwest quarter of Section 6, in Township 78, Range 1 west, containing 205 1/2 acres, at $2 per acre.
The M. & M. R. R., now the C., R. I. & P. R. R., had been located through this place prior to this purchase. In August, 1854, Messrs. Green & Stone, bankers at Muscatine, and owners of considerable stock in the M. & M. R. R., called upon Mr. Butterfield and proposed to buy the whole or a part of Mr. Butterfield's interest in the land; the secret of this desire being the agitation of a branch road from this point to Muscatine, and they desired an interest in the Junction. Mr. Butterfield considered their proposition, and decided to sell a one-fifth interest in the whole, at $10 per acre, provided they bought forty acres of Mr. Marolf, which is now the railroad "Y," and that portion of the town west, which they did, at $10 per acre. Mr. Butterfield now induced Green & Stone to take a two-fifths interest in the land south of the railroad, and relinquish that north of the railroad, which they readily did, as it brought their interest nearer to their purchase from Marolf.
In September, 1854, Butterfield and Green & Stone platted out the original town on Green & Stone's forty acres and the land lying south of the railroad, which plat was recorded October 22, 1855 (the year following). Then arose the question of a name, and as it is a matter of no little moment to provide an appropriate name for a town to endure for ages, a name that would command respect and admiration abroad, the founders of the town found it no easy task to decide. One was in favor of an Indian name; but the stock was all appropriated. Another suggested Cedar Junction; but that was inappropriate, and suggestive of a small railroad station; while Mr. Butterfield warmly advocated the name WILToN--the name of his native town in Maine. It was finally decided that Mr. Butterfield should present six names, and that Messrs. Green & Stone should select one of these as the future name. Of the six names, Wilton and Glendale were two, and, after due consideration, Glendale was chosen, and for nearly a year the town went by that name. But before the plat was recorded Messrs. Green & Stone reconsidered their choice, and Wilton was permanently chosen and so recorded.
In 1854, Mr. Butterfield sold the first lot to Mr. Henry S. Giesler, it being Lot 3, Block 43, opposite Dow's elevator, for $40.
Working on the road was all that was done this year, and with the advent of the graders, sprung up a number of small shanties.
In July or August, 1855, Mr. Giesler built the first house, the lower front rooms of which were occupied by a stock of dry goods and groceries, owned and shipped from Seymore, Conn., by Tuthill & Hull, which firm name was the first to appear on a sign in front of a door. The firm of Rider & Sanford were their agents, who first went to Muscatine with the stock, with the intention of operating a permanent store at that place; but soon after, as we have stated, shipped the goods to Wilton. Rider & Sanford afterward bought out the interest of Tuthill & Hull, and carried the business on in their own name, adding to the business that of grain and pork buying.
Mr. Giesler, about this time, received an appointment as Postmaster, and had his office in their store-room.
About this time, also, a small house was erected by J. M. Smith, on a lot given him by Green & Stone (now the property of James Keefover), in which Mr. J. C. Wate kept a small eating-house and a few groceries.
In November of this year, Mr. Butterfield sold one-half of his three-fifths interest in the original town, and a half-interest in what is now known as his addition (being the part north of the railroad and west of Cedar street), to Mr. Servetus Tufts, receiving $30 per acre for that now in the addition.
The construction-train reached Wilton October 1, and December 1 the passenger-trains commenced to run to Wilton.
At this time, Messrs. Cook & Sargent, bankers at Davenport, owned a large amount of stock in the M. & M. R. R., and were interested in building up Durant, in opposition to Wilton, and for a time a sharp warfare was waged. As soon as cars commenced running on the branch from Muscatine, the trains were run by Wilton and transferred at Durant, and the name "Wilton" was not allowed to be called on the cars--the brakemen would call out, "Muscatine Junction." A fine depot was erected at Durant, while the only accommodation afforded at Wilton was a small shed-roof building at the west end of the "Y." The ticket-agent, Mr. Robinson, sold tickets on the cars. The same parties built plankroads over bad places between Durant and Tipton, and run a line of four-horse stages between those places. But Wilton was destined to triumph; and to-day few know of the aspiring efforts of the Duranters and their wealthy and influential backers.
During the winter of 1855-56, a great many lots were sold, and, in the spring of 1856, commenced the most active operations in building and improving ever witnessed in the history of Wilton. Early in the spring, Rider, Sanford & Butterfield commenced building a store, where now stand the frame buildings owned by F. Bacon, and when nearly completed, the building caught fire and burned, being the first fire in Wilton. Owen Syas and Eli Ross were the contractors. A second building was immediately commenced and finished, being the frames standing one door south of the Review office.
Mr. Moses Garretson commenced what was called the first hotel, in a small building in the southeast part of town. This enterprising citizen also run the first bus and express-wagon from the depot to his hotel, it being a buckboard wagon, drawn by oxen. These he would place by the side of the shanty depot and call out: "A free bus to the Garretson House!" "Have you any baggage!" In the spring, the De Gear House was built, by Mr. De Gear, on the corner of Fourth and Cedar streets, and is now owned by the Burk estate. This was, rea1ly, the first hotel that could reasonably lay any claim to such a title.
Mr. Garretson commenced building a new hotel this year, on the corner of Fifth and Cherry streets, and completed it the following year. This hotel is now known as the Wilton House, and is kept by Mr. Hiram Mooney.
During this year, a great many buildings were put up, and often a score or new frames could be seen going up at the same time. Many of the first buildings are yet remaining, being principally built in 1856, a few of which we will mention, as follows: One now owned and occupied by B. F. Tufts, and that of Mr. Dave Moore's; the one owned by the widow of Daniel Stark, Mr. S. B. Windus' house, the Harker residence, and the one now owned and occupied by John Wiley; the hotel on the corner of Railroad and Cherry streets, lately burned.
In the year 1858, the grading was done between Wilton and Tipton, on the Muscatine, Tipton & Anamosa Railroad, the ruins of which can, at this day, be distinctly traced through the fields between these places. The grade was completed and bridges built, when all work was stopped and the project failed. Owing to the hard times, the employes were paid for their work in dry goods and groceries, by certain persons interested in the construction, at Muscatine, which gave the road the name of "the calico road."
It will always be remembered with patriotic pride that, when the war of the rebellion broke out, Wilton responded nobly to the call for troops. Two full companies were organized in Wilton of nearly two hundred men. The first was Company D, of the Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The second was Company G, of the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The first company (D) was organized in September, 1860, and was officered as follows: A. J. Shrope, Captain; B. F. Jackson, First Lieutenant; Andrew Walker, Second Lieutenant.
DISASTROUS FIRE. Thursday, the 20th day of August, in the year 1874, will be an epoch in the annals of Wilton. The town had just entered upon a fall business of unexampled prosperity. The products of thousands of surrounding fertile acres, attracted by the excellent prices and shipping facilities here, had begun to pour through this gateway to the East, and business of every kind quickened under the impulse of dollars thus thrown into circulation. Wednesday was a field- day, and Thursday was fast following in its wake, when, suddenly, at a few minutes before 3 o'clock, the ever-dreaded cry of fire!--now rendered doubly dreadful by instant consciousness of the parched condition of everything, and the absence of any adequate means of resistance--rang through the streets!
The fire began in Reed & Dow's elevator, on Third or Railroad street. The cause is not certainly known. It is generally attributed to sparks from a locomotive, but there are those who affirm that the fire was first inside the building. The dense black smoke drifted up and across a little east of north, hanging like a pall over the now thoroughly-alarmed village. Flames soon followed the smoke, and wrapped the tall building from foundation to roofridge, the wind, which quickened with the heat, flinging them over the narrow street in such a manner as to speedily disperse the brave men who were on the roofs of Steiner's buildings, making unavailing efforts to save them. Other men were striving to save the valuable steam elevator a few rods west, belonging to J. G. Lyford, but all to no purpose. It was but a few pregnant moments after the seizure of Steiner's buildings before the frame tenements occupied by Rexroth, Lanty and Opitz, and then the elevator opposite them, were a seething mass of flame. Then it did begin to look as if Wilton must burn!
Attacked both in side and rear, the buildings north of Steiner's, fronting on Cedar street, were taken in quick succession. First, Illingsworth's two small frames--one occupied by Pearno's barber-shop, and the other by a harness-shop. Next, Graaf & Sons' two-story frame, occupied by Graaf Brothers, with a large stock of clothing, most of which was saved. Then there was a narrow street, where one more desperate attempt was made to stay the flames. But there was no organization, but little water and comparatively no facilities, and the willing and brave men were soon forced to give over the unequal contest.
"Save the east side!" was now the cry, "or the whole town will go!" The undertaking looked almost hopeless. Opposite the raging fire was a row of wooden buildings, with fire-traps Of awnings reaching out, and, as it were, inviting destruction. Men threw water upon them while the heat would permit them to stay in the street, and then opened doors to dash it out, or poured it down from over the roofs, which were now well occupied. This, together with a most fortunate change of the wind from southwest to south, under providence, won the battle. But all this time, the hungry fire was marching on up the west side of the street, and much more rapidly than we are telling it. Fred Frieden's two-story frame, occupied as a saloon below and a dwelling above, was quickly run over to catch the old frame dwelling with a brick front, belonging to J. L. Reed, and occupied by G. T. Coffee for a general store. A two-story brick belonging to Mr. Reed, and occupied below by the Grange store, was next. In the upper part of this, Dr. Mudge had but a day or two moved both his dental office and residence. He lost nearly everything; part of the goods below were saved. The fine and handsomely-finished brick occupied by Reed's Bank was the next victim. The Cashier saved the money and most valuable books. U. P. Scovil's book store and restaurant followed into the fiery baptism so rapidly that very little was saved; and the same was the case with Hubbert's, also a frame. Mr. F. C. Conant, who lived up-stairs, had an ill wife to remove, and lost a good part of his furniture. Another frame belonging to D. T. Gilman, and occupied by C. J. Hutchinson with a large and valuable drug stock, but little of which was saved; then Blizzard's clothing store--and then another street and another chance for life.
And here the successful fight to which we have alluded, on the east, was supplemented by a like effort on the north, and, with the aid of the streets and brick buildings on both opposite corners, the hungry fire was compelled to take a large dwelling in the rear of Blizzard's, belonging to John Wicke, and be content. But all this time flying brands had been threatening buildings in almost every part of town. Men, women and children were watching--and saving--their homes. But the German Lutheran Church, some three blocks from the fire, and one of the best church-buildings in the city, seems to have been unnoticed till too late, the parsonage, which was close by, going with it. This concludes the sorry enumeration, and does not represent the events of much more than a single hour after the first alarm was given. The Davenport Fire Department was telegraphed for help within fifteen minutes after the fire was discovered, but, although they made all haste to respond by a special train that made twenty-five miles in twenty-four minutes, the fire had substantially run its course when the Fire King steamer and Rescue hand-engine arrived. They went manfully at work and exhausted the supply of water in playing upon the vault of Reed's Bank and the piles of burning grain, for an hour or more. They did all they could, and did it willingly and promptly, impressing all, both with their gentlemanliness and efficiency.
CITY OFFICERS. The first City Council consisted of W. N. McNaghten, President; R. A. McIntire, Recorder; A. J. Friend, Henry Giessler and 0. J. Grover. The present city officers are: S. L. Lawrence, Mayor; John Wiley, Recorder; S. C. Root, Robert McGuire, Owen Syas, E. Klepper, James Hesnan and George M. Frenzel, Trustees; James W. Kelly, Marshal; M. C. Ott, Treasurer; A. S. Healy, Assessor.
SCHOOLHOUSE. On the 17th of July, 1875, ground was broken for a new schoolhouse on Lots Nos. 9 and 10, Butterfield's Addition to the town of Wilton. The plans were draughted by J. P. Walton, of Muscatine, and Hancock & Walker took the contract for its erection. It is in size 60x72 feet, three stories high and basement. The first and second floors are used as schoolrooms, and the third floor is occupied by a hall calculated to hold 700 persons, seated with chairs, and has a good stage. The building was dedicated December 30, 1875, and cost $12,000. The present corps of teachers is a good one, and is composed of eight members, under the efficient direction of Prof. G. S. Bradley, Superintendent, and ranks among the leading schools of the State. The Board of Education is composed of the following members: S. L. Lawrence, President; John Wiley, Recorder; J. D. Walker, James Davis, Dennis Mahanna, Dr. W. H. Baxter, Hon. I. K. Terry.
CHURCHES. Presbyterian.--The Presbyterian element in Wilton was originally a part of the Sugar Creek Church, in Cedar County, which was organized in 1856. As early as 1855 or 1856, Presbyterian services were held in Wilton by Rev. John Hudson, meeting for worship in what is now known as Lyceum Hall, the old schoolhouse on the hill, and elsewhere.
In 1859, Rev. William C. Mason, of Illinois, preached in Wilton Presbyterian Church for six months.
On May 14, 1860, the congregation at Wilton was set off from Sugar Creek, and, by a committee of Cedar Presbytery, formally organized into a church. The following-named persons were original members: J. H. Hobert, D. Burk, J. H. Robinson, B. Kelley, J. Cooper, P. Heinley, R. A. McIntire; Mesdames Hobert, Pomeroy, Burk, Harker, Robinson, Cooper, McIntire, Passmore, Parish, Kelley, Hemley and Mason.
In the fall of 1866, the present brick edifice was built in Marolf's Addition to Wilton, and was dedicated in February, 1867. The size of the building is 32x48 feet, and cost $2,800.
In the summer of 1874, the present frame parsonage-building was built on a half-lot adjoining the church, and cost $1,100. The present number of active members is seventy-five. Pastor, J. W. Hubbard.
On the 27th of August, 1872, the church-steeple was struck by lightning and destroyed--the same moment the Presbyterian Church was struck. In the fall of 1874, the parsonage and schoolhouse were rebuilt, and, during 1875, the house of worship was replaced. Connected with the Church is a Sunday school, also a day school, both taught by the Pastor, Rev. W. T. Strobel. The present membership consists of 67 communicants, 22 voting members, and, in all, 101 baptized members.
Owing to a dissension of this Church from the Synod, there is at present a lawsuit pending in the Supreme Court. The membership being divided, two Pastors are stationed here, whose congregations occupy the church alternately. The other minister is Rev. J. Landeck, who has also under his charge the Lutheran Church at Moscow. This congregation has an attendance of about seventy.
Evangelical Lutheran.--The Church in Wilton was organized in December, 1856, by the late Rev. John Kiesel, and, shortly afterward, a small frame church-building was built, in size 24x24.
In 1867, a fine brick building was erected, and took the place of the small frame building for holding services in. A commodious parsonage-building had also been erected.
Both the church and parsonage buildings were destroyed by the conflagration of August 20, 1874.
In 1875, both buildings were rebuilt--the church-building of wood, instead of brick.
Grace Reformed.--This Church was organized by Rev. J. Riale, Saturday, April 14, 1860, in the old public school-building, where the congregation worshiped at first; afterward, in the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches.
The corner stone of the present church-edifice was laid June 26, 1870, and October 16, 1860, the new church was dedicated. Its size is 34x52, and cost about $3,000.
The congregation at present numbers seventy-seven confirmed members, and fifty-six baptized, unconfirmed members. Present minister, Rev. S. C. Long.
Methodist.--This Church originally formed a part of and was embraced in what was called Muscatine Circuit. As early as 1836, Rev. Daniel Cartwright preached at Bloomington, now Muscatine, services being held in a log building used as a post office.
In 1856, the General Conference divided the Iowa Conference, and the towns of Wilton and Moscow were made a station.
Rev. H. Wharton, of Hebron Circuit, Cedar County, held the first services in Wilton, in the depot or freight-house; but on account of the division, Rev. D. Thompson was appointed to the work without any missionary appropriation, and upon complaint being made by the brethren, Wilton was merged into Muscatine Circuit, with Rev. John Harris, Pastor.
In 1857, Rev. J. B. Hill conducted a successful revival in Wilton, and over fifty persons were received in the Church. The meetings were held in the Garretson House (now the Mooney Hotel.)
In 1859, meetings were held in what is now known as Lyceum Hall.
In 1860, a church-building was erected and dedicated.
In 1865, the name of the Circuit was changed from Muscatine to Wilton Circuit.
In 1866, it was voted at the fourth Quarterly Meeting, to divide the Circuit, leaving Wilton a station, with regular preaching every Sunday, which was accordingly done.
In 1867, under the labors of Rev. Morey, over one hundred members were added to the Church.
The present beautiful church-edifice was built in 1878, under the direction and supervision of Rev. U. B. Smith, the present Pastor, at a cost of $3,800, including the old house, which was accepted by the contractors in part pay. The parsonage was built in 1876, under the supervision of Rev. E. L. Briggs, at a cost of $2,000. The present membership is 208.
Free-Will Baptists.--In the spring of 1864, February 20, this Church was organized, with Rev. I. Dotson, as Pastor, by a committee chosen for that purpose. The membership consisted at that time of eleven members.
Rev. Dotson was relieved November 30, 1866, and Rev. 0. E. Baker took his place, and continued until November 22, 1874, when he was succeeded by Rev. Charles Payne.
From a membership of eleven, the Church has increased until now the number is one hundred and eighteen.
The society have no church-building, and have, since organization, worshiped in the chapel of the Wilton College building.
Congregational.--This church was first organized by Rev. James Berney, in Sugar Creek Township, Cedar County, July 9, 1854, at a meeting in a brick schoolhouse, near Mr. Evans' residence, and was to be called the First Congregational Church of Sugar Creek.
October 29, Rev. D. Knowles was called to officiate as Pastor.
August 3, 1855, the location of the church was changed to Moscow, but immediately afterward was again changed and located at Wilton, and at a meeting held at the residence of Rev. Knowles, June 20, 1856, new articles of incorporation were submitted and adopted, and the name changed to that of First Congregational Church of Wilton.
July 13, 1856, steps were taken to elect a church-building, and August 30, 1857, the building was completed, and services for the first time held in it, Rev. D. Knowles, Pastor.
The present membership is fifty-eight. The church property, including the parsonage, is valued at $5,000. Connected with the Church is a Ladies', also a Children's, Missionary Society. The Pastor, Rev. E. P. Smith, also supplies the pulpit of the Congregational Church, of Durant, Cedar County.
Catholic.--Some time in the autumn of 1867, the first mass was celebrated in Wilton by the Rev. Peter Mahn. This event took place in the house now owned and occupied by John Brown, situated on the eastern terminus of Fourth street.
The second mass was celebrated the following spring, in the house now occupied by P. Kent.
During the summer of 1858, the first church was planned and erected by Rev. Mahn. It was a small frame building, and was located in the south part of town.
From this time until 1863, Revs. Mahn and Emonds, of Iowa City, officiated, when Rev. Shanahan was located at Wilton, as the first Pastor. He was succeeded by Revs. McGinnis, Laurent and Quigley.
During the pastorate of Rev. Quigley, the plans for the present brick church were matured and in the fall of 1867, the foundation was laid, when Rev. Quigley was superseded by Rev. Walsh, who came in November, 1867.
Shortly afterward, Rev. Walsh was superseded by Rev. P. A. McCabe, and during his pastorate the church was completed sufficiently to hold services in. Rev. McCabe was succeeded by James Welch, who officiated until August, 1874, when he died at Davenport, from cancer in the stomach. In January, 1875, the present Pastor, Rev. N. Dugan, was assigned to the pastorate made vacant by the death of Rev. Welch.
The German Evangelical Church, was built in the summer and dedicated in the fall of 1876. Previous to this time, there had been occasional preaching by visiting ministers, but no regular organization existed until then. The first resident preacher was Rev. Jacob Knocher, who was succeeded by Rev. John Abrams, the present Pastor. Connected with the Church is a Sunday school. The Church property is valued at $1,500.
The German Methodist Church was organized by branching off from the mother church located three miles south of Wilton, November 25, 1876, with Rev. F. W. Fiegenbaum as Pastor. The, house of worship was built the same fall. The original membership was sixteen, which number still constitutes the congregation. There has been no change of minister. The Pastor has three country churches under his care. Connected with the Church is a Sunday school. The Church property is estimated at $2,000.
The Blue Ribbon Club was organized February 8, 1878, with some five hundred members. The first officers were: T. E. Ingham, President; Dr. W. H. Baxter, Vice President; J. E. McIntire, Secretary; J. E. Myers, Treasurer. The present officers are: Prof. G. S. Bradley, President; A. C. Elliot, Secretary; S. L. Lawrence, Robert McGuire and John Wiley, Vice Presidents; J. E. Myers, Treasurer. The present membership is about one thousand. The Club meets alternately in the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches.
The Ladies' Union Aid Society was organized October 19, 1871, with the following first officers: Mrs. S. B. Rider, President; Miss H. Peterson, Vice President; Mrs. D. S. Gilman, Secretary; Mrs. H. A. Hubbert, Treasurer. Present officers: Mrs. Prof. Bradley, President; Mrs. Sherwood, Vice President; Mrs. F. Gillespie, Secretary; Mrs. C. Straw, Treasurer. The present membership is about fifteen.
LODGES AND BANDS. Wilton Lodge, No. 167, A., F. & A. M., was instituted by dispensation April 21, 1863, and chartered June 3, 1863. The charter members were: James H. Leech, W. M.; C. P. Reynolds, S. W.; A. B. Yeager,J. W.; A. L. Healey, Treasurer; W. N. McNaghten, Secretary; W. H. Baxter, S. D.; J. S. Addes, J. D.; C. M. Macomber, Tiler. Present officers are: W. H. Baxter, W. M.; W. V. Stevens, S. W.; A. Cockshort, J. W.; Aaron Park, Secretary; S. C. Root, Treasurer; S. H. Wise, S. D.; A. Barnard, J. D.; M. Dell, Tiler. The present membership is sixty-seven. The Lodge meets at Masonic Hall on Fourth street, and has property valued at $1,200.
Pulaski Lodge, No. 107, I. O. O. F., was instituted uuder dispensation June 5, 1857, and chartered October 15 of the same year, with the following charter members: J. D. Walker, William N. McNaghten, P. D. Dale, Isaac Wise, P. S. Corey, F. P. Hubbert and George Dale. The first officers were: J. D. Walker, N. G.; William N. McNaghten, V. G.; F. P. Hubbert, Recording Secretary; P. S. Corey, Treasurer. The present officers are: I. P. Nissen, N. G.; D. Walters, V. G.; D. Moore, Recording Secretary; J. D. Walker, Treasurer; J. M. Rider, Permanent Secretary. The present membership is forty-one. The Lodge meets in Masonic Hall, and has property estimated at $400.
Security Lodge, No. 100, A. O. U. W., was instituted February 16, 1877, by D. D. G. M. W. Noble. The following were the charter members: David Agnew, George P. Arnell, Henry C. Bell, Winslow Blanchard, William A. Cooper, Thomas Curtin, F. C. Conant, L. F. Creitz, A. A. Cooling, C. H. Dow, J. G. Ellis, C. J. Edinborough, J. H. Graaf, R. M. Hiley, George H. Hancock, E. S, Hoover, B. C. Ludlow, David Lynn, A. N. Lindsay, J. E. Myers, Henry McDaniel, M. C. ott, J. s. Ring, O. B. Strong, William V. Stephens, B. F. Tufts, S. H. Wise, A. L. Williams. The first officers were: J. S. Ring, P. M. W.; B. F. Tufts, M. W.; R. M. Huey, G. F.; C. J. Edinborough, O.; W. V. Stephens, Recorder; C. H. Dow, Financier; A. A. Cooling, Receiver; w. A. Cooper, Guide; T. Curtin, I. W.; D. Lyman, O. W. The present officers are: William V. Stephens, P. M. W.; A. A. Cooling, M. W.; A. L. Williams, Foreman; E. Klepper, O.; D. E. Michael, Recorder; J. G: Ellis, Financier; J. S. Ring, Receiver; E. S. Hoover, Guide; James Hessman, I. W.; Jasper Dawson, 0. W. The present membership is fifty.
The Wilton Union Band was organized in September, 1878, with twelve members. The first officers were: Benjamin Tufts, Leader; Charles Gabriel, Assistant Leader; C. J. Edinborough, President. The membership and officers still remain the same. Most of the instruments are owned privately by the members.
Maurer's Band was organized July 8, 1875, with the following members: Fred, John, Albert and Henry Maurer, Albert and Peter Grunder, John and Henry Walker and John Marolf. Fred Maurer is the Leader.
Graaf's Orchestra was organized in September, 1878, with the following members: H. G. Graaf, Director; J. H. Graaf, R. Burnett, John Markey and H. Nichols. This is an entirely private enterprise.
CORPORATIONS. The Fire Department was organized May 15, 1877. The first officers were: Eb. Terry, Foreman; John Rider, Secretary; J. L. Giesler, Treasurer. The present officers are: Robert McGuire, Chief Engineer; W. H. Johnson, Foreman; J. L. Giessler, Secretary and Treasurer. The present membership is forty. The Department is supplied with one hand-engine, one hose-carriage, apd the necessary ladders, and have the reputation of doing efficient work in time of fire.
The Union Bank of Wilton was organized in June, incorporated August 19, and authorized to commence business September 13, 1878. The first officers were: L. L. Lane, President; Samuel Wildasin, Vice President; J. L. Giesler, Secretary; S. C. Root, Henry Will, Peter Daut, C. B. Strong, D. W. McCroskey, George Frenzel and Thomas Kenna, Directors. Present officers: Samuel Wildasin, President; L. L. Lane, Vice President; J. L. Giesler, Cashier; S. C. Root, C. B. Strong, D. W. McCroskey, Henry Will, Thomas Kenna, W. H. Johnson, George Frenzel, A. N. Van Camp and Peter Daut, Directors. Authorized capital, $50,000; paid up, $25,000.
The Farmers' and Citizens' Bank was organized in May, 1874; incorporated under the laws of the State, and authorized to commence business June 1, 1874. The first Directors were A. D. Crooks, C. E. Witham, Samuel Wildasin, L. Cotton, L. L. Lane, R. A. McIntire, J. H. Pingrey, J. G. Lyford, John Wiley, F. Hinkhouse and F. Butterfield. Officers: Frank Bacon, President; J. D. Walker, Vice President; J. E. Myers, Cashier. Present Directors: C. E. Witham, F. Hinkhouse, R. A. McIntire, Charles L. Peasley, A. A. Cooling and G. V. Scott. Officers: Frank Bacon, President; J. D. Walker, Vice President; J. E. Myers, Cashier. Authorized capital, $50,000; paid up, $31,000; surplus, $20,000.
The Grange Co-operative Store of Wilton was organized March 4, 1872, and incorporated under the laws of the State for five years. Articles of incorporation were renewed April 24, 1877, for ten years. The first officers and Trustees were: Thomas Root, President; Jesse Piggott, Secretary; A. J. Crawford and two others. Present Trustees and officers: Hon. J. Q. Tufts, President; W. J. Breckon, Secretary; Joel Clark, Manager; w. S. Agnew, James Mason, Israel Piggott. Capital, $10,000.
The Grain-Shippers' Association was incorporated in August, 1875, under the laws of the State. The first officers and Directors were as follows: T. H. Fishburn, President; J. B. Laucamp, Secretary; S. Agnew, Rufus Hinkhouse and M. G. Witmer. There has been no change in the officers or Directors, except that Simon Schneider took the place of M. G. Witmer. Capital, $5,000.
The Wilton Seminary Association was organized in 1866, with the following Trustees: S. L. Lawrence, I. K. Terry, F. Butterfield, S. Wildasin, William McClain. A deed of the ground was given to the Trustees May 1, 1866, by Benedict and Elizabeth Maurer to be used for school purposes, the Trustees agreeing to erect a good Seminary building within one year. The Seminary was sold to the Free-Will Baptists of the State of Iowa, and let by them to Rev. 0. E. Baker, who conducted the school for five years, at the expiration of which time, being in 1871, an association was formed under the title of the Wilton Collegiate Institute and the seminary changed to a college. The members of the association were: N. R. George, J. L. Collier, A. D. Sandborn, C. E. Witham, L. Davis, A. S. M. Ferrine, 0. E. Baker, H. Blackmare, F. Butterfield, C. Toothaker. Articles of Incorporation were granted September 5, 1871, to the following incorporators and Trustees, viz., H. Blackmare, N. R. George, C. E. Witham, L. Davis, 0. E. Baker, J. L. Collier, F. Butterfield, Charles Toothaker, A. D. Sandborn. About this time a boarding-house was built in connection with the Institute at a cost of about $12,000. A. D. Sandborn and J. L. Collier were engaged as the principal teachers of the college, aided by some others. At this period, an endowment fund of $2,500 had been raised by the financial agent, 0. E. Baker, the college was patronized by 160 students, and was in a flourishing condition, but in the course of two or three years, difficulties arose, involving the Institute to some extent, and in July, 1872, the college-building was sold to F. Butterfield, who held it until 1876, when he deeded the same to the Institute and presented it with an endowment of $3,000. In the fall of 1878, the Trustees of the Institute deeded the college property to the Trustees of the Free-Will Baptist Educational Society of Iowa. The donators of the Institute are numerous, among the number is Lyman Alger, who gave to the Institute and the building of the boarding-house the sum of $9,767, which will become the property of the Institute, if the school continues until December, 1879. F. Butterfield also contributed largely to the college. The school is operated at present by on ex-Board of Trustees consisting of Joel Clark, President; William Johnston, Treasurer, and A. 0. Mudge, Secretary, who are appointed by the Educational Society, and have the general management and oversight of the school and property.
The present township officers are: L. F. Creitz, C. W. Derby and Dennis Mahanna, Trustees; Theo. Bentley and George M. Frenzel, Justices of the Peace; Beecher Chatfield and Charles Lautry, Constables; A. N. Van Camp, Clerk; Mark D. Allen, Assessor.
We desire here to state, that much of our information concerning Wilton has been gathered from the files of the Exponent, by the kind permission of Mr. J. M. Rider, its courteous editor.
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