| Muscatine County, Iowa | |
Muscatine Journal & News-Tribune
Centennial Edition
31 May 1940
Journal Notes 100th Anniversary
Special Centennial Issue Marks Milestone; Largest Edition Ever PublishedToday’s Centennial edition of The Muscatine Journal – the largest in its 100 years of existence – is a testimonial to the oldest surviving business institution in the city.
For only one other local firm of the present time can lay claim to a continuous record dating back to the pioneer days of 1840. Many others have been started, continued in business over a varying span of years, and then fell by the wayside before the relentless march of progress and the rigors of commercial life… leaving The Journal to carry out the continuity of the city’s business history.
But there are other present-day firms in Muscatine with histories, which although they do not go back over 100 years still cover a lengthy lifetime, as the business directory carried in the Centennial edition shows. The record lists: One in 1849; two each in 1854 and 1855; one each in the years 1856, 1857 and 1858; eight in the period from 1860 to 1870; 13 from 1870 to 1880; 20 from 1880 to 1890; 27 from 1890 to 1900; 48 from 1900 to 1910; 86 from 1910 to 1920; 124 from 1920 to 1930; 162 from 1930 to 1940; and nine so far this year.
The Centennial edition which The Journal today presents to its readers represents a tremendous physical effort and a huge expenditure in materials. It contains 216 tabloid pages and 14 pages in the regular daily news section – the largest edition ever published by The Journal.
Into its production went 21,300 pounds of paper – enough to pave a strip 30 inches wide a distance of 116 1-2 miles – or approximately from Muscatine to Waterloo. If laid out in an inch-wide ribbon, this amount of paper would more than stretch the breadth of the United States, with the excess lapping over in both the Atlantic and Pacific.
Ink used to bring out the printed story of the long history of The Journal and the community totaled 550 pounds; and a huge amount of metal was used in setting up the written matter in type and in casting the many pages. A total of 770 engravings will be found in the Centennial, 690 of which were made especially for the edition.
To obtain copies of the Muscatine Journal pages from microfilm one may contact:
Musser Public Library, Reference & Information Services.
3408 East 2nd Street, Muscatine, Iowa 52761
Email: refmus@muscatineiowa.gov
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION ONE
From Pioneer Community Weekly to Modern City Daily
Some Milestones Along The Century Old PathwayPAGE 2-3
The Journal’s First Century, Chapter One: First copies of Bloomington Herald issued from hand powered press; John Mahin enters office as apprentice; Mahins buy paper
Staff Changes of 1898 Noted In Journal Item
Paper Shortage Perplexed Early Journal EditorPAGE 4
High Acclaim Given Native Sons. Ellis Parker Butler, Humorist, Started Writing Career in City
George Meason Whicher. Honored as Poet, Teacher
Hundreds Were Given Work at Big BreweriesPAGE 6-7
In The Pictures on Section One Cover Page
Zion Lutheran School Plans CommencementPAGE 8-9
Aviation History Dates to 1911. Noted Aviator First to Fly for This Area
Hundreds Are Served Daily at Cafeteria
Advertisement - Stanley Engineering CompanyPAGE 10-11
F. M. Witter, Who Served As First Principal
Prof. Leverich Devoted Life to Education
Conesville High School 1940PAGE 12
Schools of Today in Marked Contrast to Systems of 1800s
50 Long Years, R. B. Connor, TeacherPAGE 13-14
Students Given High Placings In Forensics
Class Project Work Gains in Ag Department
1940 Class of the Muscatine Junior college
O. H. Kelley Served As Operator
When First Telegraph Message Was Received Here in Year 1848PAGE 15
Mahin Wrote First Story For Paper on Nye Killing
Journal Included With AP PioneersPAGE 16
Press Bureau a Busy Spot J. M. Beck Writes of Years Here As Journal Editor
Happy Journal Associations Recalled by Ralph J. LeysenPAGE 17
Daughter Writes of Mahin’s Life. Community Betterment a WatchwordPAGE 18
The Journal’s First Century - Chapter Three: New buildings occupied, new equipment added as paper keeps step with progress of community during the past 37 years.PAGE 19
Brisk News Breaks Greeted Frank D. Throop. First Week On Journal A Busy One.PAGE 20
Lee P. Loomis Writes of Days Here. Folks, Facts of 1907-25 Are Recalled.PAGE 22
Journal Housed in Modern Building
Mahin Guided Journal for 50 Year (cont.)PAGE 23-24
At Journal’s Helm, Clyde Rabedeaux
Members of the Journal Staff
Journal Maintains Big Organization Publication of Daily Requires Coordination Of Various DepartmentsSECTION TWO
Painting Preserve Old Times ScenesPAGE 2
Rare Volume Describes Beauty of the Prairie. German Author Stopped Here on Trip Down River Pictures Believed First Taken of Early MuscatinePAGE 6
Josiah Parvin, Veteran of the War of 1812
Ferry Here Was Main Business Before AssemblyPAGE 8-9
County Settled in 1834
Advertisement from Roach & Musser Co.
Benjamin Ny Recognized as 1st White Settler
First Iowan Elected to Congress
Realtor, David R. Warfield
Blacksmith Shop Was Frist "Gym" in BloomingtonPAGE 10-11
Earliest Hotels Left Much to Be Desired By Fastidious Guests; Bathrooms an Unheard-of Luxury; Bob Kinney Was First Landlord Here. American House Leading Hotel for Long Time
Pocket Book of Early Settler a Veritable Bank
Served As Justice, Jesse BroganPAGE 14 & 17
When First Pioneer Families Trudged Westward Christ Marched With Them-History of Churches in Muscatine.
Active in Church, Dr. A. B. Robbins
Early Priest Beloved By Entire Community, Rev. Philip Laurent
Advertisement, Muscatine’s Oldest Drug Store, Graham Drug StorePAGE 16
Headstones Tell Mute Story of Early Settlers
Politics Constant News Theme
“Muscatine” Was Name Choice for Child Born HerePAGE 18
Locale of Two Legends Laid in County. Fantastic Tales Traced Back to Frontier Days.PAGE 19
Advertisement from the Huttig Organization. Includes Employee Roll of HonorPAGE 20
First Court Opned Here in 1837. Hon. David Irvin Was Presiding Judge; 17 Indictments Returned by First Grand Jury ImpaneledPAGE 21
Judge Joseph Williams Was Outstanding Figure
J. Scott Richman A Leader in Early Days
Advise on Cure for the Aching ToothachePAGE 22
Many “Mushroom” Towns in County Soon Disappeared
Eight Settlements in Existence Here as Early as 1838
First Jail “Air-Tight"
Grant of “Keifingham and others” to dig coal
Abraham Smalley
Joseph Bennett
Advertisement from C. E. Richard and Sons Packing PlantPAGE 23
Suel Foster Played Important Role In College's Founding
Came West In 1839, Sheldon N. Candee
Early Druggist Wife, Adelia St. John FayMUSCATINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY 1840-1884 SECTION THREE
When Bloomington Became MuscatinePAGE 2
How Muscatine Got Its Name
A Thriving River Port
Robert D. BodmanPAGE 4
Pioneer Women’s Lot Was Hard One. Hardships Were Many, a Part of Every Day LifePAGE 6
Medical Practitioner in Early Period Was “Jack of All Trades”
First Medical Society Formed Here in 1869
Assisted Lincoln, Dr. George W. Fulliam
Advertisement – August Blaesing Jr. , Brick-Contractor-CementPAGE 7
Hippocratic Oath
Members of Muscatine County Medical Society, 1940PAGE 8
Woes Developed When Citizens of Many Nearby States Chose the Name of Bloomington for TownPAGE 9
Financial Woes Started ‘Way Back. First Year Saw County ‘in Red’ to Tune of $2,908
Early Relief Problem
Expenditures Cut in 1841
Church LeaderPAGE 10
Housing Proved Big Worry for Officials in ‘55PAGE 11
Evils of Drink Were Told in Page One Poem
Merchant, Joseph Bridgman
The Painting, of social party at Stephen Whicher'sPAGE 15-16
Photo of Muscatine county’s second courthouse
Agencies Have Varied Early Transactions Of Commissioners, Court Hold Interest
County Operated Under 5 Types of Government
In Service Over Span of 100 Years
Merchant of 1837, Adam Ogilvie
Banker, Thos. A. IsettPAGE 17-18
Building Served First As a Methodist Church
Advertisement from Automatic Button Co.
Robert Lucas, First to Serve As Iowa Governor, Was Muscatine Resident for Two Years Period
Kin to Iowa’s First Governor Came in 1830s, Samuel Lucas and Mrs. Lavisa Lucas SteenbergenPAGE 21-22
Came in 1838, J. Adam Reuling
Here in 1852, Mrs. John Barnard
Graphic Picturization of Times Told By Old PapersPAGE 23
Advertisement - 45 Years of Community Service Down through the years with the ElksMUSCATINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY 1885-1899 SECTION FOUR
Steps Along The Trail Of IndustryPAGE 2
Public Buildings, Island Levee, Meteorology Records are Lasting Memorials to Josiah P. Walton.
Ralph P. Lowe, Fourth Iowa Governor Lived in City Several Years
He Came in 1850, David Erwin Freeman
A City’s IndustryPAGE 4
City Leader in Lumber Industry. Billions of Feet of Lumber Produced at Heighth of IndustryPAGE 5-7
Advertisement from Aug. C. Altenbernd, Contactor and Builder
Hershey Name, Made Prominent by Earliest Pioneers, Lives Today
Came Here in 1855, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Musser
Richard Cadle Among Early Lumbermen in City
Advertisement from Detthof Hardware CompanyPAGE 8-10
History Centers Around Big Stream. Earliest Settlers Depended on River for Supplies, Mail
Peak of Rafting Days Noted in 1880. Lock and Dam Played Part in Later Revival
History of River is Colorful Saga Through Years
No Gold Rush Inspired This Historic Gain
Much Preparation Was Needed for Distance Travels
Good At Guessing?PAGE 11
Big Shiny Engine Was Big Attraction At Iowa Fair Here
Runaway and Accident
Accident at Wilton
Advertisement from Ogilvie's I and I Grocery and Market
Advertisement from Carter's Second Hand StorePAGE 12
West Liberty Making Plans for 78th Annual Offering Coming Fall
First Staff of Police Officers Numbered Six
Advertisement from Wm. GlasteinPAGE 13
Topics of the Times from Old Journal FilesPAGE 14
From A Hat to A Model Structure. Muscatine’s First Postmaster Received Remuneration of $4
Bilkey Recalls Five Locations of Postoffice
Advertisement from Muscatine County Farm Bureau
PAGE 15
Majestic Mississippi Was Source of Worry, Pride in Olden Days
They Had Faith Muscatine Would Show Discretion
Operated Store Here, Anderson ChambersPAGE 18
Muscatine Was Just a Trading Post When William Gordon Came Here to Engage in the Trade of Carpentry
Among Earliest In Militia
Trends of Business. Business of Muscatine for the Year 1855PAGE 19
Many Hardships Faced Early Farmers. Ardent Efforts Were Repaid by Fertile GroundPAGE 20
Button Industry Centers in Muscatine
Steamer "Middleton" fishing boat catch
First brick paving for MuscatinePAGE 21
Machine Age Brought End to This Industry
Beopple Factory Workers
An Open Prairie Provided Setting for Wedding Vows. Love Will Triumph!
Advertisement - Benjamin Hershey HospitalPAGE 22
Barry Name Is Linked With Industrial Life for Four Generations
Bitzers Identified With Carriage Making IndustryPAGE 23-24
Pappoose Creek, Now Hidden Stream, Proved Popular Play Spot for Youth of Early Years
Major Warfield Served as Early Railroad AgentPAGE 25
Time-Out For Posing – Photo of Crew in the Grange factory
Every Saloon in City Was Closed During Rule of Hon. John A. Parvin, City’s First Temperance MayorPAGE 27-30
Patterson Among Early Businessmen in County
Muscatine Hailed First Train
Here in The Fifties, Richard Musser
Advertisement - Wagner Cigar Co.PAGE 31
Early Ads A Business Index
An Eastern Viewpoint. Second largest city in the state and growing fast!
Advertisement - Muscatine County Bar AssociationMUSCATINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY 1900-1914 SECTION FIVE
Picturesque Muscatine ~ Residence PropertiesPAGE 2 & 4
Attractive Homes Add To The Beauty of Muscatine
Active During War, Col. A. M. Hare
Golden Event Looms Near for H. J. Heinz Co.
PAGE 6
Varied and Elaborate Were The Gay ’90 Parties. Beautiful Cohn Home Scene of Reception; 250 Friends Received
Target Party Held at McBride Home
For 59 Years, telephone directory
On St. Valentine’s Day
All Saints Church Dedicated
Last Word in Fads
Hannon Anniversary Event Observed at Party
W.H. Hoopes Home Scene of PartyPAGE 7
Jolly Club Entertains at Dinner
Married in 1854, Mr. & Mrs. James F. Schenck
Tin Anniversary Party Inspiration, Rev. and Mrs. S.E. WilcoxPAGE 8
Anniversary Date Noted at Surprise, W. A. Shew
Grand Masquerade Ball Is Enjoyed
Mattie Fassett, Asa Silverhorne Vows Are SpokenPAGE 9
Shelby Norman Post and W.R.C. Join in Installation Rites
John Mahin, Editor, and Wife
The Champions Celebrated AgainPAGE 10-11
Fitzgerald Lawn Scene of Event
A Novel Social
Lindle and Fuller Wedding Performed
Reception Enjoyed By 150 Ladies
Kelloggs Hosts on Anniversary Day
“Cinch” Provided Plenty of Fun At Musser Residence
Opportunists These Gals of 1840 ProvedPAGE 12
Many a Gala Party Was Held at Geneva Island Cottages
Muscatine Outing Club Enjoys Boat Trip to LaCrossePAGE 13
Ye Editor Eloquently Writes of “Weddings” But Items Were TersePAGE 14
For 40 Years the County’s Oldest Literary Society Has Participated in Regular Study, Social Meetings
The Slough Bridge
No Adjectives Were Missed By Journal’s Editor of 1883 When He Told in Glowing Words the Events of the “Calico” BallPAGE 15-18
These days of Our Years . . .
celebration of the silver wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Wilhelm.
Off for Picnic at Nesselbush Point
Enjoyable Evening at Warfield Home
Program Given by Literary Groups
Born in Germany, Jacob Leibbrand and wifePAGE 19-20
These Men Came to Bloomington In Early Days, William Parvin and Benjamin Neidig
The Laurel Building
On the Social Record
Zeigler and Brandt Names Figured In Early History HerePAGE 21
Days of 1860 Were Ominous Ones in U.S. Year Fraught With Numerous Drastic Event
Peter Jackson Prominent in Early Business History
Mrs. P.M. Musser Served as First President of HomePAGE 24
I.B. Richman Contributed Valuable Writings To Literature An History
Favorite 85 Years Ago, Old BicyclePAGE 25-26
Boxing Match of 30 Rounds Was Big Sport News
At Street Car Barn
Interesting Old Diary Tells of Daily Progress in Construction Of Muscatine’s High Bridge
Advertizement. Muscatine County Abstract Co.PAGE 28-31
Served As Surveyor, Aristarchus Cone
Lodges Formed In Early Years. Activities of Fraternal Groups Are Linked With City’s History From the Very Earliest Years
Masonic Lodge Second in Iowa. Centennial of Masonry Takes Place in 1841
Can you Remember?
Even the Editor Was Convinced of The Magnitude and Real Life Drama Which This Circus Offered PublicMUSCATINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY 1915-1924 SECTION SIX
Looking Back 1940 to 1840PAGE 4-6
Dr. Weed’s Gift Brings Joy to Countless Throng Here
Gave Park To City
Natural Settings Are Utilized to Provide Attractive Play Sites
Chester Weed Active in Early Business Circles
Old Chautauqua Park Was Popular Gathering Spot in Former YearsPAGE 7-8
Muscatine Has Only Two Veterans Living
Muscatine Was Site of Camp Strong During Civil War Day
Aged Warriors Served Their Nation Ably. They Offered Their All in Time of NeedPAGE 9-11
Letters Tell Valued Service Rendered. Aged Messages Tell Story of Valiant GroupPAGE 14
Fewer than 100 Veterans of Civil War Survive in Iowa
Radio Station Started in 1922PAGE 15
Has City an Unknown Soldier?
New Changes Were Speedily Adapted by City
Kin of Local Resident Aided First President
Advertisement, Herman Cohn News AgencyPAGE 16-17
City Welcomes Heroes Home. Local Firemen Take Highest State Honors
Basketball, Favorite of Sports, Was Leader During Pre-War Days
Correspondents Maintained in Nearby Towns
G. W. Fulliam, Botanic Physician
Travel on Stilts
Advertisement, Spurgeon’s StorePAGE 18-19
James Boys Once Roamed Country Near Muscatine
Salt Lake City Man a Journal Reader 63 Years
Old Quill Clipper Still Usable
Came in 1850, James S. Patten
Important City Edifices Were Built in 1901
Inspiring and Fruitful, Billy SundayPAGE 20
Pioneers in Wood Work
Two Veteran Wood Workers Are Convinced Old Adage Concerning Rolling Stone Carries Truth
Year 1885 Marks Founding of Firm, The Davenport Machine and Foundry Company
Lutheran Homes Were Started in Year 1894
Dewey Portland Cement Company Started in 1906PAGE 21
Muscatine Negro Served Nation as Consul to Liberia, Alexander Clark
Served as Consul, George W. Van Horne
PAGE 22
12 Different Presidents and 40 Mayors Have Led City Through 100 Year Span
Treasurer, Auditor Posts Were Among First to Be Filled
Zoller Brewery Dates Back to 1860PAGE 23
Future Major League Stars Seen in Action Here as City Supported Organized Baseball Team in 1900’s
Local Residents Saw Service in Diplomatic Corps
Came In 1848, Enoch WashburnMUSCATINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY 1925-1929 SECTION SEVEN
Lifetime of Journal Spans Them All
From Prairie Schooner To Passenger PlanesPAGE 2-4
Clay Brick Manufacturing Once Important Industry Here, Now a Mere Memory
Iowa Governor Greets Journal on Centennial
West Liberty, Laid Out in Year 1838PAGE 5-6
Local Unit Responds As War Threatens. Stirring Scene Enacted When Soldiers Leave for service in the Spanish-American war
City Hall Passes Quarter-Century Mark This Year
Congratulations Extended by Mayor BronnerPAGE 7
Surfaced Roads Supplant Old Trails. County Takes Long Steps Forward in Road Building During Past Few DecadesPAGE 8
First Home at Wilton Built in 1849. Original Town Plat Made In 1854; Construction of Rail Line In 50’s Spurred GrowthPAGE 9-10
Bozarth, Parvin Were Leaders in Education
Picture Story of Progress in Transportation
Montpelier Was First Town in County. History of Moscow Runs Back More Than Century; Fairport Also Among Earliest TownsPAGE 11
Owned By City For 40 Year Span. Purchase of Water Works Approved By Voters in Year 1900PAGE 14-15
J. Carskaddan Was Prominent in Legal Field
News Snipits
Centennial Greetings Sent to Journal by Iowa’s Senators; Sen. Clyde L. Herring & Sen. Guy M. GillettePAGE 16-17
Many Louisa Towns Over 100 Year Old, Toolsboro Was Scene of First Settlement: Known at First As Black Hawk
Lee DeForest, “Father of Radio,” Resident Here While a Child
Construction Work In City Made Gains Even In Depression PeriodPAGE 18-19
46 Made Supreme Sacrifice When County Sent 1,700 to World War
State Issued First Licenses to Motorist
Grave Noll Crowell, Texas Poet Laureate Links Journal to Exciting Event of Her Early Wilton DaysPAGE 20-21
Wapello’s History Begins In Year 1836
They Ordered Muscatine's First Paving and SewersPAGE 22
Columbus Junction Laid Out In 1870PAGE 23-24
First Telephones, Placed In Use in Muscatin in 1878 Were Objects of Interest
Came In 1844, Gen. John G. Gordon
City Went Into Mourning as Journal Reported Pres. McKinley's Death
Ye Early Editors
Dental Society Celebrates 100 Year RecordMUSCATINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY 1930-1934 SECTION EIGHT
Students, Schools of Then - and NowPAGE 2
City Continues Steady Progress. Major Improvements In Latest Span of Years Are Recorded. Treasurer, Auditor Posts Were Among First to Be FilledPAGE 8
The Journal’s First Century, Chapter Two
Sec. Hopkins Sends Journal CongratulationsPAGE 9
Father and Son Pay for Newspaper Office
Editors Son Helped Deliver Papers, H. J. Mahin Got Start As CarrierPAGE 10
Many Differernt Papers Started During Century
Journal Enrolled As Century Club Member
Mich Recalls Years Here As Journal Editor
Father Read Journal’s Editorials to Hanley, New York Senate Leader
Sam Strajack With Journal for 47 YearsPAGE 11
Journal Included With AP Pioneers History of Association Is ReviewedPAGE 13-18
Muscatine High School class of 1940PAGE 21
Theodore Parvin Held Important Civic And Educational Positions
Y.W. Will Note 35th Year of Service Soon
Many Obstacles Were Faced by Muscatine YMCA During Early HistoryPAGE 23-25
Nichols Class of 1940
Many Changes Marked Year in City Schools
High Record for Placements Made
St. Ambrose, With 1400 Enrollment, Founded in 1882
Columbus Juction High School
Letts High School Graduates
St. Mathias Will Graduate Class With ExercisesPAGE 26-28
Wilton High School Graduates
St. Mary’s High School Graduates
1940 Class of Atalissa Graduates
Lone Tree High School GraduatesPAGE 29-31
Five Man Board Directs Affairs of Two Utilities
Addition to Muscatine Power Plant
City’s New Pump House
Grandview High School Graduates of 1940
Muscatine Has Distinction of Building First Large Brick School in the State of IowaMUSCATINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY 1935-1940
Page updated September 29, 2012 Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb, Index Page
Page created April 1, 2012 by Lynn McCleary