1838-1938
| West Liberty History 1838-1938 | |
Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
INDUSTRIES at WEST LIBERTY West Liberty has been the centre of a number of industries dated back as far as 1860.
A flour mill was located at Clay and Third streets which was owned by Keith Bros. and was used during the Civil War as a part of the underground railway for the housing of negro slaves. It was afterwards owned by Rogers & Rambach, and was operated by Rogers and Weisflaugh. In 1881 it was destroyed by fire.
In 1886 Isaac C. Nichols returning from the Civil War built and operated a brick and tile plant near the Wapsie Creek, southwest of West Liberty. Here he carried on a successful business, shipping brick and tile to many points in Iowa. Most of the business houses and residences were made of his brick. His illness and death in 1887 occurred during the height of his career.
In 1870 the first creamery of West Liberty was operated by Sheppard Creamery Co., located in the basement where the Ruthenberg Clothing Co. store now stands.
In 1879 The Cedar Valley Creamery Co. operated business on South Columbus street and was managed by Levi Pickering. It was one of the largest and best equipped creameries in this part of the country, and was modern in every way. Its output in 1897 reached as high as 1800 lbs. daily. The product was known as Cedar Valley Brand, being disposed of in New Orleans and other cities. The building was destroyed by fire in 1902.
In 1873 Gus Burkart operated the first carriage and wagon factory in West Liberty, on the corner of Spencer and Third st. now known as the H. J. Smith business location, recently purchased by Dr. A. E. Ady. Mr Burkart employed four men; George DeForest, Sr. as the head of the blacksmith department with his son Charles as helper, George Murdock and Harry Reeves in the paint shop. After a few years he moved to a location on Calhoun and Fourth streets. After 15 years he found he could not compete with factory made goods so he retired at the age of 40 years.
November 1893 a stock company built a harrow factory on the lot on Elm street where the Edward Mullink residence now stands. George Pachedlor was engineer and John McCann and C. W. Burkart were blacksmiths.
In 1880 The Favorite Canning Factory on Calhoun street east of the fairgrounds was operated for several years by a stock company composed of West Liberty men. They canned beans, corn, peas and tomatoes.
In 1875 Oscar and George Wright operated a Poultry and Egg house, located on Clay street near West Liberty fairgrounds. After a few years the brothers dissolved partnership and George Wright continued business for a number of years.
The broom factory operated by Lamborn Bros, on West 5th street was destroyed by fire in 1884.
George Corwin operated a cigar factory in 1902 in the Gus Burkart building on Third street and in 1903 moved with his family to East 4th street where Lyle Holmes now resides.
A soap factory located one-half mile southwest of town, owned and operated by J. Hefflefinger about 1881.
A flax mill located on Columbus and First streets was owned and operated by J. Collier in 1866.
In 1880 W. A. Burger owned and operated a wagon factory on Calhoun street. After he retired a brick building was erected and at the present time is occupied by Lorraine's Beauty Shop.
In 1866 Frank McCune owned and operated a grist mill about two miles east of town on Highway No. 6.
A saw mill located where the West Liberty golf grounds now is, was owned by Alex Fulton in 1870.
A fence factory was operated by S. H. Merredith on Elm street in 1892.
In 1906 Homer Swain carried on a successful business in poultry and eggs. After his death, George Hormel carried on the business and it later was sold to a Chicago man by the name of Hogue.
Hutchinson Ice Cream Co. of Cedar Rapids constructed a building on West 4th street in 1925 which was managed by the late Earl Eves.
A button factory was operated in 1905 by Perry Turkle at Elm and 6th street. In the year 1908 Protzman and Abbott constructed a building and operated a button factory on the site where now stands the West Liberty power house.
In 1888 Elias Sanders operated a grist mill at Columbus and 5th street.
In 1913 Arthur Romaine operated a cement block plant on Prairie street.
A. M. Ackelberg had a cigar factory of the old post office building. Started business in 1920 and in the year of 1930 moved to Muscatine.
In 1912 Lawrence Swem invented a ring mould which was in great demand. He was associated with the manufacturing of the ring with E. L. Webb, and since the death of Mr. Swem, the business has been carried on by Mr. Webb. Mr. Swem also invented a burner for kerosene lamps, and also an adding machine.
The only two industries in West Liberty at the present time are the canning factory and the West Liberty Cooperative Creamery Co.
In 1914 ground was purchased by W. A. Parvin at Clay and West 4th streets and the West Liberty Cooperative Creamery Co. constructed a building. In 1919 an addition was made to care for their increasing business and to make room for the selling of feed, eggs and poultry. They also installed a machine for drying buttermilk. The production of butter amounts to an average of 800,000 lbs. yearly. The original officers were President, H. H. Hawker; vice-president, F. D. Steen; secretary, C. A. Mountain; treasurer, Reed Hawthorn, and director, U. E. Lodge. The present officers are President-manager, F. F. Lawton; vice-president, A. N. Rabe; secretary, Emmett Buckman; treasurer, L. B. Halstead.
In 1931 Citizens of West Liberty purchased ground for J. LeRoy Farmer, who in turn erected a building for the purpose of canning tomatoes. In 1937 the output was 65,000 cases.