1854-1947
| Wilton History 1854-1947 | |
Source: Henry Wildasin's Revised History of Wilton, Iowa
***Containing a complete reprint of Wilton History 1854-1876 by Rider & Stevenson***1947
SOME Of OUR INFLUENTIAL MEN WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY FRED ( CASH ) MAURER, operated a general store, his first place of business was on the north side of 4th Street. Located in a building that stood on the ground where Dr. Teasdale's dental office now stands. He then bought some ground on the south side of 4th Street and built a double store of brick, now known as Maurer's Block. This building now occupied by Ed. F. W. Maurer. Mr. Maurer died in 1930. A good citizen has left us.
DR. W. A. COOLING, came to Wilton in the year 1873. He was educated in the WIlton Public Schools. After getting his diploma from the school of medicine, he returned to Wilton to practice his profession. He and his father, the late Dr. A. A. Cooling, were associated in the practice of medicine. He was a citizen of Wilton with the exception of the time he spent in Altoona, Pennsylvania. A lover of sports, he died in the year 1922. He had built his fine residence on West 6th Street, in the year 1900, now the home of Henry grunder. He was sorely missed by his friends.
W. A. GRUNDER, became a citizen of Wilton in the year 1913. First worked at the carpenter trade. Then began to contract jobs on his own accord. Had been a successful contractor with the exception of the short period he was with the John Hunsinger Company. Then returned to Wilton and continued as a contractor until his death, which occured in the year 1946. He had served on the Town Council, was also a member of the Board of Education. He built a fine home for himself on the corner of Oak and 6th Streets. He sold this house to Hilbert Leech in the year 1943, and built himself a bungalow on the adjoining lot, which he did not have long to enjoy. He was an energetic citizen.
DR. H. P. MASON, became a citizen in the year 1900. After graduating from medical school in Chicago and serving as an intern, he began to practice his profession. On arriving in Wilton his first office was in the Griffith building. When the Farmers Savings Bank building was built, he moved into that building, and his office remained there until his death in 1942. Dr. Mason was a great lover of sports, an enthusiast concerning our schools, he was a member of the Board or Education for several terms. He enjoyed to teach the boys the art of playing baseball. He has gone to his reward.
C. P. TEEPLE, came to Wilton about the year 1900. Taking over the plumber shop of C. A. Curtis. He was a well driller by trade and a man of extraordinary strength. He operated the first automobile that came to Wilton, it was a one lunger, Grove Hill had the next auto, it was a two lunger. Mr. Teeple will be remembered by more than one.
JOHN L. WOODHOUSE,came to Wilton about 1886. In 1888 he interested W. D. Harris to associate with him in the banking business in Western Kansas where he prospered financially. He died in 1907.
FRANK BACON, SR., was one of our influential citizens of the town, during the latter part of the last century. He was one of our leading general store keepers for many years. He was also interested in the banking business. At one time he was elected mayor of the town. Mr. Bacon was a pillar in the Wilton Methodist Church. He died in 1905.
CHARLES C. BACON, a Wilton boy, was a graduate of the Wilton Public Schools. He was first employed in his father's store, in the course of time he became owner of the store, which was one of the leading general stores of the town. Mr. Bacon operated the store until the time of his death which occured in 1923. Mr. Bacon was one of the leading members of the Wilton Methodist church, a fine citizen. Attended to his own affairs not a meddler.
J. L. GIESLER, born in Wilton, son of a widow who had quite a job on her hands. Mr. Giesler got his education in Wilton. Partially in the Public Schools and part in the select school operated by Prof. J. B. Harries. At the age of 17 he was taken into the banking house of J. L. Reed who took quite an interest in the boy. Being an apt scholar he came to the front fast. After the death of Mr. Reed the Reed banking house was closed. He secured a position as assistant cashier in the Farmers and Citizens Bank, where he remained until the year 1878, when the Union Bank of Wilton was organized. He was elected to the office of cashier, which he held until the year 1896 when he resigned, on account of ill health. Mr. Giesler held the office of mayor of Wilton, also served a term in the State Legislature. Later was in the banking business in Muscatine. He died in the year 1931.
H. W. LAMP, came to Wilton in the year 1886, accepting a clerkship in the general store of C. B. Strong. He served in that position until the death of Mr. Strong, which occured in the year 1896. He was then made manager until the year 1900, when he bought a half interest in the store, and in the year 1905 he became sole owner of the general store. About this time he purchased the building from Mrs. Strong. Mr. Lamp was appointed mayor of the town to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Bannick, which occured in the year 1927. He was somewhat interested in the banking business. Upon the death of Dr. A. R. Leith, who was president of the Union Savings Bank, Mr. Lamp was elected to the Presidency of said bank. In the death of Mr. Lamp which occured in 1934, the town lost quite an asset. Mr. Lamp was one of the best mayors the town of Wilton ever had. He should be classed with the departed Influential Citizens.
DR. A. R. LEITH, came from the farm to become a clerk in the William Ross Drug Store. After he had received his diploma from the Medical College, which was in the year 1882, he returned to WIlton to practice medicine. He was quite successful as a physician, he became interested early in life in the banking business, was president of the Union Savings Bank of Wilton when he passed away in the year 1930. He had been a member of the Board of Education for a number of terms. He served as mayor of the town for one term. He was a public spirited citizen.
A. C. SHIFLET, came to Wilton in the latter part of the last century. Embarked in the grocery business, by purchasing the stock of groceries, of W. S. Minster. After some time he disposed of the stock to C. A. Kiser. He was elected to the office of County Treasurer but, did not serve the full term, resigning to accept the Post Mastership at Wilton. He only served but a short period, when he was called away by death, in the year 1913. Mr. Shiflet was a good hearted citizen.
W. I. BLANCHARD, came to Wilton in the early days of the town. He was first employed by M. C. Ott who was operating a meat market at that time. Later he formed a partnership with J. P. Hill. Their business was buying and selling of live stock, they also operated a feed lot on a large scale. This partnership was dissolved but we have no records of dates. Later he associated himself with J. L. Giesler who did stock feeding on a large scale. First near Wilton, then near Dexter and Redfield, Iowa. Later changed to Gladwin, Iowa. We might call Mr. Blanchard quite a plunger, but good hearted. Died in 1929.
M. C. OTT, came to WIlton in its early days. Purchasing the meat market business from M. Thede, he slaughtered some hogs one winter. He was at one time associated with W. G. Johnson in buying of grains of different kinds. He tried farming for a time, but his desire was to live in town. He went to Nebraska for a short time, but returned to WIlton and bought the WIlton Elevator. In a short time the elevator burned down. He rebuilt but not on as large a scale. While he was operating the elevator he was called away by death in the year 1907.
W. G. JOHNSON, came to WIlton in the early seventies. He assisted in the managing of the Co-operative Store for a short time. He left the town but returned in 1883, when he and J. A. Hanna formed a partnership in buying grain and livestock. After a few years M. C. Ott and S.L. Johnson, his brother, became associated with them under the firm name of Johnson Ott and Co., this was of short duration. Then he and his brother S. L. Johnson began feeding stock. They for some time operated a feed lot on the then known Reed farm just south of town. Mr. Johnson's financial success came when he entered the Auctioneer business. He was a wonderful farm sale auctioneer, which business he continued until his death, which occured in the year 1911. He was missed by the general public.
A. T. NELSON, came to WIlton about the year 1890. He clerked and worked in the tin shop of Clarence Walker, who was operating a hardware store and tin shop. In the course of time he bought the business from Mr. Walker. He operated the business until the year 1930 when he disposed of the business to D. V. Smull, who is now operating the business. Mr. Nelson died in the year 1936. He was a hustling business man.
H. E. and G. J. NICOLAUS, embarked in the clothing business in the year 1885. The firm name was Nicholaus Brothers, they started the business in the building now occupied by the Wilton Advocate office, then later they built their large commodious building, where they continued until they sold out. H. E. Nicolaus died in 1930, and G. J. died in 1937. They were always at their job.
JOHN BERNET, came to Wilton in the early days. He was for quite a period our leading plasterer, brick and stone mason. If his name should appear on all of the buildings that he superintended the plastering of, it would be quite numerous. He served three years in the Civil War. He built a home for himself on the west end of 5th Street, which was his home until his death in 1932. Mr. Bernet was a good and honest citizen.
W. D. HARRIS, a Wilton boy. He received most of his education by attending a select school taught by his father for a number of years. He was employed on a farm. In the year 1886 he became assistant cashier of the Union Bank of Wilton. In 1888 he went to Western Kansas to operate a bank for J. L. Woodhouse. He remained there until 1896 when he was elected cashier of the Union Bank of Wilton. When the Union Savings Bank was organized he was elected as cashier, which office he held, until he was stricken by a stroke which ended his career in the year 1928. He has many friends.
J. M. RIDER, first came to WIlton to become a citizen in 1874. He was the first and only publisher of a paper called the Wilton Exponent, which was later merged with the other Wilton paper. The new name was to the the Wilton Review. He was instrumental in publishing the first part of this history. Fron the beginning of the town until the year 1876. He also served a term as Post Master of Wilton. He left the town for about ten years, returning to become the cashier of the Wilton Savings Bank, which had just been organized. He was one of the promoters of the Wilton Telephone Company. He left WIlton in the year 1905 moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he has since died.
GEO. BANNICK, interests were in Wilton before he became a citizen. He had been associated with John F. Smith in the meat market business. It was Mr. Bannicks business to see that the meat got to the shop and Mr. Smiths to see that it was disposed of. Mr. Bannick became a citizen of the town in the year 1893. The firm Smith and Bannick continued until the year 1900, when they sold out. Mr. Bannick was also in the real estate business after disposing of the meat market. He was elected mayor of the town at several different occassions. He died in California while on a visit there in the year 1927. Mr. Bannick was a go-getter.
GEO. J. NICOLAUS, born in Wilton. Recieved his education in the Wilton Public Schools. He did a few odd jobs before he began to clerk for C. B. Strong in his general store. In the year 1855, he with his brother H. E. Nicolaus, embarked in the clothing business under the firm name of Nicolaus Brothers. In later years he became interested in banking. He became president of the Wilton Savings Bank, in the early part of this century, which office he held at the time of his death, which occured in 1937.
DR. A. A. COOLING, came to Wilton in the early seventies, to practice his profession. In coming to Wilton he was first associated with the late Dr. C. E. Witham. Later he was associated with Dr. Thomas Sherwood. He first had an office in the Ross building, then he built the Star Drug Store building, and his office was in the back part of the first floor. Dr. Cooling was quite an enterprising citizen, he was also instrumental in the organization of the Wilton Savings Bank, and the building of the present Wilton Savings Bank building. He was the first president of said bank. He was quite a Methodist. He died in the year 1900.
C. W. NORTON, SR., became a citizen in the late eighties. One of his first acts was to purchase the fine home of W. H. Johnson, who at that time was County Auditor. Mr. Norton became interested in the town and the community. He was very much interested in the coming of the German English College. He agreed to give a certain amount if his name could appear on one of the buildings, as a monument. It was finally agreed that he could put his name on the college home. Mr. Norton was mayor of the town when the deep well was sunk deeper, and it became a flowing well. Give him credit for what he did. He died in the year 1908.
C. B. STRONG, came to WIlton in the early days of the town. When he first came he was employed in the Lewis Grocery Store as a clerk. In a few years he became owner of the store. It was located in the building recently torn down, known as the Mayweather Barber Shop building. He then moved into the north room of the Dwyer building now occupied by the Stapp Implement establishment. He then moved into the Butterfield buildings, now known as the Lamp Store building. Some years later he purchased the building to house his then general store. His home was where Elmer Daut now resides. Mr. Strong had an operation performed which caused his death in the year 1896. At the time of death M. Strong was one of our leading citizens.
W. S. MINSTER, came to Wilton in the seventies. He was for some time employed in the Harry Scott Grocery Store. Then later in the grocery store of Scott & Johnson, until they went out of business. He then opened a grocery store of his own, which was known as the Minster Green Grocery Store. He continued to operate this store until he sold it to A. C. Shiflet. Mr. Minster moved to Fairfield after he had disposed of his store. He is now with the departed, he was a fine man.