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 the INFLUENTIAL MEN of TODAY VERNON THEDE, came to Wilton in the year 1939 to operate a feed mill. He operated it for some time on East 5th Street in the Wilkerson building. He then purchased the building of the Maurer Bros. Occupied at that time by Harry Mauer for a repair shop. He changed the building into a feed mill and now operates an up-to-date feed mill on 4th Street, known as the Home Mix Feed Company. He employs several men and trucks in the business, also operates a portable mill. Mr. Thede resides in Muscatine. He is doing a thriving business, quite an asset to the town.
J. W. DUFFE, became a resident of Wilton in the year 1931. Mr. Duffe had taken a course in pharmacy and was employed in one of the Schlegels Drug Stores in the Tri-Dities, before coming to Wilton. Mr. Duffe purchased the stock and fixtures of the Ralph Harris Drug Store. He now has a full line of goods for his store. Mr. Duffe is a member of the Board of Education. He resides on North Chestnut Street, is one of our young enterprising business men.
DR. M. M. HARDING, dentist, came to Wilton in 1923. Purchasing the business of John Scholton, who came to WIlton in 1913, purchasing the business of Dr. F. B. James, who came to WIlton in 1897. Mr. Hardings office is over the Wilton Savings Bank. Mr. Harding resides in one of the Bannick apartments. One of our leading citizens, ready to help if necessary.
CARLTON WINTER, was born in Wilton, educated in the Wilton Schools, also took a course in a business college in Muscatine. Then entered the employ of his uncle, the late H. W, Lamp. Upon the death of Mr. Lamp, his aunt, Mrs. Emma Lamp, placed him in the position of manager of the Lamp Store. He is managing the Lamp Store quite efficiently, he is one of our rising young men, with quite a future for him. He resides with his aunt, Emma Lamp.
D. G. G. LEITH, a product of Wilton. After passing through the Wilton Public Schools, he took a course in the University of Iowa, after graduating from the University, he took a course in the Medical school. Returning to Wilton he began to practice medicine in 1908, being associated with his father, the late Dr. A. R. Leith. Dr. Leith is still practicing medicine, but his main occupation is, at present, the overseeing of his farms, he being owner of numerous farms in this community. He resides in his spacious home on East 6th Street. Mr. Leith is one of our thriving citizens. He has held various offices, such as a member of the Board of Education, also served as director and vice president of the late Union Savings Bank.
ED. F. DUFFE, became a resident of Wilton in the year 1922. First operated an oil truck for the Illinois Oil Co. He then opened the White Paint Store. His store consists of paints, oils, wall paper, and other articles. He now owns the oil plant that he operates. He resides in the same building that houses his store. Mr. Duffe is one of our young thriving business men.
ED. F. W. MAURER, a WIlton boy. After passing through the Wilton Schools, he began business for himself. Using part of the space in the Wacker Implement building. After the death of his father, the late Fred ( Cash ) Maurer, he began to use the Maurer Block on the south side of 4th Street. The first floor is used as a show room, and apartments are located on the second floor. He built a commodious garage on the rear. Which is an up-to-date garage. He built his fine home on Maurer Street in 1916. He is an auto mechanic, one of our leading citizens.
C. W. NORTON, JR., became a resident of WIlton in 1942. Mr. Norton is managing farms for other people as well as for himself. He is a member of the Board of Education, and at present is serving as president of the Board. He bought the property where he now resides, after he improved it he has one of the finest homes in town. His home is located along the highway ( No. 6 ) just as you enter the town from the east. Mr. Norton is an enthusiastic citizen, up and coming.
When JAKE DAVIS first came to town, to become a citizen of Wilton, he came to manage the Economy Food Store. This was in the year 1937. He was out of town for a period, then returned to take over the management of the Economy Food Store, which position he held until he embarked in business for himself, in the year 1943. He now operates the Clover Farms Store. Located on the south side of 4th Street. He has bought a home on North Maurer Street. Is Jake a spellbinder!
JOHN BURKLE, came to WIlton in the year 1935. When he first came to Wilton he was employed by the WIlton Cheese Company. Mr. Burkle left town for a short time, then returned and purchased the equipment of the Wilton Cheese Factory. Changed the name to the Wilton Milk Products Company, and it has proven to have been a profitable investment. He employs ten or twelve men, also has a fleet of trucks used in gathering the milk. The average amount of milk collected a day is about 3,000 pounds. Mr. Burkle resides in his fine home, which he purchased on West 4th Street. Mr. Burkle is also a land owner, one of our leading citizens.
DR. D. L. TEASDALE, came to WIlton in the year 1922. Shortly after graduating from the School of Dentistry, at the University of Iowa. In coming to Wilton he purchased the dental equipment of the late Dr. D. E. Smith, whose office was over the Union Savings Bank. His office is now in the Wise building, which he purchased, and re-modeled into an up-to-date dental office, which is on the first floor, and an apartment is on the second floor. He also has his fine home at the head of Cedar Street. Mr. Teasdale is one of our enterprising professional men.
HERBERT WACKER, a product of Wilton, after passing through out Public Schools, he became associated with his father, the late J. H. Wacker, in the Farm Implement business, and is now manager of said business. He was mayor of the town for 14 years. He built his fine home on Maurer Street in the year 1919. He is one of our leading citizens.
M. J. DOYLE, came to WIlton in the year 1911, to relieve C. Brown as railroad ticket agent at this station. Mr. Doyle has been our genial ticket agent for many years now, and is still on the job. Mr. Doyle resides on West 3rd Street, in a house erected for his own use, as a home. He is one of our respected citizens. He has served two years on the Town Council.
D. A. BURROWS, came to WIlton in the year 1905, to become bookkeeper for the Economy Lumber Co. Which position he held until the death of his father, the late J. E. Burrows, who died in the year 1913. He then became manager and is now the sole owner of the Economy Lumber Co. On a Sunday afternoon in the autumn of the year 1925, fire broke out in the sheds of the Lumber Co. and destroyed the yards, and for a time threatened the Town. The town was severely handicapped, a great many of the firemen were out of town, even the fire chief and his assistant. Mr. Bannick being mayor at the time, and knowing the qualifications of the late H. E. Nicolaus as a fire chief in former days called on him to take the position of chief for the occassion. The town called for outside help, Tipton responded with one truck, Durant came over, Atalissa got stranded on the way but, Muscatine refused to send help or equipment. Taking it all, in the town was lucky. Mr. Burrows has served on the Town Council. He also served as head of the Ration Board in World War II. He is one of our leading citizens. The Burrows family came to town in 1905.
GUS NOPOULOS, came to town in the year 1910. He operated a Candy Kitchen, and continued to operate it until lately, when he turned it over to his son, Leo. The Candy Kitchen had proven to Gussy that it was a gold mine. Through the accumulations Gussy now owns several city properties, as well as several farms. He came to the town a poor boy, but has proven to be an asset to the Town.
L. L. DAWSON, was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, had been a resident of WIlton for some time, left the town, and returned in the year 1942. He purchased the Star Drug Store from H. T. Birchard, who in turn had purchased the stock from Rudy Farner in the year 1927. Mr. Dawson also purchased the fine residence of Mr. Birchard, who went to the coast for his health. Mr. Dawson resides in his fine home on West 4th Street. He is one of our leading business men.
D. V. SMULL, became a citizen of Wilton in the year 1919, shortly after being released from the service in World War I. He was at first employed as a clerk in the hardware store of A. T. Nelson. He held this position until the year 1930, when he took over the stock in his own name, and has been operating the same until now. Mr. Smull has branched out some, he now owns the two store rooms. One was occupied by Geo. Heabner with a grocery store and the other was occupied by Ed Miller with a shoe store, originally known as the Ruff buildings, he also has become owner of the two vacant lots between his property and the Bank property. He resides in his own home on West 4th Street. Mr. Smull is one of our enterprising citizens.
A. J. WACKER, was born in Wilton, after passing through the Wilton Public Schools he began his career first by being employed as assistant cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank of Wilton. He then entered the service of World War I, after being released he again became assistant cashier of the bank where he was formerly employed. Upon the death of the cashier, F. C. Wickes, he was advanced to the office of cashier. When the bank was merged with the WIlton Savings Bank, he became employed of said bank, and is now employed there. He resides in his home on Maurer Street, formerly the home of J. H. Wacker. He is one of our respected citizens.
H. G. NICOLAUS, was born in Wilton. After passing through the public schools, he entered into the News business and also assisted the Nicolaus Bros., in their clothing store. In the year 1929 he became interested in the banking business with his father who was President of the Wilton Savings Bank. After his father's death in 1937, he was advanced to the Presidency of the Bank, an office that he now holds. He resides on the corner of 5th and Cedar Streets. Mr. Nicolaus is among the leading citizens of the town.
F. E. WALTERS, came here this year, first clerked in the Star Drug Store, then he entered the service of World War I. After returning from service he became assistant cashier of the Wilton Savings Bank, he is now cashier, also secretary of Oakdale Cemetery Association, treasurer of Wilton Schools, lives on West 5th Street.
E. W. MEAD, came to WIlton in 1935 to practice law, was first over the Post Office later bought the Baker property on the North side of 4th Street and moved his office there. He lives first house north of the Methodist church. Mr. Mead is an alert attorney. We must not forget that Mr. Mead was instrumental in having a Public Library established in Wilton.