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
1877-1879
1877 Mr. D. G. Agnew built his home this year, this property is now owned by Richard Rocholz. Mr. Agnew also built the Drug Store building, now known as the Rexall Drug Store and operated by J. W. Duffe, Duffe puirchasing the stock and fixtures belonging to Ralph Harris, Harris from Shannon, Shannon from Cope, and Cope from Agnew. Mr. Agnew died in 1916.
Mr. J. W. Duffe is also a member of the School Board and he is young and energetic. Some of the following were born before 1877; Wm. Wacker is a blacksmith by trade, operated a shop north of the J. H. Wacker Implement Co. until May of 1946 when he sold it to Willard Hillyer, a returned war veteran. Wm. Wacker made his home on East 5th Street.
P. J. Wacker was first employed in the post office under H. E. Nicolaus, Postmaster, at present he is a partner in the J. H. Wacker Implement house. His home was built in 1920. Pete is a good hearted citizen.
Elmer Weierhauser is also a son of Wilton. He is a barber by trade and his shop is at the corner of Cedar and Front Streets. His home is south of the school house.
M. J. McDermott came to Wilton in an early day, he is a Marble Cutter by trade, retired, and his home is in South Wilton. Matthew is a good natured Irishman.
M. F. McDermott was born in Wilton in the early time, he operated a medicine wagon for some time, now does a little marble cutting at home in South Wilton. Mike is a fine fellow.
Jess Hanners came to Wilton in the early day and resides in South Wilton.
1878 The Union Bank of Wilton was organized this year with a capital stock of $ 52,900.00.
The first officers were Samuel Wildasin, President; L. L. Lane, Vice President and J. L. Giesler, Cashier.
The office of the bank was first in the Maurer Block and it remained there until 1886 when the bank bought the property and built the building now occupied by the Post Office.
The old Union Bank of Wilton quit business when the Charter expired and the Union Savings Bank was organized in 1898 with the following officers, A. R. Leith, President; H. Wildasin, Vice President and W. D. Harris, Cashier. The Bank was Capitalized at $40,000.00. It was liquidated in the 1930's.
Bert Duncan came to Wilton this year, retired, and lives south of the depot.
1879 This year Scott and Johnson bought the ground where Curtin and Parkins Blacksmith stood, and built the large and commodious brick building on the North side of 4th Street. They occupied the first floor with a grocery store.
On the second floor there were a couple of offices in the front part and the remaining was used for an Opera House.
This building was quite an asset to the town. It was in this building that A. T. Nelson became a thriving hardware merchant and furniture dealer.
It is now occupied by D. V. Smull with a splendid stock of hardware.