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
1890-1899
1890 Under the regime of Mayor Norton, a party was secured to drill the hole that was sunk for oil or gas to a greater depth, it was finally sunk to the depth of 1480 feet and procured a flowing well. Its flow was about 450 gallons per minute which made quite a stream. As it flowed into Mud Creek and the Rock Island Railraod got their water from Mud Creek, the mineral mixed with the Mud Creek water made it disatrous to use in the locomotives as it caused the water to foam.
The Railroad asked the Town if they could not put a cap on and reduce the flow. The town consented and it was kept that way until the water system was placed in most of the town.
N. C. Christiansen came to Wilton this year, resides in South Wilton.
Eddie Fischer is a product of Wilton, employed in the Tri-Cities, lives in Rider's Addition.
1891 Bill McSwiggin came to Wilton this year. Since that time he has lost one of his legs but still on deck.
C. A. Curtis started a plumbing shop this year in the building now used by J. G. Crispin as a plumbing shop.
The first electric plant was built this year, Geo. McCartney was the first Electric Light Plant Manager. The first water mains were laid and connected up with different properties. As Wilton was the first small town in this community to have its own Electric Light Plant, the City Officials of quite a number of small towns came to investigate the plant.
Geo. W. Kelley came to Wilton this year, he purchased the old Brewery Building and converted it into a creamery. He bought the property from P. F. Mueller who had operated the brewery. In June, 1892 this building was struck by lightning and burned down, he rebuilt in 1892, a more convenient creamery which he continued to operate for quite a number of years, he also manufactured ice cream. For some time he also did custom grinding.
Mr. Kelley was elected Mayor of the town in 1894.
1892 M. B. Nelson came to Wilton this year, first as a clerk in the hardware store of A. T. Nelson. In a few years he embarked in the clothing business with L. C. Brammeier as partner. He was one of the originators of the Wilton Telephone Company. In 1902 he left Wilton for other fields. While away he did business in Arion, Exira, Atlantic, Cedar Falls and came back to Wilton in 1943. He has built a new five room house east of his home, lives on East 6th Street, affiliates with the Methodist Church.
H. Wildasin came to Wilton this year. When he first came to Wilton he was employed in the Union Bank until the Union Savings Bank was organized in 1898 when he was made Vice President of the bank until he quit the banking business in 1906. He also was Secretary of the White Pigeon Insurance Association for 26 years, quitting in 1923, also served as Town Clerk for 4 years, City Councilman for 5 years, was secretary of the Wilton Fair Association for 5 years, is affiliated with the Evangelical and Reformed Church, resides on the corner of 5th and Elm Streets.
This year Wilton had a second major fire. The fire originated in the Wallace Blacksmith Shop and destroyed the following properties, Wallace Shop, C. Hucke Livery barn, the Scovil and Hubbard buildings, also the farm implement building owned by J. H. Osborne. These former buildings were all frame and two storied high. It then came in contact with the two story brick building of C. B. Strong, also destroyed most of the contents in the Strong General Store.
Last, but not least, this year the Union Bank was robbed of $4,100.00.
1893 This year there was considerable building and remodeling of a number of homes. The house now occupied by Mrs. Kathryn Claussen, was remodeled by H. Wildasin, the house now occupied by L. J. Kiser, was remodeled by J. L. Woodhouse, the house now occupied by Mrs. Dora Bannick, was remodeled by Geo Bannick, the last of the frame churches built by the Methodist was built this year.
C. Brown became ticket agent for the Rock Island retiring Chas. A. Walker. Mr. Brown continued as agent until relieved by M. J. Doyle in the year 1911.
1894 The Town suffered from the panicky feeling but the Wilton Savings Bank was organized this year, also they built the new bank building for an office this year. The officers of the new bank were as follows--- A. A. Cooling, President; F. A. J. Gray, Vice President; J. M. Rider, Cashier. This year the Farmers & Citizens Bank Charter expired. This year is when the German-English College was brought here from Creete, Nebraska. It was not very long lived as about 1905 it was moved to Redfield, S. D.
L. R. Friederichsen came to Wilton this year. He was employed first in his fathers greenhouse, later became the sole owner of the greenhouse. Lives in South Wilton. Mr. Friederichsen is one of our respected citizens, affiliates with the Methodist Church.
Harry Freeland came to Wilton this year, has been employed at various kinds of work, lives on Maurer Street.
Eric Ericsen came to Wilton this year, retired, resides on Cypress and Short Streets.
The S. G. Kelley Creamery on West 3rd Street closed this year.
Frank Merkley came to Wilton, resides in Riders Addition to Wilton.
Geo. Bouland, born in Wilton, employed on the railroad, resides in South Wilton.
Ray Wilkerson, born in Wilton. He is now employed in the City Electric Light Plant, lives on East 3rd Street.
1895 Richard Atwell, born in Wilton, employed by the Dickey Oil Co., lives on East 5th Street.
Albert Winsell came to Wilton this year, he was employed at the Shiflet Grocery Store, at present he is janitor of the Wilton Public Schools, resides on Locust Street.
D. F. Dwyer became a resident of Wilton this year, he was employed by the U. S. Express, also operated a poll room and restaurant, lives first house East of the School House.
Lewis F. Creitz died this year.
J. E. Park, educated in Wilton, became Cashier of the Farmers and Citizens Bank until they quit business. He was employed in other banks. Resides now in California.
1896 Quite a shock to the stockholders of the Union Bank, first the death of C. B. Strong, President, then J. L. Giesler resigned as Cashier, F. C. Michaels, Bookkeeper, went to Jacksonville, Ill. A. R. Leith was elected President and W. D. Harris, Cashier.
W. G. Griffith came here this year, retired, lived on North Maurer Street, died June 11, 1946. Whitmer and Griffith opened a new furniture and undertaking establishment in the Ross building, this year.
C. H. Jacobsen came to Wilton this year, he was a cigar maker by trade and was thus employed until he became Post Master. He has been an invalid for years, lives first house North of the Masonic Temple. Died in 1946.
The Wilton Grist Mill was burned to the ground this year, W. A. Leamer was the owner at the time of the fire, cause of the fire unknown. The building was one of the old landmarks, the building being built originally by W. N. McNaugton as a warehouse in the early days of the town. Mr. J. G. Sharp had bought the property in the late seventies and converted it to a Grist Mill by adding engine room.
1897 Wm. Wilkerson is a Wilton boy, he served in World War I, lives in Rider's Addition.
M. B. Shuger is a product of Wilton, he is some authority on tree spraying, also does painting, lives on North Maurer Street.
Frank Piggot, a Wilton boy, was in World War I, he is now employed at the Post Office.
1898 Nicolaus Bros. built the building, now occupied by the Western Auto Co.
C. Hucke built the building, adjoining, the same year, now occupied by A. C. Hucke.
John Reese came this year, lives on East 4th Street.
Rudy Arp came here this year, works for Hawkeye Lumber Co.
Andy Ovesen came here this year, retired, was a common laborer.
This year is when the Rock Island Railroad put down an additional track making it a double track system to Moscow. They also built a new brick Depot, also in 1926 a memorial or monument was erected in honor of Benjamin Brayton.
Frank Corson built the house that is now occupied by Walter Kaufmann.
1899 D. Ruff built the two room brick store building, one room now occupied by D. V. Smull and the other by Dr. G. A. Whetstine.