IAGenWeb - Scott County

COMMUNITY NEWS ARTICLES

Long Grove "Town Gossip"

DeWitt Observer
DeWitt, Clinton, Iowa
Friday, January 28, 1887

REPORTER'S PAGE
At Home and Abroad

LONG GROVE [Scott Co.]
- Pay day on the St. Paul Ry Wednesday.
- A very enjoyable time at A.S. and R. K. Brownlie's last Friday evening. A fine supper of oysters and othe rgood things was served to an appreciate assemply of young people. Games, charades and a dialogue were some of the amusements of the evening.
- Then again the young people met at Mr. John Evans' to the number of 30, where all enjoyed themselves with the good host and hostess and family.
- M. Eckerman is having his pasture cleared of the large trees. We hate to see those old land-marks go, but suppose it is really better for the pasture.
- W.E. Owens has purchased C. Bluhm's stock of tile and will handle them in the future.
- Grain is not coming in very lively of late. The roads are not in very good condition in some places.

Long Grove on Paper
By Our Home Author.

Where'er you wander, where'er you rove,
You'll not find a place like Long Grove.
If you look on the map you will see
It is situated on the R.R., C.M., and St. P.,
A noted place, with depot and stock yards on east side of town;
Also contains the great Curtis hall, a place of renown.

There is one fact never made public before:
Its population (at times) numbers 10,000 or more,
It being a favorite summer resort
For frogs, mosquitoes and all that sort.

As we arrive by team we meet Agent Owen.
Who is jolly and clever and looks kind of knowin'
And, if he is not busy, I have no doubt
He will take us up town and show us about.

We first visit the great warehouse of Sherman & Kuhl
Who in agricultural implements and products deal.
They will take your produce at a price that is fair,
And sell you machinery and warrant it square.

Then to the mercantile establishment of Curtis & Rice,
Who display their fine stock with artistic device.
They exhaust ingenuity, try every plan
To attact the eye of the fastidious man.

We then walk down Broadway, the chapel pass by
And visit Ahren's shoe factory, on whose goods you rely.
Then, as we continue our walk, further along
We hear singing, and this is the song:

"Serene and happy is this light heart of mine,
As I gaze on the Short Horns and our Poland swine.
They are handsome and symmetrical, they are so trim and neat,
The herds of Brownlie Bros. I am sure cannot be beat.
They are so trim and neat,
They can never be beat-
The herds of Brownlie Bros.
I know cannot be beat."

Now, we've reached the city limits. We about face,
And northward on Broadway our steps we retrace
And visit the shops of Martindale & Son
Where all smithing is neatly and speedily done.

As we walk along our informant explains: Here Mr. Elder resides;
This is the Skimmin ranche, o'er which Mr. Weber presides.
Below, is the office of Knibritch, who of late
Has been dabbling somewhat in real estate.

Across the way is the great "Art Gallery" of Marriatt & Ahrens,
Who paint portraits, landscapes, and Sir, homes and barns.
That is Mr. Thompson, our legal adviser,
And Mr. Russel, reporter for the Advertiser.

We have a largely attended school.
Under Mr. O'Conner's efficient rule.
And two rising young orators, W. Brownlie and E. Curtis, who
In "discussion" of "Man and Circumstances," made their debut.
Wit and eloquence, such as those boys did display
Is not heard in this town every day.

And now, dear friends, ere I conclude
There's another class to which I'll allude.
Tho' I dislike (in public) to mention the name,
I refer to our "old bachelors" - shame on them! shame!

I would tax every bachelor pate, however bold or wary
Until each and all were willing to marry,
For in this world of vexation, turmoil and strife,
A man is not half a man, if he hasn't a wife.

DeWitt Observer
DeWitt, Clinton, Iowa
Friday, March 11, 1887

LONG GROVE [ Scott Co.]
- Miss Lizzie Ritchie, of Gaylord, Kansas, is here taking care of her mother, who is still quite sick.
- Miss Catherine Watson died last night at 9 o'clock. Miss Watson was a niece of James Brownlie, and has been with Mr. B. as his housekeeper for several years, Mrs. Brownlie being an invalid.
- The roads are a horrible muddy condition. Our country stores are profiting thereby. "It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good."
- Our Literary closed last Thursday night. Notwithstanding the bad conditions of the roads, there was quite a full house. Our society has been a success in every particular. There is a goodly number of full-fledged debaters and when we open up next year they will take the place of some of the older ones, who have had all the work to do heretofore.
- Our country schools are closing and big boys will have to get up some old lies in order to see their girls just across the aisle.

DeWitt Observer
DeWitt, Clinton, Iowa
Friday, March 25, 1887

LONG GROVE [Scott Co.]
- Last Friday morning occurred the death of Mrs. Henry Calderwood, at her home west of Eldridge. She was born in 1820, and came to live on the homestead in 1850, shortly after her marriage. She leaves a husband and two children to mourn her loss. The funeral took place Sunday at Long Grove and was very largely attended. Rev. Little, of Davenport, preached the funeral sermon. The coffin was covered with a number of beautiful floral designs that testified to the loving remembrance in which she was held by her many friends.
- John Brownlie and his three daughters, together with Mr. and Mrs. L.B. Guy, drove out from Davenport Sunday, and very kindly assisted the choir at the funeral of Mrs. Calderwood.
-Mrs. James Brownlie is not so well as last week. Her daughter, Mrs. Hook, of Brookly, is still with her. When she returns home her father and mother will probably go with her if Mrs. B. becomes strong enough to endure the journey.

DeWitt Observer
DeWitt, Clinton, Iowa
Friday, April 22, 1887

LONG GROVE [Scott Co.]

- Joe Nebitch is painting up his house.
- We will have some musicians in this neighborhood in a few months, if they work. Mr. J.C. Sands, of Davenport, is giving them music lessons. Mr. Sands thoroughly understands his business. He is getting up an instruction book on an entirely new plan of his own. He expects to have it ready in a few months.
- The wells are nearly all dry in this neighborhood and unless some rains come soon, it is going to be a serious matter. As we write it clouds up and soon passes away again, acting precisely as it did last summer during the severe drouth.
- G.W. Curtis and family have driven to Davenport today to deliver produce and by more new goods.

DeWitt Observer
DeWitt, Clinton, Iowa
Friday, May 20, 1887

LONG GROVE [ Scott Co.]
- The ladies of the Christian church held a sociable for the purpose of raising the balance of funds on the new organ. It was a success in every way. The new organ helped out wonderfully with the music.
- We are soon to have a new blacksmith in the person of Dr. Pratt, of Davenport. Mr. Pratt is a Veterninary, and if good in his profession, will be a valuable acquisition to the farmers of our neighborhood. Next we want a good wagon shop in connection. We invite all people here who are workers.
- H.C. Anderson, of Maquoketa, steped off the train this morning. "Potatoes" is war cry, and he will get them no doubt.
- Our merchants report business fair. Agricultural men seem to be doing a good business. Stock shipments have been dull, owing to low prices and busy season on the farm.


DeWitt Observer
DeWitt, Clinton, Iowa
Friday, May 27, 1887

LONG GROVE [Scott Co.]
- What might have been a big fire was "nipped in the bud" Monday at A D Brownlie's. The children were playing in some chaff and straw in an addition to the barn when smoke was seen to roll up in clouds by some men working at a building nearby, when they rushed there in time to save a big conflagration.
- Our school closes the school year today with a picnic for the pupils. From all we can learn it has been quite a profitable year for the scholars. We have not learned whether Mr. O'Connor will remain with us another year or not.
- John Long, jr., was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Howie. Both parties are well known in this neighborhood.

Davenport Times
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Thursday, March 15, 1900

LONG GROVE
Long Grove, Ia. March 14- The country roads will bear the sign now in many places "no bottom"...The Old Maids' convention was a success socially and financially, but we fear the main object was not secured. More than a hundred bachelors are yet to be seen scouting in the neighborhood heartwhole and fancy free. The rejuvenating machine introduced which was to transport old spinsters into lovely maidens of sweet 16 worked fairly well, but in some instances when the subject was born again she was born a boy! A married woman made an attempt to fool the machine but when she entered the hopper the wheels refused to turn and she was compelled to withdraw...W.J. Evans
whose plunge into the icy waters of the Wapsie were chronicled in Tuesday's Times, is himself again and is ready for another experience. He purchased a new horse of C.F. Jacobsen today...Dr. Maxwell had an upset and runaway last week without serious consequences...The school election Monday was a quiet affair, only 20 votes being polled...William Reimers was chosen to succeed James Hardes who has held the office for many years and was a faithful and efficient director...The brick yard will open up for business again this week. Mr. Ditch has taken a contract to burn five large kilns the coming summer...John Seastrand has moved into the late home of John Hansen...The W.O.W., the oldest and strongest benevolent insurance order here, has run for ten years without a death...These are now about 90 members in good
standing. They are talking of building a suitable hall as their present quarters are rather inconvenient. The Court of Honor, Modern Woodmen and Modern Brotherhood also have a substantial and growing memberships here

Davenport Times
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Mar 20, 1900

Long Grove
Long Grove, Ia. March 19- On Saturday evening, March 17, friends to the number of 60 or more met at Long Grove with their conveyances and were soon in line headed west. They brought up at "Bob" Johnson's where they unloaded with a yell and captured the burly Scotchman without the loss of a man. Baskets of the good things for which Long Grove is noted were taken out by the ladies and carried into the house. After all were in and wraps removed, Hon. C. Marti, in behalf of the friends, presented the good wife of "Bob" with a barrel (not Uncle Sam's barrel) but a barrel of dishes, this being the twentieth anniversary of their marriage. After two or three hours of social
pastimes, story telling and a hearty supper, the friends declared they had a good time and pulled for home...The Long Grove Pressed Brick Company is putting the plant in good repair for the season's run on their celebrated fine brick... There are several farmers arranging to build houses in the neighborhood, contracts being already let for two or three...The Sunday school will hold an entertainment for the benefit of India's sufferers on April 4. 

Davenport Times
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
July 16, 1900

LONG GROVE
Long Grove, July 14- The Star creamery is doing things up right this season...Clark & Doty are working overtime to keep up with the times...Tom Martindale, our blacksmith for 35 years, had his foot hurt by a horse a few days ago, but is able to limp around to his work...The railroad put in a new dump at their grain house here, to make unloading easy for the farmers...F. Schoolmeier loaded a car of ear corn here this week...W.D. Robertson and S.W. Curtis loaded a car of corn Friday...The barley is all cut about these parts...Dr. Maxwell is going to put up a windmill on his drilled well...P.J. Jackson Jr. and Max Behrens, from Davenport, put in the most of their week at Gus Lempker's camp, on the Wapsi, fishing. The reported a general good time...C.F. Jacobsen and his family were also there...Brownlie Bros. shipped a car of hogs Thursday...Dan Stevens & Co started out last week with their two threshing machines...George F. Horner, of DeWitt, is making a delivery of groceries here this week.

Davenport Times
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Thursday, Nov. 22, 1900

LONG GROVE
     Long Grove, Ia., Nov. 21- Many of the farmers around Long Grove are done picking corn this practically ending the years' work. The crops have been good and the farmers can now enjoy themselves through the winter by hunting quail, rabbits, doing the chores, roasting shins, reading the Davenport Times and be ready to start in with the 4th of next March with another four years of prosperity...Brownlie Bros. shipped a carload of hogs to Davenport on Tuesday of the week. Wm. Brownlie is in the northwestern part of the state on a business trip, and is expected to return home this week...Mr. R. Underholt is visiting friends in LeClaire and is expected to return home on Friday of the week...There will be a chicken pie festival at the Christian church on Thursday evening of this week. It is hoped that it will be well attended...Mrs. W.E. Owen returned home from Mitchell, S.D. where she has been visiting friends...R.K. Brownlie is building a fine new residence in the Grove. The house when completed, will be one of the finest in this part of the Scott county. It will be ready for occupance in the early part of the coming year....Mrs. P.H. Owen of Dixon, Ill. is visiting with relatives in the Grove.

Daily Times
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Monday, December 17, 1900

     LONG GROVE.
     Long Grove, Ia., Dec. 14- The Long Grove camp of the W.O.W. will give an oyster supper and entertainment at the hall Tuesday evening, Dec. 18. After the program there will be a dance...J.G. Evans made a trip to LeClaire Friday...About 15 of the boys went to Eldridge Wednesday evening, where they were met by about 20 of the Oriental Lodge of Wheatland, who initiated the boys into the mysteries of the order...R.K. Brownlie had a team run away. Fortunately the horses were stopped before much damage was done.

Daily Times
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Jan. 8, 1901

LONG GROVE

     Long Grove, Ia., Jan 5- C.F. Jacobsen has started to remodel the Clapp & Doty building, as he intends to have a lodge hall on the second floor, Clapp & Doty doing the work...W.T. Brownlie has gone to Eureka, Ill. for several days...Schools are all going again after the holiday vacation...Monday evening a number of young people gathered at the home of Miss Rilla Wertz to watch the arrival of a new book, as it were, and on whose cover is written "The Twentieth Century," whose leaves we must turn one at a time. All report a happy evening spent together, and after New Year's greetings were exchanged they departed, wishing Miss Wertz many happy "turns" of the leaves...Quite a number from here attended Morgan May's sale on the 2d.

Daily Times
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Jan. 29, 1901

LONG GROVE

Long Grove, Ia., Jan. 28.- The last snowfall was taken advantage of last Sunday evening by a sleighing and surprise party given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Mier at Long Grove and all had a good time. After a sumptuous supper was served and dancing was indulged in until a late hour in the morning. Those present were: Miss Clara and Nora Boecken, Miss Lena Zabel, Miss E. Schmidt, Miss M. Mier, Miss A. Vogt, Fritz Kroeger and wife, Henry Petersen, Hy Gotsch, E. Boecken, T. Skelly, W. Priester, Wm. Reimers and wife, Herman Oetzman, Henry Greves and wife and Casper Knippe. The music was furnished by C. Knippe and E. Skelly.

Daily Times
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
March 15, 1901

LONG GROVE

     Long Grove, Ia, March 13-Tuesday evening a number of friends gathered at the the home of Chas. Brownlie and spent a pleasant evening... The supper given by the Court of Honor last week was a success in every particular...Perry Clifton and Mark Ramsey have returned from Missouri and will spend the summer here...There will be preaching at the church Sunday by the Rev. Zink, who will locate here... W.A. Underholte has again been called to LeClaire by the serious illness of his mother...Jesse Doty had been called to Sugar Grove, Ill. to the bedside of his brother, who was accidentally hurt...Byron Petersen, of Davenport, is spending several days with his cousins, Will and George Clapp...Geo. Curtis has sold his stock of general merchandise to B.D. George of Davenport, who will locate here...This vicinity is greatly pleased over the run Mr. Binford is making in the teachers' contest and hopes to bring him out to a victorious end.

Davenport Republican
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
July 28, 1901

Long Grove.
     Long Grove, July 27 - Robert Graham of Brooklyn, who has been visiting relatives here, returned home on Monday.
     R.K. Brownlie was on the sick list the first of the week, but is around again at the present writing.
     Mrs. Mickelwright of Davenport returned home Thursday, after several weeks' visit with her sister, Mrs. Glover.
     Mr. and Mrs. B. E. Evans are rejoicing over a little baby girl who arrived at their home Wednesday.

Davenport Daily Republican
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
October 6, 1901

     Long Grove, Oct. 4 - Mrs. John Harder and sister, Mrs. Cook, both of Minnesota, are visiting relatives here.
     Miss Lottie Gilmour went to Davenport to spend a few weeks with her sister, Mrs. James Robertson.
     The relatives of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Thompson gave them a pleasant surprise Monday evening, it being the tenth anniversary of their marriage.
     Mr. and Mrs. Foley of Davenport are spending the week with Mrs. Foley's parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Berigan.

Davenport Democrat
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
24 May 1906

   Miss Gertrude Taylor spent Saturday and Sunday with her best friend, Mrs. W.T.B.
    R.K. Brownlie has returned home from Williamstown, Mo., where he had gone on account of serious illness of his son-in-law, Charles Brownlie. Mr. Brownlie brought his little grandson, Orin, home with him.
     Miss Nancy Marriott spent Saturday and Sunday with the family of George Marti. Miss Marriott will return to her home in Maryland after her school closes.
     A.H. Jacobsen returned last week from a short visit to South Dakota where a little colony from Long Grove are holding claims.
     Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Russell of DeWitt spent Sunday with Long Grove friends.
     Rev. Harker preached Wednesday and Thursday evenings of last week at Dixon and Saturday evening and Sunday morning at DeWitt. He hopes to put these two churches, which have been without pastors for some time, in condition to support a minister and hold regular services.
     Mr. Bendixon and family of Davenport called upon G.W. Curtis Sunday. They came out with their auto making the trip by way of Maysville.
     Mrs. Thomas Gilmour is reported in a very serious condition, and fears are entertained for her recovery.
     Mrs. J.R. Dosh and daughter, Pauline, returned to their home in Stuart, Iowa.
     Miss Mabel Smith, teacher in Davenport, and Miss Alice Apple of Buffalo spent Sunday at the home of Matthew Tobin.
     Mrs. Hans Reimers of Davenport has been visiting with her son, William Reimers.
     The Endeavor society will give a strawberry and ice cream social at the home of Charles Clapp Thursday evening.
     Thomas McVey of Davenport, drove out from Davenport for a visit with Mrs. McVey's father, Michael Lillis, Sunday.

Davenport Democrat
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
June 27, 1906

LONG GROVE

   Nearly everybody is busy picking cherries. The market is quite good considering the abundant crop.
    The creamery is running nearly its full capacity and the butter is the finest ever made. Nearly all the patrons have centrifugal separators and a pasteurizing plant has been installed at the creamery which enables the butter maker to turn out a product of uniform quality at all seasons.
    For those who have never visited a modern creamery we are certain they would find a short time here well spent. Instead of the old way of making the butter on the farm-a few pounds at a time-all the cream is sent to the creamery, which pays a satisfactory price right at the farmers' door, and saves the good housewife much of the old-time drudgery.
    Rev. Mott Sawyers of Davenport, came out last evening and organized the Christian Sunday school as one of the Scott county township organizations, which when completed is hoped to accomplish great good for the cause here. Mr. Sawyer always gets what he goes after and knows no such word as fail. His talk last evening was very interesting and instructive and was considered a treat by all present.
    Miss Edna Taylor of Davenport is visiting friends in Long Grove.
    Raymond Curtis has been on the sick list but is improving rapidly.
    Alva Brownlie is expected home in a few days from Seattle, Wash., where he has been attending school. He will visit San Francisco on his way home.
    Rev. and Mrs. J.N. Harker have gone to Iowa City, where they will attend the Iowa state convention of the Christian church.
    The new lighting system for the church has arrived and will be installed in time for use next Sunday.
    J.H. Marriott is around again after his recent sickness.
    Mrs. Maggie Curtis and children Clarence and Marjorie, of Rock Island, are visiting friends and relatives in Long Grove and vicinity.
    Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Brownlie of Williamstown, Mo., are visiting at the home of Mrs. Brownlies parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.K. Brownlie.
    F. Ghormley of Des Moines, secretary of the Mutual Horticulture Hall Insurance company of Iowa has been the guest of L.J. Gilman for the past few days. Mr. Ghormley is looking after the interests of his company L.J. Gilmore is their local agent. Many gardeners and fruit growers are insuring in this association. [Note: surname is spelled "Gilman" and "Gilmore" this is not typo.]
     Miss Janet Brownlie, with Lottie and Lettie Brownlie, of Brooklyn, Ia., are visiting with A.D. Brownlie and family.
    Rena Brownlie, of Rock Island, is visiting with friends and relatives in Long Grove.
    Bartley Schwegler left Tuesday for Pirre, S.D., to join his family on their claim near the above named city.
    The Long Grove band is holding regular rehearsals in anticipation of the celebration to be held here July Fourth. The band expects to make a good showing on that occasion. A number of old members will be on hand to assist.