Ida County Business Men

 King

 The Kings Roller Mills, owned and erected by Mr. Geo. W. King, in 1879, and with its additions and dam, cost about $12,000, and is the oldest mill in the city.

Mr. King was born in Onondage County, NY, and was raised on a farm, but came to Iowa in 1843, when a lad of six or seven, and lived on a farm in Clinton County.   He learned the milling trade while quite young, and has followed it ever since, with the exception of three or four years while he was defending the American flag.  Yes, when Uncle Sam called for the brave in 1861, the subject of this sketch laid down the burr hammer of his mill in Clinton County and enlisted in company F, 26th Iowa Vol. Infantry, and faced shot and shell to the close.

This mill is equipped with both water and steam power, and has all the latest and most improved machinery, including twelve set of rolls and with a capacity of making 100 barrels of flour per day.  The mill is run by water ordinarily, and the dam is on the Maple and has a nine foot head, and built of stone.  The steam is used only when the water is too high or too low.  The product turned out is first-class, and there are three brands that are worthy of mention, viz.:”Fancy, Patent”, “Koko” and “Straight”, and they will not only find a very satisfactory trade at home, but have  a liberal share of the outside trade.

Leslie King, the only son of G.W. King, and a young man who was raised in this city and graduated at the public high school, is now the manager of this mill and has been for several years, and he is a man who stands high with all his acquaintances, and it can be truly said that his friends are numbered by his acquaintances.

Sid Clark and Henry Zimmer assist in the mill and George W. put in most of his time at what is known as King’s ranch, a farm of 2,240 acres in the eastern part of Woodbury County, a few miles south of Cushing.  This is one of the largest and best improved farms in northwest Iowa, and is under a high state of cultivation.  Fine buildings and meadows and stockyards and elevator, and a general feed and flour exchange store is among the improvements thereon.  Over 2,000 acres of it is under the plow and the balance is pasture.  He has about 400 head of cattle on the farm and feeds and ships from 350-400 head every season and the usual quota of hogs. About ten or twelve men find employment with Mr. King, and this with his Ida Grove interests renders him one of the most extensive tax payers of the northwest.  Surrounding his beautiful home and mill in the northern portion of our city has 75 acres of land.  Mr. King and his estimable wife and interesting family are valuable factors in the business and social circles of Ida Grove, and they have all contributed largely to every enterprise of a laudable nature in our city and community.

Vern S. Miller

Vern S. Miller came here about two years ago, and by his strict attention to this department has made some very large loans to the farmer of Ida County, and is doing a very substantial business.  We do not wish to be understood by non-resident readers of this article, that by reason of the fact that so much money has been loaned out upon the farms of Ida County that framing is not paying here, for it is quite the reverse.  These farm loans have been taken out by some of our most well to do farmers, who wish to buy more land while it is yet comparatively cheap, or to buy more stock to consume their vast cribs of yellow corn.

Mr. Miller loans money to these farmers at a very low rate of interest.  IN fact in times past too great an interest has been charged by certain loan agents who may claim the cheapest money.  But we wish to inform the public that they will do well to call on Mr. Miller before consummating a loan with any other agent.  His office will be found across the street from the post office with C.W. Rollins.

Vern was born in Michigan, but has been in our state for seven years, and as we have said before, while he makes a specialty of the farm loan business, yet he handles real estate, writes insurance in old line companies and furnishes abstracts for Ida County lands.  his terms are reasonable and he is thoroughly reliable, and invites correspondence.

Geo. W. Cooper

Geo. W. Cooper came here twenty years ago, before the railroad, and worked for his father in the blacksmith shop, M. Cooper, and after the old gentleman’s death George resumed the business.  He has a shop 24 x 30 on west Second Street, and makes horse shoeing and plow work prominent features.  George  has a home in the city and says that if he can’t make much of a showing at his shop that he can certainly can at home.

J.E. Conn, M.D.

A good physician and surgeon is an absolute necessity in every town, as the health of a community should always be looked after first, and we are sure Ida Grove is to be congratulated in having within her city limits such an eminent and competent practitioner as Dr. J.E. Conn, who hung out his shingle in our city some five years ago and who has built up a practice second to no other physician and surgeon in Ida County. Dr. Conn first saw the light of day in the state of Ohio, but came to Iowa and Ida County with his parents when a boy, and was raised on a farm in Maple township, and we are proud to call him and Ida County Boy.  After receiving a good common school education and graduating at the academy of Iowa City, and then entered the Iowa State University, and is a graduate of the medical department of that institution.   The doctor now owns and occupies one of the finest offices in the northwest, and it consists of an office, consultations room and a dispensary, as he compounds all of his own prescriptions.  He makes a specialty of eye and ear troubles, and has taken a special course for the treatment of those two sensitive organs.  He also makes a specialty of surgical work and has a large kit of surgical instruments, and his practice in that line is not alone confined to Ida Grove and vicinity, for he is often called to neighboring towns to assist in performing difficult operations and has always met with excellent success.  Mr. and Mrs. Conn occupy a fine home only a short distance from the doctor’s office and it is made more pleasant by a son and heir who is the idol of his parents heart.  Socially, they are prominent factors in our circles and they are admired and respected by all with whom they become acquainted.  Dr. Conn has but recently been appointed United States pension examiner for Ida County, a position he will fill with credit.  He also had the proud distinction of being appointed by the Board of Directors of his Alma Mater to assist the examination of the graduates of 1897 class of that institution, an honor seldom imposed upon a physician of his years.

R.H. Smith

As an attorney the carrer of th is gentleman has been a decided success. He is of Scotch-Irish parentage and came to Iowa in 1875, and to Ida County in 1885, locating in Holstein where he has resided ever since.  His early life was spent on a farm, but after receiving a good common school education, his inclinations leaning toward a professional career, he entered Simpson’s Sentinary College at Indianola, Iowa, where he fitted himself for the practice of law and graduated in 1882, at the State University of Iowa, paying his way through all the schools.  He located at Holstein after receiving his sheepskin where he has since resided and enjoyed and excellent practice.  The republican party elected Mr. Smith to the office of county attorney last fall and since January 1st of the present year he has filled the office in a most satisfactory manner.  As a citizen of Holstein Mr. Smith is very popular and himsel and wife occupy a prominent place in the social and religious circles of that little city.  HE has a fine suit of office rooms over the Holstein savings bank, a large and complete library and is a thorough and up to date representative of Ida County’s legal fraternity.   Mr. Smith is also quite a land ower of Ida County, having 500 acres, and is theref ore a liberal contributor to the county’s credit.  He is a genial, sociable and affable gentleman and has a host of warm and intimate friends all over the county.

Frank Burns

The honored subject of this brief biography came first upon the stage of action in the state of Pennsylvania and his early life was passed on a farm. When the war broke out he was a resident of Louisville, Kentucky and at the first bugle sound enlisted in Co. B. of the Second Kentucky Calvary.  He served the union cause faithfully from start to finish.  In 1869 he came to Ida County and his first employment here was as foreman of the Hathaway Ranch which he held two years.  In 1871 he was elected county treasurer which position he held eight years and he has held the mayoralty of Ida Grove fifteen terms of one year each.  He has also been a member of the school board nearly all the time of its existence. Frank is a born leader, strong in individuality of brilliant intellect and superior in executive ability, broad minded, liberal and kind hearted.  No public enterprise of merit but what has received his earnest support, and few men holds the affections of the poor and lowly with so strong a grasp as he. Scores of men in Ida County owe their start on the road to prosperity to Frank and scores of homes have been blessed by his bounty. Politically he is a republican and there are many in high positions in Iowa who owe much to Frank Burns for their elevation. He is a mighty power in the councils of his party and many a campaign has been won in western Iowa by and through his sagacity and indomitable energy.  Throughout his life Frank has stood the peer of any man.  Thoroughly rooted in integrity and energetic in all good works and now in the ripe experience of an active life he stands a worthy pioneer representative of American manhood.

Weiser  & Van Wagoner

Among the successful and progressive business firms of Ida Grove, Weiser and Van Wagoner rank with the best, J.S. Weiser, the senior member of the firm, was born in Pennsylvania, and in early life was a contractor and builder.  At the breaking out of the war he was clerking in a large iron manufacturing establishment and left a $100 per month job to fight for his country and ear hard tack at $13 a month.  He enlisted in Company K, 130 Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, and was afterwards transferred t the 22nd calvary and was soon elected 1st lieutenant.  He was in fifty-six battles and skirmishes and was a thorough soldier in every call of duty.

He came to Ida County in 1883 and bought a farm and lived upon it six years, when he came to Ida Grove and engaged in the grocery business as successor to Kent Bros., whom he bought out.

He stills owns a elegant farm of 400 acres, well improved and stocked, and extensive buildings with all modern conveniences such as waterworks, ect.    About one year ago the present partnership was formed, which has prospered by fair dealing and thorough business methods.   Their store building is 20 x 100 feet, two stories high and located on Main Street.

P.O. Van Wagoner, the junior member of the firm was born in Michigan, and was a farm boy.  Coming to Ida Grove in 1881 he purchased a fine farm.  In 1890 he was elected sheriff on the democratic ticked and held the office six years and was acknowledged an excellent duty officer, consciences in every duty.  He owns a pleasant residence on Moorehead Street, where a happy family rejoice together.

J.C. Walter

J.C. Walter, one of our most prominent attorneys, one to whom we can go without tale of woe and he will give us sound legal information regarding the matter as laid before him. He was born in Pennsylvania, attended the University of Louisville, and in 1881 was admitted to practice law in that state.  In the same year he came to Battle Creek, Iowa and to Ida Grove in 1885.  From 1886-1888 he was our county attorney, which position he held with dignity and to the satisfaction of all.   He is not only a leading attorney of our city, but county.  His pleasant office rooms are over Freeman’s millinery store.  He has an excellent wife, who together with their three girls form a most bright and happy family.

Dr. E.C. Heilman

Dr. E.C. Heilman is a native raised  a Hawkeye citizen, having been born in Cedar County, Iowa and where he received a good common school education.  The doctor is a graduate of the Cincinnati, Ohio Medical College and is now the pioneer practicing physician of Ida Grove, having located here in 1877, and has been constantly engaged in the practice of his profession with the exception of four years that he was the incumbent of the county treasurer’s office.  Dr. Heilman is now nicely located in his new office at the corner of Third and Main Streets, one door north of this office and it makes him splendid quarters for the profession he is following.  He also has one of the finest residence properties in the city, and has a happy and contented family to help him enjoy it.  Dr. Heilman is a progressive and enterprising citizen, a successful physician and his large and constantly increasing practice a truly deserving one.

Jacob A. Brechwald

The proprietor of the Central Meat Market, was born in Germany, came in 1881 to Ida County.  His uncle, John Brechwald, was the former proprietor but about two years ago sold to Jake.  The market is situated the first door west of the City Drug Store and is 24x100 feet, the largest shop in the city or valley, and contains an ice box that will hold a car of beef.

When Mr. Brechwald came to this country he could not speak one word of English, but by hard work and having a bright mind he is now one of the best business men of our city.  Jake resides with his parents in a neat little home.  Everything about the shop is kept in a clean condition and his meats are always well kept and the place has a neat appearance and a fresh look that insures the patrons that everything is O.K. in the Central Meat Market.  Highest price paid for hides, tallow, and butchering stock.

E. Varner

The proprietor of the Red Front Livery Stable is J.E. Varner, who was born in Illinois, but came to Iowa in 1862, and to Ida County in 1879 and traded for the West End livery and traded for the West End livery barn.  It is opposite the stream mills, is 45 x 100 feet, and the largest barn in the city.

He has eight of nine good buggies and his horses are the best, much better than are usually found in a livery barn.  They are all good travelers and trusty animals.  Sending out some of the finest turnouts in the city, and if desired will furnish good careful drivers and gives special attention to commercial travelers. Mr. Varner is a man of good habits, quiet and industrious, and has many warm friends.

J.D. Harrington

J.D. Harrington was born in Pennsylvania, and was a good lumberman.  He came to Iowa in 1857 and was a “river man” for a year of two.  When the war broke out he enlisted in Company B, 27th Iowa infantry and served three years.  Came to Ida County in 1882 and was a farmer for many years. He was county supervisor one term, and was appointed postmaster under Cleveland’s administration in 1894, and still holds that position.  His sons, Charley and Andrew, are deputies.  Mr. Harrington is a very prominent democrat and well deserves the position which he now holds.  He is a gentleman in every sense of the word, kind and accommodating, and a thorough business man.

Loucks Brothers

This strong commercial firm conduct a large drug business at Ida Grove and Danbury. T he senior member of the firm, Mr. R.M. Loucks, has been in the business thirty-two years, and was the pioneer druggist at Danbury where he is local manager of the firm.  J.C. Loucks, resident manager at Ida Grove was born in Marshall County, Iowa and is therefore a native Iowan. He has been in the drug business something over twelve years and is thorough in all its branches. J.C. came to Ida Grove in 1895 and purchased the City Drug Store of M.R. Karterman, and from here carries one of the largest and best selected stocks in western Iowa. Their room is 24 x 100 feet, located on Main Street and they carry a complete assortment of stock.

A.S. Wert

A.S. Wert is a native of our state and came here in 1884 and opened up a brick yard adjacent to the city on the east.  He has a plant that is up to date in all its detail and the quality of brick he turns out is fine and most of the brick structures of our city were made from his output.   It has a capacity of 15,000 brick per day. There are 14 or 15 acres in the plant besides a good residence and other buildings.  The quality of the brick rank with the best on the Missouri slope and the best in the Maple Valley.  Mr. Wert is a hard working and honorable citizen and worthy patronage.

N. Hansen

N. Hansen is a native of Denmark, but came to America in 1870 a poor man.  He had a good trade, that of machinist. he came to Ida County in 1881 and began farming and he now owns two fine farms of 360 acres. He moved to Ida Grove in 1885 and opened up a photograph gallery, which he now operates.  Mr. Hanson’s gallery is complete in all its equipment’s and he makes a specialty of landscapes, enlarging, views and  India ink work, and in fact everything done in a first class photograph gallery.

Mrs. Belle Hansen

Mrs. Belle Hansen has the largest millinery store in the city in the front rooms of  the gallery. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen, although having a goodly amount of this world’s goods, are still desirous of obtaining more and by dint of industry and close attention to business they are sure of success.  Their trade is constantly increasing and their goods and workmanship recommends themselves.  Mrs. Hansen during her long residence in this community has made a wide circle of friends and acquaintances and she has ever been an important factor in both our religious and social circles.  Her business judgment and most excellent taste in the selection of seasonable millinery goods has won for her a large patronage and of which she is most worthy and deserving.

J.H. Pritchard

He was born in Ontario, Canada, but was raised on a farm in Clinton County, Iowa.  HE came to Ida County nine years ago and to our city last season and bought out the oldest meat market of the city, known as the “City Meat Market”, which is the leading one in the city.   He buys nothing but the very best of stock and therefore his meats are of the very best quality. He keeps constantly on hand meats both salt and fresh.  His shop is finely fitted with ice boxes and in fact everything to be found in a first class meat market.   On Friday of each week fresh fish can be had at reasonable prices. J.H. is an energetic business man and has the respect of the entire county and we predict for him great and success in the business of which he is proprietor.

F.C. Meyers

He was born in Pennsylvania, lived on a farm in early life. He came to Ida Grove in 1880 and opened a baker’s shop.  Through economic and energy he steadily progressed and now owns the Star Restaurant on Main Street.  The building is 24 x 60, two stories high. In addition to his restaurant he deals in all kinds of fruits in their season, temperance drinks and confectionery.  He also runs a bakery and supplies the people with substantial and delicacies in that line. “Fred” as he is familiarly called, enjoys the esteem and confidence of all, and in this business he is ably assisted by his excellent  (paper is torn, can’t read the rest)

W.C. Riddle

W.C. Riddle was born in Pennsylvania and his early life was passed n agricultural pursuits among the sturdy farmers of that great state. In 1882 he came to Ida County and followed farming the first seven years and now owns a fine productive farm of 240 acres in Logan township. Since he took up his residence in town he has been engaged in the real estate business and is reliable, conscientious and honorable in all business matters. Mr. Riddle owns and occupies a beautiful home in the city and a pleasant office on Main Street.  In all public enterprise he takes an active interest and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all. He has upon his list many fine Ida County farms for sale or rent and solicits correspondence on land or loan matters or information concerning them. He also represents several standard and responsible companies and in all business transaction is painstaking, prompt and being a man of superior judgment and thoroughly reliable, his council and advice is valuable to any who desire information concerning the west.

B.M. Hester

The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Iowa and learned the harness maker’s trade early in life to which he has diligently applied himself from boyhood.  He came to Ida County in 1879 and started in the manufacture and sale of harness and everything connected with that line of goods.  Mr. Hester is the pioneer harness dealer of the city who has continuously conducted the business and he has steadily advanced in public favor and commercial solidity. He manufactures nothing but first class goods. All his stock is oak tanned and hand made and he carries the largest stock in the Maple Valley. In fact it is a complete horse millinery and mule jewelry establishment.  His salesroom on Second Street is 25 x 55 with commodious work shop in the rear, and this with a fine residence property on main Street Mr. Hester owns.  “Barney” as he is known, is abreast of the times in all enterprises and takes a lively interest in thoroughbred horses and owns the renowned Hambletonian stallion “Britton” whose get includes some of the finest roadsters in the west.

Bowman and Kranz Brothers

Bowman and Kranz brothers, at Holstein, the company was first established, and was known as the S.H. Bowman Lumber Company in 1883. The Kranz boys were born in Germany and came to America poor in this world’s goods, but rich in energy and perseverance and could not speak a word of English.

John C. secured a job as foreman on H.C. Wheeler’s ranch at Odebolt at $425.  a year, and H.G. worked in the Bowman lumber yard at Ida Grove and Holstein for $30 a month. In 186 the boys bought out the Bowman Lumber Co. at Holstein, retaining S.H. Bowman as a partner and began business upon a new basis.  Steadily have they advanced until they are recognized among the most substantial businessmen of the west.

They carry immense stock of everything pertaining to their line of business, and have erected fine lumber sheds 62 x 100 feet.  Both the Kranz boys own fine residences  and J.C. owns a rich farm of 240 acres.  Both are also stockholders and directors in the First National Bank of Holstein and are closely allied with every enterprise that tends to the mutual advancement of their towns.

Henry Boyce

Henry Boyce is a native of Vermont and came to Iowa 21 years ago and to Ida Grove 14 years ago. Upon arrival here he purchased the desirable business property he now owns and occupies on Second Street and opened a restaurant. He is a man of sterling integrity and straightforward in all his dealings and associations in life.  These elements of character have given him an enviable place in public esteem and have been the foundation of his steady advancement in public favor.  Henry Boyce attends strictly to his own business and while he takes a lively interest to public affairs he never seeks position and scorns the bickerings of the profession political.  The people on their own motion elected him to the city council and he is now a member of the school board.   Every duty in life he fulfills promptly and thoroughly without the least hesitation.  You get his opinion or his promise on the spot and his word is as good as a bond.   Besides his business property he owns a fine residence on Burns Street where a happy and highly cultured family enjoy life in cheerfulness.

Bells Ranch

A.B. Bell, the proprietor, came to Ida County in 1880, and farmed for a number of years, after which he moved to this city and has been engaged in stock buying and feeding.  He has 1,000 acres in the ranch, which is located 2 miles northwest of this city.  He feeds and has on hand from 400 to 500 steers constantly.  His barns and cribs are large and his feedyards are equipped with every modern convenience for preparing stock for market.  Mr. and Mrs. Bell own and occupy one of the finest homes in our city.

J.K. Lease

He has been a resident of Ida Grove for 10 or 12 years.  He is engaged in stock buying and is the senior member of the firm Lease and Hess, meat market.

J.W. Kegrice

Our young friend who is the subject of this biography was born in Peoria County, Illinois, and moved with is parents to Perry, Iowa, twenty years ago and later moved to Scranton.  He began learning the jeweler’s trade at Bayard, Iowa. In 1890 he came to Ida Grove and in company with Henry Boyce established a jewelry business here. Four years ago he bought the interest of his partner and has since then been engaged in business alone. He is a competent and painstaking workman and carries an attractive and complete stock of goods in his line. Horsemen will interested in his nice line of stop watches and those who admire the novel will delight in the possession of a watch that when a spring is touched strikes the hour and the number of five minutes after the hour-a time piece more especially for the blind. Mr. Kegrice also does fine engraving and has a line of silverware.

Lusk and Davis

F.A. Lusk the resident member of the firm is a New Yorker by birth, and was born in Livingston County, NY, but has made his home in Iowa for nearly thirty years, commencing his commercial career as a clerk in 1873 and has been continuously engaged in business ever since.  IN 1881, in company with H.J. Davis and with whom he had been employed for eight years previous, he engaged in the mercantile business in this city and has since managed the interests of the partnership which still exists, making them the oldest continuous business term in Ida Grove.  Since 1887 the firm has handled exclusive lines of dry goods, shoes and carpets and their stock in these lines rank with the very best stores in western Iowa.  The establishment of itself is a credit to the city occupying two floors of a building 23 x 100 feet in the National Block, and Mr. Lusk’s long experience in the mercantile business stands him in good stead in the selection of goods suitable for the various seasons of the year.  This store is one of the most artistically arranged in the city, every department being displayed to its best advantage and the clerks in charge take pride in making it as attractive to patrons as possible.  In the dry goods and dress goods department Mr. Lusk enjoys an unusually large patronize for it is not alone confined to Ida Grove and vicinity but the surrounding towns, contribute a large number of patrons each year.  In the shoe department the goods have also been selected with care and the ladies and children can secure a stylish shop at very reasonable prices.  Carpets of all kinds are handled by the roll, in fact they keep in stock the largest and most complete assortment of carpets to be found between Des Moines and Sioux City and prices on these goods will compare favorable with any exclusive carpet house on either of those cities.  Ladie’s furnishing goods of all kinds and a fine line of wraps can always be found in stock.  In fact both merchants believe in keeping up with the times by providing the latest styles and satisfactory qualities to their trade.

During Mr. Lusk’s long business career in Ida Grove he has ever been an earnest supporter of all public improvements and has held nearly every office in the gift of the municipality and for nine years was one of the most active members of the city council. He is also a prominent stock holder in the electric light company of this city and is secretary of that association, a position he fills with credit.  Mr. and Mrs. Lusk and their two children occupy one of our most beautiful homes and in all matters of a social and public nature they take an active part.  Mr. Lusk is also a prominent member of the I.O. O.F. and Mason lodges and holds important offices in both of those secret organizations.

Mr. H.J. Davis, the non-resident partner, re  sides at Miles, Iowa, where he has been successfully engaged in the mercantile trade since 1871, and is one of that city’s leading and most influential citizens. Mr. Lusk believes in a liberal use of printers ink and his patronage to the papers of Ida Grove has not only proven lucrative to them but profitable to the firm as well.

Anderson and Lipton Company

Anderson, Lipton & Co., is a banking firm that was established here one year ago this month, the money being left to heirs here by the late Senator Fair and their immediate cash resources is over $350,000, and are able to take care of all their patrons, and the establishment has been of untold benefits to the people of Ida County.   Interest was at once brought down to 10 per cent basis and in this one respect the citizens of Ida County have saved many thousands of dollars.  That this bank has been appreciated and patronized, we only have to cite to the fact that Ida County people have over $270,000 of this money already, either in cash or stock, the latter being used as corn cribs.  The firm has assisted the farmers of this vicinity to feed over 8,000 head of cattle this season, and have shipped in over $15,000 worth of hogs, all of which has been of great benefit to the farmers. Ida County though the smallest in the state is according to the stock journals, the greatest feeding county in Iowa, directly due to the bank, for this branch of assistance has been its special feature.  The immense feeding business requires a vast amount of circulating capital and this bank has afforded all the money that has been asked for when the proper security was given.  The bank is provided with a large brick vault within which is an all steel sage, held shut by an automatic time lock, thus rending all monies and valuables placed in their hands absolutely safe from the encroachment of fire and thieves.  The clerical force of the bank is composed of Wm. Anderson, Robt. Lipton and Ed. G. Bowman, three young me of irreproachable character and whose friends are numbered by their acquaintances.  In short, this is a solid and reliable monied institution and is fully entitled to a hearty patronage and an unlimited public confidence, both of which we are pleased to note it enjoys to the fullest extent.

Carl Leopold

Ida County is noted for the large number of prosperous German citizens she possess and none have been more successful than the subject of this sketch. Carl Leopold was born in Germany and came to America in 1882 a poor boy. He located in Ida County during the same year and commenced life in a new country on a farm. He prospered and in 1896 he decided to move to this city and he became the proprietor of the Farmer’s Home the first day of the present year, and he is enjoying an excellent patronage and still owns a fine 260 acre farm in Grant township. This house is a large two story frame building erected at a cost of about $7,000 and has a large feed barn in connection.  The interior of the house has been repapered and painted and is now one of the best dollar a day houses in Maple Valley.  Carl makes a very popular and genial landlord and he is worthy and deserving of the patronage of the public.  His wife assists very materially about the interior of the house and home.

E.C. Mill & Co.

E.C. Mill, the head of the above firm, was born in the county of Dundas, Canada, in 1848, raised on a farm, spent one year in the oil regions of western Canada and came to Clinton County, Iowa at age 17.  He farmed there until 1892 when he came to Ida Grove and purchased the interest of Jonas Hose in the furniture firm of Shade and Hose. Six months later J.U. Bruner purchased Shade’s interest in the business and the firm was Mill and Bruner  until about three years ago when Mr. and Mrs. Mill became sole proprietors and made the firm name E.C. Mill and Co.  They are now located in a large and commodious two story frame building, 24 x 100 feet in size on the south side of Second street and it is well filled with fine rockers, parlor chairs, cupboards, folding modes, beds and bedsteads, folding beds, and in fact everything needed in the line of house furniture.  They handle a fine line of plush goods and antique oak parlor and bedroom suites, and these goods must be seen to be appreciated. They also carry the finest line of rocking chairs and baby carriages in the county. While the undertaking business is not very rushing, the county is so healthful that there is not a great deal of sickness or deaths except from old age, yet they are fully prepared to meet any demand for this kind of work.   Mr. Mill being a member of the Undertakers association of Iowa and a graduate of an embalming school.  They also handle a complete line of the best pianos and organs and the best sewing machines manufactured.  Mr. and Mrs. Mill own a good home in the city, have a good improved 160 acre intention of becoming permanent residents, and while they are not “closing out at below cost”, they will always meet fair and honorable competition half way. They are both active workers in  our religious and social circles, and it is with pleasure that we devote this space to describing their business and introducing them to the people of Ida County who have not heretofore had the pleasure of making their acquaintance in a business or social way.

L.Q. Spaulding

The subject of this sketch was born in the state of Michigan in the year 1860 and was raised a farmer boy. He entered the state normal school at Valprasio, Indiana, and after receiving a thorough course at that institution of learning he entered the Habnemann Medical College at Chicago and secured a diploma for the practice of medicine in 1886 and located at Battle Creek where he successfully followed his profession for seven years. In 1893 he moved to this city, purchasing the fine home, office and practice of Dr. O.G. Tremaine and has met with excellent success from the very first .   While he does a general practice, the doctor makes a specialty of diseases of women and children and in the treatment of diphtheria he has a reputation probably unequaled by any other physician in western Iowa, having passed through several very fatal epidemics of the disease, treating in all more than one hundred cases without a single loss by death. He never uses antitoxin, having remedies far more potent to cure and not dangerous to life as antitoxin is now known to be. The doctor’s beautiful home and office are both located on the same lot and their comforts are enjoyed to the fullest extent by himself and family. Dr. Spaulding is a broad minded and progressive physician, selecting the best remedies from all sources without regard to any sect or school, and to this fact in a great measure is due his success in the practice of his chosen profession.

The Central Roller Mills

No institution in the commercial calendar of this city has done more towards advertising it than has the Central Roller Mills for its product has found its way into many cities, towns, and villages all over Iowa. The plant of itself is a credit to the city as there are none better in the state and of its management we are pleased to speak only words of praise, for Messrs. Smith & Geiger have given their best efforts toward building and equipping a mill that would not only be a source of revenue to them but a pride to the town in which it is located.

Wm. Smith, the head of the firm, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ida County in 1878, locating at Battle Creek where he was employed in the Durst flouring mill for several years. He moved to the county capital  in 1885, purchasing an interest in the Central Steam Roller Mills at that time and has been continuously associated in operating the same ever since.   His experience as a miller covers a period of almost a quarter f a century, which of itself admits of no question as to his ability to successfully conduct an enterprise of such magnitude as that in which the present firm is now engaged.

Geo. W. Geiger, the junior member of the firm, is also a native by birth of Pennsylvania and has been a resident since 1877. He was the principal of the Ida Grove Schools two terms prior to moving on a farm in Hayes twp. where he resided until 1894 during which year he became associated with Mr. Smith in conducting the mill.  Immediately the firm began planning for a larger and more commodious plant and the small building then used was removed to another portion of the lot and a large three story building took its place in 1894. This building was equipped with all the latest and most modern milling machinery, a boiler were placed in position, and from the time of it completion until the present writing, a night and day force has been necessary to meet the demand for its output. A large elevator h as since been erected and the buildings are protected from fire on the exterior by corrugated iron, neatly paneled of a large brick structure. The firm are featuring their “Ivory” patent or elephant brand of flour, and it finds a ready sale in Clinton, Council Bluffs, and many other leading cities of the state and it also finds a splendid market at home. Capt. J.M. Fibbs is the traveling representative for the mill and he has done some excellent service in inducing merchants all over northwestern Iowa to give this flour a fair and impartial trial. The farmers surrounding Ida Grove appreciate the excellent service given them by this mill and a very extensive exchange business is carried on by the firm.

Messrs. Smith and Geiger both own fine homes in the city and are wide awake and progressive business men, fully realizing that the growth and advancement of Ida Grove means an increase in patronage  for their business and an added value t their property interests.

No city of any size or importance can afford to be without a good grist mill from the very fact of its being the best grade getter that a town can possess. It is a daily occurrence at this mill to find farmers who have been drawn to this city from a distance of from one to thirty miles from the fact of the excellent service received at this mill, and while in the city they all do more or less trading, thereby benefiting the merchant as well as the mill owner, In fact the Central Roller Mills are not only a most important factor in the commercial makeup of Ida Grove, but they are of great value to the surrounding country as well, and we are pleased to note that they have the earnest support and hearty patronage of every business man in this city.

Major L.K. Page

Major Page was born in Ohio, but came to Iowa when only six years of age and located in Cedar County with his parents. At an early age he learned the carpenter trade and was working at that profession when the call was made for troops to bring the seceded southern states back into the union, and although only 16 years of age he enlisted in Co.F., 16th Iowa Volunteers and served until the close, and for five months was an inmate of Andersonville prison.  He was commissioned aide de camp under McPherson of the army of the Tennessee and was in every noted engagement taken part in by the western army from the Battle of Shiloh until the close and was wounded at Atlanta in 1864. H e also took part in the siege of Vicksburg, Corinth and Black River Bridge. Mr. Page came to Ida County in 1885 and began buying lands and feeding stock and he now owns about one section of the finest farming land in the county. The major also owns and occupies a fine home on Moorehead Avenue, is a director and prominent stockholder in the Ida County Savings Bank and is treasurer of the Independent School District of Ida Grove and a member of the city council for nine years. The major is a genial, whole souled fellow and his friends throughout northwestern Iowa are very numerous, and he has a wide and envious acquaintance among the politicians and old soldiers of Iowa. We only wish Ida County had more such broad minded men as Major Page. A great redeeming feature with the major is his fondness for his family which consists of two sons and a daughter.

Battle Creek Land And Improvement Company

This extensive and solid business institution was organized under the laws of Iowa in 1894, with a capital stock of $20,000.  The purpose of its organization was to foster manufacturing and business industries and develop latent resources and encourage investment of capital in Battle Creek and vicinity. This laudable business enterprise is under the management of the following officers and board of directors; President, Dr. F. B. Warnock; vice president, Louis Derr; secretary, H.J. Snover; treasurer, J.T. Montgomery; directors, W.H. James, J.A. Keenan, S.C. Moller, J.E. Spotts, E.P. Smith, Dr. F.B. Warnock, Louis Derr.

This corps of prominent and able business men justly merits the confidence of the public and assures conservative and energetic management.  The president, F.B. Warnock, is extensively known through the practice of his profession and extensive business interest, as an able financier and a man of sterling integrity.  J.A. Keenan and H.J Snover are largely engaged in the banking and other business, and the other officers and directors are also men of equal experience and standard business qualifications, strong in individuality and enterprising citizens. The company since its organization has made rapid strides in developing the industrial interests of the town in which it is located.

The Battle Creek Land and Improvement company has some elegant town lots for sale in desirable locations which they will sell at prices ranging from $100 to $500 each and will build homes and sell on the installment plan concerning the location of a beet sugar factory in their town and there is certainly no place n the west more favorable for the location of such an enterprise than Battle Creek, Ida County, Iowa.

Thos Bassett

Thos. Bassett was born in the county of Cornwall, St. Ausell, England, in which country he learned most thoroughly the carpenter and builder’s trade.  In 1854 he immigrated to America, and twenty years ago he became a resident of this city. During the past forty years this venerable citizen has not been idle scarcely a day, either by sickness of for pleasure, a record seldom equaled by mankind and although well advanced in years, he is hale and hearty and can accomplish as much as his trade as any other carpenter in the city, although for the past few years he has confined himself alone to shop work.   His son, W.H. Bassett, was born in America, and is today the head of the contracting and building business which his father so successfully established during the first few years of his residence here, and it can be truly said that nearly all the fine residences and business blocks in Ida Grove are the handiwork of “Father” Bassett and his son Will, and during all their years of contracting and building here they have never had to do a job over again.  There is probably no man in Ida County who has put in as many days of hard labor as Father Bassett.  No one in Ida Grove ever saw him loafing a single moment, and the same can se said of the son, always busy, either working with the carpenter’s tools or else figuring on a contract.  If any man or men have fulfilled the scripture to the letter in so far as earning their bread by the sweat of their brow, it is these two well known citizens of Ida Grove. W.H. Bassett has held several offices of municipal trust during his residence here, and for several terms was a prominent member of the city council.  His city property interest are very extensive, he having erected a number of residences for rental purposes during the past few years which are bringing him in a reasonable return for the money invested. Mr. Bassett, St. also owns a find home located on Moorehead Avenue where he himself, Will and a daughter reside, and they are held in high esteem by their neighbors and fellow citizens in general.