CONWAY

 

(Page 602)

 

The town of Conway, like that of Lenox, was laid out in 1872 by the B. & M. Road, and is situated on the Creston branch of the C. B. & Q. Road, eight miles northeast of Bedford.  It did not begin to do much business, however, until 1876.  Since that time the growth has been quite rapid….the growth of this part of the county has been very marked during the past five years.  Conway is constantly growing and has as bright prospects as any town within our knowledge.  Improvements are going on all the time.  New store buildings going up and old ones being enlarged and remodeled.  Conway is situated on elevated ground, a sort of side hill, so to speak, thus securing to its inhabitants excellent drainage and an abundance of health-giving breezes.  No more salubrious spot is known in this section of country.  Too much cannot be said of the society of this growing place, and as to enterprise and patriotism, there is not a better set of men in any town of western Iowa.  It has an excellent trade with the surrounding country.  Large quantities of live stock and grain are annually shipped to Chicago and other markets by the enterprising dealers of town, who are always ready to pay the highest prices which Eastern quotations will bear, thus furnishing an excellent outlet, at remunerative rates, for the surplus products of the surrounding country.

 

Conway has four church organizations: The Methodist, the Presbyterian, the Christian and the Baptist, all of which are in prosperous conditions and afford an excellent evidence of the moral status of the place.  The Methodist pastor is Rev. G. P. Bennett, for several years presiding elder of the Corning district.  The Baptist Church is presided over by Rev. William Golding, an old and efficient minister in his denomination.  The Christian Church was organized in 1878, by Elder William Cobb, of Bedford.  The present membership is fifty-two.  They have a neat house of worship which (page 603)cost two thousand dollars.  It was erected in 1880.  Elder Cobb continues as pastor and the church could not find a truer man, or one that could fill the place so well as he.

 

Conway has a good graded school in charge of competent teachers.  The school-house cost $1,800, and is insufficient for the present wants of the town.  The educational facilities are of a superior-character and the increase in attendance has necessitated the hiring of an extra building.  Another building will be erected in 1882.  The teachers who have been in charge of the school at Conway have invariable been superior scholars and practical workers. 

 

The pride of Conway was its flouring-mill, which burned down early in the present summer.  Just how the catastrophe occurred no one can say.  It was discovered to be on fire about four o'clock in the morning.  It has been charged to a stroke of lightning, to spontaneous combustion and incendiarism.  More than likely the first cause assigned is the correct one.  The mill is being rebuilt and the generous, enterprising citizens of Conway are contributing liberally to the unfortunate gentlemen who were the losers.  It will be constructed on the plan of the old mill. 

 

D. M. Brown has started a creamery, but with what success remains to be seen.  We only know that his success ought to be certain and assured.  As stated in the history of Grant township, Iowa, as a matter of fact, has no equal for the dairy.  At the World's Exposition, in Philadelphia, this State was given the gold and silver award on butter; and again, at the International Dairy Fair, New York, in December, 1879.  From a recent article in the Chicago Times, headed "Dairying in the Far West," we extract the following:

 

"Only a few years ago it was declared by professional experts that first class butter and cheese could not be produced farther west than the State of New York.  Finally, though under the protest of the older dairy States, like New York and Vermont, Iowa and Minnesota were allowed to be classed as at least very promising dairy regions.  Since the awards of the recent international dairy fairs they have taken the place to which they were by right entitled.  Iowa creamery butter has now a reputation in most portions of the commercial world that reflects credit on the State."

 

This county, with its thousands of acres of grass lands, pure water and (Page 605) other conditions for this class of industry, presents inducements that long since should have been taked up.  As a matter of fact, no county in Iowa surpasses this one in grasses, pure water, and other advantages that would make the establishment of ten or twelve creameries a decided success from the start, and the history of less favorable localities which have profited from similar investments should be a sufficient incentive for men to grasp the situation and reap the benefits arising therefrom.  Creamery butter is in good demand in all the markets, and especially just at this time.  The commission merchants and grocery men of this county would handle every pound manufactured within its borders.  We hope that Mr. Brown will have flattering success, and that others will follow in his footsteps, and that speedily.

 

Conway was incorporated in 1878.  The first mayor was O. J. Eoff.  The present city officers are as follows:

 

Mayor - O. J. Eoff

Marshal - Alex. Pitman

Recorder - A. C. Shoemaker

Trustees - J. S. Butts, Tom Daniels, A. A. DeLong, J. G. Bowen, J. H. Jolly

School-directors - A. A. DeLong, J. W. Moser, J. A. Carr, J. H. Jolly, J. M. Dick

President school-board - O. J. Eoff

Secretary school-board - J. H. Jolly

Treasurer school-board - N. P. Nelson

 

The Masons have a flourishing lodge at Conway - Right Angle Lodge No. 344, A. F. & A. M.  It was instituted in 1875 by Simeon Wright.  The charter was dated June 7, 1876.  The charter members were Simeon Wright, Josiah Litteer, H. M. Wilson, J. P. Wright, H. B. Liggett, H. Shoemaker, Samuel Yeatman, Sidney Severns, Seth Robinson and William Harriott.

 

The first officers were Simeon Wright, W. M.; Josiah Litteer, S. W.; H. M. Wilson, J. W.; H. B. Liggett, secretary; J. P. Wright, treasurer; H. Shoemaker, S. D. ; Samuel Yeatman, J. D.; Sidney Severns, tyler; Seth Robinson, S. S., and William Harriott, J. S.

 

The present officers are as follows:  N. P. Nelson, W. M.; T. W. Daniels, S. W.; O. J. Eoff, J. W.; M. C. Litteer, secretary; J. H. Jolly, treasurer; C. J. Trowbridge, S. D.; J. P. Rumble, J. D.; O. J. Hyde, tyler; A. C. Shoemaker, S. S., and A. A. DeLong, J. S. 

 

This lodge now has a membership of fifty-seven, which is indeed a remarkable (Page 606) growth.  It has a fine frame hall which was built in 1876, at a cost of $1,000.  It is the only Masonic lodge in the county that owns a hall.  It is paid for, which is better still.

 

The business men of Conway are substantial, and the trade they enjoy is simply wonderful.  As a shipping point Conway has a "star" record.