Some History of Lorimor

Burlington and Missouri Rail Road Company . . .

"Purpose to construct and use a R.R. extending from Burlington, IA to the most eligible point on the Missouri River and along the most eligible route."

Construction was started at Burlington in May, 1854 and the line was completed to Ottumwa in Sept., 1859.

All construction was suspended between 1860 and the fall of 1864 because of the Civil War.

Construction was resumed at Ottumwa in July, 1865, and the line was pushed westward in sections.

It had reached Afton by September 10, 1865, and was completed through Creston to Cromwell by June 1, 1869.

Construction continued with the line reaching Corning on August 23, 1869, and was completed to a connection

with the B. and M. River Railroad Co. in Nebraska on Jan. 1, 1870.

The company leased all its railroad property and franchises to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy
railroad Company on Dec. 31, 1872 and the C. B. & Q. took over the operations The deed to ownership of C.B. & Q.
was conveyed July 3, 1875.

***********
A real improvement came when Highway 34 was graveled from Afton, east to the bridge over Grand River east of Talmage.
About 1929, Highway 34 was paved.

***********

Talmage first came into being with the advent of The Great Western through Union County. It lies about a quarter mile north of the junction of the Great Western and the C. B. & Q. railroads.

Dr. J. C. Beebe owned the land on which the town was laid out, and may be rightly called the father of the community, for he gave the town its name and opened the first store there in addition to owning the land.

In the matter of territory it is not so fortunate as some of its neighbors, having in competition Afton on the West, Lorimor on the North and Thayer on the East. However, it is a thriving little community which for a number of years did and extensive lumber business through Des Moines.

Since its founding in 1887, Talmage has made its name in Union County.

In 1913 Talmage was also called Cherry Valley. Talmage's business consisted of a large two-room school house,

stockyard, delivery stable, depot, 3 grocery stores, a large creamery, lumberyard, hotel and a coal shute for the railroad.

During that year Talmage Post Office was robbed. Afton Junction was 1/4 mile south of Talmage. It had a depot, hotel and park with swings.

(The above was copied from old newspaper clippings)

1923 - Excerpt From The Creston Advertiser-Gazette

UNION COUNTY FARMER CO-OPERATIVES By L. J. NICKLE, COUNTY AGENT

THE LORIMOR COMPANY

The Lorimor Company, after their full share of the trials and tribulation through which all Co-operative companies

have passed have finally reached secure footing and are moving along steadily, under the management of W. E. Chinn, a new man

to the Lorimor Company but not new to the cooperative business. Last year was their banner year for cooperative shipping having

sent out 157 cars having a value of $187,099.22. They have recently gone into the grain business, purchasing the elevator at Lorimor,

and this with their produce and feed business has added another $75,484.86 giving them a year's business of $262,534.18

Mr. C. A. Eldridge is President of the Lorimor Board and is assisted in the operation of the affairs by J. H. Pope,

Vice-president, F. W. Cochran, Secretary, C. L. Denton, Treasurer, and Lyle Edwards, N. C. Marquis, Henry Keys, Ralph Hammans, and O. F. Erickson, Directors.

LORIMOR, IOWA, IN 1888

Taken from the Afton Enterprise, Nov. 1, 1888

[The town plat of Lorimor was recorded May 16, 1887.]

Written By: PUCK, JR.

I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know how we are progressing in our town.

There is at present 17 dwelling houses, 10 stores in operation and in opening, one bank, one washing machine factory,

one large elevator and two grain buyers and one large two story hotel in progress of erection. As we pass from the depot,

which is a fine structure, built by the C. St. P. & K.C. R.R., we come to the restaurant and eating house of our friend Douglass Perry,

whose sumptuous table is presided over by the congenial host in a creditable manner.

Next we reach the triple establishment of our friend Mr. Marmaduke, who with his mate, presides over the post office,

jewelry and millinery store. Next we pass into the banking house of Mr. G.W. Severich, whom we find to be a quiet and obliging man.

Next to this is the store of Hillman & Co., who in connection with Mr. Fulton is erecting a fine hotel north of the street, west of the depot.

Then comes the large hardware store of Ira O. Burkheimer, where you can get anything from a cork screw to a "Round Oak" stove,

over which is our large and commodious town hall. Next to this comes the mammoth dry goods house of Mr. Barnett, of Des Moines.

From here we pass north to the firm of Chamness & Price, where you will find a large assortment of groceries and true and obliging gentlemen.

Net to this comes the drug store of Mr. Milholland, who with his smiling face makes us feel at home Then we pass on to our congenial friend,

Dr. A. S. Bailey, in whose drug store will be found medicines to cure our akes and pains.

Then we pass on to washing machine factory of W. J. Clark, which makes quite n industry in our town.
From here we pass to the lumber yard of O'Mayley Bros., which would be a credit to any town.

From here we cross the railroad to "East Lorimor", where the scales, elevator and stock yards are located.

The grain interests are presided over by Bolt and Withro. Here is also the lumber yard of R.H. Delmege, contactor and builder,

who with his corps of workmen are daily erecting new additions to our town. I will also mention that our station agent and operator,

Mr. Fred Kimball, is an obliging gentleman of renown.

Archibald, Frank Jones, M. I.

Albert, H. L. Kelley, D. F.

Anderson, Charles Kent, J. B.

Ayers, Ed C. Kilgore, E. A.

Alexander, G. B. Kirby, John

Bryant, O. W. Kirby, J. C.

Brayman, J. A. Kirsh, Frank

Brayman, Isaac Larkins, S. I.

Barton, Nelse Leasman, C. H.

Barton, Norman Lewis, C. H.

Berry, Asa Lewis, John

Berry, J. F. Lochrie, George R.

Berry, W. M. Lochrie, James

Bishop, Horace L. Lochrie, M. A.

Boling, J. W. Logan, G. W.

Bragg, Martha J. Long, Thos.

Bailey, C.M.C. Lorimor, J. S.

Bailey, A. S. Lorimor, H. H.

Bailey, E. F. Lorimor, W. W.

Beaumont, Thomas Lowery, Nancy

Beaumont, Sabina Loyd, H. W.

Bridger, William Luddington, Isacc

Bancroft, C. C. Luddington, Lafayette

Beath, A. Luddington, John

Bivins, S.H. Luddington, Sam

Burd, William Macomber, W. E.

Burwinkle, B. F. Magner, S. E.

Chapman, L. H. Marsh, L. A.

Chapman, L. J. Mason, David

Callison, G.W. Mason, J. W.

Casaday, M. E. McCall, Zaida

Cross, Florence Needs, Walter

Cornelison, J. R. O’Malley & Sons

Congor, R. S. O’Malley James

Coppersmith, A. P. Orr, A. W. H.

Donner, J. H. Orr, J. J.

Dufur, Miller & Co. Orwan, Lewis

Dufur, F. E. Orwan, Katie

Dufur, E. F. Perrigo, M. F.

Dufur, S. J. Persinger, I. A.

Day, M. E. Phelan, James

Delmege, S. E. Porter, George

Drudurant, J. W. Reed, G. N.

Edwards, A. M. Reid, C. L.

Edwards, E. A. Reid, J. H.

Edwards, E. S. Reining, F. W.

Edwards, George Rhone, George

Edwards, Wm. Rhyno, James

Elliott, Chas. Routh, A. V.

Farr, A. Routh, Carrie

Fink, John. Routh, Emma

Fink, W. W. Rusk, J. R.

Finnegan, Mary Russell, C. L.

Finnegan, H. M. Russell, Isabel

Foster, J. Best Russell, H. H.

Foster, C. S. Russell, Lee

Foster, G. A. Saunders, R. A.

Foster, W. F. Schofield, M. C.

Fread, E. C. Searl, Henry

Fry, Emil Searl, John

Fry, Kattie Sellin, E. S.

Fry, Otto Shatto, John

Gearhead, H. M. Shatto, William

Givin, John Shepherd, L. S.

Gose, Anna E. Slead, John

Green, C. A. Smith, Leonard

Grosebeck, S. W. Sprague, Jennie

Harris, Frank Stevenson, J. L.

Harris, M. St. John, Pirie

Harris, Mac Stoner, H. A.

Harris, Wallace Stoner, Landis

Haynes, S. A. Stryker, J. W.

Hendrick, J. K. Swanson, G. A.

Herr, John Talbert, M. C.

Hathaway, Produce Co. Thompson, A. H.

Hill, Lucretia Thompson, Samuel

Holeman, Geo. Thurston, J. W.

Holverstall, M. L. Whitekettle, William

Hudson, Lucinda Wilson, G. L.

Hudson, Robt. Wilson, J. A.

Hunter, C. C. Williamson, E. J. [Mrs.]

Huntzinger, J. F. Winning, Samuel

Hylton, J. S. Witter, A. J.

Hyskel, Frank Wolf, Willie

Jackson, J. M. Woodward, Barbara

Zink, E. E.

LORIMOR LOOKING BACK, DEC. 1919, 1959, By L.H. [SHORTY] STEEN

Forty years ago last Tuesday, Dec. 1919, we started our career of helping Uncle Sam deliver the mail on Route One out of Lorimor.

At the start a team and a sleigh was used alternated occasionally when the then "cow paths" we had for roads were passable.

The route then consisted of 26 miles and now the mileage has risen to over 71. Road conditions today are a far cry from that of early years.

We thought perhaps many of you would like to know who lived on the place you are now living on, in 1919. We have compiled a survey of the route as it was in 1919

and list below those on the place that year compared with those on the same place.

1919 1959 1919 1959

Fred Ball Russell Wearmouth O. N. Whitehead O.N. Whitehead

F. O. Hartman David Grandfield George Loy Orville Loy

George Keys Charles Whitehead N. C. Marquis Doyle McConnell

Henry Bierce John W. Peterson Walter Barnes Clarence Laughery

Bryon Jackson Teddy Hayden Mickle Bros. Clarence Neisemier

Jesse Thurman Henry Welch Henry Goetsch Vacant

Frank Livingston George Huston Clyde Johnston Harold Stalcup

Pearly Palmer Nellie Buooa Guy Warren Dale Warren

John Parker Art Paxton Henry Weber Virgil Reynolds

Joe Brant Truman Gibbons Harry & Albert Frank Landreth

Tom Gorr Leo Neisemier Goodridge

Elmer Hiskey Vacant Willard Moffitt Willard Moffitt

E.J. Camp Jon Denly Chas. Carpenter Wayne Hull

Bill Boyer Kenneth Hunter L. P. Zolman Vacant

Jap Dusenberry Spencer Donner Elliot Burkheimer Robert Erickson

Lloyd Ritter Larry Stephens Henry Farley Odessa Farley Corey

Roy Grandfield Clark Grandfield Jim Burkheimer Fred Stroup

Clark Grandfield James Grandfield Geo. Cornelison Duane Sampson

Robert Cooper A. M. Cooper Walt Smith L. J. O'Neal

Ben Larkins Ralph Lowe Jason Lee Vacant

Ed Bender Vacant Pat Stevens Bill Harris

Leo Dixon Vacant Amelia Moffitt Dan Harper

Arthur Schwanz Arthur Schwantz Wallace Layton Glen Moore

Mrs. Minta Friday Hugh Erickson Lyman Ball Joe Hulbert

Vacant Lyle Friday Henry Berry Vernon Wooward

Herman Schwanz David Friday H. O. Handley Vacant

Bill Davis Harriet Saunders Dell Davis Ross Simmerman

Hort Davis Vacant Earl Davis Earl Davis

Elmer Davis Vacant Harry Arnold L. O. Stalcup

Elizabeth Kocheiser Ray Parrott Fred Stroup Don Harper

Emmet Downey Vacant Clem Davis Lyle Green

[The first mail route from Lorimor was established in 1903, so this list includes the original patrons.] POST OFFICE, 1893

List of persons residing Near Lorimor & receiving mail at that office - 1889

The 1889 directory of Lorimor lists the following residents.

Anderson, S. C., harness

Andrews, Charles, barber

Bailey, A. S. drugs

Banett, D. general store

Bolt, H. grain

Chamness, John E.

Chamness & Price, general store

Chapman, L. H. physician

Cherry, Will E., editor Lorimor Journal

Cooper, J. H., blacksmith

Delmege, Christopher, retired farmer

Delmege, R. H., lumber & coal

Dufer, Ed F., Lormior exchange bank

Edwards, John,, agent., Nursery

Edwards. L. L., stock buyer

Fulton, & Hilman, hotel, livery

Gentle, J. W, livery

Harris, Mack, section man

Higgins, Samuel, section foreman

Hotzinger, John,

Hotzinger, M. Mrs., boarding house

Hovelscott, Eva Miss, school teacher

Kimball, F. B., station agent

Knight, Hillman, general store

Larkins, Mary, domestic, D. Barnett

Lorimor, Exchange Bank,

Lorimor, Josiah, S., farmer

Will E. Cherry, Lorimor Journal, ed.

Lowery, John, retired farmer

Marmaduke, A. H., postmaster also

Dealer in watches, clocks, jewelry

McCoy, Joe, laborer

Metcalf, J. D., carpenter

Morgan, Willis, farmer

Mulholland, John, boarding house

O'Malley Bros., lumber and coal

O'Malley, E. D., [O'Malley Bros.]

O'Malley, J., [O'Malley Bros.]

O'Malley, P. J., [O'Malley Bros.]

Perry, A. D., restaurant & grocery

Price, W. J., Chamness & Price

Rankin, Elijah, mason

Rapp, B. C., carpenter

Rapp, Frank, carpenter

Richardson, John, section man

Shipley, Maud, domestic, A.D. Perry

Singer, F. M., bookkeeper, Ex. Bank

Tate, J. R., mason

Violet & Co., furniture

Wood, Miss, domestic, Jos. Lorimor

Union County,Iowa Home

This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated
in any way without consent.

© 2011-15 by Union County Genealogy Society

Archibald, Frank	Jones, M. I.
Albert, H. L.	Kelley, D. F.
Anderson, Charles	Kent, J. B.
Ayers, Ed C.	Kilgore, E. A.
Alexander, G. B.	Kirby, John
Bryant, O. W.	Kirby, J. C.
Brayman, J. A.	Kirsh, Frank
Brayman, Isaac	Larkins, S. I.
Barton, Nelse	Leasman, C. H.
Barton, Norman	Lewis, C. H.
Berry, Asa	Lewis, John
Berry, J. F.	Lochrie, George R.
Berry, W. M.	Lochrie, James
Bishop, Horace L.	Lochrie, M. A.
Boling, J. W.	Logan, G. W.
Bragg, Martha J.	Long, Thos.
Bailey, C.M.C.	Lorimor, J. S.
Bailey, A. S.	Lorimor, H. H.
Bailey, E. F.	Lorimor, W. W.
Beaumont, Thomas	Lowery, Nancy
Beaumont, Sabina	Loyd, H. W.
Bridger, William	Luddington, Isacc
Bancroft, C. C.	Luddington, Lafayette
Beath, A.	Luddington, John
Bivins, S.H.	Luddington, Sam
Burd, William	Macomber, W. E.
Burwinkle, B. F.	Magner, S. E.
Chapman, L. H.	Marsh, L. A.
Chapman, L. J.	Mason, David
Callison, G.W.	Mason, J. W.
Casaday, M. E.	McCall, Zaida
Cross, Florence	Needs, Walter
Cornelison, J. R.	O’Malley & Sons
Congor, R. S.	O’Malley James
Coppersmith, A. P.	Orr, A. W. H.
Donner, J. H.	Orr, J. J.
Dufur, Miller & Co.	Orwan, Lewis
Dufur, F. E.	Orwan, Katie
Dufur, E. F.	Perrigo, M. F.
Dufur, S. J.	Persinger, I. A.
Day, M. E.	Phelan, James
Delmege, S. E.	Porter, George
Drudurant, J. W.	Reed, G. N.
Edwards, A. M.	Reid, C. L.
Edwards, E. A.	Reid, J. H.
Edwards, E. S.	Reining, F. W.
Edwards, George	Rhone, George
Edwards, Wm.	Rhyno, James
Elliott, Chas.	Routh, A. V.
Farr, A.	Routh, Carrie
Fink, John.	Routh, Emma
Fink, W. W.	Rusk, J. R.
Finnegan, Mary	Russell, C. L.
Finnegan, H. M.	Russell, Isabel
Foster, J. Best	Russell, H. H.
Foster, C. S.	Russell, Lee
Foster, G. A.	Saunders, R. A.
Foster, W. F.	Schofield, M. C.
Fread, E. C.	Searl, Henry
Fry, Emil	Searl, John
Fry, Kattie	Sellin, E. S.
Fry, Otto	Shatto, John
Gearhead, H. M.	Shatto, William
Givin, John	Shepherd, L. S.
Gose, Anna E.	Slead, John
Green, C. A.	Smith, Leonard
Grosebeck, S. W.	Sprague, Jennie
Harris, Frank	Stevenson, J. L.
Harris, M.	St. John, Pirie
Harris, Mac	Stoner, H. A.
Harris, Wallace	Stoner, Landis
Haynes, S. A.	Stryker, J. W.
Hendrick, J. K.	Swanson, G. A.
Herr, John	Talbert, M. C.
Hathaway, Produce Co.	Thompson, A. H.
Hill, Lucretia	Thompson, Samuel
Holeman, Geo.	Thurston, J. W.
Holverstall, M. L.	Whitekettle, William
Hudson, Lucinda	Wilson, G. L.
Hudson, Robt.	Wilson, J. A.
Hunter, C. C.	Williamson, E. J. [Mrs.]
Huntzinger, J. F.	Winning, Samuel
Hylton, J. S.	Witter, A. J.
Hyskel, Frank	Wolf, Willie
Jackson, J. M.	Woodward, Barbara
	Zink, E. E.

1919	1959	1919	1959
Fred Ball	Russell Wearmouth	O. N. Whitehead	O.N. Whitehead
F. O. Hartman	David Grandfield	George Loy	Orville Loy
George Keys	Charles Whitehead	N. C. Marquis	Doyle McConnell
Henry Bierce	John W. Peterson	Walter Barnes	Clarence Laughery
Bryon Jackson	Teddy Hayden	Mickle Bros.	Clarence Neisemier
Jesse Thurman	Henry Welch	Henry Goetsch	Vacant
Frank Livingston	George Huston	Clyde Johnston	Harold Stalcup
Pearly Palmer	Nellie Buooa	Guy Warren	Dale Warren
John Parker	Art Paxton	Henry Weber	Virgil Reynolds
Joe Brant	Truman Gibbons	Harry & Albert	Frank Landreth
Tom Gorr	Leo Neisemier	Goodridge
Elmer Hiskey	Vacant	Willard Moffitt	Willard Moffitt
E.J. Camp	Jon Denly	Chas. Carpenter	Wayne Hull
Bill Boyer	Kenneth Hunter	L. P. Zolman	Vacant
Jap Dusenberry	Spencer Donner	Elliot Burkheimer	Robert Erickson
Lloyd Ritter	Larry Stephens	Henry Farley	Odessa Farley Corey
Roy Grandfield	Clark Grandfield	Jim Burkheimer	Fred Stroup
Clark Grandfield	James Grandfield	Geo. Cornelison	Duane Sampson
Robert Cooper	A. M. Cooper	Walt Smith	L. J. O'Neal
Ben Larkins	Ralph Lowe	Jason Lee	Vacant
Ed Bender	Vacant	Pat Stevens	Bill Harris
Leo Dixon	Vacant	Amelia Moffitt	Dan Harper
Arthur Schwanz	Arthur Schwantz	Wallace Layton	Glen Moore
Mrs. Minta Friday	Hugh Erickson	Lyman Ball	Joe Hulbert
Vacant	Lyle Friday	Henry Berry	Vernon Wooward
Herman Schwanz	David Friday	H. O. Handley	Vacant
Bill Davis	Harriet Saunders	Dell Davis	Ross Simmerman
Hort Davis	Vacant	Earl Davis	Earl Davis
Elmer Davis	Vacant	Harry Arnold	L. O. Stalcup
Elizabeth Kocheiser	Ray Parrott	Fred Stroup	Don Harper
Emmet Downey	Vacant	Clem Davis	Lyle Green

Anderson, S. C.,	harness
Andrews, Charles,	barber
Bailey, A. S.	drugs
Banett, D.	general store
Bolt, H.	grain
Chamness, John E.
Chamness & Price,	general store
Chapman, L. H.	physician
Cherry, Will E.,	editor Lorimor Journal
Cooper, J. H.,	blacksmith
Delmege, Christopher,	retired farmer
Delmege, R. H.,	lumber & coal
Dufer, Ed F., Lormior	exchange bank
Edwards, John,, agent.,	Nursery
Edwards. L. L.,	stock buyer
Fulton, & Hilman,	hotel, livery
Gentle, J. W,	livery
Harris, Mack,	section man
Higgins, Samuel,	section foreman
Hotzinger, John,
Hotzinger, M. Mrs.,	boarding house
Hovelscott, Eva Miss,	school teacher
Kimball, F. B.,	station agent
Knight, Hillman,	general store
Larkins, Mary,	domestic, D. Barnett
Lorimor,	Exchange Bank,
Lorimor, Josiah, S.,	farmer
Will E. Cherry,	Lorimor Journal, ed.
Lowery, John,	retired farmer
Marmaduke, A. H.,	postmaster also
Dealer in watches,	clocks, jewelry
McCoy, Joe,	laborer
Metcalf, J. D.,	carpenter
Morgan, Willis,	farmer
Mulholland, John,	boarding house
O'Malley Bros.,	lumber and coal
O'Malley, E. D.,	[O'Malley Bros.]
O'Malley, J.,	[O'Malley Bros.]
O'Malley, P. J.,	[O'Malley Bros.]
Perry, A. D.,	restaurant & grocery
Price, W. J.,	Chamness & Price
Rankin, Elijah,	mason
Rapp, B. C.,	carpenter
Rapp, Frank,	carpenter
Richardson, John,	section man
Shipley, Maud,	domestic, A.D. Perry
Singer, F. M.,	bookkeeper, Ex. Bank
Tate, J. R.,	mason
Violet & Co.,	furniture
Wood, Miss,	domestic, Jos. Lorimor