Meriden
The town of Meriden was first platted under the name of Hazard, by J.
I. Blair, railroad builder, in December, 1870, and in 1889 the
population had reached 300. It is said that Mr. Blair was unpopular
with the people and that the name hazard was too suggestive of trouble
so the inhabitants petitioned the department at Washington to rename
the town and the Illinois Central was asked to change the name to
Meriden, and no doubt it was a “merry-den” in days of past when there
were many young people and life was not as strenuous as at the present
time, in the good old days of spelling bees, quilting bees, school
exhibitions, sleighing, coasting and skating parties, and family select
square dancing parties.
Meriden,
being the nearest town in the county to the county seat has suffered
consequently in business enterprises and correspondingly in population.
Territory is
Reduced
Since
the removal the past year of several pieces of farm land which were
within the corporate limits, the town of Meriden is left with a
population of 188, these including seven bachelors, four widowers and
eight widows.
Pioneer
Business
The
first store in Meriden was started by Smith & Griffith in 1869,
which was known as a wet grocery. Later the citizens emptied out the
damp goods and F. K. Prescott bought the grocery stock for $80. Mr.
Prescott later added merchandise to his stock and in 1873 was joined by
his father, G. W. Prescott. Later F. K. Prescott went out of the
business and the firm was known as Prescott and Upton.
The first grain buyers were F. K. Prescott and Co., who also became the
first lumber dealers.
The
first hotel called the Earl house and built by Hiram Reynolds for $1500
was a part of the building now occupied by A. L. Waldron as a residence.
Mrs.
Mary Williams, still living in Meriden, was the latest one to use the
building as a hotel. The next hotel built by A. H. Albee in 1882, was
operated until 1889.
Mr. Albee was the father of Mrs. Terryberry of Cherokee. The A. M.
Buswell family now use the building as a residence.
C. Boles was the first furniture dealer in 1881.
The
first exclusive hardware store was conducted by N. C. Buswell, father
of A. M. Buswell, our present merchant. A. M. Buswell, we believe is
the only one of the pioneers, born within the city limits, who has held
continuous residence and is still in business in Meriden.
The
first harness shop was run by P. H. Weintz in 1884. Mr. Weintz, who has
removed to another state, was renewing acquaintances in Meriden not
long ago.
Lon Fuller, our present townsman, and John Dull, uncle of Emery Dull,
handled the first farm machinery in Meriden, in 1885.
J.
B. Ingels opened the first drug store in 1879. Patrick Tobin, who in
1874 was Meriden’s first village blacksmith was still wielding the
sledge in the nineties.
In 1878, a steam-burr flouring mill was
built by a joint stock company, but later fell into the hands of Upton
and Wilcox, but lay idle for many years. About 17 or 18 years ago it
was moved to the corner of Cedar and Second streets and was built over
into the M. W. A. hall.
Mrs. Charley White was Meriden’s first milliner and Mrs. A. L. Waldron
was the latest Meriden milliner.
The
Cherokee County State bank was organized in 1886 by Hills and Striker,
a brick building being erected for the purpose a nd which was torn down
about 1920 and the present building, which would do credit to a much
larger town, was erected. The present cashier is L. A. Ferrin and L. H.
Sangwin is president.
Meriden’s
first newspaper, The Ledger, was started in 1882,
lasted one year and afterward became the Journal, which was last edited
by F.
Lane, who to make ends meet started a shoe and harness repairing shop
in the
same building, but the newspaper finally blinked out.
Present Business
Meriden’s
present business lines are as follows: R. C. Wixon, implements and
hardware; A. M. Buswell, general merchandise; Roy Lamont, drugs and
confectionery; Enockson’s Grocery and meats, L. A. Enockson having
bought out the Floyd Dailey store a year ago; Ronald Rice, barber shop;
Edward DeMars, pool hall and barber shop; Cherokee County State bank;
Emil Nesiba, blacksmith; Farmers’ Cooperative Elevator, Mark Johnson,
manager; Quaker Oats Co. elevator, W. H. Runnings, manager; Albert
Hurd, hog buyer; Hanford’s cream station, W. H. Lamont, manager; J. E.
Wiese Lumber Co.; Dahlgren’s garage; Chas. Lochner, who buys eggs,
cream and chickens; Walter Wiese, farm machinery; Everhart’s dining
hall; Lochner’s restaurant. Elias Ingersoll, now retired because of
failing health, was for many years in the cement and masonry business.
Meriden
physicians have been Dr. J. B. Ingels, who commenced his practice in
1883; Dr. C. F. Quinn, now of Cherokee, who began practice in Meriden
in 1894, remaining until January 1913, when he removed to Cherokee; Dr.
Geo. A. Mauer, who came in 1913, removing to LeMars in February, 1926;
thus leaving Meriden without a resident doctor.
No Bad Fires
Meriden
is lighted by electricity installed in 1920. There have never been any
disastrous fires in the business section, although one was threatened
when the Wiese Lumber company’s coal sheds burned in 1922. (Source: The
Cherokee Chief, published in Cherokee, IA, Monday, Sept 5, 1927)
Source:
The Cherokee
Chief published in Cherokee, IA, Mon, Sep 5, 1927
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Meriden was
first named HAZARD
in December 1870
The town's
name changed to Meriden in 1874
It became incorporated in 1882
Meriden is
in
Sheridan Township
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Meriden
Mayors
N.
C. Buswell
George Cline
James Taitt
C. White
P. H. Weintz
G. W. Prescott
C. F. Quinn
D. W. Christy
L. H. Munson
W. H. Runnings
J. E. Wiese
E. L. Francois
L. Wixon
A. B. Knox
Floyd Dailey
W. H. Arrasmith.
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