Biographical Sketch of H. B. Allen

H.B. Allen, postmaster of the firm of Allen & Jacobs, dealers in hardware and agricultural implements, was born in Clinton county, N.Y., in 1835; moved to Elgin, Ill., in 1855, and engaged in farming. In 1860 moved to De Kalb County, Ill. He enlisted in the 95th Ill. Vol. Inft., served three years. He was with Gen. Grant in the Vicksburg campaign, and was wounded, losing a portion of his right hand; was discharged in July, 1865. In 1867 he came to Sac County, Ia., and engaged in farming. He moved to Wall Lake in the autumn of 1874, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Burgan

George Burgan, grain dealer and manager of D. Wayne & Co.’s business at Wall Lake, was born in Wayne county, O., in 1845; moved with parents to Muscatine, Ia. In 1862 he enlisted in the 35th la. Vol. Inft.; was at the sieges of Vicksburg, Nashville, Pleasant Hill; was up the Red river with Gen. Banks. He was discharged in 1865, and returned to Iowa. In 1867 he located in Carroll County and engaged in farming until 1874, when he engaged in the grain business. Office and warehouse on First Street. They shipped during the year 1881 one hundred cars … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. H. Peck

W.H. Peck, dealer in lumber, coal, lime, etc., was born in Onondaga County, N.Y., in 1854; received his education from the High School of Syracuse. In 1879 he moved to Sac County, Ia., and in the autumn of the same year purchased above business of H.J. Simpson. Office on Main Street, near depot. He is assisted by F.M. Gregg.

Biographical Sketch of C. L. Sherwood

C.L. Sherwood, agent for the Iowa Land Company, was born in Berlin township, Delaware County, O., in June, 1817; remained there until 1854, and then moved to Clinton, Ia., where he engaged in farming. In 1873 he came to Sac County, purchased land in Clinton township, which he improved, and still owns, the farming being conducted by his sons. Mr. Sherwood was for several years postmaster at Wall Lake, also was postmaster in Clinton township before the office was abandoned. He became agent for the above company in 1873; office with W.H. Peck, lumber dealer. Mr. S. is one of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of N. Wright

N. Wright, president of the bank of Wall Lake, was born in Cedar County, Ia., in 1846; resided there until the autumn of 1871, then purchased 320 acres of land in Sac county, on which he moved the spring following. He farmed until Feb., 1882, when he established the bank. Does a general banking business; this is the only established bank in Wall Lake. W.S. Bell, the cashier, is a gentleman of extensive experience in the banking business.

Biographical Sketch of J. Elliott

J. Elliott, proprietor of the Eureka House, came to Wall Lake in Feb., 1882, from Ames, where he had resided for twenty years. The hotel is on the comer of Main and First streets, is well furnished and a first-class house.

Biographical Sketch of J. J. Jones

J.J. Jones & Sons, grain dealers, formerly of Chicago, Ill., where they were engaged in the livery business several years; came to Wall Lake, Ia., in Jan., 1881, and purchased the elevator and business of G.W. Pitcher. Elevator has capacity of ten thousand bushels, and employs two men. During the year 1881 they shipped two hundred cars of grain. The business is conducted by J.J. Jones, Jr.; office on 1st. Street.

Biographical Sketch of E. L. Pierce

E. L. Pierce, dealer in hardware, tinware, stoves, etc., was born in Linn County, Ia., in Oct., 1850; received education at Mt. Vernon College, and engaged in farming until 1874, then moved to Cedar County and engaged in milling with Peet Bros. He remained there four years then moved to Wall Lake and engaged in present business in March, 1878. He makes specialties of Fuller, Warren & Co’s stoves and the Glidden barbed wire.

Biographical Sketch of C. F. Peck

C.F. Peck, dealer in general merchandise, was born in New London, Conn., in 1845; moved to Oneida, Ill., when thirteen years of age, and worked on a farm until the close of the war. He returned to Ill. and remained three years; afterwards moved to Jefferson, Ia. He was engaged as carpenter until 1877, then engaged in mercantile business. He came to Wall Lake in 1880 and engaged in business as above; carries a fine stock of clothing, boots and shoes.

Biographical Sketch of Frank Chandler

Frank Chandler, dealer in hats, caps, boots, shoes, clothing, furnishing goods and groceries, was born in Maquoketa, Ia., in Sept. 1849, there resided until 1870, then moved to Lyons, Ia., as agent for the Northern and Diamond Joe packet lines, and after two years, became book-keeper for the Clinton Chair Co., after which he traveled for S.G. McGill, and later for H.C. & C. Durand, wholesale grocers with whom he remained five years, then located at Wall Lake. Employs two clerks.

Biographical Sketch of W. L. Ehlers

W.L. Ehlers, bookkeeper for Wilcox Bros., lumber dealers, was born in Oskaloosa, Ia., in Feb., 1866. In 1872 he entered the State University, at Iowa City. In the winter of 1876 he took charge of the poultry packing establishment of Beem, Turner & Co.; remained with them two years and moved to Wall Lake; entered the employ of J.C. Fletcher, dealer in general merchandise. He engaged as above in 1879.

Biographical Sketch of E. M. Reynolds

E.M. Reynolds is business manager for C. Hatfield, furniture dealer and undertaker. This business was established in 1879, and contains a complete stock of furniture and undertakers’ goods, and is the agency for the Whit, Wilson and Victor sewing machines, also for the Mason & Hamlin organs.

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Alexander

Thomas Alexander, farmer, was born in Coshocton County, O., in 1827; moved to Sac County, Ia., in 1861, and purchased land one mile north of Sac City. He has one of the finest farms in the county. He owns 314 acres of well improved land, a fine Bearing orchard of about three acres, and fifty acres of good timber.

Biographical Sketch of N. B. Flack

N. B. Flack, recorder of Sac County, was born in N.Y. in 1841. He enlisted Sept. 2d, 1862, at Lisbon, in the 142nd N.Y. Vol.; was at the battle of Fort Fisher, and was subsequently wounded in the leg. He was discharged June 16, 1865, and returned to N. Y. In Oct. 1866, he moved to Scott City, Mo., and engaged in milling; remained four years, then returned to N.Y. He then came to Sac County, Ia.; and purchased land which he improved and still owns. In May 1870, he came to Sac City and was employed by Platt & … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Kessler

John Kessler, wagon maker, came to Sac City, Ia., from Kenosha, Wis., in 1872 and established his present business. He occupies a shop on the south side of the public square; manufactures wagons and buggies and does a general repair business.

Biographical Sketch of C. E. Read

C.E. Read, furniture dealer and undertaker, was born in March, Canada, Dec., 20th, 1826; moved to Toledo, O., in April, 1856; was engaged in the drug business four years; then moved to Huron County, Mich., where he was engaged in same business for three years. In Aug., 1865, he came to Sac City and engaged in contracting and building. He entered his present business in 1873; employs first-class cabinet-maker, and carries a fine stock of everything in his line.

Biographical Sketch of John L. Woodward

John L. Woodward, junior member and business manager of the firm of Condron & Woodward, dealers in grain and machinery, was born in Champaign County, O., He served during the war of the rebellion a short time, doing garrison duty, after which he bough land in Dallas county, Ia. He engaged in the grain business at Dallas Center, which he continued for two years and in 1871 located at Sac City, where he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1880 established business as above. During 1881 the firm shipped one hundred cars of grain.

Biographical Sketch of William Allen

William Allen was born in Richmond, Va., in 1822; moved to McHenry County, Ill., in 1844, and engaged in blacksmithing. He went to California in 1849, and remained seventeen years. Three years of the time he was engaged in mining, and the remainder on a ranch. The steamboat landing in Tehama County, Cal., on the Sacramento River, known as Allen’s Landing, was named after Mr. Allen, for the reason of his owing the land a large wood-yard there. In 1868 he sold out and moved to Chicago, Ill., and engaged in business; removed to Fort Dodge, Ia., and was engaged … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. M. Elwood

S.M. Elwood, of the firm of Davis & Elwood, an attorneys at law, was born in Greensburg, Pa., in Sept., 1850; moved with parents to Grinnell, Ia., where he attended the Iowa College. He graduated from the Iowa City law school in the class of ’73. He moved to Sac City in autumn of 1875, and engaged in practice with Capt. Stanfield, now of Odebolt. He formed his present partnership in 1877. He attends strictly to trial business, and is considered one of the most successful attorneys in the county. Mr. Davis attends to the land, loan and insurance business … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph H. James

Joseph H. James, harness dealer, was born in Iowa County, Wis., in 1856, learned his trade at Mineral Point, and in Feb., 1877, moved to Webster City, Ia. In June, 1879, he came to Sac City and purchased the business and stock of Lewis Vanderworker; has since purchased building and lot. He employs three men and carries a full stock of harness, saddles, robes, blankets, whips, etc. In the spring of 1880 he established a branch shop at Newell, Buena Vista County, which is the only one at that place.