Biographical Sketches of Sac County Iowa Collections

Biographical Sketches of Sac County Iowa

The first settlement in Sac County Iowa was made by Otho Williams, who came from Michigan in the autumn of 1854, with his family, and took up a claim in the timber near Grant City, in the southeastern part of the county. He and his family were the first white inhabitants of Sac county, but during the two succeeding years quite a number of settlers made their homes either in the same neighborhood or in the vicinity of Sac City, and Otho Williams, at the end of about two years, complained that ‘folds are gittin’ to thick ’round yer,’ and … Read more

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 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 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 W. H. Ball

W.H. Ball, of the firm of W.H. Ball & Co., dealers in grain and seed, was born in Cedar County, Ia., in 1853. He was engaged in the grain business at Centerdale, Clinton County, for nine years. In 1880 came to Fletcher and was the first to locate business there.

Biographical Sketch of W. C. Shull

J. & W.C. Shull, of the firm of Shull Bros., dealers in lumber, lime, coal, hair, cement, etc., office on Main Street, established business in 1880. They were formerly of Montgomery County, N.Y, J. Shull graduated from the Fairfield Seminary and entered the employ of Walter Shoemaker, lumber dealer, Chicago, Ill.; came to Sac City in 1880. W.C. Shull, previous to coming to this city, was engaged in the drug business at Little Falls, N.Y.; afterwards with D.R. Dyche & Co., druggists, Chicago; came to Sac City in May 1881, and formed present partnership.

Biographical Sketch of W. A. Robinson

W.A. Robinson, postmaster and hardware merchant, was born in Vt. in 1815. He moved to Stockbridge, Mass., when quite young; in 1856 moved to Mercer county, m., and engaged in farming until 1869; then moved to Sac County, purchased land in Viola township, which he improved and still owns. He moved to Fletcher in Jan., 1882, and filled the office of postmaster, to which he was appointed in Dec., 1881. He erected building on Main Street, which is occupied by post office and hardware stock. Mr. Robinson has filled many minor offices, was the first justice of the peace in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. A. Helsell

W.A. Helsell, of the firm of Zane & Helsell, attorneys at law, was born in Millersburg, O., in 1855; moved with parents to Iowa in 1861. He graduated in the scientific course at the Ames Agricultural College in 1877 and in 1879 graduated from the law department of Simpson’s Centenary College. He was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court at Des Moines, June 9th, 1879, and in the July following formed a partnership as above. He attends to the law and trial business and Mr. Zane to the loan, insurance and abstract business of the firm. They have … Read more

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 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 S. H. Bowman

S.H. Bowman, of the firm of S. H. Bowman & Co., dealers in lumber, coal, lime and mixed paints, was born in Baltimore, Md., in March, 1854. In 1873 he entered the Business College of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., from which he graduated in May, 1874. He went to Neb. in 1878, and was engaged in the lumber business at various towns. In March, 1880, he came to Odebolt, Ia., and established the above business; he is the senior member and business manager of the firm, which has branch yards at Ida Grove, Battle Creek and Danbury.

Biographical Sketch of S. F. Lusher

D. Herrold and S.F. Lusher, of the firm of D. Herrold & Co., deal in groceries, queensware, provisions, etc. Their place of business is on the comer of Main street and public square. The business was established in 1875 by Mr. Lusher and the present firm has existed since Nov., 1881. They do an extensive business and intend extending their premises the coming season.

Biographical Sketch of Rev. William N. McKendrick

Rev. William N. McKendrick, undertaker and dealer in furniture was born in Edinburg, Scotland, in 1832; came to America with parents and located in N.Y. In 1847 he moved to Western N.Y. He attended the Baptist College, of Montreal, Canada, for three years, and entered the University in 1859. He was ordained in Michigan, Sept. 20th, 1875. He located at Mapleton, Ia., in 1879, and was pastor of the Baptist church there for two years. He resigned in Sept., 1881; came to Fletcher, purchased property and engaged in present business. He is pastor here and preaches every Sabbath at the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Robert Smylie

Rev. Robert Smylie, pastor of the M.E. church, was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1849. He graduated from Victoria College, Coburg, in 1868; entered the ministry the following year and filled various pulpits in Ontario. He was ordained at Dunville, in 1873; in Oct., 1880, he came to Sac City, Ia., and took present charge.

Biographical Sketch of R. H. Lamoreux

R.H. Lamoreux, postmaster and druggist, was born in Orange County, N.Y., in 1839; moved to Wausau, Wis., and engaged in the lumber business. He moved to Sac City, Ia., in 1868 and engaged in the grocery business, which he conducted for nine months, then purchased a farm and for four years engaged in farming. In the winter of 1872 he engaged in clerking in the drug store of Eli Camp, and also took charge of the post office under J.E. Armstrong. He purchased the drug business and stock in the spring of 1875 and the following spring was commissioned postmaster. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. H. Derby

R. H. Derby, carpenter, contractor and cabinet maker, was born in Wyoming County, N.Y., in 1853, where he remained until 1872. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1870, at a session of the Sioux Rapids district court, Judge H. Ford presiding. He went to California in 1874 and was for one year principal of the schools of Martinez; returned to Sac County and became cashier of the Sac County Bank, of which he is one of the stockholders.

Biographical Sketch of Phillip Schaller

Philip Schaller, County treasurer, was born in Woerth, province of Alsace, Germany, in 1838; came to America and landed at N.Y. City in April, 1854, and in Dec. of the same year located at Dubuque, Ia., and engaged in wagon-making. He enlisted in 1862 at National, Ia., in the 27th la. Inft., was sent to Minn. among the Indians, and thence south; was with Gens. Sherman, Smith, Steele and Thomas in some of the principal battles; was mustered out at the close of the war, and returned to Clayton County, Ia. He purchased land in Sac County in 1868, returned … Read more

Biographical Sketch of P. H. Hankins

P.H. Hankins and J.Y. Campfield, of the firm of P.H. Hankins & Co., dealers in lumber, coal, lime and agricultural implements, established business in 1879. Their office and yards are on the west side of the railroad track, near the depot. They are agents for the Grand Detour goods, McCormick and Champion reapers and other leading manufactures. A.H. Hendrickson, proprietor of the Hendrickson House, was born in Oswego county, N.Y., in Jan., 1836; moved to McHenry county, Ill., in 1856, was engaged in the hotel business two years, then in the stock business until 1868; then moved to Sac City, … 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 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