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.

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 George Stanley

George Stanley, proprietor of the Stanley House, came to Sac City in May, 1881, from Bloomington, Wis., where he had been engaged in the mercantile business for eleven years. He purchased his present hotel property, and after thoroughly renovating and refitting it, engaged in present business. He keeps a first class house and runs a ‘bus to and from trains.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. A. T. Benton

A.T. Benton, M.D., was born in Johnson county, Indiana, in 1847; moved to Dallas County, Iowa, in 1852. He attended the Adel High School several years; entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk in 1867 and graduated in 1869. He then engaged in practice at Adel, where he remained until July, 1871, then came to Sac City. Office at his residence, on the south side of public square.

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 H. C. Graff

H.C. Graff, of the firm of Graff Bros. & Whipple, came to Sac City in 1880 from Emerson, Mills County, Ia., where he was engaged in the hardware business three years. In partnership with D.W. Graff and A.A. Whipple, he purchased the stock and business of Terwilleger Bros., and engaged in his present business. The business is conducted by H.C. Graff. They carry a full stock of hardware, tin and shelfware, stoves, etc., making specialties of builder’s hardware and barb wire. They are special agents for the Glidden barbed wire, and also for Charter Oaks stoves. They employ two tinners.

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 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 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 E. F. Gifford

E.F. Gifford, barber, was born in Erie County, Pa., in 1854; came to Iowa in 1871, and located at Independence. He removed to Carroll, and in July, 1872, came to Sac City and engaged in present business. He owns the building, or which he occupies one-half of the lower floor for a barber shop, renting the other half for confectionery store. The upper story is fitted for photograph gallery. Mr. Gifford employs a first-class barber and runs two chairs.

Biographical Sketch of F. H. Knights

F.H. Knights, of the firm of George Knights & Co., dealers in boots, shoes, hats, caps, gloves, mittens and rubber goods, came to Sac City in Sept., 1881, from Dubuque, Ia., where he had been engaged in the jewelry business for three years, and established his present business in partnership with his father, George Knights. They have the county agency for the Crown sewing machine.

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 D. Herrold

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 Henry Wilson

Henry Wilson, sheriff, was born in St. Lawrence County, N.Y., in 1841; moved with parents in 1851, to Dundas County, Canada West. In 1869 he moved to Clinton, Clinton County, Ia., and engaged in contracting and building; thence to Sac county in the autumn of 1875 and followed same business. He was elected to his present office in the autumn of 1881 and moved to Sac City in Jan., 1882.

Biographical Sketch of John M. Fox

John M. Fox, hardware dealer, was born in France in 1836; came to America in 1850. He learned the tinners’ trade in N.Y. city, and in 1862 moved to Waterloo, Ia.; thence to Winona, Minn., where he worked at his trade two years, and after visiting N.Y., located at Waverly, Ia., remaining there eight years. He came to Sac City in 1874 and engaged in his present business. He carries a large and complete stock of hardware and tinware. He is assisted in his business by his sons, John and George.

Biographical Sketch of Christopher Waddell

Christopher Waddell, collection agent and auctioneer, was born in Oxford, Eng. He was for several years in the Royal Mail West India service, also East India service. In 1851 he came to America and located at York, Dane county, Wis.; was engaged in farming, also livery business. He was elected sheriff in 1876 and re-elected in 1877 and 1879 on the Democratic ticket, the county being republican by a majority of nine hundred. This speaks well for Mr. W.’s popularity.

Biographical Sketch of A. S. Platt

A.S. Platt, senior member of the firm of Platt & Platt, dealers in clothing and furnishing goods, was born in Windsor county, Vt. in 1839; moved to Dubuque, la., in 1870 and was in the employ of the LC.R.R. four years. He moved to Osage, Wis., and was for about six years a member of the firm of Simons & Platt, grocers. He came to Sac City, Ia. in Dec. 1880, and purchased business and stock of J.M. Woodard and engaged in his present business. In 1881 he took into partnership his nephew, C.A. Platt.

Biographical Sketch of James N. Miller

James N. Miller, editor and proprietor of the Sac Sun, is a native of Pa., and was for several years editor of the Republican, published at Waynesburg. In 1870 he came to Iowa and located at Eldora, Hardin County, remained only a short time, then came to Sac City, and established the Sac Sun, which has grown to importance and is the official paper of the county. In 1878 He built the new office, which he now occupies. The paper is an eight-column folio, and has a circulation of eight hundred. Mr. Miller is prepared to do first-class job work … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George M. Parker

George M. Parker, merchant, was born in Hartford, Ill, in 1847; moved with parents to, Manchester, Ia., in 1851; thence to Delhi, where he received his education. He traveled for wholesale houses of Chicago and Dubuque for six years. In 1872 he engaged in business at Earlville, Ia., and two years later came to Sac City and established his present business. The store is in the Bank block. In 1881 he commenced the erection of a creamery, which is fitted with a ten-horse power engine, and will have a capacity of from 2,500 to 3,000 lbs. per day. This is … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hon. D. Carr Early

Hon. D. Carr Early, president of the Sac County Bank, was born in Ohio, in 1830; removed to Sac City, Ia. in 1856, where at that time there was but one building besides a log school house. He preempted land on which he lived a short time to secure it. He was elected deputy treasurer and recorder in 1857, and was re-elected the three subsequent elections. He was afterwards elected county judge, holding the office one term, the office then being dispensed with. He established a real estate business when first coming to the county, and did a general banking … Read more