After purchasing clay and gypsum land in the area, Armstrong established the Plymouth Gypsum Company in 1903 and the Plymouth Clay Products Company in 1910. Ten years later he established the Iowana Gypsum Company. Both were sold in 1922 to the Universal Gypsum Company, predecessor of the National Gypsum Company now operating here. Armstrong also organized the Plymouth Processing Mill for soybeans.
Armstrong was president of the Fort Dodge National Bank (now the First National) from 1924 to 1936. He was interested in promoting Fort Dodge and the area and organized the Hawkeye Fair & Exposition in 1919 and was its president. He served as president of the Fort Dodge Chamber of Commerce from 1916-1919.
THE CHARLES LAUFERSWEILER HOME
The residence at 911 Northwood Ave., was for many years the home of Charles C. Laufersweiler, well-known funeral home operator and son of a pioneer Fort Dodge businessman. Laufersweiler acquired the home in 1918 and resided there until his death in 1941 at age 72. His wife continued to make her home there until her death in 1943.
Mr. and Mrs. Welch Laufersweiler purchased the home in 1945 and have since lived there with their family. The house has a red brick and stucco exterior.
The present room arrangement on the first floor includes an entry hall, sun parlor, living room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen, half bath and family room with fireplace and full bath. The second floor has a hall, five bedrooms and bath; the third floor has a large bedroom and walk-in cedar closet.
Mr. and Mrs. Welch Laufersweiler were parents of three daughters and four sons—Mrs. James (Ann) Tornabane, Mrs. Edward (Jean) Micus, Susan, Thomas, John, and Joseph. A son Mark died in 1971.
Charles C. Laufersweiler was born in Fort Dodge in 1868, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad C. Laufersweiler who established a furniture and undertaking business here in 1856. He was one of ten children in the family that included Mary, who was married to Gus Hilton, their son is Conrad G. Hilton, the hotel magnate; Bertha, Kitty, twins Edith and Elsie; William J., John, Albert and Frank.
The Charles Laufersweiler home
911 Northwood Avenue