HISTORIC HOMES
of Fort Dodge, Iowa

PUBLISHED BY THE BLANDEN FEDERATION OF ARTS
FORT DODGE, IOWA
APRIL, 1975

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALLEN R. LOOMIS • TEXT BY KARL F. HAUGEN

INDEX TO HOMES ON PAGE [119]-120
MAP ON PAGE [117]

PRINTED BY MESSENGER PRINTING COMPANY, FORT DODGE, IOWA

INTRODUCTION

This book is a picture-story history of 101 Fort Dodge homes. Those who brought the homes into being are chronicled here, as are those who succeeded those first tenants. The homes as well as their occupants are representative of the Fort Dodge community over a time span of more than 100 years.

All of the homes are extant; the publishers regret the absence in the history of many grand old homes no longer in existence.

The homes first appeared in a weekly series in the Fort Dodge Messenger. The photographer’s skill reflects the hobby of Allen R. Loomis, Fort Dodge industrialist, whose grandparents—the A. R. Loomises and the Leon Vincents—were prominent business and cultural leaders in the earlier-day Fort Dodge.

The histories were written by Karl F. Haugen, retired City Editor of the Messenger. Mr. Haugen devoted many hours studying state, county and city records, and interviewed scores of persons.

To Mr. Haugen and Mr. Loomis, as well as to all who so graciously and cheerfully cooperated with them, the publishers extend a grateful thank-you.

BLANDEN FEDERATION OF ARTS
FEBRUARY 6, 1975

HISTORIC HOMES
of Fort Dodge, Iowa

THE O. M. OLESON HOME

The O. M. Oleson home
1020 3rd Avenue South

O. M. Oleson, pioneer pharmacist and philanthropist, erected this large three-story brick residence with green tile roof in 1906.

Located at 1020 3rd Ave. S. it probably is the only home in the city to have had a pipe organ for many years. The home was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Oleson until 1938 when it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. O. J. Whittemore. Mrs. Whittemore continues to reside in the house following the death of her husband who was prominently identified with the Vincent Clay Products Company here.

The home has a full basement, first floor with living room, dining room, and kitchen; second floor with five bedrooms and two baths; and third floor with recreation room and attic storage space.

The pipe organ which Oleson enjoyed playing was removed from the home prior to its sale to the Whittemores and given to Lutheran Hospital’s nurses’ home. The nurses’ home was torn down some years ago during rebuilding work at the hospital (now Trinity Regional West).

Oleson was noted for his countless philanthropic acts. He donated land to the city for Oleson Park in the southeast part of the city and Leif Erickson Park in west Fort Dodge. He was the principal benefactor of Lutheran Hospital when it was organized and began operations here. His widow, Julie Haskell Oleson, willed more than $2 million to the hospital at the time of her death.

Oleson was a native of Norway and came to Fort Dodge as a young man and started in the drug business. In 1894 he erected the three-story brick building at Central Avenue and Eighth Street which was long the home of his drug firm—the Oleson Drug Company. The first floor and basement were occupied by the drug firm which for many years had both retail and wholesale operations. The second and third floors had apartments and some offices. The building was razed in recent years along with other structures to make way for the City Green Parking lot.

Oleson enjoyed good music and in the early 1890s organized the Grieg Male Chorus and was its director for many years. The chorus had a large hall on the third floor of the Oleson building where members rehearsed and held social activities. His love of music led to some composing. One of the numbers he set to music was the celebrated World War I poem by Col. John McCrae—“In Flanders Fields the Poppies Grow.”

THE E. H. RICH HOME

The E. H. Rich home
819 3rd Avenue South

E. H. Rich, a prominent Fort Dodge banker, built this large brick home at 819 3rd Ave. S. in 1880 and it was occupied continuously by members of the Rich family until the recent death of Miss Eva Rich.

Rich came to the city in 1874 and was cashier of the early-day First National Bank for many years—a bank that later was reorganized as the State Bank.

The Rich house is located on a three-lot site at the southwest corner of Third Avenue South and Ninth Street. Foundation of the home is constructed of large hand-hewn limestone blocks 20 inches thick and upper walls are 14 inches thick. The soft burned red brick used on the exterior was produced at a local brickyard using wood logs at that time to fire the kilns.

The house contains seven bedrooms, living room, dining room, music room, kitchen and two bathrooms. The third floor attic area has three large rooms and there is a fourth floor with two unfinished rooms now reached only by a ladder. The interior stairway, doors and trim of the home are of solid walnut, cut out and formed from local walnut trees.

Originally the house had seven open fireplaces, four on the first floor and three in upstairs bedrooms. With the coming of gas heat these were sealed off and six of the eight chimneys on the house removed. The house is now heated by two hot air gas-fired furnaces.

The home was piped for gas lighting long before there was any city gas in Fort Dodge. A large tank filled with naphtha was buried in the backyard and the naphtha was piped to a gas machine in the basement. The naphtha dripped over a large enclosed rotating drum which generated illuminating gas by evaporation. A pump then forced the gas into distributing pipes. Power for this home gas system was supplied by clockwork gears run by gravity from 2,000 pound millstones. Each evening it was necessary to wind up the machine before lighting the gas fixtures.

There were no telephones in the town when the house was built so Rich installed a telegraph line from the home to the bank a few blocks distant. Mr. and Mrs. Rich learned the telegraph code and one day when Mrs. Rich was injured she telegraphed her husband “Come quick—badly hurt.” Mr. Rich ran the distance from the bank to his home and found his injured wife. It was believed the telegraph message saved her life.

In later years the Rich home was completely modernized. In 1973 the house was sold by Willis Rich, last of the family of seven, to Bill and Bruce Algood who are reconditioning and furnishing it in the tradition of the era when it was built. A large floor based mirror from the home was given by Rich to the governor’s mansion—“Terrace Hill”—in Des Moines.

THE DOLLIVER HOME

One of the stately residences built along Second Avenue South prior to the turn of the century is now the Women’s Clubhouse, but for many years it was the home of United States Senator Jonathan P. Dolliver and family.

Built in 1895 and located at 915 2nd Ave. S., the large three-story red brick residence has been owned by the Women’s Club since 1935. While generally known as the Dolliver house it was built by Sen. Dolliver’s father-in-law, George R. Pearsons and occupied by his family for several years. The same year the house was built, Dolliver married Pearson’s daughter, Louise, but it was not until Pearson’s death in 1904 that the Dollivers moved into the home.

The home site originally included four lots. Pearsons, a prominent early-day resident, came here as agent for the Illinois Central Railroad. He served as mayor for two terms and was a member of the school board.

The Dolliver home originally had a parlor, drawing room or music room, dining room, kitchen and pantry on the first floor; five bedrooms and one large bath on the second floor and other rooms on the third floor. In later years the upstairs was extensively remodeled. There is a huge open stairway leading from the first floor to the upper floors.

In the rounded window area of the drawing room there once was a large stone hollowed out for a small pool. A fountain was located in the center of the pool from which water flowed continuously. Goldfish in the pool added charm to the unique window arrangement.

In 1968 the Women’s Club remodeled the house, enlarged the first floor meeting room to the west, removed the old porch and added a small patio and new entrance.

The Dolliver home
915 2nd Avenue South

Dolliver was a prominent Fort Dodge attorney and legislator. He was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives in 1888 and served there until 1900 when he was appointed to the U. S. Senate to fill a vacancy. He was re-elected and served in the Senate until his untimely death Oct. 15, 1910, at age 52.

Sen. Dolliver was prominent in the Republican party and was known nationally. He was in great demand as a speaker and was called the “silver-tongued orator.” In 1900 he was mentioned as nominee for vice president with William G. McKinley who was elected president that year. Had he been nominated and elected he would have been elevated to the presidency after the assassination of President McKinley in 1901.

Dolliver lived very little in the home here because the family was with him in Washington a great deal of the time he was in the House and the Senate. In failing health for some time Sen. Dolliver died at his home here from what was described as a “heart ailment aggravated by over-exertion.”

THE BREEN HOME

The E. J. Breen Sr. residence occupies a prominent location at the southwest corner of Second Avenue South and Tenth Street. Constructed in 1910, the home has been continuously occupied by members of the Breen family since that time.

The house at 925 2nd Ave. S. has a red brick exterior with red tile roof, and is another of the sturdy early 20th Century residences built in this area by prominent families of the city. It has a full basement and three floors. On the first floor are living, dining and cooking areas; on the second floor four bedrooms, sleeping porch and bath; and on the third floor a ballroom.

The Breen family came to Fort Dodge in 1904 from Estherville. The family included Mr. and Mrs. Breen, sons Maurice J. and Edward Jr. and daughter Paulyne. During their early years in the city the Breens resided in houses at Fourth Avenue North and Twelfth Street and Fifth Avenue South and Twelfth Street before their home on Second Avenue South was completed in 1910.

The Breen home
925 2nd Avenue South

E. J. Breen Sr. was in the banking business—was president of the Iowa Savings Bank here and president of the Lehigh Sewer Pipe & Tile Company and the Northwestern Portland Cement Company of Mason City for many years. He organized both of the latter companies. Breen died in 1928.

Mr. and Mrs. Maurice J. Breen and family occupied the home after the death of the elder Mrs. Breen in 1939. Mrs. Maurice Breen continues to reside in the home following her husband’s death and her son, Maurice C., a Fort Dodge attorney, lives with her.

Television executive Ed Breen of Fort Dodge now resides on RFD 2; and Mrs. Emerson Dawson, the former Paulyne Breen, lives at 227 S. 12th St.

Mrs. Dawson, prior to her marriage, conducted classes in dancing in the third floor ballroom of the Breen home. She recalls that she often meets men and women now who were her former students in these classes some 50 years ago.

THE CAPT. BENNETT HOME

This large house at 911 3rd Ave. S.—set well back from the street—was built in 1890 by an early-day businessman—S. J. (Capt.) Bennett who came to Fort Dodge in 1870. It occupies a prominent location at the southeast corner of Third Avenue South and Ninth Street and has a two-story carriage house at the rear.

The three-story residence is built of St. Louis granite-brick with Sioux Falls jasper trimmings, an early-day history of the city notes. It has a slate roof with copper trim. Wide porches extend along the north and west sides of the house.

Since 1923 this spacious home, built by one of the city’s most prominent early-day residents, has been owned and occupied by members of the Schaupp family. Enjoying the gracious living quarters in the home were the late Judge and Mrs. John M. Schaupp, their sons John Jr., and Bradley and Judge Schaupp’s mother, the late Mrs. Emma Schaupp.

Judge Schaupp, a Fort Dodge attorney for many years, was appointed to the Webster County District Court bench in 1944 and served for 19 years before retiring. He died in 1971 at age 80. The family residence is now occupied by son John Jr. The other son, Bradley, resides in Cedar Rapids.

The Capt. Bennett home
911 3rd Avenue South

Capt. Bennett, a native of New York, came west as a young man, spending some time in Ohio and Illinois and then went to St. Louis where he remained until the Civil War broke out. He enlisted in the Union Army and spent nearly five years in service. He served first with the 23rd Missouri Infantry and later was captain of Company A, 12th Missouri Cavalry. At the close of the war his unit was one of those sent against the depredating Indians in Wyoming.

Mustered out at Fort Leavenworth he engaged in surveying work for a time before going to Boone and then on to Fort Dodge. He was in the tobacco business here for a time, then left and worked on construction projects for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Quitting railroad work he settled in Tacoma, Wash., and Portland, Ore., and at one time was president of the Tacoma Street Railway system.

Returning to Fort Dodge, Bennett was president of the Commercial National Bank and the Green-Wheeler Shoe Company here. He was active in civic affairs and served four years on the city council and four times was elected mayor of Fort Dodge. He was also a member of the Board of Supervisors and was instrumental in building of the present Webster County courthouse. He died at his home here in 1911 at age 81.

THE M. F. HEALY HOME

This attractive residence at 1218 5th Ave. N., was for many years the home of M. F. Healy, one of Fort Dodge’s and Iowa’s most distinguished attorneys. The home has many unique features, including a round, towerlike area at one corner that extends from the large front porch upward to a pointed cupola on the roof.

The three-story house has living room, library, dining room and kitchen on the first floor. An open stairway leads to the second floor with its five bedrooms and bath. On the third floor are three additional bedrooms.

Healy lived in the home from the time it was completed in 1903 until his death in 1929 at age 66. He and his wife, who was 65 at the time of her death in 1936, reared a family of six children in the home.

The M. F. Healy home
1218 5th Avenue North

A native of Lansing, Iowa, Healy came to Fort Dodge with his parents in 1892. He was a graduate of Notre Dame University, attended Harvard University one year and received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1885.

He began law practice in Fort Dodge with pioneer statesman and attorney John F. Duncombe. Later he was in partnership with his brothers, Thomas D. Healy and Robert Healy and his son, Thomas M. Healy. Other well-known attorneys with whom he was associated were A. N. Botsford, D. M. Kelleher, B. B. Burnquist and Seth Thomas who later was a federal circuit court judge.

Healy gained statewide and national distinction as an attorney, orator and political leader. He was active in the Democratic party and attended nine national Democratic conventions. In 1924 he seconded the nomination of Al Smith for the presidency. He was in great demand as a speaker and gave addresses at many public functions and celebrations.

Failing eyesight afflicted Healy in the later years of his life and he was stricken with blindness in 1916. Despite the handicap he continued his law practice until his death 13 years later.

The Healy children included four daughters and two sons—Mrs. Ruth Healy Coughlin, Fort Dodge; Mrs. John (Margaret) Rourke, Providence, R. I.; Mrs. Carl (Eleanor) Mangelsdorf, Rock Island, Ill.; and Mrs. Joseph (Kathryn) Pleck, Evanston, Ill.; the Rev. Kerndt Healy, an instructor at Notre Dame University, and Thomas M. Healy, Fort Dodge, both of whom are deceased.

The Healy home is now owned by Larry D. Lee, a Fort Dodge Senior High School math instructor, who acquired it in 1964.

THE CONRAD LAUFERSWEILER HOME

The Conrad Laufersweiler home
904 3rd Avenue South

The Laufersweiler home at 904 3rd Ave. S. dates its history back to the early years of Fort Dodge. Original portion of the house was built in 1866 by Conrad C. Laufersweiler, a pioneer businessman of the city.

In 1892 the home was enlarged to its present size and modernized. It was occupied by members of the Laufersweiler family until the death of Elsie Laufersweiler in 1969. The property is now owned by Grace Lutheran Church and presently is leased to the Blanden Federation of Arts which conducts art classes there and operates the Hand Art Shop in a portion of the house. There is also a ceramics art shop with a potter’s wheel in the basement.

The two-story house is of brick construction with stucco exterior. It has five rooms and two baths on the first floor and seven rooms and two baths on the second floor. An open stairway with oak railing and spindles leads from the first to the second floor.

Laufersweiler came to Des Moines from his native Germany in 1854 and spent two years there. In 1856 he traveled to Fort Dodge on the Charles Rogers, the Des Moines River steamboat that plied between Keokuk and Fort Dodge in those early years. For a time he lived in one of the original fort buildings here.

On arrival in Fort Dodge Laufersweiler started a furniture and undertaking business. He was an experienced cabinet maker and made most of his furniture by hand. Three sons—William J., John and Charles—later joined him in the business.

The furniture business was located on the south side of Central Avenue between Sixth and Seventh Streets. It was discontinued in 1929, but the undertaking business has continued since its establishment and is now operated by Welch Laufersweiler.

There were 10 children in the Laufersweiler family—five sons, William J., John, Charles, Albert and Frank; and five daughters, Mary, Bertha, Kitty and twins Edith and Elsie. Mary was the only one of the daughters who married. Her husband was Gustav Hilton and their son is Conrad Hilton, the internationally known hotel magnate who visited Fort Dodge in 1953 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Chamber of Commerce.

Hilton was guest speaker at that time at an elaborate banquet in the Hotel Warden ballroom. While in the city he was a guest of his aunts at the Laufersweiler home.

THE E. G. LARSON HOME

The E. G. Larson home
300 N. Ninth Street

One of Fort Dodge’s early-day businessmen—E. G. Larson—built the home pictured above in 1881. It still stands erect and stately at 300 N. 9th St.

A huge porch that originally extended across the front of the house is now missing and in its place is a small stoop and second floor balcony with wrought iron railings. Otherwise, the exterior appearance of the home is generally the same as it was in the 1880s and later. In recent years the outside brick walls have been painted white adding to the attractive appearance of the venerable home.

The two-story house originally had 13 rooms which are now divided into three apartments—two on the first floor and one on the second. Foundation walls of the house are constructed of native limestone and upper walls have four layers of brick measuring 16 inches thick.

Larson, a native of Norway, came to Fort Dodge in 1868. Trained in tailoring, he began work in John W. Hardin’s shop, later working in other tailoring shops here. In 1872 he started his own tailoring shop, leasing one side of the room then occupied by C. Rank’s shoe store. Outgrowing the quarters he then moved to Fessler’s building on Central Avenue. A few years later he leased a new brick building owned by Angus McBane and put in a complete line of ready-made clothing in addition to his tailoring department. Business prospered and he bought the building where the store was located.

In 1892 Larson retired from active business and devoted his time to other interests here. In later years he was in the banking business as an officer and director of the Security Trust & Savings Bank which operated until the early 1930s. He was also an officer of the Larson Clothing Company which was sold in 1920 to the Glazers.

There were three sons and two daughters in the E. G. Larson family. They included Ben P. Larson Sr., Olaf Larson, Clarence Larson, Martina and Louise Larson, who was married to Eugene Gates. Miss Martina Larson resided in the family home until 1935 when it was sold. Present owners of the Larson home are Mr. and Mrs. Orrin R. White who purchased the property in 1947.

THE FESSLER HOME

The Fessler home
1110 5th Avenue North

One of the city’s most historic houses is this brick residence at 1110 5th Ave. N. built by pioneer storekeeper and Indian fur trader David Fessler.

The original portion of the two-story home dates back to 1869 when it was erected by Fessler in the northeast part of the town in order to make it easier to conduct his fur trading business with the Indians who camped in the nearby north woods.

Fessler came to Fort Dodge from Germany in 1858 and shortly after arrival opened a trading center and clothing store. He started his fur trading business in his first small home located where the Blanden Art Gallery now stands. It was a considerable distance from this place to the Indian camp so Fessler purchased property in the northeast part of the growing town and built a new home there.

The rear of the present home is the original part of the house built more than 100 years ago. The old time brick is still in good condition as are the basement walls made of stone. In pioneer days there were gunslots in the foundation walls for use in event of Indian attacks.

The house now has four rooms and bath on the first floor and four rooms and bath on the second floor. The property has changed hands many times in past years and is now owned and occupied by George Bradshaw, Fort Dodge attorney, and daughter, Vivian.

Fessler’s home on Fifth Avenue North was reported one of the largest and most elaborate of the pioneer dwellings and included a 20x24 parlor. Adjoining was the flower room with a white gypsum floor and at the rear was the large kitchen. The kitchen was used primarily as a trading place with the Indians when they came out of the nearby woods to sell their furs. They were in groups and always remained at the house for a meal.

Fessler is also remembered for buildings he erected along Central Avenue one of which housed the Fessler Opera House, a popular pioneer entertainment center. Fessler had four sons and three daughters. One of the sons, Louis, was county recorder here for many years.

Mrs. Marion Gilday of Fort Dodge is a granddaughter of the elder David Fessler. Her father was Louis Fessler.

THE LEON VINCENT HOME

The Leon Vincent home
1024 3rd Avenue South

The large brick residence at 1024 3rd Ave. S.—known in earlier years as the Leon Vincent home—was built by a pioneer Iowan who was a civil engineer, railroad builder and gypsum industrialist. The house dates back to 1896 when it was erected and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Leon Vincent.

The house, of exterior brick construction, now has three rooms and bath on the first floor, four rooms and two baths on the second floor, two bedrooms on the completely finished third floor and a large finished basement area.

Ownership of the house has changed several times since it was built by Vincent. At one time it was owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Vincent and later by Mr. and Mrs. Shirley Thornton. In 1965 the Thorntons sold the property to Mr. and Mrs. Paul C. Eide who now, with their family occupy the home.

Leon Vincent, a first cousin of Webb and Beth Vincent, came to Iowa in 1867 and as a civil engineer worked in laying out the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad, now part of the North Western system. He continued in this work until 1873 when he came to Fort Dodge.

In 1881 Vincent was employed as assistant cashier of the Merchants National Bank until its merger with the early-day First National Bank here. He was secretary-treasurer of the Iowa Plaster Association in 1891 and was identified with gypsum operations here for many years. In 1899 he rebuilt and re-equipped the Central Gypsum mill, first of the early-day gypsum plants here. When the U. S. Gypsum Company took over the Iowa Plaster Association in 1902, Vincent remained as manager of the Blanden mill.

Vincent was active in many affairs, one of which was designing and building of the present St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, which replaced an earlier edifice destroyed by fire. He also helped in laying out and beautifying of Oleson Park and in designing of 17th Street as a boulevard.

In 1911, Leon Vincent and the brothers Harry S. and Donald Vincent, sons of Webb Vincent, founded the Vincent Clay Products, Inc., which operated its big plant at Shady Oaks until recent years. Many of the plant’s machines and processes were inventions of Leon Vincent.

In failing health for many years, Leon Vincent died in 1916 at age 69. Mrs. Vincent died in 1928 at age 81. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent were grandparents of Al Loomis, photographer for most of the houses shown in the book.

THE JOHN HAIRE HOME

The John Haire home
502 North Ninth Street

One of Fort Dodge’s earliest businessmen—John Haire—purchased property along north Ninth Street and built the home at 502 N. 9th St. nearly 100 years ago. Haire acquired the property along the west side of Ninth Street from Fourth to Eighth Avenues North in 1878 and platted it as Haire’s Seminary Square Addition to Fort Dodge.

Shortly after purchasing the property, Haire built the north Ninth Street residence. He and his family resided there during his lifetime; then the property passed on to his heirs. In 1941 the home was purchased by the late Verne Schram and his wife Thora.

The Schrams remodeled the home extensively and added a small apartment and garage at the rear of the house. Earlier, in 1914, Haire’s son Jack, had remodeled the house for apartments. Presently there are four apartments, three on the first floor and one on the second floor.

John Haire came to Fort Dodge from his native Ireland in 1855 and entered into the mercantile business. His store was reported to be the third one opened in the newly-founded town and was located at First Avenue South and Sixth Street.

In 1879 Haire was elected Webster County auditor and held that office until 1885. He also served as county clerk of courts and was a member of the Fort Dodge School board and its vice president for 10 years. He retired from active business life here in 1870, some years before being elected to county offices.

Haire and his wife were parents of 10 children, seven sons and three daughters. The sons were prominent in business affairs of the city for many years. They were M. J. Haire, Oleson Land Company; W. W. Haire, Sackett & Haire Drugs; Jack Haire, Fort Dodge Lumber Company; Dave Haire, who served as county clerk; Tom Haire, Haire Clothing Store; Edward and Fred who were associated with Sackett & Haire Drugs. The daughters were Anna, Josephine and Mrs. Margaret Haire Kinney.

Two grandsons of the pioneer businessman are Fort Dodge residents—George M. Haire and John Haire, sons of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jack Haire.

THE DR. EVANS HOME

The Dr. Evans home
530 S. Twelfth Street

The brick home located at 530 S. 12th St. was built in 1913 by Dr. Robert Evans, for many years a prominent physician and surgeon in Fort Dodge. The two-story house has three rooms on the first floor, three rooms on the second floor and an attic area with two rooms.

The house is situated in part of the Fair Oaks addition to the city that once was also the location of the Duncombe deer park and the attractive gypsum block residence of John F. Duncombe and his wife, Mary. Duncombe was a prominent early-day attorney and industrialist here.

Mrs. Duncombe sold the South Twelfth Street building lot in 1909 to Mercie T. Evans, wife of Dr. Evans. Four years later the Evans built the brick home which they occupied for many years.

The house has changed ownership a number of times and once was owned by Mr. and Mrs. John P. Barton. Mrs. Barton was a niece of Dr. and Mrs. Evans. Following the deaths of the Bartons the house was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Al Hayden who now live in Mesa, Ariz. After some remodeling of the house it was sold by Haydens in 1967 to the Don Slotten family. They, in turn, sold the property in 1972 to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Lee Pingel who presently reside there with their family.

Dr. Evans was born in Canada in 1857 and in 1888 was graduated from the Detroit College of Medicine. He began his medical practice in LaCrosse, Wis., and remained there until 1891 when he came to Fort Dodge and opened an office in the downtown area at 516½ Central Ave.

In 1908 he associated himself with Dr. C. H. Mulroney and Dr. W. W. Bowen. After 15 months Dr. Mulroney withdrew from the firm and Dr. Evans and Dr. Bowen continued together for 24 years with offices in the Snell Building. In the spring of 1932 Dr. Evans retired from active practice and in the fall of that year he died suddenly at his home.

Dr. Evans was married to Miss Mercie Thompson of LaCrosse. They had no children but raised two orphan nieces, Sarah and Kathryn Thompson. Kathryn was married to John P. Barton who was a city commissioner here some years ago. Both are now deceased.

THE DR. BOWEN HOME

The Dr. Bowen home
628 S. Twelfth Street

Two Fort Dodge physicians and surgeons who practiced together for 24 years also lived in the same South Twelfth Street neighborhood. They were Dr. W. W. Bowen, whose home at 628 S. 12th St. is pictured above, and Dr. Robert Evans who resided at 530 S. 12th St.

Both residences are of brick construction, fronting east on Twelfth Street, and were built about the same time in 1913. Dr. Bowen purchased his lot in 1912 and erected the house a year later.

The Bowen residence is now owned and occupied by another physician and his wife—Dr. and Mrs. Walter E. Gower—who acquired the property in 1946. The house has one unique feature—lightning rods on the roof.

The home has five rooms and a half bath on the first floor, four bedrooms and bath on the second floor and two finished rooms on the third floor. There is a butler’s pantry and a second pantry on the first floor, both with their original cupboards. In the butler’s pantry is a small heating element to keep dishes warm during the winter months.

Woodwork in the house has the original finish and has never been redone. The Gowers have been told that the excellent varnish finish is the same as used on the early-day Pullman railroad cars.

Dr. Bowen was born in Marion, Ill., in 1869 and as a youth of 15 moved with his parents to Kossuth County where the family settled near Algona. He attended the Algona public schools and later Northern Illinois Normal School in Dixon, Ill. In 1895 he graduated from the University of Iowa Medical college and began the practice of medicine at Whittemore. After five years he sold his practice and went to Berlin, Germany, for a year.

Returning to the United States in 1901 he came to Fort Dodge where he was a prominent physician and surgeon until 1940 when he retired. He and Dr. Evans practiced together for 24 years.

Dr. Bowen was active in medical societies and served as president of the Iowa Medical Society. He was a charter Fellow of the American College of Surgeons which was organized in 1913.

In 1895 Dr. Bowen was married to Miss May King and they were parents of a son, Harold, and a daughter, Lydia. Dr. Bowen died in Fort Dodge in 1944 at age 75.

THE CHENEY HOME

An early-day Fort Dodge banker—John C. Cheney—built this home at 1008 3rd Ave. S. in 1896—another of the fine residences constructed in the 1890-1900 era.

Cheney was one of the organizers of the Fort Dodge National Bank (now the First National Bank) and first president when it began business in 1882. He and his wife resided in the Third Avenue South home until 1913 when it was acquired by J. R. Mulroney. The Mulroney family owned the property until 1931 when it was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kelley.

The three-story house is of frame construction with a large open porch on the front. On the first floor are parlor, dining room, library and kitchen with breakfast nook that earlier was a butler’s pantry. The second floor has five bedrooms and two baths; the third floor includes a large finished room and storage space.

A first floor fireplace in the home is unique in that it won second prize in the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1892-1893. It reportedly was purchased by Cheney and shipped to Fort Dodge for his new home that was constructed shortly after the exposition closed.

The fireplace is made of hand carved oak with red tile around the fire area. The ornate mantel atop the fireplace has a large mirror with lights on either side. Columns on sides of the fireplace are topped by hand carved gargoyles.

Mulroney, who once owned the property was a well-known Fort Dodger and one of the owners and officers of the Mulroney Manufacturing Company. The company produced overalls and work clothes for many years and distributed them over a wide area. The three-story building at First Avenue North and Seventh Street now occupied by the Marso & Rodenborn Manufacturing Company is the former plant of the Mulroney firm.

The Cheney home
1008 3rd Avenue South

Tom Kelley and his wife, Mary Brady Kelley, moved into the house in the fall of 1931. Kelley was a widely-known insurance man who organized the Kelley Insurance Agency now located at 216 S. 8th St. Two of his sons, Robert and Thomas X., are presently members of the firm carrying on the business.

Following the deaths of Kelley in 1958 and Mrs. Kelley in 1959 the property was transferred to Robert and Thomas Kelley and their sister, Mrs. Charles H. McCrea of Las Vegas, Nev., the former Mary Loyola Kelley. The home has been rented for many years and currently is occupied by the Robert Tarbox family.

THE GEORGE GILLMAN HOME

The large two-story brick and cement faced residence at 400 N. 9th St. has been known as the Gillman home since it was built in 1915 by George W. Gillman, a prominent pharmacist and businessman of Fort Dodge.

Gillman lived there until his death in 1959. The house is now owned by William J. Thatcher. Two apartments in the home are currently rented out.

Henry Kehm & Sons—well-known brick masons and home builders here for many years—constructed the house for Gillman. Originally it had living room, solarium, music room, dining room and kitchen on the first floor; four bedrooms, bathrooms and sleeping porch on the second floor. A large attic provided storage space.

Gillman started his drug store here in 1904 at the southwest corner of First Avenue South and Seventh Street in a new building erected by Colby Brothers, who operated a livery barn here in the earlier days. The store was in operation at this location until the spring of 1974 when it closed its doors after 70 years of continuous operation. Roy W. Gillman, son of the store’s founder, was associated with the firm for 56 years and the owner until the store closed.

The senior Gillman, who was 79 at time of his death, was born in Nowlin, S. D., and came with his family to Badger at an early age. As a boy he worked in the Campbell & Tower drug store here and later graduated in pharmacy from Highland Park University in Des Moines. After working with Campbell & Tower as a registered pharmacist he opened his own store.

The George Gillman home
400 N. Ninth Street

Gillman was active in pharmacy circles and was a member of the State Board of Pharmacy for 18 years, serving as its chairman several times.

Gillman was also interested in the theater and was president of the Princess Theater Company which built and operated the Princess here for many years. During his years as manager, the theater offered some of the finest vaudeville available and also booked in outstanding shows with celebrated performers. The theater finally closed its doors and in 1939 the building was sold to the First National Bank. It is now the home of the bank at 18 N. 9th St.

THE VINCENT HOUSE

One of the few remaining landmarks in Fort Dodge is the historic Vincent home at 824 3rd Ave. S. The house is now more than a century old, having been built in 1871 by James Swain, a pioneer Fort Dodge resident who was in the wholesale and retail drug business.

The house was purchased in 1879 by Webb Vincent, an early-day Fort Dodge industrialist and one of the founders of the gypsum industry here in 1872. Associated with him at that time in the establishment of the Fort Dodge Plaster Mills were George S. Ringland and Stillman T. Meservey.

The Webb Vincent family moved into the spacious home Oct. 17, 1879. It had been occupied continuously by members of the family until the death in 1969 of Mrs. Anne Vincent, widow of Donald Vincent.

The home has an exterior of red brick—a “soft brick” made from red clay that was found extensively in this area. Foundation walls are of limestone set in mortar. These stones of different sizes and roughly hewn form a foundation wall about seven feet high. Exterior house walls are 30 inches thick and interior walls are 24 inches thick.

Rooms of the house are large. Ceilings on the first floor are 14 feet high, on the second floor 12 feet high and on the third floor nine feet high. The third floor included a ballroom, 20 × 50 feet in size, where many early-day parties were held.

The Vincent House
824 3rd Avenue South

The Vincent House was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and in 1974 was allocated $1,200 in federal funds for preservation purposes. The money will be used for restoration of the third floor ballroom in the house.

The beautiful home at the northwest corner of Third Avenue South and Ninth Street has been preserved through the years in excellent condition. It survived a battle in 1957 and 1958 with the Federal Government when it was proposed to raze the structure to make room for the nearby Federal Building and Post Office.

Mrs. Anne Vincent bequeathed the historic home to the Fort Dodge YWCA. Income from a $150,000 trust fund may be used by the YWCA to keep the home in good repair and to redecorate it. The home is now being used by the organization for many gatherings.

THE FORD HOME

Fort Dodge mayor John F. Ford, who served from 1911 to 1919, resided in this Fifth Avenue North home for many years with his wife and five children. Ford won election as mayor when the city’s form of government was changed from the ward system to the present commission system.

The first City Council under the commission form included Mayor Ford, Commissioner Frank W. Collins and Commissioner C. H. (Cad) Smith. At that time Collins was in charge of the department of accounts, finances, public properties and parks. Smith headed the department of public safety, streets and public improvements.

The two-story frame house at 1242 5th Ave. N., which the Ford family occupied was built in 1890 and acquired by the Fords in 1895. The home has changed ownership a number of times since the Fords resided there and presently is owned by Mrs. Fatima Habhab, who with her late husband, Allie, purchased the property in 1953.

The Ford home
1242 5th Avenue North

Ford was prominent in Fort Dodge and Webster County affairs for many years. He was born here in 1864 and when six years old moved with his parents to a Jackson Township farm. He lived on the farm for 21 years and then moved back to Fort Dodge. During his years on the farm Ford taught school for 10 years during the winter months.

In 1893 Ford was appointed deputy county auditor under Auditor T. A. Cunningham and served in that capacity for six years, then was elected county auditor and served for another six years. Later he was interested in the R. B. Berryhill store at the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Eighth Street which sold books, stationery and had a complete newsstand.

Ford was an outstanding bowler and a member of championship bowling teams of Fort Dodge with other well-known men of his time.

Mr. and Mrs. Ford were the parents of a son and four daughters. They were Howard, Mary, Charlotte, Helen and Alice.

THE ROBERTS HOME

Another of the landmark homes along Third Avenue South is the Roberts home, 919 3rd Ave. S., which housed publishers and editors of The Messenger for many years. Built by George E. Roberts in 1888, the house is a three-story frame structure with large porches that extend along the north, east and south sides.

Occupying an impressive location at the southwest corner of Third Avenue South and Tenth Street, the house has an expansive yard extending southward from the avenue for a considerable distance. Large trees also surround the home.

The Roberts home
919 3rd Avenue South

Beautiful oak and cherry woodwork mark the interior of the rooms on the first floor. A large open entrance hall with beamed oak ceiling is just inside the front entryway. It features oak woodwork and a large fireplace with a carved oak mantel. The open stairway to the second floor is flanked by large columns of Grecian design.

The adjoining library room also has a fireplace and is unique with its cherry woodwork and massive open bookcases. A large handcrafted wood archway over a huge window at the east separates the bookcases. Floors in the entrance hall, library, living room and dining room are of oak. There are four bedrooms and two baths on the second floor and attic space on the third floor. The house has a large basement area, including a cyclone cellar with an arched brick ceiling.

George E. Roberts was an outstanding early-day newspaperman and also served for a time as state printer for Iowa. He advanced from the publishing business here to the office of director of the United States Mint and later to high banking positions.

When Roberts left Fort Dodge in 1898 he was succeeded at The Messenger by his brother, Charles A. Roberts, who also purchased the home at 919 3rd Ave. S. Charles Roberts was head of The Messenger until his death Jan. 1, 1933.

Following the death of Mrs. Roberts in 1957, the Roberts home was inherited by Mrs. John C. Deardorf, the former Catherine Vincent. She presently occupies the stately home.

THE GRIFFITH HOME

One of the fine homes in the south part of Fort Dodge is the residence at 1234 6th Ave. S. whose history dates back to the 1870s. Familiarly known as the Griffith home, it was occupied by the Frank Griffith family for many years.

City assessor records show the original portion of the home at this location was built in 1871, but was remodeled, enlarged and modernized years later. Located on parts of two lots, the house has a 93-foot frontage on Sixth Avenue South and 106 feet on Thirteenth Street.

The Griffith home
1234 6th Avenue South

John F. Duncombe, pioneer attorney here, was the first owner of the property before a house was erected there. He sold the lots in 1861 to a William Kellner who, in turn, disposed of the property to William C. Young. The original house is believed to have been built by Young as he retained ownership of the property until 1883.

Frank W. Griffith, an architect who later was manager of the U. S. Gypsum plant here, purchased the home in 1914. Age of the house is shown by the fact that its construction includes solid walnut studdings, walnut floor joists and walnut sheathing. Foundation walls are of limestone.

The two-story house has a shingle exterior. The first floor has living room, L-shaped dining room, playroom, kitchen, screened-in porch and large entrance hall. On the second floor are three bedrooms, bath, screened-in porch and attic space.

Griffith came to Fort Dodge in 1901 to design the Blanden gypsum mill located about a mile east of the present Celotex plant. He also supervised construction of the plant of the American Independent Gypsum Company organized in 1906.

Griffith then went to Chicago with the United States Gypsum Company and in 1908 was transferred to Fort Dodge as manager of the local mill and office. Later he was transferred to Alabaster, Mich., and then returned to Fort Dodge in 1913 as manager of the U. S. G. plant. He remained as plant manager here until 1921 when he resigned to resume architectural work. His son, Stanford W. Griffith, later joined him in the business and is presently head of the Griffith Company architectural firm here. The elder Griffith continued work as an architect until his death in 1953.

The Griffith home is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. Carney who reside there.

THE BUTLER HOUSE

This attractive white frame house at 924 5th Ave. N. dates its history back to 1880 and from 1901 until 1945 was known as the Paddy Butler home. During this 44-year period it was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. (Paddy) Butler and family.

The Butler House
924 5th Avenue North

Earlier the house was the First Presbyterian Church’s manse and was occupied by Dr. J. Milton Greene, the church pastor, from 1893 to 1899. During these years the residence was familiarly called the “Preacher Greene” house.

The two-story house has unique bow windows of a type used in early-day construction. Originally it had a parlor, two sitting rooms, bedroom, bath, kitchen and dining room on the first floor. The second floor had three large bedrooms and there also was an attic.

Albert E. Clark who acquired the lot at the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue North and Tenth Street in 1880 built the house that year. He owned the property until 1884 when it was sold to Thomas Sargent, a well-known early-day resident. Sargent kept the home until 1893 when it was sold to the Presbyterian Church for its minister, Dr. Greene.

In 1901 the church sold the house to the Butlers and it remained in the family’s possession until 1945 when sold to Effie R. Davis. J. Aaron Davis purchased the property in 1958 and resided there until 1970 when he sold it to the present owners, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Ackerman of Des Moines.

Butler, who owned the home for many years, was a farmer and livestock raiser in Webster and Humboldt counties. There were four daughters and two sons in the family—Mrs. F. E. Ludgate (Josephine) now deceased; Mrs. Mary Savage and Mrs. T. J. Tokheim (Ina) both of Fort Dodge; and Mrs. George Brennan (Esther) of Littleton, Colo.; John Butler, deceased, and Harry Butler of Fort Dodge.

Mrs. Tokheim, her husband and family resided in Lytton for many years and while there constructed a new home. She was so impressed with the bow windows in her parents’ home here that similar windows were installed in their Lytton home.

The Butler home was remodeled after its purchase by the Davis family and now includes two apartments which the Ackermans rent out.

THE J. B. BLACK HOME

A well-known Webster County farmer, who was also an early-day auto dealer in Fort Dodge, built the home at 1102 5th Ave. N. and occupied it with his family for many years.

The J. B. Black home
1102 5th Avenue North

He was J. B. Black who acquired the property at the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue North and Eleventh Street in 1893 and erected the home the same year. The home site was purchased from David Fessler, pioneer merchant and fur trader who resided at 1110 5th Ave. N.

Black owned a farm northeast of the city and lived there until the home in town was completed. After moving into town he continued to operate his farm with a hired man.

The large two-story frame house with full basement has been enlarged and remodeled since the Blacks resided there. It has changed ownership a number of times and has been owned by Hassan Habhab since 1947. The house now has two apartments that are rented out.

Black became interested in early-day autos and operated a garage here with a partner, Will Kirkpatrick, under the name of Black & Kirkpatrick. The firm began business in 1908 and continued operations until 1918. The garage originally was at 1104 Central Avenue, but later moved to other downtown locations. During 10 years in business Black & Kirkpatrick was dealer for the line of EMF and Everett automobiles—both of which long ago passed out of the motor car picture.

In addition to his farming and auto operations, Black in his early-days here was in the butcher shop business with the Wolverton Brothers at Central Avenue and Eighth Street. Mr. and Mrs. Black were parents of two sons and three daughters—Ben and Irving, Miss Edna Black, Miss Laura Black and Mrs. Lucy J. Carpenter.

Black owned farm property at the north end of Dolliver State Park and part of this land was sold to the state when the park was established in 1922. Irving Black also farmed some of the land near the park for a number of years. The elder Mr. Black spent the later years of his life at his farm home near Dolliver Park and died there in 1935 at age 79.

THE MESERVEY HOME

President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt was a guest in the Stillman T. Meservey home at 923 1st Ave. S. when he visited Fort Dodge in 1902—the residence that now is the Bruce Funeral Home.

The Meservey home
923 1st Avenue South

The Meservey home was large and spacious with many elegantly furnished rooms on its three floors. There were seven fireplaces in the home which provided heat to the many rooms during the winter months. The first floor included living room, dining room, library finished in black walnut, kitchen and pantry, butler and maid’s quarters. There was also a large reception hall from which the solid oak open stairway led upstairs.

The second floor had a balcony area at the head of the stairs, five bedrooms and two bathrooms. On the third floor is a complete apartment.

Meservey, one of the city’s most prominent early-day residents, was born in Clinton, Ill., in 1848 and came to Fort Dodge with his parents in 1856. After completing his education in the public schools and high school here he graduated from Clinton Liberal Institute with a degree in pharmacy. He returned to Fort Dodge and for some time was associated with the Cheney and Meservey drug firm. That was the start of his meteoric rise as a merchant, industrialist, banker, financier and politician.

In 1886 Meservey bought the property at the southwest corner of First Avenue South and Tenth Street and in 1890 erected the large brick residence. It was the showplace of the town and the meeting place for many social and civic events. During this era the Meserveys entertained President Roosevelt.

Meservey was one of the founders of the gypsum industry here in 1872 and for many years was associated with the U. S. Gypsum Company as secretary. He was also associated with civic and commercial enterprises, including the city’s street railway system. Interested in politics he was elected to the City Council for several terms and served as mayor of Fort Dodge for three terms. He also was elected to the Iowa Legislature.

In 1905 Meservey moved to Chicago where he was active with the U. S. Gypsum Company. In 1908 he sold the home here to Thomas D. Healy and the Healy family resided there for many years. In 1936 it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Byron Wilder who moved their funeral parlor there and it since has been used as a funeral home. Mack B. Bruce acquired an interest in the business in 1938 and it operated as Wilder & Bruce until the Bruces purchased the Wilder interest in 1945. Since then it has been Bruces Funeral Home.

THE LARRABEE HOME

The Larrabee home
1222 6th Avenue South

The son of an early-day governor of Iowa—Charles Larrabee Sr. and his family—occupied this residence at 1222 6th Ave. S. for many years.

Charles Larrabee was one of the seven children of Gov. William Larrabee, Iowa’s chief executive from 1886 through 1889. Gov. Larrabee was born in Ledyard, Conn., in 1832 and came to Iowa in 1853, settling at Clermont in Fayette County. His home—Montauk—is now a historical museum there.

Interested in farming he began purchasing land in the northeastern part of Iowa and soon became one of the largest land owners in the state. In 1867 Larrabee was elected to the Iowa Senate and served for 18 years. He was elected governor in 1885 and served four years.

Two of Gov. Larrabee’s children became residents of Fort Dodge—Charles and Frederic. Charles was a land owner, banker and capitalist. Frederic was also a land owner and a purebred livestock raiser specializing in Brown Swiss cattle which won many awards. He also was a state senator from this district.

The Larrabee home here was erected in 1910. The two-story frame house has a large open front porch with heavy supporting pillars. Much of the interior woodwork is solid walnut. The house was owned by the Larrabees until 1944. Since then it has changed hands several times and presently is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Heller Sr. Heller is in the mechanical department at the Hormel plant here and Mrs. Heller is a licensed realtor.

The house now has two apartments. The Hellers and their family occupy the apartment in the main part of the home and the other is rented out.

The Hellers have seven children. They are: twins, Dr. Joseph Heller Jr., a pediatrician in Dubuque and Michael, director of marketing for Emerson Electric in Honeoye Falls, N. Y.; Thomas, manager of controls for United Air Lines in San Francisco, Calif.; Robert, a computer programmer and analyst with Lockheed Aircraft in Sunnyvale, Calif.; and David, student at St. Edmond High School; daughters, Diane, married to Richard McCarville of Fort Dodge; and, Elizabeth, student at Iowa Central.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Larrabee Sr. were parents of two sons and a daughter. They are: Charles Jr., a retired Pan American Airlines official in Coral Gables, Fla.; Frederic, a law professor in Nashville, Tenn.; and Mrs. Lawrence Heileman, the former Anne Larrabee, in Bridgeport, Conn. The elder Larrabees are now deceased.

THE BRENNAN HOME

The Brennan home
560 3rd Avenue North

John J. Brennan, store owner and city commissioner in later years, built this large two-story brick residence in 1899 and resided there for 24 years. Located at 560 3rd Ave. N., it occupies the northwest corner of Third Avenue North and Seventh Street.

Brennan and Charles Furlong operated the Furlong & Brennan store here from the late 1890’s until 1920 when it was closed. The store which featured groceries and general merchandise, was located at the northeast corner of the City Square.

The Brennan house originally had a large entrance hall, sitting room, parlor, living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen and half bath on the first floor; five bedrooms and bath on the second floor. The Brennan family lived in the home until 1923 when they built a new brick house at Sixth Avenue North and Tenth Street. The house at 560 3rd Ave. N. has changed hands a number of times and is now owned by D. R. Gumm of Fort Dodge. The house has six apartments that are rented out by the Gumms. A large open porch extends along the south and east sides of the house.

Brennan was born in Kingston-on-Hudson, N. Y., and came to the Fort Dodge area with his parents in 1881. The family settled in Elkhorn Township where they farmed and raised cattle. In 1886 Brennan’s father, also named John, purchased six lots north of the Pleasant Valley.

After the Furlong & Brennan store was closed, Brennan was associated with M. J. (Joe) Haire and John Laufersweiler in the Oleson Land Company here. In 1924 Brennan was appointed to the City Council of Fort Dodge as commissioner of parks and streets following the death of Commissioner H. R. Beresford. He held the council office until 1931.

Brennan died in 1945 at age 84 and Mrs. Brennan died in 1947 at age 82. The Brennans were parents of three daughters, Mrs. Edmund Condon of Fort Dodge, Mrs. Norma Kelly of Davenport and Mrs. Eleanor Lawler, now deceased.

THE ROBERT HEALY HOME

The Robert Healy home
1126 5th Avenue North

The house at 1126 5th Ave. N. was the home of the Robert Healy family for many years. Healy and his brothers, Michael F. and Thomas D., were widely-known attorneys here.

The home, which has been remodeled and modernized in past years, is now owned and occupied by J. A. Leary.

Robert Healy was born in Lansing, Iowa, in 1872 and came to Fort Dodge with his parents when eight years old. After his schooling here he attended Notre Dame University and then completed law studies at the University of Michigan. Two Healy sisters—Kate and Lizzie—also attended Michigan University. While at the university Robert Healy met Iva Bruce, a student from Birmingham, Mich., and they were married in 1900.

After graduating from law school in 1898 Robert Healy practiced law in Rockwell City for two years. Upon the retirement of A. N. Botsford, he then became associated with his brothers Thomas and Michael and B. B. Burnquist in the practice of law in Fort Dodge.

Later Robert Healy practiced law alone here for a time and then he and Maurice Breen were partners for a number of years until Healy’s death in 1929 at age 57.

The home at 1126 5th Ave. N. was built in 1900 and purchased by the Healys in 1902. It was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Healy and their children, Louise, Iva and Bruce until 1917 when they moved to a residence a block east. Later another of the Healy brothers—William—resided there.

Peter Russell, well-known to several generations of Fort Dodgers, was employed by the Healys for many years while they lived in the 1126 5th Ave. N. house. He worked as a groomsman in charge of the family’s driving horses and a pony and also did yard work. He continued with the family until resigning to take over as parlor car porter with the Fort Dodge Des Moines & Southern electric line.

Mrs. Robert Healy, now 97, lives in Chicago with her daughter, Louise. Another daughter, Iva, now Sister Jean Gabriel, taught in Rock Island, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo., and is now with Cathedral High School in Chicago. The son, Bruce, resided in Chicago for many years until his recent death.

THE KIRCHNER HOME

The Kirchner home
106 S. Thirteenth Street

This early-day Fort Dodge home—built in 1866—is unique in that it is still occupied by one of the members of the family of the builder.

The home was constructed by Jacob Kirchner, one of the first of a number of industrially minded pioneer businessmen to locate in this growing little town over a century ago. Located at the southwest corner of First Avenue South and Thirteenth Street, the house carries the address of 106 S. 13th St.

Elmer Kirchner, son of this pioneer factory and flour mill operator, and his wife, Wilma, reside in this historic home which they have occupied since 1936. Two other sons of the elder Kirchner are also Fort Dodge residents. They are Jacob Kirchner Jr. and John Kirchner—practicing attorneys. Elmer is a retired farm manager and real estate broker. Prior to the time the Elmer Kirchners moved into the house, it was occupied by Jacob Kirchner Jr. and his mother for many years.

The elder Kirchner built the home after purchasing Block 18 in the area between Twelfth and Thirteenth Streets and First and Second Avenues South. Of two-story frame construction, the house is painted white and has green shutters. In the years since it was constructed, the house has been remodeled and modernized.

Kirchner was born in Germany and at the age of 2 came with his parents to the United States. They settled first in Bern Township, N. Y. and after several years moved to Iowa and settled in the Peterson area. When gold was found in Colorado Kirchner joined the rush there, found some gold and returned home.

Before moving to Fort Dodge in 1866 Kirchner bought and sold thousands of acres of land in Clay County. On arrival here he built a saw mill, sash and door factory at First Avenue South and Twelfth Street. Later he rebuilt the sash factory into a large modern flour mill that produced the finest white flour, whole wheat, meals and various milling staples. He operated the mill for more than 30 years. The mill finally was closed, was idle for six years and in 1912 burned to the ground.

Kirchner was active in Fort Dodge affairs, was one of the founders of the Commercial National Bank and served on the City Council in 1874, 1875, 1879 and 1880. His brother Christian was also elected to the council from another ward. The elder Jacob Kirchner died in 1909; Mrs. Kirchner died in 1962.

THE ABEL HOME

The Abel home
1333 2nd Avenue South

A former Webster County treasurer and brick and tile company officer built the original section of this spacious residence at 1333 2nd Ave. S. in 1891. He was John H. Abel, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1867 at age 13 and lived on a farm in Colfax Township for several years.

In 1888 Abel moved into Fort Dodge and three years later purchased two lots at the southwest corner of Second Avenue South and Fourteenth Street where he built his home. In 1904 he enlarged the house.

W. H. Koeper purchased the home in 1934, enlarged and remodeled it into a funeral home which he operated until selling the business to L. O. Guenther in 1947. Guenther merged the business with Bruces in 1972 and the house later was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Halligan of 1415 2nd Ave. S. They, in turn, did some further remodeling and now have two apartments in the house which are rented out.

Abel was engaged in various activities here before being appointed deputy county treasurer in 1892 under C. W. Newton. He served in this capacity until 1896 when he was elected to the treasurer’s post for two terms.

After leaving the county treasurer’s office, Abel became interested in the brick and tile business here and was president of the Fort Dodge Brick & Tile Company from 1900 until 1922. This clay plant was in the northwest part of the city near the east end of the Hawkeye Avenue bridge over the Des Moines River. The brick plant was sold in 1922 but continued operations for a time and then was closed. Abel retired from active work after the clay plant was sold.

Abel was interested in other businesses in Fort Dodge including the Fort Dodge Serum Company, Plymouth Gypsum Company and the Fort Dodge Foundry. He was also a director of the Fort Dodge National Bank (now the First National Bank) in its early years.

Active in church work he was treasurer of the Iowa District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod from 1893 to 1912. He died in 1946 at age 91. Mr. and Mrs. Abel were parents of two daughters and a son—Miss Mathilda Abel, now deceased, Mrs. W. H. (Amanda) Koeper and A. C. Abel, who was assistant Fort Dodge postmaster for many years.