Chapter II: Introduction (2)

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

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 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

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

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.

THE AMOND HOME

This large frame house was built in 1902 by John W. Amond, widely-known Fort Dodge coal dealer and farm land owner. Located at 1024 6th Ave. N., it has a large open porch that extends across the south side and a portion of the east side—one of few such large porches on homes here. Ionic columns support the roof over the porch.

The first floor includes parlor, living room, dining room, kitchen and butler’s pantry, hallway and vestibule. A large open stairway with a landing area or nook leads to the second floor where there are five bedrooms and bath.

All of the first floor rooms have parquet oak floors, oak woodwork and the stairway nook is paneled in oak. Ionic columns and an archway mark the entrance to the large dining room with its plate rail and built-in china closet. The living room has its original fireplace with tile hearth and red oak mantel with large mirror.

The original chandeliers in the downstairs rooms are combination gas and electric and there is a large art window on the east side with stained and leaded glass. A large two-story carriage house is at the rear of the lot.

Amond was born in Alsace-Lorraine (part of France) in 1861 and came to the United States with his parents who settled in Illinois. Later the family moved to Iowa and acquired farm land near Barnum. Amond purchased large tracts of Webster County land which he farmed for many years. In addition he owned a coal mine southeast of the city and was in the coal business here for many years with offices on Central Avenue and south Eighth Street.

Mr. and Mrs. Amond were parents of six children, three of whom died during their early years. Others were Mrs. Edna Hogan, well-known artist and widow of Jack Hogan, Fort Dodge; Mrs. Bernard Steinle and Jack Amond, both of whom are deceased. Jack Amond was in the coal business with his father and also managed the family farms until his death. He and his wife, Eva, moved into the Sixth Avenue North home in 1929. The property is now owned by Mrs. Peter (Eva) Paterson.

The Amond Coal Company ceased operations here in 1945 after having been in continuous business since 1895. Amond died in 1925 at age 64. Mrs. Amond died in 1949.

THE KELLEHER HOME

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis M. Kelleher built this home at 701 Crest Avenue in Snell Place in 1921 and resided there with their family for 26 years. Kelleher, a prominent Fort Dodge attorney, practiced law here for more than 60 years and was widely known for his legal activities.

The house, of brick and frame construction, is spacious and has rooms on first and second floors as well as in the basement. The first floor includes living room, dining room, family room, kitchen, conservatory, three bedrooms and bath. There are fireplaces in the living room and family room. On the second floor are three bedrooms and bath and large walk-in linen closet. The basement has a drive-in garage and five rooms including a large recreation room. There is also a screened-in front porch.

The house has changed ownership only twice since it was built. In 1947 the Kellehers sold the residence to the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Dodge and it was the home of ministers of the church until 1960. On May 25, 1960, it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice E. Stark who presently occupy it with their family. Stark is a well-known tax attorney.

Kelleher died in 1964 at age 92 after a distinguished legal career here since 1902. After graduation from the University of Iowa law school in 1893 he began law practice in Des Moines and then went to Pomeroy where he remained until moving to Fort Dodge.

He was associated with a number of Fort Dodge attorneys including the Healy brothers, William S. Kenyon, Maurice O’Connor, Richard F. Mitchell and his son John Kelleher. During World War I Kelleher was appointed to the War Trade Board in Washington, D. C., by President Woodrow Wilson. Later he was named solicitor for the Bureau of Internal Revenue and special assistant to the United States Attorney General in trial of cases throughout the country.

Mr. and Mrs. Kelleher were parents of five children—Leo of Fort Dodge; John of Waukegan, Ill.; Edward and Mrs. John Staff of Milwaukee, Wis.; and Mrs. James Hart of Highland Park, Ill. Mrs. Kelleher is now a resident of the Marian Home in Fort Dodge.

THE DONALD VINCENT HOME

This Second Avenue South residence was identified for years by the huge landmark oak tree in the front yard. Reported to be more than 100 years old, the tree still stands in the yard at 1010 2nd Ave. S.

The house was built in 1909 and occupied by the Donald Vincents and their daughters, Catherine and Nancy, until 1932 when they moved into the historic “Vincent House” at 824 3rd Ave. S. Presently the house is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Jahn Jr., who purchased the property in 1951.

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent acquired the building lot in 1908 and the following year erected the spacious two-story brick home. The first floor has living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry and lavatory; the second floor has four bedrooms and bath. The finished attic has one room.

The front yard tree—known as the “Hawkeye Oak”—was once recognized as the finest example of its species (burr oak) in Iowa. It was graceful and majestic in earlier years with spreading branches that extended well over the sidewalk and street. At one time it received a plaque from the Garden Club of Iowa for its outstanding appearance and age.

The tree now has lost many of its stately limbs and today little attention is paid to it. Removal of the lower limbs started some years ago when a house mover cut off one branch. In an attempt to give it symmetry other branches were then cut off.

After Mr. and Mrs. Vincent and family moved from the home it was rented from 1932 until 1945 by Mr. and Mrs. Alan Loth. Mrs. Winston O. Larrabee, widow of Charles Larrabee Sr., purchased the property in 1945 and resided there until selling it to Mr. and Mrs. Jahn in 1951.

Donald Vincent was prominent in business and industrial affairs, being one of the organizers of the Vincent Clay Products Company and for years was an officer of the Fort Dodge Grocery Company. He was also identified with banking interests here, serving as president of The State Bank for many years. Jahn is in the furniture refinishing and upholstering work. He and his wife are also antique collectors and have remodeled the interior of their home for displays of their collections. They also own the adjoining corner house which they are remodeling into a future gift and antique shop.

THE ELECTRIC HOME

Residents of the city who have lived here for about 50 years will probably recall that this home was popularly known in the mid-1920s as the “electric house.” Built by A. S. Jackman, a Fort Dodge electrical contractor, the home located at 1117 N. 19th St. is presently owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Merlin B. Hays and family.

The home was one of the first built in the Elmhurst Acres area just west of Dodger Stadium. It is located on a lot with a 120-foot frontage on Nineteenth Street and extending 265 feet eastward to the stadium parking lot.

Jackman, who owned the Jackman Electric Company at 924 Central Avenue, built the two-story brick home in 1923 and incorporated the most modern electrical installations at that time. When completed Jackman, in cooperation with the Fort Dodge Gas & Electric Company, arranged to have open house and invited Fort Dodge and area residents to visit it. The newest and latest electrical appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, toasters and the like were on display along with beautiful electrical fixtures in the various rooms.

The basic arrangement of the home has not changed much through the years but owners did considerable remodeling to fit their needs. The first floor includes spacious living and dining rooms, family or TV room, kitchen and bedroom with half bath. The second floor has three bedrooms and bath. There is also a large floored attic and a full basement. The house originally had a tile roof but this has been replaced with new type roofing. All spouting on the house is of copper. The home is set back a considerable distance from Nineteenth Street and there is a circular driveway leading to the house.

Mr. and Mrs. Hays purchased the home in 1959 from John and Ann Doud who acquired it in 1955. Other earlier owners were Arthur Westerman, Richard Paul and Robert Lentz.

Hays, present owner of the attractive home, is a virologist with the Fort Dodge Laboratories. He and his wife are parents of four children—three boys and a girl.

THE MINKEL HOUSE

This Fort Dodge home—known for many years as “the Minkel house”—dates its history back nearly 100 years as it was built in 1876, according to county records. Located at 1008 6th Ave. N., the home has been remodeled at various times during these many years and is presently owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Moses. They purchased the property in 1961 and added a combination living room and bedroom with bath on the east side.

The house now has a living room, dining room, three bedrooms and two baths on the first floor and two bedrooms upstairs. Two wood-burning fireplaces—one in the living room, the other in the east bedroom—have now been converted to gas.

The house acquired the Minkel name because it was owned and occupied by L. H. Minkel, Fort Dodge school superintendent and his family, for many years. Minkel came to Fort Dodge to take over the school position and continued as superintendent until 1923. The Minkel family resided in the Sixth Avenue home during this period and for many succeeding years when Minkel was in the insurance business here. The Minkel heirs sold the home to Mr. and Mrs. Louis C. DeFoe, who in turn, sold it to the Moses family.

Mr. and Mrs. Minkel were parents of five children—Lewis Minkel, now retired and living in Laguna Hills, Calif.; Eleanor, now deceased who was married to Roger Files of Fort Dodge; Dr. Roger Minkel, now deceased; Elizabeth (Betty) Myser of Ketchikan, Alaska; and Willard Minkel of La Mesa, Calif.

Minkel purchased the home when he came to the city early in 1911. John F. Duncombe, pioneer Fort Dodge attorney and industrialist, acquired the lot on which the house is located in 1864. In 1872 he sold the lot to Julia A. Ingersoll and it was during her ownership that the home was built.

Stories about the house relate that it once was occupied by a Dutch seaman who built a cupola in the style of a ship’s pilot house on the porch above the front entryway. It was removed many years ago.

Mr. Moses, the present owner of the house, is an Illinois Central Railroad conductor. He and his wife are parents of three daughters, all of whom are married and living elsewhere.

THE CONWAY HOME

An early-day lumber dealer—Owen Conway—who came to the United States in 1845 from his native Ireland and to Fort Dodge in 1865 built the house at 400 S. 8th St. in 1882.

Conway, who was in the hardware and lumber business here, resided in the home with his family for many years. The house remained in possession of members of the Conway family until 1946 when it was sold to John J. Williams. It was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Howick who remodeled the first floor into a spacious apartment for themselves. Mrs. Howick continues to reside in the home following the death of her husband.

A large porch extends across the front of the house which faces the east. Square columns standing atop railing posts support the porch roof and are joined together with ornate wood trim. Windows of the house have distinctive outdoor arched tops and there are pointed dormers with windows on the four sides of the roof.

The home originally had a living room, parlor, dining room, master bedroom and bath and kitchen on the first floor; six bedrooms and bath on the second floor. The second floor has been converted into a large apartment with three baths and there is also an apartment on the third floor. Rooms downstairs are large with high ceilings, floors are of oak and doors have double board casings.

Conway’s first business venture in the city was a hardware store and in 1869 he established a lumber business at First Avenue South and Fifth Street that continued until 1939. Conway’s sons James and John, were in business with him for many years. After the business was incorporated in 1914 as the Conway Lumber Company the firm included Owen, John, James and Ed Conway, the latter a son of John Conway.

James, Dave and Eustace Conway, sons of the pioneer, operated a general merchandise store at 612 1st Ave. S. and Dave, Eustace and Owen P. Conway also had a general store and lumber yard in Moorland. Two other sons, were in business in Clare—F. D. Conway, lumber and grain, and C. P. Conway, general store. The elder Owen Conway died in 1916.

Two grandchildren of the founder of the Conway firms reside in Fort Dodge. They are Miss Delores and Owen Conway. There are also two great grandsons living here—Ray and Robert Conway.

THE THIEDE HOME

Franz Thiede, who owned and operated a brick plant here for many years, built this large brick residence in 1890. The 14-room house at 520 N. 2nd St. has changed little since it was built and today is owned by a son, Frank Thiede and the estate of the late Elma Thiede.

The house occupies the back portion of a lot that has a frontage of 160 feet on Second Street and extends back 230 feet. The first floor of the large, sturdy residence has a hall, parlor, living room, dining room, sunroom, kitchen, bedroom and bath. On the second floor are six bedrooms.

Rooms on the first floor have 10½ foot ceilings and woodwork throughout the house was cut from native lumber. The hall and parlor have walnut woodwork as does the stairway to the second floor. Other rooms have oak woodwork and oak floors. Doors and woodwork in the house shine with the original varnish applied in 1890.

Thiede was born in Germany and studied masonry and architectural work there. He came to the U. S. in 1858 and at the age of 21 arrived in Fort Dodge and began masonry work. In 1883 he and Charles Heileman organized a brick manufacturing company and built a plant near the east end of the Hawkeye Avenue bridge over the Des Moines River.

The plant operated under the name of Thiede & Heileman until Heileman’s death in 1895. In the spring of 1896 the company was reorganized under the name of Thiede & Company. Later the name was changed to the Fort Dodge Brick & Tile Company and continued under this name until the plant was sold in 1922.

The company manufactured a high grade paving, building and sidewalk brick and blocks as well as drain tile. One of the firm’s specialties was a fine quality white pressed brick used in many homes and business buildings here. Much of the brick used in paving streets in the city in the early days came from the Thiede plant.

Thiede erected several downtown buildings, also houses, and had a part in the building of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. After a long and successful business career in the city, he died in 1925 at age 88.

THE OLSON HOME

A house patterned after a “cozy cottage in Norway” is the Olson home at 1301 3rd Ave. N.—the home of Mr. and Mrs. Evan Olson, their son Bjorn, and daughter, Mrs. Doris Olson Wood, for many years.

The Olsons were women’s apparel designers and tailors and their expert work was widely known. Olson and Mrs. Wood also were artists and their paintings gained for them a wide reputation.

The Olson house which has rooms on first and second floors, dates back to 1897 when it was built on a lot across the street from its present location. The original site was at the east end of Johnson Place. When this block-long street was cut through from Twelfth to Thirteenth Streets in 1911 in order to provide building lots in a previously inaccessible area, the Olson house was moved to the southeast corner of Third Avenue North and Thirteenth Street—its present location.

The house remained in possession of Mrs. Wood for many years after the death of her parents and she continued her tailoring and art work there. After her death the property was sold in 1969 to Mrs. Helen L. Moreland who presently resides there.

Olson turned out many fine oil paintings during spare time from his tailoring work. Mrs. Wood’s art work was mostly in water colors. Both spent many hours in wooded areas around the city sketching and then completing the paintings at home. Mrs. Wood also made a trip to Norway where she did extensive sketching and painting. As a result many of her water colors were scenes from Norway. She also turned out paintings of farms and rural area scenes.

Mrs. Wood painted and decorated the kitchen of her home in the style of Norwegian kitchens. It became so widely known that a picture of the kitchen and a story about her work appeared in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. The interior of the home has been remodeled by Mrs. Moreland and the downstairs now includes a living room, two bedrooms and a kitchen. The second floor has one bedroom and a bath. Walls have been painted, new floors laid and jalousie doors installed. Exterior of the house is painted red and growing on the outside walls are five different varieties of ivy plants.

THE WRIGHT HOME

This was the residence of a pioneer businessman and early-day railroad official—Thomas H. Wright. Built in the late 1880s, the home at 209 S. 7th St., has been owned and occupied by members of the Wright family since then. Many changes have been made in the home since it was constructed. In the late 1930s it was modernized, a new entryway was added and brown cedar shingles were applied to the exterior.

Isaac Garmoe, another pioneer businessman here, bought the property in 1873. Ten years later it was sold to Thomas H. Wright who later erected the house which is still owned by his two daughters—the Misses Marie Wright and Florence Wright. Marie is a retired Fort Dodge Senior and Junior High school social studies teacher; Florence is the former organist at First Presbyterian Church.

The two-story frame house has two living rooms, dining room and kitchen on the first floor; three bedrooms and bath on the second floor. A garage is at the rear of the lot where once was a two-story barn that housed the family’s horse, buggy and sleigh.

Mr. Wright was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1840 and came to the United States in 1871. He moved to Fort Dodge in the early 1880s where he was trainmaster for the Illinois Central Railroad’s Sioux City division. Later he was owner and partner in the hardware business here with S. J. Robertson. Their store was at Central Avenue and Sixth Street.

After retiring from the hardware business, Mr. Wright was in the real estate and insurance business. He also was an officer and director of the First Trust & Savings Bank, a division of the old First National Bank, now the State Bank. Always civic minded, Wright served on the public library board in the days of Capt. W. H. Johnston, one of the city’s early library presidents. He was also a member and officer of the First Presbyterian Church.

There were six children in the Wright family—two boys who died during a diphtheria epidemic; Misses Marie and Florence Wright; Thomas H. Wright Jr., who died in Cedar Rapids in 1970; and Robert L. Wright of Oklahoma City. The elder Mr. Wright died in 1932 at age 92.

THE VAN AULT HOME

This house at 1040 9th Ave. SW has been known as the home of Fort Dodge’s “Santa Claus” for the past 39 years. “Santa Claus” is, of course, Van J. Ault, 79, who was the official Santa for the Boston Store here for 25 years and during that time greeted thousands of youngsters in the store’s toyland.

Van retired from his interesting occupation some years ago but occasionally now will don the red and white costume and appear at a party. Van figures he played the part of “Santa Claus” here for a total of 49 years. While he spent much time as Santa he was a meat cutter by trade and worked for the A. & P. Store here many years ago. Later he and his son John purchased the Kubicek Grocery on Tenth Avenue Southwest and operated it for a time.

The Ault home is located on property that once was owned by Major William Williams who platted Fort Dodge in 1854 and was its first mayor and postmaster. The property has changed ownership many times since then and was acquired by Van’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Ault, in 1905. The first deed of record for the property was dated 1864—a conveyance to C. C. Smeltzer.

Original portion of the present house was built during the 1860s. Since then it has been modernized extensively. Van and his wife purchased the property in 1936 and have lived there since that time. The house had four rooms when built, no porches and the exterior was marked by 1 × 12 vertical siding. Van enlarged the house by adding two rooms, bath, two large porches and a full basement. Van’s brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Winneka owned the house prior to its purchase by the Van Aults.

Mr. and Mrs. Ault were parents of four children—Robert with the Celotex Corporation in Knoxville, Tenn.; John who owns Big John’s Place; Ray, owner of Ray’s Meat Market; and Mrs. Paul (Lola) Lynch of Pioneer.

THE LOHR HOME

This sturdy brick residence was built 80 years ago in northeast Fort Dodge when there was only one other house (the Lou Alger home) to the east of its location at 1831 10th Ave. N.

Known for years as the Lohr home, it has changed ownership a number of times and for the past 29 years has been owned and occupied by a number of well-known business and professional men here. Present owners are Mr. and Mrs. M. James Hutchison who have lived in the home since 1967.

The two-story house has a one-story brick addition on the east side—built in recent years. Walls of the original home are of solid brick construction so popular more than three quarters of a century ago. The first floor includes the family room in the addition, living room, dining room, kitchen and bath and three bedrooms and bath on the second floor.

The exterior brick is painted white and windows have black shutters. The roof overhang is also painted black to match the roofing. The house occupies two lots with a frontage of 75 feet on Tenth Avenue North and 190 feet in depth.

The house was built in 1895 by Michael Lohr who came to the United States from his native Germany and settled in Fort Dodge in 1894. He purchased a 3½-acre tract of land along Tenth Avenue North from David A. Haviland who had acquired it from the federal government in 1857; built the house and lived on this acreage for many years.

Lohr’s son, Peter J. Lohr, acquired the house and adjoining property in 1911 and retained possession until 1941 when it was deeded to his daughter Alice M. Thomas. Warren A. Downs, manager of the Sears store purchased the home in 1946 from Alice M. Thomas and husband, Bernard J. Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had lived in the home from 1938 to 1946.

Later owners and occupants of the home were L. H. and Virginie Anderson of the Jones Piano House; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kirkberg of Kirkberg Jewelers; Mr. and Mrs. Jon McClure of McClure Engineering; and Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison, the present occupants. Hutchison is president of First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Fort Dodge. The house has been extensively remodeled and modernized in recent years.

Peter J. Lohr, who owned the property for many years, farmed east of the city before moving into the home. He then was employed by the Thompson Buttertub Company here and later was a rural mail carrier. Three of his sons—Ray, Clarence and Walter—live in the city.

THE CRAWFORD HOME

Architecture of the late 19th century features this large house at 302 S. 8th St., which has now been converted into a four-apartment building. Built in 1875, the two-story frame house was owned and occupied for many years by Robert W. Crawford, an early-day druggist in Fort Dodge.

Two large Ionic columns mark the main entryway on the east side of the house which stands at the southwest corner of Third Avenue South and Eighth Street. Crawford purchased the lot on which the house stands from Thomas Snell, a pioneer real estate dealer here. The house has changed ownership only a few times since Crawford constructed it and presently it is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Salvatore who acquired it in 1965. There are two apartments on both the first and second floors. One of the downstairs apartments is occupied by the Salvatores.

All of the rooms are large and typical of the style of the era when it was built. One of the downstairs living rooms has the original fireplace and there is an attractive circular stairway leading to the upstairs.

Crawford was in the wholesale and retail drug business during the early years of Fort Dodge. He erected a large building at the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Sixth Street—known as the Crawford Block—in which his store was located. The structure was destroyed in the big fire that struck the area in December of 1956.

A product known as “Gopher Death” was developed by Crawford which was manufactured and distributed through the Fort Dodge Chemical Company which he organized. The product was widely sold throughout the nation. In 1945 the company was purchased by Jewell A. Johnson, a Fort Dodge druggist, who continued its operation until he sold the business in 1970.

There were three children in the Crawford family—a daughter and two sons. The daughter, Mary, was married to E. F. Armstrong, a long-time pharmacist here with the Oleson Drug Company. Mrs. Armstrong was prominent in Fort Dodge and Iowa circles; taught English in high school and was appointed to the State Conservation Commission. The sons were Charles, who operated the Crawford Hotel here and Robert, now a physician at Burlington.

Crawford-Armstrong addition in the north part of the city was opened by the two families for which it was named and Crawford-Armstrong Park was their gift to the city.

THE JOHN M. MULRONEY HOME

Another of Fort Dodge’s brick residences built by pioneer businessmen is the one pictured above which dates back to 1871. Erected by John M. Mulroney, it is located at 302 S. 7th St.

The two-story house was built of soft red brick manufactured by one of the city’s early-day brick plants and they are generally in good condition after more than 100 years. Basement walls are of native stone.

Additions have been made to the house since it was constructed—on the west and south sides. The original part of the house has seven large rooms, hallway and stairway and is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Janssen who acquired the property in 1944. The additions to the house have apartments.

John M. Mulroney was born in Ireland in 1832 and came to the United States at age 16 and took part in the 1849 gold rush in the west and prospered there. He then returned to the middlewest and settled in Emmetsburg where he engaged in the cattle business. He married Jane Evans there in 1858 and they moved to Fort Dodge. On arrival here he purchased and operated a general store on the south side of the City Square. Some time later he sold the store and with Webb Vincent, E. H. Rich and G. L. Rich organized the original First National Bank here.

Mulroney and his wife Jane, were parents of the following children: Mary, who became the wife of Ed O’Connell; John E. Mulroney, father of attorney John Mulroney who was a judge of the U. S. Tax Court in Washington, D. C. for many years; Joe, Will and Louis, all of whom were associated with the Mulroney Manufacturing Company which had its first plant at Central Avenue and Tenth Street, the present location of Wahkonsa Manor. After fire destroyed the plant the company built the three-story brick building at First Avenue North and Seventh Street now the home of the Marso & Rodenborn Company.

Two other sons were Charles, a physician in general practice here for some years; and Edward, a lawyer who lived in Missoula, Mont. After the death of his first wife, Jane, J. M. Mulroney married Hannah Byrne of Moorland. They were parents of two sons—Robert, a lawyer who also practiced in Missoula, Mont., and Frank, in the Flaherty & Mulroney clothing store here.

A large barn was built south and west of the Seventh Street home to house the several horses, carriages, sleighs and racing carts which Mulroney owned. He generally had one or more horses in county fair harness races in the area. A large box stall in the barn was used as a boxing ring.

Two grandsons and one great grandson of pioneer John M. Mulroney reside in Fort Dodge. They are William V. (Bill) and Richard J. (Dick) Mulroney who operate the Mulroney Insurance Agency founded by their father Will Mulroney; and Gary Mulroney of Mulroney Construction Company, the great grandson.

THE METHODIST PARSONAGE

The former First Methodist Church parsonage, where the author of “best seller” novel “One Foot in Heaven” was reared, is this residence at 1518 3rd Ave. N.

Hartzell Spence was the writer and his father—the Rev. W. H. Spence—was pastor of the church here from 1909 to 1917. The story relates the life and experiences of the Rev. Mr. Spence and family while here and in other parishes. Following publication of the novel, it was made into a hit motion picture in the early 1940s.

The Rev. Mr. Spence, 34, was assigned to the Fort Dodge church in 1909 and Hartzell Spence recalls in his book that President William Howard Taft came to the city shortly after that to visit U. S. Senator J. P. Dolliver. The President gave Hartzell a “pat on the head” during that visit, he notes.

The original Methodist church in Fort Dodge was built at the southeast corner of Second Avenue South and Seventh Street in 1858. The second church was erected at the northeast corner of First Avenue North and Tenth Street and dedicated in 1878. This church, around which the novel revolves, was a stately red brick edifice with a towering steeple. Just to the east of the church was the large two-story frame parsonage built in 1893 which was the home of the Spences.

This parsonage was in use until 1914 when it was sold and moved to the Third Avenue North location where it is now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. C. P. McGrane. Removal of the house was made necessary to make way for the present First United Methodist Church which was dedicated in 1915. First Church now has its parsonage at 1211 N. 11th St.

Mr. and Mrs. McGrane acquired the property at 1518 3rd Ave. N. in 1939 and have since resided there. It has been extensively remodeled and modernized and now has four rooms, bath and music room on the first floor and four bedrooms and bath on the second floor.

The novel by Hartzell Spence tells of the wrecking of the old red brick church in 1914 and building of a tabernacle one block east of the church site where services were held until the new edifice was completed. Much of the book is devoted to the life of the Spence family in Fort Dodge, including many youthful events in Hartzell’s life told in a fictional vein.

The Rev. Mr. Spence left Fort Dodge in 1917 to take over a church in Omaha. Later he had Methodist charges in Sioux City (Morningside College) and Mason City.

THE COLBY HOME

One of Fort Dodge’s early-day residents, who for many years operated a widely-known livery business here, built the house pictured above in 1885.

He was W. H. H. Colby who came to Fort Dodge in 1870 and established a livery and lumber business. Fifteen years later he erected the home at 215 N. 15th St. which is now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Hilken and family. The Hilkens purchased the property in 1963 and reside there with their children, David, Janet and Danny. Hilken is employed at the Geo. A. Hormel & Co. plant.

The one-story frame house faces the west and sets far back from Fifteenth Street. It has a living room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms, bath and a full basement. An open porch extends along two sides of the house. In past years the house has been remodeled and modernized.

Colby was born in Vermont in 1840 and came to Wisconsin in 1859 where he operated a livery business in Sun Prairie. After 11 years there he and his family moved to Fort Dodge where he established his livery and lumber business. After a short time he quit the lumber business in order to devote full time to the livery and transfer business.

Colby’s brother, Charles, was associated with him in the business under the name of W. H. H. Colby & Bros. The firm’s operations included livery, hacks, bus and baggage transfer line. Their horse-drawn vehicles met all the trains arriving at the various railroad depots in the city and carried passengers and baggage to hotels and homes.

The Colbys erected a large brick building on the north side of the City Square where they carried on their extensive business. Their address was listed in old city directories as 426-428 Central Avenue.

After building the north Fifteenth Street home, Colby purchased the half block area just to the north of the home. Old timers recall that he brought many horses from his livery barn out to this area to graze on the grassy ground.

There were two children in the W. H. H. Colby family—a son Fred G. Colby who was bookkeeper for the livery firm; and a daughter, Miss Nellie Colby.

Frank Ulish purchased the Colby home in 1936 and the Ulish family resided there until 1949 when it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Glen E. Yates. Owners of the property prior to its purchase by the Hilkens were Mr. and Mrs. Everett W. Mason.

THE McQUILKIN HOME

A prominent furniture dealer—A. D. (Archie) McQuilkin—who advertised “The Big Store With Little Prices,” erected this attractive home a short distance from the business district in 1911.

McQuilkin established his business here in 1902 and nine years later built this south 12th St. home. It is now occupied by Mrs. E. B. Dawson, who with her late husband, Dr. Dawson, purchased the property in 1937.

The two-story brick residence faces west at the corner of Third Avenue South and Twelfth Street. The house originally had living room, dining room, kitchen and hallway on the first floor; four bedrooms, sewing room and bathroom on the second floor. In later years some remodeling was done to the interior, including installation of 1½ more baths and paneling of the basement for a recreation area. A study area with bookcases and a workshop for the late Dr. Dawson were also completed.

McQuilkin was born in Pennsylvania in 1864. His father was a farmer and came to Iowa and located in Benton County in 1866. McQuilkin remained on the farm until 15 years of age before going to LaPorte City where he worked as a drug store clerk. Later he operated a meat market for four years and then took a job as a traveling salesman for a publishing concern.

He began his career in the furniture business in Burlington and remained there 11 years. In 1902 he moved to Fort Dodge and opened a furniture store at 817 Central Ave. As business increased he purchased the lot adjoining his first store and in 1913 erected the six-story building which the McQuilkin company occupied for many years with extensive stocks of furniture, carpets, queen’s ware and allied lines. The company continued in business until 1943 when it was sold to the Home Furniture Company which then took over occupancy of the big building. The Home later moved to 611 Central Ave.

The main floor of the McQuilkin Building is presently occupied by the Lazy M shoe store; upper floors are occupied by the Boston Store furniture department and Sperry & Hutchinson (green stamps).

McQuilkin was prominent in the affairs of Fort Dodge and was active in the First Presbyterian Church. He died in 1926 at age 62. Mrs. McQuilkin died in 1942. The McQuilkins were parents of four children—Mrs. Granger P. (Marjorie) Mitchell of Fort Dodge; Mrs. Eleanor Terrill, now deceased; and two daughters who died in infancy.

THE LEIGHTON HOME

The former E. I. Leighton home at 1120 3rd Ave. N. was built by the founder of the Leighton Supply Company of Fort Dodge. It is now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Struve.

The Struves acquired the house in 1969 and have completely modernized the interior and made many exterior changes such as adding old-fashioned posts, trim and railing to the large front porch.

Leighton built the home in 1901 following plans drawn by architect J. H. Albright. The Leighton family retained ownership of the house until 1946 when it was sold to Mrs. Marie Friday, who in turn, sold it to the Struves.

Originally the house had a reception room, parlor, dining room, kitchen and pantry on the first floor; five bedrooms and bath on the second floor and three bedrooms and storage room on the third floor. The arrangement now includes reception room, living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry and utility room on the first floor; four bedrooms and bath on the second floor and an apartment on the third floor with living room, three bedrooms and bath.

The entire house now has a pleasing antique motif with suitable furnishings to complement this style. All woodwork now has a natural finish—a project of the Struves. Red carpeting covers the floors in the living room, hallway and the open stairway to the second floor. The reception room has a homemade wool-braided rug. Antique furniture is used in the downstairs rooms and in the second floor bedrooms. Exterior of the house has been painted red and all trim is white.

E. I. Leighton was born in Vermont in 1867 and came to Fort Dodge in 1885 where he learned the tin and hardware trade. From 1889 to 1893 he was a partner in the retail hardware firm of Arthur & Leighton and then for seven years was with Leighton Brothers retail plumbing shop. In 1900 Leighton went into the wholesale plumbing and heating business and in 1909 organized the Leighton Supply Company. He was secretary-treasurer and general manager of the firm for many years.

The present five story Leighton building at First Avenue South and Thirteenth Street was erected in 1911 and has been headquarters since then for the firm. The company operates in northwest and north central Iowa and is a wholesaler of plumbing, heating and industrial supplies.

Leighton was prominent in state plumbing association circles and active in civic groups here including the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, YMCA, Boy Scouts and the First Methodist Church. He and Mrs. Leighton were parents of a daughter, Gertrude, and a son, Lucius.

THE CHARON HOME

For 33 years this residence was the home of Louis Charon, prominent Fort Dodge merchant and his family. Built in 1905 at 1332 2nd Ave. N. it was occupied by the Charons until 1938.

Charon headed the Boston Store here from the time it was established in 1898 until his death in 1940 at age 69. He acquired the lot at the northwest corner of Second Avenue North and Fourteenth Street early in 1905 and built the home that year.

The house has living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry and large hallway on the first floor; three bedrooms and bath on the second floor and bedroom and storage room in the attic area. A large open porch originally extended across the front of the house.

The Charons sold the house in 1938 to E. G. Sear. Presently it is owned by Dr. John Sear of Alden. In past years the house was remodeled. Tan colored shingles and green shutters were applied to the exterior walls and the front porch was cut in half.

Charon was born in Germany and learned the retail trade there. He came to the United States in 1892, lived in Savannah, Ga., for two years and then moved to Sioux City where he was employed by Davidson Bros. store. In 1894 he came to Fort Dodge and opened Davidson’s store. He continued with the company until 1898 when he bought out the store and established the Boston Store with Adolph Tuerke as his partner. The store then moved to Central Avenue between Seventh and Eighth Streets.

As business increased, the need for larger quarters led to erection in 1914 of the present six-story Boston Store Building at 809 Central Avenue. A disastrous fire in 1922 destroyed the interior of the store but it was immediately rebuilt and enlarged.

Charon was married in 1902 to Clara M. Tuerke and they were parents of three children, two sons and a daughter. Maurice Charon was associated with the store for many years and was president and general manager. Another son, Louis, was secretary of the corporation. Both were with the store until it was sold in 1974. The daughter, Clara Louise, a twin of Louis, is married to Herbert Horn and resides in Webster City.