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DALLAS CENTER.

     This town is a neat and flourishing station on the Des Moines & Fort Dodge Railroad, full of life and business.

     It is a prairie town situated in the midst of a broad, fertile tract of farming land in the northeast corner of Adel township, Dallas county, Iowa, on the north half of section 2, the railroad passing nearly centrally through the town plat, and the north line of the township constituting the north line, also, of the town plat. The surrounding view over the broad, rich prairies in the summer season is of more than ordinary interest and attractiveness, and there are few towns of its size and age that can rival Dallas Center in business and enterprise, especially for a western town in a new country.

     The land on which the town is located was formerly owned by Percival & Hatton, and R. D. Kellogg.

     Percival & Hatton bought the portion that Kellogg owned, and May 7, 1869, laid out the town, christening it Dallas Center, it being located within about four miles of the center of the county, east and west, and almost in the exact center north and south.

     The survey of the town was made by Francis Pelton, and the plat was recorded in June, 1869.

     There was none of the land in the original town plat deeded to the railroad company, but it was entirely a private enterprise of Percival & Hatton, who sold the lots at private sale, accordingly as they came into demand, and still own the greater part of the vacant lots in town. Huber & Vandercook's addition was afterward made to the town.

     The first goods were sold in the new town by O. N. Steele, in the last of June, 1869, on the east side of the railroad track, in a shanty out on the open prairie. This was the first and only business firm in the town for a while, and the shanty in which the goods were sold was, perhaps, the first building erected in the town. This house was afterward sold and moved to the country.

     T. R. North soon afterward followed with a stock of hardware and gro-

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ceries, and also J. E. Fleischman with dry goods and a general mixed stock, giving the new town quite an encouraging appearance of business and enterprise from the very start, which it has never since lost, but continued to increase, and has built up very rapidly as a stirring business point, gaining the patronage and confidence of the surrounding community.

     The first regular and comfortable dwelling house built in the town was by W. B. Fuller, in June or July, 1869. It was a frame two-story structure, comfortably finished and fitted for a dwelling house, and continued in use as such for some time.

     The first birth in the town was that of a child of B. F. Huber.

     In September, 1878, Mr. Melick took the census of the town and found the number of inhabitants to be 547, at that date, but says they will now number at least 560.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

     They have a large two-story brick school-building, with four commodious, well ventilated, neatly furnished rooms, two up stairs and two down stairs.

     This building was erected about five years ago, at a cost of $10,000, and is fondly cherished by the citizens of the town, who spare no effort or expense to make it a thorough and valuable school.

     There are three teachers now employed, and a large number of pupils are in attendance.

     The teachers at present are: T. K. Whitlock, principal; Miss E. Garretson, intermediate; Miss Mary Thornton, primary.

     This is an Independent School District, and the officers of the district, as well as the members of the school board, use all due diligence to make their school a success and have it compare favorably with any of the public schools in other places, and in this respect their efforts are not in vain, but are being crowned with a rich reward in furthering the educational interest of their own children.

BUSINESS INTERESTS.

     At the beginning of the year 1879 the business firms in the place stood about as follows:

Dry Goods.-Melick & Fox, mixed stock of dry goods, groceries, etc.; J. E. Fleischman & Co., dry goods, groceries, queensware and general merchandise; A. B. Smith, dry goods, groceries, etc.; G. W. look, dry goods, groceries, etc.
Drug Stores.-James Brainiff, drugs, medicines, clothing, groceries, etc.; I. G. Morgan, drugs, patent medicines, etc.
Hardware.-Townsend & Cartright, hardware, groceries, queensware, furniture, etc.; Martin & Woodward, hardware, stoves and agricultural implement; J. Purinton, hardware and tin-shop.
Agricultural Implements.-F. Hubbard, general stock-several other firms also keep implements.
Harness Shop.-T. W. Ferguson, harness, saddles, whips, blankets, etc.
Furniture Store.-Townsend & Cartright.
Bank.-O. Mosher, proprietor.
Bakery and Restaurant.-Nazarene & Ringer.
Merchant Tailor.-Charles Bomberger; cutting, fitting and making done.
Milliner Shops.-Mattie Fleming; Mary Brockway & Co.

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Boot and Shoe Shops.-E. J. M. Stevens; J Narvey.
Meat Market.-Clarey Brothers.
Blacksmith Shops.-J. F. McGrath; Dan. Collins.
Wagon Shops.-F. Pillne & Balcom; Wm. Gorman.
Postmaster.-O. N. Steele.
Jeweler.-Jed Brockway, at the post-office.
Land Office.-Smart & Steele, office at post-office.
Grain Dealers.-Schamel & Loughran; Kenworthy Brothers, also deal some in stock.
Stock Dealer.-W. H. Brenton.
Lumber Dealer.-J. S. Easton.
Hotels.-Dallas Center House, Mrs. A. A. Perkins, proprietor and owner;
Grant House, Mrs. Lucy Hutchinson, proprietor and owner.
Livery Barn.-W. S. Jamison, proprietor.
Insurance Agents.-W. T. Allen; J. L. Loring.
Physician and Surgeon.-B. H. Criley.
Dentist.-A. E. Rawson.
Lawyers.-J. M. Hoopes; O. Mosher; J. L. Loring.
Justices.- W. T. Allen; R. R. Richmond.
Notaries.-O. N. Steele; J. M. Hoopes; O. Mosher; J. L. Loring.
Garpenters.-D. F. Neff; M. S. Van Dusen.
Saloons.-Henry Saunders; J. Freund; P. McGrath.

     This town has one newspaper, "The Globe", an account of which is found in the general history, under the article on "The Press".

     There are two good mills in Dallas Center, one grist mill, known as the "Union Mill", owned by R. Roberts, and one planing mill, owned by O. Rathburn & Son. These mills do good work and are having quite an extensive run of custom. Their presence in the town adds greatly to its interest and enterprise, in drawing customers from a distance in different directions to get milling and planing work done, and thus they bring trade to the other departments of business.

SOCIETIES.

Delta Lodge, No. 356, A. F. &: A. H.-This Lodge was established under dispensation sometime during the summer of 1876. The first officers under dispensation, and the first elected before the date of Charter, were: D. Smart, W. M.; W. M. Y. Ustick, S. W.; J. E. Fleischman, J. W.; O. B. Rathbun, Acting S. D.; O. N. Steele, J. D.; W. H. Brenton, Treasurer; O. Mosher, Secretary; A. Ustick, Tyler.

The Lodge was organized under Charter, with some twenty members, about July 1, 1876, and has continued under a good degree of prosperity until the present.

The Charter officers were: David Smart, W. M.; O. B. Rathbun, S. W.; J. E. Fleischman, J. W.; Wm. H. Brenton, Treasurer; O. Mosher, Secretary; 1. G. Morgan, S. D:; O. N. Steele, J. D.; J. M. Hoopes, S. S.; J. Crinkshank, J. S.

The present officers are: David Smart, W. M.; S. R. Small, S. W.; N. A. Townsend, J. W.; O. N. Steele, Secretary; Wm. H. Brenton, Treasurer; J. W. Humphries, S. D.; J. A. Richmond, J. D.; J. J. Cramer, Tyler.

The membership will now number about forty, and the Lodge is reported to be in a prosperous condition.

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Dallas Center Lodge, No. 1248, I. O. O. F., received dispensation Aug. 14, 1872, but held no meetings until the date of their organization, Oct. 5, 1872.

They were organized with six members, all of whom received offices at the first election, and the list of first membership is also shown in the following list of first officers: J. L. Loring, N. G.; F. Hubbard, V. G.; W. M. Clark, Secretary; A. K. Clark, Permanent Secretary; S. S. Grossman, Treasurer; W. P. McClure, Warden.

This Lodge was instituted by the District Deputy, Gearld Master, M. C. Twitchell, with Ward Redfield, and M. C. Thomas, assistants.

The present officers are: S. P. Melick, N. G.; T. W. Ferguson, V. G.; J. L. Loring, Secretary; G. W. Zook, Permanent Secretary; F. Hubbard, Treasurer; E. J. M. Stevens, Warden.

The Lodge is generally prosperous. At one time it had as high as 35 members, but by removals and changes the present membership is reduced to about 22.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

     This Church was organized about 1873, with about some twelve or fifteen members, among whom were the following: Old Mr. Scott, Mrs. Whitman, Mr. Jennings and family, some six or seven in an, Mr. John White, and two daughters, and Mrs. Rathbun. A small organization had existed for some time before in the country a few miles from town, and sometime during the spring or summer of 1873, Rev. Geo. R. Smith, a student from a Theological Seminary in New York, being out on vacation, stopped off the cars at Dallas Center, went to work with zeal and earnestness, gathered up the scattered elements of Presbyterianism in town and county round about, and succeeded in organizing quite a flourishing church here.

     The small organization from the country (above mentioned) came in, and with united effort, and the liberal help of the outside community, they erected, the same summer, a comfortable house of worship, about 50x34 feet, which served for the accommodation of all denominations until others were erected.

     Mr. Smith returned to the seminary in the fall again, and afterward purchased a beautiful communion set which he sent to the church as a present.

     The following ministers have supplied the church since its organization: Reverends George R. Smith, Reed, Goodison, Jacobs, James Smith-the latter resigned about the close of 1878, on account of ill-health. Prof. M. E. Philips, of Adel, now supplies the church every sabbath morning and evening.

There is now a membership of about twenty.

M. E. CHURCH.

     Previous to 1873 this church belonged to the Waukee Circuit. The ministers who have been over it as pastors are as follows: Revs. G. S. Wharton, D. Thompson, H. M. Sexton, J. J. Caldwell, James Lisle and Cyrus Smith, the present pastor.

     The church was incorporated in 1873, by B. W. Thomas, T. W. Garmong, J. Slocum, J. M. Hoopes, N. M. Y. Ustick, F. Hubbard and J. Purinton as trustees.

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     The present trustees are J. Slocum, M. Slaughter, J. O. McClure, J. M. Hoopes, S. P. Melick, F. Hubbard, John Fox, J. Purinton and G. L. Robertson.

     A parsonage was built in 1876, at a cost of between $600 and $700, which building is situated on parts of lots Nos. 15 and 16, block 26.

     The chapel was built in 1877, on a leased lot, No. 13, block No. 39, at a cost of about $600. . It is a comfortable, neatly furnished frame structure.

The present membership of the church is about fifty.

     The above particulars were furnished through the kindness of Mr. S. P. Melick.

     Dallas Center has never been incorporated, though several attempts have been made.

Shipped from Dallas Center station for the year 1878:

Cattle ..................1,084 head
Hogs .,.................. 12,000 "
Rye ........................800 bushels
Wheat ...................25,000 "
Oats ..................... 40,000 "
Corn ....................200,000 "
Potatoes ...................1,000 "
Hay .......................30 cars, baled.

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REDFIELD.

     This town is situated on section 4, township 78, range 29, and is among the oldest towns in Dallas county. It is near the north line of Union township, and has a beautiful location on a hill facing the south, and is sheltered on, the north by a belt of heavy timber.

     The Middle Raccoon river passes a few rods to the west of it, and the junction of the South and Middle Raccoon rivers is only about a mile south of Redfield, leaving a beautiful valley or plane to the south of the town site, extending to Wiscotta, while this is surrounded by a range of high hills and bluffs on the opposite side of the rivers, thus affording some beautiful natural scenery, and making the location of Redfield one of the most beautiful town sites in the county, or surrounding country. The numerous coal-beds and excellent water-power near it afford fine opportunities for manufactories of various kinds, and these natural advantages doubtless will be utilized before many years. There are several good mills now in that vicinity, and one large mill just west of the town, known as the Redfield Mill. The accounts of these mills are given under the history of Union township.

     The town has no railroad yet, but now has strong prospects of the Des Moines, Adel & Western Railroad being in running order to the place before another year is past, which will develop the natural advantages of the place, and give new energy and confidence to the citizens.

     The road is already for the most part graded from Adel to Redfield, and if it is pushed on through there to Panora, Guthrie county, Redfield is destined to make a very desirable point on the line for market and manufacturing.

     The land on which the town of Redfield now stands was formerly owned by the Cavenaugh brothers, and before them, perhaps part of it was owned

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by David Daily who was the first settler in that section of country, and part of his original claim on section 4: is now included in the town plat. But, as before stated, in 1850, Patrick Thomas and Michael Cavenaugh came in and not only purchased the claim of David Daily on section 4:, but also entered a large tract of land adjoining it, and in 1852 or 1853 they laid out the town of New Ireland on the present site of Redfield. A few years afterward they sold the entire tract of land, town site and all to Redfield and Moore. The town received its present name in honor of Col. James Redfield, who had become the principal owner of the land adjoining, as also of much of the town property.

     The town was surveyed and platted by O. D. Smalley, then county surveyor, and the first settlers in the town were, perhaps, the Cavenaughs. On lot 8, block 2, just east of the present site of the Iowa House, the Cavenaughs built a hewed-log house, 18x24 feet, story and a-half high, which was doubtless the first house built in the town. This house was considered somewhat extra in those days, being well built, of good oak logs, and it was the scene of a good many jolly house-warmings and frolics among the first settlers.

     This house was finally sold, some twelve or thirteen years ago, to Mr. Morse, who moved it out on the prairie near Greenevale, in Linn township, where it was used for some time as a dwelling house. The Cavenaughs also built a saw-mill, on the present site of the Redfield mill, at an early day.

     The first stores were built and opened by Thomas Campbell and Macy B. Maulsby. Campbell's was on lot 5, block 1, where Scott & Maulsby's store now stands, and Maulsby's was located on lot 8, block 1, where the harness shop now is.

     These buildings were among the first erected in town, and a general stock of goods was kept for sale by each firm. In 1858 there were only five or six houses in the town, but during the few following years they increased quite rapidly.

     At the August term of county court, 1860, a petition was granted changing the name New Ireland to that of Redfield, which it now bears, as is shown by the following copy of the original petition as found on file in the Auditor's office:

MACY B. MAULSBY ET AL}

PETITION FOR CHANGE OF } In the County Court of Dallas County, Iowa, August
THE NAME OF NEW IRE LAND.} Term, 1860.

     Be it remembered that on the 17th day of May, A. D. 1860, Macy B. Maulsby and others filed in the office of the County Judge of Dallas county, Iowa, their petition praying for a change of the name of the town of New Ireland, in said county, to the name of Redfield, and the court being satisfied that a majority of the actual voters of the said town of New Ireland are in favor of such change, and three notices having been posted up, by order of said County Court, in three of the most public places in the said town for at least thirty days prior to the present term of the County Court of said county, to-wit: the August term, A. D. 1860, notifying the voters of said town that a petition has been presented to the said County Court by the citizens of said town praying for a change of the name of the said town from New Ireland to the name of Redfield, and that unless those interested in the change of said name shall appear at the next regular term of said court and show cause why said name shall not be changed, there will be a decree rendered granting such change, and the said hearing upon said petition, having been continued from the July term of this court to the August term thereof, .

     Now, therefore, be it remembered that at the August term of the County Court of said county, on the second day of said term, to-wit: on the 7th day of August, A. D. 1860, this

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cause came up for final hearing, and the court being fully advised in the matter, and being satisfied that there is still a majority of the actual resident voters of said town in favor of said change of said name of said town, it is therefore

     Ordered, And adjudged and decreed by this court that the change prayed for in said petition be granted, and is hereby

     Ordered, Adjudged and decreed by the court that the name of the town of New Ireland, in the county of Dallas and State of Iowa, be, and the same is hereby, changed to the name of the town of Redfield, and that the petitioners pay the costs of this proceeding.

     In witness whereof, I, Henry Thornburgh, Judge of the County Court of Dallas county, State of Iowa, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Court. Done at Adel, in said county, in open court, this 7th day of August; A. D. 1860.

H. THORNBURGH,
County Judge of Dallas County, Iowa.

Attest:
COLE NOEL, Clerk, by J. PERKINS, Deputy.

BUSINESS INTERESTS.

     The following is a list of the business firms in Redfield, at the beginning of the year 1879, as nearly as we can ascertain:

Dry Goods.-Scott & Maulsby, S. S. Harmon & Son, each keeps a mixed stock and general assortment.
Groceries.-John Puffer, groceries and notions.
Drug Store.-Dr. R. H. Rust, proprietor lot 3, block 5. Shoemaker.-Aaron Robbins, lot 6, block 5, Redfield addition.
Milliner Shop.-Mrs. R. D. McLucas, lot 6, block 2.
Tinner.-H. C. Overstreet, lot 4, block 2.
Harness-makers.-Charles B. Lamb, Edward E. Thomas, both on lot 8, block 1.
Furniture Store.-Mahlon O. Thomas, proprietor, lot 7, block 5, Redfield addition.
Art Gallery.-N. J. Tice, artist, lot 1, block 3, Redfield addition.
Lawyer.-Ira A. Smith, attorney and counselor.
Physicians.-Drs. R. H. Rust (also druggist), Macy B. Maulsby and John O. Caldwell.
Meat-market.-R. M. Finicum, proprietor lot 7, block 5, Redfield addition.
Wagon-makers.-J. H. Armfield & Son, lot 5, block 5, Redfield addition.
Blacksmiths.-J. H. Carter; Belles & Harmon; Moses Mills-all on block 5, Redfield addition.
Hotels.-Indiana Hotel, Henry O. Browning, proprietor, lot 4, block 5; Iowa House, W. H. H. Brown, proprietor, lot 8, block 2.

POST-OFFICE.

     The post-office is located on lot 6, block 5, Redfield addition, Mr. Mahlon C. Thomas, postmaster. He also keeps a general news depot and notion store in connection with the office.

     This post-office was established at an early day, and was first called McKay post-office, but was afterward moved to Wiscotta, about 1858, and went by the name of Wiscotta post-office for some time after the office was moved back to Redfield, until in August, 1860, when it received the new name of Redfield post-office, which it still retains.

     Ira A. Smith was the postmaster all the time the office was at Wiscotta. Mr. M. O. Thomas, the deservedly popular postmaster and citizen, has retained the position for some time, and was among the early settlers in Redfield. To him, W. H. H. Brown, I. D. Redfield and others, we are in

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debted, in a great measure, for the particulars regarding the early settlement and business matters of the town.

CHURCHES.

     The Christian church have a neat frame building in the northeast part of town, situated on block 4:, Hain's addition, built some years ago, and comfortably fitted up for purposes of public worship, it being the only church building in the town. Elder O. H. Derry is their present pastor, and has just lately commenced his labors among them.

     We are unable to give a sketch of this church, as the necessary items regarding it were not furnished us.

     The Methodist Episcopal church have a small organization in town, and occasional services, but no church building. Rev. Mumford is their pastor, who includes this organization with others in his charge. They hold services generally in the Christian church.

     Rev. Alvin Chase, a "Newlight" minister is also a resident of the town, and preaches occasionally at different points.

PUBLIC SCHOOL.

     The public school-house is a frame two-story building, about 30x4:0 feet, situated on lots 1, 2 and 3, block 17, in the northeast part of town.

     It was built in 1867, at a cost of about $3,200.

     There are two large rooms in the building, one in each story, and two teachers are employed.

     Principal-Miss Ida Twichell; Assistant-Miss Maggie Mitchell.

     About 85 pupils are in average attendance, and the school is in a prosperous condition, and is well sustained by the citizens.

MASONIC.

Wiscotta Lodge, No. 158, A. F. &: A. M.- The Charter for the organization of this Lodge was granted June 8, 1860, and the following are the names of the Charter members, as kindly furnished us by T. O. Chance, W. M.:. J. W. McPherson, Abe Smith, Collen Marshall, John Puffer, M. J. Marshall, T. E. Harbour, J. M. McLucas, Wm. Thornburg, Elwood Linley, M. L. Mills, E. A. Barnett, and Ira Barnett.

The first officers of the Lodge were: J. W. McPherson, W. M.; Collen Marshall, S. W.; John Puffer, J. W.

The present officers are: Thomas C. Chance, W. M.; John H. Mills, S. W.; Thomas Hoyt, J. W.

The membership at present numbers fifty-nine, and there are eight whose dues are remitted by reason of old age.

They have a good hall of their own, well fitted up, in which they hold their regular meetings Saturday evenings on or before the full moon in each month.

This is one of the early chartered lodges in Dallas county.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

     Col. James Redfield was born in the State of New York in the year 1824. He graduated at Yale College in 1845, when about twenty-one years of age, and was for sometime afterward clerk in the office of the Secretary of State, at Albany, New York. In 1855 he came to this State, and settled as above described in Dallas county, purchasing the large tract of land and site of New Ireland (now Redfield) from the Cavenaughs, in connection with his brother and Mr. Moore, who afterward became his father-in-law; and together they accumulated a large amount of valuable property.

     Colonel Redfield married Miss Achsah Moore, May 7, 1856, and lived in Wiscotta for a number of years as a highly respected and valuable citizen. He was a great public benefactor, a man of more than ordinary energy and enterprise, and is most highly spoken of by those who knew him. He was popular, and figured prominently in the public affairs of the county, receiving several important offices and positions of public trust, by the popular vote during his residence in Dallas county. In the fall of 1861 he was elected State Senator from the senatorial district comprising Dallas, Adair, Cass, Guthrie, Audubon and Shelby counties, and thus became a member of the State Senate in the Ninth General Assembly, which convened at Des Moines January 13, 1862, and adjourned April 8, 1862.

     He only served this one session of his senatorial term, however, when he received the appointment as Lieutenant-colonel of the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, and entered the army in response to the call for 300,000 more by the President in 1862. He was wounded at the battle of Perkins' Cross Roads, and afterward was killed at the battle of Altoona, Georgia, October 5, 1864. He was a brave and efficient officer during his entire military career, and for his worthy conduct as a brave soldier he received important notes of commendation by his superior officers in all the official reports of battles in which his regiment was engaged, and especially so of his conduct in the battle in which he was killed.

     His brother, Luther Redfield, died in New York State in September, 1878, and his father-in-law, Mr. Moore, died in Oskaloosa, Kansas, several years ago. His brother, I. D. Redfield, now lives in the town of Redfield, and to his kindness we are indebted for the principal facts regarding his brother's life and career.

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WISCOTTA.

     This village is situated a short distance south of Redfield on the flat, near the junction of the Middle and South Raccoon rivers, on sections 4 and 5--the line dividing the two sections passing through the town east and west.

     It was laid out by Col. Redfield, being located on the Redfield property before the other tract of land was purchased of Cavenaugh, and some spirit of rivalry was shown in attempting to build up the two towns so close together, and at one time Wiscotta was quite a flourishing little town, until about 1864. When the great rush of emigration pressed through here along the main thoroughfare from Davenport to Council Bluffs, and on to Montana and Idaho, the little town of Wiscotta was almost deserted, and the stores and business houses were all moved to Redfield.

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     A number of stores and business houses had been started and were quite flourishing until the wreck came.

     Col. James Redfield, Mr. Wright, Noel & Lyon, Chance & Miller, and perhaps others, had mixed stores, carrying a general stock, and were doing a good business. Peppard & Leeper had a chair factory. Thomas & Smith had a blacksmith shop, and other places of business were established and moving along prosperously when the sudden reverse came, and all the business places were moved up to Redfield, and since that time the place has scarcely been known as more than a resident village. No business houses are there at all now. There are about fifteen or twenty residences, and some very good ones. The village has a good school-house, a one-story frame, about 24x70 feet, which belongs to school district No.6, Union township, Jonathan Peppard, director, and a good school is taught in the house. There are two rooms in the school-house, both on the first floor, and two teachers are employed: Principal-Miss Lucy Shephard; Assistant-Miss Dora Sales. About eighty scholars are in average attendance.

THE FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE

     Is located just at the east side of the village, on David Bowles' land. It is a frame structure, about 24x35 feet, and was built some nine or ten years ago. We regret that we have been unable to get the full particulars of this society, but have failed in several attempts to do so.

HORNER'S MILL

     Is also situated a short distance east of the village, an account of which is given under the history of Union township. And for the history of Wiscotta post-office see Redfield sketch.

     The town has a beautiful location, and will eventually be united with Redfield, and both constitute a lovely town site.

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VAN METER.

     This town is a station on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and is something of a mining town. It is situated on the northwest corner of section 27 and the northeast corner of section 28, and is therefore within a mile of the center of' Van Meter north and south, and about in the exact center east and west. Its site is in the valley of the main Raccoon river, and being thus on low valley land, it is surrounded with high hills and woodlands, which afford some attractive natural scenery.

     This main railroad passing through it makes it an important shipping point, not only for stock and general farm produce, but also for wood and coal, there being an abundance of timber in that vicinity, from which the railroad company and various prairie towns along the road obtain large amounts of cord-wood. There is also a good coal mine opened and in good working order at that point, the largest in the county, which makes pretty large shipments and sales of coal each year. The account of this mine is given in full under "Coal Mines," in the first part of this work.

     Considerable wood is being delivered to the railroad company, and a contract of about 1,500 cords of wood is now being filled.

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     The town was laid out about 1869, and the land on which it stands was formerly owned by Mr. Wilson. Clayton's addition was afterward made.

     The first house in the town was built by Mr. Wilson, the former owner of the land, and this house was perhaps built before the town was laid out.

     E. D. Smith kept the first store in the town, and carried a mixed stock of goods.

     The first postmaster was W. H. B. Wilson, and the present one is W. H. Jennings.

     The town now has about 300 inhabitants, and is surrounded by a rich country and thick settlement of we1l-to-do, thrifty farmers.

     The town of Van Meter was incorporated a little more than a year ago. The petition for incorporation was granted June 1, 1877, and was filed for record December 28, 1877. J. R. Van Meter, T. E. Moore, G. O. Briggs, W. H. Jennings and B. F. Goar were duly appointed as commissioners on corporation and corporation elections. We have not been able to ascertain who were the first town officers elected, nor the date on which the first election was held, but it was not long after the petition of incorporation was granted by the court.

     The following is a list of the present officers:

TOWN OFFICERS-1878.

Mayor-H. A. Bullis. Recorder-M. A. Little. Treasurer-Phillip Hunt.
Councilmen:
J. R. Van Meter,
C. K. Smith,
Samuel Drew,
Silas Parker,
O. W. Bogue.
Marshal-E. D. Akers.
Justice-J. W. Welch.
Constable-J. B. Lemans.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL-BUILDING

     In the town is a two-story frame structure, of two rooms. It was built about 1870, and a good school is taught in it, with quite a large number of pupils in attendance. There are two teachers employed. Principal--J. F. Curren; Assistant-Miss Hoover.

     The town has no lawyers and no saloons, rather singular coincidents, especially for a mining town; but the people are generally peaceable and prosperous, and go forward industriously in the even tenor of their ways.

     There are two churches in the town, each well finished, comfortable frame buildings. The United Brethren Church, Rev. S. E. Dennis, pastor, and the M. E. Church, Rev. Osborn, pastor, each having a large membership for the size of the town.

     We would be glad to give a more complete sketch of each of these churches, but cannot, as the material is not at hand. A request was made for each party to send in the statistics, but they have not come; hence the omission.

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BUSINESS INTERESTS.

     The following is a list of the business houses and firms as they stood at the beginning of the year 1879, as nearly as could be ascertained:

Dry Goods.- W. H. Jennings, dry goods, groceries and general stock; Goar Brothers, dry goods, groceries and general stock.
Hardware.-C. W. Bogue, general stock.
Drug Stores.-M. A. Little, J. B. Rubinson.
Restaurant.-H. A. Bullis.
Notion Store.-Richard Graham.
Millinery Store.-Charles Linthurst.
Blacksmith Shops.-Samuel Hobaugh, McNair Brothers, blacksmith and wagon shop.
Carpenters.-Alexander Logan, A.. C. Akers.
Physicians.-Dr. C. M. Dodge, Dr. C. K. Smith, Dr. Kirk Woodruff.
Harness Shop.-S. L. Doty.
Meat Markets.-W. T. Clayton, Welch & Hunt.
Shoe Shop.-L. S. Thomas,
Express Agent.-.M. A. Little.
Station Agent.-Charles Linthrust. His son is the telegraph operator.
Hotel.-Graham House, Richard Graham, proprietor. The property and building are owned by C. McCoy.
Boarding Houses.-H. A. Bullis, proprietor; C. M. Dodge, proprietor.
Flouring Mill.-J. R. Vanmeter.
Grain Dealer.-Samuel Cook.
Elevator. -Owned by W. B. White, of Des Moines. It. was built by Miles White, being the first and only one in the town. It is a large one well fitted up, and through it is shipped a great deal of grain annually.

LODGES.

'Coon Valley Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 257.-This lodge was organized by grant of charter in 1871, with five members, whose names are as follows: Stephen Adams, Shubal Ellis, S. L. Doty, William Hoffstott and J. D. Ellis.

     The first officers were: Stephen Adams, N. G.; William Hoffstott, V. G.; Shubal Ellis, Rec. Sec.; J. D. Ellis, Treasurer. They hold their meetings every Saturday night.

     The present officers are: L. W. Clayton, N. G.; S. B. Kenworthy, V. G.; F. M. Ross, Rec. Sec.; Philip Hunt, Perm. Sec.; William Hoffstott, Treasurer.

     The ex-officers just retiring are: J. S. Hall, N. G.; L. W. Clayton, V. G.; H. R. Van Meter, Rec. Sec.; Philip Hunt, Perm. Sec.; William Hoffstott, Treasurer.

     The present membership numbers 26. The lodge was at one time much more prosperous until about three years ago last fall when another lodge at Booneville, called "Forest Lodge," was organized by grant of charter from this lodge, which greatly reduced the numbers and strength, taking at one time 16 members from this lodge. But they are now regaining from this embarrassment and are increasing gradually in growth and influence.

     Rebecca Lodge.-This lodge was organized in October, 1874, by grant of charter from the 'Coon Valley Lodge, and for a while was quite flourishing;

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but of late it has been neglected somewhat, and during the past year have held no regular meetings. The object was a benevolent one and while in working order the designs were effectually carried out by the members.

     The charter members were, as nearly as we can ascertain, as follows: Mrs. William Hoffstott, Mrs. William Shull, Mrs. A. M. Logan, Mrs. S. Parks, Mrs. J. J. Smith, Mrs. J. D. Ellis, Mrs. S. L. Doty, Mrs. F. M. Evans and Mrs. A. Pearse.

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