William DENNER
The bone and sinew of any Iowa community are the farmers of that community. One
of the responsible farmers of Chickasaw County is Wm DENNER who was born March 5th
1867.
He attended the Chickasaw Public Schools and was married on September 5th 1891 to
Fredericka SCHWARTZENSTEIN. Has been a farmer all his life. In 1903 he was elected to fill a
vacancy in the supervisors office and in 1904 was again elected to fill the office by the
Democratic Party of which he is a member.
J.F. and A.F. HOUDEK
Mr J.F. HOUDEK and A.F. HOUDEK came to New Hampton from Fort Atkinson in November 1903. They
have been conducting a successful business here since that time. In their plant they have
thousands of dollars worth of machinery. They repair threshing machines, automobiles and
anything else from a rat trap to a locomotive. They also do all kinds of wood work and are
the only completely equipped machine shop in Chickasaw County. They also do all kinds of
blacksmith work.
J.W. McINTEE
Mr J.W. McINTEE, one of New Hampton’s active young men, was born in Clayton and came to
Chickasaw County when two years old and was reared on a farm four miles east of New Hampton.
He has seen service in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but finally came back to his old home at New
Hampton, where he now owns and conducts a four chair tonsorial parlor. Through his efforts and
those who work with him, many of New Hampton’s best citizens have had a "very close shave.
"
G.H. GOGGINS
Among the other institutions which make Lawler a convenient place in which to live is the
jewelry store conducted by G.H. GOGGINS at Lawler, Iowa.
Mr GOGGINS graduated from the Horilogical school at Winona, Minnesota in 1890. One year
later he opened a jewelry store at Lawler, where he has been very successful and efficient.
Mr GOGGINS is also a graduate of the Northern Illinois college of opticians. He makes a
specialty of fitting glasses wherever needed. Eyes are tested free of charge.
J.E. LANDON
The firm of Landon Brothers, drugs and groceries was started at Lawler, Iowa in
1883. It was continued under this name until 1893 when Mr J.E. LANDON obtained entire control.
Mr LANDON has always had the confidence of his patrons as evidenced by the long time which he
has remained at the old stand. In our bustling and changeable times in the west, we seldom find
one remaining so long in one business at one place. Mr LANDON has a branch store at Jerico
where he handles a stock of general merchandise.
S. NARGANG
Mr S. NARGANG who conducts a very successful retail meat business at New Hampton, Iowa,
established himself in this trade in 1875. For two years he conducted the business by himself
when the firm was changed to TIERNEY & NARGANG. After four years Mr NARGANG again became
sole owner. The business has grown with the town until at the present time it is one of the
paying concerns of New Hampton.
WILKINS & McGRANE
When a stranger goes into a city he judges the prosperity and enterprise of her
citizens by the appearance of the business houses and the up-to-date ways of conducting the
mercantile establishments. To an outsider when going into New Hampton, Iowa, the first thing
which attracts his attention is the fine quality of her buildings and the elegant way in which
many of her stores are furnished.
Among the number there is none which excel the pharmacy conducted by WILKIN & McGRANE. They
commenced business January 1st 1905, and already their store is one among the most
popular in the city. Their stock is said to be the finest in the city. They carry a complete
line of drugs, paints, oils, wall paper stationary and everything to be found in a store of that
class.
Mr WILKINS is mayor of the city and both of these gentlemen are congenial and obliging. Such a
firm are a credit and a benefit to any community and we bespeak for these gentlemen the success
which they deserve and which they are obtaining by giving everybody a "square deal."
Dr Francis FEENEY
Dr Francis S. FEENEY was born in Rochester, Minnesota, May 21st 1876.
He is of Irish-American parentage, his father being Irish and his mother having been born in
America. His boyhood days were spent at Rochester, where he attended school until a completion
of the high school course. After having graduated here he attended the University of Illinois
Medical School from which place he graduated in 1898.
Soon after leaving school the doctor located in New Hampton where he commenced the practice of
medicine and in this has been successful. The doctor saw the advisability of taking unto
himself a wife and selected Miss Mamie H. STANTON to preside over the home.
Henry H. JOHNSON
Henry H. JOHNSON, one of the leading druggists of New Hampton was born at Ackley,
Iowa June 28, 1882. When a small boy his parents moved to Davis, South Dakota where he was
educated. Mr JOHNSON was employed four years in a drug store after which he entered Highland
Park College and graduated in pharmacy and from the Golden Cross College of Ophthalmology. He
is now a member of the Iowa State Association of Opticians.
Mr JOHNSON conducts and owns a drug
business at the old Briggs store in New Hampton.
John WATTS
The firm of Watt & Co. was organized in 1870 at Nashua, Iowa for the purpose
of handling groceries and crockery. It was continued under that name for six years when Mr WATTS
purchased the business and continued it under his own name. He is one of the industrious and
influential men of Nashua. He carries a fine stock of good and keeps his store and stock in
splendid shape.
John COLER
We are very much gratified to produce above one of the old reliable stalwarts of
Chickasaw County in the person of John COLER of Nashua, Iowa. He was born at Wamsburg,
Pennsylvania, June 30th 1827. At this place he lived until 1852, working at his
trade of carpentering and farming at the same time.
Coming west in the summer of 1852, he settled in the vicinity where Nashua now stands. After
living there about 8 years he built the house he now occupies. Mr COLER was one of the men who
helped to lay out the town of Nashua. In 1860 he was married. Mr COLER was one of the first
settlers in the county and bought the first land west of the Cedar River in Chickasaw County.
Mr and Mrs Sam LEWIS
Mr and Mrs Sam LEWIS, one of the oldest married couples in Chickasaw County,
came to the vicinity from Pennsylvania in the year 1886 and have resided here since that time.
Mr LEWIS was born in 1824 and his wife in 1827, making them 81 and 78 years old. It is rarely
that we find two people who have been permitted to travel along life’s pathway so long together
and we bespeak for them a blessing in their declining years.
Joseph SEWELL
Joseph SEWELL, one of New Hampton’s reliable citizens first saw the light of day
in Boone County Illinois, May 20, 1840. He is of English decent. When the war broke out he
enlisted in the 95th Illinois as a private and served three years. In 1865 he returned
to Illinois remaining there until May 1867, when he came to Chickasaw County, locating in
Jacksonville Township. Farming was his occupation and at this honorable calling he labored
until 1893 when he moved to New Hampton and retired from active duty.
Charles N. RATHBUN
Charles N. RATHBUN, one of New Hampton’s enterprising young men and a successful
dentist, was born at Clinton, Iowa. He resided there until he was 20 years of age and graduated
at the high school.
Later he attended the Kansas City Dental College where he graduated with honor to himself and to
the school. After getting through this school he located in New Hampton, to practice dentistry,
where he still remains.
MILLER & KENYON
The firm which is now Miller & Kenyon was established by Wing & Miller
18 years ago, or in 1877. Five years later the firm name was changed to Miller & Kenyon
under which name it has since been conducted. In 1899 a beautiful and commodious building was
constructed where these gentlemen conduct a successful transfer business. They have also a good
trade in wood, coal and other materials which go with this line. Both the building and the
business are a credit to the city.
Fred ELLIS
Mr Fred ELLIS, proprietor of the American Steam Laundry, is one of the
enterprising businessmen of New Hampton. The plant was purchased by him in April 1905 and at
this time the patronage was very small, but with hard work and good work he has built up a
paying business. He however, still has room for more and is equipping his plant for larger
business.
He will soon put in an additional $500 worth of machinery and will be able to take care of a
much larger volume of work. His agencies in outside towns are already doing quite well but in
the near future he expects a much larger trade. His plant is fitted to take care of ladies as
well as mens laundry work.
R. FEYERBEND
R. FEYERBEND, attorney and counselor at law, was born in Germany and studied in
that country and in America. He has been in active practice of the law at New Hampton since
January 1895. Mr Feyerbend resides on Linn Avenue and has offices in the Albert KLATT block on
Main Street.
Bartlett BUTLER
Bartlett BUTLER, one of Chickasaw County’s old settlers, was born in Montreal,
Canada in the year 1833 and was educated at the Montreal schools. While yet young he moved to
Saratoga, New York where he learned the carpenter trade. After a few years spent here, our
young pioneer left for Wisconsin and finally in 1864 landed in Iowa. While still in New York,
Mr Bartlett married Miss Lydia A. STEARNS. In his business of carpenter, architect and builder,
Mr Butler has been very successful.
Francis DANE and Wife
Francis DANE was born at Derby, Orleans County Vermont in 1828. His boyhood and
earlier manhood was spent in the Green Mountain State, but the broad prairies of Iowa seemed
fairer, and with his young wife they took the westward trail in search of land and landed in
Jacksonville Township, Chickasaw County in 1855.
Mr DANE was one of the County’s pioneers and worked his farm for 42 years. His wife, whose
maiden name was Jane CRANE, has shared these long and fruitful years with him. She was born at
Derby, [sic?]Connecticut in 1830 and married Mr DANE in 1855.
It is a great source of happiness for companions to be able to thus spend so many happy and
useful years together. Mr and Mrs DANE retired from active duty and came to New Hampton in 1897.
They still own the same quarter section on which they settled in 1855. Mr DANE has served
several terms as supervisor of his county and during his active years worked at both carpenter
work and surveying.
J.E. WILDMANN
Mr WILDMANN is a native of New York, being born at Buffalo in 1853. He came to
Chickasaw County over twenty years ago. In 1881 he was married to Miss Minnie BOOS. Immediately
after this important event, Mr WILDMANN went into business on Chestnut Avenue. In 1888 he moved
into the building where he now conducts his business. He is a man whom we may say paddles his
own canoe in every sense of the word, owning his own building and taking care of a large trade
without any help. Such men are bound to win.
Harrison GURLEY
Harrison GURLEY was born at Mansfield, Tolland County Connecticut in 1815. He
is of the vigorous long lived Scottish ancestry who have been the bulwarks of society wherever
it has been their lot to reside. In his young days he worked as bookkeeper in a mercantile
establishment. So well did he prosper in his position that in 1840 he became proprietor, having
bought the business. Here he remained until 1855 when the westward fever took hold on him and
with other sturdy men of his class came to Iowa and settled at Grinnell. But Chickasaw County
soon enticed him and he came there in 1856. A mercantile establishment was founded by him and
successfully conducted for 18 years. Mr GURLEY then in 1876 opened the bank of New Hampton. Mr
Gurley was married in 1846. He is one of the oldest, if not the oldest men in the county.
Chas. W. SCHNURR
Chas W. SCHNURR was born in Scott County Iowa in 1867. He is of sturdy German
parentage and was educated in the public schools of Scott County, working on the farm until 21
years of age. He followed the trade of carpenter for six years in Chickasaw County and worked 8
years for the firm of Bigelow & Donovan. In 1891 the Republicans of Chickasaw County
concluded that Mr SCHNURR would make a good sheriff and they proceeded to elect him. He still
holds the office.
Dr G.C. BENSON
Dr G.C. BENSON was born in Marshall County Iowa, June 11th 1874,
being the son of Charles and Anna L. BENSON. His preliminary education was received at Gladbrook,
Iowa where he graduated from the high school in 1896. In the fall of the same year he entered
Western College where he took up the study of dental surgery. In 1899 he entered the office of
Dr Bruner of Toledo, Iowa where he remained until matriculating in the State Dental College of
Iowa. After a successful three years course, he graduated in 1901 with the degree of D.D.S.
He at once opened an office at Nashua, Iowa where he conducts a very successful business. The
doctor is much interested in dental societies and is a member of both the "Iowa State
Dental Society" and the "Northern Iowa Dental Society." He is known as a
skillful and conscientious operator.
In June, the doctor was married to Miss Zelma Urdine HUNT. To them was born a daughter, Marion
Eloise, who is the pride of her home. The doctor is a quiet home loving man, and is with those
who are striving for higher ideals and broader culture. His analytical sum of mind and
mechanical skill combine to make him a successful practitioner. Such men as Dr BENSON are a
great benefit to the community in which they live.
Edwin W. PARKER
Mr Edwin W. PARKER, one of the pioneers of Iowa and of Chickasaw County, was born
in Calmet, Franklin County Mass, May 16th 1819. He moved to Plainfield, New York
when a young man taking up the business of teaming.
While Iowa was still a virgin prairie state Mr PARKER, at 37 years of age, came west and settled
at Grinnell in the year 1856. He did not remain long here, but about a year later settled in
Chickasaw County.
When the Boys in Blue marched away to defend the flag, Mr PARKER was among them. As one of the
boys, he served three years and like many another of the comrades the hardships of war disabled
him so that since that time he has been forced to retire from active duty. Up to the time of
the war Mr PARKER had always been an active hard working man. To such men we owe our present
prosperity and the firmly established state.
S.L. HITCH
Mr S.L. HITCH, the present manager of the county farm, was born in Fayette
County Iowa in 1855. He moved to Chickasaw County in 1867 where he engaged in farming. Mr HITCH
is one of the well known and responsible men in his community. In 1904 he was appointed by the
board of supervisors to manage the county farm, a position of no small responsibility.
L.H. WELLER
L.H. WELLER of Nashua was born at Bridgewater, Connecticut August 24, 1833;
received a common-school and academic education; also a course at State Normal School, New
Britain, Connecticut, and Literary Institute, Suffield, Connecticut; was born and reared a
Democrat of the Jefferson and Jackson school; however, voted for Fremont, Lincoln twice, Grant
once, Greeley, Tilden and Weaver; went West in 1859, and located in Chickasaw County Iowa,
where he tilled the soil in the day time and studied law, politics and theology at night, was
admitted to politics at once; to the State Courts in 1867; was that year an Independent
candidate for the State Legislature against Honorable J.G. TISDAL, the Republican nominee, but
both were defeated by a railroad candidate sprung out three days before election; was an
Independent candidate for State Senate against Honorable John E. Burk, Republican nominee in
1869, and was defeated at the polls; was an Independent candidate for the State Candidate in
1877 against Honorable A. Kimball, the Republican nominee, who was elected by a small majority;
was the nominee of the Nationals in the Fourth Congressional District of Iowa in 1878, when the
Republican candidate, Honorable N.C. Deering, was elected; and was elected to the Forty-eighth
Congress as a National, receiving 11,473 votes against 10,762 votes for Thomas Updegraff,
Republican.
Paul KEMPENDORFF
Paul KEMPENDORFF, the present County Treasurer of Chickasaw County, was born at
New Hampton April 30, 1875. As a boy, he grew up in New Hampton graduating from the high school
there in 1891. For eight years he served as clothing salesman for the popular firm of
Zundelowitz.
June 25th 1899 he married to a charming young lady named Miss Anna McCARTHY, for which
act we are reliably informed he has never been sorry. In 1903 he was elected county treasurer
on the Democratic ticket. He is still holding the office. Mr KEMPENDORFF was the first man
born in New Hampton to be elected to a county office.
Edson H. MOON
Mr Edson H. MOON, Recorder of Chickasaw County, was born at Janesville, Iowa
January 16th 1876. When quite young he became a resident of Cedar Falls, Iowa where
he attended school. In the year 1895, he moved to Chickasaw County.
Being a young man of active mind and possessing a great many friends he naturally turned toward
politics and in the year 1904 he was honored by his constituency by being elected to the office
of county recorder on the Democratic ticket. This is a position of no small responsibility in a
county where so many changes in real estate ownership are taking place. Mr MOON now resides in
New Hampton.
Dr A.H. WRIGHT
Dr A.H. WRIGHT was born July 18th 1843 in Chemung County New York.
When quite young he moved to Dodge County Wisconsin, where he was educated in the public schools.
At the age of 17 years he enlisted in the army, being one among the first to go out in 1861. He
served his country four long hard years, being wounded four times, once very seriously. As a
Private he went out but when he came back it was no longer as a Private, but as a Lieutenant.
In 1865 he entered the University of Michigan Medical College where he graduated in 1870. The
practice of medicine was begun in Michigan, but the doctor did not remain there very long,
coming to Ionia, Iowa where he stayed until 1890, when he moved to New Hampton where he now
enjoys a lucrative practice.
H.B. LAIRD
The subject of this sketch, Mr H.B. LAIRD, the present mayor of Nashua, Iowa,
was born in Huntingdon, Canada in 1843. He lived there until he was 12 years old and received
his education at the public schools of that place. In 1857 he came and settled at Bradford,
Chickasaw County and after living there six years, enlisted with the Boys in Blue, Company H,
4th Iowa Cavalry and marched to defend the grandest flag on earth. As a soldier he
served until the war closed when he was honorably discharged. When peace had been declared he
came back to his old home, but in a few years settled in the nearby town of Nashua. Mr LAIRD
has nearly all his life been in public service, having served two terms as township trustee,
eight years in the school board and was elected mayor of Nashua for the second time in March
1905.
Patrick H. MURPHY
It is the vigorous young blood which gives to our country of America its push
and energy. The young men are fast assuming places of responsibility and trust. One of the
prominent young men of this part of the community is Mr Patrick H. MURPHY, the present Auditor
of Chickasaw County. He was born in the county, on a farm, April 21, 1876. At the age of 25 he
left the farm. Was educated in the public schools at Lawler after which he taught school for
two years. Feeling the need of the higher education, he then attended Highland Park College at
Des Moines.
In 1901, Mr MURPHY came to New Hampton where he served as Deputy County Auditor. The term of
the Auditor expiring, the Republicans of Chickasaw needed a good man and Patrick H. MURPHY was
the one chosen. From experience we wish to say that a more efficient and gentlemanly officer it
has never been our privilege to meet.
Dr J.N. LYNCH
Dr J.N. LYNCH was born in Reid Township, Clayton County Iowa, September 11
th 1870 where his parents, Jno. and Anna B., resided on a farm. J.N. attended the
home school and high school of Elkader till he was 17 hears of age. At 21 he entered the
University of Iowa City, taking up the study of medicine. He remained here 2 years, when he
went to Milwaukee, entering the school of physicians and surgeons from which school he graduated
on April 27th 1897. He began the practice of his chosen profession in Milwaukee the
same year meeting with more than ordinary success and building up for himself a fine practice.
In August 1898, on the earnest solicitation of friends he came to Lawler, a change he has not
regretted since. Success here has been rapid and complete. His practice is all that anyone
could ask.
On May 10th 1899 he was married to Miss Mae RUSSELL, two children, Charles Virgil and
Eleanor Marguerite Marie, have blessed this union.
In the fall of 1903 he was made the unanimous choice of the Democratic party for coroner, being
defeated by 14 votes. The following spring he was nominated for mayor on the citizens ticket
and after one of the most hotly contested elections held in the town, was declared elected by a
large majority. He owns one of the very finest homes in the town, located on east Grove Street.
John NOBLE
John NOBLE was born in Cornwall, Canada, September 11th 1833. He
lived at that place until he was 12 years old, when he moved to St Lawrence County New York. At
the age of 22, Mr NOBLE came to Iowa and settled at Nashua, where he bought a farm on which he
lived for 28 years.
In 1861 he was married to Miss Zelia HALL, who was born in Moors, New York and came to Iowa with
her folks in 1855. There are two sons now living, George E. NOBLE, State Veterinary of Idaho,
and Tony W. NOBLE. John NOBLE was the first man, now living, to settle in Nashua.
Senator Wm B. PERRIN
Senator Wm B. PERRIN was born at Berlin, Washington County Vermont, January 19
th 1839. His education commenced in the district school, was continued in Barre
Academy. In 1861 he entered Dartmouth College and graduated therefrom in 1866, his course
having been interrupted by military service. He took a course of lectures at the Albany Law
School in the fall and winter of 1866 and spring of 1867, then came to Iowa and became a student
in the law office of Tracy & Newman at Burlington.
In August 1868, he located at Nashua, Iowa where he has since been engaged in practice. His
first dollar was earned in teaching school. He has served as Justice of the Peace, County
Supervisor, Secretary of the School Board, School Director and President of the School Board,
member of the Council and Mayor.
He has a good record as a soldier. He enlisted in the First Rhode Island Cavalry, Company B,
Seventh Squadron, composed mainly of college students. They saw service in the Shenandoah
Valley, about Harper’s Ferry and at Antietam. He afterwards enlisted in the Third Vermont
Light Battery and was in the campaign from the Wilderness to Petersburg and until Lee’s
surrender.
He is unmarried. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Lincoln, but in
his duties as a public servant he places the good of the whole people above devotion to party.
As a legislator he has gained many friends and no enemies, for his conduct is always courteous,
and his ability is recognized by every member of the Senate. He has a keen sense of humor and a
droll inimitable way of expressing himself, so that he never lacks for a reply.
SOURCE:
Illustrated Directory and Historical
Sketches of Chickasaw County Iowa – 1906
Pages 194 – 217, in part
Midland Directory and Publishing Co.
Mason City, Iowa
